Once the plane reached cruising altitude, the two of them began chatting on their phones.
Since their phones were in airplane mode, they couldn’t message each other normally, so they shared a single phone and typed back and forth in the Notes app.
It was a little inconvenient, but they enjoyed it immensely.
After all, there wasn’t much else to do, and the flight was long. They had to find some way to pass the time.
Xu Tang: Why do you think they didn’t announce their relationship beforehand? If they reveal it on the show, won’t that just invite all kinds of speculation?
He Xin: That’s probably exactly the effect they’re after. This show is hugely popular. They came here to generate buzz. If they announce their relationship on the show, the attention they’ll get will probably overshadow ours.
Xu Tang: But if they break up later, won’t that become a huge hassle?
He Xin: You think they’d care? Once they’ve gained enough popularity from the show, they’ll wait about six months, announce that they broke up because of “personality differences,” say it was an amicable split, and that they’ll remain friends. Then they’ll interact online every now and then. Fans will think it’s a shame they broke up, but they’ll also feel it’s wonderful that they stayed friends.
Xu Tang: That’s planning pretty far ahead.
He Xin: I’m sure everything’s already been arranged. Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare take this risk.
Xu Tang: I heard a lot of first-tier celebrities’ managers contacted the production team and were all turned down. For those two to get on the show… it can’t just be because of the connections they have.
He Xin: This is only a guess, but I remember Ai Ya’s boss attended one of this season’s sponsors’ new product launches.
Xu Tang: So maybe the sponsor specifically requested them?
He Xin: Probably. They might’ve even brought in a few additional sponsors for the production too. Otherwise, with so many better choices than this hastily assembled fake couple, why would they pick them?
Xu Tang: Yeah. We’ll see. Somehow I have a bad feeling about this season. If the truth comes out, it’ll hurt both the show’s popularity and its reputation. We might even get dragged into it.
He Xin: We’ve already been paid, so who cares? Just tell the PR department to be ready.
Both he and Xu Tang were managed by Huayan Entertainment.
Yue Yan wasn’t really a public celebrity, so he had nothing to worry about.
As for Zong Xuan…
The PR team at Zong Xuan’s own studio was even better than Huayan’s, so there was even less reason to be concerned.
At lunchtime, the flight attendants made their way down the aisle, politely asking each passenger what they would like to eat.
Today’s first-class menu included steak, braised beef over rice, sandwiches, egg fried rice, and grilled eel over rice.
There was also a much wider selection of desserts and beverages than in economy class, including soft-serve ice cream.
Xu Tang wanted the beef rice…
But the eel rice looked equally tempting.
He turned toward Zong Xuan.
“What do you want?”
“I’m fine with anything.”
Zong Xuan had no particular favorite among the choices.
“Then let’s get one beef rice and one eel rice, and share them.”
Ordering two full meals for one person wasn’t impossible, but Xu Tang knew he wouldn’t finish both and didn’t want to waste food.
Sharing made more sense.
“Sounds good.”
The flight attendant smiled as she handed them both meals.
Of course she knew about Zong Xuan and Xu Tang’s relationship.
Because she knew, watching them share their food felt incredibly sweet.
And Zong Xuan clearly followed Xu Tang’s wishes in everything.
One glance was enough to tell he absolutely doted on his partner.
Unfortunately, her job prevented her from posting anything online.
Otherwise, she would’ve loved to write a Weibo post sharing just how envious she felt.
He Xin pulled out his laptop, opened a movie he’d downloaded earlier, and watched it with Xu Tang while they ate.
Behind them, Zong Xuan and Yue Yan were discussing recent films and television dramas.
On Xu Tang’s right, Zhou Xing and Chen Tina quietly chatted while eating, enjoying an easy, relaxed atmosphere.
Only Yu Lun and Ai Ya, seated to Zong Xuan’s right, didn’t exchange a single word.
Yu Lun watched a movie.
Ai Ya read a magazine.
Even after receiving their meals, they ate separately.
Their lack of professionalism was almost impressive.
Halfway through lunch, Xu Tang and Zong Xuan exchanged meal boxes.
Zong Xuan asked the flight attendant to refill Xu Tang’s water.
Xu Tang asked what flavors of soft-serve ice cream were available.
He had originally planned to order one after lunch…
But Zong Xuan immediately stopped him.
“You can have it later.”
Xu Tang pouted.
He didn’t argue.
Zong Xuan asked what desserts were available before turning back to Xu Tang.
“What do you want?”
“I want the one filled with soft-serve ice cream.”
It was obviously an act of petty rebellion.
Zong Xuan laughed.
Turning to the flight attendant, he said,
“Two egg tarts and a milk tea for him.”
Seeing that Xu Tang didn’t object, the attendant realized the earlier exchange had merely been the couple flirting.
Smiling, she nodded.
“Certainly, sir.”
“You’re not getting anything?”
Xu Tang asked.
Zong Xuan considered it for a moment.
“Then four purple yam pastries as well.”
He knew Xu Tang loved pastries with fillings.
As long as they weren’t red bean or jujube paste, he could always split one with Xu Tang later.
Xu Tang was clearly satisfied.
The smile returned to his face.
“Heh, Little Tang.”
He Xin leaned over and whispered with a grin.
“You’ve really got some skills. Have you completely wrapped Best Actor Zong around your finger?”
Xu Tang shook his head.
“No.”
“I didn’t even get my ice cream.”
“But that’s because he’s looking out for you.”
He Xin rolled his eyes.
“You shouldn’t eat something cold immediately after a meal anyway.”
“I know.”
Xu Tang smiled.
“But I still wanted it.”
He Xin shot him another look.
“He’s spoiled you rotten.”
Xu Tang simply smiled without replying.
He understood perfectly well.
Whenever he acted like this…
Zong Xuan simply classified it as acting cute.
The filming location was a small tropical island.
Many islands surrounded it, but the entire production would take place on this one.
After landing, everyone boarded a boat.
By the time they reached the island, it was already past three in the afternoon local time.
The cameras began rolling again the moment they got off the plane.
Dragging their suitcases behind them, the celebrity couples arrived at the designated gathering area, where banners and cameras had already been set up.
Once everyone had taken their places…
A man walked out of a nearby tropical-style hut.
It was…
Shi Duo.
Everyone looked surprised.
The only exception was Yu Lun.
His expression immediately darkened.
He knew exactly what he’d done.
Even though none of it had been exposed publicly, he didn’t believe Shi Duo hadn’t investigated.
Besides…
Who was standing behind Shi Duo now?
The Zonghuang Group.
Forget Young Master Sun.
Even Ai Ya’s wealthy patron couldn’t afford to offend them.
To be honest…
Ever since Zonghuang had publicly announced his relationship with Shi Duo, Yu Lun had become almost consumed with jealousy.
He couldn’t understand why Shi Duo had found a wealthy man who genuinely loved him…
While he himself had only ever been forced to accept the entertainment industry’s unspoken rules.
“Hello, everyone.”
Shi Duo smiled professionally.
“Welcome to the third season of The Shape of Love. I’ll be your host this season.”
“I object!”
He Xin immediately shouted.
“Shi Duo’s stealing my job! Production team, look at me! I’m the host here!”
His perfectly timed interruption instantly livened up the atmosphere.
It also helped Shi Duo relax considerably during his first time hosting.
Shi Duo smiled cleverly.
“Sorry.”
“Brother Yue Yan was willing to come on the show with you.”
“But someone in my family isn’t part of the entertainment industry, so he couldn’t come.”
“So this host position…”
“I’m sitting in it very securely.”
Not only did he openly acknowledge his relationship with Zong Huang…
He also immediately crushed He Xin’s attempted “coup.”
“Yooooooo!”
He Xin laughed.
Everyone else joined in.
Yue Yan suddenly looked toward Zong Xuan and Xu Tang.
“I just realized… today the host’s future brother-in-law and future younger sibling-in-law are here too.”
Among everyone present…
Only Yue Yan dared tease Zong Xuan like that.
Zong Xuan had always had a favorable impression of Shi Duo.
His older brother’s sudden announcement of their relationship had certainly surprised him.
But he personally had absolutely no objections to Shi Duo.
Xu Tang immediately played along.
“Hello, Sister-in-law.”
Shi Duo’s face instantly turned bright red.
He hurriedly replied,
“Hello, King of Songs Xu… Hello, Best Actor Zong.”
Chen Tina burst into laughter.
“Shi Duo, now you’re the one acting too formally.”
She and Zhou Xing had both worked with Shi Duo before.
They’d gotten along extremely well.
After filming, they’d even gone out to eat together several times.
Their relationship was quite close.
They might not dare tease Zong Xuan…
But teasing Shi Duo carried absolutely no pressure.
Shi Duo’s face reddened even more.
He coughed awkwardly before forcing himself back into host mode.
“You all have to listen to the host!”
“Otherwise you’ll be sleeping outdoors tonight!”
Although his threat sounded completely lacking in authority…
Everyone politely quieted down and waited for him to continue.
“The production team has prepared rooms for everyone.”
“But who gets which room will depend on your answers to a quiz.”
“The four rooms differ in size and scenery.”
“The couple with the highest score gets first choice.”
“The four room categories are…”
“‘Sea.'”
“‘Water.'”
“‘Wind.'”
“And ‘Sand.'”
After explaining the rules, he continued,
“In a moment, each of you will receive a sheet of questions and a pen.”
“You’ll spread out and answer individually.”
“Then we’ll compare your answers and rank everyone.”
“Any questions?”
Ai Ya raised her hand.
“So even if we score the highest…”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll get the best room?”
Shi Duo nodded.
“Correct.”
Ai Ya visibly relaxed before accepting the paper and pen from a staff member.
Once everyone had spread out, Shi Duo announced,
“You have five minutes.”
“Begin!”
Xu Tang looked at the sheet.
There were five questions:
- What’s the last movie you watched together?
- When was your most recent kiss?
- If you eat hot pot, what’s your partner’s must-order dish?
- What’s your own must-order dish?
- Name three fruits you both like. (One correct answer is enough.)
The last four questions were easy.
But…
The last movie they’d watched together?
Xu Tang genuinely couldn’t remember.
That day…
Zong Xuan had gotten increasingly bold.
His hands had wandered all over Xu Tang’s body until Xu Tang himself had become flustered.
Before the movie had even finished…
He’d run back to his room to take a cold shower.
Five minutes later, Shi Duo collected everyone’s answer sheets and compared the results.
He Xin and Yue Yan answered every question correctly.
Xu Tang and Zong Xuan missed only one question—Xu Tang’s answer to the first one.
Zhou Xing and Chen Tina got Questions Three and Four wrong because each of them had too many favorite hot pot dishes.
As for…
Yu Lun and Ai Ya…
They didn’t get a single answer right.
Everyone else couldn’t help feeling embarrassed on their behalf.
Even the editors would probably have a headache figuring out how to cut those scenes.
Still…
That wasn’t anyone else’s problem.
Shi Duo remained perfectly calm.
He simply invited everyone to choose their rooms according to their rankings.
He Xin chose Sea.
Just from the name, it sounded like it had an ocean view.
Xu Tang chose Water.
It seemed similar enough.
Chen Tina picked Sand because Wind sounded suspiciously like sleeping outdoors.
Ai Ya had no choice.
She was left with Wind.
Shi Duo smiled.
“All right.”
“Our staff will now escort each couple to their rooms.”
“There are no tasks tonight.”
“Get plenty of rest and adjust to the time difference.”
“I’ll see everyone tomorrow morning!”