The moment Director Zhao finished speaking, the assistant director panicked.
“Director Zhao! Zhao Director!”
He didn’t dare shout, only tugged at Zhao’s sleeve.
No effect.
Zhao shook off the sleeve.
“Don’t pull me—I already know!”
The assistant director was internally screaming. Know what?!
Zhao turned to Fan Qing with a heavy expression and sighed.
“Xiao Fan, don’t take it seriously. I just… couldn’t resist.”
He couldn’t help it—his hand shot out and grabbed Fan Qing’s bicep.
Tsk, just as he thought—it was solid!
What a shame… such a shame.
Zhao looked wistful. Wasn’t this exactly the kind of talent their show needed?
Is this how one acts on a crush?
The assistant director was close to despair.
He hurried over, trying to laugh it off.
“Director Zhao’s just joking! He just thinks Fan Qing keeps in amazing shape.”
While saying that, he turned to Jian Feiyang, standing obediently beside them, and gave a charitable, gentle smile.
“And this must be Xiao Jian, right? So young-looking, great physique—it’s perfect for our show. Director Ma’s recommendation was spot on.”
Zhao snorted softly nearby, saying nothing further.
Jian Feiyang nodded politely, playing along.
“Director Ma told me the same thing—he said I’d fit well in your show, Director Zhao.”
Fan Qing smiled faintly at the perfect timing.
“I understand. Judging by Zhao’s expression, I take it you’re fairly satisfied with Jian Feiyang too?”
He stepped back slightly, giving Jian Feiyang the spotlight.
Zhao finally sized Jian Feiyang up from head to toe.
The more he looked, the brighter his eyes got.
He’d been in the survival-show game a long time, and with his own experience—he used to be a professional survival competitor in his youth—he could instantly tell which male talents were genuinely fit and which just looked good superficially.
Jian Feiyang? Clearly the real deal.
Core strength and endurance weren’t lacking at all. The muscles didn’t look exaggerated, but on the show, his stamina would be more than enough.
And…
The more Zhao looked at Jian Feiyang’s face, initially unremarkable, the more he found it appealing. He was even more satisfied.
His charisma wasn’t as striking as Fan Qing’s, but it was more accessible to the general audience!
Zhao beamed, patting Jian Feiyang’s arm.
“Excellent. Really excellent.”
Jian Feiyang didn’t know exactly what was excellent, but he smiled obediently.
The image of a sunny, all-American guy immediately cemented in Zhao’s mind—he was thrilled.
“So, how’s the schedule? If everything’s good, can we sign the contract now?”
Already so eager?
The assistant director hadn’t even had time to speak when Fan Qing calmly stepped forward.
“Of course. Director Ma arranged everything ahead of time, so we’re ready to sign the contract now.”
“Perfect! Come on, the contract—let’s sign it now.”
Hearing this, Zhao was even more pleased.
The assistant director had no choice but to step back quietly.
…Well, Jian Feiyang’s look alone made the signing worthwhile.
As for payment…
Zhao picked the highest rate he had budgeted, without hesitation. The assistant director choked up a little but couldn’t do anything.
Better to trust Old Zhao’s eye.
The filming schedule for Seven Days of Survival was tight. After securing this excellent contract, Fan Qing immediately prepared two plane tickets.
“…Ah Qing, what did you just say?”
Jian Feiyang stared at Fan Qing, stunned.
“I said, go use the restroom and grab some water. We’re about to fly.”
Fan Qing said this while handing Jian Feiyang two backpacks, along with sunglasses, a mask, and a bucket hat.
“No, no, not that—I mean, where are we actually going?”
Jian Feiyang froze.
And those backpacks… what were they for?
Fan Qing tied a black cloth around his head, revealing a broad, smooth forehead, giving him a more mature look than before. The faint stubble on his chin from late-night research added a wild, mature charm. Even a male like Jian Feiyang could feel the surge of testosterone radiating from him.
A-Ah Qing… he’s so handsome!
No, no, no—this isn’t the point!
Jian Feiyang obediently put on his disguise, and before he knew it, he was being dragged out the door.
Fan Qing gave a faint smile before pulling on his mask.
“I’m taking you to a survival training—three days, two nights, crash course.”
Wait… what?
Ah Qing, are you serious right now?
That thought completely consumed Jian Feiyang’s brain as he was shoved out the door and quickly buckled into the plane.
“Something’s not right.”
Jin Yi had been holding it in for two days… and now he couldn’t anymore.
He picked a time when the neighboring villa’s lights were on, dragged on some comfy slippers and a bathrobe, and rolled over to Nie Luo’s villa.
“What’s not right?”
For the first time, Nie Luo regretted giving this guy a spare key.
In the ten minutes he’d been there, Jin Yi had already said this sentence thirty-seven times.
He tightened his bathrobe and stared at Nie Luo expectantly.
“Don’t you feel like something’s been missing these past two days?”
“Missing what?”
Nie Luo paused to think along with him, then raised an eyebrow.
“You mean… you not gallivanting around the neighboring villa eating and playing?”
“Hah! No way!”
Jin Yi immediately protested. “I’ve been working, super diligent. No way I was off eating and playing… wait, that’s not what I meant!”
“You went to work… so that’s exactly what’s missing.”
Nie Luo stood up. Today he had a rare day off, so he was wearing a casual gray Taoist robe.
He’d once spent over a year living in a Taoist temple to prepare for a role, practicing daily, studying martial arts, and keeping up his skills.
There had even been crazy male fans trying to sneak a kiss on him, only to be effortlessly restrained by him—a news story that could still be found online.
“Not that!”
Jin Yi rushed over, seeing Nie Luo starting to sit cross-legged, beginning his full Taoist meditation and exercises. He quickly grabbed him.
“Do you… have Fan Qing’s WeChat? He hasn’t reached out to you these past few days?”
Nie Luo paused, then calmly sat cross-legged again.
“No.”
Jin Yi: ???
“That’s exactly why this is weird! He said all that stuff about… about you. How could he go two whole days without showing up even once?”
This was way too strange.
Nie Luo began to regulate his breathing.
“Maybe he gave up. Maybe it was just a whim.”
“Impossible! If that were true, why would he have helped me pick apart all those company issues a few days ago? That’s way too much effort.”
Jin Yi immediately shook his head.
Nie Luo’s breath faltered slightly.
“…You let him interfere in your company?”
Jin Yi snorted, about to explain, then paused. Something felt off.
He clicked his tongue, leaned closer, and gave a curious look.
“I mean, Nie Luo… are you… kind of into that guy?”
He hadn’t actually expected Nie Luo to respond.
After all, Nie Luo’s face had always attracted attention, but over the years no scandal ever leaked because this guy’s heart was supposedly calm and steady, like a true Taoist.
But now… he actually reacted to a topic about Fan Qing?
Nie Luo closed his eyes again.
“You’re overthinking. I was just making conversation with you.”
And with that, he clearly didn’t want to continue talking.
The problem is… that conversation started it all, didn’t it?
Jin Yi’s eyes darted around, then he went completely silent.
The room became very quiet. Aside from Nie Luo’s steady breathing, the only sound was Jin Yi rustling around.
He… really isn’t saying anything?
A tiny frown flickered on Nie Luo’s calm face, then relaxed.
Quiet isn’t so bad, he thought.
But not even five minutes later, Jin Yi’s voice echoed through the room again.
“Hey, Xiao Guan, you busy?”
Xiao Guan?
Nie Luo furrowed his brow. Right—Guan Junhao, the new recruit at Jin Yi’s company.
“Not busy. Nothing much. Just checking if you’re free—if you are, we can play a game and rank up together.”
Jin Yi’s voice was still loud.
Rank up in a game?
A flicker of disappointment passed through Nie Luo’s relaxed expression—before he replaced it with calm breathing.
Tsk tsk tsk… and he says he doesn’t care?
Jin Yi didn’t leave. He watched Nie Luo like this, clicking his tongue in amusement.
But he didn’t plan to do anything.
After all, if Fan Qing didn’t appear, there was nothing to do. Better to let his new little brother do all the heavy lifting in the game.
And Nie Luo’s gossip… well, when Fan Qing shows up, Jin Yi would have a front-row seat to enjoy the show, right?
Hilarious!
Soon, the room was filled with game sound effects and Jin Yi’s loud commands.
Nie Luo finished his meditation for a while, then slowly stood up.
Huh?
Nie Luo… couldn’t sit still?
Jin Yi’s eyes sparkled with gossip. He didn’t even notice his in-game character had just died.
“Jin Yi! Boss! You’re about to die!”
Guan Junhao, summoned to help the boss rank up, was ready to cry.
He looked at Jin Yi’s dead character, then at his own weak, helpless little support.
He clenched his teeth and charged.
Ten seconds later, his character died right beside Jin Yi.
Not bad… if the boss dies, how can the little brother survive?
Guan Junhao was satisfied.
Under Jin Yi’s watchful gaze, Nie Luo slowly walked out onto the balcony. He loosened his muscles and suddenly struck out with his palm!
The wind followed the motion of his hand, and with a fast, precise, and fierce impact, it hit the wooden post with a deep, heavy thud.
“…Hiss!”
Jin Yi, who had followed along intending to watch the show, instinctively took a step back.
Not for any other reason—just a feeling.
Danger ahead!
He cast a couple of cautious glances and quickly retreated from the striking range that made his heart skip a beat.
…Forget it. Some gossip isn’t worth seeing.
Besides, the guy in front of him couldn’t even sit still and had gone to punch a wooden post—surely Jin Yi could let his imagination run wild a little, right?
Don’t underestimate Jin Yi. He might not be cultured, but when it comes to imagination, he was a pro.
Still, the question remained… what exactly was the other main character up to?
Three days later, in the afternoon, the “Seven Days of Survival” production team gathered in the airport lounge.
Director Zhao was taking attendance, his gaze lingering on Jian Feiyang with a touch of curiosity.
“Hmm… just a few days, and this guy’s aura seems different?”
But the next second, his eyes were drawn to a figure walking slowly from a short distance away.
Meticulously groomed, radiating a gentle aura, and already wearing a small smile before even arriving.
“Sorry, everyone. I just finished my schedule and came straight over. Not late, right?”
The newcomer wasn’t anyone else but Jing Yuan.