Chapter 18 – Returning to the Nest
Lin Ganzhi sat in the back of the car, covering his face. In other words, it was very awkward!
Wenren Yi looked at Lin Ganzhi with some surprise. So this kid not only didn’t know she was on the guest list, he didn’t even know who else was on it!
“Don’t you read your contract?”
Lin Ganzhi thought for a moment. “I did.”
“What part did you read?”
Lin Ganzhi was a little embarrassed, but he still faced her honestly and smiled shyly. “The salary part~”
“Ahem!” The assistant in the front seat couldn’t help but cough. He had never seen such a down-to-earth celebrity in this day and age.
Wenren Yi’s face was full of dark lines. She patted Lin Ganzhi’s shoulder heavily. “Young man, don’t be so materialistic. At least try to embellish your words a little when you’re out.”
Lin Ganzhi looked deeply inspired. “Mhm, I’m just more sensitive to numbers. As soon as I got the contract, I looked for the part with the most digits.”
“Pfft!” The assistant in the front really couldn’t hold it in this time.
Wenren Yi facepalmed. The kid was a lost cause.
When Wenren Yi and the assistant were both resting with their eyes closed, Lin Ganzhi took a picture of the azure sea view outside the car and sent it to Yan Shengping: [Yan Shengping, I’ve arrived~]
After a busy day, Yan Shengping picked up his phone. The scenery the boy had captured felt distant to him, but through the photo, he seemed to see the brilliant expression on Lin Ganzhi’s face.
In his opinion, Lin Ganzhi should be out enjoying the world freely, not trapped in a small villa.
Yan Shengping thought for a moment and sent a message: [Work hard. You can also stay out and play for a few more days after you’re done. It’s boring to always be cooped up in the villa.]
Lin Ganzhi studied the message carefully. He got it. This was the boss testing his loyalty!
Lin Ganzhi: [Yan Shengping, let me ask you a question!]
Thirty seconds later: [Spit it out.]
Hiss—
Lin Ganzhi: [The eagle always returns to its nest. Guess where my nest is?]
One minute, two minutes, and still no sign that Yan Shengping was going to reply. Tsk, what’s with that?
Fortunately, after receiving the card with one hundred million, any of Yan Shengping’s little tempers were no big deal in his heart. His policy now was to be a dedicated male mother who only had the great donkey Yan in his heart!
Lin Ganzhi: [In your heart, oh~]
This time, there was finally some movement from Yan Shengping’s side. The other party typed within two seconds: [Scram.]
Alrighty then!
That little rascal, trying to make him stay out for a few more days, trying to test him. Did he, Lin Ganzhi, look like a naive, sweet, and simple person who was destitute?
Lin Ganzhi puffed out his little chest, filled with mysterious confidence!
After a short break, Lin Ganzhi and Wenren Yi officially boarded the ship. Thanks to Wenren Yi’s introduction, Lin Ganzhi finally realized he had boarded a pirate ship. That black-hearted businessman, Zhang Dianhuai, had definitely not mentioned that Zhong Jingyi and Luan Yuanzhou were also among the guests.
No wonder he had repeatedly urged him to keep a low profile before he left. So that’s what he meant by low profile!
Lin Ganzhi gritted his teeth in anger. Fortunately, this variety show was in a live broadcast format. Otherwise, given that Black Lotus’s disposition, he would have been slandered to a high polish, which would have ultimately affected his boss again!
It was now six in the evening. It would take exactly two hours for the production team’s boat to reach the small island. The time on the boat would be used as a promotional video later, and the cameraman was following them the whole time.
Lin Ganzhi and Wenren Yi went to the hotel. The temperature in the South China Sea was completely different from the mainland. Lin Ganzhi and Wenren Yi, with great tacit understanding, each changed into a large T-shirt and shorts! The cameraman and the assistant looked on for a long time, struggling between persuading them and not, but ultimately lost to Lin Ganzhi’s enthusiasm for wearing shorts.
They could only take them onto the boat like this.
A total of nine guests came for this show. Besides Lin Ganzhi, Wenren Yi, the Black Lotus and his partner, there were also Best Actress Que Jin, and singer Luo Tingyun. Luo Tingyun could be considered a senior, but he rarely appeared on camera except to release songs. However, that didn’t stop some people from trying to get close to him.
The others included a well-known host from a certain station, Fan Feimiao, and a married couple of actors who perennially dominated the top spots of TV drama charts, Bi Wu and Qi Lan.
Everyone sat around the dining table, where Lin Ganzhi and Wenren Yi stood out like cranes among chickens.
Even the indifferent Luo Tingyun was wearing a proper suit today, not to mention the two girls who came. Que Jin wore a long Klein Blue dress with a low-key but luxurious necklace, while Qi Lan wore a champagne-colored silk long dress and had three rings on her hand alone.
Zhong Jingyi and Luan Yuanzhou wore elaborate suits and wide-leg pants, and even had makeup on. The other host also wore a wine-red suit with a pigeon-egg-sized brooch on his chest.
Um…
Lin Ganzhi looked at the sunset that was about to merge with the horizon. If he wasn’t mistaken, they were participating in a deserted island survival show, right? Why was everyone dressed like they were going to a ball?
Also surprised was Zhong Jingyi. When he called last time, he hadn’t seen Lin Ganzhi clearly. His impression of him was still stuck on the flirty slut who wore heavy makeup and always tried to stick to his boyfriend. But today, he was wearing a large white T-shirt, his milky white skin looking somewhat dazzling against the night scene.
There was no trace of makeup on his face, yet he had a sense of returning to original simplicity. His pink hair wasn’t tacky, but instead had a unique boyish charm. He was chatting with Wenren Yi, who was wearing a black T-shirt next to him. The two of them together could have been shooting for a Japanese-style magazine.
In contrast, the limelight he had tried to create by dressing up today couldn’t even compare to his.
For the first time, Zhong Jingyi felt a faint sense of crisis. The words of his cold and distant brother, who always looked at people with the air of a superior, flashed in his mind: Pink hair is quite cute.
Zhong Jingyi took a deep breath, feeling a little resentful of the person before him.
Why could someone like this gain Yan Shengping’s favor after just a few days?
The nine people at the table, each with their own ulterior motives, sized each other up until the camera started rolling.
The director spoke from behind the camera, explaining the rules. “Below is the deserted island where you will need to form teams and spend a week. The island offers absolute freedom. There are natives in the center of the island. You can obtain points by completing tasks given by the production team to exchange for daily necessities. You have a total of three chances to call for help.”
At this point, Zhong Jingyi raised his hand. “Director Fang, could you please elaborate on this chance to call for help? I think safety is the top priority when participating in a show.”
Fan Feimiao laughed. “I remember Xiao Yi saying he was very afraid of things in the wild when he was on my show last time. I didn’t expect you to participate in this one.”
Zhong Jingyi covered his mouth and giggled, then took Luan Yuanzhou’s hand. “Because I want to experience a different kind of life with someone important.”
Luan Yuanzhou dotingly patted Zhong Jingyi’s head.
This gesture made everyone at the table envious.
From the married couple, Qi Lan clutched her chest and said, “You young people are so lucky. Old Wu doesn’t say sweet things to me anymore.”
Bi Wu immediately protested. “Don’t I say enough sweet things to you at home? If you don’t believe me, I can say some right now!”
The people at the table couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
But how could the shrewd people of the entertainment industry not know about the entanglement between Lin Ganzhi and these two? He used to like Luan Yuanzhou so much, but now he was married to his partner’s brother. No matter how you looked at it, there was a story there. So, everyone’s gazes inadvertently fell on Lin Ganzhi.
As a result…
Lin Ganzhi was using chopsticks to pick up sashimi from the table with one hand, and a fork to spear a large piece of steak with the other, his mouth still chewing on something, like a human-shaped hamster.
Vaguely sensing everyone’s gaze, Lin Ganzhi tried hard to swallow the food in his mouth. What were they talking about just now? He didn’t quite hear.
Forget it, just go with the flow. He was familiar with this.
“Oh, oh, I think so too. Isn’t anyone eating?”
Wenren Yi turned her face away.
Everyone else: We underestimated you. You have so much self-control.
Zhong Jingyi smiled, looking completely unaffected. “Ganzhi, you go ahead and eat. Just watching you eat makes it look delicious. I’ve been too busy with filming recently, so I don’t have much of an appetite.”
Lin Ganzhi smiled kindly. “Is that so? Then I’ll eat slower, so you can watch a little longer.”
Pfft!
For the first time, Wenren Yi felt what a wonderful thing it was to laugh out loud. But she couldn’t right now. Oh no, tears were about to come out.
Zhong Jingyi’s expression turned ugly. Luan Yuanzhou gripped his fork tightly, his professional etiquette forcing him to endure his anger and act as if nothing had happened.
Realizing the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Director Fang quickly changed the subject. “In a moment, you will be divided into three groups by drawing lots. Each group will have three people, and each group will have one chance to call for help. This chance includes requesting assistance if your group’s supplies are severely lacking, or if a team member gets sick, you can apply for medicine or rest at a hospital. But each group only has one chance. This ‘Survive!’ will ultimately be ranked based on your supplies, so everyone can treat this as a competitive variety show.”
As soon as Director Fang finished speaking, Fan Feimiao was the first to wail. “Director Fang, isn’t this too terrifying? We can only use that one chance for help even if we’re sick. What if it’s serious?”
“Then you can choose to forfeit,” Director Fang said, his kind face unchanging.
Lin Ganzhi finally understood why even he could get on this show. The ones who wanted to join were all wolves.
As soon as the director spoke, the playful atmosphere at the dining table suddenly stiffened.
Except for Lin Ganzhi, of course.
Lin Ganzhi was more interested in the small cake in the distance, but it was a bit far, and he was too embarrassed to stand up and get it. The food in his bowl was almost gone, and having a cake now would be wonderful. The little pink-haired boy’s eyes showed some disappointment.
Suddenly, a large plate of cake was moved over by a slender hand.
Lin Ganzhi looked up and saw that it was Que Jin! She even smiled at him. Lin Ganzhi searched his memory. Right, they had met in the elevator. Lin Ganzhi shot Que Jin a grateful look and picked up the strawberry cream cake he had been eyeing. The bright red strawberries and pure white cream piping looked so appetizing!
After eating half of it, Lin Ganzhi, with great conscience, looked up at Que Jin and said, “Sister Que Jin, you should have some too.”
Que Jin’s complexion was a little better than last time thanks to the makeup, but she still looked haggard. “No, thank you. I have a shoot, I can’t get too fat.”
Both said they were busy with work, but Que Jin’s words were much more sincere than Zhong Jingyi’s.
Just as Lin Ganzhi was about to say something, he was interrupted by Fan Feimiao from across the table. “Ganzhi, you don’t know how much pressure actors are under these days. Que Jin is known in the circle for being a workaholic. Your momentary kindness is actually causing trouble for Que Jin. Although you’re now married and semi-retired, you’ve experienced work matters yourself. Weren’t you on the same set as Yuanzhou before? You know how hard Yuanzhou works. Actors these days, we’re all very tired.”
Five of the nine people present were actors, and his words immediately struck a chord.
Everyone started talking about the efforts they made to stay thin.
Fan Feimiao’s words clearly stated his position. Wenren Yi’s eyes turned cold. In one speech, he had been passive-aggressively targeting Lin Ganzhi and even brought up the fact that Lin Ganzhi used to pursue Luan Yuanzhou.
Luan Yuanzhou’s expression was not good now, and Zhong Jingyi even put on the look of a victim trying to be strong.
Que Jin looked at Fan Feimiao. That wasn’t what she meant to express at all! Seeing the smile on that kid’s face disappear, Que Jin felt so bad she didn’t know what to say.
Just as Wenren Yi was about to stand up and defend her friend, Lin Ganzhi pulled her back down.
Lin Ganzhi looked at Fan Feimiao with a smile. “Feimiao, Brother, you’re five years older than me, so I’ll call you that.”
Fan Feimiao snorted, thinking that at least Lin Ganzhi knew his place. If he apologized properly to him and Jingyi, he would let the matter slide.
“First of all, the show we’re participating in is called ‘Survive!’. We’ll arrive at the island at eight o’clock. Without any tools, it’s impossible to find food. The production team forbids bringing outside food and mobile phones. You’ll have to spend at least nine hours in darkness and hunger with only a bonfire, or maybe not even that. Of course, actors can diet for a few days, but there are no supermarkets on a deserted island. All food and necessities must be obtained through labor. May I ask how long a person can last when they are hungry and have low blood sugar?”
Lin Ganzhi’s words silenced everyone.
Lin Ganzhi collectively referred to these people’s behavior of competing to see who could diet the most harshly to show the difficulty of their industry as “forgetting to bring their brains in order to show off.”
“Oh, by the way,” Lin Ganzhi’s gaze fell on Zhong Jingyi, “Film Emperor Zhong, if you don’t have an appetite, don’t force yourself to eat. Eating too much can cause adverse reactions in your stomach, and in serious cases, you could end up in the hospital!”
Zhong Jingyi’s smile froze.