"A week?" Ning Shi exclaimed in surprise. "Why do we have to wait so long?"

The assistant director explained with a smile, "Because the production team believes that even good friends need to maintain a certain distance. Although humans are social animals, everyone needs a certain amount of independent space while socializing."

"If everyone is always together, it's easy for them to get tired of each other once the novelty wears off. That's why the production team specifically set up a week of long-distance time so that everyone can better maintain their friendship."

"Of course, this week apart is also part of the show's recording. The production team will also assign tasks to everyone, allowing everyone to maintain rapport with their partners at any time through these tasks."

"Oh..." The seven guests nodded in unison, their drowsy thoughts finally being awakened by the topic.

Fang Lei scratched his messy hair, yawned, and asked, "So what are the rules for this beachcombing task?"

"Wow!" The assistant director was pleasantly surprised by this question. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Fang Lei with undisguised satisfaction. "This young man is very perceptive. He even knows to ask about the mission rules now."

"Hmph!" Fang Lei smirked, looking smug. "Assistant Director, although the variety show is only in its first episode, we've already been tricked by the production team for days. If we still don't know what kind of people they are, then we might as well not film anymore and just lie down on the ground and cosplay as seafood."

"Why?" Zhu Jinzhao didn't understand what he meant, tilting her head to look at him and asking, "Why do we have to cosplay seafood?"

Fang Lei shrugged and answered directly: "Because we're stupid. We've been tricked by the production team for so many days. If we haven't learned to actively understand the rules, what's the difference between us and salted fish on the beach?"

“Actually… there is a difference.” Zhu Mingyue suddenly spoke up, “Even salted fish on the beach know how to turn over, but we can’t.”

"Why can't I flip through it?" Ning Shi asked curiously.

Zhu Mingyue: "Because we 'salted fish' have all been 'cooked' by the production team."

"..."

The assistant director started looking up at the sky, pretending that he didn't understand anything.

"Um!"

The other six people didn't say anything, but silently gave Zhu Mingyue a thumbs up to show their approval.

[Hahaha, Zhu Mingyue is so witty! She's even embarrassed by Baldy Deng's comment.]

[The other guests remained silent, only praising Zhu Mingyue!]

[Zhu Mingyue: Extra Spicy Seaweed! Watch how I deal with this unscrupulous production crew!]

[Production Team: You're all drenched in sweat, bro, you're really feeling the pressure now...]

[Haha, why are the guests turning evil too? Is this still a dating reality show?]

I'm not a hater: [Let's Make Friends Season 2 - Evil Friend.]

Little Ginger, the guardian of Chaochao: [Hahahaha! Uncle, you're so trendy!]

"Ahem..." The assistant director scratched his bald head, trying to remain calm as he continued with the procedure.

"The beachcombing task is very simple. Everyone just takes the beachcombing tools prepared by the program team and has a pleasant beachcombing experience under the guidance of professionals."

"Since beachcombing relies on luck, the production team didn't set any competitive rules. Everyone can just do their best and collect as much seafood as they can without worrying about not completing the task."

"Wow, this task is so friendly today." Shi Jing had been dozing off for a while, but now he was finally more awake.

"Hi," the assistant director said somewhat embarrassedly, brushing a non-existent fringe of hair from his forehead, "beachcombing is a very niche activity, and many people don't usually have the opportunity to experience it. To ensure everyone has the best experience, the production team has specifically removed the competition rules and the mischief rules, so that everyone can have a good time."

“I have a question,” Zhu Jinzhao suddenly raised his hand.

The assistant director instantly became very polite: "Please speak today."

Zhu Jinchao: "Can we take the seafood we found while beachcombing home and cook it?"

Assistant Director: "Of course! Another purpose of our beachcombing is to collect ingredients for lunch today. The more seafood we can find, the more we can eat for lunch."

"The more you pick, the more you eat; the less you pick, the hungrier you get."

Everyone: "..."

[Hahahaha, I knew the production team wasn't planning anything good!]

[Program Production Team: I was wrong, I was faking it! (Pervert!)]

[The production team: My friendliness is just an illusion; deep down, I'm still a hater! Hahahaha! The evil production team rules the world!]

This variety show seems to be going "completely insane"!

[Assistant Director: You've offended me? (Raises gun with one hand) Well, sorry then. (Fires decisively) Guttama! Earth explodes!]

Seeing that everyone was unhappy, the assistant director felt much better.

He squinted slightly and waved his hand dramatically: "It's almost time, everyone hurry up and find your guides on the beach."

"Where is Master?" Su Ying asked.

The assistant director pointed to the shallows behind the guests: "The guides are already waiting at the beachcombing spot. Everyone, split into groups and choose one guide per group. Once you've chosen, you can start!"

"Go go go!"

The seven guests dispersed upon hearing this.

They spontaneously divided into three groups and walked briskly toward their guide on the shallows.

The boatmen are all local fishermen from Huadao Island. They have spent their entire lives working with the sea and have extensive experience in beachcombing.

However, because it was their first time facing the camera, everyone looked very shy.

"Hello, Master." Zhu Jinzhao walked up to the master she had chosen and greeted him politely.

"Hello, Master." Shi Jing followed closely behind.

The master grinned, a warm, simple smile gracing his sun-darkened face.

"Hello, please change your clothes and shoes first."

Zhu Jinzhao obediently hummed in agreement, then took the water boots, apron, and gloves from the master and put them on obediently.

After they were dressed, the master gave her and Shi Jing each a small bucket, with a long, thin clip inside.

The foreman said, "My surname is Yu, you can just call me Brother Yu. Let's get to work while the sun is still low in the sky."

“Okay!” Zhu Jinzhao and Shi Jing replied in unison.

Brother Yu picked up his small bucket, grabbed some tongs, and casually pointed to the shallows: "After the tide goes out, there will be hidden goods everywhere on this beach. You can play around for a bit and see how much seafood you can find by feel."

"Great!" That's exactly what Zhu Jinchao was thinking!

Shi Jing nudged Zhu Jinzhao's bucket with the clip, gesturing for her to follow him: "Let's go play over there. There are lots of rocks there, they're sure to hide a lot of good stuff!"

Zhu Jinzhao followed behind him, like his little tail.

"Walk!"