Happy to get a dating reality show
On the return flight, Ding Xuefei and Yu Songlin sat in the far corner of the first-class cabin, not exchanging a single word or even making eye contact.
Ding Xuefei was finally relieved and able to get a good night's sleep.
It was already 8 p.m. when they landed. Guo Chu and the others were outside the VIP channel, their faces as dark as the bottom of a pot.
The fact that stalker fans were chasing her car couldn't be kept secret anyway, and Ding Xuefei was prepared to be scolded.
Sure enough, as soon as the car left the airport, Guo Chu's "concern" came crashing down on her: "Ding Xuefei! I told you a thousand and one times to be careful, careful, and careful! How could such a big place like Japan be surrounded by such precise stalkers? A life-or-death race? Do you think you're the Akina Mountain racing god? And Xiao Bai! You're a personal assistant, not someone who can't take care of themselves! Don't you have any crisis plans at all? Ding Xuefei! From now on, if you want to go abroad on vacation! No way! I'll weld all the windows shut for you! You just stay home and behave yourself!!"
Ding Xuefei and Xiao Bai huddled like quails in the back seat, barely daring to breathe.
After Guo Chu paused his output, Ding Xuefei carefully pulled out an exquisite paper bag with a huge logo, put on a smile, and presented it to him warmly with both hands: "Sis~ I bought this especially for you~"
"...Don't give me that! Do you think I'm the kind of person who can be corrupted by sweet talk? Let me tell you, this isn't over! From now on, you'd better keep your tails between your legs!"
Even so, she reluctantly accepted the bag, her fingers seemingly unintentionally pinching the edges of the box, and the frost on her face melted a little.
Ding Xuefei and Xiao Bai exchanged a glance, seeing the relief of surviving a close call in each other's eyes. They nodded vigorously, "Don't worry, sister! We'll definitely behave ourselves! We'll start anew! We'll never do it again!"
The car was parked in the underground garage of Ding Xuefei's residential complex.
Before Guo Chu left, as if he had just remembered, he casually dropped a bombshell: "Oh right, that variety show I mentioned to you before you left, it's confirmed. Get ready, filming will start at the beginning of next month."
"Wow, Sister Guo, you're amazing!" Ding Xuefei immediately followed up with compliments, and taking advantage of Guo Chu's slight smile after being flattered, she quickly asked, "What variety show is it?"
Guo Chu gave a wicked smile: "Love in variety shows."
"Huh?!" Ding Xuefei pointed her right index finger at the tip of her nose. "Me?! Is that appropriate?"
It's not appropriate for him, a gay man, to appear on a dating reality show, for the other guests... Besides, doesn't Guo Chu already know about this?
Guo Chu rolled her eyes at him, giving him a "you're too young" look: "Open your mind!"
After saying that, he stepped on the gas and drove off.
Ding Xuefei wasn't sure if things weren't that serious or if Guo Chu had changed, so she simply stopped thinking about it and took his pile of "trophies" home.
Upon returning home after several days' absence, Ding Xuefei's first action was to call her caregiver.
Aunt Yang, the caregiver, has been taking care of his mother for more than two years. She is a very kind person. When she received Ding Xuefei's call, she actively informed him of the situation.
"This week has been great! The situation is stable, and the cough from last week has improved a lot."
Ding Xuefei nodded and said, "Aunt Yang, is it convenient for you to video chat now? I want to see my mom."
"So convenient!"
When the video call connected, Ding Xuefei saw a haggard-looking middle-aged woman in a white pillow in the background. His mother, Yao Jing, had her eyes slightly open and an oxygen tube inserted into her nose.
"Mom, how have you been? Are you happy? I had a day off last week and bought you a gift! I'll have Aunt Yang bring it to you later!"
Yao Jing blinked, as if she had heard, but did not make a sound.
Ding Xuefei was already used to this kind of situation. He continued, "I'm busy this month, but I'll come back to be with you after I finish recording a variety show next month!"
Yao Jing seemed to want to say something, but said nothing. Her eyes were slightly moist, and she struggled as if she wanted to nod.
Ding Xuefei couldn't help but feel her eyes well up with tears. She should have gotten used to it by now, but she still felt very sad every time she saw it.
He managed to say a few more words to his mother about Xiao Ji's recent situation, chatted for a while, and then hung up the phone.
Every time he finishes a video call with his mother, he always thinks of his childhood, how gentle and beautiful his mother was. At that time, his father had not yet passed away, Xiao Ji was still young, and the family of four lived happily together. He had a smooth life until he was in his twenties.
It seems he wouldn't have grown up if that accident hadn't happened.
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs." After calming her emotions, Ding Xuefei began packing her luggage.
He carefully packed the gifts for his family and friends, neatly stacking the gifts for his mother and Xiaoji into boxes. The anime figurine for his younger sister, Ding Xueji, was wrapped up in layers to ensure that the handsome face of the five teachers would not be damaged during transportation.
One of the special things was for a friend of his, or more precisely, the friend who introduced him to the industry, but with whom he has now become somewhat estranged.
The reason for the estrangement was that Ding Xuefei realized the other party seemed to have feelings for him.
Forget it, we've been friends for so many years. Besides, they work for the same company, so you could say it's his boss. If he brings gifts to others, there's no reason not to give him one too.
After working for a while, Ding Xuefei was exhausted. She collapsed on the sofa and let out a long sigh of relief before opening the "A Loving Family (Shameless Version)" app.
Ding Xuefei: Brother's back! Type 1 if you want a gift. Same-city delivery is available, but you'll have to pay for shipping.
Lu Huai: 1111111! Self-pickup next week!
Xia Xingye: Bro! I heard from Sister Guo that you were chased by stalkers in Japan!! Holy crap, are you alright? Are you okay?
Cheng Luo: Huh? Brother, what's wrong?!
Ding Xuefei felt a warmth in her heart and glossed over the thrilling part, omitting his arm injury and Yu Songlin's matter.
With her younger brothers taking turns showing concern, Ding Xuefei's depressed mood improved considerably today.
Ding Xuefei: Let's not talk about that. Speaking of which, Sister Guo just told me she's going to get me a dating reality show, and I'm so nervous right now.
Lu Huai: What's the panic! It's an all-star dating reality show, everyone knows it's all artificial sweeteners! Just think of it as playing the male lead in an idol drama [smoking a cigarette]. What kind of persona are you planning? A domineering CEO who dotes on his little wife?
Xia Xingye: No, no, no! Brother Lu, that's so outdated! It doesn't suit Fei-ge's style! Fei-ge is definitely the type... seemingly arrogant on the surface, but actually thoughtful and gentle, secretly jealous but refusing to admit it—the "jealous husband" type! [Evil grin]
Ding Xuefei: [Sweating profusely] Can you two speak in a normal way?
It's really unnecessary to talk to them about this. They don't say a single serious word, but they're masters of creating drama.
Ding Xuefei: Xiao Luo, have you been a guest on the observation room before? What do you think?
Cheng Luo: Yeah, Fei-ge, it's really good that you're just being yourself.
As the youngest member of the group, Cheng Luo was sometimes a bit eccentric. Ding Xuefei couldn't figure out whether he really thought that way or if his understanding of the matter was inaccurate.
Ding Xuefei: ...Forget it, I won't ask anymore. There isn't a single reliable one.
Xia Xingye: By the way, Fei-ge, is this the one you're going to play? [Image]
Ding Xuefei clicked on the picture, which was a program poster. It was quite exquisite. The program was called "Heartbeat Mystery". The program introduction was a bit long, and he immediately noticed the bolded "multiple sexual orientations".
That's exciting... Couldn't it lead to tragic situations like gay men falling for straight men, or straight men falling for gay men...?
No wonder Guo Chu took this on his behalf.
Cheng Luo: Speaking of which, this show seems to have a pretty good lineup. They even said they're planning to invite a movie star to participate.
Xia Xingye: Xiao Luo, you're being naive again. The tentative invitations are always completely different from the actual ones.
Lu Huai: Maybe there will be a surprise! [Looking forward to it]
Ding Xuefei: A surprise? Just don't let it be a shock! Right now, I'm just hoping I don't run into any guests I don't get along with. (Ding Xuefei retracted this message)
Xia Xingye: ? Why did you withdraw it?
Ding Xuefei: ...I don't want to make any promises anymore!
Ding Xuefei: The gift will be delivered tomorrow via flash delivery, please check! Goodbye, everyone, I'm tired! [Farewell]
After closing the group chat, Ding Xuefei breathed a sigh of relief.
Although his teammates didn't offer any constructive advice, their banter helped ease his anxiety considerably. These guys, who had started from humble beginnings, had seen it all.
As for the so-called "tentative invitation," Xia Xingye is right. When will they actually be able to invite someone? There are so many award-winning actors in the industry; it's not always a coincidence. Besides, doesn't that guy never participate in variety shows?
Surely it can't always be him who's unlucky...
Before going to sleep, he lay in bed and tried to communicate with the system.
"System, I've already made a promise with Yu Songlin that we won't see each other again. I'm warning you, don't give me any unreasonable tasks!"
A cloying electronic voice rang in my ears: "Of course, Master, I'm a system with principles~"
Ding Xuefei was now quite used to the voice. He buried his head in the teddy bear by the bedside and said fiercely, "You better be."
He still doesn't understand how this system works. He only knows that it seems to issue missions only when Yu Songlin appears, and it's usually very quiet.
Could it really be some kind of conspiracy orchestrated by Yu Songlin? Ding Xuefei frowned in dissatisfaction, mentally cursing Yu Songlin over and over again before finally feeling better.
Amidst her complex feelings for Yu Songlin, Ding Xuefei drifted into a beautiful dream.
*
At midnight, in the southern part of the city.
Yu Songlin got off his connecting flight and arrived at the hotel after midnight.
After finally finishing his work for the day, he sat down in the sofa chair and began to deal with the unfinished work.
His brows furrowed with the weariness of the journey, and there was also a palpable sense of gloom emanating from within.
My phone vibrated; a WeChat message from my agent, Liang Zheng, popped up:
Liang Zheng: Bro, what's wrong with you? First you postponed your return to China, then you had to rebook a red-eye flight at the last minute! Wasn't the job in Nancheng already booked? Why did you go through all this trouble?
Yu Songlin: It's a personal matter. [Smiling face with soybean emoji]
Liang Zheng: Alright, let's talk business now! [Smiling face]
Soon, a detailed list of upcoming work arrangements and invitations to be confirmed was sent over.
Yu Songlin frowned unhappily when he saw a segment called "The Mystery of My Heart" on a variety show. He had clearly told Liang Zheng before that he wouldn't participate in dating variety shows, so why was it included...?
He had originally planned to skip this page, but one name among the invited guests caught his eye.
His fingertips traced the three words on the screen, zooming in for a closer look. There was a parenthesis that read "Confirmed." Yu Songlin read the description again carefully, his heart pounding.
This person had warned him not to contact them just over ten hours earlier.
He did not agree.
Yu Songlin immediately dialed Liang Zheng's number: "I'm answering 'The Mystery of My Heart'."
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