Chapter 31: Can't I like him? So many people like him—what does it matter if I’m just one more?

Of course, that's a given—this is Duan Mucheng we're talking about. Wherever he appears, there's no need to fight for the camera; haven't you noticed that after Duan Mucheng shows up, the frames featuring Huo Hongming and Le Xi are noticeably larger than everyone else's?

You're right—now that you mention it, the other three groups' screen space has shrunk.

The host spoke:
"Xiaomo, you are indeed the first place, so your team will receive the most living expenses. As for how the new partners were chosen, we used a lottery system to select them, so it's a fairly equitable method."

"Le Xi and Huo Hongming's new partner is our Twenty-Time Best Actor—his very first film earned him twenty Best Actor awards, making him the first in history to achieve such an honor with a single film: Duan Mucheng. Please welcome him."

The other guests, though envious and resentful, still offered generous applause.
The comment section was flooded with clapping emojis.

"Gu Xiaomo and Gu Junhao's new partner is our Aunt Xu, renowned for her excellent homemade dishes."

"Wang Sisi and Wang Zhuorui's new partner is Uncle Liu, famed for his delicious candy-making."

"Chui Meiying and Deng Jiachao's new partner is our most beautiful makeup artist, Xiaoyu, who has done bridal makeup for over a hundred brides."

No wonder the other guests' expressions are so sour—the production team is blatantly favoring certain participants. If you're going to invite celebrities, invite them all; here, they bring in a film emperor, while over there, it's just a handful of ordinary folks.

But ordinary folks are fine—many are more attractive than the stars. Still, aside from Xiaoyu, the lineup is just uncles and aunts making candy and cooking. It's absurd.

Even the bridal makeup is a bit much, but look at Deng Jiachao's delight; is he fantasizing about Xiaoyu doing bridal makeup for Chui Meiying, making her his wife?

The host continued:
"You're all quite clever—the hints were complex, yet you managed to find your new partners. That deserves applause."

At this, Chui Meiying grew irritated, shooting Gu Xiaomo a glare.
"Hurry up and distribute the funds—aren't we supposed to catch a flight?"

The host replied,
"Alright, we'll now allocate living expenses based on the time each group found their new partner."

"Gu Xiaomo and Gu Junhao—first place. Their weekly living expenses are three thousand five hundred."

How much? Three thousand five hundred for seven days? I don’t even earn that in a month! That’s five hundred a day—if I could spend that much daily, I can’t imagine how happy I’d be.

Does that include airfare? It better include airfare.

It probably does—they’re flying to the Ivory Tower, and I checked: the tickets are six hundred fifty each, thirteen hundred for two. Even if it doesn’t include airfare, there’s still over two hundred a day to spend, which is pretty high.

I wonder how much the last place gets. If it’s not enough for tickets, will the show send them off in a donkey cart again?

"Le Xi and Huo Hongming—second place. Weekly living expenses: two thousand five hundred."

"Wang Sisi and Wang Zhuorui—third place. Weekly living expenses: one thousand five hundred."

"Chui Meiying and Deng Jiachao—fourth place. Weekly living expenses: five hundred."

Gu Xiaomo spoke up quickly,
"Host, since I caused Meiying and her group to finish last, I feel really sorry. Can I share half of my living expenses with them? I’m afraid they won’t have enough."

Though she addressed the host, her gaze lingered on Duan Mucheng.

Le Xi smiled at Gu Xiaomo: Clearly angling for his favor.

Gu Xiaomo caught Le Xi’s expression and glared furiously at her, but as she glanced again at Duan Mucheng, she immediately switched to a shy, bashful smile.

Le Xi shook her head: Unbearable.

Chui Meiying refused,
"No need."

Gu Xiaomo tried to protest, but the host interjected,
"Helping others is good, but please respect the rules of the game. Each team now has three members. This task requires you to focus on your own group."

"Airfare is provided by the production team. Please board immediately."

Each group had three seats together on the plane.

Huo Hongming was first to take the middle seat, then cheerfully pointed to the window seat,
"Mucheng, you should sit by the window. You can enjoy the view and won’t be disturbed by people walking past."

Duan Mucheng sat directly in the aisle seat.
"No need, thank you."

"Mucheng is so kind,"
Huo Hongming said to Le Xi, who had taken the window seat,
"He’s leaving the best spot for you—you should thank him."

Le Xi promptly hauled Huo Hongming up and shoved him toward the window seat,
"There you go, you’ve got the best spot now. Since you love thanking people, say it a few more times."

Le Xi could already imagine the next two hours—Huo Hongming would incessantly flatter Duan Mucheng, disturbing her, so she nipped it in the bud.

"Le Xi,"
Huo Hongming felt embarrassed,
"I think you just like Duan Mucheng and want to sit next to him."

If he was going to lose face, he’d drag Le Xi down with him. He knew Duan Mucheng had plenty of fangirls and how to incite online attacks against Le Xi.

"Sitting in the middle means I like him? If that's the case, then you must like him too. And yes, I do like him—is it forbidden? So many girls like him; what's one more?"

Le Xi fastened her seatbelt and pointed at the fuming but speechless Huo Hongming,
"Don’t pretend to sleep and lean over, or I’ll slap you."

Huo Hongming took a deep breath, nearly beside himself with rage.

"Quieter breathing,"
Le Xi snapped again,
"Even your breathing is annoying."

Duan Mucheng pulled his cap lower, but still couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips.

Duan Mucheng's teeth are so white, so neat—my dream teeth.

He smiled! I don’t care—as long as my Mucheng smiles, Le Xi is a hero.

Gu Xiaomo, seated in the row ahead, kept turning to look back at Duan Mucheng.

So annoying, I wish I could turn Gu Xiaomo’s head forward.

Stop looking, lady—Mucheng will never like you, don’t try to get close.

Gu Xiaomo, look at Gu Junhao instead—he’s about to cry.

Huo Hongming called out,
"Xiaomo, let’s switch seats—you come sit here."

He did it on purpose; thinking Le Xi liked Duan Mucheng, he called Gu Xiaomo over to deal with her. Gu Xiaomo’s online reputation was good—he didn’t believe Le Xi would dare hit her.

"It’s not really appropriate,"
Gu Xiaomo wanted nothing more but pretended to hesitate, hoping Huo Hongming would insist so she could go.

"It’s not appropriate—we need to follow the game rules,"
Duan Mucheng, eyes closed, spoke up,
"If you want to switch seats, apply to change groups with the host first."

Adore him—Mucheng is so principled.

Huo Hongming and Gu Xiaomo, please stay away from Mucheng. Both are schemers: one wants revenge, the other is here for romance.