Chapter 11

Gan Heyu kept mumbling all the way to the homestay.

By the time they arrived, the rain that had been pouring throughout the trip had finally stopped.

When Shen Yixing got off the car, his face was pale, but he didn’t get car sick. It was purely because of Gan Heyu’s constant nagging.

Chi Jing went to the other car to get his luggage and also took down the suitcases of Lou Yiwen and Ou’er Bai. He handled his own suitcase effortlessly, but when he picked up theirs, there was a noticeable pause in his movements.

He remained expressionless, despite the brief hesitation, and still managed to put their suitcases down with relative ease.

“Did you pack a planet in here?” he quipped.

Lou Yiwen, unfazed, smiled and said, “Then can you help carry it upstairs later?”

Ou’er Bai passed by like a ghost from behind her, asking, “Whose suitcase is heavier, hers or mine?”

Chi Jing replied, “Both feel like mountains.”

Ou’er Bai, dissatisfied without a comparison result, snorted, “Don’t exaggerate.”

Shen Yixing, helping Gan Heyu with his luggage, was surprised to hear Chi Jing joking with the two women. Having been on the show from the start, he knew they were not easy to get along with, especially when they competed for something.

Inside the homestay, they faced a new challenge. Shen Yixing had booked four rooms: two with ensuite bathrooms and double beds, and two standard twin rooms. This meant that only one person would have a room to themselves.

After touring the rooms, Gan Heyu claimed one of the double rooms on the third floor for himself. “You all can figure out the rest.”

Chi Jing, lounging on the sofa in the living room with his legs crossed, didn’t care about the room arrangements. But not everyone shared his indifference. Lou Yiwen wanted the other ensuite double room, as did Ou’er Bai. Neither wanted to share the room with the other.

Ou’er Bai said, “Who wants to sleep with her?”

Lou Yiwen, who also didn’t want to share the room, added, “I consulted a fortune teller who said we shouldn’t share a room.”

Shen Yixing, on the verge of a breakdown, whispered, “Sister, there are only two women in our group.”

If Lou Yiwen and Ou’er Bai refused to share a room, the rooms couldn’t be properly allocated. Normally, An Boqing would step in as the peacemaker, but only if the dispute didn’t involve Shen Yixing.

Chi Jing glanced at him, who was trying to stay out of the frame, and then at Jiang Yucheng, who was on the other end of the sofa, engrossed in his phone.

“What’s the argument about?” Jiang Yucheng finally asked, putting away his phone.

Shen Yixing quickly approached, seeking help. “Jiang brother, we’re dividing the rooms. Gan Heyu has taken one of the double rooms, and the others are left to be divided.”

“Have the other rooms been decided?” Jiang Yucheng asked.

Shen Yixing shook his head, “Not yet. Sister Lou and Sister Ou both want their own rooms.”

Lou Yiwen, not wanting to offend Jiang Yucheng, seized the opportunity to smooth things over. But before she could speak, Ou’er Bai interjected, “I’m willing to share with Sister Yiwen. We’re the only two women, after all.”

Lou Yiwen, struggling to maintain her smile, was a step behind, letting Ou’er Bai steal the chance to take the high ground and call her ‘Sister’ in a patronizing tone.

Forcing a smile, she said, “We were just kidding. I’ll share the other double room with Xiao Bai. We women need our own bathroom for convenience.”

Shen Yixing quickly agreed, seeing it as the best solution. This left four people and two twin rooms. Shen Yixing didn’t want to share a room with An Boqing due to their ongoing publicity separation.

Shen Yixing approached Jiang Yucheng, “Jiang brother, how about you and I share a room, and An Boqing and Chi Jing share the other?”

An Boqing, discontented with this arrangement, quickly spoke up, “Shen brother, shouldn’t you mentor Chi Jing since it’s his first time on the show?”

Shen Yixing, taken aback, said, “I thought you’d have more in common with him, being close in age.”

Embarrassed, An Boqing replied, “But you’re better at taking care of people.”

Chi Jing, annoyed by their exchange, interrupted, “Stop.”

With Shen Yixing and An Boqing looking at him, he continued, “This decision should be mine.”

Lou Yiwen, struggling with her lighter luggage, supported him, also seeking to retaliate against Shen Yixing, “Right, Xiao Shen, ask Chi Jing too. He’s the one involved.”

Ou’er Bai added, “Future plans should be discussed by everyone, not decided for us.”

Caught off guard, Shen Yixing suppressed his frustration, hoping Chi Jing would sensibly follow his lead. Forcing a smile, Shen Yixing said, “Sorry, just concerned. Chi Jing, who would you like to room with?”

“Jiang Yucheng,” Chi Jing replied.

Shen Yixing was stunned. “Jiang brother, would you mind rooming with me?” Chi Jing asked him, who had been watching the drama unfold.

“With pleasure,” Jiang Yucheng replied smoothly.

With his words, Shen Yixing and An Boqing had no choice but to share a room. Shen Yixing was concerned about the reactions of their ‘CP’ (couple fans) when the episode aired, foreseeing endless speculation.

Ignoring their concerns, Chi Jing entered the twin room with the balcony, tossed his luggage in a corner, and went to the balcony to enjoy the view. The temperature in Country F was much lower than in China, and the rain had brought a refreshing chill.

As the wind blew through the rain-drenched trees, Jiang Yucheng silently approached, “You’ll catch a cold if you don’t wear a jacket.”

Chi Jing shut the balcony door, “Got it.”

There wasn’t much to unpack. The housekeeper had already prepared the rooms, and Chi Jing had few belongings—just clothes, a jacket, and essential travel items. He lay on the bed, chatting on his phone with Mu Jingshan, who was advising him on recording variety shows. He wasn’t listening.

He felt an itch on his scalp, scratching it, only to find the itch seemed to come from beneath the skin, as if something was trying to break through. A bad feeling washed over him.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Qin Qiaohan, responsible for following him, called out, “Sir Chi, please come to the living room. The director has something to say.”

He casually acknowledged, increasing his effort to find the source of the itch. He suddenly felt something small and hard on his head.

“Ugh~” A tingling sensation coursed through his body, leaving him weak and flushed.