HEIFEIGU -Chapter 17

The production invited three men and two women—five guests.

The male guests: experienced actor Huai Xinhou, rising young actor Ran Shi, and singing/dancing idol Ji Jin.

Female guests: popular young actress Yu Yueting and singer Quan You’er.

For added effect, an observation room was set up, where three guests and viewers could watch the show.

Two were pre-selected by the production, mainly to cue the process: singer/dancer Wu Hongyuan and middle-aged actress Yin Li.

Unexpectedly, one guest contacted the production directly: rising young actor Meng Zezhou.

His level was something the production couldn’t afford to reject.

Meng Zezhou wanted to come because he heard Xie Jixing was appearing as a background actor.

Previously, his manager had reported that the most rampant black fans attacking him had disappeared.

Some even sent private messages daily asking for forgiveness.

Meng Zezhou personally checked the messages. Most were from a fan who had once cursed him to die in various ways.

The fan even sent a video recording.

Meng Zezhou expected ghostly images, but instead, it was a disheveled, haggard man kneeling in front of the camera, weeping and confessing:

“I’m sorry, I was really wrong. Please forgive me. I will never curse anyone online again. I truly understand my mistake!”

The manager found that ever since Xie Jixing defended him, this black fan had nightly nightmares, personally experiencing all the deaths he had cursed Meng Zezhou to, one by one.

The dreams were so real, he no longer dared to sleep.

Even those who had used photoshopped memorial photos had similar nightmares: each night they attended their own vigil, only to look up and see their own memorial portraits.

Meng Zezhou had thought Xie Jixing’s “rebound” comment was a joke—but now it seemed it had really happened!

“This guy’s got something!”

So he wanted to see if he could get a chance for some close-up interaction.

Inside the escape room, identity selection was open.

For the female participants, the available identities were: intangible cultural heritage embroidery inheritor and travel streamer.

For the male participants, the choices were: special program reporter, freelance photographer, and a wealthy overseas-returned tourist.

The two girls got along very well.

The gentler-tempered Yu Yueting spoke first, “I’ll choose the intangible cultural heritage embroidery inheritor. This qipao is really pretty—I kind of want to wear it.”

Quan You’er, a cool short-haired female singer, chimed in, “Sister, good choice! You’d look stunning in a qipao. If it were me wearing it, I’d probably be frozen in place.”

“I’ll go with this one—ripped jeans suit me better!”

The two of them giggled as they made their selections, holding hands as they went to change.

On the male side, things weren’t so smooth.

Three outfits were laid out. Huai Xinhou, being older, chose the more mature persona of a special program reporter.

He stood in front of a black hunting outfit and said, “Actually, I studied journalism in college and have always dreamed of being a reporter. This feels like a small dream fulfilled.”

Ran Shi and Ji Jin both instinctively ran toward the three-piece British-style plaid suit.

Ji Jin had spent a fortune to get the first draft of the program script and had previewed it. On the surface, the freelance photographer role seemed artistic and romantic, but it was actually a marginal character with a relatively thin storyline.

The overseas-returned wealthy tourist seemed bland, but in this whole episode of the variety show, he had the most screen time.

Moreover, this role included a lingering love story spanning past and present lives—a classic idol drama male lead role. If portrayed well, it would attract a lot of female fans.

Of course, Ji Jin wanted this role the most.

He had assumed that the marginal character wouldn’t be popular, but Ran Shi made the same choice.

Ran Shi, who had acted mostly in idol dramas, often played the second male lead. He had grown tired of roles like the elite, devoted finance guy or romantic photographer. Finally appearing on a variety show, he wanted to use this opportunity to break out and try the wealthy playboy role.

Since both wanted the same role, a little competition was inevitable—a small highlight the producers arranged as a mini-game.

In a pool, each participant had a swimming ring as a mount and an inflatable hammer as a weapon. The first to knock the other off would score a point; best of three wins.

For Ji Jin, this was a major advantage. Ran Shi, being a pretty-boy type, was physically weaker compared to a singer-dancer idol.

Ji Jin’s remaining fans went all out to support their idol, and the live chat exploded:

【Ji Jin, Ji Jin, always move forward!】

【Brother must win!】

The game began. Both paddled toward each other. Ji Jin actually gained the upper hand. Ran Shi raised his hammer, but before it even made contact, Ji Jin flipped and fell into the water.

Everything happened too quickly. From the footage, it looked like Ran Shi had smashed the hammer onto Ji Jin’s face—but Ji Jin had dodged poorly and fell.

“Oh my, that’s dangerous!” Yin Li exclaimed first.

“Ran Shi looks like a gentle kid,” Wu Hongyuan started, then hesitated, “…how come—”

These two must have been hired by Ji Jin’s company, Meng Zezhou rolled his eyes internally.

He smiled mildly, “Ran Shi didn’t seem to use much force. Probably Ji Jin just lost his balance the first time.”

Actors rely on looks. Even with an inflatable hammer, injuries could be serious.

【Is Ran Shi crazy? Using so much force in a game, even the observers can’t watch!】

【Usually he seems so gentlemanly in dramas. Why hit someone’s face so hard?】

【Look at our little idol summer group—they’re easy targets. If Xie Jixing hadn’t left the group, Ji Jin wouldn’t have been treated so badly.】

In the second round, Ran Shi realized he was taking the blame and dared not raise the hammer to the face anymore. He only tapped Ji Jin’s arms and torso.

Unexpectedly, Ji Jin swung directly at Ran Shi’s face, distorting his features. Luckily, Ran Shi had a naturally strong face; otherwise, his nose implant might have flown off.

Meng Zezhou frowned, “Ji Jin is a bit too forceful, isn’t he?”

“Since Ran Shi allowed face hits, Ji Jin doing the same isn’t wrong,” Wu Hongyuan added.

Yin Li nodded.

【So we can’t hit back just because you actors hit our little idol?】

【Meng Zezhou always supports the popular ones. Our little idol has no rights, just gets trampled.】

The final round would decide the role. Ran Shi was stunned—not expecting the other side to be so ruthless even in a small game. But giving up seemed weak.

He hesitated in the water. Looking up, Ji Jin had already reached the spot, standing on his swimming ring, ready to strike.

Ran Shi panicked and raised his hammer instinctively—Ji Jin fell anyway!

He fell into the water, flailing and choking.

In the observation room, Wu Hongyuan stood up, “What’s going on? Rescue him!”

“That hit was way too hard!” Yin Li sighed.

Meng Zezhou said nothing, “But Ran Shi just raised his hand. He didn’t even touch him.”

“What’s the point of blaming now? Why isn’t Ran Shi saving him?” Wu Hongyuan interrupted.

Why wasn’t Ran Shi saving him?

Because Ran Shi was too shocked!

By the time he reacted, Huai Xinhou had already jumped in and pulled Ji Jin out.

【Ran Shi is too much! Just picking on our little idol!】

【This isn’t a game, it’s life-threatening!】

Ran Shi’s fans tried to defend him:

【But it looks like Ran Shi didn’t move. Ji Jin fell on his own.】

【Yeah, Meng Zezhou said he didn’t touch him.】

They were met with a furious backlash:

【You say he didn’t touch him. Did Ji Jin drown himself?】

【Why not mention the other two guests saw it too!】

After the game, the atmosphere was tense. Although Ji Jin said he was okay, his eyes were red, looking pitiful.

Ran Shi nearly got branded a murderer. He dared not compete for the role again. Though he won, he claimed the freelance photographer role himself.

Huai Xinhou, standing on the shore during the game, saw everything and subtly warned the two girls not to be fooled.

Ji Jin took the three-piece British plaid suit and the overseas-returned rich tourist role. His role was heavy, but he was subtly isolated.

Everyone quietly changed and entered the mansion.