HEIFEIGU -Chapter 36

The variety show Xie Jixing and Meng Zezhou were about to join was called “Come, Let’s Be Wild!”, a joint production by Huiyao Entertainment and Tingyun Entertainment. It’s a multi-line live broadcast show, but the observation room didn’t invite any celebrities—only local residents were the audience.

Huiyao and Tingyun had different approaches. Huiyao was great at promoting popularity, while both companies were new to original variety shows, so they took this show seriously.

Although it was billed as “outdoor survival,” it wasn’t truly wilderness. The production partnered with a developing natural scenic area on a northern island. The autumn climate was very pleasant, with no real danger—just a chance for city-dwellers to experience some hardship.

Tingyun Entertainment’s boss, Qian Shuyun, appearing on the show personally was no problem. The topic alone—“the film emperor who retired for years making his comeback on a variety show”—would create a buzz.

However, Huiyao’s top star, Luo Feiang, wasn’t happy.

Luo Feiang had been the top idol promoted by Huiyao in recent years. He was extremely photogenic and almost every drama he starred in made him famous: “X Month’s Boyfriend,” “The Handsomest Campus Prince,” and a long list of titles.

But his image burden was heavy, and his acting skills hadn’t improved much. He struggled with complex roles and remained stuck in idol dramas. After several years, being “the most handsome campus prince” again wasn’t sustainable.

Recently, both he and Huiyao Entertainment were seeking breakthroughs and wanted to enter the film industry—but failed spectacularly.

Two consecutive films starring Luo Feiang were pure fan service. Neither the industry nor casual audiences praised them, and fans caused various online problems. That’s why he agreed to join the variety show—partly to appease the company.

Otherwise, with his status, why would he participate in such a grueling and awkward show?

Originally, Luo Feiang was the definite headliner. Although Meng Zezhou’s momentum was strong, he was still a level below. But with Qian Shuyun joining, it became uncertain.

Even though Qian Shuyun hadn’t appeared publicly for years, he had a solid fanbase and wide casual audience appeal.

Most importantly, critics who had panned Luo Feiang’s recent flop films often compared him to Qian Shuyun, praising Qian’s acting.

Both men were photogenic, but at the same age, Qian Shuyun had already won his first Best Actor award for his “face-sacrificing acting.”

Now, having Qian Shuyun join the same show made Luo Feiang frustrated. Just seeing the name “Qian Shuyun” triggered him.

The company had already promoted Qian Shuyun’s participation as a highlight. Withdrawing now would make him look replaced and embarrassed.

Seeing the silhouette of the final mystery guest posted by the “Come, Let’s Be Wild!” team on social media, Luo Feiang ground his teeth.

It made him, who was supposed to be the last announced guest, seem like a mere supporting role.

Unable to swallow his frustration, Luo Feiang secretly contacted online trolls to stir up trouble once Qian Shuyun was announced, creating a narrative that the once all-around film emperor was now living in hardship and only returned for money.

At least that satisfied his resentment.

Besides Luo Feiang, Huiyao Entertainment also promoted the recently returned overseas idol Xuan Caiyan, the versatile Xia Letian, and the middle-aged actor Fei Zhehan, known for domineering CEO roles.

Tingyun Entertainment’s team consisted of Qian Shuyun, Meng Zezhou, and Xie Jixing.

The first arrivals at the filming location were Xia Letian and Xuan Caiyan. They struggled along the small stone path on the beach with 32-inch luggage, filmed by miniature drones carrying GoPros, a tech first for this show.

“Xia Tian, we’re the first ones here!” Xuan Caiyan said, holding Xia Letian’s hand and waving at the camera. “Hello, everyone!”

She looked like a classic innocent beauty: light makeup, a sweet white ruffled camisole with light denim shorts, hair in two low buns adorned with a frangipani flower—very island-style.

Xia Letian wore a high-quality light beige linen shirt with matching gray-striped linen shorts and a narrow-brim straw hat.

Together, they smiled at the camera, giving off the impression they were about to board a cruise.

Fans already livestreaming arrived early and began commenting:

Wow, Yan Yan is beautiful, Xia Tian is handsome, my heart is melting (hands on chest).”

【These two are too kind to my eyes! Wearing linen but still look so luxurious, our little prince indeed.】

【Hey, secretly asking—what’s their relationship? Why are they holding hands?】

【Childhood friends! Their families are long-time friends. Yan Yan went abroad, and Xia Tian cried at the airport when seeing her off.】

【I’ll forever envy the friendship between them!】

Compared to them, Xie Jixing and Meng Zezhou, who arrived later, looked very straightforward and ordinary.

Because this was supposed to be an outdoor survival show, the two had honestly worn breathable, quick-dry crew-neck long sleeves, paired with basic cargo pants and outdoor shoes, carrying two large backpacks with ropes and water bottles hanging off them—completely a different vibe from the others.

But luckily, both of them had good body proportions: slim waists, long legs, and faces so striking that even the plainest outfits carried a unique aura.

【Pfft, help, these are not even on the same layer!】

【I think I finally understand what it means when fashion’s perfection depends entirely on the face.】

【Also the body. I can’t even imagine how ugly this would look on my 156 cm short legs!】

【Delete the previous comments; my friend is sweating bullets. Too unfriendly to our little southern potato.】

【LOL, what kind of show is this? One side looks like they’re on vacation, the other looks like they’re surviving in the wild.】

Meng Zezhou and Xie Jixing waved at the camera, gave a casual greeting to Xia Letian and Xuan Caiyan, and then stood still, waiting.

The two groups were separated by about five or six people, and neither side made a move to approach.

Seeing Xie Jixing, Xuan Caiyan’s bright smile immediately disappeared. She grabbed the hesitant Xia Letian, who was about to go say hello, and whispered angrily: “You’re not allowed to go!”

“Are you planning to go talk to him first? Why should he—?”

Xia Letian was being pulled back but still stole a glance at Xie Jixing, then lowered his head slightly, a bit aggrieved: “We finally meet, so I should be the one to approach. I know what happened before affected A-Xing a lot… you know, he even blocked me because he was angry…”

“What does that have to do with you? You didn’t do anything!” Xuan Caiyan grew more indignant. “And he blocked you? That’s giving him too much credit!”

“Stop,” Xia Letian whispered, “the cameras are recording. If I don’t go, I don’t go. Maybe he’s still angry. I’ll go find him later…”

“So what if you said something?” Xuan Caiyan glared at Xie Jixing again, ignoring the cameras. “If I say it, I say it. Broadcast it or not—Xie Jixing can say things, why can’t others?”

The memory of Xia Letian apologizing with tears during the summer reunion immediately flashed through the fans’ minds—so heartbreaking, so painful!

【I think YanYan is right! Why should Xiao Tian be the one to break the ice first?】

【Xiao Tian is just too kind, too sweet. He wants everyone to be okay, so he looks so humble.】

【I’m about to cry. Seriously, my heart hurts so much!】

On Xie Jixing’s side, he completely ignored Xia Letian’s self-directed drama and was listening to Meng Zezhou’s chatter.

“You think… they didn’t get the show’s notice?” Meng Meng wondered.

“They said we’d be climbing mountains, wading through water, entering the rainforest. And they dress like this? Should we… remind them?”

【Goose, you’re so innocent. They’re here for the cameras; you’re here for real outdoor survival.】

【Xuan Caiyan even wore wedge flip-flops.】

【First, I think it’s rude to comment on others’ outfits behind their backs. Second, what’s wrong if stars dress well for a show?】

【For other shows, sure. But this is an outdoor survival show! Dressing like that into a rainforest—feeding the bugs?】

Seeing fans’ comment sections about to explode, others quickly tried to calm things down.

【Maybe they thought there’d be a chance to change clothes later. After all, they’re celebrities; they want a flashy entrance.】

Fei Zhehan and Luo Feiang thought the same. Their entrance resembled a red carpet walk, glamorous outfits clashing with the primitive beach setting of a single row of broken huts and a stone path.

Fei Zhehan wore a light-colored casual suit, even with a pocket square.

Luo Feiang, wanting to outshine the mystery guest Qian Shuyun, had deliberately styled himself to perfection: a short leather hunting jacket, tight black jeans, studded combat boots, hardware accessories hanging from his body, hair perfectly styled, black sunglasses—handsome enough to make fans screaming from five streets away.

After they appeared, they greeted Meng Zezhou and Xie Jixing, then naturally moved to stand at the C-position.

【Wow! Brother is so handsome today!】

【Lick! I’m the studs on husband’s Martin boots!】

【Go away, then I’m the silver chain on boyfriend’s waist!】

【Big yellow socks, be careful, but not me, I’m An’An’s close-fitting black vest.】

Fans’ comment streams were so numerous that Luo Feiang’s face was almost hidden.

Once all six had arrived, the production staff, hidden until now, finally appeared.

The director’s voice echoed across the beach: “Welcome to Nansha Bay for the high-freedom exploration survival show Come, Let’s Wild!”

“For the next two weeks, you will participate in survival challenges on the islands of Nansha Bay. The production team will release hidden tasks. Completing tasks earns points. After two weeks, participants who did not quit midway and earned enough points may have the chance to become Nansha Bay tourism ambassadors.”

“Now, let’s welcome our mystery guest!”

When the mystery guest appeared, the production team sent a professional PD to film him; others used GoPros. Only Qian Shuyun had a proper camera.

As the camera shifted to him, his temples twitched violently, and pain radiated to the back of his head as if hammered by a blunt object.

He restrained the nausea from the pain and steadily walked toward the center of the beach.

Fans flooded the comment section.

【Did I see that right?!】

【This is… Qian Shuyun????】

【The missing person returns!】

【Ghost! You actually came back! Do you know how I’ve lived without you?!】

【Climbing over walls, I see!】

【Is it really Qian Shuyun? He looks… different, darker.】

【Indeed. Especially compared to Luo Feiang, very strange.】

Upon Qian Shuyun’s arrival, Xie Jixing felt a powerful aura of coldness again.

He glanced at the two ghostly figures radiating cold air on either side, and thinking of more work ahead, spoke through the pain: “Do you two want a big meal first?”

Of course! Such a strong aura of cold is a feast for ghosts.

The unlucky ghosts nodded so eagerly their heads almost fell off.

Sister Yue also responded softly: “Yeah, a bit hungry. No milk tea for the next two weeks.”

Perfect, time to stir trouble!

To harvest the aura, contact was necessary. Qian Shuyun would be at C-position, and a peripheral star like him might not get close otherwise.

Better seize the moment!

Xie Jixing summoned a small amount of fan faith worth a thousand points to coat his hands in thin Yin Fire.

Changing from his earlier stunned, sleepy expression, he smiled, eyes curving like bright little crescents, and eagerly reached for Qian Shuyun.

Amid the onlookers’ surprise, he warmly grasped Qian Shuyun’s cold hands and said cheerfully, though slightly exaggerated: “Mr. Qian! You’re the mystery guest? That’s amazing! I’m your fan! So excited!”

Wow! A big chunk of cold aura secured!