As soon as the sound engineer finished speaking, a staff member ran up to them and said, “Excuse me, teachers, could you please change the batteries for your microphone and unbutton your clothes?”
Song Jianchu’s expression hadn’t fully recovered yet, and he obediently unbuttoned his coat while looking a bit dazed. The audio team had sent a 19-year-old female intern to assist them.
Mu Ye was already a 25-year-old mature man and an experienced artist, so he naturally allowed the staff member to reach into his clothing and change the battery. However, the Demon King’s little brother was only 18 years old and roughly the same age as the female intern, so she hesitated a bit before putting her hand into his coat.
The intern calmed himself and carefully put her hand inside the Demon King’s little brother’s coat. Suddenly, her movement was interrupted.
“?”
Mu Ye took the battery from his hand and smiled gently, saying, “Let me do it.” His captivating smile was so powerful that the intern was both delighted and overwhelmed. “Ah… okay,” she said.
The intern took a step back.
Watching as Mu Ye put his hand into the Demon King’s little brother’s coat, he instantly blushed. It was a task that he was very familiar with, so why was his heart suddenly beating so fast?
Song Jianchu hadn’t fully recovered from the shocking words spoken earlier. He lifted his coat and turned around to wait, when he felt warm fingertips lightly brush across his waist.
He instinctively took a deep breath, his abdominal muscles tensing up.
The Demon King’s army in the live chat went crazy upon seeing this scene.
[“Teacher Mu Ye! What are you doing?!”]
[“If you touched my son, you have to take responsibility!!!”]
[“Ah, my silly son was touched by a man!”]
[“Even if you are a male god, you can’t take advantage of my son! Unless you let him touch you back!”]
[“Enough, everyone. The girl is too close to my brother’s age, so it’s not convenient for her to put her hand in. Teacher Mu Ye is just lending a hand (sighs).”]
They quickly changed the batteries, and Mu Ye helped Song Jianchu straighten his clothes before handing the old battery to the staff member and saying, “Thanks for your hard work.”
“Thank you, Teacher Mu!” The girl’s expression was somewhat excited, and her gaze swept back and forth between the two before happily running off.
With his hands still in his clothes, Song Jianchu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and zipped up his jacket.
Feeling a small patch of skin on his lower back still warm, Song Jianchu felt that he hadn’t been quite himself these past couple of days.
Frowning, he thought that he must have been influenced by those strange fans. It was all their fault for saying weird things all the time, making him unconsciously identify with the characters, like a brainless fan.
Pei Shinian beckoned to the two of them, “Hey, you don’t need to grill too much, just enough to go with the alcohol. Come over here with the store manager!”
Putting the grilled food onto a plate, Mu Ye said, “It’s all grilled, let’s go.”
Song Jianchu had already adjusted his mindset and said, “Okay.”
The two of them sat down by the bonfire, and Bai Xingyu threw a can of beer to Mu Ye, then picked up another can and looked at Song Jianchu, asking, “Store manager, can you drink?”
After drinking some alcohol, Lu Shen became more talkative, “Don’t give alcohol to children.”
Song Jianchu hesitated for a moment, “?”
“After all, we’re all adults, there’s no problem with drinking during team building,” Pei Shinian said, “When I was 18, I could drink three of you under the table.”
“Others are good students,” Lu Shen sarcastically remarked, “You’re a delinquent, can you compare?”
Pei Shinian: “.”
“Hey! Why are you exposing my dark past, brother!” Pei Shinian couldn’t take it anymore and rolled up his sleeves, opening another can of beer, “You three just wait for me. Tonight, I’ll make you all lie flat side by side, never to reveal a word again.”
[“Hahahahahaha”]
[“Hahaha, my old heart has been stabbed.”]
[“Emperor Lu is absolutely right. When Nian Nian just debuted, he was a typical “bad idol” who smoked, drank, and played games. He started to quit smoking and playing games to transform into positive energy because he was afraid of influencing young fans.”]
[“Now Nian Nian is amazing!!”]
[“But he can’t quit drinking because he has three alcoholic brothers (shrugs)”]
Bai Xingyu looked at Song Jianchu and let him decide for himself: “Manager, do you want to drink?”
Song Jianchu hesitated for two seconds, about to truthfully say “I can’t drink.” Mu Ye handed him a can of Coke and looked at his eyes, asking, “Does the manager want to drink a beverage?”
After staring into his eyes for a second, Song Jianchu remembered that he had promised Mu Ye not to drink alcohol anymore.
He took the canned Coke, opened it, and said, “I’m not good at drinking. You guys drink, don’t worry about me.”
[“Song Jianchu: No.”]
[“Is the demon king’s little brother really so well-behaved?”]
[“??? Then how do you party abroad? Do you also drink Coke?”]
[“Stinky Treasure doesn’t drink with them! All four of them are famous alcoholics in the entertainment industry! Be careful not to fall into a pit!”]
Eating barbecue and drinking, the team members were lazily enjoying themselves around the bonfire.
The director suddenly said next to them, “Since this is team building, let’s play a game.”
Bai Xingyu had no expression on his face: “I knew we couldn’t be too comfortable.”
Pei Shinian got excited, “Sure, what game are we playing?”
“The ‘Don’t Do It’ Challenge.”
Director Cui said, “Each player wears a ‘Don’t Do It’ card on their head. During the game, players cannot look at their own card and cannot do what is written on their card. Each person has two chances to change their card. The last person not eliminated wins. The winner does not receive punishment and draws a punishment card to punish other players.”
“Let’s do it.” Pei Shinian was eager to try it out and confidently said, “I’ve seen this game on other variety shows, it’s simple.”
The staff put the first card on each person’s head, and the group quietly observed each other’s cards.
Lu Shen’s card reads: [Mocking]
Bai Xingyu’s card reads: [Chasing]
Pei Shinian’s card reads: [Say you’re done for]
Song Jianchu’s card reads: [Purse your lips and smile]
Mu Ye’s card reads: [Clapping]
[“Why does the son’s card on his head look a bit dumb? Hahaha”]
[“Hey hey, baby is so cute”]
[“Hahaha, everyone is looking at each other’s eyes”]
At the beginning of the game, everyone remained still for a few seconds.
Pei Shinian sighed helplessly, stood up and stretched his legs, “Alright, looks like I’m the only one who can do it this time.”
Everyone looked at him.
Pei Shinian looked at Bai Xingyu and said, “Brother Xing.”
Bai Xingyu crossed his arms and asked, “What’s up?”
Pei Shinian quickly said, “You’re a fool.”
[“Poof hahaha”]
[“Not to that extent, really not”]
[“Hahaha, year after year, he’s willing to go all out to win the game”]
[“Here’s a song for you, ‘Cool Cool’ “]
Bai Xingyu sneered, stood up slowly and asked, “Say that again?”
“Brother, you’re deaf.” Pei Shinian quickly ran away.
Bai Xingyu directly jumped over the table and chased after him, “Pei Shinian, do you want to keep your legs or your hands?”
Director: “Bai Xingyu eliminated.”
[“First blood”]
[“Damn, Bai Ye’s skills are amazing”]
[“Wow, the action scenes are like a big movie”]
[“Ah, ah, hurry and run, Year after year! In the movies, anyone chased by Bai Ye ends up dead!”]
The two of them began a chase around the field, and Pei Shinian ran out of breath and begged for mercy, “Brother, you’ve already lost!”
Bai Xingyu jumped over the fence effortlessly and sneered, “Beating you doesn’t conflict with playing games.”
Lu Shen ruthlessly mocked, “Suicidal.”
Director: “Lu Shen eliminated.”
Lu Shen: “……”
[“Hahaha, Lu Shen is too easily fooled.”]
[“Double kill”]
Song Jianchu lazily sat in his chair watching the commotion, couldn’t help but smirk.
Director: “Song Jianchu, eliminated.”
Song Jianchu: “?”
[“Ah ah ah, baby’s smile is so sweet”]
[“Jianchu · Confused Face · Song”]
[“Triple kill!!”]
Mu Ye glanced at the bewildered expression of the person next to him and couldn’t help but laugh a little, clapping his hands and saying, “Well done, Xiao Pei.”
Director: “Mu Ye, eliminated.”
Mu Ye: “.”
[“Hahaha, the monster sent himself in”]
[“Quadra kill!!!]
“Hahaha.” Pei Shinian, narrowly escaping, couldn’t resist turning around to mock, “You’re all out.”
Director: “Pei Shinian, eliminated.”
Pei Shinian: “.”
Pei Shinian was stunned for a moment, accidentally stepping into a pit and stumbling to the ground.
[“Hahaha”]
[“Pei Shinian · Eliminated”]
[“I can’t take it anymore, I’m laughing too hard”]
[“My mom came and knocked on the door, asking if I was raising geese in my room”]
[“Amazing, suicide attack”]
[“Penta kill · End”]
Before Pei Shinian could stand up, a pair of legs appeared before him.
“…”
He slowly looked up.
Bai Xingyu gave him a cold smile, effortlessly grabbing him by the collar.
The scene momentarily switched to the harmonious and beautiful starry sky, only hearing distant cries.
“Brother, be gentle…”
“Don’t hit my face, I still have to eat with it…”
[“You’re pretty self-aware”]
[“You’ve sacrificed too much for this game every year”]
[“Everyone stand up, the barrage awards this player with the “commendable spirit” award”]
Pei Shinian returned to his seat, exhausted, slumping back and numbly murmuring, “Amazing, what am I even trying to do?”
The barrage was laughing hysterically.
The first round of the game ended, everyone failed, and the staff gave everyone new cards.
Second round:
Bai Xingyu: [Feet off the ground]
Lu Shen: [Apologize]
Mu Ye: [Say thank you]
Pei Shinian: [Eating]
Song Jianchu: [Blushing]
[“??? My son’s card???”]
[“Good hand”]
[“Hurry up, Mom wants to watch”]
Pei Shinian grabbed a string of sausages and stuffed them into his mouth after narrowly escaping danger earlier. “You guys go ahead and play, I’ll eat for a while.”
Director: “Pei Shinian, you’re eliminated.”
Pei Shinian: “…”
[“Poor child”]
[“Just eat in peace, this time you don’t have to worry about getting beaten up”]
[“Frist blood (Note: Taking the first kill for oneself)”]
Lu Shen, who had been quiet, suddenly stood up and walked towards Bai Xingyu.
Bai Xingyu was taken aback and looked wary. “Are you crazy? Why are you all staring at me?”
Pei Shinian was already carefree, casually eating barbecue and fanning the flames: “Brother Lu , don’t be afraid, go for it.”
Bai Xingyu squinted and threatened, “Old Lu, think about the consequences.”
Lu Shen didn’t show much expression and simply bent down to pick up Bai Xingyu and carry him horizontally.
Director: “Bai Xingyu, you’re eliminated.”
Bai Xingyu suddenly flew up and cursed with a muted dirty word, “Old Lu, I’ll curse you!”
Pei Shinian slapped his thigh and laughed wildly, “Brother Lu is awesome!”
Lu Shen took two punches to the chest and put Bai Xingyu down steadily, saying with his head down, “I’m sorry.”
“Brother Lu, you’re out too.” Pei Shinian laughed even harder.
Director: “Lu Shen, you’re eliminated.”
The barrage was filled with laughter again.
Song Jianchu’s lips were pressed against a can of coke as he watched the farce unfold, his mouth slightly upturned.
Mu Ye lazily supported his face and stared at the smile on the boy’s face that was not often seen. After watching for a long time, he whispered, “Is it fun?”
Song Jianchu turned his head slightly, a faint smile lingering in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and looked away. Mu Ye narrowed his eyes.
Pei Shinian looked at the last two people. The task was back online.
Not wanting the two to have too much interaction, Pei Shinian urged, “You two have been silent and motionless for too long, too sly. The wine isn’t even finished yet, hurry up and determine the winner.”
The last two looked at each other’s cards.
[“To be honest, the person who does nothing in this game is the easiest to win.”]
[“The ultimate showdown between fans and idols.”]
[“Get ready to see our son blush, hehe.”]
[“Mu the demon, go for it!!!”]
[“Are you really his mom? Stinky treasure! Hold on! A real man must win!!”]
Song Jianchu stood lazily with his hands in his coat pockets, looking at Mu Ye’s card and asked, “If you were given the chance, what would you like to say to your fans?”
[“Wow, how clever.”]
[“What a demon.”]
[Oh no, I can’t see our son’s cute blushing face anymore.]
Bai Xingyu took a sip of the beer handed to him by Lu Shen, sat with his legs crossed like an old man, and watched the final battle. “It’s almost over.”
This question was too exciting, and Pei Shinian momentarily forgot about the task and became invested in the game. He shook his head in pity, “My brother’s done for.”
Mu Ye didn’t answer but raised an eyebrow, “Is my card gratitude?”
[“Wow, exciting!”]
[“The demon has guessed it, our son is doomed.”]
[“Hehe, how will Mu the demon make our little brother blush? Is he going to start flirting?”]
[“Gkd!!!!”]
Pei Shinian sighed regretfully, “The manager messed up this round.”
Song Jianchu looked down, considering his options. His opponent had already guessed his card, and there was no point in wasting any more time. He simply gave up, “I…”
Before he could finish speaking, Mu Ye suddenly spoke up, “I want to thank my fans for supporting me unconditionally.”
“?”
Song Jianchu was stunned and turned to look at the suddenly emotional Mu Ye.
“If it weren’t for the faith and affirmation you gave me, I don’t know where I would be now, doing what boring job, living what kind of boring life.” Mu Ye’s tone was very light, but his expression was very serious: “It was you who liberated me and let me regain my freedom.”
“Thank you for making way for Mu Ye.”
Mu Ye lightly hooked his lips and looked at him: “Thank you for liking us.”
Clearly, it was meant for all the fans.
But Song Jianchu inexplicably had the feeling that this passage was a response to him alone.
Song Jianchu stared at the person in front of him in a daze.
The man’s misty and beautiful eyes were calm and deep, shining in the night.
The sound of the bonfire in his ears turned into a distant and noisy rain, and the person in front of him seemed to overlap with the rainy night in his memory.
His Adam’s apple rolled gently, and his face and ears unknowingly became as hot as a fever.
The filming location was quiet for a few seconds, and the sound of the director announcing the results was heard –
“Mu Ye, eliminated.”
“Song Jianchu, the winner.”