Chapter 36 – Answer
Qiao Huaiyao chuckled lightly and sent a reply: [Proud Cat.jpg]
The fluffy kitten’s head tilted up, its chin lifted, eyes squinted into two curved slits, and its tail swayed back and forth.
Just after sending, the software popped up with a new message received.
Zhao Jiamo:
[There are some changes to the 10 o’clock game today, no longer a group activity.]
[Each group of guests will select the most compatible family member. Following the order of the rooms, each family group will have thirty minutes. The points earned after the game will be used for tomorrow’s game.]
[Now, guests in room number one, please go downstairs!] [Note: This message is a group message. Guests who haven’t been called by room number can rest in their rooms and move freely.]
The recording of the program began, and the directing team didn’t distribute phones. \
Now, information could only be sent to Qiao Huaiyao’s phone.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t see Bai Jinyan holding a phone, so he asked, “Brother, did you receive the message?”
“What message?”
That should mean he didn’t receive it.
They were in the same room; the director probably thought sending one was enough.
Qiao Huaiyao told Bai Jinyan about the change in the game time, calculated the time, and said, “We might go down early, but we won’t be going down early in line.”
He caught a glimpse of the name on the script cover, which seemed different from the previous one. “Brother, did you get a new script again?”
Bai Jinyan flipped a page of the script. “Yes.”
“After the holiday ends, shouldn’t we be returning to school for classes?” Qiao Huaiyao propped a pillow under his chin.
Now that they had joined a new drama crew, would there be time for filming?
“It won’t affect anything.” Bai Jinyan closed the script. “We’re still choosing a script. We’ll consider the next one after finishing the current movie.”
Since joining the entertainment industry, Bai Jinyan hadn’t arranged any rest for himself.
He was used to high-intensity work and could balance his school time.
He also didn’t need rest.
The glass water kettle on the table boiled, and Bai Jinyan got up to pour a cup of hot water and placed it on Qiao Huaiyao’s bedside.
He casually ruffled Qiao Huaiyao’s hair. “Take a nap.”
“Mmm… okay.” Qiao Huaiyao buried half of his face in the blanket.
When he looked up and saw Bai Jinyan sitting back down, he didn’t seem to have any intention of resting.
Instead, he picked up the script again. Qiao Huaiyao raised an eyebrow. “Brother?”
Bai Jinyan’s hand paused and he put the script back down. Seeing him lie down, Qiao Huaiyao felt satisfied, reached over, and pulled the curtains closed—the sky was gradually darkening.
The phone on the bedside lit up and flashed.
Sensing the movement, Qiao Huaiyao opened his eyes drowsily.
When he reached out to grab it, someone was already one step ahead, taking the phone away.
He didn’t need to guess who it was. Qiao Huaiyao buried his head in the pillow and let out a breath, muttering, “Brother… is it our turn?”
“The second group is wrapping up the game. Zhao Jiamo sent a message to prepare in advance.” Bai Jinyan muted the phone and placed it back on his bedside where it was easily reachable.
Qiao Huaiyao nodded, sat up sleepily, and reached for the water on the bedside.
It had been placed there an hour ago, and even with the constant temperature air conditioning in the room, the water should have cooled down by now.
Qiao Huaiyao thought that drinking cold water would help him wake up. But as he picked up the water, he found that the glass was still warm. The water temperature was just right, not cold at all.
Sitting by the edge of the bed, Qiao Huaiyao sipped about half a glass of water.
The drowsiness faded.
He just felt inexplicably tired and didn’t want to move.
After changing out of his pajamas, he sat on the bed and waited.
Bai Jinyan walked over. “Open your mouth.”
Qiao Huaiyao acted faster than he thought, and before he could react, his mouth was filled with the sweet taste of strawberry candy.
He licked his lips; it didn’t taste like a lollipop.
Qiao Huaiyao instinctively glanced at the discarded candy wrapper next to Bai Jinyan.
It was transparent with patterns on it, but there wasn’t a single word. Usually, there should be ingredient information and his dietary needs listed.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t think too much about it.
Perhaps these were things sorted out within the company.
All the necessary dietary information should be with the company.
Zhao Jiamo was waiting downstairs.
Qiao Huaiyao and the others didn’t delay; they finished preparing and went downstairs directly.
A warm orange light illuminated the central hall of the farmhouse inn.
The entire place felt very cozy.
“Good evening.” Zhao Jiamo sat in the host’s single sofa, reclining comfortably and waving at them.
“Take a seat.”
After Qiao Huaiyao sat down, Bai Jinyan sat to his right.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiamo sat up straight, picked up the host’s script, and said earnestly, “Let me explain the rules of the game.”
“Game name: ‘Quick Questions, Quick Answers.’ As the name suggests, I’ll ask a question, and your answers should match. If they do, you’ll score; if not, you won’t get points.”
Zhao Jiamo asked, “Understood?”
Qiao Huaiyao nodded, “Yes, understood.”
After pausing for a moment, he asked again, “Will this game be livestreamed?”
“Hehe, well…” Zhao Jiamo touched his nose, laughing but not answering directly.
After a while, he ambiguously said, “It’s better understood than said.”
He was wearing a profound and mysterious expression.
Needle-sized cameras blinked not far away.
The live-streaming audience was thrilled.
Comments in the chat:
[“Hahaha, the director is a cunning little brat, I love it.”]
[“What’s the point of Quick Questions, Quick Answers if it’s not livestreamed? I want to see my Qiao Qiao blurt out that he likes Bai Jinyan!”]
[“I know, sis is so straightforward, I love it.”]
…
“Alright, let’s get started.” Zhao Jiamo handed the answer boards to Qiao Huaiyao and Bai Jinyan respectively, saying, “Just write your answers on these.”
When handing them out, he added, “There are no dividers between you. The production team trusts you both a lot. Don’t cheat by looking at your neighbor’s answers.”
Zhao Jiamo asked seriously, “First question, who is Qiao Huaiyao’s favorite celebrity?”
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t hesitate and began writing.
This was practically a free point.
The director counted down rapidly, “Alright, pens down!”
The answer boards were revealed.
Qiao Huaiyao tilted his head to glance at Bai Jinyan’s board.
When he saw the three words Bai Jinyan had written, he couldn’t help but smile.
Taking into account the camera’s presence, Qiao Huaiyao raised an eyebrow, eyes filled with teasing amusement.
Bai Jinyan lowered his gaze and, seeing Qiao Huaiyao’s tilted head, he also smiled.
He reached over and pinched Qiao Huaiyao’s cheek.
“Hmm…” Qiao Huaiyao narrowed his eyes.
Bai Jinyan let go quickly, using his fingertips to lightly brush against Qiao Huaiyao’s cheek, the redness from before had already faded.
“Ahem!” Zhao Jiamo tapped the table beside him.
“Uh, shall we continue with the game…?”
Qiao Huaiyao’s face flushed.
He quickly stood up from the sofa and discreetly raised the answer board higher.
Bai Jinyan glanced at the director and then reached over, placing a pillow behind Qiao Huaiyao.
He leaned back as well, sitting shoulder to shoulder with Qiao Huaiyao.
Zhao Jiamo felt a shiver down his spine, “…”
Comment in the chat:
[“Ah, ah, ah! Zhao Jiamo?! He praised them for nothing! Sob, sob, they were so close, so close to kissing!”]