Published at 8th of November 2020 11:12:05 AM
Chapter 26
Editor: SleepyMango123
Proofreader: Lore
Xia Rong felt completely numb .
Just the second prior, he was elated and feeling pleased with himself within his heart . But then in the next, he was mercilessly exposed by Su Chi . Although the other had only asked ‘You’re the assassin, right?’, there was no doubt at all in his tone .
His wrist was still tightly held in Su Chi’s hand while the other’s smiling eyes seemed quite certain as if he was saying ‘I’ve caught you’ . Xia Rong’s throat felt a little dry, and he swallowed before he insistently denied, “No, I, I just wanted to praise that your clothes are good-looking . ”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, it’s really good-looking . ” Although Xia Rong maintained a composed face, he had already thought of the series of consequences that would soon follow: once Su Chi meets up with his teammates again and tells his teammates, then Xia Rong would become everyone’s main suspect . After that happens, it would be even more difficult for him to approach the others when they’re alone, let alone trying to carry out the ‘secret task’ .
And if Su Chi described his actions in a little more detail, it would be as if Xia Rong took the initiative to directly expose his identity as long as he did any similar actions . Then, in the end, he would undoubtedly be cast out as the assassin .
…Why on earth was Su Chi this keen?!
And Production Team, where’s your script?! If the assassin gets found out directly in the first round, then how are we going to continue playing this game?! Finally, Director, don’t just watch, quickly come and help me1!
Xia Rong was calm on the surface as he stared at Su Chi, though his mind was already empty . At the same time, it was as if a system-like voice repeating “Game Over” sounded next to his ears— Unexpectedly, Su Chi suddenly released his grip . Instead, he gave Xia Rong’s earlobe a nip, then said with a smile, “You are also very good-looking . ”
…!!!
Xia Rong’s mouth dropped, silently forming an ‘o’ shape . Su Chi couldn’t help laughing as he then smiled and rubbed the soft earlobe that was wrapped in such thin skin . “You really are very good-looking . Do you understand?”
Su Chi’s fingertips were slightly cool, so as he gently touched the soft and hot earlobe, there was an extremely vivid sensation .
Although the other’s touch was light, Xia Rong’s heart felt as if it was a bell that had been heavily struck . He hurriedly raised his hand to cover his ears as he said, “I… I understand!” while looking back towards the direction of the accompanying director . Sure enough, he caught the smile of a chicken thief hiding behind the camera— No wonder they didn’t come “help” earlier but even allowed him to become so frightened in vain . It turns out, Su Chi wasn’t an enemy, but a TM ally force!
“What would you understand2,” Su Chi didn’t quite know why, but he also murmured a complaint . “Well, let’s hurry up, the others should have been waiting for a while already . ”
“No problem, let’s go!” Xia Rong cheered up and kept up with his pace . At least now he finally knew that he wasn’t fighting alone . With Su Chi, his confidence in completing the task rose by more than a few notches— It was just that, the wrist that had been grasped earlier, he was unsure whether it was because both of them had been too nervous or what, but it still had a thin layer of sweat and felt a bit cloyingly wet .
So Xia Rong turned to the staff and asked, “Which one of you has brought tissues? Lend me one, there’s sweat on my hands . ”
Thus the staff members that had bags looked through their bags, while those that didn’t, looked through their pockets . But then Su Chi, who had already gone a few steps ahead, came back and decisively used his sleeves to wipe Xia Rong’s wrists . “Don’t bother other people . Hurry up . ”
“O-oh… Okay . ”
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The last two stops were respectively ‘Great Exhibition of Skills’ and ‘Renowned Across the Land’ . Su Chi and Xia Rong each won another game and received a copy of 《Beiming Divine Skill3》 and 《Bixue Sword Manual4》 respectively . When Xia Rong finally got the copy of 《Bixue Sword Manual》, he was at a loss as to whether to cry or laugh as he flipped to the first page and found that it was really printed with the sentence ‘If one wants to practice this divine technique, one must first castrate oneself’— Production Team, why are you guys always so particularly mindful of details in such strange places as these?
Xia Rong read out this sentence that was printed on the title page toward the camera . He also didn’t forget to add more scene time for himself and continued to say with a murderous expression, “if one wants to practice this divine technique, one must first castrate oneself— to have me castrated, it’s better to just cripple my martial arts!”
Xia Rong saw that the director’s shoulders were already trembling from laughter . He could guess that if this segment got edited into the main episode, it should have a good effect for the program . Moreover, on the side, Su Chi also added with a smile, “It’s okay, I have Beiming Divine Skill . At that time, I’ll transmit you inner force . ”
“Don’t forget that we are from opposite camps,” Xia Rong said after putting on an air of serious manner, “I’m afraid you’ll secretly harm me as you transmit the inner force . ”
“Even if I were to harm someone, I still wouldn’t harm you . Have you forgotten?” Su Chi said with a smile and even made the gesture as if he would stretch out his hand to pinch Xia Rong’s earlobe .
By now, Xia Rong was really afraid of that feeling of sensitivity, as if his heart was quivering, that would occur after his earlobe gets pinched, so he quickly stepped back to open up more space between the two of them . Unexpectedly, he was unfortunate in where he stood and by taking those steps, his back happened to hit one of the pillars of the pavilion . At this time, Su Chi took advantage of the situation to take a step forward and stretched out to prop Xia Rong up with his arm . The shape formed from that posture instantly reminded Xia Rong of a certain widely circulated photo5 .
At this, he hurriedly bent down and got out from under Su Chi’s arm, then even threatened the on-site director, “Director, cut this scene out and don’t broadcast it! I’d be anxious for you if you broadcast it!”
In actuality, the happy times of being able to mess around were only the length of a sentence or two . After all, they had to rush to keep up with the program’s schedule . The two people then allowed the filming crew to take a few more shots so they would have more raw material for the editing team . And thus, they had smoothly passed all the hurdles of the first part .
According to the overall statistics, the final score between Xia Rong and Su Chi was 2:3 . Xia Rong was slightly behind by a mere point, but this gap couldn’t be considered large and could easily be caught up . It would mainly depend on the performance of the other teammates .
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By the time the two of them, along with their accompanying film staff, had rushed and arrived at the ancient city’s gate tower, the others had already waited for a long time . Fortunately, the production team didn’t require them to wait specifically on the city wall thereby being exposed to the peak noon sun . Instead, the production team had found a cooler spot and had a temporary canopy set up . So the rest of the members were all sitting under the canopy as they drank tea and chatted, trying to guess who was the assassin .
As the sun continued to shine down on them, Xia Rong and Su Chi hurried to catch up with the others while wearing their heavy ancient costumes . So by the time they arrived, they were both panting with sweat all over . Xia Rong had just wiped the sweat that had dripped down from his forehead when he saw the rest of the group’s comfortable appearance, and he immediately became indignant . “The two of us over here are almost dying from exhaustion, yet you guys are just there drinking tea under the shade, aren’t you guys enjoying it a bit too much?!”
After learning how to get along during the last episode and having hung out outside of the program, this group of friends was obviously much more familiar with each other compared to the beginning . For example, Kang Yifan, who originally was already the easy-going and cheerful sort6, would now even joke right from the start . “Isn’t it all because you two are too slow when completing the tasks? We’re already almost full from just drinking the tea . Having us wait for you guys for so long, did you two go shoot off or something?”
On the side, Ye Mang heavily coughed once, indicating to Kang Yifan that there was still a camera filming next to him . So Kang Yifan consciously changed his words before asking again, “…Having us wait for you guys for so long, did you two go off to fight again7?”
The contrast of the hidden meanings behind these two versions was too large, such that Xia Rong was too lazy to even pay him any attention . Then just as he sat down at the ‘tea party table’, Su Chi came over and nudged his(XR) shoulder with his(SC) elbow before handing over a towel . “It’s been chilled . Use it to wipe your sweat, they’re about to calculate the scores . ”
Xia Rong casually answered with a “thank you” as he received the towel . He really did sweat quite a bit and his black hair on his forehead was sticking together here and there from being wet . Taking the towel, he indiscriminately ruffled his hair, but it still ended up just laying softly on his forehead .
Su Chi again found a small fan from who knew where . “Take it to fan . Your hairstyle’s already drooping, they’ll almost be bangs soon . ”
Xia Rong wasn’t able to free up a hand, so Su Chi just sat down beside him . As he fanned himself, he would also intentionally or unintentionally fan Xia Rong a few times .
Zhang Xin sat directly to the right of Xia Rong and saw everything quite clearly . He didn’t continue to play the game on his phone with his head lowered but smiled and said, “I feel that Kang Yifan’s first version is still more appropriate . To prepare and serve like that8, comparatively… Mhmm, he’s more concerned and thoughtful than anyone else . ”
Xia Rong knew they were jeering that the two of them had “slept” together, but he didn’t take it very seriously . After all, when he was still in school, there was always jeering between the boys and no shortage of them would spoof around by calling each other ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ . Of course, back then, he was always in the position of being the one who forced others to call him husband . Therefore, having been heckled like that, he didn’t feel like it was much of an insult, rather he felt that it should be a matter of fact—
Nonsense, my relationship with Su Chi is just that we can both become cats— “Guardians of Cuteness9“, could it be the same with you guys?!
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“Why? Jealous?” Xia Rong generously smiled, then placed the towel on the table as he turned around and raised his hand to pinch Su Chi’s earlobe . “For Su Chi to be so good-looking but would also serve me water and tea while he also fans me, how blessed this is . ”
Su Chi had originally planned to dodge, but when he saw Xia Rong’s slight wink, he could only continue holding the fan as he stiffly endured the other’s actions .
As Xia Rong rubbed and pinched the other’s earlobe, he was, in fact, also secretly observing the other’s reaction . Why was he not reacting like himself? Even if you aren’t sensitive, at least you should still ritualistically dodge a bit, right?… Could different people’s sensitivity levels really be so different? So much for trying to covertly avenge himself for having been so frightened earlier that his heart was beating like a drum!
Seeing how Su Chi’s face didn’t have even a ripple of alarm throughout, Xia Rong was a bit disappointed . With a smile, he just took his hand back and turned to see the other people’s reactions .
Sure enough, Kang Yifan made a ‘vomiting’ expression and said, “You two are just too nauseatingly sappy! Xia Rong, do you still remember whose team you’re actually on? “
Boldly, Xia Rong righteously replied, “How is it nauseatingly sappy? Of course, I remember which team I’m on . Oh, Yifan, are you just too envious and jealous in your heart while being too embarrassed to actually say it? Rest assured—” Xia Rong smilingly stood up and went over to touch Kang Yifan’s earlobe . “Rest assured, Ge won’t favor one over the other10 . Here comes…!”
Kang Yifan hurriedly wanted to hide, but Ye Mang and Gao Junming, who were sitting next to him, both just laughed and moved aside, giving him nowhere to hide . In the end, Xia Rong was able to pinch right on target . “You are also good-looking! Hahaha…”
“Scram, scram off!” Kang Yifan angrily said, “If this gets broadcasted, your fans would definitely scold you! Do you believe it or not!?”
They would only praise me for my quick-wittedness, okay?
From the corner of Xia Rong’s eyes, he managed to catch the gesture that the director was secretly sending him, and in his heart, he gestured to himself a “YES”— Kang Yifan, GET!
Boy, to play with Ge, you’re still a bit too tender!