Chapter 23

Chapter 23

As if a century had passed, the congealed air beside her finally showed signs of movement.

Pei Chuzhi heard a very light snort, like a mocking laugh, so low only she could hear it.

She raised her eyes slightly and saw a faint trace of irritation in Xing Ye’s dark pupils.

Their gazes briefly touched in the air.

Then Xing Ye said nothing and turned his face away.

His breath brushed past her ear, making her want to say something, yet not knowing what to say.

Sunlight poured in from the window, outlining a faint halo along his brow bone and nose bridge.

It was originally a very pleasing scene, but because of his tightened jawline, it carried a sense of impending danger.

He probably understood now.

Pei Chuzhi uneasily withdrew her gaze, feeling that instead of futile explanations, it would be better to clarify the misunderstanding.

After all, Xing Ye wasn’t stupid. With Xie Yiqian already “self-exposing” over there, he wouldn’t be fooled by a few words from her.

They would start recording after getting off the car. Pei Chuzhi didn’t want to drag this to that time, but it wasn’t convenient to talk with so many people, so she took out her phone and typed a paragraph in the notes.

Several hundred words, like writing a short essay.

Xing Ye glanced down a few times, but the screen was blocked by her hanging hair, so he could only see half her face.

The driver reminded them they were about to arrive.

Pei Chuzhi hurriedly sped up, finished in one go, then handed the phone to Xing Ye.

He frowned impatiently: “What.”

Pei Chuzhi said sincerely: “A self-criticism. Can you take a look?”

Her voice was gentle, sounding like she was soothing someone.

Only then did Xing Ye slowly lower his head.

Pei Chuzhi’s outstretched arm trembled slightly. She wasn’t sure whether he would still be angry after reading.

In the “self-criticism,” she explained truthfully why Tang Dong had done that odd operation, and sincerely stated that although she wasn’t Xing Ye’s die-hard fan, she had indeed watched every movie since his debut and liked them very much.

The last few lines even exceeded expectations, praising from multiple angles how charming Xing Ye was as an actor.

Xing Ye read silently. After a few seconds, he gave a low laugh: “You wrote this to apologize to me?”

“I should apologize.” Pei Chuzhi, feeling guilty, lowered her voice. “Are you angry?”

“No.”

Xing Ye leaned back against the seat, smiling indifferently, then continued word by word, “Do I not have fans myself, to be angry over this.”

Pei Chuzhi: “……”

Friend, you sound super angry, okay?

Just as she felt helpless, the business van reached the destination.

Staff asked the artists to get off in order.

When it was their row, Xing Ye suddenly spoke: “Teacher Xie, you go first.”

Xie Yiqian thought he was letting seniors go first, didn’t think much, thanked him, and got off with the others.

Only the two of them remained. Pei Chuzhi stood up, unsure what Xing Ye intended.

She sat by the aisle. After stepping aside, she saw Xing Ye still sitting, so she looked at him blankly: “You’re not… refusing to record, right?”

Then she’d really be in big trouble.

Before the show even started, she would have angered the celebrity guest into quitting.

Fortunately, Xing Ye didn’t have that big of a temper.

He slowly stood up. Because of his height, he had to bend slightly. As he passed by her, he asked softly by her ear, “What do you like about him?”

His voice was cold, with a hint of competitiveness.

Their noses were less than a centimeter apart. The man’s handsome face became sharper and more aggressive.

Pei Chuzhi’s heartbeat suddenly sped up. She subconsciously stepped back half a step, momentarily unable to answer.

Her mind was filled with Xing Ye’s dark eyes.

Not daring to delay, she blurted out, “H-he has a good figure, his legs are especially long.”

That should be fine. After all, Xie Yiqian was indeed famous for broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs. In a suit he could mesmerize people.

Xing Ye glanced at her. As he brushed past, he turned his head and said, “Your eyesight isn’t very good.”

After saying that, he walked to the door and stepped out.

Pei Chuzhi: “???”

She got off the car in confusion, only then realizing that while she was busy soothing Xing Ye, the van had brought them to the center of an island.

The island wasn’t large, surrounded by water.

The only way to leave was via the stone bridge they had crossed earlier.

Staff came to attach microphones to them. It looked like recording was about to start.

Pei Chuzhi was still thinking about Xing Ye’s inexplicable remark, and her eyes unconsciously drifted toward Xie Yiqian.

The man lifted the hem of his sweater to let staff attach the mic at his waist.

From her angle, those long legs were indeed worthy of praise.

So how was her eyesight bad?

They were clearly long legs.

Pei Chuzhi pursed her lips, then shifted her gaze to Xing Ye.

At that glance, she suddenly froze.

Unlike Xie Yiqian, who wasn’t in great health, Xing Ye dressed more lightly. Inside his loose jacket suitable for movement, he only wore a black T-shirt.

Because the jacket hem was lifted, the T-shirt rose a few inches, revealing a small section of abdominal muscles.

Even from several meters away, the smooth muscle lines were clearly visible.

Pei Chuzhi’s ears heated up. Her gaze seemed sticky, fixed on him, unwilling to move. As her eyes traveled downward, she realized something.

Xing Ye’s legs were even longer than Xie Yiqian’s.

And because he exercised often, the leg lines wrapped in jeans were even and straight—anyone would praise his perfect proportions.

Come to think of it, didn’t Qiao Na mention there were many body fans among his fans?

So that’s why he was voted number one male celebrity netizens most wanted to sleep with?

“Alright, test if there’s sound,” a staff member reminded from behind.

Pei Chuzhi quickly withdrew her gaze. After testing and confirming it worked, she smiled: “Thanks for your hard work.”

After the staff walked away, she sighed softly and entered a self-reflection mode.

This shouldn’t be, Pei Chuzhi.

Are you that shallow? Would you waver in your love for your idol over something so small?

Too outrageous!

After finishing her reflection, the new season of “Who Is the Murderer” finally began recording.

The six artists stood in an open area, listening as the director formally announced the mission for this episode.

“First, please come over here to draw an envelope.”

The director shook a sealed box in one hand. “Those who draw the same number automatically form a team.”

Confused discussion arose among the artists.

Everyone knew something about “Who Is the Murderer,” and in previous seasons there had never been team formation.

But the rules were set by the production team, so they could only draw envelopes one by one.

Director: “Confirm the number on your envelope and find your teammate.”

Pei Chuzhi drew number 3. She noticed the sealed boxes differed by gender, so she guessed it was mixed-gender teams. Her first reaction was to look at Ding Yang, who stood to her left.

Ding Yang had number 2.

Just as she was about to look right, Ji Yingshan’s voice sounded: “I’m number 1, then Teacher Xie, please take care of me.”

That meant the remaining one could only be…

Pei Chuzhi looked at Xing Ye, farthest from her. He indeed held an envelope marked 3.

She froze slightly, thinking—such a coincidence? Or did the company coordinate with the show to pair them deliberately for CP promotion?

But her momentary hesitation meant something else to Xing Ye.

“Want to switch numbers?”

His deep voice sounded, with a faint sharpness. “You want to team with Teacher Xie?”

The other artists, unaware of the situation, laughed.

Ding Yang, now fully in variety-show mode, shed his earlier silence and joked first: “Yeah, isn’t Zhizhi Teacher Xie’s fan? It’s okay, be honest—do you particularly dislike Xing Ye? If so I’ll ask the director to switch numbers. Chasing idols isn’t easy, right?”

Pei Chuzhi thought, spare me—this is being recorded. If this airs, do you want me chopped to pieces by his fans?

“Teacher Ding, don’t sow discord between us.”

Driven by survival instinct, she walked to Xing Ye’s side and smiled: “Wishing us a pleasant cooperation.”

Xing Ye smiled noncommittally.

The director wiped sweat silently, wondering what was going on—wasn’t it their company that requested Xing Ye and Pei Chuzhi be placed together?

After the minor scare, the director cleared his throat: “Now announcing the mission rules. Today your identities are three couples vacationing on the lake island.”

“Couples?!” Tong Yang exclaimed, pointing at Ding Yang beside her. “With male gods like Teacher Xie and Teacher Xing here, why should I make him my boyfriend?”

This kind of banter was common. Ding Yang played along and joked back.

After they finished, the director continued explaining the rules.

This season of “Who Is the Murderer” incorporated a new mechanism—the popular “scripted murder mystery” gameplay.

Each artist’s envelope contained their own script, including identity information, actions during certain time periods, and clues known only to themselves.

Artists could exchange clues privately or search for clues. At intervals they would vote based on known information to find the murderer.

In short, through communication and reasoning, they would piece together incomplete scripts to restore a complete story.

As for today’s setting…

All six turned and looked at a small villa not far behind.

·

According to the initial setup, the six dragged luggage prepared by the production team to the villa door.

Xie Yiqian, participating for the first time, was still a bit confused. He pointed at the doorbell: “If I press this, will someone come open the door?”

Pei Chuzhi, the only one with experience, replied: “Yes, after entering, an NPC will guide us.”

Xie Yiqian nodded and pressed the doorbell.

After a few seconds, a plainly dressed middle-aged woman opened the door from inside: “Welcome to Lake Center Homestay! I didn’t expect you six to arrive together. Please come in quickly!”

Her voice was quite loud.

It was just that the exaggerated lines made all six people freeze on the spot.

Xing Ye even frowned directly.

Afraid he would start coaching her acting on the spot, Pei Chuzhi tiptoed and whispered in his ear, “She’s like how I used to be, a group extra hired by the program team to play an NPC. Just pay attention to what she says, don’t mind the acting.”

The middle-aged woman even added extra drama: “Look, what a loving young couple! Whispering in front of everyone already.”

Pei Chuzhi clearly saw the corner of Xing Ye’s mouth twitch.

Fortunately, the others also found it hard to watch, so after a few perfunctory responses they quickly entered the villa.

The middle-aged woman introduced herself as Sister Wang, the manager of the Lake Center Homestay.

She led everyone on a tour of the villa and finally returned to the first-floor living room.

“It’s now 4:30 PM. You must be tired after traveling from afar, right?”

Sister Wang began advancing the plot with awkward lines. “Everyone go back to your rooms to rest. I’ll prepare in the kitchen. We’ll have dinner at 5:30 sharp.”

After saying that, she turned and walked into the kitchen behind her, closing the door.

The six artists in the living room all sighed in relief, glad they didn’t have to hear Sister Wang’s ear-piercing lines for now.

Pei Chuzhi thought for a moment and reminded them, “Just now Sister Wang told us to return to our rooms and come down at 5:30. From my experience, it’s best to follow her instructions and go upstairs now.”

She waved the unopened envelope. “The rooms are private spaces. We can confirm our scripts during this time.”

Ji Yingshan, sitting on the sofa, opened her mouth as if to say something.

But Xing Ye spoke first: “Do we have to go up? What if I don’t want to rest?”

He sounded quite serious, apparently dissatisfied with being forced to rest.

Pei Chuzhi looked at him helplessly. “It’s best to listen to the NPC, otherwise the plot can’t continue.”

Xing Ye originally found the setup ridiculous, but when his eyes met hers, he inexplicably didn’t know what to say, so he used silence as agreement.

Xie Yiqian also nodded. “Then it’s better we go upstairs first.”

“When we come back down…” Tong Yang hid behind Ding Yang and pointed at the kitchen. “Sister Wang will…”

Pei Chuzhi gave her a “you know” look.

When touring earlier, she had already noticed that aside from the six artists, Sister Wang was the only NPC.

The artists were paid by the show, and they wouldn’t waste resources by letting someone just lie there playing a corpse for easy money.

So today’s victim could only be Sister Wang.

Thinking of Sister Wang waiting obediently in the kitchen for her death scene, everyone didn’t want to delay. They checked time on the phones provided by the show and prepared to go upstairs to check their scripts.

Unexpectedly, Ji Yingshan spoke: “Um, I think I made a mistake just now.”

She awkwardly took out her envelope. “I opened it early and saw a clue.”

Ding Yang, experienced as a host, immediately realized this broke the game flow.

He quickly said, “Don’t—”

Ji Yingshan: “Among the three couples, one is a fake couple.”

Ding Yang: “…”

Director: “…”

“Everyone forget this part. Post-production will cut it out.”

The director awkwardly re-explained before stepping out of frame.

After recording resumed, Pei Chuzhi followed Xing Ye upstairs.

Although the director told everyone to forget Ji Yingshan’s spoiler, thinking that one pair among them was a fake couple made Pei Chuzhi feel as if fate were laughing mischievously at her.

The two entered the room one after the other, and Xing Ye casually locked the door.

Pei Chuzhi choked slightly, thinking—no wonder he’s a Best Actor winner, professionalism even in details.

She walked to the other side of the room, opened the balcony door, and asked, “Should I go outside to read the script?”

“Either way.” Xing Ye thought for a moment, then stopped her. “Guess—are we a fake couple or a real couple?”

Pei Chuzhi’s smile stiffened, suspecting it was a fatal question.

She leaned against the wall, folded the envelope, and lowered her voice: “We’ll know after reading.”

Xing Ye laughed softly without speaking.

Ever since he learned that Xie Yiqian was Pei Chuzhi’s idol, he had been surrounded by a “my mood isn’t very good” aura.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Pei Chuzhi finally gave an answer: “I hope we’re a real couple.”

Xing Ye raised his eyes. “Hmm?”

They both wore microphones, so many things couldn’t be said too clearly.

Pei Chuzhi walked to him, her bright smile spreading. “If we’re a real couple, you like me so much—you’ll definitely protect me, right?”

Xing Ye froze. His eyes flickered, and he slowly said, “I noticed a detail.”

Pei Chuzhi raised a hand to interrupt him. “Shouldn’t you read the script first? What if your identity opposes mine?”

For example, if Xing Ye were the murderer, exchanging clues now would put him at a disadvantage.

Xing Ye said softly, “Doesn’t matter. I just want to tell you. Important NPC lines are set by the writers. I’m not wrong about that, right?”

“Right.”

“After opening the door, Sister Wang said ‘I didn’t expect you six to arrive together.’” Xing Ye spoke calmly but firmly. “She didn’t even ask, yet she knew we were the six guests who reserved.”

“You mean among the six of us…”

“There’s someone she knows.”

A chill ran down Pei Chuzhi’s back, as if someone had been watching them the moment they entered.

She steadied herself and decided to read her script first to understand her identity.

Xing Ye also moved to a corner to confirm his.

Pei Chuzhi gently closed the balcony door. While opening the envelope, she thought that although this was Xing Ye’s first time on such a show—even refusing to listen to the NPC earlier—he was actually good at grasping key points and might perform well.

If their identities were a real couple, with him beside her and her previous experience, maybe this time…

Before she finished that thought, the bold words at the top of the script froze her.

【You and your boyfriend are pretending to be a couple.】

“…”

Pei Chuzhi suddenly felt disappointed. She forced herself to continue reading, then suspected the production team was targeting her.

On the thin printed paper, black text clearly arranged her fate:

【Your identity: murderer.】

Author’s note: Thanks to the little angels who threw overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution during 2019-12-02 21:43:50~2019-12-03 21:17:27~

Thanks to the little angel who irrigated nutrient solution: Bai 20 bottles;

Thank you very much for everyone’s support, I will continue to work hard!