Chapter 30

Chapter 30

A casual sentence not only made the other artists inside and outside the set cry that they’d been fooled, even Pei Chuzhi, the one being protected, felt stunned.

She took Xing Ye’s script and looked carefully, realizing everyone had underestimated how mischievous the program team was.

It turned out the antique dealer Xing Ye played had already fallen in love with his fake fiancée, and planned to propose after the deal.

His fake acting had become real feelings, but she knew nothing.

“But the script didn’t reveal I was the killer. How did you guess?” Pei Chuzhi asked.

Xie Yiqian also looked ready to listen.

At that moment, the villa door was pushed open by an aggressive Ding Yang, followed by Tong Yang and Ji Yingshan.

The three looked at Xing Ye with disdain, clearly planning a “criticism” session.

The post-game review should’ve been relaxed.

But now Xing Ye became the target, five pairs of eyes staring at him.

Xing Ye didn’t play mysterious. “I hid three things.”

First — the most important — Sister Wang did not die immediately.

“When the power went out, I opened the kitchen door and heard her breathing fast and painful. I hesitated, but the script said ‘go to the kitchen, but don’t make a sound,’ so I thought it meant not to interfere.”

Pei Chuzhi: “She was still alive?”

She felt frustrated, realizing she’d been an unprofessional killer.

Xie Yiqian thought: “The writers designed it deliberately.”

“Right. But I didn’t understand then,” Xing Ye said. “Until I exchanged clues with Tong Yang.”

Tong Yang was eliminated first. After she left, only Xing Ye knew her clue.

This was the second thing he hid.

“My clue was ‘manslaughter’…” Tong Yang frowned. “Does that mean Zhizhi accidentally killed Sister Wang?”

Ji Yingshan realized: “No, does ‘manslaughter’ refer to…?”

Xing Ye took out the last newspaper from the basement. “It refers to the taxi driver killed ten years ago.”

“Hey, that’s too much — you even hid evidence.”

Ding Yang shouted at a camera. “Director, I report him.”

Xing Ye shrugged: “Rules didn’t forbid hiding evidence.”

Ding Yang choked, realizing it was true.

Everyone could hide clues; hiding evidence was allowed.

Pei Chuzhi leaned forward and shivered after reading.

It reported Sister Wang killing a taxi driver.

If shown earlier, Ding Yang would know the other person seeking revenge wasn’t Sister Wang but someone related to the taxi driver.

The second round outcome might’ve changed.

Ji Yingshan read softly: “Anesthetic complications… pulmonary edema… rescue failed…”

Xie Yiqian realized: “Your robbery tools included a tranquilizer gun?”

Ji Yingshan checked her script: “…yes.”

Everyone understood.

Ten years ago, Sister Wang didn’t intend to kill the taxi driver. Using Ji Yingshan’s tranquilizer gun, she never expected the dose would take an innocent life.

In addition, the antique shop owner committed suicide, and two lives weighed on Sister Wang’s heart day after day, gradually making her want redemption.

Ten years later, she deliberately revealed herself, drawing everyone connected to the robbery to the Lakeside Guesthouse.

She wanted to bring everything from that year to an end.

That was why, after being injured, she didn’t call for help, but quietly waited for death.

The person who made Sister Wang willing to die certainly wasn’t her accomplice Ji Yingshan. The only others connected were relatives of the antique shop owner and the taxi driver.

Pei Chuzhi recalled the second round.

So Xing Ye had already suspected she was the killer then.

And later, no matter how people asked, he wouldn’t say why he didn’t look for Sister Wang after the blackout — he was protecting her…

Ding Yang froze, then muttered: “No wonder you wanted to exchange clues with me — you were confirming Zhizhi’s identity. So in the second round you set me up to get me eliminated?”

Xing Ye raised his brows and said nothing.

Even without speaking, his hate value reached its peak.

As soon as the review ended, Ding Yang attacked: “Xing Ye pays for dinner tonight, no objections?”

Tong Yang nodded: “Absolutely. You tricked us and fed us dog food. I’m still a baby, I can’t take this grievance.”

Xie Yiqian and Ji Yingshan didn’t speak, but clearly wanted to beat him up.

The eavesdropping director added: “Everyone gets a share.”

Xing Ye: “Why are you joining?”

“Hello? Bad signal…” the director pretended not to hear. “Xiao Li, check the best restaurant nearby. Teacher Xing is treating tonight.”

Pei Chuzhi smiled.

Xing Ye looked at her: “Happy to see me extorted?”

“Of course not…” she replied softly.

Xing Ye smiled.

After everyone left, he turned off his mic and asked: “Did you have fun?”

Pei Chuzhi removed hers: “We won, of course I’m happy.”

“Only that?”

Xing Ye’s mood dropped. He suddenly pulled the door.

She was blocked.

He lowered his head. “Why didn’t you team up with Teacher Xie against me?”

He wasn’t flawless then.

Sunset light filled the windows, like flames.

Her heart warmed.

She blinked: “Do I have to say?”

He snorted: “Yes.”

“Because I thought…”

She blushed. “I couldn’t do that to you. It would be too much.”

The sunset faded as she finished.

Xing Ye stood in the half-light and half-shadow, silent for a long time.

After a moment, his low voice sounded again: “So you voted for Teacher Xie? Isn’t he your idol?”

“…Don’t mention it.”

Just bringing it up made Pei Chuzhi’s heart ache. She suspected Xie Yiqian would expel her from the fanbase.

Xing Ye curled his lips. The frustration clogging his chest for hours seemed to vanish.

In its place was an indescribable satisfaction.

This feeling was even better than confessions from thousands of people.

·

After the deduction segment, the actors couldn’t leave.

The program team needed them to film extra scenes.

But Xie Yiqian’s agency had emphasized he couldn’t work late, so filming stopped and the rest moved to the next day.

They took the business van to dinner.

The restaurant was already booked. Cameras were everywhere, clearly planned as bonus footage.

This was normal for variety shows.

The six sat together, chatted about filming, then shifted to Xie Yiqian.

He had returned after years away, and people were concerned.

His hotpot looked light. He said, “Nothing special. I just like being an artist. I can’t work as much as before, but as long as my body allows, I’m satisfied.”

Everyone felt regret.

Four years ago, he paused at twenty-eight.

He was at his peak then.

The industry changes fast. Now opportunities were fewer.

Seeing the mood heavy, Xie Yiqian smiled: “Don’t be like this. I’m the oldest — life has ups and downs. Looking back, these years won’t matter.”

Pei Chuzhi felt touched.

“Teacher Xie’s mindset is steady,” Ding Yang raised tea. “A toast.”

Everyone followed.

Pei Chuzhi drank, feeling bittersweet.

He was her idol. She hoped he’d return gloriously.

She wanted to encourage him, but Xing Ye was present.

At that moment, Xing Ye said: “Teacher Xie’s acting is recognized. Your fans are loyal. They’ll support you.”

Xie Yiqian waved: “No need to comfort me.”

“I don’t say empty words.”

Xing Ye pointed at Pei Chuzhi. “Ask Zhizhi. Doesn’t she still admire you?”

Pei Chuzhi: “…?”

Friend, I suspect you’re baiting me.