Chapter Twenty-Three: "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"

That night, Ouyang Junyan obediently went to bed. Fang Zhiyin was reluctant to sleep; it felt like ages since she had lain beside Ouyang Junyan in the same bed.

Naturally, she had no mind for anything else… Yet just quietly lying next to him, watching him drift into slumber, brought her a happiness she couldn’t quite name.

When she woke the next morning, the housekeeper told her that Ouyang Junyan had already gone to the office. To leave for work without waking her—he must still be himself.

With her legitimate husband's consent, Fang Zhiyin didn’t fuss; she quickly arranged for Chen Chen to accompany her to the studio, where they signed the contract with the director’s team.

The first episode was about to begin filming.

“So soon?!” Fang Zhiyin was astonished. Weren’t these variety shows usually prepared for months before shooting started?

“Zhiyin, we’re the last group to agree. According to the director’s schedule, filming should have begun long ago.” Chen Chen seemed to know a lot of insider details.

“It’s my fault.” Fang Zhiyin could have agreed much earlier, but the various Ouyang Junyans had made her forget about it.

The first episode would be filmed on a nearby island.

They’d have to take a boat, and spend the night…

“Director!” Fang Zhiyin felt tricked. “Didn’t you promise I wouldn’t have to sleep outside?”

“We’ll send you home at night.” The director had anticipated her reaction and quickly soothed her.

“How long will the filming last?”

“We’ll finish the episode’s content!”

So, it might even run into the next day…

Since they’d be going to an island, Fang Zhiyin packed for ages, only to realize she didn’t really have much she wanted to bring; simplicity was best.

Later that evening, Ouyang Junyan returned from the office and helped her pack.

“Did everything go well at work today?” Fang Zhiyin asked.

“All was fine, but sometimes the employees looked at me strangely.” Ouyang Junyan was perplexed. “What did I do to them the past few days?”

“You… made them adopt military-style management and organized some physical competitions,” she replied.

“What?!” Ouyang Junyan was shocked.

“It’s alright, I’ve sorted it out.”

“See, I’m troubling you again.” Ouyang Junyan had grown very courteous, which made Fang Zhiyin’s heart ache with frustration.

The next morning, Chen Chen drove to Fang Zhiyin’s house to pick her up.

“Brother-in-law, I’ll take good care of her.” Ouyang Junyan thoughtfully escorted Fang Zhiyin to the door, loading her luggage into Chen Chen’s car.

“Remember to stay safe,” Ouyang Junyan waved to them both.

Even as Chen Chen drove far away, Fang Zhiyin couldn’t help worrying about Ouyang Junyan. As he had said, his various personalities were adults, with their own thoughts and worlds; even if she wanted to worry around the clock, it would be nearly impossible.

But she just couldn’t let go!

“Zhiyin, is everything alright between you and Mr. Ouyang?” As they neared their destination, Chen Chen suddenly asked.

“Hmm?” She paused before responding, “We’re getting along.”

“You two… didn’t seem so close before,” he asked hesitantly.

Are we really getting along now? Fang Zhiyin wondered how he could tell, but felt no need to ask.

Let it be.

She’d leave Ouyang Junyan on his own for a couple of days, and see what he was like when she returned after filming the first episode…

“Hello, I’m Fang Zhiyin,” she greeted the others at the dock, along with Chen Chen.

She looked around—some faces were familiar, others complete strangers. Among them, two or three she knew already, so their conversation flowed with easy camaraderie.

Chen Chen stood beside her. “Don’t worry, once we’re in the show, everyone will get to know each other.”

Fang Zhiyin smiled. She wasn’t here to meet new people, nor to make herself better known, but for her publishing house and all its contracted authors!

Even if she didn’t like it, she had to stick it out!

Still… it was her first time joining such a show, and to say she wasn’t nervous would be a lie.

But being too anxious… was unnecessary.

Soon after, the director’s vehicle arrived. Besides the actors and guests participating in the filming, the assistants and others took the guests’ luggage and left.

Some, considering themselves internet celebrities, actually brought their own assistants.

“Huh?” Chen Chen, encountering this for the first time, quickly asked the program staff, “Aren’t we going to a hotel?”

“All guests will enter recording mode from this moment on.”

Everyone was baffled.

What?! No warning? So sudden?!

“What? Filming starts now?” Among the guests, a woman named Ouyang Qingqing had the highest popularity, apparently from a couple of web dramas. As soon as she heard filming was starting, she threw a tantrum. “Why didn’t anyone tell me beforehand?”

No one expected Ouyang Qingqing to lose her temper before filming even began. The director immediately instructed the crew to turn off the cameras, and personally went to soothe her.

Fang Zhiyin could hardly believe her eyes…

Because of the distance, not just her but everyone else couldn’t hear what Ouyang Qingqing and the director were discussing.

But on second thought, it was easily understood: those with high popularity warranted the director’s personal comfort, while those less popular wouldn’t even catch the attention of the cleaning staff.

Eventually, after much effort, the director calmed Ouyang Qingqing and told the crew to officially start filming. Everyone not involved quickly left the scene.

Once they were gone, the staff arranged for each guest to board a yacht at the dock—one yacht per guest, accompanied by a cameraman and an assistant, with a local piloting the boat.

Fang Zhiyin and Chen Chen boarded the last speedboat; the others had already departed, not even a shadow in sight. As soon as Fang Zhiyin sat down, the pilot started the engine.

—So fast! She felt herself tossed by the speed, then landed hard on the seat. If she hadn’t grabbed the gunwale in time, she could easily have been flung out by the force.

The speedboat raced ahead, so fast her heart felt like it might leap out. The spray drenched her thoroughly.

Chen Chen reached out and gripped her tightly. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here!”

What??

Chen Chen, have you written too many novels?

Was that really the right thing to say now?!

The next moment, before she could reply, her stomach churned violently. She opened her mouth and vomited, right onto Chen Chen.

And then, a camera shoved itself right in her face, recording it all.

What… what kind of situation was this?!