Chapter 209
As soon as Xiao Jingxi’s words fell, the entire crew burst into an uproar.
Director Niu asked in disbelief, “You want to report now? We’ve only recorded up to the first round of the game. Don’t you think you should observe a little more? Everyone only has one chance to report.”
“No need.”
When Xiao Jingxi said this, his expression was calm and composed. His gaze landed lightly on Director Niu, without meeting the eyes of any other guest. But from the corner of his eye, he clearly felt everyone’s gaze falling on him.
Including Xie Mi.
He couldn’t help recalling their first encounter, when he gave her a dish in the cafeteria. Just from that, Xie Mi had fallen in love at first sight.
He hadn’t intended to use his report chance so early. After all, it was only a guess in his heart. But when he felt Xie Mi’s unblinking stare, he suddenly thought—this was an opportunity.
Xie Mi was easily captivated by the charm he unintentionally revealed.
“I’ll report right now. The secret couple is—”
His voice was neither hurried nor slow, and at the key moment, he deliberately paused for two seconds, building suspense like the detective character he often played, entirely at ease.
“Liu Woxing and Qiu Chengye!”
“Wrong answer!”
Director Niu’s voice came almost the instant he finished speaking, not giving Xiao Jingxi even a second of face. “Xiao Jingxi has lost his chance to report!”
Xiao Jingxi’s half-pretentious expression froze: “?”
[Hahahahahahahaha what the hell!]
[I thought he was about to show off big time, but he just dropped a huge flop.]
[He sounded so convincing in his analysis, then opened his mouth and ruined it.]
[Did Xiao Jingxi borrow his confidence from Qiu Chengye?]
[Come on, bro, I really thought you knew. Turns out you were just guessing?]
[Our Brother Xiao got way too deep into character—he really thought he was a detective.]
His idol behavior had successfully drawn fans in earlier, but now the same fans who had just been showering him with rainbow-colored compliments fell dead silent.
The clown was me all along.
The staff, mindful that he was a Movie Emperor, could only purse their lips tightly to hold back laughter.
But the other guests had no such scruples.
One laughed so hard they clutched their stomach and rolled in the water.
Qiu Chengye looked at Xiao Jingxi as if he were an idiot. “Are you out of your mind? How could Liu Woxing and I possibly be the secret couple?”
“…”
Xiao Jingxi forced himself not to look at Xie Mi, who was laughing so hard in the pool she was almost mutating, and explained with feigned calm, “Your interactions with Liu Woxing today were very strange. I thought that was your task.”
“Liu Woxing is indeed strange, but what does that have to do with me? I already said her partner is someone else,” Qiu Chengye replied, utterly speechless.
Xu Shuangrong seized the chance to speak up for Xiao Jingxi.
“Actually, Jingxi’s guess is reasonable. To find the secret couple, you have to observe people behaving differently than usual. Looked at that way, Woxing and you really are the most suspicious. Honestly, if Jingxi hadn’t reported first, I might have reported you two as well.”
Her words helped Xiao Jingxi regain a bit of face, and his expression eased somewhat.
Though he didn’t think highly of Xu Shuangrong, he couldn’t deny her emotional intelligence was on point here.
“Jingxi, I’m not very good at observation or deduction. You’re much sharper in this area. Can I make a deal with you? You figure out who the secret couple is and tell me. If I report successfully, I’ll share half the prize money with you.”
Xu Shuangrong looked at him earnestly, as if she were making a request she truly needed.
Xiao Jingxi’s expression softened further.
If that was the case, he had another chance to show off his reasoning ability. Cooperating with Xu Shuangrong for the time being wasn’t impossible.
“Alright.”
Xu Shuangrong suddenly smiled brightly. “Really? Thank you, Jingxi. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t know how to play this game.”
Xiao Jingxi said nothing more, but his mood visibly lifted.
[System: He doesn’t seem to be resisting you as much anymore?]
[Xu Shuangrong: A self-important man like him won’t refuse when someone saves his face after embarrassment.]
[Xu Shuangrong: Especially when I belittle myself and praise him. It satisfies his ego immensely.]
[Xu Shuangrong: Just another ordinary man with no real ability, who loves to act like he’s impressive.]
Xie Mi silently tilted her head 45 degrees toward the sky, biting her lips to stop herself from laughing out loud.
The scene changed again, this time to the indoor swimming pool area.
“Next game: The Don’t-Get-Moved Challenge!”
“The rules are: male and female guests sit face-to-face on chairs. Within three minutes, try every way possible to make the other person’s heart race!”
“Whoever’s heart rate first reaches 120 loses. If neither reaches 120 in three minutes, the winner will be decided by whoever’s heart rate is lower!”
Before them were two massive swimming pools, separated by a walkway.
On the walkway were two chairs placed opposite each other, looking quite formal.
“Attention, you can’t use actions like tickling. Otherwise, it counts as a foul.”
Director Niu deliberately explained the rules slowly, making the guests listen carefully.
At that moment, Xie Mi and Shen Moqing received their secret mission for this round.
[Secret Couple Mission 2: Before this round ends, hold hands continuously for 30 seconds without anyone noticing.]
[Director Niu, you deserve a shrine!!]
[Got it, this episode is pure sugar for the Xie x Shen couple fans.]
[Holy crap, holding hands directly?! Aaaaahhhh!!]
Some rejoiced, some despaired.
After reading the task, Xie Mi, without hesitation, secretly gave Director Niu the middle finger.
Bro, are you serious?
Earlier, staring into each other’s eyes for 30 seconds was already ridiculous. Now they had to hold hands for 30 seconds—in this wide-open indoor pool area?
With no glaring sunlight for cover, the wide, unobstructed indoor pool meant any small movement could be seen at once.
Not to mention that there was an eagle-eye scanner on site.
Having just guessed wrong, Xiao Jingxi now seemed dead-set on the secret couple, constantly scanning the room, constantly observing in secret.
…Wait.
A spark flashed in Xie Mi’s mind, followed by a wicked idea.
If that’s the case, then this game could be played differently.
She covertly gave Shen Moqing a look, waggling her eyebrows.
Shen Moqing paused, then replied with an amused, helpless eyebrow waggle.
[Are we really doing this?]
Xie Mi blinked hard twice.
[We’re doing this!]
“The first round of the Don’t-Get-Moved Challenge begins! According to the draw, Xu Shuangrong and Qiu Chengye, please take your seats!”
As the first lucky pair, Xu Shuangrong and Qiu Chengye sat down on the chairs.
To be fair, the chairs had looked normal when they were set up. But once they sat down, the distance facing each other was surprisingly close.
At that distance, staring straight into each other’s eyes actually felt a little embarrassing.
