Chapter Seven: Filming the Romance Reality Show, Part Six

After getting in the car, Nan Chu asked, “Is there anywhere you’d like to go, Mr. Film Emperor?”

“Just call me by my name, no need for the title. As for where to go, I honestly don’t have a clue.”

[Hopefully somewhere not crowded.]

Hearing this thought, Nan Chu said, “Let’s drive along the coast. Wherever the scenery is nice, we can stop to take pictures and enjoy the view.”

Nan Gong Hengmo nodded. “Sounds good. No set destination, that’s quite nice.”

[Driving by the seaside means we probably won’t run into many people.]

With that, they set off.

[Suddenly I realize, Nan Gong Film Emperor and Nan Chu actually suit each other quite well.]

[Has no one noticed their profiles look a bit alike?]

[Now that you mention it, there is a slight resemblance.]

[If you didn’t know, you’d think they were siblings.]

[Nan Gong Film Emperor, how could he be siblings with a dark-haired popular actress? Stop making baseless accusations.]

After driving for over forty minutes, Nan Chu pulled over. They had arrived at a small fishing village.

The two got out to take a walk.

“Nan Gong Hengmo, the scenery here is quite lovely. Let me take a photo of you.”

“Alright.” Nan Gong Hengmo nodded.

Nan Chu’s photography skills were quite good, capturing Nan Gong Hengmo in a flattering light.

After taking more than a dozen shots, Nan Gong Hengmo said, “I’ll take some photos of you as well.”

After the solo photos, Nan Gong Hengmo asked the cameraman to take a picture of both of them together.

Looking at the photo on the phone, Nan Gong Hengmo remarked, “Not to brag, but our eyes and noses really do look alike. Someone who doesn’t know us might think we’re siblings.”

“It would be a great honor if I were siblings with the Film Emperor,” Nan Chu smiled.

After staying for over half an hour, they got back in the car and continued their journey.

They stopped and went on like this until noon.

They found a small restaurant for lunch.

The owner was a man in his fifties, speaking in a strong local dialect.

Nan Chu used the dialect to chat with the owner.

Then they ordered food.

Nan Gong Hengmo asked, “You speak Hainanese? That’s impressive.”

“A little, not much.”

“What did you talk about with the old man?”

“He recommended some dishes for us.”

While chatting, they waited for the food. Once ready, they ate.

The taste was quite good.

After lunch, Nan Chu asked, “Do you want to keep exploring or head back?”

“Let’s go back.”

Nan Chu drove back to the guesthouse. Just as she was about to open the gate, it suddenly swung open. A tall, handsome man about 1.8 meters tall stepped out.

Nan Chu was surprised; she didn’t recognize him.

Si Junyan immediately spotted Nan Chu and his eyes lit up.

“Junyan, how come you’re here on this show too?” Nan Gong Hengmo, who followed behind, asked in surprise.

“My mom saw Meng Yuan on this show and sent me here as well,” Si Junyan sighed helplessly.

[If I didn’t come, I’d have to endure my mom’s constant fussing and drama for a whole month. Plus her nagging.]

[So for a month of peace for the next three years, I’m willing to do it.]

“Are you going out?” Nan Gong Hengmo asked.

“Just to get some fresh air.”

Nan Gong Hengmo said, “Then I’ll come with you.”

“Sure, long time no see, chatting sounds good,” Si Junyan said, then looked at Nan Chu. “Hello, I’m Si Junyan. What’s your name, beautiful lady?”

“Nan Chu.”

“Nice to meet you.” Si Junyan extended his hand.

Nan Chu politely shook his hand.

Si Junyan’s heart raced holding Nan Chu’s hand, and when she let go, he felt a pang of disappointment. “Nan Chu, want to go for a walk together?”

“No, thank you. I’d like to rest.”

“Alright, you rest then.”

Nan Chu nodded and went inside.

Si Junyan and Nan Gong Hengmo went out for a walk.

Around 3 p.m., someone knocked on Nan Chu’s door.

Li Wenya said, “Nan Chu, everyone’s gathering to discuss cooking arrangements.”

“Okay.”

Once everyone assembled, Nan Gong Hengmo spoke, “This show will last over ten more days, so let’s figure out how we’ll handle the cooking.”

“Any good suggestions?”

Xu Fei said, “Pair one man and one woman for chores. That way, we can form five teams.”

Everyone agreed.

Coincidentally, the production team had bamboo sticks for team selection.

Two bamboo stick containers were prepared—one for men and one for women. Drawing matching numbers meant forming a team and cooking in order.

Li Wenya thought: [Ancestors, please don’t let me draw Fang You. Anyone else is fine!]

Xu Fei hoped, [Please let me draw Nan Gong Hengmo.]

Nan Chu didn’t compete with the other four female guests and took the last stick remaining. After everyone drew, they revealed their numbers together.

“On the count of three, everyone show your sticks. 1… 2… 3!” Nan Gong Hengmo called out.

1: Nan Chu and Si Junyan.

2: Nan Gong Hengmo and Sha Mengyuan.

3: Meng Yuan and Li Wenya.

4: Xu Fei and Jiang Han.

5: Fang You and Zhuo Han.

Tonight, Nan Chu and Si Junyan would cook and wash dishes. They took the money given by the show and went out to buy groceries.

Once in the car, Si Junyan introduced himself, “Nan Chu, let me properly introduce myself. I’m Si Junyan, 27 years old, CEO of Supreme Entertainment.”

“Nan Chu, 23 years old, an actress,” Nan Chu said.

Si Junyan was quite impressed by Nan Chu; she was exactly his ideal type, and her personality seemed great.

Trying to start a conversation, Si Junyan asked, “Can you cook?”

“Yes.”

“Me too. We’ll each make three dishes, six total. That should be enough for ten people.”

“Good.”

“What dishes are you planning to make?”

Nan Chu thought for a moment. “Sweet and sour pork, fish-flavored eggplant, mushroom soup.”

“I’ll do twice-cooked pork, spicy boiled fish, and big plate chicken.”

“Sounds good.”

They went to the supermarket. Once there, some young people recognized them.

Bystanders, puzzled by the crowd, thought there must be some gossip and gathered around.

The two were soon surrounded.

Si Junyan reached out and held Nan Chu’s hand, shielding her from the crowd’s push.

Finally, with the cameraman’s help, they broke free.

They hadn’t bought any groceries, and time was wasted.

The director immediately decided they should tell the production team what dishes to make, and the staff would buy the ingredients.

Going out was just too risky.

Even a slightly crowded place caused chaos.

Si Junyan and Nan Chu returned to the villa and waited. Soon, the production team delivered the groceries.

The two went into the kitchen to cook.

Li Wenya went downstairs and sat in the living room. Just as she settled, Fang You came down.

“Wenya, want to go for a walk?”

Li Wenya shyly replied, “I’m feeling a bit lazy. I’ll stay in.”

[Stay away from me!!!]

“Are you feeling unwell?”

[How much longer will you pester her? Stop asking!]

“Just lazy, I don’t feel like moving.” She worried that if she said she was sick, Fang You would insist on taking care of her.

Fang You was left speechless.

[Yaya is so real; that’s exactly how I am at home.]

[I think Yaya doesn’t really like Fang You.]

[That certain L actress, so annoying—lazy and still dares to admit it.]

[So what if she’s lazy? No one’s supporting her.]

[We love Yaya’s laziness and authenticity. You over there, jealous much?]

The chat messages flared up again, but the guests were unaffected.

Nan Chu and Si Junyan busied themselves in the kitchen. After an hour and a half, the dishes were ready.

Li Wenya called everyone to eat.

After the meal, Nan Chu and Si Junyan cleaned up the kitchen.