Never did Jian Xingsui imagine that one day he would team up with Fu Jinxiao. The two sneaking back to their dorm felt surreal.

"Brother, I think only Xingchen and Ning Ze have a similar build to yours here. They're both tall," whispered Jian Xingsui as he sneaked into his room, "Which one do you want?"

Fu Jinxiao was indifferent, "Any is fine."

Jian Xingsui went ahead and opened the wardrobe.

Because the renowned actor, Fu Jinxiao, had joined the fray, a cameraman followed. Given the audience's demand, the show's producers had to give Fu Jinxiao and Jian Xingsui their live stream. As a result, everyone witnessed the immense viewership of Fu Jinxiao.

The main live stream had 60 million viewers. The most viewed individual stream, Shen Xingchen's, had over 9 million. However, once Fu Jinxiao's stream started, it amassed 35 million viewers in just five minutes, rivaling the entire show's viewership.

The audience was clearly intrigued:

"Thank you, Xingsui, for bringing us to our dear Fu brother."

"It’s been so long since we saw Fu brother play games."

"Are we changing outfits? Cameraman, give us a good shot!"

Jian Xingsui handed a clean set of clothes to Fu Jinxiao, "Will this do?"

Fu Jinxiao glanced briefly, "It'll work."

As he inspected the clothing, he noticed Jian Xingsui still standing there, looking both innocent and adorable. With a smirk, he teased, "Why? Want to watch me change?"

Jian Xingsui stiffened, hurriedly shaking his head under Fu's playful gaze, "No, no, I wouldn't dare!"

Fu Jinxiao raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his gaze.

The live audience burst into laughter:

"Oh, you 'wouldn't dare'?"

"Hahaha, it's not that he doesn't want to, he just doesn't dare!"

"I laughed because Fu laughed, and somehow, I understood."

"So that's how you are, Jian Xingsui."

"Understandable. Who wouldn't want to watch? Count me in."

"Watch out, girls! He might just take you up on that."

Meanwhile, after teasing, Fu, the movie star, quickly changed in the restroom. Taller than Shen Xingchen, his pants became cropped, so he rolled them up. Paired with white sneakers and the signature white jersey of Team A, he looked youthful and dashing. Though nearing thirty, he didn't look a day older, radiating a unique mature charm.

Jian Xingsui was captivated.

For a moment, seeing Fu in that youthful attire took him back years, when he was a budding fan, watching this very man on TV competing in a singing contest. Time had flown, and from opposite sides of a screen, they were now within arm's reach.

Fu Jinxiao adjusted his attire and joked, "Think I'd have a shot at a talent show in this get-up?"

Jian Xingsui, trying to suppress a surge of emotion, responded with a hint of a tearful smile, "You'd definitely debut as the center."

"That certain?"

Fu Jinxiao, initially jesting, continued teasing as he walked away, "Would you vote for me?"

From behind, a soft affirmation came, "Mhm, I'd vote for you."

...

A playful comment met with a sincere response, causing Fu Jinxiao's steps to falter.

This unexpected turn revealed Jian Xingsui's eyes, which hadn't had time to hide their emotions. Their gazes met, and the hand Fu Jinxe held the doorknob with tightened slightly. At last, the normally cool gaze of the man warmed, and he uttered with a slight smile, "Thank you, then."

Unlike his earlier jests, this sentence carried a touch more sincerity.

It felt as though he was genuinely expressing his gratitude.

Not towards the screen and countless fans, but towards the individual before him, to Jian Xingsui.

Jian Xingsui felt it. His eyes, filled with surprise, widened. The words of Fu Jinxe landed softly on his heart like a gentle feather. Lowering his head, Jian remembered he never really expected anything in return. His idol had inspired strength in him, teaching him the spirit of courage in life. He was content to support silently, never imagining he'd receive anything.

But life played its unexpected turns. When he was at his lowest, this person appeared before him, thanking him. Such kindness felt like a sunbeam suddenly brightening a dark corner.

Jian Xingsui felt a warmth swell in his heart, suppressing the rising emotion to keep his eyes from reddening.

Fu Jinxe looked down at him, his gaze growing even deeper.

After a pause, steps approached from outside. Regaining his composure, Fu Jinxe said seriously to Jian Xingsui, "Follow my plan later."

Jian Xingsui quickly nodded, "Alright!"

...

Over the stairwell's intercom, the announcements continued:

"Contestant #38, Shen Ming, eliminated. Red team scores a point."

"Contestant #90, Xu Guangzhen, eliminated. Blue team scores a point."

As contestants dwindled, those remaining grew more alert. As two players passed the stairwell and spotted a masked figure, they hesitated. Upon realizing he was alone and belonged to the opposing blue team, their hesitation grew.

The man with the white fox mask suddenly moved up the stairs.

Seeing this, the two red team players shouted, "Catch him!"

The fox-masked man wasn't fast, and soon he was surrounded. The red team players tried snatching his badge, but he proved nimble. After a close struggle, they finally grabbed his badge, one of them smirking, "Nowhere to run now, is there?"

Just as they let their guard down, suddenly—

"Rip!"

"Rip!"

Two badges were torn away. Instantly, the hall's intercom blared:

"Contestant #7, Xu Wei, eliminated. Blue team scores a point."

"Contestant #10, Zhang Zuoyou, eliminated. Blue team scores a point."

Dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events, the red team players looked back in disbelief. Jian Xingsui, slightly embarrassed, held up their badges, smiling, "Sorry about that."

The two red team members pointed at the fox-masked man, infuriated, "Why wasn't he eliminated when we got his badge?"

"Oh, you mean this?" Jian Xingsui picked it up and said, "This isn't his badge."

It belongs to the last contestant who was eliminated, so there's no broadcast when it's torn off.

The number of comments in the live stream skyrocketed:

"Brilliant!"

"Hahaha, Fu is such a sly old fox!"

"Why is this man still so crafty? LOL"

"LOL, never be an enemy of Fu Jinxiao."

The two members of the Red Team, after hearing this, widened their eyes in disbelief, shouting in frustration, "Sneaky! Who thought of such a deceitful trick?"

Jian Xingsui could only chuckle awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

The two Red Team members were eventually escorted away. When they encountered other teammates, due to the show's rules preventing them from naming specific contestants, they could only warn the remaining members to beware of the 'masked person' and avenge them.

Soon, the reputation of the 'masked person' spread throughout the Red Team.

As Jian Xingsui walked down the corridor, he whispered cautiously to Fu Jinxiao, "Brother, haven't we made too many enemies? It seems too risky."

"Hmm?" Fu Jinxiao looked down at him and replied, "Do you think that by not doing this, we'd be any safer or free from pursuers?"

Jian Xingsui paused, lost for words.

Fu Jinxiao smirked, "Remember, compromise and restraint won't protect you. Enemies won't spare you because you appear weak; they'll only bully you more."

It was just as Jian Xingsui initially thought, hiding in the kitchen didn't spare him, and he was still chased relentlessly.

Reflecting on Fu's words, Jian Xingsui murmured, "That seems true."

While walking, Fu Jinxiao remained vigilant, observing their surroundings. He then casually remarked, "Besides, who should be afraid of whom now is still up in the air."

Such confidence from him seemed completely natural.

He had every right to be arrogant.

...

Meanwhile, at another spot near the staircase,

Wen Shengge whispered to Shen Xingchen, "Brother Chen, I heard there's a formidable masked man in the Blue Team. They've taken down several of our teammates."

Strolling confidently, Shen Xingchen glared at him, "What are you afraid of?"

"No matter who he is, I'll tear off his badge." Shen Xingchen, always overflowing with self-confidence, added, "I want to see just how capable this masked man is."

As they continued, a figure appeared around the next corner of the staircase. Wearing a white fox mask, the person locked eyes with Shen Xingchen's group.

Shen Xingchen stopped abruptly, and after confirming, he shouted, "Stop right there!"

Without hesitation, he charged forward.

Behind him, Wen Shengge hesitated for a moment, then followed suit.

By the time Shen Xingchen reached the person in the white fox mask, he fired several shots from his water gun. However, the masked figure was incredibly agile, dodging each shot with ease. Shen Xingchen began to have a sinking feeling, sensing the masked person's superior reflexes compared to most contestants.

then

The white fox darted into a room, about to disappear from sight. Not wanting to let his prey escape, Shen Xingchen rushed after him. But as he entered the room, the masked figure turned around. Before Shen Xingchen could fully grasp the situation, he was swiftly pinned to the floor mat of the fitness room.

A sharp pain elicited a cry from Shen Xingchen.

At the same time, the sound of a tag being ripped off echoed in the room.

Shen Xingchen, who had proven to be a formidable challenge to many contestants, seemed helpless under Fu Jinxiao's grasp. Even the young master himself seemed in disbelief, exclaiming, "Who the hell are you? If you dare to tear off my tag, dare to remove your mask! How dare you ambush me? Do you believe that today..."

Fu Jinxiao halted his actions, looking at him curiously, "Today, what?"

Caught off guard, Shen Xingchen's words died in his throat.

Fu Jinxiao released him, calmly removing his mask, his gaze fixed on the arrogant youth. "Lost your voice, have you?"

Recognizing the identity of his captor, Shen Xingchen's expression fluctuated between disbelief and realization, eventually murmuring, "Bro, that was intense."

Fu Jinxiao let him go, and it wasn't long before Shen Xingchen spotted another familiar face holding his tag. The dim lighting in the room had obscured his view earlier. Upon recognizing him, he exclaimed in disbelief, "Jian Xingsui!"

Jian Xingsui, looking a bit sheepish, awkwardly replied, "Hey, Chen."

"You! You did this? You tore off my tag?" Shen Xingchen, with a betrayed expression, cried out, "How could you do this to me, you traitor!"

Silence.

It wasn't like this when you were relentlessly chasing after me.

As they were talking, Wen Shengge and Ning Ze entered, unprepared for the ambush awaiting them. Jian Xingsui, positioned by the door, managed to tag both.

Wen Shengge, seemingly unbothered, patted Jian Xingsui on the shoulder, "Don't forget our hotpot dinner."

Jian Xingsui nodded, "Of course."

Although Shen Xingchen voiced his frustrations, he seemed relieved that Jian Xingsui was unharmed. As he was about to leave, footsteps and muffled voices could be heard outside the room, "Is it this way?"

Everyone inside instinctively quieted down, waiting for the newcomers.

Li Xu'an and his team from the Red Squad rushed in. Jian Xingsui, being closest to the door, was in imminent danger. Before any action could be taken, Shen Xingchen picked up his gun and started firing, laughing, "Die, you all!"

Li Xu'an had only heard rumors of the masked individual; he hadn't expected to encounter the unpredictable Shen Xingchen.

"Damn it!" Li Xu'an, now soaking wet, shouted, "Shen Xingchen, what's your problem? Aren't we on the same team?"

Shen Xingchen discarded his gun and grabbed Li Xu'an, "Who said we're on the same team? They tried to capture my buddy. Go on, tear off his tag!"

Jian Xingsui cheerfully bent down to eliminate Li Xu'an.

Li Xu'an protested, "I'll report you, Shen Xingchen! You attacked someone from your own faction!"

Shen Xingchen replied with a proud grin, "Oops, my bad. I've been eliminated. I'm not on your team anymore. Hahaha."

Li Xu'an: "..."

He was rendered speechless on the spot.

The live audience burst into laughter:

"He's so proud of himself!"

"Kinda touching. Xingchen seems to scold the traitor on the surface, but he still protects his brother in danger."

"He kept saying he'd eliminate, but when he caught them several times, he didn't."

"Shen Xingchen is the best in the world."

If it weren't for the cameraman present, Li Xu'an might have blown his top. Glancing from the corner of his eye and spotting Fu Jinxiao, he choked again.

Why does this tiny room have so many formidable players?

He had just met Teacher Tuya, who informed him that Brother Fu was assigned to the red team by the production team. So why do you stand there not looking like you're from the red team?!

...

Soon, the show's crew announced that the eliminated players should exit promptly.

Jian Xingsui told Shen Xingchen, "You guys go ahead. The game should end soon. We'll have the reward hotpot together tonight."

Shen Xingchen teased, "Make sure to order what I like."

Jian Xingsui sighed, "Yes, yes, yes."

"Hmm, that's more like it, little traitor."

Jian Xingsui responded, "If I'm the 'little traitor', then why did you help me against Li Xu'an?"

Shen Xingchen paused.

In truth, he hadn't really thought it through at the moment. Seeing Jian Xingsui in danger, he instinctively intervened. Even though they were in different teams, in his heart, they had always been together. This was his brother, regardless of teams.

Shen Xingchen snorted arrogantly, "I just find Li Xu'an annoying, that's all."

He's never been camera-shy.

The viewers are used to it:

"Hahaha, this is the 10,086th person he's found annoying."

"You're so cool, and I really like it."

"Even though I'm a fan of Xu'an, I still want to laugh."

After sending away that group, the number of participants left in the show dwindled.

Jian Xingsui turned to Fu Jinxiao, holding a badge in his hand, and remarked, "I feel like a wealthy landowner. I never imagined I'd see such a rich day."

Fu Jinxiao chuckled softly, "Ambitious."

As the two headed outside, after the airport skirmish, Jian Xingsui had come to trust Fu Jinxiao completely. Yet, something puzzled him, "Bro, you could have taken the badge yourself. Why did you give it to me?"

Fu Jinxiao hummed inquisitively and replied nonchalantly, "Don't you want to win the hotpot reward? This way, the score will be credited to you."

Jian Xingsui was taken aback.

He looked at Fu Jinxiao, slightly lost, warmth flooding his heart. Stammering, he asked, "What about you, then?"

Fu Jinxiao smirked, "Regardless of whether I earn points or not, it's all the same to me."

Even so, Jian Xingsui was deeply moved.

He knew Fu Jinxiao could have opted out of the game. Perhaps he wanted to enjoy the game or had some other motive. Regardless, Fu Jinxiao had aided him. Without his assistance, Jian would have been chased out embarrassingly.

The tall man walked ahead, his imposing figure a solid beacon of reassurance, emanating an aura of safety and protection.

...

For a moment, Jian Xingsui wished time could freeze at this instant.

He rarely experienced such moments of pure joy and, having tasted it, feared it might be the last.

Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a voice from behind, "Xingsui?"

Jian Xingsui froze, hesitating before turning to meet the eyes of An Ran. The latter's appearance doused his joy, shattering his momentary reverie.

An Ran gave a slight smile, remarking, "What a coincidence!"

Fu Jinxiao, maskless and leaning against a wall, lazily glanced over, remaining silent.

Aware they were on the same team, Jian Xingsui said, "Indeed, what brings you here?"

"I was hiding on my own earlier, but got separated from my teammates," An Ran replied with a cute pout. His sparkling eyes landed on Fu Jinxiao, greeting him with reverence, "Hello, Brother Fu."

Fu Jinxiao responded with a subtle nod.

An Ran discreetly sized up the duo, deducing they were likely allies.

He was incredibly astute, recognizing the advantage of teaming with the famous Fu Jinxiao. Regardless of winning or losing, the exposure would be invaluable. If he performed well, perhaps he could even earn the esteemed actor's favor.

With this in mind, An Ran offered a smile, "It's fortunate, we're all on the blue team. Mind if I join you?"

Jian Xingsui was visibly taken aback by the proposition.

He was unwilling, he didn't want to. After such difficulty in finding a brief moment to be with Fu Jinxiao, it might be one of the very few opportunities in his lifetime. Perhaps happiness truly is fleeting.

An Ran's face showed hesitation, "I'm alone right now, and there seem to be many from the Red Team nearby. Teaming up would likely offer more security, and I've gathered quite a few supplies too."

Jinxingsui felt a bitter taste in his heart, not caring for these matters.

But then, an elegant and steady male voice chimed in, "Alright."

It was Fu Jinxiao's voice.

Jinxingsui tensed, his heart sinking.

An Ran's face lit up with a smile. Before he could speak, Fu Jinxiao stepped forward, handing him a mask, "If you're joining us, wear this."

An Ran paused, "What is this?"

With a playful smile on his handsome face, Fu Yingdi replied with his soft voice, "It's our team's emblem. Every team member wears it as a sign of commitment."

Realization dawned on An Ran, "Is that so?"

Jinxingsui looked in astonishment as Fu Yingdi put on a straight face, spouting nonsense.

Fu Jinxiao nodded gently, "Of course."

The audience in the live broadcast was in stitches:

"Hahaha, what a clever diversion."

"Run while you can, An Ran."

"2333, seriously, Fu, be human."

"Well played."