If anyone else were to do this, they might face criticism, as the overt camaraderie amongst participants hides the underlying competition.

But if Fu Jinxiao does it, all that remains is laughter and amusement. Based on past behavior, this seems precisely like something he'd pull off for the show.

Still somewhat in the dark, An Ran, holding a mask, hesitated and asked, "Then why aren't you two wearing yours?"

"Us?" Fu Jinxiao, a true acting maestro, displayed no cracks in his facade. He replied with a subtle smile, "We've already worn ours. This mask is our team's emblem. As the newcomer, it's only right that it be passed on to you."

His words were flawless.

An Ran felt a foreboding sense.

Fu Jinxiao's smile faded slightly. He made a motion as if to reclaim the mask, saying, "If you're hesitant, we can forget about it."

Just as the mask was about to be taken back, An Ran quickly seized it, swiftly placing it on his face as if it was a precious artifact, then hastily reassured Fu Jinxiao, "No, no, I want to join you all!"

Fu Jinxiao's lips curled into a smile.

The live audience roared with laughter, commenting:

"You're too naive, kid."

"It's not right to kick someone when they're down, but I can't help but laugh."

"Mr. Fu, you're ruthless!"

Jian Xingsui still stood there, taken aback. His bewildered expression also became a highlight. Before this, many knew him simply as the naive "Twenty Thousand Brother". But after this intense chase, many viewers realized that amidst a crowd of cunning contestants, this naive fellow suddenly became rather endearing. Especially when seen alongside the astute Fu Jinxiao - it was as if a sly wolf was parading the streets with a naive bunny, creating an irresistibly cute contrast.

Fu Jinxiao turned and patted Jian Xingsui's shoulder, "Let's go."

Jian Xingsui nodded vigorously, "Okay."

After the group had walked a short distance, a voice echoed from the overhead speakers, "There are 10 minutes remaining. 30 contestants remain, 19 from the Red Team, 11 from the Blue Team. Current scores: Red Team 43, Blue Team 54. We'll be closing off the third, fourth, and fifth floors. All contestants should proceed to the first floor or main hall."

It felt just like the shrinking circle in a battle royale game.

Hiding was no longer an option. It was a push for everyone to come forth for the final showdown.

An Ran remarked, "Why are there so few of us left?"

Observing their surroundings, Jian Xingsui responded, "The Red Team is pretty aggressive."

"But our score is still high. Who has all the badges we took?" An Ran asked, trying to sound casual but constantly glancing at the two beside him.

Jian Xingsui hesitated, contemplating whether to speak.

Fu Jinxiao merely glanced at An Ran, remarking lazily, "Well, they're certainly not with you."

"..."

There was no fault in that statement; it was a subtle yet effective jab.

An Ran's complexion shifted. He didn't dare to argue with Fu Jinxiao. Guessing that it was a sensitive matter, he wisely chose to drop the topic.

Little did he realize, his eagerness to join and share the limelight wasn't the beginning of a wonderful journey. Instead, it marked the onset of a nightmare.

As the group descended to the second floor, they unexpectedly came face-to-face with members of the opposing red team.

Taken aback, the leader of the red team, Zhou Xun, immediately lifted his water gun, taking a defensive stance at the sight of the three members of the blue team approaching.

Someone behind him exclaimed, "The one with the mask! It's him, Brother Zhou!"

Zhou Xun's eyes hardened. "So, it's him," he seethed.

"He's the one who's eliminated so many from our camp." A subordinate whispered, "Brother Zhou, a significant amount of the blue team’s points are on that masked man's phone. Should we..."

Zhou Xun spat, "Of course I know! But didn't you notice Fu Jinxiao by the masked man's side?"

Nobody dared to confront Fu Jinxiao.

His mere presence exerted an immense pressure.

A teammate tentatively suggested, "We don't need to target Fu Jinxiao. Just focus on the masked man. We can't let him escape!"

Zhou Xun shared the sentiment. He had hoped not to confront his loved one, An Ran, in this game, dreading a bitter face-off. But now, if he could just capture the masked man, wouldn't all problems be resolved?

Yet, with Fu Jinxiao there and their limited manpower, it wouldn't be easy.

Just as he pondered, a voice echoed from a nearby staircase, "Hey, you're here too. I'm also with the red team. Quite the coincidence!"

Reinforcements!

Zhou Xun breathed a sigh of relief and signaled towards the approaching trio, "There! The one with the mask."

The newcomer's expression darkened at the mention of 'masked man'. "Where?"

Many had friends or acquaintances eliminated by the masked man. The animosity ran deep, especially with the known high score and the potential for a big payoff.

The two groups locked eyes, each discerning calculations in the other's gaze.

Fearful of being outmaneuvered, Zhou Xun swiftly shouted to his team, "Don't let them escape! Attack now!"

As if a switch was flipped, everyone surged forward, vying to be the first.

At the corridor's end, An Ran watched in disbelief as the red team charged, looking vulnerable and overwhelmed.

Fu Jinxiao, ever the strategist, turned and tersely instructed the two behind him, "Run."

The ensuing chaos was indescribable, a cacophony of footsteps and shouts. Zhou Xun and his team were hell-bent on capturing the masked man, virtually ignoring the other two.

An Ran tried to resist, protesting, "You all..."

Zhou Xun snarled, "Let's see where you run now!"

Water cascaded over them like a torrential downpour. Ironically, An Ran had earlier left the canteen door open for Shen Xingchen to chase after Jian Xingsui. He never anticipated he'd be at the receiving end of such tactics, especially from a close friend.

An Ran: "…"

As the group surged forward to tear off his name tag, Zhou Xun took a moment to register the person in front of him, hesitating before he uttered, "Ranran?"

The drenched An Ran looked a pitiable sight. Removing his mask, his usually radiant visage now seemed on the brink of tears. Gone was the dashing appearance of the ethereal boy, with disheveled hair and smeared makeup, he looked incredibly ordinary.

Viewers in the live chatroom burst into laughter:

"This is just too tragic."

"Our angel An Ran has it tough."

"Actually, without all the glam, he doesn't look that exceptional..."

"Come to think of it, many participants who got wet lost their dashing looks, except for..."

"Jian Xingsui."

Spurred by the stark contrast in An Ran's appearance before and after the incident, many viewers got inspired. They began to compare all the drenched contestants, only to realize the most photogenic among them was surprisingly Tuowange!

Yes, him, the man without a hairstyle; indeed, him, the one who just wipes his face after getting wet and continues; surprisingly, amidst a sea of competitors, Tuowange stood out.

The audience remarked:

"A buzz cut really is the ultimate test of good looks."

"Upon closer inspection, I find him quite handsome."

"At first, I wasn't impressed, but he grows on you."

"He has very defined features; he's the kind of cute that packs a punch."

An Ran never imagined he'd become the center of attention. Yet, due to his stark transformation, he inadvertently set the stage for Jian Xingsui's praise. To add salt to the wound, viewers seemed more engrossed in the comparison than showing sympathy for his plight.

Meanwhile, Jian Xingsui, who had sprinted through the crowd to the main hall, felt his legs turning to jelly. Never in his life had he felt such adrenaline.

Fu Jinxiao glanced at him, "Already exhausted?"

"Hm?" Jian Xingsui looked up, noting the calm demeanor of the acclaimed actor beside him, despite the run. "Brother, are you really this fit?"

Raising an eyebrow, Fu Jinxiao replied, "It's just that you lack adequate exercise."

Mumbling, Jian Xingsui responded, "I've been exercising so much lately that I feel like passing out..."

"Exercise requires consistent commitment," Fu Jinxiao imparted wisdom, in a gentle tone, "In the entertainment industry, maintaining a good physique is part of your professional competence."

Jian Xingsui thought to himself about Fu Jinxiao's own health problems, from a sore throat due to overwork, a sensitive stomach, to old injuries from filming. And yet, he still had the audacity to lecture him about health?

As Jian Xingsui's face betrayed his inner monologue, Fu Jinxiao squinted slightly, asking, "Thinking ill of me in your heart?"

Jian Xingsui jolted in surprise!

He looked at Fu Jinxiao in disbelief, wondering, "Can this man read minds?"

Fu Jinxiao arched an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of menace, "Oh, did I guess right?"

Jian Xingsui wanted to defend himself, but meeting Fu Jinxiao's deep, dark gaze, and recalling how the actor detested lies, he quickly relented, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again, I promise I'll exercise regularly."

His submissive demeanor was unexpectedly endearing.

Fu Jinxiao couldn't suppress a chuckle, a genuine laugh resonating from his chest, starkly different from his usual rehearsed public smiles. The young man before him had truly amused him.

The live chatroom's audience joined in the laughter:

"These two are oddly adorable together."

"I don't know why, but I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy watching them."

"I didn't ship him with An Ran, but seeing these two interact makes me smile uncontrollably."

"Mr. Fu really enjoys teasing people, doesn't he?"

...

Suddenly, a broadcast announcement echoed:

"Time's up! The game has officially ended. The red team scored 51 points, while the blue team scored 57. The blue team is declared the winner of this match. We will begin calculating the scores from the name tags. Everyone, please gather at the square."

As the announcement concluded, a jubilant cheer erupted from outside. The blue team had staged a comeback, and they were over the moon.

A delighted Jian Xingsui, his eyes sparkling, looked up at Fu Jinxiao, "I can't believe we actually won!"

"Yes," Fu Jinxiao responded, tearing off his name tag and murmured, "We won."

Jian Xingsui paused mid-motion.

US

Fu Jinxiao had said, "we."

There came a day, such a fortunate day, when in Fu Jinxiao's eyes, it was "we," not "he" or "you", but "we."

This might've been a casual remark for Fu Jinxiao, but for Jian Xingsui, it resonated deeply, warming him to his core. Like a long-dried sponge, he carefully soaked up these tiny moments of warmth and treasured them.

Handing the name tag to him, Fu Jinxiao prompted, "What are you daydreaming about? Go hand in the tag."

Hastily taking it, Jian Xingsui replied, "Alright."

Only then did he realize he held two name tags and hesitated, "Brother, I'll hand in this one. Do you also want to hand yours in?"

Fu Jinxiao nodded, "It counts towards our score."

The name tag bore the name "Fu Jinxiao" written in bold, stylized calligraphy. Jian Xingsui gripped it a little tighter, pausing for a moment.

Fu Jinxiao urged him, "Hurry up, or you might miss your chance on camera."

"... Okay."

He jogged over to the scoring official and handed over the name tag. The official glanced at it, saying, "This won't count. You didn't personally tear off Fu's tag, so it doesn't contribute to your score."

Jian Xingsui took it in stride, "That's alright."

As the official was about to toss the tag into a nearby bin, Jian Xingsui suddenly interjected, "Hey, if it doesn't count towards the score, can I keep the tag?"

The official looked at him quizzically.

"What I mean is..." Jian Xingsui now felt a bit embarrassed, "Since it doesn't count anyway."

The official, although finding the request unusual, relented, "Sure, you can have it."

Gratefully, Jian Xingsui fished out Fu Jinxiao's name tag from the bin, feeling a residual warmth from it, and slipped it into his pocket as if it were a prized possession.

Lately, everything felt like a dream, too good to be true. He dreaded waking from this dream, fearing what awaited. Maybe he'd only be this lucky once in his lifetime, but that was enough. Even if he was eventually voted out, he'd cherish these memories.

...

As he was about to leave, the official called out to him.

Halting, Jian Xingsui saw the official hand him a sealed card, "Hold onto this, don't open it yet."

Holding the envelope stamped with "Star Showcase", he had an inkling of its contents – possibly the final rankings for this stage.

Exiting, he heard a shout, "Jian Xingsui, come here!"

Under the evening sun, his roommates lined up, with Shen Xingchen animatedly waving him over.

Impatient, Shen Xingchen exclaimed, "What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up!"

Jian Xingsui began with a brisk walk, which inexplicably slowed to a shuffle, then, gathering his resolve, he dashed to join his friends.

"Why are you so slow?" Shen Xingchen grumbled, "Missed us that much?"

Jian Xingsui softly shook his head, "Not at all."

Shen Xingchen huffed, "Thought so!"

Wen Shengge, beaming, chimed in, "We're in for a treat tonight! I bet you ranked first. Hotpot here we come! Lucky us to be roommates with the top contender."

Ning Ze nodded in agreement, "Certainly fortunate."

Warmth filled Jian Xingsui as he listened. Lowering his head, he whispered, "Knowing all of you is my good fortune."

The surrounding noise drowned his words, and no one caught them.

But Jian Xingsui didn't mind. He had realized that the most genuine emotions didn't need loud declarations. Cherishing them in the heart was enough.

...

dinner

The showrunners had done well, setting up a buffet in the main dining hall.

As victors, the blue team received a special reward: an additional self-service hotpot seasoning. This instantly aroused the envy of the red team.

As one of the leaders of Team Red, Shen Xingchen quickly infiltrated enemy lines, taking a seat next to Jian Xingsui and started eating without hesitation. Others from Team Red followed his lead, helping themselves to the food and drink. Initially, members of Team Blue feigned resistance, but as the meal progressed, everyone sat together, enjoying the warm feast.

Any previous grudges between the two factions evaporated.

The good thing about these young men is that they rarely hold onto grievances.

But during the meal, a majority looked preoccupied, naturally worried about their potential elimination.

"When can we open the envelope?"

"I'm losing my appetite..."

"I'm really curious."

However, some just enjoyed their meal without concerning themselves with the envelope.

Seeing the seriousness of Wen Shengge and Ning Ze, Shen Xingchen remarked, "You know why the production team wants us to dine before revealing the results? They wish for everyone to enjoy the meal together, without sadness or farewells. Overthinking ruins their good intentions, you know?"

His unconventional reasoning had a strange charm.

Wen Shengge and Ning Ze thought it made sense, deciding to relish the last meal.

At that moment, the entrance door swung open, revealing the mentors. Everyone's excitement peaked, and shouts of, "Teachers, come join us for dinner!" echoed.

Tuya, always amiable and popular among the students, smiled appreciatively, "Wow, it smells delightful!"

"Have the mentors eaten?"

"Please, join us here!"

The students eagerly called out their invitations.

Fu Jinxiao appeared in a casual tracksuit, a departure from his usual sharp attire. Despite his efforts to remain low-key, his mere presence was always compelling.

All the students were inviting the mentors.

Jian Xingsui hesitated momentarily, but seeing An Ran making room for Fu Jinxiao, his earlier doubts diminished. Recalling Fu Jinxiao's words about not showing weakness, he mustered some courage.

Many were inviting Fu Jinxiao.

An Ran raised his hand, "Brother Fu..."

From across the table, a timid voice emerged. Jian Xingsui braved, "Brother Fu, there's a seat here."

In the clamor of the dining hall, his voice was barely audible. Yet, Fu Jinxiao, who was amidst other conversations, turned and walked over, taking the seat beside Jian Xingsui without hesitation.

Jian Xingsui, surprised by his own success, gazed bewilderedly at the man beside him.

After what seemed like fresh grooming, a subtle yet enchanting aroma emanated from Fu Jinxiao, more captivating than any perfume, mirroring his intriguing persona.

Fu Jinxiao glanced sidelong at him, teasingly whispering, "Good of you to invite me. I see you haven't forgotten our earlier encounter."

Jian Xingsui snapped back to reality, hastily replying, "I didn't forget!"

To emphasize he truly hadn't forgotten, Jian Xingsui laid it on thick, whispering, "It's thanks to you that I have this meal today."

"You're being modest. You were quite bold when tearing up someone's card," Fu Jinxiao teased, "We are comrades-in-arms, Comrade Jian."

The nickname, though playful and reminiscent of addressing a child, carried an endearing tone.

Warmth filled Jian Xingsui's heart upon hearing it. In his eagerness to divert attention from his excitement, he began preparing the dipping sauce for the film star. He was skilled at it. After Shen Xingchen had tasted it once and raved about it, others at the table began requesting his mix. So now, when Jian Xingsui prepared it for Fu Jinxiao, no one found it out of place.

After getting the mix just right, Jian Xingsui handed a bowl to Fu Jinxiao, saying, "For you."

Shen Xingchen glanced over and remarked, "Why didn't you add cilantro? That stuff is delicious."

Jian Xingsui held the bowl of sauce, his gaze darting evasively, and mumbled, "Ah, I forgot."

Fu Jinxiao took the bowl, giving those beside him a penetrating gaze with his deep eyes, as if he could read their souls. Eventually, he set the bowl down, saying, "It's alright. I don't really eat cilantro."

Jian Xingsui finally chuckled, "Well, that's good then. I'm glad I didn't add it."

Such poor acting.

Fu Jinxiao silently critiqued.

As the meal drew to an end, some contestants seemed to anticipate their impending exit. They ate with a hint of sadness. After a hearty meal, many lost their camera shyness. Some even mustered the courage to approach their mentor, approaching Tuya with a smile, "Sister Tuya, if I get eliminated later, could I have your autograph?"

Tuya, being amiable, replied, "Of course."

Some who were closer to their mentors boldly asked, "Sister Tuya, could I add you on WeChat (vx)?"

Tuya smiled, "No problem."

One bold move led to others gaining courage. Many eyes turned to Fu Jinxiao. Adding the film star Fu on WeChat would be a bragging point to share with friends and family!

Yet, due to Fu Jinxiao's imposing aura, none dared approach.

Amidst those yearning glances, Fu Jinxiao put down his chopsticks, sighed softly, and said, "You can add me."

Even though no one had voiced the request, Fu Jinxiao's consent led to an immediate celebration. As phones weren't allowed, someone rushed over with a notebook to jot down details. The crowd swarmed him, excitedly adding his contact.

Jian Xingsui wanted to join in but couldn't make his way through.

He envied those successful ones and felt anxious. Just like many times before, he always found himself on the periphery, watching the radiant center of attention from a distance. Those shining individuals were the protagonists, naturally radiant. In contrast, he felt ordinary, resigned to the role of a side character. Never before had Jian Xingsui loathed his mediocrity, lamented his lack of excellence, and hated feeling like an expendable character.

If he were better, if he were confident, he'd have approached and asked for WeChat too…

Jian Xingsui's hand unconsciously clenched. As a whirlwind of thoughts consumed him, a voice interrupted, "What are you daydreaming about?"

He looked up to see Shen Xingchen's face.

Shen Xingchen gently nudged him with his foot, "If you want to, just go for it!"

Jian Xingsui staggered to his feet after being nudged, stuttering, "No, I... "

"I, I, I. Are you stuck on repeat?" Shen Xingchen scoffed, gently pushing him. "I can see right through you. Show some backbone. Get going!"

Pushed by her, Jian Xingsui took several steps forward, coming to a stop beside the crowd. His heart raced; he had never felt such intense anxiety before.

At that moment, Fu Jinxiao from within the crowd seemed to notice him and looked his way.

Jian Xingsui's mouth opened, but words failed him. He stood frozen in place.

After observing for a moment, a hint of amusement crossed Fu Jinxiao's eyes. He strode past the crowd towards Jian. When he finally stood before Jian, his voice, deep and enchanting, inquired, "Looking for me?"

Jian's heart raced, feeling as if it was in his throat. Gathering all his courage, he tentatively began, "I wanted to ask you..."

"Hmm, I wanted to ask you something as well," Fu Jinxiao replied, deliberate and polite, "May I add you on WeChat, Comrade Jian?"