Meanwhile, in Fu Jinxi's room, Shen Xingsui was going over a task card with him.

Fu Jinxi, seated on a sofa and checking his manager's schedule on his phone, asked the person next to him, "Let's check today's hint card."

Shen Xingsui nodded, "Okay!"

They had received a hint card at the restaurant earlier. Shen Xingsui carefully unfolded it to read the message written in bold: "The young master was praised for his extraordinary good looks since childhood."

...

After reading it aloud to Fu Jinxi, Shen Xingsui pondered, "Is this a description of the assassin, indicating he's a young master?"

Setting his phone aside, Fu Jinxi took the card, gave it a quick glance, and analyzed, "It has a dual meaning. It either refers to his real-life status as a 'young master' or a backstory where the assassin was once a young master."

If it's about reality, the only two who could be considered wealthy heirs were Shen Xingchen and Fu Jinxi.

Although Shen Xingsui had returned to the Shen family, the production team and other guests weren't aware of this. So the hint card pointing to him seemed improbable.

Holding the card between his slender fingers, Fu Jinxi smirked, "An Ran can also be considered one."

Shen Xingsui had a sudden realization.

"Indeed, the young master of the Jian family, why wouldn't he be considered a young lord?"

Shen Xingsui fell into deep thought, murmuring, "The scope now seems quite vast. Moreover, we're unaware of the hints the others received on their mission cards."

Fu Jinxiao stated, "At least we're certain of one thing: one of the killers is male."

Shen Xingsui gave a wry smile, "It seems we only have one female in our entire group."

"At the very least, we're sure he's a handsome man." Fu Jinxiao joked half-heartedly, "Those with raw talent can momentarily be spared from suspicion. Focus should be directed towards those of the idol type."

Shen Xingsui instinctively responded, "Doesn't that make you a prime suspect then?"

Fu Jinxiao paused, raising an eyebrow with a deepening smile, "So, I'm the idol type?"

! !

Although Fu, the movie star, smiled gently, Shen Xingsui felt a shiver, hurriedly waving his hands, "No, no, that's not what I meant. I meant you're incredibly talented, but also quite...”

Fu Jinxiao lounged lazily on the sofa, freshly showered, wearing a dark blue striped pajama set. Its loose fit still couldn't hide the physique of years of consistent training. The collar of his pajama top was left slightly open, showcasing the elegance of his elongated and alluring neck. His naturally handsome face, untouched by makeup, exuded the charm of a mature man.

The two were seated on a long sofa, only inches apart, as they prepared to exchange cards.

Shen Xingsui could faintly detect the fresh scent from Fu’s bath. Oddly enough, even though they all used the same shower gel provided by the production crew, combined with Fu's distinct masculine scent, it felt especially enticing.

As Shen Xingsui's face turned a shade of crimson, Fu Jinxiao patiently teased, "Quite... what?"

"Attractive."

Shen Xingsui finally managed to get the words out, adding hastily, "You are a highly skilled actor and singer."

He hung his head low, hearing a soft chuckle from above. It was followed by Fu Jinxiao's inquisitive tone, "So, do you prefer the talented type or the idol type?"

"!!!"

"What kind of trick question is that?"

Shen Xingsui grappled with his thoughts before finally whispering, "Both... I like both."

The muted laughter next to him grew deeper, originating from the chest and reflecting genuine happiness. Startled, Shen Xingsui looked up to find Fu Jinxiao's eyes twinkling with amusement. This smile was more genuine and captivating than his usual courteous one, revealing a charm that was both refined and genuine.

Fu Jinxiao, with his resonant voice laced with teasing undertones, commented, "There aren't many in the entertainment industry who fit your description. If you find one, you'd best hold onto them."

Shen Xingsui's face reddened even further, feeling a growing need to flee the room.

"Um, Master Fu, I just remembered I left the air conditioner off in my room. I should head back," Shen Xingsui said, rising hurriedly, fearing any more time might lead to more unintended slip-ups. "Goodnight!"

Fu Jinxiao raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Oops, he might have pushed it too far; he scared the young one away.

Truly still so young, not used to teasing. He'll have to be more careful next time.

...

The following day.

Early in the morning, An Ran woke up way ahead of time. Due to the task assigned by the director's team last night, he barely got a wink of sleep. The thought of how to execute the "morning kiss" challenge occupied his mind.

Viewers were somewhat taken aback seeing An Ran this morning:

"Hahaha, why him?"

"He doesn't seem that troubled."

"Suddenly, I'm missing Sui Sui."

"Ah, a shy and reserved boy is the most adorable."

Somehow, it seemed Fu JinXiao's fans and their idol both carried some mischievous genes.

The cameraman pointed at the first room, "Start from there."

An Ran nodded in response.

This was Fu JinXiao's room. He gently pushed the door open, his voice so hushed it was almost a whisper, and even gestured to the cameraman for silence with a "shush" sign.

Once inside, the room was quiet.

An Ran tiptoed closer to the bed, and there he saw a sleeping Fu JinXiao. This man was truly blessed with stunning looks. Even with slightly tousled hair from sleep, his almost perfect profile and natural aristocratic aura made his disheveled appearance even more alluring. Both in looks and lineage, he was truly unparalleled.

And this was part of why An Ran couldn't give up on him.

Fu JinXiao was the leading man, the chosen one, blessed by fate itself. Whoever wins Fu JinXiao's heart is the ultimate victor in life. No one can take him from An Ran – he was meant to be his and his alone.

The viewers in the live stream shared their sentiments:

"My husband looks so handsome!"

"An Ran, that look in your eyes is dangerous."

"Haha, get out! Don't you dare touch him!"

"Weird. I'm a fan of Fu JinXiao. When Sui Sui came yesterday, I didn't mind, but with An Ran here, I feel like calling the cops."

"Same!"

An Ran slowly leaned down, trembling slightly from nervousness. Just as their lips were about to meet, the sleeping man's eyes suddenly fluttered open. Everything happened in a flash. An Ran froze, and the next moment he was tumbling backward, landing hard on the floor.

Fu JinXiao, sitting up in his bed with strands of hair covering his face, looked on with sleep-laden eyes. His voice was deep and icy, "What are you up to so early?"

An Ran, in pain from the fall and with tear-filled eyes, tried to answer pitifully, "Brother Fu, I came to wake you up."

Fu JinXiao, distinct from his usual cheerful demeanor, exuded an icy aura, especially when silent. His imposing presence on the bed seemed to darken the room. He questioned in a deep voice, "After working all day yesterday and the program running till the early hours, now you're waking up before dawn?"

The room seemed to be engulfed in a chilling frost.

An Ran, looking utterly pitiable, stammered: "It was the director... the director assigned me a task..."

"Task?" Fu Jinxiang's piercing eyes fixed on him, his gaze reminiscent of a king of hell's judgment: "Have you completed it?"

An Ran wished he could nod his head off.

Fu Jinxiang: "Then why are you still here?"

As if given a royal pardon, An Ran abandoned any thoughts of the morning kiss mission. He scampered away, not sparing a thought for the cameraman behind him. The cameraman, equally unconcerned about whether the kiss took place, quickly followed.

Click

The door closed behind them. Once in the hallway, both felt as though they had narrowly escaped death.

An Ran murmured to himself: "That was terrifying."

The cameraman exclaimed, "So the industry rumors about Fu Jinxiang's terrible morning temper are true!"

Meanwhile, the chat in the livestream was exploding with comments, and everyone was laughing:

"He sure is grumpy when he wakes up."

"If I were that exhausted and had been disturbed like this for two consecutive days, I'd be even angrier."

"But he was so gentle with Shen Xingsui yesterday."

"Seems like he's just using lack of sleep as an excuse. What a double standard."

As the double standard topic came up, some viewers started reminiscing about the previous day:

"Did anyone else notice? He woke up without being touched today, even though he was supposedly more tired than yesterday."

"You've found the loophole! Kudos!"

"Right? Was he even asleep yesterday?"

"Hahaha, oh my god!"

The viewers were on fire with their speculations. The debate over whether Fu Jinxiang was truly asleep raged on. However, no one could find solid evidence. Fu Jinxiang's acclaimed acting skills weren't for nothing; he could fool just about anyone if he wanted to.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side,

Screams and yells began emanating from the various rooms.

Shen Xingsui woke up early on his own without An Ran's help. However, Shen Xingchen was not only difficult to wake but also had a terrible sleeping posture. He was met with punches and kicks from the person trying to rouse him, and was the worst at getting out of bed. The others were no better, either hiding under their blankets or screaming in terror. As a result, An Ran bore the brunt of everyone's morning grumpiness and felt utterly frustrated.

Considering everything, what sort of luck did Shen Xingsui have yesterday? Not only did he get to kiss Fu Jinxiang, but all his challenges were also solved because of the power outage. Why was his own experience so different?

The production team gathered everyone together, smilingly asking, "How did everyone sleep last night?"

In unison, everyone groaned, "Director, we'd be much happier if you didn't wake us up so early!"

The director said with a smile, "To show our appreciation for your hard work yesterday, we've prepared breakfast for everyone. I hope you all enjoy it."

Is this for real?

Everyone was somewhat skeptical, thinking that this production team is notorious for its antics.

In an apparent attempt to boost his credibility, the director clapped his hands, and crew members rolled out carts. Eight carts in total, each loaded with a hearty breakfast - there were steamed buns, soy milk, bread, milk, and various pastries.

Shen Xingchen exclaimed, "Director, you've finally done something commendable!"

Director: "..."

Thanks for the compliment, I guess.

Only Fu Jinxiao asked, "Can we eat all of this?"

Being a seasoned participant, he immediately touched upon the catch. The director's smile brightened, "Of course not. Everyone can only choose three items."

As expected, same old tricks.

However, given the free meal, which seemed better than yesterday's offerings, everyone swallowed their reservations and started eating the breakfast they'd chosen.

The director then explained today's mission: "After deducting yesterday's accommodation costs, you need to earn money using the remaining funds. There are no restrictions on methods, but you can't sell anything above market price or rely on your celebrity status. If someone recognizes you because of your fame, that transaction will be invalidated and won't count towards the competition's total."

This rule effectively stopped potential cheats who might capitalize on their celebrity status.

On the contrary, due to the restrictive conditions, everyone was more disciplined and genuinely brainstormed ways to make money.

The director continued, "As each team earns money, there might be chances to get clues about the 'killer'. Also, the team with the highest earnings today will receive a bonus!"

The crowd clapped in unison.

Shen Xingchen asked the director, "Are there restrictions on team members and numbers?"

The director, being more lenient this time, said, "Four members per team. But since yesterday had pairs earning money, those pairs can't be split."

So two pairs will form one team.

Without hesitation, Shen Xingchen stood next to Shen Xingsui, and the four of them naturally formed a team.

"How do we make money?" Shen Xingchen suggested, "We didn't earn much from part-time jobs yesterday. Should we find a shop to sell something today?"

Li Xuan asked, "Have you decided what to sell?"

Shen Xingchen shook his head innocently. Unlike his brother, he wasn't business-minded, admitting, "I haven't thought about it. What can we sell in this small town?"

...

Li Xuan remained silent.

Shen Xingchen turned his attention to Fu Jinxiao, asking, "Brother Fu, any suggestions?"

"Hmm?" Fu Jinxiao drawled lazily, "Anything goes, I guess."

After filming the show for a couple of days, consistently topping the group rankings, he thought it might be time for others to have their moment in the spotlight. Fu, being a seasoned actor, always displayed perfect tact, so he wasn't particularly invested in today's minor competition.

Netizens were quick to comment:

"Haha, I bet Fu just wants to sneak in a nap."

"Money's just a worldly possession after all."

"Especially since there's no penalty today."

Meanwhile, another team nearby sensed an opportunity. After some enthusiastic strategizing, Teacher Li declared boldly, "Behind our bookstore, there's a vast flower field. We've decided to sell flowers!"

Shen Xingsui, who was closest to Teacher Li, commented with a smile, "That sounds nice."

Teacher Li, known for his quirky entertainment style, grinned at Shen Xingsui, "Xingsui, have you guys made up your minds?"

Shaking his head, Shen Xingsui responded earnestly, "Not yet."

"Better hurry then," Teacher Li chuckled, "We've made our decision, and today, we're going to make a killing. Just you wait and see."

Watching Teacher Li's amusing demeanor, Shen Xingsui played along, "You've always been impressive."

Charmed by this considerate kid, Teacher Li draped an arm over Shen Xingsui's shoulder, boasting with a triumphant grin, "A keen judge of character, aren't you? Recognizing my brilliance! Alright, for your admiration, we'll surely win today."

Shen Xingsui gave an amused look, "Good luck, Teacher Li."

Their playful banter set a cheerful mood. However, from a distance, the laid-back Fu Jinxiao, who observed the entire exchange, lost his amused expression, especially when Teacher Li's hand draped over Shen Xingsui. His lips tightened.

Beside him, Shen Xingchen taunted, "We won't lose! Just you wait, Teacher Li! We'll be the top earners today!"

Fu Jinxiao glanced down at him, murmuring, "Where's the local market in this town?"

Shen Xingchen, who had been gearing up for another retort to Teacher Li, paused, "Huh?"

"I asked you a question. Do you know where the local market is?" Fu Jinxiao arched an eyebrow, "Let's see if we can find some wholesale products to sell."

Shen Xingchen looked at the suddenly serious Fu Jinxiao, hesitating, "Wait, didn't you just say 'anything goes'? Why the sudden interest in the market?"

With a hint of mischief, Fu Jinxiao smirked, "Did I say that?"

"... I must have misheard."

Meanwhile, the live stream audience was in stitches:

"He seems a tad bit rattled."

"That damned competitive spirit."

"Hahaha, seems like he's a bit salty!"

With each airing, the viewership of "Stellar Brilliance" surged, as the show presented an authentic perspective. They didn’t glorify celebrities; if you were asked to cook, you cooked. If you were told to move bricks, you did just that. The mosquito bites were real, as were the morning moods. Every person’s portrayal was genuine, which drew in the audience.

Early in the morning, the farmer's market bustled with activity.

Everywhere Shen Xingchen looked, he wanted to make a purchase. "That toy stall looks promising. Why not buy some toys to sell? That candy stand looks good too. Maybe we can sell cotton candy?"

Fu Jinxiao dismissed it as mere talk.

The deeper they ventured, the more crowded it became. Everyone had donned hats and applied minimal makeup to maintain a low profile. However, no business opportunities seemed apparent.

Until...

Passing a vegetable market, they spotted an elderly man, frail and with dark, weathered skin. He was selling clean persimmons, pears, and a small bag of walnuts on a worn plastic sheet. While other vendors energetically collected payments with QR codes, the old man sat there, seemingly lost and anxious.

A potential buyer inquired about the price, scoffing, "Can you offer a better deal?"

The old man's voice, deep and raspy, replied, "These are all homegrown and top-notch. The price is market standard."

"Then weigh me a pound," the buyer said, offering, "I'll pay via Alipay."

The old man hesitated, a cautious plea in his eyes, "I don’t have that code; it's linked to my son's account. Could you pay in cash?"

The buyer showed impatience. "Who carries cash these days? Forget it. I won't buy."

With the buyer gone, no one approached the old man's stall.

The scene was melancholic, reminiscent of many elderly individuals' plight. Many in remote areas have never interacted with smartphones, let alone modern payment methods. Even if they had access, it was through their children's accounts, making it hard for them to claim money they've earned.

Shen Xingchen, always kind-hearted, exclaimed, "Let's buy it and sell it ourselves!"

No one disagreed.

However, everyone seemed to unanimously look to Fu Jinxiao, as if seeking parental approval.

The renowned Fu Jinxiao examined the fruits, asked about the price, and then inquired, "How much more of such fruit do you have at home?"

The elderly man, taken aback, said, "I have plenty more on the mountain behind my house."

"Is it all yours?" Fu Jinxiao asked, "Is it all ripe? How far is it? Can it be harvested now?"

The old man provided a thorough answer. He lived near a village on the mountain behind the town. While the village was less prosperous, many cultivated their crops. Most of his fruits would end up being sold cheaply to unscrupulous traders, with little profit for the villagers.

Fu Jinxiao finally decided, "Let’s have a look."

The old man, puzzled, questioned, "Do you genuinely intend to buy?"

Shen Xingchen confidently replied, "Of course, we're honest! You can trust him, he's..."

Before he could finish, Shen Xingsui covered his mouth, whispering urgently, "No! The director said deals made due to celebrity influence don't count!"

Realizing his mistake, Shen Xingchen praised his younger brother, "You’re the clever one."

Shen Xingsui let out a resigned sigh.

Netizens, upon seeing the old man's expression, couldn't help but burst into laughter:

“Xingsui, you could speak a bit louder.”

“Hahaha, these two brothers are so adorably clueless!”

“But aren’t they super cute?”

Although the old man didn't fully understand, he recognized that these were good people. So, without questioning much, he quickly led the group up a mountain path to the village and showed them his orchard. The fruits here were of excellent quality, far superior in appearance than many outside, but due to the villagers' lack of connections and social skills, they couldn't sell them.

The arrival of the show’s crew brought a massive influx of attention and potential customers to Taohua Town within days, infusing hope and vitality into this impoverished village.

After inspecting the fruits, Fu Jinxiao said, “Alright, Xingchen and Li Xu'an, you two will help pick the fruits. I'll leave you with two hundred [currency] to find any villagers willing to assist. Try to finish before noon. Xingsui and I will head back to town to prepare a stall and get things set up for selling.”

Shen Xingchen nodded, “Alright, no problem.”

Picking fruits was definitely a task more up his alley than the manual labor of moving bricks the day before.

After giving his orders, Fu Jinxiao left with Shen Xingsui. On their way back, Fu Jinxiao kept calculating profits and planning the business setup. They say a focused man is the most attractive. Watching Fu Jinxiao diligently work, Shen Xingsui remarked, “Master Fu, you’re truly amazing. Everything is organized so perfectly. How do you know so much?”

Pausing, Fu Jinxiao looked over, arching an eyebrow, “Is it a lot?”

Shen Xingsui nodded seriously.

“A lot!” Shen Xingsui, Fu Jinxiao’s biggest fan, lavishly praised his idol, his eyes practically shining, “You’re incredibly talented!”

On any other day, Fu Jinxiao might've just smiled and humbly deflected the compliment. But today, he responded differently, turning his face, his usual nonchalance replaced by an amused grin, and asked, “Even more than your teacher Li?”

...

A question mark seemed to appear over Shen Xingsui’s head.

“Huh? What Teacher Li?” Shen Xingsui was utterly bewildered.

While he was lost, the netizens in the live broadcast understood immediately and burst into laughter:

“Hahaha, such a petty and jealous man.”

“Oh my God, he’s too cute.”

“Is Master Fu in grade school or what?”

“Hahaha, is this a man's pride?”