Fu Jinxiao noticed his friend's odd gaze, raising an eyebrow, he smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Minglang adjusted his glasses, "Who do you fancy?"

Fu Jinxiao was a force to be reckoned with. Be it high society ladies or popular actresses, who hadn’t shown interest in him? To say nothing of them, from his student days, he was the talk of the town: academically brilliant, handsome, from a prestigious family – in essence, the complete package. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that out of every ten girls at the school, eight had a crush on Fu Jinxiao.

And now, this very man was sitting here, confessing to him on the second day of the Lunar New Year:

"I think I've fallen for someone."

"You know, in front of the one you like, you always feel less confident."

If he lacks confidence, who on earth would possess any?

Fu Jinxiao, swirling the wine in his glass, said softly, "It's a man."

Shen Minglang responded, "Same-sex marriage is legal now, though it's not completely accepted by society. Given your social status, it might not be easy to navigate."

Fu Jinxiao nodded, "I've considered that."

"And?" Shen Minglang pressed, "Be more specific."

Fu Jinxiao, reclining languidly on the couch, smirked, "He's an adorable guy. Sometimes moody, occasionally not the sharpest tool in the shed, but his naive demeanor makes him quite endearing."

Shen Minglang resisted a sigh, "You didn't have to be that detailed."

Fu Jinxiao raised an eyebrow, "You asked me to be specific."

"..."

Shen Minglang mused that maybe their friendship hadn’t ended over the years for a reason.

Sensing his friend's growing impatience, Fu Jinxiao finally sighed, "We confessed our feelings to each other yesterday."

Taking a sip of his wine, Shen Minglang remarked dryly, "So, you got rejected."

A question mark seemed to appear above Fu Jinxiao's head.

"Not quite..." Fu Jinxiao chuckled, glancing at his friend, "Why are you so sure I was the one rejected?"

Shen Minglang, reclining on the sofa and switching on the TV to a variety show, casually said, "You've rejected countless people over the years, never losing sleep over any of them."

Fu Jinxiao inquired, "How do you know I lost sleep?"

Shen Minglang gave him a pointed look, "The banquet ended around midnight. Who calls at 4 or 5 in the morning? And right now, with those dark circles, you look like you're straight out of a period drama."

"..."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're quite the sharp-tongued one?"

Fu Jinxiao let out a long sigh.

Once a formidable figure outside, he now languishes on the sofa, trapped by his own emotions.

Shen Minglang finally cut to the chase: "So, you like him, but he doesn't reciprocate?"

Fu Jinxiao responded, "No, he likes me too."

Shen Minglang shot him a bemused glance, "Then what's holding you back?"

Fu Jinxiao choked up. For a moment, he couldn't articulate his feelings. There were too many uncertainties, and he didn't know where to begin.

At first, when he met Shen Xingsui, he merely found the boy intriguing.

He appeared vulnerable and timid but would always surprise Fu with his unexpected presence and actions.

Many were smitten by Fu, seeking wealth, fame, or benefits. However, when Shen Xingsui looked at him, those eyes were pure, devoid of any ulterior motives.

He was a peculiar boy, but it was precisely this peculiarity that captured all of Fu's attention.

Initially, he was kind to Shen out of pity, and also because Shen was a fan, leading to a bit of extra attention.

As time went on, he treated Shen like a beloved protégé. When he realized Shen adored him even more than he thought, Fu first felt elated, followed by an inexplicable disquiet.

He couldn't determine if Shen Xingsui's fondness was truly love.

Or was it just the allure of a beacon in the dark? A mere infatuation with an idol rather than the real person?

Would he still feel the same when he realizes that Fu is just an ordinary man?

Fu Jinxiao clicked his tongue and said to Shen Minglang, "You wouldn't understand."

"What's there not to understand?" Shen Minglang scoffed, speaking bluntly, "If you like him, pursue him. Keep him close."

Fu Jinxiao arched an eyebrow, "People change. No one can be certain their feelings will remain consistent."

Just like his father.

He later heard that his parents were deeply in love. But as his father's business expanded globally, he became increasingly absent. Was it fair to say he stopped loving his mother? Of course, but the love faded. He often wondered if things would have been different if his father had been there during his mother's pregnancy, could she have survived?

Or perhaps...

If his father hadn't been so adamant about going to America close to his wife's due date, would his mother, Wen Rong, still be alive?

Marriage is not just about love; it demands responsibility.

Yet, a year after his mother's death, his father proposed to another woman, introducing her as the new mistress of their home.

Lina seemed faultless.

And perhaps, so did his father.

Indeed, everyone says they weren’t at fault, proclaiming it's fate's play or that life inherently carries regrets.

Fu Jinxiao often wonders, who's truly to blame? His mother? Or himself, the child who inadvertently caused her demise? Or perhaps it was the failed marriage itself? If he were in that position, could he bear the responsibilities of marriage and provide happiness to his beloved?

He never aspired for marriage or expected love.

He was a self-centered person, always believing that taking care of oneself was sufficient.

However, when faced with Shen Xingsui, that belief seemed to crumble bit by bit. He felt the urge to care for him, to be concerned, to protect him from harm, and to offer him the best.

Hence, he hesitated that day on the rooftop.

His mind logically reminded him that no love or marriage lasts forever. Yet another part was euphorically elated, with suppressed joy and emotions all directed at Shen Xingsui.

Shen Minglang, standing by his side, suggested, "Instead of hesitating, why not shift your perspective?"

Fu Jinxiao looked up, "What do you mean?"

"Imagine the taste of losing him," Shen Minglang said, holding his wine glass. "Could you bear seeing him with someone else? Marrying someone else? Not loving you anymore? Being completely someone else’s? If you can endure all of that..."

Fu Jinxiao paused.

Shen Minglang smiled, "Then you can let go."

Contemplating the thought, Fu Jinxiao's expression grew grave. His habitual facades faded, revealing the unmasked dominance in his eyes. "I can't bear it."

Shen Minglang nodded, "Well, there you have it."

The mere imagination of such scenarios made Fu Jinxiao's blood boil with rage, far surpassing his previous hesitations.

Seeing his realization, Shen Minglang finally asked the key question, "Who is the person you like, after all?"

Fu Jinxiao arched an eyebrow.

A growing sense of unease washed over Shen Minglang, "Do I know them?"

Fu Jinxiao smirked, "You might know them quite well."

Setting his wine glass on the table, Shen Minglang adjusted his glasses, "As long as it’s not my younger brother, everything's negotiable."

"Is that so?"

Dragging out the last word, a deepening smile played on Fu Jinxiao's lips, "In that case, negotiations might be difficult."

"..."

The next day,

Almost simultaneously, everyone, including Shen Xingchen, received a notification from the "Stardust" show crew. They were preparing for the recording of the second episode and asked everyone to be punctual.

Shen Xingchen wailed, "The second episode is here!"

Shen Xingsui was mentally prepared, commenting, "It has been almost two months since the last episode. It's about time for the second one."

What he hadn’t expected was for it to be so rushed.

Shen Xingchen rolled about on the bed, exclaiming, "I don't want to record this show! They're too demanding on the guests!"

Shen Xingsui replied with a resigned smile, "There's little we can do about that. Thankfully, it’s only for a few days. Hang in there. Your fans and the audience are eagerly waiting to see you."

Shen Xingchen playfully protested, "I've been off-camera for days. Have I gained weight?"

Shen Xingsui: "..."

"What should I do? What if I don’t look good on camera?" Shen Xingchen’s sudden bout of vanity made him anxious.

Shen Xingsui comforted, "Don't worry. The audience adores your talent."

Shen Xingchen paused, turning to look at Shen Xingsui. That glance momentarily made Shen Xingsui nervous, thinking he might have upset him with a careless remark.

However, unexpectedly…

Shen Xingchen clapped, exclaiming, "Exactly! My talent is what sustains me, why should I worry?"

Shen Xingsui: "..."

Sometimes, being carefree is such a blessing.

Both of them swiftly packed their luggage and boarded the flight arranged by the show's crew. After an overnight journey, they arrived at their destination early the next morning.

As they disembarked, the sun was shining brightly.

The cameramen were already waiting and started filming as soon as they stepped off the plane.

Concurrently, the live broadcast of "Stardust" was initiated. Unlike the modest audience of the inaugural episode, the premiere of the second drew a sizable crowd. The chatroom livened up as the guests appeared:

"Xingsui, I've missed you so much!"

"Did Xingchen gain some weight?"

"Hahaha, careful or he might jump at you!"

"Finally, we get to see our favorites again."

"Great! Now we can watch An Ran bicker with them again. Drama to munch on, girls!"

Everyone online knew about the Shen family's ongoing issues with the Jian family. Even though it was old news, watching these young elites from prestigious families bicker was undeniably entertaining.

Without these squabbles, the entertainment industry had been too quiet, leaving the gossip-hungry audience feeling cold.

Now, with the show finally airing, those at home for the holidays eagerly congregated in the chatroom, ready for the latest juicy tidbits.

Upon alighting from the car, Shen Xingchen exclaimed with astonishment, "Wow, such winding mountain ranges!"

"That's a village," Shen Xingsui pointed to the distance, musing, "The architecture looks so time-worn."

Wooden houses with blue roof tiles, set among the mountains. The buildings, mostly two-storied, sat nestled amidst the mist, creating an ethereal aura. The place resembled a picturesque paradise.

A voice from behind chimed in, "I had a hunch we'd be filming in the Miao ethnic region, but I never thought it'd be true!"

Sounds of astonishment echoed from the rear.

Turning around, Shen Xingsui and Shen Xingchen spotted Professors Tu Ya and Li, who also appeared captivated by the breathtaking landscape, their faces lit up with awe.

Other guests began arriving shortly after.

An Ran approached, holding some pastries, and generously offered, "I made these myself. Everyone must be hungry after the flight, so feel free to share."

When he approached Shen Xingsui, Shen replied, "Thank you, but I brought my own snacks."

An Ran curiously inquired, "What did you bring?"

"Just some simple rice balls," Shen Xingsui pulled them out of his bag, "You can have some if you're hungry."

Initially, everyone was enjoying An Ran's cakes and appreciating his thoughtful gesture, but upon seeing Shen Xingsui's rice balls, their attention shifted:

"These rice balls are 'simple'?"

"So adorable, they're shaped like little animals!"

"Hahaha, they look absolutely delicious!"

Shen Xingsui bashfully chuckled, "My mother made them. She'd be delighted to know you all like them."

While they conversed, more people approached from the distance. The number of cameramen tailing them was notably larger. Occasional cheers from fans and greetings from staff were faintly heard. The stature and entourage indicated the identity of the approaching guest, even without a direct sighting.

Fu Jinxiao was seen discreetly conversing with his staff.

The man was dressed in a black trench coat with a light-colored woolen sweater underneath. His tall, slender figure was complemented by dark sunglasses, making him look somewhat aloof in the chilly winter breeze.

Recognizing his prominence, other guests promptly began greeting him:

"Professor Fu."

"Happy New Year, Master Fu."

"Professor Fu..."

Of course, An Ran, being the outgoing one, approached Fu Jinxiao with his pastries and offered, "Professor Fu, are you hungry after your flight? I made these treats myself. Would you like to try one?"

Fu Jinxiao cast a brief glance and replied, "I ate on my way here."

An Ran, slightly embarrassed, simply nodded, not daring to say more.

Yet after Fu Jinxiao spoke, his gaze shifted to Shen Xingsui, who was not far away. He strode past a line of people, moving directly towards Shen Xingsui. His towering presence was somewhat intimidating. Shen Xingsui, still holding a box, looked startled.

Fu Jinxiao removed his sunglasses to look at him, his handsome features seemingly tinged with exhaustion. "I had an urgent call to City B the other day at noon and couldn't come to see you," he said.

Shen Xingsui was taken aback.

He knew that such personal matters didn't require sharing. However, the fact that Fu Jinxiao mentioned it brought an inexplicable joy to him.

Shen Xingsui replied, "Oh, okay... Please take care of yourself and don't overwork."

It seemed that Fu Jinxiao had been working around the clock, stepping in to help a friend with a rehearsal for an evening gala. His fatigue was apparent. He had caught up on sleep during the car ride and seemed to have just awakened. He asked, "Did you bring these rice balls?"

Shen Xingsui nodded.

Fu Jinxiao softly said, "I'd like to try one."

Concerned, Shen Xingsui quickly offered, "Let me get you some gloves. I still have half a box left, and more in my bag."

Fu Jinxiao responded, "That's enough. Don't fuss. I'd like just a couple."

At this moment, An Ran approached, his pastries in tow. Taking advantage of the live camera, he playfully complained, "Teacher Fu, didn't you say you had eaten?"

Fu Jinxiao glanced at him, raising an eyebrow with a smirk, "I never said I was full."

"..."

An Ran had to concede to Fu Jinxiao's cunning logic.

The director, noticing everyone had gathered, began his introduction, "Hello everyone, welcome to the new season of 'Starry Nights'. We're thrilled to meet you all here. Today, we will be exploring the beautiful and mysterious Miao ethnic group. Over the next five days and four nights, we will immerse ourselves in their culture and become one with nature."

The crowd clapped in agreement.

The director smiled, "You all worked hard last time, so consider this a vacation. Relax and enjoy."

No one believed his sweet talk.

If the production team was ever generous, pigs might fly.

Indeed, as everyone trekked down the path to the village, they were met with two tables of dishes. All the food was covered halfway with table cloths, but even from a distance, a strong sour aroma wafted through the air.

The director elaborated, "As we know, the Miao people have always favored sour dishes. Today, as a rite of passage into their community, you'll try some of their delicacies. On the tables are sour fish soup, pickled beef, and spicy sour chicken."

That sounded incredibly sour.

The overwhelming sour scent was complemented by a hint of fragrance. For those who loved sour foods, it was paradise. For those who didn’t, it was pure torture.

Seeing the pained expressions on most of the guests, the director laughed, "Each of you will take turns tasting a dish. The others will only see the upper half of the person eating and won't know what he or she is consuming. Among the dishes, one is not sour but sweet. If, in the end, you can identify the person who ate the sweet dish, you all win. If not, the person who ate the sweet dish and those who guessed wrongly will be the winners."

In other words, it was a test of their acting skills.

In the end, only two Oscar-winning actors will prevail, and most here are spirited young talents.

The director eventually dropped the bombshell: “The winning guest will have the privilege of making a request to one of the losers, which they can't refuse.”

The crowd erupted in excitement.

【Game Begins】

The first to take the challenge was Shen Xingchen. The young master strode confidently behind the curtain, took a seat, and glanced at the dish before him. His previously smug expression vanished instantly. He took another sniff, and his eyebrows furrowed deeply.

The others speculated:

"Is it a vegetable?"

"I bet it's a veggie."

"If it's not a vegetable but a dessert, then his acting is Oscar-worthy!"

Shen Xingchen, under the production team's urging, picked up a piece of the food, put it into his mouth, and began chewing. The others, blocked by the curtain, couldn't see what he was eating and could only guess from his reactions.

When Shen Xingchen lifted his head, his expression had been soured considerably, yet he remarked, "Delicious! So sweet! What a tasty dessert."

The other guests: "..."

The live stream audience burst into laughter:

"Hahaha!"

"God, so tasty!"

"Kid, if it's too much, just give up."

After sampling all three dishes, Shen Xingchen seemed almost numb. Once done, he grabbed a bottle of water from a crew member and gulped it down furiously.

Soon, it was the turn of the next guest.

When Teacher Tuya sat down, her brows knitted together as well. She tasted the dish, contorted her face momentarily, then quickly resumed her usual composure, smiling, "Mmm, quite delightful! You should try it later; it's truly delicious!"

The other guests remained silent once more.

Then it was Fu Jinxiao's turn. All eyes were on him.

Fu, the acclaimed actor, glimpsed the dish in front of him and raised an eyebrow in surprise. He took a bite, maintaining a calm demeanor throughout, occasionally nodding in approval. Despite being behind a curtain, he appeared as if he was leisurely dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The other participants began to wonder:

"Is that a dessert?"

"It seems like a dessert."

"But he's an Oscar-winning actor."

"Don't tell me you were fooled by him?"

Shen Xingchen nearby remarked, "Honestly, anyone who says that hasn’t tasted it. It was incredibly sour, unbearably so. I've had Miao ethnic dishes before, and they were never this acidic. The producers must've heightened the difficulty. The sourness was as if a bowl of vinegar had a few veggies added."

The rest of the group initially seemed skeptical. But when they tried it, they struggled to keep their composure due to the overwhelming sourness.

Shen Xingsui tried to hide his reaction, but he's never been good with sour foods. The instant he ate, his facial expression gave him away, essentially leading to his immediate elimination.

The production team finally initiated a voting session.

Everyone was skeptical that, despite Fu Jinxiao's acting prowess, he could handle such acidity. Consequently, the group collectively voted against him. Only Teacher Li sighed, "You all are still so naive."

After tallying the votes, the director revealed a knowing smile, announcing, "Let's announce who got the dessert— it’s Teacher Tuya!"

The group was left in stunned silence.

So, did this mean Fu Jinxiao also had the sour dish?!

The group cast incredulous stares at Fu Jinxiao, who responded with an innocent grin, "Actually, the sour dish was quite tasty."

Tuya, laughing beside him, remarked, "You all underestimate your Teacher Fu. For a role, he had to pretend spoiled cabbage tasted delicious. He's endured far worse than these dishes."

Respect washed over the faces of the others.

The director interjected, "Alright, it's time for our winners to claim their privileges. You can issue a challenge or make a request of any of the losing participants."

Tuya was granted the first opportunity.

After contemplating briefly, she smilingly said to Teacher Li, "Last time, you brought me that spicy chicken from your home, and it was delicious. Could you bring some more for me next time?"

Teacher Li, with a mix of amusement and resignation, replied, "Of course."

And that was that.

Now, it was Fu Jinxiao's turn. The production team reminded, "Brother Fu, you can also choose a participant and make a request."

Fu Jinxiao took the card, playing with it briefly. Soon, his gaze settled on Shen Xingsui. His deep-set eyes held an emotion Shen couldn't quite grasp, inducing a slight tension.

Fu Jinxiao, a smirk playing on his lips, said, "I have an unconventional request for Teacher Shen."

Feeling the weight of the cameras and the audience, Shen Xingsui tried to remain composed, replying, "What is it?"

Seemingly oblivious to the cameras and other guests, Fu Jinxiao stood there, basking in the afternoon sun. He looked straight into Shen's eyes, a hint of mischief evident, and asked, "Would you be with me?"