My cousin asked me to go to Wuha, and Hanikezi stuck to me.

"You're not allowed to leave me this time."

Before the echoes of those words had even faded, Deng Chao had already taken the lead in clapping, Lu Han was whistling beside him, and Chen Chichi covered his face and took two steps back, his face clearly saying, "I don't know this woman."

Old Wang rushed out from behind the monitor, clutching a walkie-talkie, his smile almost splitting his face.

"Alright, alright, everyone, quiet down!" Old Wang clapped his hands twice, forcibly pulling the scene back from the CP frenzy. "Let me first tell you about the theme of this episode: Small Town Life Experience."

"The rules are simple: everyone is divided into groups and completes various life tasks in this ancient town to earn points. Points can be exchanged for accommodation and food at night. The group with the fewest points can only sleep on straw mats and eat plain porridge."

Deng Chao raised his hand to interrupt him.

"What's the grouping method? Don't tell me it's another draw."

Old Wang chuckled and glanced between Chen Yi and Hanikezi.

"Considering the audience feedback from the last episode, we have decided to continue with the same well-matched pairing from the previous episode."

"Chen Yi and Hanikezi are in the same group."

The staff burst into knowing laughter, and the sound engineer took a half-step forward with his boomstick.

Chen Chichi was the first to jump out and protest.

"Why should I?! I'm his cousin, isn't blood relation stronger than being variety show partners?"

Old Wang patted him on the shoulder, his tone sincere.

"Chi, you'll be paired with Deng Chao."

That's not what I meant!

"Teacher Chen, do you mean the audience doesn't care?" Old Wang turned and left.

Chen Chichi stood there, mouth agape, when Deng Chao walked over and hooked his arm around his shoulder.

"Come on, bro, aren't you tired of being a third wheel?"

"Who's being a third wheel?! I'm protecting my cousin!"

Lu Han was assigned to the solo group, and before leaving, she turned back and called out to him.

"Brother Yi, I'm leaving your wife in your care now!"

"Lu Han, say it again." Chen Yi said calmly, holding his teacup.

Lu Han raised her hands in surrender and ran away laughing.

Hanikezi listened the whole time, her blush never fading, but the smile on her lips never faded either.

She turned to look at Chen Yi.

"What's our first task?"

Chen Yi glanced down at the task card handed to him by the staff, which had four characters written on it.

"Buy groceries and cook."

"That's great!" Hanikzi's eyes lit up. "I'm still craving the big plate chicken you made last time!"

"Last time it was for the competition, this time it's for survival." Chen Yi put the mission card into his pocket, stood up and walked towards the market. "We have limited points, we can't waste them."

Hanikezi jogged up to catch up, the hem of her red dress swaying gently on the bluestone pavement.

"I brought my bargaining skills with me, don't worry!"

The moment the two walked side by side into the ancient town market, two cameras were set up simultaneously to film them. The crowd density was much greater than expected, with vendors' shouts and tourists' laughter mingling together.

Chen Yi's height was particularly noticeable in the crowd. His black traditional Chinese style coat, paired with his clean-cut face, made him the center of attention wherever he went.

Hani Kezi walked beside him, carrying a shopping basket. Her red dress and braided hair created a striking image that made passersby stop and take out their phones.

An older woman whispered to her companion.

"Hey, look at those two young people, aren't they filming a TV series?"

"Why would they be filming a TV series with so many cameras following it? It must be a variety show."

"The guy is so handsome, and the girl is so pretty. Are they a couple?"

Hanikezi listened intently to everything she heard, and unconsciously moved closer to Chen Yi.

"Why are you getting so close? There are cameras filming behind us." Chen Yi turned his head to look at her.

"I'm afraid of getting lost," Hanikzi said matter-of-factly.

"You're 1.7 meters tall, if you get lost I can find you even if I stand still."

"What if you can't find it?"

"Then I'll cook for myself and save on ingredients."

"Chen Yi!" Hanikezi reached out to pinch his arm.

Chen Yi subtly stepped aside and took the vegetable basket from her hands.

Hanikezi paused for a moment, looked down at her empty hand, and when she looked up again, Chen Yi was already walking ahead, carrying the bamboo basket in one hand, his steps casual.

She stood there, the corners of her mouth uncontrollably curving upwards.

The cameraman gave his colleague a wink from behind the camera and gave him a thumbs up.

At that moment, the mechanical electronic voice suddenly rang in Chen Yi's mind without warning.

"Ding!"

Hidden quest triggered!

A blue virtual screen popped up, with gold text flashing and jumping on it.

Hidden Quest: Best Couple

"Task objective: Achieve first place in the Best Couple vote during this episode's recording."

"Task Reward: One Stage Performance (Beginner) skill, and 2,000 popularity points."

Chen Yi paused for a moment.

He reread the mission description, especially the phrase "number one in the best CP vote".

What is this system doing?

Last time they gave him a talent challenge, and this time they're giving him a CP (couple) challenge?

"Chen Yi? Why did you stop?" Hanikezi caught up from behind, tilting her head to look at him.

Chen Yi waved his hand to turn off the screen in his mind, his expression remaining unchanged.

"I'm checking which stall has the freshest vegetables."

"You're lying! You were clearly spacing out just now!"

"I'm contemplating life."

"What is there to contemplate about life?"

"Think about what dish to cook tonight that will make you eat less and save us some points."

"What's wrong with you!" Hanikzi stomped her foot angrily. "I finally managed to get permission from my manager to not have to control my diet today, and you're telling me to eat less?"

Chen Yi turned to look at her, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Then buy more."

Hanikezi was stunned for a moment, then her whole face lit up with a smile.

"That's more like it! Come on, I see they're selling mutton up ahead!"

She grabbed Chen Yi's sleeve and pulled him forward, completely forgetting that there were two cameras faithfully recording everything behind them.

Chen Yi was pulled forward by her, while the system panel in his mind quietly displayed the task progress bar in the corner of his field of vision.

He suddenly remembered what Xiao Fang had said.

The entire internet is waiting for the second episode featuring the two of you together.

It seems the system is waiting too.

Ps:

[Thank you everyone for clicking "update"! 4 chapters today!]

[Don't forget to add it to your bookshelf and request more updates after you're done reading! Your support is my motivation to keep writing!]