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

The backyard of the whole roasted lamb restaurant.

Chen Chichi, with a toothpick in his mouth, peeked into the corridor and dragged Chen Yi, who had just come out of the restroom, into a corner piled with clutter.

"What are you doing?" Chen Yi patted his wrinkled sleeve.

Chen Chichi spat out the toothpick, crossed his arms, and adopted an interrogation stance.

"You tell me the truth, kid," Chen Chichi said in a low voice, his gaze piercing. "How far have you two gotten?"

Chen Yiming feigned ignorance, asking, "Which step?"

"Stop playing dumb with me!" Chen Chichi slapped a wooden pillar next to him. "Do you really think the whole crew is blind? Yesterday you pretended not to know me, today you're seamlessly handing me tissues and accepting bamboo skewers. You don't even need to say a word while cooking, just handing me whatever I want. The most outrageous thing was just now!"

Chen Chichi raised three fingers, becoming more and more excited as he spoke.

"Someone just scraped their finger, and you were so worried you almost overturned the stove! The other day I got a huge cut from a tree branch while filming a show, and you didn't even get me a band-aid!"

Chen Yi lifted his eyelids, his tone completely flat: "You're thick-skinned, putting a band-aid on you is a waste of medical resources."

"Don't change the subject!" Chen Chichi said angrily. "Give me a straight answer! Are you together or not? Don't play dumb with me. I'll help you keep it a secret, but you have to tell me the truth."

Chen Yi looked at Chen Chichi's serious expression.

Three seconds later, Chen Yi nodded.

Although Chen Chichi had expected it, he still gasped when he heard it confirmed with his own ears.

He looked around to make sure there were no microphones before approaching Chen Yi.

"Are you crazy?" Chen Chichi spoke rapidly. "She's currently in the rising phase, and the scandals at Xingyu Media have just been resolved. If her relationship were to break out now, her fans would tear you apart!"

"So I don't plan to go public." Chen Yi said calmly, "I'll wait until I've fully set up the studio and have enough capital to back her up before we talk about it."

Chen Chichi looked at his cousin, who was several years younger than him.

This kid not only has a quick mind, but he also has a clear plan for his escape route and future.

"Okay." Chen Chichi took a deep breath and patted Chen Yi's shoulder heavily. "Since you're serious, I'll cover for you guys in front of the camera from now on. But remember, she's a good girl. If you hurt her, I'll be the first to not forgive you."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow: "How do you plan to cover this up?"

"I'll help you guys stir things up during the recording this afternoon." Chen Chichi raised his chin, his face full of smugness. "That old fox Lao Wang's eyes were practically glowing with greed as he watched the monitor at noon; he definitely spotted something fishy. With me here, he won't be able to capture even a single glimpse of you two together, all that pink bubble!"

Two o'clock in the afternoon, by Erhai Lake.

The wind picked up, and white waves surged across the lake.

Old Wang sat in front of the monitor in the director's booth, using a walkie-talkie to direct the camera positions.

Chen Yi and Hanikezi walked side by side to the shore.

Before the two had even settled down, Chen Chichi dashed forward and squeezed between them.

He shoved Chen Yi aside with a shove, pushing him half a step away without any hesitation.

"Honey! How exactly do you make those Xinjiang-style baked buns? Tell me about it!" Chen Chichi gestured exaggeratedly, his loud voice making the microphone vibrate.

Hanikezi was startled and took a half step back, looking to Chen Yi for help.

Chen Yi put one hand in his pocket, watching his cousin's exaggerated acting, and his lips twitched slightly.

Deng Chao walked over and kicked Chen Chichi in the shin.

"Are you out of your mind? Why are you trying to steal the spotlight!" Deng Chao yelled. "They're tied together with a red rope, and you have to step in between them, trying to be a stumbling block?"

"Brother Chao, you don't understand!" Chen Chichi said matter-of-factly, sticking out his belly. "I'm protecting the safety of unmarried young women! My cousin's face attracts too many women, I have to help him fend them off!"

The live stream chat instantly filled the screen with comments.

What triggered Chen Hechi today?

"I'm dying of laughter! Chichi's posture while guarding against thieves is hilarious!"

"I have a feeling he's deliberately trying to break them up; he's such a bright third wheel!"

"It's confirmed that my cousin is unloved by his uncle and maternal grandparents!"

Old Wang raised his megaphone and interrupted the noise.

"Attention all groups! This afternoon's outdoor task is a double kayak race on Erhai Lake!" Old Wang shouted energetically. "The route is to paddle from here to the island in the middle of the lake on the other side, collect the task card, and then return. We'll stick to the same groups as this morning!"

Chen Chichi immediately raised his hand and protested loudly.

"Director! I request to switch teams! My cousin is afraid of water! I want to be in a team with Hani!"

Old Wang sneered, completely unmoved by that.

"Protest denied." Old Wang stared at Chen Yi and Hanikezi. "Chen Yi, Hanikezi, you two get on that red boat. It's windy on the lake today, so wear your life jackets and be careful."

Chen Yi stepped forward and took two life jackets from the staff.

Chen Chichi moved closer to Chen Yi and, under the guise of adjusting his collar, quickly gave instructions in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"That old rascal Wang is really cunning. He deliberately chose a windy time to put you on the same boat, he definitely wants to film you having physical contact. You better stay calm! Don't you dare hug or kiss in front of the camera!"

Chen Yi unfolded the life jacket and handed one to Hanikezi.

"Mind your own business," Chen Yi replied.

Hanikezi put on a life jacket and looked at the turbulent lake, her face turning pale.

Chen Yi first stepped onto the kayak, using his legs to stabilize the swaying boat, then turned around and reached out his hand to her.

"Come on up, I'll help you," Chen Yi said calmly.

Hanikezi extended her hand and carefully stepped into the cabin.

Chen Chichi stood on the shore, jumping up and down in a panic, shouting at the camera lens of camera number three.

"Cousin! Don't touch her like that! Hold on tight! Don't lead that girl astray!"

Deng Chao couldn't stand it any longer, so he grabbed Chen Chichi from behind and dragged him onto the blue kayak.

"Stop worrying about it! Get on the boat!"

Four kayaks were pushed away from the shore one after another.

The wind suddenly picked up in the center of the lake.

The red kayak had barely traveled fifty meters when a wave half a meter high crashed into it. The boat tilted violently, and a feeling of weightlessness washed over it instantly. Hanikezi cried out in alarm, completely losing her balance and plummeting straight towards Chen Yi.