With progress unexpectedly delayed by a week, the schedule became much tighter.
The day after wrapping up, Liang Xiao didn’t delay much and transferred directly from the film set to the variety show recording location.
“The arrangement is indeed rushed.”
The person in charge of the program specially came over to coordinate, particularly apologetic: “We’ve discussed it, but all the itineraries here were booked in advance, and the time really can’t be adjusted…”
“It’s my personal situation,” Liang Xiao smiled. “I’ve caused trouble for the program team.”
The person in charge saw his accommodating attitude and also breathed a sigh of relief, repeatedly saying it was no trouble, while carefully glancing at President Huo, who was resting with his eyes closed nearby.
“Tea Time” was a vacation-type variety show focusing on survival and exploration, mainly finding various niche locations away from the hustle and bustle of cities for guests. The crew provided all basic supplies, and guests lived together for four days and three nights in a communal lodging format.
To increase the program’s entertainment value, the production team often set up segments and challenges for the guests. Due to the overall high degree of freedom, compatibility with multiple groups of guests, and seamless integration of hard and soft advertisements, it had become the first choice for many film crews’ joint promotional activities.
The program team had dealt with top-tier celebrities many times and was familiar with various business models. Having reached its fourth season, it had already taken on promotional work for many film crews.
Things like investors spending money to insert people or using variety shows to gain fans were certainly no longer isolated cases.
…But it was the first time an investor had spent money to insert the investor himself.
The acquisition of Long Tao and the cutting of branch families—Huo Corporation’s recent thunderous methods had intimidated people both inside and outside the circle. Although the program team and Xingguan’s business scope didn’t conflict, the person in charge couldn’t help but feel nervous when in close contact with the head of Huo Corporation.
“Outside of recording, assistant teams are allowed to participate in principle, and we’ve arranged unified accommodation.”
The person in charge didn’t dare to communicate much with President Huo, lowered his voice slightly, and cautiously asked Liang Xiao for his opinion: “Regarding guest accommodation-”
Liang Xiao knew what he wanted to ask: “President Huo and I will share a room.”
The person in charge breathed a long sigh of relief: “Good, good.”
“The program rules remain as usual, no need for adjustments or changes.”
Liang Xiao thoughtfully added: “If there’s anything that needs to be edited and adjusted in post-production, we can discuss it with the program team.”
The person in charge rarely encountered such a reasonable guest, was particularly moved, nodded repeatedly in thanks, and handed the detailed process he had prepared to Liang Xiao.
This variety show was to complement the promotion of “Year’s End.” With satellite TV broadcasting about to end, the video website’s traffic was poised to surge, and they needed strong promotional support.
The “Year’s End” crew had rarely gathered together, and even Director Song had been tricked into coming to the program by the producer and screenwriter using mahjong tiles.
Along with Xingguan’s elite CEO who had gone viral early on for his looks, this unexpected convergence of top figures from various circles would undoubtedly have an explosive impact on traffic when broadcast.
The program team didn’t dare to be negligent and had specially adjusted the plan several times, searching from the northern frontier in the first few episodes all the way to the picturesque Jiangnan, finally deciding on the location after repeated deliberation.
“It’s a mountain without a name, the mountain path isn’t easy to walk, but the scenery is beautiful.”
The person in charge introduced to him: “There’s a small plain in the mountains, with flowing water and tea gardens.”
The person in charge flipped through a tablet computer and showed photos to Liang Xiao: “There are several other mountains nearby, all more famous than this one. Tourists are mostly attracted to those, so this area has almost no one except tea farmers.”
Liang Xiao took it and looked at several photos carefully, nodding: “It’s really beautiful.”
Jiangnan has a mild climate and has always had many tea gardens. Tea gardens are usually built following the contours of mountains. May and June are just the time when branches and leaves are lush, with mountains and waters connecting, tea colors verdant, and clouds and mist particularly pleasing to the eye.
Liang Xiao had been looking at the vast protective forests in the Gobi Desert for several months. Looking at the photos, he felt quite refreshed. He nudged President Huo and put the tablet in his hands.
His attitude was casual, but the person in charge beside him was already on tenterhooks, watching nervously as President Huo frowned slightly and opened his eyes.
President Huo instinctively raised his arm, stopped halfway, and let it fall back on his leg as he took the tablet: “What is it?”
Liang Xiao suppressed a smile, coughed lightly, and relayed the person in charge’s introduction to their President Huo.
“The climate is good, and so is the scenery,” Liang Xiao said seriously, turning to flip through the photos for him. “There aren’t many people nearby, it’s very quiet…”
President Huo looked at several photos without much reaction and was about to hand the tablet back when his movement suddenly paused.
Liang Xiao was blocking the view with his body, and a hand reached over from an angle the person in charge couldn’t see, touching the back of President Huo’s hand lightly.
President Huo instinctively turned his wrist and held that hand.
Liang Xiao cleared his throat and tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth.
Last night at the wrap party, President Huo had maintained distance by carrying him out of the set, worrying the butler who had earnestly advised him for half the day. He had even deliberately used alarmist tactics, presenting the impact on Mr. Liang’s reputation in various aspects, frightening President Huo for half the evening.
The film set was of a closed nature, with all staff having signed confidentiality agreements and being well aware of these matters, so there wouldn’t be any consequences.
The semi-open environment of variety show filming already required attention to behavior.
Before coming to film the variety show today, President Huo had finally formally agreed to the plan of pretending to be unfamiliar and cold in public. On the plane ride over, he had been studying “Guidelines for Correctly Maintaining Distance from Mr. Liang” while it snowed.
“We arrived early,” Liang Xiao, who had been making small snowmen all the way, wanted to cheer up their President Huo and didn’t withdraw his hand. “We can pick rooms first.”
“Yes, yes,” the person in charge, who had been holding his breath waiting for this sentence, mustered the courage to respond. “There are five rooms, all in different locations. Guests pick first, and the remaining one is for the crew…”
The person in charge spoke while giving Liang Xiao a grateful look.
Although industry rumors said President Huo was strict and cold, looking at the current situation, that didn’t seem entirely true.
He had been talking with his artist for several sentences, and President Huo hadn’t shown any impatience; he even seemed to be listening quite attentively.
The person in charge felt somewhat relieved and was about to come closer to explain in detail when he suddenly shivered from an inexplicable chill.
The person in charge swallowed, cautiously fell silent, and gradually moved back to his original position.
Maintaining distance, the person in charge sat at the front of the vehicle, introducing to the guests at the back from afar: “They’re all wooden cabins.”
Liang Xiao suppressed a smile, released his hand, and turned back: “Please continue.”
…
Considering the filming effect, the unified activity area wasn’t in any of the six rooms but was set in the spacious old house of the tea mountain owner at the foot of the mountain.
To complement the promotion, the five wooden cabins were all homestay experiences, each with its own characteristics. Two were at the foot of the mountain, two were staggered on the mountainside, and one was at the top of the mountain, with styles and views all different.
“Year’s End” had brought four groups of guests, with the remaining room for the crew’s activities, first come, first served. They hadn’t delayed; they had flown directly from the film set after wrapping up, becoming the first group to arrive.
“Each room has its own special features.”
The person in charge carefully chose his words: “Rooms One and Two are by the tea garden, both equipped with tea rooms. Room Three is more modern, with a projector. Room Four has a hot spring…”
Liang Xiao’s eyes immediately brightened, but remembering his public image, he quickly suppressed it and nodded calmly.
The person in charge didn’t dare approach rashly again, paused, and looked at the tablet computer still in President Huo’s hands: “…”
Liang Xiao understood the hint, thoughtfully confiscated the tablet from their President Huo, and handed it back.
The person in charge looked at him with a mix of respect and awe: “Thank you…”
“No need to thank me,” Liang Xiao said politely. “President Huo is also easy to get along with. If you have anything to say, you can speak directly to President Huo just the same.”
The person in charge was half-believing, cautiously looking toward President Huo in the back seat.
The car stopped outside the tea garden at the foot of the mountain. The program team had already set up for recording, with cameras and staff in position at the site, making it particularly lively and busy.
Inside the car was quiet and still. President Huo wasn’t looking out the window but was flipping through the plan Liang Xiao had passed to him page by page.
The atmosphere was solemn and severe.
The person in charge didn’t dare to say more, nodded hurriedly, and quickly escaped from the car.
–
Not long after the two arrived, the other groups of guests also arrived at the old house one after another.
Most of the buildings in the mountains used wooden mortise and tenon joints, which, combined with the adjacent tea garden, were already particularly elegant and otherworldly. Liang Xiao couldn’t resist pulling President Huo around for a couple of turns before returning to the empty drying area specially used for recording, where he had already seen several familiar faces.
Su Man and Liang Xiao hadn’t seen each other for several months. Seeing him come around from behind the house, she went over to greet him first.
Liang Xiao smiled: “Sister Man.”
“It’s really not easy to see you,” Su Man was also with Xingguan and roughly knew the schedule of fellow company artists. “Why are you rushing like this, not enough money?”
Liang Xiao had filmed with Su Man for a month but still couldn’t handle her straightforward bandit-like manner. He was speechless: “Enough… just more unexpected expenses.”
President Huo was listening to the program team’s work report. Liang Xiao had intended to come out to say hello and then go back to rescue the entire program team. Seeing Jiang Pingchao standing alone, silent and cold, he couldn’t help but be curious: “Sister Man, are you in the same group as Teacher Jiang?”
“I’d be crazy to be in the same group as him.”
Su Man, free from the constraints of her character in the drama, was merciless: “Whoever dares to add coriander to my beef noodles is dead.”
Liang Xiao: “…”
Liang Xiao coughed lightly, trying hard to be kind and maintain seriousness: “Teacher Jiang probably doesn’t want to either…”
Considering Jiang Pingchao’s behavior during his susceptible period, Liang Xiao had always been vaguely curious whether the reason young Jiang Pingchao cried during his differentiation period was because his pheromones smelled like coriander.
Unable to verify, Liang Xiao suppressed his exploratory desire and returned to the main topic: “How are the groups arranged?”
“He’s with Actor Meng,” Su Man said. “Brothers loving and killing each other in the drama, the audience has accumulated a bunch of bold ideas, all waiting with microscopes for the variety show.”
The character of Yun Lian in “Year’s End” was an unexpected addition; the main storyline still revolved around the brothers Jing Ming and Jing Zhe, played by Meng Feibai and Jiang Pingchao.
Jing Ming was versatile and inscrutable in the business world, seemingly willing to do anything for profit on the surface, but secretly a pure red businessman. Jing Zhe appeared to be a playboy who didn’t care about the world, but had actually long been recruited as an undercover agent for special missions.
The brothers suspected each other and investigated each other in secret. Every night they returned home with deep concerns that the other might be an enemy, delivering intense performances that led to a series of tragicomic misunderstandings, mixed with many touching and heart-wrenching moments.
The audience was particularly interested in this love-hate brother combination. After the first round of broadcasting, there had already been quite a bit of spontaneous passionate output.
Liang Xiao was prepared for this but was still taken aback: “Chi Che-”
Su Man: “His manager?”
Jiang Pingchao had even hit Su Man in anger for his manager; their relationship was no secret in the crew.
Liang Xiao didn’t expose it, looked around but couldn’t find the person, and nodded.
“Guess,” Su Man crossed her arms and gestured. “Why has Jiang Pingchao now become a silent, cold, coriander-scented mute?”
Liang Xiao: “…”
“During every alpha’s susceptible period, there’s an omega bravely venturing into the world.”
Su Man sighed: “His manager won’t let him make their relationship public, strictly requires him to come out and maintain his public image, and even threatened that if he doesn’t cooperate, when he goes home for hot pot in the future, they’ll only have Chinese toon sprouts.”
Su Man had come in the same car as Jiang Pingchao and was hearing this unique threat for the first time: “What are Chinese toon sprouts, more terrifying than coriander?”
“…” Liang Xiao nodded with profound respect and trepidation: “It depends on the person.”
Just as some people like coriander, Liang Xiao still remembered when he was in Jiangnan years ago, excitedly picking a bag of Chinese toon sprouts based on what he’d seen on TV, washing them clean, stir-frying them with eggs, and pulling Huo Lan over to taste them.
Little Liang Xiao hadn’t dared to eat it at the time, watching as young Huo Lan lost all ideals and hope for a full three days.
Since then, he had never dared to try it rashly again.
Su Man had originally been somewhat interested, but after hearing him explain, she also respectfully declined and had her assistant delete Chinese toon sprouts from the shopping list.
“But his manager is also following the filming,” Su Man said. “I don’t know how they arranged it… It seems the manager wears a mask, blends into his follow PD team, and they still have opportunities to be alone.”
Liang Xiao nodded: “In the drama, Jing Zhe also stubbornly claims not to like his big brother, so it should be fine.”
Su Man made no comment, just nodded slightly: “I’m paired with his sister-in-law, Yu Zhi. You two haven’t acted together, so you’re not familiar.”
Yu Zhi was also a Xingguan artist who played the wife of the older brother Jing Ming in the drama. Her temperament was completely opposite to Su Man’s—a gentle, soft-spoken omega girl. Her characteristics weren’t particularly distinctive among the main cast, but she was an indispensable mediator between the brothers.
Liang Xiao could at least withstand some rough handling, but Su Man had never been paired with a female omega and was somewhat uncomfortable: “Can’t bump, can’t knock… troublesome…”
Su Man lost interest and didn’t say much more, circling back to the topic: “The director is with Screenwriter Pei, and the producer is sharing a room with them, the three counted as one group.”
Regardless of the actors’ own attitudes, such pairings undoubtedly maximized the satisfaction of “Year’s End” viewers’ needs and could create the most possibilities through character interactions.
Complaints aside, everyone had been in the industry for many years and knew how to be professional, so their emotions wouldn’t affect the program recording.
Su Man counted through everyone for him and couldn’t help but be curious: “What about you?”
Liang Xiao was taken aback: “What?”
“Your partner,” Su Man said. “We discussed earlier and thought you wouldn’t come at all.”
Su Man reasoned logically: “Yun Lian doesn’t have many close friends. Based on frequency of contact and CP potential, they could pair you with an umbrella…”
“…No,” Liang Xiao’s voice was slightly hoarse. “I-”
Halfway through his sentence, he sensed something and looked up.
Su Man was taken aback and also turned to look: “…”
Su Man: “What is President Huo here for?”
Liang Xiao thought carefully: “To be an umbrella.”
Su Man: “…”
Liang Xiao: “…”
Su Man pondered for a while: “Do you know what our next segment is?”
Liang Xiao had roughly looked at the process: “Pick rooms, allocate resources through game rankings, settle in the rooms, return to the old house for activities…”
“That’s enough,” Su Man interrupted. “Do you know what the game is?”
These more detailed segments should be in each day’s individual script. Liang Xiao shook his head and smiled: “If it requires operational skills, leave it to me. With President Huo here, we can handle any intelligence-testing questions-”
Su Man: “Charades—I act, you guess.”
Liang Xiao: “…”
Su Man had watched “Frozen” and preemptively prevented their team from cheating: “You can’t use pheromones to mold it.”
Liang Xiao opened his mouth but didn’t immediately answer, pressing his forehead.
President Huo had encountered Jiang Pingchao on the way, and the two were communicating telepathically. Su Man looked back and couldn’t help but sigh: “We originally thought that having one mute with social skill issues in this game would be devastating enough…”
The two top alphas stood in silence, their oppressive auras intimidating half the people at the venue, who hardly dared to breathe.
Chi Che couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He went over to greet President Huo, then forcibly dragged Jiang Pingchao away into the rest area provided by the program team.
Liang Xiao hurriedly said goodbye to Su Man and also wanted to go retrieve President Huo, but remembering their current distance setting, he pondered for a while before taking out a notepad from his pocket.
…
“Please rest assured.”
Xingguan’s PR department head, trying to make amends, came over specially to coordinate, amiably reassuring the startled program team: “President Huo won’t request special treatment. Everything will be recorded according to the program’s principles. If there are any issues, you can always find Mr. Liang.”
The person in charge couldn’t help but cautiously inquire: “Is the scope of work for your company’s artists… so broad?”
The PR department head had already been educated by reality and was well-prepared, very calm: “Mr. Liang and President Huo have other contracts. The capable take on more work.”
The person in charge was startled: “What contracts?”
“You may not know,” the PR department head explained vividly. “Our President Huo is a special variant-type alpha, and his pheromones happen to match with Mr. Liang’s…”
This matter was originally an absolute secret within Huo Corporation. Once leaked, it would be highly possible for someone with ulterior motives to use this to scheme against their President Huo.
But now there was no such concern.
Their President Huo had chosen the most time-consuming and energy-intensive form of permanent marking. From Mr. Liang producing hail for several days and President Huo producing fog, it was evident that their pheromones had merged with each other, both undergoing stable changes.
While marking his omega, an alpha would also be reverse-marked through the fusion, no longer affected by any other pheromones.
The recent rumors about Liang Xiao being kept needed urgent resolution, but they couldn’t fully go public. This previously signed contract conveniently explained everything.
The team intended to use the program to create momentum. The PR department head, bearing a heavy responsibility, remained unruffled: “Mr. Liang often needs President Huo to temporarily mark him, and because of frequent contact, he’s more familiar with President Huo.”
“But our President Huo has no extra feelings for Mr. Liang,” the PR department head emphasized. “Mr. Liang is also completely innocent. Apart from being a contracted artist of Xingguan, he and President Huo only have a pure relationship between pheromones and pheromones.”
The person in charge understood: “A transactional relationship, mutually beneficial.”
“Correct,” the PR department head nodded. “A cold monetary transaction.”
The person in charge was somewhat relieved, breathed a sigh of relief, and nodded. Just as he was about to speak, he watched as a paper ball from Liang Xiao’s hand hit President Huo’s cold head: “…”
The PR department head salvaged the situation: “That’s a signal, indicating that Mr. Liang’s gland is ready and can provide pheromones at any time.”
The PR department head sighed: “Mr. Liang’s pheromones are too gentle for President Huo to detect, so he can only notify him through physical means.”
The person in charge was half-believing as he watched President Huo grab the paper ball. The cold aura that had persisted for half the day finally eased. President Huo opened it, looked at it, and walked to Liang Xiao.
The PR department head turned the situation around: “President Huo’s pheromones have resonated, responding to Mr. Liang.”
The person in charge was skeptical but looked up through the camera lens.
Liang Xiao said something to President Huo, who frowned deeply and remained silent.
Liang Xiao stood there for a long time, sighed, steeled himself, and tugged at President Huo’s sleeve a couple of times.
President Huo’s aura suddenly softened. Being pulled by his sleeve, he looked around and quietly followed Liang Xiao to a secluded corner.
“…”
The PR department head: “President Huo is… building momentum.”
In the corner, Liang Xiao pulled President Huo close and whispered a few words, passing him a piece of candy.
President Huo’s lips pressed together slightly. He stroked Liang Xiao’s head and gently embraced him.
“…See,” the PR department head closed his eyes. “President Huo is inspecting the goods.”
##
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
