Chapter 31: The Snoring Duo

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"Congratulations to Team Green for the victory!"

The director signaled with a whistle, awarding them the three puzzle pieces.

"Is it really worth it?...Is it really worth it?..."

Gu Qing still looked utterly despondent. "It's just a game... does it have to be played so ruthlessly?"

"Xiao Gu, it's Chen Chichi's fault for letting you down."

Chen Chichi gave Gu Qing a forceful hug, patting his back with deep self-reproach and guilt.

"I... I am too."

Seeing Chen Chichi hug him, Wang Likun felt a strange impulse and joined in the embrace.

The warm sensation, the vigorous heartbeat, and the youthful vitality of the boy caused a long-lost flutter in Wang Likun's heart.

In the past, the actors she worked with were all in their thirties or forties, not to mention the people she met during social engagements. They were all stout, heavy-set, or balding, and she always had to force a smile.

"Being young... is truly wonderful..."

Wang Likun almost didn't want to let go.

But with the cameras watching, she had no choice but to release him.

By the time this mission was completed, it was already late.

For this episode in South Korea, the production team had originally planned to film two episodes back-to-back, so they arranged for the members to rest at a traditional Hanok guesthouse.

The three teams took taxis to their destination and arrived at a designated courtyard. A staff member was waiting there and, through a drawing of lots, gave them three slips of paper.

On them were written: [Spicy], [Love], and [Parting].

"What does this mean?"

Confused, Chen Chichi chose the word 'Love'.

"I'm not quite sure. Maybe they want us to do a word chain, or sing songs related to love?" Gu Qing had a vague inkling.

"Forget it, let's just sleep first." Chen Chichi didn't want to dwell on it.

As night fell, after a small group meal, they arrived at their first night in South Korea.

The room arrangements were quite casual. Aside from Baby and Wang Likun having their own rooms, the men were all bunched together.

They thought they could finally rest, but the production team suddenly announced that the episode was slightly short on runtime, so they gathered everyone together again for a heart-to-heart chat.

"Qingqing, why haven't you applied a face mask?" Yang Ying asked curiously.

Whether male or female celebrities, skincare management was a necessity. Everyone present had faces that were either extremely pale or tanned.

"I didn't bring any skincare products," Gu Qing offered as an excuse.

In reality, from his perspective as a "straight man," cosmetics and skincare were basically in the same category—things that damaged the skin. It was just a matter of short-term versus long-term effects. As long as one was in a good mood and slept early and woke up early, it was more effective than any product.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ying was about to say, "She has some."

"I brought extra masks. Do you want one?" Wang Likun said enthusiastically. "I have some in my room; I'll take you to get them."

"No..." Gu Qing's "no" wasn't even finished.

"No need. How could I let you spend more money after your last show?" Yang Ying directly took Gu Qing's hand and gave Wang Likun an apologetic smile. "I'll just take Qingqing to my room to get them."

With that, she pulled him away.

Deng Chao and the others were seasoned veterans; sensing the strange atmosphere between the two women, they all remained silent.

"They... seem to have a very good relationship." Wang Likun sat back down, smoothing the hair by her ear, her smile unchanged.

"Hehe, it is quite good, quite good," Chen Chichi nodded with a simple smile. "Xiao Gu is handsome, well-behaved, and has such a great personality. Who wouldn't like him?"

"True, who wouldn't..." Wang Likun couldn't help but glance outside again.

The night had already swallowed their silhouettes.

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"Sister Baby, I don't want to use a mask, it's too much trouble."

Gu Qing was pulled into Yang Ying's small room, watching as she slid the door shut, sealing the gap. He wasn't particularly worried, as every room had a camera recording.

"You're an artist and an idol; how could you not take care of your skin?" Yang Ying sat on her heels on the bed, rummaging through her bag for masks, not forgetting to nag. "Otherwise, if you get acne and it affects your appearance on screen, your fans will scold you."

"Is it really that serious?"

"Wouldn't fans praise me for being beautiful even if I looked like a ghost?" Gu Qing leaned his left cheek on his hand out of boredom.

"Where did you hear such nonsense?" Yang Ying smiled as she took out a high-end black mask, tapping his forehead with her fingertip. "Sit up straight, quickly."

"What for?" Gu Qing asked, puzzled.

"To help you apply the mask."

"I can do it myself."

"You didn't even bring any masks, how would you know how to do it? If you put it on crooked, wouldn't it be a waste?"

"Hurry, hurry, this mask is very expensive."

"..."

Facing the "tomboyish" woman's forceful demands, Gu Qing could only surrender.

The dim amber wall lamp dyed the room a warm honey color.

"Don't move around."

Facing him, Yang Ying sat on the tatami. The hem of her silk nightgown brushed inadvertently against the boy's bent knees.

The rustling sound of the packaging being torn was mixed with the rich scent of roses. Her fingertips held the edge of the black mask as she leaned closer amidst the fragrant aroma.

Gu Qing could even feel her warm breath brushing against his face, illustrating just how close they were.

Yang Ying applied the mask very carefully. As her hair fell, the tips brushed against the boy's protruding Adam's apple, causing a slight itch.

The moment the cool mask touched his cheek, Gu Qing's body tensed slightly.

"Almost done."

Yang Ying, with neatly trimmed nails, gently smoothed out the small air bubbles on the mask. Her fingers, stained with rose essence, didn't forget to apply the excess to the areas outside the mask.

Her index finger tucked a stray lock of hair behind his ear, her fingertip lightly touching his earlobe, while her pinky seemed to graze his carotid artery as if by accident, her palm pressing the mask into place.

"There."

Yang Ying suddenly pulled back half a foot, tilting her head to admire her work with a satisfied smile. "Qingqing, you can't take this off for twenty minutes. If you dare to take it off early—"

Her coral-colored fingertip gave a light flick to the boy's forehead, making a 'tap' sound against the mask. The "Big Baby" gave two threatening little hums.

"I know..." Gu Qing lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze and hurriedly stood up to leave. "Then, I'll head back first."

When he returned to the men's quarters, the rooms were mostly settled, with only Ou Di's room having an empty spot.

"Brother Ou Di."

Gu Qing wasn't picky. After greeting Ou Di, he began making his bed. He couldn't just sit around waiting for the twenty minutes to pass, so he took the initiative to chat with Ou Di.

As the undisputed number two of Huangguo TV's *Daily Up*, Ou Di was quite multi-talented. Dancing, singing, impressions... he could do it all.

Gu Qing naturally admired him and wanted to learn more skills. Ou Di was not stingy, teaching him how to mimic the voice and mannerisms of Jay Chou and the Heavenly King Liu.

The two talked happily, but Ou Di was older and, after a full day of filming, couldn't resist the urge to sleep.

Gu Qing lowered his voice, carefully peeling the mask off his face and tossing it into the trash, before pulling up his covers to rest.

Time passed minute by minute.

Half an hour later...

"Mmm~~ Mmm~~"

In his half-asleep state, Gu Qing seemed to hear a piercing sound like an electric drill, feeling as if the entire house was vibrating violently.

"An earthquake?!"

Gu Qing snapped his eyes open, looking around in terror. He then realized the culprit was Ou Di, who was snoring loudly with an "Mmm~~ Mmm~~" sound.

Strange noises came from outside the door. The brothers in the next room, unable to sleep due to the noise, prepared to investigate.

Lin Gengxin held the camera, while Li Chen and Deng Chao cautiously pushed the door open.

What met their eyes was a scene that made them both laugh and cry.

Gu Qing was holding his head in agony, while beside him, Ou Di continued his "torture."

"Little brother, I'm here to save you," Deng Chao whispered, turning on the light while stifling a laugh.

Lin Gengxin aimed the camera at Ou Di to mock him. "Come on, audience, listen to this late-night snoring."

"Xiao Gu, your life is truly too hard," Li Chen said, pulling Gu Gu up while biting his lip to keep from laughing.

"How about this, little brother? You sleep with Gengxin, and I'll squeeze in with Chen," Deng Chao suggested.

"Okay..." Gu Qing nodded numbly.

An hour later...

"Hoo~~ Ang, Hoo~~ Ang!"

"Come on, audience, listen to this late-night snoring."

The closed camera was turned on again, but this time, it was aimed at Gu Qing's face, which looked utterly hopeless.

And beside him was Lin Gengxin, the very person who had just mocked Ou Di's snoring.

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(End of Chapter)