TYMRHBDES Chapter 164

Fang Yan froze, surprised.

Is this Pei Yu’s first time participating in a variety show?

In these team-based challenges, groups are usually assigned to different locations.

But this time, before Fang Yan could speak, Pei Yu took the initiative:

“Where did they go? What’s their task?”

Seeing Pei Yu’s battle-ready demeanor, Zhou Jing chuckled softly.

Fang Yan volunteered the information: “They went to the market in Qihai Town, about ten kilometers from our dock.”

“I heard they’re helping fishermen sell seafood. *Sigh*, that’s not bad, at least it’s not physical labor like ours.”

Fang Yan’s tone turned sour.

Why did Jiang Luoluo and the others get stuck hauling seafood at the dock?

That stuff is so smelly and heavy, it’s disgusting! I’m dressed in designer clothes and I’m a celebrity—how could the production team waste my talents like this?

If Pei Yu hadn’t been participating, Fang Yan would have found an excuse to quit.

Pei Yu remained silent, but Zhou Jing’s interest was piqued.

“Selling seafood at the market? That sounds quite interesting.”

Fang Yan grunted in agreement, his voice dripping with resentment. “Yeah, the production team is so unfair. They get the easy jobs—just collecting money.”

Zhou Jing smiled, subtly glancing at the camera before repeating:

“Easy? You’ll only know once you’ve done it.”

“Maybe it’s not that different from what we’re doing.”

Zhou Jing was a major star and an award-winning actor.

Fang Yan always showed him great respect, despite privately despising Zhou Jing for selling himself to climb the ranks.

Pei Yu, however, couldn’t remain calm.

He had always assumed the two teams would simply leave at different times and eventually reunite.

Now, hearing this news, Pei Yu couldn’t help but imagine his Little Fox Spirit with Jiang Wei.

That simple-minded, muscle-bound brute was much taller and stronger than his precious darling. What if he tried something? What would his darling do?

Pei Yu grew restless.

He pulled out his phone and texted Jiang Luoluo:

Are you there?

Where are you?

Tell Jiang Wei to stay away from you!

Immediately after sending it, he worried he sounded too cold.

After a moment’s thought, he sent two more messages:

Are you tired? If you are, tell me and I’ll take care of it.

I’ll give you a shoulder massage when we get back at noon.

The messages went unanswered.

Jiang Luoluo’s phone remained tucked in his pocket, untouched since he arrived at the stall.

Perhaps it’s a national trait to gather around excitement. As soon as people noticed the cameras and the two strikingly attractive stall owners, they swarmed in, creating a lively buzz of chatter.

“Jiang Wei! I’ve seen you play basketball—you’re amazing!” an elderly man exclaimed, giving him a thumbs-up.

“A basketball player? Retiring so young to sell fish?” an elderly woman remarked with a sigh.

Jiang Wei chuckled awkwardly, but before he could explain, someone else chimed in.

“So tall! Do you have a girlfriend? Auntie here knows someone perfect—want me to introduce you?”

“With his height and looks, he’s guaranteed to win her over!”

Jiang Luoluo also drew a crowd.

“Are you a basketball player too? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Maybe you’re a cheerleader? I remember the cheerleaders being really pretty.”

“Cheerleaders are all young girls. This kid looks like a big star!”

An elderly woman carrying a basket smiled at him approvingly. “What have you acted in? I’ll look it up when I get home!”

Jiang Luoluo smiled shyly and waved his hand.

If she ever saw his past scandals, she’d be horrified.

The surrounding chatter gradually shifted to the main topic:

“How much for your fish?”

Jiang Luoluo perked up, his round apricot eyes widening further, and his red lips curving into a charming smile.

“The prices vary depending on the type. Which one do you want? Since it’s our grand opening today, I’ll give you a special discount!”

The customer pointed to the mantis shrimp, then to the swimming crabs.

“Just for myself. Half a pound of mantis shrimp and two crabs will do!”

Jiang Wei quickly bagged the order while Jiang Luoluo proactively poked drainage holes in the plastic bag and placed it on the electronic scale with practiced ease.

“These vendors are really honest! Give me two pounds of mantis shrimp too!”

“I’ll take some of this, and some cat’s-eye snails as well!”

“This Spanish mackerel looks great! It’ll make delicious dumplings. I’ll take one!”

“……”

The stall was instantly swarmed with customers. Jiang Luoluo and Jiang Wei worked tirelessly, scooping fish, bagging orders, weighing items, and making change.

They were having the time of their lives.

Pei Yu checked his phone again, his gaze darting to the screen with increasing frequency.

Still no reply.

A staff member handed out dark gray rubberized work overalls to the three teachers.

Fang Yan accepted his pair, his brow furrowing involuntarily.

This thing is thick, heavy, and utterly hideous. I don’t want to wear it at all.

Another glance revealed Zhou Jing already wearing his uniform.

It had to be said, people with good looks and charisma could make anything look good. Even in this work uniform, Zhou Jing retained his gentle, refined air, as if he were just trying out a new experience.

Fang Yan curled his lip in disdain.

He turned to look at Pei Yu, who was holding his phone and typing something.

Fang Yan’s eyes flickered. Before the staff could react, he snatched the uniform and hurried over to Pei Yu, clutching it in his arms.

“Teacher Pei, it’s time to change and start moving the baskets.”

Fang Yan presented the uniform with both hands, putting on a pitiful yet considerate act to curry favor with Pei Yu.

“Teacher Pei, the ground is slippery, and the fish in the baskets are heavy and smelly. Please be careful.”

Unexpectedly, Pei Yu pocketed his phone, didn’t even glance at Fang Yan, and simply snatched the uniform from his arms before walking away.

Cold and indifferent, he treated Fang Yan like a mere tool.

“LOL Pei Yu, what are you doing?! Is your wife not replying so urgent that you’re throwing the show’s entertainment value out the window?!”

“LMAO this little idol, who his fans hype up to the heavens, is really sucking up! Too bad the guy doesn’t even acknowledge him. Bet that stings!”

“Poor Fang Yan-didi! He’s just trying to be helpful, and he gets completely ignored. Pei Yu is being so rude!”

“Pei Yu is so arrogant! Someone kindly hands him his uniform, and he doesn’t even say thank you. He’s gonna die alone, mark my words!!”

***

Fang Yan awkwardly withdrew his hand and sullenly went to change into his own clothes.

They say clothes make the man, and Fang Yan had always relied on trendy outfits and hairstyles to create an aura of cool. Now, dressed in this workwear, the fashionable boy persona he’d cultivated for so long was crumbling.

The dark gray workwear was thick and heavy, with no defined waistline. Wearing it made him look like he’d been stuffed into a sack, his short, stocky frame exposed in all its unflattering glory.

Without the boost from flashy designer brands and high-end accessories, he looked utterly ordinary.

Fang Yan knew this himself, which only made him more disgruntled after changing.

“Teacher Pei, are you ready? Let’s get started!”

The voice called out, and Fang Yan looked up toward Pei Yu, freezing in place.

Damn! Why does Pei Yu look so different in workwear? He’s fucking gorgeous!

Is this some high-fashion runway show? His presence is overwhelming!

The stark contrast with Fang Yan next door, who looks like he’s about to plant rice, is insane. Is that even the same outfit?!

“Fashion’s true completion depends on looks! Pei Yu! What a stunning man!!!”

“So being handsome really does let you do whatever you want!!”

“Damn! He looks perfect with my wife! The aloof, cool guy and his delicate wife!”

“……”

Fang Yan was completely stunned.

He had always known Pei Yu was handsome, but he never imagined he could be *this* handsome.

Even in such low-quality work clothes, Pei Yu’s noble and aloof aura remained undiminished. Paired with his cold, handsome face, it made Fang Yan’s heart pound even harder.

Pei Yu’s slender, well-proportioned fingers slid into rubber gloves, his phoenix eyes half-lowered, radiating a cold, merciless air. Yet this very austerity carried a forbidden allure, making one want to kneel at his feet in submission…

A staff member coughed twice, snapping Fang Yan out of his daze. His feet involuntarily began moving toward Pei Yu again.

As someone in the entertainment industry, Fang Yan was keenly aware of such moments.

Pei Yu wearing this outfit was guaranteed to go viral, possibly even trending globally.

By staying close to him, Fang Yan could get more screen time and ride his coattails to some extra attention.

Stacks of plastic crates overflowed with fish, their tails occasionally flopping over the edges.

Their task was to help the local fishermen move the seafood onto the trucks waiting nearby.

But with so many crates, when would they ever finish?

Fang Yan dragged his feet, reluctant to work. He deliberately put on his gloves with exaggerated slowness, glancing at Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing, who came from a humble background and had done manual labor before, handled the crates with ease, his face showing no sign of reluctance.

* Show-off hick, * Fang Yan cursed inwardly.

He put on his other glove and watched Pei Yu silently begin moving crates.

Long limbs, broad shoulders, and a straight back.

Standing over 1.9 meters tall, Pei Yu worked with clean, efficient movements, showing no disdain for the dirty work.

The muscles in his arms flexed with each lift, beads of sweat tracing the sharp line of his jaw and forming a thin sheen on his throat, radiating raw sensuality.

Fang Yan’s face flushed crimson, for reasons he couldn’t quite articulate.

As he paddled and half-heartedly worked, his eyes kept darting to Pei Yu, almost too embarrassing to watch.

The PD who had followed Pei Yu’s group quietly sent a voice message to the head director:

“What do we do? Pei Yu and Zhou Jing are just working silently. There’s no drama here at all!”

Zhang Hao stood nearby, muttering to himself, Brother Pei isn’t usually the type to work hard. Why is he being so diligent today?

Just as the PD finished speaking, Fang Yan, who had been dragging his feet and only managed to move four or five baskets, straightened up, removed his gloves, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“It’s so hot~” Fang Yan muttered, heading toward Pei Yu. “Teacher Pei, you’re sweating too. Want some water?”

The production team, sensing potential drama, continued observing.

Pei Yu finished moving another basket and straightened up.

Large beads of sweat rolled down his temple as he glanced at Fang Yan and Zhou Jing.

“There are sixty baskets in total. I’ve already moved my share,” he said. “The rest is up to you.”

With that, he lifted his gaze toward the production team, his voice cold.

“If I do extra work, can I get some rewards?”