Chapter 060: Vigilance

As the group was about to disperse, Song Wan and her companions exchanged glances: Should they tear or not? Without hesitation, they all nodded: Tear it! What was there to hesitate about? The others had already set their sights on them; how could they not tear off a few name tags in return?

One, two, three—

In a flash, Guo Feng shot forward like a streak of lightning. The others only caught a glimpse of his shadow, barely able to react before, with two swift motions, Wu Jin and Qing He’s name tags were ripped off.

The remaining people stared in bewilderment.

Just then, Song Wan and Zheng Fang charged out as well. Song Wan knew herself well; her gaze was fixed solely on Ji You Ning, never considering anyone else.

The attack was sudden. Though Ji You Ning was prepared and struggled for a moment, in the end, her name tag was torn off by Song Wan.

Seeing this, Guo Feng hurried to Song Wan’s side, shielding her.

Zheng Fang, aiming high, went straight for Li Fan. But Li Fan, a long-time fitness enthusiast, easily outmatched Zheng Fang in strength, dodging with ease. If not for Guo Feng’s looming presence, Zheng Fang’s name tag would have been at risk.

Only now did the rest truly react, quickly forming a cluster.

But those whose name tags had been torn could only be dragged into the “jail,” the whole process accompanied by wails of misery—a scene that saddened even those who merely witnessed it.

Despite their successful ambush, Song Wan and her two allies were not particularly pleased. The golden opportunity had slipped away, leaving Song Wan so heartbroken her expression twisted.

She shot a glance at Zheng Fang: “Brother Zheng, impatience won’t get you anywhere. Couldn’t you pick a smaller target, someone easier?”

Zheng Fang replied awkwardly, “Isn’t Li Fan the oldest?”

“How is Brother Li old? Don’t you know men are like flowers at forty-one? Besides, Brother Li works out regularly!” Song Wan sighed. “Just look at the tendons in his arm, compare them to your flabby arms—can you even compete?”

Zheng Fang looked at Li Fan’s arm, exaggeratedly raised his own, and tried to flex his biceps—

“Is there really much difference?”

Everyone, silent.

—

At this point in the show, the outcome seemed clear.

But to add entertainment value, Zheng Fang, in his “arrogance,” declared he’d let the remaining two go, claiming it would be fairer and that he wanted them to lose wholeheartedly.

Song Wan and her companion were naturally unwilling, but while the three argued, Li Fan and Qin Hui took the chance to escape.

After berating Zheng Fang, the trio could only set off in search of the two.

To express their “displeasure” with Zheng Fang, Song Wan and Guo Feng left him behind, forming their own team.

The cameraman even gave Zheng Fang a lingering shot from behind, highlighting his lonely figure.

—

Li Fan and Qin Hui reluctantly formed an alliance. Faced with the aggressive pursuit of Song Wan’s trio, they had no choice but to retreat and hide.

“I wonder if they always move together. If so, we don’t have much chance,” Li Fan wiped his face and gave a bitter smile.

Qin Hui’s expression was grim but calm. “I don’t think it’s certain,” he mused. “Even if the three stay together, we can still launch a sneak attack.”

“A sneak attack?” Li Fan perked up, his eyes shining.

“Yes. Among the three, I initially thought Song Wan would be the easiest to deal with, given her lack of stamina.”

Li Fan nodded. “Isn’t she?”

“Definitely not. Judging from her ambush on You Ning, she’s quick and decisive, almost as skilled as Guo Feng.” Qin Hui raised an eyebrow, “Zheng Fang, on the other hand…”

Li Fan was thoughtful. “Well, let’s take Zheng Fang as our breakthrough point.”

Qin Hui agreed, “That’s our fallback if all three are together, but if anyone’s alone, we should target them for safety.”

Li Fan wholeheartedly agreed, “Absolutely.”

—

“Song Wan, where do you think Li Fan and Qin Hui are hiding?” Guo Feng asked, staying alert.

Song Wan furrowed her brow, “Definitely some hard-to-find, easily overlooked little rooms.” She glanced at the corridor, looking lost. “But there are so many of those in the TV station, it’s really hard to find them.”

The enemy was hidden, while they were out in the open, so caution was necessary.

“I wonder where Qin Hui and the others will come out from to ambush us,” she looked at Guo Feng, “Do you think Zheng Fang alone might get eliminated by them first?”

Guo Feng was perplexed, “Should we go back and look for him?”

Song Wan considered it, “Let’s go back.”

What seemed a straightforward task turned out to be fruitless; following Zheng Fang’s trail, they found no clues at all.

Song Wan was stunned, “Could Brother Zheng be hiding?”

“Uh…” Guo Feng surveyed the surroundings, “It’s not impossible.”

Given Zheng Fang’s performance during the day, if he really chose to hide somewhere until the end of time… it seemed exactly like something he’d do.

“Hiding isn’t the issue; the problem is if Qin Hui and Li Fan find him first.”

Song Wan was troubled, “Even against just one of them, Brother Zheng stands no chance, let alone both…”

But there was nothing they could do.

During filming, they had no idea where Zheng Fang was hiding and could only suppress their worry and keep searching. But when the episode aired, viewers burst out laughing at Zheng Fang’s clever hiding spot—

He hid inside a wardrobe.

The most ingenious part was that the wardrobe was only two walls away from the room where Qin Hui and Li Fan were hiding.

When the other four clashed, Zheng Fang remained safely concealed, unmoving.

Even when his teammates were in danger, he merely emerged from the wardrobe and hid behind the door.

During the broadcast, audiences nearly died of anxiety watching this unfold.

Yet, no matter what, he was remarkably composed.

As the four finished tearing name tags (Guo Feng temporarily held off Li Fan, Song Wan was powerless as Qin Hui tore off her tag, then the two combined forces to tear Guo Feng’s tag, with Guo Feng nearly taking Li Fan out in the end and almost dragging Qin Hui down with him), Qin Hui, left standing, barely had time to celebrate before Zheng Fang—hidden in a nearby room—burst out and tore off his tag.

History repeats itself: Song Wan’s group once again snatched victory with a surprise attack.

No one expected the person deemed least likely to succeed would become the key, infusing the scene with unexpected drama.

“That was really close…”

Qin Hui nearly took first place.

Everyone present agreed: had Zheng Fang not seized the opportunity to tear off Qin Hui’s tag, he would never have managed a head-on confrontation.

—

The first episode finally wrapped. After removing her makeup, Gao Xiang was ready to leave with Song Wan.

Ji You Ning approached, “I heard you helped me get this opportunity, Song Wan. Thank you so much.”

Her gaze was sincere. Gao Xiang raised an eyebrow and stepped aside, giving her artist space to talk.

Song Wan shook her head, “It’s nothing. It wasn’t really up to me; it was the TV station’s decision.”

Her words were vague, but Ji You Ning understood.

She smiled, walked over, and ruffled Song Wan’s hair. “The TV station gave you an opportunity, but you chose to let me have it.” She looked at Song Wan, her tone earnest. “I don’t know how things will go when the show airs, but I just wanted to thank you.”

Song Wan was momentarily stunned, unused to Ji You Ning’s unfamiliar tone.

Lowering her eyes, she said, “If you really want to thank me, treat me to a meal sometime.”

“Sure, when are you free?”

Song Wan thought for a moment, “Tonight, actually. After this, I probably won’t have much free time for quite a while. What about you?”

“Upward Stars” was scheduled to shoot three episodes first, then post-production before airing. The script made it clear: the next two episodes would be filmed from morning to night, several days in a row, leaving little free time.

Once filming ended, it would be the New Year.

Then the movie would begin shooting, and Song Wan would need to prepare in earnest.

Once with the crew, she’d be even busier—so, it turned out tonight was the only real opportunity.

Ji You Ning frowned briefly, then relaxed, “Of course, may I bring a few friends?”

Song Wan realized Ji You Ning must have plans with others tonight.

But she knew exactly who Ji You Ning’s friends were. After so long apart, she missed them, so she readily agreed.

Ji You Ning’s eyes brightened, her demeanor relaxed. “The food at Imperial Capital Hotel is excellent. I’ve reserved a table in advance. After you freshen up, just come over—I’ll introduce you to a few friends.”

Song Wan nodded in agreement.

—

Gao Xiang walked over, “All done talking?”

Song Wan didn’t hide her thoughts, “Ji… Sister Ji knows she got this opportunity because of me, so she wants to treat me to dinner. Tonight is the only time I have free, so I agreed.”

“Where?”

“Imperial Capital Hotel, nearby.”

Gao Xiang nodded, her expression suddenly wary as if something occurred to her. “Just you and her?”

“No, she said she’ll introduce me to some friends.” Song Wan’s eyes flickered, “What’s wrong, Sister Gao? Is there a problem?”

Sensing Song Wan’s unease, Gao Xiang gave a slight smile. “I don’t know who she’ll introduce you to, but if there’s a male artist named Xue Xuyao, make sure you avoid his agent.”

She looked at Song Wan, her gaze warning.

Song Wan froze; it was the first time Gao Xiang had ever warned her so seriously.

But Song Wan knew Xue Xuyao’s agent even better—because she was Song Wan’s old friend, Tang Yanan. She couldn’t think of anything to be wary of.

“I’m only thinking of your well-being,” Gao Xiang said seriously.

She didn’t know why Song Wan was so protective of Ji You Ning, to the point that no one could say a bad word about her friend, but she genuinely cared for Song Wan.

“That agent Tang Yanan is almost another Tang Su. Be careful.”

Song Wan pressed her lips together, then nodded.

She trusted Gao Xiang not to harm her, and it was only a matter of being cautious around Tang Yanan; there was no reason for conflict.

Besides, during her last unexpected encounter with Tang Yanan, she had indeed sensed something unusual…

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