Chapter 059: Schemes

Song Wan was unaware of what was happening on her agent’s end, but at this moment, she couldn’t quite describe her mood as good. She had been filming the show just fine, only for the production team to throw in such a curveball—no one would be happy about it.

Still, she quickly calmed herself and found a place to hide. She trusted Gao Xiang would handle things.

—

“Qi Ting, out!”

Five minutes after Song Wan tore off Qi Ting’s nametag, the announcement of her elimination finally sounded. Song Wan breathed a sigh of relief and darted out from her hiding spot.

Watching from the monitors, Gao Xiang couldn’t help but curve her lips in a smile.

“Gao-jie, Song Wan really trusts you,” Wu Jin’s agent remarked to Gao Xiang, unable to hide the envy in his eyes.

Though agents and artists share mutual interests, truly close and seamless partnerships are impossible without long periods of adjustment. Yet, as far as he knew, Song Wan and Gao Xiang had only been working together for a few months—not even as long as his own partnership with Wu Jin. Still, their rapport and trust far exceeded his own.

It was the kind of working relationship every agent dreamed of.

Gao Xiang gave him a glance—she didn’t respond, but her good mood was obvious.

—

After the broadcast of Qi Ting’s elimination, Song Wan felt her whole body relax. She wasn’t afraid of being eliminated, but being schemed against for no reason? Sorry, but that was where she drew the line.

Because the game was played in teams, Song Wan messaged Guo Feng and Zheng Fang to find out their locations, and the three of them arranged a meeting point. She then cautiously made her way in that direction.

The other teams had the same idea. From the monitors, it was clear that everyone had sprung into action—everyone except one.

Qi Ting sat in the “prison,” her face twisted in anger as she threw a tantrum. The director, out of respect for the station chief, had originally intended to cut the feed to her and have staff remind her to say something, but after one look, he gave up entirely—he decided he’d never bother with her again.

—

If anyone was truly innocent in all this, besides Song Wan, it would have to be Wu Jin and Qin Hui, Qi Ting’s two teammates. Qi Ting had startled them even before the game officially started, and now she was suddenly out, leaving Wu Jin and Qin Hui looking bewildered and out of sorts.

However, a little thought made it clear something was amiss. After a few complaints for the camera, they didn’t say more. But now, with Qi Ting gone, their team was at a numerical disadvantage and would be easy prey in the game.

[Qin-ge, should we find someone to form an alliance?]

Wu Jin, being a popular young star, was no stranger to reality shows and immediately suggested forming an alliance.

Qin Hui glanced at the screen and mumbled to the camera, “Wu Jin says we should find a team to ally with—he’s done a lot of these shows and definitely has more experience than I do. But if alliances are allowed, wouldn’t our disadvantage become an advantage?”

He looked thoughtful. “After all, to the other teams, we’re easier to control with fewer numbers. Once they deal with one team, we’ll be their next target.”

He stood up, flashing a charming smile. “So, Wu Jin and I are basically hot commodities now, aren’t we?”

Qin Hui didn’t bother hiding and walked openly out of his hiding spot, standing in a wide, visible area.

Wu Jin happened to be nearby and shouted, “Qin-ge, be careful or you’ll get your nametag torn off!”

Qin Hui waved at him. “Don’t worry, I bet the other two teams want to ally with us—they won’t give us trouble.”

Wu Jin was still worried, but knowing Qin Hui called the shots, he had no choice but to follow—and, for the sake of the show, exaggerated his movements, “Really? If that’s the case, we could really drive up our price!”

They stood out in the open, discussing their options, and soon attracted the attention of Song Wan’s group.

But Song Wan’s group didn’t show themselves. She carefully hid behind a wall, raising her brows, “Do we want to ally with them?”

Guo Feng, a former athlete, wasn’t used to this kind of game. “Personally, I don’t really like alliances,” he chuckled. “After I accepted this gig, I watched the original version. The regular cast sometimes formed alliances, but usually got betrayed halfway through… I don’t care for such risky alliances.”

Given his competitive background, even in a game, Guo Feng wanted to win.

“And you, Zheng-ge?” Song Wan looked at Zheng Fang.

Zheng Fang shrugged. “I don’t mind either way.” He glanced at Guo Feng, then Song Wan. “But you realize, if we don’t ally with Qin Hui and Wu Jin, we’re giving that chance to Qing He’s group. Then it’ll be three versus five, and we’ll be at a real disadvantage.”

Song Wan thought about it, her expression growing somber. “And out of those five, only one is a woman—the other four are strong men.”

She glanced at Zheng Fang and Guo Feng. “I think Guo-ge could take on two at once, but as for you…”

Zheng Fang glared. “What about me? I’m a strapping guy too—am I that much worse than Guo Feng? Not just two, I could take on three—”

Song Wan teased him, “Oh really?”

“I mean, probably not…” Zheng Fang squinted, a shamelessly smug look on his face.

Song Wan nearly lost it and wanted to pounce on him, but in the end, she just waved her fist in a mock threat and let it go.

Guo Feng nearly burst out laughing, making no move to stop Song Wan.

Zheng Fang wailed theatrically, “The world’s grown cold, people are heartless—junior colleagues are running wild…”

Song Wan: “…”

Her face grew so dark that Zheng Fang’s complaints faded away.

Guo Feng could barely hold back his laughter.

“We should start discussing—”

Guo Feng raised a hand to stop her, shaking his head. “Qing He and his group are here.”

Song Wan and Zheng Fang immediately stopped bickering and looked behind them—sure enough, Ji Youning and his two teammates were standing before Qin Hui and Wu Jin.

“Should we go out?” Zheng Fang pondered, then shook his head. “Let’s see what they say first.”

—

Qing He spoke first. “King Qin, before Song Wan’s team arrives, why don’t we form an alliance? The three of us can ambush nearby. When they show up, the five of us can surround them and tear off at least two nametags. Then our two teams can compete for the win. What do you say?”

Qin Hui looked at him. “You say you’ll take out two, but what if you get three? Wouldn’t Wu Jin and I be handing you the victory?”

“Think about it—the other team has Guo Feng, a world champion. He could probably escape even if he can’t take out two at once.” Qing He cut straight to the point.

Ji Youning added, “I think Zheng-ge shouldn’t be underestimated either. Even if he can’t keep up physically, he’s got experience from other shows. We can’t take him lightly.”

“Even so, we could have Actor Li and I hold off Guo Feng while Ji Youning rips his nametag. As for Song Wan, Ji Youning can trip her up, and Qing He, you can easily handle Zheng Fang…” Qin Hui raised his brows. “Isn’t that simple enough?”

Qing He was momentarily surprised, his eyes flickering. “That’s true.”

He’d thought of that plan, but hadn’t expected Qin Hui to spell it out.

“So what do you suggest?” Li Fan frowned. “We have a good plan—seems a shame to waste it.”

Qin Hui arched an eyebrow. He knew they’d never give up on that scheme.

“You have to promise to leave one of Song Wan’s team.”

“But who?” Qing He and Li Fan exchanged looks and spoke in unison, “No matter who stays, Guo Feng must go.”

Qin Hui found it a pity but knew there was no way to leave Guo Feng behind, so he nodded. “No problem.”

Qing He considered this. “We have two men and one woman on our team, and you’re short one since Qi Ting was out. I think we should leave Song Wan—then our teams would be evenly matched.”

Qin Hui frowned, reluctant.

Qing He looked at him. “You know, if we leave Zheng Fang, our side can’t guarantee there won’t be betrayal halfway through.”

Since the teams weren’t evenly matched, for their own safety, they’d naturally sacrifice the “ally.”

Qin Hui thought for a moment, consulted with Wu Jin, and had to agree.

He understood that, while they seemed to be in demand now, in the absence of Song Wan’s team, he and Wu Jin could only let Qing He’s team take the lead.

He just wondered whether Song Wan’s team wanted an alliance at all…

—

He didn’t know that the very people he was scheming against—Song Wan and her teammates—were hiding in a corner, listening to every word without the slightest worry.

They hid behind the wall, relaxed and even in the mood to joke.

Song Wan gave Zheng Fang a mischievous look and silently mouthed: Can’t keep up! Ha ha ha…

Guo Feng had to clamp a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing.

Zheng Fang glared. “Laugh it up! When the time comes, I’ll show you what true strength looks like! I’ll be unstoppable!”

“Yeah, right,” Song Wan scoffed. “Remember your reputation from other shows?”

“What reputation?”

Guo Feng chimed in, “No stamina.”

Since he’d looked up all his future teammates and watched their shows, he remembered Zheng Fang’s reputation as the guy who always ran out of steam.

Song Wan burst out laughing. “Zheng-ge, even their plan counts on Qing He single-handedly taking you out.”

Zheng Fang was about to protest, but Song Wan shook her head. “Looks like they’re done talking.”

Zheng Fang choked back his retort, his face turning red…