Chapter Twenty-One: Director Zhang Has a Plot!

The two groups exchanged glances.

It seemed as though the words coming from the other side were oddly familiar.

“Oh no, could it be...”

“Heh.” Ji Chen grinned. “You’ve been exposed, haven’t you? Is this your task?”

Silence instantly fell.

Pei Xue sighed, “Are you really going to ask that?”

Lin Chunshui hurriedly tried to cover Ji Chen’s mouth, but still, the word “yes” slipped out.

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Both teams nodded immediately.

Ji Chen was baffled.

[Laughing out loud, how can Old Ji be so clueless?]

[No wonder he’s the king of heartbroken ballads—who else but someone slow could feel so much pain in love?]

[That’s a bit much, though it’s hilarious.]

Lin Ze and Su Zitan struggled to hold back their laughter, their faces turning red.

“Teacher Ji has already used up your two questions. There’s one left for Lin and Zitan. Will Teacher Lin ask, or will Teacher Ji continue?” Director Zhang asked with a smile.

“No rush! Let’s just chat for a bit!” Lin Chunshui quickly changed the subject.

She picked up a tomato, took a bite, and greeted Chen Bai and his wife with a friendly nod.

She began to mull over what question to ask.

“So, what did everyone do today? Let’s chat,” Chen Weiguo asked.

“Worked,” Lin Chunshui shrugged.

“We worked too,” Pei Xue echoed.

[Such honest, straightforward answers.]

[But it’s true. Zhao Funing’s spatula was practically smoking today.]

Lin Ze sipped his tea, coughing softly. “Can’t we be a bit more genuine?”

“Then you tell us!”

“We went to the park this morning. At noon, we saw a big group eating together and joined in. In the afternoon, we chatted with some elderly folks in the park...” Su Zitan said with a bright smile.

“Wait, aren’t you two milk tea shop employees?” Pei Xue was incredulous. “So much free time?”

“Milk tea shop employees?” Chen Weiguo looked puzzled, glancing at Lin Ze. “But Lin told me they’re real estate agents.”

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

“Whatever happened to being genuine?” Ji Chen lamented, popping a soybean into his mouth.

“What Zitan just said is true! Ask Director Zhang if you don’t believe us.”

Director Zhang, expressionless, nodded. “It’s true.”

Unbelievable—these two really spent the entire day at the park?

“What do you even do for work? How are you this free?” Ji Chen couldn’t hold back.

Lin Ze was silent for a moment. “Yes.”

“‘Yes’ my foot!” Ji Chen lost his patience, lunging over and putting Lin Ze in a headlock.

“The Ji-Lin team has used up all three of today’s questions,” Director Zhang reminded them.

Lin Chunshui glared, dragging Ji Chen back. “Tomorrow, keep your mouth shut during this segment!”

“I’ve thought of three questions. Let me ask mine first.” Lin Ze raised his hand.

The show was different from before. For instance, this mysterious task of disguising as beggars hadn’t existed in his previous life.

So, from now on, he couldn’t rely on old memories to cheat at the games.

“Brother Ji, did you go to the commercial plaza today?”

“Yes,” Ji Chen replied, none too pleased.

“What about you, Uncle Chen?”

“No,” Chen Weiguo shook his head.

Lin Ze watched them carefully, also glancing at the smiling Director Zhang.

Seeing Director Zhang’s subtle expression change, Lin Ze knew his question had landed.

“Brother Zhao, was your task today a secret mission?”

Zhao Funing hesitated; today’s task seemed to be a daily one.

“No.”

“Huh?” Ji Chen was momentarily stunned, but wisely stayed silent, revealing nothing more.

It looked like Director Zhang was up to something fun. Secret missions and daily missions were apparently different.

“Lin Ze and Su Zitan’s three questions are used up.”

These questions made everyone suspect there was more going on, though they hadn’t quite pinned it down yet.

“Lin, Zitan, did you see us today?” Pei Xue asked.

“Yes,” Su Zitan nodded.

Even though Pei Xue had done her makeup, Su Zitan still recognized her when picking up lunch.

“Where did you see us?” Pei Xue pressed.

“A little after eight, at the commercial plaza.” Su Zitan paused. “Sister Xue, do you need me to be more specific? For example, AAB?”

Pei Xue quickly waved her off. “That’s enough!”

Chen Weiguo and his wife now sensed a bit of danger.

How did these two young people seem to be figuring out everyone’s identities on the very first day?

The three couples present became increasingly convinced that Lin Ze and Su Zitan were like crafty little foxes, sitting there smiling with a look of deep calculation.

Because the others lacked enough information, they couldn’t ask any valuable questions.

Pei Xue racked her brain for ways to get Lin Ze and Su Zitan to slip up, but Su Zitan guarded every word, giving nothing away.

The other three groups were already considering joining forces to deal with Lin Ze and Su Zitan.

[I thought this show was about celebrities experiencing ordinary life—who would have guessed...]

[Who would have guessed Lin Ze and his wife would single-handedly transcend the realm of ordinary people?]

[It feels like these two aren’t even on the same variety show as the rest.]

[Sister-in-law is impressive—she dodged every trap in their conversation.]

[This is what true security looks like: when all the camera’s light shines on Brother Lin, his wife stands by like a loyal knight.]

“Teachers Chen Bai and Zhao Pei completed their daily tasks today and earn ten points.”

“Lin and Zitan, along with Ji and Lin, completed their secret mission and earn twenty points!”

“Everyone’s had a long day. Let’s wrap up the livestream here so you can all get some rest,” Director Zhang cheerfully announced, holding his script.

“The stream will be replayed tonight. If you didn’t get enough, you can keep watching.”

[No, please! I’ll pay more! I’ll get a membership! Just stream them sleeping!]

[Just thinking about Su Zitan hugging Lin Ze while sleeping makes me grind my teeth in envy.]

Once the livestream ended and Lin Ze and Su Zitan had bid everyone farewell, the other three groups quietly began to strategize.

“They said they were going to the park, right? Let’s find out how many parks there are and split up—maybe we can catch them there!”

“Great idea!”

…

The next morning arrived quickly.

Yesterday, they’d forgotten to exchange contact information, so Old Wang was waiting at the entrance of Riverside Park for Lin Ze and Su Zitan first thing in the morning.

It was nearly nine o’clock—if they didn’t show up soon, there’d be no time left for rehearsal!

Soon, the program’s car arrived.

“Well, look who finally decided to show up.”

“Uncle Wang, you’re early!” Lin Ze greeted him cheerfully.

“Of course! What, you think you can just perform right away? We have to rehearse!” Old Wang grabbed Lin Ze, ready to hail a taxi.

“What taxi? We’ve got a car right here, and it’s free.”

Lin Ze pulled Old Wang onto the program staff’s vehicle.