Chapter 70: Seventieth Day as a Salted Fish
When Season 2 of Romantic Lovers first aired, the production crew placed Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang in the prime spot during every promotional push. Netizens could tell that the production team primarily wanted to promote this specific couple.
Qin Jiaojiao had retired from the entertainment industry and wasn’t taking on acting roles, remaining lukewarm in popularity. On the other hand, after Shen Xiaoshan got together with Meng Zi’ang, she secured numerous resources from Meng Corporation and went viral online for a period after marrying into a wealthy family.
At the beginning, the pair of Qin Jiaojiao and Zhou Shaoli was not favored by netizens—some even suspected that Zhou Shaoli was a fake husband hired by Qin Jiaojiao. However, after the show aired, the Yueli CP served up endless sweet moments for the audience every episode, and their CP fan base surpassed that of Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang by the time Episode 2 was broadcast.
If Shen Xiaoshan hadn’t faked the local relief drive in Episode 4, the production team would still be forcefully pushing the Shan-Meng CP to propel Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang to viral fame across the internet.
Forcefully pushing featured artists was a common practice in variety shows, but unfortunately, Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang failed to step up. They were repeatedly overshadowed by the Yueli CP, lagging behind with less than half of the Yueli CP’s trending topic traction and fandom numbers.
The audience and fans had long harbored complaints about the forceful pushing of these dating show guests. Continuing like this would damage the production team’s reputation.
After deliberation, the production crew decided to stop forcefully promoting the Shan-Meng CP. For the promotional photos of Episode 5, they placed Qin Jiaojiao and Zhou Shaoli squarely in the C-position. The audience and fans were thrilled with this outcome, showering both the production team and the Yueli couple with endless praise.
As soon as the promotional photos dropped, the topic surged straight to the number one trending spot without needing paid hot searches, attracting another wave of casual viewers for the show.
Romantic Lovers was already a smash-hit variety show, and Season 2 had far surpassed Season 1 in viewership. Compared to competing dating shows and other variety programs, its data ranked first across all metrics.
The Yueli CP made it onto the hot searches once again.
Having just taken a shower, Qin Jiaojiao sat on the sofa reviewing the photos Zhou Shaoli had taken of her that afternoon on her camera, completely unaware that she and Zhou Shaoli were trending again.
“How about this one?”
Dressed in a casual button-down shirt and wearing gold-rimmed glasses over his high-bridged nose, Zhou Shaoli sat beside Qin Jiaojiao, radiating a cool, abstemious charm. Looking down at the photo on the camera screen, he praised, “Beautiful.”
Qin Jiaojiao toggled to the next photo. “What about this one?”
Zhou Shaoli: “Beautiful.”
Qin Jiaojiao shot him a side-glance. “Why do I feel like you’re just giving me perfunctory answers?”
Zhou Shaoli pulled her into his arms, his body emitting a faint, pleasant scent. His voice was gentle as he said, “I’m not. Every single photo of you is beautiful.”
Qin Jiaojiao looked at him with a smile. “Now that’s what I like to hear.”
Unable to resist, Zhou Shaoli leaned down and kissed her cheek.
Qin Jiaojiao reclined comfortably in his embrace, picking out a few photos from the camera and transferring them to her phone before setting the camera on the edge of the sofa to edit the pictures.
Zhou Shaoli’s photography skills had improved drastically. She only needed to tweak the lighting and apply a suitable filter before posting them to her Moments.
【[Heart] Captured by my personal photographer, Mr. Zhou.】
She didn’t block anyone from viewing this post. Moments after posting, it gathered dozens of likes.
Yang Yutong: President Zhou is so good at taking photos! Bonus points!
Xiao Rui: @Zhou Shaoli, when did you learn photography?
Han Xiao: Wow, President Zhou captured Madam looking like a fairy! Absolutely amazing!
Qin Jiaojiao nestled comfortably in Zhou Shaoli’s arms, replying to messages from friends and family on her phone. After finishing, she received a link forwarded by Yang Yutong.
Yang Yutong: 【Look quick! The production crew put you and President Zhou in the C-position!】
Qin Jiaojiao: 【Huh?】
Qin Jiaojiao: 【Let me go check it out.】
Yang Yutong: 【Your promotional photos for this episode completely destroy that scumbag duo! It’s so satisfying!】
Qin Jiaojiao tapped the link, which led to the official Romantic Lovers Weibo’s latest promotional post featuring high-resolution photos taken by the guests that afternoon, selected by the guests themselves.
She and Zhou Shaoli occupied the eye-catching, prominent C-position. Shen Xiaoshan, who wasn’t suited for heavy, exotic makeup, had unretouched photos taken by the photographer that made her look like a random passerby next to Qin Jiaojiao—a brutal contrast.
In the comments below, for every person praising her, another was tearing Shen Xiaoshan down.
Qin Jiaojiao could easily picture how frantic Shen Xiaoshan must be right now.
The production team had initially intended to push Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang. Swapping the C-position to her and Zhou Shaoli halfway through the season—was the production crew really going to be fine pulling a move like this?
Just as she suspected, Shen Xiaoshan was currently pacing back and forth in her room in a rage, speaking on the phone with her manager.
She had explicitly requested the production director to have staff airbrush her photos, and although the other party had verbally agreed, the published promotional photos hadn’t been retouched at all. Her exhausted, swollen eyes and the dull complexion that her concealer couldn’t hide were crystal clear in the high-res photos.
Meanwhile, Qin Jiaojiao, placed in the C-position by the production crew, had skin as white as snow and mesmerizing makeup that made her look like an exotic princess, making Shen Xiaoshan look like her handmaiden in comparison.
Shen Xiaoshan’s facial features were not as delicate as Qin Jiaojiao’s. Every time she filmed or did show interviews, she required elaborate styling to create a pure, charming vibe, and her photos and videos had to be taken from carefully chosen angles.
The production team’s camera operators were terrible at photography and hadn’t retouched her photos either. How could she possibly stomach this insult?
Her manager tried anxiously to calm her down: “Don’t panic just yet. The promotional photos are already out, so being angry won’t change anything. I’ll negotiate with the production team first.”
Shen Xiaoshan was nearly exploding with anger, her voice dripping with rage: “Negotiate my foot!”
Meng Zi’ang was downstairs in the living room handling work matters and wasn’t in the room, so she abandoned all restraint, completely losing her composure out of anger.
“When we first came to film this variety show, what did the production team promise me? They guaranteed that Meng Zi’ang and I would be in the C-position every single episode! Now their disgusting behavior is damaging my interests—they must apologize to me!”
The manager paused briefly before speaking up: “The contract doesn’t state that you’re guaranteed the C-position every episode.”
Variety show recordings invited many regular guests, but contracts would never state in black and white that a guest would be given the C-position. Otherwise, if leaked and verified, the negative backlash could force the show off the air.
Unless both parties signed a performance agreement where Shen Xiaoshan guaranteed the production team that she would be the most popular guest every episode; failing to achieve that would require triple compensation.
The production crew had offered a very high payout when inviting Shen Xiaoshan to the variety show. Once filming concluded, the most popular guest couple would even receive a ten-million-yuan reward.
Now that the production team realized Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang lacked the popularity of Qin Jiaojiao and Zhou Shaoli, placing Qin Jiaojiao and Zhou Shaoli in the C-position to align with the strong demands of netizens was actually a very standard move.
Shen Xiaoshan refused to listen: “When they invited me to record the show back then, we clearly agreed on it! Just because it wasn’t written in the contract means they can go back on their word?”
“Screw this garbage show! Whoever wants to record it can record it!” she yelled, fuming.
Listening to her complaints, her manager reminded her in an emotionless tone: “If you’re willing to pay twenty percent of the production team’s damages, you can choose to pull out.”
If variety show guests could just quit whenever they felt like it, things wouldn’t be so simple. They would not only have to refund the compensation paid by the production team, but also reimburse the crew’s production costs and various sponsor fees—adding up to an astronomical sum.
Shen Xiaoshan couldn’t swallow this insult and was merely venting in front of her manager. Hearing how massive the compensation was, her face turned pale.
Romantic Lovers Season 2 had double the ad sponsors compared to the previous season. With over a dozen sponsoring brands, the production crew was wealthy enough to travel everywhere for filming and offer lavish perks to the guests, making its commercial value rank first among variety shows.
Dropping out midway was a responsibility she couldn’t afford to bear.
Shen Xiaoshan bit her lip tightly until she tasted a salty, metallic tang.
Seeing that Shen Xiaoshan had calmed down, the manager said, “Rest up for now. I’ll go communicate with the production team. There’s filming tomorrow as well, so perform well in front of the camera with President Meng and strive for more sweet moments. Your CP fans will hold the production team accountable on your behalf.”
Shen Xiaoshan took a deep breath and said, “Got it.”
Meng Zi’ang returned to the room from downstairs feeling somewhat disgruntled himself. Shen Xiaoshan forgetting about his peanut allergy had cast a lingering shadow over his mind, making him constantly question whether she actually cared about him at all.
He likely had a bite of Kung Pao chicken containing peanuts at noon, and during the afternoon camel ride, he had felt somewhat unwell. Yet Shen Xiaoshan hadn’t noticed his state at all, consumed entirely with getting the camera operator to take pretty photos.
When he gave her a cold shoulder and refused to cooperate, she even threw a tantrum on camera.
In the past, whenever she threw a tantrum, he would always use his humor and charm to coax her, creating sweet, ship-worthy moments for CP fans in front of the camera.
After finishing the afternoon shoot, neither of them had spoken a word. He had gone straight to handling work as soon as he returned, while Shen Xiaoshan stayed in the room sulking.
Returning to the bedroom and seeing Shen Xiaoshan’s sour expression, Meng Zi’ang felt a burst of impatience. He paid her no mind, taking a shower before getting into bed.
Seeing Meng Zi’ang engaging in a cold war with her, Shen Xiaoshan felt aggrieved all day. Exhausted and drained, she didn’t act cute or put on a gentle, dutiful front to seek his affection like she usually did.
Sharing the same room, the atmosphere between them felt frozen solid.
…
The next day.
The production team didn’t make the guests wake up early, allowing them to rest and move freely at the inn through the morning before starting the live broadcast filming in the afternoon.
At noon, the guests prepared their own lunch.
Qin Jiaojiao stood beside Zhou Shaoli, watching him cook like a clingy little kitten waiting for its owner to feed it, the atmosphere between them intimate and natural.
Falling into the eyes of Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang, both felt a complex swirl of emotions in their hearts.
Meng Zi’ang occasionally cooked, but Shen Xiaoshan handled the meals most of the time. Today, feeling exhausted and unwell with a pale complexion, Shen Xiaoshan didn’t cook, and Meng Zi’ang didn’t step up either.
The two sat on the sofa, watching the activity in the kitchen.
Meng Zi’ang stared at Qin Jiaojiao, momentarily lost in thought. In his memory, Qin Jiaojiao was arrogant and willful, like the proudest white swan—noble and condescending. She had never been this charmingly clingy, her expressions so lively and dynamic.
Perhaps it was his identity as an illegitimate son that had bred dark, self-deprecating thoughts within him.
He had always adopted the stance of a cold bystander, watching the high-and-mighty young heiress chase after him.
The envious and jealous looks from the admirers around Qin Jiaojiao had brought him great satisfaction, but being invaded by her spoiled, bossy nature made him feel suffocated.
That was why, when he met the gentle, considerate, strong, and independent Shen Xiaoshan, who stood in stark contrast to the delicate and spoiled Qin Jiaojiao, his heart was moved. He looked down on arranged marriages; he had the capability to choose true love.
His choice hadn’t been wrong.
Shen Xiaoshan clenched her hands tightly.
She had assumed that stealing Meng Zi’ang away would allow her to trample Qin Jiaojiao underfoot. Who could have expected that Qin Jiaojiao would turn around and marry into a real, elite family, with a husband who treated her so exceptionally well?
Jealousy and hatred flooded her heart, but Shen Xiaoshan tried her best to suppress these twisted emotions.
She hadn’t lost.
It was impossible for her to lose to Qin Jiaojiao—to a useless airhead who only knew how to eat, drink, and play.
One day, she would climb higher.
Qin Jiaojiao felt two pairs of eyes on her and turned her head to look, feeling somewhat bewildered.
Seeing her living so well, this couple felt completely unbalanced internally. The malice in their eyes was practically spilling over—she wondered if the camera had captured it.
Qin Jiaojiao suddenly stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on Zhou Shaoli. The man, holding a bowl as he plated a dish, paused, turning his head to look at her.
“Your cooking is delicious, so that’s your reward,” Qin Jiaojiao said, blinking her eyes.
A faint smile glinted in Zhou Shaoli’s eyes, his voice pleasant to the ear: “Not a bad reward.”
After lunch, following a half-hour rest, the production team dispatched vehicles to pick up the guests and transport them to a desert off-road rally track.
The director had communicated with the male guests beforehand to check if they could drive off-road vehicles in the desert.
The content scheduled for the live broadcast this afternoon featured the male guests driving off-road vehicles rented by the production crew, taking their partners along to race along a designated route.
The winning couple would earn a prime spot to enjoy the stargazing campsite under the meteor shower tonight.
All the male guests stated that it wouldn’t be a problem. They hadn’t driven off-road vehicles on sand before and were eager to try something new. Prioritizing friendship over competition, the guests were focused on having fun.
Director: “This race route spans ten kilometers. To ensure everyone’s safety, the off-road vehicles have a maximum speed limit of eighty kilometers per hour. The first couple to reach the destination wins.”
The production crew handed out helmets along with arm and knee protective gear to the guests to guarantee their safety in case an off-road vehicle accidentally flipped.
Zhou Shaoli put on his helmet first. Seeing that Qin Jiaojiao couldn’t manage to fasten hers, he reached out with his slender, well-defined hand, taking hold of the straps beside her cheeks, and lowered his eyes to buckle the strap for her.
Qin Jiaojiao looked up at Zhou Shaoli.
His expression was focused, tinged with a slight seriousness as he secured her safety buckle. He even tugged at it lightly, asking her, “Is it too tight?”
Qin Jiaojiao curved her lips into a smile. “Just right.”
Since the production team was streaming live…
The audience and fans swooned completely at the sight of this scene.
【President Zhou is so thoughtful!】
【Wu wu wu wu wu, so sweet! I rely on this weekly fix to keep me alive!】
【The sweetest CP in the world is serving sugar, everyone come watch!】
【This wealthy couple is the sweetest CP I’ve ever shipped. Seeing them interact makes me grin from ear to ear!】
【The Yueli CP is truly such a perfect match.】
On the livestream screen:
Holding the arm protective gear, Zhou Shaoli looked down at Qin Jiaojiao: “Hands out.”
Qin Jiaojiao obediently held out her hands as he methodically fastened the guards on both of her arms. He then knelt down, carrying the leg guards around her fair legs to secure them at her knees.
Qin Jiaojiao’s legs were straight, slender, and snow-white. As Zhou Shaoli’s large hand grasped her delicate calf, the camera zoomed in, showcasing the defined veins on the back of his hand—veins that throbbed subtly as he held her leg, radiating intense tension.
【Jiaojiao’s waist is a lethal blade; Jiaojiao’s legs are the spring waters of the Seine. Siiiip, I can’t take it, I’m drooling everywhere!】
【Ahhhhhhh, who understands the vibe of President Zhou’s slightly bulging veins on the back of his hand?! The visual intensity is off the charts!】
【Has anyone noticed the slight size difference between Jiaojiao and President Zhou? Standing together, President Zhou can completely envelop Jiaojiao beneath him!】
【I’m drawing fan art as soon as I get home tonight. The sexual tension between this couple is insanely top-tier!】
Wearing her helmet and protective gear, Qin Jiaojiao looked playful and adorable. Standing up, Zhou Shaoli couldn’t resist pinching her soft, fair cheek.
“Hmm?” Qin Jiaojiao looked at him in confusion.
Zhou Shaoli calmly pulled his hand back, scooped her up in a princess carry to place her into the passenger seat, and buckled her seatbelt.
The off-road vehicle featured a two-row, four-seater open design similar to sightseeing carts at tourist resorts. The camera operator sat in the back row to capture the footage, while Zhou Shaoli took the driver’s seat.
Once all the guests were fully geared up, the director held a microphone and announced, “The countdown is about to begin. Guests, please get ready!”
Sitting in his off-road vehicle, Meng Zi’ang shot a glance at Zhou Shaoli. A couple of years ago while abroad, he had frequently gone drag racing at midnight with wealthy young heirs; when it came to auto racing, he had never lost.
Knowing how skilled Meng Zi’ang was at racing, Shen Xiaoshan looked at him with full anticipation, her voice soft: “Zi’ang, are you still angry?”
Meng Zi’ang glanced at her. “Am I really that petty?”
Shen Xiaoshan reached out and placed her hand on the back of his, her tone aggrieved: “I thought you were mad at me and didn’t dare talk to you.”
“Didn’t we make a promise never to stay mad for more than a day?” Meng Zi’ang said cheesy lines right in front of the camera: “Baby, how could I ever bear to see you sad?”
With a smile on her face, Shen Xiaoshan gazed at him wholeheartedly.
Meng Zi’ang loved that look in her eyes, as if he were her entire world. He spoke with full confidence: “Just wait, I’ll win first place for you in a moment.”
“Really?” Shen Xiaoshan beamed with delight, saying, “Good luck, Hubby!”
Meng Zi’ang gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands. He was a rational person; having made his choice, he wouldn’t regret it. Newlyweds always had friction, and he and Shen Xiaoshan simply needed time to adjust.
She was carrying his child, and pregnancy was tough—he shouldn’t hold too much against her.
【Wu wu wu, the Shan-Meng CP finally made up!】
【Shipping a CP really isn’t easy—it’s more stress-inducing than my own love life, worrying about them every second!】
【Shan-Meng CP, charge ahead and take first place!】
【Meng Zi’ang looks so charming when he’s confident—he’s practically swept Sister Shan off her feet!】
On the other side:
Jin Mingzhu nagged anxiously: “Old Chen, winning first place doesn’t matter. Just drive slowly.”
“Don’t worry, honey,” Chen Feihong said steadily. “This is my first time driving an off-road vehicle with you through the desert. I’ll definitely drive carefully.”
Qin Jiaojiao glanced at the off-road vehicles of the guests on both sides, feeling a bit worried.
The desert off-road rally route was uneven, and driving too fast could easily cause the vehicle to flip. Even with protective gear on, she couldn’t help but worry about accidents.
She leaned in stealthily and whispered into Zhou Shaoli’s ear: “Let’s drive slowly. There’s no need to compete for first place.”
Zhou Shaoli turned his head to look at her, asking calmly, “Are you scared?”
Qin Jiaojiao nodded timidly: “A little bit.”
The guests were wearing body mics, so although she spoke in a tiny voice, the livestream fans heard it crystal clear.
【Is the Salted Fish couple about to start slacking off again?】
【We’re used to it. As long as you two deliver enough dog food, slacking off is totally fine!】
【Hahaha, Jiaojiao somehow looks so sneaky here!】
【Sneaking around trying to slack off in a rally race—I’m reporting this!】
Zhou Shaoli used to race cars in the past. Though he hadn’t driven as much in recent years, his technique and muscle memory remained intact. He had originally intended to win first place to claim the production crew’s reward for her, but seeing her scared, he dropped the idea.
“Alright, I’ll drive slowly,” he said, his eyes filled with doting affection.
As the director’s countdown concluded, a whistle blew! Meng Zi’ang’s off-road vehicle surged ahead in the lead, followed closely by Chen Feihong, with Zhou Shaoli trailing behind at a steady speed of fifty to sixty kilometers per hour.
Her face covered by a veil, Qin Jiaojiao suddenly realized that trailing behind meant eating flying sand, and immediately urged: “Speed up, speed up!”
Zhou Shaoli shot her a glance and stepped on the accelerator to pick up speed, steering the car slightly to the side to dodge the dust kicked up by the vehicles ahead.
The vast desert scenery was magnificent and mysterious. Riding atop an off-road vehicle and surging through the dunes filled one’s heart with surge of excitement, sending a rush of adrenaline straight to the brain.
Qin Jiaojiao was the type of person who secretly craved thrills. She was cowardly before trying, but once she experienced the unique adrenaline rush, her spirits soared into overdrive.
“Zhou Shaoli, faster! Speed up! Charge, duckies!”
Seeing her as excited as a charging warrior, Zhou Shaoli answered her battle cry and accelerated once more. The off-road vehicle sped smoothly and swiftly, weaving through the desert track.
Meng Zi’ang, far ahead in the lead, stole a glance back, only to see Chen Feihong driving slowly far behind and Zhou Shaoli reduced to a tiny dot, filling his heart with smugness.
A noble young master like Zhou Shaoli spent his days sitting in an office, chauffeured everywhere he went while sticking strictly to rules. How could his racing skills ever compare to his own?
In this race arranged by the production crew, he was guaranteed to win!
Shen Xiaoshan looked back and saw Zhou Shaoli and Qin Jiaojiao trailing far behind. A relieved smile spread across her face. Ever since filming started, she had been suffering setback after setback; finally, she could hold her head up high.
The desert racing track was far more difficult to navigate than paved roads, placing heavy demands on the driver’s off-road skills. Drivers had to carefully manage their cornering speed, as the slightest mistake could lead to a rollover.
The camera operator reminded Meng Zi’ang: “Mr. Meng, you’re driving too fast. Please slow down around the bends.”
Meng Zi’ang’s heart rate accelerated. The sensation of being pursued closely from behind, on the verge of being overtaken, made his whole body tense up. He completely ignored the camera operator’s warning, his mind consumed solely by the thought of going faster, faster!
Shen Xiaoshan urged: “Zi’ang, we’re about to win! Speed up!”
Looking at Meng Zi’ang’s off-road vehicle ahead, Qin Jiaojiao asked in confusion, “Are they speeding?”
“Yes, they’re speeding.” Zhou Shaoli handled the steering wheel with effortless ease as he made a turn, the passengers shifting only slightly while remaining comfortably seated.
“Risking their lives just to win,” Qin Jiaojiao praised Zhou Shaoli: “I didn’t expect you to drive an off-road sand vehicle so fast and steadily.”
Zhou Shaoli glanced at her. “I used to race cars in the past.”
Qin Jiaojiao looked at him in surprise: “You actually used to race cars?”
Zhou Shaoli’s voice remained calm and casual. “Why? I don’t look the type?”
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