Chapter Seventy-Two: Brother! We're on a Dating Show!!

Chen Fang stood disheveled in the wind. The script’s progression seemed off.

The program’s shuttle bus had indeed arrived. But it seemed its only purpose was to come—not to take Chen Fang away.

“Your production team… is really playing hard,” he exclaimed in disbelief.

Xiao Wang, the PD, still smiled warmly. From the moment he stepped off the bus, “Let’s Fall in Love Together” officially began. The show wasn’t streamed live; instead, a week’s worth of footage would be captured, then edited into a finished product to greet fans and audiences on the big screen.

Xi Yuanyuan was just as baffled. This wasn’t right! The show used to work differently. Previously, the production team sent vehicles to pick up the male and female stars and bring them to a location chosen by the team. Only when all the celebrities arrived would the first task card be revealed—usually a simple competition game, followed by couples choosing their rooms based on their ranking.

Why had the rules suddenly changed?

Xiao Wang gestured for Chen Fang to look at the task card.

Chen Fang lowered his head to read the card in his hand.

Its content was simple—just a single sentence:

“The new season of ‘Let’s Fall in Love Together’ officially begins. This time, the gathering point is the boundlessly beautiful Yunmeng Island. Please find your own way to reach Yunmeng Island by 6 p.m.”

Yunmeng Island?

Chen Fang frowned slightly. He’d never heard of it.

He pulled out his phone and searched for Yunmeng Island on the map.

Good grief.

This godforsaken place was over five hundred kilometers from Future Stardom Company. Even more shocking, Chen Fang had assumed “island” was just a figure of speech; the map showed it was literal—a real island out in the sea.

In other words, to get there, Chen Fang had two choices: take a boat, or take a plane.

It was just past eight in the morning, with a requirement to reach Yunmeng Island before six in the evening.

It sounded like plenty of time, but actually, it was tight.

Because out of those five hundred kilometers, more than a hundred were across open water. Chen Fang paid special attention: Yunmeng Island wasn’t a developed resort nor a tourist destination, so tickets from the mainland were limited and often unavailable.

This production team was wild!

As for flying—

Forget it!

Yunmeng Island was just a small place, with fewer than fifty thousand residents—no funds for an airport. Unless you had a private plane.

Chen Fang’s head hurt.

The production team really didn’t play fair!

“You guys really know how to spice things up,” Chen Fang sighed.

Had he known it’d be such a hassle, he would have joined "Brother Challenge" instead.

Xi Yuanyuan glanced at the task card, saw the instructions, and her brows knitted. The difficulty was a bit much.

“Will everyone else get this task too?” Chen Fang asked curiously.

He suspected he was being singled out because his status was too low.

After all, hazing newcomers was one of the few twisted pleasures in showbiz.

Xiao Wang nodded, “Absolutely. As far as I know, Queen An is already on her private jet heading to Yunmeng Island.”

Chen Fang: What?

He was stunned!

Sister, you have a private jet—couldn’t you at least take me along?

You flew off all by yourself—did you ever consider your partner’s feelings?

Chen Fang sighed and asked one last question, “What happens if we don’t reach Yunmeng Island by six?”

“No serious consequences,” Xiao Wang replied. “Our show is always very lenient with guests.”

Chen Fang was about to relax.

The next second, Xiao Wang continued, “At most, you won’t be allowed to check into a room. The production team will provide a tent; you and your partner will have to sleep there. And the next morning, you’ll have to get up early to prepare breakfast for the other couples.”

The island was swarming with mosquitoes.

And the humidity from the sea was heavy.

Chen Fang’s own constitution could handle one night in a tent, but An Tinghan’s might not.

He wanted to flick his middle finger, but the nearby camera was pointed at him.

After some thought, Chen Fang forced a friendly smile. “I’ll take the early morning shift.”

Having vented, he felt much better!

The others were utterly bewildered, completely lost.

Ignoring their confusion, Chen Fang turned to Xi Yuanyuan. “Yuanyuan, could you give me a ride?”

She nodded.

Soon, a car pulled up in front of Chen Fang.

He opened the passenger door and climbed in, while Xiao Wang and the cameraman took the back seats.

Chen Fang glanced back at them, “You two… remember to pay for gas.”

He was joking!

He and Xi Yuanyuan were acquainted, so he could hitch a ride for free.

But as for those two in the back—who were they?

They weren’t friends; he had to recover the fare.

For a moment, Xiao Wang and the cameraman could only smile helplessly.

But they didn’t mind; all expenses during filming were reimbursed anyway.

The car drove off, and the towering buildings gradually shrank behind them.

Soon, the trees lining the road grew dense and lush.

According to the navigation, the total distance from the city of Jingdu to Yunmeng Island was five hundred and ten kilometers, with four hundred kilometers over land and one hundred and ten by sea.

Xi Yuanyuan took the expressway, so the land portion would take five or six hours at most; they’d easily reach the coastal port by two in the afternoon, and Chen Fang would have to figure out the ferry himself.

Perhaps finding the ride too boring, Xiao Wang in the back seat started a conversation. “Mr. Chen Fang, I’d like to ask—how do you feel about being paired as a seven-day couple with Queen An Tinghan?”

“You already said it’s just for seven days—not a real couple. What feelings could I possibly have?” Chen Fang replied, his voice drowsy.

He was doomed! Xi Yuanyuan’s car had some inexplicable effect—he always felt sleepy in it.

He’d made sure to sleep early last night to stay alert today, but he still couldn’t resist the urge.

Xiao Wang was dumbfounded.

Such a blunt male guest!

Previously, when male guests were asked this question, they always gave lengthy speeches, thanking their company, the production team, praising the female guest, expressing their longing and plans for the seven-day journey.

All of it sounded fake!

But Chen Fang’s answer was a first.

“Are you not looking forward to a romantic journey with Queen An?” Xiao Wang pressed.

“Will there be hugs, kisses, and lifts?” Chen Fang asked.

Xiao Wang felt his mouth go dry.

Something wasn’t right!

This season’s guests seemed hard to handle.

After a long pause, Xiao Wang managed an awkward smile. “If you and Queen An spark genuine romance, I believe there will be hugs, kisses, and lifts.”

“Then forget it,” Chen Fang shook his head. “Chasing women is too tiring. I’m fine being pampered, but I refuse to be a sycophant.”

Xiao Wang was floored.

Brother!

This is a romance reality show!

Are you sure that’s the right thing to say?