The third floor of the Nahe Hotel housed a buffet restaurant. When the group arrived, everyone gasped at the production team’s extravagance—they had actually booked out the entire restaurant until nine-thirty that evening.
The buffet was named Yun Jun Luo. The hotel’s overall decor was quite traditional and elegant, so the name wasn't surprising. The spread was comprehensive, with dishes laid out on tables of white and blue porcelain, featuring everything from Chinese and Western main courses to various pastries and desserts.
The waitresses wore knee-length, light green dresses paired with pale orange trousers, their hair neatly pinned up with traditional hairpins.
Since the restaurant could seat over two hundred people and the production crew only numbered thirty-four, there were plenty of empty seats. However, everyone naturally congregated in the center and at the window-side tables.
Several cast members, along with PD Jiang and a few writers, sat at a large table by the window. Zhang Jin’an sat at the innermost seat, while Jiang Siyang was at the outermost end, separated by five people. Zhang Jin’an watched as Jiang Siyang went up for seconds, his plate piled high each time.
Jiang Siyang was wearing a pale yellow faux two-piece hoodie—short sleeves over long sleeves—and had changed into his own loose-fitting jeans, looking clean and natural. He seemed to have washed his hair; it was no longer styled in curls but rested on his head, fluffy and smooth. When he walked quickly, the strands on top would even bounce slightly.
“The person most happy about this buffet is probably Siyang,” Jiu Chang said from across Jiang Siyang, chuckling.
Jiang Siyang couldn't suppress his smile at the sight of food. He admitted, “Yes.”
Jing Shangshu, sitting across from Zhang Jin’an, looked at Zhang Jin’an’s plate, which held only a small portion of fried rice and some fish soup. “Big Brother, you’re eating that little?”
“I’m joining a film crew soon, so I have to cut back,” Zhang Jin’an replied.
“What’s there to fear? Eat more, then just go for a run later,” Jing Shangshu continued. “Dieting is bad for your health; exercising more is the right way. Actually, exercise is only tiring at the very beginning. Once you get used to it, it’s not tiring at all...”
“...”
Jing Shangshu went on at length. Zhang Jin’an didn't say a word in response, slowly sipping his lemon water.
“Take Siyang, for example. I think his method is very wise—eating and exercising at the same time, getting the best of both worlds,” Jing Shangshu said. “You can just head out more during your breaks.”
Zhang Jin’an finished his water and set down the empty glass before finally giving a brief, “Mhm.”
Jing Shangshu was about to continue when Jiu Chang happened to slap the table. It wasn't loud, but it drew everyone’s attention, including Jing Shangshu’s. Zhang Jin’an breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Jing Shangshu turn away.
Zhang Jin’an looked over to see Jiu Chang talking to PD Jiang. “The hundredth episode is such a grand affair; what are we going to do for the two hundredth?”
“What, are you starting to worry about that now?” Chen Yi teased.
Jiu Chang patted his chest, boasting shamelessly, “Of course. I’m even thinking of worming my way into the production crew to get a piece of the pie.”
“That’s easy. Just have Big Brother come back again,” Pan Ming joked.
Zhang Jin’an smiled. “I don’t mind, as long as I’m free.”
“Then come more often,” Jiang Siyang’s voice drifted over from the side.
Zhang Jin’an paused, leaning forward slightly and narrowing his eyes with a smile as he watched Jiang Siyang set down his fork.
At the same time, Jiang Siyang’s gaze fell upon him. Zhang Jin’an heard him continue, “There’s no need to wait for the two hundredth episode. You can come whenever you want, Brother.”
Chen Yi laughed. “I think Big Brother is fine with it, but the show’s budget might not be.”
Pan Ming suddenly burst out laughing. “Look at PD Jiang’s expression! He looks so uneasy.”
“How about this,” Jiu Chang immediately suggested. “PD Jiang, give us a number. If this episode’s viewership breaks a certain mark, we’ll do something like this again?”
As soon as Jiu Chang finished, PD Jiang readily agreed. “Deal.”
PD Jiang’s quick response surprised everyone, and the table grew rowdy again.
“Whoa! That fast?” Chen Yi eyed PD Jiang suspiciously. “PD, you didn't plan this in advance, did you? Is this a setup?”
The others felt the same, but Zhang Jin’an thought otherwise. He spoke up for PD Jiang, “Look at the writers’ faces; they look stunned. They probably haven't discussed this; the PD just came up with it.”
Chen Yi nodded. “True...”
However, even with Zhang Jin’an’s defense, PD Jiang was a man of many tricks. Such a ready answer, whether premeditated or not, made people uneasy.
So Pan Ming asked, “PD Jiang, have you thought of the conditions?”
Sure enough, PD Jiang cleared his throat twice. “I was just about to say. If we want a spread like today’s, the viewership has to at least break...”
As he spoke, PD Jiang held up three fingers.
Chen Yi guessed, “Thirty thousand?”
PD Jiang shook his head.
Jiu Chang: “Three hundred thousand?”
PD Jiang shook his head again.
Jiu Chang tried again: “Three million.”
Only then did PD Jiang nod, looking at everyone meaningfully. “That’s right—three million.”
“Ugh...” Everyone groaned.
When Zhang Jin’an heard that number, he nearly choked on the oyster meat he had just eaten.
Currently, even the most popular web variety shows could barely break three million views. This was clearly a number PD Jiang had pulled out of thin air because he didn't want to treat them.
Zhang Jin’an wiped his mouth and watched as Chen Yi gave a thumbs up, saying to PD Jiang through gritted teeth, “I knew it! How could PD Jiang agree so quickly? To avoid spending money, you really come up with anything. PD, you’re an absolute savage.”
Zhang Jin’an looked at the writers again; they were visibly relieved, their expressions much more relaxed.
“However—” PD Jiang continued, his voice rising with smugness, “if it doesn't hit three million but exceeds fifty thousand, Jin’an can come back whenever he wants, though the accommodations will definitely be lower-tier.”
Everyone: “...”
Three million and fifty thousand—the difference was astronomical.
Zhang Jin’an was just about to enjoy the show as a bystander when PD Jiang called him out: “One more thing. Until this episode airs, Jin’an, you aren't allowed to promote it.”
Zhang Jin’an was stunned. “Huh?”
“Unbelievable. That’s it; the road is truly blocked now,” Jiu Chang slumped into his chair. “I was planning on relying on Big Brother’s promotion, but now there’s no hope. PD Jiang, you have a heart of stone!”
“Too cruel. An absolute savage,” Chen Yi said.
PD Jiang replied in a highly provocative tone, “So, do we still have a bet?”
Jing Shangshu and Jiu Chang, the two most impatient members, were instantly provoked. They slammed the table and shouted in unison, “Bet!”
“Hey—you two, slow down,” Pan Ming didn't have time to stop them. Since things had reached this point, he could only compromise. “Forget it. Either way, this bet isn't a bad thing. Let’s do it, let’s do it.”
And so, the matter was settled. Everyone clinked glasses and continued chatting and eating.
The atmosphere was excellent; it was clear they gathered often, as everyone interacted with natural familiarity. Occasionally, the conversation would turn to Zhang Jin’an, and he would chime in. Overall, Zhang Jin’an found the meal very comfortable.
Because he was chatting while eating, Zhang Jin’an ate very slowly. By the time he was finishing up, everyone in his row except for Jiang Siyang had left their seats to get more food.
Zhang Jin’an thought this was great. With the seats empty, his field of vision widened; he no longer had to tactically lean forward or backward just to see half of Jiang Siyang’s face.
Jiang Siyang was chatting with Jiu Chang while eating fries. Zhang Jin’an didn't pay attention to what they were saying; his focus was entirely on Jiang Siyang’s table. Zhang Jin’an remembered clearly that a waitress had come by not long ago to clear the empty plates, yet now three more plates were stacked on Jiang Siyang’s table.
The corner of Zhang Jin’an’s mouth, hidden behind his left hand, couldn't help but curl upward. *He really can eat.*
Once Chen Yi returned, Zhang Jin’an finally stood up to leave his seat. “I’m going to get some dessert.”
“Ah, sure. The watermelon juice over there is quite sweet,” Chen Yi said.
“Is it? I’ll go check it out.” As Zhang Jin’an passed behind Jiang Siyang, he patted him on the shoulder. Jiang Siyang turned his head, and seeing it was Zhang Jin’an, he asked curiously, “What is it, Brother?”
Zhang Jin’an had his hands in his pockets. “Coming for dessert?”
“Sure!” Jiang Siyang immediately stood up and followed.
The two passed several stalls, walking together toward the pastry section. The lights at each stall shone down on the dishes, making them look incredibly enticing. But Zhang Jin’an was destined to be parted from these things. He wept silently in his heart—of all times to have a buffet, it had to be right before he joined a film crew. If he hadn't wanted a drink and something sweet, he wouldn't have wanted to come to this heartbreaking area at all.
Noticing Zhang Jin’an’s gaze lingering on the stalls, Jiang Siyang asked with concern, “Brother, I don’t think you’ve picked up much food. Are you full?”
“Not full,” Zhang Jin’an sighed, moving his gaze from the fried chicken legs to Jiang Siyang’s face. “But I can’t eat anymore.”
“Why?” Jiang Siyang asked, puzzled. “Eat if you want to. It’s a buffet; the food is free.”
Zhang Jin’an waved his hand. “I’m joining a crew soon. I can’t eat, I really can’t. Do you usually reduce your food intake before joining a crew?”
Jiang Siyang shook his head honestly. “No, I don’t change my intake. If I eat too much, I just work it off with exercise the next day. Eating too little is bad for the body; I’d lose my energy.”
Zhang Jin’an gave Jiang Siyang a respectful thumbs up. “If I had your level of willpower, my treadmill wouldn't be used as a drying rack for clothes.”
Jiang Siyang laughed. “It’s okay, Brother. Everyone has a method that suits them. As long as you’re healthy, that’s what matters.”
Zhang Jin’an was slightly taken aback, then he smiled too. “You’re right.”
Zhang Jin’an finally understood why he felt so comfortable talking to Jiang Siyang. It was because Jiang Siyang wouldn't impose his own ideas on him like others did; even if his ideas were correct, he wouldn't force Zhang Jin’an to choose them.
Jiang Siyang respected all of his decisions.
***
