Chapter 125: Twenty-Four

Unlike the harsh accommodations deliberately chosen in typical reality shows to challenge the guests, this homestay boasted an extraordinary exterior and an utterly pleasant environment.

The homestay sat right by the beach, its overall design dominated by crisp whites. When the group of six arrived, the sun was dipping toward the horizon. The orange-red sunset painted the clouds along the edge of the sky, and the vibrant evening glow slanted over the homestay, dyeing the white buildings in vivid hues.

Jiang Yue hauled her suitcase behind Xia Fanxing, took off her sunglasses, and gazed up at the stunning building in front of them with a gasp. “The perks are this good? And it’s a homestay in a standalone villa, no less.”

Xia Fanxing smiled. “It’s the first stop, after all. Gotta leave a good impression on you all, right, sisters?”

Ye Can, who led the pack while dragging her suitcase, headed straight inside. “We’re here—why drag your feet? Hurry up and get in!”

At her urging, the six of them crossed the small garden in front of the villa and went right in.

After setting their luggage down in the living room, Xia Fanxing explained the evening’s arrangements. Since all the rooms had double beds, they needed to draw lots now to pair up.

Ye Can dropped her bags and flopped onto the living room sofa, eyeing Xia Fanxing listlessly. “Why draw lots again? Can’t we just stick with our current groups? We came out together—staying with people we already know makes more sense, doesn’t it?”

Xia Fanxing looked troubled. Lin Zixi, noticing this, smiled lightly. “I get what you’re saying, but we’re gonna be traveling together for so long. We need a chance to get to know each other better from the start.”

Ye Can tilted her head back to look at her, her face full of reluctance. “So you’re saying you wanna sneak off and sleep with some other woman behind my back?”

Jiang Yue, standing nearby, flicked Ye Can’s head with her finger. “You’re a big girl now—can you stop clinging to the adults all the time?”

Ye Can shot Jiang Yue a glance. “Mind your own business?”

Seeing them about to bicker, Lin Zixi jumped in to smooth things over. “Alright, alright. Fanxing, let’s get the draw going.”

Ye Can was utterly unwilling, so Lin Zixi even drew the lot for her.

The final pairings were: Jiang Yue with Xia Fanxing, Lin Zixi with Director Gu Yiyi, and Meng Zhiqiu with Ye Can.

Meng Zhiqiu looked surprised when the results were announced, then joked, “Did the production team plan this? Pairing me with Ye Can—are you trying to stir up even more scandal rumors?”

Jiang Yue grinned. “It’s no big deal. When the first episode airs, a headline like ‘Ye Can and Meng Zhiqiu Sharing a Bed’ might even hit the top charts!”

Meng Zhiqiu threw up her hands in exasperation. “Who wants to trend with a title like that?!”

Jiang Yue eyed the two reluctant ones, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips. She waved her hand in a circle between them, then pointed at Lin Zixi. “How about swapping with Teacher Lin? Ye Can rooms with Director Gu, and Zhiqiu, you bunk with Lin.”

Ye Can shot Jiang Yue a disgusted look. “Can you stop playing matchmaker like that?!”

Ye Can grabbed Meng Zhiqiu and yanked her over. “No backing out now. Let’s drop our stuff in the room first.”

Meng Zhiqiu had no choice but to follow her upstairs.

Lin Zixi watched Ye Can’s back with some concern. Once they were up the stairs, she turned to Gu Yiyi. “Director Gu, sorry to impose on you tonight.”

Gu Yiyi’s smile was warm. “No imposition at all. I’m the one who should thank you for keeping company with a lonely old soul like me.”

After Ye Can left, the others headed to their rooms to unpack.

It took a while to get everything sorted. Then the production team announced they could rest for a bit. By the time everyone had freshened up, a lavish dinner was ready.

On the first day of their trip, they were treated to a feast of fresh seafood.

Both Jiang Yue and Meng Zhiqiu—as well as the newly breakout star Xia Fanxing—were paragons of female celebrity discipline, strictly limiting their carb intake in daily life. This rare indulgence meant they let loose a little.

Ye Can, who always played up her “foodie” persona in public, ate with abandon as usual. Even after everyone else had finished, she was still leisurely polishing off the remnants.

Xia Fanxing watched Ye Can tug the tail of a massive lobster, peel out the plump, tender crab meat inside, dip it in sauce, and pop it in her mouth. Her mind raced with calorie counts for that single bite.

Sitting at the long table, she stared at the tirelessly munching Ye Can. “Ye Can really is like the rumors say… how does she eat like this and never gain weight?”

Xia Fanxing glanced down at her own stomach, on the verge of tears. “Ugh, so jealous. If only I could eat without getting fat!”

Jiang Yue sighed and patted Xia Fanxing’s shoulder consolingly. “Don’t envy her. People like her are the sworn enemies of female stars.”

Ye Can overheard Jiang Yue badmouthing her and shot her a glare. “Lies! What do you mean ‘enemy of female stars’? I work out too, you know.”

That sparked Gu Yiyi’s interest. She turned to Ye Can. “You like working out too? Gym or outdoors?”

Ye Can paused, glancing at Lin Zixi chatting idly with Meng Zhiqiu nearby, then grumbled, “I hike!”

Gu Yiyi lit up, like she’d found a kindred spirit. “Hiking? I do that a lot too. It’s great for the body and clears the mind.”

The conversation veered toward fitness, and by the end of the meal, Gu Yiyi and Xia Fanxing had warmed up to the group.

Bellies full, they finally had the energy for a stroll around the villa. But Ye Can was lazy and used carsickness from the day as an excuse to head back to her room for rest.

The production team wisely left her alone. Lin Zixi, who had planned to join the walk, felt bad seeing Ye Can like that and stayed behind to keep her company.

Ye Can had changed into pajamas and lay on the bed, looking at Lin Zixi beside her. “You’re really ditching me to sleep with that Director Gu tonight?”

Lin Zixi reached out, ruffled her hair, and chuckled softly. “You know that’s not what I meant. It’s just a few days—suck it up. After filming wraps, I’ll take you out to play, okay?”

Ye Can leaned against the headboard, staring straight at Lin Zixi with a face full of grievance. “If I’d known it’d be like this, I wouldn’t have come. Better off staying home playing with you.”

Lin Zixi pinched her cheek, her smile faint. “Little liar. You were thrilled to see Jiang Yue and Meng Zhiqiu today, and now you claim you wanted to stay home with me?”

Ye Can was stubborn. “You’re not me—how do you know I was thrilled?”

Lin Zixi let go, cupping Ye Can’s face in her palm and rubbing gently. “Because it’s obvious when you’re happy.” She ignored others but bullied Meng Zhiqiu and bickered with Jiang Yue—like a total kid.

Ye Can huffed lightly and slid down from the headboard. She burrowed under the covers, looking up at Lin Zixi. “Then coax me to sleep. Coax me, and I’ll forgive you.”

Lin Zixi stroked her silky long hair, murmuring softly, “Sleep, sleep. I’ll head back once you’re out.”

Ye Can obediently closed her eyes. Under Lin Zixi’s gentle coaxing, her mind gradually relaxed. Then Lin Zixi asked, “Ye Can… what did you mean on the plane today when you said you won’t act anymore?”

Ye Can wasn’t asleep yet. She replied lazily, “Exactly what I said. I’m not doing any more acting from now on.”

Lin Zixi paused. “But didn’t you say you loved acting? What changed?”

Ye Can opened her eyes. “That was then. This is now. I figure I can do plenty without acting.”

Lin Zixi propped her chin on one hand, gazing at her tenderly. “Like what? What’s your plan next?”

With Lin Zixi, Ye Can wasn’t brusque like with Jiang Yue. She smiled, clutched the blanket, and turned toward her, eyes sparkling. “Like right now—playing with you.”

“I’ll spend a few years hitting every spot in the world worth visiting.”

She looked at Lin Zixi, eyes full of longing. “Once I’m tired of that, I’ll learn to paint. I’ll paint every place you’ve been, frame them, and keep them as mementos.”

Then, as if struck by a thought, Ye Can added, “Oh, but by then, won’t you be almost forty? At forty, having kids gets tricky.”

Lin Zixi looked at her in surprise. “Kids? What brought this on? Do you want children?”

Ye Can rolled over, staring at the ceiling. “Sometimes I do. I asked Tong Lin about it before—she said it’s possible.”

She turned to Lin Zixi with a grin. “Ye Shen’s still single, no heirs. I don’t want her slaving away, so before the New Year, I brought it up with her.”

Lin Zixi was puzzled. “Brought up what?”

Ye Can said, “I told her I wanted a few kids or something. Hoped she’d have some little ones for me to play with.”

Lin Zixi blinked in surprise. “You actually said that to her? And?”

Ye Can batted her eyes. “She agreed. Barring surprises, Ye Shen should have her own kid next year.”

As she spoke, Ye Can reached out and gently touched Lin Zixi’s belly. “Lin Zixi, wanna have one to play with too?”

“Look, if you don’t soon, you’ll be a high-risk mom later.”

Ye Can looked up earnestly. “Your family’s got no one else, and me neither… A kid might make your life better down the line.”

Lin Zixi poked her forehead, chuckling. “If we have a kid, you raising it?”

Ye Can retreated into her covers, mumbling, “I can pay someone to help.”

Lin Zixi burst out laughing at the sight. “See? You’re so lazy, yet you want kids.”

She sighed, ruffled Ye Can’s hair roughly, and said wistfully, “Kids aren’t born for your amusement. If you really want one, think it through carefully.”

Lin Zixi pinched Ye Can’s cheek. “But you did remind me—I should consider freezing my eggs.”

Ye Can looked up in delight. “Really? Then after this shoot, start prepping for pregnancy!”

Lin Zixi gazed at her helplessly. “You’re like a whirlwind—ideas change by the hour!”