Chapter 25: First to Fall

The helicopter flew for six hours, soaring over skyscrapers, mountains, and rivers before finally arriving at the destination. Looking down from the cabin, they saw a crescent-shaped island surrounded by azure waters, its surface lush and vibrant with greenery.

As the helicopter touched down on the beach, a team was already waiting—the production crew and safety personnel. Zhao Xue stepped onto the sand, met by a salty, humid sea breeze. Unlike the overcast skies back home, the sun here was incredibly intense, scorching the earth.

She looked out at the deep blue sea surrounding the fine sand and the ink-black rocks being lashed by the waves. This was her first time seeing the ocean, but before she could admire the view, a deep male voice boomed through a megaphone.

“Explorers, please gather over here!”

It was Director Li Yi. Though the show wasn’t a mainstream hit, he was wealthy and had a personal passion for filming survival variety shows—the sole reason for this third season. He nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the group; they looked a bit more spirited than the participants from the previous two years.

“Since you’re here, you’ve done your homework,” Li Yi continued. “No professionals will teach you how to survive. You will live on this island for twenty days. Food, water, and shelter are all on you. You must also complete tasks assigned by the crew. The team with the most points at the end wins a mysterious grand prize.”

“We are live. There will be no editing. If you can’t handle that, now is your chance to back out.”

When no one objected, Li Yi moved on. “If there are no problems, start picking your partners. You have ten minutes.”

Zhao Xue locked her gaze on Shen Xun, but Shen Xun didn’t look back. Instead, she walked toward another girl. “Li Yaoyao, do you want to team up?”

Li Yaoyao glanced at Shen Xun and shook her head apologetically. “Sorry, Shen Xun, I’d rather team up with Big Brother Wu.”

She was referring to Wu Chenghui, a martial arts star and a veteran of the show. While he had never made it to the very end, he was the safest bet for any newcomer. For “flops” with no resources like them, winning meant a movie audition—a rare and precious opportunity.

Shen Xun gave an understanding smile. “It’s okay.” She then turned to Zhao Liuer, an influencer.

But Zhao Liuer was looking at Zhao Xue with eyes full of ambition. Zhao Xue was the biggest name there. Teaming with her meant the most “clout.” Zhao Liuer didn’t care about survival; she wanted the drama. If Zhao Xue ended up crying while she stayed strong, the contrast would be a goldmine for traffic. She ignored Shen Xun completely.

Shen Xun then approached Xiao Minqun, the rookie who had blushed earlier. “Sorry,” he said, avoiding her eyes. “I’m going to team up with Cheng Hu.”

Rejected three times, Shen Xun’s expression barely flickered. She just sighed and gave a shy, embarrassed smile. “Looks like no one wants to team up with me.”

The live comments were savage:

— At least she’s self-aware. Stay away from our Liuer! — Thank god he said no. She probably just wanted to start a fake romance for views. — Why did they even invite her? Is the show not failing enough already?

“Shen Xun, can we team up?” a gentle voice called out.

Shen Xun’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly. She kept her face neutral as she looked at the solitary figure of Zhao Xue. She walked over with a sincere-looking smile. “Of course. I just didn’t expect Senior Zhao would want to work with me.”

Zhao Xue’s eyes crinkled happily as she reached out. “Welcome, partner.”

Shen Xun looked at the slender hand before slowly placing hers in it. Zhao Xue pulled away instantly, acting perfectly normal. “Let’s go, the director is calling us.”

The fans were touched:

— Sister Xue is too kind! She only picked Shen Xun because she saw her standing alone. — An angel! I’m a fan for life!

Director Li smiled at the rising viewership. “Alright, since we’re a variety show, let’s start with a game to decide your sleeping arrangements. Standard rules: we’ll tie balloons to your backs. The first team to pop three balloons wins.”

As the crew moved in, Zhao Xue spoke up. “Can we tie them in the front? Shen Xun and I are both girls, I don’t mind.”

Shen Xun froze. She knew Zhao Xue never did anything without a motive to cause trouble. She looked at the director, hoping he would refuse. Li Yi shrugged—it didn’t seem to matter to him—and gave the okay.

The crew tied the balloons to their midsections, forcing the two to stand incredibly close. Shen Xun looked up and could see the fine sweat on Zhao Xue’s brow and her clear, dark eyes filled with a gentle smile. Zhao Xue was dangerously good at acting for the cameras.

The director counted down and the game began. Because they were face-to-face, they couldn’t just push back-to-back; they were practically face-to-face. Shen Xun felt awkward; pushing forward meant intimate contact she desperately wanted to avoid.

But Zhao Xue had no such qualms. Seeing that her face was hidden from the cameras by Shen Xun’s head, she let out a triumphant, sinister smirk. Before Shen Xun could react, Zhao Xue lunged forward, pinning her down onto the sand.

Shen Xun gritted her teeth against the weight. “Senior, what are you doing?” she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady for the mic.

Zhao Xue braced her hands on either side of Shen Xun’s head. “I’m so sorry, I was just too eager,” she said aloud, her voice sounding worried. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

The distance was suffocating. Shen Xun could feel Zhao Xue’s hot breath and catch the faint scent of her perfume. “Senior, get up,” Shen Xun hissed, turning her head.

But Zhao Xue didn’t move. “I think we can pop it this way,” she said, pressing her body down repeatedly as if doing push-ups. Every movement brought a sensation that reminded Shen Xun far too much of the previous night.

The live comments exploded:

— Is it just me, or is this… intense? — Am I watching a survival show or a dating show? — I SHIP IT! Look at that tension!

Zhao Xue eventually stopped trying and just slumped her weight onto Shen Xun. “Don’t move, let’s see if this works.”

While the balloons kept their midsections slightly apart, their shoulders and legs were pressed firmly together. Shen Xun felt a wave of intense frustration. This woman is like a piece of gum, she thought, cursing internally.

Ultimately, Wu Chenghui and Li Yaoyao took first place. Zhao Xue and Shen Xun, having failed to pop a single balloon, came in last. Their prize was the worst accommodation: sleeping under the open sky.

“Now, pick three tools from your suitcases,” the director ordered.

Zhao Xue opened her suitcase, which her new assistant had packed with common survival gear. [System, which ones?] she asked.

The System, which had been busy watching TV in its own space, jumped and gave her the list: flint, military knife, and a hand axe.

Zhao Xue turned to Shen Xun. “Are these okay?”

Shen Xun was surprised she was being asked. “Senior, can we swap the axe for a medical kit?”

Zhao Xue smiled warmly. “Of course, no problem.”

Once the tools were selected, they were blindfolded and loaded onto helicopters for the actual drop-off. Drones followed each team, and a professional survivalist trailed them at a distance to ensure they didn’t actually die. It was, after all, only a variety show.