11 Binding

After ending the call with Jiang Ranyun, Yi Feicheng made another phone call.

“Brother,” he asked Yi Mingcheng directly, “Is your private plane in City A?”

Yi Mingcheng replied readily, “Yes, it is. Need it? Where to?”

“Ranyun has a show to record in City C.”

“Alright, just contact Assistant Wu.”

“Thanks, brother.”

“Ah Fei, it’s grandpa’s birthday this year. You’ll come back, right?”

After asking, there was a long pause without Yi Feicheng’s reply. Yi Mingcheng then laughed and added, “You might as well bring your girlfriend along so everyone can meet her.”

Yi Feicheng whispered, “We’ll see.”

After hanging up, Yi Mingcheng pondered thoughtfully.

Yi Feicheng was considered one of the more rebellious kids in the family. When he first wanted to enter the entertainment industry, relations with the family were tense. But over the years, he mostly just acted in films, rarely in TV dramas, and never stirred up chaotic news. He kept a distance from most in the entertainment circle, as if, just as he once said, he simply loved acting.

The biggest stir he caused recently was the “scandal” a few days ago.

His mother informed him that Yi Feicheng and Jiang Ranyun were just creating hype. But Yi Mingcheng believed that for Yi Feicheng to cooperate with such publicity meant Jiang Ranyun must hold a special place in his heart.

As his younger brother growing up together, how could he not know? Indeed, the test was clear—when he said “girlfriend,” Yi Feicheng didn’t deny it!

It was quite possible that soon his brother would bring someone home. His private plane would certainly play a part in that.

*

“Really? Yi Feicheng is coming? Yi Feicheng? The Yi Feicheng I’m thinking of???”

Jiang Ranyun heard some staff whispering excitedly in the makeup room.

She closed her eyes, letting the makeup artist work, while her ears quietly perked up.

“It’s true, I heard the director say it himself!!”

“Oh my, didn’t expect to see Yi Feicheng at the variety show recording. A new intern who came a few days ago is a fan of his. She’s pretty talented. I asked if she wanted to develop her career here, but she said no, because working here means she’d never see Yi Feicheng.”

“Now she knows, there’s a future in this industry!”

“Ah… Yi Feicheng appearing on a variety show, is it because of Jiang Ranyun?”

“Yes.”

At the man’s voice, the room fell silent.

Jiang Ranyun opened her eyes and saw his figure reflected in the makeup mirror, slowly walking toward her.

Noticing her gaze, Yi Feicheng smiled: “Am I late?”

“No,” Jiang Ranyun said, “but your dressing room isn’t this way.”

“I know. I just wanted to come see you first.”

“Ugh, so clingy,” she muttered teasingly.

The makeup artist overheard and couldn’t help but laugh.

Jiang Ranyun sighed inwardly, embarrassed in front of others.

Yi Feicheng crouched beside her and took her hand. Their hands—one large, one small—were both quite fair. Jiang Ranyun’s was delicate and soft, while Yi Feicheng’s had clear, defined knuckles. Their fingers intertwined, conveying their distinct warmth and breath. Having chilled in the air-conditioned makeup room for a long time, her hand was slightly cold, but when held by Yi Feicheng’s broad palm, it felt wrapped in a summer breeze.

Her fingertips tingled with a strange, delightful numbness.

Just holding hands made Jiang Ranyun feel as if they were lost in an intimate world of their own.

She looked away and cleared her throat, “I’ve had a glance. Go get your makeup done.”

Yi Feicheng responded with a “Okay.”

But he did not move.

Neither did she.

Their hands remained entwined.

After a while, Jiang Ranyun looked at him and whispered, “Why aren’t you leaving?”

The smile in Yi Feicheng’s eyes deepened. He noticed her adorably contradictory behavior—her lips urged him to go, yet her hand held on tightly.

He understood. He knew that even simply holding hands with someone you love can be joyful, skin against skin, perfectly fitting, making it hard to let go.

She truly loved him.

Yi Feicheng bent down and quickly kissed the back of her hand, eyes sparkling as he looked at her. “Alright, I’m going to get my makeup done. See you on stage later.”

With that, he withdrew his hand, fearing that if he hesitated another second, he wouldn’t want to leave.

After Yi Feicheng left, Jiang Ranyun lowered her eyelids, fingers gently stroking the hand he had just kissed. The makeup artist remarked, “You two are way too sweet! No wonder so many people ship you as a couple!”

...

The recording of “Happy Box” officially began.

The opening performance was a chorus of the song “Flying Birds and Green Mountains,” featuring the original four performers—without Yi Feicheng.

After their performance, Yi Feicheng made a solo entrance.

The host gave a grand introduction.

As soon as Yi Feicheng appeared, the audience erupted with screams and cheers. His schedule had been arranged suddenly, and without taking a regular flight, so no one knew he’d come to City C, let alone that he would join this variety show’s recording.

The live audience included fans who shipped the pair. Over the years, Fei and Ranyun hadn’t appeared together often. True fans had long grown accustomed to following their separate schedules, loving them both regardless.

Today was an unexpected, huge surprise!

Following the introduction, the show quickly moved to the game segment.

“The first game today is an upgraded version of the balloon-popping game we often play, with a bit more difficulty,” the host explained. “This time, we’ll form teams of two, but with a twist: it’s a three-legged and three-handed race. Everyone knows what a three-legged race is, but what’s a three-handed race?”

The host looked at Yi Feicheng and Jiang Ranyun. “Come on, our two guests, step forward and show everyone.”

Jiang Ranyun stepped forward cooperatively; Yi Feicheng followed.

“Stand closer, lean together,” the host directed.

The audience responded with delighted cheers.

What followed excited them even more.

Staff came on stage holding ropes, tying Jiang Ranyun’s left ankle to Yi Feicheng’s right ankle, and her left wrist to his right wrist.

“Good, just like this,” said the host. “Soon everyone will pair up like this, tied together. Each person will have a balloon tied to their back and foot. Two pairs will compete in rounds; the first to pop the other’s balloons wins! The losers must answer a question, and if they fail, they get splashed with a water balloon. The ultimate winner will receive an annual membership card for Qingti Video, which can be raffled off to our live audience!”

Jiang Ranyun leaned her head slightly toward Yi Feicheng.

Sensing she wanted to say something, Yi Feicheng lowered his head and leaned in.

Jiang Ranyun whispered, “A water balloon is a balloon filled with water that usually drops from above and bursts on you, soaking your face.”

Yi Feicheng nodded. “Got it, no problem.”

At the same time, he moved the wrist tied to hers, subtly grasping her hand.

Jiang Ranyun: “...”

In full view of everyone, with cameras, hosts, and guests around.

Yi Feicheng was truly crazy!

“Alright, we know the rules. As for teams... I think everyone has more or less paired themselves,” the host smiled.

Jiang Ranyun glanced back and saw Male Guest Three and Female Guest Three group together, another female host and male host paired up, and Zhao Che standing apart with another male host, A Feng.

The host said, “Zhao Che, you’re with A Feng, okay?”

Zhao Che looked toward the already paired Jiang Ranyun and Yi Feicheng. Though he smiled and agreed, his expression was not pleasant.

Yi Feicheng squeezed Jiang Ranyun’s hand gently and smiled lightly. He thought casually: coming to this recording was the right choice; otherwise, who else would be paired with Ranyun for such a game?

Everyone was tied up with three-legged and three-handed ropes and balloons, then drew lots. After seeing the results, the host announced: “Our first match will be Ranyun and Feicheng versus Zhao Che and A Feng!”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yi Feicheng held Jiang Ranyun’s hand, leaned close to her, and clumsily staggered toward the soft-padded competition area.

Suddenly, he understood why some couples in the industry enjoy dating shows.

Not only is it a publicly funded romance, but such experiences are unimaginable—and there’s no worry about calling to meet her only to find she’s flown to another city for work.

Reaching the center of the padded area, he saw Zhao Che standing opposite him.

Yi Feicheng thought again—this would let those oblivious men realize: between him and Jiang Ranyun, there was no room for interference.

Their eyes met, filled with fierce determination to win.