Chapter 6—The Unexpected Male Guest: Cheng Beigu? Gu Beicheng?

Jiang Ning continued toward the second male contestant, whose striking looks were impossible to ignore. Tilting her chin, she studied the man’s golden hair and blue eyes. “This gentleman is from France.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Ning greeted him in fluent French, “Sir, may I ask on which floor the mystery male guest is?”

The Frenchman bent slightly, offering her a charming smile. “Oh, beautiful lady, I didn’t expect your French to be so impeccable. The mystery guest is on the first floor.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Ning moved to the third man, giving him a thorough once-over. He returned her gaze with a friendly smile, extending his open palm toward her.

She picked up a Swiss toffee and popped it into her mouth. “He’s Swiss.”

Switching to Swiss German, Jiang Ning asked, “Sir, which direction is the mystery guest from me?”

The man pointed behind her. “He’s behind you.”

The comments streamed in—

“Swiss toffee? I’m surprised, is that really Swiss?”
“Does anyone remember Yikoulian?”
“Isn’t anyone noticing Jiang Ning speaks several languages?”
“As a French major, her French is flawless.”
“Italian major here—totally agree.”
“I can’t believe she even speaks Swiss German!”
“I’m an instant fan!”

Only the last contestant remained. He was fashionably dressed and looked just like someone from the capital. Jiang Ning hesitated, unsure if he was local, until the man edged slightly to the left.

“Kimchi?”

She approached the table behind him, pointing at the bowl. “He’s Korean.”

After a moment’s thought, she asked in Korean, “Excuse me, is the mystery male guest in that room?”

“Yes,” he replied.

Jiang Ning smiled, striding confidently toward the room she’d indicated. She stopped at the door. “Come out.”

The director had said the mystery male guest was an ordinary person; she was genuinely curious what he looked like.

The door opened slowly. Out stepped a tall man in a pale blue shirt and black suit trousers. “Hello everyone, I’m the mystery male guest, Cheng Beigu.”

Jiang Ning’s eyebrows trembled. She stared at the familiar face in disbelief, stepping forward for confirmation, her heart screaming a single name: Gu Beicheng!

Why was he on a dating show? Cheng Beigu, that alias… what an idea. Gu Beicheng was the executive director of the largest film company in the capital, yet had never appeared in the entertainment industry. He truly was an unknown.

“Jiang Ning, do you and Mr. Cheng know each other?” Liu Dongdong teased, seeing how she couldn’t take her eyes off Gu Beicheng.

Jiang Ning snapped out of it, recoiled, and put as much distance between herself and Gu Beicheng as possible.

“I don’t know him.”

The comments rolled in—

“This mystery guest is so handsome!”
“Hotter than the Movie King Bai!”
“Is Jiang Ning smitten?”
“She’s definitely trying to charm the guests…”
“I’m indifferent to Jiang Ning.”

Jiang Ning stood, head lowered as if lost in thought, when she suddenly felt a gaze upon her. She looked up, meeting Gu Beicheng’s eyes, which held a complex meaning.

“We can return to the island now.” Perhaps because of the live broadcast, Gu Beicheng’s tone was far gentler than the night before.

Jiang Ning pondered how to avoid interacting with this man during the episodes. She had no fondness for this CEO, and if he chose her for a date, it would be trouble.

“Jiang Ning, what are you thinking? Are you riding the jet ski with me, or alone…” Gu Beicheng looked at her coolly, a glimmer of amusement in his dark eyes.

“Alone.” Jiang Ning glanced at his face and replied with indifference.

Without waiting for his answer, she swung her long legs over the jet ski, started the engine, and sped off across the sea.

Watching her retreating figure, Gu Beicheng raised his thick brows in mild surprise and followed closely behind, lips curled in a faint smile.

Out at sea, side by side, away from the cameras, Jiang Ning felt a little freer.

She turned to look at him, eyes full of wariness.

“Why are you on this show?” This man knew Bai Zehan, that scumbag, and Jiang Ning worried he might interfere with her plans.

Gu Beicheng’s dark eyes gazed into her as if to draw her in. He smiled imperceptibly. “Still insisting you don’t know me?”

Jiang Ning turned away awkwardly, cursing herself for her earlier denial.

She replied impatiently, “Who I know is none of your business.”

She had no interest in further conversation. With a twist of the throttle, she left him behind.

But Gu Beicheng kept pace, his cold voice carried by the sea breeze, “Because of my grandfather.”

Jiang Ning pretended not to hear, a mocking smile playing on her lips. What a dutiful grandson the CEO was.

The two mystery guests arrived on Hundred Flowers Island, where Gao Minglang welcomed them with enthusiasm, surrounded by staff.

“Sister Ning, who’s more handsome, me or the mystery guest you brought back?” Qi Jun sidled up to her, shooting a disgruntled glance at Gu Beicheng.

Sensing hostility, Gu Beicheng looked at Qi Jun, his profound gaze sharp as ice.

Qi Jun shuddered and edged behind Jiang Ning for cover—the man’s mere glance made his skin crawl.

Jiang Ning moved away from Qi Jun in distaste. “He is.”

Qi Jun’s face darkened, but ignoring her rebuff, he continued, “Sister Ning, how about we pair up? You seem like someone focused on your career. Compared to the other women, I prefer you.”

“Also?” Jiang Ning shot him a mocking look. He really had the nerve to claim he was career-focused.

Qi Jun was left speechless.

With the first task on Hundred Flowers Island complete, Jiang Ning won a tent, and Qi Jun received mosquito repellent gear.

Gao Minglang began introducing the mystery guests. “Friends in the live room, let me introduce our two ordinary mystery guests. This is Song Xiao, head chef of a Michelin three-star restaurant, and this is Cheng Beigu, a ski instructor.”

“With all four male guests ready, we’ll proceed to the next round. The winner tonight will have the right to invite a female guest to stay with them in the island’s most luxurious cabin.”

“For this round, you have one hour. The four men must search the island for eight barrels of purified water hidden by production. Whoever brings back the most barrels wins. Go!”

Qi Jun dashed into the island first, followed closely by Song Xiao and Bai Zehan. Only Gu Beicheng walked unhurriedly, taking his time.

Fu Jiaojiao’s infatuated gaze lingered on Gu Beicheng’s back—perhaps it was time to change her target.

Gao Tiange glanced at Fu Jiaojiao and gave a cold snort. Just from Cheng Beigu’s presence, it was obvious he was no ordinary ski instructor. That woman was just looking to climb the social ladder.

With arms folded, Gao Tiange surveyed the island, her mind restless: Could Bai Zehan win? She really didn’t want to spend the night in a tent.

“Sister Ning, what are you up to?” Deputy director Chen Liang’s call drew everyone’s attention to Jiang Ning, who was expertly setting up her tent.

She rose, wiped the sweat from her brow, and replied, “Pitching my tent to sleep in tonight.”

“Jiang Ning, you’re certainly self-aware, knowing Bai Zehan won’t choose you and preparing your own backup plan,” Fu Jiaojiao mocked venomously as she walked over.

Jiang Ning shot her a sidelong glance, then bent over to continue her work.

Fed up with Jiang Ning’s coldness, Fu Jiaojiao pressed on, “Jiang Ning, I’m talking to you!”

Jiang Ning looked up, her gaze sharp as a blade, pinning Fu Jiaojiao in place. She nodded toward Gao Tiange in the distance. “You think Bai Zehan can win? Even if he does, will he pick you for the cabin? If you value your peace, get out of my sight while I still have patience.”

“Hmph.” Furious, Fu Jiaojiao stomped away.