While Zhong Ruanxing was happily eating, the director team looked at the message sent by Hidden Star Island owner's assistant and were all stunned.
Zhong Ruanxing chased the chicken all the way to the island owner's manor?
The island owner invited Zhong Ruanxing to visit the manor?
The island owner asked Zhong Ruanxing to stay for dinner together?
Was this warm and hospitable island owner really the same person who previously said he didn't want to be disturbed by the guests and crew?
Director Yan coughed and broke the silence, "After all, Zhong Ruanxing is very beautiful. The island owner previously underestimated the beauty of the female guests on our show."
Everyone suddenly understood!
So it wasn't just the audience and male guests on the show, even the rich and powerful island owner couldn't resist the attack of peerless beauty!
A staff member beside him asked in a low voice, "Director Yan, does Zhong Ruanxing still count as breaking the rules now?"
Entering the restricted area where the island owner is located is trespassing and grounds for being expelled from the island!
Director Yan glared at the clueless subordinate, "The island owner just invited her to have dinner together, and you want to kick her out right after? Are you trying to get our whole crew kicked off the island!"
Rules are made by people, people need to be flexible!
Director Yan happily thought that now Zhong Ruanxing was on good terms with the island owner, their future filming wouldn't need to be so cautious. Who knows, maybe at the end of the show, they'd even get a chance to film in the island manor! From a distance, it looked no different than a royal castle.
Curse those filthy rich people, humph!
...
On the island, night falls late. By the time Zhong Ruanxing finished her seafood dinner while enjoying the sunset, although the moon was already hanging in the sky, the light still hadn't faded. The sea reflected the sky in a pale cyan.
Zhong Ruanxing checked the time and had to restrain her desire to stay longer, "I should go back now."
Song JinXing nodded, "I'll walk you back."
The butler had already locked up the chickens in cages as instructed and packed her backpack full of supplies.
Zhong Ruanxing thought he meant walk her to the manor gates, but after walking dozens of meters, he was still carrying her backpack over one shoulder and holding the chicken cage, showing no signs of turning back.
Zhong Ruanxing shook her flashlight, "You're not walking me all the way back to base, are you?"
Song JinXing glanced at her, "Why not?" She was rendered speechless for a moment. Unsure of her attitude, Song JinXing let out a soft sigh and coaxed gently, "It's too far, the jungle is dangerous at night. I won't feel assured with you going alone."
Zhong Ruanxing said softly, "Then you'll be returning even later, I won't feel assured either."
Song JinXing just laughed lightly. He turned and shone the flashlight back, "Look."
Zhong Ruanxing followed the beam of light and saw two men standing about 10 meters behind them. They looked like bodyguards.
Only then did she relax and said somewhat petulantly, "Fine, I'll reluctantly allow you to walk me back."
Song JinXing chuckled, "Alright, thank you Miss Zhong for gracing me."
Zhong Ruanxing's ears turned red from his teasing, fortunately the ancient trees concealed the light.
She had also explored through this part of the jungle last night, but her mood now was completely different. At this moment she could raise her head to admire the stars scattered across the night sky, she could relax and enjoy the natural fragrances, she could curiously observe the plants she hadn't seen before.
She felt like she was just taking a leisurely stroll, and hoped this road would never end.
Zhong Ruanxing suddenly asked, "Were you on this island over New Year?"
Song JinXing didn't hide it from her, "Yes, I've been here since buying this island."
So he had started preparing early for their meeting here. Zhong Ruanxing suppressed the flutter in her heart and worried, "What about work?"
Song JinXing smiled, "I can work here too, and happen to have some overseas business."
She nodded, "So you'll be staying here for a while."
Song JinXing said, "I'll occasionally go out, but whenever you want to see me, I'll be here."
Zhong Ruanxing blinked repeatedly.
The flashlight beam reflected from the map onto her face, surrounding her in a blurry halo, making her lips look especially vivid. He swallowed and restrained himself from looking, "Let's go, get back earlier to rest."
After traversing the jungle for over an hour, the lights of base finally appeared nearby.
Zhong Ruanxing quickly turned off her flashlight and whispered, "We're here, I can head over myself. Don't let them discover you."
Song JinXing laughed, but still passed her the backpack full of supplies and chicken cage as she said, "Alright."
Just as they were speaking, someone approached flashing a flashlight. It sounded like Xia Xi's voice. Zhong Ruanxing was startled and pulled Song JinXing by the wrist to hide in the nearby bushes.
The beam of light swung around them a few times before finally turning away and disappearing. The surroundings became quiet again. Only then did Zhong Ruanxing realize she was grabbing his wrist with one hand and covering his mouth with the other.
Her eyes widened a little. She could feel his warm lips lightly pressed against her palm, his breaths gently brushing her one by one, like feathers tickling her heart.
She jerked back as if shocked by electricity. Song JinXing was half crouching, looking at her with an amused smile.
Zhong Ruanxing blinked and whispered, "Song JinXing, isn't this so thrilling?"
A suppressed low laugh rumbled from his throat.
Her face flushed slightly. She hurriedly stood up and pushed him, "Alright alright, hurry back now."
Finally unable to restrain himself, he reached out and stroked her soft hair, his voice lowered gentle and soft, "I'll watch until you get in, go on."
Zhong Ruanxing nodded, picked up her backpack and chicken cage, and walked forward. After a few steps, she turned back again.
He stood under the tall tree, his figure blending into the night. Seeing her look back, he smiled and waved at her, signaling her to keep going.
Zhong Ruanxing also smiled and turned to quickly walk back.
Knowing he was also here, on this island called Hidden Star Island, she didn't feel this place was unfamiliar at all. It was no longer an island she needed to cautiously survive and explore, but was the island named after her, that she could trust completely, that belonged to them.
