Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 22

Gentle, lover’s whisper-like light music began Lu Yiyao’s morning.

Awakening, Lu Yiyao experienced a moment of confusion, unsure if he was awake or still in a dream. His alarm had always been dynamic Western music, which made him wake up to an upbeat rhythm, sometimes even leading him to dance a few steps after turning it off.

Today’s wake-up tune was excessively soft, making one not want to get up but rather continue snuggling in the soft, fluffy blanket.

A hand suddenly stretched out from the adjacent bed, found the phone, flipped it screen-down on the nightstand, and the light music abruptly stopped. The white arm, like a swift snake, quickly retracted under the covers. The owner of the arm then lazily turned over and continued sleeping.

Lu Yiyao watched the guy lying on his side, facing him, speechless.

Last night, they hadn’t drawn the curtains when they went to bed. The entire window overlooked the lake, with the only visible object being the distant castle, eliminating the possibility of peeping. Plus, the room wasn’t very spacious, and drawing the curtains felt somewhat suffocating. Considering they had to get up early the next day and the sunlight would be nice, they decided against closing them.

But they miscalculated.

The winter sun always rises late, and at this moment, the room was only bright enough to dispel the darkness, far from clear and bright.

So Ran Lin continued to sleep uninhibitedly, blissfully unaware of the time in his dreams.

His face, pressed into the pillow, appeared somewhat flattened on one side, making the other half curiously plump and round. Watching him, Lu Yiyao recalled his female classmate from elementary school, an extremely distant memory that was sometimes clear but mostly vague. However, now it vividly resurfaced in his mind, so clear that he remembered her tearful eyes and the soft touch of her round cheeks when he pinched them.

The light music started again.

Lu Yiyao snapped back to reality, realizing he was reminiscing about his childhood while looking at his male co-star, which felt bizarre.

The white arm made its second appearance, flipping the previously turned phone back over, and then, just like before, swiftly withdrew under the covers, even more adept than five minutes ago.

Lu Yiyao silently picked up his phone, turned off the still untriggered alarm, and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Returning from the bathroom, Ran Lin showed no signs of waking. Lu Yiyao finally understood that the alarm was set for him.

Tit for tat, Lu Yiyao unhesitatingly played his own style of alarm on his phone—

“Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me~~ Don’t you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me~~ Don’t cha…*”

*The Pussycat Dolls – Don’t Cha.

Ran Lin’s eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly. His movements were quiet but impressive.

Lu Yiyao was startled and even forgot to turn off the alarm.

So the two of them sat there, staring at each other, listening to the entire chorus.

Finally, Lu Yiyao turned off the alarm, coughed awkwardly, and said, “Morning.”

Ran Lin blinked twice, then fairly commented, “It sounds pretty good.”

Lu Yiyao, looking at Ran Lin’s bedhead, thought he should stop pretending to be calm but still managed to hold back a smile and reminded, “Your alarm went off twice already.”

Unexpectedly, Ran Lin nodded calmly and seriously said, “Yeah, there’s actually a third time. I wake up on the third one.”

Lu Yiyao found this hard to believe. “The second time was before I freshened up, and there hasn’t been a third time since.”

“The first two were five minutes apart. The third is fifteen minutes later.”

“There’s a repeated alarm like that?”

“Three separate alarms set accordingly.”

“…”

“Can I… go freshen up now?”

What else could Lu Yiyao say? “Of course. Wish you a successful mission.”

Watching Ran Lin’s figure disappear into the bathroom, Lu Yiyao nodded in admiration. He was the type who couldn’t go back to sleep once awake. Usually, the alarm meant a new day had officially begun, so Ran Lin’s staged waking method seemed like a talent to him.

Breakfast was buffet-style at the hotel. When the two entered the dining area, many guests were already there. But more eye-catching were the three cartoon characters mingling in the restaurant: Goofy, whom they had seen yesterday, and Mickey and Judy, happily entertaining everyone with dance moves and welcoming anyone for photos.

With such characters around, no one paid attention to the entrance of the two stars and their two follow-up cameramen.

However, Ran Lin curiously glanced at Judy Hopps from “Zootopia”. Her fresh image among the traditional Disney characters was striking.

But before he could get a clear look at Judy, he was startled by a “fan” taking a photo with her.

Xia Xinran was almost hugging her, excitedly taking pictures and incessantly asking, “Where’s Nick? Isn’t he with you?”

Ran Lin imagined seeing the resignation on the face of the staff member inside the Judy costume.

His “roommate” and die-hard fan of Nick Wilde sat at a table in a distant corner, leisurely spreading jam on his bread, oblivious to everything behind him, leaving only a solitary, majestic silhouette to the world.

Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin walked straight towards him. Before reaching the table, Ran Lin couldn’t help but greet his companion with a chuckle. “Good morning.”

Gu Jie turned around, seeing his two partners, and smiled amicably, “Morning.”

“Didn’t go for a photo?” Lu Yiyao casually asked as he pulled out a chair.

Ran Lin couldn’t help but notice Lu Yiyao’s playfulness, which seemed to appear out of nowhere without warning.

“I prefer to keep a low profile,” Gu Jie replied briskly, but the weariness in his eyes betrayed him.

Ran Lin, amused, asked directly, “How did you sleep last night?”

Gu Jie glanced deeply in Xia Xinran’s direction, then withdrew his gaze after a long moment. “A new day. I only look forward.”

In the end, neither Ran Lin nor Lu Yiyao could figure out what kind of inhumane torment Xia Xinran had inflicted on Gu Jie. Gu Jie didn’t want to talk about it, and according to Xia Xinran, he was an excellent roommate.

After a short while, Zhang Beichen and Tang Xiaoyu also arrived, and the six of them shared a cozy breakfast together. Finally, forty minutes before the park opened, they boarded a ferry at Star Wish Lake to head to the theme park.

On the second day of filming, the six still wore their blue and white-printed sweatshirts. Yesterday’s “team uniform”, which seemed oddly childish at the TV tower, looked playful and harmoniously blended with the whimsical atmosphere of today.

As soon as they boarded the ferry, the program staff began distributing Disney passports to the guests.

Once the passports were distributed, the director immediately stepped in front of the camera and hurriedly explained, “Because there will be many people at the entrance later, I need to explain today’s tasks here. First, everyone can pull out the colored paper clipped in the passport. This is a list, and the items on it are the tasks everyone must complete today…”

With six people and only three passports, everyone wasn’t sure what the production team was thinking, but they naturally shared the passports since the director was speaking. Ran Lin had taken a seat randomly when boarding the ferry and ended up next to Zhang Beichen. The passport was handed to Zhang Beichen, so without waiting for Ran Lin to speak, Zhang Beichen pulled out the list for both of them to view, as the director explained.

Ran Lin didn’t speak but felt quite comfortable about it.

As the director said, the list outlined four tasks: “Collect fourteen dream stamps”, “Experience eight happy dreams”, “Take two beautiful photos”, and “Watch one spectacular performance.”

Before they could examine the details, the director established today’s main rule. “Whoever completes all the tasks on the list in the shortest time will be our Fairy Tale First Love team for today, and the ultimate Fairy Tale First Love will be selected from this group!”

Everyone suspected they misheard and unanimously looked at the director. “Team?”

The director matter-of-factly responded, “Yes, there are only three passports, so today it’s not a competition among six people, but between pairs—three teams competing against each other!”

Gu Jie had a bad premonition and interrupted without minding manners. “How are the teams divided?”

The director grandly gestured, “Naturally, according to the rooms. Staying together last night was to build your rapport!”

Gu Jie: “…”

Xia Xinran: “…What?! “

Ran Lin wanted to turn and see his “teammate’s” reaction, but the director’s following words stopped him—

“The ferry is about to dock, so please be prepared. The park will be crowded. Although the park supports our filming, there are operational rules, so today’s primary condition is not to affect other visitors. Therefore, during filming, only the cameraman will follow you. Please queue and wait as needed, always demanding of yourselves the standards of an ordinary visitor. Anything else, gentlemen?”

“Yes.” Both Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao raised their hands and spoke simultaneously.

They looked at each other, equally astonished.

The director nodded naturally. “As expected, staying together builds rapport. Feel free to speak your mind.”

Both thought the other had the same idea, so when the director prompted them to speak, they both started—

Ran Lin: “Ordinary visitors have mobile phones.”

Lu Yiyao: “Ordinary visitors have wallets.”

Ran Lin, Lu Yiyao: “…”

Rapport is indeed a whimsical sprite.

The director wasn’t fazed by multiple questions. “Mobile phones are still not allowed. Although you need to hold yourselves to the standards of ordinary visitors, you are, after all, a special group on a mission, and we seek this unknown joy… As for wallets, yes, today you can bring them to shop in the park’s stores for merchandise or specialty food. After all, it’s rare to come here, and the production team wouldn’t want to deprive you of fun. But remember, you are just ordinary visitors, so please carry any purchases yourselves. Therefore, I suggest you leave shopping until later…”

“Any other clarifications, gentlemen?” The director hurriedly checked as they approached the park entrance. “Once inside, you can only contact the production team through the walkie-talkies with the cameramen, so don’t lose them.”

The six nodded solemnly.

Not because the director was stern, but because the ferry was docking, and they already felt the impending turmoil from the dense crowd waiting to enter the park.

Half an hour before the actual opening time, the entrance began ticket checking. However, those who entered couldn’t start enjoying the attractions; they were all held at Main Street, waiting for the barricades to open.

The production team looked impressive on the ferry, but once submerged in the sea of people, they became inconspicuous. Soon, Ran Lin couldn’t spot the director anymore.

Lu Yiyao, holding the passport, waited for his partner, but turned around to find him discussing the list with Xia Xinran, much to his chagrin.

“Ran Lin.” Lu Yiyao directly called out.

Ran Lin looked up. “Hmm?”

Lu Yiyao took a deep breath and let it out slowly, managing a gentle smile. “The handsome guy beside you seems to be from the opposing team.”

Xia Xinran finally got his chance and loudly offered, “I’ll switch with you. Gu Jie’s yours!”

Lu Yiyao was exasperated; what did he want with Gu Jie? Did Gu Jie have a secret strategy?

Gu Jie, wearing sunglasses and aloofly enjoying his time, completely ignored them. He was already paired with Xia Xinran, so nothing worse could happen in his world.

The idea of switching teams ultimately didn’t materialize because Lu Yiyao, with the irrefutable reason of “Hey, it seems there are fewer people queuing over there,” led Ran Lin from the end of one queue directly to another end several ticket checks away. Xia Xinran immediately grasped this silent refusal and could only look at Ran Lin with a sigh.

Finally having some peace, Lu Yiyao could focus on discussing the task list with Ran Lin.

1. “Collect fourteen dream stamps”—find stamping machines at fourteen specified locations based on clues in the Disney passport and stamp the corresponding dream stamps in fourteen blank spaces reserved in the passport.
2. “Experience eight happy dreams”—experience eight specified attractions in the park.
3. “Complete two beautiful photos”—take a photo each with Mickey at “Mickey’s Fantasy Garden” and with one of the twelve friends at “Twelve Friends Garden”.
4. “Watch one spectacular performance”—choose and watch one of the several performances shown in the park every day from beginning to end.

“What are your thoughts?” Lu Yiyao, having done some cursory research on Shanghai Disney the night before, anticipated that the tasks would involve the park. But now, seeing these tasks, he only had one word in mind—headache.

“My thoughts are the same as yours.” Ran Lin sighed, pointing to the second item on the list. “Just queuing for these eight attractions could drive anyone insane.”

Lu Yiyao pondered for a moment. “We can only hope for the Fast pass.”

The Fast pass allows visitors to experience several attractions without queuing, directly through a fast lane. But each person can only obtain one Fast pass every two hours, and the Fast pass specifies the time slot for the experience.

The good news was, half of the eight required attractions used Fast pass.

The bad news was that the tasks required both team members to experience the attractions together, meaning they couldn’t split up to get Fast passes for different attractions (A and B). They could only get Fast passes together for the same attraction (either A or A, or B or B).

“The longest queue is for Soaring Over the Horizon,” Lu Yiyao recalled from his research.

“Everyone says that the longest queue is for ‘Soaring Over the Horizon’,” Lu Yiyao recalled as he saw Ran Lin studying the list seriously.

Ran Lin nodded, sharing his strategy. “It’s the most popular attraction in the park. Even now, in this cold weather, the queue time is still around two hours, sometimes even up to three hours. Just imagine when the weather gets warmer, and more tourists come…”

Lu Yiyao’s expression was filled with black as he imagined images of surging crowds. “If we queue for it, we won’t get anything else done in the morning.”

Ran Lin folded the list and tucked it back into the passport. “But think about it this way: if we can conquer it in a very short time, we’ll gain a three-hour advantage. Three hours…” Ran Lin looked up, his eyes blazing as he gazed at his teammate, as if to say, “With these three hours, we can win even lying down on the later tasks.”

But Lu Yiyao was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice Ran Lin’s burning gaze.

All he had on his face was a look of hesitation about the uncertain future. “The premise is that we can conquer it quickly. I saw someone say last night that even those who rushed in to get the Fast pass for it as soon as they entered didn’t manage to get it. They were gone in seconds.”

Ran Lin finally gave up on trying to subtly guide with his thoughts and directly grabbed Lu Yiyao’s arm. When Lu Yiyao finally looked over, Ran Lin’s eyes, blazing with intense flames, locked onto his teammate. “If you trust me, as soon as we get in, just follow me and run.”

In the late winter of Shanghai, Lu Yiyao saw his own iron armor burning in his teammate’s fiery gaze.

Why am I thinking of iron armor? Lu Yiyao frowned in confusion.

“Lu Yiyao?” Ran Lin waited for his teammate’s response. Otherwise, the fire in his eyes would extinguish.

Lu Yiyao steadied himself and nodded forcefully. “Okay.”

Ten minutes later, the tourists who had been waiting on Mickey Avenue for a long time finally saw the ropes blocking the way fall down. Without a starter gun, over 70% of the people rushed towards Adventure Isle—where Soaring Over the Horizon was located— in a frenzy.

After entering the park, Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao weren’t at the very front of Mickey Avenue, but they quickly chased up with their unwavering belief and impressive physical strength, reaching the first echelon.

But even this first echelon was astonishingly large, and Lu Yiyao looked up to see a sea of heads.

Finally, a fork in the road appeared. Turning there would lead to the Explorer Canoes!

“That’s also on the list!” Seeing about 20% of the people turn at the fork, Lu Yiyao shouted uncertainly to his teammate, who was a step ahead.

Without looking back and picking up speed, Ran Lin replied, “Don’t worry about it, follow me. Everything else can wait, but there’s only one chance for the ultimate flight!”

Lu Yiyao chose to trust his teammate and endured.

However, temptation seemed to have been prearranged. Just after passing the fork, they saw the Thunder Mountain Rafting. If Lu Yiyao remembered correctly, this attraction on the list also had a long queue, but now there were hardly any people there!

“Soaring Over the Horizon” was still nowhere in sight.

This task was within reach!

“Ran Lin—”

“No!”

“I haven’t even said anything yet!”

“I have eyes on the back of my head—”

“……”

The two, running as if their lives depended on it, were blunt and to the point, their words hitting right at the heart.

In the midst of their brief conversation, they passed by the Rafting. Lu Yiyao regretfully looked back, feeling as if he had missed the entire world.

Suddenly, Lu Yiyao realized something was wrong, as many people around him started running back!

Looking closely, he saw that the left side of the road was fenced off with a long, snake-like queue for the Fast pass self-service area at the end!

“Ran Lin—”

“No!”

“Fast pass—”

“Forget it!”

“……”

What the hell is this!

In the midst of shouting to each other, Lu Yiyao had already reached the entrance of the snaking queue. The reason he felt many people were running back was that the self-service ticket area was near, but the entrance to the snaking queue was further ahead. So, many people who entered the queue had to follow it backwards to reach the ticket area.

Now, 70% of the first echelon chose to get the Fast pass!

The snaking queue was rapidly filling up!

This was the third opportunity Lu Yiyao had seen.

The first was the no-queue fork to Explorer Canoes.

The second was the no-queue entrance to Thunder Mountain Rafting.

The third was the ticket area for the Fast pass for Soaring Over the Horizon, which required queuing but guaranteed a Fast pass.

Once or twice could be ignored, but not the third time!

Lu Yiyao gritted his teeth, skidded to a halt, and was about to turn left.

Ran Lin, as if anticipating this, stopped abruptly and turned back. “You said you’d trust me!”

Lu Yiyao gestured to the big picture. “Everyone is getting Fast passes. We won’t get any if we don’t now!”

Ran Lin was both anxious and angry. “Lu Yiyao!”

Lu Yiyao was also anxious. “Ran Lin!”

Ran Lin: “You are really handsome.”

Lu Yiyao: “…”

Vanity is indeed a fatal weakness!!!

In the latter half, Lu Yiyao no longer hesitated and followed Ran Lin to the end of Adventure Isle to Soaring Over the Horizon. The queue had already formed, but only inside the building, with the extensive outdoor snaking queue area empty.

Without a word, they rushed in and queued up at the end of the line.

This 4D spherical screen viewing experience in a completely enclosed, dark environment didn’t allow the camera to capture much of the guests, so the follow-up crew finally got a brief rest outside.

Fifteen minutes later, the pair settled into their seats.

During this time, Lu Yiyao realized that, with the current queuing situation at the Fast pass area, they wouldn’t get a chance when it was their turn. The Fast passes would be long gone, and the delay would be costly. Hence, Ran Lin’s insistence on running this way.

Like Ran Lin said earlier, there was only one chance to conquer this attraction quickly.

And that was the first moment the park opened!

As the staff checked each guest’s safety belt, Lu Yiyao secretly gave Ran Lin a thumbs up.

Ran Lin, with a face flushed from running, shyly smiled, a stark contrast to the assertive person who earlier claimed to have eyes on the back of his head.

They hadn’t seen the other four companions along the way, and Lu Yiyao didn’t know if they’d run too fiercely and missed them or if the companions had other tactics and choices.

But for now, they had indeed saved at least two hours. And strangely, Lu Yiyao felt a long-lost joy from it. At some point, he forgot they were filming a show and felt like he was back in his childhood, playing games with friends, uncomplicated and pure. Winning and being called the “king” brought immense satisfaction.

A satisfaction hard to come by in adulthood.

So he remembered it until now.

The lights dimmed, the seats slowly rose, and a cool breeze started blowing from an unknown place in the dark.

King Lu suddenly gripped the armrest tightly. As the feeling of emptiness grew under his feet and the screen in front brightened, his palms began to sweat…

It’s just a theme park. Why is the high-altitude visual effect so realistic?

Alright, realism he could handle. He could just close his eyes if needed, but why did the chair have to fly too!

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Kinky Thoughts:

I mean, with an alarm tone like that, there’s no question that you’re bent Lu Yiyao.

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