CHAPTER 406: CHAPTER 406: START OF THE TRAVEL VARIETY SHOW RECORDING

The name of this travel reality show is "Long Journey," featuring a total of seven participants—three non-celebrities and four celebrities.

It’s said that while there’s no A-lister among the celebrities, two of them are quite popular influencers.

The agent immediately patted her chest and said confidently, "Sis, although I don’t know who the other six guests are, if they’re talking about influencer celebrities, there’s definitely a spot for you. Your popularity among female stars is second to none—who dares to claim first?"

Sang Ning frowned slightly and gestured for silence. "Stop. Are you trying to kill me with praise? Are you a mole sent by a rival agency?"

The agent hurriedly waved her hands in denial, "Sis, no, I’m just..."

"Enough." Sang Ning raised her hand and cut her off. "Dial down the rainbow farts in the future, or you’ll just end up attracting hate and getting hit!"

The agent nodded obediently on the surface, but internally thought to herself, with your combat skills, wouldn’t people be more afraid of getting hit by you?

——

The day of the official recording arrived, and Li family’s exclusive driver, Juezhou, punctually sent Sang Ning to the airport.

Sang Ning opened the car’s passenger door without hesitation and was about to get out when someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"Sangsang, you’re about to abandon me for half a month again, and you’re leaving without even a little gesture?" Li Juezhou held Sang Ning’s wrist with one hand and rested his other hand on her shoulder, his deep, narrow eyes brimming with grievance.

When Li Juezhou didn’t speak, he had the quintessential aloof, stoic "abstinence iceberg" face. But when he looked at you with reddened eyes, the iceberg in his gaze seemed to instantly melt, as if shards of light flickered within.

Sang Ning’s heart suddenly softened. Realizing there were still ten minutes until their agreed time, she cupped Li Juezhou’s face with both hands. "Alright then, here you go."

And with that, she gently pressed her lips to his.

Sang Ning had only intended it to be a brief taste—a light kiss before pulling away.

Unexpectedly, a large palm pressed firmly against the back of her head, forcing their lips to meet again.

Sang Ning stared wide-eyed as a faint smile played at the edges of Li Juezhou’s lips. Where was the broken, pitiable look now?

He covered Sang Ning’s eyes with his other hand, his cool voice carrying a hint of coaxing seduction. "Sangsang, close your eyes."

She thought Li Juezhou was a pitiful puppy, but the man turned out to be a crafty big bad wolf. Sang Ning clenched her fist, raising it slightly before Li Juezhou’s hand on the back of her head smoothly shifted to envelop her fist. "Kiss first, then you can hit me, okay? Or if you can’t wait, hitting me while kissing works too. Anyway, I’ve been through a few years in the police force; my physique can handle taking a beating."

Sang Ning burst into laughter. Who’s ever heard of a couple making out while they brawl?

Her fist slowly relaxed, but Li Juezhou tightened his grip instead. His distinct, jointed fingers threaded through Sang Ning’s, interlocking their fingers tightly. The hand that had been covering her eyes shifted to firmly grip her waist.

Her lips were roughly crushed against his, and Sang Ning felt the air around her grow thinner and thinner. Li Juezhou’s presence was utterly overwhelming, almost swallowing her whole.

Only now did Sang Ning realize that no matter how gentle or considerate Li Juezhou seemed daily, his approach to matters like this still carried an unyielding intensity deeply ingrained in men.

The car’s temperature gradually climbed, the atmosphere growing fiery and intimate. Sang Ning was kissed until her mind went blank, left completely dazed.

Li Juezhou finally released her lips and spoke unsteadily, "Sangsang, it’s time. You should go."

Sang Ning tilted her head up to look at Li Juezhou, her gaze dazed and unfocused, her face still flushed with lingering desire, seemingly unfulfilled.

Li Juezhou smiled and pinched Sang Ning’s cheek, his tone half resigned and half indulgent. "Trial period’s over; the premium version unlocks only after marriage."

Sang Ning snapped back to her senses and retorted indignantly, "What feudal relic are you from? If I really wanted to devour you, do you think I’d wait until after marriage?"

It was the first time Sang Ning ever said something so provocative, and Li Juezhou’s pupils trembled in shock. Then, seemingly struck by a realization, he immediately straightened his posture, deliberately putting some distance between them, speaking in a serious and solemn tone. "Sangsang, I’m a traditional man."

"Really?" Sang Ning’s rebellious streak was thoroughly ignited. "Too bad for you; your girlfriend happens to be a rule-breaking woman."

She raised her index finger and slowly traced small circles around Li Juezhou’s Adam’s apple. Her beautiful, fox-like eyes sparkled with mischievous allure. "Young man, I’ve set my sights on you!"

Although the words were seductive, coming from Sang Ning, they carried an unexpected righteousness, leaving Li Juezhou both amused and helpless.

On his way back home after dropping Sang Ning off, Li Juezhou glanced in the rearview mirror and pondered. After some deliberation, he concluded that prioritizing facial care was in order. Perhaps using his good looks to coax Sang Ning into marriage would be more effective.

Meanwhile, after saying goodbye to Li Juezhou, Sang Ning dragged her suitcase and practically bolted away. She must’ve been possessed by a perverted ghost earlier—it was such a cringeworthy moment!

Once she reached the airport terminal, she finally began to calm down, her rationality slowly returning.

Sensuality? So what? She wasn’t a saint; how could she sever all emotions and desires?

Li Juezhou was entirely her type, and he was her boyfriend. Taking advantage of him was only natural.

Recalling the earlier scene, Sang Ning felt a slight longing, and her fingers unconsciously brushed against her lips.

When she agreed to date Li Juezhou, it was to experience what love felt like. Well, now it seemed the experience was getting a little intoxicating.

"Miss Sang Ning!"

Sang Ning was still savoring the moment when someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.

The sudden touch made her heart skip a beat. She spun around abruptly, and the bright flash from a camera nearly blinded her. Instinctively, she raised her hand to block it.

"Sorry, I forgot to turn off the flash." The young woman holding the camera squeezed out an awkward smile, her face full of embarrassment.

"Who are you?" Sang Ning asked, displeasure evident in her expression as she stared at the person.

The girl in front of her had twin braids, a small round face, big expressive eyes, and fair skin—a classic sweet-girl appearance. But her physique was tall and slender, standing at an estimated height of 169 cm.

Jiang Xiaoti hung the camera back around her neck, folded her hands over her stomach, and bent slightly. "Miss Sang Ning, my name is Jiang Xiaoti. I’m a small-time actress in the industry. I spotted you from a distance just now and waved, but you didn’t notice me, so I came running over."

Sang Ning had been preoccupied all the way here, entirely focused on her own thoughts, leaving no room to pay attention to her surroundings.

Although she was annoyed about Jiang Xiaoti snapping her picture without asking, the fact that they were both part of the same industry, combined with Jiang Xiaoti’s decent attitude, softened Sang Ning’s expression slightly. "If you want a photo, just ask me directly. I usually don’t refuse."

"Really?" Jiang Xiaoti’s eyes instantly lit up. "Can I take a selfie with you? I’m such a fan of your looks!"

Jiang Xiaoti’s persistent use of formal language made Sang Ning uncomfortable—after all, they seemed to be of similar age. "You don’t need to use formal titles; just call me by my name," Sang Ning replied.

"Can I call you Anning then?" Jiang Xiaoti asked as she moved closer to Sang Ning, leaning her face toward her while raising her camera, ready to aim the lens at both of them.

"As long as it’s not formal." Sang Ning pressed her lips together reluctantly and leaned her face closer to cooperate with Jiang Xiaoti for the photo.

The sound of a shutter-click echoed, and Sang Ning straightened her posture.

Jiang Xiaoti then handed the camera to her, tilted her head playfully, and gave her a mischievous wink. "Thank you, Anning. My mission is complete! Now, it’s your turn!"

Sang Ning: "?"