CHAPTER 407: CHAPTER 407: HOW DID HE ALSO COME?

Jiang Xiaoti pressed her hands together, resting her fingertips against her chin, and pouted slightly as she said, "Anning, I’m really sorry. The production team made me secretly take candid shots of you, take photos with you, and not reveal the guest lineup to you. This was the only way I could do it."

Sang Ning’s gaze dropped, noticing a swan-shaped silver brooch pinned to Jiang Xiaoti’s chest. It was only then that she realized something was off about the brooch—it seemed to emit a faint red light that flickered just once.

Jiang Xiaoti chuckled awkwardly, unpinning the swan brooch and handing it to Sang Ning. "Anning, I forgot to tell you this is the hidden camera the production team gave me. Just now when I patted your shoulder, the livestream had already started. Now I have to hand over this along with the attached camera to you."

Sang Ning pressed her lips into a thin line, her face written with speechless disbelief. After a pause, she reluctantly took the brooch from Jiang Xiaoti’s hand.

At that moment, Sang Ning’s expression was a perfect replica of the bitter melon meme circulating online, which carried an undeniable comedic undertone. The livestream viewers absolutely lost it.

[Sister Ning: The farthest I’ve ever walked was into the production team’s trap.]

[Classic candid photos, classic formula, classic unlucky Sang Ning—hah hahaha!]

[Such great joy! I get to watch Sister Sang’s new reality show now. With Sister Ning, this winter break won’t be lonely!]

Jiang Xiaoti had completed her task and revealed her identity. The crew members camouflaged as passersby also stepped out.

Leading the group was a tall, slim man about 35 years old. He wore a long black robe, his complexion was fair, and his high ponytail exuded an artistic vibe.

Behind him trailed two photographers and several other crew members.

The man approached Sang Ning, smiling as he extended his hand in greeting: "Hello, Teacher Sang Ning, I’m Zhou Rui, the director of *Long Journey*."

"Hello, Director Zhou." Sang Ning shook his hand in return and immediately got to the point, asking, "Director Zhou, can you tell me what my task is?"

[Sang Ning truly understands reality show tactics—didn’t even consider the director might just be here for a friendly greeting.]

Director Zhou gestured, and a young woman promptly stepped forward to place a stack of photos into Sang Ning’s hands.

Lowering her gaze, Sang Ning saw a stack of pictures. Director Zhou began explaining the assignment: "Teacher Sang Ning, your task is to locate the remaining five guests using the photos provided by the production team. Then you all need to pose together in a ’Prosperous Blossoms’ hexagram formation, take a group photo, and post it to Weibo."

Raising her head, Sang Ning’s lips twitched into an awkward curve. She stared at Director Zhou with eyes that darted back and forth several times.

[Sang Ning’s face screams resistance—hahaha, the director’s boldly pushing boundaries here. Is this season pivoting to the retired seniors’ travel theme?]

[Sang Ning’s inner thoughts: Do you see my inner ’auntie instincts’ awakening now?]

Sang Ning was mentally breaking down—wasn’t this supposed to be a relaxing show? How had things already devolved into chaos upon arrival?

Still, having tackled far too many reality show schemes, she quickly regained composure and studied the first picture.

The man in the photo wore a crisp suit, styled his hair slicked back, and appeared to be around the same age as her father, Sang Youming.

However, unlike her dad’s fierce yet goofy air, this man projected elegance and refinement, resembling an intellectual.

She didn’t recognize him. From the looks of it, he was a non-celebrity. Yet his facial features carried a peculiar sense of familiarity, as though resembling someone she knew.

Sang Ning couldn’t pinpoint the similarity and had to move on to the next photo.

The second photo featured a middle-aged woman, graceful and poised. She wore a cheongsam, with her hair styled meticulously into a bun.

Still unfamiliar.

The third snapshot was of a young woman, likely around 27 years old, dressed in ballet attire. Her neck was long, her posture lithe, and her face exuded delicate, calm beauty—a quintessential ballerina aura.

Before continuing to look further, Sang Ning raised her head, a puzzled expression on her face. "Director Zhou, don’t tell me you’ve invited an entire family of non-celebrities?"

Director Zhou squinted playfully. "I can’t reveal that to you. Oh, and I forgot to add—until your mission is complete, you’re not allowed to disclose your role as a guest. You’ll have to approach the other guests as a regular person and persuade them to cooperate with you to finish the challenge."

Sang Ning ruffled her hair, her face utterly resigned. "Are you serious? Who in their right mind would agree to do something this embarrassing out of the blue?"

Random strangers were already a tough sell, not to mention if those three non-celebrities didn’t even know each other—it’d be a nightmare.

Director Zhou raised a hand to cheer Sang Ning on: "Teacher Sang Ning, only by completing this mission can you unlock the flight to the island destination. Come on, we believe in you!"

Sang Ning promptly struck a hands-on-hips pose, retorting, "I think you guys just want me dead!"

[Hahaha, poor Sang Ning—the toughest challenges always seem reserved for her. Compared to this, the first contestant’s task feels laughably easy!]

[If there’s something hard, it’s definitely going to be assigned to Sang Ning. The director clearly knows her past reality show track record, hahaha—easy tasks would just let her breeze through!]

Sang Ning surveyed her surroundings. Despite the bustling lobby, with so much commotion on their end, barely anyone stopped to watch. At best, one or two people would glance back but quickly move on.

Director Zhou caught onto Sang Ning’s wandering gaze and immediately intervened, "Don’t even think about recruiting passersby to blow your cover. This area has been pre-arranged by the production team—all the passersby today are professional extras!"

Sang Ning ran out of words, simply giving Director Zhou a thumbs up and commenting earnestly, "Impressive! The show’s barely holding on, yet you guys still have the budget to bribe extras. I really underestimated your financial resources!"

Director Zhou, who had initially been watching the drama unfold with glee, visibly deflated upon hearing Sang Ning’s remark. His sagging lips instantly mimicked the bitter melon meme, second edition.

[Back to the classic mutual digs—Sang Ning: If I’m not happy, you’re not happy either. It’s all about going down together!]

[Sister Sang’s foray into countless reality shows has made her an unrivaled master of sharp retorts—it’s a director’s nightmare!]

[Hahaha, do you think Director Zhou regrets inviting Sang Ning? This season is supposed to focus on heartwarming, healing moments, but with Sang Ning, the queen of awkward comedy, onboard, expect laughs to take center stage!]

Director Zhou shook off his melancholy, flashing Sang Ning a mischievous smile. "Alright, Teacher Sang Ning, you can start your mission now. You’ve only got half an hour, and if you fail to complete it, you’ll have to face the penalty—a video of yourself beating your chest like a gorilla to post on Weibo!"

Sang Ning froze briefly, recalling certain traumatic experiences during training camps. She whipped her head back and forth furiously—her aloof persona would never stoop to such humiliating antics!

"Don’t worry, Director Zhou—I guarantee I’ll finish on time!"

Pinning the swan brooch onto her chest, Sang Ning watched as the crew, including guest Jiang Xiaoti, left her behind to fend for herself.

Since the non-celebrities were strangers to her, Sang Ning decided to start with the celebrities—maybe there were some familiar faces.

Yet when Sang Ning flipped to the fourth photo, she suddenly froze in place.

Why did *he* show up?!