I'm in Wuha, and the whole internet is shipping me and Song Yuqi as a couple.

As dusk fell completely, strings of warm yellow lanterns lit up the streets of the ancient town.

Chen He and Deng Chao, one on each side, supported Wu Zheng and led the chief director to the open-air square in the center of the ancient town.

A large, extra-large green sleeping bag had already been laid out in the center of the square.

Chen He patted the fabric of the sleeping bag with a cheerful smile.

"Old Wu, just accept your fate."

"This is a premium waterproof and windproof sleeping bag that you personally selected."

"Lie down, and tonight this entire starry sky will be yours to enjoy all by yourself."

Wu Zheng struggled twice, the soles of his shoes scraping against the stone pavement.

"Chen He! Deng Chao! Don't go too far!"

"Do you still want the clue cards for tomorrow's recording?"

Deng Chao pressed Wu Zheng down onto the sleeping bag and casually pulled the side zipper all the way up.

"We'll talk about tomorrow tomorrow; tonight you have to follow the rules."

"Baixifang and Shishentang jointly ruled that the protest was invalid."

Song Yuqi stood beside Jiang Che, arm in arm, twirling a coin pouch in her hand, the copper coins clinking together with a crisp sound.

"Director Wu, goodnight. We'll bring you soy milk and fried dough sticks tomorrow morning."

Wu Zheng looked up at the group of people gathered in a circle and blew on his beard.

The photographer faithfully zoomed in on Wu Zheng's face, capturing the moment.

The assistant director stood to the side, pursing his lips, making no move to come to his director's rescue.

Jin Chen took out his phone and snapped a picture of Wu Zheng in his sleeping bag.

"I have material for a Weibo post. The title will be 'The Director's Strange Encounters While Working'."

Qin Xiao stood next to Jiang Che, shaking his head and waving a folding fan.

"Old Wu, sleep soundly. It's chilly at night, remember to wear your hat too."

Wu Zheng simply tucked his head into the sleeping bag's hood and mumbled a shout.

"Get out of here! Don't keep me from counting the stars!"

The crowd burst into laughter and turned to walk towards the night market in the ancient town.

The night market in the ancient town is bustling with activity, and the streets are lined with all kinds of food stalls.

The aromas of roasted sweet potato noodles, Sichuan-style boiled chicken, "Three Great Cannons" (a type of glutinous rice cake), and cold stir-fries waft through the air.

Song Yuqi's eyes lit up, and her pace quickened noticeably.

"Jiang Che, I want to eat that grilled pig brain, and also sweet noodles!"

Jiang Che grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the side, avoiding the tourists passing by.

"Walk slowly, there's plenty of Tongbao today, buy whatever you want to eat."

Chen He approached, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

"Yuqi, Che-ge, can you take me and Chao-ge with you?"

"We'll take care of serving you plates and bamboo skewers—we provide nanny-level service!"

Deng Chao nodded repeatedly, rolling up his sleeves high.

"Little Deer and Old Qin went to reserve a table; the two of us will be your protectors."

Song Yuqi generously took out five Tongbao coins and slapped them into Chen He's hand.

"Okay, approved. Go buy ten skewers of roasted lamb, mildly spicy."

Chen He took the coins and ran towards the barbecue stall, afraid that Song Yuqi would change her mind.

Jiang Che led Song Yuqi to a noodle stall with a sign that read "Century-Old Brand".

The stall owner was a slightly plump middle-aged woman who was skillfully adding sauce to the bowl.

The old lady looked up and saw Song Yuqi and Jiang Che, her soup spoon stopped in mid-air.

"Hey! Aren't these Xiao Jiang and Xiao Song from TV?"

The old woman wiped her hands on her apron, her face beaming with smiles.

"I see you two on TV every day; you're even more handsome in person than on camera!"

Hearing the commotion, the surrounding tourists swarmed over.

"It's Jiang Che and Song Yuqi!"

"Will Chef Jiang cook himself today?"

Song Yuqi was amused by everyone's enthusiasm and greeted them in a generous manner.

"Auntie, we'd like two bowls of sweet water noodles and a serving of wontons in chili oil."

The old woman waved her hands repeatedly, grabbed a large rough porcelain bowl, and scooped noodles into the pot.

"It's free! It's on me!"

Song Yuqi turned her head and looked at Jiang Che questioningly.

Jiang Che counted out six Shu Tongbao coins from his waist pouch and put them into the bamboo tube next to the chopping board.

"Auntie, there are rules for recording a show; you have to accept the money."

"But if you don't mind, may I make the sauce for these spicy wontons?"

The old lady was taken aback for a moment, then happily vacated the condiment station.

"Sure! I heard you're a master chef, let me see what a young man's skills are like!"

Jiang Che rolled up the cuffs of his white shirt, revealing his strong forearms.

He picked up a small celadon spoon, scooped up a spoonful of thick, replicated soy sauce, and then poured in two spoonfuls of special chili oil.

Toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, garlic water, and ground Sichuan peppercorns are added to the bottom of a white porcelain bowl in that order.

His wrists were incredibly steady, and the proportions of the seasonings were absolutely precise.

Song Yuqi leaned against the wooden railing of the stall, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him operate the equipment.

"Jiang Che, put in a little less Sichuan peppercorn powder, I'm afraid it will be too numbing."

Jiang Che slightly turned his wrist, shaking off most of the peppercorn powder from the spoon before putting it into the bowl.

"Okay, I'll make it slightly spicy and sweet for you."

The onlookers made a good-natured commotion.

"So detailed! He even remembers exactly how much numbing cream he ate!"

"This isn't cooking, it's practically making syrup!"

Jin Chen squeezed through from the side, holding a box of freshly fried stinky tofu.

She stood next to Song Yuqi and couldn't help but click her tongue.

"Yuqi, how many times a day does Jiang Che feed you?"

Song Yuqi turned her face and smiled as she accepted the wontons that the old lady had just served.

"That's called making good use of resources. It's all thanks to my family's excellent chef."

Jiang Che pushed the mixed sweet water noodles in front of her and handed her a pair of broken bamboo chopsticks.

"Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Song Yuqi picked up a thick noodle covered in rich sauce, blew on it, and put it in her mouth.

The sweet and spicy sauce spreads in your mouth, and the noodles are chewy and smooth.

Song Yuqi's eyebrows curved into crescent moons as she nodded vigorously twice.

"It's incredibly delicious, even better than what I had at the restaurant during the day!"

She used her chopsticks to scoop up a clump of noodles and held it to Jiang Che's mouth.

"Try a bite too, the seasoning is just right."

Jiang Che lowered his head and took a bite of noodles, their cheeks very close.

"It's really good; the soy sauce is cooked to perfection."

Chen He and Deng Chao ran back carrying a large plate of kebabs and happened to witness this scene.

Chen He put the plate on the table, clutched his chest, and sighed insincerely.

"Brother Chao, we went through all that trouble to queue up for barbecue skewers."

"I can't stand being forced to eat this when I get back!"

Deng Chao grabbed a skewer of grilled meat and stuffed it into Chen He's mouth, silencing him.

"Just eat your barbecue, stop talking so much."

Lu Han and Qin Xiao also came over carrying several large boxes of ice jelly.

The group put two low wooden tables together and sat around them on the side of the night market street.

The table was laden with the town's specialty foods, steaming hot and fragrant.

Qin Xiao stirred the brown sugar in the ice jelly with a spoon and looked up at everyone.

"Everyone, with the chef by your side, tonight's street food meal is all set."

Lu Han took a sip of chilled rice wine and sighed:

"Poor old Wu is now all alone in the square, getting chilled in the wind."

Chen He chewed on a lamb skewer and mumbled his reply.

"He brought it on himself; he's been finding all sorts of ways to cut our funding every day."

"Tomorrow we must unite and continue to handle Lao Wu's case thoroughly!"

Jin Chen raised the soy milk in his hand and made a loud suggestion.

"Come on, let's have a toast to tomorrow's victory!"

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together under the lights of the night market.

Song Yuqi sipped her iced jelly and tugged at Jiang Che's sleeve under the table.

Jiang Che turned to look at her.

Song Yuqi leaned close to his ear and lowered her voice.

"Jiang Che, if we win again tomorrow..."

"When we get back, will you make me braised pork ribs?"

Jiang Che couldn't help but smile when he saw the small stain of brown sugar water on her lips.

He took out a tissue and gently wiped her clean.

"Okay, I'll make two big plates, enough for you to eat your fill."

Song Yuqi smiled contentedly.

The hustle and bustle of the night market continued until late at night.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they strolled leisurely back to the inn.

As Chen He passed through the central square, he deliberately peeked towards the sleeping bag.

Wu Zheng was wrapped up in a sleeping bag, snoring loudly.

Deng Chao burst out laughing.

"Looks like Old Wu is sleeping soundly. We worried about him for nothing."

Jiang Che protected Song Yuqi as they walked at the very back, side by side, their fingers intertwined.

The moonlight shone on the bluestone path, casting long shadows of the two people.

Upon reaching the inn's entrance, Jin Chen yawned and waved to the two of them.

"Alright, everyone go back to your rooms. We'll meet in the lobby at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

Deng Chao, Chen He, Lu Han, and Qin Xiao also went upstairs one after another.

Jiang Che stopped under the corridor in the courtyard of the inn and released Song Yuqi's hand.

Song Yuqi turned around, leaned against the wooden railing, and looked up at him.

Did you have fun today?

Jiang Che asked softly.

Song Yuqi nodded, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"I'm so happy, I feel like I've completely got Director Wu wrapped around my little finger."

Jiang Che raised his hand and tidied her hair, which had been blown about by the night wind.

"There will probably be another tough battle tomorrow, so get some rest."

Song Yuqi did not immediately return to her room, but instead took half a step forward.

She reached out and grabbed Jiang Che's collar, quickly touching his cheek.

The soft, warm touch dissolves instantly.

Goodnight, Chef Jiang. Keep up the good work tomorrow!

After saying that, Song Yuqi turned around and ran quickly up the stairs.

Jiang Che stood still, pressing his fingers against the side of his face, which was still warm.

He lowered his eyes and smiled silently.