Chapter 120: Who Wants to Be Number One?

“Shall we try something exciting today?”

The four pairs of travel companions had finally been matched, and the staff member gave them a mischievous grin.

The eight guests, unusually united, all blurted out in unison, “No.”

Yet the live chat was flooded with enthusiastic “Yes!” comments.

The staff member shot them a look that seemed to say, “You’re not making this easy for me,” then a confident smile spread across his face, as if to declare, “Your fate is in my hands.” He proceeded to announce the itinerary for the day’s adventure.

“Today, we will visit three famous spots on Black Island: MountPark, Rhoda Forest, and Claw Valley Maze.”

“Please listen carefully to the rules.”

“Today is no longer a leisurely trip. Your four pairs of travel partners will embark on a timed race.”

“We have prepared three challenging activities: bungee jumping at MountPark, venturing deep into Rhoda Forest’s protected area to find a designated animal and take a duo photo, and completing the Claw Valley Maze as a team of two.”

“Because the difficulty levels differ among these challenges, you have two options before you set off.”

“You may choose to complete the MountPark bungee jump and the Rhoda Forest protected area in sequence to receive a clue to the next meeting point.”

“Alternatively, you may choose to take on the Claw Valley Maze. Successfully navigating the maze will grant you the clue to the next gathering spot.”

“Please note, if you choose the maze but fail to complete it and must withdraw midway, you will be required to complete both the MountPark bungee jump and the Rhoda Forest challenge to obtain the meeting point clue.”

“There is a small allowance: if you spend over an hour in the maze, then for the bungee jump challenge, only one partner needs to complete it. If the maze is completed within an hour, both partners must successfully complete the bungee jump for the task to count.”

“Now, let me explain why this is a timed race.”

“The first pair to arrive at the designated meeting point will earn a privilege: the winner will be able to invite the opposite-sex guest they most desire for a private helicopter ride to any city in the United States tomorrow, where they will enjoy an exclusive date with just the two of them.”

“Be aware, those who do not come in first today have no right to refuse the invitation extended by the winners.”

After revealing this privilege, the eight guests displayed a range of expressions.

Truly, the game was taken seriously.

The live chat erupted with cheers and applause, fans of various couples enthusiastically typing the names of the pairs they wished to see on a private date.

“Is there someone in your heart you want to take on a secret date? If so, strive to win! Whether you succeed will depend on how well you and your partner cooperate today.”

The staff’s voice rang out again.

“You have one hour to prepare and set off. After one hour, each pair must declare which challenge route they have chosen.”

The eight guests began to head back to their lodgings, discussing their options with their partners.

Xu Junze and Qi Jiajia’s pair—

“The Claw Valley Maze only requires completing one challenge to get the information, but the time factor makes it the most difficult,” Qi Jiajia analyzed, glancing at Xu Junze. “Choosing the other two challenges seems more reliable.”

The privilege of coming first was tempting to Qi Jiajia; she wanted to win.

“But I’m afraid of heights. That suspension bridge last time was already nerve-wracking. Bungee jumping at MountPark…I doubt I can overcome my fear to take on that challenge. I’d probably waste a lot of time.”

Xu Junze admitted his weakness openly.

“Really?” Qi Jiajia was surprised, thinking that if he weren’t afraid of heights, they could take on those two challenges and have a good chance of winning.

But their pairing today meant her partner was also afraid of heights... If the production team had announced the challenge and rewards before pairing, she wouldn’t have swapped partners despite her dislike for Wen Yiming.

Wen Yiming was fine with extreme sports but might struggle with a maze.

“Are you confident with the maze?” Qi Jiajia asked.

“Not sure... I’ll just try my best.” Xu Junze smiled.

Qi Jiajia felt a bit uncertain. It would be rude to force someone to confront their fears knowingly.

“Let’s check out the maze first,” she said.

“Okay.”

Xu Junze was surprised by Qi Jiajia’s straightforward acceptance of the plan change. She clearly preferred the other two challenges but didn’t show impatience toward him, which impressed Xu Junze.

“Thank you, Jiajia,” he said.

Wen Yiming and Chu Yao’s pair—

“The maze... let’s forget about it,” Wen Yiming stated bluntly when discussing the challenge choice. “I’m not good at this kind of thing. Of course, if you’re good at it, we can choose it, but I probably won’t be much help.”

“Then let’s pick the bungee jump and the protected forest area. The forest shouldn’t be too scary, right?”

Chu Yao recalled the last time she and Wen Yiming crossed the rope bridge, neither showed fear of heights. Choosing this route should be fine, though she worried it might be deceptively easy.

When Chu Yao mentioned “scary,” Wen Yiming remembered his date with Li Jiayan at a haunted house, where she was fearless like no other, while he was terrified.

The memory made him smirk.

“It’s broad daylight; there’s nothing to be scared of,” Wen Yiming said.

“Then it’s settled: bungee jump and forest,” Chu Yao confirmed with a smile. “Let’s work well together and finish fast.”

Wen Yiming smiled back, “No problem.”

Zhang Chen and Ye Fangfei’s pair—

“We’re both extremely afraid of heights, so let’s drop the bungee jump challenge.” Zhang Chen said.

“Hmm, definitely the Claw Valley Maze then.”

Ye Fangfei seemed lazy and unenthusiastic.

Earlier, she was quite spirited during games, and Zhang Chen sensed her competitive drive, but now she appeared listless and indifferent.

Zhang Chen wanted to win first place today. The segment clearly seemed designed to match him with Ye Fangfei.

A helicopter ride to any city for a private date—this was a benefit meant for them.

“I have a good sense of direction. I often played maze games as a child. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to guide us through and secure first place.”

Zhang Chen reassured Ye Fangfei.

“Don’t jinx it,” Ye Fangfei warned.

Zhang Chen: “...”

He was determined—he didn’t believe anyone could outdo him in a maze here.

Ye Fangfei’s words only fueled his competitive spirit; he was resolved to clear the maze and claim first place, to finally shine in front of her.

...

Lu Zhou and Li Jiayan’s pair—

“What challenge do you want to try?” Lu Zhou asked Li Jiayan.

“If it’s just for fun, I’d like to try the Claw Valley Maze. I’ve done bungee jumping before. As for the forest, it’s probably just animal watching, right? Like a zoo? Sounds boring.”

Li Jiayan smiled, sharing her honest thoughts.

“But these two challenges seem easier...”

She was conflicted.

She wanted to experience something new with Lu Zhou but worried taking too long would leave them behind.

If the production team hadn’t mentioned the private date reward for the first pair to arrive, she’d have chosen the maze without hesitation to enjoy the journey with him.

But that privilege was so tempting!

Far more romantic than today’s challenges!

Just imagining flying over the country in a helicopter with Lu Zhou, arriving at any city they wished for a secret date without other guests—a thrilling vision.

Her ambition stirred again.

She decided to aim for first place. Why not try? If they could be together today and tomorrow, wouldn’t that be even better?

So, she was willing to set aside her preferred challenge and opt for the safer one.

“What about you? Which challenge do you want?”

Li Jiayan smiled at Lu Zhou.

“I also lean toward the Claw Valley Maze,” Lu Zhou replied with a smile. “Since we agree, shall we pick the maze?”

Li Jiayan: “???”

No... Her favorite challenge and her intended choice weren’t the same—it was a misunderstanding.

“The maze could take quite a while; we might not be the first to reach the meeting point...” Li Jiayan cautioned. “Maybe we should pick the other two—safer choices. You’re not afraid of heights, right? Scared of bungee jumping?”

“I’m not afraid of heights, but I don’t want to do bungee jumping.” Lu Zhou expressed his preference clearly.

He didn’t want to experience that fleeting near-death sensation.

Life was precious; if there were other options, why choose such an extreme thrill?

Having a second chance at life, he cherished it.

“Have you done bungee jumping before? Don’t like it?” Li Jiayan asked.

“No, never.”

“Never? You’re not afraid of heights—you should try it. Don’t be scared.” Li Jiayan laughed, assuming he’d tried it before and disliked it.

“Bungee jumping is fun. It’s just that moment of fear going down. Once you get over it, you feel amazing—energized all over.”

She tried to persuade him to give it a shot.

“Maybe it’s fun, but I simply don’t want to try it.” Lu Zhou smiled at her. “Since we’re partners today, why not go for something we both want and enjoy the trip?”

Wasn’t he supposed to make up for past regrets? No need to pick a route neither of them liked.

“But...” Li Jiayan felt he made sense but was torn inside.

“You want to win first place?” Lu Zhou noticed her conflicted expression.

“Yeah!” Li Jiayan nodded. “I think we can try for it.”

“The show offers three challenges and two routes. Though the maze is the only single-route option, it’s still possible to win first place. Why give up without trying? Maybe it’s faster than the other two combined.”

Why else would they set two routes if not for a reason?

Lu Zhou thought so, and he couldn’t fully grasp Li Jiayan’s hesitation or her behavior now.

Having broken up years ago, fate brought them together again.

She wanted to make up for past regrets, and he was willing to grant her wish—a dignified closure to their hurried breakup and a way to ease his own lingering guilt for inviting her to the show.

But now, as they chose the route, her focus seemed off.

“Alright.” After hearing Lu Zhou’s reasoning, Li Jiayan finally agreed.

She thought, he was right—if the maze had no chance of winning, why include it?

Besides, the other two challenges required completing both to get the clue, which might not be as easy as it seemed; even if the maze failed, they could switch later.

She convinced herself silently.

The two agreed on the Claw Valley Maze.

An hour later, the eight guests changed into travel-appropriate outfits and boarded different vehicles, setting off on their chosen routes.

Looking out the window, Li Jiayan was surprised to see two other vehicles heading in the same direction.

“Why does it seem like everyone’s going for the maze?” This surprised her.

Had she misjudged? Others didn’t think the Claw Valley Maze was difficult? Maybe they found it easy?

“Some had no choice,” Lu Zhou said, resting his hand on the window, gazing at the blue sky.

“Huh? No choice?” Li Jiayan didn’t immediately understand, then realized, “Oh... they’re afraid of heights.”

“Right.” Lu Zhou recalled Ye Fangfei’s fear of heights on the jungle rope bridge at AdventurePark and replied softly.

He felt inexplicably restless, staring at the drifting clouds.

“So the ones going to the maze with us must be Zhang Chen’s and Xu Junze’s pairs?” Li Jiayan recalled when she partnered with Xu Junze on the bridge and Chu Yao had scolded her for walking too fast and neglecting Xu Junze.

Lu Zhou came back to awareness. “Junze? Who’s his partner?”

“Jiajia!”

Li Jiayan was amused by Lu Zhou’s reaction. He couldn’t immediately remember who Jiajia was paired with today, showing he hadn’t given her much thought—good.

“Jiajia isn’t afraid of heights. I remember she handled the bridge well last time, leading Zhang Chen the whole way.” Lu Zhou was puzzled.

“But Junze is afraid of heights.” Li Jiayan chuckled. “I never said Jiajia was afraid.”

Lu Zhou nodded knowingly; he hadn’t known that. “Then it’s probably those two pairs going for the maze.”

“They won’t run away.” Li Jiayan was firm.

She patted the back of the driver’s seat. “Driver, if you can go faster, please do.”

Lu Zhou glanced at Li Jiayan, sensing she was already in competition mode. Looks like there would be no leisurely journey today.

And she wasn’t the only one driven.

On the same road, the other two cars also increased speed, with one clearly trying to overtake them.

What was the point of racing for position on the road anyway…

Lu Zhou frowned, looking at the adjacent lane. The pursuing car was nearly level with them. Through the window, he saw Ye Fangfei resting her head against the glass, eyes closed.

He couldn’t tell if she was asleep or just resting.

Letting the driver overtake wasn’t her style—this had to be Zhang Chen’s doing.

Lu Zhou tilted his head, observing her silently for a moment.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Ye Fangfei slowly opened her eyes just as they were about to be overtaken.

Caught off guard, their eyes met briefly before drifting apart as the distance between the cars grew.

“Ah, they’re faster than us,” Li Jiayan whispered beside him.

Lu Zhou blinked and withdrew his gaze. “It’s not a racecar event. Why fuss over who’s ahead?”

Li Jiayan sensed a hint of frustration in his tone. She smiled softly and said, “True, what was I thinking? I got carried away. No rush—we’ll take it slow. Safety first.”

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