The global broadcast began.
Inside the cruise ship, the executioners without any signal sources to learn about events were about to expose their originally fierce faces. Of course, the livestock hidden behind them were the same.
When the tragedy broke out, all evidence indicated that it could have been the ruthless deeds of sea bandits. There were even speculations that the missing crew members and captain were thrown overboard to feed the fish. Moreover, the company operating the cruise ship acted as if they were the victims and faced no penalties whatsoever.
The owner behind Will Company wielded immense power and had connections with many high-ranking officials and politicians abroad. A significant part of the reason the cruise incident was covered up was their influence.
Lin Ya had prepared many supplies; with these, things wouldn’t be too chaotic, and innocent people wouldn’t die tragically over food shortages.
Early the next morning, his assistant Li Xian came to help him pack and conveniently take him to the airport.
“Brother, how about I go with you? It’s inconvenient for you to be out there alone,” said Li Xian, who was only 22 this year and had just graduated from university to be his assistant. Although his age was young, he was quite mature. Shen Zhi Yi had gradually increased his salary, and their relationship was good.
“No need; I can manage alone. Besides, the director said not to bring assistants. All the artists participating are the same,” Lin Ya replied.
Li Xian felt that today’s Shen Ge seemed somewhat different from before. He glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed a hint of a meaningful smile creeping onto Shen Zhi Yi’s fair and handsome face, which made him shiver for no reason.
He turned back without saying anything, but internally he felt something was off.
Lin Ya, mimicking the original owner, smiled gently: “Just consider this a vacation. I’ll still send you your salary. Didn’t you say you hadn’t returned home for a long time? Go back and spend time with your parents.”
“Tell He Jie that for now, I don’t need her to schedule any events for me. We can discuss that when I return. If she can’t get in touch with me later, it’s fine. I heard the director is quite strict, and we might have our phones taken when we get on set, but nothing serious will happen, so let her not worry.”
Li Xian sighed in relief, his sunlight-bright face full of cheer, and chuckled, “Alright! I promise to complete the task! Thank you, Shen Ge!”
“Mm, no need to thank me.”
Soon, they arrived at the airport, and Lin Ya boarded the plane quickly.
After more than ten hours of flight and two transfers, Lin Ya finally reached the small country where the director’s team was located.
Before coming, he had searched for information and discovered that this country had never been particularly stable, with several tourists reported missing after arriving. Reports online were quickly suppressed, and if he hadn’t specifically looked for them, he wouldn’t have found out.
Upon getting into the van sent by the director’s team, Lin Ya noticed that two other people were already present.
“Hello, I’m Su Yuxi.” The handsome guy with somewhat of a baby face sitting at the back wore a casual baseball outfit and had slightly curly short hair, looking quite sunny.
“Hello, I’m Shi Hua.” Sitting next to him was a tall and cool-looking guy, with an aloof demeanor and a deeper voice.
Lin Ya smiled warmly at the familiar faces from his memory and said, “I’m Shen Zhi Yi. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh! I know you! You’re the one who played Luo Hua Shixiong, right?” Su Yuxi, whose personality was more lively, looked at Lin Ya with bright eyes.
Lin Ya nodded in response and took a seat by the window in the front row.
After they exchanged a few words, they fell into a long wait.
“I wonder how long we have to wait for the others. I’m so hungry.” Su Yuxi placed his hands on his stomach, his face filled with distress. He hadn’t eaten the in-flight meal since it was too terrible, and now his stomach was growling.
Shi Hua glanced at him and took out a chocolate bar from his backpack. “Here, eat this.”
“Wow! Thank you, Hua Ge.”
Lin Ya didn’t say anything as he glanced at the time on his phone; the others should be arriving soon.
Indeed, just as Su Yuxi had taken a couple of bites of chocolate, several figures dragging their suitcases approached.
Once everyone had arrived, without waiting for introductions, the driver stepped on the gas and took them straight to the hotel booked by the director’s team.
After getting out of the car with their luggage, they stood in front of a somewhat dilapidated hotel, feeling speechless. Though they wanted to turn back, they remembered the contracts they had signed and reluctantly went inside.
The director was a short, somewhat chubby middle-aged man. He squinted as he surveyed the group before breaking into a grin. “There’s no filming today. We’ll start shooting tomorrow. You all should rest well tonight since you’ve been on a long flight.”
“Thank you, Director.”
Lin Ya couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries. He took the room key and went straight to his room, where another boy named He Yu was also staying.
Among these people, the original owner was likely the most famous.
Of course, he was also the oldest.
“Shen Ge, wait for me!” He Yu glanced at the seemingly unharmed director and hurried after Lin Ya with his suitcase.
He Yu felt that the director was a bit frightening, so he didn’t dare to linger around.
The hotel room appeared as if it had been decorated 20 years ago, looking quite outdated. The toilet, bathtub, and even the wall-mounted TV were all from a decade prior.
Lin Ya glanced at the television briefly before shifting his gaze routinely. He grabbed his clothes and went to the bathroom to wash up. Upon exiting, he saw He Yu preparing to take off his pants and quietly reminded, “Many hotels may have hidden cameras, so be careful. Go to the bathroom; I’ve checked it.”
“Ah, thank you, Shen Ge!” He Yu, who had the commendable quality of being immensely perceptive like a vigilant little animal, instinctively felt Shen Ge was right and followed his example into the bathroom with his clothes.
After washing up, it wasn’t long before someone came to call them downstairs for dinner. The director’s team was absent, and aside from two logistics assistants bustling about, the place was quiet.
At the dining table, the eight of them introduced themselves to each other, all while harboring doubts and unease as they finished their meal and returned to their rooms.