-10- In the country

When we finally arrived at the hotel, we all had a half hour to pack. I don't think I've ever packed my bags that fast. And Seungyoun also packed everything very quickly.

He will form a duo with a young and beautiful woman from India. And Wenhan will be facing a Frenchman for the next seven days. Sungjoo will be together with Gu Jiacheng and Zhou Yixuan with a woman from Germany.

I think we are all happy with the choice of the audience. Anyway, the other four didn't complain and I got what I wanted. My Xiao Zhan! And before we boarded the bus, I said to Zhan, that I was looking forward to the coming days with him. He laughed and said that it will certainly be an exciting and beautiful time.

Of course we can't just do what we want. We will have to train a lot in the coming week. After all, the audience decides which duo was the best and there is a prize to win. But we don't know yet what it will be.

Since it took me less than ten minutes to pack, I went to Zhan's room. I asked him if I should help him to pack and he said to me: "I guess it' s not fast enough for you." And I just shook my head, grinning.

The sooner we get out of here, the more time he and I have together. Makes sense, doesn't it?

"You ZhanZhan?"

"Mn?"

"Do you know what we can perform together yet?"

"Does it have to involve dancing?"

"Not as far as I know."

"Then I know what. I'll play it for you when we get to our quarters."

"Okay. I'm really excited about where they're taking us. I hope it's not one of those crowded places where you can't take a step outside the door."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we're not really unknown. And the show has certainly made us even better known. Imagine if we wanted to go out the front door and people recognized us?"

"Oh, you mean this. Yeah, in that case it would be really bad if they dropped us off somewhere in the middle of a busy zone."

Actually, I was going to ask him if he remembered our kiss. But somehow I didn't dare. Well, I'll have plenty of time for that in the next few days. And it would look silly if I asked him now, since we are "only" friends.

After Zhan had finally finished packing, I took our two suitcases and went with him to the elevator. At first Zhan protested and said he could carry his suitcase by himself, but since I didn't even react to that, he gave up and just let me do it.

In the hotel lobby my manager was waiting for me and reminded me once again not to do anything in public that could harm my career. He also told me to train a lot and not just chase after Zhan's ass. Does he still not know me? He should know that I want to win all the time. So I'll try my best, we'll try our best.

Slowly the lobby fills up and the pairs stand together and talk. Zhan says goodbye to his people and hugs everyone once more. He is probably one of those people who likes to hug. Well, if he likes that, he can hug me anytime.

As the first drivers arrive and call the pairings, Zhan comes back to me and clutches my arm. " I can do this, can't I?" He asks me and smiles.

"You? Anytime!" I reply and look proudly at Seungyoun, who gives me a sideward grin.

The first pairs are gone and finally Zhan and I are also called. And we were quite amazed when we saw who our driver was. It's none other than the host himself. Wang Han!

He waves us over and we look at each other confused. "We don't have enough drivers, so I volunteered to take you both to your quarters for the next seven days." He explains with a smile.

No sooner have we set off than he explains that we will be together in a hut in the countryside. "There's a rehearsal room there, too. Oh and our production team has a song for you. Of course you can choose one yourself or even write one. But you should have a look at it. I think it will fit you both quite well. The melody will be provided by us."

"Do the other pairs also get songs?" Ask Zhan.

"No. Our production team seems to be a fan of both of you. Maybe because they saw you holding hands or your cute interaction in the cafeteria? Or was it because of the desperate post from Wang Yibo to his fans? Hey, everyone knew you were dying to be with Xiao Zhan."

"I um, well. I don't know what to say to that." I reply and feel my cheeks blushing. Luckily it was dark in the car and Zhan didn't see it.

"Xiao Zhan, are you OK with your duo partner?" Ask Wang Han.

"Yes, I am. Yibo is funny and we get along quite well. I'm sure it will be an interesting week."

And because we were both sitting in the back seat and it was dark, luckily, Wang Han could not see that I was already holding Zhan's hand the whole time and stroking it with my thumb.

Although I wouldn't mind if Wang Han saw that. Because apparently he is someone who seems to have nothing against Zhan and me as a couple. Even though we're not a couple yet. But maybe he's someone who will support us.

The drive took almost two hours and as soon as we opened the car door, you could already taste the fresh air in the countryside.

Wang Han showed us the hut. It is actually a wooden house and looks very nice. Maybe not the right thing for young men like Zhan and me. But it's still very beautiful here.

"There is the living room, a kitchen, a large bathroom and a bedroom with a king size bed. I hope this is not a problem for you. And of course there is the rehearsal room. It's not very big. But it should be enough for your purposes." Explain to us Wang Han before he gives us the keys to the wooden house.

"Wow, it looks beautiful." Says Zhan, and I agree. I thought it was gonna be a little wooden hut where everything was practically in one room.

"The camera crew will arrive here on Monday at ten o'clock. So you'll have two days' rest first. But, there is one thing you have to do. You should film several times a day, like going for a walk, talking about your song or cooking together and things like that. But you don't need more than two to two minutes of film." Explains Wang Han and then says goodbye.

And now here we are! In the middle of the countryside, surrounded by nothing and no one. We'll have this beautiful wooden house to ourselves in the next few days. But most of all I am also looking forward to seven days with Zhan.