Chapter 75

Next, it was the segment where the PD designated the X-MAN over the phone. Originally, apart from the X-MAN himself, no one else would know who the X-MAN was for this episode. However, with Zhang Chengyuan's presence, it was no longer a secret. His hearing was sharp, and he clearly heard the PD designate Shin Jung-hwan as the X-MAN from a distance.

After hearing this, Zhang Chengyuan casually told Li Zhen. Li Zhen, knowing his abilities, immediately believed him but instructed him not to tell anyone else to avoid reducing the fun for the guests during the recording.

Afterward, the guests were divided into two teams, with Jiang Hude and Jin Jidong as the captains of each team, and they began the "Unity Horse Riding" game. However, before that, to decide who would be the horse and who would ride, they had to play a "Bum Bumping" game.

The "Bum Bumping" game was a warm-up for the "Unity Horse Riding." Many of the guests had only just met, and if the male guests were to immediately be ridden like horses, it would be somewhat awkward and unwilling. Thus, the "Bum Bumping" game was created. After the bum bumping, the guests' minds naturally relaxed, as even the female guests didn't mind the awkward collision with the male guests, so the male guests couldn't be too pretentious.

Of course, this was just Zhang Chengyuan's personal guess about the program's planning. In reality, he was somewhat dismissive of it. It was because many of the playful elements in Korean variety shows made him uncomfortable that he had little interest in participating in them. However, at this moment, he could only tough it out.

At the beginning, due to his tall stature, Zhang Chengyuan stood at the outer edge of the team to avoid blocking others' view. He also hoped to avoid Captain Jin Jidong's attention so that he could appear later. The two senior figures in the music industry, Kim Chang-hoon and Kim Jong-kook, who were standing next to him, seemed curious about him and often turned their heads to look at him and talk to him. Thus, the three men watched the game while chatting about some everyday topics.

Just as they were chatting enthusiastically, Jin Jidong couldn't stand it and said with a smile, "You three big men are standing outside while the girls are doing all the hard work. How can you be so shameless? Chengyuan, you're up next."

Although Zhang Chengyuan didn't want to go on so early, he couldn't go against the MC's wishes and immediately went on. He didn't hold back, knocking down Jiang Hude's team members Lee Seung-gi, Lee Joo-hyun, and Shin Jung-hwan one after another, each time with a decisive and swift move. Jin Jidong chuckled, "Hude, you always used to bully our team with your size. This time, we have a skilled player. Why don't you go up and challenge Chengyuan?"

Jiang Hude scratched his head, about to retort, but Liu Zaishi said, "From what I know, Chengyuan was a sports star in high school, winning many national youth awards. During his military service, he even won the championship in the military's free-fighting competition and was called the best fighter in the military. Is that true?" It seemed Liu Zaishi had been commissioned by someone to praise Zhang Chengyuan today.

The guests were amazed when they heard this.

Zhang Chengyuan modestly replied, "That's a bit exaggerated. I did win the free-fighting championship a couple of times, but that was when the 707 Special Forces didn't participate. I'm sure there are many who are better than me." He didn't want to be seen as arrogant, so he humbly added that he didn't take the 707 Special Forces seriously.

"Oh!" Except for Li Zhen, everyone else thought this was the real situation. They found it hard to imagine that an entertainer could be more skilled than the elite military personnel who underwent hellish training daily.

Liu Zaishi said, "That's still impressive. Hude, are you going to challenge him?"

Jiang Hude shook his head, "I'm the ace and will only appear at the end. But to deal with him, I have a secret weapon. Please welcome our national fairy, Li Zhen, who is also Chengyuan's sister."

Jiang Hude, Liu Zaishi, and others had known about Zhang Chengyuan's close relationship with Fin.K.L. since 2000 when they saw him dining with Fin.K.L. at a barbecue restaurant. Through today's close observation, Jiang Hude noticed that Zhang Chengyuan seemed to respect or even fear Li Zhen. When Li Zhen chased and hit him earlier, he barely dodged. Thus, he had the idea to have Li Zhen deal with Zhang Chengyuan. He was also quite confident that Li Zhen could handle Zhang Chengyuan.

When Li Zhen was called out and took her position, Jiang Hude proudly said to Jin Jidong, "Jidong, I bet we'll win this round. Do you believe me?"

Jin Jidong, who had already noticed something, said to increase the show's effect, "Of course not. How can Li Zhen, with her small frame, compare to our strong men? Even if Chengyuan stands still and lets her bump into him, he might not fall."

Jiang Hude said, "If you don't believe me, let's make a bet. If I lose, I'll let you ride on my back around the field. If you lose, you'll carry me around the field." On the surface, it seemed Jiang Hude was at a disadvantage, but everyone thought Jin Jidong would be in a terrible situation if he lost, given his thin frame and Jiang Hude's massive size.

The match between Zhang Chengyuan and Li Zhen officially began. Since Zhang Chengyuan enjoyed the feeling of bumping buttocks with Li Zhen, he slightly bent his knees and stood there, allowing Li Zhen to bump into him multiple times without falling. He also restrained his body's rebound to avoid ending the game he so desired.

However, Jiang Hude became anxious. Seeing Li Zhen's repeated efforts fail, he rushed to her and shouted, "Li Zhen, use your charm to confuse him and make him lose to you."

Jin Jidong said, "Don't you know the game should be fair?"

Jiang Hude glanced at Jin Jidong and said disdainfully, "King of fouls, you're talking about fairness?"

Jin Jidong, who was often weak and thin, and to add to the show's fun, frequently cheated and acted shamelessly during games, was left speechless by Jiang Hude's harsh words. Everyone else found it amusing.

Li Zhen, forced by Jiang Hude, didn't want to "seduce" Zhang Chengyuan, fearing it would become a laughing matter among Zhang Chengyuan and her sisters. She turned around and slapped Zhang Chengyuan's shoulder, ordering, "Chengyuan, you must lose to me, understand?"

Zhang Chengyuan feigned pain and said pitifully, "Sister Zhen, that hurts. Be gentle."

Li Zhen, annoyed, said, "Stop acting pitiful. I won't fall for it. I'll say it again, you must lose to me!" Zhang Chengyuan often acted pitiful in front of the four sisters, and they had developed a certain immunity to it.

Zhang Chengyuan nodded helplessly, "I understand, Sister." He looked even more aggrieved.

Seeing this, those who didn't know their relationship might have thought they were real siblings, with the violent sister Li Zhen often bullying the wimpy brother Zhang Chengyuan.

The game continued. This time, Zhang Chengyuan clearly let go, standing straight and leaning outward, as if he would fall with a single touch. Li Zhen, without hesitation, bumped into him. Zhang Chengyuan waited for her to touch him and then fell automatically. However, he leaned too far, and Li Zhen missed, losing her balance and falling backward. She screamed, flailing her arms, trying to regain her balance. She strained her waist and upper body, leaning forward desperately, and after a few struggles, finally regained her balance. Unfortunately, she overdid it, leaning too far forward, and her body bent into an A-shape, falling forward.

Just as she was about to hit the soft mat, the audience gasped. Hearing Li Zhen's scream, Zhang Chengyuan quickly turned around, saw her dangerous situation, and without thinking, reacted instantly. He spun around, extended his left hand to grab the back of Li Zhen's waist, slowing her descent, and then used his right hand to catch her from below, hugging her tightly. He used his body as a cushion to prevent her from getting hurt.

In reality, even if Zhang Chengyuan hadn't saved her, Li Zhen wouldn't have been injured because the ground was covered with thick mats. However, if she had fallen in that position, with her face hitting the ground first, she might have never forgotten the humiliation, much like when Sung Yuri had a hula hoop incident on a variety show a few years ago.

Zhang Chengyuan's rescue of Li Zhen was like a flash of lightning. Just as everyone was imagining Li Zhen falling in a comical way, they saw her lying in Zhang Chengyuan's arms. They lost interest in continuing the show and gathered around the camera to watch the replay. It wasn't until the 4x slow-motion that they finally saw Zhang Chengyuan's actions and the sequence of events.

After watching, they all praised Zhang Chengyuan's quick reaction, agility, and genuine concern for Li Zhen.

Taking this opportunity, everyone took a break. Jiang Hude, Liu Zaishi, and Jin Jidong came over to politely ask about Li Zhen's condition and then patted Zhang Chengyuan's shoulder, saying to Li Zhen, "Your Fin.K.L has a brother like Zhang Chengyuan, who is so loyal and affectionate. It's a great advantage. Why don't he become our brother too?"

Li Zhen happily said, "It's his honor that the three oppas recognize him. Chengyuan, you should get along well with the three seniors, okay?"

Zhang Chengyuan immediately responded, "I understand, Sister. I'll listen to you. Brother Hude, Brother Zaishi, Brother Jidong, please take care of me in the future." Although this incident unexpectedly gained the recognition of these three influential variety show seniors, becoming true friends with them would not be easy, as relationships, like delicate flowers, require careful cultivation to grow.