There aren't many people like Liu Xin'an who truly have talents and achievements...
"Wow, really smart."
"But... isn't giving him a chance a bit boring?"
If Liu Xin'an couldn't answer smoothly, everyone would happily give Liu Xin'an this opportunity.
But when Liu Xin'an effortlessly answered the question, everyone's thoughts immediately aligned.
Joking aside, we can't let Kim Jongkook and Liu Xin'an get points easilyβit's best if they remain at zero points.
"Hey! Bro, that's too much."
"How is it too much? You didn't pick the card, granting you a chance to participate obviously shouldn't count for points, right everyone?"
Yoo Jaesuk wouldn't dare challenge Kim Jongkook alone, but with everyone's support, he had the confidence.
The jeering made Kim Jongkook sneer, and he patted Liu Xin'an's shoulder, giving him a meaningful glance.
They had to win because if they won the game, they'd receive a clue about a real couple.
So...
"Bang bang bang bang!"
"Liu Xin'an."
"The question type is... culture."
No one's luck is that bad, so after five tries, Kim Jongkook finally managed to draw a question outside the category of entertainment.
"Xin'an... Does it really not hurt?"
The continuous muffled sounds were eerie, sending chills down the back.
It wasn't that they were slower than Kim Jongkook, it's just that his speed at smashing the wooden scoops with both hands was intimidating.
Even more terrifying was how Liu Xin'an remained unfazed, as if he felt no pain.
"A little bit, but this kind of pain is manageable."
"Oh! Absolutely right." Kim Jongkook was very fond of this younger brother who was over a decade younger.
Modest and courteous, plus knowledgeable, and importantly... they enthusiastically exchanged fitness tips when changing team uniforms earlier.
"By the way, does Xin'an play soccer?"
"I..."
"Xin'an! Think it over before answering. If you say you play soccer, your Thursdays will never be yours again."
HAHA hurried to caution him; Kim Jongkook's love for soccer was well-known in the entertainment industry, and many wanted to connect with him, but sharing his interests was tough.
Basic fitness and soccer already deterred most of the industry; those genuinely interested were rare.
"I..."
"He plays! Jongkook oppa, call him out for soccer more often!" Bae Juhyun replied for Liu Xin'an.
Liu Xin'an was a bit stunned, but since Bae Juhyun said so, he nodded along.
Though he doesn't play often, he knows a bit.
Besides, given his physique, even if he can't play very well... he can just pretend to be running diligently.
"Irene, do you like Jongkook taking Xin'an out for soccer?"
"Yeah... mainly because he's normally a homebody, barely leaving unless necessary."
"Doesn't go out? But hasn't he been spotted at your events, at music show stages, or fan meetings...?"
"Uh..." Bae Juhyun was at a loss for words.
Liu Xin'an chimed in, smiling: "Those are necessary, but in general, I really don't go out much."
"Oh~ Good man!"
"Kiddo, treat our Irene well!"
"Irene is one of RM's own, you better be nice to her carefully."
"...Why did the topic take such a turn?" Liu Xin'an was amused and helplessβof course he'd treat Bae Juhyun well, besides... isn't she from S-M, not suddenly RM?
"Really? Well, this Thursday, come out, I'll reserve a spot for you."
"Sure, but what time do you usually start?"
"Just dedicate the day to me, in the morning we hit the gym."
"But my livestream..."
"Take a day off occasionally, even your viewers suggest you take breaks, listen for once."
Bae Juhyun gently pleaded, showing a rare "charming" side only seen when with Liu Xin'an, causing everyone's lips to involuntarily curl up.
This side of Bae Juhyun was almost too adorable.
Then everyone collectively looked at Liu Xin'an, and those daunting gazes made him naturally unable to refuse, besides... he couldn't resist his girlfriend's pleading.
"Alright, then this Thursday I'm counting on you."
"Ok!"
"Kim Jongkook is happy, look at his expression."
"Haha, haha."
"Back to the questions, Mr. Liu Xin'an, Mr. Kim Jongkook, the question type is culture."
Seoin PD interrupted the chit-chat, pulling the pace back to the show.
Casual chats can happen anytime, like post-shooting dinner chats, but not during recording.
"After World War II, what was the currency financial system formed?"
It wasn't too difficult a question; the answer flashed in Liu Xin'an's mind instantly.
Anyone with high school history classes should know the answer.
But being an artist often meant poor grades in academic subjects.
Yang Sechan, Jeon Somin, Song Jihyo, HAHA all showed dumbfounded expressions after hearing the question.
Even Bae Juhyun feigned ignorance, pretending not to hear clearly.
Luckily, Liu Xin'an answered crisply.
"The Bretton Woods system."
"Ding dong ding~"
"Yes! That's it!"
Kim Jongkook knew it too, so when Liu Xin'an answered, he excitedly hugged this younger brother, cheering endlessly.
"Yes, that's... the system."
The clueless MCs began pretending they knew the answer all along.
"What? What system did you say?"
"%#οΏ₯! System!"
"What?"
"...Forest, forest system!"
Yoo Jaesuk mischievously continued questioning the unable-to-answer Yang Sechan, who awkwardly laughed, still pretending.
"Does Irene know what system it is?"
Out of the blue, Yoo Jaesuk tossed the question to the distracted Bae Juhyun.
This made Bae Juhyun freeze.
No way she'd know this forest something system... she returned her high school knowledge long ago.
"Uh..."
At that awkward sound, Yoo Jaesuk swiftly turned around, utterly abandoning the question.
"Alright, next round."
"Puhahaha."
Everyone knows the dumb term "uh..." is used by fools.
Bae Juhyun's cheeks were flushed, she covered her mouth giggling.
But it's a variety show, so showing ignorance is okay.
...
Liu Xin'an and Kim Jongkook's combination was indeed a bit unfair.
No suspense, the two successfully won the first round of the game.
"We will provide information on the fake couple, and if you are the fake couple, we'll also provide information on the real couple."
"You can choose to share the information, please come up and collect it."
Kim Jongkook gently patted Liu Xin'an's shoulder, suggesting he step forward.
Liu Xin'an wasn't pretentious, he strode forward to Seoin PD, reaching for the small card.
On it were both the real and fake couple clues written.
