William Carter's fingers played with the delicate sugar cube box at hand. He took one out, popped it into his mouth, and, without waiting for it to melt, bit down and crushed it.

"Really, I agree."

Just thinking about how James Turner clearly dislikes him, yet still has to live together with him, made him excited.

Excitement is the source of creative desire.

"By the way, for this kind of reality show that requires intelligence, are you sure you want to invite me?" William Carter raised an eyebrow. "What if I can't help at all and just drag James Turner down?"

William Carter wasn't saying this without reason. After all, he was a fan of James Turner and knew a fair bit about him. Back when James Turner resolutely gave up art schools after the college entrance exam and went to the Physics Department at P University, it shocked even William Carter. He hadn't expected this child star to also be a high-IQ science guy. He thought James Turner would give up his acting career and devote himself to socialist scientific research, but who knew he would still come back to take acting roles.

Not going to a so-called professional school, yet still acting well. When God opens a door for someone, he probably throws open all the windows too—or else doesn't leave even a crack, making it as dark as a solitary confinement cell.

Reality is just that cruel.

"That was my original thought. Since Ziheng is smart enough, having you by his side to set him off would be even better." Grace Bennett smiled, not hiding her initial little scheme at all. "But I still looked into you a bit—occupational habit. I was really surprised to find out you went to the Florence Academy of Fine Arts. Oh, and I accidentally saw your record of participating in HiMCM."

Accidentally?

This woman is terrifying. Although William Carter's face didn't show it, he genuinely admired her investigative skills. Participating in the math modeling competition was something from high school, yet she still managed to dig it up.

"I think someone like you definitely won't be the one dragging the team down." Grace Bennett looked at William Carter with a fake smile, and William Carter returned an equally insincere one. "I'll do my best."

After saying goodbye to Grace Bennett, William Carter decided to go find Henry Clark. On the way, he passed a newly opened cake shop and bought a few of their new cakes, moving even faster than when picking out a potential flirt.

"So you're really going on TV?" Henry Clark asked, mouth full of cake, sounding a bit surprised.

Sitting on the floor, William Carter nodded, stretched out his long legs, and crossed them. He couldn't help but complain, "Isn't saying 'going on TV' a bit old-fashioned? I'm going to be on a reality show."

"Same thing." Henry Clark ate too fast and started to choke a bit. He got off the sofa and ran to the fridge for a drink.

William Carter clicked his tongue at his back. "You're barefoot again. Haven't you been nagged enough by David Carter?" He glanced at the utterly tasteless milk carton and couldn't help but ask, "Got any alcohol?"

"Cut back on the drinking. Everyone in your Xia family either smokes or drinks—so many bad habits." Henry Clark shoved the milk into his hand.

William Carter took the milk reluctantly, grinning mischievously at Henry Clark. "You have the nerve to talk? That kid's biggest bad habit in this life is you."

"You're the bad habit." Henry Clark shot back casually. "Don't laugh. Everyone meets their match eventually—your turn will come."

William Carter shrugged. "Let's see which unlucky soul ends up addicted to a bad habit like me."

Henry Clark remembered the reality show. "Why did that producer pick you? These puzzle-solving reality shows are pretty rare, and it's usually hard to get guests."

"That person somehow found records of me and David Carter competing back in the day, plus the recent trending topic..." William Carter pinched the milk carton, feeling a headache coming on. "That's why I say I hate the internet."

"But speaking of which..." Henry Clark, always happy to watch the drama, leaned back on the sofa cushion with a grin. "If you join that show, you can get up close and personal with your idol."

"Not an idol—an object of sexual fantasy." At this, William Carter perked up. "Now you're getting to the point. If it were before, I probably wouldn't have agreed. Having every move recorded by machines sounds pretty gross. But now that James Turner seems to really dislike me, that's what makes it interesting."

Henry Clark was a bit baffled. He didn't understand what that VIP ticket of his had actually led to, and he understood even less what was going on in William Carter's head.

Being hated by someone you like, and still feeling excited about it?

"Aren't you supposed to be a sadist? Why do I feel like you're actually a masochist?"

William Carter burst out laughing and pinched Henry Clark's cheek. "Chenchen, you're too naive. Don't you think it's fun to watch someone who hates you, forced to suppress their emotions, and have to cooperate and even act friendly with you on camera?"

Actually, he hesitated over his wording. His original choice was "sexy." In his mind, James Turner enduring his dislike and being forced to act close and easygoing—that image was incredibly sexy.

It made him want to do everything possible to provoke the limits of that facade.