Chapter Forty-eight: "With You Along the Way" Airs

Chapter 48: "With You All the Way" Airs

After a whirlwind of promotional campaigns, the show "With You All the Way" was finally set to meet its eagerly awaiting audience. On the night of its premiere, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er nestled early into their sofa, waiting for the broadcast. They were far from alone; countless couples and lovers across the country sat before their televisions, just as they did.

Of course, many singles were also tuned in, eager to catch the show.

In recent times, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er had remained at the center of heated public conversation, and their popularity soared even higher after news broke of their assault by a group of thugs during filming in the United States—a story that landed them on the front pages of American newspapers. The phrase “Kung Fu Couple” had become a household name.

Beijing Television spared no effort in promoting this, their most lavishly funded reality show to date, leveraging all available resources. To say the show was highly anticipated would be no exaggeration.

“He’s witty, humorous, full of talent, and gives an indescribable sense of security. Being with him is relaxing and brings endless happiness.”

As the episode began, each guest’s feelings toward their partner played on the screen. Yang Xin’er appeared first—inevitable, since she was the only A-list star among all the guests.

“She is kind, virtuous, optimistic, cheerful, and always considerate. She’s someone who stands in your shoes and thinks for you at every moment; being with her feels like having the whole world. With a wife like this, what more could a husband desire?”

Next came Zhang Le’s interview. The other guests’ responses were brief, almost perfunctory.

The show officially began, opening with Zhang Le. His exchanges with the staff, as well as his conversation with Yang Xin’er about their luggage, made him seem somewhat overly cautious.

But when the show shifted to Lin Yang and Chen Fang, and Liang Bin and Zhang Yao, and viewers watched these couples struggle miserably with their luggage, everyone realized Zhang Le had, merely from the show’s title, predicted the production team’s tricks. As Yang Xin’er had said, he truly was quick-witted.

Yet Zhang Le’s first impression on the audience was far more than that. Throughout the episode, his memorable moments were plentiful. When he pulled several hundred yuan out from his shoe, viewers gaped in astonishment. Anyone drinking water at that moment likely sprayed it everywhere.

Witty and humorous—he was a true comedian! But, as Zhang Le said on the show, hiding money in your shoe is a practical anti-theft tip. No matter how skilled a pickpocket, they’re unlikely to search your shoes—especially those with athlete’s foot.

This scene led many wives to check their husbands’ shoes when collecting “hidden stashes” at home. Some unlucky souls who did hide money in their shoes were discovered—but that’s another story.

The most unforgettable moment by far was Zhang Le cradling his guitar and singing the French song “My Name is Elena,” earning thousands in mere minutes. His boundless talent shone brilliantly.

Later, when the director demanded that all the money earned from singing be handed over, zeroing out the guests’ cash, everyone understood why Yang Xin’er had said on “A Quiet Rendezvous” that not only did the production team not give her and Zhang Le special treatment—they were even stricter. It also became clear why the two seemed so much more at ease than the other guests.

The world of prodigies, it seems, is beyond our comprehension.

With someone so fluent in French at her side, Yang Xin’er’s trip to Paris was naturally much smoother than the others’. As the first episode ended abruptly with Zhang Le’s line, “Don’t fall for me—I’m just a legend,” countless viewers were left wanting more.

Anticipation for the next episode soared. Of course, the entire show was not just about Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er; the other three couples gave commendable performances, though their shine was somewhat eclipsed by the “Kung Fu Couple.”

Even so, the popularity of the other three pairs climbed considerably. The next day, all major media outlets reported on “With You All the Way,” each focusing on different aspects. But without doubt, Zhang Le’s performance left everyone in awe—not just surprised, but genuinely amazed.

After the first episode, Zhang Le’s public image underwent a profound transformation. He won over countless former skeptics, and his popularity soared—not the hollow fame that comes from mere exposure or riding on Yang Xin’er’s coattails, but genuine, hard-earned popularity.

More and more people came to like Zhang Le. He never anticipated the show would bring him such benefits, and only now did he fully understand why Yang Xin’er had been willing to “lower herself” to join a reality show with him. Her deep affection moved him more than ever.

With more people coming to know him, and more accepting both him and his relationship with Yang Xin’er, the pressure they felt as a couple eased considerably. That sense of relief was pure enjoyment.

The post-production of “Crazy Stone” was nearing completion, while the fervor for “With You All the Way” continued. The second episode aired, showcasing even more of Zhang Le’s capabilities. His photographic memory was impressive, but it seemed almost otherworldly—enough to earn admiration but difficult to relate to. However, his culinary skills, rivaling those of a professional chef, resonated deeply with viewers.

In contrast, Lin Yang and Liang Bin’s attempts to prepare instant noodles for their girlfriends or wives left audiences in stitches. Against such a backdrop, Zhang Le’s masterful cooking stood out all the more.

After watching, many female viewers added a new requirement when choosing a boyfriend or husband: he must be able to cook. Relying solely on instant noodles, like Chen Fang and Zhang Yao, seemed too pitiful.

A man who can cook is as charming as one who is talented.

“God Zhang”—this was the nickname netizens gave Zhang Le after the second episode aired.

“Crazy Stone” was now finished and entering the promotional phase. Of course, as a low-budget film with a production cost of only a few million, publicity funds were limited.

Before they could even strategize their marketing, it was time for the third recording of “With You All the Way.” This time, the destination was still abroad, but much closer than the previous trips: Tokyo, Japan.

While Zhang Le and the others were filming in Tokyo, the third episode aired. At the airport, after the production team led away the wives or girlfriends of the three other pairs, their reactions—confusion, anxiety, awkward smiles, and calm inquiries—were a source of endless amusement for viewers.

The production team easily whisked away the partners of Lin Yang and the others, but with Zhang Le, they hit a wall. His vigilance and keen deduction allowed him to unravel the production team’s plot entirely. The awkward, exasperated expressions of the crew delighted the audience.

The ensuing treasure hunt for a box containing the keys to their transportation was undoubtedly the highlight of this episode.