11 – Chapter 11
Even his harsh words carried a hint of gentleness?
Under the anticipation of millions, Xie Zhi asked the program crew for some takeout containers and packed up all the dishes.
Eventually, all the guests gathered in the dining room again to enjoy the meal together.
Everyone had smiles on their faces, including Si Nian.
After all, Xie Zhi hadn’t chosen Lin Yulan—didn’t that prove the mission was having some effect?
But on the third day, Si Nian noticed that Xie Zhi seemed off, almost as if he was deliberately avoiding her.
The moment he sat down at the dining table, Xie Zhi would immediately stand up and claim he was full.
When everyone was chatting happily, the moment Si Nian joined in, Xie Zhi would excuse himself to do something else.
Si Nian asked the system, “What’s wrong with him? He was fine yesterday.”
The system replied, “If he were that easy to figure out, he wouldn’t have ended up as the antagonist.”
“Could it be that I’m coming on too strong?” Si Nian grumbled. “Besides, those beginner guidance moves of yours are really cliché.”
“Host, your own tactics aren’t exactly brilliant either.”
“Uh…” After guessing for a long time without any clear answer, Si Nian concluded firmly, “Anyway, I think it’s because I’m pursuing too aggressively. From now on, don’t interfere. I’ll take it slow and steady.”
“Fine, but I have to remind you, host—your mission deadline is until the dating reality show finishes filming. Good luck.”
In the male guests’ dorm, the others also noticed Xie Zhi’s unusual behavior. How could someone who was always gentle and polite to everyone suddenly avoid only Si Nian?
After hesitating for a while, Liu Yu finally spoke up, “Xie Zhi, are you not interested in Si Nian? If that’s the case, then I’ll make a move?”
“Mm, when it comes to love, it’s fair competition. You don’t need to ask for my opinion.”
Liu Yu excitedly said, “Alright, I was waiting for you to say that!”
Soon, Liu Yu started primping in front of the mirror, even spritzing on cologne with a flourish, before strutting out proudly.
It was the fourth day since the show began. Xie Zhi stared at the calendar on the wall, lost in thought.
At some point, he seemed to have forgotten his original purpose for joining the show. Things were spiraling out of control, and he no longer felt like himself. This change was unsettling, even alarming.
And the source of it all was Si Nian.
Originally, he had joined the show because of Lin Yulan.
Lin Yulan had signed with Bai’s Entertainment, and Bai Yanlin happened to be participating in this program. Fearful that the light of his youth would fall into his brother’s hands, Xie Zhi had voluntarily signed up for a variety show he had never been involved in before.
But except for the first day, his attention had consistently followed Si Nian. He would feel secretly pleased and happy because of her little quirks, finding her both adorable and pitiable. Even thinking about how Si Nian used to chase after Bai Yanlin made him unhappy…
As for how things would develop between Lin Yulan and Bai Yanlin, he hadn’t paid any attention.
By the time he realized this shift, two days had already passed.
This sense of losing control felt unfamiliar, and he didn’t like it.
Moreover, Si Nian’s actions over the past few days had truly crossed the line. He couldn’t just tolerate it indefinitely.
And then there was their marriage in name only—it was time to find an opportunity to end it.
With these thoughts, Xie Zhi stood up and headed outside, where he ran into Qin Zishuang, who informed him that Si Nian was in the coconut grove near the small hill.At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, but when he arrived at the grove and saw Si Nian smiling at him in a tank top and short skirt, he realized he had been careless again. Unconsciously, it seemed he had fallen into her trap once more.
“You came here to hang out too? Honestly, the scenery here is quite nice—if only we could pick the coconuts from the trees to eat—”
Si Nian’s words were cut off mid-sentence as her microphone was suddenly muted.
Instantly, the gentle and harmless man seemed to transform, radiating a low-pressure aura around him. She instinctively took a step back, her back pressing against a coconut tree.
“What’s wrong?” She couldn’t quite gauge Xie Zhi’s temper.
“That’s what I should be asking you.” Xie Zhi had already turned off his own microphone. He stared at the woman before him. “You’ve been hard to read these past few days.”
“Have I made you uncomfortable?”
“Can’t we just get along like we used to? Mind our own business… Or have your methods for chasing Bai Yanlin changed? You can tell me—it’s not like I can’t help you. Why bother messing with me?” Despite his anger, Xie Zhi remained restrained.
For some reason, Si Nian sensed a hint of helplessness in his words—even his harsh tone carried a touch of gentleness? Suddenly, she felt like the villain. She hurried to explain, “It’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it? Then what did you deliberately lure me here for?”
To see him cry for her, laugh for her, lose himself for her? To satisfy her playful whims?
Their eyes met. Si Nian opened her mouth but ultimately closed it, her expression seeming somewhat awkward.
Meanwhile, the live chat had gone completely wild.
[Holy crap, what is Xie Zhi doing? Tree-pinning? Damn, I’m totally here for this!]
[I knew he couldn’t resist Si Nian! It’s over, it’s all over—thousands of girls will be heartbroken tonight!]
[What are these two even talking about?! Help! Can I please hear it too? And I don’t want to see the back of Xie Zhi’s head—show me his expression right now?!]
[Wuwu, he’s jealous, right? Si Nian is going on a date with another man.]
[Why did he suddenly get so fierce, but I love it ahhh! Brother, be fierce with me too wuwu…]
[I knew he’s been off these past two days! He’s usually so polite, but he’s been giving Si Nian the cold shoulder—turns out it’s because of love! This is so addicting to watch!]
[What is it that we can’t hear?! Eighteen-plus explicit talk? A heartfelt confession? Or… is he just putting on a tough front while secretly crying?! He is such a gentle person after all…]
To Xie Zhi, Si Nian’s awkward expression came across as guilt. Just as he was about to say something, a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind.
“Xie Zhi, what are you doing here? Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in Si Nian? Why are you suddenly cutting in on me? That’s not cool, bro.”