12 – Chapter 12
Protected her?
Hearing the voice, Xie Zhi froze for a second before quickly stepping back to maintain a proper social distance from Si Nian.
Liu Yu immediately inserted himself between them, complaining again, “I just got lost for a bit, bro, you…”
“Sorry, I disturbed you,” Xie Zhi glanced at Si Nian, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face before he repeated, “Sorry.”
Liu Yu patted Xie Zhi’s shoulder in a friendly manner, “No worries, no worries. I finally won this date opportunity through the morning game and almost thought you were trying to sabotage it.”
“Alright, you two chat then.” Only then did Xie Zhi remember they had indeed played games that morning… he just hadn’t been in the right state of mind.
Finally, Xie Zhi turned and left. Behind him stood a meticulously dressed man and woman, their contrast making his departure appear even more desolate.
[Wuwuwu, a love triangle with two men fighting over one woman should be my favorite trope, but Xie Zhi looks so pitiful… I can’t bear to watch anymore…]
[Did you see Xie Zhi’s expression? He’s always been such a sweet, gentle boy with a constant smile – this is the first time he’s looked so stern, clearly unhappy!!]
[Xie Zhi don’t cry! Si Nian obviously likes you – just crook your finger and she’ll definitely cling to you again! Believe in your charm!]
[Si Nian is such a tease, liking Xie Zhi while still stringing along this Liu Yu. It makes me sick! Xie Zhi, open your eyes quickly and don’t be fooled by her!]
[Hey upstairs commenter, if you don’t know the rules then stop talking nonsense. Liu Yu won this date privilege – the other party can’t refuse it.]
Ultimately, netizens could clearly see the distinct difference between Si Nian’s demeanor with Liu Yu compared to when she was with Xie Zhi.
When with Xie Zhi, her eyes would sparkle with unusual brightness, her gaze sticking to him like super glue.
But with Liu Yu, aside from a few polite smiles, she mostly remained expressionless, appearing particularly aloof.
In truth, Si Nian was preoccupied with thoughts about Xie Zhi.
How frustrating. It felt like all her previous efforts might have been wasted. Not only had she failed to close the distance with Xie Zhi, but it seemed she’d actually made him start disliking her?
Coupled with that awkward scene earlier, she probably scored negative points in Xie Zhi’s mind now.
After finally completing the date with the chatterbox Liu Yu, Si Nian dragged her exhausted body back to the female guests’ dorm.
Qin Zishuang spotted Si Nian and winked at her, “Xie Zhi was looking for you earlier. I told him your date location with Liu Yu. So? Did he come to stop it?”
Stop it? Xie Zhi might as well have wished her and Liu Yu a speedy marriage with children!
Si Nian shook her head, “Thanks for trying, but it probably didn’t help.”
“Huh? Really?” Qin Zishuang pinched her chin with a bewildered expression, “But from my observations, his attitude toward you should have softened… I guess I really don’t understand young people’s minds these days, so unpredictable.”
Qin Zishuang had already switched from Team Lin Yulan-Xie Zhi to Team Si Nian-Xie Zhi, as her personality naturally appreciated Si Nian’s straightforward approach to pursuing love.
Si Nian hugged Qin Zishuang, “It’s okay, sis, I’m fine. Let’s talk about you instead – which male guest do you want to get to know on a deeper level…”
The girls gradually opened up, chatting about men.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the male guests’ dorm was growing tense.Liu Yu returned to the dormitory beaming, as if something wonderful had happened. Gao Li asked him, “Looks like there’s some good progress?”
“Hahaha… not exactly…” Liu Yu shook his head, “But I really think Si Nian is very different from what I initially assumed. Based on the online comments about her, I thought she had a bad temper, liked to throw her weight around, and didn’t respect others.
Unexpectedly, interacting with her is quite comfortable. Although she’s not particularly warm toward me, she’s… well, she’s exactly my type.”
“Wow, you’re so sure after just a few days?”
“I trust my intuition!” Liu Yu nodded firmly, then looked up and his eyes fell on Xie Zhi. “Bro, fair competition as agreed—from now on, we’re rivals.”
Xie Zhi could have explained that he didn’t like Si Nian and not to worry about him, but this time he remained silent and somewhat reserved.
Meanwhile, Bai Yanlin, sitting in a chair flipping through a newspaper, remarked meaningfully, “You’re too naive.”
Many netizens agreed with this statement, reasoning that since it’s in front of the camera, female celebrities always maintain a good image—how could they reveal their true personality?
Liu Yu, emboldened, retorted, “Have you ever interacted with her? Do you know her? Do you know what kind of person she is?”
Bai Yanlin curled his lips into a cold, enigmatic smile and didn’t respond.
The atmosphere grew quiet. Just as everyone was about to drop the topic and go about their own business, Xie Zhi looked up.
“Both she and I are in the industry. She’s actually quite decent.”
Xie Zhi didn’t know why he was speaking up for Si Nian, especially since it was a lie.
Although both were in the entertainment circle, their work had no overlap, and they had virtually zero contact.
The live chat immediately erupted in emotional outbursts.
[“He’s protecting her, he’s protecting her! My baby has finally grown up, this mom is so proud!”]
[“This Bai Yanlin is really annoying. He’s so targeted against Si Nian, always speaking sarcastically—it makes me sick!”]
[“Exactly! I think he likes Si Nian, but she likes Xie Zhi, so he’s bitter and trying to smear her!”]
[“Sisters, open your eyes wide! If you see a guy like this, run away fast!”]
But just when netizens thought the Obsession CP was solid, they noticed something off.
Xie Zhi’s attitude toward Si Nian remained lukewarm—there was no sweetness to be found!
Netizens were clamoring for more excitement, complaining that the show wasn’t thrilling enough. In the evening, the program team arranged a small competition.
The four female guests competed in a drinking contest: whoever finished a 300ml glass of red wine first would get the chance to invite a male guest on a date. Similarly, the invited male guest could not refuse.
Night, alcohol, young men and women—the excitement instantly intensified.
Everyone assumed the female guests couldn’t hold their liquor well. With a whole glass of wine downed, who knew what blushing, heart-pounding moments might unfold?