14 – Chapter 14
Are Lin Yulan and Xie Zhi childhood sweethearts?
Urged enthusiastically by Zhou Yuan, Lin Yulan changed into a pink spaghetti strap dress and tied her long hair into two small braids, looking incredibly pure and innocent.
Then she arrived outside the boys’ dormitory, feeling both excited and nervous.
Just as she was about to knock, the door opened on its own, and Xie Zhi stepped out.
“Xie Zhi?”
“What is it?”
“Can I talk to you?”
“Sure.”
Lin Yulan bit her lip and lowered her head, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear like a startled fawn, evoking a strong protective instinct in men.
This type would usually be very popular. In the past, Xie Zhi might have bent down, patted her head, and told her not to be afraid…
But now everything was disrupted—his mind was filled with that woman’s voice.
“The more I look at you, the more you remind me of a little brother who used to live in my neighborhood…” Lin Yulan stared at Xie Zhi’s ears for a moment. “He seemed to have a black mole on his earlobe too.”
Xie Zhi glanced at Lin Yulan. Did she remember who he was? But his heart remained calm, devoid of the excitement and joy he had once imagined he would feel.
“I used to live in Huailiu Alley—”
Before Xie Zhi could finish, Lin Yulan’s face flushed bright red, her eyes sparkling. “It really is you?! It’s been over ten years, so my memories are hazy. I never expected you to be that little brother from my neighborhood! Do you remember me? I was missing a front tooth back then and always followed you around!”
Under Lin Yulan’s expectant gaze, Xie Zhi slowly nodded. “I went back a few times later—”
Lin Yulan was still lost in excitement and joy, seemingly not hearing Xie Zhi’s words. “I never thought that little brother would become a big star!”
Xie Zhi’s last shred of desire to share vanished. Though his expression remained unchanged, his heart felt utterly still. When he looked at Lin Yulan again, his gaze was no different from how he looked at the other female guests.
[Childhood sweethearts reuniting?! And in a dating reality show? This is too coincidental—it’s like something out of a novel!! This is the sweetest trope, I’m shipping it!]
[Oh no, oh no, is Obsession CP about to suffer again?! Si Nian, why are you still sleeping? Your man is about to be stolen!]
[No matter how sexy or flirtatious Si Nian is, it’s all superficial and doesn’t come from the heart. Lin Yulan is more reliable—they’ve known each other since childhood and have an emotional foundation!]
[Wow, this dating reality show is full of twists and turns. Am I watching a movie?]
[Childhood Sweethearts pairing, rise up! The innocent should be with the innocent. Who knows how tainted someone like Si Nian, that old woman, might be!]
[The commenter above is insane, attacking someone’s age? Si Nian is only two years older than Xie Zhi! Age-gap relationships are thrilling—Obsession CP, charge ahead!!]
[I love mature older sisters! They know how to pamper and flirt, keeping your heart racing forever! Plus, there’s obvious sexual tension when Xie Zhi and Si Nian stand together!]
Perhaps too overwhelmed with excitement, Lin Yulan suddenly tripped on flat ground. Just as viewers expected Xie Zhi to carry her, he made no significant move. Lin Yulan picked herself up from the ground.This had nothing to do with whether he had feelings for Lin Yulan, because in the eyes of netizens, Xie Zhi was a kind and warm-hearted person. No matter who fell, he would help all the guests just as he had helped Si Nian on the first day—at least carrying them back to the house.
But Xie Zhi said, “Sit on the rock and rest first. I’ll call someone to check on you.”
“Huh?” Lin Yulan froze for a few seconds before finally nodding. “Alright, I’ll wait for you then.”
The live chat exploded with red comments, going a bit wild.
【Is he guarding his purity for some woman?! Not even touching his childhood friend?】
【Truly a model of modern male virtue! Obsession CP is real!!】
【Pfft! I think he just likes Lin Yulan, that’s why he’s being so careful, afraid of offending the beauty!】
【Are you from ancient times upstairs? If a man is really interested in a woman, he’d find ways to make physical contact—he wouldn’t act like this!?】
Eventually, medical staff arrived for a check-up and found Lin Yulan only had minor scrapes. They simply disinfected the wounds for her.
By 9 PM, all female guests except Si Nian—who was sleeping soundly—were still awake. Lin Yulan’s desire to confide peaked, and she told everyone about how she and Xie Zhi had known each other since childhood.
Zhou Yuan widened her eyes. “I knew he had a story! An award-winning actor actually joining a dating show—could it be he came specifically for you!?”
Lin Yulan, half-shy and half-troubled, replied, “Impossible. If that were true, he would’ve recognized me earlier…”
“Maybe he’s afraid of scaring you? Wants to find the right moment! Who knew Xie Zhi could be so considerate at such a young age… You’re really lucky!”
Lin Yulan bit her lip. “Oh, stop teasing me… I’m just worried Sister Si Nian might be upset if she finds out.”
Zhou Yuan patted her shoulder. “You’re too kind, always thinking of others. You should focus more on yourself sometimes.”
Qin Zishuang, having just removed her facial mask and tossed it in the trash, glanced at Lin Yulan and said, “If you really like Xie Zhi, go for it. Don’t make excuses for yourself. Si Nian has a good temperament—she won’t mind these small issues, so don’t worry.”
“But…”
“Be more carefree and seize the day. Aren’t you tired, thinking so much at such a young age?”
“Mm, Sister Zishuang is right.” Lin Yulan finally nodded and didn’t continue the topic.
With new developments in the romance arc, many netizens were eagerly waiting in the live stream by early morning on the fifth day of the show, curious to see what choice Xie Zhi would make between his newly recognized childhood friend and the somewhat flirtatious, mature sister.
6 AM: No sign of Si Nian.
7 AM: Lin Yulan and Zhou Yuan arrived in the kitchen to make breakfast, but Si Nian was still absent.
8 AM: All guests had gathered in the dining area, about to start breakfast.
Qin Zishuang arrived late and delivered news to everyone: “Si Nian has a fever. She just took medicine and is lying in bed. The medical staff checked on her—it’s nothing serious, no need to worry.”
“Ah, how did that happen? I thought she seemed quite healthy,” Lin Yulan covered her mouth, showing a concerned expression.
“The temperature difference between day and night at the seaside is pretty big. She might have gotten chilled from drinking last night,” Qin Zishuang replied.
“I’ll go check on her…” Liu Yu picked up a sandwich without hesitation and stood up. “She should at least eat something before sleeping.”At this moment, Lin Yulan’s eyes swept over Xie Zhi, and upon noticing he showed no reaction, she felt a sense of relief in her heart.