15 – Chapter 15
Her Lips
Si Nian lay listlessly on the bed with her eyes closed, resting her mind, while the little system in her head buzzed with excitement.
“Is this another one of your tactics, Host?!”
Si Nian: “??”
“Last night’s move of pretending to be drunk and flirting was truly brilliant! I’m sure Xie Zhi will soon fall for you!”
Her head throbbed with pain, and it took her a while to recall the events of the previous night. “It was just a coincidence.”
“You’re too modest! I think you’re quite remarkable! Is today’s move the ‘bitter sacrifice’ strategy? Retreating to advance, playing hard to get… making Xie Zhi miss you even when he can’t see you? I’ve learned something new again!”
“I actually have a fever, okay?”
“Hehehe, Host, you’re amazing.”
“Can’t be bothered with you.”
After taking medicine, she indeed felt drowsy. Just as Si Nian was drifting off to sleep, she noticed movement at the door. Liu Yu stood by her bedside, holding something.
“Here’s breakfast for today. Eat before sleeping?”
“Mmm… thanks. Just leave it there, I’ll eat later.” Si Nian nodded.
“The program recording will end the day after tomorrow. We can leave this dreadful place soon. Just hang on for two more days.” Liu Yu comforted her.
Si Nian smiled: “The way you say it makes it sound like I have a terminal illness. I just have a slight fever. After taking medicine, I might even recover by tonight.”
“Hahaha… alright then, rest well.”
“Okay, thanks.”
After Liu Yu left, Xie Zhi also came to the female guests’ dormitory, though not alone—he arrived with Gao Li.
By then, Si Nian had already fallen asleep. Xie Zhi placed a thermos containing soy milk on the bedside table next to her.
Due to the fever, Si Nian’s lips were much paler than usual, appearing somewhat wan. Xie Zhi stood at a distance, staring for a while, a wave of restlessness stirring within him.
His fingertips suddenly itched with the urge to press firmly against those lips, to rub them.
To watch them turn red and warm, even swollen…
“Xie Zhi? Xie Zhi?”
Gao Li’s voice pulled Xie Zhi’s wandering thoughts back from wherever they had drifted.
“What’s wrong?” he asked with his usual composure, as if those untimely thoughts hadn’t been his at all.
“It’s our turn to wash the dishes today.”
“Mm, alright.”
The two men left the female dormitory one after the other.
The live chat erupted with fervent exclamations.
[Why is Gao Li so clueless? Can’t they wash the dishes anytime? Let Xie Zhi gaze at his noona a little longer!]
[Wuwuwu, he must have feelings for her, otherwise why would he come to see her? He even specially brought soy milk—no, no, this isn’t soy milk, it’s love!]
[Some CP fans have gone completely delusional. With such wild imaginations, why don’t you become screenwriters? Isn’t visiting someone who’s sick just common courtesy?]
[Exactly! Stop desperately searching for crumbs where there are none, okay? Xie Zhi and Si Nian are a crack ship! The Childhood Sweethearts pairing is the one true path! Haven’t you heard the saying: liking is indulgence, love is restraint! The way he acts so carefully around Lin Yulan—that’s true love!]
[The comment above kinda makes sense… my heart is shattered.]
Si Nian thought that a minor fever would resolve after taking medicine and sleeping, but unexpectedly, the fever persisted until noon the next day.
Fortunately, the fever had subsided, and her temperature had returned to normal. However, concerned for her health, the production team advised her to rest more and skip the remaining minor program activities.
Thus, Si Nian spent half the day lounging at the dormitory entrance, wearing a sun-protective jacket.When the director notified her to participate, the first phase of the 7-day, 6-night itinerary was already nearing its end.
Compared to when they first arrived, all the guests seemed to have tanned slightly.
It was exactly 6 PM, with half the sun still above the horizon, the distant sunset glow burning crimson like fire.
A familiar voice came from the speakers nearby.
“Today marks the sixth day of our program recording. By this time tomorrow, everyone will be back home enjoying air conditioning, internet, and all the conveniences of modern life…
But that special person in your heart definitely won’t be by your side. Let me reiterate the rules here – before all four program phases conclude, guests are not allowed to exchange contact information or meet privately. We’ll be conducting random checks!”
【Ah! How did a whole week pass so quickly? I haven’t had my fill yet!】
【So when does the second phase start?】
【Replying to the brothers and sisters above: wait another week.】
【Pfft, these rules are just fooling idiots! I don’t believe Si Nian and Xie Zhi don’t have each other’s contact info – they’re in the same circle!】
【Exactly, these variety shows all have scripts. Only fools would take them seriously.】
【The person above must lead such a bitter life – watching something they don’t even like!】
Amid the overflowing barrage comments, the director’s voice grew increasingly cheerful, “After spending so many days together, everyone should have gained deeper understanding of each other. So next, we’ll conduct another round of mutual selection based on affection.
Everyone please take your assigned cards, and after careful consideration, vote for the person you fancy. Please think thoroughly and don’t leave yourself with regrets. We’ll present wonderful gifts to guests who choose each other—”
Si Nian hadn’t expected to face such a choice right after arriving. Looking at the card in her hand, she thought to herself – did this even require consideration? She would definitely give hers to Xie Zhi.
But who would Xie Zhi choose? That was hard to say.
Everyone returned to their accommodations, taking turns to make their selections.
Ten minutes later, Lin Yulan returned. Zhou Yuan excitedly asked her, “Who did you choose? It’s Xie Zhi, right!”
Lin Yulan bit her lip before finally whispering, “Sorry, Sister Si Nian…”
It went without saying who she had voted for.
Hearing this apology, Si Nian got goosebumps all over. Indeed, whether in her past life or current one, she had never felt much fondness for this type of delicate flower. “What exactly are you apologizing to me for?”
“I…” Lin Yulan swallowed half her words.
Zhou Yuan helped explain: “She’s just worried you’ll be angry that she chose Xie Zhi.”
“No need for that, little sister…” Si Nian propped her chin and smiled at Lin Yulan. “Besides, it’s still uncertain who Xie Zhi will choose. You seem quite confident.”
Truth be told, Si Nian didn’t feel very confident saying this herself, but Lin Yulan fell silent upon hearing it, appearing somewhat aggrieved again.
Qin Zishuang opened her mouth but ultimately decided not to tell Si Nian about the history between Xie Zhi and Lin Yulan, not wanting to create unnecessary awkwardness.
An hour later, after everyone had made their choices, the production team began announcing the results.
Adhering to the principle of saving the most exciting for last, the team first revealed the others’ selections.
Zhou Yuan chose Gao Li, Qin Zishuang chose Bai Yanlin, Gao Li chose Qin Zishuang, Bai Yanlin chose Lin Yulan, Liu Yu chose Si Nian, and Lin Yulan chose Xie Zhi.The production team decided to simultaneously announce the choices of the two most anticipated guests.
As a result, the barrage of comments went wild once again, with viewers both laughing and crying.