When the rankings were announced, the production team also reviewed each couple’s performance and the commentary from the observation room.
As expected, Sweet Bean and Da Meng ranked last because they forgot their lines.
In third place was the Pisces couple.
This was because Qiao Yu remained emotional even after learning it was a script and only reluctantly made up with Zhou Ruoyu after her coaxing. The man’s behavior throughout the process was deemed not tolerant enough.
Next were Jiang Yuyao and Shen Linzhou.
Song Ying and Qin Shu took first place.
“Song Ying changed the script. Shouldn’t that count as breaking the rules?”
“And Qin Shu knew she was acting from the very beginning. This proves her acting skills aren’t up to par at all. On what grounds did she get first place?”
Zhou Ruoyu, who had nearly fallen out with Qiao Yu over this challenge, felt she had made a great sacrifice.
Now that Song Ying had changed the script and still ranked first, Zhou Ruoyu was naturally unconvinced.
The matter sparked controversy online as well.
The Director, however, was unhurried.
“Although Song Ying changed the script, the main content remained unchanged. On the contrary, the changes in detail showed her concern for her boyfriend’s emotions, which is something the other female guests failed to do. Because everyone was only thinking about winning, they ignored how much the male guests would be hurt by those wounding words.”
“The fact that Qin Shu could keenly sense the change also shows that he understands Song Ying well enough. This tacit understanding is also something the other couples lack.”
“Finally, let’s talk about the acting skills everyone mentioned.”
Having said this, Director Bai Yang had the control room pull up another clip.
“It’s true that Song Ying didn’t deceive Qin Shu, but her performance did deceive Linzhou and Yuyao. The Film Emperor and TV Queen both thought she was speaking her mind and even got into a conflict over it. This shows that Song Ying’s acting skills are more than adequate.”
Neither Shen Linzhou nor Jiang Yuyao had expected this segment to be edited out separately, only to pave the way for someone else’s success.
【Looking at it this way, Song Ying’s acting is actually pretty good. She even fooled the Film Emperor and TV Queen.】
【She was just playing herself, that’s all. It’s not like it was difficult. Who knows, maybe that’s what she was really thinking?】
【She spent two hours preparing those few lines. Shouldn’t she have won? Yuyao only spent less than half an hour.】
It wasn’t just the netizens who thought this way; Jiang Yuyao was also unconvinced.
But she knew how to advance and retreat better than Zhou Ruoyu. “My skills were inferior. I’m willing to admit defeat. Besides, it’s just a game. The most important thing is to have fun.”
“I’m so hungry. Let’s eat first, shall we? It’s been a while since I’ve had roasted duck, too.”
The four couples went to their respective seats.
Sweet Bean pushed her lunch toward Da Meng. “Brother Meng, I’m not very hungry. Can you eat this for me?”
Da Meng was tall and well-built; a single steamed bun and a plate of pickles were definitely not enough for him. Feeling guilty about forgetting her lines, Sweet Bean decided to give her food to him.
“I ate a lot this morning, so this is just right for me,” Da Meng said, not accepting it. “You, on the other hand, are already so thin. You must eat regularly.”
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Da Meng’s stomach rumbled twice.
Da Meng: …
Sweet Bean: …
“Pfft—”
The two looked at each other and smiled. Sweet Bean broke her steamed bun in half and gave one part to Da Meng. “Here. I’ll eat half, and you can have one and a half. No refusing!”
Just as Da Meng was about to say something, four dishes were placed on the placemats in front of them.
He looked up to see Qin Shu and Song Ying.
Winking at the astonished Sweet Bean, Song Ying said with a smile, “There’s so much food on that big table. It would be a waste not to finish it. Could we trouble you to help us take care of it?”
“Sister Ying…” Sweet Bean’s heart warmed, and she was deeply moved.
Half a month into the show, they had lost too many competitions due to their lack of experience.
This was the first time someone was willing to share their lunch with them.
“There’s meat but no wine. Something’s missing.”
After putting down the plates, Qin Shu brought over two glasses of red wine.
His voice was cold, but his actions were warm.
【Finally, someone feels sorry for my Sweet Bean! The Win-Win Couple are truly as beautiful as they are kind!】
【All hail the lily ship! I’m raising the Sweet-Ying banner high!】
【It’s just one meal. The Win-Win Couple really know how to put on a show!】
【A show? Then how come certain other people don’t put on one? The last time they won, they left a whole table of food, didn’t they? It’s a real case of ‘the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.’】
Previously, Jiang Yuyao and Shen Linzhou had always been the ones to take first place, but they had never taken the initiative to share.
When asked, their answer was always about respecting the rules.
As for now…
“We have a lot over here, too.” Jiang Yuyao stood up and brought over two dishes as a gesture of goodwill. “Sweet Bean, isn’t spicy chicken your favorite? Could we trouble you to help us finish these two dishes as well?”
Sweet Bean was overwhelmed by Jiang Yuyao’s sudden show of concern.
But…
【Spicy chicken? My Sweet Bean never eats spicy food, okay? During the guest introductions on the first day, Sweet Bean said she never eats spicy food!】
【She cares, but not that much.】
【Heh, is my Sweet Bean a garbage disposal? I never thought there was anything wrong with a certain TV Queen before, but is she feeling competitive now because of Song Ying?】
The netizens had sharp eyes, and the guests on set were even more astute.
“Um, Sister Yuyao, I…” Sweet Bean wanted to decline politely but felt too embarrassed.
It was Da Meng who spoke up to smooth things over. “Thank you, Teacher Jiang, but we already have a lot here. Perhaps you could see if Teacher Zhou’s group needs any? They only have two bowls of noodles, which might not be enough.”
At his words, Jiang Yuyao finally noticed that Zhou Ruoyu’s lunch was also extremely meager.
“Ruoyu, should we share our lunch?”
“I’ve been breaking out lately, so I can’t eat spicy food for now. Thanks, though, Yuyao.”
Zhou Ruoyu’s displeasure was already written all over her face.
She never would have thought that Jiang Yuyao would prioritize that little internet celebrity, Sweet Bean, over her, her supposed best friend.
She didn’t want someone else’s leftovers.
The smile on Jiang Yuyao’s face stiffened. “Well, there’s also bok choy and asparagus shoots here…”
“Thanks, Yuyao, but beef noodles with a flatbread tastes pretty good too, so we’re fine for now. You should eat quickly too, before your food gets cold.” Zhou Ruoyu took a heavy bite of her flatbread.
Jiang Yuyao: …
Returning to her own table with a stiff expression, Jiang Yuyao found she had no appetite despite the many delicacies before her.
The occasional lighthearted chatter and laughter from Song Ying and Sweet Bean’s side made the atmosphere at the other two tables seem all the more oppressive.
Halfway through the meal, Jiang Yuyao’s eyes suddenly reddened.
Plink—
A single tear rolled into the soup bowl in front of her, creating a splash.
【Holy crap, a fairy’s tear!】
【What’s wrong with Yuyao? What happened?】
Jiang Yuyao had gotten her start acting in Teacher Qiong Yu’s romance dramas.
Everyone in the industry knew that Teacher Qiong Yu was extremely strict with her casting, especially when it came to crying scenes. The tears had to well up, glistening in the eyes as if about to fall, and linger for several seconds before dropping naturally. That was considered the most soul-stirring and pitiable look.
At this moment, Jiang Yuyao’s tear fell in just such a heart-wrenching manner.
No one who saw it could remain unmoved.
Shen Linzhou, sitting opposite her, was the first to notice.
He quickly came to Jiang Yuyao’s side, knelt down, and gently brushed away her tears with his hand.
“What’s wrong, Yuyao?”
Jiang Yuyao bit her lower lip, and more tears welled up.
Suddenly, she threw herself into Shen Linzhou’s arms. Without saying a word, her shoulders trembled as she began to sob.
The other people: …?
All the netizens: …??