“Xia Weige.”
Upon hearing her name, Xia Weige knew she couldn’t avoid it, so she simply turned around and looked at Ye Jing with a composed manner.
It was indeed awkward to be caught eavesdropping, especially when the subject of their discussion was herself.
However, since she was discovered, she was discovered, and Xia Weige wasn’t afraid of Ye Jing making trouble.
But Ye Jing didn’t have that intention. He just raised an eyebrow at Xia Weige, walked over to her side, and instead reminded her, “You’d best keep a close eye on things lately. He’s found out some things about you.”
It was self-evident who “he” referred to.
Ye Jing finished speaking and left without waiting for Xia Weige to ask for details.
Xia Weige lowered her eyes slightly, deep in thought. After a while, she left the spot and continued her walk until Wen Rong and Jiang Xingan returned and prepared dinner.
She changed her clothes and went downstairs. By the time she reached the dining room, it was already a bit late. Jiang Xingan and Xiang Meng were already seated next to Wen Rong, leaving no space for her.
Xia Weige’s emotions today ranged from the joy and longing she felt when Wen Rong spoke up for her; to the growing urgency and sadness during her walk due to not seeing the other person; and now, at this moment, unable to even secure a seat next to Wen Rong, her heart was left with nothing but a numb coldness.
She felt that everything here was cold, from head to toe, her fingers had become icy, and her limbs were frozen.
She no longer paid uncontrollable attention to Wen Rong, merely eating her dinner in a daze and numbness.
She couldn’t taste anything; her mouth felt as if it were coated in a layer of frost.
But at this moment, someone had to remind her of Wen Rong’s presence.
“Sister, this tofu is so delicious. Did you make it?” Xia Weige heard Xiang Meng’s voice.
She called Wen Rong “Sister,” her sweet voice making her likable.
Wen Rong would probably like someone like this too.
Just like the Xia Weige of that time.
Xia Weige lowered her eyes, clutching the wooden chopsticks and stuffing the rice in front of her into her mouth.
She didn’t want to hear Wen Rong’s answer; she was getting annoyed.
She knew why she was like this, like a nasty little clown, annoyed by everyone else around Wen Rong.
Because she was jealous.
Xia Weige didn’t want to admit it, but she was very clear in her heart.
Jealous that Wen Rong treated her the same way she treated others. Xia Weige had once enjoyed that unique exclusivity, so much so that she couldn’t tolerate Wen Rong’s gaze no longer falling solely on her.
She was also jealous that others could talk to Wen Rong so easily, while she, the ex, had to try every possible method just to exchange a few words with Wen Rong.
Even resorting to schemes.
Xia Weige also loathed her own humble self like this.
It was as if she had returned to her childhood, that pathetic worm who always wore a sickening smile to please others, sensitive and weak.
She was afraid of turning back into that person.
Xia Weige was still immersed in her own pain when a piece of lotus root suddenly appeared in her bowl.
She was stunned, and subconsciously looked up, only to see Wen Rong smiling gently and gazing at her, having placed a piece of lotus root in her bowl.
“Why aren’t you eating the vegetables? I made this especially for you. Do you still like to eat this?” Wen Rong’s soft voice slowly drifted over, like a gentle breeze, silently entering Xia Weige’s ears.
Xia Weige’s mind was blank, and she didn’t know how to answer.
It took her several seconds to come back to her senses. Looking at the lotus root in front of her, her eyes were actually stinging with emotion.
Then she looked up at Wen Rong’s affectionate eyes, and her cold, numb heart slowly started beating again.
Everything around her was no longer dim; a warmth seemed to envelop her.
It was as if seven years ago, when she looked into the other person’s eyes, she saw salvation.
Xia Weige picked up the lotus root in her bowl and put it into her mouth. The refreshing, crisp texture melted in her mouth with a light bite.
“It’s delicious, Sister,” Xia Weige replied with a smile, her eyebrows filled with sweetness, and her eyes seeping with affection.
Wen Rong looked at her, then slightly averted her gaze, lowering her eyes and gently smiling, “That’s good.”
After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room. The production team had already announced that the details of the first date would be revealed tonight.
Starting tomorrow, everyone would need to go to a nursing home community and volunteer for a week. The person who received the most affection from the elderly on the last day would be given the right to proactively choose a dating partner.
The three individuals who gained the right to choose would create the detailed content of their date and present an invitation gift to their desired partner. If the recipient accepted, the pairing would be successful.
If two of the three people sent gifts to the same person, the one who was not accepted could still send the gift to someone else.
The date would be for two days and one night.
Everyone was surprised by the production team’s rule, and some were even a bit confused.
[??? Am I watching a dating show? Not fighting for the right to choose a date with some intimate little games??? Go to a nursing home to volunteer? And for a week?]
[I just checked. This director previously made public service films… I suddenly understand.]
[I can only say, absolutely brilliant!]
[No, this is a dating show, right? How are they going to volunteer at a nursing home while dating? Director, tell me?!]
[I was just getting into the swing of shipping a couple, and suddenly I’m slammed back to reality.]
[I’ve been to a nursing home. It’s completely different from those luxurious retirement homes on TV. Honestly, these people going there are probably just putting on a show. The director used to make public service films, and now for the sake of viewership, he’s disturbing those elderly people. It really makes me uncomfortable.]
[They’ll use any means for traffic. Isn’t inviting two celebrities doing the same? And now they’ve come up with such a dramatic process.]
The majority of the bullet screen comments found the show’s arrangement a bit strange, but the director remained firm.
“Everyone might not quite understand why a dating show would arrange such an activity, but since it’s a show about young people’s urban dating, we also wanted everyone to see some hidden corners of the city.”
“There might be more such activities in the future. I hope everyone can take this activity seriously. In a relationship, doing something meaningful together can help you understand each other more deeply and discover each other’s strengths.”
Xia Weige wasn’t too surprised by this.
Before coming to the show, Sister Li had already given her the complete information on the show’s director.
The director, whose surname is Wang, is not well-known in the entertainment industry, but he had previously filmed public service announcements for a long time, and a few years ago, he even won an award for a public service short film.
He has always been seriously dedicated to public service, so his sudden decision to film a dating reality show was surprising.
Now that this arrangement had suddenly appeared, a sense of “it figures” rose in Xia Weige’s heart.
Although the other guests were very surprised, the matter had been finalized by the production team. The director also informed everyone that they would gather at nine o’clock tomorrow morning to go to the nursing home community together.
Afterward, everyone returned to their rooms to send tonight’s text message. Xia Weige still sent hers to Wen Rong.
【Thank you, Sister.】
But the sent message sank into the sea, and she still did not receive a text message from Wen Rong tonight.
Although she was disappointed, she felt as if it was only natural.
She only regretted that she never got to thank Wen Rong in person.
She turned off her phone, lay down on the bed, closed her eyes, and slowly fell asleep.
…
Xia Weige did not sleep soundly. Perhaps because she had been interacting with Wen Rong frequently lately, the other person’s figure was always in her dreams.
There were times of past beauty, and also Wen Rong’s distant figure.
She woke up in tears, unsure whether they were shed from happiness in the dream or overflowed from sadness.
She woke up relatively early, just past seven fifteen. After a quick wash-up, she left the room for her morning workout.
After this dating show ended, she had another dance performance variety show to attend, although she would only be a guest collaborator for two episodes.
The production team wanted her to lose some more weight because the collaborative piece had been decided in advance: she was to portray a frail patient, and she needed to dance with a sense of delicacy and vulnerability.
The nutritionist had given her a weight-loss plan, and she had to maintain a certain level of training starting now.
The small house was equipped with a gym. When Xia Weige entered, she surprisingly ran into Wen Rong, who was already on the treadmill.
“Good morning, Sister.” She was a little startled but not too surprised.
Wen Rong had always maintained a long-term habit of working out. After all, she wore cheongsams all day, and her body could not tolerate any flaw.
She was more perfect than many of the female celebrities Xia Weige had met.
Wen Rong did not stop. Hearing the voice, she turned around and saw Xia Weige, and also greeted her with a “Good morning.”
Then she turned back and continued her workout.
Xia Weige also chose a treadmill, right next to Wen Rong’s. She casually observed Wen Rong. The black tight-fitting clothing perfectly highlighted the other person’s curves, and her slender arms showed visible muscle definition.
Xia Weige was touching the control screen of the treadmill with one hand, while her eyes unconsciously drifted to Wen Rong’s abdomen.
That area was completely covered by the black tight clothing, but she knew that underneath the thin fabric was a beautiful mermaid line.
Xia Weige used to adore it, her fingertips gently grazing it, causing Wen Rong to beg for mercy, unable to bear it.
Wen Rong was extremely ticklish.
Whether it was licking and kissing her earlobe or lightly brushing her neck, she would immediately melt into a puddle, accompanied by uncontrollable soft gasps.
Just like right now.
Xia Weige stood on the treadmill, and in her ears was the soft gasping sound that Wen Rong let out due to the workout. It was very faint, yet it was like a cat scratching at her heart, making it impossible for her to ignore.
Listening to it, her ears unconsciously turned red.
She knew it wasn’t Wen Rong who had a problem; it was her, lost in wild thoughts, who had a problem.
Even the bead of sweat on the latter’s forehead that was about to drop became scorching hot in her eyes.
Xia Weige unconsciously reached out and pinched her own crimson ears, her fingers subconsciously rubbing her earlobes. This action, however, was captured by the camera in the room.
The audience, who were just casually watching the live stream, since the two hadn’t interacted after the initial greeting.
But Xia Weige’s action made everyone in the live stream room see her fiery red ears.
[??? No, Xiaxia, what are you… thinking, for your ears to be this red???]
[Giving me such an exciting scene first thing in the morning. I feel like I can instantly see what Xia Weige is imagining.]
[Sister’s sweat is so sexy, I want to lick it. Sister’s waist is so slender and soft, I want to hug it. — What Xia Weige is thinking.]
[The person before me, are you Xia Weige? Did Xia Weige log on?!]
[The previous comment was still too conservative. They were once a real couple. What haven’t they seen or touched? What Xia Weige is thinking probably needs to be censored.]
[Are the comments this explicit first thing in the morning?]
[It’s not us being explicit, it’s Xiaxia! Don’t let the idol’s behavior affect us CP fans!]
[Ten minutes have passed, how come Xiaxia’s ears are still bright red…]
[Hahahaha, even though they haven’t interacted at all, it feels so stimulating!]