Outside the set, Su An’an’s agent was anxious to the point of losing her mind.
What was wrong with Su An’an today? Why was she acting so abnormal? She had always been sharp and composed — why was she repeatedly making mistakes now?
Bai Jin and Ji Xiaoyun’s relationship was already public. Why did Su An’an keep targeting Bai Jin over and over?
If Bai Jin were still the obscure nobody she used to be, the company’s PR team could have handled the fallout for Su An’an. But now, this was clearly Su An’an digging her own grave.
The agent shook her head helplessly.
Netizens naturally sympathized with the weaker side — this storm would not be easy to smooth over.
Why was Su An’an still so oblivious?
Her agent frowned deeply. After the livestream ended, she would have to have a serious talk with Su An’an, or else one day Su An’an might cause a scandal big enough to drag the entire team down with her.
The camera shifted back to Su An’an.
Soon she walked toward the dining table.
“The noodles are ready. Does everyone want to come eat together?”
As she spoke, she glanced at Bai Jin with faint mockery, as if deliberately showing her “generosity.”
“I’m not like some people who only care about eating alone.”
Her expression was calm, as if nothing had just happened.
But as the saying goes — the masses have sharp eyes.
Moreover, Wang Shu already disliked Su An’an. After drinking a milkshake earlier, she wasn’t hungry at all.
Li Ming frowned slightly; seeing Qi Dong didn’t move, she politely declined Su An’an’s “kind offer.”
As for Xie Yang and the others — with lower status in the industry — they also refused to avoid being accused of riding on Su An’an’s popularity.
Everyone continued drinking their milkshakes in silence.
Bai Jin felt a bit surprised inside — even Su An’an could be rejected? It seemed the female lead halo was losing effect.
In the end, only Gu Zhan actually ate the noodles Su An’an cooked. She didn’t mind — her earlier performance had been mainly for image repair anyway.
Gu Zhan carried his bowl to the table where all eight guests were gathered.
“Gu… President Gu, what’s the next task?” Qi Dong cautiously tried to strike up a conversation, though he clearly felt pressured by Gu Zhan’s aura.
“……”
Gu Zhan said nothing — cold as always.
Instead, Su An’an spoke up unusually gently:
“It’s already late. I think the second task should start tomorrow. Everyone should rest well tonight.”
She was trying to restore her “group favorite” persona and didn’t bother Bai Jin again during the meal.
Though everyone had their own thoughts, the atmosphere remained peaceful on the surface.
Coincidentally, Su An’an sat directly across from Ji Xiaoyun. Bai Jin kept glancing between them, recalling the original plot.
【What’s wrong with this blockhead? This is a perfect chance to get closer to Su An’an, yet he’s silent?】
She sighed inwardly.
Then she remembered how Ji Xiaoyun had protected her earlier.
Uh…
【Could it be… my presence is actually interfering with Su An’an and Ji Xiaoyun’s ‘deeply devoted second male lead’ storyline?】
【The plot is clearly off track now… will this affect me?】
Every word of this was heard by Ji Xiaoyun.
“Just eat properly. Stop overthinking.”
After breakfast, Director Wang Ming and the production staff finally entered the villa.
【Finally, the activity is here.】
【I hope Ji Xiaoyun and I get grouped together.】
【I wonder how they’ll divide the teams…】
Wang Ming cleared his throat.
“Dear male and female guests, welcome to Heart-Pounding Lovers. Next, we will begin the second segment—”
“Wait.”
Su An’an interrupted again.
“Director, it’s already so late. Can’t the second segment start tomorrow?”
Wang Ming felt irritated, but he had to remain polite.
“Miss Su, this is the production arrangement. The second segment is actually more interesting if done at night…”
“Start now.”
Gu Zhan and Ji Xiaoyun spoke almost simultaneously, both visibly displeased.
Anyone could tell — they were unhappy with Su An’an.
Bai Jin grew even more puzzled. Ji Xiaoyun really wasn’t defending Su An’an?
Gu Zhan’s attitude made sense — in the original novel, he had always treated Su An’an coldly.
With the two most powerful men making the call, the matter was settled instantly.
Wang Ming quickly moved on.
“The second segment is simple. Male and female guests will separate and complete different tasks.”
Bai Jin and the other women were led to a room on the third floor.
“Next, we will conduct the No-Heartbeat Challenge.”
The production team selected 15 men who fit mainstream female aesthetics.
After Bai Jin, Su An’an, Li Ming, and Wang Shu watched videos of them, a device would measure their heart rates.
The woman with the fewest heartbeats would win. Rankings would be based on heartbeat counts, and the winner would have first choice of male partner.
The director left, and the big screen began playing videos.
At the same time, the show’s official Weibo released photos of all eight guests so outside viewers could vote.
The first photos posted were of Gu Zhan and Ji Xiaoyun — and the platform instantly exploded with the word “HOT.”
Other guests also trended in their own fan circles.
The bullet comments went crazy:
“Male god Ji Xiaoyun!”
“I still prefer Gu Zhan.”
“Gu Zhan is too cold — like a thousand-year iceberg.”
“Qi Dong and Xie Yang aren’t bad either.”
Older female viewers clearly favored the younger fresh faces.
In the control room, Wang Ming was grinning from ear to ear as ratings skyrocketed.
Besides Ji Xiaoyun and Gu Zhan, Bai Jin and Su An’an had the highest discussion volume.
“Single-handed bottle opener — Bai Jin you’re amazing!”
“I love Bai Jin!”
“Bai Jin, you’re my idol!”
Su An’an watched the comments and felt deeply unhappy seeing Bai Jin’s exposure surpass hers.
She had always been the center of attention wherever she went — but Bai Jin had shattered that.
Unable to hold back, she spoke on camera:
“Miss Bai, as female celebrities, we shouldn’t act too ‘manly.’ No matter what, we should pay attention to our public image.”
Bai Jin smiled calmly.
“I’ve always been genuine. Being fake and delicate isn’t my style.”
The livestream erupted again:
“Well said!”
“I suddenly don’t like Su An’an anymore.”
Bai Jin’s popularity surged straight to the top of the hot search list, while Su An’an’s dropped significantly.
In just five minutes, Bai Jin dominated first place — tens of millions of votes ahead of second place.