As He Jie listened to her speak, her voice was undeniably clear, yet it sent shivers down her spine inexplicably.
To be honest, deep down, He Jie didn’t want Cheng Zhaozhao to continue appearing on the show.
But… well, her brother was her boss after all.
Just… let it be.
After hanging up the phone, the dog licking system came online immediately, earnestly advising Cheng Zhaozhao:
(Host, I suggest you withdraw. Have you not seen so many people online urging you to quit the show? If you don’t withdraw, you’ll definitely be criticized, and your popularity will drop!)
Cheng Zhaozhao picked a shiny pair of earrings for herself to wear: “Have I ever listened to your advice?”
dog licking system: (…Why are you so rebellious.)
**
On the evening after the program team issued an apology statement, they once again convened the guests and revised the rules for selecting cohabitants.
At the same time, the new male guest also made his appearance tonight.
After a few days of suspension, the live broadcast room resumed, but the audience didn’t decline; instead, it reached a small peak.
Most netizens either watched with a bystander mentality to see what the program team would do or came to criticize them. The barrage was no longer filled with shipper comments but a mix of various remarks, making it unbearable to read.
At the peak of traffic, the program team, with one wrong move, could be criticized and become a hot topic again.
(Just watching the show, the program team is fierce. even after being criticized so much, they dare to continue broadcasting?)
(Didn’t Cheng Zhaozhao say she would withdraw? Why is she still recording the show? Is she reluctant to lose the traffic?)
(Maybe she got paid. Perhaps her and the program team are in cahoots, acting out a script.)
(Cheng Zhaozhao, why don’t you withdraw? Didn’t you say you wanted to quit the competition?)
(Go back and watch the original clips. She said she would withdraw if the program team remained the same!)
(Stop explaining. She just wants to capitalize on the current traffic. The netizens are just being used by her.)
(Such a scheming woman. She said she would withdraw from the competition but can’t bear to lose the traffic… Cheng Zhaozhao’s reputation is turning black.)
(What did she say before? It’s not like she can’t afford the breach of contract fee. Now she’s just slapping herself in the face. How amusing.)
Many in the barrage were criticizing Cheng Zhaozhao, and the dog licking system was constantly warning her of the decline in popularity.
Cheng Zhaozhao pretended not to hear, automatically blocking out the system’s warnings, and turned to look at Jiang Yan as he approached them.
As the staff had informed her before the broadcast, the new male guest was indeed Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan was dressed in a black combat suit today, with smooth facial features, slightly furrowed brows, stray hairs falling on his forehead. His appearance was vastly different from before; when he wasn’t speaking, his eyes looked somewhat cold and stern.
(??? This is Master Jiang?)
(I thought he looked so handsome when he was cooking back then. Now, even in casual clothes, he exudes such masculinity!)
(Master Jiang looks so fierce. I love it!)
The selection process was interrupted midway, so the program team only changed the wording in the rules, replacing “selecting male guests” with “inviting female guests.”
In other words, female guests now had the power to refuse, and if multiple male guests chose the same female guest, she could also make a reverse selection.
Qín Qìn decided to stick with Cheng Zhaozhao, so she didn’t withdraw from the program. Her impression of Sūn Zaiwei was also okay. Continuing from last time, she agreed to his invitation.
As for Xú Ren and Shen Línchen, they had to wait for Cheng Zhaozhao to make her choice.
Jiang Yan was informed of the selection rules in advance. He walked up to Cheng Zhaozhao, his face serious as he said:
”Miss Cheng, may I choose you?”
Cheng Zhaozhao sat on the chair prepared by the program team, in front of her was a wooden table. She rested her elbows on the table, chin in her hands.
She looked troubled as she said, “Uh… what should I do? Including you, there are three male guests choosing me.”
Jiang Yan locked eyes with her and saw the mischievous glint in her fox-like eyes, a hint of slyness in them, as if she was up to something mischievous.
In almost an instant, he knew what she wanted to do.
Jiang Yan: “It’s okay. I’ll do better than them.”
”Since that’s the case, why don’t you all do something for me? Whoever can move me wins.” For Xú Ren, it was a must to cohabit with Cheng Zhaozhao. He had fallen into this woman’s hands time and time again. His feelings for her had changed from a bit of interest at the beginning to a somewhat twisted obsession.
To be honest, he didn’t actually want to be with Cheng Zhaozhao, he just wants to disgust her every day. Shen Línchen had already planned to give up on choosing Cheng Zhaozhao. But after hearing what she said, his competitive spirit suddenly surged.
A competition?
The word “lose” never appeared in Shen Línchen’s dictionary. Whenever there was a competition, he had to win!
So, the three male guests were eager to try, waiting for Cheng Zhaozhao’s instructions.
Cheng Zhaozhao absentmindedly raised her eyebrows, her gaze somewhat elusive, as if nothing could catch her eye.
“Now, let’s begin.”
After some contemplation, each of the three had an idea and dispersed.
(Sisters, it’s a competition!)
(I finally understand why Cheng Zhaozhao didn’t quit the show. She just wants to torment these guys. The Queen of Torture!)
(This feels familiar… Cheng Zhaozhao and her three little minions.)
(I bet on Jiang Yan. What woman can resist a man who can cook well?)
(Cheng Zhaozhao is really good at playing with people’s minds. Shen Línchen is the type who never accepts defeat. Come on, Shen Línchen! Don’t let her control you!)
(It’s a bit strange, but as a fan of Shen Línchen, I still want to shout: Shen Línchen will win!)
(Shen Línchen is so silly. Did you notice? Just now, when he heard Cheng Zhaozhao say there would be a competition, his eyes lit up, like a silly deer.)
The barrage was vigorously discussing, and Qín Qìn excitedly ran to Cheng Zhaozhao.
“Zhaozhao, it’s really wise of you not to quit the show. Promise me, continue like this for the next few days, okay?”
Twenty minutes later, the three men returned one after another.
Xú Ren was the first to arrive.
After being slapped in the face by Cheng Zhaozhao several times before, he knew that she wasn’t a woman who could be bought with money.
Or rather, she couldn’t be bought with the money he could afford.
He thought that having seen all kinds of luxury items, she would surely be moved by something ordinary.
So, he slowly took out a hot water bottle from his pocket.
It was still pink, with plush.
Xú Ren thought that only he could come up with such a unique idea.
audience:…
Cheng Zhaozhao:…
Cheng Zhaozhao could see that Xú Ren had racked his brains and was no longer thinking that he could win her over with money as he did a few days ago.
She said tactfully, “Um… thank you, but the room has underfloor heating, so I probably won’t need it.”
Xú Ren froze.
(Xú Ren, this confident guy is making progress, but he’s still far from enough.)
(Compared to his ordinary confidence a few days ago, this is a bit funny.)
The second one to come back was Shen Línchen, his face filled with “confidence” and “arrogance.”
It seemed like he was very sure of himself.
So, in front of everyone, he took out a black rectangular box. Upon opening it, there was an empty outline engraved with the words “Cheng Zhaozhao” inside, filled with roses.
No one knew what button Shen Línchen pressed, but the roses started to glow, changing colors at a rate of one per second, dazzling everyone’s eyes.
Qín Qìn couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Hahaha, Shen Línchen, I never expected you to be just a country bumpkin in reality!”
Shen Línchen: “What are you talking about!”
“Roses represent romance, and the colors represent beauty. How can you call it rustic?”
(For a moment, I don’t know if Shen Línchen is serious or just joking.)
(It’s already embarrassing for Cheng Zhaozhao.)
(Shen Línchen, thank you for the three-bedroom apartment you gave me. It’s foot-itchingly good.)
(As an ordinary person, is your brother so rustic? Isn’t he a fried chicken?)
(Shen Línchen’s aesthetic doesn’t represent his fans. Thanks.)
With Shen Línchen’s words, laughter filled the venue, and the atmosphere was lively.
Shen Linchen felt discontented, holding his breath: “Cheng Zhaozhao, you wouldn’t think I’m unsophisticated, would you?”
Cheng Zhaozhao assessed his expression, which was genuinely angry yet tinged with embarrassment, causing his cheeks to flush.
Feeling quite pleased, she kindly replied, “Hmm, not unsophisticated.”
anyone could tell she was being sarcastic, so another round of laughter erupted on the scene.
Shen Linchen seemed like a proud puppy who had received approval from its owner, lifting his head proudly.
Hearing everyone still laughing, he felt puzzled: “What are you laughing at?”
Someone couldn’t help but tease him with a smile, “We’re laughing because your rose is beautiful.”
A look of embarrassment appeared on Shen Linchen’s face, “It’s nothing, just read more fashion magazines, and you can enhance your aesthetic sense too.”
(He’s actually feeling shy, how genuine!)
(Fashion magazines)
The atmosphere was cheerful, but Song Yunluo clenched her fists secretly.
The last to return was Jiang Yan, his sleeves rolled up, revealing his arm, carrying a snack in his hand.
The air was filled with the fragrance of coconut and some unknown sweet scent, probably made by him just now.
Everyone involuntarily swallowed saliva.
He opened the box, revealing small white squares inside emitting the scent of oranges, sprinkled with a layer of white coconut-like substance.
“My master told me that you like coconut. The coconut shavings on top are my special blend. Try it,” he said.
(I report, there’s a cheater here!)
(Geez, I wish I had a top chef at home making food for me every day too.)
(This must be his original dessert; I’ve never seen anything like it.)
Cheng Zhaozhao exclaimed, “You know I’m picky about food, yet you dare to make something for me?”
“It’s not like I have any other special skills,” Jiang Yan said.
Cheng Zhaozhao took a bite of the square, the first taste was the fragrance of oranges, but as she chewed, a coconut flavor emerged. These two tastes shouldn’t have matched, but Jiang Yan somehow blended them perfectly.
“This should be the ‘Orange Coconut Square’ recorded in ‘Qing Food List’, where the coconut isn’t real coconut but a clever imitation made from oranges*,” Cheng Zhaozhao said, “To achieve this level is impressive.”
Jiang Yan chuckled, “Still can’t fool you.”
(These two are so in sync! It’s like a soul connection!)
(Is there even a choice? Jiang Yan’s hitting the nail on the head!)
Shen Linchen felt uneasy.
At this moment, Cheng Zhaozhao put down her chopsticks and, despite Shen Linchen’s frantic gaze, said, “I choose Jiang Yan.”
Actually, no matter what, she wouldn’t have chosen Shen Linchen or Xu Ren.
Because before the program started filming, she had privately discussed it with Jiang Yan.
While female guests had the choice, Cheng Zhaozhao wasn’t interested in any of the male guests, so she paired up with Jiang Yan, making a wise decision.
Jiang Yan came here as a favor to the director, not to find love, so he agreed to cooperate with her.
The two exchanged a glance, seeing different meanings in each other’s eyes.
Cheng Zhaozhao: Not bad acting.
Jiang Yan: You’re not bad either.
author’s Note:
There’s more to come.