“Everyone, for the next three days of filming, you’ll need to hand over your phones and will not be allowed to contact the outside world.”
The guests sat on the sofa as the director’s merciless voice echoed through the broadcast system in the room. As soon as he finished speaking, a staff member emerged from a room on the first floor holding a basket, signaling for the guests to place their phones inside.
The reason phones were only being collected now was to allow the guests to first get to know each other’s backgrounds through their devices, since both male and female participants had identities that could be looked up online.
They were all adults, and mutual attraction wasn’t just about appearance—the added value behind each person was equally appealing.
The director had his own plan. Each male guest was extraordinary in his own way, which naturally spurred the female guests to gear up for action. The dating reality show had no script, so the more sparks flew between the guests, the better.
To put it bluntly, what the production team wanted wasn’t for couples to fall deeply in love—they wanted ratings and buzz.
Without phones going forward, the guests would focus more on the filming, preventing them from deliberately acting or changing themselves based on online comments.
Xia Yu didn’t mind. She was the first to put her phone in the basket. An Ran and Qin Qi exchanged a surprised glance—Xia Yu still had “issues” hanging over her, yet she obediently handed over her phone.
After surrendering their phones, everyone took the barbecue ingredients to the yard. All live-stream feeds were now consolidated into a single view, with the same camera angles for everyone.
There was a professional barbecue chef in the yard, so everyone only needed to sit under the camping canopy and wait to eat.
The weather was a bit gloomy in the afternoon, so Xia Yu went back into the villa to fetch a blanket. As she came out, she ran into Shen You’an at the door—he had been waiting for her on purpose.
“Xia Xia, I heard from Youyou about what’s happening online. If you have any difficulties, I can help you.”
Hearing this, Xia Yu glanced toward the yard, where Yu You was circling around Yan Qing, talking about something.
Sure enough, in the early stages, the male lead who fawned over the female lead was just her stepping stone—kicked around repeatedly to win over her White Moonlight.
Too bad, I don’t want him either.
“I can handle it. You should take care of Youyou more—she’s new to variety shows and feels uneasy.”
“Remember, don’t act too familiar with me on the show.”
Xia Yu kicked the male lead right back.
Hearing Xia Yu’s words, Shen You’an’s gaze softened. He was just about to praise her for growing up and becoming more sensible when she waved her hand and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out first.”
Xia Yu left decisively. Shen You’an smiled and shook his head as he followed her. She really had grown up—she used to be so clingy.
Sitting in her chair, Xia Yu wrapped herself in the blanket. The others were currently organizing ingredients nearby. People like Qin Qi, An Ran, and Lin Li wanted to grill their own food, so they set up another barbecue stove.
Yu You was washing plates by the faucet, while Yan Qing stood holding plates, waiting. Shen You’an walked over with a towel he had fetched from the villa.
Just as Xia Yu was about to enjoy the love triangle shura field, a flash of fiery red blocked her view.
Cong Hua sat down beside her.
“Miss Xia, aren’t you bored sitting here?”
“Not bored. I can still watch the sunset clouds.”
As Xia Yu said this, she was staring at Cong Hua’s hair. Cong Hua’s first reaction was to turn and look at the horizon behind him, where vast stretches of sunset clouds were exceptionally beautiful.
“They are quite beautiful, but not as lovely as you, Miss Xia.”
Cong Hua, this playboy, could spout sweet talk effortlessly.
“No, your hair is even more beautiful.”
Xia Yu’s tone was gentle, neither coy nor coquettish. Her clear, lovely voice used a matter-of-fact delivery, making it sound as if she were stating some profound truth.
She picked up the cup on the table and took a sip of tea, then immediately frowned slightly—it was brewed so bitter.
Completely absorbed in her own thoughts, Xia Yu didn’t notice at all that the person beside her had flushed red at the ears because of her words.
【Wait, was the playboy just flirted with?】
【Remove the “was” and add “hard”! Check the comparison chart—the redness of his earlobes is different!】
【Cong Hua, of all people? That guy isn’t that innocent! Flirted with by just one sentence?! But Xia Yu is so cheeky, I love it haha】
【It depends on who it is. If someone else said it, it probably wouldn’t have this effect… Put yourself in his shoes—if Xia Yu praised me so sincerely, I’d blush and my heart would race too!】
…
After all, he was a seasoned player in the romance department. By the time Xia Yu finished her sip of tea and put the cup down, then looked at him again, the redness in his ears had already faded away.
Xia Yu discreetly observed Cong Hua. This was the craziest one among Yu You’s suitors, often competing with the male lead for her attention. What was it that made him fall for the female lead again?
Ah, right—the female lead’s gentleness! Yu You made Cong Hua feel warmth.
“Miss Xia, you’re really interesting,” Cong Hua said with a cheerful laugh.
These words happened to fall into the ears of the shura field trio who had just returned from washing the dishes. Yu You’s smile stiffened slightly—Cong Hua had been showing interest in her earlier, so was Xia Yu really that likable?!
Yan Qing, on the other hand, glanced at Xia Yu a few more times.
“They’re ready, fresh off the grill, come and eat~”
At that moment, the enthusiastic group who had insisted on grilling themselves returned. They had only grilled vegetables, and with the good charcoal fire, they cooked quickly. Thinking they should just enjoy the experience while filming the show, they finished grilling and hurried back.
They were all young people, and with those who were good at livening up the atmosphere, everyone quickly became familiar, addressing each other by name. Yu You was finally able to openly call the name of the person she had a crush on.
No longer “Mr. Yan,” but “Yan Qing.”
Xia Yu noticed Yu You’s fingers under her chair, tapping excitedly several times after calling Yan Qing’s name. Before she could sigh over how deeply the female lead cared for her White Moonlight, the other party turned her attention toward her.
“I’m a bit nervous. How about Sister Xia Yu goes first~”
Just as Xia Yu was lost in thought for a moment, An Ran suggested that everyone sing or perform some other talent.
An Ran said they should start with the youngest. Xia Yu and Yu You were the same age, so she had just asked which of the two would like to go first.
Xia Yu didn’t mind. She hadn’t warmed up her voice and didn’t feel like singing. Looking at the bowls and plates on the table, she picked up a pair of chopsticks and said, “Let me perform a little trick.”
As she spoke, she tapped each bowl and plate with a pair of stainless steel chopsticks, then said, “Here we go.”
A catchy, melodious tune of “Little Insects Fly” rang out. The crisp, pleasant sound, paired with the starry night and the occasional gentle breeze, created a truly beautiful atmosphere.
Yan Qing was somewhat surprised. Determining the basic pitch levels by listening to the tapping sounds of the bowls and plates, then playing a tune—an amateur definitely couldn’t do that. Xia Yu had a very good sense of music.
Yu You had thought Xia Yu would perform singing. As a debutante from a talent show, she was skilled in both singing and dancing, and she had thought she could finally outshine Xia Yu. But once again, her plans were overturned.
When it came to singing, although Qin Qi was a comedian, he had trained in bel canto. An Ran, as a host, also sang very well. In comparison, Yu You, with her superior voice, didn’t stand out as much.
Whether it was the male guests or the audience, Xia Yu’s bowl-tapping left a more lasting impression, and with the added buff of the night, it was simply unbeatable.
The male guests had a variety of tricks up their sleeves: Lin Li did one-handed push-ups, Shen You’an showcased his exceptional memory, and Cong Hua shook the dice, rolling a “single pillar” and a “leopard number.”
When it came to Yan Qing, everyone clamored for him to sing. Hearing a live performance from the King of Pop was a treat not to be missed!
“This song is for—”
At this, not to mention others, even Yu You turned her head toward Xia Yu, her eyes concealing deep jealousy. If only she had drawn Yan Qing’s number in the first place!
“Qin Qi.”
Huh?
For Qin Qi?!