Chapter 50
“There will be a total of three rounds of dates tonight, from seven to ten. Every hour, everyone will gather again and draw lots to reshuffle into new groups.”
“Since there is one extra female guest, each round there will be one girl left out. The one who’s left out can sit in the lounge and watch the other three groups’ dates through the monitors.”
After Director Niu finished explaining the dating rules, he suddenly added one more.
“At the same time, you all have a mission.”
“During tonight’s dates, you must find a way to make your partner’s heart flutter at least once—proven by the ringing of the bell. If you succeed, you’ll win a hotel breakfast coupon for tomorrow morning. If you fail, no breakfast for you.”
[You really do understand drama]
[Not only is it random dating, it’s multi-random—switching partners every hour. Even the ultimate player couldn’t pull this off.]
[And they have to make their partner’s heart race?! This is bound to cause chaos.]
[Good job! Applause!]
The livestream viewers were full of anticipation, while the guests on the bus had very different feelings.
Director Niu’s arrangements were great for the show, but honestly, it was a little ruthless for them.
“Now let’s start the first round of drawing lots!”
Xie Mi immediately sat up straight, eyes locked on the lottery box that was being brought to her.
Shen Yanqing noticed her unusual fighting spirit and raised an eyebrow.
“Teacher Xie looks very motivated. Who are you interested in?”
Xie Mi’s eyes gleamed like gold. “Breakfast!”
“…Truly not a surprising answer.”
[Classic you]
[Others come on dating shows for love; Sister Xie comes for the food]
[I’m dying laughing hahahahaha]
The results of the first draw came out, and Director Niu loudly announced the groups, “Shen Yanqing with Liu Woxing! Qiu Chengye with Lai Bingxuan! Xiao Jingxi with Xu Shuangrong!”
Not hearing her name, Xie Mi immediately retracted her grin, but she still asked unwillingly, “What about me?”
“You’re the one left out.”
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine.
[What a truly exhilarating grouping]
[The main theme is not making anyone happy, but at least making everyone unhappy. My vision just went dark.]
[The dead CP rises again! Even fate is blessing this couple. I ship it to death!]
[Honestly, reshuffling is more fun. Early locked-in pairs are boring. Dating shows are all about the messy mix.]
[In the neglected corner, Sister Xie is emo all by herself]
After arriving at the music festival, the three groups set off for their dates under the PD’s guidance.
Only Xie Mi sat all alone in the control room, staring at the three giant screens. It was so pitiful that the only thing missing was a sad song like Snowflakes Drifting Down playing live.
Seeing this, Director Niu revealed a satisfied grin.
Watching three couples spread dog food while you’re single—what a cruel punishment.
Maybe, after being stimulated, Teacher Xie would finally have an awakening and take this dating show seriously. Then his goal would be achieved!
But before he could gloat for long, Xie Mi slumped back in her chair, pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds, crossed her legs, and began slacking off.
Being left out just meant paid rest time. Anyway, there were still two more chances to win breakfast.
Worst case scenario, even if she was left out for all three rounds, couldn’t she just steal someone else’s breakfast?
Reject mental burnout—if there’s a problem, just go crazy.
Director Niu: “?”
She’s completely unbothered? What an unshakable core!
To counter her, he cranked up the volume on all three screens, unleashing a full 360-degree surround-sound dog food attack.
On screen, Xiao Jingxi and Xu Shuangrong were walking side by side through the bustling crowd, neither speaking, the atmosphere awkward.
Finally, Xiao Jingxi broke the silence. “About the drama promo earlier…”
“It’s already in the past.”
Xu Shuangrong softly interrupted with a smile. “All the interactions during the promo were just within the normal business scope. It was me who didn’t manage my feelings well and crossed some lines. I won’t let that happen again.”
Xiao Jingxi frowned.
Her drawing-the-line attitude left him feeling uncomfortable—especially after watching the show and realizing Xu Shuangrong might actually like him.
Even though the one he liked was Xie Mi, he didn’t dislike a kind and strong girl like Xu Shuangrong.
“What I meant is, even though the promo is over, we can still be friends. I don’t want this matter to make things awkward between us.”
“Of course we’re friends.”
Xu Shuangrong’s smile bloomed brightly. “As your friend, I’ll help matchmake you and Teacher Xie. Likewise, when I interact with other male guests, you have to support me too, okay?”
She extended her slender pinky, her laugh clear as silver bells.
“Promise—pinky swear~”
Xiao Jingxi was momentarily dazed, his wristband silently showing his rising heart rate.
[Sobs… is the Xiao–Rong CP officially over now?]
[At least it ended gracefully—better than tearing each other apart online.]
[Why do I feel like this is actually a beginning instead of an ending? Their atmosphere feels even more ambiguous now.]
[Got it! Xiao–Rong’s arc is a tragic love story! There’s definitely more to come later.]
[Yeah, Movie King Xiao, stop staring at Sister Xie. Look elsewhere. You deserve better—not “better,” but the very best like Sister Xie.]
In the control room, Xie Mi munched her seeds, watching intently.
Xu Shuangrong really knew how to play hard-to-get. In minutes, she had Xiao Jingxi wrapped around her finger.
And his wavering was expected.
She remembered how it was written in the original novel:
Although Xiao Jingxi dated Xie Mi for two years, he always felt her personality was dull. So, from the first time he met Xu Shuangrong, he was deeply interested in her.
Xu Shuangrong was like a resilient blade of grass, surviving in the chaotic entertainment industry without ever bowing to darkness. As if fated, he wanted to help her. So he requested the company pair him with her for CP marketing.
In other words, Xiao Jingxi had already been cheating emotionally.
But when the original Xie Mi confronted him, all he ever said was “It’s just company arrangements,” “Just CP marketing,” dumping everything onto her “jealousy” and keeping himself squeaky clean.
That was why, as a reader, Xie Mi had cursed him across hundreds of forum posts.
Now, the only reason he was turning his arrows toward her was because he was angry at his “property” being taken away.
…
Switching to Shen Yanqing and Liu Woxing’s date.
They were watching an indoor live performance. On stage, a rocker with long hair was headbanging through a heavy-metal set, while fans below screamed themselves hoarse.
But the two of them just sat quietly, smiling, as if the noisy world had nothing to do with them.
After a while, they tacitly pulled out their phones and began fiddling.
Sharp-eyed viewers in the livestream chat noticed.
[Because it’s too loud, they must be communicating by typing!]
[Meaning they’ve already added each other on WeChat? This pair has potential!]
[Sometimes the most unexpected CPs are the ones that become real. I’m investing in this underdog stock!]
[Strongly demand the cameraman give us a shot of their phone screens—what are they talking about?! I’m dying to know!]
Just as everyone was curious, Xie Mi’s phone in the monitoring room suddenly buzzed twice.
Gaga—
