Chapter 123
[Ah? Butler…]
[Butler, I know you’re very dedicated, but maybe don’t be so dedicated right now.]
[Learned a new phrase today: “help me crawl.”]
[Got it! Next time I’m late for school, I’ll just say I was helping an old lady crawl across the street.]
[See? Watching a dating show really teaches you things.]
“I need it,” Xie Mi said.
The others: “?”
One dares to ask, the other dares to answer!
But the butler really meant it. He immediately lay down on his side next to Xie Mi, using his hands to support one of her arms, and began crawling along with her.
Xie Mi followed his lead, crawling forward.
“Thanks, it really is much easier this way.”
“No need to thank me. It’s my duty.”
Truly, he was helping her crawl.
Everyone else was dumbfounded, stunned by the absurdity of the situation, while Shen Yanqing couldn’t help but laugh.
Apparently, when a person is flustered, they sometimes laugh without reason.
“Good job, Teacher Xie,” Director Niu said, gritting his teeth in a forced smile.
“Teacher Xie, you’re really something.”
You came to a dating show, not to serve in the army!
[Understood. So this show is actually “Real Man.”]
[Master, I’ve realized it.]
Xie Mi and Shen Yanqing finally arrived at their accommodation for this stay: the most luxurious room in the hot spring resort—an entire deluxe villa.
The villa had a prime location. Both bedrooms had huge floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking mountain views.
In addition, there were media rooms, entertainment rooms, a study, and even a huge private swimming pool in the courtyard—everything one could want.
After crawling silently for three hundred meters, Xie Mi was blackened from the ground like a street dog, muttering like a pauper:
“Oh my goodness.”
The butler stood to give them a tour.
“Welcome to the most luxurious room in this resort. This entire villa is yours. We hope you enjoy your stay.”
After explaining the rules and amenities, the butler left.
Xie Mi changed into clean clothes and, with Shen Yanqing, sat on lounge chairs by the backyard pool, sipping complimentary coconuts and basking in the sun. She swung her legs happily.
“Old Shen, being first place is really nice. Next time we have to be first again.”
“Next time?”
Shen Yanqing turned to her, the glimmer of sunlight reflecting in his eyes. “What if next time we’re not on the same team?”
“Hmm… that’s true.”
Xie Mi frowned. “The program’s team assignments are unpredictable. Next time, we might not even be grouped together.”
“Do you want to be on my team?” Shen Yanqing asked without looking away.
“Of course.”
Xie Mi turned, their eyes meeting unexpectedly, almost drowning in the deep, calm waters of his gaze.
But she didn’t look away. She stared straight at him. “In this show, the person I’m most interested in is you.”
Hearing this, Director Niu in the control room excitedly covered his mouth, almost in tears.
The assistant director nearby sobbed into a handkerchief.
“No, I’m Teacher Xie’s career fan. I refuse to indulge in romance right now.”
Director Niu slapped him on the head.
“Do you know you’re supposed to be directing a dating show?!”
“…squeak.”
The staff behind the scenes were excited, and the audience in front of the screen was equally thrilled.
The so-called “ironwood, iron tree, steel” veteran Xie Mi rarely showed genuine emotion on the show.
CP fans had been shipping her for so long, but secretly, they were always a little worried about Shen Yanqing.
After all, abstract-type girls are the hardest to win over. Sweet words and flattery barely affect them—they just enjoy abstract fun all day.
But now, Xie Mi openly stated that out of everyone on the show, she was most interested in Shen Yanqing.
If this isn’t a confession, what is?
The live comments exploded with “ahhhhhh,” dominating the screen.
Shen Yanqing looked at Xie Mi’s pure, untainted gaze and smiled helplessly.
“Teacher Xie, sometimes I wish you weren’t so honest.”
Had there been even a hint of desire in her eyes, he would have been happy for a long while.
But there wasn’t.
Xie Mi was interested in him, but only in the secrets he held. She never hid this.
“Want some sunflower seeds?”
A fair hand appeared in front of his eyes, holding a pile of seeds.
Shen Yanqing refocused, meeting her gaze.
Her eyes were clear and bright, staring unblinkingly.
“My personality is pretty bad. I’ve always had difficulty getting along with others.”
“You’re the first person I’ve met who’s on the same wavelength as me.”
“Old Shen, you’re a friend I truly cherish.”
“If you cherish me too, and nothing unexpected happens in the future, then I think we’ll walk a long path together.”
Shen Yanqing’s eyes softened, the gloom lifting, his affection surging like the ocean—unstoppable, unhidden.
He smiled gently.
“Alright. Together.”
[Together.]
For that small figure who had been chasing someone for years, this was the most beautiful word in the world.
An hour later, the other three teams arrived at the resort.
The taxi team, Xiao Jingxi and Liu Woxing, were drenched in sweat. The subway team, Xu Shuangrong and Yu Jinzhe, had been crushed like they’d fought a world war.
The worst off was the Scam Team.
Clinging to fans’ cars, they barely got a ride, only for the fan to be called away for work midway, leaving them stranded. They alternated between begging, scamming, getting a ride, and being abandoned.
Finally, they stumbled to the resort, trembling like refugees, holding sticks to support themselves. When the butler brought water, they nearly hugged the jugs to drink.
The butler anxiously refilled their cups, afraid they’d die of thirst in the resort.
[I told you this show is for real men.]
[Let’s be honest, the hotel is 40 km from the resort, with five km uphill. Getting here is basically a special forces operation.]
[No wonder Xie Mi’s son is amazing—like father, like son.]
After a brief rest, the three groups were assigned rooms.
The second-place team, Xiao-Liu, received two room cards and stayed in two standard rooms.
Each standard room had a large bed, wardrobe, desk and chairs, and a floor-to-ceiling window with distant mountain views. Not as breathtaking as the villa, but still very comfortable.
They were clearly satisfied, taking their cards and heading to freshen up.
The third-place team, Rong-Yu, received two tents.
The butler led them to the resort’s lake-view camping area.
“Our campsite is famous for its beautiful mountains, clear waters, and fresh air—perfect for camping.”
“You can set up your tents anywhere. The campsite has showers and restrooms, making it convenient.”
Xu Shuangrong and Yu Jinzhe smiled and accepted.
Fourth place.
Qiu Chengye and Lai Bingxuan stood expressionless before the butler, radiating faint killing intent.
The perceptive butler placed two sleeping bags on the table in front of them, turned, walked out, and gently closed the door.
Outside, he explained the rules:
“You’ll be sleeping in sleeping bags. You can set them up anywhere and enjoy the resort’s natural scenery fully.”
“Beautiful views—don’t miss a single moment.”
