Group Dating

"I'm fine..." Yu Songlin endured the sharp pain in his shoulder blade and tried to comfort Ding Xuefei.

He saw the anxiety in Ding Xuefei's eyes, and the frustration of losing the game was instantly replaced by a strange sweetness. He even felt that the injury was somewhat worthwhile.

"What do you mean it's nothing! It's all red!" Ding Xuefei was both anxious and angry. She reached out to touch his shoulder, but was afraid of hurting him, so her hand hovered in mid-air. She ordered impatiently, "Come up here right now! Go and take care of it!"

As he spoke, he extended his right hand toward Yu Songlin.

Yu Songlin stared at the hand with its distinct knuckles for a moment, then grasped it with his uninjured right hand and, with Ding Xuefei's help, awkwardly made his way ashore.

Ding Xuefei helped him up, letting him lean some of his weight on her, and then turned to the staff and guests who had gathered around and said, "He bumped his shoulder, I'll take him to the lounge to get it treated."

His movements were incredibly natural, as if it were simply what he was supposed to do.

Yu Songlin didn't say a word, only watching Ding Xuefei's serious expression, feeling a sweet warmth in his heart.

Shang Rou handed over a dry towel. Ding Xuefei thanked her in a low voice, took it, and first roughly wiped Yu Songlin's still dripping hair and face before draping the towel over him.

"Can you walk?" Ding Xuefei asked with a frown, her tone still fierce, but she was very careful in supporting Yu Songlin.

"Mm." Yu Songlin nodded, letting Ding Xuefei half-support and half-carry him, and left the poolside amidst the concerned yet somewhat ambiguous and inquisitive gazes of the crowd.

After seeing a doctor and confirming that he could recover on his own, Ding Xuefei took Yu Songlin back to the villa and escorted him to his room. Ding Xuefei then closed the door behind her, cutting off any outside view.

He helped Yu Songlin sit down on the edge of the bed, and then sat beside him. Even though the doctor had already examined him, he still felt uneasy and patted Yu Songlin to signal him to turn around.

"Let me see."

As he spoke, he reached out to lift the towel draped over Yu Songlin's shoulders to check his injuries.

Yu Songlin, however, grabbed his wrist.

Ding Xuefei paused, looked up at him and glared: "What? You won't let me see?"

Yu Songlin didn't speak, but just looked at him intently. His eyes, which always held a gentle smile, were now as calm as an abyss, churning with emotions that Ding Xuefei couldn't quite understand, like a wave that had been suppressed for a long time.

"You..." Ding Xuefei felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and was about to break free when she heard Yu Songlin speak in a low, somewhat hoarse voice:

"You were...very worried about me just now."

It's not a question, it's a statement.

Ding Xuefei's cheeks flushed, and she subconsciously wanted to retort, but when she saw Yu Songlin's pale face and focused eyes, she swallowed back the harsh words that were about to come out.

He looked away and muttered, "Nonsense! Who wasn't worried when you bumped into something like that? Who told you to be so stubborn? If we're really going to talk about it, is this a work-related injury for the production crew, or is it your own fault..."

Yu Songlin chuckled softly, tightening his grip on Ding Xuefei's wrist slightly.

I'm glad you're worried about me.

Ding Xuefei's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly looked up and met Yu Songlin's gaze, which was filled with smiles and tenderness.

The emotions that had been building up all day, mixed with anger at learning the "truth" and heart palpitations at seeing him injured, finally broke through the dam of feigned composure at this moment.

He glared at Yu Songlin, his eyes inexplicably reddening, and roared, "What's there to be happy about when you're injured! Yu Songlin, you idiot! You big moron! Can't you even take your own body and feelings seriously?!"

As she spoke, Ding Xuefei's voice involuntarily choked with sobs: "Why couldn't you have explained things to me back then? You thought you were doing it for my own good, but what happened? You avoided me for five years! And now you've gotten yourself into this mess! You really... you really make me so angry!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, breaking free from Yu Songlin's grasp and lightly punching Yu Songlin's uninjured right shoulder.

Yu Songlin was taken aback by his sudden outburst. After a brief moment of surprise, Yu Songlin suddenly realized—Ding Xuefei knew.

"Xuefei, you..."

"Shut up!" Ding Xuefei got angry as soon as she saw Yu Songlin, and punched Yu Songlin's chest repeatedly, but the punches landed very lightly.

Suddenly the distance closed, and Ding Xuefei was embraced by Yu Songlin.

The familiar body temperature, the familiar scent—Ding Xuefei glared at Yu Songlin, only to see his deep, unfathomable gaze.

He felt a sense of familiarity with that look in his eyes, and suddenly he was afraid to look at it again, as if something was about to happen if he looked at it one more time.

Ding Xuefei struggled but couldn't break free. Worried about Yu Songlin's injuries, she lowered her eyes and murmured, "I'm warning you, don't do anything reckless..."

After a moment of silence without a reply, Ding Xuefei looked up and saw that the lust in Yu Songlin's eyes had faded, leaving only a smile.

"Baby, don't be angry with me."

He spoke almost right next to Ding Xuefei's ear, and the poor ear instantly turned bright red.

"Let go! You bastard!" Ding Xuefei was furious, but not vicious.

Yu Songlin readily agreed and let go.

But before letting go, a very light kiss landed on Ding Xuefei's cheek.

Faced with Ding Xuefei's questioning, Yu Songlin rubbed his left arm, feigning pitifulness, and said innocently, "I'm sorry, you're just too cute, I really couldn't resist~"

Ding Xuefei was in a hurry to escape, and before leaving, she heard Yu Songlin's voice tinged with laughter:

"Will you choose me for our date tomorrow?"

*

The answer to "Heartbeat Riddle" DAY20.

This day is the long-awaited mutual selection date, where guests who choose each other get a date opportunity, while guests who choose only one side will be left without a date.

On the morning of the mutual selection date, the atmosphere in the Heartbeat House was subtly more tense than usual. The production team placed the selection box in the center of the living room, and the guests had to take turns putting in the envelopes with the names of their preferred partners written on them.

Ding Xuefei held the thin envelope in her hand, her fingertips feeling slightly cold.

There was only one name written inside—Yu Songlin.

This is the answer I wrote down last night after tossing and turning all night, following my heart.

However, as he walked toward the selection box, his gaze inadvertently swept over Yu Songlin, who was sitting on the sofa.

The other person appeared calm, but his clasped hands and slightly tense jawline betrayed his anticipation.

Almost simultaneously, Ding Xuefei's mind flashed back to the trending topics on Weibo that she had seen late last night:

#Yu Songlin and Ding Xuefei suspected of dating#

Is #The Bloody Wind and Snowy Mist Really True?#

#Yu Songlin's fans are unfollowing#

Among the posts containing speculation and analysis, there were some blessings, but even more were fierce opposition and insults from Yu Songlin's fans.

"Don't even get involved with Ding Xuefei, that kind of controversial influencer!"

"Yu Yingdi is uniquely beautiful"

"It's definitely Ding Xuefei trying to create hype by associating with Yu Songlin..."

The hurtful comments stung his heart like needles.

He was scared.

It wasn't that he was afraid of being criticized; he was already used to being in the eye of the storm. He was afraid... afraid that these things would affect Yu Songlin.

Yu Songlin's journey to where he is today has been hard-won. His acting skills, his works, and the goodwill and reputation he has built up over the years should not be overshadowed by a relationship that is not a good match.

Ding Xuefei did not think he was unworthy of Yu Songlin, but the public obviously did not think so.

In particular, the future of this relationship is still full of uncertainty.

Is he really ready? Can he withstand the storm of public opinion? If a breakup like that happened again, could he really accept it?

Ding Xuefei paused slightly as she handed over the envelope. She turned around hastily and, amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd, quickly returned to her room and retrieved another envelope.

*

"Now announcing the results of the mutual selection!" The production team's voice carried its usual suspense, "Those who successfully selected each other and have earned the right to a date today are—"

"The first group, Ke Ran & Ning Yusheng!"

Ke Ran cheered and patted Ning Yusheng, who was a little embarrassed.

"Second group, Shang Rou & Bai Mu!"

Ke Ran and Ning Yusheng smiled at each other, the atmosphere was gentle.

"The third group..." The production team paused, their gaze sweeping over the remaining individuals, lingering for a moment between Ding Xuefei, Yu Songlin, and Fang Jinyu, "Xu Yimeng & Ye Ming!"

Two very different but equally lively girls high-fived in celebration.

Only Ding Xuefei, Yu Songlin, Fang Jinyu, and Stella remained.

Stella shrugged, engrossed in watching the spectacle.

The air seemed to freeze.

Almost everyone could guess that Yu and Fang both chose Ding Xuefei, but how did Ding Xuefei make her choice?

"The fourth group..." the production team's voice carried a hint of amusement, "Fang Jinyu & Ding Xuefei!"

Upon hearing the result, several suppressed gasps rippled through the living room. Ke Ran's eyes widened as she looked at Ding Xuefei, then at Yu Songlin, whose face had instantly darkened.

Ding Xuefei's heart sank, and he subconsciously looked at Yu Songlin. Yu Songlin was also looking at him, his eyes, which always carried a gentle smile, now seemed to be covered with a layer of ice, churning with shock, confusion, and a trace of... hurt that was well concealed.

He chose Fang Jinyu? Why?

The staff confirmed, "So, Ms. Yu Songlin and Ms. Stella, you have a day off today."

Yu Songlin twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that was perfect but devoid of warmth: "Okay, I understand."

He stood up, not glancing at Ding Xuefei again, his voice eerily calm, "Have a nice date, everyone."

After saying that, he turned around and went straight upstairs.

His back was straight, yet it carried an undeniable air of loneliness and coldness.

Ding Xuefei's heart felt as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, causing a suffocating pain.

He wanted to call out to Yu Songlin and say something, but his throat felt blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word.

"Xuefei?" Fang Jinyu's gentle voice rang in my ears, with a questioning tone.

Ding Xuefei snapped out of her daze and forced a smile: "N-nothing. Let's... get ready to go."