“I accept your apology and allow you to handle this matter in your own way. But on the condition that you do not use me as a stepping stone for anyone else.”

Zhu Jinzhao stood in front of Zhao Yan and said, word by word.

This request is not unreasonable; the production team could easily fulfill it with just a little thought.

Therefore, Zhao Yan did not hesitate and immediately stood up from his chair, looked at Zhu Jinzhao and nodded, saying, "No problem, thank you Jinzhao for giving the production team this opportunity."

Zhu Jinzhao hummed in agreement and stopped dwelling on the matter.

Shi Jing crossed his arms, staring at Zhao Yan with a half-smile, and said in a relaxed tone, "You only have this one chance, so you must make the most of it."

Zhao Yan knew he was warning the production team. Although he was a little annoyed, he still cooperated and replied, "I understand."

An hour later, the program team presented the solution.

They issued an apology statement on Weibo.

"Let's Make Friends Season 2" V: We're sorry, we were wrong. We're sorry to the viewers who have supported this show, and even more sorry to the guests who placed their complete trust in us, especially Jinzhao (@祝今朝). In the few hours of silence, we thoroughly investigated this "hidden setting" blunder from beginning to end. We've verified that the "hidden setting" does exist, but its content is not what everyone saw.

The actual details of the game's setup were lost before the game even started; it was lost by an intern. Fearing repercussions from the production team, the intern fabricated a set of rules just before the game began and distributed them to the guests.

Due to an operational error, only Ning Shi, Fang Lei, and Su Ying received the notification; the others were completely unaware of the situation. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone by the production team's negligence. The entire production team bows in apology to all guests and viewers.

We are sorry, please forgive us!

...

The apology quickly went viral on the trending topics list.

However, netizens and fans from various groups did not buy it.

The trending topics page was filled with insults.

[Six hundred and sixty-six, another classic case of the "intern" taking the blame.]

[Hahaha, I knew the production team would use interns to shift the blame, what a tired and overused tactic!]

This apology statement is ridiculous; even my grandma could write a better one.

[Oh dear, the "intern" from the world of anime has once again taken the blame, and the other guests have been scolded all night for nothing.]

[This production team is a complete idiot! Their apology statement is more incoherent than my grandma talking in her sleep; it's just a shoddy job to appease people!]

Netizens were furious, and after criticizing the production team, they immediately went on to criticize Su Ying.

[Capital Sister, I have a feeling the show's apology statement was written to smear you?]

[Yes, I've read the apology statement. I'm even more convinced now that Su Ying is a foul-mouthed, swear-prone young woman.]

[With your awful appearance, you dare to market yourself as the number one pure and innocent flower in the entertainment industry? I think you'd be too weak to even be a proper celebrity; even a famous Chinese opera troupe would call the police to arrest you.]

Although the program's apology statement was clumsy, it was an excellent tool for Su Ying's fans to clear her name.

Before the apology statement was released, they were timid and dared not utter a word; after the apology statement was released, they stood tall and fought back fiercely!

[This was all a misunderstanding. The production team has already clarified it, so why are you still fixated on my sister?]

[Looks like my sister is still too popular. The slightest thing she does is trigger a flurry of attacks from haters all over the world.]

Clarifications are ignored; people are meant to be criticized. Haters online don't use their brains.

The production team's apology statement is right there on Weibo. If you haters aren't blind, please take a look.

[Those who insulted my sister are all taking the blame for her!]

The trending topics section was filled with heated arguments, creating a chaos comparable to World War IV.

However, at the recording site of the program, the storm had subsided and everything was peaceful.

With things having escalated to this point, the live stream can no longer proceed. After some discussion, the production team decided that all the guests should go back to their rooms to rest. However, before resting, they need to cooperate with the publicity team to film a relaxing evening washing-up video.

The video is short, only about ten minutes long.

"Ha..." Zhu Jinzhao yawned, threw off the covers, and rolled onto the bed.

Shi Jing was leaning against her door, about to say "goodnight" when he received a WeChat message from Ning Shi.

—Shi Jing, I have something I want to say to you. Would it be convenient for you to come down to the first floor?

"Hmm?" Shi Jing frowned, then replied: What is it?

Ning Shi: You'll see when you get here. Hurry up, I'm waiting for you under the eaves behind the villa.

Shi Jing hesitated for a few seconds before replying: Okay.

"Chao Chao, I have to go downstairs. You go to sleep first, okay?" He put his hand on the doorknob and said to Zhu Jinchao before closing the door.

Zhu Jinzhao raised his right hand and casually waved it twice: "I understand."

Shi Jing smiled slightly and said, "Good night."

Wishing you a good night.

"Click..."

Shi Jing gently closed the door, put his phone in his pocket, turned around and went downstairs.

The rain was still falling, and the area under the eaves was damp.

A sea breeze blew in gusts, making Ning Shi feel a little cold.

"Da, da, da..."

Slow but powerful footsteps echoed from the other end of the roof. Ning Shi turned around and saw Shi Jing walking towards her with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face.

She was momentarily stunned by Shi Jing's smile, and her cheeks immediately began to burn.

How pathetic... She thought, even though she's known Shi Jing for so many years, how come she still gets so excited every time she sees him?

"What do you want?" Shi Jing stopped in front of her, his tone still arrogant.

"Cough..." She cleared her throat, trying to suppress her agitated emotions.

"Shi Jing, you should know that I like you, right?"

She didn't mince words or beat around the bush; she immediately threw out a question that caught Shi Jing off guard.

Shi Jing widened her eyes slightly, looking at her with surprise: "Your question was far too blunt."

Ning Shi raised an eyebrow, looking nonchalant: "I'm too lazy to be polite with you, I just want to ask you whatever comes to mind."

"Stop rambling and answer my question."

Shi Jing nodded, rarely listening to her.

"I know, I've always known you like me."

Ning Shi: "Since you know, why have you never mentioned it to me?"

"Hmph," Shi Jing chuckled enigmatically, then looked up at the rain curtain outside the eaves.

"There's nothing to mention, and I wouldn't know what to say anyway. Ning Shi, you should know that I've never had those feelings for you."