Chapter 167 For My Love: Long Pain or Short Pain, Unspoken Understanding
The generous gift package from the production team, along with the ingredients and tents brought up by the guests during their tasks, was enough to feed more than a dozen people.
After taking a group photo at the top of the mountain, the seven of them started packing their things.
The four boys split into two groups and set up tents, barbecue grills, and portable gas stoves for cooking.
The three girls then worked together to pick vegetables and prepare ingredients.
Fortunately, there is a pool at the top of the mountain, making it relatively easy to clean up.
Facing the sea of clouds, mountain peaks, and a sky ablaze with rosy clouds, washing vegetables and chatting idly, the feeling of physical and mental comfort is indescribable.
As a photographer, Luo Luo couldn't bear to miss such a beautiful scene. After washing the fruits and vegetables he was responsible for, he quickly picked up his camera and started taking pictures of Wen Nian and Song Ying from different angles.
"The lighting and scenery here are absolutely stunning. The original image is so beautiful that it doesn't need any retouching at all. It's absolutely gorgeous!"
Luo Luo was filming with great enthusiasm when a figure appeared in the frame.
Backlit, his face is obscured, but the silhouette outlined by the light on his upright posture is perfectly natural, exuding a chivalrous aura.
Luo Luo subconsciously pressed the shutter, capturing the moment.
When they looked away, they realized it wasn't anyone else, but Jiang Xiuyuan, who was carrying a pheasant.
"you……"
Jiang Xiuyuan opened his mouth, held up the pheasant in his hand, and explained, "I came over to clean it so we can roast it tonight."
"Okay, okay, you clean it up."
Luo Luo quickly got up and lowered her head to walk around.
But for some reason, as she brushed past Jiang Xiuyuan, she suddenly turned around.
"Jiang Xiuyuan".
"how?"
"Thank you. And..." Luo Luo wanted to say sorry.
Perhaps because of her reaction, Jiang Xiuyuan was not in a very good mood all afternoon.
Luo Luo felt very sorry.
But she was also afraid that if she really apologized, Jiang Xiuyuan would think that she was giving him the "friend card" and rejecting him.
He clearly didn't say he liked her.
Just as Luo Luo was struggling with her decision, Jiang Xiuyuan flicked her forehead.
"Hey, Luo Dabao, you're not trying to tell me not to covet your good looks, are you? Don't worry, I'd rather a pig than you."
The name "Luo Dabao" completely ignited Luo Luo.
"Jiang Xiuyuan!"
She rubbed her forehead and glared at Jiang Xiuyuan, "If you call me that again, I'll beat you up!"
"You're kidding me!" Jiang Xiuyuan waved the pheasant in front of Luo Luo, scaring her into taking several steps back. Jiang Xiuyuan laughed heartily, "I'm not that weakling I used to be anymore. Now I can take down a chicken with one punch."
"Go, go, go clean up your pheasants!"
Luo Luo waved his hand repeatedly, driving Jiang Xiuyuan away.
Jiang Xiuyuan's meddling seemed to suddenly dispel the gloom that had been weighing on Luo Luo's heart.
The snow has cleared, the sky is bright, and the moonlight is clear.
Hearing Luo Luo arguing with Song Ying and Wen Nian again not far away, Jiang Xiuyuan turned around, gave Luo Luo a deep look, lowered his head again, and silently began to pluck and gut the chicken.
[I feel so sorry for Fourth Young Master. He probably said those annoying things on purpose so Luo Luo wouldn't overthink it, right?]
Luo Luo, turn around and look at your silly little brother!
[That one glance just now made my heart flutter. Even though he's younger than her, and even though he can be really childish at times, he truly loves her...]
[Jiang Xiuyuan: If my feelings for you cause you trouble, then please let me leave in silence.]
[I cried so hard! It's only the first day of this dating reality show, son, don't write your own ending so soon!]
How could Jiang Xiuyuan not want to fight for it?
He finally realized that Luo Luo didn't like him.
As they approached the summit, the path became difficult, making it inconvenient for the photography instructor to follow them. Instead, a drone was used to film them from the surrounding area.
To avoid being scratched by the surrounding branches, I never dared to get too close.
Luo Luo's phone rang, so she stopped and answered the call.
"Hey, Shen Yuning, why are you calling me right now?"
"Playing games? Hey bro, can you even check the time? I'm still up the mountain right now, even watching a live stream is like watching a slideshow, let alone playing games with you. Forget it, let's talk about it when I get back."
"How it feels? It's alright, you know I've never been in a relationship, how could I possibly spark something so quickly..."
Halfway through her sentence, Luo Luo noticed Jiang Xiuyuan standing not far away, so she lowered her voice and said, "Alright, you go ahead and do your work. Remember to listen to Sister Li; she's already worked hard enough. Don't upset her any further. I'll talk to you later; bye."
The content of the conversation was not sensitive at all.
But Luo Luo's intimate and natural manner of speaking, as well as the joy in her beaming eyes, were impossible to hide.
Jiang Xiuyuan has never been in a relationship.
But he had seen how his friends talked to their girlfriends on the phone, and he had also seen how Qin Shu and Song Ying interacted.
When you like someone, your subconscious reaction doesn't lie.
Eyes don't lie.
At this moment, Jiang Xiuyuan was certain that Luo Luo herself might not even realize that she was closer to Shen Yuning.
Jiang Xiuyuan, of course, could take advantage of his proximity and use his hoe to dig at the base of the wall.
But seeing her happy made me even more afraid that I couldn't give her the happiness she wanted.
Jiang Xiuyuan suddenly remembered what Qin Shu had said.
“If you don’t plant anything on a piece of land, someone else will definitely plant it, and even weeds will grow wildly and invade.”
If Luo Luo's heart is such a piece of land, then it is now overgrown with vines that belong to others.
Ultimately, he missed his chance step by step due to his previous hesitation, wavering, and indecision.
As the last rays of the setting sun faded, twinkling starlight took over from the sunlight.
As night fell, the aroma of barbecue and cumin filled the air, along with the sweet and refreshing scent of fruits and vegetables, and the rich and juicy chicken soup.
Around the bonfire enclosed on the mountaintop, people sat in a circle, eating roasted meat, drinking wine, and humming tunes from time to time, creating a festive atmosphere on the mountaintop.
The production team had prepared musical instruments in advance, just in case.
Seeing that everyone was in high spirits, he quickly took out two guitars.
Qin Shu took one, and Song Ying took one.
The moment the chords begin and the intro starts, the atmosphere is instantly heightened.
Zachary started dancing to the music.
Ji Zhiheng then stood up, put one hand behind his back, and extended the other hand to Wen Nian, bending down to invite her, "Beautiful Miss Wen, may I be so lucky as to invite you to dance?"
A little wine flushed Wen Nian's cheeks.
What was originally shyness turned into boldness at this moment.
She placed her small hand in Ji Zhiheng's palm, stood up, and was pulled into Ji Zhiheng's embrace.
Luo Luo and Jiang Xiuyuan also joined in.
"Come over and have some fun, and grab something to eat while you're at it."
Song Ying waved, inviting the staff outside the screen.
Besides the filming crew, there were also the makeup team, props team, production assistants...
Just like filming a TV series, the screen may only show a few people, but in reality, there are often a dozen or even dozens of people on set.
At first, everyone was a little embarrassed, but then, the other guests, like Song Ying, extended invitations to everyone, and the staff finally came together and started having fun.
A bonfire party, swaying gently in the night breeze, spread joy far and wide via the internet.
I won't tell you who's smitten, I'm so jealous, I'm dying of envy!
【"Love" is truly the best, warmest, and most healing dating reality show I've ever seen. Every guest is so nice, I really want to sway with them in the night QAQ】
[My only regret is that my landing couple is already over before it even started. Luo Luo, you should take a look at Si Gouzi! What's wrong with him...?]
As more people danced around the bonfire, Jiang Xiuyuan left the crowd and sat alone under a large tree nearby.
But the camera captured his gaze fixed on Luo Luo, as if he didn't want to look away for even a moment.
Song Ying felt a pang of heartache watching this scene.
After thinking for a moment, he put away his guitar, picked up a few skewers of barbecue, and walked over to hand them to Jiang Xiuyuan.
"Want some more?"
"Sis, I'm not hungry."
"You've been grilling meat for everyone all night, how many bites did you eat yourself? Stop dawdling, take this."
Unable to refuse Song Ying's request, Jiang Xiuyuan could only accept the grilled meat, picking up a skewer and taking a casual bite.
Song Ying sat down next to him and asked in a low voice, "If you can't let go, why pretend to be magnanimous?"
"What?" Jiang Xiuyuan looked over.
Song Ying glanced at him. "I'm not Luo Luo. It's no use acting with me. I've watched you grow up. Do you think I don't know what kind of person you are?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiuyuan stopped chewing.
After a moment of silence, he continued, "Forced relationships are never sweet."
"I remember saying this to you back in Mo City. What was your answer then? — Just dip it in some sauce, and you can have both sweet and sour and spicy flavors. Is that right?"
"I was young and didn't understand things back then."
Jiang Xiuyuan took another bite of meat, but it tasted bland; he just chewed mechanically.
Song Ying reminded her, "Only two months have passed."
"So, sister, are you saying all this hoping I'll stick to my guns?"
Jiang Xiuyuan asked a question in return.
Song Ying shook her head. "No, I just want you to confirm your own thoughts—regardless of whether you insist or not, I respect and support you. I'm just afraid that you might get carried away and then regret it."
From the very beginning, Song Ying was not optimistic about Jiang Xiuyuan and Luo Luo.
But as the heir of the Jiang family, there wasn't much time for Jiang Xiuyuan to secretly love someone and then, years later, wait for his beloved to marry someone else before gradually giving up.
"Tonight, you've practically got your eyes glued to Luo Luo. Xiu Yuan, if you like someone, go for it. If you give up, don't regret it. This is your last chance."
As she said this, Song Ying pulled up a chat history and handed her phone to Jiang Xiuyuan.
See for yourself.
The first thing Jiang Xiuyuan saw after receiving the message was the note at the top of the chat box.
Shen Yuning.
His pupils suddenly contracted.
Immediately afterwards, staring at the content in the chat box, I fell completely silent.
"See? If you don't take the initiative, someone else will."
"I see."
After a moment of silence, Jiang Xiuyuan returned the phone to Song Ying, saying, "Thank you, sister."
"What are you thanking me for? Why are you being so polite with me?" Song Ying rolled her eyes at Jiang Xiuyuan, then patted her butt and got up. "I've said everything I should and shouldn't have said. The rest is up to you."
After saying this, Song Ying returned to the crowd and played the guitar with Qin Shu.
Luo Luo was currently dancing with Wen Nian. Just as one dance was about to end and a new one was about to begin, Jiang Xiuyuan stepped forward and took the initiative to invite him to dance as well.
"Luo Luo, may I dance with you?"
Wen Nian glanced at the two of them and, before Luo Luo could speak, gave the opportunity to Jiang Xiuyuan.
"I'm a little tired, Luo Luo, you guys play first."
At this point, even if Luo Luo wanted to refuse, there was nothing she could do.
Wait, why does she want to refuse?
As Luo Luo stood there in a daze, the new music began.
So she could only take Jiang Xiuyuan's hand, maintain a proper distance from him, and start jumping.
For some reason, even though the person in front of her was Jiang Xiuyuan, she inexplicably thought of someone else.
Shen Yuning.
Was it because of the phone call he made when we were almost at the summit?
Yes, that must be true.
Human memory follows the principle of proximity.
But soon, Luo Luo remembered the question Wen Nian had asked her during the mountain climb.
"Do you feel uncomfortable only because Jiang Xiuyuan treats you this way, or do you feel uncomfortable with all men treating you like this? What if it were someone else? Are there any other boys who would treat you like this without making you feel awkward, but instead make your heart flutter and your heart and eyes filled with pink bubbles?"
Luo Luo pondered this question.
Suddenly, a hypothetical question popped into my head: what would happen if this person were Shen Yuning instead?
No, Shen Yuning wouldn't do that to her.
But what if it is?
If it would...
My heart suddenly started pounding, and my ears began to turn red, as if they were being burned by the campfire.
Jiang Xiuyuan noticed Luo Luo's absent-mindedness.
Even though they were right next to each other, it felt like they were separated by thousands of miles.
Another layer of ashes covered the bottom of my heart.
A three-minute dance is both so short and so long.
The night breeze blew by, dispelling the faint tremor in Jiang Xiuyuan's heart, leaving a void in his soul.
As the last note faded, he very gentlemanly released Luo Luo's hand, took two steps back, gently placed his right hand on his left chest, nodded in acknowledgment, and then silently retreated, leaving the campfire.
Luo Luo watched Jiang Xiuyuan's actions, remained silent for a moment, and then returned the courtesy to his retreating figure.
Even if Jiang Xiuyuan didn't see it.
The camera silently recorded the scene, but the comments section exploded.
Wait, did I miss some important information? Young Master Jiang's behavior makes it seem like we're about to face some life-or-death situation.
He didn't say anything, but I had a feeling he was about to give up on Luo Luo...
[A silent farewell. I just finished shipping this couple for a day. Will it end in a breakup in less than 24 hours?]
[If that's the case, why did these two even get on a dating reality show? It's such a waste of my time! I was totally shipping them, and then they just fed me a knife to the heart. It's disgusting!]
[There's no rule that dating reality shows have to have a happy ending, right? If you realize you don't like someone, express it promptly; if you realize they don't like you back, let go promptly. Is that wrong? I think these two probably didn't even know who they liked when they were on the dating show. After spending a day together, they truly understood their own feelings. Looking at it this way, they're both very genuine, okay?]
The comments section was buzzing with arguments. Qin Shu strummed a guitar string, started a new tune, and turned to look at Song Ying beside him.
"Looks like that kid failed in his pursuit of love."
"A short pain is worse than a long one. He broke free from this obsession himself, and he will be at peace with it."
Although the matchmaking attempt failed, Song Ying was not disappointed at all.
Love is something that can never last if it's just one person's wishful thinking.
Given Jiang Xiuyuan's personality, the more others try to stop him, the more likely he is to insist.
But if he comes to his own senses, he will never be trapped in it again.
Even if the process is painful.
Growth always comes at a price.
The music swelled in the night with the mountain breeze.
Just then, Song Ying's phone rang. She paused playing and took her phone out of her pocket.
Seeing the caller ID note, she raised an eyebrow and showed the screen to Qin Shu.
"See, they really do need to be pushed a bit."
Qin Shu glanced at it, his strumming motion continuing, but he smiled and said, "Go and take it."
Song Ying put down her guitar, got up, and went to the big tree to avoid the camera.
"Hello."
-
Shen Yuning held his phone and strode toward the garage, his backpack slung over his shoulder.
"Sister Ying, I know my request is sudden, and calling you at this hour is a bit presumptuous, but I still want to say that I would like to ask you to allow me to be a guest on 'Passion,' just like Zachary. I don't need an appearance fee, and I can cover all the expenses myself. Please give me this opportunity."
"What's the reason?" Song Ying asked.
Shen Yuning fell silent. After a moment, he opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Song Ying said.
"If you're trying to talk about your popularity or influence, I regret to inform you that such reasons are not enough to sway me."
"I don't deny your appeal as a top-tier singing and dancing idol. But you might try opening Weibo and checking the real-time trending list."
"Even without you, 'Passion' can continue to dominate the charts."
Song Ying's words were very straightforward.
You could even call them arrogant.
She certainly understood that if Shen Yuning were to join "Passion," it would be even more exciting, raising the show's popularity to another level and completely igniting the audience's passion.
It's a sure-fire way to make money.
This is simply because Shen Yuning did not give her a satisfactory answer.
"This is your last chance. Shen Yuning, please tell me, why did you insist on coming to 'Passion'?" she asked.
Shen Yuning stopped in his tracks.
The empty garage was devoid of stars, only cold and oppressive atmosphere.
That thought that had been vaguely sprouting in my mind was like a star breaking through the clouds, gradually revealing its light.
Shen Yuning took a deep breath, opened the car door, and got into the driver's seat.
"For Luo Luo."
I like her.
"I don't want to see the person I like dating another man."
Even if it's fake, it won't do.
His resolute eyes were reflected in the rearview mirror inside the car.
Despite his youthful appearance, he was as resilient as a rock, completely unlike his usual carefree and flamboyant demeanor when he was working.
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