Chapter 14 So it turns out you broke up because of...
Deng Minzhou almost doubted that he had heard correctly.
Anyone with eyes can see that Mu Jiu pays far more attention to Ling Zhao than to anyone else.
Moreover, she was always polite and courteous when interacting with the other male guests, never causing any misunderstandings.
Mu Jiu's reason for doing this was obvious; he didn't believe that Ling Zhao was truly unaware.
But soon, Deng Minzhou realized why the other party would think that way.
Just as mentioning Mu Jiu inevitably brings Fang Yucheng to mind, mentioning Ling Zhao inevitably brings to mind his nickname "Little Fang Yucheng."
Anyone who has been living in someone else's shadow since their debut would feel resentful. If it were someone with similar fame in the industry, there would be a chance to break free from that shadow in the future.
But that person was Fang Yucheng.
No one who debuted around the same time as Fang Yucheng could replicate his success. He seemed born to act, and his perception of pop music was frighteningly sharp. Everyone in the industry called Fang Yucheng a genius, but such genius is precisely the kind of genius that creates an insurmountable gap between him and ordinary people.
When faced with such a person, no one can help but feel an unspeakable sense of inferiority upon realizing the reality.
Moreover, according to outsiders, his ex-girlfriend was deeply in love with Fang Yucheng.
Although Deng Minzhou and Fang Yucheng had a good relationship, he could fully understand this invisible pressure.
Deng Minzhou broke the silence by speaking up: "Sometimes, not getting stuck on things can actually make life a little better."
If he didn't love her, that would be one thing, but whether it was the self-denial he just blurted out, or the fact that he didn't choose any of the female guests he was interested in after winning the competition yesterday, it's enough to prove that this man hasn't moved on from the past.
The other person just glanced at him inexplicably and couldn't understand the deeper meaning behind his words.
But when facing the camera, some things are destined to remain unclear.
At the same time, Guo Zifu's voice came from the kitchen: "Those who are home can come and eat after washing up~"
"Here it comes~"
Deng Minzhou looked away and naturally continued the conversation: "I smelled the aroma as soon as I walked in. Is there steak today?"
[Just switched from Fufu's perspective, why does everyone seem a bit strange today?]
I think everyone here is decent; they didn't even fight after seeing their ex come back from a date with someone else.
[The previous idea was too dangerous, but I really love those intense, confrontational eye contact situations.]
Just one floor away, Mu Jiu, who had been suddenly "attacked," also came to his senses, but then fell into another brainstorming session.
Why did Xiang Wan feel that she needed a hug?
Or to put it another way, why does the other person think she needs comfort?
Comfort is a means of alleviating the negative impact on someone who is feeling down, sad, or in pain, by offering hope, reassurance, and empathy.
The problem is that she can make sure that her facial expressions do not show any negative emotions such as sadness or jealousy that could be misunderstood.
Subconscious reactions don't lie, and the worry that the other person expresses entirely on instinct is absolutely genuine.
Mu Jiu silently concealed the confusion in his eyes. After a long silence, he decided to say something to break the strange scene before him: "Thank you, but I'm actually fine..."
Upon seeing Xiang Wan's lips purse, Mu Jiu immediately stopped talking.
Good, at least she finally understood one thing.
The problem must lie with yourself.
After entering the house, the only thing she did was avoid being in the same frame as Ling Zhao and go upstairs.
But the misunderstanding has already been made. Now, even if he goes downstairs and deliberately shows Ling Zhao the deep friendship between them, it will only make people think he's crazy.
The only way to smooth things over is to use the other person's thought process.
"I'm really not sad."
Mu Jiu sighed: "It's just... I need some time to adjust to this after the breakup."
But this statement had no effect.
She felt Xiang Wan hug her even tighter.
Mu Jiu: "..."
[I didn't feel anything at first, but after Mu Jiu said that, I suddenly felt so sorry for the two of them.]
[I've been watching Xiang Wan's live stream, and I originally thought Ling Zhao was the kind of simple-minded straight man... but my opinion has really changed a lot.]
[Can anyone analyze the reasons behind the "Chao Mu" pairing? They seem like two carefree people at first glance, but it gets really heartbreaking when their past relationships are touched upon.]
Am I the only one who thinks these two are being pretentious? So many couples in the entertainment industry break up and get back together, why are they being so dramatic?
[Yes, it's just you. Don't come in and bark like a troll.]
Just as Mu Jiu was racking his brains trying to say something to change the subject, Xiang Wan slowly let go of his hand in silence.
Xiang Wan: "I'm sorry, I was too out of line just now."
Mu Jiu: "Ah, no..."
"Sisters, come and have dinner!!!"
Before she could finish speaking, Guo Zifu's powerful voice from downstairs drowned out the entire surging atmosphere.
Mu Jiu then put this interlude aside for a short time.
Meanwhile, Xiang Wan was keeping a close eye on Mu Jiu and Ling Zhao's movements.
After today's date, although I can't say I completely understand Ling Zhao, I have at least touched upon fragments of the two of them's interactions.
Contrary to her initial assumptions, both Mu Jiu and Ling Zhao seemed to be the type who cared deeply for each other. However, despite their mutual concern, there appeared to be a deeper misunderstanding between them.
Misunderstand.
There's a reason why Xiang Wan is so certain.
The reason Ling Zhao gave for refusing to choose a female guest after yesterday's beach volleyball match already contained a lot of information.
Furthermore, the other party wasn't surprised to see her today—
He was certain that Mu Jiu would not choose him.
However, as someone who participated in the gift selection process, Xiang Wan knew very well that Mu Jiu had not deliberately avoided his gift.
All of the above, her thoughts, amidst their confusion and fluctuations, propelled her next idea.
Is there nothing that can be done for these two people?
Even if the inevitable ending is separation, wouldn't it be a shame to end things without ever being honest about one's feelings?
After racking her brains for a long time, the sudden vibration of her phone caught her attention.
[The text messages from people expressing their feelings tonight are probably the easiest to guess; they'll definitely be sent politely to their date guests.]
[I don't believe it. I think Meng Xiangcheng would actually send messages to each other!!]
[I know everyone's tired after going out on dates during the day, but can't someone just randomly show up in the living room late at night and have a romantic date for me to watch?]
[+1, at first I thought every couple was a bit eccentric, but I inexplicably became a fan of each one. Why can't these people be in a relationship 24/7?]
Wait! Something seems to be going on!
Oh, I saw someone come down from the boys' dorm!
[Some girls have come down too!]
The live-streaming camera in the bedroom has a time limit for turning off, but the public areas remain open.
The dim yellow lighting in the corridor created a somewhat ambiguous atmosphere.
A man and a woman alone at night.
Just as the audience excitedly turned up the screen brightness, the two figures in the darkness finally became clear.
【No, why are Ling Zhao and Xiang Wan here?】
[What a disappointment! I thought it would at least be 'Kuzuki Daichi'.]
[What kind of off-the-beaten-path couple is that? They even have names already chosen!]
[This couple didn't seem to have any spark during the day, did they?]
It seems like we just bumped into each other by chance while going downstairs for a drink; let's call it a day.
Xiang Wan: "You've arrived."
Ling Zhao looked at her with a puzzled expression: "What do you want from me?"
Unbeknownst to them, at that very moment, the normally quiet live stream chat exploded with a barrage of question marks because of their conversation.
Like the confused audience, Ling Zhao was also clueless.
The text message he received that sparked his interest simply told him to come downstairs.
If it weren't for the fact that only the female guest sent him the "heart-fluttering" text message, he would have suspected that someone was trying to start a fight.
"Sorry to take up a little of your time."
Xiang Wan: "Actually, I can sense that Mu Jiu still can't let you go..."
Ling Zhao, who was still feeling a little sleepy, felt a chill down his spine and instantly became clear-headed, even straightening his back unconsciously.
You're mistaken.
He quickly interrupted her question: "If there's nothing else, I'll go upstairs now."
To say such terrifying things right after meeting someone, I can't even imagine what would happen if I stayed any longer.
Just as Ling Zhao stepped onto the stairs with one foot and the other dangling in the air, the other person's words continued relentlessly: "You clearly still like her, so why don't you dare to tell her directly?"
Ling Zhao's reaction confirmed Xiang Wan's suspicions.
Whether it was Mu Jiu's avoidance or Ling Zhao's passive retreat, they both seemed to feel that the other was a fragile object that could not be touched casually.
But something seems to stand between them, making them stubbornly confined to their own world, unwilling to look out.
Xiang Wan stubbornly raised her head, her eyes fixed on his retreating figure: "I can tell..."
"So you broke up because you didn't like each other?"
In the shadows, the slightly chilly question rang out, like a detached third party weighing the situation on a scale: "Has no one ever had a relationship where they still liked the other person but had to end it?"
Xiang Wan was startled.
In that brief silence, the other person seemed to see through her thoughts, and without saying anything more, went upstairs and left on their own.
[Wow, what was that conversation just now? It looked so exciting!]
Although they didn't say anything, it seems like they've got all the inside scoop.
So this lone man and woman are here to mediate? Everyone's too kind; I thought we'd see scenes that wouldn't pass censorship.
...
Wait a minute, is Xiang Wan crying?
She was wrong.
Xiang Wan raised her hand and wiped away her tears without expression.
She thought she was doing it for Mu Jiu, but in reality, it was for herself.
Those reasons were not based on empathy for them at all, so it's no wonder they were so mercilessly exposed.
As she went upstairs, a dark figure appeared at the top of the stairs, causing her to instinctively turn her head to make way for it.
The next second, a familiar voice rang out.
Qi Youxiang: "You cried?"
Xiang Wan frowned impatiently and brushed past him without looking back.
Qi Youxiang: ?
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