Chapter 68: The Choice on the Second Night of the Eighth Day After the Escape from the Shura Field
When Xie Ruan returned to the Heartbeat House.
He inexplicably felt that the way people around him were looking at him was strange.
It was supposed to be a date.
According to the traditional pattern, Ji Ye should be the happiest when he is with Yu Yin.
It's even possible that Ji Ye would fall in love with Yu Yin at first sight, just like in the original book, and then look down on him from then on.
Why isn't it like this now?
Xie Ruan walked to the sofa.
Zhou Jingchi held his hand the whole time and sat with him.
It wasn't until Xie Ruan sat down that he realized where this group of people were sitting...
It seems very far?
Xie Ruan glanced at her.
It feels like the atmosphere among this group is even more oppressive than it was this morning.
It's like they just had an argument; just joining them makes you feel uncomfortable.
Xie Ruan looked over.
He suddenly realized that Yu Yin, who should have been surrounded by everyone in the original book, was now separated from others by several people.
Even before Xie Ruan arrived, none of the people in this group sat side by side. Instead, they seemed to have a great conflict, sitting several seats apart from each other, as if they were enemies.
Fortunately, the sofa provided by the production team was big enough.
This gave them enough freedom in choosing their space.
Xie Ruan felt that Director Li was probably also having a headache at this moment, wondering why he had arranged such a large sofa, making the atmosphere oppressive.
I'm starting to believe this dating reality show isn't scripted; the atmosphere on set turned strange the very next day.
[Other dating reality shows feature different characters pursuing different people every day, but in the Heartbeat House, everyone seems to like the same person. It's so funny, I had to watch it as soon as I got off work.]
The screen was flooded with comments.
Xie Ruan had no idea what this group of people had gone through.
Because the date budget was 500 yuan.
Zhou Jingchi took him out for barbecue.
So Xie Ruan did not come back to finish cooking.
But Xie Ruan and Zhou Jingchi are like that.
When Xie Ruan scanned the others, he realized that they didn't seem to be like him, returning from a pleasant date.
Instead, it seemed like everyone came back early to cook and eat, but the atmosphere became increasingly awkward as they ate.
Xie Ruan was still thinking.
Yu Yin was the first to speak to Xie Ruan.
Yu Yin crossed her legs, her fingers lightly tapping her knees, and slowly spoke, "What did A-Ruan eat? We all ate at the cabin today. Without you, it was so...boring~"
Yu Yin drawled out the last syllable, tilting her head to look at Xie Ruan: "Ruan and Mr. Zhou went out to eat."
Yu Yin gently wiped Xie Ruan's lips with her fingers.
There was clearly nothing there.
The sudden touch sent a shiver down Xie Ruan's spine.
[Why does Yu Yin smell so jealous?]
[Yu Yin definitely filled in '1' for herself.]
Yu Yin was too close; her long, slender fingers were icy cold. When she touched the cookies on the table, she casually parted them and then fed them to Xie Ruan's thin lips.
Yu Yin seemed to ignore everyone.
She suddenly moved closer, ignoring Zhou Jingchi's reddened eyes.
He moved closer.
Xie Ruan had no choice but to bite down.
This feeling is very strange.
Xie Ruan was not forced to eat it.
It was more like a sudden impulse that made me bite down.
The sweet aroma of the cookies filled my mouth.
Before Xie Ruan could react, Zhou Jingchi grabbed her hand.
?
Xie Ruan was still bewildered.
Turning my head, I saw Yuan Yuan's innocent face.
Yuan Yuan had a naturally innocent and harmless face.
He looked at Xie Ruan, and before Xie Ruan could speak, he added, "Ruan, I want to talk to you."
Xie Ruan did indeed want to talk to Yuan Yuan.
Just as Xie Ruan was about to stand up, another person's hand was visibly present on the wrist that Zhou Jingchi had grabbed.
Xie Ruan subconsciously looked up and met Ji Ye's cold gaze.
What is Ji Ye doing?
Ji Ye's stern face revealed his unreadable emotions: "I also have something to tell you, A-Ruan, come with me."
Xie Ruan's brain went blank.
Ji Ye must have already fallen in love with Yu Yin at first sight, right? Why is he still looking for him?
Xie Ruan blinked her beautiful eyes, but Ji Ye pursed his thin lips and leaned closer: "It's very important, you're coming with me now."
Ji Ye probably meant that what happened during the day didn't count, and that he had fallen for Yu Yin.
Time was precious, and with so many people suddenly appearing, Xie Ruan preferred to talk to Yuan Yuan.
Xie Ruan got up and was about to leave with Yuan Yuan when her hand was once again grasped by a pair of gentle hands.
Xie Ruan turned her head and saw Wen Hezhou's expression, which was impossible to guess: "Why don't you give me some time, Ruan? I also want to say something and try to make an offer."
What are we striving for?
Xie Ruan was stunned.
Among this group of people, Teacher Wen and Ji Ye are both workaholics.
But Ji Ye didn't have that much on his mind.
Wen Hezhou is not necessarily the case.
So Wen Hezhou also wanted to get him to generate buzz?
Let him be the deceiver, choose Wen Hezhou, and make Wen Hezhou's popularity soar.
Wen Hezhou doesn't need any more buzz.
Moreover, Wen Hezhou knew his identity.
Xie Ruan dared not gamble.
He didn't think he could outmaneuver Wen Hezhou.
Even as they spent time together, Xie Ruan gradually came to realize that Wen Hezhou was a good person.
Xie Ruan stood up. "I'll go with Yuan Yuan."
Xie Ruan was unaware that after hearing the sound, Wen Hezhou had quietly loosened his grip, Ji Ye was struggling to catch his breath, and Zhou Jingchi, who had just been smiling, was now losing his smile.
I just watched Xie Ruan and Yuan Yuan leave.
Yuan Yuan's lips curled slightly, as if she were very happy.
Even the viewers in the live chat couldn't figure out who this couple was.
Does Xie Ruan really like Yuan Yuan?
I sent him all the text messages that made me feel attracted to him.
[How unexpected! The two of them went in the same direction.]
[Yuan Yuan has only been in the industry for a short time, and she's already announcing her relationship? It's not that I'm against it...]
Yuan Yuan is younger, also 19 years old, and has taken on many romantic idol dramas.
However, many of her fans are mothers.
However, even if there are many mom fans, they only make up a portion of the total.
Yuan Yuan also has many female fans.
Xie Ruan let Yuan Yuan hold his hand and walk uphill.
Ji Ye seemed to want to follow, but after taking a few steps, Wen Hezhou grabbed his way.
Ji Ye was unable to come up.
The others are in the living room.
When Xie Ruan and Yuan Yuan arrived at the rooftop, no one disturbed them.
Xie Ruan spent the whole day playing with Zhou Jingchi. When they returned to the Heartbeat House, it was already getting dark.
Xie Ruan didn't know why, but she felt very comfortable when she was with Yuan Yuan.
Perhaps it's because Yuan Yuan doesn't have that much offensive power.
The two naturally lay down on the recliners, and Yuan Yuan took off his coat and covered Xie Ruan with it. Yuan Yuan didn't say anything after that, as if he only realized what he wanted to say after walking to the rooftop, and he pursed his thin lips slightly.
Yuan Yuan: "That..."
[Won't Yuan Yuan confess his feelings directly?]
[Help! The light is dim, but Yuan Yuan's ears are red.]
Yuan Yuan's voice trembled slightly.
Before she could even organize her thoughts, a blush crept onto her ears as if she were thinking about something else.
Yuan Yuan's voice softened slightly: "Aruan."
Yuan Yuan's voice was gentle and pleasant. It blew over with the salty-sweet breeze, making Xie Ruan relax a little and turn her gaze from the sky to Yuan Yuan.
Xie Ruan looked over here.
Yuan Yuan's ears turned red without her noticing.
Yuan Yuan pursed her thin lips, and as if escaping, once again turned her gaze to the sky.
Xie Ruan blinked, seemingly not quite understanding, but still followed Yuan Yuan and shifted her gaze to the sky.
The modern sky is so beautiful.
Xie Ruan hadn't been here long. When she was working as a nanny, he mostly looked around the interior and didn't have time to appreciate the exterior.
Naturally, he had never seen the sky.
Not to mention the sky over the sea.
Looking at the unobstructed starry sky, Xie Ruan felt a sense of awe.
Because in the apocalypse, the continuous rainy days and longer days prevented Xie Ruan from seeing the stars after she was born.
So this is what the novel refers to as the starry sky.
The stars twinkled.
It's not a story.
Xie Ruan's fingers twitched slightly. He was so engrossed in the starry sky that he remained lost in thought for a long time.
Xie Ruan was still feeling the sensation when Yuan Yuan suddenly came over.
In Xie Ruan's view, Yuan Yuan's cheeks were slightly flushed.
Xie Ruan had no idea what Yuan Yuan was about to say.
Then Yuan Yuan spoke up: "The night is beautiful tonight."
What do you think?
【？】
Does the child know what they are saying?
[He confessed already?! That's so fast, so direct!! Isn't this only the second day of this dating reality show?! I always thought our Yuan Bao was the slow-burn type.]
[He's really slow to warm up. When he first joined the crew, he was very nervous talking to people, but now he's actually being direct with Xie Ruan. He's truly in love.]
Xie Ruan blinked.
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Yuan Yuan.
Yuan Yuan's cheeks seemed to turn even redder.
Xie Ruan didn't realize what Yuan Yuan was talking about; she just instinctively reached out her hand.
He didn't even notice that Yuan Yuan's breathing had become completely labored.
He was somewhat bewildered as Xie Ruan looked at him and leaned closer, as if checking his body temperature.
Xie Ruan: "Why is your face so red? You don't seem to have a fever."
When Xie Ruan saw Yuan Yuan, she instinctively wanted to take care of her. But she didn't see Yuan Yuan's face, which was getting increasingly red and hot.
Xie Ruan is too close to Yuan Garden.
Xie Ruan didn't notice Yuan Yuan's increasingly disordered breathing, or the slight, disordered stutter when she suddenly spoke: "No, no... it's just that I thought of some... strange things."
Why is the child so honest?
【Help. 】
In the shot, Yuan Yuan's gaze silently fell on Xie Ruan.
Yuan Yuan seemed to want to see Xie Ruan's expression.
But even though he made it so obvious, Xie Ruan didn't react at all, only nodding as if to nod, which left him somewhat dazed.
After a long pause, Yuan Yuan, feeling uncertain, twisted his fingers: Could it be? Xie Ruan didn't understand what he meant?
Yuan Yuan had already hinted at it so clearly.
Yuan Yuan looked at Xie Ruan, but Xie Ruan seemed naive, blinking her eyes innocently as she looked at him: "Did someone make you angry? Why are you so red?"
[...]
【？】
Yuan Yuan's face turned even redder.
Xie Ruan's eyes widened: "Did I bully you?"
Yuan Yuan shook his head frantically.
Xie Ruan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "That's good. After all, being hit hurts a lot."
【？】
When Xie Ruan spoke, she didn't look at Yuan Yuan; instead, she looked down at the ground.
Xie Ruan didn't explain, but eyes don't lie. Yuan Yuan subconsciously read a hint of a story in Xie Ruan's eyes.
However, Xie Ruan seemed unwilling to reveal those implications.
Yuan Yuan and Xie Ruan were not that close yet.
Yuan Yuan didn't want to hurt Xie Ruan in public, so she awkwardly reached out her hand, as if she had mustered up a lot of courage, and stroked Yuan Yuan's hair.
Xie Ruan looked up: "..."
Bright eyes met Yuan Yuan's suddenly gentle gaze.
For some reason, a strange feeling began to sprout.
Xie Ruan smiled and said, "Thank you. I also like the night view tonight."
Xie Ruan's voice was very sweet and pure, and when it reached one's ears, it made one unconsciously hold their breath a little tighter.
Yuan Yuan clearly understood that Xie Ruan's meaning was completely different from his confession, but Xie Ruan's voice was as soft as down, brushing against his ear.
It stirred his heartstrings.
Yuan Yuan's face turned even redder.
Yuan Yuan suddenly felt that she might not be so hopeless after all.
He leaned closer to Xie Ruan, guessing that he would most likely choose his own date tomorrow.
Yuan Yuan wanted to go out with Xie Ruan, but after twisting her fingers together for a long time, she finally spoke: "Ruan, could you give me a chance to go out together tomorrow?"
Xie Ruan looked at Yuan Yuan.
Xie Ruan wanted to say something more.
But Yuan Yuan suddenly covered his mouth with her tongue.
He seemed to be doing this for the sake of the show, to keep the audience in suspense.
Or perhaps they lacked the courage to accept Xie Ruan's 50% chance of rejection.
Yuan Yuan ran off.
Only Yuan Yuan's coat remained, draped over Xie Ruan's shoulders.
Looking up again, all that remained on the rooftop were endless stars, the night sky, and Xie Ruan.
Xie Ruan remained seated, gazing at the stars.
Xie Ruan then heard a click as the rooftop door opened.
Xie Ruan thought it was Yuan Yuan who had returned, but when she looked up, she saw Ji Ye instead.
Xie Ruan was a little afraid of Ji Ye.
Xie Ruan shrank back into the chair.
Ji Ye sat down next to him, looking sullen.
She should have been forcibly pulled away, but instead, as if by sudden change, she quietly sat down next to Xie Ruan.
After a long while, Xie Ruan finally heard Ji Ye's voice: "I don't know what that little guy said to you."
Little guy.
It's probably referring to Yuanyuan.
Ji Ye's inability to remember other people's names still doesn't break his character.
Ji Ye: "But, can you choose me tomorrow?"
Xie Ruan was a little afraid of being alone with Ji Ye.
Hearing Ji Ye's voice, Xie Ruan pursed her lips, unable to find the right words for a moment.
Before pressing Xie Ruan, Ji Ye stood up and said, "You don't need to give me an answer. But I have something to say to you tomorrow. See you in the living room later."
?
Xie Ruan didn't expect Ji Ye to leave so soon.
Ji Ye is so pathetic.
Ji Ye seems a bit off.
Xie Ruan seemed to hear that Ji Ye's voice sounded a little muffled.
But this change was too subtle.
Xie Ruan couldn't understand it.
As Xie Ruan stepped out the door, before she could even look up, a hand suddenly slammed against the wall.
Xie Ruan looked up, but unexpectedly saw Yu Yin's face.
Yu Yin is not tall.
But he was a bit taller than Xie Ruan, 176cm tall, and still pinned Xie Ruan to the wall. "Ruan, don't listen to them. Play with me tomorrow. I know where there's food to eat."
?
Xie Ruan never expected that Yu Yin would want to play with him.
Xie Ruan was still thinking.
Yu Yin hooked her hand around Xie Ruan's nose and gently stroked it: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. On the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we'll have four more days together. I hope you can give me a chance. If not, that's okay too. I don't want to put pressure on you."
It's simply impossible for everyone to have a chance within four days.
Moreover, only seven people have arrived so far. According to the production team's arrangements, there should be three more people who haven't arrived yet.
Yu Yin did not intend to press Xie Ruan too hard.
Yu Yin was too close, and Xie Ruan was trembling all over.
Yu Yin smiled.
He seemed to sense Xie Ruan's social anxiety and spoke with perfect control: "Let's go downstairs."
Xie Ruan looked at Yu Yin.
From this angle, Xie Ruan couldn't see Yu Yin's gaze, but still subconsciously spoke slowly as they approached the stairs: "Um..."
Yu Yin leaned against the stairs, turning to look lazily at Xie Ruan.
Xie Ruan: "Don't you have anyone you particularly want to spend these few days with?"
[Here it comes, Xie Ruan is testing the waters.]
It's obvious that Yu Yin likes Xie Ruan.
Yu Yin suddenly leaned closer.
Yu Yin smelled sweetly of pears, making it impossible to suspect he had any ill intentions: "Yes, I do. But it's a secret."
Yu Yin's eyebrows curved slightly: "I want to tell him myself."
Yu Yin has already left.
Xie Ruan followed.
Is it on the river?
Xie Ruan was thinking about this.
All the other guests have arrived, and the production team has announced the rooms for tonight.
Xie Ruan was so focused that she didn't notice that everyone's gaze had silently fallen on her.
Only Xie Ruan's gaze was fixed solely on her desire to obtain a single room.
Single room.
Single room.
Xie Ruan kept thinking about this.
Completely unaware, when the others focused their attention on Xie Ruan, only one thing came to mind—
I want to sleep with Xie Ruan.
Neither of them made a move, but silently fixed their gazes on Xie Ruan.
Xie Ruan opened the note.
The camera zoomed in, and the comments section was filled with the text that Xie Ruan's finger had zoomed out.
[Jiang Zhi's...]
Jiang Zhi?
Xie Ruan's heart skipped a beat.
Didn't we agree that the draw would be for... a room, not a person?!
Today is different.
Xie Ruan's heart skipped a beat.
He absolutely did not want to see Jiang Zhi.
He didn't even know how to face Jiang Zhi.
Xie Ruan's gaze fell silently on Jiang Zhi.
Jiang Zhi's expression remained icy.
Xie Ruan silently held her breath, as if she had mustered a lot of courage, before opening the next text.
[Jiang Zhi's Next Door (Right to Exchange Beds)]
? ? ?
What is the right to change beds?
Xie Ruan subconsciously turned her head and counted, only to find that there were not 7 slips of paper today, but one more than the number of people, number 8.
Xie Ruan's brain went blank; she still wanted to ask the production team if they had shown the wrong thing.
Director Li then spoke through a megaphone: "Um, Teacher Xie, this note is correct. There are eight notes today."
What does it mean to have 7 people and 8 photos?
[This feels even more exciting.]
Director Li: "Today, the seven slips of paper are the same as usual. Only the eighth slip has an extra variable. You can watch other people draw, and then you can choose to switch to the room next to the one Teacher Jiang drew today and exchange seats with someone."
Xie Ruan: "?"
!!
Why do you have to do this?
Xie Ruan's cheeks turned red.
This is... this is going to offend people!
Xie Ruan was a little embarrassed and weakly raised her hand: "Can, can we exchange the note?"
Director Li: "No, that won't do."
Xie Ruan lay on the sofa, like a soulless puppet.
The others, on the other hand, were more enthusiastic than Xie Ruan and quickly drew their results.
The result tonight.
Jiangzhi Single Room.
Yuanyuan Jinye Double Room.
Yu Yin, Wen Hezhou, and Zhou Jingchi shared a three-person room.
Xie Ruan suddenly realized something was wrong.
1+2+3=6?
Where does the extra person sleep?
Xie Ruan looked at the single room Jiang Zhi had drawn. Right next to it was a single room from yesterday, and a triple room shared by Yu Yin, Wen Hezhou, and Zhou Jingchi.
Xie Ruan: "I choose..." a single room...
Xie Ruan was still excited.
Director Li interrupted ruthlessly: "Single rooms are being deleted starting today, so Teacher Xie cannot choose that room."
Xie Ruan: ?
Director Li: "So, Teacher Xie, we're going to switch partners tonight and sleep in a sleeping bag outside."
? ? ?
Xie Ruan: When did he offend Director Li?
Xie Ruan sat there like a little wooden statue for a long time before saying, "I'm going to sleep in my sleeping bag."
Xie Ruan had already gotten up, but Zhou Jingchi pressed her back down on the sofa: "I'm going to sleep."
Xie Ruan was still struggling.
Yu Yin: "Sleeping bags sound nice, A-Ruan. Whether I sleep in a sleeping bag or sleep with you, I'll be happy."
Wen Hezhou: "I can also sleep in a sleeping bag."
【？】
【？？】
The live chat was filled with comments about the three of them fighting over a sleeping bag.
If you don't know what a sleeping bag is, then you're sleeping outdoors.
They thought there was gold in the sleeping bags outside, which is why they were robbing them.
Director Li: "Teacher Xie is not allowed to sleep in a sleeping bag; this is mandatory."
[Yu Yin doesn't seem too keen on sleeping in a sleeping bag, hahaha.]
Director Li: "We cannot use random factors such as drawing lots, rock-paper-scissors, etc. Teacher Xie must personally select the exchange partner."
QAQ?
Xie Ruan stood there, stunned.
This is absolutely absurd.
These are all the main characters; how could a minor supporting character like him possibly make a choice?
Xie Ruan was still in a terrible predicament.
Unexpectedly, Director Li added fuel to the fire: "Those who are swapped out tonight are not allowed to go out on dates tomorrow."
[Holy crap, isn't this making Xie Ruan offend a deadly person? I'm going crazy just imagining myself in Xie Ruan's shoes.]
My heart aches for Xie Ruan.
Yu Yin looks frail; it's definitely not safe for him to go out.
[Both Zhou Jingchi and Wen Hezhou are people he can't afford to offend. Even if both of them offered to sleep in his sleeping bag, the person being sent away wouldn't be happy, right?]
[You're not that stingy, are you?]
But we can't go on dates!! Director Li is going too far.
I can't choose that. I want to know what Xie Ruan will choose.
Time passed second by second.
Wen Hezhou propped his chin on his hand and looked at Xie Ruan, acting unusually warm and caring like an older brother: "Send me out, and then we can go on a date the next day. You can choose me, don't make things difficult for yourself."
Zhou Jingchi: "Aruan, you can choose the older brother. He doesn't mind sleeping in a sleeping bag. He's even used to it."
Yu Yin: "If A Ruan chooses a day to go on a date with me 100% of the time, it's okay even if I can't go on a date with A Ruan tomorrow or sleep with A Ruan tonight~ You can choose me."
Xie Ruan's straightforward statement led the three of them to surround her.
Xie Ruan's breathing became slightly labored.
The three of them stood in front of him at the same time.
Director Li, however, seemed oblivious to human emotions and began the countdown: "Please make your choice within 30 seconds, Professor Xie, 30 seconds, 29 seconds..."
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