Chapter 65: The fifth day after the escape, a scene of carnage, they eloped.
Yu Yin was too close.
Xie Ruan could barely breathe. She felt as if Yu Yin had predicted her movements, and her heart rate was getting faster and faster. She could only smell the faint scent of pears on the other person.
When Yu Yin leaned closer to Xie Ruan, his slight body movement seemed deliberate, yet it revealed no emotion whatsoever.
[Wow, is she really being that direct? With Yu Yin being so direct, Xie Ruan must be having a hard time answering, right?]
Xie Ruan doesn't seem to be very good at verbal communication.
[Help! Xie Ruan is sweating bullets! Yu Yin really scared my baby!]
?
Someone you're attracted to?
Do we need to inquire about this on the very first day?
Xie Ruan felt that Yu Yin was too close. The faint fragrance emanating from Yu Yin enveloped Xie Ruan, causing her mind to go blank for a moment, and she forgot to look at anyone else.
But for some reason, President Xie Ruan felt that everyone was looking this way.
That's normal, isn't it?
Xie Ruan looked at Yu Yin with a blank expression.
After all, Yu Yin is the protagonist who is the bottom.
Xie Ruan had not read many modern novels.
In the post-apocalyptic world where Xie Ruan once lived, books were discarded resources.
However, books that are not soaked, moldy, or torn are hard to find on the street.
Therefore, Xie Ruan did not read many modern novels.
But Xie Ruan knew the term "protagonist halo".
Yu Yin is a heartthrob; the main characters have been revolving around him since the novel, let alone on the dating reality show.
Wherever Yu Yin goes, it's a battlefield, isn't it?
Xie Ruan didn't think anyone here cared who Xie Ruan's crush was.
Therefore, the only reason that could draw everyone's attention at this moment is Yu Yin's motive.
They wanted to know if Yu Yin liked Xie Ruan.
Xie Ruan thought.
How could Yu Yin possibly like herself?
The protagonist (uke) has always been paired with the protagonist (seme)!
He was just a plot device.
Xie Ruan's slender fingers curled slightly.
Xie Ruan's breathing quickened slightly. She blinked her beautiful eyes at the other person, and after a long while, shook her head: "..."
Xie Ruan seemed to want to say more.
Unexpectedly, Director Li's voice suddenly came through the loudspeaker: "On the first day, it's not allowed to reveal your crush. Yu Yin, one yellow card."
Yu Yin chuckled and winked at the camera.
[Help! Yu Yin winked at me! I can't take it!]
Director Li: "Even acting cute is not allowed."
Director Li: "You absolutely cannot ask for personal information. You can only reveal your identities tomorrow."
Yu Yin seemed disappointed and chuckled, "Alright, I'll ask again tomorrow."
Director Li complained, "I can't even ask my crush about it tomorrow!!"
Yu Yin shrugged, turned her head, and looked into Xie Ruan's bright eyes: "Then I'll find out eventually."
[It seems like Yu Yin really likes Xie Ruan.]
[There was a glow when he looked at Xie Ruan, wasn't there?]
Yu Yin got too close.
Xie Ruan felt a chill run down her spine, the feeling of being a lamb among wolves was so strong that Xie Ruan couldn't help but tremble and drop her chopsticks.
It took Xie Ruan a long time to pick it up.
But Xie Ruan's hands were still trembling.
[Hahahaha, you scared my baby! Help me! Yu Yin is so frightening!]
[Yu Yin must be a non-celebrity, she has such a great sense of humor on TV.]
[Wouldn't it be difficult for the others to bring any sense of humor to the show? Everyone except Jiang Zhi is already in the entertainment industry; their overt displays of affection on the show would be inappropriate.]
Although Brother Wen doesn't seem to care, he's a very cautious person when it comes to being kind to others, so he probably won't make any moves today. But I'm also very curious about who he might like!
The message was just posted by Wen Hezhou's fans in the live chat.
Wen Hezhou started using his chopsticks, which hadn't been touched for a long time.
[Does Brother Wen actually like braised pork ribs?]
I thought he would choose meatball soup?
Wait, something's not right. The direction these chopsticks are pointing doesn't seem to be towards me, does it?
The chat fell silent.
Verification watched as Wen Hezhou's chopsticks bypassed him and placed a piece in Xie Ruan's bowl.
【？】
【？？】
What happened to Wen Hezhou?
Wen Hezhou's fans immediately had this idea in their minds.
You need to know.
Wen Hezhou is a very distant person.
Several years ago, before the incident involving Wen Hezhou's obsessive fans, Wen Hezhou was relatively mild-mannered towards his fans.
After that incident, Wen Hezhou had fewer and fewer opportunities to interact with fans, and he became very distant. But true fans never cared about that.
Because they all knew what Wen Hezhou had been through, they stopped forcing him to interact. Instead, they silently wished him all the best.
But years after they had already tacitly accepted this, they saw Wen Hezhou personally serving food to others.
Or rather, it's much more than that.
Once a person begins to examine something, past events become tiny anchor points, prompting them to constantly trace back.
It wasn't until they began to realize that Wen Hezhou's intention in helping Xie Ruan cook seemed to come from the heart that they stood there in a daze, their hearts trembling.
[Brother Wen? He likes Xie Ruan??]
【Holy crap.】
[Xie Ruan looks quite young, about the same age as Yu Yin?]
[What nonsense are you talking about? Our teacher Wen is only 24!]
What I mean is, Xie Ruan doesn't look even 20?
[With a baby face, I'd say she's at most 20.]
However, Teacher Wen debuted at a very young age, and I feel her mental age is already 30... so the two of them don't seem to have much in common.
[If you want to say that Teacher Wen puts goji berries in her thermos, just say so!!]
We're just telling the truth: people who wear long johns and those who don't can't be together.
[Brother Wen, don't look! It's a bad review!!!]
My brother doesn't wear long johns either!!!
Yu Yin rested her chin on her hand: "So, who do you want to go on a date with tomorrow?"
Director Li: "Yellow card, yellow card, Yu Yin, we can't ask about that."
[This is hilarious! Yu Yin is totally skirting the line.]
[Hahahaha, I can't ask if I'm interested? Can't I ask about dating?]
[Was Xie Ruan the only one who saw her breathe a sigh of relief when Director Li spoke? Hahaha, the kid's expression was so obvious.]
Xie Ruan breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Director Li wouldn't allow Yu Yin to ask any more questions.
Xie Ruan looked at the ribs on the plate, turned her head, and was a little uncomfortable when she met Wen Hezhou's gentle expression.
Xie Ruan thanked her quietly, still not having finished eating the ribs.
The prawns that Zhou Jingchi and Ji Ye brought over as side dishes arrived.
[Holy crap, isn't this a blatant hint? Are these three all going to vote for Xie Ruan tonight?]
Xie Ruan's plate was piled too high.
Xie Ruan was so engrossed in eating that she didn't notice who had served her the food, and could only thank them quietly.
But when the new chopsticks were brought over, Xie Ruan looked up and saw Jiang Zhi's face with its distinct features.
Xie Ruan fell silent.
Looking down again, he saw the meatball soup that Jiang Zhi had ladled for him.
Jiang Zhiming, despite his physical limitations, still helped him.
Xie Ruan's eyes reddened.
Jiang Zhi's gaze seemed to be burned, and she turned her head away.
A hint of ambiguity filled the air.
Xie Ruan was completely unaware of the increasingly oppressive atmosphere around her.
He simply cleared the table and left the kitchen.
Xie Ruan did not intend to communicate much with everyone.
Just one day together had completely drained his energy.
He desperately wanted to escape from here.
Or find a quiet place and think about what Jiang Zhi is really thinking.
Unexpectedly, at the corner of the corridor, I was suddenly pinned against the wall.
Xie Ruan wanted to turn her head away.
"Click." The light went out.
[What happened? It's all black, I can't see anything, waaaaah, the camera lost power.]
Xie Ruan was in a place where the camera could not capture her image.
With the power outage, he and the man's current situation was even more impossible to convey to anyone.
The man turned off Xie Ruan's microphone.
Xie Ruan trembled inexplicably.
The man's cold voice brushed past his ear: "It's me."
The faint minty scent was familiar to Xie Ruan.
As far as Xie Ruan knew, only Jiang Zhi had this smell.
But now...
Jiang Zhi was clearly a head taller than him, pressing down on him until they reached the corner of the wall.
QAQ!
Why did Jiang Zhi stand up again?
Was Jiang Zhi's limp faked?
Xie Ruan's mind went blank and she was unable to think.
Xie Ruan's breathing quickened slightly, but the man covered his mouth, letting his emotionless words brush past his ear: "Why are you interacting with others?"
Xie Ruan: ?
He doesn't have any.
Xie Ruan's eyes were wet.
The suspicious-looking man frightened him.
Xie Ruan was thinking about the main character's relationship with the male lead, so she didn't dare to say anything more.
The man pressed even closer.
Xie Ruan didn't know why, but the minty scent on the man always seemed to mess with his nerves, making his heart beat wildly and uncontrollably.
But Xie Ruan knew that this heartbeat wasn't from nervousness.
An irregular heartbeat caused by another, strange factor.
Xie Ruan thought that Jiang Zhi must have such an attractive and handsome face that he acted this way.
Xie Ruan was too naive; she couldn't imagine anything else. She could only purse her lips and let the man grab her wrist and pin her to the wall.
Xie Ruan was so aggrieved that she didn't even realize her voice sounded like she was pouting, slightly raised: "No, no. Interacting with other people..."
It was just a normal conversation.
Xie Ruan thought the man wanted his money back: "On the contrary, it's you. I've been doing my duty to bring you and the person you like together."
The man frowned.
Xie Ruan, however, did not see it.
Xie Ruan didn't even realize that she felt inexplicably strange as she spoke the next words.
Despite being socially awkward, Xie Ruan spoke much more than usual: "Your liking for him is so obvious, there's no need to drag me into this."
Xie Ruan looked aggrieved, her eyes reddening.
The man clearly wanted to say something.
But Xie Ruan covered her mouth with his remaining hand.
If it weren't for Jiang Zhi, he wouldn't need to be on this dating reality show at all.
Now that Jiang Zhi has found someone else, this petty and vindictive man definitely won't give him any money.
He was tricked into coming here, and he can't afford the penalty for breach of contract.
They even took on the role of the deceiver.
He was even resented by other guests because others thought Yu Yin liked him.
What is he going to do next?!
Xie Ruan felt even more aggrieved, "I will try to bring you and Yu Yin together, I won't interfere in your relationship."
Xie Ruan abruptly pushed away the stunned man.
The man was still saying, "I don't like Yu Yin."
Xie Ruan seemed too anxious; her eardrums felt as if they were covered by a layer of mist, and she couldn't hear the man's voice clearly: "You don't need to come and warn me."
Xie Ruan ran away completely.
"Thud." The man was pushed into a wheelchair.
"Click." The switch that the man had pulled down was also raised up in an instant.
The production team provided an explanation in the live chat.
[Heartbeat House Production Team V: Sorry, there was a power outage just now, but it's back to normal now.]
[Such a big production had its power outage! Thankfully it's back up now, otherwise I would have missed some important plot points.]
Why is Jiang Zhi alone in the corridor?
[I think I saw Xie Ruan running, hahaha, is she afraid of the dark? So relatable.]
It seems no one in the live chat noticed that Xie Ruan had just been stopped by "Jiang Zhi".
Only Pei Zhi, whom Xie Ruan believed to be Jiang Zhi, remained. After a long while, he seemed to detach himself, rolled his wheelchair, and returned to his room.
*
Xie Ruan ran back in a panic.
His mind was in a complete mess.
For some reason, he seemed to vaguely hear Jiang Zhi say something about Yu Yin.
Does he mean he likes it or he doesn't?
Xie Ruan had no recollection whatsoever.
He was too anxious just now, and subconsciously pulled himself out of his mind, so he couldn't find Jiang Zhi's answer in his memory at all.
However, Jiang Zhi would not say that he dislikes Yu Yin.
Because that's not how it's written in the novel!!
This book differs greatly from the original work.
However, Xie Ruan did not interfere in the development of Jiang Zhi and Yu Yin's relationship.
So, they should still be together.
Thinking of this, Xie Ruan subconsciously placed her finger on her pounding heart.
I don't know why...
My chest feels tight.
Thinking about this topic gave Xie Ruan a strange feeling.
The image of Jiang Zhi and Yu Yin together...
It was a bit too bright.
Xie Ruan thought it was probably because Jiang Zhi had caused him to lose a large sum of money.
Xie Ruan was too cowardly to ask Jiang Zhi for the money.
However, Xie Ruan did not find true love in this variety show.
Since you've become a deceiver.
You can take the cheater's bonus, that's fine too.
only……
Xie Ruan didn't know who to deceive.
Xie Ruan was simply not good at these things.
Xie Ruan twisted her fingers awkwardly.
If someone likes him, he'll just need to know that.
That way he could make a choice, then escape from Izumo City and never appear in front of the other person again.
after all.
A seven-day romance is unlikely to last.
Xie Ruan chose the option that evoked her feelings over seven days.
I'd rather choose...
Money that makes your heart flutter.
Xie Ruan closed the door in the room.
No one has returned from the three-person room yet.
Xie Ruan could also send a message to Jiang Zhi to ask for his opinion.
But the production team took away his phone, so he had no way to find a private time to talk to Jiang Zhi and clear things up.
Therefore, Xie Ruan had no choice but to change her target.
Xie Ruan was really exhausted.
As a low-energy person, Xie Ruan's social circle was completely depleted during this show.
Xie Ruan took a shower in the bathroom. After she finished, she stared at the three beds that were put together and fell into silence.
Xie Ruan wanted to kick the bed to separate them.
But this bed is actually made of solid wood!!
[This is hilarious! How did three beds end up together?]
Were Ji Ye and Wen Hezhou coerced by the production team to create dramatic effect for the show?
I'm completely done for, hahaha!
[Xie Ruan can't kick it, accept your fate, baby!!]
This bed is too big and too heavy.
Xie Ruan kicked and kicked for a long time, but only managed to create a small gap.
Xie Ruan thought of Ji Ye's cold face.
Considering the possible questions that might arise when they return, they subconsciously dismissed the idea and, extremely obediently, kicked the gap they had just kicked open back in.
never mind.
After going to bed early, I lose all consciousness.
*
"Buzz." Xie Ruan heard her phone vibrate.
It should be noted that Xie Ruan's phone has already been confiscated.
Xie Ruan followed the corner and found the phone. Looking at the notification card on it, she learned that the phone was issued internally.
Each of them has one.
Xie Ruan took one.
Xie Ruan checked the functions above.
Only when it came to the "heart-fluttering vote" option did Xie Ruan vaguely remember that this dating reality show seemed to have a "heart-fluttering vote" option every night.
Because it is completely anonymous.
Neither the voters nor the recipients know each other's identities; they can only deduce the other's identity after receiving the message and make decisions about their subsequent actions.
If Xie Ruan wants to win the prize money, the person who sent the message is the best candidate.
but……
Xie Ruan felt that no one would vote for him tonight.
Therefore, the tickets Xie Ruan issues tonight are crucial.
This person should ideally be his target.
If Yuan Yuan likes Zhou Jingchi.
Others like Yu Yin.
Yu Yin will also like Jiang Zhi.
That……
His best option is...
Yuan Yuan, who likes Zhou Jingchi, will not have a future with him.
...
Yuan Yuan is a newly famous idol, and this sudden official announcement will not benefit his future career as an idol.
Therefore, Yuan Yuan being dumped actually makes him more sympathetic and brings him back into the spotlight.
Xie Ruan thought, maybe if I find an opportunity to communicate with Yuan Yuan, it might work?
Xie Ruan lay on the bed in her white pajamas, instinctively leaning forward, and opened Yuan Yuan's profile picture.
I sent a message: Thank you for helping me today. I hope we can get along well from now on.
After sending the message, Xie Ruan lay down on the bed, thinking that no one would message him again.
Xie Ruan seemed too tired. She curled up in the middle like a kitten and soon fell asleep with even breathing.
[Is that all? Xie Ruan's goal is so clear, I think I know it! But the text message won't be released until tomorrow, I'm so anxious. Xie Ruan is still asleep, on the other hand!!]
Aww, so cute! The baby is sleeping so soundly.
【I'm feeling a bit sleepy too, why is that?】
[Whew~ Me too, but I can hold out until Wen Hezhou and Ji Ye come back before I sleep.]
[Hehe, I'm not sleeping. I drank coffee and I'm going to stare at this room all night. So satisfying!]
Sisters, don't push yourselves too hard, you can check the slices tomorrow too!!
[A replay is fine too!!]
Xie Ruan was really exhausted.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt like something was wrapped around his waist.
It was surrounded in front.
It was also surrounded from behind.
But Xie Ruan couldn't see anything in her dream.
Xie Ruan had no idea that this was not a dream, but reality.
Xie Ruan was completely unaware that the internet was already in an uproar.
It was already past midnight.
However, the related terms Xie Ruan still rose to the top of the trending searches.
#Kino Onagaru suspected of vying for the same person#
#Triple Bed#
#Kino Onagafumi shared a bed#
【Seriously, ladies, what kind of trending topic is this?! Ji Ye and Wen Hezhou sharing a bed?! I'm dying of laughter.】
[It's a bit dark, I'm not sure, but did you guys see it? Ji Ye is sleeping with Xie Ruan in his arms, wow, is this what they did on their first day?]
[Isn't it too big? Let's take advantage of it while our little one is asleep. Ji Ye, why don't you take advantage of this? We don't want a man like that.]
[Wen Hezhou was holding her too, wasn't he? Holy crap, I never imagined this day would come. Teacher Wen, if you've been kidnapped, just blink twice.]
[Is this scripted by the production team? Ji Ye isn't that kind of person.]
I don't know if Ji Ye is that kind of person, but Wen Hezhou definitely isn't.
[Oh no, what price did they offer to make these two act out a scene from a certain winter?!]
[Sleeping together while cuddling is so intense! And most people do it secretly the first time they hug, why do these two seem to have that kind of feeling...?]
Yes... it's like we've gotten used to it for a long time.
I'm drenched in sweat. I can't bear to think about it anymore. I'd rather believe it's a script than think about anything else.
【Me too……】
*
Xie Ruan had almost no idea how she fell asleep.
When she got up, she looked at Wen Hezhou, who was propping his face up and looking at her, and fell into a brief silence.
?
[Our Xie Ruan is awake? Ji Ye is still asleep.]
Wen Hezhou propped his chin on his hand, watching Xie Ruan's ambiguous relationship. He just wanted to see them hold hands and make it happen.
I think our Ji-Ruan couple is pretty good too.
But Ji Ye is still asleep.
Xie Ruan rubbed her eyes groggily, trying to shrink back, but almost bumped into Ji Ye.
Xie Ruan dared not move.
He was afraid that the two of them would get together...
Xie Ruan subconsciously went to the bathroom to change her clothes.
Xie Ruan dawdled as she changed her clothes, still wondering how to escape from the two men, when Wen Hezhou dragged her away just as she was leaving the house.
?
Xie Ruan's mind went almost completely blank.
Not only Xie Ruan, but even the minds of the viewers in the live chat were extremely blank.
[Why does this feel like an elopement?]
The comments section was filled with question marks.
The director's expression was also strange.
Director Li scratched his head and said to the staff member next to him, "I remember, we? I don't think we have a script?"
The staff member nodded.
It's true that many dating reality shows are scripted these days.
However, the three people invited to the show—Wen Hezhou, Ji Ye, and Zhou Jingchi—were completely unable to accept the script.
If there were a script, none of these three people would accept the role.
Director Li didn't want that kind of model either.
But no one expected that on the very first day, Xie Ruan would spark a romance with both Ji Ye and Wen Hezhou.
Director Li: "Do Xie Ruan, Ji Ye, and Wen Hezhou know each other?"
The staff member shook his head and took out Ji Ye and Wen Hezhou's files: "When Teacher Ji and Teacher Wen joined the group, they never mentioned who they knew, or..."
Director Li: "What?"
Staff member: "They also said that coming to the dating show is just a formality, and they won't end up holding hands with anyone. The production team can't force them."
Director Li: "..."
Director Li was stunned for a moment, watching Wen Hezhou gently leading the embarrassed and helpless Xie Ruan out, and a line of words once again froze in his mind—
that?
Can't hold hands?
Don't force it?
Why is Teacher Wen suddenly changing her style to "it's so good"?
*
Xie Ruan was led away by Wen Hezhou almost in a daze.
When Xie Ruan was led to the rooftop, she was still confused.
Xie Ruan woke up exceptionally early today.
Wen Hezhou is also one of them.
When the two climbed onto the rooftop, the sun had not yet risen.
When Wen Hezhou had prepared a deck chair and invited Xie Ruan to lie down, Xie Ruan realized that Wen Hezhou intended to watch the sunrise with him.
Such a romantic scene is completely out of place for Wen Hezhou.
The scene where the cannon fodder protagonist and the supporting male protagonist appear together on the rooftop to watch the sunrise is particularly bizarre.
But Wen Hezhou showed no embarrassment whatsoever: "The sunrise at the beach is beautiful."
Yes.
Heartbeat Cottage is a seaside villa with a beautiful view.
Xie Ruan has been in this world for so long, but she has never seen the sunrise.
I haven't... seen the sea either.
Feeling so relaxed all of a sudden, Xie Ruan actually felt at ease.
Xie Ruan was still relaxing, thinking that it would be good to be able to leave Ji Ye for a while.
Just as Xie Ruan took a deep breath, she heard Wen Hezhou suddenly lean in and ask, "Xie Ruan, you've been here all day, do you have anyone you want to go on a date with today?"
[Holy crap, is this my reward for waking up? I got to eat something good! Wen Hezhou went straight for the cake! The Wen-Ruan CP is real!!]
【Holy crap? Teacher Wen really likes Xie Ruan? I can't believe it?!】
[He's definitely reached an age... As a mom fan, I'm very relieved. Xie Ruan, just go for it! We, the fans of Wenquan, support you two being together!!]
Hot spring is the name of Onaga Shū's fans.
The comments section was still flooded with messages.
Xie Ruan's brain was still malfunctioning.
Wen Hezhou then played with Xie Ruan's slightly curly hair, which she had just slept in, and then spoke in an extremely gentle voice.
Wen Hezhou: "If nothing unexpected happens, I need to be matched with someone for a date today. If you don't mind, could you choose me?"
Wen Hezhou's voice was not a question.
Every word Xie Ruan heard turned into a question mark.
...
Xie Ruan's brain went blank.
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