“Oh, no way? How could someone not choose our Changchang? Our Changchang is obviously so outstanding.”

Lian Xi, noticing that Rao Linchang’s box was empty, immediately feigned concern and started mocking, “But don’t be discouraged, Changchang. You still have a chance after Ming Nan makes his choice.”

Ming Nan, a very introverted and shy person, wasn’t an idiot and naturally picked up on the sarcasm in his tone.

But because of his clumsiness with words and social anxiety, he didn’t know how to defuse the awkward situation. He could only turn red and continue to untie the bow.

Rao Linchang smiled and comforted Ming Nan, “It’s okay, take your time. This bow is a bit tricky to untie.”

Ming Nan pursed his lips, blushing, and nodded, “Um…”

The next second.

Rao Linchang, with a bright smile, turned to Lian Xi, “Xi Ge, are you saying that I can only choose what Ming Nan leaves behind?”

Lian Xi meant exactly that, but who would have thought that Rao Linchang would state it so bluntly?

His expression stiffened for a moment, then he quickly put on a look of grievance, “That’s not what I meant, Changchang. You misunderstood me.”

Rao Linchang directly responded with a sentence: “If that’s not what you meant, then please shut your mouth, sweetie. You’re disturbing Ming Nan.”

Lian Xi: “………”

Damn it!

Lian Xi nodded meekly, “Sorry, it’s my fault.”

【Grass! Why does Rao Linchang have the right to tell our Lian Xi to shut up!】

【Yo yo yo! Which stinky ditch raised this white lotus? I can smell the stench of your words through the screen, I’ll vomit for you first.】

【Nüwa: Sorry, I ran out of clay to make people, so I used a draft to make him. [Dive deep into the water torpedo and support Changchang to get rid of the bad luck]】

【Just curious, is this brother’s name Sima Dongxi? [Dive deep into the water torpedo and kiss Changchang]】

【Four English letters floating by here, a gift for this fragrant grass.】

【Satisfying, I’ve been annoyed by Lian Xi’s white lotus act for a long time. But unfortunately, he has a lot of fans, and my parents are still alive, so I’ve never dared to criticize him (humble)】

【Understood, rewarding the dear ones who dislike white lotus behavior to become Changchang’s water army for a day~ [Dive deep into the water torpedo, welcome]】

【Whoosh, they quickly arrived (not for kissing, just enjoy being a water army)】

At the same time, there was finally a support group for Rao Linchang on Weibo.

To participate in the support group, one must be a die-hard fan of Rao Linchang.

As a result, some black fans who were forced to wear the fan badge because they were constantly criticizing Rao Linchang quickly joined.

Black fan: ??? What’s going on? How did I become a member of Rao Linchang’s water army???

Rao Linchang’s supporter: ??? What the heck!! Get out! Get out!!!

Amidst the awkward atmosphere of hidden motives and backstabbing, Ming Nan finally managed to untie the incredibly difficult bow.

As he watched the bow fall freely onto the table, Ming Nan first nervously took a deep breath before reaching to open the box.

However, the box didn’t contain the gruesome scene he had anticipated. Like Rao Linchang, it held only emptiness and loneliness.

Unfamiliar with the gimmicks of variety shows, Ming Nan thought no one had chosen him and he let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, he didn’t have to compete with stars for partners.

“I… I also don’t have a match.” Ming Nan, with his faint blush, glanced at Rao Linchang. His eyes seemed to speak, comforting Rao Linchang not to be upset.

Rao Linchang’s affection was always straightforward. Faced with Lian Xi’s pretentious white lotus act, he could retort to the point of making Lian Xi question his life choices. But when faced with someone as gentle as Ming Nan, his protective instincts surged, unable to utter a single cutting remark.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. This must be Director Gao playing games.” Rao Linchang smiled, the morning sunlight casting a favorably bright glow on him, making his smile particularly radiant.

Ming Nan was captivated by his charm, blushing as he lowered his head, “Um.”

【Here we go, things are getting exciting!!】

【There’s a competition for partners!!】

【Ah, Ming Nan and Changchang are both so cute, can I take one home for a hug? (Throws a tantrum)】

【I’ll lay a small landmine, betting that two people will choose Ming Nan and no one will choose Rao Linchang. (Casual viewer engaging in dating show predictions, no water army attacks)】

【You dare to lay just one landmine? I’ll bet ten deep-sea torpedoes that two handsome guys will choose my baby Changchang. [Dive deep into the water torpedo, place a bet]】

【But you can only post one deep-sea per day with one account.】

【Is there no tomorrow? No day after tomorrow? Is the show only recorded for one day?】

【Alright, I got it, big boss. I’m a poor university student, I’m broke, I won’t compete.】

【At this moment, another clean-faced university student quietly starts cracking sunflower seeds, munching on them.jpg】

【What kind of bet is the university student laying? Finished writing a thesis? No one in the university challenging me, the office worker, to a showdown?】

【The office worker says, a hundred bucks can buy me food for four days, a thousand bucks is the bonus I get for working overtime for a month, tears falling while biting a handkerchief.jpg】

【Invincible, lonely, smoking.jpg】

“Now, the two guests with tokens, please follow the instructions in the envelopes provided by the staff to find your other halves,” Director Gao announced through the loudspeaker.

Lian Xi wanted to see Rao Linchang’s reaction, but realized he had been a bit too eager earlier. So now, he tactfully refrained from saying anything more and instead gracefully accepted the pink envelope handed to him by the staff.

“Well, I’m off to find my couple guest~” Lian Xi sweetly smiled and waved the envelope in his hand towards the camera.

After Shi Guang and Lian Xi left, Director Gao proceeded to cue Rao Linchang and Ming Nan: “Among the two of you, one has two votes, and the other has none. Therefore, we have set up three mini-games to help the guests determine the final pairing.”

Ming Nan: “………”

Rao Linchang: “………”

Director Gao: “?”

Sensing Director Gao’s confusion, Rao Linchang finally spoke up, “What games are these?”

Director Gao smiled reassuringly, “Well, the first mini-game is called ‘Love Sprint’.”

He pointed to the backdrop quickly set up behind them, “The rules are simple: both of you stay at the finish line, and the two guests from side A will sprint towards you. The first one to reach you and be embraced by you will add a point to their combination with you.”

Rao Linchang: “……..”

The idea was great, but unnecessary.

【Oh my goodness! Embracing right from the start! Intense!!】

【(Blushing) Exactly, this is the kind of dating show adults should watch! Other dating shows are just about drama and fake sweetness for the cameras, I’m already tired of them.】

【Director Gao is on fire!! Keep up the excitement!】

“Now, please have the two guests move to the finish line,” Director Gao gestured for them to move to the designated spot.

Rao Linchang and Ming Nan obediently walked to the finish line as directed by the staff and stood back-to-back in front of the backdrop.

Once they were in position, Director Gao pulled out a whistle from somewhere.

Placing the whistle near his mouth, he blew it forcefully, and Rao Linchang heard the sound of two cardboard pieces being torn apart.

【Oh my goodness, that violent paper tearing sounds so intense!】

【Ah, it’s Jie Rui! My favorite brother!!】

【Who did Jie Rui choose? Rao Linchang?】

【The person next to Jie Rui is an amateur? So handsome!】

【The amateur is running towards Ming Nan’s back!】

【So who actually got two votes?】

【Silly child, maybe there weren’t actually two votes to begin with, it could just be Director Gao’s smokescreen, he just likes to stir things up.】

Everyone was passionately discussing the two guests from side A, completely unaware that Rao Linchang at the finish line was slowly inching forward.

Ming Nan didn’t know why he was moving, but obediently lifted his feet to take a few steps forward with him, trying to ensure they were standing on the same line.

As the sound of footsteps drew closer, Rao Linchang even started to jog.

Ming Nan was even more confused, but his quick reflexes made him run along with Rao Linchang as the footsteps approached.

Barrage: 【?】

Both guests from side A: ?

Director Gao: ?

Realizing that Rao Linchang had deviated from the planned sequence, Director Gao quickly grabbed the loudspeaker and shouted, “Rao Linchang! Stop running! Come back here right now!!!”

【Hahaha】

【I can’t stop laughing! Rao Linchang is such a mischievous sweetheart! He actually ran off with the guest (laughs and cries)】

【Rao Linchang: As long as I run fast, love can’t catch up with me】

【The funny thing is Ming Nan really ran along with him, even when the director called to stop, he kept running, lol】

“Chang…Changchang,” Ming Nan asked between breaths as they ran, “Why are we running?”

“We can’t let them easily catch us,” Rao Linchang jokingly replied with a serious face.

“But…” Ming Nan blushed with embarrassment, “The director told us to stop.”

“Oh, then let’s stop,” Rao Linchang, with an easy-going demeanor, said and came to a halt.

Ming Nan stopped as well.

Although the two had already crossed the finish line, the two guests from side A quickly caught up from behind.

Hearing the footsteps getting closer, Rao Linchang turned around, keeping a distance, and refused to hug anyone, “Alright, alright, good job everyone. Let’s stop here.”

Initially, Jie Rui behind him had only intended to symbolically pat his shoulder to complete the task.

Seeing him turn around directly, Jie Rui stopped a couple of steps in front of him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Rao Linchang didn’t notice his expression and simply pulled Ming Nan’s wrist as he was about to be tackled by the guest from side A.

Then furrowing his brow, he sounded slightly disdainful, “You’re quite strong, aren’t you?”

The amateur guest, dressed in casual attire, had a face that resembled a donkey, but his overall demeanor and the smirk on his face seemed a bit frivolous, “Sorry, I ran too fast just now and couldn’t stop in time.”

“It’s… it’s okay.”

Ming Nan steadied himself with Rao Linchang’s wrist and then turned to the guest from side A behind him, quietly assuring him that it was fine.

The amateur guest from side A glanced at his face, a clear expression of dislike passing through his eyes. Then, following the line of that snowy white wrist, he looked at Rao Linchang, and his eyes lit up momentarily.

Rao Linchang didn’t miss the interest in his eyes and chuckled, “Do you two know each other’s names?”

“Jie Rui.”

Jie Rui calmed his breathing, his voice steady and deep, carrying a sense of composed strength.

Rao Linchang, showing respect to his senior in the industry, replied, “Hello, Senior Jie Rui, I’m Rao Linchang.”

He then turned to the amateur guest.

“Song Linxuan.”

Song Linxuan straightened up, looking directly at Rao Linchang with an expression that held a hint of expectation, as if expecting a respectful response.

Rao Linchang clearly understood, so he just gave a nonchalant acknowledgment and didn’t say anything else.

Song Linxuan’s expression suddenly turned sour, as if he couldn’t believe that this unfamiliar young star dared to brush him off.

Rao Linchang didn’t bother with him and instead prompted Ming Nan, “Ming Nan, it’s time for your introduction.”

“Oh…” Ming Nan scratched his head, his face red as he looked at Jie Rui and Song Linxuan, “Hello, my name is Ming Nan, ‘Ming’ as in tomorrow, ‘Nan’ as in the directions.”

Barrage:

【Of the four, only Ming Nan introduced his name in a cute and endearing way.】

【What’s with this Song whatever guy? He used so much force to hug Ming Nan?】

【Is he missing the point of what the audience wants to see? Please! We want to see a hug full of ambiguous tension, not you charging in like a human cannonball!】

【Points deducted!】

【Poor Ming Nan, my heart goes out to him. Pat pat】

【The situation is still uncertain, sisters, there are two more mini-games!】

【Demons and monsters, stay away from my baby Changchang! [Dive deep into the water torpedo, retreat retreat retreat]】

“Alright, everyone, you can come back!”

Seeing that the guests on the other side had finished their introductions, Director Gao used the loudspeaker to call them back.

The four obediently returned to Director Gao’s camera.

“Congratulations to Song Linxuan and Ming Nan for getting the first vote.”

No one applauded.

Director Gao: “……….”

Director Gao continued, “Alright, let’s move on to the next game. The next game is ‘Heartbeat for You.’ The rules are simple: stare into each other’s eyes for sixty seconds, and the pair with the highest heart rate will earn an extra vote.”

As he spoke, he handed out wristbands capable of measuring heartbeats. “Here are four wristbands, put them on and get ready to begin.”

Jie Rui took a wristband and distributed the rest to the other three.

【I can’t wait to see Jie Rui’s heartbeat. He’s never been involved in any rumors in the industry, I wonder what type of person he likes.】

【Exactly, forget about rumors, he keeps a great distance even in business with his co-stars.】

【Enough talk, let’s get started, let’s get started!!】

With the four participants now wearing the heartbeat wristbands, the first round paired Rao Linchang with Jie Rui, and Song Linxuan with Ming Nan.

Director Gao shouted to begin, and all four participants directed their gaze towards their partner.

And then—

The atmosphere, both in the room and in the barrage comments, turned awkward.

Barrage:

【……. Wasn’t this supposed to be a segment full of intense eye contact? What is going on?】

【emmmm, a new kind of silent drama?】

【Is Director Gao, who’s known for his expertise in filming dating shows, finally encountering a setback and crashing?】

【Director Gao: I’m so embarrassed, I’m truly embarrassed.】

A minute of awkward silence passed, and Director Gao’s expression instantly turned constipated. “This is a miscalculation. These four have absolutely zero chemistry.”

“Don’t worry, let’s switch them again and see,” the director said from the side.

Director Gao could only nod and then raised the loudspeaker again, “Changchang and Ming Nan, switch places.”

Rao Linchang obediently switched.

This time, he was facing Song Linxuan, and Ming Nan was facing Jie Rui.

After they switched, Director Gao just yelled “start,” and Ming Nan, who was facing Jie Rui, quickly turned red.

Director Gao’s eyes lit up, “Close-up on Jie Rui and Ming Nan’s expressions!”

Barrage:

【Holy crap!! Maybe we were looking at it the wrong way all along!】

【Oh my god! When Jie Rui stares intently at Ming Nan, it’s like a big bad wolf looking at a little white rabbit!!!】

【Ming Nan’s entire neck is red! My goodness! Let me see the heart rate!】

【I’m laughing! Jie Rui is smiling!】

【Ah, ah, ah, let’s ship them! I declare this couple is locked!】

This pairing is promising!

Director Gao quickly turned his head to look at Rao Linchang and Song Linxuan.

Then—

The elderly man on the subway looking at his phone.jpg

What is Rao Linchang doing?

In the shot, Rao Linchang, bound by the rules, couldn’t look away, so he could only stare boredly at Song Linxuan’s face, picking fault, “Your face is a bit dry, it’s peeling.”

“………”

“Your eyes look bloodshot too, have you been staying up late?”

“………”

“Huh? Why are your nose hairs so long? They’re almost coming out!”

“……..Can you please stop talking?”

“Director didn’t specify we couldn’t talk, right?”

“I think you look pretty when you’re quiet.”

“Well, you have good taste, everyone says that.”

“………”

Director Gao: “………”

Not getting angry, not getting angry, this is a sponsor’s mom, this is a sponsor’s mom… Ah ah ah! Can’t he just keep his mouth shut for once!!

【Nobody can get away with it today! I have to say something! No one will like Rao Linchang’s foul mouth! No! One!】

【Come on, fairy fans who love Princess Changchang, let’s show this foolish human how many of us adore him [Dive deep into the water, count off]】

【11111111】

【1】

【Darn it! Too slow!】

【2】

【2】

【5】

【Billion!!!】

【7… The one above knows how to count.】