However, he wasn’t the only clever person present.

Although Jie Rui and Tong Kaiyi didn’t show it on the surface, they were fully aware of the significance of Nefelibate’s appearance this time.

Moreover, since neither of them were the type to slack off, it was only natural for them to want to compete.

Song Linxuan, unaware of what the four stars were thinking, simply thought the first outfit looked nice. He turned to Rao Linchang and said, “Chang Chang, this red one looks like it would suit you. Do you like it? If you do, I’ll help you get it.”

Rao Linchang, showing no courtesy, replied bluntly, “I don’t like it.”

The mere thought of this outfit ending up on him instead of Tan Yue made him want to explode!

Like it?

He could barely keep himself from saying it was hideous, all thanks to his professional work ethic keeping him in line!

Song Linxuan: “…..”

Really? You just don’t know how to appreciate kindness, do you?

Jie Rui: “…..”

Tong Kaiyi: “…..”

Is that something you can just say out loud?

Lian Xi: “…..”

Well said! Go ahead, say a bit more!

【Chang Chang, sweetie! You can’t just say stuff like that!】

【This silly kid! The other three stars are already figuring out how to snatch the endorsement, but here Chang Chang is, pushing the sponsor away! Quick, take it back, darling!】

【Haha, see that? This is why he’s known as the biggest loose cannon in the industry.】

【Honestly, when it comes to having zero emotional intelligence, no one does it better than Rao the dog.】

At the same time, several trending keywords were quietly climbing the charts.

#NefelibateNationalAmbassador#

#RaoLinchangBlatantlyInsultsNefelibate#

Not long after these trends emerged, Nefelibate’s official domestic Weibo account was swiftly registered.

Sharp-eyed netizens, surfing the web at full speed, immediately discovered Nefelibate’s new account. Without wasting any time, they sent over the video of Rao Linchang criticizing Nefelibate’s clothing right to their doorstep.

【Here it comes, here it comes! Let me congratulate Rao the dog in advance for earning himself a lawyer’s letter.】

【A lawyer’s letter might be too much; at most, they’ll probably just ask for a public apology.】

【Lol, I’m dying! People always say Rao the dog has a bad temper, even dogs passing by get scolded. And today proves it’s true—respect!】

【Never seen an artist this bold. Not only did he refuse to suck up to the sponsor, but he actually slapped them away.】

However, just as everyone was waiting to see Rao Linchang get punished by the sponsor, something unexpected happened.

The sponsor, Nefelibate, simply reposted the most popular Weibo post and added the caption—

“Thank you, sir, for your honest feedback. Nefelibate will continue to improve.”

Haters: 【???】

That’s it?

That’s seriously it??

Rao Linchang’s fanbase and bot army jumped in to follow the trend, reposting Nefelibate’s official comment with mocking responses—

【See that, haters! Truly powerful brands don’t get petty, so could you stop showing off your limited intelligence? Cute.jpg】

Back at the recording site.

After viewing the outfits, the four couples had already paired up and sat down at the small wooden tables that Director Gao had prepared in advance.

Once everyone was seated, Master Shan Changqing, following Director Gao’s signal, came to the small table set up for him and took a seat.

Holding the skeleton and tissue paper on the table, Master Shan, speaking in his somewhat non-standard Mandarin, began explaining the production process to the guests.

Since the materials Master Shan had were all pre-prepared semi-finished products, he quickly completed a beautiful and intricate kite.

To ensure completeness, Master Shan Changqing even took the freshly made kite for a test flight.

“Alright, my kite is complete.” After the test flight, Master Shan put away his kite.

Following the director’s cue, he began directing the guests: “Now, each couple can start making your own romantic kites.”

“Master Shan,” Shi Guang noticed that the paper on their table didn’t have any patterns, only a row of paints and a few brushes.

So he asked, “Do we need to draw our own patterns on the kites?”

“Yes,” Master Shan nodded. “You’ll need to draw your own patterns. Feel free to be creative, or you can use mine as a reference. Just make sure the design is symmetrical.”

“Alright, I got it. Thank you, Master Shan,” Shi Guang nodded.

With Master Shan’s instructions, the four couples began discussing their kite designs.

“What do you want to draw?” Despite having been snubbed earlier, Song Linxuan still asked good-naturedly.

“A sand swallow, I guess. Traditional kites usually have that design.” Although Rao Linchang had no desire to wear the outfit he had designed, he still very much wanted to claim it.

Don’t ask why.

If you must ask, it’s because he noticed that the ‘white lotus’ wanted it too.

What a joke! To have his own designed outfit worn by the ‘white lotus’ right in front of him, flaunting it as if to show off against him—he might as well just give up on saving face!

“Then you can draw, and I’ll make the frame,” Song Linxuan said. He had never held a brush before; let alone drawing, he struggled even to write.

Although he thought Rao Linchang was probably just another useless vase who couldn’t do anything, he’d rather let Rao Linchang be embarrassed in front of the audience than risk his own reputation.

After all, his face was far more esteemed compared to Rao Linchang’s, who was just a small-time figure.

“Mm.” Rao Linchang responded briefly, then picked up the brush to sketch a simple outline of a sand swallow on the tissue paper.

【Wow! Chang Chang’s brush-holding posture is so professional!】

【Is there no threshold for “professional” anymore? My twelve-year-old cousin holds a brush better than he does!】

【Yeah, yeah, your cousin is amazing. So, do you know how to do it? If you do, show us your skills. If not, just shut up and leave. Don’t use your cousin’s achievements as a weapon to belittle others. You’re just an idiot unworthy of it.】

Seeing the barrage of comments heating up again, Director Gao sighed to the producers with mixed feelings: “Looks like Chang Chang’s side is completely off the table for sweetness now. If he keeps this up, I’ll have to cut his footage.”

Even though the sponsor has built-in hype, he can’t turn the show into a drama-fest.

If that happens, his ratings and positive reviews will be at risk.

It would also go against the original intention of the show.

The producers noticed the issue too: “Let’s wait and see. It’s only the first day. If things don’t improve by tomorrow, we’ll focus on Jie Rui and Tong Kaiyi. Those two couples still have some pink bubble moments.”

Director Gao shifted his attention to Jie Rui and Ming Nan’s livestream. As soon as he entered, the screen was filled with comments like 【Ahhhh, so sweet, so sweet!】

Shifting his gaze from the livestream to the scene on the ground, Director Gao had to admit—it was indeed very sweet.

Unlike the division of labor between Rao Linchang and Song Linxuan, Jie Rui and Ming Nan chose to work together on the frame.

Since the bamboo strips provided by the production team were quite thin, working together to wrap both ends of the bamboo strips meant they had to be very close to each other.

Ming Nan, being a shy young man easily prone to blushing, added to the sweetness. The occasional glances and gentle smiles exchanged between them made the whole scene feel like a nostalgic college romance.

It was full of innocent, fluttering moments of affection.

Even Director Gao, at his age, couldn’t help but be swept away by the sweetness, pounding the producers with excitement: “These two have potential, these two have potential! Quick, put the main camera on them!”

…

Master Shan Changqing’s kite was completed in under ten minutes, but it took over half an hour for the four couples to finish their kites one by one.

As the guests were painting, the cameras switched from close-ups to wide shots, so the livestream audience didn’t get to see the guests’ hand-drawn designs.

Now that the couples had all stopped working, their anticipation was as high as ever, eagerly awaiting the final reveal.

【My Shi Guang is making his variety show debut drawing! Let me see, let me see! It must look amazing!!!】

【Setting the expectations too high might lead to a big letdown later on!】

【I want to see “Eons,” because I just saw they were drawing it half-and-half.】

【To the person above talking about my comment, if Rao draws something unrecognizable, let’s see if you’ll still be so boastful. Smiling.jpg】

【LOL, my Chang Chang would draw something unrecognizable???】

【I can’t say about others, but your so-called ‘white lotus’ wouldn’t even come close to my Chang Chang’s drawing skills, even if he were reincarnated! If you don’t believe it, just wait and see!】

“Alright, now please show everyone the kites you’ve made together,” Director Gao announced through a megaphone.

The four couples each lifted their kites from the table.

As soon as the kites appeared on camera, the haters in the comments fell silent—

Haters: 【…….】

Damn it!

Rao the dog actually has some skills!

Meanwhile, the rest of the viewers were instantly amazed—

【Oh my gosh!!!】

【Report Princess Chang Chang for eating the printer!!! The drawing is too beautiful!!!】

【Not to mention anything else, just look at the color scheme of Chang Chang’s work—it’s clear that he’s really a big shot in drawing!】

【Yes, I was just going to say that this color is truly so classical and elegant!】

【Oh dear, our Chang Chang is just an average artist. Don’t just praise my Chang Chang, also give some compliments to Lian Xi～shy.jpg】

【……Uh, the drawing is very good, but it’s time to stop.】

【Elementary school level drawing???】

【Sister above, don’t insult elementary school students. My younger sister is in fifth grade and has already started drawing commercial illustrations!】

【Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to demean elementary students. I was just saying that Lian Xi’s drawing is quite childish…… (By the way, let me praise my sister for being so excellent!!)】

【Really, no one is going to praise the two different styles of drawing from light-years away?】

【Praise, praise, praise! It looks great! The blue and yellow color scheme is very bold and innovative!】

【And don’t forget about Shi Guang’s little treasure! His drawing is also very nice!】

【Hahaha, Time, I’m really crying! His drawing is actually a pink mantis! It’s just too cute!】

Shi Guang indeed wasn’t skilled at drawing, but he had the courage to pick up the brush because he saw Rao Linchang doing the same.

In the company, everyone knew Rao Linchang was just a useless vase who didn’t even finish high school!

If a useless vase like him dared to pick up a brush, then what was there for Shi Guang to fear?

After all, no matter how bad his drawing was, with a useless vase like Rao Linchang as a comparison, it wouldn’t look too bad in comparison.

But who would have thought that this annoying person would be so scheming!

Usually quiet and unassuming, and now he’s showing off his drawing skills on the show!

And… and his drawing is actually quite impressive!!!

It’s infuriating!!!

【Everyone, look at the expression on the white lotus flower, hahaha it’s killing me with laughter!】

【Oh, the variety show’s first drawing is really good-looking, don’t you think? @Wutong】

【Who says it isn’t? This definitely deserves an award for worst drawing skills, right, stinky little sister? @Wutong】

Wutong: 【……】

Just fucking speechless.

“This friend’s drawing is very good, with a distinctive ancient ink-and-Jiangnan style,” Master Shan Changqing couldn’t help but comment on Rao Linchang’s painting.

Rao Linchang politely responded, “Thank you for the compliment, Master Shan.”

【Master Shan, don’t just praise our Chang Chang baby, also praise the cute variety show’s first drawing by the lotus flower. So cute.jpg】

【Damn idiots, are you guys annoying or what? It’s just a drawing, what’s so impressive about it!】

【I’m a sophomore at the National Academy of Art, what’s being said upstairs?】

【…….】

“Alright, the photos have been taken,” Director Gao lifted his small megaphone. “The production team will post the photos on the official Weibo of ‘Love.’ Audience members who like the kites can go like and share to support your favorite couple contestants and win them a date outfit.”

“Our like and share time will be cut off at 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., the production team will select the date outfits for the four couples based on the number of likes and shares. Now, the four couples can also campaign for votes.”

As he spoke, the main camera shifted to Rao Linchang and Song Linxuan.

Song Linxuan, probably influenced by too many domineering CEO dramas, gave a sideways smile to the camera: “To me, Chang Chang is like a beautiful red rose. I’m looking forward to seeing the red rose in its protective color, so I hope everyone will like and share to support my Chang Chang. Thank you.”

【Uh……】

【Hmm……】

【He has a kind of greasy disregard for others. Eye roll.jpg】

Rao Linchang was already numb to it, but her delicate and beautiful face was still adorned with a charming professional smile: “Yes, I’m a thorny red rose, so everyone needs to work hard to help me win the first outfit. Otherwise, if I get unhappy and turn into a hedgehog, it won’t be good.”

【Ahhh!!! Does he know he’s so good-looking! Otherwise, how could he be such a shark at this?!!!】

【Wuwuwu, help, help!! Stop being a shark! My phantom limb is going stiff!!!】

【??? How can you be pantsless upstairs!!】

【You’re actually wearing pants while such a beautiful man is being affectionate with you?? Sis, are you okay?!】

【I…… I won’t say more. I’m going to buy a bottle of Eight Treasure Dihuang Pill right now!】

Next to Rao Linchang were Shi Guang and Tong Kaiyi, who simply said, “We hope everyone will contribute to promoting kite culture.”

【?? Suddenly so positive energy??】

【Makes sense. My brother Yi graduated from the military academy and just finished filming a firefighter movie… So, did anyone remind him this is a dating show? (laughing and crying)】

Then it was Jie Rui and Ming Nan.

Ming Nan, being awkward with words, thought for a long time and could only come up with, “I hope everyone supports Jie Rui…”

Jie Rui simply said, “Please support Ming Nan more.”

【Yes! This is the right way to do a dating show!】

【Ahhh, I’m so hooked, so hooked!!!】

【Not enough, not enough! Give me more sweet moments to savor in my mouth!!】

Finally, it was Lian Xi and Xiao Zhe.

Xiao Zhe, with great gentlemanly manners, made a gesture inviting Lian Xi to speak first.

Lian Xi, not being shy, smiled with a hint of shyness in his eyes as he looked at the camera: “Hmm… Although I’m not very good at drawing, while I was drawing earlier, I really felt the childlike joy of ‘flying kites while the east wind blows.’ So, it was quite enjoyable. I hope when everyone likes and shares, you can do so with the same childlike enthusiasm and help promote our traditional culture.”

After a pause, he added, “Also, I’m quite easygoing, any clothes are fine, so don’t feel any pressure to compare.”

【Lian Xi is just Lian Xi! So generous! [Deep water reward a one]】

【Lian Xi looks good in anything! [Deep water reward a kiss to Lian Xi]】

【Yeah! Unlike some people who are so petty! Right from the start, talking about which outfit they want! And calling themselves a red rose, really asking for it! [Deep water to remove bad luck]】

【No wonder after two years still a no-name at the bottom of the list. With someone like this, even after living half a lifetime, still a nobody [Deep water to remove no-name]】

【I don’t understand, is it the first time for the idiots upstairs to vote for someone? They’ve even come to the main live broadcast. Scratching head.jpg】

【…….】

【Hahaha, laughing to death, such a generous white lotus still doesn’t understand the voting process, truly “childlike.”】