After Dong Shen and Ye Fei’s challenge ended, it was Yu Heyan and Chi Xingwen’s turn. As Ji Chengyi had analyzed, Yu Heyan’s observation skills and reaction time were indeed not as sharp as Lin Jindu. However, Yu Heyan managed to answer four questions correctly, albeit reluctantly, as he had no interest in Chi Xingwen’s lips.

At the conclusion of the game, Cheng Song announced the results, “Alright, our post-dinner entertainment ends here today. The first place rightfully goes to our CEO couple.” The others applauded.

Cheng Song then playfully remarked to Dong Shen and Ye Fei, “So, brother Dong and brother Fei will go hungry tomorrow.”

Although Dong Shen was sure the production team would provide breakfast for him, he played along and lamented, “It’s okay, the northwest wind by the seaside will keep me full.”

Cheng Song chuckled, “Since brother Dong acted so well, I’ll give you a chance to turn the tables.”

Excited, Dong Shen asked, “What do you mean? Do we have a chance to turn the tables?”

Cheng Song hinted at the script in his hand, “Don’t forget, I haven’t announced the number of hearts each of you received today.”

Yao Tong immediately became alert, “What’s going on? Weren’t the hearts distributed based on the answers given earlier?”

Cheng Song explained, “Yes, that’s true. However, the production team will also reward or deduct based on the performances of the couples throughout the day.”

Quick to catch on, Yu Heyan added, “And then the final rankings will be based on the total number of hearts received, right?”

Cheng Song nodded, “Exactly, brother Yu, you’re correct.”

Yu Heyan turned to Ji Chengyi, “It seems like breakfast isn’t guaranteed.”

Ji Chengyi didn’t show any signs of disappointment and simply remarked, “The production team has many tricks up their sleeves.”

While the atmosphere on their end was still good, Yao Tong had a sense of foreboding. He turned to Shao Wenlun, “Oh no, if I’ve been hitting you all day, will we end up with negative points?”

Shao Wenlun tapped him lightly on the forehead, “I told you, those who cause pain to their spouse will face repercussions. See, karma strikes, doesn’t it?”

“Just you wait…” Yao Tong was about to hit him but then thought of the hearts. His hand, initially raised to strike, changed course to embrace Shao Wenlun. “Honey, I love you so much.”

Shao Wenlun smiled sweetly, teasingly saying, “It’s too late. You can go drink the northwest wind now.”

【So sweet! Don’t be too affectionate, you newlyweds!!】

【Does that mean my breakfast just disappeared into thin air??? Is the production team really this tricky?!】

【Should be okay, right? The CEO couple performed really well today!!】

【Are you sure about that?】

【Uh…】

Seeing the mood calming down, Chi Xingwen jokingly said, “Oh dear, what if brother Yun and I end up in first place? That would be too embarrassing.”

Yu Heyan glanced at him and replied, “Where do you place brother Shen and brother Fei?”

Chi Xingwen thought for a moment before grinning, “I’ll keep brother Fei in my heart, Shen isn’t important.”

【Star is so cute!】

【I wonder how Yu Heyan resisted not kissing Star earlier.】

【Heard that Yu just broke up – bold guess, but his ex should be even better looking than Star.】

【Huh? He had a boyfriend? And they broke up? What’s the story? Someone elaborate please? I’m all ears.】

【I don’t know, but fans are saying his civilian ex-boyfriend’s looks are nothing to write home about.】

【Don’t set the rhythm! We’ve never attacked the appearance of a civilian ex-boyfriend before!】

The barrage’s focus was diverted, but the atmosphere on-site livened up due to Chi Xingwen’s remarks.

Cheng Song interjected, “So, you already know who’s in first place without me announcing the results?”

Chi Xingwen chuckled, “Yes, go on, tell us.”

Cheng Song glanced at the script, “Before announcing the results, let me explain the criteria for rewards and deductions.”

Simply put, heartwarming gestures between the couples would earn points, while baseless complaints and arguments would lead to deductions.

“As you all know, a happy marriage is made up of caring little details. Only with mutual understanding and consideration can our marriage life be more fulfilling,” Cheng Song said sentimentally.

Yao Tong felt goosebumps rising and urged him, “Alright, alright, we get it. So, what are the results?”

Cheng Song cut to the chase, “The results are—”

He gestured towards the TV, “Please look at the big screen. Let’s unveil the mystery of the first-place winner with the high-energy, large-screen Conray TV.”

As the screen lit up on the wall, everyone recognized it as an advertisement for household appliances under Ji Chengyi’s company. Chi Xingwen was the first to praise, “Wow! This TV’s display is amazing! It’s ultra-clear without over-sharpening!”

Yao Tong chimed in, “And the sound quality is exceptionally clear, like watching a movie in a theater.”

After the challenge ended, it was Yu Heyan and Chi Xingwen’s turn. Yu Heyan boasted, “Conray is great, all my home appliances are from their brand. I really like the Conray brand.”

To others, Yu Heyan’s praise sounded just like Chi Xingwen and Yao Tong’s flattery. But to Ji Chengyi, the implications behind Yu Heyan’s words were crystal clear. He couldn’t miss it even if he tried. However, Ji Chengyi chose to ignore it and quietly watched the large TV screen.

Lin Jindu also caught on and glanced at Yu Heyan. Expecting Ji Chengyi, Yu Heyan smiled and turned his head to greet him, only to meet Lin Jindu’s gaze instead.

Yu Heyan: …

Awkward.

In his mind, Yu Heyan rolled his eyes, put on a friendly smile, and quickly averted his gaze. He seemed dismissive yet unwilling to engage with Lin Jindu.

Lin Jindu remained silent, withdrawing his gaze and focusing back on the big screen. His gaze was calm and composed, giving nothing away about his thoughts.

Unaware of the undercurrents in the sofa area, after a long string of advertisements, Cheng Song emphasized, “Conray not only uses low blue-light technology but also has a children’s mode with eye-protective settings, ensuring long hours of viewing without eye strain, a must-have large-screen TV for every family.”

【What?! So my TV at home is from Mr. Ji’s company! I was wondering which big boss was so kind to give a TV with a five-year universal membership!】

【Leaving everything aside, I’m going for that five-year TV membership!!】

After a round of advertisements, the screen transitioned to the first-place winner’s opening animation.

As the suspenseful background music neared its end, Cheng Song announced, “Let’s congratulate the winners of the first place – Dong Shen and Ye Fei!”

As expected, everyone applauded warmly. In the moments of applause, the screen zoomed in frame by frame, highlighting the loving gestures between Dong Shen and Ye Fei, with each heartwarming detail adding a heart to their avatars.

At the end of the animation, Dong Shen and Ye Fei’s avatars displayed twelve hearts, symbolizing the accumulation of love throughout the game.

【Wow, Dong Shen is so touching! He noticed when Ye Fei’s hand was uncomfortable even while looking at his phone!】

【Dong Shen, don’t love too much! Ye Fei’s hand just got pinched by the zipper! You won’t even let him carry a bottle of water! How will he cope if he has to carry luggage even when I have my period!? Crying.jpg】

【Dong Shen, please start a class! I’m serious, I’ll send my boyfriend to attend. Smile.jpg】

After the animation ended, Cheng Song paused the TV screen and turned to Dong Shen, “As the most heartwarming first-place winner, brother Dong, do you have any tips to share on how to be considerate to your partner? You always seem to notice brother Fei’s changes promptly.”

Shao Wenlun looked at Dong Shen, appearing genuinely attentive. Dong Shen modestly smiled, “Actually, there’s nothing particularly special in my caring gestures. The most important thing is time, as Fei and I have been together for over a decade.”

Cheng Song nodded and asked, “What were you like at the beginning of your relationship with Fei?”

Dong Shen, a bit embarrassed, glanced at Ye Fei, “In the beginning… I was quite immature, didn’t really know how to be caring.”

Cheng Song inquired further, “What made you become so considerate and attentive now?”

Dong Shen held Ye Fei’s hand, gazing at him with deep affection, “It was the time we spent apart.”

【What?! My beloved Fei actually separated from him??!?】

【What happened? Can someone elaborate on this??】

The barrage was curious, and even Cheng Song asked with intrigue, “Huh? Brother Sheng and Brother Fei separated before?”

“Yes,” Dong Shen nodded, “I was immature when I was young, didn’t know how to cherish the people around me. So, Ye Fei left me for a while in the past.”

Cheng Song stopped probing further and didn’t continue, “So, Brother Fei leaving helped you realize how to cherish, right?”

“Not exactly,” Dong Shen said, “Everyone knows how to care for others, and I knew it too back then. I just didn’t want to do it and thought if Ye Fei was doing those things, I didn’t need to. But when Ye Fei really left, I belatedly realized that, besides my parents, no one should be taken for granted or pampered unconditionally.”

Cheng Song summarized, “So, now you’re being that person who should be taken for granted.”

Dong Shen nodded, “Yes, I am, and I find it delightful.”

【Ah, let me applaud for Brother Dong to liven things up!!】

【So heartwarming, so heartwarming!】

Cheng Song concluded, “I believe everyone has a childish side in front of their loved ones. Some childishness is love, while some is harm. When unsure of how to strike that balance, please listen more to your partner’s voice. Not everyone is as fortunate as Brother Dong to have a second chance at love.”

After this statement, there was a moment of silence on-site. Yao Tong glanced at Shao Wenlun, silently pondering if he was the immature one in their relationship.

Shao Wenlun ruffled his hair, “Don’t worry, I won’t divorce you until you pay off my debts.”

Yao Tong rolled his eyes and retracted that line of thought.

Yu Heyan glanced in Ji Chengyi’s direction, wondering if he could be as fortunate as Dong Shen… But before his gaze could land on Ji Chengyi, a cold voice abruptly broke the silence, “It’s time to announce the second place.”

Yu Heyan: …

Cheng Song didn’t dare to ignore Lin Jindu’s words and quickly pressed a button on the remote, “Let’s see who the lucky second place winner is?”

The TV screen began playing an animation with a rhythmic prelude. As the prelude ended, the large screen displayed a frame of Ji Chengyi and Lin Jindu facing each other on the roadside. The scene was bathed in bright sunlight with a gentle halo surrounding them, enhancing the dreamlike quality of their gaze.

【Oh my goodness!! Absolutely stunning!!】

【Ah, truly stunning!! Can I just admire Mr. Ji’s profile directly?!】

【If I hadn’t watched the live stream, I would have fainted from the sweetness of this photo!】

【Wow! Mr. Lin’s gaze is so full of love!!】

【Well done! I thought I was waiting for love after marriage, but it turns out Mr. Lin has been secretly harboring a crush!】

【Will the official account release a high-definition image? They must, right? Bring out the ten-meter blade.jpg】

The barrage had various points of interest, creating a lively atmosphere.

Ji Chengyi, surprisingly, turned to Lin Jindu and asked, “Hmm? Are we in second place?”

“It seems like it,” Lin Jindu replied calmly.

He didn’t respond seriously, though. Instead, he focused on the TV screen. However, he wasn’t looking at Ji Chengyi, but at himself. Perhaps it was his illusion, but he felt a bit unfamiliar seeing himself on the screen, especially the gaze he directed at Ji Chengyi…

Lin Jindu wasn’t sure how to describe that gaze. If he had to, it was somewhat similar to Mr. Lin’s gaze towards Mr. Song.

He doubted his description might be wrong. After all, how could he use that kind of…obsessive gaze to look at Ji Chengyi? …That would be too impolite.

As his voice trailed off, the animation on the screen began to move like a slideshow. Compared to the ever-changing photos of Dong Shen and Ye Fei, Ji Chengyi and Lin Jindu’s five photos seemed somewhat lackluster.

Lin Jindu scanned the photos on the screen representing heartwarming gestures, feeling skeptical if the production team might have favored him. After all, carrying luggage was a matter of ingrained courtesy for him, and long-distance traveling was due to his surplus energy. Holding a yogurt was a casual gesture, as was passing a plate – all part of his polite interactions. But then he remembered the instance when Ji Chengyi handed him water.

Looking at Ji Chengyi, Lin Jindu understood his confusion and explained, “I handed you water after you finished the heavy squats; you were feeling hot.”

Lin Jindu: …

【Mr. Lin, care to explain why you were feeling hot at that moment? Where exactly were you feeling hot?? So innocent.jpg】

【Oh my! Am I the only one who noticed how observant Mr. Ji is? Mr. Lin didn’t even say anything!!】

【I might be mistaken, but I feel like Mr. Ji’s intelligence is somewhat heartwarming…】

【Although, the heartwarming gestures of the CEO couple were quite lacking, weren’t they?】

【Plus one – it feels like they were poorly edited… Digging nose.jpg】

【Well, I think it feels quite natural and authentic, whereas Dong Shen and Ye Fei’s gestures seemed a bit forced (whispers…】

Regardless of the barrage’s comments, after all five images were displayed, Ji Chengyi and Lin Jindu’s avatars had five additional bright red hearts.

At the right moment, Cheng Song paused the screen and prompted Ji Chengyi, “Mr. Ji, do you think Mr. Lin was considerate enough today?”

Lin Jindu looked at Ji Chengyi. Ji Chengyi smiled faintly and replied, “Yes, Mr. Lin was very considerate. He took care of me most of the time today.”

Then, he turned to meet Lin Jindu’s gaze, “Thank you, Mr. Lin.”

Lin Jindu nodded silently. Before he could speak, Cheng Song chimed in, “Mr. Ji, gratitude shouldn’t just be verbal; we should follow up with some tangible action, right?”

【Hug him! Hug him!】

【The commenter above is being conservative, why not just give him a kiss?】

【Why kiss when you can hug? I’ll bring a bed! Straight to the point, please!!!】

Lin Jindu glanced at Cheng Song, then quickly looked back at Ji Chengyi. He wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing Ji Chengyi’s silence, he swallowed his words. He was curious about how Ji Chengyi would respond.

Ji Chengyi didn’t notice Lin Jindu’s gaze. He suddenly realized that in this variety show, there were only zero or countless intimate moments waiting for them once a certain threshold was crossed.

Ji Chengyi didn’t particularly like this kind of process. However, thinking back to the words that Song Luoyun had reminded him of, he suddenly felt more at ease.

Wedding variety shows rely on the intimate gestures between couples to sweeten the deal for the audience. A wedding show without any sweetness is as good as a dead end. If a variety show flops, the investors naturally suffer losses.

Ji Chengyi is both a guest and an investor. So, among the guests, if anyone hopes for the show to become a hit, it must be Ji Chengyi.

Therefore, he should cooperate more with the show, to avoid it becoming too boring and causing him losses. Realizing this, Ji Chengyi suddenly felt much calmer. Looking up at Lin Jindu, he felt that Lin Jindu seemed clearer and brighter than usual.

“Mr. Lin,” Ji Chengyi called out to Lin Jindu, his clear voice sounding especially gentle in the warm light-filled air, like a soft feather lightly brushing over the heart, inexplicably tickling.

Lin Jindu’s breath tightened, “Hmm.”

Ji Chengyi politely asked, “May I hug you?”

Lin Jindu quietly looked at him. He wasn’t surprised that Ji Chengyi chose to follow the show’s process, knowing that he was an investor. However, he still felt it wasn’t necessary. He persisted in saying he didn’t need it, but looking into Ji Chengyi’s shining eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

After a moment of silence, he reluctantly agreed, “Hmm.”

Ji Chengyi said, “I hope this isn’t overstepping, Mr. Lin.”

Lin Jindu remained silent, only tightening his grip on his hands. Without giving him time to react, Ji Chengyi leaned slightly forward, raised his hand, and gently embraced Lin Jindu’s back. Even though they had hugged in the afternoon, the soft touch from Ji Chengyi felt warm and comforting as it met Lin Jindu once again.

Lin Jindu couldn’t help but stiffen slightly. Even though their hug wasn’t tight, and their chests weren’t touching, Lin Jindu could still sense the gentle warmth radiating from Ji Chengyi’s body and the sweet fruity fragrance from his dark, soft hair. This made him feel a bit bewildered.

After a brief pause, he mechanically raised his hand and awkwardly patted Ji Chengyi’s back. Lin Jindu’s gesture couldn’t be considered a return hug, let alone anything ambiguous. However, the way his arm wrapped around Ji Chengyi’s back made Ji Chengyi appear slightly smaller, and the subtle veins on his forearm and the back of his hand added a touch of sensuality. From the moment Lin Jindu raised his hand, the entire scene carried an indescribable visual impact.

The barrage quickly went wild—

【Wow, the sexual tension here!!!】

【Such an intense physique difference!! Mr. Lin, can you hug a bit tighter, I can’t wait!!!】

【Can he hug properly?! Two hands for hugging! Embrace him with all your might as if you want to meld him into your body!!!】

Lin Jindu had no idea how the viewers in the live stream were feeling. He felt a bit dazed. Even though he had hugged Ji Chengyi before, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this hug, just like the two earlier in the afternoon, was somehow different…

But before Lin Jindu could discern what was different, the sweet fragrance in front of him slowly retreated. It was a unilateral signal from Ji Chengyi to end the hug.

Realizing this, Lin Jindu unconsciously applied a bit of pressure. The force wasn’t heavy, but it was enough to halt Ji Chengyi’s movement to withdraw.

Ji Chengyi couldn’t smoothly pull away and looked at Lin Jindu with a hint of confusion, “Mr. Lin?”

Lin Jindu remained silent, even he didn’t understand why he had held onto Ji Chengyi. After a brief hesitation, he quickly released Ji Chengyi, then settled back in his seat.

“Sorry,” Lin Jindu apologized but didn’t explain his actions.

Ji Chengyi didn’t press further and simply responded, “Hmm,” before readjusting in his seat as well.

【Ah, Mr. Lin, you’re amazing! Maximum points, maximum points!!】

【Sob, I just came to watch the fun! Is love after marriage really happening?!】

【Of course it’s happening! Who wouldn’t love the handsome CEO!!】

【Not enough, not enough! More, more!!!】