◎ Strangers Across From Each Other ◎

Neither could convince the other and both remained firm. Even when Xu Shiqing borrowed a phone and showed her the trending search, she still wouldn’t back down.

“Director, why don’t you just announce it first? Otherwise, there’s no way forward.” Xu Shiqing wore a troubled expression and had no choice but to turn to the production team for help.

“It’s not time yet. Try harder to convince each other. If it really doesn’t work, we can draw lots.” The director did not agree.

Before filming began, the entire production team had been worried that these shrewd guests would go from start to finish without any conflict.

Although being too outrageous would make people dislike it, having no exciting moments at all would fail to attract viewers.

They hadn’t expected that in the very first episode, a hot topic would be sparked—a standoff between two female guests. Just from watching the soaring live viewer count and the flood of explosive comments, it was clear this segment was bound to go viral.

At a time like this, they naturally couldn’t reveal the truth directly. They had to wait until the very last moment for it to be interesting.

*

In a grand, resplendent hall, the four male guests, dressed formally, sat on one side of a long table in a harmonious atmosphere.

However, some of them glanced to the side from time to time, clearly waiting for someone.

In the center of the hall was a long runway, with bright lights shining down from above, as if expecting models to shine upon it.

“What outfits did the three of you pick for your wives? Could you recognize them at a glance? I’m afraid I chose something too different, and Shiqing might make the wrong choice.” Peng Hongyu looked a bit troubled. He was the youngest among the four and also the most lively.

“What do you mean by ‘too different’?”

“It’s not quite the same as Shiqing’s usual style, but the jewelry is something she likes.” Peng Hongyu frowned, looking rather uneasy.

Yang Zhi immediately reassured him. “It’s fine. The outfits Old Zhai and I picked are ones that can be recognized at a glance. Once the other two are chosen, she’ll only have two left to pick from. That piece of jewelry is something your wife likes—it’s still an easy choice.”

Hearing this, Peng Hongyu immediately turned to look at Lu Sinian, who was sitting beside him, and asked urgently, “President Lu, is the outfit you chose for Mrs. Lu very different from her usual style?”

Lu Sinian put down his teacup and slightly lifted his eyelids. “Ren Lu won’t choose wrong.”

He had a great voice—rich, deep, and perfectly measured. Without even trying, it was enough to stir the ears.

Peng Hongyu, seeing his certainty, instantly felt a little displeased.

“Brother Lu, are you that confident?”

Because his tone was too quick, it carried a hint of questioning.

“It’s not confidence, it’s trust in my wife.” Lu Sinian’s words were decisive.

As soon as he said this, the other three male guests couldn’t help exchanging glances.

“President Lu and Mrs. Lu have a great relationship.” Yang Zhi offered a compliment.

Perhaps because he was married to a host, Yang Zhi, though an athlete, had also become an expert at keeping conversation going, never letting a remark fall flat.

— My god, President Lu’s voice and looks are absolutely perfect.

— Ahhh, who understands? The way he says “my wife” is so heart-melting.

— I’ve always thought trust is more important than love between a couple. Lu Sinian actually said it outright, so certain, without the slightest hesitation.

— Wow, I thought the secretary-to-rich-wife story meant no real feelings and all scheming, but with one sentence about trust, they suddenly went from adult ambiguity to pure romance.

— Tsk tsk, talking so big—just wait for the slap in the face later. Too bad Ren Lu chose wrong!

“Deng deng deng deng—” Just then, stirring music began to play.

“Next, please welcome the wives to the stage—” With the excited off-screen voice, the atmosphere of anticipation reached its peak.

Chen Wan, as a triple-award-winning actress and the most senior, was the first to appear.

Wearing a long black evening gown, she was elegant yet full of charm. A golden crown sat atop her updo. Though her face showed faint traces of time, the moment this classic look appeared, it was as if the audience was transported back to the past.

The male guests all applauded generously, with Chen Wan’s husband, Zhai Jin, clapping the hardest.

“Wife, you’re so beautiful, it’s like we’re back to when we first met.” He praised her without reservation, his gaze fixed on her without moving away, his eyes practically sparkling.

— Wow, Zhai Jin really has such affectionate eyes, so full of feeling.

— Back when the film queen got married, I thought this pretty boy wasn’t reliable. Now they’ve been married for seven years and are still so loving. That’s wonderful.

— I hope Zhai Jin wins Best Actor soon. Strong meets strong, so much more exciting.

— Zhai Jin’s acting is superb. Whether or not he wins an award, his brilliance can’t be hidden.

Among the actresses of Chen Wan’s era, most chose to marry into wealthy families, as if female stars and CEOs were the perfect match. At that time, several were even exposed for being tricked into marrying fake rich men.

But Chen Wan took an unusual path. She was clearly the most outstanding actress among her peers, yet she married a little-known actor.

Zhai Jin was not only eight years younger than her but also much lower in status. Back then, he was merely a background actor, yet he alone won the film queen’s favor.

The second to appear was Zhou Shanshan, wearing a white women’s suit that subtly outlined her waistline. In high heels, she walked with a dashing air, her tall figure exuding sharp professionalism.

“Hello everyone, throughout history, there have been countless events—rare and strange tales for us to witness today. Welcome to—” She maintained a broadcast voice as she recited the classic lines from the hit program she used to host, only to pause slightly at the end.

“A Perfect Match.”

The program she once hosted had long since ended, so she could only change it to the name of this variety show.

— Tsk tsk, she was once the number one anchor of Zhongting TV.

— Wow, how did this small variety show manage to get her?

— Only because online variety shows are thriving now could they invite Sister Zhou. Back then, when major TV stations were competing fiercely, a small program like A Perfect Match wouldn’t even have made it on stage.

— Two queens returning in a row, pure nostalgia!

— Hahaha, these two queens are killing it. I’m getting more and more excited to see the remaining two!

— Here comes the drama!

Yang Zhi couldn’t wait to run up to greet her, showering her with flattering words, making them another model couple.

Once the two had taken their seats, the stirring music suddenly stopped, and the guests fell silent.

“What’s wrong?” Peng Hongyu couldn’t help but ask.

Just as he finished speaking, the BGM started again—but this time it carried a tone of suspense and doubt, completely different from the previous excitement.

At the same time, two wives walked out from backstage together.

One wore a qipao with emerald bamboo patterns tracing her figure, fresh and elegant.

The other wore the fringe dress, walking with lively steps, spirited and passionate.

It was obvious this was the result of drawing lots, and the live comment section was instantly filled with messages waiting for the drama to unfold.

At this moment, however, both of them were holding fans to cover their faces, and coincidentally, their figures were similar. For a while, it was impossible to tell who was who.

“The two ladies chose the same dress and could not persuade each other, each insisting on their own choice. In the end, they drew lots to decide. Now they are wearing the dress they drew. Gentlemen, please stand in front of the dress you originally picked.” The off-screen voice sounded again.

— Damn, the production team really knows how to play hahaha…

— The production team is so cruel, not announcing the lottery result and just switching the camera angle.

— Who would have thought that in the first episode of a couple’s variety show, we’d see such a classic scene.

— Oh my, thrilling. This went straight from choosing clothes to choosing wives hahaha!

— How awkward, if they pick wrong, it’s basically a partner swap!

— Ren Lu really is stubborn. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have gotten to this point.

— Where does she get her confidence from? The trending searches already clearly said it, yet she still wouldn’t choose the jade bracelet. Even on stage now, she’s wearing only a cheongsam without the bracelet. 【Dog Head.jpg】

Zhou Shanshan received the cue from the production team, stood up directly, and got back to her old profession.

“Let’s interview the two of you first. Xiao Peng, do you think the person standing opposite you is Shiqing?” she asked.

Peng Hongyu tilted his head, clearly troubled.

“Doesn’t seem much like her, but I feel the production team is good at setting traps. Maybe they deliberately made them act differently from usual. Also, Shiqing can be very changeable—gentle or lively.”

“President Lu, what do you think?”

Lu Sinian answered without hesitation, throwing out two words: “She’s not.”

Zhou Shanshan immediately grew curious. “Lulu and Shiqing are the same height and have similar figures. When they covered their faces, even Sister Wan and I couldn’t tell them apart. How did you confirm it?”

“Feeling.”

Again, two light words—the man seemed determined to take being sparing with words to the extreme.

“What kind of feeling?” Zhou Shanshan naturally wasn’t going to let him off easily.

Lu Sinian was silent for a moment, seemingly deliberating, then finally gave an answer.

“Their figures are similar, but not exactly the same. There are many differences.”

Zhou Shanshan hadn’t planned to ask further, but the director gave her another hand signal.

With so much buzz, of course they had to seize the moment. President Lu’s answer was too vague—viewers would never be satisfied.

“For example?” She could only keep going.

“Ankles.”

“What’s different?” Zhou Shanshan pressed again, bracing herself.

Lu Sinian lifted his eyelids and glanced at her. Though his expression was still blank, Zhou Shanshan felt a wave of pressure—a silent warning.

“My wife’s ankles are slimmer. As for why I know, it’s because I’ve measured them.”

“Besides ankles, wrists, arms, calves—many places are different. Do you need to ask why I know?”

His tone remained calm, and he even learned to answer quickly, sounding unusually proactive. Yet anyone listening would feel a chill down their spine.

Clearly, he was the one answering, yet it felt as though he were the one interrogating—an aggressive edge that left the listener defenseless, as if they had committed some grave sin.

Zhou Shanshan maintained her expression, let out a light laugh, and said, “No need, congratulations, President Lu, you can even answer ahead of time now.”

The director no longer dared to give hand signals. If this continued, it might not even be suitable to air.

— My god, President Lu’s aura is too strong.

— This isn’t “measured”, this is “slept with”, right?!

— I told you, they’re not the “pure love” type, they’re the adult-rated group!

— I can’t take it, I can’t take it. His tone is dead serious, but my brain keeps turning it dirty!

— Hang in there, Sister Zhou, keep asking!

— Production team, don’t chicken out. I want to know when he measured it, where, and how!

The comment barrage turned indecent. Viewers were clearly excited, throwing out all kinds of suggestive remarks.

“Both gentlemen think the person in front of them isn’t their wife, so now, will the two ladies please lower your fans.”

The fans dropped, revealing their true faces. Just as they had guessed, the person opposite them was indeed not their own wife.

— This variety show is f***ing amazing!

— Oh ho, and this is just the first episode and we already have an iconic moment?

— Yes! They guessed wrong!

— Who could’ve thought we’d actually see a partner swap in a couples’ variety show!

— As expected from Sister Zhou, she even helped Peng Hongyu save face a little. He wasn’t certain at all earlier; at most he recognized 50% who his wife was.

“Shiqing, the qipao is yours!” Peng Hongyu exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Sinian also furrowed his brows, his gaze lingering on the qipao Ren Lu wore, faintly showing dissatisfaction.

For the guests, the scene was indeed awkward, but for the viewers and production team, it was pure entertainment.

The livelier it got, the more proof there was of the show’s rising popularity.

The director raised a cue card again, prompting Zhou Shanshan to follow the script.

She sighed inwardly. The production team clearly wasn’t going to let go of this buzz—they wanted to maximize the traffic.