Chapter 14

Huo Xingming wore sunglasses and drove out in his Jiang Fengjing sports car.

The staff members, who had never been in such a luxury car, were cautious even when opening the car door.

They were afraid of scratching even the smallest part, thinking they’d be left with nothing after paying for the damages.

Since it was a virtual date and the two didn’t need to meet, Huo Xingming didn’t hold back at all. He flaunted it as much as he could, driving the sports car through the streets, drawing attention wherever he went.

Just as Bai Siyi was getting out of the car at the intersection, he heard the roar of the sports car. He looked up and saw a bright blue convertible speeding through the intersection.

Bai Siyi couldn’t help but admire, “That car is so cool.”

What guy wouldn’t like sports cars?

Bai Siyi had many toy sports car models when he was a child. His father had said more than once that when he turned eighteen, he would buy him one.

But now, even if a sports car fell from the sky and landed in front of him, his first thought would be how much he could sell it for and how much debt he could pay off.

Bai Siyi sat down at the bus stop on the side of the road and, looking into the live stream camera, said, “The virtual date location is nearby. It was chosen by Piupiustar.”

He glanced around and, puzzled, said, “This is a wealthy residential area, not a theme park address.”

Wasn’t it supposed to be a theme park?

The assistant director asked, “Xiao Bai, when you walked over just now, it seemed like you were familiar with the area?”

Bai Siyi pressed his lips together. “I used to deliver takeout around here, so I’m quite familiar with the area.”

Live Stream Comments:

【What? Xiao Bai used to deliver takeout???】

【Xiao Bai mentioned when he first joined the show that he had worked in a factory for two years, so he must have started working there right after turning eighteen. When did he deliver takeout? He didn’t do that before he was of age, did he?】

【Sigh, poor kids grow up fast. Xiao Bai is so independent and strong. I really hope he meets a rich, good-looking boyfriend on this show, someone who treats him well, just like the “split personality couple” from Season 1.】

—

Bai Siyi sat at the bus stop, his eyes repeatedly drawn to a nearby upscale neighborhood.

It was an old community with great surroundings and strict property management. Since it was in the city center, where land was incredibly valuable, the price of real estate kept rising, eventually reaching sky-high prices.

Bai Siyi had lived there when he was a child, but after things went south, their house was auctioned off.

After sitting for a while, Bai Siyi guessed that Piupiustar had already arrived at the location he had chosen, so he sent a voice message to Piupiustar, using his signature loli voice: “Brother, I’m here.”

Live Stream Comments:

【Help! Xiao Bai’s voice is so soft and sweet, he really sounds like an adorable little girl.】

A few seconds later, Piupiustar replied:

【I’m here too. Soybean smile.jpg】

Since this was a virtual date, the two participants had to stay on a voice call until the date ended.

Bai Siyi put on his headphones and sent a voice call request to the other party.

Soon, Piupiustar picked up. “Hello?”

Bai Siyi was momentarily stunned upon hearing the voice, a little surprised.

To be honest, his impression of Piupiustar wasn’t great. Plus, after yesterday’s incident—when the other party deliberately sang Good Night Meow in a rough and unpleasant voice—he had completely written him off as a crude, ordinary worker with a voice and appearance to match.

But now, he actually thought Piupiustar’s voice sounded pretty nice?

It was deep and slightly magnetic, making it almost impossible for someone like him—who was weak to good voices—to resist.

Since Bai Siyi didn’t respond right away, Piupiustar called out again, “Hello?” then added, “Macho Man? Can you hear me?”

Bai Siyi: “…”

Sure, the voice was pleasant, and sure, it was magnetic, but just hearing macho guy immediately killed the mood for him.

He responded in his loli voice, “I can hear you, brother. Your voice is so nice—I was totally mesmerized.”

Piupiustar let out a chuckle. “Really? I actually learned this on purpose. There are tutorials online—like lowering your voice, slowing down your speech, and keeping the mic close to your mouth. That way, you get that deep, magnetic effect. I heard girls love it. Isn’t that right?”

Bai Siyi: “…”

Live Stream Comments: “…”

【Damn, I was just about to compliment him, but… Yeah, no hope, no hope at all.】

【LMAO, this guy really isn’t even trying to pretend! His voice is so nice, but he just has to ruin it with unnecessary nonsense. Is he actually afraid Xiao Bai will fall for him or what?!】

【Daily tip for staying single forever: Unlocked.】

—

Bai Siyi shook his head, wondering what Piupiustar would think if he knew his loli voice was fake too.

Whatever. They were both frauds. When the day came for them to meet in person, neither had the right to complain about the other.

Piupiustar continued, “Macho Man, I’m at the intersection you mentioned. Which direction should I go now?”

Bai Siyi replied, “Just keep walking south. There’s a street food market ahead. Walk about a dozen meters, and you’ll see it.”

Piupiustar sounded like he was on the move. “Got it, I’m walking. You head south too. There’s a residential complex called Baihua Community up ahead. When you get there, just go straight in. I already talked to the security guard—your staff just needs to show their work IDs, and they’ll let you in.”

Bai Siyi: “???”

He hesitated. “Weren’t we supposed to go to an amusement park today?”

Why were they heading to a high-end residential area instead?

And more importantly—why was it Baihua Community, the very place he had lived as a child?

Bai Siyi’s expression dimmed as he looked at the entrance of Baihua Community. It had been a long time since he last came back here, but exactly how long? He couldn’t quite remember.

Maybe five years? Or was it four?

Piupiustar confidently declared, “We are going to the amusement park! It’s inside the community. Just go in and head south, got it?”

Under the guidance of the staff, Bai Siyi smoothly entered Baihua Community and walked south.

Meanwhile, Huo Xingming had arrived at the food street Bai Siyi mentioned.

Piupiustar: “Macho Man, I’m at the food street! Wow, there’s so much good food here! Macho Man, you’re amazing! Are you treating me to everything here?”

Bai Siyi, still walking south inside the community, replied, “How could that be, brother? You know I have no money.”

After walking a bit further, he added, “Keep going ahead. There’s a dessert shop called Wang Ji Sweet Treats. Do you see it?”

Piupiustar: “Nope… Oh, oh, oh! I see it now! ^[1]Piupiustar was describing the Chinese character 王 (wáng), which means “king.” The character consists of three horizontal strokes and one vertical stroke running through them. Bai Siyi … Continue readingThree horizontal strokes and one vertical—Wang! This is it!”

Bai Siyi: “…”

Three horizontal strokes and one vertical… Did this guy even graduate elementary school?

Bai Siyi was about to say that Wang Ji Sweet Treats had really good desserts and that he’d buy a meal voucher for Piupiustar to try them.

However, as he walked, a small children’s playground came into view. Right in the center stood a massive, colorful slide.

This was the community’s built-in playground, featuring a colorful slide, a hippo-shaped seesaw, swings, a merry-go-round, and even a trampoline.

It was a public area for the residents’ children to play in.

At 2:30 in the afternoon, the younger kids were home napping, while the older ones were in school, so the playground was nearly empty.

Bai Siyi stood at the entrance, staring at this place filled with childhood memories. Only now did it finally hit him why Piupiustar had so readily agreed to going to the amusement park—and why he had led him here.

The live stream audience was stunned:

【WTF, isn’t Piupiustar going way too far?! He promised an amusement park! And this is it?】

【Isn’t this just a basic public playground that every residential area has for kids? facepalm.jpg】

【I knew something was off! A cheapskate like Piupiustar, who wouldn’t even buy Xiao Bai a steamed bun, was never going to spend money on amusement park tickets.】

—

Bai Siyi stood at the playground entrance, his emotions a mess.

One moment, he was recalling playing here with his mother as a child.

The next, he was cursing that damn Piupiustar for tricking him into coming to a children’s playground!

Meanwhile, in his earphones, Piupiustar seemed blissfully unaware of just how outrageous he was being. He was still happily chatting away:

“Macho Man, is Wang Ji Sweet Treats really famous? Are the desserts good? Wow, I just walked in! Whoa, what’s that?”

Piupiustar seemed to be talking to someone else, then exclaimed in amazement:

“Huh? Taro? What’s taro? And this? What’s ^[2]“Yuanzi” (圆子) generally refers to round-shaped food items in Chinese cuisine. 木薯圆子 (mùshǔ yuánzi), which are tapioca balls or cassava glutinous rice balls. These are often … Continue readingyuanzi? Oh, oh, oh—cassava dumplings…”

As Bai Siyi listened to Piupiustar talking to someone else, he suddenly felt that Piupiustar’s voice sounded a little familiar.

Of course, it was also possible that he was mistaken.

Piupiustar had a thick accent, but Bai Siyi couldn’t quite place where it was from or where he had heard it before.

Right now, though, he wasn’t in the mood to think about it—Piupiustar was about to make him explode with anger!

Bai Siyi suddenly spoke up, “Brother, you haven’t reached the destination yet. The place for our long-distance date isn’t Wang Ji Sweet Treats.”

Live Stream Comments:

【Wuhu! His words sound so soft, but his eyes are full of murder!】

【We’ve never seen Xiao Bai angry these past few days, but now he really looks pissed off.】

【About time! Xiao Bai is way too nice! Just listen to what Piupiustar is saying—he doesn’t even realize he did something wrong!】

—

Huo Xingming paused for a moment when he heard Bai Siyi’s words. After a few seconds of silence, he stepped out of the shop and said, a little disappointed, “Huh? But you just told me to find Wang Ji Sweet Treats—I thought this was the place.”

It was the place. But not anymore.

Bai Siyi walked into the playground and sat on a swing. He said to Piupiustar, “You’re not there yet. It’s still far. Brother, keep walking south until you reach the end of the food street.”

Huo Xingming followed his instructions and kept walking.

But it wasn’t over yet.

Bai Siyi: “When you reach the end, turn left—so head east. Walk about 300 meters, and you’ll see XX Tower.”

Huo Xingming: “…”

He kept walking, and when he finally reached XX Tower, he thought he had made it.

But Bai Siyi kept going: “Then head north, and you’ll see XX Building… then go east, and you’ll see…”

Huo Xingming started to suspect that Mr. Most Loves Macho Man was deliberately messing with him!

Under the blazing afternoon sun, around 2 or 3 o’clock , Huo Xingming trudged along in sunglasses, walking for over an hour.

He was mixed-race, had an outstanding physique, sharp and handsome features, and wore designer brands. A lot of people turned to sneak glances at him.

On any other day, Huo Xingming would have taken the chance to show off a little.

But right now? He was not in the mood.

He lowered his voice. “Macho Man, be honest… Are you messing with me on purpose?”

Bai Siyi sat on the swing, his expression unreadable as he gazed in the direction of his old home. He replied lazily, “How could I? Brother, I walked that road twice a day for two years. It’s the road I’ve walked the most in my life. Now, on our first date, I’m letting you walk the same path I’ve walked countless times. Don’t you feel even a little sentimental?”

Huo Xingming: “…”

Bai Siyi even hummed a few lyrics:

“I came to your city, walked the road you once took…”

“Brother, isn’t it romantic?”

Huo Xingming: “…”

Walking for an hour was nothing for Huo Xingming’s stamina—he wasn’t tired at all.

But being strung along like this, wandering through several streets? Now that was making him a little angry!

Still, he had no one to blame but himself.

Huo Xingming squatted gloomily by the roadside. Thinking back to the past few days, when he had deliberately said unpleasant things just to disgust Mr. Most Loves Macho Man, and even tricked the guy into meeting at a children’s playground on their first date, he found that he couldn’t really get mad.

He sighed. “Alright, alright, I know you’re angry, but I couldn’t help it. You know I’m broke—I couldn’t even afford a ticket to the amusement park.”

Bai Siyi wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and said icily, “If you couldn’t afford a ticket, then why did you agree to go?”

Why? Obviously, it was to get back at Bai Siyi for not giving him a gift.

Of course, Huo Xingming wasn’t going to admit that. He had to be generous! He couldn’t act too petty!

Feeling a little guilty, he said, “Well, a playground is still a kind of amusement park, right? I mean, sure, there’s no roller coaster, but there is a swing, a slide, and all that. We poor folks have our own way of having fun—it’s free, and we can play as long as we want. Isn’t that a great deal?”

If he weren’t feeling so awful right now, Bai Siyi would have rolled his eyes so hard.

And yet, Piupiustar even had the nerve to sound aggrieved. “Macho Man, last night you promised me that I’d get to eat today. I didn’t even work yesterday, so I didn’t get paid. I haven’t eaten all day.”

Piupiustar was so ridiculous that even the live stream viewers couldn’t take it anymore.

【Damn, how do you have the audacity to say that? Can’t you see Xiao Bai’s about to cry?】

【AAAAHHH! Xiao Bai actually got so mad he cried! This is unforgivable! Xiao Bai is so nice—Piupiustar, you’re definitely gonna regret this one day!】

【Don’t cry, Xiao Bai! When this stupid show is over, big sis will take you to the amusement park.】

【No worries, there’ll be a whole line of people waiting to take Xiao Bai! I’m sending you a ticket right now! I’m calling dibs on being first!】

The viewers in the live stream were serious about what they said—they actually booked an amusement park ticket for Bai Siyi a week later and even tagged him on Weibo with a screenshot.

Some even bought a ton of milk for Bai Siyi, all of which was sent directly to the office of First Heartbeat‘s production team.

Everyone was busy feeding Bai Siyi, and the production team was completely stunned. After recording shows for years, this was the first time they had ever seen a guest get this kind of treatment.

In the office, someone suddenly shouted, “Director Liu! They’re trending again, again, again!”

Because both Bai Siyi and Huo Xingming were way too skilled at stirring things up, their dynamic was practically a masterclass in mutual sabotage. While many people were scolding Huo Xingming and feeling bad for Bai Siyi, even more were just watching for the drama and laughing their heads off.

There was no helping it—the ridiculous antics of these two were way more entertaining than the other three live stream rooms, which were just playing it safe.

Director Liu sipped his tea, rubbed his increasingly bald head, and smiled. “Ahh, what a pleasant surprise! Truly unexpected!”

He had never expected this pair to be such a goldmine. At the time, he was just banking on Bai Siyi’s crossdressing online romance to create some buzz.

But now, it seemed like the crossdressing bit had to take a backseat—the real highlight was their battle of wits!

The assistant director sighed and said, “What a shame, though. Mr. Huo is leaving on the eighth day.”

Director Liu’s cheerful expression disappeared instantly, and his face turned serious.

He had almost forgotten—Huo Xingming had said he was gay and didn’t want to deceive any of the female contestants. So, he planned to stay for about a week before making an abrupt exit, cutting things off the moment he met in person.

Even though Director Liu had assured him that there wouldn’t be any hand-holding in the end, Huo Xingming remained firm in his decision.

Right now, it seemed like Huo Xingming was trying to be gentlemanly—he probably didn’t want to directly block his supposed “match” in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers, as that might embarrass the girl. Instead, he was working hard to ruin his own reputation so she’d be the one to block him first.

Director Liu couldn’t sit still anymore. “No way—I have to talk to Jiang Fengjing. We cannot let Huo Xingming quit so soon!”

If Huo Xingming left, Director Liu was sure that no male contestant he paired with Bai Siyi in the future would ever bring this level of attention again.