ALL NOVEL
Chapter 165
On the wooden coffee table in the living room sat a pink heart-shaped box containing numbered balls for drawing lots.
After getting along for so long, the guests had become more modest at this point. Xia Xi looked left and right before standing up first: "Then I'll go draw first?"
Everyone: "Go ahead, go ahead."
Xia Xi didn't hesitate either, reaching in and stirring twice before taking out a numbered ball and glancing at it happily for the camera: "Lucky me, number one."
This meant he could be the first to confess to the guest he liked.
With him taking the lead, the others got up one after another to draw lots.
Zhong Ruanxing was the least anxious, waiting until everyone else had drawn before taking the remaining number left for her.
Once the confession order was settled, it was time for the thrilling confessions.
Xia Xi cleared his throat and walked up to Bai Yinyue hugging his guitar that went everywhere with him. His expression was more serious than his usual silly grin, and his fingers trembling slightly on the guitar strings betrayed his nervousness: "Yinyue, can you come to the confession pavilion with me?"
The audience was ecstatic:
【The music and art team really delivered! Go for it, Little Xi!!!】
【This ship must sail! This follower promises to not drink bubble tea for half a month if the god of love can make this work!】
【But this really seems like a one-sided crush from Little Xi...the noble lady doesn't look swayed at all, wuuu】
...
Although she was prepared, when he actually invited her, Bai Yinyue still felt somewhat awkward. She came on this show to protect Zhong Ruanxing, she hadn't expected to encounter someone like Xia Xi... What a strange man.
Did she like him? Not yet.
But she wasn't completely indifferent either.
Xia Xi actually had some similarities with Zhong Ruanxing - that kind of warm charm could always bring joy to those around them. She liked gentleness, and also this kind of vibrant sunny vitality.
But she had never had a say in her marriage. The song Xia Xi wanted to write for her was finally completed on this confession night. Bai Yinyue followed him to the pavilion and sat there listening as he hugged his guitar and sang the song he had written just for her.
Not bad for the king of pop.
What a pity.
After finishing the song, Xia Xi said with a red face: "Yinyue, I'll be waiting for you at the seaside camp. But! But don't feel pressured, if you haven't made up your mind yet, you don't need to give me an answer tonight. Even after leaving the show, we'll still have plenty of time to spend together!"
Bai Yinyue didn't say anything, just smiled and nodded slightly.
The second number went to Yang Ze. He invited Yong Yun. This pair had shown some subtle signs during the live broadcasts. Despite their decade plus age gap, they always seemed to have a certain cp-feel when on screen together. It was just that they hadn't progressed further, and the bullet screen kept guessing whether they were hiding their relationship or actually hadn't confirmed their feelings yet.
Now Yang Ze finally dropped the act and directly invited Yong Yun to the confession pavilion. Listen, saying how much he liked her, before, now, and forevermore.
Bullet screen:
【They've revealed their hand, fam! The little couple finally stopped pretending!】
【Teacher Yong tricked me so hard!!! Who could've thought that the least favored actress at the start would turn out to be a real couple!】
【Actress-nim is our role model! I will also work hard to earn money! Live a beauty life when I'm 40 and date little puppies! Sisters, let's go!】
【Older couples are too good to ship I'm going crazy】
...
The third was Zhuang Xueyu. When she first arrived on the show her goal was very clear, but she tried to overtake on a curve midway and ended up crashing, leading to a complete collapse of her later plans. Cheng Yaowen maintained his casual smiling appearance toward everyone, and Zhuang Xueyu also couldn't grasp his current attitude toward her. She decided to test the waters in the end.
Cheng Yaowen lazily followed her out, and just as lazily came back not much later, not showing any sign that he had just been confessed to by a female guest. Zhuang Xueyu followed behind him back inside, her face a little pale but still with a professional smile on.
The fourth number went to Bai Yinyue. According to the rules, she could invite Xia Xi to the confession pavilion to complete the mutual selection. She could also choose another male guest.
Faced with Xia Xi's hopeful gaze, Bai Yinyue instead averted her eyes. She said lightly: "I give up the invitation."
The light in Xia Xi's eyes instantly dimmed.
The bullet screen wailed in lament, though some stubbornly said: 【Don't give up yet fam! What if the noble lady wants to secretly give Little Xi a reversal surprise at the seaside later! There's still hope until the very last moment!】
The fifth was Yao Jingshan. He also smiled at the camera and said: "Sorry, I give up the invitation."
He had only come on the show for popularity and exposure to begin with. Getting into a real relationship here would surely cost him his female fans, making it not worthwhile.
The audience was not surprised at all by his decision. After all, Yao Jingshan had maintained an air conditioner-like temperature from start to finish on the show - nice to everyone, but never seeming particularly interested in anyone.
The sixth was Yong Yun. Everyone had assumed she would select Yang Ze, but to their surprise, she also smiled and said: "Sorry, I also give up the invitation."
Yang Ze responded with a well-timed disappointed expression.
The audience was dying from anxiety:
【What's going on, fam! Are these two really a couple or not? Why aren't they selecting each other?】
【The little couple is still putting on an act at the last step! Stop pretending! It's obviously you two!】
【Wuuu, don't tell me all the ships I stanned are going to sink】
...
With three people giving up their invitations in a row, the production team was also a bit anxious. After all, whether the guests could successfully mutually select each other depended entirely on their own willingness. Such a low success rate made Director Yan seriously doubt himself.
When it was the seventh, Cheng Yaowen's turn, and they saw him walk toward Zhong Ruanxing, the production team finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The audience's attention was instantly captured by this pair:
【Oh my god! I was so wrong about shipping the rich couple at the start! Turns out Little Master Cheng and Noble Lady really just don't get along, not bickering love interests!】
【In the end I was wrong to ship them...when did Little Master Cheng start liking Zhong Ruanxing anyway? He never showed any particular inclination from start to finish!】
【I thought the most likely to give up inviting would be Little Master Cheng, but he actually didn't give up! I was so wrong!】
【Little Master Cheng: Woman, don't try to guess my thoughts】
...
Looking at Cheng Yaowen standing before her issuing the invitation, Zhong Ruanxing reminded herself inwardly: Last night, endure it!
She gathered up her professional smile and got up to follow him to the pavilion.
The pavilion decorated with flowers and lights already had cameras set up. The night breeze blew the white gauze curtains on both sides of the pavilion, creating quite the artistic vibe. She had to thank Cheng Yaowen for letting her experience this pavilion before leaving.
In front of the cameras, Cheng Yaowen acted very normally, like an ordinary guest on a dating show. His voice was gentle: "Little junior sister, I still hope you can give me a fair chance."
Zhong Ruanxing just smiled without responding.
He looked deeply into her eyes, revealing some earnestness he hadn't shown before: "I will find what you spoke of - real feelings and love."
It was in response to her earlier scolding, you don't even have real feelings, what right do you have to talk about love?
It was a bit more like a normal person.
Zhong Ruanxing had always been generous with goodwill to those around her. At this time, she was also willing to talk nicely with him: "Then I wish you find real feelings soon, and meet someone you truly love."
Cheng Yaowen smiled slightly: "Thank you."
The bullet screen was anxious: 【So was that a rejection or acceptance in the end! Don't speak in riddles you two!】
The last was Zhong Ruanxing. As expected, she chose to give up inviting.
And so, the eight guests had made their choices. After returning to their rooms to get ready, the guests who had confirmed their feelings would head to the appointed location to hold hands and light fireworks.
Some headed to the meeting point anxiously waiting, while others finally got off work and started packing.
To give the audience some final suspense, the livestream camera turned for now to the night sky and sea, before broadcasting the final results after half an hour.
After freshening up, both Yong Yun and Zhuang Xueyu went out. Only Bai Yinyue and Zhong Ruanxing remained in the room.
Zhong Ruanxing changed into the red dress she had prepared, the dangerous curves drew Bai Yinyue's eyes. She pounded the pillow in frustration: "What a bargain for Song Jingxing!"
Zhong Ruanxing pursed her bright red lips and looked back to ask: "You really aren't going to see Xia Xi?"
Bai Yinyue's expression darkened, "Going there would be useless anyway, we could never end up together in the end."
Thinking about the self-serving political marriages between powerful families, Zhong Ruanxing didn't have the heart to stand there lecturing her. She simply walked over and gave her a gentle hug, "Well, I'll get going then."
Bai Yinyue sighed, "Go on, my secret crush ends tonight."
Zhong Ruanxing said, "But you've gained a bond far stronger than love."
Bai Yinyue hissed, "I suppose so." She smiled back and hugged her too, "Go ahead, go see the one you love."