The small spark of goodwill that had just begun to rise in Lu Nanxun’s heart was instantly doused by a bucket of cold water.
So that meant…
Ji Liuyue had written Card Number Four.
And Card Number Four read: [I didn’t come on this show for any other reason—I just want everyone to like me.]
She had joined this dating show not because she genuinely wanted to find love, but simply because she wanted to become famous.
When Ji Liuyue saw that he had fallen silent again, she asked,
“Lu Nanxun, why have you stopped talking again?”
Lu Nanxun drew a deep breath and adjusted his state of mind.
After all, his emotional reaction was a personal matter.
Even if he disapproved of Ji Liuyue’s attitude, he should not let it show and affect someone else.
In a gentle tone, Lu Nanxun said, “It’s nothing. I just didn’t guess it right. Sorry.”
Ji Liuyue took it very well.
Casually, she said,
“It’s perfectly normal not to guess it. Most female guests probably wouldn’t write something like that.”
Lu Nanxun was taken aback. “…”
She had a remarkably clear understanding of herself.
But why write something like that? Wasn’t she afraid people would criticize her for it?
Out of nowhere, Ji Liuyue said,
“Once everyone’s dates are over and we return to the house, they’ll probably reveal our occupations tonight, right?”
Lu Nanxun replied, “Yeah.”
Ji Liuyue smiled again.
“Then that makes sense. Actually, you and I are alike in some ways.
“If I can’t find a suitable person to fall in love with, then having more people get to know me and like me would be good too.”
“Maybe some clients will see the show, and my work could make some progress as well.”
The more straightforward she was, the more simple-minded and harmless she seemed.
After all, this was a public television program. Everyone had joined the dating show with their own private motives.
You could think those things in your heart, but saying them so openly still made her seem a little thoughtless.
At that moment, Lu Nanxun’s impression of her shifted again.
Perhaps Ji Liuyue was not particularly calculating. Perhaps she really was the sort of person who simply did whatever came to mind.
Including last night, when she had worn that mocking smile while Yezi explained the origin of her name—perhaps it had been because…
Because she found that naming method amusing?
Or perhaps she simply thought the name did not sound very nice?
Lu Nanxun did not realize that he had already begun unconsciously making excuses for her.
“Come on, I’m getting a little hungry. Let’s go eat. Hyah!”
With that, Ji Liuyue flicked the reins, and her horse broke into a light run.
She had completely forgotten the instructor’s warning that beginners must never let their horses run.
“Be careful!”
Lu Nanxun had no time to think further. He pressed his heels to his horse’s sides and chased after her.
…
Xu Jinsi had three dates scheduled today.
In the morning, breakfast and an amusement park visit with Liu Qingye.
At noon, a restaurant meeting and an aquarium trip with Wang Aitian.
In the evening, he was meeting Zhang Weiyi at a small music bar.
His entire day, from morning to night, was packed.
So his approach was simple and efficient.
At a breakfast stall, Liu Qingye wore an exquisite little dress and full makeup. She had never expected Xu Jinsi to bring her to the most ordinary kind of street stall beneath a residential building.
The people eating breakfast there were all elderly residents from the surrounding apartments.
The tables and stools were covered in dark, greasy stains.
She desperately tried to control her expression, but she still couldn’t stop herself from frowning slightly as she sat down.
Xu Jinsi caught the subtle change at once and asked,
“What? Don’t you like soy milk and fried dough sticks?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Liu Qingye smiled sweetly and said softly,
“I really like this kind of down-to-earth breakfast. I haven’t had it in a long time. Thanks to you, I get to have it today.”
“Mm.”
As they spoke, the vendor brought over two steaming bowls of savory tofu pudding, followed by a plate of soup dumplings and pan-fried dumplings.
Xu Jinsi had no reservations at all. He lowered his head and began eating.
Liu Qingye, meanwhile, fell into a state of confusion.
Wasn’t Xu Jinsi supposed to be the wealthy young master with the best family background among the male guests? Why had he brought her here instead of to a Michelin-starred restaurant?
Her dress was so expensive—if it got stained, she didn’t even know whether the marks could be washed out.
But then she remembered that the cameras were still filming, so she cooperatively took a couple of small bites.
Xu Jinsi looked up at her. “Why aren’t you eating?”
Liu Qingye replied demurely, “I don’t have much of an appetite in the mornings. I get full after just a little.”
Xu Jinsi said, “Then don’t waste it. I’ll finish the rest.”
He wasn’t merely saying it. Liu Qingye stared in astonishment as Xu Jinsi polished off all the remaining soup dumplings and pan-fried dumplings.
Although he ate quickly, his movements remained elegant.
Afterward, he wiped the corner of his lips with a napkin.
Meeting Liu Qingye’s gaze, Xu Jinsi smiled and said,
“My appetite is always good in the morning, so I eat a lot. Looks like we’re pretty different.”
Besides personal interests and hobbies, it was also important whether two people’s tastes in food matched.
And Xu Jinsi had just said that they were different.
A blaring red alert immediately went off in Liu Qingye’s mind.
No!
She had to say something, or the distance between them would only grow.
“I love soup dumplings and pan-fried dumplings too. I remember when I was little, I once ate an entire basket of soup dumplings by myself. My parents were terrified.”
Liu Qingye recalled the memory with a radiant smile, then added,
“I’ve always loved them. I just don’t dare eat too much now. You know how it is—girls need to watch their weight.”
Xu Jinsi smiled.
He didn’t expose her lie.
“Let’s go. Next stop: the amusement park.”
“Okay.” Liu Qingye finally let out a long breath. It seemed he wasn’t going to hold her earlier behavior against her.
But Liu Qingye soon realized she had relaxed too early.
On a normal amusement-park date, shouldn’t a couple ride the carousel together romantically, or take the Ferris wheel and snap photos beneath the castle?
But why, when it came to Xu Jinsi—
Was it all drop towers, pendulum rides, pirate ships, and roller coasters...?
Xu Jinsi was visibly excited. “Want to try this one?”
Liu Qingye’s face turned pale. In a small voice, she said, “I... I’m afraid of heights.”
Xu Jinsi nodded. “All right. Wait down here, then.”
With that, he went off to line up for the ride by himself.
Even the camera crew could tell that if their amusement-park date continued like this, there would be practically nothing worth filming.
For the entire time, Xu Jinsi happily rode one thrilling attraction after another alone, while Liu Qingye crouched quietly by the entrance to the queues, like an abandoned child waiting to be picked up.
The staff member reminded her, “Yezi, you need to be a little more proactive too. That way, we can shoot more footage of you two together.”
Was Liu Qingye unwilling?
She was genuinely afraid of heights—terrified, even!
And besides, no one had told her that Xu Jinsi, who looked tall, handsome, wealthy, and like he had tons of dating experience, was actually such a hopelessly straightforward guy!
