The third season of Heartthrob Lovers was about to air its second episode.
Ever since watching the first episode, Zhang Xiaotao had decisively fallen down the rabbit hole of the unconventional Ji Liuyue–Xu Jinsi ship. Although hardly anyone else was rooting for this pair yet, she believed her taste couldn’t possibly be wrong!
At noon, the variety show updated right on schedule.
Zhang Xiaotao opened the WW video app.
The opening music of Heartthrob Lovers began, accompanied by a recap of what had happened previously.
She had actually watched it before, but she still couldn’t bring herself to drag the progress bar forward. Instead, she watched the scene of the guests’ first meeting all over again.
It really was beautiful. Handsome men and beautiful women standing together naturally seemed to give off a pink, romantic glow.
The main segment began.
First came an aerial shot from high above, capturing the entire romance-show house and the surrounding trees and stream.
The house was almost completely nestled in a sea of green. It looked like a lovely place.
Lovely, sure, but it was also incredibly remote.
This episode finally showed all the guests meeting one another.
Zhang Xiaotao was looking forward to it.
The sound of luggage being dragged across the floor came from inside the frame. A tall, slender, mild-looking young man was pulling a gray suitcase. He knocked on the door of the house, appearing somewhat reserved and cautious.
“Hello.”
After saying that, he hesitated for half a second before slowly pushing open the door. There was no one inside.
Zhang Xiaotao recognized him as Cen Yu, the male guest who had mutually chosen female guest Wang Aitian in the previous episode.
Sure enough, the comments were already making fun of the earnest guy.
[Hahaha, Cen Yu looks so introverted...]
[He was like that during the previous date too. If Tiantian hadn’t been so outgoing, the two of them probably would’ve sat there in awkward silence.]
[Was he the first one to arrive at the house?]
Cen Yu took a general look around the house and made a circuit of the rooms. When he found that no one else was there, he awkwardly returned to the sofa and sat down.
After finally noticing an empty cup and a pitcher of cold water on the table, he was just about to pour himself a drink when the sound of suitcase wheels scraping and rolling across the floor came from the entrance.
He immediately stood up and hurried to the front door.
Then he pulled it open himself.
“Hello.” Cen Yu nervously glanced at the female guest.
He didn’t dare look too closely. He only noticed that her features were vivid and striking—the classic look of a glamorous beauty.
She was almost dazzling.
Shy, he took half a step back and opened the door a little wider.
Watching this scene, Zhang Xiaotao couldn’t help shrieking.
Because the new guest was none other than her favorite, Ji Liuyue.
The beautiful woman was so poised and generous, not to mention incredibly gorgeous—especially as seen from Cen Yu’s perspective just moments ago.
When the door opened, a bright and captivating face suddenly appeared before him. Even the entire house seemed to light up. Who wouldn’t fall for her?
[Wow! That moment just now was seriously beautiful!]
[Not gonna lie, Ji Liuyue’s looks are absolutely flawless.]
[To be honest, if an ordinary person is this beautiful and still can’t find a boyfriend, doesn’t that mean she joined the show just to become famous?]
[Why can’t a gorgeous woman go on a dating show?]
Ji Liuyue took the initiative to speak. “Hello. Are you the first male guest to arrive?”
“Yes. My name is Cen Yu. Is this your suitcase? I can carry it for you.”
“My name is Ji Liuyue. Thank you for helping me with my suitcase.”
Cen Yu said, “No problem.”
The two had just sat down on the sofa when the front door of the house opened again.
A girl pushed a pink suitcase inside. The moment she looked up and saw him, she smiled and said, “We meet again.”
Cen Yu nodded with a smile. “Yes, we meet again.”
[Ahhh! Our Tiantian is here!]
[The Sweet-Rain pairing is the best, especially that “we meet again.” It’s so sweet!]
[They’ve only been on one date, and you’re already shipping them?]
[An outgoing sweetheart and a reserved guy—they complement each other perfectly. Do you understand the feeling of slowly falling for someone?]
[But I think Cen Yu and Ji Liuyue make a better match!]
[Isn’t the whole point of watching a dating show to ship every possible combination?]
The video continued without any awkward pauses.
Seeing them greet each other, Ji Liuyue took the initiative to ask, “Did you two just come back from a date?”
Wang Aitian shook her head with a cheerful smile.
“We can’t talk about that. It’s a secret. Oh, right, let me introduce myself. My name is Wang Aitian. You can call me Xiao Ai or Tiantian.”
Ji Liuyue said, “Hello, Tiantian. I’m Ji Liuyue.”
Wang Aitian was extremely outgoing. “Can I call you Yueyue?”
“Of course.”
Watching the two female guests act so open and friendly as they exchanged affectionate nicknames, Zhang Xiaotao couldn’t help smiling.
The viewers in the comments felt the same way.
[The girls are so friendly with each other!]
[Exactly! Tiantian and Yueyue—both names are adorable.]
[Who says we can only ship romance? I’m going to ship their friendship for a bit.]
[I hereby announce that I ship the Sweet-Moon pairing!]
[Don’t betray the Sweet-Rain pairing! Wait, no—although the sight of the two beauties together really is wonderful...]
The two girls chatted animatedly, making Cen Yu seem somewhat restrained sitting beside them.
Wang Aitian noticed and took the initiative to start a topic everyone could join in on.
“Do you think the next person to arrive will be a guy or a girl?”
Ji Liuyue said, “A guy.”
Wang Aitian put on an expression of delighted curiosity. “The one you just went on a date with?”
Ji Liuyue smiled. “No, he’s still busy.”
“Ohhh, he’s busy?” Wang Aitian immediately caught on. “Looks like he has two dates today.”
Just as they were speaking, footsteps sounded outside the door.
Cen Yu was about to go open it when the person outside pulled the door open themselves.
Carrying a gray suitcase, the newcomer lowered his head and changed into slippers.
Three seconds later, he looked toward the living room and raised his head, revealing a handsome, refined face with sharply defined features and a gentle, cultured air.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Lu Nanxun.”
When Zhang Xiaotao saw the handsome man, her heart still couldn’t help skipping a beat.
When she had seen Lu Nanxun on a date with Liu Qingye earlier, she had thought he looked only average. For some reason, though, he suddenly seemed much more handsome when he appeared alone on camera.
[Oh my god! He’s so handsome—a refined, elegant gentleman. He looks incredibly mature and steady.]
[The name Lu Nanxun sounds so dignified too.]
[Did you see Cen Yu’s expression when he opened the door just now? I’m dying. It was like he was saying, “Whoa, bro, why are you so handsome?”]
[Hahaha, yes! I saw it too. Cen Yu only opened his mouth slightly, but I still caught it.]
[Honestly, Cen Yu is actually kind of a funny guy too.]
After Lu Nanxun exchanged names with the others, he quietly took a seat in the corner of the sofa.
Wang Aitian asked, “Did you just come back from a date?”
Lu Nanxun’s gaze swept lightly over the three people seated there.
He shook his head slightly.
Wang Aitian linked arms with Ji Liuyue in an entirely familiar manner and complained, “Oh no! Why do all the male guests seem so introverted?”
Ji Liuyue smiled. “It’s fine. We can be the extroverts.”
At that moment, the camera gave Lu Nanxun a dramatic close-up.
His gaze had remained fixed on the front door the entire time, as though the female guest he was waiting for had yet to arrive.
【I’m betting five cents that this guy definitely has feelings for Yezi, the girl he went on a date with earlier.】
【But from what I saw in the last episode, Yezi seemed to have more fun with Xu Jinsi. Oh no—don’t tell me we’re in for another love triangle with two guys chasing one girl.】
【Ugh, I’m so disappointed. I was really hoping Lu Nanxun would have a CP storyline with our Tiantian.】
【I actually think Lu Nanxun’s face pairs really well with Ji Liuyue’s. They’re both handsome and beautiful, with that kind of striking, defined beauty!】
【Don’t be so envious of our Yezi! Yezi is this season’s universal sweetheart…!】
Watching the comments, Zhang Xiaotao couldn’t resist posting: 【It’s still way too early to tell. Maybe they’ll all turn their attention to our Liuyue later on.】
