——"Did I hear that right? A rejection? Xie Guanyan refused to hug Lin Mo?"
——"His heart rate is off the charts, but he says this? Dude, you’ve got two faces!"
——"Ahhh! I’m instantly imagining a man who acts cold in public but goes wild in private!"
——"What is he holding back for? Who’s holding a gun to his head to stop him?"
——"Guys, I finally dug up the connection between Xie Guanyan and Lin Mo—they both graduated from No. 1 High School! In the 2014 college entrance exams, Lin Mo ranked first in the city, and Xie Guanyan was second!"
——"Now that you mention it, I remember they were rivals back then!"
Everyone in the KTV was stunned.
Li Huanyu’s heart raced uncontrollably.
Jiang Wan slept in the same room as Xu Yan last night, and Xie Guanyan didn’t react.
Qiao Yinyin arrived later and hasn’t even spoken a word to Xie Guanyan—no chance there.
And he refused to hug Lin Mo.
So… does that mean Xie Guanyan likes her now?
A Black-Clothed Person outside noticed Li Huanyu’s heart rate hitting 140 and came in to bonk her on the head.
——"Uh, Miss Li, why are you so excited? You don’t actually think Xie Guanyan likes you, do you?"
——"Where did she buy this confidence? Drop the link!"
Gu Jingchuan never expected Xie Guanyan, that freak, to pass up such a golden opportunity.
What’s wrong with him? Afraid of getting chased down by Shen Sizhan?
Xu Yan was equally shocked.
Sitting right beside Xie Guanyan, he could clearly sense his breathing speeding up.
So why refuse? Does he care that much about his reputation?
Jiang Wan pouted in disappointment.
Qiao Yinyin just smiled.
The pretty sister stays winning—Xie Guanyan can do whatever.
The most dramatic reaction came from Shen Sizhan.
He turned his head, eyes locked onto Xie Guanyan.
Xie Guanyan… actually rejected his sister!
His sister is the best, most beautiful, most outstanding person in the world—she’s the one who rejects others, not the other way around!!
Shen Sizhan was furious. "The Director never said you could refuse!"
He glared at the Director.
Xie Guanyan’s deep eyes flickered with confusion before he too looked at the Director.
The Director shrank under their gazes. "Well… refusals are allowed. This is a humane show, after all. But if you refuse, you have to share an embarrassing story."
Shen Sizhan grabbed his silver hair in frustration.
He didn’t even dare look at his sister’s face now.
He couldn’t imagine how hurt his usually proud sister must be feeling.
But there was nothing he could do.
At the end of the day, Xie Guanyan was a loyal and devoted person.
He couldn’t force him to switch his feelings to his sister, could he?
Forget morality—it wouldn’t even work if he tried!
After some mental preparation, Shen Sizhan turned to his sister.
Lin Mo was still looking at Xie Guanyan.
With only Shen Sizhan between them, she could see Xie Guanyan’s sharp nose and flawless jawline.
She knew he refused because he didn’t want to provoke Shen Sizhan.
His affection was so subtle—like the comforting feeling of tucking long johns into socks.
Her heartbeat, which had just calmed down, sped up again.
A Black-Clothed Person monitoring Lin Mo stepped in.
Shen Sizhan took the hit again, tears nearly welling up.
This is bad. Really, really bad!
His sister finds this kind of devotion even more attractive—she’s falling harder!
This is a disaster!!
——"I don’t get what these two are thinking, but it seems like mutual pining."
——"While you’re still hesitating, I’ve already started shipping them!! They’re perfect for each other!"
——"Shen Sizhan doesn’t seem to dislike Xie Guanyan—he’s just mad about the rejection!"
——"Billionaire moves—playing the long game with the brother-in-law."
The Director still couldn’t figure out who Xie Guanyan actually liked.
Last night, he didn’t let any female guest check on him, probably to avoid worrying the one he cared about.
Shaking off the thought, the Director continued the game.
"Since Mr. Xie resisted, share an embarrassing story."
Xie Guanyan thought for a few seconds. "When I was eight, I thought I was grown up. Once, I took a kid from our orphanage out to play, and a man started teasing the child. I was scared the kid might get tricked, so I told the man, ‘I’m this child’s mother. Can I help you?’"
——"Yesss, male mom supremacy!"
——"LMAOOO my stomach hurts (but not too much because my abs are rock-hard)."
The room fell silent for a second.
Then—
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
A bell-like laugh erupted.
Everyone turned to see Jiang Wan, who had laughed so hard she slid off the couch and under the table.
The crowd: "……"
The Director had been holding back but now folded like a flip phone in laughter.
Seeing Xie Guanyan wasn’t upset, everyone else joined in.
Only Lin Mo didn’t laugh. Her peach-blossom eyes softened at the edges.
Xie Guanyan was still in an orphanage at eight… He must have had a hard life back then.
Shen Sizhan had been laughing too, but one glance at his sister’s somber expression killed his smile instantly.
——"Lin Mo’s the only one who seems to feel for Xie Guanyan. She’s so sweet!"
——"Real love means aching for them. Like how I see guys with abs and think, ‘Poor things, training must be tough.’ Then I ask, ‘Are those big muscles hiding tiny mice?’"
——"This one knows how to bag a gym rat!"
Li Huanyu laughed for a second before forcing her lips down.
She shouldn’t have laughed!
Lin Mo’s just putting on an act—she’s obviously trying to catch Xie Guanyan’s attention!
But Xie Guanyan’s heart belongs to her—Lin Mo’s wasting her time!
The game resumed.
This time, Shen Sizhan drew the King card.
He peeked right to check his sister’s number.
Then peeked left to see Xie Guanyan’s.
After two seconds of internal conflict, he stood up.
"Numbers 6 and 1!"
He’d swallow his guilt and make his sister happy.
Sorry, Xie Guanyan—and whoever Xie Guanyan likes!
Punish him for this sin, not his sister!
Lin Mo and Xie Guanyan stood up again, exchanging surprised glances.
Shen Sizhan’s heart was a battlefield.
He reached into the box for a task ball.
Unfolding it, he read: [Each do 20 push-ups.]
Relief and dread hit him at once. His brain short-circuited.
"What is it? What is it?" Jiang Wan buzzed, her heart rate hitting 120.
Too perfect—her ship was sailing again!
Shen Sizhan glanced at his sister.
Her clear, peach-blossom eyes shimmered with quiet hope.
He took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and blurted:
"One person sits on the other’s back while they do 20 push-ups."
