In the business class lounge of the high-speed rail station.
Xie Guanyan sat alone in a corner, sipping a cup of coffee, when he noticed Shen Sizhan walking toward him.
With his well-defined fingers, he adjusted his suit jacket.
All his belongings had been burned, and this ill-fitting outfit was borrowed from the director.
Shen Sizhan, who had been unconscious until recently, was still dressed in his Crayon Shin-chan pajamas.
Now, with his silver hair and a face mask, he looked like a rebellious anime character come to life.
He took a seat beside Xie Guanyan, hesitating over how to begin.
Xie Guanyan’s gentle voice broke the silence first, "Go ahead, hit me. I won’t fight back."
In the heat of the moment, he hadn’t noticed others nearby.
When emotions run deep, everything else fades away.
Shanshan was only eighteen, while he was twenty-nine—by all appearances, it seemed like he had taken advantage of a young girl.
Shen Sizhan frowned at Xie Guanyan’s words, puzzled.
Only then did he realize his fist was already raised, inches from Xie Guanyan’s face.
His mind had intended to thank him, but his body had other plans.
Some things just couldn’t be hidden.
With sheer willpower, Shen Sizhan forced his hand down. "I need to talk to you."
Xie Guanyan tapped his fingers lightly on the table and nodded. "Alright."
Shen Sizhan feared no one except his sister, and even those in power didn’t command his genuine respect.
He met Xie Guanyan’s gaze and forced a smile. "First, thank you for saving my sister."
Xie Guanyan frowned. "If you don’t feel like smiling, don’t. That half-hearted grin is unsettling."
Shen Sizhan: "..."
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t muster a friendly expression toward the man who had kissed his sister.
Still, this was his first real conversation with Xie Guanyan.
He found the man surprisingly down-to-earth, unlike others who put on airs.
"I wouldn’t say I saved your sister. She’s incredibly capable—she could’ve gotten out on her own," Xie Guanyan continued.
If anything, he might have slowed her down.
Praise for his sister pleased Shen Sizhan more than praise for himself. His eyebrows lifted. "Of course, my sister is the best in the world!"
Secretly, he thought this guy wasn’t so bad—he didn’t try to show off or downplay his sister’s abilities.
He went on, "And you need to handle your own affairs properly. Don’t let anything negatively affect my sister. Also, I’ll never approve of you two being together. We’ll always be enemies!"
The thought nearly brought tears to his eyes. Clenching his fists, he turned to leave.
Xie Guanyan understood what he meant—Shanshan had already texted him to give him a heads-up.
For now, it was best not to provoke him further. They could discuss things slowly later.
"Shen Sizhan," Xie Guanyan called after him. "After you terminate your contract with your current agency, sign with mine."
That way, nothing like the past incidents would happen again, and Shanshan wouldn’t have to worry.
Shen Sizhan stopped and turned back. "No. I won’t accept favors from you. I’ll always stand by my sister!"
Xie Guanyan watched the silver-haired young man in his Crayon Shin-chan pajamas and smiled faintly.
Shen Sizhan was truly a wonderful brother.
He was happy for Shanshan.
Back in Jingbei, the director immediately began planning the evening’s recording session, which would take place on a yacht.
He was swamped, running around like a headless chicken.
Zhao Ziling wanted to throw a party during the show, inviting many of Jingbei’s elite.
This would undoubtedly boost the program’s popularity.
But it also meant more work and greater challenges for the production team.
The director was currently torn between joy and worry, continuously praying to the gods that no further mishaps would occur.
Time flew by, and it was already 6:30 in the evening.
The live stream had begun.
The party and performances were set to officially start at 7 PM.
Now, the guests and the upper-class elites of Beijing and Shanghai who were willing to show their faces were gradually boarding the luxury yacht.
Truth be told, the wealthier someone was, the more they valued their privacy and didn’t want to become fodder for discussion among netizens in the live chat.
But they couldn’t resist the temptation of witnessing fresh drama firsthand!
After all, how often did one get the chance to see the most unattainable "highland flower" of the Beijing elite circle humbly chasing love?
Not to mention, the waitstaff on-site were all men towering over 185 cm with eight-pack abs.
Dressed lightly and wearing masks, they were a feast for the eyes.
The moment one stepped in, a wealthy socialite whispered to her friend, "Damn, this beats staring at my boring husband at home any day!"
The assistant director had already hinted online about the format of tonight’s live stream.
The barrage of comments kept scrolling nonstop.
— "Lin Mo, my only connection to high society!"
— "I heard a wealthy sister sponsored this mega-yacht. Who is she?"
— "I know! It’s Zhao Ziling—the stunning beauty in the red dress and wavy hair talking to Lin Mo!"
— "Didn’t the Three Kingdoms era end? Why is there still a Diaochan here?"
— "No need to visit the Louvre—I’ve found my Mona Lisa!"
— "You lazy bums trying to take shortcuts? Keep flirting with my wife, and I’ll have someone deal with you!"
The luxurious yacht was stocked with gourmet food and fine wine.
Everyone was already acquainted, so conversations quickly flowed.
"Do you think Huo Tingshen will show up today?"
"No way. Didn’t you see The Daily Beijing’s interview with him today?"
"Nope, my Douyin feed only shows young heartthrobs! Spill the details!"
"The reporter asked for his thoughts on Xie Guanyan joining the show to win back his wife. He called it embarrassing, so there’s no chance he’d come! I heard the Huo family matriarch is already arranging a new wife for him."
Lin Mo and Zhao Ziling sipped their drinks nearby.
Hearing the chatter, Lin Mo glanced at Zhao Ziling.
Zhao Ziling shrugged. "Well, I wish that new wife good luck!"
Outside the hundred-meter-long luxury yacht, Xie Guanyan stepped out of his car in a pristine white suit.
The sea breeze tousled his hair, accentuating his noble elegance.
Just then, a Rolls-Royce pulled up, and another man emerged.
Xie Guanyan didn’t recognize him at first but soon realized—it was Huo Tingshen, specifically, Huo Tingshen in a bright red suit.
Xie Guanyan couldn’t help but chuckle.
The bold red clashed starkly with Huo Tingshen’s usual rigid and solemn demeanor.
Huo Tingshen, who always wore gray suits, was already uncomfortable, and Xie Guanyan’s laughter shattered his composure. "Stop laughing!"
Xie Guanyan arched a brow, his tone languid and amused. "Mr. Huo, are you aware we’re filming a show today? A live-streamed one."
Huo Tingshen knew—his assistant had filled him in later.
He had to come, and he had to arrive as the head of the Huo family.
He wanted to see which male model or fool dared hover around Zhao Ziling!
"Mr. Xie should worry about himself first. Seems like plenty of people fancy that young brat. You’re not getting any younger, and women prefer youth."
Xie Guanyan smiled faintly. "At least I’ve never been divorced. Right, Mr. Huo?"
With that, he strode toward the yacht’s deck.
Huo Tingshen’s face darkened with fury as he followed, seething.
Forget about rules or scripts—power calls the shots here, and he was tonight's director.
The two of them walked in almost simultaneously.
Unaware that his authority was about to be usurped, director Wu Gui picked up the megaphone and announced, "Welcome to the sixth day of filming for No Romance Villa! Today’s rule is ladies’ choice—female guests can order the male guests to do anything, and visiting women can command the visiting men as well. Of course, everything must stay within broadcast-friendly limits. If any man refuses to cooperate, the men in black will step in. We’re starting in five minutes. If you can’t accept these rules, leave now."
