The Second Stage of Dating

Tang Zhi Chu rested his arms under his head, gazing at the sky.

The deep night sky cradled a vast expanse of azure, dotted with shimmering stars.

At this moment, Tang Zhi Chu felt something akin to a sense of belonging.

As he looked at the night sky, his thoughts drifted to Old Tang Sichuan Cuisine, the DY account, and the dating reality show.

The wind whispered past his ears, cool and incredibly pleasant.

Tang Zhi Chu mused that if it were daytime, under this breeze, he could probably see the vibrant green on both sides of the grass blades.

Chen Si Yang had somehow sat down beside Tang Zhi Chu. She first glanced around before handing him something.

"What is this?" Tang Zhi Chu asked, puzzled.

"Quick, put it away first!" Chen Si Yang urged him directly.

It seemed to be a note. Without much thought, Tang Zhi Chu slipped it into his pocket.

"I want to ask you on a date tomorrow. This needs to be kept secret, don't tell anyone else," Chen Si Yang whispered.

Tang Zhi Chu suddenly understood. The show's second date invitation was here, with the girl inviting the boy.

Tang Zhi Chu chuckled, "Okay."

"What are you looking at?" Chen Si Yang asked again.

Tang Zhi Chu gestured vaguely towards the sky. "Nothing much, just relaxing."

Mimicking Tang Zhi Chu, Chen Si Yang also lay down on the grass.

They lay there for a long time, watching the night sky and the stars. After a while, Chen Si Yang suddenly asked, "Have you thought about the future?"

"I have."

"And then?"

"Run the shop well, learn to sing, and the like. Follow your example."

"Then can you accept long-distance relationships?"

Tang Zhi Chu was silent for a moment before replying, "I think so."

Chen Si Yang didn't speak, and the atmosphere became subtle.

After lying there for a bit longer, Chen Si Yang got up. "I'm a bit sleepy, I'm going back."

Tang Zhi Chu also got up. "I'm sleepy too, let's go back together."

They walked back without speaking.

Upon returning to the villa, Chen Si Yang went upstairs.

In her bedroom, Chen Si Yang took out her phone and sent a message.

"Jin Bao, I'm home."

"What's up?"

"I have a question for you."

"Ask away."

"If I were to get into a relationship, what impact would it have on my career?"

After she sent the question, the other party's typing indicator showed for a long time before a message finally came back.

"If you're referring to the dating reality show, it could mean bundled marketing, commercial endorsements, losing male fans, and even affecting your acting roles, among other things. I suggest you ask Sister Yu. It might not be a bad thing."

"I understand."

"I'm suddenly curious, when will you introduce him to me?"

"Jin Bao, if it were you, what would you choose?"

"I don't know, really. But I think you should listen to your heart and don't have any regrets."

Downstairs, Tang Zhi Chu was on the treadmill.

His mind was clear, and he even recalled the muscular arms of the uncle who ran the hot pot restaurant during the day.

How did he train to achieve that level?

"So you're secretly working hard, huh?" a voice called out.

Tang Zhi Chu turned his head and saw Zhou Yun.

"I suggest running plus pull-ups, and then sticking with it. The results will surprise you," Zhou Yun said as she walked closer.

"How many kilometers?"

"Starting with five kilometers."

"Okay."

Seeing Tang Zhi Chu's serious expression, Zhou Yun abandoned her playful intentions and placed a card-like object on the treadmill's display screen.

"What is this?"

"Do you want a gym membership? Come try out my gym tomorrow?" Zhou Yun lowered her voice as she spoke. "A date, a secret date. I'm asking you out."

Tang Zhi Chu: "Honestly, I'm a little scared."

Zhou Yun chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't force you to exercise."

After speaking, Zhou Yun jogged upstairs, appearing a bit shy. Tang Zhi Chu shook his head, thinking, She's such a good actress.

The show's rules stated that dates couldn't be refused, just like the first blind date. No matter who showed up or what activity was planned, you had to go.

Tang Zhi Chu took forty minutes to run five kilometers, sweating profusely.

Why bother? Isn't lying down more comfortable? he thought.

Just as he was about to go upstairs, he saw Jiang Lan holding a cup of water.

Tang Zhi Chu smiled and nodded, acknowledging her. However, Jiang Lan didn't move.

Tang Zhi Chu stopped and rubbed his temples. No way, not again?

Jiang Lan wore a slightly smug smile. "Are you free the day after tomorrow?"

She emphasized the words "day after tomorrow."

Today was the day for the women to initiate dates, so Jiang Lan naturally guessed Tang Zhi Chu's situation. She hadn't even bothered to coordinate with the production team; she'd just set it for the day after tomorrow.

Tang Zhi Chu looked pitiful. "Sister Lan?"

Jiang Lan shook her head. "Goodnight!"

Watching Jiang Lan go upstairs, Tang Zhi Chu sighed deeply. I've played myself, he thought. Three people, how exhausting is that?

He went upstairs to shower, and it was just in time for the text message exchange.

Yang Jia Xing was more laid-back. He quickly typed out his message and sent it, then closed his eyes, adopting an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude.

Huang Ze Jun hesitated, editing his message several times before finally sending it.

As expected, Tang Zhi Chu's phone began to vibrate.

Tang Zhi Chu glanced at it, then put it down with a calm expression.

Huang Ze Jun even guessed in his heart, Looking at his unhappy face, that message is probably from Zhou Yun.

A moment later, Tang Zhi Chu's phone vibrated again.

Tang Zhi Chu picked it up and looked. This time, it was from Chen Si Yang.

"Rabbit heads are tastier than crayfish. Goodnight!"

Tang Zhi Chu put down his phone, sensing the subtle shifts in his feelings. These changes, in a way, were a form of mutual indulgence.

This was within Tang Zhi Chu's expectations.

Just then, another vibration came.

Huang Ze Jun instinctively picked up his phone, his expression freezing.

Why? Why didn't I get a text?

Tang Zhi Chu picked up his phone again. It was a message from Jiang Lan.

"I want to try making QQ candy too. Can I ask you for some advice?"

Tang Zhi Chu almost burst out laughing. Sister Lan, are you really using your position for personal gain like this?

Huang Ze Jun looked over at Tang Zhi Chu, then at his own phone. The world seemed to be going dark before his eyes.

Why? What went wrong? It's not like they sent it to the wrong person, right?

Across the room, Yang Jia Xing, sitting alone on a sofa, suddenly opened his eyes. He had heard Tang Zhi Chu receive three messages.

Yang Jia Xing was first puzzled, then surprised, and finally let out a snicker, quickly covering his mouth.

He looked at Huang Ze Jun, as if to say, See? Didn't I tell you girls need companionship?

Yang Jia Xing suddenly felt much more balanced. He thought about a conversation he'd had with a friend during the day.

"The most inconspicuous male guest, who barely talks and doesn't seem to interact with the female guests the most, why is he favored by two female guests at the same time?"

His friend's answer was: "Can you introduce him to me? I think we could have a good chat."