Becoming the center of attention (double-length chapter)

Someone brought over a tablet for him to see.

Shi Zhou had sent:

"I got your message, and I'm really happy to have met you too (*^▽^*)"

The staff were practically dying of laughter. "An airhead really is a schemer's natural enemy..."

Shi Zhou had probably sent it without much thought, but Xie Jiali would be wondering:

Who sent that message? Shi Zhou actually mistook it for mine.

Was that person as close to Shi Zhou as I was? Why had they copied my tone? Had they done it on purpose?

After getting to know Xie Jiali, they couldn't speak for other aspects of his personality, but when it came to romance, he clearly had a sly, calculating streak.

The production team wasn't afraid of scheming. They were afraid the guests wouldn't scheme at all.

"After reading that, Xie Jiali must be even more devastated and unable to sleep, right? Haha."

Director Zhang shook his head with a laugh, then continued down the list. "Who's next-Yu Manman."

Director Zhang first connected her to Bai Shen. He visibly hesitated when drawing the arrow back toward her, but drew it anyway.

Then he drew another arrow from Yu Manman to Shi Zhou.

"Director, this..."

Some people didn't understand, but others agreed.

Director Zhang said, "Look at how she acted when sending her message today. She hesitated, but she still sent it to Shi Zhou."

"Isn't that because she enjoys dressing Shi Zhou up like a doll? He's so pretty and delicate."

Director Zhang gave a meaningful smile and said leisurely:

"If you didn't like a doll, would you spend a fortune and put all that effort into buying and maintaining it, then spend your days making clothes for it?"

Besides, Shi Zhou wasn't even her doll. When they were still strangers, his face alone had won over Yu Manman, a major beauty influencer.

At Yu Manman's level, time was far more precious than money, yet the crew had repeatedly filmed her crocheting a scarf for Shi Zhou.

And notably, only Shi Zhou got one.

Neither her good friend Lin Yuxi nor Bai Shen, her suspected romantic interest, had one.

The female director nodded and said firmly, "I think Director Zhang is right. Maybe Yu Manman hasn't even realized it herself-"

"A lot of people project their ideal partner onto something outside themselves and invest their feelings in it."

She smiled. "I don't believe she feels absolutely nothing for Shi Zhou. Do you remember that look she gave him in the kitchen today?"

They rewound the footage and watched it again, thoroughly impressed by the female director's perceptiveness.

Then, without any further doubt, they connected her to Shi Zhou too.

"Now that we've finished Yu Manman, it's Lin Yuxi's turn, right?"

They first connected her to Su Yue.

Her fondness for military personnel was obvious, and Su Yue was outstanding even among them.

"We can dig into why she likes military personnel later."

"Okay, so the next question is whether we should connect her to Shi Zhou too, right?"

The producer couldn't help laughing after saying that. Good heavens, when had Shi Zhou become the center of both the production team and the guests' attention? Whenever they considered anyone now, their first thought was whether they could connect that person to Shi Zhou.

Someone said slowly, "Actually, we really could. Do you remember the dance on the spaceship?"

The camera support staff patiently rewound the footage again. Beneath the lights, the handsome men and beautiful women looked radiant. Though Lin Yuxi had tried her best to suppress it, a glimmer of moisture was still visible in her eyes.

After a long silence, someone said, "There were so many people there, but only Shi Zhou noticed she was uncomfortable, right?"

Not to mention that he had stepped in when she needed him most and freed Lin Yuxi from a terrible nightmare.

Never mind Lin Yuxi-they liked him too.

He looked sweet and well-behaved, radiating warmth like a little sun. Sometimes he was commanding, and sometimes he was adorably clueless.

In short, he was very cute.

Director Zhang said nothing. He went on to draw a thick arrow each from Xie Jiali and Su Yue, both pointing at Shi Zhou.

Looking at Shi Zhou completely surrounded by arrows, everyone sighed in wonder.

"Who would've thought an unknown amateur would become the center of a romantic battlefield?"

When he had first arrived, they had thought he was just a background extra for this season. And how little time had passed since then?

Far from upsetting them, this development was a wonderful surprise!

It might mean much of their early preparation had been wasted, but tangled romantic rivalries and a universally adored guest were exactly the signs that a dating reality show was about to become a massive hit!

Looking at the name in the middle, bristling with arrows, a staff member asked with a smile:

"Director, should we call Zhouzhou over privately and explain things?"

Shi Zhou also saw himself as a minor background character. He had even signed an additional contract with them to help other CPs get together. He had no idea what was happening, and he had looked so pitiful that evening. Ah...

Director Zhang shook his head. "No need. He's smart and brave. Just let him act naturally. That's how we keep it real."

Indeed, their guiding principle had always been to set up the scenarios and let the guests act and make decisions according to their own personalities.

They had only asked because Shi Zhou was essentially one of their own.

"Then we definitely don't need to worry about Xie Jiali and Su Yue, right?" The female director held back a laugh.

"Editor Liu's move was ruthless."

Even their own people could barely stand watching it. Just as romantic feelings had begun to bloom, a bolt-no, several bolts-of heavenly lightning had struck, practically shattering them down to their bones.

Editor Liu leisurely blew on the hot water in the insulated mug and smiled.

"You're overthinking it. Those two aren't people who give up easily."

Editor Liu was an excellent judge of character.

The next morning, Xie Jiali got up very early. In truth, he had barely slept the night before.

He had lain in bed thinking all night and come to one realization.

Since he had anticipated these difficulties from the beginning, there was no need to trouble himself now. He just needed to keep following his plan.

His brief hesitation and indecision had only happened because Shi Zhou carried too much weight in his heart, leaving him momentarily unable to react.

He entered the kitchen full of energy, with none of yesterday's dejection in sight.

He had thought it through. Most of the time Shi Zhou spent alone on the show was devoted to drawing and studying, or experimenting with food in the kitchen.

He would fill Shi Zhou's free time, so that whenever Shi Zhou thought of either activity, he would think of him.

When had Xie Jiali ever learned to cook at home? His hands were meant for holding brushes and appraising treasures. Now he opened his Mindnet, found the simplest tutorial, and began learning.

A staff member behind the monitors widened their eyes and said to the person beside them in amazement:

"Xie Jiali can cook?"

Surely not. A wealthy young gentleman like him probably hadn't even known how to wash a bowl before joining the show.

Besides, it was only a little past seven in the morning. Even the monitoring team was still sleepy.

Another person teased, "Why would he be tired? He's cooking for his sweetheart."

Xie Jiali really wasn't tired. In fact, he was brimming with enthusiasm. He first made the simplest plain rice porridge, which Shi Zhou had taught him to cook. At the thought, another smile slipped onto his lips.

If he could be with Shi Zhou, he would gladly do all these things.

And not just cooking.

He wanted Shi Zhou to depend on him completely. He would wash the clothes and do the housework.

No one else would be allowed into their little home.

At night, he would hold Shi Zhou as they slept. In the morning, he would wake first to make breakfast and squeeze toothpaste onto his toothbrush, then gently lift him out of the warm covers, help him brush his teeth and get dressed, and kiss him...

At that thought, Xie Jiali got so excited that he dropped some eggshell into the bowl. Coming back to himself, he went to find chopsticks to fish it out.

When he turned and saw Lin Yuxi arrive, both of them paused.

Lin Yuxi recovered and said with a smile, "Morning, Brother Xie. You're up so early?"

With the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up, Xie Jiali looked handsome and gentle. He nodded with a smile. "Yes. I couldn't sleep, so I got up. I figured I might as well make breakfast."

Lin Yuxi came over for a look. "Wow, that looks delicious!"

Xie Jiali said, "Yesterday's food was too rich, so I'm making something light this morning."

Lin Yuxi bit her lip. Xie Jiali had made himself very clear. From the beginning until now, Shi Zhou was the only person he had treated with special care.

Of course, out of courtesy, he wouldn't leave anyone else out. Breakfast, for example, included portions for everyone.

In theory, that attitude should discourage anyone interested in Shi Zhou...

Lin Yuxi lowered her head.

Only after a while did she look up and smile. "I feel like something sweet this morning. I'll make something too."

What else could Xie Jiali say? "Sure. Let me know if you need any help."

Before long, Shi Zhou came downstairs. Hearing sounds from the kitchen, he saw Xie Jiali and Lin Yuxi inside and smiled faintly. Could something be happening between these two?!

"Morning."

Shi Zhou greeted them both.

Xie Jiali looked very handsome today. He was wearing gold-rimmed glasses again, with a gray sweater and denim jacket that gave him a more composed air.

As for Lin Yuxi, she had deliberately put her hair into a bun today and looked sweet and adorable.

Just as I thought! After yesterday's games, the guests had finally started getting the hang of things.

Shi Zhou was secretly thrilled!

He washed his hands again, rolled up his sleeves, and asked with a smile, "Is there anything I can help with?"

Could neither of these two be the male lead's destined partner? Was his destined partner a guest who would appear later?

He had to stay and observe.

If his two friends could find true love on the show, he would sincerely wish them well.

Xie Jiali smiled and said, "No need. Thanks for all the cooking you've done these past two days. Don't do any work today. Just stand beside me and give me some pointers."

Xie Jiali had made vegetable and shrimp pancakes and some porridge. The meal looked lovely and was gentle on the stomach, perfect for cutting through the richness of all the grilled meat they had eaten yesterday.

How thoughtful. His CP partner would be lucky.

Shi Zhou marveled.

Shi Zhou stood so close that Xie Jiali could smell his faint fragrance. It wasn't perfume, but a scent that came naturally from Shi Zhou himself.

Shi Zhou's smile was brighter than the peach blossoms outside as he replied, "Not at all. Everyone's been helping me."

Xie Jiali didn't agree. As he had just thought, he wanted to take care of every aspect of Shi Zhou's life. Only then would Shi Zhou truly have nothing to worry about.

He merely said gently, "Taste this for me and see how it is. It's my first time making it."

Shi Zhou grinned. "Sure."

He reached for one, but Xie Jiali held his wrist. "It's hot."

All right, he would get some chopsticks. Besides the heat, other people might mind him reaching into the plate with his hand-Su Yue, for example. The original novel had said he was a clean freak.

Xie Jiali stopped him, picked one up with his own chopsticks, and held it to his lips.

Looking at the smiling anticipation in Xie Jiali's eyes, Shi Zhou hesitated, then opened his mouth and took it.

"Mmm, delicious!"

Shi Zhou chewed carefully, gave Xie Jiali a thumbs-up, and showered him with praise without hesitation.

"The shrimp is springy, and the vegetables are refreshing. Is this really your first time making it, Brother Xie?"

Xie Jiali watched Shi Zhou part his pale pink lips, his cheeks puffing as he chewed. After finishing, he even nodded earnestly as he considered his verdict.

The praise softened Xie Jiali's entire expression. Watching Shi Zhou eat the little pancake as they stood side by side, he felt as though they were a married couple enjoying a cozy everyday moment.

Wasn't this the greatest happiness life could offer?

Suddenly, a clear female voice came from beside them.

"Zhouzhou, try mine too."

Lin Yuxi called him over with a smile. She was making pancakes and carefully flipping them with a small spatula.

Xie Jiali's smile faded a little. He said nothing and lowered his head to continue cooking.

Since Shi Zhou had tasted one person's food, he couldn't favor one over the other. He praised Lin Yuxi too. "Wow, yours is delicious too. It's not too sweet!"

"Hehe, as long as you like it."

Xie Jiali paused, then couldn't resist turning around. He picked up something at random, using the opportunity to steal a glance.

"Not too sweet" was Shi Zhou's highest praise for food.

Lin Yuxi hadn't had the nerve to feed him the way Xie Jiali had. Hearing Shi Zhou's praise, she blushed slightly and brushed back her hair. "Ahem, if you like it, I'll make some more tomorrow."

"I've noticed you don't seem to like things that are too sweet."

Expressionless, Xie Jiali picked up the salt container and spooned some salt into the bowl of batter.

At first, he had been the only one who knew Shi Zhou's preferences. Now someone else knew too.

For someone with his somewhat strong desire for control, it was a feeling he disliked intensely.

Shi Zhou didn't return to his side, staying nearby to talk with Lin Yuxi instead.

He fried two more pancakes, silently took a bite of a freshly cooked shrimp and vegetable pancake, and called out:

"Zhouzhou."

Shi Zhou answered, "Hmm?" Then he walked over again, returning to his side.

He tilted his head, looking lovely beneath the warm light, and asked with a smile, "What is it, Brother Xie?"

Although Xie Jiali couldn't drive the unwelcome presence out of the kitchen, he had ways to bring Shi Zhou back to his side.

Shi Zhou was better off staying with him.

Xie Jiali said, "I tasted it. It seems a little salty."

Shi Zhou ate another piece. It did taste stronger than before, but it was still fine.

"No, it's pretty good."

Shi Zhou meant it sincerely.

Perhaps he was more forgiving of Xie Jiali. After all, the previous "him" had done bad things to him, yet Xie Jiali was kind enough to put the past behind them and become his friend.

Besides...

He looked at the shrimp shells in the trash and Xie Jiali's flawless, fair hands. Even though he had worn gloves, those hands were so precious.

They were hands meant to restore high-end cultural relics and works of art. The slightest roughness on them could abrade a relic's surface or snag threads.

Precisely for that reason, his willingness to share the cooking duties was especially valuable.

So he said:

"It's fine. I'll make a couple of refreshing side dishes, and everything will go together perfectly."

Xie Jiali smiled faintly.

"Good thing I have you, Zhouzhou."