The newcomer dragged an enormous silver suitcase behind him, his slicked-back hair meticulously styled and a smile he clearly thought was charming plastered across his face.
It was Lu Jinming.
He looked around, his gaze lingering on Yu Xiuyuan for a moment before quickly moving away, as though even another glance would be a waste of time.
Yu Xiuyuan's vision went dark.
Fuck!
I knew something was going to go wrong this episode!
Why was Lu Jinming on this dating reality show, anyway? Hadn't Wen Lin already been driven off by him? What was he here for? To avenge Wen Lin?
Yu Xiuyuan couldn't figure it out, but he had a bad feeling.
He instinctively looked to the other side.
Yun Chuan was watching Lu Jinming calmly, with an air of a storm brewing.
Then his gaze slowly shifted and landed on Yu Xiuyuan.
His expression barely changed, and he even curled the corners of his mouth, yet somehow it made Yu Xiuyuan's skin crawl.
Yu Xiuyuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Yun Chuan had already looked away.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Lu Jinming. I hope we all have a pleasant time together over the next few days." Lu Jinming bowed in greeting, then sat down to wait for the next guest.
The next person to enter was another man, sporting a buzz cut and a tough-guy look.
What was Director Liu thinking? Didn't he invite any female guests to his dating reality show?
Did he just assume all men were gay?
Yu Xiuyuan took a closer look. Good, good. He didn't know this man. No grudges or messy history there.
Su Ziming beside him, however, looked a little off. He had managed to ignore Yu Xiuyuan when they met in the first episode, but the sight of this man made his expression darken.
"I finally get to meet everyone. The surroundings here really are lovely. Beautiful place, though it's quite a way from the city."
The buzz-cut man was remarkably familiar with everyone. Without even introducing himself, he started chatting as though he was certain they all knew him.
Unfortunately, no one showed much of a reaction.
Only Lin Xi responded. "Oh, Mr. Lin Sen! I really didn't expect you to join a dating reality show. Please, have a seat."
Lin Sen? Resting his chin on his hand, Yu Xiuyuan turned to look at Su Ziming. Was this the singer who'd fought Su Ziming over that song, "Listening"?
Wasn't he doing pretty well for himself? Why come on a dating reality show?
Once Lin Sen had taken a seat, Director Liu appeared and announced:
"As you've all seen, we've chosen an absolutely fantastic location for this episode. Beautiful scenery, right in the heart of nature. So this episode's theme will be nature, and you'll all be expected to fend for yourselves. Our guests will have to handle both the ingredients and the cooking for their meals."
"What do you mean? You want us to dig up wild greens? Are you trying to starve us to death?" Fang Yi exclaimed.
Director Liu curled his lip disdainfully. "Please look three hundred meters to the east. There's a fishpond where you can catch fish or go fishing. The guesthouse's backyard has chickens, ducks, geese, and other poultry, along with a vegetable patch. You're free to take what you need. Of course, if you'd like to dig up wild greens, the hill behind us can accommodate you too."
Director Liu introduced it all proudly. This wasn't wilderness survival. What was all this talk about digging up wild greens? Had they never seen a village guesthouse before? City bumpkins.
Yu Xiuyuan's eyes lit up after hearing the introduction. "Nice one, Xiao Liu! You've really come through for us. This is practically my dream retirement! Don't worry. I'll behave myself this episode and won't cause you any headaches."
With a life this perfect, every damned man could get out of his way.
Li Rou leaned over and murmured, "Don't get too carried away. Take a look at those guys over there."
Yu Xiuyuan followed her gaze. Yun Chuan was leaning against the back of his chair, watching him with an unreadable, indifferent gaze.
Lin Sen was chatting with Lin Xi, but his eyes kept flicking toward Yu Xiuyuan too.
Su Ziming sat in a corner, his expression still grim.
Fang Yi looked ready to enjoy the show, glancing from one person to another as though he was even happier than Yu Xiuyuan.
As for Lu Jinming, he was adjusting his cuffs with an expression that said, "I know you're looking at me." His sheer obnoxiousness practically spilled out of the screen.
Yu Xiuyuan looked away and gave himself a mental pep talk. Stay steady. No one's going to stop me from enjoying my retirement early.
Director Liu clapped his hands and continued, "This episode, we won't be splitting you into groups for dates. Instead, everyone will receive a 'Designated Date Card,' which lets you choose any guest to go on a date with you. The chosen guest cannot refuse."
"All right, go pick your rooms now. Everyone still gets their own room."
The moment Yu Xiuyuan heard they were free to go, he rushed toward his suitcase, only to have his path blocked after barely two steps.
"I know you're thrilled to see me and can't wait to come over, but let me tell you, I won't accept you that easily." Lu Jinming stood in his way, chin raised.
Yu Xiuyuan drew a deep breath and clenched his fists. For the fishpond three hundred meters east and the chickens, ducks, and geese out back, let it go. Don't hit him.
He could still curse him out, though. "A good dog doesn't block the road! I'm going to get my suitcase. I was only passing by you, so move!"
Lu Jinming's smug face instantly turned a purplish red. "Denying it won't help. Now that I've rejected you, are you trying a different tactic to get my attention?"
Yu Xiuyuan pulled back the right foot he'd already stepped forward with and looked down at him. "You haven't lost your memory, have you? I remember telling you I'm not interested in trash like you anymore."
The live comments hadn't stopped since Lu Jinming appeared. Clearly, an appetite for gossip was human nature.
[??? Who is this guy? Where does he get that confidence?]
[That's Lu Jinming. Yu Xiuyuan used to pursue him. Everyone in the industry knows.]
[Yu Dog kept pestering our Jinming. He was so annoying.]
[People actually don't know about this? Well, our idol found it embarrassing, so he never let us spread it around.]
[You've spread it plenty. Your idol only got famous because of those stories about him being relentlessly pursued.]
[No way. Who couldn't Yu Beauty win over with a single look? Would he really need to chase this toad?]
[Believe it or not, Yu Beauty even visited this toad on set before joining the dating reality show.]
[That was Yu Dog. What's that got to do with our Yu Beauty?]
[Good point. That was Yu Dog. What's that got to do with our Yu Beauty?]
Having said his piece, Yu Xiuyuan took off running. He was in a hurry to pick a room. For his retirement, a comfortable room was a must.
But where was his suitcase?
Where was his enormous suitcase?
He hesitantly walked into the guesthouse lobby and saw Yun Chuan leaning against the wall at the far end of the hallway, watching him.
His suitcase was right beside Yun Chuan.
Yu Xiuyuan sighed in relief and walked over. "God Yun, why did you take my suitcase? Did you grab the wrong one?"
Yun Chuan watched him expressionlessly and said flatly, "You were busy... catching up with an old friend and couldn't spare the time to choose a room, so I had to choose one for you."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted behind Yu Xiuyuan again, and he continued, "What, did I interfere with your plans? My apologies, then."
A chill crept down Yu Xiuyuan's back as he listened. Why did this feel like getting caught cheating by his wife?
"What plans would I have? You picked a room for me, God Yun? Where is it?"
Yun Chuan tilted his head toward the room beside him and said slowly, "This one at the end of the hallway. Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides and a skylight for stargazing. It has the best view of all the rooms."
Yu Xiuyuan rubbed his hands together happily. He got to stay in a room this nice?
Before he could celebrate, Yun Chuan fixed his face with a displeased stare and murmured in an eerily soft voice, "Unfortunately, it's next door to mine, so I'll be your only neighbor. If you're dissatisfied, Mr. Yu... you're welcome to choose another room yourself."
Before you continue