With Yan Feizhuo's declaration of "I abstain," the second round of romantic partner selection came to a close.
Director Ren announced, "That concludes our second round of romantic partner selection."
"Congratulations to our four successfully matched couples: Tang Jiang and Sheng Nian, Mu Ran and Nie Ge, Chu Yue and Mo Yuanyuan, and Jiang Shu and He Gu. Meanwhile, Yan Feizhuo, Ye Heng, and Qi Xiao remain unpaired and will have to face the Production Team's challenges alone in the next stage. Give it your best!"
After that, Director Ren addressed the livestream viewers. "Next, we'll be recording our guests' solo interviews, so this is where the livestream ends. See you at the next one!"
[When's the next livestream? When does the edited episode come out?!!]
[I just switched over to the Star Network to check. My world is falling apart. The next livestream is in two weeks!]
[Why so long??? The previous seasons never had breaks this long. Three days of filming, then two weeks off?]
[All the guests this season have their own careers, right? Maybe they have work to deal with, especially company presidents like Yan Feizhuo and Ye Heng.]
[At least we'll get two edited episodes during those two weeks!]
Once Director Ren finished speaking, he had someone cut the livestream.
After the livestream ended, the eleven guests relaxed considerably. Yan Feizhuo took Sheng Nian, whom he had been shielding, over to sit on a nearby sofa.
"Everyone, we're getting ready for the solo interviews now. If you need to change or touch up your makeup, please hurry. We'll start as soon as we've set up."
After giving instructions to the eleven demanding VIPs, Director Ren took his people away to prepare.
Sheng Nian and Yan Feizhuo sat in a corner of the sofa. Some of the other guests went to change or touch up their makeup, but Jiang Shu stayed behind and sat down too.
His gaze flicked toward Sheng Nian from time to time, as though he wanted to explain something, but in the end, he never spoke.
Yan Feizhuo quietly reminded Sheng Nian, "Stay behind after your interview. I had some equipment brought over yesterday. I'll have Chen Che give you a thorough examination later and adjust your medication."
Sheng Nian said, "There's no need to go to all that trouble. I can just visit my family's private hospital after I get back."
Yan Feizhuo said, "How are you going to explain your pheromone sensitivity syndrome to your family?"
Sheng Nian could already imagine how worked up his father, his dad, and his older brother would get when they found out.
His head ached as he said, "Thank you. Sorry for the trouble, then."
Yan Feizhuo frowned, his expression serious. "You don't need to thank me."
"Ah... o-okay."
His words reminded Sheng Nian that this was his perfect tool, someone he could use however he wanted. There really was no need to thank him.
The Production Team soon finished setting up.
Remembering that Sheng Nian had returned to the villa after finishing his task yesterday because he felt unwell, Director Ren told the PD, "Go get Sheng Nian first. He wasn't feeling well yesterday. Let's finish his interview early so he can go back and rest."
He thought, This will also keep Sheng Nian and Jiang Shu apart. I love watching romantic showdowns, but having President Yan hovering nearby like a predator is enough to give anyone palpitations.
Completely unaware of Director Ren's painstaking efforts, Sheng Nian followed his assigned PD straight to the interview location.
The solo interviews were set in the estate's glass conservatory, which was beautifully maintained and filled with flowers.
The Production Team only needed to do a little decorating and put up a display bearing the show's logo. The conservatory already had a round European-style wrought-iron glass table and chairs for tea, saving the Production Team even the trouble of providing chairs.
Director Ren and the show's producer were both there. Sheng Nian greeted them when he entered, then took his seat in front of the camera.
After a little small talk, Director Ren announced the start of the interview.
The first question was a standard one for solo interviews on dating shows. "Sheng Nian, could you tell us why you came on a dating show?"
Sheng Nian fell silent for a moment...
Hadn't the internet already dug all that up? Thinking of his reason for joining the dating show before the system appeared, Sheng Nian felt too embarrassed to say it aloud.
But he couldn't refuse to answer, either. He still had an OOC warning hanging over him.
Sheng Nian lowered his head and pondered for a moment, his voice sounding a little airy. "I came to pursue someone who might never look back."
Director Ren froze for a moment, then sighed without pressing further.
He braced himself and asked the next question. "After spending several days together, what's your impression of Yan Feizhuo, your partner in the first stage? And what do you think of the other guests?"
Sheng Nian thought for a moment. "Feizhuo is a really, really good person. When we first met, I thought he'd be very cold, but I never expected him to be such a gentleman. I know I can be a bit spoiled, and I've caused him a lot of trouble these past few days, but he's never disliked me for it..."
He chattered on and on, his talkative streak emerging again.
Director Ren watched him with a fond smile. It seemed Sheng Nian and President Yan weren't entirely without a chance...
But if President Yan heard this speech that sounded so much like being handed a "nice guy" card, who knew whether he would start radiating cold air again.
"Yuanyuan is super cute. She was the first person on the show to talk to me, and she said I was good-looking. Hehe~"
"She's actually really pretty herself! And she's very helpful."
At this point, Sheng Nian glanced at Director Ren before continuing, "Out of the eleven guests, only she and Mu Ran are willing to play along with you~"
Director Ren was speechless. You could have left that part out.
"Qi Xiao is like a wolf cub. He wants to carry Yuanyuan off in his jaws!" Sheng Nian sounded rather indignant.
"Mu Ran is nothing like he is in the movies! He's such a gentleman, and I don't know why, but seeing him on a dating show always gives me the feeling of an honest man throwing caution to the wind."
"I haven't interacted much with Chu Yue and Nie Ge, but they're both very good-tempered. I've also heard the song they collaborated on. They're such a perfect match, and they suit each other on the dating show too."
At that, Sheng Nian covered his mouth and giggled. He had clearly spent plenty of time shipping them in private.
"President Ye, umm... is very brave about expressing his love." Obsessive lunatic, Sheng Nian silently griped.
"He Gu..." At the mention of He Gu, Sheng Nian looked a little sad. "He has a very gentle personality, I suppose. He's the type Alphas would like..."
"Jiang Shu is just like his fans say-a Prince Charming."
Speaking of Jiang Shu, Sheng Nian looked a little bashful.
Tang Jiang was last. Sheng Nian wasn't quite sure how to describe this alluring older woman. "My first impression of Tang Jiang was her perfume. It had a fresh citrus scent with a hint of cool mint in the base notes, which really suited her alluring yet distant image."
"But she loves teasing me too much..."
Remembering how Tang Jiang teased him until he was red-faced every time they met, Sheng Nian felt a little helpless. To him, Tang Jiang was a little like his own brother, who had a wicked sense of humor.
Director Ren was quite satisfied with the footage from Sheng Nian's interview. As though making casual conversation, he asked, "Sheng Nian, have you decided what to write for your mock relationship announcement?"
Sheng Nian paused. "Well... not yet."
"All right, that's a shame. I thought I might get an inside scoop."
"Oh, right. I heard Tang Jiang will be using her 'bondage play' privilege on you in the next episode. How do you feel about that?"
Looking at the director, who was itching to stir up trouble, Sheng Nian gave a little huff and refused to give him the answer he wanted. "Oh, really? I hope it won't interfere with meals!"
Director Ren was speechless. You're a little menace too!
Seeing that he wouldn't get anything else out of him, Director Ren said, "All right, that concludes your solo interview, Sheng Nian. Thanks for your hard work today. Go back and get some rest."
Sheng Nian nodded, stood, and walked out. Not wanting to see Jiang Shu, he skipped the main villa's living room and went straight back to his own room.
Before you continue