Everyone present looked astonished. The station director was so startled by Yan Feizhuo's words that he stumbled. Once he recovered, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead, nervous yet unwilling to let this opportunity slip away.
He bent down to confirm with Yan Feizhuo. "Mr. Yan, does that mean you agree?"
Yan Feizhuo still leaned comfortably against the back of his seat in the audience, no different from how he usually sat in his CEO's office, his long legs stretched out casually and his hands resting naturally one over the other on his knees.
He lifted his head and glanced at Sheng Nian again.
The young master looked at him with his head slightly tilted, a little tuft of hair swaying smugly with the movement. For some inexplicable reason, Yan Feizhuo's fingers itched, and he felt a strange urge to ruffle his hair.
Perhaps because he had heard Yan Feizhuo agree to his request just now, the little figure in the bubble had also raised his chin, like a proud, pampered kitten pleased that his "command" had been obeyed.
Outwardly, Yan Feizhuo remained composed, but he pressed the tip of his tongue lightly against the roof of his mouth, then brushed it over his Alpha canine teeth, suppressing the urge to bite the kitten's slender, fair neck.
The corners of his mouth lifted a little. He swept a glance over the still oblivious and utterly unafraid Sheng Nian, then turned to the station director. "Yes. It sounds rather interesting. I'll give it a try."
The station director and Director Ren were delighted and immediately began making arrangements for his participation in the show.
This was Yan Feizhuo! What an enormous draw and hot topic it would be for him to deign to appear on a variety show!
Quite apart from anything else, if Mr. Yan enjoyed himself, even a little investment slipping through his fingers would be enough to keep the station going for years.
Director Ren had even worked out how to create headline moments without exceeding Yan Feizhuo's limits once he joined the show.
After the interlude of Sheng Nian choosing his romantic partner, the remaining choices went quickly.
There was little to say about Jiang Shu and He Gu, who successfully paired up. Nie Ge and Chu Yue were a couple in private, so naturally, they matched successfully too.
Among the remaining Mu Ran, Tang Jiang, and Ye Heng, Sheng Nian's unexpected stroke meant that at least one of them would end up alone no matter what.
Mu Ran said gentlemanly, "I choose Miss Tang."
Unexpectedly, however, Tang Jiang turned down Mu Ran's invitation. "Sorry."
Mu Ran's expression did not change at all. Still gracious, he smiled and nodded.
Ye Heng only had eyes for He Gu. Seeing that He Gu had already paired up with Jiang Shu, he asked the director, "Can I abstain?"
Director Ren really had not anticipated anyone choosing to abstain, so he could only nod.
In the end, all three were left without partners and would have to complete individual tasks assigned by the production team on their own in the next episode.
The livestream's scrolling comments broke into discussion at this point.
[Wow, this season's guests have some backbone. That old fox Director Ren already warned them how hard the individual tasks would be, and three of them still ended up alone?]
[It's not like they wanted to be alone, right? Maybe there really wasn't anyone they wanted to pair up with?]
[I was about to say the same thing as the person above. Do this season's guests not know that tormenting guests is Ren Tao's specialty?]
[In previous seasons, I don't think the guests refused to pair up even if it wasn't with their first choice. Some of Ren Tao's punishments really are mortifying...]
[And Tang Jiang actually turned down Best Actor Mu outright? She's so real. I love this badass queen.]
[That's normal, isn't it? They're both Alphas, after all. Alphas are highly territorial, and their pheromones repel each other. Pairing them up would make both of them uncomfortable...]
[He Gu has no shame, He Gu has no shame, He Gu has no shame!]
[I'm honestly speechless. Sheng Nian finally leaves, and now He Gu's latched on instead. Our poor darling!]
[He Gu is usually so good at pretending, but the second it's time to pick someone, his true colors come out. Can he stop clinging to our darling and leeching off him?]
[Am I the only one wondering who Sheng Nian actually picked? Is it a mystery guest? But didn't the official announcement only list ten guests?]
[I'm so curious too!!!! Everyone looked so surprised. Who on earth is it?]
[How can the production team be so clueless at a time like this? Doesn't the camera operator know to follow him?!!]
[Could this be a surprise the production team prepared?]
[More than that, I'm curious why Sheng Nian stopped pestering Jiang Shu, hahahaha. Has he started playing hard to get too?]
It was not just the livestream viewers who wondered why Sheng Nian had not chosen Jiang Shu. Everyone present was curious too, and Jiang Shu's face was particularly dark.
Deep down, Jiang Shu did not want Sheng Nian pestering him again on the show. Otherwise, he would have to be mindful of the cameras while considering what to say when Sheng Nian chose him so he would not hurt his feelings.
Yet he had never expected Sheng Nian not to choose him at all, or even glance his way, instead pointing to an Alpha offstage as his partner.
Once the first round of romantic partner selections ended, filming for this episode was over. Director Ren had someone turn off the livestream, then picked up a megaphone and called out, "That's a wrap!"
The moment the cameras were off, Sheng Nian turned and went backstage, had the staff remove all the equipment he was wearing, and changed his clothes, ready to head home.
His mind was full of the excitement of finally finishing his performance for the day: he no longer had to play the scheming innocent or maintain his lovestruck persona, and he could go home. He completely failed to notice how terrible the expressions of Jiang Shu and Yan Feizhuo, whom he had ignored, had become.
After changing, Sheng Nian came out of the dressing room and ran into Jiang Shu. He inwardly cursed. Since his cheat had arrived, he had not chosen Jiang Shu. Had that been a little out of character?
But the system had not sounded a warning. Was it because 01100 was dormant, and this basic AI was not that intelligent?
Jiang Shu looked Sheng Nian over, his gaze holding a trace of doubt and confusion.
The moment he became a little suspicious of Sheng Nian, the system's electronic warning sounded.
Sheng Nian jolted, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to salvage the situation.
He approached Jiang Shu of his own accord, wearing a slightly sad smile. "Jiang Shu, I didn't pester you anymore. Wasn't I good today? Are you still angry with me?"
Jiang Shu froze for a moment, then realized Sheng Nian was explaining why he had not chosen him. Just as he was about to speak, He Gu emerged from the dressing room behind him.
Seeing He Gu, Sheng Nian changed his expression again. With a hint of resentment, he glanced at Jiang Shu, then said with an edge of sarcasm, "Congratulations. You got your wish and can pair up with Jiang Shu."
He Gu felt smug inside, but he could not admit it.
After all, what one could not have was always the best.
He immediately smiled gently. "Nian, you've misunderstood. You and Shu are the only people I know on this show. Director Ren said the individual tasks would be harder, and I didn't want to fail and get punished, so... I'm not trying to take anything from you."
What he was taking was obvious.
He Gu thought that, with Sheng Nian's spoiled, blunt temper, hearing this would surely make him charge over to argue as he always had before. That would let He Gu earn another round of goodwill and sympathy from Jiang Shu while putting Sheng Nian down in the process.
Who would have thought Sheng Nian would refuse to take the bait?
He turned to Jiang Shu and pressed his lips together, looking terribly sad yet forcing a smile. "It's all right. Jiang Shu accepted your invitation too. As long as he's happy, that's all that matters."
Sheng Nian was delicate and beautiful, his amber eyes like honey, but now they shimmered with moisture, as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
The sight made Jiang Shu pause.
Jiang Shu immediately understood. Had Sheng Nian thought he wanted to pair up with Gu, and therefore decided to grant his wish rather than choose him as his first romantic partner?
Had someone said something to mislead him? He looked at He Gu beside him.
Before he could ask anything else, Sheng Nian had already turned and hurried out of the backstage area.
From Jiang Shu's perspective, his head was lowered, and his hand seemed to wipe across his face.
Was he crying?
Jiang Shu's heart clenched, and he frowned.
But Sheng Nian was actually on the verge of bursting into laughter.
Because the system AI had just announced that his progress had increased by another 0.1%.
He had to leave quickly, or laughing aloud would put him out of character.
In the VIP room right next door, Yan Feizhuo watched Sheng Nian leave with his head lowered, seemingly upset, while listening to the little figure in the bubble chuckling, "Heh heh," in complete contradiction to his outward behavior. He looked back down at the information his secretary had just sent him, which read: Sheng Nian, twenty-three years old, hopelessly infatuated with Jiang Shu...
He rubbed his brow, thought of the bubble he had just seen above Sheng Nian's head, then closed his light computer and summoned his secretary.
"Book me an ophthalmology appointment at Capital First Hospital."
The secretary paused, but immediately replied, "Of course."
"Wait. Book a psychiatric appointment too."
"?? P-psychiatry?"
Yan Feizhuo looked up at him. "Is there a problem?"
The secretary said, "No, no problem. I'll take care of it right away."
Before you continue