Have You Had Your Eye on Yan Qingdu for a Long Time?

"But then again, I think young people should get out there and work hard. Don't be so unreasonable."

Ye Chongli changed tack and began passing judgment on Ye Yizhou.

Ye Yizhou rolled his eyes and ignored his dad.

He knew all his dad's talk about feeling sorry for him was a lie.

Ye Jing’an sat on the sofa opposite him without a word, his expression cold and his gaze roaming over Ye Yizhou.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Ye Yizhou lounged sideways on the sofa and lifted his eyes to glance at Ye Jing’an.

It wasn't exactly a proper way to sit, but it really was comfortable.

"If you have a question, ask. Are the answers written on my face? What do you expect to find by staring?"

Ye Jing’an was skeptical. "Will you answer if I ask?"

"Not necessarily, but if you ask, at least you'll definitely get an answer saying I definitely won't answer, which is still better than sitting here staring at me forever, agonizing over whether I'll answer your question!"

Ye Yizhou said it with perfect confidence.

Ye Jing’an: ?

That sentence twisted and turned so much that he almost failed to understand what Ye Yizhou meant.

"Have you had your eye on Yan Qingdu for a long time?"

Ye Jing’an finally couldn't resist asking the question on his mind.

"I think so." Before Ye Yizhou could answer, Ye Chongli leaned over to offer his opinion.

"Oh, you even know that? What are you, a worm in my belly?"

Ye Yizhou raised his eyebrows slightly, a mischievous grin curling his lips as he teased him.

"Get lost. I'm your dad," Ye Chongli retorted irritably, rolling his eyes.

"Hahahahaha!" Ye Yizhou laughed even harder.

"I think so too."

Lu Qingwan sat down beside Ye Chongli and nodded in agreement. "If you didn't really like him, who could win you over so easily?"

"But that's Yan Qingdu!" Ye Yizhou deliberately muddied the waters.

Unmoved, Lu Qingwan began analyzing it rationally. "With Qingdu's aloof temperament, he wouldn't rush into marriage with someone he'd only met once. You must have coaxed him into getting your marriage registered."

"I might be a little off, but even if I don't know Qingdu well, don't I know you?" Lu Qingwan looked at her youngest son with a smile.

Ye Yizhou: ...

He had to admit, nobody knew him better than his own mother.

Since Ye Yizhou said nothing, that counted as tacit agreement.

"When did it start?"

Yan Qingdu was very busy with work and often traveled for business, or else stayed at his own place. He seldom went home.

So even though Lu Qingwan and Qin Yunzhi were close friends, Ye Yizhou had never met Yan Qingdu before.

The main reason was that Yan Qingdu was too busy.

It was also because Ye Yizhou used to have his own circle, so chance had kept their paths from crossing.

"Don't ask. Ask any more and I'll cry."

Ye Yizhou raised his arm to cover his eyes as he spoke.

"Why? Is it some tragic, moving love story?" Instead, Ye Jing’an grew a little excited. At the hint of gossip, he grew as restless as a badger in a melon patch.

Yet every word out of Ye Yizhou's mouth caught them off guard.

"Because you don't care about my love life at all. You never even noticed who I liked. You don't care about me or pay attention to me at all. If I keep talking, I really will cry."

Ye Yizhou sounded increasingly dejected, and by the end, his voice even trembled a little, taking on a faint tearful note.

"All right, all right. We won't ask anymore."

Though she knew her youngest son was putting on an act, Lu Qingwan still felt sorry for him when she saw his pitiful, tearful display and quickly ended the conversation.

"As long as you like him. Qingdu isn't just outstanding, he's also steady and dependable. As long as you two are happy together."

"Mm."

Ye Yizhou nodded obediently.

"Hold on. You keep saying you like Yan Qingdu, but the moment he leaves, you're going on a dating show. Do you think that's appropriate?"

Ye Jing’an still felt his younger brother was being very unfair about this.

Ye Yizhou couldn't help letting out a long sigh, his expression and tone both conveying utter helplessness:

"Ah, it's all for work, to put food on the table. Everyone's just playing along. He'll understand."

The other three members of the Ye family fell silent.

How could he be such a scumbag with such a clear conscience!

"Fine, then. As long as Yan Qingdu doesn't mind."

In the end, Ye Jing’an gave in without any principles. "Our opinions don't matter."

A crafty gleam hid in Ye Yizhou's clear eyes, and a smile curled his lips. He seemed to be in a good mood.

Speaking of that dating show.

The Red Thread of Love, directed by Ji Yanfeng, was the country's first livestreamed dating reality show.

There was the real-person pairing Song Jincheng X Jiang Chuyu, whose popularity from a recent hit drama remained sky-high; the rumored couple Li Chonghua X Pei Lan, who frequently trended online; and the faded pairing fans still couldn't get over, Zhong Xi x Sang Xiangwan.

Whether for its format or its guest lineup, the show had attracted considerable attention ever since its premiere date was officially announced.

The show partnered with Dongxi Live, the largest livestreaming platform at present, to begin its broadcast.

Dongxi Live offered ultra-high-definition video and excellent audio, with no lag or server crashes no matter how many viewers joined.

As soon as the livestream began, the viewer count gradually rose.

Comments also began scrolling across the screen, slowly growing more numerous.

[The show's finally started! We can keep enjoying sweet moments from our Song-Jiang Goldfish ship! So happy.]

[As long as I live long enough, I'll get to see my unforgettable Evening Bell ship reunite on a show.]

[Whether the rumors are true depends on how they interact on the show.]

[I can't help laughing whenever I remember how a certain little drama queen sucked up to the director forever and still didn't get on the show.]

Every viewer had come to watch for different reasons and different people. It had to be said that Director Ji had a firm grasp of all their various mindsets.

Whether they wanted sweet romantic moments or juicy gossip, there was something for everyone.

Black sedans pulled up one after another at the entrance to the villa complex, and the guests got out in turn, exchanging greetings.

Some were already exchanging lingering, intimate looks right at the start of the show.

Others stood on opposite sides, as if they barely knew each other.

Still others greeted one another, yet gave off a toe-curlingly awkward vibe.

There was plenty to unpack right from the start, instantly sparking discussion in the comments.

[Uh, why is the atmosphere different from what I imagined?]

[Song Jincheng and Jiang Chuyu really are dating, right? Those lingering looks! Just kill me with sweetness already.]

[They've trended over those rumors so many times, and only now do they know to stand apart? If they really want to avoid suspicion, why come on a dating show?]

[I thought the Evening Bell ship's reunion after so long would have that beautiful, broken quality. Why is it so awkward, aaah? I'm the one about to shatter.]

[Not sure. I'll keep watching.]

All six guests had assembled, but the director still hadn't cued the next part.

"Director, what are we doing next?"

Song Jincheng couldn't help taking the initiative to ask the director about the next part.

"No rush. There's one more guest," Director Ji said.

"Huh?"

Not only were the guests present puzzled, but the livestream comments were also filled with question marks.

Only six guests had been officially announced!

Where had this extra guest come from?

Just then, a late-arriving car also pulled up at the entrance to the villa complex.