Romance Variety Show: The aloof and beautiful fourth female lead is always coveted.

After being "tease" by Bai Nianchu, Ling Yan gave up his sulking.

He only dared to show his sullenness and moodiness in front of her because of her indulgence and tolerance. If she didn't like it, he would obediently restrain himself and hide his emotions deep inside.

Then—they chatted casually.

The conversation naturally turned to the initial reason for coming to the show.

When this topic came up, Ling Yan's ears turned slightly red, and after a moment he said somewhat awkwardly, "It was recommended by my roommate."

"They said that appearing on this show would come with an appearance fee, a 'give-up' fee, and a month's worth of lost wages and living expenses."

"I filled out the registration form and recorded a video."

"A week later, after passing online and offline interviews and communicating with the director... the spot was finally confirmed."

Bai Nianchu's eyes flickered slightly.

For the appearance fee, that's truly the purest reason.

She could tell that Ling Yan was short of money and was working very hard to support himself.

He did indeed do very well, going from an orphanage all the way to a prestigious university, paving a better future for himself.

Just like Ling Yan said—the appearance fee, the appearance fee, plus miscellaneous living expenses, this one trip on the show can bring in 60,000 to 70,000 yuan.

That's enough for a college student's expenses for a long time.

"That's impressive." Bai Nianchu didn't hold back her praise and recognition. "Are you graduating soon?"

"Yes," Ling Yan said, "I started working here after the show ended."

Ling Yan didn't follow up on the topic of studies and work. Instead, his classmates in the comment section couldn't stand his taciturn nature and couldn't help but jump out to speak up for him.

[I'm Ling Yan's classmate. He's incredibly hardworking and outstanding! Not only did he pass the GRE, but he was also hired early by the GRE assessment center.]

Wow, is the fourth male lead that amazing?! He's only 22!

Oh no, the black text is turning redder the more I look at it...

[She's already got a lucrative job at such a young age; her future looks very promising! (✧∇✧)]

[I used to think that the fourth male guest was the least impressive among the male guests... Turns out I was the clown; everyone else was excellent.]

"Nianchu... what about you?" Ling Yan's fingers unconsciously rubbed the side of the cup.

He knew that Bai Nianchu came from a wealthy family, and he really couldn't understand why she would participate in this program.

Even most of the sponsors are from her family.

He learned about this by chance from a conversation among his staff.

Bai Nianchu's eyelashes drooped slightly.

For the original owner, it was about pursuing someone's love; for her, it was a mission she needed to complete.

However, there were indeed a few moments during this process when she was touched by their sincerity.

Although it was a journey that had to be completed, Bai Nianchu was not entirely unmoved.

"For the experience," Bai Nianchu said.

She couldn't possibly reveal the reason to the original owner or the system.

It's not wrong to say it was an experience; the program was like a springboard for her, a transitional period for her to observe the world and adapt to peaceful life.

Ling Yan nodded, though she still had many questions in her mind, such as her feelings for Chen Yuze and her choice later...

But it was his and her dinner time.

Ling Yan felt a bit resistant. He really didn't want to bring up other women, and he didn't want to hear any praise for others from Bai Nianchu, even if it was just a little bit of favoritism or a faint hint of affection. It made him feel suffocated.

He himself felt that... his possessiveness was a bit too strong.

Bai Nianchu would probably hate it.

Despite having no official status whatsoever, the jealousy is already overflowing.

If it were him, he would also feel that he had crossed the line.

More than trying to figure out what she was thinking, Ling Yan was afraid that Bai Nianchu would hate him.

It's better to just wait quietly for her to make a choice.

If you behave well, you might be able to occupy a better place in her heart.

*

When it came time to choose, the most exciting part came—

The director called Chen Yuze over to the beach, where he and Ling Yan stood on either side of Bai Nianchu.

The director, holding a megaphone, announced: "Ms. Bai, the dinner for two is over. You need to choose a male guest to go to the love house to spend the night together."

Other guests, who had come to join the fun, stood not far away, their gazes subtle and complex.

From their perspective...

Standing to Bai Nianchu's left, Chen Yuze's physique and facial features were sharper and more aggressive than the other men.

Her figure reflects her overall presence and the impression she gives off.

But his eyes were like a blazing fire, intense and obsessive, burning only around her.

Ling Yan stood to Bai Nianchu's right, looking at her with his beautiful face turned to the side. His expression was blank, but his eyes held a hint of expectation.

Ling Yan's gaze seemed to silently declare to everyone—

Bai Nianchu is the absolute center of Ling Yan's world, a center from which there is no deviation.

"This scene is too much of a chaotic mess!" Jiang Meng exclaimed, her eyes gleaming.

I inexplicably felt proud of Bai Nianchu.

No wonder he's the guy she likes, he's just so charming!

……and many more.

Hold on, hold on!

Jiang Meng blinked.

Did some strange thought just flash through her mind?

Liu Zhiwei felt a sense of satisfaction from shipping the couple up close: "Nianchu would choose Chen Yuze."

The other girls nodded in agreement: "I think so too."

Xu Muyang's eyebrows drooped, looking like he was holding back a huge grievance, and he said listlessly, "I should be waiting over there to be held hands, instead of standing here as a bystander."

Su Yi'an and Lin Zhao remained silent: "..."

They said they didn't want things to be like they used to be.

The live stream was both hilarious and nerve-wracking:

[Haha, third male lead: I should be in the car, not under it!]

This part...felt like being publicly executed.

[I can't imagine how awkward it must be for the person who wasn't chosen, having to watch the female guest and the other person leave.]

"Mr. Bai, please make your final choice," the director said through a megaphone.

Bai Nianchu's gaze swept over the two of them, finally settling on the left. Her voice was calm yet crisp and clear: "I choose Chen Yuze."

Chen Yuze: "!"

Although he had a vague idea in his mind, he wasn't 100% sure. Only then did Chen Yuze truly breathe a sigh of relief, a genuine smile curving his lips, his eyes brimming with joy and satisfaction.

Ling Yan: "..."

Ling Yan stood there motionless, like a drenched young animal. An indescribable sense of loss exploded deep within his heart, like shattered fireworks, scattering into every corner of his soul.

He instinctively pressed his hand to his chest, feeling an emptiness inside.

The comment section was scrolling wildly, mostly filled with comments about the sweet moments, with a small group expressing sympathy.

【Ahhhhhh 5499! I knew you could do it, male fifth!】

Today's competition was worthwhile; hard work really does pay off ദ്ദിᵔ.˛.ᵔ₎✧

[Love House, just hearing that makes me... hehehe, my CP is going to get out of the way! My CP is going to get out of the way! My CP is going to get out of the way!]

Seeing the fourth man unconsciously touch his chest, I also felt a pang of sympathy.

The cat is sad...dT-Tb

[I'm so conflicted, I don't want to miss either... Production team, you've done so many bad things!]