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

The live stream chat exploded.

【Holy crap?!??????????】

Is this true? We've known each other for twenty years...we're not just childhood sweethearts, we're very close friends, right?

[Except for Bai Nianchu, who showed no expression, the other female guests all looked quite surprised, so she's undoubtedly the fourth female guest.]

[My God, is this really not a script?]

[Has Lin Zhao, who's been holding back on the Heartbeat House for almost half a season, suddenly started to make a move?]

That's quite a lot of patience.

The men's bad premonitions came true.

Although Lin Zhao didn't name names, the implication was clear. Everyone except the new guest, Wen Shanshan, knew who he was referring to.

Xu Muyang was the first to have a drastic change in expression.

The scene of their earlier collision in the corridor suddenly flashed back to me.

No wonder……

No wonder Lin Zhao had such a resentful look on his face that day, blocking Bai Nianchu's door with a face full of resentment; it turns out they already knew each other.

Ling Yan's first feeling was astonishment, along with a hint of barely concealed fear. His fingers, resting on his knees, curled tightly, and the veins on his forearms stretched taut.

The smile on Su Yi'an's face completely disappeared.

This was the first time he had ever acted so undignifiedly in front of so many people. He was usually gentle and cheerful, but now his face suddenly darkened, and his warm eyes turned icy.

Chen Yuze arrived a few days later than them, and upon hearing Lin Zhao's words, a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes.

They spoke so intimately.

Since the relationship wasn't revealed at the beginning, it's not important.

If they really cared, they wouldn't have put up with it until now.

If that's the case, what's the point of saying it now?

Oh, I guess I'm a clown.

Chen Yuze raised an eyebrow, parted his thin lips, and without flinching, cut to the chase: "You mean Bai Nianchu?"

Lin Zhao's expression was slightly cold.

His intention was not to force Bai Nianchu to acknowledge him.

He simply believed that—at this point in the program, it was time to make some overconfident people realize that the distance between them and Bai Nianchu could not be shortened simply by liking her, and that they should also assess their own status and abilities.

However, it cannot be denied that he had a personal motive in revealing his relationship with Bai Nianchu through the game.

Chen Yuze's blunt exposure not only revealed his true intentions but also worsened Bai Nianchu's opinion of him.

Lin Zhao disdains playing mind games with others and doesn't think there are any opponents in this show worthy of his serious attention, but Chen Yuze does crack the mask of his always calm and composed demeanor.

"Yes."

At this point, Lin Zhao had no choice but to admit it decisively.

Any hesitation would be a sign of being at a disadvantage.

His gaze pierced the frozen air, looking directly at Bai Nianchu sitting directly opposite him.

Lin Zhao rarely had the opportunity, and even less often, to gaze intently at his childhood sweetheart face-to-face like this.

Bai Nianchu is very beautiful.

He had known this for a long time.

But for some reason, it wasn't until this moment that her face was deeply imprinted in his eyes.

With naturally captivating fair skin, exquisitely sculpted facial features, and a cold and aloof aura, she possesses a natural charm.

Lin Zhao was even momentarily stunned.

This is very rare for him.

however……

Noticing his gaze, Bai Nianchu lowered her eyelashes. After several seconds, she finally managed to turn her gaze to him.

Her gaze remained unchanged.

The way they looked at a stranger.

No, not like.

That gaze was cold and weary, as if he were looking at a complete stranger, a stranger she found repulsive.

This made Lin Zhao's heart sink.

It felt like being suddenly squeezed by an invisible weight, almost making it hard to breathe.

My chest feels tight, and every breath feels heavy.

But words spoken are like arrows shot from a bow; there's no going back.

"We were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since we were little."

Lin Zhao said, emphasizing each word.

Childhood sweethearts?

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise, and they were speechless for a moment.

The most exaggerated expression came from Jiang Meng—since she'd let loose and embraced her true self, even her facial expressions had become much less controlled. Upon hearing this incredibly juicy gossip, her pupils dilated in shock, her mouth formed a perfect "O," and after a long pause, she stammered out, "This...is this for real!?"

Chen Yuze clicked his tongue, his words carrying a hidden meaning: "Well, you're quite good at hiding it."

If it were him, the moment he stepped into the small house, he would immediately announce his relationship with Bai Nianchu to everyone.

For no other reason than that if we delay announcing it to the world even a second later, we'll be targeted by others.

Su Yi'an immediately chimed in: "So why didn't you go public from the start? Was it because you didn't want to?"

Xu Muyang immediately chimed in: "Oh—I get it, it's because there's a girl he wants to get to know, and he doesn't want to get involved with his childhood sweetheart, right?"

Ling Yan silently echoed the group: "Those who aren't familiar with each other don't count as childhood sweethearts, they're just childhood friends."

The female guests watching the drama: "...Pfft!"

I don't know who couldn't hold back their laughter, but the atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.

They can't be blamed for that.

The main reason was that Ling Yan's comment was hilarious.

This was the first time they had realized that Ling Yan's attack power was quite strong.

The term "childhood sweethearts" originally evokes a sense of ambiguity, but the phrase "childhood friends" simply means they are friends who grew up together.

Lin Zhao: "..."

Lin Zhao's face was almost as black as charcoal.

It's clear that he wasn't well-liked in the small house; no one spoke up for him.

But he didn't really care; the only thing he cared about was Bai Nianchu's reaction and attitude.

In the past...

If Lin Zhao were to admit to their close childhood friendship in person, Bai Nianchu might be so surprised that she would stop the production team on the spot and pull him out of the recording.

But now that Bai Nianchu's core has been completely replaced, she only feels confused, bored, and weary.

Whether it's Lin Zhao as a person, or his belated realization of his feelings and his sudden, one-sided announcement, everything about him is utterly boring to her.

"So..." Jiang Meng leaned half her body towards Bai Nianchu, "Nianchu, is he really your childhood friend... uh, your best friend? You've known each other for twenty years?"

Jiang Meng deliberately lowered her voice, but it was completely useless in this situation. Everyone else pricked up their ears and openly eavesdropped on their conversation.

"Hmm." Bai Nianchu did not refute this point.

Lin Zhao's expression softened slightly.

But the next second, his mood plummeted again.

He heard Bai Nianchu add the second half of the sentence almost without pausing: "We're just acquaintances."

Is it merely recognition?

Lin Zhao almost laughed out of anger.

So what is her plan for all these years of relentless pursuit?

Is this considered pure harassment?

After observing and spending so many days together, Lin Zhao did indeed discover that Bai Nianchu was different from before.

She stopped looking at him, stopped clinging to him, and even if they spent the whole day in the small house, she wouldn't take the initiative to talk to him.

But perhaps it's the inertia of being pursued for so long.

Subconsciously, he still believed that Bai Nianchu was behind him, watching him all along.

It's just done in a different way.

Otherwise... how do you explain giving up on a crush that has lasted for more than ten years?