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

"Nianchu, I've brought you the ginger water."

"Nianchu, this is a gift for you."

Xu Muyang held the cup on the left, and Su Yi'an held the gift on the right. Neither of them took a step forward nor back.

Compared to Xu Muyang, who is strikingly handsome with his blond hair and blue eyes, Su Yi'an is not aggressive at all.

The corridor lights shone on him, making him appear as gentle and refined as a pool of water, both in the soft warmth between his brows and eyes and in the appropriateness and propriety of his every move.

It is like holding a fine jade in your bosom, its brilliance understated and not dazzling.

Even amidst this chaotic situation involving three people, Su Yi'an merely offered a faint smile and slowly addressed Bai Nianchu, "I'm sorry, have I caused you trouble?"

Xu Muyang: "..."

Live stream room: [...]

Uh, is that right?

[I know the answer to this question too! "Brother shouldn't mind if I give sister a gift, right?" "I've never seen a girl as wonderful as sister." "I'm fine, sister doesn't need to worry about me." "I've caused sister trouble again, I feel so guilty."]

【I can't take it anymore, you green tea b*tch, take this!】

【Oh dear, our Teacher Su only has a little bit of tea ceremony skills, so what?】

[It's nothing, I just made the third male lead so angry he looked like a monkey's butt ヾ(⌒∇⌒*)]

Bai Nianchu... Bai Nianchu felt the urge to rub her forehead again.

If it weren't for the recording of a TV show, she would probably have walked away before the two confronted each other.

Bai Nianchu didn't reply. She accepted the ginger water from Xu Muyang and the gift from Su Yi'an, thanked them, and then asked, "Is there anything else?"

They practically had "Aren't you leaving yet?" written all over their faces.

Su Yi'an smiled faintly: "It's alright, get some rest."

Xu Muyang glanced sideways at his rival, and before leaving, he deliberately said, "Nianchu, remember our promise for tomorrow night."

Su Yi'an paused almost imperceptibly.

An agreement?

What agreement did Xu Muyang and Bai Nianchu make that only the two of them know?

It looks like it was just decided not long ago.

Su Yi'an maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, and after returning to her room, she immediately took out her phone to search for Xu Muyang's recent work schedule.

The "Heartbeat House" program explicitly forbids private dating, but they generally turn a blind eye to requests for meals or activities in public places, such as going to the supermarket or shopping mall together. Considering Xu Muyang's profession and the nature of his work, it's not hard to guess that his invitation to Bai Nianchu was...

Sure enough, he saw the cast list for the adapted version of "Hamlet" at the top of the promotional page on the A City Grand Theatre's official website, with the lead actor's name, [Xu Muyang/Elio], listed first. The latest performance time was exactly 7 PM tomorrow night.

A hint of sarcasm flashed across Su Yi'an's eyes.

An agreement... is that right?

He insisted on getting involved.

With enough money, even the hardest tickets can be obtained through connections.

*

Just after retrieving the mail, Bai Nianchu was stopped by Lin Zhao outside the mailbox hut.

"Let's talk."

Lin Zhao's eyes were bloodshot, his gaze was deep, and his jawline was taut, clearly indicating that he had been troubled by many things these past few days.

Seeing that Bai Nianchu ignored him and turned to leave, he quickly followed, "Wait."

"Niannian," Lin Zhao said in a hoarse voice, "let's be open and honest about this."

Lin Zhao herself couldn't explain how she felt at that moment.

He used to always tell Bai Nianchu "Don't bother me" and "Don't disturb me," but in just a few days... he became a persistent pest, and it was Bai Nianchu who was the one being harassed.

What is this? Is it just the wheel of fortune turning? Or is it his retribution?

Bai Nianchu looked up and met the man's hoarse voice.

Seeing her look over, Lin Zhao's gaze also fiercely fixed on her.

"...Go to the back garden," Bai Nianchu said, frowning.

Lin Zhao's eyes lit up: "Okay."

In the back garden of the Heartbeat Cottage, there is a street lamp and a bench. The sky tonight is exceptionally gloomy, without a single star, and the surroundings are so quiet that only the sound of the wind and the occasional chirping of insects can be heard.

"The microphone," Lin Zhao asked, "Should we take it off?"

"No need," Bai Nianchu said.

Lin Zhao paused, gave a soft "hmm," and put her hand back down from her collar.

He usually speaks calmly and logically to friends and subordinates, but when facing Bai Nianchu these past few days, whether it's because his mind is in turmoil or for some other reason, his words always fail to express his meaning. Not only does he fail to resolve the conflict, but he pushes her further away.

"……sorry."

Lin Zhao paused for a few seconds before uttering those words with difficulty.

He hasn't apologized to anyone in a long time.

His status, family background, and wealth created an invisible exemption zone for him; in his dictionary, there was no such word as apology, only the price required to correct his mistakes.

But when his rules met Bai Nianchu, they were like stones sinking into the sea, leaving him with a sense of frustration from not getting any feedback and having nowhere to exert his strength.

"Niannian...didn't you come here for me?"

This statement not only caused an uproar among the viewers who were watching the live stream, but also drew Bai Nianchu's attention.

In the past, Bai Nianchu's gaze would have only made Lin Zhao feel uncomfortable and annoyed. But now, Lin Zhao could no longer deceive himself; he liked this undisturbed atmosphere and the feeling of the girl focusing solely on him.

Such focused, unwavering attention drew his gaze in.

"no."

"..."

Bai Nianchu's decisive response completely shattered his understanding and even overturned his past memories.

"I don't believe it," Lin Zhao said, her face darkening. "Were all the things you said and did before just lies to me, just playing with me?"

"You give me gifts every year for my birthday. When I go to my friends' parties, you try your best to get me involved. Knowing that I like skiing, you went to a club and learned from an instructor for two whole months... From clothing, food, housing, and transportation to hobbies, everything is geared towards me. You never miss a good morning, noon, or night greeting every day."

"After doing so much, this is what you tell me..."

"Are we just acquaintances?"

Lin Zhao took several deep breaths before she could barely control the surging emotions in her chest.

This was the first time he had ever spoken such a long sentence to a girl.

Like a disgruntled husband, he complains and questions his wife about why their relationship has deteriorated.

In less than a few months... can a person really change that much?

Can a relationship built up over decades be given up so easily?

"So," Bai Nianchu tilted her head, "you actually knew all along."

Lin Zhao: "..."

"I can see what you've done for me in the past, and I've never meant to hold you back or cling to you."

Lin Zhao felt a throbbing pain in her chest, and all she wanted to do was explain, "I admit, I didn't have feelings for you before, but now I..."

"Keep it as it is, that's fine."

Lin Zhao was stunned: "...What?"

"Just like before," Bai Nianchu said calmly. "You don't need to understand me or care about me."

Why not?

Lin Zhao stubbornly demanded an answer.

Bai Nianchu: "Because I don't like you anymore."