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

"Because I don't like you anymore."

Bai Nianchu's attitude was indifferent and matter-of-fact, as if these heart-wrenching words had not come from her own mouth.

The show's producers had clearly stipulated that there could be no explicit confessions or rejections before the designated confession day. But for these childhood sweethearts to argue to this extent... not only were the viewers in the live stream holding their breath, but the production team, who were closely monitoring their progress, also dared not utter a sound.

Who would dare to go up and disturb them?

One or two of them are either young masters or young ladies; a little withdrawal of funding could shut down their shows.

There are few sponsors willing to invest in dating reality shows. For example, in this season of "Heartbeat House," four of the top five special sponsor brands are Lin and Bai.

If the sponsors run away along with the male and female guests, the show will soon be canceled.

Lin Zhao: "..."

He found it difficult to describe how he felt at that moment.

If I had to describe it, it would be a strong sense of loss, a feeling of losing something important.

Anger, confusion, and panic swirled in my heart, and beyond that...

regret.

He regretted it.

Lin Zhao couldn't help but think: If he hadn't been so indifferent at the beginning; if he had abandoned his past prejudices and re-examined his feelings; if he had been able to admit his feelings earlier, would everything have been different?

However, Bai Nianchu did not give him a chance to back out.

"Nothing, I'm leaving."

"etc!"

Lin Zhao strode after her, put his arm around Bai Nianchu's shoulder, and forced out words that sounded like a plea: "Niannian, don't be like this, I was wrong... I'm sorry, don't be angry with me anymore, okay?"

Bai Nianchu frowned and skillfully pulled his arm away.

She was naturally cold, and when dealing with people she didn't want to talk to, she was like a thousand-year-old iceberg that was hard to melt, no matter how much Lin Zhao apologized.

Lin Zhao refused to give up and reached out to her slender wrist again, trying to keep her there a little longer.

Before he could even touch her, Lin Zhao was suddenly interrupted by a low shout from behind.

"Don't touch her."

Just hearing the sound, Lin Zhao felt a surge of anger rush from her heart to her brain, and a dull ache throbbed in the veins on her forehead.

He turned around and, sure enough, saw that dark, repulsive figure—Ling Yan.

I don't know if this poor kid installed a surveillance device on Bai Nianchu or if he was born with a sensitive nose, but he can find Bai Nianchu anywhere, just like a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy behind her.

Lin Zhao had seen many people like this.

They treat the other person as a lifeline just because they receive some benefits or warmth. Once they get involved, they are like flies that they can't be driven away until they have squeezed all the value and benefits out of the other person before they are willing to leave.

The surroundings were quiet, with a tense atmosphere.

The silent standoff between the two men created a tense yet exciting atmosphere in the live stream.

They witnessed firsthand what it meant to "try to kill someone with a piercing gaze." If piercing gazes could be visualized, these two men would likely have no intact skin left.

Lin Zhao watched as Ling Yan strode over, stretched out his long arm, and shielded Bai Nianchu behind him.

The dog that annoyed him was 1.9 meters tall.

She looked thin, but it was just the visual effect of her black clothes. When Ling Yan stood straight in front of Bai Nianchu, his broad shoulders completely covered her.

Lin Zhao couldn't even see a single strand of her hair.

Lin Zhao: "..."

His face turned cold: "This is between me and Niannian."

Lin Zhao deliberately emphasized the word "nian nian" to warn Ling Yan not to interfere in their entanglement.

She said she doesn't like you.

Ling Yan's words were brief, but they deeply stung Lin Zhao.

"..."

Lin Zhao tensed her jaw, her gaze towards Ling Yan becoming even colder and more piercing.

So what if I don't like him?

Bai Nianchu doesn't like him...

At worst, he can start pursuing her all over again.

Neither of them gave in, and the stalemate continued for a while.

In the end, it was Bai Nianchu who broke the deadlock.

In the dim light of night, the five senses become exceptionally acute.

Ling Yan felt a light but hard-to-ignore tug at his sleeve. Then, the scent of jasmine wafted from behind him to his nose.

"Let's go," Bai Nianchu said.

Ling Yan was completely dazed and confused, even forgetting how to walk.

His entire world consisted only of the figure before him. His Adam's apple bobbed as he took advantage of the fact that no one was watching to inhale the captivating scent emanating from behind Bai Nianchu.

Even Bai Nianchu didn't know when she stopped, and almost crashed straight into her.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly, stopping abruptly and pulling her into his arms, preventing her from stumbling and falling.

When Ling Yan came to his senses, he realized that they were extremely close.

His hand rested on Bai Nianchu's waist, the cool fragrance even more pronounced than before mingling with the subtle warmth of her body, creating an indescribably ambiguous and alluring atmosphere.

The warm yet restrained hug during the previous interactive games was a completely different feeling.

Ling Yan subconsciously gasped.

...He was almost overwhelmed by the fragrance.

How could a 22-year-old kid who's never even been in a relationship stand this?

First, a blush spread from her neck, and within seconds, it quickly covered her entire face and ears. This was the first time Ling Yan had blushed like this in public since the show was filmed. Even the shoulder bones below her collar were faintly pink, and she looked like a trembling red tomato about to explode.

Bai Nianchu originally intended to tell him to let go.

Seeing his flushed face, trembling fingertips, dazed gaze, and even his Adam's apple bobbing uncontrollably... my heart stirred slightly.

A playful thought inexplicably arose within me.

So she reached out and patted his cheek near his jaw.

The slap wasn't very hard.

Rather than humiliation, it was more like... teasing.

Finally, Bai Nianchu calmly asked, "Was it a good hug?"

Ling Yan… Ling Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his breathing was so rapid that even the microphone clipped to his collar could be heard clearly. He was mesmerized, his eyes fixed on her, his well-defined hands tightly gripping her waist.

"……Um."

He responded softly.

His voice was hoarse and husky, but anyone could hear the emotion in it.

[Wow... the fourth male lead's voice is so hoarse, it made me blush.]

If these two weren't filming a TV show, they would have kissed, right?

It's obvious. If Bai Nianchu had shown even the slightest intention to kiss, Ling Yan would have already puckered his lips towards her.

[I can't take it anymore... The second male lead is still lamenting the passing of spring and reminiscing under the moon in the back garden, while the fourth male and fourth female leads are cuddling and hugging intimately in a corner.]

[The photographer's first-person perspective gives it a thrilling, almost surreal feel, like watching them steal a moment of intimacy.]

"alright."

Bai Nianchu patted Ling Yan's head reassuringly.

"Go back and rest."

Her current body can't handle staying up late. If she sleeps too late, she'll get a headache, and if she doesn't get enough rest, she might even have a low-grade fever.

Ling Yan nodded, obediently let go of her hand, and followed closely behind, escorting her back to her dormitory before quietly leaving.

Back in his room, Ling Yan tossed and turned in bed, wondering whether Bai Nianchu preferred cats or dogs.

If he likes cats, he will be the quietest and most affectionate cat.

If he likes dogs, he can also be Bai Nianchu's most obedient and well-behaved dog.