I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Jiang Yunyou led the applause, and sparse applause echoed in the living room.

Shu Zi stood up, holding the small picture frame, turned around, and prepared to go upstairs to pack her things.

"Shu Zi".

Director Liu's voice drifted from behind, neither too loud nor too soft, with his characteristic slow and leisurely tone.

Shu Zi paused, rolled her eyes dramatically, and decided that nothing good was coming!

She slowly turned around, her face clearly saying, "What now?"

"...Director Liu, what else do you need?" she drawled.

Director Liu stood there, holding the rolled-up task card in his hand, looking at her expressionlessly, his tone calm:

"Remember to come on time next week."

Shu Zi paused for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and looked him up and down twice: "...I didn't say I wasn't coming."

Director Liu still wore that "I'm just stating the facts" expression:

"I'm afraid you'll get scolded and leave."

Shu Zi: "..." Shu Zi took a deep breath, her chest heaving noticeably, and gritted her teeth, uttering each word slowly and deliberately:

"Director Liu, are you just hoping I'll get criticized so you can have a reason to deduct my appearance fee?"

Director Liu remained unfazed, his tone even carrying a hint of sincere "I'm doing this for your own good":

"I'm just concerned about you. If you leave, there will be no buzz, which is bad for the show."

Shu Zi was amused and annoyed by his self-righteous "concern." She tightened her grip on the picture frame and raised her chin:

"You call this concern? This is blatant exploitation! The face of a capitalist!"

Director Liu thought for a moment, nodded seriously, and added, "Yes, I'm also afraid that if you run away, Teacher Gu will follow suit, and I'll suffer a huge loss."

Shu Zi: "……………………"

There's something I'm not sure if I should say.

She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, and found herself at a loss for how to retort.

The viewers in the live chat were laughing so hard they were rolling on the floor.

[Director Liu, that's going too far, hahaha]

[“I’m afraid the show will lose its popularity if you leave” – Director Liu, you really dare to say that.]

[Shu Zi's expression, her mouth opening and closing repeatedly, it cracked me up!]

Shu Zi took a few deep breaths, and finally glared fiercely at Director Liu. If that look could kill, Director Liu would already be riddled with holes.

She hugged the picture frame, turned around and left, her footsteps thumping loudly.

He took two steps, then suddenly stopped, turned around, and his voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a fierce "I'm going to fight you" tone:

"I'm coming next week, absolutely, positively, I must! You want to replace me? No way! There's no room for negotiation! We've welded the ventilation ducts shut!"

Director Liu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly upwards.

The arc was extremely small and fleeting, but Shu Zi, who had been staring intently at him, captured it precisely.

He's laughing! That old fox is smirking!

Shu Zi was so angry that her hair almost stood on end. She turned around and strode towards the stairs, her back radiating fire.

Gu Yan followed behind her, and paused slightly as he passed Director Liu.

He turned his head, glanced at Director Liu, and a knowing smile curved his lips. He said nothing and followed the angry figure ahead.

Director Liu stood there, watching the two disappear around the corner of the stairs, before turning to the main camera with a blank expression and slowly adding:

"Teacher Gu, you're no exception, don't even think about running away."

The comments section went completely wild.

[He even dares to criticize his major investors! Director Liu, respect!]

Is Shu-Tzu serious about saying "Don't even think about replacing me"?

[I could watch a hundred episodes of the love-hate relationship (there's no love) between the director and the guests!]

Director Liu smiled! He smiled! He definitely did it on purpose!

A line of text slowly appeared on the screen:

"Episode 1 Complete (Heart) (Heart)"

"Thank you for the encounter. Looking forward to seeing you again in a week. See you there!"

[Ahhh, the first episode is over! So fast!]

This week has felt like I've been living in a live-streaming studio; I've experienced so much!

[Shu Zi and Gu Yan must meet in the second episode! My CP can't have a bad ending!]

[Han Jie and Shen Yihuai's red string! It's definitely a sign of reconciliation! I'll bet a bag of spicy strips!]

Fang Yutong and Yu Shize are so sweet, please keep it up!

[Jiang Yunyou and Su Yanhuan, the comedy duo, please don't break up!]

So, is Aci actually Shuzi?! Production team, give us a straight answer! (Frustrated)

When will episode two air? Now! Immediately! Right now!

See you in a week! I'll miss you all! Every day feels like an eternity!

See you in episode two!!!

The screen went dark, and the live stream ended.

At the same time, Weibo's trending topics list refreshed instantly:

#Acishuzi# Boiling

#ForYourHeartFlutteringEpisode1Finale# Hot

#Signature Gifts Are Hidden Across the Market#

#Gu Yan preserved Shu Zi's childhood paintings# New

Outside the villa.

Several vehicles belonging to the production crew and the guests' private cars were already waiting at the entrance, and staff were busy moving suitcases.

Fang Zhizi jumped out of a white van, her eyes lighting up. She rushed over like a cannonball, grabbed Shu Zi's arm, and said excitedly:

"Sister Zizi! You're finally out! I've missed you so much! This past week has felt like an eternity!"

Shu Zi was rocked back and forth by her, and said helplessly, "Let go, let go, I'm going to throw up if you keep shaking me... I get carsick."

Fang Zhizi quickly let go, took a step back, and carefully examined Shu Zi from head to toe, her gaze lingering on her face for a long time. Then, she leaned closer mysteriously and lowered her voice:

"Sis, how's this week...? Have you... um?" She winked and made a face, her words conveying everything.

Shu Zi glanced at her and said in a flat tone, "It's alright, nothing special, just so-so."

After speaking, she turned her head and glanced at the villa entrance, her gaze lingering for a moment in a certain direction before returning to Fang Zhizi, saying:

"You get in the car first, I'll go say hello to my senior sister."

"Okay!"

Fang Zhizi nodded, quickly went around to the driver's side, and got in, but her eyes were still darting around, looking this way.

Shu Zi turned and walked towards the steps, stopping beside her.

Han Jingxue looked up at her and put her phone away.

The two stood side by side, neither of them speaking.

After a while, Han Jingxue spoke, her voice very calm: "Has the painting been sent out?"

Shu Zi hummed in agreement, her chin slightly raised, but her eyes didn't look at her.

Han Jingxue glanced at her sideways, her lips twitching slightly: "Really willing?"

Shu Zi shrugged indifferently: "What's there to be reluctant about?"

Han Jingxue didn't ask any more questions. She looked away and gazed into the distance. The wind blew her hair onto her face, but she didn't brush it away.

Shu Zi stood beside her, tapped her toes on the ground twice, and suddenly spoke, lowering her voice: "Senior Sister."

Han Jingxue didn't look at her: "Mm."

Shu Zi: "Your red string... are you really sure about it?"

Although Han Jingxue didn't say it explicitly, based on Shu Zi's understanding of her and Shen Yihuai's reaction today, she could roughly guess what the red string meant.

Han Jingxue's wrist moved almost imperceptibly, and the loose cuff slipped down slightly, making the dark red old rope stand out against her fair skin.

She did not answer yes or no.

Shu Zi waited a few seconds, but didn't get an answer. She didn't press the matter further, just nodded and said softly, "Okay, as long as you understand."

Han Jingxue finally turned her head and glanced at her, her gaze lingering on her face for a moment before moving away.

The corners of her mouth curved into a small arc, not a smile, but a helpless "mind your own business" expression.

Shu Zi saw it, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly. She turned around and walked back.

After taking a few steps, Han Jingxue's voice came from behind, neither loud nor soft: "If he dares to lose that painting, you tell me."

Shu Zi didn't turn around, but she paused for a moment.

"Why would I tell you?" Her voice carried a hint of amusement.

Han Jingxue's tone remained the same, indifferent: "I'll help you beat him up."

Shu Zi smiled, said nothing more, walked back to the car, opened the door, and got in.