Lin Ruijiao froze, momentarily forgetting how to react. Was she really this popular? Wait, wasn't she here to support her favorite couple?
"Xuanxuan, aren't you and Wang Wenye...?" Lin Ruijiao began hesitantly.
"Yeah, but he's like a block of wood. Talking to him is so dull; it's hard to get a word out of him. After thinking it over, I realized I get along best with you, so I wrote your name instead," Shen Xuanxuan replied nonchalantly.
"...I see," Lin Ruijiao responded after a pause.
"But if you do that, and he writes your name, won't he get hurt? What if he stops talking to you afterward?" Lin Ruijiao continued, following her train of thought.
"Probably not. If he does, it just means he wasn't that interested in me to begin with," Shen Xuanxuan said with a helpless shrug.
"Hmm." Lin Ruijiao didn't know what else to say; Shen Xuanxuan's attitude was somewhat ambiguous.
The two sat side by side on a swing entwined with blooming flowers. Only the sounds of insects filled the air; even the breeze was gentle. The round moon hanging in the sky added to the serene atmosphere.
Shen Xuanxuan turned to her with a radiant smile.
Lin Ruijiao returned a stiff smile, utterly confused by the situation. She had come to support a couple, so how did she end up breaking them apart?
Later, they couldn't recall what else they had talked about. The final scene of the first episode ended with their silhouettes.
Watching this, Ye Ruihuan nearly crushed her tablet. That Shen Xuanxuan...
So, the little rabbit joined the show to fall in love with someone else? The thought made Ye Ruihuan feel as if her heart were being tightly squeezed, causing a sharp pain that made it hard to breathe. Even her thoughts were consumed by this overwhelming ache.
Meanwhile, the live comments were filled with:
[Hahaha, Lin Ruijiao is so straight-laced; her face froze... too funny!][Hahaha, it's like watching my favorite couple fall apart!][Exactly, how are we supposed to support this couple now?][XX Network really goes all out—two women dating? Hahaha, I'm dying!][Lin Ruijiao: I was just here for fun; why is everyone focusing on me?? So cute! Hahaha]
Reading these comments, Ye Ruihuan's expression softened, and the anxiety that had gripped her heart eased. If people saw it this way, perhaps the little rabbit wasn't interested in Shen Xuanxuan after all. But still...
What if there was a possibility? Ye Ruihuan's mind was tangled with conflicting thoughts. What should she do about Lin Ruijiao?
She sighed deeply, her brows furrowing and relaxing repeatedly. She turned to look out the window; the weather was warming, and the trees outside were showing signs of life. Yet, the bare branches seemed unchanged.
Just like the lack of progress between her and Lin Ruijiao. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her complexion darkened.
During the past few days on the show, Lin Ruijiao had learned to minimize her presence, pretending not to notice everyone's goodwill to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. She was now cautious with every action, avoiding being alone with anyone and always ensuring someone else was around.
At this moment, the live broadcast showed Lin Ruijiao with Shen Xuanxuan on one side and Jin Yan on the other, both clearly focused on her. A bead of invisible sweat seemed to drip from Lin Ruijiao's forehead. She feigned interest in a nearby tree, shifting to the side to place Shen Xuanxuan in the middle.
Assistant Li had long noticed Ye Ruihuan's changing expressions and restless demeanor. She sighed inwardly, reviewing the schedule of Lin Ruijiao's show. Seeing Ye Ruihuan like this, her heart had already drifted to Lin Ruijiao's side. It wouldn't be surprising if she decided to leave immediately.
Indeed, not long after, Ye Ruihuan stood up, instructing Xiao Li to pack up as they prepared to head to Lin Ruijiao's filming location.
Meanwhile, Lin Ruijiao deeply regretted her decision. This dating show was nothing like she had imagined. She shouldn't have tried to support a couple right in front of them; now everything was a mess.
The atmosphere in the hall was tense. The male guests all showed interest in her, and the other two female guests seemed slightly hostile. Shen Xuanxuan clung to her, ignoring her partner Wang Wenye, who was left out but still silently stayed by her side. However, his occasional resentful glances were hard to ignore.
Sitting at the dining table, Lin Ruijiao struggled to maintain her composure. Her forced smile was stiff, and her round eyes reflected her discomfort. To her left was her supposed best friend Shen Xuanxuan, and to her right and directly across were male guests paying her extra attention.
Suddenly, she became the center of attention. No matter what she said, it seemed inappropriate. It was too late to act aloof; she silently cursed her situation.
The live broadcast was flooded with comments:
[Haha, look at Ruijiao's expression!]
[She's acting just like me—so relatable! Probably thinking: Why did I join this dating show?]
[Exactly! Her face screams: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?]
[Shen Xuanxuan, give Ruijiao a break; her smile is so forced!]
[Totally understandable. With male guests like these, what's there to choose from?]
[This isn't a dating show; it's Lin Ruijiao's adventure!]
[Highlight moment! Ruijiao is so entertaining!]
[Our Ruijiao is adorable and so likable!]
In the production team's live room, everyone noticed Lin Ruijiao's awkward expressions and the subtle actions of the guests. Initially drawn by the prospect of supporting couples and dramatic moments, viewers were now charmed by Lin Ruijiao. Overnight, her nuanced expressions became popular memes across the internet.
Even Ye Ruihuan, watching Lin Ruijiao's antics, couldn't help but laugh. Her expressions were so genuine. Ruijiao was truly amusing and endearing. Participating in such a bizarre show had backfired on her. As for Shen Xuanxuan and Jin Yan, could they please stay away from her little rabbit?
After watching the latest episode, Ye Ruihuan finally relaxed. The tension around her dissipated, and the atmosphere brightened.
That evening, during a lull in conversation, Lin Ruijiao tactfully expressed her thoughts and gently declined the interest shown by some male guests. At the girls' tea party, the other two female guests seemed less hostile. Shen Xuanxuan, who had been closely attached to her, also stated that she was only interested in Wang Wenye. With everyone's intentions clarified, there was no need for secrecy.
The atmosphere finally improved. Lin Ruijiao took the opportunity to encourage everyone to pursue love bravely; otherwise, how could she support any couples?
That night, Lin Ruijiao felt at ease and could finally rest. The other guests were busy chatting or dating, leaving her with some peace.