The conversation came to an abrupt end, and the two walked away with entirely different interpretations of what had just been said. Ye Ruihuan believed she had finally expressed her feelings—her confession, subtle as it was, had reached the other's heart. Her entire demeanor softened, her eyes glowing with warmth and affection.
What she didn't realize was that Lin Ruijiao had understood it another way entirely.
An invisible wall had formed between them—insurmountable, impenetrable. Though they stood side by side, it felt like they existed in separate worlds. They could no longer touch, nor reach into each other's hearts...
The next morning, they appeared together again in front of the public. Ye Ruihuan looked to be in good spirits, while Lin Ruijiao's face lacked its usual radiance. Her smile was gone, replaced by a reluctant expression.
[They're out! I got up early to stake out this moment—finally paid off!]
[Aaaah same!! What even happened between them yesterday? Anyone got insider info? I swear I won't leak it!]
[Count me in! I'll even pay. Did they get into a fight? Ruijiao doesn't look okay at all—did Ye Ruihuan bully her?]
[WTF, why does my girl Ruijiao look so down today? Ye Ruihuan, don't go throwing your age around to push people around, okay?!]
[What's that supposed to mean? Why is it always our Ruihuan getting blamed? Just because she's got a strong aura? Last night it was Lin Ruijiao yelling at her—no one's talking about that, huh?]
[What are you talking about? Since when did Ruijiao yell? Did she even curse once? Don't make stuff up.]
[Can everyone stop arguing? If you squint, don't they look like a couple having a spat?]
[??? Stop trying to ship them with our Ruihuan!]
[??? Ruijiao would never be in a CP with Ye Ruihuan!!!]
...
As the production crew gave them some final instructions, the two boarded a small boat under the watching eyes of the crowd, setting off toward the island. The boat drifted farther and farther from view.
[No way… Are they actually going on a deserted island date?? Don't tell me someone's getting pushed into the water midway??]
[I'm losing it—this is something you only see once in a lifetime! No way the network's got the guts to pull a stunt like this, right?]
[Exactly! It's just a publicity stunt, obviously. Ruihuan wouldn't agree to something like this willingly—especially not with Lin Ruijiao. Don't be ridiculous.]
[Excuse me? Wasn't it Ye Ruihuan who invited herself into this situation? Don't start blaming others for her own clout-chasing!]
[Honestly, that's fine—Ruihuan will shine all on her own once she's on the island.]
[OMG, they actually landed! The boat's leaving!!!]
[No way... Are they really leaving just the two of them on that island?!]
[No joke—the camera's zooming out??!!]
[Are they gonna throw hands on the island or what??]
[Ruijiao, protect yourself!!]
[Can y'all stop acting like Ye Ruihuan is some villain?!]
...
The livestream screen showed the two girls in the distance—Lin Ruijiao waved back toward the camera, while Ye Ruihuan walked calmly into the house on the island. Their figures grew smaller and smaller until they vanished from view. The feed then cut back to the guest interactions at the main filming site.
Meanwhile, on the island, the two were finally free—no cameras, no microphones. They could relax and be themselves.
The small villa was surprisingly well-furnished—everything they might need was right there. Bright, colorful flowers were placed in every corner, lending the interior a romantic, cozy vibe. It was practically made for a couple's retreat.
Ye Ruihuan, true to herself, sprawled lazily across the sofa, looking thoroughly unbothered and mildly sleep-deprived.
When Lin Ruijiao stepped into the house, this was the sight that greeted her. The usually composed, graceful Ye Ruihuan lay draped over the armrest, her entire body softened by the moment. In that light, she looked almost gentle—so peaceful, so beautiful.
Lin Ruijiao stared for a second longer than she meant to. Then, realizing she'd been caught in Ye Ruihuan's warm gaze, quickly turned her eyes away and began exploring the villa.
There was even a game room. The fridge was fully stocked. As she headed upstairs, she found a large balcony drenched in golden sunlight. The ocean shimmered in a cascade of colors, and in the distance, she could make out the villa where the production team stayed—a charming little pink house, adorable and romantic.
Beside the balcony was the bedroom.
Singular.
There was only one.
Lin Ruijiao checked the place thoroughly before heading back downstairs.
"Ruihuan," she said, blinking up at her, "there's only one bedroom here."
"...Mm." Ye Ruihuan already knew. When she joined the shoot, she had specifically requested the production team to change the setup. There had been two bedrooms at first, but Assistant Li handled everything efficiently as always and had one removed.
Unfortunately, the production team would be back later that afternoon to pick them up.
"How are we supposed to take a nap, then?"Lin Ruijiao mulled it over, then simply threw the question back at Ye Ruihuan.
"Nap? Well… we just sleep. What else would we do?"Ye Ruihuan looked up at her, eyes shimmering like rippling water, her expression pure and innocent.
Lin Ruijiao opened her mouth, hesitated, then let out a deep breath. Without another word, she turned and walked over to the arcade console to play a game instead. Nothing good ever came out of Ye Ruihuan's mouth, anyway.
With only the two of them in the house, even the slightest sound was noticeable. So when the sudden hiss of boiling water echoed through the room, Lin Ruijiao couldn't help but glance toward the source. Ye Ruihuan was in the kitchen, busy with something.
That alone was enough to make her do a double take. Ye Ruihuan... doing housework?
She moved with surprising ease—heating water, pulling a container from the cabinet, adding something to it. A kettle and teacups were already laid out on the counter.
When Ye Ruihuan turned around, she caught Lin Ruijiao peeking at her. A small, knowing smile touched her lips. "Do you want some tea?"
Before she could think twice, Lin Ruijiao nodded. She dragged her feet over to the sofa and sat down, waiting quietly for whatever Ye Ruihuan was preparing.
She watched the other woman move—graceful, composed… The simple long dress she wore only added to her air of quiet gentleness. Lin Ruijiao had never seen this side of her before. She hadn't even known Ye Ruihuan had this side. It was so different from the woman she thought she knew—softer, touched by the warmth of the mundane.
And somehow, it made her feel closer.
The sight pulled Lin Ruijiao into memory—echoes from a past life flashing before her eyes, like scattered fragments of a forgotten dream. Bit by bit, they grew clearer, like fireworks blooming in the sky: brilliant, brief, and unbearably fragile. A short life, already gone. Fleeting. Intangible.
"You, Jiao-jiao." Lin Ruijiao looked up, startled. She hadn't even noticed Ye Ruihuan approaching. The fragrance of fresh tea wrapped around her, warm and calming. Steam curled above the cup, behind which Ye Ruihuan stood smiling. For a moment, her beauty softened, the usual chill around her replaced with something tender.
"...Thank you," Lin Ruijiao murmured, blinking in a daze.
"It's a little hot—wait a bit before drinking," Ye Ruihuan said gently, sitting beside her.
"Mm." Lin Ruijiao brought the cup to her nose and inhaled. The tea's heat radiated into her skin, carrying a refreshing scent that made her pause. She leaned in for another breath—so fragrant. But the steam was too warm, almost overwhelming. Carefully, she placed the cup on the table.
The clock on the wall ticked in rhythm, its hands wrapped in delicate floral designs. A breeze drifted in, teasing their hair. For a long time, neither of them spoke. The silence was soft, companionable.
Lin Ruijiao gazed at the rising steam, lost in thought. Ye Ruihuan… she seemed like a completely different person in this life. Or maybe, this was who she truly was all along? The Ye Ruihuan she once knew was proud and untouchable, rarely this gentle, even when they had been close.
And she'd never, ever brewed tea for her.
Without quite realizing why, Lin Ruijiao got up and carried her teacup upstairs. Under a large lace-fringed parasol, she let the sea breeze wash over her and admired the view.
Then—swish.
A flowing skirt entered her field of vision, dancing on the wind. Lin Ruijiao looked up to see Ye Ruihuan approaching, smiling softly. The usual aloofness had melted away under the sunlight, replaced with a delicate radiance. She looked every bit the picture of a graceful young lady from a noble family—refined, tender, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Lin Ruijiao's gaze shifted to the shimmering sea. The peaceful scene before her felt surreal, as though time had been paused. The tangled knots of past emotions, of fate and memory, unraveled. In that moment, she was simply Lin Ruijiao. Ye Ruihuan was simply Ye Ruihuan. All those messy threads that once bound them—gone. It felt like freedom.
"This view is really something," Ye Ruihuan said, her voice gentle as the wind.
"Yeah. And the weather's perfect," Lin Ruijiao replied, eyes still on the drifting clouds above.
Ye Ruihuan followed her gaze, then turned back to look at her. Sunlight poured over Lin Ruijiao's face, making her skin glow like porcelain. Her round eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky—dazzling, yet distant. There was a freshness about her, like a breeze or a passing cloud—soft, beautiful, and endlessly captivating.
So captivating, it stirred something in Ye Ruihuan. A longing. An urge to lean closer, to brush lips against hers.
"The tea should be drinkable now," Ye Ruihuan said after a small sip.
"Okay." Lin Ruijiao smiled and took a sip herself. It was fragrant—light and refreshing, nothing like the rich, heavy teas she usually drank.
"Do you like it?" Ye Ruihuan's eyes lit up with anticipation, watching her closely. Even her lashes seemed to stop fluttering, afraid to miss a reaction.
"It's delicious." Lin Ruijiao nodded.
The smile that bloomed on Ye Ruihuan's face made her pause. Then she asked, "Ruihuan… have you changed lately?" It wasn't just a feeling—Ye Ruihuan had changed. She was calmer, gentler… It didn't feel like her at all.
"No… I'm the same as I've always been." Ye Ruihuan froze for a beat, then smiled brightly.
But that smile said something else: "So, Jiao-jiao's been paying that much attention to me." She couldn't help but smile wider.
Lin Ruijiao dropped her gaze, staying quiet.
"Well… I guess my attitude toward you has changed a little," Ye Ruihuan added, eyes locked on her face.
Lin Ruijiao looked up, startled. "What is that supposed to mean?"Attitude? Hadn't they always been like this? Or had she played her role as a stand-in so convincingly that Ye Ruihuan now preferred it this way?
Her thoughts tangled like yarn, confused and endless. Ye Ruihuan's words made no sense at all.