Chapter 53

A clear, bright female voice rang out, and the observation room in the live stream erupted into cheers.

Wang Zixin, today’s host, let her silvery laughter cue Zhen Tian:

“Hahaha, Sister Yao really has that meme-worthy energy—little brother Zhen Tian, why the long face? Are you just not the smiling type?”

Zhen Tian had been the one scheduled to enter today, but the viewers started chanting “beauties should marry beauties,” and the drama-hungry crowd voted Sister Shuang in instead. They’d achieved a perfect world where no one got hurt—except for him.

His original plan to hype up the couple pairing and make it go viral had already been delayed by two days, and now he had to plaster on a smile.

“Haha,” Zhen Tian let out a couple of dry chuckles, forcing himself to respond. “Sister Yao does have great variety show flair, but is it really okay for her to call him that? Brother Shen won’t mind, will he?”

The words had barely left his mouth.

On the live stream screen, Shen Li opened the door himself.

His beautiful, exquisite face remained perfectly calm and unsurprised, as if he’d already guessed it was Yao Shuang. “Hello.”

“Woo woo woo, finally seeing the real you again—this time, can you give me an autograph?”

Yao Shuang deliberately said the kind of thing fans blurt out to celebrities, turning it into a lighthearted joke with Shen Li.

Shen Li took the initiative to shake her hand. The camera panned across them—

A handsome man and a beautiful woman standing close together made for a truly captivating sight.

Yao Shuang’s already tall and slender figure, boosted by high heels, put her nearly eye-to-eye with Shen Li, though she was still just a touch shorter.

A flicker of amusement lit Shen Li’s eyes. This wasn’t their first meeting. Eight or nine years ago, before Yao Shuang had starred in any breakout dramas, they’d crossed paths a few times.

It had been at the film studio base, where Qian Xingzhi and Yao Shuang were working on a low-budget arthouse flick together.

Shen Li had dropped by to visit, but Qian Xingzhi was always in a foul mood. After every argument, Yao Shuang would step in to smooth things over.

Shen Li felt genuine gratitude toward her for that, so he responded politely:

“You look even better than before.”

Yao Shuang grinned. “Heh, I dumped that scumbag, haven’t dated anyone in years, and poured all my energy into my career. Of course my complexion’s glowing.”

【Aaaah? Yao Shuang broke up with who?! Massive gossip alert! Who’s the scumbag?!】

【Wait, they know each other?】

【Whoa! They seem pretty friendly.】

Shen Li nodded, about to offer congratulations.

But Yao Shuang plopped down into a chair, crossing her long legs elegantly for the camera. Her gaze swept over Qian Xingzhi and Shen Li’s room as she observed every detail, then remarked:

“You’re so much thinner than before. It really tugs at the heartstrings.”

“I’m fine.”

Yao Shuang’s laughing eyes sparkled with insight. “Let me guess: after you two divorced, no one’s been there to make sure you eat properly, right?”

Shen Li’s gaze grew distant for a moment as he considered it.

It was true—after leaving Qian Xingzhi, no one fussed over his daily life anymore, down to the smallest details.

He answered honestly:

“A little, yeah.”

“Oh~” Yao Shuang drew out the sound. “So, can I still call you the way I used to?”

Shen Li frowned slightly, rejecting her outright this time. “Better not. Just call me Shen Li.”

“That’s so formal. How about Li Bro?”

“Sure, that works.”

【What what what? What did Yao Shuang used to call Shen Li? Don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking…】

【…Did she really call him “sis-in-law” back then?!?】

【Can’t decide who to be jealous of right now.】

The director’s voice chimed in from off-screen as a reminder: “For this afternoon’s task, you two need to team up somehow. Teacher Yao’s hidden mission is to collect what each pair of divorced couples considers their sweetest moments and darkest times. If Teacher Yao completes it, she can help the observation room unlock career hints for all the cabin guests. And today’s daytime task is also tied to everyone’s professions or expertise.”

【Whoa!! Finally revealing professions?!】

【OMG I’m dying to know about Little Li!!】

【Go Yao Yao! Nail this one!!!】

After entering the cabin, Yao Shuang had first greeted everyone in the living room before coming upstairs alone to find Shen Li.

Now, having received her hidden task, the two of them headed back to the living room one after the other.

Shen Li hadn’t even reached the living room when he instinctively sought out Qian Xingzhi’s figure.

There he was, Qian Xingzhi’s tall, upright frame standing by the kitchen counter. Sunlight spilled across his stern profile, and his movements as he ground coffee were precise and elegant.

He poured himself a huge cup.

No sugar. Lethal dose of black.

He tossed it back in a few gulps, seemingly oblivious to the bitterness. Ke Jiujiu stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Whoa, Brother Qian, doesn’t that taste bitter to you?”

“It’s fine.”

Qian Xingzhi pushed the communal coffee pot aside, his forearm flexing with controlled power before relaxing. “Help yourselves. Sugar and milk are over there—add what you want.”

“Awesome! Thanks~”

Spotting Yao Shuang and Shen Li coming down, Ke Jiujiu grabbed three cups with enthusiasm, ready to pour one for everyone.

But Qian Xingzhi seemed to glance at Shen Li—or maybe not. Without a word, he naturally walked toward him.

By the time Ke Jiujiu finished pouring and looked up, Shen Li was already holding a thermos cup.

Their exchange was low-key and polite, like clerk and customer at a convenience store:

“…You poured this for me?” Shen Li glanced at the thermos.

“Yeah.” Qian Xingzhi confirmed.

“I can’t handle bitter.”

“Free sample. Don’t like it, dump it.”

With that, Qian Xingzhi picked up his own coffee mug and headed straight to the kitchen to wash it, looking every bit the stoic househusband type who’s all function and no fuss.

Ke Jiujiu blinked, about to tell Shen Li that if it was too bitter, she could grab the sugar and creamer to sweeten it up.

But Shen Li had already unscrewed the lid, sniffed it once, and then tilted his head back to chug a big mouthful.

Ke Jiujiu fell silent, utterly shocked.

【Whoa, can’t handle bitter, but downs a huge gulp like that?】

【These two are killing me— that awkward unfamiliar vibe mixed with totally illogical behavior.】

【Aaaah, what’s that on Cat Cat’s lips??? That thin white foamy layer—what even is it? Coffee??】

【Wah, he wiped it off so fast… missed it…】

【Nvm, I got it. Qian Xingzhi just heated up some milk off-camera. Thought he was adding it to coffee, but nope—cat food incoming [sweat]】

【? For real? You guys watching with microscopes or what??】

Right then, the butler’s system voice crackled over the speakers, announcing the daytime task:

“The butler appreciates your help and rescues over the past few days. Based on your professions or areas of expertise, we’ve tailored Day Five’s daytime tasks. Now releasing Tasks A, B, C, and D.

“Each task allows 2-3 participants. They differ in difficulty, professional focus, and rewards.

“Please select and confirm one within 30 minutes based on your strengths.

“Four specialized challenges available—see the public screen:

【Task A】:

Type: Brainpower

Difficulty: 3.5 stars

Keywords: Summarization, Innovation.

【Task B】:

Type: Physical + Brainpower

Difficulty: 2 stars + 2 stars

Keywords: Performance, Persuasion.

【Task C】:

Type: Physical

Difficulty: 5 stars

Keywords: Endurance, Stamina, Burst.

【Task D】:

Type: Brainpower

Difficulty: 5.5 stars

Keywords: Observation, Calculation, Deduction.

“Today’s tasks simulate high-pressure scenarios to deeply activate your hidden potentials.

“Please confirm teams by 13:30. No response will trigger random assignment.”

The announcement ended, and the cabin erupted in chatter.

Those who had been standing farther away now crowded around the public screen.

The task descriptions gave only vague outlines—no specific details—just enough to guide their choices.

Shen Li quietly glanced at Qian Xingzhi, then at Yao Shuang, who was already schmoozing for hidden info. He mentally tallied his options, exhausted—

His own hidden task held zero appeal.

Too much effort, making others cry, for just a pittance in virtual funds.

Better to slack off.

But Yao Shuang’s? That reward seemed useful—hints for the audience to guess professions. And digging into the couples’ stories sounded way more meaningful than emotional sabotage.

Verdict: Cheer on Yao Shuang, slack off himself.

The hidden task rules locked him in a team with her regardless.

Qian Xingzhi would probably want to team with him too—that seemed a given.

As for which task paid what, Shen Li didn’t care—whatever scraps the others left, or wherever Yao Shuang wanted to go, fine by him.

As Shen Li mulled this over, Qian Xingzhi walked back to his side. He stared coldly at the screen for a long moment before suddenly speaking:

“Are we teaming up, or going separate?”

Shen Li froze, his gaze locking onto Qian Xingzhi’s deep eyes.

Qian Xingzhi gave a faint glance, breaking the brief eye contact, his indifferent eyes drifting elsewhere.

It took Shen Li two seconds to catch on—Qian Xingzhi meant the task, nothing else.

His lips pressed into a line before he replied coolly: “Either works. Up to you.”

“Same here.”

Qian Xingzhi’s tone was even, his sharp brows and eyes impassive as they fixed on the screen.

Yet the air thickened, like a dormant undercurrent suddenly stirring into a whirl. A strange, sticky tension wove an invisible web from their brief exchange, stretching taut and spreading fast.

Shen Li couldn’t stand the feeling.

Even back in high school, when he was debating whether to date Qian Xingzhi, he hadn’t felt this aimless anxiety.

Maybe because then, he knew for sure Qian Xingzhi liked him—enough that even a no-strings trial run would be met with eager acceptance.

Now?

Shen Li had no idea.

Just then, an argument broke out nearby, sounding heated.

“—What did I even say? I just pointed out you don’t have much education—isn’t that a fact?” Yang Zhiqi’s voice was firm and unflappable. “I was just suggesting Task B, right? You’re free to ignore me. Did I force you? No?”

Little Zhao had always been even-tempered, but now her voice rose uncharacteristically. “What are you even talking about? What do these tasks over the past few days have to do with education levels? Do you really have to keep going on and on about it? Now you’re looking down on my high school diploma? When we got married, you were still in junior high. Did I ever look down on you?”

“Alright, alright, let’s be realistic here,” Yang Zhiqi said. He noticed everyone glancing their way and wanted to smooth things over. “But the problem is, you haven’t made any progress these past few years, have you? I’m just saying, with my current abilities, I’m better suited for those high-brainpower challenges. You’re… not so much. What’s wrong with that?”

“Isn’t that a bit unfair?” Li Weiwei chimed in. “Academic skill isn’t the same as formal education. Little Zhao is plenty smart—why do you keep putting her down like this? What’s not suited about her?”

Yang Zhiqi’s lips twisted as if he were about to argue further. But then Yao Shuang walked over and simply asked, “What are you all discussing?”

The man promptly shut his mouth, swallowing those ugly words back down.

As expected.

Being popular and well-known did have its advantages.

Shen Li crossed his arms and shot Yang Zhiqi a glance, then looked at Little Zhao—who seemed on the verge of tears but was stubbornly holding them back—and gave Yang Zhiqi another cool, slicing look, as if weighing his options.

Qian Xingzhi noticed the disturbance and glanced at Shen Li.

“Do you want to team up with him? Or with me?”

Shen Li paused for half a second before realizing Qian Xingzhi was referring to Yang Zhiqi.

“How did you know I…”

Qian Xingzhi pressed down on the edge of the table, the veins on the back of his hand throbbing. He lowered his voice and continued, “You and Yao Shuang are a lock. That leaves one other person. If you pick me, I’ll go with you to D. If you pick Yang Zhiqi, I’ll head to C.”

Shen Li: …

Shen Li’s lips twitched. He lifted his gaze coolly and took in Qian Xingzhi’s indifferent, stony expression.

Shen Li glanced once more at the keywords for option C on the screen:

【Endurance, Stamina, Explosive Power】

They screamed “young buck” like Lin Xu.

So in the next instant, Shen Li’s steady gaze trailed down from Qian Xingzhi’s Adam’s apple.

With the cameras at a safe distance, he murmured, “You’re thirty-five already. You sure you can handle C?”

Qian Xingzhi’s lips, previously pressed into a firm line, finally drooped sharply. His eyes sharpened into a glare at Shen Li.

A long moment passed.

Qian Xingzhi’s voice came out low and icy, though his tone remained measured and restrained. “Are you seriously asking me that?”

Shen Li met his eyes squarely, matter-of-fact. “No offense. I just don’t want you to end up embarrassed.”

Qian Xingzhi’s cool gaze fixed on him, waiting for more.

Shen Li’s own eyes darkened slightly. “You just don’t seem to realize… where exactly you fall short.”