Chapter 68

It was six-thirty in the evening.

Ke Jiujiu, Lin Xu, and Little Zhao headed out to buy hot pot ingredients, while Kris borrowed an induction cooker from the production team.

There was no fancy divided hot pot cooker available just for that purpose. The cabin did have one induction cooker, but Ke Jiujiu wanted spicy food, and Little Zhao could only handle mild flavors. In the end, the group decided to borrow another pot and make two separate broths.

With one group out shopping, the people left in the cabin were mostly hopeless in the kitchen. After chatting for a bit, they started pretending to prep the ingredients already on hand.

Take Jiang Nan, for instance—he was fumbling with a potato but couldn’t even peel it properly.

Yang Zhiqi burst out laughing at him, but moments later, after taking over, he nicked himself too, and it was a pretty deep cut.

That was the bizarre scene Shen Li walked into when he came downstairs to help out: Yang Zhiqi and Jiang Nan were sitting face-to-face on the sofa. Yang Zhiqi held a bottle of iodine in one hand, his injured hand extended in the other.

Jiang Nan cradled that injured hand in his palm, gently blowing on the cut before applying the iodine.

Yang Zhiqi grimaced in pain. “Dude, you don’t need to blow on it. You’re making this way too intimate.”

Jiang Nan: “…Bro, stop. You’re gonna make me puke up dinner.”

【Locked in! Their hearts are Lock~Lock!】

【Lovers of forbidden ships? Your time has come [like]】

Yang Zhiqi: “Hahaha, hey, lemme ask you something personal.”

Jiang Nan: “Shoot.”

Yang Zhiqi: “So, are you into guys or girls? You don’t seem into your ex-wife at all. Think you two can make it work?”

“Tch,” Jiang Nan’s lips twitched slightly. “Hard to say.”

Yang Zhiqi: “Oh, oh, got it. Camera’s rolling, can’t spill, right?”

Jiang Nan: “Mm-hmm.”

Yang Zhiqi let out a short laugh. “So, what type are you into? Once the show’s over, I can hook you up.”

Jiang Nan: “If we’re just talking looks, someone like Shen Li would be right up my alley. But they can’t be too aggressive or too capable.”

【???!!!】

【Blech】

Yang Zhiqi: “Oh, I get it. You like the pretty ones who aren’t too hard to handle, the cute little bottoms, huh? Haha, uh…”

Yang Zhiqi trailed off, his expression twisting into a grotesque blink. He yanked his hand back lightning-fast and protested, “Hey, that wasn’t me saying it! I was just summarizing for him!”

Jiang Nan looked baffled and glanced back.

There stood Shen Li, expressionless, coolly eyeing them before brushing past without so much as a smirk.

【Just walking right by? Peak queen energy… If that were me, I’d probably wait a bit before heading out.】

【[awkward] This was supposed to be a dating show you could switch partners on, but I’m getting workplace frenemy vibes】

Shen Li was pretty numb to that kind of trash talk. If he took it seriously, he’d have died of rage back in middle school.

He strode straight to the kitchen, picked up a knife, and deftly continued peeling the potato—much of which had been mangled by the other two, with big chunks of edible potato still clinging to the peels. Shen Li sorted through it, salvaging what he could, trimming off the skins to minimize waste.

The camera caught his knife skills: incredibly precise as he sliced the potato into thin pieces and soaked them in water.

Then he moved on to the lotus root left in the fridge.

【Those knife skills are insane!! You can tell he handles housework like a pro [cheers]】

【And zero waste! Love it!】

【Who gets it? While everyone else is fighting over chores to show off, Shen Li never jumps in. But if no one’s doing it, he’s the first to step up.】

【He and Qian Xingzhi split all the housework—laundry, making beds, tidying, cooking. That’s how you make a life together!!!】

【Yeah, the kind where one person does everything just to show off how they pamper the other? Makes me nervous just watching. Imagine being the overworked one—I’d hate it (just me tho)】

【Can’t say that out loud or they’ll hit back with: ‘We’ll hire a maid, it’s not all on one person’】

【But what is Qian Xingzhi tidying? Looks like he’s packing to bail!】

What the viewers didn’t know yet was that the next morning’s schedule had everyone leaving the cabin together for an outing, so Qian Xingzhi was getting things organized early to avoid anyone touching stuff they shouldn’t.

Especially the condoms from last night.

Even wrapped in tissues and tossed in the trash, he wasn’t taking chances—he needed to dump it pronto. Good thing his acting was flawless; the motions looked seamless on camera, no cracks in the facade. The rest of the half-used box got tucked away by those long fingers, magicked into Shen Li’s backpack like a card trick.

Silent, undetected.

But in the process, Qian Xingzhi brushed against something ID-card shaped, plus a small round ring.

The cool touch lingered on his fingertip. Moments later, a delighted smile tugged at Qian Xingzhi’s lips—then vanished just as quick.

No fan could decode it, but that expression meant…

Blissfully happy.

【Old Qian, what’re you up to? Switching to creep roles? Snickering while pawing someone’s bag?】

【Lol, Qian Xingzhi gives me this weird vibe, like he’d steal his wife’s panties to cover his face and block the light while sleeping, total perv】

【WTF!!! Mud sculptor fans, GTFO!!!】

【His fans are a zoo—one minute Shen Li’s a dumb slacker, next Qian Xingzhi’s a love-struck sex maniac [sweats]】

【People really think Qian Xingzhi’s a romance-obsessed nympho top? Might as well say I’m Qin Shi Huang, then venmo me 100 bucks】

The live chat was a riot, while the observation room discussed the ex-couples’ dynamics in the cabin:

Yang Zhiqi and Zhao Yunzhi were the classic narcissist and doormat duo;

Li Weiwei and Jiang Nan came off like a sham marriage of mismatched souls;

Zhen Tian and Kris were the pitiful bewitched foreign beauty and the fake idol turned real has-been;

Qian Xingzhi and Shen Li seemed like rivals with max sexual tension but zero love;

Ironically, Ke Jiujiu and Lin Xu—who’d been crying and bickering since day two—were the most dramatic and self-destructive, but they actually talked things out, making them the likeliest to reconcile.

Dinner rolled around soon enough. Cameras in both the cabin and observation room cut to shopping livestream ads, while the hot pot feast kicked off at seven and stretched past eight.

Shen Li only ate a bit from the mild pot before he was full and tired, withdrawing from the table early.

Ever since being “recruited,” Zhen Tian had turned into a total lackey—super deferential, soft-spoken. One minute he’d tell Shen Li the noodles were ready and ask if he wanted more; the next, he’d hand over a yogurt.

Qian Xingzhi kept shooting glances that way, his mood unreadable.

At eight-thirty, the sixth day’s nighttime emotional activity went live.

The group, stuffed and belching small talk amid the messy table, had the feed cut back to them just as the System Voice chimed in.

A melodic tune swelled first, then the Butler System’s modulated voice boomed from the speakers:

“Dear guests, today marks your sixth day in the cabin. Tonight’s emotional exchange will survey your ’emotional intentions.’

“This will assess reconciliation potential or interest in new connections, providing data for viewers’ ‘Eviction Votes.’

“Tomorrow at noon, 0-3 guests will be evicted. New top-tier ‘Catfish Guests’—the number depending on evictions—will join.”

The chat and cabin exploded before the Butler System finished.

“Whoa! That many evictions?!” Yang Zhiqi yelled loudest. “How’s it decided? Just viewer votes?”

The Butler System replied instantly: “Guests wishing to leave may check out at noon tomorrow. For those staying, eviction hits if all three conditions are met:

1. Top 3 least-wanted guests by viewers.

2. Score below 50 in tonight’s ‘Heartthrob Value’ task.

3. Personal virtual cabin currency below 150,000.”

“Phew, I’ve got 350,000,” Yang Zhiqi bragged, digging in his ear. “As long as I score 50 or more in that Heartthrob thing, even if viewers hate me, I’m safe, right?”

Butler System: “…Yes.”

Viewers:

【WTF!!!!】

【Game’s bugged?! I’m mad!】

Li Weiwei asked: “Do voluntary evictions count toward the quota?”

Butler System: “Yes, they take priority.”

Shen Li got the gist, frowning at Zhen Tian and Jiang Nan—they were prime eviction bait.

First off, Jiang Nan’s absences and Zhen Tian’s late arrival meant their virtual funds were under 150k.

Second, their performances today made them easy to hate.

Third, whatever this “Heartthrob Value” entailed, Shen Li figured those two weren’t scoring high.

【Perfect, vote out Zhen, Jiang, and Yang—this place needs less toxic yang energy!】

【Lmao yes, boot those three and it won’t stink so bad anymore. This show’s my happy place!!】

【No reality TV experience here—what’s a Catfish Guest?】

【Classic dating show trope: fresh faces to stir things up, liven the mood, spark healthy competition and growth [knowledge drop]】

Zhao Yunzhi piped up: “What does ‘x Catfish Guests’ mean? Number TBD?”

Butler System: “X is variable, based on evictions.”

Zhao Yunzhi nodded thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, the public screen displayed the “Heartthrob Value” rules.

“Heartthrob Value” Activity Notice

【Activity Time】: 20:30-22:30

【Teaming】: Free pairing—A invites B, B accepts to form a duo. Pairs of 2.

【Activity Flow】: Four people can head to the Cake Workshop to make cakes, while six can go to the pottery room to work with clay. Guests will wear fitness bracelets throughout to measure their heart rates, and the final “Heartthrob Value” will be scored based on fluctuations in the partner’s heart rate.

【Special Note】: Personal funds can be used to purchase Heartthrob Value boosts for your partner.

The activity announcement wasn’t long, but after Shen Li finished reading it, he fell into a rare silence.

Just that afternoon, he’d “entrusted” Zhen Tian and Jiang Nan to grow closer—ideally establishing a cohabitation relationship by evening, so they could keep an eye on Jiang Nan during lights-out. If he wasn’t mistaken, then this segment… would likely pair Zhen Tian and Jiang Nan together.

There was nothing wrong with that. After all, it would free up Li Weiwei and Kris. No one wanted to see good people suffer.

But it wasn’t ideal either. Whether they were making pottery or cakes, the visuals for the audience… might be as captivating as the sight of Jiang Nan applying ointment to Yang Zhiqi.

Sure enough.

Shen Li’s guess was spot on.

As Zhen Tian saw Jiang Nan about to stride toward Yang Zhiqi, he grabbed Jiang Nan’s waist. “Hey, bro! Let’s team up, yeah? Unless you’ve got someone else in mind?”

Zhen Tian’s use of “you” there was masterful, filling Jiang Nan with a sense of respect.

On camera, Jiang Nan lifted his chin toward his ex-wife Li Weiwei, his tone smug with mockery. “Think you’re the only one with a partner? See this? Zhen Tian’s with me—he started at our company. I was the one who promoted him as his manager back then. He’s always listened to me the most.”

“Oh, really? The most obedient to you?”

Li Weiwei lifted her teacup again and let out a cold laugh. “You really do think highly of yourself.”

Meanwhile.

Zhen Tian shot Shen Li several meaningful glances, blinking his left eye three times as if he had sand in it, all while wearing a fawning smile. Shen Li calmly withdrew his gaze, his forehead throbbing even harder.

With Li Weiwei and Kris teamed up, Lin Xu bound to Ke Jiujiu, and Zhen Tian holding onto Jiang Nan, the pairings had clarified. That left Yang Zhiqi, Zhao Yunzhi, Qian Xingzhi, and himself unpaired.

Logically speaking, he ought to pair with Qian Xingzhi, while Zhao Yunzhi teamed with Yang Zhiqi.

But was he really going to let Little Zhao hold hands with Yang Zhiqi and make pottery or cakes together?

Shen Li glanced over. Little Zhao was silently withdrawing her gaze from that direction, her lips pursed. She said nothing as she began cleaning the table she’d dirtied.

Perceptive as he was, Shen Li understood immediately.

Lately in the cabin, Kris and Li Weiwei had grown close. Ke Jiujiu had originally shared a room with Little Zhao, but now that she’d reconciled with Lin Xu, she’d moved out—not just from the room with Little Zhao, but into cohabitation with Lin Xu. That left Little Zhao on her own.

In a situation like this, Little Zhao truly had no choice but to pair with her ex, Yang Zhiqi.

Shen Li wasn’t entirely sure what had brought Little Zhao to the show, but one thing his eyes told him was clear: she had no desire to remarry Yang Zhiqi. Her gaze had never held even a flicker of love for him.

There seemed to be no other option.

But this time, before his habitual selflessness could kick in, Shen Li first glanced toward Qian Xingzhi.

There sat Qian Xingzhi, staring at him stone-faced.

His gaze carried a hint of ferocity—no telling how long those eyes had been fixed on him like that.

The instant their eyes met, however, Shen Li realized Qian Xingzhi had seen right through his intentions and was already on the verge of anger.

Shen Li sighed softly, furrowing his brows without a word as he forcibly suppressed his urge to play the hero.

The next second.

Qian Xingzhi leaned back coldly, the wooden chairback groaning in protest under the strain, his back arched like a fully drawn bow.

He sprang from the chair. His tall frame blocked Yang Zhiqi’s line of sight to Little Zhao as he declared:

“We’re a team.”

Yang Zhiqi: ?!?!

Viewers: 【?!?!】

【Damn, these CP pairings are getting weirder by the duo】

【Lol, the world’s just one big chaotic circus—as long as you live long enough, there’s no wonder left unseen】

【Is this just to avoid teaming with Shen Li?!】

Little Zhao visibly froze, her mouth forming a perfect O.

She glanced at Qian Xingzhi, then at Shen Li, clearly wanting to ask “why,” but too shy to voice it.

Qian Xingzhi seemed to read her mind. With an impassive expression, he made up an excuse on the spot:

“I got into a fight with Shen Li.”

Little Zhao tilted her head, a question mark practically rising above it.

【.】

【Nailed it [clown emoji]】

【Was it in the bathroom back in the room?! I thought they were making out like crazy—turns out they were fighting [shattered]】

【A fight wouldn’t lead to this, would it? Poor Shen Li, that must hurt [shattered]】

【Rose-tinted glasses off—no wonder they’re getting divorced】

【If I were Shen Li, I’d be totally over it】

Whether Shen Li was over it or not, no one else knew—but Qian Xingzhi did.

Take the walk to the Cake Workshop, for instance. Shen Li stuck close behind him the whole way.

When he slowed, Shen Li slowed. When he sped up, Shen Li matched him.

It was solicitous, attentive, obvious despite his attempts to hide it.

Shen Li carried a heavy guilt, pockets full of candy. All Qian Xingzhi had to do was turn and reach out to plunge his hand in and shake out as many sweets as he wanted.

But Qian Xingzhi wasn’t a kid anymore. Candy wouldn’t do. He wanted something sweeter, more grown-up.

So.

When the four arrived at the cake workshop and Shen Li put on his fitness bracelet, he was about to carry the whipped cream prepared by the staff into the piping room he shared with Zhao Yunzhi.

Qian Xingzhi extended a long arm and seized Shen Li’s, yanking him unceremoniously into a dark corner.

【?】

【What’s this now?】

【Kiss! Kiss! KISS!!!】

【CPF fans, give it a rest—you’re grinding your teeth to dust and still shipping? Weren’t you the ones thinking they were banging in the outhouse this afternoon? Nope, they were fighting in there】

【So what’s happening this time?? Are they gonna fight for real?!】

【Aaaah I can’t take it anymore! Why block the view? Is it ’cause I didn’t pay for the live stream?! Okay fine I didn’t pay, but whether it’s a duel or a duel♂, this baby deserves to know! Otherwise I’m really worried they’ll take it too far!!!】

Zhao Yunzhi was worried too.

She’d seen Shen Li grab the cream, ready to enter the room.

But Shen Li’s shadow flickered—then he was suddenly dragged away by someone!

Out of concern for Shen Li’s safety, Zhao Yunzhi mustered her courage and cracked open the piping room door. Soft white light spilled out as she held her breath and peered toward the corner where Shen Li had vanished—two shadowy figures!

It was Shen Li and Qian Xingzhi.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

By now, Zhao Yunzhi had no real desire to keep watching. But then she remembered Qian Xingzhi claiming they’d fought, and on the way to the workshop, the two hadn’t exchanged a word, both faces dark as thunderclouds.

Had their conflict escalated to more arguing… or even physical?

Little Zhao worried Shen Li was smaller in build, with bad legs to boot, so she kept observing for a bit longer.

In the dim light, Qian Xingzhi and Shen Li stood face-to-face, his grip still firm on Shen Li’s wrist.

And Qian Xingzhi—the acclaimed actor known as the High Cold Male God—was uncharacteristically leaning in with his handsome face toward Shen Li, posture screaming that he wanted a kiss.

She got it.

But Shen Li apparently didn’t…

His gloved left hand scooped up a dab of cream and smeared it right across Qian Xingzhi’s approaching face!

—like a kindergarten teacher who’d just handed out a gold star, about to say, “There you go, off you play.”

“Tch.”

An extremely dissatisfied protest rumbled out.

It sounded profoundly irritated.

Shen Li froze for a moment, pondering whether he should just kiss him for real.

The thought had barely circled his mind when his lips felt a cool slickness. His awful ex-husband retaliated in kind, smearing sweet, silky cream across them.

A generous layer.

It covered nearly half his face.

“What are you— I didn’t even put on that mu—”

The final word caught between his teeth.

Qian Xingzhi’s fingers, sticky with cream, gripped Shen Li’s chin and tilted it up. Patiently, he licked from the soiled, quivering throat upward, destination clear: those tightly pressed lips…

Meanwhile.

The live chat barrages burned with anxiety:

【40 seconds feels like 40 years—are they really fighting?】

【Say what you will! Qian’s got such a temper [bawling] Poor Little Cat [bawling]】