Is it "I'm so happy to be with you?" or "The sparklers are beautiful, thank you for your thoughtfulness?"
There seem to be many things that can be posted, but none of them seem to be the most suitable.
Xiao Shulang vaguely recalled his college days, when his roommate would often wail in anguish over a single sentence or two, clutching his phone: "Ugh, what should I say to him? Damn it, nothing I say seems right?"
At the time, Xiao Shulang found it strange: "Why can't you just write down whatever you want to say?"
My roommate's expression immediately changed, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smug smile: "Hmph, you don't understand, do you?"
"When you care about someone a lot, and you love every word they say, you can't help but feel annoyed sometimes when you talk to them—that's what they call sweet pain!"
Xiao Shulang understood it back then, but he had never experienced such a feeling; it was just theoretical. Now, he was actually bothered by a text message... "I guess I haven't reached that stage yet?" Xiao Shulang thought to himself.
With the text message sending time fast approaching, Xiao Shulang typed the following line: "You're really good at surfing. Let's go to the beach together sometime?"
The word "later" is both an invitation and a promise. Some people might say it casually for the sake of the show, but Xiao Shulang isn't. His question shows he genuinely hopes to have the opportunity to go out together again in the future, whether as friends or—
"bite!"
The moment he sent his message, Qin Shuang's message arrived as well.
Qin Shuang: "If you like the beach, how about we go sometime?"
A few days later, their text messages matched up again.
The audience clutched their chests and screamed—
[We've already made an agreement for the future, which is practically equivalent to marriage!]
[You two really didn't plan to post this together? It's not that it's completely unrelated, it's just that it's exactly the same!]
[Let me tell you the similarities and differences: the first sentence is always about the other person! It's about caring about their feelings!]
Xiao Shulang's face flushed. After sending the text message, he opened the door and went to the public area. Qin Shuang also happened to come out of the room opposite. The two looked at each other and didn't say anything for the time being, but naturally walked together and walked out side by side.
The rest of the people also arrived in the living room. Zhuo Cheng and You Ziang had already started eating again, with snacks scattered on the table. They gestured for the others to sit down.
"Teacher Xiao, you went to the beach, right?" Zhuo Cheng said enviously. "I haven't been to the beach in a long time, I miss it. What did you all do?"
Xiao Shulang explained the basic activities, his gaze briefly sweeping over Qin Shuang, and added, "And surfing, which Teacher Qin will teach, and I'll learn."
"Wow, that's amazing!" Zhuo Cheng exclaimed. "Surfing seems really difficult; I couldn't learn it even if you asked me."
You Ziang: "If you have a good sense of balance, with more practice, even if you can't learn the more difficult ones, you can still basically surf."
Xu Baichang tore open a bag of cookies: "You can do that too?"
"Mmm." You Ziang leaned over and took a small cookie from his bag to eat. "Do you know how to make them? If you don't, you can ask me if you want to learn."
Xiao Shulang: "Tell me about how you guys had fun today."
Everyone was having a great time chatting. Qin Shuang didn't like to talk much, but she could still chime in smoothly from time to time. On the other hand, Yin Xingzhi, although he was actively speaking, always gave people the feeling of being out of place and just making small talk.
Because they had a two-day date, Zhuo Cheng sent a text message to Yin Xingzhi out of politeness. Yin Xingzhi received the message but was not happy at all.
With the show almost over, could he at least get some more screen time? Even if it's not about flirting with someone, just some eye-catching shots!
The security cameras in the public area were still on. The group was talking about Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang's act of bravery that day, which they had only just found out by checking their phones. Yin Xingzhi, quick-witted, seized the opportunity to join the conversation.
"I also think violence is very bad."
He huddled closer to a cushion on the sofa, a bitter smile on his face, as if he had thought of something sad: "Actually, my father also has violent tendencies. In my childhood memories, he often beat me and my mother."
As soon as he said that, everyone's attention immediately turned to him.
Yin Xingzhi is a very minor supporting character in the original novel, and his family situation is not described in detail. Therefore, Xiao Shulang does not know whether what he said is true or not.
As everyone comforted him, Yin Xingzhi's eyes reddened, and his voice trembled with tears: "Thank you all, it's okay, it's all over now."
Although it wasn't a live broadcast, the cameras were still filming, and the program's edited version was being prepared very quickly. Yin Xingzhi believed that this scene was perfect for inclusion in the program, which would allow him to garner sympathy from the public and gain more attention.
Seeing that Yin Xingzhi's eyes were red, You Ziang handed him a tissue. However, just as Yin Xingzhi was taking the tissue with a sense of smug satisfaction, You Ziang suddenly remembered something: "That's not right."
He said, "Didn't you say the other day that your parents have a very good relationship and that you hope to find someone who will treat you well in the future?"
Yin Xingzhi's hand froze: "Huh? Did I say that? No way."
You Ziang was someone who had teamed up with him, and was also Yin Xingzhi's hunting target. Yin Xingzhi himself couldn't remember what words he had made up to seduce You Ziang.
After a moment of contemplation, You Ziang said with certainty, "Yes, you said it too, and that was when I handed you a tissue."
Yin Xingzhi immediately panicked: "I, I..."
Xiao Shulang said unhurriedly, "This is very interesting. Why don't you think about it again? Is the affection real, or is the domestic violence real?"
Yin Xingzhi has always cultivated his persona through tea ceremony performances. Apart from subtly mocking Xiao Shulang by sticking close to Luo Tian, he has not offended anyone else. But tonight, this incident has changed the expressions of everyone else.
Especially Xu Baichang, who had just been scammed, genuinely believed that Yin Xingzhi was a weak and pitiful person.
Once the lie was exposed, the truth was revealed, and looking back now, there were many things that didn't seem right, and there were clearly clues to be found.
“Maybe I didn’t express myself well at the time,” Yin Xingzhi quickly added. “My parents’ relationship was good for a period of time, I mean like that period.”
"Is that so?"
You Ziang withdrew his hand and said nothing more—there was no need to say anything more, as the crowd wouldn't be unable to see through such a flawed lie.
Yin Xingzhi felt utterly ashamed under everyone's gaze, and he really wanted to cry. He suddenly stood up and said, "You guys talk, I... I'm going back to my room to rest."
After he left, the others paused subtly, exchanged glances, and then smiled. "Where were we? Let's continue."
If the official version of today's edited version includes that segment from earlier, Yin Xingzhi will likely lose all the fans he's gained from the show these past few days, and his goal of becoming an internet celebrity through a dating reality show to make money in the future will be dashed.
Therefore, one should be down-to-earth and reliable, spend time learning and improving one's own abilities, and stop thinking about crooked paths all day long, as they will only harm oneself in the end.
Zhuo Cheng poured himself a glass of water: "Sigh, I joined the show later, so I'm just treating it as making friends. It's my first time experiencing a dating reality show, and it's quite interesting. If I still can't find a suitable partner, I'll go back to the dating reality show and try again."
He made it clear that he had no intention of finding a partner among this group of people. Qin Shuang turned a page of the book in her hand, feeling that his turning of the page was a little too quick.
The final decision will be made the day after tomorrow, and the rules for the final stage were clearly stated in advance. If you really don't have a favorite, you can choose to give up.
When Xiao Shulang first appeared on the show, he thought that he would definitely be one of those who gave up in the final round. He originally only planned to punish the scumbag and make some friends, and never thought that a relationship would develop beyond friendship.
But now... someone has given him the option not to abstain.
Qin Shuang wasn't actually reading the book in his hand; he had already noticed that Xiao Shulang had been secretly glancing at him several times.
Xiao Shulang's text message tonight was finally different from before; it was like a corner of a candy wrapper being torn open, revealing a hint of sweetness.
When Qin Shuang received the text message, she thought: He really does like me.
Previously, he only dared to express his feelings when drunk, but now he can finally show more of his feelings. Hmm... it also has to do with Xiao Shulang's attitude towards love.
I conveyed my feelings without pressuring him too much, and in return, I received a touch of genuine emotion from Xiao Shulang when he was clear-headed and lucid—I think this was the right thing to do.
Qin Shuang's gaze fell on a line of text in the book: I'm waiting for you, and I'm walking towards you. I hope you won't hide.
It's quite fitting for the occasion.
Qin Shuang slowly closed the book.
During the group action on the second day, Yin Xingzhi failed to maintain his usual persona and seemed a bit anxious. Everyone remained indifferent to him because the edited version from yesterday had not yet been released, leaving viewers somewhat confused.
[Poor Yin Xingzhi, nobody's paying attention to him again.]
[Hmm, I don't think it's pitiful, I just feel like something's off about him, but I can't quite put my finger on it.]
I always thought he was a bit of a flirt, but he acted really strange today, which makes me unsure whether he really is or not.
The pairings among the remaining people are already quite obvious. Today, the director has exempted everyone from sending them love text messages and instead asked everyone to write an anonymous love letter.
Love letters can be short, just a few sentences, or long and detailed. After writing them, write the sender's name on the envelope, but leave it unsigned. The letter will then be handed over by a staff member.
This was my last confession before making the final choice, a chance to give myself an opportunity.
Some uninformed viewers still thought Yin Xingzhi could give it a shot, unaware that even if he wrote the most beautiful love letter today, he would have no chance.
The production team provided some beautiful stationery, and Xiao Shulang immediately chose the sky-blue paper with blurred clouds and seaside scenery in the background. The paper was very pretty.
What should I write in a love letter, but without using "like" or "love"? It's like an extended version of a heart-pounding text message.
Let's write about someone from his perspective.
Xiao Shulang picked up his pen—
"You appear in the clouds, surrounded by flowers, praising you for coming from the sea of clouds, but you shake your head: You come from the depths of the jungle, treading through thorns and seeing decaying leaves and dead wood."
The wind and snow could not break your body, the thunder and rain could not break your spirit. You have finally been draped in starlight, and the frost and snow along your path have turned into brilliance. I look at you through the sky and see the most dazzling star.
Chapter 43 Your Smile is Like a Poem
Although love letters cannot be signed, Qin Shuang had already seen Xiao Shulang's handwriting and knew that the letter in her hand must have been written by him.
His fingers traced the soft, smooth paper, and his heart surged with waves of emotion—surprise, joy, and a touch of annoyance—as the verses flowed.
I am annoyed that I am usually quiet and always feel at a loss for words when I write. Compared to Xiao Shulang's poem, his few lines are far from enough.
Qin Shuang had an urge to take the love letter back and revise it.
Unfortunately, the letter had already been given to the staff, and even with further revisions... he might not be able to write anything more substantial.
When Xiao Shulang was drunk, he showered him with compliments, praising him to the skies. Qin Shuang thought it was exaggerated enough; there was no such perfect person in the world. Xiao Shulang had probably used up all the words of praise he could think of.
Today he discovered that Xiao Shulang could be approached in different ways.
Moreover, this time his praise struck a chord with Qin Shuang.
He didn't praise his appearance or his face under the spotlight; instead, he talked about the many hardships he had overcome and praised his tenacious spirit.
Qin Shuang came out of the orphanage not only because of her outstanding skills, but also because of her unwavering perseverance and never giving up, which allowed her to get to where she is today.
The Qin family was able to find him because he had made a name for himself and appeared in public. So, in a way, even the way home was one he had paved for himself.
Qin Shuang never talks about his hardships in front of others. Many media outlets like to call him a "top star who suddenly appeared out of nowhere," but he will only say: I have never been.
I've come this far step by step.
I won't talk about the hardships I've endured, because my job is to present good works to the audience; I've never been some kind of privileged individual.
He's just being himself.
When Qin Shuang received the letter, she recalled the past few days. If she had to say what was special about it, it was the morning when Xiao Shulang turned around and smiled at her in the morning light during their run.
Like sunshine, like a gentle breeze, it changed the rhythm of his heartbeat.