It really is a desolate and sparse style.
Ah, it's Xiao Shulang!
[How come it's them again? What a coincidence!]
Upon seeing it was him, Xiao Shulang smiled and said, "Over here."
He was carrying bags in both hands and couldn't raise his hand to greet them, so Qin Shuang went over to help him and discovered that they were the items he had won at the aquarium.
"Let me carry one of your bags. Why did you bring it out?"
Xiao Shulang did not refuse his help: "Aren't we going to change our accommodation tomorrow? It's inconvenient to carry these things with us, so I thought I'd send them to the welfare home today."
Qin Shuang: "I see."
While filming at their cozy home, it wasn't convenient to have a courier come to their door during the day. After filming wrapped up, the courier would be off work, so Xiao Shulang thought he could send the package out while he was out today.
The production team arranged for their group to go to a Western restaurant and a pottery shop. On the way to the restaurant, there happened to be a courier store. When the two went in, there were no other customers in the store.
The clerk behind the counter looked up from the computer: "Hello, how do you want... Holy crap!"
When he looked up, he saw Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang's faces, along with the staff following behind them.
People recognized them on the street, but because the staff were there, they didn't come up to them. They just took pictures from a distance with their phones. When the two of them entered the store, the entrance was already blocked by a crowd of phones.
The shop assistant didn't watch dating shows, but he did watch dramas. Qin Shuang's face was so distinctive that he exclaimed in surprise. When he saw the camera, he realized he had stumbled upon a TV show being filmed. He became so nervous that his whole body stiffened, and he stammered, "Y-hello, do you...want to send a package?"
Xiao Shulang stood closer to the table: "Yes, send these."
As the staff checked identities and belongings according to procedure, they spoke haltingly, clearly shaken; their hands were trembling.
Xiao Shulang's phone contained the address of the welfare home that the original owner frequently assisted, as well as the director's phone number. Since he couldn't use his own phone during filming, he copied down the phone number and address on a piece of paper last night.
I borrowed a few dozen yuan in cash from the staff on the bus to pay for the delivery fee, and I will return the money to them using my mobile phone tonight.
This time, no one in the audience questioned whether Xiao Shulang had the financial means to do charity, after all, his previous wealth was evident.
After filling out the form, the clerk put the form and the items away. Before they turned to leave, the clerk finally mustered up the courage to say, "Qin... Qin Shuang!"
Qin Shuang looked at him.
"I'm your fan!" Once you start talking, it doesn't seem so hard anymore. The shop assistant stopped stammering and shouted loudly with a strong voice, "Your drama is really good! I look forward to more and better works from you!"
Qin Shuang said sincerely, "Thank you."
Although it was only two short words, his expression was anything but perfunctory. He gazed intently into the shop assistant's eyes and said, "It would be my honor if my work could satisfy the audience."
The shop assistants and the viewers in front of the screen clutched their chests together.
He's so handsome!!
The shop assistants recognized her face immediately, and passersby at the door called out Qin Shuang's name. Xiao Shulang teased Qin Shuang, "You're very popular, Teacher Qin."
The two of them were already walking out of the store, and the passersby who were taking pictures at the entrance had all made way. Just as Qin Shuang was about to say something, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Xiao Shulang!"
Xiao Shulang looked over at the sound and saw a girl with her arm raised. When she saw him looking over, she took a deep breath and suddenly confessed, "I think you're great, keep it up!!"
She followed the show closely, watching Xiao Shulang's various performances, and felt that he was a very nice person who was very attractive to her.
Xiao Shulang was used to the prejudice against him by online public opinion and had seen a lot of online trolls and people who didn't know the truth insult him. Suddenly, a real person was loudly confessing his love to him, and for a moment, he felt it was unreal.
Fans? Mine?
Even though he appeared on TV shows and made headlines, Xiao Shulang never considered himself a celebrity. He treated the online criticism as a joke and had a very strong heart defense. However, he was at a loss when faced with enthusiastic support.
Qin Shuang originally wanted to take advantage of the fans' enthusiastic cheers to return Xiao Shulang's earlier teasing, but he caught a fleeting look of astonishment on Xiao Shulang's face.
It was as if he never expected anyone would like him.
Qin Shuang fell silent.
Xiao Shulang was at a loss for only a few seconds before he composed himself and thanked the girl, "Thank you for your support. I will do my best."
The girl waved happily and watched them walk away, without following them.
Even as they approached the restaurant, Xiao Shulang, who appeared outwardly calm, was still quite dazed.
When the waiter handed him the menu, he seemed to be seriously ordering, but he stared at the first page for a long time without turning the page.
After ordering her food, Qin Shuang finally spoke as she closed the menu: "You're very popular too, Teacher Xiao."
Xiao Shulang twitched his fingers, finally flipping over the menu, and named a dish before saying, "I was wrong, Teacher Qin, please stop teasing me."
But Qin Shuang wasn't joking this time.
“They discovered your strengths through the lens,” Qin Shuang said, speaking slowly and deliberately across the table. “As long as your excellence is genuine, even more people will like you.”
Xiao Shulang was speechless for a moment.
The comments section erupted with lively chatter.
[I knew Xiao Shulang was shy when that girl confessed her feelings! I'm sure I wasn't mistaken!]
[OMG, is this the legendary high attack, low defense? He's so tough on Luo Tian, but he can't handle a fan saying "support" to him.]
This contrast really resonated with me!
Xiao Shulang held the menu up to cover his face; if this continued, he wouldn't be able to hold back any longer!
Xiao Shulang had been confessed to before, but those people wanted to date him. Fans were different. Like that girl just now, they simply liked and supported him. Their passion and purity were something Xiao Shulang found hard to resist.
He suddenly realized the difference between his current situation and his past experiences—being a public figure under the spotlight… It seemed he needed to think more deeply about the meaning of this job.
Qin Shuang borrowed a pen from the waiter, took out the photo from the glass candy jar, and handed it to Xiao Shulang: "Please sign this for me, Teacher Xiao."
"Please have a piece of candy, Teacher Qin, please forgive me!"
Xiao Shulang begged for mercy, casually took a piece of candy from the candy jar and stuffed it into Qin Shuang's hand, then quickly signed his name on the back of the photo.
The candy sponsor has something to say: this advertisement was not arranged by them.
Just as Qin Shuang put the candy in her mouth, Xiao Shulang handed the signed photo back to her.
To Qin Shuang: May you shine brightly, illuminating others and warming yourself. Xiao Shulang.
The sweetness of the sugar spread in her mouth, and Qin Shuang silently recited it once, her eyes melting as well.
[Holy crap, did you guys see Qin Shuang's smile?!]
[I saw it! I'm dead! I want to become that candy!]
[Why are Xiao Shulang's little gestures so captivating?! Holy crap, I'm starting to think I'm becoming a fan!]
Although the live stream was split-screen, the comments were still connected. Compared to Qin Shuang's fans, who were currently very enthusiastic, Luo Tian's fans, who were originally evenly matched, didn't have much to say at this moment.
Firstly, many of them had a great time fighting online for Luo Tian last night, so they were inevitably exhausted today; secondly, compared to the other two groups, the atmosphere between Luo Tian and Yin Xingzhi was really not sweet.
Xu Baichang and You Ziang were able to have positive interactions, but on Luo Tian's side, it was obvious to everyone that Yin Xingzhi was the only one enthusiastic. Although Luo Tian occasionally responded, his overall attitude could be described as very perfunctory.
I suddenly feel sorry for Yin Xingzhi; his affection is so humble.
[Stop criticizing Luo Tian, okay? He likes Xu Baichang, what's wrong with him cutting ties with Yin Xingzhi? It proves he's devoted to her!]
That makes sense, there's nothing to criticize. But there's really nothing interesting about them. Apart from Luo Tian's fans, most viewers are watching the other two couples.
In the afternoon, Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang were making things in the pottery studio. Xiao Shulang was obviously not a novice. After the potter's wheel turned on, he skillfully scooped up the clay and pressed it down. As the clay began to deform, he quickly and accurately adjusted it with his fingers.
To finish the final shaping, he had to stop the rotating machine. His slender fingers seemed to have magic, touching and lifting here and there. In the blink of an eye, the mud had become a round, adorable rabbit.
What happened to Master Xiao?
Wow! I've also tried pottery, and it's true that if your hand shakes even slightly, all your work is ruined.
Qin Shuang was learning for the first time and wasn't as skilled as Xiao Shulang, but he had a steady hand and picked it up quickly. However, after trying for a long time, he still couldn't make a rabbit like Xiao Shulang.
Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang weren't in a hurry; they could come back again and again and try to make different things. Unfortunately, the staff had to use signs to remind them to be mindful of the time.
Before they knew it, they had been kneading things in the shop for several hours.
Qin Shuang regretfully gave up, and finally made a small introductory plate for beginners.
The two washed their hands, and the shopkeeper numbered their items.
The pottery shop offers a complete package. After the customer's vessel is formed, they can come in for coloring and carving. The shop will also send it to the kiln for firing, and the customer can take the final product home.
But the process takes time, and the boss doesn't think the celebrities who come to film the show will come back again.
When Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang took photos of things with the Polaroid camera, he always thought they were just keeping a souvenir. He never imagined that the two of them might be trying to write down the work numbers so they could continue later.
They also ate dinner out tonight at a well-regarded mala tang restaurant. It was spicy and fragrant, and they ate to their hearts' content. After taking a short walk to digest, they ended their date and returned to their cozy home with their staff.
Their car and You Ziang and Xu Baichang's car arrived almost one after the other. The four greeted each other and went into the house together, only to find that Yin Xingzhi and Luo Tian were already in the living room.
The two of them returned early, but they didn't seem to have much fun. When Luo Tian saw that the others were returning so late, his mood was visibly sour.
Could Xu Baichang really have a crush on You Ziang? He deliberately offered his necklace as a gift today, and Xu Baichang didn't even choose it! And Xiao Shulang, seems to be having a good time? Their team was watching the media closely last night, so why is the instigator sleeping and having fun?!
Unfortunately, he had already established a magnanimous ex persona online, and going up to Xiao Shulang now to be sarcastic would be a slap in his own face, so he didn't dare.
Viewers could also tell that Luo Tian was in a bad mood, but they only assumed that he was jealous of Xu Baichang. After all, there was no concrete evidence about his entanglement with Xiao Shulang: whether it was that Xiao Shulang was promoting him or that he was betraying him after using him was still speculation. No one in front of the screen could see that his mood was related to these things.
Ke Luotian genuinely cared because what he said was true.
When it came time to send heartbeat text messages, there was no doubt that Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang had exchanged messages, and the atmosphere of their messages had finally improved a bit, no longer just being social template sentences.
Qin Shuang: "The gift is beautiful and sweet. Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
Xiao Shulang: "Thank you for your encouragement today. I should also seriously consider my career path."
Exchanging small gifts and discussing life—this tranquil and warm way of getting along has touched many people. When interacting with others, whether friends or lovers, isn't it all about being comfortable in order to talk about happiness and affection?
Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang's performance today greatly satisfied viewers who wanted some sweet moments. As for the others, Luo Tian's fans hoped that Xu Baichang would continue to send Luo Tian messages today, but unfortunately, he sent one to You Ziang instead.
Luo Tian's hopes were dashed once again.
Yin Xingzhi also suffered a setback along with him.
Those who wanted candy got it, and those who wanted to see a chaotic scene got it too. The casual viewers were satisfied, but only one person and his fans were extremely anxious.
As soon as the live stream ended, Wang Hao called again, bringing Xiao Shulang some good news.
"Director Gao is willing to speak up?" Xiao Shulang breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great."
Wang Hao was also happy: "It's not difficult to get Director Gao's help. He and Luo Tian had already fallen out, and you even went to apologize to him in person. He has a good impression of you."
Director Gao is a top-tier director who has produced many hit variety shows. However, as he gets older, his energy is declining, and his program planning skills have also decreased. The greater the expectations people have for him, the greater their disappointment becomes. After several of his shows flopped, his reputation has suffered a great loss.
He's been practically retired lately; he doesn't talk much, and everyone's almost forgotten about him.