After that, for the sake of his family and his mother's expectations before her death, Mark Chao shouldered his responsibilities.
Indulgence was just a process that substituted for crying.
That courtyard became a secret place in his heart. Only important people could go there.
Moreover, if someone spoke there, his mother, who loved him deeply but was as bad at expressing emotions as he was, would probably know, too.
However, Qin Qiao'er was unaware of all this. Even though she sensed Mark's loneliness, she couldn't let go of the fact that he had casually said something that embarrassed her!
"Alright, lunch is over. Are you all satisfied?"
"Satisfied! CEO Zhao's cooking is amazing! I'm becoming a fan right now!" An actor from another group answered first.
"Hey? I didn't even get a taste! So it was you who gobbled it all up!" His female partner said in surprise.
"Hahaha." Everyone around burst into laughter. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
Only Mark and Qin Qiao'er, who should have been most involved in this conversation, seemed absent - minded as if it had nothing to do with them.
"Now that our last group meal is over, it's time to announce everyone's final scores!"
Everyone obviously became a bit quieter. Qin Qiao'er only came to her senses after Shi Xinyan nudged her with an elbow.
"So, are you all looking forward to it? And who do you think will get the highest score?"
Everyone started discussing.
"It should be CEO Zhao's group. The two of them have been so sweet that their every day together has made it onto the hot - search list..."
"Don't say that. Cut it out. We're scoring fairly and justly. It has nothing to do with hot - search topics or popularity." Another actress beside them joked.
Everyone burst into laughter again.
"Don't make fun of us. In my opinion, our group definitely isn't the best."
Although Qin Qiao'er was still thinking about other things and didn't really want to discuss this obvious topic - after all, they could even decide what would be broadcast and what the public opinion would be, so what did the scores matter?
But the director beside her sensed that the atmosphere was off and forced her to participate in the interaction.
"Eh? Then who else could it be?" Shi Xinyan asked gently.
"Announcing the first - place winner is Uncle Hong's job."
"Hey, you're still being so mysterious." Zhou Yuxun complained, and there was another round of laughter.
"Okay, I believe that although you all say so, you still have the confidence to be the first, right?"
"Now, let's unveil today's final result..."
"Let's start with the first - place winner..."
Everyone was concentrating, ready to listen.
Suddenly, Uncle Hong started to play coy: "Seeing how excited you all are, let's..." Some people even held their breath.
"Take a short break. We'll announce it right away."
"Aww—"
Amidst everyone's sighs, Uncle Hong looked quite pleased with himself.
"I'm just joking. I'm really going to announce it this time. Let's start with the fourth - place winner, which is not the first - place winner!"
The suspense he created was really interesting, and everyone's attention was drawn.
After several rounds of such suspense - building, the final result was finally out.
As expected, the third, fourth, and fifth places went to the other noisy groups.
Surprisingly, the first - place winners were Shi Xinyan and Zhou Yuxun. Mark and Qin Qiao'er, who had been the most favored, only got the second place.
Of course, this seemed normal to Qin Qiao'er.
After all, along the way, she and Mark had had several cold - wars and arguments.
"Wow, congratulations, Xinyan!" Qin Qiao'er winked at her.
Shi Xinyan blushed slightly, looking a bit shy, but still had a smile on her face. Her eyes secretly glanced at Zhou Yuxun.
"Okay, now let's give a round of applause to Miss Shi Xinyan and Mr. Zhou Yuxun!"
"They will receive a prize sponsored by ** Company, and the rest of you will also get a consolation prize respectively."
"Of course, during these days' experience, I believe each pair of 'lovers' has realized that true feelings cannot be measured by scores. Arguments and understandings are common."
Everyone nodded. It was indeed the case.
"But only when you resolve the arguments and insecurities can you be considered to have passed the test and gradually approach the real and stable 'love' that everyone yearns for."
Or perhaps it would lead to even greater differences. Qin Qiao'er rolled her eyes mentally, not at Uncle Hong, but at Mark.
After some closing remarks about "love" and "great love", the show finally ended amidst laughter.
After the show, there were some separate recording segments. It was almost evening, and the sun was setting.
"Aww—Why are other CP pairs so different?"
Qin Qiao'er watched Shi Xinyan and Zhou Yuxun chatting happily from afar and sighed softly.
Tu Qinqin hadn't come to pick her up yet. It seemed that she had forgotten all about her. Qin Qiao'er had to figure out how to go back on her own.
While she was still checking the route, an unwelcome voice suddenly sounded in front of her.
"Miss Qin, it's so late. Do you need me to give you a ride back?" Mark rolled down the car window and looked at Qin Qiao'er.
"No, thank you. You've been busy all day, CEO Zhao."
"I've told you many times not to call me CEO Zhao. Just be more casual."
"Okay, Mark. I don't need you to give me a ride. You should go back first. I can go back by myself. Goodbye."
Qin Qiao'er said in one breath and then started to walk away.
Mark silently got out of the car and waved to the driver to drive away on his own.
"But it's not convenient for a girl to go back alone."
Mark stubbornly followed. Qin Qiao'er had no choice. It seemed that it was useless to say anything, so she could only let him follow.
Silence.
After they had walked past two intersections, Qin Qiao'er finally couldn't help but speak first: "Mark, what on earth do you want?!"
Mark looked as if it were only natural: "I've said before that I want you to be my fiancée."
"I've also said that no matter what you say, I won't agree. You'd better go find your Miss Song Qianqian."
"No, I..."
"Mark Chao, I've made myself clear before. Are you being a bit too self - centered?!"
Qin Qiao'er turned around and met Mark's gaze.
"I, Qin Qiao'er, am not someone who will do whatever you say. Don't use the same tactics on me as you do on others."
There was another period of silence.
"So, may I ask what it will take for you to agree, Miss Qin?"
Actually, Qin Qiao'er herself had never thought about what it would take for her to agree. She just subconsciously felt extremely resistant to Mark.