"With me here, you don't need to worry." The man looked down at her, his voice low. His deep, unfathomable eyes were like the boundless sky, yet they also contained feelings that had been hidden for years.
Had he reached this position in life only to be denied the right to protect the one he cared about?
Layers of pure - white gardenias adorned his mask. His eyes were dark and calm, creating a strong contrast between the black of his eyes and the white of the flowers. Lin Jinran was slightly stunned and stared at him.
The director wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and quickly realized that this was exactly the kind of dramatic plot the audience loved—the rivalry between two men for a woman. "It's okay, it's okay. I won't stop you," the director said, taking a few steps back and motioning for the camera crew to follow.
Suddenly remembering that he had pulled Lin Jinran a bit too hard just now, Su Qinian turned his head to look at her wrist. Sure enough, it was red. He loosened his grip slightly and changed from pulling to holding her hand, avoiding the reddened part, and walked forward in silence.
The camera crew carrying the cameras quickly followed.
"Where are we going?" Lin Jinran tried to let go of his hand. She struggled hard with her back to the camera but failed. Sighing, she simply gave up and chose to ask.
"You'll know later." Su Qinian was concise. Holding her hand, he turned left and right. A bench came into view. He let go of her hand, tilted his chin, and said, "Sit down first. Wait for me for a few minutes."
So, Lin Jinran watched as Su Qinian walked into the milk - tea shop next to them.
A few minutes later, Su Qinian came out with two cups of milk tea in his hands. He sat down beside Lin Jinran and handed the other cup to her.
Lin Jinran saw the label "Extra Pearls" and asked in surprise, "How did you know I like pearls?"
Su Qinian paused and said casually, "I guessed."
"It's a pity I haven't had pearls for a long time, and I rarely drink milk tea either." Lin Jinran inserted the straw and took a sip, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Thank you for giving me an excuse to drink milk tea openly."
Su Qinian unconsciously tightened his grip on the milk - tea cup. His eyes darkened as he looked at her. She couldn't even drink a cup of milk tea as she pleased.
How hard had Lin Jinran's life been these years? Why hadn't he found her earlier?
"How... have you been these years?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Qinian realized his gaffe. He was silent for a moment. "Sorry, I was being too abrupt."
The question was rather strange.
Lin Jinran burst out laughing. "Do you mean these years since I entered the entertainment industry? I had no resources and no connections. I worked my way up from the bottom. To be honest, I'm not satisfied."
"Approaching thirty, I've achieved nothing at this age. I'm not content with the status quo."
No resources, no connections.
Su Qinian keenly caught these eight words. It made sense. Lin Jinran had a tense relationship with her biological father. Where would she get the resources?
"Lin Jinran is so bold. She's really telling it like it is. Come to think of it, aren't many young people like this nowadays? The population is increasing, job opportunities are scarce, and salaries are continuously decreasing. The overall social environment is not good."
"What a cliche speech. She's just trying to get attention. She's a big star. The money she earns from just one drama can probably be more than what we'll earn in our entire lives."
"Teacher Su is so manly. He just went to snatch her away. The love triangle is so exciting. Gu Huai must be furious."
Two hours later, they gathered at the designated location.
The guests got back on the dating bus and headed to the dating villa.
The seating arrangement had changed.
Lin Jinran and Su Qinian, He Jiao and Xie Yun, Jiang Yaoguang and Gu Huai.
After an hour's drive, the bus arrived at the dating villa.
The director took out a megaphone and announced the new rules.
"Each guest will have their own room in the dating villa. You'll be responsible for your own breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If there are no special activities, you're free to do as you like. Every evening, each guest needs to send a text message to the opposite - sex guest they most want to talk to. Then we'll gather in the outdoor garden, where each guest will receive their dating text messages."
"Tonight, the production team has specially prepared a dating dinner. Each guest can take off their masks and communicate with their true faces. There are still two hours until the dinner. You can go into the villa to choose your rooms and wait for the dinner."
After briefly explaining the rules, the director kindly reminded them not to meet each other before the dinner. The staff guided everyone to avoid running into each other.
The dating villa had two floors. The first floor had a living room and a kitchen, and the second floor had six rooms. There were three boys' bedrooms on the left and three girls' bedrooms on the right.
Lin Jinran took her luggage off the bus, took a deep breath, and squinted at the dating villa.
"Your suitcase is heavy. Let me carry it for you." Su Qinian, who had just taken his own suitcase off the bus, walked around and saw Lin Jinran. He quickly came over with his own luggage to help.
Lin Jinran held her luggage and shook her head. "No need. You have your own luggage."
"It's okay. I can carry one suitcase in each hand. You just go ahead and open the door." Su Qinian grabbed the handle of the suitcase and pushed it forward quietly.
Lin Jinran was a bit confused. She turned her head and looked back, only to find that most of the male guests were helping the female guests carry their suitcases.
He Jiao behind them joked cheerfully like a sunny flower, "If you get tired, let me carry it. I'm really strong."
When she turned back, she saw Mr. Gardenia carrying two suitcases and about to reach the door of the dating villa, while she herself was standing still.
Lin Jinran quickly walked forward and, just as Mr. Gardenia reached the door, she pushed it open. The living room of the villa came into view.
The living room was very spacious. Bright sunlight shone through the floor - to - ceiling windows on the side near the garden, making the whole room bright and airy.
"There's a movie room here!" He Jiao rushed in first, looked around the first floor of the villa, and popped her head out excitedly.
"It's just a movie room. Is there any need to be so excited?" Gu Huai scoffed.
Jiang Yaoguang seemed to have gotten out of the afternoon's shadow. She covered her mouth and laughed. "It's better to have it than not."
"Be careful. Do you really not need my help?"
Su Qinian carried two suitcases in his hands, walking steadily with a calm breath. Hearing Lin Jinran's concern, the corner of his mouth twitched into a faint smile. "No need. As long as you don't cause me any trouble, it'll be good."
Lin Jinran said, "Huh?"
Why did she detect a hint of indulgence in his tone?
All in all, they had only known each other for less than a day.
Su Qinian carried the suitcases up to the second floor and let go.
Lin Jinran took them and thanked him. "If I get the chance, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Really?"
"Really. Do you think I'll lie to you? The audience in the live - stream room is watching. They can testify." Lin Jinran shook her head with a laugh. What a strange question. Did he really think she'd break her promise about a meal?
"Then it's a deal. Audience, please testify for me." Su Qinian smiled slightly, his voice low and pleasant.