I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

"It won't delay anything," Gu Yan said calmly.

Shu Zi put her phone away, took a small sip of her porridge, her cheeks puffed out:

"How much money did Director Liu give you? You get to record shows and manage the company. You can't even ride a carousel like this."

"It's not about the money."

"Why is that?" Shu Zi pressed, leaning forward slightly.

Gu Yan looked straight at her.

Shu Zi blinked, then pointed her index finger at the tip of her nose: "I... oh?"

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, neither admitting nor denying, but his expression and eyes clearly said, "What do you think?"

Shu Zi: "..."

Okay, after the truth came out, this person didn't even bother to pretend anymore.

She withdrew her hand, touched her ear, and continued shoveling the porridge in her bowl, muttering to herself, "Am I really that charming?"

Gu Yan seemed to chuckle softly, and didn't continue the topic.

He picked up his water glass, took a sip, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, said, "I saw your painting this afternoon."

Shu Zi's ears immediately perked up, she looked up, and her face instantly changed to a "praise me" expression:

"How was it? Wasn't it amazing? Let me tell you, the way the lighting and shadows were handled..."

"It's very well drawn."

Gu Yan nodded in affirmation, then changed the subject, his tone carrying a playful, amused smile, "What does that little mark in the bottom right corner, SZ→GY, mean?"

Shu Zi's heart skipped a beat, and the little bit of smugness on her face instantly froze.

Her eyes darted around for a moment, then she forced herself to remain calm:

"Huh? That... it's just a mark, I usually just jot it down when I draw to make it easier to categorize! It doesn't mean anything special!"

"Yeah?"

Gu Yan leaned slightly towards her, his voice low and chuckled, "I thought someone had secretly stamped their name on me and tagged themselves here."

"Gu Yan!"

Shu Zi reached out and gave his shoulder a light push, moving him a little distance away. "Don't let your imagination run wild! Who gave the go-ahead!"

Her mind raced, and she quickly came up with a brilliant idea:

"SZ stands for Shuzi, GY stands for... charity! Yes! I plan to use this painting for charity, so please mark it! Is that not allowed?"

She herself felt guilty about the reason she gave, but that didn't stop her from making things up.

Gu Yan looked at her flushed ears and neck, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

He didn't press further, only giving a very soft "hmm," the tone drawn out, clearly meaning "Keep making things up, I'm listening."

"A charity painting..."

He repeated it, sat up straight, picked up his phone, and looked like he was about to get something done:

"Which foundation do you plan to donate the proceeds to? I'll have my assistant handle the process now, so as not to delay your charitable act."

Shu Zi: "..."

She was speechless, looked up at him, but met his knowing and leisurely gaze, leaving her even more speechless.

You're offering me a way out, but what does it mean when the way out is full of holes?

"Mind your own business!"

After holding it in for a long time, she became angry and embarrassed, picked up her bowl of still-scalding hot porridge, and made a gesture as if to drink it:

"I can donate wherever I want, can't I even decide yet? Don't interpret things like that! Go drink your porridge!"

After saying that, in order to appear self-righteous but actually to cover up her guilty conscience, she actually took a big gulp from the rim of the bowl.

"Pfft—It's so hot!!!"

The next second, she was so burned that she jumped up from the high stool, almost bursting into tears on the spot. She gasped for air and frantically fanned her mouth with her hand.

Gu Yan sighed almost imperceptibly, put down his phone, reached for her bowl, and pushed the other bowl, which had cooled to just the right temperature, towards her.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Shu Zi stuck out her tongue, which was numb from the burn, glared at him, and muttered softly, "...It's all your fault."

Despite saying that, she obediently sat back down, picked up the spoon he pushed towards her, and began to eat in small bites.

The temperature is just right, it's definitely much more comfortable.

Actually, she did have a little something going on when she wrote that letter, but she could only keep it to herself and enjoy it. Why did he have to ask her about it?!

See through it but don't say it out loud, understand?!

After finishing their meal, Gu Yan cleared the dishes and went into the kitchen. Shu Zi didn't go to help; it would be pointless anyway.

She leaned against the sofa, hugging a cushion, and took out her phone to browse Weibo. As soon as she opened it, she saw that the official Weibo account of "Heartbeat With You" had posted a new update.

Shu Zi clicked on it casually and quickly read through the information-packed and lively-sounding... actually noisy official announcement Weibo post. Her lips twitched involuntarily.

The person behind this post is probably a die-hard fan of the couple.

Official Weibo account for "Heartbeat With You" (V):

Yo yo yo yo! Rain or shine, I'm waiting for you at the Heartbeat House!

Are you all itching to wait for the next episode? Are the days dragging on endlessly? Are you losing your appetite? Have you been flipping through old clips until the images are worn smooth?

Yes, yes, yes! We have them all! (Crying loudly)

Our fan-loving editor worked through the night to bring you some treats!

The recording of the second season has been officially announced! All eight guests are present, and not a single one has backed out!

@舒姿ziV @顾延V @于时泽V @姜云佑V @方雨彤V @沈逸淮V @韩婧雪V @苏颜欢hhh V

Here's a sneak peek: This episode is going to be an outdoor event, no more sitting around chatting indoors!

Random team formation, outdoor missions, and group travel options are all available! Plenty of outdoor photo opportunities and close-up interactions – a feast for those who love sweet romance!

Key points to note: The program will still be broadcast live in its entirety, with no script and no post-production editing!

Authentic reactions, spontaneous interactions, and hidden battlegrounds are all broadcast live, without any reservations.

TV series buffs, sugar addicts, and casual viewers, gather here quickly!

The live stream will start promptly in two days. Let's tune in and see you there!

PS:

High-energy preview added: Tomorrow night at the same time, the program team will launch a mystery voting event!

We're keeping the specific voting results a secret, so stay tuned for tomorrow night's reveal!

She opened the comments section, and sure enough, it was as lively as a vegetable market.

[Princess's Wish]: Ahhhhh, it's finally official! I've been waiting so long I'm practically growing mushrooms! Please, please pair Shu Zi and Gu Yan up more often, I'm starving for their sweet romance!

[Tan Xidi]: Director! Director! Calling the director! Gu Yan and Shu Zi have to be a couple, understand? (Cracking knuckles)

[Jiang Yunyou is in position, and has secured his spot as the best "dry rice person" of this episode, hahaha]

[Upstairs, does that mean Shuzi agreed?]

【Ai-tie ai-tie ai-tie! Baby, I'm here!】

[Sister Han, Sister Han, here I come! I'm raising the flag for Sister Han!]

More outdoor contact = more sugar, those who know, know (doge emoji) (smirk)

[A mystery poll? Could it be a vote for the most popular guest?]

[Another mysterious poll? Are you trying to keep us in suspense? I'll be glued to Weibo tomorrow night!]

Actually, what I really want to see is Fang Yutong and Yu Shize. Fang Yutong was trending on Weibo a few days ago, and she's even hooked up with a big shot. I guess she and Yu Shize have broken up?

[My Tongtong has already clarified this, what rumors are you spreading now! It's obvious you're a Shuzi fan, you just can't stand seeing our Tongtong doing well, be envious!]

A bystander quietly commented: [6]

Shu Zi's fans: 【Shu Zi my ass! Look at my ass! Envy my ass! Get lost!!!】