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

As soon as the words were spoken, the special effects on the big screen changed again. The jumping question marks exploded one after another with "bang bang bang," accompanied by more exciting sound effects, revealing the names and vote counts below.

First place: Gu Yan (votes: an astonishingly high number).

Second place: Shu Zi (votes: close behind, but with a significant gap between her and the others)

Third place: Shen Yihuai

Fourth place: Fang Yutong

Fifth place: Han Jingxue

Sixth place: Su Yanhuan

Seventh place: Jiang Yunyou

Eighth place: Yu Shize

The scene fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling of the campfire.

All eyes were immediately drawn to the gleaming name at the very top of the screen.

They paused for a second, then in a flash, they turned to Gu Yan, who was sitting next to Shen Yihuai, calmly adjusting his cuffs.

Su Yanhuan excitedly grabbed Shu Zi's arm, her voice trembling with joy:

"Wow! Sister Zizi! Second! Teacher Gu is first! I knew it! I knew it!!!"

Shu Zi was jolted by her tug, her gaze sweeping over the brightly lit "Second Place" on the screen, her eyes filled with "This year's audience is no good!!!"

She glared at the screen, then quickly glanced at the person in first place on the other side.

Okay, she accepted.

She raised her hand, suppressing a smile that seemed to have popped out of her head: "Basic stuff, don't be silly, I'll teach you next time, hehehe!"

When Fang Yutong saw that her name was fourth, a slight crack appeared on her flawless smile once again.

She obviously...

But it was only for a moment, and she returned to normal, except that her fingers, which were folded on her knees, were slightly embedded in the fabric of her skirt.

Fourth... there is a choice, but it is in the later order.

Her gaze swept lightly over the name opposite her, then quickly swept over Yu Shize, who was sitting on a high stool with a gloomy expression.

Ultimately, the decision fell on Shen Yihuai, who was ranked third, a quick thought flashing across his eyes.

When Yu Shize saw that his name was firmly occupied at the very end of the line, the bright smile on his face, which he had practiced eight hundred times, instantly froze.

He clenched his hands on his knees, then forced them to relax just before the camera panned over, forcing a bitter smile before lowering his head.

[Holy crap! The rankings are out! Gu Yanshu is far ahead! This CP is amazing!]

[Gu Yan first! Shu Zi second! Ahhh, I'm so happy! Next, please enjoy President Gu's grand partner selection!]

[Shen Yihuai is third! Sister Han is fifth! Please! Choose her, choose her, choose her!]

[Fang Yutong is fourth? Her fans are quite the fighter!]

[Yu Shize's ending...tsk, it's a bit tragic, but thinking about what he did before, I also feel...hmm, the sea breeze is quite refreshing~]

[Youbao and Huanhuan are ranked quite low, confirming they're both comedians, but Mom loves you both!]

What the heck is a guardian-style quest? Hurry up! I'm as anxious as a badger searching for melons in a melon patch!

The host regained control of the conversation, sporting a smile that said, "I'm very professional, but I'm also having a blast."

"The final rankings are now available! According to the rules, the top four guests—Gu Yan, Shu Zi, Shen Yihuai, and Fang Yutong—will exercise their precious partner selection rights in turn!"

"Let me reiterate the selection rule: the person being selected cannot refuse!"

The host winked, his tone brimming with the excitement of watching a good show, "Well then, first of all, let's give a warm welcome to Mr. Gu Yan, who's ranked number one!"

"Mr. Gu, please choose your partner for tomorrow's first day's task from the remaining seven guests!"

With a "whoosh," the spotlight precisely shone on Gu Yan.

He sat in the center of the light and shadow, and when he heard his name called, he merely raised his eyes slightly before standing up, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

The entire audience, including the millions of viewers behind their screens, unconsciously held their breath.

Shu Zi nestled on the sofa, her fingers tugging at the tangled tassel on the hem of her hazy blue dress, twisting it back and forth.

Hearing the noise, she lifted her eyelids, glanced at the "first place" walking towards her, then turned her head to look at the sea in the distance.

Okay, actually she still didn't accept it.

One step, two steps.

The campfire leaped behind him, casting a long shadow.

He walked slowly, but with a clear goal in mind, heading straight for her.

Su Yanhuan was so excited that she almost pinched Shu Zi's thigh, but Shu Zi slapped away the "claw" without changing her expression, with an expression that said, "I'm a little annoyed."

Only the tips of his ears, illuminated by the campfire, seemed to have turned a little redder than before.

Gu Yan stopped in front of her.

He lowered his eyes slightly, looking at Shu Zi on the sofa, who was glaring at him with eyes that seemed to say, "What are you looking at? It's all your fault for taking first place from me."

The light from the campfire flickered in his eyes.

Gu extended his reach.

Her hands were large and her fingers were long and slender, laid out calmly and naturally right under her nose.

His voice came through the microphone, not loud, but very clear:

"Shu Zi".

He called her name, without uttering a single extra word.

But he pronounced those two words in a low, steady tone, as if he were saying "We're having fish for dinner tonight," accompanied by the outstretched hand in front of him.

It inexplicably carries a sense of certainty that "who else could it be but you?"

[Aaaaaaah! He moved! He left! He reached out!]

【"Shuzi"—That's it? Nothing more? Mr. Gu, could you please elaborate a bit more?】

[That outstretched hand gesture! Your Majesty, is this the imperial seal you've lost for so many years? Quickly, Consort Shu, take it!]

[Shu Zi, give him your hand right now! Otherwise, I'll kneel down and beg you!]

Why are you taking a screenshot? Just stand there! The lighting! The composition! It's brimming with a sense of destiny!

Shu Zi looked at the hand in front of her that was so familiar, and then she remembered the "second place" on the screen.

She raised her eyes, gave a soft hum, and then, under everyone's gaze.

She raised her hand, but instead of touching him, she lightly pinched his palm with her fingertips.

It's like pinching someone.

After pinching her, she slowly placed her own hand on it, raising her chin high as if to say, "I'm only giving you face."

The next second, Gu Yan closed his hands, firmly enveloping her "attempted" hand in his warm, dry palm.

The force was just right, not too strong, not too weak, so she couldn't break free.