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

"Huh? It's canceled?"

Su Yanhuan was the first to chime in, full of curiosity, "What kind of mission is it? I've never heard you mention it before."

Shu Zi blinked in agreement, looking like she thought, "There's more to this than meets the eye?"

Han Jingxue raised her eyes and looked over indifferently.

Fang Yutong then revealed a hint of gentle curiosity and regret: "Really? I was actually looking forward to it."

Director Liu remained unfazed and continued to blatantly lie:

"Yes, yes, it was just a small design to add some twists and suspense. Canceling it won't affect the overall outcome!"

The four male guests who knew the inside story were speechless.

No wonder they had to issue the mission in the middle of the night; so that's what they were waiting for!

"but!"

Director Liu suddenly raised his voice, waving a task card, "This morning's teamwork rowing race and sandcastle attack/defense battle will double the points for teamwork!"

"This directly and significantly determines whether you'll have a seafood feast for lunch or continue your love affair with salads! And it also determines the starting resources for your afternoon missions!"

"So, everyone—"

He deliberately glanced at the four male guests, winking and making faces:

"For the sake of your beautiful partner, you'd better give it your all today, perform well, and earn plenty of points!"

Double points! Lunch! Resources!

This successfully diverted the female guests' attention, and no one cared about the little segment that was canceled before they even heard a complete word.

"A seafood feast!"

Jiang Yunyou's eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped his thigh, "For a big meal! Let's go all out!"

Su Yanhuan clenched her small fists, her face filled with a tragic determination: "Yes! We can't eat grass anymore!"

Shu Zi secretly swallowed, then elbowed Gu Yan frantically, her eyes saying, "You know what I mean, you know what I mean!"

Fang Yutong smiled gently at Shi Ze: "Shi Ze, let's cheer each other on."

Yu Shize nodded to her: "Okay."

Even Han Jingxue glanced at Shen Yihuai almost imperceptibly. Shen Yihuai met her gaze and curled his lips into a smile.

Director Liu looked at the group of "hungry wolves" with satisfaction, especially the female guests who were completely enticed by the points and lunch, and no longer asked about the "cancelled" task.

He waved his hand dismissively: "Good! That's the spirit I've been looking for!"

"All hands on deck! Destination: White Sand Beach! The first day's mission for 'Heartbeat For You' begins now!"

The sunlight was dazzling, and the sea breeze was salty and damp.

The car took people to the white sand beach.

Fine sand, shallow sea, colorful flags, buoys, sand shovels, buckets—it looks like a vacation, but the air is already thick with the invisible smoke of gunpowder.

Director Liu stood on the small platform and used a megaphone to repeat the rules again:

"First challenge: Teamwork! Two people share a weakness, and they race around a buoy; the fastest wins!"

"The second event is Sandcastle Siege! You have half an hour to build your sandcastle, design defensive mechanisms, then draw lots to determine who attacks and who defends, using water balloons to smash the opponent's key marker!"

"Rankings based on both scores! Let's go for lunch!"

After explaining the rules, we have ten minutes for tactics.

Gu Yan inspected the short plank oars, while Shu Zi circled around him, lowering her voice:

"Gu Yan, I'm warning you, no tricks while rowing! No deliberately capsizing the boat! Otherwise..."

She got stuck.

Gu Yan adjusted the oar rope without looking up: "Otherwise?"

Shu Zi glared at him: "Or I'll...kick you into the water!"

Gu Yan finally looked up and glanced at her, his gaze indifferent, but Shu Zi felt as if he had smiled silently.

"No, not at all."

Shu Zi: "..."

How can he be so sure?

Shen Yihuai and Han Jingxue stood in the shadow of the umbrella.

After checking, Shen Yihuai asked in a low voice, "Is the balance okay?"

Han Jingxue looked at the sea, her voice cool and clear: "It's alright."

"A sandcastle," Shen Yihuai continued, looking at her profile, "What kind do you want it to be?"

Han Jingxue was silent for a few seconds: "...As long as it's sturdy."

Shen Yihuai hummed in agreement and said nothing more.

He took the water balloon from the staff and weighed it in his hand.

On Fang Yutong and Yu Shize's side, the atmosphere was serious and businesslike.

Fang Yutong identified the shortcomings and offered gentle suggestions:

"Shize, you handle the boat well, mainly focusing on the stern direction of the propulsion. I'll watch the buoys for balance from the front, okay?"

"I think sandcastles can be built in two layers, with a bottom layer of wet sand compacted down, which will make them last longer."

Yu Shize nodded: "Okay, when the water sphere attacks, be careful to protect the core marker."

Jiang Yunyou and Su Yanhuan were already making a ruckus, without thinking of any strategy at all.

Jiang Yunyou points out weaknesses, but is ambitious:

"Su Yanhuan, when I count to three, let's all pedal hard! Watch us shoot out like cannonballs!"

Su Yanhuan looked doubtful: "Are you sure you're going to rush out and not flip over? Shouldn't we practice how not to fall first...?"

"What are you afraid of! Trust our understanding!"

Jiang Yunyou was bursting with confidence and had already started fantasizing about being the first to cross the finish line, and... how to complete his "sneak attack" command later.

Ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

"On your marks—"

Director Liu drawled, looking at the four pairs of partners who had already stepped into the seawater and were holding onto their shortboards, then suddenly waved his hand, and the loudspeaker blared:

"Sailing together—Ready—Go!"

"Beep—!"

The four boats moved in response.

Gu Yan and Shu Zi's boat rushed the fastest.

Gu Yan's arm strength was frighteningly steady, and his paddling was both fierce and precise, breaking through the water as if it were child's play.

Shuzi was in front, her eyes fixed on the first buoy, the sea breeze blowing her hair all over her face.

"Hard to port! A wave is coming!" she shouted hoarsely.

Before he could finish speaking, a wave crashed over him with a "bang," and the boat veered sharply to the right, on the verge of capsizing!

"Ah!" Shu Zi cried out in surprise, her body uncontrollably falling to the right.

In a flash, an arm suddenly wrapped around her from behind, like an iron hoop, and pulled her back sharply.

Shu Zi was thrown into a strong, hot embrace, her back pressed tightly against his soaked shirt.

At the same time, Gu Yan pressed his body sharply to the left, forcefully turning the boat that was about to stand upright back up.

"Splash!" A wave crashed over, splashing most of the water onto Gu Yan's back and arms.

Shu Zi was still in shock. All she could hear was his heavy heartbeat and his hot breath on her ear. The arm around her waist was so strong that she was a little dazed.

"Thank you..." Her voice was shaky, whether from fright or something else, she felt her face and ears were so hot they could fry an egg on them.

She guessed it was because the sun was too strong.

Gu Yan released his arm only after she had regained her balance, at a leisurely pace, and his voice came from behind her head:

"Watch the road, next sign, right ahead."

Shu Zi quickly turned her head, staring intently at the buoy, her mind racing: Necessary action! Absolutely necessary! If we don't grab it, it'll capsize!

She didn't see it, but Gu Yan looked down and glanced at the arm that had just wrapped around her waist, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes.

Task progress: 1/3.