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

Shen Yihuai's gaze lingered on Gu Yan's reddened arm for half a second, then he raised an eyebrow, his face showing no concern but rather a hint of amusement.

He spoke, his voice low, just loud enough for them to hear:

"Young Master Gu, is your arm alright? I didn't hold back during those few blows."

Gu Yan's expression remained unchanged, and he simply replied, "Young Master Shen's accuracy is a bit better than when he was practicing shooting back then."

Shen Yihuai chuckled and ignored the remark. He put down the water balloon and walked to Han Jingxue's side.

Han Jingxue's breathing was a little erratic, and a layer of fine sweat covered her forehead.

Shen Yihuai glanced at her, then suddenly reached out and used his thumb to wipe away a speck of mud that had splattered on her cheek.

Han Jingxue froze, but instead of dodging, she glared at him.

Shen Yihuai withdrew his hand, rubbing his fingertips together, a smile in his eyes, and lowered his voice: "You cooperated well just now."

Han Jingxue turned her face away, ignoring him, and quickly glanced across at the other side.

Gu Yan was brushing sand off Shu Zi. Her gaze lingered on Shu Zi's face for a moment to make sure she was alright before she looked away.

[Aaaaaaah, I'm done for! Gu Yan's first thought was to check on Shu Zi! He even brushed sand off her!]

"We scored high"—CEO Gu is so confident!

[Shen Yihuai and Gu Yan had a conversation! "Target practice back then"? I knew they knew each other! (After watching the first episode)]

[Shen Yihuai is flirting with Sister Han again! Wiping her face! And saying they cooperated well! Tsk, just like that every day (doge emoji)]

[Sister Han is looking at Zizi, even if it's just for a glance.]

Both of these couples are so adorable! Gu Shu is a silent protector, while Shen Han exudes intense sexual tension!

Director Liu's loudspeaker crackled twice, then announced, "Quiet down! Listen to the results!"

The beach fell silent instantly.

"First round of attack and defense over!"

"Score Statistics: Gu Yan and Shu Zi's team effectively hit the core area once, causing significant damage to the defensive fortifications, and are now in the lead!"

"Shen Yihuai and Han Jingxue's team effectively increased the enemy's damage, but failed to directly hit the core, resulting in a slightly lower score! They are currently ranked second!"

"Fang Yutong and Yu Shize's team, the fortress is intact, the defense is successful, score! Currently in third place!"

"Su Yanhuan and Jiang Yunyou's group..."

Director Liu paused, glanced at the two of them, and suppressed a laugh, "Zero effective attacks, but... top-notch entertainment value! Currently fourth!"

"However, given Jiang Yunyou's heroic act of attempting a last-minute save... uh, he's being awarded the Best Contribution Award, and a vegetable salad for lunch!"

Jiang Yunyou & Su Yanhuan: "..."

I wasn't very happy.

"Director Liu! This isn't fair! We were using a tactical feint to lure the enemy in!" Jiang Yunyou protested.

"That's right! We exhausted a lot of their energy!" Su Yanhuan chimed in.

"Rejected! Rules are rules!" Director Liu ruthlessly suppressed the argument.

"Then we'll request a change of partners!"

"Rejected again! Rules do not allow it!" Director Liu's loudspeaker responded ruthlessly once more.

"Now, everyone, rest in place for five minutes! Do not approach the enemy's fortress! After five minutes, the roles will switch, and the second round will begin!"

"Disband!"

The whistle blew again, signaling a ceasefire.

Shu Zi cried out "Ouch!" and, ignoring the heat, plopped down into the sand.

She felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her ankle. She hadn't felt it while doing the task, but now that she relaxed, the pain made her gasp for breath.

She turned her head and saw Gu Yan still standing there like a telephone pole, his face turned to the side, looking down at his bright red arm, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Hello,"

Shu Zi gently nudged his calf with her uninjured foot. "Don't just stare. Come sit down. Your arm looks kind of scary."

Gu Yan glanced at her but didn't move.

He glanced at her elbow again before bending down and taking out a tube of anti-swelling ointment from a first-aid kit that the production crew had thrown nearby, and unscrewed the cap.

"hand."

He spoke succinctly, and then sat down on the sand next to her, his long legs bent.

"Huh? Oh." Shu Zi was stunned for a moment, then quickly stretched out her scraped elbow.

Gu Yan grasped her wrist to hold it in place, then squeezed some ointment onto his fingertips with his other hand and began to apply it to the red mark on her elbow.

Wow~ Mr. Gu's mission is complete~~~

【Done!~~~】

The ointment was cool and refreshing, but his fingertips were a little hot. Shu Zi subconsciously flinched, but he held her firmly in his hand.

"Don't move."

His voice was low, his eyes were downcast, and his hands never stopped moving. His eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes, and he applied the makeup very carefully, leaving no corner untouched.

She didn't dare move again, but her gaze couldn't be controlled; it slid from the bridge of his nose to his lips, and then met his downcast eyes...

She was stunned. This person was really good-looking. Just for his face, it seemed like... she could give him another point.

"Are you injured anywhere else?" Gu Yan asked, looking up as he finished applying the last bit of ointment.

"Bonus points." Shu Zi blurted out without thinking.

She froze as soon as she finished speaking.

Wait, what did she just say?!

"no!"

She abruptly turned her head, her ears burning, wishing she could grab the words she had just uttered from thin air and swallow them whole:

"I mean, I'm not injured! There's nothing wrong with me!"

Oh my god, Shuzi! You can only think about it in your head, why did you have to say it out loud! You must have been dizzy from the sun!

"Nuonuo".

Gu Yan's voice rang in her ears, not loud, just loud enough for her to hear.

Shu Zi shuddered. "What? You misheard me! I didn't say anything!"

Three seconds later, she turned around abruptly, first glancing at the camera lens next to her, then quickly scanning the microphone that Gu Yan had clipped to his collar.

!!!

Her eyes clearly said: Are you crazy?! Why are you shouting that here?!

Gu Yan's expression remained unchanged. "The microphone is off."

[Holy crap? Gu Yan muted his mic?!]

Is there anything my esteemed VIP status can't hear?!

My all-knowing netizens, please read lips! I need to know what they're saying that's so shameful!!!

Director Liu, behind the monitor not far away: "..."

He watched helplessly as the small box on Gu Yan's side went dark, and the audio signal was cut off.

Okay, you're amazing.

Director Liu silently rolled his eyes.

Shu Zi breathed a long sigh of relief when she saw that the microphone was off. It's fine as long as it's off. Although she didn't know why it had to be off, it was fine as long as it was off.

Perhaps they felt it was a bit strange to expose the nickname "Nuonuo" to the public?

She quickly followed suit and turned off her own microphone.

On the monitor, another small box went dark.

Director Liu: "..."

Well, these two must have planned this together, right? Is this show even going to work?!

Gu Yan watched as Shu Zi frantically turned off her microphone, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

He leaned forward and lowered his voice: "You just said you'd add points, add what points?"

Shu Zi just wanted to beat herself up. She cleared her throat:

"I said... I said if we win the game, there'll be a seafood feast at noon, and I'll give you... give our team extra points!"

Yes, that's how it should be said, and it makes perfect sense!

Seeing her forced composure, Gu Yan moved closer and asked, "Is that so?"

Shu Zi: "..."

She looked at him, and she felt as if he clearly knew the answer but was just pretending!