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

She nodded vigorously, "Yes, that's it!"

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. "I thought... you gave me extra points because you thought I was good-looking."

Shu Zi: "!!!"

This guy definitely knows! He's just teasing her on purpose!

She stubbornly refused to admit it, no matter what.

"You're overthinking it! I've seen your face for over twenty years, I'm sick of it, I'm immune!"

Feeling that his statement wasn't convincing enough, he added fiercely, "Don't flatter yourself!"

【Hey, hey, hey, Gu Yan's getting closer again! What did he say?!】

Look! Zizi's face is red! Her ears are red too! But judging from her expression, she seems a little guilty?

【No, what are they talking about?! I'm so anxious!】

[Director Liu! Director Liu! Where are you?! You're nowhere to be found at this crucial moment, what use are you to me?!]

Not far away, Fang Yutong and Yu Shize sat in the shadow of their perfectly preserved little castle.

Fang Yutong gently fanned herself with a small fan provided by the production team, while Yu Shize held a bottle of water but didn't drink it, simply gazing quietly at the castle's outer walls.

Compared to Huanhuan and Youbao, this couple seems strangely harmonious.

[Su Yanhuan & Jiang Yunyou: Hi, are you being polite?]

【Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha】

"Just now, thanks to your quick reaction, you blocked those few times," Fang Yutong spoke first, breaking the silence.

Yu Shize turned to her and smiled, "It's what I should do."

Fang Yutong looked at him, her fanning motion slowed slightly, but the smile on her face remained unchanged.

After a moment, she lowered her eyes, realizing that Yu Shize was hiding something from her.

Here, Shu-Tzu tried to prove that she was truly "immune" and "didn't mean anything by it."

She snatched the ointment from Gu Yan's hand, twisted it open, squeezed a large dollop onto her fingertips, and then grabbed his injured right arm with an exaggeratedly large movement.

"Stretch your arms out! Don't move!"

Her tone was particularly fierce, as she tried to use her volume to cover up her guilty conscience.

Gu Yan obediently stretched out his arm, his gaze falling on her slightly flushed profile, a triumphant smile flashing in his eyes.

He didn't say anything, quietly letting her do as she pleased.

Under a parasol not far away, Shen Yihuai unscrewed a bottle of water and took a few sips. He glanced sideways and saw Gu Yan extending his arm while Shu Zi bent over applying medicine to him.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled in a voice only he could hear: "You're quite good at it."

When Shu Zi's fingertips touched the frightening bruise on Gu Yan's arm, her chaotic thoughts from before instantly vanished.

She frowned, gasped, and unconsciously moved with extreme gentleness: "How did you get hurt like this..."

As she applied the ointment, she couldn't help but mutter to herself.

When she applied the ointment to the bloodstain caused by the sand, she paused, hesitated for a moment, but couldn't resist. She leaned closer and gently blew on the wound.

The warm breath, carrying her unique, faint fragrance, gently brushed against the skin of his arm.

Gu Yan's body tensed for a moment, and the fingers of his other hand, which was hanging by his side, curled inward slightly.

He looked at her profile so close to his and at her lips as she gently pursed them and blew air, and his eyes deepened uncontrollably.

It's a bit hot.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, then he suddenly turned his head and looked away.

"Alright,"

His voice was a little hoarse than before. He raised his hand and gently grasped her wrist, which was still applying the medicine, stopping her from doing so. "You don't need to apply it anymore."

He was afraid that if he continued applying the ointment, he might do something inappropriate.

Shu Zi was startled when he grabbed her wrist, then looked up at him: "Huh? It's not even evenly applied yet..."

That's enough.

Gu Yan released his grip, withdrew his arm, and pulled down his sleeve to cover the wound covered with ointment.

He stood up. "Break time is almost up. Get ready for the second round."

Shu Zi looked at him, then looked down at the ointment still wet on her fingertips, blinked, and looked a little confused.

Was it just her imagination? Why did Gu Yan seem... a little uncomfortable?

But there was no time to think about it anymore; Director Liu had already blown the whistle.

"Beep—!"

"Second round of attack and defense preparation! Last ten seconds! On your marks!"

The beach came to life instantly.

Shu Zi didn't have time to figure out whether Gu Yan's earlier unease was genuine or not. She hurriedly stuffed the ointment back in, picked up the water balloon, and rushed to her defensive position.

He shouted with great energy as he ran:

"Gu Yan! Guard our seafood gate! Charge!"

Gu Yan watched her energetic back, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

He bent down to pick up the water balloon, turned around, and in a few steps stood back in front of the fortress with the breach that had been smashed open.

Shen Yihuai had already taken the weighted water balloon and stood behind the attack line.

He glanced at Gu Yan, then at Shu Zi, who was bouncing around happily beside him, a playful smile curving his lips, and said in a loud voice:

"Young Master Gu, it's the second round, please go easy on me, friendship comes first."

Gu Yan's expression remained unchanged, and he only replied with two words: "Of course."

[It's starting! Round two!]

Shen Yihuai says friendship comes first? I don't believe it at all, hahaha!

[Zizi is jumping around so happily, I'm relieved to see she's alright!]

Han Jingxue stood quietly behind Shen Yihuai, her gaze sweeping across the entire field, pausing briefly on Shu Zi's face before looking at the gap in Gu Yan's defense, assessing the angle of attack.

On the other side, Su Yanhuan and Jiang Yunyou were conducting their final pre-battle mobilization in front of their "ruins".

"Jiang Yunyou! The left side is yours! The right side is mine! The middle... the middle is up to you!"

"Why should I be on the left? The left side looks like it has bad feng shui!"

"I don't care! Rock, paper, scissors! The loser stays on the left!"

"Beep—beep beep—!"

Director Liu's whistle rang out sharply again—

"Second round of attack and defense—begin!"

Shen Yihuai didn't hold back much, starting with a powerful, weighted water ball that blasted straight at the opening!

Gu Yan was prepared and accurately blocked the water sphere with his shield. The water sphere exploded to the side with a "bang," and sand fell down in a shower.

"Beautiful!" Shu Zi cheered from the other side, while also staring intently at Han Jingxue.

She now had a lightweight plastic shield in her hand, exactly the same as the one Gu Yan had.

This is the bonus that Director Liu announced after the first round:

The winner of the first round will receive a shield as a defensive tool during the second round of defense.

Gu Yan held the shield steadily in his hand, and Shu Zi tried to hold it up like him, but it looked a little awkward.

Han Jingxue's attacks were still sharp, but Shu Zi was prepared this time. She moved nimbly, dodging and blocking with skill.

Although she still took a few hits, Han Jingxue didn't gain too much advantage. Occasionally, she could even catch a whirlwind and return a quick shot to disrupt her opponent's rhythm.

"Not bad, you've improved." Han Jingxue's voice came as she blocked one of Shu Zi's balls.

"That's right! Senior sister is too kind!"

Shu Zi proudly raised her chin, her hands moving non-stop as she swung the shield with great force.

Although most of the time it's just gesturing in the air.