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

Gu Yan released her wrist, stood behind her, gently brushed aside her half-wet hair with his fingers, adjusted the hairdryer to a gentle setting, and began to dry her hair.

A buzzing sound filled the quiet bedroom, drowning out other subtle noises.

His movements were practiced; his fingers ran through her hair, and the warm breeze caressed her scalp and the back of her neck, feeling wonderfully comfortable.

He blew on her hair very carefully, strand by strand, occasionally using his fingers to comb through the tangled ends, using very light pressure, afraid of hurting her.

Shu Zi was a little stiff at first, but she gradually relaxed under his gentle and patient movements.

She could feel his fingertips occasionally brushing against her ear or the back of her neck, bringing a slight itch and a shiver.

The unsettling intimacy in the bathroom seemed to be diluted by this quiet care, replaced by a longer-lasting, heart-melting feeling.

She lowered her eyes, looking at her hands resting on her knees. The tips of her ears were still red, but the heat on her face was slowly subsiding.

Gu Yan didn't speak, but focused on drying her hair, his gaze lingering on her soft hair and slender nape, his eyes gentle.

Gu Yan turned off the hairdryer when her hair was about 70-80% dry and lay softly over her shoulders.

The buzzing stopped, and the bedroom became quiet again.

"All done," he said, unplugging the power and putting the hairdryer away.

I glanced at the clock on the wall again; the hands pointed to 6:50.

I could already faintly hear people talking and footsteps downstairs.

"It's time to change and go downstairs," he said.

"Mmm." Shu Zi raised her hand to touch her hair and responded, then remembered that she was still wearing her pajamas.

"You go out first, I'll change my clothes."

Gu Yan didn't say anything, turned around and walked out of the master bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Shu Zi quickly walked to the wardrobe, found a dress that could cover her neck, changed into it, and then checked herself in front of the mirror.

Once he was sure there was nothing wrong with his neck, he took a deep breath, patted his face, and tried to adjust his expression.

Then she went to the dressing table and turned the bedroom camera back on.

[It's on! The camera's finally on! I almost called the police!]

[Shu Zi has changed her clothes and dried her hair, so... she just turned off the camera, changed her clothes, and dried her hair?]

[...I don't think it quite seems right (thinking)]

Shu Zi looked at it... well, there was an indescribable feeling beneath the calm surface (thinking more)

By the way, where's Gu Yan? Has he already gone out?

[Stop thinking about it, go vote on Weibo first! Once you vote, you'll find out what they're doing in the bathroom! Hurry! The deadline is approaching!]

【Wait for me! I'm coming right now!】

Shu Zi didn't look in the mirror again, opened the bedroom door and went out.

In the living room, Gu Yan was already waiting by the sofa. When she came out, his gaze naturally swept over her, then he tilted his head slightly towards the door.

"Let's go."

The two walked out of suite 301 one after the other and headed towards the stairs.

7 PM, first-floor living room.

All four groups of guests had arrived and were sitting in two rows on the sofa.

Shu Zi and Gu Yan sat on the left-hand double sofa, Shen Yihuai and Han Jingxue on the right, and Fang Yutong, Yu Shize, Jiang Yunyou, and Su Yanhuan sat at opposite ends of the long sofa in the middle.

Director Liu stood in front, holding a tablet, smiling mysteriously:

"Welcome everyone to join our special truth-or-dare segment tonight!"

"The rules are simple. After today's tasks are completed, the production team launched a poll on Weibo asking 'What question do you most want to ask your favorite guest?'"

"Each group will be asked to answer the two most popular questions."

"Note that you must answer honestly and cannot evade the question."

He paused, glanced around, and his gaze lingered particularly on the faces of several male guests:

"But! Before revealing the question, let me insert a little follow-up from last night."

"The male teachers should remember that last night after you all returned to your rooms, the production team issued a special protection order to each of you."

[Here it comes! The instruction phase!]

Gu Yan and Shen Yihuai must have finished; look how calm they are.

Upon hearing this, the female guests were all taken aback.

Shu Zi looked at Gu Yan beside her and asked in a low voice, "What instructions? I don't know anything about it?"

She carefully recalled Gu Yan's actions today, and it seemed... nothing particularly special.

Aside from those things in the locker room and bathroom... wait, are those also part of the instructions? Surely not.

Gu Yan could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her changing expressions.

He chuckled softly and reached out to ruffle her hair: "What are you thinking about?"

Shu Zi glared at him, slapped his hand away, and turned her head back.

That's right, it couldn't be a mission. Even if it were, it couldn't be broadcast after it was filmed.

Han Jingxue also glanced at Shen Yihuai, her expression indifferent.

Su Yanhuan directly nudged Jiang Yunyou: "What orders? Why didn't you tell me? We're breaking up!"

Fang Yutong maintained her gentle smile, but her gaze lingered on Shi Ze's face for a moment longer, a hint of understanding flashing deep in her eyes.

No wonder, no wonder he acted so strangely today.

Jiang Yunyou said with a bitter face, "Director Liu told me not to say..."

Director Liu chuckled:

"That's right, the instructions were sent separately to the male guests, and the content is confidential, but they need to complete them during today's interaction."

"Now, let's reveal the completion status."

He opened his tablet and wrote, "Based on today's filming and observation assessment—"

"Jiang Yunyou, the command is incomplete."

Jiang Yunyou let out a groan and collapsed onto the sofa. Su Yanhuan angrily punched him, yelling, "Are you even capable of this?!"

As Jiang Yunyou dodged, he shouted, "The main problem is you! You're not cooperating with me!"

Su Yanhuan immediately gave him a severe beating.

"Yu Shize, the instruction is incomplete."

Yu Shize's hands, resting on his knees, tightened slightly. He looked at Fang Yutong with an apologetic expression.

"It seems I was too obvious and didn't know my limits. I'm sorry, Yutong, I dragged you down and didn't complete the task."

Fang Yutong still had a smile on her lips, gently shook her head, and said in a soft voice:

"It's okay, it's just a task, don't worry about it. I also bear responsibility for not cooperating with you properly."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head slightly, a hint of disappointment showing deep in her eyes. Just as she thought, she should have guessed.

She thought... well, at least he wasn't as loud and boisterous as Jiang Yunyou.

"Shen Yihuai, command complete."

Director Liu looked at Shen Yihuai, who curled the corners of his mouth, showing no surprise.

"Gu Yan," Director Liu drawled, looking at the last person, "instructions complete."

Shu Zi blinked, looked at Director Liu, then at Gu Yan beside her who had a calm expression, and her expression became even more confused:

"What exactly was the instruction? What did you accomplish? I don't understand a thing!"

Gu Yan glanced at her sideways: "You really want to know?"

Shu Zi nodded.

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow: "Then what about the remaining part..."