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

Here, Shu Zi finished the last bite, put down her fork with satisfaction, and clapped her hands:

"Since you bought me a little cake, I've decided to reluctantly make you dinner."

Gu Yan looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

Shu Zi put her hands on her hips, looking defiant: "What, you don't believe me?"

Gu Yan chuckled softly and nodded: "I believe you, but I'm afraid Director Liu's heart won't be able to take it."

Shu Zi: "..."

She choked for a moment, then stomped her foot in protest:

"You just don't believe me! I won't blow up the kitchen! Really!"

Gu Yan looked at her sulky expression and a slight smile curved his lips: "What do you want to do?"

"Noodles."

He nodded, stood up, and said in a indulgent tone, "Let's go, it's on me if it gets blown up."

Shu Zi: "...I told you, I won't blow it up!"

She snorted, turned and walked towards the kitchen, then glanced back at him after a couple of steps, her chin slightly raised.

"You wait and see, I'll show you what I've got."

Gu Yan followed behind her, his voice tinged with laughter:

"Got it, you kitchen killer."

Shu Zi: "..."

【What?! I was frantically trying to figure things out, and you two were eating cake?!】

[What exactly happened during that time?! There was a blank period when the door closed! We strongly request a replay!]

Wait, wait, am I the only one staring at Shu Zi's lips? They don't look like the redness and swelling that cake could cause (evil laugh)

[No! I was watching too! Did you guys notice Shuzi's lips?! Aren't they a little more swollen than before? No, more than a little! I took screenshots and compared them!!]

[Tech guy: I fixed it, but I missed a crucial part of the plot. I'm so disappointed!]

So what exactly happened in those half hour?! Door! Say something!

【Seriously? You two stayed in the room for so long, and then you come out and make noodles? Does that make sense???】

Gu Yan's line, "If it blows up, it's on me," was so sweet! But the important thing is, what exactly did you two do in the room just now?!

[Gu Yan: If it blows up, it's on me. Shu Zi: I won't blow it up! Netizens: We believe you, but first explain the evidence you have.]

In the kitchen on the first floor.

Shuzi tied on her apron and deftly began boiling water and preparing ingredients.

Gu Yan leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, watching her bustling around.

"Don't you need my help?" he asked.

Shu Zi didn't even turn her head, her tone laced with disdain: "You can't even do something this simple? Am I useless?"

Gu Yan smiled, then remained silent, leaning against the door and watching her.

Fifteen minutes later, a bowl of noodles that looked decent was served.

The soup was clear, the poached egg was in the center, and the chopped green onions were sprinkled fairly evenly. At least on the surface, it did look like a proper soup.

Shu Zi put her chopsticks down on the edge of the bowl, put her hands on her hips, and raised her chin slightly: "Try it, this is my first attempt."

She paused, then added, "Thank me. My parents have never eaten noodles that I cooked myself. You're the first."

Gu Yan glanced down at the bowl of noodles, then looked up at her, raising an eyebrow: "Using me as a test subject for poison?"

Shu Zi: "...If he/she is poisoned, I'll take responsibility."

Gu Yan chuckled, picked up a chopstick, took a bite of noodles, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.

Shu Zi stood beside him, staring at him intently.

He chewed twice, swallowed, and nodded: "Not bad."

Shu Zi's eyes lit up, and she couldn't suppress the smile on her face, but she still pretended to be reserved and gave a soft "Mmm," then quickly added:

"Of course, anything produced by me is guaranteed to be of the highest quality."

She leaned closer to him: "Can I have a bite? I didn't dare to eat any just now."

Gu Yan laughed and handed her the chopsticks: "Nuonuo..."

Shu Zi realized she had let something slip and quickly tried to cover it up:

"I meant it was too hot to eat, not that I was afraid it was poisonous!"

After saying that, he quickly picked up a chopstickful of noodles, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed vigorously, indicating that he was very busy.

After finishing her meal, she handed the chopsticks back to him, nodding with a satisfied expression.

"As expected of me! I managed to cook such delicious noodles on my first try!"

After saying that, she clapped her hands and sat down opposite him.

Gu Yan lowered his head and continued eating his noodles, while Shu Zi rested her chin on her hand and watched him quietly.

Her gaze fell on his black shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing his collarbone, which made him appear both cold and alluring.

She stared at it for a while, her gaze somewhat absent-minded, and then suddenly blurted out a sentence out of the blue:

"Don't wear black casually next time."

Gu Yan paused with his chopsticks, then looked up: "What's wrong?"

Shu Zi looked away, her tone feigning disdain: "Ugly."

Gu Yan: "...?"

Shu Zi added in a very serious tone:

"So let's just wear it at home, and not go out and embarrass ourselves... I mean, let's not go out and cause trouble."

She paused, then emphasized again, "It's mainly embarrassing."

Gu Yan looked at her blatant attempt to cover up her misunderstanding, a slight smile playing on his lips. He didn't expose her, but simply nodded indulgently.

"Okay, whatever you say."

【"Ugly" - to translate: So handsome it's unbearable for my heart to take, don't wear it out in public】

[Shu Zi's mouth is a liar's mouth; her eyes are practically glued to the person, yet she says they're ugly? (laughing and crying)]

Gu Yan's smile, tsk tsk tsk, he clearly sees through it but doesn't say anything, he just spoils it.

"Mainly because it's embarrassing," oh yes, embarrassing, embarrassing because it's about the person you don't want others to see.

[Here's a suggestion: Gu Yan should start a live stream where he just wears a black shirt and does absolutely nothing. He'd easily get over a million viewers (including Zizi)]

[So what exactly happened in those last half hour?! Why did Shuzi start controlling my outfit after we came out?! Tell me! I'm begging you! I'm waiting online, it's urgent!]

After finishing their noodles, the two went upstairs one after the other.

On the other side, in the thick of night, a taxi slowly pulled up in front of a hotel.

Fang Yutong, wearing a hat and mask, got out of the car alone and walked quickly into the lobby with her head down.

Unbeknownst to her, in a secluded corner outside the hotel, a camera was silently pointed at her.

Fang Yutong took the elevator upstairs, found her room according to the room number sent to her phone, hesitated for a moment, and then raised her hand to knock on the door.

A few seconds later, the door lock clicked softly. She entered the password, pushed the door open, and went inside.

The room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol.

A middle-aged man leaned back on the sofa, his belly protruding and his face greasy. He held a glass of red wine in his hand and squinted, his gaze sweeping over her body.

He stared at her for a while, then grinned, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow with tobacco and alcohol:

"You're here. Go take a shower first."