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

On the other side, Gu Yan picked up the eye mask and put it on his eyes almost without hesitation.

Fang Yutong was stunned for a moment, then quickly reached out to stop him:

"Teacher Gu, how about I blindfold myself? I'm afraid I won't be able to lead you properly..."

Gu Yan had already put on the blindfold, and his voice came from behind the cloth, indifferent: "No need, just give me directions."

Fang Yutong's hand froze in mid-air, unsure whether to retract it or extend it.

She bit her lip, took the handcuffs, and gently cuffed them between their wrists.

When her fingertips touched Gu Yan's wrist, Gu Yan subtly moved half an inch to the side.

The movement was so subtle that it would go unnoticed unless you were watching closely.

But the camera captured it.

The live chat exploded:

He hid! He hid!!

[Gu Yan: Don't touch me, thank you]

[Um... Fang Yutong's expression... I feel embarrassed for her.]

Director Liu blew his whistle.

The second stage officially begins.

The first group to depart were Han Jingxue and Shen Yihuai.

The two did not exchange any further words. Shen Yihuai led the way, and Han Jingxue followed behind, their coordination as if they had practiced countless times.

While crossing the log bridge, Han Jingxue's foot slipped for a moment, and she lurched forward—

Almost instinctively, Shen Yihuai reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back steadily.

The movements were so fast they were like a conditioned reflex, without hesitation or doubt.

Han Jingxue looked up at him.

Shen Yihuai had already let go of her hand and continued walking forward, as if nothing had happened.

But Shu Zi could see clearly from the side that when Shen Yihuai let go, his fingertips lingered on her wrist for a fraction of a second longer.

Shu Zi clicked her tongue and whispered to Su Yanhuan beside her, "Did you see that?"

Su Yanhuan nodded frantically, her face showing an expression of utter disbelief: "I saw it! I saw it!"

Shu Zi said with certainty, "The way he pulled that person just now could never have been acted out in a rehearsal."

Su Yanhuan asked curiously, "What is that?"

Shu Zi crossed her arms and said in a serious tone:

"Muscle memory, just like how I know exactly where the kitchen is as soon as I'm filming a variety show."

Su Yanhuan paused for a second: "...Sister Zizi, your analogy is too strange."

The second group consists of Su Yanhuan and Jiang Yunyou.

Jiang Yunyou was loud and boisterous the whole time, while Su Yanhuan was laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

When crossing the rope net, Jiang Yunyou got stuck, one leg hanging in the net, unable to go up or down, like a frog caught in a net.

Su Yanhuan laughed as she helped him pull down his pants.

Stop laughing! Help me out!

Su Yan laughed until tears streamed down her face: "You...you got stuck yourself, how am I supposed to pull you out!"

Jiang Yunyou wailed, "No, can you please stop laughing! Your laughter is making me even more panicked!"

Su Yanhuan laughed between breaths, "I... I couldn't help it—hahahahahahaha—"

[This pair is just for laughs, confirmed.]

[Jiang Yunyou, can't you have some self-consciousness? You're like a frog.]

Su Yan laughed even louder than the audience.

Yes, I heard it even outside the screen.

Group 3: Shu Zi and Yu Shize.

Shu Zi put the blindfold on Yu Shize, checked the handcuffs again, tugged at them to make sure they were secure, and then said:

"Listen carefully, the rules are very simple."

Yu Shize nodded.

Shu Zi held up one finger:

"If I say left, you go left; if I say right, you go right; if I say stop, you stop. No asking why, no hesitating, no adding your own drama."

"Did you understand?"

Yu Shize nodded again: "I understand."

"Don't pull me when we're running. If you can't keep up, just slow down. I'll wait for you. If you pull me, we'll both fall down. If we fall, I'll leave you behind and run by myself."

"……good."

[Yu Shize: I'm just here to film a variety show, not to serve in the military]

"If I fall, I'll abandon you and run away"—believe me, she's serious.

The whistle blew.

Shu Zi led Yu Shize out at a moderate pace, announcing the direction before each step.

"Left."

Yu Shize immediately turned left.

"right."

Turn right.

"There are steps ahead, lift your foot."

Yu Shize lifted his foot and stepped across steadily.

"stop."

Yu Shize stopped in his tracks and remained motionless.

Shu Zi glanced back and nodded in satisfaction: "Good, keep it up."

Although Yu Shize couldn't see it, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

Yu Shize performed well today; at least he didn't drag the team down.

[Shu Zi's "not bad" is already a high compliment. When has she ever said anything good about Shi Ze?]

[Are you guys trying to make me laugh to death? Hahahaha!]

Group 4: Gu Yan and Fang Yutong.

Fang Yutong led Gu Yan forward, but their pace slowed down noticeably.

She walked very carefully, testing the ground before taking each step, as if she were stepping on a landmine.

"Teacher Gu, there's a log bridge ahead, please be careful."

Gu Yan didn't speak, but walked forward steadily with large, firm steps, not at all like a blindfolded person.

Fang Yutong was caught up in his speed, her steps became a little unsteady, and she almost missed a step. Instinctively, she tugged at the handcuffs.

Gu Yan was pulled so hard that he swayed, but he quickly regained his balance and said in a calm voice, "You go ahead and don't worry about me."

Fang Yutong, panting, said, "But I'm afraid you'll fall..."

"Won't."

The "no" was said softly, but with great certainty, as if stating a fact.

When crossing the rope net, Fang Yutong climbed over first, but her movements were a bit clumsy, and it took her a lot of effort to flip over.

She turned around and reached out her hand, wanting to help Gu Yan: "Teacher Gu, let me help you—"

Gu Yan had already turned over by himself.

The movements were clean and efficient; the blindfold wasn't askew, and even the clothes weren't wrinkled.

Gu Yan is so steady, he can walk faster than Fang Yutong even blindfolded.

Fang Yutong's act of holding his hand actually became a burden.

"You go your own way, don't worry about me" – which translates to: "Just don't hold me back."

Fang Yutong's hand froze in mid-air for three seconds before slowly retracting.

Shu Zi saw this from the side and whispered something to the air:

"...Didn't she know that Gu Yan used to be in the rock climbing club?"

After saying that, she paused for a moment, then muttered to herself, "Wait, why am I talking to thin air?"

[Shuzi, what are you talking to yourself about?!]

"Didn't she know Gu Yan used to be in the rock climbing club?"—You know that? How do you know?

[Gu Yan Climbing Club? Shu Zi, how did you know? What's your relationship with him? Tell me now! Or I'll make a scene!!]

In the final sprint, Fang Yutong was clearly exhausted. Her pace slowed down, her breathing became heavier, and sweat streamed down her face.

Gu Yan noticed the slowdown, but instead of urging or complaining, he quietly matched her pace and gradually slowed down.

Gu Yan is so good to Tongtong, he waits for her knowing she can't run anymore.

Don't overthink it. He's just being a gentleman and not rushing you. It has nothing to do with favoritism; it's just a matter of politeness.

The groups arrived one after another at the finish line.

Director Liu, timing with a stopwatch, announced the rankings for the second round:

First Place: Han Jingxue & Shen Yihuai

Second place: Shu Zi & Yu Shize

Third place: Su Yanhuan & Jiang Yunyou

Fourth place: Gu Yan & Fang Yutong

Fang Yutong was bent over, panting, with her hands on her knees. Her forehead was covered in sweat, her makeup was smudged, and her mascara seemed to have smudged a bit.

Gu Yan removed his blindfold, his expression was normal, his breathing was not disordered, and he even had the leisure to straighten his cuffs.

Shu Zi stood not far away, glanced at him, and then quickly looked away.