The dating reality show host just wanted to give up, but the rich girl fell for him.

Zhao Kuo's clearly insulting "No" echoed repeatedly in the quiet living room.

The air seemed to be instantly sucked out, solidifying into cold cement.

Everyone could hear the veiled malice in those words.

This is no longer just simple gossip; it's about crushing a man's dignity and grinding it relentlessly with the sole of a shoe.

After a brief pause, the live stream chat exploded with an unprecedented surge of text, the dense text almost bursting off the screen.

[Holy crap! Zhao Kuo is ruthless! Is this the kind of question a carbon-based life form would ask?]

[This is absolutely devastating! He's trying to tear Lin Mo's face off and stomp on it!]

[I told you this game was a trap! Zhao Kuo was clearly targeting Lin Mo on purpose!]

[This is outrageous! Even if Lin Mo is broke and five million in debt, he shouldn't publicly humiliate someone by bringing up his ex!]

[But to be honest... I'm really curious. Lin Mo is so handsome, emotionally stable, and can even cook, what kind of amazing woman could possibly dump him?]

[Lin Mo is in deep trouble now. Telling the truth would be embarrassing, but not telling the truth means drinking that biological weapon—it's a complete dead end!]

Meanwhile, in a high-end, single-level apartment in Beijing.

Su Qing was wearing a luxurious silk nightgown, holding a glass of expensive champagne, staring intently at the 100-inch LCD TV on the wall.

On the television screen, the live broadcast of "Heart Signal" was playing.

This upscale apartment was rented for her by Zhao Kuo.

Although it's just a rental, the monthly rent here is equivalent to Lin Mo's hard-earned salary for more than half a year.

Su Qing looked at the man on the screen, wearing a faded gray T-shirt and casually flip-flops, her eyes flashing with an extremely complex light.

There was guilt, there was irritability, but more than anything, there was an almost pathological expectation.

"Lin Mo, please don't blame me for being heartless."

Su Qing gripped the wine glass tightly, her meticulously manicured French nails digging deep into her palm. She gritted her teeth and muttered to herself.

"If you have someone to blame, blame yourself for being a useless piece of trash who can't give me a future."

Ever since Lin Mo unexpectedly became a sensation on a dating reality show, and even managed to hook up with Jiang Ruoyun, the daughter of Beijing's richest man, with a meager bowl of lard noodles, Su Qing has been gripped by extreme panic and anxiety.

She even had nightmares for several nights in a row, dreaming that Lin Mo rose to prominence and then trampled her underfoot.

She absolutely will not allow this to happen!

If Lin Mo really becomes the "treasure boy" adored by the entire internet, then what is she, his ex who ruthlessly abandoned him?

Is she a gold digger universally condemned online? A blind fool?

Therefore, when Zhao Kuo suggested ruining Lin Mo's reputation on the show, Su Qing unhesitatingly revealed all of Lin Mo's secrets and "dirt."

Now, she's just waiting to see Lin Mo completely break down in front of the camera.

If Lin Mo personally admits that he was dumped because he was too poor and incompetent, then Su Qing's cheating back then can be perfectly packaged as "a helpless act in pursuit of a better life".

"Say it! Admit you're a loser who can't even afford a handbag!"

Su Qing bit her bright red lips, staring intently at the silent Lin Mo on the screen, her breathing becoming rapid.

In the living room of the Heartbeat Cottage.

Lin Mo maintained that relaxed posture with a slight backward lean, holding that large, vintage-looking thermos in his hand.

He remained silent and did not speak immediately.

In Zhao Kuo's view, those few seconds of silence were a sign of guilt, cowardice, and utter shame at having his sore spot touched!

Zhao Kuo could no longer hide his smugness.

He was so excited that his whole body trembled slightly, as if he could already see the miserable scene of Lin Mo crying bitterly and losing face.

"Zhao Kuo! You've gone too far!"

A cold voice, tinged with intense anger, suddenly broke the oppressive silence in the living room.

Jiang Ruoyun, who had been as quiet and efficient as a rice cooker, suddenly slammed the remaining half-bag of potato chips on the coffee table.

A muffled thud startled everyone.

This aloof and world-weary young lady from Beijing's elite circles, who had always been indifferent to everything, now had a visible raging fire burning in her beautiful peach blossom eyes.

Like a protective lioness, she stood tall and stood directly in front of Lin Mo.

"This is Truth or Dare, not your private trial!"

Jiang Ruoyun stared coldly at Zhao Kuo, her tone so icy it seemed like ice shards could fall from her lips: "Lin Mo has every right to refuse to answer such insulting questions that involve personal privacy!"

"Ruoyun, don't get excited. We're just playing a game."

When Zhao Kuo saw that the high and mighty Jiang Ruoyun was actually getting angry at him for a penniless man, the jealousy in his heart gnawed at his reason like a venomous snake.

He suppressed his anger, put on an innocent and magnanimous appearance, and shrugged.

"Since we're sitting at this table, the rules are the rules, and if you've been drawn, you have to accept them."

Zhao Kuo stretched out his finger and pointed forcefully at the bottle of "special bitter melon mustard juice" floating with an eerie green light in the center of the table.

"Lin Mo, if you really feel ashamed and find it hard to talk about, it's okay if you don't want to say it."

Zhao Kuo leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with condescending mockery and undisguised coercion.

"Then finish this cup of bitter melon juice."

"Then, in front of tens of millions of viewers across the country, loudly admit that you are a loser who can't keep women, and you've passed this round of the game."

Lin Chacha also covered her mouth and chuckled, taking the opportunity to stir up trouble with sarcastic remarks.

"Yes, Brother Lin Mo, if you really don't dare to say it, it's okay to drink a punishment beverage. Everyone will understand your difficulties."

Faced with the two men's relentless pressure, the atmosphere in the room became extremely tense.

Jiang Ruoyun's chest heaved with anger. She gritted her teeth and reached out her fair hand to pick up the cup of biological weapon that emitted a pungent smell.

"It's just a cheap drink, I'll drink it for him..."

"Need not."

A warm, broad hand suddenly intercepted from mid-air and gently pressed down on Jiang Ruoyun's slender wrist.

Jiang Ruoyun paused for a moment, then turned around.

Lin Mo slowly put down the thermos in his hand.

He even leisurely pulled out a tissue and carefully wiped the few drops of water off his fingers.

Then, Lin Mo slowly raised his head.

His usual sleepy, listless demeanor, with a face that screamed "I need to finish recording quickly so I can go home," vanished in an instant.

Instead, there was a chilling, absolute calm.

His eyes suddenly became extremely clear and sharp, like a peerless sword hidden in an old wooden sheath, which at this moment slightly withdrew its sharpness.

This sudden, powerful aura made Zhao Kuo feel short of breath for no apparent reason, and a fine layer of cold sweat even seeped out from his back.

What happened?

It's an illusion! It's definitely an illusion!

How could a penniless man burdened with five million in debt possibly have the terrifying sense of oppression that only those in positions of power possess?

Lin Mo looked at Zhao Kuo, and a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown suddenly appeared on his lips.

That look in his eyes carried neither the anger of being humiliated nor the humiliation of being forced.

There was only one kind of pure, condescending...pity, like looking at a fool.

"Actually, regarding this issue..."

Lin Mo's voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange penetrating power, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"I've always been confused about this too."

Zhao Kuo was stunned, and subconsciously asked, "What are you confused about?"

Lin Mo ignored his question.

He slowly adjusted his posture, leaning slightly forward and casually placing his hands crossed on his knees.

With just this simple action, he instantly transformed from a prey being judged into a player in control of the entire game.

At that moment, all 20 million viewers in the live stream felt as if an invisible hand had gripped their throats, and they all held their breath.

Everyone had a strong feeling that what was about to happen would definitely set the entire entertainment industry on the hottest search list.

"Since you, Young Master Zhao, are so inquisitive and insist on getting to the bottom of things..."

Lin Mo looked into Zhao Kuo's eyes, his voice calm yet carrying an overwhelming power that was impossible to resist.

"Then I'll grant your wish."

"Let me tell you what happened on the day we broke up."

Lin Mo paused deliberately at this point.

He tilted his head slightly, looking at Zhao Kuo's face, which was showing signs of unease and pallor. The smile on his lips deepened, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I just hope..."

"Young Master Zhao, after hearing this story, you can still laugh so happily."

These words were like a chilling gust of wind.

Zhao Kuo's facial muscles twitched suddenly, and an extremely strong sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.

Why did he feel like... Lin Mo was digging a pit for him?

Moreover, it was a bottomless, chain of deadly pits that could shatter him to pieces!

But the arrow was already on the bowstring, and it had to be released.

With tens of millions of eyes fixed on them, Zhao Kuo could only steel himself and give a weak, menacing snort: "Stop playing tricks! Speak up if you dare!"

Lin Mo withdrew his gaze, his deep eyes becoming somewhat distant.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the vanity and clamor before him, returning to the most unbearable, yet also most ridiculous, day in the original owner's memory.

In the deathly silence of the entire venue.

Lin Mo spoke slowly.

"That day was Valentine's Day, and I wanted to surprise her, but..."