Chapter Fifteen: Xiang Youran's Composure Shattered

Shen Tianshi dashed out, and once Yu Tang finished organizing the groups, everyone’s attention finally returned to Zhou Ziheng and his team.

“Mr. Zhou, would you like to switch group members?” The directors, too, were curious.

After all, if Xiang Youran were swapped out now, it would be like giving her a golden ticket to an easier time.

Zhou Ziheng hesitated. Deep down, he didn’t want to switch, but…

Xiang Youran seemed to sense his indecision. She smiled. “Mr. Zhou, do you remember what type of show we’re on?”

Zhou Ziheng paused, not sure where she was going with this.

“A… dating show?”

“Exactly. On a dating show, the most important thing is to share both joy and hardship. Don’t even think about abandoning me—I won’t leave you.”

Her last words were delivered in a playful, almost coquettish tone.

Zhou Ziheng was visibly moved. He turned to the director at once. “Director Bai, our group won’t be switching members.”

The moment Zhou Ziheng spoke, everyone around them reacted differently. Obvious relief washed over Xiao Yufei and Chen Cheng’s faces; even Lu Zhiming seemed to relax ever so slightly—he certainly didn’t want to end up paired with Xiang Youran.

As for Xiang Youran, she looked delighted.

“My god, Youran is so warm-hearted.”

“I don’t care, my ship is sailing and it’s real!”

“Cracking up—did anyone notice the relieved looks on the others’ faces?”

“Everyone except Yu Tang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, hahaha.”

“Alright, now you can all begin preparing lunch for today,” the director announced.

To keep things fair in this Love Cabin, they’d even set up four kitchens.

Yu Tang uncrossed her legs and sauntered towards the kitchen with a lazy elegance. “Come on, Xie Yi.”

Xie Yi beamed and followed her gladly.

Lu Zhiming and Chen Cheng entered their kitchen next.

Left alone, Xiao Yufei stared blankly at her ingredients. So she was on her own? But she couldn’t cook at all!

She glanced at the camera, steeled herself, and ran out. No way—she needed to find Shen Tianshi.

If she remembered correctly, Shen Tianshi could at least cook something edible—his instant noodles from earlier episodes were at least cooked.

“Let’s go too, Youran. Don’t worry, I can cook—I won’t let you get tired,” Zhou Ziheng said considerately, adjusting his glasses.

Xiang Youran blinked, unmoving.

“Shall… shall we?” Zhou Ziheng was puzzled by her hesitation. “Yes, the groups are set.”

“Oh… okay.” Xiang Youran nodded, somewhat dazed.

Wait, is this right? What about the hidden mission?

Hadn’t their group drawn the ‘catch the chick’ task, and shouldn’t they have gotten a secret bonus for it?

A vague anxiety crept into Xiang Youran’s heart. Why was this different from last time?

“Director Bai, have all the hidden missions been announced?” She took a few steps toward the kitchen, but then backed out to ask.

Bai Yang, already busy with his equipment, looked up at her question.

“Yes, they’ve all been announced. You may start making lunch,” he replied, then went back to his work.

The serene expression on Xiang Youran’s face cracked, piece by piece.

“It’s… over? There aren’t any more hidden missions?” she blurted out, startled into speaking her thoughts aloud.

Bai Yang gave her a puzzled glance. “That’s right. There were three guests with hidden missions, including Mr. Zhou, and they’ve all been completed.”

It was only as Bai Yang explained that Xiang Youran realized she’d spoken her mind. She quickly composed herself, masking her inner dismay with a calm façade. “Thank you, Director. I understand.”

Zhou Ziheng, meanwhile, had already happily started cooking, oil heating in the pan. With just an egg and a piece of bok choy, fried rice for two was all he could manage.

“Doesn’t anyone else think Xiang Youran is acting odd? Why does she keep asking Director Yang?”

“Maybe she zoned out earlier and missed something.”

“To be honest, does she regret it now? (dog head emoji)”

“With her expression, anyone would think she had a hidden mission too.”

“Maybe she wishes she did, haha.”

“Never mind them—look at Yu Tang! Ahhh, I’m dying, Xie Yi is so sweet!”

Once Yu Tang entered the kitchen, she intended to put on her apron—after all, she now possessed Michelin three-star skills.

But just as she picked it up, someone took it from her.

She looked up to see Xie Yi slipping on the apron himself, flashing her a cheeky grin.

“It’s okay, Yu Tang, you can rest. I’ll cook—you take a break.”

His earnestness made Yu Tang arch an eyebrow. Since he liked cooking, she’d let him be.

With that, she leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching Xie Yi’s every move.

Though Xie Yi was as flirtatious as ever, his physique was undeniably impressive—a perfect inverted triangle with low body fat. She’d touched his arm before; it was all muscle.

Yu Tang’s thoughts drifted elsewhere, her eyes narrowing slightly as a subtle dimple appeared on her face.

When Xie Yi turned around and saw that expression, he froze, the tips of his ears flushing red. He pressed his lips together to stifle a smile and continued washing vegetables.

“Oh my god! Xie Yi is just so pure!”

“He’s amazing! Feels like if you chase him hard enough, he’ll be so clingy once you get him!”

“Yu Tang’s expression doesn’t look entirely innocent.”

“She’s gorgeous, though.”

“Is that a shill for Yu Tang? Post more cool pics of her.”

“Shill or not, that’s just wrong.”

Xie Yi glanced back, saw Yu Tang idle, wiped his hands, and fetched a little plastic stool from the living room for her.

“Yu Tang, sit here for a bit. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

His enthusiasm left her a bit at a loss. “There’s… no need to be so polite…”

He just smiled. “It’s nothing. I’m only getting to eat such good food thanks to you.”

Yu Tang was about to reply when the system’s voice suddenly sounded in her mind.

“On this show, your food used to be bad, but what really caused trouble was the time you served undercooked beans and all the guests ended up with food poisoning and diarrhea for two days. Because of this, both the guests and viewers thought you did it on purpose and were deeply malicious.”

“Now, your new task: cook stir-fried beans in front of the guests and earn their praise for this dish.”

“Task reward: the Encyclopedia of Brain Teasers.”