Chapter Five: Divisions

Not long after Yu Tang sat down, the second guest star also arrived.

Everyone turned expectant eyes to the entrance as a swirl of pink skirt drifted into view. When the newcomer had fully entered, the live comment feed erupted in a frenzy.

“Heavens! It’s Youran! Ahhh, the production team actually invited Youran!”
“Sister!! I can’t believe she’s on a dating show!”
“Youran is so beautiful, it’s a completely different vibe from her dramas.”
“Why didn’t Xie Yi go greet my goddess? Why only Yu Tang, just because she’s some sort of royal?”
“She didn’t bring a suitcase as big as Yu Tang’s…”
“Can you stop dragging our Xie Yi into everything, please?”

“Hello, everyone, I’m Xiang Youran.”

Xiang Youran wore a pink floral dress, her hair done in fresh braids, her makeup perfectly complementing her look with a hint of blossom around her eyes. She appeared the very picture of sweetness.

Shen Tianshi could hardly tear his gaze away.

It was Xiang Youran! The dream girl of every man!

“Welcome, welcome!” Shen Tianshi called out joyfully.

The other guests on the show also greeted her warmly.

Only Yu Tang, sitting to the side, wore a look of astonishment. So this was the real heiress? She truly was beautiful—no wonder Song Zhiyan fell for her. If she were in his shoes, she’d like her too.

Xiang Youran gave a shy, gentle smile. “Thank you.”

Just as everyone was watching Xiang Youran, expecting her to say more, she suddenly turned toward Yu Tang.

“Tangtang, it’s been a long time.”

Yu Tang was taken aback, pointing at herself in disbelief.

Me???

She couldn’t recall the original host ever interacting with Xiang Youran, except possibly through Song Zhiyan.

Xiang Youran looked at Yu Tang with eager eyes.

But Yu Tang didn’t respond.

Gradually, disappointment clouded Xiang Youran’s expression. She looked hurt.

“Did you forget? We filmed a drama together once.”

The moment Yu Tang witnessed Xiang Youran’s textbook acting, she understood. Putting on a show for her? Did she know who Yu Tang’s backer was? Trying to out-act her?

Internally, Yu Tang sneered, but outwardly she donned a look of sudden realization.

“Oh, right~ the one where you played the mistress and I played the fool, wasn’t it?”

Saying this, Yu Tang immediately clasped Xiang Youran’s hand, gazing up at her with admiration and deep affection. “Youran, you were amazing in that role. You brought the character to life.”

“If only I could act as well as you someday…” Yu Tang lowered her eyelids, feigning sadness.

For a split second, Xiang Youran’s face went blank. She forced a strained smile, trying to retrieve her hand, but Yu Tang’s grip was unyielding.

“There… there will be a chance,” Xiang Youran stammered.

Shen Tianshi snorted from the side. “At least you know you can’t act.”

Then he brightened again, looking at Xiang Youran with sincere enthusiasm. “I watched that show too. Your depiction of the mistress was truly outstanding.”

Xiang Youran fell silent, unsure what to say. She managed a stiff smile. “As long as you liked it.”

Seeing Xiang Youran’s lukewarm response, Shen Tianshi began to doubt himself.

The live comments were in stitches.

“As expected, an idiot’s stroke of genius outshines the villain’s scheming.”
“Shen Tianshi is too genuine, I can’t stop laughing.”
“Just joined the stream—can someone tell me if Yu Tang is complimenting or insulting?”
“How is this an insult? Isn’t she complimenting her acting?”
“Or maybe it’s just typecasting, hahaha.”
“Wasn’t that show about a mistress climbing the ranks?”
“Don’t be so harsh—not being loved makes you the mistress!”
“I really dislike Yu Tang, she’s definitely stirring up trouble…”

Sensing the mood was about to turn awkward, the directors quickly sent out the two male guests, abandoning the original plan for sequential entrances in favor of a joint appearance.

The camera panned to the two men as they entered.

One wore a breezy summer T-shirt under a black jacket, cargo pants, and choppy bangs hanging over his forehead. His eyes, sharp and intense, held a youthful edge.

The other wore a white shirt and suit trousers, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His features were gentle and refined, his lips curved in a soft smile—handsome and kind, like a breath of spring.

“Ahhh, it’s Zhou Ziheng! My god! Is he going to partner with Youran?!”
“I knew my ship was real!”
“Wait, why is Lu Zhiming on a dating show? Shouldn’t you be writing new songs?”
“Is Zhou Ziheng here for Youran?”

“Where are my libertarian troops?!”

“Hello, everyone, I’m Lu Zhiming.”
“I’m Zhou Ziheng.”

Their entrance set off a wave of applause.

Even Yu Tang clapped with all her might.

My goodness, Lu Zhiming was simply electrifying—every feature struck her right in the heart.

But while her enthusiasm went unnoticed by Lu Zhiming, it caught Zhou Ziheng’s eye.

He looked at Yu Tang with a gentle smile, but there was a glint of mockery in his brown eyes.

If he’d known Yu Tang would be a guest on this episode, he never would have come. She must be over the moon, making such a fuss just to get his attention.

Yu Tang, sensing someone’s gaze, met Zhou Ziheng’s eyes.

Strange, he was handsome, but not her type. Why was he looking at her?

The system’s voice sounded in her mind.

“In the past, you gave Zhou Ziheng resources when he was struggling, but later, jealous of his collaboration with the real heiress, you tried to guilt-trip him. At first, he went along, helping you out, but as time went by, he tossed you aside. To avoid being under anyone’s thumb, he even leaked your scandals to the entertainment world.”

“New mission: approach Zhou Ziheng and get him to willingly acknowledge you.”

“Mission reward: Great Strength Pill.”

The reward didn’t interest Yu Tang, so she wasn’t eager to complete the task. Her attitude toward Zhou Ziheng was correspondingly indifferent.

She calmly looked away.

A rare flash of surprise crossed Zhou Ziheng’s confident gaze. Then realization dawned—had she learned to play hard to get?

“Welcome, everyone, to the third season of Love’s Little Affairs,” the director called out with a megaphone. “Our two-day-and-two-night journey officially begins today!”

Lounging on the sofa, Yu Tang propped her chin in her hand, deep in thought.

Two million for two days—wasn’t that too easy? Surely, there must be a catch.

What she didn’t know was that she’d been brought onto the show to serve as a foil for Xiang Youran. In fact, it was her childhood friend’s idea. The extra money was meant as mental compensation.