The streetlights outside the villa had already flickered on. Strings of colorful LED lights stretched from the house to the road, casting a dreamy glow over the scene.
But the air outside felt far from magical.
When Han Jin stepped out, he spotted Cheng Cixin sitting alone on the swing. A wave of awkwardness washed over him. The looks on everyone’s faces back inside were still fresh in his mind, as if they were silently accusing him of being a heartless player.
But he hadn’t done anything wrong! It wasn’t like he and Cheng Cixin had ever made anything official. He was just getting to know different women—wasn’t that the whole point of being here? So why should he feel guilty?
He took a deep breath, then walked toward her. Feigning casual curiosity, he asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”
Cheng Cixin gave him no chance to dodge the issue. “Why did you go out with Qi Yali today?”
Han Jin sat down beside her on the swing, his voice calm but defensive. “It wasn’t a date. We just hung out.”
Cheng Cixin pressed on. “Then why did you ask her to hang out?”
Han Jin fell silent, his gaze drifting into the distance. Then, after some thought, he finally said, “Everyone else in the house has already spent time together. Yali just moved in recently, and I didn’t know much about her. I just wanted to get to know her better.”
The moment she heard that, Cheng Cixin’s eyes turned red. Her voice trembled, carrying the weight of unshed tears. “Then why didn’t you ask me?”
Han Jin’s fingers tensed. A wave of frustration hit him.
Was she seriously making this about that?
After a pause, he answered, “Because you never gave me the chance to.” He was referring to the way she had been cold to him these past two days.
That was the final straw. Cheng Cixin broke down completely. Tears spilled over, and she choked out, “Do you really not know why I ignored you?”
Han Jin froze, caught completely off guard. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” He instinctively reached out to wipe her tears, but she slapped his hand away. Her voice was hoarse but firm. “I’m fine! But you still haven’t answered my question!”
Silence. A long, heavy silence.
Finally, Han Jin sighed and said, “Stop crying first… That day, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to go out with you. I just… I didn’t expect someone else to show up instead.”
Back then, they had been in the middle of their subtle, undefined connection—of course he had wanted to ask her out. He just hadn’t expected the new contestant to get in the way.
Han Jin continued, “I explained it to you when I got back, didn’t I?”
That night, after returning, he had actually gone looking for Cheng Cixin a few times. But each time, she had given him nothing but a cold shoulder, and in the end, her attitude had pissed him off. So the next day, he hadn’t bothered looking for her again.
Hearing his words, Cheng Cixin felt like she had finally gotten the answer she needed. She decided to ask one last question. “When you’re with me, how do you feel?”
Han Jin answered without hesitation, “I feel really comfortable with you. We have a lot in common.”
Comfortable? Yet he still had the urge to invite someone else out? That was it. Cheng Cixin couldn’t keep lying to herself anymore. She fell silent.
The two of them sat on the swing, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Feeling a little bored and impatient, Han Jin pushed off the ground with his foot, making the swing sway back and forth.
If someone were to look at them from afar, without seeing their expressions, it might have seemed like a peaceful, almost romantic moment.
By now, Cheng Cixin had calmed down. “I’m heading back.”
Han Jin didn’t stop her. He simply watched her leave, his expression unreadable.
That night, during the text message round, Mu Fu and Chen Han chose each other, as did Ding Minqi and Kang Jiadong. Qi Yali paired with Han Jin. Cheng Cixin, however, sent her text to Chen Han.
Mu Fu glanced over at Cheng Cixin, who had gone to bed early, curling up under the covers. She could easily guess who Ding Minqi had picked, and she was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. But Cheng Cixin? That was harder to figure out. Would she have chosen Han Jin? And if so, who had Han Jin picked? After all, he had spent the whole day with Qi Yali. What a mess.
A while later, the production crew knocked on the female contestants’ door, delivering a new task card: Tomorrow, each female contestant must find an opportunity to invite a male contestant on a date. However, no one else can find out, and you can’t tell anyone. Additionally, multiple female contestants are allowed to invite the same male contestant.
The girls exchanged confused glances. What if multiple people invite the same guy?
Sensing their confusion, a staff member clarified, “We’ll schedule up to two dates per day—one in the morning, one in the afternoon. If more are needed, they’ll be pushed to the next day.”
……
No one had expected the show to pull a stunt like this.
Things were already different from the previous life—back then, there had only been three female contestants throughout the entire season. This time, however, there was a fourth. Which meant Mu Fu had no idea how the dating dynamics would play out. She could only guess based on how everyone looked after they returned from their dates.
Tomorrow was Saturday. Mu Fu had assumed that Chen Han would stay at the house to rest. But who would’ve thought—he was going to the office to work overtime!
A workaholic even as the boss. Mu Fu had to respect that. Still, she had zero intention of tagging along, so she spent the evening texting him nonstop, acting extra cute, hoping she could wiggle her way out of it.
Her plan was simple: If Chen Han didn’t bring it up, she would pretend it wasn’t even an option.
What Mu Fu didn’t know was that Chen Han had already decided to let her rest. So he never mentioned it either.
Honestly, after seeing her fall asleep just from watching a movie yesterday, he was convinced—her stamina was way too weak. Chen Han made a mental note—next time, he’d have to take her along for a night run. That way, she could build up her endurance while also spending more time alone with him. A perfect plan.
That night, some people tossed and turned, unable to sleep…
……
Day 10 in the Love Cabin.
The city of Hangzhou woke up to pouring rain. The sky was dark and heavy.
Mu Fu slept in, waking naturally—a perfect morning. After a week of constant dates at the Love Cabin, she was exhausted. It was becoming clear: she seriously needed to start working out.
It was Saturday. Mu Fu went downstairs and glanced around. Chen Han was gone, but everyone else was still in the house.
Kang Jiadong was in his room, focused on his laptop. Mu Fu offered a quick greeting and moved on.
In the gym, Han Jin and Qi Yali were working out together. Han Jin was on the stationary bike, chatting with Qi Yali, who was running on the treadmill beside him. Both were drenched in sweat, their efforts clearly paying off.
Feeling a little bored, Mu Fu headed back to the girls’ bedroom. On the balcony, Cheng Cixin and Ding Minqi were chatting on the lounge chairs. Just as Mu Fu approached, their conversation came to an abrupt stop. She casually took the empty seat beside them, curious. “What were you two talking about?”
Ding Minqi smiled. “Nothing much, just chatting. Today’s our tenth day here, you know? In just four days, we’ll be leaving… I didn’t expect to feel so reluctant.”
She subtly changed the subject. Mu Fu didn’t mind and went along with it. “Yeah, I was so nervous when we first got here.”
Cheng Cixin, who had been quiet until then, turned to Mu Fu. “Mu Fu, what do you think of the guys in the house?”
Mu Fu raised an eyebrow. Cheng Cixin was opening up more lately. In her previous life, she had been the type who always knew how to play her cards right, staying on everyone’s good side.
Mu Fu blinked and replied lightly, “I think all the guys in the house are great. They’re all impressive in their own ways. But to me, Chen Han is the best.”
Ding Minqi gave her a knowing look, a hint of teasing amusement in her eyes. She teased, “Oh, we all know Chen Han is the best in your eyes!”
Mu Fu teased back. “And we all know that, in your heart, Brother Jiadong is the best!”
Ding Minqi hadn’t expected Mu Fu to tease her back, so she playfully reached over and started tickling her. It was exactly this kind of easy camaraderie that had cemented their friendship in the house.
They’d arrived as the first two female contestants. Mu Fu, young, shy, and pure-hearted, naturally drew Ding Minqi’s protective instincts, who treated her like a little sister. Plus, they simply clicked. Coming to the Love Cabin had unexpectedly gifted her a best friend. Mu Fu felt the same way.
Their tickling match was nothing out of the ordinary, just harmless fun between close girlfriends. In their playful moment, they’d completely forgotten about Cheng Cixin.
The reason Ding Minqi had been sitting with Cheng Cixin in the first place was that Cheng Cixin had pulled her aside to vent. So, when Mu Fu had asked about their earlier conversation, Ding Minqi had hesitated. After all, the subject of their discussion was right there! Though, to be fair, their venting session hadn’t been long.
Cheng Cixin suddenly asked, “What do you two think of Han Jin?”
Mu Fu and Ding Minqi exchanged a quick glance, understanding each other perfectly.
Mu Fu didn’t see Han Jin as serious relationship material, but she was unsure of Cheng Cixin’s feelings. Everyone in the house had noticed the subtle chemistry between Cheng Cixin and Han Jin.
Keeping her expression neutral, Mu Fu replied casually, “Han Jin’s alright. He’s impressive in his own way. What about you, Cixin? What do you think of him?” She wanted to gauge Cheng Cixin’s opinion before saying anything that might upset her.
Cheng Cixin lowered her gaze, her voice a little fragile. “He’s funny and charming. You never have to worry about getting bored when you’re with him.”
Mu Fu mentally added, Yeah… but he’s also kind of a player.
Ding Minqi asked, “So, out of all the guys here, who do you feel the closest to?”
Cheng Cixin hesitated, then answered, “Probably Han Jin. I’ve interacted with him the most, and my first date in the house was with him too. So, out of all the guys, I’d say I have the best connection with him.” She paused, then continued, “But now… I feel so conflicted. Ever since the new girl arrived, he’s been so distant. I don’t know what to do.”
Ding Minqi comforted her, “Just follow your heart. Love isn’t something you can solve with logic.”
Cheng Cixin pressed her lips together, it was hard to tell if she’d actually took their advice to heart. Mu Fu and Ding Minqi simply sat with her in silence, keeping her company. After a while, Cheng Cixin stood and said she’d head back inside.
Once she was gone, leaving Mu Fu and Ding Minqi alone on the balcony, they exchanged a knowing look. After confirming that Cheng Cixin had stepped out of the room, Ding Minqi swiftly closed the balcony’s sliding door, making sure no one inside could overhear their conversation.
Mu Fu sighed, leaning against the railing. “Han Jin is such a menace!” she grumbled.
Ding Minqi nodded in agreement.
“At least the other two guys are decent.”
“Yeah, true,” Mu Fu said. “But honestly? I never expected Han Jin to be like this.”
Ding Minqi’s voice was calm but certain. “Some people are just good at hiding who they really are. But sooner or later, the mask slips. It’s only a matter of time.”
Mu Fu chuckled, her smile bright and genuine. “Sister Minqi, did you invite Brother Jiadong yet?”
Ding Minqi shook her head. “Not yet. He’s busy right now. I’ll ask when he has some free time. What about you? Did you talk to Chen Han?” she asked.
Mu Fu blushed slightly. “He’s at work. I’ll bring it up when he gets back.”
Ding Minqi took a sip of water. “That’s what it’s like when you’re starting a business—sometimes, you don’t even get days off. You should be prepared for that.”
Mu Fu nodded. She knew what she was getting into.
Their conversation continued until Qi Yali came to call them for lunch, ending their casual girl talk.
Lunch had been prepared by Qi Yali and Han Jin together. Clearly, Han Jin’s attention had completely shifted to Qi Yali.
Later that afternoon, Mu Fu sent a quick message to remind Chen Han not to skip lunch. They only had a short chat before he had to handle something urgent. Mu Fu didn’t want to distract him—they could talk face-to-face in the evening anyway.
That afternoon, she returned to her writing. Her saved drafts had dwindled over the past few days, and it was time to replenish them.
Axolotl Translations 
Leave a comment