It was past nine, and Chen Han still hadn’t returned home.
Before dinner, Mu Fu had texted him, asking if he’d be back to eat. By the time she finished her meal, his reply finally came through:
[No, I’m eating out.]
The long delay between her message and his response suggested he was busy, so Mu Fu didn’t press him.
But now it was nine-thirty, and he still wasn’t home. She sent another message, but received no response. She knew there was likely nothing wrong, but worry gnawed at her.
Sitting in the living room, she fidgeted with her phone, brows furrowed, repeatedly checking for a reply. Still nothing. It was starting to stress her out.
Later, it was time for the nightly vote. Since Chen Han wasn’t home, she couldn’t vote for him. After a moment’s thought, she voted for Kang Jiadong instead.
Meanwhile, Ding Minqi and Kang Jiadong continued to vote for each other. Tomorrow’s date was set—they would be going out again.
Earlier that evening, after dinner, Kang Jiadong had invited Ding Minqi for a walk in front of everyone. As they strolled, Ding Minqi naturally asked him out for tomorrow, and he agreed without hesitation. Nearly ten days had passed, and their dates had been consistent and mutual. It seemed they would likely leave the show together.
Cheng Cixin also voted for Kang Jiadong, but then, to everyone’s surprise, she invited Han Jin on a date for tomorrow. No one had seen that coming.
For Cheng Cixin, this was her final opportunity. If things remained unchanged, she could finally let go.
Meanwhile, Qi Yali and Han Jin voted for each other, but then Qi Yali invited Kang Jiadong on a date. The audience was puzzled. “What’s going on with Qi Yali?”
Some sharp-eyed viewers noted, “She’s probably not interested in Han Jin. The last two dates were circumstantial, not her choice. Maybe she wants to explore other options.”
Others speculated, “She might have feelings for Kang Jiadong. After all, she voted for him in the beginning!”
Still others found the night strange. “Why are two of the women acting so out of character?”
Of course, the real reasons were known only to those involved.
When the nightly voting ended, Chen Han still hadn’t returned. Mu Fu waited until the crew and other participants had gone to bed, then went back downstairs, still waiting.
It was past one AM when Chen Han finally arrived at the villa. As soon as Mu Fu saw him, she approached, her tone filled with concern. “Did something happen? You’re so late… I messaged you, but you never replied.” At this hour, she wasn’t wearing her mic, and as long as she spoke softly, the room’s microphones wouldn’t pick up their conversation.
Chen Han had assumed she’d already gone to bed. He hadn’t expected her to stay up waiting. “It’s my fault,” he admitted. “I got caught up in a last-minute business dinner, and after that, I wasn’t even checking my phone. It died at some point, and I didn’t even notice… I swear, I wasn’t ignoring your messages on purpose.” There was a hint of nervousness in his voice. He was afraid she might misunderstand.
Mu Fu caught the scent of alcohol on him. She could tell he hadn’t done this on purpose, and honestly, she felt a little bad for him.
“How much did you drink? You seem a little tipsy.” Seeing Chen Han stumble slightly, Mu Fu quickly reached out to steady him, worried he might bump into something or fall.
Chen Han mumbled, “Not much… just a few drinks I couldn’t turn down.”
Mu Fu didn’t press the issue. He was back, he’d explained himself, and she wasn’t about to make a big deal out of it. “Just go rest. It’s late.”
Drunk Chen Han was surprisingly well-behaved. He did exactly as she said.
After helping him to bed, Mu Fu went downstairs to prepare honey water, something to ease his headache in the morning. She gently propped him up and helped him drink it, then washed the cup and refilled it with warm water, setting it by the bed.
“There’s water by your bedside,” she reminded him. “If you wake up thirsty, drink it.” She said it twice, just in case he forgot.
Then, she turned off the camera in his room. The show allowed contestants to disable their cameras while they slept, a measure to protect their privacy.
By now, Chen Han was drifting off, his body sinking into the bed. Mu Fu watched him for a moment, then whispered, “Are you asleep?”
No response. His breathing was steady, and the faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air.
Since the cameras were off, Mu Fu allowed herself a small indulgence. She leaned down and gently brushed her fingers across his cheek. It was soft, smooth, with a slight warmth from the alcohol, like a freshly peeled egg.
She felt a stab of jealousy.
She’d secretly admired his handsome features before, but now, she was sure of it. His skin was flawless, not a visible pore in sight. And it looked like he’d finally started using the lip balm she gave him. His lips were no longer dry; they were soft, plump, and perfectly moisturized.
The more she looked, the more she liked what she saw. And deep down, a restless feeling began to stir, one that refused to be ignored.
Chen Han’s usual air of distance was gone. The alcohol had softened his features, giving him an almost seductive quality. Lying flat on the bed, his chest open and unguarded, he looked as if he were subtly inviting her to do something… something unspeakable.
Mu Fu swallowed. The sight of him, so effortlessly breathtaking, sent a rush of heat through her. Her breathing hitched. She had to admit it—she was tempted.
Under the soft glow of the light, Chen Han’s lips, full and slightly flushed, looked absolutely irresistible. She hesitated, but a thought crossed her mind. He was asleep. He was drunk. If she stole a kiss, he wouldn’t know… right?
Slowly, carefully, she lowered her head, her lips barely brushing against his. Soft. She couldn’t help it—she lingered, gently sucking on his bottom lip.
But just as she started to savor the moment, Chen Han suddenly flipped over, pinning her beneath him.
Her heart stopped.
He hadn’t been asleep at all. Chen Han had only been resting his eyes, too tired to respond earlier when she had called his name. But he had heard her. And he definitely felt that kiss.
His body hovered over hers, but he didn’t let his full weight press down. His left forearm braced against the bed, carrying most of it. With both hands, he cupped her face, giving her no chance to escape. Then, without warning, he crashed his lips onto hers, swallowing the gasp that escaped from her mouth.
Their tongues tangled, their bodies pressed dangerously close. Chen Han’s mind was hazy, his thoughts slow, but his instincts were razor-sharp. All he knew was the sweetness of her lips, the softness of her skin, and the way her scent wrapped around him like a drug.
The first time he had kissed her, it had been brief, hesitant. Now, he knew. This feeling was intoxicating. He wanted more.
Mu Fu had been stunned at first. She had only dared to kiss him because she was certain he was asleep. Now, she wasn’t even sure if he was still drunk—if this was just instinct, or if he was fully aware of what he was doing. But as his kiss deepened, a shiver ran down her spine, leaving her weak. Her entire body melted into the bed, powerless against the force of his touch.
Chen Han’s lips were full and soft, like silken jelly, smooth and delicate against hers. A faint trace of alcohol lingered in his breath, adding to the intoxicating sensation.
Mu Fu was completely lost in it. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly dazed, as if she were waiting for what he would do next. And truthfully? She wouldn’t have minded if Chen Han took things a little further.
But a shred of clarity returned to him. Now wasn’t the right time. There were cameras in the hallway. If Mu Fu stayed too long in his room, it would be caught on tape—and people would talk.
So, reluctantly, he pulled back, the warmth of her lips still lingering on his own. A thin, glistening thread of connection stretched between them before finally disappearing.
Mu Fu lifted her gaze, looking at him with shy, lingering affection. Her eyes held so much emotion, so much tenderness, that he felt himself drowning in them.
He didn’t want to wake up from this moment. His heart whispered to him: This girl… I have to have her. No matter the cost. His gaze darkened, deep and intense. The usual coolness on his face had been replaced by a faint rosy flush, his eyes burning with undisguised longing as he looked at the woman beneath him.
But he held himself back. Barely. His voice was low and hoarse. “It’s late. You should get some sleep.”
Mu Fu looked at him with big, expectant eyes, her pure expression tinged with something soft and alluring. “Do you… not want me to stay with you?”
Chen Han let out a breath, then leaned down and kissed her again, slow and lingering. His eyes held reluctance. He didn’t want to let her go. Her warmth, her scent, the way she fit against him—it was too perfect.
But he had to. For her sake. Because in a world like this, if people found out she had stayed the night, she would be the one judged for it. And that… Was something he couldn’t allow.
Chen Han thought Mu Fu didn’t understand what he meant. He gently cupped her face, his voice soft as he explained, “I dream about being with you. How could I not want you to stay?” He sighed, brushing his thumb against her cheek. “But… you didn’t leave tonight. The show’s staff will check the recordings tomorrow and see that you spent the night here. It won’t be good for you.”
Mu Fu knew he was thinking about her reputation. She appreciated it. But… she just wanted him to coax her a little more.
Before this, he had always been reserved, treating her with respect and restraint every time they were together. Not that it was a bad thing, but his self-control was too strong. Now that he was finally showing his emotions, she wanted to be closer to him.
“But I don’t wanna go…” Her voice was soft, sweet, and teasing, with a hint of sultry warmth.
Chen Han’s eyes darkened, the heat in his gaze intensifying. It made Mu Fu want to hide. “Don’t say anything,” he murmured near her ear, his voice low, rough, and dangerously intimate. “If you keep talking… I won’t be able to stop myself.”
Mu Fu froze. She couldn’t just tell him, “Go ahead. I don’t mind.” So instead, she turned her head to the side, her cheeks burning. This side of Chen Han—so unguarded, so dangerously alluring—was too much. If she stayed any longer, she might lose control first.
She quickly changed the subject. “Are you free tomorrow? Let’s go on a date!”
Chen Han raised an eyebrow. “A mission?”
Mu Fu blinked her bright, dewy eyes and nodded. “Mhm!”
Chen Han ran his fingers through her hair, his touch slow and lingering. “Alright. I’ll make sure I’m ready.” Then, suddenly, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him. “I’ll be waiting for my little princess to come pick me up tomorrow.”
Mu Fu’s face turned crimson. She tried to push him away.
Chen Han didn’t budge and grabbed her hand, stopping her from moving. “Don’t move. Let me calm down first.”
Mu Fu froze. She had definitely felt something pressing against her thigh. And she knew better than to tease a man already on fire.
Only after regaining control did Chen Han finally release her. He gently straightened her clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles he had left. Then, with careful fingers, he tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. His voice was soft. “You should go back now. It’s late. Message me before you sleep.”
“Mhm! I’m heading back then.” Mu Fu hesitated. She waited and waited… but he still didn’t give her a goodnight kiss. So, she took matters into her own hands. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled him down and kissed him hard. “That’s your goodnight kiss.”
Chen Han’s lips curved into a smirk. He leaned in and kissed her back. “My bad. Next time, I’ll be the one to make the first move.”
The moment Mu Fu left, Chen Han glanced down at a certain problem that had returned. Looks like a cold shower is unavoidable tonight. “My little princess is such a little temptress.”
That night, they both fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
Mu Fu sighed to herself. Too bad the audience didn’t get to see what just happened in the room. If they had… the envy points would have skyrocketed.
Axolotl Translations 
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