It was Bai Tingting’s turn next.
To everyone’s surprise, she drew a bonus card: “Congratulations! You’ve received a Date Coupon! The gentleman cannot refuse. Who would you like to use it on?”
Gasps of shock and envy spread across the room. No one had expected the show to throw a twist like this!
Bai Tingting lifted her eyes and glanced at Bian Jincheng. She’d assumed the card would just be another question—after all, that’s what all the other girls had gotten. She never imagined she’d get this lucky.
Bian Jincheng was charming, attentive, and carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone mature and magnetic.
Why not get to know him better? Maybe he’s the one for me, Bai Tingting thought.
“I want to use my date card on Bian Jincheng,” she said with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with intent.
Bian Jincheng hesitated for a moment, but then smiled politely. “I’m honored.” There was no way he’d turn her down in front of everyone.
After returning to his seat, he gently tugged at Mu Fu’s sleeve. She looked at him, puzzled. What’s up?
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I was planning to give you the rose tomorrow.”
Bian Jincheng was undeniably handsome—especially his eyes, which were deep and captivating. When he looked at someone, it was always with a kind of focus and sincerity that made you feel like you were the only person in the room.
Mu Fu let out a small sigh in her heart. She felt… nothing.
She knew exactly where she stood, but still, she put on a polite, slightly conflicted expression. “You don’t need to apologize. There was no promise between us. I’m happy you get to go on a date. Honestly, you and Bai Tingting might be a great match. I hope you two have a wonderful time tomorrow!”
Bian Jincheng’s face didn’t change. “But I still think the rose suits you better.”
Mu Fu paused. “Is that so? Well, I’m kind of picky about who gives me flowers… sorry.”
Without waiting for a response, she stood and walked up—it was her turn to draw. Mu Fu’s earlier comment had made her feelings clear—sure, you want to give me flowers, but that doesn’t mean I’ll accept them from just anyone.
Even though she had drawn that line, Bian Jincheng’s gaze followed her closely, unreadable.
She drew a question: What would you do for someone you like?
Mu Fu’s eyes lingered briefly on Wen Shu before shifting toward the rest of the group. Her lips curved slightly, her cheeks flushing pink. With a soft, shy voice, she said, “I guess… I’d want to be physically close. Like, hugs and kisses.”
“Ooh!” Gasps and giggles rippled through the room.
Fan Xinjie teased, “What, no piggyback rides too?”
Mu Fu laughed nervously, shaking her head. “No…” Her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, the kind of rosy blush that made her look both vibrant and delicate.
Wen Shu, despite his seemingly indifferent expression, felt something stir within him. Though he’d been acting aloof, his attention had never left her. Her every glance, every smile—it drew him in, almost against his will.
When the game finally ended and everyone returned to their rooms, Wen Shu was left restless. He couldn’t stop thinking about the way the day had unfolded—how he’d been indifferent toward her earlier, and yet now… she had him completely distracted.
The shift had been so sudden, he wasn’t sure how to process it. He stared at his unresponsive body, wondering if everything he’d felt that night had been an illusion. But no—he knew it was real. For the first time in years, he had felt the stirrings of something deeply physical… instinctual.
Almost without thinking, he reached down and shook his leg, but his limbs didn’t respond.
What was I hoping for? he wondered. Then, covering his face, he gave a short laugh. “Ha… so you really are just another creature ruled by desire.”
His voice carried a mix of irony, defeat, disappointment in himself—and maybe a trace of reluctant acceptance. More than anything, he wished he could go back to being normal. Just… a normal man again.
Wen Shu’s mind suddenly conjured up the image of Mu Fu’s radiant smile, and his heart gave a small, involuntary flutter. He knew it now—Mu Fu had always held a special place in his heart. She always had. He just kept denying it.
From the moment they first met, he had been drawn to her beauty—charming, vibrant, almost too dazzling to look at directly. But he’d pushed those feelings down, pretending they didn’t exist. Because deep down… he believed he wasn’t worthy.
But the slight stirring in his body tonight—it sparked a glimmer of hope in him again.
The night deepened. Moonlight poured into the room like silver silk, sliding slowly across the floor.
By morning, birdsong from the small courtyard and nearby hill stirred the air, blending with the quiet sounds of the cast getting ready for the day. A new morning had arrived.
Today’s breakfast had been prepared by Bai Tingting and Bian Jincheng. The night before, after the game, Bai Tingting had approached him. “Let’s make breakfast together tomorrow. We’re the only ones who don’t have to give out flowers, so our schedule’s different from theirs.”
She was right. Today, she and Bian Jincheng weren’t part of the flower-giving date activity and could use the time as they liked.
“Alright. Want me to wake you up early tomorrow?”
“Mm-hmm.” Bai Tingting nodded with a smile.
After breakfast, everyone headed to a scenic spot chosen by the production team for today’s flower-giving segment.
Today, the female guests were giving flowers first.
Mu Fu, as guest number one, was up first.
The six male guests stood in a row facing the four women. Bai Tingting and Bian Jincheng, though not participating, came to watch from the sidelines.
All eyes followed Mu Fu as she stepped forward. Everyone was eager to see who would receive her kapok flower.
Wen Shu knew—technically—he and Mu Fu had agreed to pick each other today. But his newly awakened feelings had shaken him. He wasn’t quite as confident as he’d been yesterday.
Each step Mu Fu took felt like it landed directly on his chest—tense and electrifying. Then she stopped in front of him and smiled—a brilliant, heart-melting smile—and held out the flower.
Wen Shu maintained a calm facade as he stepped forward to take it. Once she turned away, his lips curled into a smile he couldn’t suppress. His eyes, his entire expression, lit up with joy.
Watching this unfold, viewers were ecstatic. They’re it! This is the tsundere couple we’re rooting for!
Just yesterday, Wen Shu had seemed so aloof toward her… and now? He couldn’t take his eyes off her. And every time she almost noticed, he’d quickly look away, pretending nothing had happened.
If this isn’t classic tsundere behavior, what is? Viewers were all in. Ship them? Absolutely. Full speed ahead. There’s no way investing in this couple won’t pay off.
Some even hoped Mu Fu would serve Wen Shu a full-on “you ignored me yesterday, now watch me rise above you” arc—or better yet, a tragic “chasing-his-wife-back-from-the-ashes” plot twist.
But of course, all that was just speculation from fans after the show aired. Right now, Mu Fu had no idea.
Next up was female guest number two, Fan Xinjie. She handed her kapok flower to Fang Yuhang.
Fang Yuhang responded with a playful wink and exaggerated expression, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Fan Xinjie let out a mock-scolding sigh. “Ugh, you’re so unserious.” Still, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Then it was guest number three, Wei Qiqiao’s turn—she gave her flower to Wen Shu, too.
Mu Fu glanced over but didn’t take it to heart. She already knew—both from this life and the one before—that Wei Qiqiao wasn’t Wen Shu’s type. So, to her, there was no real competition.
Guest number four, Xie Shirui, handed her flower to Pang Chuan.
Pang Chuan broke into a goofy grin, clearly surprised. He had fully expected a repeat of yesterday, when no one had chosen him. Even though he’d shared a few sweet moments with Xie Shirui the night before, he hadn’t actually expected her to pick him.
His reaction made Xie Shirui blush, and she quickly ducked her head and ran back to her spot.
With that, the women had all handed out their flowers. Now it was time to see which couples would be matched for today’s dates—depending on who the men chose in return.
Male guest number one, Gui Xingye, gave his rose to Fan Xinjie.
Male guest number two, Bian Jincheng, was skipped—he and Bai Tingting were already a confirmed couple.
Then came male guest number three, Fang Yuhang. He handed his flower to Fan Xinjie as well—matching the one she had given him earlier. That made them the second official couple of the day.
Guest number four, Pang Chuan, gave his flower to Xie Shirui—making them the third successful match of the day.
Guest number five, Zhu Hongjun, stood holding his rose, glancing over at Bai Tingting beside him. But he didn’t move. For a long time, he just stood there. Even after several nudges from the director, he still hesitated—until finally, he walked over and handed the flower to Mu Fu.
Mu Fu looked at her very first flower of the day and smiled, her mood lifting a little. “Thank you.”
Zhu Hongjun replied casually, “No big deal.” The truth was, the person he wanted to give it to wasn’t there. So at that point, it didn’t matter who got it—he had no intention of actually going on a date anyway.
Then came male guest number six, Ma Yangxia. He gave his rose to Fan Xinjie. At this point, Fan Xinjie had received flowers from three of the male guests.
Wei Qiqiao bit her lower lip, her expression turning pale. She stared hopefully at the last man who hadn’t chosen yet—Wen Shu.
She placed all her hope on him now. In her heart, she silently begged for a gesture—just like Ma Yangxia had done yesterday. Maybe Wen Shu would take pity on her for not receiving any flowers and give her one out of kindness.
But Wen Shu didn’t do that. Instead, he walked straight over to Mu Fu and handed her the bright red rose.
Wei Qiqiao’s expression instantly darkened. Her eyes flashed with jealousy and resentment as she looked at Mu Fu.
Mu Fu’s lips curved upward into a bright, radiant smile. She looked at Wen Shu and said warmly, “I’ll take good care of it.” When it started to wilt, she’d dry it and preserve it—so it could last a long time.
Wen Shu’s cheeks flushed slightly, though it was barely visible against his complexion. But the tips of his ears gave him away—they were bright red. He cleared his throat and muttered, “Do what you want.”
Unlike yesterday’s cool indifference, there was now a touch of bashful sincerity in his tone.
At that moment, one of the show staff stepped forward and announced, “That concludes today’s flower exchange! We have four matched couples. The rest of the guests are free to use their time here as they wish.”
The ones left behind in the courtyard were Wei Qiqiao, Gui Xingye, Zhu Hongjun, and Ma Yangxia.
The staff continued, “In a moment, we’ll have a little challenge for the couples who successfully matched today. If they pass, they’ll win an exclusive dating package for tomorrow. Oh, and by the way—this date will last for three days!”
Three whole days?! Zhu Hongjun shot the staff member a sharp glare. If they’d told him that earlier, he would’ve fought harder to pair up—even if it wasn’t with Bai Tingting!
The others who remained behind felt the same way: a wave of regret and frustration swept through them. A three-day date? The show must have something major planned.
Everyone started guessing it might be a trip—otherwise, why else would they allocate so much time?
Wei Qiqiao felt especially awful. Not only was she bitter about Wen Shu choosing Mu Fu, but now she was also full of regret over her earlier choice to give her flower to him.
She should’ve picked Ma Yangxia. Yesterday, he had chosen her. If she had returned the gesture today, he most likely would’ve chosen her again.
Now she could only blame herself. Just thinking about how she’d be the only female guest stuck here for the next three days—while all the other women got to go out on a date—filled her with resentment.
Axolotl Translations 
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