Here are the house rules:
- No one is allowed to reveal the identity of their ex or mention anything related to them.
2. On the first day, you’re not allowed to disclose your job or age.
3. Sharing personal contact information is strictly prohibited.
4. Daily chores and cooking must be done by a pair—one male and one female.
Everyone’s expression shifted slightly after reading the rules.
Rong Yongxin was the first to speak. “Why don’t we take a look around the villa? We can check out the rooms while we’re at it. I’m curious to see what kind of spaces the production team has set up for us.”
“Sounds good!”
“I’m in.”
“Let’s go then.”
On the first floor, aside from the living room and kitchen, they found a spacious gym—and just outside the gym, there was an open-air balcony.
Xia Sihan smiled and said, “This would be a great place to do yoga. There’s so much space.”
Rong Yongxin looked surprised. “You know yoga, Sihan?”
She gave a shy little laugh. “Just a bit. I’m still learning.”
“I’ve always wanted to try,” he said. “But I’ve been too busy. Maybe you could teach me sometime?”
“Sure, though I’ve only just started, so I’m not that good.”
“That’s okay. You still know more than I do!” He laughed.
And just like that, Rong Yongxin and Xia Sihan had casually arranged to spend more time together.
Mu Fu didn’t pay much attention to the others’ reactions—she was more focused on the interaction. She had a hunch: maybe Rong Yongxin and Xia Sihan were exes. The way he quickly made plans with her felt a little too smooth. But it was just a theory—something she kept to herself.
Near the gym, they found a door leading downstairs. The group followed it and discovered a basement. Several rooms lined the corridor, but every door was locked. Mu Fu figured it was intentional—probably part of the production team’s setup. That basement was clearly going to play a key role later on.
Since none of the doors opened, they moved upstairs.
The second floor held the guest bedrooms. The guys checked out their rooms first—there were two bedrooms, each meant for two people.
When Feng Ningran peeked into the women’s quarters, she gasped, “We’re sharing rooms too! And look—it’s all pink and so pretty. I love it!”
Her excited voice drew everyone else toward the girls’ room door.
Mu Fu liked it, too. The design was charming, and between the two bedrooms, there was even a walk-in closet—plenty of space for storage.
After the full tour, it was finally time to divide up the rooms.
Xia Sihan chose to room with Wu Qingyi, which meant the remaining room naturally went to Mu Fu and Feng Ningran.
Mu Fu didn’t mind Xia Sihan picking her roommate first. In her eyes, there wasn’t much difference between the rooms—either way was fine. Plus, even though Feng Ningran seemed a bit delicate and dainty, she hadn’t shown any major red flags so far.
But Feng Ningran didn’t see things that way. She was deeply annoyed by Xia Sihan’s proactive move. In fact, she now viewed Xia Sihan as her biggest rival, not Mu Fu. Hadn’t Xia Sihan just exchanged a few words with Rong Yongxin and already managed to charm him into making plans for next time?
No way she was going to let the two of them spend any time alone together. From now on, she’d make sure to stay close—very close.
Fueled by jealousy, she had completely forgotten her earlier interest in trying to get to know Xu Kangning.
Feng Ningran’s strong reaction wasn’t just about jealousy—it stemmed from a much deeper reason—Rong Yongxin was her ex-boyfriend.
They’d been together for a year. She had been the one to pursue him, and eventually, they naturally ended up in a relationship. Their breakup was a result of her constant jealousy and dramatic behavior, which pushed Rong Yongxin to the edge. The final straw came when she saw another girl pestering him. Enraged, she broke up with him on impulse. But Rong Yongxin, already at his wit’s end, took the opportunity and agreed without hesitation.
Originally, Feng Ningran had only wanted to threaten him, expecting that he would come crawling back with gifts and apologies. But she waited and waited… and he never came.
That’s when she realized he was serious.
After some time had passed, she began to regret it. Back when they were together, Rong Yongxin had always spoiled her, catered to her every whim, and prepared surprises behind the scenes. But now, post-breakup, all of that was gone.
So when she saw the casting call for this reality show, she signed up—hoping to win him back on air.
It had been six months since they split.
Once everyone finished unpacking, the eight cast members gathered in the living room to plan out the house duties for the next two weeks.
Since they all had day jobs, they decided that each pair would only be responsible for cooking dinner—not lunch or breakfast.
As for the first night, they’d all cook together.
Xia Sihan offered up her culinary skills, volunteering herself for the second night. Before Rong Yongxin could even respond, Ding Binbing quickly stepped in and paired up with her.
Sensing tension in the air, Xia Sihan smiled and said, “Yongxin, I know you probably wanted to partner with me because of my cooking, but maybe take the chance to get to know the other girls too. I’m sure their skills are just as good. Besides, this is only the first week—we can cook together next week, okay?”
Although Rong Yongxin had a good impression of Xia Sihan, he didn’t want to pass up the chance to get to know the other female guests. Now that Xia Sihan had handed him a graceful out, he simply smiled and said, “Haha, I was just curious about your cooking. Let’s plan for next week then.”
With Rong Yongxin suitably reassured, Xia Sihan subtly shifted her gaze toward Yu Mo and Xu Kangning, who had been quietly standing to the side. Among the four male guests, these two stood out in both looks and presence. She was certainly intrigued—but having already stirred things up with Ding Binbing and Rong Yongxin, she knew it wasn’t the right moment to make a move on the other two.
As soon as Rong Yongxin finished speaking, Feng Ningran quickly jumped in. “Brother Yongxin, can we cook together on the third day?” Her voice was rushed, and before he could refuse, she looked at him with wide, pitiful eyes.
Rong Yongxin chuckled. “Sure. I’ll come find you then.”
“Mm-hmm!” she chirped, practically glowing.
Out of sight from the others, she shot Xia Sihan a smug, challenging look.
Xia Sihan didn’t seem to notice. She simply smiled back gently, with that usual soft and elegant grace.
“Hmph,” Feng Ningran huffed inwardly. There’s no way that woman isn’t fuming. She must be eating herself alive knowing I just hijacked her moment with Brother Yongxin.
Of course, Xia Sihan had seen the glare—and completely disregarded it. Feng Ningran wore every emotion on her face like an open book. There was no need to guess what she was thinking. Right now, the only woman Xia Sihan considered a real threat was Wu Qingyi.
Feng Ningran was flashy and spoiled. Wu Qingyi had a calm elegance, with a poised and graceful demeanor. Mu Fu, on the other hand, had a sweet, innocent softness—her fresh-faced charm outshone the others even with minimal makeup.
In terms of pure looks, Mu Fu was probably the biggest threat. But overall? Wu Qingyi was the one to watch. After all, what man wouldn’t want a beautiful woman who could charm in public and be dependable at home?
Watching the rising tension between Ding Binbing and Rong Yongxin over Xia Sihan, Mu Fu let out a small, knowing smile.
She was participating in the show as more of a spectator than a competitor, so all this chest-thumping behavior just made her admire Xia Sihan’s craftiness. It was impressive—something Mu Fu herself couldn’t pull off.
But just as she was about to ask Yu Mo to pair up with her—only two male guests remained, and one of them was Xu Kangning!—Wu Qingyi beat her to the punch.
“Kangning, mind if I partner with you?” Wu Qingyi asked brightly, her smile lighting up the room.
Xu Kangning glanced briefly at the expressionless Mu Fu, then replied, “Sure, let’s take day four.”
That left Mu Fu and Yu Mo to naturally become the final pair.
Mu Fu had actually been hoping to be paired with Yu Mo, so she wasn’t at all upset by the final arrangement. She glanced at Yu Mo and whispered, “Next week, you can switch to the girl you actually want.”
What she meant was: even if he wasn’t happy being paired with her now, he could just tolerate it for the week—new female guests would be coming soon anyway.
Yu Mo gave a quick glance at the pretty girl beside him, who clearly lacked confidence, and replied in a calm, detached tone, “I don’t plan on switching.”
Mu Fu’s eyes flew open wide. Wait, what? Had she just… imagined everything?
She didn’t get a chance to dwell on it. Everyone was already discussing who would head to the supermarket and who would stay behind at the villa to cook and clean.
Xia Sihan carefully raised her hand. “I’d like to go to the supermarket. There are a few things I need to pick up,” she said, then looked around hopefully at the others vying for the outing.
Feng Ningran shot her a glare. “I want to go too! I want to choose my own food.”
Xia Sihan pressed her lips together in disappointment and said softly, “Then let Ningran go. I’ll stay.”
Rong Yongxin, standing nearby, chimed in, “Ningran, just tell us what you want—we’ll get it for you.”
But Feng Ningran snapped back, “She can tell me what she wants too, and I’ll buy it for her! And you—you actually chose to go out with her? How could you?” Her voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
Just thinking about how Rong Yongxin had been revolving around Xia Sihan all day made her feel miserable.
The villa saw its first real argument.
Rong Yongxin rubbed his forehead, clearly exasperated. “It’s not the same. Xia Sihan probably needs to buy some things for the villa—stuff she’s used to. Only she knows what brands she prefers. Food’s easier to figure out.”
Feng Ningran fired back, “Oh really? Did she tell you that? Why didn’t she say it herself—why are you speaking for her?”
She was fuming. Rong Yongxin was actually defending that woman—and even taking her side against her!
At that moment, Wu Qingyi stepped in and gently grabbed Feng Ningran’s arm. “Alright, Ningran. I’ll go with you. It’s fine—the show didn’t say how many people can go out anyway.”
Then she turned to Xia Sihan. “Sihan, you can decide who you want to go with. I’ll be with Ningran.”
Feng Ningran stood off to the side, arms crossed and fuming, but she didn’t object to Wu Qingyi’s suggestion. Seeing her finally calm down, Rong Yongxin quietly let out a breath of relief.
Xia Sihan looked at Wu Qingyi with sincere gratitude. “Qingyi…”
Wu Qingyi offered her a reassuring smile, then turned to Xu Kangning. “Kangning, do you want to come with us?”
Xu Kangning paused, thought for a moment, then nodded. “Sure.”
And just like that, everyone except Mu Fu and Yu Mo headed off to the supermarket.
That’s right—even Ding Binbing tagged along when they left.
Axolotl Translations 
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