Volume One, Chapter 13: Could You Let Go of My Hand First?
“Shengsheng?” Shen Nianchi called out when she remained still.
“Ready to start, ten-second countdown: 10, 9, 8...” The staff’s voice echoed at that moment.
Water splashed against their bodies, sending droplets flying. Shen Nianchi took the initiative to hold Wen Zhi and jumped in.
The water was somewhat warm, but Wen Zhi couldn’t help shivering slightly.
“Cold?” Shen Nianchi asked softly, his voice filled with concern.
“No...” she replied.
Hearing this, Shen Nianchi instinctively tightened his embrace, holding her close.
The water rippled gently as the two stayed close together.
On the table beside the hot spring, two cups of hot chocolate milk had already been placed.
After getting out, Shen Nianchi draped a towel over Wen Zhi’s shoulders and handed her a cup. “Drink some hot chocolate milk to warm up.”
“Thank you...” she murmured.
At this moment, a staff member reminded them, “Please proceed to the changing room. Clean clothes are ready. After changing, head to the designated restaurant for dinner.”
Shen Nianchi’s patience wore thin. When had he agreed to these arrangements with Qin Yi?
Though displeased, he carefully draped the down jacket over Wen Zhi’s shoulders.
The live chat exploded with ‘wow’s, viewers astonished by the scene.
It was like a perfect reenactment of the moment in the anime “Stealing Heartbeats” when the male lead puts a coat on the female lead. Shen Nianchi and Shengsheng had flawlessly recreated it, even wearing the same down jackets — an exhilarating sight.
The stream’s popularity surged several times over, with the audience count skyrocketing.
“Big bro, if you catch a cold, I’ll be so heartbroken!”
“Me too!”
“Ugh, this production team is ruthless! They’ll do anything for ratings! Is this punishment really necessary?”
“Ahhh, feeling for big bro!”
“If big bro and husband get sick, I’ll be devastated!”
“This production team is way too much. Can’t they cut down on these unnecessary segments???”
“These aren’t dates — they’re torture!”
“Is the production team out of their minds?”
“So heartbreaking for big bro.”
“The husband’s cold, yet still worries about big bro. Their relationship is complicated!”
...
The comments flew by, but Wen Zhi and Shen Nianchi couldn’t see them.
“Let’s go.” Shen Nianchi took Wen Zhi’s small hand and left for the changing room.
Wen Zhi was surprised and instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Shen Nianchi held it firmly.
This was nothing like what she had expected.
Wasn’t he supposed to clarify things?
Wouldn’t this only make things more confusing?!
The live chat lit up again: “Oh my god, they’re holding hands! So unexpected.”
“Aaaah, so sweet!”
“Too sweet, sob, I love them!”
“Envious of big bro—husband takes the initiative to hug and hold hands! So jealous!”
“Come on, civil affairs office, hurry up and register them!!!”
“So sweet, Shen Nianchi must be falling for Shengsheng!”
“They’re really perfect for each other!”
“I love these two so much!”
“Shen Nianchi really spoils her!”
“Big bro might catch a cold, sob, so heartbreaking.”
“This production team’s segments are awful, totally unsuitable for dating!”
...
In the changing room, Wen Zhi shyly covered her chest. “Brother, can you please let go of my hand?”
Their microphones had been removed upon entering, so no one outside could hear what happened in the spacious changing room.
“Hmm? Shengsheng’s shy?” Shen Nianchi paused, then chuckled lightly, teasing.
“No...” Wen Zhi shook her head, feeling uneasy inside.
“Hmm~ You say no, but why is your face so red?”
Shen Nianchi leaned closer, intrigued by the faint blush on her cheeks, tempted to...
What was his mind thinking? This was a bit out of control.
“I just came out of the hot spring; the water was a bit hot,” Wen Zhi nervously offered, struggling to free her hand.
What was he trying to do?
Holding hands during a livestream was one thing, but keeping hold like this was a little inappropriate, wasn’t it?
Their relationship...
“Alright, whatever Shengsheng says goes.”
At that moment, a knock sounded outside. “Have you two finished changing? Please hurry.”
“Almost done,” Shen Nianchi replied.
Wen Zhi finally relaxed, took off her down jacket and set it aside, then picked up some clothes to change in the small room inside.
But her hair was still damp and messy from the hot spring. She reached up to smooth it out for convenience.
Unexpectedly, before her hand could touch her hair, another hand beat her to it.
It was Shen Nianchi’s.
Wen Zhi froze, the clothes slipping from her fingers.
“Brother...” she whispered softly.
Though faint, Shen Nianchi heard her.
Instead of letting go, he gently smoothed her hair back.
“All done,” he whispered, then bent down to pick up the clothes she’d dropped. “Go ahead and change.”
“Mm...” Wen Zhi replied, clutching the clothes as she stepped into the small room.
Shen Nianchi waited until she was inside before unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his toned chest. After removing his clothes, he reached for the garments nearby.
At that moment, his peripheral vision caught some items displayed on a cabinet...
They were... pink!
His mouth twitched as he picked one up — strawberry-flavored! Was the production team advertising in places without cameras?
Shen Nianchi felt helpless. He and Shengsheng had no use for these things...
After dressing, Wen Zhi had yet to emerge.
Knocking sounded again outside. “Please hurry up, both of you.”
“Got it,” Shen Nianchi answered.
He walked to the small room’s door and knocked. “Shengsheng? Are you done?”
No response.
He knocked again. “Shengsheng?”
When silence persisted, his brow furrowed. Had she fainted inside?
Worry crept into his heart.
“Shengsheng? What’s wrong?”
He pushed the door, but it wouldn’t open. “Shengsheng!”
Still no answer. He raised his voice. “Shengsheng, brother’s knocking!!!”
He pushed harder, and suddenly the door was pulled open from the inside.
Shen Nianchi lost his footing, stumbling forward. Wen Zhi was pressed against the wall, her back aching slightly.