Volume One, Chapter 14: Teacher Shen, Are You Already Smitten?

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Because the tops she had prepared were a bit sheer, Wen Zhi had delayed coming out. She had intended to wait until he went out first to put on the microphone before slipping into her down jacket, but unexpectedly, he bumped into the door. Later, Wen Zhi would learn that the person inside the room could hear those outside speaking, yet the opposite was not true.

“Shengsheng…”

They were very close, noses almost touching.

“Brother…”

Warm breath brushed against his face, and Shen Nianchi’s eyes changed instantly.

“Shengsheng, you…”

His voice faltered slightly, and the hand around Wen Zhi’s waist loosened a little. Touching the thin gauzy fabric gave him the illusion of directly feeling her bare skin.

“Brother, I’ve changed. We can go out now…”

Wen Zhi’s voice trembled a bit. She could clearly sense the change in his breathing and the burning heat of his palm.

Snapping back to reality, Shen Nianchi immediately released Wen Zhi and turned to fetch the down jacket, averting his gaze. He handed it to her, saying, “Put this on, so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.”

Wen Zhi nodded and slipped the jacket over herself.

Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Nianchi watched her, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously before he quickly looked away. “Let’s… go.”

Wen Zhi nodded and walked beside him.

At that moment, the staff saw them finally emerge and craned their necks to peek at the items on the cabinet, which remained untouched. They breathed a sigh of relief—it was the restaurant owner’s personal belongings. They hadn’t looked carefully when packing up and had mistaken them for candy. It was fortunate they hadn’t noticed; otherwise, it might have caused trouble…

As they were about to put on their microphones, Shen Nianchi asked, “Is there a hairdryer?”

“Yes, there is. Just a moment.”

The staff quickly answered and fetched the hairdryer.

Shen Nianchi set down his microphone. “Go dry your hair.”

“Okay,” Wen Zhi obediently replied.

Half an hour later, wearing masks, they returned to the camera.

Their dining spot was by the floor-to-ceiling window. The sunset bathed them in a warm, orange glow, making them look exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

Shen Nianchi sat opposite Wen Zhi, his gaze fixed on her.

At that moment, Wen Zhi lowered her head, earnestly choosing dishes while her long hair cascaded over her shoulders.

He recalled their first meeting—just like this. Her parents were on a mission and had asked him to take her out for a meal.

Back then, he had wondered how such an adorable little girl could exist—so well-behaved and sweet!

Unable to resist, Shen Nianchi’s lips curved into a slight smile. He lifted the teacup before him for a sip; just as he set it down, Wen Zhi looked up. Their eyes met, and his heart skipped a beat.

It felt as if something was spreading, slowly capturing his heart.

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“What did you order?”

Shen Nianchi asked, feigning calm.

“Just these dishes,” Wen Zhi said, pointing at the menu.

Seeing his wandering eyes, she frowned slightly. What was wrong with him? Did he dislike her choices?

“Oh, these are all good dishes,” Shen Nianchi realized, smiling.

He stood up. “I’ll go to the restroom.”

With that, he quickly walked out.

Wen Zhi watched his retreating figure, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Just now… he seemed a little strange.

But she didn’t think much of it.

When the food arrived, Shen Nianchi came back and immediately noticed the card from the production team tucked under the plate.

“Please wear the heart rate monitor and begin your date.”

Heart rate?

What was this about?

Curious, Shen Nianchi put on the watch and glanced at it, unsure what to expect…

Qin Yi had forgotten to tell him about this segment.

He handed the watch to Wen Zhi. “This is arranged by the production team—probably a new game. Though I don’t know what they’ll have us do.”

But Wen Zhi already knew. Qin Yi had told her in advance that if their heart rates exceeded 95, they had to remove their masks, and the next day they would have a full-day official date.

Her heart rate shot up straight whenever she faced Shen Nianchi, especially when they were alone.

She had a secret crush on him, and with their awkward romantic entanglement, she feared the truth might be exposed.

After hesitating a moment, Wen Zhi took the watch and put it on.

Seeing it display 80, she immediately covered the screen, as if afraid someone would see.

Shen Nianchi found this oddly amusing. What was wrong with 80? Was it embarrassing?

He sat down. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

Saying this, he picked up a piece of fish and placed it in her bowl.

Wen Zhi lowered her gaze and softly said, “Thank you…”

Though he couldn’t see her expression beneath the mask, he could feel her nervousness and restraint. Yet, with the live cameras, he couldn’t say much.

He ate quietly, occasionally feeding her, and gradually the atmosphere relaxed. Wen Zhi also opened up more.

In front of the cameras, they chatted and laughed, looking like a couple from a fairy tale.

But unexpectedly, before long, Shen Nianchi’s watch began to beep. Frowning, he glanced at the numbers.

Wen Zhi’s watch showed the same—numbers rapidly climbing.

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95, 100…

“Please remove your masks. Tomorrow you will have a live-streamed date with a customizable itinerary. You may also change your date partner.”

They received the message from the production team simultaneously.

Wen Zhi was dumbfounded. Shen Nianchi’s heart rate rose before hers—was it because the food was hot?

It was all part of the plan.

Wen Zhi looked at Shen Nianchi and laughed, “Teacher Shen, you’re already moved so quickly?”

“Teacher Shengsheng, not bad yourself,” Shen Nianchi raised an eyebrow.

They both laughed and reached out together to remove their masks.

At that moment, the night sky outside suddenly burst into brilliant color.

Fireworks soared, illuminating the darkness.

The restaurant lights dimmed.

Neither removed their masks immediately but turned to watch the fireworks.

Their heart rates continued to surge…

The live stream was silent, no comments scrolling by. Everyone focused intently on the faces beneath the masks, afraid to miss a single second.

After a few moments, Shen Nianchi looked at Wen Zhi and removed his fox mask.

“Teacher Shengsheng, aren’t you going to take off your mask?”

He teased her, standing and stepping closer.

Awakened by his words, Wen Zhi snapped back and took off her mask, tilting her head slightly.

Shen Nianchi was close—nose almost touching hers.

“Shengsheng…”

They were so near, their noses nearly brushing.

“I…”

Wen Zhi’s breath caught, palms sweaty.

His eyes were deep, his gaze roaming over her face, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

“Shengsheng, you…”

Warm breath caressed her cheeks, her heart’s fluttering impossible to suppress.

Shen Nianchi gazed at her, unable to resist moving closer, uncontrollably grasping the wrist holding the mask.

His palm was scorching hot.

“Brother… Teacher Shen, you…”

Wen Zhi’s breathing became unsteady, and looking at him, her head instinctively leaned back.