Volume One, Chapter 15: You Watch the Fireworks, I’ll Just Watch You
“Shengsheng, I...”
Shen Nianchi looked at her, feeling a little at a loss, his heart aching slightly.
What’s happening to him? Why is he suddenly so impulsive...
“You watch the fireworks, I’ll just watch you.”
Shen Nianchi said, reaching out to gently turn her face away.
Wen Zhiqing clearly felt her heartbeat quicken. The fireworks no longer held her attention; her mind was filled entirely with Shen Nianchi. No matter how dazzling the fireworks were, they could no longer captivate her.
At that moment, the live streaming room exploded with excitement. The comments flowed like a brilliant display, even more dazzling than the fireworks outside. The heat broke the platform’s highest record, topping all the charts.
“No way, this is such a surprise!”
“I take back what I said about the production team being terrible!!!”
“Ahhh, Shengsheng is absolutely stunning, I’m in love!”
“My wife Shengsheng is so adorable, I want a wife like her too!”
“This is so unexpected, they really are a couple.”
“Ahhh, Shengsheng is mine!”
“Shengsheng is mine!”
“Teacher Shen is mine!”
“Oh my god, I’m so excited, they look perfect together.”
“My goodness, I’m so jealous and envious.”
“That line, ‘You watch the fireworks, I’ll just watch you!’ Ahhh! Help!”
“Ahhh, I envy the big star so much.”
“Wuwu, I want my husband to say that to me too!”
...
On Weibo, this live video had been shared over a million times. Their follower counts on Weibo had also surged by over a million. Someone even revealed Shengsheng’s real name, and the fans from both sides had already created a ship name—#CloseAtHand#
The news about the two was about to blow up the entire trending list.
The other four couples hardly garnered any attention in comparison.
Meanwhile, inside the restaurant, the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate.
Both of their palms began to sweat.
“Sheng...”
Shen Nianchi looked at her profile, unsure how to begin.
He was nervous...
His warm breath brushed against Wen Zhiqing’s face. Her voice trembled, “Teacher Shen...”
She didn’t know what to say either.
“I...”
They spoke in unison.
“You...”
Again, the same words escaped their lips.
Startled, they both paused and exchanged a glance.
Their eyes gleamed with something different. Wen Zhiqing lowered her gaze first, while Shen Nianchi stared at her intently, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Will you go on a date with me tomorrow?”
“I...”
Wen Zhiqing looked at him, her mind racing with thoughts.
Did he really know what he was saying?
“Shengsheng?”
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Nianchi called her nickname softly, his voice full of tenderness.
“All right...”
Wen Zhiqing nodded, her heart still racing.
The live broadcast ended there, but the two were unaware.
“Ahem...”
Clearing his throat, Shen Nianchi turned her around.
He looked at her flushed face and reached out to smooth back the strands of hair near her ear. “Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“I’m not very familiar with Jidao. You decide.”
Hearing this, Shen Nianchi paused for a moment, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He pinched her cheek gently. “So, you’ll let me take the lead all day tomorrow?”
“Mm.”
Wen Zhiqing nodded, her breath uneven. His palm was so warm...
Just then, a staff member pushed the door open and caught sight of the scene.
“Ahem, um...”
The staff couldn’t help but speak up, “Teachers, the live broadcast is over. It’s time to prepare for the interviews.”
Even the staff was trying to suppress a knowing smile.
“Prepare for the interviews?”
Shen Nianchi blinked, then realized, “Got it.”
Wen Zhiqing stayed behind to prepare for the interviews, and the staff asked her to introduce herself first.
“Hello everyone, my name is Wen Zhiqing—Wen as in gentle, and Zhiqing as in little branch. I’m very happy to be invited to participate in this variety show.”
Then the questions began.
“Teacher Wen, is this your first time participating in such a variety show? After spending a few hours with Teacher Shen, how do you feel?”
Wen Zhiqing thought for a moment and answered softly, “This is my first time in a show like this. Teacher Shen gives me the feeling of being gentle and caring.”
Her words sounded a bit too formal...
The staff smiled and said, “Tomorrow you’ll be going on a self-planned date. Do you have any ideas?”
“I’ll follow Teacher Shen’s plans.” Wen Zhiqing replied.
“At the beginning, in the lounge, Teacher Wen mentioned having a crush on one of the male guests. Were you referring to Teacher Shen?”
Upon hearing the question, Wen Zhiqing froze, her eyes flickering with evasiveness.
“Well... at that time, I didn’t know Teacher Shen would be participating. He’s so outstanding, of course, I felt a spark.”
She fidgeted nervously, smoothing her long hair by her ear as she spoke.
The staff smiled and said, “Okay, next question.”
“Mm.” Wen Zhiqing replied, relieved.
“When Teacher Shen’s heart rate first exceeded 95, did your heart skip a beat too?”
The staff continued.
Wen Zhiqing’s mind blanked for a moment...
“Um, it was unexpected... really unexpected...”
Answering this, she stammered slightly.
“Alright, next question.”
“Mm...”
She replied quietly, her palms sweating more and more.
“Teacher Wen, you look a little pale. Are you feeling unwell?” The staff noticed.
“No... no...” Wen Zhiqing shook her head and looked at the staff. “Please continue.”
After finishing the interview, Wen Zhiqing stepped out and saw Shen Nianchi leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway, smoking.
He wore a black shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a seductive collarbone. His long fingers held a cigarette as his thin lips exhaled smoke slowly, looking relaxed yet as if waiting patiently for prey to fall into his trap.
When he saw her emerge, he crushed the cigarette butt and leisurely walked toward her.
Wen Zhiqing dared not meet his gaze and quickly looked away.
“Teacher Shen...”
“You don’t look well...”
He asked as soon as she called his name.
Wen Zhiqing shook her head. “I... I’m fine. I was just a bit nervous because I’m unfamiliar with this.”
Though she said that, he still reached out and took her wrist. “Do you need me to help you relax?”
She knew he was joking, but her cheeks inexplicably flushed.
Seeing her no response, he slowly leaned closer. “Are you sure you don’t want your ‘brother’ to help ease your nerves?”
Shen Nianchi’s breath brushed against her face, stirring her into rapid breaths.
“Th-then...”
Wen Zhiqing lowered her eyes, watching his long hand clasp her wrist. His palm wrapped perfectly around it, his fingertips gently rubbing her delicate skin. She felt a current of electricity surge through her.