Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Is That Man Really That Great?

After work, Qin Yi lay on the hotel bed, watching the video clip with a knowing smile, thinking to herself, "It’s hard for those two not to end up together!"

Then suddenly, a thought struck her. The English abbreviation "snc" in Wen Zhi’s QQ password—could it stand for Shen Nianchi?

Could Shen Nianchi really be that person?!

It seemed she needed to find time to probe carefully.

In the early hours, the official Weibo account of "Heartbeat for You" posted a message: Today’s self-arranged date guests include @Shen Nianchi, @Wen Zhi, @Jiang Youyou, and @Wei Yuan. Date partners can be switched under the following condition: If the person you want to date first appears in your livestream, the switch is successful; if the desired partner refuses, they must drink eight glasses of lemon water as a penalty. Note: This livestream is filmed by the guests themselves.

Once this post went live, it propelled the hashtag #CloseAtHand# back to trending status. Fans eagerly anticipated whether the participants would change their dating partners tomorrow.

“Oh my god, I’m so excited!”

“Waaah, I want to see Shengsheng’s wife!”

“Husband, pick Wen Zhi, please!”

“Ahhh, the production team is ruthless! Eight glasses of lemon water!”

“Oh my, so enviable.”

“Ahhh, I want lemon water!”

...

The next morning, Wen Zhi was woken by a knock on the door.

Still groggy, her hair a little messy, wearing a white camisole, she sleepily got out of bed to open the door.

The moment she saw Shen Nianchi, all traces of sleep vanished. “Brother...” she called softly, quickly covering her neckline with her hand.

She was only wearing a camisole dress.

“Hmm~” Shen Nianchi responded lightly, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze wandering elsewhere. “Just woke up?”

Wen Zhi blushed, avoiding his eyes, nodding slightly. “Mm... are you going out?”

“No hurry, we can leave in a bit.” Shen Nianchi said as his eyes briefly scanned her clothes.

Her camisole dress had a somewhat low neckline, revealing fair skin and a sexy collarbone. Her long hair was slightly tousled over her shoulders, resembling a sleepy little kitten with messy fur.

“Oh... I’ll change first then.”

She closed the door behind her.

Leaning against the door, Wen Zhi patted her flushed cheeks. “Calm down, calm down...”

Shen Nianchi watched the closed door, a faint smile lifting his thin lips.

He turned and headed downstairs.

---

Wearing a light pink down jacket layered over a pure white turtleneck knit sweater, paired with fitted jeans that made her long legs look incredibly slender, and a pair of fluffy white snow boots, she looked simple and elegant—not dull, but sweet and cool.

Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail with a black hair tie, revealing a smooth and full forehead.

Her makeup was light, with just a touch of lipstick on her rosy lips as she stepped out.

“Brother... let’s go.” Wen Zhi hurried down the stairs.

“Hmm.” Shen Nianchi responded softly, setting down the glass he was holding and reaching out his hand to her, “Come here...”

Wen Zhi frowned slightly, puzzled. “Huh?”

“Want to spend the whole day hungry?”

He smiled gently at her, his eyes full of tender affection.

She hesitated, thinking of the three photos, and then said, “Do you think that paparazzo will follow us today...?”

She was worried about being photographed again. The dating show was popular, but the buzz around their relationship hadn’t completely died down.

However, Shen Nianchi didn’t take her words that way.

His gaze darkened, growing intense, and his lips curled into a smile that was as charming as it was chilling in the warm light of the restaurant.

“Shengsheng is worried?” he asked.

She was concerned that if the relationship was exposed, her chances with Cheng Cheng would diminish. After all, the relationship between them was a sensitive barrier.

Wen Zhi blinked, her expression suddenly dimming. “Yes... if the paparazzi expose it, and netizens connect the dots, the relationship would be misunderstood... but we are siblings!”

They were clearly not on the same wavelength.

“...”

As Wen Zhi finished speaking, Shen Nianchi stared at her, startled for a moment. His complexion turned strange, a flicker of hostility flashing in his eyes.

His suddenly upturned smile looked exceptionally handsome under the warm restaurant lighting, but despite the smile, a coldness was unmistakably felt.

Their eyes met, Wen Zhi’s little heart pounded wildly, her eyelashes trembling.

But his gaze was too sharp, as if trying to see right through her. She felt flustered and quickly averted her eyes, afraid of revealing the fluttering feelings she secretly harbored.

Looking at the breakfast on the table, biting her lip and nervously fiddling with her down jacket, Wen Zhi stammered, “Maybe... we should change?”

At this, Shen Nianchi’s face darkened, his eyes turning icy. He clenched his back molars and said through gritted teeth, “Is that guy really that good?”

That guy?

What guy?

Wen Zhi sensed his anger and was confused. “What?”

What was wrong with him?

“No one’s better or worse,” Wen Zhi tried to explain, “I just don’t want our relationship dragged into this again.”

---

At her words, Shen Nianchi’s expression suddenly turned cold. His obsidian-like eyes flashed with anger, and a chilling aura radiated from him. His hand clenched tightly, veins bulging as he suppressed his fury, lips pressed thin.

He was still defending that man—utterly unreasonable.

“Is that so?”

Wen Zhi was frightened by his demeanor, shaking her head repeatedly. “Mm... not really...”

She didn’t understand why he was angry. They were fine just moments ago, so why the sudden change?

“Forget it... if you want to change, then change. But... stay away from that man. He’s no good.”

His voice was harsh, dripping with unwillingness.

She could like anyone, just not that man!

“Ah? But...”

“I’ve said it, anyone but that man!” Shen Nianchi’s gaze fixed tightly on her, his warning unmistakable.

“I... but I only know Wei Yuan!” Wen Zhi whispered.

Wei Yuan?

Wasn’t it supposed to be that Cheng Cheng?

Shen Nianchi furrowed his brow. A smokescreen? Or was she just avoiding telling him the truth, trying to distance herself?

“He’s not allowed either!”

Shen Nianchi’s tone was firm and domineering, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles trembled.

“Ah? But...” Wen Zhi hesitated for a few seconds, then frowned. “I don’t know anyone else... should I just livestream by myself?”

No sooner had she spoken than she felt a chilling gaze from above, making her shrink her neck. “That’s not... allowed either?”

Seeing this, Shen Nianchi’s face darkened. He looked at her displeased. “No!”

No?

What did that mean?

If this didn’t work, surely not streaming was allowed?

Before she could say more, the doorbell rang. Wen Zhi turned to open the door but was stopped by Shen Nianchi grabbing her wrist.

“You eat breakfast... I’ll get the door.”