Chapter 26 Smiles will not disappear, only shift

Shen Jinyue really was a gluttonous loser, embroiled in a tit-for-tat argument with him; she was fuming mad yet still clung stubbornly to her bowl and chopsticks as she ate.

"If you can't eat, you can change tables," he leaned back, looking nonchalant, "If you can't stand me, then choose another table."

"You think I'll change tables just because you say so? I won't change, just to infuriate you!" Shen Jinyue said with little dignity, shoveling rice into her mouth, almost crying from anger but not forgetting to pick up more food.

Boo hoo hoo, why is this food so delicious! It's so crafty!

Xu Qingyan pursed his lips; he had just finished cooking not long ago and temporarily had no appetite.

Not far away, Song Enya and Nian Shuyu had already taken their seats too; they didn't even glance in Xu Qingyan's direction, as if avoiding the Lonely Star of Death.

Song Enya chose Chen Feiyu's table, the epitome of a caring dog lover. Xu Qingyan watched from a distance Chen Feiyu's smooth eye movements and the expression on his face as if his heart was melting, and couldn't help but feel sour.

As for Nian Shuyu, she made a round and unexpectedly chose Bai Jinze.

Xu Qingyan caught a glimpse by chance, just in time to see You Zijun's face filled with disbelief, watching Nian Shuyu, who had been all smiles in the morning, slowly take a seat at another man's table.

Ah, poor Brother Xu is going to seal his heart with cement.

The results of the Heartbeat Lunch Challenge were quite clear. Xu Qingyan's table won with an overwhelming victory, but it was unclear what the so-called reward from the production team would be.

He hoped it would be cash, the kind that folds.

Pei Muchan stopped eating after a few bites and raised her eyes to glance at him, speaking softly.

"You speak too impulsively, it will cause trouble."

To this, Xu Qingyan remained unconcerned.

He was just an ordinary person; what would a bit of radical opinion matter? He wasn't a public figure, and besides, none of the Western dishes made by the several guys present could compete.

Being invincible is lonely, and being criticized is a badge of honor. If he got scolded into the trending searches, the director would have to pay him more, thanking him for his hard work.

At that moment, the viewers in front of the live streaming camera were waiting for Xu Qingyan to continue his radical commentary. But to their surprise, Xu Qingyan stopped spouting off.

"I know, a shy person like me won't cause any trouble."

Upon hearing this, Pei Muchan couldn't help but turn to give him a deep look, saying wordlessly.

"You seem to have redefined the word 'shy.'

"I really am very shy." Xu Qingyan chatted casually with Pei Muchan while keeping an eye on You Zijun's direction, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curving upwards.

"How are you shy?"

"When I take a taxi, I let the driver go first, and when I ride, I usually only sit in the trunk," said Xu Qingyan, "If I see someone else's girlfriend, I dare not kiss her, and I dare not pay when I go to the supermarket."

As soon as he finished speaking, the barrage of comments erupted into laughter.

"Dammit, he's utterly harmless to society. I thought Brother Xu really had social anxiety, but this is true social anxiety."

"Where did the production team find this guy? He can make state banquet dishes and is so annoying; it's impossible to become a fan. I have rheumatism and can't handle someone so edgy."

Shen Jinyue, having just finished eating, joined in the conversation.

"Xu Qingyan, someone like you must have few friends, right?"

It was mealtime and idle otherwise; Xu Qingyan picked up his bowl and chopsticks, serving himself rice while leisurely bickering with Shen Jinyue.

"Yes, mainly because I prefer to swear on my life, which is why there are fewer and fewer friends left who can still breathe. Shen Jinyue, we're friends, aren't we?"

"Swear on your own life, damn it, you narcissist!" Shen Jinyue had finished eating, made a face, and her little watermelon sister's face was full of rejection.

Pei Muchan chuckled lightly, gracefully picking up the food as the sea breeze blew and the sound of the waves surged. Inside, her heart suddenly felt much calmer, even for a moment it felt...

This isn't too bad.

Before long, lunchtime ended.

A staff member, carrying a black box, walked over. After looking around for a bit, and seeing that all the guests had arrived, they announced the results of the challenge.

"The victorious male guest of this Heartbeat Lunch Challenge is—Xu Qingyan!"

Cheers and applause erupted on the scene, even if some of the male guests were reluctant, they had to be magnanimous in front of the cameras. Bai Jinze's smile twitched, and his face turned ugly.

Luckily, with Nian Shuyu as a backup, he saved some face and didn't lose completely.

By now, Bai Jinze hated Xu Qingyan through and through. Who was this nobody to have it so easy? Can't he see his place? Once the love reality show ends, who will remember him?

Expecting to make a fortune through live-streaming? Dream on! This universally disliked clown, how could he possibly have fans!

His smile was bright, but his heart was filled with gloom.

Xu Qingyan must go; he had to find someone to team up with and vote him out at the voting session the day after tomorrow.

As for Pei Muchan, her popularity had been on the decline, and Bai Jinze refused to believe she joined the love reality show without any ulterior motives. After all, who would join if not for fame and fortune?

Once they get rid of that upstart, Xu Qingyan, the rest—the fools—are hardly a concern. Liu Renzhi has nothing but muscles, a block of tofu has more brains than him.

Chen Feiyu is just a sycophant, unable to see that Song Enya is just toying with him, ready to cast him aside whenever she no longer needs him. By then, he'll be nothing but a desolate, discarded dog.

As for You Zijun, ha, rich and foolish.

Among the eight people, the only one he cared for was Pei Muchan.

Even though Pei Muchan is now indifferent to him, Bai Jinze believes that once Xu Qingyan is gone, he will be the best choice for her.

It's just about forming a CP and creating media hype, and no one knows this game better than him.

What little diva, can't write a song, what separates her from a third-rate actor like him? In the end, she too must rely on hype to make a comeback and then make money from livestreams.

The staff member took out the prize from the box—it was actually a pair of chains.

Xu Qingyan was bewildered, as were the netizens; the barrage of messages suddenly became comical.

"Haha, the production team can't watch anymore, Xu Dog is going to be shackled! Celebrate universally, if Brother Xu were not born, dog kennels would remain forever unoccupied!"

"That's too outrageous! The reward for a love reality show task is actually a chain handcuff!"

"Oh my, Xu Dog is so pitiful (contorted crawling) (insane screaming) (tell everyone) (giggling at home)"

Under the sunlight, the gleaming chain looked somewhat dazzling.

The staff member, in a fit of insanity, held it up high for all the guests to see, eliciting a gasp from everyone.

Xu Qingyan felt like the executioner of King Louis XVI must have done something similar when showing the guillotine to the public.

"This is the Heartbeat Chain, and the male guest who obtains it can choose any female guest to bind with!" the staff member announced loudly, and in an instant, everyone fell silent.

Even the mocking comments about Xu Qingyan in the chat decreased by a lot, falling silent.

A smile doesn't disappear, it just moves elsewhere.

Xu. Lonely Star of Death. Qingyan lifted his head, revealing an unsettlingly wild smile.