Lin Nian stood there, her lips trembling slightly.

She parted her lips, but before she could speak, footsteps approached from behind.

Song Huai stepped out of the living room.

Seeing Lin Nian standing there looking distressed, he walked over quickly.

"What's wrong, Niannian?"

Lin Nian looked up, the rims of her eyes slightly red.

"Brother Song Huai, I accidentally bumped into Sister Wantang just now and already apologized to her... but she still seems unhappy."

Song Huai turned to look at Yu Wantang, his brow furrowing.

"Wantang, I didn't handle things well before. I should have considered your feelings that day," he said with an apologetic tone. "But you can't take your anger out on Niannian."

Yu Wantang looked at him without saying a word.

"Niannian has a gentle personality and isn't used to conflicts. If you bully her like this..."

"I bullied her?" Yu Wantang interrupted him. "Are you blind?"

"Right off the bat, you pin the blame on me. Song Huai, with how self-righteous you are, you must have taken plenty of beatings growing up."

Song Huai's face darkened. "Yu Wantang, watch your tongue."

"Is it harsh?" Yu Wantang tilted her head. "I think it sounds quite pleasant. Far more pleasant than the sweet nothings someone recited after memorizing lines for three days."

Song Huai's expression shifted instantly, and though the flicker was fleeting, the camera still captured it.

The live comments exploded completely.

"Sister Yu, is that something you're allowed to say out loud?"

"Memorizing lines? What lines??"

"Wait, is she saying all of Song Huai's affectionate moments on the show are scripted??"

"I told you he and Lin Nian were fake! It's all just a script."

Supporting Lin Nian, he walked toward the villa, glancing back at Yu Wantang after taking a couple of steps.

Yu Wantang gave him a smile. "Next time you speak, try using your brain. Otherwise, people might think your head is filled with water."

"Wait, is it just me, or did Sister Yu basically say Song Huai has no brain?"

"To the person above, trust yourself, your ears didn't deceive you."

...

Leaning against the railing, the sea breeze tousled Yu Wantang's wisps of hair. Without glancing at the camera, she naturally turned around and gazed at the distant ocean.

Sunlight illuminated her from behind, outlining a delicate silhouette along her shoulders.

Her skin gave off a healthy glow under the light, not the kind of pale complexion achieved through meticulous cosmetic routines,

but rather a vibrant tone that had genuinely been kissed by the sun.

As this scene broadcasted live, netizens were completely mesmerized.

"This camera angle is so gorgeous! The aesthetic is absolutely top-tier!"

"When filming other female guests: make it as sexy as possible. When Camera 1 films Yu Wantang: make it as beautiful as possible."

"After seeing so many pale, frail starlets, I suddenly feel like this is what a normal person should look like."

"Give the cameraman a chicken leg bonus!"

"Now I'm more interested in seeing what happens next between Yu Wantang and the cute cameraman."

Yu Wantang suddenly cast a glance in the camera's direction.

"Camera Operator, nice shot."

The Camera 1 rig wobbled slightly. He lowered the brim of his cap and replied in a muffled voice,

"Just doing my job."

Yu Wantang chuckled. "That's also because of your great skill."

The cameraman didn't reply.

However, the veins on the back of his hand gripping the camera tightened. The tip of his ear peeking out from beneath the cap reddened once more.

"Help!! She's flirting with the cameraman again!!"

"Great skill? What kind of skill? Why did my mind go there instantly!"

"I'm officially shipping this pair!"

On the other end of the terrace, Song Huai and Lin Nian were sitting on a swing.

According to the Show Production Team's schedule, this timeslot was reserved for their "ultra-sweet interaction."

Song Huai reached out to tidy Lin Nian's wind-tousled hair, his fingers sliding past her ear in a gentle, deliberate motion.

Lin Nian lowered her head slightly, the tips of her ears turning red.

Camera 3 captured this moment, and the director immediately switched to a close-up.

The live chat was flooded with comments like "Huai-Nian is so sweet" and "His hands look so nice."

But right after, another wave of comments surged in.

"Wait, wasn't he just arguing with Yu Wantang? How did he turn around and start patting her head already?"

"I felt bad for Lin Nian just a second ago, and now seeing them act all lovey-dovey feels so jarring."

Song Huai pulled Lin Nian into his embrace, resting his chin on top of her head.

Lin Nian buried her face in his chest, the corners of her mouth curving up.

But the audience wasn't buying it anymore.

"Didn't you guys notice he checked where the camera was before hugging her?"

"Do normal people need to locate the camera angle before hugging? The more I watch, the more staged it feels."

"I went back to check the replay. He definitely looked toward the camera before touching her head."

"Industrial-grade fake sweetness. Case closed."

...

Four in the afternoon.

The Show Production Team set up barbecue grills on the beach, pushing two long tables together loaded with marinated meats, vegetables, and seafood.

The host stood by the beach holding a task card and announced to everyone,

"Today's segment is seaside barbecue. The eight guests need to work together to prepare a complete barbecue dinner."

As soon as the words fell, Chen Yu rushed forward to grab the tongs.

"I'm in charge of grilling meat! Nobody fight me for it!"

Gu Zhiyan ambled over. "Then I'll grill seafood."

"I'll prep the ingredients."

Chen Yu and Gu Zhiyan got busy as well. Zhou Ye walked up to Yu Wantang. "Need a hand?"

"Sure," Yu Wantang said, pointing to a pile of meat and vegetables. "Help me skewer all of these."

The group coordinated swiftly.

Standing by the table, Lin Nian held an already-skewered chicken wing and handed it to Song Huai.

"Brother Song Huai, what you're grilling smells amazing."

Taking the chicken wing, Song Huai flipped it over and brushed some oil onto the grill. He smiled at Lin Nian, positioning himself at an angle that faced the camera directly.

"Niannian, just sit down. I'll handle the rough work."

Lin Nian obediently retreated to a nearby chair, fanning herself with her phone while glancing up at Song Huai from time to time with a sweet smile.

The bullet comments began polarizing.

"Huai-Nian is so sweet."

"Wait, what has Lin Nian done from the start? Handed over a single chicken wing?"

"Yu Wantang's side with three people has already skewered two platters, while she's still showering compliments."

"Hey, showering compliments is fine, but at least finish the work in your hands."

Su Wanqing finished skewering the last green pepper, looked toward Lin Nian, and leaned in close to Yu Wantang's ear, keeping her voice very low.

"Does she plan on doing nothing the whole time except saying 'you're so amazing'?"

Arranging sliced lemons onto a plate, Yu Wantang didn't even look up.

"That's called providing emotional value. Look how happy Song Huai is hearing it."

Su Wanqing held back a laugh, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Tang Xiner dumped the washed shrimp onto a plate, shook the water from her hands, and tilted her chin toward Lin Nian.

"Should I go tell her to help?"

"Don't," Yu Wantang said, handing her the lemon slices. "Let her be. If she comes to help and ends up causing some mess, the blame will fall on us in the end."

Tang Xiner thought about it, found it made sense, placed the shrimp skewers onto the rack, and continued working.

Carrying a plate of freshly grilled skewers from the table, Song Huai walked straight up to Lin Nian and offered it to her.

"Niannian, try this. I grilled it especially for you."