Chapter 10: Too Fast

Afraid that Yi Linglin might break down and start crying, Su Nian, who never liked to waste words, deliberately added another sentence. What she meant to say was that, except for Li Ming’en, she could accept dining with anyone else. However, in the ears of Yi Linglin, who cherished Song Wang in her heart, it sounded as if Su Nian was saying, “Anyone is fine, except letting Song Wang go to you.” Yi Linglin stared at Su Nian in astonishment for a few seconds, suppressing the surge of hostility in her watery eyes, silently marking her as a rival in love.

Naturally, this scene sparked another round of fierce criticism from netizens.

“What’s up with the ex-girlfriend? Just let go of Li Ming’en, now she’s reaching for Song Wang?”
“Even a blind man can see that our Linglin likes Song Wang, yet she insists on keeping him to herself. Isn’t this just deliberately disgusting?”
“Song Wang is a fine flower, stuck in Su Tang’s pile of cow dung, the more I watch, the more nauseating.”
“Linglin’s fans, are you sure you’re sane? Su Nian owes Linglin nothing, why should she step aside just because Linglin wants to chase a man?”
“Is Linglin really clueless, or just pretending? Doesn’t she know Li Ming’en is Su Nian’s ex? Or is she a mole sent by the production team to stir things up?”
“Production Team: Don’t touch us, don’t try to drag us into this, it has nothing to do with us!”

After Yi Linglin left, Su Nian quietly closed the door again. As the guests each settled into their rooms, the live broadcast switched to individual camera feeds. There were still three hours left before the candlelit dinner. The other guests bathed, napped, pampered their skin, or meticulously picked out their date outfits. Meanwhile, Su Nian exercised and read.

With less than an hour to go before the candlelit dinner, the other guests had already changed into their formal attire and were fixing their appearances. Su Nian, on the other hand, continued reading and reciting English materials.

“What’s going on with Su Nian? All the other guests are preparing for the candlelit dinner, and she’s still studying?”
“Can I confirm, I’m watching a dating show, right? Why is she in top student mode?”
“Anyone who didn’t know would think she’s preparing for the entrance exams to Tsinghua or Peking University.”
“Thanks for the invite. I’ve dug up Su Nian’s old college entrance exam scores—one word: tragic.”
“Math 40, Chinese 90, English 60, Science 190, total 380.”

“Damn, with those scores, how did Su Nian get into the Film Academy?”
“Well, the Film Academy has junior college programs, and who knows if she got in through connections.”
“I still remember that quiz show where Su Nian was a guest. Her impoverished knowledge base got her roasted badly—this move must be an attempt to save face.”

As her exam scores and college GPA were unearthed, Su Nian’s “studious” image became a focal point for ridicule. A poor student suddenly striving for excellence on a dating show wouldn’t make people think she’d realized the importance of knowledge, but rather that she was putting on airs and crafting a persona.

Half an hour before dinner, Su Nian finally closed her books. The audience could now see what she’d been reading: materials for graduate school entrance exams. Instantly, the hashtag #SuNianGraduateExam began climbing the trending charts. Because it connected to the hot topic of “graduate school,” people, whether they knew Su Nian or not, flocked to watch and comment on her behavior in the dating show. Some even started betting on whether Su Nian could actually pass the entrance exams.

At this moment, Su Nian, having completed her daily study plan, began tidying her appearance as soon as the alarm sounded. Unlike the other guests, who were all exquisitely dressed as if attending a star-studded gala, Su Nian managed her makeup and outfit in just half an hour. Not overly formal, but not neglectful of her date either. Her style was all about grace and propriety.

She hadn’t purposely prepared an extravagant gown for the occasion—a white satin blouse paired with a blush pink suit set, topped with comfortable white sneakers. This was the highest respect Su Nian could offer for the date. Though she wasn’t here to find a partner, basic social etiquette was ingrained in her mind like muscle memory—a must-have quality for any professional overachiever.

When Su Nian finished preparing and stepped out of the washroom, her understated outfit was unexpectedly striking.

“I thought the ex-girlfriend would slack off for the candlelit dinner, but she got ready in less than half an hour, and the result is pretty decent.”
“I used to think she was just pretending—showing up in a suit at the start, like she was on a workplace reality show. Now, honestly, she looks stunning and cool in formal wear.”
“A new management master is born on the dating show—studying and dating, both handled perfectly. She’s a role model for student types like us.”
“All the praise above must be paid bots, right? How can you compliment so blindly? Are you sure your conscience doesn’t hurt?”
“All the female guests show up in dresses, but Su Nian insists on this office lady style—trying to stand out, aren’t you?”
“Must be a guy upstairs. Who says girls can only wear dresses for dates? Comfort and appropriateness are key, no need to please men.”

“Oh, look who’s getting defensive! Su Nian’s flunkies shouldn’t be so loud. With zero femininity, I bet Song Wang won’t last five minutes—”

While netizens bickered, the guests had already begun arriving at the date venue. Unlike the storm brewing around Su Nian, the other guests’ livestreams were full of compliments.

Led by a server, Su Nian arrived at the table, where Song Wang was already waiting. The man in a deep grey suit, his back straight and imposing, resembled a towering jade mountain. Even as he waited idly, he maintained a dignified posture. Just his silhouette exuded an indescribable elegance and nobility.

Yet, this ever-present idol aura always reminded Su Nian of her old nemesis.

“Miss, this way, please—”

At the sound of the server’s voice, the upright figure stirred, turned, and looked at the arriving Su Nian.

“You’re here—”

He rose with a smile, his tone familiar, as if they’d known each other for years. Soon, Su Nian recalled that this Song Wang, Mr. Song, was apparently the childhood friend of the original host of her body. So the sense of familiarity wasn’t surprising.

Pulling her drifting thoughts back, Su Nian thanked him and moved toward the seat Song Wang had pulled out for her.

No sooner had she sat down than Song Wang’s voice suddenly sounded by her ear: “Don’t move—”

Su Nian paused, blinking in confusion.

The next second, he leaned closer. Su Nian’s pupils widened, her hands unconsciously gripping the armrests, her waist leaning back a little.

Yet the man’s roguish smile kept drawing nearer, showing no sign of stopping.

“Damn, is this for real? So explosive, and it’s only the first episode, first date!”
“I love it—Brother Wang, go for it, give her a kiss!”
“Mom, the pace of this is too fast, I want off this ride—”