Chapter 3: A Reunion on the Dating Show

Chen Sisi gritted her teeth and, in a voice only audible to the two of them, questioned, “Xu Zhaozhao, who told you to dress like that?”

She had already instructed Liu Li to prepare Xu Zhaozhao’s outfits in advance according to the dressing plan she had arranged for the past few days.

For the first appearance, Chen Sisi wore the latest white Chanel-style skirt suit—elegantly tailored, highlighting her fair, serene, and sweet demeanor.

According to the plan, Xu Zhaozhao was supposed to wear a cheap knockoff to create a contrast, like a clumsy imitation.

But instead, Xu Zhaozhao not only ignored the designated outfit meant to complement Chen Sisi, she boldly sat beside her in a striking red dress.

Chen Sisi’s complexion was naturally not very fair; she had tried many technological treatments, but none yielded satisfactory results.

To conceal her skin flaws, she was particularly meticulous about her attire.

At this moment, half of her dark expression was anger, the other half reflected by Xu Zhaozhao’s fiery red dress.

“Sorry, Sisi,” Xu Zhaozhao also lowered her voice, “I’ve just had such a rotten day…”

“First, I got the live broadcast time wrong; on the way here, the car broke down; and then, I accidentally dirtied my clothes!”

She didn’t mention Zhao Xin.

“Well, you had other clothes. Why did you go and change without permission?”

Xu Zhaozhao said aggrievedly, “Wasn’t it you who said to strictly follow the order you planned? I was afraid that if I wore tomorrow’s outfit today, the whole sequence would be messed up!”

Chen Sisi was speechless.

Those were indeed her own words.

Moreover, she had deliberately altered the schedule to cause confusion.

In the end, her scheme backfired.

She shot Xu Zhaozhao a sharp look. “Fine, just make sure there are no more slip-ups tomorrow!”

“And… sit farther away from me!”

“No way,” Xu Zhaozhao flatly refused. “If I switch seats now, the audience will say you’re… petty.”

That one sentence instantly hit Chen Sisi’s weak spot.

No matter how irritable or hysterical Chen Sisi was in private, in front of the camera, she always appeared calm and composed, neither competing nor contending.

Just then, the camera panned around the long table and stopped right in front of the two of them.

Chen Sisi forced a faint smile. “Yes, Zhaozhao, what a coincidence to run into you here!”

Xu Zhaozhao’s lips curled slightly, restraining a triumphant smile.

She hadn’t lied to Chen Sisi—the original cheap knockoff had indeed been stained with grease while she was fixing the car.

It took her ten minutes to fix the car, and less than twenty minutes to speed to the filming location.

Zhao Xin, feeling dizzy and weak when she got out of the car, insisted she change into the red dress and even helped adjust her makeup.

The red dress was a gift from a collaborating brand to Chen Sisi, but since it didn’t match her personal style, she carelessly left it at the event site.

Zhao Xin had temporarily stored the dress in the trunk.

Unexpectedly, it came in handy at this moment.

【What exactly is Xu Zhaozhao trying to do, forcing herself next to Sisi—is she just riding on her popularity?】

【Feeling sorry for Sisi’s awkward yet polite smile.】

【Does Xu Zhaozhao have no shame? She just praised her for not copying Sisi’s style today, but she can’t change her true colors!】

Xu Zhaozhao didn’t even glance at the barrage of comments; she knew her appearance had already drawn criticism.

But no matter what others said, she didn’t care.

In fact, it wasn’t just Chen Sisi who looked displeased; the other female guests were also quite uncomfortable.

To match the pastoral theme of the romance show, everyone’s makeup and clothing were simple and relaxed.

But Xu Zhaozhao went in the opposite direction, with heavy makeup and a red dress, making the others look like they were on a completely different level.

Everyone else seemed to have become mere background props for Xu Zhaozhao.

She pretended not to notice their expressions, instead leaning toward Chen Sisi with a flattering gaze fixed on the male guest directly opposite them.

“Emperor Ke, I’ve watched every one of your films. You’re even more handsome in person than on screen!”

“Is that so? Thank you.” The male guest nodded politely at Xu Zhaozhao’s deliberate flattery.

Ke Hao, the rising young film emperor, was a powerhouse actor.

With his status, he didn’t need to appear on a countryside romance show to boost his popularity.

But the director of "Love in the Mountain Fields" had taken a liking to him.

If it weren’t for Director Sun recommending him to play a villainous supporting role in a hit film a few years ago, he might not have been discovered by other directors and landed more challenging roles.

When Director Sun invited him to join the romance show, he accepted without hesitation.

Upon learning that Emperor Ke would appear on the show, Chen Sisi immediately postponed several important jobs and joined the program herself.

Though hailed as a rising starlet, that reputation was largely crafted by Liu Li’s paid promotional articles.

If she could form a couple with the film emperor on the show, and leverage the popularity of their relationship to co-star in a drama or film with him, that would be a genuine breakthrough.

If, by chance, she became his real-life girlfriend during this period, it would be an entertainment industry fairy tale.

Therefore, Xu Zhaozhao’s main task on the show was to support Chen Sisi, with a covert mission to compete with and block other female guests who wanted to get close to Emperor Ke.

At this moment, the live broadcast camera lingered on Ke Hao a little longer, emanating the charm of a mature man through the screen, winning countless fangirls.

【Ke Hao is so handsome!】

【Emperor Ke has such grace; he even speaks gently to a scheming b*tch like Xu Zhaozhao.】

【Xu Zhaozhao, move away! Emperor Ke was clearly talking to Sisi just now; don’t butt in.】

Just as Xu Zhaozhao was about to say something to get closer to Ke Hao again, she suddenly caught sight of the male guest sitting to Ke Hao’s left.

Her entire body froze on the spot.

Wasn’t that her ex-husband from her whirlwind marriage and divorce?

He… was on the romance show too?!

Noticing Xu Zhaozhao’s gaze, Shen Mu’s emotionless eyes grew colder.

He wasn’t particularly surprised to see her.

He had already encountered her on the way to Gushu Village.

Watching her fawn over Ke Hao so eagerly, had she already shifted her target? Or was this some kind of feigned retreat?

At that moment, the camera smoothly panned from Ke Hao to Shen Mu.

As a non-celebrity guest, Shen Mu didn’t have a dazzling resume like the stars, but his looks rivaled most celebrities.

Standing 188 centimeters tall, his simple yet well-fitted suit was worn with impeccable style.

【Wow, I thought that non-celebrity guest looked good, sitting beside Emperor Ke and not losing his presence, and now with a close-up… even better!】

【I want to report—my husband secretly came on the romance show without telling me; someone bring him back!】

【But since his introduction, he hasn’t said a single word. That icy face, that keep-away-from-strangers vibe… is he really here to participate in a romance show?】

【Wow, you upstairs don’t get it—I like it when they ignore me!】

【Looks over morals—though he’s been cold since the start, he’s really handsome!】

【Director, is it still possible to sign up for the romance show?】

Seeing Shen Mu’s cold demeanor as if they were strangers, Xu Zhaozhao lowered her head, losing all interest in continuing to chat with Emperor Ke.

Three days after their impulsive marriage, Shen Mu disappeared.

She had called him countless times, but every call met with a busy signal.

Just when she feared something had happened and was about to report it to the police, on the morning of the sixth day, his lawyer found her at the resort and brought a divorce agreement.

They say men’s affections come fast and go fast.

But Shen Mu’s feelings for her had vanished far too quickly.

A seven-year itch for a couple, yet their marriage dissolved in less than a week.

Originally, she didn’t understand why Shen Mu suddenly became so resolute.

But now, in this very moment, she began to realize.

Among these female guests, there must be someone he liked!

He, someone who disliked socializing, had come to the liveliest, most social romance show.

He must have cared deeply for her!

Xu Zhaozhao glanced sideways at the other female guests—what kind of woman was his first love?

Unfortunately, the show didn’t give her more time to observe others.

“Welcome everyone to the ‘Love in the Mountain Fields’ romance show live broadcast. Since all guests are now present, let me announce the warm-up task…”

Behind the scenes, the director’s voice came over the speaker.

“To help the guests get to know each other faster, everyone will pair up in mixed-gender teams and assist any household in Gushu Village with some farm work.”

“If the villagers are satisfied with your work, they will treat you to dinner as a reward; otherwise…”

The voice paused briefly.

“Otherwise, you’ll have to go hungry tonight!”

As the words fell, the guests’ expressions varied.