Chapter 42: They Could Never Have a Happy Ending

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“You really... like that guy?”

At Shen Mu’s sudden question, a flicker of panic crossed Xu Zhaozhao’s eyes.

She had never seen him like this before—so aggressive, as though he meant to pry every secret from the depths of her heart.

They were already divorced. In what capacity did he think he had the right to ask her such questions?

Especially now, while they were live on camera. Who knew how many eyes were watching this tangled confrontation between them?

Xu Zhaozhao struggled to compose herself. She lifted her chin slightly, trying to conceal the turmoil within behind an air of indifference.

“Who I like and who I don’t like—that’s my own business, isn’t it? I don’t think I need to report it to you.”

Her voice trembled faintly, though she still did her best to sound calm.

At her words, a trace of disappointment seemed to flicker through Shen Mu’s eyes.

Disappointment? What right did he have to feel disappointed?

Xu Zhaozhao found it deeply ironic.

He had been the one to ask for the divorce, ending their relationship in such an ugly manner.

In what capacity did he question her now—and in what capacity did he allow himself to feel disappointed?

The Shen Mu of the past had always been gentle and reserved, like a book one could never fully understand, compelling people to keep turning its pages.

But now, fury burned in his eyes, as though he meant to devour her.

He had rarely smiled before, and he had almost never lost his temper. His dark eyes had always been as placid and detached as an ancient well.

It seemed nothing in the world could ever make him lose control of his emotions.

And yet this time, he had actually become angry.

But that anger should not have been directed at her!

She was the ex-wife he had decisively abandoned, and their marriage had lasted no more than seven days in total.

In his memory, that brief period of time was probably no more than a wisp of smoke, liable to scatter into the wind at any moment.

What about her now was worth his concern?

The fact that he had failed to win over Song Qing was not Xu Zhaozhao’s fault.

Besides, even if the award-winning actor and Song Qing had mutually chosen each other, the truth was that Shen Mu had never sent Song Qing a message.

He had sent his only date invitation to Xu Zhaozhao.

What had he been hesitating over?

Was he afraid that his first love would reject him, or did he have some other concern?

If he had not been such a coward, how could he have known that Song Qing would ultimately choose Ke Hao?

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In any case, the opportunity was one he had missed himself. He had no one else to blame.

“I didn’t manage to win over the award-winning actor because I wasn’t charming enough. I’ll keep working hard!”

Xu Zhaozhao pushed Shen Mu away, then patted him encouragingly on the shoulder.

“I hope you’ll be brave enough to pursue love too. Stop obsessing over whether I reply to your messages, and don’t forget why you joined this dating show in the first place!”

Even as an ordinary contestant, this man was no less impressive than any of the other male guests, each of whom had his own advantages.

If he were willing to take the initiative, what woman would he not be able to win over?

Yet the dating show had already been underway for three days, and he and Song Qing had still barely interacted. What kind of sense did that make?

“If you truly don’t dare confess your feelings to the person you came here for, perhaps I can give you a hand. But... stop playing those tricks where you pretend to be interested in one person while secretly aiming for another!”

“What tricks?” Shen Mu asked, bewildered.

What was Xu Zhaozhao talking about?

Why did it feel as though their conversation had veered in two completely different directions?

“What does Xu Zhaozhao mean?”

“Could Shen Mu be using Xu Zhaozhao as a shield while actually wanting to interact with another female guest?”

“But from what I can see, Shen Mu’s feelings toward Xu Zhaozhao don’t seem fake!”

“When false becomes true, even truth becomes false!”

“It’s possible. Maybe he’s desperately being kind to one female guest while actually pursuing someone else.”

“Surely Shen Mu isn’t that kind of person. With his looks, he wouldn’t need to resort to such tactics.”

“That’s only true for someone like you who cares about nothing but appearance. Everyone who comes on a dating show has excellent qualities. They’ve all seen plenty of the world.”

Xu Zhaozhao glanced at the camera before continuing.

“Even if you’re in a bad mood, don’t use me as a punching bag. I didn’t get a reply to the message I sent either, so I’m upset about it too!”

Yet inwardly, she thought, You really don’t need to be so timid. If you would only take the initiative and send Song Qing a date invitation, she might actually respond to you.

I hope you stop sending messages to me just to save face. And don’t lose your temper again simply because I failed to protect your pride.

“What punching bag? What tricks? Xu Zhaozhao, explain yourself!”

After hearing Xu Zhaozhao rattle off that entire incomprehensible string of remarks, Shen Mu became even angrier.

He seized Xu Zhaozhao by the arm as she turned to leave.

Xu Zhaozhao looked toward the camera once more.

“Are you sure you want me to explain everything in front of the camera—and in front of all the viewers watching from behind it?”

Shen Mu froze.

In his fury, he had forgotten that they were being filmed.

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While he stood there stunned, Xu Zhaozhao broke free of his grip and continued toward Aunt Fu’s house with her head lowered.

Her steps were hurried, as though she were desperate to escape this oppressive place.

A gentle breeze passed by, lifting her hair. A stray strand brushed faintly across Shen Mu’s cheek.

Her head hung so low that no one noticed a crystalline tear fall to the ground.

Shen Mu had gripped her too hard just moments ago, bruising her wrist. A red ring had already risen around it.

But her wrist was not the only thing that hurt.

Her heart felt as though it were being stabbed again and again by a sharp blade, every breath bringing a fresh wave of unbearable pain.

The five-minute walk seemed to last an entire century.

Xu Zhaozhao trudged forward heavily, each step like treading on fragments of memory, leaving her heart aching faintly.

At last, she reached Aunt Fu’s house near the back mountain.

“Aunt Fu, I’m here!”

When she arrived at the gate, she forced herself to adjust her emotions, as though putting on a mask and hiding all her sorrow and helplessness behind a smile.

Her voice was clear and bright, as if proclaiming her strength to the world.

Aunt Fu was feeding the pigs. Hearing her voice, she narrowed her eyes into cheerful slits.

“Little Xu, Little Shen, you’re here!”

Xu Zhaozhao spun around and only then realized that Shen Mu had followed her.

Her heart sank, as though a massive stone had settled upon her chest.

“Why did you follow me?” she asked, surprise and displeasure mingling in her voice.

Hadn’t she made herself clear?

Anyone whose date had failed that day would have no couple activity. They were free to do as they pleased. So why was he still following her?

Shen Mu gazed at her in silence, complicated emotions surfacing in his eyes.

His lips moved, as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, no sound emerged.

He simply stood there quietly, like a lost child who had no idea where to go.

Xu Zhaozhao and Shen Mu stared at each other as tension thickened the air between them.

Noticing how close they were to coming to blows, Aunt Fu hurried to play peacemaker.

“Whatever happened, take your time and talk it out. Come inside—I’ll make you some tea!”

“Wow, I’m seeing that loyal puppy look in Shen Mu again.”