Chapter 2: Going on a Dating Show

After seeing Zhao Xin off, it was already midnight.

Xu Zhaozhao had taken a shower and dried her hair, but she didn’t rush to sleep. Instead, she propped up her phone, found the right angle, held her guitar, and started a live stream.

The screen was dim; only the silhouette of her loose hair was visible. She didn’t mind and began to play and sing softly.

Gradually, as the stream notification went out, viewers entered the room named “Survival Pass.”

“This song sounds familiar—isn’t this the theme from that movie called ‘The Rest of Our Lives’? The streamer’s voice is just like the original singer’s, really beautiful!”

“You’re right, that’s Pass’s own songwriting and singing.”

A devoted fan replied to the newcomers.

When live streaming first became popular, Xu Zhaozhao had opened her own channel. Since the company refused to let her sing officially, she sang her own works online.

Due to her contract and her public persona linked to Chen Sisi, she never revealed her true face.

Several of her songs had been picked up by small-budget dramas and films, which finally gave her enough money to buy this modest, private apartment.

After finishing a song, Xu Zhaozhao greeted her viewers, “Welcome to Pass’s late-night rehearsal room.”

“Pass, did you just come back from vacation abroad?”

A fan noticed the familiar oil painting on the wall and guessed she had returned home.

The painting was her own: a dark alley with a classic, elegant streetlamp casting a warm, gentle glow.

“But didn’t Pass say in her last stream that she’d stay abroad a bit longer?”

“So, did you come back sweetly with your sudden marriage partner?”

“Not at all. Although it was a sudden marriage, we separated just as suddenly!”

Xu Zhaozhao smiled bitterly. “When a man falls for you and then suddenly wakes up and leaves alone, it really shakes your confidence.”

Only in a world where no one knows her could she reveal her true feelings.

“Pass, are you saying that just to comfort me because you know I haven’t been doing well lately?”

The fan doubted it.

Just a few days ago, Pass’s tone was full of happiness, and they could feel it through the screen.

“I swear it’s true. I’m not joking about myself. If it comforts you all, then I’m glad,” Xu Zhaozhao said sincerely.

“Pass, your singing is so beautiful; you must be as lovely as your songs. Anyone who doesn’t want you is losing out.”

“Hug, Pass. I just got rejected by my crush.”

“Same here, rejected as well.”

“Count me in—I was rejected by the company I liked.”

Looking at the comforting words flooding the chat and other fans sharing their recent troubles, she strummed her guitar, playing a soothing tune.

She usually didn’t talk much during streams, preferring to communicate through music and song.

Just like every night ten years ago, when she found solace in others’ music.

“Every time I come to Pass’s stream, the wounds I carry outside get healed by her music.”

“Feeling warm all over—tomorrow is another day full of energy to earn money for the boss’s sports car!”

“Stop it, I’m about to come back to life!”

Releasing their daily negativity, the atmosphere in the stream grew lighter.

Xu Zhaozhao sang a few more songs, informed fans she’d be busy with work for the next twenty days and wouldn’t stream, then ended the broadcast.

Whether it was because of the divorce agreement or her first time on a dating show, she tossed and turned in bed.

It felt like she had just closed her eyes when loud knocking startled her awake.

Half-asleep, she opened the door to see Zhao Xin looking anxious.

“Zhaozhao, something’s wrong!”

“What, the dating show got canceled?” Xu Zhaozhao yawned.

That would be perfect—she could go back to sleep.

“No,” Zhao Xin almost cried, “I got the time wrong. The show starts at noon, not 3 p.m.!”

“The plan Liu Jie gave me was outdated. I couldn’t reach you, so I came over…”

Xu Zhaozhao checked her phone.

The screen was black.

She had forgotten to charge it after last night’s stream.

The clock on the wall showed 9:30 a.m.

On Zhao Xin’s phone, the dating show’s live stream was warming up, with some guests already arriving early with their luggage.

But the early arrivals were all amateurs.

Though unknown, arriving early was a good way to gain favor.

The chat was filled with praise for the “virtue of being early.”

The dating show “Love in the Countryside” had no observation room; it was unscripted and fully live-streamed.

So, whether the public liked or disliked the contestants, it was all very clear.

Zhao Xin hurried inside to help Xu Zhaozhao pack.

“I’ll drive faster, take the shortcuts. It should take two hours. Luckily, the filming location isn’t far from Haishi City…”

Half-awake, Xu Zhaozhao was pulled into the car.

Zhao Xin sped along, but amid the rush, her old car broke down halfway.

After calling around, they learned no rescue would arrive within half an hour.

Zhao Xin burst into tears.

“I’m sorry, Zhaozhao…”

“It’s my fault for giving you the wrong time. Now you’re really going to be late!”

Jiang Ning patted her shoulder to comfort her. “It’s okay. Being late is being late.”

Forced onto a dating show before withdrawing from the industry, it wasn’t something she wanted. She could skip it altogether, let alone be late.

Zhao Xin was known for being meticulous and responsible; such a mistake was unthinkable.

Just moments ago, Chen Sisi had already appeared on the show’s live stream.

Though not the earliest guest, she was the first star to arrive.

The chat was filled with praise from her fans for her professionalism, punctuality, and approachable demeanor.

So Xu Zhaozhao had even more reason to believe Chen Sisi had deliberately caused her to be late.

If Chen Sisi was punctual, Xu Zhaozhao, as a contrast, had to be late.

Starting off tarnished would better highlight that perfect little white flower wasn’t so flawless after all.

But Chen Sisi could have just been upfront about it.

With only ten days left on her contract and her agreement to appear on the show, she could have made any request and Xu Zhaozhao would have cooperated. There was no need to drag down a diligent assistant.

Especially someone like Zhao Xin, who was incredibly responsible.

Now, she was still crying but trying to flag down a car by the roadside.

Even in tears, she hadn’t stopped trying to solve the problem—something Xu Zhaozhao admired most about Zhao Xin.

Unfortunately, no cars passed for a long time.

No wonder—the filming location was a remote village, and the closer they got, the emptier the roads became. Not seeing a car for hours was normal.

Just when Zhao Xin was about to give up hope, a Rolls-Royce appeared like a gift from the heavens.

Seeing it, the dim light in her eyes rekindled as she hurried to stop the car.

The luxury vehicle stopped smoothly, and the window rolled down halfway.

A well-dressed man asked, “What’s the matter?”

Zhao Xin hurriedly explained, “Sorry, our car broke down. Could you give us a lift?”

“We’re in a huge hurry. You can pay whatever you want, how about that?”

Xu Zhaozhao put away her phone and followed.

“Well… wait a moment,” the driver said reluctantly, then glanced back at the rear seat.

Xu Zhaozhao looked toward the back seat following the driver’s gaze.

The dark tinted glass blocked her view, but she sensed someone inside scrutinizing her.

Instinctively, she stepped back.

Seeing Xu Zhaozhao so close, the person in the backseat’s cold eyes darkened with irritation.

“Go.” The voice was merciless as the driver was ordered.

The driver quickly rolled up the window and sped off, kicking up dust.

“Ah, who is that? So heartless!” Zhao Xin stomped her foot.

Xu Zhaozhao stood frozen.

The voice inside sounded familiar.

No way.

The world was so big; the chance of meeting here in this remote place was nearly zero.

She found it amusing.

Before she met him, no other voice sounded like his.

Instead…

“Zhaozhao…”

Zhao Xin, eyes red, interrupted her thoughts. “It’s all my fault. I didn’t do my job well.”

She wiped her tears. “I’m going to resign when we get back and make this right!”

Being late would leave a bad impression on the show’s crew and viewers, which would be very harmful to Zhaozhao’s solo career.

“Nonsense!”

Xu Zhaozhao shook her head. “Don’t overthink it. Even if I’m late, you don’t owe me an explanation.”

“Besides,” she shrugged off her cheap knockoff Chanel-style jacket and popped open the car hood, “there’s still time!”

If anyone cared about her, it was Zhao Xin without a doubt.

She didn’t want her last assignment to leave a shadow on Zhao Xin, who had always cared for her.

There were still forty minutes until noon.

Plenty of time.

…

At noon, the highly anticipated dating show “Love in the Countryside” officially began.

Nineteen guests—ten men and nine women—gathered around a long table, all seated except the last female guest, who arrived fashionably late.

As her vague silhouette appeared on camera, the chat instantly filled with criticism.

“That woman is so disappointing—no contract spirit. Out of all the guests, she’s the only one late.”

“Even the Best Actor, Ke Hao, arrived on time. Who dares to outshine him in punctuality?”

“Tsk, the last female guest… the grand finale entrance… total schemer!”

As the figure approached, the rapidly scrolling chat briefly froze.

There stood Xu Zhaozhao in a tight red dress, black waves cascading, fiery red lips, high heels clicking fiercely—she made a striking, sultry entrance.

“Hi~”

She removed her sunglasses, revealing delicately made-up eyebrows and eyes, coquettishly blinking. “I’m Xu Zhaozhao.”

Instantly, the frozen chat exploded.

“She is… Xu Zhaozhao? That no-name, bottom-tier has-been who publicly copies Chen Sisi but secretly tries to imitate her?”

“Someone please tell me this isn’t the Xu Zhaozhao I know!”

“Yes, it’s her, but today she’s completely different from Chen Sisi’s style!”

“With a glamorous, confident face like that, still a nobody? No way.”

“Guys, there’s a thing called makeup.”

“Is it so hard to admit someone else looks good? Try looking like this yourself!”

Striking a pose, Xu Zhaozhao ignored the other male guests and sat directly beside Chen Sisi.

Feigning surprise, she said, “Sisi, what a coincidence to see you here on the show!”

Chen Sisi’s face visibly darkened.

Unnoticed by Xu Zhaozhao, one of the male guests also scowled.