Chapter 61: A Surprise Gift from the Production Team

"Ke Hao, you are... really so good to me!"
Chen Sisi was immensely happy.
She took this as evidence that Ke Hao liked and cared about her.
The future and the development path of a Best Actor that had previously only existed in her mind were about to be realized.
[I used to think Chen Sisi was just pure-minded, but looking at her now, she is truly simple-minded.]
[You can't quite say that. After all, this is a dating variety show; without romance, how can it be called a dating show?]
[My friends, let's have some standards for romance, alright? Being romantic and being a lovesick fool are two completely different things.]
Having won first place, Xu Zhaozhao and Shen Mu received their gifts from the show's production team on the spot.
The moment she opened the box, Xu Zhaozhao froze.
Inside was a pair of bracelets.
"This is..."
Seeing the brand, everyone was taken aback.
[Whoa, the production team is really generous, actually giving away a world-famous luxury brand.]
[Oh my god, this pair of couple bracelets must cost tens of thousands, right?]
[Drop the "right" and be confident—it definitely costs tens of thousands.]
[The problem is, this isn't something you can just buy with tens of thousands. You first have to be an SVIP whose annual spending with their brand exceeds eight million before you're even qualified to spend that money to buy this pair of bracelets...]
[Goodness me, my impoverished self is struggling to bridge the gap between myself and this world.]
[Production team, why didn't you mention the prize included this earlier? Forget farm work, I... would do it too!]
This reward was indeed tempting.
Upon seeing the gift, Xu Zhaozhao did not yet realize its value, merely thinking that these platinum bands were less practical than pure gold ones.
At that moment, the floor manager's voice came through: "Please put them on for each other!"

This...
Hearing this, Xu Zhaozhao froze.
Why did this feel so much like a wedding ceremony where the officiant tells the couple they can now exchange rings?
She hurriedly put the bracelet back into the box. "How can we wear these?"
She clutched the box tightly to her chest. "This is the first time in my life that a third-rate little actress like me has participated in a dating show and won a prize. I can't wear it; I'm going to take it home and enshrine it!"
[Ahaha, what Xu Zhaozhao said makes sense. After all, having been an actress for so many years and never winning any awards, using this as a trophy isn't a bad idea.]
[True, but I really wanted to see Shen Mu put it on her!]
[Xu Zhaozhao was pushed into this dating show against her will. She didn't want to come in the first place, so expecting her to develop a romance under these circumstances is harder than ascending to heaven.]
Xu Zhaozhao's refusal, coupled with the barrage of bullet comments on screen, left the floor manager momentarily speechless.
He looked to the director for help. "Director, should we continue with this segment?"
Director Sun shook his head. "Listen to the bullet comments. Obey the wishes of the majority of the audience."
With the director making the final call, the floor manager immediately said, "Since our guest has made a request, we must satisfy it."
Thus, the segment of helping each other put on the bracelets was cancelled.
Seeing this, the person most thrilled was none of other than Chen Sisi.
She had never liked Xu Zhaozhao stealing the spotlight from her, but alas, the timing always seemed against her.
Fortunately, Xu Zhaozhao hadn't forgotten her original standing and had personally called off this scene that resembled a mutual pledge of love.
Hmph, good thing you have some self-awareness!
Chen Sisi then cast an affectionate gaze toward Ke Hao.
Her Ke Hao had done all this for her...
At that moment, she regretted not giving her all to win first place earlier.
She had let Xu Zhaozhao score such a huge bargain for nothing.

Chen Sisi's gaze remained locked on Ke Hao, her heart filled with vexation and anticipation. She was vexed that she hadn't tried harder in the competition, and anticipated that Ke Hao would give her more response and affection.
Sensing Chen Sisi's gaze, Ke Hao turned his head slightly, a trace of confusion in his eyes. He wasn't entirely certain of the depth of his feelings for Chen Sisi; it was just that within the atmosphere of this dating show, actions seemed to be magnified a countless number of times.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhaozhao and Shen Mu stood aside, the atmosphere somewhat subtle. Xu Zhaozhao clutched the box containing the bracelets tightly, a myriad of thoughts swirling in her mind. She knew the prize was immensely valuable, but to her, it felt more like an unexpected windfall rather than a token of romance. Watching Xu Zhaozhao's actions, Shen Mu felt a complicated stirring in his chest as well. He could sense Xu Zhaozhao's resistance, yet didn't quite know how to handle it.
"Actually, there's no need to be so nervous about this prize," Shen Mu attempted to break the awkward silence. "It's just a gesture of goodwill from the production team."
Xu Zhaozhao glanced at Shen Mu and shook her head slightly. "It's different. It has special significance for me. I've been a nameless background actress for so many years, and this prize is a testament to my time on this dating show."
Shen Mu was silent for a moment before nodding. "I understand how you feel. Still, there's no need to take it too seriously; perhaps there will be even more opportunities and rewards in the future."
Xu Zhaozhao sighed softly. "Maybe. But right now, I just want to keep this prize safe."
Over on Chen Sisi's side, she was already eager to have more interactions with Ke Hao. She walked up to Ke Hao and whispered softly, "Ke Hao, let's also strive for first place in the next task."
Ke Hao frowned slightly. "Is that necessary?"
Chen Sisi nodded hurriedly. "Of course it's necessary! We can't let others hog the spotlight all the time. Besides, I want to work hard with you and win more prizes."
Looking at Chen Sisi's expectant eyes, Ke Hao felt a sense of helplessness. He wasn't particularly keen on striving to win in the show, yet he didn't want to disappoint Chen Sisi.
"Alright then, let's give it a try," Ke Hao finally agreed.
As the program progressed, the guests welcomed a new task. This time, the challenge was to prepare a lavish dinner together within a specified time limit.
Everyone busied themselves, and Xu Zhaozhao and Shen Mu joined in as well. Although Xu Zhaozhao wasn't skilled in culinary arts, she did her best to help out as a sous-chef. Shen Mu, on the other hand, displayed exceptional cooking skills, expertly chopping vegetables and stir-frying dishes, which won everyone's admiration.
Chen Sisi and Ke Hao were also working hard to prepare dinner, though Chen Sisi's attention seemed more focused on Ke Hao. She stole glances at him from time to time, her eyes brimming with affection.
Through everyone's joint efforts, a sumptuous dinner was finally completed. The production team invited a professional food critic to taste everyone's culinary creations and provide feedback.
The critic tasted each dish in turn and finally gave his evaluation: "Everyone's performance has been exceptional, and each dish has its own unique character. However, personally, I feel that the dish prepared by Shen Mu is the most outstanding—remarkable in color, aroma, and taste."
Hearing the critic's praise, Shen Mu smiled. Xu Zhaozhao was happy for him too, and her favorable impression of Shen Mu deepened a little more.
Chen Sisi, however, felt somewhat unconvinced. She thought the dishes she and Ke Hao made were also quite good. But finding it improper to directly refute the critic's opinion, she could only harbor silent resentment.