When the afternoon live stream began, Meng Fanyu emerged from her room, dragging her suitcase behind her.
Jiang Xiaoyi spotted Sister Fanyu about to leave and hurried over. “Sister Fanyu, are you heading back?”
“Yeah, I miss Little Dumpling. I want to go see her.” Meng Fanyu had watched a video call with Little Dumpling at noon, and the poor kid hadn’t been sleeping well for days without her.
What Meng Fanyu hadn’t expected was for Ye Yiwen to catch that video call at noon. She had planned to find a quiet moment to talk properly with Ye Yiwen about Little Dumpling, but Ye Yiwen seemed to have completely forgotten everything between them—and even misunderstood, thinking Meng Fanyu had a child with someone else.
Little Dumpling was still so young; it really was hard to leave her alone. Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “Alright then.”
“Meng Chuning will come take over my duties later. I’m off.” Meng Fanyu glanced toward the live stream set as she spoke.
Ye Yiwen looked over with red-rimmed eyes, hesitated for a moment, then turned her gaze away.
Watching the awkward pair, Jiang Xiaoyi asked, “Sister Fanyu, should I call Yiwen over?”
Meng Fanyu snapped back to attention. “No need. Just help me look after her.”
They clearly cared so much about each other, yet here they were, stubbornly pretending otherwise. Jiang Xiaoyi found the whole thing painfully awkward. If it had been her and Meng Chuning fighting, she would’ve stuck to Meng Chuning like glue ages ago.
“Got it.” Jiang Xiaoyi had just agreed when Ye Yiwen rushed out after her. “Sister!”
A sleek black luxury car idled in front of the guesthouse. Meng Fanyu opened the door and slid inside, but Ye Yiwen squeezed in to block her. “You’re leaving.”
“Mm.” Meng Fanyu let go of the door and turned to her. Ye Yiwen’s long lashes were still damp; she looked like she’d been crying recently.
“Will you come back?” Ye Yiwen’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke. The rural dating variety show had only just started, and with Meng Fanyu leaving now, Ye Yiwen couldn’t follow—she was stuck here.
Meng Fanyu shook her head gently. “Not before the show’s over. I’ve got work at the company too; I can’t stay here forever.”
“Besides…” Meng Fanyu’s gaze fixed on Ye Yiwen. “My daughter misses me. I need to go be with her.”
The sudden mention of Meng Fanyu’s daughter hit Ye Yiwen hard for some reason. A sharp pang of sourness twisted in her chest, and the tears she’d been holding back finally spilled over, dripping from her chin.
Right then, all Ye Yiwen could think about was Meng Fanyu’s words about going back to her daughter. If she hadn’t chased after her, Meng Fanyu probably wouldn’t have even said goodbye.
“Why are you crying?” Meng Fanyu was startled by the tears. She reached out to wipe them, but they kept coming.
Ye Yiwen tilted her face up, her nose pink. “Can I have a kiss?”
Meng Fanyu hadn’t expected that after all the crying. Ye Yiwen’s tone was so pitiful.
“You’re a mess right now—how could I?” Meng Fanyu looked down at her. Ye Yiwen got the hint: no rejection. She wiped her tears, then swung her leg over and climbed into the driver’s seat.
The door shut. Ye Yiwen straddled Meng Fanyu’s lap, facing her.
The driver’s seat was cramped. Meng Fanyu was pinned in place, her neck craned back as she chuckled. “What are you doing?”
Ye Yiwen leaned in low. “This way, no one can see us kissing.”
“You’re that scared of being seen, yet you climb in anyway.” Meng Fanyu gave her a light push. “Look outside.”
The car was parked in plain sight, and the guesthouse was the main hub for the program’s live streams. Every day, locals gathered to watch.
Ye Yiwen turned her head slightly and saw a few onlookers staring in surprise.
“Ah?!” Startled, Ye Yiwen jerked upright—and banged her lower back against the steering wheel. Meng Fanyu quickly steadied her waist. “Okay, we’ll get photographed. Get down.”
They’d already been spotted, and she hadn’t even gotten her kiss—it felt like a raw deal. Ye Yiwen pressed her hands to Meng Fanyu’s shoulders, tilted her head, and leaned in.
As the distance closed and the light dimmed, Meng Fanyu watched Ye Yiwen’s eyes flutter shut, their lips nearly touching. At the last second, Meng Fanyu pressed a hand to Ye Yiwen’s mouth.
“Mm?” Ye Yiwen opened her reddened eyes, looking ready to cry again. “No kiss?”
Meng Fanyu’s thumb brushed her lip. “You don’t mind that I have a daughter?”
“I have no right to mind.” Ye Yiwen’s lashes lowered. “I’m the last person who should say that. I’m just… a little jealous of her.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than something soft pressed against her lips. Meng Fanyu had kissed her. “Salty.”
“Mm…” Ye Yiwen flicked her tongue over her lip, tasting the tears. She hurriedly wiped her mouth. “Try again.”
Meng Fanyu pinched her chin and parted her lips with her tongue for a quick suck. “Mm, sweet now.”
Ye Yiwen’s tongue was tugged lightly; she hadn’t even processed it when Meng Fanyu kissed her cheek. “Kiss done. Can you get off my lap now?”
“Oh…” Ye Yiwen didn’t want to, but a single kiss really had been just that. She hadn’t even gotten a proper taste. Still, the crowd of onlookers was growing; she couldn’t stay.
Meng Fanyu felt a pang seeing how soft and teary Ye Yiwen had been—she didn’t really want to leave either. She’d assumed Ye Yiwen would avoid her altogether, not chase her down.
Ye Yiwen hesitated. “Sister, could you leave tomorrow instead?”
Meng Fanyu chuckled softly. “Hm?”
“I know it’s selfish. Your daughter needs you too.” Ye Yiwen slid off her lap. “Sister, just pretend I didn’t say that…”
“Okay.” Meng Fanyu agreed. Ye Yiwen froze.
…
The floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the guesthouse offered the best view. Meng Chuning strolled over with her coffee. “Xiaoyi, what are you looking at?”
Jiang Xiaoyi quickly averted her eyes. “I think I just saw Sister Fanyu and Yiwen kissing in the car.”
“…” Meng Chuning sat beside Jiang Xiaoyi and peered out the window. “They’re moving that fast?”
How long had it even been? Kissing already? Was Meng Fanyu that easy to win over?
“It’s not that fast, actually. They had a little spat at lunch.” Jiang Xiaoyi explained. “Yiwen found out Little Dumpling is Sister Fanyu’s daughter and started crying.”
Meng Chuning turned to her. “What was she crying about?”
“No idea.” Jiang Xiaoyi shook her head as Ye Yiwen and Meng Fanyu walked back inside.
Meng Chuning and Jiang Xiaoyi both looked over. Ye Yiwen touched her cheek self-consciously. “Aren’t we recording the variety show?”
“We are.” Jiang Xiaoyi smiled. “Feeling better now?”
“Uh, yeah…” Ye Yiwen’s cheeks flushed. Her emotions had been all over the place today—crying one minute, smiling the next. Anyone would think she was weird.
The two headed toward the live stream set. Meng Chuning tugged Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand. “Xiaoyi, have you ever thought about marriage?”
Her sister’s voice was soft, her breath brushing Jiang Xiaoyi’s ear. Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart skipped. “Sister, are you proposing?”
Jiang Xiaoyi was too innocent—nobody proposed like that. Meng Chuning whispered, “I’m just prepping you mentally. I might propose soon.”
Jiang Xiaoyi’s pulse raced faster. She’d never really considered marriage before, but now visions flooded her mind: their wedding night, honeymoon, their shared home.
But…
Jiang Xiaoyi remembered the measly hundred-some thousand in her bank account—not even enough for a wedding fund, let alone a house for two.
She thought of Meng Qinglan casually dropping a million in red packets to the stream viewers, and suddenly felt even poorer. She’d sworn off freeloading off the Meng family—surely she couldn’t just shamelessly move into Meng Chuning’s place after marriage.
Besides, she could tell Meng Qinglan didn’t like people without means.
Meng Chuning waved a hand in front of Jiang Xiaoyi’s face. “What’s up? Zoning out?”
Had mentioning marriage freaked her out?
“Oh, that…” Jiang Xiaoyi hooked her pinky with Meng Chuning’s. “Sister, wait for me a bit longer. I can’t think about marriage yet.”
Meng Chuning’s brows furrowed slightly, as if she’d guessed the reason.
“Xiaoyi, don’t overthink it.” Meng Chuning gazed at her. “I love that little place you have in City A. You don’t need to worry about buying me a big house.”
Jiang Xiaoyi blinked. “Sister, how’d you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“It’s written all over your face, Xiaoyi.” Meng Chuning smiled. “Instead of stressing that, think about what you’ll call me after we’re married.”
As Meng Chuning spoke, the camera swiveled over. Their faces appeared on the live stream, and the chat exploded.
Jiang Xiaoyi stood there dumbfounded. What would she call Sister after marriage?
No more “sister,” huh? But what then?
【Why is Jiang Xiaoyi spacing out?】
【That confused look—did she just remember something?】
Meng Chuning announced the day’s dating activity. “Everyone must be exhausted from yesterday’s vineyard picking contest, so the program crew has a relaxation event lined up.”
Song You asked curiously, “What is it?”
Meng Chuning handed out cards. “Today’s dating event is at the Hot Spring Villa, complete with a lavish fruit feast. Relax and enjoy.”
“Whoa.” Song You rubbed her arm. “My arms are still sore from picking all those grapes yesterday. I definitely need this.”
【Hahaha, poor Song You—won the contest but sounds so bittersweet.】
【Same sore arms, but hers is hilarious lol.】
【Is Meng Chuning just angling for a hot spring soak with Jiang Xiaoyi?】
【Can’t skip again, or the viewers will riot.】
【Aaaah, feast for the eyes!】
Ye Yiwen thought of the evening hot springs and blushed. She’d seen the activity schedule yesterday and even packed her swimsuit—but she hadn’t expected Meng Fanyu to leave at noon, or for her to stay.
Meng Fanyu murmured softly in Ye Yiwen’s ear, “You didn’t want me to go… for this?”
Her warm breath tickled. Ye Yiwen shivered and played dumb. “W-what?”
Meng Fanyu whispered, “To soak with me.”
“…” Ye Yiwen pressed her lips together. A fierce blush crept up her pale neck. Was it that obvious?
But Meng Fanyu seemed to see more. “Besides hot springs, what else do you want?”
Ye Yiwen’s breath quickened. “I didn’t…”
Meng Fanyu’s voice was gentle. “I’m leaving first thing tomorrow—might be two weeks before we see each other. Sure there’s nothing else?”
In front of the camera, Meng Fanyu’s voice stayed low, like she was just grabbing a cup of water.
Ye Yiwen met her eyes. “If I said there’s something else, would you say yes?”
Meng Fanyu took a sip of water and smiled without answering.
Ye Yiwen felt a little cat clawing at her heart. Since her thoughts had been seen through, there was no need for her to hide them tonight.
By the time they arrived at the Hot Spring Villa, two flight guests invited by the Program Crew had been waiting for quite a while.
【No way! Is the Friendship Variety Show really turning into a Romance Variety Show?!】
【Tang Wanchen is here—looks like we’re getting some Sugar-Squeezed Pear Juice tonight!】
【Why is Gu Nanzhi here too? Isn’t she a manager?】
【Something feels off about this.】
【Song You, Jing Ying, Ye Yiwen, Meng Fanyu, and Gu Nanzhi—you’re all in for a feast of dog food tonight.】
Ever since Song You had learned that Jing Ying and Gu Nanzhi were dating—and that Ye Yiwen and Meng Fanyu had some ambiguous chemistry—she had felt like she had come to the wrong show.
“Is it too late for me to invite a friend to keep me company?” Song You asked the Program Crew director.
The viewers in the live chat were already dying of laughter.
Meng Chuning handed out the room cards to everyone. “Meet at the outdoor hot spring prepared by the Program Crew in one hour.”
“Got it.” The guests each took their cards and headed into the Hot Spring Villa to find their rooms.
Jiang Xiaoyi walked over. “Sister, where’s mine?”
Meng Chuning held up a room card between her fair fingers. “Yours is with mine, of course.”
“Sister.” Jiang Xiaoyi reached to turn off her microphone, but it was too late. Saying they were sharing a room on camera was too embarrassing.
The Chuxiao CP fans in the live chat lost it again.
【Aaaah, cut to Jiang Xiaoyi and Meng Chuning! I need to see what they get up to in the room tonight!】
【I know it’s not great to say this, but I want to see too!】
【Meng Chuning loves teasing Jiang Xiaoyi, haha. Saying that on camera made her face go red.】
“Xiaoyi, come in.” Meng Chuning pushed open the double doors to the room, slipped off her shoes, and walked inside.
Jiang Xiaoyi hurried in after her. The room had swimsuits prepared by the Program Crew in advance, along with massage oils and aromatherapy.
Meng Chuning glanced at the camera in the corner of the room. “Sorry, everyone, but we’re about to change. We have to cover you up for now.”
With that, the camera switched off. The Chuxiao CP live stream went dark in an instant, though the microphone audio stayed on.
【Okay okay, I can live without the visuals, but don’t shut off the mic!】
【No one’s talking—no sound! Aaaah!】
【Liju and Tang Wanchen’s stream went dark too (smiling)】
【Wait—why did Ye Yiwen go into Meng Fanyu’s room?!】
【Huh???? And she turned off the camera—what are they doing?】
【I think I heard Ye Yiwen ask Meng Fanyu if she wanted a massage?】
【What?!】
【Don’t overthink it. This Hot Spring Villa offers massage services—it’s a normal question.】
【Wait—why turn off the mic too if it’s just a massage?!】
【Massages make noise, so of course they’d turn off the mic. Duh.】
【Upstairs, are you being too innocent? They could be doing something else!】
Meng Fanyu found herself pinned against the wall in the corner by Ye Yiwen.
“I don’t need a massage today.” Ye Yiwen had already tugged half her clothes open, exposing the delicate collarbone that was usually so well hidden beneath her collar.
Ye Yiwen wrapped her arms around Meng Fanyu’s waist and leaned in to kiss her, but Meng Fanyu pinched her cheeks into little buns. “Ye Yiwen, getting bold, are we? Where exactly do you want to kiss?”
“Mmph…” Ye Yiwen puffed out her cheeks. “Your collarbone.”
Meng Fanyu sighed helplessly. “Your kissing technique is always like a puppy nipping. We’re putting on swimsuits later—no kissing.”
Rejected yet again, Ye Yiwen was on the verge of tears. “I won’t nip. Just one kiss, please?”
Meng Fanyu straightened her collar. “No can do. Hurry back and change. We can’t keep the camera off too long or it’ll raise suspicions.”
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
“Hang on, Xiaoyi—turn off the mic first.” Meng Chuning lay on her stomach, biting her lip lightly as a tingle shot through her lower back.
Jiang Xiaoyi released her hold and switched off the microphone. “Sister, am I not doing it right? Does it not feel good?”
“It’s too good. I might not be able to hold back a moan, and we don’t want anyone hearing that.” Meng Chuning had endured it for a bit already, and her lip was going numb.
Jiang Xiaoyi smiled and draped a towel over Meng Chuning’s hips. “This is a proper massage parlor—how could it make you feel like that?”
Moments ago, Jiang Xiaoyi had been role-playing as a masseuse from the Hot Spring Villa, and she was still in character.
Meng Chuning played along. “Maybe your technique is just that good.”
“Then you can moan now, Sister.” Jiang Xiaoyi warmed some oil in her palms, grasped Meng Chuning’s ankles, and worked her way up, kneading to relax her calves.
The oil’s scent was intoxicating, making Meng Chuning’s head feel fuzzy and drawing all her focus to her legs.
Jiang Xiaoyi’s palms were scorching hot, her grip on the calves different from usual. She applied firm pressure to the inner muscles, from the bend of the knee upward—but she stopped just shy of the hips.
“Xiaoyi…” Meng Chuning’s body went limp, a restless ache building. “Can you go higher?”
“No can do, Sister.” Jiang Xiaoyi’s hands skipped over the towel-covered area, her heated palms now kneading Meng Chuning’s shoulder blades. As she worked, she murmured ambiguously into Meng Chuning’s ear. “Sister, your skin is so smooth. Feels amazing to touch.”
It was absolutely deliberate. Jiang Xiaoyi knew exactly how worked up she was getting her, yet she kept whispering like that, her hot breath mingling with the scented oil. Meng Chuning felt bewitched, her head spinning.
From the shoulders, Jiang Xiaoyi moved to the spine, lingering with slow, deep presses around the small of her back.
Jiang Xiaoyi sensed Meng Chuning’s body trembling faintly. “Sister, is the pressure okay?”
It tingled along her sides, through her whole body—but heat pooled hot in her belly, like a rush of warmth. With her face flushed and breath coming in soft pants, Meng Chuning could hold back no longer. She rolled onto her back.
Her legs parted slightly, and the towel shielding her body slipped away.
“Sister… that was quick.” Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes sparkled clear and bright as she grinned at her. “I’ve only been massaging for five minutes.”
With that, she picked up the towel and draped it back over Meng Chuning’s waist and abdomen.
“This game isn’t fun.” Meng Chuning felt like she was being tortured to death. “Please, Xiaoyi—can we add some other services?”
“Then remember to give me a five-star review, Sister.” Jiang Xiaoyi leaned in closer.
“Hm?!” Meng Chuning’s pale toes curled tight. She looked down to see Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand slipping under the towel, pressing and rubbing deeper.
