The night breeze carried the last of Han Yichen's words away, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the faint hum of crickets.
A faint glint of irony shimmered in her eyes as she turned away.
Secrets had a way of surfacing—no matter how deep people tried to bury them.
From somewhere deeper in the cottage came the shuffle of footsteps, followed by a crisp announcement.
"Camera one, rolling."
"Interview room ready."
The production assistant's voice cut cleanly through the night, echoing down the hall.
It was time for the first round of solo interviews—right after dinner.
One by one, the guests were called in.
Inside the recording room, the cameras were already set. The ring lights glowed bright against the plain backdrop, the _Heartbeat Cottage_ logo faintly gleaming in the corner.
Across the country, audiences held their phones in hand, waiting for the first solo interview to begin.
The first to enter was Wu Shiyun.
Her designer heels clicked against the floor, her chin tilted just so—spoiled elegance wrapped in silk and self-assurance.
[Our princess has arrived 👑]
[She doesn't even need to speak and you can feel the attitude 😂]
[Rich girl vibes MAX 💅]
"Wu Shiyun, what was your first impression of your fellow guest?"
The question came lightly from behind the camera.
Wu Shiyun crossed one leg over the other, the hem of her dress shifting as she leaned back in her chair.
"To be honest," she said with a faint, dismissive smile, "I didn't give the rest much attention. "
She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, lashes lowering just enough to look causal. "I already knew who I came for."
The interview blinked. "Oh? And who might that be?"
Her lips curved, confident and unapologetic. "Shen Xiyu. Of course."
The answer dropped like a stone in still water.
"I've met him at a few events before," she continued, tone almost airy. "You know we have the same family background, I think that is pretty important."
"Plus, he is handsome and well-mannered. So why waste time pretending otherwise?"
[She really just said it out loud 😭😭]
[Queen of zero subtlety 💅]
[Girl came on a dating show with ONE target locked in 🔥]
[Shen Xiyu better run or propose there's no in-between 💀]
[This season's villainess arc just unlocked]
The interviewer chuckled softly, trying to steer the mood back to neutral. "So…no interest in getting to know anyone else?"
Wu Shiyun tilted her head, smile never faltering. "I don't like wasting effort on things that don't matter."
[HELP she's so blunt it's iconic]
[Rich, spoiled, self-aware — the holy trinity 💰]
[Shen Xiyu's about to have his hands full 😂]
The crew exchanged quick glances behind the camera.
They didn't even need to cue a reaction—this clip alone would dominate tomorrow's trending chart.
"Next guest, please."
The door opened again.
Chen Yiming stepped in, white shirt sleeves rolled up, stethoscopes nowhere in sight but the air around him still carried that crisp, clinical precision unique to doctors.
He didn't bother to hide his disinterest, settling into the chair like someone dragged into a meeting he didn't ask for.
"Dr. Chen," the staff began carefully, "what are your impressions of the other guests?"
He leaned back, eyes half-lidded. "They seem…lively."
A pause.
The interviewer blinked."…Anything in particular that stood out to you?"
Chen Yiming's mouth curved faintly, a ghost of smile that didn't reach his eyes. "A few are here to make friends. A few are here to make headlines. Some—" his tone dipped, surgical and clean, "—are just here to eat for free."
[NO WAY HE SAID THAT 😭😭😭]
[Dr. Chen never misses 💀]
[He's not wrong tho 👀]
[Knife precision, 100% critical hit]
The cameraman nearly choked trying not to laugh. The interviewer, desperate to recover, cleared their throat. "No one you think you can make a romantic interest?"
"Romantic interest?" He let out a low chuckle, the sound void of warmth. "I'm here to give my filial piety worth."
[??? FILIAL PIETY??? 💀]
[Bro came to Heartbeat Cottage to make his mom proud 😭😭😭]
[This man's immune to romance I swear]
[Dr. Chen really said 'my mom made me join' 😭👏]
[Zero hearts given. Zero mercy dealt.]
The crew could barely keep straight faces. Someone behind the camera snorted, earring a sharp glare from the director.
"Next guest, please."
The mood lingered, a mix of suppressed laughter and disbelief. Heartbeat Cottage's audience comment section was already exploding.
[Dr. Chen ended the bloodline of romance shows 💀]
[Filial piety route unlocked 💀💀]
[How are we supposed to recover from that line 😭]
[Next please, save the mood!!]
The next to enter was Han Yichen.
Gone was the polished charm from dinner—though the smile remained, the edges were taut, his exhaustion hidden beneath practiced warmth.
He sat down, straightening the mic clipped to his collar, voice smooth as ever when he greeted the camera.
"Good evening."
[Back to the idol vibe ✨]
[He's so composed omg 😍]
[The perfect boyfriend image strikes again 🫠]
[Bro looks like he rehearsed that smile in front of a mirror 💅]
The interview leaned forwardly slightly, "Han Yichen, what's your impression of the other guests so far?"
Han Yichen gave a quiet laugh, "Everyone's very friendly. It's been easy to get along."
"Any particular guest you've found yourself drawn to?"
Han Yichen paused—just a fraction too long—enough for the anticipation to build, "She's thoughtful. Always pays attention to little details others might overlook. Even when she's tired, she still tries to make the people around her comfortable."
[She??? He said SHE 😭😭😭]
[Who's the lucky girl omg 😭]
[No way it's not Qiaolian—he's totally describing her 🥺🍝]
[Yeah, these few days, they have the most interactions!!! My cp is real!]
[My CP sensors are going off!! 🚨💘]
He gave a small laugh, scratching the back of his neck like he'd revealed too much. "I just admire people who are kind, that's all."
[NAH this is full-on confession coded 😭]
[Han Yichen, you didn't need to sound that fond 😭😭😭]
[It's over, I'm shipping it for real 💞]
The interviewer smiled, satisfied. "So… is there anyone you're particularly curious about?"
Han Yichen's smile didn't waver. "Curious?" he echoed, tone light. "Maybe. But it's better to get to know people slowly. That's what this show is about, isn't it?"
Perfect answer. Gentle, mature, PR-approved—just vague enough to stir the audience without breaking image.
[HE'S SO SMOOTH 😭😭😭]
[Ugh he's playing the long game fr 😭]
[Public boyfriend AND strategist combo 💀💘]
The production crew heaved a collective sigh of relief. Thank god — the fluttering-heart vibe that kept audiences hooked was still alive.
The next to enter was Sun Qiaolian.
Sun Qiaolian sat down gracefully, that gentle smile of hers already in place—the kind that looked harmless until it wasn't.
"How is these past few days so far?"
"It's been wonderful," she said, voice soft and melodic, the picture of modest sincerity. "Everyone here has been so kind and welcoming."
[She's so sweet 😭😭😭]
[Our Lian-lian angel 😇]
[You can tell she's the polite type—so gentle omg]
[She's glowinggg under the light ✨]
Then she paused, the corners of her lips curving just slightly, as if debating whether to continue.
"But…"Her lashes fluttered, voice growing smaller. "I'm not sure if I did something wrong. It feels like…maybe An Ning doesn't like me very much."
[👁️👁️ OH???]
[Wait WHAT did she sayyy 😭😭😭]
[Girl just dropped the quietest bomb 💀]
[Not her saying it so sweetly 😭😭😭]
She gave a soft, self-effacing laugh, lowering her gaze. "I really want to get along with her. Maybe I said something wrong without realizing… I just hope we can be friends."
[She's playing the innocent card again 😭😭😭]
[Nooo why she sound so sincere tho 😭 my heart 🥺]
[Why are you guys so mean? Lian-er is being sincere in wanting to be friends!]
['Maybe I said something wrong' girl you know exactly what you said 😭]
[This is master-level PR shade 😭💅]
[Lian-er is a the kindest gal, she is always taking care of others]
[Plus, An Ning doesn't seem like easy to get along!]
Her tone carried just enough tremor to sound genuine—enough to make anyone who didn't know better believe she was the one being misunderstood.
One of the staff exhaled quietly.
"She's good,"they muttered. "Really good."
"Next guest, please."
Zhao Guangyao entered with that familiar composed grace — posture straight, smile gentle, every movement neat enough to belong in an etiquette manual. He sat down, adjusted his cufflinks once, and looked straight at the camera with steady calm.
[Perfect husband material has entered 😭😭😭]
[He's giving "the one your mom wants you to date" vibes 💀]
[You just know he smells like expensive cologne and good decisions 😭🔥]
The interviewer began, "viewers have been calling you the definition of a gentleman. How do you feel about that?"
He gave a small laugh — modest, practiced, effortlessly likable. "I wouldn't dare call myself that," he said smoothly. "I just think sincerity is rare these days. If you like someone, you should focus on them — not play games."
[OH? 😭😭😭 he said focus on ONE person 😭🔥]
[Faithful king behavior 😭😭😭]
[Sir, please stop making eye contact while saying that 😭💘]
The interviewer smiled, interest piqued. "So, does that mean you've found someone you'd like to focus on?"
Zhao Guangyao paused, lips curving just enough to tease curiosity. "It's still early," he said softly, "but… there's someone who caught my attention from the start."
[SCREAMINGGG 😭😭😭 he's about to name drop]
[WHO WHO WHO 😭😭😭]
[He's not gonna say it outright I just know 😭]
"Can we ask who that might be?"
He chuckled quietly, eyes lowering for a second before lifting again. "Let's just say she's confident. Knows her worth. Not afraid to speak her mind — and that's something I respect."
A meaningful pause. The audience didn't need a name. Everyone already knew.
[WU SHIYUN CONFIRMED 😭😭😭]
[My CP IS REAL 🔥🔥🔥]
[Gentleman and heiress combo — power couple incoming 💅]
[He really said he likes strong women 😭😭😭]
[Finally, a man who knows what he wants 😭💘]
The interviewer nodded, smiling. "So, you're someone who prefers to pursue, rather than wait to be noticed?"
"I don't believe in chasing many people," Zhao Guangyao said calmly, "but I do believe in showing consistency to one."
[Consistent??? Faithful??? STOP 😭😭😭]
[This man's out here giving relationship sermons 💀💘]
[Shen Xiyu giving mystery, Han Yichen giving drama, Zhao Guangyao giving stability 😭😭😭]
Behind the monitor, the director dabbed at his eyes dramatically."Finally," he whispered hoarsely, "someone remembered this is a romance show."
The cameraman chuckled. "Yeah, but the way he's saying it—it's almost too perfect."
And indeed, it was.
Zhao Guangyao's kind of sincerity wasn't loud. It was measured, deliberate — the kind that made you want to believe him, even if you shouldn't.
[He's too smooth 😭😭😭 help I'm falling for the PR illusion 😭🔥]
[He's playing faithful-man chess while everyone else's playing checkers 💀]
[This is how second male leads ruin lives 😭😭😭]