Zhu Sha wasn’t one to overthink things. She just nodded and said, "Yeah, I was the first one here. Zhou Jintang was the second."
Yun Lan looked at Zhou Jintang, but where was the gentle air he had just a moment ago? He gave Yun Lan a slight nod. "Hello, I’m Zhou Jintang."
When he turned back to Zhu Sha, however, his tone became gentle. "Have some tea."
Zhu Sha held the cup and took a couple of sips. "Thank you."
She couldn’t help but stare at Zhou Jintang again. Surprised, he asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zhu Sha looked a little sheepish. "You just seem so familiar, but I can’t remember where I might have seen you before. Your name sounds familiar, too."
Being ignored by Zhou Jintang naturally put Yun Lan in a bad mood. She subconsciously muttered, "Even pickup lines aren’t that cliché anymore."
Zhu Sha froze, clearly sensing the hostility in Yun Lan’s words. Just as she was about to explain, Zhou Jintang spoke up. "We have met before. It was at Lu Chenling’s birthday party four years ago."
"Four years ago..." Zhu Sha thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "Oh, it was you! No wonder you seemed so familiar. Thank you for helping me that day. I wanted to thank you properly afterward, but I couldn’t find you."
Zhou Jintang raised his cup to her. "I was working abroad after that. I only came back in the last two years."
Listening to their conversation, Yun Lan wanted to interject, but when Zhou Jintang’s gaze swept over her, she resentfully shut her mouth. She dared to snap at Zhu Sha, but she didn’t dare act out in front of Zhou Jintang. For some reason, she had a feeling he wasn’t as gentle as he appeared on the surface.
Zhu Sha wasn’t the type to hold a grudge. After realizing who Zhou Jintang was, she didn’t leave Yun Lan out, making sure to exchange a few words with her as well. ’If I just ignore everyone and chat happily with Zhou Jintang, what if the final edit makes it look like I’m ostracizing Yun Lan?’
Zhu Sha was no fool; she wouldn’t give anyone that kind of ammunition against her.
By three in the afternoon, four female guests and three male guests had arrived at the cottage.
The female guests were Zhu Sha, Yun Lan, Ji Ying, and Lin Meng. The male guests were Zhou Jintang, Huo Feng, and Zhuo Yan. Only the last male guest had yet to arrive.
Zhou Jintang sat right next to Zhu Sha. Judging by his attitude and how attentive he was to her, the other guests understood his intentions. The other two men were more relaxed, seemingly content to sit back and watch the drama unfold.
Especially after hearing that Zhu Sha and Zhou Jintang had met before, Huo Feng and Zhuo Yan were pretty sure—chances were, Zhou Jintang was here specifically for her.
The mood among Yun Lan, Ji Ying, and Lin Meng turned a little complicated, especially for Yun Lan. ’To put it bluntly, we’re all female guests on this show,’ she thought. ’What makes you so special that you get preferential treatment?’
Anyone who would bind themselves to a knockoff system was generally not a person of high integrity, and Yun Lan was no exception.
However, she had learned to be smarter now and didn’t dare cause trouble for Zhu Sha directly. Besides, they were filming, so she couldn’t just act recklessly. It was strange—she always felt like her life wasn’t supposed to be like this. But where exactly had things gone wrong?
Just as everyone was waiting with bated breath, the final male guest finally made his entrance.
"Sorry, I’m late." The newcomer apologized as soon as he entered. Before anyone could even see his face, just the sound of his voice made Zhu Sha stiffen.
Zhou Jintang glanced at her. "Are you all right?"
"I’m fine," Zhu Sha said, collecting herself. "Couldn’t be better."
’Mr. Tan, you were waiting for me with this, weren’t you?’ More than being shocked to see Lu Mofeng, Zhu Sha was exasperated by Tan You’s secrecy. ’If you had told me Lu Mofeng was going to be here, I... ’
’You wouldn’t have come?’ Tan You retorted, a proverbial eyebrow raised. ’Ever heard of desensitization therapy? Besides, he came here for you. Lu Mofeng only joined after you signed up.’
Zhu Sha paused. ’Desensitization therapy? I guess it’s worth a try.’
’Lu Mofeng came for me? So he’s "Aurora"? Then what about Zhou Jintang?’
Tan You wasn’t about to tell her. ’That’s for you to find out. Why else would the boss of a major corporation spend so much time on a little dating show?’
Tan You’s words said nothing, yet they seemed to say everything. Zhu Sha fell silent. ’I understand. I’ll think about it myself. You’re right. I do need to try this desensitization therapy.’
’That’s the spirit,’ Tan You said with a mental laugh. ’It’s time to get some closure. It’s not like you’re the one who wronged him. You’re here, heartbroken, while he’s out there living his best life. Think about it. Is that fair?’
Zhu Sha was silent for a long time. ’It’s not fair. You’re right. I can’t accept this. Why should he get to have such a good life?’
’He hurt me so much. I have to pay him back... for example, by exposing his true colors?’
Tan You clapped his hands in delight. ’Exactly! Damned scumbags have to pay the price.’
Zhu Sha’s exchange with Tan You took place in a mere instant. Zhou Jintang, who had been watching her closely, was surprised to see her recover after freezing for only a moment.
But on second thought, he was pleased. He admired a woman who could let things go. Of course, if she couldn’t let it go, he had his ways.
The first person Lu Mofeng saw upon entering the living room was Zhu Sha. It had been nearly four years since their divorce, and this was the first time he had seen her since.
Divorce really could change a person. Zhu Sha was no longer the haggard, insecure woman she used to be. Now, she was like a pearl. While not as dazzling as a diamond, her gentle, lustrous glow was impossible to ignore as she simply sat there.
The moment Yun Lan saw Lu Mofeng, her eyes lit up. "Hello! Come, have a seat. We’ve all been waiting for you."
Lu Mofeng smiled. "Sorry for being late. My name is Lu Mofeng. You all can just call me Mofeng."
The others introduced themselves one by one. When it was Zhu Sha’s turn, Lu Mofeng smiled and said, "We know each other. Long time no see."
Zhu Sha set down her teacup, her tone perfectly calm. "Long time no see."
Yun Lan stiffened. ’They know each other too? How does Zhu Sha know so many people?’
Huo Feng and Zhuo Yan exchanged a look, their eyes full of glee at the unfolding drama. How could they not know who Lu Mofeng was? They just never expected him to show up on a program like this.
’Looks like he’s here for Zhu Sha, too, huh?’
Seeing everyone silently exchanging glances, Zhou Jintang decided to break the deadlock. "Has everyone seen the rooms yet? Why don’t we get those assigned? I see you all have quite a bit of luggage."
Huo Feng was the first to jump on the new topic. "Sure! How about the women take the second floor and the men take the first?"
The female guests naturally had no objections. Zhu Sha herself hadn’t brought much luggage; she could always just go back and get anything she was missing. But when it was time to carry her suitcase, both Zhou Jintang and Lu Mofeng offered to help, and both were refused by Zhu Sha. "I don’t have much. I can manage on my own."