Volume One, Chapter 11: Shen Nianchi?

"The person above, we have to wait until the end to take off the masks. What are you rushing for?"

...

As the comments scrolled by, Wen Zhi looked at her phone, stunned. Was she really being recognized this quickly?

Out of five options—White Porridge, Millet Porridge, Laba Porridge, Eight-Treasure Porridge, and Fruit Porridge—she had chosen Laba Porridge. The reason was simple: she was craving it, even though the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month had already passed.

Just then, the television broadcast announced, "The Q&A session begins. Please answer within three seconds."

"First question: What is your favorite sweet treat?"

"Chocolate."

Wen Zhi blurted it out.

The netizens watching the livestream were now even more certain of her identity. The Weibo account of Sheng Sheng, the author of *Hidden Heartbeat*, posted almost exclusively about chocolate.

"Ahhh, it really is her!"

"Oh my god! It’s really the author of *Hidden Heartbeat*! My favorite writer!"

"I finally get to see you in real life! This is amazing!"

"Ahhh, I’m so happy! I knew it was her, I guessed right!"

"Her voice sounds exactly like the anime protagonist!"

"Ahhh, I’m so excited! I can't believe she’s actually participating in a dating show!"

"Could it be that she likes someone? Is that why she came?"

...

"Second question: Among the male guests, is there anyone who makes your heart flutter?"

"...Yes."

Wen Zhi paused for two seconds before answering.

This answer pushed the livestream's popularity to a new peak. The netizens flooded the chat with comments.

"Holy crap, she really came for someone!!!"

"Oh my god, she’s single? That’s unbelievable."

"How old is she? From her voice, I thought she just graduated college."

"I’m so surprised she’s participating."

"She’s usually so mysterious. I’m shocked she’s on a dating show."

"But wait—who is the person who makes her heart flutter???"

"The mystery guest..."

...

Wen Zhi felt nervous after answering. With several male guests and only four episodes, surely the netizens couldn't guess who she liked, right?

Her palms were sweating. She had never been on a variety show, and wearing a mask made her feel uneasy.

Just then, her phone pinged. Wen Zhi picked it up and saw that her team-up was confirmed. She opened the chat box, which read: "Please take the handheld camera on the coffee table and head to Car No. 4 to go to the date location. Note: You are not allowed to remove your mask!"

...

At the same time, the others received notifications of their successful team-ups and headed toward their designated vehicles.

The livestream feeds for guests traveling in the same car were merged. Since the male guests were driving, the female guests held the cameras from the passenger seat.

When Wen Zhi boarded Car No. 4, the others had yet to leave the lounge.

The car hadn't started yet, so there was no heat. Someone had left a small gap in her window, and since she was dressed thinly and the temperature on Polar Island was freezing, she couldn't help but shiver.

She looked at the handheld camera, her lips stiff. Because it was an immersive, all-angle livestream, the viewers could see everything she did, but since she hadn't opened her phone, she couldn't see the live comments.

"She’s so fair! Her skin is incredible!"

"Ahhh, oh my god, her hands are so pretty too!"

"She’s so pale!"

"My god, she’s so thin??"

"Why is she so thin?"

"She’s wearing so little, she’s going to catch a cold. Did the production team arrange this on purpose??"

"Agreeing with the person above. Polar Island is freezing!"

"The production team is really looking for trouble. She’s going to get sick."

"They’ll do anything for ratings. I’m so angry."

"I feel so bad for her. Colds are miserable."

...

The comments were pouring in, but Wen Zhi was oblivious; she never imagined the viewers would be so concerned about her.

Five minutes passed. Bored, she began playing with the camera, moving her head from side to side and watching the lens follow her.

Suddenly, the wind picked up outside, and a light snow began to fall. Cold air rushed in through the gap in the window, and Wen Zhi shivered. "So cold..."

*Knock, knock, knock.*

A hand tapped on her window. Wen Zhi turned to see a man wearing a fox mask, dressed in a white suit over a black shirt.

Shen Nianchi?

Wen Zhi froze. The man opened the car door and whispered, "Hey..."

The wind was loud, and the microphone didn't pick up her voice clearly, so the viewers didn't hear her.

Shen Nianchi took off his white suit jacket and handed it to Wen Zhi. "Put this on."

It was his voice.

"No, that's okay..."

Wen Zhi hesitated and pushed the jacket back. Although she was cold, it felt inappropriate to wear a male guest's clothes right away. Plus, the viewers would surely suspect the production team had staged it for drama. She hadn't been on a show before, but she knew the tricks.

"Put it on. It’s windy by the beach; you don't want to catch a cold."

Shen Nianchi handed it to her again. Wen Zhi hesitated, then finally took it and draped it over her shoulders.

Seeing her wrap up, Shen Nianchi breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Have you been waiting long?"

"No."

Shen Nianchi closed her door, walked around the front of the car, and got into the driver's seat.

"Wow!"

The chat in their shared livestream exploded. Countless comments flooded the screen.

"Holy crap, that voice sounds so familiar! It sounds like Shen Nianchi!"

"My god, was that a head-pat?!"

"Oh my god, the mystery guest is Shen Nianchi!!!"

"My husband?! He’s so gentle!"

"Finally! The couple I ship is appearing in real life!"

"The voice actors for the anime protagonists of *Hidden Heartbeat* are on a dating show together?!!!"

"Ahhh, this production team is a godsend!"

"Sheng Sheng, when can we read the rest of *Hidden Heartbeat*?! Can you unlock it before the New Year?!!"

"My husband is so gentle!"

"I can't believe the niche couple I ship is actually on screen together!"

"Oh my god, the mystery guest is my dream guy, Shen Nianchi!"

"I’m so excited! My husband and my favorite author are on a dating show! I’m going to protect this ship with my life!"

...

The screen was filled with comments of "My husband is so gentle" and fans spamming "Sheng Sheng." The comments completely covered the video, forcing some viewers to turn them off.

But the two people in the car had no idea what was happening in the livestream.