AAUMOBIP C47

Dating Show 04

Sweet, Sweet Love filming wrapped up its second day. By the third day, it was already the final day of the show.

The last day’s rules were simple: in the morning, the guests had to earn their own money; in the afternoon, they would film at an amusement park, with all expenses paid out of their morning earnings. Those who had borrowed money from the production team during the mountain hike on day two now had to repay ten times the loan.

Liu He felt that even if he and Yun-ge only bought two lollipops and sat together in the amusement park, it would already be perfect.

He hadn’t borrowed a single cent from the crew—everything he ate and drank was carried up the mountain by Yun-ge himself.

While other guests worked busily to earn money for the afternoon, these two basically slacked off.

Rather than finding ways to earn, they sat chatting in a park corner.

That wouldn’t do. With nothing happening, there’d be nothing to film.

The director reminded pointedly: “Lunch has to be paid with your own earned money. The crew won’t provide meals.”

Only then did these “two salted fish**” move at last.

Liu He borrowed a small electric scooter from the production team—on credit, with ten RMB as the rental fee, which was already a friendly discount. Then he began doing food deliveries.

He was no stranger to the job—back when he had no money, he used to work part-time as a delivery rider for months, making a decent income. This was one of the fastest ways to earn in a short time.

Yun Jingqiu didn’t follow him. Instead, he found a chestnut shop, negotiated with the shop owner, and agreed to work three hours for 100 RMB.

The shop owner, not recognizing him, noticed the filming equipment strapped to his body—figured this must be a live broadcast—and realized she could use it as publicity for her chestnut stall. That was why she gave such a high rate, far more than her staff’s regular wage.

Yun Jingqiu understood this perfectly, so he faced the camera and called out: “Anyone craving chestnuts? If you make a purchase here at the shop, we can take a photo together.”

Autographs were out—the moment he had disinfected hands and put gloves on, he couldn’t hold a pen without contaminating them.

Live Comments (弹幕 barrage):

【On my way now!】

【Boss, you just bought yourself the deal of the century—100 bucks is nothing compared to this hype!】

【Quick, roast more chestnuts—this stock won’t last five minutes!】

【Already heading there!】

【Mark my words, this shop is going to become a trending spot!】

As expected, passersby drawn by his looks stopped by to buy chestnuts. Sometimes, a face itself was a live advertisement.

And soon fans who’d received the news trickled in too. One fan, after buying a kilo of chestnuts, asked: “Yun-ge, can I take a picture with you?”

“Of course,” Yun Jingqiu said, “but only at the shopfront.”

“No problem!” she nodded eagerly.

Gradually, more fans arrived, forming a long queue outside.

The boss, never having seen such a crowd, was so flustered she dropped the melon seeds in her hand. Chestnuts weren’t enough—she rushed to fire up the machine nonstop.

For a full three hours, the roasting machine didn’t get a break—every new batch sold out instantly.

Seeing time was up, Yun Jingqiu asked staff politely: “Please help guide the crowd.”

The crew dispersed the fans. Assistant Song Zhiyuan, having watched the chaos escalate, had ordered several rounds of milk tea earlier. These were handed out to soothe lining fans.

Those who got free milk tea but missed the chestnuts left disappointed but couldn’t obstruct the show. Reluctantly, they dispersed.

At checkout, the boss happily calculated profits worth a week’s sales and guessed rightly that her temp worker must be a celebrity. On the spot, she tried to hand him 500 RMB instead.

But Yun Jingqiu only took his promised 100. “Other stores refused to hire me, but you gave me a chance. How can I take more than I deserve?”

The owner was deeply touched—not only was this young man handsome, he was polite and conscientious. She packed a large bag of chestnuts as a gift: “Please take these. You brought me more business in three hours than I usually make in a week!”

Some fans, unable to secure roasted chestnuts, settled for other snacks at the store—after all, any purchase meant a photo. Indeed, today’s sales skyrocketed.

Accepting the free chestnuts, Yun Jingqiu headed off to find Liu He.

Liu He had run deliveries all morning, managing about 70–80 RMB.

Together, they’d earned well over 100—plenty for a good lunch.

Meanwhile, other guests who still owed money from mountain climbing worked furiously to repay debts.

One gamer guest went to an internet café and did paid “boosting,” raking in a tidy sum.

By lunch’s end, one guest still had only 140 RMB left, barely enough after spending 120 RMB on the amusement park tickets.

At lunch, Yun Jingqiu peeled chestnuts one by one, feeding them to Liu He like candy.

By afternoon, they entered the theme park. It was a weekday, so not very crowded. They bought two milk teas.

Each was drained: one had been running deliveries, the other standing for hours selling chestnuts and posing for photos.

After enough rest, they hit the roller coasters and pirate ships.

When they got off, Liu He’s legs were wobbly but his eyes sparkled: “Again?”

Yun Jingqiu laughed, indulgent as always.

That afternoon, they played to their fill. The show’s filming finally drew to an end.

The program finale was “Pairing Choice.” Each guest privately chose someone they liked. If both liked each other, they matched successfully.

Yun Jingqiu and Liu He, of course, chose each other—successfully paired.

Another couple among the guests also matched, the rest did not.

Those who matched received a small mock “award ceremony.”

In truth, it was just a certificate made by the crew, “proving” the two had successfully held hands.

Seeing the paper certificate, Liu He chuckled. They had been married for years—and here they were, being congratulated for “holding hands successfully” on a dating show. The irony was almost absurd.

With filming over, both finally breathed easy.

Ending his contract with Xingyao Entertainment went smoothly. After the dating show, the company didn’t stir up any further trouble.

Soon after, Yun Jingqiu opened his own studio.

He brought his assistant Song Zhiyuan with him. When it came to his former agent, Wang-ge, he hesitated but finally extended an olive branch.

The main obstacle? The deep trauma of being forced to eat endless weight-loss meals under Wang-ge’s supervision.

Still, as a professional, Wang-ge was outstanding. Without him, Yun Jingqiu wouldn’t be where he was. So he hoped to keep working together.

Aside from them, his trusted makeup artist also joined.

Together, he pulled his whole small team away from Xingyao, forming his personal studio.

Once things stabilized, he accepted an invitation from a familiar director and entered a new filming project.

But by then, the dating show had aired, so keeping secrecy was impossible. Everyone now knew Liu He’s identity.

Back at work, Liu He was ambushed by curious colleagues: “So it was you with Yun Jingqiu?”

Smiling, Liu He admitted: “Yes, that was me. I brought souvenirs—signed posters and official merch.”

He had prepared this in advance, already aware how many of Yun Jingqiu’s fans were in his office. As for other offices, that was not his problem.

Happy colleagues accepted, still full of questions.

Anticipating this, Liu He calmly shared safe bits of their story. But everyone was desperate to know how they’d met.

With a small grin, Liu He explained: “He was the one who pursued me. We started as an online romance. After meeting in person, we got along well, so we dated. Then, eventually, we married.”

“This is barely a story!” his colleague protested. “What about the tale Yun-ge tells, about how you rescued him from danger?”

Liu He considered, then answered honestly: “Ah—that. At the very beginning, we were both playing a martial-arts online game. He got attacked by other players. I stepped in and saved him.”

Colleague: ?

“That’s it?”

Liu He nodded calmly: “That’s it. Later, he clung to me, we became gaming buddies, and over time started online dating.”

“What game?”

“Long shut down. It was called Xia Yuan.”

The colleague-fan was utterly crushed. She had imagined some romantic tale—perhaps Yun-ge being mobbed by fans, only for Liu He to heroically save him.

But no—it was just… saving his in-game character.

In a video game!

Just like that!

Her worldview collapsed.

Still—if Yun Jingqiu’s own partner worked here, didn’t that mean she’d have exclusive access to signed merch, without competing with outsiders? Internal privilege?

Realizing this, she quickly rifled through the bag of goodies Liu He had brought, grinning ecstatically.

Her wish: may her colleague and Yun Jingqiu never break up. She would devote her career in this research institute to loyally following Yun-sao!

After briefly sharing their story, Liu He checked the clock, urging everyone back to the lab benches.

He stood, casually messaging Yun Jingqiu:

【Xiao He: Yun-ge, I want milk tea.】

【Husband: Sure】

【Husband: I’ll order you some】

Soon, afternoon tea was delivered. Not just Liu He’s, but milk tea for the entire office, provided by Yun Jingqiu.

【Husband: Now, can I come pick Xiao He up after work?】

Liu He nearly laughed out loud at that.

This had long been Yun Jingqiu’s wish. Back when his identity was hidden, Liu He never allowed it, so Yun Jingqiu never dared come. He still valued discretion.

But now? Identity revealed—no more hiding.

【Xiao He: No overtime today, finishing at 5:30.】

【Husband: I’ll wait for you at the gate.】

【Xiao He: Okay】

“That’s so sweet,” his colleague sighed happily, sipping the milk tea gifted by Yun Jingqiu.

Liu He smiled, sipping too.

It really felt like he and Yun-ge could keep loving forever—never getting tired of it.

And Yun-ge’s milk tea? Absolutely delicious.

He thought so again as he took another sip.

That evening, Yun Jingqiu drove one of his garage’s luxury cars to fetch Liu He—openly, without shame.

It was the first time he had ever come to pick Liu He up at the institute. He loitered, pacing around, even waiting outside the car, deliberately making himself visible.

Facing the curious stares of his coworkers, Liu He stepped into the passenger seat.

“You’re really ostentatious,” he muttered.

Strapping him in securely, Yun Jingqiu just grinned: “First time picking up my lover from work—what’s wrong with showing off a little?”

Footnotes

** Salted fish (咸鱼 xiányú): Slang for someone being lazy or unmotivated, “flopping like a dead fish.”