SWNOVELXO Chapter 46 - Past love interest?
“After our director team’s discussion, guests interested in same-gender partners will be separated during the matching phase. Simply put, if both are women, one of them will temporarily join the men’s team. They’ll be separated first, and if they choose each other successfully, they can continue the activities together.”
“Before writing down the name of the person you’re interested in and putting it in the box, each of you will go through a short interview about why you’re choosing that person.”
“With the rules explained, since everyone’s done with lunch, please divide into two teams—men and women—and follow the staff to separate rooms.”
Jiang Zi stood up, looking down at Tang Yuan. She lightly pinched the back of Tang Yuan’s neck with her cold fingers, smiling as Tang Yuan flinched at the touch.
“Choose me.” There was no room for negotiation.
Leaving that instruction, she followed the men’s team out.
Tang Yuan rubbed the spot on her neck that Jiang Zi had touched, the strange feeling still lingering.
“Ladies, follow me.”
The four women followed behind the staff. Ling Jun ruggled her long hair back, her bright red lips curving into a playful smile. “So the numbers don’t match now, right? Meaning someone will be left out?”
Meng Yao’er glanced at Tang Yuan and smiled knowingly. “Right, looks like we’re heading into a battlefield.”
Tang Yuan and Jie Xin didn’t join in the banter.
Once in the room, they sat on the sofa. Tang Yuan seemed distracted while the other three were already chatting.
“Xin Xin, who are you picking this time? Still going with Brother Qiao?” one of them asked.
Jie Xin looked flustered and blushed, “I’m… I’m not sure…”
Checking her reflection in a compact mirror, Ling Jun said nonchalantly, “Poor Zi An might have to make some sacrifices. All three new guys are so cute; I’m a bit tempted.”
“Wait, haven’t you and Zi An been getting along well these past two seasons?” asked Jie Xin, confused.
“Dating is all about experimenting. Different people bring different sparks. How else will you know who’s the best match for you?”
Meng Yao’er giggled, “Sister Jun-jun you’re gonna break Zi An’s heart.”
Ling Jun folded her mirror with a laugh. “Enough about me. What about you? Have you decided on anyone?”
“Just because you pick someone doesn’t mean they’ll pick you back,” Jie Xin reminded, “Anyone left unmatched has to work in the fields.”
Ling Jun leaned back against the sofa. “So, you’re playing it safe and sticking with Qi Hong Qiao?”
Jie Xin didn’t answer, turning to Meng Yao’er instead, “Yao’er, anyone caught your eye?”
Meng Yao’er smiled subtly, her gaze flitting over Tang Yuan before she replied, “Yes, but I won’t say who just yet.”
“Okay,” Ling Jun said, glancing at Tang Yuan, who seemed lost in thought. “What’s on your mind, Little Yuan?”
“Huh?” Tang Yuan looked up, startled. “Oh, I’m just thinking about what to say during the interview later.”
Ling Jun raised her eyebrows, a teasing glint in her eyes. They all knew why Jiang Zi wasn’t in the same room as them—she’d practically instructed Tang Yuan to pick her before leaving.
“Ah, some of us are still looking for a perfect match, and some already have their hearts set,” Ling Jun quipped.
Meng Yao’er tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile carrying a hint of intrigue. “Sister Jianh is quite the heartthrob—who wouldn’t be into her?”
Tang Yuan furrowed her brow, her gaze shifting to Meng Yao’er with a touch of curiosity. Meng Yao’er met her gaze unflinchingly, as if challenging her, and for a moment, sparks seemed to fly between them.
Tang Yuan suddenly felt a sense of irritation.
Could this be the “female lead effect”? Why is there also a female love rival? Wasn’t this supposed to be an old-school CEO drama?
Ling Jun, perceptive as always, noticed the underlying tension between them but had no intention of getting involved.
For now, it seems like only she and Jie Xin have normal preferences in the women’s team, and there were five guys on the other side.
This episode was shaping up to be quite the showdown. She couldn’t wait to see it unfold.
“Please write down the name of the person you’re interested in and place it in the box. You have three minutes, after which you’ll enter the interview room one by one.”
Each person received a card with their name printed on it and an empty line for their choice, along with a pen.
Without hesitation, Tang Yuan wrote down Jiang Zi’s name.
Meng Yao’er finished writing nearly simultaneously, glancing briefly at Tang Yuan as she set down her pen, but Tang Yuan remained quiet, not looking her way.
Jie Xin hesitated, her brows furrowed, and only wrote down a name at the last minute.
Ling Jun, calm and relaxed, leisurely wrote her choice and dropped it in the box.
“Alright, the first guest can now enter the interview room.”
Ling Jun stood up naturally. ” I’ll go first, then.”
Ten minutes later, Ling Jun returned to the room, and another person went in for their turn.
Tang Yuan was the last to go.
She sat in the chair facing the camera, maintaining her composure as she looked at the woman holding the microphone.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Miss Tang Yuan.”
“May I ask about your relationship history? Have you ever been in a relationship before?”
The questions began, with the first one unrelated to her ideal partner. Typically, such questions are met with responses aligning with one’s public persona, rarely a complete truth.
However, Tang Yuan answered sincerely, “I’ve never been in a relationship before, but I have had a crush.”
A crush? Was Tang Yuan about to reveal details of a past love interest?
【See, we all knew Tang Yuan used to like Chu Yu and even chased after him openly. The whole school knew about it.】
【There were rumors ages ago about a love triangle between Tang Yuan, Chu Yu, and Jiang Zi, but nobody believed it.】
【This whole thing is just her playing up a queer image. She used to like men—sexual orientation doesn’t change that easily.】
【Don’t talk about our little Tang Yuan like that! It could be that her crush is actually Sister Jiang?】
The staff member conducting the interview perked up, intrigued. “Would you mind sharing more?”
“Sure,” Tang Yuan replied calmly. “The person I had a crush on is actually close to being won over—it’s the one I wrote down as my ideal partner.”
The interviewer was momentarily taken aback by her straightforwardness and had to gather herself before continuing. “Oh, I see. So, you two haven’t made your relationship public yet?”
Viewers in the live chat immediately lit up, thrilled by the confirmation they’d been hoping for.
“It’s not that we haven’t made it public,” Tang Yuan clarified, serious. “It’s that we’re not together yet.”
【Are you serious? After all that flirting, you two aren’t even dating?!】
【You two act like a couple, but there’s no official status? What is this game you’re playing?】
【Come on, you two are practically there already—just make it official!】
【If this is all just scripted, I swear I’ll eat you guys!】
“Hahaha. Oh, and by the way, someone else has chosen the same ideal partner as you! I hope you and your crush really are in sync.”