Some in the barrage thought their eyes were playing tricks: 【??? What’s going on? I haven’t heard this before.】
【There were news reports of her going in and out of hospitals before, but she never mentioned it in any materials.】
Why wouldn’t she mention it? Even a child could figure it out. According to the nature of haters, they’d just accuse her of playing the victim.
The barrage was silent for a moment.
Finally, someone couldn’t hold back: 【…If this is true, then the people who were insulting her earlier really lack virtue. She’s earning money to pay for her family’s medical bills, and they accuse her of being money-minded.】
【And the ones criticizing her for listing her only contact, maybe she had no one else to put, so she listed her manager. Such a small thing, and you guys can’t let it go.】
Nowadays, variety shows are everywhere, and every show has fans fighting in chaotic bursts.
Since the official announcement, Limited-Time Heartbeat’s hype has been unmatched. The guests are all big names, and the fanbase is huge, overwhelming most variety shows. Even before airing, it hit trending topics with fights.
Many casual viewers interested in romance shows but not in fan culture just watched the fights since the announcement. Usually, Shen Fu took the brunt of the criticism, because her status is low and her fanbase isn’t strong.
But these casual viewers and fans from other circles didn’t know Shen Fu personally. Even if it seemed unreasonable, they wouldn’t wade into the mess.
Now that the show started, they saw for themselves that sometimes Shen Fu did almost nothing, yet the fans in the barrage would pick on her.
Whatever casual things she did, they’d interfere, reaching into everything.
Are their Film Emperor and Empress idol fans that much more noble?
Previously, some viewers who disliked the attacks on Shen Fu were too lazy to speak up, just watching the variety show, not typing.
But now, watching the young girl on screen finish washing her face, sit cross-legged on the bed to reply to messages, accustomed to handling debts, no different from ordinary people working hard, they softened a little.
Some with short tempers couldn’t help but scold: 【D*mn it, I have no manners, I’ll scold first. You guys criticizing Shen Fu are really vile, so idle all day, better go clean the village dung.】
Most of the people trashing Shen Fu were either rival fans with grudges or just following trends. They really didn’t expect this situation.
Suddenly their mood became complex, and they even forgot to fight back.
Running Lighthouse stared at the screen, still in disbelief. Even he, a hater loyal for three years, didn’t know Shen Fu’s situation.
He hesitated a moment, then opened his email again to check the IP he had asked someone to trace, and confirmed it. The IP showed that the small account wasn’t Shen Fu’s, it was more likely some crazy Chu Wei fan.
In the bottom right corner, the fan group was bouncing like crazy.
It was a small group of Chu Wei fans, about a dozen people, all trying to protect Shen Fu from attacks on this variety show for Chu Wei’s sake.
Someone in the group tagged him: What do we do if the barrage starts shifting?
??? Where’s the group owner?
Running Lighthouse didn’t reply. His hands rested on the keyboard, but his mind was scrambled, unsure what to say.
Rong Xiaozhen and the dozens of fans still watching the live stream were even more stunned.
How could even their own fans have no clue?!
If it weren’t for this unexpected twist, none of Shen Fu’s three-year loyal fans would have known!
The fans in the group looked at the arguing barrage and their eyes instantly reddened.
“They’re really bullying her too much.”
“We can’t let this continue.” Rong Xiaozhen held back the lump in her throat and typed in the group: “We’ve been very peaceful before, avoiding provoking others to prevent trouble for Shen Fu. But the weaker you are, the more you get bullied. Look at how our girl is being treated!”
“From now on, if anyone insults us, we insult them back.” Rong Xiaozhen tried to calm her mind, grabbed a notebook and pen, and started planning: “I’ll assign tasks now.”
This group was made up of die-hard fans accumulated over three years. Almost everyone was online. Once Rong Xiaozhen spoke, dozens immediately responded.
“Little Zhen, we have a few other scattered groups with many people. Gather everyone you can.”
“Little Qian, tally the schedules of our admins, let them each lead some of our fans to watch the stream in batches, and run dual screens to collect data.”
“Overlord Flower, you’re on the alphabet site. Try contacting some smaller but skilled creators and artists. We’ll buy a batch of single-person video edits.”
“No problem.”
“I’m on it.”
Everyone was hyped from being emotionally triggered, wanting the task done quickly.
After giving orders, Rong Xiaozhen planned to contact Shen Fu’s manager herself.
At this point, Liang Xiaochun should also step up.
Almost as soon as Rong Xiaozhen finished assigning tasks, someone noticed their super topic fans increased.
Weibo fan groups that had been quiet suddenly became active. Within a minute, hundreds of new messages appeared, and dozens of new fan applications joined the groups.
Not comparable to other top-tier stars, but it was exciting news for them.
Little Zhen, in charge of organizing the fans, was thrilled but reminded her admins: “Watch carefully, review seriously. Don’t let any disguised haters in.”
Shen Fu’s fans got busy, while the live broadcast continued.
Other rooms were still lit, but Shen Fu’s room was dark. As usual, she used a hat to block the camera.
Running Lighthouse’s fingers hovered over the keyboard. He felt he should say something about earlier, but didn’t know what to type. He started a random comment: 【She’s really health-conscious, sleeping so early.】
Unexpectedly, such a calm comment immediately drew scolding: 【Go f*** yourself, stirring trouble again.】
Running Lighthouse: …???
D*mn it, he hasn’t even said anything yet, so why does Shen Fu suddenly have fans?
But at this moment, he knew he was in the wrong, shrank back, and didn’t continue looking for insults.
However, after the barrage briefly shifted, people immediately started suspecting this was hype: 【What are the chances she just happened to get that payment message? Besides, who’s life isn’t hard? Is Shen Fu the only one struggling? My guy got two fractures within a month when he just started acting!】
【And the camera flashed so quickly just now, who knows if the person before even saw clearly. It’s just a message, no solid proof.】
Rong Xiaozhen knew they couldn’t argue with this group. Their fans were still too few, and aside from casual viewers, almost everyone in the barrage were other fans.
In this kind of romance variety show, everyone is a competitor. Even if they had no prior conflict with other fans, once Shen Fu appeared, other fans would step on her.
What they needed now was to conserve energy, promote tirelessly, and strengthen the fan group.
“I’ll write the promotion copy tonight.” She quickly ordered in the group: “We need to prepare psychologically. If no one comes to pick up Shen Fu tomorrow, we’ll post things like ‘poor girl’ or ‘our girl shines alone.’ Everyone prepare copy-paste versions. We must gradually control the narrative.”
The live stream continued, and the barrage kept fighting, but Shen Fu had no idea.
Today was the first day; there was still no mutual texting segment. Shen Fu lay on the bed, head resting on her hands, dazing.
Under the surface of the variety show, she honestly felt a little worried about tomorrow.
Being left alone would be embarrassing, but that was secondary. The main concern was whether it would rain tomorrow, waiting outside all day in the rain would be miserable.
Would the show allow returning early to soak in the hot springs if no one came?
Returning to soak in the hot springs, watch a movie, and eat the buffet prepared by the production team, wouldn’t that be lovely?
If someone did come to pick her up for a date, that would also be stressful. Any of these three exes weren’t easy to handle. She could avoid them if alone, but if it were a one-on-one date, there’d be no avoiding it.
And then there was Jiang Shu.
Thinking that he might drive up in front of someone else, Shen Fu’s racing thoughts suddenly stopped.
Apart from Jiang Shu, whose whereabouts were unknown, the other guests had all returned to their rooms, but none had turned off the lights so early.
Xiang Lingyun was still staying up to watch a game.
The barrage immediately laughed: 【Ge, do you want the game or your wife?】
Chu Wei leaned against the headboard, solving a Rubik’s cube.
Solving the Rubik’s cube was his specialty, he could finish a 4×4 in half a minute.
【He pretty much shows this off on every variety show.】
【What’s it to you? I just think it’s cute.】
Zuo Mei and Wen Zhenghan were reading and reviewing scripts respectively, and the barrage fangirled again.
Gu Qingshuang laid a mat in her room to do yoga.
【Wow, her figure is amazing, drooling.】
Everyone was a bit distracted. These were prominent figures; no one being chosen in the first segment would be awkward.
Female guests feared no one would come for them, and male guests feared showing up in front of the same female guest as someone else, causing her not to choose them.
They all calculated silently for a while.
Gu Qingshuang was the most worried. She had given small gifts earlier but, to maintain her soft, innocent image, didn’t interact much with everyone.
Especially Wen Zhenghan and Xiang Lingyun, she had almost zero contact with them.
Chu Wei was friendly, clean, sunny, and cheerful; he chatted with her in the living room before dinner. But before coming, Gu Qingshuang had heard that Chu Wei seemed to have a bonded CP with Xu Tiaotiao, though today, for some reason, there was no visible spark between them.
Wen Zhenghan’s interest in the Film Empress was obvious.
As for Xiang Lingyun, Xu Tiaotiao was cunning. After the rules were announced, she half-jokingly said something, and it seemed awkward for Xiang Lingyun not to pick her.
After thinking it over, Gu Qingshuang felt Jiang Shu was more stable.
They had met at a previous family gathering, and he had purposely sat across from her at dinner.
At least he would probably show consideration for both families.
Thinking this, Gu Qingshuang relaxed a little.
Also, she had mentioned she had a slight cold at dinner. Jiang Shu had left by car after the rules were announced; she didn’t know where he went.
When she spoke, Jiang Shu seemed to glance at her once.
Having seen countless romantic moments in variety shows, Gu Qingshuang secretly felt hopeful.
Could it be that he went to buy her cold medicine?
The barrage noticed too: 【? I wonder why there’s no footage of the crown prince? Where did he go? Did the car disappear too?】
【Aren’t guests supposed to stay in? D*mn, he really gets exceptions?】
【Did he go buy cold medicine for Gu Qingshuang?】
【Wow, the previous comment is so good at shipping, I think it’s very possible too!】
【Ahhh no way? Don’t do this, he’s too good! My heart’s racing!】
Some viewers watching the shippers were confused: 【LOL, it hasn’t even happened yet and you guys are already shipping?】
【Otherwise, what did D go for? I saw him barely glance at any other female guests, only a little interest in Gu Qingshuang.】
As the barrage passionately discussed, a car engine sound came from outside the villa.
【He’s back???】
【Any VIPs see if he’s carrying anything?】
【Yes! Yes! He’s carrying a paper bag!】
Gu Qingshuang heard the engine too, couldn’t hide her anticipation, and almost wanted to go check, but the camera in her room wasn’t off, acting on impulse would be immodest.
She held back, forced herself calm, and finished that yoga session.
After finishing, she draped a knitted cardigan over herself, picked up a mug, and pretended to go get some water, heading toward the living room.
Jiang Shu was just returning from outside, having changed his shoes; his tall, handsome figure cast a long shadow on the floor.
Gu Qingshuang immediately saw that he was holding a paper bag in his right hand.
Her heart started racing.
She didn’t greet him proactively and walked over to the bar to pour water, waiting for Jiang Shu to approach.
Step one, step two, step three.
Jiang Shu came closer and closer.
It wasn’t just Gu Qingshuang who was nervous; the viewers in the barrage were also holding their breath.
【Ahhh, I’m really shipping this pair…】
Then Jiang Shu simply walked past Gu Qingshuang.
Gu Qingshuang: ?
He didn’t even glance at her.
Barrage: 【?】
The faint smile on Gu Qingshuang’s face froze; she instantly questioned her own life choices. Embarrassed, she looked at Jiang Shu’s back and greeted him: “Mr. Jiang, where are you going? Out to buy something?”
Only then did Jiang Shu stop, giving her a brief, inexplicable glance: “Something you need?”
Gu Qingshuang: “…uh, no.”
Jiang Shu strode back to his room, leaving the barrage frozen in awkwardness.
Some barrage users were laughing to the point of tears: 【“He’s so good at this.”】
The previously sugar-shipping barrage: 【…………】
The barrage fell into an awkward silence for a moment, until a VIP noticed the silver sports car downstairs had been replaced by a black Land Rover SUV.
【?】
【??? Switched cars?】
【LOL, so the rich young master went back just to switch cars???】
【Seems not entirely.】 Someone who had quickly screenshot the moment before Jiang Shu removed the camera responded: 【It looks like the paper bag contained something he picked up, maybe for tomorrow’s female guest.】
The barrage became excited again.
【He specifically went back to get something??? D*mn it, is he going to pick up Gu Qingshuang tomorrow or not? If we don’t figure this out now, I won’t sleep tonight!】
