Chapter 121: The Grand Finale of the Dating Show (Part II)

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Under the brightly lit pedestrian overpass, the camera captured both stairways, and a pair of feet stepped onto the stairs. The wind wasn’t strong, yet as Zhou Yun stepped onto the bridge, her white dress fluttered gently in the breeze.

A wide-angle shot circled around Zhou Yun and Yang Jiaxing, and many viewers typed tearful comments in the chat.

“Do you think we missed our chance?” Yang Jiaxing asked Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Yang Jiaxing nodded, his expression tinged with melancholy, as if answering and sighing at the same time: “I also think not. It’s just that being on this dating show with Tang Zhichu was so hopeless.”

Zhou Yun’s expression grew complicated.

“One Tang Zhichu, one Chen Siyang; each disrupted the rhythm of the male and female contestants. Without Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang, maybe they would have ended up together.”

“Truly hopeless. But for Xiaoyun, didn’t Chen Siyang also bring despair? From the start, she captivated three male contestants!”

“That’s why I don’t understand why so many people criticize Xiaoyun, and those keyboard warriors probably didn’t even get any screen time.”

“I swear, all those confessions felt like knives stabbing!”

“Still, I have to admit, Sugar God and Yangyang, it’s one thing to mess with others, but you two should at least fight for yourselves!”

Seeing this comment, Wang Xiucai spat out his drink—there was some truth in that.

Chen Siyang had made a strong early impression, capturing the attention of all the boys; Tang Zhichu made her move later, attracting all the girls. The result? Neither pair worked out, and they both ended up with their own problems.

Wang Xiucai suddenly thought the production team must be struggling as well.

“Wow, Sister Lan is on! So beautiful!”

“This season’s female contestants really have stunning looks—simple styling, wind-swept long hair, and elegant orchid blooms. Actually, the one best suited for Sugar God should be Sister Lan. She definitely wouldn’t have Yangyang’s reservations.”

“Forget about Jun Ge, I always feel like he’s acting all clever.”

“I’m a professional,” “I think it’s beautiful,” “You had a great time on our date.”

“Hahaha! What a sudden change in vibe! Jun Ge, you’re my god!”

Seeing Huang Zejun step onto the bridge, Wang Xiucai couldn’t help but laugh. This dating show had one inexplicably popular figure: Huang Zejun.

It all started after his date with Jiang Lan, when Jiang Lan clearly looked unhappy and all the viewers called it awkward. Then he said, “You had a great time on our date, didn’t you?”

The next day, he was trending online!

Many called him the “dating show’s little tyrant.”

Jiang Lan stood with her hands clasped behind her back, intelligent and mature, with a hint of playfulness: “When you’re with girls, don’t be too subjective. Pay more attention to their feelings.”

Huang Zejun nodded, as if both agreeing and confirming: “I will. But I think I did okay, right?”

The chat exploded with laughter at this moment.

Overall, Huang Zejun and Jiang Lan weren’t antagonistic, but no one really believed in their pairing.

In the end, Huang Zejun, acting like an experienced veteran, said to Jiang Lan, “I think you’ll meet someone better, really.”

Wang Xiucai couldn’t contain himself any longer—he was overjoyed.

But what was meant to come would come.

Once again, the wide-angle shot showed Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang stepping onto the overpass.

Someone spoiled it, and the chat was flooded with unresolved emotion.

Chen Siyang, wearing a hat, made Wang Xiucai feel a little dazed, as though he was back at the first episode of the show, when Chen Siyang was the quiet, cool girl.

As for the hat, Tang Zhichu had encouraged Chen Siyang to be sunnier, saying that while coolness was attractive, happiness mattered more.

The camera zoomed in on Chen Siyang’s face, mesmerizing on screen. Wang Xiucai sighed deeply—she was indeed stunning, worthy of being one of the top beauties in the industry. But this time, Chen Siyang didn’t seem so cool; there was a fragile beauty about her.

Tang Zhichu wasn’t bad either; the fact that even Chen Siyang’s fans were willing to accept her probably had something to do with Tang Zhichu’s own looks.

The two simply exchanging glances sent the chat into a flood of sobbing emoticons.

“I remember I asked you if you minded a long-distance relationship, and you never answered.”

“If I answer now, do you want to hear it?”

“You say it, and I’ll listen.”

Tang Zhichu leaned against the railing of the overpass, cupped his hands like a megaphone, and shouted: “Then I’ll support you!”

Chen Siyang froze, and Tang Zhichu turned back, smiling and asked, “Is shouting okay?”

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At this, Wang Xiucai immediately hit pause; he felt a chill on his scalp, then laughed, only to have his expression freeze again, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

To Wang Xiucai, Tang Zhichu hadn’t backed down—he was clear-headed, and this must have been his true feelings. But for Chen Siyang, how was that possible?

“Wuwuwu…”

“‘Heartbeat Season Seven,’ episode seven, at 1:55:54, image frozen. For me, the show ends here.”

“I’ll support you! I’m crying!”

“Iconic moment. Regardless of the outcome, thank you for today’s encounter!”

“No way, are they really getting together now?!”

“Wow, so brave, Sugar God!”

“Yes, that’s it! Why didn’t you say it earlier?!”

Many viewers, swept up in the moment, rekindled their hopes.

That moment when the boy shouted to the girl was carved into everyone’s memory.

Chen Siyang’s eyes welled with tears, sparkling.

“So, see, what’s the use of answering?” Tang Zhichu’s expression changed slightly as he softly said.

Chen Siyang shook her head repeatedly, tears falling.

“It’s useful! It is! Are you blind? Look at her! She’s crying! You’re driving me crazy!”

“Look at her, you fool! Look at the girl beside you!”

“Big idiot, it matters! You’re killing me! Hold her! Hold her! Are you missing hands or a brain?!”

“Damn, can I just jump into Sugar God’s body? I nearly smashed my computer!”

“Yangyang, say it! Say you like him! Say I’ll support you! How did I end up with you two little rascals? I’m so frustrated!”

Seeing the frantic, fiery comments, Wang Xiucai didn’t laugh; his eyes clouded as he followed the scene.

Just as everyone was desperate, Tang Zhichu actually embraced her.

Wang Xiucai’s eyes widened. Were they really together now? It shouldn’t be—it was supposed to end with them parting on the bridge!

“Oh my, he’s finally stepping up! Sugar God is stepping up!”

“Yes, yes, hold her!”

“Tears streaming, but I’m so happy. Can it just end like this? Please!”

“A heartfelt plea: Tianhe Entertainment, please sign Sugar God!”

“Please, let this be the ending. I can’t take any more heartbreak or I’ll die!”

“Don’t move—I’m heading to the civil affairs bureau now. Please, please!”

That embrace felt eternal for the fans who had followed the season.

It seemed they were just one step away from being together.

“Ajeloo Ajeloo. Ajeloo Ah Jie.”

At this moment, Tang Zhichu’s voice rang out again, softly singing a song. At first, everyone thought it was just filler syllables in the lyrics.

Soon, the chat began explaining.

“As a Yi ethnic, I’m stunned—it’s Yi language! That means ‘Don’t be afraid.’ Sugar God is telling Yangyang not to be afraid!”

“Wow!”

“Yangyang is from Qionghai, where many Yi people live!”

“What does it mean? Why don’t I understand?”

“Are you stupid? This is Sugar God singing a song only Yangyang can understand! If this isn’t love, I’ll eat dirt standing on my head!”

“Sugar God’s from Yuzhou, Han ethnicity!”

“Yes, so he learned it for Yangyang!”

“Tearful. If they don’t end up together now, I’ll send blade letters!”

But often, endings are disappointing.

After Tang Zhichu finished the song, he whispered in Chen Siyang’s ear: “Don’t be afraid. Step forward boldly. There’s a long road ahead. Until we meet again.”

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When Tang Zhichu finished speaking, the chat exploded.

They clearly liked each other—why go through so much if they didn’t?

And Chen Siyang, unwilling to part even after the embrace.

Yet after parting, she only said, “Until we meet again.”

The camera shifted. Not only the audience but many camera operators rubbed their eyes. Even the director’s eyes were red as he gave a shot.

“I refuse! Why? Is there some kind of unspoken rule? It’s all out in the open, yet they don’t end up together?”

“You really know how to break hearts! Just one last step away!”

“Wuwu…”

“Unbearable. Why? They clearly like each other—why can’t they be together?”

“I’ve smashed my computer. If I watch another dating show like this, I’m an idiot!”

“Unbearable. So this whole season was just to tease us?”

“Unbearable, unbearable.”

The dating show ended. Wang Xiucai sat in his chair, dazed—partly because the show he’d followed so long was over, partly because he was puzzled.

From the final moments, every detail and expression told the audience they liked each other, yet they didn’t end up together.

Reality? Some kind of pressure?

Wang Xiucai opened Weibo; the trending topics were already piling up.

He ignored the trending topics and checked the dating show director Li Hongzhou’s Weibo.

Sure enough, Li Hongzhou posted a status:

“Stop the criticism, stop the criticism. We tried our best. There’s no script like you think, no behind-the-scenes conspiracy. If I had to explain, maybe this is just reality.”

Obviously, the audience wasn’t satisfied. The criticism continued.

Wang Xiucai looked at several peers—those who relied on the show’s popularity to make a living.

Their articles came out faster than the videos; some had already published their pieces.

“Actually, when Chen Siyang asked Tang Zhichu if he minded a long-distance relationship, the ending was already decided. Falling in love under the camera is a false premise. Why do I follow this show? Because it’s more real than fake. On the show, they can be with each other every day. After the show? That’s an environment you can’t imagine. Forget cross-regional distance; even their work natures are worlds apart. What good would it do if they stayed together? Constantly filming for everyone?”

“Whether Tang Zhichu or Chen Siyang, both are in career ascents. Unless one can fully prioritize the other, separation is truly the best ending. Unlike most, I actually like them more because they didn’t get together.”

This was from a blogger with five million Weibo followers—a rational perspective.

But Wang Xiucai suspected these people had been PR’d.

Compared to genuine viewers, these paid bloggers generally published more rational pieces.

While browsing, Wang Xiucai suddenly saw a post that struck a chord.

“Is it possible they didn’t get together precisely because they liked each other?”

A dog-head emoji followed. The post was by Yun Miao, a once-independent female singer who tragically married at the peak of her career.

This post gave Wang Xiucai a flash of insight—he felt he’d grasped something.

Just as Wang Xiucai prepared to hold a meeting in his copywriting group to discuss the video, his phone vibrated.

He picked it up—a stranger had sent an email.

Wang Xiucai was puzzled and about to dismiss it, but then he saw the words “dating show” and opened it.

“Hello blogger, I’m a big fan of your dating show content. Have you seen the ending? Please update soon! Though I sense there’s more to it, it still leaves me heartbroken.”

“But I also think this might be the best ending. Yangyang has her own dreams; Sugar God has his career. If they got together, they’d be tied to each other, having to do more shows and endorsements, which would affect them. Not getting together doesn’t mean they don’t like each other or can’t be together.”

Reading this, Wang Xiucai paused—the insight he’d just had matched this angle.

If Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang had made this choice deliberately, it would explain everything.

Suddenly excited, Wang Xiucai realized this was a perspective no one had yet uncovered.

He had no time to ponder the email sender but immediately began preparing his script and video.