Chapter 56: The Ways of the World

At the end of April, the romance reality show had entered its later stages.

Yang Jiaxing suddenly noticed a shift in the villa’s atmosphere. In the morning, as he stepped outside, he saw Tang Zhichu and Huang Zejun jogging together, chatting and laughing. In the evenings when he returned, it was almost always Chen Siyang and Zhou Yun cooking together. After dinner, everyone gathered to chat and play games, finally ending the night with a group run.

Yang Jiaxing felt the changes were happening too quickly; in the end, he found himself out of place—could you believe it? Take now, for example: while everyone else was out for their night run, he was left alone on the outdoor basketball court, staring into space with a ball in hand.

It was a frustrating feeling, becoming an outsider in communal life. It made sense for Chen Siyang and Tang Zhichu to be close, and even if Jiang Lan was added to the mix, he could accept that. But why had Zhou Yun and Huang Zejun drifted over as well? So realistic, Yang Jiaxing thought, he really despised people like this—no pride at all, just flocking together!

When Tang Zhichu and the others finished a lap and approached the basketball court, Yang Jiaxing called out loudly, “Tang Zhichu, want to play a game?”

Tang Zhichu stopped, adjusted his breathing slightly, and replied, “Sure.”

Chen Siyang wanted to say something, but Zhou Yun pulled her back. “Don’t worry, he’s been training these days and has made some progress. Plus, he’s tall,” Zhou Yun whispered.

So the group stood by the court. After a quick game of rock-paper-scissors, Yang Jiaxing started with the ball.

But just ten seconds later, Jiang Lan shrugged and quietly returned to jogging. Yang Jiaxing had missed his shot. Jiang Lan found it boring—he’d expected a more explosive scene.

In reality, Huang Zejun could see it too: Yang Jiaxing was putting on a show. He acted as if facing a formidable opponent, exchanged intense glances with Tang Zhichu, creating a tense atmosphere. But the moment he raised his hand to shoot, he simply hit the backboard.

Ball possession switched. Tang Zhichu took the ball, while Yang Jiaxing hunched over, staring straight into Tang Zhichu’s eyes as if he meant to devour him.

Tang Zhichu began dribbling, feinted, and Yang Jiaxing followed. Tang Zhichu spun around, their bodies colliding. Tang Zhichu wasn’t particularly strong, and Yang Jiaxing wasn’t much better—though it looked like a fierce contest, neither had much power behind it.

After several clashes, Yang Jiaxing lost his balance and was floored by Tang Zhichu’s feint.

Tang Zhichu turned and made a graceful fadeaway jump shot.

“Bang!” It hit the backboard and missed.

Huang Zejun shrugged as well and quietly left the court. He figured it out: these two were negotiating social dynamics. Yang Jiaxing couldn’t fit in with the group, so he was using basketball to prop up Tang Zhichu, hoping to rejoin the collective via this gesture. But Tang Zhichu could see through it, too.

So, each offered the other a step down. After a bout of intense competition, the score remained zero to zero.

Chen Siyang looked at Zhou Yun, puzzled. “Are they really good? Seems like neither can score.”

Zhou Yun’s face darkened. “Very good… I guess.”

On the court, after another physical clash, Yang Jiaxing fell flat on his backside. Tang Zhichu glanced back, thinking it was about time.

Tang Zhichu cradled the basketball and walked over to Yang Jiaxing, extending his hand.

Yang Jiaxing hesitated for a moment, then took Tang Zhichu’s hand.

The most obvious change on the court was the sudden appearance of several figures, each carrying cameras aimed at the two players.

“Thanks. You’re really good—looks like training paid off. I should join you guys for runs,” Yang Jiaxing said with a smile.

Tang Zhichu hauled him up and replied, “Good? The score’s zero-zero. Just two rookies pecking at each other.”

“Haha…”

From the sidelines, Zhou Yun cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, “You two play a great game!”

Now it was Chen Siyang’s turn to tug at Zhou Yun’s sleeve—clearly, she’d caught on as well.

Five minutes later, Yang Jiaxing had joined the night running group.

Gradually, the numbers dwindled, until only Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang remained outside.

Chen Siyang didn’t want to return to the villa so early, but didn’t know what to say to Tang Zhichu, so the two ended up strolling slowly.

Tang Zhichu clasped his hands behind his head, his thoughts wandering.

With the show’s recording nearing its most crucial phase, Tang Zhichu’s gaze drifted beyond the court. The increase in cameras around him made it clear: the production team’s focus for editing was squarely on him.

Call it the first stage’s strategy or calculation—it had succeeded.

But what about the second stage?

Tang Zhichu turned his head to look at Chen Siyang beside him. She walked with her head lowered, like a small ostrich, lost in her own world.

They had to face a question: what happens after the show?

Chen Siyang seemed to sense something. She suddenly turned, their eyes met, and then both quickly looked away.

“I’ll ask you again: for a girl, is career important?”

Tang Zhichu hesitated for a moment, then answered, “Dreams are more important.”

Chen Siyang pouted. “Can’t you just answer the way I want for once?”

“Important.”

“Fine, I’ll take that as sincere. I think it’s important, too. When I applied for the arts exam in college, my family disagreed. I fought with my mom several times, and in the end, she only reluctantly agreed after I wore her down. Later, through countless conversations, they kept bringing up examples, saying how much better other jobs are…”

“After the girl group talent show, they seemed to accept it, stopped arguing with me, stopped pressuring me, but their concern increased a lot. Sometimes I even think, maybe I should give up. But if I give up now, wouldn’t all the hardship I endured before have been for nothing…”

Chen Siyang shared so much with Tang Zhichu.

A few days ago, it was easier; Chen Siyang felt there was still enough time, so she immersed herself in the atmosphere, enjoying it fully.

But as the show drew to its end, time forced her to make a choice.

This was reality: if she truly got together with Tang Zhichu, would she still have the energy and drive to chase her dreams and career? Even if she did, would her path change? Not to mention Tianhe Entertainment—even the production team would probably bind them together for promotion, maybe more variety shows would await her.

But was she really going to miss out?

Tang Zhichu played the role of a good listener, only responding with soft murmurs to Chen Siyang.

Without a strong response, Chen Siyang grew more aggrieved as she spoke, finally falling silent.

Should she blame Tang Zhichu? She figured he must be feeling troubled as well, and couldn’t bear to blame him.

In the end, she could only blame herself, for being unprofessional, for not even acting convincingly.

“I’m tired, let’s go back.”

“Mm.”

Tang Zhichu considered whether he should play his hand openly, but ultimately gave up.

Chen Siyang’s character was simple and passionate, still living in a world of stark contrasts. He couldn’t be straightforward with her.

Tang Zhichu thought silently, “If you can’t make the choice, I’ll make it for you. Career and dreams matter to everyone—especially to you, Chen Siyang.”