Chapter 2: A Chance Before Farewell

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

As Lu Zhou lay on his hospital bed lost in thought, the door was suddenly knocked upon, and a slender figure stepped inside.

He glanced up, returning to himself. It was Nan Qiao.

She wore sunglasses that nearly covered half her face, a black baseball cap pulled low over her head, and was accompanied by a female assistant carrying an enormous fruit basket.

"Nan," Lu Zhou propped himself up to sit, politely greeting her.

Both he and Nan Qiao were signed to Jinhua Entertainment. She was several years his senior and considered a senior sister from the same company. Yet, despite sharing an employer, the gulf between them was vast.

Nan Qiao was a current star in the company, highly valued and never lacking resources. On ordinary days, if they passed each other in the office, Lu Zhou would recognize her, but she wouldn’t recall who he was.

But now, after an unexpected rescue…

Nan Qiao knew him. Out of gratitude and guilt, she had already visited him in the hospital three times, counting today.

"Lu Zhou, how are you feeling? Any better?" Nan Qiao entered with a bright smile, bending to inspect his bandaged head.

"Much better. The doctor said they'll observe me for another couple of days, then I can be discharged." Lu Zhou was slightly uneasy with such close proximity, instinctively leaning back a bit.

"I can see your complexion is indeed much improved," Nan Qiao pulled a chair to sit by his bedside. Her assistant set the fruit basket on the table and quietly left.

"Your family hasn't come to see you?" Nan Qiao looked around the empty ward, asking out of concern. She’d visited him three times now, each time finding him alone, making her wonder if Lu Zhou was an orphan.

"I didn’t tell my family about the injury—didn’t want them to worry," Lu Zhou replied.

Nan Qiao cast him another apologetic glance. "Let me know ahead of time when you’re being discharged. I’ll arrange someone to pick you up."

"No need for the trouble; I can manage on my own."

"Don’t always refuse me, or I’ll feel guilty, never knowing how to repay your kindness." Nan Qiao, facing the man who was injured saving her, felt a bit helpless.

She’d offered him extra compensation earlier, but he’d declined, saying the company would cover work injury expenses. Now she wanted to arrange someone for his discharge, and he refused again...

Lu Zhou wasn’t deliberately rejecting Nan Qiao; it was more instinctive. Though this injury was unfortunate, on reflection, if not for the accident, he wouldn’t have awakened—so in a way, it was a surprise blessing.

Nan Qiao had arranged a VIP ward for him and covered his medical bills; Lu Zhou felt she’d done enough.

"Do you have any plans after discharge? I heard you’re planning to terminate your contract, leave the entertainment industry? Is that true?" Nan Qiao shifted the topic, her gaze tinged with sympathy.

"..."

Lu Zhou paused, then said, "I did consider it. After so many years without progress, I wanted to explore other opportunities."

Nan Qiao paused slightly.

"After all those years of striving, don’t you think it’s a waste to give up just like that? I watched some of your practice videos recently—you have solid skills, just lacking a bit of luck and exposure."

Lu Zhou had worked silently for years, receiving little attention in the company. To have Nan Qiao acknowledge him today—it was rare and precious.

He smiled gratefully at her.

"I think so too," he replied confidently.

After so many setbacks, Lu Zhou had almost forgotten what confidence felt like. But times had changed; now he faced the future with renewed faith.

Nan Qiao smiled at his words.

"Then don’t give up so easily."

"By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"

The abrupt shift in topic left Lu Zhou dumbfounded.

"Huh?"

Nan Qiao realized he might have misunderstood and quickly clarified, "No, that’s not the right question. I should ask, have you ever dated? Do you have an ex-girlfriend?"

Lu Zhou remained confused—why was she suddenly asking such odd questions?

He considered whether to answer truthfully.

Nan Qiao finally realized her question was too forward; relationships were sensitive for entertainers, even for someone like Lu Zhou, who hadn’t officially debuted.

She laughed, digging a card from her purse.

"It’s like this—I have an opportunity to recommend you for a dating reality show. The show’s assistant director is a friend of mine. If you’re interested, I could refer you, as a way to repay your kindness."

"This dating show’s first season was hugely popular. They’re prepping for the second season, actively recruiting. Have you heard of the show? It’s called 'Swap? Exes.'"

Lu Zhou took the card she handed him, glancing at the contact info for the production team.

"I haven’t watched it in full, but I’ve heard of it and seen some edited clips."

The show had indeed been a hot topic when its first season aired, sparking widespread debate online.

It was popular, yes—but judging by the name, 'Swap? Exes,' it was clearly a reality show that played wildly with emotional boundaries.

Most people wouldn’t dare appear on such a program, let alone artists wary of reputation scandals.

This show toyed with human nature...

But Lu Zhou was just an unknown, a nobody in the entertainment industry—who would care about his reputation? No risk of scandal here.

"Would you consider participating?"

"I personally think you need exposure. If you’re planning to leave the industry, why not take a risk, try a new path and build your own buzz first?"

"This business is pragmatic. Without background or capital, it’s hard to be seen. But if you get famous first, the company will see your commercial potential and provide better resources."

Nan Qiao smiled, guiding him as a senior.

Lu Zhou leaned back against the bed, listening, gripping the card tightly.

She was right—the industry was both pragmatic and harsh.

In this life, he was too ordinary. Trying to make it in entertainment by following the rules would only lead to endless detours.

"Of course, to join the show, you need an ex-girlfriend."

"Do you have one?"

Nan Qiao shifted the conversation, presenting a prerequisite.

Lu Zhou pressed his lips together; a face flashed through his mind. After a moment, he admitted, "There is one."

Nan Qiao raised her brows, curious. "Is she from the industry?"

"No."

"A civilian? Great! The first season’s participants were all non-celebrities. You didn’t just break up recently, did you?"

"No, we haven’t been in touch for a long time."

"That’s even better—less emotional baggage. Going on the show to find a new partner is reasonable, and the public pressure will be much less for both of you."

Lu Zhou didn’t answer immediately, hesitating, troubled.

"Even if I’m willing, she probably won’t be," he said.

Nan Qiao disagreed.

"Don’t dismiss it so quickly—personal willingness is unpredictable."

"You can just sign up and give the show her contact. They’ll reach out and assess, like whether she’s single now..."

"But as long as she’s not married, it doesn’t matter much—some people break up temporarily just to go on the show."

Nan Qiao laughed.

"If your ex meets the criteria, they’ll send someone to persuade her. The production team is very good at convincing people, so you don’t need to worry."

She spread her hands, "Of course, if she’s really unwilling, there’s nothing to be done. But I think you should at least try—it won’t kill you."

Lu Zhou: "..."

It did make sense.

At that moment, Nan Qiao’s phone rang—her agent calling her away.

"I have work to attend to, so I’ll go now."

"Think about what I said. This dating show is controversial, but its popularity is immense. All the first season participants, regardless of reputation, became famous."

"The first season made a lot of money, so now for season two, their standards are much higher."

"Ordinary status, couples with little emotional drama—it’s hard to pass the initial screening. It’s one in a million."

"So you see, missing this chance might mean there won’t be another."

"If you decide to participate, sign up first, then let me know. I’ll put in a word with the team. I may not be able to help much, but I can make sure you reach the final selection—the rest is up to you."

Nan Qiao stood and left.

The ward returned to silence.

It had all come so suddenly. Lu Zhou was caught in a whirlpool of thoughts.

Ex-girlfriend...