Chapter 66: Returning to the Cabin

The show "Swap? Exes" has resumed filming.

This time, the production team is no longer confining the main filming location to the Pink Cottage. They are adopting an “on the road” model, with the entire journey being broadcast live.

The night before their journey begins, the eight participating guests are summoned back to the Pink Cottage. Tonight, they will spend one last night here before setting off tomorrow.

Aside from filming each guest’s individual interview before departure, no other footage will be recorded tonight. For the first time, the eight guests will spend an evening together in the Pink Cottage without being under the scrutiny of cameras.

It feels a bit like freedom, and yet not quite.

During the long suspension of filming, the guests’ states of mind have all changed in one way or another.

Today, as if it were the first day they met, each guest enters the villa with their own suitcase. The only difference is, that first meeting was during the day; this reunion takes place at night. The order of arrival has changed as well—Zhang Chen is the first to arrive this time, not Lu Zhou.

He’s dressed far more casually than on the first day, in comfortable leisurewear that makes him seem younger and more energetic than when he first joined the show.

After placing his luggage in his room, he goes to the sofa in the living room downstairs, playing with his phone and glancing now and then at the door, his anticipation nearly written on his face.

Who was he waiting for?

Naturally, it was Ye Fangfei.

He doesn’t know if she’ll see him differently this time around.

As everyone knows, after the show aired, most viewers spoke highly of him, and many hoped Ye Fangfei would give him another chance. There’s even a “CP Super Topic” for him and Ye Fangfei, with people checking in daily and constantly asking if they’ve reconciled. CP fans have created many sweet couple illustrations for them, brimming with affection.

Every time Zhang Chen browses through these sugary posts and images, he can’t help but imagine himself and Ye Fangfei truly in love.

Of course, there are also plenty of naysayers who claim the two of them aren’t compatible and advise against getting back together—he’s spent money to have these unfriendly comments scrubbed in a timely manner.

There have been frustrations since the show aired. Some other wealthy heirs in his circle have secretly mocked his “puppy-dog” behavior on the show, and he’s lashed out at them, one by one.

But amidst the annoyance, there’s also a little hope.

After all, according to his parents, they heard Ye Fangfei and her family are quite interested in seeing how he’ll perform on this journey.

That’s a positive sign.

Zhang Chen is a seasoned traveler; he’s confident in how he’ll present himself.

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening breaks his thoughts.

Zhang Chen looks up to see Wen Yiming dragging his suitcase inside. Wen Yiming is wearing a camouflage-patterned t-shirt, fitting snugly to accentuate his broad shoulders and slim waist. His biceps bulge as he lifts his luggage, and even through his not-so-loose jeans, the strength of his thighs is evident.

Zhang Chen thinks to himself that he should probably start working out.

“Hey! Long time no see.” Wen Yiming greets him with a bright smile, though a trace of awkwardness lingers in his eyes.

“Hey,” Zhang Chen replies curtly, his mood clearly subdued.

He’s watched every episode, so by now he knows Wen Yiming was the one who asked, “Do you think you two are a good match?” in the anonymous rooftop chatroom. And it was Ye Fangfei who chose to go on a final date with Wen Yiming!

Why did she pick him? Was it because she was attracted to his physique? Zhang Chen has pondered this question for a long time.

Now, seeing Wen Yiming’s impressive build only irritates him further. He has no goodwill toward him at all.

Any man coveting Ye Fangfei is his enemy!

“Are you the only one here? Where are the others?” Wen Yiming approaches with a smile.

“Just me,” Zhang Chen says, glancing at him before returning his focus to his phone.

Sensing Zhang Chen’s coldness, Wen Yiming rubs his nose. Since there are no cameras tonight, he can’t be bothered to make small talk and instead carries his suitcase upstairs.

Chu Yao arrives next. Her long hair falls to her waist, with small braids at her cheeks styled elegantly, and she’s wearing a flowing chiffon dress that gives her the air of a classical beauty.

She seems to be fond of this style.

“Hey! Hello!” Chu Yao greets Zhang Chen with a wave and a smile. “Are you the only one here?”

“There’s someone else upstairs,” Zhang Chen finally manages a smile.

“Who is it?”

“Wen Yiming.”

“Oh, you guys are early,” she says with a laugh, then prepares to take her luggage upstairs. Zhang Chen stands up to help.

“Thanks! That’s kind of you!” she says, following him up the stairs.

“No need to be so polite,” Zhang Chen replies.

Chu Yao watches his back silently, a complicated feeling rising in her heart.

Just then, the door opens again.

The two of them pause on the stairs and look back. Soon, someone steps inside.

This time, it’s Ye Fangfei.

For reasons unknown, the air seems to freeze in a heavy silence.

Zhang Chen, halfway up the stairs, stiffens slightly when he sees her.

The silence lasts only a few seconds before Zhang Chen snaps out of it. Instinctively, he puts down Chu Yao’s suitcase, smiles, and quickly heads downstairs toward Ye Fangfei.

“You’re here. Let me take your suitcase upstairs,” he says enthusiastically, reaching for her luggage.

Chu Yao, still standing on the stairs, presses her lips together, at a loss for words to describe her feelings.

Ye Fangfei’s look tonight is youthful—a pair of denim overalls with a black cropped tee, and headphones on as she enters, lost in her music.

She hasn’t even had time to come back to herself before Zhang Chen sweeps in and takes her suitcase.

Ye Fangfei removes her headphones, glancing at Chu Yao—still on the stairs—and her abandoned suitcase, once again puzzled by Zhang Chen’s logic.

“Couldn’t you have finished carrying Yao Yao’s suitcase before taking mine?” she frowns.

Realizing she’s reproaching him for his lack of manners, Zhang Chen quickly explains with a smile, “It’s no trouble—taking them together saves me a trip.”

He heads upstairs, trying to prove by his actions that he wasn’t flirting with Chu Yao, just being polite as a man by carrying heavy items.

“Fangfei, you look like a high schooler today,” Chu Yao greets her with a smile, hiding her displeasure.

“I love hearing that,” Ye Fangfei laughs, heading up the stairs.

By now, Zhang Chen stands at the spot he left on the stairs, grabbing Chu Yao’s suitcase with his left hand, determined to carry both suitcases up at once.

However… who knows what the girls have packed, but their suitcases are absurdly heavy…

With a suitcase in each hand, Zhang Chen struggles up the stairs, looking like a tottering old man.

Awkwardness fills the air.

He’s clearly overestimated his own strength.

Chu Yao and Ye Fangfei are both speechless.