I have a persona specifically for acting.

“Congratulations to both of you for completing the adventure task!”

After these words appeared on the electronic screen in the ceramic studio, they heard two beeps, and the previously locked door automatically opened. Tong Zhao placed the two ceramic figures on the shelf, deliberately keeping them far apart from Han Zhi’s work—

It’s not about not knowing the goods, but fearing the comparison.

Even someone as proud as Tong Zhao had to admit that her ceramic fox was poorly made.

Han Zhi asked, “Why place them so far apart?”

“Don’t you have any discernment? Seems I overestimated your emotional intelligence.”

Han Zhi smiled, and after tidying up the tools, he moved next to Tong Zhao and took the liberty of placing the two figures, which were originally far apart, facing each other, as if the little fox was bowing to kiss the rabbit.

Tong Zhao expressionlessly took the ceramic cups they had made together and turned them upside down over the two ceramic figures, covering them completely.

To anyone looking at the shelf, it would only appear as an overturned ceramic cup.

Han Zhi was momentarily stunned, then laughed, “A bit envious—they get to do things that can’t be seen by others.”

…

What are you saying, you old pervert!

Tong Zhao was surprised and gave him a look.

Just a moment ago in the ceramic studio, she had kissed him non-stop, making his pale lips redden, and now there was still a trace of that red. Tong Zhao chuckled, “You’re going to watch a movie with glasses girl later, right? Remember to wipe off the lipstick on your mouth. Women are very sensitive to colors; she’s been watching me closely and has a visual memory of the lipstick I use.”

It’s also strange.

Zhong Muxi seemed to pay more attention to her interactions with He Shun than to Han Zhi.

“Don’t wipe it off. It looks good,” Han Zhi said casually, as if he didn’t care.

Going to a movie with another girl while sporting a woman’s lipstick marks?

Tong Zhao couldn’t help but pinch his cheek, “Where did you come from, you trendy non-mainstream guy?”

“Then help me apply it more evenly.”

Han Zhi took the opportunity to lower his head and kiss her lips. Tong Zhao, still wanting to speak, found her tongue gently claimed by his, like a fox nibbling at a fish cheek, tenderly swirling around. They didn’t close their eyes, almost falling into the depths of each other’s gaze. The kiss was passionate, yet their physical actions remained restrained—no embraces, no crossing lines, which made one relax involuntarily.

Tong Zhao couldn’t stand his ease and bit his tongue lightly.

When he released her, the lipstick marks on his lips were indeed blended naturally.

“See, it’s all good now.”

Han Zhi lazily squeezed her hand before letting go.

“Nice technique. Let’s continue next time.”

Han Zhi put his hands in his pockets. “I’m already looking forward to it.”

Tong Zhao stuck out her tongue at him with a victorious grin and turned to leave. After she left, Han Zhi headed toward the kitchen on the first floor. Only half an hour remained before their scheduled 10 p.m. movie date, and he didn’t have much time left.

*

There was a mini-theater in the basement of the estate.

The entire wall was covered with a screen and a projector, with walls on either side filled with film options. These packaged film rights were cheap, but to save even more money, the “Aquaman Kill” program had filled it with old, outdated movies.

Zhong Muxi arrived early, wandering in the corridor outside the basement entrance twenty minutes ahead of time, pacing back and forth like a ghost.

She was so nervous just thinking about watching a movie with a handsome guy like Han Zhi.

When Han Zhi arrived, he happened to see the bespectacled girl peeking around.

As their eyes met, Zhong Muxi froze completely.

She lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact, clutching her skirt with a sense of self-consciousness.

Han Zhi acted as if he didn’t notice her awkward and distant behavior and approached with a smile, inviting her, “Shall we go in together?”

Zhong Muxi responded with a soft “mm,” keeping her head down as she entered the mini-theater.

After they walked in, the door behind them was locked with a beep.

Zhong Muxi shivered slightly.

“No need to be nervous. The lock will open once the adventure task is completed,” Han Zhi explained casually, looking around the theater. “The restroom is right next to the screen.”

“Oh, I’m not nervous,”

Zhong Muxi attempted to joke, “I look so harmless, there’s no need to worry.”

It’s actually Han Zhi, a handsome guy like him, who should be worried about his personal safety!

Han Zhi, fiddling with the projection equipment, didn’t turn around and replied casually, “You’re saying that because you’re nervous. Don’t worry, I’ve prepared some things to help ease your nerves.”

Zhong Muxi was momentarily stunned.

Han Zhi had selected a few movies he had seen and thought were good for her to choose from. After checking the running times, she picked the shortest one.

After the movie started, Han Zhi sat down in the seat next to hers, leaving one seat in between.

This action made Zhong Muxi, who hadn’t had high expectations to begin with, display a moment of embarrassment. It was quickly hidden by her glasses, but she could already foresee how difficult the next hour would be. The thoughts AI captured were like spilled black mud…

[“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to draw this either. It would be much more enjoyable to watch a movie with someone like Tong Zhao or Xiao Nian, who are cheerful, beautiful, and cute. I shouldn’t even be here; I can’t even have a proper conversation, and I can’t even manage to be a good companion for watching a movie and joking around. I can only awkwardly lower my head, trying to lighten the mood with a joke, but it ends up being neither funny nor timely.”]

“You can’t watch a movie without this.”

Han Zhi magically pulled out a large bowl of caramel popcorn, wrapped in plastic wrap, and a serving of soufflé in an insulated box from his backpack, placing them on the seat between them.

There was only one serving.

“You mentioned you like cake during Truth or Dare, but there was no time to make a proper cake. I’m afraid this will have to do,” Han Zhi said, unwrapping the plastic wrap, and grabbing a handful of popcorn while watching the screen. The caramel was homemade and still gave off a rich, sweet aroma even after it had set.

“Oh, right, there’s a spoon too.”

Han Zhi, as if remembering it belatedly, took out a silver spoon from a cutlery box in his backpack and handed it to the dazed Zhong Muxi before continuing to watch the movie.

By the time Zhong Muxi realized it, she was already eating the soufflé.

The sweet, soft taste spread across her lips and tongue, effectively easing her nervousness. Throughout, Han Zhi didn’t turn to look at her, giving her plenty of time to adjust.

Although he didn’t look at her, Han Zhi was mentally profiling her:

[This type of girl can be pressured. If you’re a bit tougher with her, she’ll listen. She’ll just think she’s not doing well enough and will follow her boyfriend’s commands in her anxiety… That doesn’t fit my aesthetic; it feels low-grade.]

[Zhong Muxi is like a flower encased in ice. If you smash it onto the ground, the ice won’t protect the flower. If the goal is just to get the flower, it doesn’t matter how many petals break. But you could also choose to melt the ice with warm water, so the flower remains unharmed.]

Han Zhi chose a good movie.

He shared his thoughts with her intermittently.

Gradually, Zhong Muxi began to respond to him, becoming more relaxed as she spoke.

As they talked, she confessed, “I’m really sorry. It’s probably better to watch a movie with any other girl than with me.”

Zhong Muxi was accustomed to seeing herself as a joke.

Now that she was so relaxed, her words carried a hint of sadness and apology.

Zhong Muxi felt that her mediocrity was a disservice to Han Zhi.

Her current self-doubt made her feel deeply apologetic towards herself.

Han Zhi paused. Turning his head from the screen, he gazed steadily at her:

“I enjoy watching movies with you. It’s rude to compare you with others,” he said, his tone softening as if he realized his previous words were too harsh. He lowered his eyelashes, speaking in a voice as gentle and soothing as if comforting a child, making her eyes well up: “Even though you might not see me as a potential romantic interest, please don’t bring up other people when we’re watching a movie together, okay?”

Previously, Han Zhi had deliberately avoided eye contact, minimizing his presence.

Now, their eyes met suddenly, and his movie-star-level face filled Zhong Muxi’s entire vision. She stared at him, only hearing the sound of her own heart pounding—because of his previous understated and subtle approach, this direct and heartfelt statement was all the more stunning and impactful.

Who could resist a handsome guy speaking romantic words?

Zhong Muxi’s tongue twisted, and after obediently agreeing, she could no longer focus on the movie.

Because she realized…

In Han Zhi’s eyes, she didn’t seem very “safe” either.

This realization made her a bit happy, as if, due to his special attention, she was once again classified as a “girl.”

After that, Han Zhi didn’t say much more, and their conversation remained solely about the movie.

After the movie ended, he escorted Zhong Muxi back to her bedroom door and left.

His gentlemanly manners were taken for granted.

What kind of playboy do people imagine?

A whirlwind of romance, the kind of romantic gestures that dull, straightforward men couldn’t conceive… Han Zhi could achieve that. But rather than simply breaking through defenses, his interest had shifted. He hoped the young girl could rediscover herself by falling for him. He moved slowly, relaxed, and left ample space for poetic imagination, aiming to revive the once stagnant heart that had become a dead pool in the mundane and ordinary life.

The excitement was the first gift he gave to the glasses-wearing girl.

—

That night, after falling asleep, everyone woke up in the holographic filming pod.

Under the intense variety show shooting schedule, guests must complete the legally mandated amount of exercise during their limited waking hours before they can continue with the filming.

Tong Zhao rubbed her dizzy head and went to the gym to do warm-up exercises and run.

She happened to run into the director, who came to check on everyone.

“The first episode will air soon. I can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction,” the director said. Noticing her indifferent expression, he remembered, “Ah, your memory from the variety show hasn’t returned yet, right? Don’t worry, your performance as both yourself and your other self was great. All the girls in our production team are completely captivated by Han Zhi.”

“Thank you, director.”

Tong Zhao thanked him.

She wasn’t surprised at all.

“But the others still don’t know that a guest is missing. For the sake of the show, please keep it confidential for now. We plan to reveal Han Zhi’s identity only after the entire season airs,” the director said in a lower voice.

After Tong Zhao agreed, the director happily greeted the other guests who were arriving at the gym.

Duan Ge: [What did Han Zhi do on the show?]

Han Zhi: [I can’t remember at the moment.]

[I’m also quite curious,] the gentle voice of the Imperial Concubine Chen said with a hint of annoyance, [You must have done something to me on the variety show. I’m a bit irritated whenever I see you now.]

Tong Zhao: [Maybe he did.]

Duan Ge & Han Zhi & Imperial Concubine Chen: [?]

……

The pre-launch activities were well done, and with anticipation all over the internet, the first episode of “Sea King Killer” is about to air.

In the pre-show clips, one of them features a solo performance by the mysterious amateur male guest, Han Zhi.

BGM: “He Was Just Passing By”

The footage, from the tired glance upon entering the estate to his silent self-introduction, exclusively features shots where he is not smiling. It must be said, while his warm guy style is quite charming, the mysterious and cool image of him in the edits arouses even more curiosity among female netizens.

— “Sorry, I’m a bit late,”

— “Hello, I’m Han Zhi, with the character ‘Zhi’ for persistence.”

The background music reaches the chorus part with the lyrics “Everything is just brushed over…” and the beat, showing his dangerous and sexy side in front of Tong Zhao. It freezes at the moment their lips are about to touch and, just as viewers’ emotions and curiosity are at their peak, the screen abruptly turns black, quickly displaying the program’s official broadcast time.

This face, once conquering another world and becoming a top Eastern star, is now recreated in holographic virtual reality!