Chapter 146: I'll Kneel to You, Is That Enough?

Final Confession Station.

The morning sun filtered through the gaps between skyscrapers, illuminating the circular plaza. Four cars, each carrying a former couple, pulled into the plaza one by one.

The four vehicles parked at equal intervals along the arc of the plaza, facing inward. The drivers stepped out, leaving the former guests inside. Through their windshields, all the guests could see the simple confession stage set up in the center, as well as the positions of the other three cars.

The final moment had truly arrived.

All the guests inside the four cars sat in silent, unanimous contemplation.

Before long, the director’s voice echoed inside the vehicles, reminding the guests to use the mobile phones provided by the production team to send their confession intentions to the designated staff. If they wished to confess to someone, they were to include that person's name.

Each guest silently picked up the phone placed before them, typing out their messages with varied expressions.

Xu Junze’s face remained calm and unruffled; he sent his message without a moment’s hesitation.

Chu Yao also edited her message quickly, but she did not send it immediately. She lifted her gaze to scan the other three cars, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of melancholy. After a silent, soft laugh, she finally sent her message.

Wen Yiming leaned toward his car window, stole a glance at Qi Jiajia, and nimbly typed out his message on the screen.

Qi Jiajia stared unfocused toward the edge of the plaza, biting her lower lip as if still grappling with her final thoughts. After a long while, she took a deep breath and sent the message she had composed, without changing a single word.

Zhang Chen picked up his phone and sent his message without hesitation. He then curiously leaned over, trying to peek at Ye Fangfei’s screen.

Ye Fangfei, who had yet to fill hers out, gave him a speechless look.

Zhang Chen tactfully sat back in his seat, turning his gaze toward the car where Lu Zhou was sitting, no longer trying to spy on Ye Fangfei.

Ye Fangfei stared blankly at her phone for a moment before finally making up her mind.

Li Jiayan had stopped crying, though her eyes remained red. She felt calm now and did not look at Lu Zhou again. She picked up her phone and quickly typed two characters before sending them.

Lu Zhou gripped his phone tightly, glanced at the car directly opposite his, and finally sent his message.

With this, the confession intentions of all eight guests were submitted. Everyone waited in their cars for the production team’s notification. The atmosphere grew strangely heavy.

Next was the confession phase.

Guests who had expressed an intention to confess would, upon receiving a text from the production team, step out of their cars and wait at the confession stage in the plaza. The corresponding person receiving the confession would also get a notification, step out to accept the confession in person, and provide their answer.

If the confession was successful, the two guests would hold hands and leave together in a new vehicle. If it failed, they would each return to their respective cars. The entire process would be witnessed by everyone.

The viewers in the livestream, upon hearing the rules, flooded the screen with comments:
"Oh my god, this is even more brutal than last season!"
"If the confession fails, they have to go back to the car with their ex? That’s social suicide!"
"If it were me, a coward, I’d just give up..."
"Those who dare to confess are truly brave."
"The planning is a bit weak; there’s no suspense left, the answers have already been leaked."
"I predict only one couple will make it this season, but that’s enough, haha."
"Long live the 'Feizhou' couple!"

After the staff announced the rules, a long time passed before a phone finally buzzed gently inside one of the cars.

It was Wen Yiming’s phone.

He picked it up and glanced at it: [Please proceed to the confession stage].

Wen Yiming straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and slowly pushed open the car door.

Qi Jiajia turned to watch him get out, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. It wasn't jealousy, but a indescribable, bittersweet feeling. She followed his figure with her eyes until he stepped onto the small stage. She suddenly recalled the scene where he had confessed to her once before, and sighed.

She could easily guess who he was going to confess to, and her feelings became inexplicably conflicted. If it was truly the person she suspected, she found herself secretly hoping that Wen Yiming’s confession would be successful.

Perhaps that was a bit of selfishness on her part.

Wen Yiming’s presence on the stage drew the attention of everyone in the cars.

In Car A, Xu Junze pressed his lips together. He hadn't expected Wen Yiming to go out, and he found himself feeling a strange sense of admiration for him.

To actively express one’s feelings despite knowing there was a high probability of a negative outcome—that required immense courage. How many men had missed out on the person they loved simply because they were too cautious and never dared to take the first step? Xu Junze himself was the type of man who would estimate the success rate before making a move.

Beside him, Chu Yao was purely a spectator, enjoying the show.

In Car C, Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow and smiled when he saw Wen Yiming get out. *Good,* he thought, *at least I’m not the only cannon fodder today. With someone else as a cushion, I won’t lose too much face.* Thinking this, he lowered his window, trying to see if he could hear the upcoming confession. Ye Fangfei was also watching the movement.

In Car D, Li Jiayan’s phone vibrated twice. Distracted, she looked at it with a blank expression, her brow furrowing slightly before relaxing again. She subconsciously turned to look at Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou’s eyes were fixed on Wen Yiming on the stage. Sensing her gaze in his peripheral vision, he said, "Go on."

Li Jiayan felt a sting in her nose. She pushed the door open, stepped out, and walked toward the confession stage under everyone’s gaze.

The moment Wen Yiming saw her, a bright, handsome smile appeared on his face, and he instinctively stood a little straighter.

He could tell she had been crying. What did that mean? It meant that she and Lu Zhou had already had a falling out on the way here. To him, this was a good sign.

Li Jiayan stepped onto the stage, standing face-to-face with Wen Yiming. Perhaps because his gaze was too intense, she felt uncomfortable and instinctively raised a hand to tuck her bangs, trying to hide the traces of her tears.

The livestream comments were flying:
"You’re great, girl. It’s Lu Zhou who doesn't know how to cherish you. Don't cry for him anymore, it’s not worth it."
"I actually ship her and Wen Yiming. A tough guy and a delicate girl—the dynamic is really alluring. Why not just give it a try?"
"I feel like a fitness coach isn't reliable. Yanyan likes guys who are devoted; she’ll get hurt with Wen Yiming."

"Who made you cry?" Wen Yiming took two steps toward Li Jiayan, smiling and using a playful tone to break the ice.

Li Jiayan gave a bashful, awkward laugh, deciding not to hide her face anymore. She lowered her hand and said, "Sorry for the scene."

"There’s a saying online," Wen Yiming watched her for a moment and said, "Stay away from the people and things that make you unhappy."

Li Jiayan smiled again, but this time she didn't respond. She was in low spirits and didn't want to hear lectures; she couldn't take them in. Human joys and sorrows were not connected. They weren't her, and she didn't believe any of them could truly understand her feelings.

*Stay away?* It wasn't that simple.

The two stood in silence for a moment, the atmosphere awkward. Wen Yiming cleared his throat, whispered her name, "Jiayan," and officially began his confession.

"Actually, from the first moment I saw you, I had a very good impression of you."

"I still remember the first night we moved into the Pink House. You played the piano. I was in the kitchen cooking, and I ran out when I heard the music. I was stunned by the way you looked while playing. I thought to myself, *Is this a fairy?*"

At this, Wen Yiming smiled sheepishly.

"Then there was our first date at the haunted house. I thought I could protect you and give you courage, but I ended up being the one who was scared, and you were the brave one. I thought, *This girl is really different.*"

"Later, as we spent more time together, my affection for you grew, and the further we went, the stronger it became."

"But perhaps because..." Wen Yiming paused for a moment before continuing, "I hadn't been out of my last relationship for very long, the wounds I suffered made me subconsciously cautious about starting a new one."

"When I wasn't sure if I truly loved someone, I didn't want to lock myself into one person. I tried to get along with everyone, so I was a bit hesitant about my feelings for you at first."

"But later, I finally realized that my feelings for you were true affection, and it felt very different from how I felt about other women."

Wen Yiming stopped there. He adjusted his clothes and looked at Li Jiayan with a serious expression.

"Jiayan, in the adult world, there's no need for too much fluff. I really like you, and I sincerely want to try seeing where this goes with you. I don't know if you... are willing?"

Having finally spoken his heart, Wen Yiming felt a wave of relief.

Livestream:
"Wow, I suddenly think he’s not so bad."
"Actually, it’s normal for Wen Yiming to have gotten to know everyone at first, like a real-life blind date. There's no need to call him a jerk for that."
"Give it a try, Jiayan. Trying won't kill you."
"They actually look like a good match physically, and both are business owners. Thinking about it, it’s not bad."
"Anyway, Lu Zhou doesn't want you, just go with him."

Li Jiayan listened quietly and earnestly to Wen Yiming’s confession. She had heard many confessions from men before—all sorts of techniques. Some moved her, some left her indifferent, some were funny, and some were disgusting.

In her view, Wen Yiming’s confession was quite good. It was progressive, explained his behavior that might have been misunderstood, and didn't use the cliché, "Will you be my girlfriend?" at the end.

If this were two or three years ago, she would have been moved by such a confession. But now, she felt nothing. Because all her emotions had been exhausted on another man before she even stepped onto the stage.

"Thank you, Yiming." Li Jiayan tried her best to give Wen Yiming a warm smile. "It’s a very lucky thing to be liked by someone. Thank you for your affection."

"It’s been a while on this show. During this time, you’ve given me a lot of warmth. When I was sad, you kept me company and brought me joy. Truly, thank you."

"But I’m sorry, my head is a mess right now, and I can't accept anyone else."

Li Jiayan stated her feelings honestly.

Wen Yiming showed a hint of regret, nodded with a smile, and said, "It’s okay. I understand your feelings. Don't feel burdened, just try to be happy."

Li Jiayan: "Thank you."

Livestream:
"I knew she’d refuse. Anyone who starts with 'thank you' is a lost cause."
"I feel like there’s a chance after the show."
"The woman’s emotions are unstable right now; it’s not a good time for a confession."

Eventually, the two stepped off the stage together, but walked in different directions. The other guests in the cars watched this with varying expressions. They couldn't hear the conversation, but they could judge the outcome by their body language and eyes.

Everyone had basically guessed the result.

Wen Yiming returned to the car with Qi Jiajia. To be honest, it was awkward; he knew Qi Jiajia must be laughing at him in her heart. But it didn't matter. He had guessed the outcome before he even chose to confess.

Did he really like Li Jiayan? Honestly, he did. But in real life, even if he liked someone, if he knew the other party likely had no interest in him, he wouldn't confess.

However, this was a show. None of them were here for love from the start. Meeting someone you liked was just a coincidence... and since it was the final episode, he couldn't forget his original purpose: keep up the persona, protect his reputation, create buzz, and grab the traffic. So, even knowing he’d be rejected, Wen Yiming went for it anyway.

Qi Jiajia, meanwhile, had no time to pay attention to him, nor was she laughing at him. Instead, she began to feel nervous.

Sure enough, not long after, her phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw: [Please proceed to the confession stage].

*Oh my god, so nervous.*

She had never actively confessed to a man in her life! For her first time, she was doing it on a show.

Qi Jiajia turned to look at the car window to see if her hair was messy. But this crappy window had no mirror effect. She messed with her hair a few times anyway and pushed the door open to step out.

Wen Yiming, who had just sat down, was stunned: "???"

*Wait... she’s going to confess too?*

*Damn, she really is my ex-girlfriend, even braver than me.*

He had confessed to Li Jiayan because he had a glimmer of hope, having seen that Lu Zhou had no intention of reconciling. But Qi Jiajia? What was she thinking? Was she also doing it for the buzz and traffic? Or was the person she was confessing to not who he thought?

Wen Yiming watched, dumbfounded, as Qi Jiajia stepped onto the stage.

As for the others:
Xu Junze found it all within expectations.
Chu Yao, Zhang Chen, and Ye Fangfei showed expressions of curiosity.
Li Jiayan had only just returned to the car and hadn't fully calmed down. Seeing the movement on the stage, her brow furrowed.

Lu Zhou pressed his lips together and looked down at his phone screen.

Sure enough, the screen lit up: [Qi Jiajia is going to confess to you, please step out and go to the confession stage.]

Lu Zhou pushed the door open and stepped out.

Next to him, Li Jiayan watched him go: "..."

Inside the other cars:
Xu Junze: All within expectations.
Chu Yao thought: *Wow, Jiajia is really something.*
Zhang Chen couldn't help but complain in his heart: *Women really are all visual creatures.*
Ye Fangfei: "..."

On the confession stage, Qi Jiajia’s heart pounded like a drum as she watched Lu Zhou approach. She kept smiling, but she felt her smile must look incredibly stiff. Her brain began to fail her, and by the time Lu Zhou stood in front of her, she had forgotten most of the lines she had prepared...

"Uh..."

Qi Jiajia gave Lu Zhou a wide, toothy grin, trying to break the awkwardness.

Lu Zhou could see her nervousness. He smiled back, taking the initiative to ease the tension: "I’m a bit surprised."

"Haha, really? Me too, I’m surprised..." Hearing Lu Zhou speak, Qi Jiajia relaxed quite a bit. She shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and laughed.

Livestream:
"Huh? You’re surprised too?"
"Laughing to death, what kind of conversation is this?"
"A flustered Qi Jiajia doesn't even know what she's saying."

Lu Zhou was amused by her response: "You’re surprised too? So, did the production team send the wrong message?"

Qi Jiajia realized what she had said and quickly waved her hands, laughing, "No, no! I meant, I didn't expect myself to have the courage to stand here."

"Just kidding," Lu Zhou laughed.

Qi Jiajia touched her forehead and smiled back: "Alright, why am I acting so stupid?"

The sight of the two laughing and talking on the stage stung Li Jiayan’s eyes.

With the atmosphere eased, Lu Zhou dropped his joking demeanor. Qi Jiajia watched him silently. She had wanted to recall her prepared lines, but now she felt it wasn't necessary. Lu Zhou was just like that; every time she was with him, she felt the atmosphere was great. She liked this relaxed feeling.

"I kept wanting to talk to you yesterday, but every time I tried, the timing didn't seem right." Qi Jiajia started the conversation.

Lu Zhou was puzzled: "You were looking for me yesterday?"

Qi Jiajia: "Yeah, but you were busy, so I didn't want to disturb you."

Lu Zhou nodded: "I see."

Qi Jiajia cleared her throat with a smile and continued seriously:

"Actually, I can probably guess what you're thinking. But I feel that since we’re on this show and met someone we feel so good about, we should be brave. No matter what the outcome is, at least don't have regrets."

"So, even though I estimated how low the success rate was, I still chose to call you here."

As she spoke, Qi Jiajia stopped being shy and flustered, her posture becoming more graceful.

"Just like I told you at the phone booth, I’ve always felt that the feeling of being with you is very comfortable. I enjoy this state."

"I don't know how I make you feel... but in general, from my own point of view, I hope that after the show, we can date."

Qi Jiajia expressed her thoughts bravely and waited for an answer with some trepidation.

Lu Zhou, seeing that she had finished, responded with a smile:

"You are a very good girl, and of course, I would be happy to be your friend."

"But if you mean dating, I think there will be a man more suitable for you than me."

Having already anticipated the answer, Qi Jiajia nodded with a hint of regret: "Alright, I knew it would be like this."

"It’s okay. After saying it, I feel much better." Qi Jiajia reached out her hand to Lu Zhou. They shook hands lightly. She said, "Good luck."

Lu Zhou smiled: "I’ll take your word for it."

The two stepped off the stage and walked in different directions, just like the scene that had played out moments before.

Li Jiayan watched Lu Zhou return to the car, her mood subtle.

Wen Yiming also watched Qi Jiajia return to the car, greeting her with a smile that seemed to say: *What a coincidence, you failed too?*

Qi Jiajia shot him a side-glance and ignored him. Although her confession had failed, she didn't feel too dejected. Instead, she felt a sense of relief—she didn't know why. She looked at the confession stage, finally able to be a calm spectator.

The next person whose phone vibrated was Zhang Chen. He received the production team’s message to go to the confession stage. He smiled at Ye Fangfei and said, "Let’s go!"

Ye Fangfei was confused: "???"

Zhang Chen had already pushed the door open. Seeing she hadn't moved, he smiled and said, "Since we're here, let's just go through the motions."

Ye Fangfei: "..." *Is he bored?*

Immediately, Zhang Chen stepped out and walked toward the stage. Sure enough, a second later, Ye Fangfei’s phone vibrated; the production team reminded her that Zhang Chen wanted to confess to her.

Ye Fangfei stepped out speechless and went to the confession spot.

The others in the cars raised their eyebrows at this scene. *What? The exes are in the same car, can't they just talk? They have to go to the confession stage???*

On the stage, Ye Fangfei stood before Zhang Chen, speechless: "Coming all the way here, for what?"

Zhang Chen: "For the sense of ritual."

Ye Fangfei: "..."

The livestream viewers were laughing like crazy:
"Hahaha, what the hell, a 'sense of ritual'?"
"Do you need a sense of ritual even when you're being rejected?"
"Master Zhang's brain circuit really is different."

Ye Fangfei: "Go ahead."

Zhang Chen wore an expression that said, *I’ve already anticipated your answer*, and asked, "Have you considered it seriously?"

Ye Fangfei nodded: "I’ve considered it."

Zhang Chen: "Really not reconciling with me?"

Ye Fangfei: "We are suited to be friends, not lovers."

Zhang Chen shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded: "Got it."

With that, he turned to leave the stage: "Job done, let's go back."

Ye Fangfei: "..." *He has way too much free time.*

The two stepped off the stage and returned to the car together.

Livestream:
"Brother Zhang really has a masochistic streak."
"Zhang Chen uses real actions to tell us: a simp gets nothing in the end."
"He really simped from the first episode to the last, so extreme."
"I actually like Zhang Chen, a rare, devoted man."
"Oh my god, it’s about to be the moment I’ve been waiting for!"
"Let’s give a round of applause for the 'Feizhou' couple!"

Everyone sat quietly in their cars, waiting for the next person to step out. Li Jiayan bit her lower lip until it turned pale, all her attention focused on Lu Zhou’s phone. Zhang Chen rested his arm on the window, staring blankly at the stage, his mind already drifting to what he would do after the show. The other guests were also waiting with anticipation.

But time ticked by. No one’s phone made a sound.

Everyone began to notice something strange. The production team’s text notifications had been coming quite frequently before. Why was there such a long pause for suspense this time?

Time continued to pass, the gap so long that people couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Four cars, and still not a single person stepped out.

Zhang Chen’s wandering mind was pulled back. He turned and looked at Ye Fangfei beside him with confusion. Ye Fangfei’s gaze was fixed ahead of the car, looking directly at the vehicle where Lu Zhou and Li Jiayan were sitting.

Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow, suddenly finding the situation interesting. *What’s going on?*

Because of her status, Ye Fangfei wouldn't take the initiative to confess to a man; he could fully understand that. But Lu Zhou? He hadn't stepped out???

*What does this mean? Did this kid Lu Zhou reconcile with Li Jiayan?*

Thinking of this, a smile touched the corner of Zhang Chen’s mouth. *At least this kid listened to my advice.* Very good. Zhang Chen felt that he wouldn't lose too much face on this show after all.

Meanwhile, in Lu Zhou and Li Jiayan’s car:
The longer the silence, the stranger Li Jiayan felt. A thought surged into her mind, and she looked slowly at Lu Zhou. *Could it be...*

*Could it be that Lu Zhou wasn't going to confess to Ye Fangfei at all?*

This realization shocked her. She had always assumed Lu Zhou rejected her because he chose Ye Fangfei. It wasn't that?

Lu Zhou sat in the car in total silence, his gaze fixed on the car where Ye Fangfei was.

The viewers in the livestream were going insane:
"???"
"Still not stepping out?"
"So annoying, can the production team stop playing these games? Can you just be straightforward?"
"What does this mean?!"
"I don't understand. Director, what are you doing? Won't you let them step out?"

At this moment, the director’s voice sounded in all four cars:

"So far, no couple has successfully held hands."

"The production team has decided to give everyone one more chance to confess. Anyone who wishes to step out and confess may do so at any time. Simply step out and invite the person you wish to confess to to the stage."

"We will give you another ten minutes to think."

The livestream viewers were stunned:
"What the hell?"
"Is this fake? Is it scripted?"
"What is this? Feizhou, you two are so sweet together, do you really believe it when you say you have no feelings for each other?"
"I’m done. Was all the sugar I shipped fake?"
"Wuwuwu, please, don't have a bad ending, okay? I’ll cry to death."

After hearing the broadcast, everyone was shocked. Everyone knew who the director was hinting at. So, those two hadn't written down any confession intentions in the first round?

This was truly unexpected, and everyone was highly focused on what would happen in the next ten minutes. Would they change their minds?

Ye Fangfei had been staring at Lu Zhou’s car. Yes, she hadn't written down anyone to confess to in her text, because she wanted to be sure if Lu Zhou’s intentions were firm.

Having waited for so long earlier, Lu Zhou hadn't stepped out. She had assumed he had decided to reconcile with Li Jiayan, which was why he hadn't moved. During that wait, Ye Fangfei had never felt time to be so agonizing, until finally, she grew disappointed.

But now, hearing the broadcast, it wasn't the situation she had anticipated.

*Then why didn't he step out?*

*Could her feelings for all those days have been wrong? Did he never feel a heartbeat for her?*

*Or did it have to do with their conversation the night before last? Did his hang-up about 'being of equal social standing' make him choose to retreat in the end?*

If that was the reason... even if she could understand his choice, she couldn't help but feel deeply disappointed.

She retracted her gaze, raised a hand to press the window button, and the wind blew in, tangling her hair.

Time passed second by second.

Ten minutes—it didn't feel long, but it didn't feel short; it was agonizing.

The "Feizhou" couple fans in the livestream were already getting anxious:
"I have a bad feeling."
"Stop the suspense, I’m begging you!"
"Ye Fangfei is too proud, maybe she doesn't want to be the first one to confess in a relationship."
"I feel like Feibao is waiting for Lu Zhou to make the decision. As long as he steps out, there’s a chance."
"I don't get it. Lu Zhou isn't reconciling with his ex, he doesn't want Qi Jiajia, and now he won't step out to confess to Ye Fangfei—what is this?"
"Blind guess: Lu Zhou suddenly woke up and realized the huge gap between them."
"He can improve! Feibao can take him to new heights!"
"You coward, Lu Zhou, get out of the car!!!"

Tick-tock...

The last minute of the ten-minute limit was about to expire.

Lu Zhou gripped his phone tightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging slightly.