Chapter 266: The Manly Coquettish Act

The director’s suggestion for Fang Zhou to perform the eight acts of coquetry left the guests stunned and more than a few delighted by the prospect.

The audience, meanwhile, was in stitches, filling the chat with laughter and encouragement.

“Great idea! Hero saving the damsel, love it!”

“I think this works! They’re teammates, so it makes sense for them to complete the task together!”

“Hahaha, honestly, if you cover Fang Zhou’s face, his voice might just pass!”

Fang Zhou was dumbfounded. How could a manly man like him perform this coquetry act? Absolutely impossible!

He shook his head repeatedly, signaling his refusal.

“No, no, no, I can’t. Let’s just forget it.”

Behind him, Sun Haotian stood up and shouted, “Fang Zhou, you got this! A man can’t say he can’t!”

Tang Wan, laughing quietly behind him, whispered loud enough for Fang Zhou to hear.

“If eight acts are too much, even three would be fine.”

Even a small portion would suffice, Tang Wan thought, viewing it as a fun spectacle.

Next to him, Han Xi also turned her gaze to Fang Zhou, puzzled by his reaction.

Hadn’t he acted cute when they were together before?

Whenever Han Xi worked late, like when she was still at the office at 10 PM, Fang Zhou would call and ask when she would return.

“Hurry back, I miss you,” he’d say, his voice so gentle it felt like he was speaking to something precious. Han Xi had always remembered that.

Wasn’t that also acting cute?

Yet, thinking about Fang Zhou performing the act in front of everyone, especially during a live broadcast viewed by countless fans, Han Xi felt less at ease.

Her possessiveness grew, swelling like a balloon in her chest.

“Still…”

Han Xi began to offer to do it herself.

But the director suddenly had another idea and loudly suggested, “How about this, Fang Zhou? You don’t have to say it to the camera. Just say it to Han Xi!”

Director Liu silently praised himself for his genius idea. This was a romance variety show, after all.

If they didn’t foster ambiguity and romance, what were they doing? The audience came for this, didn’t they?

It was only natural for the show to match up the guests before the final decision, right?

The director could barely contain his grin, almost turning himself into a smirking emoji.

Fang Zhou blinked, a bit bewildered.

Act cute for Han Xi?

Director, just say you want me dead!

Han Xi seemed to dislike men acting cute, especially men. Whenever she heard a man speaking in a cutesy voice, she seemed ready to shoot icy arrows.

“Uh, is this absolutely necessary?”

Fang Zhou looked back at the director, hoping for a way out.

Although it was a task assigned by the show, it was a risky one, especially with several ex-girlfriends present.

“A fan’s wish must be fulfilled,” the director said, smiling widely. For the sake of the show, he was all in. This episode needed some spice to keep the audience hooked!

Fang Zhou opened his mouth to speak, but then he caught Han Xi’s calm and forthright gaze.

His mind drifted back to the auction, where Han Xi had said she would give him a valuable item worth three million.

Although the matter had been delayed due to Chu Xinran, and he hadn’t received the item yet, Han Xi’s words seemed sincere.

Given Han Xi’s seriousness at that time, Fang Zhou felt he couldn’t refuse.

If Han Xi needed help, he couldn’t turn away.

At that moment, Qi Le, sitting behind him, started clapping.

“Oh! Yes! Let’s see it!”

Fang Zhou decided to go along with it. Since the director had given him an out, why not take it?

Han Xi, who had initially intended to refuse, swallowed her words.

The balloon of possessiveness in her chest turned into a sweet cotton candy, spreading warmth within her.

If Fang Zhou was acting cute for her, it seemed acceptable.

No one noticed the uneasy expressions of several female guests.

Qiao Sisi, sitting in the first row, maintained a professional smile thanks to her acting skills, hiding her inner turmoil.

Fang Zhou is mine! Why should he act cute for another woman?

But her rational mind knew this wasn’t her home and others were around. She had no grounds to stop Fang Zhou from interacting with other guests.

She could only grit her teeth and swallow her feelings.

Sitting further back, Chu Xinran’s smile had faded, her once sweet expression replaced by a deep frown as she stared intently at Fang Zhou, hoping he would refuse again.

No, Fang Zhou, you haven’t acted cute for me yet. How can you do it for someone else?

Chu Xinran felt torn in two. One half watched coldly, telling her it was just a show, nothing to worry about.

The other half burned with jealousy, almost making her want to stand up and stop it.

As she struggled, a soft laugh came from nearby.

“Heh, interesting.”

Chu Xinran looked up to see Qin Yun, a mocking yet expectant smile on her face.

Chu Xinran calmed down, pinching her arm to steady herself.

If Qin Yun could be this calm, why should she get so worked up?

As an ex-girlfriend, she shouldn’t lose composure and put herself at a disadvantage.

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhiyin remained composed, her expression unchanged.

It was just a variety show with a script, a segment requiring cooperation, nothing more.

Knowing this was one thing, but the inexplicable discomfort in her heart was hard to ignore.

Zhang Zhiyin silently turned her gaze away from the interacting pair, finding some peace.

“Do it! Do it!”

Qi Le and others cheered louder, and the assistant director, quick to act, printed the lines and handed them to Fang Zhou.

“Ahem.”

Fang Zhou turned to face Han Xi, trying to keep his voice steady and avoid sounding overly cutesy. He read the lines in one go, mechanically, just to complete the task.

“Please, pretty please, can you do it?”

“I don’t care, I love you, you’re the best, I want it.”

While he could have read more flirtatiously, it was a live broadcast, and he had to maintain some dignity.