Perhaps it was the security of Chen Dongyang's embrace, or the comfort of being patted, but Tiantian truly fell asleep quickly.
The night passed uneventfully. The next day, the two were woken by the alarm clock, got ready, and went to the restaurant.
It was a buffet, and it was very generous.
Quite a few people had already arrived, chatting in low voices in twos and threes as they selected dishes.
Chen Dongyang pushed Tiantian to an empty seat, telling her to wait. He asked her what she liked to eat and went to get breakfast for both of them.
As soon as he left, the couple who had greeted them yesterday, who had just started dating, walked over.
The woman was named Zhang Wei, and the man was named Meng Kai.
Perhaps they found Tiantian approachable, or perhaps they thought the two of them were also a couple and their situation was similar, so they walked over to Tiantian very familiarly.
After greeting her, Meng Kai also went to choose breakfast.
Zhang Wei looked at his retreating back with a sweet smile. After a few seconds, she leaned closer to Tiantian.
"How was last night? Did you have a good time?"
Tiantian took it as ordinary conversation and said it was good. Zhang Wei winked and chuckled.
"Changing places and changing your mood is like changing the feeling, right? Did you take it to the next level?"
Tiantian wasn't stupid, so she naturally understood what she meant.
She gave Zhang Wei a speechless look. "You mean you guys, right? We didn't. You know my leg is injured."
"Oh dear," Zhang Wei thought she was just being shy.
"Your leg is injured, but Chen Dongyang's isn't. It doesn't stop anything."
Tiantian: "..."
Zhang Wei laughed again. "How long have you two been dating?"
Tiantian didn't like her gossipy demeanor. She leaned back slightly, creating some distance between them.
"Not long, only about two months."
Unexpectedly, she became even more gossipy.
"Ah? Only two months? Seeing how you act like an old married couple, I thought it had been a long time. That's not right. Two months should be the peak of passion. He wouldn't have done nothing in a new place, would he?"
"Or is he just too promiscuous? Is he no longer capable?"
Tiantian was speechless again.
As if unable to read the room, Zhang Wei kindly advised her.
"Although Chen Dongyang is quite handsome and has a good physique, he was really too promiscuous before. I say, you have to be careful. You can't pour all your emotions into it. What if he's just looking for an honest person to settle down with, and you'll be at a disadvantage?"
Just as she was speaking, Chen Dongyang arrived, and Zhang Wei quickly sat up straight.
Chen Dongyang placed the two plates of breakfast down, greeted Zhang Wei, and buried his head in his meal.
Soon, Meng Kai also arrived.
Zhang Wei looked at the cold mixed pork liver and chicken hearts in her bowl, chuckled, and gave Chen Dongyang a few pieces.
"I haven't eaten yet, don't mind. I can't eat this first thing in the morning. Men should eat more to replenish themselves."
Chen Dongyang understood what she meant in an instant. He glanced meaningfully at Meng Kai and said nothing.
Work officially began at eight o'clock. Time was running out. After breakfast, Chen Dongyang sent Tiantian back to her room.
On the way, he asked, "Did Zhang Wei say anything to you?"
Tiantian looked back at him. "How did you know?"
Chen Dongyang said, "Not only do I know, but I also know it must have been about me, right?"
Tiantian: "...Do you want to hear the truth?"
"Of course, why else would I ask you?"
Tiantian told the truth. "She asked if we slept well yesterday and if we took it to the next level. I said no, and she said you were incapable."
Chen Dongyang was amused to the point of anger. "This person is crazy and has no sense of propriety. You should learn less from her."
Tiantian pouted. "You're already trying to control me? I'm not an idiot. I know who to associate with and who not to."
To ensure fairness and impartiality in the competition, each person had their own room and had to stay inside for a full eight hours, monitored by cameras. They could only come out at 5 PM and were not allowed to bring mobile phones or other electronic devices.
Everyone worked diligently in their respective rooms for the day. After 5 PM, they trickled out like students leaving school.
As they walked towards the cafeteria, they discussed their feelings about the day.
The weather had been bad for the past few days, and it was raining outside. Tiantian saw Zhang Wei and Meng Kai not far ahead. Not wanting to engage in awkward conversations, she said to Chen Dongyang.
"I don't want to go to the cafeteria. Can we eat back at the room?"
Chen Dongyang was naturally willing.
He and Tiantian had officially established their relationship. He hadn't seen her for eight hours today, which made him miss her terribly. He wished they could be together all the time.
"Then you go back first. I'll get the food later."
After sending her back to her room, Tiantian lay on the sofa, zoning out. Chen Dongyang went to the restroom, and when he came out, he unlocked his phone for her.
"I have a game app on my phone. Open it and see if there's anything you want to play."
A phone was a private item, and Tiantian had never thought of looking at his.
But since it was being handed to her...
There was an app called "Haiwan." She clicked on it and found various popular games, such as script murder.
She didn't want to rack her brain, so she finally chose a "draw and guess" game. She matched with three other players online and opened a room.
When Chen Dongyang returned with the food, he saw her still playing and leaned over to watch for a while.
He suggested ways she could operate it.
After a round, they exited to eat. Tiantian asked him why he was so familiar with it.
"Aren't you usually very busy? Do you still have time to play these games? And aren't these games very childish for you?"
Chen Dongyang didn't hide it from her. "I developed this software."
"Ah?"
"Don't you think this name is very unfamiliar and niche? It was just designed, and I'm still looking for investors. I don't know if it will have a chance to go online in the future."
Tiantian didn't know he had this ability to develop software himself.
Seeing her surprised expression, Chen Dongyang smiled and ruffled her hair.
"I know many things. My mother wanted me to be successful and forced me to learn many things. I could write code and program independently in high school, so it's nothing."
Tiantian instantly felt his image become even more imposing.
After eating, Tiantian wanted to play the same game again. Chen Dongyang downloaded it onto her phone as well, and they both entered the drawing room.
"Should we connect our mics?"
The two sat side-by-side on the sofa, and they still had to connect their mics.
Tiantian found it quite interesting. "Connect."
Chen Dongyang deliberately moved a few steps to the side, creating some distance between them. The two of them, along with the other team members, started chatting and playing the game.
As they were playing, Tiantian became thirsty. "Go, get me a glass of water."
Chen Dongyang placed the water in front of her, reminding her that it was hot and to wait a moment before drinking.
"Okay. Why aren't you drinking? You should drink some too."
"I'll drink after you finish."
The other players were stunned. "What's going on? Are you two living together? Damn, real couples living together and connecting mics to play games, aren't you tired of it?"
"If I have sinned, let the law punish me, rather than passing the time playing a game and having to eat dog food. What is this all about!"