Thank You for the Invitation, I Successfully Held Hands with the Best Actress - Chapter 3

Pfft—serves you right, a maid’s fate indeed.

You’re not welcome here. Quit the group already.

She shook her head and walked toward the living room, where two guests were seated on the light gray leather sofa facing the TV, seemingly engaged in conversation.

“Honestly, before joining this show, I was really hesitant. Stepping out of my comfort zone to meet someone new and break free from past burdens—it’s a huge challenge for me,” said a male guest. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, had well-defined features, and carried himself with the polished air of an elite white-collar professional.

The female guest beside him reacted shyly, clutching a teacup on her lap and nodding nervously. She had a delicate, innocent appearance, with a youthful student-like aura, suggesting she was quite young.

“I… thought a lot before coming here too. I’m timid and indecisive, but this time, I want to be brave for love,” she murmured, cheeks slightly flushed, lips pressed together in an endearing way.

The familiarity of these lines made Ning Yu freeze.

Could this be the other female lead, Wen Mianmian?

While watching Heartbeat 100%, Ning Yu had particularly adored Wen Mianmian. Shy and introverted, she appeared soft and vulnerable, yet her inner strength was undeniable. Raised in an orphanage, she had been exceptionally responsible from a young age. With financial support from the Ming family, she worked hard to get into a prestigious university, juggling studies and part-time jobs to repay her debts to them.

The person who had proposed sponsoring Wen Mianmian was none other than Ming Jue—back then, just seven years old. For the wealthy Ming family, it was a trivial gesture, but it irrevocably changed Wen Mianmian’s life.

She knew Ming Jue was her benefactor. That gratitude, etched into her heart since she was five, had quietly blossomed into a secret, unspoken affection. The reason she joined First Heartbeat was because she’d learned Ming Jue was among the guests.

After over a decade of silent longing, this was her first courageous step toward him—no longer hiding in the shadows.

The novel’s portrayal of Wen Mianmian’s emotions was exquisitely nuanced. That wordless love burned brighter than many loudly proclaimed yet hollow affections.

As Ning Yu watched, she couldn’t help but project herself into the story. Like Wen Mianmian, she had endured years of unrequited feelings, but her silence stemmed from an unconventional orientation, convincing herself every flutter of the heart was futile.

A queer woman pining for a straight man? Game over.

Knowing it was impossible, she lacked even the courage to begin.

Admittedly, Ning Yu could be quite the coward when it came to love.

Meanwhile, the conversation continued. Li Yifan subtly inched closer to Wen Mianmian, closing the distance between them. “Exactly. Only by meeting new people and embracing new relationships can we truly move forward.”

Ning Yu smirked coldly. Move forward? Toward what?

The prison gates are wide open—care to step inside?

The signature gold-rimmed glasses confirmed his identity.

Freshly divorced and stripped of assets in a domestic violence lawsuit, this guy had the audacity to join a dating show.

Dressed to impress, refined on the surface—yet beneath that human skin lurked a beast.

Li Yifan’s true colors were exposed by netizens after the show ended, turning him overnight into public enemy number one.

“You know, I’m not actually nearsighted, but I still wear glasses. Do you know why?” Li Yifan said with deep affection, adopting a somewhat nostalgic and restrained demeanor, ready to reveal the pain he had endured. “The wounds I suffered were so deep that I became afraid when looking at others. Wearing glasses is like putting on a disguise—it protects me from getting hurt again.”

His words were abstract, tinged with the melodrama of youthful angst, the kind that could easily deceive inexperienced young girls. But Wen Mianmian had already seen through it and could only offer an awkward smile in response.

“But today, coming here, I believe there might be someone who can make me drop this disguise…” Li Yifan stared intently at Wen Mianmian. “What do you think—”

“How touching! Big bro, then you can finally see the light and open your eyes to the world,” a sudden voice interjected.

Ning Yu popped up between Li Yifan and Wen Mianmian.

Li Yifan recoiled in shock, his half-seated posture—leaning sideways for conversation—slipping entirely, sending him sprawling ungracefully onto the floor.

“Who the hell are you?!” Li Yifan’s veins bulged on his forehead as he shot a flustered glance at the cameras in the room, feigning composure as he scrambled back to his feet.

Ning Yu adjusted the fisherman’s cap on her head, looking somewhat sheepish. “Oh, I’m so sorry, big bro. I didn’t expect you to just… fall over like that.”

“I’m Ning Yu, another new guest here. Nice to meet you?” She extended her hand with a smile.

Seeing another beautiful woman, Li Yifan didn’t think much of it. But the moment their hands touched, a sharp crack echoed as his knuckles collided violently. The searing pain made him yelp.

Ning Yu released his hand. “Oops, sorry. I’ve been working out a lot lately—guess I lost control of my grip.”

Li Yifan’s face twisted in agony as he cradled his injured hand, glaring coldly at her.

Ignoring him, Ning Yu clapped her hands and turned to Wen Mianmian. “So, is there any system to the room assignments?”

Wen Mianmian nodded. “Each room is different, assigned based on identity cards. I’ve checked them all out—what’s yours? I can show you the way.”

With that, the two headed upstairs together, leaving Li Yifan standing awkwardly behind.

Ohoho, starting off with a battlefield right away?

Poor guy, running into Ning Yu. Was she doing that on purpose? Is she after Mianmian? No way! Mianmian’s too sweet—run, baby girl!

The live feed shifted as new guests arrived at the dating show.

One radiant and striking, the other witty and elegant—two stunning women with extraordinary presence walked in together, painting a breathtaking scene.

Mu Qiuyan wore a simple yet elegant purple sweater dress, the latest Chanel design for fall and winter, paired with brown high leather boots that accentuated her slender, snow-white legs.

Her smooth, silky black hair cascaded to her shoulders, framing rosy lips and a straight, delicate nose. Her gentle yet piercing eyes shimmered like spring water, her striking features exuding the grace of a classical beauty straight out of an ink painting.

For a moment, the barrage of comments paused—then exploded in a frenzy.

Ahhh! My heart can’t take it! Mu Qiuyan looks absolutely stunning in that outfit!

“Check out my sister’s stunning beauty and amazing figure—seeing is believing, becoming a Mu fan is definitely worth it!”

“Mu Jiejie’s movie ‘The Pitcher Strikes’ is about to hit theaters soon, so here’s a little promotion.”

“I never expected her to actually join this show. Who’s that pretty girl next to her? They seem to be getting along well—did they come together?”

“Originally, I didn’t want to see Mumu paired with anyone else, but with this one… I think I’m back on board.”

“The chemistry between these two is unreal!”

“What are they talking about? I really want to know. Mu Qiuyan usually seems so aloof, but she looks pretty friendly now.”

“Depends on the person. Feels like their relationship isn’t ordinary. munching on melon seeds.jpg”

Ming Jue: “I never thought you’d actually join a dating show. I’m really surprised. From college till now, I’ve never seen you date—what made you change your mind this time?”

Mu Qiuyan didn’t answer and instead countered, “Well, President Ming is here too, isn’t she? With so many people chasing after you, do you really need a dating show to find someone?”

“None of them were my type,” Ming Jue replied, glancing at Mu Qiuyan’s delicate profile before rubbing the tip of her nose. “Hopefully, I’ll find a partner here.”

The two were college classmates. Though they were in different departments, both were student council officers, so they interacted frequently and weren’t exactly strangers.

After graduation, Mu Qiuyan smoothly entered the entertainment industry, while Ming Jue joined her family’s business to learn management. Still, Ming Jue would occasionally invite Mu Qiuyan out for meals under the pretense of catching up, making her one of Mu Qiuyan’s few friends.

Ming Jue: “By the way, I heard Ning Yu is also here.” Her tone carried a barely noticeable edge, sounding less than pleased.

Mu Qiuyan had no recollection of this person and frowned in confusion. “Who?”

“You forgot? She also graduated from S University, same year as us. She even pursued you back then,” Ming Jue said helplessly. “Two days ago, she was trending for being a playgirl who juggled multiple partners. I don’t know why the production team didn’t kick her out, but whatever they’re doing, you should definitely stay away from her.”

Lest she gets any bad ideas upon seeing you again.

Mu Qiuyan racked her brain before dredging up a vague figure from the depths of her memory—but that was it.

During college, Mu Qiuyan had been something of a campus celebrity. Her striking looks and minor fame from starring in a few low-budget web dramas made her the target of countless admirers across departments. Love letters and confessions were endless, and Mu Qiuyan couldn’t possibly remember them all.

As they chatted, the two entered the house and drew cards at the entrance—one labeled “Prince” and the other “Witch.”

Ming Jue looked at the Gothic-style witch card in Mu Qiuyan’s hand and chuckled at the camera. “What kind of gimmick is the production team pulling? Is this a dating show or a role-playing game?”

“Ah, her smile is so captivating. Who is this sister? I need her full bio in three minutes.”

“They’re so perfect together. Her and Mu Qiuyan—I’m shipping them already.”

After settling their luggage, Ning Yu and Wen Mianmian descended the stairs one after the other. The staircase was an elegant spiral design with marble railings that had a matte texture to the touch.

As they walked, Wen Mianmian at the front suddenly stopped in her tracks. Ning Yu followed her gaze to the two beautiful women who had just appeared at the entrance and immediately understood.

It was Ming Jue and Mu Qiu.

They seemed to be getting along quite well.

Wen Mianmian bit her lip tightly, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Ming Jue. Overflowing emotions were evident in her gaze, her face flushed crimson as her heart pounded wildly with nervousness.

She had absolutely no idea how to start a conversation with Ming Jue!

Ning Yu, who had originally wanted no part in the protagonists’ complicated love triangle, sighed inwardly. After all, she had once shipped Wen Mianmian and Ming Jue as the official couple. Maybe she should lend a helping hand?