The Ex's Tears Are So Hot - Chapter 15

The remaining three pairs also finished answering their questions — some performed better than others, but each couple inevitably revealed underlying issues.

Ironically, the simpler the question, the more it tested how well the partners truly understood one another.

What surprised everyone most was Qin Jin, the CEO who was notoriously focused on his career and known to barely maintain any romantic life.

Their set of questions was particularly tricky — extremely detailed daily habits, the kind even long-married couples might overlook. And yet… Qin Jin got every single one right.

Netizens who had once followed or shipped this CP couldn’t hide their disbelief:

[CEO Qin, you…]
[“I prioritize my career. Love is just a side dish — not worth my time or energy.”]
[LMAO! I remember that interview quote! Back then, so many CP fans were devastated.]
[Turns out… you do love her? You just never said a word?]

Even Lu Yue was stunned. Her usually sultry, fox-like eyes were wide with disbelief.

“All right, the final scores are in!” announced host Wang Yue.

“First place goes to Wu Yi and Qi Ming! Congratulations — you get first pick of the accommodations!”

Everyone applauded.

“Second place — Qin Jin and Lu Yue. You get to choose right after Wu Yi and Qi Ming.”

“Third place is Guan Jin’nian and Xie Zhixin. Congrats, you still have a choice between two houses.”

Wang Yue noticed the awkward air between them and cracked a joke to lighten the mood.

“And last place goes to Lin Qi and He Chengcheng — keep working on it!”

It wasn’t just that they came in last — it was obvious He Chengcheng had deliberately sabotaged the answers out of spite.

Xie Zhixin, to his credit, was perfectly aware of his own shortcomings.

He still stood very close to Guan Jin’nian, their arms nearly touching, but he looked utterly dejected — like he’d taken a heavy blow.

[Oh no… our Crybaby Bro just became the contrast foil.]
[He looks so sad, LOL. Like a big dog abandoned by its owner.]
[But honestly, he doesn’t seem like someone who wouldn’t care. Was he just too careless?]
[Maybe Guan Jin’nian spoiled him too much — always compromising, always accommodating. That kind of love… is it really healthy?]
[Clearly not. That’s probably why they broke up.]
[At this point, they both have their flaws. Let’s keep watching…]

“After this quiz, I’m sure everyone has a new perspective on their partner,” Wang Yue said. “Don’t be discouraged — growth is the purpose of this journey, after all!”

Sensing that his encouragement wasn’t quite enough, he subtly offered extra support to Xie Zhixin.

“Alright, time to choose your accommodations!”

Staff members pushed in a display board showing four house options, each with pictures. Everyone turned their attention to it.

From left to right, the houses were ranked by appearance:

• First house: a three-story European-style villa with a private courtyard, ornate furnishings, crystal chandeliers, spiral staircases, and oil paintings — lavish and opulent.

[Whoa, mansion alert!]
[Why is it never me who’s rich?]
[Okay, now that we’ve all looked, please get out of my house.]
[Your house? It’s mine!]

• Second house: a cozy home with a small yard. No luxury, but warm and comfortable — wooden furniture, well-placed greenery, and a welcoming vibe.

[Omg I LOVE this one — I want to live there!!]
[This feels attainable. Real people could actually live here. Love it.]
[I wonder if Wu Yi and Qi Ming will choose luxury or comfort?]

• Third house: clearly a downgrade. A basic countryside home with gray walls — plain and modest. Inside, simple furnishings, white walls, wooden tables and chairs. A traditional “blossoms of prosperity” embroidery hung in the living room.

[This feels too real — I think I just saw my childhood home.]
[How is that exact embroidery in every home across China?! LOL.]
[Imagine these glamorous stars flirting under that embroidery — what a vibe clash.]

• Fourth house: a serious challenge. A dilapidated mud-brick house with very basic amenities. Smoke-stained walls, a firewood-burning stove, no water heater — you’d need to boil water just to take a bath.

While clean, it felt like a straw hut compared to the previous homes.

[Wait… do they even know how to light a fire?]
[This one’s rough. And they’ll be here ten days?! Taking a bath sounds like a mission.]
[Guan Jin’nian probably doesn’t care. Isn’t he from the countryside? Lighting a fire should be easy.]
[Hey now — rural doesn’t mean backward. Most places use gas stoves these days.]
[Right, don’t be ignorant. And what if he can’t do it — antis will tear him apart.]

There were trolls in the chat, but also worried fans.

Truthfully, Guan Jin’nian didn’t mind. Back in school, he’d helped cook during village banquets with massive iron woks over open flames. Lighting a fire was second nature.

After reviewing the options, Wu Yi approached Lu Yue, and the two women whispered and quickly came to an agreement.

Wu Yi and Qi Ming chose the cozy home, leaving the grand villa to Lu Yue and Qin Jin.

When it came time for Guan Jin’nian and Xie Zhixin, only the countryside house and the mud-brick one remained. The choice was obvious.

“We’ll take the third house,” Guan Jin’nian said.

But before they could finalize, a disdainful tsk came from beside them. He Chengcheng, clearly unhappy, muttered: “I’m not staying in that dump.”

Then he walked over to them.

“Let’s swap,” he said arrogantly. “I’ll give you resources if you switch. I don’t want to stay in the mud-brick house.”

He didn’t lower his voice, and everyone — cast and viewers alike — heard him.

[Excuse me, what attitude is this?!]
[You screwed up the quiz, now others have to suffer for you? Get real.]
[What does Lin Qi see in him?]

Xie Zhixin’s expression turned cold. He stepped forward and blocked Guan Jin’nian from view, his aura sharp and forceful — a stark contrast to his earlier dejection.

“He can fight for what he wants himself. You don’t need to ‘offer’ anything. Also, please respect the rules of the game,” he said, bluntly and with zero tact.

He Chengcheng’s expression soured. He scoffed, “What a joke. If he’s so good at getting resources, why’d he leave the industry in the first place? You really think this industry rewards hard work, Young Master Xie?”

His tone was full of mockery — and that final “Young Master Xie” jabbed at Xie Zhixin’s privileged background, implying everything he had was thanks to family connections.

Guan Jin’nian frowned.

He knew better than anyone what Xie Zhixin’s family was like.

Sure, they were rich and powerful — but they’d dumped him on a nanny as a child, completely neglected him, and as the second son, he was always the overlooked middle child.

Whether or not his career benefited from his background, He Chengcheng, a nepotistic second-gen who coasted on connections, had zero right to insult him.

If the insult were directed at Guan himself, he’d let it slide. But dragging Xie Zhixin into it — and targeting something Guan had always felt protective about — was unacceptable.

“Not everyone gets things handed to them,” Guan Jin’nian said coldly, stepping up to stand beside Xie Zhixin. “You don’t get to dismiss someone’s effort just because you’ve never had to try.”

[YES! Drag him!! He’s been coasting on privilege while pretending to be some ‘misunderstood genius’ with a bad temper!]
[Everyone knows Xie Zhixin started out doing micro-dramas. If he had real connections, he wouldn’t have started from the bottom. His antis always twist this…]

“Apologize to Xie Zhixin,” Guan said coldly.

He Chengcheng blinked — clearly not expecting him to snap — then scowled, “And who the hell are you to—”

“Apologize.” Guan interrupted, voice like ice.

Usually known for his gentle demeanor, he now radiated sharp hostility.

He Chengcheng’s temper flared, and he raised a fist, about to strike — but Xie Zhixin quickly stepped in to block him.

Everyone gasped. Lin Qi rushed over, pulling He Chengcheng away and apologizing, “Sorry. He didn’t mean anything by it — he just has a temper.”

“Apologize to Xie Zhixin,” Guan said again.

His tone was calm, but his hand, hanging at his side, trembled slightly.

Xie Zhixin noticed immediately — they were standing close. He reached out, gently rubbing Guan’s fingers, trying to calm him down.

“I’m okay,” he whispered. “Don’t stoop to his level, alright?”

But Guan Jin’nian didn’t look away from Lin Qi and He Chengcheng. His gaze said clearly: If you don’t apologize, this whole show stops here.

Lin Qi understood the threat. He quickly said, “Xie, I’m sorry on Chengcheng’s behalf. And to you too, Guan. Truly.”

No one expected He Chengcheng to apologize sincerely anyway — the apology from Lin Qi was already a compromise.

Guan Jin’nian accepted the olive branch. “Fine. We accept.”

He took Xie Zhixin’s wrist and walked a few steps away, then turned back to the others and the cameras.

“Sorry to hold things up. Let’s continue filming.”

He let go of Xie’s wrist, slipping back into his usual calm, warm demeanor — a sharp contrast from his earlier fierceness.

[WHO. WAS. THAT?!]
[I’m speechless. He just snapped into alpha mode and demanded justice like a boss!]
[KSWL KSWL!!! (shipping scream)]
[He’s normally so gentle. But the second someone insults Xie, he EXPLODES!]
[Now I get why Xie Zhixin is so obsessed with him. Anyone would be. He doesn’t even defend himself, but will fight the world for his partner.]
[Look at Xie Zhixin grinning like an idiot! His tail’s practically wagging LOL.]

Xie Zhixin looked like a lovesick puppy — no longer downcast, but glowing with joy. He kept glancing at Guan every few seconds, as if he couldn’t believe he was real.

He leaned closer, brushing arms and occasionally nudging hands together.

Guan shot him a glance, quietly permitting the clinginess — though a flush crept up his ears.