The Ex's Tears Are So Hot - Chapter 18

They signaled they were ready, the referee blew the whistle, and the timer started.

Xie Zhixin walked quickly and steadily. Guan Jinnian occasionally gave verbal directions to correct the path. Xie Zhixin followed exactly as Guan instructed, stepping forward without hesitation.

The two smoothly crossed the narrow wooden bridge and returned even faster, finishing in less time than the first-place team.

Perhaps because of a mistake during the morning quiz, Xie Zhixin had left everyone with an unreliable impression, so when they saw this result, everyone was extremely surprised.

“Congratulations to Teacher Guan and Teacher Xie for winning first place!”

Only when Wang Yue congratulated them did the guests at the venue snap back to reality and start applauding.

“Impressive, you two!” Lu Yue gave them a thumbs-up.

“Looks like we underestimated them,” Qi Ming exchanged a glance with Wu Yi and joked with a smile.

Seeing them so cheerful, the various fans didn’t want to argue anymore. Apart from a few upset haters, the live chat atmosphere was harmonious.

[I told you so! I told you so!!]

[Crybaby top, crybaby top is wonderful, crybaby top cries while doing everything!]

[Awesome, totally slapped those haters in the face, thanks, I’m so happy!]

[But I have a question. Isn’t this a game that tests tacit understanding? Based on the morning game, shouldn’t these two perform similarly to Lin Qi’s team?]

[Yeah… I don’t get it. Can any experts explain?]

[I remember the show said there were psychological analysts. Are they still here?]

Many viewers noticed this and started discussing it in the chat.

The show took advantage of the moment and displayed a live connection window in the lower left corner.

Viewers clicked in to see several relationship and psychology experts sitting at a round table, watching and analyzing the behavior of the four teams in real time.

The host in the observation room, Xiao Yu, greeted the audience and then asked the question everyone was curious about.

“Many viewers are wondering why Teacher Xie’s team could complete the game so smoothly. Professors, can you explain this to everyone?”

One knowledgeable-looking relationship expert, Professor Lin, started analyzing:

“Actually, this game not only tests tacit understanding but also the level of trust between partners.”

She explained thoughtfully, “Teacher Xie Zhixin might not be very attentive in daily life, but through this game, you can see that he trusts Teacher Guan Jinnian unconditionally. That’s why, even completely blindfolded, he walks forward without hesitation.”

Beside her, psychology expert Professor Hu, a middle-aged man wearing thin-rimmed glasses, sighed:

“This kind of 100% trust is hard to achieve, even for couples who have been together for many years.”

[Got it, our Crybaby brother may not know what his wife dislikes eating, but he blindly listens to her.]

[Haha, when will you guys stop bringing up that he can’t answer what his wife dislikes eating?!]

[Hard to let go, I’ll even make a highlight reel when they get married someday haha.]

[Haha, you really just can’t stand him doing well.]

Xiao Yu then asked, “Professor Hu, could you analyze the personalities and relationship statuses of the teams based on their current performances?”

“Of course, it’s my pleasure.”

Professor Hu glanced over his notes and shared his views:

“First, Teacher Lu Yue’s team. Lu Yue is passionate and bright, with a fervent and eager attitude towards love; Qin, however, is more reserved and steady, the type who only shows a fraction of his love.”

“From what we can see, Lu Yue is bold in love, willing to take and let go, moving forward. The seemingly calm Qin is actually the one who has the hardest time detaching from this relationship.”

[We noticed that too, honestly Qin is pretty obvious hahaha.]

[Yeah, but he’s good at hiding it. You gotta admit, being a CEO means mastering not showing emotions well.]

[Good thing our goddess isn’t drowning in heartbreak! /cry]

Professor Hu continued, “Teacher Wu Yi’s team doesn’t have much to analyze. Their personalities match, they get along well, negotiate and communicate—this is a relatively healthy and mature relationship model. Hopefully, they can overcome external factors and take their relationship further.”

“Teacher Lin’s team…” He pushed up his glasses, clearly troubled.

Anyone could see that there were major problems there. Not only He Chengcheng, even Lin Qi’s behavior was strange; the two had a sense of discord in their interactions.

Professor Hu tried to be tactful, “Honestly, sincerity is most important, that’s all I can say.”

Even with his attempts to avoid negative words, the fans of these two exploded at this.

[What does he mean? Saying our Qi Ge is hypocritical?]

[What a useless expert, calling himself a professor, thinks he’s so great?]

[Yeah, everyone knows Lin Qi is humble just because of Chengcheng’s family background. Who else is hypocritical if not him?]

[Cheng’s mom is here again, always talking about family background. You’re just an entertainment circle heir, everyone else is trash, anyone close to you must have ulterior motives?]

The two groups argued fiercely, the chat room was chaotic. Xiao Yu, getting instructions from the show’s production, quickly steered the topic away.

“Professor Hu, what about the most watched Guan-Xie team?”

Professor Hu knew his previous comment might be controversial. Seeing Xiao Yu wink, he took the cue.

“Hahaha, since Xiao Yu said so, I must say a few words about this team.”

Indeed, in terms of their interaction style and relationship issues, Guan Jinnian’s team was very clear.

He had written five full pages of notes just about the two of them.

“Teacher Guan Jinnian is a classic people-pleaser, who subconsciously accommodates his partner and is not good at revealing his true feelings.”

“Teacher Xie Zhixin tends to rely on his partner. From some of his body language, you can see mild separation anxiety.”

“Before the show, I actually followed their story. The most common question is, why do they seem so harmonious and stable, yet still break up?”

[Yes! Especially today, these two’s interactions are normal, even sweeter than ordinary couples!]

[But their interaction pattern isn’t healthy. Guan keeps giving, Xie only takes. If this went on forever, Guan would feel exhausted.]

[Good love lifts each other up.]

“Exactly, that viewer’s point is spot on.”

Professor Hu also read the chat and agreed.

“From today’s details, you can see that Teacher Guan tries to maintain a mature image in front of Teacher Xie.”

He asked Xiao Yu to show a replay, pointing out moments where Guan Jinnian’s emotions seemed unstable.

“When Teacher Xie failed to answer questions correctly, Guan’s subtle gestures showed he was unhappy inside, but he immediately comforted Teacher Xie.”

[Wow, the professor’s eyes are like a microscope.]

[Watching the replay closely, it’s obvious—whenever he’s upset, he purses his lips. Haha, gotcha!]

[Can’t stand it, when I see Xie Zhixin’s face, I get mad. His wife is unhappy and he’s still smiling foolishly!]

[But you can’t just blame Xie, Guan really represses himself too much…]

“Right. Teacher Xie is careless and oblivious, with high demands; Teacher Guan represses and gives unconditionally. Maintaining such an unequal relationship long-term, breakup is just a matter of time.”

“I hope these two can learn and grow during the rest of the journey.”

“Thank you very much for the professors’ insights,” Xiao Yu handed the camera back to the main studio, “Let’s return to the filming site.”

While the camera was on the observation room, the show calculated the teams’ points.

Wang Yue announced, “Points have been distributed to each teacher. You can now redeem daily necessities.”

He waved his hand and staff pushed in a board with a price list.

Kitchen utensils were pots, bowls, and basic cooking ingredients, rented as a set for 30 points per day.

Meat dishes were 10 points per serving; vegetable dishes 5 points per serving, with each serving enough for two people.

The prices were reasonable.

Guan Jinnian’s team won the game and earned 100 points.

After renting essential kitchen utensils, they still had 70 points left to exchange for a hearty dinner.

“What do you want to eat?” Guan Jinnian looked at the menu and asked.

Xie Zhixin was about to order, but then stopped and asked, “What about you?”

Guan Jinnian was a bit stunned, turned to look at Xie Zhixin with a slightly dazed expression, “What?”

“What do you want to eat?” Xie smiled at him, “Pick what you like, I’ll help cook.”

He originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Xie’s earnest eyes, Guan swallowed his words.

He went to exchange points with the show crew, picked out his favorite dishes, but feeling a bit awkward, hesitated for a moment, then also picked two dishes Xie liked.

When Xie saw him come back, he hurried up and took two bags of ingredients from him. Seeing the dishes he liked inside, he secretly smiled with happiness.

[Good, good, now I’m a microscope too. I see it! This guy is smiling secretly again!!]

[Haha, caught you smiling because your wife picked dishes you like.]

[Ugh, Jinnian’s wife is so good to him. Why can’t she be my wife? Don’t be with him, be with me! I’ll treat you well, sob sob sob!]

Their sweetness was radiating pink bubbles, but suddenly a quarrel broke out nearby.

“Who wants to eat this stuff? You eat it if you want, I’m not eating it!”

Everyone turned to see He Chengcheng angrily throw a plastic bag at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi was hit squarely in the face by wet vegetables. He lowered his head, his expression unclear.

“I tell you, if my dad hadn’t made me come on this show, do you think I’d bother with you? If you annoy me again, I’ll expose all the crap you’ve done!”

His last sentence was loud enough for everyone to hear.

[Whoa, drama?!]

[Huh? What crap?]

[Spill it, Young Master! If you expose his crap, I won’t call you spoiled anymore!]

[I wanna know, I wanna know, I wanna know…]