The Ex's Tears Are So Hot - Chapter 21
“Bro, maybe you really should reflect on yourself…”
The production team sent a message: everyone was to meet at the basketball court at 9:30 AM.
It was already a bit past 9:10. Guan Jinnian hurriedly dragged Xie Zhixin into the bathroom to wash up.
They rushed to get ready, and by the time they were done, the cameraman had already been waiting outside their room for a while.
Switching to a closer handheld camera, the audience finally got a clear look at Xie Zhixin’s extremely swollen, red eyes.
【Holy crap, that scared me! What happened??】
【Cried again, huh. Classic.】
【Personal experience: cry your heart out one night, and you’ll wake up looking like that mess the next morning lol】
【Now I really want to know what went down last night—crying, sharing a bed… spill it!】
【Anyone following the other couples? Are they sleeping together too or is it just these two? /doghead emoji】
【My roommate’s a Lu Yue stan. She was watching their stream—super distant with President Qin, like strangers LOL】
【Wu Yi and Qi Ming also sleep in separate beds!】
【See? That’s what normal exes do! Kick this couple doing break-up roleplay off the show! /doghead】
While the comments joked around, Xie Zhixin showed up at the meeting spot with his puffy eyes, totally unfazed by appearances.
Guan Jinnian had wanted to help him reduce the swelling, but there wasn’t enough time. Seeing that Xie Zhixin didn’t care at all, he thought, Forget it. Let him be.
Trying to ignore the teasing and curious glances around them, the two stood in the center of the court, waiting for the host to announce the day’s mission.
Wang Yue, the host, had swapped his formal designer suit from yesterday for a T-shirt and shorts—looking casual and relaxed.
“Good morning, everyone! Sleep well last night?”
He was clearly aiming the question at Guan Jinnian and Xie Zhixin—a setup from the production team after seeing last night’s online reaction.
The other groups, who hadn’t yet scrolled through online comments, took the question at face value and answered casually:
“Pretty good.”
“Slept fine.”
“I was okay too, but the roosters crowing at like 4 or 5 AM were so loud, ugh…”
Normally, Xie Zhixin wasn’t shy at all. He handled Wang Yue’s teasing without a flicker of embarrassment. Having had a heart-to-heart with Guan Jinnian the night before, he was practically glowing today, cheerfully replying, “Slept great!”
Guan Jinnian, on the other hand, kept his mouth tightly shut, his face turning red again.
【Guan Jinnian: I just moved past this—why are we bringing it up again?! Ugh!】
【HAHAHA the production team is so evil omg~】
【We all share the same joy in teasing this couple! I live for Wife Jinnian’s blushing!】
【Shame Thick-Skinned Xie is immune. No fun teasing him!】
【Well, how else did he land such a good wife?!】
Wang Yue left it at that and shifted to business, dropping the lecherous grin and bringing the group back to the show’s focus.
“As I mentioned yesterday, your main task this week is to promote tourism in Zhounan Village and help increase local revenue.”
“So now, let me announce today’s missions!”
He took the task cards from a staff member and waved them. “Please come up and get your mission envelopes.”
Each pair came forward and took one.
Lu Yue and Qin Jin’s task was to design themed rooms for a guesthouse. Wu Yi and Qi Ming were to act in a promotional film for the village. Lin Qi and He Chengcheng were assigned the film’s narration and soundtrack.
Guan Jinnian opened his envelope:
“Film an immersive Vlog from a tourist’s perspective.”
He looked at the misty mountains in the distance and exchanged a glance with Xie Zhixin.
“So? Got any ideas?” Xie Zhixin asked.
Guan Jinnian had some experience from making videos recently, and inspiration struck immediately—but he wasn’t sure if the end product would turn out well.
“…Maybe?” he said hesitantly.
“Don’t worry about it. Just follow your vision.”
Xie Zhixin beamed brightly, trying to look cool. But with his swollen eyes, he looked more ridiculous than dashing.
【Bro, can you not try to be cool today? That face is not holding it together. Even I, your biggest fan, am struggling here…】
【He meant to sound slick, but those eyes tanked the cool factor by 100% and boosted comedy by 1000%】
【What’s with that look in Guan Jinnian’s eyes? That doting gaze is intense! How can you not laugh looking at those puffy lids?!】
【Maybe he’s just… used to it? Like, this guy cries so much that Jinnian is numb to the swelling by now?】
【LMFAO “used to the swelling” I’m screaming】
“Everyone got your tasks?” Wang Yue clapped to get their attention. “All four missions were chosen based on your abilities.”
“Lu-jie and President Qin studied interior design in H Country, didn’t you?”
Lu Yue blinked. “…Yes.”
She’d taken interior design classes to prepare for a role in an art-house film, which is where she met Qin Jin, who had been studying to broaden his own skillset.
“Wu Yi and Qi Ming are both accomplished dancers—graceful and expressive. Perfect for a promo video, right?”
Wu Yi and Qi Ming exchanged excited glances. It had been a while since they last performed together. Even though it wasn’t a formal stage show, it was still a chance to collaborate again.
“As for Teacher He, your musical talent speaks for itself. Lin Qi’s voice is made for narration—this will be a breeze.”
Wang Yue’s professionalism as a seasoned host shone through—he gave compliments without sounding forced, making everyone feel seen.
Even the usually uncooperative He Chengcheng visibly brightened. Though he still acted like he didn’t care, his pride had been stroked just right. Now he’d definitely try harder.
And if he cooperated, Lin Qi would have no issues either. That team probably wouldn’t cause more trouble.
“As for Teacher Guan and Teacher Xie, I have no doubt you’ll do great on the Vlog. The quality of your past short videos was amazing—I even got served some on my own feed. I was super impressed!”
Guan Jinnian couldn’t take such high praise and waved his hands modestly, but Xie Zhixin puffed up proudly.
“Thanks! I think he’s great too. His livestreams are amazing. I’m his number one fan.”
He said it without a shred of modesty and gave Wang Yue a look that screamed good taste.
Wang Yue’s expression turned complex, opening his mouth several times but saying nothing.
“Sorry, he’s a bit… hyper today. Sorry,” Guan Jinnian apologized repeatedly.
He tugged Xie Zhixin behind him, gave him a glare, then turned back to Wang Yue with an awkward-but-polite smile.
【HAHAHAHAHHAHA omg】
【This feels like one of those “What’s it like traveling with your low-EQ husband?” forum threads】
【“I’m his number one fan” NO ONE ASKED YOU, BRO!】
【Why is he so smug about the smallest things related to his ‘wife’? He’ll brag about this for a year! /cringe /sweat】
Wang Yue didn’t even try to respond and just moved on: “Alright, the crew has prepared a special Zhounan Village breakfast for everyone. After you eat, you can begin your tasks!”
They moved to an indoor dining area, each seat set with a variety of food: veggie porridge, sweet cakes, and steaming noodle soup.
Just as Guan Jinnian sat down, he heard Xie Zhixin give a couple of small coughs and clear his throat.
He immediately recognized the cue—Xie Zhixin was thirsty. Spotting a teapot, he poured him a cup without a word.
Xie Zhixin, unfazed, took the cup and drank it. When he finished, he simply set the cup down again, and Guan Jinnian naturally refilled it—still without exchanging a single word.
The whole interaction was so smooth and practiced it stunned everyone nearby—and the livestream viewers.
【That was… weirdly smooth… I need to rewatch that.】
【Someone said they lack chemistry? This is the most coordinated I’ve ever seen—Xie didn’t even ask, and Guan served him like a pro! /grin】
【Why is all their synergy channeled into these oddly domestic routines…】
【If it were my partner, I’d be like: “No hands? Get it yourself!”】
【Another day of being jealous of Xie “Gets-Served-Like-Royalty” Zhixin. Ugh.】
Some of Xie Zhixin’s more extreme fans still tried to defend him:
【It’s mutual. No one’s being forced. Stop with the snark.】
【“Served” is such a loaded word. Y’all are just bitter. Go find yourself a hot, famous boyfriend—oh wait, you can’t :)】
A fight nearly broke out in the chat, but level-headed fans rushed in to mediate.
【Okay guys, let’s just enjoy the show. No need to fight or get mean.】
【Don’t judge someone over one scene. Be rational, and don’t fall into haters’ traps!】
【Right, let’s not self-destruct. Don’t give the antis a show.】
Order was barely maintained as the stream continued.
Guan Jinnian and Xie Zhixin got into a car, heading to a hot spring hotel in the mountains to shoot their video.
Xie Zhixin, emotionally drained from last night, hadn’t slept well. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.
Guan Jinnian immediately pulled out a cooling eye mask he’d prepared and handed it over.
“If you’re tired, take a nap. We’ll film once we’re there.”
“My eyes hurt so bad…” Xie Zhixin’s tone had a hint of a whine as he leaned on Guan Jinnian’s shoulder.
“You cried so much last ni—” Guan Jinnian caught himself mid-sentence, remembering they were still on live. Instead, he said, “This mask has a gel insert. Use it—it’ll help with the swelling.”
Xie Zhixin hadn’t even replied yet, but the comment section exploded:
【HOW could you break up with such a sweet, thoughtful man?! What did you do to exhaust him to this point?!】
【OMG Guan Jinnian is SO caring. Who wouldn’t want a partner who notices every little detail about you?! No wonder Xie can’t let go! Who could?!】
【Please… let me have him instead. I want someone like this too, sobs】
【Revenge for a stolen husband shall never be forgiven!!】
Even Xie Zhixin’s harshest fans were stunned into silence.
It was plain to see: Guan Jinnian’s care and concern weren’t faked. And from how naturally Xie Zhixin accepted the gesture, it was obvious this was their normal dynamic.
【Bro, seriously… sigh.】
【Hard to comment. I still don’t like Guan Jinnian, but… this hit me right in the feels.】
【Maybe… just maybe… their breakup really was partially your fault. Bro, maybe it’s time you reflected on yourself.】