Chapter 36: A Shared Descent

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Stepping out of the changing room, Qin Yu greeted Dai Wen and Feng Qiqi, who had been waiting outside.

“Where’s Ziyao?” Feng Qiqi peered past Qin Yu into the changing room, trying to spot her.

“I’m… here!”

A trembling voice drifted from behind the door. Those waiting outside finally caught sight of Lin Ziyao, wrapped in a towel, her head tucked low as she hid by the doorway, looking quite indecisive.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Lin Ziyao’s timid appearance was certainly unexpected for Dai Wen and the others. They had never seen her behave this way since joining the program.

Feng Qiqi, however, succinctly summarized her behavior. “She’s shy. After all, she was just asking if there were any more conservative swimsuits.”

Her words rang true. Admiring oneself in a mirror was an entirely different mindset from stepping out and allowing others to observe.

Before emerging, she had been wrapped in her towel, mentally preparing herself. ‘It’s just a swimsuit, not intimate apparel,’ she reasoned. ‘There’s nothing wrong with letting others see.’

Mustering her courage, she took two more steps towards the door, only to retreat again upon hearing Dai Wen and Feng Qiqi’s voices.

The fleeting bravery she had just found vanished without a trace.

Qin Yu sighed softly. It was hard to reconcile Lin Ziyao’s current timid demeanor with the slightly vain girl she had seen admiring herself in the mirror moments ago.

Feng Qiqi, observing the situation, her eyes gleaming, leaned in to whisper something to Dai Wen. A clever idea had clearly struck her.

After Feng Qiqi finished, a flicker of hesitation crossed Dai Wen’s eyes. She glanced at Feng Qiqi, wondering if the plan would truly work. Only after Feng Qiqi thumped her chest, assuring its absolute effectiveness, did Dai Wen nod in agreement.

The two quietly approached Lin Ziyao, exchanging a knowing look.

Before Lin Ziyao could even react, her arms were seized by Feng Qiqi and Dai Wen, who then escorted her out of the changing room.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” A startled Lin Ziyao began to protest. Yet, as soon as she was led out of the changing room, she instantly tried to shrink into herself, like a sensitive plant.

Observing Lin Ziyao, who looked as if her soul might detach from her body, Qin Yu tentatively asked, “Is this really okay?”

“Don’t worry,” Feng Qiqi declared, patting her chest with an exaggerated gesture, “just the walk from the changing room will be enough for her to get used to it.”

And so, the group returned to the entrance of the water park.

“Alright, you’re finally back!” Director Chen announced, watching the group emerge from the changing rooms. All the guests, except for Dai Wen who had won the game and hadn’t changed, were now in their swimsuits.

Spotting Lin Ziyao hiding behind Qin Yu, he inquired, “What’s wrong with Ziyao?”

“Nothing, just blocking the sun!”

After much pleading and persuasion from Lin Ziyao, Feng Qiqi and the others finally let her down. Otherwise, she would have been forced to appear before the cameras in that embarrassing pose.

As the saying goes: if you propose opening a skylight, people will surely object. But if you propose tearing off the entire roof, then a skylight might not seem so bad after all.

People tend to prefer compromise.

“Uh…” Her answer prompted Director Chen to cast a glance at the sun, which was rapidly descending towards the horizon.

‘Doesn’t seem like there’s much need to specifically block it,’ he thought.

Regardless, Director Chen proceeded to host the final segment of the Cat and Mouse game.

“I announce that the Mouse Team must now choose a slide from above and slide down!”

“Woohoo! Yes!” Upon hearing the news, Feng Qiqi was the only one who started to truly enjoy herself. She absolutely loved thrilling games.

The other male guests, however, watched the ecstatic Feng Qiqi with wry smiles.

As Director Chen announced the penalty, Lin Ziyao recalled her recent experience of falling into the slide.

Back then, Qin Yu’s guidance had been a comforting presence. But the upcoming segment required her to face it alone. At this thought, her lips lost some color, and her body began to tremble.

Her earlier misstep had instilled a deep fear of the pool within her, a dread that the water might completely swallow her whole.

Standing beside Lin Ziyao, Qin Yu took in her trembling form.

As the guests prepared to set off, Qin Yu approached Director Chen. “Director Chen,” she began, “how about Ziyao and I take the penalty together?”

“After all, roughhousing by the stairs might create a bad impression when the show airs!” she suggested, blinking at Director Chen.

Just looking at the endless winding slides made Lin Ziyao’s legs tremble uncontrollably. Moments ago, Feng Qiqi had been the first to plunge down, and her excited screams could still be heard from where they stood.

Next, following the order of elimination, Xu Li, Tang Wenjie, and Yang Tian each chose a slide and descended.

Now, it was Lin Ziyao’s turn, having been the last to be eliminated.

“Wait!” Director Chen called out, stopping Lin Ziyao. He then pulled out a cue card and read aloud, “Due to Qin Yu and Lin Ziyao’s roughhousing by the slide at the last moment, which led to both of them accidentally falling into the water, the production team has decided that such dangerous behavior is not to be encouraged. Therefore, the final penalty segment will be completed by both of you.”

As Director Chen finished speaking, Qin Yu appeared on the elevated platform.

She nodded to Director Chen, then made her way to Lin Ziyao’s side.

At that moment, watching Qin Yu’s actions, a certain part of Lin Ziyao’s heart was deeply touched.

The production team had specially prepared a double-person slide mat for them. Qin Yu settled in first, then extended a hand towards Lin Ziyao.

“Come on!”

In response to Qin Yu’s invitation, Lin Ziyao docilely hummed, then sat on the mat, leaning back against Qin Yu’s body.

Qin Yu’s hand rested on Lin Ziyao’s lower abdomen, feeling the same slight coolness as before. However, the warmth emanating from Lin Ziyao’s body gradually warmed Qin Yu’s palm.

Sitting beside Qin Yu, Lin Ziyao felt the smooth fabric and soft touch against her back. The scent of milk emanating from Qin Yu also filled her nostrils, causing her body to subtly tense.

“It’s about to start!” Qin Yu whispered softly, reminding Lin Ziyao.

With Qin Yu’s reminder, Lin Ziyao refocused her attention on the slide. Strangely, this time, facing the penalty alongside Qin Yu, she felt none of her previous anxiety or fear—only a profound sense of calm and reassurance.

Even as the scenery on both sides of the slide blurred past with dizzying speed, it no longer captured Lin Ziyao’s attention. At this moment, only her increasingly captivated heart yearned to draw closer.

For Lin Ziyao, time seemed to stand still. In the blink of an eye, she realized the slide was nearing its end.

“Close your eyes and hold your breath!”

The same words came from Qin Yu’s lips. Lin Ziyao obeyed without a moment’s hesitation.

With a splash, they plunged into the swimming pool.

Just then, a system notification echoed in Lin Ziyao’s mind.

[You have gained 100 Action Points.]