Ruby Sawyer had asked the question on purpose.
First, Ethan Quinn wasn't there.
Second, the on-screen couple was supposed to be Anna Summers and Leo Bishop, but that pairing got intercepted in the end.
Third was the matter of her refusing to let go of his hand—so shameless, taking advantage of him during a video shoot!
Amelia Lockhart acted as if she didn't catch the hidden meaning in her words, replying in a very formal, public-relations tone, "It's all thanks to Ethan Quinn's massive fanbase. How else would I have gotten the chance to experience it?"
Iris Yates chimed in with a smile, "I'd love to feel what it's like to have hundreds of millions of fans. I wonder which female guest will be that lucky this episode."
Rhett Reynolds joined in, also smiling, and said with feigned jealousy, "Hey, we were partners for the first episode. How can you talk about other men in front of me before the second one has even started?"
Iris Yates knew he was joking and her smile grew even brighter. "Alright then, I hope we're matched again this episode. It'd be great if there were more segments where you have to give piggyback rides or carry people."
Rhett Reynolds burst out laughing. "Spare me! Suddenly, I'm thinking a new partner might be a good idea after all."
The car erupted in laughter.
Although the live broadcast hadn't started yet, the cameras were still rolling to capture some behind-the-scenes footage for editing.
Later, this clip was edited by the production team and posted online. Everyone found it hilarious, and the bullet comments were flooded with: "I'm shipping it, I'm shipping it! The unluckiest couple is finally giving us some sweet moments!"
--
In spring, Riverbend Old Town was like a scene from a painting, with lush green willows and vibrant flowers everywhere.
The bus finally stopped in front of a quaint, antique-style inn. The seven guests got off one by one, all marveling at the charm of the old town, feeling as if they had traveled back in time.
"Due to a scheduling conflict, Mr. Ethan Quinn will be arriving separately tonight. Also, the theme for the second episode is 'Love in the Old Town.' The live broadcast will begin tomorrow at five in the morning. A friendly reminder to all our guests: there's an early morning task at 5 AM tomorrow, so please remember to get to bed early tonight."
Iris Yates was the first to ask, "Is the early morning task tomorrow very important?"
"Yes, the early morning task is very important. Additionally, we've already arranged your dinner with the inn. Any guest who needs room service can contact the Shopkeeper. Of course, you're also welcome to dine together in the private room on the second floor." After handing out the key cards, the staff member left.
As soon as Iris Yates heard they could eat in the private room upstairs, she immediately started asking who wanted to eat together. The long, bumpy ride had left her quite hungry.
Besides, the inn's food looked like it would be delicious!
Everyone quickly agreed. They split up to drop off their things in their rooms, then found the Shopkeeper together and booked the "Lotus Room." Iris Yates took on the great responsibility of ordering, and everyone else just waited for the meal to begin.
Although the inn had modern amenities, most were perfectly concealed by antique-style decorations. The private room had a pair of folding screens painted with lotuses, and a stick of light, elegant incense was burning.
The window of the Lotus Room happened to face a small river in the old town. Tender green weeping willows lined both banks, some branches dipping into the water's surface, attracting butterflies to play among them.
This tranquil, serene old town gave Amelia Lockhart the feeling of being back on Mount Cinderwood. Everything here felt wonderfully beautiful to her.
"What do you guys think the morning task will be?" The food hadn't arrived yet, so Ruby Sawyer, feeling bored, started a new topic of conversation.
Anna Summers smiled. "The whole point of giving us a special reminder was to make sure we don't miss it. This is a new episode; what could be more important than pairing up the couples?"
Leo Bishop also smiled gently. "I agree with Anna. The morning task tomorrow must be about choosing our partners. That's why they said it's so important."
Iris Yates's face lit up with realization. "No wonder they sent us here half a day early. Looks like we really do need to get to bed early tonight!"
"Actually, it's kind of exciting when the production team acts all mysterious like this," Anna Summers said with a smile. But as she spoke, she shot a quick glance at Amelia Lockhart.
'I didn't manage to make her look like a fool during our acting scene last time, so this time, I'll make sure she doesn't get what she wants. I've already made arrangements with a crew member and I know what tomorrow's morning task is. The one who matches with Ethan Quinn this episode can only be me!'
With everyone lost in their own thoughts, they finished the delicious dinner and then returned to their respective rooms.
Amelia Lockhart looked at the Beauty Hair Card and the Stupid Pig Card in her hand, conflicted. She let out a deep sigh. Neither of these cards would help her get matched with Ethan Quinn.
But she had already used up her Good Luck Card...
--
「Five in the morning.」
There was a sharp knock on Amelia Lockhart's door right on time. Amelia quickly got up to open it and received an early morning task card.
"Find a box marked with the show's logo hidden in your room, and bring it to the inn's first-floor lobby."
'Find a box?'
Amelia Lockhart quickly washed up and changed her clothes, then began a carpet search of the room. After checking all the cabinets and drawers, she had found nothing.
Amelia started searching the corners and soon found it behind the curtain. The small box was taped to the fabric.
"They actually hid it in such a tricky spot! I must be the fastest one to find the box. Bye-bye, I'm off to the first floor!" Amelia Lockhart waved at the now-active live-feed camera and made a stylish exit.
[LOL! I don't have the heart to tell her she's actually the last one!]
[Everyone else got up early and waited for the task. She's the only one who was still sleeping when the live cameras started rolling!]
Full of confidence, Amelia Lockhart arrived on the first floor. When she saw seven people already sitting in the lobby, she refused to believe it and counted them again.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven..."
Amelia Lockhart was shocked. 'How could they all be so fast?'
Iris Yates smiled and pulled the stunned Amelia Lockhart over to sit on the sofa with the other women. "Amelia, why are you so late?"
"I was about to ask how all of you were so fast!"
Anna Summers gave a gentle smile. "I went to bed early last night and got up at four this morning. Plus, I accidentally found the box under my table yesterday. I thought it was strange, so I went and asked Ruby if she had one too."
Ruby Sawyer chimed in, looking smug. "I immediately tore my room apart and, sure enough, found the exact same box. It had the show's logo on it, so it was obviously an important prop."
So, the two of them were the first to arrive in the lobby. The others arrived one by one after them. Only Amelia Lockhart had actually slept until five.
[As expected, Amelia Lockhart is such a letdown!]
[I hope my boy avoids Amelia Lockhart this episode and gets paired with my smart and beautiful Anna Summers!]
[But I also hope Amelia Lockhart takes good care of our boy. I feel like he doesn't look very well!]
Ethan Quinn sat quietly to the side. Perhaps because of his packed schedule, his face was a little pale, and he did seem a bit unwell.
"Everyone has completed the early morning task. Next, the female guests will choose an item from the table in the order of their arrival. A friendly tip: each item corresponds to one of the male guests, so please choose carefully!"