Chapter 69 The Heartbeat Bell Rings

Chapter 69: When the Heartbeat Bell Rings

Xie Muchen, as skilled as his fiancée at shifting blame, said, "Zhao Jinyu insisted on dragging Qin Shuyi into the game. What was I supposed to do?"

He gave Ji Xiuhang a brazen look. "If he won't go, then you go."

Ji Xiuhang: "?"

"Are you out of your mind? Me and Qin Shuyi?"

He glanced at the person nearby with a face like thunder, suspecting Xie Muchen was setting him up.

He crossed his arms in an 'X'. "I have a girlfriend, so count me out."

Even though he hadn't brought Xia Zhiyue today, they hadn't broken up.

And if he dared to participate today, his legs would be chopped off and used as crutches tomorrow.

After getting angry over the allergen, being ordered to catch pests, and then rushing to check on her...

Anyone with eyes could see the feelings were still there.

Teaming up with Qin Shuyi as a fake couple? Was he insane?

Just as Xie Muchen was about to say more, his phone buzzed.

He opened it and smiled. "Fine, if you don't want to, you don't have to. Qin Shuyi's the loyal one. To help Zhao Jinyu win, she's already agreed to participate. Zhao Jinyu says suit yourselves; she'll find a partner for Qin Shuyi herself."

Ji Xiuhang raised an eyebrow wickedly.

Meanwhile, Ling Jue, who had been so adamant just moments ago, now radiated an even colder aura, scoffing, "Is this an engagement banquet or a matchmaking banquet? Is pairing people up a hobby for you two lovebirds?"

Xie Muchen shrugged leisurely, completely at ease. "Who cares what kind of party it is? It has nothing to do with you anyway."

Ji Xiuhang almost laughed out loud.

The chill emanating from Ling Jue seemed to freeze solid.

Zhao Jinyu was a woman of action. Having said she would find a partner for Qin Shuyi, she immediately started looking.

As luck would have it, there happened to be a man who, according to Xu Yan, had previously expressed interest in Qin Shuyi.

Thrilled by his luck, the man couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

He flashed his most handsome smile. "If Miss Qin is willing to partner with me, of course I—"

"She's with me."

Before he could finish, someone butted in.

Annoyed, he wanted to retort, but upon seeing the other person's face, he fell silent and slunk away.

"Uh... I just remembered, I think I had an online girlfriend in a dream last night. I withdraw, I withdraw."

He scurried off without a trace.

Left in place were Qin Shuyi, who blinked innocently, and Ling Jue, who looked as if someone owed him a fortune.

"Don't overthink it. Xie Muchen wants the land in the western suburbs. He wouldn't stop pestering me, so I agreed to help him. Rather than teaming up with a stranger, it's better if we partner." He offered a stiff explanation.

Qin Shuyi glanced at Xie Muchen and Ji Xiuhang, who were trying not to laugh at his instant backtracking not far away. She gave a slight smile and raised her hand.

Ling Jue coughed, quickly tying his left wrist to Qin Shuyi's right wrist with a red silk scarf.

Team-up complete.

...

The lawn was adorned with lights like starlight and flowers like gorgeous clouds, creating a dreamlike scene.

The atmosphere at the venue also hit a fever pitch due to this couples' competition.

The host cheerfully invited six couples to take their seats.

Among them, Xie Muchen and Zhao Jinyu, as the couple of the hour, naturally participated in the games, but aside from their personal bet, they were ineligible for the grand prize.

Many understood Zhao Jinyu's intentions, yet no one refused the opportunity she offered.

After all, Zhao Jinyu was far more capable than her brother Zhao Mingcheng. Moreover, with Xie Muchen and Master Jue backing her, plus the formidable Miss Shi as a rival, the Zhao father and son stood no chance. It was better to curry favor with Zhao Jinyu.

Ji Xiuhang, ever the one to join in the fun, volunteered to assist the host as the scorekeeping referee.

Apart from the ex-couple Ling Jue and Qin Shuyi, the other five pairs were either boyfriend-girlfriend or engaged, so they had no reason to hold back.

The host announced the first game: Heartbeat Acceleration.

Each couple had a heart rate monitor strapped to their wrists. Within three minutes, the first one to make their partner's heart rate exceed the initial threshold, triggering the 'heartbeat bell,' would win.

Additionally, before the game ended, making the other person's peak heart rate exceed one's own during the game, or making their bell ring more frequently, would earn extra points.

In short, there were many ways to score; anything goes.

Zhao Jinyu winked at the girls. "Sisters, my land in the western suburbs depends on you."

The others covered their mouths and laughed.

"Don't worry, we won't lose."

Xie Muchen also adjusted his glasses, speaking genteelly, "The outcome isn't decided yet. I think we men can certainly put in some effort too."

A man laughed heartily. "I'm in a tough spot here. Losing would let my bro down, but winning means going home to kneel on a washboard."

Laughter erupted all around.

Only the two sitting face-to-face at the far end remained exceptionally quiet.

Their wrists were bound by the scarf, forcing their chairs extremely close, knees almost touching. Looking up, they could clearly see their own reflection in the other's pupils.

Both Ling Jue and Qin Shuyi tacitly avoided eye contact, each lowering their head to stare only at their own hands resting on their knees.

Removed from the interaction over the allergen at the dinner table, they seemed to have returned to the awkward, unfamiliar state they were in when they met at the entrance.

Ji Xiuhang, who was wandering around the venue, looked at them and coughed twice. "Everyone, perk up. We're about to start."

He joked, "Don't go easy just because the person across from you is your boyfriend or girlfriend. Otherwise, Miss Zhao and Young Master Xie will tear you apart later."

Another wave of laughter ensued.

At his signal, the host also shouted, "Begin!" The three-minute countdown on the large screen officially started.

It must be said, Zhao Jinyu really picked people with a strong competitive drive.

There was absolutely no holding back; every couple was determined to win.

Half a minute passed, and not a single Heartbeat Bell had rung in the venue.

Ji Xiuhang grumbled in exasperation, "Were you all chanting sutras in your past lives? How can you sit so still?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the first Heartbeat Bell rang.

A girl in a sexy black dress leaned in slightly and whispered something into her straight-laced boyfriend's ear.

The man's heart rate instantly soared past 130, his face flushing bright red.

A ripple of teasing whoops and cheers went up from the sidelines.

Ji Xiuhang said with a smirk, "Qin Yiyi scores one point. The bride-to-be team is now in the lead. Step it up, guys!"

Qin Yiyi raised an eyebrow, shooting a triumphant look at the other couples.

Just then, a second bell rang.

It was actually Zhao Jinyu.

Zhao Jinyu gave a helpless shrug at the astonished Qin Yiyi and the others.

It's not that we're weak, but the enemy is just too strong.

That sneaky bastard Xie Muchen actually dangled the Xie family fortune in front of her, saying that if their marriage lasted more than five years, he would transfer half the assets to her. Who *wouldn't* be tempted?

A sly smile curved Xie Muchen's fox-like eyes. "You're too kind."

Zhao Jinyu's bell was like a bugle call to charge, instantly igniting the battle.

The game suddenly kicked into high gear.

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