85: Chapter 85 The Last Day and the Final Stage of the Romance Variety Show

At 8:00 PM, on the first floor living room of the Heartbeat Apartment.

The eight guests arrived one after another, scattering across the sofas and chairs.

After a whole day of recording, everyone was somewhat exhausted.

But Director Zhou's mention of an important matter had stirred up everyone's curiosity once again, so no one was absent.

Lu Li leaned against the corner sofa, having changed back into his T-shirt and oversized shorts, with a box of yogurt still in his hand.

Shen Qingxue sat on the single sofa diagonally across from him, also changed back into her usual casual wear, a white T-shirt paired with wide-leg jeans.

Before long, Director Zhou walked down from the staircase holding a folder, his expression a few shades more serious than usual.

The conversation in the living room gradually quieted down, and everyone's eyes focused on him.

Director Zhou walked to the center of the living room and stopped, his gaze sweeping over every guest present, and after remaining silent for two seconds, he finally spoke.

"Everyone is here, right?"

He paused for a moment and continued.

"Calling everyone here now is to announce a matter."

Director Zhou opened the folder, glanced at the contents inside, and closed it again.

"Due to some special reasons, so… tomorrow's recording will be the final day of this season of Heartbeat 72 Hours."

The living room fell silent for a fraction of a second.

Then Xu Hao was the first to react, widening his eyes.

"What? The last day? Didn't you say we were going to record…"

"Plans have changed."

Director Zhou glanced at him and cut off the conversation.

Xu Hao opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something else, but after Lin Yu tugged at his sleeve, he closed it again.

But the atmosphere in the living room had clearly changed.

Because normally, there should have been around three to four more days of recording, but for some unknown reason, it was brought forward this time.

Everyone else's emotions didn't change much, except for Lu Li, who practically had the word happy carved onto his forehead.

"Oh yeah! The sooner it ends, the sooner we're free."

It was just a pity that from now on he would have to pay out of pocket to drink this brand of yogurt, making it feel less appealing.

Director Zhou waited a few seconds to let the news sink in, then continued.

"Since tomorrow is the final day, the Program Team has prepared a special segment."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone.

"Tomorrow morning at 8:00, please change into the designated outfits provided by the Program Team and gather in the first floor living room on time."

"The outfits will be delivered to everyone's rooms later."

"Then, after the final segment concludes, the recording of this season of Heartbeat 72 Hours will officially end here."

After finishing, Director Zhou closed the folder, his gaze lingering on Lu Li and Shen Qingxue for a second before looking away.

"Alright, that's all I wanted to say. It's getting late, everyone get some rest early."

He turned to leave, taking the Deputy Director and a few staff members away from the living room.

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance, and the living room fell into a brief silence.

Xu Hao was the first to break the quiet.

"The last day… isn't this way too fast?"

He leaned against the sofa, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling, a hint of reluctance in his tone.

Once he went back, he would have to start his miserable trainee life all over again.

Lin Yu glanced at him from the side, the corners of her mouth twitching.

Before long, Zhou Yichen was the first to stand up.

"Since what needs to be said has been said, then… everyone, good night."

After speaking, Zhou Yichen walked upstairs first, and Su Qing also stood up and followed behind him.

Soon enough, only two people were left in the living room.

Shen Qingxue and Lu Li.

Lu Li finished the last sip of yogurt, threw the carton into the trash can, stood up, and stretched lazily.

He glanced at Shen Qingxue.

She was still sitting on the sofa, lowering her head to look at her phone screen.

"Still not leaving?"

Lu Li called out.

Shen Qingxue raised her head and glanced at him.

"You go ahead."

Lu Li raised an eyebrow, didn't ask further, and turned to walk upstairs.

After Lu Li left, only Shen Qingxue remained sitting there in the huge living room, looking into the darkness outside the window, wondering what she was thinking.

A short while later, a sigh rang out.

…

The next day, 7:30 AM.

Lu Li was awakened by a round of knocking on the door.

"Teacher Lu? Teacher Lu? Your outfit has arrived, I've placed it at the doorway."

The cautious voice of a staff member came from outside the door.

Lu Li rolled over, buried his face into the pillow, and replied in a muffled voice.

"Got it."

The footsteps gradually faded away.

Lu Li lingered in bed for another five minutes before reluctantly getting up, walking to the door, and pulling it open.

A white paper bag was placed on the floor at the doorway, printed with the logo of the Program Team.

Lu Li picked up the paper bag, opened it, and took a look.

Inside was a light grey casual suit, paired with a white shirt and a dark blue tie.

Not gonna lie, it actually looked quite sharp.

After changing clothes, Lu Li was dragged off for makeup, having his entire person styled to be impeccably refined.

Even Lu Li himself almost didn't recognize who he was.

…

First floor living room.

Just like Lu Li, everyone's appearance had been meticulously groomed, giving them a completely brand-new look.

However, one person had yet to arrive.

Lu Li leaned against the sofa with his legs crossed, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the armrest.

He glanced at the staircase, then checked the time.

It should be about time.

Just as he finished speaking, slight footsteps came from the staircase.

This time, everyone simultaneously raised their heads.

Shen Qingxue slowly walked over.

The living room fell silent for an instant.

She wore a mist-blue long dress, the hem trailing down to her ankles, swaying gently with her steps.

Her waist was tightly nipped, outlining her extremely slender figure.

Especially her makeup, which was more exquisite than at any other time, yet not overly heavy, perfectly accentuating the advantages of her facial features.

The living room remained quiet for quite a while.

Xu Hao was the first to react, his mouth opening into an O shape as he blurted out subconsciously.

"Holy shit…"

Lin Yu pinched him hard on the side.

"Keep your voice down!"

Xu Hao bared his teeth in pain, but his eyes still couldn't help glancing over towards Shen Qingxue.

Zhou Yichen was even more dumbfounded.

His gaze locked onto Shen Qingxue from the very first second she walked down the stairs, following her all the way to the sofa area without even blinking his eyes.

Even Lu Li couldn't help taking a few extra glances.

Mentally reciting the two words: gorgeous.

"Ahem, everyone is here, then get ready, the broadcast is starting immediately." Director Zhou coughed twice, reminding everyone.

Soon, everyone withdrew their gazes.

Meanwhile, on Lu Li's side, a faint fragrance swept past. Just as he wanted to say something, the next second Shen Qingxue sat down directly beside him.

Lu Li: …

He really wanted to say: can you not sit next to me, otherwise I am under immense pressure.

But there was no help for it; she had already sat down, and he surely couldn't drive her away.

Before long, amidst Lu Li's wild imagination, the live broadcast room opened.

A large number of netizens poured in with questions, uniformly inquiring why the Program Team was suddenly ending.

Although there were still netizens discussing which guest looked better or who was more handsome, their number was ultimately too small.

However, Director Zhou obviously wouldn't directly answer the netizens' questions head-on during the live broadcast.

He picked up the megaphone and began.

"Today is the final day of this season of Heartbeat 72 Hours."

"Therefore, after completing today's segment, you will all receive a thank-you gift package prepared by the Program Team, everyone gets one."

"Alright, no more words, today's segment is called…"

"Heartbeat Ensemble."