The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - C32 - Argentina

Many years ago.

A grand crystal chandelier cast a soft halo over the fine Western restaurant, its light reflecting off polished cutlery and crystal glasses, while the gentle strains of a waltz floated through the air.

A teenage boy and girl sat across from each other in tense silence. Behind the girl, gift bags of all sizes, luxury items in neat stacks, lined the space.

“Xuzhi, you don’t need to buy me gifts.” Halfway through the meal, An Ziyi put down her knife and fork.

“I know this is all your father’s doing. I also know you don’t like me at all. There’s no need for this. I’ll convince my father to work with your family.”

Her words were plain, direct, and unflinching. Shen Xuzhi paused mid-cut on his steak, eyes lifting to meet hers.

She was painfully thin. Even with makeup, her complexion was pale, yet there remained a quiet gentleness in her bearing.

“Even though I do like you, it really isn’t necessary.” An Ziyi met his gaze with a forced smile.

“After all, I’m going to die soon.”

The contract was signed in the end.

And An Ziyi truly did die.

In the height of summer, she was wheeled into a frigid chamber, then sent to the flames for cremation. Her ashes, as she had wished, scattered across the mountains.

Shen Xuzhi stormed into Shen Fu’s office, demanding why he had never been told of her illness.

“President An’s daughter? Yes… cancer.” Shen Fu said, not even glancing up as he flipped through a document.

His tone was cold, detached, as though it concerned nothing beyond the black-and-white text before him. “During her treatment, she got to spend time with the person she liked. Isn’t that… a happy ending?”

“The partnership with An Nian Group went very smoothly. You did well,” he added.

It was then that Shen Xuzhi realized his father, Shen Fu, was beyond saving.

To him, no one was ever truly a person. Even while speaking of a dying girl’s happiness, his eyes stayed fixed on profit, on contracts, on what could be exploited.

Not just his son’s dreams, but also the love and life of a girl with a terminal illness.

Shen Fu severed Shen Xuzhi’s contacts, dissolved the band, and destroyed all music deemed worthless. Shen Xuzhi was sent back to school, locked in what amounted to a boarding school. His phone confiscated under the guise of helping him focus on his studies.

The suffocation drove him to the rooftop of the teaching building, seeking air. It was there he saw the boy.

The boy stood at the edge where there was no railing, the wind tousling his hair. His face was pale, lips faintly blue, a crust of dried blood at the corner of his mouth. His gaze was empty, silent, carried away by the gusts. Fragile as a dead leaf, he seemed as though a single gust could shatter him.

Shen Xuzhi felt a restless stir in his chest. He had just witnessed one death, and now…

“Are you going to jump off the roof?” He spoke from the flat part of the rooftop, hood pulled up, voice lazy and almost indifferent, lacking any push or persuasion.

“It’s not a pleasant way to go. First comes the weightless panic, then the rush of blood in your head and ears. The wind tears at your ears, chokes your neck, twists your joints, binds you as you hit the ground, shattered into seven or eight pieces.”

He stopped, a shadow falling across his face, his features half-hidden in the dim light. “Why be so desperate?”

The unobstructed wind swept over the boy’s frail frame and into Shen Xuzhi’s arms.

The boy, standing on the ledge, bit down on the candy in his mouth, hands tucked in his pockets, rocking slightly onto his toes.

He did not turn, nor spare a glance behind him. Instead, he lifted his eyes, gaze calm as he watched the jagged line of skyscrapers swallowing the horizon. His voice drifted out as quietly and steadily as the wind.

“I won’t jump off the building.”

“It’s just a rare chance to come up here.”

“I simply wanted to stand at a high place and enjoy the sight before me.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

Shen Xuzhi’s entrance was nothing short of flamboyant. His sleek Panamera rolled straight up to the dormitory gates where Qing Lin lived, making it clear he had no intention of keeping things low-key.

Under the coaxing and teasing of his roommates and the onlookers, Qing Lin got into the car, his face clouded with exasperation.

Lately, he had been studying how gossip blogs and paparazzi worked their tricks to stir up scandals. So, the instant he sat down, he muttered without thinking, “Showing up in a luxury car like this at night… this doesn’t look like going out for cake—it looks like going to a hotel.”

Shen Xuzhi let out a low chuckled, his tone deliberately teasing. “Ah, so that’s what you were thinking.”

Qing Lin: “…”

And as expected, it didn’t take long before the internet exploded. Hashtags like #ShenXuzhiWatchingTheLivestream and #ShenLinInThePanamera surged to the top of the trending list.

Aside from Shen Xuzhi’s solo fans weeping in despair, the rest of the comments were a frenzy, completely out of control.

[Where are they going! At night! In a Porsche! Personally picking him up! If this isn’t for an overnight stay, then what is it?]

[Someone said they were just going out for cake. Come on, driving a Panamera at night? If it’s not for a hotel, then what’s the point. Shen Xuzhi, hurry up and wreck Qing Lin already. (evil smirk)]

[That livestream was hilarious, and right after it ended, he immediately ran off to find his wife. Shen Xuzhi is down bad for QL.]

[They’re together, right? Together, right? Together, right? Together, right? Together, right?]

The hype refused to die down, climbing higher and higher, and in turn boosting the variety show Follow Heart to unprecedented popularity.

Director Hong Shanyue was practically glowing with delight. Sponsors were lining up, publicity was sky-high, and with momentum this strong, there was no better time to strike. Without hesitation, he dropped the teaser for Part 2.  

[@Follow Heart：

Roses bloom in Buenos Aires. Circle the Moreno Glacier, let your soul be carried away in blazing passion and unbridled freedom, intoxicated by love—will you take my hand for this dance?  Follow Heart Part 2 – A mysterious and romantic honeymoon journey awaits.
@ShenXuzhi-Liam @QingLin

@QiaoWeilanSwag @NanYuyu

@THJ-SuMingxuan @G-NingYian]

The comment section erupted.

[Finally!]

[Buenos Aires? Argentina?! Wow, they’ve actually got the budget to film overseas!]

[A dating show that skips straight to the honeymoon stage. You guys are the most impressive production team I’ve ever seen.]

[The next episode’s theme is a honeymoon trip?! OMG! ShenLin are basically married already! This is like New Year’s already! Who even needs the civil affairs bureau at this point?!]

[Ahhhh this show is too good at this! And An-an too! My dumb couple!]

Weibo was in an uproar once more. The discussions only grew hotter, and by the time the comments reached a fever pitch, filming for the new season had already begun.

The cast boarded a long-haul flight bound for Argentina, one of the farthest corners of the world from China.

For Qing Lin, it was his very first time setting foot outside the country—and on such a long journey at that. The thought of flying across half the globe left him both restless with nerves and alight with excitement.

The trip would take over thirty hours, with transfers between flights, most of it spent suspended in the air. Thankfully, the production team had booked first-class cabins in their entirety, so the three pairs of guests could sit together in pairs, the atmosphere light despite the distance ahead.

In one row, Su Mingxuan and Ning Yian leaned comfortably against their seats, their carefree chatter carrying easily across the aisle. They bounced from one topic to another, sharing all the latest gossip as though they had endless reserves of energy.

“Why isn’t Wenwen-jie here this time? Is it because the mutual selection didn’t work out?”

“No, no. Jiang Wen only joined in the first place to promote her new drama. Now that she’s gotten the exposure she wanted, her job here is done.”

“Ohh, I get it. So, we’ll see Shi Chang-jie later, right? When did she get married anyway? I haven’t seen her in forever.”

“She’s been secretly married! Her wife’s super gentle, and she really dotes on her.”

______________________________________________________________________________

The two of them got along well enough, but once the cameras were off, they felt more like friends, cordial, yet keeping a certain distance.

Qing Lin leaned back in his seat, staring out at the sea of clouds drifting beneath them. The sky shifted slowly from bright blue to sunset red, then finally into the deep black of night. After a while, he tugged the window shade down with a faint sigh.

“What’s wrong? Bored?” Shen Xuzhi turned to him. “Want some dessert? I’ll order something for you.”

Qing Lin shook his head. Hours had passed already, and his buttocks were starting to feel sore. As he shifted in his seat, his gaze drifted to the pair sitting across the aisle.

Qiao Weilan had her arm draped around Nan Yu’s shoulders. Nan Yu leaned naturally against her side, the two of them tucked together beneath a shared blanket as a movie played quietly on the small screen before them.

“How about…” Shen Xuzhi trailed off as he followed Qing Lin’s gaze. His voice softened. “Want to watch a movie too?”

Qing Lin crooked a finger, beckoning him closer.

Shen Xuzhi bent down obediently, leaning in until their heads were almost touching.

In a whisper just by his ear, Qing Lin murmured, “The way Qiao Weilan and Nan Yu look right now, if anyone didn’t know better, they’d think the cameras were still rolling. I thought the show doesn’t record on planes?”

Shen Xuzhi chuckled under his breath, lowering his voice to match Qing Lin’s hushed tone. “They’re not acting. They’re a real couple.”

“…!”

Qing Lin, upon hearing the news was left dumbfounded.

His thoughts stumbled over themselves. A real couple? Wait—what was that supposed to mean?

Not wanting to leave him hanging, Shen Xuzhi went on in the same low murmur. “They were together even before the show. They just wanted to use this program to make it public.”

Only the two of them could hear. Their heads tilted close together, secrets passed in quiet tones, the faint brush of their breaths against each other’s ears carrying a strangely ticklish warmth.

Qing Lin suddenly recalled what Su Mingxuan had said earlier.

All the guests came on the show with some kind of purpose. Jiang Wen had hers. Qiao Weilan and Nan Yu had theirs.

So… what about Shen Xuzhi?

What purpose had brought him here?

“Shall we watch a movie?” Shen Xuzhi’s voice broke through his wandering thoughts.

“…Mm.” Qing Lin nodded lightly.

Forget it. Other people’s business wasn’t his concern. What mattered most right now was staying focused, completing the show, fulfilling his contract, and playing his part. Even if that meant dating Shen Xuzhi for real… or at least selling the image convincingly.

Shen Xuzhi reached over, adjusted Qing Lin’s seat into a recline, chose a romance movie, and quietly asked the flight attendant for a blanket. He draped it gently over Qing Lin.

Qing Lin settled deeper into the seat, comfortable enough that he didn’t need to move. One had to admit—Mr. Shen would make an excellent partner. Cold and reserved on the outside, yet unfailingly gentle beneath it all.

The headphones fed him the soft murmur of lovers whispering on screen, their words mingling with the warm glow of light across his face. Sleep crept over him little by little, and before long his head tilted sideways, resting naturally against Shen Xuzhi’s shoulder. Shen Xuzhi caught him, steadying him so he could sleep peacefully.

Shen Xuzhi’s eyes rested on Qing Lin’s side profile, who was already lost in dreams, his gaze so tender it seemed almost to shine.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

With a glass of water in hand, Qiao Weilan happened to pass by. Spotting them, she couldn’t resist saying, ‘You’re way too obvious.’”

Shen Xuzhi gave no reply. With a faint smile, he simply raised a finger to his lips, a silent gesture for her to keep quiet, as though afraid even a whisper might wake Qing Lin from his sleep.

____________________________________________________________________________

“Bienvenidos a Argentina!”

After traveling halfway across the world, the cast finally touched down on Argentine soil.

[They’re here!!]

[They really went all the way to Argentina.]

[Ahhh paired in twos, this is basically a honeymoon trip already!!]

The moment they stepped off the plane, a sharp chill swept over them. Argentina, in the southern hemisphere, was caught in the opposite season to China—it was winter here, and the cold wind cut through their travel-worn bodies in an instant.

At the arrival gate, three married couples stood waiting to greet them. Pleasantries were exchanged, laughter and handshakes passing around, before Hong Shanyue’s steady narration rose over the scene.

“You’ve all had such a long flight, thank you for your hard work!”

His voice wove in smoothly with the camera’s sweep.

“Argentina, the land farthest from China, home of Messi and Borges, where the Iguazú Falls thunder and the Perito Moreno Glacier gleams like blue crystal. The July 9th Avenue and the southernmost city of Ushuaia embody its spirit of freedom. Red wine, barbecue, tango, and football are the lifeblood of Argentina. From today onward, our three guest couples will take on the role of newlyweds, traveling with real married couples to begin their honeymoon journey!”

The narration shifted, firm and playful at once.

“Let me briefly explain the rules for this trip. There are three routes to choose from: south, north, and central-east. By drawing lots, everyone has already determined their route and the married couple who will travel with them.”

“During the journey, the guests must play the role of newlyweds and complete missions assigned by the production team to earn travel funds. No one must discover their identities. If they are found out, each exposure will cost them 3,000 Argentine pesos.”

“Of course, that isn’t all. Each married couple will also assign a ‘daily intimacy-boosting’ mission, designed to bring you closer and strengthen your bond. Completing it successfully earns five thousand pesos, but failure costs one thousand, paid to the couple in your group.”

[Daily intimacy missions? The real couples definitely know how spicy to make them haha]

[Playing a fake couple? My CP has been married in my heart all along (pervy face)]

[Please, make it exciting! I’m an lsp! I want the kind of steamy romance even Jinjiang wouldn’t dare publish!]

The groups dispersed, each joining their assigned married couple. Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin walked up to meet Liu Xin and Zhang Nanyin.

Qing Lin had done his homework, watching the couple’s past variety show performances. They left him impressed, but also wary of their subtle edge of danger

“Well, Xiao Shen, it’s been a while,” Zhang Nanyin grinned. “You’ve gotten even more handsome.”

They had known Shen Xuzhi before, and after a few casual exchanges, their eyes inevitably shifted to the young man at his side.

Liu Xin smiled at Qing Lin, then looked back at Shen Xuzhi. “Kid, you’ve got good luck. Your wife’s really good-looking.”

Qing Lin: …

Already slipping into character so quickly?

But Shen Xuzhi didn’t even flinch. His reply was smooth, natural. “Don’t tease him, he’s shy.”

Qing Lin: “……”

For some reason, a strange competitiveness rose in Qing Lin. Almost without thinking, he clung to Shen Xuzhi’s arm, leaning against him with a smile as he greeted, “Hello, Liu Xin-ge, Nanyin-jie. Please take care of my husband.”

My husband.

Usually, Qing Lin addressed him as “Mr. Shen,” always distant, always polite. But hearing the words “my husband” slip so naturally from his lips gave him the dizzying illusion that they really were married.

He turned his head quickly, covering his excitement with a couple of dry coughs.

[Ahhhhhh Linlin!]

[Look, Xu-ge’s ears turned red! Priceless!]

[Ahhhh I’m losing my mind; my CP is killing me with this teasing!]

[‘My husband’! Who gets it, gets it!]

“Oh my, young love is really wonderful,” Zhang Nanyin gushed, hands cupping her cheeks. “You two are a match made in heaven.”

“My wife is young too. To me, she’s the most beautiful in the world,” Liu Xin said without hesitation, slipping his arm around Zhang Nanyin and lowering his head toward her.

“Sweet talker.” Zhang Nanyin laughed, then cupped his face and kissed him.

There, before them, the two kissed without shame.

Qing Lin and Shen Xuzhi froze.

Neither had ever seen anyone kiss so openly, so unabashedly.

[Hahahahahaha the kiss-obsessed couple strikes again.]

[Look at QL and Xu-ge, they’re stunned lol]

When the kiss ended, Liu Xin still held his wife in his arms, his gaze mischievous as he glanced toward the pair across from him.

“See that? Just a little nudge and they’re already blushing. That won’t do. Newlyweds should be more lovey-dovey and affectionate, right?”

“That’s right,” Zhang Nanyin chimed in, “this doesn’t look like a couple at all.”

“Baby, let’s give them their intimacy-boosting mission. How about this…” Liu Xin whispered something into Zhang Nanyin’s ear.

Zhang Nanyin immediately burst into laughter. “Maybe start with something simple, hubby. Otherwise, people will say we’re bullying them.”

[We don’t think it’s bullying! Make it spicy!]

[Ahhh what did he say? I wanna know tooooo.]

[Censored content please! You didn’t hear that from me. Sisters, you understand.]

[Extra-large milk tea with pearls overload]

[At least leave them some dignity, sisters]

After a moment, Zhang Nanyin said, “In marriage, you need just the right amount of romance to keep the spark alive. And love… is something that must be spoken aloud.”

Qing Lin couldn’t help swallowing hard. Why did he have such a bad feeling about this?

“So, after some intense deliberation, we’ve decided that today’s intimacy-boosting mission for you two is—”

“To gaze deeply into each other’s eyes and say this loud ten times: ‘Wife, I love you,’ and ‘Husband, I love you too!’”

Qing Lin: “…”

Are they serious?