The hour of rest felt more like a continuation of filming for Su Yang and the others, as they weren't particularly tired. After all, without any specific tasks, it felt more like a vacation.
An hour later, the twenty guests gathered in the area between the two villa districts, one designated as "good" and the other "bad." Hans stood on a raised platform, microphone in hand.
"Alright everyone, we'll divide into two teams, male and female, to allow for direct observation of the other guests," he announced. This was, in essence, to prevent them from milling about like they were in a market.
Su Yang and Charlie, with a silent understanding, positioned themselves away from the other male guests. The other men also seemed reluctant to be near Su Yang and Charlie, so the two teams effectively became three. Hans, noticing this, said nothing, merely glancing before moving on to the next announcement.
"Our guests have been busy for quite some time and must be hungry. It's lunchtime, but our program budget is limited, so we haven't prepared lunch for anyone," Hans explained. "This applies not only today but for the next half month, even three months. However, our villas are equipped with kitchens and all necessary supplies, so you can cook your own meals."
Hans then smiled and added, "If you don't wish to cook, you can also go out and buy food. Our next segment involves selecting one guest of the opposite sex to share lunch with. Whether you eat at an outside restaurant or cook together, both are acceptable."
Upon hearing this, Su Yang raised his hand. Hans, seeing this, asked, "What is it, Su Yang?"
"Can we only eat in pairs? Can't several people eat together?" Su Yang inquired. He reasoned that if they were forced to choose a single opposite-sex partner, many guests didn't know each other well yet. Meals, while seemingly public, also held an element of intimacy, and sharing lunch with a complete stranger could be agonizing for one or both parties. Su Yang would naturally choose to dine with Anna, but he observed that Mary and Anna had been inseparable, with no interaction with any male guests. If Mary were forced to separate from them, Su Yang would feel a pang of guilt. After all, Mary had extricated him from difficult situations twice, and Su Yang quite liked her personality. He generally couldn't bear to see such a "good person" suffer.
Hans responded, "Theoretically, this is a dating program, so it's meant for one male and one female to dine together. However, since the program is just starting and guests aren't very familiar with each other, and perhaps some haven't yet identified a person they're interested in, we'll allow multiple people to dine together. But, it cannot be an all-male or all-female group; there must be at least one person of the opposite sex present."
Su Yang made a gesture to Hans, indicating he understood. This rule was reasonably humane, and Su Yang was quite satisfied with it. Hans looked at Su Yang and smiled, a smile that increasingly made Su Yang uncomfortable. However, Su Yang kept his composure in front of the cameras and looked away.
But Hans didn't let Su Yang off the hook. "There are too many guests who like our Su Yang, so that's why he's asking, isn't it?" Su Yang felt that throughout the filming, Hans's job was to constantly stir up trouble for him. Su Yang ignored Hans's remark, offering a noncommittal smile.
Hans, however, persisted. "Is our Su Yang going to treat all the guests who like him to a meal?"
Hearing this, George scoffed, "Spending my money like a big shot?"
"Oh?" Hans feigned surprise at George's comment, glancing at Su Yang, then at George. "It seems something happened while I was away?" Hans knew everything. As the host, he received all information about the guests, including their actions when he wasn't present. The production team would inform him of any situations or occurrences involving the guests to prevent unpleasantness. However, for Hans, this information was an opportunity to embarrass Su Yang.
Hans and George knew each other. George, hearing Hans's words, snorted again. "Some people, because they're so poor, scammed me out of a hundred thousand American dollars using some method. Coming on a show with no money, scamming people like that..."
Before George could finish, Charlie interrupted. "If I recall correctly, you were the one who insisted on gambling with Su Yang. Su Yang won, and now you're saying this? Can't handle losing?" Charlie, who usually spoke little, was finding himself speaking more due to these provocations. Primarily, Su Yang, for his own reasons, didn't want to engage with these people. Seeing Su Yang remain indifferent even when George accused him of scamming, Charlie felt compelled to step in and explain.
Hearing Charlie, George glared at him. "What do you know? Were you there? Weren't you busy trying to pick up girls back then?" Charlie's expression darkened. He wanted to explain, but Su Yang waved his hand, signaling Charlie to stop talking. Charlie ignored Su Yang. His reasons for coming on the show were different from Su Yang's, and Charlie wasn't one to tolerate much.
Looking at George, Charlie said, "Watch your mouth. We're filming, and cameras are capturing our every move. I was just normally helping someone with their luggage, without overstepping. But you, you keep talking about being attracted to this guest and that guest. When guests were carrying so much luggage, you didn't offer to help, yet you have the nerve to say this?" Charlie's anger was evident. Honestly, he couldn't stand George anymore. How could someone like that exist, especially an actor? Charlie couldn't understand.
George's face flushed red at Charlie's rebuke. He clenched his fists and moved towards Charlie, clearly intending to fight.
"There must be some misunderstanding," Hans said, rushing down from the platform. After all, this was a live recording. If George actually resorted to violence here, he would face severe consequences for the rest of the show.
"Misunderstanding..." George muttered, but said no more.
Su Yang felt uneasy seeing Charlie defend him, leading to this confrontation. He had initially intended to ignore George's words and Hans's provocations. But now, he couldn't hold back any longer.
"Whether it's a misunderstanding, the person involved knows the truth. Many people saw what happened at the time, not just us on the show, but also the audience behind the cameras. Right and wrong are in people's hearts. I believe the audience will give me justice," Su Yang said, glancing at Hans and George. He then pulled Charlie, gave him a look, and fell silent.
Charlie pursed his lips, understanding Su Yang's difficulties, and stopped engaging with George. Hans, meanwhile, was holding George, whispering, "Don't be impulsive. Now is absolutely not the time." Hans spoke very softly, as many cameras were filming, and he didn't want the audience behind the cameras to hear him speak loudly.