Kate gently stroked Ivy's head and asked, "Did you have a nightmare?"
"Yes," Ivy replied, still not fully emerged from her dream, her mood rather low.
"What did you dream about?" Kate inquired.
Ivy's tone brightened as she smiled. "I dreamed of an older sister." A sister whose appearance she didn't know, but someone so kind must surely be beautiful.
"Doesn't sound like a nightmare," Kate murmured. "You have quite a few sisters."
She was talking more than usual—so unlike her typically reserved, aloof self.
Ivy pondered and realized it wasn't entirely a nightmare; the ending was happily ever after. If only she could see what that big sister looked like—she hadn't even thanked her.
"What are you grinning about?" Kate grew more suspicious that Ivy had actually had a sweet dream and was savoring it upon waking.
"Nothing. It's dawn; we should get up." Ivy felt a bit embarrassed because her fist was resting on Kate's chest. She needed to flee before Kate noticed. She truly had been dreaming, and her hand must have wandered unintentionally—it wasn't on purpose!
Kate had been focused on Ivy's words and hadn't noticed the "paw" on her chest. But seeing Ivy bolt so quickly upon waking—was lying beside her that unbearable?
Back downstairs, Ivy bounced into the room, excitedly announcing, "Our show's preview is out! I had no idea; good thing Sophia told me!"
"I saw it last night," Kate said.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Ivy pouted. "I could've admired my stunning on-screen beauty sooner."
Realizing she might have been too casual with Kate, she quickly added, "I didn't mean any disrespect. I was just talking to myself—I often do that."
"I thought you'd seen it; you're on your phone more than I am," Kate replied.
Ivy stuck out her tongue. "Well, after that horror movie and then getting a call from your mom, I didn't think to check my phone."
Tilting her head, she asked, "What did you think after watching it, Kate?"
"You'll know when you watch it yourself," Kate said, her expression unreadable.
Ivy pulled out her tablet to search for the preview, tugging Kate onto the sofa. "Let's watch it together. It's more fun to see everyone's comments."
A subtle expression flickered across Kate's face, as if she wanted to speak but thought better of it.
The preview began with a brief introduction of the guests. A few viewer comments floated across the screen: "Keep watching—there's a surprise."
Then it showed Ivy as the first to move into the villa. As she turned on the staircase, she bumped into Kate, and they fell together. Ivy landed atop Kate, their expressions captured in slow motion. Ivy, lying there, looked as delicate as a blossoming flower, her expression intriguing.
Ivy felt her face heat up. How could the preview start with such an embarrassing moment? It might give viewers the wrong impression.
The next scene featured Annie and Sophia moving in, bickering incessantly. A quick glimpse of the male guests playing Truth or Dare left a hint: What are everyone's ideal types?
Then, bold text appeared:
"Here, you can find not only love but also friendship."
As the text faded, the scene shifted to the bedroom.
Kate: "I brought a large bedsheet; we can push the beds together and sleep."
After this line, it cut to the go-kart track, with Ivy driving Kate, speeding by heroically. The transition between the tranquil bedroom and the dynamic racetrack felt cinematic.
Earlier comments were sparse, mostly viewers expressing anticipation and fans mentioning their favorite stars. But from this point, the tone shifted dramatically.
"Wait, can someone tell me—are Kate and Ivy the official couple?"
"Friendship? You're calling this friendship? I'm totally shipping them!"
"When did they meet? They're perfect together!"
"Didn't Kate guest-star on Ivy's talent show? They didn't interact much then."
"Am I watching the right show?"
"I'm loving this pairing!"
Ivy looked at the comments, coughed lightly, and said to Kate, "Viewers these days are quite imaginative—they can ship anyone!"
Kate remained silent, and Ivy fell quiet too, continuing to watch.
After several shots of other guests, the scene switched to the conservatory. The two sat on a swing, Ivy producing a white rose from behind Kate's ear. The fleeting expression on Kate's face was captured and slowed down, exceptionally clear—surprise in her eyes, with a subtle curve at the corner of her lips, barely hiding a smile.
Ivy was entranced by that shot. Though people say real life is more beautiful, she felt this was the most stunning she'd ever seen Kate—so beautiful that even a girl couldn't help but be moved.
The comments flooded the screen, turning pink.
"Just kill me now—these two are too sweet!"
"You're smooth!"
"This show should be called 'Ivy's Guide to Winning Her Heart'!" (Many viewers echoed this, similar comments filling half the screen.)
"Help! I shouldn't have clicked on this. When does the first episode air? I can't wait to see more of them together!"
"..."
At the end of the preview, it froze on Kate standing up, saying, "I want to initiate the first date."
Lines of text appeared: "Want to know who Kate Stone's first date is with? Stay tuned for 'Stars' Love Guide' airing every Friday at 8 PM!"
"See you at the premiere, everyone," was the final comment that filled the screen before the preview ended.
Ivy's face beamed with joy. "Looks like everyone really likes our show."
"Mm," Kate responded softly.
"But..." Ivy looked puzzled. "What does 'ship' mean?"
Kate's eyelid twitched noticeably. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "I don't know."
Though she claimed ignorance, her ears reddened suspiciously.
"Then I'll look it up!"
As Ivy spoke, she opened her phone's search bar and typed in the question.