A Scummy Alpha and An Award-Winning Omega Actress Fell in Love After an Arranged Marriage - Chapter 11.1

With so many people around and cameras rolling, Sheng Lan needed a reasonable explanation for the familiarity they displayed. She addressed Lu Xueyin as “Teacher Lu” and teased, “You kept it so well under wraps, I really thought you wouldn’t come.”

This perfectly echoed the “Once in a Lifetime” hashtag from the day before.

It could be said they had a private friendship all along, but since they never collaborated, the public remained unaware.

Or perhaps it was just a coincidence Sheng Lan joining this episode and accidentally tagging the right person.

She had a strong command of the situation.

After entering the living room, she discreetly tucked away the yogurt Ji Xinlan had deliberately placed on display into the coffee table drawer. Her gaze swept over the Inhibitor Collar Lu Xueyin had disguised as a choker. Pressing her tongue against her teeth, she handed Lu Xueyin a bottle of mineral water taken from her own bag.

Then, she greeted the “Bing-Tang CP” (Yan Bing and Tang Yingyue). “I browsed your Super Topic yesterday. So many check-ins, and the edits were great too.”

This show was all about shipping couples. Even the icy Yan Bing had to play along for appearances, while the warm-hearted Tang Yingyue quickly picked up the conversation.

Returning the favor, Tang steered the topic toward Sheng Lan and Lu Xueyin.

“You two seem fated too! You’ll definitely draw the same team later!”

This wasn’t a jinx, everyone in the industry knew how much Sheng Lan despised Ji Xinlan.

For years, Ji Xinlan had clung to Sheng Lan for clout, effectively killing any chance of Sheng Lan having a CP. Whenever any scandal broke, fans automatically assumed Sheng Lan was the one throwing shade.

Sheng Lan was unapologetic, if they accused her of throwing shade, she’d do it openly, turning minor scandals into major ones.

A late-night livestream before her debut had set the feud in stone, and after repeated clashes, reconciliation was impossible.

Sheng Lan didn’t even bother hiding her disdain, joining a dating show would require a donkey kick to the head for her to end up paired with Ji Xinlan.

This was an unspoken rule everyone accepted, the production team would definitely rig the pairings.

So, naturally, everyone glanced at Meng Qing and Lu Xueyin’s expressions.

Meng Qing played along cheerfully. “Don’t say that. What if the show wants to shake things up this time and pair me with Sheng Lan for some AA romance?”

Ji Xinlan immediately chimed in, “Then I’ll have an OO romance with Teacher Lu?”

Wishful thinking.

Sheng Lan couldn’t even be bothered to retort.

She turned her gaze to Lu Xueyin.

Lu Xueyin sat perfectly still, like a cold, porcelain beauty.

Her ruffled off-shoulder top and drawstring pleated skirt added a youthful touch.

The white lace choker was adorned with two white roses. Her hair accessory matched, pinned on the left side to secure her locks, allowing her dark, cascading curls to dominate the right side of her shoulders and back.

Her long, milk-white legs peeked out from the khaki skirt, impossible to ignore.

Sheng Lan’s eyes were like a camera, capturing every detail in a single glance.

Even after looking away, the image lingered Lu Xueyin’s arms were just as striking.

Soft and milky, they looked incredibly tender.

If only her expression were a little cuter.

Thinking of Lu Xueyin’s private demeanor and how her own fans reacted whenever she broke character, Sheng Lan understood Lu Xueyin’s mood perfectly. She steered the conversation toward Lu Xueyin’s strengths.

“I heard this episode involves horseback riding. Teacher Lu knows how to ride, right? I’ll be counting on your guidance later.”

For her acting roles, Lu Xueyin had mastered many skills horseback riding was one of them.

At home, she resembled a delicate rose nurtured indoors.

But in reality, she had weathered many storms, her thorns hardened and cold.

She lifted her gaze.

Before she could speak, Ji Xinlan interjected, “Sheng Lan, you’re an Alpha. Do you really need someone to teach you how to ride a horse?”

Called out by name, Sheng Lan ignored her.

She pressed Lu Xueyin for a definite answer, “Hurry up and agree. Everyone’s watching.”

Lu Xueyin: “…”

Asking so openly in public seems like you don’t care much about saving face either.

She nodded. “Fine.”

She would take responsibility for Sheng Lan’s “guess-who” segment as her good sister.

But added, “If we end up in the same group.”

This season’s setup had been upgraded.

Specifically, the number of drama-inducing CPs was reduced, while scattered pairings increased.

Clearly, it was to capitalize on Sheng Lan and Lu Xueyin’s popularity.

Meng Qing was likely here to repay a favor and have some fun.

That left Ji Xinlan in an awkward position.

Lu Xueyin glanced at her subtly.

And felt uneasy.

Sheng Lan hated Ji Xinlan; got along well with Meng Qing; and had no interest in her.

An Alpha-Alpha romance was highly possible.

So, ending up in the same group as Ji Xinlan was also a possibility.

Meng Qing tossed a pillow at Sheng Lan. “Shameless.”

She didn’t expose the fact that Sheng Lan already knew how to ride, steering the conversation toward the only established CP.

“Teacher Yan, can you smile? Look at our little Tang, she’s about to cry from your glare.”

The “Bingtang CP” thrived on the dynamic of a cold-faced, soft-hearted beauty and a bubbly, clueless sunshine.

Yan Bing replied indifferently, “You comfort her then.”

Meng Qing teased, “Tell me, is there a chance this season will have everyone drawing lots for partners?”

Yan Bing’s expression remained flawless.

But then she asked Tang Yingyue if she’d eaten.

Awkward.

Meng Qing nearly died laughing, mimicking her and nudging Sheng Lan. “Dashan, have you eaten?”

That name was so lame!!

Sheng Lan was ready to fight her on the spot.

The midday behind-the-scenes clip ended with Meng Qing’s roaring laughter.

Once the cameras were off, everyone relaxed.

Sheng Lan invited Lu Xueyin for a walk. “Don’t stay here. Based on experience, if you linger, you’ll get roped into cooking lunch.”

Ji Xinlan was determined to stick to her “devoted simp” persona. Even if Sheng Lan ignored her, she still butted in.

“So you two knew each other before? I thought you took Pei Xiao’s spot just to pair up with me.”

She and Pei Xiao had signed contracts early, agreeing to appear for a minimal fee. Later, Pei Xiao’s slot was given to Liang Jiao, and the show didn’t have to pay much in compensation.

Ji Xinlan thought it was fine, if the goal was to annoy Sheng Lan, she was better at it anyway.

But then, for some inexplicable reason, the show invited Lu Xueyin, pushing back another planned CP.

This humiliated her.

Had she known earlier, she wouldn’t have come.

Sheng Lan treated her like air, stepping closer to Lu Xueyin. “Coming?”

Lu Xueyin had just watched Sheng Lan chase Meng Qing for three minutes, nearly pulling her hair. She wasn’t keen on joining her.

Sheng Lan didn’t insist. Suit yourself.

Let her stay and stew in awkwardness.

No cameras were rolling anyway.

But as she turned to leave, Lu Xueyin stood up and followed.

Sheng Lan smirked. “You’re funny. From now on, I’ll just say the opposite when I talk to you, ‘Hey, don’t follow me!’ Like that.”

Even without sharp intuition, it was obvious Sheng Lan was in a great mood.

With Ji Xinlan around, and she could still be this cheerful.

Only when they left the house and reached the open grassy area, with no one else around, did Lu Xueyin ask, “Are you laughing at me?”

Sheng Lan: “Not at all. I wouldn’t dare.”

The sarcasm was palpable.

Lu Xueyin didn’t respond.

Before coming to record the show, just this early morning, there had been an ambiguous moment between them.

Sheng Lan didn’t let this atmosphere linger between them and directly asked Lu Xueyin, “Do you have any preferred partners? Or I could make a sacrifice and pair up with Ji Xinlan.”

After saying this, she made an exaggerated disgusted face.

Lu Xueyin: “…”

“No need.”

Since Sheng Lan wasn’t interested in her, there was no need for such a “sacrifice.”

“I’ll go with the flow. Even if the public opinion isn’t great later, it’s fine. After all, I don’t rely on this kind of popularity to make money.”

Sheng Lan smirked slightly, “Oh, so Teacher Lu wants to pair up with me.”

This time, Lu Xueyin was truly silent.

No matter how bold Trial Love Period got, it wouldn’t abandon its original selling point, the “Crystal Sugar” CP was unbreakable.

If she didn’t need Sheng Lan to sacrifice, there were only two possibilities left: pairing two alphas or two omegas, or pairing up with Sheng Lan.

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