After Joining a Dating Show, My Silly Ex Got Jealous - Chapter 1

In the city of Jing, July arrived with a light, persistent drizzle that left the air thick with muggy heat.

From the driver’s seat, Ma Fan, the manager, was providing a relentless stream of advice. “Ting-ge, I’m begging you—once you’re on the show, please don’t lose your temper. Let’s try to keep things calm and collected, alright?”

“Even if you really can’t stand someone, don’t blow up in front of the live cameras. Just wait until you’ve dragged them into a blind spot where the lenses can’t see you, then say your piece. Deal?”

Ji Xiting was leaning back in the rear seat, dressed in a sharp, high-end tailored suit with his hair slicked back. Noise-canceling headphones pumped frantic rock music into his ears, effectively sealing out Ma Fan’s nagging.

Ma Fan stole a glance at him through the rearview mirror. Seeing him remain stone-faced and silent, the manager could only let out a miserable sigh.

He really should have kept a closer eye on this “ancestor” of his. If he hadn’t slipped up, his headstrong star wouldn’t have impulsively agreed to join this questionable dating show in the first place.

Three days ago, Ji Xiting had broken up with his boyfriend of over a year, the Film Emperor Qin Zheng.

The split was decisive, yet they hadn’t offered a single reason for it. There was only a brief, three-word post on Weibo: “We have broken up.” It hadn’t just left the public baffled; even Ma Fan, who spent every day revolving around the couple, was completely in the dark.

Still, an amicable breakup was better than a messy public feud. Ma Fan, however, remained on edge, sensing that trouble was brewing.

Sure enough, despite his best efforts to prevent a disaster, Ting-ge had dropped a massive surprise on him.

Ji Xiting was actually going to participate in a gay dating show alongside Qin Zheng. It was called Nineteen Days of Enchantment, a title that didn’t exactly scream “high-brow production.”

To make matters worse, Ji Xiting had vowed to find a new boyfriend on the show, claiming that “you can’t bring in the new without getting rid of the old.”

Recalling Qin Zheng’s possessive streak—the kind where the man would practically get jealous of himself—Ma Fan felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

This coming month was going to be anything but peaceful.

******

It was exactly one o’clock in the afternoon.

The official livestream for the Lemon Channel flickered to life, and the highly anticipated dating show, Nineteen Days of Enchantment, began right on schedule.

【Oh my god, oh my god! Are they coming?!】

【I knew they weren’t really over. Given how jealous Film Emperor Qin gets, there’s no way he’d let Ting-ge go.】

【Given Ting-ge’s short fuse, if he knew Qin Zheng was joining a dating show, he’d probably sneak over in the middle of the night to commit murder.】

【My dead ship is sailing again after three days just to kill me. Give me more of that drama!】

Ding-dong~

The doorbell rang, and the entire house fell into a hush.

Five seconds later, the door creaked open. A head of chestnut-colored curls peeked into the frame, followed by a clean, delicate face. Clad in a white tracksuit, the newcomer looked undeniably “soft.”

“Is anyone here?” his crisp voice sounded incredibly cute.

【Wow, so adorable. Definitely a sub.】

【He’s so cute I just want to squeeze him.】

【…The bullet chat is not a lawless wasteland, people.】

Shen Ruan blinked a few times. Realizing the house was indeed empty, he turned back to laboriously lug his large pink suitcase inside.

He switched into slippers at the entryway, his white socks spotless. He carefully placed his mud-streaked sneakers on the rack, even going so far as to tuck a layer of tissue paper under the soles.

After tucking his suitcase against the wall, he walked further into the room.

Faced with a house full of cameras, Shen Ruan felt a bit awkward. He walked over to a corner of the sofa in silence and instinctively pulled a pale green throw pillow into his arms.

Minutes ticked by until, just as he was looking out the window for the third time, the sound of the door opening echoed again.

He scrambled to his feet and looked toward the entrance.

A tall, slender figure stepped inside.

The young man appeared quite tall, wearing a crisp white shirt and slacks. A pair of rimless glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, framing refined features that exuded a scholarly, sophisticated aura.

【Yikes, looks like a position clash.】

【Gentle tops are the best!】

“Do you need help with your things?” Shen Ruan ran over, asking in a soft, airy tone.

The young man’s lips curled into a faint smile. “It’s fine,” he said warmly. “I can manage.”

He pulled a pair of slippers from the cabinet and placed his leather shoes neatly beside Shen Ruan’s.

Neither of them spoke again. They walked into the living room in silence, an awkward atmosphere permeating the small house.

“I’m Si Wen. How should I address you?” Si Wen asked, gently breaking the ice.

“I—I’m Shen Ruan.”

Si Wen chuckled. “What a cute name.”

Shen Ruan’s face flushed instantly, and he began shyly picking at his pillow.

【What did I tell you? He’s the top!】

【I don’t feel the chemistry. When is my Ting-ge coming? I’ve been waiting forever.】

【I bet they’ll arrive together.】

【Holy crap! They’re here!】

The camera cut to the exterior of the house.

On the lush driveway leading to the small villa, two luxury cars—neither of which could be called subtle—pulled up one after the other.

Ji Xiting opened his eyes. He slowly cut off the soul-piercing rock anthem playing in his ears and calmly placed his earbuds back in their case.

Ma Fan opened the door for him. Only then did Ji Xiting pocket his headphones, extend his long legs, and step out of the car.

The scene really deserved a red carpet under his feet.

Unfortunately, there was no red carpet, only a small puddle.

With a soft splat, Ji Xiting’s movement faltered. He looked down.

His six-figure leather shoes and his equally expensive tailored suit trousers were now flecked with unmistakable spots of mud.

“…” He turned to his manager with a “friendly” smile.

Ma Fan’s mouth twitched. “Getting muddy… means you’re really getting into the groove of things?”

Ji Xiting took a deep breath. He didn’t want his beautiful new life to begin with Ma Fan’s sacrifice.

“Move.”

“Right, right. Sorry!” Ma Fan scrambled backward.

Ji Xiting stepped away from the car and casually buttoned his suit jacket. He stood tall, his peripheral vision working hard to track the other luxury car.

When exes meet, the battle is bloodless; whoever remains the most composed is the one who claims the throne.

Qin Zheng stepped out from the driver’s seat. He instinctively looked toward Ji Xiting, only to be met with a stubborn, upright profile.

He retracted his gaze and nonchalantly opened his trunk to pull out his suitcase.

As the sound of rolling wheels echoed, Ji Xiting paused and shot a look at Ma Fan.

“?” Ma Fan’s small eyes widened in confusion.

Ji Xiting maintained his smile, his voice tight. “My suitcase.”

“Oh, right!” Ma Fan immediately popped the trunk and retrieved the luggage.

Ji Xiting let out a breath and grabbed the handle, preparing to head inside.

“Ting-ge.” Ma Fan caught the hem of his jacket, whispering with a pained expression, “Peace above all else!”

“Tch.” Ji Xiting batted his hand away. “Stop worrying. I have a great temperament.”

Ma Fan looked past him.

Ji Xiting arched an eyebrow and turned around. Qin Zheng was standing not far away, one hand resting on his own suitcase handle as he looked over.

The young man, in his early twenties, was dressed simply in a white T-shirt and black pants. His hair looked like it had been haphazardly tousled, giving him the vibrant energy of a college student.

Then again, he had only recently graduated.

However, that harmless appearance could only fool others. Only Ji Xiting knew that this man was a petty little wolf cub with a temper much worse than his own.

Ji Xiting pulled his suitcase along, walking toward him with his head held high and a smile as bright as a spring breeze. “What a coincidence. I’m here for romance. What about you?”

Qin Zheng replied expressionlessly, “It is a coincidence. I’m here for romance, too.”

Ji Xiting’s smile grew even more “benevolent.” Qin Zheng pulled the corners of his mouth back in response, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

【Oh my god! I can practically hear the clashing of swords. Can you guys?!】

【I see the literal sparks flying!】

【The soul of my ship has been resurrected and is exploding over the city sky! You all have to feel this with me!】

【Breaking the chain! Drag them out and reward them with a Ma Fan smile.】

After their “friendly” greeting, the two of them gripped their suitcases and began walking toward the villa entrance side-by-side.

Wait.

Ji Xiting’s eyes narrowed as he noticed Qin Zheng pick up the pace.

Was he trying to start his new love life a step ahead of him? In his dreams!

Ji Xiting lengthened his stride.

Qin Zheng’s face darkened. So eager to meet someone new? Not a chance!

The viewers watched as the two men raced down the path, their four long legs moving at high speed. They walked faster and faster until it was a blur of limbs, eventually reaching a full power-walk sprint to the door.

Thud—

The two large suitcases collided. Both of their hands reached for the doorknob at nearly the exact same moment.

Ji Xiting was just a fraction of a second faster.

He glanced at the hand resting on the back of his own—well-defined, with long fingers and clean, neatly trimmed nails that glowed with health. It was a total dream for anyone with a hand fetish.

Ji Xiting gave a light scoff and used his shoulder to nudge Qin Zheng aside. “Sorry, I got here first.”

Qin Zheng: “…” He’s twenty-six years old. How childish!

The moment Ji Xiting opened the door, his eyes met the two people standing in the entryway.

Wow. A “cutie” and a “refined beauty.” Now these were the types a solid top like him should be into!

“Hi, I’m Ji Xiting,” he greeted them with warm, practiced politeness.

He truly lived up to his status as a top star; he was even more handsome in person than on screen.

If the expression on Qin Zheng’s face behind him wasn’t so dark, Shen Ruan and Si Wen might have taken a moment longer to admire him.

“I’m Si Wen, and this is Shen Ruan,” Si Wen introduced them.

Shen Ruan’s face turned red. “Ting-ge, do you need help?”

Ji Xiting smiled warmly. “How could I let a cute younger brother like you do such heavy lifting?”

“Tch. Are you going in or not?” Qin Zheng asked, frowning.

Ji Xiting shot him a side-glance before slowly dragging his suitcase over the threshold. Qin Zheng followed closely behind, the villa door slamming shut with a heavy thud.

“Ting-ge, I’ll get your slippers for you.” For someone so shy, Shen Ruan was exceptionally enthusiastic toward him.

Ji Xiting laughed. “Thanks, little brother.”

“You’re welcome!” Being thanked by his idol made Shen Ruan’s cheeks flush a deep crimson.

The low-pressure aura radiating from Qin Zheng was almost tangible. His sharp gaze was fixed intently on the slippers—they were the same color as the ones Shen Ruan was wearing!

And of all things, they were fucking green!

Shen Ruan noticed his stare, and the smile on his face faltered. He whispered, “Film Emperor Qin… do you like green?”

Qin Zheng: “…Do I look green to you?”