After Joining a Dating Show, My Silly Ex Got Jealous - Chapter 2

With two more people in the room, the atmosphere became even more delicate.

Ji Xiting and Qin Zheng sat on opposite sides in their own individual armchairs. Despite being separated by the greatest possible distance, it didn’t stop them from being at odds. Shen Ruan and Si Wen sat on the central sofa, quietly sipping their water as neither intended to break the deadlock.

“Want some water?” Qin Zheng suddenly asked.

Three pairs of eyes snapped toward him instantly. Qin Zheng sat upright with one leg crossed over the other, staring blankly at the ceiling. His sharp, superior jawline seemed to broadcast his inner pettiness.

Shen Ruan and Si Wen instinctively looked up at the ceiling as well. Ji Xiting followed their gaze and remarked, “There’s nobody there.”

“Indeed, no one,” Si Wen added while adjusting his glasses.

Qin Zheng retracted his gaze. “What ‘body’?”

Shen Ruan whispered, “I thought there was a guest hanging from the ceiling and that Movie King Qin was talking to ‘him’.”

“…” Qin Zheng felt every hair on his body stand up in a rush, and his face turned several shades paler.

Ji Xiting let out a soft snort, prompting Qin Zheng to suddenly bolt toward the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with two glasses of water and placed one in front of Ji Xiting.

Ji Xiting glanced at the water and curled his lip. “No honey?”

Qin Zheng sneered. “The fact that I didn’t add a honeybee is already a sign of my kindness.”

“Is that so?” Ji Xiting gave him a gentle but superficial smile.

Qin Zheng returned the gesture with a smile that was equally hollow.

【Wow, as expected of a Movie King, he can express such complex emotions.】

【It seems our Ting-ge has also been influenced by the Movie King’s acting; his expressions are so precise.】

【I mean, is it possible that they’re actually showing their true feelings?】

Shen Ruan, blushing, toyed with his pillow for a moment before finally looking at Ji Xiting. “Ting-ge, I’m a fan of yours. I really love your songs.”

Wow, the cutie is actually my fan? Doesn’t that mean I have the upper hand?

Ji Xiting immediately offered a charming smile. “It’s a pleasure.”

Qin Zheng’s face instantly darkened, and the sudden shift scared Shen Ruan so much that his face went from red to white. He nearly jumped out of his skin.

Click—

The front door opened again, and the four of them stood up to greet the newcomer at the entrance. A man wearing jeans and a black-and-white checkered shirt walked in. He looked up and was immediately greeted by four handsome faces, each with a distinct style.

“Hello everyone, I’m Zheng Jingren,” he said with a somewhat reserved smile.

Ji Xiting greeted him warmly. “Hello, I’m Ji Xiting. Do you need help with your luggage?”

“Uh…” Zheng Jingren felt a heavy gaze landing on him and felt a chill run down his neck. He quickly grabbed a pair of slippers and declined Ji Xiting’s offer. “No, no, I can manage myself.”

“Alright then,” Ji Xiting said, feeling a bit disappointed. This Mr. Zheng looked steady and handsome, giving off a very reliable vibe. He seemed like the quintessential “chef” character that every dating show has as a standard. According to Ji Xiting’s experience, it was vital to be on good terms with the cook!

Just as Zheng Jingren moved his luggage into the living room, the door opened again.

“So many people are already here!” A vibrant male voice rang out, and everyone looked back toward the entrance.

The newcomer was wearing a red-and-white basketball jersey featuring an NBA superstar’s signature. He was clearly an athletic student who loved the sport. Shen Ruan’s face flushed as he quietly hid behind Ji Xiting.

“Hello, I just arrived too.” Zheng Jingren, already familiar with the house, handed him a pair of slippers.

“Ah, hello! I’m Zhen Jiankang. You can just call me Xiao Kang.”

Zhen Jiankang certainly looked the part of his name; healthy and robust. Ji Xiting sized him up; he was young, sunny, and full of life, reminding him of when Qin Zheng first started chasing after him.

The moment the athlete walked in, Qin Zheng’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Now that he saw Ji Xiting staring intently at the guy, his expression soured even further. He stood beside Ji Xiting with his arms crossed and sneered, “Coming here in a basketball jersey… you must have just finished a game. You’re probably covered in stinking sweat.”

Ji Xiting rolled his eyes, though he had to admit the comment made him feel a bit uneasy.

“I had a basketball game this morning and came straight here afterward,” Zhen Jiankang said bluntly.

Ji Xiting: (He silently took a step back.)

“But I showered and changed my clothes, so don’t mind me, hahaha!” Zhen Jiankang laughed heartily.

Ji Xiting stopped his retreat.

Once the luggage was put away and everyone had introduced themselves, the group headed back to the sofas. As Ji Xiting walked, he suddenly felt a slight breeze over his head, but his styled hair didn’t budge. He turned around to find Zhen Jiankang walking behind him. When their eyes met, the younger man flashed a bright, eight-tooth smile. Ji Xiting smiled back and turned his head.

Was it an illusion? There’s no wind in the house, and the air conditioning vent isn’t there.

He pushed the thought aside and sat back down. Shen Ruan and Si Wen took the two-seater sofa, while Zheng Jingren sat somewhat awkwardly on the edge of the large three-seater in the middle.

Qin Zheng walked toward his original armchair to sit down. As Zhen Jiankang passed behind him, he suddenly raised his hand and mimicked a jump shot. The wind from his palm gusted forward, and Ji Xiting watched as a few strands of Qin Zheng’s hair were blown out of place.

So that’s where the wind came from.

Qin Zheng was just about to sit down, leaning forward, when he suddenly felt the cold breeze on his head. His skin crawled as he leaped up and dashed across the room to stand right next to Ji Xiting, staring at the ceiling in terror.

The others were startled. “What’s wrong, Movie King Qin?”

Qin Zheng’s face was pale as he stammered, “I think… I think there really is a guest on the ceiling!”

Ji Xiting was speechless; he suspected there might actually be a basketball hoop on the ceiling in the athlete’s mind.

Shen Ruan rubbed his arms, looking frightened. “Don’t scare me, I’m terrified of that stuff.”

“Don’t worry, believe in science,” Si Wen adjusted his glasses and smiled calmly.

Zhen Jiankang sat on the three-seater sofa and laughed. “It’s fine. I have a strong masculine aura. Even if something is there, I can suppress it.”

Shen Ruan stole a glance at him and gave a shy, blushing smile.

Ji Xiting looked up at the man standing beside him. Qin Zheng was bolt upright, watching the ceiling like a startled bird. “Scared?” he asked.

Qin Zheng paused and looked down at him. “How is that possible?”

“Oh.” Ji Xiting gestured toward the opposite sofa with his chin. “Then go back over there.”

“…I suddenly don’t like that spot anymore.”

“Then do you like mine?” Ji Xiting was unusually accommodating. “Fine, you sit here and I’ll go sit over there.”

He started to get up, but Qin Zheng grabbed his wrist. Ji Xiting stopped and turned to look at him. Qin Zheng’s face was flushed red, but he couldn’t get a single word out. The room was silent as the other four pairs of eyes watched them in unison, perfectly acting out the audience’s inner thoughts.

After a long pause, Qin Zheng finally forced the words out. “This sofa is pretty big. Let’s just sit together.”

“Huh?”

Qin Zheng stiffened his neck and said loudly, “Aren’t there eight guests? There are two more coming soon, so there won’t be enough seats anyway!”

Why are you shouting? You don’t need to be proud of a lack of seating.

Ji Xiting had no rebuttal. He felt a weight on his arm as Qin Zheng pulled him down to squeeze into the armchair together. Fortunately, the chair was wide enough; otherwise, two men over 180cm tall would have been crushed.

The expected war didn’t break out, leaving the other four with knowing looks. They saw through the situation but kept quiet so they could remain friends.

Suddenly, the villa door opened again.

A series of heavy footsteps thudded as six bodyguards in black suits rushed in and formed two rows facing each other. The one in the lead held a red carpet and rolled it all the way from the foyer to the living room.

What an entrance!

The six people in the room were startled and stood up in a silent row, looking like they were at military attention. Qin Zheng stared at the bodyguard with the red carpet. The more he looked, the more familiar the man seemed. He looked exactly like his family’s chef. Actually, the other bodyguards looked familiar too. They looked like his gardener, driver, and family doctor…

With the red carpet laid out, the protagonist appeared. A pair of high-gloss leather shoes came into view, and as the group looked up, a handsome man in a wheelchair was pushed inside.

【Whoa, arriving in a wheelchair? Talk about being physically disabled but mentally strong!】

【I’m so moved! This is the power of love!】

【That’s the power of technology. It has nothing to do with love.】

Qin Zheng’s eyes met the person pushing the wheelchair. Well, the butler was here too. He then looked at the big shot in the wheelchair and asked expectantly, “Did Grandpa finally break your legs, Uncle?”

Hiss— Everyone turned to look at him in shock.

Rumors said Qin Zheng was the only grandson of the elite Qin family. His uncle’s grand entrance with a bodyguard escort was enough proof that Qin Zheng’s identity was the real deal! Ji Xiting curled his lip, thinking that it was just as he expected. Qin Zheng was a young master who had never suffered a day in his life.

The man called Uncle raised a hand, and the six bodyguards along with the butler disappeared from the house in an instant. The group watched him silently, debating whether to initiate a greeting.

Zhen Jiankang, with his strong masculine aura, spoke first. “Um… holy crap! F—! You!”

Everyone looked at him in horror. This kid was incredibly bold! To swear at the wheelchair boss?

Zhen Jiankang was even more terrified than they were, pointing a trembling finger at the man. Everyone followed his finger and let out a collective “Holy crap!” as well. Every one of them was suddenly emboldened.

The man in the wheelchair stretched out his long legs and stood up perfectly straight. He then walked gracefully to the center of the three-seater sofa and took the “C-position.”

【A… a medical miracle?!】

【This is the power of love! I’m so moved!】

“I’m Gu Pei. You may sit.”

His voice was deep and magnetic, like a low-pitched cello—the standard for a CEO.

The group sat back down. Zhen Jiankang was a step faster and snagged Qin Zheng’s original armchair. Zheng Jingren was a step behind and had to squeeze into the corner of the three-seater, fearing he might be accidentally injured by Gu Pei’s domineering aura.

“So you’re not actually crippled.” Qin Zheng sat back down, pulling Ji Xiting with him. His tone carried a hint of disappointment.

Gu Pei gave a light snort. “I heard you broke up. Congratulations.”

Qin Zheng: “…”

Ji Xiting: “…” This was a case of being guilty by association.

The room was getting crowded, yet the atmosphere was even more awkward than at the start.

【They don’t look like they’re here for a dating show; they look like they’re at a board meeting.】

【Even the business giant Gu Pei is here for a blind date. I suddenly don’t mind blind dates anymore!】

【Wait, Gu Pei is part of the Qin family, so why is his surname Gu?】

Having the same question, Ji Xiting whispered it to Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng frowned. “Why are you so curious about him?”

Ji Xiting was speechless. “Tell me or don’t.”

Whatever. He’s probably only curious because this is my family member.

By extension, that means he’s curious about me.

Qin Zheng amused himself with this logic and said, “His name was originally Qin Er-lang, and my dad was Qin Da-lang. Later, my dad thought ‘Da-lang’ was unlucky and changed it, so Uncle changed his too.”

“Then why change it to that?”

“Maybe because it’s a classic ‘Gong’ surname in BL novels?”

Ji Xiting was enlightened. The other guests eavesdropping also understood, and the audience understood most of all.

【So it wasn’t about being physically disabled but mentally strong.】

【And it wasn’t a medical miracle.】

【It was the CEO of a BL novel who gave him the courage to stand up again!】

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