Fake Cannon Fodder A Becomes a Sensation in Romance Variety Shows - Chapter 37

Perfect. Cheng Xiaoming’s renovated kitchen was spacious enough for three people to move around comfortably while cooking.

They were learning a dish impressive enough for the New Year’s Eve feast.

For the Lunar New Year, of course, there must be fish symbolizing abundance year after year!

Jiang Yining’s phone stand was placed right in the center of the counter, the camera focused on Wen Huiyun as she demonstrated how to perfectly prepare a sea bass. On the screen, Ye Zhuoyan followed her steps to slice the fish.

To the left, Jiang Yining mimicked her movements, gripping a boning knife to cut the fish. After a few hesitant strokes, she leaned weakly against Wen Huiyun, cooing sweetly, “Yunyun, am I doing it right?”

Wen Huiyun glanced at the fish she had butchered bones haphazardly stuck back into the flesh, jagged and messy, nothing like the clean cuts a cat might leave behind.

“Mhm, not bad for a beginner.”

To the right, Cheng Xiaoming tossed fish bones into the trash and was about to ask Wen Huiyun for feedback when Jiang Yining immediately tugged her back. “Yunyun! My knife skills are terrible. I don’t know how to do this part.”

Cheng Xiaoming lowered her eyelids, silently admiring Wen Huiyun’s meticulous, patient, hands-on guidance as she taught the adorably clueless beauty how to slice fish!

Only after Jiang Yining’s fish was properly marinated did Wen Huiyun finally have time to check Cheng Xiaoming’s work.

A crooked, mangled mess.

Clearly, this was the handiwork of a CEO who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen.

Sensing Cheng Xiaoming’s gloomy aura, Wen Huiyun assumed she was embarrassed about her knife skills and, out of kindness, reassured her, “It’s fine. Your fingers were made for typing, not filleting fish.”

Whether it was her imagination or not, Cheng Xiaoming’s mood seemed to darken further.

Just as Cheng Xiaoming was about to say something, Wen Huiyun turned back to chat with Ye Zhuoyan on the video call, beaming like a blooming flower.

Cheng Xiaoming: “…”

Before her eyes was Ye Zhuoyan’s cheerful laughter on screen, while in her ears echoed Jiang Yining’s exaggerated, saccharine coquetry.

She had sacrificed a precious designated wish card and planned a perfect day, only for it to inexplicably vanish into thin air.

Cheng Xiaoming glanced at the fish she had marinated under Wen Huiyun’s guidance, the sole consolation of the day.

She, Cheng Xiaoming, at the age of thirty, had learned how to make steamed sea bass for the first time in her life.

This would be the masterpiece that would dazzle everyone at the family’s New Year’s Eve banquet courtesy of the CEO of Changxin Capital!

At the same time, two other lucky guests had shared in the culinary benefits Cheng Xiaoming had proposed: Jiang Yining, who had barged in uninvited, and Ye Zhuoyan, who had joined remotely.

When they returned to Lianlian Residence, Jiang Yining didn’t just take the steamed sea bass she also helped herself to the imported cherries from Cheng Xiaoming’s fridge.

Fluttering her sparkling peach-blossom eyes, Jiang Yining asked sweetly, “Can I take these, CEO Cheng? I feel a little embarrassed, but Huiyun must love them too, right, Yunyun?”

Wen Huiyun nodded. “Yeah, these cherries are top quality. They won’t keep for long.”

Cheng Xiaoming forced a smile at Wen Huiyun. “Sure, take them.” Those were meant for our private time together. =_=

Jiang Yining cheered, “Thanks, CEO Cheng!” before swiping a few more bottles of aged premium liquor.

Cheng Xiaoming stared at her, expressionless, but her eyes burned with silent fury.

**Damn it, she needed to find someone to check her and Jiang Yining’s birth charts!

Was this Jiang woman sent by the heavens to test her patience?!

“Zhuoyan, is the fish tasty?”

Back at the mansion, Wen Huiyun changed out of her windbreaker, and Ye Zhuoyan beckoned her into the kitchen.

Ye Zhuoyan picked up a small piece of steamed sea bass and fed it to Wen Huiyun. “My cooking is just passable, but give it a try?”

Wen Huiyun happily praised, “Delicious! And it’s still warm too.”

“Mhm, I kept it warm in the steamer waiting for you to come back.”

“You’re so good to me, Zhuoyan.”

Jiang Yining rushed over with a box of cherries. “Girls! Chilean cherries! Let’s feast!”

Ye Zhuoyan helped open the box and asked Wen Huiyun, “Did you two buy these?”

Wen Huiyun laughed helplessly. “No, these were sponsored by Ming-jie.”

Seeing Jiang Yining so cheerful while Cheng Xiaoming, who had just walked in, looked despondent, Ye Zhuoyan guessed Jiang Yining had once again “dealt with the oil tycoon.”

One was willing to hit, the other willing to take it. She might as well quietly enjoy the cherries.

Wen Huiyun returned late, so Liang Yuan and Mi Tao had prepared dinner together.

Angelica chicken soup, ginger mutton stew, poria cocos congee.

Roasted oranges, poached pears, steamed mangoes.

One truly loved medicinal cuisine, the other truly loved fruits.

At the dinner table, Mi Tao and Liang Yuan chatted and laughed, as if the previous tension between them had dissolved.

Jiang Yining continued to dominate the conversation, while Ye Zhuoyan and Wen Huiyun took turns serving each other dishes.

Over this heartwarming dinner scene, bullet comments floated by:

【Only Ming-jie’s melancholic dating show has succeeded (sobbing)】

【Ugh, Jiang Yining has zero manners. Even my socially awkward cringe is acting up watching her.】

【Sigh, Ming-jie, just focus on Ye Zhuoyan. Put in the effort, and there’s still a chance. You guys don’t understand the pain of #ChengYeShipping# TAT】

【#ChengYeShipping# #AAShipping# hit rock bottom. Even my reflection in the mirror looks green.】

【#WenYeShipping# is winning big!!! AWSL】

【Zhuoyan actively feeding Yunyun fish! Zhuoyan Yunyun fishy fishy!】

【#DeOilingShipping# peeks in. CEO Cheng is about to rebound hate to the extreme is love! Fellow shippers, do you feel it?】

【I feel it, I feel it (nodding frantically)】

The full-length mirror reflected Ye Zhuoyan’s graceful figure, poised like a crane.

As a classical piece concluded, Ye Zhuoyan finished her dance.

Every evening during her break, she practiced her form and occasionally livestreamed, learning from Wen Huiyun. She would sometimes fulfill fan requests by dancing to their song choices, earning generous tips.

Before, she would have scoffed at such frivolities her agent had tried to get her to livestream before, but she always refused. Now, without any prompting, Ye Zhuoyan had mastered livestreaming on her own, skyrocketing in the dance category rankings.

Wen Huiyun would sometimes log into her dance livestreams using the “Worry-Free Eatery” account, even sending her virtual gifts like “Carnivals.” Every time she appeared, she brought along a flood of fans, filling the screen with #WenYeShippingForever# #GoddessOfFoodAndBeauty3399#.

Ye Zhuoyan’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes brimming with joy.

Sister Li called Ye Zhuoyan, asking about her and Wen Huiyun: “What’s up with that brat from the Wen family? She’s like a whole new person! And her popularity is insane!”

Ye Zhuoyan nodded while holding her phone. “Yeah, it really is.”

Sister Li spoke earnestly, “Zhuoyan, what are you thinking? Are you really not divorcing her? You finally had a chance to get close to CEO Cheng. Once you leave this show, it’ll be hard to reconnect with her.”

Ye Zhuoyan lowered her gaze. In the past, she would have done everything to be with Cheng Xiaoming both to escape Wen Huiyun’s (the original host’s) torment and for better career prospects.

But now, things were different.

The current Wen Huiyun would jump into a pond to save a kitten, would cover Ye Zhuoyan with a blanket while she slept, and would be tolerant of poor families who picked fights, helping others without holding grudges.

Ye Zhuoyan wanted to experience more things with this version of Wen Huiyun.

She wanted to uncover Wen Huiyun’s secrets.

She wanted to see what kind of life Wen Huiyun could build.

This dating show was the beginning of their new relationship.

Ye Zhuoyan replied to Sister Li, saying, “Thank you for always looking out for me, Sister Li. But I don’t have romantic feelings for Director Cheng. We’ll just be friends.”

At 9 p.m., Wen Huiyun would always bring Ye Zhuoyan a cup of warm milk on time.

She switched it up every time.

Sometimes she added rose jam, other times she mixed in hot cocoa.

Jiang Yining always managed to sneak a sip, giving a thumbs-up: “Delicious!”

Then, after Wen Huiyun left, she’d whisper to Ye Zhuoyan, “When did your relationship progress so quickly?”

Ye Zhuoyan smiled serenely, “Oh, you’ll see when the show finishes airing.”

“Ugh! (/ω≤。)/))..”

Ye Zhuoyan logged into QQ with her alt account.

She hadn’t checked what nonsense was going on in the “little chaotic group” tonight yet.

-Comfort Eatery Fan Club ~ Wen Huiyun Fan Support QQ Group –

Dreaming of Yun Every Night: 【Big Oilfield was so unlucky today, totally ignored by Yunyun! And he still tried to take advantage of her no way~】

Go Yunyun: 【I think so too! And Jiang Yining has no manners at all!】

Dreaming of Yun Every Night: 【Ugh! That’s just because you don’t appreciate Jiang Beauty’s peerless charm and breathtaking beauty!】

I Love Yunbao: 【No fighting or bashing in this group! We’re only here to protect the best Yunbao!】

Evan (Group Owner): 【@Dreaming of Yun Every Night, who are you calling Big Oilfield?】

Dreaming of Yun Every Night: 【Replying to @Evan, that dumb tall guy surnamed Cheng.】

Evan (Group Owner): 【Disrespectful.】

Group Assistant: 【The group owner has muted @Dreaming of Yun Every Night for 24 hours.】

Evan (Group Owner): 【No bashing in this group.】

Ye Zhuoyan laughed out loud.

Evan was definitely Sister Ming’s fan.

If Sister Ming had a public account, Evan would probably tip her even more than Huiyun.

Beside her, Jiang Yining muttered under her breath, “TMD.” Then she tossed her phone aside.

“What’s wrong, Yining?”

“Nothing, just ran into an idiot online.”

Ye Zhuoyan advised, “Don’t waste your time on keyboard warriors.”

She looked at the group chat interface, thought for a moment, and typed.

Wen’s Official Wife: 【Steamed perch has everyone learned how to make it yet?】

Go Yunyun: 【As expected of the official wife! Just one comment and it’s full of authority!】

I Love Yunbao: 【Working on it! [Fish on the cutting board.jpg]】

Yunfan Support Top Sister: 【Replying to Madam, already eating it! [Fish on the plate.jpg]】

Wen’s Official Wife: 【You’re all doing great. Keep learning from Huiyun in the future, okay?】

Ye Zhuoyan picked up her cup and took a sip of milk.

What’s going on? Why does it feel like there’s a hint of queenly dominance here?

The melodious chirping of birds pierced the morning mist.

In the Love Manor, the AI broadcast broke the silence: “All three omega guests, please gather at the garden square! We will take a bus to the Golden Summer Plaza in the city center!”

Golden Summer Plaza, one of the most bustling commercial districts in City A, a hotspot for street photography and trendy young people.

Wen Huiyun asked the director, “Only the omegas? What about the alphas?”

The director pondered for a moment before answering, “It’s up to you all either go supervise the Love Nest renovations, or play Landlord? Perfect for the three of you.”

“……”

Better go supervise the renovations.

The skyscraper towered into the clouds.

Countless glass windows glittered in the light.

People came and went, and traffic never ceased.

Director: “Welcome, our omega guests, to the outdoor filming location, Golden Summer Plaza!”

“This place is no stranger to any of you, right? Usually, you come here to eat, drink, have fun, and shop till you drop?”

“Well, today, we’re asking you to shop till you drop again!”

The three omega guests sat on chairs at the top floor of the mall, listening.

Mi Tao asked, “Director, what do you want us to buy? Will it be reimbursed?”

The director laughed. “Of course! Now, let me announce the rules for the second date on Love and the Nest 4!”

“For this date, each omega guest will prepare a blind box gift, including the date location and time.”

“Please choose a keyword for your gift. The alpha guests will select their blind boxes based on these keywords.”

“Make sure to design the date carefully, this one will last two days and one night. You’ll be spending the evening with your alpha guest, so do your best~!”

The general rules were similar to the first date, so the three guests quickly understood.

The director emphasized, “Your gifts must be purchased or made exclusively within Golden Summer Plaza. Return here by 7 PM, and I’ll collect your gifts to deliver to the alphas.”

“Time starts now, gogogo!”

The three guests set off in different directions.

Mi Tao wandered around for a while, browsing here and there, until she was drawn into a high-end vintage boutique by a beautiful qipao on a mannequin.

Jiang Yining took the escalator floor by floor, sampled free drinks at a milk tea shop, and picked up an experience voucher from an amusement park.

The director approached with a headache. “Yining, you can’t play the slot machines here, we’re filming.”

“Ohhh! I’ll leave right away! Here, take this there are still ten coins left! Free of charge!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll hold onto them for you. Now go pick a gift.” The director facepalmed, wondering why President Gu had insisted on bringing such an unpredictable star onto the show.

But what could he do? Gu Lin was the sponsor, after all.

Jiang Yining followed the crowd, looking indifferent, until she arrived at a popular DIY baking workshop.

She stepped inside.

“Hello, miss. What would you like to bake? We offer single-session classes and monthly course cards. Do you have a preferred instructor?”

“No need. I just want the ingredients for one item.” Jiang Yining glanced around the shop and settled in the quietest corner.

After flipping through the brochure, she said, “I’ll make a puff pastry apple pie, but replace the Fuji apples in this set with Luochuan apples.”

“She doesn’t like things too sweet,” she murmured to herself.

“Understood, miss. Please wait a moment.”

Jiang Yining tied up her long hair, revealing her fair nape.

Her eyes, now free of glitter, were clear and bright as peach blossoms.

She put on a mask, rolled up her sleeves, and expertly whipped cream and layered pastry.

[???]

[Wasn’t Jiang Yining supposed to be a cooking disaster? Was she faking it?]

[Yining even removed her makeup and nail polish QAQ]

[No way, I didn’t even notice until you mentioned it!]

Meanwhile, Ye Zhuoyan didn’t hesitate and took the elevator straight to the first floor.

In the atrium stood a three-story LEGO experience store, a place she had frequented during her student days.

In the center of the store stood a massive LEGO statue of a character from a recently popular movie.

“Hello, may I ask what style you’re looking for? Is this for yourself or a gift?”

“Hi, I’d like…”

The scene cuts, the screen goes black.

The dating show transitions to a preview for the next episode, featuring three omega guests waiting at different locations.

Who will appear before her?

Is it the one they’ve been hoping for?

Support