From Trashy A to the Heiress’s Little Son-in-Law After the Idol Competition (GL, ABO) - Chapter 27

“I’ll hold onto this house for now. You can buy it back once you’ve earned enough money,” Ji Yunuo said, tightly gripping the property deed.

Xiao Yanjin nodded eagerly. “If I don’t earn enough, then consider it my dowry.”

“What?”

Realizing she had misspoken, Xiao Yanjin blushed and quickly shook her head.

“See you later.”

Ji Yunuo turned away and called Ji Zhiye.

“Give me 200 million. I want to buy a house.”

Ji Zhiye chuckled. “Which house has caught your eye, Nuonuo? Planning to use it as a betrothal gift?”

In wealthy circles, houses were often used as dowries or betrothal gifts.

“A betrothal gift?” If it were a betrothal gift, wouldn’t such a grand house make marriage easier?

Ji Yunuo smiled faintly, but this house was meant to be returned to Xiao Yanjin.

Ji Zhiye was amused, wondering if it was for some alpha’s delicate little wife.

Hiding a beauty in a golden house his daughter was learning fast.

“Fine. You’ve been doing well on the show, so I’ll add another 10 million.”

Ji Yunuo hung up and sighed in relief.

Watching her retreating figure, Xiao Yanjin looked down at her hands. So this was what it felt like to hug Ji Yunuo. Though it had been an impulsive embrace, her heart was still pounding wildly, as if the warmth lingered.

Thinking of Ji Yunuo’s determined gaze earlier, Xiao Yanjin felt as if she had eaten honey-dipped candy, a sweet sensation spreading through her chest.

Clutching her heart, she grinned foolishly.

Sitting in the car, Ji Yunuo recalled the moment Xiao Yanjin had hugged her tightly. She was surprisingly soft and fragrant, with a faint, pleasant pheromone scent lingering in the air.

For the first time, she checked the “NuoYan” CP fan page. The number of followers had increased by tens of thousands since the last time.

Pinned at the top was a fanfiction where the two entered a contractual marriage, each living their own lives, but secretly harboring feelings for each other. The comments had already surpassed ten thousand.

[AHHHHHH!!! Arranged marriage to lovers fanfic is just chef’s kiss!!]

[So sweet! OP, it’s a shame you’re not writing professionally!]

[OP writes so well! They started off disliking each other during the blind date, I hope the real deal ends up falling for each other too!]

[OP’s writing is amazing! The spoiled second-gen × the icy heiress OMG, fiction becoming reality!]

[When their official photos dropped, I called it novel material. They were bound to get shipped. A playboy alpha falling for the icy heiress… Wait, no the icy heiress falling for the playboy alpha! That way, we get the “chasing the wife to the crematorium” trope!]

[OP, you should write a “chasing the wife to the crematorium” fic, with Heiress Ji as the pursuer!] This comment was highly upvoted, with thousands of likes and replies.

An hour later, she reached the bottom of the page.

A faint smile touched Ji Yunuo’s lips.

She didn’t understand what “chasing the wife to the crematorium” meant, nor did she care to look it up. Still, she found the idea amusing. She skimmed through a few more fanfics after that.

So engrossed was she that she only realized she was home when she sat down for dinner.

“Peel the shrimp for me,” Wei Qin said. She refused to do it herself or let the housekeeper do it, she only wanted Ji Zhiye to peel them for her.

Not just shrimp even fruit had to be cut by Ji Zhiye personally.

“Of course, of course.” Though busy at times, Ji Zhiye did his best to decline social engagements when possible. Nothing was more important than his wife and child.

Seeing this, Ji Yunuo began peeling shrimp for Wei Qin as well. Both Wei Qin and Ji Zhiye froze in surprise.

Wei Qin was momentarily stunned: “Thank you, Nuonuo.”

Ji Yunuo smiled: “Mom, how did you and mother meet?”

This was the first time their daughter had curiously asked about their story.

Ji Zhiye leaned over and whispered to Wei Qin: “Has our daughter been replaced by someone else?”

Wei Qin replied awkwardly: “Stop being so paranoid with your wild guesses!”

“I met your mother twenty-one years ago. At the time, although I’d just won a prestigious Best Actress award, I had no backing or connections in the entertainment industry and was practically being squeezed out. Then one day, an alpha suddenly appeared…”

Ji Yunuo interrupted: “Mother helped you?”

Wei Qin glared at Ji Zhiye: “No, she tricked me into joining a dating show and deliberately pursued me in front of the entire nation. I was too embarrassed to refuse.”

The dating show Wei Qin mentioned was the most popular one twenty years ago, and their topic popularity even surpassed hers and Xiao Yanjin’s at the time.

Ji Yunuo rested her chin on her hand: “That sounds pretty cliché.”

Ji Zhiye whispered to her: “She wasn’t embarrassed at all. By the end of filming, your mom was completely moved by me.”

Ji Yunuo: “When did mother fall for mom then?”

“Actually, I accidentally walked into the wrong restroom and got beaten up by your mom several times. That’s when I realized there could be such a unique omega in the entertainment industry, so I pursued her.”

Ji Yunuo: “……” Even more cliché.

“Wait, you and mom met in a restroom?”

Ji Zhiye blushed slightly: “Well… it’s embarrassing to talk about. I just happened to go to the wrong place.”

Ji Yunuo suddenly remembered Xiao Yanjin had also entered the wrong restroom.

That night, Ji Yunuo was still reading fanfiction in bed.

Hearing noises from Wei Qin and Ji Zhiye’s bedroom, followed by what sounded like Wei Qin kicking Ji Zhiye, Wei Qin suddenly opened the door. Ji Zhiye wailed behind her: “Qinqin, how could you stop halfway?”

Shortly after, Wei Qin knocked on her bedroom door.

Ji Yunuo opened it to find Wei Qin, her charming eyes still glowing post-passion, linking arms with her.

She smiled: “Should mom sleep with you tonight?”

Ji Yunuo: “Mother will be heartbroken.”

“Who cares about her feelings.” Wei Qin settled onto the bed, smoothing the sheets as she said, “Earlier, CEO Wei, Chu Luo’s mother called me. She said Xiao Yanjin has been pestering you daily and opposing her daughter.”

Ji Yunuo bit her lip, shaking her head guiltily.

“Regardless of what’s happening privately, you know what kind of person CEO Wei is. If Chu Luo is clashing with Xiao Yanjin because of you, then Xiao Yanjin is probably done for.” Wei Qin had no choice but to lay it out plainly her carefully raised daughter being taken by some rogue was utterly ridiculous.

Though Ji Yunuo appeared aloof, her temperament was as soft as her wife’s.

Ji Yunuo’s body stiffened as she nodded.

Just then, Ji Zhiye knocked cautiously at the door: “Qinqin, are you done talking?”

Wei Qin patted Ji Yunuo’s shoulder: “Nuonuo, think carefully about this.”

The moment she opened the door, Ji Zhiye swept her up in a fierce embrace and carried her away, leaving Ji Yunuo alone with her swirling thoughts.

After settling the housing arrangements, Xiao Yanjin returned to the survival show camp, this time determined to debut. Her goal now was simple gain fans!!

By showcasing talent, by shipping with others, or by hogging the spotlight, she was ready to do it all!!

After the first performance, her team had done exceptionally well, with all members advancing. But that didn’t guarantee they’d stay in the competition for long.

At noon, Xiao Yanjin had lunch with Shi Zhengyi, who couldn’t take her eyes off He Rou in the distance, staring so hard it seemed her eyeballs might pop out.

Xiao Yanjin: “Hey, why are you staring at that beta?”

Shi Zhengyi: “Don’t you know? Tons of people online are shipping me with He Rou. Our ship name is even ‘Zhengyi-Rou Alliance’ can you believe how mad that makes me?”

Xiao Yanjin was momentarily stunned. Though she knew Shi Zhengyi and He Rou had initially clashed, their relationship seemed to have improved later. “If you dislike her, why get close to her?”

Shi Zhengyi: “For the shipping, obviously. CP fans are a powerful force they might even help you advance. By the way, even though He Rou and I are a popular pair, we’re nothing compared to you and Ji Yunuo. You two are ranked number one.”

Xiao Yanjin quietly took note of this and shifted her gaze toward Ji Yunuo.

To fill airtime, the production team had planned an episode where the trainees would go out to buy ingredients and compete in a cooking challenge.

But first, they had to earn money for the ingredients by performing, singing and dancing in public during the first performance. The more people they attracted, the more money they’d make.

Most of the trainees had already left, leaving some groups with only two or three members, making the task even harder. However, Xiao Yanjin’s entire team had advanced, and their performance in front of passersby was crucial.

Xiao Yanjin’s group boarded a small bus.

Ji Yunuo took the single seat first. She seemed in a bad mood, keeping her sunglasses on and barely speaking though she was never talkative to begin with.

Perhaps because Xiao Yanjin was paying too much attention to her, she could only sit quietly nearby.

They arrived at a bustling square, where a crowd had already gathered.

Shi Zhengyi’s rap echoed from within their group was quick to start.

Since some of the trainees were already popular, many people rushed over, cheering for their favorite idols.

All six of them wore white tops and shorts, looking fresh and vibrant. Several male alphas immediately pulled out their phones to record.

Xiao Yanjin disliked the feeling of being ogled by men and stepped back to stand beside Ji Yunuo.

She whispered, “Awkward?”

Ji Yunuo removed her sunglasses, revealing slightly tired eyes, and replied flatly, “No.” That was all she said.

Xiao Yanjin pressed her lips together. For some reason, she wanted to get closer to Ji Yunuo not for shipping purposes, but because she had grown accustomed to being around her.

To be precise, she enjoyed being with her.

But strangely, Ji Yunuo seemed colder toward her than before. Just last night, they had embraced, yet now there was an invisible barrier between them.

Xiao Yanjin still couldn’t figure out why.

“Hey, isn’t that Xiao Yanjin? She looks way prettier in person than on TV.”

“Pretty doesn’t mean anything if her skills are mediocre.”

“Not really, she sang pretty well in the first performance.”

“That was just average. Compared to Lan Yuanning, her vocals are nothing!”

Hearing some bystanders’ comments, Xiao Yanjin shrugged indifferently. She didn’t care what they said during the first performance, she had been holding back her true abilities. But this time was different.

As she began singing and dancing, Xiao Yanjin decided to show off her skills to the onlookers, belting out a high note effortlessly. Unlike the auto-tuned performances on stage, live singing revealed one’s true talent.

The other members stared at her in shock, their expressions stunned as they instinctively turned toward her.

Ji Yunuo, however, remained expressionless, as if she had already gauged Xiao Yanjin’s abilities.

After the performance, the group bowed to thank the audience.

Xiao Yanjin suppressed a proud smile, hearing countless praises directed at her. Her heart swelled with pride.

Suddenly, a figure rushed forward.

Someone screamed, “Ji Yunuo!”

The crowd was too dense, the noise too chaotic, Xiao Yanjin thought she had misheard. But Ji Yunuo’s startled cry snapped her back to reality. In an instant, Xiao Yanjin grabbed the man who had lunged at Ji Yunuo and kicked him several meters away.

When Ji Zhiye heard that Ji Yunuo had nearly been assaulted by a perverted man, her fury erupted.

She slammed her desk violently her subordinates had never seen their boss this enraged. The secretary and others didn’t dare make a sound.

Ji Zhiye planted her hands on her hips and ordered, “Suppress the news. Make sure my wife doesn’t find out.” Otherwise, Wei Qin would tear the entire production team apart!

Secretary: “Understood, Ms. Ji. The man has already been detained. Please rest assured.”

“My daughter has never suffered such humiliation. Once he’s released, ensure he’s banished from Lánchéng, he won’t work in this city again!”

Ji Zhiye’s voice was low, but her eyes burned with a predator’s ferocity.

“Understood.” The secretary shuddered. Ji Zhiye was usually warm and approachable, but when it came to her wife and daughter, all gentleness vanished.

Ji Zhiye pinched her brow. Her daughter’s first public performance and this had to happen. She had protected Ji Yunuo all her life, never letting her face such disgrace. With trembling hands, she opened a video captured by a bystander.

The perverted alpha male seemed to be an obsessive fan. The moment he saw Ji Yunuo in person, his impulses took over he rushed to embrace her, knocking her down in the process.

He had even tried to tear at her clothes.

Ji Zhiye covered her mouth. Damn it!!

The bodyguards had been too slow to react in the chaotic crowd. But someone had saved Ji Yunuo.

It was Xiao Yanjin.

Ji Zhiye murmured, “Seems this Xiao Yanjin is quite the righteous one.”

Because of this, Xiao Yanjin’s popularity skyrocketed overnight.

Her reputation had suddenly taken a sharp turn for the better.

The incident had been too sudden. Worried that Ji Yunuo might be traumatized, Xiao Yanjin sneaked onto the bus while the others were out buying ingredients. The assistant had already comforted Ji Yunuo, leaving her alone inside.

“What are you doing over there?” Ji Yunuo spotted Xiao Yanjin lurking and found her oddly endearing, like a little guinea pig.

“Are you okay, sis?” Xiao Yanjin sat down across from her.

Ji Yunuo still wore her sunglasses. An incident like this was devastating for any girl, she must have cried but put on a brave face.

Ji Yunuo took off her sunglasses, revealing bright eyes that showed no trace of crying at all!

She raised an eyebrow unusually: “Of course I’m fine.”

Ji Yunuo: “Anyway, I still have to thank you.”

“What for? You’ve helped me before too.”

“Seriously though, are you really okay?”

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