Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 28

An act so secret that it couldn’t be known by a second person.

Ji Zhaoxi buried her face in Tangyuan’s fur, her entire face flushing so red she couldn’t bear to be seen.

What on earth am I doing…

Bang!

The sound of rapid footsteps approached quickly.

Ji Zhaoxi shuddered, her heart tightening instantly. The warmth drained from her face as she looked up with a blank expression at Lu Zhao, who had come running in.

“Sorry, sorry! I forgot to grab my charger!” Lu Zhao shouted as she ran back toward her room.

Ji Zhaoxi: “…”

She slowly placed a hand over her heart, still feeling it thudding violently. It was beating so fast it felt as though it couldn’t handle even one more scare.

Lu Zhao grabbed her charger and ran back out in a hurry.

“President Ji, Tangyuan, I’m leaving! Sister Li is waiting, if I’m any later she’s really going to kick me!”

She came like a gust of wind and left just as fast, leaving behind nothing but the mess of a gale’s aftermath.

Ji Zhaoxi remained expressionless, while Tangyuan looked up at her with innocent blue eyes, seemingly unbothered by the intrusion.

Ji Zhaoxi rubbed her forehead. It seemed true that if one didn’t do anything “guilty,” they wouldn’t be so easily startled into a panic.

However, she put Tangyuan down, determined to go and calm her frazzled nerves.

Luckily Lu Zhao came back late. If it had been a moment sooner…

Ji Zhaoxi’s face flushed a faint red again. That would have been an absolute disaster.

On the other side, Lu Zhao hurried downstairs. Sister Li was already staring at her with a “death glare.”

Lu Zhao immediately pressed her hands together in a prayer gesture, mouthing apologies.

“Are you worshipping a god? Seatbelt!” Sister Li roared.

“Oh, right.” Lu Zhao hurriedly buckled up and sat obediently in the passenger seat without another word, though she occasionally peeked at Sister Li out of the corner of her eye.

She wondered if the woman was hitting menopause; she was exceptionally irritable today.

While driving, Sister Li said, “The manager President Ji arranged for you, Sister Zhang, is currently negotiating a ‘Chinese Style’ program for you. Keep your head down during this period; don’t go creating any scandals.”

Lu Zhao felt wronged upon hearing this. “You’ve known me for so many years, don’t you know me by now? Where would I even get a scandal from?”

Sister Li gave her a sidelong glance and sneered, “Before you hit the trending searches, I didn’t know you were President Ji’s ‘licking dog’ (simp) either.”

Lu Zhao went quiet, shrinking into her seat like a quail.

“But Lu Zhao, there is one thing I must tell you.” Sister Li’s tone suddenly became serious and much heavier.

“What is it?” Seeing her like this, Lu Zhao straightened up.

Sister Li looked at the red light ahead. She knew what she was about to say might hurt Lu Zhao, but she had to say it. Now that Lu Zhao’s career was finally looking up, she couldn’t watch her destroy it.

“The Chairman went to the Group headquarters yesterday. Do you know why?”

“Why? Is it that strange for the Chairman to go to the Group?” Lu Zhao asked, puzzled.

Sister Li’s expression was grim. “The reason he went was because he wants President Ji to enter a marriage alliance with the second son of the Xu family.”

Lu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. She repeated in disbelief, “Marriage alliance?!”

“Yes. It’s already spreading outside. The Xu family is very satisfied with President Ji,” Sister Li grit her teeth and continued.

Lu Zhao’s brow furrowed. Why hadn’t Ji Zhaoxi mentioned this to her?

“But, with Ji Zhaoxi’s current status, does she even need a marriage alliance?” Lu Zhao asked. With Ji Zhaoxi’s power, did she really need to pair up with someone else?

“Who knows what these wealthy families are thinking. Likely there are too many interests involved, and they need a marriage to bind them together.”

“Lu Zhao, I’m telling you this to warn you: if President Ji really marries that Second Young Master Xu, you absolutely cannot keep chasing after her like you are now!”

Lu Zhao felt dazed. How could everything change in an instant? Ji Zhaoxi was getting married?

Sister Li saw Lu Zhao’s dazed state and didn’t push further. She had to give her time to process it.

Neither spoke for the rest of the trip. When they arrived at the filming location, Sister Li said to Lu Zhao as she got out, “Keep your spirits up. Never let anyone affect your career.”

“Especially when your career is all you have.”

Lu Zhao looked up at her for a long time before finally breaking into a brilliant smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

“Sister Li, do I look like that kind of person? Have you been reading too much online? Do you really think I have ‘love brain’?”

Sister Li: “…”

Is she not?

Lu Zhao didn’t say more. Once she stepped out of the car, she reverted to her usual self, smiling at everyone she saw.

Today was mainly for promotional photos and behind-the-scenes clips; official filming started tomorrow.

Though Lu Zhao was beautiful, she had a strong bone structure that allowed her to pull off both modern and ancient styles perfectly. Dressed as the second female lead—a pampered and somewhat arrogant heiress—she immediately dazzled everyone.

The male and female leads were top-tier “Liuliang” stars (idols with high traffic). Unlike Lu Zhao, whose sudden fame was still unstable, their fans provided massive free publicity the moment the casting was announced.

The male lead was Zhou Shunan and the female lead was Fan Yaxuan. This was Lu Zhao’s first time meeting them, and their initial greetings were warm and polite.

However, the third female lead seemed to be looking at Lu Zhao with a hint of hostility.

Lu Zhao was confused, but since they didn’t have many scenes together, she figured she would just avoid her.

When it was Lu Zhao’s turn for photos, the Director’s eyes lit up.

“Little Lu, my eyes didn’t deceive me! You are perfect for this role! But remember, when we film, keep that ‘simp spirit’ of yours ready!”

Watching the others stifle their laughter, Lu Zhao offered a polite but awkward smile. “Director, you could really work on your complimenting skills.”

Who is he even praising? It sounds like he’s just praising himself!

“Haha, you know what I mean.” The Director laughed and rubbed his head. He liked talking to Lu Zhao; she didn’t make things feel stiff.

Lu Zhao was speechless. With the Director’s comment, she felt like she’d lost all her dignity in the crew!

She was currently wearing a bright red short-sleeved gown with a shimmering blue diamond necklace. Her wavy chestnut hair was meticulously styled. In terms of look alone, she far outshone the female lead.

But this fit the character—the female lead was from a middle-class family, while the second female lead was born with a silver spoon.

After the shoot, Lu Zhao felt a bit anxious. She pulled Sister Li aside. “The company won’t put out those ‘beauty overshadowing the lead’ press releases, will they?”

Lu Zhao thought the female lead was pretty, even if her styling was simpler. She was worried about troublemakers. If articles came out saying she was “crushing” the lead, she’d be torn apart by the lead’s massive fanbase! It would also make enemies and ruin her reputation with the general public.

Sister Li looked at her blankly. “What are you thinking? Why would the company do that? Rest assured, your path is that of a serious actor, not a ‘black-red’ (infamous) star.”

Relieved, Lu Zhao grinned. “See, having you guys is my blessing.”

Sister Li: “…”

“Sometimes, you can just stay quiet if you don’t have anything better to say,” Sister Li suggested sincerely.

That evening, the Director organized a pre-filming dinner at a small tavern near the set that served barbecue.

“Teacher Lu, how is your alcohol tolerance?” Fan Yaxuan, the female lead, asked while sitting next to her.

“Just call me Lu Zhao. I can’t carry the title of ‘Teacher,'” Lu Zhao said awkwardly. A top star calling her “Teacher”? She didn’t deserve that!

“Alright, then you call me by my name too,” Fan Yaxuan smiled beautifully.

Lu Zhao nodded and answered the previous question. “My tolerance is average. I can’t drink much.”

In reality, Lu Zhao could hold her liquor, but she knew better than to say that in a professional setting if she wanted to avoid being pressured into drinking.

While waiting for the food, Fan Yaxuan kept chatting with Lu Zhao. Her enthusiasm was almost intimidating. This top star is a bit too familiar!

Meanwhile, the male lead Zhou Shunan was sitting with the third female lead. They were whispering and acting quite intimately, which stunned Lu Zhao.

Is there something between them? Isn’t Zhou Shunan supposed to be single?

Fan Yaxuan noticed Lu Zhao’s gaze and whispered, “You’ve been in the circle for years, aren’t you used to this by now?”

Lu Zhao went silent. She couldn’t exactly say she’d never been in a high-profile production like this before. Usually, people hid these things; who flirts so openly at a group dinner?

Fan Yaxuan continued in a low voice, “If it weren’t for you, the role of the second female lead would have been hers.” She gestured subtly toward the third female lead.

Lu Zhao finally understood the hostility. In that girl’s eyes, Lu Zhao had stolen her spot.

Lu Zhao didn’t think she was in the wrong—she got the part through a fair audition—but it still gave her a headache to have an invisible enemy.

When the barbecue arrived, the Director started a long-winded speech. Lu Zhao’s eyes were glued to the skewers.

Why is he like those corporate bosses? He has to talk right when the food is served.

“Little Lu, does the barbecue smell good?” the Director asked suddenly.

Lu Zhao jumped and looked up to see the Director looking at her with “disappointment.”

“You haven’t heard a word I said, have you? Has the barbecue stolen your soul?”

Lu Zhao: “…”

Not really, it’s just been a while since I’ve eaten this.

She looked like a student caught slacking in class. The Director laughed it off and finally announced they could eat.

Halfway through, Lu Zhao had a few drinks and needed the restroom. Since the crew had booked the whole place, the restroom was empty.

When she came out, she saw the third female lead standing by the sinks. The door had been closed.

Lu Zhao turned on the tap. When the other girl didn’t speak, Lu Zhao asked, “Are you waiting for me?”

The third female lead stared at Lu Zhao’s radiant face, her eyes burning with anger.

“Someone like you is only fit to be a simp! Don’t think you’re special just because you’re Ji Zhaoxi’s dog. She isn’t in this industry; do you think you can rely on her forever?”

“I heard she’s getting married soon. How many good days do you think you have left?”

Lu Zhao looked at her. She felt like this woman was just projecting her bitterness. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Ji Zhaoxi.

Lu Zhao: Babe~ Since I’m your ‘licking dog,’ if I run into trouble, can I use your name to act tough?

Ji Zhaoxi replied fairly quickly.

Ji Zhaoxi: …What kind of trouble?

Lu Zhao: Someone is mocking me. I want to curse them out!

Ji Zhaoxi: In the future, just do it. You don’t need to ask me.

Lu Zhao: No, that won’t do. What if I run into someone even you’re afraid of? If I ask first, I’ll know when to just shut up and run away!

Ji Zhaoxi: …

She grit her teeth.

She grit them so hard they almost shattered!

Does she think I’m that useless?!

Support