Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 34.2

“Fine, I’ll be a bit more restrained in the future,” Xu Miaomiao said somewhat reluctantly.

Ji Zhaoxi watched from the side as the two of them whispered. In the end, Xu Miaomiao looked like she had suffered some kind of blow, drooping like a wilted little cabbage.

— What are these two ‘simps’ whispering about that we can’t hear! — Babes, I’m camping in this stream for you, why do you always have to hide from me? — If that woman doesn’t like Xu Miaomiao, her behavior just now was inappropriate, right? — Wait, since when do ‘simps’ get to start kissing?

Before long, everyone saw Zhou Jiaoyan walk out of the bathroom. The lipstick mark on her face was gone, but her face seemed a bit pink—perhaps she had rubbed it too hard.

Zhou Jiaoyan scanned the table, wanting to sit next to Ji Zhaoxi, but Qiao Wei was already sitting there.

Qiao Wei…

Zhou Jiaoyan looked at her but didn’t have much of a reaction. In the end, she had no choice but to sit next to Xu Miaomiao.

Xu Miaomiao’s face was splitting with a grin. She reached out one hand to grab Zhou Jiaoyan’s hand, completely forgetting what she had said earlier about being restrained.

Lu Zhao, witnessing the whole process: “…”

Fine! She believed Xu Miaomiao now—Zhou Jiaoyan was definitely not completely indifferent to her. If it were anyone else, given Xu Miaomiao’s behavior, they’d have been kicked out by now.

Qiao Wei glanced at Zhou Jiaoyan, then turned her gaze back to Ji Zhaoxi, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Ji Zhaoxi remained expressionless. She finished her breakfast, put down her chopsticks, and sat quietly without speaking.

Zhou Jiaoyan gave a simple self-introduction, and the others shared their names to get acquainted. Once the introductions were over, the director walked over with a beaming smile.

With his hands behind his back and a grin that reached his eyes, he asked, “How did our guests sleep last night? Do you feel the air here is particularly fresh?”

Lu Zhao took that moment to yawn. Ji Zhaoxi glanced at her.

Director: “…Um, it seems Teacher Lu didn’t rest well.”

“I didn’t rest well either,” Qiao Yang said lazily, raising a hand.

“Me neither,” Lu Xunyou, beside him, nodded seriously.

Qiao Wei swept a glance at the production crew. “If you wake people up this early again, you might want to consider whether you can keep this job.”

“Hiss—”

The director gasped, immediately looking toward Ji Zhaoxi. Seeing her equally icy expression, he instantly wilted.

“It was a lack of foresight on our part. I promise there will be no more wake-up calls!”

Qiao Wei let out a cold snort. “Do it again, and I’ll twist your head off.”

— Damn! This sister is so fierce! — True though, they were exhausted yesterday and then forced up this early today. I’d lose it too. — Hahaha, there’s hardly anyone in this group you can actually mess with.

“However, since you’re on our show, there are still some rules we need to follow,” the director said cautiously, holding his cue cards.

Lu Zhao looked around. Only she and Xu Miaomiao were from the entertainment industry, and Xu Miaomiao’s attention was entirely on Zhou Jiaoyan, completely ignoring the director.

Out of options, Lu Zhao had to take on the role of the “hype man.”

“Is there a mission?” Lu Zhao asked.

The director shot Lu Zhao a look of pure gratitude. “Today’s mission is simple: pair up. You need to choose your preferred partner and head to various check-in points around the village so we can get to know its history and beauty.”

“The first team to complete all check-ins will receive a mysterious gift tonight.”

The moment the director spoke, several people’s eyes lit up. Xu Miaomiao moved first, lunging forward to wrap her arms around Zhou Jiaoyan’s waist with intense possessiveness. “She’s mine! No one else is allowed to pick her!”

Zhou Jiaoyan, suddenly held tight: “…”

Beneath her calm exterior, the tips of her ears were already crimson.

Lu Zhao was about to turn to Ji Zhaoxi when her own arm was grabbed.

“I want to be with Lu Zhao!” Qiao Yang’s voice rang out.

“I want to be with Lu Zhao too,” Qiao Wei added with a smile.

Ji Zhaoxi’s gaze fell on Qiao Yang’s hand gripping Lu Zhao’s arm, and her eyes turned cold. Just as she was about to step in and separate them, Lu Zhao broke free and, mimicking Xu Miaomiao, lunged toward Ji Zhaoxi!

Lu Zhao threw her arms around Ji Zhaoxi’s waist and looked up at her piteously.

“Babe, though there are many temptations out there, I will choose you a thousand, ten thousand times over.”

Held by the waist with their bodies pressed close, Ji Zhaoxi momentarily felt like she could hear Lu Zhao’s heartbeat. Thump, thump—clear and powerful.

Ji Zhaoxi let out a soft “Mm,” acknowledging her.

“Lu Zhao!”

Qiao Yang shouted with a wounded expression. “I’d choose you ten thousand times too! Why won’t you even look at me!”

Lu Zhao ignored him and turned to Qiao Wei, asking seriously, “When do you plan on taking him for a check-up?”

Seeing Qiao Yang’s behavior, Qiao Wei felt embarrassed and went silent.

“Senior, I choose you,” Lu Xunyou said, his eyes full of Qiao Yang.

Qiao Yang instantly dropped his sadness and skipped over to Qiao Wei, pulling her sleeve. “Sis, I choose you!”

Qiao Wei: “…”

Suddenly, Xu Miaomiao turned to Qiao Yang and said seriously, “Sweetie, we don’t support incest here.”

“You’re the one into incest! I’m just going for a stroll with my sister, what’s wrong with that?!” Qiao Yang glared at Xu Miaomiao, thoroughly annoyed. If not for her, he could have been sitting next to Lu Zhao!

Hearing Xu Miaomiao’s words, Zhou Jiaoyan’s expression darkened, and she tried to pry Xu Miaomiao’s hands off her.

Xu Miaomiao was stunned for a moment, but noticing the shift in Zhou Jiaoyan’s mood, she broke free and hugged her even tighter, saying urgently: “We aren’t blood-related, so it’s not incest!”

“Miaomiao, I treat you as—”

“Ouch, it hurts…”

“What’s wrong? Did you bump into something?” Zhou Jiaoyan immediately grew worried and tried to crouch down to check.

Xu Miaomiao held her tight and leaned into her chest, saying coyly, “My heart hurts.”

Zhou Jiaoyan: “…”

Lu Zhao, witnessing the whole exchange, was dazed. This sister is amazing! Who taught her to flirt like this?

— Oh my god, I’m dying! Can Xu Miaomiao have a little dignity! — Hahahaha, why does Lu Zhao look like she’s taking notes? — Wait, why did they even bring up the topic of incest?

Ji Zhaoxi reached out and covered Lu Zhao’s eyes, afraid she’d learn something even more outrageous.

The final pairing results were obvious:

• • Lu Zhao & Ji Zhaoxi

• • Xu Miaomiao & Zhou Jiaoyan

• • Qiao Yang & Qiao Wei

• • Lu Xunyou & the remaining guest

They were given phones provided by a sponsor; it seemed this check-in activity was a covert advertisement. The teams were sent in different directions.

Before leaving, Lu Zhao thoughtfully applied sunscreen to herself and Ji Zhaoxi. She carried a small backpack with water and snacks, while Ji Zhaoxi was responsible for carrying Tangyuan. Since they were sightseeing, they had to bring the “little master” along so it wouldn’t get bored.

As they prepared to leave, Lu Zhao went to the kitchen to wash some fruit, but Qiao Wei walked in. She looked at Lu Zhao, who was wearing a green shirt and loose high-waisted wide-leg pants—she looked tall and slender. That shade of green was hard to pull off, but it made Lu Zhao’s skin look even fairer.

Appreciation flickered in Qiao Wei’s eyes as she leaned in and whispered, “Have you considered what I said last night?”

Lu Zhao knew she was there. Without pausing her fruit-washing, she said, “President Ji said she’d give me triple pay plus a large villa in the Shangqing District.”

Qiao Wei: “???”

“She’s giving you a villa in Shangqing?!” Qiao Wei’s eyes widened. Ji Zhaoxi was really willing to pay a high price!

Lu Zhao stopped, turned, and said innocently, “So, does Miss Qiao have a better offer?”

Qiao Wei: “…I can’t afford that.”

She didn’t control the family assets like Ji Zhaoxi; she couldn’t just give away a hundred-million-yuan villa! Dammit, is the ‘simping dog’ market this competitive now?

Qiao Wei went silent. She walked out of the kitchen, feeling it was time to focus on her career. She’d never dare claim to be “rich” again until she could gift villas on a whim.

In the living room, Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes met Qiao Wei’s as she came out. A cool smirk played on Ji Zhaoxi’s lips. Qiao Wei, looking like a defeated rooster, hung her head.

Ji Zhaoxi stroked Tangyuan’s head, feeling much better. Seeing Qiao Wei’s state, she assumed the woman knew when to back off.

When Lu Zhao emerged with the fruit, Ji Zhaoxi gave her a faint smile. Not only was Lu Zhao stunned, but the livestream audience went wild.

— I didn’t misinterpret that, right? President Ji just smiled? — You saw right! I saw it too! — Nothing even happened, why did she suddenly smile so beautifully? — Sob sob, she looks so good when she smiles, why is she always so stoic!

“You seem happy?” Lu Zhao asked.

Ji Zhaoxi glanced at her with Tangyuan in her arms, said nothing, and walked out first.

Lu Zhao: “???” Did she take the wrong medicine?

Lu Zhao stuffed the fruit box into her bag, grabbed two hats from the table, and chased after her. The October sun was harsh. She placed a round hat on Ji Zhaoxi and wore the matching one herself. They were identical—anyone seeing them would think they were a “couple’s set.”

The joy reached Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes, and her pace quickened.

Their first stop was the village’s thousand-year-old ancient tree. It was lush and massive, like a giant guardian. Tangyuan looked around curiously from Ji Zhaoxi’s arms, its blue eyes shimmering.

“Babe, are your arms tired? Let me carry it,” Lu Zhao said, looking eager.

The cameraman caught Lu Zhao’s “desperate for a cat” look perfectly.

— Wait, she calls Ji Zhaoxi ‘Babe,’ but why does she look at the cat with more sincerity? — Hahaha, I want to ask President Ji: does the cat make you feel like your status is threatened?

Ji Zhaoxi raised an eyebrow and, seeing Lu Zhao’s pitiful look, handed over Tangyuan. Lu Zhao immediately kissed the cat’s head. Having seen this many times, Ji Zhaoxi was immune; she took the backpack from Lu Zhao instead.

— !!! I’m starting to doubt President Ji’s heart! — Me too! She’s definitely not as indifferent as she looks!

They sat under the tree, enjoying the cool breeze. Lu Zhao squinted comfortably, almost wanting to nap, while Ji Zhaoxi watched her, thinking she looked like a content little fox. Tangyuan hopped down and circled their feet before lounging lazily.

The peaceful moment was broken when Qiao Yang and Qiao Wei arrived. Qiao Yang was sprinting excitedly while Qiao Wei followed behind, looking at him like he was an idiot.

— Hahahaha, the Qiao siblings are hilarious! — Sister Qiao: Whose idiot is this? Does anyone want him?

Qiao Yang had been pestering Qiao Wei all morning about why she tried to “steal” his person and wanting to finish quickly to find Lu Zhao. Qiao Wei was so annoyed she wanted to smack him.

“Lu Zhao! Look what I brought you!” Qiao Yang waved a bouquet of roses mixed with… rice stalks. “I picked them specifically for you!”

Lu Zhao turned to Ji Zhaoxi. “Let’s take the photo and go.”

They took their first-ever selfie together. Looking at the photo, Lu Zhao felt a secret thrill.

“You’re taking photos? Let’s take one together!” Qiao Yang approached.

“No, I don’t want men in my camera frame,” Lu Zhao rejected him coldly. She also refused the flowers. “I don’t accept flowers from men.”

Qiao Yang was devastated.

— Hahaha, Lu Zhao: As a professional simp, how could I fall for a simp’s tricks? — He got chased by a dog for those flowers and fined 500 yuan by the production crew!

Ji Zhaoxi felt both happy and a bit uneasy. She knew that if she were to confess her love as boldly as Qiao Yang did, she might also be pushed away.

Lu Zhao ignored Qiao Yang, took more photos of Ji Zhaoxi and Tangyuan, and then pulled Ji Zhaoxi away.

Back at the courtyard, everyone rushed to shower after the hot morning. Lunch was a spread of local delicacies.

“Wait,” the director stepped out with a box. “The first team to finish the mission was the Qiao siblings. According to the rules, you have…”

A chance at a lucky draw! What you win depends entirely on your own luck~”

As the director said this, everyone could sense the mischievous smirk in his voice.

Qiao Wei wasn’t interested. Realizing she had left her phone in her room, she went back to get it, letting Qiao Yang go up to draw for them instead.

Qiao Yang, on the other hand, was quite excited. He drew a slip of paper, and the moment he saw it, his face lit up with visible exhilaration!

“Reward: Kiss one guest present on site!”

His voice trembled with joy.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes shifted toward the slip of paper.

“…”

“Then I choose Lu Zhao!” Qiao Yang exclaimed excitedly.

Ji Zhaoxi’s face darkened. Just as she was about to teach Qiao Yang a lesson about the value of staying alive, the director spoke up first.

“This isn’t a designated choice. You have to be blindfolded and pick blindly. The person you choose will come forward to kiss you.”

Hearing this, Ji Zhaoxi let out a temporary sigh of relief.

Qiao Yang wanted to protest, but there was nothing he could do. Before the crew put the blindfold on him, he quickly memorized Lu Zhao’s position. Once he was certain, he confidently covered his eyes.

He had memorized the position perfectly; there was no way he would point to the wrong spot!

Just as the director announced the start, a black figure rushed in front of Lu Zhao with lightning speed, shielding her completely!

Ji Zhaoxi, who had been about to pull Lu Zhao away from her spot, stopped when she noticed the movement. At that moment, Qiao Yang’s hand was already raised…

Everyone present was stunned by this maneuver. They all covered their mouths, not daring to make a sound, their eyes glued to Qiao Yang and the black shadow.

The person blocking Lu Zhao turned back to give her an apologetic smile before quietly stepping toward Qiao Yang.

The two grew closer until Lu Xunyou stopped just centimeters away from Qiao Yang.

Qiao Yang could feel the person approaching! His blood rushed with excitement, and his mind went blank!

He—he was finally going to kiss Lu Zhao!

The moment a pair of lips pressed against his, Qiao Yang’s brain exploded with a boom.

It was Lu Zhao! These were Lu Zhao’s lips! Waaa, he finally got to kiss Lu Zhao!

Her kiss was so urgent, her breathing so heavy—waaa, his Lu Zhao had such great lung capacity!

The more Qiao Yang kissed, the more invested he became. His arms were being held back by staff members to keep him still; otherwise, he would have reached out to pull her into a deep embrace!

Waaa, Lu Zhao—no, Zhao Zhao’s lips were so soft. He really wanted to keep kissing forever!

Qiao Yang looked completely lost in bliss. The kiss between the two became increasingly intense and passionate, leaving the onlookers staring in shock!

—Holy crap, the production crew is playing for keeps!

—I just want to know, will the Young Master cry when he finds out the truth?

—Hahahaha! Even though I know it’s mean, I really want to laugh, hahahaha!

Lu Zhao watched from the side, eventually unable to resist covering her eyes with her hand.

Eww~

They were actually “stringing” (saliva trails).

Is it really impossible to tell the difference between kissing a man and a woman when you’re that close?

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