Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 8

“No way!”

Xu Miaomiao suddenly cried out, her beard and eyebrows twitching (figuratively) in indignation. Looking utterly slighted, she said, “I’m younger than them, for goodness’ sake! If I wanted to run, do you think they could actually catch me?!”

Lu Zhao looked at her leg and asked with genuine sincerity, “Then what’s the deal with your leg?”

Xu Miaomiao let out a soft huff. She seemingly realized how embarrassing it sounded, as her voice grew a bit muffled.

“I just… started running right when they were about to hit me. I don’t know what happened exactly, but I lost my footing and fell down the stairs. That’s how it broke.”

“But I want to state solemnly: they didn’t break this leg! This was purely an accident!”

Lu Zhao: “…”

Seeing how much Xu Miaomiao cared about the origin of the injury, Lu Zhao nodded and repeated it back to her.

“You broke it yourself; it wasn’t broken by your parents.”

As she said this, she felt quite puzzled. Was “falling and breaking it” really that much better than “getting it broken in a beating”?

Xu Miaomiao nodded happily, looking like a teacher proud of a teachable student.

“But why are you at the hospital alone?” Lu Zhao couldn’t help but ask again. Xu Miaomiao wasn’t some “nobody” like herself; she was usually surrounded by a huge entourage. How could she possibly end up alone in a hospital?

“Oh, when my parents saw that I’d managed to break my own leg, they stopped yelling about hitting me. They dropped me off at the hospital, paid the fees, and left. They said they wanted me to ‘learn a lesson.'”

Xu Miaomiao gave a light sneer, looking rather “chuunibyou” as she said disdainfully, “I’m not one of those ‘dodder flowers’ who relies on them for a living anymore. I’m great at making money now! I have plenty of friends; what does a little lesson like this matter?”

“Besides, Sister Zhao will be over to keep me company once she’s done with work. I won’t be bored then.”

Lu Zhao was impressed and cupped her fists in a gesture of respect.

“You truly are a role model for our generation.”

Xu Miaomiao gave her a triumphant look.

“Of course! Look who I am—I’m a Best Actress winner who earned it with my own genuine skills!”

Hearing her mention the Best Actress title, Lu Zhao fell silent for a second. She couldn’t help but feel envious—envy so strong her mouth practically watered.

As someone with an intense passion for acting, how could she not want to lead her own drama? How could she not want a representative trophy for her acting career?

“But speaking of which, why are you at the hospital? Who were you talking to outside just now?” Xu Miaomiao looked at Lu Zhao curiously; she hadn’t seen Ji Zhaoxi outside earlier.

“Oh, I dislocated my jaw last night. I came to get it reset. I was talking to CEO Ji; she’s going to accompany me for a full physical check-up in a bit.”

“Huh?!”

Xu Miaomiao’s eyes went wide. “Did you just say the person outside is Ji Zhaoxi?!”

Lu Zhao: “…Yes, that’s right.”

Seeing her so shocked, Lu Zhao didn’t blame her. After all, even as the person involved, she was still shocked by Ji Zhaoxi’s behavior.

Surely it couldn’t be because I dislocated it at her house, so she’s worried I’ll try to blackmail her later and wants a check-up to prevent future trouble?

Ji Zhaoxi probably wouldn’t think that much. Perhaps Lu Zhao’s own mind was just too cynical.

“Sister, you’re incredible!”

Xu Miaomiao couldn’t help but admire her to the point of prostrating herself. To get Ji Zhaoxi to accompany her for a check-up—how on earth did she do it?!

“Teach me! Sister, I’ve realized you’re a genius at chasing people!”

Looking at how Xu Miaomiao treated her like an old friend without the slightest reservation, Lu Zhao was once again silenced.

“You trust me that much? Telling me so many of your private matters,” Lu Zhao couldn’t help but ask. In the entertainment industry, if it isn’t someone you trust completely, everyone hides their personal lives for fear of people finding out!

“It’s nothing. Mainly, I trust Ji Zhaoxi. If your character wasn’t up to par, there’s no way you could have been a ‘licker’ (devoted pursuer) by her side for so long,” Xu Miaomiao said with a look of indifference.

Lu Zhao: “…”

So, it’s all thanks to Ji Zhaoxi again?

Lu Zhao’s expression was a bit complicated. She asked, “So, you’ve confessed everything to your family, and you’re injured—does your adopted sister know?”

“How could I let her know? It’s not a life-threatening injury. Telling her about such a small thing would just annoy her!” Xu Miaomiao’s eyes widened.

Lu Zhao: “…Sister, I’ve realized you really don’t know how to chase people.”

Lu Zhao dragged a chair over to Xu Miaomiao’s bedside and began to analyze the situation for her.

“You said your adopted sister definitely likes you and that it hurts her when you cry. At a time like this, you should obviously use that to force her to come see you!”

“But… but last time you told me to say goodbye to her, she didn’t even acknowledge me,” Xu Miaomiao said hesitantly, her fair little face full of doubt.

“That’s different! And do you not trust me?” Lu Zhao grew a bit excited, saying earnestly, “The reason she ignored you last time was because nothing had actually happened to you. Why would she care about something so trivial?”

“But this time is different. You’re actually hurt!”

“If she’s still indifferent after this, it just means you gave me the wrong information! She actually doesn’t like you at all!”

“Bullshit! She definitely likes me!” Xu Miaomiao argued her case.

“Fine, then give it a try!” Lu Zhao squinted at her.

“How should I try? Should I take a photo and send it to her?” Xu Miaomiao hesitated.

“No, no, no, no!” Lu Zhao wagged her index finger like a grandmaster. “Sending a photo directly is too deliberate! That’s a low-level tactic. Let’s do something high-end: post a photo on your Moments!”

“Remember, don’t block anyone. We need to be authentic. If she really likes you and cares about you, even if she doesn’t reply to your messages, she will definitely check your updates and Moments!”

After hearing this, Xu Miaomiao’s eyes instantly lit up. “Sister! I finally understand how you managed to stay as a licker by Ji Zhaoxi’s side for so long. Your methods are top-tier!”

“If I were Ji Zhaoxi, I would have thrown you on the bed and devoured you long ago!”

As expected of a “little chili pepper” in a “white lotus” skin—still as bold as ever.

Lu Zhao pulled her clothes tighter around herself. “Don’t you go having any inappropriate thoughts about me. There’s no future in it!”

“Where is your mind going?! I clearly said ‘if I were Ji Zhaoxi’! But right now, I’m Xu Miaomiao!” At that, Xu Miaomiao gave Lu Zhao a shy smile that gave Lu Zhao goosebumps.

“I’m only interested in my little darling. Just thinking about her makes me… overflow.”

She even covered her face with an “oh my” expression.

Lu Zhao was dumbfounded.

Is that something you can just say out loud?

Lu Zhao fell silent and silently gave Xu Miaomiao a thumbs-up.

“Then follow what I said first. Remember to stay calm. I’m going for my check-up now; CEO Ji is still waiting for me.”

“Got it! I’ll let you know if there’s any progress!” Xu Miaomiao let her go quite decisively.

Lu Zhao sighed to herself—the feeling of being the only sober person in a world of drunks—and left Xu Miaomiao to charge into the battlefield of love alone.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw Ji Zhaoxi sitting on a chair outside the room.

“…”

When did she get back? How long has she been here?

“You… when did you get back?” Lu Zhao’s expression became incredibly awkward. She didn’t hear the conversation with Xu Miaomiao, did she?

Ji Zhaoxi looked up at her calmly and finally said out of mercy, “It was too sunny outside, so I came back to find you. Who knew you weren’t done chatting, so I just sat here and waited.”

Lu Zhao: “…”

By the looks of it, she heard.

For a moment, Lu Zhao didn’t know what to say. Would Ji Zhaoxi think she was some high-level “player” or “sea queen”?

“Let’s go, time for the check-up,” Ji Zhaoxi stood up and said in a cool voice.

“Oh, okay.”

Lu Zhao followed behind her, looking at her tall, elegant silhouette, feeling a bit conflicted.

She felt a sense of relief because Ji Zhaoxi didn’t pry, but also a faint sense of disappointment for the exact same reason.

Next, Lu Zhao followed Ji Zhaoxi through various departments. After finishing the fasting-required items, Ji Zhaoxi’s bodyguard brought up a bag of food so Lu Zhao could eat breakfast before continuing with the rest of the check-up.

“The report will be out tomorrow. Go back for now; I’ll have someone pick up the report and send it to you tomorrow.” Ji Zhaoxi was looking at her phone, her thumbs flying across the screen as she spoke to Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao looked at how busy she was. Even so, she had spent half the day waiting with her at the hospital.

“It’s lunchtime now. Can I treat you to a meal?” Lu Zhao spoke up somewhat awkwardly. Since the other woman had accompanied her for so long, she had to show some gratitude, right?

Ji Zhaoxi’s typing hand paused. She quickly turned off the screen and put her phone away, then looked up at Lu Zhao without immediately responding.

For someone as stingy as Lu Zhao to offer a treat was truly a first in all these years.

“Do… do you want to eat? But let’s get this straight: I can’t afford those meals in five-star hotels.” Lu Zhao felt even more flustered by the silence.

Ji Zhaoxi looked at her wandering eyes and slightly flushed cheeks. At this moment, she didn’t look like a “vixen” at all; she looked incredibly pure.

“I’ll eat. You give directions,” Ji Zhaoxi said decisively.

Hearing her agree, Lu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and gave Ji Zhaoxi’s bodyguard/driver the name of a restaurant that specialized in home-style cooking.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the storefront wasn’t very large, but it was clean and tidy. The owners were a middle-aged couple who greeted Lu Zhao happily when they saw her.

Knowing that Ji Zhaoxi didn’t like ordering, Lu Zhao took over the task. After ordering, she said to Ji Zhaoxi, “Don’t look at how small this place is or how the food isn’t as exquisite as in five-star hotels—the food here is delicious! I used to come here often with my mom.”

Ji Zhaoxi watched her speak. “Are you very close with this couple?”

Lu Zhao looked at the couple busy in the kitchen, rested her chin on her hand, and smiled. “Yes, I told you I came here often with my mom. We got to know each other over time. I even learned some of my recipes from them; they’re really good people.”

Ji Zhaoxi’s expression softened slightly, and her hand resting on her lap tapped a few times unconsciously.

“If you say they are good, they must be very good.”

Lu Zhao blinked at Ji Zhaoxi and asked somewhat tentatively, “CEO Ji, are you in a good mood today?”

“Hmm?” Ji Zhaoxi looked up at her, pondered for a moment, and said seemingly casually, “It’s alright.”

Lu Zhao’s eyes lit up. “See, I’ve already provided you with emotional value.”

“Have you agreed to go on the dating show with me?”

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