The Beta Alpha Turned Dating Reality Show Heartthrob - Chapter 4

A chill ran down Ren Xubai’s spine. A tingling wave of pleasure crawled up his spine and straight into his heart, making the sound of his racing heartbeat grow louder in his ears. His legs felt weak, and his breathing turned slightly shallow.

He never expected that the person who saved him that day would match his ideal type so perfectly.

The moment he caught sight of Xu Qingnan from afar, Ren Xubai had lost his heart.

Later, upon hearing his voice, Ren Xubai confirmed Xu Qingnan’s identity and felt that it was nothing short of a match made in heaven.

Originally, he had only intended to wait until this matter was resolved before investigating the man’s identity to figure out how to repay the favor and, of course, to figure out how to handle it if the other party tried to use the incident as leverage to blackmail him.

Now, however, Ren Xubai felt that the trope of repaying a saving grace with one’s body was absolute truth.

In the past, he had always considered the cliché of repaying a life-saving debt with romance to be utterly cheesy and old-fashioned. But right now, he felt it was an eternal, unchanging universal law.

He had met plenty of peers or Omegas a few years younger than himself, but he always felt that beyond the initial flutter of mutual pheromonal attraction, something was missing. It never matched the romance he imagined, and things always naturally fizzled out.

Until he met Xu Qingnan.

Ren Xubai felt like he had completely lost his mind.

His gaze would always drift toward the man involuntarily. He wanted to be close to him. The production team’s heavily buffering suppression patches were far too effective; he couldn’t smell Xu Qingnan’s pheromones at all. When standing close, all he could catch was the standardized cedarwood scent of the patches, layered with an undefinable warmth that lacked any trace of actual pheromones yet left him hopelessly addicted.

“No, no,” Ren Xubai smiled ingratiatingly, planting both hands on the counter and leaning forward in an unconscious display of submission. “I won’t threaten you. If something happens to you, what am I supposed to do?”

“Then what do you want?” Xu Qingnan withdrew his gaze. “Didn’t I hand that knife over to you? Can’t you find out who it was?”

“I can, but it’s complicated. Still, if you want to hear about it, I can—”

“No need. I don’t want to.”

His cold, merciless attitude was just enough to make one’s heart itch.

Ren Xubai licked his dry lips. “I really can’t reach my back; I just need your help. Besides, didn’t you help cover for me earlier, too? You wouldn’t want me to get exposed either, right?”

Ren Xubai was referring to the boat ride earlier. The side effects of that seasickness pill hadn’t been all that severe; the real issue was that his wounds had torn open.

Fortunately, this was a holographic simulation where the stench of blood was dulled by more than half. If this had been the real world, the others’ attention wouldn’t have been so easily deflected by Xu Qingnan’s remarks.

Xu Qingnan frowned. “Since you haven’t recovered, why even bother coming out?”

Let alone participating in a variety show of this sort.

The corners of Ren Xubai’s mouth ticked upward, though Xu Qingnan could clearly spot the chill hidden beneath his smile.

Tsk, shouldn’t have asked.

“You don’t have to say it.”

“Because staying cooped up at home makes recovery even slower.”

He failed to stop him in time.

“So, how about it, Brother Xu? Care to help out?” Ren Xubai coaxed.

Xu Qingnan couldn’t quite fathom why Ren Xubai was so passionately persistent. He wasn’t some naive, inexperienced kid; Ren Xubai’s intentions were clearly far beyond just getting his back medicated. “Just because I saved your life?”

“No,” Xu Qingnan’s phrasing was vague, but Ren Xubai understood instantly. “If it had been anyone else, it wouldn’t be like this. It’s pure, love at first sight.”

“Cheap.”

Ren Xubai seemed well-versed in the art of pursuit, remaining entirely unfazed and unangered even when pushed to this extreme. Of course, he knew Xu Qingnan was dismissing his “love at first sight” as cheap. Deep down, he knew his chances were slim to none, yet he still clung to a sliver of insignificant hope and tried a different angle.

“Then I’ll pay you. How’s that?”

Xu Qingnan raised an eyebrow. “How much?”

As expected, he’s rejecting it, wait?

Ren Xubai widened his eyes. Viewed from his slightly elevated angle, the expression carried a sort of foolishly endearing charm. “You agreed?!”

“Why wouldn’t I make money when it’s right in front of me?”

Xu Qingnan lowered his gaze, his tone utterly casual as he resumed his work.

He really, truly loved money.

As long as it was legal, he had tried every conceivable way to make a living.

Money brought him a sense of security; the more money he had, the more secure he felt.

Xu Qingnan figured that Ren Xubai staring him down like this was probably out of lingering anxiety that he might use the incident as leverage.

Consider this sum hush money.

As for Ren Xubai’s eloquent claims of affection

He had run into this type before.

They probably treated his rejections as mere flirtatious banter and playful challenges; the more he pushed them away, the more relentless they would become.

Knowing that, if he kept refusing, it really would turn into a game of flirtation.

Xu Qingnan had no intention of playing these predictable push-and-pull mind games where everyone knew the rules.

A mocking curve touched the corner of his lips. His heart remained as placid as still water, completely indifferent to Ren Xubai’s reaction. “What, did your idealized filter shatter?”

“If it shattered, get out.”

Footsteps sounded outside, drawing steadily closer.

“As if,” Ren Xubai pressed his palms together over his chest. “I’m just celebrating the fact that I’m rich.”

He followed up immediately, “So when? Tonight?”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“How about this, once the wound heals,” Ren Xubai raised his left hand, splaying his fingers to signal a number. “Six figures.”

“Tonight, second-floor art studio.”

“Alright, whatever you say,” Ren Xubai flashed a triumphant grin before adding, “Why don’t you swap rooms with Cheng Yanzhi? That would work out perfectly.”

For the sake of privacy, guests were permitted to disable any surveillance cameras within this villa at will.

Xu Qingnan didn’t even dignify that with a glance. “I’m purely in it for the money. I still have zero interest in you.”

“Why do you always say such heartbreaking things?” Ren Xubai remained utterly stubborn, joking with a playful swagger. “What if you’re wrong? Who knows, maybe you’re the type to fall in love slowly over time.”

Xu Qingnan didn’t bite. “Someone’s coming.”

The kitchen faced the street, and with the window open, footsteps were easily audible.

“Huh?” Ren Xubai naturally heard them too. “So what if someone’s coming?”

Xu Qingnan merely shot him a sideways glance without elaboration. “Didn’t you say you’d listen to me?”

Sensing that lingering any longer might genuinely incur Xu Qingnan’s displeasure, Ren Xubai knew when to quit while he was ahead. “Listening.”

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Xu Qingnan finally looked up at Ren Xubai’s departing back.

His expression was inexplicably icy.

Though not entirely directed at Ren Xubai.

Xu Qingnan had known someone like this before.

Passionate, cheerful, emotionally intense, and fiercely expressive.

Possessing a natural, innate confidence, utterly unbothered by failure or rejection.

And that person had dealt Xu Qingnan a devastating blow.

A blow heavy enough to let emotion override his logic, causing him to instinctively recoil from anyone sharing those exact traits.

It sounded terribly unfair to Ren Xubai.

But that wasn’t something Xu Qingnan needed to worry about.

“Qingnan?” The kitchen counter was tapped politely. Xu Qingnan looked up to see Ye Yuyao accompanied by a newcomer.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt paired with a casual tie tied in a loose, deliberately stylized knot, and wearing round-rimmed glasses, the newcomer possessed fair, handsome features with a clarity in his eyes that seemed out of step with his age. He looked straight at Xu Qingnan without any masking, lacking malice and carrying instead the reflexive openness of pure professional habit.

“This is Yanzhi. He just arrived, so I’m showing him around,” Ye Yuyao adjusted his glasses. “Do you need any help here? Won’t preparing dinner all by yourself be too exhausting?”

Shifting his gaze back to Ye Yuyao, Xu Qingnan asked flatly, “Can you cook?”

Ye Yuyao was merely offering out of habitual politeness a skill he excelled at, tossing out empty pleasantries to secure a gentle, thoughtful impression. Most of the people he interacted with were refined and tactful, gracefully thanking him for his goodwill before declining, recognizing that the task wasn’t assigned to him anyway.

It was the first time he had ever been met with such a direct, unvarnished counter-question.

The smile at the corner of Ye Yuyao’s mouth stiffened slightly. “Pardon—”

Xu Qingnan wasn’t surprised in the least.

His cousin had mentioned that these guests were elite figures among elites; he had never expected dragons and phoenixes to actually know how to cook.

With technology advancing at breakneck speed, all sorts of nutritional pastes with varying flavors had emerged—convenient and quick. Most household robots came equipped with cooking functions as well, rendering traditional meals increasingly obsolete. Aside from professional chefs or genuine enthusiasts, nobody wasted time tinkering in the kitchen.

How wonderful. This meant he could stick to his plan of keeping to himself. “Then stop wasting breath on useless words.”

Ye Yuyao’s expression soured slightly. Earlier, when Xu Qingnan had shut down Ren Xubai, he could still step in with seasoned social grace to mediate. Now that he was the one getting snubbed with a newly acquainted prospective romantic interest standing right beside him he felt the sting.

Ye Yuyao hoped Cheng Yanzhi would say something.

“I know a little bit,” Cheng Yanzhi spoke up unexpectedly, though he offered no rescue for Ye Yuyao. His clean-fingered hand pointed toward the shredded potatoes Xu Qingnan had prepared. “I can do this. I can help out. Besides, I heard Yuyao mention earlier that I was supposed to be paired with you anyway. I’m just late.”

Xu Qingnan opened his mouth to refuse, but declining three people in a row felt a bit excessive. Besides, Cheng Yanzhi was originally assigned to his group, and the prep work was nearly finished anyway, so he simply gave a nod of assent.

Cheng Yanzhi broke into a bright smile immediately, turning to Ye Yuyao. “Thanks for showing me around, Yuyao. I’ll go help Qingnan now.”

No flaws could be picked out in Ye Yuyao’s expression anymore. “Alright, I’ll leave you two to it.”

Cheng Yanzhi rolled up his sleeves and slipped on an apron. His movements weren’t exactly practiced, but he clearly knew what he was doing.

“Thanks. I don’t really like interacting with Yuyao,” Cheng Yanzhi remarked with startling directness, carrying the uninhibited caprice unique to a youngster as he tilted his head. “Listening to him talk is exhausting.”

“I don’t talk nicely either.”

“No, you’re interesting.” Cheng Yanzhi looked at Xu Qingnan with sparkling eyes, like someone discovering a novel treasure. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

Xu Qingnan didn’t think he possessed any special traits. “What am I like?”

Cheng Yanzhi shook his head. “Can’t say. Criticizing someone to their face is impolite.”

So criticizing Ye Yuyao’s conversational style to someone else’s face was totally fine, though.

Well-mannered, but not excessively so.

The dish was nearing the final stage of reduction. The moment Xu Qingnan lifted the wok, the empty plate sitting on the side was slid smoothly into place. Without breaking rhythm, Xu Qingnan tipped the contents cleanly onto the plate.

Having assisted him, Cheng Yanzhi stepped back to handle his own cooking station.

It was remarkably quiet.

Aside from their initial exchange, the two didn’t trade another word, yet an uncanny sense of synchronization flowed between them for instance, Cheng Yanzhi invariably knew precisely which plate belonged to which dish Xu Qingnan was preparing.

Xu Qingnan could feel Cheng Yanzhi observing him the entire time. The gaze wasn’t predatory or suggestive; it felt more like someone studying the behavioral habits of a newly discovered animal species.

Yet Xu Qingnan felt no discomfort. Being stared at wouldn’t kill him, the boy wasn’t chattering away incessantly, and his presence lacked any heavy sense of intrusion. If he wanted to, he could easily pretend the guy didn’t even exist.

It wasn’t as though Xu Qingnan had never been watched before, so he simply let him be.

Night had fallen completely, and the simulated moon hung high in the sky. The production team’s environmental simulation was extraordinarily convincing; inside the house, the muffled rush of sea breeze and waves crashing against cliffs could be distinctly heard. A lively group of people gathered in the warm, comfortable interior. If the distant sky wasn’t flickering with blue-purple code, and if these people weren’t strangers participating in a dating show, it would have looked straight out of everyone’s dream lifestyle.

Unfortunately, they weren’t.

Cheng Yanzhi carried a plate of food into the dining room, calling out to the others lounging on the sofa to come eat.

Ren Xubai stood up immediately, walking over while chattering, “I’ll help bring the dishes out.”

“Go ahead, Xubai,” Ye Yuyao teased. “You kept glancing toward the kitchen the whole time we were playing cards.”

“Hey,” Ren Xubai didn’t act shy or coy in the slightest, owning it openly. “Since everyone can see right through it, how about you guys save the seat next to him for me later?”

The room fell into a simultaneous hush.

Clearly, no one expected Ren Xubai to lay his cards on the table so blatantly.

They had only just met today, yet he was already locking down his target with such finality. Didn’t he want to get to know anyone else?

Ye Yuyao thought it was much too impulsive.

Huo Zheng, however, seemed inspired.

He stood up and walked over to Ye Yuyao, breaking the strange atmosphere that had lingered between them all afternoon. “I’ll be sitting next to you, too.”

Ye Yuyao blinked, his reply airtight: “Your freedom.”

Xu Qingnan washed his hands, turned around, and spotted the predictable figure waiting for him with a beaming, crooked-eyed smile. “Brother Xu, I’m here to help carry the dishes.”

Xu Qingnan remained silent, simply giving a slight lift of his chin to indicate which dishes Ren Xubai was supposed to take.

“Smells amazing,” Ren Xubai gazed at the glistening plate of sweet and sour pork garnished with white sesame seeds, breathing in the rich aroma. “I could eat two bowls of rice with this.”

Without sparing him a glance, Xu Qingnan replied flatly, “Forget it. A stomach traumatized by seasickness pills probably won’t support such enthusiasm.”

Even framed as sarcasm, Ren Xubai’s eyes lit up. “You care about me.”

“It’s annoyance,” Xu Qingnan answered expressionlessly, completely immune to Ren Xubai’s antics. “If you log off tonight, it’ll mess with my money-making.”

“Annoyed by me, yet still caring about me,” Ren Xubai beamed happily. “You totally like me.”