The O Posing as a B is Fought Over in a Dating Show Shambles - Chapter 9

Wen Zhenmian’s logic was simple: since all the men were so handsome she didn’t know who to pick, she would simply choose the “ugliest” one.

When the fourth anonymous text arrived, Xi Qingli calmly opened his private phone.

Anonymous: [Hello, little brother. Actually, you’re quite handsome too.]

It was a text with a very distinct personal style; he didn’t even have to guess to know who it was from.

“Alright!” the host chimed in. “Now that all the mentors have sent out their Heartbeat Texts, I’m sure everyone in the livestream is dying to know who they chose. Hehe, follow me and I’ll reveal the answers…”

She deliberately dragged out her last words, “…once we enter the village!”

[Dammit, I already had my popcorn ready and you give me this?]

[This production crew is famous for being ‘trolls.’ If they let us know the answers that easily, I’d actually find it suspicious.]

The host led the group of stunning beauties as they grandly made their way down the narrow rural path leading into the village.

It had likely rained recently, and the cramped, potholed trail lacked any pavement. Every step landed in thick, squelching mud.

A few minutes later, looking at the mud splattered across his trousers, Xie Yunzhao finally snapped.

“If the show is short on funds, go find a sponsor! Why drag us to this filthy place to suffer? How is anyone supposed to feel like dating in a place like this?”

Young Master Xie had been pampered since childhood and had never endured much hardship. Combined with his germaphobia, his resistance to the rural environment was only natural.

The host remained unfazed. “Teacher Xie, the filming location has nothing to do with the budget. The director said the countryside air is fresh and the people of Xiaotang Village are simple and kind. Anyone who visits finds it hard to leave.”

The director backstage:  When did I ever say that?

“I’d have to be insane to not want to leave!” Xie Yunzhao glared at the potholed path that seemed to stretch on forever. He shielded his eyes from the sun with one hand, his delicate face flushed red from the heat.

“How long is this road? I’m not walking anymore. I want a car!”

“Teacher Xie, the path is too narrow. The crew’s cars can’t get through,” the host coaxed gently. “It looks long, but it actually doesn’t take that much time. We’ll be there soon.”

Xie Yunzhao glared at her. “Do I look like a three-year-old to you?”

Host:  Well, not exactly.

“Roll up your pant legs. That way your trousers won’t get dirty,” Xi Qingli spoke up.

The 4:00 PM sun was still scorching. He pulled a sun umbrella from his backpack, handed it to Xie Yunzhao, and asked mildly, “Do you need a hand?”

Xie Yunzhao looked at the umbrella, then at Xi Qingli. His irritation began to dissolve bit by bit.

His gaze flickered away awkwardly as he took the umbrella. “I… I’m not going to say thank you.”

Xi Qingli gave a faint smile. He knelt down and unhurriedly rolled Xie Yunzhao’s pant legs up to his knees.

The Young Master’s skin was arrestingly pale. Under the sunlight, his exposed calves looked even more polished—like fresh white lotus roots just pulled from a pond, so tender they looked as if they’d bruise at a touch.

[Ahhh! Xi Qingli, get lost! Are Zhao-zhao’s legs something you’re allowed to touch?]

[The rumors say Xi Qingli likes Xie Yunzhao. Looking at it now, it’s not entirely baseless. Who would notice such a small detail like handing over an umbrella if they didn’t like them? And who would roll up the pants of someone who hates them if it wasn’t for love?]

[Look closely, Xi Qingli’s hands aren’t actually touching Xie Yunzhao’s skin. He’s such a gentleman!]

[Cough, am I the only one noticing how incredibly white and beautiful Xie Yunzhao’s legs are?]

Xi Qingli’s assistance wasn’t born of the “love” the livestream was buzzing about. In his eyes, every guest present was a potential “free life-saving medicine.” It was only logical to stay on their good side.

Furthermore, he didn’t actually dislike Xie Yunzhao.

Though the Young Master was spoiled and willful, Xi Qingli found it somewhat cute. In the entertainment industry, you don’t fear the people who confront you head-on; you fear the ones who stab you in the back when you least expect it. Someone like Xie Yunzhao, who wore his emotions on his sleeve, was actually the simplest type of person to deal with.

As for being kicked out of a film crew because of him, Xi Qingli didn’t care much. The company had accepted that role for him without his input anyway, and it wasn’t a good character. If it was gone, it was gone.

For the rest of the walk, Xie Yunzhao followed the group obediently under his umbrella. Even when mud splashed onto his legs, he only frowned grumpily without making a scene.

Under the high-definition lenses of the livestream, viewers could see the tips of the Young Master’s ears glowing a steady shade of red.

Chu Mo’an familiarized himself by sidling up to Xi Qingli. “Brother, back on the bus you said you were good at fighting. Is that true?”

Xi Qingli glanced at the blonde head beside him. “Mhm.”

“Then, can Brother play games?”

“I can.”

Xi Qingli actually didn’t know how to play video games.

However, he hadn’t forgotten that this “Golden Retriever” was an e-sports prodigy. If playing games could bring them closer, then he could certainly learn to “be able.”

Chu Mo’an looked thrilled. “Then if there’s a chance, we can play together!”

“I’m quite bad,” Xi Qingli admitted honestly. “I might hold you back.”

“It’s okay! I’m great at games. I can protect Brother when the time comes.”

Looking at the radiating excitement of the Golden Retriever, Xi Qingli held back as long as he could before finally asking politely, “Can I touch your hair?”

“Huh?” Chu Mo’an tilted his head slightly.

Xi Qingli: “Your hair looks very soft.”

He really wanted to rua (pet) it.

Chu Mo’an was incredibly good-natured, proactively lowering his head with a cheerful tone. “Go ahead, Brother.”

Who could refuse a young, handsome, and enthusiastic Golden Retriever?

Xi Qingli reached out with calculated restraint and gave the head a gentle pat. Mm… It was even softer than he imagined. The texture was remarkably similar to a golden retriever puppy he used to raise.

“Brother, how does it feel?”

Chu Mo’an blinked his puppy-dog eyes at him expectantly.

“It suits you well,” Xi Qingli appraised sincerely.

Young Master Chu was sunny and handsome. Combined with those sincere eyes and his tall stature, he easily reminded one of a large, adorable, fluffy animal.

Mm… this Alpha is easy to get along with. He’ll be the primary target for emergencies.

“I think this color suits me too,” Chu Mo’an said happily, scratching his blonde hair. “If Brother wants to touch it again, you can call me anytime.”

Within Xi Qingli’s field of vision, the white pheromone aura swirling around the Golden Retriever shifted into a light blue.

Light blue represented joy/excitement. The Golden Retriever was happy.

Xi Qingli suspected that if the man had a tail, it would be wagging so hard it would have become a blur by now.

[What the hell? What right does Xi Qingli have to touch Chu-god’s head? Chu-god, stay away from him! He’s no good!]

[Though… I also really want to touch Chu-god’s blonde hair. It must be so fluffy.]

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