The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 8

“I don’t get it, but it’s a bit sweet.”

“Same here. I want to ship them, but is it… okay?”

“Who cares if it’s ‘okay’? As long as I’m happy! Sisters who want to ship, come join me!”

While the two involved remained oblivious and the fans were still in a daze, a new CP (Couple Pairing) was born out of nowhere.

After finishing the dishes, Wang Qiang began assigning tasks. Today’s task was no longer about foraging for food, keeping with the theme of a dating show, it was a half-day date. There were three locations to choose from: the Botanical Garden, the Zoo, and the Aquarium.

As yesterday’s first-place winner, Wen Mian had the first pick. She turned to ask Wang Mo’s opinion, “Where do you want to go?”

Wang Mo looked at one, then the other, her “decision making paralysis” flaring up. “Um… they all seem okay.”

Wen Mian understood. She stepped forward, picked up the sign for the Zoo, and turned to the camera. “We choose the Zoo.”

Gu Man chose the Botanical Garden, leaving the Aquarium to Zhang Yunxi and Su Shiqiu.

Once in the car, Xiao Meng conducted the routine interview. “May I ask, Mianmian, why did you choose the Zoo?”

Wen Mian replied instantly: “There are small animals. They can help replenish energy.”

[Haha, is the subtext that participating in a dating show drains all your energy?]

[The person above, who told you to speak the truth! Does our Mianmian not have to work?!]

Xiao Meng froze for a second, glanced at her phone, and continued, “Then, Momo, why did you choose Mianmian as your partner?”

Wang Mo gave a silly grin. “Because Mianmian is amazing, of course!”

Xiao Meng blinked. “Amazing… haha…”

The viewers in the livestream were about to burst from laughter.

[Amazing! Hahaha, I’m going to faint from laughing!]

[Confirmed: these two will never become a couple.]

[I can’t take it anymore. Were you two sent here to become sisters?!]

Xiao Meng hurriedly changed the subject. “Speaking of which, everyone is curious about what ‘type’ you both like. Could you two answer that?”

Hearing this, Wen Mian thought for a moment. Honestly, she couldn’t think of anything.

She replied lazily, “I don’t have a specific type. Maybe when she appears, it’ll just be her.”

Xiao Meng nodded and looked at Wang Mo.

Wang Mo was also momentarily stunned. It took her a while to say, “I think I like someone… lively?”

The livestream chat was like a continuous drama series.

[What type do you like? Don’t know.]

[Haha, looks like Wen Mian has been single since birth. Because I’m the same way.]

[Wait! Didn’t they say Wen Mian likes Gu Man?]

[Maybe before, but probably not anymore?]

[Be confident! Given how Wen Mian looks like she loves nobody right now, she definitely doesn’t have a crush!]

Gu Man’s fans were confused. Did Wen Mian really stop liking their idol? Given her past level of obsession, it seemed unlikely. But looking at the calm Wen Mian on screen, they weren’t sure.

Fine, it’s better if she doesn’t like her. She seems decent enough now.

Just as everyone was discussing heatedly, the CP fans struck.

[Eh? Did anyone notice that Wen Mian and Gu Man said the exact same thing?]

[Really? Really?! Ahhh! I missed it, does anyone have a screen recording?]

[Me me me! Everyone go look!]

Fans swarmed over to a video showing Gu Man’s interview. The beginning was normal, until the staff asked about her ideal type.

Gu Man went silent, lowering her eyes. After a long pause, she looked up and said, “Probably, whatever she looks like is what a heartbeat feels like.”

The bullet comments suddenly flooded the screen, everyone turning into “screaming chickens.”

[Ahhh! So beautiful! My heart skipped a beat!]

[I love this answer!]

[It really is the same! The wording isn’t identical, but the meaning is almost the same. If not for the past drama, these two could probably be friends, right?]

At those words, the audience went silent.

[Probably… maybe… perhaps…]

[Having just seen what Wen Mian was like before, I only hope she never goes back!]

[Plus one. Please! I actually quite like the current Wen Mian.]

The zoo was located on the outskirts of the city, nestled against the mountains, grand and beautiful.

Xiao Meng introduced from the front: “This is the location for your date, Redwood Zoo. It covers over two thousand acres and has various national support projects…”

Through Xiao Meng’s introduction, Wen Mian felt she had found the best part of this world, the love for animals. They didn’t look down on small creatures here, animal cruelty was illegal, regardless of the species.

Entering the main gate, they first saw the sightseeing cars that toured the park. Being a “lazy person,” Wen Mian didn’t hesitate for a second before hopping on, and the crew squeezed in behind them.

When they reached the alpaca area, Wen Mian and Wang Mo hopped off.

A fluffy little alpaca immediately ran over, let out two short “en-en” sounds, and rested its head in Wen Mian’s hand, happily nuzzling her.

Wen Mian was surprised for a second, but she reacted quickly, giving it a good “rua” (rub). She then looked at the staff. “Since you chose the location, the funds should be ready, right?”

Xiao Meng was stunned. Huh? Are we providing the funds? She looked at Wang Qiang with confusion.

Wang Qiang gritted his teeth, thinking bitterly: If I had known, I wouldn’t have followed this group!

The frustrated look on his face instantly turned into a smile the moment Wen Mian looked over. He used a coaxing tone, “Mianmian, we only cover the tickets. You have to provide your own spending money. Isn’t that great? It lets you experience the ‘thrill’ of spending money!”

The livestream exploded with laughter.

[Hahaha, a ‘thrill’ from spending money? First time hearing that.]

[Eye-opening. Is this how rich people think?]

Wen Mian didn’t fall for Wang Qiang’s act. She even shuddered and called a stop. “Don’t! Spending money only makes my heart ache, there’s no thrill. The only way I’ll feel a ‘thrill’ is if you cover the costs for me.”

Seeing he couldn’t trick her, Wang Qiang’s fake smile faded. His eyes darted around and landed on Wang Mo, hitting upon another idea. “Mianmian, you should appreciate our good intentions. See, we specifically didn’t cover the costs so that Momo could show another side of herself.”

“We created this opportunity specifically for you two!”

Seeing the topic turn to her, Wang Mo’s amused expression froze. However, she quickly broke into a smile again, her eyes curving slightly with a hint of casual seduction. “Director, since we’re partners, how could I bear to make Mianmian sad~?”

As she spoke, she leaned in slightly toward Wen Mian’s shoulder, her tone elongated and unforgettably intimate.

Whether Wang Qiang was choked up or not, the audience didn’t know, because they had let out their first collective scream of the day.

[So beautiful! These two faces are a masterpiece! I’m dead!]

[Who taught Wang Mo to smile like that? Does she know she stole my soul!]

[This frame! It’s a beauty of the century! Ahhh! I’m speechless!]

[Sister, I understand. My lack of vocabulary limits me to one phrase: ‘Super beautiful!’]

[I shall call this a feast of heavy-makeup beauties! One is gorgeous but currently acting cute with a cold face, the other has peach-blossom eyes that look deeply in love even when looking at a dog. The most beautiful pairing!]

[Plus one, plus one! Screenshotting! I’m joining this powerhouse combo!]

[Hehe, come join us, sisters. The name is MoMian CP!]

Wang Qiang wasn’t celebrating. He stared at the two for a long time before finally giving up. “Fine. You buy it, we’ll pay.”

Wen Mian broke into a smile, her right dimple appearing. She high-fived Wang Mo, her voice cheerful, “Victory!”

While high-fiving, she quickly pulled back to maintain distance between them.

Once the carrots were bought, the little alpaca happily “en-en-ed” its way back to Wen Mian, its large black eyes shining as it looked at the carrots in her hand.

Wen Mian’s gaze softened. She held the bag in one hand and fed the alpaca with the other. The alpaca looked blissful, nuzzling Wen Mian’s calf as if to say “thank you.”

Watching its satisfied look, Wen Mian’s gaze uncontrollably drifted toward the carrots. They were sliced into thin strips and looked bright orange and very tempting under the sunlight.

Wen Mian was curious. Is it really that tasty?

Her other hand moved from the alpaca’s back, slowly drifting toward the bag. Everyone thought she was going to feed the alpaca again even the alpaca thought so.

Then they saw Wen Mian pick up a carrot strip and put it into her own mouth..

Wait, into her own mouth?!

The viewers looked again and again, realizing they hadn’t seen it wrong. They fell into a collective silence.

The alpaca’s large black eyes also showed confusion. It nudged Wen Mian’s leg as if asking: Isn’t that for me? Why are you eating it?

Wen Mian crunched down on the carrot, her eyes puzzled. Why are you all looking at me?

No one spoke; they just kept their eyes fixed on her hand.

Wen Mian looked down, realized what was happening, chewed and swallowed before saying, “It’s okay. Humans can eat this. I tested it for you.”

Everyone remained silent. Whether humans could eat it was one thing, but should humans be eating it?!

The young alpaca felt it had witnessed the cruelty of society. How could someone not be mesmerized by its beauty and eat its carrot instead?!

Sensing everyone’s thoughts, Wen Mian gave a brilliant smile. The sunlight dispelled all other thoughts, leaving only pure admiration.

[Eat it, just eat it. My ‘consort’ should eat whatever she wants.]

[Exactly! It’s the program crew’s fault. They knew she liked carrots and didn’t buy any for her!]

[The consort is beautiful but… so real. I have no other words!]

Seeing the comments, Wang Qiang’s jaw tightened. His mind was full of questions: What does this have to do with me? Is anyone thinking about me?!

Actually, there were people. Although Wen Mian’s image had improved, there were still haters. Seeing this, they immediately rolled up their sleeves and hit their keyboards.

[Doesn’t anyone think this is cruel? That’s clearly food for the alpaca!]

[Exactly. Wen Mian ate it right in front of the alpaca’s big eyes. Doesn’t her conscience hurt?]

[She doesn’t look like an animal lover at all…]

[Let me say first, I’m not a hater, but I agree with the previous points!]

But just as those words were posted, before other viewers could even fire back…