The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 27.2

“This one’s not hard to guess—each gift practically screams who it’s from,” Tang Qian remarked as she strolled toward the crown’s stand. She was about to grab it when Gu Lin stepped forward, blocking her path.

“Qian-jie, I like this crown too. And don’t you think it suits my look today even better?” Gu Lin twirled in place, showing off her elegant mermaid-style gown.

“Oh? But my evening dress isn’t bad either,” Tang Qian replied, unwilling to back down. Her gaze flicked to the flowered hairpin on Gu Lin’s head. “Besides, you’re already wearing a pearl flower in your hair. A bracelet would suit you better.”

Glancing at the bracelet, Gu Lin eyed its length and remarked, “It looks a bit big, doesn’t it? My wrists are very slender—it might slip right off. Qian-jie, why don’t you try it on instead?”

Tang Qian’s teeth almost ground together. Was Gu Lin implying she had thick wrists?

“Gu Lin, regardless, I saw this crown first. Surely you understand the concept of ‘first come, first served’?” Tang Qians said.

Gu Lin’s smile froze for a second before she smoothly replied, “First come, first served is fine… but haven’t you heard ‘the right time matters more than the right place’? I think the crown and I are meant to be.”

While the two bickered, Xia Meng decisively chose the sports figurines—her feelings for Lu Xin were already obvious, and the gift was almost certainly from her.

Chi Wan didn’t hesitate either. She picked the fountain pen—practical, low-profile, and perfectly in line with An Ran’s temperament.

As for the bracelet the two had been arguing about, Chi Wan gave it a glance and realized it was actually an anklet. Su Yao, despite her elegant and refined appearance, had an intensely controlling streak—and her choice of gift was telling.

Mingyu’s gaze kept drifting toward the crown. If she joined the fight, Tang Qian and Gu Lin would definitely give way. But she remembered she’d decided to send her “heartbeat” message to Qu Huan tonight, and without some lead-up, it might feel abrupt.

After a moment’s hesitation, she took the castle ornament instead.

Only heaven knew how much it pained her to pick it up.

Shi Yi had also recognized it as an anklet, and she wanted it for herself. Taking advantage of Tang and Gu’s deadlock, she snatched it without hesitation.

Gu Lin had guessed the anklet was from Su Yao, but with Tang Qian being so stubborn, even a direct confrontation wouldn’t get her the crown. So she decided to settle for the anklet—only to find it already in Shi Yi’s hands when she turned her head.

Her heart sank.

And in the end, only the plush toy was left.

Who even liked such childish things?

But with no other option, she reluctantly picked it up and trudged after the others. She didn’t even notice the fountain pen—too ordinary to catch her attention—and assumed the plush toy must have been from An Ran.

Meanwhile, in the Omegas’ gift room, the situation wasn’t much different. Their display stands held: a puzzle ornament, a handmade traditional-style long dress, a high-end gaming console, a crystal jar filled with paper wishing stars, a diamond necklace, and a small painting.

“This seems easy enough to guess,” Ruan Xiao said, eyeing the necklace. But when it came time to move, she hesitated.

Lu Xin’s eyes swept the room. Mingyu’s gift was obvious enough, but she was searching for Chi Wan’s—and worried someone else would snatch it first.

Her lips pressed together nervously, only for her tongue to dart out and wet them.

Su Yao felt her stomach ache worsen, but she kept her composure—the person she secretly hoped would notice her hadn’t yet. Leaning against the wall, she steadied herself.

Mo Wei was surprised no one had pounced on the necklace, but that saved her the trouble. She stepped forward—only for the supposedly timid Qu Huan to beat her to it.

“S-sorry, but this one’s mine. I won’t let anyone take it,” Qu Huan stammered, earning a mocking laugh from Mo Wei.

“Heh. Do you really think you could keep it if I decided to take it from you?” Mo Wei muttered.

The threat made Qu Huan tense up, but Mo Wei didn’t follow through. Relieved, Qu Huan quickly fastened the necklace around her neck, her fingers trembling so badly she had to try a dozen times before she got it right.

Mo Wei snickered again, and Qu Huan’s cheeks burned. Yes, she’d looked petty—but as long as she could save her family’s amusement park, she didn’t care.

An Ran, meanwhile, casually picked up the wishing star jar.

Mo Wei was ready to scoff at her “poor taste,” but the moment the word “cheap” left her mouth, her expression shifted. She stared at the jar, eyes glinting with uncertainty. Could it be from Chi Wan?

If so, she wanted it. “Wait, An Ran—mind if I have a closer look?”

Her sudden interest drew everyone’s attention. Lu Xin’s thoughts ran along the same lines as Mo Wei’s, and Su Yao would have joined them if not for her stomach pain.

Ruan Xiao took a step forward, but reason held her back—a “cheap” gift wouldn’t do her much good except for showing off to Chi Wan. She took the traditional dress instead.

The others, however, insisted on getting a closer look at the jar.

An Ran simply tucked it into her chest, looking them in the eye without flinching.

Mo Wei, Su Yao, and Lu Xin fell silent. They were all Omegas, but none of them intended to grope another woman just to grab a gift.

Especially when it might not even be Chi Wan’s.

Lu Xin rolled her eyes and picked the gaming console—besides extreme sports, battle royale games were her next favorite thing.

Su Yao chose the painting—not because she appreciated art, but because something about it resonated with her mood.

Left with no choice, Mo Wei took the puzzle ornament. But the more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Just before they left, she pressured Su Yao into swapping gifts.

“Your performance bonus has been good so far this year, but it’d be a shame if the second half didn’t go so well, right?” she said with a loaded smile.

Su Yao gave up the painting in exchange for the ornament.

When the two groups emerged and saw each other’s gifts, everyone froze for a beat—because, apart from Mo Wei and Su Yao, the pairings between gift-givers and recipients matched perfectly.

Guests who already liked each other were over the moon.

Chi Wan, however, was puzzled—who had taken her wishing star jar? Her gaze swept the Omega group, but she didn’t see it anywhere.

Had no one taken it because it seemed too cheap?

Yes, the jar wasn’t worth much, but each star was folded by her or the original owner’s own hands, with a blessing written inside. It was full of sincerity.

Refusing to give up, she scanned the group again—until her gaze landed on the “little white flower’s” chest. Wait… was that the jar? Why was An Ran keeping it there? How strange.

Maybe she was worried someone would take it? the system suggested.

No way! Chi Wan retorted. Who would fight over a wishing jar? It’s not like it’s Mo Wei’s crown.

…Ever heard the saying ‘don’t boost others while putting yourself down’?

That’s not what I’m doing—I’m just being honest.

Until the system showed her the livestream replay. See? More people fought over your jar than Mo Wei’s crown!

Chi Wan’s lips curled upward, though she tried to sound modest. It was only four people—just twice as many, that’s all.

Hmph. Fake modesty!

Still, she hadn’t expected An Ran to go that far just to keep the gift. Impressive.

An Ran, for her part, had forgotten she was still holding it there—the glass had warmed to her skin’s temperature. It wasn’t until she noticed Chi Wan’s gaze lingering on her chest that she realized. Hastily turning away, she slipped it out and hid it in her hands.

When she turned back, Chi Wan was watching her with an amused, knowing smile. Heat rose to An Ran’s cheeks, blooming like peach blossoms.