The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 33

“You don’t look the least bit surprised?”

After Su Yao’s cryptic remark, she had been waiting for Chi Wan to show at least a flicker of astonishment. But Chi Wan’s calm, unruffled expression only left her feeling defeated.

“Of course not.” Chi Wan’s lips curved as she twisted her waist lightly in front of the mirror, utterly unbothered. “Hmm… looks like I’ve gotten even more alluring than before.”

She tilted her head toward Su Yao, eyes sparkling. “Well? Am I prettier now?”

Whatever Su Yao had originally meant to say was cleanly derailed. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the delicate sway of that waist, her gaze growing faintly heated. The movement was like a lily swaying in the wind, drawing her in, tempting her to step closer and find out how soft it really was.

She leaned in unconsciously, her hands spreading slightly, wanting to measure that slender waist with her palms. But just before she could touch, Chi Wan slipped away with a playful twist.

“Eh? President Su, I only let you look. I never said you could touch.”

“Only look, not touch?” Su Yao pulled back her empty hands, a smile playing at her lips, her tone unreadable.

“Bingo! Correct answer!” Chi Wan even snapped her fingers for effect. She strolled to the sink, turned to face her directly, and teased: “President Su, you look awfully disappointed.”

“Chi Wan, let’s not play games. You still have feelings for me, don’t you?” Su Yao suddenly cut straight to the point.

Chi Wan blinked in mild surprise but quickly recovered, her smile easy. “President Su, aren’t you the sharp, rational type? Why the sudden change of style?”

Since Su Yao came at her directly, she deliberately chose to dodge, dancing around in circles.

“Heh, avoiding the question? Just like avoiding the other account I need to settle with you.” Su Yao moved beside her at the sink and pulled a small bottle of cleansing oil from her pocket.

Chi Wan’s eyes narrowed, faint suspicion flashing there, though she kept her tone airy. “Another account? Funny, I thought we were even the moment we broke up.”

“It would’ve ended there—if not for this.”

Casually, Su Yao dabbed cleansing oil on her face, removing a patch of concealer. Underneath, the bruised purple-blue skin emerged, time having only made it look more frightening.

“Oh my, President Su! Did someone throw a sack over your head in an alley? Beaten up so badly… how pitiful, how tragic.”

Chi Wan’s words were exaggerated, but something flickered in her eyes.

“You don’t want to know who did this? Or why?” Su Yao’s gaze caught hers through the mirror, heavy and probing.

“Not really. Whoever it was, they probably had a grudge. A successful businesswoman like you has plenty of enemies.” Chi Wan waved it off, determined to play dumb.

Su Yao actually laughed from anger. “Chi Wan, could it be you’re feeling guilty?”

“Me? Guilty about what? I wasn’t the one who hit you, right, President Su?”

Seeing Su Yao’s anger rise, Chi Wan still didn’t show fear. On the contrary, she deliberately sweetened her voice, teasing.

“Fine then. It was Lu Xin. But she’s worse off than I am—we got into a full-on brawl because of you. Satisfied now, Chi Wan?”

Su Yao suddenly grabbed Chi Wan’s wrist and yanked her close. The moment she mentioned “Lu Xin,” she scrutinized her carefully, searching for any flicker of pain or softness in her expression.

Her own fist clenched tight.

But Chi Wan didn’t resist. She let Su Yao pull her forward and even looked genuinely startled when the name registered. “It was her? Huh. Still, what’s that got to do with me?”

No matter what, she would deny it. After all, there were no cameras in the restroom.

“Nothing to do with you? Then why did you impersonate me when talking to Lu Xin? Why hand her tissue paper in my place?” Su Yao leaned closer, fingers brushing her neck, her tone coaxing and low. “Tell me—why pretend to be me?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Chi Wan chuckled lightly. “President Su, are you drunk?”

“The drunk one isn’t me. It’s you.” Her fingertip slid upward, tracing the curve of Chi Wan’s cheek. “Tell me… please?”

“Then beg me. If you beg, maybe I’ll tell you.” Chi Wan sounded utterly carefree, not a shadow on her face.

Had she forgotten? Or was this just the alcohol speaking? In the past, she would’ve trembled by now, rushing to explain herself. But today, how could she be so calm?

Once again, Su Yao felt a sting of defeat. Had the marks she once carved into Chi Wan already faded, blown away like dust?

Beg her? Impossible.

Su Yao was always the hunter—never the prey. She refused silently.

“Looks like President Su’s sincerity ends here.” Chi Wan clicked her tongue, feigning disappointment.

She stepped back a pace, leaving a full meter of distance. No longer within easy reach.

Then, as if remembering something, she tilted her head and smiled. “As for the question you asked earlier, my answer is…”

She paused, lips curling, before softly uttering one word:

“Yes.”

Su Yao froze. The very first question she had asked: Chi Wan, do you still have feelings for me?

Her answer: Yes.

Su Yao’s hand flew to her chest. Her heart was pounding wildly, almost painfully.

Why? Why had Chi Wan, who kept dodging and deflecting, suddenly struck with such precision?

That single word pierced straight into her core.

Her heart had never beat so out of control. The sensation terrified her… yet it was intoxicating.

She leaned back against the sink, her slender waist pressing into the cold edge. She was afraid that if she shifted even slightly, she would collapse to the floor—her heart’s chaotic rhythm draining every ounce of her strength.

For someone with avoidant attachment, the moment the other person admits their feelings is usually when interest fades.

So why was it that, hearing Chi Wan’s unequivocal “yes,” she only craved more?

Why did she want to hear her say it again and again?

For the first time, Su Yao felt alive—truly alive—not just a machine built for work.

She stared blankly as Chi Wan turned and walked away. Instinctively, her hand reached out, desperate to catch that elegant silhouette… but it fell back, empty.

“Don’t go…”

The words slipped out, barely above a whisper.

Chi Wan had just stepped out of the restroom—only to run straight into An Ran.

For once, the usually nonchalant Chi Wan froze. Especially when An Ran gave a cold laugh, turned on her heel, and walked away.

Panic shot through her. She rushed after her. “An Ran, wait, let me explain!”

“Explain what? You just admitted you still have feelings for her. So why are you chasing after me?” An Ran’s anger flared.

She had only stepped away briefly to collect herself, worried about leaving a half-drunk Chi Wan alone. But when she returned, the sofa was empty. And now, she had stumbled upon her in the restroom—with her ex.

“An Ran, you misunderstood! She asked if I had feelings for her, and my full answer was: yes—hatred. I only left out the word for a reason. You’ve got to believe me!”

Chi Wan’s words tumbled out at top speed, her panic plain.

An Ran’s steps faltered for a moment, and Chi Wan’s lips lifted with hope—only to hear An Ran reply softly:

“Chi Wan, I can’t believe you.”

Chi Wan’s smile froze. For a moment, even her legs forgot how to move.

And An Ran wasn’t finished. Her voice carried a cold sneer:

“You really do have peculiar tastes. But next time, could you at least pick a different spot? The smell here is awful.”

With that, she strode off, disappearing down the hallway.

【Host! Why are you just standing there? Go after her!】

“…Will chasing her even help? Even if I was a third party, this looks like a complete disaster.” Chi Wan leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. “Just… let me rest a bit.”

Meanwhile, An Ran returned to the hall, only to run into Qu Huan, who was flustered and near tears after enduring barbed remarks from other guests.

They’d said she wasn’t good enough for Mingyu.

Ruan Xiao had sneered: “A goddess like Mingyu might take an interest in you, but it’s temporary. If it was me, I’d rather not have something I’ll eventually lose.”

Even a fool could sense the malice. Qu Huan was no fool.

Gu Lin and Tang Qian, driven by jealousy, had chimed in as well. But as Alphas, they’d also urged her—an Omega—to cling tightly to Mingyu, so that perhaps they’d have a chance with Mo Wei or Su Yao.

On the surface, their advice sounded reasonable. In reality, it was grating.

“Qu Huan, you really don’t put effort into dressing up. Learn from Ruan Xiao—find your own style. That’s how you’ll keep Mingyu’s eyes on you.”

“I honestly don’t know what Mingyu sees in you. But since fate brought you together, don’t waste it. Say something, anything—being silent all the time is so boring.”

“Have you even dated before? Want me to teach you? Because watching you and Mingyu drag along like this is frustrating.”

The more she listened, the heavier her chest grew. Their words were nothing but disguised pressure and ridicule.

She could barely hold it together. Tears threatened constantly, but she forced them back.

When Gu Lin handed her a glass of juice midway, she accepted it distractedly—never noticing the flicker of malicious glee in Mo Wei’s eyes.

Now, bumping into An Ran, she quickly offered the untouched glass. “I’m sorry, here—take this juice as my apology.”

Normally, An Ran would never drink something of uncertain origin. But tonight, thanks to Chi Wan, irritation gnawed at her. She raised the glass and drank without hesitation.

From the shadows, a pair of eyes gleamed with amusement.

Shi Yi rubbed her chin, gaze lingering on An Ran’s flawless ankles. If a chain were fastened there… what a sight that would be.