The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 37.1

Separated by just one door, An Ran froze. Her mind, almost against her will, conjured up the image—bare skin, smooth and exposed. Which meant that what she had seen in that video before, that slightly darker raised spot, was actually…

The thought hit her like a spark. Heat rushed up her cheeks, turning her face scarlet.

“You… how could you not wear anything under…” she stammered, her gaze skittering away even though there was a door between them.

“Why would I? I’m in my own room. And besides—” Chi Wan leaned lazily against the door, tilting her head up toward the crystal lily-shaped chandelier overhead, its delicate petals reminding her of An Ran’s soft, untainted beauty. “I am wearing a bathrobe.”

She smiled to herself. Right now, An Ran must be blushing furiously—far too easy to tease.

An Ran lingered at the door, torn. If they kept bickering like this, someone was bound to notice. She turned on her heel, ready to leave, but Chi Wan seemed to have guessed her reaction. Her voice dipped low, plaintive, as she deliberately brought up old grievances:

“Remember the other night? I was only half-drunk when I said I wanted to bite you, and someone made such a fuss about it—said she wouldn’t even text me anymore.”

Her tone shifted, mock-pitiful. “But now? I really have been bitten, more than once. Still got the teeth marks on me, hurts everywhere—and someone hasn’t said a single word about it.”

An Ran’s lips parted. “I…”

She wanted to apologize, but Chi Wan cut her off at once:

“No—don’t you dare say ‘sorry.’ A bite’s a bite. If you really feel bad about it, give me something real instead.”

“What do you mean by ‘something real’?” An Ran frowned faintly.

“Since you won’t send me those sweet texts… then at least give me a—”

Her last word dissolved into a whisper, muffled by the creak of the suddenly opened door.

A soft smack landed right between An Ran’s brows—a quick, syrupy kiss.

“Oops,” Chi Wan sighed regretfully near her ear. “Meant to kiss your lips. Guess I got too excited and missed.”

An Ran froze, staring blankly at her. Chi Wan’s grin was pure mischief, like a fox who had just stolen a hen, tail swishing in smug delight.

The tug of her robe had loosened the collar, revealing just enough that if An Ran so much as lowered her gaze, she would see…

She clenched her will, fighting the urge to glance down. But Chi Wan leaned closer, the light of the chandelier spilling down through the robe’s open neckline, casting a hazy glow across her skin. The warmth of her breath brushed An Ran’s lips.

Chi Wan’s voice, low and coaxing, sent shivers down her spine:

“Don’t look at me like that. Otherwise, I’ll think you’re begging me… to kiss you again.”

The words left An Ran dizzy. Startled, she ducked her head—not in rejection, but in flustered panic.

A chuckle rippled past her ear. An Ran’s ears twitched, straining to catch the undertones in that laughter—surprise, regret, but not disgust. Only then did she allow herself to breathe easier.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

Chi Wan blew softly at the crown of An Ran’s head, watching the little swirl of hair flutter. She couldn’t see An Ran’s eyes, but she could imagine them.

“Huh? What do you mean, ‘pretty’?” An Ran blinked, instinctively following her gaze downward.

But the instant she did, a gentle push sent her stumbling backward. Before she could react, the door slammed shut in her face.

“Chi Wan! You were wearing something!”

Even if it was just a glimpse, she had seen it clearly—the black lace trim beneath that bathrobe.

So she had been lying! Pretending to be bare under there!

Hmph! I’ll never believe another word you say!

Inside, Chi Wan slumped back against the door, patting her racing heart. “Whew. Good thing I dodged fast enough.”

On the other side, An Ran seethed. She lifted her foot and gave the door a quick kick before stomping off.

She thought no one had seen—but when she turned around, a pair of startled eyes caught hers.

Her brows knit together. Without a word, she strode to her own room and shut the door with a sharp bang.

“Tch. A little feisty, huh,” Shi Yi chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. “Makes her even cuter.”

She wandered to the fridge, grabbed a beer, and strolled leisurely back to her room.

________________________________________

That night, the long-awaited Heartbeat Message results arrived.

The way it worked: after guests sent their messages, the system first intercepted them at the production team. Once confirmed, they were released to their intended recipients.

Some guests rejoiced. Others brooded.

Chi Wan towel-dried her hair, unhurried. She wasn’t expecting any—certainly not from An Ran. At most, she figured she’d receive nothing at all.

So when her phone chimed not once, not twice, but three times, she didn’t even look—assuming it was other apps.

Until her system’s shrill voice screamed in her head:

【Host! You absolute legend! You actually got this many?!】

“All from the heartbeat votes? No way.”

Skeptical, Chi Wan checked.

The first was from Lu Xin: You’ve caught my eye. I might just chase you.

The second, from Su Yao: Not sure if it’s too late, but I want to start now.

Chi Wan blinked, floored. What is wrong with my exes? Is this some collective ‘let’s get back together’ pact?

The last one—surely another ex?

Hesitant, she peeked at the sender.

An Ran.

Her heart skipped. Joy bloomed, sweet and smug. Hah! So the little white flower couldn’t resist after all. Said she wouldn’t send one, but in the end—she did!

She quickly opened it: Don’t get cocky. I only changed my mind last minute. Think of it as an apology.

Chi Wan smirked. So, guilty about biting me, huh? Either way—mouth says no, heart says yes. You still sent it!

Overjoyed, she threw herself onto the bed, rolling back and forth like a teenager in love.

Meanwhile, An Ran’s phone showed two messages—one from Chi Wan, and one from Shi Yi.

She deleted Shi Yi’s without hesitation, her eyes lingering on Chi Wan’s instead.

Elsewhere, Mingyu received three messages—from Mo Wei, Ruan Xiao, and Qu Huan.

Seeing Mo Wei’s text instantly lifted her mood. Despite their rocky past, at least Mo Wei still liked her. That alone felt like a win.

But as she waited in vain for Su Yao’s or Lu Xin’s names to appear, a shadow crossed her heart.

________________________________________

In Su Yao and Lu Xin’s room, the air was tense. The two sat apart, glaring at opposite walls after their fight.

“Hmph! Just wait—when I get a heartbeat text, don’t you dare sulk out of jealousy,” Lu Xin tossed out smugly.

The smirk pulled at her bruised face, making her hiss in pain.

“Serves you right,” Su Yao scoffed without a shred of sympathy. After all, it was Lu Xin’s own fault for mistaking identities earlier.

A ping lit up Lu Xin’s phone. Her eyes brightened, only to dim seconds later.

Su Yao knew without looking—it must be from Xia Meng.

“What are you staring at? At least I got one. You? Nothing.” Lu Xin’s sneer cut sharp.

Su Yao frowned at her blank screen. Zero. But keeping her face impassive, she slyly sent herself a text from another phone.

Moments later, ding—and Lu Xin fell silent.

________________________________________

The confirmed pairs through heartbeat messages:

• Chi Wan & An Ran

• Mingyu & Qu Huan

The rest had to draw lots:

• Mo Wei & Xia Meng

• Lu Xin & Gu Lin

• Su Yao & Shi Yi

• Ruan Xiao & Tang Qian

________________________________________

“This pairing is awful,” Tang Qian muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. She didn’t notice the discreet camera right ahead.

【Yikes! Didn’t expect Tang Qian to be this fake!】

【What’s wrong with being paired with Ruan Xiao? She’s a top influencer with millions of fans! It’s Tang Qian who’s unworthy.】

【Always thought she was too calculating. She’s only ever cozy with Mo Wei and Su Yao—because they’re rich.】

【Not just rich. They’ve got business connections. Tang Qian’s just after networking for her little startup.】

“Today’s activity is a group date—a one-day romantic sea cruise.”

At Director Chu’s announcement, some guests immediately lit up with excitement. But before the joy could spread, she abruptly shifted the tone:

“Don’t celebrate just yet. The program will only cover the basic cost of the trip—the boat fare. Everything else, you’ll have to earn yourselves.”

“Earn? Earn where?” Lu Xin blinked, dumbfounded.

“On the boat, of course, idiot!”

Su Yao, already in a sour mood from not receiving a text message, perked up a little only because she was with Shi Yi. But when she overheard Lu Xin’s silly question, she couldn’t resist snapping at her.

“And what if we don’t earn anything?”

Xia Meng, distracted and unfocused, kept staring longingly toward Lu Xin. Mo Wei caught sight of her look and sneered.

“Then you go hungry, obviously.”

“And another reminder—no one is allowed to use their own money. No bringing cash onboard. Got it? If everyone understands the rules, let’s head out.”

________________________________________

Chi Wan noticed that ever since the location had been revealed as “out at sea,” An Ran’s demeanor had shifted. She tried to hide it well, but the subtle stiffness in her body betrayed her unease.

“Hey, send me that text. I’d really appreciate it.”

Chi Wan leaned close, murmuring by her ear, her breath brushing against the delicate curve of An Ran’s earlobe.

An Ran flinched and pressed a hand to her ear, retreating slightly as her eyes flashed with a mix of shyness and irritation. “Fine. But you’d better treasure it, because I might not send you one tonight.”

She had realized only the night before that Chi Wan had tricked her. That sudden video call invite? It wasn’t guilt at all—Chi Wan had deliberately pressured her into changing her mind.

Chi Wan grinned slyly. “Oh? Then I’d better cherish today. Who knows if I’ll get another chance tomorrow.”

Her tone was playful, but her steps drew closer, closing the distance An Ran had just put between them.

An Ran shot her a sidelong glance, then suddenly quickened her pace toward the ship.

________________________________________

The yacht was a gleaming luxury liner. Even before boarding, they could already hear laughter spilling from the deck. By sheer coincidence, the head of the Ming family was onboard that very day for a business meeting. A group of men in tailored suits stepped out onto the deck and immediately spotted Mingyu on shore.

“Yu’er!”

The warm, cultured baritone made the guests instinctively look up. Many of them instantly recognized the man—after all, his face often graced the covers of financial magazines.

“Oh my god, that’s President Ming!”

Tang Qian gasped, instantly captivated by the patriarch’s refined bearing.

“He looks even more distinguished in person—so much better than in magazines!”

Around them, awed whispers rose in chorus. But under her sunhat, An Ran’s lips curved into a mocking smile. To everyone else, he was a paragon of success. To her, he was nothing more than a hypocrite in a fine suit—a beast in human skin.

Mingyu’s eyes lit up as she met her father’s gaze, a spark of joy flickering across her face. But then her mother’s cryptic message resurfaced in her mind, and hesitation gripped her.

Her father was not a man known for patience. If he had doubts, he acted on them. If he had grown suspicious again, it was entirely possible he’d already ordered a paternity test—and even read the results.

The thought froze her steps mid-stride.

“Yu’er, what’s wrong? Come here to Dad.”

President Ming smiled kindly, beckoning her forward. Yet the sunlight cast deep shadows across his sharp features, lending his face an eerie, almost sinister quality.