The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 40

The last half of the sentence was spoken low, with a teasing hint of ambiguity.

Chi Wan lifted her gaze, catching the amused glint in the other woman’s eyes, and gave a quiet laugh.

“Miss Mo, did you lose at truth and come running to me for a dare?”

Mo Wei froze for a second, then suddenly burst out laughing, bending over until she could barely stand straight.

“Didn’t think you’d see right through me.”

She had thought she had everything under control. She’d even asked a friend for advice. That friend had tapped the ash off a cigarette, then declared with certainty:

“Chi Wan’s playing hard to get.”

“She acts like she has it out for you, but really, she just wants your attention.”

Mo Wei had arched a brow at that, her tone dripping with sarcasm:

“She’s bold then. Not afraid of losing everything?”

“She’s got nothing to lose to begin with,” her friend had said, sliding the cigarette back between his lips and narrowing his eyes as he exhaled a lazy smoke ring. “So of course she’s not afraid to gamble it all.”

“And don’t you remember? What has she used to ‘threaten’ you again and again? Doesn’t that tell you everything?”

Mo Wei had paused to think it over. “You mean—”

“Exactly. It’s not a threat. It’s a reminder. She wants you to respond that way.”

But now, looking at Chi Wan—utterly calm, not the least bit stirred—Mo Wei couldn’t be sure if the girl was just acting, or if she truly felt nothing.

Still, when Chi Wan brought up “truth or dare,” her heart sped up.

Maybe Chi Wan thought she was only saying this because of the dare.

Chi Wan cut her a glance. “My advice? Go bother someone else. Don’t waste your time on me.”

I don’t have the time or energy to play along with you.

As expected, Mo Wei thought she had the girl all figured out. She cleared her throat, then added lazily:

“Or I could be your real girlfriend. Be with me, and you won’t suffer a thing.”

She leaned in closer, the heavy scent of her perfume forcing its way into Chi Wan’s nose.

Right then, An Ran was standing right beside Chi Wan, hearing every word. Mo Wei knew it, and made no effort to hide.

“Chi Wan, I won’t lie to you,” Mo Wei said smoothly.

Nor will I hide what I really want from you.

Chi Wan looked at her, lips curving into a smile.

“From one angle, sure, you look more confident than the others. But from another, it just makes you seem too lazy to even bother with a convincing lie.”

With that, she took An Ran by the arm and walked on, deliberately brushing against Mo Wei’s shoulder as she passed. She didn’t even spare a glance at Mo Wei’s darkening face.

“Chi Wan, I’m telling you, chances like this don’t come twice!”

“You’d better not mistake kindness for weakness!”

Mo Wei’s voice was low and bitter. She stood rooted in place, waiting for Chi Wan to turn back. In her mind, Chi Wan was just a shallow, gold-digging girl. She herself was an heiress of a wealthy family. Even if Chi Wan was only a substitute, there was no way she wouldn’t come crawling.

No one could be blind to the benefits on offer.

But Chi Wan’s figure grew smaller and smaller, never once turning back.

Hah. Doesn’t know what’s good for her.

________________________________________
Qu Huan, who had slipped away under the excuse of going to the bathroom, was waiting around the corner. When she saw Chi Wan, she hurried up.

“Mo Wei didn’t give you trouble, did she?”

“She tried, but it didn’t work.”

Chi Wan brushed it off with just a few words.

Seeing her so unbothered, Qu Huan’s mood lightened too.

“Mo Wei refused to answer her truth question, so her dare was to confess to someone she didn’t like. You just happened to be there, so she…”

She trailed off, biting her lip. The rest needed no explanation.

“What was the question she refused to answer?”

That piqued Chi Wan’s interest far more.

Qu Huan’s cheeks flushed almost instantly. She bit down lightly on her lip, gaze flickering away.

“Something a little R-rated. They asked her who she thought was the best in bed.”

Chi Wan and An Ran both widened their eyes.

“Sounds like you guys were playing hard,” Chi Wan said dryly. “Even questions like that came up.”

“It was Mo Wei who picked it,” Qu Huan muttered. “Serves her right.”

A flicker of satisfaction lit her face, but it faded just as quickly. She scuffed the tip of her shoe against the ground, her tone low.

“Chi Wan, I’ve been feeling… uneasy. Mingyu took me to meet her father.”

No one noticed how An Ran’s gaze dropped at those words—her eyes suddenly cold as ice.

Qu Huan recalled the scene. When Mingyu first suggested it, she had balked.

“Isn’t this too fast? We only just exchanged flirty texts last night and paired up on the show. We’re not even real lovers.”

But Mingyu had given her a sharp, disdainful look.

“Come if you want. But this might be the only chance to save your amusement park.”

The words struck straight at her heart.

Whatever doubts she had, they vanished instantly.

But she hadn’t expected what followed.

She trailed Mingyu into the presence of her father—Ming Zong—who was entertaining several business partners over tea.

“Dad, this is my girlfriend from the show, Qu Huan. Her family’s amusement park is having cash flow issues. I’ve decided to invest. I just wanted to ask if you’d be interested too.”

The words had barely left her lips when Ming Zong’s gaze fell on Qu Huan. Warm on the surface, but sharp as a blade.

Qu Huan’s back prickled with cold. “Uneasy” didn’t even begin to cover it.

She had thought Mingyu would ease into it—say something else first, then hint at the request. She hadn’t expected such bluntness.

What would the elders think?

A day into dating and already asking for money?

Who would believe the feelings were genuine?

“An amusement park, is it? Hard to run without something unique. Which park is yours again?”

Ming Zong sipped his tea. The steam couldn’t mask the pressure bearing down on her.

Qu Huan dared not lie. She answered truthfully. But the few bosses present looked less than pleased.

Ming Zong later asked her and Mingyu into a side room. As soon as they turned away, she heard the snide whispers:

“Ming family’s girl really found herself a calculating one.”

“Told you these dating shows aren’t serious. Just entertainment.”

“Right. Who believes in love? It’s all for money and fame.”

The words stung. Yes, she had approached Mingyu for investment. But it wasn’t as if she never intended to repay it.

She braced herself for Ming Zong’s private words. But even then, she hadn’t expected—

“So, Miss Qu, daring enough to threaten my daughter? Not bad.”

Her whole body jolted. She hadn’t imagined he’d be that blunt.

In that moment, one thought pierced her mind: Had Mingyu told him, or had he guessed? If the former… then Mingyu had deliberately brought her here.

“Still dreaming of investment? Believe me, I can bankrupt your family overnight.”

The terror in his voice nearly knocked her off her feet.

“I had no choice. I’ll pay the money back, every cent…”

She had begged him, on her knees, for a long time. It made no difference. His gaze only grew darker, more twisted with enjoyment.

And then—worse. He had Mingyu call those business partners back in, to watch her humiliation.

The memory made Qu Huan shudder violently.

“Qu Huan? Qu Huan?”

Chi Wan gave her shoulder a worried pat.

She blinked back into herself—then suddenly broke down crying.

“Chi Wan, did I ruin everything? Is my family’s park finished?”

“If I’d known, I never should have threatened Mingyu. None of this would’ve happened.”

Her voice was thick with regret.

An Ran’s eyes narrowed suddenly, her tone sharp as a blade:

“And then? What did you promise to Mr. Ming Zong and daughter in exchange?”

Qu Huan froze. Her toes curled against the ground, her gaze evasive.

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“From the way you described them, they wouldn’t just let you walk away empty-handed. What did you agree to?”

An Ran’s stare cut into her like a searchlight.

Even Chi Wan began to feel uneasy. Judging from Qu Huan’s guilty look, An Ran’s guess was probably right. Whatever deal she made—it likely involved her.

Chi Wan fixed her eyes on Qu Huan, waiting.

But Qu Huan refused to admit it.

“After all I went through, you still suspect me? I came here worried about Mo Wei hurting you, that’s all.”

“Well, if you don’t trust me, then fine—I’ll leave!”

The look she threw back before storming off—Chi Wan felt the chill of pure resentment in it.

Perhaps Qu Huan blamed her, because it had been Chi Wan’s suggestion that she get Mingyu to invest. Back then it had seemed like hope. Now that it had collapsed, all that remained was hatred.

________________________________________

“Chi Wan, An Ran—Director Chu says it’s time to join the game.”

Xia Meng came bouncing over, only to run into the sight of Qu Huan storming away in anger. She blinked, startled. The shy, socially anxious Qu Huan—losing her temper so openly?

“What happened? Did you fight?”

Her big eyes blinked curiously.

“Nothing serious. An Ran and I just need to change clothes. We’ll be there in a bit.”

“No rush,” Xia Meng chirped. “Actually, thanks to you two, the crew extended our boat stay. No love notes tonight, tomorrow’s pairings stay the same. Best part? Lunch and dinner are on the show. No need to earn money until tomorrow.”

As she counted out the changes on her fingers, Chi Wan and An Ran stepped out in fresh clothes. Since it was a two-day cruise, the pairings determined the sleeping arrangements—naturally, they were sharing a cabin tonight.

Xia Meng blushed just thinking about it.

By the time Chi Wan and An Ran reached the deck, the game was already in full swing.

“Out of everyone here, who would you hook up with for one night?”

“Ah? That question?”

Several Omega guests squirmed, cheeks bright red.

“Can I skip?”

“Sure—but then you have to kiss someone for five minutes. With tongue.”

As soon as Mo Wei finished speaking, Lu Xin shot to her feet and strode toward Chi Wan. Clearly, their earlier conversation hadn’t cooled her obsession.

Su Yao grabbed her arm, eyes warning: Are you crazy?

“I’m not crazy. I just refuse to give up.”

She shook Su Yao off. Tonight, she was determined to kiss Chi Wan.

Shi Yi stood up too. She could have answered the truth, but the thought of kissing An Ran was too tempting.

“This isn’t right. Even a dare needs consent!” someone protested, half-covering their mouth in case of a surprise attack.

“What kind of dare is it if you don’t go all in?” Mo Wei scoffed. “Some people just can’t handle the game.”

At her words, both Lu Xin and Shi Yi surged with anticipation.

Chi Wan tensed, ready to scoop An Ran up and bolt.

But then—

A pair of soft, delicate hands suddenly cupped her face, tilting it gently.

Chi Wan froze. She knew this touch.

Before she could react, warmth brushed across her lips—wet and soft. Her pupils constricted. In the next instant, her lips were parted, a slick tongue sliding inside.

The salty sea breeze mingled with the sound of crashing waves.

In her ears, the wind whispered, mingling with the wet, intimate sounds filling her mouth.

And in her arms, the faint, trembling hum of the person holding her tight.

“See? Some people don’t waste time,” Mo Wei said flatly, though her face betrayed a trace of gloom. She noticed how a few, like Ruan Xiao, were eyeing Mingyu with predatory hunger.

If refusal wasn’t allowed, Chi Wan wouldn’t have been the only one kissed tonight.

Mo Wei quickly amended, “Fine. From now on, dares must be voluntary.”

A wave of relief washed over the guests. A truth question only required words, but a dare demanded a real kiss.

No contest—truth was safer.

Tang Qian leaned close to Mo Wei, eyes sparkling.

“If it’s truth, I’d definitely pick you. You’re too beautiful.”

Mo Wei basked in the adoration.

Still, watching Chi Wan and An Ran kiss so fiercely made her restless. Mingyu was her first choice, but Mingyu would never agree.

Chi Wan? She’d just kissed someone so passionately—Mo Wei found it distasteful now.

Tang Qian? She simply felt no spark.

But the ache in her body… what was she supposed to do with it?