The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 41.1

Mo Wei’s fingertip tapped lightly against her knee, betraying a trace of impatience.

“…Mingyu.”

Qu Huan clutched at the hem of her skirt. The events from earlier weighed so heavily on her chest that she could hardly breathe. Needing to vent, she edged closer to Mingyu. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she suddenly hoped their relationship might take a more… tangible turn.

“Mingyu, can I…?”

Her knees brushed against Mingyu’s, fumblingly, timidly rubbing.

Mingyu’s brows furrowed, a wave of revulsion rising unbidden in her chest. Ever since her father had spoken those words to Qu Huan, there was no real need for her to keep up this façade of politeness. Still, she had sent that message of interest—if only to maintain appearances.

But now, Qu Huan, who used to be so shy, was suddenly growing bold. She was even leaning in—asking for a kiss?

A glimmer of hope flashed in Qu Huan’s eyes. Mingyu hadn’t pushed her away—didn’t that mean there was still a chance between them?

Besides, she had stolen a glance at Chi Wan and An Ran, locked in their fiery kiss not far away. If they could do it so fiercely… why couldn’t she?

Just as Qu Huan leaned closer, bit by bit, Ruan Xiao plopped herself down right beside Mingyu. With a flourish, she draped her arms around Mingyu’s neck, lifted her chin, and giggled sweetly.

“Yuyu, what about me? Do I pass the test?”

—Yuyu?

Qu Huan’s face froze.

Ruan Xiao had done it deliberately. But then again, she and Mingyu had known each other for a long time, so it wasn’t strange for her to use such intimate nicknames.

All the same, she had no intention of letting Qu Huan get away with her little stunt. Shameless—pairing with Mingyu by who-knows-what trick, and now even daring to push for more?

If anything, this was her chance to win Mingyu’s heart. Su Yao and Lu Xin had shifted their attention elsewhere, Mo Wei’s stance was wavering, Chu Rou and Meng Lan couldn’t even participate directly.

That left only her.

Qu Huan’s lips trembled as if she wanted to say something more, but Ruan Xiao turned and cast her a disdainful glance that said plainly: With just you? You think you can compete with me?

Humiliation surged hot in Qu Huan’s chest. She stomped her foot, then bolted away.

Mo Wei, who had caught the whole exchange from the corner of her eye, lost interest immediately. Her gaze was fixed entirely on the two not far away—tongues entwined, kissing as if no one else existed.

“You… why are you so skilled?”

Between breaths, Chi Wan pulled back just slightly, lips trembling, her tongue tingling from the lingering heat of An Ran’s.

“Thanks to you.”

“Huh?” Chi Wan blinked in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

Wasn’t this “little white flower” supposed to be inexperienced in kissing? Who had taught her otherwise? The thought prickled something unpleasant in Chi Wan’s chest, a sour jealousy, like her belonging had been tainted by another’s touch.

An Ran caught the shadow clouding her eyes and couldn’t help laughing softly. She cupped Chi Wan’s cheeks, brushing a kiss against her nose.

“What are you thinking?”

“Mm!”

Chi Wan bit her lip hard in retaliation, jealousy spilling through her voice. “Tell me, who taught you?”

She sounded fierce, but the undercurrent of grievance made it almost pitiful.

“You did.”

An Ran, indulgent, even parted her lips to make it easier for Chi Wan’s bite.

“Liar. I’m barely any good at French kissing.”

Chi Wan pressed harder, kissing deeper, as if she meant to steal away every last breath from An Ran’s lungs. An Ran’s eyes glazed, and soft, broken whimpers escaped her swollen lips.

“Mmh…”

Moist heat traced down the line of her jaw. Her slender neck arched taut, bone structure sharp and alluring, accentuating her sensuality.

“Fine—I taught myself. But it was all for you.”

Her voice trembled between breaths, her lips swollen and reddened, nearly raw from Chi Wan’s fervor.

“Good girl.”

So much simpler when confessed honestly—Chi Wan thought, secretly smug.

By then, the five minutes were nearly up. Their lips finally parted, breath mingling, traces of the other still clinging between them.

Perhaps they had gone too far. After all, they had kissed passionately in full view of others.

Chi Wan’s eyes, flushed at the corners, flicked around the room. Meeting Mo Wei’s gaze, heavy with heat, made her stiffen.

Mo Wei lazily dragged a fingertip across her own lips, making no effort to disguise the fact that she was thoroughly aroused by what she’d just witnessed.

In just those few minutes, the barrage of comments on the livestream had already exploded—then, just as suddenly, dwindled.

【Stop sending comments! You’re blocking my view of the beauties kissing!】

【God, I want to grab someone and kiss them senseless—full-on French kiss—my heart’s about to float away!】

【Ahhh I’m burning up! Downing iced tea like crazy, but it’s only getting hotter!】

【Phantom limbs tingling! I’m literally rolling around on my bed!!】

【Where’s the WanAn CP fandom? Let me see those trembling little hands!】

Within minutes, multiple tags about Chi Wan and An Ran shot up the trending charts.

After such a long kiss, Chi Wan’s throat felt parched. She headed toward the refreshment room, only to see a figure slip in ahead of her. Too far away to make out who it was, she didn’t think much of it—until her phone rang.

The caller ID made her chest tighten.

Back when she’d given her family directions, she hadn’t revealed her true identity. Soon after, she realized how foolish that had been. Given her reputation at school—and her mother’s adamant disapproval of her career path—she had hoped that if her family showed up, they would meet people too reserved to say much.

But luck was not on her side.

After a moment’s hesitation, she answered. “Hello?”

“Daughter… tell me honestly. What kind of work are you doing?”

Her mother’s tear-choked voice spilled through the receiver, weak and strained, as if she had been crying for hours.

Chi Wan’s heart clenched. Her steps toward the refreshment room faltered.

An Ran caught her hesitation and gestured toward the room. I’ll get the drinks. Chi Wan nodded faintly.

“Mom, I’m just working a normal job. Who said something to you?”

She knew instantly: no matter what, she couldn’t admit it. Her mother’s treatment cost a fortune—nothing was more important than her life.

“I asked a few people from our hometown to check on you. Did you see them? They said someone told them you’re an internet celebrity now, even on some TV show—and people online are cursing you.”

Her mother repeated it all, her voice quavering. “Is it true?”

“No.”

Chi Wan’s tone was firm, but her knuckles whitened around the phone.

“And those girlfriends of yours…”

Her mother trailed off, unsure how to phrase it.

“Mom, yes, I’ve had girlfriends. Yes, some of them are wealthy. But I’ve never used their money. I was with them because I cared about them, nothing else.”

Her voice softened. “I know people at school misunderstand me—because my exes happened to be rich. But don’t listen to gossip. The truth will come out in time.”

At those words, her mother broke down crying. She could tell her daughter had been wronged. After all, a poor girl dating someone wealthy was bound to draw suspicion and rumors.

Hadn’t she lived through the same thing herself?

That was why she understood her daughter’s pain so well.

Meanwhile, in the refreshment room, An Ran had just reached the coffee machine when suddenly the lights went out.

The door, too, had been quietly shut.

Being on the yacht’s lower deck, the room had no windows. With the lights off, it was pitch black—utter darkness.

Then came footsteps. Steady, deliberate. Someone was approaching.

They said nothing, just walked with a nonchalant rhythm.

An Ran tensed, ears straining. Behind her, faint rustling—another person.

Two of them?

Front and back—an ambush?

If this had been Chi Wan, she would have spoken by now. Which meant these people were here for her.

But why?

An Ran’s mind flicked through recent moments—the searing kiss, the hungry stares from the others. She understood.

So this was how they planned to play it—unable to make a move in the open, so they would strike from the shadows.

But who?

The rustling behind her moved deeper into the room. In a flash, she realized—these two weren’t even together. Their goals were different.

The one behind her probably hadn’t expected this either.

Quietly, she edged toward the side wall. First priority: protect herself. If she could find anything to use as a weapon, she could assert control.

Her hand skimmed the shelves—only paper cups. Then finally, beside the counter, her fingers closed around a long stick. A mop handle.

Good enough.

“Who’s there?”

Her voice cut through the dark. “Who turned off the lights? What do you want?”

The words were long enough to give away her identity. Yet the footsteps in front never faltered. Whoever it was—they were coming for her.

What surprised her was that the sound behind her shifted too, moving closer.

What was going on?

“I’m a guest on this show,” she warned. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

But her words had barely left her mouth when she heard a short, mocking chuckle ahead.

Her eyes narrowed, icy. No mistake then—this person was indeed after her.

She slipped off her shoes, making no sound as she edged toward the door.

Just then, the figure behind her lunged forward, shoving.

But they miscalculated—missing completely, and stumbling straight into the arms of the one ahead.

“Heh.”

A smug snort.

Moments later, the room was filled with the unmistakable sound of lips crushing together, wet tongues tangling. A muffled struggle, whimpers of resistance—then, slowly, even the resisting one sank into the heat, swept away in a feverish, consuming kiss.

“Mmh… ah…”

The two were kissing so intently that they didn’t notice the faint creak of the door opening. Taking advantage of the moment, An Ran slipped out, not forgetting to carry her shoes in hand.

From the instant she’d taken them off, she had already realized her high heels could serve as the perfect “weapon.”

Fortunately, she never had to use them.

“Y-You… who are you?”

In the darkness, the Omega’s voice was hazy and unsteady, her body already melting from the kiss. Her heart felt as if it was steeped in hot spring water—warmth spreading through every inch of her.

Her voice was hoarse, but the Alpha didn’t notice anything amiss. Instead, she bit lightly at the tip of the Omega’s ear and pressed down harder. “Someone you once rejected.”

See? You used to turn me down so coldly, but now you’re nestled obediently in my arms, letting me have my way with you.

The thought sent a thrill through the Alpha. She captured the Omega’s lips again and deepened the kiss.

Meanwhile, An Ran jogged quickly to the deck. By then, Chi Wan had already finished her phone call. Yet her mood was still clouded, her expression heavy with irritation. When she caught sight of An Ran’s disheveled state, she froze in surprise.

“What happened to you?”

Chi Wan hurried over. The stairs from the lower deck to the main deck were uncarpeted and not well-kept, leaving An Ran’s bare toes smudged with dust.

She guided An Ran toward the lounge, but An Ran insisted on going to the second-floor lookout, peering down at the deck where the other guests were.

Qu Huan, Shi Yi, Su Yao, and Gu Lin—those four were missing.

“What are you staring at so hard?”

Chi Wan gently settled her onto a seat, then took another chair beside her. She lifted An Ran’s legs onto her lap, pulled out a pack of wet wipes, and began carefully wiping each foot—between the toes and all.