The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 55

After leaving the show’s recording, the guests all returned to their daily lives. Some found themselves troubled by their newfound fame, while others reaped considerable benefits from it.

At the Qu family’s amusement park, the closeness displayed between Qu Huan and Ming Yu during the show had drawn the attention of investors. Some cautious ones were still waiting and watching, while smaller players had already rushed in with funds, eager to bet on the Qu family’s business flourishing.

To this, Qu Huan felt both joy and unease. Joy, because it meant the Qu family’s company would likely avoid bankruptcy; unease, because her relationship with Ming Yu was fragile as a castle in the air—beautiful, but liable to vanish at any moment.

Father Qu advised her to be flexible: she shouldn’t only maintain good terms with Mingyu during the show, but also keep up contact outside of it. Qu Huan understood exactly what he meant—he wanted her to visit the Ming family more often off-camera, even if only to create the illusion that their families were growing closer.

Even an illusion could fool less-experienced investors.

Qu Huan silently nodded, her father sighing as he patted her shoulder.

Meanwhile, Shi Yi’s popularity had soared thanks to the show. Her agent urged her to paint more and sell while the market was hot, but Shi Yi just sat on the sofa, replaying the edited first episode, growing more and more unwilling to accept things as they were.

Perhaps it was human nature—the unattainable always stirred restlessness. She refused to believe that things between her and An Ran should end like this. After all, what was An Ran but a penniless student? On what grounds did she have the right to reject her?

Throwing back a mouthful of liquor, Shi Yi’s eyes turned dark and heavy. “No. I have something more important to do.”

Her agent froze, belatedly realizing what she meant. Did this mean Shi Yi had no time to paint?

Seeing Shi Yi’s expression, she dared not probe further. Had she known Shi Yi intended to chase someone, she would certainly have stopped her. But unfortunately, she didn’t.

Even the other guests, between their daily work, began to consider pursuing their love interests outside the show.

Xia Meng secretly investigated Lu Xin’s whereabouts, planning to stage a coincidental encounter. Tang Qian decided to find an excuse to visit the Mo family and thank Mo Wei—unaware that both Lu Xin and Mo Wei were hatching little plans of their own.

At that moment, Chi Wan was following the directions on her map app, weaving left and right through the vast campus, headed straight for An Ran’s classroom.

Pulling her cap low, she kept her head down. Her fame on campus was now comparable to a top-tier celebrity’s—if anyone recognized her, she wouldn’t be able to take another step without being bombarded with questions.

Questions like:

• “Are you and An Ran really in love?”

• “Does our Lu Xin still stand a chance?”

• “Why did you reject President Su?”

• “Mo Wei is so beautiful—don’t you like her at all?”

And of course, there were always the nasty ones:

• “Ha, didn’t expect the gold-digger to change her taste! Instead of chasing a rich beauty, you’re going after a poor student?”

• “Don’t think we don’t see through your act. You’re deliberately avoiding Lu Xin and the others, making them want what they can’t have until they fall for you completely.”

• “Your little schemes won’t work! President Su will see right through you soon enough!”

• “Don’t think you can turn your reputation around by pretending to be pure on the show! We’ll keep boycotting you, you disgusting gold-digger!”

Whenever Chi Wan encountered people like this, she instinctively kept her distance, wary of them throwing rotten vegetables or worse.

Then there were her “face-fans”—who squealed and rushed over the moment they spotted her, starry-eyed, desperate to touch her. Compliments flew at her like free confetti.

• “Jiejie, you’re so beautiful! What’s your waist size? It’s impossibly tiny!”

• “Your skin looks flawless—can I touch it? Is it really that soft?”

• “How are your legs this long and straight? Wow, they’re perfect!”

• “Ice-snow skin, jade-like bones—absolute perfection! Give me a chance, date me!”

The barrage of adoration left Chi Wan both amused and exasperated. She wanted to escape—all of it.

Just then, a message popped up:

I’m in the classroom, back row by the window. Where are you?

An Ran’s text made her quicken her pace. She sent a brief reply and headed over.

Compared to her, An Ran’s days were far more peaceful—though not entirely free of trouble. Some busybodies urged her to break up with Chi Wan.

Their reasoning?

“An Ran, look at yourself—you don’t deserve someone like her. She can’t possibly be serious about you. Better to leave her first than wait to be abandoned.”

“Think about it—you’re so ordinary. Why would Chi Wan like you? She’s obviously just using you to whitewash her image. Don’t be fooled. Break up now, before it gets ugly.”

An Ran remained calm in the face of these remarks, but Chi Wan was fuming. She muttered to An Ran in frustration:

“Are they blind? How are you ordinary? You’re gorgeous, insanely talented, skilled at so many things, studying at a top university—you’re amazing!”

“Maybe they’re just comparing me to Mo Wei and the others,” An Ran said gently, pressing a fingertip to the corner of Chi Wan’s lips, coaxing them upward. “Alright, don’t be mad. They’re not worth it. I never cared about their words, and I don’t want you to either.”

Chi Wan’s lips were forced into a smile. She exhaled. “Fine, I’ll listen to you. Their vision is narrow anyway. Even compared to Mo Wei and the others, you’re outstanding.”

Your future will be brighter than any of theirs.

She kept the thought to herself, but her gaze on An Ran burned hot and unwavering, making the latter flush under its intensity.

By the time Chi Wan surfaced from her thoughts, she had arrived at the classroom—her first time accompanying An Ran to class.

Hopefully the computer science students would be rational; she didn’t want to be mobbed if someone recognized her. Science majors should be able to control themselves… right?

She wasn’t entirely convinced, but when she sat down beside An Ran, there was still a minute left before class began. The professor was already at the podium.

Several nearby students had clearly noticed her, their eyes wide with surprise, but aside from sneaking glances her way, they didn’t cause a stir. Chi Wan finally breathed out in relief.

“Your professor doesn’t usually call on students at random, right?”

Glancing at the podium, Chi Wan tapped An Ran’s hand lightly, whispering the question.

“She does.”

An Ran shivered faintly, Chi Wan’s fingertip grazing her thin skin, sparking tingling sensations that made her both want to pull away and stay.

“Huh? If she calls on me, you’ll have to save me, An Ran-jiejie.”

Chi Wan drew out the last syllable playfully, blinking with mock distress, her voice dripping with spoiled sweetness.

“Mm…” The tips of An Ran’s ears twitched. She parted her lips and whispered, “You could always just tell her.”

“Tell her what?”

Leaning in even closer, Chi Wan lowered her voice in puzzlement.

Her warm breath brushed against An Ran’s sensitive earlobe, lifting a stray lock of hair.

“That you’re here… to accompany your girlfriend to class.”

The words slipped out in a murmur, An Ran’s face already burning scarlet.