The Stand-In Alpha Goes Viral on a Dating Show - Chapter 73

“Please, I’m begging you, just say it!”

The longer her mother kept silent, the more frantic Mingyu became. Her hand, clutching her mother’s, trembled uncontrollably. Her pupils were dilated, her lips quivered violently, as though she might faint at any moment.

“Mom! Say something!”

Mingyu’s heart pounded wildly, her vision swimming in and out of black. She felt like a prisoner waiting for the judge’s gavel to drop, ready to announce her death sentence.

President Ming watched the tug-of-war between mother and daughter with a faintly mocking smile tugging at his lips. But then, as if recalling something unpleasant, his expression hardened, twisting faintly in discontent.

The woman knew she couldn’t drag this out any longer. Yet the truth lodged in her throat—if she told Mingyu, her daughter might very well turn around and take her own life.

Yes, she had chased wealth and power without shame. But no matter what, she still cared about her daughter’s life. And besides, with President Ming’s ruthless nature, if she revealed the truth, would he really spare them?

Just as her thoughts tangled, the pressure around her hand suddenly slackened. Alarm shot through her, and she instinctively gripped her daughter tighter. When she turned, she met Mingyu’s eyes—empty, lifeless, brimming with despair.

Mingyu had always carried herself with pride and confidence. Never had she looked so utterly broken.

The woman’s lips trembled. She hurriedly blurted, “Silly child, what nonsense are you thinking?”

Heaven knew how dry her throat was, how forced the words. Her voice scraped out, rough as sand. She mustered a strained smile, trying to sound lighthearted: “I was just tired. And being back here brought up old memories… that’s all.”

Mingyu listened in a daze, replaying her mother’s words over and over in her mind. Slowly, light returned to her eyes. “So, Mom… I really am the Chi family’s daughter, aren’t I?”

“Of course you are.”

The woman, who had lived this long on lies, had no difficulty weaving another one now. Having resolved to survive at any cost, her words flowed seamlessly, without a single crack for doubt.

Even President Ming, who had been convinced she was lying, found himself wavering. He stepped closer, his tone sharp and skeptical: “Oh? Is that so? Then why were you so reluctant to go in? You looked positively guilty.”

“It’s not that…” The woman sighed bitterly. “I did conceal some things. Chi Feng and I had our share of misunderstandings. Back then I swore I would never come back to him. And now—” she gave a self-mocking laugh, “—it seems I’ve gone back on my word.”

In her eyes, all couples who parted ways hurled such harsh vows at one another. She simply leaned into that angle and spun her story further.

Her reasoning was convincing. President Ming, though still harboring doubts, could not press further. The banquet was about to begin, the bowstring already drawn and ready to release—he had no choice but to lead the mother and daughter inside.

Besides, Mingyu’s features truly did bear some resemblance to Chi Feng.

But even as she walked forward, Mingyu felt a creeping unease gnawing at her. The closer they drew to the banquet hall’s grand doors, the stronger the urge to turn and run. Her mother’s earlier hesitation replayed in her mind.

She dug her nails hard into her palm, chastising herself: What are you thinking? This is the chance you’ve dreamed of! How can you throw it away? Mom already told you—you are the Chi family’s daughter! Don’t tell me you don’t even believe her?

Seeing that her father still wanted to press her mother further, Mingyu hastily changed the subject. “Dad, I think I saw Grandpa earlier. Did he come too? Why isn’t he with us?”

President Ming froze. His brows furrowed. “He came as well?”

A bad feeling prickled at him. The Ming family patriarch rarely appeared in public without a reason. His arrival tonight could only mean trouble.

Could it be… that he already knew about Mingyu’s true identity, and had come to stake a claim?

After all, the Ming family had unknowingly raised another family’s daughter all these years. In doing so, they had even lost their real daughter.

That was no small debt.

Mingyu saw her father’s attention successfully diverted and let out a small sigh of relief.

By the time they entered, the Ming family’s arrival had already drawn considerable attention. After all, they were a household name in the business world.

The Chi family’s heirs apparent had long since cultivated their own networks. They mingled with guests with ease, every word dripping with self-assurance and veiled bragging.

Mingyu listened in on the conversations around her:

“I took over a failing company two years ago. This year its profits have more than doubled.”

“My test project was a cosmetics brand. Our latest products dominate the regional market—profits are soaring.”

“My film and television company signed a top idol group last year, and this year we secured a triple-award-winning actor. Our hit dramas are everywhere.”

There were also jewelry companies, fashion labels, gaming studios, and more.

Each candidate spoke as though victory was already theirs.

Mingyu only wanted to laugh. Show off all you like. None of it matters. Once I acknowledge my birth father, all of you will be irrelevant.

Soon after, the hall fell into sudden silence. Mingyu’s heart thudded twice in quick succession. Beside her, President Ming murmured: “The Chi family head has arrived.”

Mingyu immediately turned her gaze toward the center of the hall. From the spiral staircase, a man in a tailored suit descended step by step.

The very first glimpse of Chi Feng left her utterly spellbound. He looked surprisingly young, not at all like a man of middle age.

Yet the quiet authority he carried—the commanding aura of someone used to controlling the boardroom—radiated from him so strongly that few could bear to meet his eyes directly.

Mingyu lowered her head, her heart racing, her hands clenched tight in excitement. Look! That’s my father!

“Thank you all for attending the Chi family banquet,” Chi Feng’s deep voice carried easily through the hall. “Please, enjoy yourselves.”

After Chi Feng finished speaking, she was ready to return upstairs. She had originally come down in person to publicly introduce her daughter—Chi Wan.

But the plan was abruptly cut short. Naturally, she had no heart to continue. If she lingered any longer, she feared she wouldn’t be able to resist walking toward her daughter. And if that happened, it would surely arouse suspicion among those with sharp eyes. At that point, Chi Wan’s true identity would no longer remain hidden for long.

Just a moment ago, it had already taken all of Chi Feng’s willpower to keep from glancing at Chi Wan after saying only a single sentence.

When she turned away, it required even greater restraint to suppress the urge to look at her daughter one last time.

She had given her word, and she could not go back on it.

Yet her decisive retreat left the gathered guests utterly stunned. Everyone had come tonight precisely because they’d heard the head of the Chi family would be present, dropping all else to attend.

And this was it?

Far too perfunctory!

President Ming frowned deeply. Politeness dictated that he shouldn’t speak out at such a moment, but he couldn’t bear to let his carefully laid plan fall apart.

So he stepped forward and called out loudly, “Director Chi, please wait! I have urgent matters to discuss!”

The grand hall, which had fallen into silence, instantly buzzed with whispers again. Curious gazes swept across the floor, carrying unspoken thoughts:

“Who is that? How bold—actually daring to stop Chi Feng!”

Enduring the scrutiny, some veiled, some open, President Ming stood his ground. When Chi Feng did not slow her steps, he called out again, this time adding her name.

Now the murmurs shifted in tone:

“Oh, it’s someone from the Ming family. I heard the Mings are distantly related to the Chis. Maybe this really is important.”

All eyes turned, waiting to see what would follow.

Chi Wan and An Ran also heard the call. They exchanged a glance, and An Ran asked, “That sounds like Mingyu’s father?”

“Mm, that’s him.” Chi Wan rose slightly on tiptoe to look, then quickly ducked back down.

When Chi Feng turned back, this was the scene she saw. Her heart bloomed with warmth, silently rejoicing: Wan’er is so adorable. That’s my daughter!

Naturally, Chi Wan had no idea what was going through her powerful father’s mind. She was only wondering what President Ming would say. Judging from Mingyu’s outward calm yet inward excitement, could it have something to do with her?

“You seem nervous?”

An Ran’s words cut straight to her thoughts.

“It’s not that obvious, is it?”

Chi Wan rubbed the back of her head. Why did it feel like An Ran was seeing through her more and more easily?

“You care a lot about Mingyu?” An Ran pressed gently.

Chi Wan sighed helplessly and nodded, admitting it.

“Why? Because of those exes?”

The bluntness made Chi Wan’s heart leap into her throat.

She quickly shook her head. “No! You have to believe me!”

“Really?”

An Ran’s beautiful eyes widened slightly, studying her carefully.

Chi Wan stood her ground, sincerity written all over her face: You must believe me.

Unable to hold back a laugh, An Ran gave her shoulder a light pat. “Alright, I believe you.”

Chi Wan exhaled in relief.

“As long as it’s not because of them,” An Ran added softly, then held Chi Wan’s hand in both of hers, swaying it playfully, “otherwise, I’d be jealous.”

Meanwhile, seeing that Chi Feng had paused, President Ming pushed his daughter forward. “Director Chi, do you recognize her?”

Chi Feng narrowed her eyes slightly. Remembering their conversation in the study, a thought stirred within her, though she kept her expression calm. “She seems to be your daughter, isn’t she?”

President Ming chuckled and nodded.

“Yes, she is my daughter.”

But then, his tone shifted sharply:

“But she’s also your daughter!”

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

It wasn’t that these business elites lacked resilience. It was simply that the implication of those words was too shocking.

What did he mean by also your daughter?

Since when had Mingyu become Chi Feng’s daughter?

Could it be some kind of informal goddaughter arrangement, one that Chi Feng later regretted, and now President Ming was here to confront her?

But such matters would never be aired publicly at a banquet! President Ming wasn’t that kind of man.

That left only one possibility.

The thought alone made every guest’s heart leap—especially those who had been so certain they already held the upper hand in tonight’s competition.