Chapter 27.2
Whether they were discussing or about to discuss, everyone silently shut their mouths, not daring to follow up on Shen Fu’s remark. The cameraman shoved the lens at Shen Fu’s face. Shen Fu caught the lens with a calm gaze, her expression neutral—like an ice beauty who speaks only to shock.
Hearing this, the director cleared her throat, her gaze toward Shen Fu filled with a bit more respect. She hadn’t expected her to dare say something that might sound vulgar if not handled well. “Ahem…” Afraid the topic would stray too far, she stopped keeping them in suspense. “The production team doesn’t mean that. We are a traditional dating show, we just innovated a bit with the number of people.” You can’t say stuff like that carelessly, otherwise, the show won’t be able to air.
“Back to the topic. In each episode, we will have a date. The date partner is self-chosen. After the date, you must rate your partner. This rating will serve as the basis for your ‘personal charm value.’ The production team will rank everyone; the higher the rank, the more privileges you get.” The director flipped through the script. “The guests who are not chosen in each episode must complete a task assigned by the team. Completing the task adds to your charm value. There are five episodes in total. At the end of the final episode, the person with the lowest score will receive a mystery grand prize. Since this is everyone’s first meeting, we can play some icebreaker games to get closer.”
“After the icebreakers, everyone will choose their partner for the first date. Those who choose each other will pair up first; those who don’t will have to choose again. Each group’s date location is different. Since there are no initial charm values, the first episode’s date location will be drawn randomly.” The director looked up at the guests who were listening intently. “Is there anything else I haven’t made clear?”
“No.”
A discordant answer mixed in with theirs. Shen Fu said: “Yes.”
The director looked at Shen Fu, took a few deep breaths, and asked: “Where?”
“Can I change the other person’s choice?”
The director swallowed, suddenly regretting letting her join the show. If she hadn’t threatened to withdraw her sponsorship, she definitely wouldn’t have let her come. “…No.” No one is this overbearing, acting as if the words “Show Sponsor” were written on her forehead. With her acting like this, the editors would likely have to work a lot of overtime to prevent her from gaining a massive wave of “anti-fans” once the show aired.
Before she could ask more, the director said: “If there are no problems, you can start getting to know each other.”
Si Ying livened up the atmosphere. “Let’s play Truth or Dare.” Simple and easy, and it adds highlights to the show.
“Sure.”
Si Ying took out her phone, taking charge of the situation. “Let’s start a group chat. Roll the dice; the person with the highest number goes first to choose.”
They quickly started a group chat. No one wanted to be the first unlucky person to be teased. Everyone watched the numbers with trepidation, fearing they would see one lower than theirs.
Although Wen Min had experience with variety shows, the number of times was negligible. She couldn’t help being nervous now, her palms slowly sweating. She rolled the dice and covered it with her finger while it was still spinning, her heart rate accelerating. Please be less than three! After praying for a while, she moved her finger and saw a dangerous number—5!
I’m doomed… She looked at the others’ numbers and was dismayed to find hers was the highest so far! Only Shen Fu hadn’t rolled yet.
The next second, Shen Fu also rolled the dice. Wen Min didn’t dare to look. She was afraid to see the truth that her number was the highest in the room. However, Si Ying’s cheer made her suspended heart drop instantly. Si Ying showed the rolled numbers to the cameraman, then looked at Shen Fu with a smile, saying excitedly: “Congratulations, Miss Shen! Would you like to choose Truth or Dare?”
Hearing this, the other guests breathed a sigh of relief but also felt worried for Shen Fu. Would someone as blunt as her leak something that would cause a storm in the entertainment industry?
Shen Fu shrugged indifferently, her gaze casually passing over the person who looked calm but was actually panicking. “You pick.” Either was fine with her; her primary joy in coming here wasn’t to play games, but to tease people.
Seeing her answer, a hint of cunning flashed in Si Ying’s eyes. Her lips curved. “Then, Dare.”
Shen Fu replied calmly: “Mhm.”
Si Ying looked like a hunter about to reel in the net. She said slowly: “Find someone to drink coffee with you as if you were drinking nuptial wine (cross-arm toast).” This request wasn’t excessive, but it required someone to cooperate. If the shot was beautiful, it could even become the show’s first CP pairing.
Hearing this dare, everyone instinctively avoided Shen Fu’s gaze or took a small sip of their own coffee to avoid being chosen. With someone as bold as Shen Fu, they didn’t dare to pair up with her casually; they wouldn’t be able to handle it, and neither would their agencies.
Si Ying looked at everyone’s reaction with satisfaction and said with feigned reluctance: “If you’re embarrassed, I can drink with you.”
Shen Fu ignored her, turned her head, and stared directly at Wen Min. “Her.”
Following her gaze, everyone’s eyes gathered on Wen Min. They felt some sympathy for her, and some relief it wasn’t them. Si Ying also looked at Wen Min, her eyes holding an inscrutable emotion, her voice sharpening: “Is that okay?”
Wen Min met those fox-like, captivating eyes, nodded, and replied: “Okay…” Is she on this show… just to keep an eye on me?! She slowly picked up her coffee, her fingertips gripping the cup so hard they turned white.
Just as she held the cup in front of Shen Fu, Shen Fu’s hand wound around her arm as flexibly as a snake. Under Shen Fu’s gaze, she took a large gulp as if under a spell, only stopping when she almost choked herself. Inadvertently, their arms brushed lightly. It lasted less than a second, but that smooth texture lingered in Wen Min’s mind.
Just after they finished, the atmosphere was high. Jiang Yun boldly set the rhythm. “Another sip!” The others followed, cheering: “Another sip! Another sip…”
Yin Rou watched them without a word. Si Ying interrupted them, bailing Shen Fu out: “Alright, alright, don’t make it hard for them. Next.”
The group sighed with regret, thinking it was over, but Shen Fu suddenly spoke up: “It’s not hard.”
“…” Everyone was stunned. No one expected someone to proactively extend a dare. Was this woman crazy? Shen Fu turned her head and threw the question to Wen Min: “What do you think?”
“…” Another sip?! Wen Min pondered for a moment. She guessed Shen Fu was on the show to “inspect” her, so she was intentionally interacting with her as a way of claiming territory. Since she herself had nothing to hide… she would let Shen Fu have her fun.
In the few seconds of her silence, everyone had thought of how to help her. Si Ying reacted first, rescuing the situation: “Let’s give the pretty sisters a chance to get some screen time…” Her high-EQ words gave Wen Min a way out without offending Shen Fu and showed a sense of considering the big picture. But before anyone could follow up, Wen Min gave an answer that surprised everyone.
“Sure.” She met Shen Fu’s eyes, noticing a rare flicker of astonishment in the woman’s gaze. Her lips curved slightly. She proactively wound her arm around Shen Fu’s with her coffee. “Let’s… have another sip.”
“Great!! Another sip…” Seeing Wen Min being so open, the atmosphere instantly heated up. The “idols” threw their professional burdens to the wind, cheering excitedly for her decision and clapping warmly. Even the Film Queen had indulged Shen Fu’s request; it seemed this seemingly crazy woman was going for the “arrogant beauty” route, and they would be foolish not to add fuel to the fire.
Under their cheers, Wen Min and Shen Fu took another sip of coffee, like drinking nuptial wine. It was just drinking coffee, but they looked like a natural pair. The image of their arms interlaced was too beautiful. For a brief moment, their eyes met, giving a sense of a wedding scene.
Just as they finished and before they could put down their cups, Si Ying seemed to want to stop them. She looked at her phone and said quickly: “Let’s continue with the next person based on the dice roll results.”
“Sure.” “No problem.” “Then the next one…”
Before she could say who was next, Wen Min proactively said: “I choose Truth.”
Si Ying looked at her, her eyes flashing with a meaningful smile. “Who did you mark recently?”
At this question, everyone slowed their breathing, afraid to miss even a tiny bit of news. Zhuang Huiyi looked at the director for help. Is this allowed? Is it too much? The director adjusted her glasses, staring intently at the monitor, very satisfied with Si Ying’s question. This would definitely cause a stir in the teaser.
“…”
Wen Min instinctively scanned Shen Fu with her peripheral vision but didn’t dare look at her directly. Although she didn’t remember what happened, if Shen Fu was pregnant, she must have marked her. She stayed calm, repeating the question as if encountering a difficult problem, muttering: “Who did I mark recently?” Due to her superb acting, no one noticed her panic—only Shen Fu noticed the slender legs under the table trembling slightly.
Seeing this, Shen Fu simply joined the topic, like a detached bystander, asking seriously: “Do you want me to help you remember?” To the others, her words sounded fine—at most, she was just gleefully trying to dig up dirt from Wen Min. But to Wen Min, it sounded like a silent threat, reminding her to admit what she had done.
“Mhm…” Wen Min hadn’t finished speaking when her breath hitched in panic.
Under the hidden table, a smooth hand rested on her knee, pressing down gently as if telling her not to be nervous. It lasted less than five seconds, but what the other woman didn’t know was that every small move made Wen Min lose her composure. On the surface, the woman’s gaze hadn’t changed at all, leaving no trace.
Seeing Shen Fu helping Wen Min out, Si Ying dropped the idea of pressing further. “Just kidding, that’s private. No need to take it to heart. But the answer is obvious; a ‘peerless Alpha’ like Xiao Wen would definitely maintain her integrity. How could she just mark anyone?”
Wen Min breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Unsure how to reply, she just nodded slightly with a polite smile. She didn’t know if Si Ying was being sarcastic or if she truly didn’t know about the original host’s promiscuity. How could she ask such an embarrassing question?
Just as it seemed the topic was over, Si Ying raised an eyebrow and continued to confirm: “Right?” Although not as blunt as before, it was another form of relentless questioning. Everyone’s eyes were on Wen Min.
Wen Min swallowed. Just as she was about to throw caution to the wind and admit it, Shen Fu took over the conversation, saying succinctly: “Right.”
This answer was not only beyond Wen Min’s expectations but also shocked everyone who was maliciously speculating about their relationship. With a personality like hers, she would likely blurt out the truth; if even she said no, then there really was no scoop.
Hearing Shen Fu’s words, there was a subtle, restrained smile in Si Ying’s eyes. She stopped the topic, placing emphasis on the word “friend,” as if intentionally explaining Wen Min’s “peach blossom” hot search from yesterday. “Since Xiao Wen’s friend said so, everyone doesn’t need to worry about Xiao Wen’s character.” In the entertainment industry, as long as there is no solid evidence, what can a few photos or short videos prove? Her words were very pleasing; they added a highlight to the show while establishing her persona as a “good bestie.” It would be hard not to gain fans.
Wen Min looked gratefully at Shen Fu and Si Ying. Si Ying continued: “Now for the real question: who do you think is the most beautiful person here?” This question could easily offend many, but Wen Min only wanted to speak her inner thoughts.
She gave the answer without hesitation. She was halfway through the word “Boss” before realizing she almost slipped up, quickly changing it to: “Shen… Miss Shen.”
Immediately, cheers erupted as the crowd clapped for her straightforwardness. Jiang Yun said directly: “Looks like our first CP is about to be born.” Under everyone’s gaze, especially Shen Fu’s, she felt her face burning, thankful her makeup today was thick enough, otherwise, she would have blushed on the spot.
Yin Rou’s face darkened slightly, though it wasn’t obvious under the lens. The group’s mood grew higher; no one noticed her subtle change.
“Alright, on to the next person.” The smile on Si Ying’s face stiffened for a moment. She looked at her phone, then at Zhuang Huiyi. “Next is Huiyi, what do you choose?”
Before Wen Min could hear Huiyi’s answer, her attention was diverted by the person beside her. Shen Fu inadvertently moved closer, reaching for her collar. She instinctively wanted to pull away, but when that faint strawberry scent entered her nose and that fair hand was right before her eyes, her thoughts were completely stolen. The noisy set vanished, leaving only the deafening sound of her heartbeat.
Wen Min swallowed, frantically shifting her gaze away from Shen Fu’s hand, scanning the group nervously. Fortunately, everyone’s attention was on Zhuang Huiyi; no one noticed them. She relaxed slightly and whispered: “W-what is it?”
Those bewitching eyes curved slightly. In a teasing tone, she asked: “I’m the most beautiful?” Her gaze was too intense, making Wen Min’s breathing quicken. She admitted shyly: “Mhm…”
Shen Fu wasn’t in a hurry to act. First, she used her gaze to deeply trace Wen Min’s neckline several times, then casually glanced at her prominent collarbone. Her gaze was like a fire; wherever it moved, Wen Min felt as if it were burning. Just as Wen Min thought she would do something excessive, Shen Fu gently adjusted the microphone on her collar. After finishing, she quickly retracted her hand and said softly: “Don’t let your mic get crooked.”
“Th-thank you…” Wen Min looked down at her mic, her ears feeling hot. It must have been knocked crooked by Si Ying when she entered. She forced herself not to think about it, but she was very sensitive to Shen Fu’s pheromones. That lingering strawberry scent wafted into her nose from time to time, making her feel restless.
At this time, Si Ying said to Huiyi: “Maybe a Dare after all. Find someone to drink from the same cup of coffee as you.”
“…” Huiyi looked at everyone in difficulty, unsure who to choose. There weren’t many people of her generation here—Jiang Yun and Song Xi, both of whom she had no private interaction with. She didn’t know if choosing them abruptly would cause dissatisfaction.
Before she could make a choice, Si Ying looked at the waiter and smiled politely: “Miss, could you please bring us two straws?”
“Okay, one moment please.”
There’s no turning back now, Huiyi thought. Jiang Yun’s eyes lit up as he looked at the sweet-looking Huiyi, thinking that dating her would be a good choice. He tested the waters: “How about…”
Before he could finish, Song Xi, who had been silent for a long time, picked up her coffee and suddenly stood up, walking quickly past Jiang Yun. “I’ll do it.”
??? No one expected this development. Two Omegas doing a dare?! There were already more Omegas than Alphas. If they settled things internally… the one left out might actually be an Alpha?! Jiang Yun suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
While the others were surprised, Song Xi had already walked to Huiyi’s seat. She gazed at Huiyi seriously and asked softly: “Is it okay to drink from this cup of mine?”
Huiyi looked up at her, her ear tips suddenly turning red. She stood up quickly and nodded repeatedly: “Okay.” The waiter brought two straws. Song Xi took them and placed them in her coffee.
Si Ying set the rhythm, and the others followed, cheering: “Drink together! Drink together…” Jiang Yun looked dejected, clapping half-heartedly, echoing them in a low, wilted voice.
To lessen Huiyi’s embarrassment, Song Xi took the lead and lowered her head to drink. Seeing this, Huiyi also lowered her head to drink from the same cup. As she lowered her head, she realized Song Xi was quietly holding the cup while she herself was just drinking without doing anything, which felt a bit impolite. To not make the other person so tired, she also held the cup, her fingertips inadvertently touching Song Xi’s hand.
Song Xi’s fingertips were warm. This touch made Song Xi’s hand tremble involuntarily. She couldn’t help but look up at her. The Omega’s face, flushed with red, was right there, making Song Xi’s heart skip a beat. Fortunately, Huiyi was too focused on drinking to notice Song Xi looking at her. She steadied her expression and pretended nothing happened, quickly returning to her original state. She thought she had fooled the camera and the others, but the person in front of her suddenly held her own straw with her other hand, gazed at her seriously, and asked softly:
“Are you tired? I’ll hold it for you.” She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she thought she felt Song Xi’s hand move just now. Thinking she shouldn’t let the other person take care of her all the time, she proactively made this request.
“…” Song Xi fell into her gentle eyes. Her breath hitched, her throat felt uncontrollably dry. She cleared her throat and said: “It’s okay.” Immediately, Song Xi looked away and quickly lowered her head, taking several large gulps without intending to stop. Suddenly, she drank too fast and was choked, unable to continue.
“Cough, cough…” Seeing this, Huiyi nervously stepped forward, reached out, and gently patted her back, saying worriedly: “Drink slowly, don’t rush.” As she drew near, the faint scent of freesia unique to Omegas drifted out and into Song Xi’s nose. It was a clear, sweet, and elegant fragrance, just like the impression Zhuang Huiyi gave.
Song Xi froze for a moment after accidentally smelling it, then immediately held her breath just to catch that faint scent lingering on her nose; even breathing felt redundant. “Cough…” She was coughing too much to speak, so she just waved her hand urgently to signal she was fine. Her face slowly turned red. Everyone assumed she was flushed from coughing; only she knew the real reason was the person who had suddenly moved close. Once she steadied her breath, she said: “Thank you.”
Before standing back, Huiyi suddenly had an idea. She playfully blocked her mouth with her hand, intentionally preventing the camera from capturing her lip movements, and whispered into Song Xi’s ear: “Later…” Huiyi’s warm breath fell on Song Xi’s ear. Song Xi’s ears were very sensitive; a numbing sensation made her tremble involuntarily. The girl’s lips touched her ear as a result—like a dragon-fly skimming the water.
They covered it mysteriously, but that only made people more curious. Wen Min was watching intently when the person beside her mischievously blew a breath into her ear. The voice right next to her was soul-hooking:
“Like this kind?”
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