After Transmigrating, I Joined a Dating Show with the Fake Heiress Actress - Chapter 8

Bai Man quickly turned around and saw Su Qingwan holding a fish in her hand, with a few glistening water droplets clinging to her face.

 

The droplets slid down Su Qingwan’s smooth facial contours, tracing a path to her jawline. Just as they were about to drip onto her collar, she belatedly freed a hand to wipe them away.

 

Yu Meng was equally astonished by Su Qingwan’s feat. After all, the Su Qingwan she knew had always been gentle and refined. Yet this very person had caught a fish with her bare hands.

 

Yu Meng immediately gave Su Qingwan a thumbs-up. Even Yima, who had been watching from the shore, jumped up and down, clapping her hands in delight. “Sister, you’re amazing!”

 

Su Qingwan’s cheeks flushed pink. “When I was little, we lived in the countryside. There was a river right in front of our house. Every summer, when the river flooded, lots of fish would get washed down from upstream. I just learned how to catch them over time.”

 

Yu Meng looked surprised. “You grew up in the countryside? I thought your family…” Her words trailed off as her gaze met Bai Man’s.

 

Su Qingwan glanced at Bai Man, her demeanor becoming slightly awkward. “Back then, my dad—” she corrected herself, “they were starting their business, so they had me stay with my grandparents first.”

 

Hearing this, Bai Man mentally asked System 388, “Why isn’t this part in the book?”

 

System 388 replied: The book only briefly mentions Su Qingwan’s past, without going into detail.

 

Bai Man: “……”

 

“Ah!”

 

A scream and the sound of someone falling into the water rang out in quick succession.

 

Yu Meng, Su Qingwan, and Bai Man all turned to look. Liu Yue had slipped and fallen into the river, and Yu Meng, who was closest, got splashed with water.

 

Yu Meng wiped the water from her face and asked, “Are you okay?”

 

Liu Yue’s eyes were misty with tears, and she said with a pained expression, “I’m not okay. It hurts a lot.”

 

How could it not hurt? The riverbed was full of rocks of all sizes.

 

Yu Meng cautiously stepped into the river and approached Liu Yue, extending a hand to help her up.

 

“Ms. Yu, my foot really hurts. Do you think I might have broken it?” Liu Yue asked, tears streaming down her face.

 

The cameraman filming the scene grew anxious and signaled to his assistant to check on her.

 

Before the assistant could move, Yima’s Dad’s voice rang out, “Let me take a look.”

 

Liu Yue’s sun-protective jacket was now half-soaked, revealing the deep-V blue silk camisole beneath.

 

Bai Man quickly averted her gaze, took off her athletic cardigan, called out to Yu Meng, and tossed it to her.

 

Yu Meng caught the cardigan and, remembering the earlier scene, quickly bent down to drape it over Liu Yue.

 

The cameraman cleared his throat and subtly shifted the camera angle.

 

Live Stream Chat:

 

Ah… Bai Man is so cool! She not only silently offered her hand to Wanwan but also took off her jacket for Liu Yue. I love this side of her!

 

Confirmed: Bai Man is tough, speaks little, and acts decisively.

 

I really want to see what that face, as beautiful as a ragdoll cat, looks like when she smiles.

 

Am I the only one who thinks Liu Yue is being dramatic? Even now, she’s still managing her expressions.

 

Ah… I still prefer my Wanwan. I screen-recorded the clip of her catching fish—I’m going to watch it a hundred times!

 

My Mengmeng is great too! She even went into the river to help Liu Yue!

 

 

As viewers in the live stream shared their opinions, the man approached Liu Yue, knelt down, and began pressing gently up her ankle, asking at each point, “Does it hurt?”

 

Liu Yue’s response was always, “Yes, it hurts.”

 

After the examination, the man withdrew his hand. “No fracture, just a scrape.”

 

“You’re not a doctor,” Liu Yue retorted, pouting. “How can you be so sure?”

 

“Sister, my Dad often treats the uncles and aunties around here,” Yima replied proudly. “He’s really good!”

 

Liu Yue’s face paled slightly as she muttered, “That’s still not professional.”

 

The man stood up and looked at the camera. “Should we take her back or apply some medicine at my place first?”

 

The cameraman glanced at the assistant, who understood the cue and suggested to Liu Yue, “Ms. Liu, should we head back first?”

 

But Liu Yue shifted her gaze to Yu Meng, her eyes filled with anticipation. “Ms. Yu, would you stay with me?”

 

Bai Man knew Yu Meng wouldn’t refuse. She turned to Su Qingwan. “Give me your hand.”

 

“Oh!” Su Qingwan extended her hand halfway, then noticed fish scales clinging to it. She quickly bent down and rinsed her hand in the river.

 

Unbeknownst to her, as Su Qingwan bent over, the twin snow peaks of her chest were faintly visible through the round neckline of her shirt. Sunlight refracted off her snow-white skin, creating shimmering highlights.

 

Bai Man unconsciously swallowed, forcing herself to look away.

 

System 388: Host, your heart rate is approaching 120, and your body temperature has risen to 38°C. Are you still denying that you like Su Qingwan?

 

Bai Man narrowed her eyes slightly and asked telepathically, What did you see?

 

System 388 shuddered its mechanical body. I… I only caught a glimpse.

 

You saw?

 

Bai Man: Where’s your chassis?

 

System 388: ……

 

Having washed her hands, Su Qingwan straightened up and immediately sensed the hostile aura radiating from Bai Man. She blinked, wondering what was wrong this time.

 

Does she find me repulsive?

 

Hesitant to offer her hand again, Su Qingwan said, “I can manage myself,” and stepped forward.

 

Only after confirming Su Qingwan could handle it did Bai Man turn and continue walking.

 

By the time Bai Man reached the shore, Yu Meng and Liu Yue had already returned to the opposite bank, escorted by their assistants onto a sightseeing vehicle.

 

The photographer, however, showed no signs of leaving, determined to follow them to the end.

 

Su Qingwan waded ashore with the returning man. Yima immediately ran from Bai Man’s side to greet her. “Sister, you’re amazing! You can catch fish with your bare hands!”

 

Zhuole, who had been searching for someone, approached and his face fell when he saw Bai Man and Su Qingwan. He muttered, “What’s so amazing about catching one fish? It’s not even enough to eat.”

 

It’s that woman in white, he thought. If it weren’t for her, Dad wouldn’t have scolded me this morning.

 

Normally, Dad always gave him the best food first. But this morning, he had given the fish to “Sister.” When Zhuole tried to snatch it back, Dad had scolded him.

 

He hated this woman. She was the reason Dad no longer loved him.

 

Though his voice was soft, everyone present could hear him.

 

Su Qingwan smiled gently. “Do you want to eat fish? If you do, I can catch more.”

 

Zhuole straightened his back. “I can catch fish too.”

 

“You’re really impressive,” Su Qingwan praised.

 

Zhuole’s chin lifted higher, his face brimming with pride. “Dare to compete with me?”

 

Without hesitation, Su Qingwan replied, “Sure!”

 

“I’ll go get the fish baskets!” Yima ran off, stopping after a few steps to call back to Su Qingwan, “Sister, my brother is really good too!”

 

Su Qingwan’s lips curved into a slight smile as she nodded solemnly. “I can tell.”

 

Her words greatly encouraged Zhuole. He rolled up his pant legs and waded into the river.

 

“Then you guys can play here,” the man said, turning awkwardly to Bai Man. “You… you should stay for dinner. Yima really likes you.”

 

Bai Man nodded. “Okay.”

 

She could see that Yima was happier today than yesterday, less reserved and fearful.

 

Besides being in familiar territory, the change in the man’s attitude also played a role.

 

Since he was showing a different side, it meant he wasn’t beyond redemption.

 

Moreover, considering their tense standoff yesterday, his sudden invitation to dinner showed a decent level of magnanimity.

 

The man hadn’t expected her to accept so quickly. He nodded stiffly and left.

 

Meanwhile, Su Qingwan had already rolled up her sweatpants, her fair skin reflecting a dazzling light that drew gasps from viewers in the live stream.

 

Wanwan is so fair, and her legs are so slender!

 

Go, Wanwan! Teach that brat a lesson!

 

Suddenly, I think that man is kind of cute for taking the initiative to invite Bai Man to dinner.

 

Phew… My worries are finally easing. Judging by the man’s attitude, he’s realized his mistake. Hopefully, he won’t be so biased in the future.

 

Ah… My Wanwan is so gentle. She understands Zhuole’s feelings of unfairness and patiently keeps him company.

 

Zhuole is still young. With proper guidance, he can definitely overcome his old bad habits.

 

 

Bai Man remained unaware of the live stream chat. Her gaze was fixed on Su Qingwan, who was hunched over, searching for fish.

 

Hibiscus City, situated at a high altitude, was surrounded by vast grasslands, leaving few residents interested in fish farming. With the rainy season yet to arrive, even though the city lay in the middle and lower reaches of the river, hardly any fish passed through. The only ones present were those that had lingered in the area.

 

Fortunately, the locals had little appetite for fish, allowing Su Qingwan and Zhuole to quickly spot their targets.

 

They cautiously extended their hands, swiftly and accurately plunging them into the water. In an instant, a crucian carp no wider than two fingers appeared in Su Qingwan’s grasp.

 

As she straightened up, Zhuole also caught the fish he had spotted.

 

He triumphantly raised his hand, holding the fish aloft. “Look, mine’s bigger than yours!”

 

Su Qingwan nodded emphatically. “You’re amazing!”

 

The fish, now out of the water, struggled violently in Zhuole’s hand. In the blink of an eye, it slipped free and leaped back into the river, sending a splash that drenched both Zhuole and Su Qingwan.

 

Seeing the water droplets on Su Qingwan’s face, Zhuole bent down and splashed her hard. “I hate you all!”

 

Su Qingwan smiled silently, standing her ground and letting Zhuole splash her.

 

Bai Man, who had been sitting on a rock, rose to her feet. Frowning slightly, she stepped forward, determined to discipline the little brat.

 

After only a few steps, Su Qingwan’s gentle voice rang out, “Are you blaming us for taking away some of your Dad’s love?”

 

Zhuole’s eyes immediately reddened, his voice trembling with tears. “It’s all your fault! If it weren’t for you, Dad would still love only me.”

 

“Are you feeling hurt right now?” Su Qingwan placed the fish she was holding into the water, took two steps forward, and crouched down to meet Zhuole’s gaze. “I know you’re hurting, but have you ever considered that your sister feels the same pain and resentment?”

 

Zhuole pressed his lips together, tears welling in his eyes.

 

Su Qingwan reached out and gently stroked Zhuole’s cheek. “When I was little, I used to dream of having an older sister. She would keep me company when our parents were away. During thunderstorms, I’d run to her room with my pillow and hide under her covers, sleeping beside her. We might bicker over snacks or toys, but when someone bullied me, she would always stand up for me without hesitation. Just imagining it made me feel so happy.”

 

Zhuole pressed his lips together, weakly protesting, “I’m younger than her.”

 

Bai Man cut in, “Don’t forget, before you came along, all of your Dad’s affection belonged to her.”

 

Seeing Zhuole’s tears, Su Qingwan glared at Bai Man before turning back to Zhuole and pulling him into a hug, gently patting his back. “Zhuole, it’s wrong to think like that.”

 

Su Qingwan paused, then continued, “Imagine you had a younger sister, and your Dad told you to give all your favorite foods and toys to her. Would you be willing to do that?”

 

Zhuole shook his head.

 

“But your sister still gives things to you, right?”

 

Zhuole nodded.

 

“Do you know why?”

 

Zhuole tilted his head. “Because she’s afraid of getting punished.”

 

Bai Man clenched her fists at this.

 

Sensing her anger, Su Qingwan glanced at her, giving her a reassuring look.

 

“That’s not the reason. It’s because your sister loves you. But a person’s love has limits. When your sister realizes her love isn’t being reciprocated, her disappointment will turn into despair. Then you’ll lose her. Do you want her to leave?” Su Qingwan asked softly, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the riverbank.

 

Zhuole grew anxious. “Where would she go? Why would she leave?”

 

“She’d go to a place where she can find love—a place that might be very far away!”

 

Zhuole shook his head. Seeing Yima approaching with a fish basket, he immediately broke free from Su Qingwan’s embrace and, ignoring the sharp pebbles underfoot, rushed toward Yima, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “Sister, I was wrong! Please don’t go!” he sobbed. “I… I won’t argue with you anymore. Can you please stay?”

 

Yima wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not leaving, and I won’t leave.”

 

Zhuole looked up, tears still clinging to his face. “Really?” He held out his hand. “Let’s pinky swear.”

 

Yima shifted the fish basket to her other hand and pressed her thumb against Zhuole’s in a pinky swear.

 

 

Livestream Comments:

 

OMG, our Wanwan is absolutely amazing! Not only is she beautiful and a great actress, but she’s also a natural with kids. She’s the perfect wife and mother material!

 

Bai Man must be a strict mom, the kind who can make kids cry with just a glare.

 

LOL, you’re exaggerating. But Bai Man’s glare just now was genuinely terrifying. I was so scared she’d rush over and beat Zhuole up.

 

A beating would do him good. It’d teach him to behave.

 

I don’t support violent discipline. It might make kids afraid, but it’s not a long-term solution. Wanwan’s approach is much better—it addresses both the symptoms and the root cause.

 

Zhuole, ever the little rascal, immediately challenged Su Qingwan to a milk-squeezing contest after their pinky swear.

 

But Su Qingwan’s clothes were soaked from his earlier antics. Even if they weren’t wet, she couldn’t compete with him.

 

Not only had she never milked a cow before, she’d never even seen one in real life.