Forced to Pretend to Be an A and Marry the Best Actress Omega - Chapter 20

Clearly… it wasn’t like this at the beginning.

Jiang Lingyu was lost in her thoughts, unsure whether to believe her own eyes. She knew Xu Mifei hadn’t lied to her back then—how could anyone joke about something so serious? If Xu Mifei were truly an alpha, she wouldn’t have been able to restrain herself in the greenhouse, merely kissing her scent gland.

“You’re asking for death…” Xu Wanzhi glared hatefully at Xu Mifei, yet despite Xu Mifei crouching right in front of her, she couldn’t get up.

Only she knew—Xu Mifei was a beta!

How could a beta overpower an alpha!?

Though Xu Wanzhi’s words were sharp, her heart was already filled with shock and doubt.

Before this, whenever Xu Mifei saw her release pheromones, she would tremble like a lowly servant, meek and submissive. Having witnessed Xu Mifei’s spineless demeanor too often, Xu Wanzhi knew full well that Xu Mifei’s bold front outside was just a bluff, all for show.

What, was she putting on this act today to stand up for Jiang Lingyu, truly believing Xu Wanzhi wouldn’t make her pay for it on the show?

No need to guess—the nearby cameras and PDs had already been cleared out by Xu Mifei, who was both a staff member and a major investor.

Xu Wanzhi tried to stand, but Xu Mifei pressed a hand lightly on her shoulder, “Xu Wanzhi, try bullying my wife again, and see what happens.”

Xu Mifei’s grip seemed gentle, yet the alpha’s face twisted uncontrollably into a mask of pain.

Damn it, where did Xu Mifei train to get such strength? For a moment, Xu Wanzhi once again felt an inexplicable sense of hierarchical suppression.

Xu Mifei chuckled and released her. Xu Wanzhi collapsed onto the ground, gritting her teeth as she spat at Jiang Lingyu behind her: “Did you see that? Aren’t you afraid she’ll end up abusing you if you marry someone like her?”

Xu Mifei ignored her. When she turned back, she saw Jiang Lingyu staring at her in a daze and inwardly cursed.

She’d gotten too into character.

Forgotten that Jiang Lingyu hated this side of her.

“Sorry, I scared you,” Xu Mifei withdrew the hand she’d been about to reach out to Jiang Lingyu, maintaining a proper distance. “I just couldn’t let her mouth off without consequences… Let’s go. You walk ahead.”

Xu Mifei hoisted the tent onto her shoulder, gesturing for Jiang Lingyu to go first.

Watching Xu Mifei’s obvious protective stance, Jiang Lingyu’s emotions surged in an instant.

She didn’t care what Xu Wanzhi said—every time Xu Wanzhi met her, her words left Jiang Lingyu uncomfortable.

In comparison, Xu Mifei had been lacking before, but she—

After signing the agreement that day, every word she’d spoken since had, without exception, made Jiang Lingyu feel one thing:

She was sincere, and she was sincerely trying to show her sincerity.

That was an exceedingly rare thing.

With no cameras following them on the way back to the temporary campsite, the two unexpectedly found themselves alone for a stretch of the journey.

Jiang Lingyu’s mind remained unsettled, her gaze drifting repeatedly toward Xu Mifei beside her, her lips parting as if to speak before hesitating again.

Should she speak up and ask Xu Mifei to stop and check on her? But that would seem strange and abrupt… This wasn’t easy for Jiang Lingyu either. She wanted to find the right moment, but with the campsite nearly in sight, the two of them remained silent.

When alone together, they might as well have been strangers. No one would guess they were a newly engaged couple.

The folded tent Xu Mifei carried on her shoulder didn’t look light. Jiang Lingyu thought to herself—there were rumors that Xu Mifei’s body was weak from indulging in nightlife, but clearly, that wasn’t the case at all.

When Xu Mifei confronted Xu Wanzhi earlier, she had no pheromones… yet she overpowered that formidable alpha with sheer strength.

At this moment, Jiang Lingyu gained a clearer understanding of Xu Mifei’s capabilities.

Indeed.

If Xu Mifei possessed such power, then her earlier gentleness toward Jiang Lingyu was deliberate.

That sensation wasn’t exactly pain… more like a pleasurable numbness that left her body weak. At the very least, she had truly been soothed.

“By the way,” Xu Mifei spoke up just as Jiang Lingyu’s thoughts began to drift. She pulled out a coconut jelly pudding from her pocket. “Want some? I noticed you barely ate earlier.”

Sweet.

Jiang Lingyu rarely indulged in sweets—her career as a celebrity demanded she stay camera-ready.

She hesitated, only for Xu Mifei to add, “I cut open a few coconuts over there. Let’s have one later? You worked so hard gathering supplies, yet I didn’t see you drink any water.”

For some reason, Jiang Lingyu curled her fingers back before they could reach out. Lowering her gaze, she said, “I don’t like sweet things.”

“Oh… right. I forgot to consider that.” Xu Mifei’s hand paused before she awkwardly tucked the pudding back into her pocket. After a moment, she added, “Don’t take Xu Wanzhi’s words to heart.”

Jiang Lingyu replied, “I’m not sure which part you’re referring to.” She hadn’t paid much attention to whatever Xu Wanzhi had said in front of her.

Did Xu Mifei care about Xu Wanzhi’s words? Jiang Lingyu was curious what exactly Xu Mifei could possibly care about.

“The photo in bed incident,” Xu Mifei murmured. “That matter…” She frowned, clearly struggling to bring it up.

Though it was the original owner who had done it, now that she was here, she had to clean up the mess one by one.

Her memories did include a scene where she and Jiang Lingyu lay in bed together before Xu Wanxiang yanked the covers off and took a photo—but nothing beyond that.

Likely, it was just a minor plot device to highlight the antagonist’s malice, so the author hadn’t elaborated further.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong before. Nothing like that will happen again.” Xu Mifei apologized sincerely. “Honestly, I can’t even understand my past actions.”

Jiang Lingyu studied her for a long moment before saying, “Actually, neither can I.”

Xu Mifei’s eyes lit up with surprise as she turned to Jiang Lingyu. “Really? You—”

Jiang Lingyu cut in, “I can’t understand your current behavior either.”

The change was too drastic, too sudden, without any warning or transition. It was as if in an instant, on the very day they were supposed to get engaged, this Xu Mifei had become a completely different person.

Some subconscious habits couldn’t be faked.

She was polite, knew her boundaries, and was considerate—even wrapping broken porcelain pieces in tissue before throwing them away. When working with the props team, she’d speak softly to colleagues, saying things like “Could you help me with this?” “Thank you,” or “Would you pass me that?” Even when Jiang Lingyu had asked her to bite, the most she’d done was grip Jiang Lingyu’s chin firmly, plant a deep kiss, and give a gentle suck.

She seemed so well-behaved, yet that momentary dominance and mischief were utterly captivating.

Xu Mifei’s smile froze.

She knew… it wouldn’t be easy to fool Jiang Lingyu.

Her mind raced, scrambling for a way to bluff her way through this.

In the end, she came up empty.

“I need to set up the tent.” Maybe a temporary retreat would work. Xu Mifei hoisted the tent, ready to leave, but to her surprise, Jiang Lingyu followed her to the clearing.

Xu Mifei: “?”

Finally steeling herself, Jiang Lingyu asked, “Can I see your scent gland?”

Someone this well-behaved wouldn’t refuse such a request, right?

Scent gland? She didn’t even have one!

Something was off. Was Jiang Lingyu hinting at something? Still testing her?

Countless possible responses flashed through Xu Mifei’s mind. She desperately searched for the right one. After two seconds of deliberation, she settled on what she thought was the perfect answer:

“Are you joking?”

Jiang Lingyu replied, “No!” Realizing her tone was too sharp, she took a deep breath and, after glancing around, lowered her voice. “I noticed your scent blocker might be coming loose. Come here, let me check it for you.”

“Huh? Really? No need for the trouble.” Xu Mifei set the tent down and reached back to pat the spot where her scent gland should be. “It’s secure now.”

Jiang Lingyu: “…”

Faced with Jiang Lingyu’s silent stare, Xu Mifei couldn’t shake the feeling that she was in danger.

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you feel anything different?”

“Different…” Xu Mifei realized she’d missed the mark again. Studying Jiang Lingyu’s expression closely, she noticed something odd—nervousness? Embarrassment? And maybe even…

This secluded grove, away from the cameras…

If not for their engagement, this almost felt like a secret rendezvous.

Suppressing the thrill of secrecy bubbling inside her, Xu Mifei tilted her head slightly and whispered, “You mean earlier? Well, there was a little difference… Your pheromones tasted much better than they smelled…”

Because she’d sampled them with her mouth.

“Xu Mifei! That’s not what I meant!” Jiang Lingyu’s face flushed instantly, her usually cool voice tinged with frustration. “I meant your scent gland!”

“My scent gland? It’s fine…” Internally, Xu Mifei groaned. Another wrong answer? How was she failing this open-book test so badly?

But when Jiang Lingyu mentioned scent glands again, it suddenly dawned on her, her ears already tinged with crimson. Xu Mifei tried her best to keep a straight face:

“Did I suck too hard earlier and make your scent gland swell? Are you uncomfortable?” Concern flickered in Xu Mifei’s eyes. “I’ll buy some medicine to apply for you later… Sorry, it’s my first time doing this, so I might not have controlled the pressure well.”

Who asked about that? Medicine? Who needs medicine?

And to say such improper things with such a serious expression—it felt more like proper flirting from a proper person.

The tenderness in Xu Mifei’s peach blossom eyes was innate. Whenever she looked at you, her shallow eyelid creases would deepen, pulling you into an inescapable abyss that dragged you down, making escape impossible.

The images Jiang Lingyu had tried to forget resurfaced.

Her breath hitched, and the irritation on her face turned to bashfulness. Could this person just stop spouting nonsense? She reached out and swatted Xu Mifei lightly.

The beta beauty, who had just effortlessly subdued an alpha with her sheer presence and carried a tent with ease, now took two steps back from that light tap, her face showing helplessness—even a hint of grievance.

“What was that for?”

…Why ask why? As if I’d tell you.

Jiang Lingyu realized her emotions had never fluctuated so wildly before.

Was it because of this person, or because she was in heat?

What others didn’t know was that her actual heat was supposed to be in the next couple of days. But because she had been given inducers last month and this month, her cycle had become erratic, and her emotions had grown even more sensitive.

Minor pheromone fluctuations around her heat period could occasionally make her temper flare—it was normal.

“I meant I wanted to see your neck—the back. Let me look,” Jiang Lingyu said, forcing herself to calm down. “Can you show me?”

Xu Mifei didn’t understand Jiang Lingyu’s intention but complied anyway.

“You’re a bit tall. Tilt your head to the side,” Jiang Lingyu murmured. “Move your hair aside.”

Xu Mifei replied slowly, “Take it easy… it tickles.”

“It’ll be quick.”

When Xu Mifei brushed her hair aside, Jiang Lingyu caught a fleeting whiff of a familiar, sharp scent—spicy at first, then sweet and sour. But it dissipated too quickly, making it hard to catch again.

Jiang Lingyu searched her memory for that scent, then paused and asked, “Have you been drinking?”

Xu Mifei said, “No, it’s work hours. How could I be drinking?”

When Jiang Lingyu’s fingertips grazed her skin, Xu Mifei tensed up, her entire body stiffening in response.

Even though there was no scent gland there, she was still sensitive.

Jiang Lingyu lifted a corner of the scent blocker. Her gaze fixed on the spot.

To the naked eye, there was no visible difference.

Had she been mistaken earlier, in her tense and defensive state?

Jiang Lingyu found it strange. Was she, in her nervous and guarded state, actually hoping Xu Mifei was an alpha? Otherwise, how could she have seen a slight bulge where her scent gland should be?

Impossible. She hated alphas.

She shook her head, dismissing the absurd thought.

“Done?” Xu Mifei asked.

The distance was far too close, making Xu Mifei feel an unfamiliar discomfort—an itch rising from deep within her heart that made her want to pull away from Jiang Lingyu’s shallow breaths brushing against her skin.

Her ears were heating up, and Jiang Lingyu noticed.

For some reason, Jiang Lingyu felt an unusual urge to tease her. She had already finished checking, but she still wanted to play with her a little.

She wanted to see whether the rumored playboy’s bashfulness in front of her was genuine or just an act—

“Almost done. Don’t move,” Jiang Lingyu murmured near Xu Mifei’s ear. When her fingertips accidentally grazed Xu Mifei’s earlobe, Xu Mifei shuddered instantly.

“What’s wrong? Does it hurt?”

“N-No.” Xu Mifei didn’t realize Jiang Lingyu was feigning ignorance. Her voice dropped slightly as she tried to suppress the emotions bubbling up inside her—pleasure and an inexplicable craving.

“Hurry up…” Xu Mifei bit her lip. “I still need to set up the tent later. Is there something wrong with my scent gland—no, my scent blocker?”

“Mhm. You might need to change it soon,” Jiang Lingyu replied absentmindedly, pressing her fingers lightly against the thin patch of skin.

Xu Mifei’s breath hitched.

With that slight reaction, Jiang Lingyu could clearly sense the hidden excitement beneath. She distinctly felt the lively, powerful pulse beneath the skin.

Only when she pressed down did she realize the faint bulge wasn’t an illusion.

It wasn’t an illusion.

How could Xu Mifei—

Jiang Lingyu abruptly withdrew her hand, her expression cooling once more.

“What’s wrong?”

Xu Mifei’s breathing was slightly uneven as she turned to look at Jiang Lingyu, who had taken a small step back.

“I need your help with something,” Jiang Lingyu said, studying Xu Mifei’s face for any cracks in her composure.

There were none. Xu Mifei showed no signs of faltering.

Only someone on the verge of differentiation would have such intense pulsations in their scent gland. Could Xu Mifei really be unaware?

Xu Mifei nodded, instinctively pressing a hand over her scent blocker. “Go ahead.”

“During these two days of filming, to get through my heat… I’ll need your comfort,” Jiang Lingyu said. “Like what you did in the greenhouse before.”

Xu Mifei’s eyes widened in surprise. What did that mean? Was she asking her to kiss her scent gland again, like she had in the greenhouse?

Would that really be enough to soothe an omega?

Countless questions swirled in her mind, but when she met Jiang Lingyu’s gaze, they all lodged in her throat.

Because Jiang Lingyu’s expression didn’t suggest she was talking about something as significant as “marking.” Instead, it seemed like a task she had no choice but to complete—devoid of emotion or personal sentiment.

As if they were nothing more than ordinary colleagues.

It didn’t matter if it was Xu Mifei or someone else—it was just more convenient to ask her.

“That level is enough to get me through these few days,” Jiang Lingyu said. “Can you help me? Just once a day.”

“…Alright.” Xu Mifei pushed aside her tangled thoughts and agreed. She also understood that frequent, long-term use of suppressants wasn’t beneficial. “Whenever you need.”

When Jiang Lingyu returned to the camera’s view, everyone was sitting in the living room taking a break. Shen Wansui approached her holding a coconut jelly pudding: “Yuyu-jie, is your tent ready?”

Jiang Lingyu nodded, then noticed the pudding Shen Wansui was eating was identical to the one Xu Mifei had given her earlier. She frowned slightly.

For a few moments, she had genuinely believed Xu Mifei was truly kind to her.

But she soon realized that wasn’t the case—Xu Mifei could be this thoughtful and kind to everyone.

The coconut she said was for Jiang Lingyu could be given to Wen Yue, and the pudding meant for her was now also in Shen Wansui’s hands.

So why did she keep believing in Xu Mifei over and over again?

Because Xu Mifei could comfort her?

Shen Wansui noticed Jiang Lingyu’s gaze and asked, “Yuyu-jie, why aren’t you eating yours? The production team just handed these out—only one per person.”

“Everyone got one?”

“Yep, even the crew, but everyone only gets one. It’s so precious! Yue Yue already finished hers and asked for mine, but I didn’t give it to her, haha.” Shen Wansui laughed and took the last bite.

Xu Wanzhi walked over with a complicated expression and placed a pudding in Jiang Lingyu’s hand. “This is yours. You weren’t here when they were handing them out, so I took it for you.”

Jiang Lingyu accepted it. “Thanks.”

She didn’t actually like sweets.

But she noticed Xu Mifei seemed to enjoy them. Was it really that good? If Xu Mifei liked it, maybe she should just give hers to her.

OMG, they’re feeding us candy again! My ship is delivering!

 

Ugh, why does their dynamic feel like they’ve been married for years?

I think everyone should take advantage of the truth buff and ask Teacher Lin and Zhenzhen-jie for marriage advice. I wanna take notes for the future, lol.

 

Ehhh, just checked another feed—Peacock Xu is actually setting up Yuyu’s tent? What, is she switching to the suck-up strategy now?

 

People like her are all about appearances. If she knew the cameras weren’t rolling, would she act like this? Everyone knows her trashy reputation—she only joined the props team for fun.

This makes me so mad. Is she seriously trying to fool new viewers with this act? Newbies, go search “playboy scumbag alpha” on Touchbo—I guarantee every result will be about Xu Mifei.

The scammer who stole Zhizhi’s engagement has the nerve to show off on this show? Disgusting.

Isn’t it just the production team assigning her to set up a tent? Why so much hate? Is Xu Mifei really that bad? But every time I see her face… ugh, I can’t help it.

 

OMG, guys, go check the other feed! She’s actually tampering with something!

The moment this comment appeared, a third of the millions watching the casual interactions in the living room immediately switched to Xu Mifei’s feed.

What is she putting inside the tent’s lining?!

 

I can’t take this—I’m reporting the show for prioritizing money over safety. If she’s adding something weird, what if it scares Yuyu at night?!

 

@ProductionTeam @ProductionTeam @ProductionTeam, investigate this NOW!

Completely unaware that she had entered the live broadcast frame, Xu Mifei was diligently setting up the tent. Her focused profile and determined gaze were captured one by one by the camera.

At that moment, she was sprinkling star powder into the tent’s inner layer, along with some star-shaped glitter flakes.

Just then, Jin Chiyu’s slightly anxious voice came through her earpiece: “Hey, Xiao Xu, what are you doing?”

“Setting up the tent.”

Originally, Xu Mifei’s feed was just a small, inconspicuous camera angle.

But now, the skyrocketing viewer count for this tiny frame had shot up from rock bottom, startling Jin Chiyu so much that she nearly leaped out of her seat.

This was what they meant by “even bad publicity is still publicity.”

This was it! Everyone kept complaining, yet not a single person left the split-screen view—and the numbers were still climbing.

Jin Chiyu hadn’t planned to interfere initially. Traffic meant money, and she was a director who knew her limits. She hadn’t turned on the cameras when she saw Xu Mifei and Jiang Lingyu talking, only starting the feed when Xu Mifei began completing the prop team’s task.

But she never expected the backlash to be so intense or the influx of viewers to be so overwhelming.

To put it bluntly, the peak traffic during the first three episodes—when the other two pairs of guests were at each other’s throats—could barely compare to the attention Xu Mifei was drawing now.

So, when fans in the barrage demanded she remove Xu Mifei from the show, Jin Chiyu chose to play dead.

Besides, Xu Mifei was also a sponsor. Did she want to lose her meal ticket by kicking out the golden goose?

Yet, when she saw Xu Mifei brazenly sprinkling something inside the tent’s lining, Jin Chiyu finally couldn’t hold back.

“I mean—what exactly are you putting in the tent?”

Take it easy, my dear Miss Xu… Jin Chiyu watched the rising viewer count, her heart in her throat.

What if it was some kind of drug? And with this being a live broadcast, the fallout would be disastrous!

“Oh, this? It’s star powder. For some reason, the fluorescent pattern we were supposed to have disappeared.” Xu Mifei curved her lips into a smile and subtly angled the camera closer while Jin Chiyu spoke to her.

Though whatever she said afterward was lost without audio pickup, that smile appeared crystal clear on screen.

For a brief moment, the barrage froze.

Then, the camera smoothly returned to its normal mid-range shot.

That smile just now…

 

Sisters, seriously? Are we switching sides already? What’s the meaning of this? She’s always known how to play up her strengths—she knew the camera was on her, didn’t she?

 

For a second, I was reminded of the year Xu Mifei first presented as an alpha—she made waves topping the must-watch list back then. If only things hadn’t gone downhill after… Damn, the lethality of a white moonlight… (wipes tears)

 

I remember. The reviews were intense—said those bedroom eyes could make even a dog look lovestruck.

 

@ProductionTeam, why pull the shot back? Bring it closer again. Not that I care or anything, I just want to see how fake Xu Mifei’s smile can get.

 

WAKE UP, PEOPLE!!! She’s pulling shady tricks! Are you all idiots?!

The outburst snapped everyone out of their daze.

Even Jin Chiyu, momentarily dazzled by that smile, snapped back to reality and barked at the subtitles team, “What are you waiting for? Explain, now!”

Just as the barrage reignited into chaos, a program disclaimer appeared on every viewer’s screen:

Please remain calm. This is our staff member fulfilling task requirements.

 

All materials used have been safety-checked by the prop team. This is star powder from the staff’s inventory.

The editors helpfully attached an image of the glittering star flakes—identical to what Xu Mifei had been holding.

Purpose: Nighttime glow; Additional use: Eases fear of darkness.

Yet the barrage fired back,

This tent is for our Yuyu! Yuyu isn’t afraid of the dark—there’s even a camping lamp inside. Who’s this performance for? The production team’s just taking her money to enable these clumsy little stunts, aren’t they?

The final line of subtitles stuttered before fully displaying:

We sincerely apologize. One of our staff members responsible for setting up tents and performing tasks is afraid of the dark.

The barrage of comments fell silent.

The barrage was speechless.

Who’s afraid of the dark? Who? Xu Mifei is afraid of the dark? This reason was instantly irrefutable. People had imagined countless possibilities, but who knew it would be such a simple explanation.

In the end, they could only squeeze out one snide remark, An alpha can be weak enough to fear the dark too?

The gossip accounts that had rushed over to report this scene were about to publish breaking news when they froze upon seeing the program team’s explanation.

After all this, you’re telling me Xu Mifei is afraid of the dark?!

It was peculiar, yet inexplicably carried a hint of endearing contrast.

Those who had been criticizing Xu Mifei most vehemently didn’t even realize—

Just watching Xu Mifei set up a tent had somehow become oddly satisfying.

–

The guests exchanged for necessary supplies at noon. With enough collected resources for the day, they spent the afternoon resting at their campsite, taking a nap.

Their meal was simple—just the ready-to-eat food they’d found earlier.

Since they didn’t go out, there was no need for props, so Xu Mifei consciously avoided drawing attention to herself in the afternoon. Instead, she stayed in the workroom monitoring the screens.

She kept an eye on Jiang Lingyu’s condition, as she might enter Heat at any moment. If anything seemed off, Xu Mifei could step out promptly to offer assistance.

Jin Chiyu occasionally glanced at her, probing indirectly, “Xiao Xu, aren’t you going out to check on things?Once people have experienced peak viewership, they tend to look down on periods of stable audience numbers…

Jin Chiyu was immensely grateful she’d agreed to bring Xu Mifei on board.

“They’re all resting. No tasks, no one needs watching. What would I do out there?” Xu Mifei stretched her hand out toward Jin Chiyu. “Director Jin, that pudding was pretty good. Mind giving me another one?”

“None left. We agreed on one per person, staff included.” It was a handmade pudding made by the locals, rich with coconut flavor and topped with a creamy skin. The locals didn’t make a living off it and had only reluctantly accepted this large order.

Xu Mifei let out a disinterested “Oh,” then crossed her long legs and closed her eyes for a feigned nap.

By evening, the temperature had indeed dropped sharply.

After a bonfire was lit at the temporary campsite, all the guests gathered outside to warm themselves. Jiang Lingyu hadn’t eaten much and was given a hot sweet potato by Lin Su, to which she murmured her thanks.

Lin Su asked, “Are you looking for someone?”

Jiang Lingyu paused. “Me? No.” She tightened her grip on the sweet potato, leaving faint fingerprints on its soft skin.

“I thought you were searching for someone,” Lin Su said. “Wanzhi seems to have gone to the restroom.”

Jiang Lingyu shook her head to indicate she didn’t know.

She wasn’t concerned about Xu Wanzhi’s whereabouts.

In her pocket, she still carried that coconut pudding.

She had thought to slip it to Xu Mifei during the afternoon while everyone was napping, but she never saw Xu Mifei emerge.

Where was she?

Jiang Lingyu averted her gaze and stared into the fire. Why was she looking for Xu Mifei? How strange.

She was just worried Xu Mifei might not notice the changes in her body and feel unwell.

That was all.

Nothing more.

Just then, Xu Wanzhi returned, wiping her hands.

The hushed conversation between Wen Yue and Shen Wansui drifted into Jiang Lingyu’s ears.

“Wow, they’re so good-looking… I told you none of the Xu family’s alphas are lacking in appearance.”

“Which one are you talking about?”

“Ahem, as adults, of course we’d choose both—”

Wen Yue pinched Shen Wansui’s ear and whispered, “You little rascal, Wansui, have you really grown tired of me?”

Shen Wansui giggled, “Baby, honestly speaking, if pheromones weren’t a factor, which alpha would you prefer between them?”

“Hmm? Truthfully, the one behind.”

Jiang Lingyu instinctively looked up, her gaze drifting in that direction.

Behind Xu Wanzhi, she finally caught sight of that familiar figure.

Xu Mifei was lazily trailing behind Xu Wanzhi.

The dark-toned staff uniform she wore somehow appeared crisp and immaculate on her, with every button fastened to the top.

Yet her demeanor was languid, her eyes perpetually shimmering with a lazy glow.

The stark contrast between meticulousness and nonchalance exuded an intense aura of restraint and intrigue.

It made one wonder—if those buttons were to come undone one by one, would she remain as composed in the throes of desire?

Jiang Lingyu slipped a hand into her coat pocket, the edge of the pudding packaging pressing uncomfortably against her fingertips.

Xu Wanzhi returned and settled into the moon chair beside Jiang Lingyu, smiling as she teased, “Why are you staring at me like that? I just went to the restroom—it’s not like I’d disappear.”

Jiang Lingyu immediately averted her gaze, her expression indifferent. “I wasn’t.”

Xu Mifei stood behind the photographer, occasionally tending to the nearby bonfire.

The evening had grown chilly, and the crew was eager to wrap up. Earlier, while passing the trailers, she’d overheard Yi Baoyou grumbling, “What kind of segment is this? They’re not even swapping items, yet I still have to babysit.”

If she’s so lazy, why even take the job?

To be precise, part of Yi Baoyou’s paycheck came from Xu Mifei’s own investment.

Xu Mifei wasn’t one to tolerate wasted resources, so she’d instructed Jin Chiyu to ensure full attendance, leading by example herself.

What a joke.

Even the investor was doubling as staff, diligently minding the fire—what excuse did a host have to slack off?

True to her reputation as a former rival to Jiang Lingyu, Yi Baoyou switched seamlessly from off-camera complaints to radiant on-screen charm.

“Tonight’s bonfire session is mainly to discuss tomorrow’s schedule and today’s point standings,” Yi Baoyou announced. “As you’ve probably guessed, today’s tasks revolved around honesty. Tomorrow’s theme will be loyalty.”

“Feel free to ask each other questions and use up your buff cards,” she added with a playful wink. “It’s cold, supplies are limited, and we still have post-interviews. Better finish quickly and get some rest. Let’s begin!”

Xu Mifei stirred the embers, discreetly tossing in a sweet potato.

With seasoned couples like Lin Su and He Yanzhen present, alongside lively youngsters like Wen Yue and Shen Wansui, the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

Soon, everyone had casually burned through one innocuous question each.

Wen Yue giggled and asked He Yanzhen, “Sister Zhenzhen, I’m curious—did you and Teacher Lin ever hit the seven-year itch?”

He Yanzhen said, “Of course not.”

Wen Yue wore an expression that said she had expected as much. “I thought Sister Zhenzhen would say yes, and then I could learn how to survive the seven-year itch.”

Lin Su’s gaze remained fixed on He Yanzhen, looking every bit like someone deeply in love.

“Then I’d like to ask Teacher Lin Su a question,” Jiang Lingyu, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up. All eyes turned to her.

Even Xu Mifei’s.

Jiang Lingyu asked, “Can feelings really last that long, Teacher Lin? I hope you’ll answer me honestly.”

Alright, alright, I get it. Everyone came here to learn from Teacher Lin and Sister Zhenzhen, right?

 

I declare we’ve got another sweet moment! So, Yuyu asked this question because she wants to be with ZhiZhi forever, right? Right? Right?]

 

ZhiZhi is blushing, so cute~ I love seeing soft-hearted Alphas~

Lin Su countered, “Do you think they can last?”

Jiang Lingyu replied calmly, “I don’t think so.”

“I used to think the same,” Lin Su’s gaze shifted from He Yanzhen to the flickering campfire as she spoke softly. “There are only two ways for feelings to endure. One is when love is so intense it can tolerate anything; the other is when there’s no love at all. Without love, it’s just cooperation—mutual interests naturally sustain it.”

No love means longevity.

No love means no care. Even if the other strays, as long as it doesn’t affect the benefits created when working together, it doesn’t matter.

Love brings vulnerability—jealousy and overthinking.

Jiang Lingyu understood in an instant. She knew Lin Su was right.

Just like with her and Xu Mifei—it could only be cooperation.

They were from different worlds, with countless differences. Small things like Xu Mifei loving sweets while she didn’t, big things like Xu Mifei being from the Xu family while she despised it.

Every single one was a chasm, an insurmountable divide.

He Yanzhen asked, “Teacher Lin, which one are we?”

Lin Su smiled indulgently. “Zhenzhen, my truth buff has run out. Besides, do we even need to ask that?”

The live chat erupted with comments about how sweet this was.

The remaining participants then eagerly used up their buff cards. Yi Baoyou, noticing Jiang Lingyu’s silence again, suddenly spoke up. “Lingyu, don’t you have anything to ask your partner?”

Jiang Lingyu’s gaze swept briefly over Xu Mifei before settling on the expectant Xu Wanzhi. She recalled all the warnings about Xu Wanzhi.

This was just a partner, one of many collaborators. No emotions should be involved.

Casually, she asked, “Do you like sweets?”

Xu Wanzhi laughed. “No, neither of us do. The pudding this afternoon was too sweet—I could only manage one bite.” She didn’t mention throwing the rest away, nor did she expect Jiang Lingyu to ask such a simple question.

But then again, maybe Jiang Lingyu just didn’t want to put her on the spot.

Jiang Lingyu gave a quiet hum.

Yi Baoyou immediately noticed Jiang Lingyu had kept one hand hidden the whole time. She stared at it. “Huh? What are you holding? Is it something you want to give Wanzhi but are too shy to?”

Yi Baoyou knew exactly what supplies the guests had received today, because everyone had checked and organized their items before coming to her to exchange for points.

All that remained were small things like flashlights, sweet potatoes, potatoes, thin blankets, and the like. To take out something like this as a gift—how utterly shabby.

And that Alpha, nominally engaged to Jiang Lingyu, was clearly standing among the staff.

If she saw Jiang Lingyu take out something to give to Xu Wanzhi, wouldn’t she fly into a rage?

It would be best if she did. The thought amused Yi Baoyou maliciously, and her voice grew even gentler. “Don’t be shy, go ahead and show everyone. You’ve acted with Wanzhi before, so you must know her well. Surely you wouldn’t give her something she dislikes?”

Jiang Lingyu hesitated.

Xu Wanzhi’s heart leaped with joy, mistaking Jiang Lingyu’s hesitation for shyness. She turned to the camera and said, “Don’t rush her, everyone. As long as it’s from Yuyu, even if it’s just a leaf, I’d be happy.”

Wasn’t this just forcing her hand?

Xu Mifei caught the deliberate back-and-forth between Yi Baoyou and Xu Wanzhi. Her fingers brushed against the prop controller in her pocket, about to press it—

Jiang Lingyu pulled something out of her pocket.

A coconut jelly pudding.

The very one Xu Wanzhi had just said she wouldn’t eat.

Xu Wanzhi’s smile stiffened instantly.

“Sorry, I don’t know her that well,” Jiang Lingyu replied coolly to Yi Baoyou. Even though Xu Wanzhi was seething inside, nearly choking on her frustration, she still managed a graceful smile and reached out. “It’s fine. I said I’d like anything you give me.”

“This wasn’t meant for you in the first place.” Jiang Lingyu tucked the pudding back into her pocket, catching Xu Mifei’s gaze following the movement from the corner of her eye. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

Just like a greedy little kitten, eyeing the treat it wanted.

By now, the atmosphere on set had grown palpably awkward.

Something seemed poised to snap at any moment.

A crack finally appeared in Xu Wanzhi’s expression. The other four guests glanced at the production team, waiting for instructions on whether to smooth things over—but the director remained silent.

Yi Baoyou pressed on, “Then who is it for?”

“For the kitten.”

Jiang Lingyu’s indifferent response only angered Yi Baoyou further. Her voice rose sharply. “That’s impossible! Today’s task is about honesty—you have to tell the truth! Who is it really for?!”

She was determined to force an answer, to humiliate Jiang Lingyu into quitting the show if possible. And to make Xu Wanzhi see exactly what kind of woman she was dealing with.

Snap.

Jiang Lingyu pulled out a “Lie Card” from her other pocket and tossed it onto the ground.

This was her reward—she could use it freely to lie as she pleased.

In this game of honesty, Jiang Lingyu met Yi Baoyou’s gaze head-on, wielding her privilege to brazenly weave truth and lies together:

“It is for my favorite little kitten.” She even chuckled softly. “I’ll hold her in my arms and feed it to her. That’s my gift to her.”