Heartbeat - Chapter 30

It was the height of noon, and Zhao Qifei stood in the villa’s courtyard under the scorching sun. Yet he stubbornly maintained his facade, flashing a carefree smile at the camera as he declared, “A bet’s a bet. I’ll start running right now.”

As he began to jog, Zhao Qifei glanced back and noticed the cameraman trailing behind. Frowning, he asked, “Why aren’t you keeping up?”

“Oh, my equipment’s too heavy,” the cameraman replied honestly. “There are fixed cameras in the courtyard that can capture your run. I’ll just wait for you here.”

Zhao Qifei’s expression cracked. So he was the only one suffering?

Quickly regaining his composure, he said to the cameraman, “Alright, you rest up. I’ll run by myself.”

With that, Zhao Qifei started running around the courtyard. The villa, including the front yard and the swimming pool in the back, meant each lap was about 600 meters. In this sweltering heat, he was drenched in sweat after just one lap.

He was already regretting his bravado. If only he hadn’t tried to act tough, drinking a cup of wine would have been so much easier—and far more comfortable than running under the blazing sun.

But he’d already completed one lap. Stopping now would make him look like he couldn’t keep his word, so he gritted his teeth and pressed on.

Upstairs, Mao Ning suggested everyone go to the window to watch Zhao Qifei and cheer him on.

So Mao Ning, Su Jianyue, Ren Peng, Chen Zhibin, and several others lined up at the window, leaning out to cheer for Zhao Qifei below.

“Teacher Zhao, keep going! Just one more lap!” Chen Zhibin shouted excitedly from above.

Su Jianyue, leaning against the window, watched the spectacle with amusement. “Wow, Brother Zhao is something else! Running three laps under this scorching sun!”

“Exactly! I bet he could run another three laps without breaking a sweat,” Mao Ning chimed in.

Below, Zhao Qifei ran, drenched in sweat. When he glanced up and saw the neat row of heads leaning out the window, cheering him on, his vision blurred with anger. Are they mocking me? he fumed.

By the time he finished the three laps under the blazing sun, his undershirt was completely soaked.

The live stream chat was buzzing with activity:

LOL! Mr. Tough Guy, will you ever dare to act tough again?

His undershirt is soaked! This is hilarious!

Jiang Ying’s a real one! She knows how to deal with Mr. Tough Guy. I’m dying of laughter!

Tsk, you guys are so biased against Zhao Qifei. He hasn’t even done anything wrong!

“Even Zhao Qifei has fans these days? Talk about low standards.”

By the time Zhao Qifei, his hair still dripping wet, reached the third floor, Su Jianyue and the others were each enjoying a slice of chocolate mousse cake.

Noticing his sweat-soaked appearance, Su Jianyue worried he might make her sister uncomfortable. “Brother Zhao, why don’t you go wash your face and change your shirt? Your undershirt looks completely soaked.”

“Yeah, the villa’s air conditioning is on. You should change before you catch a cold,” Yu Lin added.

Zhao Qifei glanced at himself, realizing he did look rather disheveled. “Alright, give me about ten minutes. I’ll be right back. Don’t eat all the mousse cake—save some for me. I haven’t tried Shen Xun’s desserts yet.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll save you some,” Zheng Tianming replied dryly.

Su Jianyue continued happily eating her cake, then leaned over to Shen Xun and said sweetly, “Sister, this cake is so delicious!”

Seeing how much the Little Puppy seemed to enjoy it, Shen Xun smiled. “When we get back, I’ll make it for you anytime you want.”

“Hehe, you’re the best!” Su Jianyue beamed at Shen Xun.

Mao Ning coughed twice. “You two, we’re still here. Can you stop flirting in front of us?”

The tips of Su Jianyue’s ears flushed slightly. “No, I was just complimenting my sister’s desserts. They’re really delicious.”

“Hmph, I almost believed you,” Mao Ning scoffed, already figuring out that these two were either flirting or already dating.

The group continued eating and waiting. Fortunately, Zhao Qifei was punctual. Ten minutes later, he came downstairs in shorts and a t-shirt. “I’m here! Let’s continue.”

As he spoke, Zhao Qifei grabbed his dessert and took a bite. “Mmm, this cake is so good!”

Hearing Zhao Qifei’s praise, Shen Xun merely nodded faintly. “It’s alright. Just a regular cake. Let’s get back to the game.”

“Yeah, let’s continue,” Mao Ning chimed in.

Since Zhao Qifei had been punished last time, it was now his turn to spin the bottle. He gave it a forceful spin, and soon the bottle pointed toward Yu Lin.

Zhao Qifei grinned. “Truth or dare?”

Yu Lin smiled back. “Truth. I don’t think I could run three laps.”

Zhao Qifei bristled at this, but he couldn’t show his anger outwardly. He was practically choking with frustration. “Fine, then truth it is. Is there anyone here you’d like to date? And who is she?”

“I’ll only answer one question,” Yu Lin declared candidly, glancing at Su Jianyue. “There’s someone I want to be with.”

Su Jianyue met Yu Lin’s gaze and quickly scooted closer to Shen Xun, reminding herself that she was her sister’s “Little Puppy” and shouldn’t provoke her anger again.

“Fine, I’ll let you off the hook. Carry on,” Zhao Qifei said, having deliberately asked the question to unsettle Su Jianyue.

“Let me off the hook?” Yu Lin retorted. “I answered the question!”

With that, she spun the bottle, which slowly came to rest pointing at Chen Zhibin. “Truth or dare?”

Remembering Zhao Qifei’s miserable experience, Chen Zhibin immediately chose, “Truth.”

“Among everyone here, who’s the female omega you care about most? Give me her exact name,” Yu Lin demanded, proving far more strategic than Zhao Qifei by insisting on pinpointing the individual.

Chen Zhibin scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. While the other two female omegas present were attractive, he considered himself a catch and was determined to win Shen Xun’s favor. Her family’s wealth meant that if he could win her over, he’d skip thirty years of hard work.

Thinking this, Chen Zhibin glanced at Shen Xun and declared, “It’s Shen Xun.”

After Chen Zhibin spoke, the others nodded as if they had expected this all along.

Ren Peng chimed in with a teasing tone, “Tsk, tsk, tsk! Only you would be so direct!”

“Of course,” Chen Zhibin replied with a smug grin, but Shen Xun didn’t even spare him a glance.

Shen Xun remained focused on the little puppy beside her, afraid of making her jealous. She even took Su Jianyue’s wrist in her right hand, her thumb gently tracing circles on Su Jianyue’s skin.

When Su Jianyue heard Chen Zhibin’s interest in Shen Xun, she nearly bristled with anger. Her sister already had her as her little puppy—she wouldn’t want another one.

But before Su Jianyue could fully react, she noticed her sister holding her wrist and gently caressing it.

Su Jianyue immediately calmed down, her fur smoothing. See? she thought. Sister doesn’t like other puppies.

Chen Zhibin, feeling awkward from Shen Xun’s lack of reaction, quickly changed the subject. “Alright, it’s my turn to spin the bottle.”

With a forceful twist, he spun the bottle. It slowed to a stop, pointing directly at Su Jianyue.

Chen Zhibin’s eyes lit up, finally seeing his chance to stir things up. “Truth or dare?” he asked eagerly.

Su Jianyue glanced at the wine glass on the table, half-filled with white wine. After fiddling with it for a while, she felt a sudden urge to drink something. She decided to choose “Dare” and, if the challenge proved too difficult, she’d simply opt to drink the wine instead, figuring it would be a good opportunity to try it.

With this thought, Su Jianyue confidently declared, “I choose Dare!”

Zhao Qifei perked up, giving Su Jianyue a thumbs-up. “You still dare to choose that after I ran myself ragged? Alright, you’re impressive.”

Shen Xun also glanced at Su Jianyue, wondering what her Little Puppy was up to. But since she’d already spoken, there was no backing out now.

“Alright, then I’ll give you a dare,” Chen Zhibin said with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’m a nice guy. I won’t give you anything too difficult. How about this: kiss the person to your right for three seconds—just on the cheek.”

Shen Xun’s expression immediately turned cold. “Doesn’t the person being kissed have the right to refuse?”

Chen Zhibin nodded. “Of course. But since Liang Wenjing is sitting to Su Jianyue’s right, Liang Wenjing, if you want to refuse, just raise your hand now.”

Liang Wenjing considered for a moment but didn’t raise her hand. She had liked Su Jianyue from the start, but Su Jianyue and Shen Xun had always been close. Since she hadn’t drawn Su Jianyue for their first date, this opportunity for a more intimate interaction seemed promising.

Seeing Liang Wenjing’s lack of objection, Chen Zhibin’s eyes lit up. Perfect! If Su Jianyue kissed her, it would drive a wedge between her and Shen Xun—exactly the outcome he wanted!

Hearing this, Su Jianyue knew she couldn’t go through with it. Kissing a girl out of the blue? How inappropriate! Besides, her sister would be furious.

Thinking this, Su Jianyue reached for her wine glass.

But before she could take it, Shen Xun snatched the glass. “My sister doesn’t drink. I’ll take this for her.”

“Hey, wait—” Chen Zhibin protested, but Shen Xun had already drained the half-full glass.

Su Jianyue froze, completely stunned that her sister would drink for her.

“Are you okay?” she leaned in anxiously, worried Shen Xun might get drunk.

Shen Xun shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“This isn’t fair!” Zhao Qifei snapped, his voice rising in frustration. “Su Jianyue hasn’t even spoken for herself, and you’re already drinking for her! What if she actually wanted to kiss Liang Wenjing?” Zhao Qifei was growing desperate. Why was Shen Xun being so protective of Su Jianyue?

Su Jianyue scratched the back of her neck. “I was planning to drink anyway. It’s not that I have anything against Liang Wenjing, but I think kissing a girl without her consent would be disrespectful. So, I definitely wouldn’t do that.”

Shen Xun nodded in agreement, having overheard Su Jianyue’s words. See? My Little Puppy still has good judgment on these matters.

“It’s not that serious,” Chen Zhibin argued, defending himself. “It’s just a game. As long as you have consent, it’s fine.”

“True,” Su Jianyue replied, “but choosing to drink instead avoids any potential offense.” She was being honest. They weren’t close, and kissing her without consent would just be taking advantage of her.

Meanwhile, the Live Stream audience was buzzing with heated debate.

Ahhh, Shen Xun is jealous! Su Jianyue isn’t allowed to kiss other omegas!

This is so cute! She even drank the wine for her!

Su Jianyue is so well-behaved! Alphas who respect omegas are the best!

Exactly! Our baby is the best!

But Liang Wenjing didn’t reject it either… Oh my god, Liang Wenjing really does have feelings for Su Jianyue!

This dating reality show is hilarious! The Xun Yue CP couple are both succubi, and everyone loves them.

I have a feeling Chen Zhibin deliberately came up with this question. He and Zhao Qifei both seem like bad news.

Exactly! They both seem so fake, like they’re hiding something.

“Okay, let’s keep going,” Mao Ning interrupted.

“Alright, my turn to spin,” Su Jianyue said, spinning the wine bottle again. It stopped at Ren Peng.

“Which do you choose?” Su Jianyue asked.

“To be safe, I’ll go with Truth,” Ren Peng said with a nervous laugh. Truth or Dare was too risky; he wasn’t sure he could handle it.

“How many people have you dated before?” Su Jianyue asked after a moment’s thought. Asking who he liked among the group seemed too easy; she wanted something more provocative.

“Whoa!” Ren Peng gasped, clearing his throat before mumbling, “Well, that’s a bit awkward to answer, isn’t it?”

As a gaming streamer who relied on his looks, revealing a long list of exes on the show would alienate his fans. But if he refused to answer, his ex-girlfriends might come forward to expose him, which would be even worse.

“If you don’t want to answer, just take a drink,” Su Jianyue said with a smile.

Ren Peng quickly chose to drink his way out of the question.