The Black Lotus Wife Forces Me to Pretend to Be an Omega. - Chapter 28

The next day, the show welcomed an unbelievable guest.

Li Fanshuang remained remarkably composed upon seeing Lu Chenfeng before her.

“I never imagined someone so busy would still find time to chase celebrities,” Li Fanshuang remarked, rolling her eyes. She had called Lu Chenfeng earlier, seemingly annoying her to death, yet here she was—joining a variety show.

Lu Chenfeng’s gaze didn’t linger on Li Fanshuang.

Luo Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue inwardly. This didn’t match the intel she had.

Could it be that Lu Chenfeng wasn’t the devoted third female lead from the novel?

Lu Chenfeng’s eyes were practically glued to Yuan Zhiqing. What kind of taste did one need to fancy her?

“Tch, what was she thinking?” Luo Xiaoxiao turned her head away, unwilling to watch the scene.

Li Fanshuang leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be like that. Everyone has their own preferences. You can’t discriminate just because you don’t like it.”

Luo Xiaoxiao conceded that Li Fanshuang had a point. It wasn’t her place to interfere with others’ tastes.

“I didn’t expect Lu Chenfeng to come either,” Qin Heya said, surprised.

“You know her too?” Luo Xiaoxiao was taken aback. Lu Chenfeng was an outsider to their circle—a doctor, no less—yet she seemed oddly popular.

Ye Zhao, reading her confusion, clarified, “She’s the top pheromone specialist at Jinhua Hospital, one of the most authoritative in the country.”

Luo Xiaoxiao’s eyes darted between the two. After a moment, realization dawned.

Both were Alphas. They must have researched ways to be together—why else would they be so familiar with a pheromone specialist?

Ye Zhao was blunt. “Three years ago, when our pheromones hadn’t faded yet, we consulted her.”

“No wonder,” Li Fanshuang nodded with a smile, though inwardly she grumbled—why hadn’t Lu Chenfeng mentioned this to her?

Then again, it wasn’t surprising. Lu Chenfeng was famously face-blind. To her, there were only patients, no celebrities.

Now it was Yuan Zhiqing’s turn to feel uneasy.

Who was this new guest? She was undeniably attractive—refined, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Judging by the thickness of the lenses, she was genuinely nearsighted, unlike Li Fanshuang, who wore glasses as an accessory.

And yet, she looked familiar.

Where had they met before?

“Hello, Miss Yuan,” Lu Chenfeng strode over confidently, extending a polite hand. “I was your doctor before. You should’ve come for a follow-up…”

Yuan Zhiqing’s pupils constricted. She clapped a hand over Lu Chenfeng’s mouth—finally remembering who this person was.

Two years ago, in a moment of weakness, Yuan Zhiqing had followed her agency’s orders and drugged Li Fanshuang. But she regretted it afterward.

After knocking repeatedly with no response, she left Li Fanshuang alone in the hotel room.

Her agency, ruthless as ever, had also dosed Yuan Zhiqing.

By the time she realized and tried to get her stomach pumped, it was too late. Still, she dragged herself to the hospital.

Back then, the doctor who treated her had been a Beta.

The blurred face in her memories overlapped with Lu Chenfeng’s before her.

Yuan Zhiqing stared into her eyes, recalling those obsidian-black orbs from that night.

Her hand jerked back as if electrocuted. It was her!

That female doctor.

Wait—that didn’t make sense. She distinctly remembered going to the gynecology department that day.

“Aren’t you a doctor from the pheromone department? How…” Yuan Zhiqing lightly bit her lip, her memories from that time already blurred.

She had taken that medication too, and afterward, everything that happened was completely lost to her.

Ugh… She had thought this person would never reappear in her life again.

Yuan Zhiqing raised her head to meet her eyes—sure enough, it was her.

Back then, she had been wearing a mask, no wonder she hadn’t recognized her immediately.

The others were stunned by her reaction.

Luo Xiaoxiao inwardly cheered—looks like there was some juicy gossip she hadn’t been privy to.

The atmosphere between the two seemed downright ambiguous.

But this was fine too—at least Yuan Zhiqing wouldn’t have the energy to pester Li Fanshuang anymore.

Luo Xiaoxiao leaned in close to Li Fanshuang’s ear. “Do you know the scoop between them?”

Their proximity was a little too close, Luo Xiaoxiao’s warm breath brushing against Li Fanshuang’s ear.

Instantly, the tips of her fair ears turned a delicate shade of pink.

Li Fanshuang shifted away, putting some distance between them. “I do know a little, but that jerk won’t tell me everything.”

Her resentful tone suggested she was aware of Lu Chenfeng’s gossip.

Luo Xiaoxiao perked up immediately, coaxing, “Good sister~ I know we’re the best of the best, the closest of friends—just tell me, please?”

Li Fanshuang narrowed her eyes at the girl who was nearly her height. If not for the screenshot where Luo Xiaoxiao had personally admitted to being an Alpha, Li Fanshuang might have been swayed by that sweet “good sister.”

“Not now.” What Li Fanshuang knew wasn’t detailed, but she had a feeling—not only was her own knowledge incomplete, but even Yuan Zhiqing herself might not know the full story.

Luo Xiaoxiao studied her expression intently. She was dying to get the tea.

Lu Yu and Zhu Yuxin arrived fashionably late.

“Sorry about that,” Zhu Yuxin apologized to the group.

Lu Yu smacked her lightly on the forehead. “It’s all your fault for insisting on gaming last night.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Zhu Yuxin humored her with a few placating words before the young mistress reluctantly forgave her.

Li Fanshuang’s expression shifted slightly. Despite Luo Xiaoxiao’s own admission, every time she saw other female Alphas, she couldn’t help but think Luo Xiaoxiao’s online claims were nonsense.

What kind of Alpha was that petite?

But there was no rush—she’d find a chance to confirm it later.

Sun Lei, seeing all the guests had arrived, beamed and stepped forward. “Friends, welcome to the first episode of our Joyful Journey! To ensure everyone can smoothly secure their tickets to South Province, we’ve prepared a little gift for you.”

He pulled out a pedometer. “I assume you’ve all received one of these already?”

“Yep!” Lu Yu shouted. What was this thing even for?

Meanwhile, Lu Chenfeng turned to Yuan Zhiqing with a smile. “You’ll need to wear this. Would you like me to help you?”

Yuan Zhiqing lowered her head, then put on a shy expression and nodded.

Her mind was a complete mess. That night she couldn’t remember—what exactly had happened between them?

Why had she woken up to a… finger exam?

Oh god, someone save me!

This woman was beautiful, but she was a Beta.

Yuan Zhiqing shook her head, resolving to keep her distance from this person.

Lu Yu narrowed her eyes and nudged Zhu Yuxin with her elbow.

Zhu Yuxin’s gaze lingered on the two of them before she casually lowered her head and whispered into Lu Yu’s ear, “There’s a story between them.”

Lu Yu looked up, her gossipy eyes meeting Luo Xiaoxiao’s across the room.

Both nodded in unison.

Their expressions seemed to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll dig out this juicy scoop.”

They exchanged knowing glances.

Then, Sun Lei continued with the program’s task, “Please arrive at the ticket center by 4 PM to collect your flight tickets.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed toward the villa’s entrance.

Four cars were parked there.

Luo Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow—seemed like they had a new sponsor.

“Friends, we’ve prepared cars for you to drive directly to the ticket center. Of course, as you know, our show’s budget has always been tight. So this time, there are only seven flight tickets in total.”

The group was stunned.

Who could’ve guessed this guy would stoop so low?

Meaning one of the eight would have to stay behind?

Sun Lei finished speaking without giving anyone a chance to question him, simply handing out pedometers to the staff before leaving.

“It’s not about eliminating one person,” Lu Chenfeng, the quickest thinker among them, swiftly analyzed Sun Lei’s words. “She originally planned to eliminate two, but that would kill the vibe. This is a dating show—if one leaves, the other won’t stay either.”

What a devious mind!

Luo Xiaoxiao clenched her fists. Clearly, she’d gone too easy on Sun Lei in last night’s Weibo post.

That scoundrel had actually devised such a vicious scheme to mess with them.

Lu Chenfeng turned to Yuan Zhiqing beside her and said softly, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you travel alone.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “…What a devoted woman! Who’d believe there wasn’t at least two years of shady history between them?”

Yuan Zhiqing, caught off guard by her intense gaze, nodded stiffly.

The last time she’d seen such a serious look was during a rectal exam.

Meanwhile, Li Fanshuang frowned at the pedometer in her hand. This thing looked like trouble.

She’d worn one during filming before—it was overly sensitive, counting even the slightest accidental movement.

Luo Xiaoxiao smirked. “Let’s strap them to our ankles first. I’ll explain in the car.”

Li Fanshuang caught the sly glint in her eyes and immediately understood.

The other guests followed suit, fastening their pedometers around their ankles.

From the villa entrance to the parking lot—a mere ten meters—by the time they got in the car, Li Fanshuang saw the pedometer already registered 27 steps.

Luo Xiaoxiao waved it off. “No panic.”

Her gaze drifted to the other guests outside the window.

To avoid triggering the pedometers, they moved at a glacial pace. Yuan Zhiqing dragged her right leg stiffly behind her, while the others seemed to have forgotten how to walk normally.

Li Fanshuang pursed her lips. “Did I look like that earlier?”

“What do you mean?” Luo Xiaoxiao snapped a photo of the absurd scene. “Now I know what genre this show is.”

Li Fanshuang raised a brow. “What genre? Hot-but-hilarious?”

Luo Xiaoxiao tsked, removing her pedometer. “Primate.”

Li Fanshuang rolled her eyes. Should’ve known better than to expect anything decent from that mouth.

Watching Luo Xiaoxiao’s actions, Li Fanshuang frowned. “Isn’t this against the rules?”

“How is that possible?” Luo Xiaoxiao pulled out the task card. “It doesn’t say we can’t change where to wear the pedometer, as long as it’s on my body.”

With that, under Li Fanshuang’s astonished gaze, Luo Xiaoxiao fastened the pedometer around her own neck.

Li Fanshuang gave her a thumbs-up and immediately followed suit.

Then they drove off toward the ticket center.

“I have another suggestion,” Luo Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled mischievously, like a fox plotting something devious. “I suggest we snatch their pedometers and give them a good shake. That’ll increase our chances of winning.”

“Right?” Li Fanshuang’s eyes lit up in response.

Xiaoxiao, you’re so ruthless!

How can you do that? Isn’t that unfair competition?

 

Doesn’t this violate the show’s rules?

 

What rules? After watching so many episodes, haven’t you figured it out yet?

 

Exactly, Xiaoxiao even cut off the cameras in the room. You think she cares about rules?

 

But I doubt Shuangshuang would agree so easily. After all, our Shuangshuang is upright and kind.

I think so too.

 

Exactly.

 

Li Fanshuang doesn’t seem like that kind of person.

As the car stopped, Li Fanshuang addressed Luo Xiaoxiao’s earlier suggestion. “Actually, I was thinking of snatching Lu Chenfeng’s pedometer and strapping it to a dog.”

Netizens: Never thought you’d be like this, Li Fanshuang.

Li Fanshuang’s expression remained perfectly calm as she spoke.

It wasn’t like that guy had been giving her the cold shoulder the past few days, coming on the show without even telling her.

“Seems like you hold quite a grudge against her?” Luo Xiaoxiao observed Li Fanshuang’s clenched teeth and recalled the details from the book. This didn’t add up!

Lu Chenfeng had also appeared in that dream, obedient to Li Fanshuang in every way. How could she possibly be interested in Yuan Zhiqing?

Am I going crazy, or is she?

And Li Fanshuang’s attitude is strange too?

What exactly is going wrong here?

Can the plot still change?

“What are you thinking about?”

Li Fanshuang’s voice pulled Luo Xiaoxiao out of her thoughts.

“What’s up?” Luo Xiaoxiao replied.

Li Fanshuang said, “You suddenly went quiet. I called you several times with no response. Are you feeling unwell?”

Luo Xiaoxiao shook her head, then an idea flashed through her mind.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What?”

Luo Xiaoxiao glanced subtly at the nearby camera.

Li Fanshuang immediately understood and moved closer.

Luo Xiaoxiao leaned in and whispered into her ear for a long while.

Netizens watching this scene were displeased.

What’s the meaning of this? Are we outsiders now? Not even going to tell us?

 

Given Xiaoxiao’s expression, it’s definitely nothing good. Someone’s about to get unlucky.

 

Blind guess: Director Sun is about to suffer.

 

Watching this show is giving me anxiety. A perfectly good dating show is turning into a true crime series.

After hearing Luo Xiaoxiao’s words, Li Fanshuang found them reasonable.

“Let’s not rush it. Let’s see what tricks Sun Lei has up his sleeve first. Help me check the step count on my neck.”

Li Fanshuang tilted her head up, revealing the pedometer and her slender neck.

“27 steps, no change.” Luo Xiaoxiao had experience with this.

Li Fanshuang said “OK,” and the two walked into the ticket hall.

The staff at the ticket hall greeted them warmly when they arrived.

“That’s right, your check-in procedures have already been completed. Your flight is at three o’clock.”

“What?” Luo Xiaoxiao immediately checked the time—it was almost one o’clock already.

Damn that Sun Lei.

“We need to hurry,” Li Fanshuang quickly realized, confirming that the so-called “three thousand steps” had just been a ruse.

The two rushed out in a flurry, bumping into Lu Yu and Zhu Yuxin at the entrance.

Watching their hurried steps, Lu Yu was puzzled—weren’t they worried about their step counters skyrocketing?

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“We were tricked!” Luo Xiaoxiao said angrily.

What could have been resolved with just an ID card, Sun Lei had made them go all the way to the ticket hall—what a sly fox.

“No wonder,” Zhu Yuxin murmured, pulling Lu Yu toward their car.

The two cars were parked side by side, and both Li Fanshuang and Zhu Yuxin rolled down their windows.

Li Fanshuang started the engine. “Where did Teacher Ye and Teacher Qin go?”

“Don’t even mention it,” Zhu Yuxin shook her head. “They didn’t come here at all—they went straight to the airport. Teacher Qin said if they wanted to go, they’d just buy their own tickets.”

Now that’s a real sly fox!

Li Fanshuang chuckled wryly—she was still too green.

“Damn it!” Luo Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue—she’d been played by Sun Lei.

By the time they rushed to the airport, it was already two o’clock.

“Could this airport be any farther away?” Luo Xiaoxiao complained helplessly.

Li Fanshuang panted, fine beads of sweat forming on her pale forehead.

“Are you okay?” Luo Xiaoxiao reached out to her.

Was Li Fanshuang’s health this fragile?

“I’m fine,” Li Fanshuang waved her hand, taking several deep breaths to steady herself.

This level of exertion was a bit much for her—she just hoped her hormones would stay stable this time.

“Wait for us!” Zhu Yuxin and Lu Yu trailed behind them. The young lady, accustomed to singing and dancing, had quickened her pace considerably.

Seeing this, Luo Xiaoxiao immediately crouched in front of Li Fanshuang.

“Hurry up, we can’t wait for them.”

Li Fanshuang stared blankly at the slender back before her. “You—”

“Come on!” Luo Xiaoxiao urged impatiently. “I want to go on this trip with you.”

At those words, Li Fanshuang hesitated no longer, letting her weight fall onto Luo Xiaoxiao’s back.

Luo Xiaoxiao carried Li Fanshuang and sprinted ahead.

“What’s with Xiaoxiao? She’s not waiting for me?” Lu Yu gaped at her rapidly disappearing friend.

Zhu Yuxin tapped her forehead. “We’re competitors now.”

“But they haven’t reached the gate yet either, have they?”

Zhu Yuxin pulled out her phone and showed her the message from the production team. “Right now, only the four of us haven’t reached the boarding gate yet.”

“What?!” Upon reading the message, Lu Yu bolted toward the boarding gate at full speed.

Zhu Yuxin stared blankly at her retreating figure. What about me?

Are you just leaving me behind?

Her pitiful expression was promptly turned into a meme by amused netizens.

Li Fanshuang and Luo Xiaoxiao still managed to arrive slightly ahead of them.

Sure enough, at the finish line, they saw Ye Zhao and Lu Chenfeng’s groups already waiting.

“Hurry up, you’re almost there!”

“Keep going!”

The group stood at the security checkpoint, waving enthusiastically at them.

Luo Xiaoxiao slowed her steps. Why did the atmosphere feel off?

It was understandable for Teacher Ye and Teacher Qin, but why were Yuan Zhiqing and Lu Chenfeng being so warm toward her and Li Fanshuang?

“What’s wrong?” Li Fanshuang thought Luo Xiaoxiao was tired.

Luo Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes. “I can sense Sun Lei’s ill intentions!”

Li Fanshuang’s gaze landed on Sun Lei, who stood calmly in the crowd. Something was indeed amiss.

While the other guests were visibly excited, the director remained unnaturally composed, as if anticipating some spectacle…

This wasn’t right. Luo Xiaoxiao abruptly stopped walking.

Zhu Yuxin passed by with Lu Yu on her back, and Luo Xiaoxiao grabbed her arm.

“Wait!”

“What is it?” Lu Yu checked the time. “We’re already running late.”

“Hurry up and come over!” Yuan Zhiqing jumped anxiously.

Li Fanshuang squinted, scrutinizing the group before shifting her attention to Lu Chenfeng. Unlike the others, she appeared completely calm.

But Li Fanshuang had grown up with her—they were practically inseparable. She immediately noticed how Lu Chenfeng’s right hand, folded across her chest, clutched her sleeve tightly, her fingertips turning white.

This was her telltale sign of suppressed excitement and nervousness. What was Lu Chenfeng anxious about?

“They’re definitely up to something.”

Li Fanshuang’s words made Lu Yu pause. Earlier, these people had deliberately left them behind, trying to snatch the tickets for themselves.

“Given Sun Lei’s usual antics, he’s probably scheming to trip us up somehow.”

“Exactly!” Lu Yu scoffed, already switching to the backend of Weibo on her phone.

Luo Xiaoxiao stared in surprise. “Wait, isn’t your phone supposed to be the sponsor’s model?”

“Huh?” Lu Yu pulled out another phone—the sponsored one—from her pocket. “Old habits die hard.”

“What habit?” Luo Xiaoxiao’s lips twitched. “You didn’t hand over your personal phone and money when they asked?”

“Heh.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: I see. Typical rich girl behavior.

Through Weibo, Lu Yu quickly pieced together the situation.

Sun Lei had suddenly changed the rules: boarding passes wouldn’t be printed until every member arrived. A vicious move.

Worse, netizens were already gossiping, claiming the group had already decided who would be left behind.

“What?!” Luo Xiaoxiao’s composure cracked. They’d already made a deal?

“We should strategize too,” Li Fanshuang said darkly. “They’ve probably agreed to vote one of us out. We’ll just do the same—pick one to sacrifice.”

Zhu Yuxin nodded. “Makes sense.”

The four of them moved slowly past the checkpoint. Sun Lei immediately extended his hand toward Lu Yu. “Miss Lu, the boss informed me you have another phone.”

Lu Yu: So Daddy sold me out?

“No!” Lu Yu refused petulantly.

Sun Lei sighed, feigning helplessness. “You know I’m just an employee. I’ll have to report this to Mr. Lu.”

“Wait!” Lu Yu shoved her phone at him. “Fine, take it!”

She couldn’t risk her father’s disapproval.

“What? Still scared of Daddy?” Zhu Yuxin teased.

Lu Yu snorted and rolled her eyes. “Zhu Yuxin, if you dare mock me, I’ll make sure you never get a girlfriend!”

“What?!” Luo Xiaoxiao’s ears perked up instantly. What had she just heard?

Could this be considered an official announcement?

Lu Yu froze, suddenly realizing she’d said the wrong thing.

She quickly covered her mouth, waving frantically at the camera, “This segment must not be aired!”

Sun Lei’s face broke into a helpless smile. “Sorry, young miss, this segment has already been broadcast. I’m sure the boss will see it soon.”

It’s over! Lu Yu felt like the sky was falling.

Luo Xiaoxiao could practically see the words “life is meaningless” written across Lu Yu’s face—seems like this young lady was about to be pressured into marriage soon.

After they passed through security, everyone quickly printed their boarding passes.

Then came a brand-new dilemma.

“Decide among yourselves—who’s staying behind and not going to Southern Province for vacation?” Sun Lei stepped forward.

Everyone exchanged glances, and for a moment, no one spoke.

No one wanted to be the first to volunteer for such an unpopular role.

From the looks in everyone’s eyes, Luo Xiaoxiao could see the longing—they all wanted to go on this trip.

So, let the competition begin!

“I think—”

Lu Chenfeng didn’t get to finish before Li Fanshuang shot her a cold glare. “Don’t speak.”

“Let me finish,” Lu Chenfeng said calmly. “The tickets in our hands are already complete, meaning the production team bought tickets for everyone. At this point, changing or refunding them won’t give a full refund.”

Silence fell, even from Sun Lei standing nearby.

“So…” Sun Lei blinked. “You really thought it was because our production team was short on funds?”

Luo Xiaoxiao covered her face. “First of all, you need to understand—Sun Lei isn’t actually stingy.”

Hearing this, Sun Lei’s expression instantly brightened. “Professor Luo, I always knew you were so—”

Before he could finish, Luo Xiaoxiao continued, “Sun Lei isn’t cheap—he’s just a jerk. He’s not broke, he just wants to mess with you. If he had no money, why would he send us on a trip? And why book us such a luxurious villa?”

Her gaze shifted to Sun Lei’s face.

“Director Sun, what were you about to say?” Li Fanshuang smirked.

Sun Lei forced a fake smile. “Just that your wife is great—very perceptive.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Are you insulting me?”

“Actually, I do have a pretty good solution for everyone,” Sun Lei said, raising an eyebrow. “As long as you accept this challenge, everyone can go to Southern Province.”

“You should’ve said so earlier!”

“Exactly, why so sneaky?”

“Director Sun, I’m seriously… moved to tears…”

Sun Lei waved his hands dismissively. “Alright, alright, I just remembered now. The challenge is—24 Hours with the Boxing Champion.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Is this aimed at me?”