We Went Viral After Appearing on a Dating Reality Show with Movie Queen O - Chapter 17

Afterward, everyone returned to their rooms. Gao Pian continued to pester Qi Meng, begging to see the letter, but was repeatedly refused.

Gu Xingyu began slowly packing her luggage, her mind filled with questions. She desperately wanted to know about Chen Ren and Shulan’s relationship…

Did they have feelings for each other? Would they end up together? Was there still even the slightest chance for her?

Just as Gu Xingyu was carefully replaying the day’s events in her mind, her phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and saw it was Xiao Xiaoxiao calling.

Gu Xingyu quickly removed her microphone and hurried to the bathroom. With cameras everywhere, she wasn’t familiar enough with the equipment or reality show protocols to risk being overheard. The bathroom seemed the safest place to avoid revealing any private information.

As soon as Gu Xingyu answered the video call, Xiao Xiaoxiao’s booming voice filled the air.

“Xingyu! What’s going on with you? Aren’t you on this dating show to win back your wife? What’s with Qi Meng?!” Xiao Xiaoxiao demanded aggressively.

“…” Before Gu Xingyu could respond, Xiao Xiaoxiao continued, “Do you like Qi Meng?! Tell me! What about Bai Shulan?!”

“…Qi Meng and I are just friends,” Gu Xingyu explained helplessly. “What are you talking about? She’s a great person. I’ll introduce you to her later.”

If she didn’t clear things up today, Xiao Xiaoxiao would probably pester her for days.

“What about Bai Shulan?! Weren’t you going to pursue her?! I haven’t seen you even acknowledge her!” Xiao Xiaoxiao pressed.

“…Chen Ren is here too,” Gu Xingyu said with a bitter smile. “What chance do I have?”

Her words caused a pause on the other end. Xiao Xiaoxiao’s voice softened. “…That’s true, there’s no way…”

“What do you mean ‘no way’? So what if Chen Ren’s here? Go for it! They’re not married yet!” Yin Xian suddenly interjected on the screen.

“What do you mean ‘so what’? Chen Ren! She’s at the top of the pyramid! We can’t compare…” Xiao Xiaoxiao retorted immediately.

“So what? Xingyu, just go for it! I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!” Yin Xian declared.

“Take responsibility for what? How are you going to take responsibility? Yin Xian, stop talking nonsense!” Xiao Xiaoxiao snapped back.

Gu Xingyu chuckled. These two were truly like bickering siblings. “Xianxian, what are you doing here too?”

“Aren’t you just here to laugh at me? ‘Visiting Auntie’? Pfft, pfft, pfft…” Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately jumped up and started complaining.

“Alright, alright… You two chat. I have things to do,” Gu Xingyu said with a helpless smile, knowing these two could bicker forever.

“Xingyu! You absolutely must not get involved with that vixen Qi Meng! Don’t you dare fall for her! If Bai Shulan can’t win her over, he should just come back and be with me. We could laze around all day, play, and live it up everywhere. Wouldn’t that be great?”

Yin Xian immediately jumped in: “Xiao Xiao Xiao, what nonsense are you spouting? Who are you talking about being with? Do you want me to tell Auntie?”

Gu Xingyu quickly hung up. Xiao Xiaoxiao alone was already a handful, but with Yin Xian joining in, it would never end…

The room suddenly fell silent. Gu Xingyu stared at her phone screen, lost in thought. A faint, pale smile flickered across her face—weak and shallow. How could she ever hope to compete with someone like Chen Ren?

Xiao Xiaoxiao was right. She might as well go back and live it up while she still could…

As Gu Xingyu gazed at her reflection, the smile vanished completely from her face. She felt increasingly like a stranger to herself—this wasn’t her at all. She should be the carefree, unrestrained youngest daughter of the Gu Family, free from worries and responsibilities.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Gu Xingyu cleared her mind.

Meanwhile, Qi Meng was still in her room, rereading the letter Gu Xingyu had written her, a goofy grin plastered across her face.

“Qi Meng, I’m so glad you chose to be on my team! You’re so talented and know so much. Thank you for all your help today! And the cake you made was delicious! I’m really sorry for my weird reaction earlier—I was just being impulsive. The cake was seriously amazing! Thank you so much!”

The letter was signed with Gu Xingyu’s name in three large, elegant strokes.

As the live stream camera panned over the letter, the comments section exploded with reactions:

I never expected Gu Xingyu to write something so sincere…

Seriously, who knew Gu Xingyu was so thoughtful?

Compliments and apologies? What’s she even talking about…?

Gu Xingyu’s handwriting is beautiful! I’m surprised!

It’s hard to believe a scumbag would write such a heartfelt letter!

After reading for an unknown length of time, Qi Meng took a photo of the letter with her phone, carefully folded it, and tucked it away. She then covered the camera and went to wash up.

Meanwhile, Chen Ren held two envelopes. One was from Gao Pian, praising her for her earnestness in setting up the tent.

The other was from Bai Shulan, containing only a few simple words: “Why did you come?”

A smile tugged at Chen Ren’s lips as she read the message. She then went to wash up and pack her essentials.

At the same time, Bai Shulan opened her envelope to find a single, terse line: “For the same reason.”

She paused to ponder for a moment before resuming her tasks.

Ahhh! They’re secretly dropping hints!

Holy crap, their chemistry is insane! If this weren’t a live stream, I’d swear they planned this!

Let’s be realistic, Chen Ren. We’re not worthy… Shulan, stay true to yourself and shine alone!

Ahhh, this proves they still love each other! This subtle flirting is so cute!

I’m officially back on this ship! Chen Ren, I’m rooting for you!

Ugh, why don’t they just confess already? Send each other flowers or something! This accidental lovey-dovey stuff is so confusing. If you love someone, shout it from the rooftops!

After Gu Xingyu finished packing, she wandered around her room one last time before heading downstairs to the living room.

Everyone was in their rooms, leaving the living room eerily quiet. After what felt like an eternity, movement finally stirred as Bai Shulan descended the stairs. She wore a simple white nightgown draped with a long-sleeved shirt, her natural beauty radiating an elegant freshness. Her long hair was casually pinned up, cascading loosely down her back, adding a touch of delicate grace.

Gu Xingyu turned toward the sound and her eyes lit up at the sight of Bai Shulan. She was about to say something when Chen Ren appeared behind her, clad in a deep blue silk nightgown. Gu Xingyu’s gaze inevitably dimmed, and she swallowed the words that had been forming in her throat.

“Shulan, Chen Ren,” Gu Xingyu greeted them softly.

“…Mm,” Bai Shulan replied without looking at her, her eyes fixed on Chen Ren approaching from behind.

“Gu Xingyu,” Chen Ren said, looking at her with a faint smile.

“Are you leaving now?” Gu Xingyu asked, her usual casual smile fading, replaced by a hint of urgency and nervousness.

“Yes,” Chen Ren replied, glancing helplessly at Bai Shulan beside her. This was the choice she had made.

“Shulan, let’s go.” Both women carried large bags.

“Alright, take care,” Gu Xingyu said stiffly, watching them depart.

Gu Xingyu withdrew her gaze, only to find herself unconsciously looking back at their figures disappearing into the darkness until they were no longer visible.

At that moment, Gu Xingyu instinctively licked the corner of her lips, her eyes filled with contemplation. She clasped her hands together, rubbing her fingers as she lowered her head, her long hair falling forward to conceal her serious expression. But after a moment, she lifted her head, her familiar casual smile returning to her face.

Shulan keeps looking at Chen Ren! They’re definitely going to get together!

The Goddess looks beautiful even without makeup! Heart eyes!

What’s going on? Gu Xingyu looks like she’s planning something. What’s she up to so late at night?

Was she just trying to flirt with our Goddess?

It’s obvious. The moment Chen Ren appeared, that scummy Alpha’s smile vanished. No doubt she’s been eyeing our Goddess…

Shulan just looked at Chen Ren!

Chen Ren and Bai Shulan look so good together right now, like an old married couple. Chen Ren, protect our Goddess well! Don’t let that scummy Alpha Gu Xingyu get near her!

I have a wild theory: what if they both deliberately didn’t choose anyone, so they could go camping together in the dual-person world?!

Holy crap! That’s totally possible! They must have planned it secretly!

Damn, you can play it like that?! Wait! Why isn’t the camera switching yet?! I want to see Chen Ren and Bai Shulan!

What if there’s no livestream during the outdoor excursion?! Aaaah! What are they hiding from us?! I’ll pay for a premium membership!

Switch the camera already! I don’t want to see that scummy Alpha Gu Xingyu anymore!

At that moment, Gu Xingyu appeared outside the Omega’s room on the second floor and knocked on the door.

Outside, starlight cascaded down, and the high-hanging moon cast a romantic ambiance. Bai Shulan and Chen Ren, holding lanterns, walked one after the other to their afternoon picnic spot—Heartspring Lake.

However, the lights here remained off at night, whether intentionally by the production team as part of their so-called “punishment” or not.

Bai Shulan crawled straight into her tent, lantern in hand. It was completely empty, not even a mat laid down—exactly as it had been after the afternoon’s setup. She tossed her bag into a corner, curled up, and stared at her phone.

In the adjacent tent, Chen Ren’s bright light shone as she worked, completely ignoring the crude accommodations. It was clear she couldn’t care less about the discomfort.

Bai Shulan scrolled aimlessly through her phone, the screen flashing with changing information, but her eyes were vacant, absorbing nothing. Curled into a ball, hugging her knees, the cold, aloof facade she usually wore had melted away in the harsh environment, leaving her vulnerable. The lantern cast her shadow, so thin and fragile.

Suddenly, a WeChat video call popped up—it was Yin Xian.

Before Bai Shulan could say anything, Yin Xian rushed to speak, her voice hushed as she hid in a corner of the bathroom. “Shulan, how are you holding up there? If it’s too much, just throw your weight around! This show can take it or leave it—I’ll handle the PR!”

“Hmph,” Bai Shulan replied coldly, her face devoid of warmth.

“Who could have predicted this? Who knew Gu Xingyu would attract so much attention? Qi Meng showed up on the dating reality show and has been clinging to Xingyu all day! This isn’t my fault!”

“You’re done for,” Bai Shulan said slowly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she pronounced Yin Xian’s “death sentence.”

“Ah, wait, Shulan! No one could have foreseen this! Chen Ren came too, and you’ve been with Chen Ren all day. Who would dare approach you?” Yin Xian frantically tried to salvage the situation.

“Let me tell you something in secret: Xiao Xiao just called Xingyu, and Xingyu seems to have a thing for you. But with Chen Ren standing right next to you, how could she possibly make a move without embarrassing herself?”

“Hmph… What about Qi Meng?” Bai Shulan glanced at her, her beautiful peach blossom eyes swirling with conflicting emotions.

“If you ask me, Xiao Xiao’s right—Qi Meng is like a vixen. You should definitely watch out for her…”

“…What else did they say?”

“Ah, just the usual stuff about Chen Ren. Honestly, even I’m a little intimidated by her… So, what’s the deal between you two? Do you like her? Does she like you? Or did you two date before?” Yin Xian couldn’t quite figure out what her friend was thinking, after all, Bai Shulan was one of those people at the very top of the social pyramid.

“…What do you think?” Bai Shulan nearly rolled her eyes. Of course these people are unreliable.

“…How am I supposed to know if you don’t tell me? Anyway, if it were Gu Xingyu, it’d be simple. Just flirt a little, and she’d fall for it immediately.”

“…What about Xiao Xiaoxiao?” Bai Shulan suddenly brought her up again.

“What about her?” Yin Xian asked, confused, before realizing what Bai Shulan was implying.

“…Ah… well, I’m working on flirting with her… Hey, stop bringing her up all the time!” Yin Xian stammered.

“Yin Xian! What are you sneaking around in there?” Xiao Xiaoxiao’s voice called from outside.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking. I’ll call you later when it’s more convenient,” Yin Xian said hurriedly before hanging up.

In an instant, Bai Shulan was alone again in her tent, plunged back into silence. The chirping of insects and birds suddenly seemed amplified, deafening and terrifying.

In the adjacent tent, Chen Ren remained utterly silent, the stillness almost eerie.

Bai Shulan rubbed her arms involuntarily, staring blankly at her phone.

Was it because of Chen Ren? Did she give up so easily because of Chen Ren? Did she choose Qi Meng because of Chen Ren? Just like that? Ridiculous. What about Chen Ren? What about me and Chen Ren? …And what about me and Qi Meng?

Alone in the dark, her emotions magnified, sadness and resentment flooded Bai Shulan. No one knew her feelings, no one cared about her love, and no one even noticed her…

Maybe I’m the one who’s just making a fool of myself…

Gu Xingyu is such an idiot, a fool, a complete moron…

Bai Shulan’s eyes filled with desolation and disappointment.

Suddenly, a rustling outside the tent broke through her thoughts, pulling her out of her despair. Could it be Chen Ren?