Chapter 41: The Dating Show Premieres

Pei Qiaonian frowned and sneered, “What does that matter? What others say is their business. I’ve never once called him ‘Grandfather,’ and now he wants me to pay a visit to the Yun family? Hah, he should be glad I haven’t blocked him yet. What right does he have to order me around?”

Xu Yunzhu choked, inwardly admitting he was indeed the epitome of a tragic beauty—powerful but deeply lonely, with no one truly close to him. The rift between him and the Pei family wasn't something she, as an outsider, could resolve.

She simply threw caution to the wind. “Then what do we do? I already promised your grandfather. If I don’t go, won’t that make me seem completely untrustworthy? It’ll just make your reputation—which isn’t great to begin with—even worse.”

Pei Qiaonian shot her a cold look. “What does it matter if I get a few more bad names?” With that, he strode ahead. Xu Yunzhu could tell he was in a foul mood.

She rubbed her nose, speechless. He really was exactly as described in the novel—moody and unpredictable.

Pei Qiaonian also had a vlog for the airport pickup. Only after collecting all the cast members for this season’s dating show would they head to the pre-booked Joyful Bath Hotel.

He glanced at the mission card in his hand.

All six participants for this season’s dating show had already been revealed:

Yan Feixing, the wildly popular singer-dancer with a wolfish charm.

Xie Zhiyuan, the wealthy heiress.

Gu Qi, the son of a real estate tycoon.

Hu Biting, the rising starlet.

Ning Qinghuan, the pure and gentle beauty.

Pei Jin, the newly crowned Best Actor.

Pei Qiaonian looked through the list and found it somewhat ridiculous—out of the six, he knew five personally. This Xie Zhiyuan had even been introduced to him by his mother as a potential marriage partner, yet she’d gone straight onto a dating show; if his mother found out, she’d probably be furious. Not that Pei Qiaonian cared about her feelings.

He lingered on the last name: Pei Jin. He wondered if that fool still believed Xu Yunzhu hadn’t moved on, and so had signed up for this show too—was he planning to chase after her on screen?

Pei Qiaonian couldn’t even bother to insult him anymore—he was afraid the guy would take it as a compliment.

While he was lost in thought, a commotion erupted in the distance.

“Ahhh! Yan Feixing is here! Is that elegant, gentle lady beside him Xie Zhiyuan, the heiress? She’s so pretty and down-to-earth!”

“Rich girl x little wolf-dog—I’m here for it!”

“Wait, is that Hu Biting? She’s so cool! You played the general so well—what brings you to a dating show?”

“Wow, that laid-back guy with the blond hair must be the real estate tycoon’s son, right? He looks like he’s here on vacation, not for a show. I guess rich people really do match best with other rich people.”

“Heavens! Qinghuan! It’s Qinghuan! And beside her is Pei Jin, the Best Actor! Is my favorite ship real? Please announce your relationship on Weibo—I’ll move the marriage registry here myself!”

The fans’ shouts filled the arrival hall.

Pei Qiaonian checked his mission: Step one, graciously take everyone’s luggage and place it in the designated spot.

On the surface, it looked like a chance to win favor, but in reality, it was just a way to exploit his lack of fame.

Dragging his suitcase, Pei Qiaonian entered the frame.

The previously cheerful livestream exploded.

“What the hell! Xu Yunzhu is here too! Is she a contestant?”

“They just announced it. Xu Yunzhu is this episode’s love observer. She’s only staying for one episode—someone else will take over next time.”

“Instantly disappointed, but I’m here for Qinghuan and Best Actor Pei Jin. Did you see how Pei Jin looks at Qinghuan? So doting—I’m shipping it for real!”

“Ahh, Xu Yunzhu is actually here. I really want to see her mental state up close. Hope she doesn’t let me down, haha.”

The director signaled him to take everyone’s luggage and usher them onto the bus—they’d be heading straight to the hotel.

Ning Qinghuan had known Xu Yunzhu would appear, but had no idea Pei Jin had joined the show because of her.

So, when Pei Jin saw Xu Yunzhu, his expression turned stormy. If not for the cameras, he might have lost his temper on the spot.

Afraid Pei Jin would get angry, Ning Qinghuan hurried to Pei Qiaonian’s side and smiled. “Yunzhu, you’re our love observer for this show. It might be a bit tiring, so thank you for your hard work!”

She then placed her suitcase in front of him. “Could you help us with the luggage?”

“Love observer? What’s that even for? Isn’t this role a bit redundant?”

“Seems like their job is to record the sweetness level of each assigned couple, help them get closer, and also act as a part-time assistant. Right now, she’s supposed to organize all six suitcases and get them to the hotel.”

“Huh? Is that just a glorified nanny? But knowing how much Xu Yunzhu loves attention, she’ll probably use this to win over fans.”

The next second, there was a loud “thud.”

Ning Qinghuan’s suitcase flew far away, courtesy of a kick from Pei Qiaonian. Both the live chat and the scene itself fell into a stunned silence.

Pei Qiaonian tilted his head, a coy smile on his lovely face. “Are you disabled? Want me to carry you onto the bus as well, you overgrown baby?”

Ning Qinghuan’s face went white as a sheet.

Since it was a live broadcast, his behavior was shown to everyone in real time.

The director broke out in a cold sweat, shooting a desperate look at the assistant director: What’s going on? This doesn’t match the character we assigned him at all!

The assistant director was just as panicked—how would he know? Wasn’t Sister Cheng the one who promised her artist would behave? He’d taken a risk letting her join, and now this!

The director hesitated, debating whether to cut the broadcast, when he noticed the viewership had tripled and was still rising.

He gritted his teeth and signaled: Keep rolling!

They even gave Pei Qiaonian a solo camera.

“Is this scripted? Is it? Someone answer me—how is it this intense from the start?”

“Is this really the assistant? Or did she come here just to get revenge?”

“Poor Qinghuan, she doesn’t deserve this. Xu Yunzhu, you’re awful—how could you treat her like this? If you’re going to lose it, just leave!”

“This woman is spiraling into madness and taking us all with her.”

Viewership soared past a million.

Suddenly, their dating show was being discussed by far more people—the director knew he’d bet on the right horse.

Seeing Ning Qinghuan humiliated, Pei Jin couldn’t hold back. He glared coldly at Pei Qiaonian. “What’s the meaning of this? According to the production’s plan, you’re supposed to handle our luggage and arrange all our outings. Is this your new way of stealing attention?”

Pei Qiaonian laughed bitterly inside, calculating that Pei Jin’s dislike for Xu Yunzhu must have reached its peak by now.

He straightened, swept his gaze over the six assembled, then tore up the mission card with a smirk.

“Let me lay down three rules. First, handle your own affairs. Second, don’t bother me unless it’s important. Third—” his eyes landed on Pei Jin and Ning Qinghuan—“the two of you, stay away from me. I’m allergic to air you’ve breathed.”