“Oh, so that’s why you were being all coy and hesitant.” Zheng Siya chuckled softly: “Relax, relax. Miss Su said they won’t cut to us, so your Zhiyuan won’t see.”
Reassured by Siya’s words, Shen Qiaoyi gradually relaxed and smoothly played the role of an invisible prop for two rounds.
However, despite her desire to keep a low profile, her looks wouldn’t allow it.
Shen Qiaoyi was 165 cm tall, considered quite tall among Omegas, with perfect body proportions. Especially when wearing the waist-length short skirt provided by the show, it perfectly showcased the advantages of her waist, hips, and legs.
Although she had buried herself in the furthest corner, she was still the most stunning sight in the entire venue.
As soon as the third Alpha guest came on stage, her gaze lingered on Shen Qiaoyi until the host handed her the tablet, only then did she take her eyes off Shen Qiaoyi’s face.
On the big screen, the Alpha guest’s VCR played: Chief surgeon at Z City’s First Hospital, owns a house, car, and savings – quite an excellent catch.
The Alpha’s appearance was also striking, with long slender legs wrapped in jeans and black curly hair scattered on her shoulders – the type of domineering woman that Omegas like.
As soon as the first segment of the VCR finished, three Omegas rushed to turn on their lights for her.
The Alpha bowed deeply to those three Omegas: “First, I want to thank guests number 7, 12, and 18 for turning on their lights for me. However, as I mentioned in my VCR, the most important thing I look for in an Omega is chemistry at first sight. Everyone… I’m sorry.”
Hearing this, the host immediately put the microphone in front of the Alpha: “So you’re saying, among the 24 guests present, there’s an Omega who caught your eye?”
The Alpha’s gaze fell on Shen Qiaoyi’s face, and she smiled faintly: “Yes.”
The host picked up the tablet and projected the Alpha’s chosen Omega onto the big screen.
Su Jintao, sitting in front of the monitor in the control room, instructed the cameraman through his Bluetooth headset to switch the camera to the big screen.
The heart on the big screen moved slowly, then went black for a second, followed by a large number appearing –
[2]
Everyone on stage turned their gaze towards Shen Qiaoyi, number 2.
Shen Qiaoyi was still immersed in her role as a prop, applauding along with everyone else. When she suddenly saw her own number appear on the screen, her movements froze.
Su Jintao also had a shocked expression, with a hint of unease.
Her unease stemmed from Lu Zhiyuan.
Although Lu Yuanbao was in denial and refused to admit it, the fact that she was quietly doing these things for Shen Qiaoyi behind the scenes showed how much she cared about this Omega.
If she found out that it was Su Jintao who encouraged Shen Qiaoyi to participate in this dating show, then…
Would she shut down their entire TV station?
But the Alpha guests were genuinely here to find partners, and Su Jintao had no control over their choices.
She only felt chills running down her back and quickly instructed the cameraman to cut away from Shen Qiaoyi’s face. Just then, the female Alpha guest began to ask a question.
Her voice was magnetic, with a comfortable feeling like a gentle breeze.
She asked: “The observatory said there will be a once-in-a-century Leonid meteor shower the day after tomorrow. Would guest number 2 be willing to watch it with me?”
After speaking, she walked straight towards Shen Qiaoyi, right up to her, then extended her right hand, gazing into her eyes.
All the Omegas, including the staff below the stage, unanimously looked at Shen Qiaoyi, waiting for her response.
The cameraman had no choice but to cut back to Shen Qiaoyi’s face.
Forced to meet the Alpha’s gaze, Shen Qiaoyi squeezed out a stiff smile, then bowed and said: “I’m sorry!”
The Alpha lowered her right hand dejectedly, asking pitifully: “May I ask… which part of me doesn’t meet your criteria for a partner?”
Shen Qiaoyi: ??
Didn’t Su Jintao say that just saying sorry would be enough for the other person to understand?
Why was the Alpha in front of her still asking for a reason?
If she said she already had an Alpha, she would definitely be exposed as a plant and bring negative attention to the show.
But flatly saying she didn’t like the Alpha would be too hurtful.
After pondering for a while without coming up with an excuse, Shen Qiaoyi could only bow and apologize again: “I’m sorry, I think… we’re not very compatible.”
The Alpha lowered her head and was silent for a moment, nodding as if accepting this reason. Then she paused, hesitantly speaking: “Then… can I hug you?”
Shen Qiaoyi: ??
Why was this completely different from the process Su Jintao described?
She bowed for the third time: “I’m really sorry!”
The Alpha understood Shen Qiaoyi’s refusal to hug and smiled graciously: “It’s alright.”
As the third Alpha left the stage, the show was also nearing its end.
The host walked to the center of the stage: “Thank you for watching Channel 3’s newly revamped dating show ‘AO Matchmaker’. The first episode ends here. We’ll see you again next week at the same time!”
By the time they finished recording, it was already 8 PM. Siya showed no intention of leaving, sticking close to Su Jintao and asking this and that. However, Shen Qiaoyi was thinking about Zhiyuan and said goodbye to Zheng Siya before leaving.
An hour ago, she had received a WeChat message from Zhiyuan saying her luggage was packed and she could pick her up to go to the small apartment.
When Shen Qiaoyi arrived at Wu Jiu, Lu Zhiyuan had just come out of the revolving door, carrying a black suitcase.
Shen Qiaoyi rolled down the car window and poked out half her head: “I’m sorry, Zhiyuan. Did you wait long?”
Lu Zhiyuan responded with a smile: “No, I just came down too.”
She went around the back of the car to put away her luggage, then came back to sit in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
The car slowly drove out of the gate. Both sides of the road were lined with osmanthus trees, and as a gentle breeze blew, the air was filled with a rich fragrance.
Lu Zhiyuan propped her right hand on the car window, the night scenery reflected in her bright black eyes, flickering in and out like a series of silhouettes.
She glanced to the side and noticed Shen Qiaoyi stealing looks at her. She smiled helplessly: “Don’t look at me, look at the road. Focus on driving.”
“The road isn’t as nice to look at as you.” Shen Qiaoyi was in a very good mood, her smile hadn’t left her face since seeing Lu Zhiyuan.
This little fox not only told lies without blushing, but she was also a smooth talker.
Lu Zhiyuan’s eyelashes fluttered, the tips of her ears turning slightly red: “It’s dangerous not to watch the road while driving.”
Shen Qiaoyi made an “oh” sound, then tilted her head to ask: “Where do you want to go eat?”
Lu Zhiyuan took out her phone, unlocked the screen, and glanced at the time: “It’s late, let’s go home and cook.”
Shen Qiaoyi rarely showed a troubled expression, her tone hesitant: “There aren’t many ingredients at home.”
Before transmigrating into the book, she had grown up pampered and then entered the entertainment industry, where she had people to serve her meals. How would she know how to cook?
Lu Zhiyuan turned to look at her for two seconds, then curled her lips: “It’s okay, we’ll make do with what we have.”
Shen Qiaoyi reluctantly said “oh”, inwardly considering whether to secretly order takeout when they got home.
The car drove smoothly on the ring road, and it didn’t take long to reach Shen Qiaoyi’s small apartment.
Lu Zhiyuan got out of the car behind her, habitually scanning the underground parking lot, and saw the large characters printed on the sign.
[Lu Real Estate]
Her footsteps faltered slightly.
This is… her family’s territory?
Shen Qiaoyi didn’t notice her reaction and walked in front, carrying her small bag while familiarizing her with the environment: “Parking spaces here are quite scarce. You can’t buy them now, only rent from property owners.”
She pointed to the right: “If you don’t use the underground garage, you have to come in through the lobby over there.”
Lu Zhiyuan followed with her suitcase, casually saying: “This community has a nice environment.”
“Yes, the apartments and commercial complex here all belong to Lu Real Estate.” Shen Qiaoyi walked backwards a few steps, taking the suitcase from her hand: “Other real estate companies cut corners to meet deadlines, but Lu Real Estate doesn’t. Their houses sell well even if the prices are high.”
Two years before Shen Qiaoyi transmigrated into the book was the hottest period for real estate. She used the money she earned from acting to invest in buying houses, making quite a profit.
After transmigrating into the ABO world, she occasionally paid attention to the property market, so she knew that Lu Corporation was the most reputable and strongest among all real estate companies.
Hearing someone praise her family’s brand like this, Lu Zhiyuan felt a little proud. However, in the next second, she couldn’t smile anymore.
Because this little fox leaned close to her ear and whispered mysteriously: “But, I heard that the female CEO of Lu Corporation, Lu Zhiyuan… is very ugly.”
Lu Zhiyuan: ??
She instinctively touched her own face, refuting somewhat dejectedly: “Who said that?”
“Siya said it. She said the female CEO of Lu Corporation is very ugly, that’s why you can’t find any photos of her online.”