“Achoo!” Shi Ruan rubbed the tip of his nose, finding it strange since he clearly had not kicked off his blanket last night.
“What is wrong? Have you caught a cold? Do you want to drink a cup of cold medicine to prevent it first?” Hearing the movement, the manager sitting nearby immediately asked with concern.
Seeing Shi Ruan shake his head did not put her mind at ease. She reached out to feel Shi Ruan’s forehead, only feeling relieved when she sensed no abnormal temperature.
Lowering her gaze, she happened to see Shi Ruan’s cheeks, which still retained a bit of baby fat, and reflexively pinched one. Mm, the texture was indeed wonderful.
“Manager Liu! I already told you not to pinch my face! I have to record a show soon!” Shi Ruan wailed helplessly, shedding tears as he spoke.
Strange as it might seem, Shi Ruan was a Beta, yet he was far more afraid of pain than an Omega. When he went to the hospital for a checkup, the doctor said that although uncommon, it was normal. Thus, Shi Ruan would experience ten times more pain than ordinary people.
“Oh! Ruanruan, don’t cry. Let me blow on it. I will never pinch you again! Okay?!”
Manager Liu also knew about Shi Ruan’s condition, but she simply could not restrain her hands just then.
Manager Liu right now wished she could slap her own hand twice, scolding herself for being so impulsive.
“Phew, it is fine, Manager Liu. It does not hurt anymore!” Seeing Manager Liu like this, Shi Ruan broke into a smile through his tears.
Seeing Shi Ruan smiling to comfort her while still holding tear droplets in his eyes, Manager Liu felt her maternal heart melting completely.
Yet the moment she thought of their destination, she could not feel happy at all.
Her cute, delicate, and soft Ruanruan was about to go on a show and be pestered by wolves. No way! She absolutely had to keep Ruanruan away from them.
Mm, Manager Liu nodded inwardly, organizing her words before speaking. “Ruanruan, we are going on this show to maintain our popularity, not to fall in love, so…”
“So I am going to keep my distance from the people on the show!” Shi Ruan answered preemptively.
“That is right, Ruanruan is so smart!” Because Shi Ruan was a Beta, Manager Liu had to guard against not only Alphas, but also Betas and Omegas. It was truly impossible to guard against everything!
Shi Ruan did not think there was anything particularly smart about that, but being praised by Manager Liu still made him very happy, and he smiled sweetly. Underneath Shi Ruan’s eye was a very distinct tear mole, which his twin younger brother, Shi Yan, lacked.
This also made it very easy for outsiders to distinguish this pair of twins, who looked seven or eight parts alike.
Soon, the car drove to the shooting location designated by the show.
Because Shi Ruan lived in the dormitory arranged by the company, he did not ride in the same car as Shi Yan.
[Wah! They are here, they are here. He is here, and he brought the live broadcast with him!]
[The broadcast has started! Sending flowers, sending flowers!]
[I cannot wait any longer. The production team this season kept their mouths sealed tight. Even now that it has started, they have not announced the guests. These live streamers only know how to tease me.]
[Alright, walking up now is our first male guest!]
Shi Ruan did not expect to be the first one to arrive at the dating cabin. His luggage was not bulky, and he could easily lift it.
Arriving at a new place, Shi Ruan pricked up his ears like a little rabbit, observing the unfamiliar surroundings as if he could turn and run away the moment anything felt wrong.
[Wah, it is Little Shi! Mama has not seen you in so long, Little Shi. Give Mama a kiss!]
[Wuwuwu, Little Shi actually came to participate in a dating show! No way! Mama does not allow it!]
[The new guest is so cute. I just searched him up, and he is an actor who has acted in a few low-budget web dramas.]
[Wah! He is so fair!]
[Why is there a mark on his face? Was it pinched by someone? I want to pinch it too! It looks like it feels so good to touch!]
[Let me introduce him to everyone. The guest’s name is Shi Ruan. Although he is a Beta, his personality is very soft!]
[Ah? How could he be a Beta? I thought he was an Omega.]
[Same as above, but I like Betas too.]
Shi Ruan did not know that the moment he stepped into the cabin, the production team had turned on all the live broadcast cameras. At that moment, he was still peeking around to inspect the room.
The first ones who could not take it were not the fans in the live chat, but the staff behind the camera.
Oh heavens, where on earth did the director find such a little cutie? His skin is also way too nice.
“Teacher Shi, you can sit in the living room first and wait for the other guests to arrive.”
Shi Ruan, who was observing the camera up close, was startled by the suddenly speaking camera and bounced backward away from it. When he recovered, a blush drifted across his face.
The staff member who had just been pushed out by other colleagues to remind Shi Ruan watched Shi Ruan look so cute through the camera and could not help but emit a mental scream.
[Ahhhhh! Close-up visual crit, this is way too cute!]
[What kind of eyelash elf is reincarnated? Does anyone really have eyelashes this long?]
[It looked like he just made eye contact with me through the screen!]
[Oh, why do I only want to have impure thoughts when facing such an innocent face?]
[He looks like he needs an Alpha even more than I do as an Omega.]
[Darn staff member, stop disturbing the baby making eye contact with me!]
[I declare that I am now Shi Ruan’s boyfriend fan!]
[Plus one to the above.]
At that moment, a certain man sitting in the car heading from the airport to the cabin felt a glimmer of brilliance flash in his eyes, and the curled corners of his lips revealed his master’s pleasant mood.
His slender fingers were gripping the latest model of a smartphone, which clearly displayed the live broadcast room of Fall in Love. On the screen, Shi Ruan was waiting helplessly for the next guest to arrive under the instructions of the staff.
Seeing the comments scrolling across the screen, the man could not help frowning.
“Drive faster.”
The man urged.
No matter how fast they drove, however, the man could not become the second person to arrive. Shi Ruan did not know how long he waited in boring anticipation before the second guest finally arrived.
To Shi Ruan’s surprise, the second person to arrive was actually Shi Yan. However, when Manager Liu told him that Director Wu had agreed, Shi Ruan had already prepared himself mentally.
Even so, Shi Ruan had overestimated himself. The moment he saw Shi Yan, he still recalled those unpleasant memories from the past.
The moment Shi Yan saw that Shi Ruan was the only person in the room, he smiled.
He had gone to great lengths to get on this reality show precisely to trample Shi Ruan and raise himself up.
At this moment, the innocent Shi Ruan did not yet know that he was about to be used as a stepping stone by someone else.
“Brother, you arrived really early.” The moment Shi Yan saw the camera in the room, he seemed like a different person, cheerfully greeting Shi Ruan.
That enthusiastic and vibrant appearance made it seem as though he and Shi Ruan were brothers with a wonderful bond.
On the contrary, the moment Shi Ruan saw Shi Yan, he felt a heart-wrenching pain. Shi Ruan hardened his heart and pinched his own palm to force himself to calm down.
The pain coming from his palm finally made Shi Ruan realize that he had already escaped the torment of those memories.
Now he could support himself, and he would never have to return to the days of being bullied in the Shi family.
If one looked closely, however, his body could still be seen trembling slightly.
[Gosh, twins!]
[Although the two of them look very similar, I declare that my Ruanruan is the cutest.]
[Same as above. Standing side by side, I still think Shi Ruan’s facial features are more exquisite. No wonder he is able to play a breathtakingly gorgeous young lord!]
[Wah, why did two such cute Betas come? How are the Omegas behind them supposed to live?]
[Eh? Is it my imagination, or does it feel like as soon as this person walked in, Ruanruan looked very nervous?]
[I do not think so. The user above must be mistaken. Obviously, the two of them look like they have a great relationship.]
Although Shi Yan and Shi Ruan looked seven or eight parts alike, standing side by side, it was obvious that Shi Ruan’s facial features were more exquisite than Shi Yan’s.
Even when they were children, when guests came to the house, the guests would sigh and say that Shi Ruan, a Beta, was better-looking than his Omega younger brother.
Because of this single remark, Shi Yan had bullied Shi Ruan openly and secretly ever since they were kids. As long as Shi Ruan was miserable, Shi Yan would be happy.
“Brother, it is good that you are here. Otherwise, I would be scared being an Omega all by myself here.”
Shi Yan feigned affection as he grabbed Shi Ruan’s arm and sat down on the sofa.
In reality, however, he was secretly pinching the flesh on Shi Ruan’s arm, warning Shi Ruan not to talk nonsense.
Originally, Shi Yan had other arrangements regarding getting on the show, knowing full well that Shi Ruan was just a newcomer who had been mixing in the entertainment industry for only two years and had yet to make it big.
However, he had not expected Shi Ruan to actually pull it off for him, which made Shi Yan even more dissatisfied.
Thinking that Shi Ruan was merely a Beta while he himself was an Omega who still had to ride on Shi Ruan’s coattails, Shi Yan decided that once he became famous, he would not let Shi Ruan survive in the entertainment industry.
With that thought, the smile on Shi Yan’s face grew even sweeter and cloying.
[My goodness, am I the only one who thinks the smile on this Shi Yan’s face looks creepy?]
[Replying to the above: yes, you are the only one.]
[Shi Yan is an Omega, you see. Omegas are naturally sweet. Is your brain broken upstairs?]
[Fine, anyway I think Shi Ruan is the cutest.]
[What kind of joke is the person above making? Can a Beta be cuter than an Omega? Get some taste!]
[What does the user above mean? Can’t a Beta be cute?]
[Exactly, exactly. This Shi Yan looks so strong! He is not natural like his brother at all, okay?]
[Don’t be too harsh on non-celebrities upstairs! I am raising the big flag for the younger brother. What is wrong with me liking an Omega?]
Seeing that the live chat was about to turn into an argument, Director Wu hurriedly had the staff intervene.
“May I ask if you two teachers are brothers?”
“Yes, my brother and I are twins.”
Before Shi Ruan could speak, Shi Yan answered preemptively once again.
At this moment, Shi Ruan felt restless and uneasy, wondering how he could distance himself from Shi Yan in the coming days.
He could only silently pray in his heart for someone to come quickly, for someone to come and save him.
Perhaps sensing Shi Ruan’s unease, a trace of malice flashed in Shi Yan’s eyes.
He picked up a water cup nearby, filled a cup of boiling water at the water dispenser, handed it toward Shi Ruan’s hand, and spoke with feigned sincerity.
“Brother, I see your complexion is not good. I told you before not to stay up late, but you never listen. Drink some hot water.”
Shi Ruan did not know what trick Shi Yan was up to this time, but he still reached out to take it.
Suddenly, Shi Yan loosened his grip. Because of their positioning, the camera did not capture what had happened.
Shi Ruan only felt a sharp pain coming from the back of his hand, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.
“Brother, how are you? You cannot because of hating me deliberately refuse to take the water I handed you, right?”
Shi Yan said this deliberately to make the people in the live chat misunderstand that Shi Ruan was someone who frequently threw tantrums in front of family members.
Shi Ruan was in too much pain to speak and could only let Shi Yan smear his reputation while crying anxiously.
Just then, a hand reached out from beside Shi Ruan, pulled him toward the kitchen sink, and placed his injured hand under running water.
Thin Jing looked at the tears on Shi Ruan’s face, and the fire in his belly grew even fiercer.
“Brother, I am sorry. I did not expect it to turn out like this. If you did not want to drink the water I handed you, you could have refused. You should not have hurt yourself.”
“Are you lacking muscle tone? You can spill a cup of water onto someone else’s hand? If your cerebellum is underdeveloped, I suggest you go see a doctor.”
Thin Jing had not expected that as soon as he walked in, he would see the person held dearest in his heart get injured.
As a result, the culprit was still standing nearby talking nonsense, which made Thin Jing even more irritated.
Even after suppressing his pheromones with a blocker, the pressure released by Thin Jing’s Grade 3S Alpha pheromones when he was angry was not something a Grade B Omega like Shi Yan could withstand.
Shi Yan looked at the man who had suddenly appeared and interrupted his plan, a trace of irritation flashing in his eyes.
Fortunately, he had already achieved his goal. Sure enough, the comments in the live chat had already started expressing dissatisfaction toward Shi Ruan and Thin Jing.
[No, why do I feel like Shi Ruan is so dramatic? Isn’t he just a Beta who got splashed with a little water? He is acting just like an Omega.]
[Indeed, and what about this male guest who just walked in? He has zero manners, okay!]
[Right, the younger brother did not do it on purpose!]
[And judging by the younger brother’s words, does Shi Ruan bully Omegas at home?]
[What are you guys talking about? Didn’t you see Shi Ruan got scalded? Even if it was not on purpose, it is still Shi Yan’s fault?!]
[However, this newly arrived male guest is so handsome! I am sold. Older brother, step on me.]
[Fun fact: this male guest is the current chairman of the Thin Corporation!]
[Gosh, is that the Grade 3S+ Alpha? No wonder he is so man!]
Fortunately, Thin Jing’s appearance drew away the attention of the live chat, preventing the argument over right and wrong from continuing.
“I am fine.”
Shi Ruan watched Thin Jing scold Shi Yan, remembered Manager Liu’s advice, and pulled on Thin Jing’s sleeve with his other uninjured hand.
Although he did not know why Thin Jing was helping him, Shi Ruan still felt grateful in his heart for the man who had suddenly appeared.
“Brother, please do not hate me. I did not mean to!” Seeing Shi Ruan help speak up for him, Shi Yan’s eye rims turned red as he prepared to start acting.
Vainly, Thin Jing did not even spare a glance in that direction, focusing entirely on the injured Shi Ruan in front of him.
Shi Ruan’s tear-stained eyes were red, making him look just like a little rabbit.
“Mm, don’t cry.”
Thin Jing had never comforted anyone before, but in front of Shi Ruan, he simply could not be fierce.
He could only sigh and helplessly loosen his grip on Shi Ruan’s wrist.
Unexpectedly, however, Shi Ruan’s skin was so delicate that his originally fair wrist had a red ring around it where Thin Jing had held him.
“Sorry.”
Clearly, Thin Jing noticed it too.
His lowered hand rubbed unnaturally, and he wanted nothing more than to lock him away.
“It is fine. I should even thank you.”
Shi Ruan paid no attention to the astonishing possessiveness hidden in Thin Jing’s lowered eyes, comforting Thin Jing instead.
As they spoke, the two of them stood very close, and Shi Ruan could even smell the fragrance coming from Thin Jing.
Shi Ruan did not know how to describe this scent. It felt like a snowy pine forest. In any case, it smelled very nice.
At that time, Shi Ruan considered himself a Beta and never suspected anything related to pheromones.
Banxia Novels, bringing you endless joy.