Oh my!
Everyone could have told you from the start that Miss Ji, this pampered young lady from the Ji family, was absolutely not someone with a good temper. But witnessing her lose her temper so unreservedly right in front of the cameras still made them take a deeply shocked breath.
Most people would at least try to hide their negative emotions when facing the cameras, especially during a live broadcast. Yet, Ji Xingzhu just charged right over, snatched her cat back, and fiercely warned Song Qingchi not to touch it.
Outsiders were already feeling embarrassed for Song Qingchi, but the man himself remained completely unruffled, showing no trace of awkwardness.
“Miss Ji, my apologies, that was presumptuous of me,” Song Qingchi smoothly offered his apology. His voice was clear, gentle, and carried a tone of sincere regret.
Ji Xingzhu frowned slightly, her gaze fixed tightly on him. The more she saw the polite, gentle smile on his face, the more indignant she felt, and the more she wanted to tear off his hypocritical mask!
His demeanor instantly reminded Ji Xingzhu of the two ‘fathers’ from before and after her transmigration into the book—both acted all proper and dignified in public but were complete scoundrels in private.
At this thought, Ji Xingzhu’s expression turned even colder. She snorted disdainfully, “Think an apology is enough to settle this? No way!”
Ji Xingzhu was putting a bit too much heart into her role as the male lead’s vicious fiancée. Right now, she was absolutely determined to pick a fight.
However, just as she was about to say something more, the cat in her arms suddenly began to struggle.
She had picked up this white stray cat on the third day after transmigrating. She originally planned to give it to someone else, but the cat was just too beautiful—a snow-white long-haired lion cat with odd-colored eyes. Ji Xingzhu was captivated by its looks and decided to keep it, casually naming it Xiao Bai (Little White).
But during this time, Xiao Bai had been taken care of by the servants. Ji Xingzhu disliked its shedding and had barely petted it, only admiring its beauty from afar.
Now, suddenly being held by an unfamiliar person, Xiao Bai let out a startled cry and struggled in Ji Xingzhu’s arms. It almost left a few red scratches on her fair chest, startling Ji Xingzhu so much that she instantly lost her focus on provoking the male lead. She instinctively wanted to throw the cat away but was worried about hurting Xiao Bai, leaving her momentarily flustered and at a loss.
At that moment, a slender hand reached over, pinching the scruff of the kitten’s neck and lifting its upper body. Simultaneously, Ji Xingzhu felt an arm steadying her shoulder from behind. She looked up to see Song Qingchi standing beside her, his eyes downcast.
In a posture that almost looked like he was half-embracing Ji Xingzhu.
The previously struggling and yowling kitten immediately retracted its claws obediently once Song Qingchi held it by the scruff.
And before Ji Xingzhu’s temper could flare up again, Song Qingchi had already withdrawn the arm supporting her back.
“Host, host! The male lead just used a gentleman’s hand! He only supported you with his arm, didn’t actually touch your shoulder with his palm at all!” 999 screamed excitedly. “When this airs, lots of people are going to praise the male lead for his good manners! Host, you’re doing great!”
“Hey!” Ji Xingzhu still wanted to continue picking a fight. “Who said you could…” touch me.
She was about to put on her young lady airs, but the kitten in her arms started struggling again, instantly deflating Ji Xingzhu’s haughtiness.
Song Qingchi grasped her wrist, helping her adjust her hold. “Support the kitten’s belly like this, then it won’t be scared.”
His palm was dry and carried a burning warmth. As it covered her hand, it was unexpectedly not unpleasant.
Fear of being scratched and embarrassment made Ji Xingzhu subconsciously follow his guidance. Song Qingchi slowly placed Xiao Bai into her arms, letting go before gently scratching behind the kitten’s ears.
Just as he said, the kitten quieted down, even letting out soft mews as it leaned against Ji Xingzhu’s chest.
Seeing the kitten calm, Song Qingchi took a step back, resuming a proper social distance. “Miss Ji, are you hurt?”
Ji Xingzhu was still a bit dazed. Feeling the soft, warm little body nestled against her, she asked anxiously, “It won’t bite me, will it?”
“No, it won’t.” Song Qingchi smiled, reaching out to pet the cat in her arms again. “It knows you won’t hurt it.”
His voice was clear and gentle. Ji Xingzhu couldn’t help but look up at him, meeting those deep black eyes. Song Qingchi met her gaze with a calm smile before lowering his eyes to look at the cat in her arms.
Through his gold-rimmed glasses, she couldn’t quite decipher the emotions in those dark eyes, only sensing they were as dark and profound as ever, unfathomable to her.
Song Qingchi’s hands were large, with long, slender fingers and distinct knuckles. Against the small kitten, they made the cat seem tiny and fragile. Yet those hands were very gentle; anyone could feel his care for the little animal.
Ji Xingzhu stared at his hands for a moment, then slowly let her gaze travel upwards, past his sturdy arm, and immediately landed on his broad chest.
He was dressed in a tailored suit, his shirt buttoned to the top. The muscles of his chest filled out the jacket perfectly, rising and falling slightly with his breath.
Ji Xingzhu instantly remembered his half-naked body during boxing—so robust, completely different from his refined demeanor. She could even catch a faint whiff of his cologne, mingling with the warmth from his body, creating a strangely flustering and ambiguous atmosphere that made her heart beat faster for no reason.
Ji Xingzhu quickly averted her eyes as if burned.
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly peculiar, Ji Xingzhu snapped back to reality. But… continuing to pick a fight was out of the question now. She could only pretend as if nothing had happened, looking down at the cat in her arms while secretly fuming at how sly Song Qingchi was, using such a method to defuse her deliberate provocation.
She lowered her head and quietly observed the kitten. The kitten also looked up, its gem-like odd-colored eyes unblinkingly fixed on her, letting out a soft, sweet, and gentle “meow.”
The kitten seemed to possess a magical power that instantly soothed her somewhat irritable and frustrated mood.
An unconscious smile appeared on Ji Xingzhu’s face, softening her usual imposing and willful aura considerably. She gave a rather tsundere-like light snort, “Consider yourself grateful.”
Song Qingchi stood nearby, smiling as he watched her. Compared to his previous polite and distant smile, the curve of his lips had noticeably deepened. His dark eyes appeared very gentle, though it was unclear whether he was looking at the cat or at her.
They stood very close. The two people who had been at each other’s throats just moments ago now seemed inexplicably harmonious—the change was so dramatic it was truly astonishing.
After holding and petting Xiao Bai for a while, Ji Xingzhu set it down. Unexpectedly, the little thing turned out to be quite clingy, circling around her and rubbing against her incessantly.
Ji Xingzhu was wearing high heels and was afraid of accidentally stepping on it, so she called someone over to take the cat away. Only after the kitten left did she belatedly realize that the atmosphere seemed a bit strange.
An eerie silence fell around them. Everyone was looking at her and Song Qingchi with an indescribable gaze—part excited, part shocked. Their expressions were somewhat contorted, as if they wanted to laugh but didn’t dare.
Simply put, they were shipping it.
[Ahhhhh! Does anyone understand, fam?! My smile has already stretched to the Pacific Ocean!]
[When I first saw Ji Xingzhu aggressively snatching the cat, I was really sweating for Song Qingchi. After all, the young lady seemed to have a terrible temper, and I was afraid an argument would be too awkward. Who knew Song Qingchi, who looks so gentle and refined, is actually quite skilled? He calmed the young lady’s anger with just a few words—I was stunned.]
[The willful, domineering young lady and the gentle, rational loyal dog—who’s shipping it? I won’t say!]
[Actually, I don’t think describing Song Qingchi as “gentle and rational” is quite accurate. This man is definitely not simple.]
[Song Qingchi gives me the vibe of being a bit scheming. Without some cleverness, how could he have just casually placated Miss Ji?]
[These two give me a very strange feeling. Ji Xingzhu has a willful personality and a bad temper. In their interactions, it seems like Ji Xingzhu firmly holds the upper hand, while Song Qingchi seems to only retreat and be tolerant. But… Song Qingchi gives me a sense of relaxed ease; he seems to be able to placate Ji Xingzhu very easily.
Ji Xingzhu actually reminds me a lot of that cat—looking all fierce and glorious on the surface, but actually rolling over to show her belly after just a little petting from Song Qingchi…
Damn, why does this sound a bit risqué the more I talk about it? Anyway, I’m shipping it! Female guest #1 Ji Xingzhu and male guest #4 Song Qingchi—I’m investing in this pair!]
[Ji Xingzhu has a strong presence, but Song Qingchi is so tall… It seems like he could easily wrap the young lady in his arms. Who understands this height difference? Sob!]
[They have this inexplicable vibe when they stand together… Others simply can’t get between them.]
…
Ji Xingzhu disliked everyone equally. At this moment, she glared at them irritably, “What are you all looking at?”
The crew members immediately lowered their heads to avoid her gaze, but they were all exchanging knowing glances and winks among themselves.
“Miss Ji.” Song Qingchi’s smile was gentle. “How about changing your clothes?”
Ji Xingzhu raised an eyebrow, thinking he was criticizing her taste. She was just about to get angry when she belatedly looked down. Sure enough, her red dress was covered in white cat hair, especially around the chest area, where it was particularly noticeable.
Ji Xingzhu wrinkled her nose in distaste and muttered, “Shouldn’t have held it in the first place.”
Song Qingchi’s expression remained unchanged. His gaze didn’t linger on her cat-hair-covered clothes, politely looking elsewhere instead.
Ji Xingzhu said a quick word to the crew, then headed upstairs in her high heels to change.
With the departure of this flamboyant and unrestrained young lady, the atmosphere on set suddenly turned somewhat chilly.
Lin Yifei had just finished his meal. Wiping his mouth, he looked at Song Qingchi with admiration, “Bro, you’re really something. I don’t even dare talk much to Miss Ji.”
Song Qingchi nodded amiably at him and even extended his right hand first, “Hello, I’m Song Qingchi.”
Lin Yifei was momentarily stunned before quickly shaking his hand, “Hello, hello. I’m Lin Yifei. Just call me Xiao Fei.”
Song Qingchi really knew how to handle people. He chatted with Lin Yifei for a while with a smile, and soon the other was calling him “brother” and treating him with great enthusiasm. Even though Lin Yifei was wearing a leather jacket and ripped jeans—clearly a rebellious, edgy teen—and Song Qingchi was in a tailored suit with an air of noble restraint, making them seem like they were from different worlds, they appeared to be getting along surprisingly well.
Nearby, Wen Yajun watched Song Qingchi with a fluctuating expression. She was hesitating whether to expose the relationship between Song Qingchi and Ji Xingzhu in front of everyone.
But after thinking it over for a long time, she decided to hold back for now. This wasn’t the best time to expose them.
She was going to make good use of this engagement that Ji Xingzhu looked down on, to deliver a fatal blow at a crucial moment! Wen Yajun gritted her teeth in hatred, vowing not to let Ji Xingzhu have an easy time.
Ji Xingzhu couldn’t care less about Wen Yajun’s little schemes. At the moment, she was in her walk-in closet, agonizing over which outfit to change into.
However, while picking out clothes, Ji Xingzhu gradually reflected on what had happened. She complained to 999 with great annoyance, “That damn male lead is so cunning! I was clearly trying to pick a fight with him earlier, but somehow I ended up petting the cat instead…”
The Cannon Fodder System tried to console her: “It’s alright, it’s all because that cat is too tempting. Host, it’s probably best if you stay away from it from now on.”
Thinking about how nice it felt to pet the cat, Ji Xingzhu hesitated. 999 immediately grew anxious: “Host, that cat almost scratched you! You absolutely must not pet it again! If you’re bored, just chat with me! Aren’t I cuter than it?”
Ji Xingzhu clicked her tongue twice, teasing, “9, are you jealous?”
The Cannon Fodder System felt a bit embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, “By the way, host, based on my monitoring of the internet, everyone is shipping you and the male lead’s CP now!”
“What?!” Ji Xingzhu was horrified. She quickly pulled out her phone to check, and the more she looked, the darker her expression became. “What’s wrong with these people’s taste? How could I possibly be interested in a harem protagonist?!”
“No, I have to change this situation.” Ji Xingzhu thoughtfully rubbed her chin. Then, taking advantage of there being no cameras or other people around, she quickly went online to communicate with Song Qingchi.
“Host!” Ji Xingzhu called out seriously.
Song Qingchi was talking with Lin Yifei. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow and glanced subtly towards the upstairs. Ji Xingzhu was still changing and hadn’t appeared.
A knowing smile curved his lips. He multitasked, taking a moment to reply in his mind, “What’s wrong? Something the matter?”
Ji Xingzhu snorted coldly, deliberately putting on an indignant tone, “Host, I saw everything just now. That vicious fiancée of yours is really too much! She actually ordered you around in front of the cameras, showing you no respect at all. It’s simply outrageous!”
The curve of Song Qingchi’s lips held a meaningful hint. “What are your thoughts?”
“I think your attitude towards your fiancée is very wrong—how could you be so pleasant and kind to her? You even taught her how to pet the cat? This kind of concession will only make her push her luck!” Ji Xingzhu said righteously and indignantly. “So, you absolutely must stop being polite to her from now on! When she’s rude to you, you have to retort and mock her right back, understand?”
At this point, 999 couldn’t hold back any longer and whispered to her, “Host, aren’t you afraid you’ll suffer if you keep egging the male lead on to target you like this?”
Ji Xingzhu sneered disdainfully, “How could I possibly suffer? I’d rather he quarrels with me right in front of the cameras than have people shipping a CP, especially a CP with that harem protagonist male lead!”
Song Qingchi raised an eyebrow slightly, a dark glint seeming to flash in his deep eyes. He remained silent for a moment before saying leisurely, “I don’t know why I acted that way towards her… Perhaps it’s because of you.”
“Because of me?” Ji Xingzhu immediately grew wary. “Don’t you dare shift the blame onto me! I’ve only ever told you to teach that fiancée a proper lesson!”
Song Qingchi chuckled and didn’t say more. Ji Xingzhu instructed him a couple more times before swiftly going offline.
After a while, Miss Ji finally finished changing her clothes and descended the stairs gracefully.
Director Lu Xuguang announced the start of the next segment—departing for the gathering location.
This dating show was called “Love on the Journey.” As the name suggested, the guests would travel to different places each episode, getting to know each other, communicating, and building feelings during the journey.
With Ji Xingzhu’s investment, the show had suddenly become flush with cash and upgraded all the travel destinations significantly. This included not only domestic locations but also some famous scenic spots abroad.
The filming location for the first episode wasn’t too far from the capital. Under the banner of getting close to nature, the crew selected a small, picturesque mountain village nearby. By the time the group reached their destination, it was almost dark.
Ji Xingzhu had long grown impatient. She pushed up the sunglasses on the bridge of her nose and urged, “Where are we staying?” She couldn’t wait to take a shower.
Director Lu Xuguang shouted through a megaphone: “Regarding the guests’ accommodations, we’ve provided many options. There are budget hotels, small Western-style houses, simple bungalows, the possibility of staying with villagers, and, of course, some houses with less-than-ideal conditions.”
“As for the order of selection, we’ll decide through a little game that tests rapport. One male guest and one female guest form a pair. There will be four pairs competing. The winning pair gets to choose first.”
Lin Yifei complained loudly, “We just met today! What kind of rapport could we possibly have?”
Lu Xuguang explained, “You can choose freely. Pick whoever you feel you get along with best, who you think you’d have the most rapport with. Or, if you think someone is very smart and partnering with them could lead to victory, you can choose them too.”
“The selection of partners is based on mutual consent. As long as both parties agree, it’s fine. The guests left unchosen will just have to form a pair together.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the guests immediately began whispering among themselves, their glances sweeping around subtly as if considering suitable partners.
Ji Xingzhu thought for a moment and asked, “What kind of game is it?”
Lu Xuguang said, “A guessing game. One person acts out clues, the other guesses. The pair with the most correct guesses wins…”
Before Lu Xuguang could finish, Ji Xingzhu decisively walked up to Song Qingchi. Her face was stern as she declared imperiously, “We’ll be a team.”
Song Qingchi: “…”
His arrogant fiancée suddenly choosing to team up with him? He had a feeling she either wanted to set him up or use him…