Competition

Just as Lin Che was wondering what was going on.

A young woman in a Gothic Lolita dress walked onto the stage, microphone in hand, looking every bit like a host.

"All the contestants are here!"

A competition?

Had the Comic Exhibition gotten so cutthroat?

You had to compete just to attend a Comic Exhibition?

Was it a contest to see whose cosplay looked better?

Lin Che glanced at the others onstage. If they were judging on looks and cosplay quality alone, Luo Xue was definitely one of the best!

But if that was the kind of competition, why had Luo Xue dragged him into it?

"Now then..."

"Our 'CP Sweethearts Competition' officially begins!"

The Lolita-clad host announced the start of the competition, and thunderous applause erupted from the audience!

Lin Che, standing onstage, was completely dumbfounded!

"You? You want to team up with me as a couple?"

Lin Che lowered his voice and stared at Luo Xue in disbelief.

"It's fake! We're only pretending, that's all! We just have to win!"

Luo Xue clenched her fists, her nails nearly digging into her skin.

She'd originally planned to enter with Gu Yilan.

One of them was cosplaying Chang Li, the other Jin Xi. Even though they were both girls, they could still just about pass as a CP.

But Luo Xue hadn't expected Gu Yilan to sprain her ankle!

She should have given up on competing.

But...

The prize for this event was a limited-edition figurine, one Luo Xue had wanted to buy for ages but could never get her hands on!

Now that she had a chance to win it, she was determined to seize the opportunity, no matter what!

So she'd even told the staff member, "This is my boyfriend..."

That was how she'd gotten a spot in the competition!

Hopefully, the challenges wouldn't be too outrageous!

"Now, the first round of the 'CP Sweethearts Competition'!"

"Prove that you're the sweetest couple in the world! Any couple that isn't sweet enough will be eliminated!"

The hostess was bursting with enthusiasm!

Lin Che was completely at a loss.

"Luo Xue, you're really going all out, huh?"

Chapter 23: The Competition

"What are we supposed to do?"

Lin Che asked.

"I-I don't know either. Let's see what the others do first."

Lin Che wasn't the only one.

When Luo Xue heard what the competition involved, she was overwhelmed with embarrassment too.

She actually had to prove that she and Lin Che were a sweet couple... It was mortifying, but for the sake of winning, Luo Xue was willing to go for it!

At first, Luo Xue had thought that all they had to do was say something sweet or act a little coy to prove they were a couple.

But...

After seeing how the other contestants performed, Luo Xue felt as if the sky were falling!

Some couples went straight for a bridal carry!

Other guys wrapped their arms around their girlfriends from behind, leaned down, and whispered in their ears.

Some even hugged each other tightly and kissed their partner on the cheek...

Even here, people had to outdo one another. As couple after couple took their turn, the displays of intimacy kept getting bolder!

Of course, there were people like Luo Xue who tried to muddle through.

They weren't actually couples, after all, so they couldn't bring themselves to do anything as intimate as hugging and kissing.

At times like this, real couples and fake ones were easy to tell apart.

Everyone who'd tried to bluff their way through was eliminated in that round!

Soon, it was Luo Xue and Lin Che's turn.

"Wow, what a gorgeous couple!"

The Lolita host's eyes lit up when she saw them.

Dressed in her pristine white cosplay costume, Luo Xue looked like a fairy straight out of a novel. Lin Che's clean-cut, fresh look was just as appealing.

Everyone loved seeing a handsome guy and a beautiful girl together.

The Lolita host egged them on. "You two look like a real couple at first glance. How are you going to prove that your relationship is so sweet?!"

"I..."

Luo Xue cursed the host a thousand times in her head.

She'd already claimed to be his girlfriend. There was no way she could talk her way out of this now.

Luo Xue didn't want to get eliminated in the first round!

Then she could only...

Luo Xue's petite frame trembled slightly.

She remembered how it had felt when Lin Che held her on the bus. An indescribable feeling spread through her.

Nervousness, embarrassment, and a hint of excitement.

She secretly glanced at the audience below the stage, but didn't see Gu Yilan.

With her best friend absent, Luo Xue felt a little relieved. At least she didn't have to worry about someone she knew catching her.

"Hold me..."

Luo Xue's voice was very soft, but to Lin Che, it rang like thunder.

He could hardly believe that such a sweet, delicate voice had come from Little Fairy Luo Xue!

Was this really Luo Xue?

Her persona had completely fallen apart!

"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up, or they'll realize we're faking it..."

Seeing that Lin Che hadn't moved, Luo Xue urged him anxiously. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, and her clear, beautiful eyes glistened.

"This couple looks a little shy..." The Lolita host's tone turned teasing. "Don't tell me you're another fake couple trying to trick your way into the event prizes!"

"No! He really is my boyfriend!"

Provoked by the host, Luo Xue forgot all about being embarrassed!

She opened her small arms and clung to Lin Che like a koala.

"Quick! Hold me!"

Luo Xue urged him beside his ear!

Lin Che naturally wrapped his arms around her, sliding them beneath her arms and placing his hands against her smooth back.

Luo Xue was so petite, her slender waist seemed as if it might snap with the slightest squeeze. Her delicate body was like fragile porcelain, making anyone want to cradle and protect her.

Lin Che pressed his palm against the small of Luo Xue's back, drawing her closer.

Even through her cosplay costume, he could feel how soft and smooth her skin was. Her body radiated heat.

Luo Xue's sweet, feminine scent drifted into Lin Che's nose, making his heart itch.

Their chests were pressed together. Luo Xue was a little flat, but not so much that she felt bony, and Lin Che could feel her heartbeat.

It pounded like a drum.

"Just hugging isn't enough to prove you're a couple, is it?" The Lolita host sounded unsatisfied.

Seeing Lin Che and Luo Xue embracing, she actually believed they were together.

But watching the young man and woman's awkward movements, the host suddenly realized something.

Even if they were a couple, they must have only just gotten together. They were still at the stage where a hug made their hearts race.

The host smiled slyly. There was nothing she liked more than helping people find happiness!

This was the perfect chance to help the young couple grow closer!

Luo Xue was facing away from the host as she hugged Lin Che, so she couldn't see the expression on the host's face.

But Lin Che could!

The Lolita host winked at Lin Che and mouthed, "Don't worry, I'll help you..."

Help me with what?

The host had Lin Che completely baffled.

Then...

"How about the guy gives the girl a little love bite on the neck? That'll prove you're a couple!"

The Lolita host made her request outright!

Lin Che jumped in alarm!

No, come on, don't do this to me!

Lin Che could clearly feel Luo Xue trembling in his arms like a kettle coming to a boil as soon as the host finished speaking.

He felt like he was holding a bomb that could go off at any moment!

"Luo Xue, don't get mad just yet. If we have to, we can withdraw, but please don't start hitting anyone!"

Lin Che tried to soothe her quietly.

He knew Luo Xue too well. She'd been brainwashed by Little Red Book, constantly talking about standing up for herself. She was a modern woman who refused to be defined.

Giving someone a love bite was basically marking them as your own, a sign that they belonged to you!

For Luo Xue, that was absolutely unacceptable.

At least, that was what he thought...

But...

Luo Xue lifted her head from Lin Che's arms.

Her fair, pretty face flushed like the evening clouds, and the normally haughty Little Fairy wore a bashful, girlish expression.

Luo Xue looked much cuter than usual like this.

She was like a sweet, soft, petite doll.

"No... If we withdraw now, w-we won't get that limited-edition set of figurines!"

A conflicted look flashed through Luo Xue's eyes. In the end, she forced the words out, one by one.