Solo interviews

A clamor rose from downstairs.

Jiang Yumiao reluctantly opened his eyes and found the entire room shrouded in darkness.

It was already evening. He had slept the whole afternoon away.

Having just been marked during his heat, his body was utterly exhausted. Sleep was the only way he could replenish his energy.

The guest rooms all had standard beds 1.8 meters wide. Used to sleeping in a small bed, Jiang Yumiao curled up on one side and reached out to feel the empty space beside him.

I wish Ning Chunchi could sleep with me...

Jiang Yumiao even felt aggrieved. Why wasn't the Alpha who had marked him staying by his side?

He buried himself in his pillow with a soft whine, unwilling to get up.

After a while, Jiang Yumiao fully woke up and finally realized what he had just been thinking.

Help!! Is this what happens to an Omega marked by an Alpha during his heat? I can't control how attached I am to Ning Chunchi at all. We've only been apart for an afternoon, and I already miss him like crazy.

And this is only a temporary mark. How hopelessly in love would I be with a permanent one...

No, I can't stay in this room alone anymore, or my thoughts will run wild again.

Jiang Yumiao hurried out of bed, got dressed, and headed downstairs.

Sure enough, the noise on the first floor came from the other two pairs of guests returning.

With his chestnut curls bouncing, An Zhiwan excitedly shared how cool he had looked riding a jet ski that day. Mu Yunzhi sat beside him, watching him with a faint smile and what seemed to be a hint of fond indulgence in his eyes.

Jiang Yumiao suspected he was so lovesick now that everyone's gaze looked as though it came with a deep affection buff.

Even Qin Yuan was in the living room. Although he wasn't joining in the conversation, he was sitting quietly in a corner of the couch.

The Alphas' gazes suddenly sharpened when they saw Jiang Yumiao. The reason was simple: the Top Alpha scent enveloping the Omega was too strong to ignore. It practically proclaimed to everyone that this Omega was taken.

Jiang Yumiao had been marked.

An Zhiwan's eyes went wide, and he was about to rush over to ask about it when Mu Yunzhi reached out and stopped him.

Jiang Yumiao had spent the day with Ning Chunchi, who was also one of those rare Top Alphas. It went without saying who had marked him.

Seeing on the monitors in the RV that nearly all the guests had gathered, Director Yang instructed their respective PDs to tell them to prepare for solo interviews.

There were no activities that evening, making it the perfect time to record all their individual interviews.

"Call Little Jiang in first. He's not feeling well, so let him go first," Director Yang told Xiao Wu, the PD.

Oblivious to the undercurrents between the Alphas, Jiang Yumiao went straight to the interview room. A huge pink envelope logo for Love Mailbox was printed on the white backdrop, with a simple wooden stool set in front of it.

Director Yang and Producer Li were both there, and he greeted them.

Director Yang nodded with a smile and invited him to take his seat in front of the camera.

"Are you feeling all right now?" Li Ming asked with concern. She had heard what had happened to Jiang Yumiao that morning and was worried too.

"I slept all afternoon, so I'm much better. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have managed to get out of bed for this interview," Jiang Yumiao said with a wry smile.

After a little small talk, the interview officially began.

The first question was a Dating Reality Show staple: why had Jiang Yumiao come on the show?

Jiang Yumiao had prepared for this question long ago. With a small smile, he said, "I'm a novelist, so I want to try all sorts of activities and gain more life experience. Coming on a Dating Reality Show is also a rare opportunity to gather material."

This answer both made him seem less agenda-driven and promoted his profession, building momentum for his future books. Jiang Yumiao thought his answer was simply perfect.

Director Yang wasn't about to let him off so easily. He then asked what impressions he had formed of the other guests after spending two days with them.

Jiang Yumiao thought for a moment. "My impressions... First, Lin Xu is a cheerful, outgoing younger guy. Although he's young, he's very good at caring for others." After all, the universally adored protagonist shou had been the first person he met after transmigrating, and he had even reminded him to watch out for his heat.

"Best Actor Qin is handsome from every angle. He really lives up to being a big star, with a very commanding presence." An iceberg's presence, Jiang Yumiao secretly quipped to himself.

Jiang Yumiao smiled again. "As for Director Leng, I haven't interacted with him much, but I can tell he's very good-tempered and steady. He's the kind of person I want to become." He was easily frightened and dreamed of being as calm and composed as Leng Haiyue.

"Mu Yunzhi and An Zhiwan are really close. Mu is so stylish, and his outfits are incredible. I'd love to ask him for advice! Little An is like a happy puppy, carefree and easygoing. Just seeing him makes you happy."

When he finally got to Yu He, Jiang Yumiao couldn't help giving a thumbs-up. "When I first met Yu, I thought he might be hard to get along with, but it turned out he's witty, funny, and really straightforward. He's also great at livening things up. I absolutely love him!"

Director Yang couldn't help laughing. He wondered whether Ning Chunchi's face would instantly darken if he played that last sentence for him.

When he reached the final person, Jiang Yumiao thought for a moment, looking bashful. "President Ning... He's very kind and gentle, and he's helped me a lot. I was so nervous when I first came on the show that I did quite a few impolite things. Not only did President Ning not mind, he kept responding to all my requests."

He paused, then added, "Meeting President Ning on this show has been my good fortune."

Li Ming watched the monitor with a doting smile.

Director Yang was very pleased with the interview footage, but he still asked Jiang Yumiao one final question. "Is there anyone you're currently leaning toward staying with until the end?"

Jiang Yumiao froze, all his earlier composure vanishing.

He lowered his eyes. After a while, he said slowly, "Yes, but I don't know whether he'll choose me..."

The Omega suddenly looked a little dejected. He really had little confidence that Ning Chunchi would choose him in the end.

Li Ming shot Yang Qi a glare. It was far too early for that question; they could easily have waited until a later episode. Look how dispirited he had made Little Jiang.

She had grown very fond of this gentle, polite Omega and felt for him too. She knew how difficult it was for him to be among all these glamorous guests, facing so much doubt from outsiders. Even she... hadn't thought much of Jiang Yumiao's chances on the first day.

Director Yang scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh. "Don't overthink it, Little Jiang. This is only our first stop. There are plenty of opportunities ahead. Thanks for your hard work today. You can go back and rest now!"

Jiang Yumiao nodded, stood up, and left.

The guests took their turns being interviewed.

Late that night, the production team reviewed the footage.

When asked about his reason for joining the Dating Reality Show, Yu He raised an eyebrow and grinned. "To find a partner, of course! Handsome Alphas, beautiful Omegas—I'm open to either." The production team roared with laughter.

An inscrutable smile spread across Mu Yunzhi's face. "I heard An Zhiwan was coming on this show. Since I happened to get an invitation too, I accepted."

The more Li Ming thought about it, the more something seemed off. She turned her head and met Director Yang's eyes.

They had worked together on several shows. That single glance told Li Ming everything: apparently, they had both picked up on it.

Could the show be getting an Alpha-Alpha romance this year?

The production team kept watching. On the monitor, the award-winning actor said coldly, "My agency required it."

The production team: "..."

Ning Chunchi faced the camera with refined poise and kept his words to a minimum. "The director invited me."

Director Yang: "..."

Director Yang coughed twice. "Cut those two answers. Let's watch the next question."

When asked about his impressions of the guests, An Zhiwan said, "I think Mr. Jiang-oh, he's too modest to let me call him Mr. Jiang!" Speaking of Jiang Yumiao, he first lowered his eyes in thought, then broke into a grin, revealing two cute little canine teeth. "I didn't even notice Jiang at first. Later, I realized he's gentle and good-looking, and he can make delicious food too. He's really great!"

Leng Haiyue had put on silver-framed glasses, making him look even more distinguished. He knew Lin Xu best, so his answer mostly revolved around him. Every so often, though, his gaze swept over Director Yang, who was earnestly asking questions, before quickly moving away.

Director Yang didn't notice. He was still immersed in his work, exchanging another glance with Li Ming as he wondered whether they had a Beta-Omega romance too.

They had thought Best Actor Qin would only say, "No impression," but he actually mentioned Lin Xu as well.

"That Omega looks way too young. Are you sure your show hasn't cast a minor?"

Director Yang just wanted to roll his eyes. This man hadn't read any of the guest profiles at all. Lin Xu was a genuine twenty-one-year-old college student, youthful and radiant, who hadn't yet been battered by the working world. Of course he looked young.

Last came Ning Chunchi.

President Ning obligingly mentioned everyone, but just like Jiang Yumiao, he tacitly saved his comments about the other man for last.

"Jiang Yumiao..." Ning Chunchi smiled gently. "Every time I see him, I feel hungry."