Was the second male lead just looking at the top of my head? Did I get something stuck in my hair?
Jiang Yumiao shrank back a little, nearly forgetting all the words he had prepared.
Ning Chunchi withdrew his gaze as though nothing had happened and asked evenly, "Why do you want me to get to know you?"
Jiang Yumiao froze for two seconds, a pink flush spreading over his cool, pale cheeks as he gave the second male lead his prepared explanation. "Compared to the other guests, I have the least going on in my background, so there isn't much they can ask about. If you pick me as the guest you know best later, the questions should be easy, and you'll have a better chance of getting them right."
Jiang Yumiao earnestly analyzed the reasons for choosing him later. He really did seem to have no ulterior motive, only the second male lead's best interests at heart.
Ning Chunchi's expression remained placid, but his eyes were so dark they seemed capable of drawing someone in. He had never believed anyone would do something without expecting anything in return. Every approach had to be deliberate, and the Omega's talk of a "better chance of getting them right" was merely an excuse to get close to him.
Does he like me that much? Ning Chunchi thought. He clearly wants me to remember him, yet insists on acting so earnest.
If Jiang Yumiao could read minds, the second male lead's wild assumptions would have stunned him for ten thousand years.
Unfortunately, he couldn't. He was still congratulating himself on the excuse he had improvised, convinced it made asking Ning Chunchi to choose him for the questions perfectly natural and watertight. Little did he know that the second male lead had already seen through him-and taken the misunderstanding even further.
Once he had gotten the words out, Jiang Yumiao felt much more relaxed, and even his steps grew lighter.
Ning Chunchi sensed the Omega's inexplicable delight beside him, yet a shadow crept over his heart.
Why? Why is he so easily satisfied?
If I rejected him...
If I rejected him, would he still be able to stay like this? Or... would it upset him?
Suppressing the dark thoughts in his heart, Ning Chunchi curved his lips slightly. "Thank you for thinking of me. Let's do that, then."
Delighted, Jiang Yumiao began rattling off his introduction. "President Ning, my name is Jiang Yumiao. I'm twenty-three, 175 centimeters tall, and I write novels full-time. My everyday hobby is staying home and watching movies. My favorite fruits are grapes and cream strawberries. I prefer spicy food, and between cats and dogs, I like cats better..."
That afternoon, the system had told him that because the original owner's characterization was so sparse, his lifestyle would follow Jiang Yumiao's own. The system had already incorporated Jiang Yumiao's various habits into the worldline, so the questions about him on the Dating Reality Show would be based on those, too.
Jiang Yumiao all but gave Ning Chunchi his bank account password. He talked for five whole minutes before finally stopping, afraid he might leave something out and make the second male lead unable to answer a question later.
Looking up, he found Ning Chunchi watching him with the hint of a smile. "Anything else?"
Jiang Yumiao took stock of his throat, which had gone a little dry from all the talking, and shook his head. "That's pretty much it. It should be enough! Is there anything you're still unclear about, President Ning? I-I can go over it again!"
[Master, stop chanting! Please, stop!]
[You wouldn't guess this Omega could talk so much.]
[I almost fell asleep listening, hahahahaha.]
Instead of answering, Ning Chunchi asked, "You want me to choose you later. What about you?"
Jiang Yumiao didn't catch his meaning and stared blankly at the Alpha.
Ning Chunchi explained patiently, "Which guest are you choosing to answer questions about?"
"Oh, that. I haven't decided yet." Jiang Yumiao genuinely hadn't thought about it. He had been entirely focused on completing his mission as quickly as possible.
Now he realized they were nearly at the mission location, with only ten minutes left.
Jiang Yumiao began to panic. My seafood barbecue feast-
Noticing the change in Jiang Yumiao's expression, Ning Chunchi narrowed his eyes slightly and said casually, "You won't have time to find someone else now. Just choose me."
[Huh???]
[President Ning is pretty gentle. He really looks after Omegas.]
[Poor President Ning had to listen to all that chanting, and now he's helping Glasses Guy pass the game, too.]
[Stop calling him Glasses Guy. He has a name, and it's a pretty nice one.]
[Who would remember it if he hadn't clung to President Ning and gone on that introduction spree?]
If Jiang Yumiao hadn't been wearing glasses, the Alpha would have seen the Omega's bright eyes sparkling with stars.
Jiang Yumiao knew nothing of Ning Chunchi's dark thoughts. All he knew was that Ning Chunchi was helping him.
He thought the second male lead was truly kind. He didn't mind Jiang Yumiao's strange, rude behavior, and he even took Jiang Yumiao's feelings into consideration.
He really wanted to give the second male lead a happy ending, different from the one in the original novel.
Not vanishing without a trace. Not being left all alone.
Jiang Yumiao nodded vigorously. "Thank you, President Ning! I'll choose you later!"
Then he hesitated before adding, "I'm afraid there might be some questions I can't answer. Could you tell me a little about yourself, too, President Ning...?"
[Is Jiang asking President Ning to introduce himself? Hahahahaha!]
[...]
[Glasses Guy is pretty impressive in his own way.]
[To be honest, I'd like to hear President Ning introduce himself, too.]
[Ears pricked up-]
Something flickered in Ning Chunchi's eyes before they settled back into calm. He felt he was already growing accustomed to Jiang Yumiao's little schemes. All he wanted was to know a little more about him. Since this was a Dating Reality Show, he might as well indulge Jiang Yumiao for now.
In real life, the Omega would never have been able to get anywhere near him.
He didn't mind playing a little game of romance, but he wouldn't give anything beyond that.
At that moment, the arrogant Alpha had no idea how addicted he would become to this "game of romance"-so much so that he would play it with Jiang Yumiao for the rest of his life, and even end up with a little one.
Ning Chunchi inclined his head slightly and asked with a faint smile, "Like you did just now?"
Jiang Yumiao thought back to his own long-winded speech. He really couldn't imagine the second male lead introducing himself that way.
He gave a sheepish laugh. "Hehe, I might've rambled a little. Just do whatever you're comfortable with, President Ning!"
And so Ning Chunchi really did begin telling Jiang Yumiao about some of his hobbies and everyday habits.
Jiang Yumiao listened intently, not only so he could pass the quiz and enjoy the food later, but also for his future grand plan to win him over.
He had made up his mind. Since he had already joined a Dating Reality Show, he might as well give romance a proper try.
For the second male lead's sake, he no longer wanted to be the original novel's utterly forgettable plot device. He hoped those deep, empty eyes could truly hold him within them.
Ning Chunchi liked eating fish. He liked winter, rain, late nights, and quiet.
Jiang Yumiao committed each detail to memory. If he had been allowed a notebook just then, he could certainly have filled an entire page with careful notes, then gone back and written a thousand words of reflections.
Jiang Yumiao and Ning Chunchi were the last to reach the campsite.
Director Yang sat crouched beside the camera, holding a stack of A4 paper. He had clearly prepared all sorts of questions.
Seeing them approach, Director Yang picked up his megaphone again. "The thirty minutes are up. I assume you've all decided who to choose? Does anyone want to go first?"
The guests exchanged glances, seemingly all hoping to watch someone else try first.
Director Yang tempted them. "As soon as you've answered your questions, you can sit down and enjoy the seafood feast. The sooner you finish, the sooner you get to eat~"
Just then, a tentative voice spoke up.
"I... I'll go first?"
Before you continue