Jiang Lan felt as if all the blood in his body had frozen. His limbs were stiff, unable to move.
He could hear none of the surrounding clamor, only his own heart pounding fast and loud, as though making one final desperate struggle before it stopped producing blood.
His legs felt filled with lead, too. When he tried to take a step, they felt so heavy he could barely move.
Even though they had not seen each other in many years, Jiang Lan still recognized who it was from the back alone.
There were so many similar silhouettes in the world, and Jiang Lan had stopped in the street at the sight of strangers with similar figures before.
But never once had his heart lurched as violently as it did this time.
Seven years ago, perhaps because his words had been far too cruel, that person had not even left him a departing silhouette when leaving.
Now that person had suddenly appeared here again. Jiang Lan could figure out without a moment's thought that this could not possibly be a coincidence.
"Teacher Jiang!"
Seeing Jiang Lan standing motionless for so long, a crew member carrying a camera thought he was dissatisfied with the filming location and hurried over to greet him.
Jiang Lan's thoughts were still caught at the intersection of seven years ago and the present. He did not hear the crew member call out, only cursed under his breath:
"Fuck."
Ji Wanxing was standing right behind Jiang Lan. The word that slipped out of his mouth immediately made her jolt.
With lightning speed, she turned sideways and drove an elbow into Jiang Lan's waist.
Only then were Jiang Lan's thoughts interrupted, dragging him out of his memories and back to reality.
Jiang Lan struggled to come back to his senses before noticing the crew member carrying a camera. He coughed twice to disguise the discomfort in his throat, then put on a professional smile.
"Sorry, I zoned out."
Afraid someone would notice how stiff his smile was, he did not even dare take off his mask. He even tugged it a little higher.
The crew member did not seem to notice anything unusual about Jiang Lan. He pointed at the villa in the distance.
"Teacher Jiang, the guests will be staying there for the next month. Rest assured, it's the biggest, best, and most fully equipped villa here."
"This isn't a wilderness survival show. While the accommodations certainly won't compare to your home, they won't disappoint you either."
Jiang Lan narrowed his eyes. That figure had passed right in front of that villa just now.
Not in the mood to talk to the crew member, he merely nodded and said flatly, "You're too kind."
Ji Wanxing could tell something was off with Jiang Lan and worried that if his attitude got out, people would accuse him of acting like a diva.
She gave Jiang Lan a tug and told the crew member, "Teacher Jiang just came out of his rut and isn't feeling well. Please understand."
At that, the crew member gave a casual exclamation and hurriedly said:
"It's fine, it's fine. Teacher Jiang, thank you for working so hard, coming out to work right after your rut."
He pointed at a sign beside the little path leading to the villa ahead and told Jiang Lan:
"Teacher Jiang, once you reach that spot, you'll be on the show's cameras."
"A crew member will ask you some questions. Our show has no script; authenticity is our selling point. Just answer honestly."
Jiang Lan nodded to show he understood, then remained where he was for a few more seconds before finally setting off toward the villa.
The instant he entered the filming area, the livestream chat erupted.
[Holy shit! Am I seeing this right? Is that Jiang Lan?!]
[Mom! My husband went on a dating show behind my back!]
[Aaaaaah! Is my man Lan-ge being forced to work, or is the impossible finally happening?!]
[The entertainment industry's ultimate powerhouse alpha has arrived. I can already smell the romantic warfare. I'm going to stay glued to my phone for a whole month without sleeping. Fuck, I'm so hyped I'm numb!]
[Lin Ziyou only just arrived, and now Jiang Lan shows up. The prettiest, sweetest little omega and my man Lan-ge are a perfect match! I've already got a whole script in my head. I bet five cucumbers they'll get together!]
[Okay, but I still want to say... every time Jiang Lan appears on camera, his looks absolutely blow me away. Except this time...]
[I won't even comment on the clothes. After all, even if Jiang Lan came out wearing a sack, I'd still think he looked hot as hell. But I don't understand what's going on with those slippers.]
[What's wrong with this outfit? Those muscles! Those long legs! Now that's a top-tier alpha! I can't even imagine how x it'd be if I could xxxxxx!]
[Girl, have some restraint. This isn't a private space...]
[Jiang Lan! For fuck's sake! Are those even your pants? And you're just wearing them!]
[Sorry, but I still seem to be picking up a faint hint of him phoning it in.]
Meanwhile, Jiang Lan knew nothing of what was happening beyond the screen. He was dealing with the question segment the crew member had just mentioned.
"To be honest, our production team went to painstaking lengths to invite you, Teacher Jiang. We sent a full three invitations before finally getting our wish."
"May I ask what made you change your mind and come on our show, Just in Time?"
By now, Jiang Lan had taken off his mask. With his backpack slung over one shoulder, he answered as he walked:
"Pressure from my manager."
The crew member froze at his answer, then raised his eyebrows. "Teacher Jiang, does that mean you came on our show purely to fulfill a work obligation?"
Even if that was the truth, if Jiang Lan actually said so, there was no telling what outrageous stories people with ulterior motives might spin out of it.
The crew member understood that, and after so long in the industry, Jiang Lan could not possibly fail to understand it.
So he turned back and grinned at the camera. "I'm kidding. Actually, it's because my great-grandfather is eager for a great-grandson."
The crew member was speechless.
As everyone knew, Jiang Lan had said when he first debuted that he did not accept impromptu interviews. If he was forced to accept one, he would definitely talk nonsense, and everyone should please disregard it.
By now, the crew member could tell that Jiang Lan had started spouting nonsense again.
He scratched his head and continued, "Then, Teacher Jiang, please tell us about your ideal type."
Without even thinking, Jiang Lan blurted out:
"About my height, with a burly build and a pretty face. Ideally, someone who knows how to act cute, pester me, put on an act, look respectable while being anything but, and kick me when angry."
The crew member looked up at the back of Jiang Lan's head. He had to be at least 185 centimeters tall.
He gave a dry laugh. "There probably aren't many omegas around your height, are there?"
Jiang Lan shrugged. "Maybe. That's why I've been single for so many years."
The crew member continued, "Then from what you've said, you must be very good-tempered and accommodating in a relationship?"
Jiang Lan shook his head. "No. I curse when I get angry."
He paused, then added, "And it gets ugly."
He also wanted to say that it was not just his cursing that was ugly. When his rut hit and he was out of his mind, he would even hit people. Anyone who could not take a beating should stay well away from him, lest he have an episode and attack everyone indiscriminately.
But after thinking it over, he chose to keep his mouth shut so Ji Wanxing would not yell in his ear.
Even so, Ji Wanxing was still called over for a talk by the director, who was following not far behind.
"Could I trouble you to have a word with Teacher Jiang? We are filming a show, after all. It would be better not to be overly authentic."
The director pondered for a moment, phrasing and rephrasing his words before saying that to Ji Wanxing.
But getting Jiang Lan to agree to participate this time had already been exceptionally difficult. Knowing him as she did, Ji Wanxing knew that if she put more pressure on him and his rebellious streak flared up, he might let himself go even further.
She had never expected Jiang Lan to find a partner on this show anyway, so she pressed her lips together and told the director:
"Isn't authenticity the selling point? Don't worry. Teacher Jiang's fans all know what he's like. Nothing unexpected will happen."
"But what if..."
The director hesitated. Conflict was a good thing on a variety show, but all the guests they had invited this time were big names. If anything went wrong, their production team would be the one stuck with the trouble.
Ji Wanxing waved a hand and said solemnly, "Since your production team invited Jiang Lan, you should be prepared to bear the associated risks."
The director froze, only to see Ji Wanxing give him a mischievous grin.
"I'm kidding. Don't worry. Teacher Jiang isn't a dumbass who can't tell what matters. He knows where to draw the line."
Before you continue