The host cleared his throat, projecting his voice across the set: “Welcome to the second episode of ‘Let’s Fall in Love’. Last time, we had five CP pairs. This week, we’re joined by our special guest, superstar Guo Zeyan. Everyone, please give him a warm welcome.”
He paused dramatically. “Now, with an extra male guest, one of our guys will be left without a partner this round.”
The live chat went wild:
[I bet a bag of spicy chips Lin Yichen ends up partnerless this week.]
[I’ll bet ten bags.]
[Is that even a bet? It’s obvious.]
The host waited for the excitement to build, then continued, “First, let’s have our guest, Guo Zeyan, pick his on-screen CP.”
Every camera in the studio swung to focus on Lin Qianyu and Guo Zeyan, the supposed golden couple.
“I choose Yichen,” Guo Zeyan said, voice clear and unwavering.
“Pfft....” The host choked, spraying water everywhere. He set his bottle down, grabbed the mic, and stammered, “Yichen? Is that your pet name for Miss Qianyu?”
Guo Zeyan shot him a look, as if he’d lost his mind. “Lin Yichen. Yichen.”
The chat exploded:
[No way. Did I hear that right?]
[Did I wake up in the wrong dimension?]
[Can someone check my ears?]
The host dabbed sweat from his forehead, trying to recover. “Uh, Mr. Guo, maybe you missed the show brief this is a dating program.” He emphasized the last four words.
Guo Zeyan replied coolly, “I know. Where in the rules does it say two men can’t be a CP?”
Was it too late to quit now? Why had I agreed to this? If I’d known it would turn out like this, I’d have paid the penalty and left.
My face burned red, all the way to my ears.
The host, clearly out of his depth, forced a laugh. “No, no, there’s no such rule.”
[This just got way more interesting]
[I love this! So sweet, I can’t take it.]
[So all of Lin Qianyu’s posts were just for show? The real CP is Guo Zeyan and Lin Yichen.]
[Did Qianyu just try to ride the hype?]
A superfan of Guo Zeyan chimed in.
[She’s always been calculating. Our boy refused to be paired with her ages ago.]
[Almost thought he’d actually end up with her. Qianyu’s got a lot of skeletons in her closet.]
Lin Qianyu’s face went from pale to green.
In the end, she was the only one left without a CP.
And I against my will was paired with Guo Zeyan.
After pairing up, we got a brief break before filming resumed.
Even without checking the trending topics, I could imagine how wild things were online.
Fans had already given us a CP name: “Garlic Pork & Tofu Shreds.”
Apparently, I was now Guo Zeyan’s “adorable little wife.”
The buzz was almost as intense as when I’d tied up Guo Zeyan and delivered him to Emerald Sky Entertainment.
That memory still made me shudder.
I’d nearly been doxxed online if the company hadn’t bought out the trending searches to cover it up.
I barely sat down in the break room before Qiao Nan stormed in, breathless.
“Yichen, how could you keep this from me? This is the jackpot. You could’ve at least given me a heads up. When Guo Zeyan picked you, I almost fainted there wasn’t even a medic on standby.”
At barely 5’3”, Qiao Nan was like a furious squirrel when she was mad.
She quickly let go of my shoulders and straightened her clothes.
“Something this big, and you don’t even drop me a hint.”
“Sis Nan, I…”
I had no idea how to explain.
It all felt so out of my control.
Just then, a new voice cut in.
“Excuse me, could I have a word with Yichen alone?”
Guo Zeyan stepped into the room.
Qiao Nan’s attitude flipped instantly, all warm and supportive.
“Of course, of course. Take your time, don’t let me interrupt your… development.”
Before I could react, she’d vanished.
Now it was just me and Guo Zeyan.
I edged back, eyeing the man who’d once freeloaded at my place.
“What do you want? Don’t forget, I’m your savior.”
Guo Zeyan’s dark eyes swept lazily over my face.
“Savior?” He suddenly leaned in, his breath warm on my cheek. “Since when does a savior call me husband?”
“What? Embarrassed?”
His voice was low, magnetic, and the last syllable lingered in my ear.
“Who’s embarrassed? We’re both men don’t pull this stunt.”
I tried to sound tough, but my voice cracked.
He laughed, soft and genuine.
I hesitated. “What are you trying to do?”
He took a step closer. “What do you think?”
I crossed my arms, wary. “It’s broad daylight. There are cameras everywhere.”
“Relax, not now. I want to sign a contract with you.”
“What kind of contract?” I dropped my arms, curious despite myself.
“This dating show I have a stake in it. But ratings have dipped lately. I want to use our ‘romance’ to boost the numbers and keep the show trending.”
“And?”
“A contract relationship. We act like a couple in public, and I’ll split the profits with you.”
“Profits?”
That sounded tempting.
“How much?”
“Half a million yuan.”
My eyes lit up.
I’d already lost my dignity what was a little more?
“Deal.”
“Then let’s sign a love contract.”
Guo Zeyan, as if prepared, pulled out a pen and paper.
Clause 1: Both parties must appear to be genuine lovers during the contract period.
Clause 2: No cheating on each other.
Clause 3: The romance must look convincing; regular public appearances required.
I added, “Clause 4: No actual physical intimacy.”
He paused, his gaze deep as a lake. “Define ‘actual physical intimacy,’ Yichen.”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
I was convinced he was messing with me.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“What about the contract dates?”
“From today, until your contract with the company ends.”
“Fine.”
We each signed two copies.
Guo Zeyan signed his name with a flourish, then handed me the pen.
I hesitated, then signed.
He tucked away his copy and handed me mine.
Then, as if sealing the deal, he ruffled my hair.
I stepped back, but he just smiled, eyes full of mischief.
“Yichen, you’ll have to get used to me.”
Why did this feel like signing my life away?
Was it too late to back out?
The next segment was “intimate interaction,” but the location would be drawn by the female guests.
Last time, Lin Qianyu had drawn the hot springs.
This time, fans in the live chat were losing their minds:
[Waving my ‘Garlic Pork & Tofu Shreds’ CP flag.]
[Any tips for shipping my first CP?]
[Careful, don’t get a toothache from all the sweetness.]
[The way Guo Zeyan looks at Yichen could melt cheese.]
I felt Guo Zeyan’s gaze and glared at him.
He leaned down, whispering so only I could hear, “Don’t forget, we just signed a love contract.”
I stiffened, then forced a smile. “Of course I remember, especially the money part.”
He ruffled my hair again.
“Good.”
[I’m going to faint]
[They’re not just a CP, they’re a real couple.]
[So doting, so loving.]
[I need to go watch a tragedy to recover.]
Because the show let us see the live chat, I could tell Guo Zeyan was right.
This episode’s ratings were through the roof.
The host called for the location draw.
When it was our turn, Guo Zeyan looked at me, eyes narrowed playfully.
“Yichen, you do it.”
“Why me? Why don’t you?”
Every other group had the female guest draw.
If I did it, people would start rumors.
“Alright, I’ll go,” Guo Zeyan said with a soft laugh, his tone indulgent. “I have to listen to my wife, after all.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Guo Zeyan really was my type if only he weren’t a man.
[Just keep spoiling him]
[This is the sweetest CP in the biz.]
[I’ve moved into their love nest I expect daily updates]
The chat was all pink hearts and sparkles.
Guo Zeyan drew… the hot springs again.
[Two men in a hot spring can’t wait.]
[Guo Zeyan’s abs, though…]
As we headed toward the set, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the studio glass
my cheeks were flushed, my eyes bright with nerves and something I refused to name.
Guo Zeyan leaned in, voice low, “Ready for the next act, Yichen?”
I swallowed, trying to steady myself. “Let’s just get this over with.”
He grinned, and for a moment, I wondered if maybe, just maybe, this contract romance was about to get a lot more real than either of us had planned.
Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork with Tofu - Chapter 1
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