After the show, Li Chu returned to the car with Qian Duoduo and Tang Congnan.
She and Ning Manqing left separately. Li Chu didn’t look at Ning Manqing much, but as soon as she got in the car, she immediately sent her a message.
【Xiao Chu】：Orchid Garden, Building One, Number Six. Half an hour later, Teacher Ning, I’ll be waiting for you there.
Orchid Garden was a small villa Li Chu had purchased after becoming wealthy. Even Tang Congnan didn’t know about this place; it was her personal secret base.
【Ning Manqing】：Okay.
Ning Manqing sat in the car as Li Si poured her a glass of water.
“Sister Ning, why don’t you get some rest? I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Ning Manqing took a sip of water and agreed, putting her phone away.
She actually wanted to ask Tao Tao if she was going to deliver the surprise she had promised over a month ago, but asking about a surprise somehow made it less surprising. She hoped her girlfriend hadn’t forgotten.
Of course, Li Chu hadn’t forgotten. She had been looking forward to it. Now was also the perfect time to verify whether the account “Tao Tao’s Real Girlfriend” was Ning Manqing’s alt account.
Li Chu had been chatting with this account using her own alt for over a month. Their messaging frequency wasn’t high, and they hardly ever talked about their personal lives. It was like two emotionless, sugar-craving robots, exchanging fan content they found interesting.
However, this verification might not be confirmed tonight. After all, there was a chance the person hadn’t checked Weibo tonight. Even if the verification was successful this time, it wouldn’t necessarily confirm that the account belonged to Ning Manqing. Repeated testing would be required.
Li Chu pondered this in her mind. After Tang Congnan and Qian Duoduo dropped her off at home, she took a shower, grabbed the things she had prepared from her room, went to the underground garage, and drove to Orchid Garden.
After arriving, Li Chu didn’t forget to message Qian Duoduo, telling her she didn’t need to bring breakfast to her place tomorrow morning.
The villa at Orchid Garden wasn’t very large. Li Chu had already had housekeeping clean it yesterday. She did some simple decorating and sat down on the hanging swing chair.
Everything was ready; all that was left was to wait for Ning Manqing.
Ning Manqing had just arrived at her residence. After her staff left, she found a car in the garage and exited through a different gate.
It wasn’t that she was avoiding her staff, but rather preventing paparazzi and the Ning family from keeping tabs on her.
While waiting at a red light, her phone vibrated, indicating a new Weibo notification.
Ning Manqing realized she had logged into her alt account and forgotten to switch back. The thought of seeing Li Chu soon and having her discover the notification made her think Li Chu would probably tease her.
So, in the Orchid Garden parking lot, Ning Manqing switched her Weibo account. As she did, she happened to see the message in her private messages.
It was from a young girl who had been sharing fan content with her. Ning Manqing had initially doubted her fandom, as the girl didn’t follow Li Chu or herself, only the CP super topic.
The girl had said she was eighteen and that her family followed her main account, so she couldn’t repost many things. However, judging from the content she shared, Ning Manqing thought she was genuine.
【Mind Your Own Business, Beauty】：Exciting car content shared, sis, come see! First come, first served, it might be gone soon.
【Mind Your Own Business, Beauty】：[Long Image]
Ning Manqing clicked on it. It was full of anti-censorship images. She scrolled down skillfully, and what she saw made her raise an eyebrow.
It was a color image. The artist’s anatomy was excellent, and the pose was quite… academic, something Ning Manqing hadn’t tried before.
Worldly desires intensified.
Ning Manqing sent three likes, switched accounts, cleared her browsing data, and opened the car door.
The lock was a smart lock. Ning Manqing entered 918 (a homophone for “want to kiss”), followed by Li Chu’s four-digit birthday, and then 666. The lock opened successfully.
Li Chu had told Ning Manqing that she couldn’t remember complicated passwords, so she decided to add the homophone for “want to kiss” before her birthday and three sixes after. If it didn’t work, reversing it would.
The smart lock beeped, and Ning Manqing couldn’t help but smile as she recalled Li Chu explaining this to her.
The door opened, revealing a room bathed in darkness.
Ning Manqing had never been here before. The light switch wasn’t on the wall by the door. She stood in the darkness for a moment, adjusting her eyes, and vaguely saw someone on the hanging swing chair in the living room.
“Tao Tao, why aren’t the lights on?”
She was certain the person sitting there was Li Chu because of the pervasive scent of peach pheromones in the air.
Like a thin mist, it gently settled on her.
The intimate scent of her omega was very soothing. Like a gentle stream flowing over dry land, Ning Manqing felt much more relaxed after stepping inside.
“It’s like daytime if it’s too bright. Come here.”
Li Chu’s fingers unconsciously gripped the soft cushion of the sofa. After speaking, she quietly took two deep breaths.
Click, click, click.
With each step Ning Manqing took, a dim light above would illuminate. When all three lights were on, Ning Manqing could clearly see Li Chu.
“Is this the surprise you wanted?”
Li Chu looked up at Ning Manqing, a light blush on her face.
When people think of the word “surprise,” their first reaction is usually a gift, in whatever form.
Red ribbons were wrapped around her wrists, like nimble red snakes, moving rhythmically.
The final knot rested just to the right of her heart, nestled between the curves of her breasts.
Mental stimulation can be versatile and take many forms. It’s not necessarily negative, but it’s always impactful, even destructive.
Ning Manqing’s hands trembled slightly with restraint. The pheromones surging with each breath enveloped her senses, as if she had fallen into a misty peach blossom garden.
The lights, the red ribbons, and Li Chu’s shimmering eyes, all registered on her retinas, making her eyes ache and her heart burn.
“Of course.”
Ning Manqing bent down and held Li Chu’s bare foot.
“Thank you, I love it.”
The woman’s low, husky voice was like a rich liquor, exuding a intoxicating fragrance after years of brewing and aging.
It climbed through her eardrums and along her nerves, as if intoxicating her blood as well. Li Chu’s heart skipped a beat. She grabbed Ning Manqing’s hand and smiled at her.
A barefoot princess, of course, couldn’t step on the cold floor. Someone else naturally took care of carrying her up the stairs.
July, lush vegetation, and trickling streams.
The thin ribbons glowed softly red in the dim light, like a rainbow in the sky when tossed upwards.
“So convenient?”
“It’s the shop’s signature feature. If it wasn’t convenient, they’d probably be flooded with complaints.”
Li Chu mumbled. The red ribbons were still wrapped around her wrists, though some had come loose. But that was enough.
If this kind of selfie wasn’t so risky, Li Chu would have taken a couple for herself as a memento. The gift was truly beautiful, both subtle and passionate. The shop owner was a design genius.
“I was actually hesitant to give it to you today, since I promised it for our next meeting. But I was worried you were too tired. You looked so exhausted at the TV station.”
“Are you doubting me?”
Ning Manqing’s whisper was laced with danger. To be cared for by her omega at this moment was undoubtedly a questioning of her abilities.
The scent of cloud and mist tea surged, cold and assertive, entwining with the peach pheromones, compressing their space.
“I’m not!”
Tao Tao, defeated.
Li Chu cried, feeling wronged. She was just concerned about her girlfriend’s health and hadn’t thought that much about it!
Shouldn’t this be a tender and affectionate moment? Why was it so passionate and intense?
No matter how many times Li Chu apologized, the petty alpha, determined to prove her point, didn’t relent, even employing the tricks she had seen earlier.
It had to be said, human imagination was truly wonderful.
If Li Chu didn’t have a schedule the next day, Ning Manqing would have definitely targeted her scent gland.
Ning Manqing felt the difficulties of being in the entertainment industry, especially when her girlfriend was also on the rise. It meant she couldn’t do what alphas instinctively loved to do—leave a mark. Before she could openly stand by Li Chu’s side, she couldn’t be too blatant.
Li Chu struggled to get up the next day. Drinking the porridge Ning Manqing had made for her, she looked at the red ribbons by the bed, mourning their sacrifice, and anonymously gave the shop a five-star review.
After last night’s battle, Li Chu felt the possibility of “Tao Tao’s Real Girlfriend” being Ning Manqing’s alt account had greatly increased. She remembered clearly that Ning Manqing had used the content from that image last night.
If it really was her, Li Chu felt there was no need to expose it. She could subtly express certain things to her girlfriend.
If she had to say it herself, how could she, such a reserved and shy person, bring herself to do it?
Let the eighteen-year-old beauty convey her intentions to the netizens. What did it have to do with her, Li Chu?
Unfortunately, such opportunities were rare.
With their busy schedules, such surprises, which had to be carried out discreetly, were few and far between, especially after the broadcast of Die at Dawn and Dusk .
As soon as Die at Dawn and Dusk aired, it hit the trending topics.
With its tight plot, tense atmosphere, suspenseful story, and stunning female lead, everyone joined the discussion, talking about Qin Mu, Qin Chao, the murderer of the thug, and analyzing every character.
Li Chu’s fanbase exploded. Her acting improved with each role, and she became even more captivating.
@SweetLi ZiInHandRulesTheWorld: Every time, Li Chu surprises me. Her acting in this, I’m crying! Who would have thought this was that sweet girl? She really feels like a beautiful ghost walking among humans. You’re drawn to her when you see her. She’s so unique, yet she can hide herself. That feeling is so amazing.
@DreamingOfLiLi: She’s absolutely gorgeous! Looks like an idol, but she’s a true powerhouse actress! While not quite at the level of having a “character face,” each role feels different. Highly recommend, you won’t regret it!
@Zowen: Started with Han Tao, loyal to Qin Mu. An actress with such expressive acting is truly worthy of admiration. Go, Sweet Chu!
Because of the earlier promotions and the sweet interactions between the leads, many CP fans flocked to the show, as did drama fans who were drawn by the visuals and eager for some sweet moments.
@MuYunYunYun: I came because of the promotional clips. The hormones radiating off them made my heart race, so I immediately jumped in. Result: Episode 1, no Officer Xi. Episode 2, still no Officer Xi. Episode 3… Who is Officer Xi? Someone tell me who killed the thug! Does Qin Chao really exist? How did the nurse die? Oh my god, Li Rui hasn’t even asked yet!
@IJustWantToMakeMoneyThanks: Li Rui is so pitiful. I feel his anxiety so deeply. I even specifically checked the cast list, Li Rui is the male lead, right? Hahaha, but the barrage is full of people asking where Xi Yiyun and Ning Manqing are, hahahaha.
@NeverFull: I initially came for the sweet moments. After all, as someone who doesn’t really like suspenseful, brain-burning crime dramas, I usually don’t watch this kind of show. I tearfully waited for the officer to appear in the first two episodes, and now… Qin Mu shouldn’t be the killer, right? Did you guys notice that at the end, when the nurse was killed, there was a close-up of a male alpha’s back? Although it was only his back, I think he’s the killer. What do you think?
As the episodes aired and Xi Yiyun finally appeared, Weibo exploded with several trending hashtags. Ning Manqing’s fans went wild, and CP fans were practically celebrating the New Year.
@MyQingLiTree: Thank you, I’m dead. The moment they looked at each other, I was done for. Ahhhhh, what a captivating CP! The officer is so beautiful and so alpha. A venomous viper versus a python? [Strange analogy]
@OnlyMyChangQing: God knows how many times I’ve watched Sister’s entrance GIF! Absolutely stunning! Ning Manqing is the best!
@TeacherNingGoGo: A drama with Teacher Ning is always a win! Although she’s not the lead, she’s more than a lead! Every time I see Zhao Zhichun playing Li Rui, I want to laugh, hahaha. He’s so pitiful.
@JuZuo800Jin: I say they can get married right now, anyone disagree?
@LiLiOnThePrairie: Oh oh oh, although it’s just holding hands, why does it feel so suggestive, hehe.
However, this online celebratory atmosphere didn’t last long.
As the truth gradually unfolded, many people started to have a bad feeling.
@QingLiBabiesGo: Where’s the sweetness???? This is… My heart aches for Qin Mu, ahhhhh, I’m clenching my fists.
@WhyNotLikeMe: As a drama fan, I feel like my CP might be doomed.
@NuoNuoZaiIsSuperCute: To the person above, be more confident, remove “might.”
As Qin Mu’s true nature was gradually revealed through various events, everyone knew this was a tragic character with a difficult ending. She couldn’t let go, couldn’t move on. She used hatred as her weapon, nourished by her own blood, waiting for the day when the pieces would fall into place and she could kill her enemy.
@DreamWithinADream: Damn you, San Qiu! Give me back my tears! I actually believed your bullshit and shipped a CP in your drama!
@HotpotGirl: The leads lied to me! Ahhhhh, I’m crying so hard, I’m crying rivers and mountains crumbling, heroes dying, and then the heavenly ladder and stone steps intertwining. Where’s the super sweetness you promised? What soulmate, what beloved, just look at this, how can you say that with a straight face?
@QingLiIsSuperSweet: I’m so scared I immediately rewatched my cherished fan edits three times, telling myself the angst is fake, the sugar is real.
Due to the popularity of Die at Dawn and Dusk , Li Chu and the others had a non-stop schedule. They received an invitation to appear on the same popular indoor variety show they had been on for promotion before. Upon arrival, they were met with a death glare from one of the hosts, Sister Ming.
Sister Ming: “You guys are heartless! When I asked before, you said it was sweet. My eyes were swollen from crying last night after watching the latest episode! Don’t you feel any guilt?”
Zhao Zhichun chuckled: “We have no conscience.”
Sister Ming said coldly: “As the male lead who has no romantic scenes with the female lead and is even schemed against by her, are you happy?”
Zhao Zhichun: “…Stop attacking my weak spots!”
Li Chu laughed at their interaction. Ning Manqing stood beside her, also watching and smiling, but her peripheral vision remained fixed on Li Chu.
“Alright, alright, you can’t lie to me this time. I want to ask Li Zi, what difficulties did you encounter while playing Qin Mu?”
Li Chu, now addressed, began to answer the question seriously: “Sometimes it was difficult to get into character and find the right emotions, but everyone in the crew was very helpful. Director Ji and Teacher Qiu patiently guided me through my scenes. Teacher Ning, Brother Zhao, and even Teacher Dong Ming, Teacher Fang Ai, and others all helped me.”
Dong Ming played Li Sudong, and Fang Ai played Qin Mu’s mother, Qin Zhiyuan.
Acting alongside these experienced and talented actors was a thrilling experience. Many times, Li Chu was brought into character by them.
Sister Ming asked about some interesting anecdotes from the set, and then they started playing games according to the program’s flow.
One game segment involved reenacting a scene. The clip was of Xi Yiyun holding Qin Mu’s waist, the two seemingly flirting, yet also locked in a subtle confrontation.
When reenacting this scene, Ning Manqing didn’t actually hold Li Chu’s waist, but rather gently supported her, reciting her lines with deep emotion.
Li Chu was reminded of the original scene. She knew about this segment beforehand and had reviewed the lines, so she responded fluently, but inwardly cursed the old pervert for being so fake.
However, she also knew that Ning Manqing was doing this to protect her.
After the show, backstage, Tang Congnan sincerely praised Ning Manqing.
“Teacher Ning is really a good person. It would have been fine if she had actually held your waist, but that gesture of hers really shows her class and upbringing.”
Tang Congnan had seen a lot of inappropriate touching in the industry. Many omega and beta celebrities, even well-known ones, were often subjected to unwanted advances. People like Ning Manqing were rare.
Li Chu didn’t join in praising Ning Manqing. She wasn’t that shameless yet, especially since they had met privately last night, made hot pot together, played in the water afterwards, and then discussed washing the sheets.
“Also, Bao’er, good news! Yan Meng just contacted me. They want you to endorse their main summer product. The offer is much higher than your other endorsements.”
The entertainment industry was truly unpredictable. A few months ago, Tang Congnan was still working hard to get Li Chu an audition for Yan Meng’s spring product, and now, a few months later, endorsements were rolling in, and Yan Meng was proactively seeking her out.
“Take it.”
Li Chu nodded, put on her mask, and walked ahead.
Tang Congnan was beside her, and next to him was Xiao Tong, his assistant. Qian Duoduo and Yuanzi, her new assistant, followed behind Li Chu.
After Li Chu’s popularity exploded, her schedule became even busier, as did Ning Manqing’s. She was even busier, with more things to do. Yesterday’s meeting was a rare moment of free time for them. Ning Manqing had to leave before dawn.
She had discussed the assistant matter with Ning Manqing, and under Ning Manqing’s instruction, Yuanzi appeared by Li Chu’s side.
The elevator descended, stopping on the sixth floor. The person waiting for the elevator stood at the door, looked at Li Chu, paused, then frowned, not wanting to enter but feeling like not entering would be losing face.
Li Chu glanced at her indifferently. Zhong Yue, standing outside, felt like she was being looked down upon. She snorted coldly and walked in.
“Oh, isn’t this Teacher Zhong Yue? Li Zi, say hello. If it weren’t for this senior’s shamelessness, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to film such a popular and well-received drama, huh?”
Tang Congnan, seeing this bitch actually get on, greeted Zhong Yue with a sarcastic smile.
The two sides had already torn each other apart online, so Tang Congnan felt there was no better time to rub it in.
“Sister Zhong Yue looks down on someone of my status. How could I dare to greet her?”
Li Chu joined in the sarcasm. Honestly, she didn’t even want to give Zhong Yue a single glance.
Tang Congnan scoffed: “I wonder which page of the Classic of Mountains and Seas she’s on, acting so high and mighty.”
“Don’t get too cocky. It’s just one drama. Let’s see how long you can be arrogant.”
Zhong Yue’s face flushed with anger, but Li Chu’s current popularity was undeniable. She couldn’t just point at people and scold them like before, so she could only mutter a harsh threat.
The elevator reached the first floor. Zhong Yue couldn’t stand to stay a second longer and quickly left with her assistant.
Seeing Zhong Yue scurry away didn’t make Li Chu particularly happy. She needed more good works to maintain her long-term success.
With her increased fame and recognized acting skills, scripts flooded in like snowflakes, overwhelming both Tang Congnan and Li Chu.
Among the many projects, Li Chu finally found a script that piqued her interest.
The script was titled Model Couple . Li Chu initially found it unremarkable, but after reading the story outline, she felt the title was perfect.
It was an original script set in the future, about thirty years later. It was still a modern society, but with highly advanced technology.
This advanced society brought about spiritual poverty. Entertainment programs were nearing their end, as all sorts of interesting shows had already been done, and it was difficult to come up with anything new. The audience’s interest in entertainment was dwindling.
At this time, a reality show sparked a nationwide craze. It was a reality show, but unlike any before, gambling on human love.
The program offered a reward of one hundred million in currency for challengers. Thirty years in the future, despite inflation, one hundred million was still a considerable sum. This gimmick attracted everyone’s attention.
The show only accepted couples as challengers. Using mental connection technology, the consciousnesses of the challenging couples were connected to a script, erasing their existing memories. As long as the challengers stayed together for three lifetimes, they would win the one hundred million.
Simply put, the program team was like the main god in a quick transmigration novel, making two people transmigrate three times. If they fell in love each time, they would win.
This explored a core question: if you and your loved one lost all your memories, would you still be each other’s loved ones? Would you still fall in love?
As soon as this reality show aired, it became an instant hit. People loved to watch the drama unfold, and many couples participated, but no one had ever reached the third stage.
The story’s protagonists were a couple participating in the challenge. One was an alpha, the other an omega. When they appeared on stage, they didn’t seem very affectionate, and the audience’s expectations were low.
But unexpectedly, they pulled off an upset, becoming the only couple to successfully complete the challenge.
It was no exaggeration to say they became the model couple of the century, beloved by the entire nation.
This was a choice made three times, with memories erased each time. No matter the circumstance, they were attracted to each other and chose each other. Who could say they weren’t in love?
But only the protagonists knew that they were not in love at all.
They were only there for the one hundred million prize money and the audience bets. They had undergone extensive mental training to make each other seem like the most suitable person.
Their so-called love was nothing more than a habitual choice, a grand lie.
They had planned to part ways after the show and collect their winnings, but they underestimated their popularity. So, due to the circumstances, they got married.
After reading the entire script, Li Chu couldn’t wait to participate. The story was too ironic, too interesting.
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