Chapter 58: The Hated Miss of the Dating Show (7)

Chapter 58: The Unpopular Heiress in the Dating Show (7)

"Boss Tang strikes again—hahaha, Sun Ziang’s got nothing to say."

"Tang Qing's roast was brutal—the 'Eighteen Bronze Men' joke cracked me up." *(a reference to the Shaolin Temple’s legendary warriors)*

"Seriously, what Sun Ziang said at the end was gross. Using the fact that he was the only one who texted her to pressure Tang Qing?"

...

The camera captured everything that had just happened. Viewers couldn’t care less about Sun Ziang flexing his muscles, and his final remark sparked a wave of online backlash.

He used to seem like a cheerful guy, but now? Just a horny creep with wandering eyes!

Just thinking about how Sun Ziang leaked their private video in the original plot made Tang Qing lose all patience for him.

She spun on her heel and left, heading to another part of the house. Since it was a workday, the love villa was unusually quiet.

Tang Qing hadn't expected to run into the Second Male Lead here.

Xiang Xiuran had apparently pulled an all-nighter—he looked completely drained, lying on the couch with his eyes closed.

Looks-wise, Xiang Xiuran had the most refined features among the three male leads, though his usual gold-rimmed glasses toned down his sharpness.

After a moment’s thought, Tang Qing brought over a glass of water and set it beside him. "Goji berries and ginseng—should be nourishing."

Xiang Xiuran opened his eyes, visibly surprised to see her. "For me?"

"Who else would it be for?" She replied bluntly, as always. "Call it my daily act of charity."

Actually stunned by her kindness, Xiang Xiuran accepted the cup. "Thanks."

"I was called in for an emergency surgery last night. It was a four-and-a-half-hour procedure—totally wiped me out." As a top-tier surgeon, Xiang Xiuran never shied away from work, even when exhausted.

"Wow, busy much?" Without further small talk, Tang Qing curled up on the other end of the couch like a cat basking lazily in sunlight.

"Ran into Sun Ziang outside earlier. Killed my vibe."

"Figured I’d hide out here for a bit."

Xiang Xiuran chuckled at her bluntness. She really didn’t care about the cameras—openly calling a male guest a mood-killer.

"If Sun Ziang comes looking for me, keep him off me. Consider it payment for my good deed."

With that, Tang Qing tossed a magazine over her face and settled in. The sunlight spilled over her, one arm dangling off the couch, fingertips brushing the floor—an image of effortless relaxation.

Xiang Xiuran took a sip of the hot tea and realized, with some surprise, that Tang Qing had given him water at just the right temperature.

This person… wasn’t nearly as domineering as she seemed. There was a soft, kinda cute side to her.

*System: "Xiang Xiuran, Love Points: 11."*

By evening, after everyone had returned from work, the show suddenly announced a new dating challenge.

*Couples in the Kitchen: Cooking with someone you like must be a sweet experience!*

*Starting today, the show will no longer provide groceries for the villa’s fridge. You’ll need to work it out among yourselves who does the shopping and cooking!*

"Wait, does this mean no more instant noodles either?" Wen Yixuan looked devastated as she read the message.

The same question was asked on the first day, and only An Shenshen raised her hand back then, but she's a terrible cook.

Without thinking, Wen Yixuan turned her gaze to Tang Qing, who still looked lazy and made no move to volunteer.

The group fell silent until Xiang Xiuran spoke up first: "I can cook, but my work schedule is irregular. Whoever pairs with me might have to pick up the slack."

An Shenshen's eyes lit up, and she immediately praised, "That's great! I was worried because I'm not that great at cooking, but now there's one more person!"

"Does anyone else know how to cook?"

This time, it was Su Chengwen who spoke—still the shy young man, his face slightly red as he said, "I can cook a little too, basic home cooking."

Sun Ziang reluctantly added, "I'm sort of a cook—I know some healthy meals."

Out of the four who could cook, three were male guests. If following the show's pairing setup, that meant she could only pair with Mi Yang!

Thinking of this, a satisfied smile spread across An Shenshen's face, and she quickly took on the task of organizing the pairings: "In that case, Shi Jia, which male guest would you like to pair with?"

Before Shi Jia could choose, Tang Qing spoke up, "Why ask Shi Jia first?"

"You mean, let the little hen pick first? Why? Just because she's your bestie?"

Tang Qing's words instantly ignited the fuse. Shi Jia shot up from her seat, "Hey! You keep calling me 'little hen' without my permission—that's really rude!"

"You've also talked plenty of smack about me without my permission. We're even."

"I don't agree with her picking first." Tang Qing certainly wouldn't let Shi Jia choose first. Judging by An Shenshen's shifty look, she'd probably palm Sun Ziang off on her.

"Tang Qing, you're just picking on Shenshen. First, you said she's a bad cook, and now you think her arrangements are unfair."

"What exactly do you want?" Shi Jia was furious, stepping forward to stand in front of An Shenshen.

"I want to cook with Xiang Xiuran." Since Shi Jia asked, Tang Qing got straight to it. Su Chengwen had given her trouble last time, so it wasn't wise to push too hard.

Today, she still had that ginseng water favor with Xiang Xiuran—he probably wouldn't refuse her.

"Oh, so you just want to pick Xiang Xiuran!" Shi Jia sneered. "Have you even considered whether he'd want you?"

The jab was directed straight at Xiang Xiuran, who paused in surprise before responding, "Tang Qing, my work schedule is pretty hectic."

"I don't mind." Better than being stuck with that idiot Sun Ziang. Tang Qing cut to the chase, "I want to team up with you. Do you agree or not?"

Her gaze was direct. Xiang Xiuran could tell the rich girl had no romantic interest in him—she was likely just avoiding Sun Ziang.

The warmth from that cup of ginseng water seemed to linger on his fingertips. After a moment's thought, he agreed, "Alright, as long as you don't mind me slowing you down."

Xiang Xiuran actually agreed!

Shi Jia was stunned, her eyes darting between Xiang Xiuran and Tang Qing. Wasn't An Shenshen the one who went on a date with Xiang Xiuran last time?

By agreeing to Tang Qing's request, wasn't he publicly snubbing Shenshen?

Sure enough, seeing Xiang Xiuran accept Tang Qing's proposal, An Shenshen's expression immediately darkened. She said awkwardly,

"It's my fault for overstepping. In that case... Xiuran, you and Tang Qing can pair up."

"I didn't think it through. Tang Qing, don't misunderstand what happened earlier."

"Misunderstand what?" An Shenshen's fake-nice act had no effect on Tang Qing, who remained blunt. "You and the little hen are close, so of course you're eager to set her up."

Watching as An Shenshen started welling up, Tang Qing added, "Cut the waterworks. If you cry, people will think I'm bullying you."