Chapter 83: The Hated Miss of the Dating Show (32)

Chapter 83 The Dating Show's Least Popular Heiress (32)

That evening, the production team had arranged a classic dating show staple—watching a horror movie together in the screening room.

"Can I skip this?" Mi Yang was the first to frown after reading the movie details.

Ever since he was a kid, he’d been creeped out by this kind of thing. Just imagining what a mess he'd be inside the screening room made him cringe…

Especially in front of Tang Qing—it would be so embarrassing.

"Who would’ve thought you’d be scared of these things?" Tang Qing leaned against the dining table, amused at watching his face change repeatedly. "If you’re scared, sit next to me. A fortune teller once said I’m tough as nails—I’ll protect you."

Sit next to Tang Qing?

He glanced at her instinctively. She wore solid-colored pajamas, her damp and tousled hair falling like seaweed after a shower, looking soft and inviting as she smiled at him.

Again—that same dewy, soft gaze directed at him…

Mi Yang turned his head away, deliberately avoiding her captivating eyes, his tone stiff. "Hmph, who said I’m scared?"

"It’s like you might be the one screaming later," he added with that grumpy comeback before marching right into the screening room.

When he entered, Wen Yixuan had already picked a spot, clutching a pillow in excitement as she waved Tang Qing over. "Come here, Tang Qing! Let’s sit together!"

Tang Qing checked out the seating—two rows, front and back, each with four seats.

Wen Yixuan had chosen the seat at the very end. If she sat beside her… Clearly Wen Yixuan wanted to steer clear of Xie Jinran.

"Alright."

Grabbing a cushion, she took the seat next to Wen Yixuan.

The next to enter was Su Chengwen. The academic ace scanned the room and, without hesitation, sat to Tang Qing’s left.

True to his gentle and considerate nature, Su Chengwen had prepared juice for all the female guests.

Wen Yixuan was delighted as she accepted hers. "Wow, you're so thoughtful—you even brought drinks!"

"My pleasure." As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Tang Qing. "Is the air conditioning okay? Should I turn it up a bit?" His voice was soft. Tang Qing was only wearing pajamas and looked like she might get cold.

Before she could answer, Mi Yang butted in with some attitude. "Hey, Su Chengwen, I’m wearing shorts too. Why don’t you ask if *I’m* cold?"

"Some favoritism going on here?" he added.

Only then did Tang Qing notice that Mi Yang had chosen the seat farthest from her—diagonally across the room—glaring her way, clearly annoyed.

His eyes were fixed on the juice in his hand like he was trying to laser through it with his eyes.

What now? Jealous again?

She got it now and gave Su Chengwen an extra-bright smile. "Thanks, I'm good for now."

Dammit!

She didn't even look my way! What's with that smile for Su Chengwen?!

Mi Yang grew even more displeased, yanking angrily at the cushion's fur.

Gradually, the guests arrived in the home theater.

The seating arrangements were calculated—An Shenshen deliberately sat behind Tang Qing, forcing a seat between Xiang Xiuran and Tang Qing.

Xie Jinran, unsurprisingly, positioned himself directly behind Wen Yixuan. From his angle, he could just see her little head bobbing slightly.

Watching his ex-girlfriend’s head, Xie Jinran’s expression softened. He gently tapped Wen Yixuan’s shoulder and handed her a tin of candies.

"Your favorite."

Thrown by her ex's public move, Wen Yixuan’s cheerful expression instantly cooled. She turned her face away and replied stiffly, "I don’t eat these anymore."

Undeterred, Xie Jinran simply smiled and took back the tin. Even when rebuffed, he maintained his infuriatingly gentle demeanor.

The interaction didn’t escape the sharp-eyed viewers, and the flood of comments immediately speculated about their relationship:

"These two are definitely hiding something! You could tell from their last date—they must’ve known each other before..."

"I’ll never forget Wen Yixuan’s expression when she saw Xie Jinran, lol."

"Wait, guys, check out Dr. Xiang’s expression too—it’s pretty telling! He clearly wanted to sit behind the heiress, but An Shenshen deliberately took the spot first. The look he gave her was practically murderous!"

"Hah! Mi Yang’s still glaring at Su Chengwen! He arrived first but had to be stubborn and pick the farthest seat!"

In the weird tension, the horror movie finally began!

Just the opening credits had Mi Yang jumping. Damn it, who picked this film?!

"Dr. Xiang, you’re a doctor… so these scenes shouldn’t scare you, right…?" In the darkened room, An Shenshen’s breathy, shaky voice piped up. "I… um, I’ve never watched anything like this before, so today…"

"At least you’re sitting next to me."

Her fragile, wavering tone was peak damsel-in-distress act—unfortunately for her…

Xiang Xiuran wasn’t buying it. He shot back coldly, "Hm."

"Dr. Xiang, if I get scared later…"

"Can I hold your arm?"

Edging nearer, An Shenshen tried again to close the gap. "I’m really… so scared…"

As she spoke, she inched even closer.

Xie Jinran clearly knew Wen Yixuan, Su Chengwen was already by Tang Qing’s side…

With Xiang Xiuran being the closest to her now, An Shenshen tried to regain some footing. Through the dim glow of the screen, all she saw was his impassive face.

His earlier warmth had vanished, replaced by the same cold reply: "No."

"Yeah, I’m terrified too."

Scared? He looked bored stiff!

An Shenshen seethed, but every time she inched closer, Xiang Xiuran only moved further away—

Keeping her at arm’s length the whole time!

Seeing that Xiang Xiuran was about to retreat to Shi Jia’s side, An Shenshen had no choice but to give up…

"Hahaha, he runs, she chases—he’s got nowhere to run!"

"This is kind of funny. Dr. Xiang is still the same chaste Dr. Xiang…"

"An Shenshen is pretty brave too. She looks delicate and fragile, but after such a terrible first date, she still can’t get over Dr. Xiang!"

An Shenshen’s whispered requests didn’t go unnoticed by the viewers. By this point in the dating show, the relationships among the contestants had undergone a complete 180.

Originally, An Shenshen had been the fan favorite female contestant, but now she and Tang Qing had completely swapped roles.

Just as the movie reached its most terrifying moment, a sudden distorted sound effect pierced through the room. Right in the center of the screen, a face suddenly appeared!

"Jesus!"

Mi Yang screamed first, out-screaming the movie itself!

As Mi Yang shrieked, Tang Qing suddenly felt a pair of hands cupping over her eyes. Su Chengwen’s voice came softly in her ear, "Don’t look."