Chapter 136: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (11)
August 20th, One Mansion.
The Heartthrob contestants, all strangers, were contacted individually by the program team. For filming purposes, the show didn’t provide clothing.
But stylists would offer fashion advice and makeup services.
Su Mingxiu’s stylist, seeing her elegant white fishtail dress, was impressed. “It seems I can’t offer Miss Su any assistance.”
He had seen many amateurs make the mistake of dressing too casually or too formally for the show.
Su Mingxiu’s attire was perfect. Few could pull off a plain white dress, requiring exceptional beauty and figure. And her makeup was subtle, enhancing her natural features. The stylist was certain she would be the most dazzling contestant!
“I wish you all the best on the show,” he said, directing her to the filming location.
Sheng Qian wasn’t present today, having completed the initial preparations. Su Mingxiu walked through the courtyard of One Mansion, impressed by the beautiful landscaping.
Unlike Pearl Manor’s urban opulence, One Mansion was located in the suburbs, near natural hot springs, incorporating the surrounding scenery, creating a tranquil and picturesque environment. Each villa had its own private hot spring pool.
Bamboo groves, hot springs, rockeries, white walls, black tiles, pavilions… Su Mingxiu, arriving at the most scenic Villa 8, had already taken in the beauty of the complex.
As the first guest to arrive, the cameras followed her. The live stream, initially empty, quickly filled with viewers.
[Are real estate agents this beautiful now?]
[Tell me the price so I can give up on my dreams.]
[Wait, is this Heartthrob season two? Is she from a talent show? Are dating shows this high-level now?]
Su Mingxiu entered Villa 8, “The House of Elegance,” the sound of flowing water and the scent of sulfur from the hot springs filling the air. She had initially thought joining this show for money was a bit reckless, but seeing the beautiful environment, she felt like she had made a good deal.
The wooden door opened, revealing a winding corridor with uniquely designed windows, intricate carvings offering glimpses of the courtyard’s scenery. The living room’s decor was equally impressive.
Su Mingxiu rested her chin on her hand and examined a teacup, thinking that even this cheap imitation looked quite elegant.
If it weren’t for the system’s mission, she would have enjoyed competing with Yu Wanru. Wanda Group’s investment in this project was impressive.
“H-hello,” a voice startled her.
She turned and saw a petite girl with delicate features, her eyes smiling shyly. “Hello,” Su Mingxiu replied.
She pulled out the chair beside her and gestured for the girl to sit.
The program team had positioned Su Mingxiu as the “flower vase,” requiring only her beauty, not any domestic skills. A cold and aloof demeanor suited her perfectly, enough to captivate the audience.
But Su Mingxiu, used to taking care of others, seeing the girl standing there, couldn’t help but invite her to sit, even adding softly: “Don’t be nervous, I just arrived too, I don’t know what the process is.”
The girl’s face flushed red as she sat down, only nodding, unable to speak, like a shy little bird.
[Her name tag says “Xu Wenbai.” Aww, like a little white-rumped munia, so shy! But who wouldn’t be nervous in front of such a beauty?]
[Someone write a fic about sexy big sister x shy girl, please! Su Mingxiu alone is enough for me to watch this season!]
As the live stream chat became lively, and the atmosphere slightly awkward, the other contestants started arriving, easing the tension between Su Mingxiu and Xu Wenbai.
The third guest arrived in a sharp grey suit, an air of decisiveness about her.
Her gold-rimmed glasses and limited-edition Patek Philippe watch exuded an aura of sophistication.
She sat across from Su Mingxiu, her gaze sweeping over Xu Wenbai, then returning to Su Mingxiu. “Hello, I’m Shao Chen.”
“Su Mingxiu.”
“I… I’m Xu Wenbai, nice to meet you.”
Compared to their introductions, Xu Wenbai’s sounded like a rehearsed school presentation.
Shao Chen looked at Su Mingxiu’s blue name tag, then at Xu Wenbai’s, also blue, then said, “Why are our name tags blue, and hers is pink? Is it random?”
Su Mingxiu, sensing Shao Chen’s aura, remembered the application form and guessed: “Top and bottom?”
Xu Wenbai, clearly not comfortable discussing her sexual orientation publicly, blushed even deeper. Shao Chen, however, looked at Su Mingxiu thoughtfully. “You’re a top?”
Same-sex dating shows had this added layer of complexity. Unlike fixed roles for men and women in heterosexual relationships, most women’s roles were more fluid. The program team’s initial request for “1” or “0” was simply to categorize the contestants.
Su Mingxiu nodded.
Shao Chen, her gaze sharp behind her glasses, looked at Su Mingxiu’s stunning face and said meaningfully: “Many girls thought they were tops, before they met me.”
—
[Damn! Season two is this exciting? Such a dominant line right off the bat?]
[Shao-jiejie is clearly a top. Two tops meet, one must become a bottom? I’m getting excited!]
[Forget the sexy goddess x shy girl, I’m writing a strong x strong fic! The tension between the suit and the white dress… my trash can is overflowing with crumpled tissues!]
The program rules stated that during their stay, the contestants couldn’t confess directly or contact each other privately through electronic devices.
But they could express their interest in various ways and invite each other on dates.
And the subtle hints and innuendos were even more intriguing than direct confessions.
Su Mingxiu hadn’t encountered many people with such a strong presence before. Although she was only here for the money, she knew what the program team wanted. So she didn’t refuse directly, only changing the subject. “Which law firm do you work at, Attorney Shao?”
Her correctly guessing Shao Chen’s profession surprised Shao Chen, her initial admiration deepening.
She could also tell something about Su Mingxiu’s background, her elegant demeanor suggesting a pampered lifestyle, a rich socialite. Shao Chen herself was well-off and openly admitted to being attracted to beauty.
But she hadn’t expected this target to be… more interesting than she had imagined.
“Hello, everyone.”
Before Shao Chen could answer, the fourth guest arrived, her gentle voice capturing everyone’s attention. Su Mingxiu thought she was a voice actress, her voice so unique and memorable.
Like an exquisite auditory feast.
Compared to Shao Chen’s suit, the fourth guest’s attire was more casual, a stylish combination of a knit top and pants. Her warm smile made everyone feel at ease.
“I’m Tang Jiansue. Sorry I’m late—I bought these on my way here. I hope we can all get along during the next month.”
Tang Jiansue also had a pink name tag. Unlike the other guests who arrived empty-handed, her small gifts made a good impression, her thoughtfulness seeming genuine.
She looked at Su Mingxiu and Xu Wenbai, then at Shao Chen, who was sitting alone, and, after asking, sat beside her.
Amidst the sulfur scent from the hot springs, Su Mingxiu smelled a faint antiseptic scent and glanced at Tang Jiansue, who immediately apologized softly: “Sorry, I just finished a few surgeries, I even took a shower, do I still smell like disinfectant?”
So she’s a doctor.
Su Mingxiu shook her head, remembering her own time discussing cases with colleagues in a medical setting. “No, I quite like the scent.”
Shao Chen immediately looked at them.
[Is this a love triangle already?! The show’s pace is faster than I expected!]
[So Su-jie doesn’t like delicate girls, she prefers the smell of disinfectant? 23333]
[My ShaoSu ship will not sink!]
[New CP alert: Sexy beauty x gentle doctor! A doctor! They know all about anatomy, imagine the possibilities!]
[To the person above, this is the internet police, send me everything you have on your phone, or I’ll beg you!]
Xu Wenbai, who had been quietly listening, suddenly exclaimed: “Wow, this is that popular novel, I was just thinking of buying it!”
Tang Jiansue, relieved, patted her chest. “I asked a colleague for recommendations, I haven’t been keeping up with the latest trends, I’m glad you like it.”
Xu Wenbai carefully placed the book in front of her, showing her appreciation.
The live stream chat started shipping the two “bottoms.”
[Lol, twenty minutes into the live stream, four guests, four potential couples: SuShao, SuTang, SuBai, TangBai… The only certainty is that Baibai is definitely a bottom, the rest is up in the air!]
[More, please! More drama! I love watching these beautiful and successful women fight over each other!]
[Forget those fake relationships on talent shows, Heartthrob is where the real drama is!]
…
As more guests arrived, the live stream audience grew, drawn by the beautiful contestants and the potential for romantic entanglements. Like Sherlock Holmes, they searched for clues, eager to be the first to identify the real couples.
The fifth guest, Rong Hua, a university lecturer, was lively and outgoing.
She introduced herself and asked the others where they were from. Being new to the city, she asked Su Mingxiu, Tang Jiansue, and Shao Chen about local food and attractions.
Xu Wenbai, hearing the name of her university, asked softly: “Are you the recently appointed Professor Rong? I saw a poster for your lecture.”
Rong Hua touched her head. “Eh? Are you a student there?”
“I’m currently working at the post-doctoral research station,” Xu Wenbai replied.
[A post-doc? A university professor? A law firm partner? A chief physician published in The Lancet? This show should be called Heartbreak instead of Heartthrob.]
[I admit, I’m feeling inferior, there’s a reason why I’m not worthy of these beauties.]
[Compared to them, Su Mingxiu, a commercial model, seems so ordinary…]
[To the person above, look at her face and say “ordinary” again. If I had half her beauty, I would be laughing in my dreams.]
With Rong Hua’s arrival, the atmosphere became more lively. Tang Jiansue, seeing the tea set and finding a box of tea leaves in the kitchen, offered to make tea for everyone.
Xu Wenbai started a conversation with her about tea-making customs in different regions. Rong Hua, from a STEM background, listened with interest, asking questions. Shao Chen, after smelling the tea leaves and frowning slightly, looked up at Su Mingxiu, who was smiling, and asked: “Do you also like tea?”
“I have some Pu’er tea cakes in my office, a client gave them to me, supposedly from ancient tea trees. I can bring some tomorrow for everyone to try.”
Although she said “everyone,” her gaze was fixed on Su Mingxiu. She was the most direct of all the contestants.
It suited her profession, gathering information, then targeting her opponent’s weaknesses.
Su Mingxiu warmed her teacup with hot water. “I prefer these antique-style teacups, the patterns are interesting.”
[Shao Chen: Launching my love arrow! Su Mingxiu: Dodge!]
Tang Jiansue, from a scholarly family, exposed to various interests since childhood, hearing Su Mingxiu’s words, smiled warmly. “I didn’t know Mingxiu was interested in these things. My father also likes antiques, he often says my hobbies are too common, he would definitely love to meet you.”
[Whoa, Dr. Tang, so gentle, yet already talking about meeting the parents, a subtle attack.]
[Su Mingxiu: A woman both tops and bottoms find irresistible.]
Xu Wenbai’s compliment was even more direct. She looked at Su Mingxiu with admiration. “Wow, you know so much, you’re so amazing.”
[Baibai: Straightforward!]
Su Mingxiu, surprised by her sudden boldness, offered her a cup of tea, then took one for herself. Before she could reply, the sixth guest arrived—
Black earrings, blue-streaked short hair, and shiny Doc Martens, a walking embodiment of “fashion” and “trend.”
She even deserved her own entrance music and spotlight.
She wasn’t fazed at all. After introducing herself, she added her English name. “Just call me Tracy. I’m a stylist, I mainly work with celebrities. A friend told me there was a very stylish young lady on the show…”
Her gaze was fixed on Su Mingxiu.
Shao Chen, who hadn’t been bothered by the other contestants’ attempts to impress Su Mingxiu, now, hearing Tracy’s seemingly casual yet direct compliment about Su Mingxiu’s appearance, sensed her ambition.
A formidable opponent!
Shao Chen’s internal alarm bells were ringing.
Su Mingxiu accepted the professional compliment, her expression unreadable, giving no indication of her preference.
#Heartthrob Season Two
#Su Mingxiu from the talent show is here!
#Heartthrob love triangle
Even before the first episode aired, the show was already trending, generating immense interest.
The evening of August 21st…
Yu Nian, finally free from her internship and able to meet her friends, was hosting a dinner at a restaurant.
Besides Dong Lin, her other close friends and childhood acquaintances were also present.
This gathering was also a farewell party before she left for university in the capital.
They wished her well, and she reciprocated. After a few rounds of dishes, they started talking about their summer break.
Her wealthy friends shared their latest acquisitions. “I wanted to get my driver’s license after ordering this Bentley, but they told me the waiting list is two years! How many cars do they even sell each year? This hunger marketing just makes me think they have low production capacity.”
“Be grateful you even managed to order one. I’m trying to buy a watch, this year’s new model, you know how annoying these watch brands are now? They’re copying that bundling tactic. My watch costs 800,000 yuan, and they want me to buy another 800,000 yuan worth of other stuff, it’s so annoying! Even with personal shoppers, it’s the same. I don’t know who’s getting the bigger profit, the store or the reseller.”
“I’m going abroad soon, my mom has a villa in XX Estates. The personal shoppers there are good, I can help you buy stuff if you need.”
“You’re the best!”
…
Dong Lin, listening to their conversations about luxury goods, felt her mind drifting, wondering if her juice was spiked with alcohol.
She decided to scroll through Weibo to regain her composure.
Clicking on the trending topics, her expression turned strange. She glanced at Yu Nian, wondering whether she should say something.
But before she could decide, Yu Nian’s friends, somehow shifting from cars and watches to real estate, one of them turned to Yu Nian. “Hey, your family’s One Mansion project, are there any other phases planned? Save me a unit.”
“Right, did you watch that show? My family booked a unit earlier, the scenery there is amazing. My grandparents are spending their vacation there now. There’s also a good nursing home nearby, a collaboration with Yanyan’s family, it’s quite impressive.”
Yu Nian, hearing them mention the Wanda project, checked the company’s internal system. “I don’t see any other phases planned for One Mansion, I don’t know if my mom will continue with the project.”
Then, she asked: “Isn’t that an old project? Why are you suddenly interested?”
Her friends, thinking about her family situation, exchanged glances, none of them knowing how to break the news. Dai Yan, scrolling through her phone, finally spoke: “Didn’t you know? Your Little Mom is on a dating show, sponsored by your family, filmed at One Mansion. It’s trending—”
She corrected herself: “Oh, ex-Little Mom.”
“Screech—”
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor.
The chatter stopped. Her friends looked at her in surprise, wondering about her sudden reaction.
Dong Lin, the only one who had guessed that she might not know, pulled Yu Nian’s sleeve and showed her her phone, the live stream of Heartthrob.
On the screen, Su Mingxiu stood at the door, looking surprised as Shao Chen handed her a white-wrapped box. Shao Chen, her gold-rimmed glasses accentuating her aloof demeanor, said: “I just finished a case, and the client gave me a gift. It’s not really my style, but I think you might like it.”
Not seeing the logo, Su Mingxiu accepted the gift politely, intending to reciprocate later.
But when she returned to her room and opened the box, she saw the familiar orange color and the iconic brand name:
HERMES.
Su Mingxiu: “…”
The live stream chat was filled with comments like [Rich lady, look at me! QAQ], [ShaoSu is rising!], [Who could resist that?]
Dong Lin, seeing Yu Nian’s white knuckles as she gripped her phone, wanted to tell her to calm down. She didn’t know what was going on between Yu Nian and Su Mingxiu, but judging from Yu Nian’s reaction, she clearly hadn’t known about the show. Worried, she said softly: “Niannian, this is my phone…”
“Thud!” Yu Nian slammed the phone on the table, her expression blank, then pushed it back to Dong Lin, muttering “I know,” but the coldness in her eyes made everyone feel like they had fallen into an ice cellar.
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