Chapter 20 — The Battlefield of Rivalry, The Third Kiss

“Teacher Song, is my question too tricky? Should I change it?” Yun Fu’s words were directed at Song Xiao, but her round little face was turned toward Gao Tiange, whose expression was dark and displeased.

Gao Tiange forced a smile, barely restraining herself from reaching out to pinch Yun Fu’s cheek. She hadn’t expected Yun Fu to be so oblivious. “Yun Fu, aren’t you trying to sow discord between Teacher Song and me? That’s not very nice of you.”

Yun Fu remained silent, turning her gaze to Song Xiao.

Song Xiao was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “I wouldn’t say I dislike Teacher Gao. I simply don’t care for people who lack ability and only know how to shout. It makes me feel that person is rather off-putting.”

Gao Tiange’s lips twitched, swallowing her indignation.

“Fu Jiaojiao, your turn to ask.” Gao Minglang signaled the staff to turn on her microphone.

Fu Jiaojiao, excited, looked toward Bai Zehan. “Teacher Bai, why did you enter the entertainment industry?”

What seemed an easy question was not so easily answered by Bai Zehan. He looked at Gu Beicheng, then at Jiang Ning, took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and spoke slowly: “Because my family fell from grace. Ten years ago, our family business was sabotaged and went bankrupt.”

The atmosphere shifted subtly; no one had expected such tragedy behind Bai Zehan’s glamorous facade.

“What’s there to pity? The Bai family sold fake medicine and harmed countless people.” A woman’s mocking voice yanked everyone back to reality from their sympathy for Bai Zehan.

Indeed, over a decade ago, a pharmaceutical company had sold fake drugs at exorbitant prices, leading to the deaths of many patients who might otherwise have lived.

“Jiang Ning, what do you know! We were framed, but no one believed us!” Bai Zehan, releasing years of pent-up resentment, protested. If the company hadn’t been sabotaged, he could have inherited the family business and never needed to roam the entertainment world, bowing to those capitalists.

“I don’t really know, but what about the thousands of patients your family harmed? Teacher Bai, don’t look at me like I bankrupted your family—I’m merely recounting a tragedy that the public forgot for years.”

Bai Zehan stared at Jiang Ning with a sinister gaze. “That’s not impossible.”

Fu Jiaojiao sensed Bai Zehan’s imminent breakdown, gripping his hand tightly and fixing a reproachful look on Jiang Ning. “Jiang Ning, stop making trouble. Teacher Bai is already upset enough! Why must you provoke him? Are you happy now?”

Jiang Ning rolled her eyes at Fu Jiaojiao and snorted coldly. “Of course I’m happy, you saint.”

“Alright, alright, it’s all history now. Teacher Bai, are you alright? Do you need to rest?” Gao Minglang, worn out by these guests, felt dizzy. To ensure the show’s popularity, it seemed some suffering was inevitable.

His suffering was to serve these living ancestors well—none could be offended, none were easy.

“I’m fine,” Bai Zehan answered, supporting his forehead with one hand, looking exhausted as he weakly waved to the director.

“Ha, quite professional,” Jiang Ning sneered. She couldn’t stand Bai Zehan’s pitiful act—the Bai family had hurt people, yet he played the victim.

In her previous life, she’d foolishly believed Bai Zehan unconditionally, convinced his family was framed.

Though she died without ever uncovering the truth about the Bai family, she firmly believed none of them were any good.

“Jiang Ning, say a little less,” Gao Minglang turned and gently admonished Jiang Ning. Bai Zehan was her senior, and her relentless provocation would only bring her the wrath of his fans.

That said, he rather admired Jiang Ning. She was genuine, not pretentious, emotionally intelligent, and didn’t stir up trouble.

“Got it, director.” Jiang Ning knew Gao Minglang meant well. She smiled at him, but the director’s expression was oddly guilty, as if he’d done something wrong.

Following his gaze, Jiang Ning saw Gu Beicheng watching her with an unfriendly look.

“Teacher Cheng, why are you always so fierce?” Jiang Ning waved her hand in front of him.

Gu Beicheng caught her hand, rubbing it gently. “I’m not.”

“Good, Director Gao is getting on in years, don’t be so harsh with him.” Jiang Ning let him hold her hand, protesting with dissatisfaction.

“Mm, I’ll listen to you.”

Gu Beicheng obediently glanced up at Gao Minglang, pulling his lips into a faint smile.

Seeing this, Gao Minglang shivered and hurried everyone along.

“Teacher Gao, your turn to ask.”

Gao Tiange looked proudly at Jiang Ning. “I drew Jiang Ning.”

Her affected posture annoyed Jiang Ning. “Hurry up and ask.”

Gao Tiange’s face paled. This wretched variety show had brought her more grievances than any other. Grinding her teeth, she asked Jiang Ning, “Did you get onto this dating show thanks to a man? Did your boyfriend dump you?”

“You’re such a miserable old auntie. Is that even a question?” Jiang Ning had expected Gao Tiange would seize the chance to slander her, so she didn’t hold back. “Teacher Gao, your thinking is really filthy. I didn’t rely on anyone—Director Gao invited me. As for a boyfriend, I’ve been single since birth, though I did have a suitor once. But when I found out he’d been to a men’s hospital, I asked around and discovered he was… incompetent! Imagine—a man six-foot-one, with shoulder-length hair, wearing a white shirt and navy pants, and he’s not up to the task. Do you think I’d sacrifice myself?”

Qi Jun exclaimed, “Wow, such a detailed description. Six-foot-one, shoulder-length… Teacher Bai, is that you? You’re not up to it?”

Bai Zehan, who had been quietly stewing, was startled by Qi Jun’s sudden outburst. His face turned green with rage, nearly giving him a stroke.

Gao Tiange was equally shocked, elbowing Bai Zehan. “You didn’t answer my calls the other day because of this? Is what Jiang Ning said true?”

“Even you believe her?” Bai Zehan almost coughed up blood, furious with Jiang Ning.

“Your turn, Teacher Bai,” Jiang Ning prompted.

“I drew Cheng Beigu. I’ll forfeit, no question.”

“Fine, I’ll ask! I drew Fu Jiaojiao. Fu Jiaojiao, was it you who insulted me on Weibo?”

Fu Jiaojiao hadn’t expected Jiang Ning to confront her so boldly. Gripping the cushion beneath her, she glared at Jiang Ning. “It wasn’t me!”

“Truth session? Not very truthful.” Jiang Ning had anticipated her denial, but simply wanted to tease Fu Jiaojiao.

“Teacher Song, you must have drawn Teacher Gao. Have you thought of your question?” Gao Minglang was delighted—the segment was finally ending.

Song Xiao smiled gently, shaking her head. “I have nothing to ask.”

“Alright, our ‘Truth Session’ is over. Now, we begin the most thrilling segment—the Mistaken Kiss! This round tests the male guests’ familiarity with the female guests’ appearances. The men will be blindfolded and may touch each woman’s face once. If they guess correctly, they may kiss the woman, but must seek her consent. The order of appearance is determined by height: first Cheng Beigu, then Qi Jun, Song Xiao, and finally Bai Zehan.”

“Wow, what an insult,” Qi Jun boldly eyed Bai Zehan, measuring his height with an outstretched hand, stopping at his own chest—a powerfully humiliating gesture.

“Director, can I rinse my mouth? I want to kiss Ning!” Qi Jun had barely spoken when the man beside him turned slowly, coldly locking eyes with him, as if to say, “Are you worthy?”

“Heh, Teacher Cheng, I’m just joking.”

The task officially began.

Gu Beicheng donned a blindfold, approaching the first woman, who seemed quite excited. He did not hesitate, nor did he touch her, quickly moving to the second woman, hands ready to reach for her face.

“Slap!” The woman slapped his hand away.

Gu Beicheng withdrew, leaning closer to catch her scent—a faint aroma of peach blossoms. He sensed the woman was trying desperately to avoid him, making his answer all the more certain.

He swiftly spread his hands, grabbing her waist in one smooth motion, not at all like someone blindfolded.

“Mmm.” Their soft lips pressed tightly together.

“Hey! Cheng Beigu, you haven’t even asked Ning if she agrees!” Qi Jun watched Gu Beicheng domineeringly embrace and kiss Jiang Ning, full of envy.

Hearing Qi Jun’s cry, Gu Beicheng’s lips curled in a slight smile. He slowly parted his lips and gently bit her soft, sweet lower lip.