The Love Reality Show's Big Boss and Little Sweetie - Chapter 54

【OMG, I really thought Xia Yang had turned over a new leaf!】

【Chilling to think about it… So Xia Yang was just pretending all along. The arrogant guy from our first meeting is his true self.】

【He fooled me so badly, I almost fell for him.】

【But let’s be real, the Demon King is even more domineering. He straight up ripped off the other’s disguise.】

【Ever since that Fisherman’s Festival thing, the vibe’s been off. I almost dropped this dating show, but now I’m loving it again.】

【I love a good showdown, haha!】

【Xia Yang, so you also have this day.】

【Demon King, so also have this day.】

【Mu Chi, so you also have this day.】

【Such a fierce love triangle! Love to see it, give us more!】

【I bet a pack of spicy strips, the Great King will definitely win.】

【I bet a hundred bucks, the Great King will definitely win.】

【Is no one betting on Xia Yang? The broody, broke cool guy is also totally crush-worthy.】

【Even so, the Great King’s character is more worthy of entrusting one’s life to.】

【It’s pretty obvious Mu Chi likes Qi Liao more.】

【Not just ‘more’! It’s a unique, one-of-a-kind liking!】

“Brother, maybe we shouldn’t.” Mu Chi tugged at Qi Liao’s wrist. If this cliché love triangle plot happened to someone else, he could enjoy the drama, but experiencing it himself was just utterly awkward.

Qi Liao took off his sports watch and handed it to Mu Chi. “Hold this. It’ll be over within ten minutes.”

Mu Chi glanced at the filming camera. “Fighting will look bad.”

Qi Liao let out a low laugh. “We’ve fought how many times already? This is a war between men. You stay out of it.”

“…I’m a man too.”

“Would you rather team up with me for a mixed doubles against Xia Yang? That’s not off the table either.”

Mu Chi looked at Xia Yang.

Xia Yang: “…”

Mu Chi uncomfortably averted his gaze. “Forget it. Just treat it as a spar. Don’t seriously hurt anyone.”

The two walked to an empty spot in the small courtyard. Everyone else stood under the eaves, creating a scene that was absurdly comical, yet no one dared to laugh.

Xu Wuxing voiced his honest thoughts: “The fighting pits often mentioned in novels… this must be what they’re like.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Qi Liao shot him a cold look. Xu Wuxing immediately turned into an eager cheerleader: “Go, Brother Qi! You can do it!”

Diyi Shuai : “Woof! Woof!”

“…”

Mu Chi also wanted to cheer for his dear brother but felt too embarrassed.

Qi Liao met his gaze and made an ‘OK’ gesture.

Mu Chi smiled slightly, his eyes filled with complete trust.

【Hoho, it’s like a wife seeing her husband off to war.】

【The Demon King is the best! Go for it!】

【Go, Fire and Water CP!】

Qi Liao raised his wrist, rolling it slightly. When he clenched his fist, it emitted a sharp crack. He looked at Xia Yang. “Let’s begin.”

Xia Yang swung a fist forward.

Qi Liao tilted his head easily, dodging it. Another fist followed closely, but he lifted his hand and caught it with a sharp smack, then shoved the other back a meter.

Xia Yang’s gaze was dark and heavy. “Getting serious now?”

Qi Liao’s tone was mild. “Just warming up.”

Xia Yang charged again, using both fists and feet. He possessed a fierce, brute strength, honed through years of living like an orphan, constantly forced to face those stronger than himself.

Qi Liao’s defense, however, was skilled. Blocking and countering seemed effortless for him.

If Xia Yang was like a wild dog, then Qi Liao was a well-trained wolf king. For a while, it was hard to tell who would gain the upper hand. The onlookers were utterly captivated.

A good fight is all about back-and-forth; that’s what makes it compelling. An instant victory would just be laughable – like how Qi Liao had dealt with those street thugs before.

Netizens were cheering them on. Xu Wuxing jumped up: “Watch out, Brother Qi! Yes, yes! Hit him!”

Mu Chi watched anxiously, his lips parting slightly, but he held back his words, afraid of distracting them. Even the cameramen didn’t dare get too close, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire.

Xia Yang’s fist was once again deflected by Qi Liao’s palm. As Xia Yang prepared to throw another punch, Qi Liao’s leg swept up, his knee connecting hard with Xia Yang’s abdomen. Xia Yang’s movements noticeably faltered for a second, and Qi Liao took the chance to kick him away.

Thud!

Xia Yang’s back slammed against the osmanthus tree by the courtyard wall, causing the branches to shake and shed a few leaves.

But he didn’t stop. After pausing for mere seconds, he launched himself forward again, throwing another punch, as if he didn’t know the meaning of pain.

Mu Chi knew better than anyone how astonishingly strong Qi Liao was. A mere pinch from him would leave red marks on Mu Chi’s skin. The “accidental” marks left during sleep already numbered more than three.

Qi Liao had even tried to explain himself, saying he didn’t pinch, he just… touched lightly.

Of course, Mu Chi’s skin was the type that bruised easily, and it was excessively fair. So, perhaps he couldn’t entirely blame Qi Liao.

What followed was a scene of Xia Yang being utterly dominated.

The reason? Xia Yang had hit Qi Liao in the face.

There’s a saying: don’t hit a person’s face; it’s a matter of respect. Until now, Qi Liao had never struck Xia Yang’s face. Since Xia Yang had crossed that line first, Qi Liao saw no need to hold back anymore.

Mu Chi’s heart clenched watching it. “Qi Liao…”

Qi Liao wiped the corner of his slightly split lip. The stinging pain on his left cheek only made him sharper.

【He dared to hit the Demon King’s face?!】

【Xia Yang, you’re saying goodbye】

【Doesn’t he know the rule about not hitting the face?】

【That look on Mu Chi’s face… he’s distress, isn’t he?】

【The Demon King’s face is so handsome, you can’t even get that from plastic surgery! Could Xia Yang ever afford to compensate if it got damaged?】

【Hit him back!】

A dozen seconds later, with a dull thud, Qi Liao returned the favor in the exact same manner, from the exact same angle—a punch to Xia Yang’s cheek that not only split the other’s lip but also loosened a tooth.

Xia Yang’s head rang, but his eyes still held the ferocity of a wild dog, glaring fiercely at Qi Liao.

Qi Liao hated that look the most; it was as if he was born owing others something. “Anything you want to say?”

Xia Yang spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva. Though his eyes were fierce, his expression was cold. “A rich second-generation like you could never understand how those at the bottom feel.”

Qi Liao didn’t refute it. “Perhaps. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, lived my life treating money like dirt. I don’t understand how someone like you thinks, nor do I care to know.”

Jin Liusun, standing in the shade by the main gate, nodded. “Rare for you to have such self-awareness, Seven. Impressive, but also detestable.”

“…”

Mu Chi stepped forward to refute him. “Qi Liao sponsors children from mountainous regions—that’s his kindness. Qi Liao came on this dating show under pressure from his eldest brother—that’s his sense of duty. Qi Liao cooks for everyone patiently every day, shares his knowledge generously, helps everyone on the show, and has repeatedly saved me from danger—that’s his great compassion.”

Qi Liao stared at Mu Chi, stunned. He wanted to say he wasn’t as good as Mu Chi made him out to be, but when he met Mu Chi’s sincere, clear peach-blossom eyes, the words died in his throat.

Mu Chi looked at him as if beholding the most beautiful scenery between heaven and earth. “He is kind, loyal, compassionate, responsible, and diligent in everything he does. Wherever he is, I… we feel safe.”

Their gazes met and locked, just like during those quiet nights in bed when they would look at each other, never getting enough.

Mu Chi’s love for Qi Liao only grew deeper.

【Wuwuwu, that was so well said.】

【This is true love.】

【See? Mu Chi really, really likes the Demon King!】

【Does anyone else get it? The way the Demon King looks at Mu Chi is so soft now.】

Clap clap clap clap clap clap! A round of applause broke out.

Jin Liusun’s clapping spurred Xu Wuxing to join in, clapping enthusiastically too.

Mu Chi felt somewhat awkward. Qi Liao broke eye contact, his gaze settling back on the disheveled Xia Yang. “Let’s continue.”

But Xia Yang remained frozen, his eyes rigidly scanning between Qi Liao and Mu Chi once, as if confirming something. Finally, he let out a sigh, blinked, and said, “No more. I lose.”

Silence fell over the scene. Xia Yang’s words were too soft, almost unreal.

Qi Liao: “So, you’ll stay away from Mu Chi from now on?”

Xia Yang: “Yes.”

Qi Liao let out a short laugh, wiping the trace of blood from his lip. “No need. No matter how long you linger in front of him, he only sees me.”

“…”

The words were ruthless, but they were the truth.

Mu Chi hurried over to Qi Liao in a few quick steps. “gege, are you okay?”

Qi Liao looked down at him, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I am. You’ll apply the medicine for me.”

Mu Chi, his heart aching, leaned in for a closer look and instinctively blew soft puffs of air on the injury.

The gentle, warm breath against his lips was more tantalizing than a direct kiss. Qi Liao couldn’t help but lower his head, bringing them even closer, as if about to press together.

Mu Chi’s lips had few lines, thin yet beautifully shaped like flower petals; they looked incredibly soft to the touch. Qi Liao’s fingers itched, his heart itching even more, but he could only stare intently.

Mu Chi’s eyelashes were long, too. In the dimming daylight, they held one or two minuscule droplets of moisture, likely fallen from the sky.

Qi Liao finally raised a hand and gently brushed the tip of Mu Chi’s fine, straight, slightly upturned nose.

Mu Chi blinked reflexively, and the droplet fell. His dark, liquid eyes looked at Qi Liao in confusion.

Qi Liao said, “You’re like a little kitten.”

“?”

Qi Liao didn’t elaborate further, but everyone could see the word “doting” written clearly in his eyes.

Jin Liusun grinned, the expression of a fond auntie. “I can’t take it! You two should just kiss already!”

Everyone: “?”

【???】

【The rival turned CP fan??】