The Love Reality Show's Big Boss and Little Sweetie - Chapter 57

“By the way, my name is Guan Yuzhen,” the man introduced himself before they began.

【Who cares what your name is? You’re just the Demon King’s future loser.】

【That name sounds familiar… where have I heard it before?】

【Fight! Fight! Fight!】

Qi Liao showed no reaction to the name. The volleyball spun like a basketball on his finger for a moment before he tossed it into the air and spiked it over the net with a powerful palm.

Guan Yuzhen was just as tall as Qi Liao. When he jumped, his explosive power was evident. His long arm reached up, effortlessly getting hands on the ball and slamming it back in one fluid motion.

This shot also landed right beside Mu Chi. Just as Mu Chi was about to react, Qi Liao, positioned next to him, scooped the ball up, setting it perfectly before delivering another fierce spike.

Guan Yuzhen was ready. With his hands clasped together, he received the diving ball, bumping it high into the air. It traced a graceful arc as it descended onto the opposite side.

Xu Wuxing, scrambling to get it, ran headlong into Qi Liao. The ball dropped to the sand.

Mu Chi: “…”

Xu Wuxing froze, then cautiously looked up. “Brother Qi, I didn’t mean to…”

Qi Liao picked up the ball, restraining his temper. “Learn from your mistakes. I suggest you stop the reckless moves.”

“I promise.” Xu Wuxing became meek and obedient.

Guan Yuzhen chuckled. “Thanks for the free point.”

Xu Wuxing gritted his teeth, glaring over with eyes full of fury.

Guan Yuzhen paid him no mind, his gaze flickering only between Qi Liao and Mu Chi. “Next serve.”

Hao Wenrou, buoyed by their winning point, regained his spirit and said to Guan Yuzhen, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

【Hmph! Without Xu Wuxing’s blunder, you wouldn’t have won that point.】

【Where did this random guy pop out from? Can we stop adding people?】

【Aren’t the six guests enough for the director to mess with?】

【Poor Ying Xuan and Lucas, they’ve been sidelined for ages.】

【Especially Lucas, he’s practically become invisible! Even if he’s a bit flirty, some of us still like him!】

【Wenrou’s screen time has decreased too…】

The game continued. Qi Liao served.

This serve was very steady, so much so that even Hao Wenrou could receive it. So, Hao Wenrou moved, raising his arms high to send the ball back.

Suddenly, Qi Liao leaped into the air, powerfully spiking the ball back over the net. It slammed into the sand before the other side could even react.

“…”

Eight to ten. Still a two-point difference.

Hao Wenrou bit his lip, glaring at Qi Liao as if accusing him of being utterly unreasonable.

Qi Liao’s expression remained unchanged. A spike isn’t a foul anywhere; it’s a legal move. Not receiving it is simply a matter of skill.

Guan Yuzhen picked up the ball, dusting the sand off it. He let out a mocking laugh. “So that’s why you suddenly turned so gentle—to lure Wenrou in and make him lower his guard.”

Qi Liao said flatly, “Even if he hadn’t lowered his guard, he still couldn’t have received my spike.”

Guan Yuzhen nodded. “True enough.”

Hao Wenrou then glared at Guan Yuzhen. Is this guy even on my team?

Mu Chi, embodying good sportsmanship, said, “As long as no rules are broken, a win is a win, a loss is a loss.”

Hao Wenrou said gloomily, “I know. Let’s continue.”

Guan Yuzhen asked, “Whose serve?”

Ying Xuan said, “I’ll do it.”

Guan Yuzhen tossed him the ball. “Let’s be clear upfront. I get to serve once every rotation. That’s the only way I can possibly help you win.”

“Fine.”

Ying Xuan served the ball. It wasn’t too high or too low, perfectly receivable, flying straight toward Mu Chi.

Mu Chi hesitated slightly. Qi Liao immediately barked, “Receive it!” Mu Chi hurriedly bumped the ball. In his excitement, the ball flew over the net in a wobbly, trembling, almost shy-looking arc.

Guan Yuzhen was too busy laughing to react.

The ball landed.

“…”

“…”

【…………】

【Serves you right for being smug. Got carried away, didn’t you?】

【LMAO, you couldn’t even receive a ball that landed a meter away from you.】

【Even Mu Chi looks utterly disbeliefing hahaha】

“I won a point?” Mu Chi was dumbfounded. “I actually won a point?!”

Qi Liao couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Mm. You won a point.”

“YES!” Mu Chi was too excited for words. His only outlet was to throw his arms and legs around his dearest person in a full-body hug. “I won!”

Qi Liao, nearly squeezed breathless, patted his back soothingly. “You’re overdoing it.”

Mu Chi snapped back to reality instantly. He’d broken character again! He immediately jumped down from Qi Liao, composing his expression. “Competition comes second, friendship first. Let’s continue.”

【How long has it been since he last won? He’s so excited he’s about to lose it.】

【I can’t imagine how amazing it would feel to have Mu Chi clinging to me like that.】

【Mu Chi weighs 65 kg (~143 lbs), you sure you could hold him?】

【Holy crap, I can’t tell. I thought he was only 50 kg (~110 lbs).】

【I’m a 170cm (~5’7″) girl, over 60 kg (~132 lbs)… and I really don’t look fat.】

【For a guy who’s 180cm (~5’11”), 65 kg (~143 lbs) is actually quite slim.】

【The Great King weighs 75 kg (~165 lbs), which you also can’t tell, right?】

【You can tell Qi Liao has high muscle density just by looking. Mu Chi is slim where he should be, but has just the right amount of flesh in all the right places.】

【You hungry girls are just staring at his butt, aren’t you?】

【Mu Chi’s butt is perky, what’s wrong with looking? It’s not like his pants are off!】

【Just thinking about how only the Great King gets to see Mu Chi with his pants off fills me with envy and jealousy!】

“Our turn to serve.” Qi Liao reached out and took the volleyball Guan Yuzhen tossed over, then handed it to Mu Chi. “You serve.”

Mu Chi took the ball, trying to appear nonchalant. He bounced it a few times, imitated Qi Liao by tossing it into the air, and swung his palm to hit it—only to swish through empty air as the ball landed with a thump.

“…”

Guan Yuzhen was also taken aback for a second, then laughed. “Thanks for the point.”

Having pointlessly lost a point, Mu Chi looked at Qi Liao with a pitiful, wronged expression.

Qi Liao said, “It’s fine. You’ll get better with practice. Serve another one.”

“But…”

“This isn’t a formal match. It’s okay if we lose.”

Reassured, Mu Chi chose a conventional serve this time, bumping the ball over the net with his wrists.

Of course, Guan Yuzhen wouldn’t be careless again. He received it easily and hit it back. Mu Chi raised his arms, bumping the ball that fell in front of him back into the air.

The ball skimmed the net on the other side before falling. Guan Yuzhen received it again, set it high, and then put all his force into a powerful downward spike.

Qi Liao intended to receive it, but Mu Chi moved first. Qi Liao hesitated for a split second and lost the opportunity.

Although Mu Chi made contact with the ball, he didn’t have the strength to return it over the net. By the time he realized, the ball had already landed.

Having lost two points in a row, Mu Chi visibly wilted on the spot. “I’m sorry…”

Qi Liao pulled him upright and tossed the ball over. “I told you, it’s okay if we lose.”

“But I wanted to win.” Naturally, Mu Chi had a bit of a competitive streak too.

Qi Liao was momentarily taken aback, then said, “Alright. I’ll win it for you.”

Mu Chi lifted his peach-blossom eyes, sparkling as they looked at Qi Liao, full of anticipation and hope. “Then I’m counting on you, brother. If you win, I’ll reward you with a mysterious gift.”

Qi Liao’s eyebrow quirked slightly. “A mysterious gift? I’m looking forward to it.”

Xu Wuxing, who couldn’t hear what they were saying, declared with renewed determination, “This time, we absolutely cannot let the enemy team score!”

Ying Xuan laughed helplessly. “It’s just a game for fun, no need to be so serious.”

“What about love? Don’t you need to determine a winner or loser there either?”

Ying Xuan was stumped by the question. He thought for a moment and said, “In a romantic relationship, there are no winners or losers. Only people who respect each other can be mutually attracted.”

“I’m talking about five people liking one person. I won’t give up until the very end,” Xu Wuxing said, gazing tenderly at Mu Chi.

Mu Chi: “…Why drag me into this? Let’s just play ball.”

Guan Yuzhen, patting the ball, said, “Actually, I think he has a point. Until the very end, who knows who the final victor will be?”

The game continued.

Guan Yuzhen served. This time, unlike his previous gentler serves, the ball charged ferociously towards Qi Liao.

Qi Liao, ever unflappable even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, fixed his deep, greyish-brown eyes on the volleyball, raised an arm, leaped into the air—POW!

【He jumped so high!】

【Has the Demon King practiced high jump too?】

【He’s flying! That spike was so handsome!】

The ball returned with even greater force than it came. Guan Yuzhen failed to receive it.

“Ten to twelve. Still a two-point gap,” he said regretfully.

Qi Liao shook the sand from his shoe that had sunk into the beach, though some had still gotten inside. “Catch up if you can.”

Guan Yuzhen’s expression grew much more serious. “Alright.”

What followed allowed the live-stream audience to witness what a true clash of titans looked like.

The score reached twenty to twenty-one. Everyone except Qi Liao and Guan Yuzhen was completely exhausted, with only Xu Wuxing, accustomed to dancing, holding up slightly better.

Hao Wenrou collapsed directly onto the sand. “I can’t… I can’t jump anymore…”

Guan Yuzhen: “Then lie further away, so I don’t step on you.”

“…”

【Hahaha Pillow Guy isn’t gentle with Wenrou at all.】

【 Pillow Guy , what a unique nickname.】

【Pillow Guy ‘s skills are actually this strong? He can go toe-to-toe with the Demon King?】

【Damn, I really fall for a new one every time. The more I look at Pillow Guy , the handsomer he gets.】

【He’d be even handsomer if he beats the Demon King.】

【The Demon King is the one and only powerhouse, the ultimate top, the manliest of men!】

【I’m raising the flag for the Demon King! Go!】

Qi Liao raked his hair back, revealing his sweaty forehead. He looked down, his thick eyelashes, sharp features, clean sideburns, and a widow’s peak on full display.

Mu Chi was utterly mesmerized, forgetting his own exhaustion.

“Can you walk?”

“No. I’ve been weakened by your charm.”

“?”

Mu Chi snapped back to reality, getting on all fours. “I can’t walk, but I can crawl.” Then he proceeded to crawl away from the battlefield.

“…………”

【………………Male god, your butt is so perky.】

【The look in Qi Liao’s eyes right now: He’s already decided on the position for tonight.】

【Do it! Go all out!!】

It took Qi Liao a good while to regain his composure. “Go sit on the beach chair.”

Mu Chi managed to haul himself onto the beach chair, finally comfortable, and waved his sore arms. “Go, brother! You can do it!”

Qi Liao turned back to face Guan Yuzhen. Perhaps his focus had been affected, but he actually failed to receive the next ball.

Mu Chi: “…” Brother, what’s wrong?

Guan Yuzhen said, “Twenty-one all. I’m tired too. Let’s decide the winner with this next point.” He tossed the ball to Qi Liao. “You serve.”

Qi Liao didn’t stand on ceremony, delivering a powerful serve.

Somehow, they managed to infuse a volleyball match with the intensity of a basketball game. Back and forth they went, one fierce as a wolf, the other agile as an eagle, evenly matched for a time.

After a full three-minute stalemate, Guan Yuzhen slipped up, his movement a bit too forceful, and one foot stepped out of bounds.

Mu Chi, despite his leg pain, stood up, raising his arms in celebration with Xu Wuxing. “We won! Woohoo!!”

Hao Wenrou’s gaze was melancholic, as if he had anticipated this outcome and wasn’t particularly upset.

Mu Chi really wanted to run over and hug Qi Liao, but he just thought about it, greeting the victory with a radiant smile instead.

Qi Liao walked towards him. Mu Chi immediately offered him a bottle of energy drink, already loosened. Qi Liao took it and drank half in one go. Mu Chi watched him, heart full of joy, and noticing a bit of sand in his hair, reached out to gently brush it off.

Qi Liao lowered his head. “Is there more?”

“There is. You’ll need to wash your hair later.” Mu Chi could only remove the surface sand; the rest would need proper washing.

Qi Liao’s lips curved slightly as he slowly finished the remaining water.

Although Guan Yuzhen hadn’t led Hao Wenrou’s team to victory, Hao Wenrou still offered him a bottle of water. Guan Yuzhen thanked him and, while drinking, observed the interaction between Mu Chi and Qi Liao.

Hao Wenrou, his mind active, asked, “What are you looking at? Do you know them?”

Guan Yuzhen just smiled without answering and walked over to Mu Chi and Qi Liao. “Did you enjoy the game?”

Mu Chi said politely, “Thank you for the points you gifted us.”

Guan Yuzhen crossed his arms, laughing. “Are you deliberately getting back at me?”

Mu Chi: “I’m not. If you choose to think that way, there’s nothing I can do.”

Guan Yuzhen nodded. “I hope I’m overthinking it. After all, you’re a very magnanimous person. You wouldn’t haggle over every ounce with me, right?”

“…” Mu Chi guiltily averted his eyes. “Mm.”

Guan Yuzhen laughed and said to Qi Liao, “He really is terrible at lying.”

Qi Liao said coolly, “That’s none of your business. You can leave now.”

Guan Yuzhen feigned shock. “This is burning the bridge after crossing it? Using me and then throwing me away?”

Qi Liao neither confirmed nor denied it. “You’re not related to us in any way. There’s no need for such talk.”

“Not related? Are you serious?”

“Are we?”

Guan Yuzhen grinned. “It seems your mother hasn’t told you. She has a very close friend. Back then, they got pregnant within a month of each other, so they arranged a marriage for their unborn children.”

A vein twitched at Qi Liao’s temple. “What nonsense are you spouting. An arranged marriage for unborn children?”

“Yes. The person you were betrothed to in the womb is me.”

“…”

These words not only stunned Qi Liao and Mu Chi, but the others also erupted in exclamations.

Xu Wuxing: “You live and you learn! Arranged marriages for unborn children still exist in this day and age??”

Hao Wenrou, in his disbelief, held a trace of hope. “Since it’s an arranged marriage from the womb, your connection really is quite deep.”

“Bullshit connection,” Qi Liao said coldly. “I know nothing about this.”

Guan Yuzhen said breezily, “You can ask your mother. If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning.”

Qi Liao stared at him. “Not just struck by lightning, but may you never be loved, and be impotent for life. Do you dare swear to that?”

Guan Yuzhen: “…You’re ruthless.”

Mu Chi, who had been nodding along, suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing this concerned his own lifelong happiness, and immediately said, “Swear it!”