Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 170

Return to the City

“How rude.”

A mirror hung on the side of the wardrobe. From the corner of her eye, Liu Yinxi could see Nan Huaixu holding her from behind in the reflection.

            

Liu Yinxi felt her cheeks heat up uncontrollably, a little flustered. They had hugged before in the rainforest, but this was the first time embracing as girlfriends in a city setting. She had never experienced this feeling before—thrilled yet shy, much like the classical verse about how the closer to home, the more timid the heart grows¹.

Nan Huaixu noticed her drifting. The hands clasped around her waist drifted upward, gently circling Liu Yinxi’s neck as she murmured, “Say it.”

Liu Yinxi was instantly yanked back to reality. “I like this dress.”

            

Nan Huaixu looked straight at her, gave a soft hum, and tapped the back of her neck with a fingertip. “And?”

Liu Yinxi smiled, shifting her gaze from Nan Huaixu’s face to admire the details of the gown. “I also like this brooch.”

Nan Huaixu’s beautiful brows furrowed slightly. She held Liu Yinxi tighter, her tone anxious. “And?”

            

Liu Yinxi’s smile widened. “And? What else? That’s it.”

Nan Huaixu gave a soft huff and released the embrace. “I thought someone would praise me, but I haven’t heard a single nice word.”

She slowly lowered her hands, making as if to take away the chilled food box on the mini bar. “No more food for you.”

            

Liu Yinxi saw this and panicked. She quickly reached out and scooped Nan Huaixu back into her arms, apologizing in a small voice, “There’s more—I like you. Please don’t take it away, okay?”

Nan Huaixu leaned against her, turning to catch Liu Yinxi’s pleading expression. Her gaze instantly softened. “Alright then.”

Liu Yinxi rested her chin on Nan Huaixu’s shoulder. “I like you, I like you, I like you the most.”

            

With one arm still around Nan Huaixu, she reached out with her free hand to open the chilled box on the table. “What’s good to eat in here?”

Nan Huaixu opened both boxes. One contained sweet soup; the other held several green, round desserts. “Coconut milk pandan jelly², green banana ice—these are the most popular desserts in Mulang City. Try some.”

Liu Yinxi hurriedly pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing a spoon to dig in. “Thank you, Teacher Na—thank you, Manman.”

            

She almost slipped up again.

After last night’s confession, they had agreed: since they were girlfriends now, they couldn’t keep addressing each other so formally. In private, Nan Huaixu wanted Liu Yinxi to call her by her childhood name, and Liu Yinxi felt Nan Huaixu could call her whatever she liked.

First girlfriend ever, and she still wasn’t quite used to the name change.

            

Mulang City’s weather was hot and humid. Even with the air conditioning on, the stuffiness made people drowsy. A refreshing dessert in the afternoon was just the thing to perk up.

Liu Yinxi quickly finished the banana ice, then picked up a clean spoon and fed Nan Huaixu some coconut milk before eating it herself.

Nan Huaixu rested her chin in her hand and quietly watched her eat for a while, a doting smile on her lips. “Take your time. I’ll get the jewelry ready for you to try on.”

            

Liu Yinxi, mouth full of pandan jelly, puffed out one cheek and followed her with curious eyes. “For me? You’ve already lent me such a beautiful dress. I don’t need jewelry too. Besides, I’m not used to wearing it right now—”

Before she could finish, a diamond-accented emerald cabochon necklace was pressed against her neck, scattering prismatic light under the natural light.

It was Liu Yinxi’s first time experiencing haute joaillerie up close. She gasped, “This is too beautiful!”

            

Nan Huaixu pressed her cheek to Liu Yinxi’s temple and nodded in satisfaction. “Mm~”

These precious items dealt a psychological blow to Liu Yinxi, who had grown up practicing frugality. “The necklace is gorgeous, but isn’t it a bit much for me to wear?”

“You doubt my taste?” Nan Huaixu clasped the necklace around Liu Yinxi’s neck, then cleaned her ear piercings and fitted the two emerald cabochon earrings. She held up the mirror for her. “Your gown tonight is paired with mine. We’ll be standing together at the award ceremony—we both need to look stunning.”

            

Liu Yinxi admired the elegant jewelry in the mirror, feeling that wearing it made her feel noble too. “Okay! I absolutely won’t make you lose face.”

Nan Huaixu laughed. “What’s this about losing face? As long as you like it and look beautiful in it, that’s all that matters.”

She instructed the smart home system to close the curtains, took down the gown, and walked back to Liu Yinxi’s side. “When you’re done eating, come try on the dress.”

            

“Mm.” Liu Yinxi tidied up the mini bar, washed her hands, and carefully took the gown from Nan Huaixu.

Nan Huaixu taught Liu Yinxi how to work the hidden clasps and ties more easily, then leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, watching her at leisure.

Liu Yinxi stood in place, holding the gown.

            

She looked down at the T-shirt and shorts she was wearing, then at Nan Huaixu, who was watching her with keen interest. She touched her hair, feeling awkward.

Nan Huaixu’s eyes asked her: “What’s wrong?”

Liu Yinxi pointed toward the bathroom. “I’ll go try it on in there.”

            

Nan Huaixu’s lips curved up. “You can try it on right here, you know. I can even help you with the clasps.”

Liu Yinxi paused, thinking for a few seconds before saying, “Manman, during the competition there was no choice. Everything in survival life was rough and unrefined. I overstepped boundaries many times, and I’m sorry. Now that we’re back in the city, it’s just…”

Liu Yinxi couldn’t finish.

            

The more she spoke, the more she felt she was being overly sentimental.

It was just changing clothes. They had slept together every day during the competition. There had always been unavoidable moments of seeing each other change.

And it wasn’t like she would be completely naked—just trying on clothes. She might even need Nan Huaixu’s help adjusting things. Why did she feel so flustered…

            

Was it because the environment had changed? From the vast rainforest to this enclosed little room?

Or was it because their relationship had changed? Undressing in front of her girlfriend stirred a secret restlessness in her heart, provoking an inexplicable shyness.

Nan Huaixu seemed to read her inner conflict. She couldn’t help but chuckle, stepping forward and nudging her toward the bathroom. “Alright, I was just joking. And remember—you didn’t overstep any boundaries during the competition either. Don’t sell yourself short, got it?”

            

Liu Yinxi’s eyes instantly brightened. “Mm! I’ll remember.”

“However…” Nan Huaixu’s tone shifted.

Liu Yinxi, one foot already in the bathroom, paused to listen. “Mm?”

            

Nan Huaixu leaned against the doorframe, lowering her lashes, her eyes brimming with amusement. “I’m your girlfriend now. You’ll have to get used to this sooner or later. Better prepare yourself mentally.”

Liu Yinxi’s cheeks grew redder and redder. She averted her gaze and hurried into the bathroom, half her body hidden behind the door. “I—I’m already prepared. I’m an alpha, of course I have been ready for ages. You’re the one who shouldn’t talk big but actually be too shy to handle it.”

Nan Huaixu nodded with a smile. “Okay~ Hurry up and change, Little Red Willow.”

            

Liu Yinxi gave a start, hastily shut the door, and leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths.

She raised her left hand to her chest. Her heart was pounding—thump-thump.

How was Nan Huaixu so calm? She claimed she had never dated before.

            

Was she lying? Otherwise, if they were both experiencing first love, why was Liu Yinxi the only one this nervous?

And she actually called her Little Red Willow.

Liu Yinxi walked to the sink and looked in the mirror. What she saw was the flush blooming across both cheeks.

            

Heavens, so red.

Liu Yinxi turned on the faucet, scooped up cold water, and splashed it on her face.

She felt unfamiliar with herself. Before transmigrating, she had already been thirty³. Yet faced with romance, she was behaving like a child.

            

It turned out that biological age and the psychological age of love were entirely different things.

Perhaps even someone weathered by life’s storms couldn’t withstand the assault of a single pink bubble.

Following Nan Huaixu’s earlier instructions, Liu Yinxi changed into the gown. She examined herself in the mirror from every angle, marveling: it really was true that fine clothes make the person just as a fine saddle makes the horse⁴. This hand embroidery, this jeweled brooch, this emerald necklace—she was so beautiful she didn’t even look like Liu Yinxi anymore!

            

“Xixi, are you done changing? Does the dress fit? If not, I’ll call the stylist to alter it right away,” Nan Huaixu called from outside.

Click.

The bathroom door opened. Liu Yinxi stepped out slowly in her gown—bold brows, starry eyes, upright posture. The cream-white short gown showcased her long, slender legs. The deep green jewels at her earlobes, neck, and chest complemented her warm skin, which glowed a healthy wheat-gold under the soft light.

            

Nan Huaixu looked up abruptly, her gaze fixing straight on her, stunned.

“Manman, do I look good like this?” Liu Yinxi looked down, smoothing the folds of her dress, anxiously seeking her girlfriend’s opinion.

It wasn’t that she lacked confidence.

            

She might not be a breathtaking beauty, but she had grown up being praised for her looks. She had zero anxiety about her appearance or figure.

This was the first time in her life she had felt this flustered about her appearance—all because she cared about her girlfriend’s eyes on her.

Nan Huaixu’s expression relaxed into a radiant smile for Liu Yinxi.

            

She walked forward a few steps, tilted her head up, and kissed Liu Yinxi’s chin. “My Xixi is so beautiful.”

That evening, the two brightest stars at the 《Survivor》 award ceremony were the co-champions.

Nan Huaixu wore a moon-white long gown, serene as still water, echoing the emerald accessories Liu Yinxi wore.

            

Liu Yinxi wore a cream-white short gown, bright as dancing points of light, perfectly complementing the lustrous white pearls Nan Huaixu wore.

They were matched.

They were also complementary.

            

Hand in hand, they walked the red carpet to the stage and, before the guests and audience, jointly raised the Starfire Trophy—the symbol of the survivor’s will.

The ceremony and dinner both went smoothly. Staying by Nan Huaixu’s side, Liu Yinxi met many heavyweights in the film industry. Numerous outdoor and environmental organizations and companies also extended offers to her. After a round of drinks, Liu Yinxi had gained quite a lot.

After several rounds of drinks, Nan Huaixu pulled Liu Yinxi toward the lounge to touch up her makeup, teasing her along the way. “Do you still need me to find you work? With your fame now, being my little assistant would be an insult to you.”

            

Liu Yinxi’s face was flushed from the wine, but her mind was clear as a mirror. “Of course I do. I’m only working for you anyway. Those people talk a big game at banquets, but they’re just like Yuan Fang—all bluff, no commitments. Many of them only came over to chat with me because of your face.”

Nan Huaixu’s brows lowered with concern. She gently stroked her temple. “You—don’t sell yourself short.”

Liu Yinxi nuzzled against her palm. “Mm…”

            

Nan Huaixu smiled and pointed toward the restroom. “I need to make a trip. You?”

Liu Yinxi shook her head. “I already went. You go ahead. I’ll wait for you in the vanity area.”

Nan Huaixu opened her clutch, took out a tube of lipstick, and placed it in Liu Yinxi’s hand. She pointed at Liu Yinxi’s lips, her eyes overflowing with tenderness, then turned and walked into the restroom.

            

Liu Yinxi watched Nan Huaixu’s silhouette disappear around the corner behind the greenery. She looked down at the lipstick in her hand and smiled.

She wondered if anyone else had noticed—tonight she and Nan Huaixu were wearing the same shade.

—The kind that gets its color from kisses.

            

A faint sound came from behind her.

Liu Yinxi turned at the noise. Someone had entered the lounge.

“Xixi, here you are.” Ying Luoling had styled her hair in mermaid waves and wore a pale pink gown. When she lifted her eyes, her upper lids shimmered with fine glitter. “I finally found you.”

            

Liu Yinxi frowned and stepped back. “Stop looking for me. I really won’t get in the way of you and Xue Yunshao. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together. But I’m broke, so let’s skip the wedding gift, alright.”

Ying Luoling looked stricken and anxiously stepped closer. “No, it’s not like that! Liu Yinxi, I admit I did like her when I was young, but that was when I was a teenager. It’s long over. Xixi, actually, I feel for you…”

“How rude!” A sharp, cold voice rang out from the other side.

            

Nan Huaixu walked over and linked arms with Liu Yinxi. She corrected Ying Luoling on how to address her properly. “Call her Aunt.”

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