Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 171

Return to the City

Already an Aunt?

Liu Yinxi’s expression was just as shocked as Ying Luoling’s.

            

She looked helplessly at Nan Huaixu, who was linked arm-in-arm with her, her heart pounding like a war drum.

Was this something they could just say out loud?

They had only just established their relationship.

            

And she was already—already an Aunt?

Ying Luoling was Nan Huaixu’s niece. No matter how little the Nan family welcomed her, she was still Nan Lingxuan’s daughter, a member of the Nan family. Now that Ying Luoling knew Nan Huaixu had a girlfriend, word would spread through the Nan family—and from there, through all of Hongdu’s high society—in no time at all.

And Nan Huaixu was an A-list actress. Once the major gossip outlets broke the news, practically anyone in the country with internet access would know.

            

Liu Yinxi did not dare think any further. From last night through today, she had been basking in the sweetness of first love, never once considering how she would face Nan Huaixu’s family and fans. It had all come too suddenly, catching her completely off guard.

In the wilderness, trekking and surviving—those were things Liu Yinxi excelled at. No matter how harsh or difficult, she could always find a way to improve their situation.

But in the world of social connections and public relations, that was where Liu Yinxi’s headaches began. She used to be so oblivious she could not even tell when someone had a crush on her, let alone parse the convoluted motives of all manner of people.

            

Liu Yinxi straightened her back and raised her hand to cover Nan Huaixu’s arm where it linked through hers, slowly tightening her grip.

Like clutching a lifeline.

Teacher Manman, whether this Aunt seat stays steady rests entirely on you.

            

Ying Luoling’s expression shifted through several stages—from shock to disappointment, from indignation to gloom. Finally, she suppressed all her chaotic emotions and squeezed out a smile.

She looked at the alpha and omega who were clearly in the throes of new love and asked Nan Huaixu, “Little Aunt, are you saying that you went on a livestream variety show and, in front of the entire nation’s netizens, stole your niece’s girlfriend? Is that right? You are not joking with me, are you?”

Nan Huaixu’s voice did not waver in the slightest. She was perfectly composed. “Trying to keep both feet on two boats only to capsize simultaneously—that must be very hard on you. Are you frustrated that things did not go as smoothly as your mother schemed, my little niece?”

            

Nan Huaixu never played defense against attacks. She simply lobbed heavier artillery back.

Want to stir up drama? Fine—let us see who is really the one with something to hide.

Ying Luoling flushed crimson at Nan Huaixu’s words and fired back indignantly, “Do not slander people! I call you Aunt out of respect for you as an elder—not because I am easy to bully! When did I ever two-time? What scheme did I have? And what scheme did my mother have? You stole my alpha and splashed mud on me, that is one thing, but you will not smear my mother!”

            

“I have not even said anything yet. Why are you so nervous, and why are you accusing me of smearing? Could it be that your conscience is guilty, and Aunt Luo really did do something she cannot bring to light?”

“Nan Huaixu, you are the one who spoke first to hurt me, and now you are turning it around to blame me!”

Ying Luoling was seething, her breathing ragged. She tugged at Liu Yinxi, who stood between them, on the verge of tears. “Xixi, say something!”

            

Both of Liu Yinxi’s eyes were fixed on Nan Huaixu. Truly worthy of being her girlfriend—articulate, well-reasoned, a few crisp sentences leaving Ying Luoling utterly speechless. So cool!

Clap, clap, clap! Liu Yinxi could not help applauding her beloved Nan Huaixu. “Bravo! Teacher Nan said that perfectly!”

She proudly wrapped her arm around Nan Huaixu’s shoulders, smiling. “Darling, I fully support you.”

            

Nan Huaixu tilted her head back against her chest, smiling sweetly. “Mm～”

“…” Ying Luoling gaped. She lunged forward and pulled Nan Huaixu away, grabbing Liu Yinxi’s shoulders and shaking her like a madwoman. “Liu Yinxi, how could you do this? You are not like this. No matter if it is the past, present, or future, you only have me in your heart! You said you loved only me, that you could not live without me!”

No one wants to be suddenly grabbed and shaken.

            

Liu Yinxi’s expression darkened. She seized one of Ying Luoling’s wrists and warned in a low voice, “Let go.”

In terms of pheromone-induced differentiation, alphas typically had larger builds and greater strength than omegas. It would be effortless for Liu Yinxi to push Ying Luoling away, but for the sake of decency, she gave Ying Luoling one last chance to regain her senses.

Unfortunately, Ying Luoling did not take it.

            

Liu Yinxi’s cold words only provoked her further. She gripped Liu Yinxi’s shoulders even harder, eyes rimmed red, tears streaming down like rain on pear blossoms¹. “Xixi, you are still angry at me, are you not? Angry that I neglected you these past two years? Angry that my shop’s staff gave you fake bags? Angry that I met Xue Yunshao alone? Angry that I never let you touch me all these years? Xixi, I was wrong before. I know about all the grievances you suffered, and I will make it up to you doubly. Xi—”

“Agh!” Ying Luoling was suddenly flung off by Liu Yinxi, hitting the wall beside her. She caught herself against it, stumbling a few steps before steadying herself.

She leaned weakly against the wall, staring in disbelief at the woman who had once loved her madly, unable to comprehend it no matter how she tried. “Liu Yinxi, you pushed me? You actually pushed me? Who was it that said she would love only me for the rest of her life? Who said we would be together for all our lives, never to part? Who said—”

            

“Well, when you are under someone’s eaves, you have to bow your head². Who would turn down money?” Liu Yinxi smiled at her.

Ying Luoling froze, her expression blank, utterly unable to imagine such words coming from Liu Yinxi’s mouth.

Liu Yinxi suddenly remembered something important and said eagerly, “The money for the fake bags—you promised during the competition you would compensate me at full price. I will calculate the amount based on current secondhand market prices and come to you with the figure.”

            

“…”

Liu Yinxi raised her hand and waved. “There are still a lot of people waiting for us in the banquet hall. We are off now. Bye-bye.”

She turned and walked past Ying Luoling, taking Nan Huaixu’s hand and heading for the lounge exit.

            

It took Ying Luoling several seconds to recover. She chased after them and demanded loudly, “Are you saying you never loved me these past three years—that it was all for money?”

No one answered her.

“Then you are with my aunt for money too! You found someone more powerful and wealthy than me, and immediately kicked me aside! You just wanted to climb to a higher branch!”

            

Still no answer.

The lounge door opened. Two graceful silhouettes walked out unhurriedly, and the door began to swing shut again.

Ying Luoling scrambled out after them, standing in the dim corridor where crystal chandeliers cast long shadows across the dark brown carpet.

            

“Liu Yinxi!”

Ying Luoling’s entire body was taut, scalding tears rolling from the corners of her eyes one by one. “You say you do not love me, then why did you charge into the fire to save me!”

Liu Yinxi frowned. She felt the hand in her palm tug backward—Nan Huaixu had stopped first.

            

She understood what that meant.

Nan Huaixu had always been bothered by this. She wanted an answer, an explanation.

Liu Yinxi sighed quietly.

            

If it were not for the system forcing her, who would want to rescue anyone?

Since the topic had come up today, Liu Yinxi would pick a reason that was objectively passable.

“If you died, the show could not continue filming.” Liu Yinxi turned her head, her eyes filled with annoyance. “How else would I get the four million prize?”

            

Ying Luoling’s breath caught, as if a devout believer’s faith had just crumbled.

Money, money, money—it was all for money.

Every time Mom showed concern, it always came back to money.

            

Every time she went to Mommy, Mommy only asked if she was short on money.

She had thought Yunshao had a change of heart, finally reciprocating her love—but the truth was that the Xue family had collapsed, and Xue Yunshao had come to her only to raise funds.

And now, even Liu Yinxi—it was for money!

            

That was why she had been willing to stay by her side as a Platonic lover.

That was why she had whispered sweet nothings and feigned devotion.

That was why she had put on a life-risking act to deceive her feelings!!!

            

Ying Luoling glared ahead, teeth clenched, watching the two figures grow farther and farther away, but she had lost all the strength to chase them.

She only wanted a place of emotional refuge—someone who would offer her tolerance and care, bring her warmth and a sense of security. But everyone only talked to her about “money.”

Money could buy almost anything in the world.

            

But it seemed it could not buy a sincere heart.

Ying Luoling lowered her head powerlessly, feeling the deep anguish of deception and abandonment.

…Liu Yinxi.

            

If time could turn back.

If everything returned to the beginning.

When we did not know each other yet.

            

You were dancing that fan dance in your livestream.

I heard you say my nickname, welcoming my arrival…

Would that story have had a different ending?

            

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“No, it would not.”

Liu Yinxi held her phone, listening to Nan Huaixu’s voice flowing from the earpiece.

Nan Huaixu continued, “Once the contract reaches its term, there will not be any penalty fee. The specifics depend on what kind of contract it is. Even if there is a penalty, do not worry—my company is poaching you, so any expenses arising from the contract will be covered on our end. You do not need to worry.”

            

“Mm.” Liu Yinxi sat in the sedan heading back to her old rental apartment, watching the bustling cityscape through the car window, feeling a profound sense of ease. Especially when Nan Huaixu explained these contract matters to her—with Nan Huaixu backing her, giving her confidence.

They were back in the country.

They had flown from Mulang back to Hongdu Airport. Nan Huaixu had originally planned to take Liu Yinxi home with her, but an unexpected call came in—she needed to go to the company to handle months of backlogged urgent documents. So she had Xiao Zhu drive Liu Yinxi over first.

            

Liu Yinxi saw how busy Nan Huaixu was and figured that being alone in an unfamiliar apartment would be boring anyway. She might as well use this time to sort out the lease termination—that way, once they were both done, they could settle in together properly.

Nan Huaixu went to the company first, had the driver take Liu Yinxi to the rental apartment, and arrived at her office to tackle the paperwork. When she saw the talent management division’s artist plans, she called Liu Yinxi to discuss the contract—including terminating the agreement with Ying Luoling’s agency and the new signing plans on their side.

Once business was concluded, Nan Huaixu said over the phone, “Xixi, remember to ask the landlord for your deposit back.”

            

Liu Yinxi smiled and pressed her forehead against the car window, nodding. “Mm, I remember. Thanks for the reminder.”

She heard laughter through the phone—low and soft, like a kitten that had stolen a bite of cotton candy, mewing contentedly.

Liu Yinxi could not help but curve her lips. “You are not laughing at me for being poor, are you?”

            

Nan Huaixu’s voice was perfectly serious—seriously beautiful. “No. I just really love the feeling of talking to you on the phone like this.”

“What feeling does talking on the phone have?”

“Just the two of us, quietly, like we are back in the Jinzhou Island rainforest, holed up in our little shelter chatting together.”

            

Liu Yinxi gave a soft response, tilting her head back against the seat, feeling a pang of nostalgia for those sun-drenched days.

“Liu Yinxi.” Nan Huaixu’s gentle voice sounded in her ear once more. “When are you coming home with me?”

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