Chapter 19: The Stingy Man Utterly Defeated

At first, Su Nian hadn’t paid any attention to what Song Wang was wearing. It was only after Xia Xingkong’s big mouth that she glanced over at him. She stared at Song Wang from head to toe for three seconds. It made Song Wang’s own throat itch before she finally looked away.

With an air of seriousness, she said, “They’re not the same. Mine is a zip-up, his is a long T-shirt style. Different designs, different brands.”

Su Nian’s straightforward explanation shattered any ambiguous speculation building between her and Song Wang.

Xia Xingkong was speechless. How terrifying were these post-breakup romantic aftereffects? She seemed to have lost even the most basic sense of perception. Curling her lips in disbelief, she shot Song Wang a look laced with sympathy.

Yet Song Wang, with a gaze that was both approving and, to outsiders, brimming with indulgence, looked at Su Nian and said, “That’s right, we’re different. Hers looks better.”

[Wow, Brother Wang, you’re not even pretending anymore. Flaunting your affection so openly—have you thought about us single folks?]
[The main couple forcibly shipping themselves? I’ll happily jump on board—]
[Song Wang: Whatever my wife wears is the best. I’m just a walking prop, here to be her perfect backdrop if needed.]
[Crying, Brother Wang, don’t spoil her too much—]
[Is no one considering this might be scripted? This season’s hottest topic is the ex-girlfriend parachuting in with Song Wang. Pair them up and it’s guaranteed fireworks and sky-high ratings.]
[Might as well let Song Wang be with Yi Linglin instead of that crazy, unclean Su Nian.]
...

For the first round of beach volleyball, Xia Xingkong and Cen Zifan faced off against Cui Mengya and Chu Tianhe.

“Dreamya, I got you imported sunscreen spray and wrist and knee guards. Be careful not to get sunburned or hurt—”

Before the match began, Li Ming’en, who had been repeatedly snubbed by Song Wang and was nearly forgotten by the others, suddenly started showing off his “considerate and caring boyfriend” persona in front of everyone.

His entire reason for joining this dating show was to serve Miss Cui Mengya to perfection, provide her with whatever emotional value she wanted, and, after the show ended, smoothly announce their engagement. As long as he became the Cui family’s son-in-law, his future in the entertainment industry would be secure.

But Cui Mengya clearly didn’t want to tie herself to Li Ming’en so soon, despite giving him the status of “prospective boyfriend.” There was still an evaluation period to see if they were truly compatible. Besides, she had worked hard to reinvent herself by joining the show, and hadn’t even had the chance to interact with the other male guests yet. Letting Li Ming’en lock her down immediately would be terrible for her screen time and topic value.

“Thank you, Mr. Li, you’re very kind—”

Yet, Cui Mengya didn’t reject his overtures outright. She remained polite and gracious, never responding to the ambiguous atmosphere Li Ming’en tried to create. In fact, in the spirit of sharing, she even asked her partner Chu Tianhe if he needed the sunscreen spray.

“No, thank you. I’d rather enjoy this natural sunbath—”

Chu Tianhe was a fitness enthusiast, skilled at wakesurfing, diving, skateboarding—the works. His tanned skin was the most obvious sign of his love for exercise.

With Chu Tianhe’s refusal, Cui Mengya, a little embarrassed, turned to ask Xia Xingkong and Cen Zifan on the opposite side.

Xia Xingkong, who had always disliked cunning, two-faced girls, disliked Cui Mengya from the start. In her own words, even that silly lovesick Su Nian was more likable.

Originally, Cen Zifan wanted to be friendly and save Cui Mengya from the embarrassment of being rejected by everyone. But after hearing Xia Xingkong’s icy refusal, he stiffened and followed his goddess’s lead.

With her kindness rejected, Cui Mengya’s expression soured. Though she forced a smile, it was clearly strained. In the end, she didn’t use any of the items herself and threw them back to Li Ming’en.

Poor Li Ming’en, who had wasted tens of thousands just to accommodate Cui Mengya’s taste for luxury brands, now felt slighted, but dared not show it. Swallowing his resentment, he offhandedly tossed the items to Su Nian, who was warming up nearby.

“Here, for you—”

His tone was one of condescending charity, as if Su Nian deserved only what others had cast aside.

[Li Ming’en is out of line. Giving his ex the things Cui Mengya didn’t want—what is this, recycling?]
[Honestly, I think Li Ming’en is trying to provoke Cui Mengya. Imagine giving your ex something you were just refused; wouldn’t that trigger a girl’s sense of crisis?]
[Li Ming’en is pure schemer. If the ex has any self-respect, she won’t accept it.]

Su Nian’s gaze flickered slightly as she looked at the sunscreen and guards tossed at her feet. She wasn’t interested in the items themselves, but was surprised at Li Ming’en’s sudden generosity. These were all top international brands, each worth tens of thousands. She remembered how, when she and Li Ming’en went out, he wouldn’t even buy her a bottle of water.

As the thought crossed her mind, Su Nian glanced over at Cui Mengya, and suddenly everything was clear. So that was it—Li Ming’en had broken up with her for a higher branch.

Seeing Su Nian staring at the items on the ground without cursing him out as before, Li Ming’en assumed she was tempted. After all, when they were together, she’d never received such expensive gifts. In the past, for her birthday, he’d buy a discounted cake from the late-night bakery and she’d still be thrilled for half a day—such a foolish, easy-to-please woman, she must be overjoyed now.

“I never really gave you any gifts before. Think of this as compensation,” Li Ming’en said, dressing up his act of giving away “trash” as something pure and noble.

Su Nian gave a faint smile, suddenly picked up the items, and walked off toward a spot not far away. Li Ming’en was confused—until he saw Su Nian hand the goods, worth tens of thousands, to an elderly scavenger. Only then did he realize: Su Nian wasn’t overjoyed; this was just another way of humiliating him!

[Oh my god, I can’t—this is hilarious! Li Ming’en’s gifts have been treated like trash twice, and these expensive items are worthless in the eyes of the female guests—]
[I think Li Ming’en is about to break—]
[Correction: only beautiful men can “break”; for average guys like Li Ming’en, it’s more like “crack” or “collapse”—]
[Hahahahaha, the clown of the year on this dating show is definitely Li Ming’en!]
...

Li Ming’en already regretted giving the items to Su Nian. Now, seeing her hand them to the scavenger, his blood pressure soared. Unable to suppress his stinginess, he angrily charged toward Su Nian. But after only a few steps, Song Wang blocked his path.

With a tone of surprise and curiosity, Song Wang said, “Mr. Li, you’re in such a hurry—are you planning to snatch those things back from that old scavenger?”

Li Ming’en might have thought of it, but hearing Song Wang say it out loud was another matter. After being tormented by Song Wang three times in one day, even Li Ming’en’s patience was running thin. His face darkened as he clenched his fists and glared at Song Wang.