Chapter 6: Do Not Insult the Duck

At first, Li Ming'en thought the rumor about Su Nian joining a reality show was just a misunderstanding. Given Su Nian’s current status, how could she possibly drop into a dating show after all the guests had already been officially announced? Unless, she had some connections he didn’t know about?

The more Li Ming'en pondered, the angrier he became. He hadn’t expected this woman to be so cunning—she’d claimed to have given him her heart, but clearly kept a card up her sleeve. Judging by her move, this last-ditch effort was likely just to get on the show and win him back.

"Ming'en, you and Miss Su, aren’t you two...?" Cui Mengya clearly understood how public opinion worked. The moment she spoke, the camera immediately turned her way.

[The battle between old and new flames—I live for this thrilling drama!]
[Let the sparks fly, let the claws come out!]
[Leave my Mengya alone, washed-up celebs stop clinging for attention!]
[What ex? Ming'en was just touched by Su Nian, okay?]

Online, fans of all sides were making a raucous uproar, while on the show, Li Ming'en’s brows knitted tightly.

Like a man, he stepped forward to stand in front of Cui Mengya, gazing at Su Nian with both difficulty and dissatisfaction. “Su Nian, we’ve officially broken up. Can we leave each other some dignity?”

Su Nian: ?

What had she done? Was she being accused just for standing and breathing?

Xia Xingkong, who had failed to provoke Su Nian, gave a cold, elegant laugh. “Pathetic!”

“I know we had many beautiful memories, but people must look forward, not live in the past.”

“Let’s both start anew, shall we?”

[Crying, our Ming'en is so gentle, still speaking kindly to a crazy ex like her.]
[Su Nian, just get off the show and stop ruining our couple moments.]
With Li Ming'en steering public opinion, almost every netizen now believed Su Nian had joined the dating show for him. Only a handful of level-headed viewers, quietly observing, noticed Su Nian’s expression growing increasingly odd.

“Li Ming'en, do you need to see a doctor?” Su Nian suddenly broke in, catching Li Ming'en off guard as he was busy crafting his good ex persona.

He quickly recalled that he’d strained a ligament during a sports variety show not long ago—was Su Nian showing concern for him? Though he usually found her nagging annoying, for the sake of his image, he managed a touched expression. “Thank you, I’m much better now.”

Su Nian replied, “No, you’re not. I think you should go again.”

“To psychiatry, of course. Delusional disorder is an illness, you know—it’s best to treat it early!”

[Huh? Where is this going? So Su Nian’s actually roasting Li Ming'en for being self-absorbed?]
[Li: I’m fine; Su: No, you’re not—maybe the psychiatric ward can help!]
[Li Ming'en’s face looks sour enough to pickle vegetables.]

[That’s brutal!]

Li Ming'en at first thought he’d misheard. But after waiting a while, Su Nian never reversed her words.

He couldn’t help but feel Su Nian had changed. The Su Nian who once endured his abuse and manipulation without a word was now actually talking back.

“Su Nian, I still prefer the gentle, cultured version of you,” he said.

Su Nian looked genuinely surprised. “What does it matter what you like?”

“Yes, I was brainless before—even when you abused and manipulated me, I never resisted. But even that stupidity has its limits, you know.”

“What, do you mean to keep manipulating me?”

Her exaggerated expression earned a close-up, while Li Ming'en’s face shifted through hues of embarrassment.

[Whoa, Li Ming'en abused and manipulated Su Nian? I can’t stand men who are violent at home—disgusting.]
[Is this for real? Unfollowing, unfollowing.]
[If you really listen, what Li Ming'en just said does sound manipulative.]
[Su Nian’s savage—she’s even scolding herself.]
[Congrats to the ex for finally draining the foolishness from her head. Onward to a new life!]

Li Ming'en couldn’t let the label of manipulative jerk stick. Quickly, he responded, “I just didn’t want you to change yourself because of me.”

“Mind your own business. I don’t need a dad!” Su Nian shot back.

[Laughing so hard…]
[Men who lecture you like a father are the worst.]

Li Ming'en was speechless.

Clearly, Su Nian had lost it after their breakup. He tried to look at her with feigned sympathy, but Su Nian didn’t even spare him a glance. If this was some ploy to win him back, she was going way too far.

Li Ming'en felt a pang of discomfort inside, but couldn’t let it show—he had an image to maintain. So, he quickly turned and, with a face full of gentle charm, began helping Cui Mengya carry her luggage.

Unlike Su Nian and Xia Xingkong, who each had at most one or two suitcases, Cui Mengya, with her persona as a C-list actress, mega-blogger, and heiress, had three large suitcases just for clothes, shoes, and bags. Add in all the other odds and ends—skincare and nutritional supplements and so on—it came to nearly five huge cases.

At first, eager to show off his boyfriend credentials, Li Ming'en tried to carry the cases single-handedly up to the girls’ floor on the second level. But awkwardly, he couldn’t even lift them with one hand.

“Pfft—” Su Nian couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter.

Li Ming'en’s face instantly flushed red. Seeing this, Cui Mengya quickly stepped in to ease the situation, “Ming'en, it’s all skincare devices and products in here—it’s too heavy. Why don’t we carry it together?”

Li Ming'en forced an embarrassed smile. “No need, I just forgot to unbutton my shirt cuffs—couldn’t get a good grip.”

With that, he took off his casual suit jacket, and Cui Mengya hurried forward to take it. Then he rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing firm, muscular forearms.

[Wow, I love this burst of hormones!]
[Our Ming'en is a fitness buff, you know—his body is top notch!]

After this quick show of physique, Li Ming'en grabbed the suitcases with both hands. As he straightened, he stuck his chest out on purpose, letting his shirt stretch over his chest muscles.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think I stumbled into a duck club instead of a dating show—” Su Nian couldn’t help but mutter.

Beside her, Xia Xingkong gave her a chilly look. “Duck club? What kind of duck?”

Su Nian grinned, “The kind with a ‘Lu’ under the hand radical.”

She glanced in Li Ming'en’s direction, and Xia Xingkong followed, her brows furrowing in disdain. “With that physique? Calling him a duck is an insult to ducks! What a clueless fool.”

The two of them were as sharp-tongued as ever, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear. Just as Li Ming'en managed to lift a suitcase, their words made his hand falter and the case crashed onto his foot, his face turning pale from pain.

“Ming'en, are you all right?” Cui Mengya immediately asked in a gentle, concerned tone.

Su Nian exchanged a look with Xia Xingkong, raising her brows at her. Then, picking up her phone, she walked over to Cui Mengya.

“Send me fifty Heart Points and I’ll carry the suitcase upstairs for you.”

Cui Mengya stared at Su Nian as if she were an alien from another planet. If a grown man like Li Ming'en couldn’t lift it, could Su Nian manage it herself?

“If I can’t, you get double back,” Su Nian said impatiently, shaking her phone.

Cui Mengya paused, then quickly transferred her fifty Heart Points.

Leaning against the wall, long legs stretched out, Xia Xingkong slid her sunglasses down her nose in surprise. Was this even allowed?

Once she received the Heart Points, Su Nian walked over to Cui Mengya’s suitcases. She nudged Li Ming'en’s good foot with her own, motioning for him to move aside.

“Don’t block the way—”