Am I Not a Cannon Fodder?

Blurb:

Ling Jing wakes up one day to discover that she's nothing more than a cannon-fodder character in a novel.

She and the female lead, Chu Xiwan, have known each other since they were young. Their elders brought them together, and they became each other's first love. But their relationship was always too uneventful, and Chu Xiwan eventually broke up with her.

When they meet again, it's because they've both been invited onto the civilian dating show Exchange Love.

Ling Jing is shocked and confused, but then she sees Jiang Yanshu, the novel's other female lead, appear with Chu Xiwan, and it all makes sense.

Are both of them here to mess with their exes? What did the background characters ever do to deserve this?

Determined to give the two female leads some space, Ling Jing chooses to move on whenever the production team asks her to "switch partners or get back together." She even takes the initiative to invite a guest who made a great first impression on her on a date.

She thought that staying away from the leads would let her find happiness. But why did Chu Xiwan send her a heart-fluttering message? Are they sure the production team didn't make a mistake?

"Your X chose you."

"Xiao Jing, did you enjoy our date today?"

"Don't just look at other people. Look at me too, okay?"

And Chu Xiwan isn't the only one acting strangely. Jiang Yanshu has inexplicably started sending her messages, too.

"Sorry, I meant to say that I really like you."

"Why did you and your X break up back then? Could you tell me? I want to learn from your experience."

"Xiao Jing, if my feelings are putting pressure on you, I'm sorry. But I... can't stop anymore."

And the number of heart-fluttering messages keeps growing. Even the other guests...

"Sis, thanks for the ice cream today. It was so sweet!"

"Thanks for comforting me today. I've pulled myself together, so don't worry."

"I saw you crying when you thought nobody was looking. Could you let me be there for you next time? But of course, I'd rather you didn't cry again."

Ling Jing: ? Wasn't I supposed to be cannon fodder? How did I become the one everyone loves?

Guide:

1. The protagonist is a universally adored gong. No shipping speculation; the CP is set.

2. Every character in the supporting cast has a one-sided crush and love on the brain! I just want to write something fun and satisfying, so don't read if that's not your thing.

3. The variety show is inspired by the Korean show Exchange Love, with some changes. All the contestants are women.

4. There may be intimate moments outside the main CP, but nothing too excessive.

5. Please don't offer writing advice. If something bothers you, click the back button in the upper left to leave.

Theme: Love yourself before loving someone else