After I Used and Dumped the Male Lead of a Dating Reality Show

[High-attack, high-defense actress who barrels through the plot x fake aloof beauty, real lovesick male PhD]

The Zhu family went bankrupt overnight, and Zhu Zhaoyi suddenly got bound to a “work-for-a-living System.” She learned that she was in a face-slapping entertainment-industry novel, playing the foil to the sweet, delicate, innocent heroine and the black moonlight of the wealthy tech magnate male lead.

The innocent heroine and the magnate male lead fell in love on a reality dating show watched by the whole country, and their love was rock-solid.

She, meanwhile, was the whetstone for their perfect romance, the obstacle in their way, and the idiot who set their cruise ship on fire.

Zhu Zhaoyi: “This is so criminal. I can’t believe I’m still free.”

To turn her fate around, Zhu Zhaoyi worked diligently for four years, finally earning a spot on the dating show and a copy of the complete original novel. But after reading it, she was silent for five minutes.

Then she pointed at the male lead’s name and asked the System:

“Is this Song Yan the same Song Yan I made cry several times?”

Back when Zhu Zhaoyi and Song Yan were classmates, she hated his fake act, and he thought she was stupid.

But on the show...

Zhu Zhaoyi asked him on a date. Song Yan: Accepted instantly.

Zhu Zhaoyi asked to hold hands. Song Yan: Held out his hand.

Zhu Zhaoyi confessed to him at the final choice ceremony. Song Yan: Blushed, smiled with his lips pressed together, and nodded.

Zhu Zhaoyi: ???

After following her character’s super-devoted persona and getting a happy ending with the dating-show male lead, Zhu Zhaoyi immediately turned cold.

“Okay, that’s enough. Keeping this act up is just rude.”

Song Yan fell silent for a moment, and his bright smile slowly faded.

“Zhu Zhaoyi, it’s ridiculous that I like you... You really have no heart.”

Zhu Zhaoyi froze. “...Then should we break up?”

Song Yan choked back a sob. “No.”

*

The paparazzi broke the news: the beloved national dating-show couple, whose romance had been sweet for over half a year, had split up.

The fan community was shocked!

Some said the show’s script had ended, some said the man had cheated, and some said the woman had joined the cast of a new series and fallen in love with an award-winning actor.

The day after the news broke, backstage at the White Birch Awards, Song Yan’s wrists were handcuffed. His deep voice was hoarse as he said, “Let’s make up, Zhaozhao...”

Zhu Zhaoyi rubbed her forehead in exasperation. “Put your clothes on first.”

Reader’s Guide:

1. A partially livestreamed dating show, with comments and online reviews. Both leads will go on dates with other people.

2. The heroine is universally adored and charms both men and women.

3. The heroine won’t realize the male lead’s feelings are genuine until their happy ending on the dating show.

4. High school memories are interspersed, and the early dating-show storyline alternates with the heroine’s acting career.

Theme: Study hard and live well.