Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Reason and Emotion

“We’ve only just left the Federation. Are you tired already?” Yun Xie asked with a chuckle.

“Probably because it’s so stuffy on this spaceship,” Jiang Qin said, grimacing. “I feel sore all over.”

“Should we go to the hospital? We could find a professional to give you a massage.”

Jiang Qin shook her head. “No, I’d rather you do it.”

Yun Xie had no objection. After giving her a thorough massage, he said, “If you see any males you like on this variety show, Qinqin, you can bring one or two home.”

Jiang Qin shot him a speechless look. Seeing his serious expression, she asked, “Why?”

“Because now it’s just me with you again, and I’m afraid there will be times when my attention slips.”

’After all, nature calls. It’s impossible for me to watch her every single second. Things have been quiet around her lately, but everyone knows it’s just the calm before the storm. The bounty on the Dark Web has never been taken down, after all. That means those people still haven’t given up. But the bounty hasn’t increased either. So many have come, one after another, only to be captured by the Law Enforcement Team or killed on the spot. Losing that many High-level Beastman males is a significant blow to the Dark Web. They probably won’t come throwing their lives away again without a foolproof plan. But one must remain vigilant.’

Yun Xie thought this show was a good opportunity. The invited guests were all famous, powerful, or wealthy High-level Beastmen.

That’s right. Not a single one of the bachelors invited to the show was below A-level.

Most importantly, he felt Jiang Qin might visit the Empire frequently, and having some connections here would make things much more convenient for her.

Take lodging, for instance.

If she had a partner from the Empire, she wouldn’t have to live out of hotels.

“But it’s mainly up to you. I’m just saying this now because I’m worried you’ll be too shy or embarrassed to act on it.

“And I’m worried you’ll hold back because of us, afraid to follow your heart.”

It had to be said, Yun Xie understood Jiang Qin’s contrary nature quite well.

Although she didn’t have a strong moral compass and was a self-interested person who wouldn’t compromise her own comfort, she was still considerate of her partners to some extent.

Compared to the dazzling world outside, she still felt her family was more important.

It was a decision born of both emotion and logic.

Her partners were all powerful, each an outstanding High-level male, and they already shared an emotional foundation.

If she were to disappoint them over some small, impulsive act, it would be a great loss for her.

’Compared to some unknown potential partner, it’s obviously better to hold on tight to the ones I already have.’

That was why, even when considering a new partner, she would be mindful of their feelings.

Whether for the sake of emotion or self-interest.

Of course, she was also confident that even if she brought a few new people home, they probably wouldn’t leave her.

But they would definitely be unhappy, and if it happened too often, it would just wear away at their affection for her.

In truth, the main reason was that she had yet to meet a male who could make her act on impulse.

So even though Jiang Qin said she wasn’t interested in anyone, she deliberately gave Yun Xie and the others the false impression that she had stopped looking for new partners for their sake.

Yun Xie and the others never said it, but Jiang Qin knew they were touched.

This was also why she hadn’t gone ahead and registered her partnership with Cang Hong.

’On one hand, I want to get to know him better before we make it official. There’s no rush, after all. On the other, I’m using it to show Yun Xie and the others how much I value them.’

…

While Yun Xie was in the shower, Jiang Qin leaned against the window.

Gazing at the nightscape outside, she was once again struck by the feeling that she was a truly selfish person.

’Shi Lichuan was a choice of convenience, taking advantage of proximity. Yun Xie drew me in with his immense power. Lan Yuyan was a decision I guided Yun Xie into helping me make. Cang Hong is the partner I genuinely want, but I’m still using the situation to achieve multiple goals. Not one of them was chosen out of pure love. Even now, though I consider them my own and have developed feelings for them, I still haven’t reached the point of being completely open and letting my guard down. Every time we’re together, I can’t control my thoughts. I let my true self show, but I also deliberately try to win them over, subconsciously wielding emotion as a weapon to make them unable to leave me. So this time, coming on this romance reality show… I actually have another objective. I want to see up close how other people date. Maybe I can learn how to have a more normal relationship. I don’t want to expose my darker side one day and break their hearts. I cherish the love they have for me. Perhaps, after I learn how to love, I can give some of that pure love back to them.’

***

The next day, Jiang Qin didn’t leave the hotel. She and Yun Xie spent the entire day wrapped up in each other.

Perhaps because he rarely saw her take the initiative like this, Yun Xie went absolutely wild. For the next day or two, neither of them was able to leave the room.

On the day of the shoot, when a knock came at their door at five in the morning, Jiang Qin was still completely out of it.

And so the camera captured her in her pure white pajamas, hair tousled, and face completely bare.

And the most important part? It was a live broadcast!!

[Ahhh, a freshly woken Qin Bao! She looks so adorable and helpless.]

[I’ve always hated the Empire, but this show’s not bad. I’ll allow it.]

[Hehe, it’s competition season, so this platform opened up access for everyone. Perfect timing to come watch Qin Bao.]

[Same here! Thank god for the upcoming Mecha tournament!!]

[I hope the two shows don’t air at the same time. I want to watch both.]

[They’re both live, though. It’s such a tough choice. I’ll have to watch the replay for one of them.]

…

Eyes still heavy with sleep, Jiang Qin was a little embarrassed. “You… why are you all here so early?”

She knew filming was starting today, but she had no idea the crew would be here this early. It was only five o’clock, and the sky outside was still dark.

“Haha, sorry about this, Miss Jiang. At the audience’s request, we’re doing a surprise ambush shoot today.”

The whole point, of course, was to capture a moment just like this.

Modern audiences are extremely curious about what their idols are like at home.

After all, on stage, an idol is like the moon—unattainable. So fans want to see their more down-to-earth side.

As for catching them in an ugly, no-makeup photo—that was impossible.

There were no bizarrely ugly Beastmen among the Interstellar People, nor were there people with terrible skin—unless they had lived long-term in highly polluted environments.

But the people invited by the show were either rich or noble, current A-listers, or famous figures in the entertainment industry.

Given their status, it was impossible for any of them to have skin problems.

So Jiang Qin wasn’t angry, just a little embarrassed.

After all, the crew had knocked, which was meant to give the people inside time to change.

She had been so out of it from sleep that she’d assumed it was Xie An’an coming over early.

After getting the shot, the cameraman said thoughtfully, “Miss Jiang, please get some more rest. We’re off to ambush the next guest.

“At eight o’clock, your personal assistant will bring you to the spaceship port to meet up with the crew.”

“Okay.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep