Chapter 53: Shengzai Prepares to Appear on a Dating Reality Show

Akuya came to seek Shengzai’s cooperation in revenge, and he brought sufficient sincerity.

Shengzai would help him find the enemy, and the final task of execution could be left to him.

In short, he would take all the blame—after all, to avenge Ai, he had already decided to risk his entire life.

Shengzai only needed to assist from the sidelines; once everything was settled, Akuya could face prison alone, while Shengzai returned to his glittering life as a star—this was his offer.

Akuya wasn’t worried Shengzai would refuse, because for Shengzai, the enemy was also his own.

He had indirectly caused his brother’s death and left his guardian’s sister paralyzed from the waist down.

Even if, hypothetically, Shengzai refused to help him, at least he wouldn’t turn him in—that was why Akuya ultimately chose to confess everything to Shengzai.

And in fact, Akuya had proven right in the end.

Because when Shengzai finally left, he asked Akuya for Kanimaki Katsuya’s contact information.

And when Kanimaki Katsuya received Shengzai’s call on the other end, he was also greatly surprised.

To be honest, though he was a moderately well-known producer and had built up considerable connections over the years, the young actors he knew were either brand-new newcomers or had long since faded.

He had never really had the chance to meet someone as popular as Shengzai Wen.

After the call connected, Shengzai immediately stated his purpose: he had been asked by his good friend Star Ye Akuya to join this season of “Real Love.”

Upon hearing Shengzai’s words, Kanimaki Katsuya was clearly stunned—he had only mentioned “Real Love” casually to Akuya and never imagined the latter would go so far as to bring Shengzai Wen on board.

“Real Love” was a reality dating show targeting young people, and Shengzai was currently the most popular actor.

Kanimaki Katsuya could already envision the massive buzz the teaser trailer would generate if this season aired.

“Mr. Kanimaki? Is there a problem? If it’s truly impossible…”

Kanimaki Katsuya had been so shocked by Shengzai’s intention to join “Real Love” that he remained silent for a long time.

And when Shengzai, hearing no reply, assumed there was an issue and was about to seek another path, Kanimaki quickly spoke up: “Mr. Wen, your desire to join our modest show is more than welcome.”

But “Real Love” is a dating reality show that requires equal gender representation; we’ve already found three couples.

We naturally welcome Mr. Wen’s participation, but we may not be able to find a suitable female partner for you in such a short time.

But please trust our capabilities—even if we have only one night left, we will find a suitable guest.”

With Shengzai Wen, a superstar, voluntarily approaching them, Kanimaki Katsuya and the entire “Real Love” production team naturally could not let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away.

And the other contestants had already been finalized.

Though replacing one male guest with Shengzai wasn’t impossible, Kanimaki Katsuya, despite appearing cold and money-driven, still had basic professional ethics.

Moreover, this was Shengzai Wen—a heavyweight male guest. If the female guests were chosen too casually, it would inevitably provoke backlash from Shengzai’s fanbase.

Hearing that the issue wasn’t rejection but the lack of a female partner, Shengzai, after a moment of silence, spoke up: “Then perhaps I can recommend another female guest for you?”

Shengzai barely made it home before the gate’s 10 p.m. curfew; Yuki and Ako, who had been watching TV, silently tiptoed to his door and pressed their ears against it.

“That child of Shengzai’s has learned to lie! The tone of his voice—how could that possibly be talking to a male classmate?”

“Kanae? That Kanae Arima? I remember they used to be close.”

“Yuki, what’s going on? Who is this Kanae Arima? I didn’t know about her.”

“Don’t you remember, Yuki? The Arima family who lived next door to us before… oh right, you hadn’t woken up then, so you didn’t know Shengzai and Kanae were close friends.”

“Childhood friends?! Yuki, how could you not tell me something this important?”

“So that means Kanae Arima is also attending Yangdong High School, they met again today, and even went on a date tonight?”

Inside the room, Shengzai had no idea two eavesdropping maniacs were pressed against the door.

But he was indeed speaking with Kanae Arima—because to join “Real Love,” he needed a female partner, and Kanae Arima was the most suitable candidate.

Half an hour earlier, upon learning Shengzai could solve the female guest issue himself, Kanimaki Katsuya was delighted and said it was no problem at all.

While considering suitable candidates, Shengzai’s mind flashed through the faces of young women, only to eliminate each one in turn.

The industry was harsh; if possible, Shengzai didn’t want to owe anyone favors.

And those so-called “friends,” he had always treated as mere performances—he couldn’t expect them to appear on such a low-tier reality show.

Crucially, Kanimaki Katsuya’s only requirement was that the female guest must also be a high school student.

Because this season’s theme was campus romance, all guests had to be high school age.

After filtering through all conditions, Shengzai was left with only three candidates.

Shiranui Jasmine, Kanae Arima, and Shumi Namimi—the girl he had just met today.

Star Ye Ruby was out of the question—her brother would never agree.

To ensure maximum publicity, Shiranui Jasmine was undoubtedly the best choice.

A popular actor couple would certainly be a huge draw, but the problem was that unlike himself, Shiranui Jasmine was under contract to an agency; even if she personally owed him a favor, her appearance fee would be beyond “Real Love”’s budget.

As for Shumi Namimi, if he asked, she and her agency “Big Cannon Launch” would likely not refuse—after all, she was an unknown newcomer, and this opportunity would suit her well.

But Shengzai felt that asking someone he’d just met today to be his fake girlfriend—even if only for the show—seemed inappropriate.

After careful consideration, Shengzai concluded that Kanae Arima was the only viable choice.

(End of Chapter)