The dating reality show host just wanted to give up, but the rich girl fell for him.

"Lin Mo! Are you dead? Still sleeping!"

A shrill soprano voice, like a kettle that hadn't boiled, pierced my eardrums.

Lin Mo suddenly opened his eyes.

Before my eyes could focus, a face covered in thick foundation, yet unable to conceal the fine lines around the eyes, was thrust right in front of me.

Who is this?

I'm alive?

One second ago, he remembered lying in his secluded courtyard in the Zhongnan Mountains, holding a walnut with a warm, patina in his hand, basking in the last rays of the setting sun.

The next second, I was dragged into this dressing room filled with the smell of cheap perfume and an atmosphere of anxiety.

A massive influx of information rushes into the mind like a mudslide.

Lin Mo, 24 years old, is a washed-up... no, a talent show trainee who faded into obscurity before even becoming famous.

poor.

Extremely poor.

Not only is he poor, but he's also a hopeless romantic.

In order to buy his girlfriend Su Qing, who was determined to break into the socialite circle, a limited-edition Hermes shopping basket, this guy actually signed a substitute contract for a dating reality show behind the company's back, which is known in the industry as a "slave contract"!

Just three hours ago.

The bag was bought and given away.

Then, she got dumped.

The reason given was: "You're too poor to give me the life I want."

"I'm talking to you! Can't you hear me?"

The agent, Sister Wang, slammed the folder in her hand onto the table, making the powder puff next to her jump.

"The production team is about to call everyone in. You haven't done your hair or makeup. Do you want to die?"

Lin Mo rubbed his still throbbing temples and slowly sat up straight.

Not only did they change the shell, they also inherited a mess.

"Sister Wang," Lin Mo's voice was a little hoarse, as if it had been sanded, "I want to go home."

"go home?"

Sister Wang was so angry that she laughed, as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.

She snatched the contract from the table, flipped to the last page, and the red seal there was as glaring as blood.

"Open your dog eyes and see clearly!"

"This is the S-level dating reality show 'Heart Signal'! You signed a confidentiality agreement and a full attendance clause!"

"If someone dares to withdraw from the competition at this critical juncture, or slacks off and causes a program mishap..."

Sister Wang held up five fingers and waved them in front of his eyes, gritting her teeth:

"The penalty for breach of contract is five million!"

"Do you even have that? Even cutting off your two kidneys wouldn't be enough!"

The air suddenly fell silent for three seconds.

Lin Mo blinked.

five million.

The original owner sold himself for a 20,000 yuan appearance fee.

It turned out to be a series of interconnected pitfalls.

He felt his pockets; there was only a cell phone screen with a cracked corner and a few crumpled coins.

"Buzz—"

My phone vibrated.

This is a Weibo post that I'm paying special attention to.

[Su Qing V: I've finally met someone who understands life, understands wine, and understands me. Some people are destined to only look up at the stars from the mud, but I'm going to pluck the stars. @Zhao's Group_Zhao Kuo [heart][image]]

The accompanying image is of a hand.

Wearing a Richard Miller watch, he held the orange Hermès watch that Lin Mo had saved up for half a year to buy.

The background is the deck of a luxury yacht.

Looking at this Weibo post, Lin Mo could even imagine how much his predecessor would cry if he were still alive.

But he was not the predecessor.

He is an "old monster" who has lived two lives.

In his previous life, he was born into a family of imperial physicians. His father was a retired chef who had served at state banquets. He was rebellious and played rock music. Later, he cultivated his mind and character and went on to repair ancient buildings and collect metal and stone artifacts.

What storms haven't I weathered?

But this five million...

I've never seen anything like it.

"Sister Wang," Lin Mo sighed, placing her phone face down on the table, "you picked those stars pretty quickly, didn't you? Were they sent up there with a rocket launcher?"

Sister Wang was stunned, never expecting that Lin Mo, who was usually so timid, would say such a thing.

"Stop talking nonsense! How dare you even think about a woman like Su Qing? Get back to your makeup!"

Sister Wang gave him a push.

Lin Mo stumbled from the push, his elbow landing squarely on the open contract.

My gaze inadvertently swept over the densely packed clauses.

Article 7, paragraph 3.

[If Party B is automatically eliminated by the program rules during the recording process due to force majeure factors such as low popularity or lack of female guests to choose from, Party B shall not bear any liability for breach of contract and may leave after settling the appearance fee for that episode.]

Ok?

Lin Mo's pupils dilated slightly.

He read the line of text back and forth three times.

Every single word seemed to be glowing.

Natural elimination = no loss of money.

Natural selection = legally returning home.

Natural selection = You can still get 20,000 yuan!

In this dating reality show where nothing is worth except for their looks, and it's full of hypocritical elites and plastic surgery faces, it's not hard to get eliminated.

Look at the group of people around you.

The one on the left is spraying a third layer of hairspray on her hair, which is so stiff it could kill a fly.

The one on the right is practicing his "domineering CEO with a hint of sarcasm" in front of the mirror; he's so greasy he could fry vegetables.

Everyone is desperately trying to spread their wings like a peacock, to become famous, and to carve out a bloody path in this arena of fame and fortune.

As long as I do the opposite.

I don't wash my hair, I'm not cute, I have no emotional intelligence, I'm a loser.

Will the female guest choose me?

Certainly not!

If no one chooses me, I can pack my bags and leave immediately, and go back to my hometown to farm!

This is hardly a hellish start.

This is clearly a free point question!

"Have you figured it out?"

Sister Wang felt a chill run down her spine when she saw the strange smile that suddenly appeared on Lin Mo's lips.

"I've figured it out."

Lin Mo stood up, stretched, and his joints cracked.

That atmosphere of decadence and despair vanished completely.

Instead, there's a kind of "dead pig doesn't fear boiling water" mentality, a feeling of having seen through the illusions of the world.

"Then hurry up and change your clothes! Stylist! Tony! Bring over that white suit from the sponsor!"

Sister Wang shouted.

"No."

Lin Mo waved his hand and casually threw the exquisite bow tie that he had prepared to match his suit into the trash can.

"I brought my own clothes."

He rummaged through the worn-out canvas bag in the corner.

He took out a faded gray cotton T-shirt with a slightly loose collar.

A pair of black oversized shorts that I don't know how many years they've been worn.

There's another pair...

Flip-flops for 9.9 yuan with free shipping on Taobao.

"You're wearing this?"

Sister Wang's eyes widened like saucers, and her voice cracked, "Are you going to sell coconuts at the beach? This is a dating reality show! It's being broadcast live online!"

"Sister Wang, the contract only says to cooperate with the recording, it doesn't specify what to wear, right?"

As Lin Mo put on his T-shirt, he pointed to the contract with an air of self-righteousness, "The persona has to be authentic, and this is the most authentic me. Poor, but honest."

After saying that, he pulled out a big thing from his bag.

A large stainless steel tea mug with peeling paint and the words "Serve the People" printed in red.

There was half a cup of leftover herbal tea from last night steeping inside.

"What... what the hell is this?" Sister Wang felt like she was about to have a heart attack.

"amulet."

Lin Mo unscrewed the cap, took a sip, and smacked his lips in satisfaction. "I get nervous without it."

Habits from a past life.

This teacup had been with him for ten years; he took it everywhere he went, and he cherished it more than his wife.

"Attention all departments! Three minutes to go! Prepare for guests to enter!"

The director's loudspeaker could be heard coming from outside the corridor.

Sister Wang tried to stop her, but it was too late.

The other male guests were all ready to go, like a group of penguins waiting to be inspected, heads held high and chests puffed out.

Only Lin Mo.

Wearing baggy shorts and flip-flops, carrying a large tea mug, he mingled at the very back of the line.

Like an old man who just went downstairs to take out the trash and got lost.

"Lin Mo! You'll regret this! If Su Qing saw you like this, she'd be glad she dumped you!"

Sister Wang stomped her feet behind him and roared in a low voice.

Lin Mo paused in his steps.

Look back.

He gave Sister Wang an extremely bright, yet extremely irritating smile.

"Isn't that perfect?"

"May she and that guy surnamed Zhao stay together forever."

It's best to never get involved with them in your entire life.

……

The studio.

The huge spotlight, like the blazing sun, illuminated the entire stage in every detail.

The countless cameras, their dark lenses like greedy eyes.

The live stream had already started.

The comments flooded in like a waterfall.

[It's here! It's finally airing!]

[I heard there are several top-tier rich kids involved this time? Looking forward to it!]

[Ahhh! Young Master Zhao Kuo! I've seen his leaked photos, he's incredibly handsome!]

[Was Su Qing's ex-boyfriend here too? The one named Lin Mo?]

[Hilarious! That simp? I heard he sold his kidney to buy a bag, and he gets on TV?]

[Waiting for Lin Mo to make a fool of himself! I'm going to go and curse this poor guy to death!]

Amidst the spotlight.

The first male guest was an elite lawyer with gold-rimmed glasses and a refined yet roguish charm; the comments section was filled with "husband."

The second male guest, a fitness coach, had chest muscles so large they seemed to burst out of his shirt, prompting a barrage of "drooling" comments on the screen.

The third one is the legendary rich second-generation Zhao Kuo.

Wearing a bespoke Italian suit, the Richard Miller bracelet on his wrist was dazzling under the lights.

He waved confidently and blew a kiss to the camera.

The live chat exploded with comments: 【Young Master Zhao is on a killing spree!】【This is what a high-quality man looks like!】【Su Qing has such good taste!】

At last.

It was Lin Mo's turn.

The host enthusiastically introduced, "Next up is our mysterious fourth male guest, Lin Mo! Let's see what his declaration of affection is..."

The gate to the passageway slowly opened.

White mist created by dry ice billowed out.

Everyone held their breath, anticipating the stunning appearance of the final guest.

If he were a handsome guy, he might be able to reverse the public's opinion.

however.

In that beautiful white mist.

The first sound that came out was not the crisp sound of leather shoes hitting the ground.

But...

"Pat-pat, pat, pat."

That was the sound of cheap rubber soles hitting the ground, muddy and arrhythmic.

Followed by.

A man wearing a loose T-shirt and baggy shorts, carrying a broken teacup, came out.

He didn't seem to be used to such bright lights, and didn't even glance at the camera.

In the deathly silence of the entire venue.

Under the watchful eyes of millions of viewers.

Lin Mo stood in the center of the stage, slowly raised her hand, and covered her mouth.

They made a spectacular, yet extremely perfunctory, performance.

yawn.