Chapter 1 – First Time on a Dating Show

“3, 2, 1… okay.”

Behind the camera, a crew member adjusted the focus and gave a small nod. “Mr. Cheng, you can start now.”

In front of the camera stood a man in a crisp white shirt, layered with a brownish-grey wool coat. His sharp features were complemented by a pair of silver-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, giving him a refined, artistic vibe. His eyes were beautiful, rounded at the inner corners and lifted at the ends, classic “peach blossom eyes.” Thick lashes hung low, softening the subtle emotions hidden in his gaze and adding to his gentle aura.

He smiled at the camera, effortlessly tugging at viewers’ hearts. Even the crew behind the scenes could understand why this man had become a sensation just six years after his debut.

Because he was Cheng Yichi.

“Hi everyone, I’m Cheng Yichi, and I’m an actor.”

His voice was soft and warm, with a hint of huskiness, just like his appearance, gentle and non-threatening. He spoke plainly and sincerely as he introduced himself. “Hmm… why I decided to join this show?”

“I want to find someone I was meant to meet, so here I am.” He smiled, eyes full of hope for the future. “I’m 26 now—not exactly young anymore. I’ve never experienced love before. It’s such a mysterious and beautiful thing, so of course I’m curious. But I can’t just put my work aside, so I figured, why not make dating part of my job? I think that’s a pretty good idea. When I got the invitation, I didn’t hesitate too much. Uh… if the person I like ends up being straight, well, there’s nothing I can do about that. I guess it just means we weren’t meant to be. I’ll still meet someone special in the future. Even if I really like him, I wouldn’t try to change him, because—”

Suddenly, Cheng Yichi leaned in closer to the camera, eyes locking onto the lens as if he were looking straight at the future viewers of the show. He raised an eyebrow, and just when everyone thought he was about to say something like “you can’t force love,” his expression dipped for a second, then lit up again with a mysterious glint, like someone revealing a secret—

“Because, I’m the liar.”

His words ended there. No follow-up. No explanation.

The crew couldn’t help but admire him. No wonder he was a film emperor, his whole “looking for true love” speech was flawless.

Of course, only the first part would be shown in the teaser. The last bit? That would be saved as a bonus clip to be released after the show ended.

“All done. Mr. Cheng, your presence on camera is fantastic.”

“Thank you.” Cheng Yichi reverted to his usual demeanor, gentle and humble. “Still lots to learn, though.”

He looked sincerely grateful, even though it was just the two of them and no camera was rolling anymore.

“So, what made you decide to join a dating reality show?”

The staff member couldn’t help but ask. After all, this was Cheng Yichi’s first time doing variety.

The show was called Who’s the Liar. The name made it sound like a mystery game, but it was actually a real dating show. Among ten male contestants, nine were gay, and one was straight. The straight guy was the “liar.” In the end, the show would reveal who the liar was, and couples who successfully matched would win a trip together. It was an intense, high-stakes concept.

Because you never know—maybe the couple you’ve been rooting for was fake all along, with one of them just pretending to be gay.

The show followed a format similar to other dating programs. There was even a female version in the works, but the male edition was being aired first as a test run.

And surprisingly, this show managed to land the ever-elusive film emperor, Cheng Yichi.

Cheng Yichi debuted at 19 and won his first Golden Autumn Award for Best Actor at 22. With his exceptional looks, he also gained a massive fan base purely for his visuals. He was a role model in the entertainment world, his performances were often used as examples in acting classes.

He kept a low profile. Aside from movies, he rarely appeared elsewhere. But he had a unique trait: he didn’t care about billing order. He only played roles he liked. Whether it was a homeless boy or a corpse buried in concrete, he took on the role with passion. He was completely obsessed with acting.

His fans often complained that his agency overworked him, but in reality, it was all his own choice.

He believed that an actor’s most important duty was to act.

Unfortunately, his health had recently declined, he could no longer pull all-nighters. So, for the first time in his career, he took a short break and agreed to do a dating show as a favor.

“Oh, I see,” the staff member nodded. No wonder the directors had somehow landed Cheng Yichi, it wasn’t because of skillful persuasion, but because he was simply a good guy who insisted on returning a small favor.

She suddenly thought of the other contestants. They were all big names too. Were they also here to repay favors?

She reminded him, “That’s it for today, Mr. Cheng. Don’t forget, filming starts next Monday. Try to get some rest before then. Even though it’s a dating show, you’ll still be under the camera the whole time in the villa, so it might be a bit exhausting.”

“Thanks,” Cheng Yichi replied. But what the staff didn’t know was, compared to his usual life, this show already felt like a break.

He asked, “Do you need me to come early and help out?”

The production team would usually start setting up a week in advance. Cheng Yichi had studied directing and production in university, including set design and camera work. He figured he could lend a hand.

The staff member was touched. “Mr. Cheng, you’re really so kind.”

“No need!” she said quickly. “Actually, can you come as late as possible? We want to save you as the big surprise for last.”

“Me? The grand finale?” Cheng Yichi smiled. “I’m nothing special. Not really grand finale material.”

He’d heard a bit about the other guests, they were all exceptional in their fields. Why would he be the final act?

“Well, you do have the highest public recognition.”

After chatting a bit more, the staff member shyly asked for an autograph.

Cheng Yichi signed a photo and waved goodbye with a smile in his eyes. “See you soon.”

The staff member thought, The director is evil. How could anyone not fall for Cheng Yichi? What if they all fall for him? What then?

Soon, it was time to head to the villa.

Cheng Yichi took a cab. He could drive, but his assistant had taken the car in for maintenance—it wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow.

He stepped out of the taxi, handing a signed photo to the driver who recognized him, then pulled a large brown suitcase from the trunk. Since this was the first day and his first impression mattered, he dressed carefully: white shirt, champagne-colored suit jacket, and white trousers. If the brown-grey coat made him look calm and mature, then the champagne tones gave him a gentler, more lively vibe.

The villa was surrounded by blooming flowers. Cheng Yichi walked briskly toward the house, this would be his home for the next month. The front door was open, so he walked right in.

The entrance was wide. Inside were rows of slippers for the guests to choose from. Since they were all men, the sizes were roughly the same, but there were five matching “couple” sets. Cheng Yichi was the last to arrive, and the only pair left were bright pink.

He couldn’t help but laugh. Classic production team prank. He was wearing a mic, so his chuckle was transmitted directly to the crew, who were watching from a monitor. The female staff giggled. The stubbly director rubbed his chin, satisfied, he’d finally pranked Cheng Yichi, and that made his day.

After changing into the pink slippers, Cheng Yichi calmly turned the handle and stepped inside.

In front of him were six attractive men, chatting politely.

One of them, wearing a soft white coat, looked slightly flushed as he nodded while responding. He was bundled up tightly, showing only a bit of red skin at the neck. He had a restrained, aloof charm.

The man chatting with him wore a white hoodie and didn’t seem bothered by the aloof guy’s cold attitude. He just smiled and kept the conversation light, like he was talking just to pass the time. His gaze wandered but always came back with a small smile. Cheng Yichi thought he looked like the warm, caring second male lead in a drama.

The next pair was deep in conversation.

One wore a dark red shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing smooth pale skin. He had wild red hair and seductive, foxlike eyes that sparkled with mischief. Cheng Yichi, falling into his professional habit, thought: He’d be perfect for the entertainment industry, maybe not flawless, but definitely unforgettable.

The one talking to him looked much younger, too young and pure. With a soft beige sweater and a sweet, innocent smile, he looked like a kitten. His dimples showed as he nodded earnestly. Cheng Yichi’s heart softened. He’s so cute. I feel like a dad now.

The last two weren’t talking. One was playing on his phone, the other fiddled awkwardly with a glass of water, clearly uncomfortable in the new environment.

The one with the phone seemed like another kid. He looked shy, dressed in black leather like he was trying to act tough, but his free hand nervously rubbed against his pants seam, betraying a hint of helplessness.

The boy with the water glass looked cheerful and sunny. He had messy brown curls that were actually well-styled. Unlike the others, he dressed simply, like a student. But his deep-set eyes, high nose bridge, and sharp features suggested he was mixed-race, giving him a bit of mystery.

Cheng Yichi couldn’t help but sigh: So many handsome guys. This place is heaven for face-lovers.

Because he entered so quietly, and the entrance was behind the couch, no one noticed him at first. But soon, the sunny boy glanced around casually. When his eyes landed on Cheng Yichi, he froze.

“Cheng…”

The boy with the phone noticed his reaction, looked over—and dropped his phone with a soft thud.

The others, sensing something, turned toward the entrance with welcoming smiles.

But—

The moment they saw who it was, their expressions froze.

…Cheng Yichi.

It was really him.