Single love variety show: The home girl becomes popular by acting bad

Jiang Wan, a shut-in actress known for her scandals, is unexpectedly cast as a last-minute replacement on the dating reality show Love for the First Time. Upon arrival, she discovers through a mechanical voice in her mind that she is a transmigrated character in a novel titled The Domineering CEO Fu’s Exclusive Pampering. Her role is that of a vicious cannon fodder supporting female character destined to be humiliated while the male lead, Fu Siyue, and the female lead, Qiao Zhiyi, fall in love. Jiang Wan, determined to avoid her tragic fate, decides to simply endure the filming without interfering in the main plot.

Fu Siyue, the male lead, is a childhood acquaintance of Jiang Wan. In high school, they feigned interest in each other to escape family pressure, but Fu Siyue fled to Germany after graduation. Jiang Wan believed he left because of her, but the system reveals he stayed due to a genuine passion for art, despite being colorblind. The public believes Fu Siyue and Qiao Zhiyi are already in a long-distance relationship, but they have not yet reunited. Jiang Wan’s primary goal is to survive the show without becoming a stepping stone for the leads.

The show begins with an awkward atmosphere among the guests. Jiang Qi, a top actor with a grudge against Jiang Wan from high school, ignores her. Xie Zhiyi, a socially anxious film emperor, avoids interaction. Shi Lan, an idol, is aloof. Shang Gubai, a singer with a sharp tongue, attempts to embarrass Jiang Wan but is countered by her quick wit. Jiang Wan and Xie Zhiyi form an unexpected pair after mutually selecting each other in the first round, bonding over their shared love for horror movies and anime. Their dynamic is characterized by mutual understanding and a lack of pretense, contrasting with the other guests’ tensions.

As the show progresses, Jiang Wan’s natural personality begins to shift public perception. Her otaku interests, including a wall of figures and a love for Usagi-chan merchandise, reveal a relatable, genuine side. She interacts honestly with the other guests, calling out Shang Gubai’s rudeness and comforting Song Yanyan. Jiang Qi, initially hostile, reveals a softer side when he gets lost and terrified in a haunted house, clinging to Jiang Wan for safety. He later leaves chocolate at her door as a silent apology, indicating a thawing of their relationship.

Jiang Wan’s acting skills are showcased during a couple scenario challenge. She delivers an emotionally charged performance that moves Shang Gubai, causing his affection level to rise according to the system. This unexpected development alarms Jiang Wan, as increasing affection from other characters could disrupt her plan to stay uninvolved. The system warns her that her actions are deviating from the original plot, creating a new variable in the story. Despite her efforts to remain passive, Jiang Wan’s genuine interactions and talent are drawing people to her, complicating her attempt to avoid the cannon fodder fate.