The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - C39 - Tango

Today marked their third day in Argentina.

Qing Lin woke up naturally, sunlight filtering lazily through the curtains. When he pushed open the door, the faint clatter of pots and pans drifted from the kitchen.

Curious, he peeked inside and saw Shen Xuzhi already awake, busy preparing breakfast.

Dressed in sportswear with a headband across his forehead and an apron hastily tied over the top, Shen Xuzhi cut an unusual figure. The apron looked a little too small on him, almost comically mismatched.

Shen Xuzhi expertly flipped eggs in the pan. Hearing the door, he glanced over his shoulder and spoke. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Mr. Shen,” Qing Lin replied, stepping in. “Did you go for a workout?”

Shen Xuzhi gave a small nod, sliding the eggs onto a plate and sprinkling them with pepper. At that moment, the oven chimed. He pulled out the toast with gloved hands, the golden slices steaming as he spread a layer of creamy Argentine white sauce across them.

It was the first time Qing Lin had ever seen him cook breakfast. “Mr. Shen, I didn’t expect you to be so good at this.”

“I just know a little. It’s nothing impressive,” Shen Xuzhi said modestly, setting the plates neatly on the table.

Seeing this, Qing Lin suddenly remembered and went to switch on the camera. “Ah, I forgot to record this…”

“No need, leave it.” Shen Xuzhi stopped him. “Director Hong said the past few days have enough footage already. Come eat.”

Enough footage—that meant their CP moments must have come across pretty well.

But before he could dwell on it, the aroma of warm bread pulled him in. He let go of the thought and sat down at the table.

Shen Xuzhi had prepared a simple Western breakfast: a plate of pasta topped with savory meat sauce, accompanied by perfectly fried eggs and golden, toasted bread, all plated neatly.

Qing Lin twirled his fork into the pasta and took a bite. His eyes lit up immediately. “Delicious.”

Seeing Qing Lin enjoy it, a small chuckle escaped Shen Xuzhi. “I was worried it wouldn’t suit your taste.”

“I’m not picky,” Qing Lin said with a faint smile, his tone carrying a trace of humor. “I’m easy to look after.”

Morning in Argentina was colder than the day before, the winter air biting with an extra chill. A thin veil of mist clung to the window by the treetops, blurring the glass and dimming the pale light that tried to filter through.

Shen Xuzhi gave no answer. He ate a tomato in silence, then turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the sky was slowly brightening.

_____________________________________________________________________________

After a simple breakfast, filming for the new day began.

The July breeze stirred the hems of their clothes, carrying the crisp scent of morning across Buenos Aires. The Río de la Plata lay shrouded in a silvery mist, shadows mottled against its surface, the air laced with faint, drifting fragrances.

The production team drove them to the La Boca district, stopping at a narrow street called Caminito. Unlike the historic calm of San Telmo, Caminito burst with life and color. Old corrugated-iron houses, painted in vivid hues, stood side by side like a patchwork canvas. Bright flags hung overhead, and tango music floated through the air, weaving into the laughter and footsteps on the street.

Despite the sun hanging above, the weather felt sharper, colder than the days before.

“Did everyone rest well last night?” Hong Shanyue had personally come to oversee today’s shoot, leading the activities with his usual bright energy.

[We’ve been waiting for this broadcast!]

“Welcome to Caminito. On the way here, you must have seen quite a few tango performances,” Hong Shanye said. “That’s right, this is the birthplace of tango. And your task for the next two days will be simple—learning tango steps.”

At such an easy task, Liu Xin and Zhang Nanyin exchanged doubtful looks. “That’s all?”

Hong Shanyue smiled knowingly. “Yes, for the next two days, all you have to do is practice tango.”

Shen Xuzhi was just about to remark that it sounded considerate when she added, “—because in two days, the two couples will have a tango showdown.”

Shen Xuzhi: “.”

So, it was a trap after all.

Hong let the suspense linger before delivering the final blow. “And the winning couple will receive a prize of 150,000 pesos.”

All four: “!!”

[Wow, 150,000!]

[The production team is crazy!]

Liu Xin’s eyes widened in confirmation. “One hundred and fifty thousand? Truly one hundred and fifty thousand?”

“That’s right, 150,000 pesos,” Hong Shanyue confirmed with a smile. “Our next destination will be the Perito Moreno Glacier in the south. Glacier National Park has plenty of activities worth experiencing. If you want to enjoy them without worry, winning this 150,000 will take off a lot of pressure.”

Qing Lin’s heart stirred.

Although he didn’t mind completing tasks to earn money, he genuinely felt Argentina was a country worth experiencing. If he could save some of the time spent on tasks for traveling instead, that would be even better.

When he turned his head, Shen Xuzhi caught the sight of Qing Lin’s wide eyes, filled with determination.

“Shen Laoshi, let’s give it our all!” he said earnestly.

Shen Xuzhi: “……”

The kid was fired up.

Hong Shanyue clapped his hands lightly. “The production team has arranged tango instructors for you. They can speak Chinese and have taught many young Chinese couples traveling here. So please, learn diligently, practice hard, and I’ll be looking forward to your performances the day after tomorrow.”

With that, two tango teachers walked toward them. Both were women. One had her hair neatly tied back, her appearance sharp and efficient. The other had long, flowing hair that cascaded down her shoulders, her presence warm and alluring.

[Ahhh, they’re stunning!]

[Look at those heels—so tall! And that dress is way too sexy!]

“Hello everyone, my name is Stacey,” said the woman with her hair tied in a neat bun. Her Chinese carried a faint accent but was clear enough. “This is Elvira beside me. We’ll be your tango instructors.”

Elvira brushed back a lock of her flowing hair, her red lips curving into a playful smile. “Hola~”

“Hello,” the four of them replied, introducing themselves one after another.

“What lovely names. And you’re all so good looking—I think this will be a very enjoyable teaching experience,” Elvira said with a light laugh. “Don’t you agree, Stacey?”

Stacey gave a small nod, but her expression remained composed and strict. Compared to Elvira’s warmth and lively gestures, she carried a stern air, her demeanor more reserved and disciplined.

“How do we choose teachers?” Liu Xin asked. “To save time, should we just play rock-paper-scissors?”

No one had any objections. The quicker they decided, the quicker they could start practicing. Each couple sent one representative. After three tense rounds, Liu Xin’s side came out victorious, earning the right to choose first.

[Why is Shen Xuzhi always unlucky?]

[Hahahaha this is ridiculous.]

[Next time just let Linlin do it instead.]

“We’ll take Elvira,” Zhang Nanyin said without hesitation.

“Then we’ll choose Stacey,” Qing Lin followed politely, offering a small bow. “Please take care of us, teacher.”

“Alright then, come with us,” Stacey replied briskly.

The two couples trailed behind their teachers into a building painted in rainbow hues.

Inside, the scene shifted completely. Qing Lin blinked in surprise—the interior resembled a palace. The heating was strong, washing the room in comforting warmth, while golden lights cast a soft glow. Elegant murals spread across the high ceiling, their vintage artistry filling the space with a timeless grandeur.

“This is where you’ll be performing your dance for the competition,” Stacey explained, her tone clipped yet professional. “Follow me upstairs to the practice studio.”

The couples climbed the stairs and found two mirrored dance rooms waiting for them.

As Shen Xuzhi stepped inside, he noticed a man already present, likely the instructor for the male steps.

“Since this is a competition, the two groups will be practicing separately,” Stacey said. Her gaze swept over Qing Lin, lingering for a moment. “So, will it be you learning from me?”

That question left Qing Lin speechless.

He knew that in same-sex pairings, one partner usually took the “submissive” role, meaning they would learn the female steps. But… was that supposed to be him?

The thought of Mr. Shen dancing the female role flickered through his mind—Qing Lin didn’t even dare to picture it.

He blurted out quickly, “It’s me.”

[Ahhh ShenLin confirmed!]

[Positions officially locked in! Let’s go!]

Stacey narrowed her eyes slightly, then made a crisp gesture with her hand. “Good. Then come with me.”

She led Qing Lin into a dressing room. With a tug, she pulled open a curtain, revealing a long row of tango dresses.

Backless, body-hugging, strappy, belted. Crimson, black, pale pink. Lace, sequins, glitter. Every design imaginable shimmered beneath the light.

Stacey turned to him, “Pick one first.”

Qing Lin: “……”

[Ahhhhhhh!]

[My gosh, so sexy!! Pick the pink body-hugging one, body-hugging!]

[No, no, choose the black backless halter! Backless!]

[Every single one looks perfect on Linlin. I’ve already picked mine in my heart.]

Qing Lin could hardly believe it—this would be the second time he would wear a skirt on the show. As expected, once you cross-dressed, it was never just once. Either never again, or countless times.

“Having trouble deciding?” Stacey asked lightly. She plucked one from the rack and held it up against him, gauging the fit. “They all look good.”

Then her eyes flicked toward the door. “Do you want to ask your husband?”

Qing Lin turned and froze. Shen Xuzhi was leaning casually against the doorway, watching him with unmistakable amusement.

Qing Lin: “…………”

When Stacey called him over, Shen Xuzhi stepped into the dressing room.

Heat rushed to Qing Lin’s face. He averted his eyes, refusing to look at him.

“They’re all beautiful,” Shen Xuzhi said with a smile. “But to find the one that suits you best, why not try them on first?”

[Ah Zhi, you really get it!]

[Yes! Try them all! Every single one!]

Qing Lin immediately protested, “No need to try them on…”

He faltered, then finally gave up resisting. Lowering his voice, he murmured, “Shen Laoshi, why don’t you pick one for me?”

Shen Xuzhi nodded and began carefully sorting through the wardrobe. His gaze moved with quiet focus as he brushed past sequins and lace, velvet and silk.

Finally, he pulled a dress from the rack.

It was a deep blue velvet halter dress with a plunging V-neckline. The back was bound with delicate crisscross ties, while the front shimmered with scattered gems that caught the light. Though velvet, the fabric draped with elegance, the skirt cut daringly high, the slit climbing nearly to the thigh.

At just one glance, Qing Lin’s cheeks flamed scarlet.

[Damn, never thought Shen Laoshi would choose something like that]

[Ahhh is that even wearable??]

“You have quite the eye. That dress happens to be the signature style of the tango queen, Naso,” Stacey remarked knowingly. “Precisely because it’s seductive enough.”

Qing Lin’s ears burned as he leaned close, nudging Shen Xuzhi’s elbow. He whispered, almost

Hearing that, even Shen Xuzhi felt the air around them grow warmer.

His voice softened. “Tango dresses all seem rather revealing. I’m not sure I should be the one to judge… maybe you should pick for yourself instead.”

The staff, realizing this wasn’t going anywhere, quickly came up with a suggestion.

“How about this, Laoshi? You pick a few options, and we’ll post them on Weibo for the audience to vote. Let the fans decide, what do you think?” the staff member suggested.

It was a clever idea.

Not only would it spare them the agony of choosing, but it would also boost engagement for the ShenLin couple’s KPIs.

Everyone agreed readily.

“In that case, let’s move on to the heels first,” Stacey said, brows drawn slightly together. “But your shoe size…”

Just then, a staff member gestured for them to turn their attention elsewhere.

Qing Lin and Shen Xuzhi followed his gaze. An assistant stepped forward, handing them an iPad.

“There’s a video here, please take a look,” the assistant said.

The two exchanged a quick glance, then tapped play.

The video began with a short, animated intro of the variety show Follow Heart. Then, the screen shifted to reveal a familiar face—Bai Wenle.

He looked straight into the camera and gave a cheerful wave. “Xu-ge, Brother Lin-ge, how are you two doing?”

Qing Lin raised his brows in surprise. “Wenle?”

[Hahaha it’s Wenle! Is Lele finally making a comeback?]

[Yeah, why did he quit last time? He was the life of the show, hahaha]

[Lin-ge?! Why does he sound so obedient all of a sudden, hahaha]

“I heard you’re in Argentina,” Bai Wenle continued, shifting restlessly as his fingers fiddled together. “It’s such a shame I couldn’t be there with you. But, you know, I’m a busy man.” He gave a quick grin before adding, “I heard you’re competing in tango against Nanyin-jie and Liu Xin-ge, so you have to give it your all.”

Then, with a sudden lift in his tone, he declared, “And today, I recorded this video especially to give Lin-ge a gift!”

Qing Lin: “?”

As he spoke, Bai Wenle suddenly revealed a pair of exquisite high heels from behind his back.

The shoes gleamed under the light. Their base was a sleek silver-white, the toes glittering with diamonds of varying sizes. Around the ankle, a delicate strap fastened with a dangling snowflake ornament. Elegant, luxurious, dazzling—every detail screamed exclusivity.

“These are an exclusive creation by Xihe Hall, one of a kind in the entire world!” Bai Wenle announced with exaggerated solemnity. “Just look at them! So beautiful, so dazzling!”

Then he turned his gaze straight at Qing Lin. “Lin-ge, with these premium Xihe Hall heels, you’ll be breathtaking! With Xihe Hall backing you up, Nanyin-jie and Liu Xin-ge won’t stand a chance!”

Qing Lin: “……”

[So gorgeous!]

[Linlin’s new fashion accessory unlocked!]

[Xihe Hall strikes again! Lele never misses a chance to advertise his own business.]

[Hahahahaha he really called just to give heels!]

Qing Lin was still at a loss for words when the staff brought out the actual pair. In person, they were even more stunning than on video, shimmering with an aura of luxury, every detail meticulously crafted. They were clearly worth a fortune.

Qing Lin pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, and finally managed, “…Thank you.”

“That’s all then, bye-bye~” Bai Wenle gave a thumbs-up, striking what looked like his ending pose.

But someone off-camera suddenly reminded him he’d left something out.

Bai Wenle’s expression crumpled. He lowered his hand and muttered, “Do I really have to say it?”

The crew gestured insistently for him to continue. With a pout, he swayed left and right, looking utterly reluctant.

Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin exchanged a look, wondering why the video wasn’t over yet.

Then, out of nowhere, Bai Wenle leaned toward the camera again. He drooped his brows, and with a dramatic bow, shouted at the top of his lungs as if in a last act of revenge.

“Wishing my brother and sister-in-law success in the competition! Congratulations on your marriage! May you have children soon and live a hundred years in harmony!”

Qing Lin: “……”

Shen Xuzhi: “……”