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[Wip Title] Moshang "The Bachelor"-Inspired AU

Summary:

Shang Qinghua is the host of "Beach Babes: A Quest for True Love!" Or otherwise known as trash TV, absolute slop, a quick heterosexual cash grab- but he didn't mind at all. Hell, he even enjoyed it.

But as he runs the 30th season, he realizes that the love interest *actually* has a decent personality this time around. Mobei Jun treats Qinghua like a person, respects his dedication to the show, and seems so sweet despite his cold gaze. Maybe they could talk more when the cameras were off; he couldn't help but imagine Mobei Jun cooking while Qinghua set up some candles and gossiped about the other contestants, the way the man would raise an eyebrow, but not judgmentally, then he'd lean in and- wait- NO, Shang Qinghua wasn't going to stupidly fall in love with a straight(?) guy!! He was going to do his job and call it a day!!!!

But as the weeks stretch by, he can't help but fucking yearn. How the hell is he supposed to be a professional wingman when he's falling apart at the seams?!
--
Btw, PLEASEEEE read w/ the creator's style on!!!

Notes:

You can blame the fuckwad known as @consumeroflemoans on Tumblr / @consumeroflemons on AO3. He's the reason this is here and he beta-read the chapter for me.
Everyone yell at him for making me think about this for way too long
Please read with the creator's style on <333

Chapter 1: 30th time's the charm!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Shang Qinghua got ready like it was any other morning, but it was technically an important day for him. For starters, he wasn't in his own home. For the next two months, he'd be residing on an island bought out by Beach Babes: A Quest for True Love!

True love his ass, it was trash TV at its finest.

Granted, he wasn't against trash TV, he just thought the show should be more straightforward with it, perhaps a title like: "1 Very Average man is Very Sexual with 10 strangers he doesn't know," but he supposed that it was a bit less catchy.

He tapped on his phone, logged out of his personal Twitter, and logged in to his professional account. He didn't bother scrolling, he only followed the stars of the show for a public presence, only sharing their lives if it was about the person they met on the show.

He quickly sent out a post:

         

avatar image Shang Qinghua
@thebeachymatchmaker

           

Your favorite host is back for Season 30! Enjoy me in the meantime <3 [Picture Attachment: Shang Qinghua sat in the sand with a gentle sunrise in front of him. He wore a long, white shirt and a light blue vest on top. A matching light blue bowtie sat at his collar. He had black pants and a belt to hold them just a bit above his waist's height.] #BeachBabes #BBS30

❤ 584 5:47 AM - August 1

           

23 people are talking about this

       

Generic? Yeah. But easy promotion is still promotion.

He looked in the mirror in front of him one last time and straightened his bowtie. He liked this outfit, he always wore it for the introduction of the contestants. Did he like the contestants? Not inherently, but listening to them yap was simple enough.

He checked his phone one last time before heading out the door, a certain response caught his eye:

Cucumber
@peerlesscucumber

replying to @thebeachymatchmaker

This show is so damn rushed, season 29 was just released!! Maybe it wouldn't be absolute crap if they actually took time to select a half-decent romance interest.

❤ 2 5:48 AM • August 1

3 people are talking about this

That fucker complains with notifs on? He switched to his alt account.

The Most Sexual Asexual
@airplaneshootingtowardsthesky

replying to @peerlesscucumber

idk dude, i think theyre pretty hot

❤ 5 5:52 AM • August 1

2 people are talking about this

Cucumber
@peerlesscucumber

replying to @airplaneshootingtowardsthesky

*They're; and I meant their personalities, dimwit. I can't have another Zhuzhi Lang on screen.

❤ 2 5:52 AM • August 1

1 person is talking about this

The Most Sexual Asexual
@airplaneshootingtowardsthesky

replying to @peerlesscucumber

woagh thats how u spell theyre???? crayz dude. i hope he sees this and fucks ur asshole abt it. send me the vid plzzzz bye xx

❤ 3 5:54 AM • August 1

1 person is talking about this

He didn't bother to glance at the next notification. It was time to ragebait in the real world.

Notes:

Credit:
- Cucumber's profile picture: Alien stage; art doesn't belong to me
- Work skin: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22517134/chapters/53806336#workskin
It might be a short beginning, but it'll get longer later on. I hope you've enjoyed!! Kudos and comments mean the world <33
Also PLEASEEEE let me know if the posts aren't accessible to a screenreader!! I tried my best to work with the html/css but I might've totally goofed up somewhere. Tyyyy