Nanaimo Inn: The Wolf Sheep Dating Game

Chapter 3：Hidden Identity: Sheep.

I drew the secret identity card slowly from my coat pocket.

My gaze was fixed rigidly on the card, as if if I stared long enough, I could will the words printed on it into a different outcome.

Hidden Identity: Sheep.

I appeared composed for the cameras moments ago, but I’d already crumpled the card to a mess in my pocket.

Why must it be a Sheep!!

Under these rules, Wolves hold all the advantages.

When a Wolf dates a Sheep, they devour their prize money.

Even if two Wolves pair up, at the very least they don’t lose their own savings.

As the sheep, every move is at a disadvantage with almost no room for error.

A single misstep can waste all her hard work, leaving her vulnerable to being preyed upon.

What part of me looks like a Sheep at all!

I close my eyes.

Weary from the long journey, yet my mind stays razor-sharp, racing through every possible scenario.

A bad starting hand doesn’t mean there’s no way to turn things around.

Before the finale, every contestant gets one chance to switch identities.

I just need to protect my bonus from theft and locate a wolf who keeps eating away at others' winnings during the show.

Then during the final identity reset, I’ll convince him to willingly switch to Sheep and pair up with me.

At that point, my initial bonus, the funds he’s saved up, and every reward he preyed upon from other guests will all be mine alone.

Estimating from my initial prize, after all twelve episodes, under optimistic conditions, I might get as much as CAD 1,000,000.

But this plan sounds utterly impossible.

Why would a clever, predatory Wolf who’s spent the whole show stealing others’ prize money willingly turn himself into a Sheep waiting to be slaughtered for me at the very end?

Smart people abound in this world; fools are never scarce.

I grabbed my phone to pull up the official site and view the live popularity chart, yet the page wouldn’t load.

That’s when I remember the rule the director mentioned during signing:

Once the show begins, the website blocks local Nanaimo IP addresses.

Contestants cannot view the charts or any show content.

Asking friends or family outside to look it up and relay the information counts as a serious violation.

I cannot risk the price of being exposed.

Drowsiness finally creeps over me.

There’s no solution to my troubles right now. I might as well rest.

Goodnight, Mimi.

Next morning, a chime suddenly rings and wakes me up.

I’m still groggy when the PD’s voice came through the speaker.

PD: “Good morning. Before everyone gets properly acquainted, we have a small game to foster rapport.Your rooms are arranged with alternating male and female guests based on check-in order.Work with the contestant next door to find the key that unlocks your door.Quick note: No disclosing your identity to others before you formally meet.”

“What the heck…”

I rub my sleepy eyes and walk over to twist the doorknob.

It’s an old-style key lock, deadbolted shut.

It hits me then — the staff who escorted me to my room last night didn’t leave a room key.

I let out a bitter laugh. “This is nothing like the dating shows I’ve watched.Yet I’m trapped inside. How can I coordinate with my neighbor?”

A few knocks sound against the wall, answering my question right away.

Then a man’s voice drifts over faintly.

I push aside my surprise and press my ear flat against the wall to listen closely.

Man，“Anyone there?”

His voice is deep, rough with sleep, strangely stirring.

“Ah, yes. Hello, my name is —”

I start introducing myself instinctively, then abruptly remember the rule against revealing personal details，“The production team really wants us to communicate through a wall?”

I don’t know what he thinks about it, but pressing half my face against the wallpaper is far from comfortable.

Man，“There’s an intercom phone in each room, but it rings loudly.Everyone just woke up, so I thought we’d avoid disturbing each other with calls for now.”

“Honestly, I’m still a little disoriented. I didn’t realize there was someone next door, and the sound insulation is this bad. I’m already wondering if I talked in my sleep last night. That would be so embarrassing if I did.”

Man，“Don’t worry. You didn’t. Otherwise, I would definitely remember your voice.”

I paused briefly and chuckled softly.

One of the contestant requirements, I recall, was having no romantic relationship for three years or longer.

But this stranger speaks with effortless confidence. Lacking the caution proper for a sheep, he acts just like a wolf running a daring probe.

Man，“There’s a password lock box on my desk. Your room might hold the matching clue.”

I hesitate. “Is the game starting already? If we c***k the password, will the door unlock immediately?”

Man，“Not sure. It’s possible. Are you free right now?”

“I just woke up and haven’t washed up or put on makeup. If the door suddenly swings open —”

Man，“Got it. Take your time.”

His words are concise and unrushed, no hint of urgency in his tone.

“Aren’t you in a hurry?”

Man， “No rush. I actually have a conference call to take. I was worried the game would move too fast and you wouldn’t get a chance for breakfast. When you’re ready, call my room on the intercom. Room 301.”

“OK!”