A Scummy Alpha and An Award-Winning Omega Actress Fell in Love After an Arranged Marriage - Chapter 2

Sheng Lan input her fingerprint, trying it several times, and was very satisfied with the door lock’s performance.

Once done, she was ready to head out. The front door had a smart lock, and before leaving, Sheng Lan shared the passcode with them before departing with the locksmith.

Jiang Ling had other work commitments and couldn’t stay by Lu Xueyin’s side all day.

Seeing that Lu Xueyin seemed to be in decent condition, she suggested going to the company together. “We might as well sign the contract for the dating show while we’re at it. That way, we won’t have to worry about Sheng Lan coming back earlier and making things awkward between you two.”

Lu Xueyin had fled Sheng Lan’s room that morning without a single sarcastic remark from her, yet she still felt uneasy.

Her expression remained calm, but a thin layer of sweat had formed on her back.

She couldn’t wait to leave.

The clothes she had brought were few just what Jiang Ling had hastily packed for the hospital.

Considering her current lack of energy, Lu Xueyin picked out a casual dress that could be paired with flats for the outing.

When she came downstairs, she found Sheng Lan still in the garage, the residential complex had a parking lot, but Sheng Lan, unwilling to squeeze in with others, had bought a garage downstairs that could fit ten cars.

Among the vehicles, the dark gray van Jiang Ling had driven looked the most out of place dusty and dull, like a lowly maid who had accidentally wandered into a mansion.

Jiang Ling whispered to Lu Xueyin, “Good thing we’re leaving together. Otherwise, if Sheng Lan went back up, wouldn’t you two be left alone?”

Lu Xueyin pressed her lips together tightly and said nothing.

As they approached, they overheard Sheng Lan on the phone.

“We’re already married, why would I lie to you? We really are living together. I’m heading to work now. What, just because I sing means I can’t have a job?”

“I’m in the garage, she’s upstairs, how am I supposed to get her on the phone? And why do I always have to humor you?”

Sheng Lan leaned casually against the hood of her car, her posture elongating her already tall frame.

She wore a black off-shoulder top with two strap buckles, exuding both sexiness and a touch of coolness.

Her pinkish-brown curls took on a soft, playful glow under the natural light, and her light pink contact lenses made her look like a sweet, pink-themed girl straight out of cherry blossom season.

She balanced sweetness and edginess effortlessly.

Her long legs, clad in a fishtail skirt, were slender and straight, showcasing an Alpha’s natural strength.

Spotting Lu Xueyin, she seemed to grasp at a lifeline.

Calling out to her, she straightened up and strode over in studded silver ankle boots.

“My mom wants to talk to you. Could you say a few words?”

Lu Xueyin showed no resistance she didn’t even glance at Sheng Lan and took the phone, naturally greeting, “Mom.”

She played the role of a dutiful “wife” flawlessly, her voice as soft and sweet as honey over the phone, laced with a warmth that made it sound utterly sincere. Sheng Lan watched in awe.

She made a mental note to buy an acting guidebook later.

“I just left the house and am about to sign a contract. Yes, I’m staying at Sheng Lan’s place. She’s been very good to me, very considerate.”

Three meals a day, all takeout.

And installing a fingerprint lock to keep her out.

Noticing Sheng Lan’s gaze, Lu Xueyin lifted her eyes briefly. Her clear green irises held no trace of affection as she turned to look at the greenery nearby.

Sheng Lan studied her openly.

The V-neck top cinched Lu Xueyin’s waist, the beige hue softening her pale complexion.

She had applied light makeup before leaving, adding lip gloss to mask her exhaustion.

Her figure was slender yet shapely, delicate where it needed to be, and perfectly full where it counted.

Sheng Lan averted her gaze and deliberately raised her voice.

“Tell her we’re busy and won’t be home for dinner.”

She found the arrangement quite reasonable.

Since it was her suggestion, Lu Xueyin’s mother would think Lu Xueyin was being obedient and wouldn’t blame her.

But Lu Xueyin really seemed to enjoy opposing her.

Or maybe it was revenge for that provocative remark she’d made in the morning.

Lu Xueyin said, “Mhm, sure. We’ll go home together for dinner tonight.”

Sheng Lan: “…”

Fine.

They weren’t signed to the same entertainment company. Lu Xueyin had her own ride, so Sheng Lan wasn’t about to force herself where she wasn’t wanted.

Once the meeting time was confirmed, she drove off without another word.

Today, she was heading to the company to sign the contract for the dating show.

Liang Jiao had already gone over the details for her. The only thing Sheng Lan needed to confirm was, “Will Ji Xinlan be there?”

Trial Love Period loved bringing in popular fan-shipped couples while keeping the guests in suspense.

One segment was called “Guess Who,” since some participants had more than one CP.

This part often sparked heated debates, and very few could get insider info beforehand.

Liang Jiao confirmed Ji Xinlan would be there. “Relax, you won’t be paired with her. I told the director you’re not short on cash, if you get matched, you’ll walk out on the spot.”

Walking out mid-broadcast on a live-streamed show would guarantee Sheng Lan the spotlight, whether she got flak for it or not. That episode would be ruined.

Only then did Sheng Lan sign.

With no outsiders in the office, Liang Jiao asked about her situation with Lu Xueyin. “Yu Cheng told me you two even caused a scene at the hospital?”

The fact that Sheng Lan had agreed to marriage just to avoid leaving the industry spoke volumes about how much her career meant to her.

To prevent future scandals, she kept Liang Jiao in the loop about all personal matters.

The marriage could be treated as a secret for now, no need to make it public.

Lu Xueyin didn’t seem interested in faking a CP with her or playing the model couple.

They’d just make do.

At most, it’d last a year before Lu Xueyin’s destined Alpha appeared.

By then, even if Sheng Lan didn’t bring it up, Lu Xueyin would kick her to the curb.

Besides, Lu Xueyin was a bit of a workaholic. She might soon start filming a project that would keep her busy for at least half a year.

To be safe, once the dating show wrapped up, Sheng Lan planned to take on some out-of-town gigs maybe even a concert tour.

Next time they met, it’d be for the divorce. Perfect.

Sheng Lan gave a brief rundown of the situation.

Liang Jiao’s temple twitched when she heard the police had been involved.

Sheng Lan asked who had cornered Lu Xueyin the day before. “She couldn’t stay anywhere, so she slept at my place last night.”

The word “slept” carried implications, so she corrected herself. “She stayed at my place.”

Liang Jiao said it was a sasaeng fan.

Once the fan leaked Lu Xueyin’s address, reporters had swarmed in for a scoop.

“She’s got a strong filmography, high-quality work, and great looks, she’s got way too many obsessive fans.”

Lu Xueyin’s cold yet fragile gentleness was especially appealing to Alphas.

The term “obsessive fans” sent a chill down Sheng Lan’s spine.

The original novel’s tragic ending for the scumbag Alpha was burned into her memory.

She wasn’t sure if her plan to stay apart and act like Lu Xueyin didn’t exist counted as “emotional neglect.”

Sheng Lan sighed.

Whatever.

No need to deliberately avoid her, just interact normally.

Might as well treat her like a little princess.

Lu Xueyin was gorgeous, so it wasn’t like Sheng Lan was losing out.

With nothing else scheduled for the afternoon, Sheng Lan went to practice dancing.

When her alarm went off, she wrapped up her session, showered, changed, and went to pick up Lu Xueyin.

Since they were going home for dinner, she dressed conservatively, a plain cotton T-shirt with an A-line denim skirt, white sneakers, and a baseball cap. Ready to go.

She drove to the underground parking lot of Xingchi Entertainment, texted Lu Xueyin her location, and sipped on a yogurt while she waited.

She found it quite strange that before marrying Lu Xueyin, she had always believed the two of them were people who could never have crossed paths.

The entertainment industry’s hierarchy of disdain was well-known, and collaborations between her and Lu Xueyin were rare.

On the few occasions they met at banquets, both were surrounded by crowds, making it difficult to break through the noise for even a single private word.

Their first real interaction happened when she went to get an autographed photo of a rising star for Yu Cheng.

Yu Cheng had a fleeting passion for celebrity chasing, and most of the signed photos in her collection were obtained with Sheng Lan’s help something she had plenty of experience with.

She knew the drill: don’t act too proud, don’t sound too cold, and make small talk before making the request.

That day, the lounge area was unusually crowded.

She overheard people gossiping about Lu Xueyin, claiming she slept her way to the top directors, male celebrities, even notorious rich heirs.

They said she had no preferences, indulged in all kinds of debauchery, and even participated in group activities.

The words were vile.

From Lu Xueyin’s performance in bed to a certain red mole on her intimate areas, they spoke as if they had personally tasted or witnessed it all.

Sheng Lan felt disgusted.

Of course, it was their mouths that were filthy.

So she asked, “How would you know?”

The atmosphere froze. Sheng Lan stood up and left.

She didn’t even bother with the autograph anymore, thinking she’d later give Yu Cheng some insider gossip to convince this wealthy fan to switch idols.

As she turned to leave, she didn’t notice someone behind her until she caught the scent of cold roses.

When she looked up, she met a pair of vibrant green eyes, brimming with both spring’s warmth and winter’s chill.

Sheng Lan hadn’t participated in those conversations, nor was she close to those people, yet shame exploded in her chest at that moment.

Like a misbehaving child caught red-handed, she felt utterly exposed under Lu Xueyin’s scrutinizing gaze.

Lu Xueyin might have heard everything or she might have just been passing by.

Sheng Lan forced a smile. “Hello!”

Before she could finish, Lu Xueyin brushed past her.

Literally brushed past.

So her first impression of Lu Xueyin was: proud, cold, thorny.

And intensely distant.

The car window tapped, and Sheng Lan saw Lu Xueyin’s frosty face.

Based on their brief time together these past two days, she could tell Lu Xueyin was in a bad mood.

After getting in the car, Sheng Lan casually asked what was wrong.

Lu Xueyin didn’t answer. “It’s nothing. Let’s just go home for dinner.”

She hadn’t taken her injection yet and couldn’t afford to delay too long at home.

So on the way, Sheng Lan lightly scolded her, “You don’t take your health seriously.”

Skipping dinner at home meant missing proper rest.

The police statement had just been taken, and since Feng Zhitong was still in the city, she’d likely be apprehended soon possibly even before their reality show started filming.

Right now, though, Lu Xueyin’s hostility toward Sheng Lan had lessened, but her trust remained limited.

The well-intentioned reprimand earned a quiet scoff.

“No need to pretend when we’re alone.”

Sheng Lan turned on the stereo to drown out Lu Xueyin’s voice.

Such a beautiful woman was wasted if she wasn’t just a decorative vase.

Better not to speak at all.

Lu Xueyin ignored her, leaning back to rest with her eyes closed.

Sheng Lan came from wealth, her family home located in the most expensive district of Jinhe City, a standalone estate built in classical style, like stepping into a garden.

The Sheng family was simple in structure and lacked deep roots in the city, leaning more toward the “new money” side of high society.

That was why Sheng Lan remained somewhat wary of Lu Xueyin. If certain people teamed up against them, the Sheng family could genuinely go bankrupt.

Only her two mothers were home; her eldest sister was still abroad.

Lu Xueyin got into character the moment she stepped out of the car, as if she’d taken on the role of a “virtuous wife.” In the car, she’d told Sheng Lan not to pretend, but now she was actively linking arms with her.

Sheng Lan played along, wearing a blissful smile though really, she was just amused by Lu Xueyin’s act.

“Hey, what books did you read when you first started acting? Recommend some to me.”

Lu Xueyin was a method actor, most performance books weren’t much use to her. Her skills were polished enough that any techniques that wouldn’t hold up on camera still worked fine for casual pretense.

Since it was for Sheng Lan, she casually listed off titles.

They were all the relevant books she could think of at the moment, good or bad some she hadn’t even read herself.

Sheng Lan wasn’t stupid. Seeing the shallow amusement in Lu Xueyin’s peach-blossom eyes, which made her look like a little fox, she knew she was being humored.

So she humored her right back.

Holding her phone in one hand, Sheng Lan added every book Lu Xueyin mentioned to her shopping cart.

“Any more?”

Lu Xueyin had none.

Both were dressed casually, in different colors and slightly varying styles, but their looks carried the pairing as they stood arm in arm.

When their families saw them, they were beyond pleased with the match.

They teased Sheng Lan, “Look at you grinning like a fool.”

Sheng Lan schooled her expression. When they sat at the table, she subtly tried to pull her arm free.

It worked but then Lu Xueyin scratched the inside of her wrist.

Sheng Lan turned to look at her.

Lu Xueyin ate obediently, the picture of innocence, even serving her a bowl of soup.

Only Sheng Lan, who had just let go and was now staring at Lu Xueyin, earned her mother’s disapproval. “Can’t take your eyes off her, can you?”

And so, Sheng Lan understood.

Every cannon-fodder supporting character had her fate.

And hers was to be the scapegoat.

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