A Scummy Alpha and An Award-Winning Omega Actress Fell in Love After an Arranged Marriage - Chapter 64

Not a word was spoken through the night.

Early the next morning, both of them overslept. Used to the relentless pace of their careers, they usually functioned on just a few hours of sleep; waking up at 8:30 AM wasn’t a major delay, but it felt like a lapse nonetheless. While Lu Xueyin maintained her calm exterior, she cared deeply about her image, especially in front of Sheng Lan’s family. Staying over for the first time only to sleep in felt like she had ruined the “cool” reputation she had carefully cultivated the night before.

Still half-asleep and vulnerable, she began to mumble and grumble under her breath. “Why didn’t you set an alarm?” “Why did you turn off my phone?”

Sheng Lan, in a magnificent mood, watched their reflections in the mirror as they washed up. Her gaze wandered shamelessly over Lu Xueyin. Lu Xueyin’s skin was pale and delicate, the kind that held marks far too easily. Sheng Lan had exercised extreme restraint, knowing it was summer and they’d be wearing light clothing, but the hickey she had left on that tender patch of skin where the ear meets the neck was glaringly obvious. A soft, lingering kiss could be just as vivid as a forceful one.

Sheng Lan finally pulled her gaze back, glancing at Lu Xueyin sheepishly.

“Good thing I brought a silk scarf,” Lu Xueyin noted with a sigh of resignation. She had come prepared.

After the “sweet girl” dress incident, Sheng Lan decided to play “Dress-up Xueyin” in her walk-in closet. She insisted Lu Xueyin wear her clothes. While Sheng Lan owned many outfits Lu Xueyin privately classified as “edgy or non-mainstream,” she also had a vast collection of high-fashion pieces.

If they hadn’t both been buried under packed schedules, Lu Xueyin might not have made it out of that closet all day. They finally settled on a coastal-style sundress paired with the scarf—a look that was mature and chic, highlighting her curves in a way that felt different from her usual “cold and sexy” style.

While trying on clothes, Sheng Lan brought up the personalized autograph (to-sign) for Xiao Tao. She had promised to get one of Lu Xueyin, preferably one featuring her co-star Xie You. Lu Xueyin gave her a strange look but agreed readily. With their movie coming out, the promotion was in full swing; it was normal for people to want a photo of the “lead couple.”

What was strange was Sheng Lan’s total lack of jealousy.

“Do you have any requests for the message?” Lu Xueyin asked, acting just as magnanimous. “We’re working together today, and Jiang Ling has photos. I’ll pick a few out and bring them over.”

Sheng Lan’s eyes narrowed. Pick a few? One isn’t enough? Seeing Lu Xueyin adjust her scarf to hide the marks Sheng Lan had made, Sheng Lan’s jealousy finally flared up. Her own suggestion had turned into Lu Xueyin’s “over-generosity,” and Sheng Lan suddenly felt as if she had swallowed a vat of vinegar.

It was past 10:30 AM by the time they headed downstairs. Lu Xueyin hid her embarrassment by acting as Sheng Lan’s shadow, sticking close to her to avoid any direct teasing from the two moms. They shared a bowl of fish congee before heading out to work.

Sheng Lan, ever the dutiful partner, even helped lug the heavy crystal award stands into the car.

“You really are quite strong,” Lu Xueyin said dryly. “Strong enough to carry you across the room,” Sheng Lan quipped with a wink.

Once in the car, Lu Xueyin dutifully sent over the photos with Xie You for Xiao Tao to choose from. Sheng Lan looked at them, feeling sour again. “Do you have any photos of us in your phone?”

“Plenty,” Lu Xueyin admitted. She had saved raw shots, fan edits, and even memes during the shoot. Her honesty made her cheeks flush.

“I have plenty too,” Sheng Lan laughed. “I’m going to print them out.”

Sheng Lan dropped her off at a beverage commercial shoot, where Lu Xueyin was working alongside Xie You. Sheng Lan didn’t ask to stay, but she naturally followed her in to “visit the set.” She treated the entire crew to ice cream, cake, and cold drinks, listening to a chorus of compliments about her “sisterly bond” with Lu Xueyin.

Lu Xueyin was efficient. She grabbed the signed photos from Xie You and handed them to Sheng Lan before diving into her lines. Sheng Lan flicked the edge of the photo, her finger landing right on Xie You’s face each time. Jiang Ling, watching from the side, was speechless.

Before leaving for her own rehearsals, Sheng Lan tried to bribe Jiang Ling. “Call me if anything happens.” “Sure,” Jiang Ling replied dismissively. “I like sending people money,” Sheng Lan added. Jiang Ling perked up instantly. “Yes, Boss.”

While driving to her dance rehearsal, a message from Lu Xueyin popped up, forcing Sheng Lan to pull over.

[Kou Jin]: I don’t think I can say this to your face. If you still want to hear it, let’s talk in detail tonight.

Sheng Lan stared at the screen until her eyes ached. She typed a single “Okay.”

The rest of the day was a blur of “work mode.” Sheng Lan focused on her new album, its new style, and the choreography. Because it was a “romance” theme, she had plenty of inspiration. She spent the night dancing, refining her movements for the music video.

By the time she finished, it was past 12:30 AM. She sat in the back of her car and messaged Lu Xueyin that she was done. Almost instantly, two lines of text appeared.

[Kou Jin]: In our high school communal showers, someone supposedly took a photo of me, but I’m not sure if it was photoshopped. [Kou Jin]: At the villa, Feng Zhitong said she had the video from back then, so I gave her my phone.

The messages were clinical and brief. Sheng Lan’s heart clenched with a mix of fury and intense heartache.

[Mountain Wind]: Unsend those messages first. [Mountain Wind]: I’m coming to your place now.

Lu Xueyin was stubborn. [Kou Jin]: If I wanted you to come over, I wouldn’t have chosen to tell you this way.

She was like a child who had finally revealed a scar ashamed and wanting to hide in a dark corner. But Sheng Lan couldn’t stay away. Looking out the window at the passing streetlights, she only had one thought: her little rose had suffered too much in the past.

Now, she finally had someone to protect her.

I’ll do my best to provide a response that captures the evolving dynamic between Sheng Lan and Lu Xueyin, while ensuring the details of their new living arrangement and the lingering tension from Lu Xueyin’s past are handled with care.

Regarding your interest in my capabilities, as outlined in Case 7, please keep in mind that I will occasionally get things wrong, as I am always learning. I encourage you to correct me directly in our conversation whenever I miss a detail or misinterpret the tone of the story!

Sheng Lan took a strategic step back as they neared Lu Xueyin’s new residence. “I won’t enter your room. I’ll stay out here in the living area. Is that okay?” It was the perfect compromise—close enough to offer comfort, yet distant enough to respect the boundaries Lu Xueyin needed to feel safe.

Lu Xueyin hesitated, running a hand through her hair, before finally relenting. While she craved companionship, the thought of facing Sheng Lan after her revelation was daunting.

While waiting for Sheng Lan to arrive, Lu Xueyin washed her face. She stared at her reflection, water dripping from her chin. Telling the truth had been easier than she expected. Perhaps it was because she had played the scenario out in her head a thousand times, or perhaps because the rumors were already a hundred times worse than the reality.

Her only lingering hesitation was a strange, newfound conservatism: she hated the idea of Sheng Lan seeing a “dirty” side of her. The realization made her let out a self-deprecating laugh.

When the door finally opened, Lu Xueyin’s last bit of resistance vanished. Sheng Lan had joked via text about waiting two minutes outside to avoid “reconciliation” headlines, but the moment they locked eyes, the tension began to thaw.

Lu Xueyin’s new place was modest—a two-bedroom apartment that felt cozy rather than cavernous. She led Sheng Lan to the sofa and went to the kitchen. She reached for two beers, then, spotting the yogurt, changed her mind and grabbed two cartons instead.

Under the harsh, unromantic glow of the white ceiling light, Sheng Lan accepted the yogurt with a surprised look. Seeing Lu Xueyin’s stable condition, she suppressed her fury and heartache, choosing instead to focus on the practical.

“What are your thoughts on how to proceed?” Sheng Lan asked directly.

Lu Xueyin wanted to know the truth—did that video actually exist? She unlocked her phone and glanced at Sheng Lan, biting her lip before speaking. “Because the high school showers were open-plan… some people were bold. They would watch other girls.”

She explained that no matter how much she tried to hide, she couldn’t block everything. The rumor about the red mole on her thigh likely came from someone seeing her, rather than a recorded video. She didn’t go into more detail; the subject was too sensitive.

“It’s strange,” Lu Xueyin said with a small smile. “I feel like I’m dissecting myself as source material. I was terrified, but saying it aloud to you… I feel lighter than I imagined. I don’t feel like running away.”

Sheng Lan realized that Lu Xueyin was putting on a “flawless performance” of bravery to cope with the situation. It was heartbreaking. As the night grew late, they decided to rest.

“What were you going to do if I didn’t open the door?” Lu Xueyin asked as they entered the bedroom.

“I know you like walking barefoot,” Sheng Lan replied. “I was going to drag the rug over, lean against your door, and talk to you.”

Lu Xueyin didn’t have rugs yet. She hated the cold, slippery floors of the new apartment.

Sheng Lan noticed the oversized crystal award stand sitting awkwardly between the bed and the balcony. There was no outlet nearby for the lights, and its “tacky” glow would likely be terrifying in the middle of the night. She made a mental note to move it to the living room the next day.

Sheng Lan took a quick shower and slipped into a pair of Lu Xueyin’s pajamas. “Nice figure,” Lu Xueyin teased, the silk camisole hugging Sheng Lan’s waist perfectly. Sheng Lan leaned in for a lingering kiss before they finally turned out the lights.

In the silence of the night, Lu Xueyin couldn’t hold back any longer. She wept silently against Sheng Lan’s arm for a long time. When she finally finished, Sheng Lan gently suggested she take some cold medicine as a precaution against the emotional exhaustion.

When Lu Xueyin said she had none, Sheng Lan used her “money powers” to order a delivery at 3:00 AM. Lu Xueyin drank the warm water, a small smile appearing on her face. For the first time, she didn’t have to get up and find her own “recovery potions.” Someone was there to take care of her.

The next morning, Sheng Lan woke early to make breakfast: bowls of simple egg and greens noodles and soft savory pancakes.

“These noodles would be better with some chili oil or savory toppings,” Sheng Lan grumbled, “but I have to look after my voice, so you’re stuck with plain broth with me.”

While Lu Xueyin washed the dishes, Sheng Lan moved the award stand to the living room. Lu Xueyin looked like she wanted to say something about it but kept quiet.

Since Lu Xueyin had the morning off, Sheng Lan went to the supermarket to buy ingredients for a pork rib and winter melon soup, setting it to slow-cook so Lu Xueyin would have something hearty for lunch.

Later, at the music studio, Sheng Lan met with Liang Jiao. She decided not to entrust Lu Xueyin’s matter to her yet, but she asked the PR department to stay alert for any negative shifts in the narrative.

“Is something coming?” Liang Jiao asked, confused. “If you’re planning to go public, we’ll need more people, but I’ve already scouted some external help.”

“It’s Lu Xueyin,” Sheng Lan said seriously. “There might be anti-fans stirring up trouble.”

Sheng Lan knew the “plot” was moving. Even though she wasn’t the “Scum Alpha” anymore, Mu Qing, the “Destined Alpha” had appeared. She knew a storm was coming, one where the public would feast on Lu Xueyin’s tears before offering hollow blessings once the truth came out. Sheng Lan wanted to extinguish the fire before it even started.

Before leaving, she gave Liang Jiao a mundane task. “I bought some rugs. They’re being delivered to the office. Could you get them to Jiang Ling so she can bring them to Lu Xueyin’s place?”

“Can’t you just take them yourself?” Liang Jiao teased.

“I’m following your advice,” Sheng Lan deadpanned. “Avoiding excessive direct contact.”

Within an hour, Lu Xueyin was walking on deep brown, plush bear-patterned rugs. She sent Sheng Lan a photo of her bare feet on the new carpet.

Sheng Lan saved the photo immediately. “Why haven’t you sent me a photo of the award?” she messaged back with a pouting cat emoji. “Do you think it’s ugly?”

It was a double entendre: Was the award ugly, or was the person on it?

Lu Xueyin, feeling the weight of the favor, took a photo of the stand in its new “feng shui” spot in the living room. Under the natural sunlight, the crystal looked clear, and the cheesy romantic lines were increasingly charming.

Sheng Lan smiled and saved that photo too.

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