After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Was Spoiled by a Sweet Omega - Chapter 23

The next day.

Ning Xuan deliberately slept in a little longer.

First, she didn’t want to run into Yu Yazhi. Second, that spring dream from last night kept looping in her mind, tormenting her so much that she had to get up in the middle of the night and take a cold shower before she could finally fall

asleep.

Sigh.

Standing before the sink, she stared at the dark circles under her eyes reflected in the mirror and let out a long sigh.

At this rate, even if Yu Yazhi didn’t ask her to move out, she’d take the initiative herself.

The pressure was unbearable.

Ning Xuan scooped up cold water in her hands and slapped it hard against her face, trying to wake herself up.

Just then, the sound of a car engine starting drifted up from downstairs.

She leaned by the window and watched Yu Yazhi drive away. Her taut nerves loosened considerably.

After changing clothes, she glanced at her phone and saw more than a dozen missed calls.

Every single one of them was from Zhao Luoluo.

Thinking of last night, Ning Xuan instantly bristled with anger. Hmph, not answering her calls is already merciful enough.

Such a backstabbing act deserved execution!

Aunt Wu was tidying up the dining table. When she saw Ning Xuan coming down, she immediately had someone prepare breakfast.

Since she had woken up late, Ning Xuan didn’t want to trouble anyone. She quickly said,
“Aunt Wu, don’t bother. Just warm me a glass of milk.”

Aunt Wu nodded, but when she brought it over, the tray also carried two slices of toast.
“Miss Ning, drinking milk on an empty stomach isn’t good for your health.”

The caring words warmed Ning Xuan’s heart.

She thanked her, sat down, and began to eat.

“Xuan-jie, Xuan-jie! I’m here to pick you up!”

Zhao Luoluo’s voice rang from outside.

Ning Xuan downed the rest of the milk in one gulp, wiped her hands with a napkin, and walked out.

Zhao Luoluo greeted her with a grin, waving energetically.
“Xuan-jie, good morning!”

Ning Xuan’s face stayed cold.
“Why are you here? Didn’t Sister Yun tell you not to come for me?”

Of course Zhao Luoluo had gotten the order, but how could she dare not come?

Ning Xuan was angry about last night. If she didn’t show up to placate her now, she might never get another chance.
“Ah, Xuan-jie, I was wrong. Please don’t hold it against me. You’re magnanimous, don’t stoop to my level!”

Hands clasped together pitifully, Zhao Luoluo made a pleading face.

Ning Xuan couldn’t be bothered to argue. She just tossed out,
“Don’t let it happen again.”

Then, after bidding Aunt Wu goodbye, she got into the car and left the villa.

All the way, Zhao Luoluo acted like a guilty child, sneaking glances at Ning Xuan’s expression.

The constant staring made Ning Xuan impatient. She said darkly,
“What, now you’re afraid I’m angry? Last night you shoved me into Yu Yazhi’s arms and then ran off, leaving me to fend for myself. You weren’t afraid then?”

Zhao Luoluo didn’t defend herself, only gave her a sheepish, ingratiating smile.

Ning Xuan was furious at her spinelessness.
“Just drive.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Zhao Luoluo straightened up instantly.

The car moved steadily along.

Before long, they arrived at the café.

Zhao Luoluo thoughtfully handed over a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, still smiling ingratiatingly.
“Xuan-jie, careful of paparazzi.”

Ning Xuan put them on, fully disguised, and entered the café.

The place was decorated in dark tones, carrying a faintly retro atmosphere.

The soft violin music was graceful and soothing, making one feel as though they were drifting on a quiet lake.

Accompanied by the music, the two walked inside.

At the counter, they spotted Su Manyun, who had clearly been waiting for some time.

She waved them over and led them to a private booth.

The booth, too, was softly lit in warm tones.

The light fell gently across Xu Ci’s face.

He sat quietly on the sofa, his OGA traits pronounced—slender build, pale skin, delicate features, and eyes black and limpid like spring water, full of tenderness.

In a normal world, Ning Xuan thought, such a refined man would be the quintessential “cat-like boyfriend.”

Thinking that, she removed her sunglasses and mask, smiling as she greeted him.
“Teacher Xu, hello. We meet again.”

Xu Ci quickly rose to shake her hand.
“Miss Ning”

Everyone took their seats.

The waiter came in to take orders.

Ning Xuan asked for a cup of flower tea, then took the lead in conversation:
“Last time I was too ignorant and failed to recognize true talent. When I got home, I did my homework.

Teacher Xu, you’re so young, yet your works already combine social, artistic, and philosophical depth. Truly impressive. Especially The Disappearing Santo Flower—what a classic.”

Her words were sincere.

At only twenty-six, Xu Ci had already created five high-grossing films. The Disappearing Santo Flower—though called a film—was more like a documentary on sex workers. Its dramatic intensity and philosophical weight had earned him international acclaim.

Unfortunately, domestic response had been lukewarm.

“Miss Ning flatters me.”

Xu Ci smiled modestly.
“Why don’t we be more casual? I’m not used to being called ‘Teacher.’”

Ning Xuan chuckled and nodded.
“To be honest, I don’t like it either.”

Su Manyun, seeing their good rapport, added with a smile,
“Seems we’re all straightforward people. That’s good—makes for simple, happy cooperation.”

Then she shifted the topic toward business.
“I’d love to see more films like The Disappearing Santo Flower. By the way, Xu, what’s your new script about? Has the writing gone smoothly?”

At this, Ning Xuan recalled her purpose for coming and picked up smoothly:
“If I remember right, when you worked on Santo Flower, you spent a year doing field research in Santo. For your other films too, you’ve always done fieldwork. Since you’re back in China now, I imagine the new script will cater to the domestic market?”

Xu Ci was surprised by how much she knew, then smiled.
“Why don’t you take a guess, Miss Ning?”

If she guessed wrong, it’d be awkward.

Su Manyun grew nervous on her behalf, thinking Ning Xuan shouldn’t have gone down this path of deduction.

For a second, Ning Xuan herself regretted it.

But since he had asked, she had no choice but to answer.

She wasn’t a genius—she’d overslept that morning and only crammed some background info, half-watched his films at best. She could only hazard a guess:
“I looked at your Weibo and noticed you’ve been reposting many domestic main-theme films lately—war, sci-fi, things like that. I’d imagine your new script has something to do with those genres?”

Xu Ci looked at her with genuine admiration.
“Miss Ning really did her homework.”

She had, in fact, guessed correctly.

Given the political climate and cultural environment in China, once he decided to return, he had indeed narrowed his focus to war and sci-fi. But since sci-fi wasn’t his strength, he chose war.

Hearing this, Ning Xuan knew she’d probably hit the mark. She smiled.
“If I’m lucky enough to audition, I’ll do even more homework.”

“I can already see your sincerity. Miss Ning, you’re sharp and quick.”

Xu Ci, who already had a good impression of her, was now even more favorable. He generously revealed a little more:
“To be frank, my new script is a war film. There’s a female character—a beautiful spy.”

Ning Xuan immediately seized the chance.
“That sounds fascinating.”

“But,” Xu Ci added, “the role requires a lot of fight scenes. War films demand tough conditions.”

In other words: the role would not be easy.

Ning Xuan caught the hint and quickly assured him,
“I understand. The easy path is always downhill. If I want to climb higher, I must endure hardship. To rise above, one must bear the hardest trials. What I fear most is not having the chance to prove myself.”

Her conviction impressed him.
“Half a month from now, the script will be ready. Director He will hold auditions for key roles. I hope to see your best performance.”

The message was clear: in two weeks, she needed to master enough martial arts to impress.

Ning Xuan understood. She lifted her cup in thanks.
“Then I’ll toast with tea, and thank you for the guidance.”

Xu Ci clinked his cup with hers.
“You’re welcome.”

The coffee meeting ended on a pleasant note.

Afterward, Ning Xuan bid farewell to Xu Ci and returned to the car.

In the passenger seat, Su Manyun enthusiastically recounted their conversation to Zhao Luoluo, especially praising Ning Xuan:
“Your Xuan-jie was brilliant today. So eloquent and quick-witted. If anyone dares call her just a pretty face again, I’ll be the first to disagree!”

Even she was dazzled by Ning Xuan’s performance.

Ning Xuan herself was satisfied too. She had gained Xu Ci’s initial approval. As long as she could handle the fight scenes, her chances at the “spy” role were high.

With that in mind, she said,
“Sister Yun, please find me a martial arts coach as soon as possible. I need physical training.”

Su Manyun beamed at her determination.
“Look at that! With her drive and initiative, Xuan-jie is absolutely a top-tier star in the making.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Ning Xuan felt physically uncomfortable at the praise.

No—she was uncomfortable.

Truly uncomfortable.

A sudden jolt, like tiny electric currents racing under her skin, made her hiss involuntarily.

Su Manyun immediately turned back.
“What’s wrong?”

Ning Xuan pressed a hand to the back of her neck, her brows furrowed. It’s the same as last night—heat rushing through me, tingling all over.

She didn’t know exactly what was happening, but common sense told her it was bad.

“Sister Yun, do you know when my last susceptibility period was?”