After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Was Spoiled by a Sweet Omega - Chapter 61

Jin Min was a genius actress.

She had brought to life countless classic roles that remained beloved by audiences. In the entertainment industry, her reputation was stellar—she was known for her kindness and for mentoring younger talents.

That evening, she came specifically to meet Ning Xuan. When Director He Sheng called Xu Ci over, Ning Xuan happened to glance in her direction. Jin Min raised her hand in greeting, her smile gentle yet radiant.

Jin Min loved to smile.

Her smile was breathtaking. In one film, a single glance over her shoulder had captivated audiences nationwide, cementing her as the “white moonlight” in many hearts. Even after years had passed, her iconic smiling gif still circulated widely.

Ning Xuan, surprised and flattered by the gesture, quickly followed Xu Ci over.

“Miss Jin, Director He, good evening.”

He Sheng nodded with a smile. “This is Jin Min. I don’t need to introduce her—she’s won every award in the industry. Once you join the crew, you should learn from her.”

Ning Xuan responded earnestly, “Yes.”

Jin Min carried no airs. Her smile was warm, like a spring breeze. “Let’s learn from each other. Director He, she’s still young, don’t scare her.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

This senior was far too gentle.

Jin Min then spoke about Ning Xuan’s audition. “Voice, stage presence, expression, movement—you need to strengthen your command of dialogue.”

She gave detailed pointers, then concluded with praise: “Overall, it was very good. I look forward to acting alongside you.”

Ning Xuan thanked her sincerely, about to say more—

“Ah, so my white moonlight and red rose are both here.”

The newcomer’s words startled Ning Xuan. She wouldn’t have known this person was playing Cheng Zhaoqing otherwise.

And the key point—it was a woman.

She wore a black suit, her hair cropped short like a man’s, with a playful tuft tied at the crown. Her bangs were loose, half-shadowing her eyes. Her features were sharp, her complexion pale, her aura strikingly androgynous.

She was undeniably charismatic.

From her tone, she also seemed witty.

“This is Xin Lie,” Jin Min introduced. “She’s always taken on cross-gender roles. You probably haven’t followed her much.”

Ning Xuan froze, then dug through the original memories—Xin Lie was a wealthy heiress. Acting was her side hobby, so her works were few, but each was a masterpiece. Her fame was considerable.

“Oh, Miss Xin, hello.”

Ning Xuan quickly smiled in greeting.

This industry really was full of the rich and powerful.

Xin Lie, humorous and charming, shook Ning Xuan’s hand. “You truly are my ideal red rose. Director He has never disappointed me in casting.”

The compliment made Ning Xuan blush. “Don’t say that. Compared to you two, I feel like Guan Gong brandishing his blade before experts.”

Xin Lie laughed, patting her shoulder. “No need to be nervous. Show the same courage as when you rescued your husband from the enemy camp.”

She was even more immersed in the role than Ning Xuan.

The three leads gradually began discussing the script.

Listening to their insights, Ning Xuan felt she gained immensely.

Good actors always recognized and cherished one another.

Unknowingly, they talked until ten o’clock.

Later, screenwriter Xu Ci joined them, compiling their perspectives into notes.

What began as a cocktail party turned into a script study session for four workaholics.

Ning Xuan was reluctant to leave when it finally ended.

“My red rose, see you tomorrow.”

Tomorrow was the photoshoot.

Xin Lie was still half in character.

At the hotel entrance, Jin Min waited for her assistant to bring the car. Hearing Xin Lie’s words, she nudged her playfully. “She’s married. Don’t provoke her, or you’ll get your legs broken.”

Xin Lie, tipsy, leaned on her shoulder, eyes mischievous. “I’d be delighted if you broke my legs.”

Jin Min glared at her, embarrassed. “Xin Lie, you’re drunk. People are around, stop talking nonsense.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

She instantly sensed the ambiguity between them and quickly waved her hands. “I didn’t hear anything. I’m drunk too.”

Xin Lie chuckled. “See? The red rose knows how to play along.”

Jin Min slapped her hand away, genuinely annoyed. “Too bad, the red rose already belongs to someone else.”

Ning Xuan decided it was best to leave. Just then, Luo Yuanyuan drove up, and she hurried into the car.

Of course, once inside, she couldn’t resist peeking at the gossip: So, Jin Min and Xin Lie were a couple. No wonder Xin Lie cross-dressed to play Cheng Zhaoqing.

If memory served, they had plenty of passionate scenes together.

“Sister Xuan, you didn’t eat much. Are you hungry?”

Luo Yuanyuan asked while driving. “Should we grab something, or I can cook for you at home?”

Ning Xuan declined. “No, I’m fine.”

She was a little hungry, but it was already past eleven—too late to eat. She endured it.

Soon, they reached her apartment.

Ning Xuan got out, took the elevator, unlocked the door.

The room was empty.

She felt a touch of loneliness, but exhaustion left no room for thought. After a shower, she collapsed into bed.

The next morning.

Weibo’s trending list exploded: Director He’s new drama The Nightingale and the Rose had revealed its cast lineup!

It wasn’t an official announcement, but it was credible.

While eating breakfast, Ning Xuan scanned the list. She noticed Zhu Shanshan, cast as the so-called “third female lead.” In truth, the role was minor—a friend of the heroine Chen Xiangying at a Shanghai dance hall.

She also saw Bai Meng, playing a female antagonist—a disposable villain who tricked the heroine into approaching the male lead. Again, limited screen time.

Clearly, this was why Director He allowed them into the crew. Their roles were small, not affecting the overall story.

“Knock, knock.”

The doorbell rang.

Ning Xuan opened it to find Luo Yuanyuan.

“Sister Xuan, good morning.”

She handed over a coffee and began outlining the schedule. “Today’s styling session. Did Sister Yun tell you?”

Ning Xuan nodded. “I saw the message. Give me a moment, I’ll finish eating.”

She drank her milk, left the dishes in the sink, planning to wash them later.

It wasn’t that she lacked time, she simply disliked doing dishes.

Seeing this, Luo Yuanyuan urged her to get ready while she herself tidied up.

She was diligent and thoughtful, always taking good care of others.

Ning Xuan thanked her, tied her hair into a low ponytail, grabbed her bag with wallet, phone, and power bank, and signaled she was ready.

At 8:40, they arrived at the styling studio.

Jin Min and Xin Lie were already there, each seated before a mirror, their stylists working on their hair.

Ning Xuan, as the junior, immediately bowed politely:

“Good morning, Sister Jin Min, Sister Xin Lie.”

Xin Lie, ever playful, replied with her usual humor:
“Morning, Red Rose.”

Notably, she left out the word my.

Jin Min shot her a glare, leaned closer, and whispered:
“Say that again, and you can forget about climbing into my bed tonight.”

Her voice was low, but Ning Xuan still caught it. Her eyes widened—uh, that was quite a revelation.

Xin Lie, delighted by Jin Min’s reaction, grew even more smug. She turned to Ning Xuan with a grin:
“See that, Red Rose? My White Moonlight is jealous.”

She had pursued Jin Min for years, even entered the entertainment industry for her sake, though Jin Min had never given a clear answer. Recently, things had taken a surprising turn, filling Xin Lie with joy. Though she wasn’t close to Ning Xuan, she couldn’t resist sharing her happiness.

Indeed, Jin Min was jealous.

But being teased in front of a junior made her embarrassed.

“Xin Lie, that mouth of yours. I swear I want to cook you a poisonous mushroom soup right now.”

That “poisonous mushroom soup” was a plot detail from the script.

She was using the storyline to “retaliate” against Xin Lie!

Ning Xuan listened with fascination. So, this CP is the classic love-and-hate dynamic.

Knock, knock.

A new stylist entered and began working on Ning Xuan’s look.

She had three promotional shots to complete:

• One of He Suizi with the male lead Cheng Zhaoqing under the cherry blossoms.

• One of her confrontation with the heroine Chen Xiangying.

• One of He Suizi in her dying moments.

Each photo represented a different state: innocent maiden, dazzling heiress, and frail beauty.

The shoot lasted all day. Makeup was applied and removed, poses struck and reset. By the end, Ning Xuan was exhausted, her face stiff from effort.

Jin Min and Xin Lie, seasoned veterans, finished their own shots quickly and came over to watch her.

When it ended, seeing her worn out, they couldn’t help but laugh:
“Already tired? This is nothing. Once filming starts, sleepless nights and repeating the same action dozens of times will be routine.”

Ning Xuan smiled wryly.

“I know. I’m prepared. I just feel bad for slowing everyone down.”

Xin Lie reassured her:
“That’s normal. Everyone needs time to adjust. It’s part of the process, and the crew understands.”

Ning Xuan thanked her, genuinely comforted.

After the photoshoot, the three chatted a bit before parting ways.

Before leaving, Xin Lie kindly offered advice on what to prepare before joining the crew:
“Instant noodles and spicy snacks are essentials. When you’re sick of boxed meals, you’ll thank me.”

Jin Min rolled her eyes again and told Ning Xuan:
“Don’t listen to her exaggerations. It’s not like we’re filming in the wilderness. Still, it’s good to bring food you like. Some locations are quite remote.”

Ning Xuan thanked them once more, touched by their thoughtfulness.

Silently, she wished the two of them would find happiness together soon.

On the way back, Luo Yuanyuan drove while repeating Xin Lie’s list of essentials:
“Sister Xuan, these are the things, right?”

She had carefully noted Xin Lie’s words.

Ning Xuan thought it sounded about right.

“Mm. Let’s buy these first.”

“Okay,” Luo Yuanyuan replied.

They stopped at the supermarket near the apartment, got out in sync, and pushed a cart together.

♪ Spellbound, enchanted by you, spellbound. ♪

Her phone rang.

Ning Xuan was standing in front of a shelf of spicy snacks, carefully choosing flavors. Distracted, she answered without checking the caller ID.

“Where are you?”

It was Yu Yazhi’s voice.

Ning Xuan’s heart tightened.

“At the supermarket. You?”

Please don’t be at my apartment door.

And of course, what she feared came true.

“I’m at your door.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Oh no. She really was.

Her premonition was spot on.

“That Yazhi, do you need something?”

“Not really.”

She almost said I missed you, but sensing Ning Xuan’s resistance, she swallowed the words and instead said:
“I heard you’re joining a crew soon. I prepared some things for you.”

“Oh, thank you. But it’s not necessary. I’m already buying them.”

“What you buy is yours. What I buy is my care for you.”

Yu Yazhi stood at Ning Xuan’s door, surrounded by bags, and continued:
“Ning Xuan, don’t feel pressured. I just want to be good to you.”

In truth, she had already waited outside for an hour before calling, hoping to surprise her. With Ning Xuan about to start filming, who knew when they’d meet again?

But clearly, her “surprise” only felt like pressure.

“You don’t need to buy more. And don’t make excuses to avoid me. I’ll leave now. Rest well.”

She stepped into the elevator, pressed the button, speaking words of concern.

Yet the more she tried to be considerate, the more Ning Xuan felt guilty.

“That.”

Ning Xuan’s heart softened. She extended an invitation:
“Yazhi, have you eaten? Let’s have dinner together.”

Yu Yazhi refused.

“Don’t force yourself. Ning Xuan, I’ll say it again, I don’t expect anything from you. I just want to be good to you.”

All lies.

She wasn’t a saint. Giving always demanded something in return.

But she had to make it sound noble:
“As long as you don’t reject my kindness, I’m content.”

She deliberately lowered herself, appearing harmless, unthreatening.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened.

Ning Xuan stood outside, face flushed, hand on her waist, breathing heavily.

Yu Yazhi was stunned to see her.

“Ning Xuan, you?”

Catching her breath, Ning Xuan spoke firmly:
“I’ve thought it through. Yu Yazhi, let’s talk.”