After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Was Spoiled by a Sweet Omega - Chapter 8

Zhu Shanshan saw Ning Xuan standing there in a daze and assumed she had scared her. Feeling emboldened, her arrogance swelled.

“Ning Xuan, if you don’t have the strength, just stay in your little comfort zone! Don’t overestimate yourself and make a fool of everyone. Honestly, you’d be better off clinging tightly to the Yu family’s thigh, obediently waiting at home to serve Yu Yazhi.

Who knows—if the young lady is in a good mood one day, she might even toss you some money to play at making a movie. As for Director He’s project, you’d better save yourself the trouble!”

Ning Xuan had never been insulted so directly before.

She clenched her fists, drew in a deep breath, and smiled.

“Miss Zhu, thank you for reminding me. If you hadn’t said it, I would’ve forgotten just how capable my wife is.

Oh, and since Director He’s film project is so promising, I’d better hurry and ask my wife to invest in it. But before that”

She stepped closer and closer to Zhu Shanshan. With her tall frame, she exuded an invisible pressure.

“I’ll have her blacklist you first, Zhu Shanshan.”

Zhu Shanshan’s heart jolted. She couldn’t help but be daunted by the Yu family’s influence in the entertainment industry. But the next moment she sneered to herself. Who are you trying to scare? I’m not exactly a pushover in this circle either.

“Ha! Ning Xuan, do you really think Yu Yazhi listens to you just because you said so?”

Her gaze was full of contempt, her tone mocking.

“You’re nothing but a kept woman, and yet you’re putting on airs? Wake up! The young lady doesn’t take you seriously at all!”

With that, she tossed her hair and strutted off like a peacock in full display.

Ning Xuan watched her leave, forcing herself to take a deep breath, tamping down the urge to yank out her hair.

Damn it. I’ll remember this grudge.

Meanwhile

Yu Yazhi was trapped inside the restroom.

Her hand pressed against the door handle, but she couldn’t bring herself to push it open.

She had overheard every word of their exchange just now.

She had only come here for some social niceties—she never expected to run into Ning Xuan, let alone in such an awkward situation.

After waiting a while and confirming Ning Xuan had left, she finally stepped out.

At the sink, she pulled out a tube of lipstick, carefully tracing her lips as she thought:

Weren’t you just so sharp-tongued? Now a couple of harsh words leave you speechless? In front of me, you chatter nonstop, but in front of others, you shrink like a bullied kitten. Hmph, all bark and no bite.

Still, judging by the situation, she figured Ning Xuan would come running to her for help by tonight.

And for some reason, the thought of Ning Xuan softening before her put Yu Yazhi in an unexpectedly good mood.

Ning Xuan, outwardly calm, headed back toward the private room.

At the turn of the hallway, she bumped into Zhu Shanshan again.

A little boy, about four or five years old, had fallen to the ground in front of her.

“You hurt me! Apologize!”

The boy cried pitifully, his big black eyes brimming with tears.

Rubbing her calf with a scowl, Zhu Shanshan snapped,

“Where did this brat come from? You ran into me, and you want me to apologize? Ridiculous!”

She didn’t even try to help him up, just stepped around him and walked off.

Seeing this, Ning Xuan quickly rushed forward to help the boy to his feet, her voice gentle.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?”

She carefully checked him over, then raised her voice toward Zhu Shanshan’s retreating figure.

“Zhu Shanshan! The child fell—are you really just going to walk away?”

Zhu Shanshan turned back with a look of disgust.

“So what if he fell? That brat bumped into me and hurt my leg. I have a poster shoot coming up—if he left me with a scratch, could he afford the consequences?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

The nerve of this woman!

Too lazy to argue further, she focused on the boy, noticing a scrape on his elbow.

“Does it hurt? Don’t be scared. Let’s get this treated, okay? Where are your parents?”

The boy stayed quiet, only pointing toward the restroom.

The next second, a young woman rushed over in a panic.

“Young master, what are you doing here? You scared me half to death!”

She was a beta—delicate features, watery eyes, her hair tied in a low ponytail. Dressed in a floral dress, she looked pale and was clutching her stomach, likely due to her period, which explained her longer stay in the restroom.

Spotting Ning Xuan, her eyes narrowed warily.

“Who are you?”

The boy quickly ran to her, hugging her leg, tears spilling down his cheeks.

“Aunt Lin, a mean lady bumped into me. This big sister helped me.”

Seeing that the child knew her, Ning Xuan smiled.

“Who I am isn’t important. His elbow’s scraped—better take him to get it treated.”

Realizing Ning Xuan meant no harm, the woman’s demeanor softened. She thanked her and carried the boy away.

Ning Xuan then returned to the private room.

Inside, Zhu Shanshan was laughing and drinking as if nothing had happened.

Ning Xuan sat down, uninterested, watching like an outsider.

Suddenly, a ringtone cut through the chatter—an elegant Russian song, oddly out of place.

Everyone turned to look.

It was He Sheng’s phone.

After answering, his face grew grim. He raised his glass to the group, said he had an urgent matter, and left in a hurry.

With the host gone, the dinner gathering quickly dispersed.

Ning Xuan was the first to leave.

Su Manyun followed after her.

“Ning Xuan, what’s wrong?”

Just as Ning Xuan was about to answer, Zhu Shanshan emerged with two investors, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

“Honestly, I don’t know what Director He was thinking, inviting irrelevant people to join us.”

Ning Xuan’s expression frosted over, and she ignored her completely.

Su Manyun had a fiery temper and couldn’t swallow this insult. She snapped back on the spot:

“If you’re going to fart, do us all a favor and take it somewhere else. Don’t stink up the place and make people sick.”

The words were vicious.

Downright crude!

Zhu Shanshan was no stranger to crudeness herself, but with two investors present she had to keep up appearances. She forced down her anger and swallowed it whole.

Hmph. Ning Xuan, just you wait.

Ning Xuan caught the venomous look Zhu Shanshan shot her way.

Her face remained calm, her eyes unruffled.

Su Manyun, however, was still fuming. Once they got into the car and saw Ning Xuan sitting quietly, head bowed, she was puzzled.

“What’s with the silence? Did Zhu Shanshan poison you speechless?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

The remark almost made her laugh. Seeing that Su Manyun’s fire hadn’t quite burned out, she curved her lips in a light smile.

“No. I was just thinking, Director He’s new film is going to be a bloodbath to get into. How can I make sure he notices me?”

Su Manyun froze. Just earlier she’d been reluctant—one meal later, and she’s enlightened?

“As long as you understand. The competition for the key roles in He’s film will be brutal. Your beauty might put others to shame, but when it comes to acting”

She had no advantage.

In fact, that was her Achilles’ heel.

Realizing her words were a bit harsh, Su Manyun quickly corrected herself:

“Never mind. When the acting isn’t enough, beauty makes up for it. Honestly, no movie could outshine your face. And with Director He overseeing things, your acting will improve in no time.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

In truth, she wasn’t completely lacking in acting skills.

She’d studied at a film academy, majored in performance, acted in plays, and even won awards.

The only thing missing was a proper film role.

“Anyway, Yun-jie, help me fight for this project. I really want to give it a try.”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

Su Manyun was rarely this gratified, Ning Xuan’s sudden ambition lit up her beautiful face with a motherly smile. But the smile quickly froze.

“Wait, you’re not asking me to go begging Miss Yu again, are you?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

The “original” Ning Xuan, out of pride, had often relied on Su Manyun to pass along her requests.

If Su Manyun refused, she’d get angry: What’s wrong with you? There’s a shortcut and you’re not using it? Hurry up and tell her—I don’t have time to wait for you to hustle!

That kind of attitude had crushed Su Manyun’s motivation.

But this Ning Xuan, having seen all of that from the memories she inherited, quickly said:

“No. Not this time. We’re not going to her. You’re always saying you don’t want to be just a decoration—well, now it’s on you. Whatever demands the director makes, I’ll cooperate. Even if I don’t get the lead role, I’ll take what I can.”

Su Manyun: “…”

So easygoing?

She was stunned. After a moment, she exchanged a glance with Zhao Luoluo: Did I hear that right? The sun must have risen in the west today—Ning Xuan doesn’t want to rely on Yu Yazhi’s resources, and she’s even willing to settle for a supporting role?

Zhao Luoluo’s eyes sparkled with excitement: Yes, Sister Yun, our Ning Xuan is about to rise!

Ning Xuan felt as if she had mind-reading powers, easily following their silent exchange.

Well, it was fine if they thought so. She wasn’t the same as the original, and sooner or later, she would do plenty more things that shocked them.

Taking the moment, she said firmly:

“Listen carefully. From today on, all my resources—I’ll fight for myself. I’ll make my living by my own ability.”

Su Manyun and Zhao Luoluo exchanged another look: She really is going to rise!

Later, Ning Xuan returned to the Yu family villa.

Before she left, Su Manyun gave a few last-minute reminders about the variety show recording the next day.

Ning Xuan listened carefully, but when she heard Bai Meng’s name, her brows knitted. That woman’s flirtatious WeChat messages were still sitting unanswered in her phone, yet she kept pestering. God forbid—would she stir up trouble on tomorrow’s show?

Seeing her frown, Su Manyun recalled the hotel incident and offered a warning:

“Bai Meng’s private life is a mess. Even if you want to fool around, raise your standards a little. If you ask me, someone like President Yu is a much better choice. You should just settle down with her.”

Years in the entertainment circle had shown her too many loveless marriages. So when it came to Ning Xuan’s love life, she didn’t say much more.

It just seemed a pity—abandoning a woman like President Yu for some second-rate starlet, tangled in a mess.

Ning Xuan agreed with the first half of Su Manyun’s advice. The second half, she steered clear of.

Of course, none of it showed on her face. She just smiled, hopped out of the car, and went into the villa.

The villa was quiet.

Having drunk quite a bit that evening, Ning Xuan asked Aunt Wu to bring her a hangover soup.

Upstairs, in the study.

Yu Yazhi was reviewing documents.

Hearing movement downstairs, she knew Ning Xuan was back. She set her work aside, leaned lazily against the chair, hands clasped, and waited for her to come knocking.

One minute passed.

Five minutes passed.

The house grew even quieter.

Why hadn’t she come?

Had she drunk too much?

Unable to resist, Yu Yazhi opened the door and peeked out.

Right then Aunt Wu walked by with the soup. Seeing her, she asked, “Miss, do you need anything?”

Yu Yazhi: “…”

She coughed lightly, straightened, and feigned nonchalance.

“Oh, nothing. I just thought it was a bit noisy outside.”

Aunt Wu chuckled. “That was Miss Ning. She’s back from drinking and asked me for some hangover soup. Would you like some too, Miss? You had wine earlier as well.”

Yu Yazhi shook her head. “No need.”

She went back to her desk, but no matter how she tried, the words on the page wouldn’t stick.

So quiet after drinking? Wasn’t she usually loud, even rowdy, when drunk? Could it be Zhu Shanshan’s insults had really gotten to her, and she was brooding alone?

The thought made it impossible to focus.

She decided to take a walk.

Back and forth along the hallway.

Each time she passed Ning Xuan’s bedroom, her steps slowed. It was too quiet. Way too quiet. Was Ning Xuan really sulking in silence? No—that wasn’t like her. But then again, even if she was, what did it matter? It was none of her business. She didn’t care.

Fine. She’d just go back to her work.

Decision made, she turned to leave.

“Click.”

The bedroom door opened.

“Yazhi?”

Ning Xuan had just showered, her long damp hair clinging to her shoulders, soaking the white nightdress that now molded to her figure. The fabric outlined her soft, enticing curves, faintly revealing the rose-colored tips beneath.

She had only come out for water, parched after her bath, but finding Yu Yazhi there startled her.

“You were looking for me?”