After Entering A Marriage of Convenience With My Omega Rival - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Sheng Ruxi: “I Have No Plans to Marry.”

“Passengers, please remain calm. The aircraft has entered a zone of turbulence, expected to last ten minutes. Please stay seated with your seatbelts fastened.”

The vibration wasn’t severe. Jian Jixing refastened her seatbelt and looked down at her phone. The signal showed one bar, but the device was silent—no internet, no messages.

The cabin was a mix of white noise and the chatter of her team. Despite the bumps, no one seemed afraid. Having traveled with Jian Jixing before, they knew her safety standards were top-tier; they were even cracking jokes.

“Quick, let me text my girlfriend so she can comfort me.” “Stop joking. You acting like you’re leaving a will? There’s no signal anyway…” “Haha, it’s fine. Director Jian’s plane is the safest. What’s there to worry about?” “I know, but every time the plane shakes, my heart involuntarily shudders.” “Look at Director Jian. She’s been flying private for years; look how calm she is. Learn from her…”

Jian Jixing waved a hand at her lively colleagues. “Don’t tease me. Sit properly.”

Her phone screen was still stuck on the chat interface with Sheng Ruxi—something that almost never happened before. Sheng Ruxi’s pheromones were still lingering in her mind.

In the past, she never thought about things like “regret.” But today, when the plane jolted, what flashed in her mind was Sheng Ruxi’s waist, her collarbone, and—those seemingly soft lips that always spoke words that refused to give anyone an inch.

However, there were no more messages. She closed her eyes carelessly and tossed the phone aside. By the time the plane cleared the turbulence, Jian Jixing was fast asleep.

…

She woke up nearly two hours later. Outside the cabin, it was still gloomy.

“Director Jian, you’re awake.” Zhou Yue had been waiting for fifteen minutes. “The destination, Shanmi, is experiencing heavy rain until 11:00 PM tonight. We are scheduled to divert to Xicheng Airport. If you’re in a hurry, we can arrange a helicopter once we land; Xicheng just opened a flower-viewing route to Shanmi.”

After listening to the long explanation, Jian Jixing stared into space for a moment before turning her head. “Is there internet yet?”

“Ah?” Zhou Yue blinked. “Yes, but it’s intermittent. Your phone lit up ten minutes ago.”

Jian Jixing grabbed it. It was a missed video call from Sheng Ruxi. She quickly called back. It rang twice, then the other side hung up.

“…” Jian Jixing’s face went blank. “Never mind. Proceed with the diversion.”

After landing in Xicheng and checking into a hotel near the airport, it was nearly 8:00 PM by the time everything was settled. She had just showered and sat on the bed when she saw a message from Gu Shengci.

[Image] [Ooh, la la! This can’t be real, right?]

Jian Jixing frowned: [What are you going crazy about now?]

Was everyone abnormal today? The image Gu Shengci sent was that same photo of the afternoon tea.

Gu Shengci: [Great Director, please go online once in a while. You’re scouting locations, not entering a monastery. Aren’t you afraid your little ancestor will throw a fit?]

Jian Jixing sent back a question mark.

Gu Shengci: [Meng Zhao posted this. You two even have a ‘couple name’ now. Fans are planning a ‘cyber wedding’ for you. Cyber bigamy is still bigamy—get ready for jail.]

A few more screenshots followed, and Jian Jixing finally understood. Comparing the timing of Sheng Ruxi’s call to when she hung up… Jian Jixing didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. Sheng Ruxi wasn’t new to the industry; could she really not see through such obvious one-sided hype?

On the trending list, her name was paired with Meng Zhao at #2. Number 1 was: #Sheng Ruxi Sends Her Blessings#

Jian Jixing’s gaze froze on the image. In the photo, Sheng Ruxi was wearing that million-dollar gown, the starlight-like train trailing behind her. She looked grand and extravagant, smiling brightly at the camera.

During Jian Jixing’s flight, the rumor of her visiting Meng Zhao’s set had become a hot topic. When Sheng Ruxi was hounded by reporters while leaving her event, she simply said: “Respect and blessings.”

Fans said she looked genuinely happy—the most sincere she’d ever looked when mentioning Jian Jixing’s name.

Jian Jixing: “…”

Gu Shengci: [Your wife wished you and your ‘rumored girlfriend’ a long and happy life while wearing the dress you bought her. HAHAHAHA.]

Jian Jixing blocked her.

A second later, Gu Shengci called her: “You’re a married woman, can’t you control your temper? Go clarify things. Coax Sheng Ruxi, or the elders of both families won’t let you off.”

“Coax?” The word sounded like a fairy tale to Jian Jixing. “I’ve showered. I’m not going out.”

Gu Shengci said: “Stubborn and difficult. You don’t even know your wife’s schedule as well as I do. She’s in Xicheng tonight for a radio broadcast. She flew there hours ago. Didn’t you know?”

Jian Jixing: “I’m sleeping.”

She hung up and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. Then, she picked up her phone and made a call.

Xia Lan answered quickly: “Director Jian, the car is in the parking lot. We can leave anytime. We can reach the station in thirty minutes, just in time to pick up Miss Sheng.”

Jian Jixing sneered: “I didn’t say I was going.”

“…Understood,” Xia Lan said smoothly. “Madam told me to wait. The rain is too heavy, and she was worried Miss Sheng didn’t bring an umbrella.”

No umbrella. If Sheng Ruxi so much as snapped her fingers, dozens of people would wait to hold one for her. Jian Jixing knew this was a “death order” from her mother, Mother Yan. It seemed everyone knew.

…

On the way, Jian Jixing watched the raindrops hitting the car window. “Aunt Lan, put on the radio.”

“Of course.”

After some soothing music, the host’s voice rang out: “Our program is nearing its end…”

What luck. The show was ending just as she tuned in. But then, the host’s tone shifted: “So, let’s end with a few questions for Ruxi. Everyone is discussing your ‘blessings’ for Director Jian Jixing today.”

Xia Lan’s throat tightened. She wanted to change the station, but a cold voice came from the back: “Keep it on.”

Sheng Ruxi’s voice sounded charming: “Yes, it’s a wonderful thing. If it’s true, I’m happy for Director Jian.”

“But the Director hasn’t responded yet. I wonder if she’s already picked her for the lead in her next film?” the host said regretfully. “At the awards, I thought you two might finally collaborate.”

Sheng Ruxi laughed like a silver bell. “Oh, don’t say that. I wouldn’t want to be caught in a scandal with Director Jian too.”

Jian Jixing had to take two deep breaths in less than thirty seconds. Because they had just completed a temporary marking, her emotions were heavily influenced by her Omega. Her pheromones were restless in her gland. When Sheng Ruxi wasn’t around, she couldn’t release them. The result was a dull ache in her gland and mounting irritability.

“Does Ruxi know something? Is it just a misunderstanding between Meng Zhao and the Director?” the host dug a hole for her.

Sheng Ruxi didn’t fall for it. “I wouldn’t know. Director Jian and I aren’t close.”

“Fair enough. You’re focused on your career now, but do you have plans to get married or start a family?”

“No.”

“Or have you thought about trying a role with that kind of style?”

“A married one? No. I’m a method actress; I probably couldn’t pull it off,” Sheng Ruxi thought for a moment and chuckled. “I’d probably be better at playing a widow. I think I could do that.”

The host didn’t know how to respond and just laughed it off. “Ruxi, you’re always so funny.”

From the back seat, Jian Jixing’s voice turned icy: “Turn off the radio.”

…

The rain was pouring. No one expected it to get this heavy.

When Sheng Ruxi came out, the staff offered to walk her to her car, but she refused. She was supposed to fly back to Beijing, but the Xicheng schedule had been moved up, and the weather had canceled her flights. She was stuck here for a half-month shoot.

Her private car hadn’t arrived due to the storm. She walked through the VIP exit with her assistant, Tuanzi. Only high-profile cars were allowed here.

A low-profile black car sat nearby with its windows rolled up. When her figure appeared, it silently glided closer.

Tuanzi was nervous. Sheng Ruxi had acted normal during the broadcast, but she knew the girl was in a terrible mood. She had downed two cups of “suppressant coffee” during the recording. Now, her face was colder than the weather.

“Sister Xi,” Tuanzi whispered, “you know it’s a misunderstanding. The Director didn’t ignore your call on purpose.”

“Who cares if it was on purpose?” Sheng Ruxi kicked a puddle. “Something this big happens, and she doesn’t handle it herself. She lets everyone ask me about it over and over.”

“The Director called you back earlier, but you hung up…”

“Why didn’t she call a second time then? She’s just not worried.” Sheng Ruxi clutched her phone.

“But you also said you’d rather be a widow. If she heard that…”

“What’s the difference between this and being a widow?” Sheng Ruxi shivered. The temperature had dropped to 5°C. She wasn’t wearing a coat, looking like a lonely, proud swan. There was a trace of “wronged” emotion on her stunning face.

“Heavy rain, late car, a fallen star, and a cheating wife,” Sheng Ruxi grumbled, stomping her foot. “Jian Jixing should be glad she isn’t in front of me right now, or I’d bite her to death.”

Just then, the car stopped a meter away. The rear window slid down.

Jian Jixing’s calm profile appeared. Sensing Sheng Ruxi’s shocked gaze, she turned her head and actually smiled. But the smile made the air feel several degrees colder.

“Bite me to death? It seems Movie Queen Sheng really wants that widowhood,” Jian Jixing said, toying with an exquisite wooden umbrella handle. She made no move to get out and hold it for her “princess.”

She loosened her grip on the umbrella and said flatly: “Sheng Ruxi. Walk over here. Get in the car.”