After Getting Pregnant, I’m Divorcing My Alpha - Chapter 19

“I’ve just finished reviewing the entire proposal for An Xiangdi’s new song release. My detailed revision comments are listed above. The relevant personnel in the promotion department should carefully review them and send the updated proposal to my email within two hours.” Yao Honglang, embodying the “new broom sweeps clean” approach, tackled the most urgent matter first.

“Understood.” The promotion department staff, clutching a stack of documents, promptly left the song production room. They dared not question the “two-hour” deadline and were prepared to work overnight if necessary.

“Everyone, please play the final version of the song for An Xiangdi to evaluate the effect,” Yao Honglang then addressed the music producers.

The music producers immediately played the song. The final version wasn’t drastically different from the previous demo, but it had undergone more noise reduction, making it sound crisper and cleaner.

“Any changes you’d like to suggest?” After the song finished, Yao Honglang turned his attention to An Xiangdi.

“No.” An Xiangdi shook his head, quite satisfied with the final product.

“Then it’s settled. Thank you, everyone.” Yao Honglang checked the time. “An Xiangdi, come with me for a moment.”

“Alright.” An Xiangdi, who was used to leading others, found himself being directed by Yao Honglang for the first time.

Following Yao Honglang into the meeting room, An Xiangdi took the nearest seat and found a stack of materials placed in front of him.

“A script?” An Xiangdi raised an eyebrow. It was the script for “The Yellowed Season.”

“Yes, it’s been slightly revised. Discard the previous version.”

“What do you mean? I’m not taking this role.” With his manager changed, An Xiangdi no longer felt the need to pretend he was interested in acting. Besides, if the materials he sent to the Film and Television Association were accurate, Qiu Cheng would soon be ousted from the director circle.

“Lead actor: Ying Chong; lead actress: An Xiao; supporting actress: Wang Qiao. You and Wei Yi share equal billing. Still not interested?” Yao Honglang recited the cast list in a formal tone.

An Xiangdi was stunned. Ying Chong and An Xiao were an award-winning film emperor and television queen respectively. Even Wang Qiao was a highly popular, skilled actress tipped to be the next film queen. For such a star-studded cast to offer him a fifth-billed role was actually elevating his status.

“Has the cast changed?”

“Yes, the director is now Wang Xingxiu, and he’s bringing his own production team.” Seeing An Xiangdi’s prolonged silence, Yao Honglang asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t want to do it?”

“I’ll do it!” Of course he would. Such an excellent cast and team were truly a rare find.

“Good.” Yao Honglang seemed pleased. “Study the script carefully. Your character doesn’t have many lines, so it’s all about how you perform.”

“Alright.” An Xiangdi suddenly felt a surge of excitement, his hands trembling slightly as he held the script.

Yao Honglang straightened up. “Besides this, there’s one more thing I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“About the materials you sent to the Film and Television Association” Yao Honglang’s gaze was profound. “Well done. But you need to keep your mouth shut about it.”

An Xiangdi wasn’t sure how the other man knew, but he understood the implication: if word got out, it would indeed be detrimental to him.

“Understood.”

“Xiao Gu, that goes for you too.” Yao Honglang’s expression turned even more serious as he looked at Xiao Gu.

Xiao Gu nodded vigorously, never expecting that following An Xiangdi would lead him to overhear such a shocking secret.

“That’s all for today. The Yellowed Season starts filming on June 1st. Aside from a few interviews and an awards ceremony after your new song release, you’re free to rest until then.” After finishing, Yao Honglang packed up his things and left first.

Xiao Gu gradually relaxed his tense posture. “Mr. An, shall I take you home?”

“Mm.” Once settled in the car, An Xiangdi checked the time, wondering whether to call Shen Xiao, when his phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Finished work?” A blonde, blue-eyed makeup artist was applying products to Shen Xiao’s face as he held the phone aside to talk.

“Yeah, what are you up to?”

“Getting styled for a photoshoot later.”

“Bring a copy back.” On a whim, An Xiangdi wanted to see what kind of photos Shen Xiao would take this time.

“I’ll ask the director after we’re done and send you the raw files.”

An Xiangdi curved his lips slightly, about to respond, when a wave of nausea hit him. He moved the phone away, covering his mouth as he silently retched.

He barely caught what Shen Xiao said over the phone, only registering the last few words. By the time the nausea subsided, he had already forgotten them.

“I’ll hang up now. Go do your thing.” An Xiangdi took a deep breath.

“Okay.” Shen Xiao was also being urged to head out.

After ending the call, An Xiangdi leaned back against the seat to rest, his hand unconsciously resting on his lower abdomen.

It was still flat no one would guess a new life was growing inside.

It was both frightening and nerve-wracking, but more than anything, it filled him with anticipation.

On Sunday morning, An Xiangdi’s new song was released as scheduled. Following Yao Honglang’s reminder, he carefully crafted a Weibo post to kick off the promotion for his new track.

Shen Xiao was the first to repost it.

Soon after, several internationally renowned models whom An Xiangdi had only heard of but never met also shared the post. After some thought, he guessed they were Shen Xiao’s collaborators.

An Xiangdi V: This is my letter to you. [Music: Cycle]

Shen Xiao V: Coming back tomorrow An Xiangdi V:

XiaoDi Girls: ??? Di didn’t ask you to come back!

Milk Tea Shu: Look what I found this is what you call “forced connection”!

Shen Xiao’s Little Cotton Jacket: Ahhhh! Gege posted on Weibo!!!

Shen Xiao Official Fan Club V: Wishing An Xiangdi’s new song great success

The fans’ comments were numerous and chaotic. Bored at home, An Xiangdi scrolled through them for just a few minutes before Shen Xiao sent a message.

Xiao Xiao: I’m coming back tomorrow.

Di Zi: Did you push back work again?

Xiao Xiao: No, I finished everything.

As if to prove it, Shen Xiao even sent his schedule to An Xiangdi.

Xiao Xiao: The new song sounds great.

Di Zi: I wrote it.

An Xiangdi felt immensely proud of the praise it was his original song, of course it was good.

Shen Xiao, thousands of kilometers away, chuckled softly. After replying, he continued his negotiations with Hua Jiang.

“Sister Hua, I’ve decided to set up my own studio, and I’ve already completed the preliminary preparations. As for the contract with the agency, I can either continue to fulfill it or pay the penalty to terminate it.” Shen Xiao wasn’t ungrateful for Hua Jiang’s years of guidance, but her deep-seated prejudice against An Xiangdi had severely affected his work morale.

“Is this for An Xiangdi?” Hua Jiang frowned, clearly displeased. She had always known that Shen Xiao was different from other artists strong-willed and never easily manipulated. While he took his work seriously, he consistently defied instructions when it came to matters involving An Xiangdi.

“You know very well,” Shen Xiao replied, maintaining his politeness.

“Of course I do, ever since you proposed marrying him.” Hua Jiang brushed her hair back, growing increasingly irritated. “If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have been stuck in the same position for so many years without any progress.”

“It’s not too late to make a move now.” Shen Xiao stood up. “I’ll trouble you to inform the company when the time comes.”

Watching Shen Xiao’s resolute back, Hua Jiang knew he wouldn’t change his mind. She also knew that when the time came, there was no holding him back.

An Xiangdi was half-asleep when he caught the familiar scent of brandy pheromones, wondering if he was hallucinating.

It was only when he felt the warmth beside him in the darkness that he gradually woke up.

“You’re back.” An Xiangdi had no idea what time it was. He’d gone to bed early the previous night but still felt exhausted.

Shen Xiao pulled the blanket over him and drew him into his arms. “Mm.”

“What time is it?”

“Three in the morning.” Shen Xiao, still jet-lagged, wasn’t particularly tired.

An Xiangdi merely hummed in response and quickly fell back asleep.

When An Xiangdi woke up from discomfort, Shen Xiao had only just dozed off. Tiptoeing quietly, he hurried to the bathroom and waited for the nausea to subside. After washing up, he returned to bed.

Worried he might vomit again, An Xiangdi decided not to sleep. Instead, he lay there staring at Shen Xiao’s features and noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

Reaching out to touch them, An Xiangdi felt a mix of heartache and amusement.

He remembered back in high school when he was pursued by the school bully from a neighboring private school. Shen Xiao had beaten the guy to a pulp but ended up with a bruised eye that stayed swollen and discolored for over a month.

At the time, all the Omegas in school looked at An Xiangdi with a mix of frustration and resignation.

“What are you doing?” Shen Xiao, having woken up at some point, grabbed An Xiangdi’s wandering hand.

“How are you awake?” Caught red-handed, An Xiangdi’s smile vanished instantly as he tried to pull his hand back.

Shen Xiao didn’t give him the chance, guiding his hand under the covers instead. “If you’re so eager to touch, why not go lower?”

An Xiangdi’s eyes widened, his face flushing bright red. “How can you be so shameless?”

“Let me kiss you.” Without waiting for a response, Shen Xiao leaned in and captured his lips.

Surrounded by the rich scent of brandy pheromones, the gland on the back of An Xiangdi’s neck began to swell.

He initially tried to push Shen Xiao away but found himself completely swayed by the pheromones. Just as he was about to give in for a morning romp, Dr. Qiao’s warning”You must be careful”flashed through his mind.

Summoning unexpected strength, An Xiangdi shoved Shen Xiao away.

Shen Xiao’s usually composed face flickered with surprise. Before he could fully process the fact that his confession had been rejected, he saw An Xiangdi half-collapsed on the bed.

Instinctively, he reached out to steady him, but his hand was brushed aside.

Immediately after, An Xiangdi clutched his chest and retched over the white bedsheets.

Shen Xiao’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot. What was this supposed to mean? Rejection turning into outright disgust?