After Marrying the Cold Omega in Secret - Chapter 48

After the hotpot meal, everyone returned to their rooms for some rest. Just as online discussions were reaching their peak, another wave of news exploded across social media. Someone released photos showing Qiao Man being arrested.

The photo appeared to have been taken just before sunrise, and the background clearly showed the love-themed villa. A police officer was seen escorting a person into a squad car. Although the image was slightly blurred, the person could still be identified as Qiao Man.

Shortly after, someone discovered that Qiao Man was an artist signed under Siyu Entertainment, which was a subsidiary of the Wan Group.

The story quickly spread like wildfire. Wan Qing began to panic.

It was obvious that someone was intentionally stirring public opinion.

Wan Yuan had already called to reprimand her harshly. Afterward, he immediately tried to hire a public relations team to contain the situation. But the efforts were futile. The opposing force behind the leak was far stronger than the Wan family.

Soon, trending tags appeared across social media. Topics like Wan Group artist illegally filmed private footage, Wan Qing allegedly ordered Qiao Man to spy during the reality show, Wan Qing’s background, and Wan Qing reportedly taken in for police questioning all began appearing at the top of trending lists. These topics dominated the hot search for an entire day.

Public opinion erupted. People even started uncovering the Wan Group’s past scandals.

As a result, the company’s stock prices plummeted, leading to massive financial losses.

Even though the evidence against Qiao Man was undeniable, there was no direct proof that Wan Qing had given the order. She was released soon after.

Wan Qing looked pale and exhausted. Although she had technically been released, her expression was lifeless. After being brought back by Wan Yuan, she was forced to post a public apology across every platform. That same evening, she was sent abroad.

With this incident, the reality show was officially cancelled. The final confession day never arrived.

Everyone said their goodbyes. Though reluctant to part, they exchanged contact information and promised to meet again someday. Once they packed their luggage, they left the villa by car.

As Chu Jin and Chi Ye were riding home, Wan Qing’s public apology was released.

She wore plain home clothes and looked in terrible shape. All the pride and confidence she once carried had disappeared. A faint red mark remained on her cheek, as if someone had slapped her.

Under the warm yellow lighting, the redness was barely noticeable.

Because of Qiao Man’s actions, the Wan Group suffered heavy losses. Wan Qing was used as a scapegoat. Although she never admitted to ordering Qiao Man’s actions, she accepted responsibility and issued an official statement.

The apology video was clearly scripted. Wan Qing stared directly into the camera. Her words were filled with forced remorse, but the look in her eyes revealed deep resentment and unwillingness.

Chu Jin could see clearly that the hatred was aimed at her and Chi Ye.

Because of Wan Qing’s cold attitude, online criticism reignited. Netizens once again launched a fresh wave of attacks against her. Chu Jin stopped paying attention after that.

After all, Wan Qing had already been sent overseas.

“She may not have been punished by the law, but this whole situation must have hit her hard,” Chi Ye said suddenly. “Wan Yuan is not a kind man. He is not compassionate, especially toward Wan Qing. He never liked her much to begin with.”

Chi Ye spoke carefully and with restraint.

Everything she had done was based on this weakness.

“Now that he has a reason, he can easily get rid of her without raising suspicion.”

As the head of one of the top companies in Linhe City, Wan Yuan’s reputation mattered deeply. Having a daughter like Wan Qing was like sitting on a time bomb. No one could predict what kind of trouble she might cause next.

The Wan family had once hoped to cooperate with the Chi family. After this disaster, even that last bit of hope was gone.

Wan Qing, who never considered the consequences of her actions, had become a threat to her own family.

She likely would not return to China for at least a year or two.

“You’ve really worked hard through all of this,” Chu Jin said softly as she looked at Chi Ye. She had watched her make countless phone calls and barely sleep over the last couple of days.

“Thank you.”

The fact that the scandal received this much public attention meant that Chi Ye must have used the Chi family’s influence. Otherwise, the story would have been buried the moment it surfaced. Wan Yuan certainly understood that.

Their failed partnership had now turned into open hostility.

“She filmed both of us,” Chi Ye said after a moment. “So I did this not just for you.”

She paused and gave a playful warning. “And since you’re my wife, if you say thank you again, I’ll deduct your living allowance.”

Chu Jin immediately gave in. “Alright, alright. I won’t say it again.”

That lighthearted exchange finally eased the heavy atmosphere.

But they didn’t talk further about the incident. As she had done many times before, Chi Ye avoided discussing her past with Wan Qing.

It had been a long time since Chu Jin last returned to Guanheshan Villa. Everything felt slightly surreal. She even had trouble remembering how to get to Chi Ye’s house.

Thankfully, they had a driver.

When they stepped out of the car in front of the villa, it felt exactly like the first day she had arrived. A line of housemaids stood at the entrance, dressed neatly and waiting.

“Welcome home, President Chi and Madam!”

Even though Chu Jin had mentally prepared herself, hearing the greeting still made her toes curl with embarrassment.

Why did it always feel like something out of a cheesy CEO romance novel?

What made her even more flustered was that when she turned to look at Chi Ye, the other woman looked completely at ease, even enjoying the moment.

Chi Ye reached over and gently took her hand.

“Madam, let me take you home,” she said with a straight face.

Then she led her toward the courtyard.

The housemaids exchanged amused glances. While the two had been away, the staff kept the house running as usual. During their free time, they often watched the livestreams.

Naturally, they had witnessed the couple’s growing relationship with their own eyes.

But no camera could capture the warmth and intimacy they now saw in person.

Seeing the two of them together made it impossible not to smile.

Once inside the villa, after they changed their shoes, Chi Ye finally spoke.

“I prepared a surprise for you.”

Her tone was calm and unbothered, as if she were talking about something completely ordinary.

Chu Jin was genuinely surprised. They had been spending every day together, yet Chi Ye still found time and energy to prepare a surprise?

Seeing the confusion on Chu Jin’s face, Chi Ye only smiled. Then she led her into the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor.

As the elevator doors closed, the cook nearby couldn’t help whispering.

“Did anyone else notice how much more Chi Ye has been smiling lately?”

“I’ve never seen her care about someone this much.”

“She’s definitely different now.”

The elevator reached the third floor quickly. Chi Ye raised her arm to hold the door open and motioned for Chu Jin to step out first.

Chu Jin had rarely visited this floor before. Its design matched the elegance of the lower floors. Although it was unoccupied, the hallway was spotless. Even the decorative paintings on the wall were completely dust-free.

Chi Ye walked with her to the door at the far end of the corridor.

Just before opening the door, Chi Ye’s hand paused on the doorknob.

“This is something I asked He Xian to help me prepare. It might seem a bit out of place now, but everything is already set up. I thought you could take a look first.”

Chu Jin had already been curious, and with Chi Ye’s words, her curiosity grew even stronger.

What could it be?

As the door slowly opened, what appeared before her eyes left her completely stunned.

Three walls were lined with glass display cabinets. The entire walls were inlaid with clear panels, and inside were rows upon rows of plush dolls, all from the same brand as the small teddy bear Qiao Man had previously given her.

The space had been transformed into a miniature world. The terrain varied in height and design, with individual themed scenes crafted for different plush series, blending the layout into a seamless display.

There was a cheerful little bear family inside a tiny house, sitting together watching TV and eating dinner. Snowflakes drifted outside the window while a fireplace glowed warmly inside.

Another scene showed forest animals playing hide-and-seek. A bear hid in a tree, a rabbit crouched in the grass, and a mole peeked out from a hole in the ground.

Every setting was vivid and lifelike, perfectly laid out in front of her. It felt like stepping into an entirely different world.

The very first glance left Chu Jin in awe.

She had never imagined something so elaborate and thoughtfully designed. It was clear that a great deal of time and effort had gone into creating this.

In fact, from the initial concept drawings with the designer to the actual build, Chi Ye had been involved in every step. She even had to make sure to avoid Chu Jin noticing anything during the process.

As Chu Jin stood there frozen in place, Chi Ye was unsure whether she liked it or not. She spoke tentatively.

“If you don’t like it, I can have everything cleared out tomorrow.”

The room had already been completed before they discovered the bear doll from Qiao Man had a hidden camera. After everything that happened, Chi Ye was worried Chu Jin might find the whole thing unpleasant.

But Chu Jin quickly stopped her. She turned her head and looked at Chi Ye, her eyes shining with joy and a faint mist of tears.

“I really like it.”

Since she was a child, Chu Jin had always loved soft, fluffy toys. But her parents never encouraged this side of her. While other girls her age were surrounded by plush animals and beautiful dolls, she had nothing.

All she could do was watch from the sidelines.

So even as an adult in her twenties, every time she saw cute stuffed toys, her heart still softened. She would hesitate for a long time but never truly let herself buy one.

She always felt that she had outgrown that phase. Even though she still loved them, she told herself not to own them anymore.

Sometimes she even thought it was childish.

As an alpha, having such a strong attachment to plush toys made her feel self-conscious.

But now, seeing that everything in this room had been created by Chi Ye just for her, her eyes turned red with emotion.

The love she had suppressed for so long had not disappeared. It had just been buried deep inside. And now, with this room, the part of her that had always felt a little empty was finally filled.

It was as if her childhood self, who had once looked longingly at the toys other little girls played with, had finally been embraced.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chu Jin wandered through each scene, stopping to admire every tiny detail. It felt like walking through a living fairytale.

Just as she was still caught up in the joy and wonder of it all, Chi Ye spoke again behind her.

“There’s a second gift for you.”

Chu Jin turned around, confused. She saw Chi Ye holding a large black gift box with a big bow on top.

The box looked big and heavy, and Chi Ye was carrying it carefully in both hands.

“Go ahead and open it,” she said.

Chu Jin was already overwhelmed by the surprises. It all felt almost unreal.

The gift box was beautifully wrapped. Just from the packaging, she could tell it was probably something expensive.

She followed Chi Ye’s instructions, gently lifting her hands and carefully untying the bow. Then she removed the lid.

She had expected to find a designer bag or something similar.

But instead, a round fuzzy head suddenly popped up from inside the box.

It had a soft, chubby face, like a dumpling, and the moment it saw Chu Jin, it let out a sweet little meow.

It was a cat, a real one.

It was her favorite kind of cat, a golden shaded British Shorthair.

The kitten looked only a few months old. It was tiny and fluffy, and though its meow was soft and delicate, it seemed full of energy. Its small head kept turning in curiosity, and its front paws had already clambered onto the edge of the gift box.

Chu Jin turned to Chi Ye with disbelief in her eyes, a mix of surprise and joy shining through.

Chi Ye appeared calm, but there was no hiding the delight in her voice.

“I always see you sending cat emojis. Even that night before you fell asleep, the video you were watching was all about cats.”

“I figured you must really love them, so I bought one for you.”

There was another reason too.

It was something Chi Ye had learned from speaking with Yan Sisi.

If two people want to grow closer and build a lasting relationship, they need something that both of them take care of together. When time, attention, and love are poured into a shared bond, it naturally deepens their emotional connection and makes it harder to walk away.

Although she and Chu Jin had a three-year agreement, and the contract still had a long way to go, Chi Ye always carried a lingering fear. What if one day Chu Jin simply left without a word? Even though they were legally married, that worry continued to haunt her.

She wanted something that could bring their relationship closer, something real and lasting.

After much consideration, she chose this particular kitten. It had an excellent temperament, a perfect coat, and matched everything Chu Jin loved.

It was a heartfelt gift that would bring them both closer. By appealing to Chu Jin’s love for cats, it could gently tug at her emotions and perhaps quietly anchor her place beside her.

As Chi Ye had hoped, Chu Jin adored the kitten. She could not resist scooping it into her arms, gently rubbing its soft head, then lowering her face to kiss the fluffy fur.

“Have you named it yet?” she asked, still a little dazed from all the surprises.

“Not yet,” Chi Ye said softly. “You should be the one to name it.”

Chu Jin had dreamed of having a cat for years. But living alone, always busy with work, she worried she could not give a pet the care it needed. So she never brought one home.

Now felt like the perfect moment.

There were many housekeepers in the villa. Even if she had to travel for work, there would always be someone to care for the kitten.

She had thought about this many times but always held herself back. As someone living under someone else’s roof, she felt she had no right to ask for something like this.

She never imagined Chi Ye would offer it to her on her own.

Chu Jin gently stroked the kitten’s round head. It was so plump it reminded her of a little rice dumpling.

“Let’s call it Dumpling,” she said.

“Alright,” Chi Ye replied.

Although she had warned her earlier not to say thank you again, Chu Jin still couldn’t hold it in. Her voice was soft and sincere.

“Thank you.”

Chi Ye narrowed her eyes slightly.

“If you really mean that,” her voice lowered, and she leaned in closer, “then thank me properly tonight in bed.”

Her tone was full of meaning, and the air between them seemed to warm with the rising tension.

They had been too busy these past few days dealing with everything that happened with Qiao Man. There had been little time for closeness. They even slept in separate rooms.

Now that they were finally home again, they had time for each other. The thought of nightfall made Chu Jin both excited and a little nervous.

Chi Ye had already prepared everything the kitten would need. She had even set aside a space on the first floor for it to live and play. A climbing tree and toys had been neatly arranged.

After spending some time playing with the kitten, Chu Jin’s phone rang.

It was her manager.

“Hello, Sister Lu?” Chu Jin moved to the living room to answer.

Liu Lu, as always, was quick and to the point.

“The variety show may have been cancelled, but your popularity is still rising. Especially your pairing with Chi Ye. Your names have been trending together for days.”

Her speech was fast and efficient.

“Yesterday, a director named Su Chenxiao reached out. I’m sure you’ve heard of her. She’s working on a new urban romance series with two female leads. She said you and Chi Ye are a perfect fit for the characters. She wants you to attend an audition next week.”

Even though the explanation was brief, Chu Jin was stunned.

She immediately agreed.

“Yes, absolutely. What day is the audition?”

“Your assistant will send you the time, location, and script soon.”

“Prepare well. If everything goes smoothly, the lead role is yours.”

Chu Jin thanked Liu Lu sincerely before hanging up. Only then did she begin to process what she had just heard.

Director Su Chenxiao was one of the top figures in Chinese television. Every drama she directed became a hit. She had launched the careers of many now-famous actresses.

Even the most popular actress today, Qu Miaoyan, had skyrocketed to fame after starring in one of her dramas.

Many actors dreamed of working with her. But Su Chenxiao never cast actors based on popularity. She always chose whoever fit the character best.

For Chu Jin, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

She had to make the most of it.

Then she recalled something Liu Lu had mentioned.

“A drama with two female leads.”

“You and Chi Ye are a perfect match for the roles.”

A bold thought began to take shape in her mind.

Could it be that Chi Ye was also going to join the cast?

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