After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 34

For a fleeting moment, Gu Qingzhu was dazed, but she quickly snapped back to reality at the sound of the Omega’s coquettish voice.

She watched coldly as Sheng Qiuyu smiled sweetly, her words and demeanor completely different from the near-argument she had just had with her manager.

Xu Ying had clearly witnessed Sheng Qiuyu’s rudeness, yet she showed no trace of surprise or discomfort, as if she were already accustomed to it tolerant and considerate.

Just as she was in front of Gu Qingzhu.

Accustomed.

How had Xu Ying already grown so used to being with Sheng Qiuyu in such a short time?

As an Omega herself, Gu Qingzhu could sense the pheromones that unconsciously overflowed from Sheng Qiuyu when she was happy, as if every breath was proof of how much she adored Xu Ying.

Gu Qingzhu found it repulsive and irritating.

What was even harder for her to accept was that Sheng Qiuyu would actively glance at her. That gaze was gleeful and triumphant, laced with a hint of arrogance, like a silent declaration “Right now, it’s me standing by Xu Ying’s side.”

Such a cheap trick. The few times Gu Qingzhu had ever “taken the bait” were only to toy with her.

But now, she genuinely felt unsettled by her own assumptions. The thorn dug deeper, darkening her expression further.

“When does filming start?” Gu Qingzhu turned her face away, unwilling to watch any longer. Frowning, she suppressed her irritation. “If certain actors are truly incapable of participating, perhaps we should just cut this scene altogether.”

The director stammered. This scene had been added at Qinghong’s request, he had no authority to remove it. Just as he was about to explain, another woman’s voice cut in indignantly, “What do you mean, incapable of participating? I’m trying my best to adjust, aren’t I?”

Gu Qingzhu scoffed. “I didn’t name anyone. Why is Miss Sheng so quick to assume it’s about her?”

Sheng Qiuyu’s face darkened. She turned to Xu Ying and immediately pleaded, “Can you help me understand my character’s emotions?”

Gu Qingzhu’s voice was icy. “Can’t you handle your own work without relying on others?”

The tension was palpable, leaving no room for interference.

Xu Ying was like a small boat caught between two undercurrents, yet neither could shift her position. In her eyes, their bickering and sarcasm translated into tangible favorability points.

Every insult from Sheng Qiuyu added 0.2 to her favorability.

Even the notoriously stingy Gu Qingzhu contributed a full point amid her verbal onslaught.

But neither of them was particularly patient or kind-hearted. Before things could truly escalate, Xu Ying reached out to Sheng Qiuyu.

“Where’s the script?” Her voice was as gentle as ever, like a soothing breeze that calmed the heart.

Gu Qingzhu froze, not expecting Xu Ying to intervene at this moment.

Lately, Gu Qingzhu had been unsure of how to speak to Xu Ying appropriately. So she remained silent, watching as Sheng Qiuyu wore the expression of a victor.

Yet, to her surprise, after taking the script from Sheng Qiuyu, Xu Ying turned her gaze toward Gu Qingzhu.

She seemed to hesitate for a long moment before finally saying, “Ms. Gu, if possible, could you join us in discussing the script?”

Sheng Qiuyu’s smile stiffened. She stared at Xu Ying in disbelief and blurted out, “You can just”

“I also have many acting techniques I’d like to learn from Senior Gu.” Ying Xu responded softly, then turned to Gu Qingzhu with an almost pleading expression, as if determined to play the role of peacemaker to the bitter end.

Senior Gu, how grand and formal.

Gu Qingzhu had heard many people address her this way with admiration, reverence, sarcasm, or veiled mockery. But the way Ying Xu said it was the most grating of all.

Sheng Qiuyu stood her ground, unwilling to cooperate with Gu Qingzhu. In the end, it was Gu Qingzhu who spoke coldly: “No need. I have nothing to teach you. Since this is the last scene of the day, and Miss Sheng isn’t in the right state, let’s postpone it.”

Though her words seemed directed at Ying Xu, her gaze was fixed on Sheng Qiuyu, dripping with disdain.

“It’s just delaying the schedule by one day. I’m sure President Sheng won’t object, right?”

The director naturally agreed without hesitation.

The sun had already begun to set, and with filming halted, people gradually started packing up equipment.

When Assistant Lu entered the dressing room, the makeup artist was carefully removing Gu Qingzhu’s makeup. Her eyes were closed as if resting, but at the sound of footsteps, she asked nonchalantly, “Where’s Ying Xu?”

Assistant Lu had come straight here upon arriving on set and hadn’t seen Ying Xu.

Gu Qingzhu frowned.

Before leaving, she had sent Ying Xu a text with the location the dressing room.

All because of the words Ying Xu had spoken earlier: “I’d like to learn from Senior Gu.”

Gu Qingzhu hated studying and despised teaching others. But if it was Ying Xu who wanted to learn, perhaps it wasn’t entirely unbearable.

Yet she had waited here for a full half-hour, and Ying Xu still hadn’t shown up.

Gu Qingzhu had initially assumed Ying Xu had started filming, but now another possibility crossed her mind.

Could Ying Xu really be helping Sheng Qiuyu with the script?

Sheng Qiuyu was so dense seven takes and still unable to get a scene right. Even if she tried to learn, how much could she possibly grasp?

It was just a waste of time.

The thought made Gu Qingzhu particularly displeased.

“Find her and bring her here,” Gu Qingzhu said. “If she’s with Sheng Qiuyu”

She paused briefly. Assistant Lu held her breath, half-expecting her to say, Then tell her not to come.

But instead, Gu Qingzhu coldly continued, “Then make it clear in front of Sheng Qiuyu that I demanded she come here.”

Assistant Lu was speechless.

Utterly bewildered, her mind raced with thoughts Is Gu Qingzhu jealous? But she quickly dismissed the idea, convincing herself that Gu Qingzhu simply despised Sheng Qiuyu and, driven by possessiveness, saw Ying Xu as her property.

When she finally found Ying Xu accompanying the Omega and met Sheng Qiuyu’s hostile glare head-on, Assistant Lu’s palms grew sweaty, and she hesitated to state her purpose outright.

Sheng Qiuyu recognized Assistant Lu and instinctively tightened her grip on the script.

After leaving the set, Ying Xu hadn’t mentioned what had happened earlier. True to her word, she had helped Sheng Qiuyu go over the script.

Sheng Qiuyu couldn’t care less, but Ying Xu was so earnest that she didn’t want to ruin the mood, forcing herself to listen attentively and stay awake.

But if she wasn’t the one to spoil the mood, someone else would.

Sheng Qiuyu snapped angrily, “What are you doing here?”

At the same time, a surprised female voice beside her chimed in, “Xiao Lu?”

Sheng Qiuyu froze, only then realizing that while Ying Xu and Gu Qingzhu might not be close, she was clearly on very familiar terms with the Omega’s assistant.

She could only suppress her displeasure and listen to the small talk between the two.

“What brings you here?” Before Ying Xu asked this with a smile, she had already guessed the purpose of Assistant Lu’s visit.

It was nothing more than Gu Qingzhu wanting to see her.

In the past, when Assistant Lu mentioned this, it was because Gu Qingzhu needed the comfort of pheromones needed an Alpha.

But this time, what was Gu Qingzhu’s reason? Was it simply because she hadn’t had the last word and was now nursing a grudge?

By now, Ying Xu had long forgotten the earlier offhand mention of “seeking advice.”

Yet everything still unfolded as she had anticipated. After a cautious glance at Sheng Qiuyu, Assistant Lu revealed the purpose of the visit.

Almost instantly, Sheng Qiuyu’s displeasure flared up: “If Gu Qingzhu says she wants Ying Xu to go, then she has to go? Who does she think she is?”

She looked at Ying Xu, her expression resolute, as if seeking an equally firm answer from her.

But what met her was only a slightly hesitant look.

In that instant, Sheng Qiuyu realized Ying Xu’s silent response.

Disbelieving, she said, “Are you really so determined to be with her?”

Ying Xu shook her head, paused, and then said, “I just think that since today’s script has already been sorted out, we should leave it at that.”

Sheng Qiuyu glared at her. For a moment, Ying Xu even detected a flicker of hatred in her eyes.

Perhaps it was hatred for Gu Qingzhu, or perhaps… it was hatred for Ying Xu herself.

People often develop affection for certain things out of their hatred for others.

Ying Xu’s relationship with Sheng Qiuyu had been built and solidified precisely because of the latter’s dislike for Gu Qingzhu.

The more Sheng Qiuyu hated Gu Qingzhu, the more it benefited Ying Xu.

But now, Ying Xu no longer needed that kind of “benefit.”

Her familiarity with Sheng Qiuyu had stemmed from selfish motives to begin with. That it had developed into the current closeness was something Ying Xu hadn’t expected.

Admittedly, she had also grown fond of Sheng Qiuyu, but only in the way friends are intimate and affectionate.

The Sheng family was a dangerous line to tread. Her father supported Gu Qingzhu, and subordinates had once openly threatened Ying Xu over it.

Neither Ying Xu herself nor the identity of “Ying Xu” could ever give Sheng Qiuyu the love she desired.

This should have been made clear long ago, but both of them had tacitly drawn a line, never crossing it.

Bringing it up abruptly would only seem suspicious and out of place.

After standing up, Ying Xu could no longer make out Sheng Qiuyu’s expression.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but Sheng Qiuyu didn’t spare her another glance, rising to her feet and leaving.

As they passed each other, Ying Xu watched Sheng Qiuyu’s figure stretch infinitely into the distance, nearly disappearing into the fiery red sunset, before swallowing the words “See you tomorrow” that had lingered on her tongue.

Maybe this was for the best.

Ying Xu turned to Assistant Lu. The Beta had clearly envisioned an entire drama in those few minutes, not daring to breathe.

She needed Assistant Lu to relay this incident to Gu Qingzhu.

“Let’s go,” Ying Xu said softly, a bitter smile flashing across her face, as if she had messed everything up and was at a loss.

Assistant Lu nodded cautiously.

When the dressing room door was knocked on, Gu Qingzhu had just finished reading the message from the Beta.

Assistant Lu had a literary flair, describing every emotion in vivid detail.

Gu Qingzhu felt as if she had been there herself, witnessing every shift in Ying Xu’s expression.

In her hazy memories, Ying Xu had always been like this.

When others called for her, she would consider it, sometimes even refuse. But upon hearing it was related to Gu Qingzhu, she would act without hesitation, decisive and unwavering.

As if silently sending a signal to Gu Qingzhu.

If Gu Qingzhu wanted, she would be by her side.

She would never refuse Gu Qingzhu.

When she turned off the screen, Gu Qingzhu raised her eyes to look at her reflection in the mirror.

Only now did she realize that the corners of her eyes had curved slightly at some point, making her look unusually relaxed and content.

After staring at her smiling self for a few seconds, Gu Qingzhu reached out and pinched her wrist hard, leaving no room for gentleness. The skin instantly reddened and swelled.

The pain made the smile disappear.

Ensuring her expression was cold, she finally spoke: “Come in.”

The door opened, and the only one who stepped inside, carrying a familiar presence, was Ying Xu.

“Qingzhu.”

Gu Qingzhu watched Ying Xu in the mirror. The latter kept her head lowered, looking as if she were treading carefully after making a mistake.

Why aren’t you calling me ‘Actress Gu’ now?

Gu Qingzhu wanted to ask but felt the question didn’t suit their current dynamic.

Struggling to find the right opening, she averted her gaze after a moment: “I heard from Luo Zhu that you want to participate in the orphanage shoot?”

Her tone was strictly businesslike. Ying Xu realized that this time, Gu Qingzhu might genuinely be here to discuss “official matters.”

As Ying Xu nodded, her peripheral vision caught sight of a small card placed on the table.

“The shoot is shortly after filming wraps. I want to see the children and do what I can to help.”

If any other celebrity claimed they were going to an orphanage to “help” and do what they could, Gu Qingzhu would have dismissed it as hypocrisy.

But according to the information she had gathered, Ying Xu had indeed been volunteering at orphanages for years. She never spoke of her kindness or love but demonstrated it through action, letting those around her feel it firsthand.

In the past, Gu Qingzhu and Ying Xu had interacted as if separated by clouds naturally, there had been no ripples of emotion.

But now, face to face, even with some distance between them, Gu Qingzhu found herself moved by the sincerity in Ying Xu’s simple words.

Gu Qingzhu heard herself speak, carefully measuring each word.

“You can go, but the footage the photographer takes won’t be uploaded online.”

Ying Xu’s reputation was too tarnished at the moment. Recklessly posting clips of her interacting with children could backfire, inviting even more backlash.

Not only would Ying Xu be affected, but the orphanage helping her “cleanse her image” would suffer as well.

Yet, in her line of sight, the Alpha showed no trace of disappointment. Instead, she seemed to relax: “If it’s not going online, could the photographer… not come with me?”

Gu Qingzhu replied indifferently, “You’re not the only one participating, there are other celebrities involved. If you refuse the footage, it’ll just go to someone else. Better to treat everyone equally.”

Gu Qingzhu thought she had made herself clear, but Ying Xu still seemed hesitant. Perhaps she wanted to say she didn’t mind if the footage went to others, but she held back, afraid of angering Gu Qingzhu.

“Besides, instead of spending time on these things yourself, you should focus more on your work.”

Gu Qingzhu reached out, her fingertips lightly brushing the card Ying Xu had noticed earlier, turning the number toward her.

“The password is your birthday,” Gu Qingzhu said. “Donate to the orphanage on my behalf. Spend the rest however you like I won’t interfere.”

Ying Xu looked bewildered, opening her mouth as if to refuse, but Gu Qingzhu’s tone had already turned impatient: “Take it. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

As Ying Xu’s fingers touched the card, the system’s voice echoed in her ears once more.

【Gu Qingzhu’s favorability increased by 1. Current favorability: -48】

Eating Gu Qingzhu’s card, living off her somehow, it actually increased her favorability.

Ying Xu paused mid-motion, and at the same time, Gu Qingzhu also froze in surprise.

She stared at the Alpha’s face, her heart unsettled.

Gu Qingzhu’s original plan had been to harshly reject whatever Ying Xu said, then reluctantly offer a solution only after the other party pleaded.

But the Alpha had simply stated her thoughts, and Gu Qingzhu had already taken a step back, revealing everything she had prepared.

Why?

The sudden shift left Gu Qingzhu uneasy. Instinctively, she withdrew her hand. The card, uncaught by Ying Xu, fell to the ground with a soft plink.

The sound snapped Ying Xu out of her daze. She reflexively bent to pick it up, only to find a hand reaching out faster then abruptly stopping mid-air.

Ying Xu looked up at Gu Qingzhu in surprise.

In the silence, the latter retracted her hand without a word, watching as Ying Xu inexplicably curved her lips into a genuine smile.

“What are you smiling at?” Gu Qingzhu heard herself ask.

“You like this, very” Ying Xu hesitated before settling on what she deemed the right word, “adorable.”

Adorable.

Gu Qingzhu had never been praised like this to her face before. She fell silent.

Seeing her lack of response, Ying Xu also closed her lips, standing even more obediently yet the side of her palm still cradled the spot Gu Qingzhu had just touched.

Noticing this detail, Gu Qingzhu recalled the earlier scene.

If she had thrown the card to the ground and demanded Ying Xu kneel to pick it up, how would the Alpha have reacted?

She wouldn’t refuse, but she’d probably be a little hurt.

And if pushed further, perhaps Ying Xu would finally say those words that always left Gu Qingzhu restless.

I won’t blame you.

Like a mantra, like a curse. Gu Qingzhu remained silent, her pupils reflecting only Ying Xu’s figure.

At times like this moments like now.

She almost wished Ying Xu would blame her. Hate her.

To be a living, breathing person, not just an obedient tool.