After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 4

Ying Xu knew Gu Qingzhu was emotionally unstable, but she never imagined it could reach this extent.

A person who could harm themselves without batting an eye, who could guarantee the next emotionless act of harm wouldn’t be directed at someone else?

The first thought that surged in Ying Xu’s mind was to distance herself from Gu Qingzhu.

But right now, she had no money, no power, and no backing. A sudden departure would only backfire, provoking Gu Qingzhu into even greater madness.

If Gu Qingzhu could be so ruthless toward herself, how much worse would she be with others?

After envisioning all the possible fates that might await her, Ying Xu finally decided to rein in her curiosity and play the pitiful, docile role whenever necessary. Yet, deep down, the idea of finding a new patron grew more and more appealing.

She needed to go somewhere new, meet new people.

At the same time, she had to figure out Gu Qingzhu’s breaking point to avoid another explosive situation like today.

Once she had mentally mapped out her next steps, Ying Xu finally calmed down.

Recalling her earlier question, she asked the system: Why did I feel pain when Gu Qingzhu touched me?

Because she’s the female lead, the system replied swiftly, though its words made Ying Xu frown. The protagonist can torment the antagonist, and naturally, she can also torment those who are kind to her. You’re just one of the characters affected by the plot.

Before Ying Xu had to soothe Gu Qingzhu, the system had still been enthusiastically offering “strategies to win Gu Qingzhu over.”

But now, though its tone hadn’t changed, the hostility in its words was unmistakable. It seemed to hold a deep disdain for Gu Qingzhu’s actions.

Ying Xu noted this silently and asked, One of them? Who else is there besides me?

The system began, You

Before it could finish, Gu Qingzhu emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a robe. The marks on her neck looked even more pronounced after the shower, but the Omega seemed indifferent, even playful as she twirled a damp strand of hair around her finger.

With a soft click as the door closed, the system’s voice vanished.

Gu Qingzhu lifted her gaze to where Ying Xu still sat on the chair. After everything, the Alpha’s collar was only slightly disheveled.

Her eyes were downcast, fixed quietly on the floor, until she heard movement. Only then did she lift her head slightly, cautiously murmuring, “Qingzhu.”

Like a mouse.

Gu Qingzhu stopped a short distance away, studying that face, reaffirming her judgment.

In truth, long before Xu Ying had introduced them, Gu Qingzhu had already seen Ying Xu once.

Xu Ying’s parents were industry elites, so her life had been paved with privilege. Fresh out of school, with her parents’ support, she had established her own research team.

After they reunited, knowing Xu Ying was too busy to spend much time with her, Gu Qingzhu had chosen the least hectic day on her schedule and secretly visited the lab, hoping to surprise her.

Xu Ying was in a meeting, leaving the lab empty except for one Beta hard at work. The woman wore a mask, head bowed as she stood beside lab mice, jotting down notes. When she noticed Gu Qingzhu’s gaze, she froze then, almost instinctively, turned away.

To Gu Qingzhu, watching the Beta avoid her was like watching a pet mouse dodge human teasing.

Later, she learned the woman’s name was Ying Xu.

Xu Ying’s lab didn’t have many staff, but each one was a prodigy, Ying Xu was the most inconspicuous among them.

Quiet and dull in personality, her poor social skills made her unpopular. Over time, everyone felt entitled to boss her around. Once, Xu Ying had joked to Gu Qingzhu, “Even the most advanced machine wouldn’t be as obedient as Ying Xu.”

Noticing Gu Qingzhu didn’t appreciate the joke, Xu Ying smoothly changed the subject. The dinner conversation was pleasant, but afterward, on the way back, the last thing Gu Qingzhu recalled was Ying Xu’s name.

She hadn’t expected to remember that comparison years later.

Especially under these circumstances.

After venting all her emotions, Gu Qingzhu finally calmed down. She stared at Ying Xu for several seconds before speaking. “Why do you want to join Redemption?”

Ying Xu was taken aback, she hadn’t anticipated this opening.

The original host’s reason for wanting to be in the same production as Gu Qingzhu was to take care of her.

But judging by Gu Qingzhu’s earlier attitude, that approach clearly didn’t sit well with her.

Ying Xu’s gaze shifted slightly, her tone docile. “I”

She had hesitated too much tonight. Any more would only irritate Gu Qingzhu. After just a brief pause, Ying Xu spoke without hesitation. “I just don’t want to see Qingzhu, like you were tonight.”

Gu Qingzhu frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I know,” Ying Xu lowered her head, “aside from being an Alpha… and having this face, I’m worthless. If it weren’t for my pheromones coincidentally helping with your condition, I would never”

“never have had the chance to get close to you.”

She kept calling her “Qingzhu”something that would have been unthinkable in the past and utterly intolerable to Gu Qingzhu.

Yet now, Gu Qingzhu wanted to hear what Ying Xu had to say.

“Under these circumstances, I want to do everything I can to help you,” Ying Xu said softly. “In any way possible.”

Gu Qingzhu thought, How nicely put.

But an Alpha’s words weren’t worth trusting.

Even so, Gu Qingzhu’s expression shifted slightly. Exhausted from the night’s events, she couldn’t maintain her cold demeanor. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke. “Call Xiang Ling and explain my situation.”

The system chimed in: [Xiang Ling is the Gu family’s private doctor. Her contact information is in your phone.]

Ying Xu acknowledged without changing her expression.

For most people, a conversation like this would have ended with tearful embraces or an immediate offer to make her the lead actress or at least approval for her to join the production.

But Gu Qingzhu wasn’t “most people.”

Ying Xu walked toward the door without much hope, yet she still didn’t open it immediately.

The Alpha’s shadow stretched under the lamplight, the room silent.

Gu Qingzhu caught the familiar scent of pheromones on the pillow as a quiet murmur drifted through the room. “Goodnight, Qingzhu.”

The mansion was vast, and the dining table was already laden with an exquisite dinner.

Though the mistress hadn’t “ordered” it, the servants dutifully carried out their tasks.

By the time Xiang Ling answered the call, Ying Xu was already on her second bowl.

She didn’t feel particularly hungry but ate for the sake of her health.

“Ying Xu?” The unfamiliar female voice spoke before Ying Xu could even greet her, as if this were routine. “What’s wrong with Gu Qingzhu?”

During the meal, Ying Xu searched online for Xiang Ling’s resume. The other party was a Beta with extensive expertise in psychology, a young and accomplished individual.

With preconceived notions, Ying Xu couldn’t help but regard her as Gu Qingzhu’s psychologist, placing high hopes on her.

Just as she was about to skim over the inappropriate details and summarize the story, Xiang Ling, who had picked up on the key phrase “neck injury,” abruptly interrupted, “No need to say so much. She wouldn’t want me to hear it.”

Ying Xu:

If a psychologist doesn’t listen to this, then what do they listen to?

Ying Xu was somewhat bewildered.

Before she could ask, Xiang Ling inquired instead, “What about you? Were you injured?”

Upon receiving a negative answer, Xiang Ling seemed skeptical. “Really?”

“Never mind,” the Beta mused before adding, “I can probably be there in half an hour. No need to rush.”

Despite her doubts about the other’s identity, upon hearing the words “no need to rush,” Ying Xu still let down most of her guard.

“Thank you.”

This time, there was no immediate response. Only after a few seconds did Ying Xu hear the woman’s laughter.

“Beep.”

“Beep.”

“Beep.”

In a daze, Gu Qingzhu heard the muffled ringing in her ears. After a few tones, the sound suddenly became sharp and urgent, the high decibels making her instinctively cover her ears to block out the noise.

Unconsciously, her entire body tensed, her back damp with sweat.

Her lips parted slightly, Gu Qingzhu remembered wanting to say something, but in the end, she merely watched herself standing to the side, silent.

When the final note faded, Gu Qingzhu finally escaped the senseless dream and opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was the blinding light. Instinctively, she shielded her eyes with her arm before lowering it after a few seconds.

It took her a while to make out the time.

She had slept for an hour.

On the bedside table was a glass of warm water, the temperature just right clearly placed there not long ago.

The lingering palpitations made Gu Qingzhu press a hand to her forehead as she got up and walked out. The moment she opened the door, the voices from the living room made her pause.

“No need to see me out,” Xiang Ling’s voice was unmistakable, laced with amusement. “It’s been a few days, and you’ve become a bit more interesting. Next time, let me know promptly if something happens. Don’t wait for Gu Qingzhu to tell you before speaking up.”

The response came in a slightly subdued female voice: “Thank you, Dr. Xiang. How many times a day should the medicine be taken? I’ll make a note of it.”

Xiang Ling raised an eyebrow.

Her conversation hadn’t even reached such perfunctory pleasantries, why had Ying Xu suddenly changed her tone?

She instinctively wanted to ask, but when she tilted her head slightly, she noticed the figure that had abruptly appeared on the second floor.

Xiang Ling immediately resumed her professional demeanor, stating the dosage before adding, “Remember not to provoke her emotions.”

“I’ll take good care of Qingzhu.”

Ying Xu hadn’t expected Xiang Ling to play along so smoothly.

Half an hour earlier, Xiang Ling had arrived at the mansion. But upon entering, she neither went upstairs to check on Gu Qingzhu nor asked Ying Xu about her condition. Instead, her eyes lit up as she spent a long while examining Ying Xu’s injured arm.

Upon hearing that the injury had already been treated, Xiang Ling’s eyes were full of regret. Reluctantly, she said to Ying Xu, “Next time something this good no, bad happens, be sure to contact the doctor right away.”

Ying Xu, with Xiang Ling gripping her arm and stroking it repeatedly, felt her back tingle from the close contact but found herself unable to refuse.

The original owner was clearly acquainted with Xiang Ling, but how much the other party knew was something Ying Xu couldn’t determine, so she proceeded with extreme caution.

After about ten minutes of this, just as Ying Xu was reaching her limit and about to refuse verbally, Xiang Ling withdrew her hand first. She pulled out two test tubes from her bag and said nonchalantly, “Next time Gu Qingzhu loses it, just give her this.”

The liquid inside the tubes was transparent, unlabeled, looking as pure as distilled water utterly clean.

But the cleaner it appeared, the more it aroused suspicion of some hidden, unspeakable secret.

Xiang Ling saw no issue with it, but Ying Xu’s gaze at her resembled a pie chart, suspicion mixed with a hint of relief and admiration.

She clearly doubted the medicine, yet seemed to wholeheartedly approve of the act itself.

Under such scrutiny, it was Xiang Ling who eventually couldn’t bear it and took the initiative to leave.

After exchanging pleasantries and discussing Gu Qingzhu for a while, the two bid farewell at the door.

The moment Ying Xu turned around, she heard footsteps coming from the stairs.

“Did you have a good chat?”

Gu Qingzhu picked up the glass of water on the table, freshly poured by a servant.

The system had alerted Ying Xu the moment Gu Qingzhu woke up.

Every word Gu Qingzhu heard was what Ying Xu wanted her to hear.

As Ying Xu had anticipated, despite Gu Qingzhu’s cold tone when asking the question, the corners of her eyes and brows were relaxed, she wasn’t angry.

Ying Xu gave her an ingratiating smile.

Gu Qingzhu scoffed, initially intending to walk away, but the image of the two women standing so close in the living room kept flashing in her mind.

After a few seconds of silence, Gu Qingzhu turned back to look at Ying Xu.

The Alpha stood not far away, gazing at her with utter docility, like a harmless little bird.

Slowly, Gu Qingzhu spoke, “I can agree to you joining the film crew.”

“I have only one condition,” Gu Qingzhu said calmly. “Keep your mouth shut. Don’t let anyone know what they shouldn’t. During filming, stay as far away from me as possible unless I need you.”

Gu Qingzhu had always known that Ying Xu craved her acknowledgment. Even a glance, a gesture, or a single word was precious to this Alpha.

How long had Ying Xu yearned for this chance to work on the same set? How desperately had she longed for so-called “interaction”?

But Gu Qingzhu wanted to make it clear none of that would happen.

Because Ying Xu didn’t deserve it.

Visibly, the Alpha’s spirits plummeted. Within seconds, her eyes even reddened.

“I” Ying Xu murmured softly, “I understand.”

Ignoring the faint discomfort in her chest, Gu Qingzhu nodded and turned away, as poised and dignified as ever.

Naturally, the Omega had no idea that the moment she turned around, the Alpha she thought was drowning in misery covered her mouth, struggling hard not to burst out laughing.