After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 42.2

[Sponsors influencing awards? Fans really will believe anything. #GuQingzhuGetOutOfEntertainment]

Ying Xu stood up coldly, but a staff member smiled politely. “No one may leave until the event concludes.”

“It’s part of the procedure. Please respect the process, Miss Ying.”

“Procedure?” Ying Xu retorted. “Who arranged this?”

The staff remained silent, merely repeating the same line.

Meanwhile, more people rose to their feet, echoing identical words in unison.

On screen, Gu Qingzhu appeared more and more frequently. By the time the spotlight landed again, it was for the final award.

Best Actress.

“Gu Qingzhu.”

The grand golden glow transformed, isolating a single beam above the omega’s head, separating her from the crowd shrouded in darkness.

From the moment the awards began, Gu Qingzhu had guessed their intentions.

Flowers, applause, lights it all felt like her first win, yet what she felt wasn’t joy but coldness.

Everything before her seemed like a mirage, surreal to the point where, for a fleeting moment, she wondered.

Was this all just a dream?

Gu Qingzhu didn’t move. Those around her grew restless, whispering urgently, “Qingzhu, go accept the award.” “Congratulations, Best Actress.” “You deserve this.”

She knew the best way to quash the malicious speculation was to refuse the award, to walk offstage, even to leave the venue outright.

But then, someone murmured in her ear, “Miss Gu, this is the final procedure.”

The final procedure?

Only then did Gu Qingzhu remember her purpose.

At the same time, the omega on the screen finally stood up. With each step she took, the barrage of comments refreshed in real-time at an increasingly rapid pace, with words like “unfair,” “conspiracy,” and “backstage” covering her beautiful face.

The live stream’s popularity reached new heights, the music in the venue soared, and applause echoed endlessly.

The stars shone brightly, but they were merely accessories to a single pearl.

Under everyone’s gaze, Gu Qingzhu extended her hand. She wanted to take the trophy, to solidify everything, and then do what she was supposed to do.

But before that, the host interrupted the proceedings with a smile.

“Qingzhu, you haven’t appeared in a while, and your fans are very worried about you. I heard you were going to participate, and they even made a support video for you.”

“Please, Qingzhu, turn your head and look at the screen”

Gu Qingzhu turned her face, lifting her eyes, her movements tinged with impatience and anxiety.

But in the next second, all those emotions vanished, leaving only confusion and fear on her face.

The screen had somehow transformed into a full view of the venue, with the camera looking down from above, making the people appear as insignificant dots.

Flashing and floating words occupied everyone’s visual center, sending chills down their spines.

[The reason for abusing cats is because she has no m?]

[Just a vase with nothing but a face, does anyone really not know how she became an award-winning actress?]

[I’ve said it before, sooner or later she will collapse, fans keep calling her!]

[Trash, go die.]

This line of bright red text was like blood, and for the next few seconds, the entire screen changed to just two words.

[Go die go die go die go die go die]

[Go die go die go die go die go die]

[Go die go die go die go die go die]

The sudden turn of events was shocking, yet many cameras were simultaneously aimed at Gu Qingzhu, premeditated and uniform, like daggers trying to extract more emotions from her face one by one.

“Ying Xu!”

Ying Xu saw Assistant Lu’s panicked face.

At the same time, the staff in front began to retreat, as if their purpose was to obstruct her for these few minutes.

Amidst the chaos, a gaze felt tangible and dark, sending chills down Ying Xu’s spine, but all she could see was Song Fei’s departing silhouette.

The host’s face lost color, as if completely unaware of the reason for the upheaval.

Even at this moment, the screen remained unchanged.

The silence was soon broken when a man holding a camera rushed onto the stage. He was an alpha, and as he approached, Gu Qingzhu could even smell his pheromones, making her bones feel as if they were being pulled away in an instant, leaving her stiff.

“Miss Gu, do you really have a violent tendency towards animals, and what is the source of that?”

This felt like a beginning, and more and more cameras flashed white light, aimed at her eyes.

“There are rumors online that you were also present the night Ying Xu apologized during the live stream. Did you participate in this incident, or rather, was your former manager actually acting on your orders”

Leave.

Get out of here.

Retaliate.

Gu Qingzhu desperately wanted her body to react, but at that moment, not a single nerve was at her disposal.

They seemed to struggle to break through her veins, facing the multitude of eyes; at this moment, all Gu Qingzhu could feel were those gazes and the words reflected in her own pupils.

She couldn’t distinguish between good and bad, or perhaps it didn’t even matter.

Those coming at her were filled with malice, and only malice.

“What is your relationship with Ying Xu? Did you have any kind of relationship”

“Miss Gu, please answer the question.”

“Poster Girl Gu”

Amidst the dazzling spotlight, the woman was jostled by the crowd, forced to retreat step by step.

Gu Qingzhu tried to force herself to stay calm and respond, but the flashing lights pierced straight into her retinas.

She had no choice but to shut her eyes tightly, tears welling up from the physiological reaction and spilling over her lashes. Along with her vision, it seemed her ability to speak had also deserted her.

Her lips parted but no words came out.

The omega’s “weakness” only fueled more eager questioning and camera flashes, until a woman’s voice abruptly cut through.

“No interviews.”

“No interviews! Step back, didn’t you hear?!”

The tone carried undisguised fury. Someone tried to protest, but in the next second, security twisted their wrist and shoved them aside. The crowd was pushed back like layers of feathers being parted, and suddenly, darkness fell over Gu Qingzhu’s vision.

The next moment, her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the red carpet.

Behind her, the words 【DIE】 finally stopped. Gu Qingzhu instinctively reached out, but all she grasped was the hem of an alpha’s coat.

“It’s alright, Qingzhu.”

Ying Xu’s voice was gentle as she reassured her, pulling the coat draped over her shoulders up higher.

Cameras scattered everywhere, the blinking red lights indicating the live broadcast was still ongoing.

【Is that Ying Xu? Am I seeing things?】

【Ying Xu reappears just to help Gu Qingzhu… Does she have Stockholm syndrome or something?】

【Just one of Gu Qingzhu’s PR stunts. Who can’t see the judging committee is trying to whitewash her image?】

【Layer after layer of schemes. Gu Qingzhu, get out of the entertainment industry!】

Ying Xu spoke, her tone returning to its usual indifference: “I find this award judging process extremely unfair. I hereby raise an objection and will formally report it, demanding the committee reevaluate the awards.”

Assistant Lu trembled before adding, “Gu Qingzhu’s team also rejects the results of this award. Regarding the incident on-site, we will pursue legal action.”

Under her gaze, a reporter was released and immediately fired back, “May I ask why Miss Ying is here? What is your relationship with Gu Qingzhu”

Ying Xu replied calmly, “Just as I apologized, I harbor admiration for Miss Gu. The live-streamed apology was my personal action and had nothing to do with Miss Gu.”

The broadcast cut off abruptly the next second.

That night, the trending topics were dominated by their names.

【Ying Xu Admires Gu Qingzhu】

【Gu Qingzhu’s Live Comments】

【Ying Xu Questions Star City Film Festival’s Fairness】

【Gu Qingzhu’s Team Rejects Award】

The sensational film festival was etched into “history,” with all its live clips gaining massive traction across platforms.

Online discourse questioned the process, speculated about their relationship, and attacked every aspect of the festival, demanding their ideal outcome.

The organizers issued an emergency response, but it only poured fuel on the fire, sparking even more dissent.

Once again, Ying Xu emerged as the biggest winner, gaining countless new followers.

Brand contracts, once hesitant, flooded her inbox with collaboration offers. On the way back to the estate, Ying Xu received a call from Luo Zhu.

She instinctively glanced at Gu Qingzhu, who had been silent since leaving the venue. Ying Xu wanted to decline, but Gu Qingzhu whispered, “Answer it.”

“She might have something important to tell you.”

Her voice was unusually hoarse, as if each word was forced out.

Ying Xu answered and, at Luo Zhu’s request, turned on speakerphone.

Luo Zhu’s tone was cautious: “Ying Xu, Director Chen Yan contacted me. Someone recommended you for the female lead role in the new drama Sinking, but the condition is… you’d have to join the set today.”

Ying Xu’s thoughts stirred, this seemed to be the project Cheng Yun had mentioned before.

But

“No.” Her refusal was immediate.

There was no way Ying Xu would leave at a time like this.

She understood Gu Qingzhu’s purpose for taking the stage, understood the reason behind the omega’s silence.

“Go ahead.” Yet, at this very moment, Gu Qingzhu spoke again.

She lifted her eyes, quietly gazing at Ying Xu for a few seconds before curling her lips. It seemed she wanted to smile, but even the curve of her lips was forced, quickly reverting to her usual calm.

“You don’t have to stay with me.” In just this short while, Gu Qingzhu seemed to have already composed herself, even joking, “Can’t bear to leave me?”

“Director Chen Yan’s productions are excellent. Joining her team will teach you a lot and benefit your future.”

Luo Zhu, hearing Gu Qingzhu’s words, immediately seized the opportunity: “Ying Xu, this production team is top-notch”

Ying Xu remained silent.

It wasn’t because of the production team, but because the Gu Qingzhu who spoke these words felt so unfamiliar that she didn’t know how to respond.

Even on the hospital bed, Gu Qingzhu still carried an imposing aura.

Over time, she had almost come to believe that this was simply Gu Qingzhu’s nature.

By the time the car arrived at the mansion, someone had already packed Ying Xu’s luggage.

Gu Qingzhu sat quietly in a chair, her eyes downcast as she toyed with the bracelet on her wrist.

Under the bright lights, Ying Xu felt she ought to apologize, but no words came out.

Only when the driver took the luggage did the omega finally say, “Wishing you all the best.”

“I never said I wanted to go film,” Ying Xu finally spoke. “Qingzhu’s wishes are not mine.”

“Is that so?” Gu Qingzhu replied. “Let me rephrase I’m ordering you to go. Will you?”

Ying Xu met Gu Qingzhu’s gaze, but the omega’s response was nothing more than a light, airy remark: “Don’t you find it disgusting to stay by my side?” Gu Qingzhu whispered.

Ying Xu was stunned.

She instinctively wanted to refute, but the woman averted her eyes.

Even if Ying Xu didn’t feel that way, Gu Qingzhu found it repulsive.

The silence stretched on until Luo Zhu called for the second time. Finally, Ying Xu said, “I’ll wrap up the filming as quickly as possible.”

“During that time, I’ll arrange video calls with Qingzhu. I hope she won’t refuse. I’ll also continue overseeing her meals daily, just like before.”

“Just like before.”

Similar, yet never the same.

Gu Qingzhu knew this all too well, but this time, she didn’t argue or even respond.

Only after the car had left the mansion did she finally shed all pretenses, like a rat retreating back into the sewers. She lowered her eyes and resumed playing with the jade bracelet on her wrist.

Outside the window, rain had begun to fall again, though no one knew exactly when.

Someone cautiously spoke up: “By the way, Qingzhu, Assistant Lu sent over a batch of gifts yesterday. Would you like to open them?”

Fans’ gifts were usually stored at Qinghong, and Gu Qingzhu would occasionally bring a few back to open when she remembered.

This time, however, it was clear that Assistant Lu had brought them specifically, hoping to lift her spirits.

Gu Qingzhu was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Bring them here. I’ll take a look.”

The boxes were piled like a small mountain before her. Most were wooden, but one stood out wrapped in pink paper, adorned with rose-red hearts and covered in “LOVE” scribbles.

Gu Qingzhu slit the box open with scissors. She never accepted expensive gifts from fans, so the contents were usually handmade scarves or letters.

This time was no different.

The only change was that the words now struck her differently no longer as hollow as they once seemed.

Every sentiment deserves to be treated with sincerity, but she realized this truth far too late.

The servants marveled at the thoughtfulness, and Gu Qingzhu’s senses finally began to stir, awakened by these scattered fragments of love.

The last to be opened was the most peculiarly packaged box.

Even with just a slit cut into it, an overpowering fragrance rushed out, as if trying to mask something.

“Maybe a bottle of perfume broke.”

The beta who said this smiled knowingly.

Gu Qingzhu, for once, responded.

“Maybe.”

Though just three words, they made the beta relax, feeling a hint of closeness.

Just as she leaned in with a smile, eager to offer more praise and seek attention, the box was fully opened.

All smiles vanished instantly, replaced by horror and uncontrollable revulsion.

Inside the wooden box were bloodstains and scratch marks everywhere. Several rats lay stiff in the corners, their flesh torn and mangled, some clearly dissected with a knife, their bodies gnawed at, leaving only fine tooth marks.

No one knew how long they had been dead or what had truly killed them.

A pink card was taped to the center, drenched in perfume, yet unable to mask the stench of decay.

By the time the beta snapped out of her daze and tried to stop her, Gu Qingzhu had already picked it up.

The bloodstains had dried, smearing the words.

Why wasn’t it you who died?

The sound of violent retching filled the air, drowning out everything else for Gu Qingzhu.

Her eyes bloodshot and rapidly swelling, she clenched the card tightly before she was forced to shut them.

When she opened her eyes again, she was met with blinding white.

Turning her head, she saw the familiar doctor standing by her bed.

Sunlight streamed into the hospital room. The temperature was pleasant today a clear, sunny day.