After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 45.1

Having stayed up unusually late, Gu Qingzhu woke up with a splitting headache as her regular routine was disrupted.

The palpitations from the night before had finally subsided. The nurse came in for her routine check, and everything seemed to have returned to its usual calm.

Until half an hour later, while taking a walk, Gu Qingzhu spotted Ying Xu standing not far away.

At the first sight of her, the alpha smiled. Ying Xu was holding a full bouquet of baby’s breath, as pure white as the roses in the hospital room.

“Qingzhu,” she called, seemingly still worried about what had happened the day before, keeping her distance without approaching. “Good morning.”

Gu Qingzhu merely glanced at her, and the memories of the previous night instantly flooded back. Without a word, she turned and sat down.

Yet Ying Xu seemed to take this as ‘permission,’ hesitantly stepping closer.

Watching her movements out of the corner of her eye, Gu Qingzhu wasn’t angry instead, she almost laughed.

Why wasn’t Ying Xu acting as “crazy” as she had been last night? Had she forgotten everything after waking up?

Suppressing her irritation, Gu Qingzhu asked sharply, “What do you want now?”

Her tone was unmistakably impatient.

Ying Xu should have noticed, yet she showed no resistance, replying gently, “I just wanted to see you.”

“Unnecessary,” Gu Qingzhu said. “I don’t want to see you.”

Ying Xu nodded. “Then I’ll wait in the pavilion ”

“Who told you to wait? Can you stop making decisions on your own?” Gu Qingzhu found it even more baffling, yet she couldn’t muster any genuine anger. She countered, “Why did you suddenly come back yesterday? Who asked you to do anything?”

Mentioning yesterday, the omega seemed to momentarily forget all her resistance, her brows furrowing tightly.

Ying Xu hadn’t expected that one kiss to have such an effect.

Though her favorability hadn’t increased, it felt as if she had truly gotten closer to Gu Qingzhu.

Seeing Ying Xu remain silent, simply staring at her in a daze, Gu Qingzhu’s expression darkened instantly.

Just as she seemed about to truly lose her temper, Ying Xu finally spoke. “I did face some bullying on set.”

“But after seeing you, I realized it wasn’t a big deal.” Her tone was light, but the words left Gu Qingzhu standing frozen in place.

Though not as blatant as yesterday’s confession, her heartbeat grew even more uncontrollably.

After a few seconds of silence, she asked, “What happened? Tell me.”

When Assistant Lu arrived, she saw Gu Qingzhu sitting on a bench, holding the bouquet of baby’s breath.

Ying Xu sat on the other end, keeping a considerable distance. The omega’s expression was far from calm whenever her emotions threatened to spiral, she would reach out and fiddle with the flowers.

Her state was clearly unstable, as half the petals had already fallen.

From the start, Ying Xu had no intention of hiding anything from Gu Qingzhu.

The other’s pointed questioning yesterday proved she already knew something.

As for why she “knew” yet only confronted her upon meeting, Ying Xu decided not to dwell on it for now.

Ying Xu recounted the events plainly, but Gu Qingzhu trembled just imagining the scenes. A drowning scene filmed nine times, no call to cut for three minutes.

For a moment, she regretted her decision to send Ying Xu away.

She had spoken those words because she knew her emotions would remain unstable for some time, and she had resolved to lock herself away until she fully calmed down.

During that period, she didn’t want to be disturbed or cared for by anyone.

She thought her response to Xu Ying’s “good” intentions was appropriate, yet it once again subjected the alpha to unnecessary hardships and setbacks.

Why did Song Fei target Xu Ying? Wasn’t it simply because Song Fei hated her?

Gu Qingzhu’s grip tightened slightly.

But Xu Ying’s voice paused at that moment. She said softly, “Just knowing Qingzhu worries about me already makes me happy. There’s no need to be angry on my behalf your health is what matters most.”

For a moment, Gu Qingzhu grew even more furious.

If she hadn’t stopped Xu Ying from leaving, perhaps the alpha wouldn’t have acted so recklessly, speaking without restraint.

Yet, because of Xu Ying’s earlier words, Gu Qingzhu forced herself to remain calm. “I’ll handle it. You just focus on filming.”

She wasn’t sure if Xu Ying would give up The Fall and insist on staying by her side.

Breaking commitments once or twice, Gu Qingzhu could cover for her, but it would inevitably damage Xu Ying’s professional reputation.

Just as she hesitated whether to spell it out, Xu Ying flashed her a radiant smile. “Of course, I understand.”

“This drama is something Qingzhu asked me to do, so I’ll give it my all and make sure you’re satisfied.”

Xu Ying gazed at Gu Qingzhu, her eyes reflecting only her. “But I also want to see Qingzhu often. From now on, I’ll make time every week to return to Star City.”

Without careful scheduling, actors typically stayed on set until filming wrapped. Even on days with fewer scenes, there was little time for rest.

If Xu Ying wanted to return, she’d have to sacrifice her downtime.

Once or twice was manageable but what about long-term?

In the end, Gu Qingzhu didn’t respond.

But Xu Ying knew silence was an answer in itself.

After that day, Xu Ying began shuttling between the set and the hospital.

She claimed she’d “make time,” but in reality, five days a week, she filmed during the day and rushed straight to the airport afterward.

The hospital had strict visiting hours, so they could only meet in the garden for fifteen minutes.

Yet even in those brief moments, Xu Ying always wore her brightest, most sincere smile.

Each time she visited, she brought a fresh bouquet tulips, camellias, gardenias never repeating the same arrangement.

But never once did she bring roses.

Every time Gu Qingzhu opened her eyes, the changing flowers in the vase reminded her that those memories weren’t dreams, and Xu Ying wasn’t just a fleeting illusion.

It was as if only after that kiss did she truly come to know Xu Ying.

Meanwhile, back on the set of The Fall, Xu Ying quickly learned what Gu Qingzhu meant by “handling it.”

The crew underwent a massive reshuffle in a single day. Xia Qing, who had been filming as the female lead, was abruptly replaced.

The script was hastily rewritten, and Xu Ying’s role was expanded to rival that of the protagonist.

Almost as soon as the crew began leaving, Xia Qing tried to walk away too. But the new producer, Gu Yibai, laid out the projects she was currently negotiating and said bluntly, “If you leave now, your career won’t recover. Better settle this properly. Once she’s satisfied, this will be over.”

As the producer overseeing the entire production, Gu Yibai had long been associated with Qinghong before Gu Qingzhu’s incident. She was notorious in the industry for her ruthless precision.

Most artists who earned her “attention” ended up leaving the industry in disgrace.

Xia Qing never imagined Xu Ying could actually get Gu Qingzhu to step in for her. Recalling the earlier threats, she realized in an instant that her future prospects were bleak.

But when she wanted to go and beg for forgiveness from the person involved, that alpha assistant whom she had always looked down on blocked her path.

“Sorry about this,” Yi Ning said with a half-smile. “Sister Ying is busy right now. She’s been catching up on filming lately, so it’s understandable she doesn’t have time to see you, right?”

Xia Qing clenched her fists, staring at the bodyguards behind Yi Ning. Trembling with fear and unwilling to leave, she recalled Ying Xu’s earlier words.

Contact Song Fei, or let Gu Qingzhu step in.

That lunatic Gu Qingzhu had even dared to throw her precious cat in front of Song Fei, how could she possibly go easy on an insignificant lover like Xia Qing?

Thinking of what might happen, Xia Qing gritted her teeth and still made the call.

Song Fei was still abroad and couldn’t break free.

Every minute after receiving the news, Xia Qing’s heart hung in midair. After a few days, she had visibly lost weight.

In stark contrast to her was Ying Xu, who was surrounded by staff like the moon among stars. Faced with all the goodwill and care, the alpha always responded gently. After a few days, her complexion had improved significantly.

On the day Song Fei returned to Star City, the “retribution” was finally carried out.

Xia Qing received a new script, she now had a drowning scene.

Gu Yibai stood by the shore, confirming that the alpha had fallen into the water nine times before lowering her head to report to her employer.

Receiving the expected [Continue] reply, she was about to order another take when a woman’s voice came from beside her: “That’s enough.”

Gu Yibai turned to look at Ying Xu in the distance. Having personally witnessed all nine takes, she felt this was sufficient.

“There’s still the three-minute breath-holding,” Gu Yibai said. “Gu Qingzhu’s request.”

Ying Xu nodded. “I’ll contact her. Let’s end it here.”

The word “contact” was ostensibly professional, yet Gu Yibai detected an unusual intimacy in it.

As a member of the Gu family’s collateral branch, Gu Yibai had a neutral impression of Gu Qingzhu but was well aware of her past and cold personality.

In Gu Yibai’s memory, Gu Qingzhu had only ever softened for one person Xu Ying.

Now, it seemed Ying Xu was about to become the second.

Gu Yibai had no interest in these rumors. Since Ying Xu could handle it, she called off the shoot.

When Xia Qing emerged from the water, she refused the towel her assistant offered and walked straight toward Ying Xu.

Drenched and shivering, her eyes red, she still managed to stammer fearfully, “I, I’m sorry, Miss Ying, about what happened before—”

She looked on the verge of tears but forced herself to smile.

Ying Xu glanced at her for two seconds before looking away.

“May your star shine bright,” Gu Yibai said.

Only then did Xia Qing truly burst into tears out of sheer terror.

Five minutes after the alpha left, Ying Xu received a video call from Gu Qingzhu.

The omega sat in a pavilion, a sea of blooming flowers stretching behind her.

She held a glass of sparkling water, droplets clinging to her fingertips as she bit the straw. Her gaze at the screen was indifferent until the call connected, when she unconsciously straightened her posture slightly.

The moment she saw Ying Xu’s face, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Without a word, Ying Xu understood her silent accusation You’ve lost weight again.

“It’s the makeup,” Ying Xu said.

Gu Qingzhu scoffed. “Do you believe that?”

Ying Xu smiled. “If Qingzhu believes it, then I do.”

Gu Qingzhu’s expression flickered oddly before she cut to the chase.

“Why did you go soft on her?”

Ying Xu was certain that Gu Yibai hadn’t sent any more messages. Gu Qingzhu had planted other people in the crew who were keeping her updated in real time.

This outcome didn’t surprise Ying Xu. She lowered her eyes and said, “I just think it’s unnecessary.”

“Drowning is painful.”

With just those five words, Gu Qingzhu fell silent. The dissatisfaction that had gathered in her eyes melted away at that moment.

Because she had suffered herself, she didn’t want others to suffer too.

Besides, they both knew full well that Xia Qing wasn’t the one responsible for all this.

When it came down to it, that day, Xia Qing had merely been a bystander.

The conversation ended there. After exchanging a few more casual remarks, they hung up. As the screen dimmed, Ying Xu caught sight of the faint smile on her lips.

After that sudden kiss, her relationship with Gu Qingzhu had gradually become, peculiar.

Originally, Ying Xu had planned to return to Star City all seven days, but in the end, Gu Qingzhu had stopped her.

Gu Qingzhu no longer resisted her closeness.

This lack of resistance wasn’t an acceptance of Ying Xu’s intimacy, but rather, when Ying Xu approached, she no longer reacted with defiance. Instead, she would simply ask, “What now?”

The change was so striking that even Assistant Lu had noticed and quietly asked if she and Gu Qingzhu were really together now.

Together.

Finally, Ying Xu understood the reason for Gu Qingzhu’s shift.

The omega was seriously considering her confession.

Perhaps Xu Ying would forever be Gu Qingzhu’s shackle, but that didn’t stop her from choosing a new life.

Because Ying Xu wouldn’t care.

Not about being together, not about this relationship, and not about Gu Qingzhu herself.

There was another scene to film that evening.

When Ying Xu was woken up, there were only ten minutes left before shooting began.

Yi Ning seemed to have just returned from the set, her eyes wide with shock. “Sister Ying, there’s a luxury car parked outside the crew. It’s Gu”

She didn’t dare say the name outright, but from the recent events, she had realized that Ying Xu and Gu Qingzhu’s relationship was far more “complicated” than the rumors suggested.

Ying Xu was taken aback, then remembered the background during their video call and shook her head with a faint smile. “It’s not her.”

Ying Xu hadn’t interfered much with Gu Qingzhu’s treatment. She knew the woman’s aversion to hospitals, and pushing too hard would only make Gu Qingzhu resist more.

But Assistant Lu couldn’t keep things to herself. Ying Xu often received messages from her, marveling at how the doctors had noted Gu Qingzhu’s significant improvement lately.

Mental illness was like cancer, hard to eradicate completely. But with cooperation, improvement was evident.

In Ying Xu’s eyes, Gu Qingzhu’s discharge was because she believed her condition had stabilized enough to leave, not because of some sudden visit to the set.

Yi Ning seemed about to dig for more proof when a new crew member approached hesitantly. “Sister Ying.”

“Song Fei is waiting for you in the car.”

Inside the car, a musical was playing.

After listening for a few lines, Song Fei snapped impatiently, “Turn it off.”

Silence fell, but it only made her more restless.

The past few days hadn’t been kind to her. The overseas fashion week she attended had received lukewarm responses, and all her business deals had been snatched away mid-negotiation. This time, Gu Qingzhu hadn’t held back at all, she had directly exposed everything to Song Fei’s older sister.

Song Lianshan was currently swamped with a new project and had no time to spare for trivial matters. When she first heard about it, she immediately berated Song Fei.

“Shut up.” Song Lianshan pinched the bridge of her nose, finally unable to suppress her anger again. “How many times have I told you to watch your mouth in front of outsiders?”

Song Fei looked utterly dejected. “I didn’t expect Gu Qingzhu to actually be afraid of cats. I just heard”

“Heard what?” Song Lianshan had only managed to grasp the gist of the situation on the way here and hadn’t yet probed into the details. Her expression darkened. “Who told you?”

“Someone from Sheng Changming’s side.” Song Fei hesitated but eventually showed Song Lianshan the chat interface with [XY].

Staring at those two letters, Song Lianshan fell silent for a few seconds before frowning.

“What did she promise you?” She didn’t press further but instead asked about something else.

Song Fei seemed reluctant to speak, only stammering after another scolding: “She said she’d tell me Gu Qingzhu’s biggest secret.”

“A secret that would completely ruin her.”

Song Lianshan found it laughable. “Do you even have such a secret, you fool?”

“But she knows Xu Ying!” Song Fei instinctively retorted. “She has a lot of old photos of Xu Ying. To understand Gu Qingzhu, she must”

“Must what? Do you think you’re special, the only one who knows Gu Qingzhu’s secrets?” Song Lianshan cut her off sharply. “Everyone who’s tried this has been dealt with by the Gu family. Do you want to follow in their footsteps?”