After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine - Chapter 33.2

Two women who, in the public eye, were untouchable ice queens—
—in private, holding each other together, licking each other’s wounds.

If Tami were rewritten, it wouldn’t be some rousing tale of a heroine conquering the world.

It would just be a quiet story of mutual salvation.

A high-dimensional invasion, driven by desire.

Pei set her chopsticks down. As Lin and Chi Yang approached, she mimicked the casual greetings of those around her, meeting Chi Yang’s eyes as though it were their very first meeting.

The disguise was flawless.

Chi Yang said nothing, simply sitting between her and Lin.

A moment later, she smiled faintly at Lin.

“Where’s the restroom? I’ll wash my hands.”

Lin pointed it out.

As Chi Yang passed by, Pei thought—perhaps imagined—she felt the hem of her coat tugged, ever so slightly.

Maybe it was just accidental.

Still, as soon as Chi Yang left, Pei stood.

“I’ll head to the restroom too,” she told Lin.

“There’s one downstairs as well,” Lin replied behind her.

“Got it,” Pei said, already making her way out.

She caught up to Chi Yang in the restroom.

Chi was at the sink, rinsing her hands, and Pei was pulled back to the last time they’d stood like this—when Chi, sick and in pain, had crossed cities to find her over a magazine photo with Sheng Xia.

What had Chi been thinking then?

Suspicion. Anger. The raw pain of her Omega physiology during a flare-up. The hollow ache of abandonment.

Pei had felt all of it herself during her own susceptibility period.

She knew how unbearable that chemically induced agony was—

—comparable, perhaps, to withdrawal.

And yet Chi had never said a word, swallowing it all alone.

Pei stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her from behind, nuzzling her gently with the tip of her nose.

“Didn’t you say your flight was tomorrow?”

Chi tried to pull away. “The door’s not locked.”

Pei reached past her and turned the lock with a soft click, then circled her waist again.

“Why lie to me? I thought you weren’t coming.”

Her warm breath brushed Chi’s cheek, like the sweep of fine feathers.

Chi shrank her neck slightly at the ticklish sensation.

Pei’s hold on her waist tightened. She leaned in, gently taking Chi’s earlobe between her teeth.

Chi gave a soft hum and dodged away. “Don’t bite. You’ll leave a mark.”

“It won’t. I’m careful.”

Pei lifted her gaze to the mirror, meeting her own eyes.

Cradling Chi Yang in her arms, Pei Jiuyao let her slender fingers rest lightly against Chi Yang’s lower abdomen.

Chi Yang tilted her head up to meet her gaze, their eyes locking.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. “You’re getting bolder and bolder.”

“I’m not—just holding you,” Pei Jiuyao said, tilting her head to lean against Chi Yang’s.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Were you trying to surprise me?”

Chi Yang laid her palm over the back of Pei Jiuyao’s hand. “And are you happy?”

“Of course I am. You’re even wearing my clothes.”

Suddenly, Chi Yang turned, pressing her palm against Pei Jiuyao’s shoulder and slowly pushing her backward.

Pei Jiuyao froze for a beat, stumbling back until she bumped against the wall.

She blinked in surprise and looked down. “Chi Yang?”

Chi Yang stepped closer, looping her arms around Pei Jiuyao’s waist. Inch by inch, she tugged Pei Jiuyao’s T-shirt free and slipped a hand beneath it, resting it against her waist.

Her hands had just been washed in cold water.

The icy touch slid along Pei Jiuyao’s skin, making her shiver violently.

That coolness was gradually warmed by Pei Jiuyao’s body heat until it became soft and damp, clinging as it traced the lean lines of her waist and slid around to her back.

Pressing her whole body against Pei Jiuyao’s chest, Chi Yang tilted her head upward.

“You smell like smoke.”

Pei Jiuyao turned her head slightly, a hint of regret in her voice. “Director Lin offered me one. It would’ve been rude to refuse, so I just took a drag.”

Chi Yang let out a soft hum. “Disobedient.”

“Did Qiao Lu cause you trouble?”

Her soft palm wandered idly across Pei Jiuyao’s back.

But right now, Pei Jiuyao’s mind had no room for Qiao Lu.

Her arms hovered uncertainly in the air before she finally rested one hand lightly against the back of Chi Yang’s head.

“Not here… If you’re not feeling well, we can wait until we’re back…”

“I’m not unwell. What are you even thinking?” Chi Yang frowned, eyes widening in mock ferocity. “I asked you a question.”

“She just has a sharp tongue. Nothing that could really cause me trouble.”

Pei Jiuyao rubbed Chi Yang’s head. “Why are you so against her?”

“I’m not,” Chi Yang said, though her ears were still red. “Qiao Lu relies on her family’s money to throw her weight around, treating everyone with contempt. Last time she made you break a contract—it was because of her.”

“So it was her.” Pei Jiuyao’s tongue brushed against her lips unconsciously as she smiled. “Then I guess my sponsor is more powerful than hers?”

“Of course. So whatever she says, don’t bow to her intimidation.” Chi Yang answered.

“Of course not.” Pei Jiuyao’s fingertips brushed the back of Chi Yang’s neck. “I only bow to your intimidation.”

…Intimidation?

Was this little fox bristling again?

“You haven’t been watching that ancient movie we did together, have you?”

“I caught a bit of it. Your acting was terrible,” Chi Yang commented mercilessly.

It really had been terrible.

But that movie—well…

An art film without at least some risqué content was utterly meaningless.

“You believe I’m not the real Pei Jiuyao, so why dwell on such an ancient project?”

“I’m not dwelling…” Chi Yang pinched Pei Jiuyao’s waist.

“Hiss—!”

Pei Jiuyao’s expression changed as she clutched her arm.

Startled, Chi Yang held her steady. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

“No, it’s not that.” A bead of cold sweat slid down Pei Jiuyao’s temple.

“My… arm just suddenly started hurting. It’s nothing.”

Leaning against the wall, she rubbed Chi Yang’s head, lips pale. “It’s fine now.”

“Really?” Chi Yang asked urgently.

“Really. Probably just hit a nerve,” Pei Jiuyao said with a faint smile.

Chi Yang sighed and gave her arm a light squeeze. “Can’t you be more careful?”

Eyes closed, Pei Jiuyao rested her head back against the wall, smiling faintly as the moment passed.

It seemed she had just triggered a certain… keyword.

Her arm had felt like it was struck by high voltage.

Clearly, talking too much about herself was not permitted.

“It’s been long enough. Let’s head back.”

“I thought you didn’t want to,” Chi Yang said, narrowing her eyes.

“I don’t,” Pei Jiuyao replied, stepping forward to hang off her and breathing in the scent at her neck. “But they’ll probably start suspecting we had a fight.”

Chi Yang snorted softly and patted her back. “Let’s go.”

________________________________________

Back at the table, Lin Leyi looked at the two of them with a faint smile. “You came back together?”

Her tone hinted at something more. “I heard Jiuyao and Yangyang don’t get along—was worried you two might fight if you were alone.”

Chi Yang took her seat again. “How could that happen? We’re both professionals. Miss Pei knows her limits.”

Ha. A moment ago they’d been all over each other—now it was “Miss Pei.”

“Of course. Miss Chi is far too precious. How could I bear to?”

The words were sharp enough to draw blood.

No wonder everyone at the table had that I-knew-it expression, convinced the two didn’t get along.

Pei Jiuyao only shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

In truth, she really couldn’t bear to hurt her.

As for whatever innuendo others chose to hear—that was their problem, not hers.

Lin Leyi smiled and wrapped an arm around Chi Yang’s shoulder. “You should’ve seen Jiuyao at today’s audition—she really impressed me.”

“Yangyang, you should guide her well. She’s got a bright future ahead.”

Clearly tipsy, Lin Leyi leaned closer to Chi Yang and raised her glass for a toast.

Chi Yang didn’t avoid her, simply clinking glasses and drinking.

Pei Jiuyao remembered that Chi Yang disliked being touched by others.

Yet now, there wasn’t a trace of discomfort.

It seemed… she and Lin Leyi were on unusually good terms.

Pei Jiuyao picked up her own glass in silence, but before she could drink, Lin Leyi—still leaning on Chi Yang—called to her. “Jiuyao, shall we have a drink too?”

“I’ll drink to you—”

“She can’t drink,” Chi Yang interrupted before she could finish.

The table fell silent. All eyes turned toward them, expressions unreadable.

Pei Jiuyao thought, maybe I should just ask the waiter for a plate of watermelon.

What a rollercoaster of an evening.

Chi Yang coughed lightly, tugged at Lin Leyi’s sleeve, and murmured, “I’ll drink with you.”

Lin Leyi raised an eyebrow at Pei Jiuyao, then nodded.

________________________________________

When the gathering broke up, Pei Jiuyao slipped away from the crowd and snuck into Chi Yang’s car back to the hotel.

As expected, their rooms were side by side.

“You arranged this?”

She knew Chi Yang had arranged her audition.

Lin Leyi must’ve been aware of their relationship.

Saying they didn’t get along was just to give Pei Jiuyao an excuse.

Perhaps Chi Yang had already told her they preferred to keep things private for now.

“It’s just for your susceptibility period,” Chi Yang replied.

Her tolerance for alcohol was decent, but Lin Leyi had been plying her with drinks all night.

Her eyes were red, her whole demeanor soft and lazy as she leaned against the doorway, smiling gently—more than a little drunk.

With a casual motion, she brushed her hair back with the back of her hand. She was still wearing Pei Jiuyao’s oversized jacket, her half-lidded eyes languid and hazy.

She always had a dozen excuses to deny helping Pei Jiuyao, yet somehow everything was always arranged perfectly in advance.

Even joining the Shan Hai crew.

Pei Jiuyao had always thought Chi Yang wouldn’t spend money to buy her a role.

Now… she wasn’t so sure.

It should have been a good thing, but it felt like she’d fallen into a trap carefully laid long ago—one she was willingly sinking deeper into.

Standing across from her, Pei Jiuyao said softly, “You’re drunk. Go get some rest.”

It was only the first day on set, and Chi Yang was clearly still keeping her distance—likely because she didn’t yet know what kind of people were in this crew.

Pei Jiuyao had no intention of pushing their closeness in public either.

“The evidence is ready, and the PR team is set. We’ll announce your joining the crew first, let public opinion simmer for a few days—it’ll be hard on you, but…”

“I understand. Build me up by tearing me down first.”

“For the next few days, don’t check your phone.” Her tone was serious, but the faint, tipsy haze still lingered in her voice.

It was… dangerously enticing.

Pei Jiuyao’s mind drifted for a moment. “Alright.”

Chi Yang suddenly stepped forward, staring at her for several seconds before leaning in.

Pei Jiuyao’s breath caught.

Her soft lips brushed the corner of Pei Jiuyao’s mouth—quick, fleeting.

Then she whispered, “Good night, little dog.”

The door closed.

Pei Jiuyao remained frozen in place, dazed, fingers brushing her lips as she drifted toward her room.

Just then, she heard voices around the corner.