After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine - Chapter 35.2

Pei Jiuyao also grasped the problem.

A film doesn’t have the luxury of a drama series to build things slowly—

Every frame must either push the plot forward or sharpen the character.

This scene did neither.

Chi Yang suggested, “Since Chisong uses gu magic, why not have Ji Leng turn it back on her after breaking the illusion?”

As she said it, her gaze flicked toward Pei Jiuyao, a faint smile glinting in her eyes.

The same method?

Pei Jiuyao didn’t know what Chi Yang was planning, but that smile felt dangerous.

“Let’s run it again.”

Lin and Chi Yang exchanged a quick, wordless understanding.

Pei Jiuyao frowned slightly.

Wait—what exactly did they just agree on?

Was this… ex-girlfriend telepathy?

She returned to her mark, lingering playfully over Chi Yang before moving to leave—

Only to be yanked back and slammed against the door.

Cold eyes burned with fury.

“I don’t care what you are.”

Chi Yang twirled her sword with one hand, resting it behind her, and with the other hand pressed against Pei Jiuyao’s throat—

And kissed her.

A frigid wash of pheromones filled the air—not Chi Yang’s, but her own.

For the sake of the scene, Pei Jiuyao didn’t reach for her inhibitor.

Chi Yang’s cold lips pressed hard against hers, for an indeterminate time.

Long lashes trembled like raven feathers, brushing her cheek.

Breath stalled.

Her chest felt hollow—

A sour ache swelling, falling, restless.

Pei Jiuyao pressed her lips together, resisting the urge to taste the sweetness on Chi Yang’s lips.

When Chi Yang pulled back, she twisted her wrist, sword point aimed at Pei Jiuyao, and said with a cold smile—

“So that’s all you are.”

Pei Jiuyao snapped back instantly, catching the sword tip between her fingers.

The palace gates opened.

She spun away, and the two locked eyes across the threshold.

Pei Jiuyao smirked.

“Human Emperor Ji Leng—daring to break my illusion. I’ll remember you.”

Lin Leyi was clearly thrilled with the tweak—

When the two walked back over, she was beaming at the monitor, replaying it over and over.

As Pei Jiuyao tapped her fingers on the table, she caught sight of a ring on Lin’s hand… and the edge of a tattoo beneath it.

Was the director a little too excited about seeing Chi Yang kiss someone else?

So excited she was practically giddy?

Perhaps this was simply the mark of a true professional filmmaker.

She heard Chi Yang laugh softly.

“Was Miss Pei a little slow just now?”

Pei Jiuyao’s fingers curled.

What—

Are we doing it again?

“No, Jiuyao was very in character,” Lin replied, queuing the kiss scene for yet another replay.

Pei Jiuyao : “…”

She’s jealous.

Lin Leyi is absolutely jealous.

Pei Jiuyao glanced at Chi Yang, who lifted a brow, her eyes still cool.

“Very in character.

When I said I was looking forward to it, Miss Pei didn’t disappoint.”

So this was revenge for her earlier teasing.

If not for the faint blush at the tips of Chi Yang’s ears, the blank expression might have fooled her into thinking the retaliation had succeeded.

Pei Jiuyao countered smoothly,

“Only because Miss Chi taught me well.”

“Alright, enough mutual compliments,” Lin cut in.

“Eat, then on to the next scene.”

The afternoon shoot was between Chi Yang and Sheng Xia, who had arrived early and even greeted Pei Jiuyao.

Bundled in a down jacket, hat, and mask, Pei Jiuyao sat off to the side, blending perfectly into the idle crew and extras.

She cradled a cup Jiang Tian had prepared for her—complete with straw and two handles.

Another first—her first kiss.

Yes, it was in a scene.

Yes, it was just a brush of lips.

But it was still a kiss.

Unreal.

She’d kissed co-stars before—part of an actor’s craft.

But this was Chi Yang.

Their relationship was anything but pure—

Neither simply colleagues nor clean lovers.

Chi Yang had always said she didn’t kiss—

Just to keep things between them from getting too… tainted.

If things weren’t tainted, they could walk away clean.

So why take the initiative now?

Purely for the role?

If so… what dedication.

Just thinking about it made Pei Jiuyao’s heart race.

She’d already forgotten half the scene—

Only remembering that Chi Yang’s lips were soft.

Soft to the touch, soft to the kiss—

And if she bit down…

It must taste good too—after all, it’s strawberry-flavored.

Just imagining tasting Chi Yang with strawberries… thrilling.

Pei Jiuyao’s cheeks flushed red. She shook her head hard, trying to fling those indecent thoughts right out of her mind.

No, no—stop thinking about it!

One-click purge.

“Bzzzt—”

Out of nowhere, a mechanical voice rang in Pei Jiuyou’s mind:

[Congratulations, Host, you have acquired the ‘Culture’ talent.]

Pei Jiuyao blinked in confusion, rubbing her temple.

She’d… maxed it out? Really?

It had to be because of that kiss just now!

There was no way it was purely for artistic dedication. No way she’d been completely unaffected—her ears had been burning red when she walked away.

Beneath the brim of her cap, Pei Jiuyao’s eyes curved with a smile she couldn’t hide.

No matter how you pretend… you can’t change the fact that you like me too, Chi Yang.

After all, I’m your destiny as much as you are mine.

7023 let her bask in her little victory for a while before, sensing her emotions gradually settling, it finally asked:

[Host, what talent do you want next?]

Pei Jiuyao thought for a moment. Honestly, she already had everything she needed to survive.

With the three skills she had now, turning public opinion around and reshuffling the entertainment industry wouldn’t be hard.

It would just take time.

Which meant… she could pick something fun for her next talent.

She remembered boasting to Chi Yang before that she could race cars, only to be laughed at.

“Racing,” Pei Jiuyao answered.

[You can race?]

7023’s voice was already icy and grating—now it practically dripped with mockery.

Pei Jiuyao bristled. “Hah, I can do plenty of things. You know what I’m best at?”

[What?]

“Turning a system into a whack-a-mole game for fun.”

7023 went silent for a long moment, then vanished with a “biu.”

________________________________________

While Chi Yang was rehearsing with Sheng Xia, a staff member brought over a five- or six-year-old child, saying this was what Jiang Wang looked like as a kid, and the two should spend a little time getting familiar.

Pei Jiuyao, left on her own and bored, took the child into the lounge. She sat her on her lap and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Bai Nian,” the chirped, big round eyes sparkling as she smiled at her.

Pei Jiuyao gently pinched her soft cheeks. “Then can I call you Niannian?”

“Okay!” Bai Nian reached up to tug at her mask.

“You really are that sister from earlier.”

“Hm? Which sister?” Pei Jiuyao pulled her mask all the way down.

Bai Nian leaned on her shoulder, whispering conspiratorially, “The sister who was kissing just now.”

“Tsk. Kids shouldn’t be watching that kind of thing—it’s not age-appropriate.” Pei Jiuyao covered her eyes.

Bai Nian grabbed her hand, giggling nonstop.

She rolled around on her lap and grinned. “Jiejie, you’re so pretty. That other jiejie is really pretty too. Are you two lovers?” Bai Nian asked.

“Mm…” Pei Jiuyao tilted her head in thought before replying, “We were filming just now. That’s why we kissed.”

“Oh.” Bai Nian swung her little legs. “But I still think you two really match.”

Pei Jiuyao chuckled. “Niannian’s got good taste. What do you want? Jiejie will buy it for you.”

A moment later, Jiang Tian came over, arms full of snacks.

“Hey, can you eat that much candy?” Pei Jiuyao frowned at Bai Nian, who was shoving a fistful of sweets into her mouth. She started to wonder if she’d made a mistake—this kid might have tricked her.

Bai Nian’s big eyes darted around before she pointed at a group of men in black suits standing at a distance. “Don’t worry, jiejie. As long as they don’t stop me, it’s fine. It’s okay to indulge once in a while!”

“Indulge once in a while?” Pei Jiuyao poked her forehead. “You sure know a lot for a little brat.”

“I’m not a brat,” Bai Nian muttered.

Pei Jiuyao smirked. “So who are they, anyway? Your mom didn’t come with you?”

“She’s busy. Those are my bodyguards,” Bai Nian replied.

“Oh…” Pei Jiuyao’s brow lifted. A dozen bodyguards, and her surname was Bai?

She pointed toward the set. “Niannian, do you know the pretty jiejie acting with that other pretty jiejie?”

“Sheng Xia-jiejie?” Bai Nian grabbed another handful of candy. “She’s one of my family’s artists.”

And with that, she stuffed her mouth full.

Ah, so the little princess was making an incognito visit.

Pei Jiuyao twitched at the sight of her bulging cheeks. “Jiang Tian, take those away.”

Thankfully, the candies Jiang Tian brought were those notoriously unpronounceable sugar-free jelly beans.

If the princess ended up with some health issue from too much sugar… Pei Jiuyao had no intention of being accused of murdering royalty.

After playing with her for a bit, Bai Nian was whisked away by her bodyguards. Before leaving, she pouted. “I really like you, Yaoyao-jiejie. I’ll come find you for candy next time!”

Pei Jiuyao’s brow twitched again.

Once the little troublemaker was gone, Chi Yang wrapped up her scene. The two of them headed back to the hotel together.

“Bai Nian was here today?” Chi Yang asked.

Pei Jiuyao was drying her hair. She turned off the blow dryer. “What did you say?”

“I said—did the Bai family’s little kid come find you today?”

“You heard about that?” Pei Jiuyao sat down beside her. “I heard she was playing young Jiang Wang. Why would the Bai family let such a little kid act?”

In truth, she didn’t know much about the Bai family—only that she’d been to Xing Chong, one of their businesses.

Rumor had it they were the largest agency in the industry, holding an 80% market share in entertainment every year.

“That kid’s a handful—too clever for her own good. Even Bai Zhi can’t control her.”

“Bai Zhi?”

“The current head of the Bai family,” Chi Yang explained. When she noticed Pei Jiuyao staring, she asked, “What? Interested?”

“Why did you kiss me today?”

Chi Yang’s gaze dimmed. “For the scene. Don’t—”

“Liar.”

Her expression froze.

“You kissed me because I brought up last night while we were in makeup,” Pei Jiuyao said.

Chi Yang quietly exhaled.

Pei Jiuyao leaned closer, her tone turning almost coquettish. “You can’t just take advantage of me like that, Miss Sponsor.”

Chi Yang pushed her away, turning her head. “You can always kiss me back in the show.”

“You know we don’t have a kiss scene!” Pei Jiuyao protested. “No way. We’re making up for it now.”

Her long, strong fingers tilted Chi Yang’s pale chin, turning her face toward her.

Surprise flickered in Chi Yang’s light-colored eyes, her lashes trembling like a butterfly’s wings.

Pei Jiuyao leaned in. Chi Yang backed into the headboard, nowhere left to retreat, her shoulders curling slightly.

“May I?” Pei Jiuyao asked—but her palm was already covering Chi Yang’s mouth.

A moment later, a smile laced with mischief brushed against Chi Yang’s ear. “That’s consent.”

And then she cupped Chi Yang’s face and kissed her.

It was fleeting—just a reverent, lingering touch.

When she pulled away, Pei Jiuyao’s eyes were faintly red.

So soft—too soft. Shame it wasn’t with strawberry jam… she’d just have to try that next time.

Chi Yang turned her head slightly, licking the corner of her lips. Her eyes curved faintly, voice low and teasing. “Pushing your luck.”

Pei Jiuyao’s shoulders trembled in amusement. “This is nothing. Next time, I want a whole imperial banquet.”

“An imperial banquet?”

Pei Jiuyao poked at her here, and here, and here. “That means kissing everywhere… and biting your tongue—”

“Shut up!”