After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine - Chapter 55.2

She even claimed she already had a wife.

Strange girl.

Still, as long as her assistant didn’t covet her glands, Pei Jiuyao didn’t mind keeping her around. Jobs weren’t easy to come by, especially for a harmless little Omega.

“What do these words mean?” Shi Nian pointed at the inscription on the tombstone. “Something about a thousand years, ten thousand something, flower something sound?”

“‘A thousand years, ten thousand lives; the pepper blossoms sing in praise.’ It’s from the epitaph Princess Taiping wrote for Shangguan Wan’er,” Pei Jiuyao explained flatly.

Shi Nian wrinkled her innocent little face. “So this princess and that Wan’er—were they partners too?”

“Let’s go.” Pei Jiuyao turned, patting her on the head.

“Hey! Where to now?” Shi Nian huffed, trotting after her.

…

“Pei Jiuyao, do you have any plans to collaborate with Director Yan soon?”

“Pei Jiuyao, last year you won the Golden Cloud for Best Supporting Actress, and your debut album topped annual sales. Do you plan to pursue both acting and singing?”

“Any interest in television projects? Which actor do you most want to work with?”

“Many say you and Sheng Xia are the screen’s best CP, even giving you the couple name ‘With You for a Summer.’ What’s your take on that?”

Pei Jiuyao stood before the cameras, offering polished responses: “Miss Sheng is an excellent actress and my senior. I’ve learned a great deal from her—”

“Pei Jiuyao, it’s said Director Lin was a close friend of yours. How do you view her passing?”

Wen Li quickly stepped in. “Sorry, please avoid unrelated questions—”

“Pei Jiuyao, insiders claim you once dated Miss Chi Yang. Does this mean you prefer Alphas?”

“Then why did you break up? Was it personality differences, or did Miss Chi cheat?”

…

Pei Jiuyao tightened her grip on her phone.

“Apologies, we won’t be answering questions irrelevant to Jiuyao.” Wen Li shielded her as they backed away.

Pei Jiuyao glanced at the reporter, mask concealing their face, only the eyes visible.

Her brows drew together faintly as she left the press area.

“Where did that reporter slip in from? Didn’t you screen the media in advance?”

Wen Li was still fuming.

Rumors about her and Chi Yang had swirled relentlessly this past year. And while they weren’t entirely baseless, Pei Jiuyao had no intention of confirming or denying them.

Back in the lounge, she opened her phone, absentmindedly scrolling—until she accidentally clicked into a supertopic she hadn’t visited in a year.

【#OnlyAChiAway#

They’re definitely still together underground. When C was injured and hospitalized, Y was photographed sneaking in under a hat and mask.

[Image.jpg]】

【That was over a year ago.】

【Don’t forget, C had to fake-marry M. For C’s career, Y had no choice but to step aside.】

【Pei Jiuyao being the third party out of love… so touching, I’m crying.】

Pei Jiuyao: “…………”

“Wen-jie, the Chi family just sent a lawyer’s letter.” Jiang Tian handed over her phone.

Pei Jiuyao looked up and saw Wen Li’s expression change as she reopened her own phone.

【…Regarding the online rumors about Ms. Chi Yang’s so-called “relationship” and “infidelity,” we will pursue legal action against the perpetrators.】

Pei Jiuyao’s gaze darkened. Without even exiting the app, she simply powered off her phone.

Wen Li walked over, ruffled her hair, and asked softly, “You okay?”

“What could possibly be wrong with me?” Pei Jiuyao looked up, forcing a smile at the corners of her lips.

“You saw the lawyer’s letter?”

“I saw it,” Pei Jiuyao said casually. “It’s all in the past.”

Wen Li smoothed her hair again, as if coaxing her, and muttered, “Doesn’t look like it’s in the past to me.”

“Still can’t forget your ex after a year?”

Pei Jiuyao shrugged. “I stopped loving her a long time ago.”

Wen Li gave a helpless sigh. “Then why’d you agree to that gambling contract? Almost sold yourself to Xingchong.”

“For myself, of course.” Pei Jiuyao gave a low laugh. “If I sign with Xingchong, I need to make sure the boss sees me as profitable, don’t I?”

“You always have an answer.” Wen Li hopped off the table. “So, are you still going to tonight’s banquet?”

“Of course.” Pei Jiuyao checked the time. “In fact, let’s head over now.”

Night crept in, spreading across the windows like flowing ink. Streetlights flickered on one by one, hanging together with the stars. Above it all, a pale yellow moon.

The car sped through the night, wind rushing past her ears. Pei Jiuyao hadn’t put on the gown Jiang Tian had brought—just a simple suit. She leaned back against the rear seat.

When they arrived, she went straight up through a side passage to a lounge upstairs. Seated there, she gazed through the smoky-brown one-way glass at the hall below.

“You’re not changing into the gown?” Wen Li and Jiang Tian brought it in.

Pei Jiuyao held her glass, warming her hands. “I don’t feel like going out. I’ll just sit here for a bit.”

“Bai Zhi will be here too,” Wen Li said, tossing the gown onto the sofa. “She’ll definitely want you as her partner.”

Over the past year, at every banquet, Pei Jiuyao had always been at Bai Zhi’s side.

People in the circle whispered that she was quick to latch onto power. First, a caged songbird under Chi Yang; then, as soon as Chi Yang had trouble, she somehow ended up with Bai Zhi.

Some even said Bai Zhi was Enigma’s favorite, and that one day Pei Jiuyao might use a child to hold her patron hostage.

Pei Jiuyao had heard those filthy rumors.

She just didn’t care anymore.

Leaning back against the sofa, eyes fixed downstairs, she said flatly, “Tell her I’m tired and want to rest.”

Wen Li could only sigh, pulling Jiang Tian out and shutting the door.

Jiang Tian glanced back at Pei Jiuyao’s figure, puzzled. “Jie, that gown was personally chosen by Pei-jie. She loved it when she tried it on—told me several times today to remember to bring it. Why isn’t she wearing it now?”

“Probably those interviews upset her mood,” Wen Li murmured.

At the mention of the interviews, Jiang Tian bristled with indignation. “Those reporters, I don’t even know what outlet they came from! Asking such nasty questions—just listening made me furious, and they still…”

“Enough,” Wen Li patted her shoulder. “Let her rest a while.”

Meanwhile, Pei Jiuyao remained sprawled on the sofa, idly swirling the plain water in her glass.

The dim light cast a faint shadow behind her.

Like someone drunk—though she hadn’t touched a drop.

If only she had. At least then she could indulge in a drunken outburst.

But Pei Jiuyao couldn’t. If she ever lost control, she’d wake up on the front page of every paper the next morning.

She sighed softly and tipped the last of the water into her mouth.

Just then, the door opened behind her.

Her fingers froze on the glass, but she didn’t turn around.

A voice asked, “Bad mood?”

Only then did Pei Jiuyao slowly turn.

The woman before her wore a perfectly tailored pinstripe suit, the crisp shirt collar framing her neck, black leather shoes polished to a mirror shine.

Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. Her features were striking, bold—sharper even than Wen Li’s mixed-race beauty.

She was about the same height as Pei Jiuyao, but her aura outstripped hers by several leagues. Something Pei Jiuyao could never act her way into.

It was Bai Zhi.

“No,” Pei Jiuyao murmured, still holding the empty glass, leaning sideways against the sofa. “Just a little tired.”

“You? Tired?” Bai Zhi walked over, took the glass from her hand, and raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile. “I’d love nothing more than for you to rest a few days. Can’t have my little pet wearing herself out.”

“Don’t tease me.” Pei Jiuyao rubbed her temples.

This past year, for the sake of the contract with Xingchong, she had practically lived on set, filling every spare moment with events and appearances, spinning without pause.

But Bai Zhi knew—this wasn’t just about the contract.

More than anything, Pei Jiuyao was trying to claw her way out of emotions too heavy to bear.

Bai Zhi poured her a fresh glass of water, set it on the table, and sat down beside her, nudging the gown aside.

Pei Jiuyao lifted the glass. “Thanks.”

“I went through a lot to get that gown for you, pulled strings to bring it over from overseas. Why aren’t you wearing it?” Bai Zhi’s hand brushed the dust cover, her expression darkening.

Pei Jiuyao turned her head slightly. “I told you, I’m just tired.”

“If you really want to see me wear it, I can.” Her voice carried a weary edge.

Bai Zhi gave a low laugh. “Listen to you—making it sound like I’m forcing you.”

Pei Jiuyao didn’t answer, gaze drifting back to the window.

“Is the person you’re waiting for here yet?” Bai Zhi asked.

Silence.

Feeling the weight of it, she changed tack. “That girl Bai Nian’s been going on about you every day. When are you going to visit her?”

She added with a half-smile, half-grumble, “I’ve raised her all these years and she never gave me a kind word. But you? One wave of your hand and she runs right over. Ungrateful brat. I give and give, and all she thinks about is finding her Jiuyao-jie to get candy.”

There was subtext in every word. It made Pei Jiuyao uncomfortable. “I’ll pick her up from school in a few days.”

Bai Zhi finally gave a satisfied hum. “Then rest up. If you’re tired, take it easy. Life and death are your own, but don’t expect anyone to thank you for it. Might even get a lawyer’s letter instead.”

After she left, Pei Jiuyao stayed slouched on the sofa, staring down the corridor, twirling the glass in her hands.

Time slipped by.

From the shadows of the hall emerged a wine-red gown, gliding into the ballroom.

Even through the tinted glass, its brilliance was undeniable.

So vivid, at first she almost didn’t dare believe it.

She should’ve been in blue, or dark green, or maybe black-and-white.

In her memory, that woman had only worn red three times—once a nightgown, once on a variety show, and now, tonight.

It burned in her eyes, making even her movements stand out crystal clear.

Pei Jiuyao rose, glass in hand, and drifted along the vast floor-to-ceiling window.

Chi Yang took a step forward—so did she.

They paced together, one inside the room, one outside in the hall, tracing each other’s steps along the glass.

Pei Jiuyao couldn’t help a bitter laugh.

That woman… she certainly knew a lot of people.