After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine - Chapter 59

The villa district gifted to Pei Jiuyao had an elegant name: Thick Scented Orchid Musk.

But the name sounded so refined that most people simply called it Lanyuan—the Orchid Garden.

In the year since she left, Chi Yang hadn’t once returned here.

Whenever she missed Pei Jiuyao, she usually stayed for a few days at the villa where they had first met.

As time went on, those short visits became longer, until she eventually moved in for good.

A year ago, she bought that villa outright. On one hand, Pei Jiuyao had needed money urgently. On the other, Chi Yang couldn’t bear the thought of their first meeting place ending up in someone else’s possession.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a ridiculous kind of possessiveness, but for a long time that house had become her refuge.

Here she slept, ate, dazed out, and handled her work.

Here she also drowned herself in alcohol, numbed herself with pills, thought endlessly of Pei Jiuyao, went through therapy, switched her phone to airplane mode, and still dialed that number she knew by heart.

Chi Yang knew Jiuyao hadn’t stepped into Lanyuan once in the past year. That day was her first time back as well.

Even though she had Ye Ci renovate the place and plant new flowers and greenery, no amount of change could erase the nightmares rooted in her heart.

Nightmares that began a year ago, and even now lingered in that little upstairs room of the villa.

Stuffed full, overflowing.

When Jiuyao once told her, “Use your identity to please me,” Chi Yang had no idea what “identity” she was supposed to be.

A mistress, a lover, or just a pet Jiuyao secretly kept on the side—it didn’t matter to her.

Whatever Jiuyao liked, she would become.

So long as the ending was good.

And so, Chi Yang decided that today she would seal away all her obsession and possessiveness again, lock them back in that room.

When she came out holding the key, Ye Ci handed her a phone.

“Producer Chen is calling.”

Chi Yang turned the key in the lock behind her, accepted the phone, and steadied her mood.

“Producer Chen, what makes you call me today?”

The voice on the other end chuckled softly.

“Yangyang, remember that contract you signed with me a while back? The one where you promised to appear on my variety show as a permanent guest?”

Her tone was overly familiar, though Chi Yang didn’t appreciate it.

“You know I’ve already retired from the industry. If there’s a breach of contract fee, please contact my lawyer.”

Just as she was about to hang up, Chen’s voice slipped in:

“Haven’t you heard? Jiuyao is on the show too.”

Jiuyao? Chi Yang’s breath hitched. “Pei Jiuyao?”

“Then I suppose I’ll speak directly with your lawyer about the termination.” Chen gave a knowing little laugh.

“Wait.” Chi Yang pressed the phone to her ear. “What do you want?”

Later, in her study, Chi Yang sat staring at the computer screen.

The video playing was raw, uncut footage from the first day of filming.

The travel variety show had six regular cast members. Besides Pei Jiuyao and Su Yin, there was the host Ding Yinghan, rising star Yang Ling, and two veteran actresses, Fang Qimeng and Jing Yi.

Among the six, only Jiuyao and Ding Yinghan were Alphas. The other four were Omegas.

Before heading to the airport, Wen Li had repeatedly reminded Jiuyao:

“It’s just a fake couple act. You’ve done this before—just sprinkle a little sugar, the netizens will ship it themselves.”

“I know.” Jiuyao nodded, pushing her suitcase.

Wen Li patted her on the shoulder. “Whatever happens, don’t lose your temper.”

Jiuyao frowned, genuinely confused.

“My temper’s so good—why would I get angry? Relax, Wen-jie.”

Wen Li only sighed softly. “That’s because you don’t know Su Yin yet. Just, no matter what happens, think of your contract with Xingchong.”

“I’ll just treat it like filming.”

At that, Wen Li finally nodded and let her go.

Jiuyao couldn’t help growing curious about this woman whom both Wen Li and Sheng Xia avoided like the plague.

By the time they reached their destination, it was already afternoon. The production team had arranged for a homestay. Jiuyao’s car pulled up to the entrance just as Jing Yi arrived with her luggage.

Jing Yi was already in her forties, yet her every smile and gesture still carried the charm of her youth, when she had been dubbed the nation’s “First Love.”

She was petite and frail, struggling to drag her suitcase up the steps, hardly able to move an inch.

Jiuyao set her own luggage aside and hurried to help carry Jing Yi’s upstairs.

“Thank you.” Jing Yi’s smile was gentle, warm.

When Jiuyao returned for her own suitcase, she found Jing Yi waiting at the door, holding it open.

“Thank you, Sister Jingyi.” Jiuyao moved her things into the living room.

Jing Yi brushed back her hair and smiled faintly. “You’re not quite like how people online describe you.”

“And how do they describe me online?” Jiuyao asked, setting her suitcase aside and closing the door.

After washing her hands, Jing Yi sat quietly on the sofa, a subtle smile lingering on her lips.

“Oh, the usual tired gossip. Every actor has been through it—best not to take it seriously.”

As the two chatted, Ding Yinghan and Su Yin pushed the door open, greeting them enthusiastically.

The moment she entered, Su Yin latched onto Jiuyao. The two had already been told to act as a CP before the show began, so even though they weren’t familiar, they had to act as though they were old friends.

Clinging to Jiuyao’s arm, Su Yin swayed coquettishly.

“Jiuyao, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Such an intimate tone toward a senior from the same company—once aired, it would surely spark a storm of gossip. But that was exactly what Su Yin wanted.

Jiuyao tried to pull her arm free, but Su Yin clung on tightly.

Since she had signed the contract, Jiuyao couldn’t outright refuse. Instead, she turned and patted Su Yin’s head lightly.

“I sent you a message. Didn’t you see it?”

Su Yin had been glued to her phone when she walked in. She knew full well that no such message existed.

But she could only smile sweetly.

“Next time I’ll set you as my top priority contact.”

Even her banter was laced with flirtation. Su Yin knew exactly how to play up the CP angle. From her gaze, Jiuyao could tell the woman expected her to reciprocate by setting her as a top contact as well.

This little actress clearly didn’t understand the meaning of too much of a good thing.

“Alright.” Jiuyao smoothly pushed Su Yin’s arm away, careful to avoid the cameras.

Ding Yinghan, younger than the rest, was a well-known TV host. On this show she acted as both the “tour guide” and the one to keep the flow moving.

Having arrived first, she had gone out to buy groceries. Carrying plastic bags into the kitchen, she peeked out and asked,

“Jiuyao, can you cook?”

Seizing the chance to escape Su Yin, Jiuyao hurried into the kitchen, breathing a discreet sigh of relief.

Away from the cameras, Ding Yinghan chuckled softly, mouthing the words:

“Your company told you two to play a CP, huh?”

Jiuyao could only nod helplessly.

Ding Yinghan curved her lips into a knowing smile.

This whole CP-hype between Pei Jiuyao and Su Yin was obvious—it was Su Yin leeching off Pei Jiuyao’s popularity. If not for her background, a rookie actress like her wouldn’t even be qualified to have a fresh Golden Cloud Award winner play along with her.

Before long, Fang Qimeng and Yang Ling arrived. Pei Jiuyao and Ding Yinghan poked their heads out to greet them.

After the director’s team walked everyone through the flow of the day, the older sisters outside seemed to start up a game. Meanwhile, Pei Jiuyao and Ding Yinghan busied themselves in the kitchen preparing the meal.

Not long after, Su Yin slipped in again.

She kept in mind her mission to cling onto someone powerful and sidled up to Pei Jiuyao, her voice soft and syrupy:

“Jiuyao, what are you making? Let me help you, okay?”

Among the six, Fang Qimeng was the oldest and had a hearty, straightforward personality. From outside, she laughed loudly:

“Ah Yin, get out here and play games with us. Don’t go pestering those two.”

Of course, Su Yin had no intention of leaving Pei Jiuyao. She pouted and said,

“I want to help cook for the sisters too!”

“What can you cook?” Pei Jiuyao asked.

Su Yin blinked innocently.

“I can cook anything. What do you want to eat?”

Pei Jiuyao couldn’t tell if this pampered young lady really knew how to cook or if she just wanted to stick to her like glue.

“Then stir-fry something—tomatoes and eggs?” Pei Jiuyao kept it safe. “Wait until we’ve cleaned the pan, I’ll teach you.”

“No need! I’ll make it for you myself and feed you as a surprise.” Su Yin’s eyes sparkled.

The word “feed” made Pei Jiuyao’s hand pause. Out of nowhere, she thought of Chi Yang.

Back when they’d just “gotten together,” Pei Jiuyao had said the exact same thing to her.

Her gaze dropped, recalling that day in the villa when she had gripped Chi Yang’s chin and told her, With your identity, you should know how to please me.

Chi Yang had agreed—quickly, decisively, without hesitation.

Even though Pei Jiuyao had never denied her relationship with Bai Zhi.

What was that supposed to be then? Volunteering to be the third wheel? She really couldn’t understand Chi Yang.

Steam from the pot rose against Pei Jiuyao’s face. She blinked herself back to the present, lifted the lid, and poured the simmered fish soup into a porcelain tureen.

Behind her, Ding Yinghan had already finished stir-frying a dish. Su Yin just stood there spacing out, occasionally leaning against Pei Jiuyao for attention.

Pei Jiuyao didn’t bother with her—she let her cling however she wanted. The editors could always cut it down later.

Once the food was set on the table, the sisters outside had already washed their hands and taken their seats. Fang Qimeng placed a can of soda in the middle, along with a box of chocolates.

Clearly product placement from the sponsors.

Pei Jiuyao glanced at the box—it happened to be the very brand she endorsed. Odd, though; she hadn’t heard that Chi Yang was sponsoring this show.

Maybe it was added last minute.

Once everything was laid out, Fang Qimeng waved a cocktail triumphantly at the three in the kitchen.

“We won these playing games! Impressive, huh?”

“Wow, you’re amazing, sisters!” Ding Yinghan hyped them up enthusiastically. Once she and Pei Jiuyao joined them at the table, she asked, “Isn’t Ah Yin coming?”

“She said she wanted to make one more dish for everyone,” Pei Jiuyao replied.

When they lifted the lids, the table was filled with praise:

“This is incredible, Jiuyao and Yinghan cook so well!”

“Better than a five-star chef.”

After a round of compliments, Pei Jiuyao looked up, thanking them one by one, when she noticed Yang Ling’s gaze flicker away.

She remembered—this was the young actress who’d been used as a pawn by Qiao Lu during the Shan Hai auditions.

A little while later, Su Yin came out carrying her plate of tomato and egg stir-fry.

Pei Jiuyao glanced at it.

Well, the eggs were eggs, the tomatoes were tomatoes. At least it looked okay.

“How is it?” Su Yin’s face lit up with an expectant smile, directed only at Pei Jiuyao. “Looks good, right?”

She placed the dish in the center. Pei Jiuyao nodded.

“Not bad.”

Fang Qimeng reached over first, picking up a piece of egg. The moment it hit her mouth, her expression changed. She grabbed a napkin, spat it out, and coughed violently, clutching her chest.

“What happened?” Su Yin asked, bewildered.

Fang Qimeng waved her hand, trying to look fine. Her voice hoarse, she said, “It’s good, really. You all should try it.”

But seeing her like that, no one dared pick up their chopsticks.

Jing Yi stared at the dish, then, perhaps wanting to give her junior some face, gently took a bite and forced it down. Ding Yinghan and Yang Ling followed suit, only to immediately cough uncontrollably.

Eyes watering, Ding Yinghan looked up.

“Ah Yin, what did you put in this? It’s only the first day of filming—are you trying to send us on a hospital tour?”

“I just used the condiments on the counter.” Su Yin stammered.

Pei Jiuyao tried a bite herself.

Technically, Su Yin wasn’t lying. She’d used salt, vinegar, sugar, pepper, chili powder, even mustard.

All mixed together in heavy doses.

Pei Jiuyao frowned but swallowed it.

Su Yin leaned against her, poking her shoulder, eyes shimmering with tears as she asked timidly,

“Jiuyao-jie, was it really that bad?”

Seeing her pitiful expression, Pei Jiuyao couldn’t bring herself to crush her.

Remembering her duty as a professional actress, she picked up another bite, forced it down with a smile, and said,

“I think it tastes pretty good.”

The entire table fell into stunned silence.

Ding Yinghan silently gave her a thumbs-up.

No one else touched the dish again. But Su Yin, hearing that Pei Jiuyao liked it, was overjoyed. She sat beside her and kept piling food into her bowl, until Pei Jiuyao had eaten half the plate.

Eating that much seasoning wasn’t harmful, but just in case, once she returned to her room, she blocked the cameras, tore open some antacid, and swallowed it with warm water.

When the video ended, Chi Yang clenched her fingers so tightly that crescent marks sank into her palm.

She couldn’t even say what exactly she was angry about. Was it that Pei Jiuyao, despite being with Bai Zhi, was still sent out by her to shepherd newcomers?

Or was it the way Pei Jiuyao spoke to Su Yin—so gentle, so indulgent. Even when eating that plate of “culinary disaster,” she kept turning back with a smile, a smile Chi Yang hadn’t seen in a long, long time.

Or maybe it was that last camera she hadn’t noticed—showing Pei Jiuyao alone in her room, quietly swallowing stomach medicine.

She would rather take antacids than hurt Su Yin’s feelings.

So why had she never once cared about hers?

That day, Chi Yang had nearly begged her. But Pei Jiuyao hadn’t softened in the slightest.

Her heart was hard as stone—only when she met the right person would she show even a trace of tenderness.

That tenderness should have belonged to her.

If Pei Jiuyao had still been with Chi Yang, she would have refused any CP hype without hesitation, and Su Yin would never have gotten so much as a kind look.

But all of it—Chi Yang had pushed away with her own hands.

The thought made her heartbeat blur and her vision double.

She pulled open a drawer, took out the bottle of pills inside.

After swallowing them down with a glass of water, she dialed Director Chen’s number.