After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine - Chapter 64.1

The first beam of golden light pierced through the clouds and spread across the earth just as Pei Jiuyao heard voices chattering outside the tent.

Probably the crew packing up their equipment.

Her mind was still foggy. She nudged forward, bumping into something soft and warm—something that felt uncannily like the plush doll she always hugged to sleep.

She nuzzled into it without thinking, even slinging an arm over it and squeezing that “doll” all the way to the edge before she was satisfied.

A moment later, she hooked a leg over it too, tucked her head against a comfortable spot, and even let out a sticky, sleepy hum of contentment.

Who knew how much longer she slept.

Just as Pei Jiuyao was falling back into a dream, someone outside called, “Is Jiuyao not here?”

Another person responded with something muffled. Then the first voice said again, “Isn’t this Pei Jiuyao’s tent?”

That sounded like Wen Li?

Pei Jiuyao groggily rolled over—only to be nudged right back into place by something behind her. Her forehead once again landed on that soft, warm cushion.

Before she could process it, something damp brushed against the seam of her lips.

In her sleep, Pei Jiuyao hallucinated a massive man-eating flower twisting its giant body toward her, extending a tongue to lick her cheek.

She leaned away slightly. The flower leaned right after her, its fleshy, thorn-edged tongue practically plastering itself to her face.

It tasted not bad.

Her eyes widened.

No way. Had she really become this desperate?

She grimaced and pulled back quickly—but the man-eating flower suddenly lunged forward, its blossom shrinking as it stuffed itself straight into her mouth.

Pei Jiuyao was stunned beyond words. So, Alphas’ brains were filled with nothing but trashy thoughts. And wasn’t her susceptibility period supposedly coming soon? Also—why did this man-eating flower taste pretty good?

She reflexively bit down.

Someone beside her let out a muffled gasp.

Outside, Wen Li called again, “Where on earth did Pei Jiuyao go? Why isn’t she in her own tent?”

I am in my own tent, though?

Her own tent?

Pei Jiuyao’s eyes flew open. A pair of clear, luminous eyes were less than half an inch from hers. Long lashes trembled faintly, brushing over her eyelid.

The person in front of her murmured something incoherent, half-asleep, and Pei Jiuyao didn’t catch a word.

She parted her lips—the thing inside her mouth was swiftly withdrawn.

Pei Jiuyao: “…”

“You okay?” She sat up and pulled on her clothes.

How did she hazily fall asleep here last night?

She remembered Chi Yang saying, “I’m going to bite your lips while I sleep,” and Pei Jiuyao had casually agreed. But that was just a joke—it’s not like anyone would actually bite someone’s lips the entire night.

Jiuyao glanced at Chi Yang. Surely not?

She rubbed her lips. No pain, no swelling. Completely normal.

Chi Yang looked at her dazed expression and let out a low laugh. She sat up, grabbed a tissue, wiped the blood at the corner of her lips, then lifted her head.

“Won’t sneak-kiss you again. Almost bit my tongue off.”

Pei Jiuyao froze mid-motion.

Only then did she process what she had just done.

She had apparently mistaken Chi Yang for a man-eating flower and eaten her.

“You, I bit you?” Pei Jiuyao leaned in and gently pulled Chi Yang’s lips apart with her fingertips. Chi Yang obediently opened her mouth for inspection.

Sure enough—there was a shallow bite mark on one side of her tongue.

After closing her mouth, Chi Yang let out a small whimper and chuckled.

“So? Was it tasty? You reacted so strongly—you must’ve enjoyed it.”

A faint blush crept up Pei Jiuyao’s cheek. “How can you just—”

“Steal a kiss while you’re sleeping? Wasn’t that the reward you gave me?” Chi Yang leaned closer. “Or are you planning to take it back?”

So, in Chi Yang’s mind, a “reward” was something renewable.

Well, that was very much like her.

“I’m not taking it back,” Pei Jiuyao murmured. “I heard Wen-jie looking for me. I’ll go check. You stay here for now, in case there’s a camera outside.”

She stood and turned to leave, only for Chi Yang to grab her wrist.

“You’re reacting a lot, is your susceptibility period coming?”

Twice a year—April and October. It was only March. But ever since that piece of chocolate yesterday, her body had felt off.

Maybe she’d just been away from Chi Yang for too long. After all, Chi Yang was her only marked Omega—and the one she liked.

Pei Jiuyao gently withdrew her hand. “It shouldn’t be yet.”

Shouldn’t being the key word.

Chi Yang knew Jiuyao had always been insensitive to pheromone fluctuations and susceptibility periods. Because of that, she had believed her stories about “parallel worlds” and “soul displacement.”

Looking into her eyes, Chi Yang asked softly, “How do you plan to get through it?”

Jiuyao lowered her head, thinking.

“Probably suppressants. I’ve always relied on them before.”

Chi Yang said nothing more.

Pei Jiuyao lifted the tent flap and stepped out.

“Wen-jie.” She straightened her clothes and walked over. “Why are you here?”

Wen Li turned around and grabbed her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, ancestor. Why weren’t you in your tent?”

“I slept in the wrong one.” Jiuyao tugged her aside, away from others. “What’s going on?”

“Slept in the wrong one?” Wen Li instantly perked up.

She had heard Chi Yang came to film the show, but she didn’t expect the big CEO to leave an entire company to chase someone into the wilderness.

And now, this situation.

“So, you two are back together?” Wen Li arched a brow. “Not bad—pretty fast.”

“No!” Jiuyao tugged her sleeve again, practically wanting to cover her mouth. “It’s not, not what you think.”

Wen Li clicked her tongue. “Who was the one swearing up and down a while ago that she didn’t like Chi Yang and would rather die than get back together?”

“When did I ever say something that dramatic?” Jiuyao muttered helplessly, tugging her sleeve again. “Alright, you’re my ancestor—please stop. What did you come for?”

“Oh! Right!” Wen Li slapped her forehead. “Bai Zhi got hurt. She wants you to come back and check on her.”

“She’s crazy?” Jiuyao frowned. “I’m still filming a show. Why would I go back for her?”

“The production team already talked it through. You’ll be absent next episode.” Wen Li shoved her hands into her coat pockets.

Jiuyao pressed her lips together. “This isn’t about the show.”

“I know, I know—now that you and Chi Yang are back together, you don’t want to go.” Wen Li grinned. “And I bet Bai Zhi only got ‘injured’ because Chi Yang came to the show, and she wanted to stir up trouble.”

Jiuyao hummed, then said, “We’re not back together.”

Wen Li merely snorted, clearly not believing her.

“Don’t forget who patched up your mess with Chi Yang back then. No matter what else you say, Bai Zhi helped you a lot. And aside from that—there’s still the ‘on-call’ contract between you two.”

“Anyway, I already notified the director team. You’re leaving now.” Wen Li paused, then added:

“You want to tell Chi Yang first?”

As Chi Yang finished getting dressed and stepped out, Pei Jiuyao pulled her jacket tighter and walked toward her.

“What’s wrong?”

The morning wind was strong, whipping Chi Yang’s hair into a mess. She instinctively handed her hair tie to Pei Jiuyao.

Pei Jiuyao took it, gathered Chi Yang’s hair, and tied it neatly at the back of her head. Bending close to her ear, she murmured, “I’m not filming the next episode.”

Chi Yang froze. “Why? Did something happen?”

“Bai Zhi got hurt. She wants me to go back and see her.”

“Bai Zhi?”

Chi Yang’s eyelids fluttered. She stood there stunned for a few seconds, then lifted her head and asked, “I thought there was nothing between you two?”

“There really isn’t,” Pei Jiuyao explained. “But she’s helped me a lot over the years. I figured I should at least go check on her.”

Chi Yang opened her mouth but couldn’t get a word out for a long moment.

“If she’s hurt, why does she need you to visit? Doesn’t she know you’re filming a show?”

“She knows,” Pei Jiuyao replied.

Chi Yang took a step forward, her tone sharpening. “Then does she like you?”

“I don’t like her,” Pei Jiuyao said. “And she doesn’t like me either. She’s just addicted to power and flattery. She enjoys the thrill of controlling people.”

At those words, Chi Yang visibly stalled for a moment. She quickly said, “I’m not—I’m not trying to control you, I just—”

“I’m not talking about you,” Pei Jiuyao cut in gently. “I know you simply like me. You weren’t born this way. It’s just that your environment has always been twisted, so you’re afraid people will leave.”

Chi Yang lowered her head again, biting her lower lip.

She looked as though her brain couldn’t process anything properly.

A big CEO who could make ruthless, decisive calls at work—yet a few quiet sentences from Pei Jiuyao could turn her mind to mush.

Pei Jiuyao was trying to comfort her, explain things to her. Chi Yang wanted to understand, she really did—but she also didn’t want Pei Jiuyao to go. And on top of that, she kind of resented Bai Zhi.

Did Bai Zhi really not like Pei Jiuyao?

If not, why call her specifically? And while she’s mid-filming, no less?

What if they, Chi Yang couldn’t help biting her finger.

Pei Jiuyao gently pulled her hand away from her mouth.

“Upset again?” She ruffled Chi Yang’s hair. “What do you think about all day?”

“I don’t want you to see her.” After struggling with the words for a long time, Chi Yang finally said them out loud.

“Is it because you don’t trust her, or you don’t trust me?” Pei Jiuyao rested her palm atop Chi Yang’s head.

She didn’t think Chi Yang’s request was unreasonable. She just couldn’t explain the existence of that binding contract on her back.

“I’m an entertainer. I have to work, right? And there will never be anything between us except employer and employee. So, relax.”

Chi Yang hesitated. “Should I really relax?”

“You should,” Pei Jiuyao said, her hand still warm on her head. “Because I’m honest, and I’m someone you can trust.”

After saying that, she withdrew her hand and waited.

Chi Yang blinked, then nodded. “I trust you. I’ll wait for you to come back.”

At the hospital, Bai Zhi lay on the bed with one arm in a sling, face cold as three assistants hovered around her.

When Pei Jiuyao walked in, Bai Zhi lifted her eyelids and sneered, “So you’re willing to show up?”

Pei Jiuyao sat in the chair beside her, and the assistants slipped out.

“How did you manage to get yourself into this state?”

Bai Zhi rolled her eyes. “Got into a fight with my sister. That idiot broke my arm.”

Pei Jiuyao leaned back, crossing her legs. “Aren’t you two usually close?”

“Don’t talk about her. Just thinking of her pisses me off.” Bai Zhi drank from the cup beside her. “And you? Having fun with Chi Yang on the show? I guess your CP act is long forgotten now.”

“No,” Pei Jiuyao said quietly. “I’ve been filming properly. Nothing else.”

“Oh, nothing else?” Bai Zhi snorted. “You two have practically filmed on the bed. Do you still take that contract seriously?”

She let out a cold laugh. “Ungrateful brats. Use what I give you, then toss me aside when you’re done.”

Pei Jiuyao’s eyes chilled. “I haven’t avoided my CP duties. I’ve given Su Yin everything the show needed. You don’t need to plant someone to spy on me.”

“Spy on you? You think you’re some treasure?” Bai Zhi scoffed. “The crew sucks up to me. They said you and Chi Yang are getting too close. I don’t care—just don’t forget who picked you up when you and your mutt of an ex were thrown out. When Chi Yang’s funding got cut, who gave you money?”

“I haven’t forgotten. That’s why I’m here.” Pei Jiuyao shrugged, voice cool. “Your arm’s broken—don’t drive everyone away with that mouth.”

“You think I need you to serve me?” Bai Zhi grabbed a folded piece of clothing and threw it at Pei Jiuyao’s face.

Pei Jiuyao removed it calmly and folded it back, placing it by her pillow.

Bai Zhi scowled. “I called you back to get your head straight. Don’t lose yourself just because you have Chi Yang. You’re Xingchong’s artist.”

“I know. I won’t forget.”

Suddenly, Bai Zhi reached out and gripped Pei Jiuyao’s chin. “I really don’t get what’s so great about Chi Yang. I asked you to be my lover and you refused. I’m Enigma—you know I could make you feel incredible?”

“First, as long as your sister’s alive, you’re only one of the heirs.” Pei Jiuyao removed her hand. “Second, Chi Yang and I aren’t lovers.”

Bai Zhi’s icy gaze locked onto her. A few seconds later, she let out a low laugh. “Pei Jiuyao, you really are something.”

She shoved the empty cup into Pei Jiuyao’s arms. “Go get me water.”

Pei Jiuyao stepped outside with the cup—and happened to see, through an open office door, Ying Ning draped over Wen Li like a koala.

“Go close the door,” Wen Li said with a laugh, smacking Ying Ning’s backside.

Ying Ning scrambled to shut it.

“You little brat. You’ve learned to flirt with your sister in broad daylight?”

Ying Ning walked back, looping her arms around Wen Li’s waist and resting her chin on her shoulder. “Flirt? I just missed you.”

“You’re jealous of Pei Jiuyao and wanted her to see this on purpose, didn’t you?” Wen Li flicked her on the back of her head.

A year ago, after clearing the air, Wen Li had spent over a month seriously thinking it over—realizing that maybe trying things with Ying Ning wasn’t impossible.

After all, she had indeed felt something for this girl.

But at the time, she was living with the Ying family, acting as an older sister figure, nearly ten years older. It would’ve looked like seducing a minor. So, she forced the feelings down.

But once Ying Ning tugged at those emotions, Wen Li couldn’t sleep, couldn’t sit still—her mind was full of her. Work became impossible.

Wen Li wasn’t the type to drag things out. Once she understood her own heart, the two of them got together quickly.

But they’d made three rules—one of which was:

“Why can’t we tell Mom?” Ying Ning asked, annoyed. “We’ve been together for a year.”

Naturally, she was worried Ying Ning might do something impulsive. If they ended up breaking up, it would be unbearably awkward—she wouldn’t even be able to go home, nor would she know how to face her aunt. Just thinking about it was mortifying.