Always Chasing My White Moonlight Omega - Chapter 16

“Zhiyi-jie! That smile of yours just now was absolutely killer!” As soon as they entered the venue, Jiang Jiang dropped all pretense of composure, bouncing excitedly beside Xu Zhiyi.

“That single glance, it was the epitome of silent accusation! Forget the reporters, even I felt indignant on your behalf, Zhiyi-jie!”

Jiang Jiang could already imagine the whirlwind of speculation online once Zhiyi’s expression went viral.

The Golden Tree Awards weren’t exactly the most prestigious accolades to begin with. Whether her Zhiyi-jie cared about them was one thing, but having the award snatched away after it was already in hand? That was an entirely different matter.

Once they were away from the media, Xu Zhiyi led Jiang Jiang to the restroom provided by the organizers and finally let all the emotions in her eyes fade away.

Now, she reclined comfortably, sipping water with an air of ease, a stark contrast to the woman who had faced the cameras moments ago.

Xu Zhiyi had been with Xunguang Entertainment since her debut. If possible, she didn’t want to make things ugly.

But Xunguang had made a grave mistake, they shouldn’t have mistaken her for someone they could push around.

If the company dared to manipulate awards through capital influence, they should have been prepared for the consequences.

Thinking of the leverage she held, Xu Zhiyi glanced out the window and said lightly, “After tonight, we can bring up the contract termination with Xunguang again.”

“Don’t worry, Zhiyi-jie. The contract has already been sent to the company,” Jiang Jiang replied. “They saw the video from last night too. When they couldn’t reach you, they called me, I ignored every single one!”

Xu Zhiyi was amused by Jiang Jiang’s tone. A faint smile curled her crimson lips. “Zheng Tang will be here tonight, won’t she?”

“Of course she will! She stole your award she’ll probably come flaunting it in our faces!”

Halfway through, Jiang Jiang suddenly reconsidered. “Well, yesterday she might’ve dared, but today? I doubt she’ll even show up at the ceremony.”

After all, that surveillance footage was still trending.

“She’ll come,” Xu Zhiyi said abruptly.

Zheng Tang would come.

Not only would she come, she might even use tonight’s award to whitewash her image.

Zheng Tang was Xunguang’s latest pet project, a newcomer they were pouring resources into, desperate to make her a star.

Well, before Xu Zhiyi left, she’d give Zheng Tang’s fame one final boost.

Consider it a parting gift to the company she’d spent three years with.

–

Ruan Yang only saw the trending topic after waking up.

Her first instinct was to call Xu Zhiyi, but knowing her phone was likely turned off after the surveillance footage leaked, she dismissed the idea for now.

With both lead actors absent, the director had originally planned to give the crew a day off. But given the circumstances, he’d hastily called an emergency meeting with the assistant directors and department heads.

From the barrage of exclamation marks in the group chat, Ruan Yang could faintly sense the director’s unraveling mental state.

Taking advantage of the break, she went out to audition two actresses for her short film.

Both were acting students from her university one a Beta, the other an Omega.

The assistant she’d hired looked apologetic. “Sorry, Director. It’s really hard to find an Alpha. They’re so rare these days. But if you insist on a real Alpha, I can keep looking.”

Ruan Yang wasn’t necessarily fixated on having an Alpha lead. She had previously only seen the two main actors through online auditions, but upon meeting them in person, she found their demeanor and appearance suitable, and their acting skills passable. Just like that, she finalized the casting with these two newcomers.

She handed the script she had purchased to the two leads, instructing them to study it thoroughly before filming began the following month.

While reviewing their profiles, Ruan Yang paused for a long moment on one of the actresses, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.

She looked up again, scrutinizing one of the Omega leads a little longer.

The Omega, who had been reading the script, grew visibly uncomfortable under Ruan Yang’s gaze.

“U-um, is something wrong, Director?” she asked.

“Qu Lingshan, stage name Qu Shanshan?” Ruan Yang pressed her lips together and gestured for the other lead to leave the room.

Once they were alone, Ruan Yang finally spoke. “What’s your relationship with Qu Lingxuan?”

Qu Lingshan’s eyes widened abruptly.

Her gaze darted around, lips parting several times as if to say something, but in the end, she fell silent.

Ruan Yang waited patiently, knowing Qu Lingshan would eventually crack under the awkward tension. Finally, the younger girl lowered her head as if bracing for impact.

“Q-Qu Lingxuan is… is my older sister!”

Ruan Yang wasn’t particularly surprised. She had already noticed a faint resemblance in Qu Lingshan’s features.

What a coincidence. She had just randomly recruited two actors online, and one of them turned out to be the younger sister of the acclaimed actress Qu Lingxuan.

Why was it always Qu Lingxuan?

Ruan Yang didn’t believe in fate, but at that moment, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of something like destiny.

Seeing Ruan Yang’s serious expression, Qu Lingshan assumed the director was considering giving her special treatment something she had encountered far too often because of her sister’s fame.

Desperate to avoid that, she hurriedly said, “Senior, my sister doesn’t even know I auditioned for this! Please don’t treat me differently just because of her. I can handle hardship! I even use a stage name to distance myself from her. I’m serious about acting!”

Most people would have been moved by such a declaration, but Ruan Yang remained expressionless.

If anything, the corner of her mouth twitched downward as she replied coldly, “…You’re overthinking it.”

If anything, she’d be more likely to make things harder for Qu Lingshan because of Qu Lingxuan.

“Overthinking it?” Qu Lingshan blinked her large, innocent eyes, radiating an air of naivety.

She chuckled awkwardly. “Oh, good, good! Don’t worry, Senior, I really love this script! I’ll give it my all!”

Clearly, she was someone who had been sheltered her whole life.

Ruan Yang gathered her things and stood to leave.

“You’d better.”

As she opened the door, she suddenly remembered that the Golden Tree Awards ceremony was about to start tonight.

If she rushed back now, she might miss Xu Zhiyi’s appearance on the way.

After a brief consideration, she decided to just watch the livestream in the teahouse’s private room instead.

Her hand still on the doorknob, she turned back to Qu Lingshan. “The meeting’s over. You can go.”

Qu Lingshan practically leaped out of her chair.

Unaware of Ruan Yang’s internal debate, she assumed the director had opened the door specifically for her.

Feeling a bit annoyed that Ruan Yang had promised not to treat her differently but still went to open the door for her, Qu Lingshan was just about to say something when she looked up and saw Ruan Yang’s icy expression.

Qu Lingshan: “…”

What should she do? Suddenly, she didn’t dare to speak.

For some reason, even though Ruan Yang was only a year above her, Qu Lingshan always felt there was something about her that far surpassed their peers.

“Thank you, Senior! I’ll be on my way!” Qu Lingshan clutched the script tightly and dashed toward the door in a hurry.

Perhaps she was moving too fast with a startled “Aiya!” her left foot tripped over her right, and she toppled toward Ruan Yang like a wooden plank.

Seeing the girl about to crash into her, Ruan Yang’s pupils constricted. She quickly sidestepped, darting out of the way in a flash.

With a loud “thud,” Qu Lingshan hit the ground hard.

A small cloud of dust rose from the floor. Covering her nose and mouth, Ruan Yang asked in a muffled voice, “Are you okay?”

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