As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 37

Gu Yining had walked countless red carpets, but this time at BaiXing felt different—restless, unsettling.

For one, she was bound to run into Bai Qingqiu, and they would inevitably have to talk about Bai Xia’s custody arrangements.

For another, back when she had left BaiXing, it was Bei Nanyan who had helped her bring down Sister Hong, giving her a chance to walk away unscathed. Sister Hong was one of BaiXing’s veterans, holding a sizable share of the company.

Her fall had once thrown the upper management into turmoil, dragging stock prices down for quite some time before they stabilized.

All this while, Bai Qingqiu had even been carrying Bai Xia in her belly.

And the one who had stirred up this muddy mess—Bei Nanyan herself—had also stepped in and gotten involved.

A complete disaster.

As Gu Yining’s thoughts churned, the nanny van slowly rolled to a stop near the red carpet venue. Outside the window, camera flashes flared against the crush of the crowd.

“Ningning, the red carpet lineup is confirmed. You’ll be the tenth to walk. It’s just begun—first pair is waiting backstage. After the carpet, you’ll have a few minutes for interviews.”

The assistant beside her, Xiao Li, opened her phone’s notes app and rattled off the schedule in an orderly, professional tone—no trace of the flighty girl she’d been five years ago.

When Gu Yining had left BaiXing back then, Xiao Li had followed her.

For Xiao Li, staying behind in the chaos of BaiXing—with constant reshuffling of personnel—wasn’t worth it. Better to stay by Gu Yining’s side. After all, so many had resigned or been pushed out during that turbulent period. Leaving BaiXing wouldn’t tarnish a résumé; in fact, everyone had a reason.

Now that Gu Yining had found her footing again, she’d never once considered replacing Xiao Li.

And Xiao Li had never once considered leaving.

With someone familiar by her side, there was comfort. Gu Yining nodded, lowered her head, and sipped from the iced Americano Xiao Li had prepared. The sharp bitterness spread across her tongue, the bold aroma tangled with the cold bite of ice, gradually washing away the tightness and unease in her chest.

She was long used to this bitterness. Now, it was a kind of security.

“Good. And PR has a plan ready?” Returning to her old company after a contract termination was already headline-worthy—it also carried huge risks. Reporters were bound to bring up that stormy breakup with BaiXing. Whether for her tangled ties with Bai Qingqiu or her own public image, she could not afford to let the media twist her words into scandal.

This was something she needed to prepare for.

Living in the limelight, Gu Yining knew too well the terror of public opinion.

Xiao Li handed her the phone. “All ready. Here’s a list of likely questions the media might ask, along with suggested answers. The emphasis is on the friendship and mutual accomplishments during those years. The goal is to steer clear of any mention of money or conflicts of interest.”

Gu Yining drew in a slow breath, her chest tight with emotion, and skimmed through the document. Each potential question was paired with a carefully crafted response strategy—thorough and meticulous.

“Alright. I’ll follow this.”

Seeing her agreement, Xiao Li continued, “I’ve also reached out to a few mainstream outlets we know. They’ll try to steer their questions toward your new film. It’ll help set up the next round of promotion.”

Gu Yining nodded along. That was indeed the best approach she could think of—and it must have cost Xiao Li quite a bit of effort to line up.

“Thank you.” She set down the phone and lifted her gaze. Her voice was sincere. From her rookie days, through her rocky adjustment after leaving BaiXing, to finally making her mark—Xiao Li had carried much of the load for her.

“What are you thanking me for? We’ve been through too much together.” Out of work mode, Xiao Li’s old liveliness surfaced again. She relaxed her expression. “You should rest while you can. Today’s going to be rough. We left BaiXing on bad terms. Who knows if they’ll try to trip us up—planting negative press, dropping smear pieces. Doesn’t feel secure.” Worry clouded her features.

“They won’t.” Gu Yining patted her arm, trying to reassure her.

“Can’t say that. Back then, those people in BaiXing couldn’t stand us. Especially that Sister Hong—she deserved what she got. And An Jin—every time I picked up the schedule, she gave me that superior look. What did they think they were, so high and mighty?” Xiao Li’s indignation only grew as she spoke.

Gu Yining froze at her words. As the one who knew the full truth, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. How could she tell Xiao Li that the reason Sister Hong and An Jin looked down on her was because they knew she belonged to Bai Qingqiu? They weren’t wrong. To someone like Bai Qingqiu, the company’s powerholder, “playthings” were easily acquired. If not for her uncanny resemblance to Bei Nanyan—and the similarity of their pheromones—she’d never have caught Bai Qingqiu’s eye at all.

In others’ eyes, she had been nothing but a caged songbird, pampered for Bai Qingqiu’s amusement. Of course they had reason to despise her.

To rise by clinging to another’s power—when has that ever been respected?

Even if, back then, she had called it “love.”

How ironic. Even “love” had been meant for someone else—for Bei Nanyan.

“Let’s drop it.” Gu Yining cut off the topic abruptly, unwilling to dwell further.

Xiao Li tactfully fell silent.

Soon, it was their turn. Xiao Li had the stylist do one final check, then stepped aside to give Gu Yining the stage.

Gu Yining drew a deep breath, steadied her expression, and followed the staff onto the carpet. Flashes burst like snowflakes, striking her face with its flawless makeup. Her carefully styled waves brushed against her pale, delicate shoulders. The sequins on her gown glittered brilliantly beneath the lights.

With a practiced smile, she tilted her head, her jawline sharp and defined, eyes lowered. Lifting the hem of her dress, she stepped toward the host. Each stiletto heel struck firmly on the smooth carpet—but her heart was far less steady.

Behind the cameras, journalists cast her probing looks, whispering while their fingers flew non-stop across keyboards, sending out who-knew-what messages in real time.

The shutter clicks rattled on. The host’s smile was flawless. Every second since stepping onto the carpet, Gu Yining’s mind raced in calculations.

Makeup perfect. Dress flawless. Expression poised. She and her team had checked all this a hundred times. That left only one variable: the outside noise—things she could neither predict nor control.

Finish the carpet as usual. She made her decision, calmly took the offered marker, and signed her name on the BaiXing logo wall.

On the surface, it was no different from any other red carpet appearance.

Backstage, the hustle was familiar—staff in badges rushing by, faces tight with tension. But something felt off. Normally, there was always chatter, some laughter in the waiting area. Today, the only relaxed ones were the stars who had already walked the carpet.

Passing by, Gu Yining gave them a polite smile and nod. They returned the gesture—but the moment she moved on, she caught their faces shift in her peripheral vision. They covered their mouths, whispering quickly.

Her stomach dropped. Something had happened. Her pulse spiked.

Xiao Li slipped out from a side corridor, face grim.

Seeing her expression, oddly, gave Gu Yining a strange sense of calm. The moment you realize your worst fear has indeed arrived, there is relief in no longer waiting for the blow.

“What happened?” she asked, keeping her pace steady toward the interview area.

Xiao Li scanned around, made sure no one was tailing them, then leaned close and whispered:

“Right after the carpet started, several alt accounts blew up your name, claiming a huge scandal was coming. The media picked it up and pushed out urgent exposés. They’ve published internal team emails, your old schedule sheets, even an audio clip—proof that BaiXing blocked you from several major gigs, falsified reports, and docked your pay. The audio is Sister Hong mocking you in private.”

She handed over her phone.

A quick glance: a nine-grid post on Weibo. Screenshots in the familiar format of BaiXing’s internal schedules. Gu Yining had always known Sister Hong and An Jin disliked her. Even if the documents were genuine, she herself hadn’t been aware—and with Bai Qingqiu backing her, she had never lacked for resources at BaiXing.

Not to mention, when she left, BaiXing had even placed her with Director Qian.

An international name like her was far beyond her reach back then. Even after joining one of the “Big Three,” she still starred in her film and picked up multiple awards.

BaiXing had never shortchanged her.

“There’s more,” Xiao Li pressed on. “They’re hinting the suppression came from a senior BaiXing exec—surname B. They dredged up old rumors of Sister Hong taking stars to ‘business dinners.’ Now public opinion is convinced your resources back then came from those dinners. The post even framed it as sympathy for you—calling you magnanimous for returning to give BaiXing face at this anniversary event.”

A neat double blow: she, painted as a shameless victim; BaiXing, the ugly perpetrator. Both reputations dragged down.

So who stood to gain?

Her current agency, with her contract up in a year? Or a rival company?

Gu Yining narrowed her eyes, tamping down her anger.

“Do we know who’s behind it?”

Xiao Li shook her head, but her voice was firm. “Not yet. But wherever you go, I’ll face it with you.”

As they spoke, the open doorway of the interview room came into view. Gu Yining stopped, gathered herself, and adjusted her breathing.

Three minutes until showtime.

Xiao Li reminded her, “PR has already started damage control. But for now, you’ll have to handle it alone. My advice: don’t make a clear statement yet. Deflect, stay vague. Later, we’ll spin it properly. Don’t worry—you’re the victim here.

People will side with you.”

Gu Yining gave a small nod, but her mind was racing.

Her current company’s PR would protect her—but they’d never protect BaiXing. In fact, they might even push all blame onto BaiXing to shield her.

She would not let that happen.

Suddenly, her gaze flicked up—drawn inexplicably.

A woman was walking toward her. Sleek, professional attire. Low ponytail. Documents in hand.

Bai Qingqiu.

Gu Yining’s lips curved faintly, her body relaxing almost without her knowing.

Bai Qingqiu frowned, shook her head subtly, and raised a hand in a downward gesture—clearly signaling her not to speak.

Certain she’d been understood, Gu Yining pursed her lips playfully, catching the message but pretending not to care. While Xiao Li was still busy answering messages, she turned away and stepped into the interview room.