Becoming the Comfort Alpha for the Aloof Movie Queen - Chapter 36.2

Liang Ruojing had a poor impression of her. After a brief greeting, she went to prepare for her scene. Behind her, the sound of the big star arguing with Lin Xiuzhu could still be heard.

“Why are you four days late? Didn’t your manager remind you?”

“Oh, Director Lin, I was just too busy over there, I really couldn’t get away,” You Xi laughed, seemingly indifferent. “You’re worried about the equipment costs, right? I’ve spoken to President Liu; he’ll compensate you.”

Lin Xiuzhu pursed her lips. “…That’s not necessary. Just act seriously. I don’t lack that money.”

So Lin Xiuzhu was this tough with everyone. Liang Ruojing’s heart, which had been devastated for so long, felt a small sense of comfort.

Enmity was to be filmed in two locations: major scenes in Huafeng, and a small portion in the mountains for on-site scenery. The total filming time was three months—two months in Huafeng and one month in the mountains. Their start date was inconvenient, falling right in the middle of the eleventh lunar month. Lin Xiuzhu’s rush was clear—she intended to finish the Huafeng scenes before the Spring Festival break so they could catch the natural snow in the mountains the following year.

Because You Xi was ten days late to the set, she had a pile of scenes to complete. A small portion was handled by her stunt double, but she had to do most of them herself.

Liang Ruojing held her script, filming some transition shots under the direction of the assistant director, but her attention kept drifting toward You Xi’s side. She watched as Lin Xiuzhu’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

“No, your body is too stiff. Redo this take.”

“Cut! The lines are wrong. Do you need someone to hold up a teleprompter for you?”

Liang Ruojing shivered. Sister Ming hadn’t lied to her; Lin Xiuzhu really did scold people, showing no mercy even to a top-tier A-list actress.

But You Xi wasn’t like Liang Ruojing; she didn’t reflect when she got an “NG” (No Good take). She was used to being pampered. Although Lin Xiuzhu had a good background and a high starting point, she was still relatively junior, and You Xi didn’t respect her.

“Director Lin, do you have a problem with me?” You Xi spoke directly. “I’m not filming anymore. No one can be in top form on their first day. If you’re so capable, why didn’t you invite Ming Tanqing to play the part?”

Everyone on set could sense the thick smell of gunpowder. You Xi slammed her script onto the ground and walked away. Her assistant hurriedly picked it up and chased after her to soothe her. You Xi’s manager went to explain to Lin Xiuzhu.

“Sister Yu just got off a plane after a late-night event and came straight to the set without even going to the hotel. She cares about the acting, she just didn’t perform well because she hasn’t rested. Director Lin, please be patient with her.”

Listening from the side, Liang Ruojing was dumbfounded. She had just scrolled past a scoop this morning about You Xi traveling affectionately with a young hunk. They really could turn black into white.

Lin Xiuzhu was silent for a few seconds, and then she actually nodded! “Tell her to study the script well.”

Liang Ruojing couldn’t help but sigh that an actor without anyone to protect them was like a blade of grass. The “grass” had just finished a take and wanted to rest, but was dragged away by Lin Xiuzhu again.

Lin Xiuzhu adjusted her black-rimmed glasses expressionlessly and looked at Liang Ruojing. “Scene 40. Lighting crew, get ready. We’re filming Liang Ruojing’s part early.”

Liang Ruojing knew she had walked into the line of fire. She changed her clothes and hurried to the set. The temperature in the studio was high, and several dark cameras were pointed at her. Under the intense lights, it was easy to fall into an illusion, as if one were in a fictional world.

In the beginning, Liang Ruojing wasn’t used to studio filming. Over the past few days, Ming Tanqing had taught her a lot. The most memorable thing was a piece of criticism: Ming said that with Liang Ruojing’s current acting skills, she couldn’t even be classified into a specific school of acting. If she performed well, it was either because the director guided her well or because she naturally happened to fit the character. Liang Ruojing had potential; it was just that no one had guided her, and that potential was being wasted.

Ming Tanqing taught her how to get into character and how to analyze roles, leading her hand-by-hand to feel how micro-expressions changed a character’s emotions. The Omega had placed the Alpha’s hand against her own face, letting her feel the muscles underneath—the rise and fall of the musculature.

Most of the time, Liang Ruojing was secretly basking in happiness, but she did manage to listen a little. She had learned. To become the character. To become Han Jiahe.

“Cut! Excellent. Passed.”

Liang Ruojing returned to reality, unaware that cold sweat was pouring down her back. Behind the blinding spotlights, the staff were applauding her. It was genuine. Even Lin Xiuzhu smiled at her for a second.

Liang Ruojing was still immersed in the character’s emotions. The scene just now took place after the fallout at the abandoned factory. As the person involved, she was being questioned by her superior regarding Sun Ying.

The assistant director walked by and teased her about how her progress was so rapid—asking if she had been getting private tutoring. From who? Lin Xiuzhu? No one would ever guess it was Ming Tanqing—the top-tier Movie Queen, a figure as distant as the moon in the sky.

On the other side, after removing her makeup, You Xi leaned against the studio door and watched the entire process. Under the spotlights, the young Alpha’s figure appeared exceptionally tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Anyone would take a second look.

You Xi asked nonchalantly, “Who is that?”

The assistant wiped her sweat—how could she have forgotten again? “Sister Yu, that’s Liang Ruojing. She’s playing Han Jiahe.”

“Oh.” That name was familiar to her. “The YC Asia-Pacific spokesperson?”

To make it in the entertainment industry, one usually needs some special skill. You Xi’s acting was mediocre, but her eye for talent was top-notch. She could see that it was only a matter of time before Liang Ruojing exploded in popularity.

Though the scene had gone smoothly, Liang Ruojing’s heart still felt heavy. She was filled with Han Jiahe’s emotions; every step felt like walking in a dream. Suddenly, she was blocked.

The person approaching had a pair of enchanting phoenix eyes. The shape was beautiful, but the gaze was too murky, making her look common.

You Xi had a smile on her face. “You’re Liang Ruojing, right? You acted very well. I’m having a gathering at Youth tonight; do you want to come play?”

Youth. The bar Yu Youyou had taken her to last time.

Liang Ruojing remembered Ming Tanqing’s “warning” to her and shook her head firmly. The famous actress’s smile froze.

“Really? Other actors will be there too—they’re all my friends.”

Liang Ruojing frowned. She seemed to smell a rose fragrance; the scent was very heavy. The isolation patch on her nape started beeping an alarm.

Having spent so much time around Ming Tanqing, Liang Ruojing was already “marinated” in the Omega’s scent. Even after a shower, the cold fragrance of lilies remained near her glands. After a temporary marking, an Omega’s possessiveness over their Alpha became unreasonably strong.

Liang Ruojing had only caught a few whiffs of the rose, and that lily scent already grew angry on its own, stubbornly pushing into the Alpha’s glands as if declaring its sovereignty.

Enduring the agitation of the lily scent, Liang Ruojing said, “Thank you for the invitation, Sister You, but I have other things to attend to. I won’t disturb you.”

It had been a long time since You Xi had been rejected twice in one day. She frowned deeply, her tone becoming aggressive. “You should think carefully. In this circle, social networking is also crucial.”

It was over. That rose scent grew even stronger.

Liang Ruojing retreated hastily and said seriously, “Sister You, Alpha and Omega should keep a proper distance. I’ll be going now.”

After saying that, she left without looking back. Based on her direction, she seemed to be heading toward the Under the Green Mountain crew.