Becoming the Comfort Alpha for the Aloof Movie Queen - Chapter 44

She wrapped softly around Liang Ruojing.

“Huahua told me everything.”

Liang Ruojing stood still for a moment, her mind spinning through several scenarios in a single second.

Thinking of that glance Ming Tanqing had given her when looking back just now, an unknown source of boundless ingenuity and courage welled up within her. Liang Ruojing remained composed, her eyes not even blinking as she replied, “Told you what? I don’t understand.”

Tang Yuecen’s silhouette was outlined in black against the backlight.

Liang Ruojing couldn’t see her expression; she only heard her manager let out a sigh.

“Let’s talk in the car.”

Tang Yuecen was thirty-eight this year and had studied in the Directing Department in university.

Unfortunately, she lacked resources, and halfway through her studies, a family crisis forced her to drop out and work odd jobs on film sets.

She climbed up from the kind of position Gu Jinghe held, later befriended Qin Wei, and worked her way up to become a gold-medal manager at Guanghe. She had mentored two Film Queens, one Film King, and a top-tier idol; Liang Ruojing was the fifth “treasure” she was betting on.

As the night grew dim, the manager continued to shield her artist, leading her into a high-privacy restaurant.

Wagyu hotpot—Tang Yuecen had wanted to eat this with Liang Ruojing for a long time.

After a furious interrogation followed by a hotpot meal, Liang Ruojing was stunned.

Sister Tang rolled her eyes at her mercilessly: “Get in quickly. I’ve been waiting out there for you for half an hour, I almost caught a chill in my legs. Is it not okay for me to want to eat?”

Liang Ruojing offered a flattering smile: “Of course you can, it’s my treat.”

“As it should be.”

Later, there was a knock on the private room door. Surprisingly, it was the owner of the hotpot restaurant.

Holding a bottle of shochu, the owner came in to chat with Tang Yuecen.

Their gaze swept over Liang Ruojing, and their eyes lit up: “You still have the best eye, finding another star in the making.”

Tang Yuecen joked: “She looks well-behaved, but her heart is wild.”

The shochu was the owner’s own brew, with a high alcohol content. After drinking a small cup, warmth spread from her feet through her whole body.

The atmosphere eased slightly. Liang Ruojing lowered her eyes and obediently blanched the beef for her manager.

Tang Yuecen asked her, “When did you start dating?”

Liang Ruojing’s expression was one of bewilderment.

Tang Yuecen nodded: “So you haven’t started dating yet. Unrequited love.”

Liang Ruojing argued softly, “I don’t have those thoughts. She’s also very busy with work.”

“What does the young mistress do? Inheriting the family estate?”

Tang Yuecen chewed her food, pulled a notebook from her bag, and opened a business search app, clearly intending for Liang Ruojing to look it up for her.

Liang Ruojing pushed it back. “She’s an artist.”

For an actor to reach Ming Tanqing’s level, she could indeed be considered an artist.

“You can’t say?”

Liang Ruojing nodded. She didn’t want the word “pitiful” to fall upon Ming Tanqing.

Tang Yuecen raised an eyebrow: “Think you’re so deep in love, don’t you? Even playing at romance—getting off work early and instead of going back to the hotel to rest, you go to the airport to see someone off.”

“She has helped me a lot.”

Tang Yuecen looked at Liang Ruojing, her face full of helplessness.

Wasn’t her brain working well before?

She was smart enough to get into Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management and was full of career ambition for the past two years. Why did she start getting muddled the moment she met an Omega?

“She helped you a lot? Did she help you more than Ming Tanqing?”

Tang Yuecen knew Liang Ruojing admired Ming Tanqing and brought her up specifically: “That woman blocked drinks for you, asked President Qin to help with resources, taught you how to act in Huafeng, and gave you invitations for VIP guests at the wrap party.”

“That lover of yours, I haven’t even seen her.”

Liang Ruojing immediately replied: “She is even better than all of that.”

So, Ming-jie’s special treatment of her was noticeable even to outsiders.

Liang Ruojing’s heart almost melted into water.

Tang Yuecen was very surprised; why did her words have the opposite effect?

It was over. The young mistress’s charm was no ordinary thing.

Even Ming Tanqing coming here wouldn’t help.

Tang Yuecen swallowed a large mouthful of mutton.

She pointed her chopsticks at Liang Ruojing: “Do you know what Huahua told me?”

Liang Ruojing respectfully refilled the shochu.

Tang Yuecen wanted to laugh just mentioning it.

“She said you and an Omega were having ‘car sex’ on set, and the pheromones were as thick as if you were in heat.”

The words were shocking.

Liang Ruojing choked and had to drink a glass of water to suppress her coughing.

“Huahua’s brain isn’t very sharp, so I didn’t believe her.” Tang Yuecen slowly added vegetables to the pot, her gaze suddenly becoming sharp: “But you should exercise some restraint. Don’t let the paparazzi catch you. You are an actor; you’re the one who will suffer when the time comes.”

“Forget the paparazzi for a moment,” the manager shifted the topic: “Does your family know?”

“No,” Liang Ruojing added, “They don’t know I’m helping someone with their illness either.”

It turned out she was the only one in the dark. Tang Yuecen felt slightly better.

She knew Liang Ruojing’s character too well.

Coming from a wealthy family, if she weren’t an actor, she would likely be studying for an MBA right now.

A standard young talent, her conditions were such that many would be envious.

Because she grew up in a happy family, Liang Ruojing’s views on love were very simple, even pure.

No F-buddies, no lovers; her private life was clean. She desired a “one life, one pair” kind of love, longing for a connection that wouldn’t break once chosen.

Tang Yuecen sighed at how traditional she was, but she was also worried.

Where else in the world could one find another fool like Liang Ruojing?

“I’m not against you being in a relationship,” Tang Yuecen said, “just don’t fall in too deep.”

However, Liang Ruojing said, “I won’t be in one.”

“Why?” Tang Yuecen didn’t even need to look at her; the gains and losses felt by a young person in love were clear as day: “You think the gap between you is too big?”

Liang Ruojing didn’t speak.

In the end, one always pities their own “child.”

Tang Yuecen was angry that Liang Ruojing had kept it from her and wished she would break off cleanly with that unknown young mistress the very next second.

But seeing Liang Ruojing’s dejection, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“Xiao Jing, look up at me,” Tang Yuecen softened her tone, “She may be very good, but you aren’t bad either.”

Liang Ruojing’s gaze wavered.

“Besides,” Tang Yuecen downed another cup and said boldly, “Is she ‘bigger’ than Ming Tanqing? Didn’t you like her for over ten years anyway?”

The warmth turned into a sting. Liang Ruojing squinted at her manager, her gaze quite resentful.

It would have been better if she hadn’t said anything.

Even as clever and meticulous as Tang Yuecen was, she couldn’t link Ming Tanqing to her.

Ming Tanqing’s signature was still resting on her left palm.

Liang Ruojing was afraid Tang Yuecen would see it. They ate hotpot for a total of two hours, and her left hand hid under the table for two hours. On the way back to the hotel, she protected it in every possible way.

The moment the door closed; she couldn’t wait to hold up her left hand to admire it.

After seeing it clearly, her excitement mostly drained away.

Her body temperature was high, her palm had sweated, and the signature was blurred.

The “Tan” in “Ming Tanqing”—the “Sun” part on top had been rubbed off, the gold ink sticking to Liang Ruojing’s clothes.

Tonight, there was no second person by her side.

Liang Ruojing lay on her side, her hand stretched out. She still couldn’t bear to wash the signature away, as if by keeping it for one more second, Ming Tanqing could stay by her side for one more second.

The Omega had left, leaving her clothes and isolation patches behind.

Replicating her actions during the rut, Liang Ruojing used the clothes to build a “nest,” lay inside it, and pressed her nose against Ming Tanqing’s nightgown to sniff it.

That night, she was like this too.

Her whole face was buried in it, softly wrapped around her.

A touch of “dogwood” pricked the Alpha’s cheek.

Liang Ruojing hummed softly, her toes curling, releasing herself in the faint scent of lilies.

She had made a bad start.

Having experienced a night intoxicated by the spring breeze, how could she endure the loneliness now?

Someone was dreaming the same dream in a different bed.

Out of professional habit, Liang Ruojing scrolled through Weibo before sleep. Her “Special Follows” sent a notification—Ming Tanqing was online.

Switching from the “Big Eye” app to the “Green Bubble” WeChat, Liang Ruojing looked at the time and offered an awkward opening line.

Liang Ruojing: Ming-jie, why aren’t you asleep yet?

An instant reply.

Ming-jie: My gland is uncomfortable.

Was it because… she wasn’t there?

Before Liang Ruojing could feel happy, the next message came.

Ming-jie: I had a gland puncture biopsy. Dr. Fang is back.

Oh.

Ming-jie: Why aren’t you asleep?

Liang Ruojing: I miss you.

No other embellishments, no excuses; Liang Ruojing simply missed Ming Tanqing.

Ming-jie: Wash the signature off your palm and go to sleep early.

Hundreds of miles apart, how did Ming Tanqing know she hadn’t been willing to wash her hand?

Ming-jie: Be good.

Liang Ruojing blushed.

She had heard Ming Tanqing moan this word, unable to hold back her gasps, her voice melodious.

Xiao Jing, be good, I can’t take any more.

It wasn’t until the next morning, when Liang Ruojing was filming a dawn scene, that she reluctantly washed the signature off her palm.

Determined by physiological traits, Alphas generally do not become overly dependent on an Omega’s pheromones.

They cannot be marked; before a lifelong marking, Alphas possess a superior level of freedom.

They might be infatuated with a certain pheromone, but they won’t develop the same dependence as an Omega.

This point failed when it came to Liang Ruojing.

She took back her previous words; four days were so long.

The pheromone fusion from the last temporary marking was about to expire. As Liang Ruojing breathed in the lily scent that was growing fainter in the peppermint wine, the anxiety in her heart almost turned into something physical.

She was addicted when she smelled the Omega’s pheromones.

She was even more addicted when she couldn’t smell them.

Tang Yuecen shook her head and told Huahua that their “Sister Jing” was beyond saving.

Huahua gave a forced smile.

Liang Ruojing had later sought her out for a “chat,” harshly criticizing her for having a “dirty mind.”

Huahua plucked up her courage and asked back: “Then what were you two, a lone Alpha and a lone Omega, doing in the RV?”

Liang Ruojing stammered: “Studying the script.”

At the film set.

The progress of Unit B for Enemy Hunt was faster than imagined. After directing for a few days, the assistant director actually had no more scenes to film.

Everything was finished.

The main director was, after all, Lin Xiuzhu; some things weren’t meant to be delegated too much.

Liang Ruojing didn’t get to enjoy the praise for long before returning to face criticism under Director Lin’s spotlight.

Delicate emotional scenes required the actor’s full devotion.

Liang Ruojing’s state was off, and she failed several takes in a row.

Lin Xiuzhu beckoned to her: “Liang Ruojing, come here.”

Hearing this, You Xi lazily glanced up and quickly looked back at her phone.

The set was crowded with people, and Liang Ruojing was prepared to be scolded in public, but instead, Lin Xiuzhu grabbed her arm and led her to a hidden corner.

“Director Lin?” Liang Ruojing held her script in both hands.

Up close, Lin Xiuzhu had severe dark circles and looked haggard, yet her eyes were bright.

“Take this.”

She pulled two capsules from her pocket and gave them to Liang Ruojing.

“They are for blocking pheromone dependence, usually used to get through the rut.”

Lin Xiuzhu’s gaze was still indifferent, but Liang Ruojing’s reflection was in her pupils.

“Hurry up and get your state back. Don’t affect my filming progress.”

Liang Ruojing took them and swallowed them with water during a break.

There wasn’t much change; her dependence was in her heart.

Two capsules were not as effective as sleeping while holding Ming Tanqing’s clothes in the RV.

When it was time to start work in the afternoon, Liang Ruojing was still unwilling to get up; the lily scent was too wonderful.

Perhaps it was the effect of love, but her reaction to the Omega’s pheromones had become even more pronounced.

It was more comfortable than anything else; smelling just a bit of it cleared all worries from her mind.

Sunlight, lilies, and hugs—Liang Ruojing associated every beautiful thing with those pheromones.

She had to spray pheromone neutralizer before starting work.

With a somber face, Liang Ruojing returned to the set as a gloomy, single Alpha.

Ming Tanqing had given her the neutralizer.

The intended use probably wasn’t this.

The afternoon filming continued to be busy.

The film crew’s schedule was tight; as soon as Actor A finished, Actor B would immediately fill in. Liang Ruojing didn’t leave the set the entire time.

In the occasional scenes where she wasn’t needed, she sat on the side, studying the script for the next scene.

A strong scent of roses approached.

Liang Ruojing didn’t even look up: “Sister You, is something the matter? I’m quite busy right now.”

A cold sneer sounded in her ear.

“Is climbing into bed fun?”

Liang Ruojing looked up sharply.

You Xi had a sinister smile. The Omega leaned down, deliberately striking an intimate pose with Liang Ruojing, and looked her up and down bluntly, evaluating: “You look quite pure, but it turns out you’re pretty quick at getting handled by hidden rules.”

Liang Ruojing leaned back, one hand steadying her small stool.

Her expression was calm: “Don’t talk nonsense. No such thing exists.”

You Xi mocked her, tapping Liang Ruojing’s shoulder with her script.

“Still pretending. That day you went to the top floor and the hotel room was empty for the night—I know everything.”

Liang Ruojing’s heart had never beaten this fast.

You Xi spoke as if victory were in her grasp, announcing like a judge: “You have a thing with Lin Xiuzhu, don’t you?”

Liang Ruojing couldn’t hold it in anymore.