Becoming the Comfort Alpha for the Aloof Movie Queen - Chapter 46

She leaned her body slightly closer to Liang Ruojing.

Even though the rumors were groundless, Liang Ruojing’s mood had still been affected.

The next day, as Tang Yuecen sat in the car bitterly cursing You Xi, Liang Ruojing nodded along repeatedly from the side.

Tang Yuecen’s throat went dry from scolding. She took a two-second break and said, “The leak was definitely posted by You Xi, but do we have any substantive evidence?”

Liang Ruojing pondered for a moment. “I didn’t expect her to do this. I didn’t record anything, but the crew members nearby might have heard something.”

Tang Yuecen frowned. “Without a recording, unless she admits it herself—which isn’t very likely—it’s tough.”

One night was enough for rumors to ferment until they were known by everyone.

The atmosphere on the film set was somewhat strange. There wasn’t the usual restlessness or clamor that follows a scandal; instead, it was unnervingly quiet.

When Liang Ruojing, the female lead of this scandal, appeared, no one whispered about her. Everyone simply stole a quick glance and went back to their work.

Once she reached the shooting shed, Liang Ruojing understood why.

Lin Xiuzhu sat behind the monitor, looking as if a dark cloud were circling her head. Regarding the rumors, there was someone even more distressed than Liang Ruojing.

“Lighting crew, move faster! Light it up! Why is it so dark?”

“This take is unusable. Re-shoot.”

Yu Youyou had just finished a scene, looking half-dead as she stepped out of the shed. Seeing Liang Ruojing, she chatted with her for a bit.

“The set was so noisy this morning. After Director Lin arrived, she scolded everyone, and no one dared to mention Weibo again.”

Yu Youyou was also concerned about Liang Ruojing. “Sister Jing, did that… did it affect you a lot?”

Liang Ruojing forced a relaxed smile. “I don’t know about the long term, but I expect filming today will be difficult.”

Just as she finished speaking, a call came from beneath the dark cloud.

“Liang Ruojing, get ready for your scene.”

Yu Youyou patted Liang Ruojing’s shoulder sympathetically.

According to the schedule, today was the confrontation scene between Liang Ruojing and You Xi.

Located at the artificial lake in Huafeng, this was the first meeting after their characters’ fallout. Han Jiahe, unable to control her emotions, would press for answers, lose her footing, and fall into the lake. Sun Ying would go to save her, not realizing there was an ambush nearby; Han Jiahe was intentionally stalling for time, and Sun Ying would fall into the trap.

Since only one scene was being filmed near the lake, the crew hadn’t set up rest areas; the two leads’ trailers were parked close by.

Liang Ruojing finished her makeup and stepped off the trailer, running straight into You Xi.

Having not seen her for only a day and a half, You Xi’s expression had changed significantly. It was as if she had decided the person in front of her was already a defeated opponent; she had stopped pretending entirely.

You Xi swept a glance over Liang Ruojing in her costume. “Is this what Lin Xiuzhu likes about you?”

A hint of irritation flared between Liang Ruojing’s brows. “Aren’t you afraid of a reversal after posting that so rashly?”

“How could there be a reversal? Were you with someone else that night?” The mockery in You Xi’s eyes deepened.

The assistant director stepped in, cutting off their conversation. “Stop chatting and get to the scene. It’s winter; aren’t you cold?”

He then whispered to Liang Ruojing, “Don’t worry. This show had public auditions, and we still have the footage. Since we need to generate hype for the show anyway, we’ll release it. The rumors will collapse on their own.”

You Xi wrapped herself in a heavy coat and walked away.

This winter was exceptionally cold. Standing by the lakeshore, it felt as if one’s bones were being soaked in ice water—a piercing chill.

For the upcoming scene, Liang Ruojing wasn’t actually supposed to go into the water; there was a stunt double, and she only needed to film two close-up shots.

Her gaze swept across the wind-rippled surface of the lake. You Xi seemed lost in thought.

Passing by Lin Xiuzhu, Liang Ruojing whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Lin Xiuzhu lifted her eyelids. “Being too polite isn’t always a good thing. This matter has nothing to do with you. I originally had someone else in mind for the role of Sun Ying; it’s a pity.”

She added, “I talked with Teacher Wan Tingran all night that night. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get in touch with her yet. We will clarify things later. Just focus on your acting.”

Liang Ruojing reined in all her emotions and stepped into the spotlight.

While reading the script, she had been looking forward to this scene. Facing the master who had abandoned her, the method Han Jiahe chose was actually a ruse of self-injury. Sun Ying fell for it and was captured as a result. The reversal at the end was foreshadowed in this very scene.

Liang Ruojing stared at You Xi’s back. She closed her eyes, and another person appeared in her mind. Lin Xiuzhu had someone else in mind, and so did she.

“Scene fifty, take one, action!”

In the play, it was summer. Both wore thin summer clothes. The cold wind bit deep; even Liang Ruojing felt the chill.

Han Jiahe gazed at the face she thought of day and night. She was surprised to find that, more than anger or despair, there was more sadness and confusion in her heart.

“Sun Ying, why did you do this?”

Sun Ying turned her head, the calm lake water reflecting ripples onto her face. “For money, for power—take your pick.”

Han Jiahe stepped forward, suddenly grabbing her wrist. “Come to the police station with me.”

“Are you crazy!” Sun Ying violently shook off her hand. If one looked closely, they would see her eyes were calm, as still as the lake. “What makes you think I would listen to you?”

Han Jiahe replied, “You don’t have a choice.”

The two began to struggle. In terms of physical combat, Han Jiahe was superior. However, she was far less ruthless than Sun Ying. The stunt double kicked Liang Ruojing, and she stumbled back, falling into the lake.

The date was February 11th, the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. The water in the twelfth month was bone-chillingly cold.

Submerged in the water, every cell in Liang Ruojing’s body felt as though it were being pricked. Fortunately, her S-grade Alpha constitution was superior, making it bearable.

The crew member shouted through a megaphone: “No good, we need to re-shoot.”

Liang Ruojing swam to the shore. Her thin costume had soaked up the water, weighing heavily on her. To make matters worse, the wind picked up on the shore, doubling the cold.

Huahua hurried over with a thick blanket and a hot water bottle.

Lin Xiuzhu was reviewing the footage. You Xi’s emotions were too shallow. The scene on the shore needed to be re-shot. Considering the weather, Lin Xiuzhu planned to split the scene in two. They would finish the falling-into-the-water part first. That part had fewer shots of You Xi—just a few footsteps—so it could end quickly.

Liang Ruojing nodded and fell into the water again.

Second take: You Xi forgot her lines. Third take: You Xi’s positioning was wrong.

“Cut!”

Lin Xiuzhu stepped out directly from behind the camera and stood before You Xi. “If you don’t want to film, you can leave. I know it was you.”

You Xi glanced at Liang Ruojing, who was sitting nearby under a sun lamp, and said softly, “How scary. Give me one more chance; the next take will definitely pass.”

Lin Xiuzhu stepped back in disgust and waved to the assistant director. “Let’s not film this take for now—”

Liang Ruojing’s voice cut in at the right moment: “Director Lin, let’s do one more take.”

Lin Xiuzhu looked at Liang Ruojing as if she were a fool. “Fine, the last take then.”

You Xi was afraid of the cold. Being an Omega, her constitution was generally weaker. Even though she hadn’t gone into the water, she was wrapped more heavily than Liang Ruojing during the breaks.

The assistant director went forward and kindly persuaded You Xi that if she finished filming quickly, she wouldn’t have to stand in the wind.

You Xi arched an eyebrow and returned to their starting positions.

The content to be filmed was: Han Jiahe falls into the water; Sun Ying returns and leans by the shore, watching the struggling Han Jiahe. After that would be the parts for the stunt doubles.

What followed was the fourth take.

Having entered the water repeatedly, Liang Ruojing was completely soaked. This scene already called for her hair to be down; now, soaked by the water, her hair and shirt clung to her body. Standing by the lake, staring at You Xi, her appearance was eerie and somber.

“You Xi, let’s go again.”

You Xi shivered, telling herself that Liang Ruojing was just bluffing. She stood at the designated spot.

In this shot, Sun Ying’s expression was complex; she finally showed an emotional fluctuation, looking at Han Jiahe in surprise. Her body leaned slightly toward the center of the lake.

Suddenly, a hand burst out of the water. Its skin was paper-white, and it firmly seized You Xi’s hand. Like a water ghost, it sucked away all the warmth from her body.

Before You Xi could even scream, the hand pulled hard, dragging her directly into the lake.

Omegas generally have poor constitutions. The water temperature that Liang Ruojing could endure was a piercing, heart-wrenching cold for You Xi.

“Help—Help—!”

You Xi thrashed about. In her panic, she saw a crew member walking toward them. However, in the next second, the crew member stopped. Another person grabbed her arm. It was as cold as ice, pinning her down.

The bright, lively voice of an Alpha rang in her ear. “It’s okay! I can swim! I’ll just bring Sister You up! You guys don’t need to come!”

The chill of the lake water spread all the way to her heart. In the water, there were only the two of them. If Liang Ruojing intentionally made a small move, You Xi would have no way to escape. Thinking of this, she began to struggle violently.

Liang Ruojing clamped down on her. “I know what you’re thinking. Not everyone is as black-hearted as you. Keep acting up, and I’ll give you exactly what you want.”

Liang Ruojing even had a smile on her face as she pulled You Xi’s arm and brought her to the shore.

You Xi’s assistant rushed forward. “Sister You! Are you okay?”

You Xi was dripping wet and couldn’t stop shaking. The assistant simply thought she was cold and pressed a hot water bottle into her hands. Just as the assistant was about to take her to the trailer to shower, You Xi’s hand shook as she pointed at Liang Ruojing, stammering:

“She… she did it on purpose!”

Liang Ruojing was wrapped in a thick bath towel. Her drooping puppy-eyes looked pure and innocent as she said, “I was too panicked and didn’t notice. Sister You Xi, please forgive me.”

Hua Hua stood behind Liang Ruojing, helping her wring out her clothes. With one squeeze, a puddle formed on the shore. Being straightforward, she shouted, “Who knows who was being more ‘purposeful’ earlier.”

The assistant director chimed in from the side, “That’s right. Little Liang fell in three times; it’s normal for an actor’s state to be unstable. Sister You, I apologize on her behalf.”

Lin Xiuzhu said, “Alright, both of you go shower, change, and fix your makeup. We’ll re-shoot the shore scene in a bit.”

You Xi was shaking violently, her teeth chattering. She knew Liang Ruojing had done it on purpose. When they were getting out of the water, Liang Ruojing had whispered in her ear:

“If you maliciously stall the scene again, I’ll drag you down next time too.”

“I’m an Alpha. Sister You, do you really want to compare constitutions with me?”

You Xi couldn’t swallow this insult. “She—!”

“She just said—”

At that moment, a sudden commotion came from outside the set.

Liang Ruojing was drying her hair. Hearing the noise, she turned her head and saw the crowd gradually parting to create a path.

Initially, she saw the top of a head—black hair styled into an elegant bun. Looking down, she saw the person’s face. Snow-white skin and flower-like beauty; one could pick her out of a crowd at a single glance.

Ming Tanqing walked quickly toward Liang Ruojing, her brows furrowed. “How did you end up like this?”

No one answered her. In that exchange of glances, everyone read the same confusion in each other’s eyes:

Why would Ming Tanqing come to their film set?!

Ming Tanqing looked at You Xi and asked seriously, “What did she just say?”

You Xi shrank back. “No… nothing…”

Lin Xiuzhu stepped forward, giving a silent sigh, and said to Ming Tanqing, “You’re here.”

The hearts of those around them finally settled. So it was because of Director Lin. It made sense; they had known each other since childhood.

Ming Tanqing lowered her gaze. “I had something to do; I was delayed on the road.”

Liang Ruojing looked sideways, meeting those pale grey-blue eyes. She knew Ming Tanqing was speaking to her, explaining herself to her.

“Sister Ming…”

Ming Tanqing took the thick blanket from Hua Hua’s hands and draped it over Liang Ruojing.

Lin Xiuzhu reminded her, “If you have something to talk about, go inside the trailer in a bit.”

Ming Tanqing nodded. Through the blanket, she leaned her body slightly closer to Liang Ruojing’s.

“Wait for me.”

This one sentence was known only to the two of them.