Becoming the Comfort Alpha for the Aloof Movie Queen - Chapter 6

Once a week.

Ming Tanqing had heard the name Liang Ruojing before.

Two years ago, before her illness broke out, she had been invited to a gathering.

Having entered the industry at the age of three and becoming a lead actress by fourteen, Ming Tanqing’s social circle consisted mostly of people from the entertainment industry, including many world-renowned directors and veteran actors.

That gathering was no exception.

It was a social event for insiders, held under the guise of “congratulating a certain movie on its release.”

“Old He, have you decided on the female lead for your TV series?”

An elderly director with thinning hair spoke up, his eyes dark and unreadable.

“I went to the Film Academy for a speech a few days ago and saw an Alpha whose appearance fits perfectly.”

“You should know her sister; she’s the CEO of the Bai Group…”

Ming Tanqing lowered her eyes and took a small sip of the tea in front of her.

Resource exchange—the unspoken rules of the industry had always been thus.

But this time… that director’s plan was destined to fail.

Ming Tanqing turned her head and saw a face so serious it was almost cold.

It was the man at the center of the topic: He Jing, Director He.

Hearing his colleague’s words, He Jing’s brow furrowed even deeper.

She was a person of integrity who had always disliked these crooked practices and disdained catering to them.

Furthermore, now that the auditions were over, she already had her female lead in mind.

He Jing’s attitude was neither humble nor arrogant: “Thank you for your concern, but the lead has already been cast.”

“Who? Could they possibly be better than the second miss of the Bai family?”

Another director persisted. By specifically emphasizing her status, his intention couldn’t have been clearer.

Everyone present was intelligent; some things didn’t need to be stated explicitly.

Unfortunately, He Jing was famously “stiff as a board.” She replied earnestly, “It’s a kid named Liang Ruojing. She just debuted, and her aura is very unique.”

The staff brought in a projector, and Ming Tanqing, sitting nearby, watched a few minutes of a short film featuring Liang Ruojing.

The moment the camera swept over the Alpha, Ming Tanqing understood what He Jing meant by “unique.”

The Alpha was born with a bright and atmospheric face. Her features were deeper than those of an average person, her gaze was steadfast, and her brow exuded a vibrant, unyielding vitality.

Ming Tanqing had been in the industry for a long time. In her estimation, this young actress named “Liang Ruojing” could secure a place in the entertainment industry even if she took the route of a pure “idol.”

Later, Ming Tanqing’s illness struck suddenly, forcing her into seclusion for treatment.

After the initial version of the special medicine was developed, Ming Tanqing began to make brief excursions to meet guests.

He Jing was pleasantly surprised by her visit.

As they chatted about recent changes in the industry, Ming Tanqing heard the name “Liang Ruojing” once again.

Relying on He Jing’s TV series, she had become famous overnight. This year, she had a movie coming out, playing a minor but likable supporting role.

He Jing said she had helped pull the strings for that supporting role.

“She has no background. I only gave her the opportunity; the rest was her own capability.”

Because of this, Ming Tanqing remembered Liang Ruojing.

She never expected that their next meeting would be under these circumstances.

The warm water could not wash away the tingling sensation clinging to her bones. Ming Tanqing lightly stroked the soft gland on the back of her neck, pressing the barrier patch tighter.

Yet, a faint, lingering fragrance of lilies still surrounded her.

From the moment the Alpha actively released her pheromones, Ming Tanqing lost much of her control over her own gland.

She had gone far too long without releasing pheromones.

After being suppressed for so long, once a crack was forced open, it would not be easily closed.

But letting it out like this…

A moment of helplessness flashed through Ming Tanqing’s heart. It was bound to be misunderstood.

Just then, her assistant knocked on the door.

“Miss Ming, Dr. Fang is asking for you.”

It was likely about her illness and the future of pheromone-assisted therapy.

Ming Tanqing changed into a new suppressor patch and followed the assistant out.

In the nearby doctor’s office, Fang Zezhi and Liang Ruojing sat facing each other.

Fang Zezhi handed over the documents beside her.

It was a stack of real-life cases of pheromone-assisted treatment for gland diseases.

Liang Ruojing opened the file and read it word by word, her face gradually growing hot.

“Increase pheromone concentration through appropriate physical contact.”

“Temporary marking shows significant effects.”

“If both parties permit, the cure rate increases significantly with a permanent marking.”

What on earth is this!

Is this a treatment plan?

As Liang Ruojing flipped through, she couldn’t help but picture Ming Tanqing’s face.

This, this, this… the progress is way too fast!

At twenty-three years old, Liang Ruojing hadn’t even been in a relationship.

Suddenly facing hugs, kisses, and marking… she couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered.

Watching the Alpha’s reaction, Fang Zezhi’s heart sank.

She misinterpreted Liang Ruojing’s discomfort as resistance.

After all, Liang Ruojing had already refused once over the phone.

Generally speaking, the Alpha or Omega selected for assisted therapy must have an extremely high compatibility with the patient.

At 96.37%, Liang Ruojing and Ming Tanqing were practically “fated partners.”

With compatibility this high, falling in love over time was the most common outcome.

When Fang Zezhi was young, most Alphas and Omegas accepted the result that high compatibility meant being partners.

But as times changed, some began to resist high compatibility.

For instance, Ming Tanqing’s parents had a compatibility of only 15%.

Liang Ruojing might be one of those young people.

Fang Zezhi searched her mind for a secondary plan.

Just providing pheromones every day could work.

Unfortunately, the effect would certainly not be as good as the other methods.

Liang Ruojing’s heart beat violently. Like a student reading a forbidden book, she finished reading the cases quickly.

Fang Zezhi asked, “Do you have any thoughts? Can you accept this?”

Liang Ruojing suppressed her restless heart and asked the question she cared about most: “What exactly is going on with Teacher Ming’s gland disease?”

In addition to the provocative suggestions, the cases also described some causes and manifestations of gland diseases.

They seemed to be temporary lesions caused by external stimuli, manifesting as an inability to control pheromones.

Liang Ruojing continued, “Is it a late-stage lesion? I see the success rate for curing it is quite high.”

Ahem—let’s not mention how it’s cured for now.

Fang Zezhi paused.

She didn’t know how to explain it to Liang Ruojing.

It wasn’t a late-stage lesion.

It was a congenital, destined defect.

The symptoms were far more cruel than any other gland disease.

Ordinary gland diseases only affected Alphas and Omegas during their heat cycles.

Pheromone Disorder Syndrome, however, tortured the patient every single day.

The possibility of a cure was extremely low.

Without pheromones, Ming Tanqing would have to rely on special medication to maintain a normal life for the rest of her days.

“Miss Ming, she…”

While Fang Zezhi was still weighing her words, the door suddenly opened.

Ming Tanqing appeared in the doorway. After a slight nod, she walked in gracefully and sat down in the seat next to Liang Ruojing.

Fang Zezhi instinctively glanced at Ming Tanqing.

Ming Tanqing spoke: “Dr. Fang, let me say it.”

“In simple terms, my illness is an inability to release pheromones voluntarily. I need to induce their release through special medication or an Alpha’s pheromones.”

“Miss Liang’s pheromones can play a huge role,” Ming Tanqing’s eyes were clear. “But the special medication does the same.”

Fang Zezhi was worried sick—could they really be the same?

Setting aside the fact that the medication wasn’t as effective as pheromones, Ming Tanqing didn’t mention the severe pain and other side effects of the injections at all!

“However,” Liang Ruojing spoke up suddenly.

Her gaze remained fervent and undisguised: “My pheromones are better, right?”

Ming Tanqing admitted: “Yes.”

“I agree.”

The words escaped Liang Ruojing’s lips.

She could sense that Ming Tanqing was hiding something from her.

Given the scale of this medical facility, Ming Tanqing’s illness didn’t seem as simple as she described it.

After half a day of contact, Liang Ruojing understood a bit of Ming Tanqing’s character.

She was strong-willed and determined.

This was the Ming Tanqing she knew.

Seeing the Alpha agree so readily, Fang Zezhi was overjoyed.

Ming Tanqing frowned slightly, seemingly in disagreement.

She could see that Liang Ruojing was her fan—and a rather fanatical one at that.

Ming Tanqing had seen many people like this.

People who, because of a single word from their idol, would lose their heads and agree to anything, willing to do whatever it took.

Precisely because she knew that if she asked, Liang Ruojing would certainly agree, Ming Tanqing didn’t want to abuse that affection.

She also loathed the act of exploiting others.

“Miss Liang, I hope you consider this carefully.”

When Ming Tanqing was serious, her aura was strangely intimidating.

Her voice was as clear and beautiful as ever, but her words were sharp.

“Won’t your future partner mind?”

Ming Tanqing had learned online that Liang Ruojing had several “on-screen couples.”

The most popular pairing remained influential even a year after the series had ended.

The entertainment industry was a complicated place.

There was much acting behind the scenes, and it wasn’t uncommon for feelings to develop during filming.

Fang Zezhi was stunned.

Her mood was a rollercoaster. Why were they talking about this again?

The way Ming Tanqing was acting, she was practically resisting the pheromone-assisted therapy repeatedly. Every other excuse was built on that foundation.

Fang Zezhi remembered Ming Tanqing’s loss of control and arousal under the pheromones and understood a little.

Liang Ruojing was also stunned; she didn’t have a partner.

“There’s no need to talk that far ahead yet,” Fang Zezhi cut in, having already thought of a solution. “We don’t have to go all out right from the start. Miss Liang can start by just providing pheromones, and we can take it step by step.”

Fang Zezhi specifically asked Ming Tanqing: “Miss Ming, is that okay?”

Since things had reached this point, Ming Tanqing relented and agreed to this “temporary” plan.

Finally, the frequency was set at once a week.

If Ming Tanqing had special needs, they would add more sessions.

Because both of their jobs were unique, the specific timing would be flexible.

However, one day every week, Liang Ruojing had to come to the villa to release her pheromones to help clear the accumulated pheromones in the Omega’s body.

At dinner, Ming Tanqing kept Liang Ruojing for a simple meal.

Fang Zezhi was also there, happily talking about many future treatment expectations.

“Next time, you can try releasing a bit more pheromones. Today was too short, which was a pity.”

At those words, neither of their expressions remained composed.

After dinner, Ming Tanqing personally saw Liang Ruojing off.

The car waiting to pick her up was parked on the green path in front of the main building. The two of them had to pass through the path in the field of flowers once more.

It was past 8:00 PM now. In the winter night, the moon hung high.

It’s clear, bright glow fell upon the white lilies, making them look as if they were glowing.

A cold wind blew, causing the green branches to sway, making the scene quiet and sacred.

Ming Tanqing caught cold easily, so she was wrapped in a thick, fluffy coat again.

As the wind blew, she squinted her eyes against it, her hair fluttering.

Liang Ruojing walked beside her; her nose filled with the fragrance.

The road was long, and Ming Tanqing took the initiative to break the silence.

“Miss Liang, I’ve seen the shows you’ve acted in. You did a good job.”

“Thank you, Teacher Ming,” Liang Ruojing felt strangely embarrassed, as if her exam paper was being graded by a teacher. She regretted not performing even better. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement.”

Ming Tanqing looked at her: “You’re very nervous.”

“It’s okay,” Ming Tanqing asked again, “Was the promotional short film for Beijing University your first time acting?”

Liang Ruojing was wearing thin clothes, and her palms were still sweaty: “Yes.”

Ming Tanqing smiled at her. The moonlight was like water, making the smile even more gentle: “You have talent. You can afford to be more confident.”

Receiving validation from her idol, Liang Ruojing felt like she had the strength to fly to heaven.

She hadn’t expected Ming Tanqing to have watched the promotional film as well.

As the lily path came to an end, Ming Tanqing stopped. Liang Ruojing stopped too, feeling a bit curious.

They stood facing each other. Liang Ruojing looked down slightly, meeting Ming Tanqing’s eyes.

“Thank you,” Ming Tanqing said. her long eyelashes flickered, and she seemed to look at Liang Ruojing with great focus and care. “This decision was not easy. I will have to trouble you in the future.”

Liang Ruojing couldn’t help but be dazed.

The wind by her ears seemed to blow right into her heart. She felt like a balloon, about to float away.

Liang Ruojing: “It’s nothing.”

The villa was connected to the main building, and they continued walking forward.

In the living room of the main building, Liang Ruojing unexpectedly ran into someone else.

A male Alpha. He had many wrinkles on his face, and even in a well-tailored suit, he looked old.

When he turned around, Liang Ruojing read a sense of contempt from his indifferent gaze for no reason.

Ming Tanqing looked straight ahead, leading Liang Ruojing past him.

The male Alpha spoke, calling out to them: “Ming Tanqing, is it her?”

Ming Tanqing replied briefly: “Yes.”

Ming’s father’s gaze fell upon Liang Ruojing. He was looking at her, yet there was no “her” in his eyes.

“Cooperate fully. If there is anything you want, just say it…”

“Father!” Ming Tanqing urgently interrupted him. “Don’t say such things.”

Before Liang Ruojing could react, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Ming Tanqing’s face was set. She looked back at Liang Ruojing and said in a softened tone: “Miss Liang, let me see you out.”