Becoming the Comfort Alpha for the Aloof Movie Queen - Chapter 71

Ruojing, I need you…”

The next day’s filming didn’t wrap up until 11:00 PM.

The clapperboard snapped shut with a crisp sound, and the entire crew burst into applause, celebrating the final wrap.

Liang Ruojing turned away and stifled a quiet yawn. She was exhausted from the morning’s hoeing, and her arms still felt a bit sore. Tomorrow, after a few pickup shots and a final interview at the guesthouse, her time filming Peach Blossom Spring would be completely over.

The director stepped forward and called for the guests to head to a restaurant in town for dinner. The show’s biggest investor had arrived. It was a car brand that specialized in mid-to-high-end new energy vehicles. Supported by national policies, the company had thrived, capturing nearly half of the market share.

The CEO had come in person to offer his regards, and all six guests were invited to a private dining room. The CEO’s name was Xie Xing, a 35-year-old Alpha male dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, exuding the air of a rising star in the business world.

Liang Ruojing’s seat happened to be near his, separated only by Liu Lanshi. When dining with an investor, the conversation naturally revolved around him. Within half an hour, Liang Ruojing had learned about Mr. Xie’s family background, education, hobbies, and even how few hours he slept when he first started his business.

For the most part, Lu Chengwen and the director handled the conversation. Liang Ruojing only spoke a few words when addressed; the rest of the time, she kept her phone under the tablecloth, secretly scrolling through Weibo.

VOGUE’s new issue had been released, featuring Ming Tanqing on the cover. This issue was a special 200th-anniversary commemorative edition in collaboration with Baoqin. Ming Tanqing was wearing an ivory strapless gown, and on her wrist, a custom diamond watch from Baoqin glittered brilliantly. The Omega wore no other jewelry; her face and aura alone were enough to command attention, radiating a breathtaking elegance.

The official account had launched a giveaway with Ming Tanqing’s signed photos as prizes. Liang Ruojing decisively switched to her secondary account to repost. As she began typing, she paused. The repost list was filled with Ming Tanqing’s fans. Seeing the endless stream of “Goddess,” “Mommy,” and “Wife,” Liang Ruojing felt a sudden impulse.

Ming Tanqing’s Industry Girlfriend: Repost Weibo. Wifey is so beautiful!

Ahem. Everyone else was doing it; one more wouldn’t hurt. Liang Ruojing picked up her glass of warm water and took a sip to hide the heat in her face.

As she looked up, she unexpectedly caught Yu Feng’s eye. Yu Feng gave a thin smile and looked away. How strange, Liang Ruojing thought.

She glanced sideways and saw Xiao Yi sitting next to Yu Feng. Xiao Yi’s behavior was even more abnormal. It was mid-March, and the indoor heating was high enough to make Liang Ruojing sweat, yet he was actually shivering. He kept his head down, not daring to look toward Xie Xing.

While Liang Ruojing was wondering what was wrong, Xiao Yi suddenly stood up and walked out as if he had lost his soul, bumping hard into her arm as he passed. His chopsticks fell, but he didn’t apologize, fleeing the room as if escaping.

Feeling perplexed, Liang Ruojing changed her chopsticks and continued eating. A few minutes later, she wanted to check Weibo again. Pretending to drop something, she pulled out her phone. She bent down, lifted the long tablecloth, and peeked underneath, her eyes instinctively glancing forward.

She froze. In an instant, she understood Xiao Yi’s anxiety.

Under the table, Xie Xing’s suit pants and Liu Lanshi’s long skirt were pressed tightly together. Their intimate relationship was obvious.

When she sat back up and looked at Xie Xing again, her perception of him shifted. So, the “lover” Liu Lanshi had mentioned was Mr. Xie. No wonder the investor insisted on visiting even though they didn’t wrap until 11:00 PM.

The dinner ended close to 1:00 AM. The ancient town was remote, and it was hard to get a taxi in the early hours. The guests had to return to the guesthouse to prepare for the next morning’s pickup shots. Liang Ruojing waited at the back, letting the crew members board the cars first.

A pitch-black luxury van flashed its lights at her from the roadside. The window rolled down, and Liu Lanshi called out, “Xiao Liang, come back with us.”

Liang Ruojing agreed and climbed into the cabin. There were only three people in the large van: Liu Lanshi, Liang Ruojing, and the driver, a woman who appeared to be her manager.

Thinking about what she had just seen, Liang Ruojing’s heart beat nervously. Liu Lanshi wasn’t one to beat around the bush and said directly, “You saw us, didn’t you? Me and Xie Xing.”

Liang Ruojing weighed her words. “Sister Liu, is Mr. Xie your lover?”

Liu Lanshi nodded. Sensing the Alpha’s surprise, she gave a self-deprecating laugh. “A female celebrity and a wealthy CEO—isn’t that a classic pairing?”

Liang Ruojing pondered for a few seconds and said honestly, “I believe true love has no barriers.”

Liu Lanshi smiled. “As expected of a young person.”

In the silence, the rich scent of alcohol drifted through the air. Liu Lanshi’s eyes sparkled with a touching light, her expression filled with happiness and sweetness. Liang Ruojing silently realized that Sister Liu really loved Xie Xing.

“The first time we met was at a scholarship ceremony,” Liu Lanshi said, her voice drifting into memory as the alcohol took hold. “I was a poor student back then, and Brother Xie had just entered his family’s company. I fainted backstage from low blood sugar, and he happened to find me.”

“He heard about my family situation and offered to sponsor me. After the college entrance exams, I was working at a milk tea shop when a talent scout found me. She said being a star earned more in a day than I could make shaking milk tea for a year, so I joined. Brother Xie kept helping me, and later…”

Liang Ruojing understood that Liu Lanshi wasn’t just confiding in her. She was simply so happy that she felt a desperate need to share it.

“Mr. Xie mentioned at dinner that he plans to get married. Could it be…” Liang Ruojing suddenly realized.

As soon as she said it, Liu Lanshi’s expression grew even softer. She rubbed her bare ring finger, her eyes full of hope.

Liang Ruojing took a moment to process this and then offered a bright smile. “Congratulations.”

Liu Lanshi looked shy. “It’s just my guess. He’s been giving me rings lately.”

Based on the timeline, Liu Lanshi and Xie Xing had been in a secret relationship for over seven years. Now that it was finally coming to fruition, Liang Ruojing was genuinely happy for her.

Liu Lanshi murmured, “As long as he has this intention, I’m at peace. Otherwise, I’m always feeling unsettled.”

Liang Ruojing could understand. While ambiguity was sweet, a formal commitment was important. To be able to express love to a partner openly and let everyone know they were a pair—hardly anyone could refuse that.

“Let’s not talk about me,” Liu Lanshi suddenly changed the subject, resting her chin on her hand as she asked, “What about you and the person you like?”

Being asked about her love life by someone other than Sister Tang for the first time, Liang Ruojing’s heart skipped a beat and her face flushed.

“You like her a lot, don’t you? Are you together?”

Liang Ruojing shook her head and said softly, “I’m pursuing her.”

Liu Lanshi continued to watch her. Perhaps infected by the Omega’s happiness, Liang Ruojing felt a lightness in her heart as she added, “She should… also like me.”

The moment she said it, she dazed out. In her eyes, did Sister Tanqing like her? Asking herself honestly, Liang Ruojing had done many out-of-line things under the guise of “treatment,” but Ming Tanqing never truly got angry with her. She was always helping her and being kind to her…

Lost in her thoughts, Liang Ruojing felt herself flushing beet red.

By the time filming ended the next day, it was already evening. According to the schedule, Liang Ruojing could have stayed in the ancient town for another day to sightsee and relax. However, she was eager to return and booked the earliest flight. As soon as filming stopped, she packed her bags to head to the city for her flight.

Liu Lanshi came to visit. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“I drank too much last night,” Liu Lanshi smiled at her. “Don’t mention those things to anyone.”

“I won’t,” Liang Ruojing promised.

The two talked for a bit until Yu Feng returned, at which point Liu Lanshi left. Yu Feng watched Liu Lanshi’s retreating back and let out a sneer.

Liang Ruojing silently accelerated her packing. She had misjudged—Yu Feng was nothing like Sister Tanqing. Yu Feng was too arrogant, looking down on everyone and everything.

Fearing her soft hairpins would be crushed, Liang Ruojing found a hard box to store them in, carefully tucking it into the middle of her suitcase.

Just then, her phone rang. She assumed it was Sister Tang asking about her progress. Liang Ruojing checked the caller ID and smiled. “Sister? Why are you calling?”

As soon as she spoke, Yu Feng’s gaze locked onto her. Her sharp eyes stared intently at the phone.

A few seconds later, Liang Ruojing’s expression changed. Ming Tanqing didn’t speak. Through the receiver, there were only soft, rhythmic gasps, as tender and fluid as water.

“Ruojing…”

The Omega’s voice was no longer cool; every word was steeped in the heavy essence of spring.

“Sister, has your heat started?”

“Come back quickly…”

Ming Tanqing could no longer stand.

She had been out at an event today when her head suddenly began to ache and her gland became restless. A few minutes later, starting from the gland, her whole body felt like it was catching fire, rapidly becoming hot and itchy.

Ming Tanqing hurriedly injected herself with a suppressor and left the venue early to return to Baiyu. She didn’t want anyone to see the unsightly state of her heat. After forcing herself to see off her manager and assistant, she collapsed onto the floor.

Her body was completely out of her control. Like a spring flower secreting nectar, it desperately craved an Alpha’s touch. Her skin was burning, and she couldn’t even put on a scent-blocking patch—her gland was too sensitive; even that level of contact would bring a wave of pleasure.

Ming Tanqing’s hands began to shake uncontrollably. Her mind went blank, and the only name she could think of was one person. Liang Ruojing’s number was the only one in her “Favorites.”

“Sister?”

The Alpha’s clear voice rang in her ear. Ming Tanqing shuddered, nearly losing her resolve.

“Has your heat started?”

Ugh. Ming Tanqing blinked, and large tears fell like crystals. Her voice must sound terrible right now. She bit her lip to prevent any sob from escaping. “Come back quickly…”

Even if Liang Ruojing had hung up due to a bad signal, Ming Tanqing felt a sense of abandonment as she looked at the dark screen. Her heat had only just begun, yet she found that her heart had become excessively fragile.

Unwilling to seek help from others, she lay on the floor until the first wave of heat passed, then gathered enough strength to crawl up. She found the suppressors and plunged one into her pale arm without hesitation.

The effect of the drug was like being flash-frozen. Ming Tanqing shivered with cold. HER dress was damp and clung uncomfortably to her skin.

It would take three hours for Liang Ruojing to return.

Using the brief reprieve from the suppressors, she leaned against the wall to find some clothes Liang Ruojing had left behind and put them on without hesitation. Then, wearing only Liang Ruojing’s white shirt, she stepped into the bathroom.

She hoped she could endure the three hours of heat with the pheromones on the clothes and cold water before the Alpha returned.

Liang Ruojing had never run this fast, even in a university sports meet.

Those three hours were a torment in every second. The thought of Ming Tanqing suffering through her heat alone made her heart ache like it was being twisted.

Liang Ruojing rushed to the door, used her fingerprint to unlock it, and pushed it open.

A sharp scent of lilies rushed toward her. In the three months she had known her, this was the first time Liang Ruojing had smelled such an intense lily fragrance. It wasn’t just fragrant; it was incredibly alluring.

The moment she entered; the Omega’s seductive pheromones triggered Liang Ruojing’s own Alpha pheromones. With every step deeper into the house, she could feel her heart thumping violently in her chest.

At the end of the hallway, a closed frosted-glass door emitted a faint light. The sound of the Omega’s broken gasps pierced through the wall, echoing in Liang Ruojing’s head.

Liang Ruojing opened the door. She saw a sight she would never forget.

The white shirt was soaked with water, becoming nearly transparent against the Omega’s porcelain skin. Ming Tanqing lay in the bathtub, her head hanging weakly. The paleness of her skin only served to highlight the flush of desire beneath. Her mouth was open, gasping faintly.

She looked like a masterpiece of a master artist’s brush. White was white, red was red, and pink was pink.

Liang Ruojing’s brain felt like it exploded.

“Sister Tanqing, I’m back.” Liang Ruojing hurried forward.

Ming Tanqing’s gaze was glazed. She raised a hand to reach out and touch Liang Ruojing’s face, her expression uncertain as if she were trying to determine if the person before her was real.

“Ruojing.”

Liang Ruojing immediately released her pheromones and grabbed the Omega’s ice-cold wrists. “It’s me. I’m back.”

Soothed by the Alpha’s pheromones, Ming Tanqing’s breathing steadied slightly, but a few seconds later, an even more violent wave of heat hit her. The Omega let out a soft moan, her chest heaving violently.

Ming Tanqing turned her head and looked into the Alpha’s eyes through tear-filled vision.

“Ruojing, I need you…”

With that, she opened her legs toward Liang Ruojing.