Becoming the Comfort Alpha for the Aloof Movie Queen - Chapter 73

You are not allowed to go with anyone else.”

Ming Tanqing refused to show weakness in front of anyone.

She was well aware of her own allure.

A Best Actress winner, an S-grade Omega, and the nominal only daughter of Ming Peide—any one of these titles alone would bring countless pursuers flocking to her.

With these layers of identity weighing upon her, Ming Tanqing often felt as though she were in a constant struggle against the world every single moment.

Her vulnerability was a luxury she couldn’t afford; if she revealed even a fraction of it, the world would instantly devour her whole, leaving nothing but bones.

Was she tired?

Ming Tanqing refused to ponder the question. As long as she didn’t think about it, she wouldn’t feel the exhaustion.

That was, until she met a pair of excessively soft eyes.

Like wind, like clouds, and like mist, they enveloped her.

Her embrace was warm. Her presence was reassuring.

Even if it was merely the effect of pheromones, Ming Tanqing wanted to feel—even for just one second—a sense of relief.

“I’m tired.”

After moving for two minutes, Ming Tanqing collapsed petulantly onto the Alpha.

The creamy white hem of her dress covered the boundless spring scenery beneath. Liang Ruojing, relying on touch, judged the Omega’s state.

Ming Tanqing looked up and, as if seeking revenge, bit down on Liang Ruojing’s chest: “If you keep being a fool, I’m going to sleep.”

Disliked again.

Liang Ruojing clasped Ming Tanqing’s waist with both hands, rolled over, and pulled her into her arms. She lowered her head, their noses brushing against each other, nuzzling her like a little puppy:

“Sister Tanqing, do you really not know how much charm you have? Anyone would become a fool.”

The Alpha’s gaze was intoxicated as she mumbled a kiss onto Ming Tanqing’s lips.

The elegant scent of lilies possessed a magic that clouded the mind.

As Liang Ruojing breathed it in, her heart expanded rapidly like a soaked sponge, pouring out many shameless compliments. Her palms felt the Omega’s trembling.

“Sister Tanqing, you’re so soft.”

“So hot.”

The overflowing sound of water in the surroundings amplified the magnetism of the Alpha’s voice. Ming Tanqing turned her head to bury her face in the pillow, her face and neck flushing a deep red: “…Stop talking.”

Liang Ruojing was truly unable to resist; her cheek pressed against Ming Tanqing’s side, feeling the scorching temperature.

She watched Ming Tanqing’s fluttering eyelashes for a moment and laughed softly: “Sister Tanqing, you’re going to kill me with your charm.”

Killing her with charm, yet still having to stage a “couple” publicity stunt with someone else.

Ming Tanqing was annoyed, but her lips were kissed once more. Their breaths intertwined, and their legs tangled together.

The sound of panting grew more intense.

Liang Ruojing widened her eyes, carving the image of Ming Tanqing’s defenseless posture into her heart.

The cool, distant eyes had lost their focus, the elegant demeanor was shattered, and the straight spine trembled physiologically. Ming Tanqing unconsciously opened her mouth, her ethereal voice swallowed by desire.

“Ngh…!”

“Ha—”

The Omega closed her eyes, her face reflecting a mix of languor and fatigue.

Liang Ruojing stroked her slowly, reluctant to leave and not yet having seen enough.

A few minutes later, after Ming Tanqing regained her breath, she looked over and collided with a pair of eager, puppy-like eyes.

She was truly amused and gave Liang Ruojing a shove: “Stop looking, you’re going cross-eyed.”

Was she?

In front of Ming Tanqing, Liang Ruojing was always lacking in cleverness.

After lingering together for a while, Liang Ruojing gently got up from the Omega. They had been pressed together for so long that her chest felt hot when she pulled away.

It was very late.

Liang Ruojing stood by the bed. Under the light, her abdomen glistened.

Ming Tanqing saw it too.

The Omega’s expression didn’t change much, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward slightly.

Liang Ruojing believed that Sister Tanqing felt possessive toward her—even if it was expressed in this manner.

While showering, Liang Ruojing’s heart simply could not settle down. Liu Lanshi’s question had opened a rift in her surging emotions.

As she washed, she laughed like a fool who had been completely enchanted by Ming Tanqing.

Liking her pheromones is still liking her.

Liking her body is still liking her.

Liking her technique is still liking her.

Liang Ruojing wasn’t one for internal conflict. Besides, they still had a lot of time.

Ming Tanqing had left her seat unusually yesterday afternoon, and many people had noticed. The phone calls inquiring about her health hadn’t stopped since then.

Most of them went to Qi Lin; those that Ming Tanqing actually answered were mostly from her closest friends.

Liang Ruojing stayed by her side, listening to one familiar name after another pop out of Tanqing’s mouth. It was like a roll call of historical figures in film history; Liang Ruojing recognized very few of them.

But there was a familiar name.

Lin Xiuzhu.

“The date is set?” Ming Tanqing responded. “Okay, I understand.”

Liang Ruojing asked, “What’s wrong?”

“The start date for The Pursuit of Revenge is set,” Ming Tanqing stood up to get some water. “Next Saturday.”

Less than a week left.

It had to be said that Liang Ruojing was somewhat excited. Since the Spring Festival break, although she had run many errands, her heart had always been tied to Han Jiahe.

Compared to the glitzy world outside, Liang Ruojing preferred the film set.

Ming Tanqing, being experienced, saw through Liang Ruojing’s state immediately. Recalling the invitation she had seen last time, she asked: “Is your next project confirmed?”

Liang Ruojing reported truthfully: One was the lead in a big-budget historical idol drama. The other was the fourth female lead in an art film.

Ming Tanqing raised an eyebrow, already forming a plan in her mind. Drinking the warm water in her glass, she comforted: “It’s okay, no rush.”

Liang Ruojing felt strangely comforted, even though she thought both options were quite good.

The heat period of an S-grade Omega can last 3–4 days. Temporary marking can alleviate the heat but cannot completely eliminate it. Not only does the person lack energy, but their dependence on the Alpha and their pheromones also increases significantly.

Moreover, Ming Tanqing’s situation was special. Fang Zezhi had instructed that it was best to stay by her side at all times, or at least within her sight.

After lunch, Ming Tanqing went to the study to handle studio emails.

Liang Ruojing was in the living room clearing the table, occasionally looking up to see the Omega focused on her work at the desk.

However, when Liang Ruojing looked up again, Ming Tanqing had already slumped over, sleeping soundly on the study desk.

Only during her heat would Sister Tanqing be this relaxed.

Liang Ruojing reached out a finger and gently poked the Omega’s cheek; the touch was just as soft as she had imagined.

Sensing the Alpha’s teasing in her sleep, Ming Tanqing furrowed her brows and let out a very soft, faint hum.

The desk was too hard, and sleeping there made it easy to catch a cold. Liang Ruojing carefully picked her up.

Ming Tanqing was woken up by the movement. She didn’t speak, but obediently wrapped her arms around the Alpha’s neck, her eyelids drooping as she fell back to sleep.

Liang Ruojing tucked her in and took out her phone, quietly snapping a photo of her sleeping face.

How can someone look good from every angle?

Taking advantage of this time, Liang Ruojing began to pack her luggage.

Upon opening the suitcase, the wooden box containing the soft hairpins appeared quietly before her.

The little blue flowers were still elegant. The winding thread seemed to be silk, creating beautiful shadows and light when moved slightly.

For some reason, Liang Ruojing suddenly hesitated about whether to give it away.

As the first gift for Sister Ming, shouldn’t it be more significant?

Thinking this over, Liang Ruojing put the soft hairpins back in the suitcase.

Her previous luggage was still at Baiyu, kept by Ming Tanqing in the storage room.

This was the first time Liang Ruojing had entered this room.

Although called a “storage room,” the interior was very tidy. The shelves were filled with many old items, including scripts Ming Tanqing had used and commemorative photos from film sets.

Liang Ruojing brought over a stool, sat down, and began flipping through the old photo albums like she was searching for treasure.

Liang Ruojing had such albums too; Liang Can and Su Jing had recorded her life up until she was 14. From a baby to a teenager who had finished differentiating, her childhood was fully preserved.

But in Ming Tanqing’s album, photos from her childhood were missing.

Liang Ruojing searched around and only saw one photo of Ming Tanqing as a child, about 5 years old, appearing to be at some sort of party.

Her “Little Sister Ming” was wearing a princess dress, her face cold. Her chubby cheeks already held a hint of her future cool and distant shadow.

Flipping further, all the photos were of Ming Tanqing on film sets. Liang Ruojing could easily name the corresponding movies as she looked through them.

She flipped another page, her heart skipping a beat. Her gaze stopped on one particular photo.

It was a candid shot. Ming Tanqing was playing the piano.

She was probably only 7 years old, wearing a light blue gauze dress, her fingers resting on a grand piano.

Liang Ruojing stared at this photo for a long time.

Could it be a staged photo? She didn’t remember Sister Ming ever playing a similar role.

The very next page showed a photo of Ming Tanqing holding a trophy.

Grand Prize of the Milan International Piano Competition.

Liang Ruojing felt her face burning up.

She had actually tried to “teach” a Grand Prize winner how to play the piano. She had even complimented her, saying she was “pretty good.”

Looking back, that night must have been Sister Ming giving her “face.”

And yet she had pushed her luck, insisting on showing off her mediocre playing skills. First playing Moonlight, then Chopin.

Sister Ming hadn’t pointed it out; she had just listened quietly. She even let herself be “guided.”

Liang Ruojing suddenly remembered what happened afterward.

…Sister Ming had taken the initiative to kiss her.

Before Liang Ruojing could ponder the deeper meaning, her phone rang. It was an unknown number.

Once connected, Liu Lanshi’s voice came through.

“Xiao Liang, is that you? I asked Sister Tang for your number.”

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

Liang Ruojing put the phone on speaker and placed it aside, continuing to flip through the photo album.

“I heard you’re in Yanjing. I wanted to invite you to dinner.”

Liang Ruojing was silent for a few seconds: “I’m sorry, I can’t go.”

Liu Lanshi laughed on the other end: “It’s not what you think. It’s a gathering of a few veterans from Guanghe. I want to introduce some directors to you. Didn’t you say you’ve been thinking about acting in movies recently? Connections are very important.”

Liang Ruojing was tempted. That was simply how the entertainment industry worked—one person leading another, slowly carving out a path.

“Roughly when?”

“The day after tomorrow. If you want to come, we can meet at the company and I’ll take you there.”

Seeing Liang Ruojing’s hesitation, Liu Lanshi added thoughtfully: “No rush, you can discuss it with your manager.”

After saying that, she added playfully: “And discuss it with your partner, too.”

Liang Ruojing hung up. After flipping through the album a bit longer, she suddenly heard a sound in the distance and quickly went to check.

Ming Tanqing was awake, sitting at the head of the bed in a daze. She looked languid, her eyelashes drooping, looking like she was in a bad mood.

Liang Ruojing habitually approached to offer care: “Dizzy again? I’ll go cut some fruit for you.”

Ming Tanqing didn’t respond. Her face was pale, and her expression was cold as frost.

Liang Ruojing’s heart tightened: “Or do you need a marking?”

The Alpha’s gaze remained fervent, her clear amber eyes reflecting only Ming Tanqing’s image.

Ming Tanqing lifted her eyelids and suddenly spoke:

“Liang Ruojing, I have been an actor for over 20 years. I have achieved some minor success. Every director and producer with a name in this industry—I know them all.”

Liang Ruojing was stunned.

What was going on?

Wasn’t that something everyone knew?

And besides, calling it “minor success”—Ming Tanqing had practically defined an era.

Ming Tanqing tilted her head back, her gaze meeting the Alpha’s.

The weariness of the heat period could not diminish her radiance in the slightest. Some people are simply brilliant by nature.

Just as Liang Ruojing was confused, Ming Tanqing spoke:

“Whomever you want to meet, I can take you.”

“Therefore, you are not allowed to go.”