Beta on the Run: Mr. CEO, Take it Easy! - Chapter 12

Following the exposure of the recording between Wen Ran and Chi Xinglan, public opinion online began to ferment. Wen Ran’s fans were at the forefront of the backlash.

Over the years, Wen Ran’s team had utilized tie-in marketing with Liang Xiao, making countless subtle references to a “romance” in public settings. This led many fans to ship them as a “childhood sweethearts” couple. Consequently, when the recording leaked, the fans were furious. They believed someone was deliberately sabotaging the relationship between Wen Ran and Liang Xiao.

The situation reached a boiling point when a fan edited a clip of Wen Ran from a recent dating variety show:

“Things like this happen around me, which makes me realize how precious childhood sweetheart relationships are. I don’t want any third party intervening.”

This ambiguous statement prompted many fans to point their fingers directly at the other person in the recording: he was the one “intervening” in Wen Ran and Liang Xiao’s relationship.

However, Wen Ran’s past social media posts about his daily life and his interviews always made it seem like his relationship with Liang Xiao was stable. It didn’t look like there was room for an interloper. Most people had previously dismissed any rumors as typical wealthy-family drama, so the news hadn’t made waves until this recording surfaced.

• [Have you guys seen the latest tea?]
• [Are you talking about the scandal between Top Star W and CEO L?]
• [“Scandal” might not be the right word. It’s more like Top Star W is a compulsive liar. Turns out CEO L already has a partner.]
• [I love your take, but you better close your DMs!]
• [That’s not right. The recording says: “You’re overthinking it, Liang Xiao doesn’t like me.” My guess is Wen Ran questioned him and got shut down.]
• [I just want to know if they were ever actually together. Was the childhood sweetheart marketing all a lie?]
• [But their daily interactions are so sweet. You can’t fake all of that, can you?]
• [Fun fact: So far, no media outlet has ever captured a sweet moment between them. It’s all fan imagination.]
• [What do you mean? Weren’t they caught staying at the same hotel recently?]
• [I once stayed in the same hotel as a big star. Does that mean we’re in a relationship too?]
• [Emm… has no one ever followed financial news?]
• [Huh? Why would I watch financial reports?]
• [I think you should look at the early interviews. Search for Liang Xiao. A reporter once asked him personal questions about his love life, and he gave a direct answer.]

A helpful user posted a link to the interview:

Reporter: “Is it true that families like yours eventually choose a suitable business partner for an arranged marriage?”

Liang Xiao: “My career is stable. I don’t need to sacrifice my marriage. I will choose the person I love to spend my life with.”

Reporter: “You sound like you already have someone in mind. Would you care to tell us?”

Liang Xiao: “There is someone I am pursuing, but we aren’t together yet.”

Reporter: “With your charm, you haven’t succeeded yet? Is this person also in your circles?”

Liang Xiao: “No, he is just an ordinary person.”

• [Holy crap! That’s a huge revelation!]
• [Just came back from watching it. That interview was five years ago.]
• [That doesn’t prove anything. It was five years ago. Who knows how many boyfriends Liang Xiao has had since then?]
• [Exactly. Ran-bao only started dating Liang Xiao in the last two years. Maybe Liang Xiao liked an outsider back then, but what’s the problem if he’s with Ran-bao now?]
• [Oh, so first you bragged that Liang Xiao only ever loved your Ran-bao, and now it’s okay that he’s had many exes?]
• [Please, Liang Xiao is an Alpha and a billionaire. It’s normal to have a few relationships. In the end, he’ll still be with our Ran-bao.]
• [Classic. Just classic.]

Beyond the online frenzy, real life was starting to affect Chi Xinglan. Unlike before, when he stayed at home and lived in his own little world, he was now on a film set interacting with dozens of people daily. No matter where he went, he felt gossiping eyes following him.

Wen Ran’s scenes were finished, and he had left the set after the wrap party the previous night. However, Chi Xinglan still had a few days of wrap-up work.

Even before the scandal, staff members—especially in the Art Department—had sensed the tension between them. They had assumed it was a minor misunderstanding, but now they understood why Chi Xinglan received special treatment and why the higher-ups insisted they cooperate with his arrangements. They had even seen Secretary Yang pick up Chi Xinglan personally, treating him with a level of respect that didn’t fit a typical boss-subordinate dynamic. After all, Secretary Yang was a high-ranking executive himself.

No wonder there was friction. Everything left a trail.

When the catering truck arrived today, someone asked casually, “Brother, who sent this? Why isn’t there an actor’s name on it?”

The worker looked at him strangely. It wasn’t the first time he had delivered food; he never wrote a name on it.

The man smiled shyly. “I’m new here and not familiar with the rules. Please bear with me.”

The worker grunted. “Ordered by CEO Liang.”

“Don’t catering trucks usually say which actor they are for?” the man probed.

The worker shot him a look. “It’s an employee benefit. If you’re not eating, get out of the way. Next!”

The man pursed his lips. He was actually an entertainment reporter who had snuck in as an extra. He hadn’t expected the crew to be so tight-lipped. No matter who he asked, they remained silent. Soon enough, security identified him as suspicious and kicked him out.

Tonight, was the final wrap party. Chi Xinglan hadn’t wanted to go; given the recent events, he didn’t want to be in a crowd or provide more fuel for gossip. However, the director insisted he stay, likely to discuss future projects.

The party was held at a hotel owned by Liang Xiao. As an investor, the question wasn’t whether Liang Xiao would come, but whether the crew could successfully invite him. Chi Xinglan was certain Liang Xiao wouldn’t show up because he was too busy.

But the next second, Liang Xiao appeared at the entrance, making a grand, attention-grabbing entrance.

Chi Xinglan glanced at him from a corner and muttered under his breath, “Show-off.”

When Liang Xiao’s gaze swept over, Chi Xinglan quickly lowered his head. He was already trending too much; he needed to keep his distance to avoid more rumors.

As Chi Xinglan focused on his food, a staff member came by to pour him a drink. Before he could speak, Xiao Lin intercepted. “Sorry, Brother Chi isn’t feeling well today. He can’t drink.”

Xiao Lin swapped the wine for juice.

“How did you know I don’t like alcohol?” Chi Xinglan asked, surprised. He hated the smell of alcohol and anything bitter, including coffee. He didn’t recall telling Xiao Lin this.

Xiao Lin froze, unable to give a straight answer. Ever since he suspected Chi Xinglan was pregnant, he had been extra careful with his diet, especially regarding stimulants. He had even customized a meal plan for Chi Xinglan based on what his own Omega sister-in-law ate during her pregnancy.

He needed to find a chance to tell Chi Xinglan to go to the hospital for a check-up. He had hesitated to report this to the big boss because he had overheard the conversation in the restroom between Chi Xinglan and Wen Ran. Chi Xinglan had been kind to him, and they had worked well together. Since it seemed Chi Xinglan didn’t intend to continue the relationship with Liang Xiao, Xiao Lin chose not to speak up.

Just as he was debating how to bring it up, a commotion broke out. Seeing the change in people’s expressions, Chi Xinglan asked anxiously, “What’s going on?”

Xiao Lin frowned and stood up. “I’ll go check.”

Staff began evacuating the crowd. A few minutes later, Xiao Lin ran back, looking serious. “Brother Chi, we have to go. It looks like an Omega has suddenly entered heat. A lot of Omegas and Alphas nearby are being affected.”

An Omega going into heat in a public place was no small matter. For safety, it was best to leave immediately.

Chi Xinglan glanced toward Liang Xiao. The chaos seemed to be centered exactly where he was. Liang Xiao’s rut was supposed to be in a few days; if he was affected by an Omega’s pheromones now…

No, he had to find Liang Xiao!

Chi Xinglan stood up abruptly and moved toward the center of the room.

“Brother Chi!” Xiao Lin called out, squeezing through the crowd to follow him.

The lead actors’ table was a mess. Wen Ran was there, his face flushed, clutching Liang Xiao’s hand with a glazed expression. He had been on the verge of his heat cycle and had taken suppressants before coming out, but being near another Omega in heat had triggered his own cycle prematurely.

Due to their high pheromone compatibility, he could smell Liang Xiao’s scent. Driven by instinct, he clung to Liang Xiao, seeking relief.

Liang Xiao tried to shake him off, but Wen Ran clung to him tightly. Because it was a private wrap party, there were no bodyguards inside, and most people present were Alphas. The moment Wen Ran went into heat, those Alphas began to stir.

They were all being influenced, and Liang Xiao was no exception, especially with such high compatibility. Even if the Omega hadn’t been Wen Ran, Liang Xiao couldn’t simply walk away. If he left Wen Ran there, the surrounding Alphas might lose control instantly. He could only call the hospital while trying to keep Wen Ran safe.

Chi Xinglan stood at a distance, watching the scene coldly.

Xiao Lin reached him and tugged gently on his sleeve. “Brother Chi, let’s go.”

Chi Xinglan gave a quiet affirmation.

He turned and left without looking back.

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