Distance Formula - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

In the end, it wasn’t just the three of them who went back together. Hu Liyang and her assistant also joined them, but the assistant was quickly sent away. Hu Liyang was much like her on-screen persona; the Omega was indeed very attractive.

However, Bai Biqing was not interested.

The conversation among the four was sparse, mostly due to Su Shang’s drunken rambling. Su Yanshi sat in the passenger seat and occasionally looked back, always catching Hu Liyang’s gaze fixed on Bai Biqing.

She couldn’t pinpoint the feeling in her heart, only a sense of strangeness—Bai Biqing was very charismatic.

It was a fact she had to admit.

The Alpha turned her head away, just missing Bai Biqing’s look. As one of the people involved, how could Bai Biqing not sense the obvious attention next to her? She simply chose to ignore it and felt no need to engage.

The hotel was not far. Bai Biqing supported the already weak-legged Su Shang as they walked into the hotel. Su Yanshi and Hu Liyang followed behind. The Omega spoke in an overly clear small voice, her purpose obvious: “Is she an Alpha or a Beta?”

Su Yanshi: “She’s a Beta.”

She paused. “She’s a friend of Teacher Su; I know her too.”

“Oh—” Hu Liyang became excited, leaning in closer. “Don’t you think she’s especially beautiful? Totally my type.”

Su Yanshi couldn’t deny it, but she still frowned in confusion. Hu Liyang’s speed in liking someone was like flipping through photos; it seemed her affection was just a casual comment.

She wasn’t quite able to accept such a quick change of heart.

Just as she was about to speak, Bai Biqing interrupted her. Standing inside the elevator, facing the light, she asked, “Which floor?”

The question sounded more like a statement.

Hu Liyang quickly answered, “Both Yanshi and I live on the fifth floor.”

She stepped into the elevator and introduced herself openly. “I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Hu Liyang.”

Su Yanshi quietly held back her words and followed them in without offense. She wondered if it was her imagination, but she felt Bai Biqing’s gaze lingering on her after Hu Liyang finished speaking.

“Yanshi,” Bai Biqing repeated the name casually. She supported Su Shang, looking straight ahead. The cold metal surfaces of the elevator blurred her face and emotions, yet she remained gentle. “What a coincidence, I’m also on the fifth floor. Just call me ‘Bǎishí’ (Hundred Ten). I’ve seen your work.”

Hu Liyang’s eyes brightened. She asked with a smile, “Which one?”

Even Su Yanshi looked over curiously.

The elevator ascended quickly. Ding—the sound seemed to open something up. The hotel corridors were always dimly lit, stretching endlessly, which could be described as romantic or unsettling.

Bai Biqing’s footsteps were silent on the soft carpet. She replied just right, “The one you both starred in.”

The two instantly understood. Hu Liyang detected a different nuance. She teased, “Are you sure you weren’t just looking at me as a bonus?”

Su Yanshi patted her shoulder. “Of course not. Your performance was brilliant.”

“Stop flattering me!”

Bai Biqing’s eyes held a smile. She strode forward, carrying the person, unconcerned that Su Yanshi might fall behind. Hearing the comment, she deliberately turned her head, precisely catching the Alpha’s eyes. The meaning in her eyes was easy to guess.

So easy to guess that it choked the words Su Yanshi was about to say.

She was perplexed yet daringly speculating about that look, which seemed to say—Wasn’t it a bonus glance?

It was just a bonus glance.

Bai Biqing seemed to be silently conveying to her: Hu Liyang was just a supporting character who happened to appear. She only looks at the protagonist, only at Su Yanshi.

Under the dim, ambiguous light, Su Yanshi’s eyes trembled slightly, feeling inexplicably warm.

Bai Biqing let out an ambiguous soft laugh. She changed the subject. “It seems we live very close. Room 5120. I’m here.”

Su Yanshi looked at her own room card and murmured, “I’m next door to you.”

Hu Liyang sounded regretful. “Well, I’m much further away, 5018.”

The Beta swiped the door open. Before supporting Su Shang inside, she paused, revealing half her face as if addressing them both. “If I need help, I’ll knock. It’s late. You two should head back quickly. I’m going in now.”

Su Yanshi obediently agreed. Bai Biqing was satisfied with the response and closed the door.

Just as the door locked, Su Yanshi was grabbed by Hu Liyang. The Omega was unusually agitated. “Yanshi, can you give me her contact info?”

“This…” Su Yanshi was taken aback. She gently pulled free from Hu Liyang’s hand and refused directly. “No, you should ask her for it yourself. It’s not appropriate for me to give it out.”

“Okay.”

Hu Liyang wasn’t clingy. She quickly adjusted to the disappointment and then smiled. “Then I’m going back to my room. I have a sunrise scene to shoot tomorrow morning, so I’ll go to bed early. Good night.”

Su Yanshi: “Good night.”

She turned and went back to her room, closing the door and letting out a deep breath. Bai Biqing likely wouldn’t appreciate it, given she only gave a pen name.

And she only got the contact because the other person offered it.

The Beta on the other side of the wall had no idea about these things. She skillfully wiped Su Shang down, tucked her into bed, adjusted the room temperature—Shenhai City wasn’t too cold. Since this was her room, she unfortunately had to make do on the sofa for the night.

She smiled helplessly, placed a trash can by the bed, found clothes, and went into the bathroom.

The rising steam obscured the glass, making Bai Biqing’s figure appear indistinct. She stood under the shower, letting the water wash over her body. The Beta slicked back her hair, recalling the scene earlier.

“‘Yanshi’—called so casually.”

She wasn’t jealous, nor could she be. She just felt that Su Yanshi’s reaction was subtly different when Hu Liyang used the name compared to when she used it.

She drew a mark on the glass door with her fingertip. “Su Yanshi, I haven’t done anything yet, but it looks like she’s already falling for it.”

Bai Biqing wiped the water from her face. “No rush. We have time to strive for the desired outcome.”

Her eyes deepened for a moment. She turned off the shower, dried herself, and walked out. She checked her phone for the time; it was almost ten. A room with drawn curtains always felt a little different. Bai Biqing couldn’t quite describe the feeling. She suddenly felt sleepy.

This drowsiness came without warning, even threatening to overwhelm her. Bai Biqing lay on the sofa, sighed, and opened her messaging app, finding a message from Su Yanshi sent about ten minutes ago.

Teacher Bai, are you busy?

It seemed like an awkward way to start a conversation, using a clumsy excuse, yet it was always effective.

Bai Biqing typed: Not yet asleep? Your black hair suits you very well.

Su Yanshi replied quickly: I think so too.

Starting filming tomorrow, right? Aren’t you going to sleep?

I am. I have a sunrise scene tomorrow, so I have to get up very early /shrug.jpg.

Bai Biqing could feel Su Yanshi’s reluctance to work through the screen. How could someone love acting yet truly hate the idea of going to work?

She couldn’t help but laugh: It is very early.

Her finger paused, and she continued typing: Let’s watch it together. I’ve never seen the sunrise in Shenhai City. I’m looking forward to it.

Are you coming to watch me film? Isn’t that too early? I should go to sleep now, then.

Bai Biqing exhaled, her drowsiness intensifying: Good night, then.

It was the same frequency. A few seconds later, she heard the ding—sound: Good night, Teacher Bai.

Bai Biqing turned over and whispered, “So polite.”

Before long, a steady breathing sound could be heard from both rooms, one after another, carried by the Shenhai wind and the moon.

Sunrise in Shenhai was around 5:40 AM. Bai Biqing woke up naturally at 4:30 AM without an alarm. She sat on the sofa to clear her head. Turning around, she saw Su Shang sitting in bed, disheveled. She gasped, “You’re awake? Headache?”

Su Shang shook her head calmly. “I suddenly feel like it wasn’t worth it.”

“What wasn’t?”

“Getting drunk over a jerk. I need to find an Alpha to soothe my wounded soul!”

Bai Biqing: “…”

She sighed and rubbed her forehead, then got up and mercilessly dragged the person away. “Go take a shower, my dear Miss Su. You’re no longer a fragrant Omega; you’re an… O-mega reeking of alcohol.”

Su Shang still had something to say. She quickly blocked the door. “My head hurts.”

“Go back yourself, or should I throw you back?”

The Omega looked at her heartbrokenly. “What a cruel woman. Speaking of which, why are you up so early?”

Bai Biqing: “Why are you up so early?”

Su Shang smiled shyly. “Bathroom.”

Bai Biqing: “…”

“I’m going with Su Yanshi. She’s filming a sunrise scene this morning, right? I’m going to watch. I’m quite familiar with the director of this film.”

Without waiting for a response, she forcefully closed the door, not forgetting to add, “Less gossip, or I’ll make sure you can’t find your dream Alpha.”

Su Shang suddenly grew indignant. She pointed at the closed door, shaking, and squeezed out a sentence: “…She’s got the nerve.”

The Omega turned and marched back to her room to wallow in sorrow.

Bai Biqing quickly washed up and put on a casual outfit. She opened her phone and sent Su Yanshi a message: Morning.

Ding.

I’m downstairs, Teacher Bai. Are you coming down?

She replied one-handed, carrying a jacket draped over her other arm: Wait for me.

Okay.

Bai Biqing’s expression softened. She strode downstairs. The first thing she saw was Su Yanshi sitting on the sofa… and Hu Liyang.

They were sitting close, seemingly discussing the script.

The Beta didn’t soften her footsteps. There were quite a few people in the hotel lobby, clearly crew members. She walked straight over and asked, “Not heading to the set?”

Su Yanshi looked up and smiled with her eyes: “Waiting for you. The director heard you were coming and asked us to wait.”

Bai Biqing chuckled. “If I delayed things, wouldn’t I be the culprit?”

“No, the makeup and hair today are simple, and the filming location is only five minutes away.” Su Yanshi stood up, looking at her formally.

Hu Liyang was also watching intently.

“Let’s go then.”

Bai Biqing ignored the stares and continued talking to Su Yanshi.

Her distant attitude was quite obvious. Hu Liyang was no fool; how could she not understand? Yet, she still dared to ask, “Teacher Bǎishí, can we exchange contact information?”

Bai Biqing stopped walking. She turned to face Hu Liyang, even her rejection was earnest: “Sorry.”

The Omega looked disappointed and lowered her head. “Okay.”

Su Yanshi sensed the awkward atmosphere and appropriately pulled Hu Liyang along. “Let’s go. We have filming today.”

Bai Biqing followed a short distance behind them, her expression calm.

The set was indeed nearby. The two leads were immediately taken away for makeup after getting out of the car. Bai Biqing casually approached the director. “Uncle Liu.”

Director Liu patted the chair next to him affectionately. “Here to see Su Yanshi?”

She didn’t hide it. “Mhm.”

Director Liu clicked his tongue in wonder. “Rare sight. You like her?”

Bai Biqing hesitated, then turned her head and just smiled. Director Liu understood immediately. He said, “Little Su is a good person. She didn’t even bring an assistant this time. I’m not sure why.”

“Is that so?” Bai Biqing lowered her head and pursed her lips. “I thought you’d warn me about how celebrities shouldn’t date. But I don’t even know if this matter is settled yet.”

Director Liu snorted a laugh. “I’m old; I don’t understand these things. I just know how to make movies.”

“You really do.”

A slight commotion came from a distance. Bai Biqing languidly lifted her eyelids and saw the Alpha in costume. She wore a somewhat sheer white long-sleeved top, very loose-fitting, and her pants were wide below the knee. Her whole outfit was extremely casual.

Her gaze slowly moved up. Su Yanshi wore minimal makeup, simply sporting frameless glasses, with her hair casually tied back. Her presence suddenly became gentle, even her eyes seemed soft. It felt like a delusion, but she thought the Alpha carried a very faint sense of cool detachment at that moment.

Bai Biqing once again confirmed what she had said before, even if Su Yanshi hadn’t acted yet.

She was born for acting.

Bai Biqing didn’t move her head, keeping her eyes on Su Yanshi. She wasn’t scrutinizing, just simply watching. She asked, “What are they filming?”

Director Liu chuckled. He said casually, “Tentatively, it’s the scene where the two characters first meet, and their first kiss scene.”

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