Everyone Loves the Alpha, But He’s Not Interested [Transmigration] - Chapter 28

On the coffee table was a menu. Yu Qingxue called room service and placed their order. Less than ten minutes later, a staff member rang the doorbell and wheeled in the food they had ordered.

After lunch, Ning Xi went back to her bedroom to organize her things. Once she finished, she finally remembered to check the message from Ren Rong.

Ren Rong: Miss Ning, the first scene is scheduled for nine tonight. Director Jiang said we’re filming Scene Thirty-Six. You can start getting familiar with it.

Ning Xi: Got it. Thank you.

Ning Xi pulled out her script and flipped to Scene Thirty-Six.

It turned out to be an intimate scene.

Usually, if the first scene of a production goes well, it sets a good tone for the rest of the filming. Choosing an intimate scene as the very first one felt risky. Didn’t Director Jiang worry that there might be a lack of chemistry between her and the second female lead, making the scene fall flat?

Ning Xi already knew the script inside out. She began visualizing the expressions and actions required for the scene, but the image of the second female lead in her mind remained vague and undefined.

Without a clear person to play against, it was hard to imagine how she should perform.

She decided it would be better to wait and meet the actress playing the role at the opening ceremony.

Director Jiang would surely arrange time for them to build some rapport.

At one thirty in the afternoon, Ning Xi and Yu Qingxue went down to the hotel lobby for the scheduled meeting. The main cast would travel together by bus to the film set for the opening ceremony.

Yu Qingxue and Ning Xi sat in the front row near the door. After the bus started moving, Director Jiang turned around from the passenger seat and asked, “Ning Xi, you know what scene we’re filming tonight, right?”

Ning Xi noticed the teasing glint in his eyes but kept her expression calm. “Ren Rong told me. Scene Thirty-Six.”

Director Jiang had assumed that Ning Xi was still a student, recently differentiated, probably inexperienced and easily flustered. He had expected her to blush when he brought it up.

To his surprise, she answered so calmly that he immediately lost interest in teasing her further.

Yu Qingxue turned to Ning Xi and said, “Scene Thirty-Six… that’s a water scene, right? Let me see your script.”

Ning Xi handed it over. “Originally it was. But during the script reading, Director Jiang felt the emotional tension in the dialogue wasn’t strong enough, so he asked the screenwriter, Yang Huai, to revise it.”

Yu Qingxue had not seen the updated version of the script since the revisions were made after the group reading. Curious, she flipped to Scene Thirty-Six.

The beginning lines were still the same, but the middle suddenly shifted. The scene had turned into a passionate encounter between the two leads.

Yu Qingxue blinked. “We’re filming this as the first scene?”

If it weren’t for all the actors sitting behind her, she would have liked to tug Jiang Yuanxin’s ear and ask why he didn’t mention this change.

Ning Xi nodded. “Director Jiang said we’re starting with this one.”

She glanced back at the other passengers on the bus, scanning each face. Most of them were familiar, having attended the script reading. There were no unfamiliar faces.

Yu Qingxue closed the script and also looked back with her. “What are you looking for?”

“I was trying to see if the second female lead is on the bus,” Ning Xi replied.

Yu Qingxue’s gaze shifted away as she spoke, “Of course she’s here. How could the opening ceremony go on without the second lead?” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she spoke.

“Where? I didn’t see her.” Ning Xi was certain she had looked at every person on board. All of them were actors she had seen at the reading.

Right in front of you, Yu Qingxue thought to herself.

“Don’t worry. You’ll know once we get to the set.”

Originally, the role of the second female lead wasn’t meant for Yu Qingxue but for a popular young actress.

That actress had recently risen to fame and developed a proud attitude. Her team made many demands. After reading the script, she repeatedly asked to have more screen time and requested that kissing or intimate scenes be removed, claiming they would ruin her innocent image.

Director Jiang rejected all her demands. The actress didn’t say much at first, but during contract signing, she suddenly demanded either more scenes or double the payment. Otherwise, she wouldn’t sign.

Director Jiang was furious. He said her acting wasn’t even that great, yet her attitude was unbearable. He then encouraged Yu Qingxue to take on the role herself.

Yu Qingxue had already left the industry and didn’t plan to return. But after she personally auditioned Ning Xi, a student recommended by her friend Fang Huailian, she became interested. After much thought, she changed her mind and decided to play the second female lead, Dong Lingxue.

That night, she would be filming an intimate scene with Ning Xi.

By the time they arrived at the set, the opening ceremony site had already been arranged. Director Jiang had hired a professional photographer to capture photos of the cast, aiming to make them look even better than they did in person.

When the scheduled time arrived, Director Jiang stood to the left. Ning Xi and Yu Qingxue stood in the center. Everyone received three sticks of incense and bowed three times in front of the sacrificial offering.

After the ritual, a sudden thought crossed Ning Xi’s mind. She turned to Yu Qingxue and asked, “President Yu, you’re not playing the second female lead, are you?”

The autumn sunlight was warm and bright. Yu Qingxue’s skin looked pale and flawless, almost glowing. Her light-colored eyes shimmered like glass under the sun.

“Yes. It’s me,” she said.

Ning Xi paused. So the second female lead she would be filming an intimate scene with tonight was actually Yu Qingxue?

She had considered the possibility back on the bus but kept dismissing the idea.

She had planned to become good friends with Yu Qingxue. Acting in the same movie was fine, but having intimate scenes with her was a different matter.

Ning Xi was a method actor. While working on a project, she stayed fully immersed in the emotional state of her character until the film wrapped.

Because of a suppressor that dulled her own romantic or physical urges, she could exit her roles quickly once filming ended. However, her co-stars were not always so lucky.

Her performances were so realistic that co-actors often found themselves drawn in without realizing it. After their roles ended, it could take three to six months for them to emotionally detach. When they saw Ning Xi again, they usually acted distant, afraid of falling into the same trap.

Ning Xi wasn’t even close friends with Yu Qingxue yet. She didn’t want one scene to ruin the chance to build a real friendship.

After the ceremony, the entire cast and crew posed for a group photo. Director Jiang selected a retouched version and uploaded it to the film’s official Weibo account.

“Ask the Demon” Official Weibo:
Filming has officially begun. Wishing us all the best. Our leads are all incredibly talented.
Feng Yunyuan played by @Ning Xi, Dong Lingxue played by @Yu Qingxue, Hu Xiaohan played by @Wei Nian, Shan Lian played by @Wang You…

Yu Qingxue reposted it immediately.

Yu Qingxue:
This is my first drama since returning to acting. I hope you all support us.
Repost from @AskTheDemonOfficial: Filming has officially begun…

Her three hundred million followers, who had not seen any activity from her in years, were instantly thrown into celebration. The unexpected news of Yu Qingxue’s comeback sent fans into a frenzy. The once-quiet “Ask the Demon” official Weibo account suddenly exploded in popularity, gaining thousands of followers within minutes. The hashtag #YuQingxueReturns quickly shot to the top of the trending list. As a result, the fan count on the show’s official page began growing at a geometric rate.

While celebrating Yu Qingxue’s return, fans also started to notice the striking woman standing beside her in the group photo.

ZhangFeiDoesntEatIce:
Three minutes. I need all the details about the Alpha standing next to Yu Yu. Right now.

NextDoorCushion:
That actress next to Yu Yu is absolutely stunning. So tall. Definitely an Alpha. And she looks just as dazzling next to our Omega goddess @Yu Qingxue. They look perfect together.

MorningMist:
Help. I think I just found a new couple to ship. This is the first time I’ve ever seen an Alpha who matches our Yu Yu so well. I’m actually tearing up.

Soon, the hashtag #MostBeautifulAlpha climbed right behind #YuQingxueReturns and began trending as well.

Director Jiang Yuanxin could not stop grinning as he stared at the trending posts on his phone. He turned to his assistant and said, “With Ning Xi and Qingxue in this drama, there is no way ‘Ask the Demon’ won’t go viral.”

Since period dramas usually take longer to apply makeup, Ning Xi and Yu Qingxue were brought to the makeup room after the ceremony for hair and styling.

When the two stylists stepped out to collect wigs, only Ning Xi and Yu Qingxue remained in the room.

Yu Qingxue noticed the silence. She turned her head slightly and saw that Ning Xi’s lips were pressed into a firm line. Her expression looked serious and a bit troubled. Surprised, Yu Qingxue asked gently, “Ning Xi, what’s wrong?”

Ning Xi looked at her and let out a deep breath. Her dark eyes were filled with hesitation and inner conflict.

“President Yu, I really don’t know how to say this,” she said slowly.

Yu Qingxue felt her heart skip a beat. “Just tell me,” she replied.

Ning Xi hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’m afraid you might get emotionally attached because of me during filming. I’ve had something like this happen before.”

She explained that during a school play, her scene partner became too immersed in the role due to the intense emotions in their scenes. After the play ended, the other actor had a hard time moving on, and their relationship eventually faded into awkward silence.

Yu Qingxue relaxed a little after hearing that. “I thought something serious had happened. So you’re just worried I might get too into character?”

She smiled with confidence. “I’ve been acting for many years. I’ve never had a problem separating myself from a role, not even in the film that won me Best Actress at an international award ceremony.”

Ning Xi said calmly, “Once filming starts, I fully stay in character until the very end. I am only worried that might interfere with your personal life.”

Yu Qingxue thought to herself, Whether I get into the role or not, I already like you. It makes no difference.

She said aloud, “It won’t affect me. I’m confident I can stay clear-headed during breaks and won’t be confused by your performance.”

You confuse me even when you’re not acting, she silently added.

Yu Qingxue’s calm tone helped ease Ning Xi’s quiet anxiety.

Soon, the stylists returned with wigs and started working on their makeup and hair.

It took about two and a half hours to complete their styling. After that, the two actresses changed into costume. A staff member came to inform them that it was time to take their character photos.

By the time the photo session ended, it was already six thirty in the evening. There were still two and a half hours before filming would officially begin.

Director Jiang Yuanxin seemed completely relaxed. He stood behind the editor, watching as the photos of Ning Xi and Yu Qingxue were retouched. He kept making comments and giving advice, to the point where the editor was almost tempted to chase him out of the room.

At seven o’clock, the editing was finally done. Director Jiang, holding his phone, walked over with a wide grin on his face.

“Take a look at these. Once these go up online, they’re going to blow up instantly. These photos are definitely going to cause a stir.”

“Everyone will be asking the same thing I did. How can there be such a perfect Alpha and Omega pair in real life?” He laughed and said, “I’m posting them on the ‘Ask the Demon’ official account now. You both need to share it right away. Especially you, Ning Xi. Most people don’t know who you are yet. After reposting, make a separate post and introduce yourself as the female lead of the show.”

“Got it, Director Jiang.”

But Ning Xi was more focused on the performance than the publicity.

“Director Jiang, I’d like to rehearse with President Yu. Could you help us find somewhere private and quiet?”

“Nervous about your first intimate scene?” he teased with a chuckle. “Don’t worry. I already had someone prepare a spot for you two. It’s completely quiet, and no one will bother you. You can rehearse all you want.”

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