I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 53

When someone’s high on shipping CPs, don’t bother trying to talk sense into them. No one can. Only when they finally sober up will they realize they’ve fallen straight into the trap of being a professional fangirl.

Slow-motion video clips, paired with a romantic soundtrack, can turn even a hostile glare between sworn enemies—who clearly want to kill each other—into a tragic case of “love that cannot be.”

Still, shipping CPs is supposed to be fun. Though once the illusion breaks, most of the time all that’s left is a mess.

For now, Qi Yunwei decided it was best not to shatter Yan Zui’s beautiful little fantasy.

After all, with her around, Qiao Haiyue didn’t stand a chance of getting close to Yan Zui.

Even in the novel, if Yan Zui hadn’t been drunk and drowning her sorrows, there’s no way Qiao Haiyue’s delicate little frame could have done anything to her.

After lunch, the two of them rested for a while, then changed into swimsuits and headed to the beach.

To ensure safety, a section of the sea had been cordoned off for swimming. As long as they stayed within that boundary, there was little danger.

Qi Yunwei put on the bikini Yan Zui had chosen for her, draped a sheer cover-up over her shoulders, and stepped out of the villa.

Yan Zui, quicker at changing, was already playing in the shallows.

Qi Yunwei wore white, while Yan Zui had on a black dress-style swimsuit. The satin-like fabric shimmered softly under the sunlight, setting off her skin—white as snow.

The moment Qi Yunwei saw her, her head went slightly dizzy.

Though she had put on plenty of sunscreen, the sun still felt too scorching, heating her face until her cheeks turned red.

Placing a hand against her chest, she walked toward Yan Zui.

Yan Zui was crouched down, trailing her hand in the water, unaware of the approaching footsteps muffled by soft sand. Qi Yunwei bent down, scooped a handful of water, splashed it on Yan Zui’s back, and dashed away.

Startled by the cold splash, Yan Zui turned just in time to see Qi Yunwei running, and instantly stood to give chase.

Although Qi Yunwei’s stamina had greatly improved over the past month of training, she was still no match for Yan Zui, who worked out year-round. Yan Zui quickly caught up, grabbed her wrist, and tugged her into the sea.

The seawater, cool even under the blazing sun, splashed around them. Laughing, Qi Yunwei turned and bent down to splash Yan Zui back. Yan Zui shielded her face, then crouched suddenly, seized Qi Yunwei’s hand, and pulled her down.

Qi Yunwei landed in the water with a splash, droplets clinging to her hair, face, and skin. Pushing her wet hair back, she looked at Yan Zui with a radiant smile.

In the sparkling sea, her smile outshone the sun.

Yan Zui froze for a moment. She had been too focused on “revenge” to look at her closely. Now, seeing Qi Yunwei in the swimsuit she’d picked out, her long legs hidden by water, her chest veiled by the sheer, soaked fabric, remembering how Qi Yunwei had slept pressed against her every night, Yan Zui’s face flushed scarlet.

She quickly stood, turned her back, and walked off, her voice sharp and cold: “Childish.”

But in truth, her imagination had gotten the better of her, leaving her whole body tinged with shyness. Her long, dark lashes lowered, hiding the embarrassment in her clear blue eyes.

Qi Yunwei got up to chase after her, though still tired from earlier, her steps slow.

Fortunately, the private beach only stretched so far—beyond it was someone else’s territory. Qi Yunwei wasn’t worried about losing sight of her.

Sure enough, Yan Zui only walked a few steps before circling back.

Qi Yunwei chuckled. “I don’t have as much strength as you. Shouldn’t I be the one running? Why were you the one fleeing?”

Yan Zui, now back to normal, still didn’t dare look at her. Fixing her eyes on the sea, she said, “I was afraid I’d lose control of my strength and hurt your Alpha pride.”

Qi Yunwei widened her eyes in mock surprise. “Alpha pride? What’s that? Do I have one?”

Yan Zui kept her gaze averted. “Weren’t we here to swim? I’m not fooling around with you.”

She waded deeper into the waves. Qi Yunwei tossed her cover-up aside, grabbed a float, and followed with a grin. “I’m coming too.”

They played in the sea until they were both utterly exhausted before dragging themselves back onto the beach.

After resting on a lounge chair for a while, Qi Yunwei finally got up to shower. Passing by Yan Zui, who was still lying down, she poked her lightly on the leg. “Time to get up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Yan Zui’s lashes fluttered, her eyes still closed in drowsiness. “Sleeping Beauty doesn’t wake just because someone calls. She wakes with a kiss.”

“Want me to kiss you awake then?” Qi Yunwei crouched, brushing a fingertip over her pale ear.

Lost in half-sleep, Yan Zui had no idea what she was saying. “Kiss away.”

Qi Yunwei’s gaze dropped instinctively to her lips, a spark flickering in her chest. “You mean it?”

“Mm.” Yan Zui frowned slightly, still with her eyes closed. Qi Yunwei was being noisy. If she wanted to kiss, just do it already.

The humid, salty air grew warmer as Qi Yunwei leaned closer. “Sleeping Beauty, awake yet?”

Her whisper brushed Yan Zui’s ear, followed by the sensation of something warm and soft pressing against her lips. Yan Zui’s foggy mind snapped awake. Eyes flying open, the first thing she saw was Qi Yunwei’s smiling gaze. Pushing her away, Yan Zui sat up—only then realizing it had been Qi Yunwei’s fingertip on her lips.

Her racing heart calmed slightly. With a frosty look, Yan Zui said, “Boring.” She stood and walked back toward the villa.

Qi Yunwei picked up her float and sandy cover-up, trailing after her with a grin. “I fooled you, didn’t I?”

“No.” Yan Zui yawned, her voice languid. “Just too tired. Didn’t want to move, but couldn’t fall asleep either.”

Qi Yunwei’s smile faded with concern. Walking backwards to face her, she studied her expression. “Do you usually get insomnia when you vacation here?”

“Never.”

“Then, is it because of me?” Qi Yunwei’s brows furrowed slightly.

Yan Zui lifted her gaze to her, but said nothing.

Her thoughts, however, whispered: Not too dumb after all. Since you’ve guessed it, why don’t you offer to sleep beside me?

“Is it because I’m here that you can’t sleep? If so, I can”

“Move out?” Yan Zui snapped, displeased.

So much for praising her.

Qi Yunwei brushed a hand through Yan Zui’s damp hair. “I’m teasing. I’m not moving out.”

“Then why can’t you sleep?” Qi Yunwei pressed, worry in her voice.

There she goes again. Yan Zui couldn’t decide if Qi Yunwei was clever or foolish.

“No reason. Maybe I’ll fall asleep tonight.” Yan Zui muttered.

With that, she avoided her and strode quickly into the villa.

At dinner, Qiao Haiyue sent Yan Zui a message, saying she felt lonely eating by herself and wanted to join them. Yan Zui asked Qi Yunwei’s opinion.

“You only like Qiao Haiyue when she’s with Peng Xueyu. Alone, what’s there to see? Don’t let her disturb us. Besides, the butler only prepared food for two. If she comes, it’ll trouble her.”

Finding Qi Yunwei’s reasoning sound, Yan Zui refused Qiao Haiyue. But under her repeated pleas, she agreed to watch The Legend of Boling together on the beach tomorrow night.

Qi Yunwei: “…”

Actresses are truly difficult to handle.

So Qi Yunwei suggested, “Since so many people ship Haiyue Xueyu, why not create a variety show with Qiao Haiyue and Peng Xueyu? It’d make money and satisfy CP fans like you. Win-win.”

Keeping Qiao Haiyue busy meant she’d have no time to cling to Yan Zui.

Yan Zui thought it over, nodded approvingly, and immediately called the film company’s director. She laid out her plan. “Don’t worry about Haiyue. I can persuade her. The real issue is Peng Xueyu.”

“President Yan, if you can get Qiao Haiyue on board, I’ll handle Peng Xueyu. Leave it to me.”

After hanging up, Yan Zui glanced at Qi Yunwei. “You seem to know a lot about the entertainment industry.”

Resting her chin in her hand, Qi Yunwei replied with a sigh, “Who hasn’t chased stars and shipped CPs in their youth?”

Her tone carried wistfulness.

After a pause, Yan Zui asked sympathetically, “Did the CP you shipped break up?”

“No,” Qi Yunwei said. “Mine was real.”

At least, before she fell into this book, it had been real—real enough to get married.

“Then why insist Qiao Haiyue and Peng Xueyu are fake?” Yan Zui frowned, displeased.

Qi Yunwei: “…” Because I read the novel.

But she couldn’t say that.

“In my book, if there’s no marriage certificate, it’s fake.”

“That’s why I told you to give them opportunities,” Qi Yunwei explained. “Professional actors don’t usually fall for each other during filming. Most feelings spark during joint promotions. But right when the drama aired, Qiao Haiyue went on vacation, leaving only Peng Xueyu to work tirelessly on promotion. How could sparks fly that way?”

Just this morning, Peng Xueyu had trended online for promoting The Legend of Boling during a livestream.

Yan Zui rarely bothered with the film company’s affairs, and when she was a CP fan, she hadn’t thought much about it. But now, realization dawned. She immediately called the director again.

“Why is Qiao Haiyue on vacation right now? The drama hasn’t even finished airing, and this is the crucial promotion period. Yan Entertainment is the biggest investor and her management company. How could you let her take time off?”

The director nearly wept. “President Yan, my hands are tied. Her manager, Jo Anna—her aunt—insisted her niece needed a week’s rest and flat-out refused to cooperate. The producer’s furious, pestering me every day. I can’t do a thing.”

Yan Zui recalled what Qiao Haiyue had said that morning. “She claimed she’s joining a new production in a week. Taking a short break is understandable.”

The director groaned. “That new role is just a minor supporting part in a blockbuster—two or three days of filming at most. And after that, Jo Anna says she wants her niece to take another vacation!”

Yan Zui hadn’t expected this. Her tone sharpened. “Do they think our company is a charity? Tell Jo Anna that Qiao Haiyue can rest for three days, no more. After that, she must join Boling promotions. If she refuses, forget about her joining the new film.”

“Yes, President Yan! I’ll see it done.”