Pregnant with the Alpha Best Actress's Child - Chapter 20.2

Is this the difference? Sang Zhijiu carefully felt her current reaction.

Fan Wu checked the time and stood up. “Let’s call it a night. It’s late.” She brought Sang Zhijiu to the door. “I was busy earlier and wasted too much time. There’s no night filming tomorrow; you can come find me after dinner.”

Sang Zhijiu didn’t want to waste a single moment of practice. “Can we have dinner together?”

Fan Wu paused, thinking about seeing Fan Yu enter the lounge earlier that day, and suddenly smiled. “Yes, of course. Actually, lunch works too. If you don’t mind, starting tomorrow, you can come to my lounge during the midday break. I can use the opportunity to go over the afternoon’s scenes with you.”

Sang Zhijiu’s eyes lit up. “Okay!”

As Fan Wu opened the door, she reminded her again, “Remember, you must change your mindset. The most important thing is to make yourself believe. Lately, if anyone asks if you like Alphas or Omegas… your answer must be Alpha.”

Though she didn’t know why Fan Wu specifically mentioned such a strange question, Sang Zhijiu nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

Fan Wu was satisfied.

The door opened. Coincidentally, a hotel waiter was passing by with a small meal cart. Because they were close, the mixed scents of various dishes wafted over. Sang Zhijiu caught a whiff and suddenly felt a surge of nausea. She couldn’t help herself; she turned and bumped into Fan Wu’s chest, retching uncomfortably.

Fan Wu and the hotel waiter were both startled.

Fan Wu reacted quickly, supporting her directly into the bathroom of the room and leaving the waiter behind. He cast a confused glance at his meal cart and then, completely bewildered, continued on his way.

Inside the bathroom, Sang Zhijiu finally stopped retching. Fan Wu handed her a clean towel at the right moment. “What happened? Did you eat something bad?” She added considerately, “The crew has a resident doctor. Do you want me to make an appointment for you to have her check on you in your room?”

Sang Zhijiu waved her hands hurriedly. She felt she knew exactly why this was happening. “Um… no, it’s fine. I just had no appetite tonight and didn’t eat properly, that’s all. Before, when I had to lose weight for a role and didn’t eat at night, I’d get so hungry that this would happen too.”

As if on cue, the moment she finished speaking, she felt a sour sensation in her stomach—the unmistakable feeling of being famished. Sang Zhijiu felt a pang of regret. If she had known, she would have listened to Lin Jiahe. Now, she felt quite embarrassed for making a scene in front of “her Mu Yining.”

Fan Wu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “This hotel is in the Film City, so they provide late-night snacks. If you’re really hungry, go down and order something later.”

Sang Zhijiu looked troubled. “I’ll get fat.”

Fan Wu sized her up. “Well, if it’s for ‘Chen Yue,’ it’s fine to be a bit heavier. Your health is more important than maintaining a perfect figure right now.”

Sang Zhijiu nodded, touching her stomach. “Then… I’ll go have some porridge. I’ll sleep after filling up.” Fan Wu nodded and saw her to the door. This time, they finally said their goodbyes smoothly.

However, back in her own room, the burning sensation in Sang Zhijiu’s stomach vanished. “I knew it. Even if I didn’t have dinner, I finished that huge bowl of fruit salad. How could I be this hungry?” she muttered, abandoning the idea of a midnight snack. After a quick wash, she went to bed.

While Fan Wu’s suggestions were framed as being for the sake of their work, they effectively served her secondary purpose: preventing her sister from getting too close to Sang Zhijiu.

The next day at noon, when Fan Yu arrived with her lunch box, only Lin Jiahe and a stylist were in the lounge. Fan Yu froze at the door. “Sister Jiahe, where’s Jiujiu?” After all this time, she had become a familiar face to Lin Jiahe.

Lin Jiahe smiled. “Jiujiu went to eat with the director’s team. She made sure to leave you your favorite chicken drumstick. Come on in.”

“The director’s team?” Fan Yu was confused. “Why the sudden change? Can Jiujiu even get used to that?”

Lin Jiahe gave a vague answer, as it wasn’t appropriate to broadcast that her artist’s character development had hit a bottleneck. “It’s for work, I’m not entirely sure… Don’t worry about her, let’s just eat.”

Fan Yu was a bit dejected but nodded. “I see.”

Lin Jiahe leaned over to look at her lunch box. “Wow, your meals are so lavish every day. Jiujiu even remembered to save you a drumstick, and you already have two more than everyone else.”

Fan Yu picked up her chopsticks shyly. “Really? Do you want one?”

Aside from stopping her from dating, Fan Wu treated her sister exceptionally well in every other aspect. Unknown to most, Fan Yu’s lifestyle on set was top-tier. Even this nutritionally balanced lunch box was something Fan Wu didn’t have herself; she had specifically ordered the logistics team to prepare it for her sister.

Lin Jiahe shook her head. “No thanks, you eat. I have enough.” Fan Yu smiled and lowered her head to eat, pretending nothing was wrong.

At the time, she comforted herself thinking it was just a one-time thing. But in reality, from that day on, she could only eat lunch with Lin Jiahe. On set, Fan Wu and Sang Zhijiu became an inseparable pair, both on and off camera. Wherever Fan Wu appeared, Sang Zhijiu was sure to be nearby. One night, Fan Wu even sent Fan Yu out of her room using the excuse that “Sang Zhijiu is coming over later.”

The alarm bells in Fan Yu’s heart were now ringing like thunder.

One day, while Sang Zhijiu was resting by the sidelines with a small fan, Fan Yu managed to sneak over. Sang Zhijiu, treating her as a friend, warmly offered her some fruit.

Fan Yu, with a heavy heart, swallowed a slice of orange and finally couldn’t help asking, “Jiujiu… can I ask you a question?”

Sang Zhijiu was a bit surprised, pulling her gaze away from Fan Wu in the distance. “Sure, go ahead.”

Fan Yu bit her lip. “Do you… do you currently like Alphas or Omegas?”

Sang Zhijiu paused. Over the past few days, she had been repeatedly asking herself this question, forcing the answer to stay fixed on the “Alpha” option. So, despite her confusion at the sudden question, she cleared her throat and replied without hesitation, “I’m an Omega now, so of course I like Alphas!”

Saying it out loud gave her an oddly refreshing feeling. Unlike self-talk, stating it clearly to Xiaoyu made her feel closer to her character, Chen Yue. She looked toward Fan Wu. Fan Wu wasn’t filming at the moment; she was sitting behind the monitors, discussing the previous shot with the assistant director. She was wearing a black leather jacket—Mu Yining’s favorite—with a silver chain hanging from her waist. Despite the trendy, “cool” outfit, the way she sat with her arms crossed, intensely focused on the screen, gave off a stable, authoritative aura.

Sang Zhijiu squinted slightly, a natural smile touching her lips. If a camera were on her now, the directors would have praised her for being in a state infinitely better than two days ago.

In contrast, it was a bolt from the blue for Fan Yu. She had looked forward to the answer but also feared it. Now that the “final verdict” had come, her mind went blank. Just then, a fellow stagehand called her name, and Fan Yu hurriedly bid Sang Zhijiu goodbye, fleeing the scene in sadness.

Sang Zhijiu was too focused on Fan Wu to notice the anomaly. She nodded in response and let her leave.

Shortly after Fan Yu left, Lin Jiahe came over. “Your scene is up next. Let the stylist check your makeup.” Sang Zhijiu complied. Just as she was ready, another acquaintance approached.

Zhan Yuerou pressed her hands together. “Senior Zhijiu, it’s me!” She sighed. “We’re filming our scene soon… my lines are a bit fierce. I hope you don’t mind.”

Sang Zhijiu patted her shoulder. “Not at all, it’s just acting. Work hard and play the role well!” She genuinely wanted the project to succeed, so even though Zhan Yuerou’s character disliked hers, she hoped for a good performance.

Zhan Yuerou was grateful. “Thank you, Senior! About the part where I push you…”

Sang Zhijiu said directly, “Just push me. Don’t hold back.”

After confirming the details, Zhan Yuerou happily said goodbye and ran to Fan Wu for instructions. Lin Jiahe, who had overheard them, asked, “Should I find a stunt double for the pushing scene?”

“No need,” Sang Zhijiu said. “Besides, we’re filming right now. Where would you find one?”

The production had planned to find a double for her before filming started, but Sang Zhijiu had refused. The movie was a contemporary urban story without many dangerous stunts. The only difficulty was the “violinist” setting. However, coming from a wealthy background, Sang Zhijiu had learned piano and violin as a child. After getting the role, she took a few intensive classes. While she couldn’t win a competition, she was more than capable of handling the bar performance scenes.

Lin Jiahe said, “Haven’t you had an upset stomach lately? I’m afraid that if you fall, you’ll be making a fuss about not being able to eat again tonight.”

Mentioning this made Sang Zhijiu a bit troubled. “It can’t be helped. It’s just the ‘summer slump.’ The forecast says it might rain next week and cool down. Besides, even if I take a few falls, it’s fine. I’m not some delicate ‘sickly beauty.'”

Lin Jiahe laughed. “How do you manage to mention that you’re a ‘beauty’ all the time?”

Sang Zhijiu raised her chin proudly. “Natural beauty is hard to discard!”

Lin Jiahe teased her, pointing at Fan Wu. “Look at how beautiful your Goddess Mu Yining is. Why don’t you see her bragging every day?”

Sang Zhijiu paused, then said stubbornly, “It’s because she doesn’t brag that I have to make up for her share too.”

“Oh?” Lin Jiahe rubbed her chin. “You haven’t even won her over yet, and you’re already grouping her with yourself?”

Sang Zhijiu looked at Fan Wu again. For some reason, her cheeks turned a bit red under the sun. After a pause, she puffed out her chest. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Lin Jiahe finally couldn’t help but lean against a table, laughing until she was out of breath. Sang Zhijiu ignored her and walked straight to the filming area. Fan Wu was directing the staff; seeing her approach, she smiled and nodded in greeting. Sang Zhijiu’s heart quickened. She stood at her position, thinking to herself: It seems my hard work hasn’t been in vain. I’m getting better and better—I can even get into character so much faster now!

Soon, the filming started. Zhan Yuerou, playing the guitarist, stood among the band members, looking at her with disdain. “Violin?” She walked over, looking her up and down with undisguised malice. “Little scholar, are you in the wrong place? This is an underground bar, not a concert hall.”

Chen Yue was calm. She hadn’t hit a wall yet; her eyes were pure, showing the spirit of a “newborn calf not fearing the tiger.” “I know, I’m not in the wrong place. Can’t a violin join an underground band? I didn’t see anything against it in the recruitment ad.”

Zhan Yuerou frowned. “When we wrote it, we didn’t know a little idiot like you would show up with a violin.”

“Then give me a chance. Maybe I’m exactly who you need,” Chen Yue said.

The people in the small bar backstage burst into laughter. Someone shouted, “Why not let her try? Even if it doesn’t work out, we get a free violin solo. How high-end—totally different level from us guitar and keyboard players.”

A few people echoed the sentiment. Zhan Yuerou got a bit anxious and pushed Chen Yue. “Try what? Don’t think I don’t know why you’re here. Don’t think for a second that joining the band will make Sister Ning look at you differently. If you know what’s good for you, get lost.”

Many in the band knew Zhan Yuerou’s character had an interest in Mu Yining. A small audition was turning into an emotional battle, and the crowd grew more excited.

After being pushed, Chen Yue was stunned for a moment. In her upbringing, people were polite and well-mannered. She had never encountered someone who resorted to physical force like this. She took a deep breath, gave up on talking to these people, and looked directly at the protagonist in the crowd. “Mu Yining, let me try once!”

Zhan Yuerou frowned. This time she didn’t hold back and shoved Chen Yue hard. Chen Yue fell to the ground with a thud. “Can’t you understand human speech? Get out!” Zhan Yuerou delivered the last line.

“Cut!” the director’s team shouted. The scene was over for now.

Zhan Yuerou hurriedly pulled Sang Zhijiu up. “Senior, are you okay?”

Sang Zhijiu patted the dust off her clothes. “I’m fine.” Zhan Yuerou breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief.

Fan Wu walked over to check on her, but because Zhan Yuerou was standing closer, she immediately approached Fan Wu. “Director Fan, was that take okay?”

Fan Wu paused, then nodded. “Yes, it was good.” Zhan Yuerou’s ears turned a bit red. “I practiced for a long time.”

Fan Wu bypassed her and walked to Sang Zhijiu. “How are you? You didn’t get hurt just now, did you?”

Sang Zhijiu shook her head. When Zhan Yuerou asked her, she felt nothing, but in front of Fan Wu—her Mu Yining—she felt a trace of grievance. Her nose turned red, and she couldn’t help mumbling, “You didn’t even come to help me!”

Fan Wu was surprised. “Hmm?” It wasn’t that she didn’t hear; she just didn’t believe the “Little One” would say such a thing. Sang Zhijiu also realized what she’d said and lowered her head in embarrassment. “Nothing,” she muttered.

As everyone dispersed to prepare for the next scene, Fan Wu patted Sang Zhijiu’s arm. “You’re not in the next scene, go rest. If you don’t want to go back to the lounge, stay and watch how I ‘help’ you.”

Sang Zhijiu was stunned. In the script, Mu Yining didn’t completely ignore Chen Yue. After Chen Yue was driven away by the guitarist, the band held a small meeting. Besides deciding to give Chen Yue a chance, Mu Yining also used the opportunity to snap at the aggressive guitarist.

Lin Jiahe was waiting by the sidelines with a bottle of water. “Didn’t hurt your fall, did you?”

Sang Zhijiu touched her stomach. “It doesn’t hurt, but my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable.”

Lin Jiahe, initially full of worry, rolled her eyes slightly. “My sickly beauty, you’re holding the wrong place! You fell on your butt just now, not your stomach!”

Sang Zhijiu felt awkward and sat down as if she hadn’t heard. Lin Jiahe, thinking she was trying to avoid dinner, said, “I’m warning you, you have to eat dinner. I ran into Sister Fan Wu this morning, and she said you retched for a long time because of hunger. You didn’t even tell me!”

Sang Zhijiu froze. “Fan Wu… why would she even say something like that?”

Lin Jiahe laughed in anger. “I’m your manager; isn’t it normal for her to tell me? Anyway, you’re having a proper dinner with Sister Fan Wu tonight, understood?” Sang Zhijiu nodded, trying to look obedient.

They chatted for a while as the new scene started filming. They focused on the performance. The scene passing the audition was short; the highlight was the following confrontation between Zhan Yuerou and Fan Wu. In this scene, Zhan Yuerou’s character confesses to Mu Yining, complaining that her months of loyalty to the band didn’t even count for as much as Chen Yue, who hadn’t even joined yet.

Sang Zhijiu had read the script, so she knew how it would go. While she was recalling the details, on camera, Zhan Yuerou had already lunged forward excitedly, hugging Mu Yining tightly.

“But I like you! Sister Ning, can’t you just look at me?”

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