Pretending to Be a Submissive O: My Fiancee Is a Little Pup - Chapter 23
The tone of those words was so familiar, as if she were still the Omega from last night, the one who always clung to her and acted spoiled, who in the next second would piteously grab her arm and obediently call her “Sister.”
At this moment, however, Ji Yaran didn’t think in that direction at all.
She looked toward the cafe, where Geofina was still sitting in her original spot, sipping the unfinished cup of coffee.
She and Geofina had no connection, had never even met, and she couldn’t think of a reason why Song Qingxue would need to hide a meeting with her.
The more unnecessary the deception seemed, the more it made one feel that something was hidden beneath the surface.
Rumors of the discord between Song Qingxue and Geofina had spread online long ago, they had even terminated their contract, and Song Qingxue had resigned from Geofina’s management company. Geofina claimed their philosophies were incompatible, and Song Qingxue had also told her that they had parted on very unpleasant terms.
Thus, their meeting today was particularly thought-provoking.
Was the discord a total lie, and the termination of their partnership held a hidden story? Or did they later reconnect for some reason?
But none of that was the most important thing.
To Ji Yaran, the most important part was that regardless of the reason, in her view, there was no need for Song Qingxue to lie to her.
Inside the cafe, Geofina seemed to notice Ji Yaran. She set down her coffee cup and looked out through the glass window, meeting Ji Yaran’s gaze.
It was a very direct look, and despite the distance, one could still sense a faint, calculating air.
It was not well-intentioned.
Ji Yaran withdrew her gaze, looked at Song Qingxue, and asked in a calm tone, “Weren’t you resting at the hotel?”
Song Qingxue bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears, looking as though she were terrified of Ji Yaran being angry.
She whispered, “Sister… can we talk about this when we get back, please?”
After returning to the hotel, Song Qingxue lowered her head and explained the whole situation from beginning to end.
“Sister, I was originally resting at the hotel, I only received her call after I woke up in the afternoon.”
“If Sister doesn’t believe me, I can show you the call logs.”
“I didn’t intend to meet her. In the afternoon, I felt a bit better and wanted to go to the set to find you, but I didn’t expect to run into her downstairs. That’s why I went to the cafe with her.”
“I… had some conflicts with her in the past. Today’s meeting was just to talk about previous work matters, nothing else.”
“Sister, I didn’t lie to you, I really didn’t feel well today…”
The words were full of grievance, looking exactly like a “Scum Alpha” caught in the act by a girlfriend.
Song Qingxue clearly wanted to explain further, but Ji Yaran interrupted her.
“None of that is important.”
Song Qingxue looked up.
Ji Yaran turned to look at her, “I just don’t understand. Why hide these things from me?”
What reason could there possibly be that required lying to her?
True, she hadn’t trusted Song Qingxue before and had hidden things from her, but she thought they were now being honest with each other. Song Qingxue had become her assistant and manager, and she had even confessed her family background to her, yet Song Qingxue felt the need to hide a meeting with an acquaintance.
“Sister…”
“Can you tell me?”
Facing her direct question, Song Qingxue lowered her head slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as if she were mentally preparing herself.
She secretly clenched her fingers, and after a long time, she said, “I was afraid Sister would be angry with me.”
Ji Yaran frowned, “Angry?”
Song Qingxue said softly, “When Sister asked about me leaving my previous company, I told her that things ended badly and we weren’t in contact anymore, yet today I met her. I was afraid that if Sister found out, she would think I was lying to you…”
Ji Yaran thought to herself, But you are lying to me right now.
“Sister, I really didn’t mean to lie.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s all, I’m not lying to Sister.”
“Qingxue,” Ji Yaran sighed, speaking to her with earnest weight, “It’s normal for friends or colleagues to fight and make up. You don’t need to feel guilty about it. Besides, this is your social life, I have no reason to interfere.”
“I’m sorry, Sister, I overthought it. I’ll definitely change in the future and won’t lie to Sister again.”
“Mm, it’s good that you can think that way.”
“Then Sister isn’t angry with me?”
“Not angry.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Song Qingxue hesitated for a moment, “Sister… you don’t mind me meeting her?”
Ji Yaran thought about it, “Why would I mind?”
“Because…” Song Qingxue said hesitantly, “Certain rumors.”
“Rumors?” Ji Yaran was stunned, then suddenly realized what she was talking about, “Are you referring to… the rumors about being ‘rumored lovers’?”
Song Qingxue’s eyes darkened, “Yes. Would Sister mind?”
Ji Yaran found it somewhat baffling, “Why would I mind?”
Song Qingxue: “Because… I don’t want Sister to think I like someone else.”
Ji Yaran faintly felt something was off, “You…”
A flush of crimson stained Song Qingxue’s fair face, her eyelashes flickered, and her breathing became a bit hurried, “I only like Sister.”
Ji Yaran never expected Song Qingxue to say something like that to her.
She only liked her?
“Qingxue,” Ji Yaran stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder, “I understand an Omega’s dependence on those around them, but this kind of feeling is different from feelings for an Alpha.”
“But I just like Sister,” Song Qingxue blinked, saying with persistence, “I only want to be with Sister, and I don’t want Sister to be unhappy.”
“If you don’t lie to me, I won’t be unhappy,” Ji Yaran said, “Fine, anyway, I won’t be unhappy just because you have a good relationship with someone else. Understood?”
“Understood… Sister, I won’t hide this kind of thing from you again,” Song Qingxue paused, then added, “and I won’t meet other people randomly.”
Ji Yaran sighed in her heart. She truly couldn’t understand an Omega’s logic, so she simply gave up trying to explain.
“Alright, as long as you’re happy.”
“Oh right, Sister, Star Media decided to hire me. From now on, Sister’s work is my work, and I’ll work hard.”
“Mm, congratulations.”
“Lately, some brands have been contacting Sister. I’ve picked two suitable ones for you. If you have time, Sister, you can consider them.”
The brands Song Qingxue selected were all well-known with good reputations and no negative news.
“If there’s no problem, Misha wants to invite Sister for a shoot next Monday. If Sister has any requirements, you can also bring them up with the brand.”
Misha was a jewelry brand with some international fame. In the last two years, it had entered the domestic market and received a lot of attention.
“Tell the brand I’m fine with it.”
*****
A week later.
Ji Yaran arrived at the Misha Jewelry shoot location. Just as she stepped out of the car, she saw the opposite entrance crowded with photographers and reporters, all pressing their flashes in the same direction.
“Sister, why are there so many people?”
“Misha doesn’t have a dedicated advertising department, all shoots are done in collaboration with fixed agencies. There are likely other brands scheduled to shoot here today.”
“Then Sister, let’s not get too close.”
Ji Yaran understood perfectly why Song Qingxue thought that way.
Whenever celebrities are in the same frame, comparisons are inevitable. If both sides are in a competitive relationship, such comparisons can easily trigger malicious competition, which is especially unfavorable for a celebrity with insufficient fame like Ji Yaran.
Ji Yaran had just gained a wave of popularity thanks to Embracing When the Snow Falls, and Song Qingxue naturally didn’t want Ji Yaran to get dragged into a dispute that could draw hate.
The person shooting on the same day as Ji Yaran seemed to be a very popular big star. Even after the shoot, photographers and reporters followed relentlessly.
“Miss Liu, do you have any other shooting plans next?”
“We heard you’re joining a film crew next month, can you reveal which project it is in advance?”
“Is your relationship with Director Yu really the same as the rumors say?”
Reporters asked questions persistently. Ji Yaran faintly heard a few familiar names and paused her steps slightly. She turned her head, her gaze piercing through the crowd to look at the focus of the spectacle.
The woman was dressed in white haute couture, with pure features and a cool temperament. The elegant makeup made her look like a lotus flower emerging unsullied from the mud.
It was her?
As if pulled by an invisible thread of fate, the woman at the center of the crowd turned around. Her upturned phoenix eyes radiated an air of arrogance, and her gaze collided with Ji Yaran’s from across the distance.
It was an aggressive look, faintly carrying a hint of provocation.
Yu Shi’s “white moonlight,” Liu Jiayan.
In the original book, Yu Shi and Liu Jiayan were mutually in love, but Liu Jiayan prioritized her personal career. After a period of ambiguity with Yu Shi, she went abroad. Upon returning, the two quickly rekindled their old flame. Liu Jiayan used Yu Shi to pave her way in the entertainment industry and soon became a hot “traffic starlet” like Tang Rui.
Ever since Liu Jiayan returned to the country, Yu Shi had been staying with her, and recently they had been inseparable.
Since Liu Jiayan was shooting here today, then Yu Shi…
Ji Yaran turned her head and, sure enough, saw Yu Shi leaning against a luxury car, waiting for the shoot to end.
Yu Shi also saw Ji Yaran. The smile on her lips froze, her body gradually grew stiff, and her expression looked visibly unnatural.
“Sister, what’s wrong?” Song Qingxue noticed her expression and followed her gaze, seeing Liu Jiayan at the center of the crowd.
“Nothing, let’s go in.” Ji Yaran withdrew her gaze, ignored Yu Shi who was staring at her, and entered the shooting studio accompanied by Song Qingxue.
Ji Yaran naturally didn’t have the same entourage as Liu Jiayan, with only two photographers following the shoot.
She was wearing a palace-style long dress provided by a fashion brand collaborating with Misha, adorned with a platinum necklace inlaid with South Sea pearls. Her long brown hair was all swept up, topped with a silver crown. Her milk-white skin was flawless, making her look like a noble princess who had stepped out of the Middle Ages.
“Good, very beautiful.”
“Smile… yes, keep it up.”
“Turn sideways, lift your head a little, then slowly look toward me. Perfect!”
The shoot went smoothly, ending at four in the afternoon.
Ji Yaran left the studio. Just as she was about to get into the car, she heard the hurried sound of high heels behind her.
A forceful hand gripped her wrist.
Yu Shi blocked her car, her expression looking quite angry.
She pressed her lips thin and asked in a low voice, “Yaran, where have you been all this time?”
Yu Shi was famous for having a bad temper as a director. Perhaps because she was used to everyone listening to her, her tone was always aggressive, especially in front of Ji Yaran.
There were many who flattered and fawned over her, but only Ji Yaran had followed her for so long and obeyed her every word. In her eyes, Ji Yaran was considerate, obedient, and would accommodate her in everything. She could only get the pleasure of complete submission from Ji Yaran.
Even though Liu Jiayan had returned to her side, she still didn’t want to give up on Ji Yaran just like that. She undoubtedly liked Liu Jiayan, but in the past two years, she and Liu Jiayan had spent more time apart than together. After Liu Jiayan’s return, there always seemed to be something between them, making her feel particularly estranged from Liu Jiayan.
Thus, in the middle of the night, she would frequently think of Ji Yaran.
Ji Yaran could always find ways to please her and accommodate her mood swings, and this was precisely what Liu Jiayan could not give her.
Everyone needs an outlet, and Ji Yaran was her emotional outlet.
But no one falls in love with an outlet.
She just felt reluctant to let go.
That was her property, how could she just leave her so easily?
“Director Yu, I think I’ve made myself very clear.” Ji Yaran’s hand covered her wrist, peeling off the hand that was gripping her bit by bit, her tone exceptionally cold.
“I’ve also made myself clear,” Yu Shi gritted her teeth, her attitude firm, “You want to break it off just like that? I don’t agree.”