Reborn a Scummy Alpha, Happily Ever After with the Movie Queen - Chapter 13

Happy?

Almost instinctively, Ye Youyi touched her own face. The slight curve at the corner of her lips betrayed her—deep down, she was a little happy?

Realizing it, she quickly adjusted her expression and pressed those emotions back down.

“It’s not that I’m happy to see her,” she murmured to Qiu Qiu as they walked toward the studio. “Ever since I landed the role of Xian Ruo, I’ve been happy.”

Qiu Qiu watched her figure retreat into the studio, rubbing her chin and shaking her head in disbelief. Under her breath she muttered, “Is the sky about to rain blood? You actually know how to explain yourself now? That’s way too unlike you.”

Inside, the photographer was taking paired photos of the female lead and second lead, while Ye Youyi was guided to another spot to wait.

She watched the two actresses staring soulfully at each other, silently recalling their resumes in her mind.

The female lead was Xu Zhao, who had recently risen to fame through variety shows. Her public persona was cheerful and straightforward—though what she was like behind closed doors was anyone’s guess.

As for the second lead, Ye Youyi knew her quite well.

Yu Mianyue—an old acquaintance. Back in Fragile, the two of them had played the same character: Ye Youyi portrayed the heroine’s youth, while Yu Mianyue played her adult self.

When the film was released, many viewers were sorely disappointed with the adult heroine and compared the two actresses relentlessly. The backlash left Yu Mianyue with a lasting grudge, and she had sabotaged Ye Youyi’s opportunities more than once.

And now they were working together again. Who knew what kind of trouble that might stir up this time.

The photographer, pleased with the shots so far, nodded and said to Director Li Zheng: “The first and third female leads also share a strong bond in the story. I think it’d be worth shooting a set of photos with them too.”

That was exactly what Li Zheng had in mind. Turning toward Ye Youyi, who was waiting quietly, she smiled and beckoned. “Xian Ruo, come here.”

Ye Youyi walked over with a gentle, polished smile. “Hello, Director. Hello, Miss Sun.”

“After your individual shots, take a paired set with Liu Yue,” Li Zheng instructed, calling Xu Zhao over and introducing them.

They exchanged polite greetings before Ye Youyi followed photographer Sun Yao to the backdrop.

“Left hand up a little higher. Yes, just like that. Now relax your smile a bit.” Sun Yao frowned as she studied her through the lens. “Xian Ruo is a dignified, elegant goddess. This smile isn’t right. Adjust it.”

Li Zheng also noticed Ye Youyi seemed a little off, though she trusted her instincts and didn’t interfere, merely watching quietly from the side.

At that moment, Wen Tang entered the studio with Lin Shuang. She immediately heard the photographer’s dissatisfaction, and when she lifted her gaze, her eyes met Ye Youyi’s deep, shadowed ones.

The girl seemed to be suppressing something. After a deep breath, she turned her head away.

Still, her expression didn’t settle. Something about her remained off.

Yu Mianyue, watching from the sidelines, gave a delicate laugh. “I heard people say she’s brimming with talent, with exquisite acting skills and yet she can’t even handle a basic styling photo?”

Her words struck a familiar chord—those were the same comparisons made online years ago, when people had praised Ye Youyi while belittling her.

Wow. She really held that grudge all this time? Clearly, this crew was going to be lively.

“Xian Ruo, you’re dressed now as you would be when traveling incognito in the mortal world to deliver your heart’s blood to Huan Yan,” Li Zheng prompted gently. “You’ve studied the script—you should know what she’s feeling in this moment. Show us your understanding of that.”

The chatter around them grew louder. Wen Tang stepped forward, ready to speak up for her, but Lin Shuang tugged at her sleeve and shook her head.

“The director already gave instructions. Small fry like us shouldn’t interfere,” Lin Shuang whispered. Her tone was soft, but her grip was firm.

Ye Youyi caught sight of the scene.

The Omega’s gaze was clear and moist, her expression the picture of docile fragility as she held onto Wen Tang’s sleeve.

An unexpected pang of discomfort rose in Ye Youyi’s chest.

“Ah! Yes, yes, that’s it!” Sun Yao’s voice lit up with excitement. Suddenly, her expression fit perfectly, and she snapped several shots at once.

Li Zheng exhaled in relief. No wonder she had chosen Ye Youyi—within moments, she captured Xian Ruo’s grief and unwillingness as she descended into the mortal world.

“Change into the next costume,” Li Zheng said warmly, sending Ye Youyi off before summoning Lin Shuang. “Do your best.”

In the dim light of the studio, Wen Tang watched Ye Youyi leave with Qiu Qiu, sensing a trace of unhappiness in her.

Should she go check on her, as a friend?

But Lin Shuang was up for her photoshoot, and Wen Tang was holding her things. Besides, Ye Youyi was only changing outfits—would it look strange for an Alpha to follow her into the dressing room?

She decided to stay put.

Lin Shuang, playing the fourth female lead Qing Ran, was cast as a gentle, obedient tree spirit. It suited her perfectly, so her shoot went smoothly.

Once Sun Yao nodded in satisfaction, Lin Shuang bowed to the staff before returning to Wen Tang.

“Thank you,” she said softly, taking the water cup Wen Tang handed her and sipping from it.

Just then, Ye Youyi re-entered the studio in a new outfit—only to see the Omega still by Wen Tang’s side.

She paused, then brushed past them without a word.

This time, the ribbon trailing from her sleeve flicked across the back of Wen Tang’s hand—without a trace of hesitation.

All eyes turned toward Ye Youyi in her pale gold gown. The cold, proud aura she carried was breathtaking, as though a true goddess had descended from the heavens. Her delicate features, crimson lips, snow-white skin—she was like a lone lotus blooming atop a frozen peak: too beautiful to approach, too ethereal to touch.

Li Zheng nodded, thoroughly satisfied.

She waved at the dazed Xu Zhao. “Liu Yue, come try the paired shots.”

Xu Zhao, her eyes bright with admiration, stepped up. “They say clothes make the person, but you don’t even need them—you are the goddess. You’re stunning.”

Ye Youyi answered with a polite, distant smile. “Thank you.”

“Go on, let’s take a set.” Li Zheng clapped her hands, guiding them to the backdrop.

After a few shots, Sun Yao pursed her lips, then said: “Closer. Yes, back-to-back. Perfect.”

She looked up at Ye Youyi. “Xian Ruo’s gaze shouldn’t drift away. Look at Liu Yue—remember, she’s the one you love most.”

Ye Youyi drew in a long breath, shifting her eyes toward Xu Zhao. Yet as she looked, her gaze softened into something else—tender, restrained, filled with aching love, as if fixed on someone beyond the lens.

Click, click, click—Sun Yao’s camera worked nonstop. Her smile spread so wide it nearly flew off her face. “Excellent! Perfect! That’s it!”

By nightfall, all the leads’ styling photos were finally finished.

With Qiu Qiu in tow, Ye Youyi headed to the dressing room to wash off the heavy makeup.

But at the doorway, she stopped short—Wen Tang was leaning casually against the wall, waiting.

The Alpha, cold and abstinent as ever, still carried that aura of distance. Ye Youyi gave her a brief look, then reached for the door.

“Ye Youyi?”

Moonlight spilled across the floor as Wen Tang opened her eyes. Spotting the Omega in her delicate makeup, she stepped forward, her voice tinged with quiet joy.

Ye Youyi’s hand froze on the door handle. She bit her lip, smoothed her expression, and turned to her. “You called me—what is it?”

She looked just as fragile and soft as always, but something about her seemed different. Wen Tang couldn’t place what had changed.

“Nothing. I just wanted to say hi.” She scratched her head awkwardly, then glanced at Qiu Qiu disappearing down the hall. Searching for words, she added, “You looked really beautiful today—like a real goddess.”

Hearing the Alpha’s stiff, clumsy compliment, all the gloom of Ye Youyi’s day lifted in an instant. She looked at Wen Tang and smiled, lips curving sweetly.

“So, you mean I wasn’t beautiful before?”