Reborn a Scummy Alpha, Happily Ever After with the Movie Queen - Chapter 57

After a full night of rest, the next morning, Qiu Qiu and Ye Youyi boarded a flight back to the capital with their luggage.

The recent success of Moon Spirit Chronicles had kept Ye Youyi in the spotlight. Among the buzz, it was the supporting actress, Xian Ruo, who had captured the audience’s hearts the most.

Many agreed that Xian Ruo, ethereal yet deeply devoted in love, was far more pitiable and enchanting than the second female lead, Huan Yan.

Consequently, Ye Youyi, who played Xian Ruo, also went viral online. Her Weibo followers soared into the millions, solidifying her status as an emerging A-list actress.

Moreover, the official account for Release had previously announced that Ye Youyi would play the female lead. Fans were eagerly speculating that if her performance in Release matched her work in Moon Spirit Chronicles, she could very well be nominated for the Best Actress award at the Blanc Awards.

Aware that more people were becoming familiar with her face, Ye Youyi carefully covered up as soon as they got off the plane. She wore a mask and pulled her hat down low, making herself unrecognizable.

Luckily, she seldom participated in airport photos, and today she was in casual clothes and well-prepared, so no one around her noticed.

Back in the apartment she shared with Qiu Qiu, Ye Youyi removed her mask and hat and set her luggage down.

With filming wrapped and the movie yet to release, she had no scheduled appearances for the time being, so she intended to use this period to rest properly.

After lying around the house with Qiu Qiu for a couple of days, Ye Youyi suddenly appeared at Qiu Qiu’s bedroom door.

Stretching lazily after a gaming session, Qiu Qiu was startled to see Ye Youyi standing there. “What are you doing just standing there?”

Grasping the doorframe, Ye Youyi looked vibrant and animated. “Qiu Qiu, I want to go traveling. Do you want to come with me?”

Qiu Qiu blinked.

Was this just a sudden whim?

Seeing the hopeful, almost pleading look in Ye Youyi’s eyes, Qiu Qiu seemed to understand. She set down her mouse and sighed. “Well, since you’re asking so earnestly, I suppose I’ll reluctantly go with you.”

Then she asked, “Have you decided where you want to go?”

“Changjiao Island,” Ye Youyi said, her gaze distant, her voice lowering. “I want to go to Changjiao Island.”

Although Qiu Qiu didn’t know why Ye Youyi wanted to travel abroad, she decided to accompany her.

The two quickly got their luggage and boarded a plane to Changjiao Island.

The island, overseas, was basking in perfect sunshine at this time of year.

Meanwhile, back in the capital, a top luxury hotel was being prepared for the next day’s engagement banquet between the Wen and Ning families.

The lazy afternoon sun shone into Wen Tang’s room as she examined the custom-made women’s suit delivered to her. Urged by Madam Wen, she took it upstairs to try it on and check the fit.

While changing, she heard the system’s commentary in her mind: “What’s the point of trying it on? It’s made to your measurements. Madam Wen really loves asserting her authority through orders, doesn’t she?”

Wen Tang smiled quietly. “It’s no big deal anyway. Let her think she’s in control for now.”

Lately, besides conspiring with Ning Xu and Cheng Ye to annul her engagement, she had Wen Qi working behind the scenes to rally support from other Wen family executives.

After days of both open and covert maneuvering, Wen Tang now held a significant portion of the Wen family’s power.

Yet, she felt it wasn’t enough. She would have to wait for the right moment to seize full control. For now, there was no rush.

Dressed, Wen Tang went downstairs and appeared before Madam Wen, radiating humility and poise. Madam Wen was immensely satisfied. “Well done, my granddaughter. You make anything look good. Xiao Xu will surely admire you even more when she sees you like this.”

Madam Wen gave a few more instructions before leaving Wen Tang’s courtyard, assisted by Meiru.

Silence returned to the house.

Wen Tang pulled out her phone and sent messages to Ning Xu and Cheng Ye, instructing them to stick strictly to the plan the next day—no mistakes allowed.

Once everything was in place, Wen Tang took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and lay in bed, counting the minutes.

“If you’re that nervous, why not send Ye Youyi a message or give her a call?”

The system, unable to bear Wen Tang’s agonized state, suddenly chimed in.

Connected to Wen Tang’s mind, it could sense her thoughts whenever she didn’t block it. Just now, it had noticed the image slowly forming in her mind—wasn’t that Ye Youyi?

Thanks to being occupied these past days with the engagement annulment plans and consolidating Wen Qi’s influence, Wen Tang hadn’t been idly wandering around, potentially recklessly searching for Ye Youyi in Qinghe like that night.

“By the way,” the system asked, curious, “after you annul your engagement, when are you planning to get back together with Ye Youyi?”

Get back together?

Wen Tang closed her eyes and thought for a moment. She no longer felt she had the courage to reconcile with Ye Youyi.

She still didn’t even know what had happened that night—who she had been with.

If she went to reconcile with Ye Youyi now, and an Omega showed up pregnant, demanding responsibility, wouldn’t that hurt Ye Youyi all over again?

The thought made Wen Tang shiver. Now, she only wanted to silently protect Ye Youyi from the shadows, just as the original character would have.

“We probably have no chance,” she admitted.

The system, confused, asked, “Weren’t you looking forward to finding Ye Youyi after the annulment? Why say this now?”

The system tapped the back of its head. “Could it be, you don’t like Ye Youyi anymore?”

Wen Tang, already feeling low, was dumbfounded by the system’s question. “It’s not that I don’t like her, it’s just not something I can explain to you right now.”

Because Wen Tang had blocked the system that night and never mentioned it afterward, the system had no idea what happened—and she had no intention of telling it.

The system was so nosy—if it knew she had slept with someone else, it would probably be nagging in her head nonstop!

The whole night quietly passed.

By dawn, the Wens’ estate had erupted in a wave of celebration.

From Wen Tang’s private courtyard to the main gate, from the blooming rear garden to every tiny corner, everything had been freshly decorated. Round lanterns were hung high, and the ubiquitous double happiness symbols glittered in the morning light, creating a scene full of festive cheer!

Wen Tang was awakened early by the Wens’ personal makeup artist. After finishing her makeup and slipping into a women’s suit reportedly handcrafted by a famous designer, she stepped out of the courtyard.

The sight of all the red decorations made her temples throb.

She hadn’t expected the matriarch to go so overboard—this was just an engagement, yet it looked like a full-blown wedding!

Perhaps the matriarch’s grand setup was her subtle way of urging Wen Tang to hurry up and get married.

Wen Tang shook her head and, guided by the butler, got into a stretched Lincoln.

The Wen family was always low-key, rarely appearing in the media.

So, for this engagement between the Wen and Ning families, no media were invited.

But when the stretched Lincoln and the long line of luxury cars behind it were seen, many onlookers couldn’t help but speculate.

As curiosity spread, some even guessed correctly.

“Word is, today’s a lucky day for a high-profile union—two top families joining forces.”

“Really? A union? Don’t wealthy families usually livestream weddings? It boosts exposure and attracts sponsorships!”

“Eh! Those aren’t real top-tier families! True elite families are low-key, almost never seen in the media—they even make the media act according to their wishes!”

When a short video of the luxury car convoy was uploaded online, discussions surged again, and the hashtag #AllegedTopFamilyWeddingPhotosLeaked even trended.

Many were curious about this mysterious trend, though most doubted the claims of a top-tier family wedding.

Soon enough, however, the trend vanished without a trace, and related searches yielded nothing.

On a beach abroad, the evening breeze was cool and refreshing.

Ye Youyi stared at her phone, frustrated that she could find nothing, then tossed it aside. Watching the waves roll in, she gently touched the necklace on her chest.

Because of the time difference, it was still morning in the capital while night had fallen where she was.

Stars twinkled along the horizon, and waves crashed rhythmically in the hazy darkness.

It reminded her of that night she had watched the sunrise with Wen Tang.

The sea remained the same, the night unchanged—but now Wen Tang was not by her side. She was on the other side of the world, hosting a lavish engagement with another Omega.

As expected, love that cannot be openly acknowledged never lasts.

Inside the engagement banquet, lights glittered, and well-dressed guests mingled, occasionally lifting their glasses to exchange pleasantries. Yet almost everyone’s gaze secretly drifted toward the second floor and the spiral staircase.

After a long wait, the moment finally came.

The focus of the evening appeared on the staircase.

With her white hair and kind features, Matriarch Wen, assisted by Meiru, slowly descended to the landing. Smiling, she surveyed the guests below: “Thank you all for waiting.”

After receiving compliments from the crowd, she and Meiru descended the spiral staircase. The matriarch raised her hand to quiet the room. “Today is the engagement ceremony of my granddaughter Wen Tang and Miss Ning from the Ning family. We sincerely thank you all for attending.”

After a long round of polite remarks, she finally introduced the guests of honor.

“This is my granddaughter, Wen Tang.” She waved toward Wen Tang, partially hidden among the crowd, then toward Ning Xu, held by Madam Ning. “And this is my granddaughter-in-law, Xiao Xu.”

From Matriarch Wen’s expression, it was clear she was very pleased with this granddaughter-in-law.

Holding one hand of Wen Tang and the other of Ning Xu, she offered some words of guidance and attempted to bring their hands together.

Both girls pulled away simultaneously.

The matriarch paused, then composed herself, resting her hands on Meiru’s arm instead.

Next came the engagement ring exchange between the two.