Reborn a Scummy Alpha, Happily Ever After with the Movie Queen - Chapter 61

“Take someone you’ve worked with before—like Xu Zhao, or this time, Sun Xiao,” the reporter asked bluntly. “You say you’ve never dated them, but have you ever liked either of them?”

The question sent a hush through the entire room.

Even Sun Xiao, who’d been quietly simmering with resentment over Ye Youyi’s indifference, frowned at the reporter’s straightforward tone.

Everyone waited to see how Ye Youyi would respond.

Sitting in a shadowed corner, Wen Tang’s fingers intertwined as her gaze flickered toward the reporter. When she noticed Ye Youyi’s silence, she was just about to gesture to her assistant when she heard that soft, sweet voice speak up.

“Sorry, that question isn’t within the scope of this interview,” Ye Youyi said calmly. “I reserve the right not to answer.”

The reporter opened his mouth again, but Ye Youyi smiled lightly. “However, as for whether I’ve ever liked someone, I don’t think there’s any need to hide that.”

“I did have a girlfriend once. I really liked her. And she really liked me. That’s all there is to it.”

The moment the words left her lips, shock rippled through the audience. Even the livestream barrage exploded into chaos.

It wasn’t that people were surprised she’d been in a relationship—it was that she’d said it so openly.

This was the entertainment industry, after all.

Every artist tried to present themselves as a flawless, ethereal being untouched by mortal desire.

And yet Ye Youyi, that “pure and gentle beauty,” had just admitted to having a girlfriend—without the slightest hesitation.

In the corner, Wen Tang pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on the radiant figure onstage.

She said she’d liked her very much.

Then, what about now?

Did she still like her now?

Wen Tang’s hands tightened, her eyes filled with longing as she looked at Ye Youyi.

The nerve-wracking premiere finally came to an end.

At Director Li Zheng’s suggestion, the main cast stayed behind to watch Release together with the audience.

Inside the dimly lit theater, Wen Tang and Ye Youyi sat not far apart.

But all Wen Tang could do was watch her from a distance—she didn’t dare get any closer.

When the nearly three-hour film finally ended and the lights came back on, Wen Tang quickly lowered her head.

Ye Youyi turned around instinctively, as if sensing something—but saw nothing unusual.

For a fleeting moment, she could have sworn someone had been watching her.

She shook her head and dismissed the thought as her imagination.

Only when Ye Youyi’s graceful figure disappeared from view did Wen Tang rise from her seat.

Today, she had seen Ye Youyi again.

Though she hadn’t held her or kissed her, it was enough.

Release had already been in theaters for over a month. Thanks to the cast’s stellar performances and its unflinching exploration of the social struggles faced by Omegas at the bottom of the hierarchy, the film’s popularity had never waned.

Its score on DouPi (social networking and media platform)had climbed to an astonishing 9.5—slapping the faces of many directors and actors who prided themselves on “realism” yet had publicly failed.

But Release’s success was unstoppable.

Two months after its debut, even the state media praised it for its authenticity and the actors’ deeply moving performances that drew audiences into the story.

The acclaim sent Release soaring to new heights—and every actor in it along with it.

Especially its female lead, Ye Youyi. Her popularity dominated every discussion platform, and what made her the envy of the industry was this: she had almost no haters.

Even the occasional critical voice vanished from the internet within moments.

The highly anticipated awards ceremony arrived.

Ye Youyi and the rest of the Release cast had long been notified and were already en route to the venue.

Walking down the dazzling red carpet, Ye Youyi wore a serene smile, every step poised and graceful.

The event was being broadcast live, and the moment she appeared on screen, the comment feed flooded with “Wife! Wife!”—a wall of adoration that spoke volumes of her fame.

Taking her seat, Ye Youyi greeted Director Li Zheng with a smile and nodded politely to the other actors.

Onstage, the award presenters—two respected industry veterans known for both their artistry and integrity—shared a few lighthearted jokes before moving to the announcements.

Holding their envelopes, they exchanged amused looks and teased the audience, “So, who do you think tonight’s Best Director will be?”

The crowd erupted in playful guesses, laughter bubbling up until the presenters finally revealed the name—Li Zheng.

The director rose humbly, offering a polite bow before stepping onto the stage to deliver her acceptance speech.

The ceremony continued.

At last, it was time for the Best Actress award.

The presenters kept the suspense alive, their tone teasing. Ye Youyi’s hands clenched tightly in her lap.

She’d been informed earlier that she was nominated, but nothing had been confirmed, and her heart still pounded with nerves.

“And the Best Actress award goes to,” the Alpha presenter paused dramatically, smiling as anticipation filled the hall.

“Ye Youyi, for her role as Guo Zi in Release!”

“Let’s congratulate Miss Ye Youyi!”

Thunderous applause and cheers filled the hall.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Ye Youyi’s eyes brimmed with tears.

She had done it.

She had truly done it.

Wiping the corners of her eyes, she smiled shyly, bowed deeply to the audience, and, her heart full of gratitude, walked toward the stage to accept her award.

“Our Miss Ye Youyi seems a little emotional today!”

The award presenter teased with a laugh.

Ye Youyi’s eyes shimmered with tears as she accepted the trophy that symbolized her greatest honor to date.

“Today, I’m really, truly happy!”

Instead of reading from the acceptance speech that Qiu Qiu had carefully prepared, Ye Youyi spoke straight from the heart. She tightened her grip on the microphone and said, “I want to thank Director Li Zheng for giving me this opportunity, and every actor and crew member of Release. It’s because of everyone’s support that I was able to receive this award!”

“And lastly,” she paused, her voice trembling slightly, “I want to thank someone who taught me what it means to treat others sincerely, to fight for my dreams. It was also she who pulled me out of despair time and time again—who cared for me, protected me, and guided me forward.”

“No matter what, I’ll never take this recognition for granted. I’ll keep working hard to bring you even better performances!”

The ceremony finally ended, and Qiu Qiu spotted Ye Youyi coming down from the stage.

Her excitement was barely containable. “You were amazing! Our very own Best Actress, Ye Youyi!”

“Come on, let me touch that trophy!” Qiu Qiu hugged the golden award to her chest, grinning like a total fangirl.

Noticing Ye Youyi’s silence, she nudged her shoulder. “Hey, what’s with the long face? Do you even know how crazy the livestream audience went when you were on stage? Especially during that emotional ‘thank-you’ segment—everyone in the comments was guessing who you were confessing to!”

“Miss Best Actress! You’re already this popular—why aren’t you happy?”

Ye Youyi gave a faint smile.

Qiu Qiu, linking her arm through hers, said cheerfully, “So, how are we celebrating tonight? We need to treat ourselves after such a huge win!”

As they headed toward the nanny van, Ye Youyi suddenly stopped walking.

“Eh?”

Qiu Qiu turned—and froze.

Under the soft glow of the streetlight stood Wen Tang, dressed in a long trench coat, her posture relaxed yet restrained.

Qiu Qiu covered her mouth, quietly retreating a few steps to give space—and time—to the two former lovers.

Wen Tang had both hands in her pockets as she slowly walked toward the Omega whose eyes flickered with emotion.

“Congratulations,” she said softly. “Best Actress.”

Ye Youyi bit down hard on her lip, her eyes rimmed red, all her unspoken emotions glimmering there.

Wen Tang rubbed the back of her neck and forced a smile. “Sorry, I saw you win, and I was just so happy I couldn’t help but come.”

She looked at Ye Youyi again, trying to smile, but her lips trembled instead. “Sorry. I’ll leave now.”

Ye Youyi didn’t say a word. Wen Tang’s throat tightened, her mind blank as she turned to go.

The next second, a hand caught hers.

She froze.

“Don’t go.”

It was Ye Youyi’s voice—soft, trembling, almost on the verge of tears.

Hearing the suppressed sob in her tone, Wen Tang’s chest ached. She slowly turned back.

“You’re really not going to say anything to me?” Ye Youyi’s tears clung to her lashes, sliding down her pale cheek. She looked heartbreakingly fragile—like a small, trembling rabbit that made one want to protect her.

Wen Tang opened her mouth, but words failed. Then, under the weight of those yearning eyes, she broke. She pulled Ye Youyi into her arms and held her tightly.

“I’m sorry, for only coming to find you now.”

She breathed in the familiar sweetness of Ye Youyi’s scent, pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, and spoke with a mixture of release and restraint.

Ye Youyi’s small hands slowly circled Wen Tang’s waist, burying her face deeper into her chest.

Under the bright moonlight and the dim yellow glow of the streetlamp, their intertwined silhouettes stretched long and tender—anyone could see that between the two of them, nothing could ever truly separate them again.

With reddened eyes, Ye Youyi looked up and whispered, “Did you settle everything at home?”

Was that why you’d come to me now?

Wen Tang blinked in surprise, then gently rubbed her cheek. “You mean, my engagement to the Ning family?”

Ye Youyi blinked her large eyes and nodded.

“The engagement’s been annulled. But,”

At that moment, Wen Tang suddenly remembered what had happened back in Qinghe—the one-night stand she’d had with another Omega.

The joy she’d just felt drained away, leaving her cold all over.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell Ye Youyi the truth. But if she kept it a secret, would she be lying to her forever?

Wen Tang slowly loosened her hold, pushing Ye Youyi slightly away.

Ye Youyi panicked. “But what? Didn’t you say you’re in charge of the Wen family now? Are they still trying to force you into another arranged marriage?”

She remembered Wang Lin mentioning that the Wen family elders had long made things difficult for Wen Tang, forcing her into an engagement she never wanted.

Wen Tang shook her head. “No, it’s not that.”

Ye Youyi’s confusion deepened; her anxiety grew. “Then what is it? You’ve already marked me—are you planning to just walk away now?”

Wen Tang’s eyes widened. “What did you say? When did I mark you?”

Then—realization hit. She remembered that night in Qinghe.

Her mind went blank.

Ye Youyi bit her lip, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and slowly leaned in. Her eyes were misty, but also laced with teasing accusation as she cornered Wen Tang against the wall.

“You didn’t forget, did you? Or should I help you remember?”