Reborn a Scummy Alpha, Happily Ever After with the Movie Queen - Chapter 9

After filling the tub, Wen Tang dipped her hand into the water to test the temperature. It was midsummer—too hot wouldn’t do, too cold wouldn’t do either.

Once she felt it was just right, she stood up and carefully supported Ye Youyi, who was leaning against the sink. Still a little uneasy, she asked softly, “Are you really sure you can manage on your own?”

Ye Youyi bit lightly on her lower lip, her gaze clinging to Wen Tang with soft, lingering sweetness. “And if I can’t, are you going to help me?”

Wen Tang: “…”

Her ears flushed crimson in an instant. She lowered her head and coughed twice to cover her embarrassment. “Just be careful. If anything happens, call me.” With her heart racing, she quickly retreated to the door. “I’ll be in the living room.”

She all but fled as she pulled the door shut behind her.

Outside, Wen Tang rubbed at the fine beads of moisture on her forehead. Maybe it was the steam trapped in the bathroom that made the air feel heavy and hot—enough that her whole body was heating up too.

Inside, Ye Youyi watched her hasty retreat with curved lips.

She had to admit, teasing this silly Alpha was far too much fun.

Casting a glance at her knee, she slowly walked over to the bath. The pain wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been earlier; she could actually move on her own just fine. But in front of an Alpha, it was better to play weak and fragile for a little while longer.

In the living room, Wen Tang sat on the sofa, her eyes fixed on the TV drama playing opposite her. But the sound of splashing water from the bathroom kept tugging her mind away.

Realizing what she was imagining, Wen Tang hurriedly grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, as if the louder dialogue could drown out not only the sound of rushing water but also the dangerous thoughts bubbling in her chest.

Unfortunately, it didn’t help much.

Unbidden, images rose in her mind: a delicate, soft little face, a slender neck. Her heartbeat thumped wildly, faster and faster, heat crawling all over her skin. Even the back of her neck pulsed, making her dizzy, her breathing heavier.

“System! Something’s wrong with me!” Wen Tang called out in panic to the system.

The system quickly scanned her, then spoke in a tone both complicated and exasperated. “This is just a normal Alpha physiological reaction. Just restrain yourself.”

It then noticed that Wen Tang was already, involuntarily, releasing pheromones. Both helpless and amused, it urged, “Go take a suppressant, quickly! Otherwise your pheromones will leak out, and if Ye Youyi catches your scent—well, you know what that means.”

Wen Tang hadn’t been in this world long, so her knowledge about A/O dynamics was still limited. But she did know one thing clearly: an Alpha’s pheromones could trigger an Omega’s heat and that would lead to A/O bonding.

She didn’t even wait for the system to finish before striding into the bedroom and pulling out an injector.

The cool suppressant coursed through her veins, calming the restless heat in her blood. Once her mind was clear again, she collapsed onto the bed, drained. “This feels awful. I won’t keep going through this, will I?”

The system burst into laughter. “Told you—this is a normal Alpha reaction. Even outside of your susceptibility period, it can happen from time to time. But, if you don’t want to suffer like this, there is one way to avoid it.”

Wen Tang shot upright. “What way?!”

The system drawled slyly, “Find yourself an Omega. Problem solved~”

Wen Tang instantly shut the system off.

She had actually thought this so-called advanced system might offer her a real solution—turns out it only gave rotten advice!

Flopping back down, Wen Tang sighed. Right now, her only priority was surviving; there was no way she could go looking for an Omega.

But what about after she completed her mission? She couldn’t stay alone forever, could she?

She had never been in love, but part of her still wanted to try. After all, who didn’t dream of a sweet romance?

The problem was—she was an Alpha now. By this world’s rules, that meant her partners could only be Betas or Omegas.

Feeling her head ache, Wen Tang pulled a pillow over her face. Too complicated. Better not to think about it for now. First, she should get the room ready so Ye Youyi would have somewhere to sleep later.

She had just finished changing the bedding when she heard the bathroom door open, followed by Ye Youyi’s clear, honey-sweet voice:

“Wen Tang, I don’t have any clean clothes to change into.”

Only then did Wen Tang realize she had completely forgotten to bring in a fresh towel and clothes earlier.

She set down the pillow, walked over to the wardrobe, and called back, “Hold on, I’ll bring something for you right away.”

After rummaging for a while, she finally pulled out a camisole nightdress that the body’s original owner had never worn.

It was silk—thin straps nearly invisible against the skin, a neckline that dipped low with delicate pleats. The only issue was it looked a little too big.

Wen Tang held up the thin shoulder straps and stared at the lake-blue slip dress—slightly sexy in design—falling into hesitation.

Wouldn’t it be a little inappropriate for an Omega to wear something like this in front of an Alpha?

She shook her head, tossed the dress back into the wardrobe, and kept searching.

In the end, she carried a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of black trousers to the living room.

Standing outside the bathroom door, she gave a light knock. “I’ve brought you some clothes.”

The lock clicked. She quickly turned her head away and passed the clothes through the crack.

Only Ye Youyi’s head peeked out. Watching Wen Tang’s gentlemanly restraint, she bit her lip before extending a slender arm to take the clothes.

Whether deliberate or not, her fingertips brushed lightly across Wen Tang’s palm as she took them, leaving behind a faint trail of cool water and fragrance from her freshly showered skin.

A shiver raced down Wen Tang’s spine, her scalp prickling. She snatched her hand back, ready to say something—only to see the bathroom door shut again.

Opening her palm, the damp traces still lingered, proof that the touch hadn’t been a figment of her imagination.

She hurriedly wiped the moisture dry with her other hand. Only after confirming no trace remained did she let out a quiet breath of relief.

Good thing Ye Youyi hadn’t seen her nearly lose control. Otherwise, she’d have to wonder if she really was some perverted Alpha.

How shameful—just a fleeting touch and she was already this unsettled.

Truly, being an Alpha in this world was no easy task. Too difficult, really.

Lost in thought, she jumped when the lock turned again.

The bathroom door opened, and Ye Youyi stepped out, dressed in the long sleeves and trousers, her damp hair falling in dark waves over her shoulders.

For some reason, Wen Tang thought her gaze carried a trace of grievance?

She brushed it off, pointing toward the bedroom at the sight of her dripping hair. “Go inside and blow it dry. You can sleep in there—I’ve already changed the bedding and pillowcases.”

Ye Youyi fiddled with her cuff and stared at Wen Tang for a long moment before finally walking toward the bedroom. “Got it. Thank you.”

When the door closed, the taut tension in Wen Tang’s chest finally eased. After a hasty wash-up, she collapsed onto the small bed in the study. Gazing at the crescent moon rising outside, she lifted the system’s shielding.

“Hey, system, can’t you just help me get rid of these so-called Alpha physiological reactions?” Wen Tang sighed. Ever since she’d woken up in this Alpha’s body, she felt unlike herself. A little brush of a girl’s hand and she was already overheated and restless—utterly mortifying.

The system sounded exasperated. “Don’t treat me like I’m omnipotent, alright? You are Wen Tang now. She is you, and you are her. I can’t just snap away your natural physiological responses, got it?”

Wen Tang knew from its tone there was truly nothing to be done.

Two days later.

Early in the morning, Wen Tang got up and, seeing it was still early, slipped downstairs to buy breakfast.

She had just set the dishes out when Ye Youyi, fully dressed, emerged from the bedroom.

“Come eat.” These past days, Wen Tang had been the one buying food and looking after her, so Ye Youyi sat down without hesitation when Wen Tang pulled out a chair.

With a bright smile, she picked up a bun and placed it in Wen Tang’s bowl. “Thanks for taking care of me these past two days!”

“Later I’m heading to the audition,” she added cheerfully. “I hope my good luck holds.”

When Wen Tang heard that, she felt a little embarrassed. ‘These past two days, you’ve had no choice but to eat takeout with me. How could that possibly be considered lucky?”

Ye Youyi tilted her head, watching her intently. After a moment, she set down her chopsticks, gently taking Wen Tang’s hand resting on the table. Her eyes seemed to hold a galaxy’s worth of stars. “Meeting you, that’s luck enough for me.”

The starlight in her gaze shimmered with quiet devotion, as if scattering bit by bit into Wen Tang’s chest.

Her heart thudded wildly again, traitorous and unrestrained. She quickly pulled her hand back and coughed twice. “We’re classmates. Helping each other is only natural.”

Lowering her head, she raised her bowl of porridge, not daring to meet Ye Youyi’s radiant smile. “Eat up quickly. I’ll take you to the audition afterward.”

Ye Youyi lowered her head as well, sipping from her bowl. But her bright eyes kept drifting back to the Alpha opposite her, never once looking away.

________________________________________

Moon Spirit Chronicle wasn’t a big-budget production, but Director Li Zheng’s reputation in the industry drew a large crowd to the audition.

After all, with Li Zheng’s uncanny knack for making stars, landing a role could easily mean becoming the next breakout sensation.

With that thought in mind, many eyed their fellow hopefuls, sizing up the competition.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the lobby, Ye Youyi had just explained to the receptionist that she was here to audition for Moon Spirit Chronicle when she was flatly denied entry.

Her heart tightened, though she kept her appearance soft and demure. “Excuse me, why can’t I go up?”

The receptionist maintained her polished smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t know the reason.”

Ye Youyi pressed her lips together, pleading softly, her voice full of pitiful appeal. “But, didn’t Director Li say anyone could audition? Why am I not allowed?”

Still, the receptionist only repeated with practiced courtesy, “I’m really sorry, I don’t know.”

From the side, Wen Tang tugged Ye Youyi into a quiet corner and whispered, “Looks like someone’s targeting you.” She glanced at the other actors being escorted upstairs one after another. “Otherwise, why would everyone else get through except you?”

“Think about it—who in this industry might hold a grudge against you?”