The Black Lotus Omega Always Wraps His Tail Around Me - Chapter 43

No one could say exactly when it began, but Hu Luobei’s social anxiety had clearly grown worse.

By the third time they brushed past each other in silence, Zhao Mumu turned to look at the girl rushing by, full of quiet confusion.

Ever since that dinner with Ji Yanwan, Zhao Mumu had felt that something between them had started to repair itself. And yet, somehow, they felt even further apart than before.

Fu Suihe, on the other hand, had fully embraced her spoiled and willful side. On set, she made no effort to hide her relationship with Ji Yanwan.

It became a common sight. The moment Ji Yanwan finished filming, she would immediately rush to Fu Suihe’s side to bring her water, wipe her sweat, or hand her a jacket.

Sometimes Zhao Mumu felt that Ji Yanwan was busier than Abu, the assistant.

This kind of exaggerated display felt like something a child would do after winning a sticker in kindergarten.

And Ji Yanwan was not always comfortable with Fu Suihe’s demanding attitude.

Take today, for example.

Today’s scene involved an important interaction between Ji Yanwan and Fu Suihe. To save time, the two of them did their makeup and costume changes together.

The scene was about Lu Ming receiving an award. Ji Yanwan had put on a tailored, luxurious handmade suit she had brought from home.

In this scene, Lu Ming stands on stage after accepting her award, only to be grilled by the host about her painful childhood. She freezes, unsure of how to respond.

From backstage, Fu He suddenly appears. Seeing Lu Ming’s distress, she steps in and cuts the power.

In an instant, the entire venue is plunged into darkness. Chaos breaks out. Fu He grabs Lu Ming’s hand and pulls her out of the building.

The two of them leave the stage, leave the banquet hall, and leave behind the noise and applause of the world.

Under the moonlight, they escape into a narrow alley, where their feet shatter the glow of the streetlamps.

It was meant to be a beautifully shot and emotionally important scene. This was the moment Lu Ming began to fall for Fu He.

Director Chen Fei had been preparing for this all day. He even cleared their afternoon schedules to help them settle into the right mindset.

As soon as six o’clock arrived, he started calling everyone into position.

Since it was a Friday, Wuzhen was busier than usual. The Blessing Festival was coming soon, and the town was switching out its warm yellow lanterns for bright, festive ones.

The timing was perfect. The contrast was exactly what Chen Fei had envisioned.

But something was off. Even during makeup, tension had started to build.

Fu Suihe refused to let Ji Yanwan near her and even stood far away when they rehearsed lines together.

At first, Chen Fei didn’t notice. But after calling cut for the third time, he finally realized something was wrong.

Peeking out from behind the camera, he called out, “Fu He, you’re supposed to show love for Lu Ming. You’re her savior in this scene.”

“Stop keeping a straight face. Let’s try again. This is take four. Action.”

On stage, Lu Ming’s expression was strained. The host continued to press her with painful questions about her past.

The lights of the cameras below blurred her vision. The clapping and cheers sounded like monsters, grinning with bloody mouths, ready to tear her apart.

Just as she was about to faint, a familiar figure appeared backstage.

Fu He stood in the shadows, dressed in black. Her eyes were full of concern. Their eyes met. Fu He reached out her hand and cut the power.

“Cut, cut, cut.” Chen Fei’s voice was sharp. He stepped forward, clearly displeased. “Fu He, you’re supposed to save Lu Ming. Even if you’re only acting, show that you care. Understand?”

Fu Suihe bit her lip, clearly upset.

Still lost in character, Ji Yanwan remained on stage. Her face was pale, and the pain of the scene hadn’t yet left her.

Chen Fei sighed heavily and called for a break.

Standing nearby, Zhao Mumu had been quietly observing everything. She saw how Ji Yanwan remained frozen in place and felt a strong wave of sympathy.

As soon as the break was announced, Fu Suihe turned and walked away, leaving Ji Yanwan alone.

Zhao Mumu clenched her fists, then let them go. Then she clenched them again.

She finally stepped forward.

“It’s alright, Awan. Come back to yourself,” she said softly, offering a tissue.

Ji Yanwan stared blankly at the tissue in her hand. A faint strawberry scent lingered on the paper, along with a soft red imprint.

The fragrance pulled her back a little. Then she collapsed into Zhao Mumu’s arms.

Zhao Mumu gently patted her back, repeating her name again and again.

“Awan. Wanwan. You are still you.”

She could feel how tense Ji Yanwan’s body was. Like a frightened animal, her entire being was braced for attack.

Humans, like kittens, could also experience shock.

Zhao Mumu had learned this on a previous film set. In that project, the tone was much darker. One time, the lead actress broke down after a scene and cried uncontrollably in place.

Even with the director coaching her on the side, nothing helped. Until an actor who had already finished filming came forward, held her tightly, and gently called her name over and over.

That memory stuck with Zhao Mumu.

Now, as she held Ji Yanwan, she repeated her name with the same patience and quiet care.

Eventually, Ji Yanwan froze. Then soft sobs began to escape her throat.

They were the quiet cries of someone who had finally found someone to lean on after being pushed too far.

Zhao Mumu didn’t stop. She kept comforting her with a gentle rhythm.

Her voice softened even more, leaning in by Ji Yanwan’s ear, calling her name like a secret. In her heart, she pretended to be someone more than a friend.

Finally, Ji Yanwan let out a quiet breath and said thank you.

Zhao Mumu’s hand stopped. She knew her stolen moment had come to an end.

As Ji Yanwan stepped out of her arms, her gray eyes looked like a rain-soaked swamp, glowing with quiet depth.

Zhao Mumu felt herself slipping.

But before she could process the feeling, Ji Yanwan was suddenly shoved aside.

Their embrace ended. Zhao Mumu staggered but was caught by someone else.

The tears on Ji Yanwan’s face had dried. Her expression was calm again.

She helped Zhao Mumu stand and then looked up at the person who had interrupted them.

The woman standing there was furious.

Fu Suihe’s expression was cold, her gaze sharp as a blade.

She stared at Ji Yanwan’s arm still wrapped around Zhao Mumu’s waist. Her eyes narrowed in disgust.

She said with a sneer, “Miss Zhao, aren’t you being too fragile? I pushed Ji Yanwan. What are you reacting to?”

At those words, Zhao Mumu’s face turned even paler.

Fu Suihe’s eyes pierced right through her, reading the thoughts she thought were hidden. Embarrassed, Zhao Mumu pulled away from Ji Yanwan’s hold.

She stood quietly off to the side, like a child who had done something wrong, her head lowered as she waited for Fu Suihe to explode. But the scolding she had expected never came. Instead, Ji Yanwan stepped forward and shielded her.

Everything in that moment was clearly seen by Fu Suihe, including Zhao Mumu’s instinctive flinch.

The suspicion that had been lingering in Fu Suihe’s mind now fully resurfaced. Zhao Mumu really did have feelings for Ji Yanwan.

Before Fu Suihe could say anything, Ji Yanwan’s voice interrupted.

The person who usually only smiled at her now had a serious expression, and her voice was icy cold.

She said, “Apologize.”

Fu Suihe looked as though she had just heard something ridiculous. Her expression turned mocking. “Ji Yanwan, what did you just say?”

“I said apologize.” Ji Yanwan’s voice remained firm as she stared into her eyes. “Apologize to Zhao Mumu.”

They stood face to face, neither willing to back down.

Fu Suihe’s gaze shifted slowly from Zhao Mumu to Ji Yanwan. A cold smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “So this is why you’re not taking me to the banquet?”

“I was wondering why you changed your mind so suddenly. Now I understand. You’ve found someone new.”

Zhao Mumu immediately realized what had caused the tension between them.

Fu Suihe hadn’t been invited to the Zhao family banquet. Ji Mingtao didn’t like the Fu family, and she had likely pressured Ji Yanwan to leave Fu Suihe out.

Zhao Mumu thought back to the phone call that night and suddenly felt a wave of guilt.

But Ji Yanwan and Fu Suihe remained at a standstill. Neither spoke, neither backed down. Their tension quickly drew attention from the others nearby.

Over the past few weeks, Fu Suihe’s constant demands had drained Ji Yanwan. And the phone call from Ji Mingtao last night had brought everything to a breaking point.

Since then, Fu Suihe had been constantly picking fights.

Extras and crew began to notice the situation. Some stood nearby, wanting to watch but too afraid to get involved.

Still, Ji Yanwan refused to back down. “The banquet is something between the two of us. Don’t involve others.”

“I’m the one involving others?” Fu Suihe’s laugh was cold. “The Zhao family invites other families by sending standard invitations. Why was yours delivered by hand? You know what she’s trying to do better than I do.”

Her voice was sharp and cutting. Her eyes locked onto Ji Yanwan’s with intensity.

Hu Luobei quietly stood behind Zhao Mumu, watching without daring to move. She was afraid Fu Suihe might do something reckless.

But the two women simply stared at each other in silence.

Zhao Mumu finally spoke in a soft voice to ease the tension. “This was my mistake. I’ll make sure to send Miss Fu a new invitation.”

“How thoughtful of you, Miss Zhao,” Fu Suihe said, her tone full of sarcasm. Then her gaze fell back on Ji Yanwan. Her voice softened slightly. “And you, Awan? Would you still go without me?”

Hu Luobei caught a faint flash of red in Fu Suihe’s eyes. It disappeared the moment she blinked.

Just like that night, it was the mark of a fox’s charm.

Then Hu Luobei noticed something else.

A small bump had risen just beneath Ji Yanwan’s scent gland. It pulsed slightly with Fu Suihe’s fading charm.

That was… a love curse?

Hu Luobei’s face turned pale. She could not believe what she was seeing.

How could a fox dare to use a love curse on a wolf?

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