The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 21

“Are you adjusting well back at school? The research supervisor mentioned you’ve postponed your checkups twice.”

At the Rubik’s Cube & Seventh University Pheromone Research Institute, Zhou Qiwei was reviewing Song An’ge’s latest pheromone indicators the results looked promising. However, the dark circles under Song’s eyes betrayed how hard the junior was pushing herself academically. Zhou, though, held a different perspective on this.

“In our field, research direction and luck often matter more than sheer effort.”

Everyone in the lab worked tirelessly, yet while some produced results, others struggled to even compile a review paper. Given equal effort, applied pheromone research yielded quicker achievements than fundamental studies. To put it bluntly, even padding a paper required more substantive material here.

Though harsh, Song An’ge recognized the truth in these words. Yet she remained drawn to basic research.

“Someone has to do the foundational work Breakthroughs in fundamental understanding whether in precise pheromone component analysis, clarifying glandular emission mechanisms, or decoding the brain-gland-pheromone relationship and their mutual attractions/repulsions would revolutionize applied pheromonics too.”

“……”

These were research frontiers unlikely to see progress for decades. Zhou had only skimmed these depths herself; her career path wasn’t chosen for scientific martyrdom.

Zhou chuckled ruefully, shaking her head. “You’re absolutely right. You’ll probably surpass my achievements in this field someday.”

“I”

“No false modesty, take the genuine compliment,” Zhou interrupted, then added: “You’re welcome to conduct experiments here. We have parallel research projects where you could both contribute data and focus on your own specialization.”

Song’s eyes lit up. She thanked Zhou sincerely unlike the booked-up campus labs, this cutting-edge facility at the Rubik’s Cube-Seventh University joint institute (a global leader in pheromone research) offered immediate access and professional mentorship.

This was incredible!

Watching the figure cross the lawn below, Zhou reflected how much the junior resembled her sister Song Haoyin, both driven perfectionists in their disciplines. Such wholehearted devotion to one’s calling was enviable.

“Go check out your lab space. Contact your treatment supervisor for anything missing I’ve already briefed her.”

After seeing off the junior, Zhou picked up her phone: “She’s gone.”

Ju Yuanzhi hadn’t visited Zhou’s institute in ages. She detested the place every visit carried visceral dread of being dissected by the “Zhou Demon.”

After all, this was the woman who’d contemplated glandular surgery to alter her own unsatisfactory pheromones. Best not provoke that.

“Director Ju honors us with her presence,” Zhou drawled from the couch, lazily teasing her childhood friend.

Qu Yuanzhi called her “Demon King” to her face, but in reality, she didn’t indulge her. She tossed the file bag at Zhou Qiwei with a flick of her wrist. “Seriously, why do you and my mom act like spies exchanging intel? Are you even legitimate businesspeople anymore?”

What couldn’t be discussed over the phone that required physical documents and even demanded her personal delivery? Yuanzhi was aggrieved. The promotional campaign for her film was at a critical juncture. The movie had met box office expectations with at least a month left in theaters, and now was the final push to maximize earnings. Yet here she was, a rising star director on the verge of breaking out, reduced to playing courier.

“Really? If our partnership isn’t legitimate, are you planning to report us to the police?”

“Cut the nonsense!” Yuanzhi plopped onto the couch across from Zhou Qiwei, sprawling out exhaustedly. “I’ve been running around with Hao Yin day and night do you think I’m some idle freeloader? I’m a newly minted film director, a director!”

“Alright, alright, Director Qu, your hard work is duly noted. On behalf of myself, I thank you for your courier services.” Zhou Qiwei drawled, then grinned. “But don’t expect more than verbal gratitude. Once this deal goes through, you’ll get your cut.”

“Like I’d believe that.” Yuanzhi scoffed. Could Zhou Qiwei really turn a profit overnight from some spur-of-the-moment business venture with her mom?

Zhou Qiwei chuckled, steering the conversation elsewhere. “Where did Aunt Qu hand you the files? Her office?”

“The hospital.” Yuanzhi peeled an orange lazily. “Chairman Zuo from Top Profit is apparently sick, so Mom went to visit. Oh, did you hear? Someone’s been aggressively buying up Top Profit shares they’ve already filed a disclosure. And it’s a tough opponent, too. Rumor has it Chairman Zuo was so furious he nearly collapsed.”

This buyer must really hold a grudge against the Zuo family. Zhou Qiwei studied Yuanzhi, who was still munching on orange slices, before asking, “Ever heard of Elden Bank?”

“Yeah.”

Zhou Qiwei feigned nonchalance. “Since when do you care about banking? Planning to take over the family business?”

“Hardly.” Yuanzhi popped another segment into her mouth. “It’s Elden Bank that’s buying Top Profit’s shares. Why would a foreign bank suddenly target them?”

“Film investments. If they claim second place, no one else dares call themselves first.” Zhou Qiwei tossed her a tissue pack, eyes sharp. “Just how much do you hate the Zuos? You’re practically gloating.”

Yuanzhi wiped her hands, taken aback. “Shouldn’t I? Director Song is my mentor, my benefactor. Am I supposed to hold hands with the Zuos and celebrate?”

“Then why haven’t you told Song Haoyin that Wei Yu is your half-brother?”

This was what Zhou Qiwei couldn’t let go. Even though she knew Yuanzhi had no real connection to that scumbag Wei Yu, she needed to confirm where Yuanzhi stood. Zhou Qiwei refused to let another potential backstabter near Song Haoyin not now, when she was eliminating every possible risk.

“You know how messy my family is. How could I even bring that up?”

Yuan Zhi’s biological mother was Qu Jinghan’s first love, and their bond could truly be described as unbreakable. However, before Yuan Zhi was born, Qu Jinghan was forced into a marriage due to family circumstances. The child from that marriage was Wei Yu, who later harassed Song Haoyin at the Caesar Hotel. After Qu Jinghan successfully rose to power, she registered her marriage with Yuan Zhi’s mother, Ms. Yuan, in the second month of taking control of World Group.

Unfortunately, Ms. Yuan was already seriously ill by then. She struggled to hold on for a few more years for the sake of her wife and daughter but ultimately passed away.

“You beat Wei Yu up and threw him back to the Wei family my mother knows about it too.”

Yuan Zhi covered her face with a sigh. She really didn’t want to bring this up: “Am I supposed to tell Haoyin, ‘That guy who harassed you, Wei Yu, is also my mother’s child’?”

“I’m not saying I don’t understand your position. I’m just reminding you,” Zhou Qiwei said earnestly, firmly maintaining her stance as a good friend. “She’ll find out sooner or later. If you truly consider her a friend and appreciate Director Song’s help, then it’s better to find an opportunity to tell her the truth. Otherwise, if Song Haoyin hears about this from someone else in the future, what do you think she’ll feel?”

“And what did Auntie Qu say about the matter?”

“My mother said the Wei family is a disgrace.” Yuan Zhi’s tone finally took on a deep, genuine coldness, her expression full of disdain. “Wei Yu has been raised into this kind of trash by the Wei family. And yet, they still think he can inherit the Wei family’s business and by extension, World Group. Just because he’s a male Alpha? How delusional.”

Even though society has progressed to embrace true diversity in gender issues, many still cling to deeply ingrained beliefs: Alphas naturally bear more responsibilities such as mandatory military service so they should naturally demand a larger share of social benefits. And since they can claim more advantages, the heir should, of course, be a male Alpha first!

Families with this mindset aren’t limited to just the Weis and the Zuos.

These people refuse to acknowledge that most wars are also started by Alphas, and that soldiers rely entirely on logistical support.

Military service isn’t war. Even in war, Alphas depend on the entire societal production system otherwise, they’d have nothing to eat but air. Even if they’ve contributed, that doesn’t mean they can endlessly cash in benefits, much less claim any kind of “natural entitlement.”

The conversation ended with Yuan Zhi deciding to find an opportunity to come clean with Song Haoyin. Zhou Qiwei, standing by, praised Yuan Zhi’s wise decision enthusiastically, sending the future renowned director off in high spirits. Only when she was alone in her office did Zhou Qiwei open her document folder inside were the legal papers confirming Qu Jinghan and Lady Leliana Elden as acting in concert.

Luo City Sixth Hospital, VIP Ward

Zuo Wangshao glared at his two younger brothers and a nephew, cursing furiously: “What the hell are you all good for? You’re all useless! Absolute trash! You, Zuo Wangxun, how did you not notice Elden Bank absorbing shares? Zuo Xingyu, you’re even dumber! Elden Bank made a public bid, and you didn’t even report it to me immediately do you even have a brain?”

“Zuo Wanggong, this is the idiot you raised!”

Standing at the back, Zuo Yang quietly leaned against the hospital room door, realizing the advantage of her low status at least she’d avoided this round of scolding. Still, she couldn’t help feeling her third uncle was somewhat wronged. Having children was like buying lottery tickets; who knew what kind of creature the offspring might turn out to be.

As for Zuo Xingyu, he was indeed a fool who thought himself clever. And her biological father Zuo Wangxun, though not responsible for this area, had performed rather poorly in handling the aftermath.

Only now did Zuo Yang fully understand what had happened. Her eldest uncle had initially thought Director Qu Jinghan was conspiring with minor shareholders to stage a coup, but Director Qu had merely warned against harming shareholder interests before calmly leaving. Before her uncle could even sigh in relief, the financial news on TV announced: Elden Bank had acquired 11% of Dingyi Group’s shares before the morning closing bell and filed the mandatory disclosure.

Zuo Xingyu claimed he’d been urgently gathering information after learning about the disclosure hence his delayed report though the lingering scent of mixed pheromones on him suggested otherwise.

Zuo Wangxun, meanwhile, said he’d been occupied with other work and didn’t normally follow the stock market, perhaps thinking this excuse harmless as he quickly shifted blame to his nephew.

The result? Dingyi’s leadership learned about this critical development from television. Putting herself in their shoes, Zuo Yang could understand why they were furious.

“Enough about assigning blame,” the eldest uncle said. “Just tell me, what’s Elden Bank’s deal? Why are they suddenly trying to acquire us?”

Zuo Yang raised her hand. “To be precise, Uncle, it’s Lady Leliana of the Elden family who wants to acquire our company. Though it’s under Elden Bank’s banner, this is her personal venture.”

“They call her the Great White Shark of the stock market, she enjoys playing with stocks and doesn’t care if she ruins companies. I don’t know her motives, but if we’re looking for tenuous connections, she did attend that Volod nudist retreat last month.”

Seeing the room full of confused expressions, Zuo Yang sighed. Clearly no one kept tabs on potential threats. “You know, the one Zhou Qiwei also attended? The one that got exposed?”

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