The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 25

“Are your family members upstairs?”

“They’re all there. Where’s Leliana?”

“In the parking lot, chatting with your Miss Song.”

“My Miss Song ”

Zhou Qiwei repeated the phrase meaningfully before pulling out her phone to send a text. She then glanced at Ji Xubai. “Planning to leave with her this time?”

“Haven’t decided yet. We’ll see it’ll have to wait until October at least.”

Zhou Qiwei nodded, and the two fell into silence as the cool September breeze drifted between them. A faint scent of liquor clung to Zhou Qiwei apparently, she hadn’t been doing well lately. Unlike Omegas, Alphas had weaker stress resistance, and when overwhelmed, their pheromones sometimes leaked uncontrollably.

Though her pheromones carried the rich aroma of cognac, Zhou Qiwei herself never indulged in alcohol. She always retained her last shred of rationality something Ji Xubai admired but could never match.

From the moment Ji Xubai announced her relationship with Zhou Zhao, Zhou Qiwei had disapproved, and the two had drifted apart. Yet when that marriage ended in tragedy and chaos, Zhou Qiwei was the only one who helped Ji Xubai escape abroad for peace, proving their friendship still held.

That didn’t mean Miss Zhou Qiwei was some modern-day Saint Mary, though. Ji Xubai knew better like just now, Zhou Qiwei had definitely been texting someone, likely to rescue that Miss Song. She rarely spoke directly to Zhou Zhao, so she was probably messaging Leliana instead, using Zhou Zhao’s presence as an excuse.

Ji Xubai’s guess was spot-on. Zhou Qiwei had indeed messaged Leliana, lying that Zhou Zhao had arrived and telling her to stop bothering Miss Song and come over immediately.

“Xiao Bai?”

This city was cursed. Hearing that voice, Zhou Qiwei felt she ought to pray to the crows. Ji Xubai was equally exasperated. Neither needed to turn around that voice was all too familiar. Zhou Zhao had arrived.

“Bai!”

Even the broken Chinese couldn’t mask the surprise in her tone. Ji Xubai couldn’t help but close her eyes what kind of day was this?

Zhou Qiwei stifled a laugh. Enemies were bound to meet with these three gathered, the convention center was truly honored.

Leliana and Zhou Zhao approached from opposite directions, one in an emerald-green backless evening gown, flamboyant as a peacock; the other, seemingly in a hurry, still clad in a stern gray suit, looking every bit the strict schoolmistress.

In critical moments, Zhou Qiwei had a sense of loyalty. She tried to pull Ji Xubai away, but Ji Xubai refused. Some things had to be faced head-on. Why should she hide from Zhou Zhao?

Zhou Qiwei ascended the stairs, glancing back at the three standing in the garden, forming a tense triangle. But soon, Ji Xubai shifted slightly closer to Zhou Zhao often, body language was the most honest expression.

Ah, back then, Ji Xubai had been a dashing ace pilot. Now, look at her.

Love ruined people. It really did.

With a sigh, Zhou Qiwei walked away, unsure where to go. She didn’t want to sit with the Zhou family, nor did she feel like bothering Song Haoyin just yet. But the auction would start soon, and Song’s collection would be up for bidding, she couldn’t leave. With nowhere else to go, President Zhou sat on the staircase steps, hidden in the shadows but facing the auction hall’s main entrance.

“Why are you here?”

The voice was unfriendly, and Zhou Qiwei thought someone was picking a fight again. She looked around but found no one behind her. Only when she lowered her head did she realize the speaker was hiding in the stairwell two people conversing. The woman who had just spoken so aggressively softened her tone: “You haven’t come home for so long. Mom and Dad are really worried about you.”

The other person remained silent. Despite there being two of them, it felt like a one-sided performance. Zhou Qiwei covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, this kind of dialogue was all too familiar to her, as similar exchanges often played out in her own life. After a long pause, the other person in the stairwell finally spoke up: “I’m doing fine now. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“You call being a mediocre actor ‘doing fine’?”

An actor?

Zhou Qiwei quietly stood up and leaned against the railing to peek downward. In the faint light spilling from the auction hall, she caught sight of a familiar face it was actually Zhou Mu’s fiancée. The other person remained with her back turned, and even as they left, Zhou Qiwei never found out who it was.

On the stairs, that solitary figure sat on the steps, the dim light outlining a dark silhouette. Song Haoyin stood at the corridor’s corner, watching the shadow hidden in the faint glow, and finally made a decision. She briskly climbed the steps and, under Zhou Qiwei’s surprised gaze, sat down beside her.

“Be careful with Leliana.”

Song Haoyin hadn’t expected Zhou Qiwei to bring that up first. Before she could ask how Zhou knew she’d met Miss Elden, Zhou Qiwei dropped another bombshell: “She’s a real playgirl, a regular at Voled. She’ll flirt with anyone charming Omega, Beta, even Alpha. Just talking to her could get you pregnant.”

“…She didn’t say much to me. She seemed more interested in Yuanzhi.”

“Oh.”

Zhou Qiwei relaxed. “Then she’s more into Yuanbao’s mom.”

Song Haoyin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her gaze swept over that usually smiling face Zhou Qiwei was verbally attacking her childhood friend, but her eyes were evasive, refusing to meet Song’s. Bathed in the dim light, shadows concealed the faint blush on Zhou Qiwei’s ears, though the fine hairs at their tips seemed to tremble under Song’s gaze, mirroring their owner’s unsettled emotions.

She was always so indulgent toward her, though that indulgence likely stemmed from money and power. She never pushed her away, no matter how unruly she acted during her sensitive phases. More importantly, as long as they weren’t fighting, she always looked at her with such tenderness, even allowing her to lean into her embrace sometimes even pulling her closer!

That feeling was different from friendship. Zhou Qiwei’s friendships, though sometimes secretive, were straightforward, never this hesitant and uncertain. Looking at Song Haoyin was like having a fluffy lop-eared rabbit leap into her heart. Zhou Qiwei cradled that little rabbit inside, utterly at a loss.

“The auction’s starting. Stay with us.”

A voice from below the stairs interrupted Zhou Qiwei’s response. “Ladies, the auction is about to begin.”

No idea how the attendant had spotted them. Zhou Qiwei agreed to Song Haoyin’s request as they descended the stairs. Under the bright lights, besides the attendant, two other people stood waiting and Zhou Qiwei immediately knew trouble had arrived. At the auction hall entrance, Du Ning politely asked Song Haoyin, “Would Miss Song care to join us? Yuanzhi is here too.”

Qu Yuanzhi stood beside Du Ning, looking apologetically at Song Haoyin. No one wanted to be stuck with elders in such a setting. But just moments ago, Aunt Zhou Qing had enthusiastically invited her and her friends over, and now Aunt Du had personally come downstairs to invite Haoyin. She really couldn’t refuse.

Song Haoyin was flattered but instinctively glanced at Zhou Qiwei, who had just accepted her invitation. To her surprise, Zhou Qiwei responded even faster than she could.

The group headed toward the Zhou family’s VIP room. Whenever Zhou Qing attended auctions, she would be there, using broadcast screens and instant communication to stay in touch with her subordinates handling the auction in the main hall. Zhou Qiwei had only entered that VIP room a handful of times. It was entirely decorated according to Zhou Qing’s preferences and was said to be reserved exclusively for the Zhou family’s head.

The four walked together, with Zhou Qiwei trailing behind, Qu Yuanzhi and Song Haoyin side by side, half a step away from Du Ning.

Du Ning slowed her pace, her gaze drifting back unintentionally, sweeping over her youngest daughter before she spoke up with praise: “Congratulations on the film’s success. Yuanzhi, your directing skills are remarkable hard to believe it’s your first feature. And Haoyin, your investment insight is truly rare. Zhou Mu mentioned that among the younger generation of filmmakers, few have both top-tier professionalism and an eye for good scripts like you.”

“You flatter me, Aunt Du!” Qu Yuanzhi struggled to suppress a grin, forcing a composed expression.

Song Haoyin also smiled graciously, her tone gentle and calm: “You’re too kind. The credit goes to Yuanzhi for the script and direction. I only contributed a little.” As she spoke, she slowed her steps, falling in line beside Zhou Qiwei.

Du Ning’s gaze drifted back again. Misinterpreting the look, Qu Yuanzhi cheerfully introduced, “Aunt Du, this is Zhou Qiwei, my good friend and old classmate. Hey, Qiwei, you graduated from Luocheng University too wasn’t Aunt Du your president at one point?”

Zhou Qiwei wanted to laugh, so she did bright and full of camaraderie as she replied to Qu Yuanzhi, “Sadly, President Du never taught me. What a shame.”

“…”

Du Ning nodded with an equally sincere smile but abandoned any thought of speaking to Zhou Qiwei. After all, she couldn’t be sure whether the little troublemaker would address her as “Aunt Du.” The tragic part was, if Zhou Qiwei actually did, Du Ning could only foresee her blood pressure skyrocketing in response.

As fate would have it, just as the group reached the door, Zhou Zhao unexpectedly returned. She hurried over but froze at the sight of them.

Qu Yuanzhi wasn’t very familiar with either of the Zhou siblings there was an age gap, and she had only attended a few Zhou family banquets with her mother. Moreover, she was a little intimidated by Zhou Zhao, the “model child” others compared her to, so she stayed quiet. Song Haoyin didn’t know her at all. Before Du Ning could speak, Zhou Qiwei pushed the door open and walked in.

Zhou Qiwei wasn’t entirely devoid of manners, but even the most oblivious person would notice something off about her tonight, let alone Song Haoyin. Worried, she followed Zhou Qiwei inside, only to find the room’s atmosphere strangely tense.

A young woman wearing glasses was about to leave, while Zhou Mu, CEO of Jiuzhou, held her back. Another, older woman remained seated, dialing a phone.

“Sis, you’re finally back!”

Zhou Mu didn’t even have time to greet Zhou Qiwei who had just entered, immediately asking Zhou Zhao: “Sister, why did you arrest Li Nian? That’s Youyou’s sister.”

Qu Yuanzhi didn’t know Li Nian and felt this wasn’t an appropriate place to stay, wanting to excuse himself.

Song Haoyin was shocked. Li Nian had been arrested? When did this happen, and why? Could their suspicions be true, was Zuo Xingyu’s artificial pheromone really problematic… She wanted to hear more details, but this wasn’t the right setting. She glanced at Zhou Qiwei and noticed she was also fiddling with her phone.

Li You was demanding an explanation from Zhou Zhao, who remained calm and indifferent: “She’s involved in a case and has been taken in for questioning.”

“Fine, then I’ll act as her lawyer right now. I demand to see her!”

Zhou Zhao ignored Li You’s anger, glancing briefly at Zhou Qiwei before looking away: “She already has a lawyer, and she won’t be seeing you.”

“Then who will she see?”

Li You couldn’t understand at a time like this, if Li Nian wouldn’t see her, who else could she possibly meet?

“Yuanbao, please escort Miss Song back to the auction hall first.”

Zhou Qiwei disregarded the others, walking over personally to see Qu Yuanzhi and Song Haoyin out, whispering to Song Haoyin: “Don’t worry, leave this to me.”

“Wait. Zhou Zhao stood up, announcing as casually as if discussing what to eat for supper: “Miss Song can’t leave. She’s coming with me too

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