The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 31

Luo City International Airport, VIP Lounge

“I told you to go back.”

Yan Zhuo looked at Song Haoyin with a helpless smile. “Staying up late will give you wrinkles, you know. Even cosmetic procedures won’t be able to fix them.”

“Just once in a while won’t be that bad.” Song Haoyin stifled a yawn, but tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away. “Sister Yan Zhuo, are you really not even going to hold a formal retirement press conference?”

As a grand slam-winning actress and a legend of her generation, Yan Zhuo had lived in near seclusion since her wife’s death. Song Haoyin respected her wishes, but this time, Yan Zhuo had returned to support her and even transferred shares of her studio to her. Song Haoyin couldn’t help but worry about her mental state.

“A press conference?” Yan Zhuo chuckled, her tone resolute. “There’s no need for one. Actors and celebrities always think they’re so important holding press conferences for retirement, making announcements for comebacks. If you decide to fade away, who will remember you in the long run, except for family? I’m not an idol, and I don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t have the right to be reckless. She wouldn’t want to see me like that.”

Song Haoyin hesitated, unsure what to say. She didn’t know much about Yan Zhuo’s late wife, only that she was someone in the industry a talented voice actress who had passed away young. Even Xiang Zi had remained tight-lipped about the details of their relationship, so Song Haoyin had no way of knowing more.

Yan Zhuo studied the younger woman before her. Though Song Haoyin looked slightly worn out, her spirits were oddly high. As a fellow Omega, Yan Zhuo knew exactly why she could still be so energetic after staying up all night. She pointed at her own neck and asked, “How are things with that Miss Zhou?”

Song Haoyin startled. She had already used concealer ,how could Yan Zhuo still see?

“I noticed it earlier.” Yan Zhuo lowered her head and spoke slowly. “While I believe relationships are your own business, Xiang Zi isn’t entirely wrong. People label each other to avoid risks, which is why she doesn’t approve of you getting too close to Miss Zhou. But if you truly think she’s a good person and want to take things further, you should be more cautious.”

Yan Zhuo understood all too well how a toxic relationship could drain an actor, especially someone emotionally sensitive. Song Haoyin might not be that type, but that didn’t stop Yan Zhuo from worrying. She had seen too many talented actors ruin themselves over love and didn’t want Song Haoyin to follow the same path.

Song Haoyin fell silent, recalling last night at Zhou Qiwei’s home, how the woman had clung to her and gently bitten her neck. She usually despised possessive behavior, finding it crude. But when Zhou Qiwei did it, she only felt electric currents racing through her body. Trembling, she had held Zhou Qiwei tightly, and once their breathing steadied, she had left her own mark on Zhou Qiwei’s neck right in a very visible spot.

Zhou Qiwei hadn’t minded at all. In fact, Song Haoyin even thought she seemed somewhat proud, flaunting the bite mark without hesitation.

“We haven’t actually had a formal talk about it yet. Right now, we’re just friends, I guess.” Song Haoyin fiddled with her coffee cup. She needed someone to confide in, and Yan Zhuo was a good choice. “I don’t know if I should be the one to bring it up. Should I be more reserved? Or drop hints and leave the opportunity to her?”

“She has her issues, and I have mine. As long as there’s no deception, unlike Zuo Wangxun, Zhou Qiwei at this stage is an excellent, nearly perfect friend.”

“Though I’d like to tell you to protect yourself first, I’m hardly qualified to say such things. If you believe their feelings are genuine, then respond. Don’t end up like me,” Yan Zhuo choked up slightly, turning her head to suppress her emotions before giving Song Haoyin her final words: “Don’t regret it like I do.”

Song Haoyin returned alone to her studio, where Xiang Zi and Qu Yuanzhi were waiting in the conference room to discuss the post-screening celebration for “Fuse.”

Within the industry, talent agencies especially those closely associated with Zuo Xingyu, were walking on eggshells. Financial news was abuzz with the scandal surrounding Top Profit Group, creating an atmosphere of impending storm. Yet for most industry professionals, these matters seemed distant, things they’d only heard about but never encountered, so they carried on as if nothing had happened.

“We’ll pick an auspicious date in October for the celebration banquet at Caesar Hotel. Gifts for the crew and transportation fees plus small tokens for the press all these need to be finalized now.”

In the conference room, Xu Su and Yu Miao were also called in to discuss celebration details. Other matters didn’t concern Xu Su; as PR director, her focus was elsewhere.

“Regarding Zuo Xingyu’s situation, media outlets have been calling to sound us out. I wanted to ask for your stance, boss.”

Song Haoyin gave just four words: “No comment.”

Xu Su exhaled in relief. She’d worried her boss might lash out at Zuo’s misfortune due to their past conflicts. Zuo Xingyu’s case was complicated—she’d heard enough to know it was best to stay uninvolved.

As Song Haoyin’s PR director, Xu Su found herself wishing death upon Zuo Xingyu upon hearing the rumors. That spoiled young master wasn’t worth the air he breathed or the ground he’d occupy in death. Ironically, misfortune had brought fortune, when her boss broke with Top Profit, she’d feared Song Haoyin would struggle to recover, never imagining today’s turnaround!

“One more thing,” Song Haoyin spoke, drawing everyone’s attention as she calmly stated, “There may be rumors circulating soon about me and Top Profit Group. My instruction remains: no response.”

“The studio will be restructured into a company.”

After the meeting, Song Haoyin took Qu Yuanzhi and Xiang Zi to her office, revealing, “Once the Top Profit situation settles, during the studio restructuring, I’ll become one of their shareholders.”

This news left both women stunned. Qu Yuanzhi stuttered. she’d assumed Song Haoyin wanted nothing more to do with Top Profit. Xiang Zi, however, felt relieved upon processing the information: there were no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. Besides, Top Profit rightfully owed Song Haoyin her share, why let others benefit?

Considering today’s financial news and her own plummeting stocks, Xiang Zi had an epiphany: “Was this all orchestrated by that CEO Zhou?” Otherwise, Haoyin wouldn’t look so confident this was neither her comfort zone nor her expertise.

In Qu Yuanzhi’s presence, Song Haoyin appeared slightly embarrassed but nodded in confirmation.

“Oh, then I won’t worry. Though the Zhou Demon King has a notorious reputation, she never betrays friends.” Qu Yuanzhi cheerfully informed everyone that Zhou Qiwei was “someone who stands by kin over principles.”

Adults naturally have their own thoughts and decisions. Before leaving, Yan Zhuo also told Xiang Zi that protecting Song Haoyin didn’t mean keeping her in a glass greenhouse. Her artistic journey still had a long way to go, requiring many things to nourish it she needed to walk that path herself.

Consider that CEO Zhou might be nourishment for Haoyin’s artistic road. Whether she’s truly suitable can only be determined through experience. Life is long. there will always be unavoidable obstacles one must face head-on.

“Haoyin, invite CEO Zhou to the celebration banquet. She’s also a key contributor.”

Song Haoyin looked at Xiang Zi in surprise, confirming she was serious, then smiled: “The first invitation will be sent to her.”

When Zhou Qiwei received the electronic invitation, she was already at a banquet with four other guests: Zuo Wangshao, Qu Jinghan, Leliana, and Ji Xubai.

This meal left Zuo Wangshao under tremendous pressure, his stomach ached. As the saying goes, each new generation surpasses the last, and this old wave was about to be washed ashore. Qu Jinghan had visited his company that morning with news: Zhou Zhao, the eldest daughter of Jiuzhou Group, had masterminded Zuo Xingyu’s arrest, while Zhou Mu paid lip service to helping while secretly buying up Dingyi shares at low prices.

The source of this information? None other than lawyer Ji beside him, Zhou Zhao’s ex-wife, no less! With Zhou Qiwei from the Jiuzhou branch family vouching for her credibility and his own verification, the information was indisputable.

Zhou Qiwei amused herself picking at peanuts with chopsticks while Leliana remained her usual unconstrained self. Ji Xubai was determined this time to watch Zhou Zhao fall into the trap. The same information, simply rearranged with seventy percent truth and thirty percent fabrication, could completely alter the narrative’s logic.

The intelligence Ji Xubai conveyed made it sound like Jiuzhou had malicious intentions from the start, planning to devour Dingyi whole. That Ji Xubai disclosed this implied Leliana had ulterior motives. after decades in business, Zuo Wangshao still had the instincts to recognize this.

Thus he asked Qu Jinghan to mediate, inviting Leliana and Ji Xubai, then followed their suggestion to include Zhou Qiwei, resulting in today’s gathering.

“Time is tight, and these dishes are merely passable. Given future opportunity, I’ll certainly invite Ms. Elden to experience Luocheng’s floral banquet,” Qu Jinghan broke the silence as mediator, she needed to steer the conversation.

Among the five present, some had past conflicts, but Zuo Wangshao was ultimately the Zuo family patriarch who could swallow pride when necessary. The old man set aside dignity, raising his glass with a smile: “Should there be a future, I’ll host you all properly. For now, I drink first to show respect.”

“You’re a senior statesman of Luocheng commerce no need for such formality,” Ji Xubai lifted her glass. “Your difficult position is understandable. Who could have predicted Jiuzhou would deal the final blow?”

“The prestigious Jiuzhou Zhou family stooping to such methods,” Qu Jinghan chimed in with feigned lamentation, glass in hand.

Zhou Qiwei immediately seized the thread: “Isn’t that the truth!”

“The Nine Provinces are powerful, and our Zuo family’s Alpha isn’t up to par, I admit that. But to be swallowed up by them like this? Even in my old age, I can’t accept it!”

An enemy’s enemy is a friend. Zuo Wangshao looked around the room, his expression pained as he pressed on: “Chairman Qu, if the Nine Provinces take over Top Yield, not only will my family be left with nothing, but as the second-largest shareholder, do you really think you’ll fare any better? That Second Miss Zhou would be more than happy to crush another rival just to burnish her resume as the heir.”

“Ms. Elden, whatever your reasons were for acquiring Top Yield shares, at this point, if the Nine Provinces step in, managing your stake will become next to impossible.”

“And Attorney Ji well, no need to elaborate.”

Finally, Zuo Wangshao’s gaze settled on Zhou Qiwei. With a dry chuckle, he said, “CEO Zhou, the past should stay in the past. After all, Haoyin still carries the Zuo family’s blood, that’s an undeniable fact. The Nine Provinces already have Panyan Culture. If they come charging in, how could they not squeeze Haoyin’s market share? You wouldn’t just stand by and let that happen, would you?”

Now that was a compelling argument. Zhou Qiwei raised her glass and clinked it against Zuo Wangshao’s. “Absolutely not!”

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