The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 52

The current weather in Luo City was harsh. Though not as severe as the freezing blizzards of high-latitude cities like York, the damp cold of this coastal city was still unbearable.

But from the vantage point of the helicopter, Song Haoyin saw Luo City’s winter in a way she never had before vast stretches of pine forests, their deep green dominating the landscape. As the helicopter descended, she could even spot pine cones peeking shyly between the branches.

She and Zhou Qiwei were on their way to the Zhou family estate.

Song Ange had left for York the previous week. The research institute there was being established from scratch, and Zhou Qiwei wanted her junior to gain more experience. Beyond just conducting research, participating in project planning and execution was a rare opportunity for any scholar.

Even if Song Ange eventually chose to become a pure academic, learning how to secure funding would only benefit her especially since Ange herself was eager to go.

If nothing else had come up, this would have been the year Song Haoyin and Zhou Qiwei celebrated New Year’s together. But plans changed quickly, and after much deliberation, Zhou Qiwei accepted Madam Zhou’s enthusiastic invitation. Their relationship, though not yet publicly announced, was an open secret among those who mattered.

Bringing Song Haoyin to the Zhou family estate was a clear statement: she was Zhou Qiwei’s girlfriend.

Anyone who dared to scheme against Song Haoyin would be crossing not just Zhou Qiwei, but the entire Zhou family. If she could add another layer of protection for her girlfriend, why wouldn’t she?

Zhou Qiwei knew all too well that no one could protect another person 24/7.

What she could do was gild Song Haoyin’s reputation and drape her in the Zhou family’s prestige a warning to all ill-intentioned individuals that any move against Song Haoyin would come at a devastating cost.

To ease her girlfriend’s nerves though she doubted anyone would dare slight her Song Haoyin today Zhou Qiwei added, “Du Xin will be bringing Tinglu over tonight, and Yuanbao will visit tomorrow with her mother for New Year’s greetings.” With friends around, Song Haoyin wouldn’t feel isolated.

Song Haoyin wasn’t nervous, but Zhou Qiwei’s attitude amused her. It was as if the Zhou family estate were some kind of dragon’s den.

Ever since Zhou Qiwei had candidly revealed her background, Song Haoyin had pieced together an understanding of her through conversations, public records, and even asking Du Xin. In the Zhou family, Zhou Qiwei wasn’t exactly a troublemaker, but she was certainly a little tyrant.

Her two mothers were utterly helpless with her, and her powerful older sister could only resort to gentle persuasion. Given that, Song Haoyin figured she could borrow some of that influence no one would be foolish enough to pick a fight during the New Year.

Her relaxed mindset lasted until the helicopter approached the Zhou estate. Pointing below, she asked, “What’s that area over there?”

“The equestrian grounds.”

“And that building to the north? It doesn’t look like a residence.”

“A museum. It houses Chancellor Du’s collections and the Zhou family’s heirlooms.”

“What about that tower? Hey, who are those people near the landing pad?”

“Madam Zhou my birth mother.”

Zhou Qing, dressed impeccably, stood near the landing pad, braving the cold wind with a radiant smile that starkly contrasted the gloomy weather.

Zhou Qiwei, who was itching to roll her eyes, opened her mouth to retort but swallowed her words upon seeing Song Haoyin already shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with Madam Zhou. Du Ning stood behind her wife, watching their tight-lipped daughter, and suddenly smiled.

“Your dress is this year’s Cartier theme, inspired by the Baroque era.”

Upon entering the mansion, Song Haoyin admired Zhou Qing’s taste as she removed her coat. Before she could speak, Zhou Qiwei muttered, “Looks like a wedding cake.”

Zhou Qing’s smile froze at her daughter’s jab. Though not angry, her disappointment was palpable.

Noticing this, Song Haoyin sincerely complimented, “The dress suits you perfectly.”

The ornate Baroque-style gown, with its lavish details, would overwhelm most either too bold in color and design or too daring for those past middle age. Yet Zhou Qing effortlessly embodied its essence: a powerful woman of strong individuality and authority.

Had she lived in that era, no one would doubt Zhou Qing would have been a noblewoman lavishly patronizing the arts.

Zhou Qiwei personally favored minimalism, finding such extravagant styles beyond her aesthetic. Still, since Song Haoyin insisted it suited her mother, she studied it carefully before reluctantly conceding that while she didn’t appreciate it, she respected individual taste.

Earlier, on the helicopter, Zhou Qiwei had frantically researched “dos and don’ts when bringing your girlfriend home for the first time.” Beyond protecting her partner, maintaining family decorum was crucial no first impressions of a den of thieves. Civility, warmth, and manners were key; no one wanted their home likened to a cesspool, after all.

Her daughter’s sudden restraint left Zhou Qing and Du Ning exchanging bewildered glances, as if the sun had risen in the north. For years, Zhou Qiwei’s stance toward them had been, “No life advice, thanks.” Stubborn to a fault, they’d learned never to confront her head-on, fearing she’d double down out of spite.

Love truly worked miracles.

Watching Zhou Qiwei lead Song Haoyin on a tour, Zhou Qing was suddenly overcome with regret promptly taking it out on Du Ning’s waist.

“What did I do now?” Du Ning winced.

“We should’ve encouraged Weiwei to date sooner. She might’ve met Haoyin ages ago.” Zhou Qing unceremoniously pinned the blame on her wife. “This is your fault!”

Fair enough, Du Ning thought. She was the one who’d dissuaded that student back then.

“But Haoyin is such a sweet girl. Artistic Omega women really are the best.”

Du Ning scoffed. Cupping her wife’s face, Zhou Qing teased, “You artistically oblivious Alphas could never understand the power of art.”

The Zhou family’s ancestral home had housed several generations, inevitably bearing strong imprints of different eras in many aspects. Antique vases could be seen everywhere a decorative preference characteristic of upper-middle-class families from the last century. Song Haoyin was quite curious about them. Zhou Qiwei casually picked up a vase, pulled her to sit on the sofa, and placed the vase on Song Haoyin’s lap.

Listening as she discussed the artistic style of the vase, its approximate firing period, and the main artists of that stylistic school at the time.

“Ms. Zhou must really like having you as her daughter.”

Zhou Qiwei laughed: “In our family, she’s the only one who truly loves art and is willing to spend time supporting artistic creations. Zhou Zhao is more like an Alpha. she wants to out-Alpha even Alphas, instinctively avoiding anything emotional. Zhou Mu treats these things merely as commodities. As for Ms. Du, she’s only interested because she’s accompanying her wife; she’s not genuinely passionate about it.”

“Mention anything about modern or postmodern art, and everyone scatters except Ms. Zhou, who gets excited.”

Putting down the vase, Song Haoyin was led by Zhou Qiwei to Zhou Qing’s private collection room. The moment she stepped inside, she understood why Zhou Qiwei frowned at the mention of aesthetics. Ms. Zhou Qing’s artistic views were highly professional, and her taste could be described as eclectic. Some pieces were indeed challenging to appreciate pop art, polka dots, and deconstructionist paintings, for instance.

“Ms. Zhou would be perfect focusing on the art industry.”

Standing beneath a massive ukiyo-e print with intricate modern lines and delicate details, Song Haoyin’s observation earned Zhou Qiwei’s agreement.

They wandered around, stopping here and there, but even by lunchtime, Song Haoyin hadn’t seen the entire mansion. Zhou Qiwei reassured her that they could continue exploring in the afternoon after resting.

“Didn’t you say the guests would arrive this afternoon?”

“It doesn’t matter. We can ignore them.”

Zhou Qiwei took her to the dining room, where not only Zhou Qing and Du Ning were present, but Zhou Zhao had also returned to the mansion though the eldest daughter seemed rather listless.

The five of them sat down, three of them silent, while Zhou Qing eagerly engaged Song Haoyin: “Weiwei took you to see the collection which piece did you like the most?”

Surprisingly, Zhou Zhao interjected: “Mom, with so many pieces, how can you expect Ms. Song to choose?”

Zhou Qing resolutely ignored her eldest daughter’s comment and stubbornly chatted with Song Haoyin about her favorite artworks before the meal, especially after Song Haoyin mentioned liking that ukiyo-e print. Ms. Zhou excitedly grabbed her hand and exclaimed, “I love that painting too!”

To facilitate their shared passion, Zhou Qing made an impromptu decision. she wanted to switch to a round table so she could sit next to Ms. Song!

The butler, along with the household staff and temporary helpers, rearranged another corner of the dining room. Everyone moved and sat down again, waiting for the meal to be served.

Zhou Qiwei found it all rather dull. She remained silent throughout the meal until everyone dispersed to rest afterward.

“This is my bedroom.”

Pointing to the spiral staircase ahead, Zhou Qiwei told Song Haoyin that the tower she had just seen was her bedroom. There was also an elevator to reach it. Zhou Qiwei explained calmly that this tower had been built when she was in elementary school, obsessed with magic and fantasy. Her family had learned about it from her grandmother, and thus, the tower came to be.

Song Haoyin was stunned. She thought her own mother was already quite indulgent, but it seemed there was always someone more excessive.

However, Song Haoyin also understood why Zhou Qiwei appeared so silent and weary. She took Zhou Qiwei’s hand and stepped into the elevator, gently stroking her girlfriend’s fingers. “After everything that happened, I still held onto some illusions about Lao Zuo. Even if it was just an act, he had played the role of a passable father for so many years… Family is like that unless something shatters the past completely.”

For Zhou Qiwei, whether she chose to accept it or not, the compensation offered was undeniably tangible. Unlike an experiment, where success or failure yields clear results, familial ties were often messy and hard to sever completely.

She understood the logic, yet Zhou Qiwei couldn’t help feeling that Zhou Qing’s kindness toward Song Haoyin was overbearing. Of course, her girlfriend was lovable to everyone. But the moment she imagined Zhou Qing’s behavior might be performative, Zhou Qiwei just wanted to drag Song Haoyin back home and free them both from the act. Wasn’t it exhausting?

Holding her hand, Song Haoyin led her through the semicircular, fantastical-themed living room and into the bedroom.

“Weiwei seems to be in a bad mood,” Zhou Qing reclined on the chaise lounge, her tone tinged with disappointment.

“When you see her this afternoon, I promise she’ll be in a much better mood.”

Facing her wife’s puzzled look, Madam Du smiled without answering. Most Alphas were easy to soothe, especially after deepening their bond with an Omega. As long as the Omega was happy, the Alpha would inevitably be affected. It had been true for her, just as it had been for Ji Xubai and Zhaozhao back then and of course, it would be the same for Weiwei. It was an irresistible instinct between Alphas and Omegas.

This year’s guests still included the Zhou family’s close relatives cousins from the extended family as well as distant relatives, though only a handful held high-ranking positions in Jiuzhou. There were also important in-laws, like Du Xin, and tomorrow would bring key business partners, such as Qu Yuanbao and her mother.

“In short, it’s a New Year’s banquet where relationships and status are clearly defined even if everything appears polite on the surface.”

Standing side by side in the walk-in closet, Zhou Qiwei and Song Haoyin discussed what to wear for the afternoon and evening events. Most of the clothes here were from brands Zhou Qing favored, delivered seasonally as everyday wear or formal attire. Some were custom-made, though Zhou Qiwei had barely worn them.

Song Haoyin nodded in understanding but still asked curiously, “How are relationships and status determined? By blood?”

“Not exactly.”

Helping her girlfriend try on outfit after outfit, and even calling the brands to request the right sizes, Zhou Qiwei shared it like gossip: “It’s actually quite progressive closeness is determined by the potential benefits, whether economic or social.”

Later, when Song Haoyin and Zhou Qiwei made their entrance into the banquet hall together, the Zhou family’s close and distant relatives, as well as in-laws, had all arrived. Song Haoyin happily greeted Du Xin and Xuan Tinglu, having friends in such a setting was always something to celebrate.

Soon, with Du Xin by her side, Song Haoyin uncovered the secret of this banquet.

Contrary to most expectations, the earliest arrivals were the distant relatives from the Zhou family’s branch lines those who actually had the most tenuous connection to the hosts. Though they appeared quite respectable and each possessed their own strengths, these close relatives adopted an attitude that was both ingratiating and carefully poised when facing the masters of Kyushu.

The ones who received respect while maintaining a lukewarm distance were the more distant relatives working within Kyushu. They had no need for flattery. what they needed were KPIs.

As for the in-laws in attendance, only Du Xin was present. She was intimately familiar with this grand mansion, and her relationship with the Zhou family went without saying. Du Xin secretly told Song Haoyin that for many years, her task had been to keep an eye on Zhou Qiwei to prevent her from slipping away midway through events. However, with a dignified elder’s demeanor, President Du looked at Song Haoyin approvingly: “Now this responsibility can be passed to you.”

“Pass what to her?” Zhou Qing appeared behind Du Xin. She wasn’t there to interrogate Madam Zhou had come to “abduct” Song Haoyin, personally introducing her to everyone present.

Zhou Qiwei had barely looked away for a moment when her girlfriend was whisked off. She wanted to follow, but was stopped by Madam Du. Du Ning quietly told her daughter: “Since it’s Haoyin’s first time visiting our home, let your mother have the pleasure of making introductions. Let her enjoy this.”

Madam Du kept some words unspoken. Zhou Qing was practically vibrating with excitement. Had she retained even a shred less self-control, she would have announced to the world that Zhou Qiwei was capable of romance! That people should stop slandering her daughter’s reputation! Her Weiwei was now walking the path of happiness!

Zhou Qiwei frowned, feeling like she’d fallen into a den of bandits, but Madam Du was right having Madam Zhou personally make the introductions served as its own form of intimidation.

“Where’s Zhou Mu?” Zhou Qiwei scanned the room curiously. “Why hasn’t she arrived yet?”

Du Ning’s expression turned slightly helpless as Zhou Zhao, who had been following her, answered: “She’s still busy with work on a business trip. She’ll return tomorrow.”

The woman everyone thought was “on a business trip” had actually gone to the Capital Special Municipality, where aside from government offices, there were only universities. Li You was attending a class reunion there today.

Although her mother disapproved of terminating the engagement, and Li You’s family seemed reluctant to dissolve it… Zhou Mu had personally driven here, even fabricating an excuse about a business trip, precisely because she hoped the two could have an honest discussion about their engagement.

Li You was in low spirits, already considering whether to abandon her position at Panyan Culture and return to her original profession. Perhaps she should take her old classmate’s advice and rejoin the civil service by entering the Ministry of Justice.

But what about the engagement?

Before Li Nian went abroad, she’d had a heart-to-heart with her younger sister about their family, about their respective careers. It was the first time the sisters had confronted each other’s inner worlds so directly. Li Nian told her sister not to consider their family, but to think about herself to carefully weigh the pros and cons of this marriage.

“If you leave Panyan Culture, if you leave Zhou Mu, then no matter how remarkable Kyushu is, it would have little bearing on your career. A marriage alliance with Kyushu actually benefits our family the most our parents, your future children. Ultimately, whether you should terminate the engagement depends on you, Youyou. In this engagement, can you obtain what you truly want?”

Li You felt utterly helpless. At thirty years old, she was only now beginning to contemplate what she truly wanted in life. During her student years, her major had been chosen by her elders. Though she had pursued relationships of her own accord, her family still meddled deeply. And now, her career had veered completely off course from her original aspirations.

Back then, she had accepted Zhou Mu’s invitation not just because of their close friendship and her desire for a change of environment, but more importantly because Li You believed she could leverage Panyan Culture to create the programs she truly wanted legal dramas, educational content about jurisprudence, and similar projects.

She had hoped this job would allow her to make a positive, meaningful impact on the world.

And now?

The case she had stubbornly insisted on had finally been resolved, proving Zhou Qiwei’s innocence. Professionally, Panyan Culture had been completely squeezed out an absolute, unmitigated failure. As for her personal life, both she and Zhou Mu silently understood their relationship was teetering on the brink of collapse.

Taking advantage of a class reunion gathering, Li You drank herself into a stupor. Staggering back to her hotel, she encountered someone she’d rather not see in the lobby.

In the early hours of the morning, Zhou Qiwei was awakened from sleep by a call from Zhou Zhao: “Zhou Mu is in trouble!”

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