The Female Supporting Character in a Melo-dramatic Novel Switched Roles from Omega to Seme - Chapter 8

Ignoring the teasing, Lin Tingci calmly entered the conference room to retrieve her belongings and took Lu Chizao from Xiao Jiang.

People rushed out to catch a glimpse of the legendary Lu Chizao, their reactions exaggerated. Even Lu Chizao, accustomed to being the center of attention, felt a bit awkward.

Forgetting her original purpose at Linchuan Art, she quickly waved goodbye to Xiao Jiang and hurried to catch up with Lin Tingci.

“Shall we eat out?”

“Your school cafeteria is pretty good, though.”

The late-night snacks they had last night were delicious; they must be even better during the day.

Lu Chizao had just turned away from Xiao Jiang, the corners of her eyes curving upward in a lively arc. Lin Tingci’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment longer.

“It’s fine for us ordinary students, but not for a picky young lady like you.”

“I ate like that when I was a student too, you know,” Lu Chizao pouted, then declared, “Let’s just eat at school. No need to go out—it’s too much trouble. Let me relive my campus days.”

“If you like it, then that’s fine,” Lin Tingci replied.

This morning, Xiao Jiang had brought not only clothes suited to Lu Chizao’s style but also a preppy argyle knit sweater and a black pleated skirt. Considering the setting, Lu Chizao had worn the latter outfit to blend in with the campus environment.

Her skin was soft and pale, her long, wavy, light-brown hair cascading over her shoulders and back. Bathed in the warm early autumn sunlight, her skin seemed even more translucent, making her look no different from a regular student.

Walking beside her, Lin Tingci drew several times more attention than when she was alone.

Lin Tingci was already a legendary figure at Linchuan Art. Having been admitted to the directing program at just 18, her brilliance was evident. From a wealthy family and academically exceptional, her coursework during her undergraduate years was already competition-worthy. The films she shot during winter and summer breaks were immediately scheduled for theatrical release.

As a high-ranking Alpha, she possessed striking features and an aloof demeanor, attracting countless Omegas and Betas eager to forge connections with her. The acting department, in particular, flooded her with submissions whenever she recruited actors. Even for minor roles or background extras, people clamored for a few seconds of screen time in her productions.

When she decided to pursue graduate studies, Linchuan Art’s campus forum erupted with celebratory threads, rejoicing at the prospect of having her on campus for two more years.

Lu Chizao, however, remained completely unaware of all this. She simply knew Lin Tingci as the girl next door, having never delved into her background. This explained her surprise and curiosity when Xiao Jiang began showering Lin Tingci with praise.

Walking along the campus path, Lu Chizao no longer felt any discomfort under the gazes of others. Having been beautiful since childhood, she was accustomed to being admired.

Lin Tingci, however, showed no reaction whatsoever, simply because she didn’t care.

So neither of them noticed when someone secretly took their photo.

The person immediately posted the photo on the campus forum, asking who the person accompanying Lin Tingci was.

The forum quickly buzzed with speculation, with some suggesting it was Lin Tingci’s boyfriend, while others guessed it was the female lead of her upcoming film.

Shi Yuer, a second-year student, was having lunch with her classmates after class as usual.

She had seen the rumors about the Lu family earlier that day, which initially only mentioned that Lu Chizao might not be the Lu family’s biological daughter. Over the course of a few classes, the rumors had intensified and spread like wildfire, now including news of Lin Raoyin and Lu Chizao’s engagement being called off.

A TV drama? Is this really necessary?

Shi Yuer quickly took a screenshot and forwarded it to Shi Yuzhe, asking where Lin Tingci was.

After all, what others were spreading were just rumors. No one knew the truth better than the Lin family themselves.

However, Shi Yuzhe’s collaboration with Lin Tingci was based on their close friendship. Even with his own sister, he wouldn’t casually reveal her whereabouts without her permission.

Lin Tingci had made that clear.

Unable to get any information, Shi Yuer turned to her friends who had also come from Yuanshou to study in Linchuan, hoping they might know something.

*****

In the cafeteria, Lin Tingci and Lu Chizao were already waiting in line for the army hot pot.

As autumn turned chilly, hot and comforting food was in high demand, making the line long.

Gazing at the overhead screen displaying the available toppings, Lu Chizao had been counting on her fingers, eager to try this and that.

Tilting her head up to ask Lin Tingci, who stood half a head taller, “Can I use your campus card?”

Lin Tingci, standing slightly behind her with hands in her coat pockets, silently retrieved her campus card from her pocket and handed it over, as if to say, “Go ahead and use it.”

Lu Chizao’s eyes curved into crescents as she accepted the card with delight.

Their natural interaction drew whispers from the people behind them in line.

“Is the person with Lin Tingci an Omega? What’s her major? I’ve never seen her before.”

“She’s definitely not from our school. If such a striking girl had enrolled, she’d have been all over the confession wall on her first day.”

“Could she be a celebrity? Does anyone know? I’m going to check the forum.”

“No idea, but she’s absolutely stunning. Her refined elegance and noble bearing are worlds apart from us mere scraps left over from Nuwa’s creation.”

When the girls opened the school forum, they found a thread had already been started.

Unfortunately, despite the crowd of onlookers, no one could identify Lu Chizao.

The photos taken by passersby were too blurry. Taking advantage of their proximity, the girls collaborated to create a diversion and anonymously posted high-definition side profiles in the comments.

Lu Chizao spoke to Lin Tingci again, and as she turned, she inadvertently caught a burning gaze. Only then did she realize that many people in the cafeteria were staring at her.

The feeling was all too familiar.

Ever since Lu Chizao’s features matured in middle school, she had always attracted this level of attention whenever she walked down the street.

Now, she regretted ignoring her countless admirers throughout her life. After completing her mission and dumping Lin Raoyin, she could have at least chosen the best among them.

But it wasn’t too late to start looking now.

Switching Alphas wasn’t a big deal. Lu Chizao refused to end up miserable like she had in her previous life, cut off from both Lin Raoyin and the Lu family.

Even if she couldn’t immediately detach herself from her deep feelings, the old saying held true: time and new love were the best remedies for healing a broken heart.

Lock in your female lead, my next one will be much better. Hmph.

Lu Chizao was already secretly calculating her next move.

As an Alpha, Lin Tingci had excellent hearing. She noticed someone whispering during the early stages of the photoshoot.

It seemed no one could tell they were several years apart.

Lin Tingci showed no aversion or any other emotion regarding this.

But when it came to the photos…

Lin Tingci subtly shifted her position, blocking most of the gazes directed at Lu Chizao from behind.

In Lu Chizao’s eyes, there was a clear distinction between students and working adults. Students who hadn’t been hardened by the harsh realities of society remained more innocent and pure—like soft, white dough compared to the crispy, golden fried dough sticks sizzling in hot oil.

To her, Lin Tingci was still just a young thing.

A question suddenly occurred to Lu Chizao, and she couldn’t resist asking. Tilting her head, she asked, “How did you manage to skip two grades and take the junior high entrance exam in your first year?”

On the way with Xiao Jiang, Lu Chizao had recalled some of Lin Tingci’s past. When Lin Raoyin was in her first year of high school, Lin Tingci was also in her first year—a truly remarkable feat.

That’s why she was graduating with her master’s degree at just 23.

“Aren’t Uncle Lin and Aunt Qin worried about you being under too much pressure?”

“Don’t you know?” Lin Tingci glanced at her, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Actually, there had been plenty of rumors about Lin Tingci in high society circles years ago, but none of those whispers had ever reached Lu Chizao’s ears. As long as Lin Raoyin was around, everyone else was practically invisible to her.

Lu Chizao’s eyes widened as she shook her head, her long earrings sparkling like stars with the movement.

Maybe it’s better you don’t know.

Lin Tingci’s expression shifted, suddenly becoming smug. “Because I’m smart, duh.”

Skipping grades was seriously impressive. Lu Chizao knew she could never pull that off—cramming multiple years’ worth of knowledge into her brain in such a short time? That’s ridiculously hard!

But something about Lin Tingci’s tone rubbed her the wrong way.

Lu Chizao chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, our little Tingci is the best.”

Her voice dripping with sarcasm, she gave a half-hearted thumbs-up and moved forward with the group, her mind already drifting to thoughts of lunch.

With the topic easily dismissed, Lin Tingci relaxed the fist she had been clenching in her pocket.

******

Shi Yuer chatted with her friends over lunch.

No one knew how the news had spread, but when Shi Yuer heard that Lu Chizao and Lin Raoyin’s engagement had been called off, she smirked with undisguised mockery.

As she pushed open the cafeteria doors, the class group chat was buzzing with discussion about a viral post. Shi Yuer glanced at it and nearly bumped into the glass.

Lu Chizao was actually at Linchuan Art!

She rubbed her forehead and frantically scrolled through the comments, checking the timestamps. The candid photos of them in line had been taken around the same time she arrived for lunch, and in the very same cafeteria.

Immediately excusing herself from her friends, Shi Yuer returned to the dining hall and began searching for the pair based on their outfits in the photos.

Sure enough, she spotted them just as they finished eating and were heading toward another exit.

Shi Yuer strode forward and cut off Lu Chizao’s path.

Mindful of Lin Tingci’s presence, she restrained her tone. “I need to talk to you. Come with me.”

Shi Yuer came from Yuanshou’s wealthiest family and had some business dealings with the Lin family. She adored the Lin sisters but clashed with Lu Chizao; their personalities were like oil and water, and they were constantly at odds.

Afraid they would start arguing, Lin Tingci followed along.

The three of them retreated to a quiet corner of the cafeteria. Shi Yuer glared at Lu Chizao and snapped, “How can you act like nothing’s wrong and hang around Tingci?”

Huh?

Lin Tingci couldn’t make sense of her words.

Shi Yuer swiftly unlocked her phone and pulled up a screenshot. “The entire capital is buzzing with rumors that you’re not the Lu family’s biological daughter. They’re even saying you and Raoyin-jie have fallen out. Aren’t you worried that being seen with Tingci will drag her into the gossip too?”

The inevitable had arrived.

Lu Chizao’s brow furrowed deeply, but she remained silent.

Avoiding the issue had only bought her temporary peace. The stone thrown into the water would inevitably create ripples, and even those on the periphery couldn’t escape the turbulence.

Shi Yuer’s words struck Lin Tingci, whose usually impassive face paled visibly. “What did you just say?”

Not the Lu family’s biological daughter?

Her gaze instinctively darted to Lu Chizao, but she was surprised to hear no denial.

Why does she seem to already know?

In the past, Lin Tingci’s fiery temperament would have led her to confront Shi Yuer directly, likely with a sharp retort like, “What’s it to you?”

But the expected response never came.

As if understanding something unspoken, Lin Tingci unlocked her phone, which had been silenced all morning for a meeting.

Lu Chizao had turned off her phone last night, and Lin Tingci now realized that all the family’s messages had been forwarded to her.

The situation was critical. Even Lu Chizao’s parents had tried to reach her through Lin Tingci, urging her to persuade Lu Chizao to turn on her phone. There was something more urgent than last night’s impulsive engagement cancellation.

The usually composed and rational Lin Tingci felt a sudden wave of panic.

Why must she endure this fate as well?

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