The Paranoid Female CEO’s Contracted Beauty (Omegaverse) - Chapter 26

She had never felt this way about anyone else before. She was not trying to argue or make excuses. It was simply the truth.

Xu Qingyan knew that the omega might not believe her, but that did not matter. All she wanted was for the omega to understand that, in her heart, Li Ge would always be the most special.

“It is fine if you do not believe me,” Xu Qingyan said calmly as she stepped on the gas pedal. “But with you, I always speak the truth.”

Li Ge acted as if she had not heard her. She turned her face toward the window. If she actually believed what Xu Qingyan just said, then she really would be the biggest fool.

The atmosphere in the car suddenly became quiet.

Neither of them said a word. Each remained lost in their own thoughts. All the way to the destination, they did not even exchange a glance.

Even though Xu Qingyan was slightly annoyed, because the omega had rejected her and doubted her intentions, she also felt a little guilty. After all, she had been rough with her the night before. When they got out of the car, she helped open the door and even offered her hand to assist.

But Li Ge had her pride. She refused her help, lifted her skirt slightly, and carefully got out of the car. Still, her movement was a bit strained. The pain from the tearing below made her frown uncontrollably.

She inhaled sharply from the discomfort and staggered forward, nearly falling.

Xu Qingyan reacted immediately and stepped forward to catch her before she hit the ground.

“Does it still hurt?”

Thinking of what had just happened in the car, Li Ge frowned and did not want to speak. She was also afraid that Xu Qingyan might do something outrageous like what she did at the villa, such as picking her up in front of everyone. Reluctantly, she replied, “No.”

Xu Qingyan saw through her attitude and gave a subtle warning.

“I will be the one to decide if it hurts. Come back to the car, I will check for you.”

Li Ge froze. Earlier, just one kiss had triggered Xu Qingyan’s animalistic instincts. If she let her check now, she might actually try something in public.

She absolutely did not want that.

“I said I am fine. I know my own body better than anyone,” Li Ge snapped, glaring at her. “Yes, it hurts a little, but I can handle it.”

And this pain was clearly caused by Xu Qingyan in the first place.

Xu Qingyan ignored the look in her eyes. Her original plan was to let the omega rest and only bring her once she had recovered. It was her first experience after all, and her body would take time to adjust. But she would soon become busy with company matters and might not be able to accompany her in person again. If someone else brought her, the director might not take things seriously.

But if she brought her personally, it would send a message. Even a foolish director could see that the omega was not someone ordinary. If they still tried to act carelessly, they could forget about working in the entertainment industry again.

“Is it very painful? Just hold on a little longer.” After saying this, Xu Qingyan picked up her phone and called Secretary Su, asking her to bring some ointment over.

Li Ge was slightly stunned. Her feelings became complicated. She was only Xu Qingyan’s kept lover. Why would she care this much?

Or was this all just part of a strategy? Give her some kindness after the pain, like offering a date after a slap. Was it all to make her drop her guard so that she could be hurt even more later?

No matter what the reason, Xu Qingyan’s actions in that moment still moved her a little. Suddenly, she felt that this woman might not be as heartless as she seemed.

“Let’s go inside now.”

Xu Qingyan noticed something was off in Li Ge’s eyes and asked, “What is it? Are you feeling unwell somewhere else?”

She did not wait for an answer. She reached out and touched Li Ge’s forehead. The temperature was normal, no sign of fever.

So it was not a physical issue.

What was wrong then?

Did she say something wrong again?

But as far as she remembered, she had not said anything inappropriate. The thoughts of an omega really were hard to understand.

“If you are really uncomfortable, we can go back now. I will take you to the hospital.”

Li Ge quickly lowered her head in embarrassment. She absolutely could not let Xu Qingyan know what she had just been thinking. If she did, this woman would be way too pleased with herself.

“I am fine. Let’s just go in. Do not keep the director waiting. I do not want them to think I am already acting like a diva before even joining the crew. I do not want people gossiping behind my back.”

Still, avoiding gossip was impossible. She had not even been a third-rate celebrity before. Now, she was suddenly cast as the second female lead. It would not just be the director whispering behind her back. Most of the cast and crew would talk too.

“They will not.”

“What?”

Xu Qingyan looked at her with a serious expression. “If I find anyone on set gossiping about you, they will be dismissed. There are plenty of artists in this industry. I will not miss a few.”

Was she defending her?

Or was she simply trying to prevent any rumors about keeping a lover from spreading and affecting her own reputation and image?

Li Ge could not be sure. She did not have the energy to guess anymore. Only Xu Qingyan herself knew her true thoughts. And even if Li Ge guessed right, what difference would it make? If she guessed wrong, the outcome would be the same. Nothing would change.

Xu Qingyan thought her words would reassure the omega. But when she looked down and saw that Li Ge still seemed unhappy, she was puzzled. She could not figure out what was wrong. She wanted to ask, but she knew the omega would not tell her directly.

“Let’s go in.”

Today was the casting day for the drama Winds Rise in Tianlan. Several directors had arrived early to prepare for the auditions. Most of the main roles had already been finalized, except for the second female lead and a few supporting roles. Once today’s auditions were over, the casting would be nearly complete.

There were not many people auditioning, only a dozen or so. They were waiting in a nearby room, and from time to time, sounds of conversation could be heard.

Xu Qingyan walked past the room, holding Li Ge’s hand, but showed no intention of going in. She never planned to let the omega actually audition. Bringing her here was simply a formality. It was also a warning to the director that this role was already decided. They had better not try anything shady.

“Aren’t I here to audition? Where are you taking me now?” Li Ge looked up at her in confusion.

Xu Qingyan’s expression did not change. Her tone was as calm as always. After hearing the question, she turned her head slightly and asked in return, “Did you really think I brought you here today just for an audition?”

Why else would she bring her here if not for the audition?

Li Ge could not understand. “Director Xu, don’t you think that’s a bit of a strange question? How could I possibly know what you’re planning?”

Xu Qingyan decided that in the future, she really needed to teach this omega how to survive in the real world. With thoughts this naive, she would be eaten alive.

“I want you to play the second female lead. They don’t have the right to say no,” Xu Qingyan said, uncharacteristically patient. “I brought you here today just so they could meet you in person.”

So it was just for appearances.

Li Ge should have realized it sooner. Xu Qingyan was the chairwoman of the Xu Group, and all the affiliated companies fell under her control. If she said something was going to happen, who would dare say otherwise? Let alone simply inserting one actress into a drama.

“I see. Got it.”

“Are you unhappy?”

Xu Qingyan thought Li Ge’s tone sounded less than pleased. Was it because she had made the decision for her without asking first?

That thought made Xu Qingyan stop walking. She looked at Li Ge and asked directly, “Do you not like acting?”

“What?”

“Do you dislike acting, or do you just dislike that I brought you here?”

Li Ge found this woman utterly baffling. Just like her earlier questions, these were completely unreasonable. The two things had nothing to do with each other, yet she insisted on forcing an answer out of her. It made no sense.

“My feelings on the matter shouldn’t be important to you, Director Xu.”

Xu Qingyan did not like that evasive answer and repeated the question. “Do you dislike acting, or do you dislike that I brought you here?”

Li Ge feared this might turn into another situation like the one in the car. With so many people around and nothing to shield them, if anyone took a photo, both of them would be ruined. In the end, she could only answer reluctantly.

“I don’t dislike either. You’re overthinking it, Director Xu.”

Becoming a professional actress had always been her dream. She loved being on stage, loved the applause of the audience. In portraying others’ stories, she found deep satisfaction. If she had not been passionate about acting, she would never have entered the industry or chosen to graduate early.

At her age, most people were still in college, enjoying carefree days with friends and family, living without worry, needing only to study and not much else.

“Believe it or not, Director Xu, but I’m not unhappy. Someone like me, who wasn’t even a third-rate celebrity, suddenly becoming the second female lead—shouldn’t I be happy?” Li Ge gave a bitter smile. “After all, it’s something other people beg for and never get. I should feel grateful, right, Director Xu?”

Xu Qingyan could not explain why, but that last sentence made her feel uncomfortable. She wanted to make the omega feel better, but she did not know how.

“If you really don’t want this, we can just—”

“I already told you, Director Xu, I don’t dislike it.”

Xu Qingyan pressed her lips together, said nothing more, and led her inside.

They walked for another ten minutes before Xu Qingyan brought Li Ge to a private room. Then she picked up her phone and called the director of Winds Rise in Tianlan.

“Yes, I’ve brought her here. Let me know when Director Li finishes his current audition.”

Although she said that casually, everyone knew who she was. Within five minutes of hanging up the phone, Director Li walked in with another member of the production team.

“Director Xu, you came in person? This kind of thing only takes a phone call. There was no need for you to make the trip yourself. You’re spoiling us.”

Xu Qingyan didn’t waste words. She simply placed Li Ge in front of them and said, “This is the actress I’ve chosen for the second female lead. I’ll be counting on you to take care of her.”

Director Li glanced at Li Ge, hesitated for a moment, then looked a bit troubled. “Director Xu, isn’t she signed with Shengshi Entertainment? President Wang was just here earlier and—”

“What about President Wang?”

Noticing that Li Ge was present, Director Li paused and said, “Director Xu, may I have a private word with you?”

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