The Scumbag Who Bowed for Money - Chapter 40

[Chu~ Chu~]

Today’s photoshoot had a multi-themed concept. Xie Yuanwei and Le Shi were taken to separate rooms. The first set was styled with a Western medieval aesthetic.

After a quick introduction, Xie Yuanwei understood the general idea. This world had its differences, after all. Her makeup was applied in a way that wasn’t heavy but still gave her an alluring charm. Just as the assistant handed her the outfit to change into and she stood up, the door swung open.

The person who entered was the photographer for the shoot—He Suhe.

Xie Yuanwei vaguely remembered her. She inhaled quietly and kept a neutral expression. He Suhe seemed to have already stirred up some trouble.

“Miss Xie.”

He Suhe walked over and leaned casually against the wall, her eyes resting on Xie Yuanwei.

“The makeup looks good.”

Xie Yuanwei lowered her gaze and didn’t say much.

“Thank you.”

He Suhe was also an omega. According to the original story, she was considered a high-quality omega, though Xie Yuanwei still didn’t fully understand how the classifications worked. She assumed Le Shi was also an omega.

Xie Yuanwei smiled faintly and was about to go change, but He Suhe blocked her path.

“You all can leave.”

Without any attempt to hide it, He Suhe dismissed the assistant directly. Xie Yuanwei instinctively took two steps back and picked up her phone, eyes fixed on the photographer.

“Don’t be so tense.”

He Suhe approached slowly, smiling.

“Want to spend the night together?”

Xie Yuanwei was speechless.

She couldn’t tell if He Suhe was insane or if she herself had lost her mind.

Lowering the volume on her phone, Xie Yuanwei quickly dialed Le Shi. The omega picked up almost instantly.

Xie Yuanwei’s gaze turned cold.

“I have a partner.”

He Suhe didn’t seem the least bit concerned.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a night together. Xie Yuanwei, I’ve had my eye on you for a while.”

Xie Yuanwei nearly laughed in disbelief.

“But I don’t want that. I love Le Shi very much.”

“I’m a high-quality omega. Spending one night together doesn’t mean anything,” He Suhe said with a shrug. “That’s just how this industry works. Stop pretending.”

“I…” Xie Yuanwei’s voice caught in her throat. She let out a breathy laugh.

“Sorry. I can’t do that.”

“If today’s shoot—”

He Suhe interrupted immediately.

“Forget it. Go get changed.”

She tossed the sentence behind her as she pushed open the door and left. Xie Yuanwei stood in place, silent for a long moment. Then she turned up the volume on her phone.

“Hello?”

Le Shi didn’t speak. All that came through were soft breaths.

Xie Yuanwei lowered her eyes, growing a little nervous as she stared at the phone screen.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

The only response was the sound of fabric brushing and approaching footsteps. Xie Yuanwei’s heartbeat quickened. She held her breath as she listened to the muffled noises through the phone, until finally, there was the distinct click of a door opening.

Le Shi had chosen to come to her directly.

There was no trace of anger on the omega’s face. Instead, she gave Xie Yuanwei a reassuring smile.

“We’ll stay in the same room.”

Xie Yuanwei was still holding her clothes. Le Shi’s makeup was only half done, but she didn’t seem to care. Xie Yuanwei took a deep breath and turned into the changing room.

Her outfit was entirely black. It wasn’t particularly unique—just a simple shirt with a touch of medieval style.

“Does this work?”

Xie Yuanwei stepped out just as Le Shi’s makeup was finished. The omega’s look was a bit more dramatic, her eye makeup highlighted with tiny crystal gems. When she turned her head, it felt like a breeze brushing past Xie Yuanwei’s heart.

Le Shi smiled.

“You look great. We should go shopping later and buy ourselves new outfits.”

The intimacy in their exchange didn’t go unnoticed. A few staff members glanced over, subtle curiosity and judgment in their eyes.

Le Shi took the clothes handed to her, reached out, and tugged Xie Yuanwei by the collar, pulling her closer. The alpha followed her obediently into the changing room.

Xie Yuanwei turned her back automatically.

“Someone’s probably going to start gossiping about you.”

“About what?”

Le Shi removed her top and looked at Xie Yuanwei’s back with a short laugh.

“That I’ve lost my mind over love? That I’m completely bewitched by you?”

Xie Yuanwei couldn’t help but smile too. She let out a soft sigh.

“I’m ruining your reputation.”

“If I really cared about that, I would’ve thrown you under the bus already.”

Le Shi reached out and poked Xie Yuanwei lightly.

“Help me with the clasp.”

Their voices stayed soft as they spoke. Xie Yuanwei slowly turned around. Le Shi was wearing a black dress, cleverly designed with sheer layers that hinted at her skin. The fabric hugged her figure, revealing a sliver of her waist. She looked like an ancient, mysterious goddess.

Xie Yuanwei carefully fastened the hidden clasp at the back and let out a breath.

“You look stunning.”

Le Shi smiled.

“You’re beautiful too.”

“Leave me some pheromones.”

Le Shi wrapped her arms around Xie Yuanwei’s neck, and the alpha held her tightly in return.

Since their kiss the day before, the two had clearly grown closer. Xie Yuanwei lifted Le Shi slightly, and in that quiet corner, they exchanged pheromones in silence.

They didn’t linger long. After embracing, they stepped out. Xie Yuanwei wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but it felt like everyone’s gaze toward them had changed.

He Suhe led them to the prepared set. The first scene required Le Shi to lie inside a bathtub. It was large, filled with cold water, and surrounded by dried, reddish stains, giving the space an eerie, unsettling feeling.

Xie Yuanwei leaned down and touched the water with her hand, frowning with concern.

“Isn’t this water too cold?”

Le Shi had no objections. She had done similar shoots in the past and was used to it. The indoor heating was strong, making the cold water manageable.

“It’s fine,” Le Shi said, giving Xie Yuanwei a reassuring glance before stepping into the tub at He Suhe’s instruction.

The moment she sat down, the wet fabric clung tightly to her body, outlining every graceful curve. Xie Yuanwei took a deep breath and stood up to begin working with He Suhe.

The sooner they finished, the sooner they could leave.

Xie Yuanwei knelt on one knee beside the bathtub. According to the story given by He Suhe, Le Shi was playing the role of someone who had hit rock bottom, while Xie Yuanwei’s character was there to lead her into a new life.

Le Shi’s gaze, as she looked up at Xie Yuanwei, held a trace of vulnerability. But there was also defiance and wariness. In contrast, Xie Yuanwei’s concern was completely genuine. The cold water soaking Le Shi made her feel a pang of sympathy.

The first set of photos went smoothly. He Suhe seemed satisfied and lowered her camera, glancing through the images while overhearing the staff murmuring nearby.

“Honestly, Xie Yuanwei and Le Shi make a great match.”

“Xie Yuanwei doesn’t seem as unlikable as the rumors say. She’s completely focused on Le Shi.”

“Who knows? People can fake being deeply in love too.”

Every word reached He Suhe’s ears. She raised her eyes, and a mischievous glint flashed through them. Turning to her assistant, she whispered a few instructions.

The assistant hesitated. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

He Suhe lifted her eyebrows. “What could go wrong? Just do it.”

Then she walked over to Xie Yuanwei and Le Shi.

“President Le, are you alright? Would you like to rest a little longer?”

Le Shi looked up and shook her head gently. “No, I’m fine. Let’s continue.”

He Suhe’s smile deepened. “Great. Let’s move on to the second set.”

Xie Yuanwei couldn’t quite explain it, but every time she looked at He Suhe, she felt a strong sense of unease.

She and Le Shi were sharing the same dressing room. Just as Le Shi sat down to rest, He Suhe called out again.

“President Le, could I have a word? There are a few things about the shoot we still need to discuss.”

Le Shi was silent for a couple of seconds, then calmly replied, “We can talk here.”

The assistant quickly approached, whispering, “You know this shoot is going to be part of the public campaign. There are still some aspects we need to go over in detail. Some parts of the photography plan aren’t finalized yet.”

“Is He Suhe there?”

“She’s waiting in the office.”

Le Shi turned to glance at Xie Yuanwei. The alpha was looking at her with wide, hopeful eyes, completely focused on her. Le Shi took a deep breath and gently rubbed Xie Yuanwei’s hand before standing up.

She was well aware that He Suhe’s intentions were far from innocent. Her attitude was too obvious. It was hard not to suspect something.

This shoot was actually arranged by Le Shi herself. She and Xie Yuanwei needed more public exposure, and she wanted to present a different side of Xie Yuanwei to the world.

He Suhe had seemed like the perfect tool to achieve that.

Still, Le Shi couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Before leaving, she looked back one more time at her alpha.

She looked as pitiful as a teary little cartoon dog.

“Stop looking, Miss Xie. President Le has already walked away.”

Xie Yuanwei sighed silently. She really wasn’t used to Le Shi not being by her side.

“Close your eyes for a moment.”

Xie Yuanwei obeyed, letting the makeup artist work on her face. But after a while, something felt off. The makeup artist’s movements had noticeably slowed, and—

She opened her eyes sharply, alert. He Suhe was standing right beside her, holding a makeup brush. The rest of the staff had quietly slipped out.

The alpha frowned, her voice cold. “What are you doing?”

He Suhe raised the makeup brush in her hand. “Just helping with your makeup. No need to be so tense.”

She stepped closer and spoke softly.

“I really like your type. I don’t care about you and Le Shi. Come on, let’s just spend one night together.”

Xie Yuanwei stared at her in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind?”

What kind of person forces themselves between two people in a relationship? Especially when she had made it clear she was completely devoted to her partner.

He Suhe saw her refusal and stopped pretending. She suddenly lunged forward.

Xie Yuanwei instinctively stepped back, lifting a hand to block her. “What are you trying to do?”

“Just a little forceful persuasion,” He Suhe said with a grin.

Xie Yuanwei clenched her jaw and made for the door. But before she could reach it, the door opened from the other side.

Le Shi stood there, her expression icy. She looked at the two of them, then gave a cold smile.

“What exactly are you trying to force?”

Yes, I admit it. I only know the most basic, lowest-level tactic: brute force.

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