The Scummy Alpha Transmigrated into a Tragedy Novel and Went Viral! - Chapter 18

After the lunch break, everyone gathered again. Under the host’s guidance, they headed to a well-known local flower cultivation base, where the afternoon and evening shooting tasks would take place.

The moment Cheng Jingling stepped off the bus, she was immediately captivated by the massive glass dome before her. Inside were countless varieties of flowers in full bloom. The base director, a poised and elegant middle-aged woman surnamed Wang—a Beta—came out to greet them and led the group on a guided tour.

“This glasshouse you see here,” Director Wang explained as she walked, “is our cultivation chamber. All the flowers planted outside are first grown here. The temperature, humidity, and lighting are all precisely controlled, which allows us to improve the survival rate of seedlings and lower overall costs. Currently, our base cultivates over 150 types of flowers. You can find everything from roses and sunflowers to tulips and baby’s breath. We welcome you all to explore!”

As Cheng Jingling followed the group through the aisles, she watched the uniformed researchers busily taking notes and recording the growth of seedlings, their professionalism quietly impressive. Once the indoor tour concluded, the director led everyone to the planting fields.

When the electronic gate opened, a dazzling sea of flowers stretched before them. The stars gasped and exclaimed in delight.

“Wow, this is stunning!”

“It’s so beautiful!”

“This planting area covers roughly a thousand mu,” the director continued, “and currently cultivates about fifty varieties in bloom. Many tourists visit to take photos!”

As the director opened the gate to let the group inside, Zhong Junhong gallantly held Cai Keke’s hand while helping her down the steps. Behind them, Xiao Chengyi followed suit, affectionately holding Bai Weilan’s hand. Jiang Yiyu, not to be outdone, ordered Wang Zicheng to hold his. Zhao Yimai and Jiao Yanting went even further—holding hands and even stealing a quick kiss in front of the cameras.

The increasing displays of affection made Cheng Jingling, who was walking behind, feel pressured. Determined not to fall behind, she reached for Ji Yufu’s hand, gently took it, and courageously brushed a soft kiss across the back of it.

Behind them, Huang Yili and Liu Ke linked hands and made a triple heart pose for the camera, taking the public displays of affection to new heights.

The group walked amid the flowers, the gentle breeze carrying the light fragrance of blooms. The stress of fast-paced city life seemed to melt away. The first hundred mu were filled with roses, followed by fields of tulips, and beyond them stood tall sunflowers swaying in the light.

Director Wang continued, “Every flower here is born in the cultivation chamber, grows in these fields, and when the time is right, it’s harvested and shipped nationwide—and even abroad. People buy flowers for family, friends, teachers, and lovers, expressing blessings and gratitude through them. It’s a beautiful tradition. However, choosing the wrong flower for the wrong occasion can backfire terribly.”

She chuckled as she gave an example. “One of our staff members once got a bouquet of white chrysanthemums from her girlfriend on Valentine’s Day—because roses were sold out and her boss told her it would be cheaper.”

“Pfft—no way!” Laughter erupted instantly.

“White chrysanthemums on Valentine’s Day? That’s brutal!”

“She’s a savage, I love it!”

“If it was me, I’d break up immediately. How stingy can you be?” Jiang Yiyu said in mock outrage, drawing more laughter.

Cheng Jingling laughed along with everyone else, but as the noise faded, a flicker of melancholy passed through her. She suddenly realized—she had never given anyone flowers, nor received any herself.

Director Wang smiled as she wrapped up the story. “Our colleague ignored her girlfriend for days after that. So yes, choosing the right flower matters. Learning the language of flowers is always a good idea.”

That piqued everyone’s interest. Zhong Junhong pointed at the red roses beside him. “Director Wang, what’s the meaning of red roses?”

“The red rose,” she replied with a knowing smile, “means I love you.”

Cai Keke asked next, “Then what about white roses?”

“White roses symbolize innocence, purity, respect, and humility.”

Cheng Jingling nodded thoughtfully. White roses, she thought, I could give those to Ji Yufu someday.

Director Wang continued, “Baby’s breath stands for longing, sunflowers for loyalty, admiration, and faith, while tulips mean grace, thoughtfulness, and intelligence. Even flowers of the same kind can carry different meanings depending on their color.”

After introducing several flower meanings, the staff handed out scissors. Director Wang demonstrated how to properly cut a flower, and the interactive session began—each star could pick one bloom of their choice.

Cheng Jingling held her scissors and recalled the meanings they had just learned. It didn’t take her long to choose. When she carefully cut her flower and turned around, Ji Yufu was gone. She wandered through the fields until she found her among the sunflowers. Ji Yufu had chosen a sunflower.

Cheng Jingling walked up to her and offered the white rose. “This is for you.”

Ji Yufu accepted it with a small smile. “Thank you.”

She brushed her fingers over the petals, then went to get wrapping paper from Cai Keke. With delicate movements, she wrapped the sunflower and white rose together. Cheng Jingling crouched beside her, resting her chin in her hands, gazing at Ji Yufu’s profile with unabashed adoration. She didn’t even blink. When that wasn’t enough, she pulled out her phone and started snapping photos, nearly lying flat on the ground to get the best angle.

“Let me take a photo of you too,” she said suddenly.

“Photo?” Ji Yufu glanced around. The other couples were laughing and posing for selfies. She nodded in agreement.

Cheng Jingling grabbed her hand and led her deeper into the flower field, away from the others. There, in the quiet, they took photos freely, capturing the soft sunlight and vibrant colors. The last photo was of them together—two smiles brighter than the blossoms around them.

Director Wang watched the monitor and nodded in satisfaction. Finally, some genuine sweetness between Cheng Jingling and Ji Yufu—his hair loss hadn’t been in vain after all.

Dinner that evening was held at the flower base. The flowers here were not only sold but also turned into various creative dishes. The five couples dined under the pavilions in the planting fields, and to add fun to the show, the crew designed a little game.

“Based on what everyone learned about the flower base earlier,” Zhong Junhong explained, “we’ll have a Q&A quiz! The first three questions are mandatory—everyone will receive the same base reward for completing them. The last three are buzzer questions. Each correct answer wins you one dish. Answer wrong, and you get nothing. How much you eat tonight depends on your performance!”

“Yes!” Cai Keke added with enthusiasm. “The dishes tonight are absolutely exquisite—don’t miss out!”

After everyone completed the first round of basic questions, the staff served three of the base’s signature dishes. Then the buzzer round began.

“First question,” Cai Keke announced, “how large is the planting area of the flower base, and how many flower varieties are currently produced?”

The five couples sat at separate tables arranged in a semicircle around the host, each table with a buzzer. The moment Cheng Jingling heard the question, she slammed the button.

“Alright, Jingling, your answer!”

With full confidence, she replied, “One thousand mu, fifty varieties.”

“Correct! Congratulations! You’ve earned the first dish of the evening—‘Rose Feast.’”

The staff brought out the beautifully plated dish—delicate fish fillets garnished with rose petals, elegant and fragrant, a perfect blend of flavor and romance.

“Now, the second question!” Zhong Junhong announced. “Please name eight colors of roses and their corresponding meanings!”

The crowd instantly erupted — who could possibly remember that many?

“I only remember that the dark red rose means,” Cheng Jingling leaned closer and lowered her voice so others couldn’t hear, “‘I just want to be with you.’ The rest, I forgot. Do you remember any?”

Ji Yufu smiled faintly. “I remember them all.”

“You’re amazing!” Cheng Jingling’s eyes lit up — dinner was secured!

“Don’t forget,” Ji Yufu said with calm confidence, “I’m an actress.”

Then she pressed the buzzer, and under everyone’s surprised gaze, fluently recited, “The dark red rose means I just want to be with you. The wild rose symbolizes romantic love. The Christmas rose represents a love to be remembered.”

Eight colors, eight meanings — all perfectly correct. The audience erupted in applause, and Cheng Jingling clapped the loudest, beaming with pride.

“Yufu’s incredible! That memory of hers is unbelievable!”

“You all flatter me,” Ji Yufu replied with a soft smile. “My only skill is memorizing scripts.”

Her modest humor sent the room into laughter, and the staff soon presented the second course — Starry Sky Banquet.

Then came the next question:

“If you could only choose one flower to give your partner to express your feelings, which would it be?”

Everyone recognized this as a freebie question, clearly meant to end the round on a lighthearted note.

Xiao Chengyi answered first, holding Bai Weilan’s hand.

“I’d choose a red rose. We’ve been together for four years — from meeting to truly knowing each other. She’s always been my red rose, blooming in my heart. My heart beats passionately for her, always.”

The romantic answer earned cheers and teary eyes from Bai Weilan.

Zhao Yimai chose foxtail grass, which sent the crowd into laughter. “Typical artist’s taste,” someone quipped, while others cast sympathetic looks at his partner, Jiao Yanting. Zhao Yimai, however, explained seriously,

“We’re together because I once took a second look at her in a crowd. It started as a secret crush and became a mutual love. So yes, foxtail grass suits me.”

Jiang Yiyu, with his booming voice, declared he would choose a peony. “A flower as grand and gorgeous as me — and just as passionate as my love with Wang Zicheng!”

The dramatic declaration drew another wave of laughter.

Huang Yili chose lilies. As a strict idol who had followed the “no dating before going solo” rule, her partner Liu Ke was her first love — “my forever lily,” she said tenderly.

Then it was Cheng Jingling and Ji Yufu’s turn.

Clearing her throat, Cheng Jingling surprised everyone by choosing the sunflower. She gazed into Ji Yufu’s eyes and smiled softly.

“I think love alone isn’t enough. I’ll always trust her — and stay loyal to her.”

Ji Yufu’s eyes flickered in surprise and warmth.

Despite Cheng Jingling’s sincerity, laughter broke out among the others. The idea of a “scummy A” talking about loyalty was just too ironic.

Realizing the reaction, Cheng Jingling’s heart sank, and she glanced anxiously at Ji Yufu. But Ji Yufu only patted her hand lightly, signaling that it was fine.

Dinner ended, and everyone returned to the guesthouse. It was late, and filming would continue early the next morning.

“You want to shower first, or should I?”

Ji Yufu frowned slightly at the dirt on Cheng Jingling’s clothes. “You go first.”

Cheng Jingling grabbed her pajamas and went upstairs. After her shower, she made a careful sweep of the room — checking corners and lamps for hidden cameras — before Ji Yufu finished her bath. When Ji Yufu came out, she found Cheng Jingling crouched beside her luggage, fiddling with something.

After saying goodnight to the camera, they switched it off.

Cheng Jingling suddenly took out a card and handed it to Ji Yufu. “Here. For you.”

“What is it?” Ji Yufu asked, puzzled.

“My allowance. There should be about five million left on it. Not much, but you can use it in case of emergencies.”

Ji Yufu understood immediately — Cheng Jingling thought she was short on money.

“I’m not,” Ji Yufu said quietly. “I just don’t want to keep being the fool who pays for everything. Do you understand?”

“I do!” Cheng Jingling nodded earnestly and pushed the card back into her hand. “Doesn’t matter if you need it or not — just take it.”

“No.” Ji Yufu returned it firmly. “I don’t need it, and I have no reason to take your money.”

They stood in awkward silence, neither giving in, when suddenly—

Knock, knock!

“Who’s there?” Both tensed immediately.

“It’s me, Keke!”

“Coco-jie? What brings you here so late?” Cheng Jingling went downstairs to open the door. Cai Keke stood outside with a staff member behind her.

“I came to deliver a gift,” she said, a little awkwardly. “It’s from the show. We hope you’ll find it useful. Also.” She hesitated. “We’d appreciate it if both of you could show a bit of restraint during filming — no leaving visible marks, and no releasing pheromones everywhere.”

“Huh?” Cheng Jingling blinked, bewildered, but quickly accepted the gift with a polite smile. “Got it!”

“Alright then, I won’t keep you. Goodnight!”

“Goodnight.”

Back upstairs, Cheng Jingling frowned at the box in her hands. “The show sent us a gift.”

She set it on the bed beside Ji Yufu and lifted the lid.

“Suppressants, suppression patches, con—” She immediately snapped the box shut, her words dying on her tongue. Glancing up, she found Ji Yufu’s expression stiff and unreadable. The air turned painfully awkward.

“Uh, the director’s really thoughtful,” Cheng Jingling muttered weakly.

“Mm. Let’s just get some rest,” Ji Yufu said evenly.

“Right. Goodnight.” Cheng Jingling stuffed the box into the nightstand drawer, silently grumbling that they wouldn’t need any of it anyway.

Ji Yufu was already lying down when Cheng Jingling froze at the bedside, unsure what to do.

“You’re not getting in?” Ji Yufu asked, puzzled.

“Can I?” Cheng Jingling asked like a student seeking permission.

“Where else would you sleep? There’s no spare blanket.” Ji Yufu’s voice was cool as she placed a pillow in the middle, marking a clear boundary.

“Oh.” Cheng Jingling gingerly lay down at the very edge of the bed, stiff as a board.

“You’re not going to fall off like that?”

“No, I’m a calm sleeper, promise,” Cheng Jingling whispered, gripping the blanket nervously with only her eyes showing.

“You’d better be,” Ji Yufu said dryly, nodding toward the nightstand.

Cheng Jingling followed her gaze — to the lamp sitting ominously nearby — and her eyes widened in panic. “I swear I will!”

Then the room went dark.

But Cheng Jingling couldn’t sleep. Her mind wandered, fixating on that ridiculous “gift box” — suppressants, patches, blue elf pills, and condoms — all there, all useless. Honestly, the director might as well have sent snacks instead.

Still, there were five couples on the show: four Alphas and four Omegas — Xiao Chengyi, Wang Zicheng, Huang Yili, and herself were Alphas; Bai Weilan, Jiang Yiyu, Liu Ke, and Ji Yufu were Omegas; only Zhao Yimai and Jiao Yanting were Betas.

Just because she didn’t need them didn’t mean others didn’t.

With a long sigh, Cheng Jingling rolled onto her side.

“Ah, what a night.”