The Scummy Alpha Who Transmigrated Into a Book Was Tricked by the Actress Omega - Chapter 36

The two embraced for quite some time.

Only when Yan Xunzhen could no longer distinguish whether the scent lingering between them was her own or Du Zuilan did they finally part, their ears flushed red as they reluctantly released the warmth of each other’s arms.

Without a trace of pretense, Yan Xunzhen tidied the sofa by the coffee table for her, opened the lunchbox Du Zuilan had brought, and then, based on the lunch delivered by her subordinates, meticulously arranged the dishes and utensils with focused attention.

When she finally looked up again, gently tucking a stray lock of black hair behind her ear, her bright eyes brimming with quiet joy, she curved her lips into a smile at Du Zuilan across from her: “Can you rest for a bit after lunch?”

Du Zuilan seemed to snap out of a daze, her dark lashes fluttering like crow feathers before her clear, lucid gaze settled on Yan Xunzhen. As if just waking, her soft pink lips parted: “Not really. I can only spare another fifteen minutes.”

Yan Xunzhen felt a pang of disappointment, but she didn’t want to interfere with the filming crew’s schedule. So she lowered her head again, picking up some dishes to place into Du Zuilans’ bowl.

The next moment, she felt a faint, elusive fragrance drift past her, followed by cool fingertips brushing against her cheek, tucking that stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Du Zuilan let out a light laugh: “That’s enough already.”

Yan Xunzhen froze, the spot touched by those cool fingertips burning as if electrified, a tingling sensation spreading through her, making her lips curl uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, the food in the bowl had nearly piled into a small mountain crisp, verdant lettuce and glistening red ribs that whetted the appetite vied for space, while plump shrimp claimed the lion’s share.

Only then did Yan Xunzhen set down the serving chopsticks and properly take her seat, loosening her blazer slightly.

But seeing Du Zuilan dressed in just a thin dress, a sudden thought struck her: “It’s fine inside Junyan, but today the highest temperature in the capital of Rongguo isn’t even twenty degrees, aren’t you cold outside?”

Du Zuilan’s shook her head: “I’m fine, I’m used to it.”

“How can you say you’re used to it?” Having spent so many years in Huaguo, Yan Xunzhen couldn’t bear the thought of her enduring the cold. “Later, I’ll bring you a jacket to wear. No matter how important the variety show is, it’s not worth risking your health.”

Du Zuilan’s burst into laughter, her eyes glistening as if stars were twinkling within them.

“How’s your ranking on the show going?”

Du Zuilan’s hadn’t known earlier, but the director had specifically informed the crew about the current rankings to stir up drama among the other team, who were now embroiled in infighting. Meanwhile, Du Zuilan and Gu Yueyi, both relatively laid-back, had somehow secured a solid second place.

“We’re in second. If we push a little harder, we might win.”

Yan Xunzhen didn’t hold back her praise, her stunningly beautiful face breaking into a smile that could dazzle anyone: “Amazing! Not just acting, you’re incredible on variety shows too.”

Flustered by her earnest compliments, Du Zuilan smiled softly: “It’s all thanks to you letting me deliver meals to Junyan. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have earned a single penny.”

If it were up to her?

A rather surreal image suddenly flashed through her mind Du Zuilans’ lips red, the corners of her eyes flushed, her entire body pliant as silk, wrapping around her in a way that made Yan Xunzhen want to press her entirely into herself.

And if she were to call her name in that clear yet husky, faintly seductive voice of hers.

Never mind.

If Du Zuilan had truly begged her, she would have secretly slipped millions into Du Zuilan’s bag right then and there.

Yan Xunzhen silently suppressed that thought and asked instead, “So who’s in first place?”

Du Zuilan pondered for a moment. “I’m not entirely sure, but it might be that solo team. The production crew will probably drop some hints.”

She then glanced at the time and sighed regretfully. “I should probably get going now.”

“Now?” Yan Xunzhen was surprised, a vague sense of disappointment creeping in. After a pause, she added, “But you haven’t eaten much.”

Du Zuilan smiled faintly. “It’s fine. I’m not hungry.”

How could she be neither hungry nor cold? With that delicate frame of hers.

Yan Xunzhen took off her suit jacket and draped it over Du Zuilan without hesitation. “Later, I’ll talk to the director. They can create whatever gimmicks they want, but they shouldn’t let you catch a cold.”

Her fingers lightly brushed Du Zuilan’s hand just a fleeting touch, as if only to gauge the warmth of her skin.

She then grabbed a strawberry candy from the table, completely disregarding the fact that the jacket was a high-end designer piece, and stuffed it into the pocket.

Yan Xunzhen even personally escorted her downstairs.

Along the way, the employees unlike those at Hualing were a mix of blondes and brunettes, their open company culture fostering plenty of good-natured teasing and gossip.

Du Zuilan, wrapped in the faint scent of Longjing tea from the jacket, felt the warm lining thaw her numb arms.

Meanwhile, Yan Xunzhen walked half a step ahead, clearing the way. Her silk blouse draped elegantly over her slender waist and graceful curves, filling Du Zuilan’s heart to the brim.

Gu Yueyi, seizing the opportunity, chatted animatedly with the staff in the break room. Spotting Du Zuilan, she waved excitedly. “Zuilan!”

“Let’s go. We need to report back to the shop owner that we’ve delivered the meal. Then we might have to try our luck somewhere else.” Her chatter trailed off as she noticed the figure behind Du Zuilan, suddenly stammering, “Uh, is this President Yan?”

Yan Xunzhen greeted her amiably.

Gu Yueyi’s eyes sparkled as she took in the suit jacket on Du Zuilan.

“You two really are close! My sister was right. I mean, your relationship is really good.”

Yan Xunzhen’s fingers tapped lightly on the nearby table, her lips curling into a smile.

Gu Yueyi, also cold, was offered one of Junyan’s spare uniform jackets by Yan Xunzhen, who even generously agreed to exchange contact information, her demeanor exceptionally warm.

It wasn’t until they reached the ground floor that the cameras started rolling again, capturing the two emerging from Junyan’s headquarters and heading toward the original filming location.

As they approached the street entrance, they spotted Ainuoer stepping out from around the corner, guitar in hand, her expression sour.

Though wary of her, Du Zuilan showed no outward sign, calmly greeting both Gu Yueyi and Ainuoer.

Ainuoer’s gaze swept over them, lingering for a moment, but she remained silent.

The woman was decked out in head-to-toe luxury items, though none bore recognizable brand names. Instead of exuding elegance, she gave off the brash air of a nouveau riche. “Just came from Junyan?” she sneered.

Gu Yueyi nodded unabashedly. “Yes, we found a job delivering meals to Junyan employees. What about you?”

Ainuoernearly rolled her eyes, scoffing, “Are you blind? Can’t you see the guitar?”

Du Zuilan instinctively glanced toward the cameras, only to realize both cameramen had stopped filming at some point especially the one behind Ainuoer, who looked like he wanted to bury his head in his arms.

Probably because they couldn’t capture footage that would paint their star in a bad light. But this Ainuoer had been offending people left and right, leaving the crew with nothing usable. They must be at their wits’ end.

Gu Yueyi’s expression darkened. “What’s your problem?”

Ainuoer curled her lips into a disdainful smirk, her crimson lips striking. “Exactly what it looks like.”

Her gaze then shifted to Du Zuilan, her eyes suddenly inscrutable, the depth of her malice unfathomable. Yet her words left no doubt she was seething with hatred, practically spitting through gritted teeth:

“So, does she make you feel good?”

A chill wind seemed to slip through Du Zuilan’s coat, icy and bone-deep, but she steadied herself and forced a polite smile.

“Please mind your language,” she said calmly. “If I recall correctly, I’ve never had any dealings with you, have I?”

Ainuoer snorted.

For some reason, Du Zuilan sensed her fury was specifically tied to her connection with Yan Xunzhen.

Restraining Gu Yueyi, who looked ready to lunge at the unhinged Ainuoer, Du Zuilan continued coolly, “Moreover, Ms. Yan and I have done nothing against the show’s rules. Every cent we earned came from delivering food and arranging flowers for shop owners. We’ve followed the program’s guidelines to the letter. What right do you have to criticize us?”

Only after speaking did she realize how uncharacteristically sharp her words were far from her usual composure.

A flicker of unease crossed her mind, but she maintained her smile and promptly fell silent, exercising remarkable restraint.

Ainuoer seemed to grow impatient, her otherwise pretty face twisting slightly as she glared at Du Zuilan’s coat, as if her eyes could shoot flames and reduce her to ashes.

After a long pause, she finally composed herself and sneered, “Well, I don’t follow the rules because I am the rules. If I want to win, I win. If I want you to lose, you’ll keep losing. Unless—”

“You cut ties with Yan Xunzhen.”

Du Zuilan almost laughed.

Was this someone who had failed to win Yan Xunzhen’s affections and was now taking it out on her?

If this had been the old Yan Xunzhen, Du Zuilan might have genuinely chuckled, feeling no ill will toward the woman. But now…

She merely smiled, ignoring Ainuoer, and patted Gu Yueyi’s shoulder. “Let’s go. The shop owner is waiting for us.”

Without hesitation, the two walked away briskly.

Only after turning onto a bustling street did, they finally relax.

Gu Yueyi was fuming, practically itching for a fight, and asked the cameraman to give them ten minutes alone.

She turned around, furtively pulling a phone from her pocket, and she and Du Zuilan hid behind the owner’s counter.

Du Zuilan was slightly taken aback. “This…”

Gu Yueyi made a “shh” gesture and said fiercely, “Don’t worry! I didn’t want to use my phone at first, but anyone who dares to break up my ship deserves no mercy!”

Almost instantly.

Yan Xunzhen received a text message from a phone number she had saved just minutes ago.

The message contained only a few short words: [Ainuoer, one of the women participating in this variety show, is trying to drive a wedge between you and Zuilan!!]

Yan Xunzhen froze in shock.

Ainuoer wasn’t that the name of the main love interest in the original novel?!

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