The Scummy Alpha Who Transmigrated Into a Book Was Tricked by the Actress Omega - Chapter 37

“So, this Ainuoer is truly a dangerous individual.”

Gu Yueyi’s expression remained unchanged, not even a flicker of movement on her lips, yet she firmly “brainwashed” Du Zuilan with her decisive conclusion.

Du Zuilan chuckled softly, offering no comment, and simply patted her shoulder, directing her attention to the chattering production crew nearby, who were about to announce today’s winning team.

The camera behind them had turned on and off intermittently, leaving only the crew members huddled in small groups, occasionally glancing thoughtfully in their direction.

Finally, the director instructed the crew to turn the cameras back on, focusing on the group.

“Alright, thank you all for your support today on Wild Living. We’ve tallied up everyone’s earnings, and after evaluation, we’re pleased to announce that today’s winners are—”

The camera panned dramatically, building suspense as it lingered on each face.

“Du Zuilan and Teacher Yueyi!”

Both women looked surprised.

Hadn’t they heard earlier that they were in second place? Ainuoer was supposed to be the clear winner, what had changed at the last minute? Was this the production team’s doing, or was Ainuoer up to something?

“Congratulations! You’ll get to stay for free at the famous ancient castle of a certain duke in Rongguo, courtesy of our show!”

Still lost in doubt, Gu Yueyi was about to turn and speak to Du Zuilan when a gentle pat stopped her. Together, they smiled, bowed, and thanked everyone.

“Wow, truly a dark horse! I knew Zuilan was an amazing actress, but I had no idea she was this good at making money. Young women these days are just incredible,” quipped the witty host, whose team had placed third, a middling result. But since they were the comic relief of the show, they didn’t mind the outcome.

The host then mock-glared at the production team, raising a hand as if to hit the beta comedian beside him. “It’s all your fault! If we’d done the chest-smashing stunt, we’d have won by now!”

The beta comedian smirked. “Oh please, you lie down and let me hit you with the hammer then!”

The crowd erupted in laughter except for Ainuoer, who stood motionless behind her sunglasses, silent as ever, and another team: the beta woman and the veteran actor, who had been at odds all day.

Their midday argument had been captured on camera, serving as the show’s dramatic conflict.

The beta woman seemed exhausted, swaying slightly on her feet, while the veteran actor stood rigid, his stern expression giving him the air of a cold-faced judge. Compared to the morning, he now wore an extra jacket, though a closer look revealed his faint trembling.

The cameras zoomed in on them. The beta woman had mostly resolved their earlier conflict and now asked worriedly, “Uncle He, if you’re not feeling well, maybe you should rest?”

The veteran actor insisted, “I’m fine, it’s just.”

Before he could finish, he stumbled.

The cheerful atmosphere vanished instantly as crew members rushed forward to steady him.

The host quickly turned to the production team and said, “Director, you can’t be this heartless, can you? After working all day, can’t we stay in a nicer place? How about the castle? Let our dear Uncle He get some proper rest.”

After a brief silence, the production team replied, “Only the winning team from today can stay in the castle.”

Instantly, everyone’s gaze shifted from the production team to today’s winners Du Zuilan and Gu Yueyi.

No way.

Did Ainuoer give up the first place just to put the two of them in this dilemma?

Gu Yueyi muttered under her breath, “Damn it.”

Du Zuilan gently tugged her arm, giving her an almost imperceptible look of warning.

Her voice was soft and clear, filled with concern as she glanced at the veteran actor. Then she raised her eyes to the production team, her tone questioning, “Director, can we transfer this privilege to someone else?”

Gu Yueyi raised her hand. “I agree! We don’t need to stay there. Can we let Uncle He have it instead?”

The veteran actor hurriedly declined, “No, no, I don’t need it!”

“Uncle He, your health comes first,” Du Zuilan said with a gentle smile, her voice as soothing as a spring breeze, so disarming that no one could think to argue.

The production team pretended to reluctantly agree. “Fine. Then Du Zuilan and Gu Yueyi’s team will transfer their castle privilege to Uncle He’s team.”

“The remaining teams will now use the money they earned today to purchase their lodging in order of their ranking! The higher your rank, the less you’ll have to pay!”

“Since Du Zuilan, Teacher Yueyi, and Uncle He’s team have swapped places, you’ll be last in line to buy your room. If there are no objections, you can come here to check out the available options.”

After Du Zuilan’s subtle warning, Gu Yueyi understood and kept her expression neutral. Du Zuilan remained as composed as ever, taking the room options from the director and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“We’ll take this one. It looks decent enough, doesn’t it?” she said, seemingly unfazed by the situation. She and Gu Yueyi picked a simple, modest room and reluctantly spent a large portion of their hard-earned money to secure the humble lodging.

On the way back, the cameras weren’t primarily focused on their team, so the crew kept their distance, leaving their conversation unheard.

Ainuoer had given up the first place not just to force them into the awkward position of surrendering the castle but also to cripple their chances of winning tomorrow. It was a calculated, ruthless move.

Gu Yueyi finally dropped her cheerful facade, gritting her teeth. “This was all Ainuoer’s doing, wasn’t it?! If tomorrow’s challenge is tied to today’s earnings, we’re completely screwed. She’s just…”

For some reason, even without Yan Xunzhen around, Du Zuilan had grown accustomed to these impossible situations. It was as if her life had always been set to hard mode, no matter how hard she tried to escape, she could never break free from the curse fate had placed upon her.

She smiled faintly. “It’s fine. It’s just a variety show anyway. We probably won’t have many chances to meet again in the future.”

Gu Yueyi opened the shabby room they were assigned to share and couldn’t help but sigh. “Zuilan, you really have such a good temper. President Yan having a friend like you must mean she accumulated great virtue in her past life.”

After glancing around the bedroom, she suddenly clapped her hands. “Oh right, don’t forget President Yan mentioned she might drop by tonight to see you.”

The polite smile Du Zuilan had been maintaining finally turned into a genuine one, her eyes sparkling as she softly replied, “Mhm.”

Gu Yueyi, being naturally sociable, didn’t stand on ceremony. “Well, the reshoot isn’t until eleven, and I take forever in the shower, so I’ll go first. That way, you can chat with President Yan.”

Du Zuilan nodded.

The crew still hadn’t returned their phones, they’d only get them briefly during the reshoot at eleven. Without a script to review, she found herself unusually idle, the rare free time leaving her somewhat bored.

Her gaze kept drifting toward the door, an inexplicable sense of anticipation bubbling in her chest.

Two sharp knocks sounded at their door.

Du Zuilan snapped out of her daze instantly, her slender fingers wrapping around the doorknob as she pulled it open.

“It’s you?”

Her hand remained on the knob, but this time, her intention wasn’t to open the door, it was to close it.

Because standing before her was Ainuoer.

Ainuoer braced a hand against the door, forcing it open just enough to speak. Though Du Zuilan’s expression remained neutral, anyone who knew her like Yan Xunzhen would recognize her displeasure. Her polite smile was icy as she asked, “What do you want?”

“I heard Yan Xunzhen is coming to see you tonight?” Ainuoer’s face darkened as she blurted out the words. “I don’t have anything to say, I just don’t get why?”

Why would Yan Xunzhen come to see you and not me?

Du Zuilan mentally finished the sentence for her, concluding that Ainuoer must have feelings for Yan Xunzhen. A strange emotion surged in her chest, but she replied calmly, “If there’s nothing else, goodbye. Excuse me.”

Ainuoer clung to the door, her voice thick with anger. “I already told you, why do you?!”

“You?!”

Suddenly, the resistance against the door vanished, and it even bounced back with a sharp snap from the recoil.

Du Zuilan froze.

Behind Ainuoer stood a stunningly beautiful woman, her expression cool and composed, her alpha aura so overwhelming it could make knees weak.

Yan Xunzhen.

Yan Xunzhen spoke lightly, “If someone doesn’t want to talk to you, forcing your way in is rather rude, don’t you think?”

Ainuoer shot her a glance but said nothing, merely shifting the wrist Yan Xunzhen had seized.

“Let go!”

Yan Xunzhen’s presence intensified as she gave Ainuoer a dismissive look.

Noticing the other woman’s increasingly sour expression, she finally chuckled and released her grip. “Take care.”

Watching Ainuoer’s retreating figure, Yan Xunzhen then turned back to Du Zuilan.

“That person, Ainuoer?

If it’s too much, you can always stay with me.” Yan Xunzhen’s tone softened, her voice carrying an unconsciously coquettish lilt. “This place is far too unsafe.”

Du Zuilan smiled faintly, “Forget it. After all, I’ve already joined this variety show, and Gu Yueyi is here too. You came today, so she probably won’t show up again.”

Yan Xunzhen’s tail drooped slightly as she recalled the plot from the original novel. Though Du Zuilan seemed to be rejecting Ainuoer, she still felt uneasy and pressed on, “What do you think of this Ainuoer?”

Du Zuilan immediately grew wary. Her smile remained bright, but her tone carried a hint of distress, “I think an alpha like her is really quite uncivilized.”

Yan Xunzhen’s tail dropped further.

“No self-control at all, very rough; and she likes to force things on others without their consent.”

Yan Xunzhen’s ears drooped.

“One shouldn’t like an alpha like that.”

Du Zuilan concluded, stealing a glance at her.

It was rare for her to show such obvious emotions about something. She hoped Yan Xunzhen wouldn’t get the wrong idea.

Meanwhile, the radiant beauty stood frozen in place, utterly dumbfounded.

What did this mean? Had Gu Yueli been right all along Du Zuilan didn’t like alphas?!

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