The Scummy Alpha Who Transmigrated Into a Book Was Tricked by the Actress Omega - Chapter 40

The crowd surged and bustled. Before entering the street, the production team set up a small stall with a basket full of little red flower stickers. Those willing to participate in their activity could take a sticker and vote for one of the teams.

Originally, to be honest, both Du Zuilan and Li Mingzui genuinely wanted a fair competition. Du Zuilan had briefly entertained the thought in her mind, but the idea of troubling Yan Xunzhen and asking employees of Junyan Corporation to help her vote made her feel somewhat guilty after all, that would be taking a shortcut.

But while they wanted a fair competition, Ainuoer was still unwilling to give up. She watched helplessly as votes meant for others’ boxes inexplicably ended up in hers and the veteran actor’s.

It was downright absurd.

The remaining participants could only exchange furtive glances, their eyes filled with unspoken understanding.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn when another wave of people arrived.

These newcomers seemed almost out of place in the artistic street, this scenic spot didn’t quite match their vibe. To put it more plainly, they exuded an “elite aura.”

They would have fit much better inside Junyan Corporation.

So?

She hadn’t asked Yan Xunzhen for help, but Junyan’s people had come anyway.

Silently, Du Zuilan rearranged the dishes she had prepared four or five plates of vibrant, nutritious, and fragrant side dishes that were just as appetizing as the veteran actor’s cooking.

The newcomers voluntarily took red flower stickers at the entrance of the street and eagerly made their rounds. They carefully picked up disposable chopsticks to sample the dishes, and after tasting them, they almost unanimously cast their votes for Du Zuilan.

A blonde, blue-eyed girl, who had been gossiping with her colleagues at Junyan earlier letting Du Zuilan overhear could barely contain her burning curiosity when she approached. In broken Chinese, she said:

“Hello, nice to meet you, Du. Your food is very delicious. You should win the best.”

Du Zuilan leaned forward attentively, and upon hearing her words, couldn’t help but smile. The foreign friend’s words were straightforward but sincere and utterly endearing. “Thank you. You’re very beautiful.”

The girl blushed and bounced excitedly on the spot before launching into a rapid string of foreign words not English, but something more obscure to express her overflowing enthusiasm.

A nearby Chinese colleague chuckled and quietly translated in a hushed voice: “What she means is, you’re so talented, and you and the boss are a perfect match. We hope you can convince her to leave work earlier…”

Du Zuilan nearly choked. Fortunately, their voices were too soft to be picked up by the distant cameras, but she couldn’t help blushing for a moment.

She whispered, “I’ll try my best.”

The blonde girl happily dragged her friend away after speaking, but Du Zuilan’s stall remained bustling with activity, drawing envious glances.

But was Du Zuilan breaking the rules?

Junyan had a large workforce just rounding up a few to vote for her would guarantee a win. But she had only entertained the thought without acting on it, still abiding by the show’s rules, cooking diligently and running her stall quietly.

But someone just had to play dirty, secretly transferring others’ votes into their own box then don’t blame others for not holding back.

Junyan’s employees simply adored Du Zuilan, the boss lady, and were more than happy to drop by after work to cast their votes for her. No one bribed them; this victory was fair and square.

Was Ainuoer angry? Absolutely.

But what good did anger do? In terms of skill, she had completely botched the veteran actor’s dish, no match for Du Zuilan’s expertly crafted cuisine. Then came the battle of connections, no matter how much she tried to steal votes from others, she couldn’t take away the flood of Junyan employees who willingly voted for Du Zuilan.

This victory was utterly satisfying, crushing her in every aspect. How’s that for infuriating?!

The production team turned a blind eye to Ainuoer’s antics. What else could they do? The diva had joined the show, bringing hype, but also demanding behind-the-scenes manipulation. Yet Du Zuilan’s counterattack against the rigging had everyone secretly cheering in delight!

So, during the final vote count, expressions varied across the room. On the surface, it was all smiles and harmony except for Ainuoer, whose face was twisted in displeasure. Even the veteran actor, aware of the backstage dealings, sided with Du Zuilan, leaving Ainuoer utterly “isolated and helpless.” A sight for sore eyes.

The production team pulled the votes from the box, counting them aloud one by one.

It was clear from the start: the male beta was unfortunately last, Ainuoer and the veteran actor took second, while Gu Yueyi’s team landed in third.

“After today’s fierce competition, the winner has emerged! And that is Team Li and Team Du!”

Du Zuilan smiled gently. Unlike the seasoned entertainers who could freely joke with the crowd, she first bowed politely to everyone.

As she lifted her head, her glossy black hair brushed past her cheeks, carried by a faint, fragrant breeze.

She used the same shower gel and shampoo as Yan Xunzhen. The scent was familiar, identical to the one that lingered on Yan Xunzhen fruity with a hint of gardenia, underscored by a subtle grassy freshness.

Like the aroma of ice cream.

It felt as though Yan Xunzhen was right beside her.

Her bright eyes swept across the room before suddenly locking onto a figure in the back.

Stars seemed to sparkle in her gaze, her smile instantly turning genuine, her lips curving with a tenderness impossible to look away from.

The director continued, “I trust everyone understands now. The accommodation conditions remain the same as yesterday. I’ll send out details for tomorrow’s activities shortly. For now, feel free to gather your things and head to your rooms to rest!”

As soon as the announcement ended, the crew began packing up. Whatever amusing antics might unfold in the rooms later was another matter for now, the seasoned host bid Du Zuilan farewell before leaving.

Du Zuilan was just about to walk toward Yan Xunzhen.

But suddenly, Ainuoer cut her off.

Her expression was visibly sour, her face darkening since the vote count. If this got posted online, she’d be roasted for her bad attitude and diva behavior not to mention her own underhanded tactics.

She strode straight up to Yan Xunzhen first.

In her high heels, she was almost as tall as Yan Xunzhen. Staring at the woman before her simply dressed, makeup-free, yet still radiantly beautiful, she couldn’t suppress the surge of resentment in her chest.

Yan Xunzhen’s jet-black, seaweed-like hair was swept to one side as she stood with her arms crossed. The smile on her face faded upon seeing who had approached, revealing an air of aristocratic haughtiness beneath her elite CEO demeanor.

“What do you want?”

“Was this your doing? Did you arrange this?”

Ainoer no longer carried the arrogant attitude she had earlier; her words now dripped with bitterness.

Yan Xunzhen raised an eyebrow. “?”

“I get it.” Ainoer gritted her teeth, barely suppressing her fury. She took a deep breath to steady herself. “Don’t think you can just be happy with Du Zuilan. I’m telling you, I’ll be back soon!”

Her words cut off abruptly as she saw Du Zuilan tug at Yan Xunzhen’s sleeve.

Ignoring Ainoer, Du Zuilan instead smiled sweetly at Yan Xunzhen. “Shall we go?”

A soft warmth returned to Yan Xunzhen’s eyes as she murmured, “Mm.”

Then, turning back to Ainoer, she said coolly, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘my arrangements.’ I just came to pick her up after work. You tried to rig things and failed, don’t blame others for ruining your plans.”

A rare hint of mockery laced her tone.

Honestly, she couldn’t help but think, what was the difference between this woman and the scumbag Alpha from the original novel? Weren’t they both equally rotten? The only redeeming quality Ainoer might have had was that she hadn’t actually harassed Du Zuilan yet.

But judging by her current resentment, it was possible that in the original timeline, Ainoer had appeared later as a successful, untarnished noblewoman. Now, however, she was still an illegitimate daughter struggling for power, lashing out with whatever authority she could grasp.

She had encountered Du Zuilan far too early, at an immature stage, and just like the scumbag Alpha, she had tried to take her by force.

Pathetic.

Ainoer listened to Yan Xunzhen’s words.

Her expression darkened. After a long pause, watching the two stand close in an undeniably intimate manner, she finally said coldly, “I’ll withdraw from this show. Goodbye.”

Yan Xunzhen replied indifferently, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Soon, the remaining stragglers on the street dispersed.

It was around ten o’clock, and deeper into the street, many shops were still open. Neon lights shimmered vividly under the glow of the amber streetlamps.

Half of Yan Xunzhen’s face was bathed in the flowing golden light, every feature exquisitely defined. When she looked at Du Zuilan, her gaze brimmed with a tenderness that made hearts flutter. “You must be tired today?”

Du Zuilan chuckled softly. Noticing the slightly loosened collar from exhaustion, she thought of the Junyan employees who wished their workaholic CEO would take it easy.

Rising onto her tiptoes, her slender, pale fingers reached for Yan Xunzhen’s collar, gently smoothing the slightly upturned edge.

The ends of their hair intertwined, carrying the same fragrance yet subtly mingled with each other’s pheromones, their breaths entwined as if inseparable.

“I saw an ice cream shop on this street today,” Du Zuilan said softly, still adjusting the collar. “Would you like to try it?”

Yan Xunzhen’s entire focus was on the fingers that seemed both near and far. Hearing the question, she simply responded with an “Mmm,” saying, “Sure.”

The shop was nearly empty.

They ordered a double scoop of strawberry chocolate and another of vanilla raspberry. The foreign shop owner, with a mix of words and gestures, handed them the two ice cream cones and wished them a pleasant evening.

Yan Xunzhen couldn’t remember the last time she had ice cream. Now, faced with these two scoops, she wasn’t quite sure how to start.

In front of her, Du Zuilan held her strawberry scoop and gave it a tentative lick her kitten-like tongue wary of both cold and heat.

The next moment, she offered the ice cream she had just tasted to Yan Xunzhen.

With an innocent expression, Du Zuilan asked without overthinking, “Want to try this strawberry flavor?”

But Yan Xunzhen suddenly felt her ears grow warm.

What was this? Was Du Zuilan inviting her to an indirect kiss?!

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