The Scummy Alpha Who Transmigrated Into a Book Was Tricked by the Actress Omega - Chapter 41

For a moment, Yan Xunzhen’s mind went blank. When she came back to her senses, her lips had already pressed against the sweet ice cream, leaving a trace in the same spot where Du Zuilan’s kitten-like tongue had just licked.

At first, the ice cream tasted of fresh strawberries, with a rich chocolate undertone, blending into an overwhelmingly sweet flavor. But as Yan Xunzhen savored it more carefully, she seemed to detect a faint hint of orange, a lingering aftertaste that filled her nostrils and refused to fade.

“How does it taste?” Du Zuilan’s voice was soft as she tilted her head, watching her. The gentle kitten retracted her claws. Perhaps because Du Zuilan herself was so sweet, even the ice cream in her hand seemed sweeter than any Yan Xunzhen had tasted before.

Yan Xunzhen’s mind buzzed faintly, and the corners of her lips curled into a smile as she replied, “It’s really good.”

She pretended it was nothing.

Though Du Zuilan might not have realized that sharing her ice cream was an indirect kiss, Yan Xunzhen certainly had. Yet, despite knowing, she hadn’t chosen to act like a “proper gentleman” and draw a clear line between them. Instead, she had deliberately licked it.

And then, her ears burning, Yan Xunzhen handed her own vanilla raspberry ice cream to Du Zuilan. “Want to try this flavor?”

Du Zuilan didn’t answer. Instead, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with her free hand and leaned down to lightly lick the creamy yellow vanilla scoop.

Perhaps because she was focused on tasting the ice cream, she didn’t fully secure her hair. The glossy black strands slipped free, cascading down the side of her face.

Instinctively, Yan Xunzhen reached out, her fingertips brushing past the corner of Du Zuilan’s eye as she tucked the unruly lock behind her ear.

Both of them froze for a moment.

Du Zuilan’s eyes shimmered, the corners tinged pink with what seemed like quiet delight as she straightened her fair neck. “This flavor is really nice too.”

Yan Xunzhen smiled faintly. “Yeah.”

The blond, blue-eyed shop owner and the people behind them chattered in low voices, occasionally bursting into laughter. The clinking sounds of machines and materials being tidied up gradually shattered the almost-intimate atmosphere between them, widening the distance that had been close enough for a kiss.

Yan Xunzhen quietly savored the spot Du Zuilan had tasted, thinking that the vanilla flavor paled in comparison to the lingering richness of orange liqueur.

Another mechanical clang snapped her back to reality. She smiled gently at Du Zuilan. “You must be busy tomorrow. Should I take you back to your crew’s lodging?”

Du Zuilan curved her eyes and gave a soft “Mm.”

A short while later.

With a creak!

Yan Xunzhen’s car stopped just outside the street leading to the crew’s accommodations. It wasn’t far from the ancient castle she owned in Rongguo, so the driver nearly drove straight there before correcting course.

Even when she thought they might be heading to the castle, Du Zuilan showed no reaction she trusted Yan Xunzhen completely now.

A far cry from their first ride together, when her body had been tense, or from the hospital, when she had been tearful and cautious.

The thought filled Yan Xunzhen’s heart with something sweet yet bittersweet, leaving no room for anything else.

“Goodnight.”

Du Zuilan smiled back at her warmly. “Mm, goodnight.”

Yan Xunzhen watched Du Zuilan’s graceful figure ascend the stairs before finally blinking and looking away.

She parted her lips and said, “Let’s go back.”

The driver silently started the car, and the scenery outside the window instantly blurred. The dazzling neon lights and hazy light spots painted the entire city in a riot of colors.

Only then did Yan Xunzhen notice the phone that had been burning hot in her pocket for a while. She casually pulled it out and saw several work-related messages at the top of the screen.

They weren’t particularly urgent.

After all, these were messages from the entertainment division of Junyan Group normally, they would only reach the division manager at most. Yet, such seemingly trivial news had been forwarded directly to the CEO of Junyan, Yan Xunzhen herself. If anyone else saw this, they would surely be shocked, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.

[Dear President Yan, we’ve received news from the entertainment division. Director Wan Yi (note: after consulting with the agent, we learned he is a highly renowned director in the industry, having directed the masterpiece that earned Tang Ying her Best Actress award) is currently searching for the female lead for his new film. Miss Du’s agent has already sent her resume and a compilation of her past performances to him, and he is very interested in her.]

[Director Wan is currently in Rongguo as well, so he has requested through the entertainment division to meet with Miss Du after filming concludes, to see if she can secure the role.]

Yan Xunzhen remembered this!

Though it differed slightly from the original novel, the general direction was the same. If everything went smoothly, this film could contend for awards, and Du Zuilan herself had long wanted to star in a meaningful, well-scripted movie like this truly a win-win situation.

Though the role wasn’t officially secured yet, it was practically a done deal.

Yan Xunzhen felt genuinely happy for her and replied to the employee who had reported the news with a light heart.

However, the employee continued:

[President Yan, during your first dinner gathering with Miss Du at the film set, you once encountered an omega. Ever since acting opposite Miss Du, this omega has been sending messages to Junyan Entertainment, claiming to be Miss Du’s friend and expressing her wish to join Junyan after terminating her contract with Century Entertainment. We apologize for bothering you with this matter, but since it involves Miss Du, we didn’t dare make a decision lightly.]

Yan Xunzhen seemed momentarily puzzled, but her memory was sharp, so she sifted through her thoughts for a while.

Ah, yes, there had indeed been a bold omega who had once thanked her with a “Thank you, President Yan.”

When they had confronted the bald-headed Wang, she had more or less stood on their side.

Yan Xunzhen didn’t dwell on it:

[If her qualifications are sufficient, she can be considered through the standard interview process.]

“Standard interview process?”

The Rongguo segment of Wild Life was now in its penultimate day of filming. According to the show’s schedule, the cast would be given a full day off before the final day of shooting.

Thus, when Du Zuilan met with Yan Xunzhen, she was suddenly met with this incredible news.

Her face flushed slightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement, an open display of joy that was entirely unlike her usual calm, unapproachable demeanor.

As if afraid she had misheard, she couldn’t help but ask again, “Tonight, I can go meet Director Wan right away? For an audition?”

Yan Xunzhen smiled and nodded once more.

Almost murmuring to herself, her eyes curved into crescents, Du Zuilan whispered, “This is wonderful.”

Yan Xunzhen opened the car door for her: “Shall we go? Director Wan is waiting for you upstairs.”

Du Zuilan couldn’t help but smooth her dress as she followed Yan Xunzhen upstairs, where she found Wan Yi and the director of Wild Life already present.

Wan Yi stood up first, greeting Yan Xunzhen politely. After some small talk, he stood before Yan Xunzhen and Du Zuilan, his expression unconsciously stern, with deep furrows between his brows from years of frowning.

He pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Du Zuilan: “Hello, Du Zuilan. I’m Wan Yi. I’m currently preparing to shoot a crime film called In Your Name. Are you interested?”

“Thank you, Director Wan. I’m truly honored and would love to participate.”

Du Zuilan’s words were measured and earnest, devoid of the usual diplomatic polish, making her sincerity and charm all the more apparent.

Even the typically cold and serious Wan Yi laughed heartily:

“My daughter has been looking forward to your role in Wild Life lately, and Tang Ying also recommended you to me. If this collaboration goes well, I won’t have to waste time sifting through those forced candidates anymore.”

He swallowed the word “nepotism” mid-sentence. After all, when it came to influence, who could rival Yan Xunzhen sitting right across from him?

Oddly enough, though they had initially negotiated with Junyan Entertainment, the CEO herself had shown up! Everyone knew the former playgirl alpha had turned over a new leaf, running the company with ruthless efficiency.

And Yan Xunzhen seemed to be on remarkably good terms with Du Zuilan, leaving the two directors wide-eyed and sweating bullets though fortunately, Yan Xunzhen didn’t seem to mind.

After all, if they accidentally offended her, they might end up like the bankrupt Ruìwáng Group or the crippled Tianneng Corporation.

But Yan Xunzhen wasn’t entirely unapproachable. In fact, she even smiled faintly as she watched Du Zuilan’s earnest expression.

Business over drinks was a long-standing tradition in Huaguo. Once they realized Yan Xunzhen wasn’t out to make things difficult, the two directors relaxed.

Wan Yi handed Du Zuilan the script, briefly explaining the essence of the role and asking her to record an audition video the next day. With the formalities settled, the conversation drifted.

The directors meandered from past career woes to the current state of the industry. Wan Yi set his cup down with a splash, sending droplets flying:

“Films are getting harder to make these days. Good ones don’t sell, and popular ones are trash, it’s enough to drive us all mad! And the actors? Those so-called ‘idols’, what even are they performing? I tell them to quit acting! Thankfully, my daughter prefers real actors.”

His mention of his daughter reminded him of Du Zuilan: “By the way, Zuilan, do you have someone you like? My daughter asked me to check. Not that you’re an idol or anything she’s just curious. I won’t let her blab about it.”

Du Zuilan seemed caught off guard by the question. After a brief silence, her lips curled into a slow, gentle smile, her eyes widening like a cat’s.

Yan Xunzhen’s hand holding the cup paused for a moment.

Did she? Probably not.

All these days, apart from filming and events, she hadn’t met any men her family’s chauffeur certainly didn’t count nor had she developed feelings for any women. Gu Yueyi and Gu Yueli were both naive and sweet, and Du Zuilan was just a good friend.

Yan Xunzhen was analyzing the situation with absolute confidence, never expecting Du Zuilan’s next words to nearly make her drop her cup.

“Well, not before, but now I do.”

Du Zuilan smiled faintly, a hint of unintentional joy slipping through, like a kitten mentioning the owner it adores with all its heart: “It’s just they might not like me back.”

The director burst into laughter, his words loose from the alcohol: “Impossible! With your qualities, you’d definitely win them over. My wife only agreed to marry me after I pestered her relentlessly, she was the most beautiful girl in our entire region back then.”

Director Wan chimed in: “Exactly! Come on, drink up! I won’t tell my daughter about this when I get home, or she’ll sigh and complain at me.”

She does?

Yan Xunzhen couldn’t believe it. Feelings? Du Zuilan has someone she likes now? “Like” as in wanting to be together, to stay together forever?

Du Zuilan has someone she likes?

Who is it?!

Support