The Scummy Alpha Who Transmigrated Into a Book Was Tricked by the Actress Omega - Chapter 43

At this thought, Yan Xunzhen’s gaze shifted from the script to Du Zuilan. Setting aside any feelings of jealousy for the moment, what truly concerned her was how well-behaved her little kitten was though her acting skills were indeed excellent, portraying such a wild, unrestrained, and almost contradictory and complex woman must have been somewhat challenging.

Noticing Yan Xunzhen’s gaze, Du Zuilan chuckled softly. “What’s wrong?”

Without thinking, Yan Xunzhen blurted out the question in her mind: “Is this role difficult to play?”

“This role…”

Du Zuilan let out a light laugh, and in an instant, her expression transformed. Her delicate, almost boneless body reclined against the headboard in a pose that could make anyone’s blood race. Her ink-black hair cascaded like spilled ink, slipping slightly down her shoulders as she raised her arm.

Her tone was teasing, laced with amusement and provocation: “What did you just say?”

Yan Xunzhen nearly froze on the spot. Before she could react, Du Zuilan hooked a finger into her collar and tugged her down gently, their breaths mingling.

Their gazes locked Du Zuilan’s deep, enigmatic eyes meeting Yan Xunzhen’s slightly dazed ones. With an almost imperceptible sigh, Du Zuilan withdrew from the act, blinking innocently, reverting to her usual well-behaved kitten demeanor. “How was my performance?”

Yan Xunzhen swallowed hard. “You acted incredibly well.”

Du Zuilan curved her eyes into a sweet smile. “That’s good.”

Yan Xunzhen’s heart pounded wildly. It took her a moment to extricate herself from the lingering tension of their intimate posture, flustered as she muttered, “I’m going to wash up.”

“Alright,” Du Zuilan hooked a finger around her waistband, grinning sweetly. “Can you help me film my audition video later?”

Yan Xunzhen stammered an agreement, even hurrying somewhat awkwardly into the bathroom outside the bedroom.

Her kitten seemed to become a completely different person when acting charismatic, commanding, and utterly captivating.

It left her thoroughly flustered.

In the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face, struggling to calm the heat in her glands. Taking a deep breath, she caught the lingering scent of Longjing tea in the air and sighed helplessly.

When she returned to the bedroom, she saw Du Zuilan stepping out of the bathroom as well her body lightly misted with moisture, making her appear even sweeter, her fair cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Yan Xunzhen said, “I’ll film for you once you’re ready. Do you need any professional equipment? If necessary, I can borrow some from the variety show crew.”

Du Zuilan smiled. “No need. It’s just for Director Wan to take a look. No need to go to such lengths.”

“If you need it, it’s not going to any lengths,” Yan Xunzhen replied earnestly. Besides, she had no qualms about inconveniencing the variety show crew after all, she had paid them, and they had done little to earn her goodwill.

This production team when Ainor was around, they had obeyed her every whim, disregarding Du Zuilan’s feelings entirely, manipulating the show’s outcomes without a second thought. If Yan Xunzhen hadn’t coincidentally driven the domineering Ainor away, Du Zuilan might have been left with lasting scars from this experience.

A sudden thought struck Yan Xunzhen. “Your total points, does that mean you’re about to win now?”

Du Zuilan gave a small nod.

Instantly, she put a little distance between herself and Yan Xunzhen, drawing the velvet curtains in the bedroom. In the sudden rose-tinted darkness, she stood out vividly: “If we’re going to win, then let’s act out the part where she successfully passes the self-study exam.”

As she immersed herself into the role, the aura around her transformed completely. A charm that was almost bewitching radiated from her, from her unrestrained posture to the small trinket she toyed with in her hand every detail showcased her rich life experiences and depth.

Though it was an imaginary performance, she acted as if she had truly received the news of her success.

The fervor and hope bursting from her eyes were unmistakably genuine, yet her face feigned indifference, as if speaking to someone behind the camera: “I did it?”

She raised an eyebrow, her eyes brimming with joy, and crooked a finger at her.

Yan Xunzhen’s heart pounded wildly again, her grip on the phone loosening slightly.

“Yes, you did it.”

You’ve already caught me.

The car came to a stop on the street designated by the production team. Du Zuilan smiled at Yan Xunzhen and stepped out first. Gu Yueyi also emerged from her own car, the faint dark circles under her eyes betraying her lack of sleep. At the sight of Du Zuilan, she immediately exclaimed, “Good morning! I spent all of yesterday exploring the capital, I’m so exhausted.”

Du Zuilan chuckled. “Get some rest.”

Gu Yueyi eyed her, noting how effortlessly composed she seemed, her complexion glowing with health, like a little rose that had been lovingly nurtured. Unable to resist, she asked, “Something good must have happened, you look so radiant!”

As if only just realizing it, Du Zuilan touched the corner of her upturned lips and laughed belatedly. “Ah yes. I’m just in a good mood.”

“Heh, I knew it! Later, they’ll probably announce the winner of this episode’s competition in Rong Country,” Gu Yueyi said, winking at Du Zuilan, her own guess about the champion clear. “I’m rooting for you.”

Before she could say more, the production crew pulled them both in front of the cameras to begin the day’s shoot.

Ai Nuoer had already withdrawn, citing work conflicts as the reason. In truth, this came as a relief to the crew her numerous misbehaviors during filming had required extensive editing to mitigate, so her departure was for the best.

The beta couple, who had struggled to cooperate earlier in the week, had finally managed to work as a team by now. Their humorous banter had everyone in stitches.

The veteran actor and the sharp-tongued host each had their shortcomings, but overall, they got along well with everyone. They hadn’t forgotten Du Zuilan’s kindness in offering her room and carrying the team to victory, so they each gave her a pat on the shoulder, a gesture of mentorship and camaraderie.

Gu Yueyi had been close to Du Zuilan from the start, and everyone tacitly agreed on who this episode’s winner would be, accepting it wholeheartedly.

The production team cleared their throats and handed out refreshing drinks under the tree, announcing the day’s winner in a casual tea-party style:

“We’re so glad to have spent these wonderful seven days with all of you. In this time, we’ve seen Teacher Li flailing on a collapsing bed like a duck,”

The sharp-tongued host pretended to shake a fist in mock anger, eliciting warm laughter from the group.

“We’ve also witnessed everyone scrambling to cook and desperately soliciting passersby for little red flowers.”

Everyone exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a hint of amusement.

“We also witnessed how, when Teacher He was feeling unwell, our winner generously offered up the chance to stay in the castle. Our Du Zuilan and Yue Yi were incredibly considerate.”

Both Du Zuilan and Gu Yue Yi smiled as the camera lingered on their faces.

“After careful deliberation and summarization by our production team, based on everyone’s votes, we hereby announce the winner of this episode of Wild Life.”

“Du Zuilan!”

Du Zuilan stood up and bowed to everyone first.

Her hard mode had truly come to an end.

The director handed her a small box, his tone mysterious yet playful, delivering a promotional line: “Thanks to Alex Jewelry for their generous support of this show, this is a special reward for our winner, Du Zuilan. Everyone else will also receive a small gift!”

The crew distributed gifts to everyone, all exquisite little boxes. The quick-witted host was the first to open his, exclaiming in delight at the sparkling diamond earrings inside: “The director is so generous! I’ll give these to my wife when I get back!”

The others, after examining their own gifts, grew even more curious about Du Zuilan’s grand prize. Gu Yueyi leaned in close to Du Zuilan’s box, her eyes brimming with anticipation as she waited for it to open.

The velvet-lined ring holder was embroidered with intricate patterns, and the band was studded with tiny diamonds that shimmered under the light. Nestled at the center was a dazzling, polished light-blue gemstone.

For a moment, Du Zuilan seemed spellbound as she admired the breathtakingly beautiful ring. After a pause, she smiled and said, “Thank you to the production team. It’s truly stunning.”

“Alright, that concludes this episode of our show. Once again, we’d like to thank Alex Jewelry for their generous support.”

Yan Xunzhen left the company and instructed the driver to pick up Du Zuilan.

She hadn’t stayed long in Rong Country originally, her work was supposed to take at least two weeks, but she had compressed it into just ten days. Now, she couldn’t help but feel a bit exhausted. However, the moment she saw Du Zuilan walking toward her, her eyes lit up, and all her worries faded away.

“Is it over? We’ll return to Hua Ling together tomorrow,” Yan Xunzhen said, handing her a cup of hot cocoa.

Noticing how lightly dressed Du Zuilan was, she also passed her a blanket from the backseat, covering the elegant lines of her exposed shoulders and neck.

She really was like a clueless, straightforward alpha.

Du Zuilan smiled sweetly, sitting obediently as Yan Xunzhen draped the blanket over her. But just as Yan Xunzhen was about to withdraw to her own seat, Du Zuilan tugged at her sleeve.

Her eyes bright and brimming with joy, she said, “There’s something I want to give you.”

Yan Xunzhen was taken aback. “What is it?”

Du Zuilan’s hands were slightly cool, but warmed by the heat of the cocoa. As she pulled out the velvet ring box, her fingers brushed against Yan Xunzhen’s.

“This.”

Yan Xunzhen looked down and saw the ring, its surface shimmering in the dim light, like a flowing expanse of azure sea.

A… a ring?!

Yan Xunzhen nearly bit her tongue. Her outstretched hand, ready to receive the item, froze mid-air, as if she didn’t dare to touch it.

Du Zuilan smiled gently and said to her, “This ring was a reward for participating in my variety show. It’s my first time joining such a program, and I thought. I’d give it to you.”

So that was it, a prize from the show.

The burning heat on Yan Xunzhen’s face faded slightly, but she still felt a bit embarrassed.

Perhaps Du Zuilan was unaware of her feelings, thinking that giving such a gift was just a friendly gesture between friends, carrying no deeper meaning but her own thoughts were far from pure.

Blushing, she took the ring box from Du Zuilan’s hand, still harboring her little secret.

Naturally, she didn’t notice the fleeting amusement that flashed through Du Zuilan’s clear, ocean-like eyes.

Support