The Scummy Alpha Who Transmigrated Into a Book Was Tricked by the Actress Omega - Chapter 50

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

The woman’s gentle voice whispered in her ear, momentarily disorienting her sense of time. When she regained her composure, that softly uttered “sweetheart,” so faint it seemed about to be swallowed up, sent a sharp pang through her heart.

Large teardrops rolled down Du Zuilan’s cheeks.

Her gaze settled quietly on the massive screen outside, growing increasingly disbelieving as she stared, until her nose tingled with emotion. Silent sobs wracked her frame until her eyes and the tip of her nose turned a pitiful shade of red.

Yan Xunzhen turned abruptly to see her weeping like a rain-drenched pear blossom. Unable to continue driving, she braked in the parking lot and handed Du Zuilan a soft, cool wet wipe.

Gently cradling Du Zuilan’s face, Yan Xunzhen tenderly wiped away her tear stains. Studying that expression caught between sorrow and joy, she felt both heartache and affection. “Why cry so hard? You’re breaking my heart,” she murmured.

Her delicate movements seemed almost magical, gradually stilling Du Zuilan’s tears. “If you’d worn makeup, wouldn’t you have turned into a little tear-streaked kitten?”

Du Zuilan lightly bit her full lower lip, the corners of her mouth lifting in an irrepressible smile. “You!”

Yan Xunzhen had coordinated with the manager and even reached out to fan clubs. In Du Zuilan’s name, she’d arranged for the screens not just displaying birthday wishes, but also announcing a hope elementary school donation made under Du Zuilan’s name.

In the original story, after becoming successful, Du Zuilan had done the same thing. Though never reaching extravagant wealth, having endured hardship herself, she’d wanted to shelter others from the rain.

To stop the tears, Yan Xunzhen wagged an imaginary tail and joked, “The screens are ours, didn’t cost a thing.”

An eternally enthusiastic puppy.

Du Zuilan burst into laughter, her voice still nasal and sweetly soft, the reproach in her tone unmistakably coquettish: “How could you…”

Then she pressed her thin, soft pink lips against Yan Xunzhen’s cheek, leaving behind the faintest imprint, a kiss light as a dragonfly skimming water. “How can you be so wonderful?”

Du Zuilan’s entire body melted against Yan Xunzhen’s softest embrace, her heartbeat palpable through thin fabric. That featherlight, slightly damp kiss on her cheek made Yan Xunzhen’s heart skip.

Though knowing this might just be overwhelming gratitude, Yan Xunzhen couldn’t help imagining other possibilities, her joy beyond containment.

Seeing sweet smiles finally blossom on Du Zuilan’s face, Yan Xunzhen relaxed. She refastened the seatbelt and prepared to drive. “Next, I’ll take you to see something else.”

“Okay.” Du Zuilan nodded obediently, then suddenly remembered something urgent. “But lunchtime has passed, I’m afraid Yeqing will ask about me…”

Though busy with work and unable to constantly accompany her younger sister, she seized every break to ensure the girl never felt lonely in childhood.

Yan Xunzhen smiled. “Yeqing’s already ahead of us.”

Du Zuilan blinked. “Hmm?”

The car emerged from the tunnel, and not far ahead lay the renowned amusement park of Hualing, famous for its high creativity and stunning architecture that had always drawn large crowds. These days, it was said that the park was undergoing renovations, incorporating a host of popular elements from abroad.

The castle facing the visitors was dreamily vibrant in color. Though there were no guests at the entrance, a few well-dressed individuals in suits were chatting among themselves. As they spotted the approaching car, their attention immediately sharpened.

“Welcome, President Yan! Welcome, Miss Du!”

The leader of the group smiled warmly and earnestly, stepping forward to take the keys from Yan Xunzhen to park the car for her.

Yan Xunzhen gently helped Du Zuilan out of the car.

Before heading off to park the car, the man added, “Miss Du’s younger sister has already arrived. We arranged for her favorite anime character to accompany her, and Mrs. Li is also keeping her company. Rest assured, the park has no other guests scheduled for today safety is our top priority.”

For some reason, Du Zuilan tightened her grip on Yan Xunzhen’s sleeve, realizing that the latter had told a harmless little white lie earlier that morning. Yet, she couldn’t muster any displeasure only surprise and delight.

Along with the pleasant surprise, an inevitable wave of unconscious guilt welled up inside her.

After all, Yan Xunzhen had been so good to her, offering every adorable thing she could think of.

But she herself had previously…

Yan Xunzhen interrupted Du Zuilan’s drifting thoughts, asking softly, “Shall we go in and take a look?”

Snapping back to reality, Du Zuilan responded with a sweet, soft smile. “Mm.”

It was already around one or two in the afternoon, but the sun today was mercifully not too harsh. The two walked past the cool, misty fountain and turned directly into the anime-themed restaurant in front of the castle. A small figure immediately cheered upon spotting them, her dress fluttering like butterfly wings as she leaped into their arms.

“Sister! Sister Yan! You’re finally here!”

“Ye Qing.” Du Zuilan hugged her younger sister, glancing at the untouched food on the table. “Why haven’t you eaten yet?”

“I wanted to wait for you and Sister Yan! Without you here, I didn’t feel like eating!” Du Ye Qing finished hugging her sister and then carefully nuzzled up to Yan Xunzhen.

Yan Xunzhen praised, “So well-behaved.”

She was very conscientious somehow, taking care of Du Zuilan’s younger sister gave her the illusion that the two of them were raising a child together, which made her instinctively take on the role of looking after both of them.

Watching Yan Xunzhen fuss over her sister, Du Zuilan couldn’t help but smile before flicking her sister’s little forehead. “No picky eating.”

Du Ye Qing immediately puffed out her chest. “I’m not picky, Sister! I eat properly!”

She scooped up a big spoonful of fried rice with her pink butterfly-shaped spoon and stuffed it into her mouth. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her eyes sparkled as she turned to Yan Xunzhen.

“Sister Yan, I saw Sister’s photo on the big building on the way here! I asked the uncle there, and he said you arranged it! Sister Yan, you’re amazing!”

“But,” Du Ye Qing’s ears drooped slightly, a hint of bashfulness creeping in. “Isn’t that really expensive? Last time, Sister told me I shouldn’t…”

Du Zuilan was just about to speak to her sister when Yan Xunzhen swiftly intercepted her. Yan Xunzhen’s dark hair fluttered as she swept it aside, exuding a cold yet captivating charm. Her red lips parted slightly, her earnest expression making it impossible not to believe her: “Ye Qing, don’t worry, this thing doesn’t cost any money.”

Yan Xunzhen spouted nonsense: “It’s just like the blackboard at school. Sister Yan is just borrowing it for a bit.”

Du Zuilan seemed somewhat helpless, a faint smile rising in her eyes as she watched her spin wild tales: “But Ye Qing, don’t tell anyone else, or else everyone will want to borrow the blackboard too. This is our little secret, okay?”

“Okay!”

What kind of blackboard was this? And free of charge?! The manager who had parked the car for President Yan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. What was it they said, “a single rider stirs the red dust, and the imperial concubine smiles”? That giant screen cost who knew how much… To use it for a celebrity’s birthday celebration only President Yan could pull that off! Even Tang Ying, the reigning queen of the entertainment industry, would at most get a friendly discount. No one but Du Zuilan could enjoy such treatment, there was no second person!

The manager stood silently to the side, watching President Yan entertain the child, unable to suppress another inward sigh. His gossipy heart only grew more fervent. Thinking of the information he’d been ordered to dig up and the boiling discussions on Weibo, he wished he could grab someone to scream with.

President Yan, decisive and formidable in business, could easily deceive a child without batting an eye. With a straight face, she coaxed Du Yeqing into high spirits, even eating without being picky. Then, with reddened ears, she picked up some of Du Zuilan’s favorite shrimp and placed them in her bowl.

Her voice was soft: “After dinner, I’ll show you something, okay?”

Du Zuilan had no reason to refuse, nor was she ungrateful. Faced with this famous, yet-to-open amusement park, she knew just how much Yan Xunzhen had quietly done for her.

“Mm, I’ll listen to you.” Du Zuilan lowered her head, eating the shrimp ball that had been placed in her bowl, then reciprocated by picking some food for Yan Xunzhen.

Her tone seemed casual: “Last time in Rong Country, did you like the taste of the food I brought you?”

Was she referring to the lunchbox Du Zuilan had brought when she visited her at the company?

Yan Xunzhen raised an eyebrow: “Mm, I liked it. But the flavor didn’t really seem like Rong Country’s style.”

She suddenly paused.

During the variety show Wild Life, Du Zuilan had mentioned she could cook. So, did that mean the food in the lunchbox was made by Du Zuilan herself?!

She suddenly regretted not having much of an appetite back then. After Du Zuilan left, she hadn’t eaten much of it.

A bit rueful, she said, “I should’ve eaten more.”

Du Zuilan’s eyes curved into little crescents: “Next time, I’ll bring you some myself, okay?”

“Okay!” Yan Xunzhen’s eyes lit up. The woman’s red lips were stunning, but at this moment, all her usual aloofness vanished, leaving her looking irresistibly charming. Realizing she’d agreed too eagerly, she couldn’t help but blush at the tips of her ears. “Then, come with me.”

By now, the little sister had finished her meal. The three of them, along with their entourage, left the anime-themed restaurant and soon passed through winding corridors, arriving at the grand, retro and magnificent castle gates.

With a resounding creak, the doors swung open. Du Yeqing bounded ahead excitedly, while Yan Xunzhen and Du Zuilan took a few steps before stopping together.

Yan Xunzhen said, “Can you? Give me your hand.”

Du Zuilan couldn’t help but lick her lips like a cat and extended her slender, pale hand.

The next moment, a meticulously designed, ring-shaped key was slipped onto her finger.

“Sis! This is a huge, amazing ice cream shop, so pretty! It’s an ice cream shop inside a castle!!”

The child’s clear voice echoed through the corridor, making Du Zuilan suddenly turn her gaze toward Yan Xunzhen.

The key was a soft green, its craftsmanship so exquisite it was hard to believe it was just a key. Folded, it could even be worn as a ring, ingeniously designed beyond imagination.

Yan Xunzhen chuckled lightly. “A birthday gift. Do you like it?”

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