The Second Fall - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Benefactor

Lan Cixing was called upon out of the blue.

Her face was a portrait of bewilderment. She didn’t quite understand what was happening, but she was snapped to attention by the word “bodyguard” and looked toward Rong Yushu. The woman’s body was still leaning against her shoulder, the weight pressing down like a ball of scorching fire.

That temperature was startlingly prominent even in the summer heat. It burned so fiercely that Lan Cixing didn’t know where to look. She stole a glance at Rong Yushu, only to be stung by her radiance again. She wanted to look, but didn’t dare.

Rong Yushu seemed oblivious, standing there loosely without the poise of a noble lady, using Lan Cixing as a backrest. Despite her teasing words, she didn’t actually cast her gaze on Lan Cixing; her eyes were fixed on Mu Huai, who had come to provoke her.

Mu Huai, uncomfortable under the stare, was the first to react, her eyes sweeping over Lan Cixing. Only then did Lan Cixing fully wake up. Not daring to make a big move for fear of letting Rong Yushu fall, she used an extremely awkward gesture to point at herself.

Me? Helping Rong Yushu get into character?

Just me?

Lan Cixing blinked, realizing she had been dragged into some sort of “cremona” field by her employer, becoming a tool in their power play. She desperately wanted to flee; she shifted her shoulders, feeling uncomfortable no matter what.

However, Rong Yushu acted as if she had no bones, collapsing backward and pressing firmly against Lan Cixing. She made it so Lan Cixing couldn’t escape or even move.

Mu Huai continued to stare at Lan Cixing with a heavy, sharp, scrutinizing gaze. Forced by circumstance, Lan Cixing fixed her eyes on Rong Yushu’s earlobe and silently lowered her head, praying that Mu Huai wouldn’t recognize her. She really didn’t want to receive another complaint. If this happened again, she’d have to take ten jobs as a nude body double just to make ends meet.

Suddenly, the weight on her shoulder vanished.

At some point, Rong Yushu had walked over to Mu Huai. She turned back and hooked a finger at the dazed Lan Cixing. Her dark green nails were like serpent scales—vibrant, beautiful, and dangerous. They were soul-stealing.

Lan Cixing moved toward her involuntarily, her footsteps devoid of hesitation. Rong Yushu looked satisfied. The finger that had enchanted her soul now tapped Lan Cixing’s shoulder, turning her around and pulling her into the scent of white tea.

Lan Cixing’s head was pressed against Rong Yushu’s chest. Her breathing stalled, her mind went numb, and she didn’t even dare to blink. In an instant, Rong Yushu adjusted her posture, leading Lan Cixing toward the shooting area by a lock of her curly hair, like leading a puppy.

She left Mu Huai behind to contemplate her life. Mu Huai felt that the bodyguard looked somewhat familiar. Those eyes were too sharp and extraordinary, and the color was unique—a clear, translucent grey-blue. Yet, she couldn’t match the eyes to anyone she knew. Mu Huai wasn’t close to Lan Cixing, and as a fellow Alpha, she had never been interested in her; seeing only the eyes without the face made recognition impossible.

Who is it? Mu Huai thought, sitting down in a huff. She wanted to see exactly how this annoying bodyguard was going to help Rong Yushu get into character.

“Boss, please don’t pull my hair out…” Lan Cixing whispered, trying to stop Rong Yushu’s movements.

She cherished her curly hair; most of her limited spare money went toward hair maintenance. The burgundy dye and the perfect curls permed every three months couldn’t withstand Rong Yushu’s violent tugging.

Rong Yushu didn’t give her a look but abruptly let go. Lan Cixing nearly stumbled into her, only to be held back by the woman’s hand—a blatant gesture of disdain.

…Rong Yushu truly hated her.

Lan Cixing adjusted her steps and followed obediently. Entering the shooting center, she felt intimidated by Director Nian Guanqi, let alone the numerous cameras. While Rong Yushu negotiated with the photographer, Lan Cixing kept her head down the entire time, looking no different from a dog—the most shy and timid one at that.

Rong Yushu ignored her, but what she said was interesting.

“Director Nian, I can’t get into character for the couple’s photos, so I found someone to help.” Her tone was the soft, affectionate voice of a woman from a bygone era, and her body language was no longer the cold, aloof manner of the real Rong Yushu. She was so cordial she was almost bowing to Nian Guanqi in request.

Nian Guanqi glanced at her, then at the photographer.

This is called “not in character”?

The photographer was also puzzled. The previous set of promo photos had gone perfectly; Rong Yushu was a natural in front of the lens. Such a person had just run over using the tone and movements of her character to say she wasn’t in character. What was the game?

The photographer, not being as high-ranking as Nian Guanqi, threw the question back. She said she wants to add a person, so let’s add one. I can find the angles.

Nian Guanqi agreed and gave the photographer an encouraging look. “As you wish. And this is…” Nian Guanqi looked at Lan Cixing.

She only saw a mop of red hair. This “acting partner” didn’t look like a person, but rather like Rong Yushu’s timid, loyal dog, looking dejected the moment its master ignored it. She followed so closely that Nian Guanqi thought she was about to step on Rong Yushu.

“My little bodyguard.” Rong Yushu secretly pinched Lan Cixing’s arm.

Lan Cixing looked up instantly, her eyes revealing a clear, dazed innocence. Nian Guanqi felt those grey-blue eyes looked familiar. Failing to see through the thick mask, she looked away. “Isn’t she taking off her mask?”

“No need.” She was a civilian, so it was normal not to be on screen.

However, the explanation Rong Yushu gave was bizarre. “She’s ugly, so she won’t show her face. I’m afraid she’ll scare you.” After saying that, Rong Yushu grabbed Lan Cixing’s sleeve and led her into the frame.

Lan Cixing moved woodenly. Hearing those words left a bitter taste in her mouth. Rong Yushu really doesn’t like me, does she? Otherwise, why would she publicly say I’m not good-looking? She recalled her time in the industry; she had plenty of “visual fans.” This face shouldn’t be called ugly.

Lan Cixing was so depressed she wanted to revise her online persona. She never wanted to be a “dream girl” for this fickle woman again.

In her daze, Lan Cixing was suddenly pressed down by a surge of force. She resisted instinctively, her hand nearly striking the attacker’s neck, but her eyes were faster, signaling her brain to stop in time.

Rong Yushu had pushed her down into the set. A good production team put a lot of effort into the promo shoot scenes. Hibiscus curtains fell, and ancient wood wafted fragrance. The entire scene was ambiguous and historical.

Lan Cixing met Rong Yushu’s cold, lonely eyes and awkwardly pulled her hand back.

“Lie down properly,” Rong Yushu commanded. Lan Cixing obeyed, becoming as stiff as a dried fish.

Rong Yushu didn’t mind. She lifted Lan Cixing’s hair, entering the role instantly. Her posture was intimate, her eyes filled with affection as if seeing a lover. Upon closer inspection, however, those eyes hid scrutiny and a cold lack of trust.

The photographer was great at catching angles. Lan Cixing didn’t even need to be in the shot; just a strand of her hair was enough as the photographer snapped away at Rong Yushu by the bedside. Lan Cixing turned herself into a true background prop, letting Rong Yushu change poses.

She couldn’t help but complain in her head. So the original story is Omega-dominant and Alpha-submissive?

Rong Yushu’s teasing posture carried a sense of aggression and immense pressure. She leaned back with her legs crossed, turning a spark of affection into a full-blown test. Every scene’s emotion was captured perfectly. The shoot went quickly, and it looked like Lan Cixing was about to be liberated.

“I think we can do one more set,” Rong Yushu said, unfastening her fur shawl, loosening her hair, and smudging her lipstick. “Look at her hands.” She took Lan Cixing’s hand and showed it to the photographer, like displaying a possession.

Lan Cixing was extremely uncomfortable but couldn’t pull away.

“Tsk, these hands… they actually fit the character perfectly. I know which scene you want to shoot.” The photographer was nearly ready to applaud. “Quick, quick, quick!” Her inspiration wouldn’t wait.

Lan Cixing’s hand no longer belonged to her. Rong Yushu gripped that hand—one that bore the marks of wind, frost, scratches, and scars, yet was well-defined and long like jade—and placed it on her own waist.

Hold me. She mouthed the words to Lan Cixing.

Lan Cixing watched her draw near and held her breath. So it’s still Alpha-dominant, just “weak Alpha, strong Omega.”

Lan Cixing threw the thought aside. Her fingertips trembled as she wrapped them around the woman’s waist. Smelling the white tea on Rong Yushu, her thoughts vanished. Her mind was blank; she only wanted to draw closer to the familiar Omega.

Rong Yushu prevented her from getting closer, however, by interlocking their fingers.

Ten fingers interlaced. The most intimate contact since four years ago.

It immediately threw Lan Cixing’s mind into chaos. She managed to keep a shred of sanity, knowing this was a film set. She was merely “sacrificing herself for art,” no different from the nude body double job she had considered.

Lan Cixing stiffly turned her face away, trying her best to restrain her wild thoughts so as not to affect the shoot. She left her poor hand to be controlled by the person she feared most, forced into intimacy. She heard the shutter clicks and didn’t dare breathe too much for fear of causing a disturbance.

Suddenly, Rong Yushu stroked the back of her hand. Perhaps they were shooting a close-up of the hands. Rong Yushu’s nails scraped across her skin. The feeling of being teased surged to her head, and Lan Cixing couldn’t stop herself from trembling.

The photographer was actually very satisfied with her reaction, praising her while shooting enthusiastically. Lan Cixing trembled even harder—from her hands to her head, her whole body was shaking. Her nervousness was visible to the naked eye.

Suddenly, her head was pressed into a warm, soft embrace.

“Don’t be afraid,” Rong Yushu’s voice drifted down from above, as gentle as coaxing a puppy. The white tea scent intensified.

Lan Cixing was muffled against the chest of the marked Omega. She shut her eyes tight and took a deep breath, holding it. Inexplicably, after hearing Rong Yushu’s coaxing, her body slowly relaxed. Their interlaced hands loosened. Lan Cixing wrapped her arms around Rong Yushu’s waist again.

Amidst the soft sweetness of white tea, she survived the shoot.

Rong Yushu’s promo shoot was finished. It had gone so smoothly and perfectly that they finished early. Rong Yushu led Lan Cixing away from the set, leaving behind the struggling Mu Huai, who was nowhere to be seen.

As for how much Mu Huai suffered alone—being scolded by the director and kept for a night shoot—that was a story for another time. Rong Yushu, leading her little bodyguard, had already entered the lounge to prepare for dinner.

Rong Yushu’s people ate home-cooked meals prepared on-site by a chef. Several assistants took plates to the kitchen, joked with the cook, and then brought the food out to sit and eat. Lan Cixing watched for a bit, finally regaining her composure, and felt somewhat impressed. Rong Yushu was temperamental, but her treatment of her employees was impeccable. She had never seen an employer in the industry provide such good benefits.

Rong Yushu seemed to have no airs either, taking her food and sitting on the sofa nearby to eat without clearing the room. Lan Cixing stayed by her side, braking just before she instinctively sat down, and looked down at her hands.

When did I get food?

Lan Cixing’s ears burned. She felt she had been affected by the afternoon shoot for too long and still wasn’t thinking clearly. She was a bodyguard; she should either eat before Rong Yushu to test for poison or wait until Rong Yushu was finished while watching the surroundings. Now that the food was in her hand, she didn’t know whether to eat it or not.

Torn, Lan Cixing simply stood by Rong Yushu’s side like a statue, clutching her bowl.

“You’re not eating?” Rong Yushu took two small bites and looked up at the statue stationed beside her.

“…I have to wait for you to finish.” Lan Cixing was so embarrassed her toes curled. Rong Yushu couldn’t see her feet, but she could read a bit from her expression.

A light laugh shattered Lan Cixing’s stubbornness. “Sit down and keep me company.” Rong Yushu reached out, intending to pull off Lan Cixing’s mask.

Lan Cixing instinctively jumped to the side, covering her face. Their fingers crossed; Rong Yushu missed.

Meeting Rong Yushu’s half-smiling face, Lan Cixing gave up on dignity and used the excuse she had just made up. “I’m ugly; I don’t want to scare you. I’ll eat by myself later.” Her brain was still overheated after she finished speaking. The food in her hands was almost cold.

Is she angry?

Rong Yushu narrowed her eyes slightly. In the next moment, she ignored Lan Cixing, letting the “silly dog” stand there in a daze. The silly dog’s phone was still on the table.

Rong Yushu ate slowly, focusing her gaze on Lan Cixing’s phone. Lan Cixing didn’t notice; just standing next to her was nerve-wracking enough. When the rhythm of the person’s breathing beside her grew irregular, Rong Yushu finally spoke.

But it wasn’t another invitation.

“You have a… transfer notification.” Rong Yushu put down her chopsticks and tapped Lan Cixing’s phone screen. She tilted her head, her fox-like eyes curving cunningly.

“A benefactor?” Her question was even more blunt.

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