Transmigrated Into a Scummy Alpha Who Stole the Male Lead's Mermaid Fiancée - Chapter 44

A faint “beep” echoed in the darkness, a sound so subtle it would have gone unnoticed without intense concentration.

Yu Ke focused her gaze, slowly raising her hand and aiming her gun toward a specific spot in the dark.

There, a tiny red dot glimmered, likely the emitter of an infrared targeting beam.

Holding her breath, she pulled the trigger. With a muffled “thud,” she heard the sound of something heavy hitting the ground. Three seconds passed, and no further movement came from that direction.

Her gun, equipped with a silencer, hadn’t disturbed the person sleeping soundly in the bed. Still, she glanced back, reassured by the sight of Xing’er’s sleeping silhouette before holstering her weapon and stepping outside to check on the intruder.

Her shot hadn’t been fatal. As she approached, she heard the man’s agonized groans. She first shone a light from a distance to get a clear view of his face.

He was a burly, bearded middle-aged man, lying on his back in the bushes with night-vision goggles still on. His sniper rifle had slipped from his grasp, and a gunshot wound to his right shoulder had left a pool of blood on the ground. His face contorted in pain, he struggled to reach for his weapon, attempting a desperate counterattack even in his dire state.

Noticing this, Yu Ke kicked his gun away, pressed her own against his forehead, and leaned in to whisper, “Who sent you?”

“Fuck off!” the man spat. In response, Yu Ke stomped on his face and, without hesitation, fired a second shot into the back of his hand.

“Ah!” he cried out in agony, but with the heel of her shoe shoved into his mouth, his screams were reduced to choked, drowning-like sounds.

“Who sent you?” Yu Ke’s voice was icy, like a chill seeping from a cellar.

“Ugh…” The man writhed. Yu Ke eased her foot slightly, and he managed to utter two words: “Labu…”

Someone from Planet Labu, it seemed to be the work of the Ferrari Kingdom’s forces.

Yu Ke’s face paled for a moment before she let out a cold laugh. Crouching down, she grabbed the man by his collar and said lightly, “Then go back and tell them that if they want to kill me, sending just one person won’t be enough.”

The man’s eyes widened in shock. He nodded frantically as Yu Ke kicked him over, sending him scrambling away. Using some tool, he fled by jumping off the rooftop balcony.

Returning to the room, Yu Ke found that Lan Xing had woken up at some point. She sat up in bed, her long hair cascading around her, and looked at Yu Ke with concern. “Sister, what happened?” she asked softly.

“Nothing,” Yu Ke replied, walking to the sink to wash her hands before going over to embrace her. “Sorry for waking you.”

“I heard gunshots,” Lan Xing said anxiously, holding Yu Ke’s hand and carefully examining her. “Sister, are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Just took care of some small fry,” Yu Ke said, looking down at her. She cleared her throat and spoke seriously, “Xing’er, I’m worried I can’t protect you every moment.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not as weak as you think,” Lan Xing declared, straightening her posture and pursing her lips with a hint of pride. “I’m not afraid of anyone coming for me. We’re close to the sea, if someone tries to capture me, I’ll escape into the water. No one can catch me in the ocean!”

Yu Ke’s brow relaxed slightly. Lan Xing smiled sheepishly, lowering her head as she added, “I’m a really good swimmer…”

“I trust you, Xing’er,” Yu Ke said, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Tomorrow, I need to discuss some matters with Zhang Jun and find a doctor to check on your condition. Since I can’t always be with you, I thought…”

“I’ll be perfectly fine!” Lan Xing declared firmly. “Believe me, sister! I can take care of myself!”

“Alright, I trust you. Let’s get some sleep now, we can talk more tomorrow.”

The next day, Yu Ke informed Zhang Jun about the assassin from the previous night. Startled, Zhang Jun immediately said, “I’ll investigate this assassin and find out who’s behind him!”

“It’s someone from Labu Planet. They want to eliminate all threats, and I’m likely their only target,” Yu Ke explained. “I want to use this opportunity to send a message to those who want me dead – to tell them I have no intention of returning to seize power.”

Zhang Jun hesitated. “I’m afraid they won’t believe you.”

“I understand, but I need to convey this message,” Yu Ke insisted. “If I’ve made my position clear and still face pursuit from certain parties, I think… there will be those in the Ferrari Kingdom who won’t stand by and watch.”

In truth, Yu Ke had already guessed that the one wanting her dead was Yu Jie.

Only Yu Jie, the Queen, or the King would have the capability to track her movements so quickly and send assassins. Since neither the Queen nor the King would seek her life, that left only Yu Jie as the likely culprit.

With the current turbulent situation, Yu Jie was relentlessly pursuing Yu Ke across planets, sparing no expense to eliminate her. If the King learned of this, he probably wouldn’t allow it to continue.

Zhang Jun sighed. “What do you plan to do?”

“I want to make my whereabouts public, to appear in the public eye,” Yu Ke said with a slight smile. “I’ve looked into it, and there’s a perfect opportunity coming up soon. I want to participate with Lan Xing.”

Zhang Jun looked utterly bewildered, his face full of question marks.

Yu Ke reminded him, “Last night at Deep Sea Promise, I saw it on the screen. This morning when I went out, I heard the radio discussing it too. It seems quite popular here, the whole Datianxi area is paying attention to it.”

Zhang Jun’s mouth twitched. “You’re not talking about… that, are you?”

Yu Ke: “Yes, that’s the one.”

Zhang Jun was speechless for a moment. “But that’s just an entertainment show. For people of your status to participate… wouldn’t it be inappropriate?”

“Not at all, I think it’s quite suitable,” Yu Ke countered. “If everyone thinks Lan Xing and I have switched careers to make movies and chase fame, wouldn’t that sufficiently demonstrate that we’ve abandoned our royal status and have no intention of returning to Labu Planet to seize power?”

Zhang Jun stammered, “Well, that makes sense, but I think it’s a bit… unbelievable.”

“What’s so strange about it?” Yu Ke chuckled. “Actually, I could claim from the start that I want to make movies, planning to gather material from various star systems, maybe shoot some documentaries. That would completely fit my persona.”

Zhang Jun scratched his head, momentarily at a loss for words. Yu Ke continued, “I remember it’s a live broadcast program that almost the entire Twin Star System watches. If Lan Xing and I were to have an accident during the live broadcast, the entire star system would know immediately.”

Zhang Jun frowned. “Are you thinking of using this method to ensure your safety?”

“Hmm, because the culprit didn’t want to draw attention to this matter. He only wanted me to die quietly. If I were killed in public, he would bring a heap of trouble upon himself,” Yu Ke pondered. “Another point is, Xing’er doesn’t like dealing with people. I think this show doesn’t require much interaction, just filming the story we want to tell. It suits us quite well.”

Zhang Jun thought it over for a long while before finally saying, “That’s actually a pretty good idea. I’ll try to help you get in touch with the production team first.”

Yu Ke nodded in gratitude.

Two hours later, Yu Ke met with Ms. Kobayashi, the head director of the live-streaming program The Ultimate Producer. Upon hearing that Yu Ke wanted to participate in their show, she practically dropped everything and rushed to meet her immediately.

“This is truly unexpected,” Ms. Kobayashi said warmly, grinning broadly. “I never thought I’d get to meet the princess who caused that runaway wedding scandal in person! It’s simply unbelievable!”

“Hello,” Yu Ke replied politely and straightforwardly. “Shall we discuss the details of the program recording?”

Once the matter was settled, Yu Ke called Lan Xing to explain the situation.

“I’m fine with it,” Lan Xing said softly. “It’s just… I’m afraid I won’t do well…”

“Silly, the live-streamed film is just a cover to attract attention,” Yu Ke reassured her. “After some time, when this whole affair has completely blown over, no one in the political sphere will pay us any mind anymore.”

“Mm!” Lan Xing said cheerfully. “Then let’s work hard and make a great film!”

Seeing Lan Xing so spirited, Yu Ke felt deeply satisfied.

Even though she had repeatedly emphasized that it wasn’t all that important, they still managed to muster up enthusiasm.

Li Jian’an also threw himself into the effort, helping them refine the script over and over. Throughout this period, Zhang Jun kept a close eye on them. Just before filming preparations began, Yu Ke invited Zhang Jun to officially join their team, and after some hesitation, he agreed.

Long before the live broadcast, the production team released the explosive news that “Princess Ferrari would make her first public appearance since the runaway wedding,” generating immense buzz for their group. By the time the live stream began, the viewership of The Ultimate Producer skyrocketed from an initial 3 billion to a staggering 10 billion.

At that point, everyone across the stars knew, after running away from her wedding, Princess Yu Ke had taken Princess Lan Xing to Datianxi to make a living.

The moment Yu Ke appeared on screen, the comment section was flooded with messages:

[I’m here to chip in for the wedding gift! ~~~]

[“Wedding gift +1! Wishing both princesses a happy union and many children soon!]

[Have lots of babies! Can we livestream the childbirth?! I’d be so grateful!]

The show’s entertainment value instantly peaked. The production team, with clear intent, interviewed Yu Ke and asked about her “feelings after eloping.” Yu Ke replied, “It’s been quite interesting. I just regret not taking her away sooner.”

The host beamed with delight. “You’re really bold to say that! Our show is broadcast live, you know. Aren’t you afraid King Ferrari might hear this?”

Yu Ke, who had been looking down at the script, lifted her eyes to glance at the host and replied calmly, “I believe His Majesty the King would also be curious about how we’ve been since leaving Labu Planet. There’s no harm in being honest with him. If we weren’t doing well, the Panda Planet would come after me. Only when we’re thriving will His Majesty feel at ease.”

Her remarks immediately sparked widespread discussion. The comment section was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, with many being won over by Yu Ke’s candor and humor. Even those who had initially worried about interstellar instability began to change their attitudes.

[The rumors have been debunked! Who said Princess Ferrari’s runaway marriage would trigger an interstellar war? The princess herself has come forward to testify!]

[‘Only when we live well will His Majesty the King feel at ease’ what a golden line! I’m laughing so hard!]

[There’s really no need to panic. They eloped for love, but some people with ulterior motives exploited the situation, spreading rumors about a rift between the Panda and Gemini star systems. The tension had me thinking a war was about to break out, but it turns out the people involved are perfectly fine!]

[Exactly! I even saw rumors earlier claiming Princess Yu Ke had established a government in exile and was planning to counterattack the Kingdom of Ferrari. They’re just treating us like fools!]

[This wave is stable, the stock market is about to recover! Time to buy!]

[Will the arms market drop? Even if I lose money, I still hope for interstellar peace~]

[If I lose, I lose. Consider it a wedding gift for the two princesses!]

[Great! I thought my travel plans to Labu next month were ruined, but it looks like I can still go!]

“…”

The first livestream was primarily interview-based. Aside from some gossipy questions, it mainly assessed the participants’ understanding of the film industry, followed by script analysis and appreciation of classic movie scenes. The entire process was relatively relaxed.

This was the first time Yu Ke and Lan Xing had appeared in public since leaving Ferrari, and the outcome exceeded even Yu Ke’s expectations.

Far away in the Ferrari Palace in Labu, the king and his ministers were discussing the matter.

“This is a good thing,” the Foreign Minister pointed out immediately. “It dispels interstellar suspicions about our domestic situation and eliminates the possibility of internal strife. This is highly beneficial for us.”

Treasury Minister Kim Soo-hyun remarked sourly, “But why did she do this? To show off and grab attention? What’s her goal? to overshadow the Crown Prince with this hype?”

“If she merely wanted to overshadow the Crown Prince, she could have chosen many other methods,” Air Force General Bai Qiuchi stepped forward to support Yu Ke. “By taking this approach, she is sending us a message. First, she is relatively safe. If anyone intends to harm her, she can use this method to speak out. Second, she has no intention of returning to Labu to seize power, nor is she being manipulated by other forces. This indirectly proves the stability of our domestic situation, boosting external confidence in us. As long as we handle our relationship with Hina properly, this crisis can be resolved peacefully.”

Mention of the relationship with Hina stirred a surge of anger in the king. He glared at Yu Jie and said coldly, “This mess is entirely your doing!”

Yu Jie retorted stubbornly, “Father, if you hadn’t forced me to marry Ram, how could things have come to this?”

“Preposterous!” the king fumed, his anger flaring. “You refuse to admit your mistake, how long will you remain so obstinate?”

Yu Jie fell silent.

Bai Qiuchi interjected, “At this point, it’s Prince Ram who feels humiliated by you. If Your Highness apologizes to him promptly, the situation can still be salvaged.”

Yu Jie was reluctant to do so, he had no desire to marry that effeminate man. But the course of events was no longer in his control.

Yu Ke, considering the bigger picture, had taken actions beneficial to stabilizing the situation. If Yu Jie continued to hesitate and failed to demonstrate the demeanor befitting a crown prince, it would be deeply disappointing.

Thus, after Yu Ke and Lan Xing’s first live broadcast concluded, they received news: The Kingdom of Ferrari had dispatched a spacecraft, which had already set off to transport Sang Jiu and his companions to Datianxi.

This was likely the best news Lan Xing had received since embarking on her journey.

Half a month later, the spacecraft successfully arrived at Datianxi. Yu Ke brought Lan Xing to the capital, Hongdu, to welcome the arrivals.

Lan Xing, seated in a wheelchair as she often was during public appearances, was covered from head to toe, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a face mask. The moment the spacecraft landed, she eagerly rushed to reunite with Sang Jiu and the others.

The group, including Sang Ba and Sang Jiu, consisted of eight people in total. Even Yu Ke’s golden retriever, Coco, whom he had only raised for a few days, had traveled to Datianxi aboard the spacecraft.

It was easy to imagine how overjoyed Lan Xing was.

With Sang Jiu’s arrival, Li Jian’an’s burden was significantly lightened. The children from Planet 356 were all properly settled, and the interstellar situation was steadily improving.

According to later reports, after undergoing a series of reforms, Planet 356 was taken over again by Hinata. However, since the workers had destroyed the Isabelle Laboratory, Hinata could no longer exploit the planet’s value. After emptying the fuel reserves, Hinata decided to destroy the planet.

The news of these events on the planet did not initially attract much attention. But during a live broadcast of The Ultimate Producer, Lan Xing read Li Jian’an’s script The Message in a Bottle, which immediately caused a sensation.

The Message in a Bottle was a story written by Li Jian’an from the children’s perspective, depicting the love and deception that took place on that planet.

They lived in a lightless laboratory, and during those dark days, Isabelle was their mother. She gave them delicious candies, then gently drew their blood with syringes, repeatedly shaved their heads, and inserted probes into their skulls.

For a long time, interstellar citizens had generally avoided the topic of clones, neither discussing their rights nor considering ways to improve their circumstances. Li Jian’an’s script struck a nerve, like a needle piercing a sore spot.

For the first time, this issue was brought into the light and seriously discussed by the interstellar citizens.