Why Did the Top Alpha Suddenly Stop Acting Out? - Chapter 19.5

“If we reconcile now, I’m afraid she’ll revert to how she was before. The end result would only hurt both of us again. There’s no point in trying when the outcome is already clear.”

If that piece of candy was never meant to return to her hand, then this period of companionship could serve as her compensation to her.

Ye Shuyi finally looked away from the window and picked up her phone to send Manager Zhang a message:

[Manager Zhang, regarding the variety show, please relay to Yi Qian that if she really doesn’t want to do it, then forget it. I’ll personally discuss the breach of contract with Director Lu later.]

Manager Zhang quickly replied with a cute “OK” sticker.

On Yi Qian’s end, she soon received a message from him:

[Little Ancestor, got time to come to the company? Need to chat about something.]

She glanced at the list of ingredients she’d just selected on a food delivery app and replied without hesitation:

[No time.]

The moment she submitted the order, Manager Zhang called. He cut straight to the point:

“Yi Qian, I’ve received an invitation for you to join a reality show. The details are in your email—go take a look and consider whether you want to participate.”

Yi Qian put the call on speaker and placed the phone on the table, then picked up her tablet to open a casual match-three game. Without a second thought, she refused:

“Not looking, not considering, not participating.”

“That ruthless? No room for negotiation?” Manager Zhang’s tone was teasing.

“None.” Yi Qian tapped idly at the game. “And didn’t I already tell you guys not to sign me up for variety shows? I’m an actor. Reality shows ruin the audience’s immersion when they watch my dramas.”

“Your fans would be so grateful to hear you say that. Tsk, following an idol who cares so much for them.” Manager Zhang sighed with a tone of regret. “In that case, I’ll have to consider having Agent Ye take other artists instead. Such a great opportunity shouldn’t go to waste.”

“What did you say?” As Yi Qian spoke, she had already closed the mini-game and opened her email to check the message from Manager Zhang. “Explain in detail.”

“Oh? Suddenly interested?” Manager Zhang’s voice carried amusement. “I bet you’re already looking at my email right now?”

Yi Qian’s expression remained unchanged: “No, I’m playing games.”

“Oh… Then I suppose you muted your game. But I’m quite busy here. If you want to know more, please do me the favor of checking the email yourself. Remember to give me your answer tonight.”

“Wait, has Agent Ye agreed to participate in this show?” Yi Qian asked.

“Oh ho, seems like you’re reading it now.” Manager Zhang paused. “Agent Ye has no objections. Now it’s up to you. Think it over carefully, and remember to reply tonight.”

Yi Qian scanned the email contents:

Variety Show Title: “The Coexistence Between Me and My Agent”

The program will invite three pairs of celebrity-agent duos known for their strained relationships in the entertainment industry. Through various program formats, it will showcase their dynamic when together and how their relationship might evolve…

Reading this, Yi Qian couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, muttering softly: “So this is basically official confirmation that their relationship is bad. Does appearing on a show magically fix bad relationships? Pfft, only someone with a screw loose would join something like this.”

That evening, just as Yi Qian finished washing up, Manager Zhang called: “Oh great one, have you decided?”

“It seems alright. This show probably won’t damage my image too much, and people should try new things. In that case, I think participating wouldn’t hurt—consider it a new life experience.” Yi Qian’s voice was perfectly steady, adopting an attitude of careful consideration, but to Manager Zhang who knew her too well, it was clearly just making excuses.

“Oh really?” Manager Zhang teased. “Knowing you, I’d expect you to say something like ‘only someone with a screw loose would join this show.'”

Yi Qian nearly spat out the mouthful of red wine she’d just taken. After coughing for a moment to recover, she glanced around her living room and said, “You didn’t install cameras in my house, did you?”

“Please, oh great one, who would dare plant cameras in your home?” Manager Zhang replied mildly. “Since you’re willing to participate, wait for the production team’s notice. And remember to get along well with Agent Ye.”

Shortly after their call ended, the official account of “The Coexistence Between Me and My Agent” announced Yi Qian and Ye Shuyi’s participation. The next day, their promotional posters were swiftly released, instantly boosting the show’s official Weibo popularity and sending discussion about the new variety program skyrocketing.

[This show might as well be called “The Complete Documentary of How Yi Qian Drove Away Her 29th Agent” [doge]]

[Wow, Yi wifey’s first variety show! Leaving my mark here!]

[“Looking forward to this show becoming ‘The Full Documentary of Yi Qian and Her Manager’s Romance’ [wicked grin]”]

That same evening, Yi Qian received the detailed recording schedule from the production team—the first shoot was scheduled for the following afternoon.

The next afternoon, as Yi Qian arrived at the gated community entrance arranged by the production team, a familiar car approached from the opposite direction. She paused at the gate to let the other vehicle pass first, only for it to stop as well.

The two of them stood facing each other across the community entrance, separated by the open space between them. Snowflakes drifted down from the vast sky, the same snowfall reflected in their different gazes. An invisible tension seemed to rise between them once more.

After what felt like an eternity, Ye Shuyi averted her eyes, started her car, and drove into the community first.

The filming location was a high-end residential complex in the southern suburbs of Haicheng. The community was tranquil, with top-notch security. Near the central artificial lake stood eighteen villas, positioned on either side of the water, partially concealed by lush greenery, ensuring excellent privacy.

The production team had rented the quietest villa at the far end of the lake, tucked away in the most secluded corner of the community. The three-story villa had warm yellow walls and was primarily designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, featuring a spacious terrace on the third floor.

A gravel path led to the villa’s front door, flanked by wide lawns where numerous crew members with cameras were already stationed.

Yi Qian parked her car in the spot next to Ye Shuyi’s. After stepping out, she walked to the trunk to retrieve her suitcase. As she pulled it out, she glanced sideways at Ye Shuyi, who already had one suitcase beside her but was struggling to lift a much larger one from the trunk. It was unclear what was inside—after several attempts, she still couldn’t manage to get it out.

The moment their cars had parked, filming had officially begun. Crew members aimed their cameras at them, and the cinematographer zoomed in for a close-up of the suitcase in Ye Shuyi’s hands before panning back and forth between the two women, as if waiting for Yi Qian to react.

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