Why Did the Top Alpha Suddenly Stop Acting Out? - Chapter 63

Yi Qian entered and closed the door behind her. The moment she looked up, her gaze met Ye Shuyi’s in the mirror. Naturally, she wrapped her arms around Ye Shuyi’s waist from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder and lightly nuzzling her nose against her neck. Her breath was warm as she murmured, “Did you sleep well last night, baby?”

The reflection in the mirror stared back at her with a faintly resentful look, as if saying, Do you really need to ask?

A smirk tugged at Yi Qian’s lips. She rubbed her chin against Ye Shuyi’s neck, her fingers tracing idle patterns along her waist, her tone teasing. “Is your back sore?”

Ye Shuyi gave her a cool glance, biting down on her toothbrush before peeling Yi Qian’s hands off her waist. Without hesitation, she turned and pushed Yi Qian out of the bathroom, immediately shutting the door behind her.

Click. The lock engaged.

Yi Qian stared at the closed door, shaking her head in resignation. She glanced around the room, stretching lazily. Her previously alert eyes instantly took on a drowsy haze, as if she’d just woken up. Satisfied with her appearance in the full-length mirror, she nodded to herself before finally removing the towel covering the camera.

By the time both of them were ready and stepped out of the room, the other guests had already gathered on the grassy lawn outside the villa.

On one side of the lawn stood a long dining table laden with an array of delicacies, drinks, and desserts, impossible to miss.

Seeing that all the guests had arrived, Director Lu picked up his signature megaphone and announced, “Enjoy breakfast, it’s on the show today. After the meal, we’ll do individual interviews, and then you’re free to go.”

Cai Yunyoo looked genuinely surprised. “Since when are you this generous? Or is this some new boring game you’ve come up with?”

Director Lu: “…”

The production crew: “…”

Regaining his composure, Director Lu spoke solemnly, “There are absolutely no games this time. We just wanted to treat you all to a proper meal.”

Cai Yunyoo was the first to stride toward the table, tossing over her shoulder with icy nonchalance, “You’d better mean it.”

Yi Qian sat down beside Ye Shuyi, taking a sip of soy milk before picking up her chopsticks. Her gaze swept over the table before finally settling on a pancake placed to her right.

She took a bite but hadn’t even started chewing before her brows furrowed. As she set the pancake back in her bowl, she noticed Ye Shuyi reaching for the same dish. Without thinking, she pressed her hand over Ye Shuyi’s, stopping her. “There are mushrooms in this. You can’t eat it.”

Ye Shuyi stared at the hand covering hers. Even without looking up, she could feel the weight of the gazes suddenly trained on her from all directions.

Calmly, she withdrew her hand, offering only a slight nod in response.

Cai Yunyoo took a sip of water, her expression forcibly composed. She held back for a moment before leaning toward Long Xiaoqin, whispering something into her ear.

Huang Xin noticed the movement from the corner of her eye. Without shifting her posture, she reached out, gripping Cai Yunyoo’s shoulder and pulling her back upright.

Cai Yunyoo shot her a mildly aggrieved look but didn’t protest further, quietly returning to her breakfast.

Time flowed by amidst the spread of delicious dishes. Eventually, Ye Shuyi set down her chopsticks and stood up to leave.

Seeing this, Yi Qian drained the last of her soy milk and followed suit, trailing after Ye Shuyi without delay.

Under the guidance of the staff, Ye Shuyi arrived at the interview room. But just as she was about to step inside, Yi Qian suddenly appeared in front of her and said, “Agent Ye, let me go first. I’m in a hurry to leave.”

Ye Shuyi’s eyes flickered slightly, her thoughts unreadable, but she said nothing and simply nodded in agreement, taking a seat on the nearby sofa to wait.

After a short while, Yi Qian quickly emerged, nodded at her, and left directly.

Watching Yi Qian’s retreating figure, Ye Shuyi’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Agent Ye?” A staff member waved a hand in front of her face. “Agent Ye?”

“Hmm?” Ye Shuyi snapped out of her thoughts.

The staff member smiled. “Agent Ye, you can go in for your interview now.”

Ye Shuyi nodded slightly and stood up to enter the interview room.

Staff member: “The next recording will be the final episode of our show. The production team wants the guests to personally choose the location they’d like to film at.”

“If both partners choose the same location, the production team will cover all expenses for the trip. If they differ, we’ll have you agree on one location, but you’ll be responsible for your own travel expenses.”

Ye Shuyi nodded thoughtfully. “Are there any restrictions on the locations?”

Staff member: “None, as long as it’s accessible.”

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Shuyi looked up. “I’d like to go to Anping Village in Anyang County, Qincheng.”

The staff member recorded her answer and said, “We’ll notify you of the results tomorrow at 8 AM.”

Ye Shuyi nodded in understanding.

After answering a few more questions, the interview quickly concluded.

As Ye Shuyi stepped out of the interview room, she immediately spotted Yi Qian waiting on the sofa. Puzzled, she asked, “Why are you still here? Don’t you have the final scene to shoot this afternoon?”

Yi Qian raised an eyebrow noncommittally. “You remember my schedule quite well. Then do you recall that you’re also in that final scene?”

Ye Shuyi: “……”

That did seem to be the case.

After filming the breakup scene last time, Director Zhang had mentioned there would be one final scene and had even texted her a reminder last night. But with everything that happened yesterday, she’d forgotten about it.

“You forgot?” Yi Qian’s gaze sharpened.

Ye Shuyi shook her head slightly in denial. “No.”

Yi Qian nodded and took the opportunity. “That’s why I’m waiting to go with you.”

When they arrived on set, all the crew members were already prepared. Though exhaustion was evident on their faces, it was mixed with unconcealable joy.

After today’s shoot, the movie would be completely wrapped up.

Director Zhang looked at the two entering together, her eyes scanning Ye Shuyi’s outfit white scarf, coat, shirt, pants, ankle boots all white. Combined with Ye Shuyi’s stunning features and her cool yet subtly gentle and composed demeanor, she perfectly matched the director’s vision of a long-lost white moonlight. Nodding in satisfaction, Director Zhang asked, “Agent Ye, would you mind appearing in your current outfit? I think you look exactly right for this final scene, no additional styling needed.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Ye Shuyi nodded in agreement. Not having to change clothes or redo her makeup suited her just fine.

Director Zhang nodded approvingly, then turned his gaze to Yi Qian standing nearby, his eyes lighting up once more. “Why don’t you appear like this too, Yi Qian? Black and white would make a perfect pair.”

Yi Qian shrugged slightly. “No problem here.”

“Tsk… Getting mistreated in the movie is bad enough, but now I have to suffer this in real life too?”

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice to see Jiang Shiluo walking gracefully toward them, dressed in a white dress with a white woolen coat draped over it, a faint dimple appearing at the corner of her lips.

She glanced at Ye Shuyi’s outfit and sighed. “Sigh, we’re both wearing white, so why is our fate in the drama so different?”

Director Zhang looked at her. “That’s because she naturally prefers wearing white, while you originally liked wearing black.”

Jiang Shiluo crossed her arms, casting a resentful look at the creative team standing beside the director, her tone full of grievance. “I’ve sacrificed so much, yet none of you are willing to give me a happy ending. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?”

As she spoke, she theatrically wiped away nonexistent tears from the corners of her eyes.

The creative team exchanged amused glances, looking at her with nothing but affection. After spending so many days together, they had grown accustomed to Jiang Shiluo’s occasional dramatic outbursts.

After some casual chatting, the final scene involving all three of them officially began.

Qin Le and Yan Yi were together again at the fountain where they had broken up. The water jets sometimes shot sky-high, while other times merely bubbled at the opening before merging with the countless other sprays, whether bold or subtle, in the surrounding fountain pool.

Yan Yi sat on a bench beside the fountain, the breeze lifting the hem of her white dress. Whether from nervousness or anticipation, she sat ramrod straight, her tightly clasped hands on her lap alternately squeezing and relaxing, her heels lifting and lowering intermittently.

She kept looking up, scanning the crowd with hopeful eyes. After repeating this motion countless times, she finally spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. Her face lit up with joy as she stood, but the light in her eyes dimmed instantly when she saw the girl walking hand-in-hand beside him like stars being blotted out by dark clouds.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she sat back down, waiting quietly in place.

Soon, her vision was filled by two pairs of shoes one black, one white. She slowly raised her head to see Qin Le looking at her with a smile he couldn’t quite suppress, a tenderness in his expression she had never seen before, not even during their relationship.

In that moment, nothing else seemed to matter anymore.

No matter how hard she tried, what wasn’t hers would never be hers.

Yan Yi forced a small smile, unclenching her fists as she stood. “So the ‘something important’ you wanted to talk about was introducing your new girlfriend to me?”

She then turned to the girl beside Qin Le, who responded with a gentle smile.

Beautiful, gentle, and composed, a girl like this. No wonder Qin Le had never been able to forget her.

“She’s not a new girlfriend. She’s the one who’s always been in my heart.” Qin Le tilted his head slightly to look at the person beside him, his expression and voice softer than Yan Yi had ever seen before.

“Oh!” Though she felt somewhat at peace inside, for some reason, Yan Yi’s nose still stung, and her eyes grew dry. Perhaps it was because the winds of longing couldn’t reach the one she loved, so they circled back to wrap around her instead, leaving her eyes parched. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Qin Le gazed at the girl before him with utmost seriousness. “Yan Yi, the reason I brought her here today isn’t to introduce her to you. It’s to make you understand you shouldn’t waste any more time or energy on me. I’ve told you this many times before, but you never took it seriously. I truly don’t deserve this from you. And even if Yueyue hadn’t come back, there wouldn’t have been anyone else for me.”

“I’m sorry for being with you without careful consideration before. The hurt I caused you wasn’t intentional, and I sincerely apologize. I genuinely hope you can let go and find someone who truly deserves your love, okay?”

Yan Yi pressed her lips together, forcing a smile even as her eyes reddened further. She nodded firmly twice. “Okay. I wish you both happiness.” She sniffled once. “If there’s nothing else, I should go. It’s freezing out here.”

Without waiting for Qin Le’s response, she turned and walked away. The moment she did, fat teardrops rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the gray tiles of the fountain park, merging with the countless droplets scattered by the fountain.

“Wait.”

The voice was gentle yet firm. Yan Yi instinctively halted but didn’t turn around.

Soon, a figure in white appeared before her, casting a shadow as Wen Yue stepped forward and embraced her of her own accord. A tender voice whispered by her ear: “I understand how you feel right now. Letting go of someone you love deeply is hard, isn’t it? But it’s okay. Everyone experiences unrequited love at some point. Time will take everything away and bring everything back. Remember to find your happiness.”

In front of the monitor, Assistant Director Che found tears inexplicably streaming down her face but couldn’t help pointing out, “Director Zhang, unless I’m mistaken, this scene isn’t in the script, is it? The script ends with Yan Yi delivering her line, then snow suddenly falling as we film their parting silhouettes and that’s the finale, right?”

Her voice cracked slightly.

Director Zhang casually handed her a tissue, his eyes never leaving the screen. On it, Ye Shuyi patted Jiang Shiluo’s back twice before releasing her. Without looking at her face, she returned directly to Yi Qian’s side, linking arms with her as she smiled. “Let’s go.”

Just as the two were about to exit the frame, Director Zhang stood up and raised his megaphone. “Cut!”

After speaking, Director Zhang returned to her seat to review the footage they had just shot. When she reached the part where Ye Shuyi improvised, she glanced at the three actors who had gathered around her and exclaimed, “That final embrace by Agent Ye was truly inspired! It perfectly bridges Yan Yi’s troubled past while hinting at her uncertain future. And as for Actress Jiang’s reaction need I say more? I can’t help but marvel once again that an award-winning actress truly lives up to her title.”

Director Zhang praised everyone equally, then turned to Yi Qian: “Of course, Yi Qian also performed exceptionally well. When Agent Ye released your hand, you showed no confusion only complete trust. It’s as if no matter what Agent Ye does, you wouldn’t question her because you understand her so deeply. That’s genuine love, proof that you two truly loved each other before.”

“I’m really  so grateful to all of you.”

As she spoke, Director Zhang spread her arms to pull all three into a hug. Ye Shuyi stood in the center, and just as the director’s head was about to rest on her shoulder, she raised a hand and pushed her away, expressionless. “Don’t get too emotional. You still have a whole crew waiting for your instructions.”

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Director Zhang picked up her megaphone and announced to the set, “That’s a wrap! Congratulations, everyone! Starting today, ‘Unrequited in the Dark’ is officially completed! No one misses the wrap party tonight, let’s all relax and celebrate!”

In the bustling banquet hall, Ye Shuyi sat in a quiet corner, her gaze following the most dazzling figure in the room. The sofa beside her dipped slightly as Tang Chi sat down, champagne in hand, her eyes also fixed on a certain someone across the hall.

Ye Shuyi smirked teasingly. “Here to freeload again, President Tang?”

Tang Chi chuckled without answering the question. “Seems you’re in a good mood today, President Ye? Even joking with me now.”

Ye Shuyi swirled her glass before lightly clinking it against Tang Chi’s. She took a sip and shrugged. “I’m always in a good mood.”

Tang Chi gave her a look and nodded indifferently. “If you say so, President Ye.”

As she raised her glass again, Ye Shuyi met it with hers. The moment their glasses chimed, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Setting down her drink, she checked the message.

Song Kechi: [Grandma says since this is the wrap party for your first-ever film, she insists on coming to join the fun and to see you. We’re almost at the entrance. Could you come down to greet her? Also, remind her to keep a low profile at the party. You know how she is. And she won’t listen to me, only to you.]

Ye Shuyi’s lips curved as she immediately replied, “Okay.” She turned to Tang Chi. “I need to step out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Tang Chi lifted her glass in acknowledgment, glancing toward a certain someone at the center of the party who kept looking their way. With a smile, she said, “Sure. If she asks, I’ll let her know.”

Ye Shuyi turned around upon hearing this and nodded at Yi Qian, who was looking at her, before leaving her seat.

As she made her way through the crowd and was nearly at the entrance, someone suddenly bumped into her. She lowered her head, muttered an apology, and continued walking only to be abruptly yanked back by a firm grip on her wrist.

Support