After an Alluring Alpha Provokes an Unhinged Omega 11

Chapter 11: Preferences

“Cut! Very good!”

At the very end of the shot, Liang Yongping pushed Yan Wei away, and a single tear happened to fall. The camera zoomed in, the sensual beauty used to its fullest extent.

Jiang Qu stood up, her face filled with a satisfied smile.

Jiang Qu hadn’t given Jiang Mi any chance to prepare, so she had only communicated with Yan Wei—on the premise of not affecting the aesthetic of the shot, using camera angles could be considered, but a real kiss was the priority.

If Jiang Mi’s performance fell short during filming, Yan Wei had enough skill and experience to fake the kiss with camera angles while ensuring visual appeal.

But this couldn’t be told to Jiang Mi. It would lessen her sense of urgency, which would be detrimental to her adaptability and character development.

Unexpectedly, however, Jiang Mi had given her a huge surprise. Even under Yan Wei’s sudden “attack,” Jiang Mi had caught it naturally.

Jiang Mi’s nervousness and flushed face required no acting. Yan Wei must have been able to feel her temperature. She even suspected that Yan Wei might have been able to hear her heart pounding as if its life depended on it.

She wiped away the tear tracks and slowly regulated her breathing. She turned to look at Yan Wei and found that on that stunning face, the passion and love from a second ago had now become as cold and silent as an iceberg.

Jiang Mi’s heart suddenly lurched.

**

The day’s filming went exceptionally smoothly. Even Jiang Qu praised Jiang Mi several times.

On the way back to the hotel, however, Jiang Mi was constantly distracted. The mellow, sweet scent seemed to linger around her, like the branches of a tree swaying silently in the dark night outside the window.

No matter how dark the sky was, how unclear things seemed, it couldn’t change the fact that spring had arrived—no matter how she tried to distract herself, she couldn’t deny that, in that moment, she had felt something for Yan Wei as a woman, as an Alpha.

In her mind, the images of Yan Wei’s approach, her touch, and the brief contact of their lips played on a loop. Even the sensation of the woman’s kiss on her neck still felt so real.

She felt like she was in a dream.

Her face returned to the heat it had during filming.

Her heart was pounding, “thump-thump,” and her glands were adding fuel to the fire, swelling up.

Her heat was still more than half a month away. Logically, this shouldn’t be happening, but she had never had such a strong reaction before.

After that scene ended, she couldn’t help but feel dazed. Was that reaction hers, or did it belong to Liang Yongping?

That was why she couldn’t help but want to observe Yan Wei’s expression at that moment.

But she had been too hasty—Yan Wei was, after all, Yan Wei. No matter what unpleasantness had occurred between them, that woman was still her lighthouse.

Her acting was masterful, her control effortless. Her face wasn’t red, her heart wasn’t racing; she was completely unaffected.

What magnificent acting.

When will I be able to do that? Jiang Mi thought deeply.

In a daze, Jiang Mi heard Zhao Jia’s reminder, “Don’t forget to give the gift to Teacher Yan today. If you drag it out any longer, it’ll really seem insincere.”

Jiang Mi said okay.

Zhao Jia looked at her. “Are you okay?”

Jiang Mi came back to her senses. “I’m fine, couldn’t be better.”

Hearing this, Zhao Jia stared at her suspiciously for a few seconds, then let out a knowing sneer. “Enjoying the close contact with your idol, are we? Secretly happy about it.”

Jiang Mi retorted, “I am not. I’m a respectable person.”

“What’s not respectable about being happy to act with your idol? What does being respectable have to do with it? Unless… you were thinking some unrespectable thoughts.”

Hearing this, Jiang Mi spoke her mind, “Not really, I wasn’t thinking much. You know, I’ve never filmed an intimate scene, let alone with Yan Wei. So I was just thinking, how many times will I have to film one to be as composed and have as much effortless control as Yan Wei?”

I knew something was on this girl’s mind.

Jiang Mi could usually hide things well in front of others, but they had been together for too long. Zhao Jia could tell if something was up from the slightest sign.

Zhao Jia tried to console her, “Everyone has their own rhythm. You’re warm-natured and emotional, so once you get into character, you’ll inevitably need time to adjust. As for Movie Queen Yan, she seems colder and more aloof, so she’s probably different from you.”

“Maybe.”

Yan Wei was truly amazing.

On this day, she felt an even greater chasm between them.

Yan Wei could pull herself out of a scene at any time. She could not.

**

That day, Jiang Mi still couldn’t give the gift to Yan Wei. She knocked on Yan Wei’s door once, but no one answered.

She wasn’t sure if the person wasn’t there or simply didn’t want to open the door.

Until she heard a faint sound from inside the room.

When Zhao Jia heard about it, she told Jiang Mi to give her the gift, and she would deliver it. She could accept and understand Jiang Mi’s adoration for her idol, but at the end of the day, Jiang Mi was her own person. She didn’t want her little Mimi to turn into a little suck-up.

But Jiang Mi didn’t think that way, nor was her mood affected by this incident. In the past, she probably would have been upset, but after hearing about Yan Wei’s past, she had begun to understand her.

She was good to this person without needing anything in return. This greatly helped her avoid negative emotions.

As for why?

Jiang Mi analyzed it herself.

Because Yan Wei was the idol she had admired for a long time. Because Yan Wei was the neighbor-sister she had been very fond of in her childhood. And because Auntie Mo was very good to her, she felt it was normal to do what she could within her capabilities.

It was also because she had learned a lot from Yan Wei on set—even if you were to become an apprentice, if you met a genius or a master, wouldn’t you have to cater to them, coax them, and beg them if they had a bit of a personality?

Besides, she hadn’t really done much. She was just delivering something. It was perfectly normal for the other person to want to be alone this time, or to be wary. She would just be more sincere and try a couple more times. Liu Bei had to visit the thatched cottage three times, after all.

If it really didn’t work out, then so be it. It wasn’t like she was trying to be some kind of suck-up.

Finally, perhaps she felt a little bit of pity for Yan Wei.

Zhao Jia was surprised by this speech. “I suddenly think you’re very suited to giving lectures.”

“I did dream of being a teacher when I was little,” Jiang Mi said.

Zhao Jia: “The brainwashing kind.”

Jiang Mi: “…Get lost.”

Seeing that her expression was much more relaxed, Zhao Jia smiled. “Alright then, Jiang Bei. Sister Zhao wishes you success in your idol-chasing.”

The next morning, Zhao Jia brought two servings of breakfast, just like the past two days. There was no hot soy milk today; instead, it was a refreshing glass of orange juice and two hard-boiled eggs. Zhao Jia wasn’t used to this combination, but Jiang Mi had tried it once and quite liked it.

Jiang Mi arrived at the set early. When she got there, Yan Wei was surprisingly already sitting under a temporary canopy. She was in a blue canvas folding chair, wearing a pure white, oversized jacket, her straight, slender legs crossed. Her hair was tied up, and her eyes were lowered, focused on the script in her hands.

She discovered that no matter how early she arrived, Yan Wei was always earlier.

A genius isn’t scary. A hardworking genius is.

Doesn’t she need to rest? Jiang Mi wondered.

In reality, seeing Yan Wei still made her uncontrollably recall yesterday’s kiss, but then the memory of Yan Wei’s clear-headedness as she left the scene would serve as a stark lesson.

“Teacher Yan.” Jiang Mi walked over with a smile and placed the breakfast on the chair next to her. “Orange juice and eggs. The orange juice is very refreshing and not sour at all, and the eggs have runny yolks. You should try them later.”

The moment Jiang Mi approached, she brought a trace of the morning’s chill with her. Whether it was intentional or not, Jiang Mi was standing upwind, and the breeze carried her scent completely over.

Yan Wei looked up. Jiang Mi was still smiling, her beautiful lips curved, her eyes like crescent moons. She gave off a feeling that no matter what had happened the moment before, in the next second, she could process it on her own and then appear before you as if nothing had happened.

Just like yesterday.

After that scene, Jiang Mi had been breathless and hadn’t even dared to look her in the eye. Now, she was back to this fearless state.

Yan Wei’s gaze swept over Jiang Mi’s ears, cheeks, lips, and neck.

Such a normal color, not at all like the blood-red flush of yesterday.

For a split second, she actually felt a sense of regret.

She lowered her eyes again to the hands that had just delivered breakfast—she still remembered these slightly rough hands. After returning to the hotel, there had been a faint bluish mark on her waist. Jiang Mi had actually managed to pinch a bruise there.

She calmly looked away.

“Thank you.”

Just as Jiang Mi was pleasantly surprised that Yan Wei hadn’t refused today, Yan Wei continued, “I don’t need it. You don’t have to bring me anything in the future either.”

She had already said this the first time Jiang Mi brought her breakfast. Jiang Mi said coolly, “If you don’t want to eat it, just let Qiuiu have it. But this orange juice is really delicious.”

She strongly recommended it.

Hearing the name “Qiuiu,” Yan Wei’s brow twitched imperceptibly.

Jiang Mi didn’t plan to stay long. “See you in a bit, then.”

A while later, Bai Qiu returned with a freshly brewed cup of hot tea. Seeing the items on the stool, she said softly, “Mimi brought something again.”

She glanced at Yan Wei and still asked.

“Teacher Yan, what should I do with these?”

Yan Wei said coldly, “You eat them.”

So this is why she detested these people. Were they really that close?

Bai Qiu placed the hot water by Yan Wei’s hand, then poked a straw into the warm juice, cracked an egg, and took a bite. She said in surprise, “How thoughtful. She really is a fan. Warm juice and soft-boiled eggs, these are all your favorites.”

Yan Wei’s gaze shifted to the distance. She squinted her eyes and said without emotion, “Is that so?”

**

“Mimi, thanks! The color of this juice is so beautiful, it’s making my mouth water.”

Shen Ruoxi poked a straw into the orange juice. “I’ll get you one back tomorrow, okay? It’s delicious. Did you add honey?”

Jiang Mi nodded, not forgetting to praise Zhao Jia. “Zhao Jia made it for me. Her skills are top-notch.”

Zhao Jia, listening from the side, didn’t miss the opportunity to get closer to a popular star. “If you like it, I can bring you a cup tomorrow too. It’s no trouble at all.”

Zhao Jia was always tactful. She only said “tomorrow,” so it didn’t seem like she was trying too hard to curry favor, but it did seem friendly. Most people wouldn’t refuse.

As expected, Shen Ruoxi accepted.

It was a little past nine. All departments were in position, ready to start filming.

Liang Yongping had changed into the new white long dress she had bought. Bai Xiao paid the bill and, listening to the shop assistant’s compliments, proudly hugged Liang Yongping.

At this moment, Qin Shui came out, having changed into the cheongsam that Liang Yongping had noticed when she first entered. It was dark green, with a high mandarin collar. Her waist was soft, her figure graceful and elegant, stunningly beautiful.

She stared at the two of them with a slight smile and greeted them.

For some reason, Bai Xiao felt inexplicably uncomfortable upon seeing this woman.

She glanced at the person beside her and saw that she had her head lowered, not looking at the other woman. Satisfied, she kissed her fiancée’s cheek, then squeezed her waist, ignoring the other’s pained flinch, and smiled to herself. “We’ll be leaving then.”

Qin Shui returned a smile. No one noticed her slightly trembling eyelashes, or the fingertips digging into her own flesh.

After paying, Qin Shui followed the two of them out of the clothing store.

Watching Bai Xiao hold Liang Yongping’s lower back tightly, as if about to knead her into her own body, Qin Shui thought that perhaps after they got home, Bai Xiao would quickly take off that long dress for Liang Yongping.

Her possessiveness erupted to its peak at this moment. The overwhelming jealousy and love could no longer be hidden. She didn’t just want Liang Yongping’s love; she wanted Liang Yongping’s body.

Liang Yongping could only be hers.

Qin Shui followed them.

Jiang Qu’s voice came through the director’s megaphone, “Cut—good! Yan Wei’s final look was brilliant. Jiang Mi and Shen Ruoxi’s performances were also good. That’s a wrap. Everyone, take a break.”

Yan Wei took the hot water Bai Qiu handed her. As she turned, she suddenly looked up in Jiang Mi’s direction. Jiang Mi was talking with Shen Ruoxi. She didn’t know what they were talking about, but the two were standing very close.

“Ah, Teacher Yan, your hand is bleeding.”

Following Bai Qiu’s voice, Yan Wei belatedly lowered her head. She examined it for a few seconds, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, as if even she hadn’t expected to have broken the skin. Immediately, she covered her palm. “It’s nothing.”

Bai Qiu said, “Then let’s go back to the break room and disinfect it first.”

She had been with Yan Wei for a long time and often admired her. When filming, she never cared about getting herself covered in bruises.

Zhao Jia heard from somewhere that Yan Wei had injured her hand and mentioned it to Jiang Mi in the break room.

When Jiang Mi heard this, she had just finished a call with her mother, Jiang Youshu, who had asked again if she had gone to visit Mo Yun recently. The schedule had been tight these past few days, and she really hadn’t had the time. She promised that if she had time in the latter half of the month, she would definitely go.

Now, hearing about Yan Wei, her mind cleared completely. “Injured? What happened?”

Zhao Jia: “I heard she got a cut while filming. It bled a lot.”

Jiang Mi frowned, gathered the after-meal fruit from the table into her arms, and turned to leave.

Today, however, Bai Qiu didn’t accept her things. She closed the break room door and came out to talk to her alone.

Bai Qiu looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mimi. Teacher Yan is a bit tired and is resting. It’s not right for us to accept these things every day. You should stop bringing them in the future.”

Jiang Mi: “Is her hand serious? What did the doctor say?”

Bai Qiu: “…Um, it’s been disinfected. Don’t worry.” Does this even require a doctor?

“Is just disinfecting it enough?” Jiang Mi asked in a small voice.

Bai Qiu: “…It should be, right?”

It was just a scratch from a fingernail that broke the skin, something that just needed to be disinfected and covered with a band-aid. But Jiang Mi’s expression and gaze made her a little unsure.

Jiang Mi looked left and right. “Is it inconvenient to talk about? I understand. Then take good care of her. I’ll be going now.”

An actress of Yan Wei’s caliber getting injured would definitely be front-page news. The fans would go crazy.

With that, before Bai Qiu could explain, she disappeared in a flash.

Bai Qiu was left standing there. She took a breath, opened her mouth, and then closed it. Wait, what is even happening?

Jiang Mi rushed back to the break room, grabbed Zhao Jia, and asked for the juice recipe. Then she ordered a juicer to be delivered to the hotel.

Zhao Jia asked, “What for?”

Jiang Mi said, “I’m preparing to personally make a loving cup of juice for Teacher Yan to go with the gift I’m giving her later.”

“Is she okay?”

“I didn’t see her. Teacher Yan has an event this afternoon. She should be at the hotel tonight.”

“I’ll ask around in a bit. What if she still ignores you?”

Jiang Mi: “…Then I’ll drink it myself.”

“Very good. Flexible and resilient, Jiang Bei-bei.”

“Stop giving me so many nicknames.”

“They’re cute.”

Actually, Zhao Jia approved in her heart. After all, it was nothing but beneficial for the zen-like yet stubborn Jiang Mi to take the initiative to get on good terms with Yan Wei.

She said, “It’s just that I have a social engagement tonight. Be careful when you go by yourself.”

Jiang Mi blurted out defensively, “Don’t worry, Teacher Yan isn’t that kind of person.”

“…” Zhao Jia was exasperated by this fan. “I’m telling you to remember to take the script with you! Be careful not to get photographed by anyone! Besides, you’re an Alpha. Am I supposed to be afraid of Teacher Yan doing something to you?”

Jiang Mi patted her heart. “You’ve been so irritable these past two days.”

Hearing this, Zhao Jia let out a threatening ‘Ha!’ at Jiang Mi. Jiang Mi jumped up and ran to the door, opened it halfway, and, mimicking Zhao Jia, said in a deliberately affected tone, “I know, Sister Zhao. Even if it’s for our Teacher Yan, I’ll be very careful.”

With that, she stepped out.

Then she froze on the spot, the smile gradually disappearing from her face.

Yan Wei’s break room was on the inner side, and the way in and out happened to pass by Jiang Mi’s. At this moment, the timing was just right. Yan Wei and Bai Qiu were preparing to go to the set and had just arrived at Jiang Mi’s door.

Yan Wei’s expression showed nothing unusual, but Bai Qiu was looking at the petrified Jiang Mi with a wide grin.

Oh my, ‘our’ Teacher Yan!

I’m shipping it, I’m shipping it!

***

Author’s Notes

Yan Wei: Smiling at others, what kind of fan is that [Angry]
Jiang Mi: ?
Later, Yan Wei: You’re not allowed to smile at others [Angry]