After an Alluring Alpha Provokes an Unhinged Omega 5

Chapter 5: The Kissing Scene

Jiang Mi’s dream came true.

In mid-March, the official Weibo account formally announced the cast with promotional photos. Jiang Mi, a little-known actress with few works to her name, had somehow emerged from a crowd of talented and popular stars to become the second female lead in Spring.

The words “Jiang Mi” and “second female lead” briefly trended on the hot search list.

Jiang Mi lay on her stomach on the hotel bed, kicking her feet up as she scrolled through the comments. A small sun charm on her ankle swayed with the movement.

Zhao Jia stood beside her, speechless. “I’ve never seen anyone so happy to be flamed.”

Jiang Mi shared with her, “Their wit is amazing. This one said it’s the first time she’s seen a flower vase from the wet market displayed in a museum. Don’t you think that’s brilliant?”

Zhao Jia: “…”

“This one, she said she just wants to curse at someone, not me specifically. I’m noting this down to use next time I need to curse someone out.”

“…”

Zhao Jia looked at her as if she were an idiot. “Can you be a little more serious?”

“If I’m not serious, I won’t take it to heart,” Jiang Mi said casually. “They’re just jealous that I get to act with Yan Wei. That’s Yan Wei, you know? I understand them. Since I’m already acting with Yan Wei, shouldn’t I be a little more magnanimous?”

Zhao Jia could almost see a saintly halo radiating from Jiang Mi. Finally, she gave up. “You’re right.”

Zhao Jia stood up, preparing to leave her room. “Filming starts tomorrow. You should get some rest.”

At this, Jiang Mi finally put down her phone and buried her face in the soft, white duvet. Seeing this, Zhao Jia paused, then asked suspiciously, “Are you looking at these things to relieve your anxiety and distract yourself?”

Jiang Mi: “Mmm…”

“The script reading has been going on for half a month, and the atmosphere is pretty good. Since the director chose you, it means you have the talent. You don’t need to be so nervous.”

Jiang Mi said, “I know, but I can’t help it when I think about acting with Yan Wei. It’s fine, I’ll adjust on my own.”

Zhao Jia didn’t press further. One good thing about Jiang Mi was her ability to self-regulate; she never dwelled on things excessively. But she understood, of course. After all, this was Yan Wei—the one who won her first Movie Queen award at 12, whose career had been a continuous success since, who invested in Shenhai Group at 22, and who became Shenhai’s second-largest shareholder at 23, all while her career blossomed. At 27, she had won nearly every major domestic and international award.

This was her first film after a two-year hiatus, and countless eyes were on it. It was only natural for Jiang Mi to be scrutinized, even judged.

And for Jiang Mi, Yan Wei was truly like a lighthouse.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jia sighed. Although she believed Jiang Mi would eventually calm down, she couldn’t help but worry about tomorrow’s situation. The Movie Queen Yan’s temperament was just too cold and hard to figure out. At the opening ceremony a couple of days ago, Yan Wei had only made a brief appearance before leaving quickly, and she rarely responded to Jiang Mi’s enthusiasm.

Of course, it was well-known that Yan Wei had an excellent reputation. Even with such a cold face, she had almost no anti-fans. But how to describe it?

After the opening ceremony, she had caught Yan Wei looking at Jiang Mi once. The look could hardly be called friendly; it even had a gloomy feel to it.

I hope everything goes smoothly.

Zhao Jia prayed silently.

**

To ensure the quality of the film, all the sets and layouts for Spring had been meticulously polished for six months in advance, with most of them being practical sets.

The bustling streets of a small county town and an old residential building were the two most frequently featured locations in Spring. The residential building, in particular, was where almost all the interactions between the female lead and the second female lead took place.

The story began at the start of spring, when a woman in a dark green cheongsam appeared in Liang Yongping’s sight. The woman told her she had just rented the second floor and would now be her upstairs neighbor.

That night, her fiancée told her that the new woman upstairs was named Qin Shui.

The makeup room was right next to the residential building. Jiang Mi had just finished her hair. To fit the character of Liang Yongping, Jiang Mi had dyed her hair back to black. A dark brown claw clip held up the ends of her hair. She wore a simple, light gray knit cardigan, faded jeans, and white sneakers.

Zhao Jia walked up behind Jiang Mi and placed a blue cloth bag on the table. “I’ve given them out to all the other actors except for Teacher Shen Ruoxi. Should you personally give this one to Teacher Yan later?”

The first scene to be filmed today was their breakup scene. Shen Ruoxi, the actress playing the fiancée, didn’t need to be on set today.

Jiang Mi glanced at the bag and nodded.

“Everyone seems to really like the gift you chose. They were all very happy,” Zhao Jia reported.

Hearing this, Jiang Mi said, “I wonder if Teacher Yan will like it.”

Zhao Jia: “She will, she will.”

Before long, a crew member came to remind her to get ready. Jiang Mi told Zhao Jia to put the things away for now and that they would deal with it later when there was time.

Zhao Jia said, “Alright. I heard Teacher Yan will be staying at the same hotel as us for the next few days.”

Jiang Mi paused, but there was no time to continue the conversation. She immediately took her things and walked out of the makeup room.

When she arrived at the location, Yan Wei was already standing downstairs with Jiang Qu. The crew was bustling around, preparing.

Yan Wei’s long, black hair was tied up. She wore a slim-fitting, long dress with a blue and white floral pattern. In the light, her skin was dazzlingly white. As she approached, the other woman glanced at her, and Jiang Mi immediately felt the pressure mount.

“Jiang Mi, are you nervous?” Jiang Qu suddenly turned and asked her.

Jiang Mi came back to her senses. “A little, but it’s okay.”

Jiang Qu nodded. “Good. The shooting schedule has changed. Today, we’ll film the first kissing scene between Qin Shui and Liang Yongping. I see you two aren’t very familiar with each other yet, so let’s see if this can help you find some chemistry.”

Jiang Mi: “…?”

With the exception of one suspense film, almost all of Jiang Qu’s works were art-house films centered on relationships. Her style was famous for being extreme and for its “erotic beauty”—bold to the extreme, delicate to the extreme. She was best at dissecting negative aspects of human nature, making people survive amidst the struggles of love and hate.

The film where Yan Wei played an assassin was directed by Jiang Qu. It was said that because it happened to rain that day, she felt the atmosphere was suitable for a love scene, so she just filmed it on the spot. Although it was only a few shots, Yan Wei’s acting made it go viral across the entire internet.

Some said you didn’t even need to see below the neck; just one look at Yan Wei’s expression was enough to bring you to orgasm.

But Jiang Mi hadn’t expected this kind of “unpreparedness” to come so quickly. She certainly hadn’t expected the kissing scene, which occasionally kept her up at night with anxiety, to be their very first scene.

Although she had mentally prepared herself during this time, preparation and reality were two different things…

She had originally hoped to get to know Yan Wei a little, to at least change her image in Yan Wei’s mind a bit, so that filming this kind of scene wouldn’t be too awkward or embarrassing…

A layer of sweat formed on Jiang Mi’s palms.

As far as she knew, in all of Jiang Qu’s works, most of the kissing scenes were real. Scenes using camera angles to fake it were rare.

Maybe it’s better to just kill me now.

In a flash, Jiang Mi looked toward Yan Wei, placing her last hope on her. After all, as things stood, Yan Wei didn’t like her.

Perhaps her gaze was too obvious. Yan Wei lifted her eyes. Jiang Mi was startled, then saw Yan Wei nod at Jiang Qu without any emotion.

Jiang Qu then turned to ask, “Jiang Mi, you don’t have a problem with that, do you?”

Jiang Mi smiled faintly. “…No.”

No problem, I’m fine, yes okay, good good.

“Actually, Director, I do have a bit of a problem.” Jiang Mi took a breath, glanced at Yan Wei, and said in a low voice, “I don’t have much experience with kissing scenes.”

Jiang Qu had seen it all before and didn’t react. “How do you get experience without filming them? I thought you were in a good state during the audition. Let’s give it a try first.”

Jiang Mi’s tension eased slightly. “Okay.”

Jiang Qu: “Alright, if there are no problems, look over the script and get into character. We’ll do a test shot in half an hour.”

This is my first time filming with a major director. Are all major directors so casual about filming?

Jiang Mi had just cautiously picked up the script, ready to look it over again, when Jiang Qu called her over.

“I know you’re probably nervous because you’re unfamiliar with each other or for other reasons. I want to break through that tension you’re feeling right now. Do you remember how you felt when you first saw Liang Yongping?”

Jiang Mi was silent for a second. “Sad, heartbroken, pained.”

“And when you saw Qin Shui?”

“The same.”

“So how do you feel when you see Yan Wei now?”

Jiang Mi paused.

Jiang Qu: “You don’t feel those emotions when you see Yan Wei, because in your eyes, she’s still Yan Wei, so you’re just nervous. What I need is for you to break through this barrier in the shortest amount of time. Right now, you can be Jiang Mi, but once we start filming, you can only be Liang Yongping. The moment you see Yan Wei and she is no longer Yan Wei, you’ve succeeded in half of your job as an actor. Remember, on this set, you need to become Liang Yongping as quickly as possible. Do you understand?”

Jiang Mi was flattered. With Yan Wei’s experience, she no longer needed to rely on familiarity to evoke emotions. Changing the scene order to get straight to the point was probably more to help her get rid of distractions and get into character faster.

She said gratefully, “Director, thank you.”

Jiang Qu: “I heard you even developed calluses on your hands to get closer to the character. In this impetuous industry, it’s rare to find someone who can quiet their mind and have reverence for the acting profession. You’re a good seedling. Keep it up.”

Jiang Mi was a little embarrassed. Liang Yongping was a person accustomed to doing things—laundry, cooking, etc., in her daily life. Her hands couldn’t possibly be too delicately maintained.

Jiang Qu said, “Hold on to this original intention and passion.”

Jiang Mi quickly composed herself—she was an actress. Here, Yan Wei was no longer her idol but her scene partner. If she messed up, Yan Wei would be affected too.

She forced herself to calm down completely and walked over to Yan Wei’s side. “Teacher Yan, shall we run through the lines?”

Yan Wei nodded.

Jiang Mi took a folding stool and sat down next to Yan Wei.

For a brief moment, the only sound seemed to be the rustling of paper.

Jiang Mi kept her head down, slowly immersing herself in the script.

“Never filmed one before?”

At Yan Wei’s sudden question, Jiang Mi flinched, realizing she was asking about “kissing scenes.” She nodded in reply, “Mmm, that’s right.”

Yan Wei looked up from the text, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Mi’s slightly flushed earlobe, her expression cool and impersonal.

She had nothing more to say.

Jiang Mi tried to make conversation. “Last time…”

She stopped herself halfway.

Fortunately, Yan Wei didn’t seem interested in what she had to say.

Just as the two finished running their lines, the floor manager shouted, “Scene ready! Lead actors, please prepare on the second floor.”

In this scene, Liang Yongping felt hesitant and afraid of their relationship and wanted to retreat. Qin Shui questioned and pressed her, unable to control herself and kissing Liang Yongping. It was a pivotal scene in the development of their relationship.

Jiang Qu said, “Let’s do a blocking rehearsal, a test shot. Don’t be nervous, pay attention to your emotions. Come on.”

But no one said whether it would be a real kiss or faked with camera angles. Except for her, everyone seemed to have an unspoken understanding.

Jiang Mi was anxious, but since no one said anything and no one asked, she entered the set in a daze.

**

Liang Yongping opened the door and walked out as if escaping. The next second, the door slammed shut with a bang. She turned around to meet Qin Shui’s smiling eyes.

“So you think that being with me now is cheating?” Qin Shui cornered Liang Yongping, her eyes narrowing.

Was there a second interpretation of “cheating” in this world?

“I didn’t say that,” Liang Yongping said.

Qin Shui stood directly in front of Liang Yongping. She could clearly see Liang Yongping’s hands trembling. She should have hated her for being able to say something so irresponsible, yet her tone was extremely gentle. “You know what cheating means, don’t you?”

Of course, Liang Yongping knew. She was here today to make things clear. Their relationship had become too close recently. After what happened in the bathroom last night, she could no longer pretend nothing had happened.

No matter what, she had a fiancée.

But Qin Shui didn’t press further. “You haven’t called me ‘sister’ in a long time.”

Her fingertips gently landed on Liang Yongping’s ear, tracing the cartilage down to the earlobe. The cool touch made Liang Yongping flinch. She should run, but she couldn’t move a single step.

For Liang Yongping, the unique rose scent on the woman’s body became incredibly clear. Liang Yongping’s breathing tightened.

But here, Jiang Mi was genuinely nervous.

Because what she smelled wasn’t an imaginary rose scent, but the real scent of brandy that belonged to Yan Wei, to the Omega.

At this moment, an inappropriate thought broke her out of character—Yan Wei’s pheromones, only she can smell them right now.

Perhaps because of this thought, or perhaps because she could clearly feel the other person’s breath at this moment, it was hard for her to ignore Yan Wei’s scent this time.

Uncontrollably, the Alpha’s pheromones began to stir in her glands.

But Qin Shui was still continuing her “taming.” She tucked a strand of Liang Yongping’s hair behind her ear. Her soft palm landed on Liang Yongping’s waist, and then she slowly leaned in.

That exquisite face drew closer, the heat of her breath intensified, their noses brushed lightly. She could see her eyes clearly. Just as their lips were about to touch, Jiang Mi’s hands unconsciously clenched into fists, and a thin layer of sweat instantly broke out on her back!

“Cut!”

The moment the word was spoken, Yan Wei’s warmth left with it.

Jiang Mi was saved.

Yan Wei took a step back. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Jiang Mi’s earlobe, which was so red it looked like it was about to bleed. She lowered her eyes, her nails rubbing against the smooth pads of her fingers, and calmly walked toward the director.

Jiang Mi came back to her senses, only to see Yan Wei’s back.

She realized belatedly that during the test shot just now, Yan Wei had probably intended to fake the kiss. She had just been too nervous.

She heard Jiang Qu in front of the monitor say to her, “Your emotions are too suppressed. Your struggle isn’t strong enough, and your eye-acting is a bit unfocused. It’ll look terrible when the camera moves in for a close-up. Jiang Mi, adjust yourself. We’ll go again in ten minutes.”

Jiang Mi nodded in shame. “I’m sorry, Director.”

Jiang Qu didn’t say anything more.

Zhao Jia came over with a water bottle, patted her shoulder, and comforted her teasingly, “She’s a great director and a Movie Queen for a reason, you know. They’re so professional, so experienced. How are you feeling? Let’s not get too excited, take it slow.”

“…”

Jiang Mi didn’t speak. She couldn’t speak. She felt it would be best if she went mute for a while.

She wasn’t excited; she was so scared she couldn’t move!

She reached out and took the phone from Zhao Jia.

Right now, her mind was filled with Yan Wei’s face, Yan Wei’s warmth, and the feeling of that hand caressing her earlobe. This wasn’t even the official take. When they did it for real… she felt like she wouldn’t be able to breathe.

“What are you doing?”

Zhao Jia watched as Jiang Mi opened her banking app.

Jiang Mi looked down and said, “I’m checking to see if I can afford the breach of contract fee if I run away.”

Zhao Jia: “…?”

***

Author’s Notes

Jiang Mi: Just treat it as a dream, I’m still very moved when I wake up.