Chapter 45

“So, what made you unhappy today?” Lu Xi gently stroked the girl’s long hair, voicing the question that had been lingering in her heart.

Now sufficiently soothed, Chi Xingcen’s minor petulance had faded. She let out a light hum nonetheless, pinching the soft flesh at Lu Xi’s waist. Only after hearing the woman let out a soft cry did she slowly recount what she had heard from Xue Qing earlier that day.

“…So, she said that as the female lead, she should be with an alpha like you. If I don’t step aside, you’ll eventually fall for her because of her female lead halo, and when that time comes… I’ll only be even more humiliated.”

Xue Qing again?! And she even knew she was the female lead in this world? Had she awakened?!

Instinctive irritation surged through Lu Xi. In her mind, she knocked on the long-dormant System 001.

001 claimed ignorance at first. After rummaging through the system for a while, it was left dumbfounded. When Lu Xi asked again, it stammered, “This female lead slowly awakened ten years ago… The exact reason is unclear, but I can fix this bug. Do you want me to?”

It was precisely because Xue Qing had awakened that she had firmly entrenched herself in the Ming Family ahead of schedule, wrapping Ming Yanxiu around her finger. It also enabled her to humiliate Chi Family’s eldest miss at the engagement banquet, fulfilling her dream of basking in adoration from a superior position.

But Lu Xi herself was another bug in this world. In the original plot, the Lu and Ming-Chi families had no intersections. Yet due to Lu Xi’s arrival—to save the blackening Chi Xingcen—the Lu Family heir had appeared before all the major clans.

Naturally, this left the female lead Xue Qing feeling deeply unsatisfied.

She knew she possessed the female lead halo. Despite her humble origins, she had thrown herself into the arms of the Ming Family’s young master, living a life others envied.

She had paid attention to the young master’s former fiancée. Stepping on such a lofty clan miss underfoot filled her with satisfaction.

But upon hearing that Chi Family’s eldest miss was marrying the Lu Corporation heir, her smugness turned to humiliated resentment.

How could a mere cannon fodder supporting character snag a top-tier clan like the Lu Family?! In that moment, Xue Qing lost all interest in Ming Yanxiu. She felt her own status was more than sufficient to match Lu Xi!

With brimming confidence, she appeared before Lu Xi, offering secrets from the plot as bargaining chips in exchange for Lu Xi abandoning Chi Xingcen to marry her instead.

To her surprise, however, Lu Xi was utterly unmoved, as if immune to her female lead halo. Lu Xi ignored her overtures entirely, even carrying a hint of humiliation toward her.

This only fueled Xue Qing’s resentment, igniting an intense desire to conquer.

Determined to claim such a top-tier alpha, she swallowed her humiliation and decided to target the insignificant supporting character Chi Xingcen.

After hitting a wall with Lu Xi, she promptly invited the oblivious Chi Xingcen for a meeting. She ambiguously recounted her “history” with Lu Xi, then arched her brow with smug pride. “If you remain stubborn, I don’t mind giving you a simple heads-up.”

“In this world, I’m the protagonist. All alphas will succumb to my protagonist halo—even Lu Xi. You’d best back off now, or when she falls for me later, the humiliation you’ll endure will be far greater.”

Thinking back to the humiliation at the engagement banquet, Chi Xingcen felt a daze wash over her. But now that she and Lu Xi loved each other mutually, she refused to believe Lu Xi would hurt her again for this omega.

Pretending to stay calm, she stirred her coffee. Without revealing a hint of unease, she offered a poised and gracious smile. “Miss Xue, I think you should see a psychiatrist. Too many delusions, and you’ll lose touch with reality.”

Her retort left no room for Xue Qing’s face, blunt and icy. She set down her spoon, grabbed her bag nearby, said, “I’m leaving,” and strode out of the coffee shop without a backward glance at the omega’s changing expressions.

Even after sliding into her car, her hands trembled faintly on the steering wheel.

Deep down, she knew she cared far too much about Xue Qing’s words.

After all, she had suffered an unforgettable humiliation because of Xue Qing once before.

Her heart raced in panic. She wasn’t sure if that so-called female lead halo truly existed, but the thought of Lu Xi one day no longer loving her was unbearable.

If that day came, could she let go gracefully? Pretend to be strong and emerge from the pain of losing her beloved?

Night was falling. Streetlights flickered on, their kaleidoscope of colors piercing the endless dusk. The bustling corners teemed with crowds, but inside the car alone, she felt a loneliness vaster than the twilight.

Lu Xi’s face flashed before her eyes. She missed her intensely, even though they had shared intimate kisses just that morning. She wanted to see her soon, to ask if a better person appeared, would Lu Xi abandon her?

Yet face-to-face with Lu Xi, courage failed her.

She didn’t know how to ask without seeming pathetic.

But Lu Xi noticed her distress right away, comforting her with tender care and lingering affection that calmed her anxious heart. Chi Xingcen clutched tightly at the woman’s clothes, as if holding her most precious treasure. Her eyes grew misty, but more than that, joy bloomed from the enveloping protection and indulgence.

Lu Xi gently patted her back. Responding to 001’s query, she briefly explained Xue Qing’s status as the female lead.

Resting her chin atop the girl’s fluffy hair, she nuzzled with utmost tenderness. “She is the female lead, but her counterpart protagonist is Ming Yanxiu, not me. So I won’t be swayed by her so-called female lead halo. I won’t give her a second glance.”

Shock rippled through Chi Xingcen. Her grip on the clothes tightened. “Protagonists… really exist?”

She had assumed it was just Xue Qing’s arrogant fabrication.

“Sort of.” Lu Xi didn’t elaborate. Sensing the girl’s emotional fluctuations, she dipped her head to press a kiss to the smooth forehead. “In my world, you’re the protagonist.”

“So don’t let her words upset you. I won’t abandon you like Ming Yanxiu did.”

The girl’s hands still clutched fiercely. Lu Xi knew words alone couldn’t fully reassure her troubled heart. In the seductive night, her gaze deepened. One hand caressed the girl’s slender shoulder as she resolved to prove her burning love through actions.

“Mm…” The girl’s muddled thoughts halted as her chin was lifted, warm softness sealing over her lips and silencing her anxious questions.

Her collar tugged open, exposing skin chilled by the autumn air. But the next moment, scorching lips pressed to her collarbone. A moist tongue emerged, delicately licking every inch of her neck.

Disheveled strands draped over, tickling the hollow of her shoulder. A tingling itch mingled with the novel sensations from the woman, blanking her mind, welling tears in her eyes. Misty haze blurred her vision, blending with the hazy night.

The moon climbed high, silence enveloping all. Cool night breeze whispered by, small creatures rustled faintly amid falling dry leaves, weaving tender moments into the long darkness.

The omega gripped the pillows tightly on both sides, crystalline tears trailing one after another. Dampened hair tips framed her cheeks, the pillow beneath her palms growing faintly wet. Unable to bear it, she whimpered, trying to signal the alpha that she couldn’t keep crying like this.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Xi brushed aside the hair by her ear, leaning down to nip at the omega’s earlobe. “Do you feel my love for you now?”

Chi Xingcen’s legs curled slightly, toes clenching. Her voice trembled in response. “I feel it… I really feel it…”

Satisfied, Lu Xi softened considerably. “Then will you doubt that I’ll fall for someone else?”

Chi Xingcen shook her head. Suddenly, whiteness flashed before her eyes, her mind blurring, thoughts scattering entirely.

Light curtains by the window drifted down gently, veiling the endless night. Occasionally stirring, they let slivers of moonlight spill through.

Lu Xi encircled the girl’s waist, planting a kiss on her sweat-dampened cheek. Hearing her soft exhale, she closed her eyes contentedly. When she spoke, her voice was husky, laced with lingering desire. “Wife, I love only you.”

…

Several days later, wedding preparations were nearly complete. Invitations had gone out to major clans, but Butler Xu hesitated over whether to invite the Ming Family and sought Lu Xi’s input.

“Just send one invitation.” Lu Xi saw no need to dodge. The Ming Family’s young master had only been engaged to Chi Xingcen; it was nothing to hide.

Butler Xu paused, then asked, “What if other clans gossip…”

“Ignore them.” Lu Xi set down her pen and leaned back in her chair. “The Lu Family’s affairs are no one else’s concern. Inviting them openly shows we’re unbothered, which is better for Cen Cen.”

Understanding Lu Xi’s intent, Butler Xu nodded.

Covering it up might spark more whispers about Chi Xingcen’s past with the Ming Family. Treating it nonchalantly proved the Lu Family truly valued her.

With Lu Xi’s approval, Butler Xu sent an invitation to the Ming Family.

…

October thirtieth—an auspicious day for weddings.

The much-anticipated day finally arrived, drawing the attention of the Capital City’s clans.

One luxury car after another pulled up outside the grandest hotel under Lu Corporation. Leaders from major families attended this spotlight wedding.

That night, Chi Xingcen stayed at the Chi Family Old Mansion. She was roused before dawn.

After washing up, dressing, makeup, and styling… Gazing at her radiant reflection, she fully awoke to reality.

Her long hair was coiled atop her head, stray tendrils curving along her cheeks. The pre-selected hair ornaments gleamed with ruby facets, enhancing her stunning allure.

Old friends and Lu Corporation staff waited nearby, offering congratulations with warm smiles she had rarely seen before.

She nodded thanks graciously, though her mind reeled.

After today, she would truly marry Lu Xi and become her wife.

The chatter made it feel dreamlike, unreal.

Bang—a knock at the door snapped her back.

An alpha in a crisp white ladies’ suit appeared with a bouquet, dropping to one knee and extending a hand. “Cen Cen, I’m here to pick you up.”

Chi Xingcen’s face flushed hot under the woman’s tender gaze. Slowly, she placed her hand in Lu Xi’s palm.

Taking the flowers, dizziness washed over her. Then her arms wrapped tightly around the woman’s neck.

Lu Xi rose, cradling her shy fiancée. Downstairs, she bowed solemnly toward the Chi Old Master’s rear courtyard residence. Then she strode to the car and settled into the back seat.

With the partition raised, she gazed earnestly at her bride.

“Nervous?” She clasped the girl’s cool hand, breathing warm air onto it. The car’s climate was comfortable, but her brief outdoor wait in a dress had chilled her.

The car set off toward the hotel.

With her beloved beside her, Chi Xingcen’s turbulent emotions settled.

“Not as much now.” She rubbed her flat stomach, blinking sheepishly. “Just hungry. I didn’t eat the breakfast you sent during makeup—I wasn’t feeling it.”

“I’ll have something sent when we change outfits at the hotel.” Lu Xi was hungry too; excited since dawn, she had barely touched her own breakfast.

At the hotel, security parted the crowds. The ornate wedding car halted at the entrance. Attendants in festive attire opened the door, ushering the couple out.

In the private elevator, the photographer captured their tender embrace. As the doors closed, Chi Xingcen blushed again. “I wasn’t posed right. No idea if it came out well.”

Lu Xi pinched her cheek, beaming. “Don’t worry—you’re so beautiful, every shot’s a masterpiece!”

Her tension eased. Chi Xingcen patted the woman’s hand, wrinkling her nose. “Took ages for this makeup. Don’t smudge it.”