A Flirtatious Beauty Alpha Provokes a Crazy Omega - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Come Here
Unknowingly, Qin Shui had already been living in the small town for four months.
Her relationship with Liang Yongping had quietly changed during that time.
When the last traces of locust flower fragrance clung to the early summer drizzle, Qin Shui discovered a pot of pothos on the windowsill. No need to guess—it was clearly left there by Liang Yongping. Just like back in spring, Liang had left green apricots she picked from beneath a wild apricot tree at Qin Shui’s doorstep.
She opened the window, and the jasmine scent of laundry detergent from downstairs floated in with the breeze. She had never felt so content.
Two months ago, they started walking the mossy stone roads to the vegetable market together.
Sometimes, the tips of Liang Yongping’s leather shoes would get splashed with muddy water. At first, she would lower her head in embarrassment. Later on, she would simply stomp her feet in frustration right in front of Qin Shui.
At those moments, Qin Shui would lag half a step behind, watching the morning light dye Liang’s black hair into a shade of amber, watching the dew on lettuce leaves tremble and fall into her plastic bag.
Back in their small shared space, the familiar sound of the cutting board and knife would ring out.
During the rainy July plum season, the fluorescent lights buzzed faintly.
That month, Bai Xiao’s daily overtime turned into dinners for two.
Later on, Qin Shui began to count how many times Liang’s eyelashes fluttered when she turned a page, the way her brows furrowed in sadness, and the joy that showed when she was happy—all of it etched clearly in her heart.
Brand-new book pages were marked with the green bookmarks she had gifted her. Liang Yongping loved reading, yet before Qin Shui’s arrival, there hadn’t been a single book in the house.
Qin Shui started to grow curious about Liang Yongping and Bai Xiao’s life—about Bai Xiao herself, that invisible-yet-ever-present fiancée.
Then one day, on an afternoon filled with the first cicada songs of the season, Qin Shui found herself staring blankly at the two toothbrush cups by the sink for a long time.
Everything around her suddenly felt piercingly bright. While washing dishes, she accidentally broke a bowl. The shards fell into the sink, stirring layers of soapy bubbles.
Liang Yongping had noticed too. She realized it the moment she found herself always waiting for Qin Shui to leave the house—and never seeing sunlight fall on her doorway again.
Still, she let it happen. She indulged herself—and Qin Shui.
What pained Qin Shui most was how Liang Yongping had started avoiding her gaze, going several days without facing her.
The showerhead hadn’t really been broken—it was just an excuse to see her.
She was different that day. Her usually gentle eyes now carried a look of possessive desire.
“Liang Yongping, I’ve fallen for you.”
—
“Amazing, amazing! That was so good. You too, Mi—you nailed it.”
After the director called “cut,” Shen Ruoxi clapped her hands and walked toward them. She gave Yan Wei a polite smile, then leaned in toward Jiang Mi: “You’re totally Liang Yongping in my heart now. Really great job.”
Even Jiang Mi’s director, Jiang Qu, looked pleased.
Jiang Mi smiled and clasped her hands in a mock New Year’s bow. “Thank you, thank you.”
She glanced at Yan Wei, then quickly looked away.
Even though that “not really” comment didn’t mean dislike, Jiang Mi felt she should keep her distance. Still, she always hoped that Yan Wei might praise her—just once.
Jiang Mi tied up her shoulder-length hair again. The slight curl at the ends looked flirty yet playful. She continued chatting with Shen Ruoxi. In the show, they were emotionless fiancées, but offscreen, they got along well.
Yan Wei wrapped herself in a coat and returned to the lounge with Bai Qiu. She sat on a folding lounge chair and closed her eyes.
Bai Qiu asked if she wanted water, but it seemed like Yan Wei didn’t hear her.
Before long, Yan Wei opened her eyes and looked at the table—where a bag of snacks marked with a coffee and dessert logo had been placed.
Noticing her gaze, Bai Qiu immediately said, “President Tan had someone bring it over—said the support truck is on its way.”
No response.
Clearly, Yan Wei wasn’t in a good mood today.
These were the moments Bai Qiu feared most. She couldn’t even pinpoint where the anxiety came from. Though Yan Wei wasn’t particularly warm to anyone, she also didn’t make things hard unless you messed up. In fact, compared to other big shots, she was considered easygoing. Or maybe it was just that she didn’t bother wasting energy on small stuff. She had always treated her staff fairly.
Still, Bai Qiu feared her.
Especially after realizing that even Surui couldn’t relax completely around her—that fear only intensified.
Meanwhile, Jiang Mi and Shen Ruoxi stood outside with one drink in hand, wrapped in their coats, chatting about funny moments from their early careers.
Jiang Mi told a story about earning 100 yuan by playing a corpse. The casting director told her the role was just the wife of an important supporting character and didn’t even require her to hold her breath. She was excited and accepted it.
“They weren’t strict at all. I just had to lie down to earn money. But you know what? I ended up lying in a coffin the whole day! They forgot about me. And the coffin was tall—I had to jump down in the middle of the night and scared a bunch of extras half to death. Everyone freaked out.”
Shen Ruoxi burst out laughing. “You didn’t find it strange lying there all day? Didn’t hear anything?”
Jiang Mi said regretfully, “I fell asleep.”
Yep. Because the night before, Zhao Jia took her bar-hopping to network with senior actors. So the next day, she slept eight hours straight inside the coffin.
“Hahaha, my stomach! That’s hilarious.” Shen Ruoxi wiped away tears of laughter, smoothing her crow’s feet. “You’re so likable—too funny.”
Jiang Mi said, “Me? I guess. A lot of people don’t like me though.”
Shen Ruoxi looked surprised. Jiang Mi had such a fair, soft presence—not just her skin, but the vibe she gave off. Curled lashes, smiling peach blossom eyes that always drew people in.
It reminded her of a harmless fox spirit—soft, white fur, eyes that could melt your heart. Being around Jiang Mi was just easy. Comfortable.
“No way. You really don’t understand your own charm.” Shen Ruoxi lowered her voice. “But don’t worry—I’m taken. I don’t have any thoughts about you.”
Jiang Mi: “…Do people online know about this?”
“Nope.”
“Then why are you telling me?”
“So if anyone finds out, it means you spilled it.”
“…………”
Are you insane? Are you okay? Jiang Mi nearly said it out loud.
Shen Ruoxi saw her expression and burst out laughing again. How could this girl be so fun?
They were in the middle of joking around when they saw Yan Wei exit the lounge.
Sunlight poured over her like the world naturally favored her existence. Their eyes met—Jiang Mi quickly looked away. She wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but she felt like Yan Wei’s cool gaze had swept over her and Shen Ruoxi’s hands.
She felt slightly uneasy.
Shen Ruoxi kept chatting cheerfully, but Jiang Mi was a bit distracted. They were holding only one cup of kiwi juice—Jiang Mi’s homemade drink.
She usually brought one for Yan Wei too. But today, Shen Ruoxi had heard from Zhao Jia that the juice was homemade and wanted to try it, so Jiang Mi gladly handed it over.
Coincidentally, the cup originally meant for Yan Wei had spilled a bit, so it didn’t look great. Jiang Mi ended up drinking it herself.
But she figured Yan Wei wouldn’t care. Most of the time, Bai Qiu was the one who accepted things for her anyway. Besides, she saw someone had already delivered better snacks earlier.
“I’ve got another funny story to tell you.”
Just like that, Jiang Mi’s attention was quickly pulled back by Shen Ruoxi.
Midway, Director Jiang Qu called for Shen Ruoxi. Jiang Mi took a folding stool and her script, sitting under a shaded area by the sun. The filming location was surrounded by greenery, and the air sometimes carried the scent of grass and damp soil. She liked that—it made her feel full of life.
She lowered her head and immersed herself in the script.
Today’s scene followed the one in the dressing room—
Liang Yongping and Bai Xiao return home. Liang is tense; the moment the door closes, her shoulders shrink.
Luckily, Bai Xiao soon receives an urgent work call and quickly leaves after changing.
But just as she walks out the door and Liang finally starts to relax, the doorbell rings again. She opens the door to find Qin Shui, eyes red and twisted in rage.
Jiang Mi was deeply focused, her eyes glued to the page, when a familiar voice called her name—gentle but chilling like thunder.
“Jiang Mi.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up.
Yan Wei was walking toward the set, expression unreadable.
She said, “Come run lines with me.”