After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Slave to My Beloved Wife (GL) - Chapter 26

The next morning, Jiang Nian changed into a crisp white suit and took extra time getting ready. She looked radiant and poised. Holding the bouquet, she had pre-ordered, she stepped out of her car and made her way to the hotel where the film crew was staying.

As she walked through the hotel entrance, passersby and staff alike couldn’t help but pause and stare. Jiang Nian carried herself with confidence and grace, and her striking appearance made her shine in any crowd.

Just then, Qiao Wenyu’s personal manager, who had returned to the hotel to retrieve something, happened to spot Jiang Nian. Slowing her hurried steps, she called out, “President Jiang? Are you here to visit Miss Qiao on set?”

“Yes. Xiao Yu has a day off today, so I thought I’d take her out for a meal,” Jiang Nian replied, removing her sunglasses and hooking them casually on her shirt collar. The motion slightly pulled down her neckline, revealing the subtle curves of her figure.

The manager gave an awkward smile. “President Jiang… there was a change of plans. The stunt double couldn’t make it, so Miss Qiao had to step in and shoot a short scene. She just finished a moment ago. I was on my way to bring her a towel—why don’t we go together?”

“A towel?” Jiang Nian repeated, puzzled.

The manager said nothing more, avoiding eye contact.

When they reached the crew’s rest area, Jiang Nian finally understood what the towel was for.

Qiao Wenyu was curled up on a sofa, soaking wet. Her white costume clung tightly to her skin, the pale fabric revealing faint tones of her flesh beneath. She looked cold and miserable.

The resting area was located at the foot of a mountain, where the temperature was noticeably lower than in the city. With autumn settling in, it was far too cold to be filming in thin costumes—especially when drenched. Qiao Wenyu was clearly freezing.

“Jiejie!” Jiang Nian rushed forward. As soon as she touched Qiao Wenyu’s shoulder, she recoiled from the chill.

The manager wrapped a thick towel blanket around Qiao Wenyu and began gently drying her dripping hair, muttering with frustration, “President Jiang, you wouldn’t believe what Xiao Yu went through today. That water scene was supposed to be shot with a stunt double. But for some reason, the double didn’t show up. The director insisted on finishing the scene today, so Xiao Yu had to do it herself.”

“Enough,” Qiao Wenyu said weakly, eyes closed.

But the manager couldn’t let it go. She had stood by throughout the shoot and had clearly seen how the lead actors, including the director, had singled Qiao Wenyu out—especially that newly cast second female lead, who clearly had backing and stirred up trouble.

“Xiao Yu, let me say it. President Jiang, that scene involved her being pushed into the water—it should have been a simple natural fall. But the director took that woman’s suggestion and demanded an emotional buildup, saying she needed to show sadness before falling. Xiao Yu did her best, but he kept saying it wasn’t right and made her do take after take.”

Jiang Nian knew how terrified Qiao Wenyu was of water. Just hearing all this made her heart ache. She couldn’t even imagine how desperate and helpless Qiao Wenyu must’ve felt filming that scene—drenched, freezing, and humiliated.

Trapped in fear and forced to repeat the same agony—how cruel.

“What’s the deal with that director and the second female lead?” Jiang Nian asked coldly.

The manager glanced at the sleeping Qiao Wenyu and replied, “The director is Li, recently popular and brought up by Miss Jiang. The second female lead—she’s… well, she’s someone from the Jiang family too, I think. The director listens to her every word.”

“From the Jiang family? Who exactly? What’s her name?”

“I think… she’s called Jiang Qianqian.”

From the sofa, Qiao Wenyu murmured, “That’s enough. You go ahead, I’m fine.”

The manager hesitated but eventually left the room in silence.

Now only Jiang Nian and Qiao Wenyu remained in the quiet rest area.

“Jiejie, I’ll just leave these flowers here,” Jiang Nian said softly, placing the bouquet on the dressing table. She sat down beside Qiao Wenyu, her heart aching as she looked at the shivering figure beside her.

“Xiao Nian… thank you,” Qiao Wenyu said, lips pale and trembling from the cold.

Jiang Nian’s eyes reddened. She looked like a helpless little pup, overwhelmed and anxious. Gently, she wrapped her arms around Qiao Wenyu. “Jiejie, let me hold you. I’ll keep you warm.”

They sat together, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

“Xiao Nian… your arms are really warm.” Qiao Wenyu closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. “If only you’d held me right after I came out of the water… that would’ve been perfect.”

Jiang Nian’s heart melted. She held her tighter, as if wanting to draw her into her very bones.

“Jiejie, if you keep being like this, I’ll…”

I’ll love you too much to let go.

Before she could finish, Jiang Nian heard soft, steady breathing. She looked down—Qiao Wenyu had fallen asleep in her arms.

“Jiejie…” Jiang Nian whispered. Once she was sure the woman was truly asleep, she leaned in close and murmured beside her ear, breath as light as mist, “Jiejie… I think I really… really love you.”

Clack. The door made a sudden noise.

Startled, Jiang Nian sat up straight. She thought she’d woken Qiao Wenyu, but it was only the manager peeking in to check.

“Oh—sorry for interrupting!” the manager blurted, covering her face as she slipped back out.

Jiang Nian continued to hold Qiao Wenyu for a long while, until her arms went numb. Carefully, she laid her down and stood up, stretching her stiff limbs.

Then she remembered that name—Jiang Qianqian.

She stepped outside, pulled out her phone, and dialed Jiang Fenyun.

As a transmigrator, Jiang Nian didn’t know the full plot, but she had a strange sense of familiarity with key relationships. The moment she made the call, the words spilled from her lips instinctively:

“Jiang Qianqian is your sister, isn’t she? She’s in Xiao Yu’s crew. Did you know that?”

Somehow, Jiang Nian just knew that Jiang Qianqian and Jiang Fenyun were half-sisters—same father, different mothers. But Qianqian, as an illegitimate child, was never truly acknowledged by the Jiang family.

Jiang Fenyun’s lazy voice drifted through the phone. “Yeah, I know. I even mentioned you and Qiao Wenyu.”

“She bullied Xiao Yu. You knew that?” Jiang Nian’s tone turned cold.

Fenyun sounded genuinely confused. “Who told you that? My sister bullying Xiao Yu? For what? What would she even gain?”

“I saw it with my own eyes. Do I really need to explain more?” Jiang Nian snapped, then softened her tone slightly. “Take care of your sister. Xiao Yu’s already caught a chill. Thanks, Fenyun.”

“I’ll check in with her,” Fenyun sighed. “Ugh, playing matchmaker for you two is exhausting.”

“What matchmaker? There’s no ‘love story’ here. It’s a one-sided crush, Fenyun. I’m the only one falling.”

“Ohhh, a one-sided love ambassador! Got it.” Fenyun chuckled. “Alright, I’ll ask my sister. Stay tuned for updates. I’m swamped—hanging up now!”

Jiang Nian put her phone away and returned to the break room.

She noticed Qiao Wenyu’s face had flushed, her brows slightly furrowed in discomfort. Jiang Nian gently reached out and touched her forehead.

Burning.

She was running a high fever.

Heart racing, Jiang Nian turned to leave and fetch the car. But the moment she opened the door, she nearly collided with the manager.

“Xiao Yu has a fever!”

“President Jiang—something’s wrong!”

They both spoke at the same time, then froze and stared at each other.

Jiang Nian pressed a hand to her forehead. “Whatever it is can wait—I’m taking Xiao Yu to the hospital first.”

“But President Jiang—”

She didn’t wait to hear the rest. She ran to the hotel parking lot, pulled the car around to the entrance, then rushed back inside and scooped Qiao Wenyu up in her arms. The manager followed closely behind and climbed into the car.

Jiang Nian drove fast, pushing the speed limit the entire way from the outskirts to the nearest hospital. She didn’t care about traffic violations—she only cared about getting Qiao Wenyu help.

At the hospital, Jiang Nian parked and carried her straight into the emergency department.

Thanks to her connections and financial backing, Jiang Nian quickly contacted the hospital director. With their support, Qiao Wenyu received treatment immediately.

After a full examination, the doctor confirmed it was a fever caused by prolonged exposure to cold. It wasn’t serious—an IV and some rest would take care of it.

Sitting beside the hospital bed, Jiang Nian finally felt her breath return to normal once she saw the IV in place. The fear that had been choking her finally eased.

The manager also breathed a sigh of relief. “President Jiang, if it weren’t for you, Xiao Yu would’ve suffered so much more.”

“This is the least I could do.” Jiang Nian glanced up. “Now—what was it you were trying to say earlier?”

The manager smacked her own thigh. “Oh no—I completely forgot! President Jiang, someone else came to visit Miss Qiao last night. And it was a big deal.”

“Who? It’s just a visit. Why does it matter?” Jiang Nian said as she gently wiped Qiao Wenyu’s flushed face with a cool towel.

“It was… Miss Bai. Bai Ye, the heiress of the Bai Group.”

“What?” Jiang Nian’s hand froze midair.

Her thoughts flew back to last night’s meeting—the designer had shown up, but Bai Ye hadn’t.

Could she have arranged the meeting on purpose, just to keep me occupied while she visited Xiao Yu?

The manager hurriedly explained, “She came just after filming ended. There were a lot of people there—some fansites and even media. She walked in with a bouquet and a gift box and publicly showed concern for Miss Qiao in front of everyone.”

She paused, catching her breath. “And someone took pictures. Now the internet’s buzzing with rumors that Bai Ye is courting Miss Qiao. Some are even saying… saying she’s been kept by her.”

“What?” Jiang Nian’s voice sharpened. “It’s all over the internet?”

“Yes. I contacted Miss Jiang to try to get it taken down, but it’s no use. Bai Ye has influence—nothing is getting deleted.”

Jiang Nian was fuming. She paced the room, frustration radiating off her. After a few laps, she stopped by the window and slammed her hand against the sill.

“Keep pushing Jiang Fenyun’s team to handle the online cleanup. As for Bai Ye… I’ll deal with her myself,” she said, her voice hoarse.

The room fell quiet again. Jiang Nian stood with her back to the bed, lost in thought.

“…Xiao Nian…” came a faint voice from behind.

Jiang Nian turned around immediately. The moment she saw Qiao Wenyu awake, her expression melted into pure relief. She rushed over, smiling brightly, and gently held her wrist.

“Jiejie, you’re awake! Do you feel better? Is anything still hurting?”

Qiao Wenyu tried to answer, but ended up in a coughing fit that left her gasping.

Alarmed, Jiang Nian hit the call button to summon the attending physician.

A moment later, the door opened, and the elderly doctor entered with his equipment. Right behind him was a petite, pretty omega with rosy cheeks and an impish expression.

“I’ll check Miss Qiao now,” the doctor said, setting up his stethoscope. Then he gestured to the young woman. “This lady here says she’s a colleague of Miss Qiao. When she heard Miss Qiao was hospitalized, she came along with me.”

Jiang Nian looked over and noticed the woman bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Fenyun.

A name flashed in her mind: Jiang Xianxian.

“Jiang-jiejie!” the girl chirped.

Completely ignoring the hospital’s need for quiet, Jiang Xianxian burst into the room and practically leapt into Jiang Nian’s arms. Hugging her waist tightly, she spoke in a cutesy tone.

“Jiang-jiejie, I’ve been secretly following you for so long! I finally get to meet you in person!”