After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 1

“Qianqian! Qianqian, you’re finally awake!” Zhou Qian was jolted awake by the woman’s shrill scream.

She slowly opened her eyes and glared at the woman who was shouting in her ear. The woman was dressed in a light blue suit, her lips painted crimson. But Zhou Qian had never seen this woman before. How had she gotten into her villa?

“Who are you?” Zhou Qian asked impatiently. “Why are you in my house?”

The woman’s eyes widened in shock. “Qianqian, did you hit your head? I’m your manager!”

Zhou Qian tried to sit up, but a searing pain shot through the back of her head. She also caught the distinctive antiseptic smell of a hospital.

She collapsed weakly back onto the hospital bed.

Blinking, she remembered the fight she’d had with her girlfriend the night before over Song Luoxue. Several strands of her hair had been yanked out. What she hadn’t expected was that her usually docile and obedient girlfriend had been two-timing her, admitting she’d only been playing with Zhou Qian and that her true love was Song Luoxue.

Zhou Qian’s lungs nearly burst with rage at those words. She nearly tore those two little bitches apart on the spot.

In the end, her butler sent someone to take her home in her drunken stupor.

As Zhou Qian was leaving, she caught sight of Song Luoxue’s smug expression. Pointing a trembling finger, she snarled, “Song Luoxue, you… you win this time. But I’ll haunt you even as a ghost!”

Back home, Zhou Qian ignored everyone’s pleas and chugged down another bottle of liquor. She had hoped the alcohol would help her forget the humiliating ordeal, but she collapsed to the floor and lost consciousness…

“Qianqian, it’s me, your manager Ning Xiao! Don’t you remember me?”

Zhou Qian squinted at the name, turning to look at the woman. “Ning Xiao?” The name sounded vaguely familiar.

Ning Xiao nodded vigorously. “Yes! You were hit by a falling magnesium lamp during an audition. You bled a lot. Could you have lost your memory?”

Audition, magnesium lamp, manager Ning Xiao.

As Zhou Qian pieced together these clues, realization dawned: Wait a minute! Isn’t this the plot of that novel I read recently, “The White Moonlight’s Revenge”?

This novel was a Lily ABO story, and the protagonist was a Golden Globe-winning Best Actress, the nation’s White Moonlight, and the dream lover of countless Alphas.

Though she possessed a cold and stunning beauty, she was utterly love-struck. This vulnerability led her to be completely manipulated by an Alpha who only wanted her wealth and looks. The Alpha not only impersonated the Best Actress’s White Moonlight but also swindled her out of even enough money for a taxi back to her hometown.

Heartbroken and destitute, the once-glamorous Best Actress unconsciously wandered to the city moat and leaped in. Unexpectedly, she was rescued. Through a stroke of luck, she uncovered the scumbag Alpha’s scheme and, even more fortuitously, reunited with her original White Moonlight.

Together, she and her White Moonlight exacted a brutal revenge on the scumbag Alpha. They hired someone to break her legs and used her illegal appropriation of others’ assets and numerous other crimes to send her to prison.

Unfortunately, the scumbag Alpha in the novel was named Zhou Qian, and the nation’s White Moonlight was named Song Luoxue.

At that moment, Zhou Qian stared blankly at the hospital room ceiling, her eyes fixed as if she were dead.

Oh, heavens! When I was alive, you made her my nemesis at every turn. Why is it still her even after death? Which world do I have to escape to to get away from Song Luoxue?!

Fortunately, Zhou Qian had read the novel beforehand. Knowing the plot’s trajectory, she reasoned that if she properly dealt with the Song Luoxue in the book, she could avoid the tragic fate of having her legs broken and being sent to prison.

It might sound unbelievable, but Zhou Qian typically disliked reading novels and had no interest in those cliché, melodramatic tropes. The only reason she finished *The White Moonlight’s Revenge* was because the female lead’s name was Song Luoxue.

Initially, she had only wanted to see how the female lead suffered and submitted to the scumbag Alpha in the first half of the story. But later, she became too deeply immersed. Since the cannon fodder’s name was her own, Zhou Qian’s legs actually twitched violently when the scumbag Alpha’s legs were broken in the book.

It felt as if the fictional pain in the novel had somehow transferred a little to her own body.

Well, since I’ve already transmigrated, my original body in the other world is probably gone anyway. And this body is also named Zhou Qian. As the saying goes, “A dead man only needs three feet of earth; better to live poorly than die well.” Zhou Qian resolved to embrace this new identity and live life to the fullest.

Ning Xiao was still chattering incessantly in Zhou Qian’s ear. “Qianqian, what if you’ve lost your memory? What am I going to do? The company has a fantastic role lined up for you—a xianxia romance drama! Your entire future career depends on this show! If Song Luoxue finds out you’ve lost your memory, she’ll definitely come after me with a knife!”

Zhou Qian tuned out most of Ning Xiao’s rambling, but when she heard the name “Song Luoxue,” her eyes flickered. She turned to Ning Xiao. “Song Luoxue…”

Seeing Zhou Qian’s reaction, Ning Xiao leaned closer. “Qianqian, are you remembering something?”

Zhou Qian desperately wanted to nod, but her head throbbed from the recent blow. She could only weakly murmur, “Where is Song Luoxue?”

Ning Xiao’s face lit up. “I knew you hadn’t lost your memory! Don’t worry, I’ll call your old flame right away and have her come see you!”

With a triumphant grin, Ning Xiao dashed out to make the call, leaving Zhou Qian unable to stop her.

Well, I suppose I’ll have to meet Song Luoxue from the novel sooner or later, Zhou Qian thought. I just hope she’s not like my arch-rival, constantly trying to undermine me and make my life miserable.

Just as Zhou Qian was about to close her eyes and rest, she saw Ning Xiao enter the hospital room, her shoulders slumped and her face crestfallen.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Qian asked.

Ning Xiao’s brow furrowed deeply, her lips almost pouting to the sky. She said cautiously, “Qianqian, you’ve just woken up, and I didn’t want to upset you. But you need to know about this…”

Seeing Ning Xiao’s expression, Zhou Qian rolled her eyes. What could be worse than breaking my leg?

“Just tell me,” Zhou Qian said softly.

The moment Zhou Qian spoke, Ning Xiao burst into tears like a dam had broken. “Waaah… Qianqian, you and Queen Song are such star-crossed lovers! You were hit by a spotlight two days ago, and now Song Luoxue has been in a car accident! What kind of karma have you two incurred?”

Zhou Qian’s jaw dropped. She stared in stunned silence for a long moment before suddenly leaping out of bed like a startled carp.

Seeing Zhou Qian’s agitated state, Ning Xiao worried she might be mentally unstable from the shock. “Qianqian, calm down…”

Before Ning Xiao could offer any words of comfort, Zhou Qian, her face beaming with excitement, asked, “Did she die?”

If the original female lead was dead, Zhou Qian wouldn’t need to complete the conquest anymore. She could simply relax and enjoy her next life!

Ning Xiao was left speechless.

She… what did she just say? What’s with the talk about dying?

Oh, right. Zhou Qian had been hit on the head. Even if she hadn’t lost her memory, her behavior and thoughts might have changed.

The doctor had warned them this was normal and would resolve itself in time.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Ning Xiao finally regained her composure and replied, “No… not yet. Song Luoxue drove to the outskirts of town and flipped her car when she hit a dirt embankment. She’s in the hospital now, but I heard she only suffered minor injuries. Her life isn’t in danger.”

Zhou Qian sighed deeply in disappointment and lay back down. “Oh.”

What’s going on? Did Zhou Qian and Song Luoxue have a falling out? Weren’t they getting along just fine before?

Ning Xiao added, “Song Luoxue is in this hospital. Why don’t you go see her?”

Zhou Qian pulled the blanket over her head. “Forget it. She just had a car accident and might still be unconscious. Even if I went, she wouldn’t be able to see me. My head’s starting to hurt again. Just go out and let me get some sleep.”

Ning Xiao nodded. “Alright, get some rest. I’ll go buy you some fruit and nutritional supplements. The company said they’re only holding the role in that Immortal Idol Drama for you for a week. You need to recover quickly!”

“Ugh, I know, I know! Just go!” Zhou Qian snapped impatiently.

Ning Xiao left the room.

Zhou Qian threw back the blanket and stared blankly at the empty ceiling.

Seriously, this is so annoying!

Meanwhile, on the seventh floor of the same hospital, the legendary “Nation’s White Moonlight,” Song Luoxue, had awakened. She had been sitting up for half an hour, staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.

At the nurses’ station, several young nurses were gossiping during their break.

“Hey, did you hear? That rising starlet and the Best Actress who won the Golden Trio awards are both staying in our hospital!”

“Yeah, yeah! I saw Song Luoxue—she’s even more beautiful in person than on TV! Zhou Qian is pretty too, but she looks like she knows how to play the field. If you ask me, she’s probably a player.”

“Didn’t they have rumors about being a couple? Why do they seem so distant today? I heard Zhou Qian in room 714 woke up already, and Song Luoxue is in 614—just one floor apart! Shouldn’t couples be checking on each other?”

“You believe all that showbiz nonsense? Zhou Qian’s probably just riding Song Luoxue’s fame to hype up a fake romance. Besides, no gossiping during work hours! Go change the IV drip for the patient in 417!”

The blank look in Song Luoxue’s eyes shifted slightly as she recalled the events of that night.

In the underground parking garage at nearly one in the morning, Li Nuanyuan sat in the passenger seat, watching as Zhou Qian, completely drunk, was escorted home.

Li Nuanyuan turned to Song Luoxue with a smile. “How did I do? Was my performance convincing enough?”

Song Luoxue lowered her head and hummed in response. “Mm.”

Li Nuanyuan continued, “Honestly, you really made me go through all this trouble, putting on this whole act. Two months of emotional investment is exhausting.”

Song Luoxue rolled down the car window to let in some fresh air. She reached for a cigarette but noticed a no-smoking sign on the opposite wall and put the pack back down. She said coldly to Li Nuanyuan, “Don’t worry, your two months of ’emotional investment’ won’t be wasted. I’ll transfer the agreed-upon sum to your account.”

Li Nuanyuan’s face lit up at the mention of money. “You know I’m only doing this for the money, but I’m curious—what’s your motive? Zhou Qian has always been a rival to your company, but she’s never posed a real threat to you, and she’s never shown any malice towards you.”

“Don’t ask questions that don’t concern you,” Song Luoxue snapped. “Just take the money and do your job. Enough with the questions.”

Hearing Song Luoxue’s impatient tone, Li Nuanyuan smiled apologetically. “Alright, alright, it’s my fault. Miss Song, please calm down.”

Seeing the parking lot was now deserted, Song Luoxue’s voice carried a hint of dismissal. “Zhou Qian has already left. You’ve played your part perfectly. Get out. I’m going home.”

Li Nuanyuan’s face clouded with concern. “Surely you wouldn’t abandon a helpless woman like me here, Miss Song? What if something happens to me?”

Song Luoxue replied coldly, “There are surveillance cameras everywhere, and the taxi stand is right outside. Your phone has your agent’s location tracking. I doubt anything serious will happen.”

Li Nuanyuan paused, then smiled. “As expected of President Song—you’ve thoroughly investigated my background. But you’re so cold! Taxis are expensive at this hour.”

Song Luoxue added, “If all else fails, call your agent to pick you up.”

With that, she ruthlessly ordered, “Get out.”

Realizing she couldn’t stay any longer, Li Nuanyuan obediently exited the car and closed the door.

Back at the hospital, Song Luoxue’s thoughts returned. She realized Li Nuanyuan should be grateful she hadn’t stubbornly insisted on a ride home in her car. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be the only one who had become a wandering spirit.

No, to be precise, she wasn’t a wandering spirit, but rather the naive and sweet female lead from that novel—Golden Globe-winning Best Actress Song Luoxue.