After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 10

At 8 PM, a major fan account for Zheng Wenyuan posted a thread with the hashtags #MsZhou# #TerribleActing# #HaveNoShame#. The post accused Ms. Zhou of using her connections to have Zheng Wenyuan’s scenes cut from the TV drama “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree.” The fan demanded accountability from the official drama account, asking if script changes would now be permitted based solely on intimate relationships between staff and superiors.

Following this, Zheng Wenyuan’s fans flooded social media, condemning Zhou Qian as a “scene-stealing” actress.

The fan account’s post had been deliberately vague, avoiding naming Zhou Qian directly. However, mentioning “Ms. Zhou” and “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree” made her identity obvious to everyone.

Although Zhou Qian had starred in several idol dramas and gained a considerable following through her looks, her fans lacked the organized combativeness of Zheng Wenyuan’s dedicated fan clubs. As a result, the hashtags #MsZhouSecretlyContactedDirectorToChangeScript# and #PhoenixPerchesOnTheWutongTreeScriptAltered# quickly climbed to the top of trending searches.

The World’s Biggest Zheng Wenyuan Fan: Zhou Qian’s shamelessness isn’t new. Isn’t she still clinging to Song Luoxue’s coattails? This script revision was probably Song Luoxue’s idea anyway. Neither of them are good people.

Zheng Wenyuan Global Fan Club: @TV Drama “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong” Official Weibo, please explain why the leaked script differs from the original. Why has Zheng Wenyuan’s role as the male lead been reduced to just the opening scenes? Stop playing dead and give us fans an explanation!

Early Morning Misery: How can I see such pointless drama the moment I open Weibo? This is a conflict between Zhou Qian and Zheng Wenyuan, right? Why are you dragging Song Luoxue into it? Your clout-chasing is so obvious!

Single-Day Off Deserves Death: Song Luoxue has never publicly acknowledged her relationship with Zhou Qian, and she has a relatively good reputation in the entertainment industry. This definitely reeks of clout-chasing.

The World’s Best Song Luoxue: Can you all stop riding our Luo Xue’s coattails? Who are these two nobodies? I’ve never even heard of them.

The debate over whether the script for the TV drama “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree” had been altered grew increasingly heated, with fans of Zhou Qian and Zheng Wenyuan locked in a fierce online battle. Some of Zhou Qian’s most vocal supporters were actually defending Song Luoxue, as Zhou Qian was one of her artists. Any negative publicity surrounding Zhou Qian would inevitably reflect poorly on Song Luoxue.

This fan war was further complicated by the supporting actresses of “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree,” who saw an opportunity to stir up trouble. Most of them were rivals of Zhou Qian, and their arguments often targeted her acting skills.

Topics like “Zhou Qian’s acting is terrible” even had their own trending hashtags with surprisingly high engagement. Zhou Qian’s notoriously poor acting was undeniable, so any debate on the subject invariably ended with her supporters losing ground.

Fans from rival camps flooded social media with clips of Zhou Qian’s past performances, showcasing her erratic shouting and exaggerated expressions. Zhou Qian’s fans could only resort to mass reporting to have these videos and photos removed. Her few remaining dedicated fans constantly monitored social media, reporting posts to delete them.

The controversy had been brewing all day. At 8 PM the following evening, the official Weibo account for the TV drama “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree” posted: “Regarding the recent claims about #PhoenixPerchesOnTheWutongTree script revisions#, we acknowledge the following:

Chapter 94: During the initial filming stages, we recognized significant issues with the original script. The original script deviated considerably from the novel “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree.” After thorough discussions between the directorial and writing teams, we unanimously decided to revise the erroneous portions of the script.

Chapter 95: We have only streamlined and clarified confusing parts of the script. The revised plot will align more closely with the original novel. “Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree” is an exceptional novel, and we aim to present its most compelling form to viewers.

Chapter 96: Finally, we consulted with the cast before making the script revision decision. Our actors were fully aware of and unanimously approved this change. The internet is not a lawless space; please cease spreading false rumors.

Immediately after the official Weibo post went live, fans from various camps flooded the comments section, pushing the total to over 10,000.

Zheng Wenyuan’s Little Fangirl: TL;DR: We did cut Zheng Wenyuan’s scenes, and he was forced to agree. doge

Let Me Get Rich Immediately: You’ve said something, but it sounds like you’ve said nothing at all.

Protect the World’s Best Song Luoxue: This means the actors knew all along. Since they agreed, fans shouldn’t worry about it. Just wash up and go to bed.

Yuan Yuan Is Mine: What do you mean “he agreed”? This was forced consent! Your statement is so poorly written, but you’re experts at silencing dissent.

In the comments, Zheng Wenyuan’s fans believed Zhou Qian had used her connection to Song Luoxue to make Zheng Wenyuan “voluntarily” accept the script changes. They launched a collective attack against Zhou Qian, resorting to personal attacks. The comment section, which had over 10,000 comments, was put into comment protection mode, hiding all comments and reposted comments.

Alternatively, Zheng Wenyuan’s fans might have been dissatisfied with the official statement. They created the hashtag #ZhengWenyuan”Voluntarily”AcceptedScriptChanges# and continued their attacks on Zhou Qian.

The situation escalated rapidly. At 11:44 PM, Zheng Wenyuan posted on Weibo: “Regarding the recent edits to my scenes in Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree, I have a few words to share. Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree is an excellent novel, and I only agreed to join the project after reading it. Script revisions are normal during production to ensure the best possible final product. The crew didn’t single me out; the atmosphere on set was wonderful, and Qianqian is a wonderful person. We got along very well during filming. Please refrain from excessive speculation.”

With Zheng Wenyuan’s statement, the online fervor gradually subsided. However, some of his fans remained convinced that Zhou Qian was responsible for the cuts to his scenes. A few irrational fans even went to Zhou Qian’s Weibo to hurl abuse.

Fortunately, Zhou Qian’s Weibo settings restricted comments to followers only, and she had disabled private messages. As a result, she never saw the barrage of vulgar messages.

At that moment, Song Luoxue sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, the night view outside shimmering with the reflected light of the river. The villa district was built beside the Lichun River, a location considered ideal in feng shui, with water to the south and mountains to the north. The villas here were spaced farther apart than those in the city, ensuring that any noise from one villa wouldn’t be heard by its neighbors. Conversely, no noise from other residents could reach this villa.

She gently swirled the red wine in her glass. Though the room’s air conditioning automatically adjusted to the optimal temperature, Song Luoxue, who had just finished a bath, still felt a chill.

She took a sip of the wine and beckoned Zhou Qian, who was sitting beside her, with a flick of her finger. Zhou Qian had been keeping her distance ever since they sat down. Whether Song Luoxue was on the phone or sipping her wine, Zhou Qian remained aloof, as if afraid of her. No… her reaction was more like that of two strangers.

And that was the truth. To Zhou Qian, the Song Luoxue before her was merely a stranger she had known for two weeks. Even after researching Song Luoxue online, she couldn’t possibly know everything about her.

Besides, celebrities are all about image. Who knows if Song Luoxue has two faces behind the scenes? Just like the internet describes her—Song Luoxue is like pure, flawless moonlight, untouched by the slightest speck of dust. The moment she smiles, everyone is completely captivated.

To the world, she’s the Best Actress—a beautiful, aloof, and talented star. But to Zhou Qian, Song Luoxue is far more complex than that.

After seeing Song Luoxue’s gesture, Zhou Qian rose and approached her, deliberately maintaining a two-step distance.

Song Luoxue frowned slightly. “Why are you acting so afraid of me? I’m not going to bite.”

Zhou Qian gave an awkward smile. “Is… is that so?”

Seeing Zhou Qian’s flustered expression, Song Luoxue beckoned her closer. “Come closer. Sit beside me.”

Zhou Qian froze for a moment, then followed Song Luoxue’s instructions and sat down on the small sofa draped with a snow-white fur rug. Though compact, the sofa easily accommodated two people.

As Zhou Qian sat beside her, Song Luoxue felt a warm presence draw near—just as she had expected. Zhou Qian’s body was warmer than hers, and she carried a soothing fragrance that eased Song Luoxue’s nerves.

Song Luoxue noticed Zhou Qian’s hands resting on her thighs, as if bracing herself against tension. She reached out and gently took Zhou Qian’s hand.

Feeling Song Luoxue’s icy touch, Zhou Qian suddenly looked up at her. “Luo Xue, is the air conditioning too cold? I’ll adjust it for you.”

She rose to press the wall-mounted controls, but Song Luoxue tugged her hand, stopping her. “It’s just because I just got out of the shower.”

Song Luoxue was still wrapped in a white bath towel. When Zhou Qian had leaned in earlier, she had caught the sweet scent of camellia-scented body wash clinging to her skin.

Zhou Qian turned back to face her. “That’s exactly why I should…”

Before she could finish, Song Luoxue chuckled. “I’m just a little chilly for now. Besides, you’re right here beside me. Maybe raising the thermostat isn’t the only way to warm up, hmm?”

Zhou Qian stared at her, her eyes questioning. “What do you mean?”

Song Luoxue smiled faintly, then withdrew her hand and patted her towel-draped thigh. “Lie down here.”