After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 12

Although Zheng Wenyuan had responded to the controversy surrounding the deletion and alteration of his scenes in Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree, his fans still felt their idol had been wronged. The online backlash against Zhou Qian hadn’t subsided. However, in a surprising turn during the recent fan wars, the novel’s original readers had actually started defending Zhou Qian.

Zheng Wenyuan is the World’s No. 1: Zhou Qian lost all sense of shame long ago. Isn’t she only getting these resources because she’s clinging to Song Luoxue like a vine? Otherwise, how could someone like her ever act alongside our Yuanyuan?

Yuanyuan, Marry Me Now: Exactly! Without Song Luoxue, who would even know her name? Song Luoxue is brainless too; I bet this Best Actress will crash and burn sooner or later.

My Stupidity Intolerance is Acting Up zz Get Away from Me: Zheng Wenyuan’s scenes were cut? Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree is supposed to follow the original novel, right? Isn’t that a good thing?

Zhou Qian, I Only Like Your Face: Yeah, yeah! The official account said they’re filming according to the original novel. Anyway, Zheng Wenyuan always gets extra screen time. I’ve read the novel—Guangsheng, the character Zheng Wenyuan plays, dies with the female lead’s family right at the beginning. So, the director cutting his scenes makes perfect sense.

Good Morning Ning Ning Ning Ning Loves Yuanyuan: How did Zhou Qian’s fans end up on this forum? How can someone like Zhou Qian even have fans? Don’t you people have any taste?

The 9-to-9 Boss Isn’t Human: Zhou Qian is undeniably good-looking. You can’t deny that.

The Wife Who’s Been Waiting Twelve Years for Feng Nanzhi: Good riddance! As a purist, I don’t want to see a character who dies in the prologue hogging half the female lead’s screen time.

Yuanyuan’s Biggest Little Fan: Just because you say it’s in the original novel doesn’t make it true. Is that what the script says?

Equal Opportunity Boss-Slaying: OMG, this show has already started filming, and you fans still don’t realize it’s based on the novel’s rights they bought?

Get Rich Get Rich Get Filthy Rich: Anyway, this drama is going to be a flop. I don’t know why it’s getting so much attention. Are the producers already deploying their paid trolls?

Who Doesn’t Know I’m the Poorest in the Universe: Well, the male lead doesn’t seem like a great actor anyway. Deleting him won’t hurt. The “beauty and the beast” trope is practically a cliché in idol dramas these days.

Go to Sleep, You Can Dream Anything There: Exactly! Zhou Qian is at least a beauty. Even if her acting isn’t great, we shouldn’t waste her looks.

SB, Stay Away From Me: Has Zhou Qian’s fanbase taken over this forum? Are you guys seriously saying Zheng Wenyuan is ugly? Do you even have mirrors at home? Take a look at yourselves sometime.

Typical 9-to-6 Office Drone @SBStayAwayFromMe: Your username suits you perfectly. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror too. Don’t come barking around the forum without your owner’s leash.

With that, the Weibo forum erupted into another heated “discussion” about Zhou Qian and Zheng Wenyuan’s looks.

While Zhou Qian might not be the most skilled actress among her peers, when it came to looks, she was undoubtedly one of the top beauties of her generation.

Zheng Wenyuan’s Biggest Fan: “If Zheng Wenyuan wants to compete, he should compare himself to male artists his age. Why is he comparing himself to young actresses? Zhou Qian is the undisputed visual queen of the new generation of actresses. If you disagree, bring on the raw, unedited photos! Our Qianqian’s raw photos have never been outshone by anyone!”

This prominent fan from Zhou Qian’s Super Topic shared her own raw photos on Weibo, drawing in curious onlookers. The photos were taken during Zhou Qian’s red carpet appearances and variety show recordings. Zhou Qian’s Station Sister, one of her biggest fans, always staked out early to capture the earliest shots. To capitalize on the trending Weibo topic, she also posted leaked behind-the-scenes photos from Zhou Qian’s drama Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree.

Melon-Loving Melon Eater: “Holy crap! Is Zhou Qian really this gorgeous? No wonder all her talent went into her looks!”

If the Whole World Gave Me a Dollar: “Are these really raw photos? This beauty is unfair! Can someone actually look like this without editing?”

During the several days of rest between her next engagement, Zhou Qian stayed at Song Luoxue’s place. She found Song Luoxue difficult to understand at times—sometimes aloof and demanding, other times gentle and accommodating. Her personality seemed to deviate from the novel’s portrayal, leaving Zhou Qian feeling she couldn’t truly grasp this woman in such a short time.

Song Luoxue had previously mentioned wanting to go shopping with Zhou Qian. This afternoon, they met as planned and entered the mall.

For a major celebrity like Song Luoxue, going out in public required full disguise to avoid being recognized. While she disliked wearing masks, sunglasses alone would only draw more attention. So, like Zhou Qian, she donned a gray mask.

Zhou Qian was impressed by Song Luoxue’s keen observation skills. After just one visit to her home, Song Luoxue had already discerned her preferences. Most of the original owner’s furnishings clashed with Zhou Qian’s taste, so she planned to buy new items for her home during this outing.

Song Luoxue strolled through the mall arm-in-arm with Zhou Qian, just like any ordinary couple. She smiled and said, “Buy whatever catches your eye today—it’s all on me.”

Zhou Qian paused slightly, surprised by the offer. If Song Luoxue hadn’t said that, she might have actually bought something. But now that Song Luoxue had made such a generous offer, wouldn’t it seem shameless to go on a reckless shopping spree?

When Song Luoxue didn’t receive an immediate response, she turned to Zhou Qian. “You’re daydreaming again. Why do you always drift off when you’re with me? Who are you thinking about?”

Startled by the question, Zhou Qian quickly snapped back to attention. “No… I was just wondering what to buy. I get overwhelmed in malls easily, so it’s hard to decide without a shopping list.”

Song Luoxue chuckled. “Oh, is that it? No worries. Just point out anything you like. We’re just browsing casually today, so let’s just pick up a few things.”

Zhou Qian nodded. “Yeah.”

Despite her words, she followed Song Luoxue from the first floor to the fourth, stopping frequently along the way. Yet Zhou Qian never asked Song Luoxue to buy her a single thing.

Honestly, she thought, it’s better to order custom-made items online than buy mass-produced stuff from the mall. You’d save so much money that way. Even though her family had been wealthy when she transmigrated into the novel, the habits she’d developed during her desperate times hadn’t changed. Even now, long after her days of poverty, she still compared prices meticulously before buying anything. For instance, she’d recently bought new towels only after comparing five different brands.

Noticing Zhou Qian’s apparent lack of interest in clothes and shoes, Song Luoxue led her to the jewelry and accessories section. Whenever Song Luoxue praised something, Zhou Qian quickly agreed, but she still didn’t let Song Luoxue buy her anything.

By the time they reached the fourth floor, Zhou Qian spotted a place selling drinks and ice cream. She asked Song Luoxue to wait nearby while she went to buy two ice creams.

As Song Luoxue watched Zhou Qian’s retreating figure, she sank into deep suspicion. I just took her to the gold and gemstone jewelry section, but she acted completely indifferent, as if she’s used to seeing such things all the time. And her expression didn’t seem fake at all. If that’s acting, she’d be better suited for roles like the female lead. She’d probably win the Best Actress award in no time.

Just as Song Luoxue was stroking her chin, pondering this, Zhou Qian returned with two ice cream cones. She smiled brightly at Song Luoxue. “Luo Xue, I wasn’t sure what flavors you liked, so I asked them to put a scoop of each flavor on the cones. Each cone has three different-colored scoops. See which ones you prefer?”

A sudden glint flashed in Song Luoxue’s eyes as she saw Zhou Qian’s radiant joy. She didn’t show this kind of excitement when we were looking at the gold jewelry. Could it be that eating ice cream makes her happier than buying expensive jewelry?

As Song Luoxue drifted into thought, Zhou Qian pouted. “Luo Xue, you’re always teasing me for daydreaming, but you do it all the time too!”

Song Luoxue snapped out of her reverie. “Huh? What?”

Zhou Qian leaned closer. “The ice cream! Hurry up and pick a flavor you like.”

Song Luoxue’s gaze settled on a cone topped with a scoop of strawberry ice cream. Before she could say anything, Zhou Qian sensed her preference and handed her the cone. “Here you go.”

Song Luoxue took the cone, her expression shifting slightly as she looked at Zhou Qian.

The two found a quiet corner to sit and enjoy their cold, sweet treats. As Zhou Qian finished her cone, she remarked with surprise, “I never knew you liked strawberry ice cream too, Luo Xue!”

Song Luoxue noticed the word “too” and looked up at Zhou Qian. “If you like it too, why did you let me choose first?”

Zhou Qian chuckled. “Ah? Well… I’m not too picky about flavors. The most important thing is you, Luo Xue. I was worried you might not like something, so I wanted you to choose first. If it were you, you’d do the same for me, right?”

Song Luoxue froze again at these words.

This is different.

Completely different.

This person’s demeanor was nothing like the vicious female antagonist described in the novel. Yet every location, character, and event matched the novel’s plot perfectly. What could explain these discrepancies in character traits?

No, wait! Maybe Zhou Qian was just a brilliant actress. How else could she have deceived the original female lead?

Still, this face was too similar to the one in the novel. Song Luoxue couldn’t give up yet, not before she’d had her fill.

Suddenly, Song Luoxue reached out, cupped the back of Zhou Qian’s head, and lightly kissed her cold lips. Zhou Qian, caught off guard, widened her eyes in surprise. After the kiss, Song Luoxue lifted her head, smiling. “Strawberry flavor. I’ll share some with you.”