After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 16

Upon hearing Song Luoxue’s words, Zhou Qian stopped trying to pull away.

The moment Song Luoxue led Zhou Qian out of the hall, hand in hand, was captured by fans waiting outside. The crowd was bewildered by the scene.

“Why are Song Luoxue and Zhou Qian coming out together? Look, they’re even holding hands!”

“I’ve heard rumors about their special relationship for ages. Looks like they’re finally going public!”

“They’re dating, right? They must be dating!”

Song Luoxue’s move caught the reporters waiting to interview her about the wrap-up of Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree completely off guard. Zhou Qian clearly wanted to escape, but the more she tried to retreat, the tighter Song Luoxue’s grip became.

Left with no choice, Zhou Qian stilled her movements. Seeing this, Song Luoxue finally loosened her grip slightly. Media outlets partnered with the production company immediately swarmed the pair. One reporter asked, “Miss Song, this is your second time playing Meng Yan. Do you have any thoughts on reprising the role?”

Hearing the question, Song Luoxue smiled and gave a standard, official response: “I’m deeply honored to have portrayed Meng Yan. In essence, she shares some similarities with my own character, which was a key factor in my decision to take on the role. I also want to thank my fans for their unwavering support. Even though my appearance in Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree was just a cameo, they still rallied behind me with tremendous enthusiasm. I’m truly grateful for their dedication!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the fans beyond the red security line erupted into deafening screams: “Ahhh—Luo Xue, Luo Xue! We love you!”

After interviewing Song Luoxue, the camera shifted to Zhou Qian. “Miss Zhou, as a rising star who’s made quite a name for herself in the past two years, could you tell us why you chose to work on Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree?”

Zhou Qian paused slightly, thinking: Did I even have a choice? If I’d turned this down, would I ever work again?

She forced a dry laugh. “Because I absolutely loved the story of Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree. I also felt a strong connection to the female lead’s personality—it resonated deeply with my own.”

“Could you tell us a bit about Feng Nanzhi’s character?”

Zhou Qian continued with a smile, “I think she has an inherent pride, whether it’s when her family was wiped out or when she sought immortality. There’s an indomitable pride in her that fate can’t break. Just like her initial status as the young mistress, every subsequent action she takes is rooted in her dignity. But if I say more, I’ll spoil the story. Everyone will have to wait for Feng Nanzhi to premiere to uncover the mysteries.”

Zhou Qian spoke with clear articulation and a smooth flow of thought, showing none of the traits of the stereotypical actress—the one known for nothing but terrible acting and endless scandals.

She handled the remaining questions from the reporters with equal ease. Having done her homework beforehand, she anticipated their inquiries and had already mastered the “official jargon.”

Just as the press conference was concluding, someone suddenly asked, “We noticed Teacher Song and Miss Zhou being quite affectionate earlier. Is it true, as the entertainment tabloids claim, that you two are about to publicly announce your relationship?”

As Zhou Qian listened, the smile gradually faded from her face. She had anticipated this question, but she didn’t know how to answer. Song Luoxue had insisted on holding her hand, and even if they were to announce their relationship, it wasn’t her place to do so. Besides, with so many of Song Luoxue’s fans present, wouldn’t publicly revealing their relationship disappoint them?

Zhou Qian was momentarily speechless.

Just then, Song Luoxue firmly gripped Zhou Qian’s hand. Zhou Qian’s gaze shifted to her. Song Luoxue smiled at the camera and said, “Yes, I had originally planned to announce this in a more formal setting. But today happens to be the wrap party for Miss Zhou’s drama, so why not seize the moment? I’ll officially announce here and now that Miss Zhou and I are exactly as you’ve imagined—we’re together.”

Song Luoxue’s sudden announcement stunned everyone present. It took a moment for them to react. Then came another flurry of camera clicks as reporters surged forward, eager to capture this earth-shattering news.

“Teacher Song, when did you and Miss Zhou get together?”

“Can you confirm the authenticity of the photos that were leaked earlier?”

“Rumor has it that you personally secured all of Miss Zhou’s resources. Do you have any comment on this?”

Song Luoxue publicly revealed their relationship at this event, catching even Zhou Qian off guard. Song Luoxue smiled confidently at the cameras, then took Zhou Qian’s hand and led her toward the exit.

She offered no further explanation. By simply stating that she and Zhou Qian were together, she answered all the reporters’ questions.

Yes, those matters didn’t require explicit answers.

Zhou Qian was still dazed when Song Luoxue pulled her into the parking lot. After they were both in the car, she turned to Song Luoxue, her eyes wide with surprise. “Luo Xue, how could you…?”

Before she could finish, Song Luoxue smiled at her. “Are you asking why I revealed our relationship publicly?”

Zhou Qian: “Why?”

Their relationship had always been a secret. Publicly acknowledging it would undoubtedly benefit Zhou Qian, but for Song Luoxue, whose career was at its peak, it could be a fatal blow. Though she was known as the “Nation’s White Moonlight,” this title was entirely contingent on her remaining single.

When Zhou Qian asked, Song Luoxue smiled. “Because I want to be with you.”

Zhou Qian froze, stunned by her words.

Song Luoxue continued, “Every time you came to see me, we had to sneak around. It was the same when I visited your place. I don’t want our legitimate relationship to feel like we’re hiding in the shadows like mice. That’s why I made it public.”

Zhou Qian said nothing. Song Luoxue knew perfectly well that revealing their relationship would impact her career, but that no longer mattered. She had already won every major award in the country, and even without the hype, her reputation remained solid. Yet Zhou Qian couldn’t help feeling guilty, knowing the lengths Song Luoxue had gone to for her.

The original owner of this body would never have felt this way, would she?

Zhou Qian had originally planned to break up with Song Luoxue after salvaging the original owner’s shattered reputation. However, Song Luoxue publicly announced their relationship first. If Zhou Qian ended things while her career was thriving, wouldn’t she become the “ungrateful wretch” everyone would label her?

Seeing Zhou Qian’s furrowed brow, Song Luoxue smiled. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy I made our relationship public? This will only boost your career.”

Zhou Qian paused, then quickly shook her head. “No… how could I not be happy? I just worry that announcing our relationship now might affect you.”

Song Luoxue’s smile deepened, carrying a hint of amusement. “Oh, so you’re concerned about me? Don’t worry about that. I don’t care about such things. All that matters is what you think of me now. What do I mean to you?”

Zhou Qian turned to meet Song Luoxue’s gaze, their eyes locking instantly.

Right… what did she really think of this world’s Song Luoxue?

The Song Luoxue of this world didn’t seem as love-obsessed as the one in the novel. Her demeanor gave Zhou Qian a strangely familiar feeling. If she could transmigrate into the book, couldn’t her nemesis have done the same?

During the months they’d spent together, Song Luoxue had an unusual fondness for touching her. She’d caress Zhou Qian’s face, then her body, but they never slept together. Zhou Qian always sensed a mix of affection and resentment in Song Luoxue’s gaze.

Zhou Qian had transmigrated after drinking too much and dying suddenly. But what about Song Luoxue?

Noticing Zhou Qian’s dazed expression, Song Luoxue leaned in close, their noses nearly touching. Zhou Qian snapped back to reality. “Luo… Luoxue.”

Song Luoxue reached out, her hands cupping the back of Zhou Qian’s ears. “What are you thinking about? Still worried about me announcing our relationship?”

Zhou Qian shook her head. “No…” She turned away, her hands clenching tightly. “I just… I feel like you’re being too good to me. Maybe one day you’ll realize I don’t deserve it, and you’ll regret everything you’ve done.”

Song Luoxue froze, her expression momentarily blank.

When did this little kitten learn to be so sentimental? Her words are surprisingly profound.

Song Luoxue reached out and turned Zhou Qian’s face, forcing her to look directly at her. “Zhou Qian, I’m telling you this with utmost sincerity: I’ll never regret anything I’ve done. I only care about whether I’m happy in the moment, never about the consequences. Even if the consequences are bad, I’ll accept them willingly.”

Zhou Qian stared at Song Luoxue, speechless for a long moment.

So similar.

They’re truly too similar.

Though Song Luoxue was Zhou Qian’s rival, Zhou Qian couldn’t deny her capabilities. She possessed the strength to revive a company on the brink of bankruptcy. Her words weren’t gentle like a lamb-like White Moonlight, but carried the commanding presence of a lion, leaving others unable to refuse her.

If the Song Luoxue in the novel was the nation’s beloved White Moonlight, the real-world Song Luoxue was a queen. While White Moonlight was beautiful, she was fragile and lacked resilience. The Song Luoxue Zhou Qian knew was never like that.

This was why Zhou Qian felt such a strange sense of familiarity with this woman.

Yet she had been with this Song Luoxue for months. If the other Song Luoxue had also transmigrated, she should have recognized her by now.

Moreover, she couldn’t imagine the Song Luoxue from her world hugging, kissing, and touching her like this. Her gaze shifted to Song Luoxue, who sat by the car window, the streetlights illuminating her cheek like a pure, flawless white flower.

For now, she was still that White Moonlight.