After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 26

Zhou Qian hesitated for a long time after hearing the question. Then, with a mysterious gesture, she put a finger to her lips and whispered, “It’s a secret.”

The audience erupted in a clamor. Her answer was clearly an admission of her relationship with Song Luoxue.

Although Song Luoxue had publicly acknowledged their relationship to the media before, her fans refused to believe it. They blamed Zhou Qian entirely, accusing her of being “seductive.”

Even though Ning Xiao tried to shield Zhou Qian from online gossip, she knew that her fan, Pianpian, had once sparked a fierce online battle with Song Luoxue’s fans over a single comment. The conflict began when Song Luoxue’s fans declared Zhou Qian unworthy of her. Pianpian retorted, “But it was your idol who went public with the relationship! Aren’t you embarrassing her by saying this? I don’t get it—who’s the one clinging to whom here?”

Although Zhou Qian had relatively few fans, her dedicated supporters, led by Pianpian, proved more than a match for Song Luoxue’s fanbase. In terms of career prestige and fame, Zhou Qian was clearly the one benefiting from their relationship. Yet Zhou Qian’s fans insisted otherwise, naturally infuriating Song Luoxue’s followers.

Previously, Song Luoxue’s fans had disdained even acknowledging Zhou Qian, considering her too obscure to generate any meaningful buzz.

“So, are you admitting to your relationship with Best Actress Song?”

Zhou Qian flashed a radiant smile at the audience member’s follow-up question. “That’s the second question now.”

Clearly, the audience member hadn’t gotten the answer she wanted, her disappointment barely concealed. Perhaps sensing this, Zhou Qian raised the microphone again. “But I can tell you the secret from earlier—just you, though. Would you like to come up on stage to hear it?”

Zhou Qian’s spontaneous invitation sent the crowd into a frenzy. Her fans, who had also attended the premiere, erupted in screams of mock regret. “Aaaah—why wasn’t I the one who caught the dart earlier? I’m dying of jealousy!”

“I’m so jealous! I’m the sourest lemon in the world right now!”

The audience member who had been called on clearly hadn’t expected this. She was just an ordinary person who had asked a question, and now she was being asked to speak on stage. She was terrified, having never imagined herself standing before such a large crowd.

Zhou Qian seemed to sense the audience member’s hesitation. A knowing smile played on her lips as she said, “If you’re not comfortable coming up here, I’ll come to you instead.”

The crowd erupted into a frenzy.

“Ahhh—she’s coming over here herself!”

“When did Zhou Qian become so approachable?”

“Zhou Qian, Zhou Qian, look over here! We love you!”

With that, Zhou Qian lifted her white dress and stepped off the stage. She walked down the aisle between the audience seats until she reached the bewildered audience member, who was still standing frozen in place. As Zhou Qian approached, many fans reached out to her, and she returned the gesture by high-fiving them.

“Ahhh—Zhou Qian just high-fived me! I’m not washing my hand for a month!”

“Qianqian, look over here! We’re right here!”

Zhou Qian’s fans were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, making it impossible for her to high-five each one individually. Instead, she symbolically high-fived fans on both sides of the aisle as she walked. She quickly approached the audience member and greeted her with a warm, “Hello there.”

The audience member finally snapped out of her daze. Seeing Zhou Qian’s face up close, she couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the actress who had risen to fame through her looks.

The girl, still somewhat stunned, quickly bowed to Zhou Qian. “Hello!”

Zhou Qian handed her microphone to a nearby staff member and slowly leaned closer to the girl. “Alright, I’m going to tell you now.”

The girl seemed a little shy, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Yes!”

Zhou Qian’s lips moved slightly as she whispered something into the girl’s ear. The girl immediately covered her mouth, as if she had heard something extraordinary.

Seeing her reaction, the surrounding audience members eagerly shouted, “Qianqian! Qianqian, look over here! We want to hear too!”

Hearing the commotion behind her, Zhou Qian raised a hand and made a silencing gesture. “Shhh—”

Zhou Qian had intended to quiet the audience with her gesture, but her assertive move only triggered a wave of screams from the crowd.

Seeing this, Zhou Qian smiled sheepishly and returned to the stage.

The host, still on stage, stood dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Zhou Qian to be such a natural at energizing the crowd. Her casual interaction with the audience had instantly ignited the atmosphere, saving him the trouble of warming up the crowd himself.

After standing frozen for a moment, the host snapped out of his daze and continued, “Alright, let’s thank Miss Zhou Qian for her answer. Now, let’s have her answer the third question.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the third audience member who had caught a dart asked, “Miss Zhou Qian, have you ever kissed Song Luoxue?”

“Whoa…”

The audience member was incredibly bold to ask such a question in this setting.

Since this segment was a Q&A, Zhou Qian had the right to refuse to answer.

Of course, for Zhou Qian, this question couldn’t have been simpler. She had done far more than just kiss Song Luoxue—she had even marked her.

I wonder if Song Luoxue’s fans in the audience will be so furious at her answer that they’ll tear her apart with their bare hands?

Zhou Qian blinked mischievously, a puzzled expression on her face. In a slightly pleading tone, she asked the host, “Ah, is it okay to say that?”

The audience members exchanged knowing glances after hearing Zhou Qian’s response, some pleased and others dismayed. But Zhou Qian’s fans erupted into cheers: “Ahhh—Qianqian, we’ll always love you! We hope you’re happy every day!”

Although the audience member didn’t get a definitive answer, Zhou Qian’s ambiguous statement was even more explosive than a confirmation. Just as she finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared behind the stage, and a familiar voice boomed through the speakers: “Yes, just as you all suspect, we’ve done everything we should have—and everything we shouldn’t have.”

Zhou Qian froze at the sound of that voice, while the audience, especially Song Luoxue’s fans, erupted into chaos: “Ahhh! Am I hallucinating? Is that her voice?”

“Song Luoxue! Song Luoxue!”

Song Luoxue appeared on stage in a striking crimson evening gown, the spotlight instantly focusing on her. She confidently and gracefully approached the microphone. As she moved forward, the other performers on stage tactfully made way for her, allowing her to walk directly to Zhou Qian’s side.

Her slightly seductive yet sweet voice rang out, “What’s there that can’t be said?”

“Luo Xue! We love you! Can you hear us? You must be happy!”

The moment Song Luoxue stepped onto the stage, it seemed to transform into her personal domain. She extended her hands to greet the audience warmly, then bowed deeply. “Thank you! Thank you all!”

Song Luoxue’s sudden appearance caught the host completely off guard; he hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events.

Zhou Qian was equally stunned. She set down her microphone and leaned in to whisper to Song Luoxue, “Didn’t you say you were too busy to come?”

Song Luoxue responded softly, “Of course I finished all my work before coming. Today’s the day Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree, the drama you’ve been eagerly anticipating, premieres. I’ve been working day and night, rushing to make it to this premiere ceremony.”

Hearing these words, Zhou Qian felt a surge of gratitude.

On stage, Song Luoxue and Zhou Qian stood like red and white roses, their presence together exceptionally pleasing to the eye. Song Luoxue’s fans in the audience even remarked on how well-matched they looked.

Following the program, Song Luoxue introduced her character in Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree.

At the end, she flashed her fans a sweet smile—a smile as irresistible as honey, capable of instantly captivating anyone.

When Song Luoxue announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, her fans had wailed and lamented, convinced they would never see her in public again. Yet here she was, appearing so soon after her announcement. Some fans even began singing the popular theme song from Three Lifetimes of Snow, the drama starring Song Luoxue.

As the premiere ceremony concluded, Song Luoxue bowed deeply three times to her fans.

These were the fans who had always supported the original female lead, captivated by her acting skills, beauty, and character. Though the original female lead was no longer present, Song Luoxue would honor their devotion with the utmost respect.

Before the curtain fell, there was a flower presentation segment. Although Song Luoxue’s fans hadn’t anticipated her personal appearance, many still came forward to present her with bouquets. In contrast, Zhou Qian’s side appeared rather deserted.

After thanking the three fans who presented her with flowers, Zhou Qian signed autographs for them, saying, “Thank you! I’m so grateful for your support!”

Just then, a woman carrying a large bouquet of red roses walked onto the stage. She wore a strapless black gown that showcased her delicate, porcelain-white collarbones. She walked directly toward Song Luoxue.

Song Luoxue noticed the coldness surrounding Zhou Qian. She had intended to accept the flowers from the fan and leave immediately. But as she reached out to take the bouquet, the fan brushed past her and walked directly to Zhou Qian. Just before reaching Zhou Qian, the fan turned back to give Song Luoxue a provocative glare, as if to say, “Did you think I was going to give these to you?”