After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 44

Feeling ill

Zhou Qian finally realized what was happening. She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I probably just stayed in the restroom too long and got a little dizzy.”

Hearing this, Ning Xiao looked closely at Zhou Qian’s face. She noticed Zhou Qian’s face was pale and said in a panic, “Sister Qianqian, your complexion looks terrible! You seem to be getting sick. Should we go back now?”

Zhou Qian shook her head. “There’s just one more scene to shoot today. Let’s finish that first.”

Ning Xiao noticed Zhou Qian’s voice had grown weak. She persisted, “You’re already in this state. Why don’t you go back and rest? I’ll ask the director for you.”

Zhou Qian shook her head again. “I can’t waste the crew’s time. Besides, the next scene only has three shots. I’ll leave right after.”

Unable to persuade Zhou Qian, Ning Xiao relented. “Then promise you’ll tell me if you feel worse.”

Zhou Qian nodded. After speaking with Ning Xiao, she returned to the set to continue filming the remaining shots.

Zhou Qian had already felt dizzy earlier, and now her vision seemed blurry. But she forced herself to carry on for the sake of the upcoming scene. As she approached, even Li Maoshan noticed her pale complexion. “Xiao Zhou, what’s wrong? You look terrible!”

Zhou Qian shook her head. “Director, I’m fine. Let’s hurry and shoot the next shot.”

Li Maoshan frowned deeply. “Alright, but if you really feel unwell, you must tell me immediately!”

Zhou Qian nodded. The next scene required her to portray fear as she descended the stairs and brushed past the masked killer at the bottom.

Li Maoshan shouted through the megaphone, “Action!”

At the director’s command, Zhou Qian began breathing rapidly, her movements frantic as she portrayed intense anxiety.

Huff… huff… huff… The stairwell seemed to echo only with her ragged breaths.

Despite her dizziness, Zhou Qian maintained her terrified expression and frantic movements throughout the entire unbroken shot.

After Zhou Qian finished filming the scene, even Li Maoshan couldn’t help but applaud her. “Our Xiao Zhou did an excellent job! Let’s give her a round of applause!”

There was only one scene left to shoot: the moment when she brushed past the killer on the ground floor of the building.

But Zhou Qian didn’t know what was happening to her. Her mind and body seemed to be acting independently of her will. She collapsed weakly in the dirty, chaotic stairwell. Everyone froze for a moment, then someone kicked down the set’s safety barrier and rushed to her side.

The person who arrived shocked everyone even more. It was none other than Song Luoxue, the former Best Actress!

Song Luoxue knelt beside Zhou Qian and gently patted her cheek. “Qianqian, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me like this!”

The moment Song Luoxue touched Zhou Qian’s burning cheek, a surge of anger flared within her. How could Zhou Qian be filming in this state? Had the crew not noticed her condition? What were they even doing here?

Song Luoxue glared fiercely at Li Maoshan, who was still shouting through a megaphone from the upper floor. She didn’t know where she found the strength, but she helped Zhou Qian to her feet and carried her out of the studio on her back.

Ning Xiao followed closely behind. Earlier, she had reluctantly called Song Luoxue after Zhou Qian insisted on filming the final scene before leaving. After all, Song Luoxue was the only person in the world who could control Zhou Qian.

Song Luoxue quickly carried Zhou Qian to her car and sped away from the film studio. While driving, she called Cheng Cheng. “Get me a hospital bed reserved immediately!”

Cheng Cheng, hearing her frantic tone, asked nervously, “What happened?”

“Zhou Qian collapsed from a fever,” Song Luoxue snapped. “Book a bed for her at First People’s Hospital right now. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll reserve one right away,” Cheng Cheng replied hastily. “Try not to panic.”

Song Luoxue’s temper flared. “How can I not panic when that idiot is in this state?”

Cheng Cheng froze for a moment, having never seen Song Luoxue so furious. Just as she was about to speak, Song Luoxue continued, “Alright, I’m hanging up now. I need to focus on driving.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Song Luoxue hung up.

The location where Zhou Qian was filming was still some distance from the nearest First People’s Hospital. But Song Luoxue, desperate to reach Zhou Qian quickly, took the highway, which would save time.

Normally, Song Luoxue would never drive on the highway when she was anxious, but today was an exception. She couldn’t let her fear of highways stop her.

After about twenty minutes, Song Luoxue finally arrived at the hospital. By then, Cheng Cheng had already arrived with two medical staff and a stretcher. Before Song Luoxue could even park the car, she hurriedly got out and carried Zhou Qian out.

Zhou Qian’s consciousness was hazy. She faintly heard someone panting. Her head felt like it was about to split open. With great effort, she managed to open her eyes.

She realized she was being carried on someone’s back. Song Luoxue hurriedly laid her on a bed, and a medical gurney began to glide, transporting her deeper into the hospital.

Zhou Qian felt like she was on the verge of death. She reached out, trying to grasp something, but her fever had drained her strength. Seeing this, Song Luoxue quickly seized her falling hand. “Qianqian, I’m here… I’m right here.”

It was Song Luoxue’s voice.

Hearing that voice, Zhou Qian felt an inexplicable sense of calm. She murmured, “Waking up… with you by my side… it’s so good.”

Song Luoxue’s tears spilled uncontrollably. “You idiot! Insisting on filming even when you’re sick! If you die, I won’t even burn paper money for you!”

Zhou Qian smiled faintly, her hand slipping from Song Luoxue’s grasp.

She fainted.

Song Luoxue cried out, “Zhou Qian! Zhou Qian! Don’t fall asleep yet! I have a secret to tell you… I’m actually…”

Before she could finish, a nearby nurse intervened. “Ma’am, please calm down. The patient needs quiet now.”

Hearing this, Song Luoxue finally managed to calm her agitated emotions. She knew Zhou Qian needed quiet, but she hadn’t been able to control herself and had blurted out those words.

Zhou Qian was wheeled into the ward, leaving Song Luoxue to wait anxiously outside. The test results would take about half an hour to come back. Since Zhou Qian had a high fever, the doctor immediately started her on an IV drip.

Song Luoxue paced back and forth in the hospital corridor while Cheng Cheng waited beside her. Noticing Song Luoxue’s restless agitation, Cheng Cheng tugged at her sleeve. “Alright, stop pacing! You’re just getting more anxious. Why don’t you sit down and rest for a bit?”

Song Luoxue glanced at the corridor seats but shook her head. “I’ll just stand and wait. Sitting down will only make me more anxious.”

Cheng Cheng shook her head helplessly. “It’s only been half a month since you two last saw each other, and your relationship has already grown so close. It makes this lonely soul envious!”

At that moment, Song Luoxue could think of nothing but Zhou Qian. Just then, a nurse emerged with several report sheets. “Who’s Zhou Qian’s family member?”

Hearing this, Song Luoxue hurried forward and replied, “I am.”

The nurse continued, “The patient developed a high fever due to a severe allergic reaction on her back, causing skin ulceration. She needs to be much more careful about hygiene. Once the fever subsides, she can be discharged. After discharge, maintain strict hygiene and avoid bathing with water for now. I’ll prescribe a medicated ointment to treat the infection and alleviate the allergy. Remember to apply it twice daily, morning and night, until fully healed.”

Song Luoxue nodded vigorously. “Yes, I understand. I’ll remember.”

After the nurse left, Song Luoxue rushed into the patient’s room. Since she had asked Cheng Cheng to reserve this private room, only she and Zhou Qian were present.

Seeing the matter resolved, Cheng Cheng stepped forward and suggested, “Should I stay here and keep her company while you go home and rest?”

Song Luoxue took Zhou Qian’s icy hand in her own, pressing it against her cheek to feel Zhou Qian’s temperature. “No need. I’ll stay here and watch over her. You should go home and rest.”

Seeing Song Luoxue’s determination, Cheng Cheng had no choice but to relent. “Alright then,” she said. “I’ll come back to check on you both tomorrow. Just remember to get some rest yourself—don’t wear yourself out.”

Song Luoxue, growing impatient with Cheng Cheng’s nagging, replied with a hint of annoyance, “Fine, I get it.”

Cheng Cheng sighed heavily. “Okay,” she said, and left.

An hour after Cheng Cheng’s departure, Ning Xiao arrived. Zhou Qian had suddenly collapsed due to illness, requiring Ning Xiao to handle some follow-up work on set. After explaining the situation to the director, she rushed over by taxi.

After confirming Zhou Qian’s room number at the nurses’ station, Ning Xiao hurried inside. She found Song Luoxue alone, watching over Zhou Qian, who was burning with fever. Zhou Qian’s brow was furrowed in discomfort, while Song Luoxue held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.

At that moment, Ning Xiao felt like she had come unnecessarily.