After Becoming an Alpha, I Marked My Nemesis - Chapter 49

After Li Wei introduced herself, Song Luoxue replied, “Oh, you’re Student Li! It’s been so long—do you still remember me?”

Li Wei was thrilled that Song Luoxue had greeted her personally. She nodded eagerly and said, “Of course! You’re the pride of Twelfth High! After all these years, you’re the only celebrity our school has produced. How could we forget you?”

Seeing the situation, Chu Ruobing stepped between them. “It’s awkward talking at the entrance. The gathering’s about to start—let’s go inside?”

Song Luoxue nodded and looped her arm through Zhou Qian’s, saying cheerfully, “Darling, let’s head in first?”

Li Wei’s heart fluttered at the sight. She wore an auntie-like smile and exclaimed, “You two are so openly affectionate now that you’ve officially announced your relationship! Even your public displays of affection are so obvious!”

Song Luoxue laughed. “It’s perfectly normal. This is just how we are with each other every day.”

After all, Song Luoxue and Zhou Qian were celebrities, making them the center of attention at the banquet. They put on a show of being deeply in love, but Zhou Qian suspected it was all an act. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Song Luoxue’s display of affection was staged.

Midway through the banquet, Zhou Qian felt stifled. She leaned over and whispered to Song Luoxue, “I need to use the restroom.”

Song Luoxue, who was busy toasting classmates, turned her head and quietly asked, “Want me to come with you?”

Zhou Qian shook her head. “I’ll be right back.” With that, she left her seat.

Splash, splash— Zhou Qian turned on the faucet to wash her hands. Her makeup had smudged, so she began touching it up in the restroom mirror.

Just as she was finishing, Chu Ruobing materialized silently behind her. Zhou Qian startled. “How do you walk so quietly? You scared me!”

Chu Ruobing hadn’t spoken much to her during the banquet. Why had he followed her here now?

As Zhou Qian turned around, Chu Ruobing smiled. “Miss Zhou, you have such a captivating presence. Even Student Song pales in comparison when you’re around.”

Zhou Qian frowned deeply. “Song Luoxue is the true ‘White Moonlight,’ the one who commands everyone’s attention. I’m merely a star orbiting her. Your words are far too flattering.”

Chu Ruobing chuckled softly. “Flattering? If I recall correctly, you’re a high-quality Alpha, aren’t you? High-quality Alphas stand out in any crowd. Song Luoxue’s downfall lies in her being an Omega—she’s destined to be an Alpha’s subordinate.”

Zhou Qian was utterly shocked. She… she was supposed to be Song Luoxue’s White Moonlight. Why is her character collapsing so drastically?

Chu Ruobing’s words angered Zhou Qian. She glared at him, her voice sharp with displeasure. “Put away your outdated, narrow-minded thinking. What era are you living in? This talk of ‘subordinates’ is absurd. Song Luoxue’s achievements have nothing to do with her being an Omega. She hasn’t relied on anyone—everything she’s accomplished, she’s earned with her own hands. I’m only being polite because you’re Luo Xue’s classmate. So please, show some self-respect in the future!”

After finishing her retort, Zhou Qian stormed toward the door. Chu Ruobing grabbed her arm. “I think you deserve better,” he said. “You seem unhappy today, like a gilded cage bird trapped by Song Luoxue’s side.”

Zhou Qian wrenched her arm free. “Miss Chu, please show some respect! I know what’s best for me. I don’t need your advice.”

Without another word, Zhou Qian turned and left.

As soon as Zhou Qian stepped out of the restroom, she saw Li Wei waiting by the door, a notebook in her hand. “Qianqian, it was too crowded earlier, so I couldn’t say a word to you. Could you sign this for me now?”

Zhou Qian frowned at the persistent fan. “Were you waiting here the whole time?”

Li Wei quickly denied it. “No, no, no! I didn’t hear anything outside.”

How clumsy, Zhou Qian thought. Her denial only confirms she overheard something. Still, she was here for an autograph. Zhou Qian frowned slightly. “Do you have a pen?”

Upon hearing this, Li Wei hurriedly pulled out her pre-prepared autograph pen and handed it to Zhou Qian. After Zhou Qian signed the title page of her notebook, she turned to leave. But Li Wei called out, “Wait!”

Zhou Qian stopped and turned back. “Is there anything else?”

Li Wei rummaged through her backpack and pulled out several photos of Zhou Qian, including some solo shots of Song Luoxue.

Zhou Qian frowned at the sight.

Li Wei approached Zhou Qian with a saccharine smile. “I’m so sorry to bother you again, but could you sign a few more? I’d love to keep them as souvenirs.”

Seeing the photos, Zhou Qian immediately understood Li Wei’s scheme. She smiled back. “I wonder what the current market value is. Which autograph is worth more—mine or Song Luoxue’s?”

Li Wei’s face flushed as if her plot had been exposed. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about! What market value?”

Zhou Qian chuckled. “You want extra signed photos to resell them on secondhand websites, right? That’s why I asked about the price. Which one’s worth more—mine or Song Luoxue’s?”

Li Wei was utterly speechless. Yet she desperately tried to conceal her guilt. “Qianqian… I genuinely adore your fans. How could I ever do something like that?”

“Don’t call me that!” Zhou Qian snapped.

Li Wei fell silent, unable to utter another word in the face of Zhou Qian’s stern tone.

Zhou Qian chuckled. “Keep that ‘affection’ for yourself. I don’t need it.”

Feeling unsettled by the earlier confrontation, Zhou Qian decided she couldn’t stay at Song Luoxue’s classmate reunion any longer. As she turned to ask Song Luoxue if she wanted to leave, she was suddenly pulled into a corridor. Before she could react, soft lips pressed against hers.

Zhou Qian’s eyes widened. She recognized the camellia scent and didn’t push the person away. Song Luoxue’s lips were incredibly soft, radiating her camellia-scented Omega pheromones.

Startled, Zhou Qian gently pushed Song Luoxue away. “Luo Xue, you…”

Song Luoxue’s cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes gleaming with a seductive glint. “Let’s go home?”

Noticing something was off about her, Zhou Qian asked, “What’s wrong?”

Just as Zhou Qian was about to glance sideways, Song Luoxue stepped in front of her, whispering in a deliberately intimate tone, “Shh, someone’s taking pictures.”

Zhou Qian snapped back to reality. She looped one arm around Song Luoxue’s arm and the other around her waist, and they walked into the elevator pressed close together.

Once they reached the parking lot, Zhou Qian finally asked, “Do you know who was taking pictures?”

Song Luoxue shook her head. “No, but I saw someone with a phone. I caught the reflection of the lens. Let them take their pictures. We might even trend tomorrow.”

As she spoke, Song Luoxue moved closer to Zhou Qian, wrapping her arms around her. She felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her. But Zhou Qian gently refused her advance. “Not here. Let’s wait until we get home.”

Song Luoxue’s eyes lit up. “Not here? But it’s okay at home?”

Zhou Qian’s cheeks flushed slightly at her words. Both women had had a bit to drink, so neither could drive home. Song Luoxue called Mo Zhen to drive them home, and only then did they finally return.

That evening, an entertainment gossip marketing account on Weibo posted a set of photos showing Zhou Qian and Song Luoxue passionately kissing at the hotel earlier that night, accompanied by the caption: “Their relationship is truly heartwarming!”

Eagle-eyed fans immediately recognized the figures in the photos.

Zhou Qian’s Little Darling: “Aaaah! Isn’t that our girl? Sweetheart, you’re still underage! Mommy doesn’t approve of this! Come home with me right now!”

Who Dares Disagree with Three Golden Crowns Best Actress Song Luoxue?: “This photo looks like it was taken without their consent. Did you get permission to photograph them?”

Qianxue Shipper: “After savoring this, I can confirm it’s top-tier! But next time, be more careful—don’t give anyone a reason to criticize you.”

My CP’s Bed Must Be a Level 10 Earthquake: “Aaaah! This is so sweet! Is this really Zhou Qian and Song Luoxue? Are you sure it’s not a fake?”

Tech Geek Dr. Ali: “I was there. I’ve verified it—this is real.”

Song Luoxue is a Fallen Fairy: Aaaah! Xuexue, even your mother wouldn’t approve of this! If you’re going to do that, take it to the bedroom, not in public!

Give Me 2.38 Yuan for Soda: It’s them again! Don’t they ever get tired of trending every other day?

The Shirt Costs £9.15: To the commenter above, this entire thread is full of Qianxue CP fans. If you don’t like it, just leave. No need to be such a buzzkill.

Qianxue is Real, I’m Already Shipping Them: Exactly! Let’s ignore the negativity on the main forums and focus on our own ship!

I Choose C: This photo is real! Everyone, come confirm if it’s true!

Three Long, One Short, Choose the Shortest: It’s real. I checked it on my computer—no signs of photoshopping. They really kissed!

Meanwhile, back at home, Zhou Qian and Song Luoxue walked up the stairs to their room and slammed the bedroom door shut.