After the Scumbag Alpha Accidentally Marked the Blackened Villain - Chapter 20

Just as Lin Bie expected, she woke up the next morning feeling weak all over—her limbs sore, her nose congested, and her throat aching.

Sure enough, she had a fever.

While waiting for the hot water to cool, she stared blankly at the rising steam, unable to recall how she had even made it back home the night before. Her memory cut off completely after she collapsed into the backseat of the car.

Was the alcohol that strong? Had she actually blacked out from drinking? Lin Bie wondered.

After taking some medicine, she dragged her groggy head downstairs. Lin Qingsi had already left. It wasn’t until she asked the housekeeper that she learned it had been a few maids who had helped her back home.

Lin Bie: “…”

Well, now she knew her limit when it came to alcohol.

Fortunately, Lin Qingsi must have been exhausted last night and didn’t wait up for her like before. If she had seen the prenuptial agreement she brought home, she would’ve had to drunkenly explain everything on the spot.

After breakfast, Lin Bie headed to the Hengdian film set in the western part of the city. On the way, the general manager from last night’s banquet called her.

As she had expected, the manager hadn’t uncovered any useful leads.

Wang You had no idea who had bribed him. That person had offered him nearly a year’s salary just to spike Leng Jinxi’s drink with mango juice and had even promised another year’s salary if the plan succeeded.

The phone number used to contact him had been purchased anonymously and yielded no traceable information.

The manager expressed deep regret over the incident, but Lin Bie didn’t press him further. After hanging up, she set the phone aside, rubbed her still-clouded head, and forced herself to focus.

Wang You probably wasn’t lying. Gu Ban wasn’t foolish enough to contact him using her real name or phone number. The police were still in the investigation phase, and Lin Bie didn’t have concrete evidence to prove it was her.

But even if there was no evidence, once they found Gu Ban, her impulsive nature would likely make her confess on her own.

Lin Bie didn’t dwell on it too much. Compared to the Lin family, the Gu family’s influence was negligible. With yesterday’s plan having failed, Gu Ban wouldn’t dare act recklessly again. In the meantime, Lin Bie could slowly start digging into the Gu family’s background.

She absolutely wouldn’t let anyone have another chance to hurt Leng Jinxi—or herself.

The thought of it made her uneasy. Her mind wandered back to their conversation last night at Leng Jinxi’s place. The firmness in Leng Jinxi’s voice had startled her, and she was also surprised at how intelligent she was.

Once again, Lin Bie affirmed in her heart the brilliance of this “villain”—and it only strengthened her resolve to never provoke someone like her. Best to stay on good terms, maintain some distance, and focus on her own mission.

Then, return home!

Just as she solidified her mental plan, the car pulled up in front of the set. Lin Bie got out with a mask on, but the early morning chill immediately made her sneeze.

“Ah-choo!”

“….”

She should’ve known better than to act tough and drink so much last night. This was her own body—she knew how miserable catching a cold after a hangover would be. Why had she forgotten that pain so quickly?

Thankfully, it was just an ordinary cold—for now, no sign of a fever.

Or so she thought.

An hour after arriving on set, she started burning up.

The noise on set, the hum of equipment, and the smell of breakfast all made her frown. Standing in her thin outfit with her script in hand, her eyelids grew heavy, and her head throbbed. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion—comprehension and focus both lagging.

She had just gotten up to look for medicine when the gentle scent of camellia suddenly enveloped her.

The fragrance was soothing, almost magical, easing her frown and brushing tenderly across her aching forehead. The pain dulled. She looked up—and locked eyes with a pair of deep, dark, soul-stirring eyes.

“You’ve got a fever.” Leng Jinxi pulled out some medicine from her pocket and placed it on the small table in front of Lin Bie.

“Take this,” she said softly, her eyes warm like sunlight filtering through summer branches—bright, gentle, and full of life.

Lin Bie just stared at her, her already dazed mind completely entranced by Leng Jinxi’s gaze. Even her breathing seemed to stop. Caught unknowingly in Leng Jinxi’s scent, her thoughts drifted.

“How do you have medicine on you?”

Before she could finish the question, Leng Jinxi had already turned and walked away—taking that soothing fragrance with her.

As if she had come just for this. Just to bring her the medicine.

Lin Bie lowered her gaze, picking up the pills, her heart uneasy.

Was Leng Jinxi’s cold not better yet?

Thankfully, she hadn’t let her drink too much last night. If she had a cold and went into heat, she’d be feeling even worse today.

________________________________________

After taking the medicine, Lin Bie felt much better. She had one scene to shoot at noon, and then her work was done for the day. A staff member mentioned that a variety show was coming to film behind-the-scenes content, and most of the crew had stopped working to prepare for it.

So Lin Bie packed up her things, planning to go butter up Su Nian a bit and earn some goodwill points. She also needed to think about how to thank Leng Jinxi for the medicine.

That’s when Shan Yi showed up.

“Lin Bie.” Shan Yi stood behind her, her tone still a bit haughty.

Lin Bie turned around and immediately frowned. “What do you want this time?”

Shan Yi was taken aback by her guarded tone, her expression a mix of surprise and frustration. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I came to apologize.”

Lin Bie raised a brow. “Apologize?” She let out a laugh. “You? Apologize?”

Shan Yi blushed and, though clearly trying to maintain composure, her displeasure seeped through. “What’s that supposed to mean? You’re allowed to come to your senses, but I’m not? I’m being serious.”

She continued, “I know I went too far the other day and caused trouble for you and your wife. But last night, I realized I’d misunderstood you about Bei Ning. I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have taken it out on

Leng Jinxi either. From now on, I won’t bother you two anymore.”

Lin Bie looked her over, skeptical. “You’ve really changed?”

Shan Yi nodded hard. “Of course. You think I’d humble myself like this for no reason? I’m giving you a chance here.”

Lin Bie was speechless. “Are you done? If so, please leave.”

Shan Yi blinked, then took a few steps closer. “Don’t be so distant. We’ve known each other a long time. Since the misunderstanding’s cleared up, as a gesture of sincerity, let’s go see the director together. She was just looking for you to help move something from the prop room.”

Lin Bie: “…”

Shan Yi looked confused by her silence. “What’s wrong? You’re not going?”

Lin Bie looked up, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Do you think I’m stupid? So stupid I’d fall for this?”

Shan Yi’s smile faltered. “What are you implying?”

Lin Bie had no interest in her games anymore. She brushed past her and walked away. “Stop using these disgusting tricks. If you’ve got time to plot, why not use it to chase after someone you actually like?”

What, did Shan Yi think she was an idiot? Offering fake kindness with hidden motives—she nearly laughed out loud from the absurdity.

Shan Yi stood frozen, glaring at Lin Bie’s retreating figure, her lips curling into a slow smile.

“When did you get so clever? But are you sure you’re not going?”

Lin Bie turned around, frowning. “You already set a trap. And I’m supposed to walk right into it? Seriously, Shan Yi, get your brain checked.”

Surprisingly, Shan Yi didn’t get angry. Hands behind her back, she casually walked forward a step and said, almost playfully, “I heard that variety show crew is livestreaming today. You know, doing interviews with the cast. Can you guess who they’re going to interview?”

Lin Bie didn’t respond. Obviously, they’d want to interview the female lead. What kind of dumb question—

Wait. Leng Jinxi.

Her expression turned cold in an instant. She looked at the smirking woman across from her, a sense of dread rising.

She had barely seen Leng Jinxi all day. Just once, briefly. The rest of the time, it was like she’d vanished.

She thought maybe it was just her fever and inattention. But now, Shan Yi had deliberately brought it up…

She lunged forward and grabbed Shan Yi’s collar, voice trembling even before she realized it: “What are you planning?”

Their alpha pheromones clashed in the air, intensifying with their emotions. Both frowned from the pressure.

Despite being grabbed so aggressively, Shan Yi simply glanced at her wrinkled collar, then looked up with a smug, mocking smile.

So you are still the same—prone to violence, only now you know how to hide it. I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.

Chuckling, she spoke boldly, completely unafraid despite Lin Bie’s far more dominant pheromones.

“I heard there’s a certain perfume in the prop room. One that can trigger an Omega or Alpha’s heat or sensitivity period.

Do you think the variety show crew might wander in there today?”