After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine (GL) - Chapter 16

Pei Jiuyao sat in the car and tapped on 7023.

“Hey, 0-what-23, any updates on the favorability rating?”

【No change.】

7023 had already learned to ignore Pei Jiuyao’s nonsense.

“If I can’t get the favorability rating up to ten points before the variety show airs…”

【Then you’ll permanently lose access to this skill.】

Sure enough, Pei Jiuyao tugged at the corner of her mouth in a dry smile.

If it was labeled as “coercion and threat,” there had to be a time limit.

“What if I just don’t join the variety show at all?”

7023 fell silent for a moment before replying:

【Then it will become exceedingly difficult to increase the favorability rating afterward.】

As expected. Changing the plotline was nearly impossible, and stopping the heroine strategy altogether was out of the question.

She was just a puppet in this rigged system. No matter what, this damn program would always find a way to make her follow the predetermined rules.

Before she could even sort out the situation with Chi Yang, Wen Li was already urging her to come over.

Though Chi Yang had clearly said, “You can come over as long as you don’t drink,” now she wasn’t even replying to her messages—let alone allowing her to show up in person.

What if Chi Yang, in a fit of anger, ended up blocking her?

Or worse, what if the suppressant she got today actually cured Chi Yang’s pheromone disorder?

Then Pei Jiuyao would be rendered completely useless. If she offended the heroine on top of that, she might not live to see tomorrow.

Still, she drove over herself—just to avoid drinking.

Wen Li had booked a private room in a high-end restaurant in Haishi. The place was discreet and exclusive.

By the time Pei Jiuyao arrived, the others were already there.

Sitting beside Wen Li was a woman around the same age. Her features were sharp, but Pei Jiuyao didn’t pick up on any Alpha scent.

Since her “Wolf King” period had ended, Pei Jiuyao couldn’t accurately identify Alphas or Omegas anymore—especially in public, where no one was foolish enough to release their pheromones.

Such absurd yet private things only happened at Chu Si’s bar.

But maybe due to her “Tyrant” evolution, Pei Jiuyao could instinctively tell the producer in front of her emitted no pheromonal signature.

Just like Wen Li.
“Pei Jiuyao?” The woman parted her red lips, holding a cigar between her fingers—unlit.

Wen Li politely passed over the light, stood up, brought Pei Jiuyao over, sat beside the woman, and introduced her with a smile: “This is Producer Chen.”

Pei Jiuyao nodded slightly. “Nice to meet you.”

She wasn’t used to settings like this.

Back in her original world, her debut film had won an international award. Everything afterward came easy—scripts were delivered to her door. She never had to wine and dine for opportunities.

Her agent was highly influential in the industry and shielded her from unnecessary socializing.

So she had no real concept of these kinds of meetings, and no clue what was expected of her.

It wasn’t until Wen Li gave her a light pat on the shoulder that Pei Jiuyao awkwardly sat down.

She asked quietly, “Weren’t we here to sign the contract?”

Producer Chen let out a soft chuckle. “No rush.”

“I invited you to join the variety show before, didn’t I? But you turned me down. Tossed it over to that singer Chu Si from your company without a second thought.”

She took a slow drag of her cigarette and said coldly,

“I heard you went around talking big. Saying things like: ‘Who would like a show made by a bunch of Betas?’”

Pei Jiuyao blinked in confusion and glanced at Wen Li, whose expression had darkened.

But Wen Li quickly recovered, taking a lazy puff and stepping in:

“I already apologized for that, didn’t I? Producer Chen, Xiao Pei’s just a kid—don’t take her too seriously.”

“I get it. You Alphas love your chauvinism—gender discrimination runs deep. In your eyes, Alphas are superior, Omegas are playthings, and Betas are the bottom of the barrel.”

Producer Chen had no intention of letting Pei Jiuyao off the hook. She turned her fire onto Wen Li:

“If I remember correctly, you’re a Beta too?”

Finally, Pei Jiuyao understood—her original body had offended this producer by running her mouth. And now she had to clean up the mess.

Chi Yang had just left her behind, and now she had to be scolded for someone else’s mistake.

Was this karma? Was her life now a tragic balancing act for twenty-three years of smooth sailing?

“Maybe some Alphas are chauvinistic, but I’m not one of them. For someone to reach your position as a producer, you’re obviously much more capable than I am as an Alpha.”

Pei Jiuyao stood up. “If the former ‘Pei Jiuyao’ said anything stupid, I sincerely apologize. That wasn’t my intention.”

Having to explain things on behalf of the original body every day was utterly exhausting.

If she wasn’t being forced onto this variety show, Pei Jiuyao would’ve walked away from this whole mess long ago.

Producer Chen looked up, the smoke between them curling lazily through the air.

Through the haze, Pei Jiuyao caught a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

“Didn’t expect you to apologize, huh? If I’d known you’d come crawling one day, I wouldn’t have handed it to Chu Si so easily. You’re just a pretty face with no connections—this variety show’s already the biggest win you’ll ever get, isn’t it?”

Pei Jiuyao lowered her head, a faint, even smile on her lips. “Pity is, even a pretty face like mine brings traffic. I’m sure the show got quite a few sponsors because of it. Who turns down money?”

“If I really had connections, you wouldn’t even be meeting with me today. And let’s be honest—if not for Chi Yang agreeing to join, this show wouldn’t be half as hot. Isn’t this just a matter of mutual benefit? Why make it so ugly?”

Producer Chen’s face darkened instantly.

Wen Li quickly looked down, barely concealing her smirk.

She tugged on Pei Jiuyao’s sleeve, stood up, and said,

“Producer Chen, the kid’s young and doesn’t know any better. Let me drink to that.”

Pei Jiuyao’s eyes dimmed as she sank back into her seat, glancing at Wen Li.

Her smile as she raised her glass was warm, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Even the business suit couldn’t restrain this woman’s laid-back elegance.

Someone who seemed so carefree was now humbling herself on behalf of an artist—an artist who, frankly, didn’t deserve it.

It made no sense.

She watched as Wen Li downed the glass of baijiu, her shoulders lifting slightly, voice soft and smooth like a breeze under the eaves:

“Was that to your satisfaction, Producer Chen?”

“Oh, but she’s not the one who should be drinking, is she?” Chen’s smile turned cold, her gaze sharpening with subtle malice.

She personally poured a full glass of baijiu for Pei Jiuyao.

“You down this and apologize, and we’ll finalize the contract.”

Pei Jiuyao stared at the brimming glass—just shy of being an entire bottle.

Her brows knitted tightly.

Her tolerance was low, and she blacked out easily when drunk—not to mention, this method of apology was clearly designed to humiliate her.

She pushed the glass forward.

“I drove here, and… I don’t hold liquor very well…”

“Can’t drink?” Chen sneered. “Everyone in the industry knows you, Pei Jiuyao. Wildest party animal of them all.”

She blew a cloud of smoke in Pei Jiuyao’s face and said coldly:

“Or is it that you think a Beta isn’t worthy of drinking with you?”

Wen Li seemed to think things had gone too far. She pressed down on Pei Jiuyao’s arm, her lazy tone carrying a bit of frost:

“Producer Chen, this is clearly a personal grudge—what’s the point of throwing in chauvinism? As far as I know, Xiao Pei never said anything like that.”

Sure, Pei Jiuyao had a messy reputation, but she never talked like that. It sounded more like something Chu Si would say.

“Dragging up some ancient war from centuries ago—what’s the point? You make her drink that, she’ll probably need her stomach pumped.”

“Then forget it,” Chen scoffed. “No big loss. After all, the high-and-mighty Alpha Miss Pei Jiuyao doesn’t need to be on this show.”

But she did.

Pei Jiuyao still wanted to sing the song she’d written for Chi Yang—on that very show.

She looked at the drink in front of her. The harsh scent of alcohol was already saturating the air, burning her nose.

Her eyes dimmed further.

Chi Yang already had her guard up. If she missed this chance, how would she ever win her over again?

Pei Jiuyao slowly lifted her gaze, smiled faintly at Producer Chen, and said softly:

“If I down that whole thing, I really will need my stomach pumped.”

“How about I drink half? Let’s call that my apology.”

Chen was silent for a moment, then nodded.

________________________________________

By the time they exited with the contract signed, Pei Jiuyao was barely standing.

Wen Li helped her to the parking lot, half scolding:

“Why did you have to provoke her like that? Talking about sponsorships—she’s proud as hell and looks down on pretty faces climbing the ranks.”

As soon as she said it, Wen Li bit her tongue, realizing she’d crossed a line.

Pei Jiuyao’s eyes were bloodshot from the alcohol. She leaned against Wen Li, barely staying upright. Still, she forced a smile and asked,

“Do people like you—Betas—really get discriminated against?”

“Discriminated my ass,” Wen Li snapped. “She just wanted to screw with you. Digging up some fossilized crap to make a scene. And you—can’t keep your mouth shut. You two deserve each other.”

Then she realized she’d just insulted her own artist—an infamously temperamental Alpha who had just been humiliated—and quickly shut up.

“Then why are you so nice to me? Aren’t I a total jerk?”

Wen Li poked Pei Jiuyao’s cheek. “Well, you’re my artist. Even if you are a jerk, I’m stuck with you.”

Pei Jiuyao’s smile softened. She chuckled lowly.

“Thanks, Wen-jie. You’ve really looked out for me.”

Wen Li’s hand on her arm froze.

“You drunk? Audiences don’t go for pretty dumbasses anymore. Sober up.”

She glanced at the girl’s tipsy expression and asked,

“How are you getting home? Want me to drive you? Or should I call a driver?”

Pei Jiuyao shook her head like a little puppy, grinning foolishly. With a mysterious tone, she replied:

“Nope. I’m having my wife pick me up.”