Everyone Loves the Alpha, But He’s Not Interested [Transmigration] - Chapter 10

Cai Yixuan knocked on the door with anticipation, fully expecting that the person who opened it would be Yu Qingxue. She never imagined she would instead see a face that instantly stirred jealousy within her.

“Ning Xi? What are you doing here?” Cai Yixuan clenched her fists and asked in a mix of shock and suspicion.

Ning Xi sensed a faint hostility from Cai Yixuan and was slightly puzzled.

Could it be because she had unknowingly taken the role that was supposed to be hers?

In the original novel, the role of Feng Yunyan was meant for Cai Yixuan. Now that Ning Xi had stepped in and taken it, she could understand why Cai Yixuan might be upset.

“I’m here to meet with President Yu. I assume you’re here for the same reason. She’s inside,” Ning Xi replied with a polite smile.

Cai Yixuan’s expression softened slightly at the mention of Yu Qingxue. She stepped inside, and as she passed Ning Xi, she deliberately bumped her shoulder.

Ning Xi’s current physical condition was excellent. Despite the hit, she stood firmly, barely moving an inch.

After closing the office door behind them, Ning Xi turned and saw only the back of Cai Yixuan striding into the guest area.

So much for being a “girlfriend with strong protective energy,” she thought. Is this really the kind of personality Yu Qingxue would be attracted to?

Ning Xi paused for a moment, suddenly realizing something.

She was the only one who knew that, in the original plot, Cai Yixuan eventually landed the role of Feng Yunyan. Since the part hadn’t been officially pre-assigned, why was Cai Yixuan acting like she had been wronged?

Also, they had never met before. So how did Cai Yixuan recognize her?

With questions swirling in her mind, Ning Xi walked into the guest area. Cai Yixuan had already taken the seat Ning Xi had been sitting in earlier.

“You’ve always been my biggest inspiration. It’s truly an honor to be part of your film,” Cai Yixuan said to Yu Qingxue with a shy smile, one hand brushing the back of her head in a modest, youthful gesture.

Yu Qingxue remained in her usual laid-back posture, her lashes lowered just enough to hide the expression in her eyes. She gave only a faint response.

Cai Yixuan didn’t seem to mind her indifference and was about to say more when Yu Qingxue suddenly looked up. She raised a hand and gently beckoned to Ning Xi. Her fingers were long and slender, the soft pink tint of her nails visible even in the light. The subtle curve of her hand felt almost seductive.

“Ning Xi, come sit by me.”

Ning Xi glanced down at her own rougher hands, then walked over and sat down. She left about two fists’ worth of space between them out of respect.

Cai Yixuan’s smile faltered slightly at the familiar tone Yu Qingxue had used. She looked at Ning Xi with a trace of hidden hostility in her eyes.

Yu Qingxue acted as though she had noticed nothing between them. She reached out and lightly patted Ning Xi on the shoulder. Then she turned to Cai Yixuan and said, “This is Ning Xi. She’ll be playing the role of Feng Yunyan.”

Her hand lingered a moment longer on Ning Xi’s shoulder before she left it there.

The warmth from Yu Qingxue’s palm seeped through the thin fabric and made Ning Xi’s skin feel hot. She felt a little uneasy.

But if she brushed Yu Qingxue’s hand away in front of Cai Yixuan, it might make Yu Qingxue lose face. The contract had yet to be signed, and Ning Xi wasn’t willing to take that risk.

On the other hand, if she let the hand stay, Cai Yixuan’s glare was like a constant needle against her skin.

After a moment of consideration, Ning Xi decided that Yu Qingxue was more important. She let her hand remain where it was.

Cai Yixuan’s face visibly darkened.

So Ning Xi was the one who had taken her role. This girl with the surgically altered face had stolen not only her part, but also Yu Qingxue’s attention.

Cai Yixuan was filled with frustration. She wanted nothing more than to demand how Ning Xi had gotten the role of Feng Yunyan without even participating in the auditions.

Yu Qingxue had once said in an interview that she liked her partner to be simple and pure. In front of her, Cai Yixuan didn’t dare show her true nature. If she made a bad impression, she might never have a chance with her idol again.

Yu Qingxue raised her other hand and pointed toward Cai Yixuan.

“This is Cai Yixuan. She was the last candidate to be chosen in the film’s audition process. She’ll be playing Hu Xiaohan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Ning Xi said with a polite nod.

Cai Yixuan’s lips moved slightly before she forced a smile and replied, “Nice to meet you.”

So in Yu Qingxue’s eyes, she was just “the last one left.”

Cai Yixuan felt a wave of disappointment, but she quickly composed herself. Putting on a curious expression, she asked, “Did you also audition for the lead role, Ning Xi? Maybe my memory is failing me, but I don’t recall seeing you at either round.”

“I didn’t audition,” Ning Xi replied calmly. “The registration period happened to overlap with my secondary gender awakening, so I missed it. Luckily, Teacher Fang helped me get in touch with President Yu, who then gave me a private audition.”

She glanced at Yu Qingxue and added with sincerity, “I owe everything to Teacher Fang and President Yu. I’m truly grateful to both of them.”

“I didn’t expect Teacher Fang to know President Yu personally,” Cai Yixuan said, barely able to keep smiling.

This Fang Huailian. When she needed his help, he ignored her. But he went out of his way to support someone like Ning Xi?

Ning Xi was just a parentless orphan. Even if she received help, what could she possibly give back? Fang Huailian had willingly turned down the heiress of Beihai’s wealthiest family in order to help her?

It was completely unreasonable.

Yu Qingxue said, “I’ll go get the contracts. You two will have a lot of scenes together during filming, so take this time to get to know each other.”

Ning Xi turned her head and watched as Yu Qingxue stood up. Her soft, pale brown curls fell gracefully over her shoulders. The fair hand resting lightly on Ning Xi’s shoulder lifted gently and pulled away.

Only then did Ning Xi realize that the muscles in her shoulder had been tense the entire time. Once Yu Qingxue’s hand left, she finally began to relax.

As Yu Qingxue left the lounge, Ning Xi glanced across the room. Cai Yixuan was staring dreamily at the spot where Yu Qingxue’s figure had just disappeared around the corner.

Ning Xi furrowed her brows slightly.

Obsessive behavior, violent tendencies, mediocre acting skills (definitely not as good as mine). Was the author really serious when pairing her with Yu Qingxue as a love interest?

At some point, Cai Yixuan turned her gaze back and lowered her voice, threatening coldly, “Don’t think stealing my lead role means you can sleep easy. Orphans with no background should learn to keep a low profile. You never know when you’ll offend the wrong person and end up dead without even knowing how it happened.”

Ning Xi looked at her with mild surprise. “Miss Cai, I was under the impression that we live in a law-abiding society. Or has your uncle, Mr. Cai Zhenggen, the richest man in Beihai, begun dabbling in illegal assassinations?”

“I wonder what kind of reward I’d get if I reported that to the authorities.”

After speaking, she gave Cai Yixuan a calm glance.

“You—” Cai Yixuan was left speechless. Flushed with anger, she pointed at Ning Xi but couldn’t form a reply.

The entire Cai family, dozens of people, all depended on her uncle’s support. She didn’t dare take any risks. From what she knew, Cai Zhenggen’s rise to wealth had not been entirely clean. If Ning Xi really did report him and the police uncovered anything, she would be the one left crying.

Cai Yixuan forced herself to remain calm, but inwardly she fumed.

Just you wait, Ning Xi. Once I get proof of your cosmetic surgery, let’s see how long you can keep showing off that fake face.

Yu Qingxue returned with the contracts in hand. The moment she stepped back into the room, she immediately sensed the tension but kept her curiosity in check. Without showing any emotion, she handed the contracts to both of them.

“Read through them. If everything looks good, go ahead and sign. Fifty percent of the payment will be sent in advance and should reach your accounts by noon tomorrow.”

Ning Xi took the contract and carefully read each clause.

Cai Yixuan, on the other hand, flipped directly to the last page and signed her name without hesitation. Afterward, she looked at Yu Qingxue and said with a smile, “I trust your integrity, President Yu. No need to read it.”

…

After both contracts were signed and the actresses had left, Yu Qingxue immediately pulled out her phone and sent a message to Fang Huailian.

Yu Qingxue: Old Fang! Just now, Ning Xi got into a jealous spat with the third female lead all because of me. Sigh… I’ve become a femme fatale.

Fang Huailian: …