Forced to Pretend to Be an A and Marry the Best Actress Omega - Chapter 103

“Take it easy when we go over later, but our Lingyu is very kind. Just follow my lead.”

In the evening, Hu Huaimeng brought Zhang Yin, the contract assistant from Gu Yan’s team to the program recording location, discreetly entering through the villa’s back door.

She had already contacted Jiang Lingyu beforehand, but her artist seemed indifferent to such a major opportunity, completely absorbed in her relationship with Xu Mifei.

Sigh. Hu Huaimeng could already guess—had Xu Mifei not persuaded her, Jiang Lingyu would have unhesitatingly passed this opportunity to someone else, like that newcomer Jiang Miao who had been following Gu Yan around lately. Wasn’t that why she was there?

“Dream Sister, since Teacher Jiang has worked with our Director Gu for so long, I thought this contract could be settled privately between them,” Zhang Yin said, excited and nervous. “I never expected I’d get to handle Teacher Jiang’s contract personally!”

Hu Huaimeng gave an awkward smile. “Business is business, personal is personal. We should keep them separate.”

It wasn’t about keeping things separate—it was simply that Jiang Lingyu didn’t want to do it. After all, Director Gu had once had feelings for her, and now that she was married, her heart belonged entirely to Xu Mifei, making her avoid Gu Yan at all costs.

But it was personal, not professional. When Hu Huaimeng came to find her, she noticed Jiang Lingyu’s script with annotations, clearly already studied thoroughly.

This was a good script, so they had to seize the opportunity. After coordinating with the production team to split the camera focus, she brought Zhang Yin to the study.

At night, Gu Yan returned, and everyone pitched in to help Xu Mifei with food prep—washing vegetables and other supporting tasks, which they handled well.

The alphas had all gathered in the kitchen, but fortunately, it was spacious enough to accommodate them comfortably. The omegas were barred from entering to avoid the cooking fumes, while Jiang Miao, claiming to be a beta in need of practice, joined the vegetable-washing crew.

Xu Mifei turned the ventilation system to maximum. With so many crew members around and the heightened senses of alphas, the mixed pheromones in the air felt like a cold slap to her face.

Her body must have been recovering, as her perception of pheromones was returning to normal. Right after her secondary differentiation, her own pheromones had been chaotic—she was the one making others uncomfortable, completely oblivious to theirs.

Still, Xu Mifei wondered if her susceptible period would change as a result. Song Nian had told her the readings were stable, but even she couldn’t be sure.

Her phone vibrated. Xu Mifei checked it—a message from Hu Huaimeng.

Hu Huaimeng: Get ready. We’re in the study. Just have Lingyu come sign the contract.

These days, Hu Huaimeng couldn’t reach Jiang Lingyu directly by phone, but messaging Xu Mifei always worked. So now, for major matters, she just contacted Xu Mifei directly.

Xu Mifei glanced up at Jiang Lingyu and raised an eyebrow in silent communication. Understanding, Jiang Lingyu got up and left.

The subtle exchange between them was hidden in the smallest of gestures, barely noticeable even to the cameras.

But Gu Yan noticed.

She happened to look up just as she was about to transfer the washed greens to a draining basket—and saw Jiang Lingyu smile in her direction.

Even if that smile was fleeting, on Jiang Lingyu’s face it was dazzling enough to catch everyone’s attention.

The light in her eyes clearly wasn’t directed at herself—standing beside her was Xu Mifei, wearing an apron.

Gu Yan slightly furrowed her brows and lowered her gaze to the basket of overly vibrant green vegetables.

Soon, Jiang Lingyu returned, and Xu Mifei naturally took away the washed vegetables from Gu Yan, saying, “Thanks for the help. Let’s get ready to eat.”

Just as Gu Yan was about to reach for them, Jiang Miao was much quicker, taking them with a cheerful smile. “Let me handle it, big director. What’s got you so lost in thought? Starving?”

Jiang Miao seemed to speak just for the sake of it, not minding if Gu Yan didn’t respond. Still smiling, she turned to Xu Mifei. “Why isn’t our master chef joining us?”

Xu Mifei replied, “I’m making Yuyu some fried rice. You all can sit and wait for the hotpot to boil.”

“Stop flaunting your charm. How are you young ones all so talented?” Lin Su sighed. “Is it just regular fried rice? You’re even using the same pan I used to fry bread slices earlier.”

It was downright cruel—how could the same pan perform so differently in different hands? Was that even fair?

Jiang Lingyu stepped into the kitchen, a place she wasn’t familiar with yet had grown accustomed to. She deliberately avoided looking at the kitchen island.

Xu Mifei expertly scrambled the eggs, broke apart the rice grains, coating each one in golden color, then stir-fried in diced red and green vegetables along with a bit of minced meat.

She actually made a four-compartment fried rice with different flavors, vibrant and beautiful like imperial pastries—exquisitely crafted.

There was plenty to go around for everyone to taste, but they all knew Xu Mifei had made it especially for Jiang Lingyu. They only dared take a small bite, nothing more.

At the table, Xu Mifei leisurely helped Jiang Lingyu with the hotpot ingredients while casually asking, “Director Gu, busy all day? Finished up?”

Gu Yan hadn’t expected Xu Mifei to be the one to initiate conversation. She looked up. “Yeah… The new film’s prep is moving ahead of schedule. Secured the funding—the investors were generous, so the budget’s solid. Managed to hire a top-tier props team without a hitch.”

Jiang Lingyu glanced at Xu Mifei upon hearing this. Why did that sound so… familiar? A top-tier props team and an exceedingly generous investor?

The next second, someone’s fingertips tapped her thigh—burningly deliberate.

No one but Xu Mifei would dare tease her so brazenly while maintaining a composed smile above the table.

Jiang Lingyu, who had been about to speak, forgot her words and lowered her head to take small bites of food, nudging Xu Mifei’s calf with her toe as a warning not to push it.

“That investor must have excellent taste. The film’s title’s decided, right? When will you announce the lead actress, Director Gu? I’ve watched all your films.” Xu Mifei paused, then raised her juice-filled glass in a toast, offering a fair assessment. “You film Yuyu beautifully.”

For a moment, the dining table fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

After the entire day, who couldn’t tell that Gu Yan still harbored special feelings for Jiang Lingyu? Yet Xu Mifei seemed oblivious.

Only now, with these words spoken at night, did they realize—she knew all along. She just hadn’t said anything, giving the host due respect.

Undercurrents surged beneath the surface.

She smiled faintly, leisurely swirling her wine glass as if she had long since grasped the entire situation, signaling to everyone that she cared nothing for the past.

Only the outcome mattered.

And the outcome was her standing by Jiang Lingyu’s side—that was everything. So now, her attitude toward the past was nothing more than a superior’s condescending tolerance.

“It’s been decided. The title is Chasing Light, and the female lead has just been finalized—Jiang Lingyu.” Gu Yan’s gaze shifted toward Jiang Lingyu. “No one is more suited for this role than you.”

Xu Mifei smiled. “A good title. Wishing you box office success in advance. Cheers.”

OMG!!!! Such huge news just dropped like this!!!! Our Muse CP is reuniting, they’re back, it’s like New Year’s!!!!

Sob, who else could possibly be more suited for Director Gu’s film than Yuyu? It had to be her! Xu Mifei is actually being pretty generous here, supporting Yuyu’s career!

Am I the only one who thinks Peacock Xu is deliberately saying this for Jiang Miao’s benefit? Weren’t there rumors before that Director Gu was planning to promote Jiang Miao? Now that the female lead’s gone to Jiang Lingyu, what’s she supposed to do? Just roll over and take it after sleeping with him for nothing?

Hey, watch your mouth! What do you mean ‘sleeping with him for nothing’? Jiang Miao is Director Gu’s girlfriend! No denial of the rumors means tacit acknowledgment, got it? Why the hostility? They even appeared on a show together—isn’t that exposure enough?

Chasing Light sounds like a major production just from the title. CP fans, don’t get too carried away—Gu Yan and Jiang Lingyu’s names together already guarantee commercial value, which means box office security. Director Gu’s pre-release hype is already paying off big time. When does filming start?

Jiang Miao, along with everyone else, raised her glass in congratulations. Only Jiang Lingyu and Gu Yan showed little joy on their faces—Jiang Lingyu purely because Xu Mifei’s mischief had thrown her off balance.

She hadn’t paid attention to the conversation at the table, too focused on where Xu Mifei’s wandering hands had gone.

When the topic turned to tomorrow’s plans, Jiang Miao smiled and said, “YanYan and I have a magazine shoot tomorrow. Would it be alright to do it here? Actually, I should thank Sister Lingyu.”

Xu Mifei pinched Jiang Lingyu’s thigh under the table again. Jiang Lingyu straightened up. “What?”

“I made a bet with YanYan earlier—if Yuyu agreed to take the role, she’d do a couples’ photoshoot with me. I’ve wanted to do one for ages, but she always brushes me off with work excuses.” Jiang Miao laughed. “Now it’s all worked out! Everyone’s happy, so we’ll shoot tomorrow. Xiao Xu, do you two want to come and give us some pointers?”

Xu Mifei said, “At home? We’re free tomorrow—we can come observe. Yuyu, what do you think?”

Jiang Lingyu: “…Sure.”

And so, it was settled. Gu Yan felt something was off, but before she could speak, Jiang Miao first scooped a spoonful of fried rice with sausage and eggs into her bowl, then kicked her under the table.

“Immersive performance,” Jiang Miao said.

Gu Yan stayed silent, feeling like a supposedly prestigious director who had somehow ended up in such a pathetic position, letting one actress after another walk all over her.

Before bed that night, Xu Mifei covered the camera and sent a message on her phone, checking in with the company’s responsible party on how things were progressing.

It was almost 10 p.m., but Chu Yasong, the head of the film investment department, replied instantly:

President Xu, Director Gu didn’t say no, but she didn’t say yes either. She’s considering it—she said she wants to meet you in person to ask why.

Xu Mifei had always known Gu Yan wasn’t a fool, but she had her own ideas too.

Turning around, she saw Jiang Lingyu stepping out of the bathroom and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Is filming the show that exhausting? You’ve showered twice today.”

“Just a habit,” Jiang Lingyu replied, then asked, “Who were you talking to just now?”

Xu Mifei immediately showed her phone screen without hesitation.

She hadn’t told Jiang Lingyu about investing in Chasing Light, but the conversations at dinner had given enough clues for Jiang Lingyu to figure it out. Seeing Chu Yasong’s words only solidified Jiang Lingyu’s suspicions.

“Why invest?”

“What merchant doesn’t want to make money? This is a sure profit, isn’t it?” Xu Mifei laughed as she pulled her toward the bed. “With my investment, you’ll make sure this film turns out well, right?”

It sounded like she was exploiting her own wife.

But in truth, Xu Mifei was terrified Jiang Lingyu might abandon the project.

Jiang Lingyu seemed to realize something. “Do you already know something? That this film will win awards later, right?”

“I don’t,” Xu Mifei lied kindly—knowing the outcome in advance might lead to slacking off midway. She smiled. “I just know any work with you in it will be a masterpiece.”

She was teasing her again.

Yet Jiang Lingyu still smiled, her cheek sinking into the soft pillow. After confirming the cameras and mics were off, she turned to Xu Mifei. “Are you leaving tonight?”

Xu Mifei sighed softly, resigned. “After you fall asleep.”

Could she stay? Song Nian was sitting in the observation room, among other guests!

Not to mention her slightly swollen scent gland. To prevent any mishaps, she now carried ordinary alpha suppressants, though they weren’t very effective for someone of her rank.

Jiang Lingyu grasped Xu Mifei’s wrist, burying her face deeper into the pillow. After a pause, her muffled voice came through, “The fried rice was delicious.”

Xu Mifei grinned. “Which flavor did you like best? I’ll make it for you anytime you want.”

Which flavor? Jiang Lingyu couldn’t pick just one—a greedy thought surfaced, but she wasn’t sure if she could even—

Before Jiang Lingyu could answer, Xu Mifei said, “Can’t decide? Then I’ll make them all.”

Jiang Lingyu lifted her head, her eyes bright under the light.

She wondered how Xu Mifei could read her so effortlessly.

If she already knew this much, did she also know about her past?

A sudden surge of courage made her want to ask exactly how much Xu Mifei already knew.

Before she could speak, a soft knock came at the door, followed by Zhao Zhao’s voice, “Lingyu-jie, Lingyu-jie, are you asleep?”

She must have been trying not to disturb anyone, her voice hushed. Xu Mifei got up and opened the door. “What is it?”

Zhao Zhao hesitated for a second upon seeing Xu Mifei, who stepped aside to reveal Jiang Lingyu in bed.

Zhao Zhao froze, wondering if she’d come at the wrong time—Lingyu-jie was already under the covers…

“Someone’s here to see you,” Zhao Zhao paused. “Madam Jiang is here.”

Word by word, the warm atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold. The biting chill from outside crept in inch by inch, slicing through the soft quilt and settling on Jiang Lingyu’s body.

Jiang Lingyu tightened her grip on the blanket’s edge before finally pushing herself up from the bed in silence.

“Understood.”

Xu Mifei immediately moved to follow her, “I’ll go with you.”

But Jiang Lingyu stopped in her tracks and shook her head. From head to toe, the moment Zhao Zhao mentioned Jiang Wanxiang’s arrival, she had armored herself—hard, prickly, capable of wounding anyone who came near, including Xu Mifei.

“I’ll go alone.” Jiang Lingyu’s voice was low. “Go back to your room first, okay?”

Every encounter with Jiang Wanxiang had been unpleasant, and Jiang Lingyu instinctively resisted letting Xu Mifei witness these moments.

Even though she knew Xu Mifei might already be aware—this very realization filled her with unbearable shame, and the courage she had mustered vanished in an instant.

**

In the tearoom on the third floor of the villa, Jiang Wanxiang smiled with satisfaction when she saw Jiang Lingyu arrive.

She had aged well. Though in her forties, she still looked untouched by hardship, bearing no resemblance to her past struggles.

All thanks to her good daughter.

When Jiang Lingyu entered, Jiang Wanxiang was glancing around—at the photo albums on the side and the newly replaced decorative items.

“Don’t touch anything.” Jiang Lingyu’s voice was icy.

“I’m just looking. Are you really guarding against your own mother?” Jiang Wanxiang chuckled as she set down the item in her hand. “I see Xiao Xu’s tastes have changed completely now—even her preferred style is different.”

Jiang Lingyu didn’t even sit down, sweeping a cold glance over her. “How much do you want?”

“My precious daughter, why would I come to you for money? I don’t need money now! I just wanted to see you and Xiao Xu, is that so wrong?” Jiang Wanxiang gave Jiang Lingyu a reproachful look. “Xiao Xu treats you so well—she won’t even go home just to stay with you. It’s like she’s a completely different person.”

The air froze in an instant. Jiang Lingyu lifted her gaze to that beautiful face, feeling as though a snake were slithering over her skin.

“How is she a completely different person? Do you think there’s no reason for it?” Jiang Lingyu laughed coldly. “For love? But I heard Xiao Xu doesn’t even like the things she used to love anymore—racing, nightclubs, underground clubs. She’s skilled at making props and repairing Flyers, but wasn’t she someone who couldn’t even stay in school before?”

Jiang Lingyu’s voice turned frigid. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I’m just making sure you get what you deserve, understand? Even if Xu Mifei is the best alpha in the Xu family, look at how things are between her and them now. Can’t you see? The money—is it in your hands?”

“She’s nothing compared to Xu Wanzhi. Xu Wanzhi is their family’s chosen heir.”

Jiang Wanxiang studied Jiang Lingyu’s expression and suddenly laughed. “…Or have you actually fallen for her?”

Jiang Lingyu remained silent. After a moment, she scoffed coldly. What was she doing here, leaving Xu Mifei behind for this? Utterly ridiculous. She turned to leave, but Jiang Wanxiang grabbed her wrist.

“Would she still like you if she knew what you were like before? Lingyu, don’t you understand? She’s just like Gu Yan—what she likes is only your—”

Jiang Lingyu’s expression was on the verge of cracking. She was certain she had tried her hardest to shake off Jiang Wanxiang’s grip, but Jiang Lingyu clung to her like a piece of gum stuck to the sole of a shoe for years—impossible to shake loose.

She turned back fiercely, pressing Jiang Wanxiang down with her pheromones, only to withdraw the bergamot scent completely a moment later.

Jiang Wanxiang, in high heels, stood nearly as tall as Jiang Lingyu. She slowly finished the tea in her cup, curling her lips into a smile. “You’ve always been on my side, just like before. Don’t be disobedient. I don’t need money now—just your obedience.”

Jiang Lingyu didn’t know how she left the tearoom. Her body felt stiff, like a wandering ghost, as if she had been sealed inside a block of ice, completely frozen.

Perhaps she could still think, but she had already given up trying.

“Yu…”

When the voice reached her, someone lightly grasped her wrist. Jiang Lingyu reacted like a startled animal, immediately shaking the hand off.

But the person holding her didn’t give up. Instead, they tightened their grip firmly, steadying her shoulder with their other hand.

“Yuyu!”

Xu Mifei appeared before her, dressed in thin pajamas, standing in the hazy glow of the streetlights, her eyes brighter than the lamps. The shadows behind her melted into the night, but the concern in her gaze as she looked at Jiang Lingyu held no trace of darkness—only warmth and clarity.

“How did meeting someone leave you so distraught? Did she bully you? Say something to you? Did she scold you? She hasn’t gone far—I’ll go demand an explanation for you.” Xu Mifei spoke in a rush, her tone growing urgent. “I’ve been waiting for you to come back to sleep. Didn’t we agree? I’d stay until you fell asleep. When you didn’t return, I came out to look for you…”

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Lingyu’s lashes fluttered. She saw clearly—Xu Mifei stood outside the shadows, while she remained in the darkness.

If not for Jiang Wanxiang’s appearance, she might have truly lost herself in the comfort and warmth of recent days, forgetting her past.

Did Xu Mifei know? She probably didn’t—otherwise, how could she still stay by her side?

Seeing Jiang Lingyu silent, Xu Mifei leaned closer, her eyes filled with worry.

“Yuyu, what’s wrong? Don’t want to talk? Do you want to go back to the room first?”

Her heartbeat restarted. She could hear it—the moment Xu Mifei drew near.

It was as if only in Xu Mifei’s presence could she feel alive. Everywhere else, there was only numbness.

Only by staying numb could she avoid feeling pain again.

Holding Xu Mifei, kissing her—these were the only ways to breathe life back into her. There was no other method.

She stared intently at Xu Mifei, then suddenly wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her close.

“Can you hold me…?”

Jiang Lingyu’s voice was tight, even trembling slightly. Xu Mifei hesitated for only a second before acting, scooping Jiang Lingyu up in her arms and heading straight for the room downstairs.

She carried Jiang Lingyu effortlessly.

And Jiang Lingyu, tilting Xu Mifei’s chin up, kissed her fiercely, without restraint.

Xu Mifei responded to her, though she shouldn’t have—they were still outside, and their pheromones were too likely to spark an uncontrollable passion.

But she could feel Jiang Lingyu truly needed comfort, needed the warmth of close physical contact.

The show’s cameramen had already wrapped up for the day, and the fixed cameras in the rooms were all turned off, but the cameras in public areas would record whenever someone passed by.

Jin Chiyu simply watched as Xu Mifei and Jiang Lingyu descended the stairs in a heated kiss, slamming the door shut behind them.

The assistant asked hesitantly, “Director Jin, should we… should we keep the motion-sensing cameras on tonight?”

“On what? Turn them off!” Jin Chiyu snapped, her face flushed red. In this situation, who would dare record footage? Did they have a death wish? She felt every Alpha and Omega in the villa tonight would need suppressants and purifiers to block out the disturbances.

After closing the door, Xu Mifei and Jiang Lingyu kissed their way to bed. At first, Xu Mifei took the lead, but later she let Jiang Lingyu take over. It wasn’t until she felt Jiang Lingyu touching her scent gland that she suddenly flipped them over, pinning down the wandering hand.

“Don’t touch there.”

Jiang Lingyu panted lightly, staring at Xu Mifei. For some reason, Xu Mifei suddenly sensed pain in her gaze. The moment she loosened her grip, Jiang Lingyu murmured, “Didn’t you say we should face our desires honestly?”

Her fingertips had grown scorching hot. Xu Mifei’s palms suddenly became damp with sweat. “What do you want most?”

Jiang Lingyu lowered her eyes, hiding the turmoil of unbearable emotions within. “What I want most… is you.”