Forced to Pretend to Be an A and Marry the Best Actress Omega - Chapter 48

This time, Jiang Lingyu released only a minimal number of pheromones. Xu Mifei could clearly discern that this was Jiang Lingyu’s concentration—insufficient to control her thoughts or actions, more like an accidental leakage from Jiang Lingyu herself.

Yet even this tiny number of pheromones sent a powerful tremor through her heart.

Unaware of her own actions, Xu Mifei had already tilted her face to the side, presenting an expression that seemed to invite either a slap or a scolding.

The pheromones Jiang Lingyu released this time carried no suppression or aggression. Even Zhao Zhao, another omega, merely took a deep breath, thinking how pleasant the faint sweetness was—far more so than any perfume worn by the celebrities at tonight’s show.

…Is Little Xu drunk? Wasn’t it said that Little Xu’s pheromones were the intoxicating ones? Why does she seem the one under the influence? The way she’s leaning her face forward almost looks like she’s asking for a slap.

Realizing something, Zhao Zhao quickly rolled up the partition, creating a private space for them before focusing on driving.

Where’s the reward?

Xu Mifei waited a moment, realizing she was unusually sensitive to Jiang Lingyu’s pheromones this time. The temperature at the nape of her neck was scorching, pulsing fiercely like her heart, as if it had developed a will of its own.

Reason was the restraint and rationality of a human, while impulse was the primal drive and instinct of a beast.

Xu Mifei began to understand why Jiang Lingyu despised alphas and the union between alphas and omegas.

Under the influence of pheromones, even she struggled to discern whether these feelings were genuine.

Having lived as an ordinary person for so long, the sudden onslaught of this uncontrollable instinct was something she still hadn’t adjusted to. Around others, she could manage, but the moment Jiang Lingyu’s pheromones came into play, she was utterly defenseless.

Couldn’t she… couldn’t she find any way to resist? She couldn’t go on like this forever—

As the thought crossed her mind, Xu Mifei let out a stifled groan. The heat at the nape of her neck felt like it was about to ignite, something threatening to break through her thin skin, setting her ablaze, greedily drowning in the floral and fruity scents around her.

Like a blade unsheathed, slicing through ripe flesh.

Jiang Lingyu felt as though an invisible hand had seized her shoulders, pinning her to the seat.

Her pupils trembled. Before she could speak, a tangible force pressed against her lips.

Like the hilt of a knife gently prying open her teeth, refusing to let her close them. The blade, capable of ending her life at any moment, caressed her jaw with the tenderness of a lover.

“Xu Mifei, you—you—”

She finally found her voice, but she couldn’t move at all, held down by some unseen force, her back pressed tightly against the leather seat.

A glass shattered, spilling liquor over the fruit.

Jiang Lingyu realized what had just happened—her pheromones had submitted? Or were they utterly suppressed?

Xu Mifei remained in that slightly tilted position, eyes downcast, as if she hadn’t heard Jiang Lingyu’s voice. Yet they were so close, Xu Mifei seeming almost entranced.

This was the first time Jiang Lingyu had released pheromones since their last comforting session. She hadn’t expected the effect on Xu Mifei to be so intense.

Or was it because that earlier question demanded action?

Hesitantly, Jiang Lingyu looked down at her palm.

The invisible force chased after her fingertips, lifting her arm as if encouraging her to take the next step.

…The reward, the reward was gone?

Xu Mifei had no idea what had just happened. After a faint buzzing in her ears, she finally felt some relief from the intense burning sensation that had been plaguing her neck moments ago.

Song Nian was right—her scent gland was currently in its developmental phase, and Jiang Lingyu’s pheromones were like fertilizer.

Even though these weren’t heat pheromones yet, they could still affect her like this.

Xu Mifei felt as though she were at the center of a whirlpool. Though Jiang Lingyu stood right before her, it was as if a hazy film separated them, obscuring everything except those cool, moonlit eyes gazing down at her—aloof and untouchable.

No, that wasn’t it.

Jiang Lingyu’s ears had turned red earlier. She had even released her pheromones—how could she still be so cold?

Moonlight could be shattered and hidden away. Even the chill in those eyes could be scorched by molten lava. She wanted to close the distance, tear through that infuriating haze, and hear the sound of Jiang Lingyu’s breath catching fire.

Cover her eyes—don’t let her look at me with that indifferent gaze, as if delivering a death sentence.

Stir the waters, make her lose herself in this—or force her, invade her. Even if all she saw was fear and disgust, it would still be better than this cold detachment.

Chaotic thoughts swirled in Xu Mifei’s mind. She desperately wanted to pull herself out, but the moment she caught even a whiff of that tart, juicy fruit scent, she plunged deeper.

The reward? Right, the reward. Hadn’t Jiang Lingyu asked if she wanted one? Maybe the pheromones vanished because she hadn’t answered yet—

“Reward, the reward,” Xu Mifei spoke up. “I want the reward.”

Slap.

Her cheek stung from the solid impact.

A faint, slender handprint bloomed across her pale skin. Though Jiang Lingyu hadn’t struck with much force, the blow still made Xu Mifei’s head snap to the side.

Instantly, the oppressive aura around Jiang Lingyu dissipated.

Xu Mifei turned back in shock, ignoring the sting on her face as the dazed look in her eyes cleared.

That slap had yanked her out of the swirling vortex. Even the citrusy, tart fruit scent had completely withdrawn, leaving no trace behind.

Her cheek didn’t hurt at all—in fact, she felt oddly light, despite the lingering heat. Compared to the searing pain at the back of her neck earlier, this was nothing.

Perhaps it was the stark contrast, but the burning sensation even brought her a strange, subtle satisfaction.

But Jiang Lingyu, standing before her, was far from composed.

Her chest rose and fell slightly faster than usual, her guarded eyes wide with shock—more startled than Xu Mifei herself. The flush at the corners of her eyes and the tips of her ears hadn’t faded, and the hand that had struck her now hung stiffly at her side.

She looked as though she’d put all her strength into it, yet the one left with a mark was Xu Mifei. Jiang Lingyu seemed torn between scolding her or apologizing.

Remembering her own twisted sense of satisfaction, Xu Mifei immediately felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t thought before speaking.

“Did your hand hurt?” she asked hurriedly, eyeing Jiang Lingyu’s palm. “I was asking for it—it doesn’t hurt at all. Really, it’s fine.”

“…” Jiang Lingyu’s intended words lodged in her throat. For a moment, she couldn’t decide whether Xu Mifei was shameless or genuinely believed this was the reward.

She had never seen someone like this before—no, to be precise, she had never seen Xu Mifei like this. She wanted to call her shameless but couldn’t bring herself to say it, because the woman’s gaze was utterly sincere when she spoke.

Did Xu Mifei really not notice it herself?

What had just happened—was it all unconscious? Jiang Lingyu knew that only alphas with pheromone imbalances struggled to control their pheromones, but she had never encountered someone like Xu Mifei before.

Physiologically, she was still a beta, yet under the stimulation of Jiang Lingyu’s pheromones, she had produced her own.

The oppressive sense of dominance still lingered on her shoulders and jaw, sending shivers of fear deep into her bones.

Yet within that fear was an instinctive urge to draw closer, to plead—her body was willing to be shattered, even if it meant perishing beneath a blade.

Song Nian had once said there was a fifty percent chance Xu Mifei’s pheromones would be incompatible with hers if she ever presented as an alpha. Jiang Lingyu had dismissed it at the time.

But now, she wasn’t so sure.

Xu Mifei reached out to take Jiang Lingyu’s hand, but Jiang Lingyu flinched and pulled away as if burned.

“What’s wrong? Was my answer just now inappropriate? I… I don’t know what came over me…” Xu Mifei suddenly grew embarrassed, rubbing the back of her neck, which had already returned to normal. “I smelled your pheromones just now… just a little, but I did.”

And her reaction had been overwhelming—so intense that she had completely lost herself, blanking out for a moment.

She put a full person’s distance between herself and Jiang Lingyu, sitting properly on the other side to show she wouldn’t act recklessly again.

“What else did you smell?” Jiang Lingyu turned her head, eyes locked onto Xu Mifei.

“What else?” Xu Mifei looked confused before realizing. “Oh, you mean if it was different this time? It was. This time, it had a slightly heavier sour note, but it still smelled sweet, like it was coated in candied fruit… Actually, I’ve never eaten bergamot before. I heard it tastes like lemon—”

“Xu Mifei! Stop talking!” Jiang Lingyu cut her off sharply, her voice urgent. What did she mean, she’d never eaten it? Did she actually want to?

This time, her pheromones had leaked out because of certain images flashing through her mind—of course, it would be different from usual.

If Xu Mifei were perceptive, she would have been able to discern from Jiang Lingyu’s pheromones whether she was aroused.

Clearly, Xu Mifei didn’t know yet, and Jiang Lingyu would never tell her.

With Xu Mifei’s unrestrained, brazen words, the barely suppressed restlessness in Jiang Lingyu’s body threatened to surge back.

So, she had to make Xu Mifei stop talking before her pheromones spiraled out of control again.

Xu Mifei touched her cheek, her expression faintly aggrieved, unsure which part of what she’d said was wrong.

She wanted to add that she’d avoid trying bergamot and wouldn’t ask for rewards anymore, but judging by Jiang Lingyu’s expression, she wisely guessed that wasn’t what Jiang Lingyu wanted to hear.

Then she needed to say something Jiang Lingyu would want to hear.

“I absolutely can’t become an alpha. Your pheromones affect me too strongly,” Xu Mifei said earnestly. “For your safety around me, I must never be an alpha.”

Jiang Lingyu wished a barrier could rise between her and Xu Mifei, completely separating them so she wouldn’t have to hear Xu Mifei’s voice.

The calm she had just regained was once again disrupted by Xu Mifei’s words. Her mind involuntarily conjured images of what Xu Mifei would be like after becoming an alpha.

Would she still be able to slap her so easily then?

Stop thinking about it!

Xu Mifei noticed Jiang Lingyu, her cheeks still faintly flushed, turning her head away and refusing to engage with her any further.

She sighed, realizing she had misspoken again and misread Jiang Lingyu’s feelings. All she could do now was sit quietly, behaving herself.

The lingering tension in the car had yet to fade, but the storm on Touchbo had already begun.

The moment Miss Rose’s grand show concluded, related hashtags nearly dominated the social media platform, with almost all top ten trending topics tied to events from the runway.

#WhyJiangLingyuDidntWearMRFinaleGown
#JiangLingyuScheduleExposedDuringMiss RoseShow
#Miss RoseShowTriggersEntertainmentIndustryShakeup
#XuWanzhiMissRoseAllStarShowdownPersonaCollapse
#JiangLingyuTerminatesContractWithMiss Rose
#JiangLingyuXuMifeiMarriageStatus
#QiKaiyuUnbelievableCaseSharing
#MissRoseFinaleStunningPropsTeamDeservesPraise

The night’s frenzy left Miss Rose the undisputed winner. All afternoon, the internet was too busy feasting on the drama to focus on work.

Clicking on any of these hashtags revealed that the most viral posts came from a previously unknown influencer account. Known for his long, impassioned essays, this time he tagged every trending topic in one explosive post.

His essay was heartfelt and emotionally charged, indiscriminately criticizing everyone—except Jiang Lingyu.

His fans propelled him to the top of every trending list, with comments soaring past 200K.

But even this impressive feat paled in comparison to his previous post.

Whether people were online or not, everyone knew that this influencer had exposed Jiang Lingyu’s schedule and company contract an hour earlier, single-handedly creating the hashtag frenzy and amassing millions of gossip-hungry followers.

**LazyFrontlineV: Hey there, lovely audience! You all want updates? What more is there to say? Do I really need to spell out why Yuyu didn’t wear the finale gown? Open your eyes and look! Miss Rose’s director didn’t even fight for her—great designs, stunning show, but too scared to offend the big shots.

Now look! Everyone remembers Jiang Lingyu as your finale, but who remembers the actual finale gown? Serves you right for not working with Yuyu! /laughing emoji /smirk /facepalm

And don’t even ask me about the persona collapse. You’ve got ears, right? No ears? Eyes? No eyes? At least your hearts aren’t black, right? Yeah, I’m talking to you—all those fans screaming “Zhizhi.” I hate Xu Mifei, but I equally despise the “Healing CP.” Keep your self-promotion away from our Yuyu. /peace out**

I don’t know about their marital status—how would I know when I’m not sleeping under their bed? They’re already married with the certificates and you’re still making a fuss here… Just drop it. If you never become a CP shipper, your ship will never sink. I don’t like Xu Mifei and will never be their CP fan!!! If you want to know why, ask @DamaskPavilion—she gets me. Sure, I used to badmouth Xu Mifei a lot, but now I just say I don’t like her. Because my heart isn’t black, okay?

As for why you’re seeing me in the post about Lawyer Qi Kaiyu—can’t I just ride the hype? I won’t say who the case is about, so go ask Lawyer Qi yourself, please. Pretty please.

Shoutout to Yuyu! Being your forever career fan is the best~

Among the four pictures Lazybones posted, three were candid backstage shots of Jiang Lingyu from the fashion show. The last one was a screenshot of her chat with DamaskPavilion.

9:08 AM

Lazybones: Hey Pavilion, Yuyu had two schedules canceled today. What are you up to?

Lazybones: I posted a rant today and it blew up—ugh, now I can’t freely trash Xu Mifei anymore. You’re my most loyal comrade—tell me! Why do you hate her?

DamaskPavilion replied to a bit later.

12:13 PM

DamaskPavilion: Forever hating the real wifey.

DamaskPavilion: gritting-teeth.jpg

3:25 PM

DamaskPavilion: Image

DamaskPavilion: Did you know Xu Mifei is actually in the props team this time?

The uncensored photo clearly showed Xu Mifei casually eating a boxed meal.

4:01 PM

DamaskPavilion: WTF! Damn it! What the—! She was the one handling Yuyu’s spotlight and the final butterfly rain effect during the curtain call!

DamaskPavilion: Image

From this point, the images were no longer ordinary snapshots. The perfect lighting and composition turned Xu Mifei standing behind that beam of light into art.

She was crafting a light that belonged solely to Jiang Lingyu, a light that chased only her—a one-of-a-kind light in the world.

At this, Lazybones took five minutes to reply: Wake up! You’re Yuyu’s top fan photographer! Why are you taking pics of her now…?

4:35 PM

DamaskPavilion patted you and smacked your head off.

DamaskPavilion: OMGOMGOMG! How could you not tell me such huge news?! WTF babe babe babe!!!

DamaskPavilion: You hear me?

DamaskPavilion patted you and twisted your head off.

DamaskPavilion patted you, twisted your head off, and muttered “Amitabha.”

DamaskPavilion: You can’t trash her anymore. You can’t.

DamaskPavilion: Lazybones, who gave you that leaked schedule pic? Who made it? Just who…?

The chat log abruptly ended there, the screenshot neatly cutting off DamaskPavilion’s next words.

Even non-fans of Jiang Lingyu knew DamaskPavilion was one of her biggest supporters. Her agitation clearly stemmed from a massive, worldview-shattering revelation.

The timeline aligned perfectly with Miss Rose’s fashion show.

At noon, she was still gritting her teeth about hating the “real wifey” as a fan photographer. Yet, just four hours later, she was telling her comrade to stop slandering Xu Mifei.

What happened?

Who made that leaked schedule pic—and why did it matter? What earth-shattering gossip lay behind those trailing ellipses?

Speak up, why don’t you speak?! I’ll kill all you damned riddlers inside the circle!!

Without a doubt, these cryptic little essays filled with questions exploded in popularity again, pushing a new hashtag to trending.