Marked by the Milk-Soft Alpha I Picked Up (Entertainment Circle) - Chapter 26

Guan Yinghan had been hoping and praying that Lin Ruoyun would remember something, even just a tiny bit.

But Lin Ruoyun took one bite and put down her chopsticks. She looked up at Guan Yinghan’s watery, expectant eyes, mistakenly thinking she was looking for praise.

So, Lin Ruoyun smiled and praised her lavishly. “This is delicious. Nai Tang is becoming more and more capable.”

Guan Yinghan lowered her long eyelashes, hiding her disappointed expression. “Then Jiejie should eat more. There’s still some in the pot.”

“I’m full,” Lin Ruoyun said, standing up and walking toward the bedroom. “There’s a celebration party tonight. Senior Jiang said there will be people from the industry and reporters there. It’s a good opportunity to get some exposure, so she wants me to go.”

Lin Ruoyun walked to the closet and rummaged through it, her brow furrowing slightly.

It was her first time attending such a grand event, and the crew had given her short notice. She didn’t have time to prepare a gown or accessories.

Lin Ruoyun stood in front of the closet, worried. Then she remembered there were a few haute couture gowns from luxury brands in a wooden chest in her bedroom, all from the current season.

These gowns were sent by Qin Yeli a while ago. Lin Ruoyun had kept them in a box to return to her, but she had been busy lately and hadn’t had time to go to Qin’s mansion, so she had put it off.

Lin Ruoyun hesitated before opening the chest. She took out a white backless gown with crushed diamonds and held it up to herself. She looked at Guan Yinghan. “Nai Tang, do you think Jiejie looks good in this?”

Guan Yinghan pretended to look at it carefully.

But inside, she felt a pang of jealousy.

After a moment, she curved her lips, flawlessly hiding her envy. “Jiejie looks good in anything.”

Lin Ruoyun didn’t respond. She just smiled faintly. After a moment of silence, she carefully wrapped the gown and, to Guan Yinghan’s surprise, gently placed it back in the chest.

“This belongs to someone else. Jiejie can’t keep it.” Lin Ruoyun closed the chest and stood up, twirling in front of Guan Yinghan. “Nai Tang said Jiejie looks good in anything, so I’ll just wear a T-shirt and jeans to the party. I’ll still look good, right?”

Guan Yinghan stared at her, her eyes welling up with joyful light.

Her Ruoyun was always so dignified and self-respecting, so independent and motivated. Her values were as solid as a tree.

Lin Ruoyun turned and went into the bathroom to do her makeup. Guan Yinghan secretly slipped onto the balcony and called Jiang Hui on a voice messenger app.

Five minutes later, Lin Ruoyun’s phone rang. She was putting on lipstick and, seeing that it was a call from Jiang Hui, she turned on the speakerphone. “Senior…”

“Ruoyun, you’re walking the red carpet in a bit. What are you going to wear?”

“I… I’ll just wear my usual clothes…”

Before Lin Ruoyun could finish, Jiang Hui gave her a scolding. “Are you kidding me, Lin Ruoyun? Have you ever seen a celebrity walk the red carpet in a T-shirt and jeans? You finally have a popular show. Are you trying to publicly humiliate yourself?”

“I’m sorry, Senior,” Lin Ruoyun’s hand, which was holding the lipstick, froze. Her bottom lip turned white from biting it. “I didn’t have time to prepare…”

“It’s not that you didn’t have time; it’s that you don’t have money, right? I heard you gave all your salary to that girl, Xiao Jiang, so she could find a professional school for Naitang, right? The tuition for a school like that isn’t something a normal person can afford.”

Lin Ruoyun paused. Before she could speak, she heard Jiang Hui’s voice close by. “Open the door.”

Lin Ruoyun, full of questions, opened the door and saw Jiang Hui standing there with two large boxes, followed by two stylists.

“Senior, what is this…”

Jiang Hui took off her sunglasses and walked in, exchanging a look with Guan Yinghan, who was pretending not to know what was going on. She quickly gave her a thumbs-up.

Then she adjusted her expression and turned to Lin Ruoyun, her face serious. “Do you know how hard it is for me to train a newcomer? If you go on the red carpet dressed like that, my reputation as the top agent in the entertainment industry will be ruined! What are you standing around for? Hurry up and go change! My God, what is this makeup? Tincy! Come and wash off Miss Lin’s makeup and reapply it.”

Lin Ruoyun didn’t dare to refuse and let the two stylists lead her into the room.

Half an hour later, Lin Ruoyun walked out, holding up her skirt.

In the white light of the living room, Lin Ruoyun’s makeup was exquisite. Her skin was like jade. Her slightly curled hair was styled into an elegant bun at the back of her head, revealing her fair, slender neck.

The purple handmade silk dress made her look ethereal and beautiful, as if she were adorned with stars, shining with a brilliant light.

Guan Yinghan gazed tenderly at Lin Ruoyun, who was a few steps away from her. The stunning sparkling light surrounding the Omega went straight into her eyes and her heart.

She had chosen this dress herself. She knew Ruoyun would be beautiful in it, but she didn’t expect her to be this—

So beautiful that no one could look away.

“Naitang!” Lin Ruoyun waved at her.

Guan Yinghan quickly looked away, putting on her soft, childlike expression. “Jiejie…”

Lin Ruoyun took a phone out of her bag, took it out of its packaging, and handed it to Guan Yinghan. She patiently taught her the simple functions. “Naitang, Jiejie saved my number in it. You don’t have to worry about not being able to find me anymore.”

Guan Yinghan couldn’t stop the happiness in her heart. It wasn’t about the new phone; it was about Ruoyun’s constant soft care for her.

She loved it when Lin Ruoyun’s attention was all on her.

But her happiness didn’t last long. A second later, Lin Ruoyun let go of her hand. “Naitang, you stay at home and be good. Jiejie is going out. If you need anything, you can call me on this phone.”

The joy in Guan Yinghan’s eyes gradually went out, replaced by a wet mist. “Jiejie… why aren’t you taking Naitang with you? Is it because Naitang is stupid and will embarrass Jiejie?”

Lin Ruoyun’s breathing stopped for a second.

“No, of course not.” Lin Ruoyun’s heart ached when she saw the hurt in Guan Yinghan’s eyes. “Nai Tang isn’t stupid… it’s just that…”

After the fire, Naitang had risked her life to save her. Lin Ruoyun couldn’t bring herself to be mean to her anymore.

Besides, her little Nai Tang had fair skin and a beautiful face. She was prettier than any Alpha she had ever seen. She wouldn’t be an embarrassment; in fact, she would be a point of pride.

But the party was different from the set. She couldn’t just make a decision on her own.

Lin Ruoyun tentatively looked at Jiang Hui, silently asking for her opinion.

Jiang Hui couldn’t help but think, Holy sht!*

Guan Er, you’re a master of retreating to advance. I didn’t realize you were also a master manipulator.

Lin Ruoyun put her hands together and bowed to Jiang Hui. Her eyes were watery, just like those of a ragdoll cat in an internet meme. “Senior, let Nai Tang come too. I promise I’ll keep a close eye on her and won’t cause you any trouble.”

Jiang Hui cursed again. Are these two combining forces to be cute? Is that what this is?

Jiang Hui deliberately glanced sideways at Guan Yinghan and cleared her throat. “Ahem, fine!”

Guan Yinghan immediately threw herself at Lin Ruoyun, hugging her tightly. Her invisible little tail wagged so fast it was almost a blur. “Jiejie, you’re so nice. Thank you.”

“Hey! Why aren’t you thanking me?” Jiang Hui silently protested to Guan Yinghan with her mouth, knowing Lin Ruoyun couldn’t see her.

Guan Yinghan was in a good mood and, for the first time ever, gave Jiang Hui a playful smile. Then she rubbed her face against Lin Ruoyun’s fragrant neck. “Jiejie, the stylist said there’s a lot of good food at the party. Let’s go quickly.”

Lin Ruoyun hugged her back, pinching Guan Yinghan’s face with a mix of laughter and tears. “You’re such a kid.”

…

Dream Fate was the first TV series invested in by Runhai Group after it entered the film and television industry. It was also the comeback of the A-list actress Jiang Hui. As expected, it became this year’s hit show, reaching the top of the trending list after only two episodes.

At first, fans followed the show because of Jiang Hui, but they didn’t expect to become fans of Lin Ruoyun, who played a supporting role in the show.

Overnight, her social media followers increased by several million, and the comments section remained at the top of the charts for several days.

[OMG, Sister Ruoyun perfectly captured the crazy beauty of Sang Rou from the original novel. She is literally the real Sang Rou!]

[You’re right, sis. Her acting is amazing. She even acted out the punctuation marks from the book.]

[I was so impressed the moment Sang Rou appeared. I am writing this in bl00d—we need more episodes! Six episodes a week is not enough!]

[How could I have only just discovered such a beautiful and talented actress? Was I blind?]

Taking advantage of Dream Fate’s popularity, the crew partnered with a streaming platform to hold a red-carpet event. It was about 20 minutes long, including the walk and a standard interview.

The temperature outside on the late autumn night was very low. Lin Ruoyun walked onto the red carpet in her thin high heels. After answering the reporters’ questions and posing for a round of promotional photos, she was shaking from the cold by the time she reached the end of the red carpet.

Guan Yinghan was waiting at the end of the red carpet with a warm, thick coat. When she saw Lin Ruoyun coming, she rushed over.

The moment Lin Ruoyun stepped off the stage, she was hugged tightly. Guan Yinghan’s warm body wrapped around her.

So warm, so comfortable!

A reporter could snap a photo of them at any moment. Lin Ruoyun wanted to push Guan Yinghan away, but she couldn’t bear to leave the warm, comfortable embrace. She bit her lip and simply rested her head on Guan Yinghan’s shoulder, letting her half-carry her to the lounge.

Lin Ruoyun closed her eyes in comfort.

When did it start…

When did her feelings for Naitang change so subtly?

Before, Nai Tang was the one who was always clinging to her and depending on her.

But now, she would unconsciously get close to Naitang. She felt relaxed and safe when she was with her.

When they got to the lounge, Guan Yinghan carefully placed Ruoyun on a chair with cushions. Then she knelt on the floor and took Lin Ruoyun’s feet, resting them on her thighs.

Lin Ruoyun’s ears turned red. “Na-Naitang, what are you doing?”

Guan Yinghan lowered her eyes and gently took off Lin Ruoyun’s high heels. She frowned. “Jiejie, your heels are red from standing. Nai Tang will give you a massage.”

Lin Ruoyun’s heart pounded. She subconsciously looked around. Fortunately, no one else was in the lounge.

She tried to pull her feet back, but Guan Yinghan held them tighter.

“Na… Nai Tang, let go. I can massage them myself.”

“Naitang is the assistant. I have to take care of Jiejie.”

Guan Yinghan held her struggling ankles firmly. Her bony fingers held the top of her feet, kneading them in circles.

Half of Lin Ruoyun’s body went numb. If it weren’t for the back of the chair, she might have collapsed onto the floor.

She tried once more to pull her feet away but was again held down by Guan Yinghan.

“Jiejie, be good. Don’t move,” Guan Yinghan said in a gentle voice, but there was an irresistible stubbornness in her tone.