Marked by the Milk-Soft Alpha I Picked Up (Entertainment Circle) - Chapter 7

Lin Ruoyun sighed in resignation. She walked into the bathroom, filled the small wooden tub with water, and tested the temperature with her hand.

Guan Yinghan lowered her eyes, hiding the smile that was suddenly spreading across her face.

Is this really happening? she thought. Am I really going to take a bath with Ruoyun? To have this kind of benefit on the very first day of cohabitation… It feels like a dream.

Guan Yinghan rubbed her flushed cheeks, held her breath, and quietly moved closer, her breath tickling Lin Ruoyun’s ear.

“Sister…”

Lin Ruoyun’s back stiffened. She pretended to be focused as she unbuttoned Guan Yinghan’s shirt, revealing a patch of her fair, smooth shoulder. The position of her hand, right in front of Guan Yinghan’s chest, made Guan Yinghan feel unbearably hot the moment their skin touched. Her cheeks flushed, her breathing became quick, and a light sweat broke out on her forehead.

Her pheromones were uncontrollably leaking out. For years, in her struggle with the Guan family’s First Madam for control of the Runhai Group, she had trained herself to be emotionless and desireless. 

No matter what kind of seductive Omegas the First Madam sent to tempt her and break her spirit, she wouldn’t even give them a second glance. However, her proud self-control was completely shattered by a single touch from Lin Ruoyun’s fingertips.

Lin Ruoyun had taken a drug to suppress freesia pheromones, so she was almost immune to Guan Yinghan’s scent. For a moment, she even felt a little dizzy.

Noticing Ruoyun’s discomfort, Guan Yinghan bit down hard on her tongue, using the sharp pain to stimulate her nerves and force herself to retract her pheromones, to stay calm and clear-headed.

After she calmed down, a deep melancholy and a sense of loss washed over her. If Ruoyun was so repulsed by her pheromones, what kind of love life could they possibly have in the future?

However, Dr. He had said that the drug would only be effective with long-term use. Once Ruoyun stopped taking it, she would crave freesia pheromones even more than before. So, for the sake of her future love life, she had to find that drug as soon as possible and stop Ruoyun from taking it.

“Naitang,” Lin Ruoyun said, taking a deep breath and still looking a little unwell. 

“You take off the rest of your clothes and get in the tub. I’ll put your pajamas on the small stool. After your bath, go to bed. My sister feels dizzy and is going to lie down for a bit.”

When Guan Yinghan finished her bath and came out of the bedroom, Lin Ruoyun was already asleep on the sofa. She had left the only bed in the house for Guan Yinghan, while she herself was curled up on the single sofa. 

The small room was dark and quiet. The only light was a small desk lamp on the study table. The warm yellow light illuminated Ruoyun’s unguarded face. Her long, curled eyelashes were still and quiet, and her plump, dewy lips were slightly pouted, inviting a kiss.

Guan Yinghan could no longer control her chaotic heart. She closed her eyes for a moment, then slowly leaned down, her lips trembling with nervousness. With a mix of love and longing, she gently touched Lin Ruoyun’s soft lips.

Her heart felt as if it was floating on a cloud, yet also falling into a deep abyss. For five long years, Guan Yinghan couldn’t be sure if Lin Ruoyun was safe, or even if she was still alive. Now, after so much effort, she had finally found Ruoyun. But Ruoyun had forgotten her.

“Ruoyun, if you can never remember me again…” Guan Yinghan’s nails dug deep into her palms. Her voice was low but filled with absolute determination.

 “Then… let’s get to know each other all over again. This time, I will do better than before… So please, don’t forget me again… okay?”

******

Lin Ruoyun’s sleep was restless. She woke up before dawn, and the first thing she did was check her phone for messages from the extras group chat. Normally, she wouldn’t be so worried about money, but now she had a “Naitang” who couldn’t take care of herself. 

Since she had brought Naitang home, she couldn’t neglect her. She had to earn money to support her little one! With money, she could make sure Naitang ate well and didn’t have to live on noodles and dumplings.

She also wanted to find a special school for children with intellectual disabilities so Naitang could get a proper education. She looked online and saw that the annual tuition for such schools was outrageously expensive. But thinking about Naitang learning life skills made her feel it was worth any price.

There were no messages in the extras group chat, so Lin Ruoyun decided to call the casting director directly. The director, Sister Zhang, was a kind Beta whom Lin Ruoyun had met a few months ago. 

Seeing that Lin Ruoyun was beautiful, had a professional work ethic, and, most importantly, had incredible acting talent, she was willing to be kind and give her roles with lines.

However, Lin Ruoyun had completely offended her by refusing to be a nude stand-in last time. Sister Zhang’s voice on the phone was full of anger. 

“Lin Ruoyun, you have the nerve to call me? You offended Miss Zhan and got me a huge scolding. You…”

“Sister Zhang!” Lin Ruoyun said, her voice soft and her attitude humble.

“I’m so sorry. I promise I won’t cause you any trouble again… Can you please give me one more chance?”

Sister Zhang hadn’t had much contact with Lin Ruoyun, but she could tell from her demeanor that she was a proud Omega. She was surprised that she was willing to humble herself. Sister Zhang was someone who appreciated talent and thought that if Lin Ruoyun ever became famous, she might get some credit. 

When she spoke again, her tone was much softer. 

“Ruoyun, I told you before, you can’t be so rigid in the entertainment industry. You have to know how to play the game. What’s the big deal about making some sacrifices to become famous? Oh, wait, Ruoyun, what made you suddenly change your mind?”

Lin Ruoyun couldn’t help but look at the slender figure on the small bed. She lowered her voice and replied, “Because… I don’t have enough money to raise a little one.”

******

When Lin Ruoyun arrived at the set, Sister Zhang was talking to the group of extras, seemingly assigning them roles. Lin Ruoyun walked straight over and greeted her politely, “Sister Zhang.”

Sister Zhang was holding a piece of A4 paper, ready to call out names, when she turned and saw Lin Ruoyun. Before she could respond, she noticed another person next to her, and her smile instantly froze. 

“Who is she? Ruoyun, why did you bring someone to the set without talking to me first? If a photo gets leaked, how can I keep being a casting director?”

Lin Ruoyun pulled Guan Yinghan closer. “This is my little one. She’s very well-behaved and obedient.”

Sister Zhang’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had never seen a “little one” who was over five foot nine…

“Ruoyun, you should know that outsiders are not allowed on set, especially an Alpha…”

Lin Ruoyun couldn’t be reserved. She reached out and took Sister Zhang’s hand. 

“Sister Zhang, Naitang is very well-behaved. Even though she’s an Alpha, she’s only five or six years old mentally. I promise she won’t cause you any trouble. Right, Naitang?”

Guan Yinghan obediently lowered her head, her body pressed close to Lin Ruoyun. She was very cooperative and raised her pale face, showing a sweet, innocent smile.

“I’ll listen to Sister.”

Lin Ruoyun was pleased. She rubbed the cheek that was resting on her shoulder, then turned back to plead with Sister Zhang. 

“Sister Zhang, please, just let Naitang stay. I can’t leave her at home by herself.”

“Fine, fine,” Sister Zhang said, in a hurry to meet with the crew and not wanting to deal with the simple-minded Naitang. 

“Just let her stay in the assistant’s lounge. Don’t let her run around, and she better not cause any trouble.”

Lin Ruoyun followed Sister Zhang, listening to her endless chatter. 

“I’m telling you, Ruoyun, I worked really hard to get you this role. Don’t you dare offend Zhan Qing again, or I won’t hire you anymore.”

Lin Ruoyun let the words go in one ear and out the other. She anxiously looked back and was stunned. Little Naitang was standing under the red-tiled roof of the studio, her head lowered, her eyelashes casting two lonely shadows. There even seemed to be a hint of wetness in her eyes.

Lin Ruoyun turned and ran back to her. She fought back the pain in her heart and gently stroked her hair. “Naitang, you stay here and be a good girl. Don’t go anywhere. Sister will come get you later, okay?”