Thank You for the Invitation, I Successfully Held Hands with the Best Actress - Chapter 4

While Ming Jue and Mu Qiuyan were discussing the significance of their identity cards, a voice suddenly cut in.

“Welcome! I never expected to run into an old friend on a variety show.”

Looking up to see Ning Yu’s smiling face, Ming Jue’s brain immediately sounded an alarm.

Old friend? What does she mean?

Do they know each other?

Ming Jue’s expression shifted slightly before she calmly replied, “Excuse me, but do we know each other? You are—”

She deliberately feigned ignorance, hoping to distance herself. If Ning Yu had any sense, she’d take the hint and pretend it was a case of mistaken identity.

But the next second, Ning Yu casually draped an arm over Ming Jue’s shoulder, her voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness. “President Ming, it’s me, Ning Yu! We were college classmates—we ran into each other on campus plenty of times, didn’t we?”

Ming Jue: “Really? I don’t recall.”

Ning Yu pretended to be hurt. “Ah, so the rich forget their old friends. I get it—must be the privilege of success. No hard feelings, though. We’ll be spending the next month together, so I’ll have to trouble you to look out for me.” She patted Ming Jue’s shoulder like they were besties, making Ming Jue’s skin crawl.

Was Ning Yu always like this?

Something felt off.

Back in college, because Ning Yu had pursued Mu Qiuyan, she’d always seen Ming Jue as a nuisance. A lone alpha and omega, always paired up—Ming Jue’s intentions couldn’t have been more obvious.

So, their rare encounters had mostly been filled with sharp-tongued sarcasm and insults, nearly escalating into physical fights. There was no way they’d ever been this chummy and amicable.

Ning Yu: “The prince’s room is right next to the princess’s. Mianmian, why don’t you show President Ming the way?”

Suddenly called out, Wen Mianmian flushed red and nodded. “It’s on the second floor, toward the back. M-Miss Ming, I’ll take you there.”

Ming Jue smiled politely at Mianmian before turning back to ask, “And where’s the witch’s room?”

“The witch’s room is on the third floor,” Ning Yu said, effortlessly picking up Mu Qiuyan’s suitcase as she stepped closer. “I’ll help escort the award-winning actress.”

Ming Jue: Tch! Of course she’s up to no good!

She reached out and pressed a hand on Mu Qiuyan’s luggage. “No need to trouble yourself, Miss Ning. I’ll help Qiuyan with her bags. Just tell me which room on the third floor—I’ll take her up.”

Ning Yu didn’t let go, tugging the suitcase slightly. “President Ming, you’re already carrying one bag. It’s inconvenient—let me handle it.”

Ming Jue tightened her grip.

The two engaged in a brief tug-of-war over Mu Qiuyan’s suitcase.

What’s happening here? I don’t get it.

Ugh, another tired alpha rivalry over an omega. Keep the drama coming!

Suitcase: First of all, I did nothing to deserve this.

Seriously, typical scumbag alpha Ning Yu—flirting with Wen Mianmian one second, then fawning over Mu Qiuyan the next. Just leave the show already.

Feels like there’s some history between them. From college?

Meanwhile, the scumbag alpha system 414 watched the rising points in its reward account with glee. This dating show was the right call!

Ming Jue: “Please let go, Miss Ning. I’ll take the suitcase up.”

Ning Yu: “No need to trouble yourself, President Ming. Just leave it to me.”

Ming Jue gritted her teeth, refusing to yield, and tightened her grip even more.

“If you insist, fine then.”

Ning Yu released her grip and took a step back, causing the suitcase to lose balance and bump right into Ming Jue’s leg.

Ming Jue: “Ouch—”

Ning Yu spread her hands innocently. “Since President Ming is so insistent, I wouldn’t dare take it from you.”

Ming Jue struggled to steady the suitcase, only to see Ning Yu stride over to Mu Qiuyan and gesture politely.

“Then I’ll take Ms. Mu upstairs first. The luggage is all yours, President Ming.”

Ming Jue: “??”

Her expression shifted through a spectrum of emotions, like a palette of frustration, but she swallowed her words, mindful of her manners and the cameras.

Netizens, however, had no such reservations and happily voiced her thoughts for her.

Ming Jue: Ugh—I’m spitting bl00d.

Ming Jue: When did I become a luggage porter? Ning Yu, you’re ruthless.

LMAO, fighting over the suitcase like it was serious—when really, it’s all about snatching the person!

Stay away from Mu Mu! You think she’ll even acknowledge you?

Mu Qiuyan’s aloofness and unapproachable demeanor were well-known. For acquaintances she wasn’t close to, a simple smile was already the polite limit of her social interactions. Even with those she got along with, warmth was a rare sight.

In everyday life, a cold personality wasn’t a big deal. But in the entertainment industry, where every little action was magnified and scrutinized, it wasn’t exactly ideal.

Fresh out of college, Mu Qiuyan landed her first major film role. On the second day of shooting, she was accused of being a diva for her icy demeanor, sparking outrage online.

The so-called “evidence” was a photo of her sitting expressionlessly in front of the director’s monitor while the crew hurriedly set up props. At a glance, it did look like she was throwing her weight around.

In reality, she wasn’t even scheduled for that scene. She had simply gotten the director’s permission to observe and learn from the seasoned actors.

The real troublemaker, who kept delaying shoots due to unprofessionalism, was someone else entirely.

Over time, incidents like these piled up, and audiences came to understand Mu Qiuyan’s nature—if she didn’t know you, she wouldn’t waste words on you, nor would she fake friendliness for the cameras.

So they gleefully waited for Ning Yu to be rejected.

Mu Qiuyan’s gaze remained cool as she watched Ning Yu’s antics, her eyes unreadable.

Meeting those spring-like eyes, Ning Yu couldn’t help but recall that ambiguous night, her heart itching like a cat had scratched it. She awkwardly withdrew her hand.

“Third floor, left side—”

“Then I’ll trouble Ms. Ning,” Mu Qiuyan suddenly spoke, startling Ming Jue so much she nearly dropped the suitcase.

The barrage of comments erupted in disbelief as Ning Yu and Mu Qiuyan walked side by side up the spiral staircase.

Did Mu Qiuyan suddenly become sociable overnight?

LOL, just yesterday on the red carpet, Ji Qingqing tried to pull her into a photo, and she straight-up said, “We’re not close.” Ji’s face turned black on the spot.

Remember on Dinner with You when Wu Ke tried so hard to push their “CP” vibe? Mu Qiuyan left him hanging every time.

“I remember, I remember! On Wu Ke’s birthday, she deliberately asked Mu Qiuyan for a gift in front of the camera, probably thinking she wouldn’t refuse. But Mu Qiuyan straight-up said she didn’t have one, hahaha—the atmosphere froze solid.”

“Wu Ke is a professional at shipping herself with whoever’s trending, shamelessly latching onto the hottest names. Mu only appeared in that one episode and never went back.”

“So, I always thought the award-winning actress wasn’t the type to fall for a simp.”

“What does Ning Yu have besides that face? Sis, please don’t be fooled by her looks!”

Ming Jue, carrying two suitcases, glared at the two women ahead with a deeply aggrieved expression.

Mu Qiuyan sized up Ning Yu, her first impression being one of striking beauty—a rare bone structure with sharp, sculpted features that would make hearts race even in an industry overflowing with stunning faces.

But—

“Have we met somewhere before?”

Ning Yu startled at the sudden question, panic rising. What did she mean? Had she been recognized?

“Just said Ming Jue was too important to remember little people, but it seems the award-winning actress is the same. Am I really that forgettable? I confessed to you in college,” Ning Yu shrugged, sighing dramatically. “Got rejected, though. Wasted all those love letters I wrote you every day.”

Mu Qiuyan raised a brow, eyes narrowing slightly as if searching Ning Yu’s expression for something.

“Not in college. Recently. Your voice sounds a lot like someone I know.”

Ning Yu: “My voice isn’t very distinctive. Plenty of people online imitate how I talk.”

This was true. After the original owner’s identity as a scumbag alpha was exposed, netizens dug up more “disturbing” quotes from her variety shows and interviews, compiling them into a dedicated “Scumbag Alpha Quotes” that sparked countless parodies by entertainment bloggers.

For example:

“Lately, I’ve been so broke I can’t even afford special room service—don’t get the wrong idea, I meant a massage.”

Or:

“One’s never enough. The more, the merrier—a full house is livelier.”

And so on.

Hearing those exact words delivered in her own voice, Ning Yu nearly suffocated. What had once been jokes now revealed their truth.

Mu Qiuyan likely hadn’t heard them, though, showing no reaction. Instead, she asked, “Aren’t you curious who that person is?”

Ning Yu: “Uh… who?”

Mu Qiuyan: “I don’t know yet. Still looking.”

Her gaze sharpened, darkening. “But it’s only temporary. I’m sure I’ll find her.”

A cold sweat broke out on Ning Yu’s back. She forced a laugh. “You’re so determined to track her down—she must be a close friend?”

Mu Qiuyan leaned in slightly, whispering, “Sometimes, the ones you search for aren’t friends. They could be enemies.”

“And if she’s my enemy? I’d worry for her future. Most of mine don’t end well.”

A chill ran down Ning Yu’s spine, the phantom image of prison gates swinging open before her.

“Pray for her, Miss Ning. Pray I don’t find her too soon.” Mu Qiuyan smiled faintly, a small, barely-there dimple appearing at the corner of her lips, softening her sharp demeanor with a touch of playfulness.

But Ning Yu didn’t dare relax.

“Actress Mu must be joking. I don’t know the person you’re referring to—why would I pray for her?”

“Are you sure you don’t know her, Miss Ning?”

“I don’t,” Ning Yu replied firmly.

“Then I must have misunderstood,” Mu Qiuyan crossed her arms, speaking seriously. “I just hope that when I do find her, she won’t try to deny it like you are now.”

Ning Yu had never felt these three flights of stairs stretch so endlessly before. Her steps were stiff as she climbed, yet she wished she could turn and flee immediately.

Mu Qiuyan was suspicious of her—and at a time like this, she couldn’t afford to reveal even the slightest flaw.

Ning Yu turned to face Mu Qiuyan with composed confidence. “I wonder if this person has any distinguishing features that would make her easier to find.”

“If I happen to come across her someday, I’ll be sure to let you know right away.”