The Extravagant Alpha And The Cold Movie Queen’s Fake Act Became Real - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Mother, Do Others Know About Our Relationship?

Before them, two other groups took the stage first. Given Fu Ru’an’s status in the industry, having her and Ruan Siyi’s performance as the grand finale was an expected and widely accepted arrangement.

While the first two groups were performing, Ruan Siyi was nervously preparing backstage and didn’t get to see their acts firsthand—

But the audience’s enthusiastic reactions, gathered from online recruits invited to the live show, spoke volumes about the performances.

The backstage lighting was dim, and Ruan Siyi sat in the waiting area, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting, clearly tense.

The loud, sustained applause and cheers from the audience in front of the stage seeped through the heavy red curtains, the sound distorted and muffled, like an old television set.

It felt as though the entire venue was filled with the audience’s support and adoration.

Beside her, Fu Ru’an leaned in close. Without her glasses on, she had to get very near, so close that her nose almost brushed against Ruan Siyi’s cheek.

“Hmm… It’s still not completely covered…”

Fu Ru’an frowned as she examined the pimple on Ruan Siyi’s face that even concealer couldn’t fully hide.

Though the stage was large, once it was magnified on the big screen, netizens with their eagle eyes would inevitably zoom in and scrutinize it.

Tomorrow would surely bring another storm of criticism, with Ruan Siyi facing mockery like “a celebrity who doesn’t take care of her skin” or “didn’t watch her diet before a performance.”

But Ruan Siyi really hadn’t eaten much junk food or anything that would cause breakouts…

Could it really be… because she was too pent up?

Fu Ru’an pondered, not idling for a moment, occasionally poking at the faintly pink-covered pimple with her finger while her mind raced to think of any possible solutions to fix it.

At least the makeup artist had already done her best.

The only option now was to tackle it from another angle.

Ruan Siyi pressed her lips together, silent, her eyelashes lowered, her expression somewhat sullen and filled mostly with self-blame.

After a while, she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry… Sister Fu, I shouldn’t have given in to that craving…”

For someone as perfectionistic as Fu Ru’an, this must have been a serious mistake.

A tiny pimple could very well affect the stage performance to some degree, and she didn’t want their first collaborative stage to be marred by regret or flaws.

It was all her fault.

“Relax, it’s fine,” Fu Ru’an said, her eyes curving into a smile. “It’s just a variety show stage—no need to be so nervous.”

After a pause, she suddenly blinked at Ruan Siyi.

Ruan Siyi rarely saw such lively, adorable expressions on her face.

Fu Ru’an’s usual gaze, to put it nicely, could be described as restrained and aloof—

With her mature looks and figure, she always wore a cold expression, almost indifferent to her surroundings, unflappable in any situation.

But now, those dark grape-like eyes blinked at her, brimming with youthful charm, so much like a girl-next-door senior that it left Ruan Siyi momentarily stunned.

“I know what to do, Ruan Ruan.”

Fu Ru’an’s voice was delighted, a spark of inspiration flashing in her eyes.

“What…?”

Before Ruan Siyi could finish her question, a soft sensation brushed past her cheek and pressed against it.

A few strands of Fu Ru’an’s loosely draped hair slipped along her black spaghetti straps, sliding down mischievously to graze her collarbone, leaving behind a fleeting itch.

Fu Ru’an’s kiss carried the faint, distinctive aroma of Baileys, landing softly on her cheek.

Ruan Siyi: “!”

What… was this for?

Sister Fu suddenly kissed her ahhhh!!!

Outside the waiting room, staff members hurried back and forth, while inside, Fu Ru’an planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Footsteps echoed from outside, drawing nearer and nearer, the sound gradually growing louder, the curve of its intensity steepening step by step.

The rhythmic footsteps mirrored the sudden disorder of Ruan Siyi’s heartbeat.

“Sister Fu…”

She froze, her mouth involuntarily falling open until it formed a perfect “O” shape.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

A sudden rapping at the door.

“Actress Fu, Teacher Ruan, are you ready? It’s almost time for your performance on stage.”

Outside, a staff member offered a warm, friendly reminder.

Only then did Fu Ru’an reluctantly pull her lips away from Ruan Siyi’s face. Clearing her throat, she responded, “We’re almost ready. We’ll be out shortly.”

Lowering her gaze, her eyes remained fixed on Ruan Siyi’s cheek with an intensity that felt almost tangible.

The faint pink blemish that had been there earlier was now far less noticeable.

Because—

In its place, a far more dominant color now claimed the territory.

The vivid hue of Fu Ru’an’s lipstick.

Flustered, Ruan Siyi stumbled toward the table, her hands trembling slightly as she picked up a mirror. When she looked down, there it was—the unmistakable imprint of Fu Ru’an’s lips, bold and conspicuous, like a declaration of possession.

She stared blankly at her reflection, the blush on her cheeks deepening, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

Her mind replayed the kiss over and over, her thoughts now a tangled mess, impossible to calm.

“Si-Sister Fu… you…”

She stammered, her voice thin and soft with nervousness.

Fu Ru’an looked at her flustered expression and gently tapped her head.

It wasn’t their first time kissing, so why was she reacting so strongly?

Her Ruan Ruan was truly adorable.

“There, covered now, right?” She raised an eyebrow slightly. “As long as it serves its purpose.”

Serves its purpose?

A look of disbelief and astonishment gradually spread across Ruan Siyi’s face.

This…

It might have covered the mark, but it had turned into something even more obvious—something that could only be described as bold and conspicuous—

A hickey.

“Consider it an early celebration for our smooth and successful performance.”

Fu Ru’an turned around and slipped on the jacket prepared by the production team to keep the costumes a surprise for the audience. Her long hair swung out in a graceful arc as she pushed open the door first.

“Hello,” she said politely yet distantly, nodding at the staff waiting outside. “We’re ready. Please lead the way.”

The staff member, flattered by the star’s polite tone, quickly nodded and handed them their heart rate monitoring bracelets, signaling for them to put them on first.

“Ms. Fu, Ms. Ruan. This way, please.”

Tonight’s Heartbeat Stage was hosted by Aike and Duoke.

On the stage, the lights gradually brightened as Aike and Duoke stood by the microphones, greeting the live and online audience with warm smiles.

Aike spoke with a smile, “Dear audience members, welcome to tonight’s Heartbeat Plan Heartbeat Stage! Our grand finale tonight is highly anticipated—a duet dance performance by our very own Fu Ru’an and Ms. Ruan.”

Duoke picked up with a playful tone, “But before the performance, we’ve arranged a little segment. After all, since this is the ‘Heartbeat Stage,’ how could we skip a heart rate test?”

The audience excitedly spammed comments on their screens:

【The heart rate test is here! I bet Fu Ru’an’s heart rate is off the charts!】

【So hyped! Fu Ru’an and Ruan Siyi are gonna max out the bpm, right?!】

【Host, hurry up and start! I wanna see their heart rate data!】

As the audience’s enthusiasm soared, Aike smiled and raised a hand to quiet the crowd before continuing, “Now, let’s welcome Actress Fu and Teacher Ruan to the stage. With everyone watching, let’s first see what their current heart rates are!”

Fu Ru’an and Ruan Siyi stepped onto the stage, wearing the heart rate monitoring bracelets handed to them by the staff.

The atmosphere on stage instantly grew a little tense, with the audience’s eyes fixed on them, eagerly awaiting the heart rate numbers about to appear on the screen.

Once the two were in place, Duoke teased, “Ladies, no need to be nervous! This is just a little warm-up segment~”

Fu Ru’an maintained her usual composed smile, but when she glanced down at the data on her wrist, a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of emotion passed through her eyes.

Ruan Siyi stood beside her, nervously pursing her lips and stealing a glance at the screen, as if waiting for her own heart rate to be displayed.

Two sets of numbers instantly flashed across the screen—

Ruan Siyi: 103 bpm
Fu Ru’an: 98 bpm

The moment the audience saw these numbers, the comments exploded:

【Ruan Siyi’s heart rate is actually higher than Fu Ru’an’s! OMG, over 100?! That’s my heart rate after running 800 meters…】

【Hahaha, the romantic tension is skyrocketing! Our dear Teacher Ruan is clearly nervous!】

【Actress Fu is truly an award-winning performer—how is she this calm?! (shocked face)】

Aike chuckled and teased, “Seems like our Teacher Ruan’s heart is racing a bit today. Maybe she’s looking forward to the next performance?”

N-nonsense.

Ruan Siyi’s face flushed red, the rosy hue rising on her cheeks barely concealed by the blush applied to her skin. She lowered her head, her hanging hair artfully covering the kiss mark Fu Ru’an had left behind.

It was all because of Sister Fu—she had suddenly kissed her, making her heart race like this!

The lights in the venue dimmed once again amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Fu Ru’an and Ruan Siyi took off their jackets together and handed them to the host, who carried them offstage for them.

“Ruan Ruan,” Fu Ru’an reached out, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, “lift your head, let everyone see you clearly.”

Let everyone see just how outstanding her Ruan Ruan truly was.

It was also a declaration to the world-the return of the “passionate underdog” who had once fought her way to the top from over a hundred contestants with almost no prior experience, earning the title of “official center” in the survival show.

By the time the lights brightened again, both of them were ready.

As the spotlight fell, Fu Ru’an’s elegant, intoxicating voice rang out even before the light fully settled.

On stage, the omega clad in a black crop top and matching leather shorts lay on a pristine white bed strewn with feathers. Around her neck was a black-and-silver choker, its delicate chains studded with diamonds lying parallel against her swan-like neck-cold yet laced with a hint of seductive allure.

Hanging from the chains was a bold “SEX” pendant, its letters glinting icily under the lights. The chains between the letters draped down, pressing against her fair, delicate skin, accentuating its softness and vulnerability with a subtle sense of restraint.

Fu Ru’an’s eyes were covered by a black blindfold, her hands bound behind her back with handcuffs, the silver metal gleaming like liquid. Her black-painted nails dug deep into the pure white bedding, the stark contrast like a dagger thrust straight into the heart.

Further down, a black leather thigh strap clung snugly to the plush curve of her thigh, a blue-purple metal butterfly pendant swaying gently with her movements-yet confined by its chain, trapped within this expanse of snow-white fantasy.

[Holy sh1t! What kind of restricted-level scene is this…]

[Is this the so-called heart-racing design? My heart’s about to give out, ahhh-!]

As the music progressed, the spotlight gradually widened, revealing a towering full-length mirror beside the feathered bed.

The magic mirror was set in an intricate obsidian frame, its edges carved with ancient and eerie patterns. Gems of various colors—bl00d red, deep blue, and violet-black—were embedded into the mirror’s bizarrely ornate frame, shimmering like stars in the night sky, casting an eerie glow that made the entire mirror appear enigmatic and unfathomable.

It was at this moment that Ruan Siyi made her entrance, stepping in rhythm to the beat.

Her outfit was similarly all-black, much like Fu Ru’an’s, yet with subtle differences—

Ruan Siyi wore a princess-style top with straps paired with wide-legged pants. Her black hair cascaded over one shoulder, her bangs straightened and sleek. A red hairband was woven through her locks, mirroring the crimson eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes.

Black leather gloves clung to her slender fingers as she provocatively toyed with a bl00d-red apple, rolling it lazily between her hands.

This was a stark contrast to the image she had previously presented to the public—

This was unmistakably the look of a femme fatale.

Not to mention, on her face was a blatant, boldly flamboyant lip mark.

Her skin was as white as snow, her lips as red as bl00d, and her hair as black as ebony.

With a smooth chest pop followed by a wave, Ruan Siyi immediately set the atmosphere ablaze.

[Is this… Snow White? Then is Actress Fu playing… the stepmother?!]

[Wait, why does the plot feel like it’s derailed? Evil stepmother x white-cut-black princess? Tried to kill the daughter but ended up imprisoned by her?!]

[Am I the only one curious about whether that lip mark was left by Fu Fu~ (excited hand-rubbing)]

While the audience was still caught in a frenzy of speculation, the next moment—

Snow White’s icy leather glove slid boldly up the Queen’s bare thigh, fingers slowly tracing the garter strapped there.

Blindfolded with black cloth, the Queen couldn’t see, trembling as she arched her back in protest—only to be forcefully pressed back down, sending a small flurry of feathers scattering across the bed.

Then, that hand began to slowly glide upward from her garter belt, lightly caressing her hips and waist, threading through her smooth, long hair, and finally coming to rest tangled in her locks.

On a heavy beat of the music, Ruan Siyi pulled off the black blindfold from Fu Ru’an’s eyes from behind and gripped her hair.

Fu Ru’an followed her movement, arching her head back in a sharp, deliberate pose.

The Snow White princess supported the queen’s waist, helping her rise from the bed.

In the mirror, the queen was already disheveled, her long hair in wild disarray. The princess stood behind her, one hand gripping her jaw, forcing her to gaze at their reflections in the mirror.

The rough texture of the glove lingered suggestively against the sensitive skin of her neck, the uneven breaths making the queen part her plump, crimson lips slightly, her chest rising and falling with each shallow gasp.

Then came an interactive dance between the two-

The wicked princess lazily raised the bright red apple in her hand and, right in front of her stepmother, took a small bite with sharp teeth. The remaining apple was tossed aside with a flick of her wrist, landing with a heavy thud before rolling out of the spotlight.

The princess tilted her head, holding the small piece of apple between her teeth, then leaned over the bed and fed it directly into the queen’s mouth.

On the enlarged stage screen, their noses nearly touched, their red lips hovering just millimeters apart, lingering in an unbearably intimate distance.

The princess lowered her lashes, staring down at the stepmother under her control, her gaze filled with greed, hunger, yet mixed with the unmistakable shyness of a young girl.

Suddenly-the queen unexpectedly bit down on the apple piece delivered from her mouth, the corner of her lips curling into a faint smirk before pressing forward, sucking on her tongue.

Ruan Siyi’s eyes widened instantly.

This…

This wasn’t part of their rehearsal!

During rehearsal, to portray the ambiguous, on-and-off relationship between the two without actually kissing for real—

Because the subsequent dance moves had to follow immediately, the kiss was like an accidental moment on stage, as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the water, their lips parting almost as soon as they touched.

Yet it left Ruan Siyi’s heart unsettled, itching with unresolved tension.

The silver handcuffs were effortlessly unlocked by the Queen. Fu Ru’an’s gaze lingered, her black-painted nails tracing the lipstick mark she had left on Ruan’s cheek, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on her face.

The stage lights shifted quietly, the cold white glow gradually fading, replaced by layers of warm-toned hues.

An amber radiance seemed to saturate the air, slowly painting their figures, outlining their blurred, indistinct silhouettes. The interplay of light and shadow was like a teasing, tender hand, drifting along their hair, down their shoulders, casting soft shadows across every inch of their skin.

The warm, ambiguous lighting draped over them like a sheer veil of tantalizing distance. They held each other’s gaze in this hazy glow, faint reflections flickering in their eyes, the air growing quietly heated under the weight of their prolonged stare.

Moving to the rhythm of the music, their motions were nearly synchronized, their interactions and coordination seamless.

Fu Ru’an’s eyes carried a provocative allure, as if she truly was a queen—seductive, cold, and effortlessly enchanting. Ruan Siyi, meanwhile, played the pitiful princess ensnared in her grasp—

Even when she briefly believed she had seized control, she soon realized it was nothing more than the queen toying with her, like a dog teased by its master.

Offstage, the audience’s screams and cheers never ceased. Waves of shouts and applause crashed over them, one after another.

The initial cries were full of excitement and anticipation, but gradually, they became infused with the intoxicating tension on stage, growing more restless and fervent.

【I can’t take this! Whose genius idea was this stage design?! The princess imprisoning her stepmother, only to realize the queen had planned it all along—she walked right into the trap, a lamb delivered to the tiger’s mouth…】

【Holy sh1t! Who said the “Ruan-Fu” CP was bad?! This is freaking DELICIOUS!!!】

【Ahhhhhh! I’m the King of Impatience! Someone tell me how this twisted Snow White story ends—】

As the music drew to a close,

Fu Ru’an’s movements were gentle yet carried an irresistible force. Ruan Siyi could only feel the queen’s delicate fingers lightly pinching her earlobe, then teasingly rolling it between them.

The princess was forcefully pressed into the queen’s embrace.

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”

The queen tugged off the red hair ribbon from the princess’s head and used it to blindfold her.

The tables had completely turned.

Though Ruan Siyi lost all sight, she still relied on the muscle memory from their rehearsals, holding Fu Ru’an steadily as she walked toward the feathered bed at the center of the stage.

The two of them tumbled onto the snow-white bed together, the feathers upon it shaken loose and fluttering upward, scattering like an early snowfall.

As the last lingering notes of the music faded into the air, the stage fell into complete silence.

Snow White lowered her gaze slightly, leaning down slowly as if offering a silent prayer or sacrifice.

Her lips parted slightly, revealing sharp, snow-white fangs as she pressed close to the stepmother’s slender thigh, unhesitatingly taking the butterfly-shaped garter encircling her skin between her teeth.

The cold touch intertwined with the warmth of flesh, and the lifelike butterfly pattern trembled faintly between her teeth.

The tattoo on Ruan Siyi’s collarbone faintly glowed with an eerie blue-purple hue, undulating slightly with her movements like a living creature ready to take flight—strangely synchronized with the butterfly on the garter.

“Thou, O Queen, art the fairest in the land.”

As the final kiss was exchanged, the curtains slowly closed, accompanied by the simultaneous, skyrocketing heartbeats of the two—

And the warning alerts from their wristbands.

The third episode of The Heartbeat Project was a resounding success. Looking at the overwhelmingly positive data, Director Ai was practically grinning from ear to ear.

This year’s bonus was practically in the bag.

“Hey, Xiao Ruan?” She quickly stopped Ruan Siyi, who was about to leave right after filming, and patted her shoulder excitedly. “Today’s episode was a huge hit—you and Teacher Fu were the stars of the show!”

“Wait, your Director Ai isn’t that stingy. We’re celebrating with a late-night feast later!”

Ruan Siyi: “…………”

No.

Aren’t you a little too old to still not know how to read the room?

Couldn’t you tell she was clearly in a hurry to go home?

Fortunately, Duo Ke, standing nearby, sensed something was off and, utterly exasperated, grabbed Director Ai by the ear, scolding her like a disappointed mentor:

“Are you stupid? Can’t you see Xiao Ruan is rushing home for some unspeakable alone time with her wife? Have some self-awareness, for heaven’s sake!”

Ruan Siyi silently gave a thumbs-up in her heart for their brilliant plan, then hurriedly said goodbye and jogged with Fu Ru’an to the car to go home.

No sooner had they arrived home than Fu Ru’an, who hadn’t even had time to change her clothes, was pulled by the hand by Ruan Siyi and led to the walk-in closet.

What was this…?

Was Ruan Ruan going to personally pick out clothes for tonight?

Fu Ru’an was puzzled, not quite understanding the purpose or meaning behind bringing her to the closet.

The next moment.

She felt Ruan Siyi kneel beside her leg.

Through the large dressing mirror in the room, she saw Ruan Siyi mimicking a dance move, opening her mouth to gently take the butterfly on her leg between her lips.

“Sister Fu…”

Perhaps because her mouth was occupied, her voice was somewhat muffled, and Fu Ru’an could only make out the gist of it.

“Didn’t you say tonight I could do whatever I wanted?”

Ruan Siyi gazed up at her with puppy-dog eyes, as if looking at a beloved treat.

Her hands began to wander upward restlessly.

“Stepmother, don’t you want the magic mirror to see you at your most beautiful?”

“Your flushed face and heavy panting—all because of me.”

“Stepmother, do others know about our… forbidden relationship?”

Fu Ru’an: “?!”

Have you lost your mind?! Listen to the nonsense you’re spouting!