The Extravagant Alpha And The Cold Movie Queen’s Fake Act Became Real - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: “Bad at Biology?” Fu Ru’an’s lips twitched as she saw…

“Bad at Biology?”

Fu Ru’an’s lips twitched as she saw Ruan Siyi’s earnest expression, nodding eagerly. The sheer exasperation in her deepened even further.

The rain outside had stopped early in the morning, and now the gentle, warm sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, scattering like flecks of gold.

Fu Ru’an lowered her gaze, looking at the way Ruan Siyi sprawled beside her—like an oversized puppy.

She had every reason to suspect that if Ruan Siyi had a big, fluffy tail right now, it would be wagging wildly.

Ruan Siyi, noticing her unreadable expression, was about to sheepishly retreat when a pair of arms encircled her waist, pressing her down with just the right amount of force.

Before she could react, she was already sprawled on top of Fu Ru’an, her head resting awkwardly against the other’s collarbone. With the slightest movement, her stiff hair prickled Fu Ru’an’s neck, tickling her.

“Stop moving.”

Fu Ru’an’s hand, which had been pressing against her back, patted her gently a few times before smoothing over her hair, as if petting her.

“Behave. Let me sleep a little longer. We’ll talk tonight when we get home.”

They had stayed up so late last night, and now she had to be woken up so early in the morning.

What did I do in my past life to deserve this?

Ruan Siyi stared at her blankly. Perhaps because she wasn’t fully awake yet, Fu Ru’an’s voice carried a drowsy, honeyed tone, sticky and sweet, almost like she was coquettishly whining.

So sweet, Sister Fu.

Like the rainbow-colored cotton candy in spring parks, bursting with vibrant hues at the first bite.

She immediately froze, curling up obediently in Fu Ru’an’s arms, closing her eyes again in silence.

Somewhere in her drowsy haze, Ruan Siyi seemed to hear Fu Ru’an mumble half-asleep:

“Why is your hair so stiff? Not even as nice to pet as a dog’s.”

Ruan Siyi: “?”

She decided then and there to get a hair treatment at the earliest opportunity and splurge on a bottle of high-end conditioner.

When the restorer Fu Yunxi had arranged arrived, Fu Ru’an was still deep in sleep, showing no signs of waking.

Looks like last night really was too much.

Ruan Siyi carefully carried the paintings out one by one, moving as quietly as possible—

Partly out of concern for damaging these precious oil paintings, and partly out of consideration for not disturbing Fu Ru’an’s rest.

“Are these all, Miss Ruan?”

The restorer placed the paintings into the case she had brought, asking out of habit.

“Yes.” Ruan Siyi nodded, then suddenly remembered something and quickly raised her voice, “Wait!”

The restorer paused mid-turn.

Ruan Siyi pursed her lips.

She recalled there was still one more painting in another corner of the room.

It was the one she had uncovered last night—the painting Fu Ru’an had made of her.

Ruan Siyi politely apologized to the restorer.

“There’s one more painting I forgot to bring out. Just a moment… I’ll go upstairs to get it for you.”

The restorer shook her head, indicating it was “no problem.”

The Fu family had paid her generously. She could wait all day if needed.

Ruan Siyi hurried back into the room, retrieving the painting and handing it over with utmost care.

As the restorer packed it away, she glanced down and her expression flickered with surprise.

Noticing her hesitation, Ruan Siyi leaned in curiously.

“Is there a problem with this painting?”

The restorer snapped back to attention, her professional smile returning. “No, it’s just—”

She paused before continuing, “It’s a bit odd.”

“It feels like the artist didn’t quite know how to paint the face when she was working on this…”

Ruan Siyi frowned. “What do you mean?”

She leaned in closer, studying the painting.

The restorer’s gloved finger pointed at the facial area. “Look, the brushwork in other parts is very mature—precise and confident. But here… the lines and colors seem hesitant, as if the artist was struggling with how to depict this person’s features. It wasn’t until much later that the facial details were filled in, so this section’s colors are slightly fresher.”

Ruan Siyi followed her finger and indeed noticed the subtle difference in hue.

“Does that make restoration more difficult?”

She wasn’t well-versed in this, so she asked tentatively.

The restorer shook her head, her voice lowering slightly. “Not at all. It’s just strange… The artist was clearly skilled, so why hesitate at the most crucial part? This usually only happens when the painter isn’t familiar with the subject, or—”

She pondered for a moment, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.

“—the subject might not have existed at all.”

Ruan Siyi froze. “Not existed?”

The restorer nodded. “Some artists paint from memory or imagination. Maybe she wasn’t painting a real person but an emotional projection… Yet the overall atmosphere of this painting feels too real, as if such a person once existed but couldn’t be fully captured?”

By the end, even the restorer sounded doubtful.

But logically, it shouldn’t be possible.

The girl in the painting was unmistakably Miss Ruan standing right here. If the subject was alive and present, why could the artist only sketch the outline, filling in the features much later? It was all very peculiar.

The restorer didn’t elaborate further, taking the painting and leaving.

By the time Fu Ru’an woke up, it was already noon.

The sunlight outside was bright and intense, streaming through the thin curtains and bathing the room in a warm glow.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up.

The alarm clock on the nightstand showed twelve o’clock. Fu Ru’an blinked in surprise. After freshening up and stepping out of the bedroom, the first thing that hit her was—

The overpowering stench of Musang King durian.

Fu Ru’an: “?”

Fu Yuni, who had been playing games in the living room, immediately abandoned her console and threw herself into Fu Ru’an’s arms, whining loudly.

“Auntie! You’re finally up!” Fu Yuni tilted her head, pouting. “Stinky Siyi wouldn’t let me go find you. She said you were super tired last night and needed lots of rest.”

She narrowed her eyes mischievously, dragging out her words. “Was it the kind of tired I’m thinking of? You two lovebirds, really—”

Before she could finish, Fu Ru’an cut her off.

“Where is this smell coming from?”

She grabbed Fu Yuni by the collar and pulled her away, wrinkling her nose.

She held Fu Yuni at arm’s length, her expression a mix of disgust and disbelief as she sniffed the air. “This smell… It’s not you, is it?”

“How could it be me?!” Fu Yuni flailed indignantly, trying to break free. “Auntie, look for yourself!”

Fu Ru’an skeptically released her and scanned the room.

Just as she was searching for the “culprit,” Ruan Siyi, lounging on the sofa, raised a hand and pointed wordlessly to a corner of the living room. “There.”

Following her finger, Fu Ru’an’s expression instantly twisted.

In the corner stood a stack of boxes, their bright orange hue impossible to miss. On the side facing her was a giant endorsement photo of Ruan Siyi in a snow-white gown, cradling an enormous durian with a saccharine smile, against a backdrop of lush tropical orchards.

Emblazoned across it in bold letters:

“Endorsed by A-List Star Ruan Siyi!”
“Musang King Golden Pillow Durian—Supreme Taste, Aroma That Travels Miles!”

Fu Ru’an: “…………”

Help me.