The Extravagant Alpha And The Cold Movie Queen’s Fake Act Became Real - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Because of Love?

At this moment, the atmosphere on the scene grew heavy and tense once again, like a tightly drawn string that could snap at any second.

Only then did the staff member realize what kind of statement they had just read aloud. Their voice grew softer and softer, until finally, the awkward trailing note dissipated into the air.

Meanwhile, the barrage of comments exploded as if a drop of water had fallen into a pot of boiling oil—instantly reaching a fever pitch.

[“Damn? Which sister is so brave? Daring to ask about a fake marriage between wives? Isn’t that like stabbing someone right in the heart?”, “But they’re so close, and they aced all the challenges. Maybe all those rumors about the fake marriage between Actress Fu and Ruan Siyi were just made up by gossipy marketing accounts chasing clout, and that’s how the rumors spread!”, “Am I the only one who thinks they might’ve really been in a contractual marriage at first, and only recently made it real? Before, in public, Actress Fu was so cold toward Ruan Siyi—everyone saw it! It’s only recently that Actress Fu seems like a completely different person, totally doting on Ruan Ruan!”, “But I don’t think that’s the case? Judging by how well Actress Fu knew Ruan Siyi during the quiz, it’s like they’ve been close friends for a long time! How could they have just fallen in love recently?”]

Ruan Siyi’s brain seemed to short-circuit at that moment.

Her heart skipped a beat, her fingertips turning cold, the icy chill spreading through her fingers to her heart.

She knew this question would come up eventually, but she never imagined it would happen like this—

So abruptly and directly.

To be honest, she was curious too.

Why would the youngest double Golden Award-winning actress in the entertainment industry, the heir of the Fu family—someone who carried countless accolades and glory—choose to marry a “Ruan Siyi” whose reputation was in tatters, and whose abilities and character were highly questionable?

The youngest double Golden Film Award-winning actress in China’s entertainment industry, the heir to the Fu family—a person who gathers countless halos and glory—why on earth would she choose to marry someone like “Ruan Siyi,” whose reputation is in tatters and whose abilities and character are highly questionable?

She instinctively glanced at Fu Ru’an, her heart filled with both anticipation and unease, but even more so with…

An indescribable sense of dread.

At that moment, Fu Ru’an was slightly narrowing her eyes, as if pondering how to answer.

Her gaze fell on the barrage of comments and questions on the screen, her expression so calm it was almost inscrutable.

This was clearly an unexpected “dramatic turn” for both Fu Ru’an and the production team. Ruan Siyi feared that Fu Ru’an might casually fabricate a perfunctory response, which could once again spark online controversy.

After all, in the eyes of the public, their marriage had long become a laughingstock, and any explanation could be interpreted as a publicity stunt.

However, what truly tightened Ruan Siyi’s chest wasn’t the outside world’s opinion—it was Fu Ru’an’s answer.

Why had she chosen the “original Ruan Siyi”?

From the very beginning, Ruan Siyi had been clear about her position. The “Ruan Siyi” in the book wasn’t her. She had always just been a transmigrated “replacement,” barely surviving in Fu Ru’an’s world under this false identity, pretending that any of this had anything to do with her.

Fu Ru’an’s gaze swept over Ruan Siyi, the corners of her lips curling slightly. “This is a question from the fans. Why don’t we let our ‘Teacher Ruan’s answer first?”

Ruan Siyi stiffened abruptly, her inner turmoil exploding in an instant.

“I…”

She immediately became flustered, gripping the microphone tightly, her mind a tangled mess.

How was she supposed to answer?

What could she even say?

That Fu Ru’an hadn’t chosen her but the other “Ruan Siyi”?

Or that she shouldn’t even be here in the first place?

With Fu Ru’an’s words, the focus of the question instantly shifted to Ruan Siyi, leaving her no way to avoid this razor-sharp inquiry.

She felt the weight on her shoulders multiply. At this moment, she was like Sun Wukong pinned beneath the Five Finger Mountain—except she lacked the Great Sage’s unparalleled mindset and skills.

Frantically, she tried to recall the contents of the book:

In this novel, the existence of “Ruan Siyi” seems to serve only as a stepping stone and stumbling block for the protagonist, Fu Ru’an, on her path to success—

Adding some twists to the plot while also making readers feel even more sympathy for this beautiful, strong, and tragic phoenix-like queen of the silver screen. They lament her misfortune in love before venting their frustrations on the minor antagonist through their keyboards.

As for why Fu Ru’an and “Ruan Siyi” got married, the author never provides a clear answer in the book, and no one really cares how a minor character like her made her entrance.

Ruan Siyi took a deep breath and forced out a strained smile. “What else could marriage be for? Of course, it’s for love!”

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it.

[For… love?]

[If it weren’t for the fact that I can see your hand holding the microphone trembling, I might actually have believed you.]

[Little Ruan is truly a comedian, confirmed LOL!]

[So fake… There’s no way these two are in love. Zero chemistry!]

Ruan Siyi watched the rapidly scrolling comments on the screen, feeling an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

She didn’t know why she had blurted out such an answer.

Realizing just how absurd her words sounded, she was racking her brains to come up with an explanation when Fu Ru’an suddenly chuckled softly and picked up where she left off:

“Yeah, how could it not be?”

Ruan Siyi froze. Fu Ru’an’s voice was low and gentle, carrying an indecipherable warmth.

[Oh my god, is Fu Ru’an hinting at something here?]

[Is it really love? But didn’t they have a marriage of convenience before?]

“Let’s get married,” Fu Ru’an tilted her head slightly, as if pondering something, her gaze gentle yet sharp. “There’s naturally a reason for it. Why don’t you take a guess, Teacher Ruan?”

The words sounded like both a provocation and a test. Ruan Siyi felt a flicker of panic, but she knew Fu Ru’an wasn’t talking about her—she was referring to the “Ruan Siyi” from the book.

Including the care and affection Sister Fu had shown her all this time.

It was all meant for that “Ruan Siyi” in the story.

She was just an accidental substitute, stealing an identity that originally belonged to someone else.

Even so, that faint, sour ache in her heart spread uncontrollably.

Why had the original owner earned Fu Ru’an’s “choice”?

Was it for profit?

Or…

Had there truly been some kind of emotion between them?

Her grip on the microphone tightened, her voice carrying a trace of anger she hadn’t even noticed herself: “How could I possibly guess why you married me? Only you know the answer, don’t you?”

Fu Ru’an’s eyes flickered, as if she’d discovered something amusing, the smile at her lips deepening.

“Ruan Ruan, you’re my wife. How could you not know…? Think harder.”

Her words were ambiguous, deliberately plucking at the sensitive strings in Ruan Siyi’s heart.

Ruan Siyi was momentarily speechless, her emotions growing increasingly tangled and chaotic.

Suddenly, it felt as though every word Fu Ru’an spoke carried some hidden implication—as if she were trying to remind her of something.

[Are these two being cryptic? I’m starting to not understand their conversation!]

[Holy crap! What exactly happened between these two?!]

The comments on the bullet chat were still scrolling rapidly, but Ruan Siyi’s attention couldn’t focus on these voices at all.

Subconsciously, she tightened her grip on the microphone, her body trembling slightly as she forced herself to stay composed, not daring to say another word.

Fu Ru’an, however, didn’t continue the topic. She merely smiled faintly and brought the conversation to a close.

Raising the microphone to her lips, her smile was barely perceptible as she said, “It seems everyone is very interested today. Perhaps there will be another chance to discuss this in more detail later.”

This offhand remark served both as a response to the fans and as a deft way to ease Ruan Siyi’s awkwardness. The tension hanging in the air began to slowly dissipate.

It was as if Fu Ru’an had this uncanny ability to effortlessly defuse even the most explosive situations with just a few words.

The production crew finally let out a sigh of relief and quickly shifted the topic, moving on to the next segment of recording.

Yet, Ruan Siyi’s mood didn’t lighten.

As she chewed on a sweet and fragrant coconut cake, she stole a sidelong glance at Fu Ru’an. Seeing her still composed and unruffled, Ruan Siyi suddenly felt an indescribable irritation.

Earlier, Fu Ru’an had unhesitatingly taken over the conversation, seemingly to bail her out—but it also felt like she was deliberately maintaining some illusion of “closeness.”

The food she had been eagerly anticipating now tasted bland and unappetizing.

“Ruan Ruan, what’s wrong? Does the food not suit your taste?”

Fu Ru’an’s voice came at just the right moment, still carrying its usual warmth and concern.

Ruan Siyi took a bite of the coconut cake and looked up, meeting Fu Ru’an’s calm gaze.

“It’s nothing,” she said, putting down her utensils and forcing a smile. “I was just lost in thought.”

Fu Ru’an raised an eyebrow slightly, watching her with an amused expression. “Was Ruan Ruan thinking about something related to me?”

The implied intimacy in those words made Ruan Siyi instantly uncomfortable.

She felt her cheeks grow warm and quickly lowered her head to avoid those piercing eyes.

“Of course not, Sister Fu, you’re overthinking it.”

She tried to focus on finishing the pastry in her hand but found that she couldn’t recapture the enjoyment she had felt earlier.

Fu Ru’an’s gaze still lingered like an invisible net, enveloping her, leaving her no escape.

Hearing Ruan Siyi’s flustered denial, Fu Ru’an arched a brow, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile.

Yet the amusement didn’t quite reach her eyes—instead, it was more like a thin mist, exuding an untouchable sense of detachment.

“If you don’t like these, you can tell me next time. We can try other flavors.”

Her voice was unhurried, but it was precisely this composed demeanor that deepened the restlessness in Ruan Siyi’s heart.

Logically, she shouldn’t be the one overthinking things, yet every word and action from Fu Ru’an made her feel as if she were the one deliberately stirring up trouble.

Ruan Siyi lowered her head and took another bite of the coconut cake. She didn’t want her emotions to be swayed by Fu Ru’an.

Suddenly, she felt like things had taken a bad turn.