The Heartless Alpha Just Wants to Follow the Plot - Chapter 6

Before the livestream, Si Yu hesitated and glanced at Su Mu. If they were going to clear things up, it would be better to do it together — that would help dispel the rumors that the two of them were on bad terms.

Although she still didn’t entirely like Su Mu, Si Yu could overlook it for a life-saving favor. From today on, she could start over and get to know her again.

But how should she bring it up?

Si Yu pressed her lips together, looking as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Watching Si Yu’s furtive gaze, Su Mu whispered to the system, “Tongzi, do you think she regrets it? Regrets clearing things up for me and is plotting revenge now?”

The system was hard to answer with one text bubble: “……”

“Host,” it finally said, “try behaving like a human.”

Su Mu: “Nonsense. When have I not been a person?”

While she and the system bickered quietly, Si Yu came over. Her expression flickered; she said awkwardly, “I’ll go live in ten minutes to explain the accident. Want to come on with me? We could also clear up the rumors on Star Net about us not getting along — it’ll help your image.”

Su Mu was taken aback. This person was actually offering her a favor? How kind.

She nodded and cleared her throat. “Alright. Let’s go live.”

Si Yu only visibly relaxed after Su Mu agreed; her tension eased a little. “Okay.”

When the livestream link went up, hundreds of thousands of viewers flooded in — and the number kept climbing.

Su Mu had never faced so many people at once. She went blank.

Si Yu was used to it. Calmly she greeted everyone: “Hello, I’m Si Yu.”

Su Mu nodded, stiff with nerves. “I’m Su Mu.”

Seeing Su Mu so nervous, Si Yu handed her a cup of juice and continued, “Regarding the video spreading on Star Net — it’s been edited, cut and spliced. It doesn’t show the full context. The production team has released the full footage.

Please don’t misunderstand Miss Su Mu. She is a”

Si Yu had meant to call Su Mu a good actor, but thinking of Su Mu’s record she hesitated. Lately Su Mu’s acting had improved a lot — still imperfect, but far better than before.

Si Yu’s pause said enough; everyone got the hint and smiled knowingly. The chat showered comforting messages.

Si Yu cleared her throat. With the main subject sitting right there, it wouldn’t do to say anything unpleasant — she was not that sort of person.

So she shifted the topic: “That’s the situation. I’m fine, and the crew is investigating. We’ll take this seriously. I hope everyone can focus more on our upcoming project and look forward to a different side of Miss Su Mu — I think it’ll surprise you.”

After being surprised once already, people were ready to be surprised again, if Si Yu said so.

Hearing Si Yu, the viewers’ expressions flickered. Su Mu’s image was partly salvaged, but her acting still hadn’t won everyone over.

When people first heard that Si Yu would co-star with Su Mu, their hearts sank for Si Yu — Su Mu had a reputation in the industry as a pretty face with little talent; the only things she was said to have were looks and money.

Everyone assumed the drama would flop; poor Si Yu.

So now Si Yu was actually asking the audience to look forward to Su Mu’s new work?

Were they crazy, or was Si Yu crazy?

Si Yu wasn’t paying attention to the noise. She thought this drama might be the one to change impressions if people could overlook the earlier clips.

Su Mu, knowing the original’s reputation, didn’t say much. After the pleasantries were done, she could only force a small smile and be a background presence.

Faces softened at Su Mu’s pretty smile and slightly vacant expression; when she didn’t speak or act up, she looked like an absent-minded beauty.

[With that face, that smile, that figure, and that money — honestly, I’d volunteer to warm her blanket!]

[I declare: from today I’m a Su Mu stan. I can tolerate her bad temper.]

[Draw your swords, she’s mine.]

[Ha — what did she used to be like? One smile and she’s paid off, how much did they pay to scrub her image this clean?]

The chat exploded with all kinds of takes. Si Yu and Su Mu pretended not to see and waited for the moderators to mute the rowdiness.

A few viewers were watching seriously and asked questions, including those about the supposed feud between Si Yu and Su Mu.

Si Yu looked at Su Mu to silently ask if she could speak about it.

Su Mu: “?”

What are you looking at me for?

Si Yu turned back, giving permission.

She thought a moment and said, “Before working with Miss Su Mu, the rumors on Star Net caused some misunderstandings between us, but it wasn’t that we really had that much conflict.”

“After this incident we talked things through — it was all misunderstanding.”

Su Mu nodded along. Whatever Si Yu said, she’d follow.

Si Yu’s voice softened: “This livestream is mainly to let everyone know we’re okay and to explain the situation. I think people can understand. Thank you for watching.”

“We should rest now. Please stay safe, everyone.”

Facing suddenly millions online, Su Mu stiffly said, “Goodbye, everyone,” and the stream ended.

Si Yu smiled at Su Mu. Su Mu: “?”

Why are you looking at me like that?

Si Yu: “You seemed nervous just now.”

Su Mu moved a little away, feigning bravado. “I wasn’t.”

Si Yu chuckled. “Even if you were nervous it’s alright. I wouldn’t laugh. My first time facing this many people was worse than how you were just now.”

Su Mu: “I didn’t expect you’d be nervous too.”

Knowing one small vulnerability about Su Mu, Si Yu softened her tone further: “Before I became an actor, I didn’t have much confidence in front of crowds. But after playing roles more and facing bigger audiences, you give yourself the confidence — then it’s not so empty.”

Su Mu understood — Si Yu was comforting her.

She sighed: Indeed, Si Yu is a good person.

The system’s expression in her ear was weird. Even if she’s a good person, she’s not our concern. You’re the cannon fodder.

Su Mu rolled her eyes inwardly. Really — couldn’t the system let her be happy for a moment?

Si Yu didn’t wait for Su Mu’s reply. She tilted her head and caught Su Mu’s posture relaxing: her head slightly bowed, her gaze deepening. The precise angle of her profile struck Si Yu; her heart skipped.

When Su Mu’s eyes turned toward her, Si Yu’s fingers tightened instinctively. She began to understand the things said in insider gossip.

Once you locked eyes with Su Mu, you couldn’t look away. Even knowing she might be a terrible choice for the future, even knowing she was a kind of abyss, when she looked at you, you would willingly pay the price for her.

Si Yu swallowed and forced herself to look away, smoothing her expression. “We’ll rest today. Filming continues tomorrow. Study the script — I’m looking forward to your different performance.”

Su Mu didn’t notice anything amiss and raised an eyebrow. “Naturally. From today on, I’m a different me.”

Her acting now could outshine the original body’s — or so she thought.

But where had the original gone?

On the way back to the hotel, Su Mu’s face turned serious. Tongzi, I’m back — you didn’t shove the original somewhere obscure to suffer, did you?

The system spoke with righteous calm: No. Our system follows rules. Before we arrived, the original’s soul had somehow disappeared, which is why entering this body was so smooth.

If the original’s soul had still been here, we would have negotiated: temporarily borrow the body, or buy it out with a deal.

The system’s voice was mechanical: We’re principled. You can rest assured.

Su Mu nodded. That’s better.

“By the way, the previous plot point has been completed, right? How much of the story do we have to follow? Who’s the real protagonist? Do we avoid the plot, or what do we do?”

As a malicious secondary female, she expected to have substantial screen time — impossible to dodge it. She’d have to face it head on.

She just didn’t know who the main characters were or what conflicts would happen.

The system ran a quick check of the storyline; its process refreshed, then the screen bubble soured.

Host, you’re done for.

Su Mu blinked, confused. What?

How was she done? She hadn’t done anything yet.

The system sighed dramatically: Si Yu is actually one of the female leads in this book. She’s the other woman you’re supposed to ruin, and she’s the omega the original intended to get pregnant.

According to the plot, after filming wraps you’ll drug Si Yu, then take drugs yourself to induce a heat, release pheromones, and mark her. Only Si Yu won’t let you claim her, which is why she never became pregnant.

Su Mu: “……”

“Ah, I see.”

Su Mu murmured, stunned. So that was the setup. Had she already missed the chance to follow the plot in advance?

The system shook its head. Host, the original did everything and you’ll have to repeat it. Now decide where to start that’s convenient for us.

The original had been someone who chased physical pleasure with no heart. Su Mu doubted she could do that; she couldn’t fake the fire, and she couldn’t do the follow-the-heart either — so how was she supposed to carry this plot through?

How about I track down that protagonist alpha ahead of time and try to set them up? she suggested.

The system answered bluntly: And how would you complete your mission that way?

The system’s words were always cutting; this time they were especially direct.

The original’s alpha liked people who suffered and were tragic victims — only then would it spark her protective instinct. Someone like Si Yu probably wouldn’t fit.

Su Mu’s mouth twitched. “Her taste is very particular.”

Jiang Xi carried over a tray of food and asked curiously, “Su Mu, what are you talking about?”