The Scumbag Alpha Movie Queen Pampers Her Wife - Chapter 43

The atmosphere in the venue plummeted to freezing point with Gu Yiqiong’s arrival, all eyes converging on the Gu Corporation mother and daughter.

Gossip had long circulated within the industry about their strained relationship. Gu Yiqiong had reportedly been actively suppressing Gu Muchu’s career, orchestrating numerous media campaigns to pressure her into withdrawing. The latter had retaliated by becoming the face of a rival brand, an act tantamount to open defiance.

The silence was so profound that even the rustle of fabric seemed amplified to an unbearable degree.

Gu Yiqiong stood motionless, her dark hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, arms crossed over her chest. Time had left no visible mark on her face, her sharp features radiating an air of formidable authority.

Across the table, Gu Muchu, though clearly molded from the same genetic blueprint, exuded an entirely different aura.

Gu Muchu’s personality was like a needle hidden in cotton—beneath her delicate, gentle exterior lay an unwavering adherence to her principles. Her brow showed no trace of the weariness of one who had weathered countless storms.

Their gazes locked in mid-air, the tension between them as sharp as a needle’s point. Lu Panwei broke the stalemate first.

“Muchu, it’s been so long! Why didn’t you come over to say hello?” She tried to ease the tension, but her efforts fell flat, leaving the atmosphere even more awkward.

Gu Muchu remained silent, her grip tightening on Ji Yuran’s hand, as if trying to reassure her through physical contact.

Ji Yuran’s slender fingers curled restlessly in Gu Muchu’s palm before finally settling into a comfortable position.

Gu Yiqiong glanced dismissively at Gu Muchu before focusing her attention on Ji Yuran, scrutinizing her from head to toe as if appraising a commodity for sale.

“Your Aunt Lu asked you a question. Can’t you hear?” Her lips pressed into a thin line, her voice turning colder.

Even in public, she showed no regard for others’ feelings, seeming to revel in her authority to scold the younger generation.

Seeing Gu Muchu’s silence, the others held their breath. Even Shen Yiyan felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back.

Lu Panwei clicked her tongue softly and nudged Gu Yiqiong with her elbow, whispering in her ear, “The child rarely comes home. Why are you making such a face?”

“Hmph…” Gu Yiqiong scoffed, deliberately averting her gaze and waving to the surrounding crowd.

“Enough. The Gu Corporation has sincerely invited you all to this annual gathering. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest.” This remark was directed at the others, who eagerly responded with flattering remarks.

“Not at all, it’s our honor to be invited.”

“Chairman Gu is so kind to us. We’ll definitely work even harder in the future…”

As the stream of flattery washed over her, the crowd quickly forgot the earlier tension. Watching Gu Yiqiong depart surrounded by the throng, Gu Muchu finally relaxed her tense shoulders and turned to look at Ji Yuran beside her.

Ji Yuran possessed remarkable composure and hadn’t been frightened, though her complexion was pale. In the face of such a scene, she had anticipated many possible outcomes, yet even the mocking words she had prepared remained unspoken.

“Muchu, I haven’t seen you in days. Why have you lost weight?” Lu Panwei watched the departing guests before stepping forward to grasp Gu Muchu’s wrist, gently massaging it. The concern in her eyes seemed genuine.

This sudden intimacy left Gu Muchu feeling uneasy. She withdrew her hand, lightly wrapped her arm around Ji Yuran’s waist, and gently pushed the Omega forward. “My partner, Ji Yuran,” she declared firmly.

The brief six words carried an inexplicable weight. Ji Yuran lifted her long lashes, as if injected with newfound confidence. She straightened her posture, raised her hand, and greeted Lu Panwei with a polite but reserved tone.

“Hello, Senior.”

Before marrying into the Gu Family, Lu Panwei had been a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry, well-deserving of the title “Senior.” Hearing the greeting, she pursed her lips, pretending nothing had happened, and continued to hold Gu Muchu’s wrist, coaxing her gently.

“Many business leaders are attending the annual gala today. Stay close to Aunt Gu and get acquainted with them.”

This dismissive attitude made it clear that Lu Panwei didn’t take Ji Yuran seriously, and might even harbor resentment toward her.

A strange emotion flickered in Ji Yuran’s eyes as she silently retreated behind Gu Muchu, as if to give the mother and daughter space for a private conversation.

Unexpectedly, her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly. Gu Muchu had blocked her path without her noticing, her actions firm and resolute. She pulled Ji Yuran forward to stand before Lu Panwei, her voice remaining soft and even.

“Mom, Ranran is saying hello.”

Gu Muchu didn’t understand why Lu Panwei held such a strong prejudice against Ji Yuran. Perhaps some people’s arrogance was ingrained in their bones, like Gu Yiqiong’s.

Others’ arrogance, however, gradually emerged from a life of prolonged indulgence in luxury and excess.

Lu Panwei belonged to the latter category.

This simple greeting subtly put pressure on Lu Panwei. What could have been dismissed as a trivial matter was now formally addressed, causing Lu Panwei’s face to visibly darken.

She nodded stiffly. “Hello.”

Sensing the Omega’s thin back trembling slightly, Gu Muchu tightened her grip, offering silent encouragement. Ji Yuran spoke again, “Senior, hello.”

This formal greeting was sufficiently respectful, and the icy atmosphere began to thaw.

Lu Panwei’s gaze swept over the distinguished figures in the ballroom. “Muchu,” she murmured, “it wouldn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with these people.”

Muchu nodded, reaching to pull Ji Yuran along. But Lu Panwei stepped between them, her smile strained. “This is a formal occasion, Muchu. You should focus on networking.”

Muchu frowned slightly. “What’s inconvenient about it?”

At a social gathering, a female companion was meant to accompany her, especially since Ji Yuran was unfamiliar with the environment and the people.

“It’s fine, I can manage on my own,” Ji Yuran interjected before Lu Panwei could elaborate.

The Omega’s expression was uncharacteristically serious, her usual childlike demeanor replaced by a determined look. She added softly, “Come back soon.”

Lu Panwei couldn’t help but study Ji Yuran more closely.

What had seemed like just another young starlet in the entertainment industry now appeared to be someone capable of earning an Alpha’s respect.

Gu Muchu felt a pang of unease. If Ji Yuran had simply said, “Don’t worry, I can handle this little gathering,” she wouldn’t have felt so conflicted.

At least then, she would have sensed the other woman’s forced composure. But with that final, heartfelt plea, any further hesitation seemed pointless.

She stepped forward and gently pinched the soft flesh on the side of Ji Yuran’s palm.

“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”

“Let’s go,” Lu Panwei said, picking up her wine glass and linking arms with Gu Muchu as they headed toward the crowd.

Nearly everyone present had some connection to Gu Yiqiong, and the awkward reunion between mother and daughter earlier had drawn everyone’s attention.

As Gu Muchu approached, they quickly plastered on smiles and rushed to greet her.

“It’s been ages since we’ve seen Miss Gu. You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

“My daughter adores your movies. Not only are you stunning, but your acting is top-notch!”

Lu Panwei covered her mouth with a light laugh, exchanging practiced pleasantries with the others.

“Oh, please. In the entertainment industry, all it takes is throwing some money around to get in,” she said modestly.

“Come now, you’re the Best Actress! A national award winner! Here, Muchu, let’s have a drink.” A portly man raised his wine glass and pressed it insistently into Gu Muchu’s hand.

Gu Muchu, who detested the smell of smoke and alcohol, was about to snap when Lu Panwei’s hand clamped down on hers. Though the grip wasn’t strong, it served as a constant reminder to maintain her composure.

Left with no choice, she casually picked up her wine glass and clinked it against the rim of the glass across from her.

This gesture was like opening a floodgate. The others immediately raised their glasses, their voices laced with teasing.

“Aiya, Little Gu, you’ve already drunk with CEO Chen. If you don’t drink with me, you’ll be showing me no respect at all!”

The scene was so familiar it made Gu Muchu nauseous. After barely managing to parry the onslaught, she peered through the crowd to find Ji Yuran’s table.

Ji Yuran stood at a table not far away, as if she had deliberately followed her. She was idly playing with her silver fork on the plate. Sensing Gu Muchu’s gaze, she looked up, their eyes meeting in mid-air.

The surrounding clamor seemed irrelevant to them. Gu Muchu felt her throat go dry, unable to tear her eyes away.

The flickering overhead lights cast a sidelong shadow beside the solitary Omega, creating a stark contrast to the boisterous crowd around Gu Muchu, as if dividing them into two separate worlds.

Compelled by some inexplicable impulse, Gu Muchu took a step toward Ji Yuran’s table. Noticing this, Ji Yuran frantically pulled out her phone from her handbag and began tapping furiously on the screen, as if typing something urgent.

In less than a minute, Omega held her phone up horizontally, a line of text scrolling across the screen:

Look at them, not me.

After typing the message, she deleted it and retyped it, then raised her phone again:

No rush. I’ll wait for you.

Gu Muchu chuckled, glancing at the people surrounding her. Despite her reluctance, their comforting words finally eased the anxiety that had been gripping her heart.

Meanwhile, Lu Panwei sensed the distraction of the person beside her. Following her gaze, she saw the two women exchanging glances as if no one else existed. Irritated, she deliberately moved to block Gu Muchu’s view.

Ji Yuran, still pondering how to phrase her next message, looked up and met Lu Panwei’s displeased stare. She awkwardly withdrew her phone, the joy in her heart now tinged with unease.

Under the watchful eye of her mother, such behavior did seem rather petty. Even though Gu Muchu didn’t care about Lu Panwei and Gu Yiqiong’s opinions, Ji Yuran did.

Very much so.

She picked up her glass and drained the orange juice in one gulp.

A waiter approached, and Ji Yuran casually said, “No need, thank you.”

The waiter leaned in slightly but didn’t leave. Instead, he whispered, “Miss Ji, someone is looking for you over there.”

“Looking for me?” Ji Yuran’s brow furrowed slightly.

She couldn’t imagine who else would be looking for her in this setting, aside from Gu Muchu and Shen Yiyan.

When she finally looked in the direction the waiter indicated, she instantly understood, her mind exploding with a sudden realization.

The satin women’s suit accentuated the Alpha’s tall, lithe figure, her subtle facial expressions impossible to decipher.

The crowd that had surrounded her earlier had dispersed unnoticed. Gu Yiqiong raised her glass, offering a distant toast in Ji Yuran’s direction, her face remarkably devoid of anger.

“Let’s talk,” Ji Yuran read her lips.