Transmigrated as the Black-Bellied Film Empress's Live-in Alpha (GL) - Chapter 13

Back at the hotel, the eastern sky was tinged with a pearly white, enveloped by cerulean clouds. Bai Nian zipped up her athletic jacket, and when she got out of the car, even the motion of closing the door was light and airy.

She dozed off for a while in the car, then groggily stumbled through the door and flopped onto the bed, setting an alarm for 4 PM.

When she woke up, the sun was high in the sky, and dappled tree shadows were cast on the second-floor window. From here, she could faintly glimpse the film studio’s development zone, nestled among the towering buildings.

Chen Qingying’s work should be finished by now, right?

She rubbed her messy hair, the after-effects of staying up all night becoming apparent. Her temples throbbed as if pressed by a blunt object. She walked into the bathroom, squeezing out a shriveled tube of toothpaste.

She was due back in S City the day after tomorrow. She needed to quickly finalize her draft during this time and submit it to her editor.

Her finger scrolled through the message list, seeing Assistant Wang, whom she had just added yesterday. After their message verification, not a single word had been exchanged.

Considering she might need her help in the future, Bai Nian composed a message.

Bai Nian: [Bai Nian.]

Unlike Chen Qingying, who was busy and hard to find, Assistant Wang’s enthusiasm for work led to an almost instant reply. Coupled with Bai Nian’s friendly gesture of delivering food yesterday, her attitude was polite.

Wang Ye Jun: [Wang Ye Jun, just call me Xiao Wang.]

Seizing the moment when she could reply, Bai Nian figured Chen Qingying should be back at the film set now and inquired about her.

Bai Nian: [Did she finish the late-night meal yesterday? Is she filming now?]

These two questions made the other end hesitate for a long time, as the “typing…” indicator switched back and forth from her nickname.

Wang Ye Jun: [She finished all of it.]

After saying it against her conscience, she silently added in her heart.

Indeed, it was all eaten, but by her.

She looked up at the Omega, whose face was obscured by cameras in the distance. The woman’s expression was gentle, naturally suited to living in the spotlight. Even with so many people watching, she showed no fear.

Wang Ye Jun: [She is indeed filming. Is Ms. Bai coming to deliver food again today?]

Bai Nian, on her end, had no idea the person opposite her was smacking her lips, savoring the memory of last night’s late-night meal. She glanced at her schedule; there wasn’t much time left before she had to return, and she still had work to do…

Bai Nian: [I’m afraid I won’t make it. Please take good care of Qingying, don’t let her health suffer.]

This heartfelt concern warmed Wang Ye Jun’s heart. She couldn’t help but guess at their relationship. She had only known that Chen Qingying had a good relationship with the second-generation rich within the industry; a down-to-earth friend like Bai Nian was a first.

Since it was personal privacy, she couldn’t ask much. After exchanging greetings, there was nothing more to say.

Closing her phone, Bai Nian reluctantly leaned back on the sofa, opening her laptop to type, her thoughts uncontrollably drifting.

Was Assistant Wang’s inquiry about whether she would deliver food today instructed by Chen Qingying?

Her mind couldn’t help but recall the other party’s greeting last night, praising her good cooking. It was like shouting into the mountains and immediately getting countless echoes.

She still had to live up to it herself.

Bai Nian pressed her forehead, completely oblivious that her elbow pressing on the membrane keyboard was typing a string of “m”s on the screen. Immersed in self-praise, she mustered her courage and opened her phone.

Bai Nian: [Today’s meal is minced meat with eggplant and blanched shrimp.]

She still didn’t know if Chen Qingying had any dietary restrictions.

After sending the message, she put down her phone. After finishing everything, the time in the bottom right corner showed 7:49.

Her stomach was empty. Bai Nian clutched her stomach, saved the first draft, closed her laptop, then pushed open the door and walked into the kitchen. She had left in a hurry last night and hadn’t had time to tidy up.

She put the cutting board and knife in the sink, planning to feed herself first, then go find Chen Qingying. Just then, her phone rang.

It was a message from Chen Qingying.

Even though their time together was enough for her to get used to this beauty, Bai Nian still felt as nervous as getting exam results when she saw the message.

Chen Qingying: [No need. You didn’t sleep well yesterday. Get some good rest.]

The understanding words warmed Bai Nian’s heart. She gladly accepted the signal from the other side.

Bai Nian: [Okay 0v0, you should also get plenty of rest!]

The usual emoticon made the tone less cold. She was good at considering others’ feelings, especially when dealing with sensitive people, she would soften her tone to prevent overthinking.

Although Chen Qingying’s environment seemed to lack no love, causing her to easily be immune to these tricks.

Looking at it this way, Chen Qingying wasn’t as difficult to conquer as described in the book.

Putting down her phone, Bai Nian cooked the rice and then slumped onto the sofa like an irregularly shaped puddle after the rain.

After her brief contact with Chen Qingying, new challenges began to emerge. She found that the other person’s world didn’t need her, but to gain favorability points, she had to deliberately approach her.

Their interactions were too few. The only two times they interacted outside were either accompanying Yun Ning for dinner or her delivering food to Chen Qingying. The former was a coincidence, the latter purely due to her thick skin.

Plus, Chen Qingying was out of sight all day, busy with filming and family business. No wonder the original owner was anxious; she was practically living a widow’s life!

What should she do?

Bai Nian scratched her head, feeling like she had become the other party’s digital pet, trapped in her phone. If this continued, their feelings would surely fade.

The film’s shooting period wasn’t short, at least three months.

She couldn’t give up her job in S City, and Chen Qingying was the top priority. As she pondered, Yun Ning’s earlier words suddenly echoed in her ears.

“As journalists, we sometimes deal with artists from the entertainment industry. How can we not pay attention?”

After much thought, relentlessly staying by Chen Qingying’s side was the best option. What she needed to do now was to find a way to convince her editor.

Having made up her mind, Bai Nian composed a long message, generally explaining that she unexpectedly met Chen Qingying in N City, had close private contact with her, and wanted to use this opportunity to interact more and break exclusive news.

Her editor was very easy to talk to. After approving, he asked her to send over the draft for this interview and allowed her to work remotely.

Such an easy concession, almost suggesting ulterior motives on the other side. But in her previous work, such things were not uncommon, so Bai Nian didn’t think much of it.

Of course, the premise was that she could indeed bring back news that would drastically increase magazine sales. And, any expenses incurred during this period would not be reimbursed.

Bearing the promise of potential dismissal, she expressed gratitude to her superior. After dinner, she went to her bedroom, dragged out her suitcase, and began packing.

Just kidding, with her financial situation, how could she dare to stay in a three-star hotel for three months?

After organizing what to bring, she then dramatically cried and complained on WeChat.

Bai Nian: [Ms. Chen, can I come find you tonight?]

Chen Qingying: [What’s wrong?]

Bai Nian: [My editor wants me to stay in S City for a while to dig up some potentially hot news~]

She was never good at lying, and her clumsy acting was immediately seen through. Less than five seconds after she sent the message, a video call invitation popped up.

Frightened, Bai Nian fumbled her phone, dropping it to the floor. A tiny crack appeared in the tempered glass protector at the edge. She bent down to pick it up, not having time to check the uneven shards, and quickly answered.

A video call was far more nerve-wracking than meeting in person. Every subtle expression of the other party was difficult to catch, making it hard for Bai Nian to gauge Chen Qingying’s mood.

Her mood was like a roller coaster, excitedly peaking under the thrill, then suddenly plummeting. After connecting, she regained her composure, showing no trace of feigned calmness.

Perhaps because she was on a call with Bai Nian, Chen Qingying didn’t bother to find a good angle. What came into view was a pure white ceiling, the circular light blurred and losing its boundaries.

Then, the woman’s face entered the frame. Chen Qingying had just washed her hair, her ends still damp with moisture. She was peeling off a face mask and tossing it into the trash can, her tender, fair skin looking moist and radiant.

Bai Nian was momentarily speechless. Facing her, she was always inexplicably nervous. Her tongue, usually eloquent, seemed tied in knots, struggling to stammer out a single word for a long time.

“You want to interview me?” Chen Qingying’s voice was hazy with moisture, carrying a hint of hoarseness amidst its gentleness. “Did you forget the first rule of our agreement?”

Even though it was a questioning tone, her attitude wasn’t overbearing. Bai Nian pinched her reddened earlobe, mumbling, “I didn’t forget, that’s why I came to ask for your opinion…”

Towards the end, her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. Her hot ears made her embarrassed, and all her previous psychological preparation crumbled.

Even with her usual boldness, in front of Chen Qingying, she was as docile as a little rabbit.

There was no sound from the other end for a long time. Bai Nian glanced at her. The Omega had placed her phone on the wooden stand of the makeup mirror and was bending over to look in the mirror, her wide neckline revealing her collarbone.

“How long do you plan to stay?” After a moment of thought, a question came through the receiver.

“I’ll stay as long as you do!” Bai Nian blurted out without thinking, regretting it as soon as the words left her mouth.

How did that make her sound like she had ulterior motives?

She genuinely believed her desire to compensate Chen Qingying outweighed everything else, yet sometimes when faced with the latter’s teasing, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had said the wrong thing.

Ultimately, when making eye contact with Chen Qingying, her pleasant demeanor made Bai Nian feel pressured, as if an invisible hand was pushing her from behind against her will.

Chen Qingying didn’t understand the little schemes in Bai Nian’s mind. She picked up a blue bottled lotion, twisted it open, and applied it to her cheeks: “Then for the next few days, come stay here with me.”

When she said this, Bai Nian thought she had misheard.

Chen Qingying, inviting her, to stay in the film set’s hotel.

No matter how one misinterpreted it, the sentence only had this meaning. Feeling the temperature of her bl00d surge, her voice trembled with excitement.

“Really? Is that really okay?”

“You don’t believe me?” Chen Qingying paused her movements, her beautiful eyes scanning the screen.

“No, no, I’m truly overwhelmed,” Bai Nian quickly waved her hands, once again adopting that “getting a bargain and acting humble” look. “I’m leaving now.”

Hanging up the phone, the screen reverted to their chat box. Chen Qingying didn’t stop her actions, but a hint of mockery appeared in her eyes.

Letting Bai Nian stay here was simply because she didn’t want her to cause trouble; keeping her under her nose might make her behave better.

Adding to what happened before, she had already taken precautions. Rather than letting Bai Nian have an opportunity to cause trouble, or being photographed by paparazzi and misrepresented when meeting back and forth, it was better to suffer for a while.

The plan for divorce was completely discarded. She hadn’t expected Chen Zi to be so satisfied with Bai Nian, which also complicated their relationship.

Since they couldn’t separate in the short term, she could only keep Bai Nian suppressed and prevent her from causing a fuss.