Transmigrated as the Black-Bellied Film Empress's Live-in Alpha (GL) - Chapter 7

Clearing her throat, she put on a troubled expression.

“Oh, actually, we met at a bar.” After saying this, Bai Nian observed Chen Zi’s expression, and indeed saw a hint of confusion in her eyes.

In the eyes of elders, bars and nightclubs were hardly ideal places for encounters, more suited for one-night stands.

Sure enough, Chen Qingying’s long eyelashes were half-raised. The wooden chopsticks in her hand held a piece of dark-sauced meat, which she merely fiddled with, not putting it into her mouth.

The half-drawn curtains cast wavering tree shadows, swaying in the wind, branches and leaves tapping against the glass. Both women, with different thoughts, listened intently to Bai Nian’s story.

“Qingying was in a bad mood that day and had a couple too many drinks,” Bai Nian quickly added, fearing a warning letter later, to salvage Chen Qingying’s image in her aunt’s eyes. “When she came out, she was cornered by a few hooligans.”

“I happened to be passing by the bar after work and saw her being bullied. I couldn’t stand by, so I stepped in to help, and even though I got cut by one of those punks, I rescued Qingying!” Although it was a fabricated story, Bai Nian told it as if she were a chivalrous hero of the greenwood.

“Later…” She changed her tone, half her face pulling up as if embarrassed, “Qingying fell in love with me at first sight and offered herself to me.”

Bai Nian had to admire her own quick wit, feeling smug. As she lowered her head, she met Chen Qingying’s gaze, hoping to take the opportunity to take credit.

But she encountered a pair of cold eyes, frosted with ice.

The smile on her lips froze. With a “ding,” the wooden chopsticks in the Omega’s hand slipped, hitting the edge of the white porcelain bone dish with a slight, grating sound.

“Let’s eat.”

The square dining table was filled with exquisite dishes, and the cutlery was illuminated by the overhead chandelier, casting circular white halos. She picked up a piece of ginger, covered in sauce, and placed it in Bai Nian’s bowl.

In her haste, she didn’t have time to switch to serving chopsticks. Perhaps she was too emotional to remember, or perhaps she was constrained by her aunt’s presence.

The glistening, clear white rice grains were distinct, and a piece of unidentifiable ginger lay quietly among them.

Chen Zi’s attention was indeed diverted. Her hands clasped under her chin, she watched the two interact with a smile. “Qingying knows your taste so well. Those potatoes are flavorful and especially spicy.”

Being stared at in turn by the two, Bai Nian bravely picked up the ginger. It was indeed exactly as Chen Zi described; a stimulating spiciness immediately spread from the tip of her tongue.

But whose potatoes grow fur!

After a meal filled with apprehension, Bai Nian took advantage of the two chatting in the living room and quickly rushed to the guest bedroom on the second floor. She swiftly took out a new duvet cover and sheets from the cupboard. After tidying up, the uneven footsteps came from the staircase.

“This house is really nice. It’s good that only you and Xiao Bai live here, otherwise it would be a shame.” Chen Zi’s voice approached from a distance and soon reached the bedroom door. Seeing Bai Nian, she was about to ask something, but Bai Nian reacted faster.

“This room hasn’t been lived in for a long time. I just opened the window to air it out. I’ll turn on the air conditioning for you first.”

Tonight, there had been too many spur-of-the-moment inspirations; she felt physically and mentally exhausted.

Chen Qingying remained like an outsider throughout, even though she was the one who knew Chen Zi best, she didn’t give Bai Nian any hints, as if intentionally making things difficult.

Even if she exposed herself, it seemed like no big deal to Chen Qingying, but for Bai Nian, if the fake marriage was implicated, who knew if the previous incident would also be revealed.

“Auntie, please stay here tonight. Nian Nian and I are in the master bedroom across the hall. Call us if you need anything.”

After giving a few instructions, Chen Qingying walked out of the guest bedroom. Bai Nian greeted her and hurriedly followed her steps.

Once the guest bedroom door closed, the large villa was again left with just the two of them. The living room below was pitch black, vaguely revealing the outlines of furniture, like beasts lurking in the dark.

At the end of the corridor, the bright moonlight cast a layer of broken silver on the ground. From here, the entire villa could be overlooked. The Omega was tall and slender, her curly hair reached her waist, and her superior profile was outlined with a three-dimensional shadow.

Without outsiders, she no longer played along, regaining her indifferent expression. Chen Qingying’s appearance wasn’t too sharp; overly exquisite beautiful people often exuded a demonic aura.

But she was completely different. Her perfectly balanced alluring looks could handle any role, both positive and negative. Her upturned foxy eyes were full of emotion, reminding Bai Nian of Hong Kong stars from her world’s past era.

Chen Qingying’s strong femininity was undoubtedly attractive to someone like Bai Nian, who was a novice in romance.

Daring not to meet her gaze, Bai Nian lowered her head and quietly followed behind her.

To save time and effort, she had given the guest bedroom to Chen Zi. Now, in the villa, she was practically homeless.

Far from the guest bedroom, the only light in the hallway came from under a door. Chen Qingying stood in the master bedroom, surprisingly not chasing her away.

The door was pushed open. She fumbled along the wall, and light instantly filled the entire room.

The living room and bedroom were connected. A fabric gray sofa was placed in the center. Below the wall-mounted color TV was a TV cabinet. Bookshelves and wall-mounted wooden cabinets were filled with handicrafts and books.

Next to the massage chair was a similar large electric chair. Bai Nian had only seen it in novels before; it was a holographic online gaming pod.

Strictly speaking, this was the true living room, while the one downstairs was at best a reception hall for guests.

Stepping in, there was a warmth that suggested someone had lived here. They say soft furnishings reflect the owner’s personality; Chen Qingying’s decorating style matched her—simple and low-key.

She cautiously took two steps, not seeing the other person stop her.

Was she really going to sleep here tonight?

She hadn’t looked closely last time, but this time, understanding the layout of the room, she found herself in a dilemma.

“With Auntie home, if we sleep in separate rooms, she’ll get suspicious. You’ll have to rough it tonight,” Chen Qingying said as she walked out of the bedroom, closing the door and already having a bathrobe draped over her arm.

When no one else was around, her attitude remained unhurried. Hearing this, Bai Nian waved her hand, unusually shy: “No roughing it, no roughing it, hehe.”

As her words fell, the other person reached the center of the sofa and paused: “I was talking about myself.”

…Oh.

“You’re sleeping on the sofa tonight,” Chen Qingying said with a half-smile. “You’re quite capable. Consider yourself lucky.”

It wasn’t until the person went into the bathroom that Bai Nian realized what she meant by “lucky.” At the critical moment of divorce, when she was about to lose her distinguished status as a live-in Alpha, Chen Zi just happened to come to the rescue.

Truth be told, she didn’t want this kind of “good fortune” at all.

The sound of trickling water came from the bathroom. Bai Nian walked to the sofa, placing a cushion next to the armrest. The thin, breathable air-conditioned duvet was smooth and satiny. Bai Nian tucked in the excess portion that trailed on the floor.

She’d make do tonight. It would be fine once Auntie left tomorrow.

Even though Chen Qingying’s living room was significantly better than the long-term rental guesthouse, Bai Nian still didn’t want to stay here.

It wasn’t free enough, and she was subjected to mental torment from time to time.

She still couldn’t fathom Chen Qingying’s attitude. To say she hated her, her attitude wasn’t bad when they were together. To say she felt nothing, that wasn’t quite right either; occasionally, she would snap at her.

What Bai Nian feared most was Chen Qingying being two-faced, catching her off guard and finding flaws when she wasn’t paying attention.

Given the cunning personality described in the original text, it truly seemed like something the other party would do. Even those beautifully curved foxy eyes revealed shrewd calculations.

She shivered as the Omega walked out. A pure white bathrobe was cinched at the waist with a tie, and there were still un-wiped water droplets on her collarbone, making her skin gleam.

“Are you done washing?” Bai Nian, who had been lazily lounging on the sofa, now sprang up and asked a pointless question.

The other person ignored her, walked into the bedroom, then closed the door with a “thud,” locking it.

Smooth and fluid, without a single wasted movement or glance.

Seeing her tacit approval, Bai Nian went into the bathroom, quickly showered, and then lay on the sofa.

The lights had been turned off, and the entire living room was eerily quiet. She lay on her side on the sofa, holding her phone, tossing and turning like a pancake, unable to sleep.

The only sliver of white light shone on her face. She turned to look at Chen Qingying’s room, then looked at their chat box on her phone, pouting bitterly.

Although it was the tail end of late summer, the heat receded like a tide, leaving behind the water marks where waves crashed against reefs. The air still brewed an unpleasant dryness.

Bai Nian didn’t dare to open the window; there were especially many mosquitoes in areas with abundant greenery, and she detested those things.

A line of text in the chat box remained unsent.

Bai Nian: [Ms. Chen, I’m a bit hot. Can I turn on the air conditioning?]

With only the top few buttons of her white shirt undone, Bai Nian almost stared a hole through the standing air conditioner in the corner, her fingers restlessly picking at the sofa cover.

After hesitating and making up her mind, she clicked send.

She hadn’t expected a reply, but to her surprise, her phone vibrated less than two seconds after sending it. If she hadn’t turned off notification alerts, she would have thought it was a public account pushing a message.

Chen Qingying: [The remote control is in the coffee table drawer.]

The other party was unexpectedly accommodating. Bai Nian was unsure what to make of it. She successfully found the remote control, and after turning on the air conditioning, sent a message of concern.

Bai Nian: [Not sleeping so late?]

Don’t female celebrities need to take care of themselves? Staying up late isn’t good for the skin, is it?

Chen Qingying: [Want to sleep with me?]

Choked by this reply, Bai Nian completely fell silent. Clearly, it made her recall the awkward scene from when they first met.

Right, a scheming live-in Alpha, unwilling to give up, lying on the living room sofa. No matter how good one’s mindset, it would be hard to fall asleep easily.

The teasing words made her blush. After much deleting and re-typing, she typed out her inner grumbling.

Bai Nian: [I won’t do anything to you.]

Luckily, it was dark, otherwise the blush around her ears would be even more obvious.

Chen Qingying was clearly the victim, yet judging by her tone, it seemed she hadn’t taken the previous incident to heart.

After waiting for almost two minutes, Chen Qingying didn’t reply, she must have fallen asleep. Bai Nian wondered if she had taken her words to heart.

Bai Nian placed her phone on the coffee table, burrowed into the duvet, and closed her eyes.

The air conditioner operated quietly, and the coolness invaded, dispelling the anxiety in her chest completely.

The night was windless.

Her biological clock acted up, and Bai Nian woke up at only seven-thirty in the morning. She hadn’t drawn the curtains last night, so she squinted her eyes to adjust to the glaring light and groggily reached for her phone.

The bedroom door was tightly shut; it seemed Chen Qingying hadn’t gotten up yet either.

The routine of an actress when she wasn’t filming was enviable. Setting aside the chaotic variety shows in the entertainment industry, she was much more relaxed than her peers.

She would take on acting roles, endorse brands, and even have spare time to manage the Chen family’s affairs.

Bai Nian couldn’t help but inwardly praise her as a master of time management.

After a quick wash, she went downstairs but didn’t see Chen Zi. It seemed that overcoming jet lag and flying back to the country last night had indeed taken its toll.

Today was the weekend, and it was still early. Thinking there was nothing to do, she walked into the kitchen.

Hopefully, the two of them wouldn’t get up at this moment, after all, yesterday’s awkwardness hadn’t faded yet.