Transmigrated as the Contracted Alpha Who Marked the Film Queen (GL) - Chapter 3

The black luxury car pulled up in front of the building.

Lu Li stepped out of the elevator first, adjusting her sunglasses with her fingertips as she scanned the surroundings to ensure no paparazzi were following. Then she signaled for Ling Tingyu to come out.

Only after getting into the car did Lu Li finally relax. “Ling Tingyu, can we not come here next time? Every visit gives me a heart attack.”

Ling Tingyu removed her sunglasses. “I can’t rest easy knowing Lu Xian lives alone.”

Lu Li scoffed. “What’s there to worry about? She was already an adult the moment you brought her home. Is this really necessary?”

Ling Tingyu didn’t respond. Her eyes darkened with unspoken emotions. Lately, she wondered if she had been neglecting Lu Xian maybe that was why the girl had orchestrated so many slanderous rumors, waiting to unleash them.

Lu Li sighed. “Back when you picked up stray cats and dogs, fine, I could at least find them reliable adopters. But ever since you brought home an Alpha, I genuinely don’t understand what’s going on in your head.”

Hearing the same old lecture, Ling Tingyu replied stiffly, “Lu Xian had no one. I couldn’t just abandon her.”

“I know you have a soft heart, but there are countless pitiable people in the world. Are you going to take in every single one? Besides her pretty face, what else does that little white Alpha even have going for her?”

No matter how much Lu Li reasoned, it never outweighed Lu Xian’s tearful pleas. It was obvious the girl had figured out Ling Tingyu’s weakness and was playing the victim. Her schemes were practically written on her face yet Ling Tingyu remained blind to them.

Whatever. Lu Li had said enough. She warned, “If Lu Xian asks for more allowance this time, don’t give in. Keep your guard up.”

“Got it.” Ling Tingyu handed Lu Li a bottle of water. “Here, hydrate your throat.”

Every month, Ling Tingyu gave Lu Xian more than enough for living expenses even more after their marriage. Yet Lu Xian always acted like it wasn’t sufficient, coyly begging for extra spending money by mid-month.

Since the wedding, Lu Xian had changed. Ling Tingyu never voiced it, but a quiet discomfort gnawed at her. Maybe Lu Li was right maybe Lu Xian had only married her for the money.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have married Lu Xian at all.

“Enough about her. Right now, you need to focus on work. I’ve secured an audition for Director Liang’s film. After we finish the reshoots, you’re coming with me.”

Lu Li was all business, but Ling Tingyu couldn’t help interrupting. “I just wrapped up the last project. Can’t I have a few days off?”

“You’ll get a long vacation after this film wraps.”
“I’ve heard that before.”

“This is a major Hollywood production. Isn’t becoming an international star your dream?”

Ever since Ling Tingyu won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress two years ago, the roles offered to her had been typecast. Though she was constantly booked, there was no challenge or growth just the same comfort zone.

After a pause, Ling Tingyu nodded. “Fine. I’ll do my best.”

…

By the time they left the audition, night had fallen, neon lights illuminating the street corners.

Ling Tingyu pulled out her phone to check the time, 9 PM. Her WeChat was flooded with messages, but not a single one was from Lu Xian.

This was the first time in over two hours that Lu Xian hadn’t texted her. She hadn’t even asked why Ling Tingyu wasn’t coming home tonight.

An odd sense of neglect settled over her.

Lu Li walked over from the car: “Tingyu, what are you spacing out for? Didn’t you hear me calling you just now?”

“Oh, sorry.” Ling Tingyu turned off her phone screen. “What were you saying?”

“We’ll talk later. Director Liang is coming.” Lu Li smiled warmly as she stepped forward. “Director Liang, thank you for giving our actress this opportunity.”

Director Liang responded politely: “That’s because Ling is outstanding. It’s not just me, the investors and producers were all very satisfied, directly offering her the third female lead role.”

Lu Li glanced at Ling Tingyu, and seeing her nod subtly, maintained a cheerful expression: “Getting a role in your film is already an honor. Would you have time to join me at Jiuju Pavilion for tea?”

“Next time. I have plans tonight.” Director Liang headed toward the Maybach parked by the roadside.

As the luxury car door opened momentarily, Lu Li spotted their top competitor, Yu Xue’er, sitting inside.

Ling Tingyu and Yu Xue’er had both won Best Actress at the Golden Horse Awards around the same time. Over the past two years, they’d been neck and neck in their rivalry until recently, when Yu Xue’er’s momentum clearly surpassed Ling Tingyu’s.

Lu Li understood immediately: “Yu Xue’er will probably land the second female lead in Director Liang’s film.”

“Mhm.” Ling Tingyu’s mind was elsewhere as she reopened her phone, navigating to her chat with Lu Xian.

Noticing the screen, Lu Li remarked curiously: “No messages from your little white A today? Didn’t even ask when to deliver dinner?”

Ling Tingyu shook her head. “No. Maybe she fell asleep?”

Lu Li scoffed coldly. “More likely she’s passed out from hunger.”

“Let’s head back then. Lu Xian hates going out and can’t cook. If she really faints at home with no one around…” Ling Tingyu got into the car, genuinely curious about what Lu Xian did alone at home.

Lu Li sighed in exasperation. “Ling Tingyu, you’ll be the death of me.”

When they returned to the upscale apartment and opened the door, Lu Xian came rushing out of the study, flustered as if hiding something.

Ling Tingyu frowned. “What were you doing?”

“Just… reading in the study.” Lu Xian yawned awkwardly. “Didn’t realize it was so late already.”

“Oh?” Ling Tingyu glanced toward the study. “What book?”

“…The Actor’s Performance Principles.”

Lu Xian could never meet people’s eyes when lying. She absolutely couldn’t let Ling Tingyu discover the torn marriage contract, she’d spent hours in the study painstakingly gluing the shredded strips back together, barely managing to reconstruct its original form.

Ling Tingyu clearly didn’t buy it, her sharp eyes narrowing with displeasure. “You want to learn acting now?”

“Just browsing.” Lu Xian changed the subject clumsily. “Are you hungry? There are ingredients in the fridge, I can cook for you.”

But to Ling Tingyu, this sounded like an increasingly absurd lie, Lu Xian was notoriously hopeless in the kitchen.

Lowering her gaze to conceal her disappointment, Ling Tingyu said flatly, “No need. I’m tired.”

Lu Xian missed the subtext. “Alright, rest early.”

“I won’t be coming tomorrow,” Ling Tingyu stated.

“Okay.”

“Or anytime soon.”

“Mhm.” Lu Xian nodded understandingly. “I know you’re busy with work. Don’t worry about me.”

Lu Xian had resolved to remember her place to reclaim her identity as an Alpha. She needed to embrace her role as a kept partner conscientiously, avoiding any trouble for Ling Tingyu and resisting the urge to cling to her unnecessarily.

Ling Tingyu narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to see through Lu Xian’s true nature.

Lu Xian had no idea what was going through Ling Tingyu’s mind. She retrieved her pajamas from the bedroom and announced, “I’m going to take a shower.”

She had spent the entire afternoon painstakingly piecing together shredded paper fragments, leaving her eyes strained and hands exhausted. All she wanted now was to wash up and get some sleep.

The sound of running water filled the bathroom as steam fogged up the glass.

Ling Tingyu wasn’t in the mood for sleep. Curled up on the sofa, she absently flipped through TV channels, though nothing on the screen registered in her mind. Instead, she found herself replaying Lu Xian’s recent odd behavior.

When she had returned earlier, Lu Xian hadn’t asked if she’d brought back any late-night snacks.

Her form of address had changed, Lu Xian had never called her by her full name before.

No clinginess, no sweet talk, no initiative in messaging. The contrast to her pre-marriage self was stark.

Did this mean Lu Xian no longer needed her? Was she thinking of divorce? Had her feelings faded? Was that why she could so heartlessly spread those damaging rumors, disregarding all their past affection?

Ling Tingyu clenched her fists, biting her tongue lightly to ground herself. She needed to stay clear-headed, just as Lu Li had advised. She couldn’t let herself be fooled by Lu Xian’s innocent facade again.

A noise came from the bathroom.

Lu Xian emerged after her shower, towel-drying her damp hair as she stepped out. Spotting Ling Tingyu, she paused in surprise. “Why aren’t you asleep? I thought you were tired?”

Ling Tingyu lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting Lu Xian’s dark, glistening ones.

Lu Xian wore a silk pajama set, droplets of water still clinging to her slender neck and collarbones before disappearing beneath the neckline.

Ling Tingyu rose from the sofa and approached, catching the faint scent of shower gel.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Xian asked after enduring Ling Tingyu’s prolonged stare, instinctively touching her cheek. “Is there something on my face?”

“Don’t move.” Ling Tingyu traced her delicate fingers over Lu Xian’s eyes, the bridge of her nose, her lips, then down to her chin.

“Ling Tingyu,” Lu Xian caught her wrist before she could go further. “What are you doing?”

The way Lu Xian addressed her displeased Ling Tingyu. Her eyes glistened as she asked, “Why… aren’t you calling me ‘Sister’ anymore?”

For a moment, Lu Xian feared Ling Tingyu had seen through her that she wasn’t the original owner of this body. She exhaled in relief.

But being asked to call her “Sister” felt awkward. If it were up to her, “wife” would suit her personality better.

Ling Tingyu’s soft fingertips pressed against her chin, applying slight pressure. “You don’t want to?”

The Omega’s grip stung. Lu Xian frowned faintly. “It’s not that I don’t want to.”

Hearing this, Ling Tingyu released her, her gaze lingering on the reddened spot on the Alpha’s chin before murmuring coolly, “Say it, then.”

Mimicking the original owner’s pitiful, coquettish tone, Lu Xian wet her lips and forced out a sugary whisper through gritted teeth: “Sister…!”