Transmigrated as the Contracted Alpha Who Marked the Film Queen (GL) - Chapter 5

The film studio was crowded with prying eyes. Lu Li shielded Ling Tingyu’s side and reminded her: “That’s enough.”

Lu Xian’s right hand was held by Ling Tingyu, who meticulously wiped it clean before letting go though not gently, leaving Lu Xian’s fingers slightly sore from the pressure.

Ling Tingyu raised her gaze: “Lu Xian, why are you here?”

Seeing no reason to hide her acting aspirations, Lu Xian replied plainly: “I took on extra work at the studio. I can earn my own money now, so you don’t need to give me allowance anymore.”

Hearing this white lotus Alpha’s declaration, Lu Li choked on her coffee, her expression full of skepticism.

Ling Tingyu’s brows furrowed, Lu Xian had never mentioned entering the entertainment industry before. “Why?” she demanded.

“I don’t want to rely on others.” Lu Xian sensed Ling Tingyu’s anger and felt genuinely puzzled. Wasn’t Ling Tingyu supposed to be happy now that she’d stopped being a freeloader?

“Others?” Ling Tingyu let out a short laugh. “So you’re trying to cut ties with me?”

“No,” Lu Xian explained. “I just want to stand on my own feet.”

The firmness in Lu Xian’s voice made Ling Tingyu clench her fists. “Fine,” she said coldly. “But remember, don’t use my connections in this industry.”

Lu Xian nodded earnestly. “I understand. I won’t let anyone know about our relationship.”

“Lu Xian,” Ling Tingyu said through gritted teeth, “I’ll be watching.” The casual dismissal in Lu Xian’s tone left her seething.

When crew members approached the café, Lu Xian grew nervous. “People are coming. I should go.”

Lu Li watched her leave suspiciously. “What’s gotten into that white lotus Alpha? Wasn’t she begging to go public before?”

“She seems to have other plans,” Ling Tingyu murmured, her sharp eyes tracking Lu Xian’s retreating figure with displeasure.

Following recent celebrity divorce trends where one party slanders the other for sympathy and clout, perhaps Lu Xian planned to climb the ladder by dragging her down.

Ling Tingyu’s guard went up, Lu Xian’s recent behavior was far too unusual.

…

After wasting the entire afternoon on set, Lu Xian stood exhausted by the roadside as dusk fell, hailing a cab home. During the ride, Chen Mo texted her two gigs for tomorrow.

Arriving home, she considered asking if Ling Tingyu would return tonight, but remembered last night’s message saying she’d be away. She decided not to bother her further.

The nearly empty fridge yielded only carrots, asparagus, and fresh broccoli wrapped in plastic. The sole protein was unprocessed shrimp pathetic provisions for someone who couldn’t cook.

With practiced ease, Lu Xian deveined and shelled the shrimp, preparing dinner from the meager ingredients. As she was about to pan-fry them, her phone lit up with a video call from “Sweetie.”

Turning off the stove, it took Lu Xian a moment to place the name. Sweetie, abandoned at birth, mute since childhood, and prone to illness had been adopted four years ago and renamed Wen Tian. The original Lu Xian had treated her like a bl00d-related younger sister.

Answering the call, Lu Xian saw a delicate face with round, adorable eyes fill the screen. Seeing Lu Xian’s apron and kitchen backdrop, Wen Tian blinked and signed: [What are you doing?]

Fortunately, Lu Xian had previously volunteered at an orphanage and knew sign language. She pointed the camera at the ingredients and said, “I’m preparing dinner.”

Wen Tian looked as if she had discovered a new world, her mouth slightly agape: [You know how to cook?]

In Wen Tian’s understanding, the original owner of this body was only good at studying and clueless about everything else. Lu Xian smiled: “I’m learning. Are you on summer break?”

[Yes.] Wen Tian paused hesitantly, too embarrassed to say what was on her mind.

Lu Xian could guess what Wen Tian wanted to say and reassured her: “You can tell me anything.”

Wen Tian slowly signed: [My parents are going on a business trip for a month. I’m a little scared staying home alone… Can I come live with you?]

The novel mentioned that the original owner didn’t want Ling Tingyu to meet anyone in her life, so she refused Wen Tian. A week later, Wen Tian was harassed by a male neighbor and fell to her death while trying to escape.

After losing her only sister, the original owner subconsciously chose to escape, her emotions collapsing to the extreme, and her antisocial personality gradually surfaced.

But Lu Xian didn’t hesitate at all: “Of course. Pack your things, I’ll come pick you up.”

Wen Tian finally smiled: [Okay, I’ll wait for you. [Location]]

The couple who adopted Wen Tian were nearly fifty, with modest financial means, living in an older, remote neighborhood in Jingzhou.

Lu Xian took a taxi and entered through the side gate, walking down a tree-lined path until she found Building 37, Unit 1.

Looking up, she saw Wen Tian leaning out the window, waving at her.

Lu Xian called out, “Wait for me inside.”

She sprinted up to the seventh floor, where a man was crouched at the door, peering through the crack. His hair was disheveled, his tattered undershirt barely covering him, and he reeked of the foul stench of a low-grade Alpha.

It was the male neighbor who had been harassing Wen Tian.

“Hey!” Lu Xian clenched her fists, veins standing out on her pale hands. “What are you looking at?”

The man turned leisurely, grinning. “Here to see this family? The adults aren’t home.”

The metal door opened from inside, and Wen Tian trembled at the sight of the man.

Noticing her luggage, the man leered. “Going somewhere, little girl? When will you be back?”

Lu Xian stepped between them, shielding Wen Tian, her dark eyes icy with warning. “Shut your mouth and get lost.”

The man’s expression twisted with rage. “Who the hell do you think you are, telling me to fvck off?”

Lu Xian had no patience for his nonsense. She told Wen Tian to go back inside, then unleashed the full force of her top-tier Alpha pheromones. The low-grade Alpha couldn’t withstand the suppression of an S-rank’s aura. The man clutched his neck, collapsing to the ground in convulsions, his eyes rolling back as he gasped wordlessly.

Still furious, Lu Xian kicked him repeatedly in the groin with her combat boots. “You sick pervert! If you so much as glance at her again, I’ll gouge your eyes out!”

Hearing the commotion, Wen Tian rushed out, locked the door, and pulled Lu Xian downstairs. They didn’t stop running until they were outside the neighborhood.

Wen Tian signed anxiously: [Don’t provoke him, it’ll bring trouble.]

Lu Xian scoffed, her teeth gritted in anger. “I’m not afraid of him. That creep is disgusting beating him to death would be doing the world a favor.”

Wen Tian’s small face was still creased with worry. Lu Xian took her luggage and said, “It’s fine. Once your parents are back, you should move. That place isn’t safe anymore.”

Wen Tian signed: [They said we’re moving, but the new place isn’t ready yet.]

Lu Xian nodded. “No problem. You can stay with me until then.”

The two took a taxi back to the city center, arriving at an upscale residential complex. Wen Tian looked up at the luxurious apartment building with excitement, gesturing animatedly: [Do you live here?]

Lu Xian gave a slight nod. “Let’s go up.”

Wen Tian nodded vigorously, but the moment Lu Xian opened the door, she froze in shock at the sight of the person inside.

Wen Tian’s mind screamed: That’s the film queen Ling Tingyu?!

Ling Tingyu had just finished showering, her glossy black hair cascading loosely. A faint blush tinted her cheeks, and her gentle eyes tightened slightly upon seeing Wen Tian.

Having grown up in an orphanage, Wen Tian was adept at reading people’s expressions. With just one glance, she sensed Ling Tingyu’s wariness toward her.

Standing outside, Wen Tian gestured to Lu Xian: [It’s not appropriate for me to stay here.]

“Wait a moment.”

Belatedly realizing how rude it was to bring someone home unannounced, Lu Xian walked over to explain to Ling Tingyu.

Ling Tingyu’s long lashes fluttered. “Who is she?”

“Sorry for not telling you in advance.” Lu Xian’s gaze swept over Ling Tingyu’s slightly reddened eyes, getting the strange impression the Omega might burst into tears any second.

Ling Tingyu’s pink nails dug into her palms as she waited for Lu Xian to continue.

“Wen Tian is my sister. Her parents are away on business, and I was worried about her staying alone, so I brought her here temporarily.” Lu Xian paused, seeking Ling Tingyu’s approval. “Is that okay?”

Maintaining her composure, Ling Tingyu invited Wen Tian inside first, it wouldn’t do to have this conversation where others might see.

Wen Tian nervously shrank into a corner, clutching her luggage handle while observing Ling Tingyu’s reaction.

An uneasy silence filled the apartment.

Ling Tingyu glanced at Wen Tian, initially suspecting she might be some fling Lu Xian had irresponsibly brought home.

Wen Tian blinked and smiled at Ling Tingyu, then handed her phone to show a pre-typed message: [Sister Tingyu, I’ve been your fan for so long! I’m thrilled to meet you!]

Ling Tingyu had noticed Wen Tian using sign language earlier and now typing notes clearly, she couldn’t speak.

“So you’re my fan?” Ling Tingyu’s guard lowered slightly, though she resolved to cut this down at the roots if there was anything between Wen Tian and Lu Xian.

Wen Tian nodded vigorously, her heart pounding wildly.

“Make yourself comfortable. I need to talk with Lu Xian.” With that, Ling Tingyu grabbed Lu Xian’s wrist and dragged her into the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

Wen Tian remained frozen, her mind racing to figure out the relationship between Lu Xian and Ling Tingyu.

Inside the room.

Pinned against the door, Lu Xian winced at the pain in her wrist as the red-eyed Omega glared at her, the tension eerily similar to last night.

Ling Tingyu’s cold fingers tightened around her wrist, eyes burning with insecurity and anger. “You never mentioned having a sister before.”

Most past troubles stemmed from the original host’s misdeeds. Now seeking Ling Tingyu’s forgiveness, Lu Xian had learned to play the helpless card shamelessly skillfully deploying coquettish tactics.

“Sister…” Lu Xian murmured the endearment, soothing the Omega. “You’re hurting me.”!?