A Scummy Alpha Director is Always Breaking Character - Chapter 4

Chu Yu was frantically researching how to unsend a message when the “Read” receipt appeared on the screen.

She stopped breathing instantly, waiting in silence for a reply. One second, two seconds…

By the time she had held her breath for a full thirty seconds and nearly suffocated herself, she finally realized one thing: Lin Yi was not going to reply. Lin Yi probably thought she was just being sarcastic again.

Chu Yu stared at the four words on the screen: “I have amnesia.”

For some reason, a memory flashed through her mind.

It seemed to be on a film set. Lin Yi was holding a paper coffee bag, standing amidst a noisy, bustling crowd. She looked so beautiful she seemed out of place—and so lonely she seemed out of place.

“Hey, Best Actress Lin.” Her past self reached out and draped an arm over Lin Yi’s shoulder. “So free today? Coming to visit my set?”

“I’m here for work.” Lin Yi took a discreet half-step back, refusing the touch. She looked at Chu Yu with disbelief and said, word by word, “You’re the one who asked me to come.”

Lin Yi had thought this movie would be the turning point to repair their relationship. She thought Chu Yu was finally extending an olive branch. Even though the production had been rescheduled multiple times—forcing her to turn down all other work—and even though Chu Yu had lied about “character requirements” to make the already thin Lin Yi undergo a grueling 20-day weight loss regimen, she hadn’t complained once.

But it turned out everything was a setup to humiliate her.

Watching Lin Yi’s fragile, trembling frame, the original Chu Yu had felt an indescribable, vengeful satisfaction.

You left me so heartlessly three years ago. You never thought this day would come, did you? Do you know how I spent those three years? While you were enjoying the spotlight at overseas film festivals, I couldn’t even get your phone number. I could only watch your shadow on a screen…

It was a longing that felt like a flood. But now, that longing had fused with a thirst for revenge, so much so that even Chu Yu herself couldn’t tell if it was love or hate.

She leaned into Lin Yi’s ear, smiling like a fox. “Is that so? I. Have. Am. Ne. Sia.”

Then she stepped back, looking Lin Yi up and down. “The lead role has already been given to someone else. However, there’s a bit part you can play. It suits you—a heartless gold-digger who gets killed by the villain…”

Slap!

Chu Yu’s face took a solid hit. The set went dead silent. Everyone’s eyes were on them.

Chu Yu’s expression turned cold. She looked at Lin Yi and hissed, “Do you know how I’ve lived these past three years?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t need to know.” Lin Yi was right in front of her, yet her voice sounded like it was coming from very far away.

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have thought there was still hope for us.” A smile touched Lin Yi’s lips. She smiled beautifully. There was no one in the world more beautiful when they smiled. But why was such a beautiful smile so cold and tragic?

Even in the memory, Chu Yu felt her heart ache, a sharp pain as if it were being torn apart.

Lin Yi turned to leave. After a few steps, she stopped but didn’t look back. “I wish I had amnesia too,” she said self-deprecatingly.

Then came the crisp, decisive sound of high heels. Chu Yu stood frozen until Lin Yi’s beautiful figure vanished completely.

Then, she picked up the coffee Lin Yi had brought. Deep roast, triple espresso, whole milk, hot, no foam.

Chu Yu pursed her lips. She seemed to want to smile, but a tear fell instead.

Why? Why, after being apart for so long, do you still remember exactly how I like my coffee?

Lin Yi clearly didn’t love her. They never had a formal romantic relationship. If there was anything, it was just a fleeting spark of ambiguity, nothing more.

Lin Yi had abandoned her without hesitation—abandoned their friendship, their dreams, and their promises—to fly overseas for an audition without ever telling her.

She once said she would be her leading lady for a lifetime. Yet while Lin Yi was boarding a plane to Germany, Chu Yu had been preparing a birthday cake for her.

Shouldn’t she hate her? But why, three years later, did she return so casually, smiling so radiantly as if nothing had happened? She even brought the coffee she loved most three years ago.

“I shouldn’t have thought there was still hope for us.”

Her voice still echoed in her ears. Of course there was no hope. What right did Lin Yi have to think things could change?

The left side of Chu Yu’s face, where she’d been slapped, began to feel numb, followed by a stinging heat.

“Director?” someone called out cautiously.

“Back to work,” Chu Yu said.

The memory ended abruptly.

Chu Yu: “…”

Now she understood why Lin Yi wasn’t replying.recasing the lead actor wasn’t a first-time offense. Last time, she had even used the exact phrase “I have amnesia” to mock her.

Looking at the “Sent” status on her phone, Chu Yu wanted to cry. How could the coincidence be so cruel? Lin Yi must think she was back for another round of humiliation.

Given all the terrible things the “Scummy Alpha” had done, and the fact that Lin Yi had been bullied repeatedly and still agreed to act in Eden, Chu Yu didn’t know if she should call herself a psychopath or call Lin Yi a fool.

But one thing was strange… Since arriving in this world, seeing Lin Yi gave her a natural sense of familiarity and closeness. She liked Lin Yi, and it didn’t seem to be just because she was in Chu Yu’s body. When she felt those memories of Chu Yu bullying Lin Yi, they felt foreign to her.

She suddenly wasn’t sure who she was anymore. Who was that love—and Lin Yi’s infinite tolerance—actually for?

Chu Yu sighed. She didn’t want Lin Yi to think she was mocking her again. She ran to the kitchen, snapped a photo of the pork shoulder Su Qingqing had brought, and began editing:

[Sister, I have amnesia. (Sent, Read)]

[Image (Sent)]

[I’ve even forgotten how to make char siu TT (Sent)]

Soon, the other two messages were marked as read. The “Typing…” indicator appeared. Chu Yu lay on the sofa, staring at the screen. Will she ignore me? Please don’t…

When the phone buzzed, Chu Yu almost dropped it on her face in excitement. She sat up straight and opened the chat.

[Lin Yi: You can cook?]

Chu Yu blinked. Could she? The Chu Yu of this world clearly couldn’t, which is why she exploited Su Qingqing. As for herself… a corporate worker from the real world, she barely had time to boil water. It was always takeout or pre-packaged meals.

But since she’d come this far, she had to be able to! The brave puppy typed without hesitation:

[Mhm! Sister, my cooking is delicious! Believe me! Can I invite you over to try some?]

Everyone loves good food! There was no better apology than a perfect meal. She had to prove she wasn’t just a scummy Alpha who only knew how to lie to and hurt Lin Yi.

Thinking about today’s mess and her past sins, she quickly added:

[Sister, you said you wouldn’t act in my movies anymore, but having dinner… that doesn’t count, right?]

Lin Yi looked at her phone and dazed for a moment. Somehow, the image of the “puppy” from the garage—clinging to her sleeve and apologizing with such desperate caution—surfaced in her mind.

The puppy had hung its head, terrified of causing anger, but the moment a bit of hope appeared, those eyes would light up, and she would unconsciously shake her sleeve. She could almost see the puppy’s nervous expression on the other side of the screen.

She smiled in spite of herself.

[Lin Yi: You just said you forgot the recipe. Are you sure it will be good?]

Chu Yu’s “ears and tail” drooped. Right, she forgot she’d just claimed amnesia. Before she could think of a reply, a new message arrived.

[Lin Yi: Okay.]

[Chu Yu: Okay? 0.0]

[Lin Yi: Didn’t you say you were inviting me to dinner?]

The puppy’s eyes lit up instantly. She typed: Sister, you’re the best!

Lin Yi smiled faintly. The puppy was so sweet, calling her “Sister” over and over… she couldn’t remember the last time Chu Yu had called her that. It felt like they were back in the past, before everything changed.

Nearby, Anna was busy rescheduling her itinerary. Lin Yi had cleared too much time for Eden, and it was bad for a star to be out of the public eye for too long. Now that she was out of the movie, those gaps needed filling.

Anna looked up and saw Lin Yi smiling at her phone. “Do you have a new Alpha you like?” she asked, feeling a wave of relief. If Lin Yi had a new love, she wouldn’t tolerate Chu Yu anymore. She hoped Lin Yi would dump Chu Yu once and for all.

Lin Yi looked up. “Are there any plans for tonight?”

“Tonight…” Anna checked the schedule. “A dinner meeting with an investor.”

Lin Yi frowned. Anna quickly added, “I know you don’t like those. You just have to show your face; it’s good for future film resources. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Cancel it,” Lin Yi said. “I have a dinner date tonight.”

“Okay,” Anna nodded. She was a great manager who never forced her talent, but she was also a bit of a gossip. She leaned in. “Is it your new love?”

Lin Yi locked her phone and smiled. “It’s Chu Yu.”

“Chu Yu?!” Anna let out a scream.