After Becoming a Scumbag Alpha, the Green Tea Omega is Reborn - Chapter 18

Yu Li rolled over to face the window. The lights from the buildings outside reflected in her eyes, highlighting a gaze full of tenderness.

“Can’t sleep? Are you worried about your father? Or thinking about Tao Yu?”

“Remember, no matter what Tao Yu says, don’t believe her. She’s been pampered since she was a child and only has eyes for money. Be careful she doesn’t scam you.” Tao Ran let out a tired sigh, lying flat beside Yu Li. “It’s hard for a profligate to return to the fold; I know her all too well.”

“Sometimes I think… a sister like that, maybe it’s better to just give up on her.”

The air was thick with a scent so rich it felt inseparable. Yu Li shifted onto her side, propping her head up with one hand, and moved a little closer.

“You know her so well—does she really have no redeeming qualities?”

Tao Ran let out a soft “Hmph.” “None.”

She thought for a moment, then pouted slightly. “Maybe a tiny bit. When I got into the Beijing Film Academy, she was only in the sixth grade. She knew my tuition was expensive, so she gave me all the New Year’s money she had saved.”

As Tao Ran spoke, her eyes grew moist. “I still remember her saying, ‘Sis, don’t worry, even if the family has to sell everything, we’ll help you achieve your dream.’”

Yu Li looked silently at her profile. At this moment, she wanted so badly to tell her: You didn’t let them down. You’re going to become an incredible actress.

“Yu Li, you’re right. We shouldn’t give up on her.”

Yu Li gave her a soft smile and nodded in approval.

“Whatever difficulties come in the future, we’ll face them together…”

Before she could finish, the phone on the nightstand vibrated. Tao Ran leaned toward the stand to reach for it, but Yu Li, knowing it was her own ringtone, braced herself against the bed and leaned over Tao Ran to grab it.

The ringing suddenly stopped. Both froze, staring intently at each other’s faces, inches apart.

The Central Academy of Drama has no shortage of beauties, but Yu Li had never seen anyone as stunning and soulful as Tao Ran. Especially those eyes—vivid and clear, appearing as if filled with shimmering water and covered in a light mist.

A single spirited glance from her when she looked up was enough to be unforgettable, let alone now, as she lay beneath Yu Li, staring straight back without blinking.

Yu Li felt that every second spent with her was a massive test. Every step felt like walking the edge of a cliff, where a single slip would lead her into a “tomb of beauties” below.

Tao Ran’s chest rose and fell with her breath. She asked a question that would baffle most people: “Yu Li, will you always be you?”

Alarm bells went off in Yu Li’s mind. It seemed Tao Ran suspected something, though her gaze remained confused.

The hunter intended to wait for the rabbit to hit the tree, not realizing the rabbit had been waiting at the tree for a long time.

“What are you saying, Ranran? I’ve always been me.” Yu Li gave a forced, relaxed smile.

“Is that so?” Tao Ran’s lips curled into an ambiguous smile.

“Maybe I can’t promise you more, but I promise I will always be like this.”

The subtext was: I will always be good to you, so please stop asking, or I’ll blow my cover.

Tao Ran hooked her arms around Yu Li’s neck and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Yu Li froze, her lips parting slightly. Tao Ran pushed further, her tongue lightly grazing and sucking at Yu Li’s.

When they pulled apart, there was a soft “pop” sound.

“Then it’s settled. You can only be you.”

Tao Ran released Yu Li, rolled over, and obediently closed her eyes. She then pulled a suppressant patch from under her pillow and applied it to the gland on the back of her neck.

“So you weren’t wearing a patch just now?”

No wonder the scent was so overpowering. This little vixen was finding new ways to mess with her again.

“That’s right.” Tao Ran stuck her tongue out at her. “I tore it off when I rolled over. I was so fragrant and yet you had no reaction; even Liu Xiahui isn’t as disciplined as you.” (Note: Liu Xiahui is a Chinese historical figure famous for his moral resistance to seduction.)

“You…” Yu Li pulled the blanket over her head and turned her back crossly.

She was a natural little enchantress.

Tao Ran fell asleep with a smile. She was finding that teasing Yu Li was becoming quite fun.

The next morning, after giving some instructions to the nurses and taking a reluctant look at her parents, Tao Ran headed to the film set with Yu Li.

Knowing they hadn’t slept well, Sister Zhang sent Lin Lin to pick them up and found a reliable driver to take Yu Li’s luxury car back from the hospital parking lot.

Much of a celebrity’s work is done in the car. Since neither suffered from motion sickness, they touched up their makeup on the way.

Tao Ran applied a light layer of powder, yawned, and pulled a book from her bag, reading with great interest. Yu Li looked closer and saw the book was the original novel, Flower Branch.

Yu Li didn’t disturb her and closed her eyes to rest.

A moment later, Sister Zhang sent a polite message inquiring after Tao Ran’s father. Tao Ran gave a polite reply. Then, Sister Zhang sent a private message to Yu Li: “Tonight at 7:00 PM, you will attend the variety show Actors, Please Take the Stage as a guest.”

“Got it,” Yu Li said, turning to Tao Ran. “I have a variety show tonight, so I can’t have dinner with you.”

“A variety show?” A spark of anticipation lit up Tao Ran’s eyes. “Is it that popular one, Actors, Please Take the Stage?”

Yu Li nodded. Seeing Tao Ran’s excitement, a plan began to form in her mind.

Sister Zhang “coughed” via text. “Are you two so busy chatting that you’ve forgotten me? The leaked behind-the-scenes (BTS) photos for the movie are ready for the Hot Search. Take a look and see what you think.”

Yu Li opened Weibo and saw #Flower Branch Movie Leaks# high at rank 3. Clicking the comments, as usual, the feedback was split right down the middle.

【To be honest, Yu and Tao’s looks really fit the original novel.】

【Those dark blue factory uniforms are incredible. They really look like they walked right out of a factory haha.】

【Well, the average looks of that factory just got boosted several levels by these two.】

【These two faces… say what you will, they’re a match.】

【A perfect match!】

【They’re married, of course they match.】

【What’s the use of matching? Yu Li has a ‘poker face,’ and Tao Ran looks as young as a high schooler. Neither fits the image of the movie leads.】

【Isn’t looking good enough?】

【Is the person above an idiot? Visual-chasers shouldn’t watch literary films.】

【No matter the film, acting is what matters most.】

【Then why not find two 80-year-old veteran actors? Their acting is good enough, right?】

【Yu Li’s fans are the most arrogant. Last time I said she ruined ‘Flower Branch,’ I was harassed by toxic solo fans in my DMs for days.】

【Fans follow the idol. Yu Li isn’t a good actress anyway.】

…

The original novel of Flower Branch caused quite a stir in the literary world when it was released, gaining countless fans. Yu Li and Tao Ran also had massive fan bases. The clash between the groups pushed the topic into the top ten.

Immediately, Sister Zhang messaged: “Don’t worry. Now that the topic has been cursed into the top spot, we just need to buy ‘water army’ (paid accounts) to like and comment, drowning out the negatives and boosting the positives. When anyone else clicks in, they’ll only see praise.”

This was the standard reputation-building method known to every actor. But Yu Li was silent for a while before replying: “Sister Zhang, can we not buy a water army?”

Sister Zhang sent a question mark.

“A water army doesn’t prove my strength. I want to use my acting to change people’s minds.”

Sister Zhang: “…”

“Are you serious?! When do you not buy a water army for a hot search? Do you think you’re a Movie Queen or something?! You think you’re so great!”

“Sister Zhang, just let me try.”

A while later, when Sister Zhang received this sincere-sounding voice message, she let out a long sigh.

Her “Master’s” temper had improved and she was more polite, but… she was even harder to handle!

Doesn’t want a water army? Wants to prove herself with acting? She’s either stupid or crazy. Who does she think she is? Audrey Hepburn?

“Then I’ll just buy a smaller amount, okay? Didn’t you want to promote Tao Ran? I’ll buy a few for her too, so you can hit the headlines together.”

A future Movie Queen doesn’t need a water army. Yu Li was about to refuse when Tao Ran, sitting beside her, suddenly asked, “Are there any other leaked photos that haven’t been posted yet?”

Yu Li relayed the question. Sister Zhang sent a voice clip: “There are, but they’re either of you two running in the rain or being pushed down into the sand.”

In short, these photos weren’t “pretty” enough, and using them for promotion might backfire.

But Tao Ran said firmly, “Try sending the second set of leaks directly—no filters, no retouching.”

“It doesn’t matter if they’re ugly. What matters is that they aren’t distorted. A movie is different from a TV drama; you can’t save it through post-production.”

Yu Li added her support: “Sister Zhang, I think Tao Ran’s suggestion is worth a try.”

Sister Zhang was silent for a long time before messaging: “Fine, let’s try it.”

Sigh, if this ticks off the netizens, she’d be the one hiring the water army to clean up the mess anyway.

Following Tao Ran’s request, the official promotional account posted the unedited, filter-free photos of the two staring at each other in the rain and being mistreated on set.

The moment they were posted with a simple caption, the comment section filled with question marks.

Sister Zhang sighed. See? I told you. Netizens are confused.

But two minutes later, Yu Li sent a joyful message: “Sister Zhang, look.”

Huh? Sister Zhang refreshed the page. The tide of the comments had actually changed compared to the first set of leaks.

【I don’t understand. Why didn’t they post these good promotional leaks earlier?】

【Yu Li and Tao Ran’s eyes… they’re actually quite on point. I think I can look forward to this.】

【I thought they’d either skip the sand pit scene or use body doubles. I didn’t expect Tao Ran to do it herself.】

【Stop praising her, or she’ll immediately release a press release about how ‘hardworking’ she is.】

【Just looking at these photos, it’s not bad. I don’t know how the final product will be.】

【We’ll know when it’s released. I’ve decided to watch it.】

【+1】

Although many people remained skeptical, the attitude of netizens had shifted significantly, sparking a new discussion in the fan forums.

Sister Zhang had a genuine question:

“Tao Ran, how did you think of that?”