After Being Marked by the Popular Female Lead O (GL) - Chapter 16

Xie Qingshu was lost in thought, her gaze subconsciously flickering toward Zhou Que. The latter was focused on reading the character biography she had brought along, seemingly unaware that Xie Qingshu was watching her.

She looked incredibly obedient, making it impossible to imagine the things she had experienced.

A cold wind suddenly blew, fluttering a corner of Zhou Que’s clothes. It made her figure look exceptionally slender, yet she looked lonely standing there by herself.

Xie Qingshu withdrew her gaze, a faint outline of a narrative gradually forming in her mind.

A young artist who had just debuted, full of dreams and hope, ruined by the careless actions of others until almost nothing remained.

The truth was indeed the opposite of what the media portrayed, but it wasn’t quite as extreme as Xie Qingshu had imagined.

Back then, Zhou Que had been cautious and didn’t touch those people’s things, but she hadn’t expected someone to take such a risk anyway. The scene that followed was as messy and ugly as it could be; that director likely never anticipated such an ending.

Since then, Zhou Que rarely had similar experiences.

“I heard Zhou Que’s assistant packed her things and ran away overnight.” Xiao Zhu noted the absence of Liang Nuo and tutted a few times. It served her right; an Alpha releasing pheromones while an Omega was present was asking for trouble.

Although it hadn’t been long, Xiao Zhu’s previous prejudices had already been overturned.

Xie Qingshu raised an eyebrow. As expected of the big shot behind the scenes in the original book—moving so quickly. However, she still couldn’t figure out exactly what the relationship was between Zhou Que and Z.

After a moment of hesitation, she sent Z a message simply expressing her thanks. The other person was actually online.

[It’s nothing.]

Very cold.

If Zhou Que had even half of this Alpha’s temperament, she probably wouldn’t be bullied like she was.

Xie Qingshu’s thoughts drifted, and she found herself looking at Zhou Que again. She frowned; she had been paying attention too frequently lately.

Zhou Que wasn’t holding a script; instead, she was holding her phone as if messaging someone. She looked up, her eyes curving into crescents, and mouthed words without making a sound.

Xie Qingshu subconsciously nodded in response.

Xiao Zhu, witnessing the whole exchange, sensed something was slightly off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She asked curiously, “Sister Qingshu, what did she say?”

Sister.

“Nothing.” Xie Qingshu lowered her head to look at the script in her hand.

This newfound harmony allowed the entire crew to speed up progress. There were still NG shots, but significantly fewer than in Group B’s filming. Deng Yue couldn’t help but worry that once this movie was finished, he might not be able to adapt to the rhythm of other actors.

“This emotional progression is quite good…” Deng Yue commented objectively, but stopped halfway. “Zhou Que, go prepare your lines for the next scene first.”

Xie Qingshu understood that lines were always memorized in advance; he simply wanted to send Zhou Que away.

“Later in the script, there will be some… well, you know. But there won’t be many, and we’ll clear the set beforehand.”

Deng Yue knew that Xie Qingshu had never filmed a scene like that since her debut; it wasn’t her style. This was also why he had hesitated over the casting. To be honest, a discrepancy between a role and one’s gender/rank was a point of contention for many artists—especially an Alpha being suppressed by an Omega. It was a taboo few actors were willing to accept, but asking him to cut those scenes was truly a tall order.

Deng Yue knew Zhou Que was an Alpha, but others didn’t.

Xie Qingshu had considered this while reading the script, but she didn’t expect the day to come so soon. However, she didn’t have the concerns Deng Yue imagined. She hadn’t filmed such scenes not because she was unwilling, but because few people could withstand her presence…

Halfway through filming, Omega actors often ended up with racing hearts and flushing faces, some even needing to take an inhibitor, even though she hadn’t released a single wisp of pheromones.

“Shouldn’t you be asking the Omega actor about this?” Xie Qingshu realized something was slightly off.

Deng Yue gave a dry laugh and muttered something vague.

Ask Zhou Que?

Joke.

It was already good enough if she managed to act like a normal human being.

“As long as Zhou Que agrees, it’s fine.” Xie Qingshu didn’t actually harbor much hope in her heart.

Deng Yue nodded.

Over the next few days, the pace became even more rushed. Xie Qingshu had sufficient reason to suspect the director was pushing his own agenda.

Zhou Que would occasionally come over at night. The frequency was well-managed, never becoming annoying, and her acting skills improved by leaps and bounds.

What Xie Qingshu never expected, however, was for Mo Xun to actually track her down. The moment he appeared in the dressing room, she merely frowned.

“I asked people at the company to find this place,” Mo Xun led with, though in reality, he had just tricked the information out of someone.

Xie Qingshu didn’t think anyone would dare give him the address and didn’t believe him at all. “What are you doing here?”

Her tone was frigid.

After going back from the restaurant last time, Mo Xun felt he had lost a great deal of face. He thought Xie Qingshu was just throwing a tantrum and would eventually go back to chasing after him like before.

But by now, he couldn’t hold out any longer. After that day, his colleagues’ subtle or overt mockery and the fact that his promotion was stalled had nearly driven him mad. Seeing that Xie Qingshu was still unmoved, he finally realized she had blocked all his contact info.

Unable to reach her for a while, he now understood she had truly let go. Mo Xun panicked completely.

“I was too impulsive then, it was just angry talk…” Mo Xun now only wanted to appease Xie Qingshu and try to return to how things were, but he ignored the sound of footsteps pausing at the door.

In the past, he only had to say a few nice words to easily coax Xie Qingshu, but that likely wasn’t going to work anymore.

His eyes lit up as a thought struck him. “Are you bothered by Zhou Que? I’ve never…”

“What does this have to do with Zhou Que?” Xie Qingshu’s lips thinned into a line. Anyone who knew her could tell this was a sign of displeasure.

Thinking about the things Mo Xun did later in the original book, Xie Qingshu was on the verge of losing her temper.

Mo Xun, thinking her reaction meant he had a chance, became even more excessive. He planned to stabilize Xie Qingshu first; the other one was just an Omega, easier to handle later.

“Mr. Mo, this is a film set. If you continue, I will call security.” Xie Qingshu’s face darkened completely.

“Qing…” Mo Xun froze, not expecting this method to fail. He prepared to try an emotional appeal, but before he could even call her name…

There was a movement at the door. Mo Xun turned around, his expression instantly stiffening. That face could only belong to Zhou Que.

He didn’t know how long she had been standing there or how much she had heard.

Zhou Que didn’t look at Mo Xun—she didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, her watery phoenix eyes looked at Xie Qingshu as if they could speak. Her lips moved slightly, but she said nothing.

Xie Qingshu’s heart was instantly pricked. She turned to Mo Xun, her eyes flashing with a cold light. “Get out.”

The scene was tense, almost frozen. Mo Xun gritted his teeth. He hadn’t expected Zhou Que to show up. As he walked out, he looked at her twice as if bewitched.

Just standing there, she was enough to capture all attention.

But the next second, Mo Xun felt as if he were standing on the edge of an abyss. Zhou Que’s eyes held a half-smile; it was clearly the most normal expression, yet it shifted back so quickly it felt like a mere illusion.

“Do I really have to have you escorted out?” Xie Qingshu was naturally aloof, but because of her personality, people often overlooked it. When she truly tore off the mask, her aura was formidable.

She wasn’t just talking.

Mo Xun’s body reacted instinctively as a chill ran down his spine. His footsteps quickened as he left.

The room suddenly fell silent.

“Sister…”

Zhou Que looked at Xie Qingshu’s cold profile and subconsciously licked her teeth. The Alpha blood in her veins began to boil.

This is the desire to conquer a peer.

That was how Zhou Que interpreted it.

From her angle, Xie Qingshu couldn’t see Zhou Que’s abnormality. She thought the girl was hurt. Online comments could be ignored normally, but hearing them said to her face was different.

Xie Qingshu found it a bit difficult to handle; she had never encountered a situation like this.

She was afraid that if she spoke too harshly, the “crystal doll” would shatter, but if she was too gentle, the girl might overthink. Before she could say anything, a corner of her sleeve was tugged.

“He’s not a good person. Sister, can you stop talking to him from now on?” Zhou Que whispered. Though it was a request, her tone was cautious, as if she already expected to be rejected.

Xie Qingshu didn’t realize this was a tactic—advancing by retreating. Her heart already leaned toward Zhou Que, and now it tilted even further. She nodded in agreement without a second thought.

“You’re very good. It’s not like what he said; he’s just prejudiced.” Xie Qingshu thought for a long time, and being unpracticed, she ended up dryly repeating herself.

It was clear she was trying her best to restore the girl’s confidence.

“Is that so?” She was good?

Zhou Que was stunned. The blood in her veins subsided unknowingly, replaced by an undeniable throb in her heart. This feeling was far more sudden and intense than before. She truly hadn’t expected Xie Qingshu to comfort her.

Whether it was an act or a sincere sentiment, Zhou Que could tell the difference quite clearly.

But this was Xie Qingshu.

In the time that followed, Xie Qingshu noticed that Zhou Que was subtly avoiding her. She didn’t think much of it, assuming the girl was just shy—after all, anyone would be moved after experiencing that.

Xie Qingshu continued filming as usual. Zhou Que still hadn’t arranged for a new assistant. Xie Qingshu looked after her occasionally, making sure she at least had warm water to drink after finishing a scene.

She had seen many actors of Zhou Que’s age surrounded by layers of staff during a shoot. Seeing Zhou Que standing there alone often made her heart ache.

Xiao Zhu caught Zhou Que’s gaze by accident. “Sister Qingshu, don’t you think the way Zhou Que looks at you lately is a bit strange…”

“How is it strange?” Xie Qingshu didn’t even look up.

Xiao Zhu thought for a while and found a word from her limited vocabulary: “Resentful! Yes, that’s the one!”

Like a little wife who had been abandoned.

“What are you talking about? She’s just a kid.” Xie Qingshu laughed, not taking it seriously at all.

Xiao Zhu’s mouth twitched. Which part of Zhou Que fits the word ‘kid’?

Xie Qingshu, you really are something!

On the other hand, the matter she entrusted to Song Mei finally showed some progress.

“I got that student’s contact info,” Song Mei said, having asked a friend to look into it; it wasn’t a difficult task. She paused. “She’s an Omega, good-looking, and a top student, but she’s a bit soft-hearted. If you like her, it’s not out of the question—just don’t let the media catch you if you date.”

Song Mei was relieved her artist was finally “maturing”; otherwise, she was truly worried Xie Qingshu would be snatched away by that “little vixen” Zhou Que.

Xie Qingshu was baffled, not understanding Song Mei’s implication. “What does her being an Omega have to do with anything?”

“Then why are you looking for her?” A deep sense of crisis rose in Song Mei.

“Just some private business.”

Song Mei knew Xie Qingshu had no reason to lie to her at a time like this and sighed. “Fine. That exhibition starts in two days. I’ve already asked the director for leave. Remember, this one can’t be pushed back.”

“Understood.”

It wasn’t until evening that Zhong Shan accepted Xie Qingshu’s request. She was very guarded.

[Who are you?]

Xie Qingshu obviously wouldn’t give her name and ignored the question.

[I can help you.]

The other end was silent for a long time. Xie Qingshu wasn’t in a hurry. Thirty minutes later, a message finally arrived.

[You know about my situation?]

Xie Qingshu replied with an “Mhm.” She hadn’t forgotten the incident where Zhou Que was almost scratched by Bai Siran. A cold light flashed in her eyes.

In the original book, Bai Siran was a designer who won many awards thanks to the Bai family. When people questioned the authenticity, they looked at the drawings; they were exceptionally beautiful, and the voices eventually died down. But no one knew that Bai Siran had plagiarized them.

Zhong Shan gripped her phone, her heart full of anxiety. Subtle, strange looks and whispers followed her constantly—a situation she had endured for three months. Although she didn’t know who the sender was, she gritted her teeth and refused.

[No need. Someone is going to help me.]

Xie Qingshu’s fingers paused. She didn’t ask who it was; the other party’s guard was too high, and asking would be useless. In the end, she only managed to get some photos of the works, but for her, that was enough.