After Being Marked by the Popular Female Lead O (GL) - Chapter 29

The tasks Hu Li had delegated soon bore fruit. Fans quickly noticed that Zhou Que, while away filming, seemed to have become exceptionally well-behaved. Not a single rumor leaked, and many staff members’ private accounts were even speaking up on her behalf.

Many people joked that Zhou Que must have recently hired a professional team. The overwhelming tabloid articles and scandals were gradually becoming unsearchable. Crucially, unlike other female stars, her “black history” was mostly comprised of rumors spread by word of mouth; out of ten stories, not even one was necessarily true, making the process of clarification remarkably easy.

Previously, Zhou Que felt these things were inconsequential, and since she didn’t bring them up, no one dared to intervene. Coupled with the fuel added by rivals and jealous peers, her reputation had reached its previous low.

The media sensed the shift in the wind and were somewhat willing to give Hu Li face. As past incidents were laid out clearly, fans finally began to understand the hidden truth behind the scenes.

Xie Qingshu also noticed the signs. She glanced at the obedient Zhou Que by her side but didn’t ask. Instead, she contacted Song Mei, who had deep insights into PR management.

Though Song Mei wasn’t particularly willing to do it at first.

With the help from Xie Qingshu’s side, the slow process took a massive leap forward. The “whitewashing” project was far faster and smoother than imagined. The voices of opposition didn’t stop, trying to find points to refute, but even as they checked every word and sentence, they couldn’t find a single loophole.

This move caught them so off guard that they had no opportunity for a counterattack. After posting a few insults online, they found they had nothing left to say and eventually vanished. By the time they could come up with a strategy, it was already too late.

[Ahhh, baby! I knew it! I want to cry…]

[This… I just insulted her this morning, now my face hurts so much.]

[Sister is super invincible and amazing! I’m officially a fan!]

[Could she have met another “big shot” backer? Suddenly getting cleared like this?]

[The person upstairs is sick. Zhou Que has been in the film crew the whole time. If there is a “big shot,” it could only be Xie Qingshu.]

As soon as Xie Qingshu’s name was brought up, the comments fell silent for a moment. To be honest, anyone was a possibility, but the probability for Xie Qingshu was so low it was negligible; it was more realistic to think Zhou Que had simply changed her team. Yet, everyone knew better, and they couldn’t help but try to piece the two together.

[What if it really is Xie Qingshu…]

[My god, I’m calling it right now. This is kind of hot. Sisters, are you shipping this yet!]

[This is full of sugar! I’m shipping it ahhh.]

[Wait, I found a fan account. The stuff they posted is almost identical to the clarification materials. I have a bold idea.]

[Hands up, I know this one. That fan who was on the trending list—judging by their tone and timing, they must be an insider too. Could it be Xie Qingshu…?]

[It’s most likely a producer or an assistant. Anyone saying it’s Xie Qingshu is dreaming.]

Xie Qingshu: “…”

Actually, it really is me.

Fortunately, the fans found this idea too far-fetched to believe, so they didn’t mention it much afterward. However, “Que-Shu” shippers began to sprout up like bamboo shoots after rain.

Fan art and stories also became more frequent. Having learned her lesson from the last time in the dressing room, Xie Qingshu was cautious; when she saw certain keywords, she would only steal a glance and refrain from clicking in.

“Sister Qingshu, what are you looking at?” Su Hui suddenly popped up, a strange light in her eyes.

“Nothing.” Although Xie Qingshu closed the page quickly, she wasn’t sure how much the other woman had seen. “Can you please not do that if it’s not necessary? Remember to knock.”

Su Hui shrugged. She had specifically checked before coming to ensure Zhou Que wasn’t around. Zhou Que usually stuck to Xie Qingshu so closely that there were no openings. Since she was here to speak ill of someone behind their back, she couldn’t exactly do it out in the open. “I know. I won’t do it again.”

Xie Qingshu pursed her lips and said nothing. She had inquired about Su Hui’s role—thankfully it was just a small part that would wrap up in two days. It wasn’t a long stay, but she was more concerned about what Zhou Que would think.

Seeing her reaction, Su Hui knew what she was thinking. She felt resentful, almost grinding her teeth to dust, and finally spoke up. “You mustn’t let Zhou Que blind you. Her approaching you must be a calculated move.”

That little white flower, she knows nothing but playing the victim all day. I’ll drag you into the light sooner or later so Sister Qingshu can see exactly what kind of person you are!

Xie Qingshu now understood Su Hui’s intent clearly, but she wasn’t a fool. Her voice carried a light chuckle, clearly not taking it to heart. “Then tell me, what is her motive?”

“This… well,” Su Hui was so desperate to unmask Zhou Que that she had forgotten to actually find evidence. Faced with the question, she couldn’t say a word. “Anyway, I can see she has no good intentions. She’s nothing like she is on the surface.”

“Sister Qingshu, think about it. The Bai family is such a chaotic melting pot. After coming out of there, can you really expect her to be a blank sheet of paper?”

Xie Qingshu raised an eyebrow, considered it for a moment, and asked back, “Whether she is or not, what does it matter?”

To grow up in such an environment and be a blank sheet of paper would be even stranger. Xie Qingshu thought about it carefully; she didn’t mind if the other person had a bit of a calculating mind. What she couldn’t accept was concealment and deception.

Su Hui naturally didn’t know this. She was so anxious that beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. “It’s over. Sister Qingshu, you’ve completely fallen.”

The level of that little vixen Zhou Que is just too high. She started the game at Max Level. How am I supposed to fight this?

“Sister Qingshu, tell me the truth. Have you fallen in love with Zhou Que?”

Xie Qingshu was only glad she wasn’t drinking water. A faint flush rose on her face, though it wasn’t very visible. Her voice trembled but remained firm. “Impossible.”

How can two Omegas be together?

The suspicion in Su Hui’s eyes faded a layer, but she still didn’t quite believe it.

“Excuse me, where is Teacher Xie?” Zhou Que usually showed none of the arrogance of a popular star, nor did she have a condescending aura. As long as no one provoked her, she was quite well-liked on set. Coupled with the recent clarification of her reputation, her popularity had reached a peak.

She smiled in a way that seemed approachable, but in reality, she held no one in her eyes. However, a cameraman was still swayed by her charm and spilled the beans.

“…Sister Que, I suggest you don’t go over there right now. If it’s not urgent, go in an hour.”

Zhou Que’s smile was the kind that made it impossible to say no, but the corners of her lips stiffened, revealing her true emotions. “Why?”

The cameraman sensed something subtle, but before he could react, he directly confessed, “Su Hui went to find her just now. She picked a time when no one was around… The whole crew is whispering about it. Aren’t those two a couple?”

Who knew what they were doing right now? If she walked in, it would be awkward timing.

“Is that so?” Zhou Que’s voice was very soft, as if she were conceding. However, the madness that flashed through her eyes was anything but calm.

The cameraman dazed for a moment, staring at Zhou Que’s back as she left. He wondered if he had seen it wrong—why did Zhou Que look a bit like she was catching a cheating spouse?

She hurried her steps and soon reached the dressing room. Countless images flashed through her mind, and her fingertips trembled slightly. Suddenly, she was a bit afraid to look further.

Zhou Que’s eyes were rimmed with red, and she swallowed hard. Her thin lips parted, but she couldn’t make a sound.

It won’t be like what they say.

But a suppressed voice deep in her heart told her: A despicable, selfish person like you is already receiving charity by having even a brief moment of sunlight. You shouldn’t ask for too much.

It took only a few seconds for Zhou Que to accept the fact—she was just that greedy. It wasn’t enough; it was still not enough. She wanted more. Whatever others had or didn’t have, it all had to be hers. She only had one piece of “candy” in her hand; how could she share it with anyone else?

She had already planned it out. Once the matters with the Bai family settled down, she would try to confess her identity as an Alpha. It didn’t matter—Sister Xie was raised so well, she must be afraid of pain. She could be the one to be bitten instead.