After Being Marked by the Popular Female Lead O (GL) - Chapter 34

“I’m heading back first.” There was a lost, despondent look in Xie Qingshu’s eyes. She knew that even if she stayed any longer, she wouldn’t be able to take anything in.

“Alright, then let me see you out,” Zhong Shan said immediately, startled.

“No need…” Xie Qingshu waved her hand to decline. Hearing a commotion in the distance, she couldn’t help but look over. She saw a circle of people gathered there and, unsurprisingly, caught sight of that familiar figure in the center.

Zhong Shan narrowed her eyes and blurted out, “Xu Qianjing?”

The name immediately registered with Xie Qingshu. She remembered her; she was from the same company. Song Mei had complained about this person before, but the reason she truly remembered the name was because of something else.

Zhou Que and Xu Qianjing once shared the same manager before parting ways. In the original book, this woman had constantly tripped Zhou Que up—competing for resources both overtly and covertly was one thing, but she also fanned the flames of public controversy, attempting to escalate situations while putting on an act of being the one getting bullied.

If it weren’t for today’s encounter, Xie Qingshu would have almost forgotten such a person existed. The woman had no representative works of her own; what little attention she had was derived from her association with Zhou Que, and she was fast becoming a non-entity in the entertainment industry.

Xu Qianjing smoothed her hair, which she had specially styled for this occasion. She was wearing a borrowed gown that looked high-quality, but those in the know could tell it was an old design from a past season.

Sensing the subtle, mocking glances from those around her, she realized she had worked so hard to get an invitation here just to try and become popular again. Only after arriving did she find that many others had the same idea; at best, she was a bit pretty, but in reality, no one was willing to “invest” in her.

But just as she was about to give up, she actually saw Zhou Que—the person she had once trampled under her feet—navigating the social scene with ease.

Hu Li stood beside her, possessing a respectful attitude that looked nothing like someone treating a little lover; it was as if their statuses had been reversed.

Seeing this made Xu Qianjing’s eyes nearly bleed with envy. Her heart was filled with resentment. Why? Zhou Que is just an illegitimate daughter. Ever since that manager offended the wrong person, Zhou Que was supposed to have no good resources left.

Seeing her rival living a life so different from what she had imagined, Xu Qianjing’s mental state collapsed instantly.

“What? Now that you’ve found a new backer, you don’t want to recognize your old friends?” Xu Qianjing’s tone was dripping with bitterness. This was Hu Li, after all.

Rumor had it Hu Li was the company’s newly promoted Z. To latch onto her was to never worry about resources again for the rest of one’s life.

Zhou Que had no interest in her resentment. When the woman approached, she didn’t even recognize her.

Zhou Que’s mind was entirely on Xie Qingshu in the distance. Her gaze held an inquisitive and hidden sense of grievance. Are those paintings more beautiful than me?!

If Xie Qingshu liked them, she would just buy them all.

Zhou Que’s mind was racing with little schemes, but no matter how she cried out in her heart, Xie Qingshu, unable to receive the signal, never spared her a single glance. Instead, she kept chatting with Zhong Shan—likely about art, though Zhou Que had no talent for it. Even with this scene she was making here, Xie Qingshu didn’t even bother to look twice.

Zhou Que narrowed her eyes, sensing a hint of something wrong.

In Xu Qianjing’s eyes, this silence meant Zhou Que was guilty because of her words. She truly had latched onto a big shot. Xu Qianjing deliberately raised her voice so everyone present could hear clearly: “How are those days of clinging to President Hu’s thigh treating you?”

As soon as she said this, most people turned their attention over, many with an attitude of wanting to watch a drama.

The rebuttal Hu Li wanted to say swirled in her mind but ultimately stayed unspoken: I’m not, I didn’t, I wouldn’t dare.

The commotion was significant enough that Xie Qingshu couldn’t continue to ignore it. She turned most of her attention toward the scene. She didn’t move her feet, but she inexplicably wanted to know how Zhou Que would face what was happening.

That Zhou Que who had shed all her disguises—the real her—what would she be like?

Unknowingly, Xie Qingshu was focused on her again.

Xu Qianjing, thinking she held the upper hand, was about to add more fabricated stories to completely ruin Zhou Que’s reputation in the circle. She didn’t expect that from the moment she arrived, Zhou Que hadn’t even looked at her properly, staring off at something else instead.

Xu Qianjing didn’t bother to guess what she was looking at, but with that expression, it wasn’t hard to assume she was hooking someone. She was about to sneer and continue when she suddenly met Zhou Que’s eyes. Her body couldn’t help but tremble, and her voice died in her throat.

Even though Zhou Que was smiling, she felt a chill deep in her heart and a coldness rising at the back of her neck. Xu Qianjing inexplicably regretted coming over.

“You can try saying one more word.” There was no sign of anger in her voice, not even any extra emotion.

Xu Qianjing didn’t want to lose face in such a place. She gritted her teeth to continue but suddenly realized she had already lost her momentum and was on the defensive.

How did the “little pitiful” who used to let everyone bully her change into a different person? Was her confidence coming from… Hu Li?

Xu Qianjing’s mind worked fast. Hu Li was standing quite a distance away; just looking at her attitude, it was clear she was watching a show, showing no intention of standing up for Zhou Que. In a flash, she realized—she had never truly understood Zhou Que from the beginning.

Regardless, Xu Qianjing bit her lip, wanting to leave as quickly as possible, but it wasn’t that easy. She suddenly felt a bone-chilling coldness on top of her head. Wine had been poured over her carefully styled hair, dripping down bit by bit onto her gown. She was a total mess.

She had never been treated like this before. While she was still stunned, she heard Zhou Que’s voice.

“You think it’s over? Now it’s my turn.”

Xu Qianjing was certain she had never truly seen Zhou Que clearly.

Xie Qingshu withdrew the complex look in her eyes, feeling a sense of overwhelming helplessness amidst her thoughts.

“I’m leaving.”

Zhong Shan responded blankly, staring at Xie Qingshu’s back. She didn’t know what had happened, but since Xie Qingshu had ignored the scene, perhaps it meant there was nothing special between those two.

Song Mei was equally confused when she saw Xie Qingshu come out. She didn’t ask anything, only continuously making and receiving calls.

“Look at what you’re saying, you know our artist. When has she ever had a scandal with anyone in the circle…?”

“This time is no different, what a joke. What could she possibly have with Zhou Que? It’s all just marketing accounts making things up for traffic.”

“Qingshu? She wouldn’t give a scandal a second thought. It’s strictly a professional relationship. Everything being said outside is fake.”

Xie Qingshu sat beside her and listened silently without refuting. Only after Song Mei was finished did she get an explanation.

“Zhou Que is too bold. What Omega would act like that in public? The media didn’t say much, but they took photos and put them online. Marketing accounts are guessing non-stop and it’s on the trending list. I’ve had a dozen calls and still can’t explain it away.”

Song Mei’s casual remark spoke a truth.

Xie Qingshu rubbed her brow. How did she ever think Zhou Que was an Omega? Her voice sounded weary and gradually grew weaker. “Next time someone asks, just ignore it. Keep a vague attitude. We’ll cut ties once the drama finishes airing.”

Song Mei understood. She moved her lips, but seeing Xie Qingshu had closed her eyes and fallen asleep against the seat, she swallowed her words and slowed the car down.

Although Xie Qingshu didn’t say it, Song Mei knew she had rushed over after a late-night shoot and hadn’t rested until now.

In her sleep, Xie Qingshu kept her brow furrowed, looking unsettled.

She dreamed of the time before her rebirth, and of that book—specifically the part she hadn’t finished reading.

Xie Qingshu’s thoughts were a mess, her breathing becoming erratic. She forced herself to calm down. The latter half of the book indeed detailed many points she hadn’t noticed before. Xie Qingshu only saw a glimpse, but just as she had guessed, that unspeakable expectation in her heart was instantly shattered.

Zhou Que was never as she appeared on the surface. On the contrary, she was incredibly patient and calculating. Many strange incidents that happened earlier, which Xie Qingshu thought were the work of those scum Alphas, were all connected.

Xie Qingshu already had some realization when she was outside the hospital room, but she hadn’t expected it to be this unimaginable.

“Wake up, you can’t sleep anymore,” Song Mei called out, frowning.

Xie Qingshu was now awake. She remembered her flight; there would be another late-night shoot when she got back.

“What did you dream about? Should we delay the flight?” Song Mei was a bit worried.

“It’s fine.” She had to face it eventually.

Xie Qingshu didn’t know what kind of attitude to use when facing Zhou Que. Right now, she just wanted to get back to the set, finish the filming, and part ways. It was best if the girl never provoked her again.

Perhaps because the expression on Xie Qingshu’s face was so persistent, Song Mei didn’t say anything more. Once they reached the flight, that was that.

Fortunately, after reaching the set, Xie Qingshu learned that Zhou Que had also returned and was currently doing reshoots with Group B, so she wouldn’t be back for a while.

Xie Qingshu let out a sigh of relief, but even if the person wasn’t there, her presence was never gone.

“Sister Que gave this to you personally.” Xiao Zhu handed over a tightly wrapped package. It was very mysterious; one couldn’t tell what was inside at all.

Xie Qingshu’s brow twitched, sensing something was off. “Did you check it?”

Xiao Zhu shook her head. “She said Sister Qingshu would know once she saw it and that it’s best not to open it. I don’t think she seems like she would use…”

It wasn’t unheard of for people in the circle to receive threatening packages; in fact, it was quite common.

Xiao Zhu suddenly shuddered, her tone full of panic. “Then, Sister Qingshu, should I… should I send it back?”

“Forget it.”

Xiao Zhu put the item down and left immediately.

Xie Qingshu rubbed her brow. By the time she reached the second layer of wrapping, she basically knew what was inside.

It was the cleaned dress, but now it was once again saturated with pheromones.

Wisp after wisp, carrying a dominance that was hard to resist.