After Being Marked by the Popular Female Lead O (GL) - Chapter 35.1

This was what Zhou Que wanted to tell her.

It was rare for Xie Qingshu to find herself unable to stay calm. Had she not considered the consequences of being discovered, she would have gone to find Zhou Que right then and there.

On the other side, Zhou Que had just finished her scenes when she finally found the time to ask, “Were the clothes delivered?”

The assistant nodded without much to say, though she was murmuring in her heart. Under these circumstances, an Alpha sending their pheromones to another Alpha felt like a blatant provocation or a show of dominance.

Zhou Que tapped her knuckles lightly on the table in a steady, light rhythm, a faint smile playing on her lips. She could even imagine the expression that would be on Xie Qingshu’s face; the thought made her smile deepen.

But in the next second, her face stiffened instantly, and a strange emotion swirled in her eyes.

The assistant, thinking something had gone wrong with the company, asked, “President Zhou, what happened?”

Zhou Que gritted her teeth as she stared at the message. Although it was sent by Xie Qingshu, it clearly wasn’t meant for “Zhou Que” the person—it had been sent to her other account.

Z.

The person who rarely showed their face, whose identity everyone failed to guess.

[Hello, are you free sometime later?]

At a glance, the words were simple, but upon closer inspection, a hidden meaning could be read into every part of it. Especially between a popular Movie Queen and a top corporate executive.

Zhou Que tapped her phone screen heavily. She even wondered if Xie Qingshu’s account had been hacked, but the facts stared her in the face.

[Something the matter?]

Just two words, as calm as could be, but Zhou Que’s expression suggested otherwise.

The other side replied almost immediately.

[I heard some rumors about you. I’m a bit curious.]

While Zhou Que was typing, she glanced at her other account. She had sent many messages to Xie Qingshu from it, but without exception, she received either a simple “Mhm” or absolutely nothing at all.

The two accounts were being treated in completely different ways.

Even though both identities were her, Zhou Que’s heart began to surge with jealousy.

Zhou Que: What rumors?

She couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

The message stayed on the screen. With just those few exchanges, Xie Qingshu had already reached her intended goal.

Xie Qingshu raised an eyebrow. She had never been one to sit and wait or accept a passive role. Since the opponent had provoked her at her doorstep, there was no reason not to strike back.

She deliberately left the message unread, waiting half an hour before unhurriedly replying.

Xie Qingshu: I heard that not only do you have to manage the company, but you also have to act…

Zhou Que had been waiting. When she saw the message, her eyes narrowed. Did Xie Qingshu figure out that Z is her? The thought made her heart race.

No, that’s impossible.

Zhou Que quickly calmed down and asked back: Why do you say that?

Had Xie Qingshu not seen the “typing…” notification flickering constantly, she would have truly thought Zhou Que was calm.

She almost let out a light laugh but realized it was inappropriate and suppressed it with a couple of coughs, straightening her expression.

Xie Qingshu: I had the honor of meeting you once at a banquet. You truly live up to your reputation.

This was a classic move used by the countless starlets and miscellaneous pursuers of the past. Usually, when she saw this sort of thing, Xie Qingshu would give a polite acknowledgement, and that would be the end of it. Over time, her reputation as a “Straight Alpha” spread throughout the circle.

But that didn’t mean Xie Qingshu didn’t understand how it worked.

Zhou Que: Where did we meet?

The reply was fast, almost impossible to find a flaw in.

Xie Qingshu actually smiled now. The reaction was quick. She had tested her this far, and yet the girl hadn’t leaked a single thing, instead quickly trying to retake the lead.

But she had more moves in reserve.

The assistant looked at Zhou Que’s expression with trepidation. “President Hu asked me to ask you whether we are acquiring those shares of Xingyao Media or not?”

Zhou Que divided her attention, weighing the options. She was currently being watched; it was best not to make any major moves in the near future. Logically, not acquiring was the safest path, but she didn’t want to. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Xie Qingshu’s message.

“Tell Hu Li to buy them.”

The name “Hu Li” was spoken with gritted teeth, as if the woman had stolen her wife.

The assistant’s brow twitched violently. Not understanding what was happening, she hurried to reply.

“Forget it, I’ll tell her myself.”

“Yes.”

The assistant looked at the expression on Zhou Que’s face and silently lit a candle in her heart for Hu Li.

The emotions flickering in Zhou Que’s eyes were unreadable, but one could guess she wasn’t happy. She never imagined that Xie Qingshu would equate Z with Hu Li and actually seek her out personally. The messages even hinted at a sense of intimacy. Since when were the two of them so close?

Alarm bells rang in Zhou Que’s heart.

Meanwhile, Xie Qingshu put down her phone after sending the last message. The frustration of being played by Zhou Que dissipated significantly. Even that dress didn’t look so eyesore anymore.

For the next few days, she entered her acting state quickly, and her aura subtly shifted. Even Deng Yue noticed the difference.

Under Zhou Que’s subtle probing, Deng Yue happened to mention it. “I suspect Xie Qingshu is in a relationship.”

Zhou Que’s tone was light, as if she were certain and well-informed: “How could that be?”

Deng Yue blinked, suddenly doubting his own judgment. “Then perhaps I saw wrong. True, with Xie Qingshu’s personality, it’s unlikely.”

Zhou Que remained silent for a moment. Later, Deng Yue heard that Zhou Que was filming like a madwoman in Group B.

“Venerable Master, you… you cannot do this. If you fail, you will die, or pay an even greater price. To lose the world’s Sovereign for the sake of one demonic star—this is a loss for Huan Lang Tian and the entire world. Please, consider this carefully.”

The Fourth Elder knelt on the ground, the cold air seeping into his mind, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t imagine what the world would look like without Ju Zhan. Just for one person—a demonic star destined to be their mortal enemy—the Fourth Elder felt a surge of killing intent in his eyes.

Demonic star or not, she was just a child now. Killing her would be simple. He planned it all out in his head.

Ju Zhan, standing nearby, didn’t look at him. Instead, she watched the disciples practicing at the foot of the mountain—some brilliant, some clumsy. She showed no reaction, until her gaze fell upon the girl who had been sleeping for half the day. A trace of a smile flickered deep in her pupils before vanishing.

Perhaps she didn’t even notice it herself.

“You have lived a long time. The world is vast; it cannot be supported by me alone. The younger generation is the true strength. You need not say more.”

Her voice was indifferent, but to the Fourth Elder, it felt as if his thoughts had been completely seen through. He had to admit Ju Zhan was right. She saw more clearly than anyone, and his resolved intent began to waver.

“In a while, I will enter seclusion. I leave Qin Yun in your care. I have placed a curse on her; everything else will wait until I emerge.”