After Being Marked by the Popular Female Lead O (GL) - Chapter 5

Song Mei wasn’t too worried about Xie Qingshu’s ability, but since she hadn’t taken on a role for too long, it might not be easy for her to get back into the state right away.

The assistant was driving in front, while Xie Qingshu half-closed her eyes, trying to find her rhythm. She didn’t know if it was because, as her father said, she was nearing differentiation, but she kept feeling some slight movement in her scent gland, and her pheromones were the same—they would occasionally drift out, but could be suppressed with a little restraint.

“We shouldn’t even have to audition,” the assistant complained, feeling indignant on Xie Qingshu’s behalf. “With Sister Qingshu’s status, what role can’t she get? That last movie was finalized for Sister Qingshu from the planning stage, and now she has to compete with so many second and third-tier actors…”

Without Xie Qingshu needing to say anything, Song Mei glared at the assistant. “Don’t talk about that. If the media hears it, they’ll exaggerate again.”

The assistant nodded repeatedly.

In fact, Song Mei felt the same way. Seeing Xie Qingshu stay silent, she thought the assistant’s words had provoked her.

“This script is good, but to reach the S-level status that the company people are fighting over, it’s still far from enough.”

She also found it strange some time ago and specifically asked people to inquire. “I heard Director Deng fought hard for it. Its original ranking was only A-level. But on the surface, Director Deng just wants to make movies, yet he has a lot of connections behind the scenes, and his company is quite powerful, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions at the very least.”

Xie Qingshu knew about this, so she wasn’t surprised. She also knew that his capital was not limited to the entertainment circle and was more than what Song Mei knew.

In the original book, after Zhou Que was abused by the scum Alphas and was entangled in negative rumors, everyone was kicking her while she was down, but Deng Yue would always appear in time.

Initially, Xie Qingshu thought he would be the main male lead, but the two always maintained a distance, making it difficult to figure out. After thinking for a while, she didn’t care anymore. After all, she would have no further intersection with the protagonist Omega.

“It seems his company has long reach. Will CEO Gu of Star Glory agree to this?” Xie Qingshu asked casually.

Star Glory’s shareholding structure was complex. Even swaying CEO Gu wouldn’t be enough; at least a few major shareholders needed to agree.

Song Mei lowered her voice. “Deng Yue has shares. Surprising, isn’t it?”

That was indeed surprising. Xie Qingshu raised an eyebrow, a little taken aback.

The audition location was Hengdian, where a temporary set had been built. Although it didn’t look very elaborate, it was quite convincing, and she wondered how it was built in just a few days.

However, judging by the script, the actual filming wouldn’t be done in Hengdian.

Many people came for the audition, and the space was saturated with the smell of pheromones—everything from rust to red wine. Mixed together, a sniff would make one dizzy.

Xie Qingshu, who was usually insensitive to pheromones, also felt quite uncomfortable.

“Qingshu, why are you here too?”

Before the person arrived, an unrestrained, pervasive floral scent was noticeable from afar. Xie Qingshu couldn’t help but frown; it was too strong.

The protagonist Omega’s blue water lily scent was better, although it was a bit aggressive, it was at least within Xie Qingshu’s acceptable range.

“Hello, Sister Shen.”

Shen Tao smiled. The floral pheromones around her intensified. She had noticed Xie Qingshu the moment she appeared. The other woman looked clean and neat, a stark contrast to everyone else present.

“It seems this drama is bound to be a hit, even you came to audition personally.”

Xie Qingshu pushed back subtly. “Sister Shen is here too, aren’t you?”

Shen Tao was a true Movie Queen, winning awards left and right, but notorious for her reputation with Omegas—a scum Alpha in the original book.

In the early stages, she used every tactic to suppress the female lead, all to make the lead willingly accept her mark.

Xie Qingshu concealed the true emotion in her eyes. Speaking of which, in the parts she read, the female lead seemed to have never been marked…

Forget it, that was none of her business.

“That’s true,” Shen Tao deliberately moved two steps closer, finding something new and interesting. “Everyone here is radiating pheromones, trying to grab attention. I wonder what Qingshu’s pheromones smell like?”

“They’re not pleasant,” Xie Qingshu, as an Alpha, naturally disliked overly weak scents, so she never spoke about it publicly. Aside from a few people close to her, no one else knew, except for Zhou Que, of course.

“Refining acting skills is the most important thing.”

In a brief moment, Shen Tao gained a whole new understanding, and a look of conquering desire flashed across her face, quickly receding. “You are truly…”

“What is it?” Xie Qingshu didn’t understand the other party’s thought process and just wanted her to hurry up and go to the protagonist Omega.

Shen Tao shrugged. “Nothing, just found something very amusing.”

Xie Qingshu was confused but didn’t pay it any mind.

The audition location was already surrounded by reporters. This project had been highly anticipated since its preparation, and every actress who came had some scandal attached, any of which could become a trending topic.

Xie Qingshu’s appearance came at the right time. Since the news of her liking the commercial elite broke, she hadn’t taken on a role for a long time, yet she never lacked hot topics.

[The Movie Queen’s previous professional level was decent, but it’s a bit doubtful now…]

[Please watch her movies first before speaking.]

[A gathering of big shots. The role of Ju Zhan suits her, but there are people more skilled than Xie Qingshu.]

[But I’m curious about the other female lead—who is playing Qin Yun?]

[Qin Yun has been signed. It seems they will officially announce together once Ju Zhan is selected.]

Speculations immediately arose below. The heated argument finally died down slightly. The role of Qin Yun had no less screentime than Ju Zhan, perhaps even more.

[I think it could be Zhou Que. She’s so stunningly beautiful. Those phoenix eyes look like they can talk.]

[Whispering yes, she is my dream lover O.]

[Her acting is just okay, though. She’ll be completely overshadowed when paired with the Movie Queen.]

[What’s the use of being handsome when she has so many negative rumors?]

Seeing another wave of arguments about to start, the media naturally didn’t want to miss out on the traffic and immediately dug up the old scandal, with the heat still growing, subtly overshadowing the audition buzz.

Xie Qingshu had received the script before, but it was only a partial version and not the audition script.

The first few people who came out of the audition were all second and third-tier actors, their expressions slightly disgruntled, suggesting they hadn’t performed well. The remaining actors looked pale.

Before coming, they had inquired around. Director Deng was usually easy to talk to, but he placed great importance on acting ability. There were essentially no shortcuts, and many had dismissed some inappropriate ideas they might have had.

“Sister Qingshu, why do I feel like everyone looks at you after they come out?” the assistant murmured, confused. “Am I seeing things?”

Xie Qingshu also noticed this, and connecting it with Shen Tao’s cryptic words, a strange feeling suddenly arose. It couldn’t be what she was thinking, right…?

Five minutes later, it was Xie Qingshu’s turn to audition. Her makeup and costume were ready. Deng Yue had high standards and wanted to see everyone’s best state before making a decision.

“Sister Qingshu, it’s your turn. Let’s go in.”

“Okay.” Xie Qingshu temporarily pushed the thoughts in her mind aside. She stood up and walked in slowly.

Upon entering, one could clearly see the astonished looks of the directors and staff. Xie Qingshu was already accustomed to this. With an unchanged expression, she subtly scanned the surroundings but did not see Zhou Que. She felt a strange sense of relief.

Deng Yue cleared his throat twice, barely managing to bring the attention of those present back.

The Omegas were fine, their eyes filled with worship and admiration, some even unable to control their pheromones. The Alphas lowered their heads but couldn’t help but look.

“Begin.”

Only a breath passed after Deng Yue spoke. Xie Qingshu seemed unchanged, but a closer look revealed that her pupils held no emotion, cold enough to be coated in a layer of ice.

Just then, a figure silently leaned against the doorway, raising an eyebrow as she watched Xie Qingshu’s performance.

Her appearance should have been eye-catching enough, but everyone’s attention was on Xie Qingshu. Only one late-arriving staff member noticed her.

That person couldn’t take her eyes off her and barely managed to remember to say hello, “Zhou…”

Zhou Que’s expression was a half-smile. Her slender index finger rested in front of her red lips. She shook her head. Her hair was lazily draped over her shoulder, making her look particularly seductive.

The staff member inadvertently met her eyes and instantly lost half her soul.

Indeed, she was the famously alluring Zhou Que, ‘killing’ without retribution.

Xie Qingshu’s image and temperament were exceptionally well-suited to the role, which meant her scope of performance was more limited than others. However, she became even more restrained on the existing foundation.

The changes were minuscule, but those who watched knew that the person here now was not Xie Qingshu, but Ju Zhan.

The number one person in the righteous path of the world of ruthlessness, the Sect Master of Huan Lang Tian, who had lived alone on Cold Mountain for nearly a century, an existence looked up to by all cultivators.

Ju Zhan stood on the cliff, seemingly one step away from shattering into pieces. The cold wind roared, mixed with the perpetual snow, lifting the hem of the most ruthless immortal lord’s skirt and her black hair, forcing them to dance with her.

Ju Zhan had not expressed her emotions for too long. Aside from necessary sect affairs, she rarely even spoke. No one dared to disturb her here, or rather, very few people could survive the climb up this Cold Mountain.

Grand formations were everywhere, having strangled countless people who coveted the immortal lord.

The ice and snow on Cold Mountain did not melt, protecting Ju Zhan’s peace and solitude.

“Venerable Master, have you left seclusion?”

A voice appeared on the communication bell. Even from a great distance, one could clearly hear the other party’s trembling apprehension.

Ju Zhan adjusted her state and hummed.

The speaker was the Fourth Elder of Huan Lang Tian, who specialized in divination. He sounded particularly horrified, having calculated something. “Venerable Master, that person has appeared…”

“I left seclusion for this. The immortal path is long, and she has finally arrived.” Ju Zhan interrupted him, raising her eyes to the sky.

A black streak of light sliced through the firmament above, blindingly sharp.