After Breaking Up with the Scumbag Girl, I Became an Alpha [Entertainment Circle] (GL) - Chapter 11

After having that dream, Xu Wuhuan suffered from insomnia all night. She stared wide-eyed at the pitch-black ceiling until dawn.

When she woke up the next morning, no one else in the apartment was up yet. Xu Wuhuan planned to make breakfast, but upon opening the refrigerator, she found it completely empty.

Sighing, she put on a hat and a mask and headed to the supermarket.

Zhong Yan usually had a habit of sleeping in. Walking groggily toward the living room, she heard someone knocking on the door, and her sleepiness vanished instantly in a fright.

“Who is it?” Zhong Yan was hesitant to open the door. Over the past few months, “sasaeng” fans had frequently found their way here, leaving Zhong Yan and the others psychologically scarred.

“It’s me. Xu Wuhuan.”

Zhong Yan thought about just locking her outside and being done with it. Don’t come in; you’re an eyesore.

She reluctantly opened the door and saw Xu Wuhuan carrying a large bag of groceries. She froze for a second. “…Where did you go?”

Xu Wuhuan smiled slightly. “I saw there was no food in the fridge, so I went to buy some.”

Zhong Yan curled her lip. “Meddlesome.” She turned and sat on the sofa.

Xu Wuhuan didn’t seem angry. She put the groceries away in the fridge while asking, “Is there anything you want to eat this morning?”

Sprawled on the sofa, Zhong Yan said lazily, “Nothing. I’m on a diet.”

“You should at least eat a little in the morning.” Xu Wuhuan took out some eggs and sliced bread, intending to make simple sandwiches.

Zhong Yan glanced at her sideways and snorted, “Why are you bothering? Who could possibly afford to accept your ‘kind intentions’?”

Xu Wuhuan knew she was mocking her ruthlessness from five years ago. She accepted all of Zhong Yan’s sarcasm without exception, simply giving a soft chuckle before heading into the kitchen.

Zhong Yan felt like her “punch” had landed on a bale of cotton. She cursed under her breath and went back to her own sulking.

Gradually, Jiang Cha and Chu Yun both got up. They were surprised to hear noise in the kitchen. None of the three knew how to cook, and because they were usually too busy and rarely returned to the apartment, the kitchen was basically just for show. Seeing it in use now felt like a long time coming.

Chu Yun used her eyes to ask Zhong Yan what was going on.

Zhong Yan gave an “Oh.” “She’s making breakfast.”

“She knows how to cook?” Jiang Cha added.

Zhong Yan didn’t want to talk about Xu Wuhuan, and her tone was a bit sharp: “How should I know? Am I the f*cking tapeworm in her stomach?”

Jiang Cha and Chu Yun exchanged a look, both seeing a hint of “something’s fishy” in each other’s eyes. Zhong Yan nearly bristled when she noticed: “What are you looking at? Flirting with each other so early in the morning?”

It was the first time Jiang Cha and Chu Yun had seen Zhong Yan this cranky. Zhong Yan usually had a good temper, though she was occasionally a bit silly. But seeing her act like a lit firecracker was quite amusing. They both laughed simultaneously, leaving Zhong Yan even more frustrated.

By then, Xu Wuhuan had finished breakfast. Mindful of their figures, she had made sandwiches, eggs, and salad.

Jiang Cha went over to help her. Xu Wuhuan smiled. “Thanks.”

Jiang Cha realized that Xu Wuhuan was truly beautiful. When she smiled, she looked so gentle it was drowning. If Zhong Yan knew what she was thinking, she would definitely have rolled her eyes hard.

The atmosphere during the meal was a bit awkward. Xu Wuhuan was a new addition. The entertainment industry is a small world, and everyone is more or less connected. Although they knew of Xu Wuhuan, having her suddenly become their teammate was, frankly, awkward.

Fortunately, Xu Wuhuan was quite social and initiated conversation. However, most of the time it was Jiang Cha and Chu Yun responding. Zhong Yan ate in silence as if she were in complete isolation. When Xu Wuhuan occasionally directed the conversation toward her, Zhong Yan gave perfunctory, face-saving dismissals, playing the “I don’t want to talk to you” vibe to the fullest.

Jiang Cha and Chu Yun were practically facepalming. Xu Wuhuan, like a masochist, wasn’t angry at all and kept smiling. They began to wonder if there was something wrong with her.

After breakfast, Lin Yu arrived.

“Xu Wuhuan, go to the dance studio with them. I’m going to record a solo dance video of you. Then, the three of you will repost it together. It’ll serve as an advance notice of Zero’s new member,” Lin Yu said.

The four had no objections. Zhong Yan really didn’t want to, but she surrendered to reality and resigned herself to it.

The apartment was a bit far from the company, so they all sat in one car. Lin Yu had business and left first.

When picking seats, Zhong Yan wanted the front passenger seat because she didn’t want to sit with Xu Wuhuan. However, remembering that Chu Yun gets carsick and could only sit in the front, she endured the humiliation and sat in the back. Jiang Cha sat between the two of them.

Jiang Cha could faintly feel the stiff atmosphere between them. She felt like she was being petrified by the vibe. Glancing at the rearview mirror, she saw Xu Wuhuan resting her hand on the car handle, propping up her forehead with a deep and complex gaze. That gaze was clearly directed at Zhong Yan.

Zhong Yan didn’t have her hair tied up today; it was down. She was looking out the window listlessly, not noticing Xu Wuhuan’s gaze.

Then, she turned her neck, and her eyes met Xu Wuhuan’s burning gaze in the rearview mirror.

Jiang Cha kept her head down, playing on her phone.

In the reflection of the mirror, the two remained silent. Unfortunately, there were no tears to choke back.

Xu Wuhuan’s gaze was fervent and complex; Zhong Yan’s gaze was cold and icy. They pulled and tore at each other’s emotions.

With her hair down, Zhong Yan’s features appeared even more exquisite and beautiful.

Xu Wuhuan’s heart skipped a beat, and she raised an eyebrow slightly at her.

Zhong Yan pursed her lips tightly, closed her eyes to sleep, and ignored her.

Just then, Jiang Cha happened to look up and caught Xu Wuhuan’s smiling gaze in the mirror. Xu Wuhuan smiled slightly and looked away.

At that moment, Jiang Cha suddenly felt that Xu Wuhuan was a bit inscrutable and became even more curious about the relationship between the two.

At the dance studio, Xu Wuhuan was to perform the dance for the song “Lying.”

“Lying” was Zero’s latest single. Before a music video could be produced, Meng Yao had already left. Lin Yu’s move was a disguised promotion of Xu Wuhuan as a member of Zero. By having the members repost it, they were using their and Zero’s fame to acknowledge Xu Wuhuan’s status.

“Lying” had only been released as a single; the dance video hadn’t been made public yet. But as a top-tier choreographer, Xu Wuhuan had a strong sensitivity to dance. She had watched it a few times on the way there and already more or less knew it.

Lin Yu arrived and had someone record the session.

Xu Wuhuan casually tied up her hair and entered the “zone” with the rhythm of “Lying.”

True to her reputation, Xu Wuhuan’s power and timing were perfectly mastered, her posture bewitchingly elegant. Her facial expressions were professional—her eyes sometimes as seductive as a demon, sometimes as cold as snow. Every move seemed to snatch one’s soul.

Lin Yu was very satisfied.

Zhong Yan felt a slight shock in her heart. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen Xu Wuhuan dance before; Xu Wuhuan had been on a well-known dance show once and reportedly did quite well, even trending at the time. But Zhong Yan had always placed a “diamond shield” over everything related to Xu Wuhuan, blocking it all out. This was the first time Xu Wuhuan had danced in front of her. She was already beautiful, but the elegance and seduction in her eyes during the dance were pushed to the absolute limit.

After finishing, Xu Wuhuan gave Zhong Yan a fleeting look. Zhong Yan’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked away with a cold face.

Lin Yu posted the video online that afternoon with the caption:

Xu Wuhuan has brought the dance for ‘Lying’ to life!! I’ve discovered a hidden treasure of a girl. Love her, heart fingers @XuWuhuan.

Then, Zero’s Jiang Cha and Chu Yun reposted it respectively.

This reposting triggered a heated discussion across the entire internet.

[What does this mean!! Is it what I think it is?]

[Why is Xu Wuhuan dancing to ‘Lying’ at a time like this?]

[So, is Xu Wuhuan a new member of Zero? Question mark face.jpg]

[Upstairs, shut up. Have you forgotten our MY (Meng Yao) already?]

[Even JC and CY reposted it; doesn’t that prove Xu Wuhuan is the new member of Zero?]

[But Zhong Yan hasn’t reposted it yet, right?]

[What is Xu Wuhuan’s background? How can she just drop into Zero?]

[If Xu Wuhuan really is a new member, I’m unfollowing.]

[The one above must be a Meng Yao solo stan. Solo stans can get lost. I think Xu Wuhuan is great—beautiful and a powerful dancer. Just my personal opinion, don’t argue with me. If you do, you’re right. Dog head.jpg]

[+1]

For ten days, eight out of ten posts were boycotting Xu Wuhuan.

That’s how it is with groups—first impressions are always king. Netizens had affirmed the value of the group based on the original lineup. With one person missing, the fans’ “house” collapsed, and they enthusiastically picked up their keyboards to attack in a fury.

The person who entered became the target of that anger. Xu Wuhuan was boycotted by the whole internet; while some people affirmed her, they were buried by the masses.

Netizens still didn’t believe Xu Wuhuan was a new member. The only sliver of hope was that Zhong Yan hadn’t reposted it yet, leaving room for a reversal.

At this time, Zhong Yan was participating in a brand event as its spokesperson. After walking the red carpet and while removing her makeup in the dressing room, she finally remembered this matter.

She took her phone and browsed the entertainment forums, finding the whole internet denouncing Xu Wuhuan. She accidentally saw a headline: [Xu Wuhuan Suspected New Member of Zero; However, Zhong Yan Delays Reposting. Is She Ostracizing Xu Wuhuan for the Sake of Meng Yao?]

Zhong Yan: “…”

Ostracizing your granddaddy. What kind of bullsh*t headline is this? Drag this person out and beat them to death! What nonsense!

Zhong Yan was inexplicably a bit angry. Seeing Xu Wuhuan being scolded by the entire internet felt satisfying to her, but there was a strange feeling as well.

It was as if Xu Wuhuan was someone only she was allowed to scold; when others did it, she felt a bit unhappy.

In truth, her relationship with Meng Yao wasn’t particularly good. Meng Yao had an arrogant personality and a strained relationship with the three of them. So when she left, Zhong Yan didn’t feel much regret.

With a swirl of emotions, Zhong Yan eventually reposted it, and for some strange reason, added a caption:

[…Mhm.]

This was an extremely complex word. Combined with the ellipsis, its meaning had several layers. Netizens fabricated several versions based on this sentence—disgust, speechlessness, or unwillingness.

Regardless, it wasn’t anything positive, but it proved one thing: Xu Wuhuan was most likely a member of Zero.

Jiang Cha and Chu Yun went to practice singing. Xu Wuhuan was in the dance studio, looking at the messages on her phone—one after another, people were cursing her in ways too vicious to look at. Xu Wuhuan, in a masochistic way, kept scrolling down.

This scene was within her expectations. She had long known she would be pointed at by thousands, and she had built up a mental defense early on. But experiencing it firsthand, feeling the malice of a group of strangers—frankly, it didn’t feel good.

It wasn’t that she had never been scolded before, but this was the first time it had happened on such a large scale.

Xu Wuhuan thought: Chasing someone isn’t easy.

She suddenly scrolled to Zhong Yan’s latest repost and that profound “…Mhm.”

Xu Wuhuan could sense Zhong Yan’s reluctance and awkwardness from that one word.

She couldn’t help but laugh. She started to type a comment below: Looking forward to working together in the future.

After a moment’s thought, she deleted the words she had typed.

[I am happy that you are rejected by everyone. Seeing you unloved, crushed bit by bit into the damp ground by the world, your eyes desperately pleading for my help—how wonderful would that be? Xu Wuhuan, I will forever stand as the perpetrator and the bystander, watching you fall off the cliff.] — Zhong Yan