After I Picked Up the Movie Queen Who Was Pretending to Be an Alpha - Chapter 13

Half a month later, in the parking lot of the South District of Huajiang Court, the tall, long-legged Alpha put on a wine-red blazer. She buttoned it all the way to the top, which, combined with her “displeased with the world” face, made her look stiff and ascetic.

However, the moment she climbed into her tiny yellow Polo, her aura collapsed a little.

Pei Suyuan didn’t notice, though. She quirked her lips in satisfaction at the rearview mirror, turned on her navigation, and drove toward Yuefeng Media.

For the past half-month, she hadn’t taken a single job and was entirely idle at home. After much consideration, she had decided to sign with Yuefeng. After all, with a big company backing her, she wouldn’t be left to rot for so long. Since wrapping The CEO Alpha’s Little Sweet Wife Runs Away with His Baby, she had only had the gig for Ge Jun, plus the offers from Yuefeng and the variety show. She felt panicked—especially lately, when a sense of worthlessness had begun to creep in.

She had set up the meeting yesterday; they were to discuss the contract at 10:00 AM. After parking her car, she messaged the Yuefeng manager to let her know she had arrived. The contact told her to wait in the lobby and that she’d be down shortly.

This was the first time Pei Suyuan had been to a company of this scale. Back when her limited-time group debuted, she had a temporary management contract, but she was the least popular member and the group was large, so she had only visited that office a handful of times. She couldn’t help but steal a few glances around—just a few, though, as she didn’t want to look strange.

As she sat obediently on the sofa, she didn’t see her manager come down, but she did see someone who was both unexpected and perfectly logical to find here.

Wei Jinzhi.

Wei Jinzhi still had her wavy hair and wore sunglasses. She was draped in a white suit jacket with a wine-red shirt underneath—tall, cool, and incredibly fierce. She was so sharp that even a real Alpha like Pei Suyuan felt a bit ashamed in comparison.

Wei was surrounded by a crowd. Pei watched from a distance until they entered the elevator and vanished, then she withdrew her gaze.

Immediately, she was struck by a wave of awkwardness. A petite figure had appeared in front of her at some point, staring at the elevator along with her. The newcomer asked with a smile: “Do you like Jinzhi?”

“N-no… no, I don’t,” Pei Suyuan stuttered, her face flushing red as she shook her head.

The person laughed and introduced herself: “I’m Tong Lin. Mmm… I might be your future manager.”

The petite woman was clearly an Omega. She looked to be in her thirties but had a baby face. However, knowing she was a manager at Yuefeng, Pei Suyuan wasn’t fooled by her looks. She nodded solemnly and greeted her: “Sister Tong.”

Tong Lin had a lively personality. Seeing Pei Suyuan’s serious expression, she laughed even harder. Pei felt embarrassed but was swept up by her energy and managed a small smile, forgetting the awkwardness of being asked if she liked Wei Jinzhi.

Tong Lin led her to a meeting room on the eighth floor. Two contracts were placed before her.

Tong Lin’s smile faded slightly as they got down to business. She pointed to the first one: “This is a five-year management contract. Look over the commission split carefully. The other is the contract for the variety show Hello, Detective.”

She pushed both toward Pei Suyuan. “Take your time.”

Pei Suyuan did exactly that. She read very slowly and carefully. Lacking a team or much experience, she was terrified of hidden traps. But after finishing, she realized the terms were actually very favorable to her. For an artist of her level, Yuefeng should have taken a much larger cut. Instead, the 40/60 split (with 60% going to her) was exceptionally generous.

This was evident in the Hello, Detective contract. The total amount was 700,000 yuan for a two-month recording cycle. In reality, it didn’t require daily filming—only two to three days a week. Her share would be nearly 300,000 yuan. To Pei Suyuan, who usually had to find her own work, this was a fortune. Furthermore, if she brought in her own work, the split became 30/70 in her favor.

“I know you debuted in a group. Are you interested in singing?” Tong Lin asked casually once Pei finished reading.

Yes, absolutely yes. But Pei knew Yuefeng wasn’t a record label and didn’t sign many singers. She nodded reservedly. “I’m… alright at it.”

Tong Lin giggled. “Don’t be modest. I know you wrote several songs back in the group. I know you’re talented, but making it as a singer-songwriter is hard. It’ll be part of your ‘persona’—one of your skills. Once your career picks up, you can release an occasional EP. You understand the market environment, right?”

“I understand.” How could she not? If the music industry were like it was twenty years ago, she would have stuck to her dream. But Pei Suyuan was a realist. That’s why she acted in bottom-tier web dramas; at least it paid for her life and her dream of buying a big house.

Before she signed, Tong Lin suddenly asked: “When you first debuted, someone from our company approached you, but they were rejected. Was that your decision or your company’s?”

The company Tong Lin referred to was Shengguo Entertainment, the producer of the survival show. Shengguo wasn’t friendly; they had tried to trap her in a fifteen or twenty-year contract. When Pei refused, her situation worsened, and Shengguo had even orchestrated the negative rumors about her to boost another member, Li Xi, who had signed with them.

Comparing the timeline with Tong Lin, Pei realized the offer came right when the scandals were fermenting. “I had no idea about that offer,” Pei said, curious. “Given my situation then, why did you still want to sign me?”

Tong Lin replied naturally: “Because you have an outstanding appearance and you were young. With training, you were bound to be popular. The industry is quite short on your type of female Alpha.”

Pei nodded hesitantly. Is my type really in short supply? Most female Alpha actors were either domineering and flashy or bubbly and cute. Cold and elegant types existed—like Wei Jinzhi—but many who tried to copy her ended up mired in scandals due to messy private lives.

“Your type… lazy, rebellious, and unrestrained… it’s quite captivating,” Tong Lin smiled.

Pei was stunned that her “grumpy face” could be described so positively. She blinked several times. Tong Lin’s smile grew. “And occasionally you look dorky and cute. It’s a good personality. Sign it~”

The signing went smoothly. Afterward, Tong Lin asked about her personal background. Pei told her she was raised by a single mother in a welfare home but kept it brief. Tong Lin was tactful enough not to pry.

As Pei was leaving, Tong Lin mentioned she’d assign an assistant within the week. As Pei turned to go, Tong Lin called her back, walked over, and smoothed her blazer collar.

“The wine-red really suits your aura and face. But you’re young; it’s better to be a bit more lively.”

Pei walked out, realizing belatedly that her fashion choice had been “shamed.” She had thought it looked professional, but apparently, it made her look like a successful Alpha in her forties. It didn’t match her life—especially once she sat back in her tiny yellow Polo.

She decided it was time for some new clothes. And a new car; the Polo was starting to have issues.

Over the next week, she sold the yellow Polo for 30,000 yuan. Combined with her savings and Ge Jun’s payment, she could afford a brand-new white Polo. Why another Polo? She was used to driving it and didn’t want to change.

Yan Xin accompanied her to the dealership. Yan Xin, who earned more than her and drove a Volkswagen SUV, thought the brand was economical and practical. But when they got there, Yan Xin tried to talk her into something bigger.

“If you like hatchbacks, get a Golf at least. It looks similar to a Polo.”

Pei was stubborn, but Yan Xin’s nagging came from a place of care. “You’re going to be busy, and the company might not give you a car. It’ll be so uncomfortable to be cramped in a little Polo all the time.”

Yan Xin would have gifted her an RV if she thought Pei would accept it. Pei thought it over but didn’t speak. Yan Xin, thinking she was worried about money, whispered: “If you’re short, I have—”

“No need, I have enough.”

She did have enough, but it would leave her with almost nothing. Yan Xin looked dejected. She would give Pei anything she wanted, but Pei Suyuan rarely wanted anything but food and drink.

After getting the car, they took it on the highway. Pei had been a bit of a rebel at seventeen or eighteen—she used to race cars and had been in a band that toured the country in an RV. That was when she met Ge Jun.

As they neared the exit, Yan Xin was still excited. “Xiao Yuan, when are you going to take me real racing?!”

But Pei had quit years ago. “No, I’m old. I can’t drive like that anymore.”

“Fine,” Yan Xin sighed, then asked when they were going to hang out with Ge Jun again.

“Ge Jun just released an album so he’s busy, and I have to start filming the show. When we have time.”

“Alright, tell me when you’re free, I’ll arrange it!” Yan Xin laughed. Pei felt helpless. If Yan Xin weren’t an Alpha with someone she already liked, Pei would truly think Yan Xin was head-over-heels for her.