After Secretly Marrying My Rival Omega - Chapter 3

The next morning, as Jian Jixing was washing up, she stared at the deep bite mark beside her scent gland and wondered if Sheng Ruxi was secretly a dog. Biting so hard. She didn’t change clothes in the bedroom, afraid of disturbing the young miss.

Sheng Ruxi wasn’t just particular about her sleeping environment—she also had a notorious temper upon waking. These were things Jian Jixing had been repeatedly warned about by Sheng’s family when they registered their marriage. Not that she needed the reminders.

Sheng Ruxi was the Sheng family’s little princess, raised in absolute luxury, accustomed to getting whatever she wanted. If not for Sheng Ruxi’s own refusal to make a spectacle of it, their marriage would have been public knowledge by now.

Jian Jixing, on the other hand, lived rougher—frequently out in the wild for shoots, she couldn’t afford to be delicate. The villa was a wedding gift from their families, but Jian Jixing spent most of her time away filming, rarely coming home. Sheng Ruxi was no different—in the two months since their marriage, she’d only been back twice.

The first time she returned, she’d wrinkled her nose the moment she sat on the bed, muttering a displeased “Tch.” The sheets had been freshly changed, so Jian Jixing knew it wasn’t the bedding Sheng Ruxi was scoffing at—it was her. But Jian Jixing changed them anyway.

Two days ago had been Sheng Ruxi’s heat. Though Jian Jixing had texted that she was busy on set, she’d rushed back that same night. Exhausted from the trip, she had barely stepped into the bedroom before Sheng Ruxi kicked her off the bed in irritation, saying it was delayed—her heat hadn’t come.

Jian Jixing swallowed it and went to sleep in the guest room. But in the middle of the night, she was shaken awake, nearly giving her a heart attack when she turned to see—

Sheng Ruxi looming over her bed, voice eerily soft, “Jian Jixing, is this bed even meant for humans? The sheets aren’t soft enough, the blanket’s scratchy, and the pillow’s uncomfortable. It’s like sleeping on rocks.” Not just a princess—a full-blown Princess and the Pea.

Jian Jixing almost laughed in exasperation. But the next day, she had everything replaced anyway. At least last night, Sheng Ruxi hadn’t complained. Maybe she was satisfied—or maybe she’d been too worn out to care. But when Jian Jixing took off her clothes and saw the red scratches streaking down her back, she was momentarily speechless. —Not a dog, then. A fox. All claws and teeth, never bothering to trim her nails.

Still, that sharp tongue had gotten its lesson. Remembering something, Jian Jixing lowered her head with a quiet chuckle before pushing the door open gently and stepping out. Finally, on break, she wanted to unwind—hop on her bike and ride a few laps. The moment she ran into Gu Shengci, the other woman teased, “What are you doing out here on a perfectly good day off instead of staying home with your wife?”

Jian Jixing: “When have you ever said anything worthwhile?”

“…” Gu Shengci looked genuinely offended. “You’re a real demon with that mouth of yours.” Jian Jixing didn’t care. No matter how sharp her words were, they couldn’t compare to Sheng Ruxi’s. Thinking of the scratches on her back, Jian Jixing decided today’s pointless chatter with Gu Shengci wasn’t a complete waste of time.

They took a newly paved road near the suburbs—wide, smooth, and nearly empty. Halfway through, Gu Shengci frowned. “Why are you riding so slow today?” Jian Jixing usually rode like she had a death wish, yet today her speed hadn’t even hit 100 km/h. On a bike, 100 km/h was already racing the wind. But Jian Jixing—reckless as she was—didn’t just chase the wind. She overtook it, leaving everything else behind.

Pulling to a stop, Jian Jixing shot her a lazy glance. “I’m not in the mood to draft a will today.”

Gu Shengci, “…You two are a match made in hell.” After riding for a while, they stopped to rest when Gu Shengci suddenly received a work call. The team said, “The director for today’s ad shoot suddenly quit. We need someone to step in immediately.”

The resignation itself wasn’t the issue—it was that there happened to be a perfect replacement right in front of her. The ad was urgent, so Gu Shengci didn’t hesitate. Just as she was about to climb onto Jian Jixing’s back seat, Jian raised a hand to stop her. “Come help me out. There’s an ad that needs your direction,” Gu Shengci said. “Fine, I won’t ride with you. You’re already carrying your love rival—can’t a friend hitch a ride?”

Jian Jixing looked at her like she was an idiot. “She’s married to me. Are you?” No matter how complicated their relationship was, once their names were on the same household register, Jian would protect her, subtle feelings or not.

“…” That was one thing Gu Shengci couldn’t compete with. She had no comeback. “No one can out-argue that mouth of yours anyway.”

Not necessarily. Jian Jixing scoffed inwardly, Sheng Ruxi’s face flashing in her mind. As a film director, Jian had no interest in shooting some trivial ad for Gu Shengci, but Gu had already prepared her pitch. Not going? You’ve got nothing else to do anyway—aren’t you still brainstorming your next film? Go see if the ad’s lead actress might be your muse. Who knows? Inspiration might strike.

What a joke. Had Jian Jixing known Sheng Ruxi was the lead actress, she would’ve refused outright. Sheng Ruxi, too, couldn’t stand Jian Jixing. This was a new endorsement for a body scrub, a contract Sheng had signed before winning her award.

Sheng Ruxi didn’t care who the director was—as long as they were professionally trained, her face alone would ensure the shoot turned out well. But the moment she saw Jian Jixing, irritation flared.

Her waist still ached today. When she got up, she’d felt uncomfortable, and a glance in the mirror revealed lingering red marks from last night—courtesy of Jian Jixing.

This woman truly kept score. Last night, Sheng had deliberately pinched Jian’s waist, only to have it all paid back in full. The doctor had advised Sheng Ruxi to wean off suppressants as much as possible, but a single temporary mark wasn’t enough to stabilize her—her body felt hollow, unsatisfied.

So, she needed physical comfort too. This treatment method really did require the legal backing of a marriage certificate. But that didn’t mean Jian Jixing got to bite her like that!!! That damn mutt! Not only a dog, but one that sucked on people too.

At least today’s scrub shoot focused more on her legs. The concept involved her sitting by a bathtub, applying the scrub to her legs. Tuanzi followed closely behind Sheng Ruxi, only to look up and see Jian Jixing walking in. Her jaw nearly hit the floor.

Sheng Ruxi, however, didn’t so much as glance sideways. She took her place in front of the camera, locking eyes with Jian behind the lens before sitting down. Taking the scrub from a crew member, she lazily crossed her legs.

The high slit of her dress slid diagonally from her knees, revealing an expanse of skin so pale it was almost blinding, nearly reaching her upper thighs. Sheng Ruxi seemed oblivious, but two crew members hurried over to adjust the hem, securing hidden clasps to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions while still showcasing her flawless legs.

At this moment, another staff member was still applying moisturizing cream to Sheng Ruxi’s legs. The female alpha worked diligently, applying it with great care. After one layer had absorbed, she quickly dusted on shimmering powder. Sheng Ruxi’s legs were exquisite, so refined that even each toe appeared noble.

Most actresses would go through such extensive preparations to maintain perfect condition before filming, but were Sheng Ruxi’s legs not already flawless?

Jian Jixing frowned at the thought. Under her gaze, the busy staff member’s hand trembled slightly, growing more nervous. As an alpha, Jian Jixing’s oppressive aura felt particularly intense today—inscrutable and formidable. The staff member was practically sweating bullets.

“What’s the rush? Not good enough. Do it again.” Sheng Ruxi glanced over, and the moment she slightly lifted her leg, someone else immediately cupped it in their palm to support her. The delicate-strapped slipper dangled precariously from Sheng Ruxi’s toes, nearly slipping off. Jian Jixing was reminded of last night’s high heels.

As the cream was reapplied, her skirt hem continued to be adjusted. Sheng Ruxi kept complaining—sometimes it was too high, sometimes it was crooked—never satisfied. Tuanzi watched Jian Jixing’s expression and broke into a cold sweat. Sis, just finish shooting and leave already— Though, technically, it wasn’t time for the official shoot yet, everything had long been ready. Sheng Ruxi was clearly making Jian Jixing wait.

Jian Jixing had noticed. Sheng Ruxi wasn’t nitpicking—she simply disliked her.

Jian Jixing waited a little longer, then strode over when Sheng Ruxi switched legs again and ordered the staff to undo and reattach the clasps. She positioned herself beside the alpha staff member applying the leg cream and, at the same time, lifted Sheng Ruxi’s ankle with her hand. An overbearing aura descended, and the nearby staff didn’t dare utter a word. Even the one adjusting the hidden clasps froze mid-motion.

“Is this how you drove off the previous director?” Jian Jixing spoke mildly, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding staff. “You’re dismissed. I’ll handle it.” Her grip on Sheng Ruxi’s ankle was gentle—after all, they were in front of the camera. This princess-and-the-pea skin was hypersensitive and fragile; the slightest pressure would leave a red mark.

Sheng Ruxi’s delicate legs seemed to make even the light flow downward when it touched them. Tuanzi’s heart leapt into her throat—this was practically a prelude to a fight! Yet none of the staff in the room dared provoke Jian Jixing. She glanced at Gu Shengci, only to find him wearing an expression of pure amusement.

Huh? Sheng Ruxi didn’t move either. Instead, she smiled. “Director Jian, are you taking advantage of me?”

“Only a fool wouldn’t take advantage when it’s offered.” The corners of Jian Jixing’s lips curled, her neutral expression replaced by a faint smirk. Her other hand reached over, fingers pinching the skirt hem above, lifting it slightly before snapping the clasp shut with a crisp click.

The previously dissatisfied Best Actress Sheng glared up at Jian Jixing, about to speak, but Jian Jixing deliberately pressed her thumb against Sheng Ruxi’s ankle—a silent warning not to push her luck.

Sheng Ruxi choked back her words, then muttered under her breath, “You are a fool. A little fool!” She absolutely refused to suffer even the slightest loss. And where was the loss, anyway? So-called “taking advantage,” yet Jian Jixing had even lifted the skirt higher while fastening the clasp, avoiding any direct skin contact through the fabric.

Holding her ankle made it easier to explain—later, her leg would need to be lifted to this height to test whether it would reveal too much. “No need to insult yourself like that,” Jian Jixing murmured as she lowered Sheng Ruxi’s ankle, leaning in close enough that only the two of them could hear. “Little mung bean.”

Little mung bean? Sheng Ruxi frowned in confusion before suddenly realizing—turtles pair with mung beans?! By the time Sheng Ruxi processed the jab, Jian Jixing had already stepped in front of the camera. “Let’s start shooting.”

Sheng Ruxi’s eyes practically spat fire. Yet, the moment Jian Jixing called for action, she immediately switched into work mode. Her legs were exposed, but her waist remained fully covered—thankfully, the red marks there didn’t make it on camera.

Tuanzi had been on edge the whole time. She knew the little diva was furious and worried their bickering would affect their later schedules—after all, Sheng Ruxi still had to head to the film set in the afternoon!

Fortunately, both of them were professionals. They finished the shoot smoothly and quickly, as if neither wanted to spend an extra second in the other’s presence, eager to clock out. Sheng Ruxi left the moment filming wrapped, boarding her business car and closing her eyes—only to be jolted awake by the roar of a motorcycle.

Jian Jixing swung off the bike, standing by the car door without getting in. Sheng Ruxi found her expression unbearably smug, and her thoughts spilled out unfiltered. “Jian Jixing, can’t you switch to a different vehicle?” It was so loud—now, every time she heard a motorcycle on the road, her mind involuntarily conjured up Jian Jixing. “You like this one? I can give it to you once I’m tired of it.” Jian Jixing dangled the keys lazily, as if about to toss them to Sheng Ruxi, then added, “There are plenty of cars at home. Maybe I should switch to this for delivering your dresses—faster speed.”

Sheng Ruxi glared, recognizing the dig—Jian Jixing was mocking her for making her late yesterday. Since when did she ride motorcycles? Sheng Ruxi hated that deafening noise. But seeing Jian Jixing’s self-satisfied smirk, irritation flared, and she forced a sweet smile. “Why split hairs between family?” she said. “It’s all shared property. Hand it over now.”

Jian Jixing, who had been lingering by the door, hooked the keyring with a finger and dangled it inside the car, shaking it teasingly in front of Sheng Ruxi. —If you want it, come and take it yourself.

Sensing a trap, Sheng Ruxi eyed her suspiciously. When Jian Jixing raised a brow at her, she quickly reached out. But just as her fingers grazed the keys, Jian Jixing lifted them slightly, leaning in closer. It was like teasing a cat with a toy—her fingers nimble, flicking the keys up while her middle finger pressed lightly against Sheng Ruxi’s forehead.

“I never knew you liked taking things and getting freebies,” Jian Jixing mused, tilting her head. A faint trace of cool sandalwood drifted over, stifling Sheng Ruxi’s indignant retort.

As Jian Jixing bent forward, her shirt gaped slightly, revealing the lingering bite mark on her skin—still tinged with purple.

Sheng Ruxi had bitten her hard. “Two of a kind share the same bed—it’s just bad influence rubbing off,” Sheng Ruxi shot back, her voice saccharine with a hint of smugness. “If I were with Wuwu, I wouldn’t be like this—mmph!”

Jian Jixing’s hand, still holding the motorcycle key, pressed the cold metal lightly under Sheng Ruxi’s chin, tilting it up. “I’m free on Friday and Saturday. Please keep your evenings open as well,” Jian Jixing looked at her and spoke calmly, “to be tainted by this bottle of ink once more.”