After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Ended Up with the Movie Queen - Chapter 12

Gu Nan was sleeping deeply.

Since returning to this world and filling all the “pits” dug by the Shadow, she had lived the life of a pampered pig. Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t even want to step out the door; she just wanted to stay home and make up for years of hard work.

Specifically, the luxury of sleeping until she woke up naturally was something she hadn’t enjoyed in many years.

“The pain of persisting for all love, the wounds of persisting for all hate…”

Her phone ringtone blared. Gu Nan reached out blindly and pressed “ignore” without hesitation. Then she rolled over, hugged her pillow, and went back to sleep.

The peace didn’t last long before…

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Gu Nan was jolted awake. She grabbed her phone to check the time.

10:04 AM

The pounding on the door continued like a death knell. In this house, the only people who would knock like that—besides her two “Queen Mothers”—was Shen Zhibei. But Shen Zhibei, concerned with her image, probably wouldn’t knock like that. At this hour, Mother (Gu Tiansheng) had already gone to work.

That only left…

Gu Nan sat bolt upright, threw on her slippers, and scrambled to open the door. Sure enough, Yin Yuehua was standing there.

“Mom, why are you knocking so early?”

“I wasn’t going to, but you didn’t pick up your phone.” Yin Yuehua walked into the room, looking at Gu Nan, who was in her nightgown with her short hair sticking up in all directions, looking completely unkempt. “Get dressed, eat breakfast, and then go drive Zhibei to work. Her stylist is already here.”

“Mom, I’m keeping track of time. My alarm is set for 10:30.” Gu Nan showed her the phone screen. “Have some faith in my sense of timing. By the time she’s done with makeup, I’ll be ready too.”

“I’m calling you now precisely because I don’t want you cut it so close.” Yin Yuehua reached out to smooth Gu Nan’s messy hair. “Show some initiative and leave a better impression on Zhibei. I don’t want to see you two get a divorce.”

“Mom, why would you say that?” Gu Nan chuckled awkwardly.

“Right now, the news of your marriage just broke. Zhibei needs the PR and the clarification. But in a year or so, when the scandal has faded and the public has forgotten, she won’t have any emotional foundation with you, and her impression of you is terrible. Do you think she won’t leave you?”

Yin Yuehua gave her a look that said don’t try to fool me. “If it were me, I’d leave.”

Gu Nan’s goal in marrying Shen Zhibei was twofold: first, to help her clarify the scandal and compensate her with resources; and second, to fundamentally avoid the “plot-driven death.” If those goals were met and Shen Zhibei wanted a divorce, she would agree immediately.

However, seeing that Yin Yuehua seemed to like Shen Zhibei so much that she feared a divorce, Gu Nan tried to comfort her. “Actually, if it happens, it happens. You can’t force these things.”

Gu Nan then changed the subject. “Mom, I feel like you really like Shen Zhibei. You’ve only known her for a few days.”

“It’s rare to find someone who actually makes you change your old habits and take responsibility,” Yin Yuehua said wistfully. “Plus, she’s independent and strong, and we have so much to talk about. Unlike a certain someone who used to fool around all day and now just stays home growing fat. If you were me, which one would you prefer?”

“Obviously, you’d prefer the one staying home growing fat! Ha, haha.”

Gu Nan gave an exaggerated laugh and then hurried her mother out. “Alright, alright, I need to get dressed. If you don’t want me to be late, don’t waste my time talking!”

“Fine, then hurry up. Get ready early so you can wait for Zhibei,” Yin Yuehua urged one last time.

“I know~” Gu Nan drawled, ushering Yin Yuehua out and closing the door.

Left alone, Gu Nan pinched her waist to see if she had actually gained weight. The feedback from her fingers told her: What ‘growing fat’? I don’t have a single ounce of flab!

Gu Nan took a quick shower, got herself sorted, and went to the dining room for a bite to eat. While she was eating leisurely, Shen Zhibei walked out, her makeup complete.

In all the days they’d lived together, Gu Nan hadn’t seen Shen Zhibei with a full face of makeup; she was always bare-faced at home. Seeing her now, the visual impact was far greater than anything she’d seen in her memory fragments. She was momentarily dazed.

After a moment, she managed to say, “Did you eat? Do you want some?”

It was a normal question—to Gu Nan, at least. But to Shen Zhibei, it felt like another provocation.

The endorsement shoot today was for a perfume ad for the classic domestic brand, Lydia. To fit into the gowns, she had eaten very little last night and nothing at all this morning. Seeing Gu Nan eating so heartily and then asking if she wanted some made her want to grind her teeth.

There was technically enough time for Gu Nan to finish, but Shen Zhibei didn’t want to wait. She pretended to be in a rush, biting her lip with a troubled look. “I have to try on gowns at the shoot, which takes a long time. Can you hurry up?”

Since she put it that way, Gu Nan put down her chopsticks. She was mostly full anyway. She grabbed the car keys and popped a piece of gum into her mouth. “Sure, let’s go.”

Wait, that’s not what I expected. Shen Zhibei looked at the mostly untouched meal on the table. “You’re not eating?”

“I’ve had enough.” Gu Nan followed her gaze. Realizing she was looking at the food, Gu Nan asked, “Do you want some too, but we’re short on time? We can pack some to go.”

“No need. Let’s just go,” Shen Zhibei said with a fake smile. “And you don’t need your car keys. We’re taking my van.”

She led her team toward the door. If we pack food into the van, the whole car will smell like it, and I’ll be even hungrier, she thought.

Watching Shen Zhibei walk out in a hurry, Gu Nan looked back at the table and suddenly realized what was happening. She let out a low chuckle and followed.

At the shooting location, fans and a swarm of reporters had already arrived, though they were held back by security. This was Shen Zhibei’s first appearance since the marriage announcement, naturally drawing a massive crowd.

“Remember to keep smiling,” Shen Zhibei said seriously, looking through the van window at the reporters.

“I know.”

Gu Nan touched her hair—which had been quickly styled by a professional—and was about to get out of the car when she paused to look at their outfits.

Because Shen Zhibei had to change into gowns later, she was dressed simply and comfortably: white sneakers, light-colored jeans, a white T-shirt, a denim jacket, and a black baseball cap. It clashed horribly with Gu Nan’s formal dark suit.

Gu Nan thought for a moment, took off her suit jacket to carry it in her hand, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt before stepping out.

Once outside, she stood gentlemanly by the car door and extended her hand. Soon, a slender, fair hand rested on hers. Shen Zhibei stepped out.

Countless flashes went off. The sound of shutters captured every expression and movement. Gu Nan didn’t enjoy the spotlight; the lights made her eyes ache. Resisting the urge to rub them, she kept a smile and let Shen Zhibei lead the performance.

A female Beta staff member came up to meet them and led them into the building. “This way, Miss Shen. I’ll take you to the styling room first to try on the gowns for the shoot.”

As they walked, the staff member explained the schedule, all while trying to hide her excitement as she curiously scrutinized Gu Nan and Shen Zhibei.

Wait… is she really a staff member? With that attitude, wouldn’t she be fired? These questions circled Gu Nan’s mind.

Once in the styling room, the staff member didn’t leave. She stood aside with the rest of the team, watching Shen Zhibei try on outfits. The photographer and the head stylist—both foreigners—exchanged looks of pure satisfaction when they saw Shen Zhibei.

They had prepared three different styles for the three perfumes.

“Let’s try this one first,” the stylist said in accented Chinese. “It combines elegance and sexual appeal.”

It was a pure black, off-the-shoulder gown with a high-slit skirt. The body-con fit perfectly outlined Shen Zhibei’s curves. A few minutes later, she stepped out of the dressing room. Both foreigners nodded repeatedly before handing her the second outfit: a Cheongsam (Qipao). Compared to the first, the Cheongsam made her look even more gentle and refined.

The stylist pinned her hair up and spoke to the photographer in French. The third outfit was an “abstinent-style” power suit. After trying all three, the photographer and stylist engaged in a heated French discussion, eventually deciding to shoot the black gown first.

The staff member from earlier had been staring at Shen Zhibei with sparkling eyes during the fitting. Gu Nan had been glaring at her for a while, but the woman didn’t react. Just as Gu Nan was about to warn her…

“Don’t look at me like that, she’s just so beautiful,” the staff member whispered to Gu Nan with a tone of surprising familiarity. “You’re one lucky lady.”

Gu Nan: “???”

Who the hell are you??