I Heard I Was the Scumbag Alpha of a Top-Tier Celebrity (GL) - Chapter 12

Silence was the name of the bridge tonight.

The two stared at each other for a long time. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward—but only unilaterally for Gu Xin.

Could someone tell her the solution for running into an ex-wife while working odd jobs? Especially when the ex-wife was still gorgeous and radiant while she looked so down on her luck.

Yan Shuangshuang, a person whose photos she checked and absorbed daily, suddenly appeared in the flesh. Gu Xin couldn’t distinguish whether she couldn’t accept a 2D figure turning 3D or whether she was embarrassed to be seen by her ex-wife in what appeared to be a struggle for survival. She instinctively pinched herself, and the pain instantly sobered her.

Mhm, so it wasn’t a dream. This is all real.

Yan Shuangshuang’s expression became even stranger.

Meeting Yan Shuangshuang’s look of disbelief, Gu Xin actually wanted to explain, but her mind flashed through all the jobs she had done since the divorce… the bartender was already the most ‘upscale’ of them.

The strange silence finally caught the attention of the other woman opposite. She belatedly realized: “You two… know each other?”

“We do.”

“We don’t.”

Gu Xin, who vehemently denied it, couldn’t help but glance at Yan Shuangshuang. She hadn’t expected Yan Shuangshuang’s first reaction to be admitting they knew each other. Didn’t we agree to go our separate ways after the divorce?

“We don’t.”

“We do.”

Gu Xin was starting to get a headache.

The result of two simultaneous pronouncements was completely opposite—a bit rebellious.

Gu Xin managed to speak before Yan Shuangshuang could, forcing a natural wave to completely end this little game of “Guess if We Know Each Other”: “Long time no see, Shuangshuang.”

Yan Shuangshuang’s expression was complex: “…Long time no see.”

“Both of your orders are my specialty. Remember not to drink too fast. Savor them slowly.” Gu Xin paused, then added, “The alcohol is a bit strong. Be careful not to get drunk.”

The woman looked at Yan Shuangshuang, then at Gu Xin, and a look of amused interest slowly bloomed on her face.

Yan Shuangshuang ignored her, looking at Gu Xin and asking, “How long have you been working here?”

Gu Xin said, “Only two weeks, I guess.”

“You…” Yan Shuangshuang wanted to say something, but swallowed it. Her arms were crossed, and her tone was slightly rigid. “When you have time, find a decent job. You’re not suited for this kind of work.”

Gu Xin looked at Yan Shuangshuang. After a month apart, Yan Shuangshuang had gotten thinner again. She was already thin before, but it was more obvious now, making Gu Xin wonder if Yan Shuangshuang hadn’t been eating properly since leaving her. Her waist was so slender Gu Xin could wrap a single arm around it.

That moment of distraction did not escape the woman’s eyes, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

Gu Xin quickly pulled her thoughts back. She said, “I know. This is just a transition. I applied to two research institutes in X City last week and am waiting for news.”

Yan Shuangshuang controlled her urge to ask more questions. She raised her glass in a deliberate gesture, took a small sip, and said expressionlessly, “Mhm. That’s all. Go back to work.”

After Gu Xin left, the woman sat with her legs crossed and her hand propped on her face, smilingly watching Yan Shuangshuang.

“Ex-girlfriend?”

Yan Shuangshuang forced a smile, put down the glass, and changed the subject: “Director Ying, to be frank, I only want the role of Wu Lan. I am willing to take no payment for it.”

The woman swung her long legs. She laughed: “No rush. First, tell me… what’s your relationship with that… girl just now? She looked unusual. That girl is quite attractive, an Alpha, right?”

“Director Ying, I don’t think this is related to what we are discussing—”

“I actually think it is quite related,” the woman nodded seriously. “If you tell me, I’ll give you the role. If you don’t, no deal.”

Yan Shuangshuang was stunned by the woman’s frivolous words. She clenched the wine glass, her knuckles turning white, veins bulging. She looked ready to storm out, but the woman continued to swing her leg unhurriedly. Under the deep blue light, their eyes met. Neither was willing to yield.

A moment later, Yan Shuangshuang slowly released her grip. A cold aura radiated from her. She lowered her gaze to the beautifully colored cocktail and said indifferently: “Not an ex-girlfriend. An ex-wife.”

The woman’s expression was slightly surprised upon getting her answer. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully: “No wonder…”

Yan Shuangshuang didn’t speak. She was so cold that the room temperature felt like winter, but the woman seemed oblivious, muttering some incomprehensible words.

“Xiao Shuang.” Soon, the woman took a script from her bag. “I’m more interested in seeing you play this than Wu Lan.”

Yan Shuangshuang frowned. She took the script and realized it wasn’t any supporting role she had imagined.

“—The female lead?”

The woman blew her a kiss and gave her a wink: “That’s right.”

“But…” But she had never acted as a movie lead. She was currently surrounded by negative publicity and had no backing from an agency. She had only hoped for a comeback.

“If I say you can, you can.” The woman said. “I’ll give you half an hour to think. Give me your answer after half an hour. Accept, or not.”

The woman stood up, elegantly holding her glass, and walked to the door. She gave Yan Shuangshuang a charming smile: “I’m going out to play. Take your time thinking. Call me when you’ve decided.”

The door closed, leaving only a bewildered Yan Shuangshuang in the silent room.

This was Ying Lu’s female lead role. She shouldn’t hesitate, but Ying Lu’s capriciousness was also notorious; she might kick someone out on the spot if they acted poorly. Yan Shuangshuang had absolute confidence in playing Wu Lan, but the female lead…

*

When Gu Xin came out, her back was drenched in sweat. She hadn’t been in there for more than five minutes, but it felt like a year.

It was one thing to be embarrassed in front of her ex-wife—she probably had no dignity left in front of Yan Shuangshuang anyway—but could it please not happen immediately after she had boasted to her shift leader! Fortunately, Yan Shuangshuang didn’t know about that; otherwise, her social death would have been even worse.

Gu Xin did several rapid sea otter oxygen gulps, and her face finally returned to calm. She went back to her station as if nothing had happened.

After serving two customers, someone sat down in front of her.

“Hi.” Ying Lu had heavy smokey eye makeup on her face. She stared at Gu Xin with alluring eyes: “Hello, beautiful.”

Gu Xin took a deep breath. She thought, Why would Yan Shuangshuang come to such an intimate, quaint place with such a frivolous person for a meal! How long has it been? Has she already found her second spring?! Is she here to demonstrate to me! Darn it, why did her taste change so quickly? Was she really settling when she was with me?

Gu Xin suppressed the sourness in her heart with the most neutral tone: “What would you like to drink?”

“I’d like to drink your thoughts.” Ying Lu looked at her affectionately.

Gu Xin: “…”

Shocked by the unexpected flirting, Gu Xin belatedly realized that this person seemed to have no sense of shame.

“Don’t ignore me.” Ying Lu propped up her head, tilted it, giving a practiced, charming wink. She radiated charisma. “I’m so cute. Don’t you want to chat with me?”

Gu Xin: “…Customer, sexual harassment is illegal.”

“It’s okay. After all, all I want to know is just a tiny, tiny little bit.”

“Personal privacy. I decline to comment.”

“Then you don’t want to hear about Xiao Shuang’s matters?”

Gu Xin: “?”

“You like Xiao Shuang, right?” Ying Lu went straight to the point, her expression relaxed. “She’s joining my team next month as the female lead.”

Seeing Gu Xin’s face instantly turn ugly, Ying Lu chuckled: “Don’t worry. I like Alphas. Although I wouldn’t mind making an exception for Xiao Shuang’s face, she’s too deeply mired in the swamp of love to pull herself out. I’m not a fan of that type. Comparatively, a purely physical relationship is more to my taste.”

Gu Xin said, “What do you want to chat about?”

“Let’s chat about your relationship with her.” Ying Lu smiled brightly. “She kept you well-hidden. I finally got to see the real person today, and you’re not bad at all. So, I want to know what exactly you did to make her so weak.”

“Weak?” Gu Xin repeated in confusion.

“All of her low self-esteem, timidity, and willingness to compromise come from you.”