Chapter 16: Question

Dedicated to Juli. Thank you for the ko-fi, and sorry for the late update — I thought it was for the other novel. 🫶

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A silent understanding passed between them. Lu Qingzhuo gently adjusted the hem of Fu Yumian’s dress, then sat beside her, appearing demure and obedient.

“President Fu, is there something you need me to do?”

Lu Qingzhuo still wasn’t sure why Fu Yumian had called her over, but whatever the reason, she had decided to follow Han Tian’s directions. If Fu Yumian told her to go east, she wouldn’t dare go west.

“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to remind you that my people are keeping an eye on Li Xuelan’s movements. If anything happens, you’ll be informed immediately.”

“Thank you, President Fu.”

The feeling of having someone to rely on was truly comforting. A warmth spread through Lu Qingzhuo’s chest, and she gave Fu Yumian a deep smile—one so charming it could make anyone’s heart itch.

“Don’t wander around aimlessly if there’s nothing urgent, and avoid being seen with your usual gang of troublemakers. I don’t want your public image to be affected.”

Fu Yumian wasn’t wrong. Ever since their contractual marriage, every time Lu Qingzhuo ended up trending online, Fu Yumian would go out of her way to suppress the news. Even Lu Qingzhuo herself couldn’t quite understand why.

From the very beginning, their arrangement had been purely strategic—Fu Yumian needed a controversial Alpha to pose as her lover and escape a century-old family tradition of arranged marriages. Lu Qingzhuo caught her eye because she played the role of a reckless airhead perfectly on the big screen. Most importantly, she had a decent face.

But after spending some time together, Fu Yumian realized that everything about Lu Qingzhuo’s public persona was an act. Having been out of the entertainment industry for some time, Fu Yumian had nearly forgotten the “rules” of the game.

“I understand.” Lu Qingzhuo nodded, making an effort to play the part of an obedient, devoted Alpha wife in front of Fu Yumian. She hesitated before reaching up to touch the back of her neck, looking slightly embarrassed.

“President Fu, I saw something on Weibo—people have figured out my schedule. A lot of them are saying I’m joining Director Shen’s new film, but they’re mocking me, saying I’d never have such an opportunity in my lifetime.”

She looked at Fu Yumian with a hopeful expression, her mood visibly dampened. “President Fu… was I not Director Shen’s first choice for the lead role?”

For a brief moment, a hint of scrutiny flickered through Fu Yumian’s eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly. She spoke in a calm tone. “Ignore them. You’ve been in the industry long enough to know how to keep a clear mind.”

“Mhm… As long as you’re with me, I feel incredibly safe no matter what I do,” Lu Qingzhuo admitted, her voice carrying a touch of shyness. Seeing that Fu Yumian didn’t react with her usual indifference or disdain, she sighed in relief. “Still, I really appreciate it.”

“And how do you plan to thank me?”

Fu Yumian never played by the rules. Lu Qingzhuo had assumed she was just a cold, unapproachable iceberg—but she was wrong. Fu Yumian was a fox. Her sharp, phoenix-like eyes held something unreadable within them.

“Uh…”

Lu Qingzhuo was momentarily at a loss for words. She sneaked a glance at Fu Yumian, who was elegantly seated on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other. The silk nightgown she wore slid down slightly, revealing fair, delicate skin—smooth as creamy milk.

Fu Yumian didn’t seem to mind Lu Qingzhuo’s gaze lingering on her legs. She wasn’t wearing glasses today, and in the dim lighting, the upward tilt of her eyes seemed to carry a faint, hazy red hue. Lu Qingzhuo wondered if it was just her imagination.

“President Fu, you have everything. And we… we’re just in a business arrangement. You’ve been too kind to me—I have nothing worthy enough to repay you with.”

Lu Qingzhuo braced herself as she answered, never daring to meet Fu Yumian’s gaze for too long. It felt as if there were hooks hidden in those eyes—one careless move, and she would be drawn into a whirlpool, pierced straight through the heart.

“You can relax. You don’t meet my standards yet.” Fu Yumian cast a casual glance at Lu Qingzhuo’s chest. When she lowered her head, those two full, undeniable curves pressed together, forming a deep valley.

How could an alpha have such a full and rounded chest? That was practically cheating.

Lu Qingzhuo had originally taken the route of a pure and innocent idol, but Fu Yumian thought she had been going in the wrong direction all these years. If she had chosen the sexy route instead…

No, better not. A body like this should be carefully concealed, not exposed for others to see. Only she should know just how exquisite Lu Qingzhuo was.

“When you go out in the future, don’t dress too revealingly. You need to maintain your public image.”

Hearing Fu Yumian’s somewhat stiff words, Lu Qingzhuo glanced down at her deep-V nightgown. She let out a small cough, trying to act natural as she straightened up and adjusted her dress, pulling it up to hide her prominent cleavage.

But nightgowns like this were designed the way they were—no matter how she adjusted it, it wouldn’t cover everything. She pulled at the collar, but all that did was expose the smooth expanse of her snow-white back. There was simply no way to fully cover herself.

Did Fu Yumian find her… unsightly? She sat stiffly, trying to make herself look less conspicuous. But the more she tried, the more it seemed like she was only drawing more attention to herself.

“President Fu, I… um…”

Most female alphas had rather plain figures, and while Lu Qingzhuo was also an alpha, it wasn’t her fault she was… well-endowed. If anything, it could be an advantage when dating in the future.

“Are you feeling alright today?” Lu Qingzhuo hurriedly changed the subject, not wanting Fu Yumian to keep making subtle jabs about her chest. “During the last scene we shot today, I thought I caught a whiff of omega pheromones. Was that… yours?”

It wasn’t exactly polite to ask, but she forced herself to push through. “If you’re not feeling well, I can talk to Director Shen about rescheduling. I can film my solo scenes first.”

“My heat period is coming up.” Fu Yumian’s tone was as casual as if she were discussing a glass of water. “During this time, don’t bother me, don’t tell anyone else, and don’t show up in front of me.”

“I understand.”

Lu Qingzhuo couldn’t suppress her curiosity. Her current body was the same age as her real one—twenty-four. Fu Yumian was four years older than her. Since omegas experienced heats every month once they matured, how had Fu Yumian handled it all these years?

“President Fu, have you ever… had another alpha?”

As soon as she asked, she saw Fu Yumian’s brow twitch slightly. A bad feeling crept up her spine.

“No.” Fu Yumian lifted her gaze, meeting Lu Qingzhuo’s nervous expression, her face as calm as ever. “I don’t allow alphas without emotional ties to get close. It’s filthy.”

“Oh… I see.”

No wonder Han Tian had warned her not to have any inappropriate thoughts about Fu Yumian. It wasn’t just that she was a germaphobe—she was also completely indifferent to desire.

Lu Qingzhuo couldn’t really see the ‘indifferent’ part, though. She was often captivated by Fu Yumian’s slender neck, her delicate wrists and ankles.

Her waist was slim and toned, unlike a typical omega’s. Just looking at her, one could tell she had strength.

She might seem cold and distant on the surface, but what if she was actually completely different in private?

Fu Yumian idly twirled the stem of a wine glass between her fingers. No matter the angle, she exuded a quiet, sensual elegance. Or maybe that was just Lu Qingzhuo’s imagination.

It was a reminder—never judge someone by appearances. Some people were just really good at putting up a front.

But then again, Fu Yumian was rich, powerful, and influential. She wouldn’t waste her time on meaningless things like that… right?

“You’ve asked me so many questions. Now I have one for you.” Fu Yumian’s gaze flickered to Lu Qingzhuo’s chest once more. The actress had pulled her neckline up significantly, but in doing so, she had left her bare back completely exposed. Fu Yumian held her breath.

“What does President Fu want to ask?”

Fu Yumian stared straight into her eyes. “Where did all those rumored lovers of yours come from?”  

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