Li Chu’s small face was flushed red. She buried herself under the covers, only revealing her face to meet Ning Manqing’s gaze.
She felt something strange happening to her body but was too embarrassed to say it. The wetness down there kept flowing, making her a bit uncomfortable, though it wasn’t unbearable. Breathing in the pleasant scent, an uncontrollable drowsiness washed over her, and she closed her eyes peacefully.
Only after Li Chu’s breathing evened out and she fell into a deep sleep did Ning Manqing lift the covers and get out of bed. She tidied the quilt and gently brushed the strands of hair away from Li Chu’s face.
She didn’t leave the room immediately. Instead, she pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed, taking out her phone to send messages.
Ning Manqing had never been one to fight for things. That’s why, among the four siblings, she had no objections when her parents treated her differently because she was a Beta.
She didn’t care much about external conditions, only pursuing what she loved. She loved acting, so she studied hard, got into a specialized university, and repeatedly honed her acting skills.
Her steps had always been firmly directed towards her goal. When faced with obstacles, she crossed them without hesitation. Even when her family threatened to disown her if she entered the entertainment industry, she paid it no mind.
But now, she suddenly had a change of heart. If there were things she could obtain, then she needed to strive for them.
A tender, sweet Omega like Li Chu would undoubtedly attract covetous eyes more than just this once, and certain phenomena within this circle were even more severe.
If a situation like today happened again, if the other party acted faster, the longer she could restrain them, the more danger Li Chu would be in.
Ning Manqing looked softly at Li Chu’s sweetly sleeping face, then lowered her gaze to her phone. The blue light reflected in her eyes, revealing a hint of cold detachment.
Lying in bed, Li Chu was completely unaware that the plot had once again veered off course. The female lead, spurred by her situation, was already planning to take the route of a domineering Alpha CEO. She slept beautifully and woke up to find the space beside her empty.
Memories of last night slowly returned, and Li Chu’s face contorted as goosebumps prickled her skin.
Was that childishly foolish person last night really her? Damn!
She had suffered a complete social death.
Thankfully, she hadn’t done anything more outrageous later on. If she had shamelessly described her physical reaction to Ning Manqing, or performed her signature handiwork on the spot, she probably wouldn’t be able to face Ning Manqing ever again.
Because her handiwork was terrible, sob sob sob, although that wasn’t the main point.
Ning Manqing must have left at some point. Li Chu picked up her phone, which had been placed aside, and sent a thank-you message, complete with three consecutive cat kowtow emojis.
What kind of angel was Teacher Ning! Not only did she come to rescue her and soothe her with pheromones, but she also didn’t take advantage of her. She was polite and gentle. More importantly, she even helped her rinse her mouth and remove her makeup!
It turned out someone really could kill with kindness. Li Chu decided that from today onwards, she was a Ning-stan, absolutely standing on the front lines to protect Teacher Ning.
【Teacher Ning】: Awake?
【Xiao Chu】: Yes! Thank you, Teacher Ning! In the future, I will definitely go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!
【Xiao Chu】: Cat Kowtowing.jpg
Li Chu felt she should express her gratitude more, so she sent another cat bowing emoji.
【Teacher Ning】: It’s ten o’clock. Freshen up and ring the bell to have someone bring you lunch. I’ve already paid.
【Xiao Chu】: !!!
【Xiao Chu】: Okay, thank you, Teacher Ning. I’ll treat you to a meal next time!
【Teacher Ning】: No need to thank me again, you’ve already thanked me many times today.
【Teacher Ning】: Okay.
Li Chu paused for a moment before realizing Ning Manqing was responding to her two separate messages. She couldn’t help but chuckle.
Teacher Ning is so cute!
Li Chu ordered her meal and went to freshen up, humming a tune. It was only while enjoying her delicious lunch that she suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.
Her male mother figure!
She called several times before the other end finally picked up. Li Chu called out worriedly a few times before the person on the other side seemed to snap back to reality and then started sobbing.
“Baby, it’s Brother’s fault. Brother is useless, couldn’t protect you. I thought it was really just a dinner party, that with more people around, he’d be more restrained. Who knew he would actually…”
Tang Congnan’s sigh was filled with the world-weariness of a middle-aged man, even though he was still a twenty-six-year-old unmarried young man.
“It’s okay, I know…”
Tang Congnan interrupted with a wail, saying, “After the secretary took me out yesterday, I tried to go back in, but he’s an Alpha. I couldn’t reason with him or fight him. I got knocked out and was just woken up by your call.”
“Actually, I…”
Tang Congnan ruthlessly interrupted again, comforting her, “It’s okay, baby. If it was a temporary mark, let’s just pretend a dog bit you. Damn it. Why don’t you switch companies? Wait until that variety show airs, see if anyone contacts you wanting to poach you. If possible, it’d be best to go to Black Gold. Their boss is an Omega, so this kind of crap shouldn’t happen.”
Then followed a torrent of wails, words firing rapidly like a Gatling gun, giving Li Chu no chance to interject.
Li Chu clenched her fist, the urge to throttle her ‘mother’ suddenly intensifying.
“I’m fine!”
Li Chu had to raise her voice and unleash a barrage, stunning Tang Congnan into silence.
Li Chu explained the general sequence of events, altering some details and omitting the part about contacting Ning Manqing. She just said that Yu Feiming had left for some unknown reason after taking a call. She crawled to the door and happened to run into Ning Manqing passing by. Ning Manqing, seeing injustice, drew her sword to help, generously using her pheromones to soothe her, and left after settling her in.
“See, the quality difference between Alphas! We really need to thank her. Let’s bring her a gift next time we film the show together.”
“Yeah, right. What should I get her?”
Li Chu nodded. A meal wasn’t enough thanks; she needed to give something more substantial.
Tang Congnan suggested, “A necklace, watch, cufflinks, brooch, something like that?”
Li Chu thought about her savings of just over a thousand yuan and fell into deep thought.
Tang Congnan read the truth in her silence and said as if making a huge decision, “I can lend you money.”
Li Chu cheered, “Ooh ooh ooh, Brother Nan, you’re the best!”
Tang Congnan said, feeling the pinch, “Talking like that is so annoying.”
In short, the crisis was averted without mishap, and mother and daughter were safely reunited.
For the next few days, Li Chu didn’t go out, focusing on preparing for the upcoming audition. She even consulted Ning Manqing on some professional questions.
【Teacher Ning】: Auditioning for an idol drama?
【Xiao Chu】: Yes!
It took a while for another message to arrive.
【Teacher Ning】: 《Cheese-Flavored Love》?
【Xiao Chu】: Yes! Quite a lot of people are auditioning for this one. My agent told me to just do my best.
【Teacher Ning】: Cat Cheering.jpg
【Xiao Chu】: Cat Bowing.jpg
Holding her phone, Ning Manqing had a complex expression. She pondered for a moment and said, “How about I go act in a campus idol drama?”
Ran Yanru, sitting nearby, nearly fell off her chair. She swallowed hard and asked, “Are you Ning Manqing?”
“You think I can’t act in one?”
Ning Manqing raised an eyebrow, her eyes smiling.
Ran Yanru sensed her killing intent and shook her head. “You can, you absolutely can. It’s just, why the sudden change in style?”
She and Ning Manqing had been classmates from elementary school through high school for a long time and had never noticed any desire in her to act in idol dramas. People had approached Ning Manqing about it back in university, but she had always refused.
“Just a random thought. It’s not suitable for me right now anyway.”
Ning Manqing wasn’t talking about the role type, but the timing.
Ran Yanru became serious, looking at Ning Manqing and asking, “Have you really decided?”
“Yes, I had Kaisen book the plane ticket.”
“Then I’ll coordinate things on the company side. I’ll push back all engagements except for that variety show. But if something really good comes up, I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
Ran Yanru didn’t actually understand why Ning Manqing was making this decision, but she knew Ning Manqing must have her reasons.
For Ning Manqing to temporarily give up her beloved acting career, it must be for a very important reason.
“Thanks.”
Ran Yanru waved her hand and smiled, “Do we need to say such things between us? If it weren’t for you back then, I wouldn’t even be able to stand here now.”
“Then help me connect with Yang Lan. I’d like to pay her a visit.”
Ning Manqing didn’t stand on ceremony. Yang Lan was Ran Yanru’s cousin’s wife. Although they didn’t have much private contact usually, arranging a meal wasn’t a problem.
Ran Yanru teased, “What, are you planning to jump ship to Black Gold?”
Ning Manqing looked at her phone and said, “Just some private matters.”
Private matters that she couldn’t leave with peace of mind until they were resolved.
