In the year 2060, a new substance known as Blazing Crystal Stone was discovered. This ore, hidden deep beneath the sea, possessed a beautiful, flame-like shell.
The discovery shook the scientific community of the time but had little impact on society.
Most people didn’t truly care where human civilization was headed; they were more concerned with whether they could get off work on time today and if they could bash in their unscrupulous boss’s head tomorrow.
Until the appearance of one Alpha.
Cheng Mo, a genius scholar in the field of energy, discovered after extensive research that this beautiful ore was, in fact, a source of energy.
As an energy source, it was so superior that it could obliterate every other energy source discovered since the dawn of humanity.
More importantly, with this extremely pure energy, Cheng Mo successfully turned her wild fantasy from another field into reality.
More advanced robots were created and, supported by the energy of the Blazing Crystal Stone, became the primary labor force of society.
And the C-Word Energy Research Institute, founded under Cheng Mo’s leadership, transformed into the Cheng’s Energy Group.
Faced with these two major inventions, both capable of changing the course of human history, humanity initially maintained a cautious and skeptical attitude.
But while the disadvantages might lie in the future, the benefits were immediate.
The new energy and intelligent machines greatly increased the entire society’s level of production.
Hunger vanished from the Earth, and humanity entered an unprecedentedly relaxed and prosperous era.
Cheng Mo’s Blazing Crystal Stone energy theory became the clarion call for the fourth technological revolution, and Cheng’s Energy Group, which took the biggest and sweetest bite of the cake, became the world’s largest energy corporation.
People’s apprehensive yet hopeful gazes focused on Cheng Mo, who was not even thirty at the time, speculating what other world-shaking inventions this inscrutable genius would produce.
And then, she died.
Cheng Ying crushed the empty soda can in her hand into a twisted little piece of metal and tossed it into a trash can robot. The giant, can-shaped mechanical creature made a crunching sound, like a human eating.
“Enjoy your meal,” Cheng Ying gave it a light kick, then leisurely stuck her hands into the pockets of her cargo pants and shuffled toward the film set.
In mid-May, Yunjing City was hovering on the borderline between hot and not. The sunlight today was so brilliant that even the dense shade of the trees couldn’t completely block it, dappling Cheng Ying’s white T-shirt with flowing spots of light.
“Central Film and Television City,” located in Yunjing’s new district, was a filming base built with the highest level of current technology. Cheng’s Media’s new drama, 《White Robe》, was currently being filmed here.
Of course, no matter what Cheng’s drama was filming here, it had nothing to do with Cheng Ying, the nominal Vice President. She was here today as an agent to pick up one of her artists.
However, Cheng Ying glanced at her watch.
It was still early. A stroll around the set wouldn’t hurt.
Cheng Ying followed the beautiful, tree-lined path to the front of the 《White Robe》 soundstage.
Modern soundstages integrated the latest in transformable stages and holographic projections, allowing for sufficiently realistic effects without the laborious construction of sets.
As a result, all the soundstages at Central Film and Television City were uniform, giant white cubes, a bit glaring under the sun.
When Cheng Ying reached the entrance, a guard robot shaped like a railing spoke in a standard electronic voice, “Please present your access pass.”
A strange blue light flashed from Cheng Ying’s watch, and a childish girl’s voice, full of anticipation, suddenly appeared in her mind.
“Ying, Ying, want me to hack it? I’ve never hacked a guard robot before!”
Cheng Mantou, one of only two existing Intelligent Brains in the world, was created when Cheng Ying was eighteen. Programmed as a Beta girl, her main body currently resided in Cheng Ying’s watch, communicating with her through a chip implanted in Cheng Ying’s brain.
Cheng Ying’s eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, rolled.
“You’re just a kid. Don’t spend all day thinking about picking locks.”
With that, she pressed her finger against the fingerprint sensor on the guard’s forehead.
“Name: Cheng Ying. Gender: Alpha Female. Age: 25. Occupation: Vice President of Cheng’s Media, Agent. Is an authorized individual for this soundstage and has no criminal record. Access granted.”
Cheng Ying’s basic information refreshed on the blue screen of the guard robot’s head. Its steel-forged arm then lifted, revealing a path.
Cheng Ying flicked its square head and whistled as she walked inside.
Filming was currently in progress. Just as Cheng Ying rounded a partition wall, she saw the set area—a celestial mountain shrouded in mist, with two white-robed immortals upon it.
Opposite the set, the shooting area was bustling with people. Although current technology saved the effort of set construction, AI wasn’t yet smart enough to select camera angles and handle post-production on its own.
With the exception of the one in Cheng Ying’s watch.
“Hiss, it’s cold no matter how many times I come here.” Cheng Ying rubbed her arms, which were covered in goosebumps.
Every single set machine in the soundstage, big or small, was a little furnace when operating. With so many furnaces huddled together, the soundstage was generally kept winter-cold year-round to prevent the equipment from overheating.
Cheng Ying sidled into a corner of the shooting area. Most people were focused on the set, so no one noticed the uninvited guest.
Before she could get a good look at the scene, she was interrupted by an excited Cheng Mantou.
“Ying, look quick, a beauty!”
Cheng Ying subconsciously looked up, just in time to see the female lead viciously splash a cup of water in the face of the woman opposite her.
Cheng Ying looked at the female lead’s face, which could be described as pretty but nothing more, and said speechlessly, “Has your aesthetic sense degraded?”
“I’m not talking about her! The one opposite her!” Cheng Mantou sounded deeply insulted. “You can question my brain, but you can’t question my eyes!”
“You clearly have neither a brain nor eyes.” Though she retorted, Cheng Ying shifted her angle to get a better view of the unlucky person who had been splashed.
She met the person’s gaze, which was filled with resentment and indignation.
Her breath caught for a second.
Cheng Mantou hadn’t lied to her.
The woman in white had her black hair neatly coiled in a bun, with only two wisps of hair left at her forehead—a very conventional hairstyle for a supporting female character in a fantasy drama.
But her features were unconventional. Her face was a delicate white, so fair it almost glowed, yet the first impression wasn’t coldness, but softness—the kind of softness that made you want to give her cheeks a squeeze. Her brows were dark and fine, tapering to a sharp end that gave her a hint of coldness, yet the corners of her eyes tilted slightly upward, carrying a touch of allure. Her eyes were pure black, exceptionally bright and full of spirit, like a solitary, suspended lamp in an endless night.
If her features displayed a contradictory beauty, her serene temperament integrated all these contradictions, transforming them into an overwhelming loveliness.
She was alluringly beautiful, yet unapproachable.
Just as her figure was slender, yet possessed curves that sparked the imagination.
She stood in the pavilion at the peak of the celestial mountain, water still streaking her face. Her soft black hair was soaked, clinging wetly to her skin.
She looked exceptionally wretched, yet exceptionally pitiable.
Just by standing there, without doing anything in particular, she was like a dazzling light source, making everyone else pale in comparison.
Including the female lead, who was already somewhat exasperated.
Outshining all others?
“Ying, I heard your heart speed up! What do you think? Convinced?”
Ignoring the noisy voice in her head, Cheng Ying used this suddenly emerged keyword to retrieve a distant memory.
Back then, she had just entered university, majoring in a well-known slacker’s program, and had plenty of free time. Her idiotic uncle was as wary of her as a weasel, not letting her get anywhere near Cheng’s Energy. As a well-known profligate, Cheng Ying’s only function was to attend high-society banquets.
Jiang Hanguang…
Cheng Ying silently repeated the name of the person on stage, and the memory grew clearer.
It was at the birthday banquet of Feng Nan, the young master of Feng’s Food Group. Jiang Hanguang, as Feng Nan’s wife, wore a stunning red gown. Alongside her handsome and impeccably dressed husband, she descended to the ground on a slowly moving golden staircase, under the envious gazes of the crowd.
Such a pity.
Cheng Ying even recalled her thoughts at the time. It seemed Miss Jiang Hanguang was indeed breathtakingly beautiful to have remained in Cheng Ying’s brain, which regularly purged miscellaneous data, for seven long years.
The 18-year-old Cheng Ying’s status was just as awkward as it was now; she didn’t even qualify for a front-row seat to watch the excitement, but that didn’t stop her from having a different opinion.
Amidst the crowd’s sighs of “a perfect match.”
Cheng Ying only felt it was a pity.
Jiang Hanguang with Feng Nan was a waste.
Cheng Ying didn’t know if the sighing crowd was aware, but she certainly was. Feng Nan, that tall and sturdy-looking Alpha, was exclusively attracted to Alphas—and the bottom at that. The legend of his group activities still circulated in Yunjing City’s profligate circles, as popular as ever.
And Jiang Hanguang?
The 18-year-old Cheng Ying looked at the Omega, who was mingling with guests with a faint smile, and came to an objective, almost harsh conclusion.
This Omega, who deserved to be cherished in the palm of anyone’s hand, was a self-aware wife in a lavender marriage.
She was Feng Nan’s cover. And no matter how beautiful a cover was, it would never be treated like a person.
Fortunately, she knew how to protect herself.
Cheng Ying clearly perceived the indifference beneath Jiang Hanguang’s proper smile.
That’s good, Miss Jiang.
Never develop feelings for a scumbag.
The 18-year-old Cheng Ying raised her wine glass in a silent toast to the woman’s back, then drained it in one gulp.
Even though you live like a plastic flower, you must be the most beautiful one.
Just keep being beautiful like this, wouldn’t that be great?
And now, how did Jiang Hanguang, this plastic flower from a greenhouse, end up in this cold box?
It seemed she was about to wither, too.
Cheng Ying watched the woman on stage with great interest.
Judging by the practiced movements of the staff rushing over to blow-dry Jiang Hanguang’s hair, this water-splashing scene was clearly not being filmed for the first time. The costumes they wore were silk-like white robes with limited ability to ward off the cold. In a set as frigid as an icehouse, having cold water repeatedly splashed in one’s face was not a pleasant experience.
Cheng Ying looked at the female lead, whose anger had yet to subside, and figured this take wouldn’t pass either.
Sure enough, the female lead roared at Jiang Hanguang, “What kind of acting is this! Is that the look a villain should have? Again!”
Heaven have mercy, Cheng Ying thought Jiang Hanguang’s venomous glare was already very villainous. Unfortunately, she was too outstandingly beautiful for anyone to truly hate her. If the female lead didn’t want to be upstaged, she’d probably have to slash her face first.
A young girl from the logistics team nearby probably thought the same, muttering under her breath, “Is this ever going to end?”
Cheng Ying tapped her on the shoulder and leaned in to gossip, “Hey, what’s the beef between those two on stage?”
The girl, caught off guard, glanced at the other person with some confusion.
This overly familiar person who had appeared out of nowhere was tall, a full head taller than her, with long arms and legs. She wore a casual outfit that was clearly expensive just from the logo—a soft, loose-fitting white T-shirt with a hood, which hinted at the muscle lines underneath. Below her khaki cargo shorts were a pair of slender, strong calves, and shiny high-top sneakers.
The forward woman had the hood of her T-shirt pulled up, hiding her hair, and a large pair of sunglasses perched on her face. From the girl’s angle, she could only see a smoothly contoured chin and thin lips curved upward at the corners.
Although the person before her was covered up like a fugitive, the girl could tell from the small part that was visible that this was a rare beauty.
So tall, must be an Alpha, the Beta girl thought with a sense of pity, but she didn’t put up much of a guard against Cheng Ying.
After all, anyone who could get past the guard robot at the entrance couldn’t be some random person. Judging by her attire, she was probably some celebrity or boss.
Noticing her appraising gaze, the forward woman grinned, revealing a set of neat white teeth, with a hint of self-assured flirtatiousness.
The girl’s face inexplicably warmed, and her mouth answered faster than her brain, “It’s not really a grudge, it’s just that Miss Hua can’t stand Miss Jiang. This scene started filming early this morning and has been stuck for dozens of takes.”
“Oh~” Cheng Ying nodded. This plot didn’t surprise her.
Whether a hundred years ago or now, there was no shortage of people with bubbles for brains who, even for no benefit, would suppress their outstanding peers to satisfy their own twisted jealousy.
“Ying, aren’t you going to do something?” While they were talking, the female lead had splashed Jiang Hanguang again, and Cheng Mantou was getting displeased.
Seven-year-old Miss Cheng Mantou, an internet addict, had already filled several cloud drives with photos and videos of various pretty ladies. As a standard face-con, she hated seeing beauties being mistreated.
“Do I look like the type to be a knight in shining armor?” A nonchalant smile hung on Cheng Ying’s face; she had no intention of stepping in.
This matter was certainly not fair, but there were too many unfair things in the world. Even superheroes couldn’t handle everything, so why should she, a “useless” profligate, play the hero?
Besides, Hua Ran, the female lead of 《White Robe》, was the recent favorite pet of her petty cousin. The persona she maintained didn’t include the entry “fly into a rage for a beauty.”
She watched with a cold eye the prolonged bullying taking place on stage in full view of everyone, watching Jiang Hanguang’s pale lips.
It’s still such a pity, Miss Jiang Hanguang. I already have a flower, and besides, you’re not my type.
Good luck on your own.
On stage, Jiang Hanguang naturally couldn’t hear Cheng Ying’s presumptuous thoughts. She was already using all her strength just to keep herself from collapsing.
This was the 31st cup. The water on her face dried and was wet again, and with it, the warmth from her skin was wicked away. Jiang Hanguang felt a chill all over. Her body, which hadn’t rested well for days, was clearly on the verge of a strike, and she could only cooperate with the staff’s actions like a string puppet.
Her ears could barely distinguish what people were saying anymore, only Hua Ran’s “Again!” was exceptionally clear. Jiang Hanguang took a deep breath, pinched the web between her thumb and forefinger hard, and gathered her scattered focus to face the upcoming shot.
And Miss Cheng Ying, with her zero sense of justice, even had the leisure to switch to a better viewing angle.
A beautiful flower like Jiang Hanguang, even when ravaged by merciless wind and snow, had a charm of its own.
Then she met Jiang Hanguang’s eyes.
Those obsidian eyes were not yet immersed in the role, filled instead with an unbearable exhaustion.
Jiang Hanguang’s expression was relatively calm, but for some reason, at that moment, Cheng Ying easily dove into this black vortex and saw the resilience hidden deep within Jiang Hanguang’s emotions.
This woman was neither angry at the unreasonable female lead nor resentful of her own situation.
She was just persevering, like a moth to a flame for a goal not quite worth persevering for, letting the merciless fire consume her small wings.
In that instant, Jiang Hanguang’s face strangely overlapped with that of a certain woman in Cheng Ying’s memory.
“I love you. No matter what you become, don’t ever forget, I love you.”
By the time Cheng Ying realized what she was doing, she had already vaulted over the barrier between the set and the shooting area, placing herself between Jiang Hanguang and Hua Ran.
Hua Ran was tall for an Omega, but still much shorter than Cheng Ying. At that moment, her hand holding the teacup was halfway through its swing, about to splash its contents onto Cheng Ying’s chest.
Cheng Ying subconsciously reached out and firmly gripped the Omega’s slender wrist.
Hua Ran had practically developed muscle memory for splashing, and being suddenly stopped by an unexpected intruder, she stared at Cheng Ying in disbelief.
Since it had come to this, Cheng Ying could only give a dry laugh and say fawningly to the bewildered Hua Ran, “Sister-in-law, what’s got you so fired up today?”
Meanwhile, Jiang Hanguang didn’t receive the expected cup of water. When she opened her eyes, she saw someone standing in front of her.
So tall. An Alpha?
Jiang Hanguang’s brain, which had tensed and then relaxed, grew even dizzier. She only smelled a faint, gentle woody scent from the person who had arrived.
Not good…
Her feet swayed, her vision went black, and she fell forward.
Cheng Ying hadn’t even finished placating the snarling Hua Ran when her shoulder was suddenly bumped. Jiang Hanguang brushed past her and pitched forward heavily.
If she fell like that, her face would definitely be ruined.
Cheng Ying’s heart trembled. She instinctively reached out, wrapped an arm around the woman’s waist, and pulled her back.
Jiang Hanguang was unexpectedly light. Caught off guard, Cheng Ying used too much force, and the Omega’s slender, soft body practically slammed into her arms.
The scent of roses rushed into Cheng Ying’s nostrils. In the palm of her hand, Jiang Hanguang’s waist was supple.
The fainted Omega’s face was calm and docile, looking almost uncharacteristically well-behaved for her appearance.
Cheng Ying, accustomed to being flippant, instinctively teased.
“What a passionate little rose.”
