After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 74

Can only look at me

The one leading Bai Xin onto the set was one of the investors in this drama, so no one stopped them.

After Tong Yanxi’s assistant noticed, they leaned in close to Tong Yanxi to inform her.

            

This earned a frown from her. “Coming over at this hour? Who did she bring?”

“A very beautiful woman, but I’ve never seen her before.” The assistant, afraid of being misunderstood, added, “But she’s not a celebrity. She looks like she has some backing.”

Just as her voice fell, she turned to see Bai Xin appear in her field of vision. Because the filming was transitioning to the ‘bed scene’ upstairs, the set had been cleared​¹, and only a few scattered people were around.

            

“…” This “backing” sure arrived at a coincidental time.

“Director, we’re ready,” the assistant director reminded from the side. Tong Yanxi thought to herself, She could have come any time, earlier or later, but she just had to show up for this particular scene.

Bai Xin walked over to Tong Yanxi’s side. The people around them dispersed, but they all covertly and overtly sized up this woman who had suddenly appeared.

            

“You came from Beicheng?” Tong Yanxi didn’t bother with pleasantries.

Bai Xin acknowledged with a sound. “Where is she?”

“Up ahead, they’re about to start filming.” Tong Yanxi said this briskly, then withdrew her gaze and gestured to the script supervisor​² nearby. Inwardly, however, she mused, I’ve never seen Bai Xin in love, but with Bai Xin’s temperament… it’d be a lie to say I’m not sweating for Cheng Jiqing.

            

She actually felt a little apprehensive too. She couldn’t quite grasp Bai Xin’s thoughts; they were like a nine-bend linked ring puzzle​³.

Cheng Jiqing, on her side, didn’t look towards the director’s booth. She took shallow breaths, immersing herself in her character.

The autumn evening wind was chilly. The teacher walked down the road, hair disheveled, arms wrapped around herself. A loose thread on her white cardigan swayed forlornly at the hem.

            

The corners of her mouth still bore the marks of being beaten by her ex-wife, and her eyes were swollen from crying.

Shivering, she walked towards the dance studio. As she walked, she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

She looked up. That person was standing downstairs from the dance studio, panting anxiously, their eyes filled with worry.

            

The next second their eyes met, that person ran towards her… In the instant of their embrace, her heart finally found peace.

…

The two’s lips slowly drew near.

            

The moment they approached, the camera zoomed in for a close-up.

…

Bai Xin sat beside Tong Yanxi, one leg slightly crossed, her gaze fixed on the zoomed-in image on the monitor.

            

Her eyes were pitch-black, somber and cold, colder than the night itself.

Tong Yanxi stared at the monitor. She heard a faint sound by her ear, like water spilling. Her eyes twitched, and she forced herself not to be affected, then shouted “Cut!” in the next second.

Taking advantage of the temporary break, she turned her head.

            

The paper cup filled with hot water in Bai Xin’s hand was crushed, hot water spilling all over her hand, yet Bai Xin seemed completely unfazed.

Tong Yanxi: “…”

Good thing it wasn’t boiling water.

            

Tong Yanxi picked up the walkie-talkie and instructed, “Lanlan, when the camera zooms in later, make your gaze a bit more intense. You’re playing a more dominant character than the teacher; right now, it feels a bit like Chengcheng is leading you…”

“Okay.” Li Yunlan nodded towards the set.

Cheng Jiqing hadn’t paid any attention to what was said… because the moment she lifted her eyes, her gaze froze on the director’s booth.

            

There was some distance between them, but she could still see the eerie glint in Bai Xin’s eyes.

Cheng Jiqing: “…?”

This.

            

She almost reflexively replayed the scene she had just filmed with Li Yunlan in her mind, then sighed in relief the next moment. Anyway, it’s a stage kiss​⁴, what’s there to be nervous about?

It was just seeing that cat-like woman sitting there with a bland expression that made her feel a little unsettled.

The assistant beside them draped clothes over the two actresses again, and the makeup artist came forward to touch up their makeup. They were about to film the second take.

            

She naturally couldn’t go over there now.

In the director’s booth, Bai Xin wiped her wet fingers one by one, silent, her thoughts unreadable.

Tong Yanxi, holding the walkie-talkie, whispered to the side.

            

“My dear CEO Bai, it’s just a stage kiss.”

Bai Xin stared unblinkingly in Cheng Jiqing’s direction and said coolly, “Mm… a stage kiss.”

Tong Yanxi: “…”

            

Tsk tsk.

She suddenly thought, If she reacts like this to a mere kissing scene, then for the more passionate one later… Tong Yanxi couldn’t be sure if this person would do something drastic.

After this shot is done, I should have Cheng Jiqing persuade her to leave first. If they’re going to cause a scene, let them do it behind closed doors after it airs. She really shouldn’t watch it live.

            

Thinking this, she signaled for them to get ready.

The floor manager shouted, “Scene ten, shot three, take two, standby!”

“Action.”

            

From the running to the embrace, everything went smoothly up to this point. But as Cheng Jiqing and Li Yunlan drew close, the image of Bai Xin watching them flashed through her mind.

Just for that instant.

“Cut—”

            

Cheng Jiqing: “Sorry.”

Tong Yanxi said, “It’s alright, just adjust your state a little.” She then heard Tong Yanxi add, “Don’t be affected by your surroundings.”

She took a shallow deep breath and chanted inwardly: Bai-jie isn’t here, Bai-jie isn’t here. Everyone present is a sweet potato.

            

Xiao Cheng, you are a person with professional acting ethics. You are filming a scene. You are the female lead right now, and the person you love is the character opposite you.

“Okay.” Cheng Jiqing, her composure regained, gave a confirmation gesture towards the set.

Pretend not to see Bai Xin.

            

A few minutes later.

“Alright—prepare for the next scene.”

Cheng Jiqing and Li Yunlan separated. She wrapped herself in the overcoat Li Meng draped over her and looked towards the director’s booth, her eyes meeting Bai Xin’s.

            

She gave a low cough.

“I bought some ginger tea. Drink some more later, don’t catch a cold,” Li Yunlan whispered beside her.

The tips of her ears were still red. It was quite amusing; she was older than Cheng Jiqing, but during the first take, she had almost been led astray by Cheng Jiqing’s performance, unconsciously drawn in.

            

Cheng Jiqing said, “Teacher Lanlan, you’ve spent money again.”

She smiled politely.

Bai Xin impassively lowered her eyelashes. Alright, very good. The kissing scene was good, the chatting was good, and the smiling was good too.

            

She slowly stood up.

Usually, after filming a scene, Cheng Jiqing and Li Yunlan would go to check the playback.

The two of them walked towards the director’s booth.

            

Cheng Jiqing didn’t go to Tong Yanxi’s side but walked up to Bai Xin. “Why are you here?”

Behind her, Li Yunlan glanced over in surprise.

Bai Xin’s gaze shifted from Cheng Jiqing to Li Yunlan’s face, then coolly averted. “Director Tong, you don’t mind if I borrow someone, do you?”

            

Tong Yanxi: “Ten minutes should be fine.”

She gave Cheng Jiqing a look—Get this ancestor out of here.

“…”

            

…

Outside, a rustling cold wind blew. Cheng Jiqing followed Bai Xin to the car.

The moment the door closed, Bai Xin kissed her lips. The cold wind that had rushed in with them felt fierce as it filled her lungs.

            

An invasive posture.

Cheng Jiqing pulled her back. “Hey, hey, hey, don’t bite! I won’t be able to go on camera later.”

After pulling away, Bai Xin’s expression wasn’t as cold as before; it had softened. Even Cheng Jiqing almost thought the gloomy look she’d seen in the director’s booth earlier was an illusion.

            

The woman’s light voice now held a trace of allure. “It’s perfect if you can’t go on camera. Then you won’t have to film.”

“Be good, don’t cause trouble.” Cheng Jiqing straightened her clothes and looked up, touching Bai Xin’s icy hand. “Did you just arrive tonight?”

Her own hands were also cold, so she took Bai Xin’s hands and rubbed them gently.

            

When Bai Xin was close to Cheng Jiqing, the warmth in her body showed signs of returning.

She stared at Cheng Jiqing’s lips and cheeks, recalling how she had looked leaning against that other woman. “Little CEO Cheng’s kissing skills… are really good…”

Her voice was faint, her emotions unreadable.

            

“That’s called acting,” Cheng Jiqing said. “We rehearsed the positions before filming. It just looks close on camera; we didn’t actually touch. It was a stage kiss.”

Hearing this, Bai Xin languidly curled her lip. “I know, you told me.”

She replied very obediently, very meekly.

            

Cheng Jiqing, however, found this unusual, but she didn’t dwell on it. There was more filming later, and Bai Xin definitely wouldn’t be happy if she stayed and watched. She said, “Are you staying here tonight? I probably have another two hours or so. Why don’t you go back to my hotel first?”

“Afraid I’ll see the intimate scene later?”

Cheng Jiqing: “…”

            

“I didn’t interfere with you just now, and you weren’t affected by me either.” Bai Xin pulled her hand back from Cheng Jiqing’s, leaned closer, and threaded her hands through Cheng Jiqing’s arms. “If I stay, what are you afraid of?”

Cheng Jiqing smelled the lily fragrance tinged with coldness. “I’m afraid you’ll feel uncomfortable watching.”

Even though it’s a stage kiss, if I put myself in her shoes, how could I not feel anything at all?

            

“Then why are you still filming it?”

“This is my job, Xinxin.” Cheng Jiqing bent down and kissed Bai Xin’s cheek, coaxing softly, “It’s all fake. I can distinguish between reality and the drama.”

As a shadow fell, Bai Xin closed her eyes for a moment.

            

Bai Xin opened them again. “I know.” Then she added, “I’ll just take a look, alright?”

With a faint ‘Zhi​⁵‘ sound, Bai Xin’s leather boot rubbed against the seat. She knelt on one leg, her hands climbing onto Cheng Jiqing’s shoulders. Beneath her beige cardigan was a pure white camisole, revealing her collarbones.

Intentionally or unintentionally, she pulled out a strand of hair that had fallen into the full crevice of Cheng Jiqing’s cleavage.

            

There were no further overstepping actions.

Cheng Jiqing took a breath, didn’t dodge, and looked up. “Deal. Whoever gets angry is a puppy.”

Bai Xin’s fingernail hooked slightly, scraping against skin. “Okay,” she agreed.

            

On Cheng Jiqing’s snow-white chest, a faint red mark was left behind.

She didn’t want Bai Xin to stay, but she was afraid that refusing would be counterproductive.

Lately, Bai Xin’s thoughts had been very sensitive.

            

…

Tong Yanxi watched Bai Xin, who had left and now returned: “…”

Cheng Jiqing is still young, daring to let her girlfriend stay and watch her ‘bed scene’. Brave.

            

Tong Yanxi’s dramas weren’t erotic; that was never their selling point.

In fact, this particular scene was extremely restrained compared to most bed-rolling scenes​⁶.

When portraying it, they would film details and atmosphere, such as sprayed-on sweat, flushed faces, expressions, and breathing.

            

After giving some instructions, Tong Yanxi returned to the monitor.

Bai Xin wasn’t sitting. She stood off to the side, not too close and not too far, in Cheng Jiqing’s blind spot.

“Action.”

            

On the monitor, in the dance studio, were the figures of the two women standing opposite each other.

The cardigan was pulled down to the small of her back, one strap of the camisole on her shoulder. The student’s hand rested on the teacher’s lower back, fingers lifting the fabric clinging to her skin… revealing a firm, slender, and fair waist.

---

Bai Xin tasted blood in her mouth.

            

The first shot ended. Inside, they were adjusting positions.

Bai Xin didn’t watch anymore. When Tong Yanxi returned, she asked softly, “She’s Li Yunlan?”

Tong Yanxi’s attention was drawn by that hoarse tone, but she saw Bai Xin’s expression was unchanged. She said, “Great Beauty Bai, she’s just doing her job. You’re not going to hold a grudge, are you?”

            

“How could I?” Bai Xin said slowly. “After all, besides me, she’s the first woman to touch Cheng Jiqing’s waist. I should at least… remember her name.”

“…” Tong Yanxi: “That’s not holding a grudge. You’re scarier than someone holding a grudge.”

She handed Bai Xin a lollipop, placating, “Cheng Jiqing will film scenes with many other people…”

            

She didn’t finish her sentence; the words caught in her throat. She clearly saw the change in Bai Xin’s eyes, from calm and profound to gloomy and unfathomable.

Yet her tone was very light. “Yes, there will be many others.”

Like ethereal mist, it was unclear who she was speaking to.

            

Bai Xin didn’t take the lollipop.

Cheng Jiqing used a towel to wipe the sprayed water from her face and hair. Walking out, she didn’t see Bai Xin beside Tong Yanxi.

Bai Xin had left at some unknown point. Without a word, without any message.

            

Tong Yanxi said, “I don’t know when she left. She’s a bit strange today.”

She said this very softly, only loud enough for Cheng Jiqing to hear.

Hearing this, Cheng Jiqing thought, If even Tong Yanxi could notice, how could I not have?

            

Lately, Bai Xin has been very strange. Is it because the Bai family matters aren’t completely resolved? Or is there something else on Bai Xin’s mind?

She made a call, but no one answered on the other end.

Cheng Jiqing sighed. I shouldn’t have agreed.

            

Filming wasn’t over, so Cheng Jiqing couldn’t leave. She sent a message asking where Bai Xin was.

Li Meng came over carrying a thermos. “Chengcheng, your friend asked me to give this to you just now.”

Cheng Jiqing lowered her eyes. It was a light purple thermos. She opened it, and the aroma of ginger tea wafted out.

            

It was piping hot, forcefully dispelling some of the coldness around her nostrils.

By the time filming wrapped up for the day, it was already eleven at night.

The weather was very cold. Cheng Jiqing belatedly shivered. By the time she got into the car, she had already sneezed several times.

            

“Did you catch a cold?” Li Meng asked.

Cheng Jiqing: “Maybe a little.”

She felt a bit dizzy.

            

She usually had a good constitution; she hadn’t expected to catch a cold.

Li Meng said, “I’ll go buy some cold medicine later. That ginger tea is also good for dispelling cold.”

Cheng Jiqing nodded. “Okay, thank you.”

            

There was still over a week until filming wrapped up. If getting sick affected the schedule, she indeed had to be careful.

She looked at the thermos beside her, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip. It was very rich, with a spicy and sweet taste. The chill in her heart eased a little.

She checked her phone and found that Bai Xin had replied an hour ago.

            

【I’ve gone back to Beicheng first.】

Cheng Jiqing pursed her lips: 【Are you unhappy?】

Back at the hotel, she finally received a new message.

            

【Remember to drink the ginger tea.】

A drizzle blurred in the late-night mist. Cheng Jiqing put her phone back in her pocket. That unreadable feeling surged up again.

What on earth is Bai Xin thinking?

            

The white Bentley merged with the silent, snow-covered ground beneath the Nanyang building.

The car window was lowered, revealing a fair wrist holding a cigarette.

Bai Xin didn’t usually smoke, but she knew how.

            

Under the dim streetlights, the fine snow was like a layer of frosted glass, making it difficult to see the outside world clearly.

As long as Cheng Jiqing is in this industry, I’ll have to get used to it. I can’t throw a tantrum with Cheng Jiqing every time I feel displeased or irritated.

So she forced herself to try and come to terms with it.

            

But clearly, she had failed.

She wanted to change, tried to change, suppressing her temperament time and again, reminding herself not to be so paranoid, not to be so aggressive, not to be loathed for her true nature as she had been since she was young.

At least, for Cheng Jiqing, she had to change.

            

Because Cheng Jiqing would also get tired one day, and perhaps one day discover her true nature… was so detestable.

She couldn’t let that happen.

She hoped Cheng Jiqing could love her more, need her more, be unable to leave her.

            

Just like she felt.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the courage to talk about those things, those things that made her anxious from time to time—whenever Cheng Jiqing was even slightly distant, her heart would pound with panic.

She desperately wanted a response.

            

Desperately wanted Cheng Jiqing to love her.

But it seemed she couldn’t achieve it.

She felt she had tried, but it wasn’t enough. Seeing the monitor screen earlier… she knew it was fake, but she had still almost rushed in.

            

If she hadn’t left today, she didn’t know what she might have done.

Bai Xin exhaled a puff of smoke. The wind blew, dislodging the glowing embers, which were doused by the snow.

She knew she was too impatient, but she couldn’t help it. All those who lacked confidence in this world were desperate.

            

Blue smoke escaped from Bai Xin’s bewitchingly charming face.

Her gland suddenly throbbed with a sharp pain. She raised her hand, her fingertips touching the pulse in her neck.

Then she took another deep drag of the cigarette.

            

---

The next day, it was already ten at night.

A week-long business trip came to an end. Cheng Jiqing looked out the airplane window. A faint layer of mist hung in the dark night, like smoke drifting over from someone’s cigarette in the distance.

Thin.

            

They were supposed to depart two hours earlier, but it was delayed due to the weather.

It was snowing heavily in Beicheng. Cheng Jiqing had told Bai Xin not to come pick her up, as it wasn’t safe.

After taking cold medicine last night, she no longer felt dizzy, but she was sleepy and still had a bit of a cough.

            

When she got off the plane, it was past twelve o’clock.

It was indeed a vast expanse of white. Only in this season could the colors of night, heaven, and earth be so starkly black and white.

She opened the door to Nanjing.

            

She pushed her suitcase inside. The house was dark. She turned on the hallway light and glanced at the shoes in the entryway, confirming Bai Xin was home.

The combination of the cold and the travel delay had drained her strength. Her body was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.

Her throat was itchy, and she felt like coughing again.

            

The master bedroom light was off. It was almost one o’clock; Bai Xin was probably already asleep. If she went over and woke her now, there would inevitably be some “activity.”

It wasn’t that Bai Xin needed it; she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to resist.

But today, she truly was a bit… willing but lacking the strength.

            

Cheng Jiqing quietly cleared her throat, suppressing the itch, and walked towards the guest bedroom.

The sheets and quilt in the guest bedroom had long been put away. She made the bed, took a quick shower, and then flopped onto it.

Drowsily, she felt someone get into the bed with her.

            

Cheng Jiqing subconsciously turned her head away, coughed twice, and asked in a hoarse voice, “You’re not asleep?”

“Mm.” Bai Xin’s hand reached for her. She could feel Bai Xin’s body temperature was slightly higher than her own. Bai Xin’s lips landed on her chin, about to kiss her lips.

Cheng Jiqing: “Bai-jie… not today.”

            

“Why?” Her voice was very calm.

Cheng Jiqing was reluctant to admit it—a ‘1’​⁷ always needed to maintain face—but she had to say it.

“I’m sick.”

            

No energy to do it.

“Oh… can’t even hug?”

Bai Xin raised her hand to touch Cheng Jiqing’s face, then pressed her forehead against hers. Hearing Cheng Jiqing say she didn’t have a fever, just felt a bit tired today, the slight frown on Bai Xin’s brow smoothed out a little in the darkness.

            

Bai Xin then acted as if the previous words hadn’t been spoken and continued to touch her, continued to kiss her.

Today’s Bai Xin kissed a bit urgently, a bit fiercely.

Cheng Jiqing caught her hand and dodged. “Be careful, I might infect you.”

            

“Was her waist soft?”

“…What?” Cheng Jiqing didn’t react for a moment.

Soon, she answered honestly, “I didn’t notice.”

            

“Did she smell fragrant?”

“…Didn’t notice that either.”

“Then, was it comfortable pressing against her face?”

            

“…”

“Are you settling old scores now?” Cheng Jiqing said helplessly.

Bai Xin acted as if she hadn’t heard, her voice the same as before. “She hugged you, touched your waist, pressed against your face, smelled your scent…”

            

Cheng Jiqing sensed that Bai Xin’s mood was off.

Cheng Jiqing tried to soothe her, “That was for filming.”

Bai Xin: “I can’t control it anymore.”

            

“Cheng Jiqing, I feel uncomfortable here.” Bai Xin suddenly sat up straight. She grabbed Cheng Jiqing’s hand and placed it on her heart, her voice husky and piercing. “I tried to control it, but I can’t. I can’t become the version of me you like best, nor can I guarantee you’ll always like me.”

Beneath Cheng Jiqing’s palm, her heart was heaving violently. Hearing these words, she froze. “What’s wrong with you?”

She tried to sit up too, but Bai Xin instantly threw a leg over her side, pinning her shoulders down with both hands.

            

Using all her strength.

The force was so great that Cheng Jiqing was momentarily stunned.

She heard Bai Xin say:

            

“Cheng Jiqing, the me you see now is like this—unreasonable, not gentle, not understanding. When I see you with other women, I’m actually dying of jealousy. I wish I could rush up, tear her apart, make her get lost far away, even if she’s innocent.”

“When those people look at you, I also wish I could lock you up, make you belong only to me, see only me, and stay by my side forever. Do you see? This is the kind of person I am. This is my true self. They say I’m a lunatic; I am a lunatic. You can detest me, but don’t leave me.”

Bai Xin’s fingertips traced from her shoulder, along her collarbone, to the gland beside the artery in her neck, inch by inch. Her speaking pace slowed. “If you ever leave me one day, I’ll go crazy for you to see…”

            

In all the time Cheng Jiqing had known Bai Xin, this was the first time she had seen or heard Bai Xin in such an almost irrational state. Though it seemed irrational, her words were crystal clear and perfectly understandable.

Cheng Jiqing frowned. She wanted to pull Bai Xin off her. Her throat started to itch, and she suddenly coughed violently a few times.

It was at this moment that Cheng Jiqing felt her hands being taken, her wrists encircled by something, which then tightened slightly.

            

It was so sudden, she didn’t even have time to react.

The next second, Bai Xin turned on all the lights in the room.

The sudden brightness made them both squint.

            

Once her vision cleared, Cheng Jiqing saw that the silk scarf Bai Xin had worn around her waist in the elevator back then was now tied around her own hands.

“What are you doing?” Cheng Jiqing paused. Asking this, she herself now seemed like the one being forced into… something.

But Bai Xin was clearly abnormal today. Was she this angry because of yesterday’s events?

            

Bai Xin was on top. Cheng Jiqing could feel an astonishing heat from her lower abdomen through the thin fabric, a dark desire flowing. She said hoarsely, “Alright, untie me, and let’s talk things over slowly.”

“No. You’re sick, so don’t talk, and don’t move.”

A subtle atmosphere.

            

Bai Xin looked at Cheng Jiqing’s slightly flushed face, crossed her hands, grasped the hem of her silk nightgown, peeled it upwards, and then casually tossed it to the floor.

She sat up.

“I’ll do it. You watch me.”

            

You can only watch me.

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The author has something to say:

Balala​⁸ Bai-jie transformation: You can only look at me!

            

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