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    Transmigrating as the Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O Female Lead

    Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 101

    by Little Panda

    Perhaps, Pei Xuezhi only exists in this world because of Fu Chaoyun.

    A few days later, Pei Xuezhi returned to the film set.

    The revised script wasn’t vastly different from before; only Pei Xuezhi’s parts had been altered. With just a few strokes, the plot’s highlights now all fell upon her.

    After that day, Fu Chaoyun had given the highest degree of affirmation to her “acting skills,” even saying she was already perfectly suited for the role. Only at this moment did Pei Xuezhi understand what being “perfectly suited” meant.

    It entirely meant making the character in the drama align closely with her actual personality, truly deserving the description “playing oneself.”

    Because of Director Fu’s favoritism, Pei Xuezhi no longer needed to feign adoration towards the male lead. These days, her “acting skills” could be said to have advanced by leaps and bounds, and the number of NG​1 takes had significantly decreased.

    Fu Chaoyun often came to pick her up when work wrapped up, and occasionally visited the set. However, compared to their inseparable​2 presence during the dating show, her appearances had greatly diminished.

    It couldn’t be helped.

    Although Fu Chaoyun was technically slacking off while getting paid​3, she still had to sit there and keep up appearances. It was impossible for her to completely take on the role of an actor’s assistant, and Pei Xuezhi wouldn’t wrong the other party like that either.

    Despite this, those few photos—whether talking or walking—still had the CP fans shipping​4 them until heaven and earth turned dark​5.

    However, with this change, the male lead, who still had scenes with her, wasn’t too badly affected. But the female lead’s spotlight was considerably stolen. This lead actress wasn’t from Xingdong Entertainment, yet she silently endured it without starting drama​6.

    Still, even after the added scenes, Pei Xuezhi’s role didn’t have that much more screen time. She stayed within the script, playing herself according to the prescribed steps​7. Due to her personality, others weren’t very close to her. Besides Fu Chaoyun’s occasional set visits, only the lead actress’s assistant, Mi Shan, would proactively talk to her.

    Today was the same.

    Mi Shan brought over two cups of milk tea, handing one to Pei Xuezhi.

    Pei Xuezhi paused slightly but still accepted it. “Thank you.”

    “You’re welcome.” The Omega offered a pretty smile. She looked around. “Where’s the kitty? I remember her name is Nao Nao, right? You didn’t bring Nao Nao today?”

    Pei Xuezhi inserted the straw and took a light sip. The iced milk tea wasn’t overly sweet; the taste was exactly what she used to like. But perhaps because she had exchanged and tasted too many new things with Fu Chaoyun recently, it didn’t taste as appealing anymore.

    Pei Xuezhi put the drink down.

    “Nao Nao is with her.”

    “…Ah?” Mi Shan blinked, seeming not quite to understand. “Is Nao Nao Miss Fu’s cat?”

    “No, she’s registered under my name.”

    “Then?”

    Mi Shan was even more confused.

    Pei Xuezhi explained, “Usually, I’m mostly in class or filming. She takes care of Nao Nao more often, frequently bringing her to the company and such. Nao Nao might be more familiar with her.”

    “The last time she came to the set, she came with her too. Kittens themselves don’t tolerate heat well; they don’t like going out.”

    “Is that so…”

    A look of disappointment crossed Mi Shan’s face, but she quickly perked up again. “You could bring her to the set too. I can take her to An-jie’s trailer​8 to cool off. Teacher Pei, you could come too… I don’t mean Teacher Fu doesn’t take good care of her, but since it’s your own kitten, you should always cultivate a bond.”

    Only then did Pei Xuezhi glance at her. “No need.”

    The kitten was originally gotten for Fu Chaoyun. Although the cat was now so close to that person that even she felt a little jealous, these weren’t matters a third party could just speak about in generalities. Besides, previously, just because this Mi Shan had held Nao Nao for a moment, and then she herself had held Nao Nao afterwards, a certain Alpha had suddenly revealed a petty possessiveness, washing both cat and person clean.

    It was certainly stimulating.

    But if one wanted to play games, there were many other ways; there was no need to specifically use this method.

    “Let her stay with whoever she likes,” Pei Xuezhi said.

    Clearly sensing Pei Xuezhi’s lack of interest, Mi Shan lowered her head, her fingertips rubbing together lightly, revealing a hint of nervousness. “Did I say something wrong?”

    Pei Xuezhi felt she was probably an anomaly among Omegas. However, as fellow Omegas, Mi Shan and Fu Li were actually somewhat similar.

    After 《Heartbeat》 concluded, Fu Li’s affairs were finally exposed, as were Xia Shiyi’s. The internet erupted with criticism. The dating show was currently popular, and the subsequent impact wasn’t small. The latter lost several catwalk shows​9 and magazine covers. However, some of these activities were also brought about by the dating show’s surge in popularity; the serial linkage​10 even caused previously booked jobs to be dropped.

    One could only say that exploding in popularity is a double-edged sword.

    The former, like Fu Li, was currently shedding tears behind iron bars; after the verdict, he would have to stay inside for a full five years before getting out.

    Here, Pei Xuezhi said Mi Shan resembled Fu Li because both fit the public’s objective impression of Omegas: delicate and weak. However, compared to Fu Li’s occasional green tea act​11, Mi Shan seemed more lively, possessing a naive pride fostered by a privileged life​12.

    Perhaps, not entirely.

    Her eyes, the same amber hue as Fu Chaoyun’s, should belong to someone younger than Fu Chaoyun, around her early twenties, similar to herself. But upon closer inspection, they didn’t seem quite as transparently pure.

    Despite her delicate and pretty appearance, her mere presence there seemed to displease Pei Xuezhi. Perhaps it was influenced by Fu Chaoyun’s impression, yet during the dating show period, facing other Omegas—Fu Li who pursued Fu Chaoyun, Tang Ying who was Fu Chaoyun’s ex-girlfriend—it hadn’t been like this.

    “An-jie’s side…” Pei Xuezhi changed the subject. “Did you smooth things over for me?”

    How could an actress who debuted years ago, starring in a movie, possibly be happy when an obscure​13 newcomer suddenly stole her highlight scenes?

    Her thoughts completely exposed, Mi Shan’s face flushed red, and she stammered, “I-I think you act very well.”

    She admitted it.

    Pei Xuezhi: “Thank you.”

    “Y-You don’t have to be so polite…” Mi Shan’s face grew even redder, revealing a hint of sweet joy. But Pei Xuezhi’s next sentence immediately made her complexion turn pale.

    “Being able to persuade An-jie means you’re not just some assistant.” Pei Xuezhi stated with certainty.

    How could an assistant possibly ignore the star she was assigned to and instead chat with a newcomer?

    Mi Shan bit her lip, looking somewhat wronged, but in an instant, she made up her mind to reveal herself​14 and confess in front of her idol.

    “I didn’t mean to hide it, but if it were like that, you might not even talk to me. Those people at school are just like that.”

    “I saw you on 《Heartbeat》 and really liked you. You’re different from other Omegas. So I specially asked my Mommy to let me follow An-jie, to come see you…”

    Seeing Pei Xuezhi’s expressionless face, she added urgently, “My family is very powerful, not the least bit inferior to Fu Chaoyun’s. So if you want to make it in the entertainment circle​15, I can also get you good scripts.”

    Entertainment circle… a young lady​16?

    In a sense, possibly Fu Chaoyun’s competitor?

    The thought drifted through Pei Xuezhi’s mind, but she refused once again. “No need.”

    This refusal instantly dampened Mi Shan’s brimming enthusiasm. “Right… I watched 《Heartbeat》, I’ve watched every scene featuring you several times. You said you weren’t planning to make it in the entertainment circle. Then what do you like? I can ask Mommy to help with anything…”

    “I said, no need.” Pei Xuezhi interrupted again. She looked at Mi Shan. For a moment, all the fresh blood rushed to the latter’s head, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink. And Pei Xuezhi simply said,

    “Then, you’re also not a CP fan of me and Fu Chaoyun.”

    Fu Chaoyun, CP fan.

    It wasn’t clear which word triggered the other party, but Mi Shan’s face momentarily twisted. She concealed it well, but Pei Xuezhi had been watching closely and still noticed the change.

    Mi Shan looked extremely wronged, but decided to drop the act entirely. “Just because I’m not a CP fan, you’re going to drive me away? I don’t have any ill intentions, I just want to be a little closer to you, like a fan’s affection for a star. I won’t affect you, so please…”

    “No.”

    Pei Xuezhi said, her expression calm throughout—

    “Fu Chaoyun doesn’t like you.”

    “So, please stay away from me.”

    This time, the distortion on Mi Shan’s face became even more pronounced, impossible to hide. Those eyes, similar to Fu Chaoyun’s yet much darker, stared straight at Pei Xuezhi. Her previously sweet voice now carried a suppressed hoarseness.

    “Just because that person doesn’t like…”

    That person.

    First, she pretended by calling her “Teacher Fu,” then it became “Fu Chaoyun,” and now she wasn’t bothering to hide anything, or perhaps didn’t have time to consider hiding it.

    “Yes.”

    Analyzing, Pei Xuezhi added, “She is very important to me. Please don’t do things that annoy people.”

    Pei Xuezhi turned away after speaking, not sparing another glance.

    She didn’t want some insignificant person to affect the relationship she and Fu Chaoyun had finally managed to achieve.

    Moreover, Mi Shan’s recent expression change seemed to instantly push her aversion towards her to its peak!

    The Omega was extremely crestfallen, yet unwilling to give up.

    She couldn’t help but cry out.

    “I won’t do anything else! I swear I have no interest in Fu Chaoyun, I won’t fight with you for her!”

    “We are both Omegas, you know best, Omegas are born the weaker party, we should help each other…”

    “…”

    Finally, Mi Shan’s voice also became tinged with hoarseness. “Can’t we even just be friends?”

    “No.” Pei Xuezhi didn’t turn back, leaving only a cold silhouette. She put down the cup of milk tea the other had given her, which she hadn’t even taken more than a few sips of.

    “I don’t need friends.”

    At this moment, standing before a stranger, Pei Xuezhi once again realized she was an extremely cold-blooded person.

    Trying to use the larger group identity of Omegas to morally blackmailing​17 her simply wouldn’t succeed. And as for so-called friends… it seemed she hadn’t had any particularly close friends either in her last lifetime or after rebirth. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been confined by that scum Alpha in her past life, with absolutely no one coming to save her.

    Coupled with her only mother dying early, upon rebirth, she couldn’t even clearly recall her face anymore.

    A strange feeling suddenly surged in Pei Xuezhi’s heart.

    She felt as if she stood utterly alone in this world, and the only thing connecting her to this place—was just one “Fu Chaoyun.”

    Only her.

    “I just want to help you, I want to see you happy, and see you shining brightly on stage more often…”

    Mi Shan’s voice sounded again, interrupting Pei Xuezhi’s thoughts. This indeed sounded like some kind of fan mentality. And perhaps because she was thinking of Fu Chaoyun at this moment, her mood softened slightly, and she actually stopped and tilted her head.

    “Do you need help signing up for 《Trainee》?”

    Mi Shan paused for a moment. “What’s that?”

    “A new variety show Fu Chaoyun is planning, still in the preparation stage. Your qualifications seem quite good.”

    Pei Xuezhi paused, her eyes deepening somewhat, seeming almost bewitching.

    Patiently talking to someone she disliked in order to support her wife’s career, but upon careful consideration, this dislike itself arose because of Fu Chaoyun.

    Pei Xuezhi said, “If you like shining so much, you can totally go yourself.”

    Mi Shan’s family background and conditions were good, and she was an Omega. A competitor’s daughter participating in their show would surely be quite a spectacle. Unconsciously, Pei Xuezhi’s thoughts gradually aligned with Fu Chaoyun’s.

    Becoming a cold-blooded capitalist.

    Mi Shan’s expression froze.

    Fu Chaoyun!

    Fu Chaoyun again!! Clearly, everyone is…

    One second she was happy because Pei Xuezhi was willing to talk to her, the next moment her heart plummeted to the depths.

    It seemed using the Omega identity to lower the other’s guard and get close wasn’t working. Then this shell​18 had lost its purpose. It was about time to switch to another identity, but before that, she still had to extract the remaining value of “Mi Shan.”

    Mi Shan lowered her head, the light in her eyes already thickened to the extreme.

    “What 《Trainee》? Who wants to participate in 《Trainee》??” Suddenly, a voice rang out.

    Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.​19

    Fu Chaoyun, dressed in a flamboyant red dress, was seen walking unhurriedly this way, or rather, towards Pei Xuezhi.

    The author has something to say:

    Yesterday the chapter wouldn’t unlock, I was so anxious, couldn’t focus on writing​20 wuwu, after major revisions it was finally released (if you saw Chapter 100 last night, please go to my author profile, and then…), there’s no 4.0 anymore, the review​21 is my daddy​22 _(:з”∠)_

    LP: Hehe, I really like this side of Zhizhi

    TOC

    Footnotes

    1. NG | Stands for “No Good”; refers to an unusable take in filming.
    2. 形影不离 | xíng yǐng bù lí | Lit. “form and shadow not separating”; Meaning always together, inseparable.
    3. 带薪摸鱼 | dài xīn mō yú | Lit. “touch fish while receiving salary”; Slang for slacking off or doing personal things during paid work hours.
    4. 嗑 | kē | Lit. “to crack (seeds) with teeth”; Internet slang for enthusiastically enjoying or ‘shipping’ a romantic pairing (CP).
    5. 昏天黑地 | hūn tiān hēi dì | Lit. “sky昏 (dim/confused) earth dark”; Describes a state of utter confusion, chaos, or intense activity/obsession. Here implies extreme enthusiasm.
    6. 开撕 | kāi sī | Lit. “start tearing”; Internet slang for starting a fight, conflict, or public dispute.
    7. 按部就班 | àn bù jiù bān | Lit. “follow the steps and keep to the class/rank”; Meaning to follow the proper procedure, stick to convention.
    8. 保姆车 | bǎomǔ chē | Lit. “nanny car”; Refers to the large vans or RVs often used by celebrities/artists as mobile lounges/dressing rooms.
    9. T台走秀 | T tái zǒuxiù | T-stage catwalk show.
    10. 连载联动 | liánzài liándòng | Serial linkage/tie-in; likely refers to how ongoing popularity affects current and future projects.
    11. 茶艺 | cháyì | Lit. “tea art”; Internet slang referring to the behavior of a ‘green tea bitch’ (绿茶婊 lǜchábiǎo) – someone who appears innocent, sweet, and harmless but is actually manipulative and calculating.
    12. 烂漫骄矜 | làn màn jiāo jīn | Describes someone who is innocent/naive (烂漫) and proud/spoiled (骄矜), often due to a privileged upbringing.
    13. 名不见经传 | míng bù jiàn jīngzhuàn | Lit. “name not seen in the classics”; Describes someone or something unknown or obscure.
    14. 自爆 | zì bào | Lit. “self-detonate”; Slang for revealing one’s own secrets or identity, often unexpectedly.
    15. 混娱乐圈 | hùn yúlèquān | Lit. “mix in the entertainment circle”; Slang for navigating or trying to succeed in the entertainment industry.
    16. 大小姐 | dàxiǎojiě | Lit. “big little sister”; Term for the daughter of a wealthy/influential family, often implying privilege or sometimes being spoiled.
    17. 道德绑架 | dàodé bǎngjià | Lit. “moral kidnapping”; Refers to using moral arguments or societal expectations to pressure someone into doing something.
    18. 壳子 | kézi | Lit. “shell” or “husk”; Used metaphorically here to mean identity or persona.
    19. 说曹操曹操到 | shuō Cáo Cāo Cáo Cāo dào | Chinese equivalent of “speak of the devil”. Cao Cao was a prominent historical figure.
    20. 码字 | mǎzì | Lit. “stack words”; Internet slang for typing or writing, especially lengthy text like novel chapters.
    21. 审核 | shěnhé | Review, audit, censorship check.
    22. 审核我亲爹 | shěnhé wǒ qīndiē | Lit. “review/censorship is my biological father”; Internet slang expressing frustration and helplessness towards content review/censorship, implying it has ultimate authority.

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