Chapter 102
It wasn't Ning Manqing's fault for thinking that way. After all, judging from A Yao's reports, it did seem that way.
From the first meeting with Li Chu, Mu Qinxi had started trying to get close, having clearly done her homework beforehand. Afterward, she even sent gifts and curried favor, excessively enthusiastic.
If Li Chu had something she needed, such behavior wouldn't be strange. But Mu Qinxi came from a wealthy family and usually didn't involve herself in the entertainment industry. She and Li Chu were practically from different worlds.
Moreover, even though Li Chu had shown a certain politeness and rejection towards her, Mu Qinxi still persisted. Ning Manqing could only think in that direction.
Although alphas and omegas were naturally compatible, there were also many cases of alphas or omegas being with betas, as well as alphas with alphas or omegas with omegas. The relationship in the script Li Chu was currently acting in was just like that.
While not a significant threat, having someone with such ulterior motives constantly hovering around Li Chu didn't sit well with Ning Manqing. So, she asked Li Chu if she needed any help.
When Li Chu received the call and heard the content, she jolted. Her first reaction was to refuse.
Wasn't the reason Mu Qinxi was trying so hard to get close to her so she could get close to Ning Manqing? If Ning Manqing stepped in to attract attention, wouldn't that play right into her hands? Absolutely not!
“No need to mind her. I'm changing filming locations in a few days anyway. She can't possibly follow me there.”
In the story, Rong Yun started with the deceased who died from carbon monoxide poisoning and learned that her hometown was in a remote mountain village. The deceased's ethnic minority identity and the village's location reminded Rong Yun of Cen Lan. Rong Yun thought that perhaps this was a new pawn placed by the person behind the scenes, so she decided to go to the deceased's hometown to see if there were any clues or secrets there.
At first, Director Wang and the others discussed whether to film in a studio, as the filming environment in the mountains would definitely not be ideal. However, in the end, Director Wang decided to film on location and had already contacted the village head of the ideal filming location.
“There might be a lot of mosquitoes in the mountains in this weather. I've already asked A Yao to prepare the necessities for you. How long will you be gone?”
Ning Manqing had already contacted Director Wang as soon as Li Chu told her about it, obtained the location of the filming site, had someone check the local weather and precautions, and prepared medicine for Li Chu.
“If filming goes quickly, it should be half a month. I'll stay in touch and come back as soon as possible.”
Li Chu pointed the camera at herself and, seeing Ning Manqing's slightly downcast mood, quickly added,
Because of the nature of their work, they were often apart. If Li Chu was still in Yunzhou, they could at least see each other once or twice a week. But if she was going on location, they probably wouldn't see each other for quite a few days.
“Okay. Then, shall we meet tonight?”
Li Chu caught the underlying meaning and tilted her head, smiling. “Okay.”
Li Chu liked the longing and attachment Ning Manqing showed towards her. Neither of them were particularly passionate about that kind of thing, but they both enjoyed the feeling of being together.
Ning Manqing wasn't someone who easily revealed her emotions or was easy to read, so she always spared Li Chu from racking her brains to guess her thoughts.
The elegant and noble carnivore conveyed her intentions with a unique blend of directness and subtlety. Liking was liking, desire was desire.
Li Chu would try her best to keep the appointment. Although neither of them were particularly enthusiastic, well, if a person wasn't attracted to beauty, were they even human?!
One had to remember, she was initially attracted by Ning Manqing's beauty. The beautiful Ning Manqing was truly stunning!
Li Chu also enjoyed this farewell tryst. Sweat traced the lines of their skin and blended into the sheets, like some inseparable ritual.
After it ended, she didn't fall asleep immediately. Instead, in the quiet atmosphere, she lay in Ning Manqing's arms and looked at her for a long while.
Just a simple gaze, without any particular intention, as if entering a peaceful space. Ning Manqing didn't speak, letting her look.
Li Chu thought that Ning Manqing could always easily understand her thoughts and cooperate with her. Having such a lover was truly relaxing and enjoyable. Because there was no need to overthink, she provided a strong sense of security and even confidence.
Recalling her apprehension before they started dating, thinking that she and Ning Manqing weren't suitable, Li Chu now found it both naive and amusing.
Having finished reminiscing about the past, Li Chu inevitably began to fantasize about the future.
What would happen between her and Ning Manqing? When would they go public? When and where would they walk down the aisle together? And when would they have children?
Children… Li Chu couldn't help but replay the word in her mind, feeling a sense of wonder.
Li Chu didn't have any obsession with reproduction. Before transmigrating, she was a firm believer in uterine autonomy. The arrival of a new life should be a considered decision, not a careless or casual one.
She had never thought about having children, as she felt her life hadn't reached that stage yet. But now, nestled against her lover, she felt that stage might not be too far off.
If possible, she hoped that their future children would inherit more of Ning Manqing's genes. Though inheriting hers would be fine too; lively and cute was also great.
Ning Manqing, watching her girlfriend lost in thought and smiling, couldn't help but poke her cheek.
“What are you thinking about?”
Li Chu blurted out, “Whether our future children should look more like you or me.”
After saying that, Li Chu fell silent for a moment, embarrassed by herself.
Ning Manqing's hand, stroking Li Chu's face, paused, her eyebrows raising.
“It seems you don't plan on sleeping tonight.”
The moment Ning Manqing's eyes darkened, Li Chu sensed danger. She tried to explain, “No… I didn't mean it like that, it's just my thoughts wandered a bit… Mmm.”
Her rambling came to an abrupt end. Li Chu wanted to escape with a whimper, but was pulled back relentlessly.
The next day, Li Chu, sitting in the car on her way to the set, was a lifeless salted fish, numbly putting on makeup and then filming.
Rong Yun was always cold and silent, and it just so happened that they were filming the scene where Rong Yun saw the deceased's file and thought of Cen Lan. Her expression was particularly serious, so Li Chu didn't need to put in much effort to act the part well.
After filming, Director Wang praised Li Chu for being in good form today. Li Chu stiffly nodded.
During a break, Li Chu lay down on a recliner, intending to take a nap. Before she could fall asleep, Qian Duoduo softly called her name.
“What is it, Duoduo?”
“Sister Li, someone's here to visit!”
Li Chu's heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be Mu Qinxi again, could it?
She looked up with a gloomy mood, but her spirits immediately brightened when she saw the visitor.
“Sister Zhizhi! Why are you here to see me?!”
Li Chu gave Ming Zhi a bear hug, wrapping her arms around her waist.
Because their work schedules didn't overlap at all, Li Chu hadn't seen Ming Zhi for quite some time.
Ming Zhi had a new look again. Her green hair was long gone, now replaced with a light purple that matched the purple T-shirt she was wearing.
She looked well, as if she had never been shrouded in shadows. Li Chu loved the feeling she gave off, just like the feeling her songs gave, light yet powerful.
“Isn't our busy bee too busy to have time? I happened to be passing by and remembered you told me you were filming here, so I came to see you, to give you a surprise.”
Ming Zhi pinched Li Chu's nose. Qian Duoduo brought over another chair, and she sat down next to Li Chu.
“A super surprise! But it's not just me who's busy, you are too, you know?”
“No way around it. My boss is a capitalist. Mu Xiao is a real workaholic. Last time, I had a slight disagreement with the director about a song and went to bother him at 4:30 in the morning. He actually replied! I thought I'd disturbed his nightlife, but he asked if there was anything else. If not, he'd continue looking at his documents. Terrifying.”
Ming Zhi couldn't help but complain. In her thirty-plus years of life, she had never met someone who loved work so much.
“Maybe that's just the nature of a workaholic.”
Maybe that's just what a CEO is like. Before finding love, they find joy in work. After finding love, everything else takes a backseat. Mu Xiao truly lived up to his persona.
“It's good that you came today, Sister Zhizhi. I'm going on location in two days. Let's have lunch together later?”
“Eat what? You should rest. You look quite tired.”
Li Chu was surprised. “You can tell even with my makeup on?”
“I can smell it. I'm a ruthless detector, after all. But don't worry, it's not obvious. I had to be this close to smell a little bit.”
Ming Zhi gave Li Chu a playful look. Previously, Li Chu, unsure if she still carried the scent of her alpha, had secretly pulled her aside to ask her to smell. So, she knew the scent of Ning Manqing's pheromones.
Teased by Ming Zhi, Li Chu coughed lightly.
It was probably because they had stayed up too late last night. After all, she had seen the six o'clock sky in Yunzhou today and deeply understood that even the most seemingly gentle and aloof alpha could be relentless when stimulated.
“I'm not that tired. You came to see me, so having a meal together is a must.”
“I'd like to, but I don't have time. My car is waiting outside. I have to go to the airport soon. I just dropped by to see you. Let's eat together next time.”
“Alright.” Li Chu was a little disappointed, but the nature of their work dictated that it could only be this way. So, she waved goodbye to Ming Zhi with regret. “Be safe on the road.”
Ming Zhi stood up, picked up her handbag, and prepared to leave.
Li Chu held her arm and walked her out. Some distance from the door, she saw Mu Qinxi about to get out of a car. She wanted to pull Ming Zhi away, but then Mu Qinxi got back in the car.
“Huh?”
This sound wasn't from Li Chu, but from Ming Zhi.
Li Chu asked curiously, “What's wrong, Sister Zhizhi? Do you know that person?”
“I've seen her, but I don't know her.”
“It's good that you don't. There's no need to.”
Li Chu took the opportunity to warn her friend. She didn't want to be thought of as being close to Mu Qinxi in the future, and Ming Zhi believed her.
“What? Bad blood?”
“Not exactly bad blood, just… she seems strange.”
Li Chu briefly recounted Mu Qinxi's actions, frankly stating that she seemed overly enthusiastic.
“That young lady seems quite adept at such behavior. It's probably fine if I tell you how I met her. She was acting the same way then.”
Li Chu became interested and asked curiously, “Can you tell me?”
Ming Zhi gave her a reproachful look and said, “What can't I tell you? And it's not like it's a secret or anything private.”
“Not long ago, at a dinner party, she and President Mu were both there. After dinner, they went downstairs together. I followed them down in the elevator. Then, she started talking about art exhibitions, mentioning a famous painting that President Mu had bought. She implied that they had similar tastes, praising his discerning eye.”
“Most people would just exchange a few polite words in such a situation. But you know what President Mu said? He said he bought the painting for a friend and that he didn't actually like that kind of thing. Then, he bluntly said that he was more interested in her family's projects and asked if they were participating in a certain bidding process.”
“He redefined my understanding of business people.”
Li Chu gave a thumbs-up. “Impressive.”
She felt like she had learned something. Following "capitalist," Li Chu felt he deserved a medal for "Green Tea Nemesis."
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