Chapter 88
Even in the depths of passion, Ning Manqing restrained the urge to mark her.
The next morning, as dawn broke, she intended to leave, but Li Chu, still half-asleep, reached out and held onto her.
Her arm, slender and fair, emerged from the covers, dotted with several dark red marks like scattered petals melting into fine snow.
“You don’t want me to go?”
Ning Manqing sat back down on the edge of the bed, her eyes soft with a gentle smile, tucking Li Chu’s hand back under the covers.
Li Chu mumbled a few times, her arm restlessly reaching out again, fumbling around.
“What are you looking for?”
“Where’s my phone?”
Li Chu didn’t even open her eyes, her voice thick with drowsiness.
The difference in stamina between Alphas and Omegas was truly stark. They had clearly exerted themselves equally, yet now Li Chu was practically dead asleep, while Ning Manqing remained quite energetic.
“Here.”
Ning Manqing found Li Chu’s phone on the nightstand, turned it on, and placed it in her hand.
Li Chu dialed a speed-dial number and put the phone to her ear.
“Hello… Brother Nan… Mm… Don’t schedule anything for me today, I don’t feel like going out.”
“I’m really fine, just want to rest.”
“Hanging up.”
Li Chu tossed the phone aside and patted the pillow next to her.
Charmed by her actions, Ning Manqing leaned down to kiss her cheek, took off the jacket she had just put on, and slipped back into bed beside Li Chu.
Contentedly, Li Chu snuggled closer towards Ning Manqing, nestling into her embrace.
This was how winter mornings should be spent, enjoying the warmth with your girlfriend in the same bed.
Unlike Li Chu, who was comfortably nestled in bed, Ming Zhi, having switched companies, was busier than ever.
Amidst her hectic schedule, she still found time to chat with Li Chu, asking if she had any plans for New Year's Eve.
“Well, there were offers, but I turned them down. I don’t want to go. I don’t really have any talents to show off.”
Li Chu’s singing and dancing were average, and she wasn’t interested in that kind of event. Although it was indeed an opportunity for exposure and some traffic, that wasn't Li Chu's top priority.
“Then come listen to my performance? How about I give you two front-row tickets?”
Ming Zhi wasn't foolish. Although Li Chu hadn't explicitly told her, as someone who had experienced love before, she knew something was going on between Li Chu and Ning Manqing.
“I want to go, but I’m afraid of being discovered.”
Li Chu was tempted but hesitant.
The Ning family remained a ticking time bomb. Ning Yuxi was still grounded, but his leg was almost healed. Although Ning Manqing hadn't explicitly warned Li Chu to be careful, the increased vigilance of A Yao and Yuanzi during her public appearances made Li Chu sense a storm brewing.
“What? It can’t be made public? So what you said last time wasn’t entirely about the drama plot?”
Ming Zhi’s voice held a subtle hint of suspicion, as if considering the possibility that Li Chu had fallen for the wrong person.
While it was common for actors to keep their relationships private, and Ming Zhi understood that, she couldn't help but frown, remembering how Li Chu had cried drunkenly to her last time.
“It’s not what you think, Sister Zhizhi! Last time was really my issue, I hadn’t gotten out of character from the drama. She’s very good to me. Keeping it quiet is also to protect me.”
Li Chu immediately explained, not wanting Teacher Ning’s reputation to be damaged.
Ming Zhi thought for a moment and said, “How about I give you three tickets then? Is Zhao Zhichun interested in seeing the New Year's Eve Gala live?”
Li Chu: ...Poor Brother Zhao.
“I’ll ask him.”
Li Chu was genuinely tempted and sent Zhao Zhichun a message.
【Xiao Chu】: Brother Zhao, are you free on New Year's Eve?
【Zhao Zhichun】: What's up?
【Zhao Zhichun】: Wait, suspicious.jpg
【Zhao Zhichun】: Don't tell me you guys want to... sob sob sob, can't you guys stop picking on the same poor sheep?
【Xiao Chu】: Okay then, I was thinking of inviting you to the Yunzhou TV New Year's Gala, front row VIP tickets, mind you. If you're not interested, forget it.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Wait a minute!
【Xiao Chu】: ??
Li Chu actually thought Zhao Zhichun wouldn't agree; she was just teasing him. But unexpectedly, Zhao Zhichun seemed genuinely interested.
Could it be that Zhao Zhichun also liked Ming Zhi's songs? No, if Zhao Zhichun were also a fan of Ming Zhi, he would have surely mentioned it to her.
【Zhao Zhichun】: As your friend, it's my duty! Let's go! When do we meet?
【Xiao Chu】: Brother Zhao, are you really interested? Don't force yourself.
【Zhao Zhichun】: What's there to force? It's settled then, contact me later!
Slightly bewildered, Li Chu recounted this to Ning Manqing. Ning Manqing thought for a moment and said, “He’s probably going for Lu Ya. Check if she’s on the list.”
“She is.”
Li Chu immediately checked the guest list for the Yunzhou TV New Year's Gala and found her name. Lu Ya was the female Beta leader of a song and dance group.
She searched online and found that the group was quite popular. Lu Ya debuted two years ago after being a trainee for three years. Photos showed she had delicate features. Being of mixed Western and Chinese heritage, her features were more defined and deep-set than average, giving her a unique charm.
“So Brother Zhao is also a fan. How did you know?”
Li Chu felt the joy of discovering a friend's little secret and asked her girlfriend curiously.
“I saw a poster of her when I went to his place to get something. There was also an album he bought on his desk. He’s not very good at keeping secrets.”
“But Brother Zhao never shows it usually. So, we’re going together then.”
“Mm, okay.”
“ Behold Me, Ling Shan premieres on January 1st. Are you attending the premiere?”
The promotional period for Ning Manqing's historical biopic, Behold Me, Ling Shan , had begun. It was scheduled for release on January 1st, and Li Chu had reposted the announcement immediately.
“Yes, and there will be related promotional activities. I’ll come back after I’m done.”
“Yay!”
Li Chu eagerly anticipated it, knowing the glory this drama would bring Ning Manqing.
Although her presence as a butterfly had changed some plot points, this outcome should remain unchanged, right?
Soon, New Year's Eve arrived. Li Chu and the others put on masks and entered the venue, waving glow sticks amidst the crowd.
Ning Manqing had never really experienced anything like this – squeezing into the crowd below the stage, cheering for the performers. Truthfully, she wasn't particularly interested in most of them, so while Li Chu cheered, she watched Li Chu.
She couldn't perceive Li Chu's happiness directly, but she perceived another kind of joy.
Li Chu was ecstatic tonight. The feeling of being there live was indeed different from watching remotely. Ming Zhi's voice had strong penetrating power, and even after such a frightening experience, her singing remained clear and gentle, imparting a wondrous strength to the listeners.
Zhao Zhichun's seat was next to Li Chu's. When the song and dance group took the stage, Li Chu witnessed the terrifying power of a fanboy Alpha.
It was no exaggeration to say that Brother Zhao's cheers rivaled ten people. Li Chu nearly went deaf in her left ear, her mind filled with nothing but 'Lu Ya'.
During the countdown, Zhao Zhichun got so excited he almost threw his arm around Li Chu for a hug, but a cold glance from Ning Manqing made him silently turn and hug the man next to him instead, excitedly celebrating the new year together.
Li Chu laughed loudly in Ning Manqing's arms. Amidst the lively atmosphere, she heard the sound of Ning Manqing's heartbeat.
Happiness surged, intense and rich, like oil set ablaze, like brocade adorned with flowers.
As they left in the car, Zhao Zhichun was still excitedly recommending the young idol to Li Chu, mentioning how he wished he could get an autographed photo of Lu Ya, having failed to snag one before.
Li Chu asked, puzzled, “Brother Zhao, although we’re not exactly in the same circle as her, we’re still in the entertainment industry. It shouldn’t be that hard for you to get an autograph, right?”
“You don’t understand, it’s different,” Zhao Zhichun shook his head, feigning profoundness. “People who chase stars don’t need to hold the stars in their hands.”
“He asked you to take a photo with the star, did he ask you to hold her? If you don’t dare, just say so. No need for excuses.”
Ning Manqing delivered a cool finishing blow. The petty Alpha still remembered Zhao Zhichun's attempt to hug Li Chu, scoffing at his pretentiousness.
Deeply wounded, Zhao Zhichun felt the sorrow of being a disposable tool. He whimpered, “Say one more word and I’ll jump out of the car!”
The slightly elevated image of Zhao Zhichun that had just formed in Li Chu's mind instantly shattered, returning him to his goofy self. She couldn't stop laughing.
Through this, however, Li Chu understood Zhao Zhichun's mindset. It was like how she initially felt towards Ning Manqing. She had adopted a similar attitude, but who knew? That star insisted on falling into her hands and wouldn't let her let go.
That night, Li Chu went to Ning Manqing's place. Ning Manqing's home had a large floor-to-ceiling mirror that reflected everything in front of it with great clarity.
The living room curtains were drawn, blocking the outside light. Only a small lamp in the living room was on, casting a dim glow.
An Omega's body was softer than Li Chu had imagined. She easily managed a split, even though she had no prior dance training.
Without external interference, she might have been able to hold a standing split on one leg for some time. But with no support behind her, and the warm, moist breath enveloping her, she could only barely grasp her own foot to keep from falling.
“Teacher Ning…”
Li Chu's voice trembled, unsure if it was from the cold or the fear of falling.
She eventually found a point of support, her hand landing on Ning Manqing's head in front of her. An unsteady grip momentarily messed up Ning Manqing's smooth, long hair.
The floor-to-ceiling mirror reflected everything. The image cast by the smooth glass projected into their eyes. Li Chu looked away, then stole another glance.
Ultimately, Li Chu couldn't hold the pose for long. After all, she wasn't a dancer, and holding her leg up for too long could cause muscle cramps. She lowered her leg, letting it dangle lightly over Ning Manqing's shoulder.
What made Li Chu slightly embarrassed was that the mirror, like yesterday's handkerchief, had become somewhat smudged, blurring the reflections in places.
In the darkness of the night, Li Chu murmured, “Teacher Ning.”
The person holding her responded, “Hm?”
Li Chu giggled, her voice filled with elation as she called out again, “Ning Manqing.”
Ning Manqing replied with a lazy tone, looking at her gleefully silly girlfriend and pinching her cheek.
“I messed up your hair so badly, but it’s your fault for being naughty.”
Li Chu was overjoyed, speaking with a touch of bold, righteous arrogance.
“Then I’ll get my hair cut short tomorrow.”
Li Chu tensed up. “Why?”
Ning Manqing chuckled softly. “Easier for you to grab.”
Her features relaxed, her eyes shimmering like gentle spring waves.
“I don’t like… It was you who…”
Li Chu pouted. She didn't have a habit of grabbing people's hair.
Ning Manqing raised an eyebrow. “You don’t like it?”
As she whispered the question, the room grew warmer, more humid.
“No… I like it.”
Li Chu’s voice was muffled, ending on a husky, self-contradictory note that dissipated into the air of the brand new year.
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