Rather than empty words of comfort, Ling Tingyu needed Lu Xian’s care more, even just a phone call or a text message.
For the past few days, Ling Tingyu had resisted sending Lu Xian any messages, planning to talk things out properly when she returned. But then she found out Lu Xian was leaving.
Ling Tingyu stared at the departing taxi until it disappeared around the corner.
She really left without hesitation.
Ling Tingyu sat dazed in her car for a long time. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Wen Tian pushing a suitcase out of the neighborhood.
Ling Tingyu rolled down the window: “Wen Tian.”
Wen Tian’s eyes brightened when she saw Ling Tingyu: [Sister Tingyu, you’re back.]
With a road between them, conversation was inconvenient. Ling Tingyu got out and walked over: “Where are you going?”
Wen Tian explained: [I’m moving out. Since Lu Xian isn’t here, it wouldn’t be right for me to keep bothering you.]
Ling Tingyu’s expression remained indifferent. “Why didn’t you go with Lu Xian? Don’t you live together?”
Wen Tian: [Lu Xian went to participate in a show. It’s a closed recording for one or two months. I was going to wait for her to come back before finding a place together.]
“A show?” Ling Tingyu took off her sunglasses, her eyes still slightly red. “What show? I didn’t know about this.”
Wen Tian tilted her head, puzzled: [She’s joining ABO Idol Group. Didn’t Lu Xian tell you yesterday?]
So Lu Xian had packed her bags to join a show, not to leave for good.
Wen Tian blinked: [Sister Tingyu, are you really divorcing Lu Xian?]
Ling Tingyu: “Divorce? Did Lu Xian say that?”
Wen Tian quickly shook her head.
Ling Tingyu lowered her gaze to the luggage beside Wen Tian. “Where are you going alone?”
Before Wen Tian could answer, Lu Li parked and came over to take her suitcase.
Lu Li said to Wen Tian, “Get in the car and wait for me first.”
Wen Tian shouldered her backpack and walked to Lu Li’s car, climbing in and leaning against the window to watch the situation.
Lu Li turned to Ling Tingyu with a hint of reproach. “Where were you yesterday? You didn’t answer calls or texts.”
Ling Tingyu put her sunglasses back on and brushed it off. “My phone died.”
Seeing her distracted state, Lu Li decided not to scold her further. “I’ll handle the divorce proceedings for you and Lu Xian. We’ll keep it as low-profile as possible to minimize the impact.”
Ling Tingyu frowned. “Who said I’m getting a divorce?”
Lu Li crossed her arms, exasperated. “Lu Xian’s already left. You still don’t plan to divorce her? Do you really want to stay alone in an empty house? I don’t know what kind of spell that little white Alpha cast on you.”
Ling Tingyu stayed silent.
Since Lu Xian wasn’t actually leaving and hadn’t tried to slander her, divorce was no longer on Ling Tingyu’s mind.
She realized she might have misunderstood Lu Xian last night. Lu Xian had never said she was leaving, Ling Tingyu had projected her own assumptions onto her.
Ling Tingyu: “There’s something more important now. I need your help.”
Lu Li: “What is it?”
Ling Tingyu: “That variety show I turned down before, I want to join it now.”
“You mean the offer to be a mentor on ABO Idol Group?”
Ling Tingyu nodded.
Lu Li nearly choked. “Ling Tingyu, just two days ago you refused outright. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Ling Tingyu: “No reason. I’ve been in a bad mood lately and thought a fun show might help me relax. Haven’t fans been begging me to join a variety show?”
Lu Li: “Well, yes, but—”
Ling Tingyu: “Besides, my role in Director Liang’s film isn’t big. It won’t conflict with the schedule.”
Lu Li truly had no way to handle Ling Tingyu. With a sigh, she said, “I’ll try to get it back for you. But if the production team has already invited other guests, we’ll have to give up, okay?”
Ling Tingyu nodded. “Mm.”
Looking at Ling Tingyu’s pale complexion, Lu Li instructed, “Go home and rest properly. I’ll let you know as soon as I have news.”
Lu Li immediately contacted the variety show’s producer, her tone much more humble than when she’d refused before: “Director Zhou, it’s Xiao Lu. About that variety show you mentioned last time…”
Ling Tingyu didn’t return to her own place but went to Lu Xian’s home to sleep.
When she woke up, it was already past noon.
Ling Tingyu wanted to make something to eat in the kitchen, only to find all the kitchenware packed away and the refrigerator completely empty.
Lu Xian and Wen Tian’s room looked as if no one had ever lived there completely bare.
It was as if nothing had ever happened. Lu Xian had completely disappeared from her life.
Ling Tingyu curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow for comfort.
The enormous room held only her, and this feeling was like returning to the past.
Since childhood, Ling Tingyu’s parents had rarely been home. The empty rooms held only her and the nanny, with no one to talk to.
Later, when she achieved some success in the industry, more people approached her, but most had ulterior motives until she met Lu Xian, and the house no longer felt so empty.
Back then, Ling Tingyu thought having a clingy Alpha by her side wasn’t so bad. Whatever Lu Xian wanted, Ling Tingyu would make sure to provide.
As long as Lu Xian didn’t leave her.
By the time the sky darkened, Lu Li finally had news.
“I got the show. This time, don’t change your mind on a whim again.”
Ling Tingyu finally managed a small smile. “Got it. Thank you, Lu Li.”
Lu Li laughed. “No need to thank me.”
Ling Tingyu fell silent. Apart from Lu Xian, only Lu Li remained by her side.
Jingzhou City Training Camp.
The largest indoor venue in Jingzhou City.
When Lu Xian arrived, the vast space was packed with women.
Amid the crowd of stylish and striking women, Lu Xian’s outfit appeared somewhat plain.
While waiting for the host to begin, the more outgoing and lively participants had already started socializing, quickly forming small groups and chatting happily.
Lu Xian sat quietly in a corner, waiting. With her personality, she rarely took the initiative to make new friends unless necessary not out of social anxiety, but because she found it troublesome and disliked forced small talk.
Someone had already claimed the corner before her, a girl in a simple white cotton dress, her low ponytail resting on her shoulder, her face clean and fair.
A character from the novel flashed through Lu Xian’s mind.
Sensing Lu Xian’s lingering gaze, the girl looked up and asked, “Is there something on my face?”
“No, sorry.” Lu Xian offered a friendly smile. “I’m Lu Xian. May I ask your name?”
“My name is Lin Xu.”
Just as Lu Xian remembered, Lin Xu was Lu Li’s Omega ex-girlfriend.
Lin Xu came from a poor family. During her freshman year, she worked part-time at a restaurant when she met Lu Li. Lu Li had said a good student like her should focus on studying and often looked out for her.
Over time, the two grew close and secretly dated for two years. But those around Lu Li urged her to find an Omega of matching status. Knowing she wasn’t good enough, Lin Xu broke up with her, leaving Lu Li heartbroken for a long time.
Two people who clearly loved each other had to part ways. When Lu Xian read this story, she had cried for this tragic pairing for ages.
Lu Xian wasn’t in high spirits either. She’d originally thought she could help Lu Li and Lin Xu get together, but now that she and Ling Tingyu were getting divorced, how could she possibly worry about Lu Li’s affairs?
The ninety-nine trainees had all gathered.
The host took the stage with a microphone: “Welcome to the ‘ABO Idol Group’ training camp. Please find the bed assigned to your name and settle in. After a short rest, we’ll have our first live elimination round at 8 PM tonight.”
Before the announcement even finished, the room erupted in murmurs.
“What? An elimination round tonight?”
“That’s so harsh. What if I get sent home right away?”
“We’re actually rooming together! What a coincidence!!”
“Yeah, even if I get eliminated, making friends would be nice!”
“…”
The venue descended into chaos with all sorts of conversations. Lu Xian found the noise grating and pushed her luggage ahead to find her quarters.
The thirty-three Alphas were divided into eleven dorm rooms, with three people per room.
When Lu Xian found her room, someone had already made their bed. Seeing her enter, the girl flipped down from the top bunk without using the ladder at all.
“Hi, I’m You Yijia.”
Lu Xian slowly extended her hand, immediately sensing the strength in You Yijia’s grip.
You Yijia had narrow, single-lidded eyes and looked particularly striking in camouflage pants and combat boots.
After shaking hands and introducing herself, Lu Xian asked curiously, “Are you an acrobat or something?”
You Yijia chuckled. “I’m an athlete. I like singing in my free time.”
The book hadn’t mentioned You Yijia, so Lu Xian didn’t know much about her and just smiled politely.
Lu Xian settled into the bed next to You Yijia’s and didn’t notice someone arriving until she heard a familiar voice.
“Well, well, Lu Xian, you’re here too.” Ma Sha carefully placed her expensive bag on the bed opposite Lu Xian’s and approached with a snide tone.
Lu Xian couldn’t even be bothered to look at her. Ma Sha scoffed and turned to her companion with a sneer. “Yiyi, let me tell you, some people aren’t satisfied with being kept and actually dare to dream of entering the entertainment industry. How can such freeloaders possibly deserve it?”
Fan Yiyi glanced at Ma Sha, amused. “Who are you talking about?”
Ma Sha jutted her chin. “Her, of course. Lu Xian.”
Fan Yiyi paused. “Lu Xian?”
The name sounded familiar. Fan Yiyi remembered her brother Fan Rui mentioning that Lu Xian and Lu Li had accused him of harming a horse, forcing him to apologize and even landing him in jail for a few days.
Fan Yiyi curled her lips. “So it’s her.”
Lu Xian had just wanted a quiet place to rest, but now two unpleasant people had shown up at once.
How annoying.
Lu Xian flexed her wrists her fists were itching.
You Yijia, who couldn’t stand people running their mouths, grabbed the railing and jumped down from the top bunk again. “What are you two going on about? If you want to fight, just say so. All this yapping is getting on my nerves.”
You Yijia’s sudden “descent from the heavens” startled Ma Sha and Fan Yiyi.
You Yijia eyed Fan Yiyi. “Are you an Alpha? If not, get back to your own dorm.”
Fan Yiyi shivered and said to Ma Sha, “I’m leaving.”
With Fan Yiyi gone, Ma Sha had no backup and didn’t dare make a sound.
You Yijia radiated a strong sense of justice, and her presence made Lu Xian feel completely safe.
Now Lu Xian was sure, You Yijia was a good person.
The dorm assignments were completed, leaving one hour before the live competition at 8 PM.
The trainees each found their own corners, seizing every moment to practice.
In her original world, Lu Xian had studied performance. Her teacher, impressed by her unique voice, had guided her in professional vocal training. But Lu Xian preferred acting and gave up singing after only a brief period.
Before joining the talent show, she had prepared a few songs, enough to carry her into the top 20.
After warming up her voice, Lu Xian wandered around the training camp.
Not far away, Lin Xu was practicing dance, the melodious music seeming to twirl at her fingertips.
Lu Xian didn’t linger on the sight, instead turning her gaze to the scenery outside the glass window, wondering what Ling Tingyu was doing now perhaps filming?
Suddenly, the music stopped, followed by the sharp clatter of a phone hitting the floor.
Lin Xu immediately halted her movements to pick it up, only to find the screen cracked. It was a new phone she had saved up for a long time to buy.
Fan Yiyi raised an eyebrow. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t see your phone there.”
Her companion, Ma Sha, discreetly pulled out her phone to record, capturing Fan Yiyi’s feigned concern for Lin Xu.
Fan Yiyi pouted. “I’m really sorry. I have a spare phone you can use it if you want.”
Lin Xu, eyes red, shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”
No matter how much Fan Yiyi apologized, Lin Xu kept refusing.
Finally, Fan Yiyi sighed dramatically. “Well, if you need anything, just let me know, okay? I’ll help however I can.”
Frowning, Lu Xian stepped forward, separating Lin Xu from Fan Yiyi.
“Let’s go. Ignore them.”
Ma Sha pocketed her phone as Lu Xian and Lin Xu walked away. Fan Yiyi crossed her arms, chin lifted. “Did you get all that?”
Ma Sha nodded. “Already sent it to your brother.”
Lin Xu was naive, an Omega and dealing with Fan Yiyi and Ma Sha would only end badly for her.
Lu Xian led her to an empty dance studio. “From now on, don’t talk to those two. Stay as far away as possible.”
Though Lin Xu didn’t understand why, she had already felt uneasy around them.
The studio door was left ajar.
Someone passed by in the hallway, then doubled back.
“Lu Xian?”
Turning, Lu Xian saw Lu Li and beside her, Ling Tingyu.
Lu Xian remembered the novel mentioning that the show had invited Ling Tingyu as a mentor, but she had declined. So why was she here now?
Could it be… that Ling Tingyu had accepted for her sake?
The thought surfaced, but Lu Xian immediately dismissed it. Impossible.
They hadn’t seen each other since parting last night. Though only a day had passed, it felt much longer.
Lu Xian’s gaze met Ling Tingyu’s.
For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and Lu Xian clenched her fists.
Lu Li, spotting Lu Xian with Lin Xu, inexplicably tensed. “What are you two doing alone in here?”
At the sight of Lu Li, Lin Xu lowered her head and hurried past her.
“Lin Xu, why are you running?” Lu Li chased after her.
Suddenly, the studio held only Lu Xian and Ling Tingyu.
Cameras were everywhere in the training camp.
Pretending not to know Ling Tingyu, Lu Xian approached politely. “Hello, Mentor Ling.”
As she brushed past, she heard Ling Tingyu’s soft, amused exhale.
“Lu Xian, are you really in such a hurry to cut ties with me?”
Lu Xian paused mid-step. “Here, it’s better if we act like strangers.”
With that, she turned to leave for the dorms.
As Lu Xian passed the stairwell corner, someone grasped her wrist. She turned to see Ling Tingyu tightening her grip.
“Whether we know each other or not is my decision,” Ling Tingyu said.
The security cameras couldn’t capture the corner, but Ling Tingyu wasn’t hiding, she stood fully exposed in their line of sight.
Unable to pull free, Lu Xian took a step back toward the wall, then reversed their positions. She caught Ling Tingyu’s slender wrist and pushed her into the corner, shielding her with her own body.
Lu Xian encircled her completely, sighing in exasperation. “Professor Ling, there are cameras everywhere. Do you want to get caught?”
They stood so close that Ling Tingyu could catch the pleasant scent of Lu Xian’s pheromones.
Ling Tingyu lifted her gaze, her eyes soft. “What did you just call me?”
More than the risk of exposure, she cared about how Lu Xian addressed her.
“Professor Ling,” Lu Xian answered matter-of-factly.
Ling Tingyu frowned. “Lu Xian, we’re not divorced yet.”
Lu Xian smiled. “Here, I’ll only call you Professor Ling.”
Ling Tingyu wasn’t pleased.
Lowering her voice, Lu Xian asked, “Professor Ling, why did you stop me? Didn’t you tell me not to come back if I left?”
“Lu Xian, right now, you’re the one blocking your mentor’s path,” Ling Tingyu countered, her gaze flickering to Lu Xian’s bruised lip. Unyielding, she added, “What, are you trying to bribe your mentor with your charms?”
Lu Xian, outmaneuvered: “…”
NOTE: You Yijia is a character “You” is part of the name.