The Five Heartless Scumbag Alphas Turned Against Each Other Because Of Me - Chapter 23

“No, President Lu.”
Tan Hua instinctively denied it.
“I didn’t lie to you, I just…”

Her words faltered—she looked like she’d been scared out of her wits.
“It really was an accident today.”

Her eyes reddened instantly, as if terrified that Lu Huaixu might tear up their contract and abandon her.

“I won’t be with her anymore. I’ll stay with you from now on, okay?” she blurted, panicked.

“Don’t leave me,” she pleaded, clutching Lu Huaixu’s hand with trembling fingers.
“I won’t go. I’ll stay right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Even if the sky falls, I’ll lie in the same bed and die in the same grave as you. From this day on, in life I’m your person, and in death I’ll be your ghost.”

She looked up at Lu Huaixu with teary eyes, wearing a pitiful expression that could melt the coldest heart.

She clung to Lu Huaixu’s hand like it was her lifeline.
“President Lu, please don’t be mad at me. I know I was wrong.”

Even in a moment of crisis, Tan Hua couldn’t help but comment to the system:
“Her hands are so smooth… It’s a shame I can’t just put them on my—”

The system didn’t need to hear the rest. It already knew exactly what she was about to say. Eyelid twitching, it zapped her several times in a row.

Shameless!

Of all times, you’re still thinking about perverted nonsense?

The system was so infuriated it nearly short-circuited into sleep mode.

Tan Hua’s attitude of repentance was flawless.
But Lu Huaixu simply looked at her with a half-smile, the emotion in her eyes unreadable.

“So you’re ready to abandon your little sweetheart that quickly?” she asked dryly.

“Didn’t you just vow to be together through heaven and earth? That you wouldn’t part, no matter what? Hmm?”

Tan Hua twitched. Heaven and earth? What is this, a soap opera?

“No, no,” she said quickly, forcing a stiff smile.
“You heard wrong, President Lu. I never said anything like that.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Lu Huaixu’s smile deepened, though it never reached her eyes.

She casually pulled her hand from Tan Hua’s grasp.

“Well, since you’ve made up your mind, go ahead and call your little sweetheart in. Let her know where things stand.”

“No need to keep her loitering around here, don’t you think?”

Tan Hua hesitated. Right here? Really? Isn’t that a bit too much?

She sneaked a few glances at Lu Huaixu, testing the waters.

“Maybe I should go outside and talk to her instead… so I don’t disturb you?”

But under Lu Huaixu’s calm gaze, the rest of her sentence died in her throat.

“Alright then,” she said, resigned.

“Since things have come this far, I really don’t have a choice.”

She turned to the system with a shrug.
“Honestly, this is all because Lu Huaixu is too domineering.”

Nothing to do with me.

System: “…” You expect me to believe that?!

Outside the room, Xiao Chuan had seen Tan Hua and Lu Huaixu talking for quite a while.

Even though Tan Hua had promised she’d stay by her side, seeing how carefully and respectfully she acted in front of Lu Huaixu still made Xiao Chuan feel uneasy.

Tan Hua was just a delicate Omega—if the Alpha got serious, would she really defy Lu Huaixu and leave with her?

Xiao Chuan wasn’t sure.

That uncertainty gnawed at her chest, even though it shouldn’t.

The way things were supposed to go was simple:

No matter what Tan Hua did—who she chose, who she got close to, who she flirted with—it had nothing to do with her.

Tan Hua was just a stand-in for Sister Cheng Yuan.

Outside of their arrangement, Xiao Chuan wasn’t supposed to care about her at all.

Their relationship was supposed to be purely transactional.

And yet… things had clearly spiraled beyond her control.

Even knowing she should keep her distance, should treat Tan Hua like a stranger outside of stand-in hours—Xiao Chuan still couldn’t stop herself.

She still cared.

Damn it, she cared way too much.

Especially in this awful “choose one” situation.

She understood—Tan Hua was just trying to survive, to build a more secure life.

But being with her was also part of that job.

And now, placed beside another job of equal value, Xiao Chuan’s pride—her ridiculous sense of competition—was spiraling out of control.

She was anxious.

Desperate.

And not like herself at all.

She rushed forward and asked, a little breathlessly:

“Did you pack all your things?”

Wen Chuan tried hard to stay calm as she reached out to take Tan Hua’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

“Xiao Chuan.”

Tan Hua called out to her gently.

Wen Chuan gave her hand a firm tug, but Tan Hua didn’t move. Her feet remained planted firmly in place.

A sinking feeling crept into Wen Chuan’s chest. Her beautifully shaped lips pressed into a straight line.

“Why don’t you head home for now, okay?”

Tan Hua tried to sound hesitant, as if she was truly torn. She opened her mouth but stopped short, finally letting out a low sigh.

“I’ll make it up to you another day. Is that alright?”

The Omega’s expression was timid and humble.

Wen Chuan froze. Her chest tightened painfully, like she’d been dropped into an ice bath.

“What does that mean?”

Her tone sharpened.

“You’re going back on your word?”

Tan Hua immediately raised her hand and placed a finger gently against Wen Chuan’s lips, signaling her to be quiet.

“That’s not what I meant, Xiao Chuan.”

She glanced back awkwardly.

“It’s just… today is really inconvenient. I already promised President Lu first, and if I back out now, I might never get to work for her again…”

“Then don’t work for her anymore.”

Wen Chuan fought to ignore the soft, cool sensation of Tan Hua’s finger on her lips. Her expression grew colder.

“It’s not like what she’s giving you is even a proper job.”

Tan Hua pursed her lips.

“But what you’ve given me… isn’t all that different, is it?”

Wen Chuan went completely speechless. Her mouth opened and closed, unable to form a single word.

A tightness clenched in her chest, making her feel suffocated.

In the end, Tan Hua still chose Lu Huaixu over her.

Then what did that make her?

What place did she hold in Tan Hua’s heart?

Wen Chuan suddenly felt unbearably pathetic. She clenched her fists unconsciously.

“Did she threaten you?”

That was the only explanation Wen Chuan could come up with.

Tan Hua had clearly agreed to leave with her—yet after just one conversation with Lu Huaixu, she’d completely changed her mind.

She hadn’t missed the fluctuation of pheromones in the room earlier either.

Now that she thought about it, Lu Huaixu must have used her dominance to intimidate Tan Hua.

The more Wen Chuan thought about it, the more certain she became. Her expression darkened with icy fury as she stared at the stunned Omega.

Thinking she had figured everything out, she said impulsively:

“I’ll go confront her right now!”

“She can’t force you to do something you don’t want to do!”

She stormed past Tan Hua and headed straight inside.

The system, in a panic, immediately zapped Tan Hua.

“Host! Wake up! They’re about to fight and you’re just standing there?!”

The jolt brought Tan Hua back to her senses, and she immediately rushed after Wen Chuan.

She grabbed her arm with desperation.

“Xiao Chuan, please calm down.”

Lowering her voice, she pleaded:

“Do you really want to see me lose this job before you’re satisfied?”

She clung tightly to Wen Chuan, blocking her path.

Wen Chuan saw through her—the way she was trying to protect Lu Huaixu—and suddenly, disappointment and cold dread swept through her.

Her face paled slightly, her eyes carrying a quiet hurt. She said nothing, simply looked down at Tan Hua with a soft, shattered gaze.

That look actually made Tan Hua feel something very rare for her: guilt.

Even the system was confused.

“Why is she looking so pitiful?” Tan Hua asked it, baffled.

“Shouldn’t she be furious, storm out, and vow never to see a scumbag like me again?”

System: “…” You’re unbelievable.

Someone treats you well, and you nitpick. You only feel satisfied when someone breaks your heart?

“Xiao Chuan.”

Tan Hua softened her tone, coaxing gently.

“Forgive me this once, please. When I have time, I’ll spend an entire day with you—however you want. Okay?”

She fiddled nervously with her fingers, her fragile act only making Wen Chuan’s frustration worse.

“Is she really that important to you?”

Wen Chuan’s voice trembled with rage.

“You’ve begged me three times—for her.”

“When you do that… what do you think I am to you?”

The more Tan Hua spoke up for Lu Huaixu, the harder it became for Wen Chuan to control her emotions.

With a sudden force, she shoved Tan Hua aside.

In both Tan Hua’s and the system’s stunned gaze, Wen Chuan stormed forward, her steps swift and resolute, closing the distance between her and Lu Huaixu.

“What did you do to her?” she demanded.

“She was fine just a moment ago—why is she suddenly doing whatever you say?”

Behind her, Tan Hua caught sight of Lu Huaixu’s faintly displeased expression and quickly let out a dry laugh.

“President Lu, don’t be upset. She’s just worried about me, that’s all.”

Then she turned and frowned at Wen Chuan.

“Xiao Chuan!”

“You’re not listening to anything I say now?”

Even now, she stood firmly on Lu Huaixu’s side—without a moment of hesitation.

Then what about her?

What about all the emotions she’d poured into Tan Hua?

Was it all just a joke to her?

Tan Hua was the stand-in, not her—yet here she was, the one who cared too deeply, who valued her too much.

She must feel pretty smug, watching Wen Chuan so torn up over her.

Wen Chuan let out a sudden, bitter laugh. It was brief but sharp, full of self-mockery.

“Fine,” she said.

She nodded slowly.

“Fine. I respect your choice.”

Her slender Alpha fingers curled into fists inside her pockets, the tension in her knuckles barely concealed.

She swept a cold glance across Lu Huaixu before her eyes finally settled on Tan Hua.

“It was all just wishful thinking on my part.”

Disappointment crushed down on her. The whole situation suddenly felt like a cruel joke.

Without another word, without even a glance back, Wen Chuan turned and walked away.

Tan Hua’s instinct was to chase after her—but then she hesitated, remembering Lu Huaixu.

She stood there frozen, caught between them, her legs twitching to move but unable to take a step.

The indecision practically oozed from her tense shoulders.

The system gave a smug little snort.

“Oh-ho… Host, aren’t you going after her?”

“If she doesn’t forgive you, the mission’s going to fail.”

“It won’t,” Tan Hua replied calmly, making sure Lu Huaixu couldn’t hear her.

“She’s just throwing a tantrum. Young people are easy to coax.”

The real problem is Lu Huaixu—stubborn as stone, impossible to please.

“So you’re just going to let Wen Chuan go?”

“I’d love to stop her, but unfortunately, I only have one body,” Tan Hua sighed.

“Unless you can get me a clone. Otherwise, I’m already working harder than the donkey in a production brigade.”

The system went completely silent.

A clone?

You’ve got some nerve even thinking of that.

One host was already exhausting enough. If there were two of her running around, the world would collapse.

Just the thought gave the system chills.

Absolutely not. Not even up for discussion.

Tan Hua pulled her gaze back.

As she turned around, her face momentarily flickered with a look of helplessness and quiet loss.

Lu Huaixu, resting her chin on one hand, spoke coolly,

“Since you’re so reluctant, why not just go after her?”

“I’m not,” Tan Hua forced out a smile that was more strained than sincere.

“I’m not reluctant to see her go.”

Lu Huaixu stared at her in silence for a long beat, then let out a soft, mocking chuckle—but didn’t expose her lie.

She had technically “won” the two-way choice, but watching how distracted and absent Tan Hua seemed throughout, Lu Huaixu felt no satisfaction.

A lingering frustration coiled tight in her chest.

She was visibly unhappy, her whole body radiating a subtle coldness.

But Tan Hua, oblivious as she seemed, simply sat quietly beside her, all polite and obedient—completely unlike the cheeky, bold woman from a few days ago.

She was still here in person… but her heart?

Her heart had long since flown somewhere else.

Lu Huaixu let out a soft snort and stood up.

Tan Hua snapped to attention as if startled awake and quickly followed, rising to her feet with unease.

“President Lu, where are you going?” she asked nervously.

“Bathroom,” Lu Huaixu replied curtly, throwing the words over her shoulder.

Bathroom?

Tan Hua blinked, her brain catching on a delay. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out,

“I’ll help you.”

Lu Huaixu stopped in her tracks and turned around.

“You’ll help me?”

One brow lifted slightly. She stepped back toward Tan Hua, her tall frame looming with quiet intensity.

“How exactly do you plan to help me?”

Tan Hua’s cheeks turned red on cue.

“Well… how do you want me to help?” she stammered.

“I’m fine with anything…”

She didn’t even finish the sentence before her vision blurred, and she suddenly lost balance.

A rush of weightlessness hit her—and the next thing she knew, she was flat on the sofa with Lu Huaixu above her.

Tan Hua flinched, turning her face to the side, not daring to meet the Alpha’s eyes.

“System, this is too much! she gasped inwardly, heart pounding.

“Is this a dream come true? I can’t believe Lu Huaixu is actually making a move on me this fast…”

The system, deadpan, glared at Lu Huaixu with a look of utter disapproval.

Open your eyes, woman! it wanted to shout. That’s no innocent little lamb lying under you—it’s a cunning, manipulative wolf!

You’ve been seduced by her pretty face this easily? Pathetic!

The system clenched its metaphorical teeth.

Meanwhile, Tan Hua had fully committed to the act—her lovely face filled with confusion and a touch of fear.

“President Lu… what are you doing?” she asked, voice trembling.

“What am I doing?”

Lu Huaixu’s eyes locked onto the supposedly shivering Omega beneath her, a chill threading through her tone.

“Nothing at all.”

“But your behavior today has put me in a very foul mood.”

She was close—too close. The air between them was undeniably intimate.

But her eyes? Crystal-clear. Sharp. Unwavering.

Not even a flicker of desire.

Tan Hua frowned inwardly. Is my charm not working today?

Seeing that Lu Huaixu wasn’t falling for the bait, the system finally let out a breath of relief.

Thank god she’s not another Wen Chuan—led by her hormones like a brainless schoolgirl.

Tan Hua glanced at Lu Huaixu in puzzlement, who simply said coolly,

“Don’t let it happen again.”

She didn’t specify what she meant, but Tan Hua understood clearly—it was about Wen Chuan.

Not like I invited her, she thought silently, but still nodded obediently.

“Got it.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

Pleased with her cooperative attitude, Lu Huaixu finally let her go and stood up.

Her tone was indifferent as she said,

“Go pack your things.”

“Pack for where?” Tan Hua asked instinctively.

Lu Huaixu paused and glanced back at her.

“You’ll be paid, don’t worry.”

That, Tan Hua had no doubt about.

Of all her current clients, none tossed money around more generously than Lu Huaixu—a walking wallet in a power suit.

She wasn’t picky, and she paid well. Honestly, Tan Hua was starting to really like her.

“Alright,” she replied with reluctant acceptance.

But the moment Lu Huaixu turned away, she sighed to the system,

“Do you think Lu Huaixu just… doesn’t have it in her?”

“I seriously thought she was about to do something to me just now!”

“And in the end?” Tan Hua pouted, lips a shade of seductive crimson.

“She surrendered without even giving me so much as a kiss.”

Her frustration was written all over her face.

A woman like Lu Huaixu—rich, gorgeous, exuding top-tier Alpha energy—how could I not have her wrapped around my finger by now?

If she couldn’t conquer her soon, she was going to lose sleep and skip meals from the sheer torment. Just thinking about how tantalizingly close she’d come, only to walk away empty-handed, made her itch all over.

“Host,” the system had to speak up again, voice full of weary resignation,

“You’re still just a stand-in in Lu Huaixu’s eyes.”

“And, not to be that guy, but… you’ve only known each other for, what, three days? Not even that.”

Tan Hua came to an abrupt stop. For a long moment, she didn’t say anything.

The system paused, curious—Was she finally reflecting?

Suddenly, Tan Hua looked up, her expression full of solemnity.

“I’ve had a realization.”

System: “?” Realization? What kind of realization?

“Time is on my side.” Tan Hua nodded earnestly, as if confirming some deep truth to herself.

“There’s no such thing as an immovable heart—only an unrelenting pursuer. Even the coldest goddess will fall to a persistent suitor. Steel can be worn down to a needle. As long as I keep… seducing—I mean,
strategically pursuing her—Lu Huaixu is bound to fall for me.”

System: “???” Ma’am, I think your “realization” went in the completely wrong direction.

If you were in a cultivation novel, you’d be possessed by a demon on day one.

The system reeled, trying to hold on to what remained of its logic.

“Host, have you considered the possibility that you might—”

“Nope,” Tan Hua cut in before it could finish.

“I don’t want to consider anything. I want to live in the moment.”

She rubbed her hands together with glee, eyes sparkling.

“Lu Huaixu didn’t tell me where she’s taking me… it has to be a surprise, right?”

“I can’t wait!” she beamed, hopping up the stairs with excitement.

The system rolled its eyes.

There’s no saving someone with this level of romance brain rot.

The new outfit Tan Hua had changed into—of course, also prepared by Lu Huaixu—was stunning.

A strapless purple mermaid gown, elegant and noble, with just the right touch of ethereal fantasy. The silky fabric hugged her hourglass figure, and the effect was… breathtaking.

Even the system, who had always known its host was devastatingly beautiful, found itself stunned for a second.

When Tan Hua wasn’t speaking, she really did look like some kind of immortal goddess—flawless, cold, and above the mortal realm.

Like a flower on the highest peak, admired from afar but never touched.

But then, just as the system was lost in awe, Tan Hua opened her mouth.

“Three outfits in under two hours?” she mused, turning to admire herself in the mirror.

“Do you think Lu Huaixu’s into dress-up games?”

She leaned her chin into her palm, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

“Or maybe… she has some kind of unspeakable little kink?”

Crack.

The holy, untouchable image shattered completely.

The system, deadpan, gave her a firm jolt.

“Host. Do not slander or defame the image and dignity of your target.”

“Fine, fine,” Tan Hua shrugged nonchalantly.

“I won’t.”

The system fell silent.

Something felt… off.

It stared at Tan Hua for a long while, replaying everything that had just happened, going over the sequence step by step.

Finally, it realized what was bothering it.

“Host… why didn’t you yell at me just now?”

That was strange. Way too strange.

Usually, the moment the system gave her a zap, Tan Hua would be shouting insults at it like a feral cat.

But today—nothing. Not a word of complaint.

The system stared at her in horror. What is she scheming now?!

Tan Hua blinked at the accusation, utterly confused.

“…Are you seriously upset that I didn’t scold you?”

She gave the system a look.

“System baby, do you… have some kind of masochistic kink?”

System: “…”

Trying to regain composure, it asked more calmly:

“What I mean is—didn’t it hurt when I zapped you?”

“A little,” Tan Hua replied, tilting her head with a sly smile.

“But it’s manageable. I’ve kind of gotten used to it.”

She added cheerfully,

“Honestly, sometimes it’s even… a little enjoyable.”

“So go ahead—zap me more if you’d like.”

System: “?!” Are you deranged?!

Who gets zapped and feels good about it?!

The system’s poor, innocent core was shaken to its very foundations.

But Tan Hua ignored her traumatized sidekick and, once she finished getting dressed, opened the door and headed downstairs.

Lu Huaixu was nowhere to be seen yet.

Tan Hua waited for a while before finally seeing her emerge—dressed to perfection.

As always, Lu Huaixu was immaculate and composed. Her long hair was tied up neatly, and her elegant, defined features were as striking as ever.

Even just one glance from her exuded power and control. The air around her carried an invisible pressure, sharp and dominating.

It was utterly irresistible.

Tan Hua’s knees nearly gave out.

Her eyes glued to Lu Huaixu, she was practically radiating infatuation—if she could have physically clung to the woman, she would’ve.

Lu Huaixu shot her a quick, indifferent glance.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay,” Tan Hua mumbled, eyes still locked on her. Her entire soul looked like it had been thoroughly seduced.

The system didn’t know whether to roll its eyes at her shamelessness or cry over her hopeless infatuation.

Thankfully, Lu Huaixu didn’t seem bothered.

If she had taken offense, who knew how long it would delay the mission?

They got into the car, and soon, they arrived at a private estate.

Only then did Tan Hua reluctantly peel her gaze away from Lu Huaixu to look around.

The place was huge—luxurious and expansive.

From the steady flow of well-dressed people entering, it was clear some kind of banquet or event was about to be held.

Lu Huaixu had already gotten out of the car.

Tan Hua scrambled after her.

“Wait for me, Lu—”

“Tan Hua?”

A voice—familiar, yet distant—sounded behind her.

Tan Hua instinctively turned.

There stood Sheng Yiheng, her sharp gaze darting between her and Lu Huaixu.

Why is she here?!

Tan Hua felt her heart jolt. Panic bloomed in her chest—not full-on panic, but close.

“You came together?” Sheng Yiheng asked, her voice directed at Lu Huaixu.

Lu Huaixu glanced at Tan Hua, who had suddenly quieted and straightened up like a well-trained schoolgirl, then nodded.

“You two know each other?”

“‘Also’?” Sheng Yiheng tilted her head slightly, then smiled—though it wasn’t a friendly one.

“The way you said that… it sounds like she knows quite a few Alphas I’m familiar with.”

Tan Hua’s eyes went wide.

“Wait—” she blurted out, trying to stop Lu Huaixu from continuing.

But Lu Huaixu was faster.

“Mm. She also knows—”

She paused.

For a second, Tan Hua thought her silent pleading had worked.

But then Lu Huaixu turned politely to the side and nodded.

“Zheng Jinyu just arrived. Ask her yourself.”

Tan Hua: “?!”

Sure enough, turning her head, she saw a graceful, refined Alpha walking up, serene and elegant as always.

Oh no.

Tan Hua quickly lowered her head, eyes locked on the floor like it held all the answers to life.

Why is she here too?!

Is this… is this a setup to play four-player mahjong?!

Tan Hua (internally): HELP. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP. SAVE ME.