After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Slave to My Beloved Wife (GL) - Chapter 12

Jiang Fenyun curled her lips in disdain and muttered under her breath,
“Didn’t you say you didn’t want a wife?”

Hearing this, Jiang Nian also realized she may have overreacted earlier. If she truly wanted Qiao Wenyu to find a good alpha, she shouldn’t be acting jealous over an incomplete mark.

“Let’s go,” Qiao Wenyu said, glancing at the two top-tier alphas behind her. The tension in the air—clashing pheromones, unspoken rivalry—was too much for a small omega like her to handle.

Jiang Nian quickly switched her expression and eagerly followed after her,
“Okay, sis.”

The bus stop was right next to the subway entrance. Just a few steps, and they were on their way.

Once they switched to the subway, Jiang Fenyun’s discomfort faded. Whether it was thanks to the calming pheromones or simply the change in transportation, it was hard to say.

Feeling better, Jiang Fenyun’s chatty nature came roaring back. But since she was still acting as a couple in the “cold war” stage, she had to direct all her attention to Qiao Wenyu instead of Tong Yunyao.

At first, Jiang Nian assumed Qiao Wenyu wouldn’t be too friendly. But reality quickly proved her wrong. Not only did Qiao Wenyu not keep her distance—she actually seemed to enjoy the conversation.

“I’ve got insider info—this movie is about to premiere. You’ve got great taste, Wenyu. The first film in the series was fantastic.”
Jiang Fenyun pointed at a movie poster on the subway wall, chatting animatedly about the plot.

Wenyu—what an intimate nickname.

Jiang Fenyun had always been witty around people she admired. Just a few words, and she had Qiao Wenyu laughing.

Usually reserved and cool, Qiao Wenyu now had a flushed face and sparkling eyes, her smile full of warmth.

Jiang Nian couldn’t take it anymore. She wedged herself between the two of them, trying to create some distance.
“Sis, I like movies too.”

“Do you?” Qiao Wenyu nodded politely.

Jiang Fenyun smirked.
“Come on, girl. You’ve never liked movies. Don’t mess around.”

“Who says that? I love Magic Stone, Titaniny, Afantar…”
Jiang Nian listed off her favorite films from college with great enthusiasm.

“You’ve got to be kidding. Nian, I haven’t even heard of those,” Jiang Fenyun shot back, clearly unimpressed.

That’s when it hit Jiang Nian—movies from her old world didn’t exist here. With her bluff called out, she fell silent, her face dark and gloomy.

Fine. If Qiao Wenyu likes chatting with someone else, let her.

Off to the side, the film crew exchanged glances. One of them gestured and mouthed,
“Drama alert. Get this on camera.”

After getting off the subway, Jiang Nian sulked at the front of the group, arms crossed, leading the way. Every so often, she’d glance back at Qiao Wenyu with puppy-dog eyes, only to quickly look away whenever she was noticed.

Qiao Wenyu was amused by her antics. She quickened her pace and caught up.
“Xiao Nian, are you upset?”

“No,” Jiang Nian mumbled, her eyes locked on the shelves packed with merchandise as she pushed the shopping cart.

Qiao Wenyu sighed and reached out, gently cupping Jiang Nian’s cheek and turning her face to the side. After seeing her expression, she smiled softly.
“Not upset? Then why the long face?”

Her voice turned soft and coaxing, like soothing a child. She patted Jiang Nian’s head.
“Why sulk all by yourself? Now that I know you like movies, we can watch them together next time.”

“I’m not… I’m not mad.”
Jiang Nian lowered her usually proud head, willingly leaning into Qiao Wenyu’s palm like a docile puppy.

Her anger disappeared as quickly as it had come. A few strokes from her “sister,” and she was back to her cheerful, energetic self—ready to finish the task.

“How about hotpot tonight?”
Tong Yunyao, silent until now, finally spoke up.
“We don’t have enough funds for a full meal, but a simple hotpot should do.”

It was a great suggestion. The other three all agreed.

During shopping, Jiang Nian’s and Jiang Fenyun’s teams split up, as requested by the film crew. They wanted individual footage, not just group scenes.

Now that she and Qiao Wenyu were alone, Jiang Nian actually felt more natural. They’d spent enough time alone at the villa that she was now used to her presence.

Qiao Wenyu stopped in front of a shelf.
“This hotpot base is really good. Should we get a bag?”

Jiang Nian nodded.

The spicy base was on the top shelf. Since Qiao Wenyu wasn’t very tall, she had to stretch up on tiptoe to reach it.

“I’ll help you.”
Before she finished speaking, Jiang Nian bent down and wrapped her arms around Qiao Wenyu’s slender waist, lifting her up effortlessly.

Startled, Qiao Wenyu instinctively grabbed Jiang Nian’s neck for support. Her eyes widened, voice shaking with shy panic.
“Put me down!”

“Hurry, sis. The hotpot base is right there now.”
Jiang Nian adjusted her position, moving closer to the shelf so Qiao Wenyu could reach it more easily.

With no other choice, Qiao Wenyu grabbed the packet. Only after it was in hand did Jiang Nian slowly set her down.

“Aren’t you afraid people will see?” Qiao Wenyu’s ears were still flushed red.

“There’s a camera right there. I’m just staying in character for our ‘ambiguous relationship phase.’ Don’t overthink it, sis.”
Jiang Nian whispered into her ear, then stepped back and raised her voice, clearly speaking for the camera.
“I just suddenly wanted to hold you for a bit.”

The production crew got exactly the shot they wanted and continued following their group.

They were nearly done shopping. The two teams regrouped near the supermarket exit.

“Should we take a cab back?” Jiang Fenyun scratched her nose awkwardly.
“I’m worried I’ll get sick again.”

“Taking a cab is still taking a car. Aren’t you afraid you’ll still feel sick? We’ve only got 20 yuan left. That’s not enough for a taxi. Let’s just go back the same way we came,” Jiang Nian reasoned.

Jiang Fenyun looked conflicted. She really didn’t want to be stuck in another packed, smelly bus.

“It’s okay. I can go with President Jiang. If she feels sick again, I’ll release some calming pheromones,” Qiao Wenyu offered gently.

“Should we take a taxi back?” Jiang Fenyun asked awkwardly, scratching her nose. “I’m afraid I’ll get motion sickness again.”

“Taking a cab is still riding in a vehicle. Won’t you get sick all the same? We only have 20 yuan left—that’s not even enough for a ride back. Let’s just return the same way we came,” Jiang Nian reasoned.

Jiang Fenyun hesitated. She really didn’t want to be crammed into another bus full of strange smells.

“It’s alright, I can go with President Jiang. If she starts feeling sick, I’ll release my pheromones,” Qiao Wenyu offered.

Jiang Fenyun looked up at her. At that moment, the omega in front of her wasn’t just beautiful—her heart was kind and gentle. If only someone like her could be mine forever, she thought.

“What?” Jiang Nian blurted out. She herself couldn’t bear to smell that pheromone—how could Qiao Wenyu give it away so freely to someone else?

Qiao Wenyu stepped in front of her to calm her down.
“Xiao Nian, finishing the task comes first.”

Those words made Jiang Nian feel like she was a jealous concubine throwing a tantrum. She had no choice but to swallow her pride and pretend she was fine with it.

“…Alright.”

Just as they had come in the morning, they took the subway and then transferred to the bus.

As soon as they boarded, Jiang Nian sat stiffly in the front row, arms crossed, her face a storm cloud of silence.

Tong Yunyao was seated behind her. She wanted to chat with Jiang Nian but gave up after seeing her dark expression.

At the back of the bus, however, it was a completely different scene—warm, relaxed, and intimate.

Qiao Wenyu sat beside Jiang Fenyun, chatting effortlessly from hobbies to family. When she heard that Jiang Fenyun had a close cousin named Bai Ye, her eyes lit up. She listened with rapt attention.

“My cousin’s always been really good to me. When I was little and had no one to play with, she’d always sneak me out to have fun,” Jiang Fenyun said with fondness, clear admiration in her voice.

Qiao Wenyu wanted to hear more, but the bus suddenly jerked to a stop. Jiang Fenyun lurched in her seat, and the nausea returned.

“Let’s talk later—I need to rest my eyes for a bit.” Jiang Fenyun closed her eyes, uncomfortable.

“If you feel worse, let me know. I’ll give you pheromones,” Qiao Wenyu said, watching her with concern.

Jiang Fenyun, motivated by her own selfish intentions, exaggerated her discomfort just slightly. She leaned on Qiao Wenyu’s shoulder.
“Sorry… Just let me rest here for a while.”

In the front row, Jiang Nian caught a whiff of the soothing pheromones drifting from behind. She turned around instinctively—and there was Jiang Fenyun, peacefully resting on Qiao Wenyu’s shoulder, eyes closed, enjoying the comfort.

Jiang Nian took a deep breath, reined in her emotions, and leaned against the window, forcing herself to look away from the cozy pair behind her.

One day, I’ll have to watch Qiao Wenyu marry another alpha. I’d better get used to it now.

When the bus reached the last stop, the four of them slowly got off, each carrying ingredients they had bought.

“Xiao Nian, those bags look heavy. Let me help you,” Qiao Wenyu offered, walking up to her.

Jiang Nian was still wrapped in her own emotions and didn’t respond right away.

“Xiao Nian? You’re upset again?”

“No, it’s nothing. Just help me carry the vegetables,” Jiang Nian replied, snapping out of her thoughts. She masked everything with a neutral tone.

Back at the villa, the other teams had already finished their tasks. They were simply waiting for everyone to return so they could start dinner.

The production team announced the completion of all tasks—it was finally time to eat.

“Alright, let’s rinse the vegetables and get the hotpot started. Wenyu-jie, come help me wash them?”
Tong Yunyao tugged Qiao Wenyu away.

Jiang Fenyun spotted Jiang Nian sulking in the corner and slung an arm around her shoulder.
“What’s wrong now? You’re the one who said you didn’t want a wife. We’re competing fair and square.”

“Do you even hear yourself right now?” Jiang Nian propped up her chin and stared intently at her.

Jiang Fenyun chuckled and patted her shoulder.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s kind of scary.”

“If you really like her, then go for it,” Jiang Nian said. She suddenly recalled from the original story that Qiao Wenyu had a “white moonlight” from her past—a girl named Bai Ye, her high school classmate. Bai Ye had gone overseas, and Qiao Wenyu had kept her feelings hidden ever since.

With a moon like that still in her heart, what did Jiang Fenyun have to compete with?

Of course, Jiang Fenyun had no idea what was running through her friend’s mind. She just thought Jiang Nian’s attitude toward Qiao Wenyu was a little too casual—so she made up her mind to pursue her seriously.

Just then, Tong Yunyao ran out from the kitchen in a panic, rushing over to Jiang Nian.

“President Jiang, Wenyu-jie isn’t feeling well—she’s asking for you.”

Hearing that, Jiang Nian dashed toward the kitchen without hesitation.

Watching her go, Jiang Fenyun muttered to herself,
“I thought she didn’t like Qiao Wenyu… So why is she more anxious than me?”

Jiang Nian didn’t see the baffled look on her friend’s face. At that moment, all she could think about was Qiao Wenyu.

She reached the kitchen and slid the door open—just in time to catch a frail body falling into her arms.

“Xiao Nian… I-I…” Qiao Wenyu’s eyes were red, her breathing ragged.

Jiang Nian supported her and immediately noticed the unnatural heat radiating from her body.

“Your… your heat cycle’s starting?” Jiang Nian asked, uncertain.