After Becoming the Scummy Alpha in a Substitute Romance (GL) - Chapter 6

After they walked out of the civil affairs bureau, Shen Shuyi was visibly more relaxed than before.

She turned back to glance at Jian Ya, who trailed behind her with a gloomy expression. In a low voice, she said, “Thank you.”

Jian Ya let out a long breath and gave a small smile. “Do you want to go back together and pick up your things?”

Since theirs was a contract marriage, their property division had been straightforward from the start. The villa was originally Jian Ya’s. After the divorce, she had wanted to give it to Shen Shuyi, but Shen Shuyi had firmly refused and shot her a cold look in return. Jian Ya had shut her mouth after that.

Hearing the mention of going back, Shen Shuyi glanced at her again and replied coolly, “No. There’s nothing of mine there. Also, Jian Ya, from this moment on, there is nothing left between us.”

With that, she turned and walked away without looking back.

Jian Ya stood frozen in place, watching her figure fade into the distance.

After a long moment, she let out a deep sigh, as if trying to release the weight pressing on her chest.

She walked back to the villa in a daze and stepped into Shen Shuyi’s room.

The air still faintly held her scent. The space was clean and minimalist, carefully organized and tidy—just like Shen Shuyi herself: methodical, composed, and precise.

Jian Ya could almost picture her there, moving quietly through the room.

But now, only Jian Ya remained.

A strange emptiness settled in her chest.

She remembered a conversation she once had with a book-loving friend in her past life. They’d talked about how in transmigration stories, characters like her almost always encountered obstacles that made divorce impossible.

Those characters were usually given time to prove themselves.

But she…

When Shen Shuyi asked for a divorce, Jian Ya hadn’t been able to come up with a single reason to say no.

Lying on the bed, Jian Ya stared up at the ceiling. It was decorated in an elaborate pink design—not her taste, and probably not Shen Shuyi’s either.

Suddenly, Jian Ya sat up.

Her expression changed. She got to her feet and quickly walked to the walk-in closet, pulling the door open.

A pile of clothes collapsed out onto the floor.

It was immediately obvious these clothes had never been touched or organized by Shen Shuyi.

But when Jian Ya saw the styles and colors, her face darkened.

Now she understood why Shen Shuyi had looked at her with such sarcasm when she offered her the house.
She also understood why Shen Shuyi had said there was nothing of hers in this place.

All of it—everything in this room—had been selected by the original Jian Ya based on her old flame’s preferences.

Everything had been forced onto Shen Shuyi without her consent.

To Shen Shuyi, none of it represented comfort or home. All it did was remind her of the painful past.

Annoyed and frustrated, Jian Ya stripped the bed and began gathering all the clothes in the room. She stuffed them into a large bag and dumped it into the trash outside the door.

When she returned, she sat down and seriously began to think about what to do next.

As the heroine of the novel, Shen Shuyi’s life was filled with hardship. The author had deliberately made her suffer in every way possible—emotionally, professionally, and personally—just to emphasize how important the fated Alpha would be later.

Despite her excellence and pride, Shen Shuyi was battered on all fronts before meeting her true partner.

What came next?

Jian Ya frowned slightly, trying to recall the story in more detail.

Shen Shuyi was a medical professor. Recently, she had been leading a team on a research project.

That part of the story had caught Jian Ya’s interest because the topic overlapped with areas she had studied in her previous life.

In the book, Shen Shuyi spent several months on the project and was close to finishing it.

But right before the final stage, one of the newer team members stole the research results.

The stolen research results were eventually recovered—two years later—thanks to Shen Shuyi’s fated Alpha.

But until that person appeared, Shen Shuyi suffered greatly. That betrayal left deep wounds that affected her career and her confidence.

As someone with a research background herself, Jian Ya knew exactly how devastating it was to have one’s work stolen and credited to someone else.

This time, she had a chance to prevent it.

If she could stop that person—the one who later joined the team and stole Shen Shuyi’s work—before they ever entered the project, she could stop the same tragedy from happening again.

But there was a problem.

That person was a minor character, a disposable tool sent by another rival group. Jian Ya couldn’t even remember their name. And even if she did, removing one wouldn’t stop the people behind them. If they were determined to interfere, someone else would just take their place.

There was only one way to be completely certain it wouldn’t happen again.

She had to be there in person.

Just then, Jian Ya’s phone rang.

The ringtone was still something the original her had picked—overly sweet and obviously chosen to match the taste of her old obsession.

Jian Ya instinctively wanted to hang up, but when she saw the name on the screen, her expression shifted. A thought crossed her mind.

She answered the call.

“Hey, sis…” Jian Ya said.

“Jian Ya, what’s going on with you and Shen Shuyi? I just received confirmation that you’ve divorced,” came the cold voice on the other end.

It was Jian Du, her older sister.

Her tone was as cold and detached as ever, with no hint of warmth or affection between siblings.

But Jian Ya, who had read the book, knew the truth. Her sister was strict, yes—but deeply principled. The reason she sounded so distant now was because she disapproved of Jian Ya’s past behavior. But beneath that, she genuinely cared and wanted what was best for her.

Jian Ya softened her voice. “It’s a long story. Sis, could you help me keep this quiet for now? Especially from Mom, Dad, and the Shen family. I don’t want them finding out just yet.”

“I can help. But I need a reason.”

“Uh… roleplay?” Jian Ya blurted, her tone dry and awkward.

Jian Du: “…?”

“Anyway, don’t worry. I’ve really started to figure some things out. I won’t cause trouble for the family anymore. Actually, I need your help with two things,” Jian Ya quickly added, changing the subject.

Jian Du didn’t fully believe her, but any sign that her sister was trying to grow up was better than nothing.

“What is it?”

“First, can you arrange for someone to help me sell the villa? And second… I heard you’ve invested in a research project at Ancheng University, right?”

That very project—ironically—was the one Shen Shuyi was currently leading.

“Yes. I have.”

“I heard they’re looking for a high-level computer science expert. I want in,” Jian Ya said without hesitation.

Jian Du didn’t respond right away.

After a moment of silence, she said, “Selling the house is easy. But the project is important. I won’t let you mess it up.”

“I understand,” Jian Ya replied. “You know I majored in computer science. I’m more than qualified to contribute.”

“You really need this opportunity?”

“I do. A lot.”

“Alright,” Jian Du said firmly. “I’ll give you this chance. But I’ll also inform the project manager. If your actions affect progress in any way, you’ll be replaced immediately.”

“I understand. One more thing—please don’t let anyone on the team know who I am.”

“That’s fine. But don’t cause trouble.”

The Jian family had always been known for their efficiency.

This time was no different.

That very afternoon, Jian Ya received notice: she was to report directly to Shen Shuyi’s research team.

She expressed her gratitude, then took a deep breath.

Her heart was restless, unsure.

Just yesterday, she and Shen Shuyi had been wives.

Now, they were colleagues.

When they met again, what should she say?

“Hello, I’m your new colleague… Jian Ya.”

Jian Ya gave a bitter smile to herself.

She could only hope Shen Shuyi wouldn’t completely misunderstand her intentions.