After Clinging to a Big Shot, the Pitiful Omega Got Pregnant - Chapter 12

Was it really that bad?!

Ji Xia grew uneasy. He shouldn’t have gotten so excited before serving the dish that he forgot to taste it. His heart was in his throat, terrified that Mr. Fu might order him to get out at any moment.

But the scene he imagined never came. Time ticked by, and the elegant Alpha ate all the noodles—without leaving even a drop of soup behind.

Fu Yuan pulled out a napkin, wiped his mouth, and said:
“Not completely useless. You can stay for now. But I’ll repeat myself: I don’t keep useless people around. If you lose your value, you’ll be thrown out immediately.”

Ji Xia stood by the dining table until Mr. Fu’s figure disappeared up the stairs. Only then did he jump up with joy, spin around twice, and punch the air in celebration.

Even if it was only temporary, he had gained more time to prove himself.

Now that he no longer had to worry about food and shelter, that he had a warm place to sleep, and didn’t have to be forced into the “script” only to be abused to death, Ji Xia felt like he was floating with happiness.

Humming a little tune, he carried the dishes into the kitchen to wash.

But when he remembered the system notification of -5 favorability points, Ji Xia grew sullen again. Mr. Fu clearly enjoyed the noodles—he finished them all! This faulty system nearly scared him to death.

Just then, the housekeeper auntie came in with several large bags of groceries. She smiled at Ji Xia.
“Young Master Ji, if you want a late-night snack next time, just press the bell. We’ll come make it for you, no need for you to cook yourself.”

Ji Xia smiled brightly, eyes crinkling.
“No need. It was just a bowl of noodles—very simple.”

As he wiped the last bit of water off the bowl and prepared to put it away, he noticed the auntie rearranging the spice jars. Curious, he asked:
“Auntie, what are you doing?”

She explained with a smile:
“Madam Lin is off tomorrow, and the gas stove in my usual kitchen is broken, so I’ll use hers for the day. Our habits differ. For example, I put soy sauce on the second shelf, and I keep the MSG jar next to the salt. But Madam Lin specializes in Shanghainese cuisine, sweeter dishes, so she keeps sugar with the salt, and the MSG jar on the bottom shelf.”

Ji Xia froze.
“Eh?”

The auntie blinked.
“Young Master Ji, what’s wrong?”

Beads of sweat formed on Ji Xia’s forehead. When he cooked the noodles… did he grab the MSG?

He tried hard to remember, but at the time his only thought was hurry, hurry—before Mr. Fu changes his mind like with the bottled water. That left him with no memory of the actual cooking process.

But—Mr. Fu ate all the noodles.

Ji Xia thought back to Mr. Fu’s expression while eating. It looked no different than usual.

Relieved, Ji Xia convinced himself: He must not have grabbed the wrong thing. Otherwise, he would have messed everything up again, proving himself useless. Mr. Fu would have kicked him out immediately—why would he still be here?

Ji Xia’s lips curled into a smug smile. He was calm under pressure, after all.

After putting the dishes away, he skipped upstairs.

When he finished showering, he received a message from Dr. Chen asking how he was doing.

Ji Xia, holding the phone carefully in both hands and typing clumsily, told him that because he cooked an amazing bowl of noodles, he captured Mr. Fu’s stomach. Mr. Fu had temporarily allowed him to stay. But he still needed to work hard to prove his worth—otherwise he’d be kicked out.

Dr. Chen replied:
“If you want to show value, the fastest way is to become useful in his work.”

Ji Xia thought that made sense. But with his pitiful education, he couldn’t help at all.
“Mr. Fu’s investment documents are way too difficult. I don’t understand them and can’t offer any advice.”

Dr. Chen:
“No one’s asking you to. Professionals will handle those things.”

Dr. Chen:
“I heard Fu Corp has been trying to acquire a piece of land, but with no success. There’s a charity banquet next week, and the landowner will be there. I’ll bring you along. Whether Fu Corp secures it will depend on you.”

Ji Xia’s eyes lit up.
“Thank you, Dr. Chen.”

• ··

High-rise penthouse.

Chen Xi lounged in his office chair, leaning to the side, one hand propping up his chin, the other rapidly tapping on his phone.

“You’re welcome.”

He had trailed after Fu Yuan since childhood, knowing his temper well. Helping Ji Xia secretly like this—if discovered—would get him thrown out of Fu Yuan’s circle.

But tonight, after seeing Ji Xia’s look, after seeing Fu Yuan—who never looked back—actually take someone home, Chen Xi decided to take a gamble.

For himself, and for Fu Yuan.

Little thing, don’t let us lose.

• ··

With the weight on his heart lifted, Ji Xia fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. But the night wasn’t restful—his nape throbbed faintly, waking him several times.

In the morning, he felt weak, but since his glands weren’t swollen or painful anymore, he paid it no mind.

He went downstairs hoping to find Mr. Fu—if lucky, maybe get an assignment to raise his presence.

But after searching everywhere, he couldn’t find him. The butler informed him that Mr. Fu had gone to work.

For several days straight, Fu Yuan left early and returned late. Even when Ji Xia managed to see him in the living room, they exchanged only a few words before Mr. Fu sent him off to bed.

Only then did Ji Xia realize how busy Mr. Fu really was.

He couldn’t just sit around waiting. That wasn’t in his nature. While gathering more information about the landowner from Dr. Chen, he also used his meager savings—scraped together from years of part-time jobs—to buy baking tools and ingredients online.

After Ji Chengguo sold him off, Ji Xia no longer had a home.

Mr. Fu’s villa was only a temporary stop. Once he broke free of his “cannon-fodder fate,” he wanted to leave, settle in a small town, open a bakery, and live life on his own terms.

For that, he needed to save 500,000 yuan for his freedom.

The number made him sigh. It was daunting, but he was determined. After two days of thought, he settled on a low-cost food stall plan.

Early in the morning, he asked the butler to borrow the kitchen. But the butler said it required Mr. Fu’s approval.

So Ji Xia waited, dozing off on the sofa until nearly 1 a.m., when Fu Yuan finally returned.

Clutching a pillow, Ji Xia scrambled up and ran to the Alpha at the entrance.
“Mr. Fu, I want to discuss something with you.”

His voice was soft and sleepy, almost like he was acting spoiled.

Fu Yuan: “Speak properly.”

The Alpha’s voice, naturally cold, sounded even harsher when weighted.

Ji Xia froze, blinking wide, innocent eyes at him in grievance. He was speaking properly and seriously.

Still, he straightened up, let go of the pillow, and carefully explained his plan. Then he looked at Fu Yuan with hope.

Fu Yuan studied him for a moment, then said:
“The kitchen isn’t free.”

Ji Xia was ready.
“I can pay rent. Three hours a day.”

Fu Yuan: “How much can you pay?”

Ji Xia had done the math.
“At first, since business will be slow, 20 yuan an hour. Once I earn more, I’ll increase it.”

Fu Yuan rejected flatly:
“No.”

Ji Xia had expected refusal and pressed his case.
“The kitchen in the neighboring villa is just sitting empty. Renting it to me makes better use of it—you’d earn something instead of nothing.”

Fu Yuan: “I don’t need the money.”

Ji Xia bit his lip, compromising.
“Thirty an hour.”

Fu Yuan: “My kitchen isn’t for rent.”

Ji Xia’s head drooped in disappointment. He thought of asking Dr. Chen for help—but then Fu Yuan added:
“But I’ll take equity.”

Ji Xia blinked.
“What?”

Fu Yuan explained:
“You don’t need to put in capital. Use the kitchen for free. But I’ll own 50%. Losses are on you, profits split half to me, settled daily.”

Ji Xia scrunched his face in distress, his little palm-sized face twisting up.

“Congratulations, host. Fu Yuan’s favorability +2.”

Ji Xia ignored the system’s unreliable prompts. After a long struggle, he clenched his teeth and agreed.
“Okay.”

Fu Yuan held out his hand.
“Pleasure doing business.”

Ji Xia shook it.
“Pleasure doing business.”

With the kitchen secured, Ji Xia didn’t rush to set up shop. Staying in the villa was still the priority.

After gathering more info from Dr. Chen about the landowner, he realized that one evening at the banquet wouldn’t be enough. He needed to make contact earlier.

So the next morning, Ji Xia got ready to go out—just in time to run into the butler.

Flustered, Ji Xia couldn’t explain clearly where he was going. The butler didn’t pry, simply asked if Ji Xia needed transport.

Ji Xia scratched his head awkwardly.
“Thank you, Grandpa Xu, but I can’t ride an e-scooter.”

The butler said naturally:
“Then I’ll take you. It’s hard to get a taxi here.”

Ji Xia wanted to refuse, but Grandpa Xu had already put on his helmet and mounted the scooter, calling him over. The words of refusal died on Ji Xia’s tongue, and he obediently climbed on.

Following Ji Xia’s directions, the butler drove forty minutes to a downtown commercial street.

He didn’t ask questions, just parked and sat with Ji Xia on a bench by a flowerbed, facing a high-end café.

Ji Xia had planned to take the bus, but with the scooter, he arrived an hour early.

The butler remained silent, which eased Ji Xia’s heart, but guilt soon followed. Grandpa Xu had gone out of his way to help, yet he was keeping secrets from him.

After some hesitation, Ji Xia confessed:
“Grandpa Xu, can I tell you something? But please don’t tell Mr. Fu.”

The butler didn’t agree or refuse—he simply asked kindly:
“What is it, Young Master Ji?”

Meeting his warm gaze, Ji Xia said:
“I’m waiting for someone named Xu Ancheng. He owns a piece of land that Mr. Fu wants. I want to prove to Mr. Fu that I’m useful. Xu Ancheng comes here every morning around nine for coffee. I’ll talk to him and try to secure the land for Mr. Fu.”

The butler said:
“Young Master Ji, your heart is in the right place.”

Ji Xia’s eyes curved into a smile.
“If I can help Mr. Fu, I’ll be so happy.”

Just then, a tall figure entered the café.

Ji Xia shot up from the bench.
“He’s here!”

“Welcome!” the staff greeted warmly as Ji Xia pushed open the door.

It was his first time in such a fancy place. His palms sweated, and he stammered:
“I’m looking for someone.”

Scanning quickly, his eyes landed on Xu Ancheng.

He started toward him—only to see two young men beat him to it, taking the seats beside Xu Ancheng first.

Ji Xia’s face went pale. He recognized Chen Chaofei.

And sitting right beside him, in a clean white shirt, refined features, cool and aloof, was none other than the novel’s protagonist shou—Fu Su.