After Disabled A was Reborn, She Got Scummed Again - Chapter 16

“…I wasn’t avoiding anything…” Chu Qiyan replied with a bright smile—though it was clearly strained.

“Then why were you hiding?” Qin Xiao shot back, her voice as cool as ever, carrying a slight chill. Still, for someone like her, this faint softness in tone hinted at something deeper—like sunlight in winter: distant, but gently warming.

“…I wasn’t,” Chu Qiyan insisted, forcing herself to meet Qin Xiao’s gaze. The once-cold, fox-like eyes now seemed to have melted, turning into warm spring waters. Her brows and features had softened, as if silently conveying affection… or perhaps quiet reproach, like a lover’s dissatisfaction.

Maybe it was the lighting—but she looked incredibly gentle right now. Chu Qiyan’s heart skipped a beat, throwing her calm into disarray. She found herself unable to look away, captivated by that quiet tenderness in Qin Xiao’s eyes.

“Chu Qiyan!” A voice suddenly pierced the air—loud and sharp.

It was Shang Niannian, who could no longer tolerate the affectionate moment unfolding before her. She glared at Chu Qiyan with wide, furious eyes, as though she might devour her whole.

The stunned Chu Qiyan flinched at the shout, snapping out of her trance and away from Qin Xiao’s delicate smile.

She turned her head, swallowing hard. Shang Niannian looked as unwilling as ever, her expression brimming with frustration.

“Niannian… is something wrong?” Chu Qiyan asked gently, her smile calm and polite.

“You… you…” Shang Niannian stammered, but with Qin Xiao present, she didn’t dare say anything too harsh.

“Just stay away from Sister Qin,” she finally muttered, her voice much softer now, all her momentum lost. She cast a wary glance toward Qin Xiao, trying to read her expression.

She’s never smiled at me like that… Shang Niannian thought bitterly. What’s so good about Chu Qiyan anyway? She has no background, her looks are average, there’s nothing special about her at all…

Just then, the assistant arrived carrying their takeout meals. “President Qin.”

“Mm.” The gentle smile that had lingered on Qin Xiao’s lips disappeared, replaced once again by her usual aloof expression.

“Qiyan, time to eat,” she said to Chu Qiyan, her voice cool but carrying a trace of rare softness.

The assistant next to them couldn’t help but shiver slightly at her tone. When has President Qin ever spoken like that? She instinctively glanced at Chu Qiyan.

Compared to all the Omega suitors who had come before, this one didn’t seem particularly outstanding. Still, the assistant quickly looked away.

“…Okay, thank you,” Chu Qiyan replied, flashing Qin Xiao a faint smile, though her restless hands betrayed her discomfort.

The assistant laid out the food on the coffee table while another helper opened a window for fresh air.

“Hmph.” Shang Niannian turned her head with a scoff, shooting a dismissive look at Chu Qiyan.

She’s never seen Sister Qin treat any Omega like this before!

“Qin-jiejie…” she cooed, sidling up to Qin Xiao, her smile sweet and filled with a touch of flattery.

“Niannian, don’t keep following me around. I have a fiancée now.” Qin Xiao’s voice was cold and matter-of-fact, her eyes barely lingering on her.

To Shang Niannian, the words felt like a slap—ice-cold and heartless. Her eyes began to well with tears.

Qin Xiao had always maintained a distance from her, even avoiding her, but she had never been so direct before.

Across the table, Chu Qiyan, who had just taken two bites of food, paused. She ducked her head lower, trying to shrink her presence. Why didn’t I choose to have lunch with Zhang Qian and the others? she thought, full of regret. If only I’d refused Qin Xiao more firmly… then I wouldn’t be stuck in this nightmare.

“Qin-jiejie, why?” Shang Niannian choked out. “So what if you have a fiancée? I don’t mind!”

Her eyes were now completely red, the mist in them thickening.

She hadn’t expected that just because Chu Qiyan showed up, Qin Xiao would actually cast her aside and try to drive her away.

Qin Xiao took a sip of tea handed to her by her assistant. The light aroma of green tea lingered on her tongue.

In the past, it was the elders of the Shang family who had spoken to her on Niannian’s behalf. And since Niannian had never meant any harm—she just liked clinging to her—Qin Xiao had tolerated her existence, keeping a polite distance.

But now… things had changed. The feelings were clearly one-sided, and she couldn’t keep turning a blind eye. Better to be direct now than let things fester.

“Niannian, I’ve only ever seen you as a younger sister,” Qin Xiao said coldly.

But as she spoke, her gaze wandered—unintentionally—toward Chu Qiyan.

The girl was quietly eating her food, hunched slightly like a small, obedient rabbit. A little… cute.

“That’s okay… I don’t mind,” Shang Niannian replied stubbornly, her voice choked with tears. She had followed Qin Xiao for so long—she knew full well that Qin Xiao had never felt any Alpha-Omega attraction toward her.

But… she could pretend not to know. She didn’t mind that. She just wanted to stay by her side.

“I mind,” Qin Xiao said, frowning. Shang Niannian was even more persistent than she had expected.

“Qin-jiejie, I… I…” Shang Niannian’s lips quivered. She wanted to say more, but no words would come. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks like beads.

“Niannian,” Qin Xiao said softly now, her tone finally gentle, “You’ll meet someone you like one day.”

“…No! Qin-jiejie! There won’t be anyone else! No one else could ever be as good as you!” Shang Niannian cried out, her voice firm even as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

Off to the side, Chu Qiyan had long put down her chopsticks. She stared intently at her knees, trying to make herself invisible in the tense atmosphere. Right now, she wished more than anything that she could just vanish.

“…What’s wrong? Not to your taste?” Qin Xiao suddenly turned to ask her.

Of course she’d noticed Chu Qiyan shrinking like a frightened quail. Amusement flickered briefly in her eyes.

“No! Not at all!” Chu Qiyan quickly shook her head, curling her lips into a small smile. But in truth, she was clenching her back teeth tightly—Why are you talking to me now of all times? Are you trying to make things worse for me?

“Was it you!? Did you say something to Qin-jiejie!?” Shang Niannian suddenly wiped her tear-streaked face and spun toward Chu Qiyan, her voice hoarse but loud, full of accusation.

“No, I didn’t. Really.” Chu Qiyan shook her head again and again. “Qin Xiao and I haven’t had much contact,” she answered honestly.

That seemed to calm Shang Niannian down a little. She turned back to Qin Xiao, forcing a stiff smile onto her face. “Qin-jiejie, please don’t push me away… I won’t cause you any trouble.”

But Qin Xiao’s gaze didn’t shift. She was still looking at Chu Qiyan, who sat quietly, smiling politely, as if untouched by the entire situation.

If it were her, Qin Xiao thought, she’d probably keep the whole household in order, maybe even handle a few mistresses without complaint. A gracious, open-minded official wife.

Qin Xiao had no doubt Chu Qiyan could do exactly that.

She said nothing, and Shang Niannian followed her line of sight—right to Chu Qiyan. Her forced smile froze. The mist welled up in her eyes again, threatening another flood.

“Qin-jiejie!” she suddenly cried out, her voice tinged with helplessness and rising anger.

“I told you,” Qin Xiao said again, her expression still cold, “I only see you as a younger sister.”

“…Then can’t I stay by your side as your sister?” Shang Niannian latched onto her words, refusing to give up.

Qin Xiao didn’t respond this time. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if the question genuinely troubled her.

The aroma of food filled the office. It was a meal specially prepared by the company chef on the assistant’s orders, its warm, faint scent curling through the air.

But at this moment, Shang Niannian found it absolutely revolting.

Chu Qiyan, on the other hand, was eyeing the dishes laid out on the coffee table. She swallowed discreetly—This isn’t the time to eat anymore, not with the tension in the room.

And yet, for some reason, Qin Xiao kept dragging her into the conversation. There was no way to escape. Now Shang Niannian’s definitely going to hate me…

Qin Xiao still wore her usual noble, distant expression—serene as ever, as though nothing in the world could faze her.

But the truth was, this wasn’t a small matter. Not for her. The Shang family… wasn’t someone she could afford to offend.

“Chu Qiyan, what do you think?” Shang Niannian suddenly turned to Chu Qiyan and asked her a question.

“…I guess it’s fine,” Chu Qiyan answered cautiously after a pause. “I mean… I think it’s fine,” she added, clarifying that she spoke only for herself.

I wouldn’t dare guess what Qin Xiao really thinks, she thought, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.

Still, a flicker of curiosity and admiration welled up inside her.

Shang Niannian has chased after Qin Xiao for so long—what does she like about her that much? So many excellent Alphas had courted her in that time, yet she stayed utterly devoted to Qin Xiao. And Qin Xiao clearly didn’t return her feelings… How had she endured all this?

“See, Qin-jiejie? She said it’s fine! I’ll just follow you around, and I promise I won’t cause any trouble…” Shang Niannian pleaded, lips quivering with grievance.

“…Alright then. Since you said that—why don’t you take responsibility for Niannian?” Qin Xiao replied calmly.

Then her lips curved into a faint smile as she glanced at Chu Qiyan. A trace of amusement glimmered in those elegant fox eyes.

“…Huh?” Chu Qiyan blinked, startled.