After Disabled A was Reborn, She Got Scummed Again - Chapter 2

But Qin Xiao and the others had already disappeared down the hallway. Chu Qiyan glanced deeply at the bright full moon, then stood up, smoothed her dress, and quietly went back into the front hall.

Unlike the quiet back courtyard, the front hall was dazzling and luxurious. As soon as you walked in, the opulence made you squint. From the high ceiling hung a massive crystal chandelier. Every crystal was large and finely cut, reflecting a brilliant light that made the grand hall seem brighter than daylight, even though it was already night.

The guests present were all wealthy and powerful, dressed in elegant and expensive attire. But their eyes showed mixed emotions, flickering with uncertainty. The news about the Chu family’s arranged engagement had spread, but no one could tell if it was true. If it was, then the Chu family was about to soar in status. If it was just a rumor, the Chu family wouldn’t dare fabricate something so bold. Still, everyone was waiting for Qin Xiao to make an appearance before deciding what to believe.

Finally, one of the leads of the engagement party showed up—Chu Qiyan. The moment she entered the hall, most eyes—whether openly or subtly—landed on her. Their gazes were filled with curiosity, envy, admiration, disdain, and even jealousy.

Chu Qiyan greeted everyone with a radiant smile before shifting to a softer, more polite expression. Her posture was straight and graceful. Even under the sharp, piercing stares, she didn’t flinch. She acted as if none of it mattered.

But despite the calm and poised look on her face, the way her pale fingers clutched her champagne glass betrayed her nervousness.

Qin Xiao—what kind of person was she? She had barged into her world uninvited, and not only did she not scold her, but she also responded to her.

No matter how she thought about it, it all felt like a dream. This was particularly true given that Qin Xiao had consistently maintained a closer relationship with Chu Qian, her alleged younger sister.

Chu Qian had made plenty of sarcastic remarks in front of her and was always putting on a helpless and innocent act for others to see.

But Chu Qiyan had always ignored her. All she ever wanted was to live in peace. Still, there were always people who just couldn’t stand to see her doing well. That was why she had no choice but to ask Qin Xiao for help, no matter the consequences—even if, in the end, all the blame would fall on her shoulders.

She had already considered the worst-case scenario. But what she didn’t expect was for Qin Xiao to actually agree. It all went so smoothly that it felt unreal.

So now, Chu Qiyan didn’t fully believe it. Her heart still held some doubt. Qin Xiao wouldn’t go back on her word, would she? She wouldn’t… right?

Even so, her face remained composed. She was still the same elegant young lady of the Chu family—Chu Qiyan.

As an Omega, her poise and grace were flawless. For a time, she had been the ideal woman in the eyes of many in the capital. But ever since the real daughter of the Chu family, Chu Qian, had returned to claim her rightful place, that glow around Chu Qiyan had dimmed. She wasn’t so flawless anymore—there were now cracks in her perfect image.

Because of that, many shameless Alpha suitors had started targeting her. But Chu Qiyan had skillfully avoided every one of them.

After all these years living in the Chu household, she had learned how to read the room and handle tricky situations. But Chu Qian’s arrival had been an unexpected storm. From any angle, it looked like Chu Qiyan had stolen the other girl’s noble life for over twenty years. That guilt was the reason she had always tried to give in and compromise, as long as things didn’t get too out of hand and they could all still save face. Then she would let it go.

But this so-called real daughter was going too far—almost like she was proving that she truly belonged in the Chu family.

“Oh? Qiyan, why are you here alone?” Her former friend Tong Ran walked up to her; her tone was full of mockery.

Well, this was high society—true friendships were rare. Most people were opportunists. Now that her status had dropped so low, it was no surprise that others came to step on her. Especially someone like Tong Ran, whose beloved Alpha had once confessed to her. 

“Yeah? But aren’t you also here alone?” Chu Qiyan responded with a calm, warm smile, as if nothing was wrong.

“How could I be the same as you? You’re Qin Xiao’s fiancée now,” Tong Ran smiled back, but her lowered eyes were filled with disdain and contempt.

“That’s right,” Chu Qiyan replied softly, pretending not to notice the hidden mockery in her words. She lifted her long, fair neck and took a small sip of champagne.

“Qiyan, since when did you become so good at pretending? Don’t tell me you really believe Qin Xiao will marry you? Do you truly believe you still hold the position of the Chu family’s eldest daughter? Tong Ran leaned in and whispered with a sneer.

Chu Qiyan’s smile froze for a moment. A flicker of disgust passed through her dark eyes, but it disappeared quickly. She soon smiled brightly again and said nothing.

“Tong Ran, don’t say that about my sister. She didn’t choose this either.” Chu Qian appeared out of nowhere, quickly grabbing Tong Ran’s arm to stop her.

Of course, the star had arrived. Chu Qiyan’s eyes showed a trace of annoyance. How many times are they going to play this same act?

“Sis, please don’t be angry… I’m so sorry for Tong Ran. She just speaks without thinking. She didn’t mean anything bad,” Chu Qian said innocently. She wore a pure white gown, nearly identical to Chu Qiyan’s gown. At first glance, one might even think she was the star of the event—the one engaged to Qin Xiao.

“How could I be angry? Ranran didn’t say anything wrong, did she?” Chu Qiyan replied sweetly, still smiling.

Their exchange caught the attention of several guests nearby. Chu Qian’s deliberately loud voice had drawn them in. They watched the scene unfold with amused expressions, like they were enjoying a good drama.

After all, how could the real and fake daughters possibly get along? And even if they did, it was probably just a show for others.

Chu Qiyan lifted her eyes to meet the crowd and gave a polite smile with a hint of apology.

Everything here was so fake and hypocritical. It was sickening. Most people were just watching the drama with barely concealed amusement.

Chu Qiyan tipped her head back and drank another sip before setting her glass down and walking away. She couldn’t afford to offend anyone—but she could at least walk away.

“Yes, sis, I always knew you were the best—elegant, noble, and perfect,” Chu Qian smiled and quickly clung to Chu Qiyan’s arm affectionately.

“Qianqian, what are you saying?! She—Chu Qiyan—stole your life for over twenty years! And you’re still defending her?” Tong Ran shouted, completely shocked.

Now, every eye in the room turned to look at them—curious, mocking, and disdainful.

Chu Qiyan, who had just wanted to walk away quietly, felt like her mind was racing with a thousand wild horses. It seemed these women were quite intent on creating difficulties for her—but for what reason? There was no deep hatred between them. Was all this really necessary?

With Chu Qian clinging tightly to her arm, Chu Qiyan couldn’t leave, but staying there made her uncomfortable too. Her situation had suddenly become even more awkward.

“Ranran, don’t say things like that. Sister didn’t mean for any of this to happen. She didn’t do it on purpose. She’s really a good person… Besides, weren’t you two friends before?” Chu Qian said, putting on an innocent and pure look while quickly stopping Tong Ran from saying more.

Triggered by Chu Qian’s words, Tong Ran raised her voice and blurted, “Chu Qiyan, don’t let her fool you. She may look innocent, but she’s always messing around with Alphas!”

The second she said that, the way people looked at Chu Qiyan became noticeably strange.

Still, no one dared speak up. After all, she was still wearing the title of Qin Xiao’s fiancée.

“That can’t be true. My sister would never do something like that,” Chu Qian said with a face full of disbelief.

Tong Ran snorted. “Of course she would! She knows what she’s done. I used to try and talk her out of it, but she never listened. That’s why we drifted apart.” She made herself sound completely blameless.

Chu Qiyan gave a strained smile. “Thank you, Qianqian. Thank you for believing in me. Ranran, I don’t know why you’re suddenly making up stories about me… but the one who’s always been sneaking around with Alphas is you. I’ve actually tried to talk you out of it many times. Qianqian, you’d better stay away from her. Maybe Tong Ran just has a bad memory…”

She sounded troubled, but she played along with the act they were putting on. Did they never get tired of this little drama?

Chu Qian stood beside her, stunned for a moment. She blinked in confusion, glancing back and forth between the two of them. The situation had clearly taken an unexpected turn, and she didn’t know how to respond.

“You… how can you say that about me?! We’re both Omegas—how could you accuse me like this and twist the truth? Chu Qian, who are you going to believe—me or her?” Tong Ran cried out, shocked by how quickly everything had turned against her.

“Ranran, it’s just a joke… Come on, we’re all friends here…” Chu Qian said softly, grabbing her arm again and trying to calm her down with a sweet smile.

“None of us would really do something like that. Perhaps this is simply a misunderstanding, don’t you think? Sisters?” Chu Qian, with her innocent tone and graceful demeanor, effortlessly acted as the peacemaker, presenting herself as the most pure and kind among them.

But in just a few short moments, both Chu Qiyan and Tong Ran had been dragged into a mess of slander. True or not, once those kinds of rumors start, there’s no telling what people will say behind their backs.

Chu Qiyan still wore a gentle and composed smile, but in her heart, she had already cursed Chu Qian a hundred times over. Yes, she had stolen Chu Qian’s rightful identity as the Chu family’s real daughter for over twenty years—but did that mean she had lived an easy life?

For years, she followed every rule strictly. She was always watching her parents’ expressions, trying her best to please them. She had to be careful with everything she did—one small mistake meant punishment. She didn’t even have the freedom to like what she liked or think her own thoughts. She was like a puppet, expected to be perfect so she could be of greater value to the family. And in the end, what did she get?

She was treated like a product, something the Chu family could use for negotiations or trade and sell to the highest bidder. This was even before Chu Qian returned.

After Chu Qian showed up and reclaimed her status, Chu Qiyan’s value dropped even further. To the Chu family, she became nothing more than a pretty face they could use, someone they could pair off with various Alphas, even trying to marry her off to the Nan family. That family’s Alpha was infamous in the capital: arrogant, crude, ugly, and disliked by everyone.

Chu Qiyan couldn’t resist the suspicion that Chu Qian was also involved in that plan. Her eyes darkened slightly at the thought.

Meanwhile, up on the third-floor hallway and hidden in the shadows, Qin Xiao quietly witnessed everything. Her expression was thoughtful.

No one had noticed, but Chu Qian had secretly poured some kind of white powder into Chu Qiyan’s champagne glass. She had done it quickly and discreetly, taking advantage of the chaos. Chu Qiyan, who was completely unaware, hadn’t noticed anything.

But Qin Xiao and the butler upstairs had seen it all clearly.

So this is the real Chu Qian, Qin Xiao thought. She remembered how, in her past life, she had been tricked by Chu Qian and ended up in a miserable situation. Chu Qiyan must have had a rough time in her hands too.

But still, there was no sympathy in Qin Xiao’s eyes.

In the end, Chu Qiyan had survived, and from what Qin Xiao could tell, she had done quite well. That alone showed she wasn’t as weak or naive as others thought.

******

Interesting.

Qin Xiao rested her chin in one hand, tilting her head slightly to the side. Her silky black hair fell gently over her slender wrist, making her pale skin look even fairer. She gave off a fragile, sickly beauty—but also an undeniable air of power.

Despite looking like she was sickly and delicate, her whole presence radiated the aura of a ruler. Her aura commanded respect and loyalty without question. It was a solemn strength that couldn’t be ignored, like an ancient, withered tree towering above the clouds, worshipped by those who didn’t understand its true power.

“Master?” the butler behind her finally spoke, cautiously testing her reaction. Since Qin Xiao had shown up in person, it meant she intended to attend this engagement banquet. But the mess downstairs and the underhanded tricks of the Chu family’s real daughter made the whole thing quite distasteful. Especially since this now involved the Qin family, something needed to be done. Yet Qin Xiao showed no reaction.

The butler couldn’t help but think, The Master’s thoughts are becoming harder and harder to read.