After Disabled A was Reborn, She Got Scummed Again - Chapter 3

“Go down,” came a clear, airy voice. It was so calm and emotionless that it sounded almost like a whisper.

“Yes, Master,” the butler replied immediately and began to push her wheelchair downstairs.

Although today’s engagement banquet was hosted by the Chu family and held on Qin Xiao’s property at her suggestion, that didn’t necessarily mean she would show up. Everyone in their social circle was aware of this unspoken rule.

But rumors had been swirling that Qin Xiao would attend today’s event. If that happened, it meant she truly cared about the Chu family’s daughter. However, the extent of her care was still uncertain.

Most of the guests remained skeptical and only came out of curiosity, thinking, What if it’s true?

This was Qin Xiao, after all. Why would someone like her agree to an engagement, especially with the Chu family, who sat neither high nor low on the social ladder and who had just gone through the embarrassment of a “real vs. fake daughter” scandal? No matter how you looked at it, there was no gain for Qin Xiao in this engagement. So why would she make such a bad deal?

If it wasn’t about profit, it had to be about feelings. But according to gossip, she had only recently met Chu Qiyan, the fake daughter, and seemed closer to the real one, Chu Qian…

No benefit. No reputation boost. No love story. This engagement just didn’t make sense. It sounded fake. However, if this engagement turned out to be real, it would mean that Qin Xiao, who appeared to be flawless, finally had a weakness. A way in. A link. A chance for others to approach her with partnerships or negotiations.

Many guests were here with their own motives. Most of them kept their eyes on Chu Qiyan and her group, treating the whole thing like a show.

Then, the sound of a wheelchair rolling in broke the buzz of whispers. At the very moment Qin Xiao appeared, the atmosphere instantly shifted. Sitting in her chair was a stunning woman with a cold aura that radiated a commanding Alpha presence. The entire hall fell into absolute silence. Even though she was seated, her regal and solemn energy was overwhelming.

The hush in the room was almost eerie.

So the rumors were true. Qin Xiao, the head of the Qin family, really was disabled. And yes, she had actually come. She had finally shown up.

All eyes focused on her as she entered: the woman in the tailored, casual suit, her figure slender but brimming with authority. Her presence alone made everyone freeze in place.

People from both political and business circles who held notable status couldn’t help but glance at her with flickers of unease in their eyes.

Qin Xiao swept her eyes lightly across the room. 

This was the woman who controlled most of the capital’s industries from behind the scenes. An S-rank Alpha. The one who held the reins of the Qin family.

Disabled or not, she was still Qin Xiao. No one dared to mock her. She had it all, her Qin empire.

Chu Qiyan, Chu Qian, and the rest naturally turned to look.

Chu Qiyan was caught off guard when she saw Qin Xiao. What timing… Of all moments, she had to walk in now, right after the drama. Who knew what she might be thinking after seeing that mess?

Quickly regaining her composure, Chu Qiyan gave her a bright and dazzling smile.

Chu Qian also smiled sweetly and waved delicately in greeting.

In that one moment, their familiarity with Qin Xiao was laid bare. Chu Qian appeared to have a closer relationship with Qian Xiao, as the rumors had suggested.

But the people in the room weren’t fools. These subtle details didn’t mean much. What really mattered was Qin Xiao’s attitude. Her response would determine who had real standing and voice.

Qin Xiao’s wheelchair glided slowly toward the center of the hall. Her expression remained unchanged, not even a flicker of emotion in her eyes as she casually glanced at the two daughters of the Chu family.

She didn’t acknowledge either of them.

To her, both the rumored fiancée and the so-called sweetheart meant absolutely nothing. Just strangers.

“Qin-jie, it’s been a while,” someone called from the crowd. It was Lu Ming, a friend of Qin Xiao’s, who was trying to ease the tension.

“Mm.” Qin Xiao responded softly.

At that, people swarmed in, one after another offering their greetings:
“Master Qin, long time no see.”
“Hello, Master Qin.”

The hall quickly filled with polite chatter, flattery, and attempts to curry favor.

Seeing this, the crowd began to understand the situation better. Qin Xiao greeted her friend more warmly than she had the Chu family daughters, suggesting this engagement wasn’t something to take seriously.

*****

This was Qin Xiao. If she wanted an Omega, she could have anyone she liked. If she truly wanted to be married, she could skip the engagement and go straight to the wedding. She could even marry multiple wives, and no one would say a word. In fact, many would line up for the chance.

The Chu family was clearly just a small household, desperate to cling to a powerful name. They were clearly overstepping their boundaries. The engagement? Probably fake. Qin Xiao didn’t seem to care at all.

Nevertheless, her mere presence was a powerful statement.

Even if her face showed no emotion but only an icy, noble aura, her very presence had silenced the room. She was intimidating and commanding.

With Qin Xiao here, the very air felt charged and tight. Every breath was in sync with her movements, creating a sense of anticipation throughout the entire room.

Chu Father and Chu Mother stood off to the side, bowing slightly, nervously waiting for any indication from her.

Her sharp, narrow eyes lowered slightly. That ridiculous drama earlier was childish and messy. Qin Xiao wondered if she should be the “good guy” and lend Chu Qiyan a hand.

But just then, a cheerful voice suddenly broke the tension:
“Qin-jiejie, you really came!?”

The atmosphere cracked.

Qin Xiao’s thoughts were pulled away in an instant.

The girl wore a glamorous black off-shoulder gown. The red diamond necklace around her neck was obviously expensive. She was the youngest daughter of the Shang family, and, according to rumors, she had grown up alongside Qin Xiao. Some even claimed they’d been a couple since forever. This girl had always pursued Qin Xiao relentlessly.

Qin Xiao’s face remained calm, with no visible change in expression, but when their eyes met, there was the briefest moment where she seemed… surprised.

*****

In her previous life, Qin Xiao had only found this clingy little shadow, Shang Niannian, to be terribly annoying. However, upon her rebirth, she couldn’t resist acknowledging that this girl had shown genuine devotion to her. Back then, the Qin family was already on the verge of collapse. For their own protection, the Shang family had forcibly sent Shang Niannian abroad.

Thinking of this, Qin Xiao’s eyes darkened slightly.

Whether everything was scripted or not, whatever role she was meant to play, this time, she would not lose.

She wouldn’t step into the same trap twice.

So today, when facing Shang Niannian, Qin Xiao responded for once, softly saying, “Mm.”

Her voice was light and airy, like the brushing of a feather. But in the tense stillness of the banquet hall, it was loud enough for those nearby to hear clearly.

Chu Qiyan instinctively glanced over.

That doesn’t match the rumors…
Based on the information she had gathered, Qin Xiao was supposed to dislike this Shang girl—for being too clingy and too much of a nuisance.

And it was entirely possible that Qin Xiao did have something going on with Chu Qian. Even if her attitude toward Chu Qian was lukewarm, she definitely held a place in Qin Xiao’s circle.

But tonight, everything felt strange.

Still, this shift in the situation was favorable for Chu Qiyan.

Her tightly clenched hands slowly loosened.

“Qin-jiejie, are you really going to get engaged to her!?” Shang Niannian asked brightly, though her tone was laced with subtle contempt, scorn, envy, and jealousy.

She walked straight up to Chu Qiyan and looked her over from head to toe. 

The sharp, probing look was as if she were trying to peel back Chu Qiyan’s very soul, determined to see through her. But under her intense stare, Chu Qiyan remained calm and poised, allowing Shang Niannian’s eyea to roam over her freely.

In the end, she even smiled brightly in return, composed and unbothered.

“Qin-jiejie, are you really going to be with her? What’s so great about her? She’s so… average. And she’s a fake heiress who stole someone else’s place. Everyone in our circle knows that,” Shang Niannian said bluntly, voicing what many others in the hall were secretly thinking.

But in the end, the one with the final say was still Qin Xiao. No one cared if the girl was a true or fake heiress—as long as Qin Xiao gave her approval, even the fake could become real. Who would dare to argue?

Shang Niannian looked straight at her with poise, only showing doubt. Deep down, she simply couldn’t believe someone like Chu Qiyan could ever truly marry Qin Xiao. Someone like Qin Xiao would never fall for such a useless pretty face.

She’s just a little sparrow. How could she compare to a real phoenix?
How could someone like that be worthy of Qin Xiao, a woman blessed by the heavens?

Chu Qiyan’s smile faltered ever so slightly. Her fists clenched again, and her nails were digging into her palms. Her body felt… warm. Too warm. Maybe she was just nervous.

But when Qin Xiao softly replied with a second “Mm,” Shang Niannian’s confident smile crumbled instantly.

And Chu Qian’s elegant expression cracked just the same.

“Qin-jiejie, what!?” Shang Niannian gasped in disbelief.

The rest of the guests, stunned into silence, began to look at Chu Qiyan differently.

*****

Qin Xiao hadn’t lied to her.

Chu Qiyan focused on her breathing, forcing herself to exhale slowly. Her hands, now damp with sweat, finally relaxed.
But… Why is my body still getting hotter…?

She lifted her hand to touch her cheek.
It was burning.
Something was definitely wrong.

Without making a sound, her gaze flicked back to Qin Xiao.

That cold, distant woman… She probably feels amazing to the touch.

She was taken aback by the her sudden and unexpected thought.

What a reckless, inappropriate thought!

But the subtle movement of Chu Qiyan’s hand didn’t escape Qin Xiao’s eyes. She looked up at her.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Chu Qiyan froze like a startled bunny, that her mind went blank for several seconds. She then looked away on instinct, but just as quickly, her eyes looked back to Qin Xiao.

Her wide, almond-shaped eyes, filled with confusion, made her look even more adorable. It was like a child pretending to act grown-up, trying to appear calm but clearly flustered.

Qin Xiao slowly averted her gaze, and a faint, nearly imperceptible smile brushed her lips.

She’s trying to act tough…
And she’s blushing…
So, it really is those filthy drugs at work…