After The Mission Failed, The Scumbag Alpha Ran Away - Chapter 25

25: Your Highness, What Are You Doing?

Tutoring Lou Huaiche in math was not only painful for Lou Huaiche but also for Jiang Youbai.

Lou Huaiche’s math foundation was abysmal. It was as if she had never studied math since elementary school—the subject had left no trace in her life whatsoever.

Starting from the most basic concepts meant the number of lessons required was terrifyingly high.

In a daze, Jiang Youbai wondered: If the villain destined to destroy the world only scored 20 points in math, then which was harder—math or destroying the world? If destroying the world required solving math problems simultaneously, would Lou Huaiche still want to obliterate the world?

From this perspective, the world-destroying villain wasn’t just a simple, evil figure.

Behind her might lie tears shed over math problems and the humiliation of a 20-point exam.

But the results of tutoring Lou Huaiche were remarkable. In just a week, Lou Huaiche’s favorability toward Jiang Youbai had skyrocketed from 20 to 30—a historic leap.

After countless bites on her scent gland and countless private grievances, maintaining a favorability of 20 had been a struggle. Yet, after just a week of teaching middle school math, it jumped straight to 30.

If she had known Lou Huaiche’s favorability worked like this, Jiang Youbai would have started tutoring her in advanced math long ago.

Jiang Youbai began with the most fundamental concepts, combining examples and exercises to solidify Lou Huaiche’s understanding. While Lou Huaiche worked on problems, Jiang Youbai would sit beside her, marking key points in other subjects’ textbooks to prepare future lessons.

While Jiang Youbai was reading, Lou Huaiche finished her problems and curiously peeked over to see what she was doing.

Jiang Youbai always felt that Lou Huaiche, at times like this, resembled a kitten—peeking and poking around, utterly adorable.

“Imperial History shouldn’t need tutoring, right? I scored pretty high in that subject.”

Jiang Youbai looked up and flipped through Lou Huaiche’s stack of exam papers. Indeed, her scores were high—even over ten points higher than Jiang Youbai’s. “Wow, you’re right. This time, the exam included an essay question about the Human Federation. Most people left it blank. How did you manage?”

Lou Huaiche froze for a moment before brushing it off. “Really? I thought it was fine.”

Of course, Lou Huaiche aced the essay question about the Human Federation.

But she wasn’t naturally good at history. She had lived through seven lifetimes, and in four of them, she had committed crimes against humanity by collaborating with the Human Federation. In the entire empire, aside from the emperor, no one understood the Federation better than she did—perhaps not even the emperor himself.

Jiang Youbai didn’t press further. She closed the book and pulled out two math exam papers from her folder. “Since your history scores are good, we don’t need to tutor that subject. Let’s focus on math.”

Lou Huaiche claimed to dislike tutoring, but she listened attentively and worked diligently on problems.

Jiang Youbai didn’t quite understand why Lou Huaiche was so fixated on grades—it was as if she was compensating for some unspoken regret.

Occasionally, Jiang Youbai would lose herself in thought while watching Lou Huaiche’s profile as she concentrated on solving problems.

The system claimed Lou Huaiche would destroy the world in the future. Jiang Youbai half-believed it.

A madwoman like Lou Huaiche, if she couldn’t find her own peace, would undoubtedly drag everyone down with her.

Her madness was directed inward and outward. Unlike Jiang Youbai, who was obsessed with certain emotions, Lou Huaiche would only vent destructively—whether satisfied or dissatisfied, liked or disliked, everything would turn to ashes.

As long as everything turned to ashes, she would surely find peace.

But the Lou Huaiche Jiang Youbai saw now was just an ordinary girl striving to move forward in life—utterly unremarkable, showing no signs of danger.

If not for the upheavals the system foretold, Lou Huaiche would likely have lived out her entire life in this mundane way.

Jiang Youbai rested her chin on her hand and turned to look at Lou Huaiche. They sat by the window, where golden light streamed through the glass, casting itself on Lou Huaiche’s long, dark lashes and amber eyes. Bathed in the interplay of light and shadow, Lou Huaiche looked like a pure angel.

Lou Huaiche chewed on her pen, deep in thought over a problem.

The sunlight illuminated her fair face, making even the fine, delicate fuzz on her cheeks visible. The unsettling aura of decadence and gloom had vanished, leaving behind a crystal-clear girl with amber-like clarity.

Jiang Youbai curled her lips and turned to look out the window.

Summer was approaching. Below them, lush trees and blooming flowers filled the small garden, where young couples strolled hand in hand.

Jiang Youbai opened the window, letting the breeze brush against her face. She squinted in the bright summer sunlight, savoring the moment.

Since childhood, she had rarely been free of the mountain of trivial official duties or the constant scheming for the throne from the moment she woke up.

The relentless flood of time, which had always terrified her, suddenly calmed, flowing peacefully—no longer a source of fear but a soothing presence to look forward to.

A wall seemed to have been erected, separating her from her past life. The peace she couldn’t find in power or wealth was now scattered extravagantly at her feet, hers for the taking.

Though the present moment was tainted by her ulterior motives, and the girl beside her was far from gentle or ordinary, Jiang Youbai still longed to freeze time and stay here forever.

If she ignored the escalating battle for the throne and the sword of Damocles hanging over her head, this was true tranquility.

Lou Huaiche finished her problems, leaned back, and stretched. Seeing her tired, Jiang Youbai asked, “Want to grab a bite?”

“No, the cafeteria food is awful. I’d rather buy drinks and watch people play basketball.”

So they packed up their books and headed downstairs to the convenience store for drinks.

It was summer, and the heat was sweltering. Jiang Youbai browsed the refrigerated section and picked out an iced juice.

As she checked out, a young couple nearby was bickering.

“That so-and-so, why are they so annoying? They kept staring at you in class and even came over to talk after. So irritating!”

“Which so-and-so? Be clear! And what about your Beta best friend? Every time she plays basketball, you bring her water!”

Their argument grew increasingly heated, but they still held hands as they walked out, each carrying a drink. Even from a dozen meters away, Jiang Youbai could still hear them.

“And you have the nerve to say that! The drinks I bought for her ended up in your stomach! Shameless!”

Though they argued fiercely, they never let go of each other’s hands.

Jiang Youbai found it amusing and listened for a while, chuckling at that line.

She unscrewed her juice and took a sip, just as Lou Huaiche walked over carrying two identical bottles of tea.

Jiang Youbai asked, “Why two? Isn’t it a hassle to carry?”

Lou Huaiche shook one of the bottles. “Xiao Ning is playing basketball. This one’s for him.”

Jiang Youbai: “…”

Why was she bringing Ning Yunze a drink? What was he doing playing basketball in this heat? Couldn’t he buy his own?

Suddenly, the earlier scene didn’t seem funny at all.

Some things only hurt when they happened to you.

Jiang Youbai had no claim over Lou Huaiche—they weren’t even friends, strictly speaking. Even if she was unhappy, she had to swallow it. When Lou Huaiche drank her tea, she couldn’t hold the other bottle, so Jiang Youbai had to carry it for her.

Jiang Youbai: “Are you going to watch Ning Yunze play basketball?”

“What else? Who else’s basketball game would be worth watching?”

Jiang Youbai muttered, “What’s so great about Ning Yunze playing basketball?”

Lou Huaiche heard her but ignored the jab, leading Jiang Youbai under the shade of trees toward the basketball court.

The university prep school’s sports field was close to the teaching building. Few Omegas played basketball, so Ning Yunze stood out immediately.

Ning Yunze seemed naturally talented at basketball, weaving through defenders with ease. None of the opposing players could stop him as he executed a perfect jump and slam dunk, drawing cheers from the crowd.

After the dunk, he jumped in celebration, then spotted Lou Huaiche in the crowd. Smiling, he waved at his teammates and jogged over. “Xiao Lou! You came?”

Ning Yunze casually took the drink from Lou Huaiche’s hand, unscrewed it, and gulped down a third before exhaling in relief. “Ah! Much better. I was dying of heat after playing for so long.”

He seemed to notice Jiang Youbai only then, his expression flickering before he smiled shyly. “Your Highness, what brings you here?”

“Tutoring Miss Lou. We came down for a break after finishing some problems,” Jiang Youbai replied with a gentle smile. “We happened to catch your game.”

Ning Yunze smiled back. “If Xiao Lou needed tutoring, why not ask me? My grades aren’t bad either.”

Lou Huaiche, distracted by a message she was replying to, answered without thinking, “Jiang Youbai is in the top ten of our grade—fourth or sixth, I think. She scored 148 in math. You didn’t even make the top hundred.”

Jiang Youbai’s smile grew more genuine. She beamed at Ning Yunze. “Oh, Young Master Ning didn’t make the top hundred? If you didn’t, it might be because of a weak subject. I could tutor you—maybe you’ll make it next time.”

Ning Yunze’s smile stiffened. “…” This woman was insufferable. So what if he wasn’t in the top hundred? Did she have to rub it in?

The two locked eyes, each seeing the other’s fake smile that grated on their nerves.

Lou Huaiche finished replying to her message and looked up, sensing the odd tension. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Ning Yunze said, subtly wrapping his arms around hers. “Xiao Lou, I want almond tofu. Come with me, please?”

Lou Huaiche reflexively asked, “Didn’t you promise Fourth Princess you’d go with her?”

Jiang Youbai, who had been sulking, suddenly perked up at this.

Jiang Qingxian and Ning Yunze had been spending time together recently? Why hadn’t she or Chi Ruo heard anything about it? Could Jiang Qingxian keep things this tightly under wraps?

As she pondered this, she froze. Ning Yunze, who was clinging to Lou Huaiche’s arm and whining, was staring at her.

The pretty, spoiled Omega cooed, “No, Xiao Lou, I’m tired of Fourth Princess. Our engagement is practically settled—we’ll have plenty of chances to eat sweets with her later.”

His eyes were fixed on Jiang Youbai, devoid of any warmth, dark and lifeless.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned back to Lou Huaiche, nuzzling her. “Come on, please? It’s been so long since we hung out.”

Reluctantly, Lou Huaiche said to Jiang Youbai, “Your Highness, I’ll skip afternoon classes. I’m going with Xiao Ning for almond tofu.”

Jiang Youbai was still processing Ning Yunze’s words and gaze. She lowered her eyes to hide her confusion and nodded lightly. “Alright. We’ll finish the remaining problems tomorrow.”

Ning Yunze happily dragged Lou Huaiche away.

Jiang Youbai stood there, watching their retreating figures. Bathed in sunlight, they looked picture-perfect.

After walking some distance, Ning Yunze suddenly turned back and mouthed something at Jiang Youbai.

His eyes were still eerily lifeless, like those of an inorganic creature.

Jiang Youbai instinctively felt he was conveying something important—a warning, perhaps, or a message.

She burned the image into her memory, then texted Chi Ruo: “Chi Ruo, are you free today? There’s something important to discuss.”

Chi Ruo took a long time to reply: “I can make time.”

They met again on the third floor of Fontainebleau. When Jiang Youbai arrived after skipping class, Chi Ruo was sitting by the coffee table, reviewing documents under a small lamp.

Clearly, she had squeezed out time for this—even while waiting, she was working.

When Jiang Youbai arrived, Chi Ruo sent her a few files. “If you’re free, help me with these. I’m swamped—no time for bars lately.”

Jiang Youbai sat on the couch. “That busy?”

“The fireworks banquet in late July lasts four or five days. People from the lower districts will attend. There were two accidents last year, so we’re working overtime to prepare and prevent repeats.” Chi Ruo rubbed her temples. “Every council member with multiple roles is this busy. What’s up?”

Jiang Youbai summarized the information she’d gleaned from Ning Yunze that afternoon.

Chi Ruo’s expression grew grave. After a moment, she frowned. “Ning Yunze is engaged to Jiang Qingxian?”

Jiang Youbai nodded. “That’s what he implied.”

“It’s not surprising if the cabinet supports Jiang Qingxian… The prime minister loves leveraging connections. If Ning Yunze marries Jiang Qingxian and she ascends, he’d become queen consort—the prime minister would gain more influence than he has now.” Chi Ruo spoke slowly, her brow furrowed in confusion. “But why didn’t our intelligence network pick this up? That doesn’t make sense.”

It didn’t.

Jiang Youbai and Chi Ruo had always prioritized intelligence in the battle for the throne, investing heavily in their networks to ensure efficient information flow.

The prime minister’s intent to ally with Fourth Princess was critical intel. Even rumors should have reached them as top-priority information.

Receiving no word at all was bizarre.

Either there was a mole in their network intercepting the information, or Jiang Qingxian’s secrecy was impeccable.

The former was unlikely—their intelligence was multi-sourced and redundant to prevent such leaks.

That left the latter: Jiang Qingxian’s operations were airtight.

Chi Ruo hesitated. “Is Jiang Qingxian really that formidable? Last month’s succession debate—if she were this meticulous, how did you outmaneuver her?”

Jiang Youbai remembered something. “The only reason I seized the opportunity last time was because Lou Huaiche accidentally leaked information…”

“Last time’s intel, and today’s, both came from Ning Yunze.” Chi Ruo connected the dots. “Ning Yunze? He’s a nonentity among the Omega nobility, let alone in the succession battle. Why him?”

Jiang Youbai shook her head, hesitating to voice her suspicions about Ning Yunze’s odd behavior.

She kept replaying the scene in her mind: Ning Yunze turning back, mouthing something—a warning or a message.

But what was the message?

After a long silence, Chi Ruo sighed. “Whatever his motive, it’s to our advantage… How are things on your end?”

“Stalled. No leads, just taking it step by step.” Jiang Youbai exhaled deeply. “At least I’ve had a few days of rest.”

The system had told her to “love ’em and leave ’em,” pushing Lou Huaiche toward world destruction. Jiang Youbai decided to first guide Lou Huaiche onto a normal path, pretending to comply while probing the system.

So far, she hadn’t found any opportunities or patterns to extract key information.

“Then keep resting. Your uncle seems to have forgotten you—no word on reinstating you.” Chi Ruo’s gaze turned cold. She kicked the coffee table leg irritably. “Who knows what’s coming? Enjoy today’s revelry—tomorrow, we might lose our heads.”

Jiang Youbai stayed silent, tacitly agreeing.

In the fog-shrouded path ahead, the present moment—where she could still delude herself—was the most precious.

—

The next morning, Jiang Youbai arrived in class on time. Lou Huaiche was already there, intently reviewing an exam paper.

The summer morning was still cool, and the classroom wasn’t full yet. Jiang Youbai set breakfast from the convenience store on the desk, smiling. “Lou, want some?”

Lou Huaiche didn’t look up. “Leave it there. I’ll eat after solving this.”

Jiang Youbai glanced at the paper and saw she was on the final steps. She opened a textbook and zoned out.

She’d already mastered these subjects long ago. Imperial law dictated that all bl00d relatives within three generations of the emperor were royalty, entitled to certain privileges. Royal children were tutored one-on-one by renowned scholars from a young age—with such resources, even a dog could do math.

More resources, more opportunities, and greater excellence were standard for royalty.

Studying early was just part of the routine. Elite tutoring and school were no different—the former simply produced more well-rounded talent.

But actually attending school made Jiang Youbai realize the difference.

The campus atmosphere was different. So was the mindset toward learning.

Here, everyone radiated youth and vitality, treating even meaningless banter as life’s great joy.

Cracking open a textbook to preview lessons brought to mind the professor’s scowling face—and the quiet, beautiful girl beside her.

Jiang Youbai smiled.

Though she knew the current peace wasn’t courtesy of the venomous flower next to her, she couldn’t help but project her feelings.

It was as if time had leaked through the cracks of life since that day on the stairs, stretching endlessly into the present.

Why overanalyze? Jiang Youbai thought. Human emotions were inherently messy. Perhaps it was because of Lou Huaiche that she now cherished these moments.

Indulging a little—just a little—wouldn’t hurt, right?

A prince couldn’t afford willfulness, but if Jiang Youbai secretly let herself sink into this feeling, without anyone knowing… that was okay, wasn’t it?

Lou Huaiche finished her problem and poked Jiang Youbai. “Why no sweet tofu pudding? I could’ve sworn the store downstairs sells it.”

Jiang Youbai dodged. “Buy it yourself if you want it. I got you breakfast, and you’re still picky.”

Lou Huaiche rolled her eyes. “Then I’ll give it to Xiao Ning.”

“Don’t you dare!” Jiang Youbai slapped the desk lightly, childishly protesting. “I bought it for you. Why give it to Ning Yunze? Can’t you buy him his own?”

She glanced sideways, her phoenix eyes slightly upturned, vivid emotions flashing in their clear depths.

Lou Huaiche studied her for a long moment before her expression cooled. Softly, she asked, “Your Highness, what are you angry about now?”

Jiang Youbai was stumped. They’d been getting along like this for days, tacitly avoiding the past. She hadn’t expected Lou Huaiche to suddenly shift gears.

It had been a while since Lou Huaiche called her “Your Highness” in private.

Lou Huaiche leaned in, her face indifferent. “Your Highness, do you remember what you said? That you wouldn’t blur the lines between pretense and reality. So what’s this now?”

Jiang Youbai smirked. “How do you know I’m not pretending now?”

“Whether you are or not—” Lou Huaiche scoffed, standing to look down at Jiang Youbai, pity flickering in her peach-blossom eyes. “Your Highness knows the truth, doesn’t she?”

So cold.

How could anyone be this cold?

Jiang Youbai turned away, suppressing the ache in her chest, a smile playing on her lips. “How can you be so sure, Miss Lou?”