After The Mission Failed, The Scumbag Alpha Ran Away - Chapter 28

28: Tentative Steps at the Crematorium Gate

The night breeze was intoxicating, the fragrance of flowers mingling with the shimmering light of the stars and moon, tiny specks of fluorescence scattered across a small corner of the world.

“I have a question.”

Ning Yunze replied, “What is it?”

“Jiang Qingxian is your fiancée, right? And it seems you’ve known each other since childhood. How could you bear to be so cruel to her?”

Ning Yunze fell silent for a long time. Just as Jiang Youbai thought he might not answer, he sent a message:

“A relationship with no future doesn’t need to begin. It’s better to make the exploitation clear from the start. What future could there be between us? She’s the Crown Princess, her heart belongs to the world—I’m not the special one.”

Jiang Youbai suddenly felt it was all rather dull.

She didn’t know whether Jiang Qingxian’s heart truly belonged to the world, but she knew Ning Yunze might not be as insignificant as he claimed.

The ring Jiang Qingxian had been robbed of by the Grand Prince’s second son was said to be a pair with the one she had worn since childhood.

But other people’s affairs had nothing to do with her.

After chatting idly for a while, Jiang Youbai turned off her personal terminal.

The personal terminal was an evolution of mobile phones from Earth’s era. Every person was assigned a terminal chip at birth, bound to their DNA, recording their life’s information.

When folded, the terminal resembled a watch; when unfolded, it was about the size of a palm, primarily utilizing holographic projection technology. To ensure privacy, the projection was achieved through a minuscule chip, less than a millimeter in size, implanted in the eye.

It was said that people from before the Crossing Era had already developed technology to implant terminals directly into the brain and even create bionic humans. However, much of this technology was lost during the Crossing.

Jiang Youbai stepped on the flowers and grass outside, wandering around her princely residence.

The residence was vast, exquisitely constructed, every detail reflecting the extravagance and majesty of the royal family. Behind all the buildings, in the garden, there was a cleverly designed glass greenhouse.

The greenhouse was small, its limited space adorned with transparent crystal carvings of Earth’s flowers, interspersed with Pandora’s flora. Walking through it, one could feel the passage of ancient time.

The sensation was strange yet wonderful.

This was Jiang Youbai’s first time visiting this place. Over the years, she had never taken the time to explore the estate that bore her name.

Time had always been tight, the situation too urgent—or perhaps she simply hadn’t been in the mood, hadn’t seen the need. For various reasons, she had let such beauty go to waste.

She sat on the small swing in the greenhouse for most of the night, surrounded by Pandora’s exotic flowers and plants, fresh and beautiful.

Now, it seemed she faced two choices: abandon the sunk costs and follow her desires, or stay and proceed with her life as planned.

But in truth, there was no real choice to be made.

Time—

A realm humanity had explored for centuries without making progress, yet the System could effortlessly touch and alter it, even threatening the existence of this world.

Where did the System come from? Why did it possess such godlike power? How had Ning Yunze managed to restrain such an entity?

Jiang Youbai rested her chin on her hand, idly pondering.

The System couldn’t just manipulate her like this and walk away unscathed, could it?

In Jiang Youbai’s world, such logic didn’t exist.

The information Ning Yunze had provided still wasn’t comprehensive. Perhaps he had withheld some details out of distrust, or perhaps he simply didn’t know enough.

If she were to fake her death, she couldn’t do so blindly and passively.

The imperial palace occupied the highest ground in the Upper District, covering nearly half its area, and was the only place fully shielded by an energy dome.

Anyone in the capital could look up and see the energy net covering the dome, as well as the patrol lights and fleets circling above the palace day and night.

Jiang Youbai’s gaze lingered on the sky above the palace.

Around seven or eight in the morning, she received a message from Lou Huaiche:

“Why haven’t you been to school lately?”

She had skipped classes for three or four days, yet Lou Huaiche had only just noticed and sent a message, as if she’d only just realized Jiang Youbai’s absence.

Jiang Youbai tapped the armrest of the swing, closed her personal terminal, and didn’t reply. A moment later, Lou Huaiche sent another message: “I can’t solve this problem.”

Jiang Youbai still left it on read.

She switched to Ning Yunze’s chat window and asked, “Are you free today?”

Ning Yunze seemed to have a way to shield their messages from the System’s surveillance, but they still couldn’t meet under its watchful eye.

Ning Yunze replied, “No, he’s already awake. The next time he’ll be dormant is in three days.”

“Alright, I’ll come find you then.”

Ning Yunze wasn’t entirely trustworthy either.

But for now, though she had no choice but to trust him, Jiang Youbai wasn’t without other methods. She decided to test the System once more—the method was simple, though it would require her to endure some hardship.

—

Lou Huaiche had been feeling irritable lately.

Jiang Youbai had vanished after being called away by Ning Yunze days ago. The messages Lou Huaiche sent her sank like stones, all left on read without reply.

Even the “read” notifications were half-hearted—sometimes a message sent in the morning wouldn’t be marked as read until the evening two days later.

Lou Huaiche tried to find Jiang Youbai, only to realize that aside from their private contact method, she had almost no way to reach her.

It had always been like this. Their interactions relied solely on the periodic ruts, and now, whether it was Jiang Youbai or Lou Huaiche, both had fully passed the pseudo-ruts induced by the temporary mark.

Jiang Youbai had evaporated from her life, yet rumors about her in the capital persisted.

On her way home from class, Lou Huaiche overheard a group of Omegas gossiping about Jiang Youbai in hushed tones.

“Hey, have you heard about Her Highness’s recent escapades?”

“Which Highness?”

“Who else? The one who just presented as an Alpha! Apparently, she’s been frequenting social events and getting close to several Omega and Beta actors of common birth… quite the libertine.”

“Really? But she’s the heir presumptive! How can she be so careless? Going to such public places, isn’t she afraid of assassination? It’s so dangerous…”

“Who knows? But now she’s not only mingling with commoners but also getting cozy with several noble Omegas, including Ning Yunze, who’s about to be engaged to the Crown Princess… tsk tsk. Just a while ago, she was close with Lou Huaiche, but now she’s cast her aside like trash. I’m telling you, these high-born, top-tier Alphas never change—they’re fickle and ungrateful to the core.”

“Don’t say that. She probably needs to find a suitable noble Omega for a political marriage. Otherwise, how can she just step aside?”

Lou Huaiche walked past them, her expression blank.

One of them sighed, “Honestly, Her Highness is stunning. Even without her status, I’d pay to have a fling with her.”

“Dream on! As if all the good things should go to you!”

“What if? I’m not bad-looking either! If I stake out the bars she’s been visiting lately, who knows?”

Lou Huaiche suddenly turned back and stopped them. After a brief hesitation, she asked, “Which bars?”

The speaker was taken aback and instinctively rattled off a few names:

“Extreme Black Box, Afterglow, and there’s one called Demon.”

Two of them were high-energy bars where many Alphas went to pick up partners, and many Omegas sought excitement.

Lou Huaiche’s eyes flickered. She nodded. “Thanks.”

Then she turned and left, leaving the group stunned on the sidewalk.

“Hey… wasn’t that Lou Huaiche just now?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Oh my god! What’s happening? Is Lou Huaiche going to ambush Her Highness at the bar?”

“Damn, this feels so dramatic. I’m already imagining the scene—even soap operas wouldn’t dare script this.”

—

Night fell, and the Upper District of the capital glittered with lights. Outside the Extreme Black Box bar stood a striking Omega.

She wore oversized sunglasses that hid half her face and a red dress. Tilting her head, she studied the bar’s sign under the cool night breeze.

In the dim light, the Omega’s crimson lips and delicate chin were all that was visible, yet even that glimpse hinted at breathtaking beauty.

Her slender figure stood alone at the bar’s entrance, like a red plum blossom trembling in the cold wind.

People entering and exiting the bar couldn’t help but glance at her. The lively hustle and bustle around her seemed to part, leaving her isolated amidst the crowd, as if she might stride thousands of miles away from this world at any moment.

Her aura was as cold as a handful of snow, chilling to the bone.

Lou Huaiche stood at the entrance for a long time before finally stepping inside.

A bartender stopped her with a polite smile. “Miss, we require an entry fee or an invitation.”

Lou Huaiche recited a string of numbers.

“Ah, you’ve made a reservation? Please come in.”

Past the hallway, before even entering the main bar area, Lou Huaiche was assaulted by the throbbing music and the laughter and shrieks of men and women.

Stepping into the venue was like entering another world. Dazzling colored lights flashed, the air thick with alcohol and mingled perfumes.

Since the bar catered to all three genders—Alpha, Beta, and Omega—it didn’t strictly monitor pheromone use, though Omega-specific suppressants hung on the walls.

Pheromones from various Alphas and Omegas lingered in the air.

Lou Huaiche wove through the crowd, countless eyes lingering on her, sizing her up with ill intent.

She ignored them, her expression cold as she searched for Jiang Youbai.

She had asked Ning Yunze earlier, and he’d told her Jiang Youbai was likely at this bar tonight.

Sure enough, when she reached the innermost part of the bar, about a dozen steps away, at a corner of the counter, Lou Huaiche spotted Jiang Youbai holding a glass of wine, smiling and chatting with someone.

It had been so long since she’d last seen her. Lou Huaiche stared intently.

The young, radiant Alpha princess wore a red silk shirt, the top three buttons undone, a black tie loosely knotted around her neck, revealing delicate collarbones and jade-like skin.

Her lower half was clad in black suit pants with a metal chain at the waist, the cuffs slit up to her calves, offering glimpses of her ankles and a sliver of pale leg.

She leaned casually against the bar, long, slender fingers idly twirling her glass, an effortless charm flowing through her every movement.

The usually elegant and noble princess had never appeared so unrestrained in public before—like a bewitching rose in full bloom, lazy and intoxicating.

She was speaking to an Omega beside her, a faint smile playing on her lips, her gaze teasing.

The Omega blushed and coquettishly complained, “Your Highness, how can you say such embarrassing things?”

Jiang Youbai curled her lips, her smile flirtatious, her voice clear and captivating. “Oh? Really? Are you that shy?”

Lou Huaiche stood a dozen steps away. As Jiang Youbai tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes swept past and met Lou Huaiche’s.

Lou Huaiche had removed her sunglasses. Their gazes locked across the crowd.

Jiang Youbai glanced at her, then looked away as if she hadn’t recognized Lou Huaiche, naturally continuing to tease the little Omega beside her.

Lou Huaiche watched for a moment, then turned and left.

The deafening music pounded in her ears as she pushed through the crowd.

The stunningly beautiful princess, with her noble status, could easily capture an Omega’s heart.

Especially when she was so enchanting, so bewitching, her every move exuding an unshakable grace.

Besides, this was the outcome Lou Huaiche had wanted, wasn’t it? She shouldn’t be upset.

A clean break, a return to the past.

She reached the entrance, but a fierce, unwilling resentment surged in her chest.

Lou Huaiche abruptly turned around and retraced her steps.

Jiang Youbai, who had just taken a sip of her drink, found someone standing before her. She raised an eyebrow in surprise—it was Lou Huaiche, who had just left.

Setting down her glass, Jiang Youbai lazily asked, “Miss Lou, what a coincidence.”

A sweet, cloying scent clung to her, likely from some Omega’s pheromones.

Lou Huaiche inhaled sharply, then exhaled slowly.

Her face cold, she said, “Your Highness, it’s no coincidence. We saw each other earlier.”

“Oh?” Jiang Youbai drew out the syllable, propping her chin on her hand, twirling her slender glass with her fingertips. Under the bar’s shifting lights, her features looked even more bewitching, like a seductive demon in the night.

The pretty Omega beside her giggled and clung to Jiang Youbai. “Your Highness, who is this sister?”

Jiang Youbai seemed to ponder for a moment, her eyes on the Omega as she said to Lou Huaiche, “I don’t recall seeing you earlier, Miss Lou. My eyes were only on the little darling in front of me.”

The Omega burst into giggles. “Your Highness, your words are so sweet! You really know how to charm people!”

She turned and saw Lou Huaiche’s icy stare. Though the girl’s face was calm, her eyes were twisted with something dark and frenzied. The Omega shrank back and clung to Jiang Youbai’s arm, whining, “Your Highness! Look at your ex—why is she so scary? It’s like she wants to eat me alive!”

Jiang Youbai chuckled but didn’t respond. In her ear, the System’s warning sounded:

“Host! The current plot hasn’t reached this point yet! Lou Huaiche’s favorability isn’t even full! Please correct this immediately!”

Jiang Youbai ignored it, continuing to tease the Omega. “What, is she really going to eat you?”

She looked up and met Lou Huaiche’s gaze.

Lou Huaiche smiled radiantly.

Jiang Youbai smiled back, then resumed coaxing the Omega clinging to her arm.

After a moment, Lou Huaiche spoke in a low voice, “Your Highness, the fireworks festival is in a few days. Do you still need me to go with you?”

Jiang Youbai paused, then nodded. “Since we agreed, of course we’re going.”

Lou Huaiche gave a faint hum, then found a seat far from Jiang Youbai, ordering two drinks.

She sat alone in the corner, her peripheral vision catching Jiang Youbai flirting with the Omega. Slowly, she raised her glass, studied the blue-green liquor, and downed it in one go.

The alcohol burned her throat, and her chest felt tight.

It was time to end this. After the fireworks festival… after August began.

—

After repeated warnings from the System, Jiang Youbai remained seated, unresponsive.

The System said, “Due to the host’s refusal to actively complete tasks and unauthorized actions, a penalty will now be imposed.”

“Hmm.”

Familiar pain surged through her. Jiang Youbai gritted her teeth, her fingers gripping the edge of the table.

The agony didn’t lessen. Instead, the corners of her lips slowly curled into a smile—one filled with malice and cruelty, like a vengeful spirit in the dark, sensing bl00d.

An indescribable pleasure mingled with the pain. Jiang Youbai let out a soft laugh.

Ning Yunze was right.

The System’s energy was nearly depleted.

Ning Yunze had told her the System would soon enter dormancy again to conserve energy. Today’s punishment was less than half as painful as the last time.

Yet her transgression today was far more severe.

After the warning, the System left a final message: “Host, please adopt the correct attitude toward completing tasks.”

Then, as if in a hurry, it abruptly disconnected from Jiang Youbai.

The residual pain lingered. Beads of sweat dotted Jiang Youbai’s forehead, her face pale. She nonchalantly drained her glass, the flush of alcohol rising to her cheeks, contrasting starkly with her pallor, giving her a sickly glow.

Humming a tune, Jiang Youbai stood and left the bar without a backward glance.

One test wasn’t enough. Having drawn preliminary conclusions, she decided to conduct a second trial.

She left decisively, naturally missing Lou Huaiche sitting alone in the corner, drinking.

Before Lou Huaiche lay a table littered with over a dozen empty glasses. She sat upright, clutching her drink, lost in thought.

“Jiang Youbai…”

She murmured. After the fireworks festival… after that, Lou Huaiche wouldn’t drown in this illusion of love anymore.

She let out a self-deprecating laugh.

They both knew this was a game, a trap. Yet the one who seemed invested had withdrawn effortlessly, while the supposedly heartless one lingered, helplessly watching the other leave, seeking solace in alcohol.

But why?

Why could Jiang Youbai feign such heart-stopping sincerity, only to walk away so easily?

She drank until her vision blurred, and then she saw Ning Yunze approaching. Her face flushed, Lou Huaiche looked up and smiled faintly. “Xiao Ning.”

Ning Yunze stood before her, having watched from the shadows for who knew how long. After studying Lou Huaiche, his brows slowly furrowed.

“Xiao Lou, why are you so drunk?”

Lou Huaiche’s voice was faint. She shook her head slightly. “I don’t know. I forgot.”

Ning Yunze sighed, suddenly recalling Lou Huaiche from the first iteration.

Back then, her favorability toward Jiang Qingxian had stalled at 30, preventing the transfer of luck to Jiang Qingxian and the System’s subsequent theft.

The System had grown visibly impatient, urging Ning Yunze to find a solution.

Yet even then, Lou Huaiche had clung to Jiang Qingxian with a desperation that shocked the System.

It was as if madness ran in her bones—a madness that could spiral out of control at any moment, leaving her drenched in bl00d, knife in hand, ready to burn herself and her beloved to ashes.

Ning Yunze felt a pang of unease.

A mere 30 favorability—hardly enough to qualify as affection—had driven Lou Huaiche to such extremes.

If Jiang Youbai were to die…

He didn’t dare dwell on it.

Things had progressed too far. Turning back was no longer an option.

Ning Yunze helped Lou Huaiche up. She leaned on his shoulder, her laughter light. “Xiao Ning, I don’t understand how things came to this.”

Ning Yunze guided her out of the bar and into a hovercar. “It doesn’t matter, Lou Huaiche. None of this matters now. In the future… you’ll surely reach great heights.”

Lou Huaiche never remembered anything when drunk, and the System was dormant.

So Ning Yunze indulged in rambling. “Do you remember when we were kids? You’ve always been different—unbending, brilliant, beautiful. Everyone’s eyes were on you.”

“I used to hate you. But when that Alpha… you saved me. Then I thought I loved you, fell madly in love with you. So I negotiated with the System. I wanted to save you.”

“But after so many iterations, I realized—I didn’t love you. I still hated you. I wanted to be you. I wanted your courage, your fearlessness, to live in this lifeless empire like a blazing fire, even if it meant burning myself, to make everyone remember, to drag those lofty figures down with me.”

Lou Huaiche nestled against his shoulder and mumbled, “Why did you hate me?”

Ning Yunze stared ahead, his voice calm. “Because I couldn’t be like you. I only knew how to compromise, to bow to pressure. The greatest thing I’ve ever done was save you from the System. Whatever my feelings for you were, they don’t matter anymore. Xiao Lou, move forward. Keep moving forward. I’ll light the way for you.”

“Even if you never know.”

The hovercar glided smoothly through the night, as if flying into an endless darkness.