After the Scumbag Alpha Accidentally Marked the Blackened Villain - Chapter 17

When she heard Leng Jinxi’s voice, as cold and indifferent as ever, all of Lin Bie’s anger dissipated in an instant. She suddenly recalled the gaze that had followed her throughout the banquet hall.

“Shan Yi?”

Only someone who held a grudge against her would try to pin everything on her, making her once again the target of everyone’s resentment—once again the irredeemable villain in their eyes.

In the banquet hall, the only person who harbored such deep-seated resentment toward her was Shan Yi.

Lin Bie’s expression darkened, her brows tightly furrowed. She turned, ready to confront her, but was stopped by a hand grasping her wrist.

She turned her head, her eyes still burning with anger, only to meet Leng Jinxi’s calm, unfathomable gaze. That pair of gentle, silent eyes, tinged with faint allure, collided with hers, and the fury that had just begun to reignite within her was half-extinguished in an instant.

Was Leng Jinxi stopping her on purpose?

In the original story, Leng Jinxi had always chosen to retreat in the face of conflict due to her upbringing. That constant compromise gave the original Lin Bie more and more space to cross boundaries. Thinking this, Lin Bie’s extinguished anger flared up once again.

“You—” She had just opened her mouth to reassure Leng Jinxi when the slender, fair hand on her wrist suddenly tugged her forward. She stumbled a step—and fell into the soft, tea blossom-scented embrace of the woman in front of her.

The warmth and fragrance caught Lin Bie completely off guard. Frozen in place, she looked at the woman holding her, not daring to move, afraid to disturb the stillness between them. The delicate scent of camellias filled her lungs—her entire breath was saturated with it.

Just as Lin Bie was about to ask why Leng Jinxi had hugged her, a group of drunk guests brushed past them. The pungent smell of alcohol instantly overpowered the floral scent. They passed by noisily, shoulders leaning on one another, voices slurred.

The banquet was clearly nearing its end.

So she had pulled her aside to keep her from getting hit.

Lin Bie gave a bitter smile. Just as her racing heart began to calm, she suddenly felt a soft, sultry breath near her ear, brushing against her neck and the suppression patch over her gland.

“Thank you.”

That warm breath, like a coiled serpent, wrapped tightly around her pounding heart.

Lin Bie froze. The spot where the heat had touched her skin tingled and sent a shiver through her. Her brows furrowed, and her breathing grew shallow.

Tucked away in an unnoticed corner, the din of drunken conversations faded into the night. In the silence, only their breaths could be heard, their heartbeats synchronizing. It felt as though all the resentment in Lin Bie had been soothed by Leng Jinxi’s quiet embrace.

But the warmth was fleeting.

Leng Jinxi released her and stepped back slightly. Her eyes glistened faintly with moisture. The pheromones in the air had inevitably affected her. She lowered her head, suppressing the instinctive desire surging through her gland.

The night air was as cool as water. Lin Bie’s hands trembled slightly at her sides. She could still feel the embrace—its strength, and the emotions she couldn’t quite name. Her eyes fell.

In the original story, the villain’s life was a true tragedy—used as a pawn in a political marriage by her family before marriage, only to fall into another abyss afterward. Caught between survival and despair, no wonder even the smallest kindness could move her.

Once again, Lin Bie felt relieved she had chosen Mission One: to help the villain live a free life.

“The banquet’s over. It’s cold out here. Let’s go back and find my sister,” Lin Bie said with a gentle smile. Perhaps it was the wine or the moment’s atmosphere, but she followed her heart and gently took Leng Jinxi’s hand.

—

Most of the guests had already left the banquet hall. The heavily intoxicated had been escorted home, while the few remaining elites took the opportunity to make a final round of introductions and build connections.

Lin Bie and Leng Jinxi first found the event organizers to report what had happened. The organizers turned pale with fear, trembling as they swore on their jobs that they would find the person who instructed Wang You.

By the time the two returned to the hall, it was nearly empty. Lin Qingsi was discussing the final details of a deal with the Shan family. Shan Yi stood to the side. When she saw Lin Bie and Leng Jinxi approach, contempt flashed across her face.

Lin Bie composed herself, glanced at her, and walked over to Lin Qingsi, who gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before making introductions.

“This is Shan Ningbai from the Shan family, and this is her younger sister, Shan Yi.”

Lin Bie nodded politely to Shan Ningbai, then glanced at Shan Yi, offering a courteous but empty smile.

Shan Ningbai seemed to recall something and smiled. “If I remember correctly, Xiao Yi, Xiao Lin, and Jinxi are all in the same production crew?”

Shan Yi nodded. “Yes, we know each other very well.” Her eyes lingered on Lin Bie and the silent Leng Jinxi beside her, her expression openly hostile.

“Then you must be good friends,” Lin Qingsi added with a smile.

“Absolutely. In fact, I have a few things to discuss with Miss Shan,” Lin Bie replied with a strained smile. She felt the hand she was holding twitch slightly. Looking up, she gave Leng Jinxi a reassuring smile before turning to Shan Yi.

“Let’s not disturb the adults talking business. Come with me—I have some set-related matters to talk over.”

Shan Yi raised an eyebrow, glanced at Leng Jinxi, and followed.

Laughter from Shan Ningbai and Lin Qingsi trailed behind them. As they moved away from the light and sound of the hall, emotions stirred in Lin Bie’s chest. Once they were out of view, she turned, her gaze dark.

“Shan Yi, have I not told you to stop harassing Leng Jinxi?” Her voice was cold and emotionless.

Shan Yi frowned, looking at her as if she were insane.

“Just because you say so, I’m supposed to listen? Who do you think you are?” She gave Lin Bie a once-over and sneered. “High-end clothes can’t hide the garbage underneath.”

Lin Bie’s expression tightened. “I’ve already spoken to Bei Ning this afternoon and cleared everything up. She—”

“You went to Bei Ning?” Shan Yi’s voice rose sharply. Just hearing that name made her tremble with fury. “You piece of trash! Who gave you the right? You probably fed her some sweet talk again, didn’t you?

Manipulated her into forgiving you? Bastard!”

She raised her hand to slap Lin Bie, but Lin Bie caught her wrist firmly.

Even someone as calm as Lin Bie couldn’t remain composed when constantly insulted. She shoved Shan Yi’s arm aside and scoffed.

“If you like Bei Ning, then go win her over yourself. Stop taking it out on me and Leng Jinxi. Bei Ning doesn’t love me anymore—she had already moved on.”

“You’re lying!” Shan Yi roared. No way Bei Ning had let go. If it wasn’t for Lin Bie, she wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital. If not for this woman, Bei Ning would never have—

The fact that her ten years with Bei Ning meant nothing compared to a few months with Lin Bie drove Shan Yi to the edge.

“So what the hell did you drag me here to say?” she snapped, disgusted just being near Lin Bie.

Lin Bie’s brows furrowed slightly. From her reaction, it seemed Shan Yi didn’t know anything about Leng Jinxi’s allergic reaction.

She probed carefully: “Do you know Wang You?”

Shan Yi scowled. “Who the hell is that? Do you think I know every random loser just because you do? Are you that disgusting?”

That confirmed it. Shan Yi wasn’t the one who instructed Wang You to spike Leng Jinxi’s drink.

Not that it made her any less unpleasant.

Still, Lin Bie’s face betrayed no emotion. She stared down at the Alpha, using her height to her advantage, her voice low and cold.

“I’m warning you. Stay away from Leng Jinxi.”

With that, she turned and left without sparing another glance.

Shan Yi stood frozen, watching Lin Bie walk back to Leng Jinxi. Watching them join hands, seeing how naturally they leaned into each other and exchanged soft laughter—she clenched her jaw so tightly it hurt.

Jealousy surged in her eyes.

Why?

Why was it that someone like Lin Bie could win anyone’s love with a single word? Why did she get to decide who loved her? Why did her so-called redemption earn her everything so easily—while Shan Yi, who had loved Bei Ning for years, was never even seen?

Why?!

She thought of Lin Bie’s repeated claims that she had changed, had turned over a new leaf—and laughed, bitterly, bl00d seeping from the corner of her mouth where her teeth had broken the skin.

If she wanted to prove she’d changed…

Then Shan Yi would show everyone that someone like Lin Bie didn’t deserve a second chance.