After the Scumbag Alpha Heard her Inner Thoughts (GL) - Chapter 2

After being discharged, Chu Muqing didn’t rush back to the company. Now that both the Lu and Gu families knew about her hospitalization, there was no longer any need to keep a low profile.

And the discharge process was anything but discreet. As instructed, Xu Chengke arrived with a bouquet of fresh flowers and drove her red Ferrari to pick her up, taking her straight to Dijing Court.

In the car, Chu Muqing leaned against the back seat, eyes closed, resting. Xu Chengke did his best to drive smoothly. When they arrived at the residential complex, Chu Muqing opened the door and got out on her own.

The sun after the rain was bright and clear. She raised a hand to shield her eyes and walked toward the entrance. It was just a few dozen steps from the gate to the door, but every step felt exhausting. Wrapped in a windbreaker, she showed no sign of weakness on the surface.

Xu Chengke followed behind with light steps, quietly letting out a sigh. Even in this condition, she’s still pushing herself.

Chu Muqing sank into the living room sofa, chest rising and falling as she struggled to breathe. A thin sheen of sweat had formed on her forehead.

The medications prescribed by the doctor filled an entire box. Xu Chengke sorted them by category and placed the box under the coffee table. When he turned to check on her, her complexion was still pale.

“Do you want me to give you another shot?” he asked.

Chu Muqing opened her eyes and gave him a sideways glance. Her voice was hoarse. “Another one and I’ll be a human pincushion.”

Xu Chengke: “…”

“How’s the Su family?”

Xu placed the box under the table. “Everything’s settled. The Su family has no objections. They’re fully cooperative.”

Chu Muqing gave a cold snort. With the Chu family’s name and five percent of its shares as the bride price, that was more than enough to make the Su family agree. Of course they’d cooperate.

“And Su Wanqing?”

“She…” Xu Chengke hesitated. He thought of everything he’d found on her these past few days, but in the end, swallowed the words. No matter what, he hoped the marriage would go smoothly.

“There’s not much information on her. I didn’t bring it today—I’ll send it to your email this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

“The announcement’s already been made—that there won’t be a wedding ceremony and everything will be kept simple. By now… I’m pretty sure the whole circle knows.”

“What’s the reaction?”

“They’ve started sending gifts one after another. The old man didn’t seem too pleased and asked if you could stop by soon.”

“I’ll go tomorrow. Pick her up on the way—bring her straight to him.” Chu Muqing leaned against her hand, massaging her temple gently. “Is Banguishan Villa ready?”

“All set,” Xu replied.

Old Master Chu Tiande, head of the Chu family, had once been connected with the military in his early years. The family business originally focused on pharmaceuticals. He and his partner discovered a herb that could delay Alpha susceptibility periods by three months. After extraction and refinement, it was developed into a drug with the help of the military medical department.

The drug was widely adopted. Fifty years later, Alpha susceptibility periods had stabilized at once a year, or even less frequently. Eventually, Chu Tiande transitioned from pharmaceuticals into real estate and electronic tech.

Now, the Chu Group had expanded into multiple industries, with a broad portfolio—largely due to his keen eye for business opportunities. Even after stepping down for three years, his influence within the company remained undiminished.

He had a smooth and successful life, but the only shortcoming was his children—both his son and daughter were Omegas. Chu Muqing, an Alpha, was the only one in her generation and had been spoiled by him since childhood.

Spoiled, yes—but also strictly raised. After all, she had always been treated as the heir to the family business.

Now that Chu Tiande was aging, there were many things he could no longer manage personally. His favoritism toward Chu Muqing had caused discontent among the family, though none dared to challenge him. What he didn’t know was that Chu Muqing had suffered a lot of silent bullying behind his back.

7:00 p.m., Chu Family Estate.

Two cars pulled up one after another in front of the main courtyard. The estate was old and grand. Since he’d grown older, Old Master Chu preferred peace and quiet. The main residence was large and surrounded by two gardens—one planted with vegetables, the other with ornamental flowers.

After the spring rain, everything was just beginning to sprout. Fresh green shoots peeked out from the soil.

Xu Chengke got out and walked to the passenger side to open the door for Su Wanqing. She was startled by the gesture and quickly waved him off. “It’s okay, really, no need!”

Chu Muqing had just stepped out of her own car in time to hear that. She looked over, and her gaze landed on Su Wanqing’s profile. Clearly, the girl had dressed carefully.

She wore a white chiffon blouse tucked into a knee-length black skirt, paired with simple white flats. Her shoulder-length hair fluttered in the breeze. As she raised a hand to tuck it behind her ear, she looked up—and their eyes met.

Su Wanqing stiffened. Though Chu Muqing’s expression was calm and detached, her aura was overwhelmingly intense. Just standing there, her posture straight and presence commanding, she radiated Alpha dominance. It couldn’t be suppressed.

This is the scumbag Alpha—the main villain from the novel?

Su Wanqing stood still, quickly recalling the plot. It was bizarre how she ended up here. One moment she was working overtime, and the next she’d dropped dead at her desk. When she woke up, she was in an old-school, abusive web novel—as a minor cannon fodder character.

And the biggest villain in the story? The woman standing before her now—Chu Muqing, current head of the Chu family.

Known for her ruthlessness in business, cold-blooded and cunning. Due to schemes from the Lu and Gu families, she had no choice but to accept a political marriage. After the wedding, she completely blackened—abusing her Omega partner, forcing a mark… even forcing a miscarriage. Not a single cliché of an angsty romance was spared.

Su Wanqing had nearly passed out from pinching her philtrum just to accept the fact that she’d become cannon fodder. With a “whatever, I’m already dead” attitude, she had agreed to the marriage.

“President Chu,” Xu Chengke called respectfully, breaking the silence.

“Mm,” Chu Muqing replied simply before turning to walk toward the courtyard.

Xu Chengke nudged Su Wanqing, snapping her out of her daze. She quickly shuffled forward in small steps to catch up.

Inside the yard, the living room was empty, except for the housekeeper who took care of the old master.

“Aunt Liu, where’s Grandpa?” Chu Muqing asked.

“Young Miss Chu, Miss Su—the old master is in the study upstairs,” the housekeeper replied.

Chu Muqing glanced up toward the second floor. She already had a good idea why she was being summoned—it was most likely for a lecture. Sooner or later, this conversation had to happen.

“I’ll go see him,” she said, heading up the stairs.

Su Wanqing remained where she was, not sure what to do. She stood awkwardly in the middle of the living room, glancing around nervously, trying to find a corner to quietly hide in.

Just two steps up, Chu Muqing suddenly remembered the little tail behind her. She turned her head slightly, eyes sweeping over, and said in a clear, low voice, “Sit there and wait.”

“Okay.”

On the second floor, the door to the study was shut. Chu Muqing raised her hand and knocked. From inside came a deep, muffled voice: “Come in.”

She pushed open the door.

Old Master Chu Tiande was sitting behind the desk. On it sat two boxes, and in his hands, he was slowly turning a string of brown prayer beads.

“You’re back,” he said.

“Yes, Grandpa,” Chu Muqing responded.

“How’s the company doing lately?” he asked, adjusting his reading glasses and sitting up straight in his chair. His sharp, cold gaze was mostly dulled by the lenses, but not completely.

“It’s alright.”

The back-and-forth remained civil, for now.

“You never wanted to take over the company from the start. There aren’t many useful people in the family—if there were, I wouldn’t have forced you to…”

“I understand,” she cut in.

He hadn’t even finished speaking, and she was already shutting it down.

Back then, she had given up the field she truly loved, followed the family’s arrangements, and studied abroad—not to be met with guilt-ridden words and endless compromises that went against her will.

She had sacrificed her passion, her major, and her freedom. Now, even her marriage was out of her control. No one had asked her opinion. The engagement had just been announced publicly.

Chu Tiande could understand the resentment she carried. But things had reached a point where there was no other way. The Chu family’s current success relied heavily on her.

“For everything else—I admit, Grandpa owes you. I pushed you into this role. But when it comes to this marriage, you’ll have to listen to me.”

“I get a copy of your medical reports every year. Xu may have tried to alter a few numbers, but don’t forget who I am.”

“Do you really think I don’t know the state of your health?”

Chu Muqing, caught red-handed, showed no guilt. Instead, she calmly asked, “So I should just marry someone to use them as a medical buffer? Is that what you’re teaching me—to treat people like tools?”

Her tone was sharp, almost cold.

Seeing her like this—so different from the little girl she used to be—Chu Tiande couldn’t help but wonder if he had gone too far.

He let out a long sigh and tried to persuade her gently: “Feelings can grow over time. You might come to like her. And the Su family agreed to this match. I even spoke to Su Wanqing—she agreed too.”

“Of course she did. You know exactly what kind of shape the Su family is in. Marrying me? To them, it’s—”

Cough, cough, cough—

Before she could finish her sentence, Chu Muqing broke into a sudden, violent coughing fit.

“You…” Chu Tiande began, then waved his hand. “Forget it. You go. Let the girl from the Su family come in.”

Chu Muqing’s eyes were still slightly red from coughing. Hearing that, she didn’t bother arguing any further. She stood up and walked out.

Standing by the second-floor railing, she looked down at the living room below. Su Wanqing sat properly on the sofa, her hands resting neatly on her knees. Her gaze darted nervously around the unfamiliar environment, full of unease.

The background information Xu Chengke had sent her earlier was still unread. Not that it mattered. Whatever Su Wanqing’s story was, the outcome of this engagement wouldn’t change.

“Come up,” Chu Muqing called down.

Hearing her voice, Su Wanqing looked up. Chu Muqing stood at the railing, one hand casually resting against it, looking down at her from above.

Su Wanqing obediently got up and trotted up the stairs in small steps, stopping next to Chu Muqing. “What’s wrong?”

Chu Muqing turned slightly, leaning her back against the railing. “Grandpa wants to see you.”

Su Wanqing blinked in confusion, stealing a glance at Chu Muqing. Her eyes were slightly red, her lips pale, and she looked a little worn out.

What on earth did the old master say to make the infamous scumbag Alpha look like she was about to cry?

Standing in front of the study door, Su Wanqing hesitated. She wasn’t sure how to deal with such a high-status elder.

She turned her head for a glance—Chu Muqing was already gone, leaving only the silver railing behind.

Being lectured like that would put anyone in a bad mood, let alone a boss-level villain.

Taking a deep breath, Su Wanqing knocked lightly on the door. Hearing a muffled “Come in,” she pushed the door open, wearing the determined expression of someone going to their doom.

“Sit down,” the old master said.

Su Wanqing studied the elder in front of her. The book hadn’t described much about him, only that he was highly respected and held significant power in the Chu family.

After she sat, Chu Tiande spoke:

“Muqing’s been disciplined strictly since she was young. That discipline has shaped her, but it also limited her. Her temper isn’t great now. In the future, please try to tolerate her more.”

Su Wanqing thought silently, It’s not just a bad temper—she’s completely twisted!

But of course, she didn’t show that on her face. Instead, she replied politely, “Of course. I will.”

“This is for you,” Chu Tiande said, pushing a box toward her.

It was a dark brown box, carved with intricate patterns she couldn’t quite make out.

“I can’t accept this…” Su Wanqing thought miserably. Accepting gifts makes it harder to back out later.

“Take it!” Chu Tiande’s voice was deep and firm, immediately carrying an air of authority.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll accept it, then,” she said quickly.

She held the box in her hands. A faint woody fragrance wafted from it. Unable to resist, she sneaked a peek under the table—inside was a pair of jade bracelets, white with a soft hint of green. She quickly closed the lid again.

“That’s all. Come downstairs for dinner,” Chu Tiande said.

Aunt Liu had prepared a full table of dishes—vegetables, meat, and soup—upon hearing that Chu Muqing was home.

Su Wanqing followed Chu Tiande to the dining room. He sat at the head of the table. After a quick glance around, she picked a seat.

Chu Muqing was sitting with her head down, looking at her phone. Su Wanqing quietly sat down next to her.

A faint floral scent drifted through the air.

Chu Muqing turned off her phone and glanced at her.

Wait—
Was her pheromone leaking this strongly?!

She had used a pheromone suppressant before attending the family gathering to prevent any accidents. Yet somehow, Su Wanqing’s scent was still so noticeable.

Chu Muqing, suspicious:
Is she doing this on purpose? Trying to seduce me by leaking her pheromones?!

“Don’t just sit there. Eat,” Chu Muqing said coldly.

Having just undergone surgery, she didn’t have much of an appetite. She mechanically picked up a couple of pieces of food and forced them into her mouth.

Meanwhile, Su Wanqing was genuinely starving. She had spent the whole morning picking out clothes and the entire afternoon doing her makeup and styling—she hadn’t eaten a single thing all day.

She had just started eating when Chu Muqing suddenly put down her chopsticks. “I’m full. I still have things to do at the company. I’m heading back.”

Without waiting for Chu Tiande to respond, she stood up and left.

With a heavy thud, Chu Tiande slammed his chopsticks on the table. “How long has it been since we had a proper family meal? Every time, she’s like this.”

“I’ll go too,” Su Wanqing said quickly, getting up to follow.

The sky outside hadn’t completely darkened yet. Chu Muqing stood by the front gate, hands resting on the small green trees planted there. Her head was lowered, eyes focused on her phone.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Su Wanqing asked softly, stepping closer.

“……”

Chu Muqing didn’t answer.

At that moment, Xu Chengke pulled up in the car and stopped in front of them.

Chu Muqing moved toward the passenger seat. But without the support of the tree, her body swayed and she stumbled forward.