After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine (GL) - Chapter 14

Chi Yang led Pei Jiuyao through a series of turns before finally pushing open a door. “Here, you’ll be sleeping in this room tonight.”

“Isn’t your bedroom over that way?” Pei Jiuyao stood obediently to the side, pointing in the other direction.

“You’re sleeping in this one,” Chi Yang replied coldly before swiftly turning around and disappearing into her own room. The door closed with a click—locked from the inside.

She even locked it!

Do I look like someone who eats people?

…At most, I just enjoy biting her.

Pei Jiuyao let out a helpless sigh, hugged the blanket in her arms, and stepped inside, lightly nudging the door shut with her toe.

The room, unlit, was a foggy gray and eerily quiet.

Pei Jiuyao lay on the bed looking pitiful. She gently tapped on the bedside lamp and muttered under her breath, “Heartless fox.”

But fine—what’s the big deal about sleeping in separate rooms?

Without the influence of pheromones, without that kind of activity…

It would just be awkward sleeping together.

After all, food and s3x are base instincts. But without love involved, wasn’t she just acting like some tool—simply detoxing herself from what this world calls “pheromonal poison”?

Pei Jiuyao didn’t fully understand it.

Was Chi Yang really able to sign an agreement and get into bed with her just to get through her heat—even without liking her?

Then again, wasn’t Pei Jiuyao doing the same—clinging to Chi Yang to save her own life?

How much of this so-called “liking” was influenced by pheromones? Even she couldn’t tell anymore.

In the end, neither of them had pure intentions. She just wanted to survive, or increase Chi Yang’s favorability toward her enough to recover her original talents and skills.

Maybe even return to her original world.

Wasn’t Chi Yang just a tool to her as well?

If they were both using each other, then neither had the right to complain.

Pei Jiuyao lay flat on the bed for a while, then got up to draw the curtains, laid the quilt flat, placed a cushion behind her waist, and tapped her temple.

“Hey… what was it, 23-something?”

[7023. Please, for the love of logic, use your brain, Host.]

Pei Jiuyao squinted and replied sharply, “And who broke my brain again?”

[…Me.]

She didn’t bother arguing with a dim-witted AI. “What’s the favorability at now?”

7023 was silent for a while before replying: [4.]

“…Four?”

Pei Jiuyao choked on her own breath.

Was Chi Yang some ultimate, uncrackable ice queen? After all that effort, she’d barely earned enough favor to fill the gap between her teeth.

With the variety show recording coming up, if she couldn’t raise that score, she was done for.

Four points. It might as well be her death countdown.

If she’d known earlier, she would’ve just acted coy and crawled under the sponsor’s covers…

She rubbed her head, completely sleepless, and began silently reviewing her situation.

I, Pei Jiuyao, the ultimate gentle top, have never done anything out of line in my life. The word “scumbag” has never applied to me—except that one time I drank myself to death.

And now I’m stuck in a book, bound to a snarky AI system, with all my real abilities sealed away, constantly teetering on the brink of a PR meltdown and cancellation.

Half my rep’s already been drowned by anti-fans. The other half? One misstep in trying to win over the female lead, and I’m done for.

But the fact that the favorability score is fluctuating means Chi Yang isn’t completely indifferent to her.

So what’s going wrong?

Maybe the original “Pei Jiuyao” traumatized her too deeply—she’s terrified of being deceived.

Last time, she tried hinting that she wasn’t the original Jiuyao. Her heart was pounding so hard it nearly exploded.

But she knew—now wasn’t the time.

Everything needed to be done step by step, giving Chi Yang a chance to accept her, and also giving “Pei Jiuyao” the opportunity to be reshaped.

The upcoming variety show was the perfect opportunity.

She had to join. It was the only way to redefine herself in Chi Yang’s eyes—and solidify her foothold in this world.

Pei Jiuyao didn’t know when she finally drifted off, but she didn’t sleep well. Being in Chi Yang’s house kept her nerves on edge.

The next morning, she got up early and made a light breakfast.

Chi Yang stumbled out, rubbing her eyes, hair a bit messy, cheeks faintly flushed from sleep. Her pajamas hung loosely off her frame, and she shuffled along in creamy white slippers.

Her voice was sticky with sleep when she greeted Pei Jiuyao.

It hit her like a punch to the heart.

There was no denying it—this cold beauty, in her unconscious state, was so sweet it was overwhelming.

The storm cloud over Pei Jiuyao’s mood finally began to clear.

“Come eat,” Pei Jiuyao said, setting plates on the bar and pulling over a high stool.

Chi Yang sat down across from her.

Pei Jiuyao handed her a fork. “Got any plans today?”

“Mm… Ningning said the pheromone extraction meds are ready. I need to go pick them up this morning. Nothing else after that.”

After watching that movie with Pei Jiuyao last night, Chi Yang actually felt… excited to see what she would do today.

“I’ll go with you,” Pei Jiuyao offered.

Chi Yang toyed with her fork, eyes lifting slightly. “And after that?”

“I have to sign a contract for that variety show later,” Pei Jiuyao replied, finishing her food in a few bites and sipping her water. She watched Chi Yang quietly.

“Oh… in the afternoon?” Chi Yang asked.

“In the evening.” Pei Jiuyao replied.

Chi Yang frowned. “What kind of contract gets signed at night?”

Pei Jiuyao grinned. “Apparently, I offended the producer. Sister Wen wants to arrange a dinner to clear things up.”

Chi Yang had connections, background, and power. Even if her relationship with her big-shot sister wasn’t great, they were still bl00d.

People in the industry tripped over themselves to flatter her.

But Pei Jiuyao was different.

The original one had no background, no skills—just a face. Of course she had to hustle to survive.

Even the worst kind of person wouldn’t say no to money.

Chi Yang seemed to get it. She dabbed her mouth with a napkin and quietly said, “If anything happens, call me.”

“Worried about me?” Pei Jiuyao raised her brow.

Chi Yang glanced at her, narrowing her eyes. “I’m worried about your teeth.”

“Alright, alright—I get it. Sponsor perks, right?” Pei Jiuyao chuckled.

Chi Yang really was one stubborn fox. Clearly concerned, but couldn’t say it outright.

“But what could happen to an Alpha like me? No need to worry.”

“You don’t know—some Betas and Alphas are into other Alphas now. And there are drugs that can trigger a second differentiation…” Chi Yang’s fingers paused on her cup. She muttered, “You probably know more than I do.”

“I really don’t.” Pei Jiuyao smiled. “But since it’s a sponsor benefit, I’ll make the most of it.”

Chi Yang gave a noncommittal “Oh,” then noticed Pei Jiuyao’s hand rubbing her stomach.

“Is your stomach hurting?” Her brows furrowed slightly.

“Old problem. My stomach’s never been great.” Pei Jiuyao stood to clean up the dishes.

Chi Yang watched her back, then softly asked, “Will you still drink tonight? Maybe don’t, if your stomach’s acting up.”

Pei Jiuyao turned back, teasing, “Aw, you care? You even remember my stomach problems.”

“You just said that! Even goldfish have better memory!”

Pei Jiuyao smiled. “Then can I come back tonight?”

Chi Yang lowered her gaze for a moment. “Don’t drink.”

“Alright,” Pei Jiuyao ruffled her hair as she passed by, smiling. “Let me clean up and then I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Chi Yang shrunk her neck slightly with a soft hum—accepting the hair ruffle without complaint.

________________________________________

After picking up the medication, the two ran into Song Mo downstairs at the hospital.

Compared to the spoiled and cheerful Omega from before, Song Mo now looked sickly and weak. She stood in front of the pharmacy with her hands behind her back. Her eyes flickered when she saw them.

But Chi Yang didn’t give her the chance to slip away. She shoved the case of medication into Pei Jiuyao’s arms and stormed over, grabbing Song Mo’s wrist before she could leave.

Song Mo flinched and inhaled sharply.

“Xiao Mo, what happened to you?” Chi Yang’s expression turned serious, her gaze sharp and unrelenting.

Seeing something off, she rolled up Song Mo’s sleeve.

Dark purple bruises ringed her wrist, layered and harsh—old wounds beneath new.

“What is this?” Chi Yang’s voice dropped. “Don’t tell me… your mom or your sister—”

“It wasn’t them,” Song Mo yanked her hand back, voice cold.

Chi Yang turned her by the shoulders. “Xiao Mo, if they’re hurting you, come stay with me.”

“Oh sure—move in with you? Aren’t you already shacking up with Pei Jiuyao?” Song Mo’s voice suddenly spiked.

Pei Jiuyao stood behind Chi Yang, her performer’s instincts scanning the area immediately—corners included.

Luckily, they were in the VIP section. No one else around.

She let out a breath.

Realizing she’d shouted, Song Mo lowered her head, eyes red.

“Xiao Mo,” Chi Yang stepped forward, gently ruffling her hair. “There’s nothing going on between me and Pei Jiuyao. You’re still my number one. You’re my only, my best friend. You know that.”

Pei Jiuyao silently looked down, kicking at the floor with the medicine case in her arms.

“Then what is your relationship?” Song Mo choked. “Aren’t you two already… together?”

Chi Yang opened her mouth, unsure how to respond, but Song Mo continued, “Didn’t you already sleep with her?”

Chi Yang frowned, confused. “But that doesn’t change our relationship.”

Pei Jiuyao stepped forward, cautiously asking, “Miss Song, did I offend you before?”

“Haven’t you offended enough people?” Song Mo scoffed. “I just don’t want Yangyang involved with scum like you.”

Pei Jiuyao recalled their last hospital encounter—she had been under pheromonal influence, and definitely wasn’t on her best behavior.

“That was my fault last time. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm—to you or to Chi Yang.”

“No harm? Then how did you end up in her bed?” Song MO said bluntly.

“Xiao Mo—” Chi Yang quickly stepped between them, trying to diffuse the situation.

She hadn’t wanted Song Mo to get hurt. Pei Jiuyao was an Alpha after all—the strength and pheromonal pressure would be too much for her.

But the way things stood, it looked like Chi Yang was siding with Pei Jiuyao.

Song Mo blinked, tears welling up.

Chi Yang turned back and gave Pei Jiuyao a light shove, lowering her voice to coax, “Xiao Mo, tell me—how did you get those bruises?”

“I accidentally hit something.” Song Mo looked down.

Pei Jiuyao couldn’t help commenting, “That looks more like rope marks.”

“What’s it to you?!” Song Mo shouted, eyes red.

Chi Yang shot Pei Jiuyao a glare. She bit her lip and backed off. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Chi Yang wanted to say more to Song Mo, but a woman’s voice called out behind them.

“Song Mo, are you done yet?”

The three turned at once.

A stunning Omega approached, long hair, red lips, seductive and poised.

Pei Jiuyao frowned.

She looked… familiar.

Could she be another of the original Pei Jiuyao’s past flings?

Before she could finish the thought, the Omega batted her lashes and greeted her warmly.

“Hi, Xiao Pei-jie~”

Pei Jiuyao froze.

She’d definitely said “Xiao Pei-jie,” not “Miss Pei.”