After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine (GL) - Chapter 9

Waking up at dawn, Pei Jiuyao found herself wrapped around a warm, soft body.

She couldn’t help but place a kiss on Chi Yang’s sleeping forehead before gently slipping out of bed. She picked up the robe from the floor and draped it over herself.

The curtains were slightly drawn, and soft, dappled light filtered through the cracks.

Chi Yang murmured sleepily, “Just wear mine. There are some oversized ones from the brand in the walk-in closet.”

“Okay.” Pei Jiuyao turned back to look at her. Chi Yang’s lashes fluttered slightly before she drifted off again.

Pei Jiuyao smiled quietly and walked over once more. Kneeling by the bed, she gently ran her fingers through Chi Yang’s hair and planted a kiss at her temple.

Chi Yang murmured in her sleep, her pale skin tinged with warmth.

During Chi Yang’s heat, as she depended on Pei Jiuyao with complete trust, it felt like Pei had stepped into a honeyed swamp—sweet, inescapable, and dangerously addictive.

It took all her strength to pull herself back, to remind herself that this was only a means of survival.

Pei Jiuyao picked up the shredded burgundy nightgown from the floor, left the bedroom, and rummaged through the closet for a dress in her own size.

The unopened lingerie all appeared to be Chi Yang’s size, and Pei’s broader frame would make squeezing into them a challenge.

But Chi Yang had complained that the smell of smoke on her was unbearable.

After a moment’s hesitation, Pei Jiuyao tore open a set of plain white lingerie.

It was snug, but not uncomfortable. Far better than seeing Chi Yang wrinkle her nose in distaste.

Just as Pei was taking off her robe and about to put on the dress, Chi Yang’s soft voice came from behind her.

“That set’s mine.”

Pei Jiuyao turned around to see Chi Yang leaning against the doorframe, staring at her blankly.

She was wrapped in a milky-white robe, her body marked with evidence of last night’s passion. Kiss marks and bite marks intertwined along the skin exposed by the robe’s open neckline. Her lazy smile made her look half-awake.

Pei Jiuyao’s face flushed instantly. “I didn’t know you would worn it…”

She hurriedly tried to take it off, but Chi Yang’s eyes were fixed on her.

Despite everything they’d done, being scrutinized like this in broad daylight while half-naked still felt awkward.

As Pei fumbled, Chi Yang’s lips curled into a dreamy smile. Her misty eyes were hooded, long lashes falling gently.

“I hadn’t worn it yet. You stole it first,” she said, voice soft and teasing, her fox-like eyes seductively lidded.

Do Omegas really change so much during heat?

Pei Jiuyao froze as Chi Yang held out her arms for a hug.

She quickly pulled the dress on and, seeing Chi Yang’s sleepy expression, couldn’t help but melt a little. She bent down to embrace her.

Chi Yang was clearly still half-asleep. As soon as they touched, she leaned in to sniff the curve of Pei Jiuyao’s neck and murmured, “So sleepy…”

Pei Jiuyao gently stroked her hair and asked, “Then why not go back to sleep?”

“I thought you left.” Chi Yang’s voice was sticky-soft, like a feather tickling Pei Jiuyao’s heart.

“I’m not going anywhere. Sleep a bit more.” Pei Jiuyao said.

Chi Yang gave a faint, muffled “mm” and dozed off against her shoulder.

Pei Jiuyao sighed and carried her back to bed, tucking her into the blankets.

She closed the curtains a bit more, picked up the bracelet from the nightstand, and stepped out of the room.

After tidying up the scattered clothes outside, she opened the fridge and sorted through the ingredients. She decided to make lunch for Chi Yang—to win a little favor from her leading lady.

Just in case Chi Yang reverted to her usual knife-in-eyes look once the pheromone effect wore off.

Back in her original world… seducing Chi Yang was the only way out. But Pei Jiuyao couldn’t help wondering: when the time came, would she really be able to leave?

As she arranged the ingredients, Pei Jiuyao gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the open kitchen. The sky outside was a boundless blue.

Just a few days ago, she would never have imagined living with someone like this, like a family.

She didn’t know exactly what she felt for Chi Yang—or how much of it was just the pheromones talking.

But 7023 had been right: Chi Yang was her ideal type.

In fact, someone like Chi Yang could easily be everyone’s ideal type.

Still, after years in showbiz, Pei Jiuyao no longer thought of a one-night stand as anything monumental.

These days, her ability to control her pheromones had noticeably improved—perhaps from slowly adjusting to this world’s rules.

Better not to get in too deep.

She lowered her head to wash her hands and started prepping the ingredients.

In her old world, she was always busy—filming, studying, attending events. A tireless, polished machine.

But Pei Jiuyao actually craved a simpler life. Loving someone with her whole heart, protecting and caring for her—that gave her a sense of deep fulfillment.

Being with Chi Yang made her feel calm, as if time were a shimmering river quietly flowing through her life.

All those fears of death and danger seemed so far away.

But peace is always fragile. Pei Jiuyao knew even in this world, the original host’s identity wouldn’t allow her to live the life she wanted.

The better things seemed now, the more she feared the fall to come.

As she was setting the food on the table, the door beeped with the sound of a passcode being entered.

With a soft click, the door opened—and quickly shut again.

Pei Jiuyao remembered Chi Yang mumbling last night about meeting a lawyer for signatures. She took off her apron and went to the bedroom to wake her.

Just as she passed the entrance, a woman had already stepped in, changed her shoes, and walked in holding a document folder. She greeted Pei Jiuyao with a familiar ease.

Pei Jiuyao paused in surprise. “Miss Shen? You’re—?”

Shen Xinyi adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. “I’m Miss Chi Yang’s lawyer.”

—

Chi Yang awoke to a gnawing emptiness that seemed to crawl from her fingertips straight into her chest.

No one beside her.

She quickly recalled how she’d clung to Pei Jiuyao, begging for a hug the first time she woke up.

Her eyes turned cold instantly.

Why do Omegas in heat act like helpless animals? Or was it just her?

Annoyed, she pressed a hand to her gland, pulled out a custom serum from the drawer, loaded the syringe, and injected it into her body.

Her pale amber eyes seemed to freeze over. But as the memories of last night returned, a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

She pulled on a robe and headed for the closet to find a suit.

Her body was still sensitive, but she had a meeting with Shen Xinyi and didn’t want to look disheveled in front of her.

Otherwise, the “President Chi” back home would surely find something to nitpick.

After a quick wash, Chi Yang dressed neatly and walked down the hallway. The scent of food hit her like a wave.

After the chaos of last night, she was starving. Her stomach even growled in protest.

She rubbed it and muttered, “So embarrassing.”

At the end of the hall, she caught sight of Pei Jiuyao—wearing that black slip dress from DIFINE.

The dress was cinched at the waist, embedded with tiny diamonds and silver threads, interwoven with fine pure silver pieces. The sheer, floral-patterned skirt added a seductive edge.

It was one of Chi Yang’s favorite brands.

Unfortunately, her own cool, distant aura couldn’t pull off such a dark, sultry style. But on Pei Jiuyao—it fit like a dream.

Chi Yang rarely saw her in a dress. Today, with her back turned, Pei Jiuyao looked like a solitary black swan.

She hadn’t expected to be captivated—by just a silhouette.

Clearing her throat, Chi Yang asked coolly, “You two know each other?”

The emotionless voice startled Pei Jiuyao into turning around.

Chi Yang, now dressed in a fitted suit, had transformed from sweet strawberry to misty sea in seconds.

Indeed, the “cold beauty” persona was back online.

Pei Jiuyao explained, “Miss Shen lives next door to me.”

“Next door?” Chi Yang looked startled, glancing at Shen Xinyi.

“I’ve lived there all along. Miss Pei moved in afterward,” Shen Xinyi replied as she made her way to the sofa, placing the documents on the coffee table like she owned the place.

“Oh,” Chi Yang said, then fell silent.

Pei Jiuyao noticed Chi Yang rubbing her stomach and smiled. “Hungry? Come eat.”

She pulled the chair out for her, then uncovered the dishes. “I was going to go to the store, but I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I used whatever was in the fridge. I’ll make something better next time.”

Chi Yang picked up her chopsticks. “I’m not picky.”

Pei Jiuyao smiled and turned to Shen Xinyi. “Would you like to join us, Miss Shen?”

Shen Xinyi waved her hand. “I’ve already eaten.”

Pei Jiuyao sat across from Chi Yang and began serving her food.

Chi Yang found herself surprised. If Pei Jiuyao was only being attentive because of the mark, why was she being so polite to Shen Xinyi as well?

Had the “tyrant” truly turned over a new leaf?

After the meal, Pei Jiuyao tidied up in the kitchen while Chi Yang sat on the sofa reviewing documents with Shen Xinyi.

She felt a bit uncomfortable letting Pei do all the work and went to the kitchen a few times to help, only to be shooed out.

Sitting in the living room, Chi Yang watched Pei Jiuyao moving around the open kitchen in her apron. She suddenly recalled how, when she’d first moved in, she’d thought the kitchen was an eyesore.

Now, it didn’t seem so bad.

“Second Miss, do you have any concerns about the agreement?” Shen Xinyi asked, noticing Chi Yang zoning out.

Chi Yang snapped out of it and looked down at the contract. “Not at the moment.”

Once Pei Jiuyao finished cleaning up, she sat beside her.

Shen Xinyi glanced at the dress Pei was wearing and commented, “If I remember correctly, that dress was a birthday gift from President Chi.”

President Chi? A birthday gift? This dress?

Chi Yang remained silent.

So expensive… and she didn’t even say anything.

Was she embarrassed?

Pei Jiuyao quickly stood up. “Sorry, I just grabbed something at random. I didn’t realize it was that expensive.”

She was about to change out of the dress when Chi Yang stopped her.

Chi Yang’s voice was cold. “It’s not anything valuable. Just keep wearing it.”

“And she got the size wrong anyway,” Chi Yang added, this time looking directly at Shen Xinyi.

Pei Jiuyao had no choice but to sit back down.

In the original novel, Chi Yang’s family background was only briefly touched upon, focusing mostly on an older sister—most likely the “President Chi” Shen Xinyi had mentioned.

The two sisters didn’t seem particularly close. That older sister didn’t seem to approve of Chi Yang’s career as an actress.

Since the book didn’t delve much into supporting characters, Pei Jiuyao only remembered that once Chi Yang took over the company, the sister never appeared again.

But Chi Yang was the kind of celebrity whose clothing size could be found online—yet her sister still gave her a dress a size too big. Their relationship must be seriously strained.

Chi Yang’s eyes returned to the contract. She was always especially focused when she worked. Her head tilted slightly as she thought, expression cool and unreadable.

Her porcelain-like fingers held the edge of the white paper, blending in so seamlessly it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began—except for the slightly pink knuckles.

She looked nothing like the little fox in heat from earlier. Seeing her like this, it was hard to imagine her clinging softly to Pei Jiuyao, begging for a hug.

Once she finished reading, Chi Yang handed the contract to Pei Jiuyao. “Take a look. Let me know if anything’s unclear.”

Pei Jiuyao accepted it. The contract listed Chi Yang as Party A and herself as Party B.

Party B’s obligations included, but were not limited to: “being on-call,” “not being involved with any other Omegas during the contract period,” and “not retaining any personal information related to Party A.”

In return, Party A would provide what they had discussed: entertainment industry connections, resources, and the three conditions Pei Jiuyao had proposed—so long as they did not violate law, ethics, or public decency, and could be refused at will.

But one clause in particular caught Pei Jiuyao’s eye:

[Cooperate with Party A in pheromone extraction.]

Pei Jiuyao pointed to the line. “Why do you need to extract my pheromones?”

Chi Yang paused, then explained, “After my second differentiation into an Omega, I began experiencing pheromone instability. I can’t be…”

She trailed off, a flicker of tension in her gaze.

If she revealed that she couldn’t be marked before, wouldn’t that make Pei Jiuyao seem one of a kind? What if Pei Jiuyao used that against her?

Chi Yang quickly composed herself and brushed over the subject. “Suppressants don’t work on me. That’s why—for now—I need your help.”

Though her tone was polite, Pei Jiuyao could hear the emotional distance in her words.

“In simple terms, your pheromones might be the cure. I need them to stabilize my condition. I know staying loyal to one Omega might not come easy to you. But I won’t need it for long—just until the medication is developed. After that, our agreement ends.”

Chi Yang flipped to the final page of the contract, which indeed listed an end date.

She was clearly the one keeping her distance, yet she framed it like Pei Jiuyao was the one incapable of loyalty.

Given her status, Pei Jiuyao didn’t even have the strength to argue.

“And after that?” Pei Jiuyao looked at Chi Yang, her tired eyes searching. “You’ll be cured, and then what? Find an Alpha or Omega you like and spend your life with them? That person won’t be me, right?”

Chi Yang’s finger trembled slightly where it rested on the contract before pulling back. After a long pause, she said coldly, “Maybe there won’t be anyone. I’ll devote my life to my career. Who knows what the future holds?”

“Yeah. Who knows?” Pei Jiuyao smiled faintly, brushing away her disappointment. “I’ll do it.”

She swiftly picked up the pen and signed “Pei Jiuyao” in large, flowing characters.

She hadn’t written her name like that in so long—it felt strangely unfamiliar.

Shen Xinyi took the contract and offered the two a polite smile. “I’ll take my leave, then.”

After Shen Xinyi left, the two women remained slouched on the sofa, silent, avoiding each other’s gaze.

This agreement sat on their chests like a boulder—leaving both feeling hollow and exposed.

Chi Yang didn’t understand why she felt unsatisfied.

Pei Jiuyao knew exactly why she was unhappy, but couldn’t explain it aloud.

Their names sat less than a few centimeters apart on the contract, red fingerprints stamped beside them like bl00d from the heart—yet the text between them was full of distance and detachment.

Pei Jiuyao knew Chi Yang didn’t trust her. She just hadn’t expected that the very next day after their ambiguous night, things would feel so cold.

The silence was like a blade, lodged between them, sharp enough to draw bl00d.

But in the end, it was just pheromone control. Just a tactic for Pei Jiuyao’s mission to return to her original world.

In this world, where every step was hard-won, having a contract like this at least meant she and Chi Yang were fulfilling mutual needs.

Pei Jiuyao told herself: never let pheromones control you again. Just treat it like a transaction. Once the deal is done, she’ll be free. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Eventually, Pei Jiuyao broke the silence. “Don’t worry. I said I will help cure you—I’ll keep my word.”

Chi Yang hummed in acknowledgment. She seemed aware that Pei Jiuyao was upset, but didn’t know how to begin addressing it. After a long pause, she finally said, “Ying Ning mentioned earlier… we need to extract pheromones after each marking.”

“Oh.” Pei Jiuyao stood up. “I’ll go, then. You can rest at home.”

Chi Yang sensed that Pei Jiuyao might be upset—she didn’t want to go together, and now she was being left behind.

Even though her heat cycle was nearing its end, it wasn’t over yet. The idea of being left alone made her uncomfortable.

“I’ll go with you,” Chi Yang said suddenly, jumping to her feet and stepping exactly where Pei Jiuyao had stepped before. “I don’t want to rest. I want to go out.”

“Okay.” Pei Jiuyao packed up her clothes and remembered the jacket she’d given Chi Yang. She turned back. “My coat—it’s still with you, right?”

Chi Yang nodded. “I hung it in the closet.”

Pei Jiuyao walked to the wardrobe.

Chi Yang stood at the entrance, feeling oddly disappointed. She was taking her coat back—was that a sign she didn’t plan to come again? But they’d just signed the contract.

Could a contract really tie down someone like Pei Jiuyao? She was a free spirit, incapable of staying put.

Chi Yang’s heart ached again for having become an Omega.

When Pei Jiuyao emerged holding her coat, she saw Chi Yang standing there, head bowed in quiet disappointment.

She tossed the coat into the paper bag and said softly, “I’ll dry clean the dress and return it.”

Chi Yang’s voice was cool but weak. “No need. It’s yours now.”

“A sponsor perk?” Pei Jiuyao joked.

She just wanted to cheer Chi Yang up with a joke, but to her surprise, Chi Yang’s expression darkened further, lips drooping.

“What’s wrong?” Pei Jiuyao asked gently.

Chi Yang’s eyes welled up as she heard the tenderness in Pei Jiuyao’s voice. She struggled to hold back tears. “Are you mad at me?”

“If I upset you with my attitude, I apologize. This is just a transaction—it’s not a sponsor arrangement. Did I say it wrong and make you angry?”

“I’m not angry.” She was just… a little hurt after realizing she was merely a cure.

Pei Jiuyao’s voice softened even more. “What’s going on, Chi Yang? Why are you so out of sorts today?”

“If you’re not angry, then why…” Chi Yang bit her lip, trying to stay calm. “Why are you keeping your distance and being so cold?”

So cold…

Was I? Why did she look so pitiful—like she was the one being bullied? Wasn’t she the one pushing me away just now?

It was enough to break a heart.

Pei Jiuyao reached out and gently ruffled Chi Yang’s hair, soothing her in a low voice. “I thought you didn’t want me to touch you.”

“Oh…” Realizing Pei Jiuyao wasn’t mad, Chi Yang suddenly got a little fierce: “I don’t want you touching me. But… don’t stay so far away, either.”

Pei Jiuyao chuckled and ruffled her hair again. “Got it.”

Such a tsundere little fox.

“But my car’s in the underground lot outside. At this time, it might be crowded.”

Chi Yang casually took a set of keys from the safe and handed them over. “Take mine. We can get your car later.”

Pei Jiuyao accepted it, her eyes lighting up.

That meant… she would be coming back.

“Then I’ll leave my clothes here. I’ll get them next time!”