After Transmigrating Into a Scummy Alpha, I Have Unlimited Krypton Gold (GL) - Chapter 4

“Don’t be afraid. I’m back now. No one can hurt you. You’re safe.” 

Even though Xu Cheng had transmigrated into this novel, she had no memories of the original host. She didn’t know the people around her and had to be careful not to say anything out of place that might raise suspicion.

After all, in a time like this, a sudden change in behavior could easily be blamed on spirits or possession. If word got out, they might drag her off to an exorcist—or worse, burn her at the stake for being some kind of evil force from another world.

So she simply nodded in reply, said nothing more, bought a few buns and two bowls of noodles, then hurried away with the bamboo basket in hand.

The street vendors did find Xu Cheng’s behavior a little odd today, but they didn’t dwell on it. Business was steady, and soon enough, they’d forgotten all about her.

Xu Cheng didn’t have the luxury to worry about appearances. Back at home, there was still an Omega in the middle of a sensitive phase—no, a Kunze. Thinking of Liu Wuyuan’s sweet, citrusy scent made her uneasy. She quickened her pace, eager to return.

But during the short time Xu Cheng was out, an unwelcome visitor arrived at the Xu household.

The original Xu Cheng had never done anything productive with her life. Living off her relatives, she spent her days drinking and flirting at the Lotus Pavilion. Naturally, her friends were of the same unsavory sort.

Among them was a worse man named Liang Duan—a Qianyuan of notoriously poor character. Though his family owned a few good acres of farmland, he’d never managed to find a wife. Instead, he loitered in the streets, harassing passing women or ogling the Kunze at the Lotus Pavilion.

It was not long ago that the original Xu Cheng had found Liu Wuyuan collapsed by the roadside. At the time, Liu Wuyuan had lost most of her memory and remembered nothing beyond her name. She had no knowledge of her past or identity. Seizing the opportunity, Xu Cheng lied and told her they were married. After all, what were the odds someone like her could land such a breathtakingly beautiful wife without deceit?

Even though Liu Wuyuan was mute, her beauty was extraordinary. Not long after bringing her home, the original Xu Cheng threw a party with drinks and a feast, inviting all her rowdy friends—just to show off.

And it worked. Every one of them had been seething with jealousy, their eyes practically glued to Liu Wuyuan. It was the highlight of Xu Cheng’s vain little life.

But Liang Duan, of all people, had been the most obsessed. After laying eyes on Liu Wuyuan, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Every night, he lay awake, fuming at the thought that someone like Xu Cheng had gotten a wife like that while he remained alone.

His desire festered, and he kept telling himself that he’d find a way—sooner or later—to get closer to her.

Just last night, he’d overheard the sounds coming from the Xu household—clearly the couple had been… occupied. The noises had stirred something dark in him. He’d ended up dumping a bucket of cold water over his head just to calm himself down.

And now, early this morning, Liang Duan had begun lurking near the Xu house, hoping to catch a moment when Xu Cheng was away at the Lotus Pavilion.

With a blade of grass between his teeth, he paced back and forth, eyes locked on the front gate, muttering under his breath. Anyone walking by could’ve heard his disgusting mumbling:

“Damn it… that mute beauty—today, I will have her. What a waste, being with someone like Xu Cheng…”

Just as he muttered that, the front gate opened, and Xu Cheng stepped out carrying a bamboo basket. She turned back to carefully lock the door behind her, then walked briskly toward the market.

Knowing Xu Cheng’s habits, she wouldn’t return before sundown.

Liang Duan spat twice into his hands, rubbed them together eagerly, and strode straight toward the gate—only to find it locked. He grinned. Even better. That would give him more time alone with her, undisturbed.

He checked his surroundings, then circled around to the side wall of the house. With some effort, he scrambled up and climbed over, landing in the empty courtyard.

He sniffed the air—his nose twitching. A faint, sweet scent hung in the breeze. Too light to place exactly, but unmistakably Kunze xinxiang.

The aroma stirred the lust already brewing inside him. His face twisted in excitement. His own scent began to seep out—thick and putrid, like moldy laundry trapped in a damp chest during a humid monsoon. Sour, stale, and revolting.

Inside the bedroom, Liu Wuyuan wakes up from her sleep.

The sharp intrusion of an unfamiliar Qianyuan scent pierced her senses like a warning bell. She clutched the back of her neck and opened her eyes. The room was empty—but she could feel it. Someone was getting closer. Someone dangerous. Someone who didn’t belong in her courtyard.

Where was Xu Cheng? Why wasn’t she here?

Why was a stranger’s scent filling the house?

Had Xu Cheng betrayed her and offered her up to one of her disgusting friends?

That fear curled tight in her chest. Maybe it was possible. Maybe she was nothing more than a pawn to Xu Cheng.

No. She wouldn’t let it happen.

Her body was still weak, but thanks to Xu Cheng’s comforting scent the night before, at least the her fever had faded. She wasn’t helpless. Not yet.

With great effort, she pushed herself out of bed, stumbling slightly as she made her way to the door. She slid the bolt into place, locking it.

Then she scanned the room. Nothing here could be used to defend herself.

If she were in her own room, she’d at least have a pair of old scissors. Panic began to rise—whoever was outside was getting closer. She could feel it.

She didn’t dare make a sound, afraid the man outside might hear and force his way in.

Dragging her shackled feet, she inched toward the wardrobe in the corner. Maybe she could hide there?

But no—if she were discovered, she would have no escape.

And if she didn’t hide? With shackles on her feet, she couldn’t run or climb out the window. Either way, she was cornered.

While she hesitated, the door handle began to jiggle.

Liang Duan didn’t want to alarm her too soon. Even a mute girl could cry out in panic, and he didn’t want the neighbors hearing anything.

But the door didn’t budge—locked from the inside.

Xu Cheng must have just gone out. That meant Liu Wuyuan was still inside. Alone.

Liang Duan’s face lit up.

He pressed against the door again, then knocked lightly and called out, feigning familiarity:

“Xu Meizi? It’s me! Didn’t you ask me to drop by today? Why lock the door, huh? Let your big brother in!”

Inside, Liu Wuyuan froze, her entire body trembling at the sound of his voice.

But she forced herself to stay calm, even breathing softly through her nose.

The stench outside clawed at her throat, foul enough to make her retch.

She clamped a hand over her mouth and nose, tears welling in her eyes.

What made it worse was that she was still in her heat period. The overwhelming scent of a dominant Alpha’s pheromones had already started to sting the glands at the back of Liu Wuyuan’s neck, causing a dull, throbbing pain in her.

After all, Xue Cheng hadn’t formed a bond with her. Though she had bitten Xue Cheng once, she hadn’t injected her own pheromones. At most, Xue Cheng had only tried to calm her by gently releasing her scent.

Liu Wuyuan didn’t have time to wonder why Xue Cheng hadn’t marked her. At this very moment, all she could think about was how desperately she hoped Xue Cheng would come back and save her.

Wherever she had gone, whoever this man outside was—whether Xue Cheng had invited him in or not—as long as she returned in time to stop this nightmare, Liu Wuyuan was willing to forgive her for anything.

Curling up helplessly, Liu Wuyuan crawled under the bed. The darkness offered a sliver of safety. Outside the door, Liang Duan, realizing that sweet talk wasn’t going to work, was starting to lose his temper.

He began kicking at the door violently, shouting obscenities:
“You slut, I know you’re in there! Think locking the door’s gonna stop me? Your precious Alpha is probably wrapped up with some whore from Lotus Pavilion right now, having the time of their life. Why sit here crying alone when you could open up and enjoy the real deal with your Brother Liang, huh? Let’s have a good time together…”

His words were vulgar and disgusting. Liu Wuyuan bit her lip hard to keep from making a sound, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. The metallic tang of bl00d filled her mouth—she hadn’t realized she’d bitten all the way through her lower lip.

That flimsy wooden door was her only shield. Liu Wuyuan couldn’t bear to imagine what would happen once it gave way. How would she protect herself then?

But life has a cruel sense of timing. The more you fear something, the sooner it seems to come crashing down.

With a loud bang, the door burst open.

Liu Wuyuan trembled under the bed, shrinking further into the shadows. Liang Duan stormed into the room, heading straight for the bed—only to find it empty.

“Where the hell is she?” he snarled. “Damn, girl really knows how to hide. If you don’t come out now, once your Brother Liang finds you, I swear I’ll make you pay for being such a naughty little thing.”

His eyes swept the room. The Xue household wasn’t wealthy, and the bedroom was small enough that all the furniture could be seen at a glance. He checked the window—half open, but no footprints on the sill. No way she’d escaped that way.

She was still here. He was sure of it. And something about the hunt—the thrill of closing in—made him all the more aroused. His pheromones spilled into the room, thick and aggressive.

Liu Wuyuan choked on the scent; her eyes were watering.

Liang Duan stepped again, slow and deliberate, like a hunter savoring his victory. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence like rolling thunder, and Liu Wuyuan was the trembling prey, heart racing in terror.

Swish.
He yanked open the wardrobe.

Empty.

He frowned and glanced around. The house didn’t have many hiding spots. If she wasn’t in the closet, then…

Under the bed.

Liu Wuyuan’s despair sinks in. She knew there was no way out now. Her eyes locked on a pair of worn cloth shoes stained with dust, inching closer to her hiding place. She prepared herself.

If she couldn’t escape this, she would bite through her tongue. Even without all her memories, she knew this much—she would never let herself be defiled.

Liang Duan crouched beside the bed. The moment their eyes met—hers were filled with tears while Liang Duan’s eyes were  burning red with lust and twisted desire. The depravity in his gaze made her skin crawl.

He grinned wickedly. “Heh… there you are.”

Liu Wuyuan shut her eyes tight. Her jaw clenched. Just as she was about to bite down—

A sudden gust of wind burst through the room, followed by a furious roar.

“Get the hell away from her!”

Xue Cheng appeared like a storm. She kicked the unprepared Liang Duan hard, sending him flying.

Fury and panic surged through her. She had only gone out to grab some food—how had things gone so horribly wrong in such a short time? Her poor mute little beauty had nearly been violated.

Without hesitation, she pounced on Liang Duan and began to pummel him with punch after punch, ignoring his cries for mercy. Only when he was barely able to move did she drag him outside and toss him into the street, yelling for the neighbors to call the authorities.

But her heart was still back in that bedroom—with the frightened Liu Wuyuan.

She rushed back inside, dropped to her knees by the bed, and gently pulled the trembling girl into her arms, holding her close, whispering again and again:

“It’s okay, it’s okay—I’m back now. 

No one’s going to hurt you. 

Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”