Dressed as the Scumbag Alpha Mom of the Tragic Female Lead (ABO, GL) - Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Zhuang Qi woke around six to use the bathroom, only to find Jiang Chuxie still at her computer. Outside, it was pitch black, the room lit only by the faint glow of the screen.

“Chuxie, did you not sleep or just wake up?” Zhuang Qi climbed out of bed, concerned. “You were still up when I went to sleep. Don’t tell me you pulled an all-nighter?”

The screen’s dim light fell on Jiang Chuxie’s face, casting her expression in shadow.

“I napped a bit.”

“So, barely slept?”

“Couldn’t really sleep.”

Jiang Chuxie knew she needed rest to face her enemies effectively. But every time she tried, memories from that time flooded her mind.

A reflexive pain flared somewhere in her body, followed always by Gu Lingjun’s face.

“You haven’t slept properly in days. Should we get you some meds? You can’t keep going like this—your body won’t hold up.”

Fresh from a major ordeal and sleep-deprived, Jiang Chuxie looked pale with heavy dark circles.

“Yeah, I’ll check with a hospital.”

Jiang Chuxie felt she needed not just sleeping pills but maybe some therapy too.

“I’ll ask my cousin to book you a specialist appointment. If we do it ourselves, it’ll take ages to get in.”

Jiang Chuxie recalled Zhuang Qi’s sister was a surgeon, who’d mentioned wanting to introduce them.

“Won’t that trouble her?”

“Trouble? Nah, it’s nothing. Perfect chance to meet my cousin—she’s really curious about you.”

“Curious about me?”

Jiang Chuxie looked puzzled.

“My cousin graduated from our school’s medical college. She was in her final year of grad school when you were a freshman, so she’s kinda your senior too. I talk about you a lot, and since you’re my aunt’s assistant, she’s intrigued.”

Jiang Chuxie nodded, smiling bitterly. “Just not the best timing for a meeting…”

Zhuang Qi patted her shoulder lightly. “It’s not formal—just to get you to the hospital. Get your body in shape, and we’ll crush those enemies.”

“Thanks, Zhuang Qi.”

“No need for thanks between us. Rest in the dorm today. I’ll check on things at the company and let you know about the appointment.”

“Okay.”

The resort incident hadn’t spread to school, sparing Jiang Chuxie further harm, though the leave paperwork was a hassle. Luckily, Zhuang Jingyuan had smoothed it over.

These days, Jiang Chuxie focused on Yu Wen’s case, with decent progress. But the other side wasn’t as promising.

Professionals were different. Unlike students like Yu Wen, who didn’t even switch phones, making call records easy to trace, this guy was “principled,” insisting it was a crime of passion, claiming he just disliked Jiang Chuxie, an Alpha, and framed her.

As for his identity, he spun wild tales, changing daily. The police investigated for days with no solid leads. Even if prosecuted, it’d be for assault, maybe one or two years at most.

With no national ID database and electronic records just starting, data wasn’t shared across regions. Identifying him, let alone his past crimes, was no simple task.

As things stalled, the police resorted to broadcasting the suspect’s image on TV, hoping witnesses from other cases could provide clues.

After coordinating with the police, Jiang Chuxie got his photo and posted it on Xueyou’s homepage, offering a reward for leads.

Her goal differed from the police’s. They sought ties to bigger crimes to ensure he didn’t escape justice, but her case had no legal recourse.

He was just a tool. Her real grudge wasn’t with him but his employer. She wanted leads on them to strike back.

She suspected Dean Xu Wen was behind it, but there was no hard evidence yet. Some clues only showed he’d been at B University, possibly stalking her.

The longer it took, the less evidence remained, worsening her position.

“Ha…”

As Jiang Chuxie stared at her compiled clues, at a loss, a sudden knock came.

Given her reserved nature, visitors were rare, and Zhuang Qi, the social butterfly, ensured no one disturbed her.

She thought Zhuang Qi forgot her key, but opening the door, she heard Zhuang Jingyuan’s voice.

“Chuxie, you there?”

“Dean?” Jiang Chuxie opened the door, shocked to see Zhuang Jingyuan. “What brings you here?”

Though they worked closely, they rarely interacted outside that. Zhuang Jingyuan was aloof, and Jiang Chuxie appeared cold, so they weren’t overly familiar.

“I heard about your situation… came to check on you.”

“Come in.”

Letting Zhuang Jingyuan in, Jiang Chuxie wondered who told her. Zhuang Qi wouldn’t, but the police’s claims might’ve prompted them to verify with Zhuang Jingyuan.

Zhuang Jingyuan looked serious. When Jiang Chuxie went to pour water, she stopped her. “No need. Sit. I have something to say.”

Curious, Jiang Chuxie noted Zhuang Jingyuan’s concern but sensed she was here to discuss something, not just visit.

“Dean, what is it?”

Zhuang Jingyuan showed rare hesitation, her eyes heavy with worry and guilt.

“How’s your health?”

Sensing something off, Jiang Chuxie answered honestly. “I’m recovered. No need to worry.”

“Good… and Gu Lingjun?”

Jiang Chuxie’s heart sank, her face tensing.

“How do you know about Gu Lingjun?”

The police might mention her or the case to Zhuang Jingyuan, but not Gu Lingjun. Only close friends and hotel security knew she helped Jiang Chuxie.

With Gu Lian around, it wouldn’t leak.

“Chuxie, I’m sorry…” Zhuang Jingyuan lowered her eyes, choosing her words. “I want to talk about the LianPing Association.”

LianPing, short for the Beta and Omega Joint Rights Association, was the opposition group seeking Jiang Chuxie’s cooperation.

She’d learned the name while gathering their info, never imagining hearing it from Zhuang Jingyuan.

Her heart plummeted.

“Dean, what’s your connection to LianPing?”

In that moment, Jiang Chuxie’s mind raced—from Zhuang Jingyuan hiring her as an assistant, LianPing targeting Xueyou for growth, to their outreach. Were these all coincidences?

Xueyou’s traffic had grown, but two years ago, it was obscure. How did they just happen to notice it?

“…I founded LianPing when I was young.”

Jiang Chuxie shot up, her bloodshot eyes glaring at Zhuang Jingyuan, her expression almost feral.

Before her mind could process, her body reacted with rage. If this weren’t her respected mentor, her clenched fist might’ve swung.

“So it was all you—”

“No, I left the association long ago. You may not believe me, but I’m not involved anymore. I only heard about this after.”

“But you’re still in touch,” Jiang Chuxie, sharp, inferred much from her words. “Using online platforms to grow was your idea, right? So was having them approach me.”

Zhuang Jingyuan didn’t deny it.

“I’m sorry.”

Jiang Chuxie never imagined betrayal from Zhuang Jingyuan. Though their personal interactions were limited, she deeply respected her, trusting her completely.

“You think an apology fixes this? That ‘sorry’ earns forgiveness?”

She never thought her greatest betrayal would come from someone she admired for both character and talent.

“So why are you here? To mock me? Recruit me? Threaten me? No wonder LianPing’s so bold—with Dean Zhuang as their backer, why would they fear anything?”

Perhaps from days of pent-up anger, Jiang Chuxie roared at Zhuang Jingyuan, slamming her arm into a nearby shelf, knocking off a pile of items.

“Chuxie, calm down. I’m not here to mock or threaten you. I came to apologize and discuss how to handle this.”

Zhuang Jingyuan, usually terse, spoke at length, only fueling Jiang Chuxie’s rage.

“Handle it? They sent you to negotiate peace? What, scared it’ll trace back to you?”

Her tone was sharp and urgent, her face darker than ever.

Perhaps never seeing her like this, Zhuang Jingyuan’s lips parted in surprise.

“Chuxie, I know you’re angry, but this wasn’t the president’s intent. It violates LianPing’s principles. They’re investigating and will give you an explanation.”

Jiang Chuxie laughed bitterly. “Dean, are you naive, or do you think I am? You expect me to believe you?”

Zhuang Jingyuan looked helpless. “Believe it or not, it’s the truth. I can assure you the current president is trustworthy, though her control is weakening, and some members are overstepping. But she’s promised me to use this to reform the association, ensuring it won’t happen again.”

Jiang Chuxie understood.

“So you are here to make peace. You know the cleanup on Xueyou could expose a lot, and you’re scared.”

Zhuang Jingyuan seemed to want to argue but sighed after a pause. “You’re not wrong.”

Jiang Chuxie sneered. “Then you must’ve brought something to show sincerity. Apologies and promises to reform won’t earn my forgiveness or trust.”

“…We know who ordered the other attacker.”

Jiang Chuxie clenched her teeth, trying to quell her anger. This was within her expectations—just not that Zhuang Jingyuan would be the negotiator.

But it didn’t matter. Her plan hadn’t changed. She might even leverage Zhuang Jingyuan’s guilt for more.

She couldn’t lose her cool now.

“It’s Xu Wen, right?”

From two years of working together, Zhuang Jingyuan wasn’t good at lying. Her big secret was hidden by her brilliance, aloofness, and pheromone suppression.

“You knew?”

“Yeah, so can you offer better terms?”

Zhuang Jingyuan bit her lip, frowning in thought. “But you have no evidence and no plan to deal with him, right?”

She was right—Jiang Chuxie had no clear strategy against Xu Wen. An arrogant Alpha supremacist, his remarks were criticizable, but public opinion wasn’t viable now. Even breaking her principles to ruin his reputation wouldn’t hurt him much.

Unlike Yu Wen’s group, Xu Wen was meticulous, leaving little evidence. Finding his weaknesses later wouldn’t be easy.

“So?”

“The association promises to clean up internally, make the culprits confess, and help you deal with Xu Wen.”

“Oh? How?”

“They have evidence of his academic fraud and student harassment.”

Those were the gravest sins for an educator, ensuring Xu Wen’s ruin if proven.

But Jiang Chuxie didn’t feel joy—only a chill.

“Dean, do you really think only a few in the association are problematic?”

Zhuang Jingyuan’s brows furrowed, and after a long pause, she said, “I’m certain most have good intentions.”

“But many good intentions don’t always create a utopia—often just a mirage.” Calming down, Jiang Chuxie looked at her mentor of over two years, choosing to believe parts of her story. “Have you considered why the association, with this evidence, never acted until now, using it as a bargaining chip?”

Zhuang Jingyuan opened her mouth but couldn’t answer.

“Simple. You collect dirt not for justice but to blackmail others later for your goals. You wave a noble flag while doing despicable things.”

Zhuang Jingyuan paled, saying slowly, “You’re… right. Under a collective will, noble visions often sour. But I still ask you not to judge everyone in the association this way.”

“I wasn’t a good leader. I left due to incompetence and disillusionment, but a group of kids inherited my hopes. I know the culprits here are unforgivable, and I won’t ask you to forgive them. But beyond them, the association has many idealistic, upright members…”

“Why not let the law decide their uprightness?”

“Some are hotheaded students. Their frustrations lead to extreme words. A criminal record could ruin their lives.”

“So I deserve this?”

“That’s not what I mean…”

After the fierce urge to fight faded, facing this unexpected situation, Jiang Chuxie felt utterly drained.

“Teacher, why you? If you left the association, if you didn’t know, why are you here talking to me?” Staring at Zhuang Jingyuan, she gritted her teeth. “Why not the president you mentioned? Still hiding, hoping your bond sways me? You think I’d trust someone like that?”

Zhuang Jingyuan wasn’t a skilled negotiator. Despite holding leverage, she didn’t negotiate properly, just talking ideals.

“No, I volunteered. We share many ideals, so I didn’t want you and the association to be fully at odds. As its founder and their teacher, I wanted to do something for them.”

Jiang Chuxie sneered. “You forgot—you’re my teacher too.”

“Chuxie, I’ll do everything to make it up to you. I just hope you won’t hand all your evidence to the police, giving them one more chance. Their efforts haven’t been easy, and they’re always refining themselves. If you want to know the current president, I can arrange it.”

“Fine, let me meet this incompetent leader before I decide.”

In truth, when she anticipated this outcome, Jiang Chuxie had already decided, which was why she hadn’t given all her evidence to the police.

A fight to the death with LianPing would only harm both sides. She was waiting for their offer, and she was quite satisfied with this one.

The only thing she didn’t expect was Zhuang Jingyuan as the negotiator.

Zhuang Jingyuan took a breath. “I’ll arrange it… Also, Xiao Qi doesn’t know about this.”

“I know.”

Jiang Chuxie’s tone was cold. Zhuang Jingyuan stood awkwardly. “I won’t disturb your rest then…”

“Take care,” Jiang Chuxie said, no longer able to view Zhuang Jingyuan as before or interact calmly. “Also, I won’t supply suppressants anymore. I hope you plan ahead.”

“I understand…”

Watching Zhuang Jingyuan leave, Jiang Chuxie collapsed into her chair, unable to hold on.

She thought she was ready for anything, but now realized the truth was often crueler than imagined.

“Dad, just say it.”

Gu Lingjun, confined for two days after returning, had a tense standoff with her parents. After Gu Lian declared, “If you insist on being with Jiang Chuxie, I’ll disown you,” they entered a cold war.

But Mu Qing barely left her side, their roles clear.

Seeing her father pacing, hesitant to speak, Gu Lingjun broke the silence.

Mu Qing dropped the act, anxious. “What did Jiang Chuxie say today? Has she decided?”

Gu Lian hadn’t taken her phone, so they stayed in touch. Though their old communication style was on hold, Jiang Chuxie sent daily check-in texts.

“Didn’t Senior say she’d reply after resolving things?”

“When will that be? Is she just stalling if she doesn’t? Is that liking you?”

“She’s been updating me on progress, and I like her—she never said she likes me.”

That was what angered and worried Mu Qing. “Sweetie, don’t you think about yourself? Giving so much for Jiang Chuxie will only hurt you!”

“You only feel hurt if you see it as giving. Even if Senior doesn’t return my feelings, I won’t feel hurt—just a bit sad.”

Mu Qing’s heart sank, thinking his daughter was hopeless.

“That’s not giving? You, for her, for her—”

Gu Lingjun chuckled, cutting in. “For her, what? Sacrificed myself? Dad, you still think I got the short end, don’t you?”

“It’s not what I think—it’s fact!”

Gu Lingjun sighed, not arguing further. “Maybe, but the help I’ve gotten from Senior far outweighs this. I’ve never thought I lost out. You think my ‘only Jiang Chuxie’ is hotheaded love, but it’s not.”

Jiang Chuxie awakened her sense of self, showed her not all Alphas were detestable. After being with her, Gu Lingjun couldn’t accept other Alphas. It wasn’t just love—she found them lacking.

If others called that love, then yes, she loved Jiang Chuxie deeply.

Meeting her brought not just affection but a sense of self. Even if Jiang Chuxie didn’t love her, that wouldn’t change, and it was her greatest gain.

Even without being with Jiang Chuxie, she could control her life. Wasn’t that worth more than anything?

What others saw as her loss was nothing compared to this.

So she held no resentment, only slight regret.

Mu Qing sighed, leaving Gu Lingjun’s room, thinking she was completely smitten. His feelings were mixed, unsure if he wanted Jiang Chuxie with his daughter.

Gu Lian, just off a call, asked casually, “How’s Lingjun?”

“How else? Blindly trusting her dear Senior! Ugh, if I’d known, we shouldn’t have let her come to this university. A private school would’ve been better.”

“What’s the use now?” Gu Lian frowned, thinking of the call. “And it’s hard to say what’s better.”

Mu Qing glanced at her. “Do something useful. Have those bastards been punished?”

“Jiang Chuxie’s more capable than I thought. She doesn’t need my help anymore.”

Mu Qing’s eyes lit up. “You mean she’s almost done?”

If she was, she’d have to answer Lingjun. How could he not be thrilled?

Whatever the outcome, at least he wouldn’t be on edge daily.

Why did it feel like they, who should hold the upper hand, were now so passive?

The one who loves first always loses.

“Yu Wen’s group confessed. The other suspect’s crimes were undeniable. The police broadcasted for nationwide leads, uncovering more cases, and will dig deeper.”

“The police are on it this time!”

Gu Lian shook her head. “It’s Jiang Chuxie who’s on it… The Life Sciences Dean was exposed yesterday for academic fraud and student harassment.”

Mu Qing, thrown by the unrelated news, didn’t follow.

“What’s that got to do with this?”

“Qingqing, remember? He was involved in Zhao Gang’s case.”

“That jerk! I knew he was shady, protecting students, up to no good!”

“But these issues aren’t new. Why surface now?”

Mu Qing, focused on his daughter, had no patience for riddles.

“Just tell me why—don’t make me guess!”

“I suspect Xu Wen was the employer. No proof, but Jiang Chuxie knows.”

“You mean… this is her revenge?”

“Yeah.”

Mu Qing beamed. “So she’s actually working on it! I thought it was just an excuse.”

Gu Lian wasn’t as pleased. “This isn’t something you just ‘work on.’ Jiang Chuxie… she’s shown me her prowess again.”

“Isn’t ability good?”

“It’s great for the upright, but the more capable the corrupt, the greater the harm.”

“You think she’s not upright? From before and now, she seems decent… Oh, Xu Wen framed her because of Zhao Gang? So we’re partly responsible…”

“Don’t digress. I don’t deny her uprightness, but that doesn’t mean I’ll easily entrust Lingjun to her.” Gu Lian frowned, thinking. “She seems upright and capable, helping others without hesitation, ruthless against enemies. Is anyone that perfect?”

“You still don’t trust her?” Mu Qing had doubts, but Lingjun trusted her. “Just because you can’t do it, doesn’t mean others can’t.”

Gu Lian glared. “I’m not saying it’s impossible—I just haven’t met someone like that in all my years. If she weren’t tied to Lingjun, I’d love to meet her. But as a son-in-law, I need to be cautious.”

Mu Qing huffed. “You’re still playing hard to get? She hasn’t even committed—she might not care to be our son-in-law. And why say that to Lingjun? If she’s with Jiang Chuxie, will you really disown her?”

“If Jiang Chuxie’s unwilling, good—it’ll end Lingjun’s hopes. If she wants to be with her, this is her test. Without the Gu family’s backing, will she still treat Lingjun well?”

Mu Qing fumed. “You—Lingjun was right, you’re just like your parents! Tests, tests, tests! You don’t engage with sincerity—how can you expect it back? Want Lingjun to resent us too?”

Gu Lian was unmoved. “If Lingjun resents me, so be it. As a mother, I understand their mindset now.”

“You’re regressing!”

Gu Lian grabbed Mu Qing’s hand, serious. “Qingqing, don’t tell Lingjun. With her feelings for Jiang Chuxie, she’d spill it. A test only works if it’s unknown.”

Mu Qing shook her off. “Let’s see if Jiang Chuxie even agrees first. She might not.”

“No, she will. If she’s truly upright, she’ll take responsibility for Lingjun. If it’s all a facade, why would she pass up such a chance?”