I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 14

The middle floor of the Yan Corporation headquarters was entirely taken up by the staff cafeteria. The main hall housed hundreds of simple four-seater tables, while the west side featured several private dining rooms reserved exclusively for the company’s executives.

Following Yan Zui out of the elevator, Qi Yunwei stepped onto the cafeteria floor, where an elegant row of private rooms greeted them from across the hall.

Out of habit, Yan Zui started walking toward her usual private room, but quickly caught herself, paused, and deliberately turned toward the other side.

Qi Yunwei trailed after her, asking, “Is the cafeteria big? Are there a lot of people? You’re sure that word about us eating together will get back to Father-in-law?”

“Big. Crowded. Definitely,” Yan Zui replied crisply. She then turned back, her clear, cool gaze sweeping over Qi Yunwei. “Just remember to play your part later—don’t lose your nerve.”

Qi Yunwei straightened her shoulders with confidence. “Relax. Stage fright isn’t even in my vocabulary.”

After all, she could deliver speeches to thousands without breaking a sweat. A cafeteria, even with a thousand people, was hardly intimidating.

At the end of the corridor, a glass door opened into the main dining hall.

Wherever Yan Zui went, her stunning beauty and frosty aura commanded instant attention.

Qi Yunwei, holding the door for her, hadn’t even stepped through before a shrill voice pierced the air.

“Oh my god—it’s President Yan!!!”

The lively buzz of conversation died instantly, replaced by stunned silence for three heartbeats. Then, like a wave, greetings erupted all around.

“Good afternoon, President Yan!”

“Hello, President Yan!”

“President Yan.”

Though Yan Zui was in front, Qi Yunwei was half a head taller, which gave her a clear view of the spectacle.

Every employee’s face was flushed with excitement, eyes shining as they stared at Yan Zui. If she wasn’t the frosty, untouchable president of Yan Corporation, they would probably have rushed forward asking for autographs and selfies.

Accustomed to this kind of reception, Yan Zui merely nodded in acknowledgment and walked deeper inside. She chose a seat in the very center of the hall—where the most people could see her.

Qi Yunwei followed close behind, carrying a lunch box, which inevitably drew curious glances.

As she passed a few tables, she overheard hushed speculation.

“Must be President Yan’s new assistant,” someone whispered.

But when Qi Yunwei sat down naturally across from Yan Zui, the stares sharpened, suspicion and wariness creeping in.

“Of course an assistant would sit down—what, she’s supposed to just stand there while the president eats?”

“But she’s an Alpha!”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. Could be a relative.”

At another table nearby, Secretary Shen had noticed the moment they walked in. Remembering the words “homemade lunch” she’d overheard earlier in the president’s office, her gossip-loving instincts flared. She leaned toward her male colleague and whispered, “What do you think that Alpha girl is to President Yan?”

The man, uninterested in gossip, chewed methodically before answering, “No idea.”

Secretary Shen’s eyes gleamed with excitement. In a conspiratorial hush, she guessed, “I think she’s either pursuing President Yan or already her girlfriend.”

The man scoffed. “Impossible. I know every wealthy family in Guangnan City and their children. I even keep track of most of the rich heirs across Huaguo. I’ve never seen her before, not once. She’s definitely not from a wealthy background. There’s no way.”

He frowned, his gaze tinged with disdain, and added, “And look at her clothes—they’re all bargain-bin stuff.”

“Most likely just a maid from the Yan household, here to deliver food.” He stated this with certainty.

Secretary Shen: “…”

If she hadn’t personally seen their interaction in the president’s office, she might have believed him.

Giving her colleague a pitying look, she shook her head. “You sound convincing, but you’re dead wrong. President Yan is the heir of a top-tier family. Chairman Yan has never pressured her into a marriage alliance. She can choose any Alpha she wants—status doesn’t matter. And a maid delivering food would leave right after. No way she’d sit down to eat together. They’re definitely a couple.”

“Nonsense.” The man was unmoved.

“Wanna bet?” Shen shot back instantly.

“Fine, let’s bet.” His competitiveness was hooked, and he jumped headfirst into the trap she’d set.

Most eyes in the cafeteria were still fixed on Yan Zui, leaving Qi Yunwei unfazed.

She opened the insulated lunch box, laying out steaming dishes and a bowl of silver-ear lotus seed soup. Handing a pair of chopsticks to Yan Zui, she smiled. “Try this—the sweet-and-sour ribs are amazing.”

Yan Zui took the chopsticks but didn’t reach for the ribs. Instead, she frowned slightly, studying Qi Yunwei with a curious, probing look. “You made this?”

“How could I? I can’t cook,” Qi Yunwei replied breezily. “Uncle Jiang made it.”

Yan Zui’s gaze lingered, sharp as though trying to pierce through her. “Uncle Jiang knows my tastes. He wouldn’t make something like this.”

Qi Yunwei pressed her lips together. She couldn’t exactly admit she’d learned Yan Zui’s real preferences from Xiaoman. So she improvised, “I heard that after Alphas and Omegas get married, their tastes start to sync up. I love sweet-and-sour ribs, so I wanted to see if you’d like them too.”

She picked up a rib and placed it in Yan Zui’s bowl. “Just try one bite. If you don’t like it, there’s still scrambled eggs with tomato—no sugar in that.”

Her dark eyes sparkled with expectation. “And don’t forget, we’re supposed to be putting on a show of affection. Time to play along.”

Yan Zui: “…”

Yan Zui’s brows knitted, but she reluctantly lifted the rib. A faint trace of distaste flickered in her eyes before she took a bite.

The sweet-and-sour flavor burst across her tongue, awakening her palate. She froze, startled by the unexpected taste.

Qi Yunwei leaned forward. “So? Acceptable?”

Yan Zui’s long lashes trembled, her eyes lowering as she murmured softly, “It’s fine.”

Her left hand, hidden on her lap, trembled slightly at the fingertips.

“As long as you can eat it, I’m relieved. Since it’s lunch for both of us, I figured there should be at least one dish I like. Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t touch it, but I’m glad you don’t mind,” Qi Yunwei said brightly.

“I’ll bring you lunch every day from now on.”

“Alright.” Yan Zui’s reply was quiet, eyes lowered.

Throughout the meal, Qi Yunwei kept piling ribs into Yan Zui’s bowl. Out of eight pieces, Yan Zui ate six, while Qi Yunwei only had two. The scrambled eggs with tomato—supposedly Yan Zui’s favorite—ended up almost entirely on Qi Yunwei’s side.

Not far away, Secretary Shen whispered excitedly, “See that? President Yan gazed at her with such tenderness, then looked away shyly!”

“Tell me—who treats a maid like that? Have you ever?” She shot her colleague a sidelong look.

The man: “…” He’d have to be insane to act like that with a maid!

And if even Shen noticed, then the other employees, who were always attuned to President Yan, definitely noticed too.

The “buzz buzz” of hushed conversations swelled louder and louder. Qi Yunwei couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she couldn’t ignore the increasingly hostile stares directed her way.