I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 18

Xiaoman remembered it vividly: after falling asleep, Yan Zui frowned as though unhappy, scooted closer, shoved the pillow aside the moment she touched it, and only when she wrapped her arms around her master did her brow finally smooth and her breathing settle into a peaceful rhythm.

The person in her arms suddenly stirred. Qi Yunwei instinctively shut her eyes tighter, continuing her pretense of sleep.

Yan Zui’s cheek brushed against her chest as she shifted, rubbing lightly. Perhaps it was when she opened her eyes and realized their position that her movement froze, hanging there for a long moment.

Qi Yunwei’s heart tensed. She guessed Yan Zui was about to shove her off the bed—yet unexpectedly, Yan Zui moved again. Carefully, she slipped out of Qi Yunwei’s embrace, slowly edged to the side, retrieved the pillow that had been tossed away, and placed it squarely between them. Then, she lay back down with her back facing Qi Yunwei.

The silence made every heartbeat thunderous. Qi Yunwei cautiously cracked open her eyes. Staring at Yan Zui’s slender back, she couldn’t help finding her clumsy attempt at covering up oddly adorable.

【Master, why is Yan Zui pretending to sleep?】

[She’s either embarrassed or mad—just doesn’t want to face me.] Even with a pillow between them, she couldn’t resist leaning in. Yan Zui must be feeling pretty conflicted now.

At last, Qi Yunwei understood why Yan Zui hadn’t made a fuss yesterday.

A laugh escaped her. She sat up, the noise enough to make Yan Zui stir and follow suit.

“Good morning.” Qi Yunwei greeted warmly.

Yan Zui’s raven hair fell forward, veiling her faintly reddened ears. Her expression was cool as her gaze swept Qi Yunwei.

Confirming from her natural demeanor that Qi Yunwei hadn’t noticed her sneaking out of that embrace, Yan Zui quietly breathed a sigh of relief. “Morning.”

She rose and headed to wash up.

The more Qi Yunwei thought about it, the cuter Yan Zui seemed—and in contrast, Qin Lifeng’s scheming only grew more loathsome.

After breakfast, Yan Zui left for work. Just like yesterday, Qi Yunwei walked her to the door. While they waited for the car, Qi Yunwei suddenly thought of Qin Lifeng and asked, as though casually, “Didn’t see your bodyguard yesterday at lunch. Where was he?”

“He took leave,” Yan Zui replied blandly.

Qi Yunwei frowned. “Why does he always take leave? That’s so unprofessional. You should switch to a reliable one.”

It was a test.

If she could get Qin Lifeng removed altogether, nothing would be better.

Unfortunately, Yan Zui didn’t agree. “No need.”

With her mild social anxiety, Yan Zui hated changing to unfamiliar people. Once she got used to someone, she never swapped them out easily.

Qi Yunwei had only been probing anyway, with little real expectation—so the answer didn’t disappoint.

Less than a minute later, Qin Lifeng finally drove up.

Spotting Yan Zui waiting outside, he immediately stepped out and apologized, “Sorry I’m late, President Yan.”

“I came down early.” Yan Zui moved to get into the car.

“Yan Zui,” Qi Yunwei suddenly called.

She turned back, only to see Qi Yunwei smiling. “I’ll bring you lunch today. Wait for me in your office.”

Qin Lifeng’s brow furrowed sharply. Lips pressed tight, his jawline hardened as his sidelong glance at Qi Yunwei turned sharp and hostile.

Qi Yunwei had eyes only for Yan Zui. That glare wasted itself on thin air.

Still, Qin Lifeng wasn’t worried. Yan Zui was famously professional, fiercely protective of her image. She’d never allow a disgraceful partner like Qi Yunwei to show up in front of employees.

But reality had other plans.

Yan Zui could reject Qi Yunwei herself—but she couldn’t refuse the food Qi Yunwei carried. Her ice-blue eyes flicked toward her, and she answered coolly, “Mm.”

Qin Lifeng’s fists clenched. Rage surged so hard he nearly lost control.

This trash—what right did she have?

“Let’s go.” Yan Zui opened the door and slipped inside.

Jolted back, Qin Lifeng rushed to the driver’s seat. Catching sight in the rearview mirror of Yan Zui already leaning back with her eyes closed, he swallowed down the words he’d wanted to say.

Two years. He had watched her for two years, only to see her plucked away by this worthless Alpha. The thought was unbearable.

Yet the real blow landed at the company.

During his absence yesterday, Qi Yunwei had come to deliver lunch. She and Yan Zui had eaten together in the cafeteria, brazenly affectionate for all to see.

“Qin Lifeng, what’s with your eyes? They’re bloodshot,” a colleague remarked, surprised, as they passed on the gossip.

“I’m fine. Probably didn’t rest well.” He forced a smile.

“Everyone agrees she doesn’t deserve President Yan—people can’t stand her. Right now the whole company’s digging into her background, trying to figure out how she managed to catch President Yan. But so far, no leads.”

“Oh?” A glint flashed in Qin Lifeng’s eyes.

Yesterday, he had already obtained a full dossier on Qi Yunwei—everything from bullying classmates in elementary school to dropping out of university. Black marks piled high.

“Don’t worry,” he said smoothly. “With the talent in this company, there’ll be news before long.”

Meanwhile, Qi Yunwei wasn’t idle at home.

After confirming the day’s menu with the butler, she spent twenty minutes in the gym, then headed to the study to “play” on the computer.

She found the same forum from yesterday, navigated to the bounty board, and picked up a two-thousand-yuan job.

It took her an hour to crack, but she submitted successfully and pocketed the reward.

【Master, why so slow?】 Xiaoman asked in confusion.

This ancient data was child’s play for it—why had Qi Yunwei taken an entire hour?

[Slow? That’s already faster than most people.]

Qi Yunwei had no intention of showing off too much yet. Still, to make money, she couldn’t afford to look completely incompetent either. Each task completion time was carefully calibrated—just a hair faster than the best solver.

To make her growth look steady, she shortened her times in gradual steps. By noon, she had completed five jobs, earning a neat ten thousand. Finally, her funds rounded out to a perfect sum—one hundred thousand.

At midday, Qi Yunwei carried a lunchbox to deliver food to Yan Zui.

Unlike yesterday, when she had passed unnoticed through the lobby, this time the moment she entered, nearly everyone turned to stare. Their gazes were complicated—tinged with disdain.

Even the receptionist who had been so friendly yesterday now looked at her with open contempt.

She took the executive elevator up to the top floor, passing through the secretary’s office. Just yesterday, she had chatted happily with Secretary Shen. Now, when Qi Yunwei raised her hand in greeting, the secretary’s face iced over, pretending not to see her.

Qi Yunwei: “…” What the hell???