I Transmigrated into a Scummy Alpha and Stole the Heroine from Her Tragic Romance ( LILY, ABO ) - Chapter 8

On the way back, Qi Xiyao sat in the front passenger seat, stealing glances at Yu Peirong from the corner of her eye. The gratitude in her expression was so obvious that it made Yu Peirong feel a little awkward. She lowered her voice deliberately and said,

“I didn’t do it to protect you. Don’t get emotional over nothing. The only reason you are still useful is that face of yours. If you don’t take care of it and end up getting hurt, then you really will be worthless.”

Qi Xiyao pressed her lips together and didn’t respond.

Yu Peirong felt a faint discomfort in her heart.

She was not someone who lacked compassion. The reason she brought Qi Xiyao to the bar tonight was partly to stay in character and partly to understand the situation better. The novel didn’t give her character much depth. Most of her presence served to amplify the emotional drama between the male and female leads. If Yu Peirong wanted to truly grasp what was happening, she had to observe for herself.

Some people would never fight back unless they were forced to. Without a push, they would remain trapped in their own mental cages.

Yu Peirong hadn’t actually gone to the restroom. She had stayed just outside, quietly listening. She wanted to step in if something went wrong and also wanted to see if Qi Xiyao had any unresolved issues with those people.

There was clearly a grudge. But if Yu Peirong had asked about it out of nowhere, it would have seemed suspicious. This was the perfect opportunity.

She cleared her throat and turned up the car heater slightly. Then she casually remarked,

“Next time something like that happens, can you show some backbone? Who were you trying to impress with that fragile act?”

“President Yu…”

Qi Xiyao’s lips moved slightly. She seemed about to say something, but in the end, she swallowed her words.

Time passed slowly. Yu Peirong was smart enough not to push her. When someone wants to speak, they will. If they don’t, it’s better to wait.

The car moved onto the highway, heading in the direction of Qi Xiyao’s home. It was not truly her home but rather a small apartment her agent had rented for her.

In this world, the entertainment industry did not guarantee huge paychecks. Qi Xiyao was not a big star, and the company had deliberately held her back from gaining popularity. She could only be considered a third-tier celebrity. The real money came with second-tier status or above. Judging by the things people had said earlier, her family seemed to be facing financial problems and possibly even debt. It made sense for her to be living in a small apartment.

Inside the luxury car, soft Beethoven piano music played in the background. A faint floral fragrance filled the air. It was a sweet cherry blossom scent, mixed with a hint of mint. In the early autumn evening, it felt especially refreshing.

Qi Xiyao looked out the window at the scenery flashing past. Her expression was conflicted. She gripped the door handle tightly, as if holding on to something that could give her strength.

Just as she was about to speak, her phone suddenly rang.

Her pupils contracted instantly.

The caller ID showed Yu Shang.

By the third ring, Yu Peirong had already noticed Qi Xiyao’s reaction even though she was focused on driving. She sighed inwardly and felt a wave of irritation rise in her chest.

Without taking her eyes off the road, Yu Peirong said calmly, “Pick it up.”

Reluctantly, Qi Xiyao pressed the answer button.

She didn’t like Yu Shang at all. If their relationship had ever been mutual, she might have hated Yu Peirong instead. But between the two siblings, she would much rather stay with Yu Peirong. At least she wouldn’t be forced into things she didn’t want to do.

Yu Shang, at this stage, still acted like a normal person. He was cruel, yes, but had not yet reached the point he did later in the story. He had not started planting hidden surveillance devices on Qi Xiyao or stalking her in the name of “protecting her safety.” Naturally, he had no idea she was in Yu Peirong’s car.

His voice came through the phone clearly.

“Yaoyao, don’t forget about Director Zhu’s film launch in a few days. I’ll take you to the reception that evening. Come to my office tomorrow and pick out a dress. You don’t need to pay for it. You are the Omega I like. If I don’t treat you well, who should I treat well?”

He had made all the arrangements, acting as if he was being considerate. But in reality, it was just another way of controlling her life.

No one with self-respect would enjoy being controlled like that. As expected, Qi Xiyao frowned slightly. She wanted to argue but didn’t know how. She was just an actress under contract. Her schedule was managed by her agent, and everything was governed by signed agreements.

Now that Young Master Yu had spoken personally, how could she refuse?

At that moment, the car exited the highway and stopped at a red light. Yu Peirong glanced at Qi Xiyao and silently mouthed something. Her expression urged her to speak.

Qi Xiyao hesitated, a little confused. Then, under the pressure of Yu Peirong’s growing impatience, she suddenly remembered how this woman had stood beside her in front of those arrogant Alphas earlier. No one had dared challenge her.

Her courage returned.

“Get lost. Why should I listen to you?”

Yu Shang was stunned. “What did you say?”

Qi Xiyao watched as Yu Peirong quickly typed something on her phone, her lips twitching slightly as if holding back a laugh. She read the message out loud.

“I really appreciate it. I’ll hold your urn for you.”

Yu Shang was speechless.

Just as he was about to explode with anger, Qi Xiyao ended the call with a crisp tap.

“You didn’t sound fierce enough,” Yu Peirong said while driving, pretending she hadn’t seen the blush creeping across Qi Xiyao’s face. “You should have said it louder. If you don’t, he’ll keep trying to boss you around. You’re with me now. Are you still holding on to feelings for him?”

“No, absolutely not.”

After that moment, Qi Xiyao’s mood clearly improved. The corners of her eyes and lips lifted with joy. She looked like a little cat that had just stolen a fish snack, filled with secret excitement.

It was the first time in her life she had ever spoken to someone like that, especially to someone like Yu Shang. Before, she had never dared. She wasn’t exactly terrified of him, but she had always avoided confrontation.

Her career still depended on him. In the adult world, clean breaks were rare. If something could be endured, she usually chose to stay silent. That was why speaking up now felt so satisfying.

She had never expected President Yu, of all people, to teach her how to curse someone without using a single dirty word. For someone who had always been a good girl, it opened the door to a whole new world.

Yu Peirong, who had acted for many years and studied countless character types, didn’t need to ask to understand what Qi Xiyao was thinking.

According to the novel, the female lead had grown up sheltered by her family. Her parents had always taught her to avoid conflict, to stay quiet, and to never bring trouble to herself. That kind of upbringing had shaped her gentle, passive personality.

At first, Yu Peirong had thought Qi Xiyao stayed silent out of fear. But later, she vaguely learned that Qi Xiyao’s family situation might be more complicated. Still, it seemed Qi Xiyao had no intention of talking about it. After dropping her off at the entrance of her apartment complex, Yu Peirong politely chose not to walk her to the door. She turned the car around and left.

As soon as she returned home, Yu Peirong messaged her secretary privately to request an investigation into Qi Xiyao’s family background. The secretary was surprised but didn’t ask questions. She simply replied, “I’ll get back to you as soon as possible,” and went offline.

**

The next morning at work, Yu Peirong did not see Qi Xiyao, but she did find Yu Shang fuming outside her office door.

From the very first day she arrived, Yu Peirong had changed the access code. Entry now required either her fingerprint or a verbal passcode. Yu Shang, who used to stroll in freely, now had to stand awkwardly outside. Luckily, the area was private and quiet, so no one saw him looking so helpless.

Even so, he was seething after what happened the night before, with nowhere to vent his anger. Qi Xiyao had gone to film a commercial today and wasn’t at the office, so he had no target for his frustration and arrived early just to wait.

The moment he saw Yu Peirong, his anger boiled over.

“Peirong, don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”

“What did I do?”

Unlike Yu Shang, who was visibly furious, Yu Peirong had slept well and was full of energy. Her makeup was clean and understated. After unlocking the door, she walked briskly to her desk and sat comfortably in the executive chair. When she saw Yu Shang about to sit down across from her, her brows lifted slightly, and she suddenly spoke up.

“Didn’t I already say not to call me ‘sister’ in the office? Did I say you could sit?”

Yu Shang froze mid-motion, then straightened up, looking even more frustrated and wronged.

He had never had a particularly close relationship with Yu Peirong, but things had never been this tense either. In the past, she had shown little interest in managing the company. Everyone assumed she was only after her share of the money to spend freely.

Yu Shang had even considered offering her a cut of the profits to keep her pacified, so he could gain full control over the family assets. But suddenly, Yu Peirong had changed. She wasn’t just showing up to play around anymore. Now she wanted to act as Qi Xiyao’s manager?

If she wanted to try her hand at managing someone, there were plenty of better choices. Why did she have to choose Qi Xiyao just to get under his skin?

“Do you have any idea how Qi Xiyao talked to me last night?”

Dressed in an expensive suit, Yu Shang still looked impressive on the surface. But his angry expression was almost comical. Yu Peirong, unfazed, maintained a calm and elegant look. She spun her pen between her fingers and casually asked,

“What did she say? Are you referring to ‘I’ll hold your urn,’ or ‘You’re trying to control heaven, earth, and even your grandmother’s grave,’ or maybe ‘I’ll add fresh soil to the weeds growing over your tomb’? Which one was it?”

Yu Shang had not expected her to repeat those insults out loud. Her words hit him again like a slap to the face. His expression turned red with embarrassment. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find any words. The anger he had come to unleash vanished, leaving him speechless. His face flushed darker as his features twisted slightly with frustration.

“You called her last night?” Yu Peirong’s tone was calm. “Don’t overthink it. I just told her I’d manage her for a while. Let her rehearse more lines and practice her roles. Otherwise, how can she keep acting when her skills are that bad?”

She pretended to notice Yu Shang’s awkward expression for the first time and softened her voice slightly, pretending to care.

“Ah Shang, what’s wrong?”

Yu Shang clenched his jaw and finally muttered through his teeth, “Peirong, I can’t help but feel like you’re doing this on purpose just to mess with me.”