My Alpha Has a Split Personality - Chapter 16

At half past eight in the evening, the movie ended.

Chi Yunhan yawned as she stepped out of the theater, her neck stiff and sore from sleeping in an awkward position.

She said, “I had such a deep dream—I dreamed about you.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she heard the faint rustling of movement. The popcorn in Jiang Muning’s arms nearly spilled as she turned her head to ask, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Muning replied, “Nothing. Still want the popcorn? If not, I’ll throw it away.”

“Why waste it?”

Chi Yunhan grabbed a handful of popcorn and tossed it into her mouth. Just then, Jiang Muning remarked, “Being rich isn’t all that great.”

“Says who? That’s exactly what I want—to be rich is my lifelong dream. If I can’t achieve it, I’ll keep trying till I die.”

Chi Yunhan spoke with such conviction, it was as if she wanted to shout to the heavens: My fate is mine to command!

The two walked home, cutting through a narrow alley that felt worlds apart from the bustling commercial district. Over there, crowds flowed endlessly, and multicolored lights intertwined into a dazzling nightscape. But the path Chi Yunhan led her down was nearly deserted, the dim streetlights barely illuminating the way—outshone even by the moonlight above.

Yet, Jiang Muning felt no trace of fear.

“Hurry up, we’re almost there,” Chi Yunhan urged from ahead. A stray piece of popcorn hit her face, and she reached up to catch it, only to smack herself in the process with a loud smack.

Blushing, Chi Yunhan asked, “Are you still having dinner?”

“Not hungry.”

The next day was a day off. Chi Yunhan slept in comfortably, then threw on whatever clothes were at hand and shuffled outside in her slippers.

Pushing open the door, she nearly collided with Jiang Muning and froze in surprise at the sight before her.

Jiang Muning was dressed in a black suit with white pinstripes, accentuating her tall, slender frame. Her once simple shoulder-length bob had been trimmed to just behind her ears, and a pair of ruby earrings adorned her lobes, lending her an air of stern elegance.

She looked undeniably formal. Jiang Muning lifted her gaze, her sharp eyes beneath a center part exuding a cold intensity as she asked, “You’re going to meet your parents dressed like that?”

Chi Yunhan was only wearing a plain T-shirt paired with jeans, the latter faded from too many washes.

The contrast made Chi Yunhan feel a little embarrassed. “This is fine. I always dress like this. Besides, I don’t even like them—what I wear doesn’t matter.”

Jiang Muning said, “Then make them eat their words. Make them regret everything.”

Chi Yunhan had fantasized about that in her dreams, but given how poorly she’d fared in life, she could never pull off the illusion of success. Every time she went back, she never took it seriously.

Jiang Muning turned and walked back into the room. Chi Yunhan went to brush her teeth but, curious, craned her neck to see what Jiang Muning was up to—only for Jiang Muning to shut the door in her face.

When Jiang Muning reappeared, she was holding a white gift box adorned with elegant script. Chi Yunhan couldn’t read any of the words except for a single letter: T.

“Here. Put it on.” Jiang Muning set the box on the bathroom counter and then pulled the door halfway shut behind her.

Toothbrush still in her mouth, Chi Yunhan pried open the box. Inside was a dress. She carefully lifted it out and shook it open.

The dress was black—a sleeveless, off-the-shoulder design in a demure Audrey Hepburn style. It fell to the knees in a straight cut, yet it hugged the figure beautifully.

Stunned, she pushed the door open and asked, “What is this—?”

Jiang Muning sat on the sofa with a magazine in her hands, her head lowered as she read intently without responding. But Chi Yunhan understood her meaning.

The clothes were for her.

Chi Yunhan was stunned. She touched the fabric—smooth, far more beautiful than what she usually wore.

She closed the door and changed.

The dress had a simple design but fit her perfectly. Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt prettier.

If she continued being sloppy and unkempt, it would be an insult to the dress. She combed her hair, washed her face, and only then stepped out.

Chi Yunhan pinched her arm, standing awkwardly at the door. “D-do I look okay like this?” she asked.

Jiang Muning gave her a once-over.

Truthfully, Chi Yunhan was quite pretty and not short, but she usually wore cheap, mail-order tops with leggings, dressed carelessly without makeup. Compared to the polished girls nowadays, she seemed a bit lackluster.

Now, in this outfit, her slender waist and long legs were accentuated, her figure delicate and shapely. The off-shoulder and low V-neck added a touch of sensuality.

Jiang Muning stood up and went back to her room. A few minutes later, she returned with another box.

Once was unfamiliar, twice was routine. Chi Yunhan opened the box to find a pair of black chunky heels with pointed toes, adorned with a bow and a sparkling diamond.

She slipped them on and gingerly touched the diamond, careful not to pry it loose—artificial stones weren’t set very securely, and losing one would be mortifying. People would look down on her.

Standing straight, she asked, “Is this okay now?”

Jiang Muning shook her head.

Clearly, it still wasn’t enough.

She brought out several more boxes.

Like unwrapping prizes, Chi Yunhan pulled out a necklace, a brooch, hair accessories, and a set of lipsticks. The last box she didn’t open immediately. Peeking into Jiang Muning’s room, she tapped the lid and asked, “Do you have a side gig? Like live-streaming sales?”

“No,” Jiang Muning replied flatly. “Take everything out and put it on.”

Chi Yunhan opened the last box to reveal a black leather handbag with four puzzle-piece designs in red and green, centered around a large pearl. Just one look told her it was expensive. She sniffed it—no leather stench.

“H-how much does this cost?” Chi Yunhan had a sharp nose. Though she didn’t recognize the brand, it smelled pricey.

Jiang Muning didn’t answer.

Chi Yunhan pressed, “Tell me.”

Jiang Muning glanced at her.

The saying “clothes make the man” held true. Dressed like this, Chi Yunhan looked like a wealthy heiress—an Omega who’d stand out even in the entertainment industry.

Chi Yunhan blinked, urging her.

Jiang Muning said, “If you must know, it’s just over six thousand…”

“Holy sh1t! Damn, that’s expensive!” Chi Yunhan was both delighted and pained. “How can it be this pricey? How much is this bag? This is such a waste!”

“The bag isn’t the expensive part.”

“Then what is?”

Chi Yunhan couldn’t gauge value. She assumed the bag was the priciest since everyone loved bags, but Jiang Muning said, “The necklace, bracelet, and shoes.”

Chi Yunhan could only exclaim in awe. She hadn’t put on the necklace yet and now handled it with extreme care, cradling it as she said, “Wasteful! You’re so wasteful!”

She dashed to the bathroom to put it on—a red gemstone that paired elegantly with the black dress, exuding luxury. It shimmered brilliantly. In all her life, no one had ever given her something so extravagant.

She kept pacing back and forth in front of the mirror, wishing she could pry it off the bathroom wall and strap it to her body.

Chi Yunhan truly couldn’t believe it and asked shyly, “You’re really giving this to me?”

Jiang Muning gave a quiet hum. Seeing how unsteady she looked, she added, “Provided that you like it.”

“I think it’s beautiful, but…” Chi Yunhan hesitated, embarrassed. “It is pretty, but won’t wearing this make it hard for me to ride my scooter?”

Jiang Muning: “…”

The conversation hit a dead end. Jiang Muning’s lips twitched slightly.

Chi Yunhan grinned foolishly. “Thanks.”

By the time she finished trying on the clothes, it was already past one in the afternoon. They had originally planned to go for lunch, but now Chi Yunhan was thinking of just going through the motions—they’d have to return early in the evening so as not to delay Jiang Muning’s business negotiations.

Chi Yunhan admired herself in the mirror, utterly pleased, and suddenly said, “When we go to my parents’ place later, could you… act a little more affectionate toward me?”

“Hm?” Jiang Muning looked at her.

Chi Yunhan knew the request was a bit unreasonable. “Because… because I want to show off a little. Every time I go back, I feel like an outsider. They always mock me, saying someone like me would only be loved if hell froze over…”

She was too embarrassed to say it outright, but back when Fan Chaoming had pursued Chi Yurong, the whole school had been abuzz. No one paid her any attention—they just cursed her for being heartless, wishing she’d never find someone who truly cared for her, that no one would ever want her.

Maybe it was because Jiang Muning had given her this gift that she couldn’t help but push her luck, wanting to flaunt it in front of those people.

Look, look! My wife treats me so well. I don’t even care about you losers anymore.

Chi Yunhan lowered her voice. “You don’t have to do much—just smile more, only at me, and back me up when I talk. That’s all.”

After all, Jiang Muning wore the same expression every day and rarely smiled.

Chi Yunhan stole a glance at her and noticed her brows furrowing. Guess that’s a no.

Asking someone who wasn’t naturally expressive to play along with her lovey-dovey act was indeed difficult—it was probably asking too much of Jiang Muning.

She took a deep breath and headed back to the bathroom to keep admiring herself in the mirror. “It’s fine. When they see me in new clothes, they’ll know you treat me well.”

Chi Yunhan refused to wallow in misery. No matter the circumstances, even if she fell into a pit, she’d claw her way out with everything she had. Even if it left her battered and bruised, she’d always put happiness first.

Even if she was born into tragedy, she’d grow toward the sun. She wouldn’t allow herself to be useless—she couldn’t afford to be. If no one else loved her, then she had to love herself.

She had to live happily.

Jiang Muning lowered her head to read her magazine.

Before she knew it, she had reached the last page. A soft humming reached her ears, and she turned her head toward the bathroom.

Chi Yunhan was singing a nonsensical little tune to herself in the mirror: La-la~ I have new clothes~ Someone bought me new clothes~ I look so good~

She rummaged through a box of lipsticks, comparing them with her fingers before finally picking out a matte one. She puckered her lips and began applying it.

The color on her lips made her look even more vibrant. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders—she hadn’t styled it, simply clipping a hairpin onto her bangs.

Jiang Muning averted her gaze and closed the magazine. Her words came out as if squeezed through gritted teeth. “Just this once.”

“Huh? You’re agreeing?” Chi Yunhan stared at her in shock, afraid Jiang Muning might take it back. Not daring to press further, she quickly added, “Should we practice a little first?”

She ran over and said, “When we go in, you take my hand first, just follow my lead. Stick close to me—that’s how couples act. No one will notice anything’s off.”

Jiang Muning didn’t respond, just looked down at her watch again, her expression unusually serious, even her breathing becoming tense.

“Are you in a hurry?” Chi Yunhan followed her gaze to the watch but couldn’t make sense of it. Thinking she should take the initiative since it was her idea, she slowly moved her fingers, trying to reach Jiang Muning’s.

Just as she was about to make contact, Jiang Muning suddenly stood up. “I’m going back to my room to change. I’ll be out later,” she said, pausing at the door to add, “No peeking.”