My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 25

25

A clap of thunder roared, followed by a downpour that soon quieted.

Gu Qingci was already awake, the soft, fragrant bundle in her arms making her acutely aware of what she had done.

The woman who usually appeared cool and distant was as pliant as cotton to hold, her scent sweet. In the past, layers of clothing had separated them, but tonight, both wore only thin sleeping robes.

Gu Qingci could feel the subtle curves beneath her touch.

In the dim light, her gaze traced the gland on Ruan Zhi’s neck, then trailed down to the fair skin below.

Her throat tightened, her marking teeth itching with desire.

A faint, crisp sound snapped Gu Qingci back to her senses, and she immediately released Ruan Zhi, putting distance between them.

The first thing she saw was Ruan Zhi’s jade-like face and those lush, rosy lips.

How soft must those lips be? How sweet would they taste…?

Gu Qingci averted her eyes, only for them to land on the very curves she had just felt. The high-quality silk sleeping robe clung to Ruan Zhi’s body, and just one glance made Gu Qingci’s head buzz.

Stop. Stop!

This couldn’t even be called lovesickness anymore—this was pure lust clouding her judgment!

A very dangerous thought!

Sneaking into Ruan Zhi’s bed in the middle of the night, not only wanting to bite her but also feeling such desire—if Ruan Zhi found out, would she kill her?

“Madam, I’m going back to sleep.” Gu Qingci said, lowering her head, not daring to look again.

Ruan Zhi said nothing, so Gu Qingci let go and began to crawl away.

After just a couple of moves, a clattering sound startled her. She stumbled back, realizing she had stepped on the abacus she had just gifted Ruan Zhi.

“It’s fine, it’s fine—just bumped into the abacus. Good thing it’s sturdy…” Gu Qingci, feeling she had overreacted, quickly explained as she picked up the abacus and placed it on a nearby shelf.

Ruan Zhi watched as Gu Qingci crawled away from her and returned to the small couch.

“The thunder probably won’t return tonight. Sleep well.” Gu Qingci said before lying down herself, hoping Ruan Zhi wouldn’t bring up what had just happened.

Ruan Zhi said nothing, merely observing as Gu Qingci closed her eyes. Silently, she began counting in her heart.

Before she reached twenty, Gu Qingci’s breathing had evened out in sleep.

Ruan Zhi’s gaze lingered for a moment before she finally lay back down.

If the previous incidents had been coincidences, this one certainly wasn’t.

Gu Qingci clearly knew she was afraid of thunder.

She had even rushed over to comfort her half-asleep.

She cared about her—so much so that she had openly rebuked Xue Sanniang, targeting her so directly.

And she…must desired her.

Every time she marked her, she bit down hard, always seeming unsatisfied afterward.

“Madam, you smell so good.”

“Madam, you alone are enough for me.”

Those earnest, blush-inducing words—Ruan Zhi had once thought they were just an act. But now, remembering them made her face burn.

Her waist and back still seemed to carry the imprint of Gu Qingci’s hands.

And yet, Gu Qingci had the nerve to fall asleep so easily!

In the depths of the night, Ruan Zhi’s thoughts grew increasingly tangled. But soon, caution resurfaced.

Was this another one of the little alpha’s tricks? Refusing to take the initiative, waiting for the omega to make the first move?

A game of playing hard to get?

With an extra lifetime of experience, how could she let herself be fooled by a mere alpha?

What kind of person Gu Qingci was, what she wanted, what her goals were—none of that concerned Ruan Zhi.

As long as she remained steadfast, focused solely on her own objectives, no one could influence or control her.

Soon, Ruan Zhi redirected her thoughts to her upcoming plans, pushing all matters related to Gu Qingci aside.

The latter half of the night passed without further thunder. Ruan Zhi eventually fell asleep, though her rest came late, so she woke later than usual.

When Gu Qingci awoke, Ruan Zhi was still asleep.

Gu Qingci rose quietly and went out to wash up.

The overcast skies and rain left the world dim and gloomy.

Though Gu Qingci knew Ruan Zhi’s gland had been damaged during a thunderstorm in her illness, she didn’t know the exact timing.

Now, whenever thunderstorms came, she made sure to stay by Ruan Zhi’s side. If she showed even the slightest sign of discomfort, Gu Qingci would immediately call for a physician. Surely, they could avert that disaster.

“It’s still raining? How am I supposed to train outside?” Gu Qingci muttered after washing up and changing, frowning at the drizzle outside.

Without physical exercise to expend her energy, staying indoors would only invite restless thoughts—and the resurgence of certain dangerous impulses.

“If the lord truly wishes to go out, you could wear an oilcloth coat. Madam had some rain gear prepared yesterday, including a set for you.” Nanny Qin said with a smile.

“There’s such a thing? Please bring it for me.” Gu Qingci said eagerly.

Nanny Qin fetched the garment—similar to a modern raincoat, complete with a hood, made of oiled fabric. Dark in color and far less cumbersome than a straw rain cape, it suited Gu Qingci just fine.

After thanking Nanny Qin, Gu Qingci headed out.

Some meaningful exercise, followed by scouting out Guo Tongyi’s movements—that was the plan.

By the time she returned, Ruan Zhi had just finished washing up.

“I’m going to see Father today. Will you come?” Ruan Zhi asked over breakfast.

“Of course. Wherever Madam goes, I go.” Gu Qingci replied with a grin.

“…” Ruan Zhi gave a soft hum, averting her eyes.

This alpha—all sweet talk.

The two took a carriage to the Ruan residence. While Ruan Zhi spoke with Ruan Maolin, Gu Qingci went with Ruan Jinyu to see the horses.

“Regarding the merchant association, Father will take the lead, uniting the businesses we’re already close with first. As for the Xia family, I’ve already spoken with Xia Lingyan—she’ll join later. We’ll take it slow at the beginning, no need to rush. Take this heavy rain, for example. If the flood reaches Minshan County, the only safe places will be the nearby mountains—Linglan Temple and the martial arts school are on higher ground and won’t be submerged. But they won’t be able to accommodate everyone. The merchant association can set up rain shelters nearby, providing hot water and basic necessities. We don’t need to overprepare.” Ruan Zhi explained to Ruan Maolin.

Some matters were still inconvenient for her to handle directly, so she entrusted them to her most reliable ally—her father.

“Ah Zhi, if you believe forming a merchant association is the right move, I’ll support you. We should indeed stand united. But are you certain Minshan County will flood this time? Preparing so much rain gear, stockpiling food, moving goods from our shops to avoid water damage, gathering medicinal herbs—it’ll cost a fortune.” Ruan Maolin said, frowning.

“Father, I’m certain. A seer I consulted predicted it. You needn’t doubt this.” Ruan Zhi said firmly.

Ruan Maolin studied his daughter’s expression and finally nodded.

He knew better than anyone how sharp her business acumen was.

The two discussed further details.

Once business was settled, Qin Ruofang pulled Ruan Zhi aside for a private chat.

“Have you and A Ci made up? Last time, she mentioned you were upset and even asked me what you liked. She wanted to get you a gift.” Qin Ruofang said.

“I suppose we have.” Ruan Zhi said after a pause.

Why did this alpha tell her mother everything?

Did she think gifting an abacus would placate her?

“The more I see of A Ci, the more I like her. I once asked you to encourage her to improve, and she’s truly risen to the occasion—now a martial scholar! Who’d have thought? Even after becoming a scholar, her temper remains impeccable, always cheerful, never seen her angry. You can be too stubborn sometimes. Try to be a little softer. A marriage requires mutual understanding—that’s how it grows stronger…” Qin Ruofang advised.

“…” Ruan Zhi listened as her mother sang Gu Qingci’s praises, as if implying she was the one being inflexible.

Gu Qingci had certainly crafted a meek, obedient image in front of her parents.

“Mother, I understand. But let’s not dwell on that. With this endless rain, there’s little to do. I’d like to visit Linglan Temple to pray for blessings. Why don’t you and Jinyu come with me? Pack your things—we’ll leave tomorrow and stay a few days.” Ruan Zhi said.

Qin Ruofang was delighted at the prospect of traveling and spending time with her daughter.

With Gu Qingci’s improvement and Ruan Zhi’s reconciliation with her, the sorrow Qin Ruofang had once felt had largely faded.

After sharing some private words, Gu Qingci returned from the horse farm, and they soon left.

Ruan Zhi still had matters to attend to—she needed to arrange everything in advance.

The rain was growing heavier by the day, and as a omega, it wouldn’t be proper for her to go out frequently. Once she was settled in the mountain temple, any updates could be relayed to her, and she would handle them from there.

“Tomorrow, I’ll be going to Linglan Temple. Mother and the others will join me. It’s very close to the martial arts school, so you don’t need to accompany me. Now that you’re a martial scholar, you can attend classes there.” Ruan Zhi said to Gu Qingci after they returned.

“But what if it thunders? I won’t go—I’ll stay with you. Missing a couple of days at the martial school won’t matter, and the rain makes training difficult anyway.” Gu Qingci replied.

“…Going for half a day in the morning should be fine. You should visit the instructors there, bring them gifts. You’ll have to go eventually—the provincial exam is much harder than the county one. Also, with the continuous rain, the county might flood. The surrounding villagers will need to evacuate, but you know Guo Tongyi—he won’t let others take credit for this. When you meet the instructor Sun Pengdun, you could mention it.” Ruan Zhi said bluntly.

Hearing this, Gu Qingci agreed.

Thunder hadn’t struck in the morning, but just in case, Gu Qingci came up with a solution.

She would make earplugs.

That evening, while Ruan Zhi was reviewing account books, Gu Qingci spent some time in Nanny Qin’s sewing room. When she returned, she held a small, peculiar object.

“Madam, look at this!” Gu Qingci placed it on the table in front of Ruan Zhi.

“What is this?” Ruan Zhi frowned at the strange item.

Two small cotton-stuffed silk pouches were connected by a thin thread.

“If you don’t want to hear certain sounds, you can plug your ears with these!” Gu Qingci proudly demonstrated the handmade earplugs she and Nanny Qin had crafted, gently inserting them into Ruan Zhi’s ears.

Modeled after modern earbuds, the cotton filling was soft and elastic, effectively blocking sound.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the right materials for something more flexible. If we find some later, we could make oversized earmuffs—they’d keep you warm in winter too.” Gu Qingci rambled, though Ruan Zhi could barely hear her.

The earplugs were surprisingly effective at noise cancellation.

Ruan Zhi hadn’t expected Gu Qingci to go to such lengths for her.

It gave her a strange feeling—as if she were being genuinely cared for.

Aside from her parents and Nanny Qin, no one had ever made her feel this way.

“How is it? Comfortable? If they’re too tight or not enough, we can adjust them.” Gu Qingci asked after removing them.

“They’re fine.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Great! Then you won’t have to be afraid when I’m not around.” Gu Qingci beamed.

The earplugs were left with Ruan Zhi, who in turn handed Gu Qingci a hundred-tael silver note.

“Thank you.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Madam, you’re the best!” Gu Qingci’s eyes widened at the note.

The original story wasn’t wrong—Ruan Zhi was generous with her “employees” offering excellent benefits and rewards without hesitation.

She had just made a pair of earplugs, and Ruan Zhi gave her a hundred taels?!

Wealthy sister, I’m sticking with you for life—no way I’m letting go!

Watching Gu Qingci skip away happily with the silver note, Ruan Zhi’s expression darkened.

Playing hard to get?

She suspected Gu Qingci didn’t have the cunning for it—or perhaps not even the intention?

What does she actually want?

If it was money, why had she handed over all the silver Xia Lingyan gave her?

If not money, why was she so thrilled with a hundred taels?

Once again, Ruan Zhi couldn’t understand her.

Annoyed, she furrowed her brows, lost in thought for a moment before forcing herself to refocus on her work.

The next day, the skies remained overcast, the rain light but the air thick with humidity.

Servants had already loaded the carriages with their belongings, while Gu Qingci and Ruan Zhi took a separate one.

The courtyard had been tidied, with everything that could be moved placed on higher ground to avoid potential flooding.

A few guards and servants stayed behind, while the rest accompanied them to Linglan Temple.

If they arrived too late, there might not be any rooms left, so this timing was perfect.

On the way to the temple, they stopped by the Ruan residence to meet Qin Ruofang and the others.

Ruan Maolin still had business to attend to and didn’t join them.

At the foot of the mountain, the path turned into stone steps, impassable by carriage. They would have to walk the rest of the way.

“Let me carry you up.” Gu Qingci said as they disembarked, seeing the muddy ground. Knowing Ruan Zhi disliked dirt, she crouched down without hesitation.