Redeeming That Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic Omega [Transmigration] - Chapter 10
“Yes, Master.”
As the black-haired maid left, the chilling sensation behind Xu Mingxin finally dissipated.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but her voice carried a hint of complaint. “We’ve been here for ages, and my sister still hasn’t come down to greet her guests. She’s never acted like this at home. Wen Yan, why don’t you say something?”
“Oh, she’s still asleep.”
Still asleep?!
The Xu family had strict rules: everyone had to rise before dawn. Even Madam Xu, who doted on Xu Mingxin, wouldn’t allow her to sleep in.
So Xu Ruozhou was living the good life after marrying into the Wen family?!
Xu Mingxin nearly ground her back teeth to dust. “The guests are here, and the hostess is still asleep, making us all wait for her alone.”
“Wen Yan-jie, don’t take this the wrong way, but isn’t this a breach of etiquette?”
Father Xu and Madam Xu also wore expressions of displeasure.
Wen Yan inwardly clicked her tongue.
Pfft, I’ll sleep if I want to! This is my house—mind your own business!
Shortly after the black-haired maid entered, a coolly elegant figure emerged from within. Regal and aloof, she seemed born to command attention, drawing all eyes simply by standing there.
The Omega wore an apricot-colored gauze gown, cinched at the waist with a belt of ruby-carved roses. The vibrant hues harmonized with her reddish-brown eyes, accentuating her breathtakingly alluring features.
Holy moly!
This face kissed by the Creator himself, and that perfectly proportioned figure—like Venus’s armless statue—sob! She’s truly the female lead of this novel; even a simple outfit makes her outshine everyone else.
The Fake Heiress was fiercely jealous. Xu Ruozhou had always struggled in the Xu Family, barely daring to wear lipstick, let alone dress up properly, for fear of provoking the Fake Heiress’s wrath.
Now, in the Wen Family, the rose finally needed no longer conceal its magnificent beauty and could bloom freely.
Wen Yan stood by the long English-style table, her dark eyes radiating undisguised awe. Before the assembled guests, she stepped forward, took Xu Ruozhou’s pale hand, and knelt on one knee.
The Alpha tilted her head back, humbly kissing the Omega’s cold, pale fingertips. A pigeon-egg-sized diamond ring inadvertently flashed before the crowd.
“Hiss.” The young omega beside Xu Mingxin gasped, whispering, “I can’t believe my eyes… is that the Cullinan’s Dream white diamond? Good heavens, I thought it was auctioned off to a European noble! How did Xu Ruozhou get his hands on it?!”
Beneath the long English-style table, two hands were clenched so tightly their knuckles seemed on the verge of shattering, the bones grinding against each other.
“Mingxin, say something! Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Crack, crack.” Xu Mingxin viciously cracked her knuckles, but the oblivious omega beside her continued chattering. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and glared fiercely at the other woman.
The young omega, startled by Xu Mingxin’s venomous glare, immediately fell silent.
Wen Yan, holding Xu Ruozhou’s hand, walked to the head of the table where the Xu Family sat in perfect formation. She gave a slight bow.
“My apologies for keeping you waiting.”
“Welcome to our new home. Please forgive the modest hospitality, but we’ve prepared some small gifts. I hope you enjoy your meal.”
The Xu Family hadn’t expected to receive gifts upon entering the Wen residence.
As the saying goes, “He who eats another’s food is beholden to him, and he who takes another’s gifts is indebted to him.” Having accepted both hospitality and gifts, the Xu Family members began showering Wen Yan with compliments.
Some guests praised the couple’s compatibility, while others reminisced about the Wen and Xu families’ successful collaborations in the past.
Wen Yan smiled faintly. “The Wen and Xu families have been close for generations. In the future, the Wen Family will prioritize partnerships with Xu Family enterprises for our company projects.”
Father Xu and Madam Xu looked up at Wen Yan, who gave them a polite nod.
Around the long English-style table, the Xu family members grew increasingly animated in their conversation. Xu Ruozhou, though seated at the head of the table, was treated like an outsider, with no one speaking to him.
Xu Ruozhou was accustomed to this cold treatment. He knew the Xu family had never truly accepted him.
“Want to try this?”
A voice interrupted his wandering thoughts.
Xu Ruozhou lowered his gaze to see a bowl of chicken soup being ladled into his empty bowl.
Wen Yan whispered, “The doctor said you caught a chill and should eat warming, nourishing foods. I had the kitchen prepare this specially for you.”
Xu Ruozhou lifted his lashes, finally noticing that all the desserts and pastries on the English-style table were prepared in the style of a traditional English afternoon tea—except for the incongruous earthenware pot in front of him.
The delicate aroma of chicken soup wafted from the pot. Unable to resist the expectation in those clear, dark eyes, Xu Ruozhou inexplicably picked up a spoon and took a sip.
Though no sugar had been added, a subtle sweetness lingered on her tongue.
Throughout the banquet, Wen Yan was exceptionally attentive. The moment Xu Ruozhou glanced at a dessert, it would materialize on the silver tea set before her.
The Xu family watched in stunned silence, forced to swallow a mouthful of dog food.
As the evening drew to a close, Father and Madam Xu were buoyed by the flattery of their relatives.
“Ruo Zhou, you’ve truly made a wonderful match. The Wen family is a prestigious clan, and this marriage alliance will undoubtedly benefit the Xu family’s growth.”
“Though Ruo Zhou didn’t attend elite schools in her youth, she still carries the Xu family bl00d. Her poise and bearing remind me of your own grace in your younger days.”
Madam Xu feigned modesty, but her heart swelled with pride. “Nonsense. My two daughters are far more beautiful than I ever was in my youth.”
Wen Yan and Xu Ruozhou escorted the guests to the front gate. As the chauffeur opened the door of the luxury car, Father and Madam Xu invited them to visit the Xu family home. Wen Yan, determined to keep the female lead away from that den of wolves, politely declined with a fabricated excuse.
Just before the car door closed, Madam Xu hesitated, then retrieved a document from her expensive crocodile-skin handbag and tentatively extended it toward Xu Ruozhou.
Xu Ruozhou took the document. Madam Xu scanned her up and down, and when she saw those reddish-brown eyes, unpleasant memories resurfaced.
Madam Xu frowned in distaste. “Now that you’ve married into the Wen Family, you’d better fulfill your duties as an Omega wife properly. Don’t bring shame upon the Xu Family, understand?”
“This is a stock transfer agreement. I’ve already signed it. After the wedding, you can choose a subsidiary of the group to manage. Consider it a mother’s token of affection.”
Xu Ruozhou nodded expressionlessly. Standing beside her, Wen Yan finally revealed a genuine smile.
YES!!!
We did it!!!
According to the original plot, although Xu Ruozhou married the Original Owner, he was constantly neglected by her. Madam Xu, fearing the 5% stake would fall into the hands of outsiders, had stubbornly refused to sign the agreement.
Before Wen Yan could begin celebrating, a cold voice interrupted her reverie. “Wen Yan.”
“Huh?”
Xu Ruozhou’s fingers slowly tightened around the agreement. “Dismiss all the temporary actors you hired. I want to speak with you alone.”
After settling the actors’ wages, Wen Yan sat nervously on the sofa, her heart pounding.
Leaning forward, her fingers nervously intertwined, Wen Yan stood up the moment the door to the third-floor guest room swung open.
Xu Ruozhou frowned slightly at her tense expression. “Why are you so nervous? I’m not going to eat you.”
The Omega had changed out of her opulent attire into simple long sleeves and pants, yet her refined aura remained undiminished.
Xu Ruozhou removed the expensive diamond ring from her index finger and placed it on the table. Noticing Wen Yan’s anxious expression, she pursed her lips. “Tell me.”
“Why did you stage this whole charade?”
To help you secure the Xu Family’s shares.
Unfortunately, Wen Yan couldn’t reveal her true motives.
Wen Yan forced a bitter smile. “You know the Wen Family’s situation. I didn’t want your family to mock you for marrying me.”
Xu Ruozhou pressed her lips together. “Wen Yan, you know I don’t care about any of that. We’re partners. I…”
“I care.”
Xu Ruozhou froze.
Wen Yan lifted her dark eyes, gazing steadily at her. “Xu Ruozhou, I just want to be worthy of you.”
Xu Ruozhou wore a complex expression Wen Yan had never seen before.
Did I pass the test?
Wen Yan tilted her head, waving her hand in front of Xu Ruozhou’s eyes. “Xu Ruozhou, are you daydreaming?”
“No.”
His reddish-brown eyes regained their usual composure.
Wen Yan poked her fingers together. “Um, I wanted to say…”
“What is it?”
Wen Yan glanced around to make sure Xu Ruozhou’s future ruthless henchman wasn’t nearby, then leaned in conspiratorially. “You know the Wen Family’s business is getting worse and worse, and I have no business sense at all.”
“You’ll definitely be the head of the family someday!”
Xu Ruozhou looked at her. “So?”
Wen Yan flashed a flattering smile. “If I ever make you angry, could you not break my legs?”
Xu Ruozhou: ……
Seeing his indescribable expression, Wen Yan whimpered and retreated to a compromise. “Then could you not break all of them? Just leave me one?”
“Wen Yan.”
“Huh?”
“First of all, I don’t have violent tendencies.”
“Secondly,” Xu Ruozhou said with a half-smile, “if you’re so eager to make me angry, I wouldn’t mind fulfilling your leg-breaking wish for you.”
“No—!”
The anguished wail carried outside, and the few remaining servants in the villa rushed to investigate.
They hurried to the door and found the Omega wearing a faint smile while the Alpha clung pitifully to her leg, muttering repeatedly, “Waaah, no! I’ll do whatever you say!”
“My leg—!”
Aunt Wang’s eyes widened in surprise, but her heart finally settled from its anxious perch. The servants all breathed a collective sigh of relief, except for the short-haired maid, who kept her head bowed, her expression unreadable.
Xu Ruozhou hadn’t expected Wen Yan to be so shameless. Noticing the servants had been drawn by the commotion, her ears flushed slightly.
She pinched the waist of the Alpha clinging to her leg, whispering fiercely, “Wen Yan, get up now! Everyone’s watching!”
“I’ll get up if you promise not to break my leg!” Wen Yan wailed.
The Alpha she had married seemed particularly fixated on the leg issue. Xu Ruozhou sighed in exasperation. “I promise. Now get up.”
“Waaah, swear it! Swear you’ll never break my leg!”
“I swear,” Xu Ruozhou said.
With Xu Ruozhou’s promise, Wen Yan finally averted the crisis of having her legs broken.
Under the astonished gazes of the servants, Wen Yan casually dusted herself off, got up from the ground, and flashed them a goofy grin. “Huh? Why are you all here?”
Aunt Wang wore an indescribable expression. “Miss, are you alright? What was that just now…?”
Aunt Wang trailed off, unsure how to phrase her question. Xu Ruozhou crossed his arms, watching to see how Wen Yan would explain. Wen Yan winked mysteriously. “It’s just our marital fun.”
“Ever heard of ‘broken leg play’?” Wen Yan deadpanned, making up nonsense. “You Betas, without pheromones, can’t possibly understand the dynamics between Alphas and Omegas~”
The servants: ……
Xu Ruozhou: ……
More likely it’s your brain that’s incomprehensible.
After registering their marriage with the female lead, Xu Mingxin stopped contacting Wen Yan. Wen Yan holed up in the villa, spending days as a recluse, leaving the company entirely in the female lead’s hands.
“Ah, this is the life~”
Wen Yan returned to her pre-transmigration routine, hugging her plushie, munching on chips, and watching TV with relish.
A pair of icy hands landed on her aching ankles, skillfully kneading them. Wen Yan let out a blissful sigh. “Ah, that feels so good! I love it~”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied, Master.”
Wen Yan: ……
As if time had slowed to a crawl, Wen Yan locked eyes with the black-haired maid with the blunt bangs. The potato chip in her mouth clattered to the floor with a crunch.
“Master, what’s wrong?”
Though the maid’s hands were only massaging her ankles, Wen Yan felt as if fate itself were tightening its grip around her throat.
“Ha ha ha, I’m fine!”
Having spent the past few days currying favor with the female lead, Wen Yan had grown complacent, nearly forgetting that Lin X, the woman who harbored deep hatred for the Original Owner, was right beside her.
Wen Yan’s body went limp, and she slid straight off the sofa.
“Master?”
Seeing the maid’s hand reach out, Wen Yan scrambled to her feet as if she’d seen a ghost.
Under Lin X’s puzzled gaze, Wen Yan straightened up into a very proper posture and said earnestly, “Lin X, how long have you been working for the Wen Family?”
“Five years already, Master.”
Aaaaaaaah!
The Original Owner has been abusing her for five years?!
Wen Yan wore the despairing expression of a young cabbage frozen to death. She pulled the black-haired maid to her feet, wanting her to sit on the sofa instead of kneeling.
“Master, Lin X cannot sit on the sofa.”
Wen Yan blinked in surprise. “Why not?”
“Master, have you forgotten?” The black-haired maid lifted her head, her inorganic black eyes glancing up timidly. “You said Lin X was too filthy and only deserved to kneel at your feet to serve you. You forbade Lin X from sitting where you sit.”
“Ah.” Wen Yan forced an awkward yet polite smile. “Haha, I suppose I did say that.”
Dead brain, think! What should I do now?!
The black-haired maid lowered her head and remained silent for a long time. Finally, she pressed her pale lips together and suddenly spoke, “Master, you’ve changed so much lately. It frightens Lin X, making her fear you might abandon her.”
Wen Yan slid off the sofa like a slippery eel.
“Lin X, if I told you I hit my head and my brain got badly damaged, would you believe me?”
Lin X: ?
“You’ve noticed the change too, haven’t you? The truth is, I’ve been reflecting on all the wrong things I’ve done these past few days.”
Lin X lowered her head, concealing the malevolence in her eyes. “Master, what are you saying? How could you ever be wrong?”
Wen Yan wanted to kneel before this ancestor and beg her to stop pretending.
The Original Owner’s tragic death was only half the work of the female lead; the remaining torment was almost entirely Lin X’s contribution.
Wen Yan recalled the day the Original Owner’s leg was broken.
“Lin X, you treacherous b1tch! How dare you betray me!”
Her cold, inorganic black eyes stared down at the Alpha, who was now incapable of resisting.
Holding an iron rod, her calloused hand tapped it rhythmically against her palm, like Death wielding a scythe to sever heads.
“What are you going to do?!”
“Wen Yan” recoiled in terror.
The black-haired maid, usually so meek and submissive, kneeling beside her to massage her feet, now held the iron rod, its edge tracing inch by inch across “Wen Yan’s” leg.
Her cold, inorganic black eyes showed no trace of human emotion, regarding the figure on the ground as if it were a fish on a chopping block.
“Lin X, what have I ever done to wrong you? I gave you a job in the Wen Family, kept you fed and clothed. Yet you show no gratitude, becoming Xu Ruozhou’s lapdog!”
“You two bitches!”
“Heh.” Lin X sneered, slowly crouching down, her fierce black eyes fixed on her former employer. With each word Wen Yan spoke, the hatred in Lin X’s heart intensified.
“Gratitude? Wen Yan, have you ever treated me like a human being, even for a single day, in all these years?”
“You’ve probably forgotten yourself, haven’t you? You made me lick the soles of your shoes in front of everyone, just because I spilled a pot of tea and dirtied your new shoes.”
“Wen Yan” froze. “What are you talking about? When did this happen?”
Lin X burst into chilling laughter, the sound sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it. “You really don’t remember.”
“Then how about this? Do you remember this?” Lin X lifted her skirt to reveal her thighs, covered in a dense network of burn scars. “Do you remember how you poured freshly boiled water into a watering can and slowly poured it over me, drop by drop?”
“Wen Yan” wore a guilty expression. “You’re lying! I never did any of those things!”
“Heh, fine. Since you don’t remember, spend the rest of your life bedridden, reflecting on how you treated me!”
The iron rod shattered her kneecaps, and the Alpha’s agonized screams echoed through the silent villa, the only sound in the deathly still villa was the crunch of breaking bones.
Wen Yan’s legs were a bloody mess. The Alpha, who had always been arrogant and overbearing, lay unconscious on the floor, barely clinging to life.
“Master, should I continue squeezing?”
“N-no, that’s enough,” Wen Yan whimpered, withdrawing her still-intact leg.
“Lin X, to be honest, I realize I made many mistakes in the past.”
Lin X’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Wen Yan sighed.
She couldn’t possibly condone the Original Owner’s actions and could only try her best to make amends, hoping to delay Lin X’s murderous intent toward her.
“I remember Aunt Wang mentioning that your family member is ill and you wanted to request an advance on next year’s salary, right?”
Lin X blinked in surprise. “Yes, Master.”
“You’ve already criticized Lin X, saying the company’s cash flow is tight and we can’t afford to pay next year’s salaries in advance.”
Wen Yan recalled the Original Owner’s words to Lin X at the time:
You’ve only lost a family member. I’ve lost money! How can your half-dead grandmother compare to the Wen Family’s business? Let’s not discuss this further.
A chill ran down Wen Yan’s spine. The Original Owner’s sins were beyond measure, leaving her with this massive mess to clean up.
“The company’s cash flow is indeed tight right now, so we can’t advance your salary. However, I can arrange for your grandmother to be admitted to the private hospital invested in by the Wen Family. When the time is right, I’ll have the doctors prioritize her surgery.”
“You’ve worked for the Wen Family for so many years. This is just a small token of my appreciation.”
Lin X looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing her dark eyes. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Master, do you mean it?”
Wen Yan nodded solemnly.
If the Original Owner retains even a shred of conscience in the afterlife, let her personally apologize to you then.
Xu Ruozhou finished his day’s work and pushed open the villa’s front door.
Under the warm glow of the lights, a coffee table in front of the sofa held chips and cola, and a melodramatic soap opera played on the television—all perfectly normal.
The only oddity was that his nominal wife and the family’s maid were bowing deeply to each other.
One kept repeating “Thank you,” while the other frantically insisted, “Please, don’t mention it.”
Xu Ruozhou had returned intending to share good news with Wen Yan, but this scene instantly soured his mood.
He walked directly in front of the pair and coldly glanced at the kneeling maid.
His reddish-brown eyes settled on the soft figure in the warm white sweater. He pressed his lips together, his tone tinged with displeasure. “Having fun?”
“Or am I interrupting something?”