Scumbag A's Plan to Save the Heroine - Chapter 17

“If you call me a leaky ship, then what are you? An Omega-obsessed, incompetent heir to the Zhi Family? Don’t think I don’t know about the mess you made with Fu Jin Yan the other day!”

Wait a minute.

Fu Jin Yan?

The enraged Alpha finally realized something was wrong. He stopped smashing things and turned to look at the woman in the wheelchair, who sat calmly stroking the celadon vase.

Reason returned, and his frenzy dissipated. Fu Jinxing moved closer to Zhi Qiu, stopping just half a foot from her wheelchair. His towering frame bent into a crouch as he gazed up greedily at the Alpha above him, declaring with certainty, “You’re here to help me.”

The woman in the wheelchair looked listless, her left hand still caressing the celadon vase, as if she had no interest in conversation.

Since returning to the Fu Family, Fu Jinxing had never endured such humiliation. But now, he had no choice but to bow his head to the only person who could help him.

The man crouching on the floor seemed to have been steeling himself for this moment. Gritting his teeth, he said, “If you can help me ruin Fu Jin Yan’s reputation and let me inherit the Fu Family, I’ll give you 30% of all my shares.”

Hearing this, Zhi Qiu smiled and shook her head. “That’s not what I meant.”

She wouldn’t put her eggs in a leaky boat riddled with flaws. But for now, she needed this leaky boat to let the people on the cruise ship taste the bitterness of drowning.

“Stand up first and listen to me. I want you to go to…”

The Fu Family.

The outer hall, which had been cold and quiet just moments ago, with only servants pouring tea and water, had transformed into a bustling social scene.

Alphas clustered together, heatedly discussing the current stock market and business deals, their voices rising in passionate debate. Omegas, who traditionally disliked conflict, mostly avoided the Alpha groups, instead gathering gracefully in the tea room to exchange the latest fashion news.

The fashion world had recently been rocked by a bombshell.

“Have you heard? Master Lequin is teaching at Noadon now! It’s such a pity—I graduated over a year ago. If I were still there, I could have received her guidance and perhaps designed even more exquisite pieces!” A beautifully dressed Omega shook her head regretfully, her hairpins swaying and the dangling chains jingling softly.

Seeing their friend’s distress, the group quickly comforted her. “Cheng Cheng, don’t underestimate yourself. You’ve already done so well! You’re the most famous designer in the country now. Given time, you’ll definitely reach international acclaim like Laceyne!”

These words drew envious glances from several Omegas who had been sheltered in their families’ protective bubbles. The woman called Cheng Cheng’s expression softened slightly, but she still shook her head stubbornly, denying it. “I just lack a bit of luck.”

The delicate chains of her hairpin jingled crisply, the vibrant red jade accentuating her snow-white skin in the sunlight. Finally, someone noticed the ornament embedded in the sighing woman’s hairpin.

It was an artifact unearthed from Ancient Earth’s Republican Era—a Red Hairpin Carving.

Wen Wan gasped, momentarily blurting out in surprise. She covered her mouth, exclaiming in shock, “Cheng Cheng, is that the antique carving that was listed in this year’s auction catalog but secretly bought privately at the last minute?!”

Finally, someone recognized its value.

Cheng Cheng had almost resigned herself to the thought that even if she sighed until the end of the banquet, these country bumpkins wouldn’t notice.

She chuckled inwardly, maintaining an air of detached nonchalance as if she were completely unaware of the stone’s true value. “I thought it was just ordinary jade. Is it really that precious? My brother is so extravagant! I only won a domestic design competition, and he splurged like this. I’ll definitely give him a piece of my mind when I get back.”

The Omega lounge was lavishly stocked with delicate pastries and carefully curated beverages. High-proof liquors and overly spicy drinks were strictly prohibited.

The Fu Family had always been meticulous in protecting Omegas. After all, the family patriarch was one of the sworn advocates for AO equality. He had once famously declared before the Federal Assembly that Alphas must uphold Omega rights, earning his company strong support from both the Federation and the Omega community.

Yet this approach felt somewhat cliché. Not all Omegas appreciated such conventional displays.

From the bland food to the vapid conversation, Yuan Menglu’s expression grew increasingly listless. The atmosphere was even more soporific than Master Laceyne’s morning lecture.

Finally, the butler’s knock came as a welcome reprieve.

“Esteemed Omegas, the banquet is about to begin. Please proceed to the Inner Cabinet.”

Inner Cabinet.

Fu Fu had always intended to introduce his eldest son to the head of the Zhi Family. Seeing the two men conversing so earnestly, he felt even more pleased with his highly regarded heir.

Their engrossing conversation left Fu Fu feeling sidelined. Only when there was a lull did he remember the true guest of honor for the evening.

Where is he?

The thought of his wayward second son made Fu Fu’s brow furrow deeply. He signaled his bodyguard to find him immediately. The banquet was about to begin, and it would be a disgrace for the guest of honor to be absent.

“Father!”

Before the bodyguard could move, a clear, resonant voice cut through the boundary between the inner and outer cabinets.

Fu Jin Yan, who had been deep in conversation with Zhi Ze’en, paused and looked up in surprise at his nominal younger brother.

The peacock-like figure, once adorned in flamboyant blue suits and ostentatious jewelry, had quietly shed his finery and changed into a simple gray uniform.

His bearing was neither servile nor arrogant, his demeanor steady and composed. Fu Fu nodded in approval.

If a man is overshadowed by his jewelry, he’s a fool. Now, stripped of these trappings, his second son finally resembled his younger self—clean, honest, and forthright!

Fu Fu, now thoroughly intrigued, wrapped his arm around his second son’s shoulder and brought him forward to meet Zhi Ze’en.

Fu Jin Yan, ever adept at reading people’s minds, wisely stepped back half a step to give his father room.

“Jin Xing, quickly greet Uncle Zhi.”

Zhi Ze’en was surprised. Unlike his reaction to Fu Jin Yan, he felt an inexplicable familiarity with this newly recovered Fu Family member, though he couldn’t immediately recall who the boy’s mother was.

Hearing the greeting, Zhi Ze’en nodded with a warm smile. Sensing the boy’s nervousness and his marginal status within the Fu Family, he proactively steered the conversation to a lighter topic. “Jin Xing, where were you earlier? Did you go out with friends?”

At this, Fu Jinxing, who had been slightly tense moments before, suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, as if he had been waiting for this moment. With unwavering confidence, he replied, “I was checking on the guests in the outer pavilion. Unexpectedly, I ran into Uncle Zhi’s daughter, Zhi Qiu. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and approachable. We had a wonderful conversation, as if we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in over a decade.”