Scumbag Woman, But Pampering My Wife - Chapter 50

Qin Jue rarely showed vulnerability, which made her coquetry all the more heart-stirring.

“Lin Yuebai, what should I do? My stomach hurts from drinking too much.”

Qin Jue clung limply to Lin Yuebai’s shoulder, her deep red blazer hanging lifelessly. At a glance, one might have thought she was the one who had just been wronged.

A girl nearby, feasting on the juicy gossip, covered her mouth and silently raised her phone to snap photos.

Unaware of the onlookers, Qin Jue tugged Lin Yuebai’s hand and pulled her onto the terrace.

Below, a banquet was in full swing, while the terrace extended outward, offering a view of the bustling revelry beneath.

As far as the eye could see, only the sea breeze whispered gently. Tonight’s wind was mild, leaving the full moon unobscured in the sky.

The scent of alcohol on Qin Jue was faint—so faint it made one wonder if she had even been drinking.

Lin Yuebai soothingly rubbed Qin Jue’s back. “Did something upset you at home?”

“Should I get you some hangover medicine?”

“No need. Just massage it for me.”

The system let out a mocking laugh.

Out of courtesy and restraint, the system rarely ridiculed its host. But now, it genuinely wanted to laugh.

What an actress.

At some point, Qin Jue had procured a glass of ice water. As she moved, the cubes clinked crisply.

Resting her forehead against Lin Yuebai’s shoulder, Qin Jue chuckled hoarsely. “I really was wronged. My life at home is pitiful too. My mother passed early, and my father has countless lovers and illegitimate children outside. He’s traditional—believes women shouldn’t inherit the family business.”

“So I had to prove myself relentlessly, yet he still turned a blind eye.”

Qin Jue murmured, “What should I do, my little moon, my darling? I’m so afraid of losing you.”

Her coquettish tone was soft, as if it might dissolve into the wind the next second.

“How can I make sure we last?”

Qin Jue didn’t seem to expect an answer. Instead, she pressed her burning lips to Lin Yuebai’s neck.

Lin Yuebai sighed softly, fingers threading through Qin Jue’s hair.

“Are you really drunk?”

Lin Yuebai’s evening gown was stunning tonight. She should have been dazzling in the crowd, yet now she was like a sliver of moonlight, embraced solely by Qin Jue.

The kisses grew hotter, more fervent. Qin Jue wasn’t satisfied with just Lin Yuebai’s neck—her lips trailed along her jawline, then higher…

Just before reaching her lips, Qin Jue paused.

“I must really be drunk. Sorry, I shouldn’t be so forward.”

As the ship swayed, Lin Yuebai tightened her hold on Qin Jue.

The system quietly locked itself away, habitually turning to cartoons.

Using drunkenness to act shamelessly.

Truly befitting a villain.

So wicked, so wicked—utterly wicked.

Qin Jue handed the glass of ice water to Lin Yuebai. Of course, she hadn’t forgotten the task the system had assigned her: take advantage of the protagonist, try to kiss her in public, and when rejected, dump the ice water on her face.

Suddenly, Qin Jue gripped Lin Yuebai’s waist and pulled her close.

“Don’t move. Let me hold you for a while.”

Her breath carried the faint scent of champagne.

Lin Yuebai’s back pressed against the terrace railing. Sensing someone watching from below, she tried to push Qin Jue away.

“President Qin, not here.”

Lin Yuebai’s voice was soft even when rejecting her.

“But I want to kiss you.”

As if bewitched, Lin Yuebai silently allowed it—she could never refuse Qin Jue’s demands.

Suddenly, the boat gave another slight tremble.

A splash of ice water spilled out.

“I’m so hot,” Qin Jue murmured, her eyes burning with an intensity that could scorch anyone. When those dark amber eyes fixed on a single person, they became impossibly deep and dangerously alluring.

She had never been the type to hesitate—a hesitant person could never succeed in business.

Splash.

Ice water hit Qin Jue’s face.

Her hand gripped Lin Yuebai’s elbow, steadying herself.

The ice touched her skin, the freezing droplets sliding down her cheeks before dripping from her chin.

Lin Yuebai was startled in that moment.

Downstairs in the banquet hall, people seemed to notice the commotion above. Zhuang Lan’s grip on Gong Man’s hand trembled slightly.

The director next to them raised a camera and muttered under her breath, “Holy sh1t.”

Filming wasn’t allowed at the banquet, but sneaking a few shots with a simple camera was still possible.

From their angle, it looked like Lin Yuebai had splashed Qin Jue’s face with ice water.

Water dripped from Qin Jue’s lashes as Lin Yuebai’s expression went blank for a second.

“Qin Jue, what are you doing?!”

Qin Jue sighed helplessly—she really didn’t want to get water splashed in her face by a pretty girl, but the system demanded it.

If the system could hear her thoughts, it would scoff and call her a hypocrite.

Qin Jue: “Sorry, my hand slipped.”

She pressed her fingers to her temple, hearing a soft ding in her mind—the system’s task completion notification.

Leaning leisurely against the railing, she gazed down at the director’s team below. The director shivered under her stare.

She looked like a siren who had just crawled out of the sea.

The ice water didn’t make her appear disheveled—instead, it only enhanced her allure. Hadn’t they noticed how Lin Yuebai was staring, completely entranced?

She exuded charm without restraint, though it was unclear who she was trying to seduce.

Qin Jue seemed well aware of her own beauty. She held out her palm, and Lin Yuebai obediently handed her a handkerchief.

Qin Jue mouthed silently: Did you get the shot?

The director read her lips: Got it.

A faint smile curved Qin Jue’s lips.

The director immediately understood her meaning.

Gong Man covered her mouth in admiration. “If the Qin family ever goes bankrupt, you should sign Qin Jue too. She’d make a killing in the entertainment industry.”

Zhuang Lan fell into a long silence.

Zhuang Lan: “If I recall correctly, this is supposed to be a friendship-themed variety show.”

The director: “…”

@OurFriendshipOfficial: May our friendship be as eternal as the moonlight. [Image]

The photo showed Qin Jue resting her chin on one hand, leaning against the railing, water dripping down her face, a strand of hair clinging to her cheek. Her features were striking, her bone structure sharp, her lips like a rose dipped in water.

Her other hand was upturned, Lin Yuebai placing a handkerchief in her palm. In the photo, Lin Yuebai stood sideways, revealing only her slender back and the delicate, translucent shawl draped over her, embroidered with epiphyllum blossoms that seemed to float in the air.

“AHHHHH WHAT KIND OF FEAST IS THIS?!”

“You call this friendship at this point?!”

“HELP, Xiao Yue’s eyes are glued to her—I have every reason to believe Qin Jue is deliberately seducing her.”

“Does anyone else get the appeal of being charmed by someone in power?”

“I just tried Qin Jue’s moves, twisting like a pretzel on the bed. My mom asked if I was having a muscle spasm.”

“I really want to be my best friend’s dog.”

“The competition upstairs is getting fierce, huh.”

The official Weibo later posted group photos of the other two teams, each sparking discussions, with some fans even shipping the pairings.

But eventually, the focus of everyone’s discussion shifted to why there was water on Qin Jue’s face.

Moonlight Shines On Me: Insiders say Qin Jue got drunk, threw a tantrum trying to get close to Little Moon, and ended up getting splashed with water.

Moonlight Shines On Me: Little Moon’s outfit tonight was absolutely stunning. Please focus on that, thank you.

Moonlight Shines On Me: Enjoy the latest stills from “The Conspiracy.”

As a major fan, Qin Jue’s Weibo post quickly gathered numerous comments below.

Qin Jue didn’t bother reading the comments and tossed her phone aside. “It’s late, let’s rest.”

Lin Yuebai sat on the sofa across from her, reluctant to take off her Shu embroidery gown. “Did you know there would be a banquet tonight?”

Qin Jue, washing up without looking up, replied, “No.”

Lin Yuebai looked up, puzzled.

Qin Jue: “I heard about it half a day in advance and had someone speed over with it by speedboat.”

Lin Yuebai was flattered.

Qin Jue spat out the toothpaste foam and rinsed her mouth. “You’re my person. Even if the dress is only worn once, you can’t lose face in front of outsiders.”

Qin Jue didn’t intend to dwell on the topic. She knew someone as proud as Lin Yuebai would bristle at such words. Playing the villain was hard—she was already preparing to make up for it in other ways. Lin Yuebai pursed her lips into a faint smile, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes as she nodded slightly, silently resolving something in her heart.

Lin Yuebai had already gone to bed early, lying on one side. Her petite frame took up little space. Seeing Qin Jue approach, she rolled over to make room.

“Warming the bed for you.”

The girl, raised in the north but studying in the south, had a sweet, nasal tone. “Come on up.”

Lin Yuebai didn’t find Qin Jue’s words offensive. Her mind was still replaying that moment when Qin Jue, drenched, had looked at her.

The ice water hadn’t cooled the tension between them—instead, it had ignited it like fuel to a flame.

Lin Yuebai’s heart raced. Oblivious, Qin Jue lifted the covers and lay down, the sound of her companion’s pounding heartbeat blending with the waves outside into a soothing white noise.

“You…”

Qin Jue masked the shadow in her eyes. She wanted to ask, “Do you like me?”

But the words died on her lips, feeling like a joke.

Her role destined her to vanish from Lin Yuebai’s radiant future. No matter how hard she tried now, it only delayed the inevitable.

Yet she couldn’t bear it.

“If one day, you achieve everything you desire, win everyone’s love, stand on the highest podium…”

Qin Jue’s voice was soft as she clasped Lin Yuebai’s hand under the covers.

Lin Yuebai’s breathing slowed. She turned her face, catlike, to gaze at her.

“Hmm? What are you saying, President Qin?”

Qin Jue paused. “You…”

In the end, she didn’t finish, exhaling a long sigh before rolling over and pinning Lin Yuebai beneath her.

Lin Yuebai was bewildered.

“President Qin?”

Qin Jue didn’t correct her form of address, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “What kind of person would you choose to spend your life with?”

Lin Yuebai smiled brightly, “After spending so much time with President Qin, my standards have become quite high. Ordinary people really can’t catch my eye.”

“I have no other thoughts—I just want to stay by President Qin’s side. No need for formal marriage, just being with you is enough.”

Qin Jue’s expression turned peculiar. Could her little moon really endure this?

Almost as if possessed, Qin Jue kissed Lin Yuebai’s earlobe and embraced her.

“Sleep now.”

…

“Stop sleeping, wake up already!”

Gong Man wanted to slap Qin Jue’s face directly, but was blocked by her.

In the following days, Qin Jue either sunbathed on the deck or made brief appearances on the show. Given the overwhelming attention on her and Lin Yuebai, Qin Jue restrained their interactions to avoid overshadowing the other two couples.

The cruise ship returned on Wednesday.

The neighboring crew had finished all their filming on the ship. After returning, Qin Jue rested for a while, while Lin Yuebai rushed off to the next filming location.

Qin Jue dozed off in her office. Ever since Lin Yuebai left her side, she couldn’t sleep at home.

Gong Man rested her chin on her hands, looking at Qin Jue with concern. “Are you… going through a breakup?”

Qin Jue gave her a cool glance, prompting Gong Man to change the subject. “I know you’re heartbroken, but hold off on that—tomorrow you need to return to the family estate.”

Qin Jue frowned imperceptibly, recalling from the depths of her memory an unresolved matter—her father had mentioned on the phone that it was the anniversary of her mother’s passing.

Qin Jue had always been indifferent to familial bonds. Before transmigrating into the novel, her parents had raised her until she turned eighteen, then adopted so-called “advanced foreign parenting principles” to make her self-reliant.

Growing up, Qin Jue never lacked for material comforts—her family was far better off than most. But the long-term emotional void made it difficult for her to form attachments in intimate relationships.

How many points did she need to score to get allowance? What awards did she need to win for a chance to go out and have fun?

Everything she obtained came with a price tag, and Qin Jue had grown accustomed to this transactional way of life.

Slumping back into her chair, Qin Jue muttered, “What does the old man want now…”

Gong Man lounged on the office sofa, painting her nails. “I don’t know much about your family affairs, but I overheard my mom mention at dinner that your family is interested in investing in your marketing brand.”

“Then have someone discuss it with Director Li. What does that have to do with me?”

Qin Jue held a 20% stake but wasn’t involved in daily operations, only providing strategic input when needed.

If not for Qin Chenyi’s interference, that shipment wouldn’t have been held up at customs.

As Qin Jue sorted through the novel’s plot in her mind, someone knocked on her office door.

Gong Man looked up. “This place is really lively.”

Qin Jue set aside the documents in her hand and watched as a distressed-looking noblewoman entered.

“President Qin, Yuebai’s birthday is coming up. I’d like to invite her home for a meal. I was wondering if you might be free…”

Zhang Wen spoke very politely, with a barely detectable trace of timidity when facing Qin Jue.

When Zhang Wen noticed Gong Man, her lips moved slightly as if expecting Qin Jue to dismiss her first. Seeing no such intention, she reluctantly fell silent.

“Yuebai’s birthday falls on the same day as Jingxin’s… That child hasn’t sent any word since going abroad. The last time I saw her was in someone else’s Weibo post… Mentioning some new exhibition she held again. As her mother, I didn’t even know about it.”

Qin Jue leaned back in her chair when she suddenly remembered something. She pulled a document from the drawer and spread it open before Zhang Wen.

“Pursuing art is truly challenging, but both girls are outstanding.”

Qin Jue’s smile was flawless, making Gong Man shudder involuntarily.

She’s scheming again.

Qin Jue: “Yuebai is currently filming a movie. I heard your family produces related products. Coincidentally, the film requires a batch of high-tech props. If convenient, you might consider this—it’s guaranteed to yield returns.”

An investment contract was laid out before the socialite.

“Yuebai is quite busy with work. As for her birthday celebration, I’ll need to discuss it with her further. Rest assured, I’ll inform you truthfully of the outcome.”

Zhang Wen: “…”

Her vision blurred at the investment amount displayed. The thought that this was for Lin Yuebai’s current film made her clench her fists tighter.

“This sum is too substantial… I’ll need to consider it.”

Qin Jue politely agreed, “Film investments indeed require prudence. It’s just that Yuebai is out there filming under such harsh conditions—deep in remote mountains with snakes and insects everywhere. It pains me just thinking about it.”

Zhang Wen: “…I’ll sign. I’ll sign it now.”

Gong Man watched this exchange with amazement.

Coming from a century-old cosmetics company—a quintessential heritage brand—Gong Man’s recent new products had all been endorsed by Lin Yuebai. Now planning a retro-themed loose powder launch requiring Republic-era styled photoshoots, she’d come to Qin Jue’s office to inquire about Yuebai’s availability for the studio session.

With Qin Jue handling things, resources were never a concern.

This wasn’t a patron—this was clearly a manager.

Zhang Wen left in a daze after signing the investment contract, never receiving a definitive answer.

Pausing at the office doorway, she frowned slightly. “President Qin, I only wish for Yuebai to live safely and peacefully—not necessarily in wealth. If filming is too arduous, we can support her at home…”

Qin Jue’s spacious office featured a glass curtain wall beside her. Half-reclining in her leather chair, her expression became momentarily unreadable.

“Have you considered asking her own thoughts?”

Zhang Wen’s lips trembled slightly, her eyes brimming with profound reluctance and guilt.

……

“Does your mother know you’re so opinionated?!”

Qin Jue stood before a gravestone bearing the photo of a gentle, beautiful woman.

A man past fifty stood beside her, his protruding belly preceding him, eyes clouded with impatience and restraint.

“Your mother gave her life bringing you into this world! Is this how you repay her? Had she known she’d borne such an unfilial, troublesome child, she would have regretted it!”

“You understand nothing about business. The world never lacks good ideas—but how many see them through safely? You’re utterly shallow!”

For a fleeting moment before the tombstone, Qin Jue felt disoriented—how long had it been since someone last berated her to her face?

Gazing at the kind yet unfamiliar woman’s photo on the headstone stirred something within her.

In the past, she might have believed she shouldn’t have been born at all.

The system flickered to life. “In the original plot, your family found out you’d been associating with a minor celebrity long-term and deemed it frivolous. They ordered you to cut contact with the protagonist. Coincidentally, at this time…”

Qin Jue listened to her father’s scolding with one ear while the system explained the mission in the other.

“Go on, my left and right ears can operate independently.”

The system: “…Maybe I should shut up and let him finish first.”

Qin Jue insisted: “No need, continue.”

The system thought this host had a bit of deadpan humor.

The system: “Coincidentally, the protagonist encountered trouble while filming—someone forced her to drink. A kindhearted waitress passing by picked up her phone, mistook you for her friend, and called you for help. As the villain, you promised to come but never showed up.”

After hearing the plot, Qin Jue’s expression turned contemplative.

Her father, misinterpreting her silence as guilt, launched into another furious tirade. Qin Jue hadn’t even registered what the man was saying.

Her focus remained solely on her career and Lin Yuebai, with no attention spared for anyone else.

“If I died someday and heard someone cursing at my tombstone, I’d probably be quite angry.”

Holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, Qin Jue looked up to meet the middle-aged man’s gaze.

“I know what you want to say. The projects under me won’t be handed to you, and the company won’t let you parachute in. You have no experience in brand building.”

She shook her head lightly. “OEM manufacturing and brand development require completely different mindsets. Building a brand centers on consumer demand, generating profits through brand premium. But OEM work only earns you meager labor fees—no orders mean no income, forever living at others’ mercy. Your profit margins are too thin. Though I don’t have access to the family’s internal data, the scale alone reveals your annual earnings. The only reason you’re still operating is by exploiting workers and competing on razor-thin margins—this model isn’t sustainable.”

“If I were your employee, I’d be memorizing labor laws right now.”

The Qin family’s ability to maintain scale while declining stemmed entirely from securing OEM contracts for international luxury brands.

Rubbing her temples, Qin Jue realized she hadn’t had to explain such basic concepts in years—the man before her couldn’t comprehend her words.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here. I’ve visited my mother. When I have time, I’ll bring the person I love to bring her flowers again.”

The man’s face trembled with rage. “Who do you think you are, lecturing me? Have you forgotten I’m your father!”

When it came to work, Qin Jue couldn’t suppress her leadership instincts: “…”

Better not retort.

“Just focus on managing your son properly.”

The wind ruffled Qin Jue’s trench coat, stirring her longing for Lin Yuebai.

“When are you breaking up with that minor celebrity? I’ve arranged some matches for you—pick a day to meet them.”

Leaning against a railing, Qin Jue checked her phone, ignoring the threatening tone behind her.

“No thanks. I don’t fancy anyone weaker than me.”

“I have other matters to attend to.”

She was waiting for Lin Yuebai’s call—the system’s mission alerts were rarely wrong.

The middle-aged man stood frozen, his expression darkening as he shot a venomous glance toward the tombstone.

Marrying this woman was never out of love. Without relying on his wife’s family connections, he would never have gotten this far.

After enduring until his wife’s death and finally absorbing all her family’s influence, now an unfilial daughter had to appear…

Qin Jue’s phone suddenly rang, and an unfamiliar voice came through.

“Hello, are you a friend of Miss Lin?”

“Miss Lin is drunk right now, in the private room on the fifth floor at No. 9 Quanjiang Avenue…”

……

Lin Yuebai hadn’t seen Qin Jue for half a month.

She had heard from Gong Man that Qin Jue was going to pay respects at the family cemetery, which was only a half-hour drive away.

Lin Yuebai had gone into the mountains to film a chase scene, and after wrapping up, the director had invited her to join a dinner gathering with some local friends.

No one dared to give her any trouble—everyone knew who stood behind Lin Yuebai.

She took a small sip of the throat-burning liquor, and as she set the glass down, the waiter nervously returned.

“Miss Lin, the call has been made.”

“Good.”

Lin Yuebai took the phone, her gaze sharp and clear.

Before meeting Qin Jue, she could hold her liquor well—drinking with investors and corporate executives had been routine. But now, Qin Jue had spoiled her, making her so delicate that even the slightest taste of alcohol repulsed her.

She knew the Qin family would never support her relationship with Qin Jue.

Qin Jue had made such a spectacle of their romance that even those who paid no attention to the entertainment industry knew they were a couple.

So… would Qin Jue break up with her?

She didn’t want to leave Qin Jue. Even if Qin Jue never married her, she was willing to stay by her side forever.