The Scumbag Alpha is Courting Death Again - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Half-Baked Cheesecake – The Original Partner Makes a Grand Entrance

The pungent mint flavor quickly filled her nasal cavity, its overwhelming dominance just like the person in front of her. Gazing into those deep, bottomless eyes, Ming Xi’s reason was pulled back and forth by the pain and the pheromones.

She had no choice but to comply with Xia Jinzhao’s actions, softening her tone: “Ouch, ouch, ouch, can you let go first?”

Any more pulling and she’d go bald QAQ.

Realizing her emotions were too clearly exposed, the other party indeed let go but still maintained a close distance with Ming Xi, showing no intention of retreating.

Their heights were almost the same, but this made Ming Xi seem a half-head shorter. The latter adhered to the principle of “less talk, less mistake,” consciously lowering her head like a quail.

Perhaps because Ming Xi hadn’t caused any trouble in the past few days, Xia Jinzhao rarely offered a greeting, slightly lifting the corner of her mouth: “Weren’t you quite articulate just now?”

“No.” Ming Xi quickly glanced at her, answering honestly.

“No?” Xia Jinzhao was amused into a laugh. “Then what about deliberately embarrassing me at the dinner table…”

“Your guts are bigger than before. What kind of trick are you trying to pull now?”

Since that night of the attempted drugging, his vain and unscrupulous wife had surprisingly not been fluttering around, instead keeping her distance. To be honest, relying on the absolute suppression of Alpha pheromones, she might not have escaped completely unscathed that day.

After thinking it over, Xia Jinzhao attributed everything to Ming Xi. The latter had the intention but lacked the courage; she probably regretted the drugging immediately, completely overlooking the possibility that the person inside was replaced.

Now, she saw the series of reactions as Ming Xi using a cat-and-mouse tactic to win her back.

If Ming Xi could hear Xia Jinzhao’s thoughts right now, she would probably jump up and fiercely argue.

If I hadn’t transmigrated in time, you would have almost been taken advantage of! I’m half a lifesaver, how can you think of me this way!

During the nth time being questioned about “what trick she was trying to pull,” Ming Xi felt a tightness in her chest. Just as she was about to answer, a shadow suddenly loomed over her.

Xia Jinzhao leaned forward, as if listening intently to her speak. Her lips brushed past the hair near Ming Xi’s ear. When her long eyelashes lowered, the crease of her double eyelid slightly softened, inexplicably giving the illusion of a deep, intimate kiss.

To an outsider, the two looked like an intimate couple, whispering sweet, heart-fluttering secrets privately.

However—

“I heard a sound downstairs, I thought you had left,” Grandma Xia appeared behind them at some point, pretending to have inadvertently stumbled upon them. “Oh dear, I came at a bad time.”

“We were just about to head back.” Hearing this, Xia Jinzhao stepped back and straightened Ming Xi’s collar.

Her slender finger tangled in the end of Ming Xi’s hair, pulling it back as if reluctant to let go. She showed no signs of embarrassment from being caught and casually brushed it off.

“Alright, don’t delay your plans.” Grandma Xia waved her hand, with the helplessness of a parent who couldn’t keep their children.

Ming Xi never looked back the whole time. After the warning she had just received, she absolutely dared not accept anyone’s teasing.

After a brief farewell, she thought Xia Jinzhao might calm down for a bit. Unexpectedly, the woman leaned in again, whispering softly in her ear.

“Ming Xi, there’s always tomorrow.” (Meaning: We have plenty of time together.)

The soft murmur was tinged with a refreshing bitterness and vanished quickly. When her vision cleared, Ming Xi was stunned, abruptly realizing she had almost become infatuated.

After mentally punishing herself with the ‘Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms,’ she felt disappointed in herself.

Ming Xi, oh, Ming Xi, this declaration, which sounds like a threat, is clearly a reminder for me to behave myself in the future. With Xia Jinzhao’s two-faced behavior, she must be planning to praise her into complacency so she can collect evidence and find fault!

She concocted a whole drama in her mind, but Xia Jinzhao didn’t even leave her a glimpse of her back. Fearing that the other party would leave her behind like last time, she quickly chased after her.

Forget it, I’ll take it one step at a time.

Since the dinner at Lanjian Mansion, Ming Xi hadn’t seen Xia Jinzhao for nearly a week. On one hand, she hoped the latter could temporarily forget about her, this insignificant person. On the other hand, she worried that the other party was planning a big move to catch her off guard.

During the live stream, her mind was completely off-screen, causing a customer to type repeated inquiries before she suddenly snapped back.

“This item is out of stock, my dear ‘wife,’ but it will be available in a few days. Can you wait?” Ming Xi put on the friendly demeanor of a customer service agent from a major online shopping platform.

“Or perhaps take a look at this style? It’s similar and the price is even more appealing~”

Before she finished speaking, the number in the top right corner plummeted from one to zero; the person had left the live stream room.

This small setback did not defeat the industry-experienced Ming Xi at all. She let out a sigh of relief and lay back in the ergonomic chair, spacing out.

She thought back to the past when she was the sales champion of her company, with plenty of major clients who bought things like they were wholesale. How could her surroundings be so desolate now?

Sigh, unlucky times!

Sister Lu, curled up on the sofa nearby, was loudly cracking sunflower seeds, with a small mountain of shells piling up on the floor. As the boss, she was the least anxious person.

“Did someone leave again?” She spat a shell into the trash can, asking casually.

“Yeah, too few categories; customers aren’t willing to browse.” Ming Xi answered truthfully.

Sister Lu was good in every way—generous with money and informal—but her only flaw was her terrible taste! The trendy bags for young people were all decade-old styles.

Ming Xi even suspected she found the antique goods from somewhere that wasn’t even searchable on the market.

“Chill, take it slow. You can’t rush a new account,” Lu Litong said, changing her position and continuing to play a match-three game on the sofa.

Are you a young lady from S City who’s out here experiencing life?

After reviewing the live stream data, Ming Xi sighed deeply: “Sister Lu, when are you going to pick up the goods?”

“Wait two more days; I can’t spare the time these days,” the woman wiggled a little. “If you’re in a hurry, I’ll give you the contact information, and you can go to the wholesale market yourself.”

Ming Xi was waiting for that very sentence and gestured with her hand. Thus, the selection and procurement of goods for the studio were fully handed over to her.

Although choosing good styles could make the goods sell well, not every wholesale store would offer the lowest price. On her day off, Ming Xi seized the opportunity to go to the address provided by Lu Litong. After half an hour of haggling with the boss, she came out with a face full of gloom.

She finally understood where the strange and old-fashioned styles in the studio came from.

With the thought of “since I’m already here,” she walked towards other shops.

The wholesale market was in the South District of S City. Compared to the East District, which was full of processing factories, this area was more suitable for individual vendors. Stalls were set up under temporary waterproof sheds, crowded like the inside of a honeycomb. Fortunately, it wasn’t far from the bustling area; the commercial complex was just two streets away.

Ming Xi walked until her legs were about to break but found nothing. Rubbing her sore knees, she decided to take a break and treat herself at a nearby shopping mall.

The mall was exceptionally lively on the weekend. Compared to branded chain stores, the supermarkets in the South District offered more variety. In addition to the ubiquitous food, beverages, and clothing, there was even a water park and a museum.

Inside the bubble tea shop, many college students who were out for the day sat by the window, excitedly discussing their next destination. Ming Xi ordered a fully sugared black pearl milk tea and sat boredly crammed into a corner.

Chewing on the specially cooked black pearls, she browsed recent entertainment gossip. After all, it was related to Xia Jinzhao’s work, and there was no harm in learning more.

Just as she was fully focused on the information, the glass panel in front of her was gently tapped.

Looking up, a clear and radiant face came into view. The woman wore a well-tailored blue suit, a smile playing on her lips, giving off a pleasant and refreshing feeling.

Next to her, there was an aura like floating mint leaves, as if everything around them and the person in front were on two different layers.

Ming Xi: ?

What the heck?

She rubbed her eyes, confirming it wasn’t a vision problem, and was left with six mysterious dots.

Xia Jinzhao and I are the female leads of this book. It’s not right for the author to give a random passerby such a Mary Sue effect, is it? 

But out of politeness, she still mouthed through the glass: “Can I help you?”

A few minutes later, the woman sat down right next to her, and the very first sentence she spoke completely fried Ming Xi’s brain.

“It’s such a coincidence to run into you here.” With that, the other party twisted the simple ring on her index finger.

Excuse me, who are you, sister?

Ming Xi quickly searched her memory for this kind of wealthy and successful person, but her limited social circle left her drawing a blank. Helplessly, she had to bite the bullet and reply.

“Uh, it is quite a coincidence. What are you doing here?”

She noticed that the other party seemed to freeze slightly after she spoke, but the emotion was quickly masked.

“Did Miss Ming forget? This shopping complex is owned by the Song Group. It’s a rare day off, so I came here to have dinner with a friend.” The woman’s tone was light and easygoing, as if discussing the weather.

Ming Xi: …

Where did this crazy woman come from, boasting without basis? If she owned this mall, then Lanjian Mansion must be my backyard!

She didn’t believe the original owner could have a friend like this; otherwise, she would have pointed to her to become successful long ago. Would she still need to drug the female lead with ill intentions?

Wait, something felt off. The Song Group…

“You!” Before her mind could fully process it, her body reacted first. Ming Xi abruptly stood up, making such a loud noise that it drew the attention of everyone around her.

Realizing she was in a public place, she sheepishly sat down, unable to hide her excitement.

“You, are you Song Yu?” Like a fan seeing a celebrity, Ming Xi stammered the question.

Song Yu frowned, a momentary confusion flashing across her face. Fortunately, her good manners allowed her to remain calm, and she tilted her head to show her confusion.

Cat-like head tilt, so cute!

Ming Xi’s heart rate soared. In the original book, she loved the CP between the two protagonists the most. Song Yu’s gentleness and tolerance perfectly complemented Xia Jinzhao’s lack of love and obsessive side. Unfortunately, the author was terrible and unexpectedly stopped updating right when the perfect ending was about to be achieved!

At this point in time, the original owner’s wicked ambition had just been revealed, and Song Yu and the female lead had only been working partners for a short time, so private family matters would naturally not be shared with an outsider.

No wonder Song Yu was being so pleasant to her; she probably didn’t know her true colors yet!

Ming Xi instantly switched from her villain persona and quickly tried to compensate, pulling out a business card from her pocket: “Sister Song, this is my work business card. Just let me know if you ever need me in the future!”

It would be a joke not to curry favor at this moment! Whatever the other party casually let slip through her fingers would be enough for her to live comfortably, okay?

Song Yu, who was incidentally given a sales pitch, took the business card and politely said, “Okay.”

After a simple greeting, she spoke again: “By the way, did Jinzhao invite you to dinner too?”

Ming Xi, who was happily envisioning her future, paused, and a bad feeling suddenly arose: “What dinner?”

The next second, the other party smiled knowingly and cordially invited her: “Since we ran into each other, how about joining us?”