The Scumbag Alpha Movie Queen Pampers Her Wife - Chapter 42

The annual gala venue was decorated with minimalist elegance. Industry leaders, dressed in formal attire, mingled with glasses in hand, their faces lit with smiles. Employees, too, gathered in small groups, joking and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

Gu Corporation had always prioritized privacy, and today’s security measures were particularly stringent. This was why Gu Muchu felt confident bringing Ji Yuran with her.

The moment the two women appeared, the once-bustling hall fell into stunned silence, followed by a flurry of hushed whispers.

“Isn’t that the Gu Corporation’s heiress? What’s she doing here?”

“Probably invited by that Alpha. Does this mean they’re back together?”

“I heard she was supposed to marry the Shen Family’s young master. This must be why that fell through.”

The room buzzed with speculation. As the murmurs grew louder, Shen Yiyan approached them, a stemmed glass in hand. She looked radiant as ever. “Well, this is a surprise. I never expected to see you here.”

Her words drew the attention of everyone nearby, eager for gossip.

Gu Muchu smiled but remained silent. After a waiter served her a glass, she raised her orange juice, clinking it against Shen Yiyan’s wine glass with a crisp ting.

“It’s been a while.”

Standing behind her, Ji Yuran hesitated, her hand hovering indecisively over the drink on her plate. She wasn’t a drinker, but in this setting, ordering a soft drink might be seen as disrespectful.

When Gu Muchu casually picked up her orange juice, Ji Yuran stole a glance at the Alpha’s profile and couldn’t help but smile. Mimicking her, she took a small sip of the juice.

The cool, sweet liquid slid down her throat. Ji Yuran raised her eyes, discreetly scanning the room.

The piercing gazes that had been directed at her earlier had vanished. With no juicy gossip to be gleaned, the others had lost interest and returned to their own affairs, and the venue buzzed with renewed energy.

“Hey, just the two of you today?” Shen Yiyan asked, not surprised to see Ji Yuran. She shifted slightly, as if searching for someone.

Gu Muchu turned her head. “Looking for someone?”

“No one,” Shen Yiyan replied, her enthusiasm fading instantly. She shrugged and drained her glass of red wine in one gulp.

As their conversation ended, a commotion erupted near the entrance, drawing all three women’s attention.

Approaching them was the young master of the Shen Family. His pale suit accentuated his slender waist, and a polite smile graced his square face as he greeted the female employees standing by the door.

“Your arranged marriage partner is here,” Shen Yiyan said, glancing past Gu Muchu’s shoulder and gesturing dismissively with her lips.

As the words left her mouth, Ji Yuran’s body stiffened imperceptibly for a moment. She slowly shifted her gaze until it settled on Shen Xu’s face.

She had to admit, having grown up in an environment where everyone fawned over her, Shen Xu’s demeanor was strikingly different from those who had clawed their way into high society. His every movement exuded a cultivated ease, making it no wonder Gu Yiqiong had taken a liking to him.

Gu Muchu casually glanced over, feeling a headache coming on. Shen Yiyan, meanwhile, observed Ji Yuran’s expression with a teasing smile, as if deliberately speaking loudly enough for her to hear, hoping to provoke an unusual reaction.

Sure enough, Ji Yuran slowly spoke, “He doesn’t seem like anything special…”

“Indeed,” Gu Muchu agreed.

“It’s rather impolite to criticize others so casually,” Ji Yuran added.

The other two spoke simultaneously, then exchanged surprised glances.

Shen Yiyan was the first to recover. “He’s still family, after all. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to talk about him like that in front of us?”

Gu Muchu scoffed. “You were the one who warned me to avoid Shen Xu in the first place.”

“Besides, this whole thing with him is Gu Yiqiong’s wishful thinking. It has nothing to do with me.”

After hearing these words, Shen Yiyan gave Ji Yuran a meaningful look, as if silently praising her ability to make Gu Muchu speak so frankly.

Gu Muchu, oblivious to this exchange, unconsciously shielded the Beta from view with half her body.

She still harbored resentment over whatever had transpired between Ji Yuran and Shen Yiyan, her words sharp and unapologetic. Like a fox guarding its prey, she didn’t openly declare her claim, but subtly asserted her dominance through veiled remarks.

Under this silent standoff, Shen Yiyan was the first to yield. She sighed, “If the Shen Family isn’t good enough for you, then no one ever will be.”

Though her words sounded harsh, they earned Gu Muchu’s grudging admiration.

Ji Yuran, who had remained silent throughout, nervously touched her nose and glanced at Gu Muchu.

“That’s not true at all,” Gu Muchu retorted. “Shen Xuguang’s looks just don’t appeal to my shallow tastes. The person I like…” As she spoke, she instinctively turned her head, her left cheek facing the Omega beside her.

It was a purely instinctive movement, one she only managed to stop herself from completing when reason finally reasserted itself.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized she had been staring at Ji Yuran. She quickly averted her gaze.

Sensing her thoughts, Omega quickly pinched Gu Muchu’s palm.

The palm hidden behind her back had little flesh, radiating the unique warmth of an Alpha. Ji Yuran’s attempt to escape failed, and Gu Muchu smoothly tightened her grip. The casual intimacy they shared in private now played out in public, instantly flushing Ji Yuran’s face crimson. Despite her struggles, she couldn’t break free from Gu Muchu’s firm hold.

Noticing the exchange, Shen Yiyan tactfully excused herself, leaving the two alone.

“Gu Muchu, let go! Everyone’s watching…” Ji Yuran whispered, standing on tiptoe, yet obediently staying by Gu Muchu’s side.

With no Omega scent betraying their relationship, the pair stood out like glamorous actresses among the unfamiliar faces. Others assumed Ji Yuran was some wealthy heiress worthy of Gu Muchu’s attention.

As for herself, Ji Yuran couldn’t imagine being Gu Muchu’s official companion, especially at such a formal event.

They moved through the crowd, where Gu Corporation employees greeted Gu Muchu with respectful bows before quickly stepping aside.

The square tables were draped with exquisite silk tablecloths, displaying beautifully arranged platters of tempting pastries and main dishes. Gu Muchu picked up disposable cutlery and cut a slice of cherry cake, offering it to Ji Yuran.

Sensing Ji Yuran’s hesitation, Gu Muchu sighed.

“Eat up. You’re allowed today.”

“Okay,” Ji Yuran murmured, her hands clutching the plate as she stared at the food, her gaze wandering to the nearby people. She leaned closer to Gu Muchu and whispered, “With you acting like this, they won’t dare approach.”

Indeed, rumors of Gu Muchu’s fierce temper, combined with her commanding Alpha presence, had the Gu Corporation employees who craved sweets gazing longingly from afar, too intimidated to approach.

Gu Muchu instinctively softened her expression and leaned closer to Ji Yuran, her voice low and soothing. “Do you think I’m being too conspicuous?”

“No,” Ji Yuran replied earnestly, her fork scraping against the low-fat cream on her cake.

After all, as the only daughter of Gu Yiqiong, Ji Yuran was always the center of attention, making it nearly impossible to avoid notice.

“Is it because I’m too intimidating?” Gu Muchu pressed, her gaze lingering on Ji Yuran’s long, black hair, which was pulled back to reveal her slender, pale neck and the fine downy hairs at the nape, shimmering white in the light.

“Am I intimidating?” she asked again before Ji Yuran could answer.

Was Gu Muchu intimidating?

Ji Yuran didn’t answer immediately. In her eyes, Gu Muchu was naturally the best. But considering Shen Yiyan’s aloofness and impatience earlier, she couldn’t be certain.

At least, Gu Muchu’s attitude toward her was special.

After some thought, a small flame of joy flickered in Ji Yuran’s heart, and the corners of her lips curved upward. “It’s fine.”

Gu Muchu watched as the person beside her visibly brightened, but the less-than-satisfactory answer suddenly bothered her. She gently nudged Ji Yuran’s shoulder with her elbow, adopting an inquisitive expression.

“Then… what could I do better?”

“Hmm…” Ji Yuran murmured, poking at the soft cake with her fork. The Alpha’s pheromone lingered near her ear, and the warmth of Gu Muchu’s breath brushed against her bare shoulder, sending shivers down her spine.

Seeing that Ji Yuran wasn’t giving a straight answer, Gu Muchu grew determined. Noticing Ji Yuran was preoccupied with playing with the cake, she simply picked up her fork and ate the two remaining cherries from Ji Yuran’s plate.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” Ji Yuran protested, noticing her plate was now empty.

Gu Muchu feigned innocence. “I saw you’d only left the cherries, so I thought you didn’t like them.”

Hearing this, Ji Yuran couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. She dejectedly placed her utensils on the table. “It’s precisely because I love them so much that I wanted to save them for last, to savor them slowly.”

Gu Muchu’s movements froze at this explanation. Perhaps reminded of the hardships the other woman had endured, she felt a pang of guilt. She quickly grabbed the remaining cherries from the table and, in a show of eagerness, placed them on Ji Yuran’s plate. “No, no, it’s fine. There are plenty here.”

Ji Yuran glanced at them dismissively. “I don’t want those.”

This made Gu Muchu chuckle. She speared a pitted cherry with her fork and placed the utensil in Ji Yuran’s palm. The latter, however, remained unimpressed, her spirits clearly dampened.

“Those two cherries weren’t some magical elixir,” Gu Muchu blurted out without thinking. “Why are you so desperate to eat what’s in my mouth?” She immediately regretted her flippant remark and tried to stop herself, but Ji Yuran acted faster.

The cherry was fed into Gu Muchu’s mouth. Her eyes widened, and the first thing she saw was Ji Yuran’s sulky face.

The Omega pouted, her ears flushed crimson. Yet her earlier gesture had been so gentle, as if she feared the sharp fork might hurt Gu Muchu.

Gu Muchu swallowed the cherry and was about to speak when Ji Yuran glared at her, snapping, “Don’t say a word!”

“Actually…”

“I said, don’t say a word!”

The Omega, half a head shorter than her, looked like a little hamster with puffed cheeks from this angle—utterly lacking in intimidation.

After a tense standoff lasting several minutes, Gu Muchu studied Ji Yuran’s expression. Seeing her anger had mostly subsided, she drawled, “I never realized you were so bold.”

“What?” Ji Yuran’s tone was stiff, clearly unwilling to prolong the conversation.

Gu Muchu tilted her chin slightly, prompting Ji Yuran to follow her gaze. Only then did they notice the once-lively hall had fallen silent, all eyes fixed on them.

The sight of the two women whispering intimately only served to highlight the extraordinary status of Gu Muchu’s companion. A collective murmur of awe and knowing glances rippled through the crowd.

Among the onlookers was Gu Yiqiong, who had just arrived.

Gu Muchu’s phone vibrated on the table. She double-tapped the screen to check the notification: a message from Shen Yiyan.

Dorothy: Take care.