The Scumbag Alpha's Redemption in a Sweet Romance - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Mm,” Yan Hua said softly, nodding in front of everyone.

Ning Qing couldn’t stand Ning Chun’s pretense. If she really cared, she would have come with them in the first place. Coming only after dark to pick her up was clearly just for show to her and their mother.

“Hey, you’ve only been together for a few days, and you’re already treating her like she’s a treasure. Mother and I won’t eat your little wife,” Ning Qing said sarcastically, leaning back in her chair. She was always direct with Ning Chun because her older sister was too irresponsible.

She didn’t do any real work at the company, only caused trouble, and she was always out messing around. Her own sister had to clean up so many messes for her. Ning Chun was the spoiled eldest daughter of the family, and their mother worried about her constantly.

Take this marriage, for example. If Ning Qing had made such a sudden decision, the family would never have agreed. But because Ms. Xu doted on her eldest daughter, she acted as a lobbyist at home and finally settled the matter.

“It’s a little late. I was worried,” Ning Chun said. She hadn’t eaten or even had a drink all afternoon. When she saw the glass of water on the table, she picked it up and drank half of it.

“Wait—” Yan Hua raised her hand to stop her, but it was too late. It was the glass she had just used. Ning Chun licked her lips, which were now wet from the water, and said naturally, “What’s wrong?” The water had already been drunk, so there was no need to explain. “Do you want some more?” she asked, pointing to the glass.

“Thank you.”

Ms. Xu smiled as she watched the young couple interact. “Since Chun is here, why don’t you two come back in a couple of days to meet the rest of the family? Oh, right, I was just telling Hua Hua that you two should have a wedding to invite guests and formally announce her position in our Ning family.”

As soon as Ms. Xu said this, Yan Hua turned to look at Ning Chun. She wanted to know what Ning Chun’s thoughts were. As far as Ning Chun was concerned, having a wedding would only be a waste of time. Besides, she and Yan Hua would divorce eventually, so it wasn’t necessary.

“Let’s not. Yan Hua has a lot of things to take care of in her family. Those are more important,” Ning Chun said very naturally. She didn’t hesitate at all and refused quickly.

Yan Hua’s smile stiffened slightly, but she couldn’t say anything. After all, their relationship was never meant to be official from the start. Besides, Ning Chun had thought of her first.

“That makes some sense, but you can do both things at once. Qing, you can help your sister-in-law with her family matters, and Chun, you can arrange the wedding. That would be perfect,” Ms. Xu said, clapping her hands together, feeling her plan was flawless.

“Mother!” Ning Qing was not happy. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed. Half a spoiled plea and half a refusal, she said, “This is my sister’s business. What am I supposed to do? Even if I were willing, I’m afraid sister-in-law wouldn’t agree.”

Yan Hua’s family matters were very complicated, especially concerning her sister. The fewer people knew, the better. She quickly waved her hand. “You really don’t have to trouble Ning Qing. I can handle it myself.”

Seeing Yan Hua refuse repeatedly, Ms. Xu had to give up. She turned to Ning Chun and asked, “Then what do you think about the wedding? This is a huge life event for you. No one doesn’t want to have a grand wedding.”

Yan Hua hesitated. She should have refused, but an inner force told her not to. After a moment of silence, she smiled faintly. “Ning Chun has been very thoughtful. I completely agree with her.” This meant she also agreed not to have a wedding.

“Alright. You young people change your minds every day. I can’t control you. But you still have to go for your monthly check-ups on time,” Ms. Xu said, drinking her black tea and nonchalantly bringing up the topic of having children.

This was a sensitive topic that Ning Chun couldn’t directly confront. She simply nodded obediently. The group chatted about this and that. The atmosphere was harmonious, and Ning Chun felt it was a blessing to be in a family like this.

After the get-together, Ning Chun drove Yan Hua home. In the outdoor parking lot, Ning Qing, carrying her bag and wearing high heels, walked toward her. She and Ms. Xu were waiting for the driver.

“Can getting married and starting a family change a person so much?” Ning Qing teased. “You’re a completely different person from before.”

Ning Chun chuckled and generously took Yan Hua’s hand. “Of course. I have someone to take care of now. I’m not alone anymore, so I’ll naturally change.”

Ning Qing’s eyes fell on their clasped hands. She pursed her lips and scoffed. “I’m getting married soon, too. You don’t have to show off. Also, our chairman’s birthday is coming up soon. Remember to bring your wife back with you.”

After seeing Ms. Xu and Ning Qing off, Ning Chun and Yan Hua got in the car and left. Ning Chun was always a fast and steady driver. She was also hungry. At a red light, Ning Chun rested her hand on the steering wheel. The cut on the back of her hand was more obvious than it was during the day.

“What’s wrong with your hand now?” Without a word, Yan Hua pulled her hand over to inspect it. The wound wasn’t light. The area around the scab was bruised, clearly from being hit by a heavy object.

“It’s nothing. I scraped it against a wall,” Ning Chun said, pulling her hand back. The light turned green, and the car moved forward.

Yan Hua clearly had more questions, but Ning Chun looked unconcerned and instead asked what she had done today.

“Nothing much. I went to the salon, bought some clothes, and Auntie told me a lot about your family.”

Hearing about the Ning family, Ning Chun asked quietly, “What did she tell you?”

“Auntie said you had a childhood trauma, that your personality is a little stubborn, and that I should be more accommodating.”

Ning Chun rubbed her nose. Ms. Xu really did know her. She said weakly, “That was in the past.”

“I know. Auntie also said your family has three children and loves a lively household, so she wants me to visit her more often when I’m free.”

Three children? As far as Ning Chun knew, Ms. Xu had only given birth to her and Ning Qing. Where did a third child come from? She felt a sense of dread. The original novel must have hidden some details, and those details were likely related to her life.

“I’m done. It’s your turn.” During the conversation, Yan Hua had been sitting sideways, her eyes on Ning Chun. Ning Chun, on the other hand, appeared to be chatting but was actually focused on driving, never once turning her head. Her eyes were always on the road ahead.

Yan Hua wanted her to account for her whereabouts today.

Ning Chun blinked and turned the steering wheel. “I was in a business negotiation today. The other party was shameless and kept raising the price. We couldn’t reach an agreement, so I came back.”

“Ning Chun, don’t lie to me,” Yan Hua said, sitting up straighter, a little angry. “Ning Qing said you haven’t been to the company in a long time and don’t get involved with company business. You went to find Qingqing, didn’t you? The wound on your hand is proof.”

Her words were sincere. Even though she desperately wanted to know about her sister, she didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of her. Her feelings for Ning Chun were complex. She both hated her and didn’t. Her hatred wasn’t pure, and she couldn’t love her, so the best explanation was to use her. Before she could use her to find her sister and solve her family issues, Yan Hua didn’t want anything to happen to her.

“Don’t overthink it. I’ll tell you when I find her.”

When they returned to the villa, Yan Hua went upstairs first. After only a few steps, she heard Ning Chun ask the butler, “Is there anything to eat? Even a bowl of noodles would be fine.”

It was very late, and the butler was surprised. He said with a hint of sympathy in his voice, “Miss, why didn’t you have dinner? I’ll have someone cook you a bowl of seafood noodles right now, with lots of crab meat.”

“Thank you,” Ning Chun said with a faint smile, taking off her jacket. Her sleeves were a bit in the way, so she pushed them up, revealing her forearm. She looked a little tired, a far cry from her energetic state at the restaurant.

Yan Hua watched her from the stairwell. She came to pick me up without eating. Yan Hua was a little annoyed but also wanted to know what Ning Chun had been doing all afternoon.

The butler was worried Ning Chun was starving. He brought her some fresh pastries and fruit to hold her over. Ning Chun picked up a piece of golden pastry and took a bite. The butler quickly called out to her as she raised her hand.

“Miss, wait.” The butler lifted the hand holding the pastry. A large bruise was visible on her inner arm. “How did you get this? It’s a serious injury.”

“It’s nothing. It looks bad, but it doesn’t hurt much,” Ning Chun said, waving her hand, refusing to be examined. As worried as the butler was, he couldn’t disobey her command.

While Ning Chun ate her seafood noodles, the butler quietly went upstairs. By the time Ning Chun was full and went back to her room, Yan Hua had already showered and changed into her nightgown.

She was wearing a white lace dress with delicate trim at the chest and hem. The neckline was a little low, the skirt a little short, and the fabric had a sheen, undoubtedly silk. Ning Chun stood at the door, staring, and even forgot to go inside.

Even she, who was slow to pick up on things, felt that something was off. But according to the plot, Yan Hua would not fall in love with her, much less intentionally seduce her. It must be her own dirty mind.

“You’re back. Go take a shower,” Yan Hua said.

“Oh, okay.” It wasn’t until she walked into the bathroom that Ning Chun felt something was really strange. This conversation sounded a lot like preparation for something. What was even stranger was that she actually listened.

Ning Chun quickly took a shower and came out wrapped in a bathrobe. “Are you done?” Yan Hua asked, with her back to her, when she heard the door open.

“Mm,” Ning Chun replied lazily, heading straight for her sofa.

“Come here first and take off your bathrobe,” Yan Hua said, busy with bottles and jars. She didn’t notice Ning Chun freeze for a moment. Take off her bathrobe? For her? In front of Yan Hua? She must be joking. I’m completely naked under here.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think it’s more polite to wear clothes,” Ning Chun said. After all, they were now sharing a room. She didn’t turn around or look at Yan Hua. She just held her arms tighter.

A light laugh came from behind her. “What are you thinking? Hurry up and come here. I’ll put some medicine on you.”

Oh, so it’s for medicine. Ning Chun thought the injuries were minor. They weren’t even bleeding much. There was no need for medicine. Ning Chun stood there for a long time, clearly not wanting to do it. Yan Hua just took out her phone and said helplessly, “Then I’ll just have to call Auntie to come and help you.”

“No, no, no! I’ll do it!”

Ning Chun sat on the bed, fidgeting as she untied her bathrobe, moving agonizingly slowly. But no matter how slow she was, she still had to take it off eventually.