The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her (GL) - Chapter 11
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- The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her (GL)
- Chapter 11 - No Such Thing as Pure Friendship
A woman in a tailored suit leaned forward, gently adjusting the collar and brooch of the petite girl standing before her. Her movements were tender and careful, full of grace and respect.
There was not the slightest hint of flirtation or impropriety.
The two stood side by side, one dressed in a black suit and the other in a beautiful evening gown. Their silhouettes were cast onto the nearby wall, one tall and one short. Under the soft and hazy lighting, the atmosphere between them felt exceptionally harmonious. To anyone watching, they looked like a perfect match, a couple made in heaven, worthy of being called a golden pair.
Guan Qing seemed completely unaware of others’ stares. After adjusting the girl’s outfit, she took a step back and looked at her with a smile of appreciation.
“You’re even more beautiful than the flowers. You look lovely.”
The girl’s face turned red with shyness.
“That’s not true. Don’t say such nonsense.”
“Thank you, Qingqing.”
“It was nothing,” Guan Qing replied warmly. “The banquet is about to begin. Let’s head inside.”
The girl nodded and walked with her. But after just one step, she stumbled. Her body tilted, and she let out a soft yelp. Just as she was about to fall, Guan Qing quickly reached out and caught her.
“Be careful. Watch your step,” she said.
The girl frowned with frustration and embarrassment.
“Sorry for troubling you again, Qingqing.”
Guan Qing let out a soft laugh.
“It’s alright.”
She held the girl steadily and walked her inside.
Guan Qing was known for being an alpha who genuinely respected omegas. She never looked down on them for being physically weaker or more delicate. She certainly never used their vulnerability against them. So in the eyes of others, her actions were seen as perfectly gentlemanly, with no hint of impropriety.
Even if someone tried to stir up gossip, she could face it openly and without shame.
Everyone in their social circle knew that Guan Qing had a fiancĂ©e. Her name was Shen Yuwei, and she was incredibly well known. In the omega community’s beauty rankings, Shen Yuwei had held the number one spot for years. Even other omegas admired her with sincere respect.
Besides her beauty, Shen Yuwei also came from a prestigious family and excelled in her studies.
No one dared to question her.
If not for the unexpected turn of events, she would have been the center of attention at tonight’s banquet.
With the girl beside her, Guan Qing walked toward the living room.
Ling Jiao noticed Guan Qing just then. She saw her behaving like a true gentleman, helping the girl who had almost fallen. The two of them looked like a perfect match. The contrast between them made the scene even more charming.
Ling Jiao had never seen Guan Qing before, so she didn’t know who she was. She assumed she was just another guest attending the banquet.
She nudged Shen Yuwei and pointed.
By the time Shen Yuwei looked up, she only caught a glimpse of a white dress swaying out of view.
“What are you looking at?” Shen Yuwei asked, her tone distant.
Ling Jiao smirked casually.
“Just watching a sweet couple being all lovey-dovey. It’s cute.”
Shen Yuwei closed her eyes and reminded herself to stay calm. Take a breath. Calm down. If that didn’t work, she thought about the money she still owed.
Thinking about her debt helped ease her rising frustration.
“There’s nothing interesting here. You should go back,” Shen Yuwei said, clearly wanting her to leave.
Ling Jiao leaned to one side and avoided her.
“You can’t just kick me out like that. I came here just to see you.”
“To see me? What for? To enjoy my embarrassment?” Shen Yuwei gave a cold laugh. “To watch others mock me?”
No one really knew what she had been through in the past three days. She looked even worse than when Ling Jiao had last seen her. Ling Jiao sighed.
“I know you don’t like me, but could you please not assume the worst of me?”
She clutched her chest dramatically.
“Oh, my heart hurts.”
Shen Yuwei watched her over-the-top performance without reacting at all. She clearly wasn’t worried. Ling Jiao didn’t mind and dropped the act.
“Even if we can’t be a couple, we can still be friends, right? More friends means more options in life. That’s always a good thing.”
“Don’t underestimate the value of friendship,” Ling Jiao said, tapping her chest. “They say real friends would risk everything for each other.”
“Or stab each other over a woman?” Shen Yuwei replied flatly.
Ling Jiao paused.
“That was cold.”
She still wasn’t embarrassed.
“If forced love never works, then maybe the reason you won’t be my friend is because you still have feelings for me?”
Shen Yuwei gave her a long look, filled with complicated emotions.
When did this woman become so shameless?
“Alphas and omegas can’t have pure friendships,” Shen Yuwei said honestly. “They’re either falling for someone or being fallen for.”
Ling Jiao threw a handful of fish food into the pond.
“That’s only because you haven’t met me yet.”
Shen Yuwei gave a small smile but didn’t respond.
So, even after everything Ling Jiao had said, Shen Yuwei still didn’t believe her.
To be fair, she had a point.
Since Ling Jiao had realized she had entered the world of a novel, her entanglement with Shen Yuwei had only grown more complicated. Ling Jiao admitted that the way she looked at Shen Yuwei wasn’t entirely innocent. Whether before or after entering the story, she had always felt a deep sympathy and tenderness toward her.
Whether that affection was love, Ling Jiao still didn’t know.
Suddenly, the quiet sound of footsteps across the lawn grew louder. Someone was approaching.
A playful giggle rang out, followed by a teasing and slightly mocking voice.
“Well, well, look who we have here.”
The person beside her chimed in, “That’s the eldest daughter of the Shen family, Shen Yuwei. Sister, have you forgotten?”
“Oh,” the person walking ahead replied with a deliberately drawn-out and trembling voice.
“So it’s Shen Yuwei. I was wondering who it was, sneaking around over there without saying a word.”
In the past, Wang Ruo would never have dared to provoke her like this.
Back then, Shen Yuwei had many supporters and admirers. Wang Ruo did not even need to say much. Others would naturally step in to defend Shen Yuwei and make things difficult for her.
But now, Shen Yuwei no longer had people backing her.
At last, Wang Ruo could finally mock her openly and confidently without restraint.
With elegant steps, Wang Ruo approached.
In the front hall, Father Shen had already finished his speech. Shen Xiaoxiao had also expressed her gratitude. Now it was time for the guests to mingle freely. The adults ate and chatted, while many young men and women shared private conversations and romantic moments.
As Wang Nuo moved toward a quiet corner, several people noticed and followed her like spectators eager to see a show. It was rare to see the eldest daughter of the Shen family missing from such an important event, and that made people curious.
Wang Nuo ranked second on the Omega Beauty List. Naturally, she had long been dissatisfied with Shen Yuwei, who had occupied the top spot for years. Over time, her resentment deepened. Seeing who Wang Nuo was approaching, a few guests began to guess what was happening. Of course, they did not want to miss such a good show.
Shen Yuwei could not ignore the provocation. Her hands trembled with anger.
Ever since the truth about the real and fake heiresses was revealed, her status had dropped drastically. Now, anyone felt entitled to step on her, because she was seen as the only one who benefited from the scandal.
She had been born into privilege and had enjoyed the highest quality of life.
If her parents had not switched the babies at birth, then the one who would have lost her parents, been bullied by greedy relatives, and forced to work part-time to afford her education would have been Shen Yuwei herself.
Her heart had not yet turned completely cold or numb.
Hearing those sarcastic and hurtful words, Shen Yuwei could only wish she could cover her ears and pretend she was deaf.
Perhaps it was karma. As Wang Ruo walked over, her foot slipped. She cried out in panic, and then there was a loud ripping sound as the fabric of her dress tore.
A large section of her white dress was ripped open.
She fell hard to the ground in a painful split.
Her face twisted in pain and embarrassment.
“Ha ha ha ha ha,” Ling Jiao laughed loudly and without holding back. She looked delighted by the scene. “If you wanted to see me so badly, there was no need to give such a grand greeting.”
Shen Yuwei said nothing.