The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her (GL) - Chapter 16

Just by hearing those conflicted words, it was clear how hesitant the omega felt at that moment. It was not an unreasonable request, and the consequences had been caused by Ling Jiao in the first place.

Ling Jiao accepted the responsibility without hesitation.

“Alright, stop overthinking. Just focus on what we’ll eat later.”

Over the past few days, she had already explored every small, hidden eatery nearby.

Whatever they wanted to eat, she could always find the best places.

Shen Yuwei did not have much of an appetite, but she followed Ling Jiao and took a ride to a restaurant a few kilometers away. In the original novel, the author focused mostly on the real heiress and her partner going to all sorts of luxurious restaurants. These small local spots were barely mentioned. Ling Jiao had to spend quite a bit of effort to find these details.

They arrived at a casual street food stall and found a place to sit. The restaurant had a lively flow of customers, and the warm atmosphere immediately brought them back to the real world after the cold and distant banquet.

Ling Jiao handed over the menu with a smile.

“Order whatever you like. My treat.”

Shen Yuwei looked disinterested.

This place offered a wide mix of food, blending different styles. There was everything from Western-style toast, salmon, and steak to spicy skewers and hot pot. In the middle were rich coffees and sweet milk teas. It felt like everything had been tossed together into one giant pot.

Naturally, people from elite circles would never visit places like this, fearing it might damage their image.

Shen Yuwei felt slightly uncomfortable.

It was her first time at a place like this, but looking at Ling Jiao, it seemed completely normal for her. Ling Jiao had always been the center of attention, an Alpha raised with the best resources. How could she possibly enjoy these roadside food stalls?

Shen Yuwei could not understand and felt a bit conflicted.

Just like a few nights ago, when Ling Jiao had brought her a bowl of spicy pork and pea noodles in the middle of the night. It was so grounded, so quietly comforting.

Even Guan Qing, her close fiancée, had never done something like that for her.

Ling Jiao was truly hungry tonight. She ordered a large amount of food and ate with care, maintaining her manners so she would not appear rude or messy.

Her eating was graceful and pleasant to watch.

It made others curious if the food was really that delicious.

No one knew whether Shen Yuwei was influenced by the atmosphere of the restaurant or by Ling Jiao’s elegant eating style. After a few seconds of hesitation, she picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of hot crispy pork into her mouth.

The taste was not amazing.

But it was not bad either.

After eating a bit, the heat spread through her, and in the warm air, Shen Yuwei started to sweat. Her pale forehead was dotted with fine beads of sweat that slid down her delicate features.

She looked elegant and graceful.

Ling Jiao raised her glass and smiled.

“Come on, have a drink.”

Encouraged by the moment, Shen Yuwei, as if under a spell, picked up her wine glass. In this noisy, smoky, and lively food stall, she clinked glasses with Ling Jiao.

After one drink, a soft blush quickly appeared on Shen Yuwei’s cheeks.

“I… I can’t really hold my liquor,” she said, blinking slowly. “Just one glass is my limit.”

She used to be the kind of student admired by teachers. She had good grades, a beautiful appearance, a respectable family, and a gentle personality. To parents, she was the perfect omega. No one ever pressured her to drink, and no one dared to take her away from a formal event without permission.

Ling Jiao poured her another glass of beer.

“What are you afraid of? Getting drunk can make you feel better. One night of drinking can wash away a thousand worries,” Ling Jiao said cheerfully.

“When I feel upset, I drink a lot to numb myself. At least for those few hours, I don’t feel the sadness anymore.”

That was the truth.

Ling Jiao was trying to approach this carefully.

In the original book, her character eventually turned dark and twisted. But Ling Jiao believed that was because she never had a proper outlet for her emotions. People who bottle things up for too long can become unwell. Releasing all those feelings of frustration and pain can help the body feel lighter.

Letting things out in time helps a person grow up strong and healthy.

There was no need for any kind of tragic transformation.

“Drinking is good for your physical and mental health,” Ling Jiao said with confidence.

Shen Yuwei stayed silent.

That was a strange and twisted kind of logic.

But she did not reject the drink that Ling Jiao poured.

One glass after another.

Most people start speaking nonsense when they drink too much. Shen Yuwei, on the other hand, became completely quiet. She did not cry or act out. All the sharp edges she usually carried during the day were now gone. Her expression was calm and peaceful. In this state, it seemed like anyone could come along and gently convince her to go with them.

Ling Jiao became curious. As she ate skewers, she waved her fingers in front of Shen Yuwei’s face.

“Yuwei, how many fingers am I holding up?”

“Three.”

“And now?”

“Nine.”

She answered every question softly and obediently.

Even drunk, her mind remained so clear. Ling Jiao was truly impressed. When she drank in a bad mood, she would completely lose control and act out, not recognizing anyone. She just hoped Shen Yuwei would not throw up on the way back.

Halfway through the meal, a few more people suddenly joined their table.

A woman walked over holding a paper cup, dressed in fashionable streetwear. Her figure was striking, and she moved with a confident sway in her hips.

Ling Jiao looked up at the woman.

Seeing that she was a stranger, Ling Jiao turned her head away. The unfamiliar but beautiful omega had hesitated at first, unsure whether she had recognized the right person. But the moment Ling Jiao lifted her head, the woman’s eyes lit up with joy, realizing she had not made a mistake.

“Jiao Jiao!”

The woman exclaimed with excitement, “It really is you!”

Wow, who would have thought she would run into someone she knew while just out for a meal?

The problem was, Ling Jiao had absolutely no memory of her.

Ling Jiao frowned slightly. “Who are you?”

The woman pouted playfully. “You heartless thing. I’m your little baby, Yuan Huai!”

Yuan Huai?

Could this be someone the original Ling Jiao knew?

She clearly was not the same age. How did they meet? Why did she act so familiar? While Ling Jiao was still trying to make sense of it, the woman leaned closer and spoke in a sweet, flirtatious tone.

“It’s been almost half a year since we last saw each other. Why haven’t you called me even once?”

She winked at her flirtatiously. “I missed you so much, baby. Did you miss me?”

Ling Jiao remained silent.

Silence hung in the air like a quiet river on a still night.

From the corner of her eye, Ling Jiao noticed that the drunken Shen Yuwei was staring blankly in her direction. Taking a deep breath, Ling Jiao made her position clear.

“I don’t know you.”

This time, it was the woman’s turn to fall silent.

She was clearly older than Ling Jiao by several years, mature and attractive, with a sweet, sultry voice that sent tingles down the spine.

Still unwilling to give up, the woman asked again, “You really don’t remember me?”

“Nightclub, red wine, dance floor.” Yuan Huai was getting anxious, trying to jog her memory. They had met at a quiet bar. Back then, the original Ling Jiao was looking for some fun and had spotted this glamorous omega in the crowd. She had made a move, even hinted at wanting to take things further.

They were just about to head to a room when a sudden phone call pulled her away. As she left, she promised to call later. But then half a year went by with no word.

Ling Jiao shook her head.

The book only described how the original Ling Jiao liked to toy with people and how much of a heartbreaker she was. It never listed who she had been involved with or how she met them.

How was she supposed to know who this woman was?

Yuan Huai’s expression turned angry.

“Unbelievable. Are you playing with me? I’ve never been treated like this in my life.”

“Ling Jiao, if you don’t give me an explanation today, I swear I’ll tear you apart.”

The food stall was busy, with people coming and going. As the shouting started, curious bystanders began to glance their way, sensing drama.

Ling Jiao felt a headache coming on.

If she had not been trying to repair her relationship with Shen Yuwei, as in the original plot, something like this would have been a devastating blow. That kind of heartbreak was built layer by layer.

Ling Jiao quickly stated her position.

“Whatever there was between us before, I’m telling you now, there’s nothing anymore and never will be.”

Yuan Huai let out a cold laugh. “You wish.”

In her anger, her eyes finally landed on the quiet girl sitting beside them. Shen Yuwei was wearing a light-colored blouse with the top two buttons undone. She stared at them with wide, unfocused eyes.

Her gaze was pure and innocent, and her face was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her cheeks were flushed a soft pink like peach blossoms. Her bright eyes and delicate features made her look like she had stepped out of a painting, a true beauty.

Yuan Huai’s expression shifted. A sly glint flashed in her eyes.

“If you want to get rid of me,” she said slowly, pointing at Shen Yuwei, “then let her spend a night with me.”

Ling Jiao responded with a sigh.

“Same-s3x love has no future.”

She rubbed her temples, thinking about calling her assistant, Wan Qing, to get more information. But just then, Shen Yuwei let out a soft groan beside her.

Shen Yuwei clutched her stomach and looked up at Ling Jiao. Her vision was beginning to blur, and double images appeared in front of her.

Familiar in a strange, distant way.

She blinked. The outlines of the blurred figure began to sharpen.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and in the next second, they spilled down her cheeks. Shen Yuwei looked tearfully at Ling Jiao and called out in a choked voice.

“Mom…”

Yuan Huai froze, her expression completely stunned.

She turned to Ling Jiao, eyes wide with shock.

“No wonder you wouldn’t go for me. So, this is your thing?”

Ling Jiao was speechless.

She felt like she could cry.