The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her (GL) - Chapter 5
An angel?
Could someone who casually tricked someone out of ten million and then split the money really call herself an angel?
Shen Yuwei had no idea how to describe her.
“I didn’t earn it. I won’t accept it,” she said firmly.
Ling Jiao smiled and replied, “That won’t do. Do you realize that without your reminder, we would’ve had to return the money before even enjoying it? You played a big part. You can’t say no.”
The shop owner, still feeling guilty about the situation, offered to give Shen Yuwei two pairs of shoes for free.
Ling Jiao exchanged a quick glance with Wan Qing, who understood immediately and pulled the shop owner aside to sort out the profit. Meanwhile, Ling Jiao picked out two pairs of shoes for Shen Yuwei that were elegant but subtle.
One pair was pure white, the other solid black. Both were easy to match with outfits.
While Shen Yuwei was changing shoes, Ling Jiao accidentally caught a glimpse of her legs. Her skin was smooth and pale like jade. For a moment, Ling Jiao couldn’t tell if it was the shoes that looked whiter or her skin.
Her ankles were slender and graceful. The curves of her feet were long and narrow, with round, delicate toes that carried a soft, rare pink tone. Peeking through the loose hem of her light green dress, her feet had a gentle, understated beauty.
It completely contrasted with her proud and cold personality.
Her feet looked like they were meant to catch the eye, drawing attention again and again. Ling Jiao found herself staring, unable to look away. She imagined what it might feel like to hold them gently in her hands.
She snapped out of it and touched her nose in embarrassment, wondering if the effects of the medication she took earlier were still lingering.
She reminded herself she simply had a foot fetish, not a twisted mind. Why was she feeling so overwhelmed?
The Omega stood up after changing shoes. Her posture was upright and steady. A strong and composed aura surrounded her, bringing Ling Jiao back to reality.
Just as Ling Jiao opened her mouth to speak, Shen Yuwei’s voice cut in, cold and clear.
“I’ve changed. I’m going back to school now.”
Shen Yuwei was a person who valued boundaries and fairness.
Even though Ling Jiao had fallen to the bottom of her good opinion in the past, today’s events had slightly changed her view of her character.
Only slightly.
She still knew when to express gratitude and when to say no.
“I already have a fiancée,” Shen Yuwei said, her voice cold. “She loves me deeply, and I love her too. After we graduate from high school, our families will go through with the engagement. You shouldn’t waste your time on me.”
Ling Jiao thought of the rumors that were about to grow worse and how they would soon cause serious harm to Shen Yuwei. Her face suddenly darkened.
Shen Yuwei misunderstood the silence. Thinking Ling Jiao still hadn’t given up, she hesitated, then softened her tone to offer advice.
“You shouldn’t keep surrounding yourself with irresponsible people. The Ling family only spoils you because you’re an Alpha. If that part of your identity is gone, things might not stay the same.”
She paused, unsure whether she had gone too far.
The words felt too intimate for how distant their relationship was.
Ling Jiao was always seen hanging out with troublesome friends and getting into fights. People said she had received no proper upbringing. Her family spoiled her endlessly. Rumors described her as barely literate. She had been in and out of police custody more than once, and ever since she entered high school, she skipped classes constantly and spent her time outside wandering around.
Shen Yuwei had once thought of punishing her for constantly bothering her. But after learning that Ling Jiao’s family background was just as powerful as hers, she gave up. Making enemies too easily would only bring trouble in the future.
Many Alphas were raised with excellent manners, strong bodies, and respectful attitudes toward Omegas. Her fiancée was the perfect example of that—gentle, refined, and loving.
But Ling Jiao was nothing like that. It was as if she was born to rebel, constantly causing trouble and always getting away with it because of her family.
There was even an incident where she nearly killed a Beta.
Afterward, she acted like nothing had ever happened.
Shen Yuwei found it hard to believe that a highly regarded Alpha raised in a powerful family would turn out this way.
Unless someone in her life had allowed it to happen.
Her words were carefully measured. This was both her way of thanking Ling Jiao for helping her today and a subtle warning. She hoped Ling Jiao would reflect on her actions and stop creating trouble all the time.
Ling Jiao smiled but said nothing.
She understood what Shen Yuwei meant. Once they walked out of that shop, they would go their separate ways.
But Ling Jiao knew it wouldn’t be that simple.
Knowing Shen Yuwei’s strict sense of justice, today’s rescue didn’t mean she had forgiven the harm done in the past. Ling Jiao was still on the top of her list—the one reserved for those she would punish if she ever lost control.
Ling Jiao let out a sigh and pressed her hand against her chest, her voice soft and wistful.
“But feelings aren’t something you can just turn off that easily.”
Her long eyelashes lowered slightly, and her beautifully curved eyes trembled gently with disappointment.
“I have a terrible reputation. Even if I want to change, no one would believe me. If the boy cries wolf three times, no one will ever believe he’s telling the truth again.”
“If I don’t act fierce and intimidating, people take advantage of me.”
Ling Jiao glossed over the part about “those people” because, truthfully, she didn’t even know who they were. If Shen Yuwei hadn’t just said what she did, Ling Jiao wouldn’t have come up with a believable excuse to keep clinging to her and gaining favor.
Before she became twisted, Shen Yuwei had been a genuinely kind person.
How could someone like her just stand by and watch a person with a trace of conscience fall down a criminal path?
Seeing that Ling Jiao had truly grasped what she was trying to say, Shen Yuwei couldn’t help but feel a hint of sympathy.
Maybe, as a powerful Alpha, Ling Jiao had gone through things no one else had ever understood.
To Shen Yuwei, Ling Jiao still didn’t seem completely beyond saving. Maybe there was hope for her.
But if Ling Jiao hadn’t been replaced by someone from another world, and the original had ruthlessly marked and impregnated her without mercy, then she definitely wouldn’t be entertaining such naive thoughts.
Sensing that Shen Yuwei was beginning to soften a little, Ling Jiao quickly added, “I know I did a lot of things wrong before. I annoyed you and pushed your limits. I want to sincerely apologize. If you still really hate me, then go ahead and hit me right now. I promise, I won’t fight back.”
Ling Jiao shut her eyes tightly and braced herself for the slap.
Several seconds passed and nothing happened. She cracked open one eye and peeked at her.
Shen Yuwei’s expression was cold and firm. “Who told you I solve problems with violence?”
Not to mention, if they really fought, she would be crushed by Ling Jiao in seconds.
Ling Jiao grinned. “Alright then, how about this? Let me buy you a milk tea. Let’s forget the past and call it even.”
She didn’t wait for an answer.
Ling Jiao led her out of the boutique. Not far away was a brightly advertised milk tea shop. The slogan read, “The first summer milk tea for beautiful Omega ladies.”
Ling Jiao made up her mind. That would be the one.
But as she walked toward the shop, she felt like she was forgetting something important.
Just before they reached the door, someone called out behind them, “Miss Ling, you dropped something!”
The voice sounded familiar. It was the shop owner who had suddenly come into money, personally running over with whatever had been left behind.
Ling Jiao froze, a chill running down her spine.
What could she have dropped?
There was only one possible answer, the camcorder Wan Qing had been holding.
Crap.
Under Shen Yuwei’s curious and suspicious gaze, Ling Jiao sucked in a sharp breath.
She was doomed.