The Scummy Alpha Is Deliberately Marked by the Femme Fatale - Chapter 4

“Yeah! I’ve had a crush on him for three years. Today’s graduation day—I hope he’ll accept my flowers. Think of it as putting a full stop to my youth.”

The boy’s ears flushed pink. He scratched his cheek in embarrassment, but his tone remained firm.

“Please wait a moment.”

【So pure! My god, what kind of person must it be to be liked by such a boy!】

【Can we somehow get him to bring the person over for us to see? I’m great at judging these things.】

Li Cen turned and wandered among the potted plants, circling a few times in thought.

She finally stopped in front of the lavender and sunflowers. Considering the other party was still a student, she decisively picked a few sunflowers and returned slowly to the counter.

“What do you think of sunflowers?” she explained. “They mean silent love—full of energy, but not without affection.”

“That works. Please wrap them for me. Thank you.”

The boy lowered his head shyly. Li Cen seemed to notice the faint trace of pheromones spilling from him.

Sunflowers—exactly the same as his scent.

“There’s an inhibitor in here. Remember to take it.”

She took a small pill from her pocket and handed it to him. The boy looked up, startled and at a loss, those brilliant amber eyes shimmering under the light.

【Wow, his eyes are gorgeous.】

【Eh, that’s our school’s Omega top student.】

【Spill the details, I’ll pay you fifty. Add me.】

【You shameless thing—taking the gossip and the money.】

“I wish you a bright future. Whatever comes next, live like a sunflower—always toward the sun.”

Li Cen handed the wrapped bouquet to him. The boy nodded, paid, and bolted out of the shop with the flowers in his arms.

【Why is Li Cen suddenly being so serious? I don’t know how to handle this.】

【Hearing such a line from her makes me wonder if she’s been body-swapped.】

The boy hugged the sunflowers, smiling. He turned back to wave before pushing the door open.

Afternoon sunlight spilled over his hair, gilding every strand. He stopped at the doorway, turned once more, and waved at her through the glass, mouthing “Goodbye” before disappearing into the crowd.

People came and went, many drawn purely by gossip. Li Cen, however, only spoke about work—nothing else.

The sun slowly dipped, painting the sky red and frosting the clouds with cream, the maroon afterglow floating across the horizon. Changing out of her work clothes, Li Cen approached the shop owner.

The owner handed her three hundred yuan. Li Cen immediately refused.

She knew the extra was only because she was a celebrity.

The flower shop’s income wasn’t high, but during busy hours, the profits rose noticeably.

“It’s fine, take it. Consider it a reward for looking after the shop alone today.”

Li Cen thanked her, then, after a beat, asked expectantly, “Can I buy a bouquet of daisies from you?”

The owner didn’t refuse. She wrapped the daisies and handed them over. Li Cen insisted on paying but couldn’t win the argument—she ended up with both the flowers and a basket of fruit shoved into her hands.

【Is the owner afraid of offending Li Cen and just putting on a show for us?】

【Owner, blink twice if you’re being forced.】

Before the livestream could spiral further, a white-haired young man burst into frame, half a schoolbag slung over one shoulder, clutching a bouquet of sunflowers and panting heavily.

“Mom!”

The owner nodded and smiled. “This is my son. He just got out of school—and he’s your fan.”

The boy flicked back his high ponytail. Spotting Li Cen holding the daisies, he tried to hide his excitement, striding over with exaggerated calm. “Hello, jiejie. I’m your fan. Could I get your autograph?”

His dark eyes were downcast, entirely focused on her. Standing well over 1.9 meters tall, he loomed in front of her. Li Cen gave a polite half-smile.

“Of course.”

He pulled out his phone, pulled his mother into the frame, and took a group photo with her.

Li Cen signed her name on a card and handed it to him. The moment their hands touched, she caught the faint scent of sunflower pheromones.

After a brief goodbye, she left the flower shop with a small smile and her bouquet.

【When did the production team get this rich? Hiring such a handsome actor?】

【Doesn’t look like acting—he even resembles the owner a bit.】

【Nobody noticed the sunflowers in his hands? Could they be from that Omega earlier today?】

【Stop reaching. Graduation bouquets are often sunflowers—it’s not impossible for it to be a coincidence.】

【That’s our school’s cold, aloof Alpha top student. His desk mate is that blond Omega—they could be together.】

【No way. He said he didn’t like the golden retriever type. The Omega’s been chasing him and has been rejected multiple times.】

…

“Everyone, guess who Li Cen will give the flowers to?”

【The show’s at it again. Director Li, can you not beat a dead horse?】

Ignoring the production crew’s drama, Li Cen headed straight to buy groceries, already thinking about what to cook tonight.

But before she could get far, a mascot blocked her way, holding up a sign.

Target Shooting Challenge—Winner Gets a Giant Lop-Eared Bunny Plush.

Li Cen’s gaze shifted to the plush in the distance. No one knew what was going through her head, but she agreed without hesitation.

A few gunshots later—every one dead center. Li Cen grinned smugly as the mascot handed over the plush. One hand adjusted the mask; the other waved slowly.

【Is Li Cen just here for a vacation? Everyone else is working themselves to the bone while she’s out having fun.】

【Don’t say that. She’s been pampered—probably doesn’t even know basic stuff like this.】

【What, is she planning to feed cotton to our girl? With that money she could’ve bought better groceries.】

【Mind your own business. Fu Ting didn’t contribute—Li Cen earned it, she can spend it however she wants.】

【Yeah, and Fu Ting hasn’t even joined the activities—she’s waiting on Li Cen. If someone else makes the money, why can’t they decide how to use it?】

The comments devolved into another bickering match. Compared to the other guests, the production team found that Li Cen brought in far more buzz—no one could resist a self-sufficient “washed-up” star, ripe for gossip and trending topics without spending on ads.

After Li Cen left, the mascot slowly removed the headpiece—revealing Yan Qi’s face. The smile was gone, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes unfocused.

She was the last to return, her sweat making her uncomfortable. Without heading downstairs, she showered first.

By the time she came down, everyone was gathered and waiting. She walked quickly to the empty seat beside Li Cen.

After a few words from the director, the guests were sent to the kitchen to cook.

【The director really isn’t worried about Li Cen burning the kitchen down? She’s probably never cooked a day in her life.】

【I’m curious what Qi Qi’s cooking will be like.】

Li Cen stormed into the kitchen with a big bag of ingredients, while Fu Ting sat in the living room, nervously fiddling with her fingers.

She debated whether to go help, but Li Cen had firmly told her not to enter the kitchen.

Glancing at the camera, Fu Ting quickly looked away, too scared to face the countless viewers. She could only hope the cameraman would be tactful enough to point the lens elsewhere.

But he didn’t. He stood right there, unmoving. Fu Ting’s lips twitched awkwardly.

【Why leave our girl sitting there alone? Shouldn’t someone keep her company?】

【She should be glad she’s not working. And now she wants company too?】

【Don’t be rude. You think she doesn’t want to help? She’s in heat—it’s already strong of her to keep filming.】

【That’s a Beta talking. Betas have no idea how painful heats are.】

【What does this have to do with being Beta or not? Don’t pit groups against each other—Alphas and Omegas aren’t saints either.】

…

The barrage grew chaotic. The director cut to the kitchen to reveal the guests’ cooking skills.

Li Cen was simmering carrot, corn, and pork rib soup. Calmly, she scooped up a spoonful, sipped it, then added a few spoonful of salt and stirred.

【Isn’t that our province’s signature soup? Looks pretty good.】

【Li Cen can cook? Maybe it just looks good but tastes bad.】

【Just from this soup, I doubt her cooking is bad.】

【You out-of-province folks don’t understand—sometimes it’s sweet even without salt.】

【? Salt is salty though.】

【Clearly someone who never went to the market with their family as a kid.】

…

The camera cut to Yan Qi, head lowered as she carefully mixed a sauce. A plate of white tofu sat beside her.

【Qi Qi’s making mapo tofu? But she doesn’t eat spicy food.】

【Maybe her partner wants it—not her.】

【Could it be for Li Cen? I remember she loves spicy food.】

【I’ll believe it’s for her partner, but not for Li Cen. After today’s vibe, they’re basically strangers.】

【Agreed—there’s zero CP feeling between them. Honestly, Li Cen and Fu Ting have more chemistry.】

【Exactly! Li Cen once said she liked the silly, cute little sister type—that’s clearly hinting at Fu Ting!】

…

The online chatter pricked at Yan Qi’s heart. She let out a long breath and glanced at Li Cen from the corner of her eye—she was fully focused on chopping vegetables.

Yan Qi’s gaze lingered with unspoken complexity before she quietly looked away, her thoughts in a jumble.

Li Cen, meanwhile, was lost in the joy of cooking. Back in high school, before she boarded in the dorms, she’d often share a rental with her senior.

If that senior were here to taste her soup now, she would probably be pleased.

The girl who once nearly blew up the kitchen was now making a whole table of her favorite dishes.

“Li Cen, pass me the vinegar.”

Yan Qi turned her head, gave her a brief glance, and spoke plainly—without a trace of emotion.