Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 25

The restaurant was decorated in champagne hues. Song Ronghui, dressed in a black, form-fitting off-the-shoulder dress, sat cross-legged in the VIP lounge outside the private room, smoking.

 

Chen Bo and his Omega were sprawled on a wider chair, their occasional soft moans suggesting they were on the verge of putting on a live show.

 

“Can you go inside?” Song Ronghui stubbed out her cigarette and immediately lit another.

 

“What’s wrong? You didn’t bring a woman yourself, and now you can’t stand seeing others show off?” Chen Bo grumbled, pushing himself up from his Omega’s chest. “You seem a bit irritable today, huh?”

 

“Next time you two want to take this long, don’t ask me to arrange the next round, okay?” Song Ronghui retorted.

 

As she spoke, the door to Room 301 finally opened. Han Fu was carried out by a dark-skinned, voluptuous woman, his voice hoarse and his flushed face nearly matching his rose-red hair. “I can’t go on,” he gasped. “You guys go for the next round.”

 

Song Ronghui cursed under her breath, perhaps sensing his foul mood.

 

Chen Bo stood up from his Omega. “Hey, let’s just call two more. Han Wenfang’s been pretty active lately… Let’s get her to join us. We’ll go have some fun.”

 

“Hey, isn’t that the TV actor over there?” Han Fu pointed to a figure rising to leave across the hall.

 

“It’s her. I went with Huihui when she toasted earlier. She was in the private room too, right, Hui?”

 

Song Ronghui glanced over, her thoughts unreadable.

 

After leaving the restaurant, Song Ronghui sat alone in her car, gazing at the dimly lit, romantic night. People hurried past, and she held only a cigarette in her hand.

 

After a long moment, she pulled out her phone.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Can I see her now?”

 

The call ended. Five minutes later, a message arrived: Come.

 

Two hours later, at the Special Management Office of Rongcheng Prison, Song Ronghui entered a brightly lit, windowless room. The only ventilation came from a small skylight.

 

A woman sat propped up on the dark green iron bed, her full figure encased in a blue striped uniform. Leaning back slightly, she flashed Song Ronghui a seductive smile.

 

“You’re here?”

 

“Mm.” Song Ronghui’s gaze shifted from her features to the long hair cascading down her back. “Your hair has grown.”

 

Yin Xue casually tossed a strand of her pale fingers over her shoulder. “Come closer.”

 

Song Ronghui studied her for a few seconds before approaching. Yin Xue leaned forward, pressing her face against Song Ronghui’s lower abdomen. “Huihui, this place is unbearable. Please help me get out, okay? Hmm?”

 

Yin Xue’s hand tapped just below her navel.

 

“Being able to keep you here alone and arrange these visits is already the limit of what I can do.”

 

Song Ronghui’s breath tightened. “I’ll try my best to find another way to help you, but it’s difficult right now. If you’d only hurt others—even Cai Ying—I could still protect you with a fight.”

 

But Yin Xue had not only targeted Xu Jinman’s new lover but had also harmed Xu Jinman herself.

 

“Xu Jinman won’t let me go? That woman is truly cold-blooded and ruthless.”

 

“It’s not her,” Song Ronghui said. “It’s the Xu Family.”

 

Especially Lu Yun.

 

She had gone straight to the Old Master, warning that if Song Ronghui interfered, the Xu Family and Song Family would never consider cooperation again.

 

“You know Xu Jinman is the apple of their eye. It’s almost impossible.”

 

Yin Xue chuckled softly. “The apple of their eye? Fine, let’s talk about something else first, then?”

 

Song Ronghui groaned, stopping Yin Xue’s wandering hand. “Don’t tease me.”

 

Yin Xue, finding the situation rather dull, wiped her hand on Song Ronghui’s clothes and asked, “Did you find anything?”

 

Song Ronghui’s heart suddenly felt hollow. Her voice turned low and dark. “Xu Jinman is strange… I can’t quite explain it. She’s Xu Jinman, but she doesn’t feel like herself. That day at the café, she acted as if she were meeting me for the first time. I felt the same tonight. Do you remember Xia Chun?”

 

“The name sounds familiar.”

 

“Xu Jinman had investigated Shen Shu when she was trying to get to her. But today, her reaction was as if she didn’t recognize her at all. I could tell she wasn’t faking it; she’s not the type to hide her feelings. Xu Jinman… she’s like a completely different person.”

 

Yin Xue’s eyes gleamed in the cold light as she asked, “Did she mention me?”

 

“No.”

 

“She’s probably forgotten about me by now.” Yin Xue’s gaze darkened momentarily before she tilted her head back and smiled at Song Ronghui. “Your family has shares in the Specialized Hospital in the South District. Next time you come, bring me a copy of Xu Jinman’s medical records, okay?”

 

“What do you need those for?”

 

“I’ll tell you next time… If necessary, you could try collaborating with Xu Li. She’ll help anyone who wants to take down Xu Jinman. But be careful—that woman is cunning and might betray you. Just use her, and don’t reveal anything to her, understand?”

 

“You’ve been in contact with her too?”

 

“Mutual exploitation, nothing more.” Yin Xue’s expression turned colder. “I didn’t get the better of her last time, so be careful.”

 

As she spoke, Yin Xue’s fingers began tracing circles on the female Alpha’s skirt.

 

This time, Song Ronghui didn’t stop her. She took a sharp breath. “We grew up together. Of course I’ll help you.”

 

“Just because we grew up together?”

 

Song Ronghui stared at the alluring face, momentarily losing her senses. No, it wasn’t just that. She wasn’t some saintly philanthropist.

 

Just as she leaned in for a kiss, Yin Xue stopped her. “You know I don’t like kissing. Let’s play something else.”

 

Darling Omega, will you play with me?

 

Xu Jinman’s voice struck like a thunderclap in the bright, spacious bedroom.

 

Shen Shu froze in place, as if transported back to a terrifying night when someone had dragged her from the doorway into the house…

 

“Xu Jinman…?” she called out, trying to remain calm.

 

But Xu Jinman, behind her, seemed not to hear her or notice her distress. Her arms remained wrapped around Shen Shu, pinning her between herself and the suitcase.

 

Shen Shu couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

 

Xu Jinman had promised that person would never return… but what if she was wrong?

 

Xu Jinman slowly withdrew a chain, over a meter long, letting it fall in loops on the carpet. She then gently took Shen Shu’s hands and encircled them with the chain.

 

Except when Shen Shu struggled to break free, Xu Jinman’s grip remained gentle, as if she were still somewhat conscious and afraid of hurting her.

 

The next moment:

 

“Why won’t you play with me? Are you scared?” Xu Jinman murmured, her voice hollow and almost like she was talking to herself.

 

Her movements stilled. Xu Jinman rested her chin in the hollow of Shen Shu’s shoulder, unwinding the chain from Shen Shu’s hands. After a brief pause, she picked up a pair of handcuffs from the suitcase.

 

Before Shen Shu could resist, with a click, one of her hands was cuffed.

 

Not satisfied, Xu Jinman secured the other cuff to her own wrist with another metallic clink.

 

“If you won’t play with me, you can’t leave.”

 

Her voice suddenly turned childlike, tinged with hurt, resentment, and a hint of cautiousness.

 

Whether it was Shen Shu’s imagination or not, she even detected a faint note of appeasement.

 

There was no malice in her actions.

 

The sharp panic in Shen Shu’s heart inexplicably began to subside. At that moment, she felt Xu Jinman’s grip loosen.

 

The clammy stickiness of their pressed bodies vanished as they separated, replaced by a cool relief.

 

Xu Jinman collapsed backward onto the carpet, pulling Shen Shu with her for a moment due to the handcuffs binding them together.

 

Xu Jinman instinctively curled up into a fetal position.

 

“Shen Shu,” she murmured, her voice so faint and indistinct that Shen Shu couldn’t be sure if she had actually called her name.

 

“What did you say?”

 

Xu Jinman’s brows furrowed deeply, her body coiled tightly. Her light brown curls, damp with sweat, clung to her face and neck, one strand of hair even poking into the exposed neckline of her bra.

 

“I feel sick,” she whispered.

 

Xu Jinman’s consciousness was fading. After the cold sweat, her body temperature began to rise, her glands throbbed, and her emotions and physical state teetered on the brink of collapse.

 

She vaguely recognized these symptoms as the early stages of stress-induced illness. Professor Qin had warned her that triggers could provoke an episode.

 

Was it the alcohol?

 

In her hazy state, Xu Jinman couldn’t think clearly.

 

Driven by instinct, she desperately wanted to warn Shen Shu to leave, but the words seemed to catch in her throat, half-spoken, half-swallowed.

 

Sometimes it felt like she had spoken, sometimes not.

 

Hearing Xu Jinman’s slurred words and the way she called her name, Shen Shu’s heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, suddenly relaxed.

 

As she gazed at the person on the floor, a slight ache tugged at the tip of her nose. For a fleeting moment, she had wondered if this person might revert to the Xu Jinman she once knew…

 

Shen Shu felt a chill run through her body. She dared not even entertain the thought.

 

Then came relief.

 

She exhaled deeply, only now realizing how still she had become. Cold and hot sweat had soaked through her T-shirt, leaving it clinging to her skin with an icy chill.

 

Ignoring her discomfort, she rummaged through the suitcase but found neither the handcuff key nor the suppressant Professor Qin had mentioned.

 

Shen Shu glanced toward the wardrobe.

 

Xu Jinman owned numerous bags, rarely carrying the same one twice. Perhaps the key was in another bag.

 

She glanced at the unconscious figure on the floor, then at the handcuffs binding them together.

 

Her dizziness intensified. The wardrobe was at the far end of the room. She dragged Xu Jinman to her feet and draped her over her shoulder.

 

Xu Jinman’s body temperature began to rise. The moment her skin touched Shen Shu’s damp, cold skin, she pressed closer without needing any encouragement.

 

She pressed her face against Shen Shu’s clammy, cotton T-shirt.

 

Shen Shu stiffened slightly.

 

Xu Jinman nuzzled against Shen Shu, her lips brushing the edge of her T-shirt. Shen Shu felt the cool tip of Xu Jinman’s nose against her skin and awkwardly shrugged.

 

“Shen Shu?”

 

Shen Shu paused. “You’re awake?”

 

“Am I heavy?”

 

“……”

 

“Yes, you’re heavy.”

 

If not for the handcuffs, she would have thrown Xu Jinman off her long ago.

 

She was about to tell her to find the suppressant now that she was awake.

 

“Then I won’t get down,” Xu Jinman mumbled.

 

“……Are you drunk and acting crazy?” Shen Shu asked, speechless.

 

Xu Jinman’s erratic behavior made her seem genuinely intoxicated, yet Shen Shu remembered her having a high tolerance for alcohol.

 

She didn’t dwell on it for now.

 

Shen Shu opened the suitcase. It contained only two or three outfits, all dresses.

 

She rummaged through the four bags one by one, finally finding a green-cased suppressant in the last one.

 

It bore the label “Special” and the English abbreviation “AOH.”

 

A small line of English text on the back read: “Prohibited for external use.”

 

It was an injectable suppressant she had never seen before.

 

Shen Shu pulled Xu Jinman down to the floor, uncapped the syringe, and leaned over to brush aside her long hair, exposing the back of her neck.

 

The gland was slightly flushed, with a faint pore visible at its raised center.

 

The moment Shen Shu touched it, Xu Jinman seemed to remember something, shifting restlessly.

 

As if unwilling to be touched, Xu Jinman instinctively leaned closer to the hand that carried the sweet scent of vanilla, nuzzling against it.

 

Afraid she would move again, Shen Shu pressed firmly on her neck.

 

The needle pierced her skin. Xu Jinman groaned softly, “I can’t hold back… take the knife.”

 

Shen Shu withdrew the needle, pausing abruptly. “You’re an Omega. What can you even do?”

 

After a few seconds, Xu Jinman fell silent.

 

When Shen Shu tried to pull Xu Jinman up, she realized the hem of her dress had somehow come loose and was now clutched in Xu Jinman’s hand.

 

Sitting sideways on the floor, Shen Shu lacked the strength to drag Xu Jinman back onto the bed.

 

Xu Jinman couldn’t open her eyes, though she was dimly aware she was dreaming. She just couldn’t wake up.

 

It was a kindergarten.

 

Dressed in a princess gown, her delicate features drew the attention of many children. They gathered around her, praising her beauty and asking her to play.

 

She had many friends.

 

Among them was Xia Shu, whom she adored.

 

Xia Shu always wore the long dresses she loved, but Xia Shu rarely smiled. So she constantly tried to amuse her, bringing her fun toys and wanting to give her all the best things in the world.

 

They became the best friends in kindergarten.

 

 

On a day of torrential rain, the kindergarten playground was covered in a shimmering pool of water. Bean-sized raindrops splattered like blooming flowers as they struck the surface.

 

At dismissal time, Xia Shu stood by the school gate, waiting for her family to pick her up. She dashed past the driver, her umbrella held high, and the puddles splashed up, soaking her legs.

 

“I’ll walk you home,” she offered with a smile.

 

“Okay!” Xia Shu replied, her smile mirroring hers.

 

But as Xia Shu continued smiling, her expression suddenly shifted, as if she had seen something frightening.

 

Following Xia Shu’s gaze, she looked down. Her snow-white sleeve was soaked, and crimson bl00d seeped through the fabric, staining the white cloth pink and red.

 

She pulled back her sleeve, revealing a patchwork of scars of varying lengths, glistening with rainwater. “It’s nothing,” she reassured. “They’ll heal in a few days.”

 

That day, Xia Shu refused her offer to walk her home.

 

 

On a bright, sunny day, Xu Jinman was resting at home, recovering from a fever that had kept her bedridden for two days. After the incident with Xia Shu, she decided to get her a gift, perhaps also because she sensed Xia Shu had grown distant.

 

She found Xia Shu by the slide at the amusement park.

 

Xia Shu was chatting with a group of other children.

 

Xia Shu said:

 

“The bl00d on her hands was so scary, like a ghost. I don’t want to talk to her anymore.”

 

“Xu Jinman is really scary…”

 

“Xu Jinman?”

 

Xu Jinman groggily opened her eyes, meeting Shen Shu’s slightly narrowed gaze. Her vision gradually cleared, but her mind remained trapped in the memory she had just relived.

 

A heavy weight pressed down on her heart, like a massive dark cloud had settled inside her chest.

 

It was real—a memory from her original body. Xu Jinman could even feel the original body’s desperate struggle and pain.

 

After a night of silence, Xu Jinman’s voice was hoarse as she said, “I think I understand now.”

 

She understood the meaning of the last words the original body had written on the back of the photo:

 

Play with me?

 

It was a childhood obsession.

 

The betrayal by her kindergarten friends had haunted her—from that moment on, something had been wrong with her.

 

Combined with the Xu family’s abnormalities…

 

The original owner’s condition might not have stemmed solely from being spoiled since childhood or from the defects of her differentiation. It was possible that she had also experienced domestic violence, even abuse…

 

“What do you know?” Shen Shu asked.

 

The window remained closed, but through the glass, they could see the pale blue belly of the sky, indicating it was nearly dawn.

 

Last night, fearing Xu Jinman might relapse into her old habits, Shen Shu had kept a vigilant watch for a while before finally drifting into a fitful sleep.

 

She was jolted awake by a tug on her wrist.

 

When Xu Jinman remained silent, Shen Shu studied her for a few seconds.

 

“I know…” Xu Jinman hesitated, then suddenly remembered something else. She glanced at her arm, jerked it upward, and before the pain from the wrist restraint could register, she had yanked Shen Shu toward her.

 

The movement was too swift, catching Shen Shu completely off guard.

 

The two collided, warm lips brushing Xu Jinman’s ear as their chests pressed together through their clothes.

 

Xu Jinman felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

 

…This early in the morning.

 

Shen Shu quickly helped Xu Jinman up and rose just as swiftly herself.

 

Xu Jinman stared blankly, having forgotten what she was about to say. She looked down at the handcuff on her wrist and asked, puzzled, “What’s this for?”

 

“?”