Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 28

The question was too startling.

 

Xu Jinman had considered facing this moment, but the suddenness of it caught her completely off guard.

 

She gazed at Shen Shu’s face, as clear as water, when suddenly a crystalline teardrop glistened on her smooth cheekbone, followed by a steady stream of tears.

 

Xu Jinman wiped the dampness from her eyelids and suggested, “Let’s go upstairs to talk?”

 

She sent Zhou Pei home first, then led Shen Shu upstairs.

 

The real reason for her concealment was simply the crisis of trust from the past and Shen Shu’s aversion to Alphas, though she still didn’t know the true cause of Shen Shu’s aversion.

 

But if Shen Shu asked directly, Xu Jinman had no desire to keep it hidden.

 

The downpour had come quickly. Fortunately, Zhou Pei had given her an umbrella before leaving. It took only ninety seconds to walk from the gate to Shen Shu’s apartment building.

 

They walked side by side in silence.

 

Xu Jinman held the umbrella, shifting its edge a few inches closer to Shen Shu.

 

As they opened the door, they noticed the torrential rain had splashed onto their calves, the cold water now trickling down their skin and into their high heels.

 

Xu Jinman stood in the doorway, watching Shen Shu change into slippers.

 

After all, once she said what she needed to say, she probably wouldn’t be allowed inside anyway.

 

Shen Shu straightened up and gazed quietly at Xu Jinman, her peach-blossom eyes seeming to pierce through Xu Jinman’s skin and into her soul, as if she could see through everything.

 

Or perhaps she had guessed everything.

 

A few seconds passed.

 

Xu Jinman began, “Actually, I…”

 

Suddenly, a knock echoed from outside the door, heavy and impatient, like the muffled, rapid strikes of a bell or drum.

 

Xu Jinman fell silent.

 

Lu Yun’s arrival disrupted Xu Jinman’s rhythm. Though Lu Yun carried no luggage, her grim expression made it clear that this visit was no casual affair.

 

True to form, Lu Yun entered with a frosty glare, slamming her crocodile handbag, still damp from the rain, onto the coffee table. “I truly underestimated you.”

 

Her words were directed at Shen Shu.

 

Shen Shu froze for a moment before Xu Jinman stepped forward, positioning herself between Shen Shu and Lu Yun.

 

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Xu Jinman asked.

 

Lu Yun’s gaze shifted to Xu Jinman. “Since your marriage, the Shen Family has reaped countless benefits under the Xu Family’s name—I won’t even mention those. The twenty million yuan investment I made at the wedding? Consider it money thrown to the dogs. But I explicitly warned the Shen Family that the Xu Family would not intervene in this matter. They shouldn’t even think of involving us…”

 

Lu Yun scoffed, glaring at the woman whose features were visible behind Xu Jinman.

 

“Is she so confident that the Shen Family didn’t take my words seriously? Or does she find me laughable? Turning around and whispering in your ear, urging you to throw money at the problem?”

 

She had disliked Shen Shu’s face from the moment she first saw it.

 

Lu Yun knew that Manman had carried a childhood resentment toward a little girl. Zhou Pei had even searched for this girl, and some incident had occurred back then.

 

Initially, Lu Yun hadn’t noticed anything suspicious about Shen Shu’s appearance. The subtle resemblance in their eyes and brows was barely perceptible.

 

It wasn’t until Manman announced her intention to marry Shen Shu that Lu Yun realized Shen Shu was merely a substitute.

 

At the time, she thought, If that’s the case, there’s nothing to worry about. Since Manman can’t overcome her past trauma, letting her vent through someone else is harmless.

 

The Shen Family was also facing financial difficulties, so they eagerly agreed to the proposal.

 

Twenty million yuan was a small price to pay for Manman’s happiness.

 

But now things were different.

 

Shen Shu had crossed Lu Yun’s bottom line.

 

She was interfering with Manman’s choices and decisions. Since their marriage, Manman’s temper had softened, and her resolve had weakened.

 

Shen Shu looked at Xu Jinman in surprise. Wei Wuqing had indeed summoned her today to ask for money and had urged her to seek help from Xu Jinman.

 

But she had no intention of mentioning it to Xu Jinman.

 

Xu Jinman said, “Mom, you’ve misunderstood. Shu Shu didn’t say a word about it. I just happened to hear about it.”

 

The eight million yuan she had provided to the Shen Family for working capital was a trivial sum compared to the twenty million yuan she had given them as a wedding gift.

 

Lu Yun’s anger stemmed largely from her deep-seated resentment toward Shen Shu and the Shen Family. She suspected Shen Shu was secretly manipulating her.

 

Just as she had dismissed Xu Jinman’s claim of losing interest in the family business, Lu Yun’s first reaction was to blame Shen Shu—even though, logically, Shen Shu had no reason to do so.

 

“Is that not important?” Lu Yun snapped. “You’ve given away every last penny in your account! Do you think I don’t know? You refuse my money but pour your entire fortune into someone else’s pockets! Do you expect me to stand by and watch?”

 

Shen Shu’s movements froze.

 

She knew Xu Jinman had started a venture capital firm and had been traveling recently for due diligence.

 

But was it really as Lu Yun claimed? Why would she do such a thing?

 

Hearing this, Xu Jinman turned to Shen Shu and said softly, “Why don’t you go inside first?”

 

Shen Shu remained silent for a few seconds before nodding.

 

Staying here would only make things worse.

 

Lu Yun, still furious, frowned at Xu Jinman as she saw Shen Shu leaving. “I came here to find her. Why are you letting her go? Tell me, do you not want the Xu Family, the family fortune, the money I give you…”

 

She pointed at Shen Shu’s retreating figure. “Is it all because of her?”

 

Shen Shu’s back stiffened slightly, but she didn’t stop.

 

The soft click of the master bedroom door closing echoed through the living room.

 

Xu Jinman sat beside Lu Yun, trying to keep her voice calm.

 

“The money I gave the Shen Family wasn’t a gift. It was a contract,” she explained. “No profit sharing, just a lump-sum repayment. If they fail to fulfill the contract within three months, they have to forfeit company shares as collateral.”

 

“Do you really think they can repay it?” Lu Yun sneered. “That father and son are utterly useless. Do you think this whole mess happened by accident? The Shen Family’s son was swindled out of a major project by a group of conspirators, and the middleman was the Han family’s youngest son. Now that things have gone south, that idiot Shen Guoliang actually went to the Han family demanding answers.”

 

Everyone in Beicheng knew there were two dominant business empires: the Xu Corporation and the HP Han family.

 

Xu Corporation primarily focuses on import-export trade and real estate. HP Group, on the other hand, specializes in e-commerce and new energy, having recently ventured into real estate development.

 

Given the Han family’s influence, even if their youngest son had deliberately targeted Shen Guoliang, directly confronting them would have been foolish.

 

Shen Guoliang’s decision to demand an explanation from the Han family was indeed reckless.

 

But he was relying on the Xu family’s backing.

 

He failed to realize that in the business world, profit always trumps loyalty. Even with the Xu family’s support, few would risk introducing him to new deals. What if something went wrong? It would only bring trouble upon themselves.

 

While the Xu and HP Han families maintained a veneer of cordiality, they were fierce competitors beneath the surface.

 

By antagonizing the Han family with the Xu family’s backing, Shen Guoliang forced the Xu family to prioritize self-preservation. After all, a minor figure like Shen Guoliang meant nothing to Lu Yun and Xu Tao.

 

Breaking the fragile peace for his sake simply wasn’t worth it.

 

“I know,” Xu Jinman said.

 

That was all the liquid capital she could currently access. Naturally, she had thoroughly investigated the matter beforehand.

 

“You know?!”

 

“I married Shen Shu. Would it be right to abandon her family now, just because of some delicate relationship between the Xu and Han families?”

 

In truth, Xu Jinman could see that Shen Shu still had a soft heart.

 

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have tossed and turned sleeplessly the night they received news of Shen Guoliang’s car accident.

 

Lu Yun froze at the question, then snapped back with a fierce glare:

 

“You still deny it’s because of that vixen! I truly regret letting you marry her!”

 

Lu Yun continued, “Didn’t I warn you? Never trust outsiders—they’re all untrustworthy! Only your mother will never betray you! Look at what you’ve become! You’ve thrown everything away…”

 

Xu Jinman didn’t consider herself a cold-blooded person. Even though she had little affection for Lu Yun and knew the Xu Family harbored dark secrets, she still pitied her as a mother.

 

But that didn’t mean she would tolerate this behavior, especially the growing sense of control Lu Yun was trying to exert.

 

“Mom, perhaps you don’t simply dislike Shen Shu,” Xu Jinman said, meeting Lu Yun’s gaze. Her voice, though calm, struck like a hammer on glass, each word deliberate and clear. “You just can’t accept that I’m breaking free from you, isn’t that it?”

 

“But I’m grown now,” Xu Jinman continued. “I have my own thoughts, my own way of living. It’s time for you to let go.”

 

Lu Yun’s face paled. “What are you saying…?”

 

Before she could finish, she clutched her chest and doubled over.

 

Xu Jinman immediately bent down to support her, her voice urgent. “What’s wrong?”

 

“The medicine… in my bag…”

 

Xu Jinman quickly grabbed Lu Yun’s bag and rummaged through it, pulling out a small white bottle.

 

Hearing the commotion outside, the bedroom door opened, and Shen Shu hurried over, bringing a glass of warm water from the kitchen.

 

After taking the medicine and resting for a few minutes, Lu Yun’s color finally began to return.

 

Xu Jinman helped her lie down in the guest room. When Xu Jinman tried to call the hospital, Lu Yun stopped her, reassuring her, “I’ll be fine now that I’ve taken the medicine.”

 

Lu Yun insisted, and Xu Jinman, seeing her mother’s complexion indeed improving, nodded reluctantly.

 

“Manman, don’t worry. Mom’s okay.” Though Lu Yun had recovered somewhat, her energy was noticeably diminished compared to when she first arrived.

 

Hearing her mother’s first instinct was to reassure her, Xu Jinman sighed inwardly. “Just rest now. We can talk about everything else later.”

 

Leaving the guest room door ajar, she stepped out.

 

Shen Shu stood by the kitchen counter. “How’s your mother?”

 

“She’s resting now. She’ll be fine.”

 

This was the first time Xu Jinman had learned about Lu Yun’s heart condition.

 

Noticing her expression, Shen Shu handed her the clean water glass.

 

Xu Jinman walked over. “Thank you,” she said, taking the water glass from Shen Shu. She tilted her snow-white neck slightly as she swallowed, her throat moving gently.

 

Only then did Shen Shu notice the water-stained sleeve of Xu Jinman’s beige top. The thin fabric clung to her skin when wet, revealing the soft curve of her chest.

 

“Go take a shower first,” Shen Shu said, averting her gaze. “Call me when you’re done. Then we’ll talk.”

 

Xu Jinman paused, swallowed, wiped the water from her lips, and nodded. “Okay.”

 

In the bathroom, Xu Jinman tilted her head back, exposing her entire body to the heat lamp. Her mind felt hazy.

 

Lu Yun’s extreme reaction had completely caught her off guard. She was still so inept at handling these kinds of relationships.

 

After a hasty shower, Xu Jinman glanced at Lu Yun’s room and saw Shen Shu inside.

 

“Your mother is still unwell. Her private doctor will be here soon,” Shen Shu said, reaching out to turn off the overhead light, leaving only the bedside lamp to ease Lu Yun’s eyes.

 

Xu Jinman’s expression tightened slightly as she pulled the towel off her head and stepped forward.

 

Lu Yun lay with her eyes closed, her breathing heavy and rapid, her brow furrowed, and a faint sheen of sweat visible on her forehead. In that moment, Xu Jinman regretted letting her guard down earlier.

 

The doctor arrived quickly, examined Lu Yun, and concluded that she had been triggered by something and hadn’t fully recovered even after taking her medication.

 

“Her bl00d pressure and other vitals are normal now, so there’s no immediate cause for concern. Have a family member stay with her tonight, and bring her to the hospital for a checkup tomorrow.”

 

“Is it heart disease?” Xu Jinman asked.

 

“Hypertensive heart disease,” the doctor replied. “She’s had it for years. Miss Xu, your mother kept it from you all this time to spare you worry. Madam Lu is truly one of the most devoted mothers I’ve ever met.”

 

Xu Jinman remained silent, thanked the doctor, and saw him out.

 

Turning back, she noticed Shen Shu had slightly closed the guest room door. Their eyes met, and Xu Jinman spoke first: “Shall we talk now?”

 

Shen Shu shook her head. “Take care of your mother first.”

 

Her gaze suddenly froze.

 

Xu Jinman’s half-dry hair was loose and disheveled, and she was wearing a long organza dress.

 

Noticing Shen Shu’s gaze, Xu Jinman shrugged. “I don’t have anything else to change into.”

 

She hadn’t expected to stay a second night and had only packed one set of pajamas. They were soaked from the previous night and unwearable. The closet was full of similar dresses.

 

“What if your mom sees you later?” Shen Shu asked.

 

“It’s fine,” Xu Jinman replied.

 

Shen Shu paused, then went to the bedroom and retrieved a black, loose-fitting cotton T-shirt that reached just above the knees.

 

“Want to wear this?”

 

“…Okay.”

 

Shen Shu’s directness meant she must have learned or discovered something, yet she remained calm and understanding. Xu Jinman was surprised.

 

Xu Jinman left the guest room door open and lay down on the living room sofa. This way, she could hear any sounds and occasionally check on Lu Yun. It wasn’t until after 1 a.m., when she was certain Lu Yun was stable, that she finally drifted off to sleep.

 

The next morning, Xu Jinman and Lu Yun left for the hospital. Shen Shu went to the guest room to tidy up.

 

Lifting the blanket, her gaze suddenly froze.

 

Scattered across the sheets were several dark red stains.

 

The bloodstains were unmistakable, and their location suggested they were on her back.

 

Xu Jinman had just arrived at the hospital when she received a WeChat message from Shen Shu:

 

Check your mom’s back. It looks like she’s injured.

 

Below the message was a photo of the bloodstained bedsheet.

 

After reading the message, Xu Jinman’s heart suddenly leaped for no apparent reason.

 

She glanced at Lu Yun, who was undergoing an examination, and an unsettling feeling slowly rose from the depths of her heart to her stomach.

 

It was that familiar emotion that didn’t belong to her.

 

She stood frozen for a moment, her brow furrowing as if struck by a sudden thought.

 

After informing Lu Yun, Xu Jinman turned and returned to the ward. The dirty clothes basket in the bathroom was now empty.

 

Slightly deflated, Xu Jinman was about to leave when she noticed the cleaning lady across the hall making beds. “Have you seen the clothes from the bathroom in here?” she asked.

 

“They’re in the linen cart,” the woman replied. “They were dirty, so I was told to throw them away.”

 

Xu Jinman immediately spotted Lu Yun’s black dress in the cart.

 

She retrieved it and returned to the ward. The soft black fabric felt stiff and rough where the bloodstains had dried.

 

Holding the dress up to the light, Xu Jinman could faintly discern several long, linear marks in the fabric.

 

Her fingertips closed slightly, crumpling the skirt in her hand like a chaotic tangle of lines forming a cruel joke that sent shivers down her spine.

 

Could she be just one of many victims of the Xu Family?

 

She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling a phantom ache—a lingering trace of the original owner’s pain.

 

Xu Jinman desperately hoped she was overthinking things.

 

Yet the premonition felt too real.

 

Lu Yun returned to the hospital room to find Xu Jinman lost in thought.

 

“The Han family is hosting a banquet tonight. I can’t attend, and you used to hate these events. But today, please go in my place. You helped the Shen family, so we owe the Han family this courtesy.”

 

Xu Jinman paused for a few seconds before agreeing.

 

She could see Lu Yun was prepared for an argument, but she didn’t have the energy to debate such trivial matters right now.

 

She needed time to process what had just happened—to think it through thoroughly.

 

As for the banquet, she could simply make an appearance.

 

She’d done this countless times in her previous life.

 

Seeing no sign of refusal from Shen Shu, Lu Yun’s surprise quickly turned to a pang of bitterness. She realized with a sinking heart that her Manman had truly changed.

 

She wished she hadn’t changed at all.

 

At least before, Manman had listened to her.

 

But now, she only listened to others…

 

Shen Shu, waiting backstage, checked her vibrating phone.

 

Xu Jinman: I have something tonight. Are you free tomorrow?

 

After a moment’s hesitation, she replied: Tonight works.

 

The response came instantly: OK

 

Shen Shu stared at Xu Jinman’s profile picture. She couldn’t remember when it had changed, but it was definitely less serious than before.

 

Tapping the image, she saw the new profile picture: half water, half sunlight. A line divided the two halves, with water droplets clinging to the lens, creating blurry spots in the sunlight.

 

The image evoked a sense of ease and comfort.

 

It mirrored Shen Shu’s current feelings: a relaxed, carefree side that made most people feel at ease, even warm at times.

 

Xu Jinman’s two personalities were like heaven and earth—completely and utterly different.

 

The screen dimmed automatically.

 

Shen Shu’s thoughts continued to churn.

 

Back then, Xu Jinman had claimed she needed Shen Shu for the family inheritance. Yet, to this day, Xu Jinman had never sought any tangible benefit from her.

 

When she thought about it carefully:

 

At the Shen Family, Xu Jinman had protected her.

 

After leaving the Shen Family, Xu Jinman continued to protect her.

 

During the karaoke incident, Xu Jinman shielded her even in the face of danger.

 

Her acting career offered Xu Jinman no advantage, yet Xu Jinman supported her wholeheartedly.

 

Regarding the Shen Family affairs, Xu Jinman had argued fiercely with Lu Yun, even driving her to hospitalization.

 

After thorough reflection, Shen Shu formed another hypothesis: What if Xu Jinman were an Alpha…?

 

They shared a room, slept in the same bed, yet Xu Jinman had never crossed any boundaries. In fact, she only came to bed when Shen Shu invited her.

 

Xu Jinman was a good person.

 

A good person who treated her well.

 

With this realization, Shen Shu found herself less resistant to Alphas than she had imagined.

 

But why had Xu Jinman lied to her? That was the question she couldn’t understand.

 

 

A stagehand called out, and Shen Shu immediately snapped out of her reverie, put down her phone, and stood up.

 

This was a scene with Xia Chun. She had prepared for two days, rehearsing countless times in her mind and in front of the mirror. Yet, because of her previous failure, she still felt nervous when facing the actual performance.

 

She exhaled deeply and walked over.

 

Xia Chun forced a smile when she saw Shen Shu. The image of Shen Shu pressed against Xu Jinman in the private room that day still lingered in her mind.

 

“Action!”

 

At the Director’s cue, the two actresses took their positions.

 

This was a scene between the assassin Nightingale and a supporting female character.

 

Xia Chun played V, a member of the organization tasked with capturing Nightingale.

 

The scene was a mutual probing, devoid of extraneous plot. The emotions and dialogue were paramount.

 

“You don’t believe me when I say I like you,” V murmured, stroking Nightingale’s hair with a suggestive gaze.

 

“Really…?” Nightingale leaned closer, her upper body pressing against V’s. “Say it again?”

 

Shen Shu’s natural aura was cold, yet her peach-blossom eyes softened that chill into a captivating allure when warmth flickered in them.

 

Not overly affectionate, yet utterly mesmerizing.

 

Nightingale paused deliberately mid-sentence, her voice slow and her breath hanging softly in the air.

 

Xia Chun’s breath hitched. The faint, sweet scent of vanilla lingered around her nostrils, and she pictured Xu Jinman pressed against her back, her cheeks flushed crimson…

 

Her fingers curled slightly, and her brow furrowed.

 

“Cut!”

 

The director’s voice boomed through the megaphone. “Ms. Xia, your expression is off.”

 

“Ms. Xia might be too immersed in the role,” the assistant director chimed in, trying to ease the tension. “Let’s touch up her makeup.”

 

“Are you alright?”

 

Xia Chun blinked, turning to Shen Shu. Her expression softened. “Are you worried about me?”

 

Even if another actor felt unwell, she would ask the same. Shen Shu replied coolly, “Your complexion looks pale.”

 

Her voice was neither loud nor soft. The nearby assistant and makeup artist, overhearing, rushed over to inquire.

 

“My stomach’s a bit upset,” Xia Chun said. “It’s an old problem.”

 

With the assistant fussing around her, Shen Shu offered a perfunctory “Take care” and said nothing more.

 

Xia Chun withdrew her gaze and stared blankly for a moment. Aside from her physical discomfort, she had actually lost focus while acting—an utterly unprofessional lapse.

 

She closed her eyes, calming her mind.

 

The second scene was filmed smoothly.

 

With that, Shen Shu’s scenes for the day were finished. It was just past four in the afternoon.

 

The filming location was sparsely populated, but the backstage area was particularly crowded, with only a few of the dozen rooms in use.

 

As Shen Shu packed up her things backstage, Wei Wuqing called to remind her about the evening’s plans.

 

After agreeing, she noticed Xia Chun standing at the door with a box of grapes.

 

Xia Chun entered, her complexion much improved, and placed the grapes next to Shen Shu’s bag. The freshly washed grapes glistened with water droplets clinging to the box and the fruit itself.

 

“Just washed them,” Xia Chun said.

 

“Why are you doing this?” Shen Shu asked.

 

Xia Chun smiled. “Everyone’s getting some. I just brought yours over since I was here.”

 

Shen Shu brushed past her, taking the grapes. “Don’t do this again.”

 

“Why didn’t you push her away that night?”

 

Faced with Shen Shu’s coldness, Xia Chun finally dropped her patient facade. She couldn’t understand why Shen Shu hadn’t pushed her away. It wasn’t that she couldn’t have—she simply didn’t.

 

This question had been haunting her since that night.

 

“Don’t you know who she is?” Shen Shu said. “Why would I push her away?”

 

“Back then, because of that incident, you couldn’t even stand being near Alphas. You wouldn’t even let me touch you. Why is she different? Have you fallen for her? That’s impossible. Xu Jinman is such a… tainted person…”

 

Shen Shu’s expression darkened at the first sentence. She turned and glared coldly at Xia Chun.

 

Xia Chun belatedly realized what she had said, her eyes flickering with guilt. “I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to…”

 

Before she could finish, Shen Shu had already left.

 

Xia Chun felt her stomach clench again. She sank into a chair, clenching her fists as regret, pain, and jealousy coiled tightly around her heart.

 

She remembered the phone call she had overheard earlier.

 

Xia Chun picked up her phone and dialed a number.

 

“President Han, didn’t you mention HP Group was having a banquet tonight? I’m free now… No need to pick me up, I’ll go myself.”

 

The HP Group banquet was being held at the Han family’s own five-star hotel.

 

Every year around this time, the HP Group hosts a grand banquet, inviting top business executives, renowned celebrities, artists, and other influential figures.

 

The event is highly prestigious in Beicheng.

 

Hearing this explanation, Xu Jinman understood what Lu Yun had meant. Her original self must have loathed such rigid, pretentious gatherings, finding them utterly unbearable.

 

After a brief nap in the car, Zhou Pei woke her up upon arrival.

 

Xu Jinman rubbed her neck, the tingling sensation having subsided considerably. Before stepping out, she reminded herself firmly: No alcohol tonight, no matter what.

 

For the occasion, Xu Jinman wore a black, strapless, body-hugging dress adorned with scattered diamonds, featuring a high slit. She paired it with a trench coat, a silver clutch, and matching ten-centimeter stilettos.

 

With her chin slightly raised, she strode into the banquet hall, radiating confidence and commanding attention.

 

The hall fell silent for a moment as she entered, before guests began approaching to greet her.

 

While maintaining the Han family’s dignity, she couldn’t appear to be showing weakness.

 

Han Wenfang approached her. “Miss Xu, your presence is truly unexpected and a great honor.”

 

When Han Wenfang clinked glasses with Xu Jinman, she glanced at the drink in Xu Jinman’s hand, lowered her gaze, and concealed the flicker of emotion.

 

“But why did you come alone today? That’s not very… like you,” Han Wenfang said with a smile, her tone teasing. “Could Miss Shen still be holding a grudge from last time and refusing to grace us with her presence?”

 

Han Wenfang was referring to the incident at the hospital with Yin Xue.

 

Xu Jinman replied, “Of course not. She had some business to attend to today.”

 

Just as she finished speaking, someone nearby remarked, “Isn’t that Xia Chun? Second Miss Han, your family really has connections! I heard Xia Chun never attends these kinds of business events.”

 

“The entertainment industry’s top Alpha—she’s definitely got something special.”

 

“Look at the beauty beside her—is that her partner? Holy sh1t… I didn’t recognize her at first. Isn’t that Shen Shu, the goddess of Beicheng?”

 

Han Wenfang took a sip of her wine. “Miss Xu, didn’t you say your wife had business to attend to? Why is she here with another Alpha?”

 

A sudden silence fell over the group.

 

Xu Jinman slowly turned her head. Shen Shu, wearing an emerald green mermaid gown, entered the room with Xia Chun, the two women walking in tandem, separated by only a few steps.