Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 38

Shen Shu returned to her room, while Xu Jinman sat on the sofa, texting Tong Jia on her phone.

 

Xu Jinman: I have nothing more to teach you. You’ve graduated.

 

Xu Jinman: slap.jpg

 

This face-slapping meme had been shared in their group chat by Cai Ying.

 

Tong Jia: No! Teacher! I still need your wisdom!

 

Below her message was a GIF showing two women drenched by a sprinkler on a lawn, their intimate embrace visible through their semi-transparent T-shirts.

 

Xu Jinman: ……

 

Xu Jinman: You’re beyond saving.

 

Xu Jinman regretted ever giving Tong Jia advice in the first place. Ever since that first “helpful” suggestion, the topic had spiraled out of control. Every conversation inevitably devolved into bedroom talk, with Tong Jia constantly pestering her about new “techniques” with Shen Shu.

 

Heaven knows, Xu Jinman had never even tried half the things she described.

 

It was likely due to the original owner of her body—these positions and “techniques” were already ingrained in her mind.

 

On her very first day, she had recognized every tool in that red bag, even though she had never seen or used them before.

 

At this thought, Xu Jinman’s heart involuntarily quickened its pace.

 

That familiar thrill had returned.

 

Whenever she thought about or saw the twisted things the original owner of this body had enjoyed, she would react.

 

Though she could suppress it, the sensation was far from pleasant.

 

During these moments when the original owner’s lingering influence resurfaced, she felt as if this body wasn’t entirely under her control.

 

Tong Jia was still sending messages, but Xu Jinman, unwilling to engage, turned off her phone.

 

Glancing at the half-open master bedroom door, Xu Jinman rose, removed the coffee table lid, and noticed the medicine box was missing. She walked to the bedroom door, knocked, and entered.

 

Shen Shu sat on the edge of the bed with her legs together, her nightgown hiked up to her knees, revealing pale, slender calves that gleamed faintly in the cold, white light. She held alcohol and cotton swabs in her hands.

 

Seeing this, Xu Jinman changed her words. “I came to get the password box.”

 

Shen Shu paused her foot-cleaning, looked up, and watched Xu Jinman open the closet door. “Xu Jinman.”

 

“Hmm?” Xu Jinman turned back.

 

Shen Shu asked, “What do you think is inside?”

 

Xu Jinman said, “The contents feel very light. I think it might be letters or something…” A glimpse of a torn photograph flashed before her eyes. “Or maybe photos.”

 

Shen Shu lowered her gaze. “What could be in there that you couldn’t accept?”

 

Shen Shu had been asking her a lot of questions today, none of which Xu Jinman could easily answer.

 

Xu Jinman stood still for a moment, pondering. That day on the second floor of the Xu Family mansion, Xu Tao hadn’t succeeded, but the visceral sensation had been agonizing.

 

Especially with the visual stimuli, more and more of the original owner’s memories were surfacing in her mind.

 

After a long silence, Xu Jinman said, “I don’t know yet. Let’s see.”

 

After all, she was already struggling to accept the Xu Family’s current mess. She just didn’t know if there was anything even worse hidden within.

 

“We’re out of bandages.”

 

Without hesitation, Xu Jinman replied, “I’ll go buy some.”

 

“Thank you,” Shen Shu said.

 

In the bedroom, Shen Shu heard the door open and close. She reached into the medicine box and tucked the bandages into a drawer.

 

She knew this was probably pointless; Xu Jinman might not even be able to open it. But what if she did?

 

In that instant, her choice was unwavering: she didn’t want Xu Jinman to find out.

 

Better to know later, better to be hurt later.

 

She also considered finding a way to warn Xu Jinman to be wary of Xu Tao…

 

Shen Shu gazed at the cotton swab in her hand. It felt like ages since she had pondered anything so deeply, not even when she decided to return to acting.

 

She rationalized her actions as mutual support between her and Xu Jinman. Xu Jinman had protected her, and she should reciprocate in kind.

 

After buying the bandages, Xu Jinman returned to her room, completely forgetting about the box.

 

She found a movie on her tablet, lay down on the bed, and listened while assigning tasks to her subordinates for the next day.

 

When the author wrote this, short videos and live streaming hadn’t yet become popular, which now presented her with an opportunity to capitalize on.

 

Most of her recent investments required long-term commitment or quarterly settlements.

 

She needed a quick way to generate revenue—a platform.

 

But this project couldn’t be entrusted to others, and its future operation would require her own backend infrastructure. So she was currently discussing with her venture capital managers the possibility of acquiring an established software company first.

 

After assigning the tasks, Xu Jinman noticed the group chat notification.

 

This group prohibits displays of affection.

 

Cai Ying: @Shen Shu @Xu Jinman Report: That person contacted me!

 

Cai Ying: Her name is Han Ling. I checked—there’s a teacher with that name at the university. With exams just a week away, I’ve decided!

 

Cai Ying: I’m going with her! No need to remind me! I know what I’m doing! Don’t worry, even if I’m chasing after girls, I’ll finish my studies first!

 

Xu Jinman: ……

 

Xu Jinman chuckled at her message.

 

It wasn’t that she looked down on Cai Ying’s judgment, but the girl herself just seemed so easily gullible.

 

Shen Shu: Who did you get to check?

 

Cai Ying named a classmate whose older sister was a teacher at the university. There was indeed a Han Ling in the Trade Department.

 

Cai Ying: Plus, I confirmed that the people in the photos with Han Ling are the principal and department heads! So the person is definitely the right one.

 

With Cai Ying’s unwavering confidence and thorough preparations, Shen Shu didn’t press further.

 

Xu Jinman glanced at the conversation for a moment before asking, Where are you tutoring?

 

Cai Ying: The City Library.

 

Xu Jinman: ?

 

Cai Ying: Hey, I’m careful too, okay? Don’t think I’m clueless. The library is safe and quiet, no one can mess around there. It also makes me look reserved, responsible, and like a good student.

 

Xu Jinman: Library tutoring? Whispering?

 

Xu Jinman: Oh, right. You’re mainly just trying to pick up girls.

 

Cai Ying: Mind your own business! Shu Shu hasn’t said anything!

 

Cai Ying: @Shen Shu Shu Shu, control your wife!

 

Shen Shu: Asleep

 

Xu Jinman leaned back against her pillow and slowly typed: Okay, wifey

 

Cai Ying: !! Look at the group name! One more display of affection and you’re getting kicked out!

 

Xu Jinman chuckled softly, deciding not to tease her further. She closed her phone, rewound the movie by half an hour, and resumed watching.

 

 

City Library.

 

The recent rain had kept the crowds thin.

 

Cai Ying swiped her card and entered, immediately spotting the woman standing conspicuously by the bookshelves in a crisp shirt and tailored trousers.

 

She’s here early and on time—that’s a good sign, Cai Ying thought, pleased.

 

She reached out and gently tapped the woman on the shoulder.

 

The woman turned, towering half a head taller than Cai Ying. Her slightly narrow eyes drooped, radiating a subtle allure.

 

Han Wenling’s lips curved into a smile. “You’re here?”

 

Cai Ying nodded, gesturing to a corner spot by the window. The two walked over, one tall and one short, one leading the way.

 

Han Wenling watched the Omega ahead of her. When Cai Ying had mentioned the library, Han Wenling had nearly spilled her drink.

 

Her first impression was: fresh.

 

The girl’s intentions were easy to read: interested in her but wary of her being a bad influence, testing the waters in a safe, studious environment.

 

Han Wenling smiled. Having grown accustomed to women throwing themselves at her and stripping to impress her, this innocent “little rabbit” type was a first.

 

Intriguing.

 

“Take out your books,” Han Wenling said softly, sitting across from Cai Ying. “I’ll mark the key points. See if you can understand them first, and then ask me about anything you don’t get.”

 

Her voice was slightly deep, a trendy “mature woman” tone.

 

Cai Ying nodded. So, it really is tutoring?

 

As she pulled out the study materials her father had given her, along with two practice exam papers, she accidentally brought out the novel she’d just bought that day.

 

Before she could retract it, Han Wenling had already snatched it up.

 

“This title is quite… barbaric,” Han Wenling remarked.

 

Cai Ying: “……”

 

This is actually pretty tame. At least it’s not some overbearing CEO romance. Otherwise, my image would be ruined. Cai Ying quickly snatched the book back before Han Wenling could open it.

 

She laughed. “Let’s focus on the real work first.”

 

Han Wenling replied meaningfully, “Mm, after all, I charge by the hour. I wouldn’t want you to feel shortchanged.”

 

Cai Ying blinked, realizing the double entendre in her words. Her ears flushed.

 

Han Wenling, seemingly oblivious, picked up the materials and books Cai Ying had handed her and began reviewing them earnestly, occasionally marking key points with a pen.

 

As Cai Ying watched the woman bent over her books, she noticed an indescribable aura about her—a strangely familiar feeling.

 

After a moment’s thought, Cai Ying finally realized she had seen this feeling before—in Xu Jinman.

 

It was a kind of fierceness.

 

Not in her words, but in the unintentional aura of authority that emanated from her. Yet Han Wenling possessed something Xu Jinman lacked… a certain allure?

 

Tap, tap

 

Han Wenling’s fingertips gently tapped the table, drawing Cai Ying’s wandering gaze back.

 

Han Wenling pushed the book toward her with a smile. “Look through this. Ask me if you have any questions.”

 

Though the words “Don’t look at me” remained unspoken, Cai Ying understood the unspoken message.

 

Cai Ying’s eyes widened as she examined the red-highlighted sections and notes outlining key concepts and even exam strategies. Impressive.

 

An hour and a half later, Cai Ying had grasped most of the highlighted points. Some particularly challenging problems were left for her to ponder at home, to be reviewed with the exam paper next time.

 

As Cai Ying stood up from the desk, she accidentally stumbled slightly against the corner. Han Wenling gently steadied her, their warm palms briefly brushing against Cai Ying’s skin.

 

Cai Ying pressed her lips together. “Thank you.”

 

Han Wenling lowered her head, studying Cai Ying for a few seconds with keen interest. In a voice as seductive as a siren’s call, she murmured, “Let’s go outside. It’s not a good place to talk here.”

 

After chatting outside for over ten minutes, Han Wenling saw Cai Ying into her car and returned to her own.

 

A message popped up in a small group chat.

 

President Han, your brother’s here. Why aren’t you joining us today?

 

Han Wenling lit a cigarette, resting her hand on the car window. Raising rabbits.

 

A big bad wolf raising rabbits? You’re truly something else.

 

Han Wenling scoffed, but before she could reply, Han Hui’s profile picture appeared in the group chat.

 

He posted a Weibo link titled “#Qipao Beauty’s Epic Fail…#” Han Wenling glanced at it.

 

When did he even join this group?

 

Han Hui: Hahahahaha! Xu Jinman, that idiot, got cuckolded! Serves her right!

 

Han Wenling exhaled a plume of smoke and sent Han Hui a private message: Take it down.

 

Han Hui: ? Why? You still haven’t settled things about my woman last time! You won’t let me mess with her, but I can’t even trash-talk her a little?

 

Han Wenling cut to the chase: Take it down.

 

Within seconds, after confirming Han Hui had deleted both messages, she sent a voice message: Are you stupid? Posting this in the group? Mind your own business. If you want to be Song Ronghui, go ahead and join the circus.

 

Han Hui: ……

 

Han Wenling: Xu Jinman has been stirring up trouble in this industry for years. What kind of dirty tricks hasn’t she pulled? Just search online—how much dirt is there on her? Don’t think that just because you’re brainless, you can actually stop using your brain.

 

Han Hui: […]

 

Han Hui sent a voice message: “Our family isn’t lacking either. Why should we be afraid of her? Or the Xu Family? It’s strange. She’s far more reckless than I am. I even got caught on camera and publicly shamed. Why don’t those people expose her scandals?”

 

Han Wenling cursed him as a fool and stopped responding.

 

Han Hui was still young; there were things he and others might not yet understand.

 

The Han and Xu families were considered equals in Beicheng, but in terms of background, they still fell short of Xu Yincheng’s influence.

 

The person who leaked the dirt on Shen Shu clearly wasn’t from the entertainment industry. They probably didn’t know about Shen Shu’s connection to Xu Jinman, or might not even know who Xu Jinman was.

 

That’s why they dared to spread such reckless rumors.

 

As she was pondering this, Han Wenling suddenly received a WeChat reply from Cai Ying.

 

Cai Ying: I just started reading that novel too. The protagonist was abused as a child, which caused psychological issues and led to the development of a split personality. Anyway… it’s quite tragic.

 

Cai Ying: I’ll tell you more after I finish it.

 

This was in response to the question Han Wenling had asked her earlier when dropping her off.

 

Han Wenling: Okay.

 

Someone in the group tagged Han Wenling, asking if she was going to Imperial Grand for drinks that night.

 

Han Wenling replied with a simple “Yes.”

 

Then she glanced at Cai Ying’s contact name and changed it to “Rabbit.”

 

For Xu Jinman, accessing Imperial Grand’s surveillance footage was a trivial matter.

 

After meeting with several engineers alongside HR and returning to her office, the Imperial Grand manager had already sent over the high-definition surveillance footage from that day.

 

The footage spanned from the arrival of the police cars to their departure.

 

The dimly lit footage made it difficult to see clearly. Cai Ying and Chen Xiaxia were successively loaded into ambulances. Xu Jinman’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Shu. After the ambulances left, Shen Shu approached nearby police officers.

 

This was the scene that had been publicly exposed.

 

Then Xu Jinman saw Shen Shu and the police officers approach another ambulance parked nearby. Shen Shu, wearing short sleeves, had something injected into her arm by the paramedics. Afterward, Shen Shu and the officers went upstairs together…

 

After sending the footage to Tong Jia, Xu Jinman sat for a long while, lost in thought. Suddenly, she sent a message to Professor Qin:

 

Last time you mentioned Shen Shu had taken a Pheromone Blocker. Can you find out the exact time she took it?

 

Professor Qin replied with a time a few minutes later: the exact day Shen Shu had returned to Imperial Grand.

 

At the time, Xu Jinman hadn’t thought much of it. But now, considering that Cai Ying and Chen Xiaxia had already been taken away in ambulances, she wondered if Shen Shu’s desperate return to Room 888—even at the cost of using Pheromone Blocker—had been to find her.

 

Xu Jinman’s emotions were a tangled mess.

 

She picked up her phone and scrolled to Shen Shu’s contact. Knowing Shen Shu was filming today, she doubted she’d even answer.

 

Still, she dialed.

 

It was just a sudden urge to call.

 

After a dozen seconds, the call connected.

 

“What’s up?” Shen Shu asked.

 

“When will you be done today?”

 

“Not sure,” Shen Shu replied. “It’s my last day of filming, so it might be late.”

 

“Oh,” Xu Jinman said. “I’ll come pick you up.”

 

Someone was urging Shen Shu to go to the makeup room. “Okay, I’ll hang up now,” she said.

 

As soon as the call ended, a Weibo notification popped up: #Tan Jie’s Slip of the Finger# Tan Jie Likes Photo of Qipao Beauty in Luxury Car. Rumor has it Tan Jie once auditioned for the qipao beauty role in ‘Into the Dream’.

 

Xu Jinman clicked through and saw a screenshot posted by an entertainment news outlet—a screenshot of Tan Jie’s Weibo post.

 

Tan Jie: Oops~ Tongue-out emoji

 

The accompanying image was a humorous photo of a cat having its food bowl stolen by a dog.

 

Tong Jia had mentioned that if Shen Shu hadn’t auditioned, the role of the beautiful assassin in Nightingale would likely have been hers.

 

Tong Jia implied that Tan Jie might have posted the photo.

 

In truth, with some time and money, the original poster could be traced. But as Tong Jia pointed out, since they were planning to elevate Shen Shu, facing such incidents was inevitable.

 

Xu Jinman: You should post a vague response on Weibo.

 

Tong Jia: ? Shen Shu already did. You two really are a couple. Those who’ve mastered the business playbook are on another level.

 

Shen Shu had posted a Weibo update two minutes earlier:

 

Shen Shu: Hello everyone, I’m Shen Shu. I never imagined my first Weibo post would be a clarification. The innocent need no defense. As a newcomer, I just want to focus on acting. Thank you.

 

Because she used trending hashtags, trolls and haters swarmed the comments section:

 

Wangzishuren: Disgusting. Get out of the entertainment industry.

 

Jiajiamao: Boycott Into the Dream! Mark my words, I’ll never watch it.

 

26735: Is this your idea of a clarification? Show us the evidence if you have any. Pathetic.

 

 

As Xu Jinman approached the film studio, Tong Jia sent another screenshot.

 

LOL, Ren Xiaoqi liked Tan Jie’s post! Your Shen Shu has made quite a few enemies, huh? Ren Xiaoqi has a scene with her today—I’m going to go watch!

 

On set:

 

Beside a vast pond, an old white building with black tiles stood across the water, its silhouette blurred by the continuous drizzle, like a scene from a traditional ink painting.

 

Nightingale, dressed in a vibrant floral qipao, stood facing her best friend, played by Ren Xiaoqi.

 

“You’ve fallen for her! You’re insane!” the friend accused.

 

Nightingale smiled, glancing disdainfully at the gun in her friend’s hand as she tossed her hair. “So what if I have? All men in this world are bastards. They only realize how exquisite a woman’s touch is after they’ve tasted it. I know the rules. I won’t make it hard for you. Just do it.”

 

After all, they were sisters who had been together for years.

 

“Snap out of it!” the friend shouted, shoving Nightingale into the pond with a forceful push.

 

But because Ren Xiaoqi didn’t put enough force into the shove, Shen Shu had to cooperate with the fall.

 

“Cut!” the director called.

 

Shen Shu was pulled from the water, dripping wet as she walked over and glanced at Ren Xiaoqi. She did that on purpose.

 

Ren Xiaoqi shot Shen Shu a provocative glance before turning to the director. “Sorry, Director,” she said, “I’m a bit nervous about pushing someone into the water.”

 

“Nervous about what?” the director snapped. “We have safety measures in place. Just put a little more force into it. That last take looked too fake.”

 

Ren Xiaoqi nodded. “Okay.”

 

For the second take, after delivering her lines, Ren Xiaoqi shoved Shen Shu into the water again.

 

This time, she used too much force. Even though Shen Shu tried to control her body, the director complained that her movements weren’t graceful enough.

 

On the third attempt, Ren Xiaoqi’s force was perfect, but she accidentally took two steps forward while pushing Shen Shu.

 

“Can you two even film this scene?” the director roared.

 

“Sorry, Director,” Ren Xiaoqi replied. “Shen Shu seems a bit distracted today, and it’s making it hard for me to get into character.”

 

Having seen enough, the director glared at both of them, his anger flaring. “Do you expect everyone to wait around all day for you two?”

 

Shen Shu took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

 

“Ten-minute break!”

 

Shen Shu retreated to the backstage dressing room to change, closing the door behind her.

 

Outside, Ren Xiaoqi chatted with others. “This air is disgusting,” she said. “It smells like piss.”

 

After Shen Shu changed and fixed her hair, she emerged from the dressing room. Ren Xiaoqi rolled her eyes and turned to leave, but Shen Shu grabbed her wrist.

 

Ren Xiaoqi froze, glaring at her. “What do you think you’re doing?”

 

“Just film the next scene properly,” Shen Shu snapped. “We’re bound to cross paths in this industry again. Don’t make things uglier than they already are, okay?”

 

“Sister Shu, what do you mean I’m not filming properly?”

 

“You know exactly what I mean. You’re deliberately sabotaging your performance. Do you think people can’t see through that?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi’s smile vanished, dropping the pretense. “So what if I am? Do you have proof I’m doing it on purpose? Even if others notice, they won’t do anything about it. But you’re different, Shen Shu. I’ve always hated your holier-than-thou act. In the end, you’re just another slut.”

 

Ren Xiaoqi yanked her hand free. “Don’t worry, I’ll film the next scene… properly.”

 

As Shen Shu watched Ren Xiaoqi’s retreating figure, her furious expression instantly faded into indifference, as if she hadn’t been the one who had just confronted her.

 

Ten minutes later, everyone prepared for the next scene.

 

Someone called out politely, “Ms. Xia.”

 

Xia Chun had emerged from backstage unnoticed. Her scenes weren’t scheduled until 8 PM, so she had plenty of time.

 

“Ms. Xia is here too? These two are truly embarrassing.”

 

Xia Chun glanced at the people by the pool and said to her assistant, “Get me a cup of warm honey water.”

 

The assistant nodded. “Right away.”

 

Shen Shu’s gaze remained fixed on Ren Xiaoqi. After several takes in the water, she had no dry clothes left. The temperature wasn’t particularly high today, and the wind made her shiver.

 

Ren Xiaoqi began reciting her lines.

 

The moment Ren Xiaoqi pushed Shen Shu, Shen Shu knew this take was ruined again.

 

After repeatedly falling into the water, Shen Shu’s stamina was waning. Numbed by the wind, she choked on the water several times.

 

The crew members grew impatient, reluctant to pull her out.

 

When they finally dragged her up, they snapped, “If you have time to suck up to people, you should practice your acting instead.”

 

Shen Shu said nothing. As she clung to the man’s arm to climb out, he abruptly released his grip, causing her knee to slam against the stone. She winced slightly in pain.

 

No one immediately offered her a blanket.

 

Xia Chun clenched her fist, hesitating whether to intervene. Just then, a tall woman in a light blue French dress strode past her and headed straight toward Shen Shu.