Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 46

Yuhua Orphanage housed over sixty children. Dinner was served at six o’clock, and Xu Jinman and Shen Shu decided to stay and eat with Xiaoyueya.

 

The dining hall, like the rest of the orphanage, was decorated with cheerful cartoons and pink and blue tables and chairs. Children aged three and older ate independently, while younger ones received assistance from caregivers.

 

Xu Jinman entered, slightly surprised by how orderly the environment was. The meal was simple, consisting of rice, a few dishes, and chunks of grapes and apples.

 

The children were remarkably well-behaved, eating quietly.

 

“They’re all so well-behaved,” Xu Jinman remarked.

 

Shen Shu said nothing, taking a seat beside Xiaoyueya. Xu Jinman sat across from them.

 

Xiaoyueya’s round eyes curved into crescents when she smiled, just like her namesake. Xu Jinman couldn’t help but smile back, offering the girl a few grapes from her plate.

 

“Thank you, Auntie Manman,” Xiaoyueya said, scooping a spoonful of rice into her mouth. Her chubby cheeks puffed out slightly as she chewed, her head bowed.

 

Xu Jinman watched her for a few seconds, her gaze softening.

 

After a moment, she looked up. Shen Shu hadn’t said much since leaving Xiaoyueya’s room.

 

Xu Jinman knew Shen Shu had been adopted by the Shen Family, but she knew nothing about her childhood before that. Perhaps Shen Shu’s life before adoption had been difficult, and Xiaoyueya’s words had struck a nerve, putting her in a somber mood?

 

Xu Jinman reached out and offered the remaining two grapes from her plate, asking softly, “Why haven’t you said anything?”

 

Shen Shu replied, “What’s there to say? Let’s eat.”

 

Xu Jinman glanced at her, considering what to say, when a faint fragrance drifted from the seat beside her.

 

Lin Wei sat down and placed a plate of sliced mangoes next to Xu Jinman. Smiling, she said, “Miss Xu, these are the mangoes you bought today. I cut some and brought them over.”

 

Xu Jinman replied, “These were for the children. Give them to Xiaoyueya.”

 

“Xiaoyueya is allergic to mangoes and can’t eat them. The other children can have them tomorrow. Besides, don’t you like mangoes?”

 

Hearing this, Xiaoyueya licked a grain of rice from her lips and nodded vigorously. “Mmm-hmm,” she mumbled after swallowing. “Mangoes make me sicky.”

 

Lin Wei pushed the mangoes closer to her. “I tried them—they’re especially sweet.”

 

Xu Jinman inexplicably glanced at Shen Shu across the table. “Ah, then thank you.”

 

“You brought them, so I should be thanking you.”

 

After chatting with Lin Wei for a while that afternoon, Xu Jinman didn’t gain any useful information. However, the conversation revealed that Lin Wei was quite responsible toward the children.

 

Xu Jinman had just pushed the mango toward Shen Shu when she saw Shen Shu place the two grapes Xu Jinman had given her earlier onto the crescent-shaped plate. “You eat them,” Shen Shu said. “I don’t need them.”

 

Xu Jinman glanced at Shen Shu a couple of times but didn’t push the mango toward her again.

 

Dinner was finished by 6:30 PM.

 

The children sat in rows in the main hall, listening to a story. Xu Jinman checked the time and said to Shen Shu, “Can you stay here with her for a while?”

 

Shen Shu looked up. Xu Jinman added, “I’ll talk to you later.”

 

Shen Shu didn’t ask any further questions.

 

Xu Jinman entered Xiaoyueya’s room alone and locked the door behind her.

 

After leaving earlier that afternoon, the feeling that she was overlooking something had grown stronger. She felt she needed to return here to find the answer.

 

From the doorway, she meticulously scanned the room several times: behind the door, the chair, the desk, the bookshelf, the wardrobe, the bed.

 

Finally, her gaze settled on the desk drawer. She pulled it open and retrieved the sketchbook from within.

 

With each page she turned, Xu Jinman felt as if she were reliving the original owner’s emotions. Sometimes relaxed, sometimes on the verge of collapse, every stroke of the pencil seemed to exist in extremes.

 

When she reached the final page, she saw a dark cloud looming above, beneath which a bird was chained to the ground. A bamboo tube was tied to the bird’s leg.

 

She stared at the page for a moment, then abruptly shifted her gaze to the drawer.

 

Xu Jinman crouched down, pulled the drawer all the way out, and reached inside. Her fingertips brushed against the texture of cardboard. Something was securing it from below. She extended her hand further and pulled out the object beneath.

 

A notebook.

 

The moment she held it, the vague unease in Xu Jinman’s heart crystallized into sharp clarity.

 

She sat at the desk, pulled the small lamp closer, and opened the notebook.

 

Each page contained a single sentence. As Xu Jinman flipped through the pages, a chill crept down her spine.

 

You’ve found it. I should be happy.

 

I’m not crazy. I know you’re replacing me.

 

Did you come to replace me because you knew I was too impatient? It doesn’t matter anymore.

 

Don’t try to erase the maggot-like past from my memories.

 

That’s impossible.

 

Once you remember everything, I’m certain you’ll become me again. You know you’re already being influenced by me. Otherwise, how would you have found this diary?

 

Don’t be afraid. Find the demon’s key in Xu Tao’s study. As a reminder, it’s also hidden beneath the drawer.

 

My room… no, your room. Go back there.

 

When you remember how to use that key, don’t forget: 0323 is the day your life—and theirs—ends. I’ll be waiting for you.

 

I’ve given you my body, my pain, and my end. Don’t disappoint me.

 

Most importantly, let’s never forget: after rebirth, become a bird.

 

We can be friends. I’ll play with you, and you’ll play with me.

 

Then, we’ll finally be free.

 

Before Xu Jinman transmigrated here, the original owner had already sensed something was wrong, but she dismissed it as a personality disorder.

 

If Xu Jinman didn’t have clear memories of another world, she might have doubted her own transmigrated status upon reading these notes.

 

Though some of the words were nonsensical and contradictory, Xu Jinman managed to extract several key points:

 

First: There was a key hidden beneath a drawer in Xu Tao’s study. This key could unlock something in the original owner’s room.

 

Second: Whatever was inside was extremely dangerous.

 

Third: 0323 was a date, possibly the day the original owner had chosen for her revenge.

 

Xu Jinman sat at the desk for a long time, eventually concluding that she needed to return to the Xu Family mansion.

 

The original owner had made it clear: whatever that key unlocked posed a danger not only to the Xu Family but to Xu Jinman herself.

 

Like a ticking time bomb, she needed to know what was inside to defuse the threat.

 

Xu Jinman’s gaze lingered on “0323.”

 

It was early September now, still half a year until March. What significance could this date hold?

 

She recalled the combination box at Shen Shu’s house… Could this be the code?

 

As Xu Jinman pondered, a knock sounded at the door.

 

Slipping the notebook into her bag, she opened the door to find the Director standing there.

 

“I’m so sorry, Miss Xu,” the Director said with an apologetic smile. “I promised we’d have a proper chat later, but something urgent has come up. Will you be leaving tonight or tomorrow?”

 

Xu Jinman still wanted to discuss Xiaoyueya with the Director. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Is it convenient to stay here?”

 

“Oh dear,” the Director replied, “we have space, but there’s no air conditioning, and the bathhouse is closed tonight. A pipe burst this afternoon, and all the water we collected has been used for the children… I’m afraid the conditions are a bit rough.”

 

Not wanting to cause further trouble, Xu Jinman remembered seeing a hotel in town when she arrived.

 

After the Director left, Xu Jinman glanced back at the sketchbook on the table before closing the door.

 

Returning to the main hall, she looked around but couldn’t find Shen Shu or Xiaoyueya. A little boy, noticing her searching, tugged at her skirt.

 

“They’re playing on the swings,” he said.

 

Xu Jinman smiled. “Thank you!”

 

The boy grinned and ran off.

 

Xu Jinman observed that the children here were remarkably cheerful and lively. Even Xiaoyueya, who had encountered the original Xu Jinman and Yin Xue, hadn’t been corrupted. This was largely due to the center’s educational philosophy, for which the Director deserved immense credit.

 

She resolved to have a proper conversation with the Director tomorrow.

 

As Xu Jinman walked through the corridor, she took a wrong turn and couldn’t find her way forward. However, she could still hear the girls’ laughter.

 

She circled around from behind.

 

Ahead, a brightly lit open space revealed a small playground with a sandbox and slides. Two swings stood at the edge, where Xiaoyueya and Shen Shu sat with their backs to her.

 

“Okay, Auntie Shen Shu, now it’s my turn to push you!” Xiaoyueya giggled as she hopped off the swing and began pushing Shen Shu.

 

“You can’t push me,” Shen Shu said, her cool voice softening with a hint of a smile and ease when speaking to the child.

 

Xiaoyueya still held Shen Shu’s hand, forcefully pulling her onto the swing.

 

Shen Shu sat down, her toes touching the ground, and chuckled, “Xiaoyueya, take it easy.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’m super strong!” Xiaoyueya put all her effort into pushing Shen Shu forward, who leaned forward in sync, letting the swing sway gently.

 

“You’re amazing, Xiaoyueya!” Shen Shu praised.

 

“Of course! I’m super amazing!” Xiaoyueya declared proudly.

 

Xu Jinman couldn’t help but smile as she listened. Wearing white sneakers, she strolled over and lightly tugged at the bun on Xiaoyueya’s head from behind.

 

Xiaoyueya looked up in surprise. Xu Jinman immediately made a shushing gesture and motioned for her to move aside.

 

Xiaoyueya covered her mouth, giggling as she retreated to the side, looking like a clever little imp.

 

Shen Shu felt the point of force behind her shift. She tried to jump off the swing, but Xu Jinman, startled by her movement, quickly pulled her back with one arm.

 

Shen Shu felt her head press against something soft, her entire back warming.

 

The lamplight stretched their shadows long, making Xu Jinman’s embrace of Shen Shu from behind resemble two lovers entwined.

 

“Eee!” Xiaoyueya squealed, covering her eyes with her hands. “Shameful!”

 

Xu Jinman released Shen Shu.

 

After a moment of silence, she ruffled Xiaoyueya’s hair. “I was just afraid Auntie Shen Shu would fall.”

 

Then she turned to Shen Shu. “Why would you jump down like that? Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt?”

 

Shen Shu retorted, “Would I have jumped if you hadn’t scared me?”

 

Xu Jinman fell silent.

 

She has a point.

 

The two women escorted Xiaoyueya back to her room. Soon after, a caregiver arrived with a half-bucket of warm water for Xiaoyueya to wash up.

 

Xu Jinman wrung out the towel and changed the water.

 

Shen Shu helped Xiaoyueya wash and change into clean clothes.

 

After Xiaoyueya was tucked into bed, Shen Shu tossed the dirty clothes into the laundry cart outside the room.

 

Inside, Xiaoyueya whispered, “Auntie Manman.”

 

She beckoned Xu Jinman closer with a tiny hand.

 

Xu Jinman leaned in and felt something pressed into her palm. “Give this to Auntie Shen Shu. She won’t be angry anymore.”

 

Xu Jinman looked down at the grape-flavored candy in her hand.

 

“You noticed she was upset?” Xu Jinman glanced at the doorway and chuckled softly.

 

Shen Shu wasn’t exactly unhappy; her tone and expression were much the same as usual, but there was something subtly off. Xu Jinman attributed it to the emotional impact of the orphanage environment.

 

Around 8 PM, after Xiaoyueya had fallen asleep, Xu Jinman and Shen Shu prepared to head into town.

 

As they were leaving, Lin Wei emerged from the building and called out to Xu Jinman.

 

“Miss Xu, are you leaving already?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That’s wonderful! Miss Xu, we haven’t exchanged WeChat contacts yet. Could we add each other? That way, I can send you photos of Xiaoyueya.”

 

Shen Shu said coolly, “You two chat. I’ll go start the car.”

 

With that, she walked toward the main gate.

 

Xu Jinman glanced at Shen Shu’s retreating figure and replied, “My phone is with my wife.”

 

Earlier that afternoon, Xu Jinman had chatted briefly with Lin Wei. Lin Wei had only arrived a month ago, and their conversation revealed little of substance. It wasn’t until after dinner, when Lin Wei pulled her aside to talk again, that Xu Jinman sensed the woman’s interest in her.

 

They hadn’t spoken much since then.

 

Lin Wei was pretty, with fair skin, but her most striking feature was her large br3asts.

 

Not another mess caused by my original body, Xu Jinman thought. I want nothing to do with this. Time to nip this in the bud.

 

The streetlights here were spaced far apart, leaving the road dimly lit until they reached town, where the lights grew brighter.

 

The car was silent.

 

Xu Jinman tried to start a conversation twice, but gave up.

 

After driving around, they found only one 99 Inn with a barely legible sign. It was Saturday, so the inn was crowded, but fortunately, two adjacent single rooms had just been vacated.

 

Xu Jinman opened the door.

 

The room was tiny, barely large enough for the 1.35-meter bed. The bathroom was palm-sized, the lighting dim, and the air reeked of 84 disinfectant.

 

Xu Jinman asked the person at the next door, “Should we go somewhere else?”

 

They could drive into the city, it would just be a bit later.

 

Shen Shu replied, “Do you mind?”

 

“I don’t mind,” Xu Jinman said. “I’m just worried you won’t be comfortable.” She’d never stayed in such a rundown place before, but it wasn’t unbearable.

 

Shen Shu paused, then said, “Let’s just stay here. No need to drive around anymore.”

 

“Alright,” Xu Jinman said, looking at her. “Then get some rest.”

 

“Mm-hmm.”

 

“Good night?”

 

Shen Shu opened her door. “Good night.”

 

The bathroom was cramped, with only a shower curtain separating the shower area—no glass enclosure. The curtain was beige with small floral patterns, faded from long use.

 

Xu Jinman tied up her hair and managed a quick shower before lying down on the bed.

 

She picked up her phone. After a few hours, dozens of unread messages flooded the screen, mostly from work and the group chat with Tong Jia.

 

The work messages primarily concerned the live-streaming platform. Programmers and engineers were already on the job.

 

However, a debate had erupted over whether to use the existing source code or design a proprietary system. Some argued that “re-developing the source code” would save development resources, since a live-streaming platform already existed, albeit a rare one. They saw no need to design an entirely new system.

 

Some argued for a custom design, citing Xu Jinman’s groundbreaking vision as a revolutionary concept.

 

The debate escalated into a heated argument.

 

Xu Jinman opened a bottle of mineral water, took a sip, and sent a smiley face to the group chat. The bickering immediately ceased.

 

Xu Jinman: If the framework is robust enough to meet our design needs, we can modify the source code. But remember, I want to create a product that can be imitated but never surpassed. I’m not a programmer, so it’s up to you to figure out how to achieve this. My responsibilities are twofold:

 

Xu Jinman: Funding and results.

 

With that, the group chat fell silent.

 

Xu Jinman returned to the main interface and noticed Shen Shu posting in Tong Jia’s group chat. She clicked to read:

 

Shen Shu: I’m heading back tomorrow afternoon. I’ve scheduled a meeting with Director Zhang for the afternoon.

 

Tong Jia: Okay! You two are so romantic—a spontaneous trip?

 

Xinxin: Envy!

 

Xiaodong: Envy!

 

Shen Shu: Time for bed. Talk tomorrow.

 

Tong Jia: @Xu Jinman President Xu, why aren’t you saying anything?

 

Tong Jia: Tsk tsk, going to bed so early? Sleep tight!

 

Seeing Shen Shu’s “time for bed” message, Xu Jinman decided to remain silent. She knew Tong Jia’s unfiltered nature might lead to awkward questions if she chimed in.

 

Next door, Shen Shu watched the chat on her phone. It was mostly Tong Jia and Xinxin talking. After a while, she turned off her phone.

 

The room had no night light, so Shen Shu left the bathroom light on and turned off the bedroom light.

 

Lying in bed, she noticed the window was close and poorly insulated. Even when closed, she could still hear the sounds of cars outside and occasional chatter and laughter from the hallway.

 

She tossed her coat from the car onto the pillow and pulled the blanket only up to her chest.

 

She couldn’t sleep well. It took a long time before exhaustion finally overwhelmed her…

 

Just as she was drifting off, a violent kick against the door jolted her awake.

 

Then another.

 

“Open the door! Fucking b1tch! Open the door for me now!”

 

Shen Shu grabbed her phone and took a few steps toward the door. She realized she had subconsciously dialed Xu Jinman’s number and froze.

 

At that moment, a crude and unfamiliar Alpha pheromone seeped through the crack under the door.

 

Shen Shu frowned, instinctively retreating a step.

 

Bang! Bang! Bang!

 

The pounding on the door grew more violent.

 

“What the fvck, who are you? Get your hands off me!”

 

“You’ve got the wrong door.”

 

Hearing that familiar voice, Shen Shu suddenly felt a wave of relief.

 

“None of your damn business! Get back in your room! Ah! Ah! Let go! Let go!”

 

Outside, Xu Jinman gripped the drunk Alpha’s shoulder blade with one hand, the bone emitting a faint cracking sound.

 

Xu Jinman said coldly, “Get lost.”

 

With that, she threw the man to the ground.

 

The drunken Alpha stared up at her in terror, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

 

Even without releasing their pheromones, top-tier Alphas exert a natural dominance over lower-ranked ABOs. The moment Xu Jinman appeared, the Alpha’s pheromones were instantly suppressed, leaving him nowhere to hide.

 

After watching the man scramble away down the corridor, Xu Jinman gently knocked on the door. “Shen Shu, it’s me.”

 

The door opened immediately.

 

Xu Jinman noticed Shen Shu’s pale complexion and stepped closer. “Are you alright?”

 

Shen Shu shook her head. She had merely caught a whiff of that vile scent…

 

Xu Jinman followed Shen Shu inside.

 

The Alpha’s rank was low; he shouldn’t have affected an S-Rank Omega like Shen Shu. Yet her face still looked unwell.

 

Xu Jinman recalled Shen Shu’s aversion to Alphas. When Shen Shu had opened the door earlier, Xu Jinman had detected a faint, almost imperceptible tension in her eyes.

 

She twisted open a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Shen Shu. “Drink some water.”

 

Shen Shu took the bottle but didn’t drink.

 

After a moment, she said, “You should go back to your room and sleep.”

 

“Can you sleep?”

 

“I’ll sleep when I’m tired.”

 

Xu Jinman didn’t reply immediately, her gaze sweeping across the floor.

 

The space between the bed and the window was small, but it was enough to sleep.

 

“I’ll sleep here,” Xu Jinman said gently, her tone leaving little room for argument. She moved the stool away from the bed and deliberately lightened the mood, adding, “Just don’t step on me if you get out of bed.”

 

“I’m fine. You should go back to your room.”

 

“I’m not fine.”

 

Shen Shu and Xu Jinman locked eyes.

 

“I’m scared,” Xu Jinman admitted. “You didn’t see how terrifying that drunk man was. If he knocks on my door, at least we’ll have each other.”

 

Shen Shu was silent.

 

Xu Jinman’s lips curved slightly upward as she turned to leave.

 

Shen Shu glanced at the floor, where the paint had worn away from countless footsteps.

 

“It’s too dirty.”

 

“The blanket will be fine,” Xu Jinman replied.

 

“Sleep on the bed,” Shen Shu said.

 

Xu Jinman paused, her expression questioning.

 

Shen Shu repeated tersely, “Take the blanket and sleep on the bed.”

 

Xu Jinman instinctively pressed her tongue against her lips. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Never mind. It’s fine here on the floor.”

 

After Xu Jinman finished speaking, Shen Shu stared at her for a few seconds before looking away. “Xu Jinman, could you please stop making me look so heartless?”

 

Does she really not know the difference between good and bad intentions?

 

Didn’t she realize Xu Jinman had stayed because she sensed Shen Shu’s fear?

 

Shen Shu hadn’t intended to say much, but the moment she spoke, she couldn’t explain where her sudden anger came from. “If you mind sharing a bed with me, just go back. I don’t need your company.”

 

Xu Jinman was speechless.

 

Heaven and earth, what could she possibly mind?

 

Could it be that she was afraid her thoughts weren’t as pure as they should be?

 

Why is Shen Shu suddenly so angry?

 

Shen Shu threw back the covers, turned her back to Xu Jinman, and lay down, her voice regaining its usual calm and detached tone. “Turn off the light on your way out. Thank you.”

 

After a moment, the room went dark.

 

Shen Shu opened her eyes, staring at the wooden cabinet door across the room. She took a deep breath, a strange tightness in her chest.

 

She had planned to wait for the door to close before locking it, but nothing happened.

 

Then she heard the door creak open again.

 

It closed, and the lock clicked.

 

Footsteps approached the bed.

 

Xu Jinman, guided by the faint light from the bathroom, walked to the bedside, clutching her blanket. She leaned down and whispered to the figure in the middle of the bed, “Miss Shen? Could you scoot over a bit?”

 

Shen Shu didn’t reply, but she shifted to her right.

 

Xu Jinman draped most of the blanket between them, thinking they would just sleep separately anyway.

 

Yet in the dark room, neither of them could fall asleep.

 

Xu Jinman meticulously replayed the day’s events in her mind. She had sensed subtle shifts in Shen Shu’s emotions several times, attributing them all to the Xiaoyueya incident.

 

In reality, Shen Shu had been pondering other matters.

 

But Xu Jinman couldn’t be sure if it was her imagination or wishful thinking.

 

Some feelings defy explanation, yet their presence is palpable. But because they remain intangible, they linger like a veil, hazy and uncertain.

 

A hint of danger made her hesitate.

 

After a long pause, Xu Jinman said, “Lin Wei is taking care of Xiaoyueya. Could you add her on WeChat for me tomorrow?”

 

Shen Shu: “Why don’t you add her yourself?”

 

Xu Jinman: “She seems to have a thing for me. I don’t want to give her the wrong idea.”

 

Shen Shu remained silent.

 

Xu Jinman continued, “Xiaoyueya is so adorable and pitiful. I’d like to visit her when I have time… We could go together if you’re free too. Adding Lin Wei on WeChat would make it easier to check in on Xiaoyueya occasionally. What do you think?”

 

She could tell Shen Shu genuinely cared for Xiaoyueya.

 

“Hmm, let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

 

Xu Jinman: “Alright, then let’s sleep.”

 

Shen Shu: “Mm.”

 

“Good night.”

 

Receiving no response, Xu Jinman turned over. She heard Shen Shu say softly beside her, “I set my alarm for seven.”

 

Xu Jinman opened her eyes and smiled silently. “What a coincidence, me too.”

 

Whether it was the quiet in her heart or the quiet of the world outside, soon the only sound in the room was the even rhythm of their breathing.

 

Unfortunately, Shen Shu woke up a short while later, disturbed by a slight movement beside her. It was late, and she was exhausted. In the dim, yellowish light, she saw Xu Jinman lying some distance away, curled slightly and facing her, the blanket completely gone.

 

This woman really kicks off the blanket easily, Shen Shu thought, having witnessed this several times before.

 

Shen Shu initially considered picking up the blanket for Xu Jinman, but then decided she was too lazy to move. After a moment’s hesitation, she draped the edge of her own blanket over Xu Jinman’s chest.

 

Then she shifted slightly to the right, creating a barely noticeable gap between them.

 

Xu Jinman was sleeping soundly, dreaming she was in a vast herb garden, enveloped in the sweet fragrance of herbs. The scent drew her in, making her want to get closer.

 

She even wanted to rub that fragrance into her very being.

 

“Ah—” A soft, contented moan suddenly pierced her ears.

 

Xu Jinman frowned, inwardly cursing the 99 Inn’s poor soundproofing. How can anyone sleep here? she thought. Shen Shu must be having trouble too.

 

But then she realized something was wrong and her eyes snapped open.

 

She had somehow burrowed under Shen Shu’s blanket. The Omega’s snow-white, slender nape lay within reach, and Xu Jinman could almost feel its smooth, lambent texture.

 

Xu Jinman unconsciously inhaled, the sweet fragrance flooding her lungs.

 

In the next instant, a tingling, stinging sensation surged from her gland, and her body grew feverish…