Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 50

Xu Jinman couldn’t quite control her expression.

 

Xu Yincheng glanced at her for a couple of seconds before asking, “What’s wrong? Are you protecting her so fiercely because you’re afraid I’ll steal her away?”

 

The teasing tone was obvious, but his face and demeanor weren’t exactly suited for jokes.

 

Xu Jinman couldn’t quite put her finger on what felt off. Then, her eyes lifted to meet Xu Tao’s neutral expression across the table, and suddenly it clicked.

 

What was strange was Xu Yincheng’s sudden shift in attitude.

 

She realized that Xu Yincheng’s expression only softened when he looked at her. Otherwise, his face rarely showed any emotion—mostly coldness, with an undercurrent of inexplicable ruthlessness.

 

Xu Jinman replied, “Yes, I am.”

 

“How could I ever compete with you, Sis?” Xu Yincheng said. “I just follow your Super Topic.”

 

“……”

 

“But the autograph was for my colleague, and we all chipped in for the wedding gift.”

 

“What colleague?” Xu Jinman asked, hoping to glean some information about his identity from his answer.

 

Xu Yincheng answered deftly, “Hmm, you haven’t opened the wedding gift yet? He went to the same university as your wife, two years ahead of her. He saw her perform in the drama club and really liked her.”

 

As he spoke, he moved the plate of freshly cut mangoes, which a servant had just brought in, closer to Xu Jinman. “Open the gift when you get home, and you’ll understand.”

 

Xu Jinman: “Oh.”

 

“Still making that face?” Xu Yincheng’s lips twitched.

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

How could she explain? It wasn’t that she wanted to look like this.

 

She might have developed “Xu Family Stress Syndrome.” Every word Xu Yincheng spoke, she had to analyze, constantly feeling like someone was trying to harm her.

 

Xu Jinman said, “I’ll give it to you tomorrow.”

 

Hearing this, Xu Yincheng suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair. “Look at you being so stingy.”

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

Had he just patted her head?

 

“You two carry on. I’ll go to the study to handle some business,” Xu Tao said, rising from the sofa. Xu Yincheng simultaneously shifted his gaze from Xu Jinman’s face and said coolly, “Dad, let’s discuss the real matter at hand.”

 

Xu Jinman suspected that if Xu Tao hadn’t been about to leave, Xu Yincheng would have kept him waiting even longer.

 

Xu Tao: “What is it?”

 

“The North District land parcel.” Xu Yincheng leaned back against the sofa, his eyes sharp and cold. “Just because I’ve been away for a few months doesn’t mean I’m ignorant of what’s been happening. Manman secured that deal. Is it right to let her suffer such a significant loss?”

 

Xu Tao: “What are you talking about? Look at how well she’s doing now. Even the family supports her. The truth is, that plot of land in the North District is simply too vast for her to handle.”

 

Xu Jinman remained silent, listening quietly. Was Xu Yincheng trying to take the land from her?

 

It seemed almost impossible.

 

Before the city’s urban planning reached that area, there might have been a chance. But now, with government support, the district was being developed into a commercial hub and entertainment zone, making future profits difficult to estimate.

 

Given Xu Tao’s deep-seated animosity toward her, how could he possibly hand it over?

 

She wanted to see how this would play out.

 

“Manman, do you want to develop that land?”

 

Xu Jinman was lost in thought when Xu Yincheng suddenly asked her.

 

Hearing this, Xu Tao frowned. “She can’t handle it! If we entrust this project to her, it’ll be half-ruined! Yincheng, you don’t understand the pressure the Xu Family is under. The HP Han family is now our equal in the business world, and this land is the Xu Family’s biggest short-term asset! This isn’t a game!”

 

Xu Yincheng seemed not to hear, patiently repeating, “Manman?”

 

Xu Jinman felt Xu Tao’s gaze land on her. She glanced up, meeting his dark, brooding eyes. She was now certain Xu Yincheng possessed the ability to make Xu Tao suffer so deeply, and she relished the thought.

 

It was sickening to see a domestic abuser standing before her with such brazenness.

 

But she couldn’t push Xu Tao too far. There was also Xu Li, another formidable opponent.

 

Even if Xu Yincheng genuinely cared for his younger sister, he wouldn’t always be in Beicheng. Once he left, they might retaliate, especially Xu Tao, against whom she currently lacked the power to defend herself.

 

At least, not yet.

 

She needed to consider the future, and Shen Shu’s well-being as well.

 

Moreover, the Xu Family’s affairs were too murky. She hadn’t yet deciphered Xu Yincheng’s motives for treating her so well.

 

“I think I want it,” Xu Jinman said slowly. “But the land is too vast for me to manage the entire plot.”

 

Xu Yincheng: “Then take half.”

 

Xu Jinman fell silent for a moment.

 

“Fine,” she said, her tone suggesting she was reluctantly agreeing.

 

Xu Tao: “…Yincheng!”

 

“Dad, let’s just settle it this way.”

 

Upstairs, Shen Shu surveyed the room.

 

A massive photograph of Xu Jinman’s bare back hung on the wall, instantly recognizable.

 

The room’s style mirrored the rest of the villa’s decor, though the dark curtains cast a somber atmosphere over the space.

 

The spacious room featured sliding doors on the left, leading to Xu Jinman’s walk-in closet.

 

As Shen Shu backed out, she noticed a small empty space beside the vanity, occupied by a minimalist black ebony desk neatly stacked with books.

 

The collection spanned diverse genres, from advanced texts on seven languages and financial investment to simpler fare like comics, sketchbooks, and even two thin cookbooks.

 

So that’s why Xu Jinman knows how to cook? Self-taught then?

 

Just as she was pondering this, the door swung open.

 

Xu Jinman entered with a plate of freshly washed grapes, placing it on the coffee table by the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Come eat some grapes.”

 

“Didn’t the conversation go well?” Shen Shu asked, settling across from her.

 

Xu Jinman seemed distracted. “No, it went fine.”

 

She was also given a plot of land worth a hundred million yuan.

 

The Xu Family had originally purchased it for two hundred million yuan. If developed and managed well, its value could increase several dozen times over.

 

Marital property. Are you happy? Xu Jinman thought, a sudden smile playing on her lips.

 

Shen Shu glanced at her. “Are you happy?”

 

Xu Jinman paused, realizing she was actually quite exhausted today—mentally drained.

 

Ever since entering the Xu Family mansion, her nerves had been stretched taut, and even now, sitting down hadn’t brought true relaxation.

 

Before Xu Jinman could reply, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Lu Yun’s voice: “Manman, I brought up some mangoes for you. May I come in?”

 

Shen Shu clearly sensed Xu Jinman’s weariness deepen at the sound of Lu Yun’s voice.

 

“I’ll get them,” Xu Jinman said, gripping Shen Shu’s wrist. “You stay here.”

 

Lu Yun harbored hostility toward Shen Shu, and Xu Jinman didn’t want to drag her into this.

 

Opening the door, Xu Jinman was met with Lu Yun’s gentle gaze and maternal tone: “Manman, I specially picked these mangoes today—they’re extra sweet… Mom wants to talk to you. Is that okay?”

 

“Let’s talk tomorrow,” Xu Jinman replied.

 

“Just for a little while, it’s still early,” Lu Yun said. “Do you not want to talk to your mother? Do you know how much it hurts me when you act like this? I haven’t slept well in ages, Manman. Are you still angry about what happened last time?”

 

Remembering there was someone else in the room, Lu Yun deliberately lowered her voice. “You know he hasn’t been like that for a long time. That day was truly an accident.”

 

Xu Jinman slowly took a deep breath, barely suppressing her anger, and accepted the things Lu Yun handed her.

 

“If it was truly an accident, then you should be advising him to apologize to me, not the other way around. Clearly, you don’t think he did anything wrong.”

 

Lu Yun’s behavior toward her—her excessive concern and protectiveness—sometimes made Xu Jinman want to ask directly: Why are you doing this to me?

 

Of course, Lu Yun would never answer that.

 

If Lu Yun would answer, the original Xu Jinman would never have asked Wang Zheng to investigate, and Lu Yun wouldn’t have stopped Wang Zheng from revealing the truth.

 

Xu Jinman knew there was no point in arguing with Lu Yun.

 

Unlike Lu Yun, Xu Jinman wasn’t afraid of being overheard. But after Lu Yun heard her, she glanced back at the hallway and then into the room, her reaction perfectly natural and fleeting. “Alright, we’ll talk about this later.”

 

“But Manman, please don’t be so cold to your mother, okay?” Lu Yun said, her eyes rimming with red. “Before, whenever you came home, you always spent time with me and listened to everything I said. You’ve never been like this before… I know you don’t always understand, but you have to believe that everything I do is for you, for your future.”

 

Xu Jinman gazed at her quietly for a long moment before nodding. “I understand.”

 

Lu Yun’s expression shifted slightly. Even though Xu Jinman’s responses to her calls and messages had been indifferent lately, the coldness she felt in person was far more intense.

 

“Manman, you…”

 

“Xu Jinman, could you grab a towel for me?”

 

Shen Shu’s voice cut through the air, seemingly casual.

 

Lu Yun froze, her gaze unconsciously turning icy. Before she could speak, Xu Jinman turned and replied.

 

Xu Jinman: “If you haven’t rested well, you should go to bed early. We’re going to sleep too.”

 

As Lu Yun left, she looked like a mother who had been utterly rejected.

 

Xu Jinman stood by the door for a few seconds before closing it.

 

Turning around, she saw Shen Shu emerging from the bathroom, fully dressed and walking toward her. Xu Jinman smiled. “I haven’t even gotten a towel yet.”

 

Shen Shu stepped out and said, “I was afraid you two would start arguing again.”

 

“No,” Xu Jinman said.

 

Xu Tao feared Xu Yincheng, and Lu Yun’s fear was even greater.

 

Xu Jinman glanced at the time, considering whether it would be better for Shen Shu to return to Star City.

 

Just as she was thinking this, the maid knocked on the door downstairs, bringing up some pastries. She said Lu Yun had made them herself.

 

“Madam is worried you might be upset and refuse to eat, so she asked me to bring these up.”

 

Xu Jinman didn’t take them. “I couldn’t possibly eat all this. Take them back down.”

 

The maid didn’t insist, but as Xu Jinman was about to close the door, she hesitated and stopped her. “Third Miss, actually, Madam has been…”

 

Xu Jinman paused, waiting for her to continue.

 

“Madam hasn’t been sleeping well lately. Her heart often feels uncomfortable, and she cries every time she mentions you.”

 

“Whenever she goes shopping, she always lingers over the things you like.”

 

The maid pressed her lips together. “I’ve worked here for seven or eight years, and Madam truly cherishes you more than anything. It breaks my heart to see her like this.”

 

“To speak frankly, you shouldn’t treat her this way.”

 

I understand now.

 

The pastries were just a pretense; the real purpose was to deliver a soft, cutting remark.

 

“Seven or eight years?” Xu Jinman glanced at the maid and said, “You’ve said this before.”

 

The maid paused, looking at her in confusion. Xu Jinman continued, “Take this to my brother’s room. Also, tell my mother that if anything else arrives, I’ll send it to him as well.”

 

Xu Jinman closed the door.

 

The maid’s words felt like soft knives piercing her ears. She suddenly wondered if the original owner of this body had heard these things, would she have truly felt hurt, truly believed she was in the wrong?

 

Lu Yun had always used manipulative tactics to control the original owner’s emotions.

 

The original owner’s anger had been suppressed deep within her heart, while she simultaneously felt guilty for her mother’s fragility.

 

Each reason that drove the original owner to madness left Xu Jinman with complex emotions.

 

Xu Jinman walked into the room and sat down in a chair. Shen Shu was still across from her, having overheard most of the conversation. Though not skilled at comforting others, she wanted to say something to Xu Jinman.

 

“Xu Jinman.”

 

“Hmm?” Xu Jinman snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. A fair hand extended toward her, holding a toothpick with a small piece of mango skewered on it.

 

Shen Shu said, “Here, eat this. It’s your favorite.”

 

Xu Jinman’s lips curved slightly as she reached out her hand. “Trying to copy me?”

 

She had done the same thing and said the same words to Wei Wuqing when Shen Shu was hospitalized.

 

After a moment, Xu Jinman cleared her throat and said, “Shu Shu, the Xu Family is actually quite complicated. There are many things I’m still unsure about. You’ve seen the situation here—you definitely won’t be comfortable staying. Why don’t I have someone take you back to Star City later, under the pretense of an urgent matter?”

 

Shen Shu looked up. “Why don’t you just tell me to leave?”

 

Xu Jinman fell silent.

 

The Xu Family’s affairs were still unresolved, and she needed to go to the study tonight. Having Shen Shu around would be inconvenient, and she didn’t want her to get involved in these matters.

 

“Xu Jinman,” Shen Shu said, “if we were at the Shen Family today, would you leave me alone?”

 

No, Xu Jinman answered silently.

 

Shen Shu’s earnest question made her slightly uneasy.

 

Shen Shu rarely showed such overt emotion.

 

Shen Shu looked at her, took a short breath, and continued, “Or do you still see me as the kind of person who would abandon you in trouble, who would stand aside and stay out of it?”

 

Xu Jinman didn’t hesitate. “…Of course not.”

 

Shen Shu asked, “Then do you still want me to leave?”

 

Xu Jinman sighed inwardly. Facing Shen Shu like this, she felt conflicted, caught between being firm and soft-hearted.

 

She didn’t want Shen Shu to be affected by the Xu Family’s troubles, yet she also didn’t want her to leave.

 

“No,” Xu Jinman admitted honestly.

 

Shen Shu seemed different today.

 

Hearing this, Shen Shu’s expression softened slightly. “I don’t know all the details of the Xu Family’s issues, but I’ll stand by you, just like you stood by me when I needed you.”

 

“And when you’re with me,” Shen Shu added softly, “you don’t have to pretend to be happy if you’re not. Your forced cheerfulness affects me even more than seeing you unhappy.”

 

Xu Jinman: “What’s gotten into you today?”

 

The mango she’d been holding suddenly fell to the ground, but she didn’t notice.

 

Because Shen Shu spoke again.

 

“You want me to be happy, and I want you to be truly happy too. At least when you’re with me.”

 

The cicadas chirping outside reminded them of summer evenings, the setting sun piercing through the clouds like an arrow, painting the sky in fiery hues.

 

Xu Jinman: “Okay.”

 

It was a little past nine o’clock.

 

In Star City, this would normally be Shen Shu’s time to shower and go to bed. But since she was still dealing with work matters, Xu Jinman asked if she wanted to shower first.

 

Shen Shu shook her head, her eyes fixed on her phone. “Just a minute. Tong Jia’s explaining tomorrow’s schedule.”

 

The two sat at the coffee table, each absorbed in their phones.

 

Xu Jinman finished her tasks first. Remembering something, she opened Weibo. Over two hundred red notification dots lit up—all from people following her—along with a dozen private messages.

 

Yesterday, Tong Jia had added her to Shen Shu’s Weibo fan group and made her an administrator.

 

She clicked on one of the private messages.

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: Big Boss!!

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: Are you the Big Boss who used mysterious powers to crush those hateful comments and make those bloggers eat their words?!

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

This message had been sent late last night. Another one had arrived that afternoon.

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: Hello! I’m Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan! Shu Shu starts filming next month, and we want to organize a fan event beforehand—banners, fan signs, the works—to surprise her. Any ideas?

 

Xu Jinman opened the fan group chat and saw the discussion still ongoing.

 

After observing for a while, she noticed that Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan, also an administrator, had planned everything meticulously. They had even specifically prohibited minors from participating—joining the group was fine, but spending money was not allowed.

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: Let’s make the banner bigger! And get a life-sized standee. For light-up signs, let’s start with ten—we can always use more later.

 

Shu Shu’s Puppy: How about some merchandise? Keychains or something.

 

Great King: Sounds good! I’ll handle the keychains. You guys focus on the rest. Would fifty be enough?

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: Let’s not overdo it! We’re not trying to show off or make a big spectacle—just surprise Shu Shu. I’m waiting for Big Boss to reply and see if she has any plans.

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: I wonder when she’ll come online… sob sob sob

 

Sister is Rich and Fit: Hi.jpg

 

Sister is Rich and Fit: Go all out with the best quality. Forget the banner—rent all the surrounding LED screens. Estimate the total cost and send me the breakdown.

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: !! Big Boss! You’re here!

 

Shu Shu’s Puppy: …Holy sh1t, LED screens? The best quality? That’s at least 200,000 yuan to start…

 

Sister is Rich and Fit: Approved. I’ll allocate a 5 million yuan budget. When the screens are running, include the drama’s title. Once the main leads are cast, we’ll gift them each a large-screen display.

 

With this level of extravagance, she wouldn’t attract any negative attention.

 

 

Ahhhhhhh!!! So thick…

 

Holy sh1t…

 

Holy sh1t…

 

Holy sh1t…

 

 

Xu Jinman scrolled through the endless string of ellipsis points below, resembling a string of candied hawthorns, and sent a private message to Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan: I’ll send you my assistant’s WeChat ID later. Contact her directly for payment matters, and remember to give her your bank details.

 

Shu Shu’s No. 1 Fan replied with a series of exclamation marks: !!! Do you happen to need a daughter? The kind who knows how to spend money~

 

Xu Jinman chuckled, noticing Shen Shu’s gaze. She looked up and asked, “It’s almost ten o’clock. Is Tong Jia still talking?”

 

Shen Shu retorted, “Aren’t you still up too?”

 

“I’m done chatting. What are you and Tong Jia discussing?”

 

“The drama production. We’re going for costume fittings in a couple of days.” Shen Shu tapped the screen, her voice casual. “The lead actress has been cast.”

 

“Who is it?”

 

“Xia Chun.”

 

Xu Jinman paused, surprised. “You two are quite fated, running into each other again.”

 

Shen Shu didn’t reply, turning off her phone and rubbing her eyes. “Should I shower first, or you?”

 

It was a perfectly normal question, yet Xu Jinman detected a hint of intimacy in Shen Shu’s slightly weary tone.

 

“You go ahead,” Xu Jinman said, rising. “I’ll find you some pajamas.”

 

Shen Shu walked over to her bag, opened it, and said, “No need, I brought my own.”

 

She had packed extra clothes when Xu Yincheng came to her place earlier, just in case.

 

Xu Jinman casually praised, “Impressive, Shu Shu.”

 

A fleeting curve appeared at the corner of Shen Shu’s eye, vanishing as quickly as it came. “Can you compliment something else?”

 

Shen Shu was wearing a light purple two-piece skirt suit, the hem of her blouse tucked into the skirt, emphasizing her slender waist that looked as if it could be spanned by a single hand. She stood before the table, her sculpted features facing Xu Jinman.

 

Xu Jinman rubbed her fingertips together. “Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so stunning.”

 

She repeated the word “beautiful” three times.

 

Shen Shu raised an almost imperceptible eyebrow, turned with the clothes, and walked toward the bathroom.

 

Xu Jinman’s bathroom was as spacious as the rest of the apartment.

 

Shen Shu tied her hair up, took a quick shower, and had just changed into her pajamas when she heard a loud thump from outside.

 

It sounded like something heavy had fallen.

 

She fastened her pajama buttons and hurried to the door. She saw that Xu Jinman had taken all the books off the ebony table, and the small round stool lay overturned on the floor.

 

Xu Jinman was bent over, clutching her shin.

 

“What are you doing?” Shen Shu asked.

 

“Nothing,” Xu Jinman replied. “Just looking for a book. I accidentally kicked the stool over.”

 

The heavy stool had landed with a metallic clang. Shen Shu wondered if Xu Jinman’s shin might be fractured.

 

Besides the key to Xu Tao’s study, Shen Shu had also come to find something in the original owner’s room. Given her previous discovery of the orphanage notebook, she hoped to find more clues hidden within the books.

 

Shen Shu glanced at Xu Jinman’s reddened calves. “Go take a shower.”

 

Xu Jinman put down her book. “Okay.”

 

Her leg pain became more noticeable as she walked into the bathroom, but she could still bear it.

 

After undressing, she turned on the shower. She heard a faint sound near the bathroom door, but it disappeared after a few seconds.

 

Thinking she had imagined it, she let the steam envelop her face, the warmth washing away some of her fatigue.

 

Xu Jinman stretched languidly under the shower, her exquisite figure framed by the clear water. The rose-scented body wash filled the air, and she inhaled deeply, catching a faint hint of vanilla beneath the floral fragrance.

 

She tilted her head back, letting the water cascade over her face.

 

Emerging from the shower, she was about to change when her gaze fell on the vanity…

 

A snow-white lace bra and matching shorts lay on the pink towel.

 

These must be what Shen Shu changed out of to take home, Xu Jinman thought.

 

As she wrapped the towel around the delicate fabric, her fingers brushed against the soft material, as if touching silken skin.

 

Her hand trembled slightly, and her heart quickened.

 

After wrapping the towel, she hesitated, fearing Shen Shu might feel awkward.

 

She unfolded the towel again.

 

When Xu Jinman left the bathroom, Shen Shu immediately got up and went inside.

 

Shen Shu placed the towel down and turned around, their eyes meeting briefly. Both women maintained an air of casual indifference.

 

It was past ten at night.

 

Xu Jinman pulled a wide blanket from the closet, preparing to spread it on the floor.

 

“Your bed is big enough,” Shen Shu said. “Just put the blanket between us.”

 

Xu Jinman thought to herself, “I’d sneak into your bed even if we each had our own blankets. What good is one blanket?”

 

But she didn’t make a fuss. After all, she was staying up late tonight anyway, and there were more important things to do.

 

The two settled down on either side of the bed.

 

Listening to Shen Shu’s even breathing beside her, Xu Jinman waited until 2 a.m. before carefully getting up.

 

The second-floor hallway was dimly lit, and the villa was eerily quiet.

 

Xu Tao’s study wasn’t far away. He kept his daily documents in a safe, but since Lu Yun cleaned the room every day, the study door was usually unlocked.

 

Fortunately, all Xu Jinman needed to do was get inside.

 

Just as she twisted the doorknob, she heard footsteps approaching from the bedroom. Shen Shu walked over quietly, her voice still husky from sleep, and whispered, “What are you really up to tonight?”

 

Xu Jinman had been checking her watch ever since getting into bed after her shower, so Shen Shu had guessed something was up. She’d woken up the moment Xu Jinman moved.

 

Xu Jinman paused, then leaned in and said, “Just looking for something. Go back to sleep.”

 

Shen Shu stared at her for a moment before replying, “You go. I’ll keep watch.”

 

Xu Jinman raised an eyebrow.

 

“Hurry up.”

 

“…Okay.”

 

Why does this feel like we’re a married couple pulling off a heist together?

 

Xu Jinman opened the door, and faint light streamed in from the large window, barely illuminating the room. According to the original owner’s notes, the key was hidden beneath one of the drawers in Xu Tao’s study, which had over a dozen drawers, mostly located beneath the bookshelves.

 

Xu Jinman began opening them one by one. By the third row, Shen Shu entered from outside. “Someone’s coming.”

 

Xu Jinman immediately closed the drawer and hurried to the door.

 

Suddenly, the corridor lights flickered on. Xu Jinman yanked Shen Shu inside, quickly and quietly shutting the door. Using the faint light filtering through the glass, she scanned the room until she spotted a curtain at the back of the bookshelf that hadn’t been fully drawn.

 

At the same moment, Xu Tao’s faint voice, answering a phone call, echoed through the silent corridor.

 

Xu Jinman’s expression shifted slightly. She pulled Shen Shu over to the bookshelf, where a load-bearing wall formed a perfect right-angled corner when the curtain was fully drawn.

 

They slipped inside, Xu Jinman carefully pulling the curtain down without letting it rustle. Shen Shu craned her neck, watching nervously, her palms slick with sweat.

 

Just as the curtain was drawn, the study door swung open from outside.

 

Still holding Shen Shu’s hand, Xu Jinman sensed her tension and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

 

As she lowered her head, her lips brushed against something soft and warm. She instinctively pursed her lips…