Transmigrated into a Classic Dog-Blood Drama as the Scummy Alpha - Chapter 23

Shen Tian glanced at Jiang Xi, then obediently hugged the plush kitty to her chest. As she stared at it with her big, round eyes, she gently stroked the soft fur with one hand and murmured, “I’m not scared. Mama and Mommy will come pick me up soon. Kitty has to be just as good as Tiantian~”

Jiang Xi was completely melted by how adorable Shen Tian was. She held the little girl close and cooed, “Tiantian is amazing! Kitty should learn how to behave from Tiantian.”

Although Shen Tian wasn’t fully comfortable around Jiang Xi yet, hearing the praise still made her cheeks flush pink. She shyly looked up and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

“No need to thank me. You’re such a good girl.”

Unlike some rowdy kids, Shen Tian was quiet and well-behaved, sitting calmly in Jiang Xi’s arms while hugging her plushie. Jiang Xi couldn’t stop smiling.

At that moment, Jiang Xi’s father returned from work. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by the sight of an adorable little girl sitting obediently in his daughter’s lap.

“Xi Xi, who’s this little one? She’s quite the cutie,” asked Jiang Chengye, now in his fifties. He had little resistance toward cute kids. Unfortunately, both his son and daughter were workaholics just like him—neither even had a romantic partner, let alone children.

“Dad, you’re back. This is my good friend’s daughter, Shen Tian. Isn’t she just the sweetest?” Jiang Xi replied with a smile.

Jiang Chengye came over and sat on a nearby sofa, smiling warmly at Shen Tian.

Hearing Jiang Xi call her name, Shen Tian looked up at her, then at the unfamiliar man Jiang Xi had just called “Dad.” With her wide eyes sparkling, she shyly greeted him in her soft little voice, “Hello, Grandpa~”

Then, a bit nervously, she stroked the plushie in her arms.

Her cuteness made Jiang Chengye burst into laughter. “Tiantian, how old are you? Are you in kindergarten yet?”

Shen Tian nodded seriously and patted her little pigtails. “Mhm! Tiantian is three and a half and already goes to kindergarten.”

“Such a well-behaved girl. Today, you just play here at Grandpa’s house. If there’s anything you like, Grandpa will buy it for you.”

Shen Tian shook her head and replied seriously, “No need. Mommy said I can’t ask other people for things. Tiantian is a good girl and has to listen to Mommy~”

Jiang Chengye’s smile deepened at her response. He’d met plenty of children—usually from business associates or subordinates—and many were coached by adults to say nice things to him. It always felt forced.

But this little girl? She was refreshingly sincere and utterly adorable.

“Well, it’s okay,” Jiang Chengye said playfully. “Your mommy said you can’t ask others for things, but Grandpa isn’t ‘others,’ is he?”

“But… but…” Shen Tian tilted her little head and thought hard, unable to come up with a retort. She blinked her big eyes and looked helplessly at Jiang Xi.

Jiang Xi laughed and gently scolded her father, “Dad, don’t tease Tiantian.”

“Alright, alright, no more teasing. Let’s see what Tiantian wants to eat.”

Just then, Aunt Yu returned with a tray full of snacks, fruits, and juice, setting them on the coffee table in front of them.

Shen Tian stared at the spread, unsure whether it was really all for her.

Still clutching her plushie, she looked up at Jiang Xi and asked in her soft voice, “Is this all for Tiantian? But Mommy said I shouldn’t eat too much. If I do, my tummy will feel tight~ Auntie and Grandpa too—if you eat too much, you won’t be good anymore~” She said it with such earnest seriousness that both adults were utterly charmed.

Jiang Xi and Jiang Chengye burst into laughter.

After a long and stressful month, Jiang Chengye hadn’t expected to be cheered up by this little ball of sunshine. He playfully coaxed her, “Alright, Grandpa and Auntie will behave and won’t eat too much. Now, which one would Tiantian like to try first?”

Shen Tian scanned the table, then shyly pointed at a small dessert. “Tiantian wants this one. Auntie, please put me down—I can eat by myself.”

“Okay, Tiantian can have that one,” Jiang Xi said, placing her gently on the sofa beside her and handing over a coconut pudding.

“Thank you, Auntie~” Shen Tian beamed and picked up the little spoon. One bite in and her eyes lit up. She bounced slightly and said, “Auntie, this is so yummy!”

“I’m glad! Try some of the other desserts too,” Jiang Xi said, bringing over a plate of peach blossom pastries and breaking one open for her.

“Mhm! Okay, Auntie!” Shen Tian leaned forward, holding the plate with her little hands and taking a bite. She immediately gave a big thumbs-up. “This one is yummy too! Grandpa and Auntie should eat some too—let’s eat together!”

“Alright, Grandpa will eat with you,” Jiang Chengye replied with a smile, taking a few pastries for himself.

—

Meanwhile, after getting Jiang Xi’s address, Shen Xian hailed a cab to pick up Shen Tian. The ride was quiet, and Shen Xian assumed Lin Qinghan was just in a bad mood after what had happened with Jiang Fang and Lin Zhixin. She didn’t bother to explain her relationship with Jiang Xi.

About twenty minutes later, they arrived at the villa complex. Jiang Xi had already sent a bodyguard to wait at the entrance. Soon, the bodyguard led them to the Jiang residence.

Lin Qinghan surveyed the surroundings with a thoughtful look before following Shen Xian inside.

The moment they entered, they saw Shen Tian happily chatting and eating snacks with Jiang Xi and her father. As soon as she spotted her mommies, her eyes lit up, and she jumped to her feet. “Mama! Mommy!

Tiantian was very good and played nicely with Auntie and Grandpa!”

“I knew my Tiantian was the best.” Shen Xian gave her daughter a comforting hug, then turned to Jiang Chengye. “Sorry for the trouble, Uncle.”

“Not at all,” Jiang Chengye said warmly. “Since you’re Xi Xi’s friend, you’re welcome here anytime—especially if you bring this little sweetheart along.”

As they spoke, Shen Tian toddled over on her little legs and gave Shen Xian a hug, then leapt into Lin Qinghan’s arms.

“Xi Xi, thanks for today. I’ll treat you to dinner another time. Uncle, Xi Xi, we’ll be heading out now.”

“Why not stay for dinner?” Jiang Xi asked with a smile. She had grown fond of Shen Tian and wanted to spend more time with her.

“Not today. Another time when things settle down,” Shen Xian politely declined, knowing that after the family drama earlier, Lin Qinghan wasn’t in the mood.

“Alright then. I’ll have the driver take you. It’s a long way from here.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Shen Xian turned to the two and said, “Tiantian, say goodbye to Auntie and Grandpa.”

Being held in Lin Qinghan’s arms, Shen Tian looked up with a bright smile. “Goodbye, Grandpa! Bye-bye, Auntie! I’ll come visit again~”

“We’ll be waiting, sweetheart. I’ll prepare lots of yummy snacks for you,” Jiang Chengye said, chuckling.

“Okay! Tiantian is leaving now. Bye-bye, Grandpa! Bye-bye, Auntie~” Shen Tian waved her tiny arms in farewell.

The little family of three got into the car Jiang Xi had arranged. Shen Xian and Lin Qinghan sat on either side of Shen Tian, who sat between them. Like most children, she had already forgotten her fears and was excitedly chattering about how brave she’d been while her mommies were away.

Only when looking at her daughter did Lin Qinghan’s expression soften.

—

That evening, Lin Qinghan barely ate a few bites at dinner before putting down her chopsticks. Shen Tian, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk’s, looked at her with concern. “Mommy, why aren’t you eating? You’ll be hungry later.”

Lin Qinghan forced a smile. “Mama’s not hungry. You eat, Tiantian.”

Shen Tian nodded obediently.

After a full day of play, Shen Tian soon grew sleepy. But instead of her usual bedtime routine with Lin Qinghan, she insisted on Shen Xian putting her to bed.

“Tonight I want Mommy to tuck me in! Mommy, carry me~” She immediately turned into a little koala, clinging to Shen Xian’s leg.

Shen Xian couldn’t resist. She picked up her daughter and turned to Lin Qinghan, who was staring blankly from the sofa. “Qinghan, I’ll take care of bedtime tonight. You should get some rest.”

Lin Qinghan looked at her and nodded, her eyes dull and lifeless.

Shen Xian sighed softly. Lin Qinghan shouldn’t be like this—not at only 28. Her eyes had already lost their light. As a friend, Shen Xian couldn’t help wondering how she could help her. Still holding Tiantian, she headed toward the bedroom.

As soon as Tiantian was tucked in, she wrapped her little arms around Shen Xian’s neck and whispered, “Mommy, I think Mama’s sad. Can you cheer her up? My friend Mengmeng said when her mama is sad, her

Mommy always makes her feel better—it really works!”

Shen Xian’s heart softened. She understood that her daughter was worried, but things between her and Lin Qinghan were far from simple. The original owner of her body had hurt Lin Qinghan deeply. How could a few comforting words fix everything? Of course, she couldn’t explain that to a child.

So Shen Xian replied gently, “Okay, Mommy will cheer Mama up later. Don’t worry, Tiantian. Now let’s sleep, alright?”

Tiantian nodded and obediently lay down, pulling her little blanket over herself. Her sparkling eyes looked up at Shen Xian. “Okay. Tiantian will be good. Mommy has to make Mama feel better, okay?”

“Alright,” Shen Xian whispered, lying beside her and gently patting her little tummy to lull her to sleep.

After a long day, Tiantian quickly drifted off, her tiny lips puckered slightly as she slept.

Only then did Shen Xian carefully get out of bed, quietly turn the doorknob, and step out into the living room. Lin Qinghan was still sitting there, her gaze unfocused, lost in thoughts no one else could see.