Transmigrated into a Classic Dog-Blood Drama as the Scummy Alpha - Chapter 24

Shen Xian glanced at Lin Qinghan, then turned to the fridge and took out a few bottles of cold beer. She opened two bottles and placed one in front of each of them. Though they sat on the same sofa, a good two or three seats’ worth of distance separated them.

“Qinghan, don’t push yourself too hard. Some things are beyond your control, and none of this is your fault. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re at home—if you’re feeling awful, have a drink. Even if you get drunk, it’s fine. You’ll feel better when you wake up.” Lin Qinghan had become this way for many reasons, but the root of it all lay with the original Shen Xian, Jiang Fang, and Lin Zhixin.

It wasn’t until Shen Xian spoke that Lin Qinghan’s dazed gaze finally gained some focus. She glanced at the beer in front of her, slowly reached out, and downed half the bottle in one go.

Seeing that, Shen Xian felt a tightness in her chest. “Qinghan, slow down. You’ll choke if you drink too fast.”

Lin Qinghan shot her a cold glance and sneered. “Heh. My problems have nothing to do with you. Instead of wasting time on me, why don’t you focus on pleasing your sugar mommy? From what I’ve seen, she seems decent—she even helps you babysit.”

Though Lin Qinghan said it with a smile, there was no warmth in her eyes.

Her words stung, and Shen Xian felt a wave of discomfort. But when she thought of how the original Shen Xian had lied to Lin Qinghan again and again, she forced herself to let it go. Just this bit of unpleasantness was nothing compared to what Lin Qinghan must have endured—especially since all of it had come from the person she trusted most.

Shen Xian sighed and gently explained, “Qinghan, Jiang Xi really isn’t my sugar mommy. She’s just a business partner. I’ve been with Tiantian every day lately, and I spend the evenings with you two. I wouldn’t even have the time for something like that. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in the past, but I won’t repeat them…”

As she spoke, Lin Qinghan finished her first bottle. Shen Xian quietly opened another one and set it down for her. She wasn’t even sure if Lin Qinghan was listening anymore.

Lin Qinghan picked up the fresh bottle. Perhaps the alcohol from the first was already hitting—her cheeks were flushed. She stared at Shen Xian and finally said, “You don’t need to report anything to me. The only thing between us is Tiantian. I don’t care who you see or what you do—it’s none of my business. Shen Xian, don’t think a few kind gestures will fool me. You don’t need to waste your time on me. I’ll never believe you again.”

Her eyes were misted with unshed tears. She tilted her head back and drank again, washing the bitterness down her throat. When she looked down, her tears had already been forced away.

“I never meant to lie to you,” Shen Xian said softly. “Not since that day I picked Tiantian up from preschool. From that moment on, everything I’ve done has been genuine. I know I let you down too many times before, but I won’t anymore.”

By now, Lin Qinghan had drained her second bottle and was reaching for a third. Clearly tipsy, she fumbled with the opener, unable to hook it onto the cap. Frustrated, she threw it onto the sofa, mumbling, “What kind of useless thing is this? Can’t even open a damn bottle…”

Then, perhaps realizing someone was sitting nearby, she tossed both the beer and the opener toward Shen Xian. Fortunately, the distance between them wasn’t far. Shen Xian scrambled to catch them both.

With a resigned sigh, she looked at Lin Qinghan’s flushed face and quietly opened the beer for her again, then handed it over.

Lin Qinghan rubbed her forehead, taking a few tries to grip the bottle properly. She hadn’t eaten anything, so the alcohol hit her fast. After the third bottle, she was completely drunk—leaning against the sofa, her head tilted back, eyes half-shut, her cheeks glowing a deep red.

Afraid she’d have a hangover in the morning, Shen Xian went to the kitchen and made a warm cup of honey water, then returned to the living room. She sat beside Lin Qinghan and gently propped her up, coaxing her in a soft voice. “Qinghan, have a little water, okay? Otherwise you’ll have a bad headache tomorrow.”

Half-dazed, Lin Qinghan seemed to forget she was talking to someone she supposedly hated. She rested her head on Shen Xian’s shoulder and murmured, “Don’t want medicine. Too bitter. Tastes awful.”

Shen Xian supported her to keep her from toppling over and brought the cup to her lips. “It’s not medicine. Just some warm honey water. It’s sweet, I promise. Just a few sips and then we can sleep, okay?”

Perhaps wanting to avoid more nagging, Lin Qinghan frowned but took a sip. The gentle sweetness softened her expression, and she leaned in to drink a few more mouthfuls.

Watching her drink obediently, Shen Xian’s lips curved into a smile. Lin Qinghan was really only this docile when drunk—normally she was all prickly edges, like a hedgehog. Only in moments like this did she revert to the soft little bunny she used to be—no cold stares, no guarded distance.

“Alright, let’s get you to bed.” Shen Xian set down the cup and helped her up. But Lin Qinghan, dizzy and barely steady, collapsed into Shen Xian’s arms. It took all of Shen Xian’s strength to hold her up.

Too drunk to walk, Lin Qinghan rested her cheek against Shen Xian’s neck, mumbling words Shen Xian couldn’t make out no matter how she strained to listen.

Left with no choice, Shen Xian scooped her up bridal-style. Drunk people were always heavier, and Lin Qinghan didn’t make it easy—clinging to her neck one minute, smacking her chest the next. Still, Shen Xian was strong enough to carry her to the bedroom in just a few steps.

By the time she wiped Lin Qinghan’s face with a damp towel, she had already fallen asleep. Shen Xian watched her, amused—drunk Lin Qinghan was completely different from her usual cold self. More like a cranky little kitten than an iceberg. Honestly, Shen Xian preferred her like this. This was who she really was before life and betrayal hardened her.

Sitting quietly at her bedside, Shen Xian wondered when she’d finally chip away that layer of frost and coax the kitten fully out of hiding. By then, maybe she and Lin Qinghan would truly be friends. The thought made her smile unconsciously.

After sitting a while, Shen Xian checked to make sure Lin Qinghan was sleeping soundly, then returned to Tiantian’s room to sleep beside her daughter.

The next morning, Lin Qinghan awoke to find herself in Shen Xian’s room. Her head throbbed lightly, but to her surprise, she didn’t feel unsafe or violated. She wasn’t sure if it was the days they had spent together, or something more subconscious, but a sliver of trust toward Shen Xian had quietly taken root.

She opened the door and saw a familiar sight: Shen Xian bustling in the kitchen, and Tiantian sitting properly on a little stool nearby, hands on her knees, watching her mom cook like the world’s best-behaved child.

Sensing someone’s gaze, Shen Xian turned and smiled at her. Then she poured a glass of warm honey water and walked over. But before she could step out of the kitchen, Tiantian clung to her thigh, eyes wide with curiosity.

“Mommy, what’s that?” she asked, blinking.

Shen Xian instantly understood what the little glutton meant. She crouched down and brought the cup to Tiantian’s lips. “Just a sip, okay? Too much and you’ll get a tummy ache.”

Tiantian beamed. “Okay! Just a taste.” Holding the cup with her chubby hands, she sipped twice, then looked up and declared, “Sweet water! Yummy!”

Shen Xian patted her head. “You little foodie. That’s not for you. Mommy will make you some juice later.”

Tiantian glanced from Shen Xian to Lin Qinghan, then giggled, showing her baby teeth. “Okay! Tiantian will wait for juice. That water is for Mama to make Mommy happy, ‘cause Mommy loves Mama the most~”

Shen Xian stiffened. Her back went cold, and even her hand shook slightly.

Where did this kid learn to say things like that?

She shot a glance at Lin Qinghan, silently hoping she hadn’t heard. But then—

Lin Qinghan let out a cold laugh.

Yet when Tiantian looked up at her, Lin Qinghan’s face softened instantly. She walked over and pinched her daughter’s cheek. “Tiantian is such a good girl. Mama loves you the most.”

Tiantian clung to her leg, nuzzling affectionately. “Tiantian loves Mama and Mommy the most too~”

Not long ago, Tiantian would tremble at the mere mention of Shen Xian’s name. And now, she declared her love for both of them?

Lin Qinghan felt a pang of jealousy and glared at Shen Xian again.

Still holding the cup, Shen Xian gave an awkward smile. She really had meant well. It was just a cup of water to help with the hangover—nothing more. And it was Tiantian who said all that, not her! So why was she the one getting glared at?

“Qinghan, drink some water,” she said awkwardly, offering the cup. “It’ll help with the headache.”

Lin Qinghan glanced at her, then took the cup and muttered, “Thanks.”

Seeing Mama and Mommy talking again, Tiantian happily released Lin Qinghan’s leg and clung to Shen Xian’s instead, beaming up at her. Look, Mommy! I made Mama smile! Aren’t I amazing?

Shen Xian gave a forced smile, heart pounding—she was terrified of accidentally losing the little goodwill she’d earned.

Lin Qinghan, meanwhile, ignored the pair’s antics and took a couple sips of water before heading to the bathroom.

Truth be told, Shen Xian had behaved herself every time Lin Qinghan got drunk. As for her relationship with that woman the other day… Lin Qinghan didn’t even want to think about it. She already had enough on her plate—she didn’t have the time or energy to care about her ex-wife’s private life.

Once Lin Qinghan was gone, Shen Xian scooped up Tiantian and asked, “Where did you learn to say all that, hmm? Such a little schemer.”

“I didn’t!” Tiantian protested, eyes wide. “I was just helping Mommy cheer up Mama! Was I good?”

Shen Xian instantly relented. How could she stay mad at that face?

“You were great. The best. And Mommy made your favorite shrimp congee—it’s almost ready.”

“Yay! Mommy’s the best! Tiantian loves Mommy~” Tiantian giggled, nuzzling her shoulder again like a pro at this.

Shen Xian could feel the difference. Her daughter had been clinging to her more and more lately. Even her own mood had improved. A glance at the floating number above Tiantian’s head showed it had already climbed to 50.

Children were simple. All Shen Xian had done was act like a proper mother, and she had already won Tiantian’s heart. But more than the system or scores, what mattered most now… was simply wanting to be better for them—because they deserved a better life.