Transmigrated Into a Heartless Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 14

Zhou Zhou carefully cradled the phone in her hands, hesitating as she tried to return it to Song Yi.

Song Yi, noticing Zhou Zhou’s conflicted expression, smiled gently. “I just happened to buy an extra one on a whim. If you don’t take it, it’ll just end up being given to someone else anyway. You might as well keep it—it’ll be easier to stay in touch.”

Stay in touch?

Those two simple words, repeated in her mind, made Zhou Zhou’s heart warm slightly.

After this parting, Zhou Zhou wouldn’t dare disturb Miss Song again. But the way Miss Song phrased it seemed to suggest she wouldn’t mind keeping in contact, still willing to help her.

But… Miss Song had already done so much for her. How could she possibly accept such an expensive-looking phone, especially one with a sky-blue, iridescent casing?

Song Yi watched as Zhou Zhou held the phone out to her but didn’t take it. After a moment of thought, she smiled and said, “How about this? When you have the money someday, you can give me one in return?”

Zhou Zhou’s eyes widened in surprise, but she still couldn’t bring herself to accept it.

Who knew how long it would take for her to have that kind of money? Her immediate priority was earning enough for her university tuition this summer. She felt she had done well on her college entrance exams, but tuition and living expenses weren’t cheap. She had to secure those funds first—there was no way she could afford to buy Miss Song a phone anytime soon.

“No need to rush. I’m not lacking a phone right now. Consider the deadline indefinite.”

“Just take it. These days, it’s inconvenient to do anything without a phone.”

Zhou Zhou opened her mouth, but her refusal melted into a heartfelt expression of gratitude.

“Thank you, Miss Song.” Her voice and expression were utterly sincere.

Song Yi blinked, then, almost unconsciously, reached out and ruffled Zhou Zhou’s hair.

Zhou Zhou didn’t pull away—she froze completely. Half-kneeling in the passenger seat, the bright summer sunlight streamed through the car window, casting fragmented light across Miss Song’s gentle, smiling face.

Song Yi didn’t understand the intensity of Zhou Zhou’s gaze. She touched her own cheek, puzzled. “Is there something on my face?”

“N-no.”

Snapping out of it, Zhou Zhou scrambled out of the car in a fluster, sprinting toward the school gates without looking back—almost fleeing. Halfway there, she turned and waved at Song Yi in farewell before running even faster.

It was class time, so the area around the school was quiet and nearly empty. The slender girl clutched a metal box in one arm and the phone in her other hand, her steps hurried but light. Her long hair, draped over her shoulders, fluttered in the wind, bathed in sunlight like strands of seaweed drifting in the deep sea.

Song Yi’s gaze lingered on that retreating figure; half-worried Zhou Zhou might trip and fall.

Fortunately, Zhou Zhou wasn’t as fragile as she looked. She made it safely through the small side entrance by the school gate, next to the security booth.

Only after withdrawing her gaze did Song Yi belatedly process Zhou Zhou’s sudden escape. She touched her face again.

Had she scared her?

Had her expression been that intimidating?

As if seeking confirmation, Song Yi lifted her own phone, turning on the front camera to scrutinize her face.

She did look a bit stern when not smiling.

The outer corners of her eyes were slightly elongated, lending her a sharp, almost aggressive air. Yesterday, when she first transmigrated into this body, the original scumbag Alpha had been wearing makeup—softened eye makeup that rounded her eyes. Today, she hadn’t had time to apply anything except a bold red lip tint, just to look more awake.

Even with makeup, she wouldn’t follow the original Scumbag Alpha’s style. Enhancing her naturally cool and sharp eye features to project an authoritative aura was more her habit.

This approach had been quite effective in her previous world—many subordinates saw her as a formidable boss and feared her.

But here, as Song Yi in the world of “This Scumbag Alpha Always Love “Em and Leave “Em,” she was just a junior in college. There was no need to arm herself with such intimidating, unapproachable energy.

She didn’t want Zhou Zhou to be afraid of her.

Song Yi smiled at her reflection in the phone camera, the expression stiff. She practiced a few more times.

A group of high school girls walked by, whispering as they noticed her awkward smile practice.

“That older sister is so pretty.”

“Are you going to talk to her?”

“I’d like to, but what if she already has a girlfriend?”

“You won’t know unless you try…”

Song Yi paid no mind to their chatter. Checking the time, she sent Zhou Zhou a message:

Back at the dorm yet?

Zhou Zhou was probably busy—no immediate reply. Since arriving in this world, Song Yi found herself with unexpected free time. With nothing urgent to do, she stayed put, waiting in the car.

Suddenly, a knock at the window.

Thinking it might be Zhou Zhou, Song Yi glanced sideways.

Instead, a girl in blue-and-white high school uniform stood there.

Song Yi hesitated before rolling down the window. “Is parking not allowed here?” She’d checked the markings earlier—was long-term parking prohibited?

As her thoughts raced, the girl leaned closer, cheeks flushed. “Older sister, do you have a girlfriend?”

Ah. A confession.

“Yes.” Song Yi shattered the fantasy bluntly. “Focus on your studies—you’re still in high school.”

She raised the window and checked her phone again. Still no reply from Zhou Zhou.

“But I don’t want to work hard anymore,” the girl muttered outside, adjusting her backpack straps dejectedly before rejoining her friends to lament the failed approach.

Zhou Zhou got stopped at the school gate by the security guard, who insisted she contact her homeroom teacher for escort.

During the ten-minute wait in the guardhouse, she peeked outside—Song Yi’s car remained parked inexplicably in the same spot.

When Ms. Lin arrived and vouched for her, Zhou Zhou bowed politely. “Thank you for the trouble, Ms. Lin.”

The teacher sighed.

Noticing the metal box and expensive phone in Zhou Zhou’s arms, Ms. Lin’s eyes flickered with surprise. “Actually, I meant to contact you today but lacked your details.”

“Is something wrong?” Zhou Zhou tensed instinctively—even as a teacher’s pet, summons always unnerved her.

“Graduates must clear their dorm rooms today—final deadline. We need space for the junior high acceleration program’s summer prep.”

Zhou Zhou knew the drill; she’d been through it herself.

“Have you found housing yet?”

“Not yet,” Zhou Zhou said softly, her mind inexplicably flashing back to the image of Miss Song smiling at her.

Teacher Lin hesitated, as if wanting to say something but holding back.

Zhou Zhou knew her teacher was worried about her and quickly reassured her, “I can look for a short-term part-time job that provides accommodation. I need to earn money for university tuition and living expenses anyway.”

Teacher Lin looked at her with affection. “I’ll keep an eye out for social assistance programs for you too. And I’ll help you with your college application choices. Just make sure to set aside a few days for that—don’t get too caught up in work.”

“Okay, thank you, Teacher.”

Teacher Lin received a phone call about some administrative work and had to leave. Before going, she reminded Zhou Zhou to send her phone number and gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

Zhou Zhou returned to the dorm alone to pack her belongings. She didn’t have much—most of her high school books had already been given away, with many underclassmen eager to get their hands on her notes.

The only things left to pack were clothes, shoes, and other daily necessities. Everything fit into one large travel bag, including the phone and Barrier patch Miss Song had given her.

Carrying the worn-out travel bag, she left the dorm just as the school bell rang.

Watching the underclassmen sprint like Olympic athletes from the classroom building toward the cafeteria, she smiled nostalgically. She waited until the crowd thinned before heading toward the school gate.

Once outside, Zhou Zhou felt completely lost, swallowed by the sea of high school students in their blue-and-white uniforms.

Someone bumped into her shoulder in a hurry, while another kind soul steadied her.

“Thank you.”

Zhou Zhou looked up at the person who had helped her, and her eyes instantly lit up.

“Miss Song?”