Transmigrated Into a Heartless Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 17

The rustling of the wind overhead mixed with the sound of falling leaves and Miss Song’s gentle, low voice, leaving Zhou Zhou’s mind in complete disarray.

Was Miss Song inviting her to move back in together?

Had she misheard?

Zhou Zhou’s eyes were filled with confusion and disbelief, which Song Yi easily read. With a smile, she asked again, “If you haven’t found a place to stay yet, how about coming back with me for now?”

“…” Zhou Zhou parted her lips, but it took her a long moment to speak. “No, thank you, Miss Song.”

Song Yi frowned slightly, looking at Zhou Zhou with puzzlement. “Why? Is it because you dislike me? Or are you afraid I’ll take advantage of you?”

“…No, I don’t dislike you, Miss Song.”

How could she dislike Miss Song when she had been so kind to her?

Zhou Zhou looked flustered but didn’t know how to explain.

Thinking she might be uncomfortable about sharing a bed before, Song Yi reassured her, “Don’t worry. There are plenty of rooms—you can choose your own. You won’t have to stay in the same one as me.”

After speaking, Song Yi quietly watched Zhou Zhou, not pressing for an answer, simply waiting.

Miss Song’s initiative made Zhou Zhou waver.

But no—this wasn’t part of her original plan. She still needed to work and save money. The area where Miss Song lived was too quiet, with few job opportunities nearby, and she might have to rely on taxis to get around, which would be inconvenient for her.

Besides, she couldn’t afford to get any closer to Miss Song. She was afraid she might develop feelings she shouldn’t have—ones that would spiral out of control.

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Song, but I don’t want to trouble you any further.”

“It’s no trouble,” Song Yi replied immediately.

“I plan to find a job with accommodation this afternoon. It shouldn’t be too hard.” Zhou Zhou’s gaze was firm, her mind clearly made up.

Song Yi knew further persuasion would be futile. After a brief silence, she nodded lightly, and the two walked together toward the parking area.

“Your luggage is heavy. Let me drive you,” Song Yi said, opening the passenger door for Zhou Zhou.

Reason told Zhou Zhou to refuse, but this time, her emotions won out.

After all, once they parted ways, there likely wouldn’t be many chances to meet again. She wanted to spend these last moments alone with Miss Song, even if it was just one driving and the other sitting in silence.

As soon as Song Yi got into the car, she turned down the temperature. Zhou Zhou spoke up first, naming the area she wanted to go to. Song Yi entered the address into the navigation system and saw that it was near a light industrial zone. She drove carefully, following the directions without a word.

Zhou Zhou stole glances at the profile of the woman beside her and noticed Miss Song’s lips were downturned, as if she wasn’t happy.

Was it because of her?

It was just past one in the afternoon, and the main road wasn’t crowded—traffic flowed smoothly. Yet Song Yi drove slowly, as if reluctant to reach their destination.

Even before they parted, Song Yi was already imagining scenarios where Zhou Zhou might face bullying or mistreatment from coworkers at her new job.

What if the person harassing her was an Alpha? How could Zhou Zhou possibly defend herself?

After about twenty minutes of driving, Zhou Zhou suddenly spoke up. “You can stop here. Thank you, Miss Song.”

Song Yi had no reason to refuse. She eased the car to a stop by the roadside, got out, and opened the trunk to retrieve Zhou Zhou’s luggage.

Zhou Zhou reached out to take it herself, but Song Yi didn’t hand it over. “I have nothing to do right now. I’ll feel better if I stay until you find a job.”

“Miss Song?” Zhou Zhou blinked in confusion, her gaze uncertain and hesitant.

“Do you treat everyone this kindly?” A trace of melancholy flickered in Zhou Zhou’s clear, bright eyes.

Song Yi felt a scalding sensation, vaguely feeling as though she had done something to hurt Zhou Zhou.

Was she this kind to everyone?

Song Yi asked herself inwardly, then immediately shook her head.

In truth, no one had ever called her kind before. Perhaps constrained by her past environment, she had to maintain the aloof image of a strong individual, with almost no opportunity to show kindness in a completely relaxed state. Even when her parents were alive, they were extremely strict with her. Her nerves had always been taut—since childhood, she had been a little adult, rarely experiencing moments of ease. Taking baths and reading novels were probably her most relaxed times.

In a way, transmigrating into this world had allowed her to feel, for the first time, free from the pressures imposed by her family and environment. She could simply be herself—just a law-abiding person was enough.

Though resisting the physiological temptations of Omega pheromones was somewhat agonizing, it couldn’t compare to what she had endured in the past.

“No,” Song Yi looked at Zhou Zhou and said excitedly, “You’re the first.”

The first?

Zhou Zhou was scalded by those words.

The number was too special—she couldn’t believe it. Flustered, she turned and ran into a factory. Song Yi, carrying her travel bag, followed, inwardly berating herself for her poor choice of words. It sounded like a blunt confession, and she was sure she had frightened Zhou Zhou.

When they entered the factory, the buzzing noise in her ears was like ten thousand bees flying. Song Yi saw Zhou Zhou stop at the reception counter, bending slightly to talk to someone.

Zhou Zhou had tied her hair into a ponytail today—a casual low one, with stray strands tucked behind her ears. Song Yi noticed her earlobes were red. Subconsciously, she touched her own earlobes—they were burning hot.

Entering the factory was like stepping into a furnace. It was hard to imagine how people could work in such high temperatures.

Before Song Yi could catch up, Zhou Zhou turned and walked back, looking like things hadn’t gone well.

Once outside, Song Yi finally asked what had happened. Zhou Zhou told her the factory didn’t provide accommodation.

Song Yi accompanied Zhou Zhou to several other factories, but the results were similar. Most job seekers were locals, and dormitories were scarce, reserved only for out-of-province employees or long-term workers. Zhou Zhou’s summer break was just over two months—she didn’t meet the accommodation criteria.

Zhou Zhou was disheartened, but Song Yi was secretly pleased. She had been struggling to find a good reason to bring Zhou Zhou back with her.

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

“Zhou Zhou, I have a job for you. Would you like it?”

Zhou Zhou didn’t speak, just widened her eyes at her.

“You can help manage my villa. It’s simple—just arranging for housekeeping, communicating with the eco-farm about ingredients, organizing things, and other small tasks.”

“Villa manager?” Zhou Zhou asked skeptically. She remembered Miss Song already had a manager.

“Yes. The previous manager left, and finding a new one takes time. I think you’d be perfect for it.”

Zhou Zhou wasn’t so confident. She knew she wasn’t particularly skilled at communication and coordination, but right now, she didn’t seem to have better options. Besides, Miss Song believed in her.

Song Yi could see Zhou Zhou was tempted. She glanced at her phone, pulled up a note, and said seriously, “The monthly salary is twelve thousand—base pay. There are bonuses for good performance.”

Twelve thousand—definitely enough to cover a year of university tuition. Zhou Zhou was astonished but didn’t agree immediately, worried that Miss Song was offering more out of pity for her financial struggles.

Song Yi, sensing her hesitation, held up her phone with a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, it’s not inflated. The previous housekeeper who left had the same salary.”

Finally nodding, Zhou Zhou watched as Song Yi’s lips curved upward. She swiftly moved to the trunk, loaded Zhou Zhou’s luggage inside, then opened the car door and urged, “It’s so hot—let’s get in the car first.”

Seeing beads of sweat reappear on Song Yi’s forehead, Zhou Zhou glanced around before saying, “Miss Song, you go ahead,” and dashed off. Song Yi instinctively took a step to follow but stopped, realizing Zhou Zhou wouldn’t actually run off—her luggage was still here.

She didn’t get in the car, simply waiting where she stood.

About two minutes later, she spotted Zhou Zhou returning, holding two ice cream cones, both extended toward her.

“Buying me ice cream?”

Zhou Zhou gave a small nod, her face flushed and slightly sweaty—whether from the heat or something else, Song Yi didn’t dwell on it. Leaning slightly forward, she examined the flavors: one taro, the other chocolate.

Song Yi had no strong preference, so she looked up at Zhou Zhou, whose gaze lingered a little longer on the taro one.

She reached for the chocolate cone, her fingers brushing Zhou Zhou’s hand accidentally in the process. Zhou Zhou quickly pulled back.

Unaware, Song Yi focused on unwrapping the cone and took a bite of the chocolate top.

“So sweet.”

The cool sweetness melted from her lips to her stomach, and even the sweltering breeze against her nose carried a sugary warmth.