When the Scumbag A Got the Dog-Licking Script - Chapter 10

At the dining table, everyone was chatting and laughing, at least on the surface. Yu Jinzhao, in particular, showed remarkable poise, surprising Yu Xincheng.

He knew his daughter well—she was ruthless but lacked political acumen. Yet here she was, navigating the conversation with ease, her earlier arrogance completely gone.

After several rounds of drinks, Yu Xincheng tapped his cane symbolically. Instantly, the lively atmosphere vanished as if a switch had been flipped, and everyone fell silent.

“Zhaor has been on her honeymoon for over half a month now,” he said. “I imagine she’s forgotten many of the company’s rules. When do you plan to return to work?”

Yu Jinzhao found the question almost amusing. She had known this moment would come, though it had been delayed. After all, she hadn’t shown Yu Xincheng much respect these past few days.

“I’ll follow your instructions, Father. Whenever you say I should return, I’ll return.”

Yu Xincheng snorted coldly, accepting her answer with a grudging nod.

Yu Jinzhao merely smiled and remained silent, adopting a docile and obedient demeanor. No one noticed her sidelong glance had already fallen on a figure in the corner.

She had no recollection of the man, and even when she consulted the System, its response was “unknown.” Yet she observed him deliberately, or perhaps unconsciously, scanning Pei Daowan multiple times, triggering a subtle alarm within her.

The meal was tasteless, forcing Yu Jinzhao to summon the full extent of her past social skills from her days navigating treacherous business dinners. Though publicly declared the Yu Family’s sole Alpha, countless individuals secretly coveted her position.

Moreover, recent cracks in her relationship with Yu Xincheng had not gone unnoticed by the shrewd attendees. Their veiled remarks and subtle jabs were clearly designed to trap her.

Several times during the meal, someone deliberately steered the conversation toward Pei Daowan, but Yu Jinzhao deftly deflected each attempt without betraying her composure.

By the end of the meal, Yu Jinzhao had gained a clearer understanding of the situation. While she might be the Yu Family’s sole Alpha in name, the number of those coveting her position was far from small. Especially the two individuals seated beside Yu Xincheng, who had exerted considerable effort to undermine her authority.

Yu Jinzhao couldn’t help but shake her head inwardly. With such weak resolve, it was no wonder Yu Xincheng looked down on them—she did too. Still, there were a few individuals she needed to keep an eye on, especially the one in the corner.

Pei Daowan appeared to be protected by Yu Jinzhao, shielded from the verbal sparring. Yet she had been secretly observing Yu Jinzhao’s demeanor, manner of speaking, and facial expressions.

Yu Jinzhao was even more composed than Pei Daowan had imagined, showing no awkwardness or discomfort. It seemed she had plenty of experience in such situations.

Pei Daowan couldn’t help but ponder. While her current performance wasn’t bad, it didn’t suggest she was easily manipulated. The System had only judged her as a “good person,” not her level of obedience.

As this thought crossed her mind, a deep, fleeting glint flashed in Pei Daowan’s eyes. Her peripheral vision caught Yu Jinzhao, locked in a fierce verbal exchange, silencing her opponents with a few sharp retorts.

The Alpha was strikingly beautiful, her features bright and refined, with a unique sharpness. Having shed her earlier warmth and composure, she now seemed to be operating at full throttle, radiating a distinctive allure.

Pei Daowan subconsciously tapped her fingertips, a habit she had when deep in thought.

Yu Jinzhao, however, felt no pressure whatsoever. She had long grown accustomed to these verbal traps and veiled threats; facing them now was child’s play.

Yu Xincheng’s tacit approval of these veiled attacks confirmed that they were acting on his orders. Even if they coveted her position, they still had to gauge his reaction.

After all, you don’t kick a dog without considering its owner, Yu Jinzhao thought. Her expression twisted slightly at the analogy. What kind of comparison is that? Am I a dog?!

Pei Daowan caught Yu Jinzhao’s only moment of genuine loss of composure that evening—a dazed look, like a slow-witted fool suddenly realizing they’d been tricked.

It reminded her of a golden retriever she’d once seen on the street, being teased by its owner. The dog, realizing its owner’s intentions, had responded with a comical, “what’s the point?” resignation.

Finally, the banquet was drawing to a close. Yu Xincheng, in a show of magnanimity, delivered the concluding remarks, his words still laced with veiled warnings.

Yu Jinzhao was momentarily lost in thought, her eyes seemingly fixed on Yu Xincheng but actually drifting to a magnolia blossom in the corner.

The magnolia had been plucked long ago; its petals were already tinged with yellow and dryness, and its leaves drooped listlessly, lacking the vibrant exuberance they possessed on the tree.

Few people would pick magnolias for floral arrangements due to their short lifespan. Yu Xincheng was truly wasting such a precious gift of nature.

The moment Yu Jinzhao stepped out of the Yu Family mansion, her shoulders involuntarily relaxed. Though she could handle such occasions, she certainly didn’t enjoy them.

Slowly exhaling a breath of stale air, Yu Jinzhao couldn’t help but look up at the bright moon. The night sky was clear and cloudless, stretching ten thousand miles without a single star or even the moon.

“Do you often attend events like this?” Pei Daowan suddenly asked. She rarely initiated conversations with Yu Jinzhao, and for a moment, Yu Jinzhao felt almost flattered by the unexpected attention.

“Not really… I used to for work, for a while.”

Yu Jinzhao didn’t elaborate, seemingly uninterested in the topic. She casually changed the subject.

“Did you eat enough tonight?”

To Pei Daowan’s surprise, Yu Jinzhao asked such a trivial question. She had expected something more significant, especially since Yu Jinzhao had repeatedly hesitated, clearly wanting to ask something but holding back.

“I’m full…” Pei Daowan replied.

Though she didn’t understand, Pei Daowan wouldn’t initiate conversation; she wasn’t one for small talk.

Yu Jinzhao suddenly pouted, a hint of resentment in her voice. “I’m not full.”

That’s right, Pei Daowan thought. Yu Jinzhao had been too busy trading barbs with those people to eat properly. Meanwhile, Pei Daowan, protected by Yu Jinzhao’s presence, had been in good spirits and even ate a few extra bites.

“Then let’s go get something else to eat?”

At these words, Yu Jinzhao’s face finally relaxed, revealing her first genuine smile of the evening. “Okay! Okay!”

She’s like a child!

For some reason, this thought suddenly popped into Pei Daowan’s head. Curious, she wondered how old Yu Jinzhao was.

“She’s 25 this year, the same age as the original ‘Yu Jinzhao’,” the System chimed in eagerly, seizing its chance to be helpful.

“25…”

How wonderful, how young!

Counting her previous years, Pei Daowan was more than a decade older than Yu Jinzhao. Ah, youth is truly wonderful!

For the first time, Pei Daowan felt grateful for her rebirth—for being reborn at her best, before the Yu Family had completely controlled her or destroyed so much of her life.

“What do you want to eat?”

Stars seemed to twinkle in Yu Jinzhao’s eyes as she answered without hesitation, her voice ringing with conviction: “Barbecue!”

It wasn’t just a craving; she genuinely hadn’t had barbecue in ages. Especially with the recent troubles at work, she hadn’t had the leisure to indulge.

Now that the heavy weight pressing on her heart had temporarily lifted, her appetite had been piqued, and she desperately wanted barbecue.

“Let’s go.”

Pei Daowan had no objections. She opened the car door before Yu Jinzhao and slid into the driver’s seat, signaling that she would drive since Yu Jinzhao had been drinking.

Without hesitation, Yu Jinzhao opened the passenger door and settled into the seat, casting Pei Daowan a subtle, expectant glance.

Pei Daowan couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy under that gaze. Compared to herself, Yu Jinzhao was still just a young girl, now caught up in this senseless trouble because of her.

Clearing her throat, she said, “I know a barbecue place with great food. Want to go?”

“Yes!” Yu Jinzhao’s face lit up, but then she hesitated, as if remembering something. “Won’t it be a bother?”

Though they hadn’t spent much time together, Yu Jinzhao knew Pei Daowan was always busy, leaving early and returning late every day. She didn’t know what Pei Daowan was working on, but compared to her own idle life, Pei Daowan seemed like a whirlwind of activity.

“It won’t,” Pei Daowan replied simply, offering no further explanation. With a roar of the engine, the car pulled away.