Wish to Get Rich But Wear a Scumbag A - Chapter 40

The apology went smoothly.

He Jiamu generously accepted Yan He’s apology, even apologizing for Du Yihan’s unfriendly behavior in the waiting lounge.

With one less mess left by the Original Host to clean up, Yan He felt a great weight lift from her heart. Seizing the opportunity, she struck while the iron was hot, engaging He Jiamu in conversation to deepen their connection.

He Jiamu was a traditional stage actor who believed in “ten years of practice offstage for one minute of glory onstage.” He focused on his craft, spoke little, and didn’t even use Weibo, naturally lagging behind his peers in building hype and attracting fans.

As a digital native who practically lived online, Yan He had plenty of fun things to share with the “old-fashioned” He Jiamu.

The two hit it off instantly, chatting as if they were long-lost friends, almost swearing brotherhood on the spot.

Du Yihan, gradually squeezed out of the conversation, could only stare in bewilderment.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at their accommodation. Yan He asked curiously, “Where’s Director Han?”

He Jiamu belatedly turned around. “Why are you following us?”

What a twist! Du Yihan pulled He Jiamu closer, his voice dripping with resentment. “Having fun chatting? Do you still love me?”

He Jiamu blinked. “Are you jealous of her?”

Yan He’s eyes darted around mischievously. “A famous director publicly displays affection? Eww, how embarrassing! What will happen next? To find out, join me tonight under the bed to eavesdrop!”

He Jiamu’s face flushed crimson as he glared at Du Yihan.

Du Yihan’s face darkened. Grabbing Yan He’s arm, he dragged her upstairs.

Before transmigrating into the novel, Yan He was so frail she had to break down every squat and stand into separate, deliberate movements. The System had refreshed her body, fixing her minor health issues, but she was still just a healthy human, no match for Du Yihan, who trained regularly.

All she could do was scream for help.

“Sister Mu Mu, save me! Save me! Can’t you see this madman who looks like your wife is doing unspeakable things to my right hand? Has our bond weakened? You—”

“Shut up!” Du Yihan snapped, kicking open the slightly ajar door and shoving the chattering Yan He into the room. “Go find your own wife!”

Director Han is about to lose it!

What did they even talk about? Why did the Eldest Miss change her tune?! One minute! I need the full video in one minute! @Lover, Hello! V

Eldest Miss, repeat after me: Little mouth, close tight.

I’m siding with the Eldest Miss this time. The bed in Room A is huge—what’s one more person?

If the people upstairs can go, why can’t I?

Easy, we’ll take turns lying down, one minute each, no cheating. Cat with hands on hips emoji

I want to crack open Yan He’s skull and see what’s inside…

Wait, Mu Xu’s here too? There are so many people in that room!

Only one pair of guests is missing. What could they be doing? It’s so hard to guess~

@Tianyou Team – Li Jin V Ke Wenxin’s concert must have been driving you crazy lately, huh? Dog head emoji

Yan He was a woman of remarkable tenacity, determined to make her voice heard until her very last breath.

Director Han had shoved her into the room, where she collided with Mu Xu, bounced off, and rolled across the floor like a bowling ball. By the time she managed to sit up against the sofa, the room was eerily silent, save for the echo of her desperate cries, as if someone had pressed the replay button.

Du Yihan stared at his hand, his eyes filled with doubt. Had he really used that much force?

In the ensuing silence, He Jiamu suddenly recalled a remark Zhou Yunuo had made amidst the chaos of the crane swarm:

She seems to have some… cognitive issues.

It wasn’t meant as an insult, but Yan He’s behavior hardly resembled that of a mentally sound adult.

Mu Xu, knocked aside like a billiard ball, rubbed his back with a grimace that vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual gentle demeanor.

Zhou Yunuo stood at the back, looking unusually listless, too apathetic even to tease Yan He.

Qi Xingwan felt a headache coming on, yet for the first time, her gaze toward Yan He held a hint of approval.

If she wasn’t mistaken, it seemed to be… approval?

Yan He wasn’t sure how the favorability meter felt about carbon-based life forms, and she found the atmosphere a bit awkward.

“Um…”

Qi Xingwan’s Favorability +50

Yan He sprang to her feet. “!!!”

The others were startled by her combative stance.

Du Yihan: “Hey, what are you doing? I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know anyone was in the room… Did you hurt yourself? Sorry…”

Yan He ignored the martial artist and strode aggressively toward Mu Xu, positioning herself protectively in front of Qi Xingwan and Zhou Yunuo.

“Mu Xu, what are you doing barging into my room late at night?!”

“Have you no decency? Do you even know what honor and shame are?!”

“Just because I can’t beat Director Han doesn’t mean I can’t beat you! Are you bullying people?!”

There was a reason for her aggressive behavior.

First, given how stingy the favorability meter was, it would sooner see the sun rise in the west than grant her even a sliver of favorability. The sudden +50 favorability boost meant she must have done something significant to please the Female Lead.

Reviewing the plot, the only non-pathetic thing she’d done was bump into Mu Xu.

Firstly, Zhou Yunuo, with her penchant for stirring up trouble, didn’t say a word or even crack a smile as she watched Yan He roll around on the ground. Even a fool could tell something was wrong.

Secondly, Mu Xu showing up at her room late at night was just wrong!

Yan He couldn’t quite put her finger on why it felt wrong, but it made her uneasy, like someone staring intently at the money in her hand—incredibly irritating.

Therefore, Mu Xu must have done something to anger the Female Lead. Whatever it was, scolding him was definitely the right move.

Yan He considered herself of normal intelligence. Besides, she had purchased 100 units of Einstein’s brain from the Treasure Digging Shop. If her guess was wrong, it must be due to counterfeit goods, having nothing to do with her own intellect.

“You dare lock the door?! Tell me! What are you doing here? Confess and you’ll get leniency. Resist, and I’ll let Director Han sic his dog on you!”

Just as Du Yihan was about to unleash a torrent of curses, he felt two sharp pokes in his side. He Jiamu whispered in his ear, “There’s Alpha pheromones in the room… it’s teasing me… it’s unbearable…”

Du Yihan removed the pheromone suppressant patch from the back of his neck, carefully releasing his own pheromones to soothe He Jiamu while glaring darkly at Mu Xu.

“Mu Xu, control your pheromones!”

Pheromones?

Yan He’s eyes widened as she turned to Qi Xingwan. “Are you okay?”

Damn it, how is this different from the original story again?

Wasn’t the Original Host supposed to be the main villain of this book?

Hey! What’s with this? Are you trying to steal my role right in front of me?

Realizing Mu Xu was releasing pheromones in the room, Yan He noticed the Female Lead’s complexion had also turned pale. She gripped her game console in her right hand, ready to smash it at any moment.

Her heart skipped a beat, goosebumps prickled her skin, and she retreated behind Qi Xingwan, shielding her more completely.

Forcing the word from the depths of her throat, she growled, “Get out.”

Yan He’s heart raced with lingering fear. Although the original story hadn’t portrayed Mu Xu as a villain, what if?

It was always the “what ifs” that worried her most. She couldn’t bear the thought of Qi Xingwan suffering any further harm.

Mu Xu, suddenly the target of everyone’s hostility, froze momentarily before regaining his composure. He explained, “Li Jin’s pheromones provoked me. My heat cycle started early.”