After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Slave to My Beloved Wife - Chapter 39

Jiang Nian quickly pulled her hand back, as if it had been pricked by a needle.

Standing nearby, Lu Renbing swallowed nervously, thinking to herself, This atmosphere feels… off.

“Sister, you’re here?” Jiang Nian was the first to break the silence. She completely ignored Jiang Xianxian and quickly walked over to Qiao Wenyu. “I still have something to deal with.”

She felt unexplainably nervous—Qiao Wenyu’s timing couldn’t have been more delicate. If she explained, it would seem forced. But if she didn’t, she was afraid Qiao Wenyu might misunderstand.

“I’ll wait for you outside,” Qiao Wenyu said calmly, turning and walking out.

She wasn’t doubting Jiang Nian’s loyalty. What bothered her was that brief moment when she walked in and saw Jiang Xianxian standing so closely by Jiang Nian’s side. The scene was far too familiar… like something she had seen before.

Jiang Nian noticed Qiao Wenyu’s thoughtful expression as she walked away and hurried after her.

“President Jiang, don’t forget the documents,” the secretary reminded.

Torn between chasing Qiao Wenyu and staying, Jiang Nian turned and looked at Jiang Xianxian with suspicion. “Did you do this on purpose?”

“Why would I?” Jiang Xianxian shrugged. “I just happened to be heading to the recording studio. When I left my sister’s place, I overheard her saying she needed to send you something, so I offered to help. That’s all. I’m not as manipulative as you think.”

“You’d better not be lying,” Jiang Nian said, her tone cold and eyes sharp.

“Sister Jiang, you’re being so harsh just because I like you? Is that really how little I mean to you?” Jiang Xianxian’s voice trembled, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Jiang Nian had always been weak to tears. She rubbed her forehead and sighed, “Enough. You know I’m with Wenyu. Honestly, there are better alphas out there for you. Stop clinging to me, okay?”

Jiang Xianxian opened one eye slightly to check Jiang Nian’s expression, then shut it again and continued crying.

“You…” Jiang Nian was completely at a loss.

Jiang Xianxian was convinced Jiang Nian would comfort her like always.

But to her surprise, Jiang Nian handed the documents to her secretary, said, “I’ve got something to handle. Do as you like,” and walked out—completely ignoring Jiang Xianxian’s act.

Watching Jiang Nian leave, Jiang Xianxian wiped away her tears with two fingers, her face returning to normal. Was my acting really that bad? she thought to herself.

Meanwhile, Jiang Nian was already jogging down the hallway, hurrying to catch up with Qiao Wenyu.

In the company cafeteria, Qiao Wenyu was sitting in a quiet corner, staring blankly at the white wall.

Jiang Nian sat across from her, still catching her breath. “Sister, just now I—”

“Xiao Nian, Jiang Xianxian—”

They spoke almost at the same time.

Jiang Nian fell silent, signaling for Qiao Wenyu to go first.

Qiao Wenyu paused and cleared her throat. “Xiao Nian, you need to be careful around Jiang Xianxian. Back when Bai Ye and I were close, she was always around him too—clinging to him, just like now.”

She remembered that time clearly—when she had first begun to understand her own feelings and had developed a quiet affection for Bai Ye. She’d hoped to spend more time with him, to grow closer. But suddenly, there was a sweet and charming omega constantly at his side.

Back then, Qiao Wenyu didn’t know that omega was Bai Ye’s cousin, and she didn’t realize that her presence would stir so much confusion.

Because of that omega’s constant presence, Qiao Wenyu and Bai Ye slowly drifted apart. Neither of them said a word to clarify things, and that silence eventually drove them in different directions, leading to the end of what could have been.

Their friendship had faded over time, even with Bai Ye.

Sometimes, fate just couldn’t compete with deliberate interference.

After hearing everything, Jiang Nian finally understood. She let out a sigh of relief. “I was worried you’d misunderstand us, Sister.”

“I wouldn’t,” Qiao Wenyu shook her head gently. “It just reminded me of old memories.”

Jiang Nian leaned forward slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Sister… would you get jealous?”

Qiao Wenyu blinked at the unexpected question, then lifted her hand and lightly tapped Jiang Nian’s forehead. “Silly girl. What do you think?”

The answer didn’t need to be spoken aloud.

After a simple meal, Qiao Wenyu returned to the training studio, while Jiang Nian went home alone.

Seeing Jiang Nian’s lonely expression as she left, Qiao Wenyu felt reluctant as well.

They were supposed to be in the sweet, passionate stage of love—but their busy lives kept them apart more than together.

Half a month later, Jiang Nian heard that Qiao Wenyu’s new song was finally being released. She knew then that her days of waiting alone were finally coming to an end.

That evening, Jiang Nian picked Qiao Wenyu up from work, and they immediately booked tickets for a quick getaway to a nearby city.

Jiang Nian had found a cozy cabin in the woods with beautiful scenery. She’d even checked the weather forecast and was hoping they could catch the first snowfall of the year together.

“Sister, don’t we kind of look like we’re running away together?” Jiang Nian joked as she held Qiao Wenyu’s hand, leading the way.

Qiao Wenyu’s long black hair flowed in the wind. She tucked some strands behind her ear and said softly, “Eloping should be a little more secretive… and romantic.”

“Sister, I want to show you the little river near the cabin. It’s gotten cold—maybe the water’s frozen over.” Jiang Nian reached up and gently adjusted the fur collar on Qiao Wenyu’s coat. “The wind’s strong there. If you feel cold, just let me know.”

“Let you know?” Qiao Wenyu asked with a faint smile.

“Mhm. I’ll hold you and keep you warm.” Jiang Nian grinned like a mischievous puppy.

They shared a glance and laughed, continuing their walk toward the river. The path was scattered with fallen branches and dry leaves, and every step made a crisp crunching sound—like nature performing a grand symphony just for them.

When they reached the riverbank, Jiang Nian noticed the surface hadn’t frozen yet. The water still shimmered with soft ripples.

“Still not frozen… I guess it’s not cold enough yet,” Qiao Wenyu said thoughtfully.

“But they say water freezes at zero degrees! Why hasn’t it happened?” Jiang Nian complained.

“Maybe we have to wait for the first snow,” Qiao Wenyu replied.

Jiang Nian thought that made sense. Taking advantage of the unfrozen river, she bent down and picked up a few smooth stones.

“Sister, let me show you a special skill of mine,” Jiang Nian said mysteriously. She swung her arm and tossed one of the stones across the river.

The stone skipped across the surface, bouncing three times before finally sinking.

“Did you see that? Three skips!” Jiang Nian pointed proudly at the water.

Qiao Wenyu touched her chin thoughtfully. “I’ve heard some people can do even more.”

“I can too! Do you want to try? I’ll teach you,” Jiang Nian offered without waiting for a response. She immediately picked out a few thinner, flatter stones from the ground.

“You’re a beginner, so start with this one. It’s easy,” she said confidently, then demonstrated by tossing another stone that skipped four or five times.

Jiang Nian taught seriously—how to pick the right stones, how to adjust your grip, and the best angle for throwing. She was patient and focused.

For Qiao Wenyu’s first try, Jiang Nian stepped behind her, gently wrapped her arms around her, and guided her hand with her own. Together, they tossed the stone.

The dark, flat stone danced across the water, leaving behind graceful ripples.

“How was that? Fun, right?” Jiang Nian beamed, holding another stone in her hand. “When I was little, I had no one to play with. I didn’t have toys either. My grandma taught me how to skip stones. Honestly, if it weren’t for her raising me, I don’t know who I would’ve turned out to be…”

Her voice trailed off, and a hint of sadness passed through her eyes.

“Hm? Your grandma?” Qiao Wenyu asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re the only child of the Jiang family. How could you not have toys growing up? And how was it your grandmother who raised you?”

Jiang Nian realized she had slipped. This was the world she had transmigrated into, not the one she originally came from. The original Jiang Nian in this world must have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, pampered and adored. How could someone like that have been skipping stones by a river as a child?

“Ah, I meant… sometimes… occasionally…” Jiang Nian mumbled, brushing it off as vaguely as she could.

She quickly pointed to the river to change the subject. “Sister, try it yourself. Let’s see if you can beat me.”

Qiao Wenyu crouched down, mimicking Jiang Nian’s movements as she picked up a stone and casually tossed it toward the water.

One, two, three, four, five…

“Five skips? Sister, are you a genius?” Jiang Nian stared at the water in disbelief.

Qiao Wenyu chuckled. “Silly girl, I’ve played this too. I might even be better than you.”

“What?” Jiang Nian was instantly unwilling to admit defeat. Determined, she tugged on Qiao Wenyu’s hand. “We have to compete!”

“Best of three?” Qiao Wenyu suggested.

“Deal,” Jiang Nian nodded.

Back and forth they went, tossing stone after stone. At first, they kept score seriously. But as the fun took over, they lost track of the rounds, playing until they’d used up nearly every decent stone along the riverbank.

Eventually, Jiang Nian had to concede. Laughing brightly with her head tilted back, she said, “Okay, Sister, I admit defeat. I’m really no match for you. Hahaha!”

“But weren’t you just teaching me a moment ago, Teacher Jiang?”

“No, you’re the real teacher,” Jiang Nian laughed as she clasped her hands together in mock surrender.

Qiao Wenyu’s lips curled into a smile, her eyes shimmering playfully. Her voice turned low and velvety. “Then call me teacher.”

“Teacher, you’re amazing.”

In the very next moment, as their eyes met, Qiao Wenyu suddenly reached out and grabbed Jiang Nian’s hand. Their fingers interlocked tightly. Jiang Nian reacted naturally, lacing her fingers with hers.

“Teacher…” Jiang Nian’s voice went husky without warning—maybe it was the emotion, maybe it was just instinct.

Qiao Wenyu’s long lashes trembled. “Hmm?”

“Teacher, may I kiss you?” Jiang Nian’s voice was barely a whisper, wrapping around Qiao Wenyu’s ears like a silk thread, with the faint scent of roses lingering in the air.

Qiao Wenyu closed her eyes. It was silent consent.

Jiang Nian leaned in slowly, inch by inch toward the soft, vibrant red of her lips.

Their breaths mingled, their faces drawing closer and closer…

But just as they were about to touch, a sharp ringtone suddenly erupted from Qiao Wenyu’s coat pocket, startling both of them. They opened their eyes at the same time, caught in a moment that had been broken too soon.

What a mood-killer.

Clicking her tongue in frustration, Jiang Nian brushed her hair back and took a small step back. “Sister, you should answer it. Might be something urgent.”

Qiao Wenyu gave a soft “Mm” and reached into her pocket. After pulling out the phone, she walked a few steps away to the edge of the river to take the call.

Meanwhile, Jiang Nian wandered aimlessly nearby, pacing with nothing better to do. She had no idea that Qiao Wenyu’s expression had changed the moment she answered the call.

Just then, Jiang Nian’s own phone began to vibrate softly.

She picked it up absentmindedly—and saw a message from her secretary.

—President Jiang, bad news. There’s a copyright dispute over Miss Qiao’s new song. Someone online is spreading rumors that the song is plagiarized.

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