After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Refuse to Get Divorced - Chapter 16

As soon as Zhu Qingran stepped into the room with Du Shiyu, she was hit by a strong scent of milk tea. She didn’t even have to pretend—her brow immediately furrowed.

Milk tea everywhere!

Ahhh!

Little Zhu felt like roaring, but one look from her grandmother immediately shut her up.

“Zhu Qingran, so you did come back!”

Grandma Zhu’s voice was far more commanding in person than over the phone. She wore a dark, elderly-style qipao, her left arm supported by He Yimo.

Just a few steps away, the two parties were about to meet.

But the smell of milk tea completely overshadowed He Yimo.

There stood a woman in a short red qipao, her makeup heavy and calculating. At first glance, she bore some resemblance to Grandma Zhu, but a closer look revealed major differences.

One glance was enough for Zhu Qingran to recognize her as the family’s rebellious aunt who married outside the family.

Back in the day, Zhu Wushuang had been notoriously defiant. Determined to marry a man she deemed “positively ambitious,” she was ready to sever ties with the family and elope, nearly causing Grandpa to be hospitalized from anger.

Rumors spread that the family had forced her hand, almost ruining the Zhu family’s century-old reputation.

In the end, after she cut ties and married, she discovered her husband was an Omega who had differentiated into a Beta—a genetic anomaly so rare it appeared once in a hundred thousand births. Unfortunately, it was a defective gene.

After Zhu Wushuang gave birth to her first, unremarkable Beta, Jiang Zheng, her husband began slacking off. Originally, he had hoped to capitalize on the Zhu family’s influence while “improving” his defective genes. But genes cannot be altered, and the Zhu family would not hand him any benefits.

If Zhu Wushuang hadn’t shamelessly leveraged her family status to claim resources, they’d likely be performing under a bridge or moving bricks in a police station by now.

Later, Grandma Zhu, having lost her son and unwilling to let her daughter get into trouble, reluctantly helped Zhu Wushuang. But no matter how much she helped, that family was a bottomless pit.

Once Zhu Qingran gained power, she cut off all benefits. Zhu Wushuang tried to smear her periodically, but Zhu Qingran had better things to do than deal with hopeless people.

And now, Zhu Wushuang had come forward, no doubt intending to put Zhu Qingran in her place.

Zhu Qingran knew she looked good—did she really need Zhu Wushuang to remind her?

“Mom, Qingran finally managed to bring Shiyu home this one time. Please, watch your words and don’t scare Shiyu off. If our galaxy-famous Zhu Qingran loses her wife, where will the Zhu family’s face be?”

Zhu Wushuang’s opening words were like throwing gasoline on a fire. Mentioning divorce was a trigger for Zhu Qingran, whose sensitivity to the word had reached its peak.

No matter who it was—even an aunt—talking about her divorce was unacceptable!

“Aunt, you worry about things that aren’t yours! I’m married, unlike certain hopeless Betas who can’t even differentiate properly! Of course, they can’t fall in love either. Pathetic!”

Zhu Qingran sighed, tightening her grip on her little wife’s hand, crushing all slights with sheer presence.

“Grandma, rest assured. I’ll work hard to produce an heir for the Zhu family and not be an incompetent descendant!”

She put on the act of obedient sweetness—and she pulled it off flawlessly. No wonder the older cousin of a top actress could deliver such acting—it was one level above the rest.

Although He Yimo had been pushed aside by Zhu Wushuang, that didn’t stop her from giving Zhu Qingran a thumbs-up, clearly impressed.

“Qingran, what nonsense are you saying? How can you speak like that about your own family? Even if your cousin lacks Alpha blood, he’s still your cousin! Why wouldn’t you want him to do well?”

Zhu Wushuang originally planned to leverage her son’s upcoming marriage to gain some advantage from Grandma Zhu. After all, it was a joyous occasion—her son Jiang Zheng claimed his girlfriend was pregnant, which in Zhu Wushuang’s eyes was a double blessing.

For others, this might have been embarrassing, but for Zhu Wushuang and the Jiang family, it was a money-making opportunity. Grandma Zhu, always conscious of face, would be inclined to agree to their marriage.

Then Jiang Zheng could ask his grandmother for a hefty dowry, cutting off Zhu Qingran’s assets entirely—her ultimate goal.

Though Zhu Qingran wasn’t close to the Jiang family, she felt she couldn’t refuse Grandma Zhu.

Hearing Zhu Qingran declare Jiang Zheng’s romance was off almost made Zhu Wushuang explode. Her carefully laid plans were being ruined in an instant. She wouldn’t allow it!

She dared not meet Zhu Qingran’s gaze but glared fiercely at Du Shiyu, as if trying to read the little wife’s mind.

Since arriving, Grandma Zhu had been talking about holding a great-grandchild. Could it be that this seemingly inconspicuous little wife was really pregnant?

Zhu Wushuang scrutinized Du Shiyu’s every move, trying to see if there was truly something hidden beneath her flat belly.

“Oh my, Jiang Zheng is in the news! Miss #2 of the Li Group’s illegitimate daughters got into a street brawl with a scumbag?”

He Yimo feigned shock, immediately drawing Zhu Wushuang’s attention.

“What? Illegitimate Miss #2? That’s the girl—the Li Group’s president personally recognized her as the second daughter. A lost little princess finally acknowledged!”

Zhu Wushuang would never allow anyone to underestimate her future daughter-in-law—even if it was her own daughter.

“Indeed, she was finally acknowledged. On the day the illegitimate daughter returned home, it wasn’t raining much, but the reporters outnumbered the raindrops, swarming the Li residence. If Madam Li hadn’t been rushed to treat acute appendicitis, the little princess might have been accused of intentional murder!”

Zhu Qingran had seen plenty of drama in these circles. She didn’t need to experience it firsthand—her smart CEO brain supplied enough material.

The moment she spoke, Zhu Wushuang’s face turned red with anger.

Yet the news on the phone made her blanch white.

“Mom, this is ridiculous! You know what a good boy my Jiang Zheng is! Please, for my sake as a soon-to-be grandmother, could you explain to the Li family?”

Zhu Wushuang pinched her throat to sound pitiful and reached for Grandma Zhu’s wrist.

Still, He Yimo was quick-eyed and quick-handed, stepping in to block her before she could succeed.

“I can see it clearly—you’re not trying to hug the grandson. You want the gold nugget! Afraid it’ll slip away from you!” He Yimo snorted, clearly displeased with Zhu Wushuang.

Zhu Wushuang’s secret desire had been exposed, and in a flustered rage, she raised her hand: “He Yimo! I’ve wasted my effort raising a useless little brat like you! If you’ve got the guts, go claim that pittance at home! You look down on your brother marrying Miss Li of the Li family, then why don’t you marry the Gu family’s eldest son yourself! And to think I even gave you my mother’s surname because I was worried about your fate!”

Seeing one tactic fail, Zhu Wushuang resorted to direct pressure.

The Gu family’s eldest son wasn’t much older than her, and he had gone through three or four public divorces.

A low-quality Alpha like him just liked dominating Omegas.

It was said that his first Omega partner nearly lost their mind when they divorced him.

But the Gu family was wealthy, and having such an Alpha in the family meant he was spoiled in every way.

Other families with ulterior motives might send someone into a marriage to gain benefit—but no ordinary family would push their child into a fire pit.

Zhu Wushuang would.

The moment those words left her mouth, Zhu Qingran’s face went pale as iron.

Although Grandma Zhu didn’t voice her stance, the rise and fall of her chest revealed the turmoil in her heart.

Zhu Qingran was about to tell Zhu Wushuang to shut up, but Grandma Zhu directly pressed her hand down.

“Momo carries my surname—it’s her grandmother’s surname, not your mother’s! Zhu Wushuang, I told you long ago: if you dare covet my children, don’t expect me to show you any face! My family banquet does not welcome outsiders like you. Get out!”

Grandma Zhu’s words were sharp. She didn’t need to shout—the sheer force of her presence was enough to crush everything.

Zhu Wushuang froze on the spot.

She had confidently promised herself she’d come early to feel out the situation and persuade Grandma Zhu.

Once her plan succeeded, they’d rush over for the meal.

But in the end, not a single person from her family showed up, and she had inadvertently sent herself away.

“Mom, I—I just spoke without thinking. I meant well! I was frustrated because I cared!” Zhu Wushuang tried to plead, but Grandma Zhu waved her off with finality.

“You are useless clay that cannot be shaped! Since we’re no longer building the house, even that clay is unnecessary. Go back to where you came from, and don’t make me send someone after you!”

Grandma Zhu, supported by He Yimo, took Zhu Qingran and Du Shiyu’s hands and led them toward the dining hall.

Zhu Wushuang tried to follow, but the butler, along with several staff members, blocked her path.

“I’m sorry, but Zhu family banquets do not admit outsiders. Please leave,” the butler repeated, expressionless, gesturing her away.

“I’m the second Miss of the Zhu family! I’m Zhu Wushuang!”

She shouted, hoping to make Grandma Zhu turn back.

“Ever since you decided to elope, causing your brother and sister-in-law to believe rumors and rush to save you, you ceased to be part of the Zhu family. If your father and your brother and sister-in-law hadn’t said you were still a child, do you think I would tolerate you? My children are unparalleled.”

Grandma Zhu fell silent, ordering the doors of the dining hall to be closed.

The farce came to a temporary halt, but Zhu Qingran’s heart continued to race wildly.

She knew the truth about her parents’ untimely death.

Yet sometimes, even the truth could leave one silent.

Zhu Wushuang hadn’t maliciously caused her parents’ deaths, but the accident happened right after news reached them that Zhu Wushuang had run away to a remote village.

They rushed to bring her back, and in the process, a car accident claimed their lives.

It all happened so suddenly that Zhu Qingran never even got to visit them at school.

The circumstances were reportedly tragic, and Grandma Zhu wanted her to remember her parents in their youngest, kindest, most beautiful state.

Thinking back, a child who loses both parents at the very start of her memories—how must she struggle, crawl, and fight her way to the present?

And her so-called enemy was both family and not really an enemy. She had to carry others’ wishes, striving not to hate but to treat people with kindness.

Zhu Qingran wasn’t sure she could become a perfect good person, but until then, she was undeniably brave.

Perhaps lost in her own thoughts, Zhu Qingran didn’t respond for several sentences after Grandma Zhu spoke.

Her calmness drew Du Shiyu’s attention.

Under the table, when Du Shiyu held her hand, Zhu Qingran felt the other gently squeeze her fingertips, sliding into her palm.

“Zhu Qingran, when you return, comfort Shiyu properly. Today’s events frightened her—make sure she doesn’t stay upset,” Grandma Zhu hinted, implying that Zhu Qingran should take good care of her little wife.

Zhu Qingran snapped back to reality with a start, blurting: “Ah, oh—yes! We’ll work on it! One pregnancy, twins; in three years, two sets; in five years, triplets! We’ll do it!”