After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Was Spoiled by a Sweet Omega - Chapter 24.3 (1)

Ning Xuan realized Yu Yazhi wasn’t going to respond and, knowing better than to push, quietly left.

What she didn’t know was that the moment she left, Yu Yazhi slipped off her headphones. She had been planning to listen. But Ning Xuan was already gone. The realization made her crush the pages of her book in fury.

Ning Xuan! Even her explanations are half-hearted.

Back in her own room, Ning Xuan sat on the bed. Meditation was impossible in this state, so she found an old spy thriller to watch instead—something to distract herself while studying character techniques.

It was a film Xu Ci had recommended, and it had gone viral.

Soon she was absorbed, completely hooked until the credits rolled.

By then, it was already past five.

Since they were supposed to have dinner at the Yu family estate that evening, she changed clothes and put on a light touch of makeup.

Yu Yazhi was also getting ready.

Because it was a family dinner, she chose a simple white dress that looked clean and understated, her makeup minimal—graceful and fresh, like a delicate narcissus.

“Miss Ning, maybe you should tell the young lady you’re not feeling well. You don’t have to go if”

“I’m fine, Aunt Wu. It’s a family dinner—I have to accompany Yazhi. Letting her go alone wouldn’t look right.”

Just as they stepped out, Yu Yazhi overheard this exchange.

This woman always knew how to sweet-talk, always put on a show.

Yu Yazhi sneered inwardly, though her face stayed blank. She smoothed a strand of hair by her ear, lifted her skirt slightly, and glided down the stairs.

Downstairs, Ning Xuan wore a mint-green velvet gown, its hem hand-embroidered with crystals that sparkled like starlight under the light.

Her makeup was barely there, her ash-brown hair cascading like a veil of silk, thick and lustrous, giving her an air of softness and innocence.

There was something almost untouched, almost naïve, in her beauty.

The kind of beauty that deceives.

Yu Yazhi tamped down her moment of astonishment, coldly watching as Ning Xuan pulled a mask from her bag and slipped it over her face.

Now what was she up to?

Wearing a mask at home?

Yu Yazhi frowned but couldn’t be bothered to ask.

Ning Xuan wore it simply to block out Yu Yazhi’s pheromones.

When Yu Yazhi saw her descend the stairs, she deliberately kept her distance, as if afraid to get too close.

Yu Yazhi couldn’t make sense of her behavior. Nor did she want to. She simply picked up the gift she’d prepared and headed out.

Ning Xuan quickly followed, but always kept half a meter behind.

Yu Yazhi slid into the driver’s seat.

Aunt Wu opened the front passenger door expectantly. After all, the front seat was reserved for wives or girlfriends.

But Ning Xuan didn’t dare sit there.

She only wanted to keep her distance, so without hesitation, she opened the back door.

Aunt Wu: “…”

So they were fighting again?

Ah, young couples these days.

Yu Yazhi glanced at Ning Xuan’s odd behavior, forcing herself to hold back her temper. “What, you want me to be your chauffeur now?”

Only then did Ning Xuan realize her faux pas. She smiled sheepishly under her mask. “Or how about I drive, and you sit in the back? I’ll be your chauffeur instead?”

Yu Yazhi: “…”

And then she actually walked over, opened the driver’s door, and looked serious about switching.

That was it. Yu Yazhi slapped the steering wheel in anger. “Get in the front seat!”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Overpowered by Yu Yazhi’s sheer authority, she had no choice but to sit obediently in the passenger seat.

But her sulky expression only made Yu Yazhi’s temper worse. “You think I want you in the front? If you sit in the back and people at the estate see”

“I get it, I get it,” Ning Xuan quickly interrupted. “My fault, my fault.”

She had indeed forgotten—they were going back to the Yu estate tonight, where they had to keep up appearances as the loving married couple.

Seeing her finally admit defeat, Yu Yazhi eased back, started the engine, and drove off.

On the way, Yu Yazhi—as always—reminded her of the etiquette and details to mind.

Ning Xuan, distracted and restless, gave perfunctory answers. “Mm. Got it.”

Being trapped in the enclosed car with Yu Yazhi was stifling.

Her body restless, her breathing uneven.

Too hot. Too tight.

She rolled the window down, leaning her head out to gulp in fresh air.

Yu Yazhi frowned but said nothing.

The car sped forward.

Half an hour later, the scenery changed.

Tall plane trees lined both sides of the road, their dense green shade blotting out the sunlight.

The view made Ning Xuan relax.

Minutes later, a sprawling traditional courtyard villa came into sight—red gates guarded by stone lions, an imposing plaque above the door radiating both grandeur and solemnity.

This was the Yu family estate.

Yu Yazhi pulled to a stop.

Butler Dong Hou came out with several servants, greeting her warmly: “Miss, you’re home. The master and madam are waiting inside.”

Then, turning respectfully to Ning Xuan: “Good evening, Miss Ning.”

Ning Xuan stepped out, slipped off her mask, and smiled politely. “Hello, Uncle Dong.”

With a face like hers, it was hard for anyone not to like her.

Anyone, except Yu Yazhi.

Together they walked inside.

Ning Xuan took in the lush greenery, rare flowers, and the elegant landscaping—swings, rockeries, fountains—all speaking to refined taste.

Inside the main hall, the first thing that caught her eye was a vast mural covering the wall: a classical landscape painting, fresh and graceful, a striking centerpiece.

Clearly, Yu Zhengcheng’s taste wasn’t bad.

As she admired it, she followed Yu Yazhi to sit down.

She had expected the Yu family estate to be ostentatiously gilded, like something out of a palace drama. Instead, it was grand without being gaudy, and that put her at ease.

Servants brought tea.

The clear amber liquid released an elegant fragrance—clearly high-grade tea.

Ning Xuan had just raised the cup to taste when a deep voice carried down from the second floor.

“Yazhi, you’re back.”

It was Father Yu’s voice.

Ning Xuan looked up and saw Father Yu descending the stairs with an elegant woman at his side.

Drawing on the original host’s memories, she recognized the woman as Sun Meiqing, Yu Yazhi’s stepmother.

According to the original plotline, this woman was rather interesting—born into a scholarly family with a rich heritage. Her ancestors were skilled in embroidery, even sewing dragon robes for the emperor.

She herself had inherited this craft, and at a young age had already established her own brand.

Unfortunately, she was hopelessly romantic.

She’d first met Yu Zhengcheng at an auction and had instantly transformed into his devoted little fan, pursuing him with almost fanatical enthusiasm.

At the time, Yu Zhengcheng was a widower with a two-year-old daughter, Yu Yazhi. She all but volunteered herself to be the stepmother, and later, pregnant out of wedlock, secured her place in the family by marrying him.

Having achieved her goal, she perfectly assumed the role of the gentle, virtuous wife.

Even Yu Yazhi couldn’t find fault with her and kept a respectful but distant attitude.

“Yazhi, Ah Xuan, you’re finally here.”

Sun Meiqing descended the stairs slowly, her voice gentle, her smile warm and inviting.

She wore a navy blue cheongsam dress. For someone in her forties, her figure was exceptional—curved in all the right places, graceful and poised.

Not only was her figure enviable, her face was exquisitely maintained—a classic oval with delicate brows and a soft, elegant demeanor. Every movement, every smile, carried the air of an old-world noblewoman.

Ning Xuan couldn’t help but marvel: this was the kind of beauty that money could build, one even time itself had to bow to.

“Dad, Aunt Sun.”

Seeing them approach, Yu Yazhi stepped forward to greet them.

Ning Xuan followed suit, smiling politely. “Good evening, Dad, Aunt Sun.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, the servants began setting the dishes on the dining table.

Yu Zhengcheng waved them over to sit.

Just then, a clear, youthful male voice rang out:

“Well, well, our family’s live-in daughter-in-law and the eldest miss are back!”

It was Yu Jiayan coming downstairs.

He was dressed in light gray loungewear, his messy fringe partly covering a pair of bright, clear eyes. A mischievous smile curled at his lips.

If he kept his mouth shut, he could pass for a refined young master from a wealthy family.

But the moment he spoke, he ruined that impression entirely.

After the last incident, both Ning Xuan and Yu Yazhi had little patience for him. As he approached, the two of them exchanged a glance and sat down without acknowledging him.

Yu Jiayan had been spoiled from childhood. How could he tolerate being ignored?

He strode forward. Just as Ning Xuan was about to sit opposite Yu Yazhi, he shoved her aside and plopped down in her seat, arching a brow. “You sit over there. This spot’s got good feng shui. I like it.”

Ning Xuan: “…”