After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Was Spoiled by a Sweet Omega - Chapter 40

Ning Xuan hadn’t slept well the night before, so she went to a beauty salon for a facial treatment before driving back to her apartment.

Just as she stepped inside, her phone buzzed — a message from Su Manyun, containing the information of the martial arts instructor from Dali Martial Arts Hall.

She changed her shoes, flopped onto the sofa, and began scrolling through the profile.

The instructor’s name was Shang Li, a twenty-eight-year-old female Alpha. She was skilled in judo, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts, with an impressive list of championship titles to her name.

Ning Xuan was satisfied. At the end of the file was a WeChat contact, so she sent a friend request.

While waiting for approval, she remembered a piece of gossip news she’d seen earlier and forwarded the link to Su Manyun:

[This blogger’s comments are inappropriate. Please reach out to them too.]

Su Manyun replied quickly:

[I saw it. Some people just can’t think before they speak! Hold on, I’ll handle it right now.]

[Okay. Thanks, Sister Yun.]

[What are you thanking me for? This is my job. Where are you right now?]

[Back at the apartment.]

[Alright. Until your new assistant reports for duty, don’t wander around alone.]

[Got it.]

Ning Xuan exited the chat and saw that Shang Li hadn’t yet accepted her friend request. Not in a hurry, she got up and went to her study. Picking up The Power of the Actor, she immersed herself in studying performance techniques.

About an hour later, her phone rang. Su Manyun’s voice was full of cheer.

“Hey, sweetheart! The news issue’s been taken care of. Guess how?” She laughed triumphantly. “When I first contacted that blogger, their attitude was so arrogant it made my blood boil — I was about to send out the lawyer’s letter. But not even two minutes later, that same blogger reached out to me, apologizing profusely like a completely different person! Oh, and that gossip account ‘Die Without Gossip’? It just got permanently banned. Karma really works fast these days.”

“Huh? Really?”

Ning Xuan was surprised — and a little puzzled. “That’s.. sudden. They just posted an article, and the account got banned?”

Was the national media watchdog really that efficient?

Su Manyun didn’t think too deeply. “Probably wrote some fake scandal about the wrong celebrity, and their sponsor decided to step in and clean house. Anyway, doesn’t matter — we benefit either way. Just be more careful next time you attend events.”

Ning Xuan agreed softly, “Okay.”

But in her heart, she thought: It’s not like being careful will stop these things from happening.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel the tabloid’s bad luck was almost amusing.

Morning post, gone by afternoon. Tsk, tsk, the entertainment industry really is full of storms and surprises.

SY International Hotel – General Manager’s Office

Yu Yazhi sat in front of her computer, looking at the now-empty homepage of the banned media outlet. A satisfied smile tugged at her lips.

That’ll teach them to make things up.

Meng Xi stood beside her, watching that faint smile and fighting the urge to speak. She wanted to ask something — but remembered the warning she’d received in the car: Don’t pry into her private affairs.

Not that she really needed to.

If Yu Yazhi had personally taken down that media outlet, it could only mean one thing — Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan again. Always stirring up trouble, wherever she goes.

Yu Yazhi scanned through the news one last time. Seeing no more negative coverage about Ning Xuan, she finally closed the browser and returned to business.

“Assistant Meng, how did headquarters respond to our new hotel proposal?”

Meng Xi immediately replied, “They’re generally satisfied, but they’re not too happy about the location — they think it’s too far from Shenzhen, a bit remote.”

Yu Yazhi nodded, not arguing. “This week, you’ll accompany me on a business trip to Nanshan. Collect more data while we’re there. Nanshan’s development over the next few years will be faster than they think.”

Meng Xi’s eyes lit up. “Yes, President Yu! I’ll make the arrangements right away.”

She’d been hoping for this — a chance to travel with Yu Yazhi.

Maybe, if they got away from the city, Yu Yazhi would finally act like her old self again.

She checked the flights. “President Yu, how about the seven o’clock flight tonight?”

Yu Yazhi was flipping through a document, about to agree, when an image flashed in her mind — Ning Xuan, whose assistant was on leave, living alone, planning to take martial arts lessons of all things.

She hesitated. “Wait. No rush. We’ll go next week. I have a few things to take care of first.”

Meng Xi blinked. “What kind of things?”

Yu Yazhi diverted smoothly, “You can go finish your work.”

Meng Xi could tell she didn’t want to say more. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she left the office.

Yu Yazhi didn’t notice — she was already buried in her files again.

7:00 p.m.

Most employees had already gone home.

Meng Xi glanced at Yu Yazhi’s office light, still glowing, and smiled faintly. She picked up her phone, ready to order dinner for her boss.

She liked staying late with her — those quiet hours together always lifted her mood.

But before she could place the order, the light above her dimmed.

Startled, she looked up. “President Yu?”

Yu Yazhi stood before her, buttoning her coat. “Assistant Meng, it’s time to go home. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

Meng Xi froze. That was unusual — Yu Yazhi never postponed work. She always finished everything the same day.

She had seen the mountain of documents on her desk, too. “President Yu, do you have something urgent tonight?” she asked carefully.

Yu Yazhi smiled faintly. “Assistant Meng, I think you might be even more of a workaholic than I am. Don’t you want to go home?”

She took a few steps toward the elevator, then paused, turning slightly. “Oh, and about what I said this afternoon — I might’ve been a little harsh. Don’t take it to heart. You don’t need to see me off. I’ll drive myself. Go home early, get some rest. Maybe even fall in love or something.”

With that, she walked off with her usual calm grace.

Meng Xi stood there, frozen.

Fall in love?

That gentle smile, those soft words — they almost sounded like something from a caring big sister.

How ironic.

Did she really not see how she felt?

Meng Xi pressed a hand against her chest, where a dull ache was spreading wider and deeper.

At the Parking Garage,

Yu Yazhi slid into her car, intending to drive back to her villa.

But an image intruded again — Ning Xuan, probably skipping dinner, maybe still out shopping for groceries. Without her assistant around, could she even take care of herself? Would she just.. turn into a helpless baby the second no one was watching?

Wait. Why was she even worrying about that woman?

She tapped her head, trying to knock the thought away — but her hand betrayed her.

Before she realized it, she had already called her.

Meanwhile,

Ning Xuan, wearing a mask, was wandering around the supermarket downstairs from her apartment.

Since she lived alone, she rarely cooked — tonight, she just planned to buy some fruit for dinner.

She was picking through the oranges when her phone rang. Seeing Yu Yazhi’s name flash on the screen, she quickly answered, “Hey, it’s me. Yazhi? What’s up?”

Yu Yazhi’s voice was as composed as ever, concise and cool: “Where are you?”

Her tone gave away nothing.

Ning Xuan frowned slightly and adjusted her mask. “Oh, just at the supermarket.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

What was this young lady up to now?

Before she could figure it out, Yu Yazhi’s next words landed calmly in her ear:

“I haven’t eaten either. Let’s eat together.”

Again?

Counting this one, that would make three meals they’d shared today.

Not that Ning Xuan minded — eating with Yu Yazhi was hardly a chore. Beautiful company made any meal taste better.

She was just wondering how to reply when Yu Yazhi cut in decisively:

“Buy some groceries. I’ll be at your place in twenty minutes.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

What felt off?

Had she actually managed to get on her good side this time?

While she was still mulling it over, someone bumped her from behind.

“Hey, miss, are you buying or not? If not, don’t block the way.”

“Oh, sorry!”

Ning Xuan apologized and pulled herself together. She glanced at the bright golden oranges in front of her—and for a split second, she imagined Yu Yazhi sitting on one, winking playfully. Baby, let’s have dinner together tonight!

The image was so vividly absurd it made her shiver. She grabbed her little basket and fled toward the vegetable section.

Not knowing what Yu Yazhi liked to eat, Ning Xuan simply grabbed a bit of everything.

By the time she left the supermarket, she was loaded with bags—like she’d robbed the place.

Phew, so heavy!

The handles were cutting into her palms, and she was terrified of breaking a nail, so she set the bags down and called the building concierge for assistance.

Soon, a sturdy young man appeared and helped carry everything up to her apartment.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

He came and went quickly.

Ning Xuan unlocked the door, brought the groceries inside one by one, and started packing them neatly into the fridge.

When she checked her phone, it was already seven-thirty. Yu Yazhi would be arriving soon. She hurriedly tore open a new apron and unpacked a brand-new set of cookware. Of course they were new—the original owner of this body had been far too pampered to ever cook here.

But Ning Xuan was different. An orphan who’d learned to be independent early on, cooking dinner was nothing difficult for her.

She washed and chopped the vegetables, poured oil, heated the pan—her movements smooth and practiced as she busied herself in the kitchen.

Downstairs, Yu Yazhi parked her car and held a single pink lily in her hand.

She hadn’t planned to buy flowers, but while waiting at a red light, she’d spotted the old lady she’d nearly run into earlier, selling flowers by the roadside. Feeling a twinge of sympathy, she’d bought them all and handed them out to passersby.

The one remaining stem in her hand—this one—was simply left over.

So technically, she was doing a good deed, not buying flowers for Ning Xuan.

Still, Ning Xuan was lucky—this last lily was the freshest and most beautiful of them all.

Ding-dong.

Yu Yazhi inhaled the lily’s sweet scent and pressed the doorbell.

No answer.

So, she simply keyed in the passcode from memory.

With a soft click, the door unlocked.

The moment she stepped inside, an appetizing aroma wafted through the air.

Did Ning Xuan order takeout?

Yu Yazhi frowned. She didn’t like takeout.

She’d told Ning Xuan to buy groceries precisely because she’d planned for her to cook tonight.

So, she went the lazy route, huh?

But when Yu Yazhi rounded the corner into the living room, she froze.

Ning Xuan stood there in a pink cartoon apron, left hand gripping the pan, right hand holding a spatula, her movements brisk and elegant. A perfectly glazed braised fish slid neatly into a white porcelain dish.

“When did you learn to cook?”

“Ah!”

Ning Xuan jumped at the sound, nearly dropping the spatula.

“When did you get here? Why didn’t you knock?”

She turned off the stove, pressing a hand to her startled heart. “You scared me half to death! I almost hit you with this spatula!”

Yu Yazhi leaned lazily against the wall, the lily at her nose, her demeanor relaxed yet effortlessly magnetic. “What, doing something guilty? Why so nervous?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Her only “guilty” secret was that she’d transmigrated into this story—definitely not something she could admit.

“Who’s nervous? You just startled me, that’s all.”

She chuckled awkwardly, then quickly changed the subject. “How did you even get in?”

Yu Yazhi brushed aside a strand of her bangs with the lily. “The passcode’s our wedding date.”

Back then, she’d read online that it was romantic to set passwords to meaningful dates—so she’d chosen their wedding day.

Who would’ve thought.

“You still haven’t changed it?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

She would. Tomorrow. Definitely.

Ning Xuan forced a calm smile. “Why would I change it? Our relationship may not be perfect, but fate brought us together. The time we’ve shared—it’s still something rare and precious.”

Yu Yazhi found the words unexpectedly sweet.

Feeling pleased, she handed over the flower with feigned nonchalance. “You’re saying all the right things today. Here, a reward.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Ning Xuan accepted the lily with a polite “thank you,” then set it in a vase on the coffee table.

“You came just in time. Dinner’s ready. Go wash up and eat.”

She returned to the kitchen and carried out her creations—braised fish, broccoli, baby bok choy, and smashed cucumber.

Aside from the fish, everything on the table was green.

Yu Yazhi frowned and eyed her sharply. “You trying to green me?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Ning Xuan untied her apron with a sigh. “That fish is yours. The greens are mine. Beauty requires sacrifice, you know.”

Yu Yazhi couldn’t help but smile at her little pout.

She sat down, her long fingers resting by the plate as she slid the fish toward Ning Xuan. “Let’s share it. Fish isn’t that high in calories.”

“Oh please, not that again.” Ning Xuan pouted. “You’re the biggest obstacle on my weight-loss journey.”

She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of broccoli, and chewed while saying, “I made it for you. You eat it.”

Made for me?

Yu Yazhi repeated the words silently, warmth blooming in her chest. She fought down the urge to smile too much. “I didn’t know you could cook,” she said softly. “And you even made it especially for me.”

Ning Xuan smiled serenely. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Think of it as a thank-you gift.”

After all, she had received a luxury car today.

Yu Yazhi raised a brow. “You think one meal counts as a thank-you gift?”

Ning Xuan paused, then ventured, “Then, a few more meals?”

Yu Yazhi laughed, picking up her chopsticks to take some fish. “Let’s see if your cooking’s worth it first.”

Ning Xuan grinned. “Go ahead, try it!”

She was confident—she’d learned a few tricks from restaurant chefs back in her college part-time days.

Yu Yazhi could see the quiet pride sparkling in her eyes. Smiling faintly, she lifted a piece of fish with her chopsticks and suddenly, the world went dark.

“What the?”

Yu Yazhi put down her chopsticks. “Power outage?”

Ning Xuan was equally stunned. A blackout? In such an upscale neighborhood?

“It’s fine, must be a power cut. I’ll grab some candles—wait, where’s my phone?”

She remembered leaving it on the dining table. Feeling around in the dark, she fumbled blindly and her hand brushed against something soft and warm.

“Ning Xuan,” Yu Yazhi’s voice came low and close, “what exactly are you touching?”