After Becoming the Live-in Scummy Alpha, I Pamper Her with Real Strength - Chapter 32

After stargazing downstairs and getting bitten by mosquitoes left and right, the four returned to the second floor at a leisurely pace.

Ji Jingyan picked a simply decorated room and moved his luggage in. It was only the first night, and he was already feeling defeated.

Lying in bed with his eyes closed, he found himself deep in thought. Not even signing a multimillion-dollar contract had ever troubled him this much.

He had always considered himself good at dealing with people—his business partners often described him as “decisive” and “shrewd.”

So why didn’t any of that seem to work when it came to dating?

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Ji Jingyan opened it to find Qi Lian standing there, a red beetle-shaped suitcase by his side and a scowl on his face.

“Hi, roommate,” Qi Lian greeted.

Ji Jingyan stared at him in silence and was about to close the door, only to have Qi Lian wedge his hand in the way.

“What are you doing?” Qi Lian frowned. “The rules say two to a room—you’re not hogging this one for yourself.”

Arms crossed, Ji Jingyan looked down his nose at him. “We’re sharing a room? You sure about that?”

Qi Lian raised a brow and shot him a provocative look. “What? Scared I’ll beat you up in your sleep? Relax, I have morals. I don’t do shady things.”

Ji Jingyan snorted. “Weren’t you planning to room with Xu Yiyi? What, got kicked out?”

There were only five independent rooms in the house. It was impossible for everyone to have their own.

Yu Dongdong, He Song, and Xu Yiyi each had a room. Jian Lin had chosen to room with Yu Dongdong. Bai Wei and Ji Jingyan couldn’t share with He Song or Xu Yiyi due to AO rules, so they occupied the other two rooms.

Which left Qi Lian… homeless.

As a male Beta, his only options were to room with Xu Yiyi or Ji Jingyan. His first pick had been Xu Yiyi—quiet, shy, and cute.

But he was a student with a completely opposite schedule to Qi Lian, who worked nights.

Though third-year students no longer had early classes, Xu Yiyi juggled school and a part-time art studio gig. He was up at 7 a.m. and back home by 5 or 6 in the evening.

Qi Lian, on the other hand, left for work around 7 p.m. and came home at 2 or 3 a.m., then slept till noon.

Xu Yiyi had said he was a heavy sleeper and wouldn’t be bothered, but Qi Lian still felt it wasn’t ideal. In his mind, Omegas were fragile beings who needed to be pampered and protected.

Compared to that, sharing with this tall, arrogant Alpha? Qi Lian had no emotional baggage there—perfect.

Ji Jingyan’s face was dark. “I need care too. I need a quiet sleeping environment. Your comings and goings will disturb me.”

“Relax,” Qi Lian said. “I move like a ninja. You won’t even notice.”

“You could sleep on the couch downstairs,” Ji Jingyan said coldly, “or in the attic.”

Qi Lian’s mouth twitched. The attic didn’t even have room for a proper bed—he’d have to sleep on the floor.

Ignoring Ji Jingyan’s endless complaining, Qi Lian pushed past him into the room.

Ji Jingyan glared at his back, fuming silently. He was the show’s biggest sponsor—the program’s entire budget came from him. Wasn’t he technically bringing in capital? And yet, he couldn’t even have a single room to himself and had to share it with this annoying Beta?

Qi Lian glanced at him. “We’re supposed to send a text each night to our person of interest. Who’d you pick? Bai Wei?”

Ji Jingyan sneered and tossed him a “don’t ask stupid questions” look.

Qi Lian smiled. “What a coincidence. I texted Bai Wei too. Wanna bet who she likes more?”

The tension in the room was palpable—and the live stream chat was eating it up. There were still ten minutes until the stream ended, and the viewers wanted drama.

In truth, this “grudge” between the two had started ten minutes before they even walked into the house together as so-called “bros.”

All celebrity guests were driven to the house by sponsor-provided cars. Xu Yiyi and Bai Wei had taken taxis since the underground garage was far. Ji Jingyan and Qi Lian both drove and were trying to park in the courtyard.

But with most spots taken by the production team’s vehicles, only one space was left. And, of course, both men arrived at the same time.

So—who would get the last spot?

Qi Lian hadn’t intended to fight over it. After all, they’d be spending thirty days together; better to start off on friendly terms. He rolled down his window to say something…

But Ji Jingyan, seated coolly in his Range Rover, gave him a glance, said nothing, and simply floored the gas. Smooth as butter, he reversed cleanly into the spot—no fuss, no waste.

Leaving Qi Lian and his humble Chery QQ standing awkwardly in the breeze, stunned and unacknowledged.

Seriously? He just took it without a word? Where’s the basic courtesy?

Qi Lian was livid. He felt like both he and his beloved car had just been thoroughly disrespected.

So he slammed his door and marched over to confront Ji Jingyan.

“We got here at the same time. Why do you get the spot?”

Ji Jingyan got out, locked his car, and casually looked over at Qi Lian’s car.

“A toy car like that needs a parking spot?”

A. Toy. Car.

Qi Lian’s inner monologue: Sure, my little ‘Bugle’ may be small and cheap—but she’s still my baby. Who gave this pompous jerk the right to look down on us?!

Ji Jingyan’s inner monologue: What even is that car? Covered in scribbled graffiti, stickers, and spray paint… is this some mobile art exhibit I don’t understand?

They argued for ages—each speaking a different language of logic.

Eventually, the crew moved a wooden table set from the courtyard, just enough to squeeze in Qi Lian’s car. The side-by-side positioning placed the Bugle right next to the Range Rover.

The parking drama may have been resolved, but the grudge had taken root.

Qi Lian huffed to himself. Heh. I’m the man with the script here.

He was ready to stir up all the drama the audience could handle—and target Ji Jingyan’s “CP” while he was at it.

________________________________________

The next day was the “choose your date” segment.

Jian Lin had priority pick. After a token glance around, her gaze fell on Yu Dongdong—who was shaking her head in refusal before the words were even out.

【LOL! Yu Dongdong’s face says it all—she wants no part of this.】

【Can someone tell me—are those two really close? Jian Lin even picked her as a roommate.】

【I’m the number one fan of the Lin-Dong CP! Lin, don’t lose heart—go win Dongdong over!】

【Still love my Dong-He CP. Daily check-in: has Fenghua Chronicle updated yet?】

【Stop shipping fake sugar. Careful or you’ll end up with a mouthful of glass.】

“I choose Yu Dongdong.”

Yu Dongdong was sprawled lifelessly on the couch, looking like she’d lost the will to live.

“Jian Lin, why me again? Haven’t we already gone on enough ‘dates’? Hotpot nights, clubbing—come on, pick someone else.”

Jian Lin shook her head innocently. “Nope. You.”

Well then. Dongdong sighed, utterly resigned. If your childhood bestie insists, what can you do?

She randomly flipped one of the four face-down date cards on the table.

“Camping by the Weishui River.”

Bai Wei looked expectantly at He Song.

“He Song… can I go on the date with you?”

Immediately, Ji Jingyan and Qi Lian snapped their heads toward He Song, eyes full of warning—as if daring her to say yes, or else they’d jump her on the spot.

He Song felt her scalp tingle and quickly shook her head.

“You two want to ask her out? Go ahead. Leave me out of it.”

Bai Wei’s face fell, visibly crestfallen after the rejection.

Qi Lian quickly jumped in to console her.

“If He Song won’t go, then let’s go together, Bai Wei.”

Ji Jingyan added, “Or with me. I think we’d have a lot in common.”

Bai Wei blinked at the two men vying for her attention, clearly flustered and unsure of how to respond.

【Whoa, our sweet girl is super popular!】

【Aren’t both of them better than He Song anyway?】

【Time to stay away from toxic women—starting with me.】

Blushing, Bai Wei hesitated a moment before mustering up the courage to speak.

“Then… I’ll go with Ji Jiangyan. Sorry, Qi Lian.”

Ji Jingyan lit up instantly, while Qi Lian rubbed his nose awkwardly and smiled.

“No problem. Hope you two have a great time.”

Bai Wei revealed her card: A Day at Sky City.

Sky City was the largest amusement park in S City, named after its towering Ferris wheel. From its highest point, you could overlook the entire city. It was a well-known romantic hotspot.

That left He Song, Qi Lian, and Xu Yiyi sitting in awkward silence, looking at one another.

He Song had sent Xu Yiyi a text the night before: Don’t be nervous.

She wasn’t sure if Xu Yiyi had figured out it was her.

She was just about to speak when Xu Yiyi beat her to it.

“Qi Lian… can I go out with you today?”

Qi Lian blinked, his flirtatious eyes darting toward He Song.

“Of course. Stick with me today—I promise you’ll have fun.”

【Wait, what? I don’t get it. Are they even close? Why did our little hamster pick Qi Lian, and why did he say yes?】

【He and He Song seemed to hit it off yesterday. Weren’t they chatting a lot when they arrived?】

【Didn’t Xu Yiyi speak up for Qi Lian yesterday, saying he wasn’t drunk? Maybe that was when it started?】

【LOL. He Song’s officially the odd one out now.】

【The Ice Queen finally knows what it feels like to be excluded.】

【If it was me, I’d be curling my toes from secondhand embarrassment.】

He Song, however, didn’t feel particularly awkward. No date meant no livestream, and since Mo Qingran didn’t have work today, she figured she could just head home and spend time with her.

Just then—jingle jingle—the wind chimes at the front door rang out. The sound of high heels drew closer.

Someone was coming.

Everyone turned to look.

A stunningly beautiful woman entered the room, her features refined and striking.

Short black hair curled slightly at the ends, lips a rich red, and eyes cool and detached. Her whole presence exuded a cold, elegant nobility.

Dangling from her ears were pink gemstone earrings that caught the light with every step.

【Whoa—where did this goddess come from? That icy elegance is killing me.】

【Is this a late-arriving celebrity guest? She’s so pretty. How have I never seen her in the industry before?】

【Mom, I think I just fell in love.】

He Song’s heart skipped a beat. From the moment the woman stepped through the door, she couldn’t take her eyes off her.

Mo Qingran… why are you here?

Her gaze softened involuntarily. It took every ounce of self-control not to rush forward and give herself away.

Bai Wei noticed He Song’s expression and blinked in confusion. But then she saw how everyone’s attention was drawn to the new arrival. A trace of jealousy and resentment flashed across her face.

It only lasted a moment—she quickly collected herself and smiled politely.

“Excuse me, were you the guest who couldn’t make it yesterday due to some emergency?”

She deliberately emphasized the not showing up yesterday part. The show had already started, and this woman had flaked on everyone. Whatever the reason, that kind of diva behavior was enough to draw criticism.

Mo Qingran cast her a cool glance and responded mildly,

“The original celebrity guest withdrew from the show. I was invited at the last minute as a replacement. I’m Mo Ran, a trainee from Huanyao Entertainment.”

Meeting He Song’s stunned gaze, she gave a faint, teasing smile.

“Looks like there’s one person left without a partner. I’ll take over from here.”