After Becoming the Scummy Alpha in a Substitute Romance - Chapter 112

After typing that message and closing the laptop, Jian Ya sat quietly for a long time before she finally calmed down.

She thought back to her sudden reaction earlier and worried that Shen Shuyi might misunderstand.

But before she could reopen the laptop, someone gently knocked on the door.

“Second Miss, Madam Fu is here.”

Fu Qingrong, also known as President Fu, was her mother in this world.

As the servant finished speaking, Jian Ya vaguely heard Fu Qingrong’s voice coming from the hall.

She must have rushed over right after finishing work at the company.

Jian Ya didn’t want her to see her in this state, so she quickly went to the bathroom to wash her face. She made sure she didn’t look too worn out.

Then she stood in front of the mirror and practiced a smile that looked at least somewhat natural before going to open the door.

Even though she had tidied herself up, Fu Qingrong noticed something was off the moment she saw her.

“Baby?” Fu Qingrong called, her voice filled with worry.

Jian Ya smiled as she walked forward and took her mother’s hand, leading her downstairs.

Her room still showed faint signs of damage from when the original personality had briefly taken control the night before. Although it wasn’t obvious, Jian Ya instinctively didn’t want her family to worry more than necessary.

Once they reached the living room, Fu Qingrong gently cupped Jian Ya’s face and looked her over with care. Her voice was full of pain. “You’ve lost weight.”

“Really?” Jian Ya pinched her cheek, looking puzzled.

Fu Qingrong’s heart sank even more. She quickly pushed Jian Ya’s hand away. “Why are you pinching yourself like that? What if you bruise your face? Then we’ll see if Xiao Shen still finds you pretty.”

That one sentence almost broke Jian Ya again.

She quickly forced a smile onto her face and replied playfully, “No way I’d bruise my face.”

They chatted casually for a while. Most of the time, Fu Qingrong asked questions, and Jian Ya answered.

Jian Ya could clearly feel the deep care and concern in every word her mother said.

That kind of emotion couldn’t be faked.

It was the kind of warmth she had rarely felt in either of her lives.

Thinking about that made her eyes sting once more.

She couldn’t help but lean into Fu Qingrong and hug her tightly. “Mom, I don’t want to leave you.”

She said it softly, from the bottom of her heart.

Hearing this, Fu Qingrong’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

She took out a tissue and wiped them away, then hugged Jian Ya just as tightly and said, “Don’t say things like that. Nothing’s going to happen to you. Everything is fine. As long as you listen to the doctors, you’ll be just fine.”

Then, as if she had just remembered something, she said, “Oh right, I had someone bring over some ingredients from home. I was afraid you wouldn’t be used to the food here, so I brought things from China. Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll cook it for you.”

This time, Jian Ya’s smile reached her eyes. “I love everything you cook.”

“You little charmer. Just sit here and wait. It’ll be ready soon.”

Jian Ya nodded.

Fu Qingrong got up and asked the servants to bring the ingredients into the kitchen. Then she rolled up her sleeves and started cooking herself.

Jian Ya curled up on the sofa, hugging her knees.

She watched Fu Qingrong moving around and giving instructions. Slowly, her mind began to wander.

When had she changed so much?

When had she started to truly accept this world?

She had even forgotten she didn’t belong here. She had started to believe she was one of them.

She remembered when she first arrived. Back then, she felt like a lonely traveler.

This world wasn’t hers. Nothing in it belonged to her.

Sometimes, she felt like a lost soul drifting on the outside of life with no place to land.

But now, just when she finally felt like she had begun to belong, when she had friends, family, and love, someone told her it would all be taken away soon.

She didn’t understand why life had to be so cruel.

Jian Ya lowered her eyes, her arms tightening around her legs.

She stayed in that position for a long time.

So long that her legs started to go numb.

Then she heard Fu Qingrong calling her to come to the dining room.

She stood up, but because her legs were numb, she staggered a little.

A nearby servant quickly reached out to support her.

She smiled faintly. “I’m fine.”

Then she made her way to the table.

The dishes on the table were beautifully arranged and full of variety.

Fu Qingrong placed a dish of braised eggplant in front of her. “Try this. See if it tastes right.”

“Thank you, Mom,” Jian Ya said softly.

Braised eggplant was a simple, home-style dish. Jian Ya picked up a piece and took a bite. The rich flavor spread across her tongue.

Warmth and comfort slowly filled her chest.

In that moment, a thought quietly surfaced.

Maybe she could look at it differently.

Even if it wasn’t forever, even if she only had it for a short while, it was still a gift.

Family was like that. Love was like that too.

A soft smile appeared on Jian Ya’s face.

Seeing her smile, Fu Qingrong finally relaxed a little.

She immediately began placing more dishes in front of Jian Ya. “Take your time. Try each one and tell me which one’s your favorite. I’ll make it for you again.”

“I like them all,” Jian Ya replied.

“That won’t do. Eating this much every day isn’t good for you, and you’ll get tired of it eventually… Although, I suppose it’s not impossible. I could just make smaller portions each time,” Fu Qingrong said thoughtfully, clearly considering the possibility of cooking for her daughter every day.

Jian Ya quickly picked up a piece of beef brisket and placed it in Fu Qingrong’s bowl. “Alright, alright. I was just joking. Tomorrow, I’ll cook for you.”

“You? Are you sure your cooking is even edible?” Fu Qingrong looked at her, doubtful.

“Mom, are you underestimating me? Then I definitely have to prove myself tomorrow.”

“Fine, I’ll try it for your sake. Don’t worry, even if it tastes terrible, I’ll eat a bite and won’t hurt your confidence.”

Jian Ya was speechless.

This light teasing, though simple, was full of warmth. It felt like home.

After the meal, Jian Ya’s heart felt truly at peace.

She gathered her thoughts and returned upstairs. Then she reopened her laptop.

She entered the dynamic password and logged into the chat program. Shen Shuyi’s message was still there on the screen:

[Shen Shuyi: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned Tang Yin. I just wanted to talk more with you today. I admire her, but not more than I admire you. There are no other feelings involved. Jian Ya, the person I like is you. I’ll wait for you to come back.]

Jian Ya stared at those words quietly, reading them again and again. She could almost imagine what Shen Shuyi looked like while typing them.

She had probably gone over it several times, revising every word carefully.

Jian Ya’s nose turned slightly sore, her eyes brimming with both laughter and tears.

She thought, if she had really been upset out of jealousy over Tang Yin, reading this message might have made her burst from sheer frustration.

But…

Her eyes slowly grew hazy again with tears.

She lifted her hand and gently touched the screen, tracing the words:
“The person I like is you. I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Her gaze was dazed, filled with longing for Shen Shuyi.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so greedy,” Jian Ya whispered with a smile, her eyes glistening.

She had thought she already understood everything. She had made her decision. But just one sentence from Shen Shuyi had shaken her all over again.

She knew Shen Shuyi well.

Proud, calm, and always logical.

Shen Shuyi never let her emotions override her reasoning. For her to say something like this, she had already set aside her pride and principles.

At that moment, Jian Ya’s mind drifted back to a part of the original story that described Shen Shuyi’s future:

“Meeting Tang Yin was the moment she found the person truly meant for her. They understood each other, respected each other, supported one another. Tang Yin always knew how to gently ease Shen Shuyi’s pain without making it obvious. From the moment she met her, she made a silent promise in her heart — to never let Shen Shuyi suffer again, to protect her, and to keep her proud and shining in the field she loved.”

Remembering this, Jian Ya slowly exhaled.

Maybe she should have let go a long time ago. Maybe the moment she realized her feelings, she should have warned herself not to go any further.

Instead, she had allowed herself to fall deeper, and in doing so, she had hurt Shen Shuyi too.

She should never have clung to things so tightly. The pain she felt now could only be seen as punishment for her greed.

Jian Ya took a deep breath. She placed her hands on the keyboard. After a moment, her fingers began typing a reply.

[Jian Ya: I’m fine. It wasn’t because you mentioned Tang Yin. I just had a sudden headache earlier, probably a side effect of the medication. Actually, what you said about Tang Yin sounds really interesting. She must be quite impressive. If there’s ever a chance, introduce me to her.]

She hit send.

Then Jian Ya stared at the screen, as if she could see Shen Shuyi on the other side.

Now that Shen Shuyi and Tang Yin had met, fate would naturally bring them closer.

Eventually, they would realize their deep connection.

There was no need for her to do anything more. That kind of bond didn’t need interference. It would happen on its own.

All she needed to do was step aside at the right moment, so Shen Shuyi wouldn’t be caught in the middle.

With that thought, Jian Ya pulled her hands back and leaned into the chair.

She stayed there for a while.

Then suddenly, as if remembering something, she picked up her phone, found Wei Li’s number, and called.

“Miss Jian,” Wei Li answered almost instantly.

She had been assisting with the company back in China during this time.

She was also one of the few people Jian Ya trusted to handle important matters.

“The will I asked you to prepare before…” Jian Ya paused, her thoughts drifting for a moment.

Wei Li’s heart sank the second she heard the word “will,” but she quickly regained her composure.

“Everything has already been arranged,” she said calmly.

Jian Ya returned to the moment and said softly, “Cancel it.”

“What?” Wei Li was caught off guard.

Although she hadn’t fully understood the contents of that will, she had known it was important to Jian Ya.

She hesitated, then asked cautiously, “Just to confirm…”

Jian Ya gave her a string of numbers — their agreed-upon code.

Wei Li felt relieved. Even if she didn’t understand the reason, she would carry out Jian Ya’s instructions without question.

“Understood. I’ll take care of it,” she replied.

“Thank you,” Jian Ya said, then paused before adding, “Don’t mention any of this to Shen Shuyi.”

“…Got it.”

After hanging up, Jian Ya felt her entire body relax.

Now that she had made her decision, it was time to disappear more quietly.

Shen Shuyi’s future would be taken care of by Tang Yin.

As for her…

It was better not to leave behind too many traces.

That way, there would be less sadness when it was all over.

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