After Being Used As A Substitute By A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 15

Although Zhongli Tang appeared composed when dealing with “Grey Fluff,” she had bought plenty of rabbit food and placed it in an automatic feeder, set to dispense specific amounts at scheduled times. She even provided small toys, arranging everything from the rabbit’s daily life to its “mental well-being” perfectly.

A while later, Mei Xiaowen arrived with a suitcase filled with Zhongli Tang’s belongings, it looked like she planned to stay here for a period of time.

Qin Wei didn’t ask questions and continued with her tasks. Generally, Zhongli Tang only came to stay for a day or two when her rut was approaching. However, her specific arrival and departure times and her itinerary in general, were always kept secret, known only to those closest to her. Sometimes these stays were decided on a whim. These were not things a mistress should pry into.

Mei Xiaowen finished unpacking before leaving. Before she stepped out, the look she gave Qin Wei was complex, tinged with a hint of admiration. She truly hadn’t expected Zhongli Tang to be so “taken” by this arrangement, she had assumed the two would have broken up after today.

By the time Qin Wei served the last bowl of soup, Zhongli Tang was on her phone discussing something with someone. She casually tossed a beanbag outward with one hand. Grey Fluff, crouched at her feet grooming its fur, didn’t have the slightest intention of paying attention.

“Sister, it’s a rabbit, not a dog. It won’t fetch a beanbag,” Qin Wei couldn’t help but remark.

Zhongli Tang replied, “Is that so?”

To her surprise, as soon as Qin Wei appeared, Grey Fluff seemed to sense something. It kicked its hind legs, hopped a few times, and nudged the beanbag with its teeth and paws until it was at their feet. If it had a long tail, it would have been wagging non-stop.

Zhongli Tang arched an eyebrow. “It really does like you more.”

Qin Wei knelt down and expressionlessly petted Grey Fluff twice. “Let’s eat.”

She had kept the meal simple today, but the ingredients were fresh and every dish was exceptional. Zhongli Tang found herself feeling more and more that as long as Qin Wei made it, she enjoyed eating it.

Since it was Sunday, neither of them had to go out, but work continued. Because Zhongli Tang was there, Qin Wei yielded the study to her. Qin Wei sat on the living room sofa, half-leaning and half-lying down as she organized her experimental data, preparing a portion to send to the competition organizers.

The soundproofing of the study wasn’t great. The faint sound of a meeting could be heard. Grey Fluff huddles in the corner, keeping a close eye on Qin Wei’s movements; once it confirmed it was safe, it began to snooze, snoring softly.

The meeting lasted over two hours. Midway through, Zhongli Tang felt thirsty and reached for the water glass beside her, only to notice it was full and slightly warm. It was obvious that Qin Wei had tiptoed in to refill it. She looked thoughtful, her fingers unconsciously tapping the desk twice.

Xu Sui wouldn’t have done this.

This thought flashed through Zhongli Tang’s mind for a second, leaving her dazed. In fact, she hadn’t thought about the past for a long time, many memories had blurred without her noticing.

She had met Xu Sui in her third year of junior high. At first sight, Xu Sui was passionate and confident, shining as bright as the sun, almost too bright to look at. Qin Wei was different, she was mostly gentle and introverted. On the surface, she seemed cold and detached, but as long as you treated her slightly better, Qin Wei would shatter that outer shell, willing to do anything for the person she loved.

Zhongli Tang shook her head. Lately, she had been thinking about Qin Wei far too often. Considering the person was right beside her and could be summoned at will, it was strange. She closed the meeting and walked out of the room. The lights outside were bright and warm, and there was only silence, no arguments, no coercion.

“Why are you sleeping on the sofa again?”

Qin Wei’s hair was scattered across the sofa like a winding painting. The small blanket covering her had long since been kicked to the floor, but her sleeping posture was very well-behaved. Zhongli Tang watched her for a few minutes, and she hadn’t moved once.

Zhongli Tang instinctively said softly, “Weiwei, go back to bed to sleep. You’ll catch a cold if you get chilled.”

She didn’t visit often and hadn’t realized Qin Wei had such bad habits.

“Sister…?” Qin Wei opened her eyes just a crack to look at her.

Zhongli Tang was amused by her expression. She touched Qin Wei’s forehead and frowned in dissatisfaction at the low body temperature. Her voice grew stern: “Wake up, quickly.”

Qin Wei wasn’t sleeping deeply, she was mostly physically exhausted. There were too many pheromones in her glands, and she was struggling to bear it. Upon waking, she met Zhongli Tang’s glamorous and bewitching face and murmured, “I thought I was dreaming of Sister.”

Zhongli Tang rubbed her hair, her original resolve unshaken by the words. “Your tongue is so sweet, always saying things to coax me. Put your socks on, get up and drink some hot water, then go back to the bedroom if you’re sleepy.”

Qin Wei didn’t move. She stared blankly at her before turning her face to the side in a silent protest, she was used to doing things her own way.

Zhongli Tang wasn’t about to indulge these habits. She went to the cloakroom to find socks and pulled Qin Wei’s foot toward her. Although she didn’t have any particular fetishes, she had to admit the foot was beautiful, slender and symmetrical, with pinkish toes and a red mark on the ankle left from the previous night. She masked her thoughts by roughly pulling the socks onto Qin Wei.

“Honestly, I don’t know how you survived before this.”

Qin Wei lowered her gaze, not looking at her.

Ding-dong….The doorbell rang urgently, one ring after another.

Qin Wei went to open the door; the visitor turned out to be Su He.

“Hello! Meeting again.”

Qin Wei froze for a second, nodded, and naturally looked toward Zhongli Tang.

Zhongli Tang rubbed her brow. “Let her in. I told her to come.”

“I got into another fight with them. I really have nowhere else to go, so I had to come beg you guys to take me in,” Su He sighed deeply with a miserable face.

The Su family was different from the Zhong family, illegitimate children cropped up like weeds. Every few days there was some “relative recognition” drama, making the household a mess. Su He truly couldn’t stand staying there.

“Just for one day. You stay in the guest room,” Zhongli Tang said without even looking up.

“Don’t worry, I won’t stay a second longer, and I won’t say a word about unrelated things,” Su He nearly made a vow on the spot.

Only then did Zhongli Tang seem begrudgingly satisfied.

Su He was naturally outgoing; there was almost no one she couldn’t get along with. Furthermore, she knew all about Qin Wei’s situation. Rather than talking business with Zhongli Tang, she preferred to follow Qin Wei around.

“We don’t have each other’s contact info yet. Here, let me add you.”

Qin Wei didn’t mind and took out her phone to add her.

The first thing Su He did was check her social feed. Seeing it was completely blank, she immediately said in surprise, “No way, have you never posted anything?”

“My major is very boring. I don’t usually have anything special to post,” Qin Wei explained.

“No way! Isn’t getting a spot in the Medical Competition worth showing off?” Su He’s eyes went wide. Among her friends who were also college students, anyone with eyes knew what such a competition signified.

Plus, when people are in a relationship, they usually can’t wait to let the whole world know every detail and activity. Even a “normal” person would do that, let alone someone dating Zhongli Tang. Even if Zhongli Tang’s motives weren’t pure, it didn’t mean Qin Wei shouldn’t show off at least a little.

“How do you know about my competition?” Qin Wei looked up at her.

“That…” Su He stammered, unable to find words.

Qin Wei didn’t let the silence last long, her tone flat: “Are you the person in charge at the Su Corporation?”

“How did you know?” Su He’s first instinct was to suspect Zhongli Tang had told her, but on second thought, that seemed impossible.

Qin Wei said calmly, “It’s simple.” She wasn’t stupid, she could figure it out with a little thought.

On the other side, seeing the two talking so harmoniously, Zhongli Tang’s brow furrowed. “Stop talking. Drink your water.”

“For me? So polite!” Su He was full of pleasant surprise.

Zhongli Tang blocked her and expressionlessly placed the glass in Qin Wei’s hand. “Drink it.”

Qin Wei was a bit reluctant, she didn’t like drinking water. The two stared at each other for a moment.

Zhongli Tang eventually gave in, softening her tone: “I put honey in it.”

Only then did Qin Wei take it and have two sips, though it looked like a mere formality.

Zhongli Tang’s expression showed some disapproval, but she didn’t say anything more to her.

Su He was dumbfounded. When had she ever seen her friend coaxing someone like this?

“I’ll go finish making dinner. You guys chat,” Qin Wei found an excuse to escape.

Zhongli Tang turned to see Su He wearing an indescribable expression. “What’s with that look?”

Su He whispered mysteriously, “Are you really only with her for her pheromones?”

She spoke the word “pheromones” extremely quietly, ensuring no third person could hear.

Zhongli Tang instinctively looked toward Qin Wei. Her thick long hair was tied in a ponytail, with a few stray strands falling by her ears. Her expression was focused and serious, making her look unapproachable. However, upon noticing Zhongli Tang’s gaze, she immediately smiled, a smile covered in a layer of soft light. Zhongli Tang dazed for a moment, feeling almost unable to look away.

She’s so cold to Su He, yet she’s all smiles for me.

“What are you looking at?” Su He didn’t understand and craned her neck to see as well.

Zhongli Tang suppressed the unidentifiable emotion in her heart, her voice clear and flat. “My rut is almost here. It would be very troublesome if she caught a cold.”