After Being Used As A Substitute By A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 17

Within Zhongli Tang’s private account, an untold number of people were keeping a close watch on her. In particular, her profile picture, which hadn’t been changed in ages had suddenly been replaced. Upon closer inspection, it featured the wrist of an Omega.

A new flame? Or had the “prodigal son” truly returned to stay?

Regardless, the fact that Zhongli Tang dared to do this was equivalent to an official public announcement. For a time, the amount of discussion was significant. Naturally, a portion of these people had heard rumors of past events and knew that the several people she had dated afterward all bore some shadow of Xu Sui, this time would likely be no exception.

Over on Xu Sui’s side, it was currently the middle of the night. She stood on the balcony of a high-rise, her eyes fixed deathly still on her phone. Unsurprisingly, she hadn’t received a single word from Zhongli Tang, and even her friend request hadn’t been accepted. Instead, she received concerned messages from several friends back home.

“President Zhong loves you so much, don’t worry too much.”

“Sister Xu Sui, are you alright? At the party the other day, I saw that Omega. She said her pheromone scent is Agarwood, isn’t that the same as yours, Sister?”

“Tch, and here I thought it was something serious. Turns out it’s just another substitute.”

“I was at that party too. That Omega was incredibly arrogant; I thought President Zhong really liked her. We were all laughing our heads off behind her back.”

“Exactly. She’s just a joke. Without that Agarwood scent, President Zhong wouldn’t even spare her a glance. Talk about a lucky strike.”

“She’s not that impressive anyway, just a student. She probably relies on President Zhong for everything she eats and drinks, hahahaha.”

As Xu Sui read these messages, her expression softened considerably, losing its previous ugliness. She breathed a sigh of relief. Over the years, even while abroad, these few friends had kept her well-informed about Zhongli Tang’s romantic life. She knew the girlfriends the other woman sought afterward all resembled her to some degree. While she felt a sense of worry, she also felt a secret thrill of pleasure.

Zhongli Tang couldn’t forget her. As for those substitutes, they weren’t even worth mentioning.

Lowering her eyes, she sent out a voice message.

“Everyone, please don’t say that. It’s only natural that she likes Zhongli Tang, and after all, the two of them are together. If it’s true love, it’s not right to interfere. After all, it was my fault back then…”

As soon as this was sent, the group chat exploded. Everyone rushed to comfort her.

“What happened back then wasn’t your fault! The Gamma incident was such a mess, one wrong move meant a lawsuit. You offended so many people, and as the representative for Omegas back then, how could you have openly taken a side?”

“Exactly, Sister Xu Sui, don’t carry such a heavy psychological burden.”

“That Omega is just riding on the coattails of her pheromones. She probably doesn’t even know she’s a substitute. Whatever, I’ll teach her a lesson myself. President Zhong wouldn’t fall out with us over the likes of her.”

Xu Sui’s voice carried a hint of hesitation: “Everyone, this might not be good… after all, I am currently the Vice Chair of the Omega Protection Association, and she is an Omega too.”

“Just stay out of it. Regardless of President Zhong, I can’t stand the sight of her anyway.”

“Agreed.”

“Sister, just wait and see.”

After Qin Wei put away the five figure bracelet, she truly never wore it again. Zhongli Tang noticed, but she had too much on her plate and forgot about it within two days. Once she had calmed down from that day, she didn’t think about Xu Sui, she genuinely thought the photo was well-taken, so she didn’t change her profile picture back.

This matter even became a reason for Zhongli Tang to ‘extort’ her. Every time Qin Wei couldn’t take any more and wanted to refuse, Zhongli Tang would bring this up, and it worked every single time.

At eight in the morning on a rare weekend, Zhongli Tang felt the movement of the person beside her getting up. She looked puzzled. “What’s wrong? Why not sleep a bit longer?”

Qin Wei’s movements had been very light; she hadn’t expected the other to wake up. A flash of panic crossed her eyes, but it was quickly masked by a smile. “There’s an issue at the lab I need to handle. I’ll be back at noon to cook for you. What does Sister want to eat?”

Zhongli Tang thought for a moment. “The same as yesterday.”

“Okay,” Qin Wei agreed readily.

The hospital opened very early. Qiao Lin had previously requested a follow-up, and Qin Wei arrived right on time. However, this matter could not let Zhongli Tang know. Once the check-up ended, she received a relatively stable result, as long as she could maintain the status quo, she would be fine. Only then did she truly breathe a sigh of relief.

Next, she received a message from Bai Ling, arranging to meet at a nearby milk tea shop. As soon as Qin Wei arrived, Bai Ling’s eyes lit up, and she immediately waved her arms, calling out “Senior!”

“Why so early?” Qin Wei asked in surprise.

“No reason, I’m just used to it. I didn’t know what flavor Senior likes, so I just bought one at random.” Bai Ling handed a cup of milk tea to Qin Wei.

“Thank you.”

Bai Ling waved it off but noticed the hospital lab report Qin Wei hadn’t thrown away. She asked worriedly, “Is Senior sick?”

Qin Wei smiled and shook her head. “I just have a cold, it’s nothing big.”

“That’s good then.” Although Bai Ling had some doubts, she didn’t press further.

Bai Ling had found several apartments for her near the school, but none were as nice as where she was currently living. A slightly higher rent wasn’t a big issue for Qin Wei, and in the end, she chose a large apartment that was relatively superior in all aspects.

Bai Ling said hesitantly, “The landlord for this place is still abroad. A friend I know used to rent it, but she moved out. Senior might have to wait a week.”

It wasn’t a big deal in fact, it was smoother than expected.

Looking at the bright, clean apartment before her, Qin Wei showed little emotion. “Okay, thank you.”

Bai Ling felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze, it was just a small favor, nothing compared to the help she had received. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! By the way, I heard Senior has been winning left and right in the competition and has already passed the third round of review. Congratulations in advance!”

Qin Wei nodded, a faint smile finally appearing in her eyes. “I’ll take those kind words then.”

She had spent a lot of time organizing data over the past two days.

[Zhongli Tang: Something came up at the company at noon, don’t wait for me.]

Qin Wei paused for a moment and replied with a “Hm.”

On the way back, while in the car, Bai Ling scrolled through her phone for a bit. Seeing a certain notification, her face suddenly changed, and her gaze became hesitant.

“Senior… I, I have something to tell you. Promise me first, don’t be angry…”

Qin Wei frowned. “What is it?” Why was she so panicked?

“The forum says the competition is rigged because you have someone backing you,” Bai Ling tried to read it out, but she couldn’t even bear to look. “It also says you plagiarized.”

As the person involved, Qin Wei appeared much calmer, her tone unaffected. “Let me see the phone first.”

Red with anger, Bai Ling quickly handed her the phone.

【Revealing a Certain ‘Outstanding Student Representative’】

Qin Wei arched an eyebrow. The title didn’t sound like it was written by a student. It was posted an hour ago, exactly when she was looking at the apartment, which is why she hadn’t noticed it.

What followed was a long string of photos, all of her face or profile. The faces next to her were all blurred. At this point, they might as well have just typed out her name.

[This competition was never supposed to allow graduate students, and the deadline had already passed. Someone actually had the power to let her into the finals.]

[I suspected she had an Alpha before. She wears a gland patch every day and wears clothes buttoned up to her chin, she clearly has someone.]

[Is it someone from the school? Even a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its burrow.]

[Doesn’t she know a lot of teachers and pharmaceutical factory managers? It’s probably one of them.]

[The point isn’t even that! It’s that Qin Wei plagiarized, get it?!]

[I knew it, how could one person’s grades be that good…]

The more Qin Wei read, the more expressionless she became. Bai Ling looked worried. “They’re all talking nonsense. I know Senior isn’t that kind of person. I’ll help you curse them out!”

Qin Wei shook her head. “No need. Words alone won’t solve this.”

Her phone lit up, it was the school calling, requesting her return.

“How about I go with you?”

Qin Wei refused without a second thought. “This has nothing to do with you. Still, thanks for today. I have to go to the school, so I can’t drop you off. I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

Bai Ling waved her hands repeatedly. Senior was still thinking of her even now, how could she cause more trouble? She decided to get out of the car quickly, her gaze still somewhat reluctant to leave.

The campus on the weekend lacked its usual hustle and bustle. People walking on the road would often steal glances at Qin Wei and whisper to their companions.

Qin Wei looked straight ahead, completely unperturbed, and pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the meeting room.

A circle of people sat in the first and second rows, staring at her in unison. She looked back at everyone with composure.

“Hello, teachers. I’m here.”