After Being Used As A Substitute By A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 8

Qin Wei, as expected, choked. She couldn’t help but cough twice, her face flushing a deep red. Fortunately, because she was so fair, the redness appeared more like a delicate pink on her cheeks, making her look less aloof and adding a touch of charm.

“One glass as a gesture is enough. She can’t handle the remaining two,” Zhongli Tang said coldly.

The male Beta wanted to say something more, but a companion beside him tugged at his sleeve, their voice tense. “Haven’t you noticed? It’s obvious Zhongli Tang dotes on her. Are you crazy? Why go looking for trouble!”

A flash of resentment crossed the male Beta’s eyes. Looking up, he saw Zhongli Tang carefully wiping the water from the corner of Qin Wei’s mouth. She even peeled a grape and hand fed it to her, treating her entirely like a pampered child. Even then, Qin Wei seemed reluctant, but after Zhongli Tang whispered something in her ear, she hesitantly ate it.

In ancient times, they would have been the image of a doting tyrant and his “bewitching concubine.”

“I just find it strange. It’s only been a few years since Zhongli Tang and Sister Xu Sui broke up. Everyone knows what happened between those two. Every person Zhongli Tang found afterward looked like Xu Sui, but this Omega doesn’t have a shadow of her. Why would Zhongli Tang find someone like this? Is she actually planning on having a real girlfriend…”

The companion shook her head. “I doubt it. If she really liked her, why bring her here? If you truly like someone, you hide them away at home.” She paused. “Let me remind you, Su He told us not to mention Xu Sui anymore. Watch out for your family business, you still rely on them.”

“I know. I just feel it’s unfair to Sister Xu Sui. She took such good care of me back then. It’s only right I keep an eye on Zhongli Tang for her. When Sister Xu Sui comes back and sees this, she’ll be heartbroken.” The male Beta didn’t take the warning to heart. His eyes darted around, and he quickly pressed the shutter, capturing a photo.

In the frame, Zhongli Tang’s arm was around Qin Wei’s waist, their breaths intertwining in an ambiguous, blurred posture. No one would look at them and think their relationship was innocent.

He sent it to Xu Sui on the other side of the continent. Over the years, he and others in this circle, had never broken contact with Xu Sui, reporting any news of Zhongli Tang to her.

His companion noticed his actions and started to speak, but ultimately remained silent, offering a silent endorsement.

“Qin Wei, this is Su He.” Zhongli Tang casually introduced a few people.

Qin Wei nodded, her attitude neither hot nor cold. She then gripped Zhongli Tang’s wrist and looked up at her, the redness in her face not yet faded, looking like a rabbit surrounded by werewolves, startled and overwhelmed.

Zhongli Tang found this quite endearing. She hooked a finger in response, her previous irritation vanishing. She even felt a hint of regret: why had she let Qin Wei drink in the first place? No one could bully her under her own watch. Look how scared she was luckily, a single grape had coaxed her back.

Qin Wei could clearly feel Su He’s gaze scanning her from head to toe. Finally, Su He squinted her eyes with a smile and said politely, “Welcome, welcome. Have a seat.”

The bar was dim, with colorful lights sweeping back and forth, piercing the eyes. As people talked, the atmosphere gradually warmed up, and the awkwardness dissipated.

Qin Wei didn’t understand their topics and didn’t care to listen. She picked up some fruit from the table and ate slowly. It was sweet, sour, and fresh, so she wasn’t entirely bored.

“Where did you find her? Is she even an adult?” Su He asked, her interest piqued.

Having known Su He for years, Zhongli Tang knew her temperament well. Sensing trouble, she immediately warned, “Don’t go getting any ideas about her.”

“What? I’m just looking.” Su He couldn’t see any resemblance to Xu Sui. Instead, there was a different kind of familiarity she couldn’t quite place. “But I feel like her face looks…”

“She doesn’t know about Xu Sui.”

Zhongli Tang glanced at Qin Wei out of the corner of her eye. She was still focused on eating fruit, her expression unchanged. Seeing that she hadn’t overheard, Zhongli Tang breathed a small sigh of relief.

“Ah, so you’re really dating her? How long has it been?” Su He was shocked, forgetting her previous thought. Her friend had been living like she was destined to die alone, yet here she was, dropping a bombshell with a new Omega.

“We’re not ‘dating.’ About three years.” Zhongli Tang sipped her wine. Under the lights, the swirling liquid was vibrant, but not half as dazzling as she was. Three years wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. She hadn’t realized they had been together that long herself; calculating it now, she was somewhat surprised.

“Good job on the secrecy,” Su He praised.

“It wasn’t that.” Zhongli Tang couldn’t quite explain. The main reason was that Qin Wei was too “good” as long as Zhongli Tang came over, she was happy. At that thought, she instinctively turned her gaze to Qin Wei.

Qin Wei was focused on peeling an apple with a small knife, her expression so intent you wouldn’t think she was in a bar.

Zhongli Tang habitually stroked her hair, it felt as smooth as silk. “Bored?”

Qin Wei turned her head, her eyes wide and somewhat dazed, as if she hadn’t heard.

At this distance, she shouldn’t have been able to hear their conversation. Zhongli Tang felt relieved. She was indeed worried about Qin Wei finding out about Xu Sui, yet subconsciously felt that even if she did, Qin Wei wouldn’t bear to leave her. So, she simply waved her hand, signaling for her to continue.

Qin Wei understood and nodded earnestly. Zhongli Tang stroked her hair again.

“Why is everyone so subdued today? If this keeps up, we might as well be having a board meeting,” a female Omega remarked, and someone laughed in agreement. She was a rising starlet with a good personality, fun but not overbearing, which was why she was included despite her lower status.

“Mahjong!” “Dice.” “How about poker?”

Amidst the suggestions, Qin Wei finished peeling the apple. It was perfectly rounded and plump, but she couldn’t eat another bite and didn’t want to throw it away.

“What’s wrong?” Zhongli Tang asked, leaning into her ear after seeing her troubled expression.

“I saved it for Sister.” Qin Wei felt an itch in her ear from the breath and looked away.

“Liar,” Zhongli Tang laughed softly, her voice husky and sexy. “You just can’t finish it and want to push it onto me.”

Qin Wei couldn’t think of another excuse and lifted her chin. “Will Sister take it then?”

Zhongli Tang rarely saw Qin Wei acting like a “brat.” Her most unrestrained moments were usually when she was begging for a marking. This was a novelty. She replied with feigned reluctance, “Alright then.”

Qin Wei thought for a moment and kissed Zhongli Tang’s cheek as a peace offering.

“I want to take you away right now.” Zhongli Tang’s eyes darkened, swirling with a dangerous intensity. To her, that didn’t feel like a kiss, it was like a feather that a gust of wind could cruelly blow away.

How had she never noticed how “skilled” Qin Wei was?

Meanwhile, Qin Wei’s gaze was innocent, her pale eyes saying, I didn’t do anything.

Beside them, Su He watched, dumbfounded. If she hadn’t restrained herself, she would have shouted “Holy shit!” Dating? Not dating? If this wasn’t dating, then Zhongli Tang could go tell it to the ghosts!

The apple eventually ended up in Zhongli Tang’s hand. She casually sliced it and used a sharp knife to bring a piece to her mouth. The curve of the small blade flashed with a cold light, possessing a cruel beauty in her hand.

Su He leaned in and teased, “Don’t you hate apples? Look at how ‘cheap’ you’re acting now.”

Qin Wei caught this with a quick glance and raised an eyebrow. Her “medicine” didn’t eat apples?

“That was a long time ago,” Zhongli Tang said lightly. She leaned back against the wide sofa in a languid pose, her aura smelling of decadence and luxury.

A cheer erupted from the other side, catching their attention.

“Let’s play poker then,” Su He joined in.

The male Beta, Chen Ya, immediately said, “Fine, poker it is. Let’s set it at 50,000 a round. If you lose, you pay up. No backing out.” He walked over to Qin Wei. “You should join too. It’s just a small game.”

To them, it really wasn’t much money, but it was a direct jab at Qin Wei, who was still a student. Everyone there was sharp, they had quickly figured out her identity, she wasn’t a famous actress and had no family fortune. The only thing to fear was her backer, Zhongli Tang.

However, that alone was enough to make people pay attention.

Qin Wei remained expressionless, her voice not wavering in the slightest. “No.”

“What’s the matter? Afraid of losing money? It’s fine, President Zhongli is here, it won’t be your turn to pay,” Chen Ya said with a smile. It sounded like a kind gesture, but it secretly belittled her to the extreme.

Su He frowned. “Chen Ya, it’s Qin Wei’s first time here. Don’t make things difficult for her.”

Chen Ya shrugged, unafraid of her. “How so? President Zhongli hasn’t spoken yet. The best player among us used to be Sister Xu. President Zhongli hasn’t played in a while either, let’s all play together.”

The crowd turned to the silent Zhongli Tang. Her indifferent gaze landed on Chen Ya. Chen Ya suddenly felt a pang of guilt and a flicker of fear. Thinking about it, he felt he was overreacting, he had been closest to Xu Sui, and everyone saw that. Even if he overstepped, Zhongli Tang usually turned a blind eye.

This was just an Omega. Surely it would be the same.

“Playing for money is boring. Why don’t we try something new? The loser picks Truth or Dare. You draw cards from me, okay?” the starlet suggested, breaking the tension.

But few people echoed her this time.

Zhongli Tang calmly looked past Chen Ya as if he were thin air. She slowly pulled out a tissue to wipe the excess juice from her hand, then pinched Qin Wei’s chin, saying softly, “If you don’t want to play, don’t play.”

“Is Sister playing?” Qin Wei looked at her.

The corner of Zhongli Tang’s mouth curled. “I suppose. Just for fun. If you lose, I’ve got you.”

The faces of Chen Ya and the surrounding Alphas flickered with changing emotions.

“Youyou, your suggestion is good. I haven’t tried Truth or Dare in a while. You be the judge!” Su He spoke up quickly, and no one dared to contradict her.

The Su family and Gamma were in the same industry, though they didn’t specialize in medical care. That had always been their weak point, and they had only recently gained some reputation.

“Fine!” Chen Ya gritted his teeth.