After the Bigshot Turned into a Gold-Digging Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 21

Jiang Shuiyun gave Yi Jinbai a gentle shake as the other girl leaned against her. Yi Jinbai lifted her head unsteadily, her eyes unfocused as she looked at Jiang Shuiyun. She tilted her head slightly, appearing somewhat dazed.

It seemed she really was drunk. Checking the time, Jiang Shuiyun signaled to Xi Rong that she was taking Yi Jinbai home. On their way out, they ran into Shen Yunyi in the hallway, who had just finished a phone call.

“What happened to Miss Yi?” Shen Yunyi asked, startled to see Yi Jinbai slumped semi-consciously in Jiang Shuiyun’s arms.

“She picked up the wrong glass and got drunk. We’re heading out first; you guys stay and enjoy yourselves,” Jiang Shuiyun explained.

“Alright, let me drive you back. I actually have some business to attend to at the office anyway,” Shen Yunyi offered. Knowing she had driven herself and hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol, it made sense for them to head back together.

Jiang Shuiyun, who had originally planned to hail a cab, decided that since Shen Yunyi was going that way, she might as well accept the favor.

This time, Jiang Shuiyun sat in the back to support Yi Jinbai while Shen Yunyi took the wheel.

As the car started, Shen Yunyi glanced at the passenger seat and noticed the sheet music intended for Yi Jinbai. She handed it back to Jiang Shuiyun. “Miss Yi’s music is still in my car. Don’t forget to take it with you.”

“I almost forgot,” Jiang Shuiyun said, taking the bag and placing it beside her. She caught Shen Yunyi’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “By the way, the competition is coming up soon. I’ll try to send you the improved version of the game before then.”

“Sure, no rush,” Shen Yunyi agreed readily. “If you actually pull this off, you won’t have to worry about the initial capital for your company. I’m already making preparations on my end, just make sure you don’t leave me behind when your ‘east wind’ starts blowing.”

“You have that much confidence in me?” Jiang Shuiyun was referring to her plan to start a tech company. She had barely discussed the idea and hadn’t presented anything of tangible value yet, yet Shen Yunyi seemed more certain of her success than she was.

“Of course. Shall we toast to a happy partnership in advance?”

Shen Yunyi knew this level of trust was somewhat out of character for her. However, for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she felt a sense of blind faith in the current Jiang Shuiyun. She decided to trust her gut.

The two shared a look through the mirror, and Jiang Shuiyun smiled, nodding. “To a happy partnership. I won’t let you down.”

Shen Yunyi nodded back. “By the way, where did you learn those moves? I never heard anything about you being such a formidable fighter.”

“Just some basic self-defense. If you want to learn, I can teach you sometime.”

Jiang Shuiyun could tell that Shen Yunyi exercised regularly, though she likely didn’t know any actual martial arts.

“Deal. If ‘basic self-defense’ can take down that many people at once, you definitely need to show me the ropes.”

They chatted casually until they reached the house. Shen Yunyi helped Jiang Shuiyun get Yi Jinbai out of the car and handed over the music.

“Wait a moment, I have something else to ask you,” Jiang Shuiyun said as she scooped Yi Jinbai up into a bridal carry.

“Sure, I’ll wait here,” Shen Yunyi replied, standing on the first floor. She watched as the elevator doors closed on Jiang Shuiyun and her sleeping burden.

After settling Yi Jinbai in and seeing her flushed, peaceful face, Jiang Shuiyun covered her with a blanket and gently pulled the door shut before heading back downstairs.

Sitting across from Shen Yunyi, Jiang Shuiyun got straight to the point. “It’s about Jinbai. I’m a complete amateur when it comes to music. What do people who love music usually do after they graduate from university?”

She had intended to ask Yi Jinbai directly, but since she was drunk, she figured she’d consult Shen Yunyi first. She understood the workings of this world far better than she did.

Shen Yunyi looked thoughtful. “Generally speaking, some choose to pursue further studies, while others give up music due to the pressures of reality. Some find music-related jobs, and others choose to chase the dream—talent shows, indie artistry, that sort of thing. They do what they love. That’s about all I know. Why? Are you planning out Miss Yi’s future?”

“I just want to understand the options. Ultimately, she has to make the decision herself.” Jiang Shuiyun made a mental note of the paths she mentioned.

“Fair enough. But you should keep in mind that most Omegas eventually choose family. Besides, looking at the current employment landscape for Omegas, it isn’t exactly optimistic. You both need to think it through carefully.”

Shen Yunyi didn’t want to overstep regarding their personal relationship, so she left it at that.

Jiang Shuiyun understood her meaning. After seeing her out, she went back upstairs to check on the drunken girl.

She was startled to find the bed empty. Yi Jinbai was just lying here, where did she go?

After a quick search, Jiang Shuiyun heard a noise coming from the bathroom. Just as she approached, the door swung open and Yi Jinbai stumbled out, clutching the doorframe for support.

Catching a faint, delicate fragrance in the air, Jiang Shuiyun assumed Yi Jinbai had simply felt unwell and washed her face. She stepped forward to help her back to bed, but before she could touch her, her hand was slapped away.

With a sharp smack, Yi Jinbai recoiled, pressing herself against the wall. Her voice was thick and slurred. “Don’t come near me! Go away! Go away!”

Jiang Shuiyun froze. She watched Yi Jinbai, who was pinned against the wall, looking at her with the same sharp alertness and defensiveness she’d shown when they first met.

It seemed that in her drunken stupor, Yi Jinbai’s mind had slipped back to that dark alleyway. Jiang Shuiyun rubbed the bridge of her nose, unsure of how to proceed.

She stayed perfectly still. For a long moment, they remained locked in a silent stalemate like statues. Eventually, Yi Jinbai seemed to grow tired. She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor, closed her eyes, and began to hum a melody. There were no lyrics, and the tune was faltering, yet it remained beautiful and strangely familiar to Jiang Shuiyun.

Swaying slightly, Yi Jinbai seemed completely immersed in her own world. Jiang Shuiyun took a tentative step forward; the girl didn’t notice.

The floor was cold, and Jiang Shuiyun couldn’t just leave her there. Taking advantage of the fact that Yi Jinbai’s eyes were closed, she crept closer.

The nearer she got, the more Jiang Shuiyun realized something was wrong. Why was that faint fragrance becoming so incredibly potent?

Her nose twitched as she tried to pinpoint the source of the scent, only to feel the gland at the back of her own neck begin to burn.

Quickly covering the heating gland with her hand, Jiang Shuiyun felt as though her entire body had been set ablaze. She finally realized where the fragrance was coming from. Looking at the humming girl, she scrambled back two steps. How could I be so slow? Why am I only realizing this now?

Having encountered fewer than ten Omegas across two lifetimes, Jiang Shuiyun was facing a situation she had only ever heard of: an Omega’s estrus. What was she supposed to do?

She knew that estrus was a normal biological cycle that occurred once a month, but as she racked her brain, she realized that was the extent of her knowledge.

Scratching her head, she watched as Yi Jinbai’s humming turned into soft whimpers. The fragrance in the room was becoming stiflingly thick. If this continued, things were going to spiral out of control.

Ignoring the heat coursing through her, Jiang Shuiyun turned her back to Yi Jinbai and whipped out her phone. “Jinbai, just wait a second. I’m going to search for how to handle this.”

She tried to focus entirely on the screen, but then she felt a sudden warmth against her back. Someone had pressed against her, and a pair of arms reached around to circle her waist.

The unprecedented sensation made Jiang Shuiyun’s mind go blank with a literal bang. In an instant, she turned as red as a boiled shrimp.