After the Bigshot Turned into a Gold-Digging Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 25

“I am not the Jiang Shuiyun you knew. I’m sorry.”

Jiang Shuiyun pursed her lips and lowered her head. At this stage, concealment made little difference. In fact, total honesty was better than continued deception if it meant giving Yi Jinbai peace of mind.

Once the words were out, Jiang Shuiyun felt a wave of relief. Perhaps because she had never intended to “play the part” of the original host, her subconscious had always known this day would come.

Yi Jinbai felt a similar sense of finality, as if a massive boulder had finally settled. “You finally admitted it.”

“To be honest, I don’t know how it happened myself. I just ended up here inexplicably, and then—hiss!”

Just as Jiang Shuiyun was about to reveal the full truth, a sharp, needle-like pain stabbed through her temples. She gasped, bracing herself against the table and pressing a hand firmly against her head.

“What’s wrong?” Startled, Yi Jinbai rushed over to help her sit down.

It took a long moment for the piercing pain to subside, leaving a layer of fine sweat on Jiang Shuiyun’s forehead. Meeting Yi Jinbai’s worried gaze, Jiang Shuiyun waved her off to signal she was fine, but she was troubled. Perhaps because I am an outsider to this world, I am forbidden from exposing my true identity?

The agonizing pain was warning enough. Rubbing her temples with lingering fear, Jiang Shuiyun looked away. “I’m sorry, that is all I can tell you.”

“Is your body alright?” Yi Jinbai pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from Jiang Shuiyun’s brow, her forehead creased in a slight frown. Even without an explanation, she realized that something beyond her understanding had just occurred.

“I’m fine. I just need a moment.” Jiang Shuiyun took the tissue to finish wiping her face. “Whether you believe me or not is up to you. I can only promise that I will never be like that person before. Everything I told you previously, it was the truth.”

Jiang Shuiyun felt she was being unreasonable. She had explained nothing clearly, yet expected someone to trust her based on a single sentence. It was a tall order. But since she truly couldn’t speak the truth, was she supposed to invent another lie? Forget it, she thought, my lies are always full of holes anyway.

Silence stretched between them. Just as Jiang Shuiyun prepared to leave, Yi Jinbai finally spoke.

“I believe you. I’m sorry.” Yi Jinbai reached out and caught Jiang Shuiyun’s sleeve, just as she had when they first arrived at the villa.

“You don’t need to apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong; this whole situation is my fault.” Jiang Shuiyun turned back. That Yi Jinbai chose to believe her was an unexpected joy.

Yi Jinbai shook her head. “I did do something wrong. I’ve been guarding against you and doubting you this entire time. The flower cakes, the milk tea, the snacks—I excluded you on purpose. I bypassed you to befriend Viper and the others because I was afraid. I was afraid that if things went back to the way they were, they might be willing to help me. I’m sorry. I, I used them.”

Hearing this, Jiang Shuiyun felt only a deep ache of pity. Looking at Yi Jinbai’s reddened eyes, she hesitated for a brief second before pulling the girl into a firm embrace. “It won’t happen again. I’m here. It will never happen again.”

For Yi Jinbai, emerging from the utopia of the academy hadn’t led to a diverse society, but to a living hell of forced marriage, oppression, and violence. After enduring all that, how could she be blamed for simply trying to protect herself?

Jiang Shuiyun felt that Yi Jinbai’s willingness to trust her under these circumstances was incredibly precious. This trust felt like a thousand pounds of responsibility on her shoulders. When she had originally read the novel, she had pitied Yi Jinbai’s fate; now, holding the girl in her arms, she was more determined than ever to fix everything. Yi Jinbai deserves a better life.

“There are still flower cakes in the kitchen. I’ll go get some for you to taste,” Yi Jinbai said, wiping her tears and looking up with a shy, reddened smile.

“No need, go get some rest. We have a flight tomorrow. I’ll go down and eat them myself.” Jiang Shuiyun stepped back, suddenly feeling a bit awkward and unsure of where to put her hands. “Rest well. I’m heading out now.”

Walking into the hallway, Jiang Shuiyun felt her heart racing. she patted her chest and took a few deep breaths to calm down.

With the air cleared, that awkward tension finally vanished. That evening, after ending training early, Jiang Shuiyun knocked on the music room door of her own accord for the first time.

“Get some rest soon. We have an early flight.”

Yi Jinbai stopped playing and turned toward her. “Almost done. I just composed a new segment; would you like to hear it?”

“I’d love to,” Jiang Shuiyun replied with a smile.

As the door to the music room closed, the team stood by their computers, exchanging looks. Yao Yao Ling rubbed her chin. “So, are Sister Jinbai and the Captain made up now?”

“When were they ever fighting?” Viper asked, looking confused. The others shared her expression.

Yao Yao Ling: “…”

“Go to sleep. Talking to you thick-skulled organisms is exhausting. Hmph!”

“Pfft!”

Early the next morning, Xi Rong arrived in a prepared luxury van to pick them up, shouting for them from the first floor.

Everyone was ready. Jiang Shuiyun, carrying only a single backpack, waited at Yi Jinbai’s door. When the girl emerged, Jiang Shuiyun naturally took over her suitcase.

“Oh wow, look at that. Some people have someone to pull their luggage, while I have to lug mine all by myself. It’s so heavy!” Yao Yao Ling teased, winking as she watched the two walk toward the elevator.

Yi Jinbai’s face flushed red, and she hid slightly behind Jiang Shuiyun.

“You jealous? I’ll help you,” Viper said as she passed by. “I can help you and your suitcase do a free-fall experiment from the third floor. I guarantee it’ll be faster than the Captain and Sister Jinbai. How about it?”

“Xiao Dudu! You’re so naughty!” Yao Yao Ling pretended to be angry and chased after her, both of them flying down the stairs with their luggage.

The group assembled quickly and piled into the van. Jiang Shuiyun and Yi Jinbai were the last to board, finding two adjacent seats saved for them right in the center.

“Whoa! Brother Xi, did you strike it rich? Where did you steal this van? It’s high-end!” Yao Yao Ling grabbed an apple from the fruit platter on the center table and looked around in awe.

“It’s a small perk. President Shen specially approved it to cheer you guys on. Pretty decent, right?” Xi Rong gave Jiang Shuiyun a nod before signaling the driver to start.

“President Shen is the best! Will we get this treatment after we land, too?” Jiao Yang asked, his eyes shining with innocent expectation.

Xi Rong rubbed Jiao Yang’s head. “Don’t be too greedy. After we land, a shuttle bus will take us to the tournament zone.”

“Brother Xi, you could have been generous to the end just once.”

The group bantered all the way to the airport. This time, they were going to reclaim the honor that belonged to them.