After the Scummy Alpha Marked the Crazy Beautiful Heroine - Chapter 40.1

Even though they’d taken the very last flight, by the time Pei Jiuyao and Chi Yang arrived at the hospital, it was already dawn the next day.

Shen Xinyi was waiting outside. When she saw them, she quickly called out.

“How is she?” Chi Yang asked at once. For all her talk about not getting along, she still rushed forward to push the door open.

Inside, Chi Qing was propped up in bed, gnawing on an apple. A tablet lay on the little table in front of her.

Hearing the commotion, she lifted her eyelids lazily and cast them a glance.

Chi Yang let out a breath of relief.

“Sick and still playing on the computer?”

Chi Qing raised her head and gave Chi Yang a bland look. With a crisp crunch, she bit into the apple and swallowed.

“Who said I’m playing? I’m working.”

“You’re already sick. Can’t you let your subordinates handle it for once?”

Chi Yang’s tone was cool. “I’d hand it over to you if I could. But you’d rather be flying around on wires than sitting in an office, wouldn’t you?”

“Oh, now that you can fly around on wires with your little lover, you’re even less willing to sit in an office.”

Pei Jiuyao realized that President Chi had a way of speaking that was unbearably sarcastic. No wonder she and Chi Yang never got along.

But… maybe the reason they didn’t get along was because Chi Qing never truly saw Chi Yang as a sister.

Conversation going nowhere, Chi Yang confirmed for herself that Chi Qing was fine, then turned on her heel and left the ward.

Pei Jiuyao gave Chi Qing a polite nod and followed her out.

Once the door was shut, Chi Yang asked Shen Xinyi outside, “What did the doctors say?”

“Overwork. She fainted.”

“Nothing else?”

Shen Xinyi pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “They ran every scan, drew her blood—nothing came up.”

“But…” She lowered her voice. “President Chi keeps saying she won’t live long. I’m wondering if it might be psychological.”

Chi Yang frowned. “Psychological?”

Shen Xinyi hesitated, then added, “Her office faces the Tianhe Building. Staring at that every day—I’d get depressed too.”

“She’s not looking at Tianhe Tech,” Chi Yang’s eyes were cool. “Her office looks at Minghe Biotech right next door.”

“Most of Minghe’s shares are still in Grandmother’s hands. Once she gets old enough, whoever she chooses as successor will become the next head of the Chi family.”

Chi Yang gave a soft, humorless laugh. “That’s what she’s after.”

“You two wait here. I need to grab something.”

As Chi Yang left, Shen Xinyi sighed behind her. “As expected of real sisters.”

“The doctors really said nothing’s wrong?” Pei Jiuyao couldn’t help asking.

Shen Xinyi nodded. “The reports are with Ying Ning. You can check with her.”

So Pei Jiuyao masked up and went to find Ying Ning.

When she arrived, Ying Ning looked up from her desk. “Long time no see.”

“I came to ask about President Chi’s condition.” Pei Jiuyao sat down. “There’s really nothing wrong with her?”

“She’s been through all the tests. Looks like simple exhaustion. Why?”

“Nothing.” Pei Jiuyao hesitated. “Could I see the reports?”

Normally patient reports were private. But since Ying Ning knew her connection to Chi Yang—and since there was nothing concerning—she casually handed over the stack.

Pei Jiuyao flipped through. She couldn’t make much sense of the medical jargon, but the numbers were all well within normal range.

Clearly, nothing was fabricated.

Chi Qing really wasn’t sick.

Then why had 7023 told her last time that Chi Qing was on the verge of death?

When Shen Xinyi went back into the ward to sit with Chi Qing, Pei Jiuyao sat outside and summoned 7023.

“Why did you say she was dying?”

7023 crackled nervously: 【I never said that, Host.】

Pei Jiuyao pinched the bridge of her nose. “Then why did you say the last host was dying?”

【It was just a guess. If you refuse to complete missions, there has to be punishment. Since she was already dead in her original world, I assumed she wouldn’t live long in this one either.】

A guess? So in other words, 7023 had no idea.

Chi Qing had come here as a college student and had refused to complete missions for more than ten years now—yet she was still alive.

So the supposed “punishment” might not even exist.

All that worrying… for nothing.

Pei Jiuyao pressed her lips together in frustration and kicked 7023 out of her mind.

When she looked up, Chi Yang was back, carrying two bags.

Pei Jiuyao quickly stood to take them. “What did you bring? Why didn’t you call me to go with you?”

Chi Yang handed them over without thinking, pulling off her mask. “I went home for some food Auntie made. Let’s eat together.”

She pushed the door open and let Pei Jiuyao carry the bags in first, then closed the ward door behind them.

“Xinyi-jie, I brought food from home. Let’s share.”

Shen Xinyi took the tablet off Chi Qing’s table, smiling. “Second Miss always thinks of everything.”

Chi Qing gave a mocking laugh. “If I relied on you, I’d starve to death.”

Pei Jiuyao unpacked the boxes one by one while Chi Yang fetched another stool.

“When did the doctors say you could be discharged?” Chi Yang asked.

Chi Qing pried open a lunchbox. “Shen Xinyi, try this. See if it tastes better than your cooking.”

Chi Yang passed her chopsticks, repeating impatiently, “I asked you a question.”

“Mmm.” Chi Qing stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth. “I’m planning to stay right here.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re turning twenty-seven this New Year, aren’t you, Chi Yang?”

Chi Yang clearly disliked having her age brought up. Her eyes darkened. She glanced at Pei Jiuyao, then turned away.

Chi Qing continued, “It’s time you learned the ropes of the Chi family business. Since I’m stuck here, you’ll handle the Huai’en Pharma acquisition.”

“Me? I’ve got my own studio to manage.”

“Isn’t Qin Hao running most of that anyway?”

Chi Yang jabbed at a dish with her chopsticks. “Still doesn’t work. I’ve already promised Pei Jiuyao we’d travel—to the Arctic, to see the aurora.”

The Arctic? Aurora? Since when?

Pei Jiuyao blinked at her, stunned. But then Chi Yang gave her a subtle wink.

“Yes,” Pei Jiuyao nodded solemnly, “we’ve already booked the tickets.”

Chi Qing looked up, eyes cold, sweeping across the two of them before scoffing. “Then either you take over the acquisition, or you go charm the old lady into handing you Minghe shares.”

“I—” Chi Yang started, but Chi Qing cut her off with a sharp wave.

“Pick one. If you succeed, you won’t have to come home for New Year’s dinner. You can run off with Pei Jiuyao however you like, and I’ll cover for you.”

Chi Yang’s eyes lit up. “Really?” she asked softly.

“When have I ever lied to you?”

“Fine. But let’s be clear—I’ll clean up after you, then I’m gone. Not a thing more.”

“Deal. I’ll book your flights myself.”

“They’re already booked,” Pei Jiuyao hurried to add.

“Don’t bluff.” Chi Qing gave her a look. Pei Jiuyao pressed her lips together and dropped her head.

Glancing at her phone, Chi Qing added, “Xiao Ya’s on break today. Go pick her up from the airport.”

“Me?” Chi Yang pointed to herself. “Forget it. I’m not your nanny. I’ve got an acquisition to wrangle. Send me the files.”

“You’re not worried someone else might snatch her?”

“You’re the one who kept her around as collateral, just because Aunt left her ten percent of Minghe shares. That’s twisted.”

“At least I feed her. Better than those old vultures who wanted her dead.”

“Then climb out of bed and get her yourself. Ying Ning said you’re perfectly fine.”

Pei Jiuyao listened in silence, chewing on her food. High society, she thought, was nothing but cutthroat.

Then both sisters’ gazes landed on her.

Pei Jiuyao looked up, dabbed at her lips, and said quietly, “Then… maybe I’ll go?”

________________________________________

Pei Jiuyao ended up at the airport, holding a massive banner that read Welcome Home, Xiao Ya.

Standing there all alone, she felt thoroughly betrayed.

Really? Making a top celebrity like her hold this in a crowd?

For the hundredth time she tugged her cap lower, adjusted her sunglasses, pulled at her mask, and fiddled with the leather gloves on her hands.

The people around her instinctively edged away.

She didn’t look like she was here to greet someone—more like she was here for an assassination.

Soon, the crowd poured out. Among them, a girl rolled a silver suitcase plastered with stickers. Pink hair swayed as she popped a lollipop in her mouth, headphones slung around her neck. She scanned the throng.

When her eyes landed on Pei Jiuyao, she waved wildly and came running, dragging her suitcase behind her.

“Xiao Ya?” Pei Jiuyao called out softly.

“You’re the one my cousin said would pick me up, right?”

The young girl squeezed past the crowd and froze for a few seconds when she saw Pei Jiuyao’s get-up. She pulled out a photo to compare, then broke into a grin.

“It’s you.”

Pei Jiuyao gave a short hum in acknowledgment and took the suitcase from her.

The two walked side by side toward the exit. Chi Leya’s eyes brimmed with curiosity as she studied Pei Jiuyao’s outfit.

“Why are you dressed like that? Don’t tell me you’re… a wanted criminal? A mafia boss? Are you carrying a gun? Are we about to get tailed and end up in some high-speed car chase drama through the city?”

“And then pulled over by traffic cops and lectured for speeding?”

Pei Jiuyao opened the trunk and tossed the suitcase inside with one hand. That was when she noticed the stickers plastered on it—every single one was of Chi Yang: stills from her films, even photos from award ceremonies.

So the kid was a fan of Chi Yang.

—

When they got home, Chi Leya dove headfirst into the sofa, groaning dramatically about finally being comfortable.

Pei Jiuyao ignored her. She peeled off her heavy disguise, removed her jacket, and went to check on the food the housekeeper had kept warm. She packed a portion into a lunchbox and served the rest to Chi Leya.

“Xiao Ya, wash your hands and eat.”

By the time Chi Leya came over, Pei Jiuyao had already tidied up the lunchbox.

“I’m going to bring this to your sister Chi Yang at the office later. You stay home and don’t wander off.”

Chi Leya leaned closer, wide-eyed.

Pei Jiuyao touched the tip of her nose, a little uneasy. “What is it?”

“Aren’t you… that Pei Jiuyao?” she whispered.

Pei Jiuyao lowered her hand. “Oh. Yeah, that’s me.”

So Chi Yang and Chi Qing hadn’t told her.

Chi Leya’s eyes went round with dawning realization, her expression stuck between shock and disbelief. “You and my cousin—you two, you… you…”

This was…

The face of a Chi Yang fangirl crumbling apart upon realizing her beloved idol was living with the star she couldn’t stand. She looked seconds away from heartbreak, devastation—maybe even an oxygen mask.

Before Pei Jiuyao could pull out her phone and dial 120, Chi Leya suddenly threw an arm over her shoulder, her expression brightening flirtatiously.

“Sis, add me on WeChat.”

…Was this her last flare of energy before collapsing?

“Sure.”

Pei Jiuyao took out her phone—only to see Chi Leya, right in front of her, open an entertainment gossip app she hadn’t even closed. Her username flashed at the top of the screen: “JiuZheYangBa.”

“‘JiuZheYangBa’?”

Why did that sound so familiar?

After they added each other, Pei Jiuyao grabbed the lunchbox and headed out. Halfway through, a thought struck her—she quickly pulled up her own downloads from a few days ago.

There it was: an explicit, adults-only CP fan edit titled #ZhiChiZhiYao# Master-Disciple Mini-Clip.

Her jaw dropped as she turned back to see Chi Leya rolling around on the sofa with her phone, squealing into the screen.

Madam, it’s you?!