After Transmigrating into a Ridiculous Alpha, I Saved My Aloof Omega Wife - Chapter 41

Jiang Muyan waited for ten minutes after replying to the text, but Zhang Siyuan went silent again.

Jiang Muyan said to Cheng Jianli, “He’s so stingy, he won’t even spend fifty bucks for you, and yet he had the nerve to confess his feelings.”

Cheng Jianli smiled faintly. “His family is actually quite wealthy.”

Jiang Muyan was shocked. “They’re rich and still won’t spend money on you? What a trashy guy.”

After saying that, she suddenly realized something. “Wait, hold on. Isn’t his family related to yours? Why does it seem like their financial situation is way better than yours?”

Cheng Jianli shook her head. “I don’t know. But when I was in middle school, my dad often gave money to Zhang Siyuan. My uncle seems to be involved in some kind of business outside and has made quite a bit.”

Jiang Muyan said, “But when Zhang Siyuan confessed to you, didn’t he say you two weren’t blood-related?”

“Yeah,” Cheng Jianli replied. “At the time, I thought he was disgusting, so I didn’t pay much attention to it. Who knows if he made it up or if it’s true?”

It was true, the system had also told Jiang Muyan that Cheng Jianli and Zhang Siyuan shared no blood relation.

“Teacher Cheng, does Zhang Siyuan look nothing like anyone in your family?” Jiang Muyan probed.

Cheng Jianli frowned. “Not really. Some people used to comment on how he didn’t resemble any of us, but my uncle chased them out. After that, no one ever brought it up again.”

“Back then, there was a strong preference for sons. Both my uncle and my dad wanted a boy, but Zhang Siyuan was the son, and I was the daughter,” Cheng Jianli said. “After finally getting an only son, they became really sensitive about it.”

“Your dad has no sense of loyalty, why is he favoring outsiders?” Jiang Muyan said. “You’re his biological child, yet he gives money to Zhang Siyuan? That’s just messed up.”

Cheng Jianli replied, “He wanted a son too. At one point, he even tried to get me to buy Zhang Siyuan a house, but I refused.”

Jiang Muyan said, “Good thing you didn’t agree, Teacher Cheng.”

Cheng Jianli said, “I would never. Aside from my grandmother, I’ve long cut ties with that family.”

Jiang Muyan nodded, thinking it was fortunate Cheng Jianli had a clear head otherwise, she might never have met her at Hongchuan No. 7 High School.

But what kind of business was Zhang Siyuan’s family in that made them so much money? And how exactly were they not blood-related?

Jiang Muyan felt these two matters needed thorough investigation.

She decided to leave it to Uncle Liu when she got back.

Uncle Liu had extensive connections and knowledge, he’d definitely get to the bottom of it.

Cheng Jianli said, “Just drop me off at home later. I won’t go to your place.”

The moment Jiang Muyan heard this, her attention instantly shifted. “Teacher Cheng, you’re not coming back with me?”

Cheng Jianli said, “It’s too late.”

“It’s fine! It’s Friday, you can stay over,” Jiang Muyan insisted. “There are plenty of guest rooms. You can pick whichever one you like.”

Cheng Jianli frowned. “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

“Not at all! Uncle Liu would be thrilled to have you stay at the villa,” Jiang Muyan said. “And tomorrow morning, you can quiz me on English vocabulary.”

Cheng Jianli was always easily swayed by Jiang Muyan, so she nodded. “Alright.”

“Let’s go, Teacher Cheng. Let’s grab some milk tea before the driver arrives,” Jiang Muyan said, happily grabbing Cheng Jianli’s wrist. “I heard the taro red tea from the shop up ahead is amazing. I’ll treat you.”

Seeing Jiang Muyan’s kind and adorable smile, Cheng Jianli couldn’t help but smile back. “Alright.”

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the villa.

“Miss is back?” Uncle Liu, busy with household matters, had sent a driver to pick up Jiang Muyan but didn’t expect her to return so soon.

Jiang Muyan entered carrying several shopping bags. A maid stepped forward to take them, smiling as she asked, “Did you go shopping, Miss? Anything that needs organizing?”

“No, these are all for Teacher Cheng. They’ll be delivered to her place tomorrow,” Jiang Muyan replied.

The maid noticed Jiang Muyan’s blue tracksuit and asked curiously, “Did you change clothes, Miss? You weren’t wearing this jacket when you left.”

Jiang Muyan blushed slightly. “This was a gift from Teacher Cheng. Doesn’t it look nice?”

Maid A chimed in, “It looks wonderful! Teacher Cheng has great taste.”

Maid B added, “Miss is already beautiful, and this blue jacket complements your skin tone perfectly.”

Maid C said, “No wonder it fits so well. It’s from Teacher Cheng, it looks so neat and stylish.”

Seeing the genuine smiles on everyone’s faces, Cheng Jianli realized that even if this jacket had only cost sixty yuan, no one here would think it was cheap.

These people, like Jiang Muyan, were sincere and kind-hearted, never judging someone’s worth based on their financial status or background.

In Jiang Muyan’s home, Cheng Jianli felt warmth and kindness something she had never experienced in her own “family.”

Flattered by the maids’ compliments, Jiang Muyan was in even higher spirits. She ran off to seek praise from Uncle Liu, who said, “It does look lovely, Miss. Did you buy anything for Teacher Cheng while you were out?”

Jiang Muyan nodded firmly. “Of course! I got her a dress.”

Uncle Liu smiled. “That’s good. Madam is abroad with friends at their estate, and they specially air-shipped some fresh red dates for you. They just arrived, would you like to try some?”

“Red dates? Maybe later. Are those two sunflower oil guys gone yet?” Jiang Muyan peered inside.

Uncle Liu suppressed a laugh. “Young Master Song Wu has left, but Young Master Song Wen is still here.”

Jiang Muyan looked horrified. “Why is he still here?! Why didn’t they leave together?!”

Uncle Liu explained, “Young Master Song Wen said he wanted to chat with you. It wouldn’t have been polite to turn him away, so…”

Jiang Muyan huffed. “What’s impolite about it? This is my house!”

With that, she stomped into the kitchen, only to find Song Wen mixing a fruit salad.

Jiang Muyan: “…”

Song Wen looked up in surprise. “You’re back?”

Earlier, he and Song Wu had realized Jiang Muyan had disappeared after leaving the kitchen. Upon asking around, they learned she had gone to a bar with that so-called “Teacher Cheng.”

Song Wen felt utterly defeated. A partnership between the Song family and Jiang Corporation would be nothing but beneficial, but Jiang Huai’s daughter wouldn’t even acknowledge him. What was he supposed to do?

Song Wu said, “Bro, maybe you’re acting too much like a simp? Jiang Muyan doesn’t like that kind of behavior.”

Song Wen looked resentful: “With Jiang Huai’s status and position, who wouldn’t act like a simp around her daughter?”

After some thought, Song Wu suddenly slapped Song Wen’s shoulder: “I’ve heard girls nowadays are really into domineering CEOs. Why don’t you try that approach?”

Song Wen frowned: “What’s a domineering CEO?”

Song Wu pulled out a shoddily made booklet from his pocket: “To help you successfully chat up Jiang Muyan today, I even borrowed this book.”

It was a romance novel titled “Don’t Run Away, CEO’s Wife.”

Song Wu continued: “All the boys and girls in our class are reading this novel, it’s gone viral. Why not give it a try?”

When Song Wen opened it, he saw numerous so-called “domineering CEO” quotes:

[“I’ve satisfied you now, what more do you want?”]

[“If you’re trying to anger me, then you’ve succeeded.”]

[“Don’t move. If you move again, I can’t guarantee what might happen.”]

[“Little thing, you’re the only woman in the world who dares to swear at me.”]

[“You’re testing my limits, but I’m enjoying it.”]

After skimming through, Song Wen asked: “So you’re saying I should act more domineering towards Jiang Muyan?”

Song Wu seemed quite knowledgeable in this area, rubbing his hands eagerly: “Women love domineering men, especially the chauvinistic types.”

“Since Jiang Muyan doesn’t like simps, why not try being more domineering with her? It might work better.”

……

Recalling their earlier conversation, Jiang Muyan’s voice suddenly snapped Song Wen back to reality.

Jiang Muyan asked curiously: “Why are you still here? Didn’t you leave with your brother?”

Remembering the novel’s content, Song Wen deliberately adopted a cold tone: “I’m not going home. I’m staying here tonight.”

Jiang Muyan: “? This is my house. Are you out of your mind?”

Song Wen’s eyes revealed three parts aloofness, three parts restraint, and four parts nonchalance: “Isn’t this what you wanted? I’ve satisfied you now, what more do you want?”

Jiang Muyan said sincerely: “I want you to get lost.”

Song Wen sneered and put down the fruit salad: “Little thing, you’re the only woman in the world who dares to swear at me.”

Jiang Muyan was certain Song Wen had issues and serious ones at that.

Why was everyone here as problematic as her?!

She looked around for something to defend herself with while shouting towards the kitchen door: “Uncle Liu! There’s a psycho here! Get someone to drag him out.”

“Shh,” Song Wen made a silencing gesture, “Don’t move. If you move again, I can’t guarantee what might happen.”

“If you keep talking, I’ll make sure my dad sends you to Africa to feed mosquitoes,” Jiang Muyan said. “I’m dead serious.”

Song Wen scoffed: “Hmph, if you’re trying to anger me, then you’ve succeeded.”

Completely fed up, Jiang Muyan turned and saw the plate of fruit salad on the marble counter. Trying to calm herself, she said: “Could you pass me that bowl of fruit salad?”

Song Wen paused, then replied coldly: “Of course. This is the first time this young master has cooked. This fruit salad was made especially for you.”

Jiang Muyan snatched the fruit salad and then, unable to contain herself any longer, dumped it on his head: “Goodbye.”

“!!!” Song Wen’s face was instantly covered in fruit and yogurt. Despite his shock, he still remembered the advice his younger brother had given him.

Women are always duplicitous and prefer domineering men. You have to be more assertive to win their hearts!

As long as he could win over Jiang Muyan, everything in the Jiang Corporation would be his in the future. What was a little hardship like this?

So he spoke again, though the fruit on his face made him cough. “L-little thing, cough, you’re testing my limits, but I’m enjoying it…”

Jiang Muyan: “…”

Hopeless.

Uncle Liu, hearing Jiang Muyan’s voice, rushed over and was stunned by the scene. “Miss, what did you do?”

Jiang Muyan said, “Uncle Liu, next time, don’t let mentally unstable people into the house. They’re such a hassle to deal with.”

Cheng Jianli was in her room working on a physics exam when she heard the commotion downstairs and frowned slightly.

What nonsense was Jiang Muyan up to now?

A few minutes later, Jiang Muyan came upstairs, still shaken. “Psychos are terrifying.”

Cheng Jianli asked, “What happened?”

Jiang Muyan said seriously, “Teacher Cheng, that guy named Song Wen probably has delusions of grandeur. You should never talk to him.”

Cheng Jianli: “…”

I feel like you’re not much better sometimes.

Cheng Jianli asked, “Is he gone?”

Jiang Muyan nodded. “Yeah, Uncle Liu escorted him out.”

Cheng Jianli said, “So all that noise downstairs was you talking to him?”

“Yep,” Jiang Muyan said. “He kept saying the weirdest things to me. It made me so uncomfortable even worse than when he called me by my name.”

Cheng Jianli was puzzled. “What did he say?”

Jiang Muyan walked over to Cheng Jianli and struck a domineering CEO pose. “He said stuff like, ‘Little thing, you’re the only woman in the world who dares to swear at me.'”

“‘Don’t move. If you keep moving, I can’t guarantee what’ll happen,'” Jiang Muyan acted it out for Cheng Jianli, her innocent face trying its best to look cold and imposing. “‘You’re testing my limits, but I’m enjoying it.'”

Cheng Jianli: “…”

“He’s even more of a freak than you,” Cheng Jianli remarked after listening.

“Right?! I thought so too!” Jiang Muyan exclaimed, then suddenly realized something and pouted. “Wait, no! He’s nothing like me! I’m not a freak!”

Cheng Jianli chuckled. “Mm.”

For some reason, teasing Jiang Muyan like this always gave Cheng Jianli a warm, tender feeling inside.

Even though Jiang Muyan wasn’t someone easily bullied, she always acted so aggrieved around Cheng Jianli, making it impossible not to engage with her further.

Of course, continuing to interact with Jiang Muyan might be a mistake after all, this girl’s brain was far too simple, practically devoid of any complexity.

Cheng Jianli asked, “Why would he say those things to you?”

Jiang Muyan scratched her head. “No idea. How am I supposed to understand a psycho’s thoughts?”

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Jiang Muyan’s room was decorated in sky blue, with a cloud-soft carpet covering the floor. The large floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the stars in the night sky.

She stood up to answer the door and found Uncle Liu standing outside. “Miss,” he said, “I found this in the living room. Does it belong to you?”

Jiang Muyan looked down and saw a novel in Uncle Liu’s hand.

She shook her head. “It’s not mine.”

Uncle Liu frowned. “That’s strange. I picked it up in the living room. If it’s not yours, could it be Teacher Cheng’s? No one else in the house reads novels, right?”

Jiang Muyan took the book and saw bold letters on the cover, Don’t Run Away, CEO’s Wife!

Good grief, the sheer idiocy radiating from this novel was overwhelming.

“Never mind, just leave it with me for now,” Jiang Muyan said.

Uncle Liu added, “Miss, would you like some of the air-flown red dates downstairs? I can have the housekeeper wash some and bring them up.”

“Maybe later,” Jiang Muyan replied. “Teacher Cheng and I ate too much tonight.”

Uncle Liu nodded and closed the door behind him as he left.

Jiang Muyan carried the novel over to Cheng Jianli. “Teacher Cheng, is this yours?”

Cheng Jianli barely glanced at the cover. “Do you really think something like this would belong to me?”

True enough. The gaudy cover didn’t match Cheng Jianli’s taste at all. More importantly, Cheng Jianli didn’t even like reading novels.

Jiang Muyan scratched the back of her head. “Yeah, I didn’t think so either. Forget about it, then.”

With that, she tossed the book onto the table.

“That title is rather odd, though…” Cheng Jianli frowned, picking it up and flipping to the first page.

Jiang Muyan wasn’t particularly interested in the novel. She had already grabbed her phone and started browsing the forum, where several new posts about her and Cheng Jianli had popped up today.

[YanLi | Have the lovebirds picked a place to do it? They have!]

[YanLi | The Dumb Jock Takes Down the Ice Queen, Why Aren’t You Shipping Them Yet?]

[YanLi | Ughhh, When Will Teacher Cheng Finally Confess?!]

There were also a few fanart threads Jiang Muyan didn’t click on, but the more she scrolled, the more she felt like these people were writing with eerie accuracy.

She almost felt like she was shipping herself like she was a fan of her own relationship with her wife.

Just as she was grinning foolishly at her phone, a post about Yanli going on a date suddenly appeared.

A date? That was today, wasn’t it?

Jiang Muyan instinctively tapped on it and saw a flood of replies, all posted while she and Cheng Jianli were having dinner.

The OP’s username was [Fluffy], a frequent poster in the shipping threads someone Jiang Muyan recognized by now.

At this point, it suddenly hit her.

Wait… was [Fluffy] that girl from earlier today? Rong Rong?

Was she the ringleader of this shipping madness?!

Jiang Muyan froze, then quickly typed a reply:

OP, how did you know Jiang Muyan and Cheng Jianli went out to eat today?

The response came almost instantly.

Fluffy: Because I ran into them! Miss Jiang and Teacher Cheng were super sweet! They even treated me to dinner!

It was her!

Jiang Muyan kept typing, her heart bubbling with excitement:

Did Teacher Cheng seem happy today?

Fluffy: Of course! Huh, why are you still using Miss Jiang’s real name as your ID? Stop that! I keep thinking I’m actually talking to her (panic.jpg)

Jiang Muyan: But I don’t know how to change my username.

Fluffy: “Alright… But Teacher Cheng really seemed so happy today, haha. I always thought the class rep of Class 2 was super aloof, but she’s actually incredibly gentle. She invited me to sit and even served me soup!”

Jiang Muyan couldn’t help but smile as she read this: “I think she’s very gentle too.”

Fluffy: “Girl, do you have a story to share?! (passing the mic.jpg)”

Jiang Muyan hesitated before typing: “Her gentleness shows in her actions because she doesn’t talk much.”

Fluffy: “Like what? (star-eyed.jpg)”

Jiang Muyan: “Like… like when she’s doing that with Jiang Muyan, she’s super obedient. She does whatever she’s told, exactly how many times she’s told to do it.”

Fluffy: “???!!!”

As soon as Jiang Muyan posted this, the replies flooded in.

Thread reply, 1st floor: “Wait, they actually did it?!”

Thread reply, 2nd floor: “It’s this ID again. Feels like OP’s leaks are always legit.”

Thread reply, 3rd floor: “OP, you’re not leaving until you clarify how many times. Lock the doors, mods.”

…

Jiang Muyan was quickly overwhelmed by notifications.

Meanwhile, Cheng Jianli beside her hadn’t noticed Jiang Muyan’s distraction. After reading ten pages of a novel at her desk, she finally understood why Song Wen had said those bizarre things to Jiang Muyan earlier.

Turns out, he was just copying lines from The CEO’s Runaway Wife.

Cheng Jianli frowned slightly. Clearly, Jiang Muyan wouldn’t fall for such tactics, she was a fool in her own right.

Cheng Jianli called out, “Jiang Muyan.”

Jiang Muyan looked up from her phone. “What is it, Teacher Cheng?”

“I figured out why Song Wen said those things to you,” Cheng Jianli said.

The moment Jiang Muyan heard her wife wanted to chat, she immediately put her phone down and walked over, gazing at her adoringly. “Teacher Cheng, you’re so knowledgeable you even study weirdos?”

Cheng Jianli: “…”

“No,” Cheng Jianli said. “I think he learned it from this novel. Those lines were probably his way of trying to pursue you.”

Jiang Muyan looked shocked. “Pursue me?”

Cheng Jianli: “Mm.”

Jiang Muyan said worriedly, “Is he an idiot?”

Cheng Jianli: “…”

Jiang Muyan continued, “Couldn’t he tell I have zero interest in him?”

Cheng Jianli replied, “Maybe you weren’t obvious enough.”

“I dumped salad on his head, how much clearer could I be?” Jiang Muyan looked troubled. “Maybe I should just have my dad send him to Africa to feed mosquitoes. Who told him to spout such nonsense?”

Hearing Jiang Muyan’s words, Cheng Jianli couldn’t help but smile faintly. Seeing this rare expression on her face, Jiang Muyan instantly forgot all about Song Wen.

She scratched her head shyly. “Hehe, Teacher Cheng, you’re so pretty.”

Cheng Jianli asked, “Am I?”

“Of course! You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen,” Jiang Muyan said.

After a moment’s thought, Cheng Jianli replied, “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen too.”

Jiang Muyan nodded eagerly like a chick pecking at rice and said confidently, “Obviously! Uncle Liu says I inherited all the best traits from my parents.”

Cheng Jianli recalled the events of the evening and said softly, “By the way, I haven’t thanked you yet for buying me so many clothes today and treating me to dinner.”

Jiang Muyan replied generously, “No need to thank me, Teacher Cheng. You bought me new clothes too today, and I absolutely love them.”

Cheng Jianli said, “Compared to your own clothes, that one was far too inexpensive.”

Jiang Muyan said, “Affordable clothes are fine too. When my dad first started his business, times were really tough. He couldn’t even bring himself to buy new clothes for the New Year. So Teacher Cheng, you really don’t need to worry about the price. I’ll love anything you buy for me.”

Seeing Jiang Muyan’s sincerity, Cheng Jianli smiled faintly. “Alright, I won’t mention it anymore. Let’s go take a bath together.”

Jiang Muyan: “???”

“Take a bath together?” A faint blush immediately spread across Jiang Muyan’s cheeks as she shyly said, “Isn’t this too fast? I’m not ready yet.”

Cheng Jianli said seriously, “Come on, let’s go together.”

Jiang Muyan exclaimed, “Really?!”

Cheng Jianli replied, “Of course. Don’t you want to?”

Jiang Muyan excitedly said, “I do! I want too so badly!”

So, Cheng Jianli led Jiang Muyan downstairs to the kitchen. When Jiang Muyan saw the air-shipped red dates in the kitchen, her face was full of confusion.

With a slight curl of her lips, Cheng Jianli said, “Come on, let’s wash the dates together.”