After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 10

Xia Qiqi and Xia Jiasheng walked outside together. Xia Jiasheng followed quietly at her side, and for a while, neither of them spoke.

To be honest, Xia Jiasheng didn’t have much of an impression of his second sister.

He still remembered that back when he was in high school, he’d learned that their mother was pregnant again.

When Xia Qiqi was born, he was busy with his studies and hardly ever had time to look after his little sister who was more than ten years younger than him.

After graduating from university, he decided to venture out on his own. His parents agreed, and by the time he returned home, successful in his career, his second sister was already in high school. Back then, just like now, she had been quiet and withdrawn.

Because Xia Jiasheng hadn’t really been part of Xia Qiqi’s childhood, she felt little attachment to him. To her, he was simply an older brother she barely knew—someone more than ten years her senior.

The two of them rarely interacted. Though they were siblings by blood, their relationship was distant, almost like that of strangers.

As they walked slowly down the road, Xia Jiasheng glanced at her and scratched his head. “Uh, Qiqi.”

Xia Qiqi turned her eyes toward him coolly. “What is it, big brother?”

Her tone made Xia Jiasheng pause. He really wasn’t good at handling this kind of personality—no wonder he’d never managed to build much of a bond with her after all these years.

He sighed inwardly. “You know how Mom and Dad are. Don’t take it too hard, okay? I’ll try to talk to them more.”

“Thank you, big brother,” Xia Qiqi replied evenly.

Xia Jiasheng waved it off with a laugh. “No need to thank me. I’m your brother—of course I should help you.”

They reached the gate of the villa. The driver had been waiting for a while.

“I’ll head out first then,” Xia Qiqi said. “Go home and keep your wife company.”

Xia Jiasheng nodded, watching her get into the car and drive away before finally turning back toward the Xia family villa.

Meanwhile, Xie Yinian and Lu Anran arrived at Xia Qiqi’s villa.

Lu Anran stood outside, taking in the sight of the building. Judging by the design and decoration, it must have cost a fortune—easily on par with her own family home.

Carrying a bag in one hand, Xie Yinian said, “Let’s go.”

Once inside, she told her friend, “You can sit for a bit. I’ll put these books upstairs and be right down.”

Lu Anran flopped onto the plush sofa and thought to herself that it was surprisingly springy and comfortable.

She looked around the spacious living room. Hearing Xie Yinian’s voice from the stairs, she replied absentmindedly, “Go ahead.”

When Xie Yinian went upstairs, Lu Anran began to wander around the room. Her eyes landed on a sculpture displayed on the shelf. She thought, The owner here must have good taste.

It was a piece by a famous international artist. She herself had once been infatuated with that artist’s work—until the artist abruptly withdrew from the art world and disappeared without a trace.

She never expected her rival in love to own a sculpture by that very artist.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows was a small garden full of flowers and greenery. Pink blossoms peeked out from the bushes, while a yellow butterfly fluttered over to collect nectar.

Standing there, Lu Anran couldn’t help but admire it. The owner clearly knew how to live well—just look at this little garden, so beautifully arranged.

Then she caught herself. Ugh, why am I complimenting my love rival?

When Xie Yinian came back downstairs, she saw Lu Anran standing by the window admiring the flowers.

She smiled as she walked over. “Those are Xia Qiqi’s plants. Pretty, right?”

Xia Qiqi? So that was the owner of this place.

Lu Anran sniffed lightly. “They’re okay, I guess.”

Xie Yinian chuckled, heading to the kitchen to fetch two tall wine glasses. She sat down on the sofa, opened a bottle with a corkscrew, and poured the wine into the glasses.

Lu Anran joined her, settling onto the single-seater to Xie Yinian’s right. “What kind of wine is that?” she asked curiously.

“Grape wine,” Xie Yinian replied. “Homemade. No additives or coloring—really good stuff. Try it.”

She handed one of the glasses to Lu Anran.

Lu Anran took it, swirling it gently before taking a sip. It was sweet—surprisingly delicious.

Leaning back, Xie Yinian sipped her own drink. “So, what’s up with you today? Calling me out for a drink all of a sudden?”

“Didn’t I say I was in a bad mood?” Lu Anran pouted.

“Oh? And who dared to upset our Miss Lu?” Xie Yinian teased.

“My dad!” Lu Anran huffed. “He wants to drag me back to manage the company. No way am I doing that, so I ran off.”

“And then?” Xie Yinian asked.

“Then he froze all my accounts,” Lu Anran grumbled. “So I’ve been out here working to make my own money.”

“I see,” said Xie Yinian.

Everything suddenly made sense. So this young lady wasn’t just “experiencing life”—she was on the run from home.

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced down at the caller ID.

“Uncle Lu?” she muttered. “Who’s that?”

Lu Anran’s eyes widened. “Oh crap—it’s my dad!”

“Your dad?” Xie Yinian blinked.

Lu Anran hurried over and confirmed that the number was indeed her father’s. “I’m doomed! He must’ve found out I’m here—he’s coming to catch me!”

Xie Yinian patted her on the shoulder. “Calm down. I’ll pick up and see what he wants first.”

Lu Anran nodded nervously.

Xie Yinian answered the call. “Hello? Uncle Lu?”

Lu Anran watched her anxiously, swallowing hard.

“Yinian,” said Lu’s father, “have you seen Anran lately? Has she been in touch with you?”

“Anran? No, not for quite some time,” Xie Yinian replied smoothly. “Is something wrong?”

Lu Anran gave her a silent thumbs-up. That’s my best friend—loyal to the end!

“Heh, nothing serious. Just let me know if you see her, alright? I need to talk to her. Goodbye.”

“Of course, Uncle Lu. Take care.”

When the call ended, Lu Anran was so moved she practically burst into tears. Overcome with emotion, she threw her arms around Xie Yinian. “You’re the best! I love you—muah, muah, muah!”

Caught off guard, Xie Yinian lost her balance, and her phone slipped out of her hand and hit the floor.

She pushed Lu Anran away with a sigh. “Alright, alright, enough.” She bent to pick up the phone.

Still sniffling, Lu Anran suddenly remembered something. She glanced around and asked, “By the way, where’s your wife? Haven’t seen her around.”

“She went out to take care of something,” Xie Yinian replied.

“Oh.”

Lu Anran sat back down and poured herself another glass. She raised it, took a long sip, and sighed. “You don’t even know how stubborn my dad is.”

Xie Yinian just sat beside her quietly, listening as she vented her frustrations.

Two hours later, the table was littered with seven or eight empty bottles. Xie Yinian rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

This young lady could really hold her liquor.

“Come on, another round!” Lu Anran’s face was flushed red as she raised her glass.

“Xie Yinian, you’re my best friend! Tonight, let’s swear our Peach Garden Oath right here! We won’t ask to be born on the same day, but let’s die on the same day, same month, same year!” she declared, her cheeks rosy with drunken sincerity.

A vein throbbed on Xie Yinian’s forehead.

Lu Anran slumped back against the sofa, still muttering, “Damn old man, making me run that stupid company.”

Xie Yinian sighed helplessly and started clearing the bottles off the table.

“And that awful Xie Yinian—so hateful! Got married and didn’t even tell me! Made me go through heartbreak for nothing, even tricked me, wuuuu.” Lu Anran burst into tears mid-rant.

After crying for a while, her drowsiness kicked in, and she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Since she’d been mumbling half the time, Xie Yinian only caught fragments of her drunken ramble.

Completely puzzled, she walked over and nudged Lu Anran’s shoulder. “Hey, wake up. Who tricked you? What do you mean ‘heartbroken’? Who did this to you?”

Lu Anran stirred and cracked her eyes open, muttering under her breath, “Stupid Fish Shrimp” her nickname for Xie Yinian.

Xie Yinian“?”

Then she promptly fell back asleep.

Xie Yinian: “…”

Xie Yinian sighed, staring at her drunk, sprawled-out friend on the couch.

Just then, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

A black sedan stopped at the villa’s gate. Xia Qiqi stepped out and walked inside.

The click of heels echoed crisply across the floor.

Hearing the sound, Xie Yinian looked up to see Xia Qiqi walking in, dressed in a sharp business suit. “President Xia?” she blurted in surprise.

Xia Qiqi’s gaze lingered on her. She looked as though she wanted to say something—but before she could, Lu Anran suddenly sat up from the sofa, hiccupping and squinting. “Who’s that?”

Xia Qiqi froze at the sight of a tipsy stranger sitting on her couch.

Xie Yinian quickly explained in a low voice, “My wife. Her name’s Xia Qiqi.”

“Oh.” Lu Anran squinted at her, realization dawning. So, this was her love rival, huh?

Lu Anran gave Xia Qiqi a once-over from head to toe.

The direct, openly appraising—and faintly hostile—look made Xia Qiqi frown ever so slightly.

Not bad, Lu Anran thought grudgingly. She’s actually quite pretty.

Swaying on her feet, Lu Anran staggered over, extending a hand with drunken bravado. “Hi there, I’m Lu Anran—uh, I mean, Stupid Fish Shrimp’s best friend.”

Xie Yinian: “…”

Xia Qiqi gave her a polite, restrained handshake. “Nice to meet you.”

Afraid Lu Anran would start acting up again, Xie Yinian quickly stepped in and grabbed her arm. “President Xia, I’ll take her home first.” Without waiting for a reply, she dragged the drunken woman toward the door.

Lu Anran whined and struggled, “Nooo, I don’t wanna go! Let’s drink! Keep drinking!”

“Drink, drink, drink—until you drop dead!” Xie Yinian shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

She sighed inwardly. This friend of mine is a real headache.

Lu Anran pouted, tears welling up. “You’re so mean to me.”

“I am not! Can you please be reasonable for once, Miss Lu?”

“Wuwu, you’re yelling at me again.”

Xie Yinian: “…”

Right. There’s no reasoning with drunk people.

As they walked, Lu Anran’s left foot tangled with her right, and she pitched forward. Startled, Xie Yinian lunged to catch her.

“Holy crap,” she swore under her breath.

Lu Anran clung to her waist, half-draped over her, mumbling with her eyes closed, “Stupid Fish Shrimp.”

Sighing, Xie Yinian hauled her upright again, slinging Lu Anran’s arm over her shoulder and helping her out of the villa.

From behind, Xia Qiqi watched their silhouettes disappear through the doorway. A flicker of unreadable emotion crossed her eyes—then vanished.

Expressionless, she turned away and went upstairs, closing her door with a soft click that sealed her off from the world outside.

After dropping the drunk Lu Anran safely at home, Xie Yinian took a taxi back.

When she arrived at the villa, she noticed something odd—her phone charm was missing from its case. She searched around the living room but couldn’t find it.

Thinking Xia Qiqi might have seen it, she went to the study to ask, only to find it empty.

Not in the study, then maybe in her room?

She went upstairs and knocked on the bedroom door.

With a quiet click, the door opened.

Xia Qiqi stood there, radiating a chill that made the air feel heavier. Her eyes were cold and sharp, the same as when they’d first met.

“What do you want?” she asked icily.

“I.” Xie Yinian hesitated, not understanding what had set her off. “I just wanted to ask if you happened to pick up my phone charm. I think I dropped it in the living room earlier, but I can’t find it.”

“I didn’t pick up your things,” Xia Qiqi said flatly. “Please leave. Don’t disturb my rest.”

Then she slammed the door shut with a sharp bang.

Xie Yinian blinked, scratching her head in confusion.

What’s with her? Who ticked her off this time?