After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 11

After being turned away at the door, Xie Yinian returned to the living room with a sigh and resumed her search for the missing trinket.

It was a little fox keychain she’d gotten as a freebie when she bought a book at a bookstore. Cute, with a mischievous red fox on it—she’d really liked it.

Unfortunately, it had barely been hanging there for half a day before it mysteriously disappeared. All thanks to that Lu Anran—if she hadn’t been clinging to her for no reason, this wouldn’t have happened.

After searching high and low to no avail, Xie Yinian gave up and went back to her room to continue working on her comic drafts.

In another room, Xia Qiqi picked up the little fox keychain from her desk. The small red fox on it grinned playfully up at her. Her gaze cooled slightly as she placed it into a drawer and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Xie Yinian sat staring blankly at her screen, her thoughts a tangled mess.

Her heart felt restless. The image of Xia Qiqi’s cold expression earlier lingered in her mind, making her even more uneasy.

Was Xia Qiqi angry? If so—about what?

Was she just in a bad mood? Or did she simply dislike her now?

Xie Yinian took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Don’t panic. Think carefully. Where did things go wrong?

She replayed the moment in her mind—Xia Qiqi had looked tense and distant from the moment she came home. Xie had been too busy dealing with Lu Anran to notice back then.

Maybe Xia Qiqi had already been upset about something before coming back, and then running into Lu Anran—especially seeing a drunk stranger in her house—just made things worse.

Thinking about it from Xia Qiqi’s perspective, if she came home to find a stranger passed out drunk in her living room, she’d probably be angry too.

Finally, Xie Yinian felt she’d found the reason.

She closed her laptop, stood up, and headed for the door—planning to apologize—but hesitated when her hand touched the doorknob.

Xia Qiqi was probably still mad. Maybe she should wait until she’d cooled off?

If she went now, she’d just be walking straight into the line of fire. She’d already been shot down once today—better not tempt fate again.

With that thought, Xie sat back down, took a steadying breath, and reopened her sketchbook to continue working.

By evening, Aunt Jiang had arrived to make dinner. Out in the courtyard garden, Xia Qiqi was watering the flowers.

She noticed one of the blooms drooping sadly. Setting down the spray bottle, she reached out and brushed her fingers gently over its petals.

Upstairs, Xie Yinian finished inking the last panel of her comic and glanced at the time—it was almost six. Aunt Jiang should be finishing dinner by now.

She closed her laptop and went downstairs.

Through the tall glass doors, she spotted Xia Qiqi in the garden. After a moment’s hesitation, she gathered her courage and walked toward her.

Descending the steps, she called softly, “Xia, Xia Qiqi.”

She’d almost said President Xia, but at the last second switched to her name instead.

Xia Qiqi looked up briefly, her cool gaze sweeping over Xie Yinian.

“I’m sorry,” Xie said, guilt lacing her tone. “It was my fault today. I didn’t think it through before bringing someone home—especially someone drunk. I made you uncomfortable, and I’m really sorry.”

Xia Qiqi turned away without replying, her slender fingers still tracing the flower’s petals.

The silence stretched, awkward and heavy.

Just then, Aunt Jiang appeared. “Miss, Madam—dinner’s ready.”

Xia Qiqi put the watering can back in its place and walked inside without looking at Xie.

Xie followed helplessly.

At the dining table, Xia Qiqi sat down with her usual composure, expression unreadable.

Watching her, Xie couldn’t help frowning. She’s definitely still angry, right?

Aunt Jiang came out with the dishes and smiled kindly. “Madam, come and sit. Dinner’s served.”

Xie sighed softly, took a seat across from Xia Qiqi, and picked up her chopsticks.

She tried to eat as if nothing were wrong, sneaking glances at Xia Qiqi from time to time—only to see that the latter still wore that cold, distant look and never once met her eyes.

Dinner ended in silence. Xia Qiqi rose and left the table. Xie opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

“Madam,” Aunt Jiang asked softly, “did you and Miss have a quarrel?”

Xie nodded ruefully. “Yeah, a bit.”

“I hardly ever see Miss that upset,” Aunt Jiang said, puzzled. “Did you do something to make her unhappy?”

After hearing Xie’s explanation, Aunt Jiang nodded in understanding. “Ah, so that’s what happened.”

Patting Xie’s shoulder, she said gently, “You should go and talk to her. Miss may look cold, but she’s actually very easy to get along with once you reach out.”

Xie nodded. “Alright.”

After Aunt Jiang cleared the dishes and went back to the kitchen, Xie walked into the living room.

Xia Qiqi was sitting on the sofa, one leg tucked up, quietly reading a book.

Rustle.

She turned a page.

Xie hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside her.

A few seconds passed in silence. Finally, Xie ventured, “Um.”

Xia Qiqi didn’t look up, clearly uninterested in talking.

Xie cleared her throat softly. “I really was wrong today. Could you, maybe not stay mad at me?”

Still no response—just the sound of another page turning.

Determined, Xie edged a little closer, bracing a hand on the sofa as she leaned toward her.

Her voice dropped to a gentle murmur. “Please don’t be angry with me anymore, okay?”

Her breath brushed against Xia Qiqi’s ear, making it tingle. Xia Qiqi instinctively leaned back to avoid her.

Before Xie could say more, Xia Qiqi raised her book to block half her face, her eyes calm and steady. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, “No.”

Xie blinked. “No?”

Xia Qiqi closed the book and set it aside. Sliding into her slippers, she stood and said evenly, “You don’t need to apologize. I did say you could bring someone home, so technically you didn’t do anything wrong. Just—please don’t invite strangers here to drink again. I don’t like it.”

“Okay,” Xie replied softly.

Without another word, Xia Qiqi walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, Xie tilted her head. Does that mean she’s not mad anymore?

In the bathroom, Xia Qiqi turned on the shower.

Warm water cascaded down her shoulders, washing away the fatigue of the day.

When she stepped out, wrapped in a soft bathrobe, she walked onto the balcony and leaned on the railing, gazing at the glowing night outside.

The villa was bathed in golden light, and the faint sound of splashing came from the pool beyond the garden.

Her eyes drifted down—and suddenly met Xie Yinian’s.

Xie surfaced from the pool, exhaling a breath before shaking her head to fling off the water.

She wiped her face with her hands, opened her eyes, and, spotting Xia Qiqi on the balcony, waved cheerfully. “Hi!”

Earlier, after dinner, Xie had gone out for a walk and noticed the pool. She couldn’t resist the urge to take a dip.

After greeting her, she took a deep breath and dove back into the water.

Xia Qiqi stood silently, watching her from above.

Ten minutes later, Xie resurfaced, gasping for air—apparently having held her breath too long underwater.

She swam to the edge, climbed out, and began drying herself with a towel.

Dressed in a white swimsuit, her wavy chestnut hair tied high in a ponytail, she looked effortlessly radiant. Her long legs gleamed under the lights, and water droplets sparkled on her fair skin.

Catching Xia Qiqi’s gaze again, she grinned, flashing a perfect row of white teeth.

Xia Qiqi felt her face grow warm. Turning swiftly, she went back inside.

Below, Xie Yinian chuckled to herself as she towel-dried her hair, watching her leave.