After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 17

After receiving the call, Xie Yinian learned from her mother that her father had fallen while working and injured his leg. The pain had been unbearable, yet he refused to go to the hospital, saying it would be a waste of money. Only when the pain became too much two days ago did he finally go for an examination. The doctor said there was a tumor in his leg that had become inflamed from the fall—it would require surgery to remove, costing tens of thousands of yuan.

The moment he heard the word surgery and that it would be so expensive, Xie’s father flatly refused.

Her mother tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. Having no other choice, she turned to Xie Yinian for help.

After comforting her mother, Xie Yinian immediately set out for home.

When she arrived at Ningxi Town, she got off the bus and, relying on the memories of the body’s original owner, found the small home where her parents lived.

For the first time, she was genuinely grateful that she’d inherited the original owner’s memories—it meant she wouldn’t get lost on her way home.

Standing outside, she looked at the old, rusted iron gate and hesitated for a moment before calling out, “Mom, I’m home!”

Hearing her voice, Xie’s mother—who was cooking—hurriedly turned off the stove, untied her apron, and ran downstairs to open the door.

“Xiao Nian! You’re finally back. You must be exhausted after that long bus ride. Are you hungry? I made your favorite dishes—come on in,” she said warmly, reaching to take her daughter’s suitcase.

“Mom, it’s fine. I’ve got it.” Xie Yinian smiled, carrying the suitcase up the stairs herself.

“All right,” her mother said with a laugh.

As Xie Yinian climbed the stairs, her mother shut the gate behind her and followed her up.

When they reached the second-floor living room, Xie Yinian wheeled her suitcase inside.

Her father was sitting in a rocking chair, reading the newspaper. Seeing her, he gave a snort. “So, you finally decided to come home?”

Caught off guard, Xie Yinian paused, then greeted him softly, “Dad.”

He grunted, eyes still on his paper. “Play a game of chess with me later.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

Her mother smiled. “You two talk first. I’ll finish cooking.” Then she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Dad,” Xie Yinian said, gripping the handle of her suitcase, “I’ll go unpack first.”

Without looking up, her father murmured, “Mm.”

In her old bedroom, the place was spotless—not a speck of dust anywhere. It was obvious her mother came by often to clean.

After unpacking, she sat for a while, thinking about how best to convince her father to go through with the surgery.

Before long, her mother’s voice came from outside: “Dinner’s ready!”

“I’m just about done here—coming!” Xie Yinian replied, putting away the last of her things before heading to the dining room.

She sat down and looked at the table—three dishes and a soup, all simple home cooking. Taking a bite, she smiled. “Mom, your cooking’s still the best.”

Her mother beamed and placed more meat in her bowl. “Eat more.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Xie Yinian smiled, then picked up her chopsticks and placed some food in her father’s bowl. “Dad, you eat too.”

Her father only gave a brief “Mm” before starting to eat.

As they ate, her mother asked, “Xiao Nian, how are things in City A? Work going smoothly?”

“Don’t worry. Everything’s good—work’s going really well,” Xie Yinian replied.

Her mother’s face softened into a deep smile, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes folding together. “That’s good to hear.”

The three of them ate quietly, the only sounds the soft clinking of chopsticks and bowls.

While eating, Xie Yinian stole glances at her father. He looked older than she remembered—his hair was now streaked with white, and his palms were thick with calluses, likely from years of hauling bricks at construction sites.

Thinking of his illness, she pursed her lips, then spoke gently, “Dad.”

He looked up.

“Let’s go to the hospital. I’ve saved up some money from work—I can cover the expenses. Your health is what matters most.”

During her time posting comics on Weibo, her audience had suddenly grown, and she’d earned a decent income through commissions.

Her father frowned. “Don’t let those doctors fool you. It’s all a scam. My leg’s fine.”

“Dad,” she said softly, “I know you’re trying to save money for the family, but your health isn’t something to gamble with. What if you collapse—what will Mom do then?”

Her father froze, glancing at his wife, whose eyes were already turning red.

Tears welled up as her mother said, “That’s right, Old Xie. After all these years, could you really bear to leave me alone?”

“Dad,” Xie Yinian added dramatically, “I can’t live without you!”

“Pah, pah, pah—don’t jinx it!” her father barked. “Why’re you both acting like I’m on my deathbed? It’s just a tumor! Fine, fine, I’ll have the damn thing cut out.”

Seeing him finally relent, Xie Yinian’s eyes lit up. Her tactic had worked.

“Then it’s settled. No backing out later!” she said cheerfully.

Her father snorted. “You little rascal.”

Grinning, she replied, “Didn’t you teach me everything I know?”

Her mother wiped her tears, smiling at the sight of the two bantering.

Before her father could scold her again, Xie Yinian quickly said, “Come on, eat while it’s hot.”

After dinner, she joined her father for a game of Chinese chess.

Clack!—her chariot took one of his pawns.

Clack!—he countered by capturing her horse.

He laughed, clearly pleased. With one of her key pieces gone, his chances of winning had gone up.

But Xie Yinian only smiled—she’d done it on purpose. She still had a strategy in mind.

“Check!” she declared, moving her chariot forward to threaten his general.

Her father quickly moved a guard to block.

Seeing the route sealed, she raised an eyebrow.

He eyed the board, trying to predict her next move.

Suddenly, she lifted her cannon piece. The moment he realized what she was planning, it was already too late.

She placed it beside his general’s right flank. “Check again!” she said, eyes gleaming.

With both guards already blocking the general’s escape, her father had no choice but to admit defeat. “You win.”

She grinned. “Another round?”

Now his pride was on the line. He refused to believe he couldn’t beat his own daughter. “Fine! Let’s go again!”

Meanwhile, at the company conference room,

The sales manager reported grimly, “Our sales performance this year has dropped sharply—from an initial eighty percent market share down to fifty-five.”

Another manager frowned. “Competition’s fierce. A huge portion of our clients have already switched to buying from Lushi Group. If this keeps up, we’ll lose the rest of our customers soon enough.”

The others all nodded in agreement. “Yeah, exactly!”

Everyone turned to look at Xia Qiqi, who sat calmly at the head of the table.

“President Xia, what’s your opinion on this matter?” someone asked.

Xia Qiqi’s tone was even and detached. “Proceed as usual.”

In other words, just do what you’re supposed to do.

A man frowned. “President Xia, do you mean we’re just going to ignore it?”

Though his words sounded respectful, his heart was full of disdain. In his mind, an Omega should stay home where she belonged, not run a company. It was laughable — he looked down on her from the bottom of his heart.

Hearing his remark, murmurs rippled across the room.

Xia Qiqi stood up, her expression icy. “What we should be discussing now is how to optimize our products — how to make them better so clients choose us over others. Sitting here gossiping won’t get us anywhere.”

The room fell silent.

“Meeting adjourned,” she said flatly, gathering her documents and walking out of the conference room.

It happened to be the end of the workday. After tidying up her desk, Xia Qiqi left her office.

“Good evening, President Xia.”

“Goodbye, President Xia.”

Employees greeted her respectfully as she passed, and she nodded in acknowledgment before stepping into the elevator and descending to the first floor.

“Who’s that? He’s so handsome!” whispered one of the receptionists.

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s waiting for someone,” another replied.

A handsome man stood not far away, holding a bouquet of flowers, clearly waiting for someone. His presence drew curious glances from the people passing by.

When Xia Qiqi stepped out of the elevator, the man moved toward her with a pleasant smile.

“Hello, Miss Xia.”

She didn’t recognize him. “And you are?”

“I’m Lin Chen,” he said with a polite grin. “Your father should’ve mentioned me.”

“Ah, Young Master Lin,” Xia Qiqi replied coolly. “Hello.”

Lin Chen held out the bouquet to her. “These are for you.”

“I’m sorry,” Xia Qiqi said, refusing the flowers without hesitation. “I can’t accept them.”

Even after being turned down, Lin Chen didn’t lose his composure. “May I ask why?”

The receptionists leaned in, listening intently.

Xia Qiqi’s response was calm yet startling. “Because I’m married.”

The receptionists gaped in shock. President Xia is married? When did that happen?

Lin Chen’s smile froze. “You, you’re married?”

“Mm.” Xia Qiqi’s tone remained indifferent. “Do you have anything else? If not, I’ll be on my way.”

He scratched his neck awkwardly. “Ah, no, that’s all. Goodbye.”

Xia Qiqi exited the building and stepped into the car her driver had pulled up.

Sitting in the back seat, she glanced out the window and saw Lin Chen walking away, head drooped, the bouquet still in his hand — clearly dejected.

Her gaze cooled. “Back to the villa.”

The driver nodded and started the car.

Inside the villa, Xia Qiqi sat in the living room sipping tea.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. The screen displayed the caller ID: Father.

Her expression hardened as she picked up the call.

“There’s a dinner party tomorrow. You’re coming with us,” her father said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Was Lin Chen your arrangement?” Xia Qiqi’s voice turned cold.

“Yes,” her father replied without hesitation. “He’s the only son of the Lin family, still single. A marriage alliance with them would only benefit us. I’ve heard his compatibility rate with Omegas is extremely high. If you can give him a child or two, you’d have a share of the Lin family’s fortune. You should divorce that pretty woman you’re with — marry Lin Chen and live comfortably without needing to work.”

To Father Xia, an Omega’s place was at home — raising children, supporting her husband. A working Omega was, in his mind, a disgrace.

Xia Qiqi’s voice was frosty. “You can give up on that idea.”

Her father gave a mocking laugh. “Don’t forget — I still own forty percent of your company’s shares.”

Xia Qiqi pressed her lips together. It was true — he held forty percent of her company. He was practically a co-owner. That was precisely why she couldn’t afford to openly defy him.

Back when her company had been on the brink of bankruptcy, she’d had no choice but to turn to her father for help. He’d agreed — on the condition that she transfer forty percent of her shares to him. It was the only way she’d survived that crisis.

“I’ll go,” she said at last. “To the dinner tomorrow.”