After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 22

After leaving the café, Xia Qiqi returned to the company to continue handling work matters.

Meanwhile, after finishing her workout, Xie Yinian headed into the shower.

The warm spray cascaded down from the showerhead, washing away the sweat from her skin.

She turned off the water, squeezed out some shower gel, and began to lather it across her arms. Watching the white foam form under her hands, she suddenly recalled the last time she had helped Xia Qiqi through her heat—how they had also been together right here.

Her cheeks flushed at the memory. She shook her head quickly, trying to chase away those messy thoughts, then turned the faucet back on. The hot water poured down again, streaming over her face as she tilted her head back and let it run freely.

After showering, Xie Yinian came out and went to look for her phone.

She found it on the bedside table. Powering it on, she opened WeChat, intending to message her mother and ask about her father’s condition—when a new message popped up from an unfamiliar profile picture.

Lu Anran: I bought two movie tickets, but I’ve been too busy to use them. It’d be a waste to let them expire, so I’m giving them to you. They’ll be delivered to your place soon.

Xie Yinian: Got it, thank you.

Lu Anran: No need to be polite! We’re friends, aren’t we? Oh, by the way, I ran into your wife today.

Xie Yinian: Where did you meet her?

Lu Anran: At a café. We even had coffee together.

Xie Yinian: You two had coffee?

Lu Anran: We were discussing a collaboration.

Xie Yinian: I see.

Xie Yinian: Did you go back to the company?

Lu Anran: Yeah, my dad dragged me back. A whole pile of nonsense waiting for me to deal with. Anyway, I’ll catch up with you some other time when I’m free.

Xie Yinian: Alright.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Xie Yinian went to open the door.

“Hello, this is your delivery. Please sign here,” said the courier, holding a small package.

After signing, she watched him tear off the delivery label before leaving.

Carrying the box inside, Xie Yinian sat down and opened it. Inside were two movie tickets.

She held them in her hands for a moment, thinking—should she invite Xia Qiqi to go with her?

Looking down at her phone, she opened Xia Qiqi’s chat window and typed a message after a moment’s hesitation:

I have two movie tickets. Would you like to go see it with me?

She hit send.

Not long after, a reply came.

Xia Qiqi: When?

Xie Yinian’s lips curved in surprise and delight—she’d said yes! She quickly typed back:

Tomorrow.

Xia Qiqi: I’m free tomorrow. I can go with you.

Xie Yinian: Great.

Smiling happily, Xie Yinian put her phone aside and opened her laptop to sketch.

A while later, her inbox pinged with a new email.

Subject: Comic Platform Partnership Invitation

Content: Hello! Thank you for submitting your work to our platform. I’ve reviewed your comic—it’s warm, charming, and very suitable for our readers. We’d like to formally invite you to sign a contract with us.

Xie Yinian added the editor’s contact and began discussing the signing process.

Once the agreement was finalized, her comic was officially uploaded to the platform. It didn’t take long before the comment section flooded with messages.

[So good! Please update soon!] — User “Xiao Qiu” sent a 20 Mi-coin cake gift.

[Love it! Keep up the great work, Author!] — “October” sent a 50 Mi-coin candy gift.

[Instant favorite!] — “Nan Nan Qiao” sent a 100 Mi-coin mini car gift.

*[More updates! More updates!]

*[Hehe, it’s so sweet—I’ll wait till there’s more before binging!]

*[Amazing art! You’ve got my like!]

*[Came here from Weibo—keep it up!]

Counting the platform revenue, Xie Yinian was pleasantly surprised—it was already in the triple digits. She hadn’t expected to gain so many followers or earn so much just from two chapters. For a beginner, it was an impressive start.

After thanking her readers for their support, she opened her drawing software again and continued sketching.

The next morning.

Xia Qiqi woke up, freshened up, and stood before her wardrobe, thinking about what to wear for her movie date with Xie Yinian.

Once she was dressed, she stepped out of her room and went downstairs—just as she spotted Xie Yinian sitting on the sofa, head down, scrolling through her phone.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Yinian looked up and froze for a second when she saw Xia Qiqi’s outfit. Then she quickly composed herself and greeted, “Hey.”

Xia Qiqi nodded slightly and took a seat on the single sofa beside her, flipping open a magazine.

Xie Yinian returned to chatting with her mother on WeChat.

After the recent heat incident, things between the two had become a little awkward.

It was the kind of tension that lingers after something unexpectedly intimate happens—like if you suddenly kissed your roommate or friend. How could you possibly act natural afterward?

Both stayed quietly occupied with their own things. When it was time to go, Xie Yinian stood up and said, “The movie’s about to start. Shall we?”

Xia Qiqi set the magazine down and nodded.

In the garage, Xie Yinian asked, “Should I drive, or do you want to?”

“You drive,” Xia Qiqi replied calmly.

They got into the car, and Xie Yinian pulled out of the garage.

At the cinema.

“The movie’s about to begin—let’s go in,” Xie Yinian said. After their tickets were checked, they entered the screening room.

To her surprise, instead of rows of seats, there were only four pairs of double sofas.

She blinked in confusion. “Huh? So, few people?”

Just then, a staff member approached with a friendly smile.

“Hello, this is a couple’s theater. The snacks, fruits, and drinks inside are complimentary. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

Xie Yinian froze. “A couple’s theater?”

The staff member asked in confusion, “Yeah, is there a problem?”

Xie Yinian replied awkwardly, “No, nothing.”

“Alright then, I won’t disturb you two. Enjoy the movie,” the staff said before leaving.

Xia Qiqi silently looked at the pink, heart-shaped loveseat in front of them. After a moment’s hesitation, she sat down.

Xie Yinian stood there for a bit, hesitated as well, and finally sat beside her.

“Sorry. I didn’t know this was a couple’s seat,” she said, sounding embarrassed.

If she’d known, she would never have brought Xia Qiqi here. Trust Lu Anran to buy couple’s seats without mentioning it.

Meanwhile, far away at the office, Lu Anran sneezed.

Seeing Xie Yinian’s awkward expression, Xia Qiqi said calmly, “It’s fine. It’s just a different kind of seat.”

Hearing that she didn’t mind, Xie Yinian finally relaxed.

A few more couples entered the theater, each settling into their own heart-shaped loveseats and snuggling close together.

The movie was about to start.

Xie Yinian turned to the screen, watching intently, and Xia Qiqi gradually did the same.

Xie Yinian had thought this would be a comedy, but later in the film, the two female leads suddenly started kissing—and then began taking each other’s clothes off.

Her face burned. In the row ahead, several couples began to stir, drawn in by the scene, leaning in to kiss their own partners.

Feeling hot, Xie Yinian picked up the water cup from the small round table in front of her and took a sip.

Xia Qiqi, also feeling embarrassed, turned her head toward Xie Yinian instead of the screen.

At that moment, Xie Yinian happened to put down her cup and look back. Their gazes met.

Xia Qiqi’s eyes lingered on Xie Yinian’s lips—rosy and glistening under the dim light. For a moment, her mind went blank.

The last time they’d kissed, she had been hazy and couldn’t quite remember what it had felt like.

Xie Yinian noticed Xia Qiqi staring and grew flustered.

Her cheeks flushed as she asked softly, “What are you looking at?”

Snapping out of it, Xia Qiqi quickly shook her head and turned back to the screen.

Xie Yinian let out a quiet sigh of relief.

By then, the on-screen love scene had ended, and the couples in front were gradually separating to resume watching the movie.

When the film ended, the two walked out of the theater together.

“That was actually pretty good,” Xie Yinian said. “It had a lot of humor, but the emotions were well done too.”

Xia Qiqi nodded. “Yeah, it was good. Though the ending was open—kind of sad when the two leads went their separate ways.”

“Maybe they’ll meet again someday,” Xie Yinian said with a smile.

“Maybe,” Xia Qiqi replied.

Spotting a cotton candy stand across the way, Xie Yinian asked, “Do you want one?”

Xia Qiqi was just about to decline when Xie Yinian had already jogged over to buy some. She picked the cutest bunny-shaped one for Xia Qiqi and another for herself.

After paying, she came back, handed the bunny cotton candy over, and said with a grin, “Here.”

Xia Qiqi pressed her lips together, took it gently, and said softly, “Thanks.”

“Try it,” Xie Yinian encouraged.

Xia Qiqi took a small bite—sweet and fluffy, not bad at all.

Xie Yinian lowered her head to eat hers, and the two walked side by side, each enjoying their treat. Before long, Xie Yinian had already finished hers and licked her lips.

Eyeing Xia Qiqi’s cotton candy, she suddenly felt mischievous. With a teasing smile, she asked, “Is it good?”

“Yeah,” Xia Qiqi replied, nodding as she continued eating.

“Let me have a bite?” Xie Yinian said, smiling playfully.

Obediently, Xia Qiqi held the cotton candy out to her.

But Xie Yinian leaned forward, opened her mouth wide, and stuffed the entire thing into her mouth in one go.

Xia Qiqi could only stare in disbelief as Xie Yinian’s cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, struggling not to laugh.

Looking at the now-bare bamboo stick, Xia Qiqi’s face darkened. She tossed it to the ground and turned away, walking ahead, deciding she didn’t want to talk to her anymore.

Xie Yinian finally swallowed the cotton candy and burst out laughing.

Hearing her laughter behind her, Xia Qiqi only quickened her pace, ignoring her completely.

Grinning, Xie Yinian hurried up beside her. “Why are you walking so fast? Wait for me!”

The more Xia Qiqi thought about it, the more annoyed she became. She gave Xie Yinian a light smack on the shoulder. “Go away.”

“Nope,” Xie Yinian replied cheerfully.

Watching her sulking expression, she softened her tone and asked gently, “Still mad?”

Xia Qiqi rolled her eyes.

“How about I buy you another one?” Xie Yinian offered.

They’d already walked quite a distance, and Xia Qiqi didn’t feel like going back. She shook her head. “Forget it.”

Just then, Xie Yinian spotted a takoyaki stand ahead and said, “Wait here for me!” Then she dashed off to buy some.

She soon returned with a takeout box, opening it to let the savory aroma waft out.

Proudly, she handed it to Xia Qiqi. “Here, try some. It’s really good.”

Xia Qiqi took the box, speared one with a skewer, and tasted it. “Mm, it is.”

Eyes twinkling, Xie Yinian asked with a grin, “Can I have a bite too?”

Seeing her expression, Xia Qiqi immediately hugged the box to her chest and hurried ahead to keep her distance.

Xie Yinian doubled over laughing, unable to stop herself.

The two of them wandered aimlessly down the street when Xie Yinian turned her head and asked, “Are you hungry?”

Xia Qiqi nodded. “A little.”

“Then let’s grab something to eat.” Xie Yinian checked the restaurant reservation on her phone. It wasn’t far—just about a ten-minute walk.

“It’s right ahead,” she said, pocketing her phone. “Let’s go.”

Xia Qiqi took a bite of her takoyaki and nodded.

Inside the restaurant, mellow background music played softly.

Seated across from each other, Xie Yinian opened the menu on the table.

A waiter approached with a polite bow. “Good evening, ladies. What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have a steak, a vegetable salad, and,” Xie Yinian began.

The waiter nodded, then turned to Xia Qiqi. “And for you, miss?”

After picking a few dishes, Xia Qiqi handed the menu back, and the waiter left.

A few minutes later, Xie Yinian excused herself to the restroom.

After washing her hands, she dried them under the hand dryer and stepped out.

At the table, Xia Qiqi sat with her legs crossed, sipping water from her glass.

As Xie Yinian walked back, she spotted Xia Qiqi in the distance. Just as she was about to head over, a nearby waiter carrying a tray of food brushed past her.

Suddenly, someone bumped into the waiter’s elbow.

Clatter!

Soup and sauce splashed all over Xie Yinian’s shirt. Luckily, the soup wasn’t too hot, and her skin wasn’t burned.

She looked down helplessly at her brand-new white blouse, now stained a dull yellow and dripping with broth.

“I’m so sorry! Are you alright?” the waiter stammered, flustered. Grabbing a handful of napkins, he reached toward her chest. “Let me wipe it for you.”

Before he could touch her, a slender, fair hand reached out and blocked his movement.

Xia Qiqi took the napkins from him and said coolly, “It’s fine. I’ll do it.”

The waiter froze for a moment, then quickly handed her the napkins. “O-okay.”

Frowning, Xia Qiqi dabbed at the stains on Xie Yinian’s abdomen.

“It’s okay, really, I can do it myself,” Xie Yinian said quickly, embarrassed.

“Were you burned?” Xia Qiqi asked, passing her the napkins.

“No, it wasn’t hot,” Xie Yinian replied while wiping at her blouse. “But this shirt’s definitely ruined.”

“Then we’ll get you another one later,” Xia Qiqi said simply.

Xie Yinian nodded.

The waiter kept apologizing. “I’m truly sorry for soiling your clothes, I.”

Xie Yinian waved a hand. “It’s fine. I know it wasn’t on purpose.”

Relieved that she wasn’t making a fuss, the waiter thanked her profusely and promised to reimburse her for the shirt.

Once he left, the curious diners around them finally turned back to their own meals.

After finishing dinner, Xie Yinian and Xia Qiqi headed to a nearby mall to buy a new shirt.

As soon as they walked into a boutique, the sales assistant greeted them enthusiastically. “Welcome, ladies! Are you looking for anything in particular? We have dresses, blouses.”

Then she glanced between the two of them and smiled knowingly. “Oh, are you picking out something for your girlfriend?”

Xie Yinian gave an awkward smile and shook her head. “No, it’s for me.”

Only then did the clerk notice the stains on her shirt. “Ah, I see. What kind of blouse are you looking for?”

“Just a regular one,” Xie Yinian said.

“The blouses are over here—this way, please.”

Looking at the rack of colors, Xie Yinian turned to Xia Qiqi. “Why don’t you help me pick one?”

Xia Qiqi scanned the options and held up an orange shirt. “This one?”

“Looks good,” Xie Yinian said, taking it into the fitting room.

While she changed, Xia Qiqi waited outside.

The sales assistant tidied up nearby and struck up a friendly conversation. “Your girlfriend’s really pretty.”

Xia Qiqi: “…”

Xie Yinian came out wearing the new shirt. “How is it?”

Xia Qiqi looked her over and said honestly, “It suits you.”

The clerk chimed in with cheerful compliments, and Xie Yinian flushed at the praise.

Smiling, the clerk asked, “Would you like to pick something out for your girlfriend too?”

Xie Yinian paused, then decided not to correct her. There was no need to explain.

She turned to Xia Qiqi instead. “Want me to pick a few things for you?”

Xia Qiqi shook her head. “No need.”

“Oh, come on. This one looks great—you should at least try it on,” Xie Yinian said, holding out a top.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xia Qiqi accepted it and went into the fitting room.

As Xie Yinian waited, a sudden yelp came from inside. Alarmed, she rushed over. “What happened?”

“The zipper caught my hair,” Xia Qiqi said, frowning as she struggled to untangle it.

“Want me to help?”

“Yes, come in and help me.”

Xie Yinian pushed open the door. Xia Qiqi stood in front of the mirror, wearing a back-zip top that was stuck halfway, exposing a stretch of pale skin.

Xie Yinian swallowed hard and reached up carefully to free the zipper.

Xia Qiqi gathered her hair up to make it easier for her.

As she did, Xie Yinian caught sight of the small, raised area at the back of Xia Qiqi’s neck—a suppressant patch pressed neatly over her gland. Her face flushed instantly.

She quickly looked away, focusing on untangling the zipper.

Leaning close, she caught the faint scent of cool mint drifting from Xia Qiqi’s skin. Her heart skipped, and her cheeks burned even redder.

“There,” she said hurriedly once the zipper came free. “It’s done—I’ll wait outside.”

With that, Xie Yinian bolted out of the fitting room.

Xia Qiqi stared after her, puzzled. What’s gotten into her?