After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 23

Xie Yinian stood outside for a while. The flush on her face had mostly faded, though the back of her neck still felt a little hot and tight—an odd swelling sensation—but it was bearable.

When Xia Qiqi came out of the fitting room, she had changed into a white cropped top that revealed a sliver of her milk-white waist, paired with a black skirt. The outfit, along with her delicate features, gave her an alluring mix of innocence and allure.

Xie Yinian was momentarily stunned by how stunning she looked. The salesgirl beside them grew even more enthusiastic, showering Xia Qiqi with compliments.

Xia Qiqi thanked the salesgirl politely, then glanced shyly at Xie Yinian. “Does it look good?” she asked.

When Xie Yinian didn’t respond—clearly dazed—Xia Qiqi frowned slightly and waved a hand in front of her eyes.

“Huh?” Xie Yinian blinked, coming back to her senses. Remembering the question, she stammered, “Y-yeah, it—it looks great.”

Xia Qiqi couldn’t help but smile; Xie Yinian looked so adorably flustered. “Really?” she teased softly.

Her smile was radiant—so rare and beautiful that Xie Yinian couldn’t help but think, If only she would smile like this more often.

She nodded repeatedly, like a little garlic clove being crushed.

Xia Qiqi laughed lightly. “Thank you.”

Still a little entranced, Xie Yinian picked up another outfit. “Try this one too?” she suggested eagerly, eyes sparkling. If she had a tail, it would definitely be wagging right now.

Xia Qiqi couldn’t resist that hopeful expression. She pressed her lips together in amusement, took the clothes, and returned to the fitting room.

After trying on several outfits, Xia Qiqi let Xie Yinian pick out a few that she thought looked best. Xie Yinian also selected a few for herself.

When they headed to the counter, the salesgirl smiled sweetly. “That’ll be twelve hundred in total.”

Before Xia Qiqi could even take out her phone, Xie Yinian swiftly scanned the QR code and paid the bill.

The salesgirl handed over the neatly packed shopping bags with a cheerful, “Thank you! Please come again!”

Xie Yinian smiled, taking the bags. “Let’s go,” she said, turning toward Xia Qiqi.

As they walked out of the boutique, Xia Qiqi looked down at her phone. “I’ll transfer you my share for the clothes,” she said.

Xie Yinian quickly stopped her. “No need—it’s a gift. Don’t worry about it.”

Xia Qiqi frowned. “I should still pay you back.”

“I won’t take it,” Xie Yinian insisted with a grin. “If you really feel bad about it, just treat me to dinner next time.”

Xia Qiqi thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

“So, do we head back now or keep walking around a bit?” Xie Yinian asked.

“Let’s look around a little longer,” Xia Qiqi replied.

They wandered through the mall together until Xie Yinian’s eyes lit up at the sight of a nearby arcade. “Hey, how about we play a bit before heading back?” she suggested.

“Sure,” Xia Qiqi agreed.

The arcade was filled with all sorts of games—shooting, basketball, coin pushers, and more.

Xie Yinian’s attention was drawn to a claw machine filled with plush toys. Among them sat a cute little white bear with pink blush on its cheeks.

“How about we try to get that one?” Xie Yinian said, pointing.

Xia Qiqi glanced at the bear in the corner. “Isn’t it going to be hard to catch?”

“Not really,” Xie Yinian said after a quick assessment. She inserted some coins into the changer, and soon a handful of tokens clinked into the tray.

Holding the small box of coins, Xie Yinian placed one into the claw machine. The lights flickered as the countdown began.

She bent slightly, one hand on the joystick, eyes focused as she maneuvered the claw above the little bear.

When it was positioned just right, she pressed the button. The claw descended, gripping the bear’s head.

Both of them held their breath. The claw rose slowly—but as the machine jolted, it loosened, and the bear tumbled back down.

“Ah, that’s too bad,” Xia Qiqi murmured.

Xie Yinian only smiled. “It’s okay, we’ve got plenty of coins. Let’s try again.”

She inserted another coin, repeated the same process, and failed once more.

After several attempts, on the very last coin, the claw finally held firm even as the machine shook. It carried the bear safely to the chute and released it.

Xie Yinian crouched down, lifted the divider, and retrieved the bear. It was snow-white with a faint pink blush on its face—adorably soft and round.

“Here, for you,” she said, handing it to Xia Qiqi with a grin.

Xia Qiqi took it and gently squeezed its plush cheeks. “Thank you.”

Xie Yinian fished out a few more coins. “Want to try playing?”

Xia Qiqi shook her head. “I’m not good at these kinds of games.”

“I can teach you,” Xie Yinian said, slipping another coin into the machine. “Like this—watch.”

She demonstrated carefully, then gestured for Xia Qiqi to take over.

Standing in front of the claw machine, Xia Qiqi mimicked her movements, one hand on the joystick, concentrating hard.

“That’s it,” Xie Yinian encouraged softly. “Slowly now, move it a bit to the right.”

The claw, guided by a novice, moved stiffly, inching its way to the right.

As the machine’s timer ticked down, Xie Yinian lost patience and placed her hand over Xia Qiqi’s.

“Like this—turn it a little to the right,” she murmured from behind, her voice low and calm as she guided Xia Qiqi’s movement.

Xia Qiqi’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

With the distance between them so small, she could even hear Xie Yinian’s soft, rhythmic breathing.

Her ears flushed pink, and her heartbeat grew uncontrollably fast.

The warmth of Xie Yinian’s hand enveloped hers, gently guiding her movements step by step.

The claw hovered above the plush toy. Xie Yinian focused on the screen and said quietly, “You can press it now.”

Blushing, Xia Qiqi reached out with her free hand and pressed the button.

The machine lit up; the claw descended, caught the toy, then carried it to the chute and released it.

Xie Yinian let go of her hand, crouched to retrieve the prize, and stood up with a bright smile. “Got it.”

She lowered her head to look at the toy—a pink bunny with long ears, its little paws covering its face shyly. It was unbearably cute.

“How about I keep this one?” Xie Yinian asked, amused.

“Mm.” Xia Qiqi replied vaguely.

When Xie Yinian looked up, she noticed Xia Qiqi’s face was bright red—even the tips of her ears were flushed, just like the pink bunny in her arms.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Yinian asked curiously.

Xia Qiqi turned her head away and muttered, “It’s hot.”

“Oh,” Xie Yinian said, taking her words at face value. The weather was indeed quite warm.

She glanced toward the arcade machines and suggested, “Let’s go play over there—it might be cooler.”

They walked together toward the gaming area, where the air conditioning was blasting cold air. Soon, Xia Qiqi’s flushed cheeks began to fade.

Xie Yinian sat down in the seat of a racing simulator and inserted a coin.

Xia Qiqi did the same with the coin Xie Yinian handed her. The screen changed scenes, and the game began.

“Wanna race?” Xie Yinian asked with a teasing smile.

Xia Qiqi nodded, her movements still a little stiff as she gripped the steering wheel.

“One, two, three—go!”

The cars on the screen sped forward. Xia Qiqi turned the wheel, but her car swerved wildly and crashed straight into another vehicle.

Meanwhile, Xie Yinian’s car darted smoothly through the traffic, quickly taking the lead. After a while, realizing Xia Qiqi hadn’t caught up, she slowed down, waiting patiently.

When Xia Qiqi finally managed to pull alongside, Xie Yinian deliberately steered into a tree, letting her pass.

Xie Yinian chuckled softly and trailed behind at an easy pace.

In the end, Xia Qiqi finished first—she won. A small, delighted smile appeared on her face as she turned toward Xie Yinian.

“Nice job,” Xie Yinian praised.

Xia Qiqi blushed again at the compliment.

After the race, Xie Yinian took her to play a few more games.

They spent quite a while in the arcade before Xie Yinian checked the time and said, “It’s getting late. Should we head back?”

Xia Qiqi nodded.

They left the mall together and walked toward the parking lot. Just as they were about to get into the car, a stranger’s voice called out.

“Miss Xia?”