After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 25

Xia Qiqi’s fingertips recoiled as if scalded, curling slightly as she drew her hand back.

“Is there more?” Xie Yinian asked.

“No,” Xia Qiqi replied softly, taking her seat at the dining table.

She lowered her gaze to slice her bread, a lock of hair slipping down to brush her cheek. She lifted a hand to tuck it behind her ear, revealing the faint flush coloring its curve.

Quietly, she ate her bread as the rapid thrum of her heartbeat gradually steadied.

While peeling an egg, Xie Yinian said, “I’m mainly going back this time to visit my dad. He’s been sick.”

After listening to her, Xia Qiqi paused before asking, “Is Uncle’s illness serious?”

“Not too bad. The surgery went well. He should be able to get out of bed and walk around now,” Xie Yinian said with a smile.

Xia Qiqi glanced at the clock—it was already past eight. There was still an hour and a half left. If she went now, there should still be time to prepare a gift.

“What do Uncle and Auntie like?” she asked.

Xie Yinian thought for a moment. “My dad’s into tea, and my mom, she’s into health supplements. Always eating tonics and things like that.”

Hearing that, Xia Qiqi suddenly remembered she’d recently received a shipment of premium tea from Jiangnan. The color and aroma were excellent—it’d make a fine gift for Xie’s father.

After breakfast, she immediately called her assistant, instructing her to bring that batch of tea over, along with a set of tea ware, some supplements, and fresh fruit.

Before long, the assistant arrived with the items in hand.

She rang the doorbell, and when it opened to reveal Xie Yinian, she smiled politely. “Miss Xie.”

“Hello,” Xie Yinian greeted with a friendly smile. Seeing the assistant carrying so much, she reached out. “Here, let me help you with that.”

“Thank you,” the assistant said, handing her a few of the bags.

They walked into the living room and set everything down.

With her task done, the assistant said her goodbyes and left.

Xie Yinian checked the time—it was almost time to go. Picking up the gifts, she said, “It’s about time. Let’s head out.”

Xia Qiqi carried a few bags herself, followed her outside, and placed them in the trunk before getting into the car. Xie Yinian started the engine, and the car rolled out of the villa gates.

Xie’s mother had gone out early that morning to buy groceries—lots of them. She wanted to prepare a proper meal to welcome their guest.

By noon, she was in the kitchen cooking. Judging by the time, they should be arriving any minute now.

When the doorbell finally rang, she quickly wiped her hands dry, untied her apron, and went downstairs.

Opening the gate, she saw her daughter standing beside a stunning young woman. The woman wore a simple white dress, her sleek black hair draping gracefully over her shoulders. A small tear-shaped mole beneath her fox-like eyes made her beauty even more striking—like someone who had just stepped out of a TV screen.

Oh my, her daughter had really hit the jackpot.

“Hello, Auntie,” Xia Qiqi greeted politely.

“Hello, hello!” Xie’s mother beamed from ear to ear.

Xia Qiqi held out the gift bags. “Just a small token of my appreciation, please accept them.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have.”

“Mom, just take them,” Xie Yinian said cheerfully. “Xia Xia picked them out especially for you.”

Unable to refuse, Xie’s mother accepted the gifts with a smile. “You’re too thoughtful. Lunch is almost ready—come in, come in.”

They went upstairs to the living room. After setting the gifts down, Xie Yinian asked, “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s in the room,” her mother replied, emerging from the kitchen with a dish in hand.

Just then, Xie’s father came out, leaning on a cane.

“Dad, how are you feeling? Any better?” Xie Yinian asked as she approached him.

“Much better,” he said, then paused to look at the guest beside her.

“Hello, Uncle. I’m Xia Qiqi,” she said with a polite smile.

He smiled back. “Then I’ll just call you Xia Xia. Are all these things from you?”

“Yes,” Xie Yinian answered for her. “She brought gifts for both of you.”

“You’re very thoughtful,” he said warmly.

“Lunch is ready!” Xie’s mother called.

They moved to the dining area. Xie’s mother helped her husband to his seat, while Xie Yinian pulled out a chair for Xia Qiqi.

Once everyone was seated, Xie’s mother enthusiastically picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of fish in Xia Qiqi’s bowl. “This fish just came in this morning—very fresh. Try it!”

“Thank you,” Xia Qiqi replied softly.

Xie Yinian also helped serve food for everyone, then placed another piece on Xia Qiqi’s plate. “Eat more.”

Her mother couldn’t stop smiling as she watched them.

Across the table, her father asked, “So, how did you two meet? And how long have you been together?”

Choosing her words carefully, Xie Yinian said, “We met at a park about a year ago. We really hit it off, and we decided to get married.”

Her mother gave her a mild scolding look. “Something this big, and you didn’t tell us earlier? You should’ve at least prepared us.”

“I was busy then,” Xie Yinian said with a grin. “Now that I finally have time, I can tell you properly.”

Her mother shot her a playful glare, then turned to Xia Qiqi with a gentle smile. “How’s the food? To your taste?”

“It’s delicious. The fish is tender and flavorful,” Xia Qiqi said sincerely.

“Then eat more,” her mother said, adding another piece to her bowl.

Xie Yinian watched the two of them, pouting slightly. Who’s the real daughter here?

After lunch, Xia Qiqi stood up to take the dishes to the sink.

“Oh, no, no, leave that to me,” Xie’s mother said quickly. “You just relax and watch some TV.”

“It’s fine, Auntie. Let me help you. You should rest a bit.”

“Yeah, Mom, we’ll handle it,” Xie Yinian added. “You go sit down.”

Seeing the two of them insist, Xie’s mother gave up with a helpless smile. “Alright, alright.”

In the kitchen, Xie Yinian turned on the tap, squeezed in some dish soap, and began scrubbing the grease off the plates with gloved hands.

Xia Qiqi took each cleaned dish, rinsed it again to remove the soap, then placed it neatly on the rack.

Suddenly, a loud bark startled her. She turned her head in surprise.

A large golden retriever bounded in, tail wagging enthusiastically as it trotted over to them.

Caught off guard by its exuberance, Xia Qiqi froze, unsure what to do.

“That’s my dad’s dog—his name’s Doudou,” Xie Yinian said with a laugh, finishing the last dish and putting it away.

After washing and drying her hands, Xia Qiqi crouched slightly, gently stroking the retriever’s fluffy head.

Doudou leaned in closer, clearly enjoying the attention.

“Doudou, go play in the living room,” Xie Yinian said.

They returned to the living room and sat with her parents on the sofa to watch TV.

A comedy sketch was airing, and Xie Yinian laughed so hard she could barely sit upright.

With Doudou’s head resting on her lap, Xia Qiqi absentmindedly petted him while watching, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

When the show ended and commercials started playing, Xie Yinian stretched lazily. Feeling a bit bored, she turned to Xia Qiqi.

“Wanna go out for a walk? I haven’t shown you around the town yet.”

Xia Qiqi nodded lightly.