After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 32

Before long, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Lu Anran patted her flushed cheeks, got up, and poured herself a glass of water to calm down.

She sipped the warm water, her head still throbbing from the hangover. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she tried to recall what had happened the night before.

“I forgot where I live. Pretty sister, can you take me home?”

“You danced so beautifully just now. I think I’m falling for you.”

“Where did this little seductress come from, hmm? So good at tempting people.”

Lu Anran: “……”

Remembering those words, Lu Anran covered her face in mortification. She couldn’t believe she’d said all that—what on earth had gotten into her last night?

A knock sounded at the door. Lu Anran quickly set down her cup and went to open it.

“Miss, here’s the breakfast you ordered,” said the hotel attendant with a polite smile.

Lu Anran immediately knew it must have been An Lin who placed the order. She nodded and stepped aside to let the server in.

The attendant pushed the cart inside, neatly arranged the dishes on the dining table, wished her a pleasant meal, and then left.

By then, the water in the bathroom had stopped. An Lin emerged, toweling her damp hair and wearing a soft white bathrobe.

Seeing the breakfast set on the table, she chuckled and took a seat, her gaze resting casually on Lu Anran.

“I thought you’d already left,” she said with an easy smile.

Lu Anran muttered, “You were the one who told me to stay.”

An Lin took a sip of juice, propped her chin in one hand, and studied the woman across from her. Her chestnut curls cascaded over one shoulder, her almond-shaped eyes curved in amusement, and her small nose and rose-colored lips—still faintly glistening—drew attention. She remembered how those lips had felt beneath her own last night. The memory lingered pleasantly.

It had been years since An Lin last dated anyone. After that heated kiss last night, she’d found herself replaying it again and again in her mind.

Meanwhile, Lu Anran was quietly eating, completely unaware of the gaze fixed on her.

“Is it good?” An Lin asked with a teasing smile.

Lu Anran nodded. “Mm. It’s good.”

As they ate, An Lin chatted casually. “Are you from City A? What a coincidence, one of my friends is from there too. No wonder your accent sounded familiar.”

“Really? That is a coincidence.”

Lu Anran explained that she had come to this city on a business trip. After finishing her meetings, she’d decided to relax a bit and had wandered into a bar—never expecting to meet someone like An Lin.

“Um, An Lin-jie, thank you for taking care of me last night,” she said softly, then hesitated. “Was I really that clingy?”

She remembered her friends teasing her before—whenever she drank, she got wild and talkative. They always warned her not to overdo it.

An Lin smiled. “Not at all. You were adorable, sweetheart.”

“Sweet—sweetheart?” Lu Anran’s face instantly turned red. What kind of nickname was that?

Watching her lower her head in embarrassment, An Lin’s smile deepened. So cute.

After breakfast, Lu Anran glanced at the clock. Her flight time was approaching. She stood and said, “I should get going.”

“Wait,” An Lin called out.

Lu Anran turned back, puzzled. “What is it?”

An Lin picked up a slip of paper, wrote a string of numbers on it, and handed it over with a gentle smile.

“This is my number. If you ever need help, call me.”

Lu Anran accepted it with a nod. Then she turned and walked out, thinking that this was probably the last time they would ever meet.

The next day, after returning to the villa, Xie Yinian and Xia Qiqi received an unexpected visitor.

Sitting in the living room was a middle-aged man in a crimson suit, leaning on a cane. It was none other than Xia Qiqi’s father.

While Xie Yinian studied him, he was also studying her. He idly turned the emerald ring on his finger, saying nothing for a long while.

At last, he spoke. “You’re the one who married my daughter?”

“Yes. Hello, Uncle Xia,” Xie Yinian replied politely.

He said coolly, “I know exactly why you’re with my daughter—it’s for her money.”

Xie Yinian blinked in surprise. “How did you know?”

Xia’s Father: “……”

Xia’s father was taken aback by how bluntly she admitted it. Clearing his throat, he said, “Fine, then. Tell me—how much will it take for you to leave her? One million? Is that enough?”

Xie Yinian shook her head.

He frowned. “Three million?”

She shook her head again, expression firm. “I’ll admit, at first I did care about the money. But that’s changed. I’ve fallen for her. I’m serious about this.”

“I don’t care whether you’re sincere or not,” he snapped impatiently. “Either way, this marriage won’t last. Do you really think you can fool me with your little tricks? That getting a marriage certificate makes it real? Naive.”

Xie Yinian frowned slightly.

He continued coldly, “You’d better end this soon, before you waste more of my daughter’s time. She deserves someone better—not some pretty-faced good-for-nothing.”

Xie Yinian honestly couldn’t tell if he was insulting or complimenting her. Probably both.

After saying his piece, Xia’s Father pushed himself up with his cane, preparing to leave.

“We’re not getting divorced,” Xie Yinian said loudly. “You can’t break us apart!”

He let out a derisive laugh, clearly finding that amusing, and walked away without another word.

Later that evening, Xia Qiqi came home from work looking tired. Xie Yinian handed her a cup of black tea.

“Thanks,” Xia Qiqi said softly, accepting it.

Xie Yinian hesitated, as if weighing her words.

Xia Qiqi glanced at her. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Then I’ll say it—I met your father today.”

Xia Qiqi’s brows furrowed slightly. “And?”

“He told me to leave you,” Xie Yinian said quietly. “He said we’re not right for each other—that you should find someone better.”

“Someone better?” Xia Qiqi let out a sharp laugh, anger flashing in her eyes. “He just wants to sell his daughter off, that’s what he means.”

Xie Yinian blinked in confusion. “Sell his daughter?”

Xia Qiqi gave a cold little smile. “My father wants to climb up the Lin family’s social ladder. That’s why he’s so desperate to marry me off—to make himself look good.”

“I see.” Xie Yinian hadn’t expected Xia Qiqi’s father to be that kind of person.

As Xia Qiqi went on to share bits of her childhood, Xie Yinian’s face darkened. When she finished, Xie Yinian couldn’t help but curse under her breath, “He’s absolute scum.”

“Sometimes, I even doubted if I was really their biological daughter,” Xia Qiqi said with a bitter smile. “But the moment I saw the DNA report, I gave up that hope.”

Why was fate so unfair? Other people’s parents held their children like treasures, afraid they’d get hurt. But she had been treated like a commodity since the day she was born—her worth measured and weighed. Her parents were cold, detached, and utterly ruthless.

Xie Yinian frowned. “Could the report have been fake?”

Xia Qiqi shook her head. “I checked back then. There’s no way it was falsified.” She paused, adding with a wry tone, “Besides, my mother and I do look somewhat alike. I suppose that’s proof enough.”

Still, the moment Xie Yinian heard she had an older brother—one who was endlessly doted upon by her parents—she felt something didn’t add up. They were both their biological children, so why such blatant favoritism? Was it really just because Xia Qiqi was an Omega?

Just then, Xia Qiqi’s phone rang. She picked it up.

“Xia! I just arrived in City A,” An Lin said with a sigh. “I haven’t found a place yet—it’s been so hard to get one!”

“I know a few listings. I can recommend some to you,” Xia Qiqi offered.

“Really? That’s great!” An Lin’s tone brightened immediately. “By the way, are you free? Let’s grab a meal together. We haven’t seen each other in forever—last time was two years ago in the States!”

Without hesitation, Xia Qiqi agreed. “Sure.”

When she hung up, Xie Yinian asked, “Who was that?”

“Just a friend,” Xia Qiqi replied evenly.

“Oh.” Xie Yinian murmured, scrolling through her phone again. Xia Qiqi glanced over and caught sight of her screen—it was a comic page. The art looked strangely familiar.

“Are you reading Fox and Dog?” she asked.

Xie Yinian nearly dropped her phone. “How did you know that?”

“I’ve read it,” Xia Qiqi said calmly. “Actually, I’ve sent quite a few gifts to the creator.”

She pointed at the top of the contributor list. “That’s me.”

Xie Yinian followed her finger and froze when she saw the username: ‘Little Fish’s Cutie.’

Xie Yinian: “…”

What was it like to find out your crush was your biggest fan—and your top supporter on the leaderboard?

And worse, she remembered the comments.

Little Fish’s Cutie: Aaaaah! You finally updated!

Little Fish’s Cutie: This chapter is so sweet! The author’s truly a saint!

Little Fish’s Cutie: Sending you a jet plane! Love you lots!

Little Fish’s Cutie: Update, update, update! You haven’t updated in ages—hmpf! Guess you don’t love me anymore!

Reading those sugary, animated messages again, Xie Yinian felt her mind go blank. Was this really Xia Qiqi—the same calm, poised woman sitting beside her?

She hesitated. Should she tell Xia Qiqi that she was the author of Fox and Dog? But judging from those comments, if Xia Qiqi found out, wouldn’t she be pinned to a chair and forced to update nonstop?

After a long pause, Xie Yinian decided against it. Keeping her expression neutral, she said, “Oh, I just clicked on it randomly. Didn’t realize the author was that popular.”

Xia Qiqi nodded thoughtfully. “It really is popular. It even made the homepage. Honestly, I hope it gets published someday—more people should see such a great story.”

Published? Xie Yinian thought. That was unlikely. Before she’d transmigrated, she’d only gotten one lucky shot at publication. After ending up here, she was just trying to make enough to live.

Still, when she heard Xia Qiqi praising her work so sincerely, the words slipped out automatically. “Thank you.”

Xia Qiqi blinked. “What are you thanking me for?”

“Ah, nothing.” Xie Yinian quickly recovered.

Xia Qiqi turned to Aunt Jiang, who was cleaning nearby. “I’m heading out. No need to make dinner for me tonight.”

Aunt Jiang nodded. “Alright, Miss.”

After watching Xia Qiqi leave, Xie Yinian stretched and rolled her shoulders. It had been a while since she’d worked out—maybe she should hit the gym now.

Upstairs in the fitness room, she took off her jacket, leaving only a sports bra. Looking in the mirror, she frowned. Her abs were fading, the faint lines barely visible anymore. Touching her stomach, she muttered to herself, “Guess I’ve been eating too much lately, time to earn them back.”

Inside the restaurant, An Lin sat a short distance away, frowning as she stared at her phone. Still no call from Qia Qiqi.

She sighed softly. What exactly was she hoping for?

Beside her, Bubu licked its paw and meowed softly, “Meow.”

An Lin picked up the cat and smiled. “A pretty lady will be joining Mommy for dinner later, so you have to behave, okay? Don’t scare her.”

“Meow.”

A car pulled up outside. Xia Qiqi stepped out and entered the restaurant, looking around for the familiar face.

“Xia, over here!”

An Lin waved enthusiastically. Following the voice, Xia saw a blonde, blue-eyed woman sitting by the window, smiling and beckoning her over.

She walked to the table and sat across from An Lin.

“What would you like to drink?” An Lin asked with a smile.

“Juice,” Xia replied, her gaze drawn to the cat nestled in An Lin’s arms. It was big—much bigger than she expected.

Bubu’s fur was a beautiful gradient of gray and white, and its bright blue eyes made it look irresistibly cute.

“Do you want to pet her?” An Lin asked, grinning. She remembered all too well that Xia loved small animals—back in school, she used to sneak out every few days to feed the stray cats and dogs outside the campus gates.

Just then, Bubu hopped off the table and padded toward Xia, gazing up at her with clear, trusting eyes. “Meow.”

Xia hesitated for a moment before gently reaching out to stroke its head.

“Meow.” Bubu closed its eyes, clearly enjoying the touch.

The soft, milky sound melted Xia’s heart. She couldn’t help but lift the cat into her arms and cuddle it.

An Lin stared, a little dumbfounded. “That’s strange. Bubu’s usually terrified of strangers. She’s the most timid thing you’ll ever see—why isn’t she afraid of you at all?”

Did Xia have some kind of magic?

“Maybe animals just like me,” Xia said softly, stroking the cat nestled against her.

An Lin chuckled, a trace of envy in her tone. “Lucky you. Maybe I just have the opposite effect. When I first brought Bubu home, she was feral—scratched me all over. Even after months together, she still wouldn’t let me get close.”

Xia smiled. “That’s because she didn’t trust you yet. If you treat her well and give her love, she’ll come around eventually.”

An Lin reached out to rub Bubu’s back. “Come to Mommy, sweetheart” she cooed.

But Bubu merely gave her a disdainful glance, licked her paw, and snuggled deeper into Xia’s embrace.

An Lin: “…”

Good grief. So, it was true—Bubu was a total flirt who ditched her mom for a pretty face.

Then An Lin noticed the ring on Xia’s finger and blinked. “Wait, is that?”

“As you can see,” Xia said calmly, “I’m married.”

The ring, of course, was nothing but a prop—a little lie she’d told her parents to get them off her back. Now that it was noticed, she saw no point in pretending anymore. But the thought of actually divorcing Xie Yinian, that, she couldn’t bear.

“Married?” An Lin was stunned.

“Fake,” Xia admitted honestly.

An Lin exhaled, patting her chest. “You scared me half to death.”

After hearing the full story, An Lin frowned. “So you’re just going to keep dragging it out like this?”

Xia sighed. “My parents were forcing me to marry, even threatening me with company shares. I had no choice but to do it. But it didn’t really solve anything. For now, I’ve bought myself some time. At least they won’t try to force me again for a while. If it comes down to it, though—if I really can’t fight anymore—I might just give up.”

“And let them decide your life for you?” An Lin’s tone was sharp, her smile bitter. “Xia, when are you going to start living for yourself? They’ve controlled you for so many years—aren’t you tired of it?”

Xia fell silent. She knew An Lin was right. She was cowardly—always avoiding conflict, always retreating. She feared loss, feared seeing all her hard work crumble to dust. But to say she wasn’t resentful would be a lie. She had hated them, even wished she’d been born into a different family.

After a pause, An Lin pulled a folder from her bag and slid it across the table. “Take a look at this. I found something unexpected. What happened back then—it might’ve been a setup by your father.”

Her voice dropped. This trip back home wasn’t just to see Xia. She’d met an old friend abroad who happened to be a skilled private investigator. Something about the past had never sat right with her, so she’d commissioned a discreet reinvestigation—and the findings were startling.

According to the report, the incident that ruined Xia’s company years ago hadn’t been mere bad luck. There’d been a mole inside her firm—someone likely planted by her father.

Xia stared at the photographs, her expression darkening.

An Lin pointed to a figure in the corner of one of the images. “See him? The man in the blue cap—that’s one of your dad’s employees. But now, there’s no trace of him anywhere. Looks like he’s been wiped off the map.”

Xia gripped the folder tightly as flashes of memory flooded her mind.

“Qiqi, you know I’m doing this for your own good. You insisted on leaving home, ignored my advice. Now you finally understand hardship, don’t you?”

“It’s not that I won’t help you, but that depends on whether you’re willing to cooperate.”

“Transfer forty percent of your company’s shares to me, and I’ll step in.”

“Think carefully, my dear. You wouldn’t want to watch your company go under, would you?”

And finally—after a long, crushing silence—came her own broken voice:

“Fine.”

A single word of surrender. The sound of giving up.