I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 32

Xuan Mingzhu’s eyes flickered. “So it’s Consultant Qi. For you to be part of this meeting, you must be quite the technical talent. If there’s time, perhaps you could spar with our group’s experts.” She ended with a smile, glancing at the two men and one woman seated beside her.

The three of them returned her smile, but there was a faint trace of provocation hidden in their eyes.

Qi Yunwei didn’t take it to heart. It wasn’t arrogance—just the truth. In this world, no one capable of truly matching her had yet been born.

She smiled lightly. “There’s no need for sparring. Didn’t President Xuan come here to discuss cooperation? If we get the chance to work together, you’ll naturally see what I’m capable of.”

While Xuan Mingzhu conversed with Qi Yunwei, Xuan Baiquan’s gaze never left Yan Zui. His eyes burned with unrestrained fire, not even bothering to conceal it.

Qi Yunwei frowned slightly, hiding her displeasure. She turned to Xuan Mingzhu. “I know how to address you as President Xuan, but what about the gentleman beside you? May I ask what position he holds in the company?”

Xuan Mingzhu turned her head and caught sight of her brother’s pitiful expression. Smiling through clenched teeth, she pinched him under the table. Inwardly, she regretted bringing this useless younger brother along.

Startled back to himself by the pinch, Xuan Baiquan winced. “Ow—Sis, what is it?”

“Nothing.” Xuan Mingzhu forced a smile and addressed Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui. “He’s already grown, yet still behaves like a child. Please don’t laugh at him. This is my younger brother. He was spoiled from a young age and I only brought him this time so he could gain some experience. He doesn’t hold any position in the group.”

Yan Zui’s expression didn’t shift. Of course, she noticed Xuan Baiquan’s gaze, but she ignored it. She had seen too many of those obsessive looks to waste time on them.

She also didn’t want to stir conflict with the Xuanqian Group—after all, her company might soon be entering into cooperation with them.

“I just returned from studying abroad and haven’t entered the company yet. You can just call me Baiquan,” Xuan Baiquan said with a sunny smile, as if not a trace of gloom existed in him.

Had Qi Yunwei not known what role he played later in the story, she might almost have believed he was just a simple, cheerful young man.

Unfortunately, what he would do to Yan Zui later was even more outrageous than Xuan Mingzhu’s actions. In Qi Yunwei’s eyes, Xuan Baiquan was nothing more than worthless rot—polluting the air around him.

Once he finished speaking, Qi Yunwei deliberately ignored him and lowered her head to review the documents.

As for Yan Zui, she had no reason to give face to a young master with no real authority in the group. She said coldly, “Everyone’s here. Let’s begin.”

Xuan Baiquan froze, embarrassed, clearly not expecting to be brushed off so directly. All his life, no matter where he went, he had been the center of attention. Even abroad, people respected his wealth and his status as a handsome Alpha.

To be treated with cold indifference like this—it was the first time. The bright smile on his face nearly cracked.

He watched Qi Yunwei and Xuan Mingzhu engage in animated discussion about research directions, Qi Yunwei addressing her with polite “President Xuan” after “President Xuan.”

Even the normally aloof Yan Zui gave Xuan Mingzhu considerable face, deferring to her opinion on nearly every matter.

Baiquan had always dreamed of being a carefree young master. After all, his sister was an Alpha, and she managed the group well. All he needed to do was live off the dividends and enjoy life.

But today’s cold reception was a rude awakening.

Without power, in Yan Zui’s eyes, he was nothing.

Even her technical consultant dared to dismiss him outright.

Midway through the meeting, the three technicians from Xuan Mingzhu’s side introduced their newly developed intelligent system, which they proudly called Zhi Niao.

The two men and one woman across the table wore smug expressions, as if their work were some world-shattering breakthrough that would shake the entire tech industry.

To outsiders unfamiliar with the field, their confident jargon might have been convincing.

Qi Yunwei, however, listened intently, jotting down notes and sketches as they spoke. When they finished, she suggested a short break.

Xuan Mingzhu went to the restroom to touch up her makeup, Xuan Baiquan tagged along, and the three “experts,” noses in the air, headed to the smoking area.

Only the Yan Corporation’s people remained in the conference room.

Qi Yunwei asked, “What do you think?”

Yan Zui frowned slightly, tapping her pen against the table. “Not impressive.”

After seeing what Xiao Jiu could do, hearing them trumpet their so-called “breakthrough” felt like they were taking her for a fool. And yet they dared to seek cooperation with her?

“Xiao Jiu is remarkable,” Yan Zui remarked.

Qi Yunwei chuckled proudly. “Well, you know who its owner is.”

Yan Zui turned her gaze, meeting Qi Yunwei’s sparkling dark eyes. Her red lips curved faintly. “Then I’ll leave the second half of the meeting to Xiao Jiu’s owner.”

Secretary Shen, who had been quietly trying to lower her presence the whole time: “…”

Consultant Qi was incredible. Was this, flirting with President Yan? And President Yan actually smiled back instead of getting angry!

Meanwhile, after leaving the room, Xuan Baiquan slipped into a secluded corner and called the chairman of Xuanqian Group, Xuan Zeming.

Since the meeting required confidentiality, Zhou Xiao hadn’t entered the room. He had been waiting outside and, spotting the young master sneaking off furtively, decided to follow.

When Baiquan reached a hidden corner, Zhou Xiao hid in his blind spot and eavesdropped.

“Hello, Dad, it’s me, Baiquan.”

“Mm. The meeting’s halfway through. Our technical experts have just finished presenting. Yan Zui was listening very attentively.”

“Dad, I’ve graduated now. It’s time I entered the company to help you and Sis. Can I take part in this cooperation with the Yan Corporation? Just as practice.”

“I really do want to help you and Sis. Thank you, Dad! I’ll go talk to Sis right away!”

After hearing enough, Zhou Xiao slipped away and returned to the conference room entrance. He sent Qi Yunwei a WeChat message.

He still felt a little intimidated by Yan Zui, so he reported directly to “the boss’s wife” instead.

Zhou Xiao: Boss’s wife, I just happened to overhear Xuan Baiquan calling his father. He said he wants to get involved in the cooperation between Xuanqian Group and Yan Corporation, and his father agreed.

Inside the meeting room, Qi Yunwei’s phone vibrated twice. She glanced at the message, her expression shifting—serious one moment, amused the next.

Curious, Yan Zui asked quietly, “What is it?”

Qi Yunwei smiled slyly. “Do you enjoy watching siblings turn on each other?”

Yan Zui: “…” What on earth was that supposed to mean?

Qi Yunwei slid her phone over for Yan Zui to see. “Zhou Xiao is doing a pretty good job as a bodyguard.”

After reading the message, Yan Zui finally understood what Qi Yunwei meant.

She had her doubts about the idea of siblings turning on each other. After all, Xuan Mingzhu and Xuan Baiquan weren’t just siblings—they were twins, a boy and a girl. Their bond was surely stronger than that of ordinary brothers and sisters. How could Xuan Mingzhu possibly scheme against her own brother just because he wanted to enter the company?

Qi Yunwei, however, was resolute:

“Just wait and see. The moment Xuan Mingzhu finds out Xuan Baiquan is getting involved, she’ll absolutely turn on him.”

Xuan Mingzhu was domineering by nature, with a powerful need for control. Since childhood, Xuan Baiquan had shown no interest in the family business. As such, Xuan Mingzhu had always taken it for granted that she alone would inherit the Xuanqian Group.

In the novel, Xuan Mingzhu seemed to treat Xuan Baiquan rather well—she even shared Yan Zui with him.

But all of that was built on one condition: Xuan Baiquan’s disinterest in the Xuanqian Group.

Qi Yunwei found herself looking forward to Xuan Mingzhu’s expression when she discovered her brother actually wanted in on the project.

The real drama—dogs biting dogs—was only just beginning.

Xuan Baiquan, of course, knew his sister’s temperament. The mere fact that he had tagged along today already made her displeased. If she learned that he had secretly phoned Xuan Zeming to ask for a role in the project, she might truly lose her temper.

He had seen what Xuan Mingzhu looked like when she was angry, and it was terrifying. Still, because they were twins, he believed she wouldn’t actually harm him.

Even so, a trace of unease lingered. On the way back to the conference room, he ran into Xuan Mingzhu emerging from the restroom and forced a casual greeting.

“Mm,” Xuan Mingzhu replied, patting his shoulder with a smile. “Before the deal is sealed, try to keep your eyes under control.”

Baiquan obediently nodded, rubbing the back of his head with a grin. “Got it, sis.”

The siblings returned together, followed by three technical experts from the Xuanqian Group.

Once everyone was seated, the second half of the meeting began—this part led mainly by questions from Yan Corporation’s side.

The room fell quiet. Qi Yunwei picked up the sheet of paper she’d been scribbling on and prepared to speak, when across the table, Xuan Baiquan suddenly said:

“Sorry to interrupt—I have an announcement to make.”

Xuan Mingzhu turned to him in surprise. “Baiquan? What do you mean?”

Avoiding her gaze, Baiquan said, “Just now, Chairman Xuan appointed me as project manager for this cooperation. I’ll be assisting President Xuan. From now on, you can call me Manager Xuan.”

Under the table, Qi Yunwei tugged on Yan Zui’s sleeve, silently urging her to watch Mingzhu’s reaction.

And sure enough—at the very last line, Mingzhu’s expression froze. Her hands, resting on the table, clenched together so tightly her knuckles turned white.

The conference room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

After a long pause, Mingzhu broke into a smile.

“Well, that’s sudden. Father should’ve told me earlier so I could prepare some work for you.”

Baiquan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking her temper had already passed. He chuckled.

“I just envy you guys working so hard. That’s why I begged Dad to let me join in. Don’t worry, sis—I’m only here to help. Whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do.”

“Good. Then let President Yan be our witness. I’ll use you as much as I want—and you’re not allowed to complain,” Mingzhu said smoothly.

Across the table, Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui watched the sibling pair put on their act. To outsiders, it looked like sisterly affection and brotherly obedience, but beneath the words surged an undercurrent of tension.

Finally, it was Qi Yunwei’s turn to speak as technical consultant.

She raised the sheet of paper again. Curious, Yan Zui sneaked a glance.

Yan Zui: “…”

It was nothing but a mess of incomprehensible doodles. Yan Zui was certain Qi Yunwei had brought the paper only for show.

Still, Qi Yunwei stared at it like it was a speech draft, pausing to glance down every few lines as if she couldn’t speak without it.

She then launched into a string of jargon-heavy commentary—sounding lofty and professional, yet on reflection, entirely devoid of substance. It was the verbal equivalent of a celebrity deftly dodging an interview question they couldn’t answer.

When she finished, the room was silent. The technical experts exchanged looks, barely suppressing laughter.

Where on earth had Yan Corporation found such a clueless fraud to sit here?

Since Yan Zui had appointed this “consultant” herself, even Yan Corporation’s own people couldn’t help sneaking glances at her, wondering how she’d react to Qi Yunwei’s embarrassment.

Clap, clap, clap! Yan Zui nodded with satisfaction and began applauding.

The others quickly followed suit.

When the applause faded, Yan Zui, swallowing her pride, praised:

“Consultant Qi’s input was excellent.” Please don’t do that again.

Qi Yunwei modestly replied, “It’s all thanks to President Yan’s leadership.”

By the end of the meeting, not only Yan Corporation’s people but even those from Xuanqian were beginning to wonder if Qi Yunwei practiced some kind of sorcery. How else could she have bewitched the usually sharp President Yan into such a muddle-headed ruler?

“Nothing short of a kingdom-toppling temptress!”

Once outside Yan Group’s headquarters, sitting in the car, Baiquan spat the words bitterly.

But Mingzhu’s mind was elsewhere.

Compared to her interest in Yan Zui, her hunger for control of the company was far stronger. Baiquan’s sudden entrance onto the stage had instantly put her on the defensive, and she couldn’t help resenting their father, Xuan Zeming, for spoiling him so much.

For as long as she could remember, whatever Baiquan wanted, he only had to pout a little and Father would give it to him.

But Mingzhu had to claw her way to meet their father’s expectations before she could earn what she wanted.

The favoritism was too obvious. And now, Mingzhu couldn’t shake the fear that next time, if Baiquan threw a tantrum demanding the presidency, their father might actually force her to step aside.