I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 33

When the meeting ended, Qi Yunwei followed Yan Zui back to the CEO’s office on the top floor.

The moment they entered, Qi Yunwei immediately sprawled sideways on the long sofa, one hand rubbing her waist as she complained, “Sitting for two whole hours—my back’s about to break. Absolutely brutal.”

Just then, Zhou Xiao, who was about to close the office door for them, happened to overhear. Even with his usual thick skin, his face flushed a little as his mind jumped to the wrong conclusion. Two hours straight? No wonder her waist hurts, that’s insane.

Yan Zui watched Zhou Xiao close the door, her frosty eyes glinting with a hint of mockery as she looked back at Qi Yunwei. “I thought you were going to make a brilliant show of it in the second half. Didn’t expect you to pull a little ‘spoiled favorite’ act instead.”

Qi Yunwei pushed herself upright, grabbed a pillow to wedge behind her, then leaned back against the plush sofa with a smile. “I only changed the script at the last minute. Luckily, with you playing along, we didn’t slip up.”

Her dark eyes sparkled as she gazed at Yan Zui. “Honestly, our tacit understanding was perfect. That applause you started? Pure genius. I bet everyone in the room now thinks you lost your head over me, letting yourself be swayed by a useless good-for-nothing who only knows how to talk big.”

Yan Zui took in her animated expression, the tension in her chest easing slightly. “You still haven’t said why you did it.”

Qi Yunwei patted the seat beside her. “Sit down and I’ll tell you. Otherwise, I’ll keep getting a crick in my neck looking up at you.”

Instead, Yan Zui sat across from her, waiting for the explanation.

Qi Yunwei let her smile fade, carefully organizing her words. “From the first half of the meeting, you must have noticed it too. Xuanqian Group’s so-called AI research is unreliable. It all sounds impressive, but the odds of them actually pulling it off are slim to none. With the level of those three experts, they could work ten or twenty years and still not produce anything worthwhile.”

“My original plan was the same as yours—call them out on the spot and stop this partnership before it even began. But then it hit me: there’s no way Xuanqian doesn’t know the flaws in their own research. They’re clearly setting a trap, with some hidden agenda.”

Yan Zui’s eyes flickered. If not for Qi Yunwei—and seeing Xiao Jiu firsthand—she really might have been persuaded, convinced that their research was a rare breakthrough worth pouring resources into.

“You want to turn their trap back on them?” Yan Zui asked.

Qi Yunwei didn’t deny it. “Taking blind punches and repaying malice with kindness has never been my way of doing things.” Her gaze met Yan Zui’s. “And you wouldn’t want to just let them off easily, would you?”

A cold light flashed in Yan Zui’s deep blue-black eyes as the corner of her lips curved. “Of course not.”

Until now, Yan Zui had thought Qi Yunwei’s easygoing demeanor meant she was willing to play the harmless little rabbit forever. But now, she was baring her claws.

And realizing she was doing it for her sake, Yan Zui found her mood lifting. “Xuan Mingzhu and Xuan Baiquan will probably be staying in Guangnan for about half a month to push this cooperation along. What do you plan to do next?”

She paused, then rephrased, “Do whatever you want. I’ll cover you.”

“Really?” Qi Yunwei teased. “You’re not afraid I’ll offend them?”

“You’re my Alpha. If you offend them, so be it.”

Qi Yunwei was genuinely a little stunned by the sheer dominance of that statement.

After she finished outlining her plan, Yan Zui shot her a surprised look. “You sound like you really hate Xuan Mingzhu and Xuan Baiquan.”

This didn’t feel like a simple move to teach them a lesson.

“Absolutely detest them. Care to guess why?” Qi Yunwei arched a brow.

“You had a falling out before?” Yan Zui guessed. It couldn’t just be for her sake—plotting against the twins just to avenge her didn’t seem logical.

Qi Yunwei only smiled. “I can’t tell you the exact reason yet. Maybe one day.”

To Yan Zui, she was nothing but an enigma.

“My plan is already merciful toward those two,” Qi Yunwei added lightly. “Far more merciful than they’ve been to you.”

Then she dangled a tantalizing hook. “Don’t you want to watch such a splendid show?”

Yan Zui was quiet for a moment. “I do.”

She wasn’t the type to forgive and forget either. Xuan Mingzhu and Xuan Baiquan hadn’t held back when they dug this pit for her.

As the saying goes: business is war. Being ruthless to your enemies is the truest mercy to yourself.

Tomorrow, the twins would be bringing their so-called preliminary research to Yan Corporation headquarters. The AI was their bargaining chip—the more weight it carried, the less money they’d have to invest, and the more profit they’d walk away with.

By the time the meeting wrapped up, it was already past four. With Yan Zui finishing work at five, Qi Yunwei decided to wait and ride home together.

Her back wasn’t up for cycling anyway.

While Yan Zui returned to her desk, Qi Yunwei lounged on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. This world was flooded with short videos, much like a certain era in interstellar history.

At first glance, the craze seemed harmless. But a hundred years later, scientists would discover that children’s brains had begun to show subtle signs of degeneration—changes linked to heredity.

To save humanity’s cognition, the Alliance assembled a team of top scientists. Their solution was a fully immersive holographic game. While playing, people would unknowingly train their brains, with age-appropriate content strictly enforced.

Through a neural interface, players could enter a virtual world, where every action of their in-game self was controlled by mental commands, strengthening the brain with every interaction.

The debut of holographic games sparked a frenzy. Once the signs of cognitive decline began to improve, the government tasked the scientists with another challenge: how to use the games to train the body as well.

Thus came Holo Game 2.0, 3.0. With each generation, humanity grew stronger, sharper, and healthier.

Qi Yunwei thought to herself: someday, she should try her hand at developing holographic games.

A project that benefited humanity this much would surely earn strong government support.

By then, with the government at her back, no matter how powerful Yan Zui’s pathetic suitors might be, none of them would be able to lay a finger on Yan Zui while she was under Qi Yunwei’s protection.

Qi Yunwei was lost in thought when the buzz of her phone pulled her back to reality.

She glanced down—it was another message from Du Yifan.

Qi Yunwei raised her brows in surprise.

Given Du Yifan’s personality, once she had rejected something that morning, he normally wouldn’t bother her about it again.

So what did he want this time?

She lowered her eyes and tapped open WeChat.

Du Yifan: Boss, it’s me again!

Du Yifan: I already told the client you refused this morning, but then he suddenly revealed which company he works for. Turns out, it’s one of the most powerful names in the tech world. He said if you take this order, he can give you a referral into the company. I thought this was too rare an opportunity to hide from you.

Du Yifan: My dream back in university was to join Xuanqian Group—even if it was just for a short time. I’ve done in-depth research on them. They’re developing a next-generation smart brain that could revolutionize the tech industry.

Boss, if you get in, you might even be written into the textbooks one day.

What a coincidence. Since the chance had fallen right into her lap, she certainly wasn’t going to be polite about it.

Qi Yunwei chuckled, typed a few words, and hit send.

Qi Yunwei: Tell him—I’ll take it.

Du Yifan: Got it, Boss!!!

The order arrived quickly. Qi Yunwei skimmed through it—it was a rather complicated algorithm problem.

But once the unsolved algorithm was connected to Xuanqian Group’s early-stage smart brain project, the truth became obvious: their so-called smart brain was nothing more than an empty shell.

Before Yan Zui got off work, Qi Yunwei had already solved the problem and sent it back to Du Yifan.

Qi Yunwei: Have I ever taken on other orders from Xuanqian Group before? Sort them out for me, thanks.

Du Yifan: One moment, Boss, I’ll send them right away.

Soon, he forwarded her a packaged file. Qi Yunwei accepted it, opened it, and after skimming through, burst out laughing in exasperation.

Ten orders. Nearly all of them related to smart brain development.

So Xuanqian Group’s so-called breakthrough research actually had her fingerprints all over it?

And yet those so-called “experts” still had the gall to act so high and mighty?

Qi Yunwei thought for a moment, then it hit her.

Those “experts” weren’t researchers at all—they were actors, dabbling in science on the side. Otherwise, how could they be so good at putting on a performance?

No wonder, in the novel, Yan Zui ended up deceived and trapped—it was impossible to compete with people who could put on a flawless act.

Qi Yunwei sighed softly.

Yan Zui walked over, frowning. “Why are you sighing?”

For you, of course.

But she couldn’t say that. So instead, she lifted a smile. “I just realized something funny. Honestly, I was sighing at their stupidity.”

She explained what she had discovered.

Yan Zui’s first reaction was shock. “Wait—you’ve been taking freelance jobs on forums? Isn’t a million a month enough for you?”

Qi Yunwei: “…” That’s not the point here, love!

Yan Zui gave her a complicated look, then lowered her gaze thoughtfully. “If you ever overspend, just tell me. I’ll give you another card.”

The faint warning in her eyes made it clear: don’t get arrogant just because she indulged her.

Qi Yunwei nearly choked on her innocence. She quickly explained, “That was before you gave me your card. I only took those jobs for Xiao Jiu’s sake.”

By the time she finished, she realized Yan Zui had completely steered the conversation off track. She could only laugh helplessly.

Yan Zui straightened. “Come on, work’s over. Whatever else, we’ll talk at home.”

“Mm.”

The two of them left the office together, took the elevator straight down to the basement.

Zhou Xiao was waiting in the car not far away. When he saw them coming, he immediately hopped out, opened the back door for them with a flourish.

“President Yan, please step in. Yunwei, please step in.” His voice carried its usual mischievous lilt.

Yan Zui lifted her eyes at Zhou Xiao. “Yunwei?”

“It’s Boss’s wife!” Zhou Xiao corrected himself in a flash, then added pitifully, “President Yan, I swear I’ll be careful with my words from now on. Please don’t fire me.”

It was the first time Qi Yunwei had seen Yan Zui tease someone like this. Poor Zhou Xiao looked terrified.

Qi Yunwei smiled and reassured him, “President Yan’s just joking with you. She won’t fire you. Now hurry up and drive.”

On the way, neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts. Zhou Xiao, watching from the rearview mirror, noticed that when Qi Yunwei leaned a little closer, Yan Zui didn’t flinch or pull away. She clearly regarded Qi Yunwei as someone she could trust.

Zhou Xiao remembered attending banquets with Yan Zui before. Whenever anyone tried to clink glasses with her, she would coldly avoid them without hesitation.

So it was true—Qi Yunwei really was President Yan’s one and only.

Once home, Yan Zui went to shower. The guest room Qi Yunwei now stayed in also had its own bathroom, so she grabbed a towel and washed up too.

After her shower, she blow-dried her hair until it was half-dry, slipped into a comfortable set of pajamas, and headed to the kitchen to check on Xiao Jiu.

The robot should be fully charged by now. Dinner for the two of them would depend on it.

When Yan Zui came out of her shower, Qi Yunwei said to Xiao Jiu, “Xiao Jiu, make dinner.”

“Of course, Master.” Xiao Jiu’s eyes flickered briefly before returning to normal. At the same time, the kitchen appliances came to life, whirring into action.

It was the first time Yan Zui had seen the robotic arms cook in person. The impact was far greater than watching through a screen.

Half an hour later, dinner was ready.

Qi Yunwei brought the dishes to the table. Yan Zui sat down, picked up a tender piece of braised pork, and after tasting it, her ocean-dark eyes lit faintly. “This really was made by Xiao Jiu.”

Through a screen, there was always the possibility of fakery. But watching Xiao Jiu cook in person, Yan Zui could no longer doubt.

Qi Yunwei couldn’t help but laugh. “So you didn’t completely trust me, and yet you still dared to let me sit in on a meeting with Xuanqian Group. That’s bold of you.”

Yan Zui replied calmly, “I trust that you won’t betray me.”

Qi Yunwei’s heart had barely warmed when Yan Zui added, “After all, when it comes to money, no one will ever be more generous with you than I am.”

Qi Yunwei: “…” Thank you ever so much for your trust.

After dinner, each went back to their own work.

When bedtime came, they returned to the master bedroom together—until halfway down the hall, Qi Yunwei suddenly turned off toward the guest room.

Yan Zui stopped short, blurting out, “Qi Yunwei, you’ve gone to the wrong room.”