I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 51

What surprised Qi Yunwei was that when Yan Zui saw the woman, she actually gave a faint smile.

“Long time no see.”

Watching the two of them lock eyes, Qi Yunwei felt a pang of discomfort. She frowned slightly and said,

“Yan Zui, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Other than herself, she had never seen Yan Zui get along so well with any other Alpha.

Yan Zui obliged, “This is Qiao Haiyue, a signed actress under Yan Corporation’s film and television division. The drama Legend of Boling, which is all the rage right now, stars her.”

Qiao Haiyue. Qi Yunwei remembered—the woman was one of Yan Zui’s lovers.

In the novel, among Yan Zui’s various affairs, Qiao Haiyue was the one who seemed the least scummy.

But only on the surface.

Yan Zui had always treated Qiao Haiyue as a friend, a confidante. Yet Qiao harbored other intentions. When she learned of Yan Zui’s relationships with other Alphas, instead of offering comfort, she took advantage of Yan Zui’s drunkenness and forced herself on her.

Yan Zui never cared much about the others, but Qiao Haiyue was different. She had been her friend, someone she trusted. Qiao’s foothold in the entertainment industry was inseparable from Yan Zui’s help.

Yan Zui had been both a friend and a benefactor to her. Qiao Haiyue had always claimed she wanted to repay that kindness, but who would have thought she’d repay it this way?

That betrayal had almost broken Yan Zui.

It was Qiao Haiyue who extinguished the very last glimmer of light in Yan Zui’s heart.

Qi Yunwei forced a polite smile and extended her hand.

“So it’s you, the famous Qiao Haiyue. I knew you looked familiar. I heard you’re the first Alpha actress to ever play an Omega on screen. You did such a convincing job—no wonder I almost mistook you for one.”

Though Qi Yunwei’s tone brimmed with admiration, and her words sounded like genuine praise, Qiao Haiyue couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being mocked.

Her tea-colored eyes flickered as she shook Qi Yunwei’s hand, then turned to Yan Zui with a coy tilt of her head.

“Yan Zui, who is this lady? I’ve never seen her around you before.”

It was precisely because she was so good at pretending to be an Omega that she had managed to deceive Yan Zui into taking her as a friend.

Qi Yunwei’s heart was filled with disdain for her.

Yan Zui began, “This is Qi Yunwei, my”

“I’m Yan Zui’s friend,” Qi Yunwei interjected quickly.

“Ah, so it’s Miss Qi,” Qiao Haiyue said perfunctorily before turning back to Yan Zui with a smile full of warmth.

“Have you eaten? I made soup dumplings and wontons for breakfast. There’s plenty left.”

Her amber eyes blinked expectantly.

Yan Zui glanced at Qi Yunwei, who was still frowning at Qiao Haiyue, and the corners of her lips curved upward.

“Perfect timing, I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

Qi Yunwei thought Yan Zui was unusually cheerful today.

No—she was unusually cheerful only after meeting Qiao Haiyue.

Placing trust in someone unworthy was never a good sign.

“Mind if I join?” Qi Yunwei asked with a smile. “It’s boring sitting alone, I might as well watch you two eat.”

Qiao Haiyue gave a sweet, understanding smile.

“Of course. I made plenty. If you’re still hungry, you should eat too.”

“Thanks, but I already had a sandwich earlier.” Qi Yunwei kept her smile.

Seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents between the two, Yan Zui led the way with practiced ease toward Qiao Haiyue’s villa.

“I only bought this villa because I knew you liked vacationing here,” Qiao Haiyue reminisced. “I wanted to see what kind of view even the great President Yan found so appealing. The first time I came, it rained, and standing on the second floor was absolutely breathtaking. I should thank you for introducing me to such a beautiful sight.”

She added with a laugh, “I still remember the next morning when I wandered along the beach, got lost, and stumbled onto a private shore—only to realize your villa was right next door. It was such a wonderful surprise.”

Qi Yunwei’s expression darkened. This Qiao Haiyue was far more calculating than the others—nothing like the shallow flings Yan Zui had before.

A “coincidental” villa purchase? Clearly she had done her research and deliberately planned it.

And getting lost at the beach? Even a three-year-old wouldn’t lose their way on a stretch of sand. Only because Yan Zui saw her as a friend would she believe such nonsense.

Noticing Qi Yunwei’s displeasure, Yan Zui added, “Unfortunately, I was busy with work that day and had to leave, so we didn’t have much time to catch up.”

Qi Yunwei’s expression eased a little at that.

Qiao Haiyue’s smile stiffened. She was shrewd enough to understand—Yan Zui’s explanation wasn’t for her sake, but for Qi Yunwei’s.

So Qi Yunwei wasn’t “just a friend.”

Who exactly was this Alpha who had suddenly appeared, and what was so special about her that Yan Zui brought her along on vacation?

The thought of them living together in the same villa nearly drove Qiao Haiyue mad with jealousy.

“But this time, I’ve cleared a full week for vacation,” Yan Zui said.

“Really?” Qiao Haiyue’s eyes lit up. “I’m off for a week too. That means I can come play with you every day!”

“You’re welcome anytime,” Yan Zui replied.

Qi Yunwei: “…” How could she possibly persuade Yan Zui not to invite disaster into her home?

The three of them arrived at Qiao Haiyue’s villa. On the wooden dining table were two bamboo baskets of soup dumplings and a steaming bowl of wontons.

After Yan Zui sat down, Qiao Haiyue placed the wontons in front of her.

“Once vacation’s over, I’ll be filming again and need to watch my weight carefully. I’ll part with this bowl of wontons—for you.”

Her heartbroken expression was so convincing it was almost worthy of an award.

Yan Zui remarked, “Being an actress really is tough.”

That was all Qiao needed—she launched into anecdotes about her filming struggles, finally ending with an upbeat sigh.

“It’s a good thing I stuck it out, or I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m so grateful you helped me land the role in Legend of Boling.”

“Don’t give me too much credit. It was mostly your agent’s doing,” Yan Zui said.

Qiao Haiyue pressed her lips into a smile, dimples appearing.

“Anna also told me to thank you on her behalf.”

The conversation flowed seamlessly between the two, leaving Qi Yunwei with no chance to interject. She sat quietly, listening.

Noticing her silence, Qiao Haiyue smirked inwardly and suggested to Yan Zui,

“I’ve got the complete series of Legend of Boling. Why don’t we watch it after breakfast?”

But Yan Zui didn’t answer right away. Instead, she turned to Qi Yunwei.

“Do you want to watch?”

Qiao Haiyue’s smile faltered.

“Of course not,” Qi Yunwei said firmly. “We’re at the seaside for vacation. Why waste time cooped up in a villa?”

Before Yan Zui could respond, Qiao Haiyue quickly agreed, her voice sweet as honey.

“Miss Qi is right. How about tonight we set up a projector on the beach instead? Watching Legend of Boling with the sound of the waves—it’ll be unforgettable.”

Qiao Haiyue looked at Yan Zui with eager anticipation.

“Yan Zui, this is the very first drama I’ve ever starred in. You deserve half the credit for it. Don’t you want to take a look?” she asked, blinking at her pitifully.

Yan Zui seemed just about to soften and agree when Qi Yunwei quickly cut in on her behalf:

“Miss Qiao, I’m afraid tonight won’t work. Yan Zui didn’t sleep well last night, so she needs to rest early today.”

Didn’t sleep well last night?

Just what could have kept her awake?

Qiao Haiyue’s expression shifted slightly, almost betraying her composure.

Meanwhile, Qi Yunwei was inwardly pleased at having found such a perfect excuse to fend her off. Yan Zui noticed the faint curve at her lips, and, following her lead, said,

“Sorry, Haiyue, another day perhaps. I really didn’t get much rest last night.”

That was the last straw for Qiao Haiyue.

She had never imagined that one day Yan Zui would turn her down—because of another Alpha.

“It’s fine. Your health comes first.” Qiao Haiyue forced a smile, though the disappointment in her eyes was almost spilling over. “There are still several days left—we’ll surely find a chance.”

Yan Zui lowered her head and ate a wonton. Qiao Haiyue asked softly,

“Do you like it? I wrapped them myself.”

At such a moment, anyone with the slightest tact wouldn’t dare say otherwise. Yan Zui nodded.

“Not bad. I didn’t know you could make wontons.”

Qiao Haiyue beamed, eager for praise.

“I learned it specially for you. You like qiuhai greens just like I do, don’t you? I added sugar to the filling and vinegar to the broth.”

“No wonder,” Yan Zui murmured in surprise. Though in truth, there was too much sugar and far too little vinegar—not nearly as good as what Xiao Jiu made.

Sitting nearby, Qi Yunwei listened to their exchange, and the more she heard, the more difficult she found this particular “scumbag” to handle.

Qiao Haiyue was too good—nothing like the arrogant, overbearing types before. Not only did she know Yan Zui’s tastes, she had even gone out of her way to learn cooking for her.

Qi Yunwei couldn’t find a reasonable excuse to persuade Yan Zui to keep her distance.

If she tried, she’d only look like a possessive, jealous Alpha.

But wait.

She was Yan Zui’s Alpha. It was natural for Alphas to be possessive of their Omegas. Jealousy was perfectly normal. And since this was their one-week holiday together, she had every right to make her stance clear—especially to keep Qiao Haiyue from intruding.

Yan Zui put down her spoon after only a few wontons.

“Thank you for the meal. It was very good.”

Qiao Haiyue brightened.

“If you like it, you can come every day.”

Qi Yunwei decided this was the perfect moment to show a touch of jealousy.

“I can cook too,” she suddenly said.

Both Yan Zui and Qiao Haiyue turned to her in surprise.

Qi Yunwei continued,

“Sorry, Miss Qiao, but I don’t think Yan Zui will be coming here for breakfast anymore. I’ll be making it for her.”

Her tone was less than polite. Qiao Haiyue bit her lip, looking aggrieved.

“Miss Qi, have I done something to offend you? I only wanted to make food that Yan Zui likes—nothing more.”

Qi Yunwei’s face hardened as she said coldly,

“There’s no need. I’ll cook for her myself. After all, we live together—it’s much more convenient.”

“Yan Zui.” Qiao Haiyue turned to her, on the verge of tears.

“Miss Qi was smiling just moments ago. Why has she suddenly changed like this? Did I do something wrong?”

“Of course you did,” Qi Yunwei retorted, displeased.

“Surely you know what it means when an Alpha and Omega come on holiday together? You knew I’m her Alpha, yet you still act so clingy and attentive to Yan Zui in front of me. How could I not be upset?”

With that, Qi Yunwei rose and strode away.

【Master, that was brilliant! Even your back looks furious right now!】

［Xiaoman, what’s Yan Zui’s expression? Is she following me?］

【I think she smiled—did I imagine it? Wait, she’s coming after you! And Qiao Haiyue is glaring daggers at you!】

［Good. If she follows, that’s the perfect excuse to shake off Qiao Haiyue.］

Qi Yunwei slowed her pace, waiting for Yan Zui to catch up.

But even as she reached the villa’s front steps, Yan Zui still hadn’t.

Unable to resist, Qi Yunwei turned around—only to see Yan Zui following at a leisurely pace, about two meters behind.

“Why are you walking so slowly?” Qi Yunwei asked.

When she stopped, Yan Zui finally drew up beside her. Her clear, dark-blue eyes rested on Qi Yunwei’s face, a faint smile flickering within them.

“I thought you were angry. I didn’t dare get too close.”

Qi Yunwei felt a little embarrassed under that gaze.

“I wasn’t angry at you. I only pretended so I’d have an excuse to leave. It’s obvious Qiao Haiyue likes you. If you don’t feel the same way, then you shouldn’t let her get too close—she is an Alpha, after all.”

“Is that the only reason?” Yan Zui asked quietly.

“Of course,” Qi Yunwei replied.

“I see.” Yan Zui nodded, thoughtful, though it wasn’t clear if she truly believed her.

Back at the villa, Qi Yunwei told the butler what to prepare for lunch. When she returned to the living room, she found Yan Zui tapping slowly on her phone, clearly drained of energy.

Qi Yunwei sat down beside her, cautious.

“Who are you chatting with?”

Yan Zui’s long lashes drooped, dewy with tears of weariness. Her voice was soft.

“Momo. She just got back from her trip a few days ago.”

Relieved it wasn’t Qiao Haiyue, Qi Yunwei relaxed.

Huang Momo: Qiao Haiyue’s there too? My brother adores her! Quick, get me an autograph!

Yan Zui: That’s not the point. What matters is Qi Yunwei actually got jealous because Qiao Haiyue was too close to me.

Huang Momo: Qi Yunwei, jealous???

Yan Zui: Mhm. And she was really sulky about it. [smug]

Huang Momo: Wait a sec!

Huang Momo: Darling Zuizui, what exactly are you feeling so smug about? [confused]