I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 56

The official establishment of Yunmengze Network Technology came a week later. Yan Zui invested three hundred million, while Qi Yunwei contributed her technical expertise as equity.

Qi Yunwei sent Yan Zui a list of office buildings currently for lease and asked her to pick one. Without thinking too hard, Yan Zui chose a five-story building closest to the Yan Corporation headquarters.

Qi Yunwei agreed it was a good choice. After signing the lease, another week was spent on renovations.

For half a month, both women were busy with their own work. Yan Zui often stayed late at the office, and aside from sleeping in the same bed at night (her insomnia hadn’t improved—she still needed Qi Yunwei to coax her to sleep), they rarely shared meals together.

So, without hesitation, Qi Yunwei copied her cozy little kitchen setup and moved it to the company’s rooftop.

During the renovation, Qi Yunwei posted recruitment ads online. But as a newly founded company, they were hardly attractive to top talent. Hiring underqualified staff wasn’t worthwhile either. In the end, she only brought on one receptionist, five security guards (introduced by Zhou Xiao), and two janitors.

Fortunately, Du Yifan had already helped her gather quite a few promising candidates from the forum, all eager to meet the legendary user “Weilan.” Once they met and discussed details, the company would soon come alive.

Du Yifan was still finishing handovers at his old job and wouldn’t be able to join until next month. Qi Yunwei decided to temporarily assign him HR responsibilities until they could hire a proper HR manager. That way, she wouldn’t have to waste entire days interviewing candidates and could free up time to see Yan Zui.

Tonight, Yan Zui didn’t need to work overtime. Qi Yunwei left the office early, greeted the receptionist and security at the door, and headed to the Yan Corporation headquarters to pick her up.

In the receptionist’s and security guards’ eyes, Qi Yunwei looked like a spoiled rich second-gen, burning through her parents’ money for a vanity start-up. Instead of hiring serious professionals, she splurged first on “face” roles like them.

They all thought the company’s future was shaky at best.

The receptionist, only three days into the job, spent each shift nervously wondering when Qi Yunwei would run out of funds and the company would fold.

The five security guards, however, felt more reassured after asking Zhou Xiao, who told them bluntly: “The money Qi Yunwei has? She couldn’t spend it all in her lifetime.”

Qi Yunwei arrived right on time. Yan Zui had just finished work and was preparing to leave. Seeing her, Yan Zui said, “Momo just told me she booked a restaurant and wants to treat us. Come with me.”

Huang Momo—Yan Zui’s best friend. In the novel, she knew the original Qi Yunwei had drugged and forcibly marked Yan Zui, and had never hidden her disdain. Every meeting ended in ridicule.

Qi Yunwei blinked. “I’m going too?”

Yan Zui explained, “I never had a wedding, and Momo has always felt it was a pity. We agreed I’d treat her to dinner and let her meet you, but between her being busy and me being swamped, we never found the time. Tonight we’re both free, so she insisted on inviting us instead.”

Qi Yunwei: “…” So she wants to meet me just to scold me to my face?

Seeing Yunwei hesitate, Yan Zui added, “Momo’s boyfriend will be there too, so don’t worry.”

Qi Yunwei thought, Great, one more person to watch the show.

Still, Huang Momo was Yan Zui’s best friend. Meeting her was inevitable sooner or later. Better to face it head-on—getting chewed out once wouldn’t kill her.

The restaurant Huang Momo booked was out in the suburbs. The scenery was beautiful and quiet, though it took over an hour’s drive to get there.

On the way, Zhou Xiao recounted the security guards’ worries as a joke. “I told them you’ve got so much money you’ll never spend it all, only then did they relax. Word is, your receptionist spends every day counting down to when the company collapses.”

Qi Yunwei chuckled. “That’s not quite right. It’s not my money that’ll never run out—it’s my wife’s.”

Zhou Xiao replied, “But you’re the boss now. If I say you’re broke and it’s all President Yan’s money, they’ll just think you’re freeloading, and that’s bad for your authority. Not a good look for management. Right, President Yan?”

Yan Zui hadn’t expected Zhou Xiao to think it through so carefully. She nodded. “Exactly. Well done.”

Zhou Xiao grinned smugly. “Boss lady, did you hear that? President Yan praised me.”

Qi Yunwei caught Yan Zui’s wrist and gave it a playful shake. In a soft, coaxing voice, she said, “Wife, won’t you praise me too?”

Yan Zui’s usually cool eyes flickered with panic.

Zhou Xiao instantly zipped his lips, eager to watch. Alphas were usually proud and reserved—this was his first time seeing one act spoiled and clingy with an Omega.

Yan Zui glanced ahead to confirm Zhou Xiao was sitting stiff and focused on driving. Meeting Qi Yunwei’s eager black eyes, she softly said, “You’re amazing.”

Qi Yunwei had known Yan Zui couldn’t resist a little sweet talk. Smiling, she pressed, “Amazing how? Be specific.”

Zhou Xiao’s ears flushed red. He felt like a bright yellow little sports car had just zoomed past his windshield.

Yan Zui quickly raised a hand to cover Qi Yunwei’s eyes. “Sit properly. No more questions.”

Qi Yunwei tugged her hand down with a grin. “Sounds like I’m amazing all around.”

Yan Zui said nothing, which Qi Yunwei took as silent agreement.

When they arrived, they walked into a modern building. Pushing the doors open revealed a stunning interior.

The lobby was decorated in elegant classical style: a distant brook and arched bridge, bamboo groves in mist, and, closer, a small stage where a woman in traditional attire played the guzheng.

A graceful server approached. “Do the esteemed guests have a reservation?”

“Yes,” Yan Zui replied. “Jiu Chong Chun Se.”

“Please follow me.”

They were led to a private room. Inside, instead of the usual round table, there were six small long tables, three on each side, with cushions laid before them.

Menus rested atop each table. The server explained, “We follow a single-table order system. Each guest may order freely according to preference.”

They chose the middle table. Zhou Xiao sat closest to the door for quick response, Qi Yunwei sat beside Yan Zui.

Tea was served. A few minutes later, urgent knocks rattled the door—not the gentle rhythm of staff.

“That must be Momo,” Yan Zui said.

Zhou Xiao stood cautiously and opened the door. A young woman with dyed blue hair stared at him in surprise. “Who are you?”

Recognizing her voice, Yan Zui rose. “Momo, come in.”

Zhou Xiao stepped aside to let Huang Momo in.

She strode straight to Yan Zui, looked her up and down, and teased, “Aren’t marriages supposed to be the grave of love? Why do you look even more beautiful after tying the knot?”

Yan Zui’s eyes curved in amusement. “Don’t joke. Where’s your boyfriend? Weren’t you bringing him?”

Huang Momo pouted. “Don’t mention that jerk. Another last-minute overtime. I’ve lost count of how many times this month.”

“Forget him. Let me finally see this Qi Yunwei of yours.”

Qi Yunwei was surprised to hear curiosity and even admiration in her tone.

Not dislike?

She stepped forward. “Hello.”

Huang Momo narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her—top to bottom, front to back, not missing a detail.

Zhou Xiao grew tense just watching.

But Qi Yunwei wasn’t offended. She knew Huang Momo was only vetting her on Yan Zui’s behalf.

Yan Zui, however, frowned. Why was Momo staring at Yunwei’s chest?

“Momo,” she said sharply, stepping protectively in front of Qi Yunwei.

“Fine, fine. I won’t ogle a taken Alpha,” Huang Momo said quickly.

Yan Zui turned and introduced them. “This is my friend, Huang Momo.”

Reading the weight Yan Zui placed on Qi Yunwei, Huang Momo promptly extended a hand with a bright smile. “Nice to finally meet you, Qi Yunwei. I’ve heard so much.”

Qi Yunwei shook her hand lightly and let go. “Qi Yunwei.”

Introductions done, they sat. Huang Momo took the seat opposite Yan Zui, suddenly feeling like she was one against three. She sorely wished her absent boyfriend were here to even the numbers.

“Zuizui, come sit with me? I feel so lonely over here.” Huang Momo wheedled.

Yan Zui’s eyes flickered with helplessness, but she still got up and moved to Huang Momo’s side.

Qi Yunwei thought privately: No wonder she’s Yan Zui’s best friend—she’s just as good at acting spoiled.

“Let’s order first,” Huang Momo said.

Zhou Xiao called the server, and once the dishes were chosen and tea refilled, conversation resumed.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you for ages. I heard you started a company—how’s it going?” Huang Momo asked politely.

She already knew the funds came from Yan Zui. Lately, in their chats, she’d noticed Yan Zui seemed to like Qi Yunwei more and more.

That was why she had to see for herself what kind of Alpha Qi Yunwei was—how someone who had once done that could still hold such a place in her friend’s heart.

At first glance, Qi Yunwei struck her as tall, with a gentle, clear-eyed presence. Her dark eyes often held a smile, her demeanor easygoing. Standing beside Yan Zui, they looked unexpectedly well-matched. Even Yan Zui’s radiant beauty didn’t overshadow her.

Huang Momo hoped sincerely that Qi Yunwei’s company wasn’t just a scheme to siphon money off her friend.

Unaware of these suspicions, Qi Yunwei answered honestly, “The company just started. We haven’t recruited technical staff yet, so profits will be slim for a while.”

Developing a full-dive game would take at least six months of production and internal testing, followed by open testing. Real revenue would only come after official release.

In the meantime, they could develop smaller products to generate cash flow. Otherwise, even three hundred million wouldn’t last forever.

“No profits?” Huang Momo looked startled.

“I don’t know much about business,” she said, glancing at Yan Zui, “but is it normal to run a company that isn’t making money?”

It was both a question and a warning.

Yan Zui, what if she’s a fraud?

But Yan Zui took her literally and replied seriously, “It’s normal.”

Momo: “…” Sis, how are you missing my hints?

Yan Zui explained, “Developing new products is a long process. Sometimes even heavy investment doesn’t yield results. But Yunwei will succeed—she’s very capable.”

Momo: “…”

Capable? The entire world knew Qi Yunwei was useless. And yet here was her clever, sharp-eyed best friend, insisting otherwise.

For a moment, Huang Momo nearly laughed out loud. She thought back to history class, when textbooks blamed the downfall of dynasties on pampered concubines—“demonic consorts” who bewitched rulers. She had always scoffed.

It was the emperors’ fault, not the concubines’.

But now she understood.

It wasn’t just concubines who could ruin nations—men could be “bewitching consorts” too.

Like Qi Yunwei.

Yan Zui was utterly enchanted.

Would the Yan Corporation be dragged into ruin because of her?

No, probably not. Perhaps Yan Zui still had some sense left. That must be why she let Qi Yunwei start her own company—better to let her burn through money on her own turf. Even if the start-up went belly-up, it wouldn’t drag the Yan Corporation down.

After a round of seemingly normal conversation, Qi Yunwei suddenly realized that Huang Momo’s eyes on her had shifted—identical to the wary looks from Yan Corporation employees.

As if they were all silently saying: You demoness.

Qi Yunwei: “?”

What just happened?