I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 59

When Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui shared a bed the previous night, neither of them thought too much about it. But the moment Yan Zui woke up in the morning, she remembered that she had left Huang Momo alone in the master bedroom.

She quickly sat up and said,

“I need to get back before Momo wakes up.”

Qi Yunwei glanced at her phone. “It’s just past seven. What time does she usually wake up?”

If Huang Momo normally slept late, there was no need to rush.

Yan Zui replied, “When she was little, Momo loved to sleep in—she’d wake up after eight most days. But she also stayed up late at night.”

Thinking of how Momo had gone to bed early the night before, a ripple of panic stirred in Yan Zui’s chest, flashing in her eyes.

By the time Yan Zui finished freshening up and slipped out of the guest room, Qi Yunwei also went to wash up.

Yan Zui returned to the master bedroom with her usual composed expression—only to find the room empty. Huang Momo was nowhere in sight, nor was she in the bathroom.

If huang Momo had already gone looking for her and come up empty-handed, then whatever excuse Yan Zui had prepared would no longer hold.

Most likely, Huang Momo was with Xiao Jiu.

Yan Zui’s chest tightened slightly. She went into the kitchen, and sure enough, Huang Momo was there, happily munching on a bag of snacks while chatting with Xiao Jiu.

Yan Zui walked over with a natural air. “You’re up early.”

The moment Huang Momo saw her, she tossed the snacks aside, ran up, and fixed Yan Zui with a stare so direct that Yan Zui felt her composure falter. Her eyes darted away in guilt.

Unable to endure the scrutiny, Yan Zui muttered, “Xiao Jiu’s breakfast is delicious. If you fill up on snacks, you’ll miss out on her cooking.”

Huang Momo replied, “It’s fine. I barely touched this bag—you walked in before I got started. The last bag spilled all over the floor and Xiao Jiu swept it up.”

Then, with a pointed look, she asked, “So, what time did you sneak into Qi Yunwei’s room?”

The question caught Yan Zui off guard. She froze, her cheeks warming as she stammered, “There was a thunderstorm last night. You know I’m afraid of thunder. You were sleeping soundly, so Qi Yunwei came to get me. I just went over.”

“It was purely sleeping together, nothing more. Don’t overthink it.”

Huang Momo leaned closer, her gaze brushing over Yan Zui’s lips. She clicked her tongue and leaned back. “Tsk. The two of you haven’t even kissed. Even if I wanted to ‘overthink,’ there’s nothing to think about. Relax, I won’t

misunderstand.”

At first, she’d worried Yan Zui’s feelings for Qi Yunwei were developing at lightning speed, afraid something might really have happened between them. But after chatting with Xiao Jiu, she realized their so-called progress was practically nonexistent—sure, they shared a bed every night (according to Xiao Jiu), but nothing else had happened (or so she guessed).

When Qi Yunwei finished changing and entered the dining room, it was just in time for breakfast.

Huang Momo sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Yan Zui at the table. The instant Qi Yunwei walked in, Huang Momo’s eyes swept over her like X-rays, scanning her seven or eight times.

Qi Yunwei pretended not to notice.

She sat down with a smile. “Looks like Xiao Jiu really likes you. Breakfast is especially lavish today.”

Huang Momo grinned. “I think so too. Honestly, I wish I could steal Xiao Jiu home with me.”

But Yan Zui seemed distracted. As they ate, Qi Yunwei noticed Yan Zui’s gaze kept drifting back to her—specifically, to her lips.

Was there something wrong with her lips? Were they dry? Chapped?

After breakfast, Qi Yunwei checked her phone in the reflection, but everything looked fine.

Since Huang Momo was there, she didn’t bring it up directly. Instead, she tucked away her doubts, planning to ask later.

By eight o’clock, both Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui were ready to head to work. A driver arrived to pick Huang Momo up as well. After saying their goodbyes, everyone went their separate ways.

On the road, Xiaoman reminded Qi Yunwei:

[Master, the fire at the Liu family estate will happen in three days.]

Qi Yunwei had already prepared a countermeasure. She turned to Yan Zui and said casually, “The company recently found a very talented composer, but I don’t have a direct way to contact him. I discovered that his family’s company seems to collaborate with the Yan Corporation.”

“Which company?” Yan Zui asked.

“Quanxun Electronics.”

Yan Zui immediately understood. “The Lius.”

“The partnership is still under discussion but should be finalized in the next couple of days. When the time comes, I can introduce you.”

“That would be perfect.”

With the main business addressed, Qi Yunwei hesitated, then asked offhandedly, “By the way, during breakfast you kept staring at my lips? Was something wrong with them?”

Yan Zui stiffened. After a pause, she turned her head slightly toward the window. “You must have imagined it. I wasn’t looking at your lips. There’s nothing wrong with them.”

The problem is me. I was actually wondering what kissing feels like.

And she even noticed!

Qi Yunwei sensed something odd. “You”

But before she could finish, Yan Zui cut her off. “I’ll rest for a bit.” She closed her eyes, feigning a nap.

Qi Yunwei, left with growing questions, held back and let her be. Still, the mystery gnawed at her—why on earth had Yan Zui been staring at her mouth?

After work, Qi Yunwei went to find Yan Zui, who told her, “The deal with Quanxun Electronics is nearly finalized. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll sign the contract. Meet me, and we’ll go together.”

“Together? We’re not signing here?” In the novel’s original plot, there had been no mention of detailed cooperation between the two companies.

Yan Zui explained, “President Liu is very hospitable. He invited me to his estate. After signing, we can stay and enjoy ourselves a bit.”

The Liu family’s villa estate was famous throughout Guangnan City. Considering how busy Qi Yunwei had been lately, Yan Zui thought it would be a good chance to help her relax.

The next afternoon, Secretary Shen carried the contract, ready to accompany Yan Zui to the Liu estate. She couldn’t understand it—others had invited President Yan countless times, but none had succeeded. Why had the Lius managed it?

The Liu family wasn’t particularly special.

The mystery cleared only when Zhou Xiao drove them up to a five-story building and Qi Yunwei emerged to join them.

After greeting Secretary Shen in the front seat, Qi Yunwei turned to Yan Zui. “What’s fun at the Liu estate? Can we fish?”

Yan Zui nodded. “Yes, there’s a fishpond. The entire mountain behind the villa belongs to the Liu family.”

At that, Secretary Shen suddenly understood. Of course—it was all because of the “enchantress”!

When they arrived, Zhou Xiao followed the lead car and parked in front of the villa. The host of the estate, President Liu of Quanxun Electronics, came out with his wife to greet them warmly.

The Yan Corporation was a major client, and President Liu had long wanted to curry favor with Yan Zui but never had the chance. Everyone said Yan Zui was indifferent to all, and he’d nearly given up inviting her. But the moment she’d asked after his son, he had impulsively suggested signing at his estate. To his surprise, she had agreed!

With a broad smile, he said, “President Yan, it’s an honor to have you here. You truly bring light to our humble home.”

Yan Zui inclined her head slightly. “Sorry to trouble you.”

As the Lius led them inside, Yan Zui noticed Qi Yunwei had stopped, her gaze fixed on a towering tree three stories high that grew right beside the villa. Despite how close it stood, it hadn’t damaged the building’s structure.

“Yunwei?” Yan Zui called softly, puzzled by her focus.

President Liu, seeing Yan Zui’s closeness to the woman, assumed she must be someone important, though he had never seen her at the Yan Corporation before.

He volunteered, “This tree has quite a story. It must have blown down from the mountain as a seed. By the time we finished building the villa, it was already a meter tall. At first we thought to cut it down, but the architect said it wouldn’t harm the structure—just block some light. So we let it be. Strangely enough, ever since it took root, Quanxun Electronics has prospered. This year it’s grown especially lush, and now we’ve even struck a deal with the Yan Corporation. Our whole family treats it as a money tree. Guests always take photos with it, hoping for good fortune.”

Qi Yunwei considered this, then remarked, “I see. So if I asked you for this tree, you wouldn’t be able to part with it.”

“Yunwei.” Yan Zui frowned faintly, baffled by her words.

She wasn’t the superstitious type—why suddenly bring up taking their ‘money tree’?

Qi Yunwei smiled faintly. “I only meant to help President Liu, since his company is working with the Yan Corporation. Forget it.”

But President Liu’s expression had already darkened. Whether cutting the tree or giving it away, neither option was possible.

Qi Yunwei added, her tone cryptic, “Still, I don’t think this tree is an entirely good omen. It may bring fortune, but it could also bring disaster.”

Secretary Shen nearly choked. Was Qi Yunwei out of her mind? Daring to offend the Yan Corporation’s partner like this?

Both President Liu and his wife’s faces turned black. To them, it seemed Qi Yunwei was trying to badmouth their treasured tree just to claim it for herself. Was it not for Yan Zui, they would have thrown her out immediately.

Qi Yunwei quickly said, “Forgive me, my words were thoughtless. To make amends, I’d like to host a banquet tomorrow evening at Hongyue Pavilion. Please, President Liu, Madam Liu, you must honor us with your presence.”

She tugged lightly at Yan Zui’s sleeve. Yan Zui glanced at her, then told the Lius, “I happen to have other business to discuss with President Liu tomorrow as well.”

Secretary Shen, who caught the motion: “…”

President Yan wasn’t angry? She even backed her up? Qi Yunwei must have bewitched her!

President Liu could refuse Qi Yunwei’s invitation, but not Yan Zui’s. With forced politeness, he said, “Since President Yan insists, we will certainly attend.”

Only then did they finally enter the villa.

As they walked ahead, Madam Liu whispered, “Old Liu, but tomorrow we’ve invited all our relatives. What do we do now?”

He replied, “If I refused, how would we get this contract signed? Relatives can wait, but business with President Yan cannot. They’ll understand.”

Madam Liu sighed. “Alright, I’ll call each of them later to explain.”

In the living room, President Liu invited them to sit.

At a signal from Yan Zui, Secretary Shen produced the contract. “Please review this, President Liu. If everything looks in order, we just need your signature.”

President Liu immediately summoned his lawyer, who reviewed the terms and confirmed there were no issues. He then signed.

With the deal sealed, President Liu smiled. “If you’re not busy, President Yan, why not take a stroll up the mountain? I have an orchard in the back with cherries, plums, nectarines, dates, and even watermelons. Our family hasn’t had to buy fruit in years.”

Madam Liu added, “We go up every day to check the trees. It keeps us fit too. We’re both fifty now, but our backs don’t ache and our legs are still strong. Our energy’s only gotten better.”

Yan Zui asked, “I also heard there’s a fishpond up there?” She remembered Qi Yunwei’s earlier wish to go fishing.