I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 71

Qi Yunwei had never been the type to cook. In fact, that was precisely why she had developed Xiao Jiu in the first place.

But ever since she realized she had fallen for Yan Zui, she suddenly had the urge to make her breakfast with her own hands. So she began waking up early every day to practice with Xiao Jiu.

By the time they joined the variety show, her cooking was already pretty good. Every morning, she would pass off her own egg pancakes as Xiao Jiu’s, and Yan Zui hadn’t once noticed the difference.

Now, watching Qi Yunwei knead the dough with practiced ease, Yan Zui commented, “It’s rare to see an Alpha who can cook.”

“And rarer still to find an Omega who can’t,” Qi Yunwei shot back lightly. “Didn’t I just happen to meet one?” She rinsed her hands under the courtyard faucet, then returned to the bowl. After kneading in the beaten eggs, the dough was still stiff, so she carefully worked in a little water at a time.

When the texture was finally right, she covered the bowl with a plate. “Let it rest for a bit.”

Yan Zui noticed how red her hands had turned from kneading. “Are your hands made of glass?”

Qi Yunwei laughed at the jab. “Not as bad as you—your whole body looks breakable.”

The water on the stove began boiling quickly. Qi Yunwei set the lid on to keep it from evaporating too fast. “If I remember right, the cutting board is by the cupboard in the shed, and the rolling pin’s on the table. How can that be so hard to find?”

Yan Zui gave a faint, dismissive look. “What would a single dog like you know?”

When Alphas and Alphas were paired up, things were bound to happen. And even if nothing happened naturally, the production team would make sure it did.

Qi Yunwei arched a brow at her. “Oh? And how exactly do you know I’m single? What if I’m not?”

“Then are you?”

Qi Yunwei’s lips curled. “Not telling.”

Yan Zui: “…” Immature.

“I’ll go check on Haiyue and the others,” Yan Zui said.

With her long stride, Qi Yunwei caught up instantly. “Wait, I’m coming too.”

Sure enough, when they reached the courtyard, they found Qiao Haiyue and Peng Xueyu in the middle of their challenge.

They had to hold hands—left to right—and each use their free hand to transfer one hundred soybeans into another bowl. Only then would they be allowed into the kitchen to fetch utensils and discover the hidden ingredients inside.

Qiao Haiyue’s left hand was locked tightly with Peng Xueyu’s. Her arm tingled from the discomfort, and her right hand, shaky from nerves, fumbled with the beans. Ten minutes in, Peng Xueyu had already finished half his share, while she had barely managed a third.

Yan Zui’s gaze fell on their clasped hands, then lingered on Qiao Haiyue’s flushed face. Instantly, her mind conjured a scene of Haiyue blushing shyly just from holding hands with the person she loved.

[Yan Zui finally appeared! I don’t want to give up watching Haiyue and Xueyu, but I also want to see Yan Zui. My heart is torn.]

[Upstairs, just get a second phone.]

[Yan Zui’s staring at them like she wants to challenge the task herself.]

[She may be an Omega, but she’s got the heart of a competitive Alpha. Yan Zui is literally my dream O.]

The staff seemed to think the same, assuming Yan Zui wanted a turn.

“Each successful attempt lets you take one item from the kitchen—either a tool or an ingredient. Want to give it a try? There’s fresh meat and vegetables inside.”

“Sure,” Yan Zui replied.

Qiao Haiyue and Peng Xueyu’s first attempt only earned them a cutting board and rolling pin. To get food, they’d have to try again—this time with twice as many beans.

“Hey,” Qi Yunwei interjected, “this takes two people. Shouldn’t you ask if I want to do it too?”

Yan Zui didn’t answer. She simply sat down at the table prepared by the crew, raised her beautiful eyes to Qi Yunwei, and held out her hand.

Muttering under her breath, Qi Yunwei still walked over and sat beside her.

Yan Zui raised her hand slightly. Qi Yunwei didn’t move. “What?”

“You tell me. The challenge requires us to hold hands.”

“You’re an Omega. Isn’t that inconvenient?”

Yan Zui smirked. “Even as an Omega, I’m not afraid. What are you so scared of?”

“Me? Afraid? Where are you seeing that?” Qi Yunwei retorted, then clasped her hand firmly.

Yan Zui turned her head to study her, noticing how the grip tightened. She lifted her chopsticks with her free hand. “Let’s start.”

Within moments, sweat was rolling down Qi Yunwei’s forehead.

[She’s overreacting. It’s just moving a few beans.]

[No, no—you’re missing the point. She’s holding Yan Zui’s hand while moving beans! If it was me, I’d have fainted by now.]

[Maybe she just sweats easily. Look at her face—it’s totally calm, not like she’s flustered over Yan Zui.]

[Focus, people! Did you see her ears when she tilted her head? Bright red.]

Truth was, Qi Yunwei was genuinely overheated—her acting hadn’t yet reached the level of controlling her sweat.

At first, the beans slipped often, but she soon adapted, and her speed increased. Yan Zui’s pace matched hers, and together they finished a whole plate of beans in just over three minutes.

“That’s it!” Yan Zui announced.

The staff checked and confirmed their success. They were allowed two picks from the kitchen.

Qi Yunwei got up to see how Haiyue and Xueyu were doing. Haiyue’s movements had slowed—every bean she picked up was followed by another falling.

She looked up irritably at the shadow cast over her, only to see Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui still holding hands. Her eyes went wide. “Qi Yunwei, let go of Yan Zui right now!”

Only then did Qi Yunwei realize she was still holding on. She glanced down, calmly released her hand, and said evenly, “Oops, forgot.”

“How about you two give up? I’ll pair with Yan Zui and we’ll try again,” Qi Yunwei suggested.

[Hahaha, Haiyue’s terrified of losing her bestie to Qi Yunwei.]

[Forgot to let go? Yeah, right.]

[I’m a Haiyue stan, but even I can’t stop staring at Yan Zui right now. Is that normal?]

[Same here, I stan Peng Xueyu, but my eyes are glued to her too.]

Haiyue’s hand was nearly cramping, and she really couldn’t keep going—but hearing Qi Yunwei say it only made her more annoyed.

“Yan Zui, sorry to trouble you again,” Haiyue said, pouting, looking both guilty and a little aggrieved.

“We’ll take the cutting board and rolling pin. You two start rolling the dough outside,” Yan Zui said. Then she paused and asked, “You do know how to roll noodles, right?”

“I do,” Peng Xueyu answered.

“Then go on, Haiyue.”

Haiyue and Peng Xueyu left with the tools, followed by their cameramen. The courtyard suddenly felt much quieter.

Qi Yunwei offered her hand again. “Let’s just finish quickly so we can eat lunch.”

Yan Zui slid her hand into hers with a light touch. Qi Yunwei reflexively clenched tighter, making Yan Zui’s brows crease. “What, trying to crush my fingers?”

Qi Yunwei immediately loosened her hold, realizing she’d been too forceful. “Sorry.”

Yan Zui looked genuinely surprised. “What now?” Qi Yunwei asked warily.

“Nothing,” Yan Zui said, pulling her to sit down. “Just didn’t expect you to actually apologize.”

“Sharp-tongued as always. Careful or no one will want to marry you.” Qi Yunwei said.

Switching to her right hand, Yan Zui picked up the chopsticks again. “That’s none of your concern.”

[LMAO I’m only here to watch Yan Zui roast Qi Yunwei, and she’s delivering beautifully. Drag that dense Alpha!]

Together, they transferred two hundred beans and were rewarded with a small bag of minced meat and a jar of sauce.

Even with their dexterity, the sheer volume left both of their fingers sore. Yan Zui rubbed her hand, wincing.

Qi Yunwei noticed. “The crew should really add some solo tasks.”

“I can handle it on my own. You think the success just now was all thanks to you?” Yan Zui shot back automatically.

Qi Yunwei only said, “Credit’s fifty-fifty. I just meant you could’ve rested.”

Her voice dropped into something unexpectedly low and gentle. Yan Zui froze, eyeing her warily. What trick was this—lowering her guard before striking?

“I don’t need rest. Don’t treat me like I’m just an Omega,” Yan Zui said coldly.

Qi Yunwei frowned slightly, clearly frustrated. After a moment, she sighed. “That’s not what I meant. Forget it. Think whatever you want.”

Yan Zui gave her a strange look at that uncharacteristic retreat.

[Wait. Did anyone else notice? Qi Yunwei just backed down instead of arguing??]

Outside, Peng Xueyu was already rolling out the second batch of noodles while Qiao Haiyue tended the pot.

[Even in this sorry state, Peng Xueyu and Haiyue are so shippable. Let’s all thank them for their service!]

Qi Yunwei fetched cool water in an empty basin and helped drain the first pot of noodles before boiling the second.

Peng Xueyu moved over to Haiyue. “I’ll handle this. Go cool off in the shade—it’s too hot here.”

Haiyue wiped her forehead and stepped aside, but her eyes never left Peng Xueyu’s back, or rather, Yan Zui standing a meter behind him.

When the noodles were cooked, Peng Xueyu poured out the water. Qi Yunwei made zhajiang sauce (fried bean paste) with the minced meat and bean paste.

To everyone’s surprise, the finished dish was quite good. Each of them had a bowl, with enough leftover for half another meal.

“Finally, proper zhajiang noodles. No more running around for now.”

They had cleared the courtyard for cooking, but since open fires weren’t convenient, they put out the flames and set the stove outside.

The four of them sat in a row to rest: Peng Xueyu, Qiao Haiyue, Qi Yunwei, and Yan Zui.

Haiyue had originally wanted to sit next to Yan Zui, but Qi Yunwei had beaten her to it.

It was only around nine o’clock. After a short rest, the crew handed over the next task.

“You need to split into two groups for a competition. The winning team will rest until noon. The losing team has to go into the village, pick fruit, and earn money for ingredients.”