I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 79

No one spoke during the meal. Everyone was too busy focusing on the feast in front of them, afraid that if they let their attention wander even a little, they might miss out on a single bite.

The audience on the livestream bullet screen was practically drooling, but amid the flood of foodie comments, some sharp-eyed viewers caught onto something important.

[Did you guys notice? Yan Zui’s eaten the most from that plate of sweet and sour ribs—she’s practically finished half of it by herself.]

[I noticed too! And it was Qi Yunwei who put that dish in front of her. There was clearly more space elsewhere on the table, yet Qi Yunwei still placed it right in front of Yan Zui. (covering face, crying)]

[Even if this CP is basically doomed to a BE, the scene is killing me—she cooks your favorite dish, quietly places it before you, and you silently eat it. In the middle of all the noise, their hearts inch closer in silence. Ahhh, I can’t help shipping it so hard.]

[LMAO upstairs, you could write an essay about this.]

After the meal, the staff quickly took over the cleaning duties. Everyone’s faces were filled with satisfaction, and their energy levels were through the roof as they bustled around clearing the table and washing dishes.

Qi Yunwei turned to the director. “Director Liu, are we adding another task this afternoon?”

The director patted his stomach, half-closing his eyes in contentment. “Add a task? What task? I don’t recall anything about adding tasks.”

With just one meal, Qi Yunwei had successfully conquered the entire production crew.

That afternoon, Qi Yunwei and the other three completed another mission and won sodas and snacks in addition to ingredients.

Later, as the director monitored the livestream chat, he saw that many viewers were still clamoring for Qi Yunwei to open her own restaurant.

When the time came to send off Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui, he couldn’t resist asking, “Would you ever consider opening a restaurant?”

Qi Yunwei, who hadn’t been watching the bullet comments, looked puzzled.

The director quickly explained what the audience had been saying. “Of course, I know you’re probably too busy. Even if you did open a restaurant, you might not have time to cook yourself. If the chefs you hire can’t replicate your flavors, it could hurt your reputation.”

The recording had already wrapped up by then. With no cameras around, Qi Yunwei glanced at Yan Zui. At that moment, the same thought surfaced in both their minds—maybe opening a restaurant wasn’t such a bad idea.

With Xiao Jiu around, they could even launch hundreds or thousands of fully automated smart restaurants, all serving the exact same flavors.

Qi Yunwei shook the director’s hand. “Thank you for the suggestion, Director Liu. I’ll give the idea some serious thought.”

Director Liu, dazed, shook her hand back. It wasn’t until the car carrying Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui had driven off that he snapped out of it. “Wait, for real? She’s actually thinking of opening a restaurant?”

He slapped his thigh. “Well, I’ll be the first to support her!” Then he realized he didn’t even have Qi Yunwei’s WeChat. Flustered, he called the driver and managed to get her contact info. Only after adding her as a friend did he finally relax.

The two-day livestream came to an end, and viewers were reluctant to say goodbye—especially to Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui. They would miss Qi Yunwei’s cooking skills and Yan Zui’s beauty most of all.

Because of its unique live-broadcast format, Living With You had been trending since the very first day. By the end of the second day, its popularity had exploded, shooting straight onto the hot search.

But oddly, most of the discussions weren’t about Qiao Haiyue or Peng Xueyu. Instead, people were fixated on the two “ordinary” guest stars.

Yet whenever netizens posted Yan Zui’s name or screenshots featuring her, the content was immediately censored. On the hot search, only Qiao Haiyue, Peng Xueyu, and Qi Yunwei remained visible. Those who hadn’t watched the livestream had no idea who Yan Zui even was.

Confused and frustrated, Yan Zui’s fans could only form private groups to secretly share screenshots and recordings. But even those were mysteriously deleted.

The worst blow came the next day: the edited replay outright erased Yan Zui’s footage.

As soon as the car sending Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui back reached the city, it pulled over. The two women stepped out and immediately got into the car driven by Zhou Xiao.

On the way home, Zhou Xiao was practically bursting with excitement. “President Yan, Boss Lady, I watched your livestream! Boss Lady, you’re famous now!”

He added quickly, “Of course, I’m sure President Yan arranged things ahead of time. There’s nothing about you on Weibo, Douyin, or any other platforms. Fame brings not only attention but also risk. Given your status and looks, President Yan, it wouldn’t be safe to become a public figure.”

In the back seat, Qi Yunwei and Yan Zui held hands, quietly listening to Zhou Xiao’s chatter. Every so often, their eyes would meet, and each time they did, both couldn’t help but smile.

By the time they neared the apartment, Zhou Xiao—usually a bit slow on the uptake—finally noticed the charged atmosphere between the two in the backseat. Sensibly, he shut her mouth.

After dropping them off, he drove away without lingering for even a second.

The autumn night air rustled through the leaves, the street lamps outside the apartment glowing dim and warm.

Qi Yunwei looked at Yan Zui. They stood so close she could make out each individual eyelash, could see her own reflection in those translucent, ocean-dark eyes beneath them.

Her thumb brushed gently over Yan Zui’s palm. Her voice was low, hoarse. “Let’s go home.”

Yan Zui’s lashes trembled lightly in the wind. Their hands stayed linked, never loosening, as their uneven steps carried them inside. The entryway light flicked on automatically. Qi Yunwei turned, pressing Yan Zui back against the door.

Her black eyes flickered with fire. “Can I kiss you?”

Porcelain cheeks flushed, lips parted slightly, Yan Zui tilted her head up, closed her eyes, wordlessly inviting the kiss.

She felt Qi Yunwei’s breath draw near. Her body trembled. The chill of the autumn air had just moments ago seeped into her bones, but now it was as though she was wrapped in heat, her heart swaying, her mind dizzy.

Qi Yunwei’s lips descended. Their kiss was soft, tentative. Yan Zui clutched desperately at Qi Yunwei’s collar, tilting her head back as Qi Yunwei’s lips and tongue claimed hers.

Her glands tingled, growing numb. She couldn’t stand steady anymore. Face burning, she pushed weakly at Qi Yunwei’s chest, blue-black eyes misted over. Her voice shook. “M-my heat, it came early. Let’s go to the bedroom.”

The air thickened with the heavy scent of pheromones. Qi Yunwei swept her up into her arms.

The next morning, when Qi Yunwei woke, Yan Zui was still sleeping.

Leaning down, she kissed her cheek, unable to get enough of looking at her.

But since they had gone straight to the bedroom last night, she hadn’t had time to ask Xiao Jiu to cook. After washing up, she went to the kitchen to request breakfast.

Strangely, unlike before—when she’d always been exhausted after marking Yan Zui—this time, despite everything that had happened, she didn’t feel drained at all. If anything, she felt more energized.

While waiting for breakfast, she decided to spend some time jogging in the home gym.

By the time Yan Zui emerged, Qi Yunwei had only been running for a short while.

Hearing the treadmill, Yan Zui didn’t disturb her. Instead, she wandered into the kitchen and started chatting with Xiao Jiu.

“Xiao Jiu, have you been bored at home by yourself these past two days?” she asked, patting the little robot on the head.

“Pretty sister, you and Master came home yesterday, but neither of you came to see Xiao Jiu.”

Yan Zui’s cheeks reddened at the memory of last night. “We were too tired. But we’re here now, aren’t we?”

“Pretty sister, Xiao Jiu was only joking. Sure, it gets a little boring, but if I get to be the first one you and Master come to in the morning, Xiao Jiu is very happy.”

Yan Zui smiled softly. “Xiao Jiu, you’re so sweet.”

“By the way, Pretty Sister, Master asked me earlier if I wanted to open a restaurant.”

Yan Zui blinked in surprise. Had Xiao Jiu already developed the ability to think and make decisions independently?

“How did you answer?”

“Xiao Jiu loves cooking! Seeing you and Master happy when you eat makes Xiao Jiu so happy. Xiao Jiu wants to open a restaurant and cook for lots and lots of people.”

Listening to the robot’s childlike voice, Yan Zui’s expression grew even gentler. “Xiao Jiu, you’re amazing.”

“Master also said that once the full-immersion game is completed, Xiao Jiu will get a body just like a human. Pretty Sister, you have to come play with me then.”

Qi Yunwei finished her run after twenty minutes or so, and as she came out, she overheard their voices.

She smiled and walked toward the kitchen. “What are you two chatting about?”

Yan Zui turned, their eyes meeting. And just like that, it was as though neither could look away.

“Everything,” Yan Zui answered softly. “Xiao Jiu’s intelligence is growing so fast—it feels like she’s about to surpass humans.”

As Yan Zui lowered her head, the nape of her neck came into view, pale and smooth, the gland already healed from last night. Qi Yunwei’s eyes darkened as the memory of her fangs piercing that tender spot flickered back.