I Heard I’m a Scummy Alpha? [Transmigration] - Chapter 86

At that moment, Yan Zui pushed the door open. Ker Bolin’s attention immediately shifted, and he greeted her with a smile, extending his hand.

“President Yan, I never expected you to invite me for lunch. Could it be that your company’s marketing department has new requirements?”

Yan Zui shook his hand briefly before letting go. “This isn’t about marketing. It’s personal. I’d like to introduce you to someone—Qi Yunwei, my Alpha.”

Ker Bolin’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Qi Yunwei. “So President Yan is already married! Miss Qi looks like a remarkable Alpha—truly a perfect match for you both.”

“Thank you,” Qi Yunwei replied with a warm smile. “Just now, I heard Yan Zui mention your marketing strategies for Yan Corporation. They really are impressive. The nickname ‘the advertising genius’ suits you perfectly.”

Her sincerity was unmistakable. Ker Bolin didn’t feel flattered, but genuinely appreciated. And since she was Yan Zui’s Alpha, his goodwill naturally deepened.

The three of them went out for lunch together. Ker Bolin didn’t care much about the restaurant but chatted with Qi Yunwei as if meeting a kindred spirit.

“Plenty of people say my work is unorthodox. ‘Genius’ sounds like praise, but often it carries a touch of mockery. Yunwei, I can tell you truly admire what I do. If you ever need marketing support, come to our studio—I’ll make sure to deliver something outstanding.”

“That’s wonderful,” Qi Yunwei laughed. “I heard from Yan Zui that you’re selective with your projects—taking only two or three a year. I must be lucky to have secured a spot so early. Thank you.”

“We’re friends now,” Ker Bolin replied with a grin. “No need for such formality.”

The two talked the entire way, while Yan Zui listened quietly, never interrupting.

Finally, she stopped before a five-story building. “We’re here.”

Ker Bolin looked up and blinked at the sign. It read Yunmengze Network Technology, not Yunmengze Restaurant.

“Wait, is there really food here? Did we come to the wrong place?”

“Not only is there food,” Qi Yunwei said with a mysterious smile, “it’s delicious. The chef’s skills will exceed your imagination.”

Ker Bolin raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “I’ve only ever heard the phrase ‘exceeds imagination’ when people talk about Jinzhao Youjiu. That place is legendary. Are you saying this can compare?”

“It’s about the same,” Qi Yunwei said confidently.

Yan Zui gave a small nod. “It really is.”

Curiosity piqued, Ker Bolin followed them inside. Qi Yunwei unlocked the door, led them into the building, and up to the fifth floor via elevator, where they entered an office.

Though the building had been empty for several days, the office was spotless. Qi Yunwei had just added an auto-cleaning function to her little AI robot, Xiao Jiu, and tested it successfully. Production would begin soon.

The release date was expected to coincide with that of the holographic game—early March.

Yan Zui invited Ker Bolin to sit while Qi Yunwei slipped through a side door, saying she would prepare the food.

“Is this Yunwei’s company?” Ker Bolin asked.

“Yes,” Yan Zui replied. “The staff are on holiday, so the building’s locked up.”

Barely two minutes later, Qi Yunwei returned carrying a teapot. She set it down on the table and joined their conversation instead of going back.

Ker Bolin blinked in surprise. “Yunwei, aren’t you supposed to be cooking?”

She smiled. “No need.”

Her tone was so secretive that his curiosity grew. “So, is there a chef in there? Does the chef actually live here, locked inside?”

Qi Yunwei nodded seriously. “That’s right.”

Ker Bolin sighed. “Then it must be a reclusive, introverted master chef.”

Changing the subject, Qi Yunwei asked, “By the way, what were you and Yan Zui discussing earlier? Something about her appearing in public?”

Ker Bolin brightened. “Yes. My original plan was to have a glamorous Omega CEO appear alongside high-value prizes. That combination would send Yan Corporation’s reputation soaring. Nowadays, people aren’t just swayed by money, but also by appearances. Those lacking funds would be tempted by the rewards, while the wealthy would be drawn to beauty. It would create massive buzz.

“But President Yan refuses to show her face. I’m making one last attempt to persuade her. Without her presence, the strategy feels incomplete.”

“I see,” Qi Yunwei nodded thoughtfully.

Ker Bolin leaned forward eagerly. “Could you try convincing her?”

“Actually,” Qi Yunwei said, “a few months ago, Yan Zui and I participated in a variety show called Living with You. Have you heard of it?”

Recognition dawned on Ker Bolin’s face. “So that’s why you looked familiar! I thought it was fate. I’ve seen the edited version, though I heard the live broadcast was even better.”

Then he frowned. “But wait—you said you both participated? Yan Zui didn’t appear in the edited episodes, and I never saw her mentioned online. Was she cut out?”

Qi Yunwei nodded. “Yes. Yan Zui is an Omega, and her beauty could easily attract dangerous attention. For her safety, any image or discussion about her online gets taken down immediately. If you include her in your press releases, the same thing will happen. Better to give up on that idea.”

Ker Bolin fell silent, then sighed. “I hadn’t thought of that. President Yan makes people forget she’s an Omega. Compared to most, she’s so strong and resilient. If only she was an Alpha, she wouldn’t face so many troubles. Omegas always bear more than others.”

As a Beta, he understood Omega struggles better than most arrogant Alphas ever could.

Qi Yunwei poured him another cup of tea. “So, Bolin, are you married?”

He blushed with a shy smile. “Yes. My partner is an Omega. We were childhood sweethearts. When he differentiated as an Omega and I as a Beta, I thought I had to break it off for his sake. But he didn’t care about pheromones or marking—he insisted on marrying me. Said he’d take inhibitors for life if that’s what it took.”

What Bolin doesn’t know,

In the original novel, his partner Qiao Yi eventually succumbed to the innate craving for Alpha pheromones. After divorcing Bolin—who was left paralyzed from an assault—Qiao Yi remarried an Alpha, not realizing he was unstable and violent. Beaten mercilessly in marriage, Qiao Yi tried to file for divorce on grounds of domestic abuse, but the law favored Alphas. Trapped and desperate, he eventually stabbed his husband to death in his sleep, then took his own life.

When Bolin heard the news, he hanged himself in grief during a brief moment when his caretaker was away.

With Bolin loving Qiao Yi so deeply, persuading him to divorce will not be easy, Xiaoman murmured.

Qi Yunwei, however, didn’t seem nearly as troubled.

They chatted idly for another half hour before she rose. “The food should be ready. I’ll bring it out.” She disappeared into the side room.

Bolin turned to Yan Zui. “Should I help carry the dishes?”

“No need,” she replied calmly. “There isn’t much.”

Clearly, Yunwei didn’t want Bolin discovering Xiao Jiu. Probably planning something amusing, Yan Zui blocked him from following.

Soon, Yunwei emerged with two trays, setting out five dishes, a soup, and three bowls of rice.

“Try it and see if it suits your taste.”

Three of the dishes were Yan Zui’s favorites. To their surprise, Bolin praised every single one enthusiastically.

“This is incredible! No wonder you claimed it could rival Jinzhao Youjiu. Honestly, even though I’ve never eaten there, I’d bet this chef’s skills surpass it.”

“Then I’ll treat you there someday so you can compare,” Yunwei said with a laugh.

“Next time, it’s my treat,” Bolin replied warmly. “After the annual gala, when I finally get some rest, I’ll bring Qiao Yi along and we’ll all go together.”

“Deal,” Yan Zui answered for her.

That evening, at the Yan Corporation Annual Gala, neither Yan Zui nor Qi Yunwei appeared.

Citing illness, Yan Zui had Yan Zhao and He Ran attend in their place. The two of them stayed home, watching the livestream while monitoring Weibo’s trending topics.

The gala began at eight with speeches from upper management. Yan Zhao took the stage, reflecting on the past and painting a grand vision for the future. By the time he stepped down, the two thousand employees in attendance were stirred to fervor, ready to dedicate themselves to the company.

The first media outlets quickly released videos of his speech. Comments ranged from praise by naïve students to mocking quips that he should be an artist rather than a chairman—since his talent for “painting big pies” (making empty promises) was unmatched.

Next came the performances, showcasing the talents of Yan Corporation’s employees, followed by interactive games highlighting their wit and teamwork.

Again, videos went online. Netizens scoffed: “With a chairman who’s so good at painting pies, no wonder his employees are this outstanding.”

By now, three media outlets had uploaded content. Debate was lively, and the hashtag #YanCorporation Big Pie crept onto the trending list.

Finally, the much-anticipated finale arrived: the prize draw.

Yan Zhao and his wife, He Ran, stepped on stage to announce the rules and prizes. Gasps swept through the audience.

“You heard correctly,” Yan Zhao declared with a smile. “The company is giving away prizes worth a total of one hundred million yuan. The grand prize is an apartment valued at 6.6 million. The lowest prize is fifty thousand yuan. Every one of our two thousand employees will win something.”

Ten major media outlets immediately blasted the news, pushing the hashtag #YanCorporation Annual Gala Lucky Draw into the top five trends, its heat multiplying by the minute.

Qi Yunwei opened the tag and scrolled through comments:

• Who was mocking Yan Corporation earlier for painting pies? I’d gladly eat a pie worth a hundred million!

• Such generosity! Yan Corporation truly has deep pockets, talented staff, and a bright future.

• I heard Chairman Yan Zhao built this company from scratch. Maybe he’s giving back because he knows what hardship feels like. What a good boss!

Of course, there were skeptics too:

• Don’t be fooled. Ordinary employees won’t win the big prizes. Those apartments, cars, and jewels will all go to management.

• This is just marketing hype. No company is that generous.

But as the draw unfolded, thirty media outlets blasted updates in real time, sending hashtags like #Who Won the 6-Million Apartment, #Luxury Car Winners Revealed, and #Guess Who Won the Jewel Prize straight into the top three trends. Yan Corporation dominated the hot search, with countless related tags trailing behind.

In the end, the apartment went to the company’s front-desk receptionist, who had been working there for three years. She immediately posted her prize on Weibo.

Skeptics dug into her profile, hoping to uncover favoritism, but instead confirmed she was just an ordinary employee with no connections or power. They found nothing suspicious—but instead stumbled upon her lighthearted shipping posts, where she fangirled over a fictional CP pairing: President Yan Zui and her “soft rice Alpha.”