I Topped the Aloof Omega in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 8

Is it Surveillance or Lingering Affection?

It was a small crocheted toy, a personified, soft, adorable white sheep. Abstractly speaking, it was a sheep that bore a slight resemblance to Xuan Yuchi when she smiled.

It lay quietly on the bed, covered by a pristine white sheet.

Evidently, it was a well-cared-for “child” by its owner, an owner who seemed like the type to ask people, “Can my child be a child model?”

Before the age of fifteen, Bian Yunchen had never owned a single plush toy or doll.

The reason was simple: her elders believed she didn’t need one; they were useless things. The future heir of the Bian family should be rational, independent, and strong; only boring and childish people needed toys.

At the age of fifteen, during her birthday banquet, Xuan Yuchi presented this little sheep in front of Bian family elders. The pressure from their gazes bore down on Bian Yunchen.

She hesitated, not reaching out.

The emotions of the adults overshadowed the entire banquet but didn’t penetrate Xuan Yuchi’s heart. She mumbled that she had made it herself.

One of Bian’s older cousins told Xuan Yuchi, “Yuchi, dear, you should keep it for yourself. Achen never plays with these things.”

Just as she awkwardly drew her hand back, Yunchen took the little sheep from her.

She heard Yunchen’s mother call Yunchen’s name with displeasure.

Actually, she knew.

Bian’s mother was fierce, and her mother was also fierce. Bian also looked unapproachable when she didn’t smile.

But she had made a small mistake a while ago and her spending was restricted by her family. Among the gifts she thought were nice, this was the only one she could afford.

To elevate the sheep’s value, she had told a little lie…

Ah! It’s been eight years, and this little sheep is still here.

Her thoughts snapped back, and Xuan Yuchi walked towards the bed, but Bian Yunchen got there first.

It didn’t matter.

This didn’t stop her from giving an ambiguous smile and saying, “Bian, you brought it with you even when you went abroad?”

Bian Yunchen held the sheep, looking down at her. “Do you think you’re the only one who can buy it?”

Buy.

Buy?

Xuan Yuchi’s smile froze, and she nervously lowered her head.

So Yunchen knew it wasn’t handmade by her; it was a finished product bought online.

Xuan Yuchi sighed, “Aiya, I’m so clumsy, anything I made wouldn’t look good, you definitely wouldn’t like it. Better to buy the finished product.”

“This one you bought yourself then? What about the one I gave you before?”

Bian Yunchen: “Threw it away. Do you think I’d keep something an ex gave me?”

Xuan Yuchi: “Ah…?”

How could Yunchen bear to throw away such a cute little sheep?

Xuan Yuchi peeked at the one in Bian Yunchen’s hand. It was indeed not the one she had given.

The one she gave had its ear accidentally broken when she later visited Yunchen’s home.

The driver’s call reminding them to leave came, and Xuan Yuchi quickly grabbed Yunchen’s bag, checking Bian Yunchen’s state one last time before leaving.

It was as if nothing had just happened.

They got into the car, Xuan Yuchi in the passenger seat, Bian Yunchen in the back.

Xiao Dong messaged, asking about the situation. Xuan Yuchi subconsciously looked in the rear-view mirror, thinking she should secretly take a photo to reassure Xiao Dong.

In that look, her eyes met Yunchen’s.

A few seconds later, she quietly glanced again.

Yunchen was still looking at her.

After a few more minutes, Xuan Yuchi looked again and quickly averted her gaze, caught in the act, but her words were very candid, with a hint of shyness: “Bian, why do you keep looking at me?”

The foreign driver’s ears twitched.

Bian Yunchen sat with her legs crossed, hands clasped on her knees, expressionless.

Before leaving the hotel, she had put on her decorative silver-rimmed glasses. Her intellectual air resembled one of Xuan Yuchi’s university professors—a professor who indeed came from the Bian family.

“Some staff members secretly take photos of artists and sell them to sasaeng fans. Given Assistant Xuan’s financial situation, I have reason to suspect your furtiveness is…”

“What the heck!”

The flash suddenly flared. Xuan Yuchi took a picture of Bian Yunchen’s cold face and sent it to Xiao Dong.

She complained, “It’s Xiao Dong, she asked me for your live photo.”

“Why are you attacking my character…”

Bian Yunchen absolutely hated the endless flashes when facing the media. Watching Xuan Yuchi’s little outburst now, the slight displeasure in her heart dissipated.

She turned her head to look out the window at the swiftly passing streetscape, a faint smile curving her lips.

It had been a long time since she had teased Xuan Yuchi, something she used to do almost every day.

The car stopped outside the show venue. Xuan Yuchi hung the camera around her neck, got out first, and then walked around to Yunchen’s side to open the car door.

The car door was only halfway open when a reporter shouted in English, “Vivienne is over there!”

A large crowd of reporters swarmed over, surrounding the two people completely.

Bian Yunchen greeted them composedly, answering questions sparingly, and watched as the person next to her was gradually squeezed out.

The damn camera chose that moment to malfunction. Xuan Yuchi lowered her head to adjust it, and when she looked up, she realized her predicament, while the woman named Bian didn’t spare her a glance, maintaining her solo composure.

Soon, security guards chased the reporters away and ushered Yunchen into the inner venue.

Xuan Yuchi got into the car with the driver, heading to the parking lot, and looked at the photo she had captured with her phone.

It looked great. She was indeed excellent; her photography skills were top-notch.

Xiao Dong had instructed her three times not to stray far while the artist watched the show, in case of any emergencies.

It was scorching hot outside, so she decided to stay in the car and not go anywhere.

Half an hour later, she received a notification from Bian Yunchen, asking her and the driver to return first.

Of course, by the time Xuan Yuchi saw the message, an hour had already passed. She had fallen asleep in the back seat. The seat had Bian Yunchen’s lingering scent, which inexplicably made her feel secure.

In the restaurant.

Bian Yunchen chatted with the aunt and niece pair for half an hour about non-existent family matters before the other party finally revealed their true intentions, asking about Xuan Yuchi.

Bian Yunchen acted as if she hadn’t heard.

Bai Ci used a spoon to scoop some Burgundy beef stew onto Bian Yunchen’s plate with a smile.

“Yunchen, you and Xiaofei don’t come to BALI often. The beef stew in this restaurant is incomparable in all of BALI. Why aren’t you eating any? Don’t you have an appetite today?”

Bai Fei: “It’s really delicious, Yunchen, you must try it. My aunt knows best when it comes to enjoying life.”

Bian Yunchen held her fork, her smile distant and polite: “This trip isn’t a private one. I’m grateful that Minister Bai Ci took time out of her busy schedule to treat us to a meal.”

Saying this, she raised her wine glass: “Minister Bai Ci and Minister Bai Yi are like sisters, the careers they’ve built are beyond what we juniors can aspire to, let alone their lifestyle. Few can compare. I toast you with this cup.”

Seeing this, Bai Fei also raised her wine glass, intending to toast her aunt along with Yunchen.

The red wine reflected Bai Ci’s face. She looked at Bai Fei’s foolish appearance and shook her head inwardly.

This child was truly spoiled. She couldn’t even understand others’ sarcasm.

She was managing illegal stays of foreigners here, and her older sister, Bai Yi, had her hands on matters of citizen emigration.

Bian Yunchen saying they were “like sisters” was a metaphor, mocking them for colluding to earn dirty money.

This stupid girl didn’t consider how her aunt could live so comfortably abroad with her salary. Even an outsider like Bian Yunchen could see it!

Bai Ci clinked glasses with Bian Yunchen, maintaining her composure: “However, Yunchen, I really must advise you. You are not alone now. If something goes wrong with ‘letting the wolf into the house,’ it won’t be easy for you or Xiaofei.”

Bian Yunchen: “If the century-old secret of the Xuan family could be extracted through private coercion…”

She glanced at Bai Fei. Her eyes, like black obsidian, were devoid of emotion but held an invisible pressure that made Bai Fei hold her breath.

It was said that the strongest Omegas could naturally suppress an Alpha.

“The Xuan family has long turned this secret over to the public. The reason they dare not speak is that no one can force them to speak unless they volunteer to.”

Bai Ci thought for a moment, still unable to hold back: “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but you and Xuan Yuchi did have an engagement. If you keep her by your side, what will outsiders think of our Bai family?”

Bai Fei said very considerately, “It’s okay, Auntie. I understand everything for the greater good. Please don’t blame Yunchen.”

Bai Ci, however, became more agitated: “What’s more, you even had your people go to the Special Investigations Bureau to bail her out! Aren’t you slapping my sister’s face right in front of the Bureau?!”

The table trembled with Bai Ci’s agitation. Bian Yunchen remained unmoved, stating indifferently, “Since the head of the Bai family is Minister Bai Yi, she will have her own judgment on what is more important.”

Bai Ci gritted her teeth, utterly failing to put on a senior’s demeanor in front of Bian Yunchen.

So composed at such a young age, a formidable talent for the future. The family’s assets would eventually go to Bai Fei, and Bai Fei was useless. Offending Bian Yunchen might lead to future retaliation…

As for Bian Yunchen bringing the Xuan family member close, whether it was surveillance or lingering affection, as long as she didn’t tarnish their family’s bloodline, she would turn a blind eye.

She immediately put on a kind smile and took the initiative to toast Bian Yunchen: “Ah, I talk nonsense when I get older. I had a bit too much to drink just now. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“Not at all.” Bian Yunchen smiled and clinked glasses with her.

The dinner ended. Bian Yunchen got into the car arranged by Bai Ci. Bai Fei sat next to her, very eager: “Yunchen, can I stay at your place tonight?”

“I mean, I’ll stay at the same hotel as you, so it’s easier for me to take care of you.”

Bian Yunchen: “No need.”

Bai Fei: “You only brought one assistant this time. It’s always good to have one more person.”

Bian Yunchen stared at her, unable to tell if she was just putting on an act because Bai Ci’s driver was there or if she had other intentions.

The phone screen lit up with a text message from Xuan Yuchi.

Xuan Yuchi: Bian, where did you go? Why aren’t you back yet? Do you want me to come pick you up?

Bian Yunchen silently turned off the screen and agreed to Bai Fei’s request.

Xuan Yuchi happily trotted to the door. She was holding a magnificent cocktail she had found at the hotel bar.

Yunchen would surely love it.

However, the one who appeared before Yunchen was the “Celestial-class” person.

“Why are you here?” the “Celestial-class” person spoke first.

Xuan Yuchi loudly retorted, “I was about to ask why you are here!”

Bai Fei sneered, “I am her wife. Isn’t it normal for me to be here?”

Xuan Yuchi: “The people you’ve cheated with, if lined up end-to-end, could circle the globe, okay?”

Bai Fei glared at her: “I’m warning you, stay away from Yunchen. Don’t think that just because she’s protecting you, I won’t dare do anything to you.”

Xuan Yuchi gave a proud snort, then immediately cried out in a wronged tone towards the inside: “Bian this cheating woman is threatening me!”

Bian Yunchen slowly walked out: “It’s very late now. I need to rest.”

This was a dismissal. Xuan Yuchi wasn’t so dense as to not understand this.

But!

She pointed at Bai Fei: “Then what about her? Is she not leaving?”

Bai Fei also looked at Bian Yunchen, as if seeking instruction.

Bian Yunchen said: “She is my wife.”

Xuan Yuchi was about to argue further but was shut out by Bai Fei.

Ten minutes later, Bai Fei came out, looking dejected.

She thought she might make some breakthrough tonight, but why was a “paper person” so moody and unpredictable!

Bian Yunchen changed into a silk nightgown and lay down on the bed. She gently stroked the little sheep’s head beside her. The soft light illuminated its head.

It was very cute, very perfect, except for the subtle stitching marks near the ear.

She actually hadn’t sewn it well. The stitches were clumsy, and she had pricked her hand several times while sewing.

She had found it accidentally in her childhood bedroom and started learning to crochet and mend.

At that time, she was already a big star and was busy, so she learned slowly.

She also deliberately learned slowly, crocheting an ear was slow, and sewing it on was slow. She thought this way, maybe one day when the job was done, Xuan Yuchi would suddenly be standing at her door, just like many years ago.

It wasn’t until an assistant saw it later and said she also loved this brand of toy, but this model was popular many years ago.

Only then did Bian Yunchen realize that everything Xuan Yuchi had said—about staying up all night, working hard, and weaving it thread by thread—was a lie.

She could even imagine what Xuan Yuchi was thinking.

Buying it but claiming it was woven. Sincerity multiplied. How clever.

Snapping out of her recollection, she gave a self-mocking smile and called Xiao Dong.

“Xiao Dong, go find Xuan Yuchi.”

“Mhm, don’t tell her I sent you.”

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