I'm a Professional at Being a Scumbag [Quick Wear] - Chapter 1: World 1

Le Yi stood in the swirling dust of a foul-smelling alleyway, watching the girl huddled in the corner. She double-checked with the system.

“Are you sure it’s her? I don’t see anything special about her.”

Even from a distance, where she couldn’t make out the girl’s face, her aura didn’t fit the profile of a protagonist. If Le Yi had to describe her, the words that came to mind were “utterly unremarkable.” After ten years of running missions, this was her keen intuition at work.

The system let out a yawn. “Do you have a built-in scanner in your eyes? What can you possibly tell from this far away?”

Le Yi conceded the point and started walking toward the girl. A sudden gust of wind whipped up, plastering her face with yellow dirt and shoving a pungent stench into her nose. Le Yi covered her mouth and nose, suppressing a wave of nausea as she hurried over.

When a shadow fell over her, the girl shivered, shifting her curled-up body and looking up.

So, she couldn’t escape after all?

This must be her final destiny.

The thought brought a strange sense of calm. “I’ll go with you,” she said, her voice raspy. Even in death, she wanted to be with her parents. Underground, they would surely protect her. They would never let their daughter, whom they had cherished, be bullied like this.

The words were devoid of emotion, but paired with a voice that, despite its hoarseness, was still remarkably clear, it made Le Yi’s heart flutter. At that very moment, a gentle breeze lifted the girl’s hair, revealing her gaunt face. On her dirt-streaked skin, her eyes shone with an extraordinary brightness, like stars that had fallen and were now glimmering in the dead of night. A single red mole beneath her left eye made it impossible to look away.

Le Yi had already been certain the girl was her target when she first heard her voice, and now she was even more so. Le Yi knelt down, looking into her eyes. “Are you really willing to come with me?”

The girl forced a smile, a gesture of mockery. “Quit wasting time. Just get it over with.”

It suddenly dawned on Le Yi. The girl thought she was a villain. The sky was overcast, promising rain at any moment, and Le Yi didn’t have time to explain. She simply held out her hand. “Then let’s go.”

The girl ignored her, pushing herself up with a shaky grip on the wall. But she stumbled forward a second later. Le Yi caught her, noticing the stubborn defiance in her eyes.

“Let go! I can do it myself!”

Le Yi waited for her to prove it, but the bravado was just an empty promise. As soon as the words left her mouth, she slumped unconscious in Le Yi’s arms. Le Yi smiled faintly, picked the girl up, and walked out, stepping carefully over the dirt and garbage.

This was the part of town known as the slums—a melting pot of criminals and outcasts. It was a dangerous place, even more so at night. The girl’s breathing was ragged and unsteady on Le Yi’s back, a sign of her ongoing anxiety. She had been on the run for a full two weeks. Le Yi wondered how she had managed to endure it. Was this the effect of a protagonist’s halo?

A soft chime sounded. “New Mission Activated.”

“Target: Chu Qiao, heir to the Chu family, one of the world’s ten most prominent business families. Her father, Chu Zhinan, was murdered by his mistress, Li Xiaomei, and her lover. Li Xiaomei has now seized control of the family business, and Chu Qiao is being hunted. According to the original plot, she is scheduled to die tonight.”

“Your mission: Save Chu Qiao and prevent her tragic end. When necessary, guide her ‘blackening’ so she can reclaim everything that belongs to her.”

Before entering this world, Le Yi had already reviewed the mission requirements. Her role was simple: she had to be the “scumbag.” She would betray the protagonist just when she trusted her the most, forcing her to cast aside her soft nature, eliminate all obstacles, and rise to the top.

Chu Qiao was the hero of a classic female protagonist story, but her early journey was difficult. Her inherent kindness was a chain that held her back, and she needed an external force to push her forward.

Le Yi was that force.

No emotion in the heart, only a divine blade in hand.

It sounds cruel, but anyone who wants to achieve something great has to sacrifice a few things. When you’re surrounded by wolves, you’ll be eaten alive—with nothing but bones left—if you don’t have fierce methods and an iron will. Le Yi had taken on all sorts of difficult missions because she needed the money. So when this one came along, she accepted without a second thought. It was the kind of job people dream about—good pay and little work. Only a fool would turn it down.

As soon as they left the alley, the rain began to fall. Pedestrians scurried for cover, and no one paid Le Yi any attention. Le Yi opened the door to a parked SUV and slid in, the girl still on her back. “Let’s go,” she told the person in the driver’s seat.

The driver, Zhu Qiong, glanced back at her. “This is what you said was ‘very important’ to you?” She had driven three hours from Xi Ning to Linjiang, thinking it was for a business contract, only to see Le Yi return with a filthy girl. Zhu Qiong was speechless. She had given up her free time to drive all this way for Le Yi to pick up a little beggar?

“Le, are you sure you’re okay? Being out of the spotlight for so long must be getting to you.”

Le Yi raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

Zhu Qiong pursed her lips. “Don’t get all poetic on me! You’ve been blacklisted for so long you can barely feed yourself. Now you’re taking in a little beggar, too? Are you two going to starve together?”

Le Yi offered a charming smile. “But I have you, don’t I?”

Zhu Qiong instinctively clutched her purse. “Don’t even think about it. I’m saving up to buy a place. Do you have any idea how expensive houses are in downtown Xi Ning?”

Le Yi knew all too well. Ever since she was blacklisted, she couldn’t afford her old apartment and had to move to the city’s outskirts. If renting was that expensive, buying was out of the question. Still, she had to take Chu Qiao back; it was her mission.

She looked down at the girl in her arms. Her features were delicate, like they were sculpted to perfect proportions, but her face was sallow and pale, giving the impression that she might stop breathing at any moment.

“We’ll figure something out.” She didn’t believe she would starve as long as she had hands and feet.

Seeing that Le Yi was determined, Zhu Qiong said no more. She tossed a pack of wet wipes into the back. “Here. Clean her up. She’s filthy.”

Le Yi took out a wipe and gently started cleaning Chu Qiao’s face. The girl whimpered and nervously turned her head, slowly opening her eyes. When she saw Le Yi, her eyes flashed with terror, but she quickly masked it, pulling away to sit on her own. She left a full person’s distance between them.

Chu Qiao peered out the window and noticed the car was heading out of the city. A wave of fear gripped her, and she squeezed her shirt. “Where are you taking me?” Her voice sounded flat, but a tremor betrayed her fear.

Le Yi offered her the wet wipes, her voice soft. “I didn’t have time to explain earlier, but I’m not Li Xiaomei’s person, and I’m not a bad guy. Linjiang is crawling with Li Xiaomei’s spies. It’s too dangerous here, so I’m taking you to Xi Ning.” Le Yi didn’t ask if Chu Qiao wanted to go, because whether she wanted to or not, she was coming.

Chu Qiao froze for a second, then scoffed mockingly. “Not a bad guy? Bad guys never admit they’re bad guys.”

Le Yi knew the girl’s past made her distrustful. She didn’t bother to explain. “You’re weak. Just get some rest. I’ll get you something to eat once we’re out of the city.”

Chu Qiao looked out the window, her gaze dull. “Don’t bother. I know you’re just looking for a reward. Just hand me over to Li Xiaomei already.”

Le Yi rubbed her temples, a headache forming. She grabbed a fresh wet wipe and began wiping the girl’s face again. “Why are you so stubborn? I told you I’m not a bad guy.”

Chu Qiao was held in place, struggling fiercely. When Le Yi finished and pulled her hand back, the girl clamped down on her arm with a sharp bite.

Le Yi cried out in pain, and Zhu Qiong slammed on the brakes. The jolt threw both of them forward. Le Yi used her free arm to shield Chu Qiao’s head from the dashboard. Chu Qiao held fast, biting into Le Yi’s arm, her eyes sharp and fierce like a young wolf cub.

“Let go, little one. I’ll buy you some food,” Le Yi pleaded.

Chu Qiao glared at her, her expression shouting, “I’m not eating your charity!” But her rumbling stomach betrayed her.

Grrrrrrr.

The three of them froze. A strange silence filled the car. Le Yi burst out laughing, grabbing the girl by the scruff of her neck and pulling her out of the car.

They got a private room at a nearby restaurant. Le Yi was a nobody, but Zhu Qiong was a known actress. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was better to keep a low profile. It didn’t matter if she and Zhu Qiong were exposed, but Chu Qiao couldn’t be. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to get her out of the city without a fuss.

From Chu Qiao’s perspective, they had brought her here because they were afraid she would run away.

“You haven’t eaten in a while. Your stomach must be weak, so you should have something soft and easy to digest,” Le Yi said, even as she handed the menu to Chu Qiao so she could pick for herself.

Chu Qiao hid her face behind the menu, her mind racing with ways to escape. Would the waiter help me if I told them?

Le Yi leaned back in her chair, relaxed. “You know your stepmother has a lot of influence in Linjiang, right? If you don’t want to be dragged back, I suggest you give up on the idea of running. You have no choice but to come with me to Xi Ning. If you stay here, you’ll end up dead.”

Chu Qiao flinched, almost dropping the menu. How could this woman know what she was thinking?

Le Yi sighed, her voice softening. “If I were a bad guy, I would have handed you over to Li Xiaomei already. I wouldn’t go to all this trouble to get you out. Do you know how much you’re worth right now? Thirty million. Just a tip is worth thirty million. Wouldn’t I get even more if I delivered you to Li Xiaomei myself?”

The hand Chu Qiao used to grip the menu tightened, and her expression darkened. It was a frightening intensity for a twelve-year-old girl. That woman killed my father and now she wants to finish me, too. I have to live. I have to get revenge for my father!

Yes, I can’t die.

A waiter pushed open the door. “Have you decided what you’d like?”

Le Yi smiled. “Just a moment, our child is still looking.”

The waiter was captivated by Le Yi’s smile. “No problem, take your time.” The two women and the girl were all remarkably beautiful, especially the woman who had just spoken. She had a gentle warmth that disarmed you, yet her features were sharp and striking. Her cold beauty and soft demeanor were opposites, but she blended them seamlessly. The waiter couldn’t help but stare at Le Yi for a few seconds longer.

Chu Qiao was conflicted, still wondering if she should ask the waiter for help. She mindlessly flipped through the menu, her thoughts a constant battle.

Le Yi glanced over, memorizing the dishes. She turned to the waiter. “We’ll have the preserved egg and lean pork congee, stir-fried vegetables, sliced fish in hot chili oil, and two bowls of rice. Please be quick, we’re in a hurry.”

The waiter smiled, nodded, and took the menu from Chu Qiao’s hands.

Chu Qiao turned to Le Yi, her eyes burning with fury. Le Yi was unfazed, returning her glare with a calm smile.

Zhu Qiong had pieced together the situation from their conversation. She didn’t hide her thoughts. “If she doesn’t want to come with you, just leave her. Why are you bothering with an anchor?”

Even though Chu Qiao was suspicious of Le Yi, the thought of being abandoned still made her panic. Since her father’s death, she had been on the run, and it had been a long time since she had sat down for a peaceful meal. Should I trust her?

Le Yi felt Chu Qiao’s intense scrutiny but acted as if she didn’t notice. She said to Zhu Qiong, “I can’t leave her. She’s my responsibility.”

Chu Qiao’s breath caught in her throat. She was even more confused now. She was sure she had never met this woman before. So why was she saving her? And what did she mean by “responsibility?” Hah! Does she even know what responsibility is?

Le Yi stole a quick glance at the girl, a small smile on her lips. She knew that a child’s emotions were easily swayed.

“’She’s my responsibility,’” Zhu Qiong mocked Le Yi in a sarcastic tone. “Fine, if you want to be her parent, that’s your problem. Just don’t come crying to me when you can’t feed yourselves.”

Le Yi murmured a quiet “okay,” and her smile faded. She needed to think about their future. When she was alone, she could get by, but with Chu Qiao, it wasn’t as simple as adding another pair of chopsticks to the table. Chu Qiao’s food, clothing, housing, and school all cost money. Le Yi couldn’t give her the best life, but she had to provide at least a basic standard to avoid a huge psychological setback. Years ago, she had signed a terrible contract as a naive young woman, and now it limited her at every turn. Her career options were few and far between. The agency had wanted her to do live-stream marketing, but she had refused, believing an actress shouldn’t be a salesperson. Now, she had to reconsider.

Pride and self-respect were worthless in the face of money.

As the dishes were placed on the table, Chu Qiao’s mouth watered, but she stubbornly refused to pick up her chopsticks. Le Yi slid the congee and stir-fried vegetables toward her and reached for the sliced fish herself. Chu Qiao silently picked up the bowl of congee, biting into the vegetables with a satisfying crunch, as if releasing all her frustration.

Zhu Qiong, watching her weight, only ate half a bowl of rice and a small portion of the sliced fish and beef. Le Yi finished the rest. Le Yi never gained weight, so she never had to worry about her diet. After she finished the bowl of congee, Chu Qiao felt her strength returning, and her desire to escape flared up again.

Le Yi leaned in close and whispered, “The man by the window has looked at you a few times. He might have recognized you. If you run now, it’ll be like a sheep walking into a tiger’s den.” When the waiter had come in to refill their water, she had left the door ajar, which gave Le Yi the perfect opportunity to fabricate a story. The man hadn’t even noticed them, but Chu Qiao was on edge, so Le Yi’s words immediately made her feel like she was being watched.

Zhu Qiong looked at her watch. “Let’s go. I have a reception to get to tonight. I can’t be late.”

Le Yi patted her on the shoulder. “You’re such a good friend to come with me with work tonight. You’re a real one.”

Zhu Qiong swatted her hand away and gave Chu Qiao a look. “You’d better give me a good explanation later.”

Le Yi just laughed. There was no way she could explain this. If she told Zhu Qiong she had a system, Zhu Qiong would have a heart attack.

Chu Qiao cowered behind Le Yi, seemingly frightened of something. Le Yi glanced at the man drinking beer by the window, a flash of mischief in her eyes. She took Chu Qiao’s hand and said gently, “Stay close to me.”

Feeling the warmth in her palm, Chu Qiao’s restless heart suddenly calmed. Had she become so dependent on this stranger in such a short time? But she’d rather trust Le Yi than be caught by that fearsome man.

Zhu Qiong dropped Le Yi and Chu Qiao off at Le Yi’s apartment, then sped off. The apartment was small—two bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom. Le Yi had planned on finding a roommate, but now it seemed she wouldn’t need to. Le Yi told Chu Qiao she could choose between the master bedroom and the other bedroom. Chu Qiao immediately chose the master. Le Yi simply smiled and didn’t say anything.

The wind picked up that evening. The wind chimes outside the window rang, and Chu Qiao stared blankly at them. In this unfamiliar place, with an unfamiliar person, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

A crack of thunder sounded, followed by a knock on the door. Chu Qiao bolted upright.

“Are you asleep? If not, I’m coming in.”

Even before the words were fully out, Le Yi pushed the door open. She was holding a glass of milk and, once close enough, offered it to Chu Qiao. “I figured you might have trouble sleeping. Drink some milk; it helps.”

Chu Qiao stared at her, trying to decipher her intentions, but she couldn’t read anything on Le Yi’s face.

Seeing that Chu Qiao didn’t take it, Le Yi drank the milk herself. Then she lifted the covers and got into bed.

Chu Qiao was stunned. “What are you doing?!”

“What does it look like? This is my bed.” Le Yi gently pressed Chu Qiao’s head back onto the pillow, wrapped an arm around her waist, and closed her eyes.

Chu Qiao struggled for a few moments, and when she couldn’t break free, she said, “Then let go of me. I’ll go sleep in the other room.”

“Just sleep here. It’s thundering, and I get scared.”

Chu Qiao was speechless. “Then who did you sleep with before when it thundered?”

“By myself.”

“You weren’t scared then?”

“I just got over it.”

Chu Qiao was at a loss for words, but with a human-sized heater next to her, her cold body began to warm up. Listening to Le Yi’s steady breathing, her chaotic mind slowly quieted, and soon, sleep began to overtake her.

In the dark, Le Yi curved her lips into a smile, tightening her arm around Chu Qiao as if she were holding a very valuable money bag. The commission for this mission was incredibly generous. She couldn’t let this little girl run away on a dark and stormy night.

After a night of sound sleep, Le Yi woke up feeling refreshed. But when she saw the empty space beside her, she panicked. She didn’t even stop to put on her slippers, running to check the rest of the apartment. It was empty.

Could she have actually run away right under my nose?

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