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

Le Yi stood on the dusty, 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.”

Though she couldn’t make out the girl’s face, her demeanor lacked any qualities befitting a protagonist.

In a word: unremarkable.

This was Le Yi’s keen intuition, honed over a decade of missions.

The system yawned.

 [“Are your eyes scanners? What can you possibly see from this distance?”]

Le Yi considered this and strode toward the girl.

Suddenly, a gust of wind whipped up, plastering her face with yellow dust and forcing the acrid stench into her nostrils. Covering her mouth and nose, she fought back the urge to vomit and hurried to the girl’s side.

The girl flinched as the light was blocked, shifting uneasily in her curled-up position. She looked up at the figure looming over her.

So, I couldn’t escape after all?

This must be my fate.

With this thought, a strange calm settled over her.

In a hoarse voice, she said, “I’ll go back with you.”

Even in death, she would be with her parents. They would surely protect her in the afterlife, never letting their cherished daughter be bullied like this.

The words were devoid of emotion, but paired with her clear, though hoarse, voice, they sent a faint tremor through Leyi’s heart.

Almost simultaneously, a gentle breeze lifted the girl’s hair, revealing her gaunt face.

Her dust-covered face made her eyes appear exceptionally bright, as if stars had fallen into them, shining in the silent night.

A red mole beneath her left eye drew the gaze irresistibly.

In truth, Leyi had already recognized the girl as her mission target the moment she heard her voice. This only confirmed her certainty.

Leyi crouched down, staring into the girl’s eyes. “Are you really willing to come back with me?”

The girl forced a smile, as if mocking something.

“Enough talk. Kill me, torture me—do whatever you want!”

Leyi suddenly realized the child mistook her for a villain.

The sky was overcast, threatening rain at any moment. Leyi didn’t have time for explanations. She extended her hand. “Then let’s go.”

The girl ignored her, shakily pushing herself up against the wall. But the next moment, she stumbled forward.

Leyi caught her, seeing the stubbornness in her eyes.

“Let go! I can do it myself!”

Leyi waited for her to prove her bravado, but it was just talk. The girl collapsed unconscious in her arms.

Le Yi smiled faintly, hoisted the girl onto her back, and stepped carefully through the dust and trash, carrying her out of the slum.

This was the bottom-tier district of Linjiang City, known as the “Slum,” a chaotic melting pot where people from all walks of life gathered. The area became even more dangerous at night.

The girl on her back breathed erratically, still tense. She had been on the run for a full half-month, and Le Yi wondered how she had managed to survive this long.

Could it be the protagonist’s aura?

New mission initiated— The system chimed softly, emitting a notification.

Target: Chu Qiao, heir to the Chu Clan, one of the world’s ten wealthiest families. Her father, Chu Zhinan, was murdered by her stepmother, Li Xiaomei, and her lover. Li Xiaomei seized control of the Chu Clan, and Chu Qiao is now being hunted. According to the original plot, she will die tonight.

Host’s mission: Save Chu Qiao from her tragic fate. If necessary, drive her to “darken” and reclaim everything that belongs to her.

Before entering this world, Le Yi had already reviewed the mission requirements. Her task was simple: play the role of a “scumbag gong.”

Betray the protagonist when she trusts you most, forcing her to shed her weakness, eliminate all obstacles in her path, and ascend to the pinnacle of power.

Chu Qiao was destined for a grand female lead narrative, but her early path was fraught with challenges. Her unwavering kindness often held her back, requiring external forces to push her forward.

Le Yi was that external force.

With a heart devoid of sentiment, her sword moved with divine precision.

Though it sounded cruel, those who aspire to greatness must make sacrifices.

Surrounded by wolves and tigers, without ruthless methods and unwavering resolve, one would inevitably be devoured, leaving not even scraps behind.

Having previously taken on any task for money, regardless of difficulty, Le Yi readily accepted this simple mission without hesitation.

It was like the “high pay, low effort” jobs people dream of—only a fool would refuse.

As they left the street, rain began to fall. Pedestrians hurried for shelter, paying no attention to Le Yi.

With the girl on her back, Le Yi climbed into the off-road vehicle parked by the roadside and told the driver, “Let’s go.”

The driver turned to look at her. “Is this what you meant by ‘something extremely important to you’?”

After driving three hours from Xining to Linjiang, he had expected a contract negotiation, only to end up bringing back a dirty, disheveled girl.

Zhu Qiong was speechless.

She had sacrificed her rest time to accompany Le Yi on this long drive, only to discover that Le Yi wasn’t negotiating a contract or taking on a side job, but had instead picked up a little beggar girl.

“Le Yi, have you been out of the spotlight for so long that you’ve lost your mind?”

Le Yi looked up at her. “What makes you say that?”

Zhu Qiong curled her lip. “Stop with the fancy talk! You’ve been blacklisted for ages, barely able to feed yourself. Now you’re bringing home a little beggar? Are you two planning to live on air?”

Le Yi flashed a flattering 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 house. Do you know how expensive real estate is in downtown Xining?”

Of course Le Yi knew. Since her career imploded, she couldn’t afford her old apartment and had moved to the outskirts of the city.

If renting was already so expensive, buying a place was practically impossible.

But she was determined to take Chu Qiao back with her. It was her mission.

She glanced down at the girl in her arms. The girl’s delicate features seemed perfectly sculpted, but her ashen complexion and weak vitality gave the unsettling impression that she might stop breathing at any moment.

“There’s always a way.”

She refused to believe that someone with hands and feet could starve to death.

Seeing Le Yi’s unwavering resolve, Zhu Qiong stopped arguing and tossed her a wet wipe.

“Hurry up and wipe yourself off. You’re filthy.”

Le Yi took out a tissue and gently wiped Chu Qiao’s face. The girl whimpered softly, uneasily turning her head before slowly opening her eyes.

The moment she saw Le Yi, a flicker of terror flashed across her eyes, but she quickly feigned composure, pushing herself up from Le Yi’s arms to sit beside her, leaving a person’s width between them.

Chu Qiao glanced out the window and realized the car was heading out of the city. She clutched the hem of her shirt in fear.

“Where are you taking me?”

Her voice sounded calm, but a careful listener would detect a tremor.

Le Yi handed her the damp tissue and said softly, “I didn’t have time to explain properly before. I’m not one of Li Xiaomei’s people, and I’m not a bad person. Li Xiaomei’s spies are everywhere in Linjiang—it’s too dangerous. I’m taking you to Xining.”

Le Yi didn’t ask if Chu Qiao wanted to go, because whether she agreed or not, she had to come with him to Xining.

Chu Qiao froze for a moment, then let out a scornful snort.

“Not a bad person? Bad people never admit they’re bad.”

Le Yi understood that after everything she’d been through, Chu Qiao lacked trust and was wary of others. He didn’t bother trying to explain further.

“You’re still weak. Get some more rest. Once we’re out of the city, I’ll take you to get something to eat.”

Chu Qiao stared out the window, her eyes dull. “Don’t bother with all this. You just want to take credit, right? Just hand me over to Li Xiaomei.”

Le Yi rubbed her temples, headache throbbing. She pulled out a wet wipe and began scrubbing Chu Qiao’s face roughly.

“Why are you being so stubborn, kid? I told you I’m not a bad person.”

Chu Qiao, pinned down, struggled fiercely. When Le Yi finally stopped wiping and pulled back, Chu Qiao bit down hard on her arm.

Le Yi yelped in pain, startling Zhu Qiong into slamming on the brakes.

The two in the back lurched forward from the sudden stop. Le Yi instinctively shielded Chu Qiao’s head with her free hand, preventing her from hitting the seat.

Chu Qiao remained clamped onto Le Yi’s arm, her eyes sharp and fierce like a young wolf cub.

“Little darling, let go. I’ll take you to eat.”

Chu Qiao glared at her with hostility, as if to say, “Who wants your charity?” But the rumbling of her stomach betrayed her.

Grumble…

All three froze, the car falling into an awkward silence. Le Yi burst out laughing, grabbed the little wolf cub by the scruff of her neck, and hauled her out of the car.

They booked a private room at the restaurant.

Though Le Yi was a nobody, Zhu Qiong, as a second-tier actress, was still recognizable to many. To avoid unnecessary attention, discretion was essential.

It didn’t matter if they were recognized, but Chu Qiao couldn’t be photographed. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to spirit her away unnoticed.

In Chu Qiao’s eyes, these two were simply afraid she would escape, which was why they had brought her here.

“You haven’t eaten in so long, your stomach must be weak. Have something soft and easy to digest,” Yue Yi said, handing Chu Qiao the menu anyway and letting her order for herself.

Chu Qiao buried her face in the menu, her mind racing with escape plans. If I tell the waiter, would she help me?

Yue Yi leaned back in her chair, calm and composed, and said softly, “You must know your stepmother practically rules Linjiang. If you don’t want to be dragged back, I advise you to give up on escaping. Going to Xining with me is your only option. Staying here means certain death.”

Chu Qiao flinched, nearly dropping the menu. How did this woman know what I was thinking?

Yue Yi sighed softly, her voice softening. “If I were a bad person, I would have handed you over to Li Xiaomei long ago. I wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble to bring you here. Do you know how much you’re worth right now? Thirty million. Just a single piece of information about you is worth thirty million. If I delivered you to Li Xiaomei, wouldn’t I get even more?”

Chu Qiao’s grip on the menu tightened, her eyes darkening with a chilling intensity that belied her twelve years.

That woman killed my father, and now she wants to finish me off too. I have to survive—to avenge him!

Yes, I can’t die!

A waiter entered the private room. “Have you decided on your order?”

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

The waiter was momentarily captivated by her smile. “No problem. Take your time.”

The two adults and one child in the room were all strikingly attractive, especially the woman who had just spoken. She possessed a disarming warmth that made people lower their guard, yet her features were sharp and angular.

It was an unusual combination—a cold, stunning beauty paired with a gentle, approachable demeanor. The two seemingly contradictory qualities blended seamlessly, without the slightest hint of incongruity.

The waiter was inwardly astonished, unconsciously stealing a few extra glances at Le Yi.

Chu Qiao hesitated, torn between seeking the waiter’s help and remaining silent. She flipped through the menu aimlessly, her mind racing.

Le Yi glanced at the menu, memorizing the dishes. She turned to the waiter. “Century egg and pork congee, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, boiled sliced pork in spicy broth, golden broth fatty beef, and two bowls of rice. Please hurry, we’re in a rush.”

The waiter nodded with a smile and took the menu from Chu Qiao’s hand.

Chu Qiao turned to glare at Le Yi, her eyes blazing with fury. Le Yi remained composed, even returning her a serene smile.

Zhu Qiong, though unaware of the full situation, pieced together the gist from their conversation. She bluntly asked Le Yi, “If she doesn’t want to go with you, why not just leave her behind? Why burden yourself with a liability?”

Despite her suspicions that Le Yi was a villain, Chu Qiao felt a pang of panic at the suggestion of being abandoned.

Since her father’s death, she had been constantly on the run, and it had been ages since she had sat peacefully at a table to eat.

Should I trust her?

Under the intense scrutiny of Zhu Qiong’s gaze, Le Yi acted as if she hadn’t noticed, replying, “I can’t abandon her. She’s my responsibility.”

Chu Qiao’s breath caught in her throat, her confusion deepening.

She was certain she had never met this woman before. Why would she rescue her and say such things?

Responsibility?

Ha! Does she even know what responsibility means?

Le Yi glanced at the girl, who had lowered her head, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. Still just a child, easily swayed by emotions.

“She’s my responsibility,” Zhu Qiong mocked, mimicking Le Yi’s words. “Fine, raise her if you want. Just don’t come crawling to me when you run out of food.”

Le Yi murmured a quiet “Mm,” her smile slowly fading.

It’s time to start thinking about the road ahead.

Before, she could manage on her own, but now that there was another person to consider, it was more than just adding an extra pair of chopsticks.

Chu Qiao needed money for food, clothing, housing, transportation, and education. Even if she couldn’t give her the best, she had to at least provide the bare minimum. Otherwise, the psychological gap would be too great.

Years ago, she had signed a disastrous contract out of youthful ignorance, leaving her severely restricted and with few job options.

The company had previously asked her to do live-streaming sales, but she had refused, arguing that actors shouldn’t overwork themselves. 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 taste buds tingled. She swallowed hard, stubbornly refusing to pick up her chopsticks.

Le Yi moved the congee and stir-fried vegetables in front of Chu Qiao, while she reached for the spicy boiled beef slices herself.

Chu Qiao silently picked up her bowl of congee and began eating, chewing the vegetables with aggressive, crunching sounds.

Zhu Qiong, mindful of her weight, ate only half a bowl of rice, a few slices of spicy boiled beef, and some golden-broth fatty beef. The rest went into Le Yi’s stomach—she had a fast metabolism and never restricted her diet.

After finishing her bowl of congee, Chu Qiao felt her strength returning, and the urge to escape resurfaced.

Le Yi leaned close to her ear and whispered, “The man by the window has been glancing at you several times. He might have recognized you. If you try to run now, you’ll be walking straight into the lion’s den.”

Earlier, when the waiter came to refill their water, he hadn’t closed the private room door. Le Yi seized the opportunity to make a point.

In truth, the man hadn’t even noticed them. But Chu Qiao, now paranoid, immediately felt like she was being watched after Le Yi’s remark.

Zhu Qiong glanced at her watch. “Let’s go. I have a cocktail party to attend tonight and can’t waste any more time.”

Le Yi patted her shoulder. “My dear sister, you’re still here for me even with work tonight. I can’t thank you enough. Sisters forever, in our hearts.”

Zhu Qiong brushed off her hand and shot a look at Chu Qiao. “You’d better have a good explanation for this.”

Le Yi laughed it off, knowing there was no way she could explain. If she told Zhu Qiong about her system, she’d probably scare her to death.

Chu Qiao cowered behind them, looking timid and frightened.

Le Yi glanced at the man by the window, a sly glint in her eyes.

She took the girl’s hand and whispered softly, “Stay close to me.”

Feeling the warmth of Le Yi’s hand, Chu Qiao’s restless heart suddenly calmed.

How quickly have I grown to rely on this stranger? she wondered.

But compared to being captured by that menacing man, she’d rather trust Le Yi.

Zhu Qiong dropped Le Yi off at home first, then hurried off in a flurry.

The apartment Le Yi rented wasn’t large—two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom. Since there were no single rooms available, she had to rent the entire place. Originally, she had planned to find a roommate, but now it seemed unnecessary.

Le Yi let Chu Qiao choose between the master bedroom and the smaller side bedroom. Without hesitation, Chu Qiao claimed the master bedroom.

Le Yi smiled, saying nothing.

By evening, a strong wind had picked up, causing the wind chimes by the window to clang and sway wildly. Chu Qiao stared blankly at the tilting chimes, lost in thought.

In this unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strangers, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

A thunderous crack split the sky, and simultaneously, a knock sounded at the door, startling Chu Qiao into sitting up abruptly.

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

Before the words had fully left her lips, Le Yi pushed the door open and entered.

She held a glass of milk in her hand, which she offered to Chu Qiao as she approached. “I figured you might be having trouble sleeping. Drink this milk—it’ll help you relax.”

Chu Qiao studied her, trying to discern her intentions, but found nothing in her expression.

Seeing that Chu Qiao didn’t take the milk, Le Yi tilted her head back and drank it herself before lifting the covers and climbing into bed.

Chu Qiao gasped in shock. “What are you doing?!”

“What do you mean, ‘What am I doing’? This is my bed.” Yueyi pressed Chu Qiao down onto the pillow, wrapped her arm around her waist, and closed her eyes.

Chu Qiao struggled a few times, but when she realized she couldn’t break free, she said, “Then let go of me. I’ll sleep on my side.”

“Just stay here. The thunder scares me.”

Chu Qiao: “……Who did you sleep with when it thundered before?”

“No one.”

“Weren’t you scared before?”

“I just had to overcome it.”

Chu Qiao was speechless, but with a human-shaped heater beside her, her icy body gradually warmed up. Listening to the steady breathing beside her, her chaotic mind gradually calmed down.

Then drowsiness crept in.

In the darkness, Yueyi’s lips curled into a smile as she tightened her grip around Chu Qiao, as if clutching her own money bag.

The commission for this mission was substantial, and she couldn’t let this little thing slip away under the cover of darkness.

After a restful night’s sleep, Yueyi woke up feeling refreshed. But when she saw the empty space beside her, panic surged through her.

Without even putting on her slippers, she rushed out and searched everywhere, only to find the house completely empty.

Could she really have escaped right under my nose?