I'm a Professional at Being a Scumbag [Quick Wear] - Chapter 24

Le Yi was stumped. She couldn’t figure out how Chu Qiao had connected the two things, but she insisted she wasn’t jealous.

She simply disapproved of Qiao Sinian’s actions.

“I just can’t stand him meddling in your life so casually.”

What nonsense!

For six years, he’d been as good as dead to her. Now that he’d become CEO of a public company, he was suddenly all over her, trying to make her marry that pig-faced, self-righteous man.

Thank goodness she had some self-control; otherwise, she would have given him a proper piece of her mind.

Chu Qiao felt a pang of disappointment. She stared at Le Yi for a long time, but saw no trace of lying on her face.

She really wasn’t jealous.

Her heart twisted inexplicably. In a huff, she said, “Sister doesn’t care about me anyway, so it doesn’t matter who I marry, does it?”

Le Yi: “?”

How could it not matter? What is this girl talking about?

Chu Qiao took a deep breath, her voice cold and probing. “Maybe Uncle means well. It’s not proper for us to leave like this. Sister, you should go back first. I’ll stay and have dinner with him.”

Le Yi fumed. “And if he tries to force you to be with that pig again?”

“Your cousin seems quite decent. Being with him might not be as bad as we think.”

Chu Qiao met her gaze, outwardly calm but inwardly anxious. Every word was a gamble.

If her sister cared even a little, she would stop her.

“Stop me! Please, stop me!”

Her hope, nurtured by Le Yi’s silent understanding, gradually withered. Her heartbeat slowed, growing colder with each passing moment.

Le Yi felt a pang of frustration, as if her child had failed to live up to her expectations.

How could she have raised this child only to hear such despairing words?

To be honest, what right did Chen Shan have to be with her?

They stood in a tense standoff until Le Yi suddenly relented. “Fine, then go.”

Chu Qiao’s pupils widened slightly before she lowered her gaze, looking as if she might burst into tears.

“Mm,” she replied hoarsely, turning toward the dining hall.

Le Yi assumed Chu Qiao was throwing a tantrum, certain she would storm off in anger. She never expected her to comply so readily.

Chu Qiao had taken only two steps when Le Yi grabbed her by the back of her collar.

“What’s this ‘mm’ business? You’re not going! I refuse to let the little wolf pup I worked so hard to raise be bullied into a kitten.”

Chu Qiao’s heart leapt, her delight plain on her face. Her emotions always mirrored Le Yi’s, and she struggled to control her expressions around her.

“What little wolf pup?” she asked, puzzled.

Le Yi pulled her into a tight embrace and ruffled her hair roughly.

“Nothing. Let’s eat somewhere else. The sight of those two ruins my appetite.”

Le Yi had believed Chu Qiao was strong enough to stand on her own, no longer needing her protection. But today’s events made it clear that without her, she would still be vulnerable to bullying.

This child had experienced tremendous upheaval from a young age. Though she hadn’t spoken of it in years, she desperately craved familial affection. And since Qiao Sinian was her uncle, he had found her weak spot.

No matter how mature she was, she was still an eighteen-year-old girl. What if she got taken advantage of?

Le Yi shuddered at the thought of Chen Shan’s smug, pig-like face. That kind of person isn’t even worthy of warning Chu Qiao.

But if I want to make money… what kind of person deserves the little wolf pup?

The first option that came to mind was herself.

Le Yi abruptly let go of Chu Qiao and pulled back, putting some distance between them. Chu Qiao’s hair was disheveled, like a fluffy cat that had just finished playing with its owner.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Le Yi quickly replied, “Nothing’s wrong. Let’s hurry. I’m hungry.”

She walked briskly forward as if wolves were chasing her. Chu Qiao, with her long legs, easily caught up and walked beside her, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she glanced at Le Yi’s profile.

Sister stopped me. She still cares about me after all.

Chu Qiao savored the thought, her mood lifting.

Meanwhile, Le Yi’s thoughts were in turmoil, tangled by her earlier impulse.

She’s supposed to be the scum villain—the main focus is on being “scum.” No initiative, no responsibility, just run after sleeping with her, break her heart, and let her become corrupted to reach the pinnacle of life.

That’s always been the plot. So why did such a ridiculous thought pop up?

Le Yi concluded it must be because she’d been pushing herself too hard lately.

As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds affection.” So, if we spend enough time together, won’t we develop feelings?

Maybe it’s just an illusion, she consoled herself.

“Sister, what do you want to eat?” Chu Qiao asked with a faint smile. The sunlight cast shadows of her long lashes across her face, her eyes sparkling like fragments of the sun.

Being stared at like this made Le Yi feel uneasy, followed by a surge of irritation.

“I’m not really hungry anymore. Let’s just go home.”

Without waiting for Chu Qiao’s reaction, she turned and walked back toward the parking lot.

Le Yi, if you’re going to be a jerk, just be a complete one. Don’t drag things out like this. It’s painful for both of us.

Le Yi believed she was being gentle with Chu Qiao, but in reality, she was being utterly cruel without realizing it.

She was so indecisive, hesitant and lacked any resolve.

Little did she know that a dull knife cutting into flesh causes the most pain.

This pattern of giving a carrot after a stick had repeated countless times. Chu Qiao would feel elated for a mere two minutes before her mood plummeted again.

And now, it was happening again.

Watching the resolute back before her, the light in Chu Qiao’s eyes faded, and her lips pressed into a thin line.

Why is it always like this? She clearly doesn’t completely disregard me, yet she keeps pulling back and forth, treating me like a kitten or puppy that can be handled casually.

Chu Qiao chuckled bitterly. Maybe she wasn’t even worth as much as a kitten or puppy. Le Yi loved small animals and treated them gently, but not her.

Suppressing the sourness in her heart, she jogged to catch up.

“Sister, wait for me.”

Hearing her voice, Le Yi couldn’t help but slow down and turn around. Chu Qiao threw herself at her like an excited puppy.

Le Yi caught her, the puppy colliding into her arms.

“Sister, I really, really like you.”

In the past, Le Yi’s heart remained largely unaffected by such confessions. But now, as the words reached her ears, her heart trembled slightly.

An indescribable emotion, like a seed, broke through the thick soil of her heart and began to sprout.

Le Yi remained annoyed, perhaps even more so, but she didn’t push Chu Qiao away. She simply sighed softly.

“You…”

You always make me doubt myself, even question the correctness of my decisions.

Chu Qiao buried her face in Le Yi’s shoulder, oblivious to the indulgence in her words, seeking only a moment of security. Breathing in the faint fragrance from Le Yi’s body, she felt she could endure. Even if Le Yi’s heart were made of stone, she would warm it with her touch.

Unaware that Chu Qiao’s supposedly unshakable resolve was already plotting a silent escape, Le Yi continued to cling to her. She would maintain her reputation as a “scum,” but there was no need to act now.

Chu Qiao’s cheap uncle was calculating furiously. Chu Qiao might not notice, but Le Yi saw through him clearly. She absolutely couldn’t let him use his senior status to control her.

Once Qiao Sinian was dealt with and no one could manipulate Chu Qiao, it would be time to leave. With this thought, Le Yi let out a sigh of relief.

She could still spend some time with the puppy. When Chu Qiao grew older, she would understand that Le Yi was just a fleeting presence in her life. She had so much to accomplish, and romantic attachment was a trivial thing.

“How much longer do you want to hold me? People are watching us.”

“If we’re recognized, will it affect you?” Chu Qiao asked.

“It will, but it doesn’t matter.”

Once this current drama is finished filming, it’ll be about time to retire from the industry.

“Then let’s hold on to each other a little longer,” Chu Qiao murmured, nuzzling her neck with her nose.

Le Yi chuckled softly. “Little Pig.”

Hearing her light tone, Chu Qiao’s mood gradually brightened.

“What’s with all the nicknames? Kitten, puppy, Little Lang, Little Pig… you’ve given me so many.”

Le Yi cradled the back of her head. “Why don’t you choose one yourself?”

“No need. Sister can call me whatever she wants.”

Chu Qiao’s voice was clear and crisp, like the tinkling of mountain streams striking rocks. From this close, Le Yi could hear her shallow breaths after a pause which is perfectly normal breaths that somehow made her recall the way Chu Qiao panted in bed.

Le Yi inwardly cursed herself, thinking, I really am a pervert.

The two embraced for a long time, oblivious to their surroundings, until Le Yi’s phone rang, interrupting the moment.

It was the director of her new drama, informing her to prepare for a trip to Mingcheng tomorrow.

After Le Yi finished speaking, Chu Qiao raised her voice in surprise, “Mingcheng?!”

Xining was in the north, Mingcheng in the south, separated by over a thousand kilometers.

“It won’t be too long. While I’m gone, make sure you keep up with your studies and eat your meals on time.”

Chu Qiao pouted. “Can’t you just take me with you?”

“Do you want to fail your classes?” Le Yi retorted.

Chu Qiao lowered her head and fell silent.

Le Yi patted her head. “Aiya, it’s not like we won’t see each other again. We can video chat. Come on, be a cheerful little pup. Let’s go get some hot pot.”

But the little pup couldn’t cheer up, remaining glum all the way home.

Only after returning home did Chu Qiao notice that her uncle had called her multiple times. Her phone had been on silent, so she hadn’t heard any of them.

After a moment’s hesitation, she called back. Her uncle’s voice was heavy with displeasure.

“Qiaoqiao, if you didn’t want me to visit, you should have said so. There was no need to deliberately bring that… inappropriate person to embarrass me.”

Chu Qiao explained, “Uncle, that’s not what we meant. You’ve misunderstood. I’ve told you before, she’s the sister who raised me, not ‘inappropriate.’ Please watch your words.”

Chu Qiao had always held fast to this principle: insult her all you want, but don’t insult her sister. She wouldn’t give anyone face if you crossed that line.

Qiao Sinian wasn’t one to miss an opportunity. His eyes darted about as he began playing the sympathy card.

“I know I’ve neglected you these past few years, and you have every right to resent me. I just want to make sure you’re doing well. Otherwise, how could I face your mother when we meet again in a hundred years?”

Parents would always be Chu Qiao’s weakness. Hearing her uncle’s words, her tone softened.

“Uncle, I know you have my best interests at heart. I was wrong about what happened today. I’ll come to your hotel tomorrow to apologize in person.”

Qiao Sinian didn’t linger on the call, mumbling a few more words before hanging up.

When Le Yi emerged from the bathroom, she found Chu Qiao sitting on the sofa, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?”

Chu Qiao looked up and saw Le Yi in a loosely wrapped bathrobe, the neckline gaping to reveal her delicate collarbones and the faint curve of…

“Chu Qiao, snap out of it!”

Le Yi interrupted her daze and tugged the bathrobe closed, covering herself properly.

“What’s wrong? What haven’t I seen before?” Chu Qiao murmured, slowly closing the distance and trapping Le Yi between the sofa and her arms.

Le Yi tilted her head back slightly, her gaze half-lidded and indifferent.

“You’ve seen everything. What’s there left to see?”

Chu Qiao’s eyes darkened as she leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“I can never get enough. You’re just too irresistible to me, Sister.”

Le Yi pressed her hands against Chu Qiao’s waist, pulling her closer. With an ambiguous expression, she leaned in, meeting Chu Qiao’s expectant gaze, and drawled, “Is that so? Then… thank you for the compliment.”

After speaking, Le Yi pressed Chu Qiao down onto the sofa and leisurely walked toward the bedroom.

Chu Qiao: “?”

“How could you, Sister?”

She indignantly chased after Le Yi, only to be caught by the nose.

“We have to get up early tomorrow for the flight. No mischief tonight.”

Le Yi’s finger pressed against Chu Qiao’s nose, and like a child being scolded, Chu Qiao instantly became obedient.

“But…”

“No buts. Go take a shower.”

“Fine,” Chu Qiao grumbled, reluctantly trudging into the bathroom.

Watching the dejected Chu Qiao slink away, Le Yi’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Stupid puppy.”

Chu Qiao was usually very obedient, but on certain matters, she had her own ideas.

Long after the lights were out and the street noise had faded, leaving only silence, Le Yi lay awake, wide-awake.

“If you keep this up, I’ll throw you off.”

Chu Qiao lifted her head from Le Yi’s arms, her eyes gleaming. “Eee~”

“It’s no use. Go to sleep.” Le Yi pressed her back down and closed her eyes.

After being pestered for so long, her qi and blood were already in disarray, but remembering the next day’s itinerary, she resolved to endure it.

Undeterred, Chu Qiao switched tactics, biting gently at the tender flesh of Le Yi’s neck. But as the nibbling continued, Le Yi seized the nape of her neck.

“Why won’t you listen?”

“Mmm…”

“What do you want?”

“Drink,” she murmured.

With that, she dove back down and successfully latched onto the breast.

Le Yi closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, her hand tracing down from Chu Qiao’s butterfly bone.

It was unbearable, impossible to resist.

******

“How are you so energetic?”

“I’m only eighteen.”

“…”

Alright, an eighteen-year-old college student at the height of her youthful vigor is indeed at an age of unfulfilled desires.

Especially Chu Qiao, with her abundant vitality. She must be even harder to satisfy.

“Sister, deeper.”

Le Yi remained silent, letting her actions speak louder than words.

As the night deepened, Le Yi felt she couldn’t indulge any further and decided it was time to stop.

Chu Qiao licked the corner of her lips, her voice soft and syrupy.

“Sister~”

Le Yi sighed inwardly, thinking she’d truly fallen for this.

“Don’t get a fever. Here.”

Chu Qiao’s sultry gaze, like a ripe peach bursting with juice, made one want to peel it open and see if it was as juicy as it looked.

******

The next day, Le Yi practically slept the entire way to the hotel arranged by the production team, barely awake during the director’s explanation of the scene.

Chu Qiao went to visit Qiao Sinian, who once again launched into his charm offensive, recounting stories from her childhood and how he and her mother were close siblings. His sentimental approach successfully erased the unpleasantness of the previous day.

Chen Shan, seemingly taking cues from someone, showed less eagerness toward Chu Qiao but seized every opportunity to showcase himself.

Listening to the man prattle on endlessly about his supposed erudition, Chu Qiao felt irritated. Yet, out of respect for her uncle, she kept her cool, maintaining a detached expression.

“Cousin, if you have the chance, I’ll take you to visit my university. The academic atmosphere there far surpasses anything you’ll find in China.”

“Sure.”

Seeing the conversation was about to stall, Qiao Sinian quickly interjected, “Qiaoqiao, I saw on the financial news that the company you founded went public?”

Chu Qiao had suspected her uncle’s sudden interest in her wasn’t purely familial, but she didn’t want to dwell on it. After all, he was her only remaining family.

“It wasn’t a company I founded. I’m just a shareholder with no real decision-making power.”

Qiao Sinian sensed she was holding back, his gaze deepening.

How can a shareholder be involved in every aspect of the IPO? This girl is wary of me.

But he had his own plans and wasn’t in a hurry for Chu Qiao to reveal everything to him.

Time is on my side. As long as I’m patient, everything will be mine in the end.

A dark glint flashed in his eyes, filled with calculation and greed.

Meanwhile, Chen Shan’s gaze toward Chu Qiao carried an indescribable undercurrent.

Pretending to be innocent? Just wait until I get my hands on her. I’ll make her beg for mercy.

Le Yi returned two weeks later, noticeably thinner.

Chu Qiao’s heart ached at the sight of her. “How did you lose so much weight?”

“Between the heavy filming schedule and the unpalatable food, it was tough.”

Despite her weight loss, Le Yi still seemed spirited.

Chu Qiao grabbed her by the collar and pulled her into a hug. “You’ve worked too hard. Tonight, I’ll make sure to pamper you properly, Sister.”

Le Yi: “?”

That night, Chu Qiao didn’t get to do anything. A crisis at the company kept her busy with overtime and meetings all night.

Le Yi, watching the progress bar remain stubbornly unmoving, began to plan her departure.

By the time filming wrapped, it was late autumn. Le Yi told the director she needed a break and might not be available for subsequent promotions. The director, noticing her troubled expression, kindly wished her a good rest instead of pressing for details.

During this period, the company operated smoothly, and her sister stayed by her side, no longer mentioning separation.

Chu Qiao, assuming Le Yi had abandoned her earlier intentions, gradually relaxed her guard, content to be her sister’s obedient little dog.

On the day of the Winter Solstice, as Chu Qiao walked home from school, she bought a large bouquet of red roses.

Though it might seem cliché, in her heart, Le Yi was like a red rose—passionate, vibrant, and full of life.

Like a beam of light that had illuminated her life, bringing her all four seasons.

Le Yi had been home for about a week, telling Chu Qiao she was taking a few days off, though she had actually stopped working entirely.

The doorbell rang. Le Yi got up to answer it, and was greeted by a burst of fiery red.

“Sister, I’m back!”

Chu Qiao wrapped her arms around Le Yi, roses and all. Her body felt slightly chilled, but her heart burned with warmth.

Le Yi gazed at her, her heart jolting as if struck, the familiar flutter tinged with a faint ache, like a prick from a needle. Though not painful, it was impossible to ignore.

Le Yi returned the embrace. “Why did you suddenly buy flowers?”

Chu Qiao smiled. “I just felt like it. I thought they’d suit you perfectly. If you like them, I’ll buy you flowers every day from now on.”

Le Yi, of course, loved them. No girl could resist flowers, just as no one could resist the blazing love of a dog whose heart and eyes are filled only with you.

But with the mission complete, it was time for her to leave.

That night, as they lay in bed, Chu Qiao suddenly hugged her and wriggled playfully in her arms.

“Sister, I love you so much.”

“You’ve said that a lot.”

“It’s different this time. I feel like my love for you has grown so much, it’s about to overflow. No, wait, it already has. Hehe.”

Le Yi’s heart felt like it was being crushed by a boulder, heavy and suffocating.

The next day, Chu Qiao went to work, and Le Yi left with her suitcase.

The weather was oppressively gloomy, the wind bitterly cold. Only after taking a few steps did Le Yi feel the chill settle on her face.

The day after the Winter Solstice, it snowed.

The first snow of the season.