Married the Rumored Scumbag A First and Then Fell in Love - Chapter 1

“President Qin, your wife called earlier, asking you to return home early.”

Qin Zhi paused her hand flipping through documents, then continued as if she hadn’t heard, the only sound in the office the rustle of paper.

Today was Old Master Qin’s birthday, and Madam Ye had been calling and texting her incessantly since morning, desperate to ensure she brought her newlywed wife home.

Indeed, she had been married for only a month—a forced union for the sake of both families’ interests, a rather laughable arrangement. Since meeting her wife on their wedding day, the two hadn’t seen each other once in the past month.

Moreover…

On their wedding night, her wife’s expression had been icy, her eyes brimming with disdain, as if she couldn’t bear to look at Qin Zhi for even a moment.

Qin Zhi’s brow furrowed.

She watched as her wife pulled a piece of paper from her bag and tossed it onto the table. Lifting her chin like an arrogant peacock, she declared, “Since this is a business partnership, we must keep our relationship private in public. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid contacting me. If we happen to meet, act like strangers. If you need my cooperation, notify my assistant in advance—her number is written here. Most importantly, neither of us will cheat during the marriage. Of course, I won’t cheat either. Review it for any additions, and if there are none, sign it.”

Her tone was far from pleasant, even tinged with disdain.

Excellent!

Qin Zhi picked up the agreement and read it carefully, her brows furrowing tighter with each line. She grabbed a pen and signed her name.

Since we’re destined not to be a loving couple, why become bitter enemies? Strangers would be much better, Qin Zhi thought.

*****

Two days prior, her assistant had informed Chi Li about the Qin family patriarch’s upcoming birthday celebration. To their surprise, Chi Li had readily agreed to attend. This morning, they received Chi Li’s flight information but couldn’t reach her afterward. Qin Zhi gripped the pen in her hand, signed the document with a firm stroke, and tossed it onto her desk.

The assistant wiped sweat from her forehead as she collected the signed documents one by one. The young CEO was usually so amiable, but today she was like a thundercloud, her face so dark it could squeeze out ink. The entire executive office was on edge.

Even the madam had called the assistant directly.

Terrifying!

Ring…

The assistant jumped again, glancing at the phone on the desk. The caller ID read “Ms. Ye.”

The young CEO’s mother!

The assistant froze for a second, his throat bobbing as he swallowed nervously. He couldn’t help but remind, “President Qin, your phone…”

Qin Zhi glanced up, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room before landing on the phone. “You can go home now,” she told the assistant.

Only after the assistant left did Qin Zhi pick up the phone. She took a deep breath and dialed the number. The moment the call connected, Madam Ye’s voice rang through the line: “Zhi Zhi, when are you coming? You can’t be late for your grandfather’s birthday!”

“I know, Mom,” Qin Zhi replied with a hint of resignation.

“Where’s Xiao Li? I even prepared a dress for her. I hope it fits…” Madam Ye continued to ramble.

Since childhood, Qin Zhi had resembled a porcelain doll, and she used to indulge Madam Ye’s desire to dress her up. But after starting elementary school, she refused to wear skirts, a lingering regret in her mother’s heart.

What mother wouldn’t want to dress her daughter in adorable outfits, making her the darling of every room? But Qin Zhi had rebelled from elementary school onward, refusing to rely on others and making the idea of her ever being affectionate or coquettish utterly unthinkable. As she grew older, she focused almost exclusively on her studies, leaving no room for hobbies: the very definition of “the perfect child” in the eyes of others.

Especially during gatherings with friends, listening to them gush about how thoughtful their daughters were filled her with envy.

She had complained to Qin Shuang countless times about why her winter coat let in the wind.

After enduring years of waiting, Qin Zhi finally married an Omega, allowing her to experience the joys of motherhood. Yet, since their wedding, the couple hadn’t returned to the old family home to visit her.

Chi Li, busy with filming, rarely had time to see her. And after getting married, her daughter had started avoiding her altogether.

Being a good mother was truly too difficult.

Qin Zhi listened patiently, pinching the bridge of her nose before responding, “I understand, Mom. She should still be on the plane right now. I’ll call and check in a bit. She won’t be late, and she has her own formal gown.”

“Honestly, can’t you put in a little more effort? Chi Li is such a sensible girl. Even if your marriage is just a political arrangement without love, so what? Love needs to be cultivated. I really like Chi Li…”

“Mm-hmm.”

Finally hanging up, Qin Zhi felt as if she had just survived a major battle. Exhausted, she slumped into her chair, massaging the bridge of her nose before barely managing to stand up.

By now, his newlywed wife should be landing soon.

Qin Zhi picked up her phone, then put it down. She didn’t have Chi Li’s number.

Finally, she dialed her assistant’s number. “Xiao Lin, contact Miss Chi’s assistant and ask what time their flight lands. I’ll pick her up at the airport.”

Assistant Lin knew about their relationship. Since neither woman had the other’s number, they had only exchanged their assistants’ contact information, meaning all communication had to go through their assistants.

Five minutes later, Assistant Lin called back. “President Qin, Miss Chi’s assistant’s phone is switched off. They must still be on the plane.”

“Hmm.”

Hanging up, Qin Zhi sighed, grabbed her coat from the back of her chair, and hurried out.

Her marriage to Chi Li was a family arrangement, a purely transactional relationship. Their wedding day marked only their second meeting. Afterward, Chi Li had gone to City G to film a movie.

If it weren’t for the old patriarch’s birthday celebration, Chi Li likely wouldn’t have returned at all.

The thought of having to deal with her family later stirred up another wave of irritation. Her mother, Madam Ye, was a particularly difficult character. Sometimes Qin Zhi even suspected her mother knew about the contract between her and Chi Li—a mother who seemed determined to exploit her own daughter.

*****

As soon as Chi Li exited the airport, she spotted a tall woman leaning against the car door. The woman had fair skin, striking features, and particularly captivating, slightly downturned peach blossom eyes that seemed like deep, alluring, yet dangerous pools when narrowed—a classic example of a bold-faced beauty.

Like most Alphas, she favored suits, her white shirt buttoned all the way up, exuding an air of asceticism.

But this was all a facade. Chi Li had long known from friends that Qin Zhi was a notorious “scum Alpha,” notorious for toying with Omegas.

Still, it didn’t matter. Their marriage was a contractual arrangement. The Chi family’s finances were in crisis, and they needed the Qin family’s support. The company was her maternal grandfather’s life’s work, and before her mother passed away, she had entrusted its management to Zhang Xu.

However, after her mother’s death, Zhang Xu revealed his true colors. He not only brought his mistress home but also drove the company into decline through mismanagement. Chi Li couldn’t bear to watch her beloved grandfather’s life’s work be ruined by Zhang Xu.

That’s why she had agreed to the marriage alliance with the Qin family when Zhang Xu approached her.

As for why Zhang Xu wouldn’t let his eldest daughter marry into the Qin family, the reason was obvious: Qin Zhi’s reputation was so tarnished that he could easily sacrifice this daughter, who was nothing more than half his blood.

At this thought, Chi Li’s lips curled into a self-deprecating smile.

Once the company’s finances stabilized, she would divorce Qin Zhi. Though this might seem like she was using Qin Zhi, she couldn’t bear to let Qin Zhi, that scummy Alpha, live a lifetime like this.

Therefore, whenever Qin Zhi needed her to play along, she wouldn’t refuse.

“Call Qin Zhi and tell her to wait for me at the second traffic light on Airport Road.”

Assistant Xiaoyuan didn’t have Qin Zhi’s number. Looking at the person so close yet inconvenient to approach, she sighed inwardly, blaming Chi Li’s overwhelming popularity.

Even though Chi Li had returned secretly this time, who could guarantee she wouldn’t be recognized by fans?

Xiaoyuan reluctantly pulled out her phone and called Assistant Lin, who would relay the message to Qin Zhi.

When Qin Zhi received the call, she glanced deeply in Chi Li’s direction, her expression unreadable, before driving to their agreed-upon meeting spot.

Soon, a knock came at the car window. It was Chi Li, wearing sunglasses and a mask, completely covered up.

Chi Li slid into the passenger seat. She had initially intended to sit in the back, but having the CEO drive her felt inappropriate.

“Let’s go straight to the old mansion. Mom has prepared a gown for you,” Qin Zhi said.

“Mm, you don’t mind if I listen to some music, do you?”

Qin Zhi shook her head and turned on the car’s audio system. A sentimental old song began to play.

The beautiful melody, combined with the singer’s husky voice, unfolded like a captivating story being gently told.

“Do you like Zhang Feifei?” Chi Li asked.

“Not really. I just think her songs are okay.”

Chi Li curled her lip. A woman like Qin Zhi, who only cares about work and toying with Omegas, what taste could she possibly have? She immediately lost any desire to continue the conversation.

A heavy silence fell between them.

After a long pause, “Why aren’t you wearing your wedding ring?”

Chi Li frowned, glancing at Qin Zhi’s slender, pale fingers. “You’re not wearing yours either.”

Qin Zhi pulled her wedding ring from her jacket pocket and slipped it onto her left ring finger.

?!

Chi Li glared at her, knowing she was in the wrong but unwilling to lose face. “We agreed to keep our marriage secret. We can’t flaunt our rings. Besides, the diamond on yours is ridiculously ostentatious.”

Qin Zhi considered this and conceded, “I thought Omegas liked that kind of thing.”

When she went to choose the ring, she hadn’t put much thought into it, simply picking whatever the saleswoman recommended. Looking back, she realized it was a bit extravagant.

“If you don’t like it, go pick out one you do like another day and mention my name.”

Ha!

See? Their marriage was just this perfunctory. Chi Li rolled her eyes inwardly.

“No need. I don’t wear rings anyway.”

Qin Zhi paused, considered her words, and nodded in agreement.

She pulled the car over to the side of the road, took the ring off her finger, and handed it to Chi Li.

Chi Li stared at the offered ring, her expression puzzled.

As if reading her mind, Qin Zhi explained, “Wear it. There are a lot of relatives coming over today.”

“If you give it to me, won’t you be in trouble?” Besides, their ring sizes were different. Though Qin Zhi’s hands were slender, they were still slightly larger than hers.

After all, this Alpha was nearly half a head taller than her. Qin Zhi’s height was easily around 176 centimeters, while Chi Li’s 168 centimeters was considered tall among Omegas.

“It’s fine. Just give it back after we’re done dealing with them,” Qin Zhi said, starting the car again.

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