Married the Rumored Scumbag A First and Then Fell in Love - Chapter 2

The Qin family originally made their fortune in real estate. Their ancestral estate alone occupied half a villa district. Old Master Qin resided in the front villa, with his daughter and three sons living in the villas behind.

Old Master Qin’s daughter, Qin Zhi’s mother, was a top-tier Alpha. Although her three brothers were also Alphas, they were only B-rank, their professional capabilities falling far short of hers.

Despite this, the Old Master always favored his sons. He would never have relinquished power to his daughter if they hadn’t proven utterly incompetent.

During Qin Shuang’s early years managing the company, she faced not only external pressures but also constant harassment from her brothers. Fortunately, she had already become the true power holder of the Qin family. During those years, Qin Zhi, still young and gentle, was often bullied.

As a result, Qin Zhi rarely returned to the ancestral estate after starting work. Qin Shuang, eager to enjoy her private life with her wife, was happy to have her daughter out of the way, as long as she wasn’t being mistreated. Only Ms. Ye missed her daughter and often urged her to move back home.

Today’s banquet was held at Old Master Qin’s villa. By the time they arrived, most of the guests had already gathered. The aunts watched them with the same gleeful curiosity as if they were watching a spectacle, as if only their embarrassment could bring them some satisfaction.

“Zhizhi’s back! Is work keeping you busy? You’re so accomplished, unlike your elder cousin who rushed back early,” Eldest Aunt Wu Lan said, swaying her hips as she approached Ms. Ye, seizing the opportunity to speak first.

Eldest Aunt Wu Lan’s maiden family was the Wu family of Jing City. Though not a prestigious clan, the Wu family controlled two-thirds of Jing City’s food supply. Old Master Qin had initially valued the Wu family’s wealth, while the Wu family coveted the Qin family’s prestige, leading to their marriage alliance.

After marrying into the Qin family, Wu Lan realized that the eldest son was neither favored nor respected. A notorious womanizer, he kept Omegas on the side, his youthful charm fading into middle-aged corpulence. Seeing Ms. Ye, who maintained her figure and still looked to be in her thirties, Wu Lan harbored deep resentment.

While she dared not speak ill of Ms. Ye in front of Old Master Qin or Qin Shuang, she still dared to make snide remarks to Qin Zhi. After all, this niece had always been gentle and smiling, making her the easiest member of the Qin family to manipulate.

The Qins had always assumed Qin Zhi would differentiate into an Omega. Who could have imagined she would become an Alpha, let alone a Top-tier Alpha? After graduation, she immediately took on the role of CEO at the Qin Corporation, while her own Beta son remained a mere department manager, constantly overshadowed by Qin Zhi’s status.

How could she not harbor resentment?

Qin Zhi greeted her politely, “Eldest Aunt, it’s only right for me to help Grandpa.”

With that, she took Chi Li’s hand, giving her aunt no chance to reply. “Please excuse us, Eldest Aunt. My mother has prepared a gown for Xiao Li to try on. We should go now.”

Her tone was polite and courteous, yet distant.

“Oh, Xiao Li’s here too! I heard you’re quite the star. Zhizhi should introduce you to some directors sometime. Zhizhi has a film company—what’s it called again? My memory’s failing me.” The words dripped with insincerity. Chi Li rolled her eyes inwardly. How could she not see me standing right here? Unless she’s blind.

“No need, thank you for your concern, Eldest Aunt,” Chi Li replied, her tone flat. She clearly understood the underlying meaning of the remark.

“Of course, of course. Who was that little star last time? She kept pestering our Zhizhi just for a minor role. But Zhizhi didn’t want to deal with such people, so she just arranged something casually.”

The words implied Qin Zhi was a “scum Alpha” while subtly mocking Chi Li’s profession. Little stars, after all, would do anything for fame.

Chi Li scoffed coldly, her gaze sweeping over Qin Zhi. She had to admit, the woman’s skin was truly flawless and radiantly white. Combined with her striking, bold features, there were few in the entertainment industry more beautiful. Even Chi Li felt a pang of envy. With such a stunning appearance, it was no wonder so many Omegas still desired her, despite knowing she was a “scum Alpha.” Money aside, many would willingly be marked by her for that face alone.

How can she still smile after being called out like this? Chi Li wondered. She really is a scum Alpha.

However, the fact that the Eldest Aunt was the one saying this added a deeper layer of meaning.

Chi Li had no intention of meddling in family affairs. As for the insinuation against her own character, she knew her conscience was clear and refused to lower herself to argue with someone so lacking in class.

Glancing at Qin Zhi, Chi Li shifted their intertwined hands, wrapping her arm around Qin Zhi’s instead. She leaned in, feigning a coquettish tone. “Qin Zhi, let’s go upstairs! We still need to change.”

Qin Zhi nodded, her heart suddenly racing before she quickly regained her composure.

After exchanging a few polite words with her Eldest Aunt, she turned to Ms. Ye, whose expression was dark. Qin Zhi guessed that if it weren’t for Grandpa’s birthday, Ms. Ye would have already charged into the fray like a warrior.

She knew how fiercely protective Ms. Ye was of her children.

“Mom, I’ll take Xiao Li upstairs to change. We’ll come back down later.”

Qin Zhi reached out and looped her other arm around Ms. Ye’s, gently pulling her away from the conflict.

Though she sometimes found Ms. Ye’s nagging annoying, Qin Zhi would be more heartbroken than anyone if her mother were ever wronged.

Only after Ms. Ye nodded did Qin Zhi lead Chi Li upstairs to the guest room on the second floor, where their formal dresses had been laid out.

Such minor dramas were common occurrences in the Qin family. This was Chi Li’s first time witnessing one, and Qin Zhi felt embarrassed. She lowered her gaze, trying to gauge Chi Li’s reaction, but just then, Chi Li looked up, their eyes meeting. Qin Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, and the words she’d been about to say caught in her throat.

Her throat bobbed.

“What are you staring at?” Chi Li’s face instantly turned cold. She pushed Qin Zhi away and strode into the guest room, her brow furrowed.

The way Qin Zhi had been staring at her earlier had made her deeply uncomfortable. She strongly suspected Qin Zhi had ulterior motives.

After a moment, Qin Zhi followed her into the room. “I’m so sorry about what happened earlier. I never imagined she would target you too. It was my fault for not anticipating this.”

Qin Zhi’s apology was sincere, her eyes clear and completely different from the probing gaze she had given Chi Li earlier.

Chi Li’s expression softened slightly. “I understand,” she replied. “Will you help me?”

It wasn’t that she cared about Qin Zhi’s attitude. After all, they would divorce when their contract expired. But she didn’t want to owe anyone a favor; she could handle this herself.

“Of course,” Qin Zhi said, genuinely surprised by the question.

“But you didn’t help me just now!”

Accustomed to being flattered in business circles, Qin Zhi flushed at Chi Li’s bluntness, her composure faltering.

She knew she had acted poorly. Her Eldest Aunt had been targeting her all along, and Chi Li had been caught in the crossfire. Yet she hadn’t defended her.

Earlier, as they stood by the door amidst the bustling guests, Qin Zhi’s selfish desire to avoid public embarrassment had forced her to compromise Chi Li.

Chi Li scoffed, dismissing the matter with a wave of her hand. “Alright, you can leave now. I need to change.”

“Oh.”

Qin Zhi wanted to say more, the apology hovering on her lips. But seeing Chi Li’s indifferent expression, she swallowed the words, lowered her gaze, and turned to leave.

******

As the two descended the stairs, Ms. Ye stopped them, her gaze lingering on Chi Li. Dressed in the gown she had prepared, Chi Li truly resembled a proud little princess.

Tsk!

This is exactly how I envisioned my daughter.

After mentally admiring her daughter, Ms. Ye cautioned, “When Grandpa comes out later, your elder cousins will inevitably target you. If anything happens, just blame it on your mother.”

“Mm, I understand,” Qin Zhi replied. “But I can’t always let you take the blame for me.”

She knew her mother cared deeply for her, but she couldn’t hide behind her forever. She needed to grow up.

“There’s no need to stoop to their level,” Ms. Ye waved dismissively. “They’re all good-for-nothings. Why let them upset you?”

Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Zhizhi, where’s your wedding ring? How could you forget to wear it on such an important occasion?”

Her tone carried a hint of reproach, knowing her daughter resented the arranged marriage and fearing she might do something rash.

When the two families had first arranged the marriage, Ms. Ye had persuaded Qin Zhi to give the Chi family’s son a chance. Qin Zhi had agreed to try and get along with him. She always kept her promises, so what was this all about now? Ms. Ye worried that her daughter was growing up and learning to deceive her.

Hearing Ms. Ye’s words, Chi Li’s heart tightened, and her grip on Qin Zhi’s arm tightened slightly.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Zhi said, “I probably took it off to wash my hands at the company and forgot to put it back on.”

She patted Chi Li’s hand, as if unconsciously, and Chi Li knew she was trying to comfort her.

A warmth spread through Chi Li’s heart, easing her anxiety. Her gaze softened as she looked at Qin Zhi.

“How could you forget something so important?” Ms. Ye frowned, scrutinizing her daughter for a long moment but finding nothing amiss. After a few more nagging remarks, she went off to attend to other matters.

“Is it really okay not wearing the wedding ring?” Chi Li asked softly.

She now understood why Qin Zhi had insisted she wear the ring. Feeling a little guilty, she glanced sideways at Qin Zhi.

Qin Zhi smiled. “It’s fine. Don’t worry.”

As the CEO of Qin Group, Qin Zhi needed to mingle with the guests, most of whom had business ties to the corporation. Chi Li found a quiet corner to sit in, not because she feared being recognized. Celebrities often attended such events, and the Qin family wouldn’t allow reporters in anyway but simply because she disliked socializing.

The banquet hall was brightly lit by fluorescent lights, almost blinding. Chi Li squinted, her gaze drawn to Qin Zhi, who stood out among the crowd in her black suit, her skin appearing even more luminous against the dark fabric.

Under the harsh lighting, Qin Zhi’s aura seemed softer, almost gentle. Despite being an Alpha, her presence felt more delicate than that of an Omega.

Tsk~

What a waste of such a beautiful face. Why does she have to be a Scum Alpha? Chi Li thought with a sigh.

“Alert! An Omega on the second floor has entered heat! Everyone, evacuate immediately!” someone shouted from across the hall.

Panic erupted among the guests. An Omega’s heat could not only trigger the Rut in Alphas but also force other Omegas into heat against their will.

Chi Li’s heart jolted. She followed the sound and saw the hall had descended into chaos. Normally composed Omegas clutched their necks, staggering toward the exits, while Alphas, driven wild by the heat-induced pheromones, released their own scents, creating a suffocating, eye-watering miasma.

Chi Li stood in a corner, watching the crowd jostle each other. She pressed a hand to her slightly feverish gland, her breathing ragged, her gaze involuntarily searching the crowd for Qin Zhi’s figure.

As an actress, appearing in public like this would inevitably draw the attention of reporters lurking outside, who would sensationalize the story.

Needless to say, her relationship with Qin Zhi would be exposed.

“I’ll help you,” a familiar voice said. Chi Li struggled to lift her head, a wave of relief washing over her. She shook her head—not because she didn’t need help, but because she couldn’t go outside.

Her gland was clearly growing hotter. She bent over, bracing herself against the sofa with both hands.

“Are you okay?” Qin Zhi asked, bending down to meet her gaze.

She could see Chi Li was unwell, but Chi Li seemed reluctant to let her get close.

“I’m fine,” Chi Li said, stepping back, her brow furrowed. Qin Zhi seemed unaffected by the pheromones. Wasn’t she a top-tier Alpha?

Logically, higher-ranked Alphas should be more sensitive to pheromones. Could she be a Beta instead?

Chi Li frowned, glancing at Qin Zhi. Before she could dwell on it, her body betrayed her. She suddenly leaned into Qin Zhi’s arms, rising on tiptoe to wrap her arms around Qin Zhi’s neck.

“Qin Zhi”

Qin Zhi froze, her nostrils filled with the sweet aroma of mousse cake. So fragrant!

The irresistible scent made her want to draw closer, her glands throbbing.

Suddenly, Qin Zhi realized this was Chi Li’s pheromone scent.

Without hesitation, she pushed Chi Li away, supporting her with one arm while using the other to remove her coat and drape it over Chi Li’s head. Bending down, she scooped Chi Li up horizontally in her arms.

“Don’t be afraid,” Qin Zhi murmured.

Hearing the familiar voice, Chi Li gradually calmed down.

“I’ll take you to the first-floor lounge. There’s a purification device there.”

“Mm,” Chi Li responded softly.

She had no choice but to follow Qin Zhi’s instructions. The faint white tea scent of Qin Zhi’s pheromones gradually seeped into her nostrils, soothing her glands until they calmed. After a moment, however, they grew restless again, as if unsatisfied.

Qin Zhi kicked open the lounge door, hooked it shut with her foot, and gently laid Chi Li on the recliner. Her breathing was heavy, and her marking teeth itched with an unfamiliar sensation. Qin Zhi bit down hard on her tongue, slowly regaining her nearly lost control.

Removing the coat, Qin Zhi saw Chi Li’s flushed cheeks and the fine beads of sweat on her nose and forehead. The agony of her heat had left her looking as if she’d been pulled from water.

Qin Zhi hurriedly activated the Purification Device in the room and stumbled to the side of the recliner, leaning over the armrest with concern. “Are you okay?” she asked anxiously.

Chi Li lifted her head, her eyes glistening with moisture, and gasped, “Mark me.”

?!

Even with the Purification Device running, the sweet, mousse-cake Pheromones of the Omega intertwined with the Alpha’s white tea scent. The creamy sweetness of the mousse cake mingled with the bitter notes of white tea, creating a balanced, non-cloying fragrance.

The marking fangs secreted a faint liquid. Qin Zhi’s rationality crumbled bit by bit as she slowly lowered her head and bit into Chi Li’s slender neck.

The person in her arms trembled slightly, her arms wrapping around Qin Zhi’s neck to pull her closer.

The temporary mark didn’t last long. When Qin Zhi lifted her head, Chi Li’s eyes still held a hint of moisture, but her expression had mostly regained its clarity.

“I’m sorry,” Qin Zhi said, lowering her head. She had truly lost her composure for a moment. The sweet, mousse-cake Pheromones had relentlessly entangled her, clinging to her with desperate intensity.

This was the first time she had ever smelled Pheromones, and she found herself somewhat out of control. She was also worried that her inexperience might have caused Chi Li discomfort.

Chi Li’s gaze was cautious and tentative.

“There’s no need to apologize. I was the one who asked you to mark me earlier.”

Chi Li maintained a blank expression, turning her head to the side, but her heart was racing. She had never intended to be marked by anyone, and the circumstances had been extraordinary. She couldn’t blame Qin Zhi, but the thought of her first time being with a Scum Alpha left her feeling uneasy.

“Rest here for now. I’ll go check outside,” Qin Zhi said, turning to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“Upstairs, to help evacuate the guests.”

“You’re an Alpha!”

Qin Zhi nodded. “I know. I can’t smell pheromones.”

“What did you say?” Chi Li’s eyes widened in shock. If she can’t smell pheromones, how did she mark me earlier?

But now that she thought about it, Qin Zhi hadn’t been affected by the pheromones outside. Chi Li had even assumed she was a Beta.

Seeing Chi Li’s silence, the atmosphere grew tense.

After a long pause, Qin Zhi realized Chi Li had misunderstood. She explained earnestly, “I can’t smell most pheromones, but I can smell yours. It smells like delicious mousse cake.”

Chi Li’s cheeks flushed crimson. She considered Qin Zhi’s proximity an act of harassment, as Omega pheromones were akin to flirting. Had Qin Zhi gotten any closer, Chi Li would have slapped her.

Scum Alpha, never changes, Chi Li scoffed inwardly, refusing to speak further. She turned her face away, gazing out the window.

Noticing her unwillingness to talk, Qin Zhi glanced at her before turning to leave, locking the door from the outside.

“Hmph,” Chi Li huffed as soon as Qin Zhi was gone, feeling her gland begin to stir restlessly again.

Newly marked Omegas couldn’t bear to be separated from their Alphas, needing the calming influence of Alpha pheromones.

That wretched Qin Zhi, Chi Li thought, her resentment growing with each passing moment.

The Qin family’s servants were all Betas, rigorously trained to remain calm in emergencies. They rarely panicked in such situations.

Qin Zhi rushed to the second floor and found the Omega in heat in a guest room. Paramedics had already arrived, forcibly injecting her with suppressants before carrying her out.

*****

“Mommy,” Qin Zhi called out.

“What do you make of this?” Qin Shuang asked, her face grim.

“We always notify guests in advance to apply pheromone suppressants before attending the gala. Moreover, that Omega wasn’t on the guest list. It’s clearly an attack targeting the Qin family.”

Qin Shuang nodded. She should have anticipated this—the other side wouldn’t remain quiet forever. She just hadn’t expected them to disrupt Old Master Qin’s birthday celebration.

Turning to her daughter, she asked with concern, “Were you affected by it?”

Qin Zhi paused to consider. She couldn’t usually smell pheromones, but today she had caught Chi Li’s scent and even marked her. That counted as being affected, didn’t it?

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