Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 12

The corporate slaves’ brain-relaxing activity was interrupted by the doorbell.

Wang Lin hadn’t drunk much and was relatively sober among the group of drunks. She didn’t think much of it, assuming it was someone delivering takeout. After all, this wasn’t the first time someone had rung the bell; the tipsy group had already ordered several rounds of cigarettes, alcohol, and grilled skewers to replenish their dwindling supplies.

But when she opened the door, it wasn’t a delivery guy in a yellow uniform standing there. Instead, it was a woman with a slightly aloof expression, her soft features unable to conceal her striking beauty. Probably no one in the entire Gu Corporation would fail to recognize her.

“CEO Gu?! You, you…” Wang Lin’s mind raced with surprise and confusion, leaving her speechless.

“I’m here to pick someone up,” Gu Zhibai said. “You can continue your gathering. Don’t mind me.”

She stepped inside, followed by the bewildered Wang Lin. At the table, someone turned around, saw the scene, and nearly dropped their glass. They quickly nudged the person next to them. “CEO Gu! What are you doing here?”

A few of the heavily intoxicated ones raised their glasses and slurred, “Drink up! Why’d you stop?” The person beside them elbowed them sharply. “Stop drinking! CEO Gu is here.”

Gu Zhibai’s gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on Su Qiwen’s sour expression before moving on without pause. Her voice was gentle as she said, “I’m just here to pick someone up. I won’t keep you long. Please continue.”

She then walked toward the inner room and knocked on the door of the card room. The others exchanged confused glances until the door opened and Jiang Zhenmian emerged, head bowed. Gu Zhibai took her by the sleeve and led her away.

Holy shit! What’s going on?!

Time for some gossipy eye contact!

Jiang Zhenmian quietly followed Gu Zhibai, her usual bubbly, sunny demeanor replaced by a sullen silence. Even after they got into the car, she didn’t say a word.

Her short hair was disheveled, the tip of her nose and the rims of her eyes were red, and her eyelashes were still damp. She looked like a rain-soaked puppy, head drooping and ears flattened, utterly pitiful.
She wasn’t crying anymore, but her current state seemed even more heartbreaking than tears.

Gu Zhibai felt an inexplicable pang. She had to admit, despite her reluctance, a flicker of something akin to pity had stirred within her.

This wasn’t part of her calculated act as a gentle lure. The moment she saw Jiang Zhenmian’s tearful, startled expression, her throat had moved of its own accord, uttering words of comfort and offering to take her away before her brain could issue any commands.

On the drive over, Gu Zhibai deeply despised herself. She loathed her own vulnerable nature, her desperate craving for warmth, and hated that she had knowingly walked into this swamp of false companionship, despite knowing she was being deceived.

She had investigated Jiang Zhenmian’s background and even used some underhanded methods to obtain photos of her entering a café with Gu Zhiyao’s assistant, as well as her bank statements.

Aside from superficial differences in demeanor, this person was no different from the one in her previous life.

The most tragic part was that Gu Zhibai herself hadn’t changed either. She had fallen into the same trap again, even knowing the answer.

Am I really that starved for affection?

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to Jiang Zhenmian’s hand, which was clutching her sleeve tightly.

It doesn’t matter. I’ll just consider this enjoying the interest. When the time comes to strike, I won’t hesitate.

“Which hand did he touch?” Gu Zhibai asked softly.

“This one,” Jiang Zhenmian replied, her voice muffled as she raised her right hand.

A cool sensation brushed across the back of her hand as Gu Zhibai produced a silk handkerchief and meticulously wiped it clean. “There,” she said gently. “Just think of it as being touched by something dirty. Now it’s completely clean.”

Gu Zhibai’s gaze was focused, her voice gentle. Jiang Zhenmian hadn’t initially felt much, but after being cared for so attentively, a wave of pent-up emotion suddenly surged from all directions. “I was so scared,” she blurted out. “He just suddenly came over, touched me, and said those things.”

“It’s okay now,” Gu Zhibai said, stroking Jiang Zhenmian’s hair and gently wiping away the tears that spilled from her eyes. “I’ll have him fired. You’ll never have to see him again.”

Jiang Zhenmian suddenly remembered a time she’d seen a child skateboarding on the street. When he fell, he simply stood up, brushed off his pants, and acted like nothing had happened. But the moment he reached his parents nearby, he pointed at his bruised leg and burst into tears.

His parents immediately comforted him, hugging him and showering him with concerned words.

Only now did she understand the meaning behind it. This was what it meant to be favored, to have someone to rely on.

System, Jiang Zhenmian thought silently, I suddenly really want to tell her the truth.

The System was horrified. No! Revealing the truth could trigger a series of unpredictable consequences. If Gu Zhibai turns against you, it would be disastrous!

The System said anxiously, “Host, you promised to save up energy for me!”

Jiang Zhenmian, though sharp-tongued, was a woman of her word. Besides, her outburst had been fueled by emotion, a momentary impulse. The System’s interruption had helped her regain her composure.

“I won’t say anything. I won’t say anything.” If Gu Zhibai were driven away, Jiang Zhenmian would be left helpless.

Jiang Zhenmian lowered her gaze, failing to notice the flicker of surprise in Gu Zhibai’s eyes. Instead, she focused on feigning vulnerability, murmuring softly, “Su Qiwen said his uncle is a manager. Would firing him make things difficult for you, Sister?”

“Managing a company is so complicated. I don’t want you to suffer because of my conflict with the higher-ups. It’s okay. I’ll just avoid him from now on.”

System: What a cunning green tea!

Gu Zhibai, encountering such classic “green tea” tactics for the first time, didn’t perceive any insincerity. Instead, she only sensed self-sacrifice and understanding.

The content of that strange voice also warranted further consideration. Someone had tried to reveal the truth to her but had been stopped. Could they have been acting under duress?

If that were the case, had she misunderstood them?
Gu Zhibai suppressed her swirling suspicions and gently reassured Jiang Zhenmian, “Don’t worry, she’s just a minor shareholder with no real power. She can’t cause any trouble.”

The words had barely left her lips when Jiang Zhenmian looked up, her face a mix of gratitude and delight. A faint smile curved her lips as she said coquettishly, “I’m so happy you stood up for me, Sister.”

Gu Zhibai took advantage of a red light to ruffle Jiang Zhenmian’s hair, her gaze warm and full of concern. “You were shaken up today. Why don’t you come back to my place to rest? I’m a little worried about you being alone.”

The gentle back-and-forth movement of Gu Zhibai’s wrist left a faint, refreshing scent of white tea lingering in the air, like a wisp of cloud hovering near Jiang Zhenmian’s nose. Her tender gaze, like a pool of spring water, slowly flushed Jiang Zhenmian’s cheeks, making her resemble an apricot blossom trembling with shy, delicate beauty in the misty rain.

Jiang Zhenmian’s mind froze, only able to nod dumbly, like a little dog on a leash, going wherever its owner led.

Gu Zhibai chuckled softly, turned her attention back to the road, and drove home.

She had to seize this opportunity to uncover the truth behind that mysterious voice.

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