Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 13

As Jiang Zhenmian pushed a shopping cart down the aisle, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of disorientation when she grabbed a box of assorted pudding flavors from the shelf.

Gu Zhibai walked beside her, pointing to matcha cookies and asking, “Do you want some cookies?”

Jiang Zhenmian shook her head. A cheerful love song played over the supermarket’s speakers, and several customers brushed past them, heading to other aisles to browse. In this ordinary, everyday scene, she felt a sudden sense of peace and contentment, even secretly imagining what it would be like if they lived together in the future, wondering if they’d often share moments like this.

As for why they were suddenly at the supermarket, it was simply because Jiang Zhenmian’s stomach had its own agenda.

She hadn’t eaten much earlier, leaving the hotpot table only half-full. Hotpot wasn’t very filling anyway, and halfway home, a series of loud growls suddenly echoed through the quiet car.

Jiang Zhenmian glared at her stomach, then abruptly lifted her head, staring intently out the window as if the car ahead had been painted with some astonishing mural.

Jiang Zhenmian felt Gu Zhibai glance at her and ask gently, “Are you hungry?”

Forcing herself to remain calm, Jiang Zhenmian nodded, her face composed, refusing to glance sideways. Yet the tips of her ears burned crimson. Then she heard a soft, suppressed chuckle. Aaaah, she’s laughing at me!

The color in her ears spread like dye in water, instantly staining her cheeks with a blush.

How embarrassing, how humiliating… Why do I always make a fool of myself in front of Gu Zhibai? Tomorrow, I’m getting this tactless stomach removed so it can never utter another word!

Of course, Gu Zhibai wasn’t petty enough to offer her just snacks. Since her own home lacked such treats and considering Jiang Zhenmian might enjoy them, she took her to the supermarket at the neighborhood entrance to buy some snacks. It was also a way to show her gentle side.

As for a proper meal to fill their stomachs, she had already ordered takeout online, which would be delivered shortly.

The experience of grocery shopping with someone was rare for Jiang Zhenmian. She was even more solitary than her original self, or perhaps simply far more independent.
The few times she had gone shopping with her seemingly amicable college roommates, they would scatter the moment they entered the supermarket, each going their own way. The sight of walking side by side, chatting and asking each other’s opinions, was something that wouldn’t even appear in her dreams.

Gu Zhibai’s hair was incredibly soft and smooth. Perhaps because she had rushed out, she had simply grabbed a hair tie and loosely bound it, leaving strands to cascade loosely down her back, the ends swaying gently at her waist.

A small mole nestled on the side of her neck, only peeking out from beneath her hair when she tilted her head. That tiny brown spot stood out vividly against her pale skin, catching Jiang Zhenmian’s eye. After stealing a few glances, Jiang Zhenmian felt a strange itch on her tongue, wondering if kissing or sucking on that spot would reveal a faint, tea-like fragrance.

Noticing Jiang Zhenmian’s repeated glances, Gu Zhibai turned to her with a questioning look. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Zhenmian blinked a few times. “It’s just… I suddenly remembered you mentioned having an appointment this afternoon. Is it…?”

“Don’t worry, I rescheduled it,” Gu Zhibai said with a gentle smile. “How could I possibly leave you to deal with this alone?”

“Sister is so good to me,” Jiang Zhenmian said, her eyes crinkling into a smile that revealed a small, pointed fang.

Gu Zhibai lived in a high-end residential complex with few residents. Seeking tranquility, she had purchased the adjacent townhouse as well, leaving the entire large building occupied solely by herself. The housekeeper lived in a nearby complex and came daily to handle chores, never staying overnight.

The interior design was minimalist and gender-neutral, with no discernible personal touches in the decor.

Jiang Zhenmian wasn’t familiar with designer furniture, but she could unmistakably sense the scent of money. This sofa is so soft! There was also a small indoor bar with a wine cabinet stocked full of liquor, artfully designed decorative pieces, elegant floral arrangements, and modern paintings on the walls. She recognized one of them: it had been the debut auction piece by an up-and-coming artist, selling for 250,000 yuan. Other wall hangings were also present.

She didn’t understand them, but she was deeply impressed.

“System,” Jiang Zhenmian said, “do you know what it means to be like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden for the first time?”
The System responded, puzzled, “Who’s Granny Liu?”

Jiang Zhenmian sighed sincerely, “Read Dream of the Red Chamber, and you’ll understand.”

[System: Loading Dream of the Red Chamber… Hmm… I think I get it now.]

Gu Zhibai walked to the refrigerator, turned, and asked, “Water or something else? I have juice, cola, and milk.”

Jiang Zhenmian looked at the double-door refrigerator with a small TV screen. She sat on the sofa with her legs together and her hands resting on her knees, looking like a well-behaved elementary school student in the teacher’s office. She said softly, “I’d like orange juice.”

Gu Zhibai took out two glasses and poured orange juice into them.

A faint smile played on her lips, though it was unclear what she was so pleased about. She sat down next to Jiang Zhenmian and said quietly, “There’s a guest room upstairs. Don’t worry about clothes; I have plenty of new ones. Just pick out a couple of outfits later. When the delivery arrives, eat first, and then I’ll show you around.”

With everything arranged, Jiang Zhenmian had no objections. “I’ll do whatever you say, Sister.”

Gu Zhibai gazed into her eyes and asked casually, “What does Xiao Jiang like to do in her free time? Anything to pass the time? Don’t feel you need to be formal here. I brought you back to help you relax.”

“Playing games and reading novels,” Jiang Zhenmian replied, her tone suddenly complex when she mentioned the latter. “But I haven’t been reading much lately.”

“What’s wrong? Too busy with work?” Gu Zhibai asked gently.

“No, it’s just that reading novels keeps getting me hurt,” Jiang Zhenmian said, each word dripping with blood, as if she were wearing ten layers of masks of pain.

System: …

The System silently protested, “Host, it’s not my fault you keep getting hurt. It’s just a coincidence. Besides, you got bound to a system and got to live again. Isn’t that a blessing in disguise?”

Jiang Zhenmian: I’ll give you a look that says it all.

The doorbell suddenly rang. Gu Zhibai immediately stood up. “I’ll get it. It must be the delivery.”
She grabbed her phone, walked to the door, took the delivery, and placed it on the dining table. She called Jiang Zhenmian over to eat, and while Jiang Zhenmian was eating, Gu Zhibai searched for “system” online. A dazzling array of system-genre novels flooded her screen.

After checking the settings, Gu Zhibai instantly understood. So this is a system. The voice I heard earlier must have been the system Jiang Zhenmian is bound to.

In this scientifically impossible world, even if someone told her tomorrow that aliens were invading Earth, she probably wouldn’t be surprised.

So, Jiang Zhenmian must be a mission taker. What was her mission? To get close to Gu Zhibai? To play this role? Or perhaps there was no mission at all, her actions entirely driven by her own subjective desires, free to do whatever she pleased.

Gu Zhibai silently sipped her orange juice, her mind in turmoil. She had solved one puzzle only to find more questions springing up in its place.

She couldn’t detect a single flaw in Jiang Zhenmian’s every move. It all seemed so genuine, from the awkward little gestures to the pleading looks in her eyes, everything felt utterly natural.

But with the System looming between them, Gu Zhibai couldn’t discern which of Jiang Zhenmian’s words were true and which were false. She could only hear the System’s voice, not Jiang Zhenmian’s inner thoughts. Perhaps, even as she sweetly said, “Thank you, Sister,” she was laughing at Gu Zhibai’s naivety and gullibility with the System.

Jiang Zhenmian ate with focused intensity, her eyes fixed on the food. But was this her true nature, or merely a carefully crafted facade?

A flicker of self-mockery crossed Gu Zhibai’s eyes. After all, this was exactly the kind of personality she would fall for.

“Being in the same room is such a cause for celebration, Host! Now’s the perfect opportunity to say a few more lines,” the System suddenly announced as Jiang Zhenmian was drinking her soup. “Please say, ‘Your hands are so soft’ and ‘Your hair smells so wonderful, let me take a closer sniff.'”

Jiang Zhenmian: Pfft!

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