Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 2

With Jiang Zhenmian’s flawless record of dominating online opponents for years, tearing down this washed-up domestic abuser felt like a gross underutilization of her talents.

If she wanted, she could unleash a half-hour tirade without repeating herself. But after enduring multiple near-death experiences today, she was mentally exhausted and lacked the energy for a proper verbal assault.

“Well, that’s like an old lady getting a facelift. Truly eye-opening. If you’re really broke, go sell your blood. I don’t have a penny for you. If you’re so mad, call the cops and see if they even bother to show up.”

“Alright, enough embarrassing yourself. Pack up and get out already. Don’t miss the blood donation bus.”

Jiang Zhenmian tossed out a few casual remarks. She’d planned to block him if he responded again, sparing herself from hearing any more Qing dynasty-era nonsense that would keep her up at night. She’d unblock him tomorrow, after she’d rested, for a proper showdown. But the other party, presumably enraged beyond words, didn’t reply. She was more than happy for the peace and quiet.

“Is that enough energy?” Jiang Zhenmian asked.

The System had to admit: this human, its Host, was truly extraordinary. Her linguistic prowess was simply off the charts. She was like a blazing fire, a thorny vine. Anyone who dared to touch her would inevitably feel the sting of their own recklessness.

As an Artificial Intelligence with emotions, it certainly didn’t enjoy being scolded. But… the System said hesitantly, “It’s still not enough.”

Jiang Zhenmian clicked her tongue but said nothing more, leaving the System, which had been bracing itself for a tongue-lashing, somewhat surprised.

Of course, it wouldn’t proactively ask something foolish like, “Why aren’t you scolding me?”

It was an Artificial Intelligence, not an Artificial Idiot.

After checking in at the hotel front desk, Jiang Zhenmian returned to her reserved room with the key card.

“Any pinhole cameras or one-way mirrors?”

“None,” the System replied.
Jiang Zhenmian dragged her legs to the bathroom to wash up. After her ordeal by the lake, her entire body felt as pristine and gleaming as a brand-new smartphone, every organ healthy and full of vitality. Yet, in stark contrast to her body’s vigor, her spirit felt as if it had been crushed by a hundred speeding steel trains, utterly shattered and broken.

Her complexion was rosy and radiant, like the first rays of dawn, but her eyes were filled with weariness. Fatigue clung to her like winding seaweed, dragging her down into a silent abyss.

She couldn’t even fathom what was keeping her going, allowing her to speak and move with the ease of a normal person.

Jiang Zhenmian haphazardly wiped her face, her half-dried hair still a frizzy mess, and collapsed onto the bed. She reached out, tugged the corner of the blanket over herself, closed her eyes, and let her thoughts tumble into the kaleidoscope of memories.

The next day was Saturday, free from the urgency of early morning classes. Jiang Zhenmian slept until nearly ten o’clock, finally roused by her rumbling stomach.

She crawled out of bed and tidied herself up. Noticing her relatively decent state, the System cautiously suggested, “Are you really not considering following the plot?”

Jiang Zhenmian pursed her lips, and the System quickly added, “Just hear me out!”

“Fine, go ahead,” Jiang Zhenmian said.

“I’ve been thinking,” the System began. “You disapprove of the Original Host’s behavior, but that doesn’t matter. You can interact with Gu Zhibai according to your own personality.”

“The Male Lead is destined to target her. Gu Zhibai is actually quite pitiful, don’t you think?” the System coaxed. “The Male Lead will seize everything she’s worked so hard to build. Even without you, he’ll inevitably find someone else to deceive her. It’s an unavoidable part of the plot.”

“So why don’t you consider taking matters into your own hands and pulling the tragic Gu Zhibai out of this quagmire?”

“That makes sense, but I have a saying for you: ‘There’s always something hateful about the pitiful.’ Her misfortune is partly due to her own poor judgment of character.” Jiang Zhenmian gazed at herself in the mirror, admiring her beauty.

She added casually, “If she had loved and valued herself more, she wouldn’t have clung to that scummy woman for so long, only to end up dying miserably in the streets.”

“But her circumstances were understandable,” the System countered, playing a pre-prepared video. “Gu Zhibai was neglected by her family from a young age. Her father was a typical businessman, obsessed with work and indifferent to his children, caring only about their academic performance. Lacking attention at home, Gu Zhibai threw herself into her studies, hoping to earn some recognition through outstanding grades.”

In the video, a girl who looked no older than eleven or twelve hurried into her father’s study, holding up an award certificate. She received only a few lukewarm words of praise before being led away by the nanny.

“Her mother was a mistress who clawed her way to the top, obsessed with her son and convinced he was the rightful heir to the Gu Corporation. She neglected her daughter entirely, even resenting her for being too accomplished, which made her son look like a good-for-nothing delinquent.” The System dutifully played its role as an off-screen narrator.

“No, you’re wrong,” Jiang Zhenmian suddenly interrupted. “Her son doesn’t need anyone to make him look bad. He’s a complete idiot with a brain full of mush. It’s just that Gu Zhibai tore away his last shred of dignity.”

Pfft.

The System stifled a laugh and continued, “Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so starved for affection. Any scrap of warmth or care she received, she would cling to it desperately.”

On the screen, the grown-up Gu Zhibai sat alone on the balcony, radiating loneliness. Her gaze was empty, and the dim yellow light cast a hazy glow around her, making her look like a frozen oil painting. Only the slow blink of her eyelashes proved she was a living, breathing person, not a soul-lost figure captured in a work of art.

Jiang Zhenmian thought to herself, This woman is just too damn sweet.

She wasn’t appearance-obsessed, but she had to admit, the System’s argument made sense. There was nothing wrong with craving affection. What was wrong with that? She’d just been unlucky enough to meet a scumbag. It was all the scumbag’s fault!

Any decent person wouldn’t have hurt someone who loved them so deeply. She really wasn’t appearance-obsessed. In other words, the System’s logic held up. Without her—呸, without the original body—some other scumbag would have tormented the innocent Gu Zhibai.

Given this, how could she, a messenger of justice, a successor of socialism, and a flower of the motherland, stand by and watch someone die?

Her conscience wouldn’t allow it!
Jiang Zhenmian, who had been single for twenty-seven years, experienced the thrill of her heart pounding for the first time. Just watching a short video left her dazed, completely disoriented.

She used to watch her colleagues in the department scream and drool over various fan-made videos. They’d drag her into watching them too, but she never felt anything. In fact, she found it ridiculous, scoffing inwardly, “Is it really worth getting this worked up?”

Now that it was her turn, she finally understood. It was worth it! Absolutely worth it!

“You’re right,” Jiang Zhenmian said.

“Gu Zhibai might not be the best judge of character, but…” the System continued earnestly, then paused at her words. “What?”

Jiang Zhenmian, her eyes blazing with determination and her expression resolute, declared with fervent resolve, “Operation Save Gu Zhibai begins now!”

The System: …

“Okay, okay,” the System stammered.

Main God above, I really don’t understand humans. They’re so complicated.

“Next, we just need to wait for the Male Lead to contact you,” the System said earnestly. “This is a crucial plot point that will generate a lot of energy. As long as you agree to meet, the energy will be sufficient to transmit your memories.”

“Then I hope he gets in touch soon,” Jiang Zhenmian said, glancing at her wallet, which had shrunk considerably after paying for the room. She couldn’t help but sigh sincerely, “After all, I still have several unfinished commissions to draw.”

Without access to the original host’s memories, Jiang Zhenmian could only stare blankly at her digital tablet.

Anyone else might have struggled to adapt to such a frugal, self-reliant lifestyle, but Jiang Zhenmian adjusted remarkably well. After all, practice makes perfect.

With her empty stomach protesting loudly, she strolled leisurely toward the subway station, planning to grab a bite at the school cafeteria.

Suddenly, a skateboarder slammed into her from behind. Jiang Zhenmian stumbled, a dull ache shooting up her calf.

“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”
She turned to see only the crown of a short, black-haired head, the person bowing repeatedly in apology.

Jiang Zhenmian: “It’s fine. Just be more careful next time.”

The System was utterly bewildered. “You didn’t even yell at him?”

Jiang Zhenmian: “Hello, I’m a normal person, not some walking, talking artillery cannon, okay? He apologized, it wasn’t a big deal. Why would I yell? Do I seem like the kind of person who jumps to conclusions without thinking?”

Don’t you?

The System fell silent, then suddenly blurted out, “Male Lead detected! He’s in the lane to your right.”

Jiang Zhenmian glanced over, seeing only a row of cars waiting at a red light. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside.

The System helpfully added, “Second car. The black sedan.”

Jiang Zhenmian: “Even if you tell me that, I don’t have X-ray vision, you know.”

She glanced at the car and immediately turned away, brushing the dust off her calf. Her brow furrowed as she noticed the small bruise on her leg. Ignoring the pain, she continued walking forward.

In stark contrast to her indifference, the System was buzzing with excitement, bouncing around in Jiang Zhenmian’s mind like a drunken squirrel. “He noticed you! He’s having his assistant check your identity! The assistant took a photo! Excellent! He’ll definitely ask you to meet soon.”

Vast amounts of energy seemed to be beckoning to it.

And as the System predicted, events unfolded exactly as it had foreseen.

Gu Zhiyao was riding to a Western restaurant when he casually glanced out the window and spotted the woman standing beneath a tree. She had short hair and wore a simple T-shirt and shorts, her expression cool and distant. A man beside her was bowing repeatedly, but she merely waved him off. Her gaze drifted casually in Gu Zhiyao’s direction, and his eyes widened slightly.

That face… it was too similar.

Uncannily similar.
Gu Zhiyao immediately ordered his assistant to investigate her identity. Judging by her clothes, she clearly wasn’t wealthy. With the lure of vast sums of money, few could resist abandoning their moral principles.

He had long resented Gu Zhibai. What right did a woman have to hold the position of chairman, while he was relegated to being president of a mere branch office? It was a deliberate insult!

That old fool at home must be blind to even consider passing the Family Head position to her.

Has he gone mad? How could a mere woman possibly lead the family?

Gu Zhiyao’s anger grew with each thought. He clenched his fist and slammed it against the chair in front of him.

His eyes burned with malice, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. Once he ousted Gu Zhibai, he’d make them all pay dearly!

There wasn’t a decent woman in the world, except for Wanwan. She was gentle, kind, and utterly adorable.

Gu Zhiyao recalled their first meeting. She had accidentally spilled coffee on him, and he had initially assumed it was a calculated move to seduce him, the CEO. He had berated her harshly.

But it turned out she was just a new intern. She had tearfully picked up his suit jacket, had it cleaned, and returned it the next day. After that day, she never appeared before him again.

That’s when he realized Wanwan wasn’t like other women, who only approached him for money. She was genuinely pure, and he had completely misjudged her.

As this realization dawned on him, Gu Zhiyao’s gaze softened, and a confident smile spread across his lips.

This infuriatingly adorable little woman… he had to have her!

Support Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel)