Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 26

The originally scheduled moving date was slightly delayed due to Father Gu’s sudden health issue. Gu Zhibai needed to visit him in the hospital, not because of any genuine concern, but to maintain appearances.

However, this “visit” was exactly that: just a quick glance.

Gu Zhibai parked the car in the underground parking garage, went upstairs alone, while Jiang Zhenmian stayed in the car, playing on her phone while waiting.

Less than half an hour later, Gu Zhibai returned. Factoring in the walking time, she had spent only a few minutes in the hospital room.

Jiang Zhenmian didn’t have much to pack. The school locker was small, and the desk under her bed couldn’t hold much either.

She had already put most of the Original Host’s belongings into the recycling bin. There was no need to keep the bedding, and she tossed out the toiletries and miscellaneous items.

Her decluttering was ruthless. Since none of it was truly hers, she felt no sentimental attachment to any of it.

In the end, all that remained were two storage boxes, one for each of them to carry.

After saying goodbye to her roommates, whose graduation photos had already been taken, Jiang Zhenmian walked out of the dorm without a trace of nostalgia. She put her luggage in the car trunk.

With so little to unpack, settling in was remarkably easy. Before half an hour had passed, everything from her suitcase was neatly arranged in her new home.

Jiang Zhenmian rubbed her aching lower back, already drenched in sweat from the brief exertion. Typical of a desk worker with poor stamina, she thought. After a quick shower and change into fresh loungewear, she padded downstairs in her slippers. There, she found Gu Zhibai holding a small box, her eyes crinkling into a warm smile. “Congratulations on graduating,” she said.

“Wow, a gift too?” Jiang Zhenmian exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise and delight. She dashed down the stairs and eagerly accepted the present.

But instead of opening it immediately, she threw her arms around Gu Zhibai, nuzzling and rubbing against her. “Thank you, Sister!”
“Waaah, I’m so touched!” she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. “No one’s ever given me a gift before. I was always the unloved kid. You’re the first person to ever… Mmph!”

Jiang Zhenmian was mid-sentence when a hand suddenly covered her mouth. The owner of the hand looked at her helplessly. “Alright, alright,” she sighed. “You’ve been running around all day. How do you still have the energy for this drama?”

Unable to speak, Jiang Zhenmian blinked her wide eyes repeatedly, then slyly stuck out her tongue for a quick, playful lick.

The damp, tickling sensation spread from Gu Zhibai’s sensitive palm to her brain like a tiny spark exploding at her core, racing along her nerves. She yanked her hand back, glaring half-heartedly at the culprit.

“Go open your gift already.”

Jiang Zhenmian grinned like a mouse who’d just stolen a lamp’s oil, unable to suppress her laughter. She turned to grab the box, oblivious to the fleeting blush that had colored Gu Zhibai’s cheeks.

The box felt surprisingly heavy. When she opened it, a smartphone lay nestled inside.

She picked it up and immediately recognized it as the model she’d been eyeing earlier, the brand’s latest flagship. The plus version cost over eight thousand yuan, nearly ten thousand after rounding up. With Jiang Zhenmian’s current savings, buying it without flinching would be a stretch.

Forget not flinching; she couldn’t even bring herself to grit her teeth and commit.

The phone she was currently using was over two years old and had survived several drops. Even its exterior was showing its age. Two cracks spiderwebbed from the upper left corner, and the back was a disaster, resembling shattered glass. Fortunately, a case hid the damage.

Jiang Zhenmian had considered getting a new phone and had even done extensive research, adding this particular model to her shopping cart. But it was simply too expensive. After much hesitation and internal debate, she decided to settle for a cheaper one around three thousand yuan.

She never expected Gu Zhibai to give her one as a gift, and it was the exact model and color she had been wanting! Was this what they meant by a telepathic connection?

If her earlier joy had been a one, her current excitement was a hundred times greater!
“Ahhh!!!” Jiang Zhenmian let out an excited, high-pitched squeal like a groundhog, spinning around Gu Zhibai like a wound-up top for over a dozen laps, laughing and shouting with primal glee.

Then she threw her arms around Gu Zhibai and showered her with kisses.

“I love it, I love it, I love it so much!!!” Her lips trembled as tears welled up, overwhelmed by emotion.

Those overly sensitive tear ducts, as always, were working diligently today, completely disregarding their owner’s composure.

Gu Zhibai’s ability to choose exactly what Jiang Zhenmian wanted wasn’t a coincidence. It was the result of… well, not exactly stalking, but rather, loving observation.

She had seen Jiang Zhenmian add the phone to her shopping cart, then mutter under her breath about it being too expensive. That’s when she decided to buy it as a gift.

But she never anticipated Jiang Zhenmian being so moved to tears.

Gu Zhibai gently wiped away Jiang Zhenmian’s tears with the pad of her finger, a strange ache swelling in her heart. She wanted to shrink her down into a tiny ball, cradle her in her palm, and protect her with all her might.

Jiang Zhenmian leaned against Gu Zhibai’s chest, her voice thick with a nasal tone. “Sister, you’re so kind to me. I can never repay your kindness. I guess I’ll just have to offer myself in return…”

Gu Zhibai’s tender feelings instantly dissolved like bubbles, replaced by a mixture of amusement and exasperation. “Alright,” she said, playing along. “I’ve been needing a bed warmer anyway. You’ll do well enough. Come with me.”

Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhenmian grew coy. “I… I haven’t finished studying my materials yet…” she mumbled, glancing at Gu Zhibai with an indescribable shyness.

Gu Zhibai: ……

She abruptly changed the subject. “Oh, right, about recording that song we talked about earlier. We have time now.”

Jiang Zhenmian: “Hmph.”

System: “Hmph.”

Jiang Zhenmian: “Why are you copying me?”

System: “Host, how much more studying do you need to do? I feel like my storage space is getting contaminated. All these educational videos are polluting my psychology data!”

Jiang Zhenmian retorted, her voice ringing with righteous indignation, “You’re an electronic being watching human adult films. Isn’t that just like humans watching nature documentaries? Besides, I’m not expecting you to be like those systems in other novels, with card draws, a shop, or a spiritual spring. I’m just storing a few files. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“I haven’t even practiced yet! What’s wrong with studying more? How else am I supposed to get good grades? If I fail, will you compensate me?”

“Don’t you know that a harmonious sex life is a crucial part of any romantic relationship? How many couples break up because of incompatibility? Have you ever researched that? No, you haven’t. Ha! You only care about your psychology.”

The System was a clumsy debater. Not only could it not argue with her, but it even found her points surprisingly reasonable. Yet, after being thoroughly scolded, its normally emotionless programming began to understand the sting of wounded pride.

It immediately retorted, “Seeing how diligently you’re working, completing the mission should be a piece of cake, right?”

“Now, please say the following two sentences: ‘I’m going to the bar tonight and won’t be coming home’ and ‘Can you just leave me alone?'”

Jiang Zhenmian: ???

Jiang Zhenmian: “You might not be human, but you’re a real dog!”

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