Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 31.1

Living together was wonderful in every way, except for one thing: neither of them was used to having someone else around. Sharing a bed always felt awkward, leading to restless nights and insomnia.

They had no choice but to sleep separately during the workweek, reserving weekends for trying to sleep together. That way, even if they couldn’t sleep, it wouldn’t matter since they didn’t have to get up early for work the next day.

But this arrangement did have one advantage: Jiang Zhenmian could work on her little secret projects in her own room, like secretly knitting a scarf.

Before they got the dog, Jiang Zhenmian would spend her mornings at home, then bring lunch to Gu Zhibai at the office. She’d stay with Gu Zhibai for the afternoon before they went home together.

That meant her personal time was limited to the mornings and the small window before bed. All her gift preparations had to be squeezed into those two periods.

Between the pressure of her art collection and commercial commissions, Jiang Zhenmian felt even more exhausted than the average nine-to-five worker. At least office workers could slack off sometimes, but she couldn’t find a single moment to spare.

Exhausted as she was, she still had to act calm and collected in front of her girlfriend. Her heart was racing with anxiety, but she couldn’t cancel even one of their dates with Gu Zhibai.

Giving Gu Zhibai a birthday gift was meant to make her happy and express Jiang Zhenmian’s feelings. If it meant skipping dates and distancing herself from her girlfriend, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?

Fortunately, Jiang Zhenmian was skilled at knitting. She quickly and expertly knitted two matching scarves, a pair for couples, and secretly hid them in a corner of her closet, tucked away in a box.

The day the puppy arrived was a rare sunny day. Though the sky was veiled by clouds, the sun, muffled by thick, cotton-like clouds, only peeked through as a hazy, round outline, its warmth feeble.

But the knife-like wind had ceased, and no snow fell. Who could say it wasn’t a good day?

The puppy was air-freighted, and the kennel had a complete transport process, delivering it directly to their doorstep.
Though it was a workday, Gu Zhibai had, for once, chosen to work from home, determined not to miss the moment the puppy arrived.

They had already decided on a name: Fox.

The kennel wasn’t too far away, but the entire transport process still took four or five hours. The little dog, named Fox, lay listlessly in its crate, clearly exhausted.

The two quickly carried Fox into the bathroom, where food, water, and a large pee pad had been prepared on the floor.

As a Border Collie, Fox was a very intelligent puppy, already understanding that the pee pad was her designated potty spot. However, the unfamiliar environment made her a little nervous.

The two had to leave the bathroom, but neither of them went far. They crouched by the door, eavesdropping on the sounds inside.

At first, it was quiet. After a while, they heard footsteps, followed by the sounds of Fox drinking water and eating her food.

The two exchanged excited glances, their faces beaming. They mouthed silently, “She’s eating! She’s eating!”

Changing a dog’s food requires time and patience. Introducing new food abruptly can upset their digestive system. For now, Fox was eating the same kibble she’d been fed at the kennel. Gu Zhibai planned to gradually transition her to a raw meat and bone diet, which would be much healthier for her.

After eating and drinking, Fox seemed to regain some of her energy. She sniffed around, let out a couple of soft whimpers, and then squatted on the pee pad to relieve herself.

Normal elimination was a good sign, indicating she wasn’t overly stressed. It was a promising start!

Auntie smiles bloomed on both their faces as they struggled to communicate through lip-reading. One mouthed, “It’s so cute!” The other replied, “It’s so chubby!”

Having finished its business, the puppy was reluctant to linger in the bathroom. Its keen hearing naturally detected the two figures lurking outside the door, prompting it to begin scratching at the barrier with its paw.

Before it could scratch more than a few times, Gu Zhibai pulled the door open. The two women and the dog froze, none making the first move, like martial arts masters locked in a tense standoff.
The puppy’s eyes were framed by charcoal-gray fur, while its muzzle and chest were covered in short, white fur. The gray fur extended up its forehead, down its belly, and along its limbs, with patches of black dappling its back.

Its short, curly fur and round, plump body made it look like a plush toy, utterly adorable.

Its blue-black eyes, glistening with both curiosity and wariness, betrayed the Border Collie’s sensitive and timid nature. Had it been a Golden Retriever, it would have already pounced at their feet, begging for attention. Instead, it simply stood there, observing.

“Staring like this won’t get us anywhere,” Jiang Zhenmian said. “Let’s go sit on the sofa and give it some space to get used to its surroundings.”

Gu Zhibai considered this and agreed.

They settled onto the sofa, pulled out their phones, and pretended not to notice the puppy in the room. But from the cabinet beneath the coffee table, they retrieved several tennis balls and dog chews, tossing them onto the floor nearby.

Tennis balls were Fox’s favorite toys. When she was in her kennel, she would often chase and nip at them. As soon as the green tennis balls began rolling across the floor, the puppy, who had retreated in fear, cautiously poked her head out again.

She stole glances at the two humans in the distance, noticing they seemed oblivious to her movements. Fox wagged her tail, unable to suppress her puppyish instincts any longer. She crept toward the tennis balls, lowered her head, and snatched one up in her mouth.

Jiang Zhenmian subtly angled her phone, snapping several quick photos and sending them to Gu Zhibai.

Though they were sitting so close, they resolutely chose to chat via text to avoid startling the puppy with their voices.

“So cute! So cute! So cute!!”

“Her little butt is so round!”

Gu Zhibai’s heart melted at the sight.

Lost in play, the puppy chased the tennis balls around the living room. Unexpectedly, one ball rolled erratically, veering toward Jiang Zhenmian and stopping only when it bumped against her foot.
The dog stared intently at the tennis ball, clearly wanting to retrieve it but remaining wary, hesitant to approach a stranger.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhenmian picked up a round container from the table and shook it. The rattling sound instantly caught the puppy’s attention.

She unscrewed the lid and poured out a few freeze-dried chicken treats, tossing them toward the dog. Her aim was perfect; the treats landed just a short distance in front of the puppy.

The fragrant snacks were familiar from training sessions. Greed won out, and the puppy took two steps forward to devour the treat.

Jiang Zhenmian tossed another, this time closer. Hearing the sound, the puppy scampered over and gobbled it up too.

She then placed a third treat on the floor in front of her and gently tapped the ground twice.

The sound drew the puppy’s attention. After what seemed like a brief internal debate in its tiny head, it trotted over, glanced at Jiang Zhenmian, ate the treat, and then wagged its tail, letting out two happy barks.

Success!

Jiang Zhenmian tentatively reached out her hand. The dog didn’t flinch, allowing her to stroke its head.

Ahhh! I’m tired of saying “cute”!

Jiang Zhenmian patted the dog’s head, then its back, and the little creature let her touch it without flinching.

She turned to Gu Zhibai, ready to share her excitement, but when she saw Gu Zhibai’s envious and slightly bitter expression, she burst into laughter.

“Sister, just hold out a couple of freeze-dried treats in your hand and let it eat them. Then you can pet it too!”

Gu Zhibai immediately followed her advice. Sure enough, the puppy lowered its guard, came over to eat the freeze-dried treats, and let her stroke it a few times.

With the freeze-dried treats as their mediator, the bond between the two women and the dog grew rapidly.

But nightfall brought a new challenge. Fox was timid around strangers, and while she was fine with company during the day, she refused to be left alone in her bed at night. She howled and whined pitifully, tugging at Gu Zhibai’s heartstrings.
“She’s still so small,” Gu Zhibai said, her voice softening. “How can she sleep alone? Let’s move her bed into my room.”

“She might need to go to the bathroom or eat during the night,” Jiang Zhenmian objected. “I’m worried you won’t get any sleep. Why don’t we just keep her here? I can catch up on sleep during the day.”

“It’s fine! I can handle it,” Gu Zhibai insisted firmly.

Gu Zhibai was completely smitten with the dog and insisted on sleeping with it herself. Jiang Zhenmian had no choice but to agree.

After two nights of this, Gu Zhibai, sporting two glaring dark circles, finally said, “Maybe you should take it after all…”

She was truly exhausted. Eating and bathroom breaks were manageable; Gu Zhibai fell asleep quickly and could nap after tidying up. A little odor was easily dealt with with air freshener.

The real problem was that the dog woke up in the middle of the night wanting to play, running around the room. This made it impossible for Gu Zhibai to sleep properly. She had to work during the day and couldn’t find time to rest, leaving her completely drained after just two days.

“I feel like I’m experiencing what it’s like to raise a child,” Gu Zhibai said, her mind foggy. “It’s terrifying…”

Jiang Zhenmian suppressed a laugh, walked over, and gently massaged her temples. “I’ll take care of the baby tonight,” she said softly. “You need to rest properly, Sister. You work so hard to support us. If you wear yourself out, what will happen to me and the baby? We’ll be all alone…”

Gu Zhibai shot her a playful glare. “Smart mouth.”

Jiang Zhenmian chuckled softly. “How’s the pressure, ma’am? Should I adjust it at all?”

Another role play? Gu Zhibai thought, amused. She played along with interest. “Hmm… it’s alright, I suppose. Are you new here?”

“Yes, I just started last week. My name is Xiaomian, and my employee number is 233. If you like my work, would you consider requesting me again in the future?” Jiang Zhenmian asked, her voice deliberately high-pitched.

“We’ll see how you perform,” Gu Zhibai replied lazily, closing her eyes to enjoy the massage, adopting the air of a pampered client.
“Then Xiaomian will work extra hard,” Jiang Zhenmian whispered, her voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness. “Ma’am, we have other services available. Would you like to try one? As a loyal customer, your first experience is free.”

“Oh? What kind of services?” Gu Zhibai asked languidly.

“It’s called Jingle Bells. It’s quite… interesting,” Jiang Zhenmian said hesitantly. “But it requires pairing with an aromatherapy massage package. Would you be willing to try that?”

Gu Zhibai opened her eyes, immediately recognizing the woman’s ulterior motives. This wasn’t her first time experiencing Jiang Zhenmian’s skills; she had often suffered from aching back and legs, and Jiang Zhenmian had given her countless massages. To be honest, they were quite comfortable.

Thinking about it, it had indeed been a long time since she’d enjoyed any nightlife.

Gu Zhibai shot her a sidelong glance, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Jiang Zhenmian blinked innocently, asking, “What has the guest decided?”

“Then let’s do it your way,” Gu Zhibai replied.

“Please follow me upstairs, guest.” Jiang Zhenmian seemed determined to fully commit to her role-playing, acting the part convincingly as she led Gu Zhibai upstairs. “This way, guest.”

The exhausted Fox was fast asleep in its den, completely unaware of the two humans plotting behind its back.

Upstairs, Jiang Zhenmian went into the bathroom first to fill the bathtub. “Please wait a moment, guest. It will be ready shortly.”

While the tub filled, Jiang Zhenmian approached Gu Zhibai again. “This is the guest’s first time trying our new service. If anything feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar during the process, please let me know immediately, and I’ll adjust it accordingly.”

“What exactly is this thing that’s being kept so mysterious?” Gu Zhibai asked. “If your service isn’t up to par, I’m going to complain to the Manager.”

“Rest assured, Madam,” Jiang Zhenmian replied confidently. “I’ll ensure you’re completely satisfied.”

“The water’s ready. Please follow me.”

“Allow me to help you undress, Madam.”
This wasn’t their first time seeing each other naked, so Gu Zhibai felt no embarrassment as she calmly reclined in the bathtub. Gentle streams of water flowed from tiny pores in the tub walls, gently nudging her body.

Jiang Zhenmian returned wearing a long white T-shirt and cooed, “I’ll wash your back now.”

Setting aside how unnatural that sugary tone sounded coming from Jiang Zhenmian, Gu Zhibai asked the question that had been nagging her: “Aren’t you going to bathe with me?”

What an enticing invitation for a shared bath!

Yet Jiang Zhenmian resolutely refused, maintaining her persona. “I can’t bathe with guests. It’s against the rules.”

Gu Zhibai raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued even further. What exactly is this “Jingle Bells” thing that’s making her so insistent?

The bath itself was perfectly proper, just a bath. Nothing else happened. Throughout the process, Jiang Zhenmian would occasionally comment, either praising how wonderful her “own products” were for the skin, leaving it smooth and delicate, or asking if the water temperature was comfortable, not too hot or too cold. She also subtly hinted that Gu Zhibai should leave her a good review.

It almost felt like a genuine spa experience.

After the bath, Jiang Zhenmian didn’t blow-dry Gu Zhibai’s hair, only towel-drying it until it stopped dripping. Of course, Jiang Zhenmian did all the work while Gu Zhibai simply relaxed and enjoyed.

To prevent the bed from getting wet, Jiang Zhenmian had laid several layers of towels on the pillow beforehand. “Please wait here for a moment, guest. I’ll go prepare the essential oils.”

The essential oil massage was also the real deal. Jiang Zhenmian had even taken a short course to improve her skills, both to benefit herself and to foster harmony in their relationship.

She rushed back to the bathroom for a quick shower, then retrieved a small box from the bottom of the wardrobe. Inside were two gray cat ears, which she clipped into her hair, and a collar with a round bell, which she fastened around her neck. The bell jingled softly as she moved.

Lying on the bed, Gu Zhibai heard the sound and propped herself up to look over. After a moment, she finally spoke, “Is this what you meant by ‘Jingle Bells’?”

“Ugh, Master, this is only half! You’ll get the rest after the massage,” Jiang Zhenmian said, her eyes narrowed and her voice teasing.

Gu Zhibai: ……

She silently lay back down. “…Fine, fine.”

The rose-scented essential oil warmed in Jiang Zhenmian’s palm, its fragrance instantly filling the bedroom.

The room was comfortably warm, heated so well that even without blankets, Gu Zhibai wouldn’t feel cold. Yet when Jiang Zhenmian’s hand touched her back, Gu Zhibai still flinched.

Perhaps because Jiang Zhenmian’s hands had just emerged from the hot water, they were much warmer than usual. Her fingertips, calloused from practice, pressed slowly and gently into Gu Zhibai’s shoulders, the warmth seeping into her skin along with the oil, soothing her bones and muscles.

The bells chimed again and again as the culprit leaned closer, whispering into Gu Zhibai’s ear, “How’s the pressure, Master?”

The heavy, humid air enveloped Gu Zhibai once more, as if she had been transported to a sweltering, rain-soaked jungle. Her heartbeat pounded deafeningly in the stillness, while the predator’s suppressed breathing echoed in her ear.

Gu Zhibai curled her fingers around the corner of the blanket, her voice thick with hesitation. “It’s… okay.”

Jiang Zhenmian’s massage technique grew increasingly skilled. Though Gu Zhibai should have been drifting off, the crisp chime of the bell kept her mind racing, making it impossible to relax.

“Master, would you like to turn over?”

The massage had lasted a long time, yet Jiang Zhenmian still had the energy to clean up afterward.

She gently wiped Gu Zhibai down, removing any traces of moisture, and washed the bell-adorned accessories, putting them away neatly. Finally, she chuckled softly and pressed her lips to Gu Zhibai’s. “Guest, you haven’t rated me yet.”

The mumbled protest was swallowed into Jiang Zhenmian’s throat. She carefully tucked Gu Zhibai under the covers, then slipped silently out of the room, carrying the whimpering puppy back to her own bedroom.

After such exertion, she was sure to sleep soundly tonight.

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