Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 4

The elite assistant, his expression stern and unyielding, had every strand of hair meticulously combed into place, not a single stray strand out of line. He sat with his hands clasped on the table, radiating an air of meticulousness and unwavering confidence. “You can review the contract first. If we establish a partnership, covering your expenses would be a trivial matter.”

Jiang Zhenmian was curious about this contract, unsure if it was even legitimate. She flipped through the pages, which stated that she was expected to follow the employer’s instructions and perform certain tasks. If she agreed, she would receive a 100,000 yuan retainer upfront, with the remaining 400,000 yuan paid upon completion.

Five hundred thousand yuan.

For Jiang Zhenmian in her current circumstances, this was an astronomical sum.

But agreeing without asking any questions would be too hasty. Even though this was a world based on a novel, she couldn’t treat everyone like fools.

A flicker of greed and temptation crossed her eyes, followed by suspicion and wariness. She asked in a low voice, “What exactly are these tasks?”

“Nothing illegal,” the assistant replied calmly, adjusting his glasses. “Simply approach a woman, make her fall in love with you. It’s that simple.”

Jiang Zhenmian was silent for a moment before saying, “So you’re not here to commission artwork from me.”

“Miss Jiang, how much can you earn from a private commission? Two hundred? Three hundred? In today’s art world, it’s nearly impossible to make a name for yourself without connections. I can see you’re someone with genuine artistic ambition. If you agree,” the assistant tapped the table lightly and said softly, “we’ll provide you with the opportunity to study at the capital, pursue graduate studies, and even host your own art exhibition.”

The assistant watched as Jiang Zhenmian’s gaze remained fixed on the lines of text on the paper, her lips pressed tightly together and her eyes wavering. He knew that with just a little more pressure, the deal would be sealed.

He pulled another photograph from his pocket. In it, a woman wearing a silver mermaid gown leaned against a balcony railing, holding a stemmed glass in her hand as she turned to speak to someone. Her long black hair was loosely pinned up, and the dazzling light reflected in her eyes like swirling constellations.

She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, her allure gentle and non-threatening, like a trailing vine, a handful of soft blossoms, or a willow leaf twirling in the breeze. Perhaps only the spring breeze could rival her tenderness.

He slid the photograph across the table, and as expected, Jiang Zhenmian’s expression softened, momentarily dazzled by the woman’s beauty.

“You won’t be doing anything illegal, just falling in love with the person in this photo. Of course, there might be a few small tasks along the way, but nothing too complicated.”

Jiang Zhenmian picked up the photo, hesitating. “Is it really that simple? But I’ve never been in love before. I don’t know how to pursue someone.”

“Don’t worry,” the assistant said with a smile. “Once she sees you, she’ll definitely fall for you.”

“Do I get a deposit first?” Jiang Zhenmian asked, glancing up with a hint of eagerness.

“The deposit will be transferred immediately once you sign the contract,” the assistant replied.

Jiang Zhenmian picked up the pen, gripped it tightly, and spread out the contract. She read it carefully twice, from beginning to end, before finally gritting her teeth and signing her name in bold strokes.

“Miss Jiang, what’s your bank account number?” the assistant asked.

Getting started was the hardest part. Now that she’d made up her mind, Jiang Zhenmian felt less conflicted. She promptly sent her bank account number and then asked, her curiosity piqued, “Who is this target? How am I supposed to meet her?”

The assistant tapped a few buttons on his phone, and the deposit was transferred instantly. “I’ll arrange everything. You’ll be notified when it’s time to act.”

The clinking sound of RMB coins hitting her account was arguably the most beautiful sound in the world. Jiang Zhenmian couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from curving upward, her gaze toward the assistant so warm it could make flowers bloom.
“Alright, alright, I’ll follow your arrangements.”

The assistant, a man who juggled a thousand tasks daily, nodded curtly and rose to leave. His legs had barely cleared the chair when Jiang Zhenmian, wearing a shameless grin, called out, “Hey, what about that treat you promised…?”

The assistant’s expression remained impassive. “I’ll cover the bill.”

Jiang Zhenmian’s smile was perfectly polite. “Thank you, you’re too kind. Take care!”

Her balance had jumped from four figures to six, a truly earth-shattering leap. Neither party mentioned breach of contract or backing out midway, and Jiang Zhenmian didn’t bother asking for specific reasons or details.

She was playing the role of someone blinded by money. How could she possibly engage in rational analysis of such convoluted matters? The final payment was like a piece of meat dangled before a hungry dog. Forget ethics; even if it meant breaking the law, someone who had tasted such sweetness wouldn’t hesitate for a moment.

The photo remained on the table. Jiang Zhenmian picked it up, gazing at it greedily, unable to tear her eyes away. “It’s so beautiful.”

The System remained silent for a long moment. Only after the assistant had left did it finally speak up. “I didn’t realize you were such a good actress, Host.”

The hesitation, the struggle, the greed, the stinginess, the spark that flashed in her eyes the moment she saw money. She was the very embodiment of a pure, money-grubbing villain.

Jiang Zhenmian replied meaningfully, “If you lived in a crowded dormitory your entire life, from birth to death, your acting skills would be just as good as mine.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good thing,” the System remarked.

Jiang Zhenmian said casually, “Actually, sometimes it’s quite amusing. In my university dorm, there were seven of us, but I was in five different group chats for the same room.”

She chuckled. “Don’t you think that’s hilarious?”

The System fell silent, unsure how to respond.
The meal the café had prepared finally arrived. The price was exorbitant, and the taste was mediocre at best. Jiang Zhenmian wasn’t a picky eater; only pampered people had the luxury of being picky. She ate everything, but she couldn’t in good conscience praise this meal as if it had been personally cooked by the God of Cuisine himself.

The presentation, however, was quite elaborate.

With money in hand, she straightened her back. She planned to replace everything in the Original Host’s wardrobe.

She didn’t need anything too expensive. The main thing was getting rid of the cheap, uncomfortable clothes that made her skin crawl. She’d tolerated them when she was broke, but now that she had money, she refused to compromise her comfort.

First, she’d hit the mall for a few emergency outfits and shoes, then order the rest online. The mall clothes were mostly plain, or perhaps “simple and understated” would be a more accurate description. But given Jiang Zhenmian’s taste, she insisted on calling them “plain,” and she wasn’t entirely wrong.

She loved vibrant colors, flashy patterns, and styles that screamed individuality and cutting-edge design. She craved attention and refused to conform to anyone’s expectations.

Because that’s just who she was.

By the time Jiang Zhenmian returned to her dorm, it was already evening. The dorm housed four students, and she was the first one back.

This dorm wasn’t nearly as complicated as her previous one, probably because there were fewer people. The original owner of this body had also been a loner, maintaining only casual relationships with her roommates. Jiang Zhenmian was perfectly content with the peace and quiet.

A few days passed, and the CEO’s elite assistant finally resurfaced after providing Gu Zhibai’s basic information. They requested a piece of her most satisfying work for the upcoming art exhibition at the end of the month.

Jiang Zhenmian: I get it. Backstage maneuvering.

Otherwise, how would a little-known artist like her ever get a chance to participate in such a prestigious event?

Gu Zhibai had been invited to attend the exhibition, and Jiang Zhenmian knew everything would depend on her performance that day.

Jiang Zhenmian: I’m still a bit nervous.

On the day of the exhibition, a light autumn rain fell, and a cool breeze swirled into her sleeves, sending shivers down her spine. Jiang Zhenmian didn’t rush to stake out her spot early. With the System monitoring the venue, she could keep tabs on the situation remotely.

Only after Gu Zhibai arrived did she enter the hall and make her way to her own artwork. Her painting was tucked away in the farthest corner, a clear sign that while the organizers couldn’t defy Gu Zhibai’s influence, they were taking petty revenge by relegating her work to the margins.

Few people ventured into this secluded corner. As Jiang Zhenmian waited, the System kept her updated on Gu Zhibai’s movements.

“She’s coming! She’s heading this way!”

Jiang Zhenmian swallowed nervously. “Okay.”

She turned slightly, keeping an eye on the corner through the corner of her eye. The moment Gu Zhibai appeared, her wandering gaze locked onto the figure.

Gu Zhibai was dressed casually. Her pale, wide-legged trousers, made of some fluid fabric that draped like water, swayed gently as she walked, reflecting streaks of light like dewdrops on a lotus leaf. She wore a loose, matching shirt, its collar tied with a beige silk scarf.

Her ink-black hair cascaded down her back, the ends curling into soft ringlets that seemed to hook into Jiang Zhenmian’s heart, stirring a fuzzy, ticklish sensation deep within her.

Gu Zhibai lingered before each painting, finally stopping in front of Jiang Zhenmian’s work.

It was a watercolor butterfly. Vast swathes of azure dominated the wings, which spread smoothly and gracefully. Beneath the wings, the butterfly’s delicate face tilted downward, eyes closed, its legs curled inward. A beam of light struck the edge of its wings, painting them a golden orange, and illuminated the intricate spiderweb beneath it in sharp detail.

“What do you think of this painting?” A slightly nervous, youthful voice sounded beside her.

Gu Zhibai turned, a gentle smile curving her lips. “The brushwork is still a bit raw, but the concept is excellent. It has a genuine spark of creativity.”

“Really?” The speaker’s face lit up with surprise, a blush blooming on her cheeks. She looked flustered, her hands fidgeting. “You’re the first person to praise it. Th-thank you!”

Only up close did Gu Zhibai’s striking amber eyes become apparent. She wore minimal makeup, and when she smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkled, partially obscuring those amber-like orbs. A soft, hazy warmth radiated from her eyes and the corners of her brows.

“Why are you thanking me?” Gu Zhibai asked, amused. “Unless… you’re the one who painted this?”

Jiang Zhenmian lowered her head slightly, embarrassed. “I drew it,” she mumbled. “Is it too childish? Sneaking over to see if anyone likes my paintings…”

“No, it’s quite genuine and very cute,” Gu Zhibai said, suppressing a smile. Her gaze fell on Jiang Zhenmian’s damp hair. “Why are you so wet? Did you get caught in the rain?”

“The umbrella broke, so I got a little wet. It’s nothing serious,” Jiang Zhenmian said casually, touching her damp ends. She nervously clenched her fingers and asked tentatively, “Could I add you on WeChat? I’d like to give you this painting.”

“Give it to me?” Gu Zhibai repeated, slightly surprised.

“Because… because you liked it. And,” Jiang Zhenmian’s lips curved into a bitter smile, “it seems like no one else does. They don’t even glance this way.”

“If you hadn’t said those kind words, I probably would have been depressed for ages,” she said, her eyebrows drooping in a pitiful expression. “Would that be okay?”

Gu Zhibai hesitated for a moment before taking out her phone. “Alright, thank you.”

Jiang Zhenmian’s lips curved into a bright smile, her eyebrows nearly flying off her face with joy.

After a few more words, Gu Zhibai left. Jiang Zhenmian watched her retreating figure with lingering affection until she turned the corner, then mentally let out a triumphant “cock-a-doodle-doo!” “Sister is so beautiful and gentle! I’m in love!”

[System: You were just calling her a love-obsessed airhead.]

[Jiang Zhenmian: I was blind and foolish, short-sighted and narrow-minded, unable to recognize the precious jade of Jing Mountain. Everything I said before was a biased, sweeping generalization, the ramblings of a complete idiot whose judgment was clouded by greed. How else could I have uttered such wild claims and reckless words? Now, enlightened and deeply remorseful, I regret my words beyond measure. I wish I could cut off my tongue to clear her name!]

[System: …]

[System: You’re too verbose. I can’t argue with you.]

After parting ways, Gu Zhibai maintained a faint smile as she strolled leisurely out of the art exhibition. But the moment she settled into her car, the smile vanished, her lips flattening into a straight line. Gone was any trace of gentleness; her expression now seemed almost sinister.

She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, her gaze thoughtful as she murmured, “You were just calling her a love-obsessed airhead… Interesting.”

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