Reborn a Scummy Alpha, Happily Ever After with the Movie Queen - Chapter 21.1

She had long known that her very existence infuriated the old Madam Wen.

If not for the fact that the Wen family currently had no Alpha heir to inherit the family name, someone like her—once an unacknowledged child—would never have been brought back into the family at all.

Even after her return, the old madam had never announced her identity publicly.

To this day, no one outside knew that the Wen family had another young lady.

Wen Tang’s expression remained calm, but deep down, she found the whole thing rather ironic.

Though she hadn’t been in this world for long and hadn’t experienced all that her body’s original owner had suffered, that didn’t stop her from feeling indignant on her behalf.

And it hadn’t even been a month since she’d arrived, yet the Wen family’s attitude toward her was enough to make things perfectly clear: to them, she was nothing but a tool.

As she listened to the old lady’s long-winded instructions, Wen Tang nodded absently while knocking mentally on her system:

“Is the marriage between the original owner and Miss Ning a fixed part of the storyline?”

To be honest, she really didn’t want to go through with that so-called arranged marriage.

Whether it was because it represented being manipulated by others or because something deep within her resisted the idea entirely, she simply didn’t want to do it.

The system hesitated for a moment before replying with an evasive tone:

“Well, that depends on how you look at it. In the original storyline, the host did marry Ning Xu, but she never took the marriage seriously. That’s why Ning Xu eventually met the male lead.”

“If you want to follow the original plot, then agree to the marriage. If not—and Ning Xu doesn’t meet the male lead because of your interference—you’ll completely disappear. So, your choice.”

That “two-choice” ultimatum nearly made Wen Tang roll her eyes.

She thought the Wen family was unreliable, but this system was even worse!

“We’re talking about life and death here. Do you think I actually have a choice?” she demanded.

The system coughed twice.

“Anyway, what I said is just a reference. The final decision is yours.”

Something about that tone sounded suspicious to Wen Tang.

She frowned slightly and tested the waters:

“So, if I don’t go through with the marriage, there’s a chance I won’t disappear?”

The system gave a sly chuckle.

“I wouldn’t know. Don’t ask me—just decide for yourself.”

Wen Tang steadied her thoughts.

Facing the old Madam Wen, who had been lecturing her for quite a while, she straightened her posture and spoke respectfully, though her tone was firm:

“Grandmother, if what you want is for me to marry into the Ning family, then I must refuse.”

The old lady, who had just taken a sip of tea, froze mid-motion.

Her cloudy eyes turned sharp as she slowly set the cup down.

Clink.

The sound was crisp and sharp, followed by an oppressive silence, like the stillness before a storm.

Fortunately, Wen Tang had never held much affection for the old woman.

So when that sudden wave of anger rolled in, she didn’t flinch or waver in the slightest.

“What did you just say?”

Old Madam Wen’s wrinkled lips trembled as she spoke in a low, icy voice, every word dripping with suppressed fury.

Wen Tang calmly repeated herself.

“I won’t agree to the marriage with Miss Ning.”

The once kind and gentle-looking elder now had a face dark as storm clouds, her drooping eyes filled with rage.

“Do you even know what you’re saying?”

Old Madam Wen couldn’t believe that the usually obedient Wen Tang would defy her on such an important matter.

Her original plan had been simple: after Wen Tang married the Ning family’s young lady and bore a child, she would publicly announce that Wen Tang had been the “foster child” of the family all along—recording her under Wen Xin’s mother’s name—thus making her the rightful heir of the Wen family.

But this ungrateful girl dared to refuse the marriage!

Seeing that Wen Tang truly meant it, the old woman began to laugh—slowly, coldly.

Then she interrupted before Wen Tang could say more:

“Don’t forget—your father is still in the nursing home. If you refuse this marriage, you can forget about ever seeing him again.”

“What?”

Her father?

Wen Tang’s heart jolted.

She quickly asked the system,

“What does she mean by that? Does she have the original host’s father under her control?”

The system, caught off guard, scrambled to pull up the relevant data and injected it directly into her mind.

In an instant, the memories unfolded.

It turned out that the original body’s omega father and her alpha father had met when they were young and fallen deeply in love. But due to the vast difference in their family status, Old Madam Wen forcibly separated them, pressuring her alpha father to marry Wen Xin’s mother instead.

At that time, her omega father discovered he was pregnant. Heartbroken that his beloved had married someone else, he chose not to tell him about the child and quietly left the capital.

However, her father couldn’t forget him. He searched for him both openly and secretly for years—until one day, during one of those searches, he was in a car accident and died.

After that, the original Wen Tang was born and grew up with her omega father, living a difficult and humble life. Years later, when Wen Xin differentiated as an omega and Wen Tang as an alpha, the Wen family finally sent people to track them down.

But it was a lie.

They took the father away, saying it was for “medical treatment,” and refused to let the daughter see him again—using his safety as leverage to keep her obedient.

Wen Tang almost laughed aloud in disbelief.

So from the very beginning, the Wen family had been monitoring them, waiting until the day she differentiated as an Alpha to reel her in—treating her as nothing but a tool.

And now, they even used her father to threaten her? Despicable.

“Your father’s mental health isn’t stable,” the old lady said meaningfully, watching Wen Tang’s silence. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want his treatment to be interrupted, would you?”

Wen Tang took a deep breath.

For the first time, her calm eyes flickered with emotion.

She lowered her head slightly, voice soft yet heavy:

“All right. I agree.”

After all, she was living in the original owner’s body.

If her refusal led to harm coming to the original’s father, she could never live with herself.

And for now, it was only an engagement.

Whether Miss Ning would actually want to marry her later, that was another story.

Who knew? Maybe Ning Xu would take one look at her and be utterly repulsed.

For now, it was best to play along—she’d think of something later.

Satisfied with her answer, Old Madam Wen’s expression softened.

“That’s my good granddaughter—Wen family’s rightful heir. Don’t worry, your father is being well cared for. Once you officially take over the Wen family, you’ll see him again.”

“Empty promises again,” the system snorted in her mind. “If she really wanted you to inherit the Wen family, why hasn’t she announced your identity yet?”

Wen Tang didn’t answer.

Before, she might’ve ignored it—but now, after learning about the father, she was far more cautious.

“I’ve met the Ning girl before,” Old Madam Wen continued with a smile. “She’s lovely, well-mannered, and sensible. Once you two are married and have a child, you’ll settle down. Then I can rest easy handing the Wen family over to you.”

The old lady looked at her bowed head with satisfaction.

The grandmother and granddaughter remained in the study for a while longer before finally heading downstairs.

In the carefully manicured garden, strings of warm lights hung from the trees, their glow spreading like a thin veil—soft, refined, and elegant.

Representatives of the four great families had already arrived, each bringing along their Omega juniors. Since the hosts had yet to appear, everyone chatted idly, smiling politely while quietly assessing the situation.

“You know what this banquet is for,” a graceful madam murmured, holding a glass of wine as she leaned toward the young Omega beside her, who wore a pale yellow strapless gown.

“When Miss Wen appears, make sure to leave a good impression. If she takes a liking to you, our Zheng family’s position will rise considerably.”

The Omega pouted, visibly displeased.

“But Mother, I’ve never even heard of another Miss Wen besides Miss Wen Xin. Isn’t this one probably just an illegitimate.”

“Mind your tongue!”

The madam cut her off sharply.

“Old Madam Wen said she’s the eldest young lady, which means she is. Regardless of her past, she’s now a proper daughter of the Wen family—and possibly its future head. Do you understand what that means?”

Among the four great families of the capital, the Zheng, Ning, and Yang families were evenly matched, constantly balancing and restraining one another.

But the Wen family was different.

They were the most mysterious and low-key of them all. No one truly knew how deep their power ran—but everyone knew one thing:

to offend the Wen family was to invite ruin.

To earn even the smallest favor from them could bring endless benefits.

And so, no one dared to cross them.

Tonight’s small gathering had been organized under the rumor that the Wen family’s newly returned eldest daughter would be choosing a marriage partner.

Every family that received an invitation came hoping their Omega might be chosen.

While the guests whispered among themselves, a middle-aged woman approached with a gentle smile.

“Thank you all for honoring us with your presence,” she said warmly. “Tonight’s banquet is hosted by our eldest young lady herself. Please, everyone, feel at ease.”

At her cue, maids filed in one after another, carrying trays laden with exquisite dishes and delicacies, setting them gracefully upon the tables.

Once everything was ready, the garden’s entrance stirred.

Old Madam Wen entered, leaning on her cane, followed closely by Wen Tang—dressed neatly in a light-gray women’s suit.

At once, the three visiting families rose to their feet, greeting them with practiced enthusiasm.

Old Madam Wen smiled benevolently, lifting a hand in a calm gesture.

“Please, everyone—no need to be so formal. Sit, sit.”

As Wen Tang took her seat beside her grandmother, she heard the old lady’s voice rise pleasantly above the murmurs:

“This is my eldest granddaughter, Wen Tang. She was frail as a child and was raised elsewhere for her health. We’ve only just brought her home.”

The rest of the evening was filled with polite chatter and compliments. Though Wen Tang had been reluctant to attend this small dinner gathering, since she was already seated, she maintained an impeccable and composed demeanor.

The system whispered to her quietly, “The one sitting across from you, in the light pink strapless dress—that’s Ning Xu, the young lady the old madam has chosen as her future granddaughter-in-law.”

Wen Tang glanced over casually, then withdrew her gaze.

“She probably won’t like you,” the system continued. “After all, she’s destined to fall in love with the male lead later on. So, you don’t have to worry too much—maybe she’s just as unwilling about this engagement as you are.”

That actually made sense to Wen Tang.

Right—Ning Xu might not agree to the arranged marriage either. If both of them refused, perhaps the old lady wouldn’t be able to force it.

Still, this wasn’t something she could handle rashly. If she acted without thinking and confronted Ning Xu too directly, it might backfire.

The other young Omegas from various families were all curious about this suddenly reappearing “Miss of the Wen Family.”

Now that they saw her in person, their initial disdain melted away completely.

The Alpha had a cool, refined face. Her long hair, slightly wavy, cascaded down her back. Her lips were a soft shade of red, pressed together slightly; her porcelain skin seemed to glow warm and gentle under the golden lights.

Her light gray suit hung loosely open, the shirt underneath buttoned all the way up to the collar. Her slender neck moved slightly when she swallowed, her throat bobbing with quiet restraint—a hint of austere allure that made it hard for them to look away.

When dinner finally ended and the elders left the garden with knowing smiles, the younger ones finally dared to approach her.

As the soft music drifted through the air, an Omega in a pale yellow gown lifted her skirt slightly, cheeks tinged pink, and stepped shyly toward Wen Tang.

“Excuse me,” she said with a flutter of her lashes, “may I have the honor of this dance?”

Wen Tang lifted her gaze and replied coolly, “Sorry, I don’t dance.”

Being rejected so publicly, Zheng Yi’s expression stiffened. She swallowed her embarrassment and tried again, voice lower this time. “Are you sure you won’t dance with me? Just one song?”

“Apologies,” Wen Tang said politely again, her tone unchanged.

This time, Zheng Yi flushed scarlet. Unable to bear the eyes around her, she covered her face and fled.

From a distance, Ning Xu had been watching for a while. Her heart thumped wildly. She had never seen such a restrained, coldly elegant Alpha before. The Wen family’s eldest daughter was exactly her type—down to every detail.

But after seeing her turn down Zheng Yi so indifferently, Ning Xu began to worry. What if she was rejected too?

After all, this dinner was arranged so they could meet. The Wen and Ning families had already spoken; this gathering was merely a pretext to let the two of them become acquainted.

Wen Tang must have known about it, yet from the moment she entered the room until now, she hadn’t looked her way even once.

Ning Xu hesitated, her courage faltering. She couldn’t bring herself to approach.

Soon after, a servant came over to tell her that her elders were calling for her.

A few minutes later, another servant came for Wen Tang. “Old Madam says she’d like to see you in the study, Miss.”

Thinking of Ning Xu, who had just left, Wen Tang already knew what this was about. She had pretended to agree to the engagement earlier—so even if she didn’t want to go, she had to make an appearance.

In the spacious sitting room, the sheer curtains had been drawn across the floor-to-ceiling windows, dimming the moonlight.

The air conditioner was turned up high. The old madam sat on the sofa, a blanket across her knees. Her silver hair was neatly combed, her posture straight. At the moment, she was holding Ning Xu’s hand, speaking to her in a kind, grandmotherly tone.

When Wen Tang entered, she saw several people chatting animatedly.

At the sound of her footsteps, all heads turned.