Reborn as a Scummy Alpha, I Became Every Heroine's Obsession - Chapter 43

When Gu Qiqi asked her question, Feng Jiying’s heart skipped a beat.

It felt like someone had suddenly pulled out a question she had always avoided, one she never dared to think about too deeply.

“I don’t understand what you mean,” Feng Jiying replied.

Gu Qiqi paused, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

“If you didn’t want to admit it, you could have just said no. Why offer such a vague explanation?”

She gently ran her fingers through Feng Jiying’s long hair, brushing it from her back.

“Or did I get it right?”

System prompt:
“Host, don’t joke like that. What if she actually admits it? Don’t forget, she’s the Omega fated to be with the main character, Zhao Zhongtian.”

Even the certainty Gu Qiqi felt earlier began to waver.

She wasn’t sure anymore whether she actually wanted Feng Jiying to say yes.

As a former cannon fodder character in the game system, Gu Qiqi had become self-aware. She had been doing everything she could to stay far away from the main characters and avoid a tragic ending.

But despite all her efforts, it still only took the appearance of the main character to shatter everything she had built.

Gu Qiqi had always been someone with very little desire. She didn’t care for power or competition. After awakening her consciousness, she simply wanted to bring her sister to Central City and live a peaceful life.

But reality had proven that trying not to fight for anything didn’t protect her.

Maybe her greatest mistake was being too obedient. That gave the game system complete control over her life.

Now that she had awakened and essentially been reborn, maybe she needed to be someone different, even in the eyes of the system.

After all, a story only has one protagonist. The one with the strongest will to survive, the one with the most defiant spirit, would always rise to the top.

System prompt:
“You’ve finally figured it out, Host. If you had thought like this earlier, Zhao Zhongtian wouldn’t have stolen your luck. But now the main character has already emerged. The system is force-correcting the plot to return to its original path. You were written out too early in the original game, so you don’t know what happens next. You must be careful with every step, or risk being destroyed by the system.”

Even the mechanical tone of the system sounded excited.

System prompt:
“By the way, Host, you aren’t seriously developing feelings for Feng Jiying, are you? Is that why you keep asking her this question? Love might be interesting, but don’t get yourself burned.”

Feng Jiying seemed to hesitate for a long time.

Her thoughts were both confused and clear.

She didn’t want to think about anything, yet she could still clearly hear Gu Qiqi’s question.

She had never been good at lying.

The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat. She tried to deny it, but the words just wouldn’t come out.

Gu Qiqi smiled faintly.

“I think we should stop doing this. After all, there’s no real status between us. If word got out that I was taking advantage of an Omega, things would only get harder for me in Central City.”

Her boldness had only grown. She was now openly using her position to pressure Feng Jiying.

Feng Jiying gripped the edge of Gu Qiqi’s sleeve, lowering her head. Her red-rimmed almond eyes stared at the soft carpet, refusing to meet Gu Qiqi’s gaze.

“Maybe… just a little.”

“Your question wasn’t fair from the start,” she said softly.
“I’ve told you before. An Omega marked by an Alpha will be influenced by that Alpha’s pheromones. I can’t even be sure if I have feelings for you or if I’m simply reacting to your scent.”

Gu Qiqi raised her eyebrows, clearly unimpressed by the answer. She pouted and slowly said,
“I see. Looks like I overestimated myself. I may be an Alpha, but I still care about my dignity. You transferred one hundred thousand credits to me. That kiss just now makes us even. From now on, let’s keep our distance. I’d also appreciate it if you took your hands off me.”

She blinked her innocent wolf-like eyes, which had regained clarity. Compared to the still-confused Feng Jiying, it felt rather unfair.

“I came here on a whim. I missed Xiao Qi and didn’t prepare properly. Next time, I’ll bring top-quality cat food, the best cat climbing frames, the cleanest litter. I’ll do my job as her caretaker without cutting corners.”

Gu Qiqi’s tone was full of conviction. As she spoke, she began to move, preparing to leave.

“Xiao Qi is asleep. I won’t wake her. It’s getting late, and I have class tomorrow. I’ll go back and rest. I need to file my report at the academy. Sorry for disturbing you.”

She gently supported Feng Jiying by the waist, letting her sit on the soft carpet, then stood up.

Feng Jiying was stunned.

She never expected Gu Qiqi to flip so quickly. So completely.

Just moments ago, the atmosphere had been warm and intimate.

But now the sweet pheromone had completely disappeared. Only the lingering scent of coffee filled the room, with no clear place to go.

Feng Jiying stumbled to her feet and grabbed Gu Qiqi’s wrist.

“You’ve changed. Half a month without seeing you, and you’ve grown bolder.”

Gu Qiqi chuckled.

“From here to the front door, I only need seven steps. I hope in those seven steps, you can figure out what you really want. Stop saying things that don’t matter. Stop doing things that lead nowhere.”

System prompt:
“Host, I can’t believe how strong you’ve become. Were you always this good at controlling the conversation?”

Gu Qiqi took one step. Then another. When she reached the third, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

Feng Jiying stood barefoot on the carpet, lifted herself slightly on tiptoes, and rested her chin on Gu Qiqi’s shoulder. Her warm breath brushed against Gu Qiqi’s neck. Her voice was soft, trembling, and barely audible, like she had gathered all her strength just to speak.

“Stay with me. Just for a while. Please.”

Gu Qiqi tilted her head slightly but didn’t look back at her.

“And in what capacity should I stay? As the friend I was half a month ago? If so, we wouldn’t be here like this now.”

Feng Jiying buried her face into the curve of Gu Qiqi’s neck.

For the first time, the woman who held eighty percent of the interstellar economy felt a kind of emptiness she couldn’t control.

She couldn’t command a heart. She couldn’t suppress her growing feelings.

Both had now taken root in her.

Maybe it was the pheromones, but if she truly felt nothing for Gu Qiqi, those scents wouldn’t affect her at all.

The pheromones had become soil, feeding the tiny seed she’d been trying to deny. That seed had grown and taken up space in her heart.

In the past two weeks, only when she was fully consumed by work could she stop herself from thinking about Gu Qiqi.

But the moment she slowed down, the longing became unbearable. She couldn’t even lie to herself anymore.

Gu Qiqi pulled gently at Feng Jiying’s wrist, trying to break free.

“President Feng, I’m just an Alpha from the border regions. My biggest dream is to stay here in Central City. My status is low. It doesn’t match yours. So even if I seem to have the upper hand, once anything goes wrong, I’ll be the one who pays the price.”

“I’ve fought hard to be here. I value my reputation, and I won’t risk it. If you don’t love me, then please, don’t hurt me.”

Her words left no room for retreat.

Feng Jiying bit her lip.

“I do like you. A little.”

Even now, she couldn’t bring herself to say it fully.

Even if she admitted her feelings, she still had to qualify it with a hesitant “a little.”

Gu Qiqi looked at her and said with a faint smile, “Alright then.”

She still pulled away from Feng Jiying’s hand, but only so she could turn around.

She gently held Feng Jiying’s face, her wolf-like eyes serious as they looked into Feng Jiying’s.

“So, what exactly are we now?” she asked.

Feng Jiying paused, her expression unreadable. “Are you asking me to define our relationship?”

Gu Qiqi replied calmly, “I just want to know what we are. The Federal Government requires me to enter a mandatory matching period with three Omegas. Right now, I am in the early stages of that process with Liu Huaijing. According to the law, if I officially enter a mandatory match with Liu Huaijing, I am not allowed to have any emotional or physical involvement with other Omegas.”

Feng Jiying frowned slightly. “You two haven’t signed anything official. Technically, it doesn’t count yet.”

“Alright. If you say it doesn’t count, then let’s say it doesn’t for now. But what about tomorrow, or the day after? What about next week, or the week after that? Sooner or later, it will count. What will you do then?”

“Are you expecting me to become your secret lover? Or is it because, in your eyes, someone like me—an Alpha from the outer district with no background—is just someone you can call when needed and dismiss at will?”

Gu Qiqi’s voice was sharp and direct, each question hitting its mark.

She knew herself well.

And she had no intention of repeating the ending from her previous character arc under the system’s control.

She understood very clearly.

To Feng Jiying, power meant more than anything else.

Feng Jiying replied, “I told you before, I won’t let you enter a mandatory match with Liu Huaijing. I can give you things no one else can, but on one condition—you must not have any deep contact with other Omegas. But you didn’t listen. Now you believe Liu Huaijing. She is not nearly as simple as she appears to be.”

Gu Qiqi hadn’t expected Feng Jiying to know so much about Liu Huaijing. She wasn’t sure whether Feng was aware that Liu Huaijing was the king of the black market.

But she was certain that Feng Jiying suspected something.

“So,” Gu Qiqi asked, “what do you want me to do? What exactly are you planning?”

Feng Jiying looked into Gu Qiqi’s eyes, eyes that sparkled with ambition. Suddenly, she raised her hand and gently pressed her index finger between Gu Qiqi’s brows.

“Being my Alpha isn’t easy,” she said. “We’ll have to see if you’re truly worthy.”

Her words carried an unspoken acceptance of their relationship.

Gu Qiqi smiled, her small canine tooth peeking through.

“Of all people, wouldn’t President Feng know best whether I’m worthy or not?”

Little Qi was sleeping soundly when strange noises woke him up.

His small furry body rolled over, his short legs touching the ground as he stretched himself out.

He extended his front paws and pushed his hind legs out lazily, letting out a big yawn.

Still a little unsteady, he lifted his fluffy head and looked toward the sound. He saw his two moms on the couch, doing something he didn’t understand. It looked odd.

In the air, the scent of sweet pheromones mingled with the rich aroma of coffee. Eventually, the two smells blended into a single, inseparable scent.

The weather in Central City was usually pleasant. Storms and gloomy skies were rare.

A gentle breeze passed by, bringing a cool and refreshing feeling.

The villa’s windows weren’t fully closed. Thick curtains blocked out the sunlight, shielding the room from any bright or vivid scenery.

Outside, the leaves swayed gently with the wind, casting a faint green reflection from the sun’s rays.

Little Qi watched for a while with wide curious eyes. But he was just a kitten. He didn’t understand any of it. Eventually, he rested his little head on the ground and drifted back to sleep.

At the law firm.

Xiao Zhi, with a dark bruise on the corner of her mouth, handed a cup of coffee to Liu Huaijing.

Liu Huaijing sat on the office couch in a light green qipao. Her long legs were crossed elegantly, and her heels dangled loosely from her feet, swaying softly.

She looked up and glanced at Xiao Zhi’s face.

“What happened to your mouth?” she asked.

Min Zhiya touched the corner of her own lip and winced. “I went to pick up Miss Gu, but I didn’t expect President Feng’s secretary to be there too. That girl Bai is tougher than she looks. We couldn’t hold back and ended up fighting. Because of that, Miss Gu got away. Based on our people’s observations, she probably went to the Feng estate.”

Liu Huaijing paused. The coffee cup had already reached her lips, but she didn’t take a sip. She set it down again. Her jade bracelet accidentally hit the glass table, making a sharp clinking sound.

“Why would Feng Jiying send her secretary to pick up Gu Qiqi?”

Min Zhiya winced again as she replied, “Probably because of that classic Alpha and Omega attraction. Feng Jiying was temporarily marked by Gu Qiqi, which must have created a dependence on her pheromones. That can affect emotions over time. So many Omegas fall for Alphas after a temporary mark. Boss, we’ve seen so many cases. Some Alphas use pathetic tricks—acting hurt, playing the hero, using pheromones to comfort the Omega, then marking them temporarily to win them over. Once they succeed, they don’t treasure the relationship and go off to find their next target. It becomes a cycle.”

Liu Huaijing said quietly, “Is that so?”

She seemed to own many pale green qipaos. The colors were similar, but each had its own unique design.

Her hair was tied in a low bun, held by a white jade hairpin. A few strands of hair fell softly on her forehead, adding a graceful touch.

With her eyes lowered, she looked like a painting brought to life.

Sensing her boss’s mood, Xiao Zhi wisely fell silent and quickly changed the subject.

“Boss, something strange happened during Gu Qiqi’s time in the outer district. Someone covered it up. Even Gu Qingyun couldn’t find any trace of her. And what’s even stranger is that when Gu Qiqi woke up, she looked completely normal. Not a hint of trauma or emotion. That’s very unusual, considering how many people died.”

Liu Huaijing gently rotated the bracelet on her wrist, lost in thought.

“Gu Qiqi’s federal red-tag documents are attracting a lot of attention. Many forces are watching her. She must have encountered something big in the outer zone. Something that could shake Central City. Someone is trying to harm her.”

Xiao Zhi’s eyes widened. She grimaced again from the pain in her mouth.

“You mean someone wants to eliminate Gu Qiqi? But her identity doesn’t seem that important. Are the old families really that afraid the President will find new support?”

Liu Huaijing didn’t respond directly. She believed the situation was much more complicated.

“With Feng Jiying’s influence and Gu Qiqi staying at her place,” Liu Huaijing asked, “do you think Gu Qiqi will end our mandatory bonding agreement this afternoon?”

It was a dangerous question.

Xiao Zhi felt that no matter how she answered, it would not please Liu Huaijing.

“I think,” she said carefully, “maybe it’s best to wait and respond calmly.”

Liu Huaijing gave a soft smile and shook her head. “I think it’s better to act first. Catch them off guard.”

“You mean…”

“Send someone. Find out which groups are targeting Gu Qiqi. Identify the weakest one and eliminate them. I want to know their motives clearly. Understood?”

“Yes, Boss!”

At that moment, Xiao Zhi began to question whether her boss’s interest in Gu Qiqi was truly professional.

If all she wanted was a capable Alpha, there were simpler ways. Liu Huaijing had done it before—figure out what the Alpha needed and offer it. Everyone has a weakness. People from the outer districts were even easier to win over.

But this time, she was putting in too much effort.

Liu Huaijing crossed her legs and rested her wrist on the glass table. Her fingers tapped lightly on the surface.

The calm expression she usually wore was now laced with something heavier.

She tried to brush it off, but Liu Huaijing knew deep down that watching Gu Qiqi grow closer to Feng Jiying made her deeply unhappy.

330 Military Academy

It took Gu Qiqi an entire week to accept the fact that her memory was completely blank.

She had absolutely no recollection of the two-week mission.

Even the system couldn’t provide an answer.

[System: Host, no matter how many times you ask, I really don’t know. My timeline is synced with yours. I can only see what you see. I am your system.]

Gu Qiqi froze, stunned.

So, in this game system world, is it possible that other people also have their own systems? Could it be that other main characters or supporting roles have also awakened self-awareness?

[System: Host, don’t be so paranoid. If there were other systems, I should be able to sense them.]

Back in Class 3 of the first-year cohort, Gu Qingyun was nowhere to be found. Zhao Ruri and Zhao Zhongtian were also absent from school.

Song Lin had taken a leave of absence due to family matters.

Yun San and Nan Qi were away on missions.

For the time being, Gu Qiqi was the only one left in class.

She rubbed her messy hair, which looked like a bird’s nest.

For some reason, she had a strong feeling that the memory she had lost over the past two weeks was important.

If that part of the plot was forcefully altered by the game system, then it might influence her final ending.

But how was she supposed to find out?

Just then, Wen Cheng pushed open the classroom door, startling Gu Qiqi.

Gu Qiqi pouted slightly. “Give me one more day. Just one. I promise I’ll finish and submit the failure report. You really didn’t have to come and pressure me in person, Senior!”

Wen Cheng was a third-year student and the student council president of the 330 Military Academy.

At the academy, students began participating in missions from their first year. The higher their year, the more experience and military achievements they were expected to have.

There was even an unofficial saying: seniority crushes freshmen.

Wen Cheng walked over and gently patted Gu Qiqi’s shoulder.

“Forget it. If you really can’t finish it, I’ll help you write one. Just try to calm down. Gu Qingyun might be hiding because he couldn’t handle the truth.”

Gu Qiqi immediately realized Wen Cheng knew something.

“So you know what happened to me during that mission over the past two weeks?”

“I didn’t expect what Wen Rui said to be true. You really don’t remember anything from that time. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Forget it. Since it’s over, and you’re not responsible for the aftermath, there’s no need to dwell on it.”

After saying that, Wen Cheng turned to leave, but Gu Qiqi blocked her path.

“If you know the truth, then be clear about it. Don’t speak in riddles. What’s the point of being vague?”

Wen Cheng shook her head. “It’s classified military information. The headmaster has issued strict orders that no one is allowed to speak about it. If you’ve forgotten it, then just let it stay forgotten.”

If the rules were set by that twisted headmaster, then it couldn’t be anything good.

The two stood there, refusing to back down, until the classroom door was pushed open again.

Min Zhiya rushed in, panting, and looked directly at Gu Qiqi.

“Miss Gu, our boss is injured. Because of you!”

330 Military Academy – Medical Wing

Wen Rui immediately saw through Liu Huaijing’s motives as she lay on the hospital bed. Reluctantly, Wen Rui began treating the wound on Liu Huaijing’s shoulder.

“Miss Liu, when Gu Qiqi was injured before, didn’t you insist on taking her away, saying you had better medical resources at hand? So why, now that you’re injured, are you here at my humble campus clinic instead of using those same advanced resources?”

Liu Huaijing’s face was pale. There was no color in her lips. Lying quietly, she frowned slightly but ignored Wen Rui’s sarcastic remarks.

Wen Rui said, “You really don’t want local anesthesia? I have to cut through your skin to remove the glass shards beneath. Can you handle the pain?”

Liu Huaijing replied calmly, “Doctor Wen, are you questioning your own skills, or why are you talking so much?”

Wen Rui was so annoyed that she nearly dropped her instruments. “Fine then. I hope it hurts.”

Soon after, the shard lodged in Liu Huaijing’s shoulder was carefully removed.

Wen Rui disinfected and stitched the wound before collecting the medical waste. Just then, Gu Qiqi entered the treatment room.

Liu Huaijing immediately pulled the blanket down a little, just enough to reveal the bandaged wound. She subtly moved her shoulder, causing a little more blood to seep through the gauze, making the injury look even more serious.

Gu Qiqi frowned. “How did you get hurt?”

Xiao Zhi, standing nearby, spoke up energetically.

“It’s all because Miss Gu draws too much attention. People are jealous. Right now, the Omega matched with Miss Gu under the mandatory agreement is our boss. Miss Gu’s mental strength is ranked S+, which makes most Alphas hesitate to attack her. So instead, they targeted our boss.”

“Thankfully, she had bodyguards, but she still couldn’t avoid the explosion. Shards of glass injured her shoulder. Our boss is perfect from head to toe, and now she’ll be left with an ugly scar. That’s a tragic thing for any Omega.”

“Miss Gu, you have to take responsibility.”

Xiao Zhi sniffled dramatically and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her nose.

“As an Alpha, Miss Gu should be responsible for her Omega. Now that you’re in a mandatory match with our boss, you should protect her. You can’t be distracted and act like a heartless Alpha!”

Gu Qiqi was stunned by the over-the-top performance. Her lips twitched slightly.

She knew the truth behind Liu Huaijing’s identity. She also knew things weren’t as simple as Xiao Zhi claimed.

But the injury was very real.

Liu Huaijing looked incredibly weak right now.

She turned her head slightly to look at Gu Qiqi and said softly, “Water…”

Xiao Zhi immediately handed Gu Qiqi a cup. “Miss Gu, our boss said she wants water.”

Gu Qiqi was speechless.

Forget it. Since she was injured, it was better not to argue with her for now.

As soon as Gu Qiqi got close to Liu Huaijing, he immediately caught the scent of Feng Jiying’s pheromones on her. The smell was intense, lingering heavily around her, impossible to ignore. It would not have been so strong if they had not shared multiple intimate encounters.

Gu Qiqi gently blew on a spoonful of warm water to cool it.

Liu Huaijing opened his mouth to speak but suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Gu Qiqi gasped in shock.

Without hesitation, she pulled a few tissues from the table and carefully wiped the blood from the corners of Liu Huaijing’s lips.

“What a heartless world we live in,” Xiao Zhi cried dramatically. “Our boss has endured so much for Miss Gu. So much pain and suffering. Yet Miss Gu is happily involved with another omega, inseparable and affectionate. It is truly sad, truly disappointing, and breaks one’s heart.”

Xiao Zhi’s performance was genuinely convincing, like a scene from a tragedy.

All that was missing was a melancholic background song with snowflakes falling and the northern wind howling.

Liu Huaijing slowly reached out with a trembling hand and took hold of Gu Qiqi’s hand. His face was pale and his body looked fragile, like a delicate ornament that might shatter at the slightest touch.

He looked deeply into her eyes and asked softly, “You will protect me, won’t you?”

Though the question seemed sudden, it carried a deeper meaning. He was really asking if Gu Qiqi would truly commit to entering the forced matching period with him and stay by his side.

A calm voice replied before she could speak.

“I will send the Feng family’s most elite security team to protect Lawyer Liu. As for this unfortunate incident, I will have Gu Qiqi personally apologize to Miss Liu and provide compensation. So I am sorry, Miss Liu, but Gu Qiqi cannot enter a forced match with you.”

Gu Qiqi turned around and saw Feng Jiying standing at the entrance of the treatment room. She had no idea when she had arrived.

Feng Jiying leaned against the doorframe, her posture slightly weak. Her arms were crossed, and the expression on her face was calm and emotionless. The metal-framed glasses she wore masked whatever feelings were hidden in her eyes. She silently watched them.

Liu Huaijing met her gaze without flinching.

“Is that so? You sound quite certain. Is President Feng planning to defy a direct order from the Federal President? Or has the Feng family started entertaining rebellious thoughts?”

Tension filled the air. A confrontation was inevitable.