Reborn as the Heartless Alpha - Chapter 17

The rustling of the wind overhead mingled with the sound of falling leaves and Miss Song’s gentle, low voice, leaving Zhou Zhou’s mind in a tangled mess.

Was Miss Song inviting her to move back in together?

Had she misheard?

Zhou Zhou’s eyes were filled with confusion and disbelief, which Song Yi easily read. With a smile, she asked again, “If you haven’t found a place to stay yet, how about coming back with me for now?”

“…” Zhou Zhou parted her lips slightly, taking a long moment before she managed to speak. “No, thank you, Miss Song.”

Song Yi frowned slightly, looking at her with puzzlement. “Why? Is it because you dislike me? Or are you afraid I’ll take advantage of you?”

“No, I don’t dislike you.”

Miss Song had been so kind to her, how could she possibly dislike her?

Zhou Zhou looked flustered but didn’t know how to explain.

Thinking she might still be uncomfortable about sharing a bed before, Song Yi reassured her, “Don’t worry. There are plenty of rooms, you can pick one for yourself. You won’t have to stay with me.”

After speaking, Song Yi quietly watched Zhou Zhou, not pressing for an answer, simply waiting in silence.

Miss Song’s initiative made Zhou Zhou waver.

But no, this wasn’t part of her original plan. She still needed to work and save money. The area where Miss Song lived was too quiet, with few job opportunities nearby, and she’d likely have to rely on taxis to get around. It just wasn’t practical for her.

Besides, she couldn’t afford to get any closer to Miss Song. She was afraid that if she did, she might develop feelings she shouldn’t, ones that would spiral out of control.

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Song, but I don’t want to trouble you any further.”

“It’s no trouble,” Song Yi replied without hesitation.

“I plan to find a job with accommodation this afternoon. It shouldn’t be too hard.” Zhou Zhou’s gaze was firm, her mind clearly made up.

Song Yi knew there was no point in arguing. After a brief silence, she nodded lightly, and the two walked together toward the parking area.

“Your luggage is heavy. Let me drive you,” Song Yi said, opening the passenger door for her.

Reason told Zhou Zhou to refuse, but this time, emotion won out.

After all, once they parted ways, there likely wouldn’t be many chances to see each other again. She wanted to spend these last moments alone with Miss Song even if it was just one driving and the other sitting in silence.

As soon as Song Yi got into the car, she turned down the temperature. Zhou Zhou spoke up first, telling her which area she wanted to go to. Song Yi entered the address into the navigation and saw that it was near a light industrial zone. She drove carefully, following the directions without a word.

Zhou Zhou stole glances at the profile of the woman beside her and noticed Miss Song’s lips were slightly downturned, as if she wasn’t happy.

Was it because of her?

A little past one in the afternoon, the main road wasn’t crowded, and traffic flowed smoothly. Yet Song Yi drove slowly, as if reluctant to reach their destination.

Even before they parted, Song Yi had already begun imagining scenarios, what if Zhou Zhou encountered bad coworkers or was bullied at work?

What if the other person was an alpha? How could Zhou Zhou possibly defend herself?

After about twenty minutes of driving, Zhou Zhou suddenly spoke up. “You can stop here. Thank you, Miss Song.”

Song Yi had no reason to refuse. She eased onto the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road, then got out to open the trunk and retrieve Zhou Zhou’s luggage.

Zhou Zhou reached out to take it herself, but Song Yi didn’t hand it over. “I’m free right now. I’ll feel better if I stay until you’ve secured a job.”

“Miss Song?” Zhou Zhou blinked in confusion, her gaze uncertain and slightly lost.

“Do you treat everyone this kindly?” A trace of melancholy flickered in Zhou Zhou’s clear, bright eyes.

Song Yi felt a sudden burn, and in her daze, she felt as if she had done something to hurt Zhou Zhou.

Was she this kind to everyone?

Song Yi asked herself inwardly, then immediately shook her head.

In truth, no one had ever called her “kind” before. Perhaps it was due to the constraints of her past environment she had to maintain the image of an aloof, strong figure, with almost no opportunity to show kindness in a completely relaxed state. Even when her parents were alive, they had been extremely strict with her. Her nerves had always been wound tight, and from a young age, she had been a little adult, rarely experiencing moments of ease. Taking baths and reading novels were probably the only times she truly relaxed.

In a way, transmigrating into this world had allowed her to feel, for the first time, free from the pressures imposed by her family and environment. Here, she could simply be herself just an ordinary, law-abiding person.

Though resisting the physiological temptations of omega pheromones was a bit of an ordeal, it was nothing compared to what she had endured in the past.

“No,” Song Yi looked at Zhou Zhou and said excitedly, “You’re the first.”

The first?

Zhou Zhou was scalded by those words.

That number was too special, she couldn’t believe it. Flustered, she turned and ran into a factory. Song Yi, carrying her travel bag, followed, inwardly scolding herself for her poor choice of words. It had sounded like some awkward, blunt confession, and she was sure she had scared Zhou Zhou.

Once inside the factory, the buzzing noise in her ears was deafening, as if ten thousand bees were swarming around. Song Yi saw Zhou Zhou stop at the reception counter, bending slightly to speak with someone.

Zhou Zhou had tied her hair into a low ponytail today casual, with loose strands tucked behind her ears. Song Yi noticed her earlobes were flushed red. Instinctively, she touched her own earlobes they were burning hot.

Entering the factory felt like stepping into a furnace. It was hard to imagine how anyone could work in such scorching conditions.

Before Song Yi could catch up, Zhou Zhou turned and walked back, her expression suggesting things hadn’t gone well.

Once they were outside, Song Yi finally asked what had happened. Zhou Zhou told her the factory didn’t provide accommodation.

Song Yi accompanied Zhou Zhou to several other factories, but the results were much the same. Most of the job seekers were locals, and dormitories were scarce, reserved only for out-of-province workers or long-term employees. Zhou Zhou’s summer break was just over two months, she didn’t meet the accommodation requirements.

Zhou Zhou was disheartened, but Song Yi was secretly pleased. This was the perfect opportunity to invite Zhou Zhou back with her without seeming suspicious.

Then, inspiration struck.

“Zhou Zhou, I have a job for you. Would you like it?”

Zhou Zhou didn’t answer, just stared at her with wide eyes.

“You’d be managing my villa. It’s simple just arranging for housekeeping, communicating with the organic farm about ingredients, organizing things, and handling other small tasks.”

“A villa housekeeper?” Zhou Zhou asked skeptically. She remembered Miss Song already had a housekeeper.

“Yes. The previous one left, and finding a new one takes time. I think you’d be perfect for it.”

Zhou Zhou wasn’t so confident. She knew she wasn’t particularly skilled at communication and coordination, but right now, she didn’t seem to have a better option. And Miss Song believed in her.

Song Yi could see Zhou Zhou was tempted. She glanced at her phone, pulling up a record, and added matter-of-factly, “The monthly salary is twelve thousand base pay. There are bonuses for good performance.”

Twelve thousand definitely enough to cover a year’s university tuition. Zhou Zhou was astonished but didn’t immediately agree. She worried that Miss Song was offering more out of pity for her shabby appearance.

Song Yi saw through her hesitation and raised her phone to show her, smiling gently. “Don’t worry, I didn’t inflate the number. The previous housekeeper who left was paid the same.”

Zhou Zhou finally nodded. The corners of Song Yi’s lips lifted as she quickly moved to the trunk to load Zhou Zhou’s luggage, then opened the car door and urged, “It’s so hot, get in first.”

Seeing beads of sweat forming on Song Yi’s forehead again, Zhou Zhou glanced around and said, “Miss Song, you get in first,” before darting off. Song Yi instinctively wanted to chase after her but stopped when she remembered Zhou Zhou’s luggage was still with her, she wouldn’t really run away.

She didn’t get in the car, simply standing there to wait.

About two minutes later, she saw Zhou Zhou returning with two ice cream cones in hand, both offered to her.

“Buying me ice cream?”

Zhou Zhou gave a slight nod, her face flushed and slightly sweaty whether from the heat or something else, Song Yi didn’t dwell on it. She leaned in slightly to examine the flavors: one taro, the other chocolate.

Song Yi had no particular preference, so she looked up at Zhou Zhou, whose gaze lingered a little longer on the taro one.

She reached for the chocolate cone, accidentally brushing Zhou Zhou’s hand in the process. Zhou Zhou quickly pulled back.

Unaware, Song Yi focused on unwrapping the cone and took a bite of the chocolate top.

“So sweet.”

The cool sweetness slid from her lips down to her stomach, and even the sweltering breeze against her nose carried a sugary hint.

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