Reborn as the Heartless Alpha - Chapter 33

The noodle soup in the pot bubbled and gurgled. White steam rose in front of Song Yi as she used a pair of long chopsticks to lift a few strands of noodles.

You Xuechu’s questions were becoming increasingly out of line. The noodles Song Yi was holding snapped; she turned off the stove and turned around to face You Xuechu directly. Zhou Zhou stood slightly behind You Xuechu with an anxious expression, looking as if she were trying to figure out how to help her explain.

With the heat gone, the soup stopped boiling, and the irritation in Song Yi’s heart began to cool down along with it.

She looked straight into You Xuechu’s wary eyes. “Whether you believe it or not, there is nothing going on between Zhou Zhou and me.”

She offered no further explanation. After all, given You Xuechu’s deep-seated bad impression of the original host’s “Scum Alpha” reputation combined with this morning’s situation, it was a case where even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash her clean.

You Xuechu scrutinized Song Yi. It didn’t seem to be a delusion; Song Yi really was different from before. The old Song Yi would never explain her actions; she would only admit to them brazenly and even say with a laugh, “This is just who I am, Xuechu. Haven’t you always known? You shouldn’t have any unrealistic expectations of me.”

The current Song Yi also refused to over-explain, but it was a clearly different kind of openness compared to her former self.

It was truly puzzling.

You Xuechu turned to look at Zhou Zhou, her eyes wide. “Is what Song Yi said true?”

Zhou Zhou nodded, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss, even though she knew very well that what Ms. Song said was the truth. There really was nothing between them.

“She didn’t bully you last night, did she?”

“No, Ms. You.”

You Xuechu nodded suspiciously. As her gaze dropped, she saw the gauze wrapped around Zhou Zhou’s right hand, and her expression immediately turned solemn.

“How did you get hurt?” She whipped her head toward Song Yi, instinctively assuming Song Yi had done it. Song Yi was currently serving the noodles. Sensing the sharp gaze behind her, she didn’t explain. Although it wasn’t her intention, Zhou Zhou had indeed been injured because of her.

“I cut myself while weaving things with grass. It has nothing to do with Ms. Song,” Zhou Zhou explained.

Though You Xuechu had never tried it herself, she had seen with her own eyes yesterday that Song Yi’s hand had been cut. She chose to believe the explanation. She remembered Zhou Zhou was fine before going upstairs to rest yesterday, so she must have come back down to weave because she couldn’t sleep, accidentally injuring herself in the dark.

You Xuechu recalled the lifelike green grasshopper she had asked for. Perhaps Zhou Zhou had originally intended to give it to Song Yi, but it ended up in her hands instead. That would explain why Zhou Zhou went back down late at night to weave another one for Song Yi, only to get hurt. Ms. Song must have seen the injury and invited her to stay. That explained why Zhou Zhou was here so early and why Song Yi had suddenly invited her over for breakfast. It was all for Zhou Zhou.

Isn’t this just an underground romance? You Xuechu had a sudden realization.

But why couldn’t they just date openly? You Xuechu couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Or were Song Yi and Zhou Zhou still in that ambiguous phase of testing each other out?

Ah, love is so complicated, You Xuechu thought, giving up on the analysis. Back when she fell for Song Yi, it happened in an instant without all these twists and turns.

From the looks of it, Zhou Zhou was interested in Song Yi too. From now on, she would just turn a blind eye to it.

“I’m hungry, let’s eat.” You Xuechu walked toward the counter, intending to take her bowl of noodles to the living room.

“I’ll do it.” Song Yi had already put on heat-resistant gloves and told You Xuechu to go sit in the living room first.

You Xuechu sat at the dining table and watched as Song Yi brought the noodles out for her. This was a level of service she had never enjoyed even when they were together. Now, Song Yi was going to this extent just to fill in for the injured Zhou Zhou.

She must be serious about Zhou Zhou.

“Eat up.” Song Yi placed the noodles in front of You Xuechu and returned to the kitchen, where she found Zhou Zhou still standing in the same spot, lost in thought.

Zhou Zhou felt like a third wheel. She felt she had accidentally ruined the private time between Ms. Song and Ms. You again. But where was she supposed to go right now?

“Zhou Zhou, come and eat.”

Song Yi had made a separate pot of porridge for Zhou Zhou, adding green vegetables and lean meat. She served a large bowl with a white porcelain spoon and brought it out. When Zhou Zhou smelled the aroma, she snapped out of her daze. Had Ms. Song made breakfast for her too?

“What are you thinking about?” Song Yi returned to the kitchen and took off her apron. Seeing Zhou Zhou still standing there, she urged her, “Eat even if you aren’t hungry. I made this porridge specifically for you.”

Zhou Zhou looked up, catching Ms. Song’s eyes, which were as gentle as water. “You made this for me?”

“Yes.” Song Yi leaned down slightly, whispering near her ear, “It’s my first time making it, so the taste might not be great.”

“Rest and heal your injury for the next couple of days. I’ll take over making the noodles you promised You Xuechu.”

After saying this, Song Yi straightened up and went to serve a bowl of porridge for herself. Zhou Zhou remained standing, replaying Ms. Song’s words in her head.

So, Ms. Song cooked the noodles for Ms. You because of her?

“I almost forgot.”

Song Yi noticed the plain black hair tie on her wrist. She set her porridge down on the counter and walked over to the still-distracted Zhou Zhou, taking her left hand.

“Ms. Song?” The warmth of the physical contact caused Zhou Zhou to snap back to her senses, looking at Ms. Song holding her hand in surprise.

After sliding the black hair tie she had taken from Zhou Zhou’s bun yesterday onto Zhou Zhou’s wrist, Song Yi explained, “I forgot to give this back to you yesterday.”

“Oh.” Zhou Zhou pulled her hand back, her face flushing. Song Yi gently let go, and by the time she turned back to pick up her porridge, Zhou Zhou had already run out of the kitchen.

Holding the steaming, slightly hot porridge, Song Yi hurried out after her.

While Zhou Zhou lowered her head to eat, You Xuechu struck up a conversation.

“Zhou Zhou, is it good?” You Xuechu looked on longingly. “Can I have a taste?”

Just as Zhou Zhou was about to push her porridge toward Ms. You, someone beat her to it.

“Have this bowl instead.” Song Yi placed her own porridge in front of You Xuechu. “There’s more in the pot; don’t take Zhou Zhou’s.”

“I wasn’t taking it!” You Xuechu looked up and glared at Song Yi huffily. It was just a spoonful of porridge; why be so stingy?

After a moment, she realized the truth: Scheming Song Yi, she’s so possessive of Zhou Zhou now.

Zhou Zhou ate her porridge in silence, thinking that Ms. Song simply didn’t want her and Ms. You to share the same bowl. She tried her best to minimize her presence and not disturb the interaction between the two of them.

Song Yi asked, “Is the porridge okay?”

You Xuechu said, “It’s so-so, edible.”

Both of them looked at Zhou Zhou simultaneously, their gazes impossible to ignore.

Without raising her head, Zhou Zhou replied, “It’s delicious.”

The corners of Song Yi’s mouth curled up silently. You Xuechu thought to herself that only Zhou Zhou would be willing to give Song Yi so much face.

After the three finished breakfast, they sat in silence. You Xuechu was the fullest; she had polished off both a bowl of noodles and a bowl of porridge.

“By the way, Zhou Zhou, are you coming back with me later?” You Xuechu asked while patting her stomach.

Song Yi seemed to have her condition under control now, so the danger was low. Furthermore, she judged that the only thing left between Song Yi and Zhou Zhou was a thin layer of paper waiting to be poked through. There was nothing wrong with them staying together. Her intended helpfulness would likely just be an unwanted interference; she decided it was better not to play the role of the person breaking up a couple, lest it damage her own future romantic luck.

“I…” Zhou Zhou’s hands were on her knees, clenched into tiny, nervous fists. She was wondering what choice Ms. You wanted her to make.

“Don’t worry about me, and don’t mind Song Yi. Just do what you want to do,” You Xuechu said. Although they hadn’t known each other long, she noticed that Zhou Zhou was used to prioritizing others and putting her own needs last.

Regardless of the outcome between Zhou Zhou and Song Yi, she hoped Zhou Zhou wouldn’t force herself.

Song Yi stared intently at You Xuechu. She realized that just as You Xuechu had a stereotype of her, she had one of You Xuechu as well. For instance, she had assumed You Xuechu would try to make things difficult for her, but that wasn’t the case. The worst You Xuechu did was offer a few verbal teases, and her starting point was always to protect Zhou Zhou.

She had been narrow-minded before.

This time, even if You Xuechu hadn’t brought it up, she had intended to ask Zhou Zhou to stay. She hadn’t expected You Xuechu to say it first.

Unexpectedly, You Xuechu was also trying to trust her.

It is rare for someone who has been hurt to be able to trust again. Song Yi sincerely hoped that You Xuechu would meet someone who truly loved her in the future and would never encounter a “scum woman” again.

Song Yi turned to look at Zhou Zhou, who still seemed conflicted.

Zhou Zhou thought seriously for a moment. She didn’t voice her inner thoughts immediately but looked toward Ms. Song, only to find Ms. Song was already looking at her with a gentle smile.

“I want to stay,” Zhou Zhou answered Ms. You, quickly averting her gaze.

“Alright.” You Xuechu felt she had received a satisfactory answer. She raised her eyebrows and smiled, but when she looked at Song Yi, the smile carried a faint warning.

“Don’t you dare bully Zhou Zhou.”

“I know.” Song Yi smiled back. “You’re welcome to come over for a meal anytime.”

You Xuechu let out a disdainful “Hmph.” “Who wants a breakfast that requires waking up before seven?”

“Today was a special case. It’s usually not that early.”

“We’ll see.” You Xuechu stood up haughtily. “I’m leaving.”

“Goodbye, Ms. You.” Zhou Zhou stood up to see her out.

You Xuechu turned back to remind her, “Zhou Zhou, contact me if anything happens. If Song Yi bullies you, tell me and I’ll help you beat her up.”

Zhou Zhou pursed her lips and said nothing, not understanding why Ms. You always thought Ms. Song would bully her.

Failing to get a response of mutual agreement from Zhou Zhou, You Xuechu sighed and left.

Zhou Zhou earnestly waved a hand at Ms. You’s retreating back. Seeing this, Song Yi’s heart softened.

She moved a few steps closer to Zhou Zhou, stopping behind her and asking softly, “Zhou Zhou, why do you trust me so much? What if I really do bully you?”

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