Reborn as the Heartless Alpha - Chapter 51

Zhou Zhou didn’t know how long Miss Song and Teacher Lin had been standing there waiting, so she ran toward them in a hurry.

Song Yi wanted to step forward, but restrained by Teacher Lin’s presence, she remained still, silently watching Zhou Zhou run over. As she moved, Zhou Zhou’s waist-length hair billowed; it was naturally smooth, looking like fine silk shimmering under the scorching sun.

The distance wasn’t great, and Zhou Zhou soon skidded to a halt in front of them. Teacher Lin said with a look of concern, “Slow down, don’t trip.”

Zhou Zhou smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Teacher Lin, I won’t fall.” She then looked at Song Yi, her heart fluttering like ten thousand tiny restless rabbits. “Is Miss Song still here?” she asked, feeling apprehensive.

“Mhm,” Song Yi responded with a smile.

Teacher Lin spoke up, “It’s almost noon. Come to my house for lunch; your Shiniang (teacher’s wife) should have the meal ready soon.”

Zhou Zhou didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she looked at Miss Song, feeling somewhat at a loss. Lunch was an appointment she had made with Teacher Lin, but she hadn’t known beforehand that Miss Song would come to see her off personally—let alone that she would stay and wait until now. If she went to Teacher Lin’s for lunch, what would happen to Miss Song?

Song Yi gave Zhou Zhou a gentle smile. “Go ahead.”

It was only natural for Zhou Zhou to have a meal with Teacher Lin on a day like today, given their three years of student-teacher rapport. Song Yi figured she could find a random place to grab a bite and return to pick Zhou Zhou up once enough time had passed.

However, Zhou Zhou felt even more guilty. She watched with wide eyes as Miss Song began to bid farewell to Teacher Lin.

“If Miss Song doesn’t mind, why don’t you join us?” Teacher Lin suddenly smiled.

Song Yi looked slightly surprised; she hadn’t expected an invitation from him. Beside her, Zhou Zhou’s eyes filled with obvious anticipation. She hoped Miss Song would agree, but Miss Song remained silent.

Suddenly, Zhou Zhou felt Teacher Lin pat her shoulder. She looked at him in confusion and heard him whisper, “Miss Song has agreed to provide funding for the school. We should show her our gratitude.”

He was hinting for her to urge Miss Song to stay.

Waves of shock rolled through Zhou Zhou’s heart. Miss Song is going to fund the school! She became even more convinced that Miss Song was a wonderful person, never imagining that this decision might have everything to do with her.

“Miss Song…” Zhou Zhou started, trying to persuade her but unsure of how to word it.

Having caught Teacher Lin’s subtle nudge, Song Yi answered Zhou Zhou directly: “Alright.”

For some reason, she didn’t want to make things difficult for Zhou Zhou—not even a little bit. Teacher Lin smiled with satisfaction; seeing how well Miss Song took care of Zhou Zhou, he felt reassured about Zhou Zhou’s job during the break.

The Visit

As Teacher Lin led the way, Song Yi noticed they were heading toward the school gate. Zhou Zhou whispered an explanation, noting that the apartments near the gate were staff dormitories and that Teacher Lin lived in the outermost building.

Song Yi understood. She reflected that it felt wrong to go to a teacher’s home for a meal empty-handed. Upon reaching the door, she glanced at the unit number to confirm the location and made an excuse: “Teacher Lin, I left something in the car. I’ll go go grab it.”

“Oh.” Teacher Lin turned around and, after a moment of thought, said to Zhou Zhou, “Go with Miss Song.” He was worried Song Yi wouldn’t find her way back.

Zhou Zhou nodded obediently, but Song Yi smiled and said, “No need. It’s hot out. Wait inside; I remember the way.”

In the end, Song Yi went alone. Zhou Zhou stayed at Teacher Lin’s house. Shiniang was still in the kitchen, finishing up the last two dishes. Hearing the commotion, she came out holding a spatula, her face beaming with a festive smile.

“Zhou Zhou is here! I heard from your teacher that you’re this year’s top liberal arts student in the province. He’s been happy for ages. Make sure to eat plenty later!”

“Thank you, Shiniang,” Zhou Zhou said gratefully. She hurried forward. “Let me help you, Shiniang.”

“No need. Just sit in the living room, have some fruit, watch TV, and enjoy the fan. Today is for celebrating you; I can’t let you lift a finger.”

Shiniang enthusiastically pushed Zhou Zhou onto the sofa, turned on the TV, and let her pick a channel. She then turned on a large floor fan behind the sofa to blow directly on Zhou Zhou before shouting to Teacher Lin, “Come over and give me a hand!”

Teacher Lin replied, “Yes, my lady!” and followed her into the kitchen.

During her school years, Teacher Lin would often bring her home for meals during holidays. Zhou Zhou was very familiar with Shiniang and usually helped out with chores, so being treated strictly as a guest today made her feel a bit awkward.

Yet, everything here was familiar: the cozy little house—old and without floor tiles, but cool in the summer—and the warm, welcoming couple who made her feel at home. The teachers had no children but remained deeply in love. Zhou Zhou remembered a time when Shiniang had been drinking and suddenly cried, revealing that they weren’t childless by choice but due to her health. She had even offered to break up back then. When Zhou Zhou asked what happened next, Teacher Lin had smiled and said, “Well, obviously we didn’t break up.”

“I wouldn’t marry anyone but your Shiniang in this life,” he had told her. “Once you meet someone you truly love, you’ll understand that these difficulties are nothing.”

As Zhou Zhou stared at the TV, she wasn’t really watching. She was lost in these warm memories.

The Return

“Zhou Zhou, what kind of drink do you want? I’ll have your teacher go buy it,” Shiniang called from the kitchen.

“Don’t trouble yourselves,” Zhou Zhou said. “I don’t need a drink.”

Teacher Lin poked his head out. “That won’t do. We can’t have a celebration without drinks, plus Miss Song is coming.”

“Who is Miss Song?” Shiniang asked, and Teacher Lin immediately began to explain.

Zhou Zhou stood up. “I’ll go buy them. Teacher, you stay and help Shiniang.”

“Give Zhou Zhou some money!” Shiniang instructed while wielding her spatula. Teacher Lin reached for his wallet.

Zhou Zhou laughed. “No need, Shiniang. I’ve earned money from my job.”

“You got paid already?” Teacher Lin asked suspiciously, stuffing two 100-yuan bills into her hand. Zhou Zhou’s eyes darted away; it was hard to explain, so she just took the money for now.

She walked to the door and opened it, only to be hit by a wave of heat. As she closed the door behind her, she couldn’t help but think that Miss Song must be very hot. She’s been gone so long; I wonder if something happened.

“Zhou Zhou.”

It was Miss Song’s voice. Zhou Zhou turned around and gasped. Song Yi was carrying two large bags, her face and neck flushed from the midday sun. She smiled and asked, “Zhou Zhou, where are you going?”

Zhou Zhou froze for a moment. “To buy drinks.”

“No need, I bought them,” Song Yi said. A bead of sweat rolled from her temple, down her cheek, and dripped onto the ground.

Zhou Zhou swallowed instinctively. That drop of sweat felt as if it had landed on her own heart.

“It’s so hot.” Song Yi felt like she was at her limit. She stepped closer to Zhou Zhou and leaned in slightly with a tender smile. “Aren’t you going to open the door for me?”

Zhou Zhou’s face flushed instantly. “I’ll… I’ll open it right away!”

She turned to face the green iron door. There was a silver keyhole around waist height. To her horror, she realized she hadn’t brought the keys out with her. Her face burned even hotter. With no other choice, she knocked hurriedly on the door.

“That was fast!” Teacher Lin’s voice came from inside. When he opened the door, he was stunned to see Zhou Zhou still there with a beet-red face. Seeing Song Yi behind her, he urged, “Miss Song is back! Please, come in.”

Zhou Zhou turned, wanting to help carry the bags. Song Yi didn’t want her to work, even for a few steps, but remembering that Zhou Zhou had intended to buy drinks, she handed her the bag containing the beverages. It felt heavy in Zhou Zhou’s hands.

“I didn’t know what you and Teacher Lin liked, so I just picked some things,” Song Yi whispered from behind.

Zhou Zhou paused. “Thank you.”

A Delicate Atmosphere

Inside, the house was simple—just painted walls and smooth cement floors—but it was refreshingly cool. A woman about Teacher Lin’s age walked out of the kitchen.

“You must be Miss Song. Please, sit.”

“My Shiniang.” / “My wife.”

Zhou Zhou and Teacher Lin spoke at the same time. Song Yi smiled and nodded to the woman in the floral apron. “Sorry for the intrusion.”

As the couple went to the kitchen to bring out the food, Song Yi asked where to put the bags. Zhou Zhou pointed to a small fridge in the corner. Song Yi pulled out a round watermelon, a bag of peaches, and some plums, filling the top shelf. Zhou Zhou watched, her heart feeling warm.

When Teacher Lin and his wife, Li Yu, saw the spread, they insisted, “Miss Song, you’re too kind. You shouldn’t have brought so much.”

“I saw a shop nearby when I went to the car,” Song Yi explained with a smile.

“Let’s eat,” Li Yu invited. She asked for the drinks, and Zhou Zhou opened the plastic bag. Inside was a bottle of coconut milk, a bottle of Coke, and a box of exquisitely packaged red wine.

Li Yu glanced at the wine, then shared a look with Teacher Lin. The atmosphere turned slightly subtle. Song Yi bit her lip, wondering if she had bought the wrong thing.

The rest of the meal remained somewhat awkward. Song Yi tried her best not to make a mistake, but given her status as a school benefactor, the two elders were polite but clearly felt a sense of social distance and estrangement.

After the meal, Li Yu sliced the watermelon. As they chatted, she asked how Zhou Zhou and Song Yi had met. Song Yi could sense Shiniang’s sharp intuition and defensiveness.

“Through work,” Teacher Lin answered on their behalf.

Li Yu didn’t pry further. She soon went to the kitchen to clean up, and Zhou Zhou followed to help. Song Yi was left with Teacher Lin, who continued to ask about Zhou Zhou’s job.

In the kitchen, Li Yu asked softly, “Why is this Miss Song so good to you?”

Zhou Zhou froze. She had asked Miss Song the same thing, and Miss Song had said she didn’t know. Zhou Zhou shook her head.

“She likes you,” Li Yu said firmly.

Zhou Zhou’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s impossible, Shiniang.”

Li Yu smiled but didn’t push the topic. As they finished the dishes, she gave one last piece of advice: “You’re old enough to date now, but you must protect yourself—especially when dealing with people like Miss Song, who are not from our social class.”

Zhou Zhou nodded. “Don’t worry, Shiniang. I know.”

She wouldn’t be so overconfident. she just wanted to keep this crush buried in her heart. She didn’t need Miss Song to know. Though she occasionally couldn’t help but hope for more, she believed she could control herself.

The Departure

As they left, Song Yi was still replaying her performance in her head. She felt like she had stepped on a landmine.

“Zhou Zhou, I don’t think your Shiniang likes me very much,” she admitted as they walked down the stairs.

Zhou Zhou blinked and explained, “No, Shiniang just… misunderstood our relationship. She’s worried about me.”

“I see.” Song Yi’s expression relaxed. It made sense for a teacher to worry. Still, she couldn’t help but doubt herself. “Do I look like a bad person?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

Zhou Zhou immediately shook her head.

Song Yi felt both happy and troubled. “Zhou Zhou, you’re the only one who trusts me this much.”

Zhou Zhou looked at her, her gaze pure and innocent.

“Let’s go.” Song Yi’s heart softened. She was glad she had “transmigrated” into this world, so that the person standing by Zhou Zhou’s side was her, and not the original “scumbag Alpha” from the story.

As they stepped out of the dormitory building and back into the blazing sun, Song Yi raised her hand and held it over Zhou Zhou’s forehead to shield her from the heat.

In the next second, she felt Zhou Zhou’s confused, questioning gaze turn toward her.

“Thank you for always trusting me so much,” Song Yi said.

Zhou Zhou lowered her head bashfully. She felt as though she had not really done anything to earn such praise.

 

As they exited the school gates, two middle-aged women were handing out flyers. Song Yi declined, but Zhou Zhou took one out of habit. Once they were in the car, Song Yi leaned over to take a look. It was a small advertisement for a travel agency, listing both domestic and international tours. After the College Entrance Exams, many parents took the opportunity to take their children on vacation, and the agencies were savvy enough to capture the market right at the school gates.

 

“Zhou Zhou, would you like to go on a trip?” Song Yi asked.

 

Zhou Zhou thought about it for a moment. Who would not want to? But travel required both money and time, two things she felt she lacked. She shook her head gently.

 

Song Yi tried a different approach. “Then is there anything else you have particularly wanted to do? It is still early.”

 

Zhou Zhou’s mind went blank for a second. Then, a flurry of images rushed in, things she had overheard classmates discussing during study breaks: amusement parks, arcades, and escape rooms. Her knowledge of entertainment in this world was quite limited.

 

Song Yi was similarly inexperienced in the realm of fun. She did not lack money and could make the time, but she had never had the inclination to go out and play. Those “fun” activities always seemed like things one enjoyed more with others; she would rather work overtime and try to double her company’s market value.

 

But now, a spark of desire to play had ignited in Song Yi’s heart. Perhaps it was because she was not alone this time; Zhou Zhou was by her side.

 

The Misunderstanding

 

Zhou Zhou hesitated for a long time, unable to speak. She remembered Shiniang’s warning to protect herself. She believed Miss Song would not hurt her; in fact, she believed Miss Song would be wonderful to her, just as she was being now. However, she did not trust herself. She feared she would fall deeper and deeper into the trap of Miss Song’s kindness.

 

She knew she could not stay by Miss Song’s side forever. She still did not know who the “Dream O” was that Miss Song had written about the other night, but the fact that Miss Song had an ideal partner in mind was clear. That was all the more reason to maintain her distance.

 

As they sat there, each lost in their own thoughts, Song Yi’s phone rang. The caller ID showed You Xuechu. Worried that You Xuechu might say something awkward, like suggesting she liked Zhou Zhou, Song Yi told Zhou Zhou she was stepping out to take the call and opened the car door.

 

Despite her resolve to keep her distance, Zhou Zhou’s gaze followed her. She was curious. Was the caller the “Dream O” from Miss Song’s notebook?

 

The Phone Call

 

Outside the car, Song Yi answered and asked You Xuechu why she was calling.

 

You Xuechu seemed taken aback. After a few seconds, she replied, “I heard the results came out today. I called to check on Zhou Zhou. What was her score?”

 

“Why did you not ask her yourself?”

 

“I was afraid of upsetting her! If she did not perform well and I asked, would that not just make her sad?”

 

Song Yi conceded the point and tightened her grip on the phone.

 

“Are you going to tell me or not? If not, I will really have to ask her,” You Xuechu teased. She was genuinely curious, but she also wanted to provoke Song Yi into having a bit of a “crisis” sense. If she liked the girl, she should confess instead of dragging it out; Zhou Zhou did not have much self-confidence to begin with.

 

“Don’t worry, she did exceptionally well. A 709. She is this year’s provincial top student in the liberal arts.”

 

“Wow! Zhou Zhou is amazing!” You Xuechu practically jumped off her bed in excitement.

 

“Of course she is,” Song Yi said, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips at the praise.

 

You Xuechu shot back, “What are you so proud for?”

 

Song Yi: “…”

 

“Anyway, are you not going to take her out to celebrate?” You Xuechu asked.

 

Song Yi felt a headache coming on. She told You Xuechu that she had asked, but Zhou Zhou had not really responded and seemed to have low spirits.

 

“You are hopeless, Song Yi. You do not understand a girl’s heart at all.”

 

After a moment of silence, Song Yi said, “Please, enlighten me.”

 

You Xuechu was delighted; Song Yi had just turned a boring day into a fun one. “I thought you were a pro at this,” she laughed. “I guess I can only blame the fact that in the past, you were all about the physical and never the heart. You do not know how to please a girl.”

 

“You have it wrong. I am just asking how to celebrate her achievement,” Song Yi corrected her, stubbornly sticking to her stance. She was a law-abiding, moral citizen; she would not covet someone who she thought had a fiancé.

 

The Search for an Answer

 

After hanging up, Song Yi turned once more to the search engine that had failed to give her a credible answer last time. She would trust it one more time.

 

She typed: How to celebrate a high score?

 

The first answer was comprehensive, categorized by relationship types.

 

• • If you are friends: Have a meal together, give her a small gift she likes.

 

• • If you have a secret crush on her (Song Yi paused, ignored this one, and scrolled up.)

 

• • If you are strangers: Just applaud.

 

• • If you are superior and subordinate: A promotion and a raise are the best celebration.

 

So, should she give Zhou Zhou a promotion and a raise? She was willing, but she knew it would terrify the girl.

 

Giving up on the unreliable search engine, she stepped toward the car. Just then, a group of high school girls walked past, chatting excitedly. She overheard them saying they did well and were going to an amusement park and then an escape room.

 

Young people really know how to have fun, Song Yi thought. They were Zhou Zhou’s peers, so their ideas should be similar. She weighed amusement parks against escape rooms. Remembering the “aerial iron chain” incident from before, she knew Zhou Zhou was a bit timid. She ruled out the escape room and chose the amusement park.

 

Under the Ferris Wheel

 

Back in the car, she asked happily, “Is it okay if we go to the amusement park?”

 

Zhou Zhou was stunned. While waiting, she had imagined two scenarios:

 

1. 1. Miss Song received a call from her crush and was leaving to see them.

 

1. 1. Miss Song had work or school business and had to rush back.

 

“Mhm?” Song Yi leaned in, smiling at her with barely contained excitement.

 

Zhou Zhou did not understand why Miss Song would want to go to a place like that with her. Should she not go with the person she liked? But under that gaze, she could not refuse. She nodded slowly.

 

Song Yi immediately navigated to the largest amusement park in H City. “I have never been to an amusement park before, so I might not be a very good guide,” she admitted.

 

Zhou Zhou thought she understood then. Miss Song is probably taking me along to scout it out, to see what is fun and do a “trial run” before bringing her crush here for a perfect date. If that was the case, she was willing to play the part of the test subject.

 

Due to the distance and traffic, it was past 4:00 PM by the time they arrived. Song Yi did not mind; she had no work to rush to. After parking, she turned to tell Zhou Zhou to get out, only to find the girl fast asleep.

 

Song Yi could not bring herself to wake her. She sat there, watching the sky slowly darken, occasionally glancing at Zhou Zhou. As the girl’s head began to tilt precariously to the left, Song Yi instinctively shifted closer. A few seconds later, Zhou Zhou leaned over, her head coming to rest on Song Yi’s shoulder.

 

Song Yi’s breath hitched. Her heart began to race with that strange, frantic rhythm again. Why is this happening?

 

She sat frozen, staring out of the corner of her eye, terrified that any movement would wake the girl. She remained in that stiff position until 7:00 PM. It was dark now.

 

Suddenly, a massive firework exploded over the park. Colorful light flooded through the car window, briefly illuminating the interior. Zhou Zhou stirred. Her small head lifted from Song Yi’s shoulder. “Miss Song, I am sorry. I fell asleep.”

 

More fireworks blossomed in the sky. Song Yi curled her lips into a smile. “It is okay. The fun is just beginning.”

 

Zhou Zhou was drawn to the light. She looked up and saw the grand flowers of fire scattering across the night sky, with a glowing Ferris wheel shimmering in the distance. She stared at the wheel, mesmerized.

 

Meanwhile, Song Yi used the intermittent light of the fireworks to stare at Zhou Zhou. No matter how grand the display in the sky was, it could not compete with the girl beside her. Each burst of light revealed the wonder in Zhou Zhou’s eyes.

 

When the show ended and the car fell back into darkness, Song Yi heard the chaotic thumping of her own heart again. She raised a hand to rub her stiff, aching shoulder and thought: How strange. This is really, really strange.