Reborn as the Heartless Alpha - Chapter 54

Realizing how offensive her current behavior might seem to Zhou Zhou, Song Yi quickly turned her face away, burying it instead against the side of Zhou Zhou’s neck.

Her hands remained pressed against Zhou Zhou’s shoulders, not daring to exert any force. She lay stiffly atop Zhou Zhou, their bodies now pressed even closer than before. The cabin continued to sway, making it impossible for Song Yi to move away just yet.

Suddenly, a series of sharp, firecracker-like pops erupted from the connection between the cabin and the Ferris wheel overhead, sending sparks flying. Below, the staff had already noticed the malfunction. They used a megaphone to urgently evacuate the surrounding area while trying to calm the passengers still trapped in the air.

“Please do not panic! Our team is working on it. We will get you down as quickly as possible!”

“I do not want to die!” someone screamed. Others began to wail and sob.

In an instant, the cabin, which should have been filled with a romantic atmosphere, was overtaken by screams and sobbing. It felt like a countdown to the end of the world. Inside their yellow cabin, neither Song Yi nor Zhou Zhou spoke. They maintained their position, pressed tightly against one another. Song Yi could feel Zhou Zhou trembling. Zhou Zhou was overwhelmed; she was caught between the throbbing heartbeat left by the kiss, the embarrassment of their proximity, the sheer terror of the crisis, and the strange sense of security she felt simply because Miss Song was there.

If she had to die today, dying with Miss Song did not seem so bad. No, she corrected herself, Miss Song is such a good person; she deserves to live a long life in this world.

“I am sorry, Zhou Zhou,” Song Yi forced the apology out of her throat.

That was likely Zhou Zhou’s first kiss, and it had been taken so senselessly. Even though it was an accident, Song Yi was consumed by guilt. Zhou Zhou remained silent. Song Yi bit her lip; it was only natural that Zhou Zhou did not want to speak to her. She knew she should move away, even if it meant tumbling around the cabin as it swayed, but as she tried to pull back, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist.

Song Yi froze.

“Miss Song,” Zhou Zhou whispered, holding her.

Song Yi did not move, assuming Zhou Zhou was simply bracing herself. In reality, Zhou Zhou was struggling with whether or not to confess. If her life were truly about to end, perhaps her insignificant crush would not cause Miss Song too much trouble. Feeling the strength of Miss Song’s heartbeat, Zhou Zhou tightened her grip and prepared to speak.

Suddenly, the Ferris wheel stabilized. The cabin stopped swaying, and the sparks overhead vanished.

“It is okay now, Zhou Zhou!” Song Yi said excitedly.

Zhou Zhou swallowed her confession. She withdrew her hands from Miss Song’s back and began counting in her head. One, two, three. By the count of six, Miss Song had moved off her. Once she was sure the wheel was steady, Song Yi helped Zhou Zhou up, only to find the girl looking at her with an expression of profound melancholy.

“What is wrong? Are you hurt?” Song Yi asked anxiously, her first thought being that Zhou Zhou had been injured during the malfunction.

Zhou Zhou shook her head and averted her gaze. Song Yi felt her heart lurch and then sink rapidly. If it was not an injury, then it was something else.

“I am sorry, Zhou Zhou. I did not mean it. I am so sorry for offending you just now.”

As I thought, Zhou Zhou mused, Miss Song is troubled by that accidental kiss. It had barely even been a kiss. Zhou Zhou bit her lower lip as a single tear escaped her eye. Under the warm yellow light, Song Yi saw the tear track down Zhou Zhou’s face and felt even more criminal. Zhou Zhou had not cried during the danger, yet she was crying now because of Song Yi’s words.

“I am sorry, I am truly so sorry.”

Song Yi found she did not know what else to do besides apologize. Zhou Zhou wanted to tell her it was fine, but a wave of overwhelming grievance washed over her. She could not make any sound other than crying. She turned her back to Miss Song, unwilling to let her see such a pathetic state.

The staff eventually guided them out of the cabin. Zhou Zhou was still sobbing quietly, and Song Yi cursed herself repeatedly in her mind. The workers refunded their tickets and apologized profusely, offering free admission for their next visit.

There will not be a next time, Song Yi thought. Even if there were, Zhou Zhou would not come with me. She would be with that fiancé who has not appeared yet. One thought of this non-existent fiancé gave Song Yi a dull ache in her chest. If the original novel said the fiancé loved Zhou Zhou so much, why was there no news of her yet? Is she not looking for Zhou Zhou? The original novel must have a bug!

The trip to the amusement park ended on a fractured note. It had begun with Zhou Zhou’s hesitation and ended with her tears.

Back in the car, Zhou Zhou had stopped crying but remained silent in the passenger seat. Song Yi turned on the air conditioning and decided it was best not to speak, lest she remind Zhou Zhou of her lost first kiss. As they reached the main road, Song Yi finally spoke.

“Rest if you are tired. I will wake you when we reach the villa.”

Zhou Zhou gave a muted “okay” after a long pause. She turned her body away, facing the window as if to sleep. She did not actually sleep; she watched the blurry night scenery flash by. She felt she was only slightly better than the passing trees; she could stay by Miss Song’s side for the summer, but it was only temporary.

It took over an hour to reach the quiet suburbs. The city noise was replaced by the incessant chirping of cicadas and the loud croaking of frogs near a lotus pond. Usually, Song Yi would have wanted to stop and explore with Zhou Zhou, but tonight, everything felt out of place. When they arrived at the villa, Zhou Zhou woke instantly. She unbuckled her seatbelt and headed inside.

“Are you not going up to rest?” Song Yi asked.

Zhou Zhou looked toward the kitchen, stating she wanted to check on things downstairs first. She was the housekeeper, after all.

“Miss Song.”

Song Yi stopped on the stairs and turned. From her higher vantage point, she still could not see Zhou Zhou’s expression clearly in the bright light.

“I wanted to ask. On the weekends, as long as I arrange everything in advance, I do not need to stay at the villa, right?”

Song Yi swallowed hard and nodded reluctantly. “If the tasks are confirmed by Friday, you have the weekend off.”

Zhou Zhou had not left the villa for weeks. Where was she going now? Song Yi analyzed the possibilities, Teacher Lin’s house or You Xuechu’s, but she felt she had no right to ask. After accidentally kissing her, asking personal questions would make her seem like a creepy boss.

“Get some rest. Goodnight,” Song Yi said.

“Goodnight, Miss Song,” Zhou Zhou replied. This time, she did not wave.

Once Song Yi was upstairs, Zhou Zhou sat on the sofa, feeling a profound sense of exhaustion. She went to the kitchen for water, confirmed the ingredients in the fridge, and finally headed up. She accidentally bruised her leg on the stairs in her distracted state. In her room, she went to the window to pull the curtains. There, hidden on her small balcony, was the bouquet Miss Song had given her. It was withered.

Song Yi, meanwhile, stood by her own door, listening for Zhou Zhou. She felt a sudden panic that Zhou Zhou might leave that very night. Only when she heard Zhou Zhou’s door close did she finally relax and fall into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, the atmosphere at breakfast was somber. Neither mentioned the kiss. Afterward, Zhou Zhou asked the cleaning lady where the trash was. She took the withered bouquet from her room. Miss Song did not know she liked her, and Miss Song did not even know this bouquet was still in the villa. She decided to throw it away and end this misplaced affection. She stepped out quietly, relieved that Miss Song did not appear to witness her discarding the flowers.

“Zhou Zhou?”

It was Miss You! Zhou Zhou was startled to see an acquaintance near the trash area and instinctively hid the flowers behind her back.

“Where are you going?” You Xuechu asked.

“The trash area,” Zhou Zhou said bashfully.

“You are going the wrong way. It is not over there. Want me to show you?”

Zhou Zhou flushed crimson. “That would be a trouble, Miss You.”

You Xuechu was just out for a stroll. She had received a strange text from Dr. Ding Chen earlier: “Getting more sun is good for your mood.” She had decided to follow the advice. As they walked toward the small managed trash site, the hidden bouquet was hard to miss.

“Zhou Zhou, did Song Yi give you those flowers?”

Zhou Zhou hesitated, but knowing her feelings were not a secret to You Xuechu, she nodded.

You Xuechu was shocked. “No way. The flowers she gave you yesterday have already withered?”

Yesterday, Song Yi had mentioned taking Zhou Zhou out to celebrate her high scores, so Zhou Zhou guessed the flowers had been given then. Logically, since they were from Song Yi, Zhou Zhou should have been unable to bring herself to throw them away.

“Did you two have a fight?” You Xuechu asked, tilting her head.

“No,” Zhou Zhou shook her head.

“Then why?” You Xuechu was puzzled.

Zhou Zhou stopped in her tracks. She thought for a moment but decided not to say anything, simply shaking her head again. Noticing that Zhou Zhou did not want to continue the topic, You Xuechu stopped asking.

“I forgot to congratulate you, Zhou Zhou. Congratulations on your great results.”

“Thank you, Miss You.”

They entered the waste disposal site. Inside, the garbage was being incinerated, but no smoke could be seen from the outside. This was a new waste treatment technology that effectively reduced environmental pressure. Zhou Zhou watched as the staff separated the bouquet from its wrapping and tossed them into two different incineration pits. Standing by her side, You Xuechu could clearly see her heartache.

“Let’s go,” You Xuechu said. Zhou Zhou snapped out of it and followed her out.

The sound of fire igniting echoed behind them. Zhou Zhou did not look back, but the image of the bouquet burning to ashes flashed in her mind.

The two returned the way they came. You Xuechu dropped Zhou Zhou off at the entrance of Song Yi’s villa and said goodbye. She had to head back; the sun was getting intense, and staying out any longer would lead to dizziness or heatstroke.

Zhou Zhou suddenly called out to her, “Miss You.”

“Yes?” You Xuechu turned around. “If there is something you need, just say it.”

“I…” Zhou Zhou felt a sense of hesitation. “Can I go to your house this weekend?”

She knew that using this method to avoid Miss Song was not very clever, but she had no other choice.

“Of course, you can,” You Xuechu said. Standing in the sunlight, the cold aura around her seemed to melt away layer by layer. “You are welcome to come play anytime.”

Back at her own home, You Xuechu still could not understand. She did not think Song Yi was the type to make such a mistake, so she sent Song Yi a message to probe.

[How is the revision going?]

Song Yi had just finished a round of review when she saw the message and replied immediately.

[Finished.]

[Don’t brag. Skimming through doesn’t count.]

Song Yi curled her lips. She really had finished, having gone through the materials several times until they showed signs of wear, but she did not want to argue such a trivial point with You Xuechu. Instead, she remembered the question she had wanted to ask Ding Chen directly but failed to. She decided to scout for information through You Xuechu.

[Ding Chen is coming over tomorrow. I’ll have her check on you and perhaps help you change a lightbulb?]

[Song Yi, are you out of your mind?]

You Xuechu rolled her eyes at her phone. No matter how little Song Yi had cared about her in the past, she should at least remember that strangers were not allowed in her room. Song Yi took the hint; Ding Chen’s feelings were likely still unrequited.

[Then let her bring you a light when she visits. You can change it yourself.]

[No need.]

You Xuechu refused, thinking Song Yi was truly acting strangely. Ding Chen was her private doctor; why would she ask her to do something so odd and outside her job description?

Saturday arrived. Ding Chen arrived covered in the dust of travel. She set down her medical kit to examine Song Yi. After Zhou Zhou went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water for Ding Chen, she bid them farewell. Song Yi leaned back on the sofa, watching Zhou Zhou leave with nothing but her phone. Her decisive departure left Song Yi feeling a bit dazed.

As the needle entered her vein, Song Yi snapped back to reality. Ding Chen drew a small tube of blood, saying she would take it back for testing. Research on the previous serum was ongoing and needed to be adjusted based on Song Yi’s physical condition.

After the basic checkup, Ding Chen turned to pack her kit. Song Yi caught sight of a conspicuous little object inside and smiled.

“Aren’t you a doctor? Since when did you start making these little strings of colorful lights?”

Upon hearing this, Ding Chen hurriedly closed the kit. “Miss Song, I have things to do. I’ll be going now.”

Ding Chen never liked staying long, but this was the first time she had left in such a hurry. Song Yi watched the puncture point on her arm and smiled again. What could be so urgent? The usually cautious Dr. Ding had even forgotten to give her a cotton swab to stop the bleeding.

She shook her head and called out softly, “Zhou Zhou.”

The empty villa remained silent. She suddenly remembered that Zhou Zhou had already left to spend her own weekend. She got up from the sofa to find the first aid kit herself. A drop of blood ran down her arm, leaving a stain. By the time she found a cotton swab, it was useless. Song Yi wiped it away casually and went to the sink to wash up.

She could not help but wonder: Where did Zhou Zhou go?

The Strings of Light

Ding Chen left Song Yi’s villa and headed to You Xuechu’s. When she arrived, she stood outside and rang the bell as usual. You Xuechu was playing Gomoku with Zhou Zhou. Being interrupted, she came to the door looking displeased.

Ding Chen was surprised to see Zhou Zhou there.

“Dr. Ding,” Zhou Zhou stood up to greet her.

“Miss Zhou,” Ding Chen set down her kit. “I am sorry for interrupting. I will finish the examination as quickly as possible.”

You Xuechu propped her chin on her hand, lying sideways on the sofa like a lazy, noble cat. Zhou Zhou watched as Miss You casually offered her snowy-white hand to Dr. Ding. Ding Chen lowered her eyes and took it. On that slender wrist, tiny pale blue and purple veins were clearly visible. She instinctively lightened her touch, treating her with gentleness.

After the examination was over and everything seemed fine, she asked if the loss of appetite had improved. You Xuechu nodded, then suddenly sat up. “You said you could find those natural, gentle strings of lights. Did you get them?”

“Yes.” Ding Chen opened her kit, revealing the strings of lights inside. Yesterday at noon, she had learned that You Xuechu lived in a dark room for long periods and refused to fix broken lights, seemingly hating artificial brightness. Knowing You Xuechu was slowly beginning to enjoy the sun, Ding Chen had mentioned she could find lights that mimicked gentle sunlight. You Xuechu had asked for her help.

Where could such lights be found on the market? Ding Chen had squeezed in time between monitoring experimental data and stayed up all night to make them herself. Who would have thought that a high-level research doctor like her would one day tinker with such small things?

“I think the nutritional supplements are unnecessary now. You don’t need to refine them; I don’t like the taste,” You Xuechu said, frowning as she recalled the plastic-like, unpleasant flavor. Ding Chen paused for a second before agreeing.

“How much were the lights? I’ll transfer the money to you,” You Xuechu asked. Then she added, “Are there more? I want to fill the living room with them. Can I buy them in bulk?”

Ding Chen shook her head, feeling she had dug a hole for herself. You Xuechu’s living room was so large.

“That’s a pity. I wanted to hang them throughout the entire villa,” You Xuechu sighed.

Ding Chen’s mind wandered. She wondered how long it would take to make enough lights to fill a whole villa. Standing to the side, Zhou Zhou sensed something. A sour feeling rose in her heart—Dr. Ding was just like her.

“Do you need help installing them?” Ding Chen asked.

You Xuechu stroked her chin. “Is it complicated?”

“It is.”

“Then you help me install them, and I’ll pay you more.”

Ding Chen’s expression stiffened. She lowered her eyes. “Miss You has already paid plenty. There is no need for more.”

The Confrontation

You Xuechu led Ding Chen upstairs and told Zhou Zhou to come along too, not wanting her to wait downstairs alone.

Meanwhile, in the other villa, Song Yi could not sit still. She could not stop thinking about where Zhou Zhou had gone. She could not control her thoughts; she had to do something. She went back to her room, grabbed the slightly yellowed revision materials, and headed out. All along the way, she told herself that if she saw Zhou Zhou at You Xuechu’s house, she could return home in peace.

When she arrived, there was no one on the first floor. Are they on the second floor? She sent a message to You Xuechu asking if it was convenient to come up.

You Xuechu was helping Ding Chen hold a folding ladder with Zhou Zhou. Hearing the notification, she checked the message and smiled. As expected, she lost her cool again.

• • [It might not be very convenient…] Having been bored lately, she had read a few novels recommended by Zhou Zhou and deliberately mimicked the tone of a “Green Tea” antagonist from the books.

The status below showed “typing…” You Xuechu waited for a few minutes and lost patience. Is Song Yi writing an essay?

• • [You can come up now,] You Xuechu replied and stuffed her phone in her pocket.

Song Yi saw the reply and hurried upstairs. The door to You Xuechu’s room was closed. She straightened out her revision materials and stood tall, preparing to knock. Before her hand could fall, You Xuechu’s voice came from inside.

“Zhou Zhou, don’t be nervous. Come a bit closer.” “Nothing will happen.” “Zhou Zhou, I can’t see your face. Turn around.” “Zhou Zhou…”

Song Yi doubted her own ears. Her raised hand dropped, and she silently clenched it into a fist. Zhou Zhou really was here. She should have felt relieved, but instead, her heart felt heavier. She didn’t have the courage to knock, nor the courage to find out what they were doing in the room.

Bending over, she placed the revision materials at the door, preparing to leave.

“Ah!”

A startled cry came from the room, piercing her heart like a needle. It was Zhou Zhou’s voice. Without thinking, Song Yi turned around. The door wasn’t locked; she burst inside.

The scene inside, however, was not what she had imagined. Zhou Zhou was holding a small lightbulb, looking at her in shock. You Xuechu was watching her calmly, and surprisingly, Ding Chen was there too.

An awkward silence filled the room.

“Zhou Zhou, I have something to say to you.”

Song Yi reached out, grabbed Zhou Zhou’s wrist, and led her out of the room.

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