Reborn as the Heartless Alpha - Chapter 55

Ding Chen and You Xuechu remained in the room. One stood on a ladder while the other stood on the floor. Their eyes met in silence, and both were filled with confusion.

“What is the situation?” You Xuechu asked.

Ding Chen withdrew her gaze and adjusted her glasses to hide her expression.

“Did you not just come from Song Yi’s house? You should have seen something while you were there,” You Xuechu pressed.

“I had just arrived. Miss Zhou poured me a glass of water, and then I left.”

Meanwhile, Song Yi led Zhou Zhou through the winding corridors on the second floor of You Xuechu’s house. They entered a secluded room and shut the door. Song Yi flipped the light switch several times, but it remained dark because the bulb was likely broken.

The room was as pitch black as night. Song Yi moved toward the window to pull back the curtains.

“Miss Song,” Zhou Zhou suddenly called out, stopping her. “What did you want to say to me?” Zhou Zhou struggled to pull her hand back from Song Yi’s grip.

In the darkness, Song Yi could only make out Zhou Zhou’s silhouette and her eyes, which were as clear and bright as stars in the night sky. Song Yi wondered what she should say. She swallowed hard, and the sound was amplified by the quiet environment.

“I… I…” Song Yi tried to find the words, but she could not produce a single syllable.

“If you have forgotten what you wanted to say, Miss Song, let us talk another time. Doctor Ding still needs me to hold the ladder.”

Seeing Zhou Zhou turn to leave, Song Yi hurriedly reached out to grab her. “Do not go yet.”

As Zhou Zhou’s heel touched the floor again, Song Yi’s hand tightened on her arm. The point of contact felt like a searing branding iron, making Zhou Zhou’s heart race with alarm.

“Please, speak,” she said politely.

Song Yi gritted her teeth, and her grip tightened further as she forced the words out. “Zhou Zhou, please do not hide from me, okay?”

Zhou Zhou froze. Miss Song knew she was avoiding her. However, she felt they were supposed to keep their distance.

“Do not hide from me, okay?” Song Yi asked again.

For some reason, her heart felt a dull ache. When she could not see Zhou Zhou, she felt an inexplicable panic. When Zhou Zhou was sad, she felt sad as well. When Zhou Zhou was not by her side, she felt uneasy and terrified that the girl might get hurt.

At first, she thought this all stemmed from the sense of responsibility she felt after transmigrating. She had cast herself as a savior and protector, believing that as long as she could see Zhou Zhou escape the dark plot of the original story and walk toward a bright future, she would be happy.

But that was not the truth. Beyond the scope of normal help, a strange and almost pathological possessiveness had taken root. She could not stand Zhou Zhou being alone with any other Alpha, even an Alpha as reliable and trustworthy as Ding Chen, who would never harm her like the original “scumbag Alpha” would. She constantly leaned in toward Zhou Zhou and often overstepped boundaries in her attempts to be kind.

After accidentally stealing Zhou Zhou’s first kiss two nights ago, things had become even stranger. She worried that Zhou Zhou would hate her, fear her, or stay away from her. She had not slept well for two days. Today, when Zhou Zhou simply left the villa, Song Yi could not stop herself from coming to find her.

Standing outside the door earlier and hearing You Xuechu’s vague, flirtatious words felt like someone was ruthlessly squeezing her heart. The moment she heard Zhou Zhou cry out, she had burst through the door and completely lost her composure.

Though she was loath to admit it, she had truly developed feelings she should not have. She had fallen in love with Zhou Zhou. But how could she? Zhou Zhou had a fiancée. Moreover, Zhou Zhou was likely afraid of her now, remaining silent in the dark and unwilling to grant her request. She made Zhou Zhou feel unsafe, so it was only natural for the girl to avoid her. She felt she was being far too demanding.

After a long silence, she heard Zhou Zhou whisper, “Okay.”

Song Yi’s eyes widened in the dark. Her surge of joy lasted only a second before the light in her eyes faded, and she released Zhou Zhou’s arm. If Zhou Zhou was only agreeing out of obligation, they would never return to the easy and pleasant atmosphere they once shared.

“Song Yi, what secrets were you two whispering about?” You Xuechu asked suspiciously as the two finally returned.

“It was nothing.” Song Yi looked up. One wall of You Xuechu’s room was already adorned with a string of colorful lights, but there were three more to go.

“Lend a hand. You and Zhou Zhou take that side,” You Xuechu said, handing a string of lights to Song Yi. “Lunch is on me.”

Ding Chen, still on the ladder, glanced back. You Xuechu met her gaze and felt confused. “What is it?”

Ding Chen turned back and continued installing the lights. Song Yi took the lights and a folding ladder to another wall, with Zhou Zhou following behind.

“Hold this for a second.” Song Yi handed the lights to Zhou Zhou and set up the ladder. Zhou Zhou held the base and watched her climb step by step.

“Be careful, Miss Song.”

Song Yi paused. Zhou Zhou still cared about her. Once she was steady, she reached down. “Give them to me.”

The four of them worked until noon. When the job was finally done, Song Yi began her descent. Before her feet even hit the floor, You Xuechu impatiently flipped the switch.

The fairy lights erupted into a sudden glow above them. For a moment, Song Yi felt as though she were outside. It was as if the sun had been shattered into pieces, falling on her in a beautiful and surreal hallucination.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she turned to look at Zhou Zhou. Zhou Zhou quickly looked away, but Song Yi caught it. Zhou Zhou had been looking at her as well.

“This is great!” You Xuechu admired their hard work and invited everyone down for lunch. Ding Chen silently put the ladder away. Suddenly, You Xuechu tugged on Ding Chen’s wide sleeve. Ding Chen turned around.

“Let us go eat,” You Xuechu said.

Behind her glasses, Ding Chen’s eyes widened in surprise. You Xuechu frowned. “You helped me, so it is only normal that I treat you to a meal. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It is nothing. I am just nearsighted,” Ding Chen replied, looking down.

“Hurry up, I am locking the door,” You Xuechu urged. Ding Chen walked out quickly, only to find Song Yi and Zhou Zhou both staring at her. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

As You Xuechu closed the door, she asked, “Was my room that dusty?”

“No.” Ding Chen headed downstairs first. You Xuechu found it odd, and seeing Song Yi and Zhou Zhou still staring at her made her even more confused.

“What are you two doing?”

“Nothing at all.”

You Xuechu gave Song Yi a flat look and linked her arm with Zhou Zhou’s. “Let us go. Ignore her.”

Zhou Zhou did not resist. In her memory, female friends often linked arms like this. It seemed You Xuechu truly considered her a friend. Ignored and left behind, Song Yi followed slowly.

Downstairs, Ding Chen had already picked up her medical bag, looking ready to bolt.

“Hey, what is your problem?” You Xuechu let go of Zhou Zhou and ran toward Ding Chen.

Ding Chen adjusted her glasses again. “I have to get back to the lab to monitor an experiment and record data.”

“Oh. Then go.” You Xuechu looked at her coldly and tossed something at her. Ding Chen caught it. It was a snow-white glasses case.

“You will not take money, but I do not like being in your debt. I noticed your glasses needed replacing, so I bought you a pair. If they do not fit, the receipt is inside, and you can exchange them yourself,” You Xuechu said, crossing her arms.

“Thank you.” Ding Chen did not open it. She stuffed the case into her lab coat pocket, then reconsidered and tucked it safely into her medical bag instead.

After Ding Chen left, the three sat down for lunch. You Xuechu looked at Song Yi. “Why have you not left?”

Song Yi smiled. “You just invited me to stay. Are you regretting it already?”

“I can spare a meal,” You Xuechu said huffily.

“Ding Chen really is busy. Researchers basically never have a day off,” Song Yi added, speaking up for her friend.

“Hmm.” You Xuechu propped her chin on her hand. “Then why did she stay to help with the lights if she was so worried about her research time?”

“Maybe she did not consider it a waste of time,” Song Yi hinted subtly.

You Xuechu waved it off. “I do not care what she thinks. I gave her the glasses, so we are even.”

Song Yi went back to her food. Her own life was a mess, and she did not want to meddle and make things worse, especially since she knew Ding Chen was not You Xuechu’s type. Zhou Zhou said nothing and observed everything silently. She realized that Miss Song noticed Doctor Ding’s feelings for Miss You as well.

On Sunday, Zhou Zhou did not leave the villa. Song Yi wondered if it was because she had asked her not to hide. Though they were under the same roof, they barely spoke. This continued for several days.

Song Yi felt a strange sense of calm. She could not bring herself to confess her love, so she was content just having Zhou Zhou nearby, even if they acted like strangers. A normal relationship between a housekeeper and an employer should have been like this all along. She had been deluding herself for too long. If she were Zhou Zhou, she would also fear and dislike someone like her.

Life passed quietly. As the time approached, Song Yi asked Zhou Zhou during lunch if she had decided on her college applications.

Zhou Zhou looked up. “I have already submitted them,” she said plainly.

Song Yi rubbed her nose awkwardly. “I am going to school for exams tomorrow. I will be there for a week and will not be back during that time.”

“Okay.” Zhou Zhou thought for a moment. “Then I suppose I do not need to arrange for the cooking lady to come?”

“You will be home,” Song Yi said after a pause. “Let her come and cook for you. If anything happens, you can text or call me.”

Zhou Zhou nodded. “Do you have an exam tomorrow morning, Miss Song?”

“It starts in the afternoon. I do not need to leave early.”

“Alright. I will have breakfast ready around nine o’clock as usual.”

The next morning, while Zhou Zhou was preparing breakfast, she received a message from You Xuechu saying she was coming over to eat before they headed to school for exams together. Therefore, Zhou Zhou prepared portions for three.

When Song Yi came downstairs and saw You Xuechu, she was slightly shocked.

“What, am I not welcome?”

“No.” Song Yi walked between You Xuechu and Zhou Zhou to pour a glass of water.

“Did you actually study?” You Xuechu asked.

“Yes.” Song Yi kept her eyes on Zhou Zhou. She joked, “They say you become like those you spend time with. Being around Zhou Zhou, I have been inspired to study hard.”

You Xuechu gave her a look that said she did not believe that and squeezed in next to Zhou Zhou. “We will not see each other for a week! Zhou Zhou, I will miss you.” You Xuechu had started out just trying to annoy Song Yi, but she ended up sounding genuinely sentimental. “I will come find you to play once my exams are over.”

Song Yi stood by the kitchen, swirling the water in her glass. For some reason, she was a bit jealous of You Xuechu.

After breakfast, You Xuechu told Song Yi it was time to go. Song Yi walked a few steps, then turned back to Zhou Zhou. “Can I borrow a pen?”

Zhou Zhou blinked. “One moment, please.”

You Xuechu stood by Song Yi, patting her shoulder in disappointment. “You definitely did not study. Do you think using stationery from a top-scoring student will make you perform at her level?”

“Maybe it will.” Song Yi tilted her chin up, watching the direction where Zhou Zhou had gone upstairs.

Soon, Zhou Zhou returned with a grey cotton-and-linen pencil case. It was a simple design with a tassel on the zipper. It was clearly inexpensive, but not tacky.

“If you do not mind, Miss Song, please take it.” Zhou Zhou handed it over with her head bowed.

Song Yi accepted it, thanked her, and walked out with You Xuechu. Zhou Zhou saw them to the car and waved from the sunshine. Sitting in the back seat, Song Yi could not tell if the reluctance in Zhou Zhou’s eyes was for You Xuechu or for her.

“Oh, stop looking! What is the use of turning back only after they are already out of sight?” You Xuechu teased without mercy.

Song Yi silently withdrew her gaze, turned back to sit straight, and began to idly fiddle with the tassel attached to the grey pencil case.

 

“Give me a pen. I want to borrow some of Zhou Zhou’s good luck too,” You Xuechu said, reaching out to open the pencil case. Song Yi immediately moved it out of reach.

 

You Xuechu looked at her coldly. “Are you serious, Song Yi? Zhou Zhou gave you the entire case. I only want one pen, and yet you are being this stingy.”

 

“Do not try to steal my luck from Zhou Zhou. Did you not just say that I did not study enough?” Song Yi replied, comfortably using the excuse You Xuechu had just provided.

 

You Xuechu thought about it for a moment. “That is true. I will not fight you for it. However, if you have Zhou Zhou’s pencil case and still fail your classes, I will mock you relentlessly.”

 

“I will not,” Song Yi said firmly.

 

“You will not what?”

 

“I will not fail,” Song Yi said, her eyes resolute.

 

You Xuechu was momentarily taken aback by her intensity. She looked away, hoping Song Yi would live up to her words.

 

Neither Song Yi nor You Xuechu returned to their original dormitory. Instead, they went to an apartment outside the school. Song Yi’s parents had purchased it specifically because they worried she would not adjust well to dorm life. Song Yi had arranged for a cleaning service the day before, so the place was spotless.

 

“Your parents said I could stay here with you, but I will not stay for free. I will pay you rent,” You Xuechu stated.

 

“Xuechu,” Song Yi began.

 

“Yes?” You Xuechu looked at her. “You call my name and then say nothing. How mysterious.”

 

“You have already paid the rent.”

 

“When?” You Xuechu opened her eyes wide in surprise. She exited her bank app and scrolled through her chat history with Song Yi. There was no record of a transfer.

 

“The review materials,” Song Yi said calmly. “If I fail the exam, it means your materials were useless, and then I will charge you money.”

 

“Nonsense! My materials could never be useless,” You Xuechu said, finally putting her phone away.

 

You Xuechu proactively took the guest bedroom furthest from the master suite. Song Yi entered the master bedroom and closed the door. The room felt empty and unfamiliar. What felt most foreign was the absence of Zhou Zhou. She wondered what Zhou Zhou was doing at that moment. Song Yi lay down on the bed and eventually fell asleep while thinking.

 

You Xuechu ordered takeout and went to call her for dinner, but since she could not wake her, she ate alone and left a portion for Song Yi in the microwave.

 

The exam was scheduled to begin at four-thirty in the afternoon. At four o’clock, You Xuechu knocked on Song Yi’s door again. When there was still no response, she let herself in. She found Song Yi fast asleep on the bed, still clutching the pencil case Zhou Zhou had given her.

 

You Xuechu was speechless. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at Song Yi. “Go to your exam!” she shouted.

 

Song Yi finally woke up and sat up. “Let us go.”

 

“Are you not going to eat something?”

 

“No,” Song Yi said, checking her watch. “There is no time. Hurry.”

 

You Xuechu thought to herself: So you finally realize we are late.

 

The afternoon sun was no longer as fierce. Both girls grabbed shared electric scooters and headed toward the school. During the ride to the gate, You Xuechu proved to be a terror on the road, leaving Song Yi terrified. Once they were inside the campus where there were fewer cars, things finally became peaceful.

 

They hurried along and managed to enter the examination hall just in time. Song Yi found her seat, which was number 01—the first one by the door. The proctor was a man with a head as smooth as a bald egg. She did not recognize him, but when he handed out the papers, his gaze was unfriendly, and he even let out a small huff. He was likely the professor for one of her courses. Since she never attended class, he clearly remembered her face.

 

She scanned the questions. The subject matter did not trouble her, but the administrative information did. What class was she in exactly? What was her student ID number?

 

The proctor reminded everyone to fill in their details first. Song Yi opened the pencil case and took out a black pen with a transparent casing. She wrote her name but left the other fields blank.

 

The proctor walked over. “Why is your information not complete?”

 

“I forgot,” Song Yi said honestly.

 

“Fill it in now.”

 

“I forgot.”

 

It took a moment for the proctor to realize she meant she had forgotten the information itself, not just the act of filling it in. His face turned ashen, and his bald head seemed to radiate anger. He was furious. It was bad enough that Song Yi skipped an entire semester of classes, but this was beyond belief.

 

Helpless, he tossed the sign-in sheet onto her desk so she could copy her details. “You have no grade for attendance in this course,” he said coldly. “Whatever you score on this paper is your final grade. I do not know how other professors handle things, but I will show no mercy.”

 

“Understood, Professor. I am going to start the exam now.”

 

Song Yi was unfazed. She felt the teacher was angry at the original “scumbag Alpha” and did not take it personally. Her only goal was to finish the exam quickly so she could find something to eat. Having skipped lunch, she was starving.

 

“Hmph,” the proctor grumbled, walking away. Suddenly, he stopped and returned to her desk, picking up the grey pencil case.

 

Song Yi looked up instantly. “Professor, what are you doing?”

 

“What is this?” the proctor asked, pulling a folded slip of paper from the case.

 

“I do not know,” Song Yi said, feeling equally confused. “But it is certainly not for cheating.”

 

“Song Yi, this is a self-incrimination.”

 

“It is not. Why don’t you open it and see for yourself?” Song Yi said calmly.

 

The other students in the hall turned to look, their expressions varied. Many did not seem surprised that Song Yi would do such a thing, and they waited expectantly for her to be caught.

 

“I will read it aloud so everyone can judge if this is cheating,” the proctor said, his thick fingers unfolding the paper.

 

“Miss Song… good luck on your exam?” He finished reading and stood there, dumbfounded. “How is this possible?”

 

Song Yi’s expression froze for a moment. She took the note back from the proctor to confirm it herself. It was Zhou Zhou’s handwriting. A smile she could not suppress began to curl at the corners of her mouth.

 

“Give that to me,” the proctor said. Seeing Song Yi’s strange smile made him even more suspicious. He snatched the note back. “To prevent cheating, I will return this only after the exam is over.” He was still worried that students these days were full of tricks and had invented some secret method of cheating.

 

Song Yi agreed and buried her head back in her work. The proctor checked the pencil case again, but found nothing else except stationery. Song Yi did not touch the case for the rest of the period.

 

An hour later, Song Yi finished all the questions. After checking them over, she capped her pen, put it away, and submitted her paper.

 

The proctor looked at her in disbelief. “There are forty minutes left. Are you sure you want to submit now?”

 

“I am sure.” Song Yi placed the exam on the podium and held out her hand. “Please return my note, Professor.”

 

The proctor reluctantly gave the note back, feeling perplexed. If there was no evidence of cheating, why was she so desperate to have it back? He had spent the last hour inspecting it and found nothing unusual. Furthermore, Song Yi had not even looked at the note during the exam, so he had no reason to keep it.

 

“Thank you, Professor,” Song Yi said. She clutched the note in her palm like a treasure, took her phone and pencil case, and left the room. You Xuechu was still working, intending to check her answers several more times.

 

Song Yi headed straight for the nearest convenience store. She ordered some oden and sat down to eat. After a moment of thought, she decided to send a message to Zhou Zhou.

 

[Thank you.]

 

Zhou Zhou was not surprised to receive the message. She assumed Miss Song had found the note. Her cheeks felt a bit warm.

 

[I hope you get a good grade on your exam, Miss Song.]

 

Song Yi ate a piece of white radish. Seeing the reply, she could not help but smile. it reminded her of the time before the atmosphere between them had grown cold. Feeling a stir in her heart, she replied:

 

[Is there a reward if I do well?]

 

Zhou Zhou was stunned by the message. After a few seconds, she realized it made sense. Miss Song had taken her out to celebrate when she did well, so it was only right for her to show some appreciation in return.

 

Just as she was about to reply, the villa’s doorbell rang. It was evening, and since she was home alone, she felt a bit nervous. She messaged Miss Song to say a guest had arrived and got up from the sofa to check the door.

 

Song Yi saw the message and grew anxious. She immediately sent a voice message.

 

“If it is a stranger, do not open the door. Call security.”

 

Zhou Zhou did not reply. Song Yi’s heart immediately leapt into her throat. She wished she could fly back to Zhou Zhou’s side instantly; even the food in front of her had lost its appeal.

 

Zhou Zhou stepped out of the house and crossed the yard. From a distance, she could see a middle-aged couple.

 

“May I ask who you are?” Zhou Zhou asked cautiously, without opening the gate.

 

The couple looked her up and down with kind expressions. The woman smiled and asked, “You must be Yiyi’s current girlfriend, right?”