Reborn as the Heartless Alpha - Chapter 9

In her original world, Song Yi’s company was involved in every aspect of the fashion industry, including but not limited to clothing brands, custom footwear, and jewelry.

After pacing around the walk-in closet of the original scumbag Alpha’s body, she had to admit though the original owner was truly despicable, their taste was impeccable. Having once served as the responsible executive for her company’s custom footwear division, she had even personally experienced the service during inspections. This gave her some expertise in the field, and judging someone’s shoe size by sight was no challenge for her.

Zhou Zhou was of average height for a woman, around 165 cm, with excellent proportions tall enough but not excessively so, about half a head shorter than Song Yi.

However, Zhou Zhou’s feet were noticeably small. Song Yi picked out a pair of size 36 beige round-toe flats, though she couldn’t be entirely certain about the fit. She settled Zhou Zhou onto a brown leather sofa chair and helped her try them on herself.

To her surprise, the shoes fit Zhou Zhou perfectly. Song Yi smiled, pleased with her own judgment.

She was completely unaware that the treatment she had just given Zhou Zhou was something even the most esteemed clients or family members had never received in her previous life.

Only after finishing did she glance at Zhou Zhou, who was clearly stunned, staring down at the shoes in disbelief.

At first glance, these beige round-toe flats didn’t seem much different from ordinary ones on the market. But upon closer inspection, the fine materials and craftsmanship revealed a subtle, luxurious beauty.

Zhou Zhou’s feet were pale, likely from years of wearing canvas shoes that shielded them from sunlight, resulting in no visible tan lines. The open-toe design of the flats showcased her fair feet beautifully.

“Move your feet a little. See if they’re comfortable,” Song Yi said softly.

Her voice reached Zhou Zhou’s ears directly, being so close. Zhou Zhou froze for a second before quickly wiggling her toes.

“They’re very comfortable. Thank you, Miss Song.”

Zhou Zhou didn’t assume that just because Miss Song had carried her this far, she would continue doing so. She thought Miss Song had picked out comfortable shoes so she could walk on her own.

So she instinctively loosened her arms from around Miss Song’s neck, lowering her slightly raised feet to the ground.

But Song Yi didn’t give her the chance. “Dr. Ding said you need to rest properly now. No unnecessary exertion, I’ll carry you.”

Before her feet could touch the floor, they were lifted even higher. Zhou Zhou’s heart leapt along with them.

It felt like a dream. As an orphan raised in a welfare institution, she was no pampered young lady from a wealthy family. She had survived the harshest conditions, how could simply walking be considered “exertion” in Miss Song’s eyes?

For a moment, her heart, accustomed to weathering storms, beat erratically sometimes light, sometimes heavy, sometimes slow, sometimes fast as if it had slipped entirely out of her control.

Miss Song carried her out the door and into the night.

“It’s raining,” Miss Song remarked, and only then did Zhou Zhou notice the droplets on her face.

“Luckily, it’s not heavy. The villa we’re heading to isn’t far just a few hundred meters away.” Song Yi quickened her pace, and Zhou Zhou, nestled in her arms, held her breath, trying to lessen the burden.

“Zhou Zhou, you’re very light,” Song Yi chuckled, dispelling her worries, then added, “Raise your hand and shield your head from the rain. If you catch a cold, I’d never forgive myself.”

Song Yi had never made it a habit to carry an umbrella with her. Even if it was drizzling when she stepped out, she wouldn’t turn back choosing instead to brave the rain. But this time was different. Nestled in her arms was Zhou Zhou, who was already uncomfortable from her heat cycle. Acting on impulse, Song Yi had rushed out with her, speeding up while silently reflecting on her actions.

She didn’t notice at all how Zhou Zhou had lifted her hands, forming a makeshift shield above Song Yi’s head.

Holding Zhou Zhou close, Song Yi disappeared into the night. Behind them, on the second-floor balcony of the neighboring villa, a tall, slender figure stood rigidly by the railing. Fingernails scraped against the mineral-grained surface, producing a faint, grating sound.

The hazy night obscured details, but the silhouette was unmistakably that of a woman. Her gaze was fixed ahead, though whether she was watching the rain or the two figures vanishing into it remained unclear.

“Finally, we’re here.” Song Yi carried Zhou Zhou steadily up the villa’s front steps.

The gilded door was already wide open, its surface engraved with golden roses coiled like serpents, an ostentatious display of wealth.

A kindly-faced woman stood by the entrance, greeting them with a practiced smile, more polished than a luxury hotel manager welcoming VIP. “Welcome, Miss Song, to the villa under my care.”

Song Yi gave her a slight nod. “Housekeeper Zhang, this is Zhou Zhou, Miss Zhou.” She introduced Zhou Zhou without defining their relationship, simply making it clear that Zhou Zhou was to be treated with equal courtesy.

Housekeeper Zhang smiled. “Welcome, Miss Zhou, to your stay alongside Miss Song.”

By now, Zhou Zhou had lowered the hands she’d used to shield Song Yi from the rain, letting them rest lightly on Song Yi’s shoulders. Facing the woman’s impeccable manners and formal greeting, she felt awkward and out of place.

“Thank you,” Zhou Zhou murmured. Whether it was her imagination or not, she sensed that Housekeeper Zhang was far less friendly toward her than Song Yi like an instinctive magnetic repulsion. Behind that smile lurked something else, perhaps scorn or disdain.

Raised in an orphanage without the doting care of parents or relatives, Zhou Zhou had learned to read people better than most. Sometimes, just a microexpression was enough to tell her whether someone’s words were genuine or not.

But she was used to it used to the unfriendliness around her. Some looked down on her for having no family or backing, while others resented her for her beauty, which inevitably made her stand out.

Her greatest wish was simply to build a better life through her own efforts.

Truthfully, Song Yi didn’t care much for this housekeeper either. Beneath her polite tone and demeanor lay a thinly veiled contempt for Zhou Zhou. Song Yi guessed that, given the original scoundrel Alpha’s personality, she probably hadn’t.

As Song Yi carried Zhou Zhou inside, she even helped her out of her shoes when changing into slippers.

Housekeeper Zhang watched, her wrinkles nearly smoothing out from sheer shock.

Everyone knew Miss Song was adept at wearing a gentle mask, but she would never stoop to such menial tasks beneath her status. This Omega clearly didn’t belong to the circles that matched Miss Song’s standing. Where had she even picked her up? Not only had Miss Song carried her back through the rain, but now she was personally removing her shoes!

“Miss Song, I can do it myself,” Zhou Zhou said softly, sensing Housekeeper Zhang’s hostile gaze and shifting her foot away slightly.

Song Yi had already taken off one of Zhou Zhou’s shoes, thinking she might be feeling shy, so she stopped to let her continue on her own.

After changing her shoes, Zhou Zhou tried to stand up by herself. She declined Miss Song’s kind offer to carry her upstairs and carefully began walking forward.

Song Yi followed closely behind, watching over her protectively, when she suddenly realized something was amiss. Seeing Zhou Zhou reach the staircase and slowly ascend with the help of the railing, she turned back.

With a warm smile at the butler, she said, “There’s no need for you to stay here, Butler Zhang. If I need anything, I’ll call for you. Please go ahead and manage the other villa for now.”

After a long pause, Butler Zhang finally replied, “Understood.” He walked away, visibly incredulous.

Song Yi felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She turned back and hurried after Zhou Zhou, who was standing on the stairs, looking at her with confusion clearly puzzled by her dismissal of Butler Zhang.

There was really no need to explain, but under the gaze of Zhou Zhou’s clear eyes, Song Yi spoke up, “I’m actually quite a willful person. She didn’t speak very kindly, so I sent her away.”

Zhou Zhou’s expression shifted to one of understanding. She had, for some inexplicable reason, thought Miss Song had done it for her sake, what a ridiculous notion.

Turning away, Zhou Zhou quickly resumed climbing the stairs as if fleeing. Song Yi, baffled, quickly followed.

They arrived at the spacious, bright master bedroom on the second floor. Playing the role of the host, Song Yi opened the wardrobe to find a robe for Zhou Zhou, only to be met with an array of spaghetti-strap nightgowns in various colors and styles. The only commonality was that they were all slightly too revealing for Zhou Zhou’s taste.

She was certain Zhou Zhou had never worn anything that exposed so much skin. After all, it was summer, and when they’d met, Zhou Zhou had been dressed in neat long sleeves, pants, and a pair of faded canvas shoes.

Staring at the row of nightgowns ones even she found a bit too daring Song Yi felt as though she could dig out an entire villa in her heart right then and there.

It seemed the heavens were determined to cement her image as anything but proper in Zhou Zhou’s eyes.

Afraid that picking one out directly would only deepen the misunderstanding, she smiled and beckoned Zhou Zhou over. “Come pick one you like.”

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