Scumbag Alpha’s Pheromones Are Toxic - Chapter 1

“Host, are you okay?”

Ji Yao held her champagne, frozen for a long moment before she finally collected herself.

“I’m fine. Let’s keep looking for her,” she said.

Yes, Ji Yao had been reborn. The first thing on her mind after waking was to find her only family—little Qin Zishu. She had adopted the girl long ago and had no idea how she was doing now.

But what she never expected was that she had been reborn ten years into the future. Ten years later, everything had changed. The rebellious little girl she had once raised had grown into a famous superstar.

Back then, Ji Yao had gone to great lengths to pave a path for her, but the girl had stubbornly refused to pursue acting, claiming that being a celebrity was meaningless. They had argued for hours. Ji Yao could never have imagined that ten years later, Qin Zishu would actually choose to become a star.

Becoming a celebrity was indeed a path forward, but how could Qin Zishu go about it like this?

Now, Qin Zishu was a blazing star, with few noteworthy works to her name. But her celebrity quirks were endless, and she even dared to mimic others in keeping a “sugar baby.”

Keeping a sugar baby would have been one thing, but she was openly notorious for it.

As an S-class Alpha, Qin Zishu replaced her sugar baby every month, and no one ever lasted more than thirty days by her side.

She didn’t even bother to hide her unsavory habits. As a public figure, she brazenly shared her “love for novelty” in front of the media.

When Ji Yao saw the video, she nearly ground her teeth in frustration, a mix of embarrassment and exasperation.

In the video, Qin Zishu lounged lazily in a chair, full of indifference. A reporter asked, “Rumor has it your pheromones are toxic. Would you like to clarify on camera?”

Qin Zishu lifted a finger, glanced at the camera, and stated bluntly, “There’s nothing to explain. It’s true.”

Seeing that familiar yet unfamiliar face, Ji Yao nearly spat blood. She quickly scrolled to the top comment under the video, which read something like—Qin Zishu’s pheromones could desensitize Omegas to Alpha pheromones, making them less susceptible and even infertile.

Ji Yao: “…”

This little brat was downright dangerous!

And so wicked-minded!

In her past life, Ji Yao had been a star herself and had adopted little Qin Zishu amidst a busy schedule, raising her with great effort—only to have this happen! She had worried the girl would go astray and tirelessly counseled her. And now, after Ji Yao’s accident, no one had been around to guide her, and she had become so audacious!

Ji Yao hadn’t planned to seek her out so soon after being reborn, but after seeing that infuriating video, she couldn’t wait a second longer. She decided to track her down at the current gala and prevent her from causing more trouble.

Coincidentally, today was the day Qin Zishu replaced her sugar baby. Using the gala as cover, Ji Yao maneuvered through the crowd—and there, her gaze met Qin Zishu’s.

Ji Yao had imagined countless scenarios for their reunion. She had pictured meeting in the bright summer sun, embracing warmly. Not like this—in a scene of glittering chaos.

The gala was a spectacle of flashing cameras, golden lights, and sparkling air. Yet Qin Zishu seemed detached, occupying a zone of stark black-and-white, coldly posed as if for a high-end magazine, utterly lifeless.

Only when her sharp, narrow eyes caught sight of Ji Yao did a spark of life appear. She paused, then stepped out from the shadows.

This was Qin Zishu ten years later.

Ji Yao stared at her familiar yet transformed features, nearly dropping the champagne in her hand.

At that moment, a system notification popped up:

“Host, the character you are to impersonate is the soon-to-be-selected sugar baby of superstar Qin Zishu. You must persuade her to take you home within ten minutes. Failure will result in zero points and instant elimination.”

Ji Yao was speechless. She had already come to confront Qin Zishu. Even without the system’s instructions, she would have taken her home to prevent further mischief.

A celebrity, huh? After raising her for so many years, giving her a proper spanking to teach her a lesson was not out of the question.

Theoretically feasible—but seeing the grown girl standing in front of her, Ji Yao found she couldn’t bring herself to be harsh.

After all these years, the little girl had grown so tall.

As Ji Yao was lost in thought, Qin Zishu suddenly clinked her glass politely against hers.

Her almond-shaped eyes curved slightly, revealing a casual smile. “Hello, I’m Qin Zishu. May I ask your name?”

Ji Yao’s lips curved in a sardonic smile—she didn’t recognize her.

Calling her an ungrateful brat felt far from an exaggeration. When Ji Yao left her previous life, the girl was already fourteen—old enough to remember faces. Even if not, there must have been photos, right? Not remembering at all?

Apparently, in all these years, she hadn’t thought of her once.

Ji Yao thought wryly that perhaps Qin Zishu had even discarded all her belongings and photos. It would be understandable, then.

“What’s my name.” Ji Yao murmured, then raised an eyebrow and asked, “Guess. If you get it right, I’ll tell you.”

Her tone was flippant, almost sharp, giving no respect.

As expected, the superstar lost interest instantly, turning away without a glance.

Ji Yao crossed her arms, fuming silently.

The system chimed:

“Host, 4 minutes remain before your death at this location. Countdown: 240 seconds, 239 seconds.”

Ji Yao: “…”

She had been so distracted by the brat’s arrogance that she forgot this.

Setting down the champagne, she followed without any pretense.

“I’m Ji Yao,” she said, keeping her real name to help trigger Qin Zishu’s memory. Better for her to remember immediately; otherwise, trouble would follow.

“Ji Yao.” Qin Zishu paused mid-step and laughed softly. “That’s an old name. Yours is exactly the same as someone I used to know.”

An old acquaintance?

Was that really the right term?

She had picked you up from the orphanage at seven, worked tirelessly to raise you to fourteen—a full seven years of effort—only to be called an “old acquaintance”?

And “an old name”? After all these years, you never thought of me once?

Ji Yao took a deep breath, knowing it was only a matter of time before Qin Zishu drove her insane.

“Friendly reminder: 125 seconds remaining. 124, 123.”

Ji Yao forced a fake, insincere smile. “I see. What an honor. May I ask if you have plans tonight, Qin-jie?”