The Aloof Arch-rival Insists On Carrying The Child Of A Useless Alpha - Chapter 9

[Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value +1]

[Ahhh, Host, ahhh! Hurry up and think of something, ahhh!]

The system kept broadcasting frantically in Jiu Yi’s mind. It wasn’t that it wanted to be this annoying, but it honestly couldn’t hold it together anymore. A red alert was continuously blaring in its system space. Leng Xuelang’s disgust value toward Jiu Yi had actually skyrocketed to $95$!

If this kept up, she was definitely going to blacken! This world might survive, but it and its host would certainly be doomed.

What if they had to reload the save and start all over again?!

Ahhhh! The system had never been this panicked before. Looking back at its host, Jiu Yi seemed completely deaf to the notifications. The moment she saw her marriage candidate tumbling directly toward her, she maneuvered her wheelchair with extreme agility, spinning it to the side and perfectly dodging the Omega’s attempt to throw herself into her arms.

System: …You seriously deserve to stay single for the rest of your life, ahhhh!

Of course, Jiu Yi wasn’t truly that heartless. When Zhao Qingzhi tripped toward her, the bodyguards standing behind Jiu Yi also moved into action, catching the woman’s arms just in time and saving her from disaster.

It couldn’t be helped. Jiu Yi had traversed too many mission worlds. She was prone to encountering danger at any time and place, so she was exceptionally cautious around this kind of “accidental” physical contact that clearly had ulterior motives.

There was no way she would be careless.

[Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value -1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value -1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value -1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value -1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value -1] …

“…System, what’s going on?” Before Jiu Yi could even ask if Zhao Qingzhi was alright, hearing the “disgust value -1” notifications instead of favorability points increasing struck her as quite bizarre.

[Huh? I don’t know either.]

“…So how exactly have you survived until now?”

[Ing.] The system felt very wronged, but then heard Jiu Yi ask, “What is the current favorability value?”

[… $-50$.]

Jiu Yi: Forget it. It wasn’t like an employee needed high favorability toward their boss anyway; a negative number was fine.

[Host, I think we at least need to get the favorability back to $0$. Otherwise, how are we supposed to complete the romance route?]

“Why do you think her disgust value suddenly dropped just now?” Jiu Yi wanted to hear the system’s analysis.

[I think it might be… because you didn’t catch Zhao Qingzhi?]

“Why bring up that sore subject?”

[Host, don’t forget how dependent Leng Xuelang was on you last night. Even though you two didn’t form a permanent mark, it’s hard to say.]

“An Omega’s pheromone dependency period? Is that what you mean?”

[Yes.]

“I’ll keep observing.” Jiu Yi noted this down and didn’t press further, turning her attention to check on Zhao Qingzhi.

Zhao Qingzhi possessed the classic appearance of an Omega, an oval face and snow-white skin. Because she was attending an auction, she was dressed somewhat formally.

She was likely on the shorter side. To keep herself from looking entirely lacking in presence, she wore rather high heels, which was exactly what caused the mishap just now.

An Omega like this, delicate and cute, could indeed easily trigger the protective and possessive desires of many Alphas.

However, it was entirely ineffective on Jiu Yi.

“Miss Zhao, did you sprain anything?” Jiu Yi asked with concern, gesturing for her to sit down first.

Zhao Qingzhi originally felt inexplicably aggrieved. She thought Jiu Yi lacked romantic sensibility, not only had she failed to personally catch her, but she had also dodged her like she was some sort of toxic plague. She had fully intended to vent her frustration.

But looking up, she met a face that was somewhat pale and sickly, yet strikingly androgynous. She possessed deep, affectionate peach-blossom eyes that made it impossible to look away.

One could almost drown in the depths of her gaze.

All of Zhao Qingzhi’s anger vanished in an instant, melting into pure vulnerability. “It does hurt a bit.”

“May I have someone change you into a more suitable pair of shoes?” Jiu Yi asked gently.

It was seven parts genuine concern and three parts testing the waters. However, no notifications of disgust values echoed in her mind, meaning Leng Xuelang didn’t seem to mind her interacting with other Omegas.

Then what caused that sudden spike in disgust earlier?

“Do you… have spare shoes here?” Zhao Qingzhi asked timidly.

“Since you need them, of course we do.”

“Then… thank you.” Listening to her words and meeting her gaze, Zhao Qingzhi’s heart rate inexplicably accelerated. She lowered her head, the rims of her ears turning red.

[Host, did you forget to apply poison to your lips today?]

“…Shut up.”

[When you’re acting like a proper human, you’re actually quite a smooth talker.]

Jiu Yi’s subordinates were highly efficient. In no time, they brought over a pair of high heels suitable for Zhao Qingzhi, though this pair wasn’t nearly as high. Surprisingly, the person who delivered the shoes was Leng Xuelang. Looking at her completely business like demeanor, she didn’t seem at all like the person who had been frantically despising her in her head just moments ago.

Seeing Jiu Yi staring at her without moving, Leng Xuelang instinctively sensed danger. She felt that the vibe Jiu Yi gave off was far too strange. She was clearly in a weak and sickly state, and Leng Xuelang could tell her health truly wasn’t great, especially those legs; if they weren’t treated soon, they might become completely useless.

Yet, a frail person like her could effortlessly lift her up, easily pin down a snake by its vital spot, and subdue it more than once.

Even her movement and agility in dodging Zhao Qingzhi just now were so flawless that one couldn’t help but admire them.

An Alpha like this… purely in terms of charm, it was impossible for anyone to dislike her.

Wasn’t this Miss Zhao instantly infatuated?

Jiu Yi took the shoebox from her, took out the shoes, and intended to bend down to personally put them on her, planning to check if her ankle was sprained along the way. It could be considered incredibly attentive.

[Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value +1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value +1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value +1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value +1] [Leng Xuelang’s Disgust Value +1] …

However, before Jiu Yi could even touch Zhao Qingzhi’s ankle, the notifications filled her mind again, all of them raising the disgust value.

[Ahhhhh, Host, ahhhhh! The disgust value is at $94$ now, ahhhhhh! Hurry up and find a way, ahhhhh!]

Jiu Yi: ?

She stopped reaching for Zhao Qingzhi’s ankle and straightened her back, letting her housekeeper, who knew some medicine, take over. The notifications of disgust in her mind stopped instantly.

Jiu Yi: ?

“President Yi, aren’t you going to help me?” Zhao Qingzhi was still eagerly waiting for her help. She hadn’t expected Jiu Yi to suddenly straighten up and back off just as she was about to touch her ankle.

“My housekeeper knows some medicine. It will be better if she examines it for you,” Jiu Yi explained.

Afterward, she noticed that several eye-catching red scratches had appeared on the back of Leng Xuelang’s hand at some point. It wasn’t convenient to treat them here, so she would have to wait until they got into the car.

She also needed to figure out exactly why Leng Xuelang kept giving her disgust points.

Fortunately, Zhao Qingzhi’s ankle wasn’t seriously injured. Once she put on the new shoes, they were ready to set off.

Originally, Zhao Qingzhi was supposed to ride with Jiu Yi, but since she had driven her own car, she decided to take her own vehicle for safety reasons.

She was somewhat reluctant to leave Jiu Yi. Furthermore, she realized in hindsight that the assistant who had brought the shoes earlier was strikingly beautiful and she was an Omega. What exactly was the relationship between them?

“President Yi, you could actually ride in my car. My car is absolutely safe.” After getting into her car, Zhao Qingzhi still hadn’t given up. She couldn’t openly question the relationship between Jiu Yi and Leng Xuelang right now, so she could only try to create opportunities for herself.

“I have limited mobility, and I worry it might inconvenience you. Perhaps next time.” This was a polite refusal.

“Then… are you going to ride with your assistant?” Before coming here, Zhao Qingzhi had actually only intended to go through the motions. She didn’t have much interest in the rumored Jiu Yi of the Si family.

Who would want to spend their life with a disabled Alpha? What if the physical disability caused some sort of psychological issues… that would be terrifying.

Zhao Qingzhi had plenty of suitors, she really didn’t need to bind herself to a cripple for life.

However, she had changed her mind now. Even if she couldn’t end up with Jiu Yi permanently, being with her for a while would be a highly satisfying affair.

But right now, she naturally had to clear up who Leng Xuelang was to her, lest she enthusiastically pursued Jiu Yi only to discover the woman already had a partner or a lover.

In their social circle, such arrangements were all too common. Although she was used to seeing it, she didn’t want it happening to herself.

“Yes. I still have some matters to discuss with them.”

“Was that very beautiful Omega who handed me the shoes just now also your assistant?”

“She isn’t.”

“Then she is?”

“She is a new employee I just recruited.”

“…Is she coming along too?”

“She still has several proposal reports to write for me.”

“…Cough, is that so?” Perhaps because Jiu Yi’s tone was too serious and her attitude completely open, Zhao Qingzhi, despite her lingering doubts, didn’t push any further and chose to believe her.

“I will see you shortly.” Jiu Yi stopped conversing and returned to her own car. The vehicle used by the original owner was naturally modified, allowing her to board easily while remaining in her wheelchair.

Watching her movements, Zhao Qingzhi knew Jiu Yi hadn’t lied to her; her car truly was much better suited for her needs.

She retracted her gaze, feeling her heart still thumping wildly, a clear sign of her infatuation.

Heavens, could a perfect Alpha truly exist like this?

Once Jiu Yi got into the car, she realized she was the only one sitting in the back row, while Leng Xuelang sat in the front passenger seat. She called out to her, “Sit next to me.”

“…I’ll just sit here.” For some reason, Leng Xuelang’s stubborn streak flared up, and she spoke quite bluntly.

“Come sit next to me, I have something to say to you.” Jiu Yi’s tone brooked no argument, and her expression grew serious. This caused Leng Xuelang to instantly go on high alert, almost feeling the rebellious urge to wrap her snake tail around her and squeeze tightly again.

Ultimately, she forced herself to calm down, got out of the front, and sat down beside her.

Jiu Yi was fully braced for the disgust value notifications to chime, but unexpectedly, nothing happened.

“Show me your hand,” she said directly.

Leng Xuelang looked at her suspiciously, but after a moment, she still extended her hand.

“How did you get these scratches? They weren’t there just now.” As Jiu Yi spoke, her fingers brushed across the injured skin, her expression turning rather grim.

[Ding! Leng Xuelan’s Disgust Value +1]

Jiu Yi: ???