The Blind Alpha Coveted by the Frail Beauty Omega - Chapter 4

Like a Cat Clawing at the Heart

When Wei Jiangxue smelled the familiar scent of roses, she froze for a moment, unsure if it was her own delusion. The scent was slightly fainter than before, but for Wei Jiangxue, whose other senses had sharpened after losing her sight, it remained very distinct.

System 233 wasn’t around at the moment, so she couldn’t confirm it with the AI; she simply asked out of instinct.

Soon, the source of the fragrance responded: “Yes, it’s me. What a coincidence.”

“…A coincidence indeed.” Wei Jiangxue didn’t know how to react. She nodded aimlessly and lapsed into silence.

Her blind cane tapped lightly against the concrete ground. She had walked this path many times before—sometimes guided by the System, sometimes exploring alone—so she was fairly familiar with it.

It was only a few hundred meters from here to the rental house. Usually, it took Wei Jiangxue only fifteen minutes, but today, those fifteen minutes felt exceptionally long.

Perhaps it was because of Mi Ruian’s presence; Wei Jiangxue found it difficult to walk as naturally as she usually did. She couldn’t see Mi Ruian’s current expression or movements, nor did she know what the other woman was feeling.

Based on the task progress, the Omega, disguised as a Beta, had initially clashed with her new Alpha roommate and chosen to endure in silence, though she was likely stabbing voodoo dolls in her heart.

Wei Jiangxue regretted asking that question just now, but unfortunately, time could not be turned back. She pursed her lips, her face turning slightly pale. If only the System could finish handling the emergency and rush back to help her translate Mi Ruian’s reactions…

“Watch the steps,” Mi Ruian suddenly spoke, reaching out a hand to steady Wei Jiangxue.

Wei Jiangxue startled. Her cane poked forward cautiously, and just as Mi Ruian said, there was a step. Without realizing it, they had reached the bottom of the building.

The low-rent housing was a walk-up, and the unit Wei Jiangxue and Mi Ruian shared was on the fourth floor.

“Can you manage the stairs by yourself?” Mi Ruian followed up.

Wei Jiangxue said softly, “I can manage.”

Although she was holding a delivery box today, it didn’t generally affect her ability to go upstairs. However, Mi Ruian clearly didn’t believe her and simply took the box from her hands. “I’ll help you carry the package. You just focus on the stairs.”

“Ah… okay, thank you.” Wei Jiangxue was somewhat baffled, assuming Mi Ruian was simply moved by pity for a vulnerable person.

She couldn’t overthink this; she had to continue bullying Mi Ruian later. If she started feeling guilty now, how would she finish the tasks? Wei Jiangxue tried her best to be a thick-skinned Alpha, attempting to view the help from her Omega roommate as a matter of course.

The two climbed the stairs in silence. Wei Jiangxue’s breathing grew slightly ragged, and she began to wonder which of them was actually the “sickly” one—why did Mi Ruian’s breathing rhythm sound completely unchanged?

【What hasn’t changed?】 The System’s voice suddenly rang out. 【Eh? I was only gone for a bit, how did you end up hanging out with the protagonist?】

Wei Jiangxue communicated with it in her mind: 【We ran into each other by chance on the road. She offered to help carry my package, and I couldn’t really refuse. But everything else should be fine; I haven’t been acting close to her. Currently, our relationship is just avoiding an open confrontation—maintaining a surface-level harmony.】

【It’s fine. As long as the plot points remain roughly the same and the OOC (Out of Character) level doesn’t exceed 60%, you can have normal contact during the rest of the time,】 the System announced the new regulation.

【Is this a new rule from the Transmigration Bureau?】 When the System left this morning, it mentioned going to a meeting because the higher-ups had issued a new employee handbook. Wei Jiangxue wondered why the rules were changing so abruptly. Shouldn’t things be set in stone?

【Because the judgment criteria of the World Will are very elastic; we are gradually figuring out its thoughts,】 the System said in a weary tone.

【Sometimes it changes thirty or forty times a week, but we just have to endure it. After all, it’s the boss.】

The World Will was the boss of the Transmigration Bureau, feeding on the emotions of various small worlds with a very picky palate. It craved different emotions at different stages, which is why the tasks assigned to the employees changed.

This time, in Wei Jiangxue’s world, the primary goal was to collect the protagonist’s hatred and disgust. As a gold-star employee, System 233 knew it couldn’t rely on just one thing, so it had Wei Jiangxue tackle both the main and side missions to gather as many points as possible, while absorbing emotions from other background characters through the side stories.

Back in the familiar rental apartment, Wei Jiangxue’s tense nerves relaxed significantly. She put her cane back in its place and prepared to take the package to her room to unbox it, but Mi Ruian stopped her.

“Do you want to unbox that? If you don’t mind, I can help. I saw the item; there’s a picture of an ergonomic chair on the box. I think, in your current state, it might not be convenient for you to do this yourself.”

The chatting Wei Jiangxue and System both went silent instantly. The System debated whether she should accept.

【I think you can,】 the System quickly decided.

A moment later, Wei Jiangxue nodded hesitantly. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

The System urged: 【The tone needs to be more unreasonable! You have to treat her like your slave or servant—use a condescending expression.】

Wei Jiangxue’s expression stiffened. Steeling herself, she said, “But don’t be clumsy and break my things, otherwise I’ll make you pay for it!”

This was the rudest thing she could think of.

【You’ll have to find me some scripts later; I need to learn how to speak more spitefully,】 Wei Jiangxue told the System, wanting to cry but having no tears.

【Actually, what you just did was fine. I see the OOC level didn’t go up,】 the System replied while checking the data. Even if Wei Jiangxue’s performance wasn’t perfect, it was quite acceptable. Who could expect a well-behaved, top-tier student to suddenly undergo a total personality shift and become completely unreasonable? Role-playing tasks were never easy; it was good enough that the OOC percentage wasn’t skyrocketing.

After those words were spoken, there was no new movement in the room for a long time. Mi Ruian didn’t speak, but Wei Jiangxue heard the click of a utility knife being pushed out and the sound of the cardboard box being sliced open.

She had thought Mi Ruian wouldn’t be able to stomach such an insult and would drop the box and leave. To think she actually endured it? Truly, as expected of the protagonist…

【What’s Mi Ruian’s reaction?】 Wei Jiangxue asked anxiously.

The System hesitated: 【She… smiled?】

Wei Jiangxue’s mind was in a bit of a mess. How could the protagonist still smile? What on earth was she smiling at!

It felt like a cat was scratching at her heart. If only she could know Mi Ruian’s inner thoughts, she wouldn’t have to keep second-guessing the intention behind her actions.

Could it be that Mi Ruian was “laughed into submission” by her fake, shameless act? Wei Jiangxue considered this seriously and felt it was very likely.

The System agreed with her: 【Mi Ruian’s look just now did seem like she was at her wit’s end.】

Seeing 233 agree with her, Wei Jiangxue felt less panicked. It seemed her portrayal of an insufferable roommate was passing the grade, as even the protagonist was left speechless.

Wei Jiangxue felt a bit smug. However, considering she couldn’t help with anything in the living room and was essentially just a mascot, she took the opportunity while Mi Ruian was assembling the chair to slip back into her bedroom.

The System gave Wei Jiangxue a real-time broadcast of the progress: 【I have to say, her helping is much faster than us working together. I think you might be able to start your first stream tonight.】

【That’s great. I can start earning money,】 Wei Jiangxue had been spending the original Alpha’s money for the past few days. Although she knew these were just strings of virtual data and the System could top it up at any time, she still worried about being penniless.

The sooner she started streaming, the sooner she could earn her own money. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about waking up one day to find the System gone and her bank account empty.

Because her eyes hadn’t recovered, every step of registering the account on the computer required 233’s guidance, making Wei Jiangxue very uneasy. Though she knew computers had voice-assisted features for the visually impaired, those functions were still far from perfect. Without the patient 233, Wei Jiangxue feared she might have had a mental breakdown shortly after her “resurrection.”

She used to be a healthy person; it was bad enough dying in a car accident, but waking up to the predicament of blindness… Wei Jiangxue found it hard to be truly happy. It was only the thought of her grandmother and sister waiting for her in the other world that forced her to pull herself together.

【Don’t worry, I’ll help you create highlight clips and then tamper with the platform’s code to push your stream to more people,】 the System promised. With more exposure, Wei Jiangxue would have a better chance of being noticed. With her talent, even singing without showing her face would attract many fans.

But with a face like hers, it would be a total waste not to show it. 233 ultimately decided to let Wei Jiangxue show her face, with a dressing style geared towards what female fans liked. The persona would be a “soulful older sister” providing sleep-aid talk. It was a bit cliché and the competition was fierce, but the System guaranteed she would gain heat from the very start.

【I’ve set up several alternate accounts to shower you with gifts…】 The System was explaining its grand scheme when Wei Jiangxue suddenly interrupted.

【Where do you get the money? More code tampering?】 Wei Jiangxue asked worriedly. Faking data on large streaming platforms would definitely get caught.

【Don’t always think I’m so fond of crooked paths. This time, I’m using my work points to exchange for it,】 233 protested. It didn’t tamper with code every time; if they were caught, Wei Jiangxue would be the one to suffer, and there would be no hope of completing the mission.

Hearing that 233 was using its own salary, Wei Jiangxue felt the sting on its behalf: 【I’m sorry to make you spend your own points. But don’t do it next time. I’ll see if I can attract a “sugar mommy” myself. I feel bad always spending your money.】

The System was surprised: 【Eh? You don’t need to feel guilty. If you knew the exchange rate, you’d think this is nothing.】

Wei Jiangxue immediately pressed 233 for the answer and received a number beyond her imagination—one of 233’s work points was enough to exchange for the entire lifetime savings of an average working-class person in this ABO world.

【…Then please, send more gifts,】 Wei Jiangxue said with a complicated expression. 【Consider it a little “cheat” for my side mission.】

【No problem!】 the System agreed readily.

“Wei Jiangxue, I’ve finished the chair. Can I bring it into your room?” Mi Ruian’s voice came from the living room.

“Okay,” Wei Jiangxue stood up and responded. She faced the direction of the door, listening to Mi Ruian’s approaching footsteps.

The small casters of the swivel chair rolled across the floor. Wei Jiangxue heard it glide to a stop not far from her. The drifting scent of roses signaled the intrusion of another person.

“With this equipment… are you planning to stream?” As soon as Mi Ruian saw the items prepared in the bedroom, she immediately guessed Wei Jiangxue’s occupation.

“…Mhm, something like that. I plan to be a streamer. Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you. I’ll usually stream while you’re out at work.” Wei Jiangxue thought for a moment and told Mi Ruian the truth; she hadn’t planned on hiding it anyway. “As for you, remember not to keep bothering me. It will affect my work.”

“Fine.”

Mi Ruian arched an eyebrow, and was then promptly pushed out of the bedroom by Wei Jiangxue, who showed no mercy.

“Now, I need to do my own thing. You can go. Don’t come looking for me if it’s not important.”

After tossing those words at Mi Ruian, Wei Jiangxue quickly shut the door again. To any observer, this behavior was the textbook definition of “using someone and throwing them away.”

Since moving in, this was the second time Mi Ruian had been “laughed into submission” by Wei Jiangxue.

Returning to her own room, she sat on the edge of her bunk bed, her expression unreadable. A few minutes later, Mi Ruian lowered her head and took out her phone, downloading a popular live-streaming app.

The short time she spent helping Wei Jiangxue move the chair into the room was more than enough for her to clearly see the username on the computer screen.