The Five Heartless Scumbag Alphas Turned Against Each Other Because Of Me - Chapter 49

Sheng Yiheng immediately realized from Tan Hua’s expression that she had misunderstood. Her face darkened instantly. With a frown, Sheng Yiheng asked,
“Can you keep your thoughts a little more pure? I’m asking you to come home with me because I want to discuss your promotion.”

Tan Hua’s face collapsed.
“…Promotion?”

Promotion? Promote what? She didn’t need a promotion—what she needed was a woman. Alpha, Beta, or Omega—it didn’t matter.

She wasn’t picky.

Tan Hua instantly lost interest and declined flatly, “No, thanks.”
She lowered her lashes, lazily playing with her nails. “I have other plans tonight.”

“Also, I refuse to work overtime, and I refuse to be a cog in a capitalist CAD.”
She raised both arms and made an ‘X’ gesture with her forearms at Sheng Yiheng.

Sheng Yiheng: “…” You look more like a CDA yourself.

For the sake of her own career, Sheng Yiheng held onto her patience and explained,
“Don’t you want to make more money and rise to the top of the social ladder? Don’t you want to cross class boundaries and become the kind of wealthy person others rush to please? Don’t you want to be a rich woman who, upon seeing a beautiful lady, can spend lavishly to win her heart without hesitation?”

Sheng Yiheng noticed that Tan Hua remained indifferent through the first two points, but when she said “beautiful lady”—the Omega’s eyes lit up instantly.

Speechless, Sheng Yiheng stopped talking and found herself staring into Tan Hua’s now gleaming eyes as the two fell into a brief standoff.

After thinking for a moment, Tan Hua suddenly broke into a smile.
“You should’ve just said that earlier—I would’ve agreed right away.”
There wasn’t the slightest trace of embarrassment on her face, only a hint of regret.
“Too bad it’s already a bit late now.”

“How about we reschedule and chat at your place another day?”

Although Sheng Yiheng was slightly displeased, the fact that Tan Hua agreed at all was already a win, so she forced herself to concede.
“Fine. You pick the time.”

“But make it soon,” Sheng Yiheng urged.

Her sudden urgency made Tan Hua a little suspicious. Noticing her wariness, Sheng Yiheng pressed her lips together and explained,
“The company has taken on too many contracts lately, and we’re swamped. The sooner we settle your situation, the easier it’ll be to proceed with the rest.”

It sounded plausible enough. Tan Hua hesitated, then decided to push down her doubts for now and said,
“I can come to your office after work tomorrow to discuss the details.”

“And we can sign the new contract while we’re at it.”
Afraid Sheng Yiheng might back out, she reminded her that contracts are legally binding and not something one can casually renege on.

Catching her hint, Sheng Yiheng agreed without hesitation.
“Of course.”

As long as she could keep Tan Hua tied to the company with minimal sacrifice, Sheng Yiheng was perfectly content. Just imagining that Tan Hua was now in the palm of her hand and couldn’t escape made her see her in a much more endearing light.

No matter how annoying she could be, in the end, she’d be working for her, creating profit for her company.

Compared to the generous returns down the line, Tan Hua’s sharp tongue was entirely negligible—completely irrelevant.

Most importantly, with this new contractual bond, Sheng Yiheng could now contact and command Tan Hua at will, under the pretense of work, without seeming suspicious.

Both women had their own hidden agendas, and both achieved their goals—smiling at each other with equal insincerity. Since they were, for the time being, on the same team, the rest of the negotiation went unusually smoothly.

At the end of the workday, Tan Hua stretched out her limbs, and her system tallied up the day’s earnings. When she saw the string of digits the system produced, her fatigue vanished in an instant.

“One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand… hundred million—holy crap!” Tan Hua looked dead serious.
“From now on, Sheng Yiheng is officially my second mom in this world!”

The system: “…”
You’re calling her ‘mom,’ but did she even agree to that?

She just turned 28—still in her prime and radiant like a fresh flower. You think she’s happy being called ‘mom’ by a 22-year-old pretending to be her grown-up son? What a joke.

The system twitched in silent judgment and chose to ignore its host’s sudden outburst.

Thanks to their win-win outcome, both Tan Hua and Sheng Yiheng were in great moods as they parted ways. Sheng Yiheng, in an uncharacteristic show of kindness, asked about Tan Hua’s well-being, and Tan Hua, also uncharacteristically, listened without sarcasm.

But as soon as their warm, polite small talk ended and they each got into their own cars, the fake smiles vanished without a trace, as if the entire exchange had been a hallucination.

Sheng Yiheng finally let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t until that moment that she truly felt she had roped Tan Hua onto her metaphorical pirate ship. Imagining all the ways she could use work as an excuse to command Tan Hua in the future, her smile turned from fake to genuinely radiant.

Tan Hua had no idea that Sheng Yiheng had already made detailed plans for her. Looking at the message from Zheng Jinyu, she thought for a moment and decided to accept the invitation.

It wasn’t about anything else—she was simply curious.

She really wanted to know what kind of person Zheng Jinyu was beneath that gentle surface.

When she arrived, Zheng Jinyu was busy in the kitchen. Unlike the soft and homely appearance she had that morning, she was now dressed in a crisp, formal work outfit.

The well-tailored black suit perfectly highlighted her elegant figure. Her white shirt was spotless, the sleeves neatly rolled up to reveal smooth, pale wrists and a delicate bracelet. The high-waisted black skirt hugged her slim waist, adding a touch of sophistication and allure.

Even from behind, the woman radiated grace and confidence. It was hard to look away.

Tan Hua stood at the kitchen doorway, captivated by the Alpha’s carefully polished look. She stared for a long time, silently, unable to speak. When Zheng Jinyu turned to grab some ingredients, she caught sight of the dazed Omega in her peripheral vision and smiled.
“You’re off work, Hua Hua.”

Her tone was natural, as though there was already a close bond between them.

“Dinner’s almost ready. Go freshen up and rest for a bit,” Zheng Jinyu said, still focused on cooking. “I’ll call you when it’s done.”

But Tan Hua didn’t move. She looked at Zheng Jinyu and voiced the question in her heart.
“Since Yan Yan left, shouldn’t your company be really busy?”

Losing such a capable assistant all of a sudden, Tan Hua had imagined Zheng Jinyu staying overnight at the office just to keep things running. But here she was, cooking dinner for her like she had all the time in the world. It was strange—too strange.

And strange things often meant something was off. Tan Hua couldn’t help but grow a little cautious.

Zheng Jinyu noticed the guarded look in her eyes and smiled softly.
“Work will never be more important than you.” Her voice was calm and sincere. “I’ve already lost you once because I was too focused on work. I’m not going to make that mistake again, Hua Hua.”

“Please, trust me.”

Tan Hua couldn’t help but correct her.
“You didn’t lose me because you were too busy. You lost me because you didn’t love me.” She looked serious as she explained,
“I couldn’t feel your love before. That’s why I left.”

Zheng Jinyu paused for a moment, then looked back at her with a faint smile.
“What about now?”

“Now?” Tan Hua shook her head without hesitation.
“Still nothing.” She smiled, though it wasn’t clear if she was teasing or being sincere.
“I can’t tell if everything you’re doing now is to ease your own guilt or because you truly want to make it up to me.”

“People’s hearts are hidden. I’m not a mind reader, you know?”

Zheng Jinyu’s smile faded slightly. She reached over and turned the heat down.
“Hua Hua, are you doing this on purpose?”

“Doing what?” Tan Hua played innocent.
“I’m just being honest. If even that makes you upset, it’s hard for me to believe your love for me is genuine or deep.”

Her words stripped away any defense Zheng Jinyu might have offered. After a long pause, Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly and turned back to her cooking.
“I know you still resent me. I’m not angry because of that.”

“In fact, I’m glad.” Her voice drifted over, mixed with the aroma of the food.
“It means you still care. Just like before.”

“There’s no hate without love. If you truly didn’t care, you wouldn’t be angry now.” She spoke calmly.
“So what I need to do is help you let go of that anger. That’s the only way we might have a chance to start over.”

Zheng Jinyu looked like someone completely prepared to take any blame, to accept any punishment without resistance. Tan Hua couldn’t help but smirk and raise an eyebrow.
“Well, at least you’re self-aware.”

The system immediately chimed in, whispering in Tan Hua’s mind,
“Host, since she’s being so sincere, maybe you should give her a chance?”

“What if she’s really changed this time?”

Tan Hua gave a curious look.
“You seem to like Zheng Jinyu a lot.” Tilting her head, she leaned against the doorway with her arms crossed. “What, is she your long-lost daughter or something?”

The system gave a nervous laugh.
“I just want you to be happy, Host. Look at her—graceful, capable, gentle. She’s honestly perfect for you…”

“I’m perfect with anyone,” Tan Hua replied flatly, refusing to buy into the system’s flattery.
“I match with Lu Huaixu, with Sheng Yiheng, with Wen Chuan—and even with the heroine.”

System: —Wait, who?

“What does the heroine have to do with this?” the system asked, confused.
“Host, you and the heroine are rivals in love. Yesterday you used Zheng Jinyu’s iPad to video call her, and now she’s rethinking her entire graduation trip.”

“You really think there’s still a chance between you and her?”

“Why not?” Tan Hua gave a brilliant smile.
“She’s willing to cancel her trip just to come back to me. If that’s not love, what is?”

The system suddenly felt incredibly conflicted.
I think she’s furious and wants to fly back just to beat you up.

Of course, the system would never dare say that out loud. It cleared its throat and gently warned Tan Hua:
“Host… maybe just prepare yourself mentally, okay?”

“In the face of the plot’s inevitable force, be careful or everything you’ve worked for could be wasted.”

Tan Hua: “?”
The system was acting strangely today—almost like it was giving her a warning in advance. Could it be that something uncontrollable would happen once the heroine returned?

She narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced at Zheng Jinyu, who was fully absorbed in her cooking, already forming a plan in her mind.

After Zheng Jinyu finished preparing the food, she noticed that the Omega’s attitude had softened considerably. Overjoyed, she assumed it was thanks to the conversation they had earlier, and her voice grew even gentler.

She pointed to a plate of sweet and sour ribs. She had originally wanted to say, “This used to be your favorite,” but just as the words reached her lips, she remembered that Tan Hua’s tastes had changed. Swallowing the habitual phrase, she said instead,
“Try this first—see if the flavor is right. If you don’t like it, I can adjust it.”

Her tone was tender and considerate. Combined with her natural beauty and charm, it was easy to understand why someone might give in. Tan Hua smiled, her expression soft, her attitude obedient.
“It’s perfect. You don’t need to fuss anymore. Come sit and eat with me.”

The Omega had suddenly put away her thorns and was acting sweet and docile. Zheng Jinyu, so used to being pricked by her sharpness, was momentarily stunned—almost as if she didn’t know how to react.

The unexpected gentleness made her laugh quietly at herself, and she obediently sat down at the table.
“Okay.”

Zheng Jinyu’s cooking was just as delicious as it had been that morning. Tan Hua couldn’t help but eat more than usual. Seeing that Tan Hua wasn’t picky or critical for once, Zheng Jinyu finally relaxed.

It felt like things were moving in the right direction. Tan Hua’s hostility and resentment seemed to be fading. If she kept this up, it was only a matter of time before they returned to how they used to be.

Zheng Jinyu was optimistic. She couldn’t take her eyes off Tan Hua as she ate, and even though it was just something as ordinary as sharing a meal—something most couples wouldn’t think twice about—it filled her with a quiet sense of joy.

Meanwhile, because of her recent excessive spending, Wen Chuan finally turned to her mother for help.

“Ms. Wei, I want to hire a tutor.”

Ms. Wei was always busy with work and had rarely spent time with Wen Chuan. Their relationship was already distant, and during her rebellious phase, Wen Chuan had argued fiercely with her over several issues. Eventually, she stopped calling her “Mom” and switched to the more formal “Ms. Wei,” like everyone else.

“Do you know anyone suitable?” she asked directly.

Wen Chuan’s grades had always been poor. Ms. Wei had tried hiring tutors in the past—top graduates from Tsinghua, Peking University, and even elite scholars returning from overseas. But Wen Chuan either completely dismissed them or went out of her way to make them quit in frustration.

After too many failed attempts, Ms. Wei had given up on that front.

If her daughter had poor grades, so be it. After all, she had more than enough money. Supporting one daughter for life was no problem. As long as Wen Chuan lived safely and happily, that was good enough.

So, when she suddenly received this message from her daughter, Ms. Wei froze for a moment. For a split second, she wondered if she was just so overwhelmed from work that she was hallucinating.

But then Wen Chuan sent a second message, and Ms. Wei finally snapped out of it—this wasn’t a hallucination. It was real. Her daughter had actually sent that message herself.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Ms. Wei immediately called her.

Carrying a deep sense of guilt, she always spoke gently to Wen Chuan.
“Xiao Chuan, were you serious about that? You really want to hire a tutor and start studying properly?”

After finishing the meal, Zheng Jinyu noticed that the Omega’s attitude toward her had softened significantly. Overjoyed, she assumed it was thanks to their earlier conversation and couldn’t help but speak even more gently.

She pointed to a plate of sweet and sour ribs. She had originally wanted to say, “This used to be your favorite,” but just as the words reached her lips, she remembered that Tan Hua’s tastes had changed completely. So she swallowed the familiar phrase and said instead,
“Try it first and see if the flavor suits you. If you don’t like it, I’ll adjust it.”

She was gentle and attentive, and paired with her beautiful appearance, it made her all the more irresistible. Tan Hua’s expression was pleasant, and her tone obedient and sweet.
“It’s perfect. You don’t need to fuss—come sit and eat with me.”

The Omega had suddenly put away her defenses and become sweet and agreeable. Zheng Jinyu, who was so used to being pricked by her barbs, almost felt like she was dreaming.

Amused by her own thoughts, Zheng Jinyu chuckled softly and sat down obediently as Tan Hua asked.
“Okay.”

Her cooking was just as good as it had been that morning. Tan Hua, with her appetite stirred, couldn’t help but eat more than usual. Seeing that Tan Hua wasn’t being picky or sarcastic, Zheng Jinyu finally relaxed.

It really felt like things were heading in the right direction. Tan Hua’s hostility and resentment seemed to be slowly fading. If she just stayed patient and consistent, it seemed like only a matter of time before they returned to how things used to be.

Zheng Jinyu was full of hope. She watched Tan Hua eat without blinking, thinking that even something so ordinary—something most couples might find mundane—was, to her, deeply satisfying.

Meanwhile, due to her recent overspending, Wen Chuan finally turned to her mother for help.

“Ms. Wei, I want to hire a tutor.”

Ms. Wei was usually busy with work and had very little time for her daughter. Because of that distance—and several intense arguments during Wen Chuan’s rebellious years—she had long stopped calling her “Mom” and began referring to her like everyone else, using her last name with “Ms.”

“Do you have anyone suitable?” Wen Chuan asked plainly.

Her grades had always been poor. Ms. Wei had tried hiring tutors before—graduates from top universities like Tsinghua and Peking, even some elite returnees with international credentials. But Wen Chuan had either ignored them entirely or driven them off with her attitude.

After a few too many of these situations, Ms. Wei had simply given up.

If my daughter’s grades are bad, so be it, she had thought. I’m wealthy enough—supporting one daughter won’t be a problem. As long as she’s safe and happy, that’s what matters most.

Ms. Wei had long since stopped expecting anything. So when she suddenly received a message from her daughter, she froze. For a moment, she thought she had been working too hard—maybe she was hallucinating.

But then a second message came.

Only then did Ms. Wei realize she wasn’t imagining things. It was really Wen Chuan who had sent those messages.

Overcome with emotion, she called immediately.

Carrying years of guilt in her heart, Ms. Wei always tried to be gentle with her daughter. Her voice was soft and cautious.
“Xiao Chuan, were you serious just now? You really want a tutor? You want to study seriously?”

Wen Chuan didn’t really want to take the call, but since she needed something, she had no choice but to answer.
“…Yeah. Can you help me find someone?”

“Yes—of course I can!” Ms. Wei interrupted before Wen Chuan could finish, clearly thrilled.
“What kind are you looking for? I’ll start reaching out right away.”

“Anyone is fine,” Wen Chuan said casually. But after a short pause, she corrected herself.
“Someone with experience and skill—someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”

Thinking about the task Tan Hua had assigned her—to become the top scorer in the college entrance exams—Wen Chuan already felt a headache coming on.
“I don’t want someone flashy who just talks big but doesn’t actually teach,” she muttered.

“All right, all right. Don’t worry—when your mom handles something, it gets done right,” Ms. Wei replied cheerfully. Her mood at that moment hit what was probably the emotional high point of her eighteen years of motherhood. “By the way, do you want just one tutor, or someone for each subject?”

She asked the question carefully, afraid this was just another one of Wen Chuan’s fleeting whims.

What mother didn’t want her child to succeed? Especially someone like Ms. Wei, strong-willed and proud. As a successful businesswoman, watching her daughter slack off and waste her potential had driven her nearly crazy—she’d often wished she could just stuff Wen Chuan back into the womb and start over.

In the past, she had tried too hard to force her own ideals onto her daughter. Combined with the long stretches of time apart, it had driven a wedge between them. Their relationship had been ice-cold for a long time, only beginning to thaw in recent months.

Wen Chuan rarely asked her for anything, so the moment she did, Ms. Wei was ready to pull every string.
“Why don’t I get you a tutor for every subject?” she suggested eagerly. “They’re not expensive, and if you’re studying one subject, you might as well study them all…”

But then, she suddenly shifted her tone.
“Of course, what matters most is what you want.”

Wen Chuan knew Ms. Wei still hadn’t let go of the dream of shaping her into something “great,” but this time, she didn’t reject her or push back.
“Fine. You can arrange it.”

Ms. Wei was so surprised and delighted that her eyes literally lit up. She slipped back into her motherly mode, asking her usual list of questions:
“How are your studies going? Do you have enough pocket money? Are you still having fun with your friends…”

But before she could finish, Wen Chuan cut in.
“Not enough.” Her voice, slightly guilty, came through the speaker. “Can you give me a little more spending money?”

Worried Ms. Wei might say no, Wen Chuan quickly added,
“Since graduation is coming up, everyone’s hanging out more, and expenses have gone up too.”

Ms. Wei chuckled.
“I know. You’ve always been well-liked—and generous, too.” She didn’t dwell on it. “I’ll have someone transfer the money to you later. Will two million be enough?”

Wen Chuan hesitated. Two million… probably wasn’t even enough to buy a week of Tan Hua’s time. But to avoid raising suspicion, she forced herself to say,
“Yeah, that’s enough.”

She was a bit stressed. Her properties and cars had all been rented out. If she didn’t keep asking Ms. Wei for money, she had no other source of easy income.
Unless… maybe she could reach out to her so-called father?

If she could get five million from him, that would make a total of seven million.

Surely that would be enough to keep Tan Hua around for a while, right?

Wen Chuan got lost in her daydream until Ms. Wei’s voice pulled her back.
“Tonight, I’m meeting up with an old friend. Want to come with me? I know I say this a lot, but the more you spend time with my friends, the easier it’ll be when you eventually take over the company.”

Ms. Wei hadn’t expected Wen Chuan to say yes—it was just a casual invitation.

So when Wen Chuan unexpectedly agreed,
“Okay,”
Ms. Wei nearly squeezed her phone in disbelief. Then suspicion crept in. Her daughter was acting way too out of character today. But she didn’t let it show. Pretending to be pleased, she confirmed the time and place with Wen Chuan. As soon as the call ended, she contacted a private investigator to dig into Wen Chuan’s recent behavior.

That included her spending habits and her love life.

As a mother, Ms. Wei knew her daughter all too well.

The old Wen Chuan would get annoyed just picking up a call from her. But today? She was polite, cooperative, and even obedient—not a hint of attitude. It was either a miracle… or something very strange was going on.

Either the sun had started rising in the west, or Wen Chuan had quite literally been replaced by someone else.

Still, if she had to pick between the two, Ms. Wei would rather believe her daughter was secretly dating someone—caught up in first love and trying to hide it from her.

And she wasn’t far off the mark.

Wen Chuan, meanwhile, had no idea. After getting ready, she headed to the agreed meeting place with Ms. Wei.

She couldn’t keep asking her mother for money forever. It would start to look suspicious. But if she could build a good relationship with Ms. Wei’s friends, maybe she could network a few projects and earn some commission on the side…

It sounded like a sustainable path to her.

Because of that, her attitude toward Ms. Wei today was uncharacteristically sweet. Unfortunately, the nicer she acted, the more suspicious Ms. Wei became. Throughout dinner, she discreetly observed Wen Chuan several times.

Skin’s still clear and clean, she thought to herself. Probably hasn’t done anything… yet.

Wen Chuan felt Ms. Wei was being a little odd, but she couldn’t pinpoint what was off. Before she could dwell on it, they arrived at the destination. She took the gift bag from Ms. Wei and obediently followed behind her.

Ms. Wei glanced at her again. She’s definitely dating someone, she thought. She’s even being thoughtful now.

With a complicated expression, she rang the doorbell. When Zheng Jinyu finally opened the door, Ms. Wei smiled and said politely,
“Hope we’re not disturbing you so late?”

Then she looked at Wen Chuan and gestured with her eyes.
“Greet your Aunt Zheng.”

Wen Chuan obediently greeted her, only for another person to appear in the doorway.

Ms. Wei’s expression didn’t change. She nudged her again.
“This is your Aunt Zheng’s wife. Call her Auntie-in-law.”

Wen Chuan was about to respond instinctively—but the moment her eyes landed on the familiar, smug face of Tan Hua, her pupils shrank dramatically.
“Wait—you?!”

“—You’re married?!”

Ms. Wei: All right, no need for that investigator anymore. Pretty sure my kid just got dumped.

Support