The Five Heartless Scumbag Alphas Turned Against Each Other Because Of Me - Chapter 51

“Are you serious?” Wen Chuan instinctively tightened her grip on Tan Hua’s wrist, as if she might crush the Omega’s delicate bones.
“You’re not lying to me again?”

She unconsciously held her breath, terrified that Tan Hua might say the one thing she couldn’t bear to hear.

Tan Hua tried to yank her hand back with an annoyed expression—unsurprisingly, she failed. Giving up, she said flatly,
“Why would I lie to you about something like this? What would I even gain from it?”

Her tone was so casual that Wen Chuan hesitated for only a second… before believing her completely. Her face lit up into a radiant smile, revealing a perfect row of white teeth. Her eyes curved into bright crescents—pure, youthful, and full of joy.

“I believe you.”

She didn’t want to overthink it. She didn’t care whether Tan Hua was really telling the truth. All she wanted was to accept this version of reality—the version where Tan Hua was single and fair game.

Now, she didn’t have to wrestle with the guilt of being a potential homewrecker. She could love as openly and recklessly as she wanted, just like before.

“No matter what you say, I’ll believe you.”

There was something so clear and untainted about her smile—so purely young. It had the kind of brightness only freshly adult carbon-based life forms seemed to possess. Tan Hua couldn’t help but smile back. Her tone turned playful and lazy.
“Aren’t you afraid I’m lying to you again?”

Wen Chuan’s smile froze for a brief moment.
“Are you?”

“No.” Tan Hua shook her head. “What benefit would I get from lying to you about this?”

Wen Chuan found that pretty convincing. That last sliver of doubt vanished. Then she tilted her head and suddenly shifted the topic.
“So you didn’t forget anything, did you?”

“Hm?”

“That excuse earlier,” Wen Chuan said calmly. “You didn’t really leave anything behind. You just wanted to avoid me, didn’t you?”

Being called out so directly didn’t even make Tan Hua flinch. She simply pretended to think about it.
“Now that you mention it… I might have already put everything in my bag.”

Wen Chuan gave her a quiet smile—a smile so knowing, it made Tan Hua’s scalp prickle.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Tan Hua tried to regain control of the conversation.
“Shouldn’t you be in class right now? Why are you even here instead of studying at school?”

“What do you think?” Wen Chuan shot back smoothly.

Tan Hua knew she was in the wrong, so she immediately tried to change the subject.
“Well, I’ve got work outside the office. You should go back to school—”

“I’ll come with you.” Wen Chuan interrupted firmly.
“I won’t get in the way. While you work, I’ll wait in the car. I won’t go anywhere or cause trouble.”

I won’t bother you—but don’t think you can get rid of me, either.

Wen Chuan’s whole demeanor screamed clingy persistence. Tan Hua’s eyelid twitched.

In the end, unable to shake her off, she gave in and let Wen Chuan into the car. With a quick flick of the accelerator, she took them both to her next destination.

“Alpha kids who just came of age are so clingy,” Tan Hua muttered to the system.
“I swear, it feels like if I went to the bathroom right now, she’d follow me in.”

The system replied dryly, “And whose fault is that? Didn’t you use to love clingy, younger puppy-types?”

“You said it—used to,” Tan Hua said, one hand on the steering wheel.
“The me now? I’m ever-changing. Unpredictable.”

Wen Chuan clung to Tan Hua with that unmistakable stubborn energy, and Tan Hua’s eyelid twitched. She knew there was no talking her out of this. In the end, she gave up resisting and let Wen Chuan into the car. With one firm press on the gas pedal, she sped them both toward her destination.

“Newly adult Alphas are just too clingy,” Tan Hua grumbled to the system.
“I get the feeling that even if I went to the bathroom, she’d follow me right in.”

And whose fault is that? the system wanted to ask. Didn’t you used to like clingy, younger puppy-like girls?

“You said it—used to,” Tan Hua said, gripping the steering wheel with one hand.
“The me now is unpredictable. Ever-changing. A mystery.”

The system: …Yeah, just like a cursed diamond Rubik’s Cube. Only the most elite players have a chance at solving you.

—

Once they arrived, Tan Hua wasted no time. She left Wen Chuan sitting in the car and walked off briskly, clutching her document folder, disappearing into the office building.

Wen Chuan kept her eyes on Tan Hua’s retreating figure until it vanished inside. Then, she finally looked down at the ridiculously flashy sports car beneath her. She didn’t know who had gifted it to Tan Hua, but based on her understanding of her, Tan Hua wasn’t the type to spend a fortune on a shiny, impractical car like this.

It had to be a gift—from one of her many admirers, no doubt.

But right now, she was the one sitting in the passenger seat. She was the one by Tan Hua’s side.

And that, to Wen Chuan, was enough.

She comforted herself with that thought, but then her smile faded slightly. Tan Hua’s hourly rate wasn’t low, and just thinking about the financial pressure made Wen Chuan frown.

After a few moments of inner turmoil, she finally drew in a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and made a call—to her father.

So what if I have to lower my pride a little? If it means I can stay by Tan Hua’s side, it’s worth it.

—

Tan Hua, unaware that Wen Chuan was busy swallowing her pride to beg her father for money, had entered the elevator and arrived on the appointed floor.

She only knew the basics about this company—just what Sheng Yiheng had casually shared. It was powerful, with strong backing, but its true owner had never made a public appearance.

Not that it mattered.

Sheng Yiheng’s instructions were clear: even if the deal couldn’t be made, Tan Hua was to do everything in her power to maintain goodwill with the contact, build a relationship, and—under no circumstances—burn any bridges.

Tan Hua whispered to the system,
“I have a strong suspicion the mysterious owner behind this company is the fifth love interest who’s never shown up—Miss Tang Yanrou?”

As that thought crossed her mind, she looked up—and froze.

Her expression turned into one of total disbelief.
“…Why are you here?”

Tang Yanrou turned at the sound, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. When she recognized Tan Hua, she didn’t answer immediately but instead asked,
“You’re here to… discuss the Tian Di Hui project?”

“You’re handling this project?” Tan Hua blinked.
“You’re the mysterious owner no one’s ever seen?”

Tang Yanrou laughed, amused by the way she phrased it.

As a wealthy heiress, Tang Yanrou’s smile had a sort of effortless grace to it. She was the kind of woman who made the entire atmosphere feel expensive just by existing—like the very air shimmered with understated luxury and allure.

“This company does belong to my family,” she said modestly, “but I’m not really the big boss.”

She gave a soft, charming smile.
“I just help manage things occasionally. Most of the operations are handled by professionals.”

Tan Hua heard the whole explanation, but in her mind, it translated to: I have too many companies to manage on my own… but yes, I’m filthy rich.

She glanced at Tang Yanrou’s radiant face and whispered to the system,
“Tell me this wouldn’t be a better choice than dealing with those trashy Alphas.”

Her smile toward Tang Yanrou instantly became brighter and sweeter.
“Well then, I guess today really is my lucky day.”

The system sighed.
“Host, Tang Yanrou is just a side character tied to Sheng Yiheng’s storyline. If you hadn’t started interacting with Sheng Yiheng, you never would’ve met her at all.”

In other words, Tan Hua only encountered Tang Yanrou because she got involved with Sheng Yiheng. Without that connection, she might’ve gone through the entire mission without ever hearing her name.

In this heroine-centered world, there were countless characters who remained nameless and unnoticed. No matter how capable or exceptional they were—if they weren’t part of the heroine’s orbit, they were nothing more than a background extra.

Just another NPC with no lines, no name, and no impact.

“With you?” Tan Hua blinked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“You’re the mysterious owner of this company who’s never shown their face?”

Tang Yanrou couldn’t help but laugh at her expression and dramatic phrasing. As a wealthy heiress, her smile was naturally dazzling—like the air itself shimmered around her with a kind of intoxicating, luxurious charm.
“This company is owned by my family, yes. But I’m not the so-called ‘big boss.’”

She gave a soft, graceful smile.
“I just help oversee things from time to time. Most of the day-to-day work is left to the professionals.”

She offered a whole explanation, but all Tan Hua heard was:
Too many companies, not enough time—but yes, I’m still ridiculously rich.

Tan Hua muttered internally to the system,
“Wouldn’t courting her be so much better than dealing with those trashy Alphas?”

As that thought crossed her mind, her smile toward Tang Yanrou became even more dazzling, as bright and radiant as a flower in full bloom.
“Well then, it seems today is my lucky day.”

The system, overhearing, couldn’t help but interject:
“Host, Tang Yanrou is only a side character that branches off from Sheng Yiheng’s storyline. If you hadn’t pursued Sheng Yiheng, you never would’ve met Tang Yanrou in the first place.”

In other words, it was only because Tan Hua got involved with Sheng Yiheng that she even had this chance encounter. Without that link, she might’ve gone the entire mission without knowing Tang Yanrou existed—possibly never even hearing her name.

In a world built entirely around the heroine, there were far too many nameless characters. No matter how competent or impressive they were, if they weren’t part of the heroine’s world, they’d always just be background props—nameless extras without a single line of introduction.

They’d have no presence, no meaning.

Tan Hua blinked once, then said with a layered smile,
“Well then, I guess I really should thank Sheng Yiheng.”

Her tone was just ambiguous enough to make the system feel a sense of unease.
“…Host, what are you planning? Don’t do anything crazy—”

But Tan Hua wasn’t listening. She looked at Tang Yanrou with a smile so warm and vibrant that it would’ve been hard for anyone to say no.

“I really did come here today for the Tian Di Hui project,” she said directly. “So, Miss Tang, would you be willing to discuss it with me in detail?”

Of course she was.

Tang Yanrou didn’t say it out loud, but she had already decided to stay.
“Come with me,” she said with a polite smile.

She had originally been planning to leave, but now she set that aside and led Tan Hua into her personal office. The space was large, sleek, and modern—but almost too clean. It felt more like a showroom than a space someone used regularly.

Tang Yanrou looked a little embarrassed.
“Please, have a seat. I rarely use this office, so there’s not much in here.”

She made a quick call, and soon a staff member arrived with a selection of coffee, drinks, and pastries.

“Try these,” she offered. “The company’s chef just developed a new batch. They’re quite good.”

Tan Hua didn’t hold back. She picked up a small piece and tasted it. It was good—but her real goal today wasn’t the food. She quickly shifted gears and steered the conversation to business.

Tang Yanrou, though she rarely handled this particular company, had a hand in many aspects of her family’s operations. She followed along with Tan Hua’s rhythm quickly and easily.

Truthfully, Tang Yanrou had originally been leaning toward working with someone else on this project. Though Sheng Yiheng’s grandfather did have some ties to her family, Sheng Yiheng herself was still quite young. Her abilities were impressive among her peers—but when Tang Yanrou recalled how Sheng Yiheng had almost been scammed out of her entire startup fund early in her career, she couldn’t bring herself to fully trust her.

Tan Hua had already talked herself dry, yet Tang Yanrou remained unphased—almost like a serene monk who had seen through all worldly desires. No matter how much sincerity Tan Hua showed, she remained unmoved.

Tan Hua was bewildered.

Finally, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and asked bluntly,
“From your point of view, is the problem with me, or with President Sheng?”

She was genuinely confused. By all logic, the offer they had put on the table should’ve been more than enough to secure a partnership. Any normal person would’ve agreed enthusiastically by now. But Tang Yanrou had reacted like none of it mattered.

It didn’t add up.

For the first time, Tan Hua found herself doubting her own persuasive skills.

Tang Yanrou was taken aback by the question, but quickly collected herself. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and something uncertain flickered in her eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke up, carefully explaining her concerns.

Tan Hua nearly burst out laughing when she heard Sheng Yiheng’s embarrassing past being brought up like that—but thanks to her strong sense of professional decorum, she managed to hold it in.
“Miss Tang, as you said, that was when President Sheng had just entered the workforce,” she said with a straight face.

“Everyone makes mistakes when they’re young. But setting that incident aside—has she ever fallen for the same kind of trick since?”
When she saw Tang Yanrou shake her head, Tan Hua pressed on with sincere persuasion.
“Exactly. Once bitten, twice shy. If anything, that experience only made her more cautious and prudent in business.”

Otherwise, if she were to fall for the same scam again, she might as well disappear from the industry in shame.

Tan Hua fought back a grin. Who would’ve thought the heroine’s exes all had tangled pasts like this? No wonder things blow up later—these dramatic fallouts were foreshadowed from the beginning.

She wasn’t wrong, and Tang Yanrou could see the logic in her words. But she didn’t immediately agree.
“I’ll need some time to think it over.”

Tan Hua was fine with that. At least she hadn’t been flat-out rejected. A delayed answer meant the door was still open—there was still a chance. All Tan Hua had to do now was tip the balance in her and Sheng Yiheng’s favor before the final decision was made.

So she invited Tang Yanrou to dinner.

Tang Yanrou hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t decline—even though she had already made plans with a friend.

But they were long-time friends, and skipping once wouldn’t be a big deal. Besides, this was work. She wasn’t flaking for no reason.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

—

Tan Hua picked a restaurant she’d always wanted to try. It was a bit out of the way—not in the glittering center of the city, but tucked inside an art center on the urban fringe. The atmosphere there was quiet and elegant, with a refined aesthetic.

Tang Yanrou didn’t object. She was fine with whatever Tan Hua chose—she wasn’t particularly picky.

After parking nearby, they got out to walk the rest of the way.

The buildings on either side of the street were old, carrying the weight of history. It was a stark contrast to the bright modernity of the city center—less glamorous, but full of quiet charm.

Tall plane trees lined the road, their leaves rustling in the cool evening breeze. The lighting was dim, and the mood subdued—almost dreamlike.

Tang Yanrou quietly glanced at the Omega walking beside her. Tan Hua’s petite figure and delicate features reminded her of a porcelain doll—soft, fragile, and ethereal. In this dim golden light, she looked especially captivating.

Like a siren emerging from the fog on a vast ocean—half-hidden, half-seen, luring souls without saying a word.

Tang Yanrou was briefly entranced. She didn’t come back to her senses until Tan Hua suddenly stopped, her brows slightly furrowed, eyes locked ahead in a guarded stance.

Startled, Tang Yanrou followed her gaze.

A group of street thugs stood ahead, sizing Tan Hua up while holding up their phones, clearly trying to confirm her identity. Before Tang Yanrou could react, one of them elbowed the other.
“That’s her, right?”

“Pretty sure. She looks like the picture.”

“Then that’s her. Let’s go—”

Things escalated too fast for Tang Yanrou to process. But her instincts kicked in. Raised with good training and etiquette, she instinctively stepped in front of Tan Hua, shielding her. Her body tensed, ready to release her Alpha pheromones to intimidate them with her superior genes.

But before she could act, a calm voice spoke from just behind her.
“You’re here on my parents’ behalf, aren’t you?”

It was Tan Hua’s voice—steady and collected, with no trace of panic. Tang Yanrou even detected a hint of amusement in it, which made her pause and glance back in confusion.
“You… know them?”

“No.” Tan Hua gave her a warm look, clearly appreciative of how protectively Tang Yanrou had stepped forward.
“But they know these people.”

She didn’t move from behind Tang Yanrou, but stared straight at the thugs. They hesitated, clearly shaken by Tang Yanrou’s presence.

“Let me guess,” Tan Hua said slowly.
“They told you that if you found me, I’d give you the money they owe you?”

No one answered.

She didn’t seem to mind.
“And if I didn’t have the money, they told you to just take me—kidnap me, sell me to some rich guy, and whatever price you get, consider it their repayment?”

Tang Yanrou instinctively called out in distress,
“Miss Tan…”

She wanted to say something to comfort her, but when she looked at the Omega’s radiant eyes gleaming in the dim light, it felt like something had struck her straight in the heart.

Her pulse quickened—she could almost hear the pounding of her heartbeat, so loud it threatened to burst from her chest.

Tan Hua stood there without a trace of fear. In fact, she looked especially calm and composed—like a wild lily bracing alone against an oncoming storm. Fragile, yet breathtakingly beautiful.

Tang Yanrou was momentarily dazed.

Then Tan Hua calmly turned to the thugs,
“Well, I can tell you this with full confidence—you’ve been tricked.”

She sneaked a glance at Tang Yanrou’s expression—just as she thought, utterly captivated by her calm and fearless aura. Satisfied, Tan Hua smiled slightly.
“Think about it—if this deal were really as good as they claimed, do you think they’d send you to cash in on it, instead of keeping the reward for themselves?”

Her attempt to sow distrust was admittedly a bit crude, and the thugs didn’t really buy it. The leader glanced warily at Tang Yanrou before sneering,
“Cut the crap. You’d better come with us quietly. It’ll save you some pain.”

“Even if this Alpha’s here to protect you, we’ve got numbers. Don’t think you’ll win just because she looks tough.”

Tang Yanrou’s face instantly turned cold. As someone who rarely went anywhere without security, she wasn’t used to being threatened. She lifted her hand, about to whistle for her bodyguards, but Tan Hua stopped her with a wave and a weary sigh.

“Wait a minute,” she said, looking helpless.
“Let me ask you this: You’ve met my parents before, right? You’re familiar with what they look like?”

They weren’t sure what trick she was pulling, but under Tang Yanrou’s sharp gaze, they nodded honestly.
“Don’t worry—we could recognize those two even if they were ashes. They’re the ones who owe us thirty million.”

“Thirty million?!” Tan Hua was momentarily distracted by the number, but quickly refocused.
“Okay, so since you’re so familiar with them—look at me.”

“Do I look anything like them?”

Because of the lighting, the thugs had to step closer to get a better look. Tang Yanrou instantly shifted into a defensive stance, her expression icy and ready to strike.

The thugs reluctantly stopped and pulled out the photo the couple had given them, squinting to compare.
“…Yeah, doesn’t look that similar.”

“Right? Those two bastards are built like oxen, with crooked teeth and bad skin. This girl here? Delicate and sweet—definitely not their type.”

Tan Hua added fuel to the fire with a breezy smile.
“Exactly. You’ve been tricked. Look at me—do I look like I came from a pair of gambling drunks like that? They played you.”

Their expressions darkened.

They’d come all this way, and now it looked like they were the ones being used? How embarrassing.

The leader looked at Tan Hua, then at Tang Yanrou. Both of them were stunning…

He started calculating his odds in silence.

Tang Yanrou immediately sensed his shift in attitude. She leaned closer to Tan Hua and whispered,
“If things go south, run to the side. I’ll—”

She didn’t get to finish. Tan Hua shot her a calm look that somehow stopped her mid-sentence.

Then Tan Hua stepped forward and looked the lead thug straight in the eye.
“Honestly, I’ve always suspected I was kidnapped.”

“With this face and aura, I clearly belong to a wealthy family.”

Tang Yanrou: “???”

Thugs: “???” Girl, do you have no shame?

“So—would you be kind enough to help me find my real, rich birth parents?” Tan Hua asked sweetly, blinking innocently.
“If you do, I’ll pay you a reward. A hundred thousand—no, one million.”

“What do you say?”

The offer was too good to pass up. After a brief huddle, the thugs returned with wide smiles.
“Of course, Miss. Do you have any clues about your real family?”

“None,” Tan Hua replied flatly.

That earned her a few annoyed stares.

But she just smiled.
“But the people who sent you here do.”

“If I was kidnapped, then surely they’d be the ones who know the truth better than anyone.”

They had to admit—she had a point.

One thug frowned.
“How do we know you’re not just messing with us?”

“Simple.” Tan Hua raised her phone.
“I’ll transfer you 100,000 right now. Consider it a deposit. When you find my real parents, I’ll give you the rest.”

The thugs discussed briefly, then agreed.

After exchanging contact info and sending the money, Tan Hua cheerfully told the system,
“Talk about perfect timing. I was just starting to question the original body’s background, and someone shows up to investigate for me—for free.”

The system was still confused.
“So… how did you know something was off?”

“Obviously—look at my face.” She pointed at herself.
“Do I look anything like those two gamblers and drunkards?”

The system: …Fair.

“But still, that doesn’t prove the original host wasn’t their biological daughter. What if she just inherited traits from some distant ancestor?”

“Which is exactly why I’m hiring someone to investigate,” Tan Hua said calmly.
“Once the truth comes out, we’ll know.”

The system had no comeback. That was reasonable… but now the plot was getting complicated.

Suddenly, it thought of the way the heroine’s mother treated Tan Hua with so much warmth and care…

No way. Right? It can’t be…

The system shook its metaphorical head, horrified by the direction of its thoughts.
I’ve been reading too many dog-blood webnovels. This is brain damage talking.

The thugs took the money and left quickly. With the crisis resolved, Tan Hua turned to Tang Yanrou, ready to suggest they continue on their way—but paused when she saw the other woman staring at her with a complicated expression.

“I didn’t expect your background to be so painful,” Tang Yanrou said softly, her voice full of sympathy.
“To think—at the age when you should’ve been safe in your parents’ arms, you were being manipulated and exploited by those awful people.”

“Even if you weren’t their biological daughter, they should’ve raised you with care—not sold you off like some object.”

Her compassion was raw and unfiltered.

Tan Hua remained silent. She was about to say she was fine—when her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen, then reflexively answered it.

Wen Chuan’s voice came coldly through the speaker:
“Where are you right now, my dear sister?”

Tan Hua flinched.
Oh crap—I forgot she’s still waiting in the car!

Wen Chuan: ???

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