The Five Heartless Scumbag Alphas Turned Against Each Other Because Of Me - Chapter 76

Ning Xi found Sheng Yiheng completely irrational. What was so great about a woman like Tan Hua? How could Tan Hua possibly compare to Yuan Yuan?

Yuan Yuan had family background and beauty, beauty and intelligence, intelligence and charisma. Compared to someone like Tan Hua—who had clawed her way up from the bottom with who-knows-what tactics, without connections or backing, and was constantly trampled by others—how could she possibly compete?

Ning Xi felt indignant on Cheng Yuan’s behalf. But then a thought struck her—wasn’t that the hallmark of a manipulative woman? They always used unexpected tricks to bring the untouchable high-and-mighty types down from their pedestals.

So Sheng Yiheng falling under Tan Hua’s spell, becoming completely bewitched by her—perhaps it wasn’t so surprising after all.

Otherwise, how could Tan Hua be called a seductress? She’d be better off called a saint.

Still, that clarity only made Ning Xi even more furious. Yuan Yuan and Sheng Yiheng had been doing just fine—until that vixen Tan Hua came along and ruined everything. Their relationship had changed completely.

There’s a saying: Better to demolish a temple than break up a couple. Was Tan Hua not afraid of karmic retribution for what she’d done?

Ning Xi burned with rage. For the first time in her life, she genuinely wished she were an Alpha—so she could mark Tan Hua herself and stop her from seducing anyone else.

With a dark expression and arms crossed, Ning Xi glared at the shameless duo in front of her, unwilling to speak. Sensing this, Tan Hua offered kindly, “Besides, Miss Ning, how do you know Yuan Yuan isn’t annoyed by all those clingy, persistent admirers?”

“I was just helping her get rid of some trouble. She should be thanking me.”

“Do you have no shame?” Ning Xi stared in disbelief, unable to understand how Tan Hua could say something so brazen. Even if Yuan Yuan was fed up with Sheng Yiheng and the others, it should be up to Yuan Yuan to deal with them. It had nothing to do with Tan Hua.

These were two completely separate issues.

“I do have shame,” Tan Hua replied, utterly unfazed by Ning Xi’s reaction. She looked Ning Xi straight in the eye and said seriously, “Who can live in this world without a little shame?”

“You say you have shame, and yet you speak and act like this?” Ning Xi sneered coldly, her dislike for Tan Hua growing stronger by the second. She was on the verge of walking out, worried she’d grow even more irritated the longer she stayed.

But Tan Hua only said, “You’ll understand later.”

Understand what? Ning Xi had no idea what game Tan Hua was playing. She frowned so hard it looked like her brows might knot, wishing she could bore two holes through Tan Hua with her stare. She wanted to leave, but worried that the moment she did, Tan Hua would target more of Yuan Yuan’s admirers. So she gritted her teeth and stayed, like a walking surveillance camera—watching Tan Hua’s every move from every angle.

Today, she was determined to see for herself what tricks this fox spirit had up her sleeve.

She would also see which of Yuan Yuan’s suitors would fall for Tan Hua’s seductive wiles and end up two-timing scumbags.

She’d jot down every one of their names in a little notebook and hand it over to Yuan Yuan—so she could remember what those fickle, unfaithful men looked like, and cut them out of her life for good.

With a stiff, sarcastic smile and her arms crossed, Ning Xi stood with a gaze as sharp and heavy as a blade.

Sheng Yiheng frowned, clearly annoyed, and wanted to say something to Ning Xi. But seeing that Tan Hua didn’t seem to mind at all—in fact, she even looked like she was enjoying it—he gave up, sulking in silence.

Forget it. If he provoked Ning Xi again, she might just spill even more of his secrets in front of Tan Hua. Better for everyone if they kept the peace. It was safer that way.

Tan Hua thought Ning Xi was fascinating—like a strange little touch-me-not plant, exploding at the slightest poke. Intrigued, she whispered to the system, “It’s been a while since I’ve come across such an interesting NPC.”

System: “…Host, please go easy on her. Don’t break her—she’s still young.”

“What kind of thing is that to say?” Tan Hua gasped, covering her mouth in mock offense. “Do I look like some kind of monster? I respect my elders and care for the young. I’m warm-hearted, kind, and morally upright. How could I possibly hurt someone?”

The system was speechless.

Tan Hua had originally wanted to say a few words of concern, but Ning Xi had already sprung to her feet and fled in a panic, not even sparing Tan Hua and Sheng Yiheng a polite “goodbye.”

Puzzled, Tan Hua followed Ning Xi’s line of sight, trying to figure out what kind of person could scare her so much—like a mouse encountering its natural predator.

Soon, a striking figure entered her field of vision.

The woman exuded a poised elegance. Though clearly older, she carried the graceful charm and allure of a mature woman with experience. Dressed in a cinched black outfit—both top and skirt—the high-end design accentuated her curvy silhouette. She was stunning, enchanting, impossible to ignore.

But Tan Hua preferred to describe her outfit as that of a “wealthy and idle widow who just lost her husband.”

A black lace cocktail hat, a pair of ivory pearl earrings, a chunky diamond-encrusted necklace, bold red lips—she looked exactly like the scheming stepmother type from film and television dramas.

Tan Hua was impressed, even a little awed. Then, curiously, she asked the system, “Who’s this lady? Why is Ning Xi so afraid of her?”

“I don’t know,” the system replied honestly. “The author didn’t really flesh this character out. You’ll have to discover and develop that yourself.”

Tan Hua: “…” What use are you, then?

She committed the woman’s face firmly to memory, ready for a proper introduction in the future. At that moment, the woman curled her red lips into a smile, and like a skilled hunter, began to pursue Ning Xi unhurriedly in the direction she had fled.

Even as a mere bystander, Tan Hua could feel the suffocating and chilling aura radiating from the woman. So how must Ning Xi—her prey—be feeling? From Ning Xi’s perspective, this probably felt like a full-on survival game.

How intriguing.

Tan Hua thought silently. That there’s actually someone Ning Xi is this terrified of—now that’s something.

Ning Xi’s first reaction wasn’t to confront the woman but to run. Tan Hua couldn’t help but prop her chin on her hand, watching with great interest as the scene unfolded: one fleeing, one chasing, the prey with nowhere to hide.

Before long, both figures disappeared from view. Tan Hua withdrew her gaze, feeling a bit disappointed, only to find Sheng Yiheng eyeing her coolly.

Tan Hua’s expression went flat. “What are you looking at me for? Watch the band. Miss Tang kindly invited you to enjoy the performance, and here you are not appreciating it—what a waste.”

Sheng Yiheng: “?” What, like I’ve never seen a band performance before?

And besides, how am I supposed to enjoy something paid for by my love rival, meant to please an Omega? Wait—Sheng Yiheng paused to reconsider. Precisely because it was paid for by a rival, he should enjoy it even more.

After all, if the rival spends money and the one who’s pleased is him—isn’t that the perfect way to make the rival die of frustration?

It’d be a shame not to enjoy a free performance. Sheng Yiheng sat up straight, ready to indulge in this romantic auditory and visual feast.

Now that Ning Xi was gone, only the soothing music remained. After a few songs, the banquet officially began. Six hosts stepped on stage—three men, handsome and charismatic; three women, elegant and beautiful—each with a mic in hand.

Tan Hua looked at the stage dreamily and couldn’t help saying, “I hope when I turn seventy, I’ll have something this grand too.”

Sheng Yiheng: “…You don’t have to wait until seventy. I can arrange something like this for your birthday this year.” He glanced at the stage. “What’s the big deal? Just six hosts? I’ll get you sixty.”

Tan Hua: “?” Are you throwing me a party or trying to spite me?

Sixty hosts… each one talking for at least ten minutes? And what would sixty hosts do on stage—debate?

Tan Hua gave her a complicated look, then gently declined, “That won’t be necessary. Instead of spending a fortune hiring so many hosts, you might as well transfer that money directly to me. No need for all that fuss.”

“Otherwise, I’d feel bad for you,” she added.

Sheng Yiheng’s eyelid twitched, stifled with frustration. Suddenly, he no longer felt like talking to her.

The opening of the banquet was especially long-winded. First came a speech from Old Mr. Tang, then one from Tang Yanrou… coupled with the hosts’ congratulatory words, by the time it was all over, nearly an hour had passed.

Tan Hua was so sore from sitting that she couldn’t help but shift around multiple times.

Sheng Yiheng noticed her fidgeting and was about to suggest that if she was really uncomfortable, she could head to one of the castle’s guest rooms to lie down for a while—he’d have someone bring her dinner later.

But just as he opened his mouth, the ceremony ended. Old Mr. Tang beamed and announced that the banquet was officially underway, inviting everyone to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. Sheng Yiheng had no choice but to drop the subject.

What struck Sheng Yiheng as odd today, though, was that neither Lu Huaixu nor Zheng Jinyu came buzzing around Tan Hua like they usually did, pestering her with attention.

Lu Huaixu was seated at a neighboring table, her posture rigid and upright. Dressed in formal wear, she looked polished and dignified—at least on the surface. Zheng Jinyu, on the other hand, was even more of a show-off: a pristine white blouse paired with a sleek mermaid-cut white skirt, her long hair elegantly pinned up. She looked the very picture of demure gentleness.

Sheng Yiheng couldn’t help but sneer internally. What a pair of phonies—like blind men reading posters, both trying so hard to put on a show.

She found them both irritating to look at, not to mention the history between them. Still, if they weren’t going to come over and bother Tan Hua tonight, then all the better. Less trouble for her. Sheng Yiheng made a mental note of that with quiet satisfaction.

As for Zheng Jinyu, she was busy entertaining an important client and had no time for romantic entanglements at the moment. Lu Huaixu, however, wasn’t staying away because she didn’t want to approach—she just couldn’t make herself do it.

Her feelings were complicated—hard to describe. A subtle mix of emotions that sometimes gave her inexplicable anxiety, and other times, an overwhelming sense of calm certainty that she would never fall in love easily.

After all, there was nothing particularly appealing about love in her eyes. Even when she came across a woman she found interesting, she was fine with toying around for a bit—but if it involved genuine emotion, Lu Huaixu could snap back to clarity and rationality in an instant. She would never let herself be ruled by feelings.

Listen to someone obediently, indulge their unreasonable behavior at all times? Absolutely not.

So under these circumstances, Lu Huaixu believed it was essential to keep a proper distance from Tan Hua. She needed to remain rational—calm and mature—in handling anything related to her.

That way, she wouldn’t end up like Zheng Jinyu, bending over backward for the sake of an Omega, nor like Sheng Yiheng, who looked so smug and self-satisfied it was as if she’d forgotten her own name.

With a steady hand holding her wine glass, Lu Huaixu kept her composure, exuding a calm, collected aura that drew many bashful glances from nearby Omegas. Some even sent her flirtatious looks from across the room.

Tan Hua, meanwhile, was completely focused on her food. Aside from Sheng Yiheng sitting so close that any slight movement from her was impossible to ignore, Tan Hua paid no attention to anything else. She was wholeheartedly devoted to eating.

Everyone else was busy socializing or making small talk, while she alone kept her head down, utterly out of place.

Just as she was fully immersed in her meal, someone suddenly sat down beside her. Reflexively, Tan Hua looked up—it was Ning Xi, her face still pale and unsettled. Tan Hua’s chewing paused mid-bite. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

Ning Xi looked down at her, seeing her cheeks puffed out with food, and was briefly at a loss for words. “Just… sitting.”

“Let’s have a drink,” she said, raising a glass of wine and toasting Tan Hua.

Tan Hua glanced at her, then at the wine in her hand, and hesitated. “You didn’t spike my drink, did you?”

Ning Xi was so infuriated by her words that she couldn’t help but raise her voice.
“You think I’m as shameless and despicable as you?!”

“What reason would I possibly have to drug you in public and ruin my own reputation?” She let out a cold laugh. “If I wanted to deal with you, I’ve got plenty of ways.”

“Who knows,” Tan Hua murmured as she raised her glass, “maybe you’re like everyone else, secretly lusting after my beauty.”

Ning Xi: “…” Unbelievable. The sheer audacity.

She couldn’t be bothered to argue with Tan Hua anymore. Already irritated, she simply downed the glass of wine in one go. Tan Hua took a couple of dainty sips, then leaned in with a grin.

“So who was she?”

“Who?” Ning Xi reflexively asked, only to meet Tan Hua’s gossipy, expectant gaze.

“That Alpha sugar mommy who was chasing after you just now,” Tan Hua blinked innocently, wearing a look that said, Don’t try to hide it—I saw everything.

At the mention of that woman, Ning Xi instinctively pressed her lips into a thin line. “No idea.”

“And since when were we close enough for you to pry into my personal business like this?” she snapped, even more agitated. She turned away from Tan Hua, back now facing her, but didn’t leave.

Tan Hua cheerfully stared at the back of her head. “What do you mean, not close? Aren’t we besties?”

Ning Xi looked back, stunned. “?” Since when?!

“Just now,” Tan Hua replied kindly, as if clearing up a misunderstanding. She pointed to the now-empty wineglass in front of Ning Xi. “We just had our sisterhood wine. What, you already forgot?”

“Miss Ning, you really are so heartless, so cold-blooded, such a classic use-and-ditch scumbag woman!”

Ning Xi’s face visibly twitched. But perhaps because she was already used to Tan Hua’s shameless nonsense, she somehow managed to accept it—and even, in some twisted way, began to understand her logic.

Still, she refused to go along with it. “Sworn sisters? You wish.”

“My one and only sworn sister is always and only Yuan Yuan. Who do you think you are?” She lifted her chin with pride. “You think just drinking a glass of wine with me makes us best friends? Dream on—”

“She’s coming,” Tan Hua said casually.

The moment the words left her lips, Ning Xi immediately looked around in alarm, searching for that figure in a panic—but saw nothing.

It took her a good while to realize she’d been tricked.

Furious, she opened her mouth to curse Tan Hua out, only to be cut off by her again:
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll just go ask her myself.”

Tan Hua looked at her sweetly. “Might as well make a new friend.”

Ning Xi’s face contorted. “Are you tired of living?! You want to be friends with her?” She hurled a curse at Tan Hua, but no matter how angry she was, she still refused to say another word.

Imitating Tan Hua, she buried her head and focused on eating. No matter how much Tan Hua tried to bait or provoke her, she stayed unmoved—solid as a rock.

With no choice, Tan Hua backed off—for now—and shifted gears. “Then tell me more about Yuan Yuan.”

Ning Xi immediately turned her head with alert suspicion, staring at Tan Hua without blinking. Tan Hua gave her an innocent smile. “I don’t have any ulterior motives or plans. I just want to know more about her, that’s all.”

“Seriously,” she added, raising two fingers like a child swearing an oath.

Ning Xi remained unmoved. “You expect me to believe you’re that pure?” she scoffed. The wolfish glint in Tan Hua’s eyes was all too clear. What good could come from a fox digging into Yuan Yuan’s background?

She was obviously trying to gather intel—know your enemy and win the battle. It was nothing more than preparation for some future scheme.

Which is exactly why Ning Xi refused to spill a single word.

“What’ll it take for you to believe me?” Tan Hua pouted, brow furrowed, those dewy doe eyes shimmering with sadness—pitiful and endearing.

But Ning Xi’s expression was flat, even a little disgusted.
That old trick? Please. She’d seen it too many times to count.

Tan Hua, seeing her resistance, inched closer again, trying to appeal emotionally and reason with her—anything to soften Ning Xi’s stance. Even if she couldn’t get the information now, at least she could work on deepening their relationship for future opportunities.

Her body, faintly fragrant, leaned in. Before Ning Xi could back away, Tan Hua exhaled softly, her breath like a whisper, sultry and dangerous.

“Then how about…” Tan Hua drawled, voice low and teasing, the rising lilt at the end oddly suggestive. “You conduct a proper test?”

Ning Xi reflexively asked, “What kind of test?”

Tan Hua suddenly leaned in closer, and right there—in the middle of the crowd, under everyone’s watchful eyes—she smiled seductively, eyes filled with flirtation and heat.

“You tell me,” she whispered.

“What kind of test would you like?” Her delicate hand reached out slowly, voice sweet and sticky like honey, enough to melt bones. “I’ll do whatever Miss Ning wants.”

Ning Xi: !

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