The Five Heartless Scumbag Alphas Turned Against Each Other Because Of Me - Chapter 78

“Do you think your parents can make it here in time?” Ning Xi heard Tan Hua ask slowly and deliberately. “It took us ten whole minutes just to get here by car.”

“Even if they’ve already received your distress message, by the time they rush over, reach the room, and break the door open, it’ll be at least twenty minutes later.”

Tan Hua brazenly sized her up, eyes filled with undisguised greed and desire. “Twenty minutes,” she repeated, dragging out the last syllables until it sent a chill down Ning Xi’s spine. Her fists clenched instinctively. “That’s more than enough time for me to do a lot of things.”

At first, Ning Xi panicked a little. But once she got past the initial chaos in her mind, she lowered her gaze and stared at Tan Hua’s petite frame, completely baffled as to where this girl got her confidence.

She was taller, worked out regularly, hiked, ran at night, and had even won a marathon. With her physical condition and strength, wouldn’t it be ridiculously easy to overpower someone like Tan Hua?

Did she not realize the vast difference in strength between them? That it was utterly impossible for her to subdue someone like Ning Xi?

Once that doubt surfaced, it refused to leave. Ning Xi didn’t make any rash moves. Her expression remained blank as she stared at Tan Hua, a barely noticeable crease forming between her brows.

Then, after a long moment, it suddenly clicked—she was being provoked.

It had to be a trap. Tan Hua was deliberately trying to goad her into losing control and doing something reckless—perhaps hurting her. That way, she could cry to Sheng Yiheng and the others for sympathy, and use the opportunity to entangle herself further with them.

Realizing this, Ning Xi immediately shoved Tan Hua’s hand away coldly. “Nice try, but I’m not falling for it.” She sneered, “You really think I’d willingly become your stepping stone and give you an excuse to act pitiful?”

“You’re already trying to seduce Yuan Yuan’s suitor, and now you want to use me to gain sympathy from them too?” Ning Xi scoffed. “Not going to happen.” Absolutely not.

What a joke. Like dumplings falling into a lotus pond—utterly delusional.

Ning Xi wore a look of smug cleverness, while both Tan Hua and the shady system in her mind were left speechless. The metaphorical car was already speeding down the highway, and here she was, still stuck at the toll booth.

Tan Hua’s eyelid twitched. She suddenly realized just how long and difficult this road would be. Since there was a long way to go, she simply stopped struggling. Turning around, she relaxed completely and let herself fall straight back onto the sofa—motionless.

Seeing her lie there like she’d given up on life, Ning Xi couldn’t help but mock her. “What, cat got your tongue? Now that I’ve seen through you, what more can you say? You really are manipulative and cunning. I honestly can’t figure out what Sheng Yiheng sees in you.”

“Want to know?” Tan Hua lifted her eyes lazily and asked.

“No,” Ning Xi replied without hesitation, crossing her arms. A woman like Tan Hua couldn’t have won Sheng Yiheng’s favor with anything decent. Ning Xi had always considered herself to have good taste, and given that Tan Hua was Yuan Yuan’s sworn enemy, there was no way she’d fall for any of her tricks.

“I have zero interest in your vixen tactics.”

Tan Hua couldn’t help but turn slightly toward her, resting her cheek on her hand with a faint smile. “Then why did you follow me to my room if you’re so uninterested?”

“Shameless! You call this following?” Ning Xi was incredulous. “I followed you openly and honestly. You know what that’s called? Surveillance!”

“I want to see what sort of shady business you and Sheng Yiheng are up to. Besides, Yuan Yuan is returning to the country tomorrow. Just wait for her revenge.” Ning Xi smiled slightly—a cold, unsettling smile. “But there’s something I think I should tell you in advance.”

“Ladies like us—young women of high society—our hands are meant for tea ceremonies, flower arranging, painting, and playing instruments, not for getting blood on them. Which is to say, there are some things… we don’t need to do ourselves.”

Tan Hua: “I don’t believe you.”

She smiled brightly, contradicting Ning Xi with ease. “Yuan Yuan is kind-hearted, the moonlight in so many people’s hearts. She must have a uniquely captivating charm. And someone like her—she wouldn’t bear to hurt anyone. Not even me.”

“I’ll become her friend.”

Even if she didn’t want to be friends, it couldn’t be helped—Tan Hua’s fate was already entwined with the heroine’s. At this point, Tan Hua could only wish she were a thousand-year-old nine-tailed fox who could seduce every Alpha with just a blink or a crook of her finger—make them obey her every whim, never daring to go against her word.

With the female lead finally free from all those cliché, melodramatic plotlines—miscarriages, car accidents, false accusations, and both physical and emotional torment—she could now safely complete her mission and leave without looking back.

Although it seemed like Wen Chuan, Zheng Jinyu, and Sheng Yiheng had all fallen for her already, Tan Hua couldn’t be sure how the plot would change once the heroine returned.

After all, this was an old-school, over-the-top, melodramatic CEO romance full of forced love and painful twists.

Ning Xi nearly rolled her eyes at Tan Hua’s words. “Be friends with Yuan Yuan? You think you’re worthy?” she sneered, unable to hold back. “Yuan Yuan doesn’t just befriend anyone.”

“She’s only ever had one best friend since childhood—and that’s me.”

Despite being mocked over and over again, Tan Hua remained unfazed. She merely yawned, looking a little tired, and replied lazily, “Great. Then I’ll be the next one.”

Ning Xi felt like she was talking to a brick wall. No matter how she taunted or belittled Tan Hua, the girl simply didn’t take it in. After doing it a few times with no reaction, Ning Xi lost interest and sat there clenching her fists in frustration.

“I’m going to shower. Are you leaving or not?” Tan Hua sat up from the couch and asked casually, “Or are you planning to sleep here with me?”

“What, I can’t sit here?” Ning Xi shot her a glare. “This living room is huge, and you’re not even sleeping on the couch. What, does my presence bother you?”

Tan Hua paused, then said, “…Fine, sit if you want.” She’d never seen anyone make demands with such a fiery attitude.

Too exhausted to argue further, Tan Hua got up and walked to the closet, pulling out a brand-new bathrobe before heading to the bathroom. As she moved, Ning Xi’s eyes followed her every step, not looking away until Tan Hua closed the door and vanished from sight.

Ning Xi kept staring at the door for a moment longer before finally shifting her gaze and replying to her mother’s message, which asked about her whereabouts:
“I’m hanging out at a friend’s place, Mom. Don’t worry about me.”

After a moment’s thought, she added,
“We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I’ll stay the night and catch up.”
To avoid any misunderstanding, she clarified:
“She’s an Omega too.”

Madam Ning thought for a second. Her instincts told her this “friend” was likely the pleasant Omega girl she had met earlier that evening. So she didn’t press further and simply replied:
“Alright. You two Omegas stay safe and don’t go wandering around. There are a lot of drunk men and Alphas out tonight—it’s not safe.”

“And go to bed early. Don’t stay up talking all night.”

Ning Xi pursed her lips and typed quickly:
“Got it, Mom. Go on with your day—stop worrying about me.”

Madam Ning couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Alright then.”

After wrapping up the conversation with her mother, Ning Xi let out a long sigh and collapsed back onto the sofa. Perhaps because she had laid down in the exact spot Tan Hua had just been, she could clearly smell the faint scent the girl had left behind.

It was sweet and fragrant, and naturally, her mind began to conjure an image of Tan Hua lying there earlier.

Her expression was lazy and relaxed, her posture casual. Against the black leather sofa, her skin had looked pale as snow. Her waist dipped gracefully, her figure soft and elegant. Her long legs were slender and straight—

Stop. Right. There.

Ning Xi instinctively touched the philtrum between her nose and lips—thank goodness, still fine.

Her mind in disarray, she couldn’t relax in that spot anymore. She turned over, hoping for better luck in a different position. But the other side of the sofa had no lingering fragrance—only the smell of the leather upholstery, which she found vaguely unpleasant.

After a long internal struggle, Ning Xi finally gave in and quietly rolled back to the original spot.

A wise person doesn’t suffer losses for nothing. If you’re going to suffer, you may as well enjoy it a little. Ning Xi refused to suffer needlessly. Besides, it wasn’t like she hated Tan Hua as a person—just her manipulative behavior.

Girls were the most beautiful and lovable beings in the world. Ning Xi had always been warm and gentle toward them—well, except for girls like Tan Hua, who were simply unlikable.

Still, if Tan Hua ever decided to turn over a new leaf, Ning Xi wouldn’t be entirely against making peace.

Having rationalized her position to herself, Ning Xi continued scrolling on her phone without guilt.

When Tan Hua emerged from the bathroom, this was the scene she saw: a woman lounging comfortably, one leg crossed over the other, her hair loose and flowing. With her sharply defined features, Ning Xi gave off a wild, untamed kind of beauty.

The moment she heard a sound, Ning Xi instantly uncrossed her leg and shot upright. “You’re done showering?”

Tan Hua gave her a look. Was not that obvious? Ning Xi blinked and realized she had just asked the dumbest question ever. Embarrassed, she let out an awkward laugh—then noticed the ends of Tan Hua’s long hair were still wet, droplets of water falling to the floor.

She had a bit of an obsessive streak and really wanted to wring the water from Tan Hua’s dripping hair ends. But after considering her current position, she restrained herself, turning her face away and forcing herself not to look at the other woman.

Tan Hua sat down nearby and began applying skincare products. Ning Xi couldn’t help but glance over. The bathrobe Tan Hua wore was slightly ill-fitting, making her look languid and indulgent, and the glimpse of her pale skin beneath only added an unexpected allure.

Seeing her like this, Ning Xi suddenly began to understand what Sheng Yiheng and the others must have felt.

She was that seductive. Forget Sheng Yiheng—even Ning Xi herself was barely holding it together. She had the sudden, almost overwhelming urge to walk over, press close, or pull her into her arms and thoroughly torment her in some vague, inappropriate way.

Ning Xi was momentarily dazed, and then instantly ashamed for having such thoughts. She mentally apologized to Cheng Yuan, only for her train of thought to be broken by Tan Hua’s sudden voice.

“Let’s talk about her,” Tan Hua said, without turning around.

Ning Xi blinked. “Who?” Cheng Yuan? Or Guo Lanyi?

“That Alpha who keeps chasing after you,” Tan Hua said, looking at her through the mirror. “We’re doing nothing right now, so why not chat a bit?” She finished applying one product, set it down, and met Ning Xi’s eyes in the reflection. “Besides, you want to hide out at my place to avoid her. Don’t you think you owe me some explanation?”

“What if I get dragged into this mess because of you? How are you planning to make it up to me then?”

Ning Xi was reluctant. She didn’t want to share her private matters with Tan Hua. But Tan Hua’s reasoning was fair. She was using Tan Hua as a temporary shelter, and she didn’t want to get her tangled up in it either. Tan Hua was, at least in this situation, innocent.

Whatever had happened with Cheng Yuan was one thing—but if Guo Lanyi started targeting Tan Hua because of her, that would be truly unfair.

So she cleared her throat and gave a brief summary:
“Her name is Guo Lanyi. She’s my mother’s long-time nemesis.”

“When she was young, she had a deep obsession with my father. But he never reciprocated. Over time, she became increasingly paranoid and mentally unstable. Then my father fell in love with and married my mother, and her condition worsened.”

“Eventually, when my mom got pregnant with me and I was born, she redirected all her twisted feelings for my dad onto me. Ever since I was a child, she’s haunted me. I’ve lost count of how many times she’s scared me into fevers, nightmares, and anxiety attacks.”

Even now, Ning Xi couldn’t help but tremble a little as she spoke. To her, Guo Lanyi was a living nightmare. She wished it would just end—but that was wishful thinking.

She had told her parents about it before, but they were always busy with work. No matter how much they cared, there were still blind spots.

She remembered vividly—when she was very young, Guo Lanyi had even abducted her once.

Though Guo Lanyi hadn’t physically harmed her, the madness in her eyes had terrified Ning Xi so badly that she cried uncontrollably. That incident left a lasting psychological scar.

Over the years, Ning Xi had tried to escape her, but each time she ran, Guo Lanyi always managed to find her—without fail—and would smile sweetly, asking,
“Ning Ning, where are you trying to go?”

Ning Xi had been scared stiff. After that, she no longer dared to run away. At least while she was near her parents, Guo Lanyi had to restrain herself. But if she ever left their protection…

Ning Xi couldn’t even bear to imagine it.

“So, she’s a mentally unwell romantic rival of your mother’s?” Tan Hua raised a brow, clearly baffled. “If that’s the case, why doesn’t she go harass your mom instead of you?”

Ning Xi: “…?”

Despite being slightly offended, she couldn’t help but think about it seriously. And in the end, she realized something—back then, she’d been just a helpless child, defenseless. Of course she had been the easier target.

People always pick the softest fruit to squeeze.

Suddenly understanding why she’d suffered all these years made Ning Xi’s feelings complicated. Wasn’t society always preaching about respecting the elderly and protecting the young? Then why had she, a mere child, been the one singled out and bullied?

This was just wrong. Immoral, even.

From the look on Ning Xi’s face, Tan Hua could tell she was mentally on the verge of collapse. So, out of kindness, she didn’t press any further. Instead, she casually asked, as though it were an afterthought, “So, did she get to know Cheng Yuan through you?”

“Does she like Cheng Yuan too, like Sheng Yiheng and the others?”

Tan Hua’s question was blunt and direct. A flicker of panic flashed in Ning Xi’s eyes—subtle, but Tan Hua caught it.

Ning Xi’s first instinct was to lie and keep it hidden. She didn’t want Cheng Yuan to be poached by someone again. But then a thought struck her: since Tan Hua was being so arrogant and fearless, maybe letting Guo Lanyi “teach her a lesson” wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Still, she hesitated. Guo Lanyi held back with her because of her parents, and she wouldn’t dare hurt Cheng Yuan due to her feelings. But for someone like Tan Hua—an unrelated Omega—who knows how far she might go?

Would she actually take someone’s life?

Ning Xi disliked Tan Hua, yes, but not enough to wish death upon her. So she firmly denied it. “I have no idea.”

To make her excuse more convincing, she added, “I already do everything I can to avoid her. Why would I go snooping for her updates? Just hearing her name makes me shiver.”

“I still want to live a few more years.”

Tan Hua merely smiled at her response, and Ning Xi couldn’t tell whether she believed her or not.

But that didn’t matter. What mattered was—she was safe for tonight. Ning Xi let out a deep sigh of relief, then casually said to Tan Hua, “I’m staying here tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t bother you. I’ll just sleep on the couch.”

Tan Hua didn’t object. Keeping Ning Xi nearby might help unlock some hidden plot points. Plus, she could act as a sort of accidental narrator, helping Tan Hua keep track of everything. Not a bad deal.

After exchanging a few light complaints with Tan Hua, Ning Xi felt her mood ease considerably. She lay back on the sofa, eyes following the Omega as she lightly patted skincare products onto her face—unconsciously, Ning Xi found herself mesmerized.

If she tried to ignore everything she knew about Tan Hua—the scheming, the manipulation—just looking at her in this moment, watching the graceful movements and relaxed demeanor… it was honestly kind of nice.

What a shame, Ning Xi sighed to herself again, frustrated. Such a good-looking girl, why did she have to get involved in such immoral behavior, like stealing someone else’s love?

If not for that, she might’ve even been willing to be friends with her.

Once Tan Hua finished her skincare routine, she headed off to bed. After she shut her door, Ning Xi finally put down her phone and slowly got up to prepare for the night. Once everything was settled, she pulled a blanket from the closet, curled up with it on the sofa, and closed her eyes.

She had no idea if she would run into Guo Lanyi tomorrow, so she needed a full night’s rest to prepare herself to be on full alert.

Plus, Cheng Yuan’s flight was arriving in the morning. She had to be well-rested to meet her at the airport—and give her a big, heartfelt hug. That thought made the corners of Ning Xi’s lips gently curl into a smile.

Meanwhile, Tan Hua was already nearly asleep, her eyes covered by a sleep mask—when suddenly, her system whispered in her ear:

“Host, the female lead just posted a new story.”

Tan Hua yanked off the sleep mask. “Huh? Couldn’t you have said that before I got comfortable?”

“She posted a photo of her plane ticket with the caption: ‘Long time no see,’” the system reported. “She’s probably letting people know she’s returning—and hinting that she wants them to pick her up.”

“That’s totally normal,” Tan Hua muttered, pouting as she pulled the mask back over her eyes. “If it were me, I’d post something too.”

“Anyway, after I finish the check-up with the doctor tomorrow, I’ll go pick her up myself.”

“Oh, right—make sure to order me a bouquet. Big. Eye-catching,” Tan Hua instructed.

The system: “??”
Why are you going to the airport? Haven’t things already gotten chaotic enough?

The system twitched at the corner of its mouth as it stared at its host, who wore a blissfully unaware “see nothing, hear nothing” expression. Its emotions were complicated.
Does the female lead even want you to pick her up? Clearly, she’s hoping for Lu Huaixu and the others.

Too bad Tan Hua was already fast asleep. No matter how much the system wanted to complain, it could only swallow the frustration.

Tan Hua slept soundly. The Tang family’s mansion was quiet—so quiet it was peaceful and refreshing. It made her never want to leave. She sat up, stretched lazily, and was just about to make herself a cup of coffee when the doorbell rang. A moment later, someone flung the door open and pounded aggressively on her bedroom door.

“Someone’s here for you!”

Ning Xi, rudely awakened, was in a very bad mood. She glared coldly at Zheng Jinyu, who had come in carrying breakfast with a flattering smile.

“Yuan Yuan’s returning today. Aren’t you going to get ready to meet her at the airport?” she said, voice laced with sarcasm.

Zheng Jinyu was caught off guard by the sight of Ning Xi inside Tan Hua’s room—and especially by her sleepy expression and the fact that she was wearing a bathrobe…

Her gaze darkened.
Did they… spend the night together? In the same bed? Or worse…?

Seeing Zheng Jinyu’s silence, Ning Xi sneered again. “What, cat got your tongue? I asked you a question.”

Zheng Jinyu snapped out of it and replied coolly, “I’ve already sent my assistant.”

She stared at Ning Xi expressionlessly, then asked in return, “Why are you here?”

“None of your business.” Ning Xi folded her arms and gave her a slow, mocking once-over. “Why would I explain myself to you? Who do you think you are?”

The tension between the two was palpable, sparks ready to fly—until Tan Hua finally opened the door and stepped out.

“What are you two talking about?” she asked. Her gaze landed on Zheng Jinyu, then on the breakfast trolley behind her. “President Zheng.”

Zheng Jinyu’s expression immediately softened at the sight of Tan Hua. A gentle smile tugged at her lips.
“I didn’t disturb your rest, did I?”

“No, I was already awake,” Tan Hua replied calmly.

“Good. Come have breakfast, then.”
Zheng Jinyu stepped forward and gently led Tan Hua toward the dining table, carefully arranging the dishes from the trolley. “I asked the kitchen to prepare these especially for you. Try them—see if they suit your taste.”

Watching Zheng Jinyu play the doting suitor, Ning Xi could only scoff.
Let’s see how Yuan Yuan reacts when she sees this.
She found the scene thoroughly irritating and silently pulled out her phone. She snapped a photo and sent it to Sheng Yiheng and Lu Huaixu, along with a message:
“Still asleep? Zheng Jinyu’s already here in full suck-up mode.”

After sending it off, she put away her phone with a fake smile, got changed, and shamelessly joined them at the table.

And it was a lavish spread—meats, pastries, a full East-meets-West brunch. Anyone walking in would think they were attending a formal banquet.

With a petty sense of vengeance, Ning Xi helped herself liberally and didn’t spare Zheng Jinyu a shred of courtesy.

Not long after, Sheng Yiheng arrived in a rush.

She shot daggers at Zheng Jinyu.
So devious. Who else can party until 3 or 4 a.m. and still show up at 6 in the morning with a breakfast cart?

“Are you even human, Zheng Jinyu?!” she cursed inwardly.

But just as Sheng Yiheng was fuming, she suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind. She turned and saw Lu Huaixu strolling in, calm and composed, not in any particular hurry.

Reflexively, Sheng Yiheng looked toward Ning Xi—
You told her too?!

Ning Xi grinned brightly in response.
Of course I did. You all want to fight over her? Great. Let’s all go together to pick up Yuan Yuan at the airport and finish this once and for all.

Her plan was flawless.

Until Tan Hua suddenly clutched her stomach, her face pale, and let out a low, involuntary sound.

Tan Hua: “?”

Ning Xi and the three Alphas: “???”

No one had time to react. Not even Tan Hua herself. Her stomach was suddenly churning uncontrollably.

She immediately covered her mouth and rushed to the bathroom. She hadn’t eaten anything, so there was nothing to actually vomit—but her body still made loud, dry heaves, wracked with spasms for nearly two minutes.

When it finally stopped, she looked up at her reflection in the mirror—face pale from nausea—and murmured:

“…System?”

She steadied herself and said slowly, “Don’t tell me… I’m pregnant.”

The system’s voice was timid, hesitant:
“…Well, um, technically no, but… it kind of… looks like it.”

“Looks like your ass!” Tan Hua exploded.
“Then tell me—who the hell’s the father?!”

I transmigrated into this world and haven’t even managed to get a single woman’s clothes off—now you’re telling me I’m pregnant?!

Tan-jie: about to rage.quit.jpg
System: panic mode activated! Guess I’m serving two unpredictable masters now!
Wen Chuan (offscreen): Don’t ask. Just… stare dramatically into the distance at a 45-degree angle.

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