The Reborn Scummy A and the Sickly O Got Together - Chapter 30

The crowd around them fell silent for a moment, making the voices of the few young people who had chased Qin Yan to the long table stand out even more clearly.

Leading the group was a tall, mixed-race female alpha with light-colored hair and brown eyes. She called out, “Qin, calm down! Let’s talk this out properly. Don’t make a scene that leaves everyone embarrassed.”

The others chimed in with their own pleas:

“Maybe there’s some misunderstanding here. Can you just take a step back?”

“This isn’t like you, Qin. You’re usually not like this…”

Qin Yan retorted, “Misunderstanding? Lu Jia chatting intimately with multiple alphas late at night?”

“Close conversations between friends aren’t necessarily a big deal,” the mixed-race girl, Ailiya, shouted. “My God, just get down from there first!”

Qin Yan snapped, “She accepted my confession, then told you she was single. I’m not as magnanimous as you, if you like wearing a cuckold’s hat, keep it for yourself. I don’t have such bizarre tastes!”

The moment these words left his mouth, the entire room erupted. What had been hushed whispers turned into open, brazen discussions:

“Who is Lu Jia? A Lu is she also a girl from this family?”

“I know her. She’s the illegitimate daughter of a distant relative of President Lu, a pretentious, scheming omega.”

“This is absolutely wild. I thought tonight’s banquet would be boring, but this is just too good! I’m live-posting this on my socials!”

Luo Mingyue took a subtle step forward, a faint smile on her lips. If things ended here, she felt it still wouldn’t meet her expectations.

But even if it only caused Lu Jia some trouble, it would still be a small victory.

Yet it wasn’t enough. Among the elegantly dressed young ladies and gentlemen surrounding them, many were Lu Jia’s usual close friends.

Now, they were no different from gossip-hungry paparazzi, their faces alight with excitement over the scandal, craning their necks shamelessly without a shred of dignity.

Luo Mingyue thought bitterly, Lu Jia, you should take a good look at these so-called friends of yours.

Since you’re so obsessed with social climbing and networking, you should’ve known that one day, the very connections you built would be your downfall. Staying low-key might have let this blow over, but with your wide circle of friends, even the slightest misstep would have them tearing you apart, eager to trample you underfoot.

But who can you blame?

When you trampled on others’ sincerity and played with their feelings, did you ever realize what you were losing? Did you ever consider how few people in this world would truly give you their hearts…?

In this lifetime, you’ll probably only ever have a handful.

A gasp came from the woman beside her, Madam Lu swayed on her feet, but fortunately, the lady next to her reacted swiftly and steadied her.

The old woman straightened up and murmured, “Just a misstep. Thank you, Madam Chen.”

Then, raising her voice, she commanded, “Mingyue! And where is Lu Ping? Go pull that fool off the table right now!”

Speak of the devil.

Lu Ping pushed through the murmuring crowd, his hurried figure followed by a petite, flustered girl, none other than Lu Jia herself, the subject of the banquet’s gossip.

Anxious yet oddly exhilarated, Lu Ping asked, “Grandmother, what do we do? Should we stop Qin Yan? Should the banquet continue?”

Lu Jia had already collapsed into Luo Mingyue’s arms, her body swaying unsteadily as if on the verge of fainting.

“Why didn’t you stop Qin Yan?” the girl shrieked accusingly.

Looking down at the fragile girl in her arms, Luo Mingyue noted how hastily she had run over, her forehead glistened with sweat, strands of hair clinging to her cheeks and temples, making her appear utterly disheveled. The tears welling in her eyes this time were genuine; she was truly about to burst into tears.

Luo Mingyue asked softly, “Jiajia, do you regret getting involved with several alphas at once, or do you regret this being exposed in front of so many people?”

Lu Jia looked up at Luo Mingyue in disbelief. The beautiful female alpha’s expression was full of pity, making her wonder if she had misheard the underlying meaning in those words.

Luo Mingyue thought to herself, it must be regret over the exposure.

How many wrongdoers in this world truly reflect on their mistakes? They weep and apologize profusely, but what they’re really thinking isn’t that they shouldn’t have done such things.

What they’re thinking is: Why did I have to get caught?

They only regret not committing their misdeeds more carefully, shedding tears of remorse after being exposed, regretting that they hadn’t been more meticulous, leaving no evidence behind.

Old Madam Lu said sternly, “Lu Ping, wipe that look off your face.”

Then she urged decisively, “You and Mingyue go quickly and drag that Qin boy down from there!”

Lu An had somehow squeezed her way over. The woman, who had gained a mature charm after childbirth, swayed gracefully as she covered her mouth and laughed. “My little brother here is usually so quiet, who knew he had such fiery youth in him?”

Seeing Lu Jia clinging to Luo Mingyue, Lu An rolled her eyes. “What are you crying for? Show some of that alpha-charming skill of yours. It’s not like anyone died, what’s the big deal?”

Luo Mingyue gently pushed Lu Jia away and comforted her, “Sister An is right. It’s just some trivial gossip. In a few days, no one will even be talking about it anymore.”

The girl’s expression improved slightly. Luo Mingyue also thought indeed, this wasn’t enough. At this level, people would just treat it as romantic gossip. So Qin Yan still wasn’t planning to release those photos?

She had her suspicions they were likely intimate photos of a certain degree. She just didn’t know how revealing they would be.

Lu Ping ran over and grabbed the tall girl who was still standing there lost in thought. The crowd’s eyes kept darting between Qin Yan and Lu Jia.

Even the group of alphas around Aylia weren’t united, clearly some of the younger ones felt they’d been played by Lu Jia too.

Only poor Aylia stood on a chair, straining to pull at Qin Yan, who danced away with his roses like he was performing.

Aylia steeled herself, about to climb onto the table, when someone pushed through the crowd and tossed a wireless microphone through the air: “Brother Qin! The PA system’s connected, catch!”

Aylia looked like she was going to lose it. “Fuck! You’re all insane! Is this really necessary to bully an omega girl like this?”

The microphone landed squarely in Qin Yan’s hands.

Luo Mingyue grabbed Lu Ping’s arm, swaying slightly and nearly pulling him to the ground.

She said quietly, “Ping-ge, I think I twisted my ankle too. Could you help me walk over?”

“Why now of all times?” Lu Ping scratched his head. “You stay here then, I need to stop Qin Yan.”

“What exactly is Qin Yan planning to do? It’s really intriguing,” Luo Mingyue casually voiced her curiosity.

Lu Ping indeed showed hesitation. He had always been one to enjoy drama without getting involved, and since Lu Jia wasn’t his own sister, he saw no need to go out of his way for her.

Watching Lu Ping also pause in his steps, Luo Mingyue didn’t know whether to feel sorrow for Lu Jia’s interpersonal relationships or for herself.

She thought, Lu Jia, look at this moment, if it weren’t for me, who would genuinely worry for you?

Have you ever considered that the person whose sincerity you trampled upon might also scheme to retaliate?

Will you regret it?

But unless I see the look of remorse and agony on your face, how can I ever let myself go? Your suffering will be the nourishment for my rebirth, and yet, the pain you feel now is but a fraction of what I endured.

The ancients were right, life is but an empty vessel of regrets, and affection is often met with betrayal. Whether love in this world can endure is something I’ve never known.

But at this moment, I believe that the universe is vast, and all emotions, no matter how deep, must one day come to an end.

Only this hatred will stretch on without end.

Among the crowd, few spared a thought for the omega girl named Lu Jia at the center of the commotion and how humiliated she must feel.

The lavishly dressed men and women, whether the soft-spoken gentlemen and socialites or the boisterous rich heirs, now resembled hyenas catching the scent of blood.

Both Qin Yan and Lu Jia were their prey for the evening. If Qin Yan failed to escalate this farce to its climax, the hyenas wouldn’t be satisfied.

Thus, when the gentle piano melody of Wedding in a Dream began to play, its ethereal and romantic notes starkly contrasting with the chaos, the entire room was taken aback.

It was like performing a flamboyant northeastern folk dance to the tune of Für Elise.

Qin Yan spoke into the microphone, “I thank everyone for attending this banquet. First, I’d like to apologize to Miss Feng Baiming.”

The opulent crowd collectively gasped was the Feng family’s eldest daughter also part of this juicy gossip?

Qin Yan continued, “For ruining the welcome banquet held in your honor and stealing your spotlight, Baiming-jie, I truly apologize.”

The crowd’s eyes shifted away from Feng Baiming, murmurs of disappointment rising.

Feng Baiming: “…” Suddenly realizing Qin Yan’s brain isn’t quite right either, what kind of bizarre kid is this?!

Ailiya gave up on stopping Qin Yan. She had no desire to steal the limelight and slumped into a chair by the table, resignedly watching his performance with wide eyes.

“Apologies for interrupting everyone’s evening. Please allow me to deliver this long-planned confession, Lu Jia, my beloved omega girl. After half a year of sharing our lives, every moment of joy and sorrow, I asked if you would be my girlfriend, and you openly accepted my 5200-yuan confession transfer.”

Qin Yan sneered, “I thought that meant you had agreed to be my girlfriend.”

Since the two protagonists weren’t standing together, the crowd had to swivel their heads back and forth like spectators at a tennis match.

Supported by Lu Ping, Luo Mingyue focused on Lu Jia, who was hiding behind Lu An, and noticed the audience resembled a flock of geese craning their necks.

From among the geese, someone asked, “So, are the two of you already dating?”

Qin Yan said, “She accepted the transfer, doesn’t that imply consent? You should ask her why she then told Aylia she was still single.”

“Wow, what a heartbreaker!” someone immediately shouted. “This is just playing the field, isn’t it? Toying with people’s emotions!”

Lu An suddenly spoke up, “Lu Jia, did you accept my uncle’s confession?”

The crowd immediately turned their attention to Lu Jia, and the young man holding the roses also glared at her with eyes burning with anger.

“I did accept the transfer, but I never agreed to anything. Qin Yan, check the chat records yourself, I never responded to your confession.” The girl choked back sobs as she spoke, “You misunderstood, so why blame me?”

The omega girl, already delicate and petite in frame, wore a light blue floral cheongsam. Now, with tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the rain, she appeared even more fragile and pitiable under the romantic piano melody and soft lighting.

An alpha immediately spoke up, “Young Master Qin, bullying an omega girl like this is hardly gentlemanly.”

Another tear rolled down Lu Jia’s cheek, glistening on her rosy skin. Her voice was soft, sorrowful, and melodious:

“Brother Qin Yan, if I gave you the wrong impression, that’s my fault. I apologize to you here.”

With just those few words, the crowd’s opinion shifted. Most of the self-righteous alphas began speaking up in her defense:

“Young Master Qin has gone too far. Besides, is 5,200 even a significant amount? It’s barely enough to cover one of Miss Lu’s dresses!”

“Exactly, look how he’s driven the poor girl to this state. What a petty alpha!”

Only the omegas whispered among themselves in complaint:

“Here we go again, acting like she’s the purest soul in the world. What else does she know besides playing the victim?”

“Now we see she’s quite the orator turning black into white.”

Someone in the crowd shouted loudly, “The number 5,200 is very specific. Is Miss Lu so dense she doesn’t know what it implies? If she could accept such an amount without hesitation, isn’t she just taking advantage if she wasn’t accepting the confession?”

Lu Jia’s face grew even paler, her voice trembling with despair:

“Brother Qin Yan said my allowance was too small, and if I valued our friendship, I shouldn’t refuse his help.”

“I considered him a close friend, so I accepted his kindness. Since I’d taken it before, I didn’t think much of it this time. I’m willing to return all the red packets and transfers to Brother Qin Yan.”

Some alphas immediately declared, “Qin Yan, if you’re any kind of alpha, you wouldn’t demand gifts back from an omega. If you’re that kind of man, you don’t deserve to be one!”

Lu Ping, an alpha playboy who had romanced countless omegas and betas, was truly amazed by this dramatic turn of events.

Unable to help himself, he tightened his grip on Luo Mingyue’s arm. The two had taken advantage of the chaos to blend into the crowd by the long table, standing just behind Aylia.

“This truly is… the art of language,” Lu Ping whispered to Luo Mingyue. “I really underestimated Lu Jia before, thinking she was just another omega with petty cleverness and a bit of manipulative charm. But look at her now holding her own against a hundred, turning the tables without breaking a sweat. She’s got some real skill!”

Luo Mingyue murmured quietly, “It’s just a contest of who has the thicker skin.”

Lu Ping thought he misheard, “What did you say?”

Luo Mingyue forced an awkward smile, “Nothing. It’s just that one really shouldn’t be greedy for small advantages. I should discipline Jia Jia more in the future.”

Lu Ping replied, “Yue, this isn’t about small advantages. In our family, you’re the only white lily, the rest of us are black-hearted lotuses. You’re just too kind-hearted.”

“But tell me, has being so kind-hearted made you happy and free?”

Luo Mingyue didn’t answer Lu Ping. Instead, she looked at Qin Yan with disappointment. It made sense, if Qin Yan had been more shrewd and intelligent, how could he have been fooled by Lu Jia’s false sincerity?

Look at the bustling crowds on the roads of life, coming and going. Who truly cares if you’re sad or suffering? People only see the surface. Stay silent for too long, and your silence itself becomes a fault. The world is just that hopeless.

Whoever shouts the loudest becomes the righteous one.

Luo Mingyue was utterly disappointed in Qin Yan. She never expected a farce like this to suddenly shift in Lu Jia’s favor.

And there stood Qin Yan, silent on the table, holding his bouquet of nearly withered roses, frozen in place like a pitiful clown.

“Let’s give Qin Yan a way out,” Luo Mingyue said. “He isn’t really at fault here, it’s all Lu Jia’s doing anyway.”

With that, she stepped forward. Lu Ping hesitated, “Wait, didn’t you sprain your ankle?”

The piano piece “Wedding Dream” was nearing its end. Qin Yan slowly lowered the bouquet and spoke into the microphone, “Everyone, please take out your phones to receive some screenshots.”

Modern phone software is divided into two architectures: Android and iOS, both of which now support file-sharing between strangers.

At Qin Yan’s prompt, screens lit up across the room as phones received a chat image. Many immediately clicked to accept, followed by a second, then a third…

These screenshots were all chat logs between Qin Yan and Lu Jia:

Qin Yan: To me, you are like a treasure with a heart as pure as gold, discovered in this dull, gray world.

Qin Yan: Do you know? It’s like walking a long, long road in life. I used to complain about why fate was so stingy with me.

My brother and sister received all our parents’ love, while I was the child abandoned by the gods, no matter what I did, I was always overlooked.

Qin Yan: I’ve always felt like a weary traveler, unsure why I had to walk such a long path in this world.

I once thought that if life could end abruptly at any moment, it might even be a blessing. But in this exhausting world, after meeting you, I finally understood that two souls could be so alike.

Qin Yan: Today marks the 231st day since we met, Miss Lu Jia. If I once despised and scorned fate,

then every day since knowing you has brought color to this gray world.

You are the dazzling diamond that shines in my poor, pale, and dull life.

I think it’s more than just liking you, Miss Lu, I love you. Would you accept the sincere heart of a weary traveler who has mustered his courage and hope once more?

Luo Mingyue took out her phone. Thanks to her love of reading, she quickly finished going through these chat logs, which included Lu Jia’s responses. In the last screenshot, Qin Yan had sent a transfer of 5,200 yuan.

In the screenshot, Lu Jia accepted it and replied with one sentence:

Brother Qin Yan, I understand you.

What a line?”I understand you.”

Luo Mingyue gripped her phone, a mocking laugh nearly bursting from her throat, as if she wanted to laugh wildly perhaps at Qin Yan, perhaps at Lu Jia, or perhaps just at herself…

There are many people in this world who want love, and many who crave being adored by countless others.

Some want to be cherished, to be provided with money and material comforts, but then there are those foolish few who chase after so-called soulmate compatibility.

I understand you.

Such clever words, no wonder even a cold prince like Qin Yan was reeled in.

Luo Mingyue had wondered: if she was deceived by Lu Jia because she longed for familial love, then why would someone like Qin Yan fall for her?

Because he was lured by what seemed like genuine affection.

That’s how the world works, people are only ever hurt to the extreme by the very things they spend their lives pursuing.

The more sincere and deep the love once was, the more furious the protagonist becomes when the lie of that love is exposed.

Even the slowest spectators had finished reading the chat logs by now. The piano piece reached its finale, and the withered bouquet of roses on the long table finally fell, crushed under the foot of the handsome young man.

He said clearly, “Miss Lu Jia, I thank you for teaching me such a profound lesson in life.”

“I once didn’t believe in love. Even those bound to me by blood ignored me, carelessly complaining that I shouldn’t add to their troubles. My elder brother and younger sister had already taken up all their attention, they just wanted me, the middle child, to stay quiet like a decoration, not wasting any more of their energy.”

“You made me believe in love again, encouraged me not to give up on pursuing it.”

Qin Yan lowered his hand, and the microphone dropped onto the table with a sharp thud.

The piano music faded completely, leaving only the young man’s hoarse voice as he said, “But in the end, it was also you who made me realize how laughable the pursuit of love truly is.”

“Do I look like a clown?” Qin Yan forced a smile, but it vanished in an instant. Exhaustion clouded his features as he climbed down from the table.

Luo Mingyue reached out to steady him, and Qin Yan suddenly leaned close to her ear, whispering, “Thank you for the hint and for the last photo. Please check it.”

Before Luo Mingyue could react, the crowd erupted:

“Oh my god… this is… this is just indecent!”

Before she could even see the photo, Lu Ping shoved his phone right under her nose, shouting, “That idiot Lu Jia!”

What greeted her eyes was a plunging neckline that nearly burst the bounds of decency. The always pure and flawless Lu Jia, in these stitched-together screenshots, was posing in various suggestive shots, flirting with the edge of propriety.

Also included in the screenshots was a chat where Lu Jia asked, “Brother Qin Yan, do you think this looks good? I’m only showing it to you, you mustn’t share it with anyone else.”

Lu Ping cried out anxiously, “We’re screwed! I told you we should’ve stopped Qin Yan! Grandma’s definitely going to blame us both for this! What an utter embarrassment!”

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