The Scumbag Who Bowed for Money - Chapter 20

Le Shi didn’t respond to the question. She simply pushed Xie Yuanwei away gently and said in a quiet voice, “I’m hungry.”

Xie Yuanwei blinked in surprise and turned her head to glance out the window. It was already dark. Neither of them knew how long they had been sitting on the floor. Her legs were completely numb.

She helped Le Shi up and stood, speaking as she stretched her limbs. “Let’s go to the dining hall. Didn’t President Bai make plans with you?”

Le Shi was scrolling through her phone. After crying for so long, her complexion looked noticeably pale. She shook her head. “We’re going back tomorrow. Bai Zhiqu convinced Bai Tu to agree, so the contract should be signed soon. She messaged me just now and suggested we get out for a bit. She said we shouldn’t stay holed up at the villa all day.”

Xie Yuanwei didn’t have much of a reaction. She nodded. “Whatever you think is best.”

“Xie Yuanwei.”

“Hm?”

Le Shi stood still. Her figure was slender and quiet. When she looked over her shoulder, there was always a hint of longing in her eyes, even in the dim light.

“Do you know what kinds of things you’re supposed to avoid eating?”

“I don’t know. I probably don’t have to avoid anything, right?”

Xie Yuanwei vaguely remembered the Beta doctor trying to tell her something about that, but she had rushed back so quickly that she hadn’t stayed to listen.

Le Shi said nothing. She sat down on the edge of the bed and called Dr. Li. About three minutes later, she hung up.

Xie Yuanwei, feeling guilty, walked over slowly and sat beside her. She carefully scooted a little closer.

“So… what did he say?” Xie Yuanwei chuckled awkwardly. “It can’t be that bad, right?”

Le Shi gave her a cold glance and let out a faint huff, turning her head away. “Whatever our Miss Xie does must be perfect.”

The tone of her voice made it clear. Xie Yuanwei knew she was in trouble. She laughed dryly and tugged gently at Le Shi’s sleeve. “President Le, tell me what he said.”

But the Omega wasn’t buying it. She coolly pulled her arm back and shifted away, supporting herself with both hands.

“Just a basic list. No meat, no alcohol, low oil and low salt, and get more sleep.”

Xie Yuanwei went silent.

She frowned. “So all I can eat is porridge?”

She was not a fan of porridge. Just thinking about it made her lose her appetite.

Le Shi let out a soft laugh. Her energy had returned, and she stood up while giving Xie Yuanwei a teasing glance.

“Unless Miss Xie wants something else. Too bad her sugar mama is broke.”

Tears welled up in Xie Yuanwei’s eyes as she whined, “Can we switch roles, please?”

Le Shi pulled out a more casual outfit and walked into the bathroom without looking back. “Request denied. I’ll change, then we can head out.”

Xie Yuanwei perked up immediately. “Yes ma’am!”

They didn’t take long. Soon, both of them were out the door wearing masks and hats. By the time they reached the foot of the hill, it was already past seven in the evening.

Xie Yuanwei had done some research and was visibly excited. “I heard there’s a beautiful night market around here. Want to check it out?”

Le Shi agreed. “Sure. I don’t know this area very well either.”

The Alpha’s eyes curved with delight as she called a ride. During the trip, she chatted non-stop, trying her best to lift Le Shi’s mood.

Xie Yuanwei talked endlessly. Le Shi replied now and then, just enough to keep the conversation going. Even the driver couldn’t help smiling. Just before they got out, he turned to Le Shi and asked curiously, “Is this your girlfriend? She seems really sweet.”

Le Shi motioned for Xie Yuanwei to get out of the car. She gave a small smile and, just as she was closing the door, replied softly, “Yes. I think she’s pretty sweet too.”

She didn’t say which part she was agreeing with, but Xie Yuanwei still looked delighted. She clasped her hands behind her back, staring at Le Shi with a look full of pride, clearly pleased by the compliment.

Le Shi caught the look and couldn’t help smiling. She gave Xie Yuanwei a light push. “Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

The night market was long, with lots of stalls and crowds even at the entrance. Xie Yuanwei leaned in to take a look and quickly backed out. “That’s a child’s safety leash, so kids don’t get lost.”

“Let’s go in and have a look around.”

Xie Yuanwei was just about to head inside when Le Shi stopped her. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Without hesitation, the Omega squeezed into the crowd, made a quick payment, and came back holding a red leash.

Xie Yuanwei raised an eyebrow. “What’s that for?”

Le Shi didn’t answer. She simply beckoned. “Give me your hand.”

Xie Yuanwei looked confused. “You’re putting it on me?”

She clearly wasn’t thrilled, but she still obediently held out her hand. Le Shi fastened the clasp around her wrist. The other end of the leash was a closed loop, which meant Le Shi could simply hold it and lead her along.

Seeing Xie Yuanwei’s expression, Le Shi gave the leash a little shake. “You don’t like how it looks?”

“No, I do,” Xie Yuanwei replied immediately. She raised her wrist and examined it. It looked and felt like the two of them were tied together. She licked her lips. “I like it. This way I won’t get lost.”

Le Shi nodded, clearly satisfied. Her mood visibly brightened. “Let’s go.”

The night market had mostly street food, but unfortunately for Xie Yuanwei, she couldn’t eat most of it. Le Shi seemed to take mischievous pleasure in this. At each food stall, she lingered just long enough to tempt her. Only when Xie Yuanwei looked truly miserable did she finally move on.

After walking for nearly an hour, Xie Yuanwei had both hands full of snacks she couldn’t eat. Le Shi held the leash in one hand and casually munched on something with the other.

Xie Yuanwei felt utterly defeated. She took two steps forward and raised her voice in a soft whine. “Can I have a bite? I’m starving.”

Le Shi didn’t even look at her. “I thought you said pheromones were enough to keep you full.”

Xie Yuanwei blinked pitifully. “I haven’t eaten all day.”

Le Shi paused mid-step and turned her head slightly. “You…”

Xie Yuanwei gave a nervous chuckle and didn’t say another word.

In the end, the Alpha received only a plain bowl of porridge. The two of them sat at a small table by a street vendor and began to eat.

“I thought you wouldn’t eat street food like this,” Xie Yuanwei said, sounding a little surprised. “Doesn’t really match your image.”

She said it without concern, even though it might have exposed something. The original Xie Yuanwei had a history of skipping school and hanging out with a rough crowd, while Le Shi had always been the perfect, well-behaved child that parents praised.

Le Shi took a napkin and wiped her mouth. Then she looked up and said, “When I was little, I always wanted to eat food like this, but my family never allowed it. They said it wasn’t good for my health. After I grew up and gained some freedom, I realized it’s not about health. Life is already hard enough. Why not follow your heart sometimes?”

Xie Yuanwei’s hand paused in midair. She realized she didn’t actually know much about Le Shi’s background. The novel never really went into detail either.

As if reading her mind, Le Shi bit into a sausage and spoke in a casual tone, like chatting with an old friend. “My parents weren’t exactly bad to me. I had everything I needed materially. They never restricted my spending. But since my family’s part of a large business group, Le Corporation became a prize everyone wanted. They often overlooked how I felt.”

“We rarely expressed love. Most of the time it was just polite compliments dressed as support. I never really learned how to show my emotions properly. And in that emotionally stunted environment, all I ended up with was a messy life.”

“I’m an Omega. Even though second genders don’t matter as much anymore, I never really had the same advantages as others. When I first took over Le Corporation, the atmosphere at home was incredibly suffocating. It’s much better now, but I barely see them anymore.”

She picked up her glass of orange juice and added, “All they ever wanted was for me to take over the company.”

She had said so much in just a few short sentences. And though Xie Yuanwei had plenty she wanted to say, all she could offer, as an outsider for now, was a quiet, “That’s all in the past now.”

That moment from earlier, when Le Shi said their identities didn’t give them the right to interfere, had stuck with her.

“You’re right,” Le Shi said, brushing the crumbs from her fingers. She looked around for a moment before spotting something across the street. Her eyes lit up a little. “Are they making crafts over there?”

Xie Yuanwei set her spoon down and squinted in the same direction. After a few seconds, she grinned. “Looks like it. Want to check it out?”

Le Shi noticed her excitement and sighed lightly before standing up. “Let’s go.”

Xie Yuanwei gave the leash on her wrist a little wiggle and smiled. “My sponsor is the best.”

“Shut it.”

“Okay.”

They squeezed through the crowd toward the booth. It was a stall where people used stone-like clay to sculpt small figurines. There was quite a crowd, and they had to wait for a while before getting seats.

Xie Yuanwei had clearly been waiting for this. As soon as she sat down, she pulled out a reference image she had saved and eagerly got to work. After a flurry of activity, she proudly presented a lump of clay.

“What is that supposed to be?” Le Shi frowned. “A dog? Or…?”

Xie Yuanwei looked deeply offended. “It’s a rabbit.”

Le Shi paused.

She tried to be polite. “Maybe that animal just doesn’t suit you.”

Xie Yuanwei’s shoulders slumped. “I get it. I’m not cut out for this.”

Compared to her, Le Shi was calm and precise. She crafted a small dog with ease and placed it in front of Xie Yuanwei.

“Doesn’t it look like you?”

Clearly impressed, Xie Yuanwei admired it but asked with confusion, “Why does it look like me?”

Le Shi didn’t answer, only waiting for her to draw her own conclusion. When Xie Yuanwei gave her the answer she was expecting, she finally reached out and said, “Give me your rabbit.”

Xie Yuanwei handed it over. “Are you going to fix it for me?”

Le Shi shook her head. “No. I’m keeping it just the way it is. It’s ugly, but in a very… unique way.”

Xie Yuanwei stared at her.

That was deeply hurtful.

They finished their figures and packed them to take home. The vendor gave them two trays of paint, but neither of them planned to use them. As they were getting ready to leave, Le Shi stopped again at the stall near the entrance.

Since they were still connected by the leash, Xie Yuanwei followed. She saw Le Shi crouch down and browse a selection of charms at the small booth.

The lights of the night market glowed brightly around them. Le Shi tilted her head with a gentle smile. She handed something to Xie Yuanwei and leaned in to say softly,

“Hang the rabbit you made on this.”

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