The Scumbag Who Bowed for Money - Chapter 26

Xie Yuanwei was not feeling well either. Saying all of that earlier had left her in low spirits. After finishing her work, the Alpha slumped over her desk, staring blankly. Le Shi had specifically told others that she was feeling unwell lately and needed more rest.

“Le Shi seemed really upset,” Xie Yuanwei murmured with a sigh. “But ending the engagement would benefit her, wouldn’t it?”

She took out the little dog she had painted. Le Shi had said it was too ugly that night, not a crying puppy but an ugly one. Afterward, the Omega sat down and repainted it herself, this time in soft macaron colors, and it looked adorably pitiful.

Le Shi had even held the dog up to Xie Yuanwei’s face, puffed out her cheeks, and said with a pout, “Doot doot, does it look like you?”

Xie Yuanwei hadn’t answered at the time. She just smiled and put it away.

But now, resting her chin on the desk, she mimicked the little dog crawling across the surface. She muttered under her breath, “It looks nothing like me.”

In truth, it looked exactly like her.

Xie Yuanwei felt more upset now than she had during her susceptibility period. She gave a quiet hum and placed the little dog beside her computer. Her head drooped as she tried to start working again, but just then, she received a message from Yan Yu.

Yan Yu: “It’s my birthday tonight. Come join us.”

Yan Yu: “Don’t feel awkward. I’ve thought it through. No one can control how things turned out. I know you’re in a tough spot too.”

Yan Yu: “Let’s start fresh.”

Xie Yuanwei paused for a few seconds, then replied:

Xie Yuanwei: “I’m afraid I’ll slip up.”

Yan Yu: “Don’t worry. Everyone already knows about your engagement with Le Shi. When she brought you to that meeting with the Bai family, it was taken as confirmation. Just bring her along and play along for appearances.”

Xie Yuanwei frowned slightly and murmured, “So she already acknowledged the engagement?”

She wasn’t sure how she felt. All she knew was that something in her chest suddenly felt full, as if someone had caught her heart and placed it safely back on solid ground.

Was Le Shi trying to show others their relationship was real? That didn’t seem worth it. After all, the two of them would eventually go their separate ways. Xie Yuanwei didn’t mind being talked about, but Le Shi had more to lose.

It felt like a losing deal.

Xie Yuanwei looked at the little crying dog and, after a moment of hesitation, took out her phone and messaged Le Shi:

Xie Yuanwei: “Crying puppy peeking image.”

Le Shi was probably busy, and it took a few minutes before she replied:

Le Shi: “Pouting bunny turning away image.”

The Alpha cleared her throat and quickly typed after making sure no one was watching:

Xie Yuanwei: “It’s Yan Yu’s birthday today. Are you going?”

Le Shi: “Say something nice first.”

Xie Yuanwei took a deep breath, stood up, and walked into the restroom. Then she typed:

Xie Yuanwei: “What do you want to hear?”

The Omega seemed to be thinking. A few minutes passed before she replied:

Le Shi: “You’re older than me. You should know how to coax me. Chubby dog face pinch image.”

Xie Yuanwei chuckled softly and sent a voice message:

Xie Yuanwei: “I can’t make fish tonight. I’ll cook it for you tomorrow instead. Okay?”

Le Shi: “I knew you wouldn’t do it. Where are you?”

Xie Yuanwei: “Restroom.”

Le Shi: “You should get back to work. Let’s go together tonight.”

Xie Yuanwei slowly let out a breath and replied with a simple “Okay” before pushing the door open. She walked to the sink and washed her face. Water gathered into drops and rolled along her jaw, clinging there like she herself might fall apart at any moment.

She looked up and met her own gaze in the mirror. She had entered this world as a whole person, with a new gland in her body that seemed to fit the story she had fallen into. But she was not the same.

She had seen photos of the original Xie Yuanwei. Their appearances were almost identical, except the original had a small mole on her neck. More importantly, their eyes were completely different.

The original had bold, confident eyes filled with arrogance. But Xie Yuanwei’s gaze was nothing like that.

She exhaled and closed her eyes for a moment.

Her pale fingers gripped the edge of the sink. It was strange. She should have been happy.

Le Shi had acknowledged their engagement. So why…

She looked into the mirror again. Her pupils were deep and dark. Her fingertips tingled. She tilted her head and gave a small, tired smile.

“Maybe it’s because I’m not really her.”

She didn’t dwell on it any longer and walked out of the restroom as if nothing had happened.

She sent Yan Yu a firm reply and took time to study the guest list Yan Yu had prepared for her, making sure she recognized everyone.

They finished work late that evening. Almost the entire company was working overtime. By the time Xie Yuanwei waited in the car for Le Shi, it was already dark.

“Let’s go.”

She followed the address Yan Yu had sent and set the navigation. Just like before, she put on her earpiece.

Le Shi sat in the passenger seat. Even though they had just exchanged messages, now that they were face to face, neither of them had much to say.

Xie Yuanwei licked her dry lips and said in a neutral tone, “Yan Yu told me. Everyone already knows about our engagement.”

Le Shi kept her eyes forward. “I know.”

If Xie Yuanwei had floppy ears, they would have drooped at that moment. She bit her lip and quietly let out a breath.

Le Shi still seemed distant. Was she still angry?

It was a while before Le Shi finally turned her head during a red light. Her tone was firm, more forceful than usual.

“Xie Yuanwei.”

The Alpha turned quickly. “Yes?”

“Do you still want to end the engagement?”

Xie Yuanwei shook her head right away. “No. I won’t bring it up again.”

But she still had more to say. She would wait until Le Shi wanted to talk about it herself.

Le Shi seemed satisfied. She gave a small huff and turned back, but it was clear her mood had improved.

Xie Yuanwei finally relaxed and started the car again.

It didn’t matter anymore. As long as Le Shi was happy.

They arrived at the party just before nine. Someone came to greet them at the entrance. Xie Yuanwei straightened her back, trying to guess how the original Xie Yuanwei would have behaved. Just then, Le Shi reached over and took her hand.

Le Shi’s hands were beautiful. Xie Yuanwei had a bit of a hand obsession, and when she had shown photos to Bai Zhiqu before, she had already realized she liked them. Le Shi’s hands were soft, with long, fair fingers and slightly pink fingertips. When she used strength, the veins along her hands stood out clearly.

Xie Yuanwei glanced down at their joined hands, then bent forward and whispered, “What is it?”

Le Shi’s face stayed calm. “I need to play the role of a strict and controlling Omega wife.”

Xie Yuanwei paused, then immediately understood.

She was helping her build the image of an Alpha who had settled down.

Everyone could clearly see it. Xie Yuanwei had completely embraced her role as the quiet, obedient partner. She let Le Shi hold her hand without resistance, eyes soft and clear, just like a well-behaved wife.

Yan Yu, who was surrounded by people, had a slight twist in her expression.

“Well, we’ve finally managed to get our Miss Xie and President Le to show up.”

Yan Yu stood up, cutting off the curious glances from the others. She waved Xie Yuanwei over to sit beside her and casually placed a hand on her shoulder.

“So, how’s life as a working woman treating you?”

Xie Yuanwei responded without missing a beat.

“Not great. I’m ready to go home and lie down.”

Yan Yu laughed and exchanged a few more lines with the group. Before she could say anything else to Xie Yuanwei, someone brought over a drink.

“Let’s skip pressuring her to drink tonight,” Yan Yu said as she reached out to stop the person. “She has to work tomorrow.”

The person offering the drink was clearly tipsy. He spoke without thinking.

“She works at her wife’s company anyway. Being late won’t matter.”

Xie Yuanwei’s expression immediately darkened. She looked instinctively at Le Shi, ready to decline. Just as she opened her mouth, a hand reached out in front of her and blocked the drink.

Le Shi had remained distant ever since she arrived. Her expression had been cold and indifferent. No one dared to say anything against her, but they also avoided getting too close. Now she finally stepped in, and it was to protect Xie Yuanwei.

“I don’t like my partner drinking,” Le Shi said calmly. “Xie Yuanwei is cutting back. I hope everyone understands.”

With that one sentence, no one dared argue. A few people looked at Xie Yuanwei, but her attention was already completely focused on Le Shi.

She was glowing with happiness.

Xie Yuanwei politely said, “I won’t drink anymore tonight.”

After that, no one mentioned it again. Yan Yu simply gave a short laugh and moved the conversation along.

Xie Yuanwei thought the evening was nearly over. She and Le Shi had already agreed to make up for the birthday gift later. There was no time to buy anything decent on such short notice. They waited until almost eleven before planning to leave.

Just as they were about to stand, Bai Zhiqu’s voice sounded across the room.

Xie Yuanwei raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is she here for Yan Yu?”

She glanced toward Yan Yu, trying to read her expression. But Yan Yu did not look panicked. Instead, there was something soft and nostalgic in her gaze.

Wait. What was that?

Xie Yuanwei turned back to Le Shi and whispered, “Something feels off.”

They were sitting close together, so close that their bodies nearly touched. Her breath brushed against Le Shi’s ear as she spoke. She let out a quiet laugh, cheeks flushed and eyes slightly hazy.

Le Shi pinched her cheek and narrowed her eyes.

“Did you drink?”

Xie Yuanwei nodded obediently.

“I had one glass.”

“What kind of drink?”

She lowered her head like a guilty child.

“Vodka.”

Le Shi stared at her in disbelief.

She let out a soft scoff, half amused and half annoyed. Arms crossed, she leaned back into the sofa and spoke coldly.

“I asked someone to look into the story Bai Zhiqu told us. It wasn’t accurate. She and Yan Yu used to be together. I don’t know why they broke up.”

Xie Yuanwei’s expression shifted slightly.

“Really?”

So the plot had completely changed.

Le Shi gave a faint laugh and stood up. She looked down at Xie Yuanwei. Her eyes were lowered, and Xie Yuanwei’s eyes were red. The alcohol had fully hit her. She was slumped against the sofa, lips pouting slightly, eyes wide and innocent as she looked up at Le Shi.

She looked completely harmless.

But Le Shi bent down and lowered her voice, her tone sharp and biting.

“Looks like you did not do a very good job with your obedient Alpha image. Tonight, we are going to settle that properly.”

Xie Yuanwei was too drunk to process her words. She leaned forward without thinking, wrapped her arms around Le Shi’s waist, and nuzzled her face against her.

Her words came out mumbled.

“Okay.”

Le Shi gave a cold laugh.

Le Shi, to herself: You are absolutely done for.

Who said this was just a sixty-coin transaction? Who do you think I am? I would never settle for something like that.

Still, I am not sure. Is this too flat? Not enough emotional buildup? I am genuinely nervous. I almost want to cry.

Support The Scumbag Who Bowed for Money