The Scumbag Who Bowed for Money - Chapter 43

Le Shi didn’t know when Xie Yuanwei had left. When she woke up, the alpha was already gone. All that remained was a handwritten note left beside her pillow.

“Breakfast is ready in the pot. If it gets cold, heat it in the microwave. I’ll be back soon. Please ask someone to help take care of Xiao Wei. You’ve been really tired lately, so try to sleep early. Don’t forget to wash and dry your hair tonight. I didn’t have time to say this in person, but good morning.”

Good morning.

Le Shi ran her fingers across the paper. She took a slow breath. The warmth on the bed had long faded, and for a moment, she found it unfamiliar.

Just as she was about to get out of bed, she noticed a message on her phone. It was from Dr. Li, sent about ten minutes ago.

Dr. Li: “Based on your current physical condition, it’s perfectly fine for you and Xie Yuanwei to be apart. You’ve kissed and exchanged pheromones. Don’t worry.”

“Why would she suddenly ask that?” Le Shi only got halfway through the question before realizing the answer. Xie Yuanwei must have contacted Dr. Li on her behalf. Le Shi couldn’t quite explain what she felt, only that her chest tightened and her heart ached. She slowly typed a thank-you message, got out of bed, stood still for a few seconds, then walked into the bathroom.

“Whoohoo!” Yan Yu pulled off her sunglasses and dragged Bai Zhiqu’s suitcase behind her. The wind here was stronger. She took off her own hat and placed it on the omega’s head.

“Our approach is simple. When it’s time to work, we work. When it’s time to relax, we relax.”

Xie Yuanwei had also been forced to wear sunglasses and a mask. Even though this place wasn’t as high-profile as the city, it was still safer to stay low-key.

According to Yan Yu, the original host of her current identity had been even more flamboyant. Even if her personality didn’t match, the appearance had to.

“Where are we going now?” Xie Yuanwei asked.

Bai Zhiqu checked the time, clicked her tongue, and pulled her hand away from Yan Yu.

“Let’s go to the guesthouse first. It’s getting late. We should eat lunch.”

“Alright,” Yan Yu replied eagerly. She seemed glued to Bai Zhiqu’s side.

“Whatever you say.”

Bai Zhiqu narrowed her eyes.

“Can you not?”

“Nope.”

Xie Yuanwei quietly followed behind.

They didn’t argue for long. Yan Yu arranged for someone to drive them. The guesthouse was located at the edge of a forest and had a natural, peaceful vibe. Xie Yuanwei stared at the place and suddenly fell into a daze.

Yan Yu stood beside her and spoke in a lowered voice.

“Is something wrong?”

Xie Yuanwei’s body gave a small jolt. She responded after a pause.

“No, it’s just… this place looks familiar. For a second, I thought I had been here before.”

That familiarity wasn’t imagined. Her parents had once owned a guesthouse almost identical to this one. She thought she had forgotten it all, but standing here, she realized how vivid those memories still were.

Yan Yu gave her a doubtful look and asked again.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You really don’t seem like yourself.”

“I’m fine.” Xie Yuanwei gave a quiet smile. She didn’t want to explain more.

“This trip already bothers you enough. Let’s go.”

The alpha didn’t say anything more. Yan Yu also dropped the subject and led them inside.

“I booked two rooms,” Yan Yu told the front desk. “Can we check in now?”

“Yes, of course.”

Xie Yuanwei was still looking at her phone when she suddenly looked up. Through the space behind Yan Yu, she saw the woman at the front desk. The woman was smiling happily.

She froze.

“Here are your room keys. If you have any problems, just call us.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Xie Yuanwei stood still. Her eyes were fixed on the woman in front of her.

“How is this even possible?”

Her gaze was too obvious. The woman behind the counter noticed and looked over.

“Miss, are you alright?”

Xie Yuanwei slowly shook her head. She looked down and bit her lip. She didn’t answer.

Bai Zhiqu immediately sensed something was wrong. She stepped in with a calm smile, took the room cards from Yan Yu, and led Xie Yuanwei away.

Yan Yu didn’t stay to chat. She quickly followed and recorded a short video of Xie Yuanwei’s expression to send to Le Shi, explaining that the alpha didn’t seem well.

Before entering her room, Xie Yuanwei steadied herself and said quickly,

“Thank you both. I just need a moment to collect myself.”

They didn’t push. She closed the door, and Bai Zhiqu pulled Yan Yu into their own room.

“What did you say to Xie Yuanwei?” Bai Zhiqu asked directly.

Yan Yu briefly explained. As soon as she finished, Bai Zhiqu let out a frustrated breath.

“That was really a terrible thing to say.”

It was the first time Yan Yu had heard Bai Zhiqu curse. She was a little excited.

“Say something else.”

“Move.”

Bai Zhiqu pushed her aside and stepped out onto the balcony with her phone. She warned Yan Yu not to follow, then dialed Le Shi.

“I don’t think Xie Yuanwei is doing well.”

Le Shi sounded like she had moved to a quieter spot before replying.

“I know. I saw the video Yan Yu sent me.”

“Yan Yu said something yesterday that might have been misunderstood.” Bai Zhiqu explained briefly.

There was a quiet breath on the other end of the line. Then Le Shi spoke again.

“I actually really like Xie Yuanwei.”

“But it will never become the kind of story we’ve been through before.”

Xie Yuanwei lay on the bed. She had planned to rest before going out again, but before she could settle in, a video call came in from Le Shi.

“President Le,” she greeted quietly.

Le Shi smiled.

“Is the little puppy feeling down?”

Xie Yuanwei lowered her eyes. Her voice was soft and dull.

“No.”

“What I said yesterday could have been misunderstood.” Le Shi hesitated. Then she changed the way she phrased it.

“I’ll explain it to you next time we see each other. But I’ve never thought of you as a burden. I’m just scared that you’ll get hurt.”

“I know.”

Le Shi gave a soft hum, then asked,

“Will you tell me why you’re upset?”

Xie Yuanwei buried her head into the pillow.

“I can’t.”

Le Shi laughed lightly.

“Alright. You don’t have to tell me. I’m heading back to work now. I’ll call you later tonight.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up the phone, Xie Yuanwei rested with her eyes closed for a while. About ten minutes later, she got up and went to find Yan Yu and Bai Zhiqu. The two of them were in the middle of what sounded like an argument, though they still opened the door for her.

Xie Yuanwei blinked in silence.

That didn’t sound like arguing—it was definitely flirting.

Bai Zhiqu didn’t bother bickering with Yan Yu anymore. She lifted her chin slightly and said to Xie Yuanwei, “Come on. Let’s take a walk around here.”

“Okay,” Xie Yuanwei responded.

The alpha carried a small bag on her back and quietly followed behind them. As they stepped outside, she instinctively lowered her head to avoid making eye contact with others. Once they were safely out, she finally relaxed.

Bai Zhiqu suddenly turned and asked, “Xie Yuanwei, would you like to walk around on your own?”

There was no malice in her tone. Xie Yuanwei understood that immediately and nodded. She actually preferred the idea.

The forest nearby was vast, with clearly marked areas that were off-limits. Not daring to wander too far, Xie Yuanwei stayed near the guesthouse, strolling around until she grew tired. She eventually sat down on the back steps to rest.

Sunlight filtered through the thick layers of leaves, scattering into golden specks. Xie Yuanwei reached out her hand to catch them, then gently curled her fingers as if trying to hold onto the light.

“Hello.”

The sudden voice of a woman startled her. She turned around quickly and stood up, a little flustered.

“I’m sorry. Am I in your way?”

The woman shook her head with a warm smile. She was dressed in clothing that looked local and distinct.

“Hi, I’m Wu Wu—Wu, like in ‘wutong’ tree,” she introduced herself as she sat beside Xie Yuanwei. “I’m the daughter of the guesthouse owner. I saw you sitting here alone and thought I’d join you, if you don’t mind.”

Xie Yuanwei quickly scooted to the side, giving her some space. Her instincts told her this woman was probably an omega.

Wu Wu’s smile softened, her whole demeanor radiating a cheerful, easygoing warmth.

“I noticed you the moment you walked in. You actually look a little like my mom,” she said.

“Is that so.” Xie Yuanwei didn’t say much else. She simply turned her head slightly, unsure if the woman had recognized her from the news.

Wu Wu seemed to guess what she was thinking and added casually, “I know who you are, but that doesn’t matter.”

“I don’t think you’re the kind of person they say you are.”

After that, Wu Wu stood up and walked a few steps toward the forest. The dry leaves beneath her feet made crisp sounds.

“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” she asked with a tilted head and a playful smile.

Xie Yuanwei gave a soft hum of agreement, then lowered her head again.

“Are you upset?” Wu Wu asked gently. “You and Le Shi… it doesn’t seem like there’s much of a relationship between you.”

That made Xie Yuanwei look up, confused.

“Why would you say that?”

Wu Wu chuckled.

“I can just tell. Want to know a secret? I have mind-reading powers.”

Xie Yuanwei didn’t believe a word of that, of course. She didn’t even respond. Instead, she took out her phone and silently scrolled through her message history with Le Shi.

Wu Wu didn’t say anything more. She just sat quietly beside her.

Xie Yuanwei was not oblivious to the woman’s intentions. She cleared her throat lightly and was just about to excuse herself when her phone suddenly rang.

It was Le Shi.

Her eyes lit up instantly as she answered the call. Before she could say anything, Le Shi’s slightly tired voice came through.

“Hello. Did my little puppy wait long?”

Little puppy?

Xie Yuanwei blinked.

“Are you talking to me?”

Le Shi chuckled softly.

“Who else would I be talking to?”

“I—”

“Would you like to have dinner together?”

Before Xie Yuanwei could answer, Wu Wu spoke again unexpectedly.

“Do you want to eat together?”

Annoyed by the interruption, Xie Yuanwei frowned and lowered her voice.

“Thanks, but I’m not interested.”

She didn’t even look back as she turned and walked away.

On the other end of the line, Le Shi went quiet for a moment, then asked casually,

“New friend?”

“Not really,” Xie Yuanwei replied. She had walked to a more secluded spot and was lightly dragging her foot along the ground as she spoke. “She’s the guesthouse owner’s daughter. I just met her.”

Le Shi didn’t hesitate.

“Does she like you?”

Xie Yuanwei hesitated.

“I’m not sure. Maybe.”

There was another brief silence. Then Le Shi laughed softly.

“So our Yuanwei is quite popular after all. But what if… what if you decided to go with someone else?”

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