The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her - Chapter 69

In that moment, background, status, and wealth became the most ordinary things. The power of words moved like a rushing tide. Beneath the fireflies that had danced through the night, honesty and sincerity stood out as the most beautiful and touching truths in the world.

Under such light, many people felt ashamed. They no longer had the confidence to compete, because they realized something important. Shen Yuwei already possessed everything—wealth, influence, and respect. People who reach the peak of power often grow tired of others just like themselves. Instead, they begin to admire those who are pure, straightforward, and full of sincere passion.

Just like now.

When Shen Yuwei announced that Ling Jiao would become the son-in-law of the Ling family, no one was truly shocked. Instead, many guests smiled with understanding. They now clearly saw why they had lost.

A few guests, unwilling to accept the result, shouted in protest but were quickly escorted out by security.

“Congratulations, Madam. Best wishes to you and your beloved.”

One after another, guests offered their well wishes. The atmosphere reached its highest point. After a few polite replies, Shen Yuwei held Ling Jiao’s arm and gracefully exited the room.

That night, news of the once penniless Alpha being chosen by Madam Shen spread quickly. For a long time to come, this story would dominate headlines and become a favorite topic of conversation.

A so-called nobody had risen overnight and turned into a phoenix. What a fresh and captivating tale.

Because this was not a typical union between two powerful families, many who had ambitions of their own became even more eager. It was easy to imagine that the struggle for power among the elite would only grow more intense from this point forward.

The night was dark and deep. A lone lamp flickered in the distance. The old buildings of the estate stood quietly under the sky. The flowers that had bloomed proudly during the day now drooped, buzzing softly in the breeze. The voices of the guests faded away. Along the quiet corridor behind the manor, Ling Jiao gently supported Shen Yuwei as they walked together.

A soft fragrance lingered in the air, brushing past Shen Yuwei’s shoulder with the cool touch of the evening wind.

Suddenly, Shen Yuwei stopped walking. Ling Jiao paused as well, uncertain why she had halted.

“You picked my flower. Borrowed it to offer up a prayer,” Shen Yuwei said, stepping back. There was something thoughtful in her eyes as she looked at Ling Jiao. “Very clever.”

“You give me too much credit, Madam.”

Ling Jiao clasped her hands and bowed slightly, a playful smile on her face.

“It was a special situation. I used a special method. If you want to punish me for stealing a flower, I admit I went too far. Please, Madam, do as you must.”

Shen Yuwei glanced at her calmly, then called for someone to escort Ling Jiao to wash up.

Ling Jiao watched her walk away, her figure fading into the darkness. After a long moment, she let out a deep breath. A maid walked over and gestured politely, though her voice lacked real respect.

“Come with me, miss.”

Ling Jiao raised an eyebrow.

“Wait here for just a minute.”

She turned around quickly and hurried off. Not far away, Milo was waiting by a wall.

“She noticed you, but it’s fine,” Ling Jiao said with a bright smile as she walked up to her partner in crime. “She didn’t seem angry. I really owe you for this one.”

Ling Jiao had originally planned to rely only on her words, but when she saw the fireflies earlier that night, she suddenly had an idea. She captured some of them and hid them carefully while sitting in a quiet corner. That way, she could make sure the flower from Milo was delivered to her in time. Otherwise, not even a miracle could have made one appear out of nowhere.

She noticed Milo had dirt on his clothes, likely from climbing over the wall. He had no invitation, so there was no way for him to enter through the front. Yet somehow, he had managed to sneak in without being noticed.

Milo scratched his head and spoke softly.

“A thank-you is not enough. You used my last bit of savings. Just remember to pay it back later. I won’t charge you interest since we go way back.”

Ling Jiao couldn’t help but laugh.

She was about to respond when a loud voice cut them off.

“Who’s there?”

Milo’s face changed. He quickly said, “You owe me a meal,” then took two steps back, picked up speed, and climbed over the two-meter-high wall. In one swift motion, he disappeared into the darkness.

Ling Jiao adjusted her clothing and turned back around.

At first, the figure who had shouted was too far away to see clearly. But as he stepped into the moonlight, she saw a young man with sharp features and a tall, strong build. His face was stern, his eyebrows defined, and his eyes sharp as a blade. He looked like a powerful black panther, one that could strike without warning.

He walked slowly toward her. His voice was deep and carried a strong sense of authority.

“What are you doing here?”

“The view is nice. I came for a look,” Ling Jiao answered softly. His presence was intimidating, and her breathing became lighter without her realizing.

She had not seen him among the guests earlier, and his unfamiliar face and commanding Alpha energy made her instinctively cautious.

“Are you part of Madam’s security team?” she asked.

The young man looked at her coldly.

“You’re lying.”

Ling Jiao’s voice remained calm.

“And what if I am?”

She lifted her chin and met his gaze with confidence. Her expression was proud, like someone who had just struck it rich. There was even a faint trace of arrogance in her smile.

“Madam won’t mind. Not unless you plan to kill me right here.”

“Of course, if I die, I’ll be nothing but dust. But are you ready to face Madam’s wrath if that happens?”

The young man’s eyes shifted toward the tall wall, then returned to the frail-looking Alpha in front of him.

Someone like her would never have had the right to speak to him before. If not for Shen Yuwei’s sudden declaration tonight, he would have thrown her out without a second thought and had someone teach her a lesson.

“I will report everything to Madam exactly as it happened.”

Ling Jiao nodded with a smile.

“Go ahead.”

The young man turned and walked away.

Ling Jiao touched the back of her neck and found it soaked in cold sweat.

It was definitely time for a shower.

She followed the small path back toward the manor and happened to run into the maid again. The maid’s expression showed a hint of annoyance.

“Do not waste time.”

Ling Jiao shrugged and walked beside her.

“Where am I staying tonight?”

“Your room has been arranged. There is no need to ask.”

Tight-lipped, Ling Jiao thought to herself.

The maid led her to a guest room. Clean clothes had already been prepared. As soon as Ling Jiao stepped inside, the maid closed the door behind her. Before leaving, she said quietly,

“Madam will send for you if she needs anything.”

If she needs anything?

“Does she really see me as some kind of pampered lover?”

The thought was oddly fresh and amusing. Ling Jiao grabbed a bathrobe and walked toward the bathroom. To her surprise, the door opened on its own before she could even reach for the handle. She paused, confused. Apparently, while she had been away for a few years, the world had quietly advanced into the age of smart technology.

The bathroom was an enclosed, private space.

Leaning against the wall, Ling Jiao took a deep breath. The tension of the past few days had left her drained. She ended up staying in the shower for quite a long time.

Meanwhile, on the third floor of the manor, Shen Yuwei stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing silently at the distant lights of the city, thousands of meters away.

The butler stepped forward and stood respectfully by her side.

“Madam, all the guests in the main hall have now left.”

Shen Yuwei made a few subtle gestures in the air.

This was the latest office innovation of the year. A thin lens implanted into her eye allowed her to project a virtual interface directly into her field of vision. It worked like a fully equipped computer or smartphone, perfect for meetings, calls, and digital work.

Some companies even claimed it could correct vision problems, cure color blindness, and allow people to perceive the world in new colors. It was truly a remarkable invention.

“Where is Zhou Xiaojun?”

The butler lowered his head.

“She is taking a shower.”

Zhou Xiaojun was the original name of the body Ling Jiao now inhabited.

Shen Yuwei’s fingers paused midair, and the virtual interface vanished. She lowered her hand slowly, her expression calm.

“The Alliance’s Pheromone Matching Center just sent an update. My compatibility score with Zhou Xiaojun is two percent.”

The butler looked up in surprise.

“The news of her engagement to the Ling family only just broke tonight. That was quick.”

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Shen Yuwei’s lips. It was so subtle that it almost disappeared before it formed, like a ripple on a still lake that vanished with the first gust of wind. Only a trace of it lingered in her eyes and on her mouth.

“Back when I didn’t even know who Ling Jiao was, we were already matched through the system.”

She glanced at the butler.

“Do you know what our compatibility score was?”

Before he could answer, Shen Yuwei continued.

“It was extremely low. So low that years ago, my father had her name crossed off the list of potential suitors.”

The butler remained silent. He didn’t fully understand what she was trying to say, but he was wise enough not to ask questions.

Her tone wasn’t inviting conversation. It sounded more like she was speaking to herself.

For the eldest daughter of the Ling family, who had supposedly died years ago in a cliff accident, the name Ling Jiao had become something of a taboo. Aside from Su Huanzhen, who would occasionally bring it up with sharp words, no one else in the family dared to mention it.

“Tell her to come see me on the third floor after she finishes washing up.”

“Yes, Madam.”

By ten in the evening, all guests on the first floor had left.

Fresh out of the bath, Ling Jiao had changed into a black silk nightgown. A maid led her toward the elevator. As they waited, Ling Jiao looked through the glass wall of the elevator at the dark, densely wooded surroundings. The trees outside felt like they were pulling her into some vast, invisible black hole. A chill crept over her skin.

Before they reached their floor, she asked the maid quietly, “Am I going to be living here from now on?”

This maid was far more respectful than the one before. Perhaps her newly confirmed identity had forced the staff to adjust their attitude, at least on the surface.

“No.”

Ling Jiao was about to ask more, but the elevator stopped. The maid led her to a door two rooms down on the left and gave a gentle knock.

“Madam, she’s here.”

There was a pause before the door slowly slid open from the center. The maid did not enter. She simply nodded at Ling Jiao, then turned and left.

Ling Jiao stared at the floor, her heart skipping a little. The announcement had just gone public. They hadn’t even registered the marriage yet. Could this be what she thought it was?

Was she about to be summoned for her first night?

She took a deep breath and cooled her spinning thoughts. Once she stepped inside, she didn’t see Shen Yuwei immediately. She scanned the room, and then spotted her on the balcony, reclining on a lounge chair and reading under a lamp.

Shen Yuwei looked completely absorbed in her book. The warm light reflected in her eyes, scattering like stardust.

Her long, black hair looked like silk, smooth and shiny. Droplets of water glistened on the strands, falling quietly onto her collar and the floor, leaving a dark mark where they landed.

Ling Jiao paused, unwilling to break the peaceful silence. After a long moment, she quietly walked over. Shen Yuwei looked up at the sound, closed her book, and watched Ling Jiao approach.

“Madam, calling me here so late… don’t tell me you missed me already?”

Ling Jiao pulled over a small stool and sat beside her, casting a discreet glance at Shen Yuwei’s still-damp hair.

“You shouldn’t leave your hair wet at night. You’ll catch a cold.”

Shen Yuwei ignored the comment.

“Tomorrow, the late family head’s uncle will be visiting.”

Ling Jiao leaned against the railing.

“Uncle? I don’t remember anyone in the Ling family ever mentioning an uncle. Are you trying to fool me?”

Shen Yuwei smiled faintly.

“The Ling family is very private. It’s not unusual for outsiders to know nothing. I’m telling you now because I need you to cooperate with me tomorrow.”

“How should I cooperate?”

“With deep affection and perfect harmony.”

“You want me to act like I’m madly in love with you?”

“Exactly.”

Ling Jiao fell silent. She swallowed the emotion rising in her throat and quickly changed the subject.

“The engagement between us has been in the air for some time, but I never heard what the previous family head or his wife thought of it. As their future son-in-law, shouldn’t I prepare to make a good impression? If I knew what they liked or disliked, I could plan ahead.”

“There’s no need.”

Shen Yuwei interrupted her gently.

“They both passed away two years ago.”

Ling Jiao’s eyes widened.

“What? They’re dead?”

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