The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her - Chapter 71.3

In a single afternoon, she had gone from being a total newbie to one of the top ten spenders in the game. She even attracted attention from the official game support staff.

The girl smiled and said,
“The game will be hosting a player meetup next month. Are you coming? It’ll be really fun.”

“It’ll be even better if you bring your wife along.”

The mobile games in this world weren’t so different from what Ling Jiao remembered from her past life. In just one afternoon, she had rediscovered that thrilling feeling of staying up late and dominating the field. Still, there were some differences. For one, she was never this carefree about spending money before. Back then, she spent her time, not her wallet.

She didn’t have any special attachment to this game and was about to decline.

But then her thoughts shifted. It might actually be a good idea. She could take Shen Yuwei out for a change, meet new people, and have a little fun.

“Alright. Contact me in a few days. I have something to do now.”

After shutting down the computer, Ling Jiao stretched. Sitting too long had made her back ache. She threw on a light sweater and stepped out of her room. On the way out, she stopped a maid.

“When will Madam be home?”

“She might be back a little later,” the maid replied uncertainly.

“Got it.”

Ling Jiao headed downstairs to retrieve the large bouquet of roses she had ordered. Just as she was walking along the garden path, she heard the hum of a car engine behind her. Turning around, she saw Shen Yuwei’s car pulling up at the gate.

No, she couldn’t let her find out about the surprise yet.

Ling Jiao broke into a light jog, hugging the bouquet to her chest as she rushed upstairs. She tidied her collar in the mirror, then walked back down calmly, standing by the door as if she had just wandered over.

A silver car parked just outside the entrance. But the first person to step out wasn’t Shen Yuwei.

It was a stranger, a striking woman who walked to the left side of the car and bent slightly to open the door for Shen Yuwei.

Ling Jiao stared.
Her wife had brought someone back?

Wait. Was her romantic dinner about to be ruined?

The smile faded from her face. She stared blankly at the unfamiliar woman walking alongside Shen Yuwei.

“Why are you standing at the door?” Shen Yuwei asked, surprised.

Ling Jiao didn’t answer. Her eyes were fixed on the other woman.

She was clearly an alpha. Beautiful, mature, and elegant.

“I don’t remember seeing her before,” the woman said to Shen Yuwei. “Is this a new friend of yours?”

Ling Jiao was dressed casually at home, wearing a delicate, thin sweater over a soft cream-colored V-neck cotton tee. The hem of her shirt was tucked loosely into light blue jeans, rolled up slightly at the ankles, revealing her long legs.

She looked like a fresh-faced university student, someone who hadn’t yet seen much of the world.

Ling Jiao turned her gaze to Shen Yuwei.

Faced with both women’s attention, Shen Yuwei felt her throat go dry.
“This is my wife.”

“Xiaojun, this is Zhao Jiajia,” she added after a pause.
“A business partner.”

Before Ling Jiao could say anything, Zhao Jiajia spoke first, smiling.
“Your wife? I just got back from Planet A. I did hear something about it, but I didn’t expect her to be this young. Have you registered the marriage yet?”

Ling Jiao stayed silent.

Zhao Jiajia reached out her hand.
“Nice to meet you.”

Ling Jiao didn’t respond. She turned and walked inside.

Zhao Jiajia’s hand hovered awkwardly in the air. She laughed softly and touched her nose.
“Looks like I’m not very welcome.”

Shen Yuwei let out a light laugh.
“She’s just being childish.”

Zhao Jiajia slowly followed her up the steps, then stopped and sighed.
“There were rumors before, but I didn’t believe them. I didn’t think you’d actually move on and find someone else.”

Shen Yuwei only smiled without replying.

Zhao Jiajia gave her a long, searching look.

Over the years, through winters and summers, Zhao Jiajia had tried to express her interest in subtle ways. But love only works when both sides feel it. One-sided feelings could never become something real.

She had thought, given how deeply Shen Yuwei loved her late wife, she would never seek another partner. And she had been willing to wait, content to stay in the background.

But never did she expect the famously reserved and disciplined Shen Yuwei to bring home a husband, and to do it so publicly. If she hadn’t been stuck on Planet A, she would’ve shown up yesterday.

Today’s meeting had been a coincidence. She had insisted on coming by to visit, even though she knew it might sting.

With her emotions in turmoil, Zhao Jiajia no longer felt like staying.

Her one-sided hopes were finally cut off. She kept her remaining pride intact and didn’t share the thoughts in her heart.

She opened her holographic device, pretended to receive an urgent message, and smiled politely.

“Something urgent just came up. Looks like I won’t be able to stay for dinner.”

Shen Yuwei didn’t try to stop her. She nodded.
“If it’s urgent, take care of it. I’ll have someone see you out.”

Zhao Jiajia shook her head.
“No need. My car is already on its way.”

Shen Yuwei insisted on walking Zhao Jiajia out of the estate.

The few hundred meters felt longer than the entire first half of their lives. When they finally reached the gates, Zhao Jiajia stopped and said quietly,
“This is far enough.”

It was nearly evening, and the sky was growing dark. The estate’s outdoor lights had already turned on, bathing everything in a soft, white glow. In the brightness, Zhao Jiajia studied her closely.

There was no joy on Shen Yuwei’s face, nothing that suggested a newlywed glow. She looked perfectly calm.

Even when the so-called new husband appeared, she had shown no emotion. It was as if he were just another replaceable tool. Aside from being easy to manipulate due to his family background and carrying the alpha gender identity, he seemed to have no real value.

A thought stirred in Zhao Jiajia’s mind.

“I wonder if…” she began, unsure if there was still time to change things.

Shen Yuwei seemed to know what she was about to say. With a polite smile, she gently interrupted, her tone calm and poised as always.

“We will remain business partners.”

Zhao Jiajia paused, then called her name softly.

“Shen Yuwei.”

“Are you still holding a grudge against me?”

Shen Yuwei raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Jiajia, what makes you say that?”

“When you first differentiated into an omega and were exposed for taking the place of the real Shen daughter, people mocked and humiliated you, even resorted to violence. I didn’t protect you.”

Shen Yuwei paused at that.

The scandal surrounding the Shen family and the fake heiress had long since passed. If Zhao Jiajia hadn’t brought it up, she might have forgotten it had ever happened.

Once hailed as a proud and brilliant daughter of the skies, she had been cast down overnight, shunned by everyone.

When the real omega daughter was found and brought home, no one cared anymore about the imposter left behind, a girl branded by shame and scandal.

At the time, Zhao Jiajia had been her roommate.

She hadn’t joined the others in attacking her, but she had stood by, silent and detached. Even so, she did later help Shen Yuwei during the most turbulent period for the Ling family. They had since become allies in business, and after years of cooperation, Shen Yuwei had long repaid the debt.

“No,” Shen Yuwei said gently.

“In that situation, anyone who showed me a shred of kindness would have been condemned with me. The fact that you didn’t add to the cruelty already says a lot about your character. You’re someone worth keeping as a friend. But love is different. What you see as sweet, I may see as poison. It’s not about good or bad, just a matter of taste.”

Her voice softened, no longer formal or professional.

“I will never meet anyone better than her.”

Zhao Jiajia understood.

Back then, no one could have predicted Ling Jiao’s sudden appearance, nor the way she would stand against the entire world just for Shen Yuwei’s sake. The outcome had been tragic, but if Zhao Jiajia had differentiated into an omega herself, perhaps even she might have fallen for her.

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

“You have your reasons,” Zhao Jiajia said, a little helplessly.

A black car approached from the distance and came to a stop. Zhao Jiajia nodded and opened the door. Before stepping in, she lowered the window and waved goodbye.

“If you ever need anything, just call.”

Shen Yuwei nodded with a smile.
“Thank you.”

She watched the car disappear into the distance before turning back toward the estate.

Ling Jiao wasn’t in the living room. The maid said she was in the bedroom. Shen Yuwei thought for a moment but didn’t go to her. Instead, she headed straight up to the third floor.

Inside the bedroom, Ling Jiao was on the phone with the kitchen staff.

“Is everything ready?”

The voice on the other end replied,
“Yes, everything is set, Madam.”

“Good.”

Ling Jiao cleared her throat, smoothed her hair in front of the large mirror in the bathroom, and then slowly unfastened the top button of her blouse.

While Shen Yuwei had been outside speaking with Zhao Jiajia, Ling Jiao had already changed. She wore a soft white linen blouse tucked into a pale blue satin midi skirt, paired with silver strappy sandals that made her figure appear even taller and more elegant.

She did not look like someone simply preparing for a dinner at home. She looked ready to head off on an adventure at a moment’s notice.

Facing the mirror, she applied a soft nude-pink lipstick and touched up her brows. She checked her appearance carefully, making sure there were no flaws, then picked up her phone and called Shen Yuwei.

“Are you home?”

“Third floor.”

“Could you come to the garden?” Ling Jiao paused, her voice slightly nervous.
“I have something I want to tell you.”

“Can’t you just say it over the phone?” Shen Yuwei asked.

“No. It’s something important.”

Ling Jiao’s palm was slightly sweaty. She took a deep breath.
“Please, can you come down?”

Shen Yuwei was not heartless. After such a sincere request, she agreed without hesitation.

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Ling Jiao quickly called the kitchen again.

“She’s heading to the garden now. Bring everything out.”

The kitchen staff sprang into action.

One of the western cuisine staff muttered in annoyance.
“She’s always ordering us around. She hasn’t even settled in yet and already thinks she runs the place. Madam doesn’t even say anything.”

A middle-aged woman, who was carefully plating the dishes, gave her a sharp look.
“Less talking, more working.”

Another young woman in a chef’s uniform came running in.
“Ms. Zhou requested a bottle of black Pinot from the vineyard, but the shipment is still on the plane. We only have one bottle in the cellar with a similar flavor. It’s Madam’s private reserve. Should I bring it up?”

“Take it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Shen Yuwei arrived in the garden, only to find it empty. Ling Jiao was nowhere to be seen.

Just as she frowned in confusion, her personal device buzzed with another incoming call.

“I’m on the third floor,” Ling Jiao said, her voice light with a smile. “This time, I’m not joking.”

Shen Yuwei’s expression remained composed. Her voice was steady.
“You know there are consequences for teasing me.”

“Of course I do.”

“I’m on the third floor, waiting for you to come punish me,” Ling Jiao said softly, her tone laced with a teasing warmth. “The flowers in the garden are beautiful, but remember not to pick any wild ones.”

Shen Yuwei paused in silence.

Today, Zhou Zijun was acting differently. Oddly enough, she was far more interesting than those alphas who were obedient and eager to please.

Lowering her eyes, Shen Yuwei turned around and slowly walked back.

Zhou Zijun had always given her a strange feeling. At first, Shen Yuwei thought it was just her own longing, projecting something onto Zhou Zijun. But the more time they spent together, the more she realized Zhou Zijun was constantly and unconsciously echoing someone else.

Maybe it was not imitation. Maybe she was truly her own person, more vibrant and compelling than the original.

If Zhou Zijun had not come from a fallen family, perhaps she would have grown up as a mischievous and spirited alpha just like this. Over time, Shen Yuwei’s memories of Ling Jiao had blurred. The closer she tried to recall her, the less clearly she could see her face.

But now, as Shen Yuwei walked back, those vague memories sharpened into a clear image.

Her strong brows, her clear eyes, the defined cheekbones. Her face was elegant, her features sharp and beautifully balanced.

It was Zhou Zijun’s face.

Shen Yuwei suddenly stopped walking, her breath tightening.

Why was it Zhou Zijun’s face?

It had taken more than a year for her and Ling Jiao to grow from strangers to lovers. But she had barely met Zhou Zijun a few times. How could she be reminded of her?

Frozen in place, just two meters from the stairs, Shen Yuwei stood there, stunned.

Her communicator chimed with a message.

Shen Yuwei’s fingers trembled as she opened it.

Dear Ms. Shen,
You and registered alpha Zhou Zijun (ID number ending in 38291X) have a pheromone compatibility of 80 percent.
Your previous highest match was 40 percent.

This was an official message from the Pheromone Compatibility Bureau. According to the law, single or widowed omegas were required to undergo a pheromone compatibility test every two years.

If an alpha had a high compatibility rating, the bureau would arrange a meeting to encourage potential bonding. This system prioritized the continuation of strong alpha genes, reducing omega autonomy and turning them into tools for reproduction.

If the compatibility was low, no contact would be made.

But this message left no room for doubt. Zhou Zijun’s match with her had reached an unprecedented level.

Zhou Zijun was a registered alpha of appropriate age. Her genetic data had long been stored by the bureau. While blood samples could expire, the natural compatibility of the body rarely changed.

That meant Zhou Zijun had not always been a high match for her.

Shen Yuwei had no way of knowing whether this sudden compatibility spike was a manipulation by the bureau or something genuine.

She stepped into the elevator and let out a heavy breath.

When the doors opened, she walked out and reached for the door handle.

Inside, there was a faint sound. Not footsteps, not movement. Something soft, maybe something brushing or tapping.

If Ling Jiao had not already told her she was waiting on the third floor, Shen Yuwei might have thought it was a thief. Or perhaps a mouse rustling through snack wrappers.

What was Zhou Zijun doing in there?

Shen Yuwei narrowed her eyes. A dozen possibilities flashed through her mind.

She opened the door.

The room was pitch dark. No lights, and the curtains were tightly drawn. She could not see a thing.

“Turn on the lights,” Shen Yuwei said.

The house was equipped with a smart voice system, so there was no need to physically touch anything.

To her surprise, the lights did not respond. The system had failed.

Her body tensed. Her heart began to race. An unfamiliar sense of unease crept over her.

Suddenly, warmth approached. Someone gently took her hand.

“Don’t speak,” Ling Jiao whispered.

She carefully led Shen Yuwei to the center of the room and helped her sit down.

The chair was cold. Shen Yuwei’s knees brushed against something hard and heavy.

It was a table.

Two soft claps broke the silence.

White candles surrounding the edges of the table flickered to life. At first, their flames were dim, like tiny whispers. Then they grew brighter and steadier, casting a warm glow that bathed everything in golden light.

The room filled with a romantic warmth.

Across the table sat Ling Jiao, dressed beautifully.

Her face shimmered under the soft candlelight, her features glowing with a golden softness. Whatever traces of past illness she had were gone. Her skin looked radiant, delicate, and smooth.

Her eyes sparkled like gems. Her lips were plump and vibrant with color.

She was wearing lipstick. That was obvious.

On the white marble table between them sat several dishes. On the outside were Western plates — medium-rare steak, matching utensils, unopened red wine, and crystal glasses. In the center were familiar homemade Chinese dishes: glossy sweet-and-sour ribs, tender mapo tofu, pineapple pork, and a bowl of mushroom soup.

Shen Yuwei calmed her breath and raised an eyebrow.

“What is all this?”

Ling Jiao leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands, and smiled.
“Can’t you tell? A surprise I planned for you.”

Shen Yuwei raised an eyebrow.
“It’s a strange mix.”

Ling Jiao smiled.
“Who says a candlelight dinner has to be all Western food? I like the idea of combining both. Western dishes for the atmosphere, Chinese food to actually eat. That way we don’t go hungry, and nothing goes to waste.”

“Don’t tell me you’re on a diet.”

Shen Yuwei’s smile softened. In the candlelight, even her cool elegance seemed to warm.

“You’re trying too hard.”

Ling Jiao didn’t back down.
“Who says I’m doing this for no reason? I have something to say.”

“Besides, many important conversations happen over a good meal.”

She poured Shen Yuwei a glass of red wine and handed it over.

“You’re here already. Have a drink and relax.”

Shen Yuwei took the glass but didn’t drink it.

Noticing her hesitation, Ling Jiao took the same glass and downed it herself. She tilted the empty glass to show it was safe.

“You think I’d drug you in your own house?”

Ling Jiao smiled sweetly.
“If I really tried anything, you could call the guards and have me dragged out on the spot.”

There was no fear in her at all.

Shen Yuwei slowly sipped from her glass.

What gave Zhou Zijun this kind of confidence? Was she not afraid of being punished? Or was she hiding something?

Shen Yuwei’s eyes darkened slightly.

Then she heard a familiar voice.

Ling Jiao pinched her tone gently, just enough to mimic someone else’s voice.

“Yuwei.”

“It’s me. Ling Jiao.”

The sound struck Shen Yuwei like a bolt of lightning. She froze in place.

Her eyes locked on Ling Jiao’s glowing, smiling face across the table.