The Scummy Alpha Transmigrated into a Tragedy Novel and Went Viral! - Chapter 20

The shop was bustling, and Cheng Jingling had been waiting for quite a while. The lady boss was still busy packing takeout orders, so Cheng Jingling stepped forward to help.

The lady boss, sweating from the rush, looked at the plastic bags Cheng Jingling handed her in surprise. With a smile, she accepted them and swiftly packed the customers’ orders, skipping a few steps in the process. Her efficiency improved noticeably.

By half past one, they had finally seen off the last customer. The lady boss stood with her hands on her hips, panting for breath. Though exhausted, her smile was warm and bright.

“Thank you so much, young lady!”

“You’re welcome.” Cheng Jingling responded politely out of habit — but her stomach was far less courteous. It growled loudly, making the lady boss burst into laughter.

“Oh, you must be starving! Sorry for making you wait so long. Here, try our specialty.”

The lady boss brought over a steaming plate of buns, a bowl of soup, and some fresh side dishes. She then sat down across from Cheng Jingling with her own meal.

Cheng Jingling took a bite of the bun, and her eyes instantly lit up. “This is delicious!”

The lady boss beamed with pride. “Of course! I kneaded the dough myself and chopped the filling by hand. I’m up before dawn to prepare everything. If it wasn’t good, no one would be lining up for buns in the middle of the day.”

“Auntie, your cooking is amazing!” Cheng Jingling gave her a big thumbs up, then tried the pickled radish — tangy and sweet, perfectly appetizing.

“If you like it, eat more! You helped me out at lunch, so eat to your heart’s content,” the lady boss said with a grin, scooping up another bite of rice.

“Are you here traveling?” she asked, noticing the map beside Cheng Jingling.

Cheng Jingling nodded. She had already eaten three buns and was full, so she wiped her hands and started sipping her soup — a light corn and pork rib broth, refreshing and hydrating. While drinking, she studied the map, wondering which scenic spot to visit next.

“Are you a celebrity?” the lady boss suddenly asked.

The question caught Cheng Jingling off guard. She set down the map, unsure how to answer. “Uh, I guess you could say I’m a celebrity’s family member. We’re filming a show.”

“I thought you looked familiar! They’ve been filming you this whole time,” the lady boss said, motioning with her chin toward someone behind Cheng Jingling.

Cheng Jingling turned to see the cameraman still dutifully filming. She picked up the remaining three buns and walked over to him. The cameraman and two bodyguards tried to refuse, but she insisted until each accepted one bun.

“Auntie, you don’t mind, do you? If you’d rather not be filmed, they won’t include this part.”

The lady boss laughed and waved a hand. “Of course not! This is basically free advertising for me. Go ahead and film.”

Her easygoing nature made Cheng Jingling laugh too.

“Where are you headed next? I can show you the way,” the lady boss offered, seeing her poring over the map again.

“Really? That would be great!” Cheng Jingling wiped the oil off the table and spread the map open, pointing to her destinations. The lady boss nodded as she looked — they were all popular tourist spots — but frowned when she saw the last one.

“Oh dear, you’re planning to go to Meteor Tower?”

“Yes, why?”

“It’s four or five kilometers from here. I don’t see a car with you — if you walk, your legs will be killing you by the time you get there.”

“But I have to finish my mission.”

“Well, in that case, go to the Wangyang Mansion first, then the Lao Gu Temple, and make Meteor Tower your last stop. You’ll get there around nine — just in time for the fireworks.”

“Fireworks?” Cheng Jingling’s eyes lit up. So, this was the most romantic stop of the night.

“No other places have events?” she double-checked.

“Nope, only Meteor Tower. It’s spacious and open — perfect view and perfectly safe. You’ll be there at just the right time.”

“Got it! Thank you, Auntie!” Cheng Jingling took out her crisp fifty-yuan note to pay, ready to continue on her journey. But she had barely taken three steps before the lady boss called out to her.

“Wait a minute!”

The lady boss hurriedly untied her apron and ran over. “You can’t just walk like that — even if you make it, your legs will be jelly! Come with me.”

She led Cheng Jingling through the hall and kitchen into the backyard, where two vehicles were parked. “Pick one — which can you ride?”

“I’ll take the bicycle!”

“Alright! Take the old one, it’s still much better than walking. When you’ve seen the fireworks, just ride it back here.”

“Thank you so much, Auntie.”

The lady boss pushed the bike onto the road, wiped the seat clean, and just as Cheng Jingling was about to leave, she called out again.

She placed a bottle of water in the bike basket. “For the road.”

Cheng Jingling thanked her repeatedly, then hesitated before asking, a little shyly, “Auntie, could I have one more? For my girlfriend.”

The lady boss let out a hearty laugh, eyes full of amusement. “Oh, aren’t you thoughtful? Sure thing!” She fetched another bottle and handed it over.

Meanwhile, Bai Weilan and Xiao Chengyi met on the way to their third checkpoint. The two snuggled close, chatting and sharing information while they rested — Xiao Chengyi even gave Bai Weilan a gentle shoulder massage. The scene was practically glowing with pink bubbles of sweetness.

Elsewhere, Jiang Yiyu had just finished lunch. Disliking the unsanitary look of street stalls, he took his fifty yuan into a restaurant and ordered a stir-fry — thirty-five yuan gone in an instant. After spending six yuan on drinks earlier, he was left with only nine.

He looked at the pitiful amount of money in his hand, annoyed. For someone like him, losing even a hundred yuan wasn’t worth bending down to pick up. The cheapest instant noodles he’d ever bought cost over a thousand.

Slumping onto a roadside planter, he massaged his aching legs, grumbling internally. He’d been walking all morning — if his phone were with him, his step count would be over ten thousand by now. If only Wang Zicheng was here, he wouldn’t feel so bored or tired.

After resting a while, he sighed and forced himself to get moving again.

As for Wang Zicheng, working solo had its advantages. The scenic spots he drew happened to be close together, so he quickly finished his three required check-ins. Having trained as an idol in his early days, he was used to grueling physical routines, so walking wasn’t much of a challenge.

Without Jiang Yiyu tagging along, he could finally breathe the sweet air of freedom again.

Liu Ke’s mission was progressing remarkably well. A former child star, he had appeared in numerous hit productions during his early years. In the idol drama that had catapulted Tong Yali to fame, seven-year-old Liu Ke played her mischievous little brother. His playful and endearing character won over audiences nationwide, earning him legions of adoring “mom fans,” “auntie fans,” and even “grandma fans.”

To cement his status as the nation’s top child star, his agency continued to cast him in “good son” and “good little brother” roles, solidifying his image as the quintessential “Nation’s Good Boy.” Though his grown-up looks no longer carried the same cherubic charm, Liu Ke still enjoyed immense public recognition. Whenever he walked down the street, aunties would eagerly stop him for photos, offer directions with a smile, and at lunchtime, even restaurant owners sometimes refused to take his money.

Huang Yili, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. As one of the most popular female idols of her generation, she was adored by young fans. Known for her professionalism and scandal-free reputation, her singing and dancing talents were widely acknowledged. After her girl group disbanded and she went solo, she publicly announced her relationship with Liu Ke — to everyone’s surprise, it was met with overwhelming support and blessings online.

Despite being fully disguised when she went out, she was still recognized by some traveling fans who trailed her throughout the day. At lunchtime, they even tried to offer her food, which her staff had to politely decline out of concern for her health and safety.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yimai, often dubbed the “artist” among the group, did something that shocked the entire crew. After lunch, he bought himself a bottle of beer without consulting the production team. The cameraman tried to stop him but eventually had to call the director. Only after confirming that Zhao Yimai could hold his liquor and wouldn’t cause trouble did the director allow him to drink during filming.

With a can of beer in hand, Zhao Yimai strolled leisurely, occasionally stopping to snap photos — of fallen leaves, of the beautiful sky, of rushing pedestrians, and of stray cats along the way. As he clicked away, he sighed softly, “Life really has a thousand flavors.”

He was like a wandering swordsman from ancient times — traveling with a drink in hand, savoring both wine and life itself.

Jiao Yanting, meanwhile, hummed tunes as she walked, capturing every beautiful scene she passed. Like Zhao Yimai, she placed her developed photos into envelopes until she had a thick stack by the end of the day.

By 2 p.m., only Wang Zicheng had completed three classic checkpoints. Everyone else was still hustling along their routes. After borrowing a bicycle, Cheng Jingling seemed unstoppable — even though it wasn’t electric, it was still twice as fast as walking. In just over twenty minutes, she arrived at Wangyang Mansion.

Circling the area, she found the nameplate of the estate’s public relations office, snapped a selfie with it, and then took a moment to admire the grand house. According to a nearby plaque, the mansion was built by a wealthy businessman during the Republic of China era. The design was a fashionable Western-style structure, complete with a large front yard, manicured lawns, a flower garden, and even a fountain.

When war later forced the family to flee abroad, the mansion was abandoned. Today, it stood preserved as a cultural relic for tourists to visit and photograph.

Cheng Jingling was fascinated by the history of the house — until she spotted Huang Yili approaching in the distance. Her competitive spirit was instantly ignited. Without hesitation, she jumped on her bike and sped toward the fourth location.

By 8 p.m., Cheng Jingling arrived at Meteor Tower. Despite its poetic name, it was simply an old pagoda standing by the Yu River. In ancient times, people had used it as a place to pray for blessings. The evening fireworks were set up along the riverbank below the tower.

She was an hour early, the first to arrive. After snapping a selfie with the tower to complete her task, she checked her score — 120 points already.

The mischievous director immediately relayed the news through his walkie-talkie, putting pressure on the other nine contestants. Shocked by Cheng Jingling’s pace, they grumbled half-jokingly about how competitive she was, even as they secretly picked up their own speed.

With her checkpoint done, Cheng Jingling parked her bike at the best viewing spot, asked a nearby security guard to watch over it, and went off in search of food.

After biking all afternoon, the three buns she’d eaten for lunch had long been digested. Following the scent of frying oil, she stopped in front of a skewer shop. The aroma was heavenly, but the prices — typical of a scenic area — were not.

After some hesitation, she settled for simple vegetarian options like tofu and rice cakes.

As the sky darkened, the crowd swelled — everyone was there for the fireworks show.

Cheng Jingling planned to take her food back and eat by her bike, but when she returned, the riverside was already packed with people. She squeezed her way through with difficulty and finally settled on the back seat.

In the darkness, a brilliant flare streaked across the night sky, bursting into countless shimmering lights. The fireworks show had begun. The crowd erupted in cheers, phones raised high to capture the moment. Cheng Jingling munched on rice cakes, lifted her Polaroid, and snapped a picture of the dazzling scene.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around, she saw — illuminated softly by the streetlamp — the stunning face of Ji Yufu.

“You’re here?” Cheng Jingling stood up in surprise.

“You picked a great spot,” Ji Yufu said with a gentle smile.

On the outer edge of the crowd, Xiao Chengyi and Bai Weilan found each other again under the glow of fireworks, laughing as they embraced.

Behind them, Jiang Yiyu shouted breathlessly, “Zicheng! I’m over here!” Spotting him, Wang Zicheng pushed through the crowd to join him.

“I’ve been here for a while. Have you eaten yet?” Cheng Jingling offered her skewers to Ji Yufu.

“Not yet,” Ji Yufu said with a smile, ever disciplined as always. Cheng Jingling then pulled out a bottle of water from her bike basket and handed it to her. Ji Yufu paused, blinking in surprise, before lifting a small bag in her hand — inside were two bottles of water and a boxed meal.

“I thought you might be hungry,” she said softly.

Cheng Jingling chuckled, touched by the gesture. “You’re too thoughtful. You must be tired — come, sit and rest a bit.”

She took the food from Ji Yufu’s hands and tucked it into her bike basket, motioning for her to sit on the seat.

“This.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t fall. I’ve got you.” Cheng Jingling gripped both the front and back of the bike firmly.

Ji Yufu hesitated, then gingerly sat down, her feet resting on the pedals. Cheng Jingling, taller as always, sat behind her, one arm on the handlebar, naturally encircling her in a loose embrace.

Beneath the romantic glow of fireworks, Xiao Chengyi and Bai Weilan shared a tender kiss, while Jiang Yiyu leaned sleepily against Wang Zicheng’s shoulder.

And nestled in Cheng Jingling’s arms, Ji Yufu breathed in the faint scent of grilled skewers — and somewhere deep within her heart, a quiet warmth began to bloom.