The Scummy Alpha Transmigrated into a Tragedy Novel and Went Viral! - Chapter 25

The two of them stood embraced on the street, drawing curious glances from passersby. Cheng Jingling paid no mind to what others thought. Her hands moved gently, patiently patting Ji Yufu’s back. It wasn’t just Ji Yufu who was frightened—she herself still felt a lingering chill of fear. Had the system not warned her in time, she dared not imagine what might have happened.

Gradually, Ji Yufu’s trembling subsided. She lifted her head from Cheng Jingling’s shoulder, her expression calm once more. Only her damp lashes betrayed that she’d just been crying.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Let’s head back first.”

“Mm.” Ji Yufu nodded obediently.

Not long after, He Yue and the security guards found them and reported that the director had arrived and the man had already been subdued. Everyone had been eating at the time—no one had expected something like this to happen during a brief trip to the restroom. Even thinking about it now left them shaken.

“I’ll take you back first, alright?” Cheng Jingling asked softly.

Ji Yufu nodded again.

Turning to one of the guards, Cheng Jingling instructed, “Tell the director I’m taking her back first. Keep that man under control until I return!”

Cheng Jingling escorted Ji Yufu back to the inn, leaving He Yue to stay with her. Then she immediately got back into the car and drove toward the restaurant to discuss the matter with the director. Before leaving, she gently stroked Ji Yufu’s head and said, “Wait for me to come back.”

After the scare, Ji Yufu felt an unusual warmth spreading from the glands at the back of her neck—a faint sign that something was wrong.

Meanwhile, on her way to the restaurant, Cheng Jingling pulled out her phone and called Yang Shujuan.

“Mom, could you transfer my bodyguards—and Lawyer Qi as well—over here?”

Her mother was startled. “What happened? Are you alright, Lingling?”

“I’m fine, don’t worry. Ji Yufu ran into a pervert and got scared. Please just send my team over.”

Hearing that Cheng Jingling was safe, Yang Shujuan finally exhaled in relief, though she wasn’t thrilled about the request. “Didn’t Wang Yumin assign guards for your crew?”

“He did—but they were useless.”

“Lingling, if you call in our family’s guards just for Ji Yufu, what will that look like? How is Wang Yumin supposed to save face?”

“Face has to be earned. He didn’t do his job properly, so I’m not going to cover for him. Besides, Ji Yufu’s safety comes first. I already fought that creep myself just now!”

“What? You fought him? Are you hurt?” Yang Shujuan’s voice went sharp with alarm.

“Nothing serious.”

“I’ll have them head over tonight—they’ll contact you when they arrive.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mom.”

When Cheng Jingling arrived at the restaurant, Wang Yumin was already there. The owner personally met her at the door and led her to a private room to discuss the situation. The incident had taken place in the restroom, and the restaurant bore its share of responsibility. The owner was sweating bullets, desperate to show cooperation.

Before Cheng Jingling even entered the room, she heard Wang Yumin shouting furiously. A line of bodyguards stood before him, heads lowered, as he berated them mercilessly.

“What are you people even here for? A bunch of useless fools! If they’d been hurt today, none of you could afford the consequences.”

“Director Wang.” Cheng Jingling pushed the door open.

The moment he saw her, Wang Yumin’s tone changed instantly; he forced a smile, clearly uneasy. “Miss Cheng, you’re here. How’s Miss Ji? Is she alright?”

“She’s shaken, emotionally unstable.” Cheng Jingling’s rare severity made him even more nervous.

“How do you plan to handle this, Director Wang?” she asked bluntly.

“Of course, however you two wish to handle it—I’ll fully cooperate.” Wang Yumin wiped the sweat from his forehead. The restaurant owner beside him also looked terrified.

“First, not a single word of this leaves this room.”

“Second, the one responsible must be punished.”

“Miss Cheng, don’t worry, I guarantee absolute confidentiality!” Wang Yumin nodded repeatedly, his tone servile. The owner followed suit.

“Your promises aren’t enough,” Cheng Jingling said coldly. “Everyone who knows about this must sign a nondisclosure agreement. If even one word leaks, I’ll hold you accountable.”

Her voice was calm but carried the weight of authority. The room fell completely silent.

“Have you reported it to the police?”

“Not yet—we weren’t sure what Miss Ji wanted to do.”

“Then report it now. Leaving someone like that on the streets is dangerous. Have them investigate his past too—if he’s done anything else, make sure it’s added to the record.”

“Understood.” Wang Yumin quickly pulled out his phone to call the police.

“Boss,” Cheng Jingling said, turning to the restaurant owner, “please give me the surveillance footage for tonight—only the parts involving us.”

“No problem, I’ll get it right away!” The man hurried to copy the footage himself and handed it over a few minutes later.

“Are there any backups?” Cheng Jingling asked.

He shook his head frantically. “No, none at all. Everything’s right here.”

Within twenty minutes, the police arrived. The owner led them discreetly through the back door to avoid attracting attention. After taking brief statements from Wang Yumin and the owner, they escorted both Cheng Jingling and the man involved to the station.

The man had sobered up by then and, realizing who he had offended, tried repeatedly to apologize to Cheng Jingling on the way. She ignored him completely. After coordinating with the officers, she gave her statement and submitted the surveillance footage as evidence. With the material so complete, the police quickly pieced together what had happened. Cheng Jingling was allowed to leave, with the promise that she would be informed once a formal decision was made.

Stepping out of the precinct, she looked up at the ink-dark sky over Yuncheng. A heavy pressure settled in her chest.

In the original storyline, Ji Yufu had never encountered such danger during the filming of the variety show. Cheng Jingling only remembered that Ji Yufu had suffered betrayal, miscarriage, and familial backstabbing before leaving the country in heartbreak—events that eventually led to her rebirth. But if even this wasn’t in the book, what other dangers were still waiting to unfold?

How much more pain must Ji Yufu endure before she truly becomes Ji Yufu?

By the time Cheng Jingling returned to the inn, it was nearly midnight. The lights were still on throughout the house, and He Yue hadn’t gone to bed yet. Seeing Cheng Jingling return, she told her to keep watch while she went to wash up.

Cheng Jingling went upstairs quietly. The house was silent. She opened the bedroom door but didn’t see Ji Yufu. After searching for a while, she finally found her standing on the back balcony, arms wrapped around herself, gazing out at the small vegetable garden. The night wind lifted strands of her hair, outlining a figure both fragile and mesmerizing.

“Cold?”

“You’re back?” Ji Yufu asked, feeling the weight of a jacket being draped over her shoulders. She turned and met Cheng Jingling’s eyes. “Is everything taken care of?”

“Everything’s handled,” Cheng Jingling said softly. “The police have opened a case.”

“Did you call the police?” Ji Yufu asked in surprise.

“Don’t worry,” Cheng Jingling said gently. “This matter won’t get out. I made everyone sign a confidentiality agreement, and Lawyer Qi will handle the rest properly.”

Ji Yufu’s eyes flickered. After a pause, she murmured, “Thank you.”

“Did you tell Sister Yun about it?” Cheng Jingling reached over, pulling the coat higher over Ji Yufu’s shoulders and freeing the strands of hair caught under the collar.

Ji Yufu shook her head. “No. I don’t plan to tell her.”

“Why not?”

“It’s already been taken care of. There’s no need to worry her.”

“You’re always thinking about other people,” Cheng Jingling said, her tone softening with concern. “But what about yourself?”

“I’m used to handling things on my own,” Ji Yufu said quietly, gazing out at the pitch-black vegetable garden. The lamplight from the room spilled across her profile, her expression shadowed and unreadable—but Cheng Jingling could see right through it: the loneliness, the forced composure beneath that fragile calm.

“Don’t worry,” Cheng Jingling said, steering the topic away. “I’ll make sure everything’s taken care of. How’s your body? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. What about your back?”

“I’m totally fine!” Cheng Jingling tried to sound casual, waving her arms and twisting her torso to prove it. She was about to make a joke, but the sharp pain that shot up her spine made her grimace.

“Does it hurt a lot? Let me take a look.”

Ji Yufu reached out, but Cheng Jingling dodged away with exaggerated agility. “Didn’t I just say I’m fine? You’re underestimating me! I’m a mighty Alpha—AAAAA ouch.”

Ji Yufu ignored her antics and poked her back with a finger. Cheng Jingling shot up like a rocket, clutching her back and wailing dramatically.

“Let me see it,” Ji Yufu insisted. She remembered clearly how hard that man had struck her.

“There’s no need, really! I’m just going to take a shower.” Cheng Jingling’s tone suddenly turned sheepish.

“Go ahead then.”

“Okay!” Cheng Jingling grabbed her clothes and darted into the bathroom. As she turned on the shower, she hummed to herself in satisfaction. But while adjusting the temperature, her eyes accidentally caught sight of an inhibitor packet in the trash. Her heart sank.

By the time she came out, Ji Yufu was already lying on the bed. She looked so small against the wide mattress that it made the room feel emptier somehow. Cheng Jingling climbed onto the bed and leaned back, only to feel something soft against her back. Turning around, she realized what was missing—the “borderline” pillow they usually placed between them. She picked it up, ready to put it in the middle, when Ji Yufu stopped her.

“Wait. Lie down first.”

“Huh? What for?”

“I’m checking your back.” Ji Yufu’s tone left no room for argument.

Cheng Jingling sighed in defeat and obediently lay on her stomach. Ji Yufu knelt beside her, carefully lifting the back of her shirt. As the fabric brushed over Cheng Jingling’s skin, she felt a strange, ticklish warmth rise inside her—a sudden flush of embarrassment that made her bury her face into the blanket like a scolded child.

Ji Yufu’s heart clenched when she saw the large bruise blooming across the pale skin.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“Hm?” Cheng Jingling lifted her head, thinking she’d misheard.

“I dragged you into this.”

“What are you talking about?” Cheng Jingling sat up immediately, eyes blazing. “Since when does the victim have to apologize? Even if it hadn’t been you, I’d still have stepped in. You’ve got nothing to feel guilty about!”

“I didn’t expect you to be so kindhearted,” Ji Yufu said with a faint, almost teasing smile.

“Of course! I’d never force anyone!” Cheng Jingling puffed out her chest proudly.

Ji Yufu fell silent, recalling Cheng Jingling’s alleged “twelve ex-girlfriends.”

“Uh, what I mean is,” Cheng Jingling hurried to clarify, “you shouldn’t blame yourself. None of this is your fault—it’s the attacker’s fault!”

Seeing Ji Yufu still quiet, Cheng Jingling grew anxious and continued rambling, even at the cost of her own dignity. “Like that time at the hotel—I tried to mess with you. That was my problem! I’m just a bit of a pervert, okay? Your beauty isn’t to blame!”

Ji Yufu blinked, lips twitching as she realized Cheng Jingling had invented a very unique form of comfort.

“But that was an accident!” Cheng Jingling added quickly, fumbling to save her image. “I’m not that perverted, maybe just a little, easily tempted.”

“So, you really had twelve ex-girlfriends?” Ji Yufu asked suddenly.

“Huh?” The question hit Cheng Jingling like a curveball. “I—uh—not that many, probably.”

“You don’t have to comfort me,” Ji Yufu said with a wry smile. “I’m just confused sometimes. Why do things like this keep happening to me? It’s frustrating.”

Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Cheng Jingling’s heart tightened. She pulled Ji Yufu into her arms. “The answer’s simple,” she said softly. “Because you’re wonderful. You shine like gold—how could anyone not want to reach for you?”

Ji Yufu froze, stunned by the tenderness in her voice. It was as if the heavy stone pressing on her chest had quietly dissolved.

“There’s nothing wrong with being beautiful,” Cheng Jingling went on. “But beauty needs strength to protect it. From now on, I’ll be the one to protect you.” Her tone carried a heroic conviction, and even she started to believe in her own gallantry.

Ji Yufu slipped out of her embrace, face calm. “So, this is how you sweet-talked your twelve girlfriends?”

Cheng Jingling: “…”

Why did she have to bring that up now?