Transmigrated As The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Of A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 1

The faint sunlight filtered through the glass window. Zhao Zhiyi subconsciously raised his arm to cover his eyes.

In his daze, he heard movement nearby. Along with the “click” of a belt buckle being fastened, a bolt of lightning seemed to explode in his mind.

He was so poor that he had to split one steamed bun into three meals; he wouldn’t even dare to dream of staying in a room with such high-end conditions.

Zhao Zhiyi sat up abruptly, only to collapse back down with a splat.

His entire body ached, ached to death, especially his neck, his throat, and…

“Awake?” A deep, cold voice sounded by the bedside. Zhao Zhiyi looked up, trying to see the man’s face clearly, but the brilliant sunlight irritated his eyes until they filled with tears, leaving his vision a blur.

“Didn’t you cry enough last night?” The man’s voice was devoid of emotion. “It’s useless even if you cry yourself blind. If you don’t get pregnant this time, we divorce. I’ve given you your chance.”

Zhao Zhiyi froze.

Why did these lines sound exactly like that book he read last night, Non-Instinctive Reaction?

Last night, he was working the night shift at a convenience store. There were few customers, and since his crappy phone turned TV shows into laggy PowerPoints, he could only read novels. He had randomly found one on a website called Non-Instinctive Reaction. He didn’t know if the book was good, but the comment section was quite heated, so Zhao Zhiyi clicked on it out of boredom.

After opening it, he understood why the comments were full of vitriol. It was a typical “Scum Top/Miserable Bottom” story where the two protagonists did nothing productive all day except fall in love. And if that wasn’t enough, they had major fights every three days and minor ones every two. Between jumping off buildings, hanging themselves, and literal heart gouging or kidney harvesting, it was a collection of every “dog blood” cliché imaginable.

And that line, “If you don’t get pregnant this time, we divorce,” was the final thing the Protagonist Top said to his cheap ex-wife.

In Non-Instinctive Reaction, the Protagonist Top, Meng Ze, was a chosen son of heaven living an elite life. Yet, he rebelliously fell in love with an Alpha. Under family pressure, he was forced to marry a shallow Omega to produce an heir and give the family an explanation.

Clearly, the “ex-wife” became an ex-wife because she failed to conceive after this encounter. The two divorced as agreed, and this ex-wife didn’t even have a name in the book.

But now, Zhao Zhiyi felt that the “ex-wife’s” name was probably, maybe, possibly…

“Zhao Zhiyi.” Meng Ze seemed displeased. “Did you hear me?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “…”

As expected.

He had transmigrated into this world class “masterpiece” as the nameless ex-wife of a scumbag Alpha.

Seeing that Zhao Zhiyi was still dazed, his face turning white then green, looking generally not very bright. Meng Ze frowned. He said nothing more, turning to leave.

If there was no pregnancy, a lawyer would naturally handle the divorce. He didn’t need to pay much attention.

“Wait!” Zhao Zhiyi finally snapped out of it and called out immediately.

Meng Ze was impatient. “What is it?”

Zhao Zhiyi choked out: “The person can go, but leave the money! You forgot to send the money this month!”

Meng Ze: “.”

Seeing him acting tough while trying to change the subject, Meng Ze felt no pity. “I don’t fall for that.”

After a pause, he added, “I’ll have my secretary wire it to you later.”

Then he left the room.

Zhao Zhiyi wiped away a tear and curled up under the covers, trembling all over.

Five hundred thousand! In the original book, that scumbag Alpha gave his cannon fodder ex-wife 500,000 in living expenses every month!!

He remembered an old internet joke: If your husband gives you 50,000 a month but never comes home, would you be willing?

Back then, Zhao Zhiyi thought. Forget 50,000, even 5,000 is fine! Who cares if the husband comes home? The important thing is having the money in your own hands.

Heaven have mercy. After twenty-one years of bad luck, he had finally turned his life around. No more working three part time jobs day and night, no more running errands to pick up packages for a few cents just to survive. He didn’t have to live like a donkey turning a millstone anymore.

Even if Meng Ze divorced him next month, he’d still have 500,000. That was enough to live on for a long time.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Zhao Zhiyi grabbed it and saw the caller ID: “Darling.”

What was Meng Ze playing at? Did he regret it and want to give him a pay cut?

Zhao Zhiyi answered immediately, but the voice on the other end was raspy: “Babe, why didn’t you order breakfast for me this morning? I’ve been waiting here hungry until now.”

Zhao Zhiyi looked at the contact name, then at the room.

He cautiously didn’t answer right away. Instead, he exited the call screen and checked the contacts list. He found “Meng Ze” listed quite formally and properly.

It seemed the original owner’s “Darling” wasn’t his husband, but someone else.

The scumbag Alpha was in an AA relationship, and the cannon fodder was having an affair. Everyone had a bright future ahead.

“Babe?” The man didn’t get an answer, and his tone sharpened. “What’s wrong with you?”

Since it was the original owner’s body, a face slowly surfaced in Zhao Zhiyi’s mind.

Cheng Hui.

The original owner’s fitness trainer and part-time boyfriend.

“I don’t feel well.” Zhao Zhiyi slowly got out of bed and walked into the bright bathroom, answering Cheng Hui sluggishly. “Did you need something?”

Cheng Hui held back his temper. “I’m at the Bird of Paradise right now. A few friends are gathered here and they all want to meet you. Can you come over?”

Zhao Zhiyi paused, then repeated: “I don’t feel well.”

“I’m asking you to come play, not to work.” Cheng Hui’s tone turned sour. “These bros of mine came from other cities. They heard I have a partner and wanted to see you. I already promised them. If you don’t show up, isn’t that making me lose face?”

“Understood.” Zhao Zhiyi hung up.

Cheng Hui looked at his phone in shock.

This was the first time since he’d known Zhao Zhiyi that he’d been hung up on. This person used to be as shameless as a lapdog; what was wrong today?

“Brother Cheng.” A charming woman sitting beside him rested her chin on her hand. “Is he not coming?”

“Impossible,” Cheng Hui asserted. “He’s just a dog I keep. He dares not come? If I told him we’re breaking up, he’d faint from crying.”

The woman giggled. “Then I’m opening this bottle of Petrus?”

“Open it, open whatever you want.” Cheng Hui waved his hand, a cigarette in his mouth, looking heroic. “Someone’s coming to pay the bill later.”

After washing up, Zhao Zhiyi pulled down his collar to look at his swollen nape in the mirror.

The world-building of Non-Instinctive Reaction was set in an ABO universe, meaning people’s primary genders were divided into three: Alpha, Omega, and Beta.

Alphas, due to their genetic advantages, were always the leaders of society. Omegas were mostly fragile and primarily responsible for childbearing, possessing a strong attraction for Alphas. As for Betas, they were like worker ants, the most numerous and the most average. They had no glands, no pheromones, and no reproductive cavity. The drama between Alphas and Omegas usually didn’t involve Betas.

There is pheromone attraction between Alphas and Omegas, the higher the compatibility, the easier it is to produce high-quality offspring. This was the main reason the original owner could marry Meng Ze, his compatibility with Meng Ze was as high as 85%. Logically, such high compatibility should have led to love at first sight.

However, Meng Ze scoffed at the laws of AO attraction, calling it “beastly instinct.” Let alone love at first sight, not turning around and walking away the moment he saw Zhao Zhiyi was already giving him plenty of face.

“…Is he a dog?” Zhao Zhiyi tentatively poked the swelling on his nape. The pain made him hiss. He didn’t know how hard Meng Ze had bitten last night, but he could still feel the teeth marks.

Following his memory, he found some anti-swelling patches in a drawer and stuck one on his nape. Once he cleaned himself up, he opened the door and took a tour of the house.

This was a greeting gift from Meng Ze’s mother to Zhao Zhiyi. Located in the city center where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, the house price was pushing six figures. The Meng family was massive, even if he divorced Meng Ze, they probably wouldn’t take the house back.

Zhao Zhiyi finished inspecting his private property and was very satisfied. He found some food in the fridge and checked his bank balance while eating.

Then his smile froze.

Meng Ze sent 500,000 a month, yet he only had 2,000 left in his account.

Checking the statements, it was either luxury goods or expensive restaurants.

Zhao Zhiyi’s smile vanished.

He forgot the original owner was a “simp” who spent Meng Ze’s money to raise another man. Any money he had went straight to Cheng Hui.

Fortunately, he transmigrated at the beginning of the month. Meng Ze hadn’t sent this month’s money yet; otherwise, it would surely have been spent on watches and wine for Cheng Hui.

At six in the evening, Zhao Zhiyi felt better, so he changed clothes and headed to the “Bird of Paradise” Cheng Hui mentioned.

This was a high-end bar. As for how “high-end” it was, in Zhao Zhiyi’s eyes, it was specifically represented by a 180 yuan glass of lemonade.

In the original owner’s memory, Cheng Hui was a regular here, often bringing his girlfriends, yes, besides his boyfriend Zhao Zhiyi, Cheng Hui had girlfriends. They changed every few days. The original owner not only had to buy wine for Cheng Hui but sometimes had to buy bags for the girlfriends.

Zhao Zhiyi’s evaluation: An idiot.

Inside the private booth, it was pure chaos, a lively scene of people smoking, playing dice, and someone howling off-key.

The lighting was dim and ambiguous, saturated with the smell of alcohol, smoke, perfume, fruit… and the scent of pheromones unconsciously released by excited Alphas and Omegas. The combined lethality was no less than riding a hard sleeper green train for fifty hours straight.

Zhao Zhiyi took a deep breath outside before entering.

“Brother Cheng! Your partner finally showed up!” someone yelled. “Making us wait so long, this partner of yours is harder to invite than a god.”

Cheng Hui sat on the sofa, not getting up, staring at Zhao Zhiyi with an ugly expression. “I called you at ten this morning. Look at the time now…”

Zhao Zhiyi buried his nose in his collar, his voice muffled: “I told you, I didn’t feel well.”

Cheng Hui hadn’t called back to rush him because he didn’t want Zhao Zhiyi to think he cared too much. But since Zhao Zhiyi had shown up after all, he held his temper and said, “So you went to see a doctor. You should have said so earlier, it’s not like I’m unreasonable.”

He pulled Zhao Zhiyi down to sit, pointing at the people around them. “These are all my brothers. They plan to develop their careers in A-City. Get to know their faces, you’ll be seeing them often.”

One man with dyed yellow hair said, “Sister-in-law, I heard you have connections with the Meng family?”

Zhao Zhiyi looked up. “A little.”

The man rubbed his hands. “Then can you get me a job at Meng Corp? I’m not picky, a manager or supervisor position is fine.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “What’s your education level?”

The man scratched his head. “First half of sixth grade?”

Zhao Zhiyi said, “With that, you’d barely qualify to be a security guard.”

The man instantly flared up. “How are you talking?!”

Cheng Hui was also displeased. “Haozi is my brother. Even if you don’t want to help him, you don’t have to insult him like that, right?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “I thought I was just stating facts?”

Haozi got even angrier, and Cheng Hui’s face turned iron-blue. At that moment, the woman sitting next to Cheng Hui said, “Alright, alright, why fight over such a small thing?”

She sat down next to Zhao Zhiyi and said with a beaming smile, “Zhiyi, did you see yesterday’s show? I really love that new bag. Can you…”

Zhao Zhiyi: “Tell the sales associate to set one aside for you? Sure.”

The woman’s expression changed slightly. “I mean, can you buy it for me.”

Zhao Zhiyi was shocked. “What kind of relationship do we have that I’d buy such an expensive bag for you? Do I look brain-dead to you?”

The woman said, “Aren’t you Brother Cheng’s partner? I’m his girlfriend! I heard you bought things for all of Brother Cheng’s previous girlfriends!”

“Oh.” Zhao Zhiyi stood up. “Actually, I came here today to say one thing.”

Everyone looked at him. Zhao Zhiyi’s tone was casual: “I’ve broken up with Cheng Hui. Whether it’s arranging jobs or buying bags, don’t look for me again.”

The booth fell deathly silent.

Cheng Hui was incredulous at first, then came to a realization. He said, “You’re angry at me, right? I know I didn’t show concern when you were sick this morning, that’s my fault. Babe, stop messing around; there are so many people here.”

As he spoke, he reached out to put his arm around Zhao Zhiyi. Zhao Zhiyi dodged as if avoiding a virus and picked up a glass of wine from the table, splashing it directly onto Cheng Hui’s face. “Sobered up yet? Who’s messing around with you?”

“By the way, all those things I gave you clothes, jewelry, shoes, remember to return them all to me,” Zhao Zhiyi said. “As for the money spent on your girlfriends, I won’t pursue that. Consider it their mental distress compensation for dating you.”

The people in the booth were either Cheng Hui’s fair weather friends or his sworn brothers. Usually, they envied his luck in finding someone like Zhao Zhiyi, stupid, rich, easily ordered around, and as soft as a rabbit. Cheng Hui had organized this gathering today specifically to show off, only to be dumped and splashed with wine.

Cheng Hui was 1.8 meters tall and muscular. His face was iron-blue as he stood before Zhao Zhiyi like a mountain. He gritted his teeth. “You dare splash wine on me?!”

Zhao Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. “I can also hit you with the bottle. Want to bet?”

“You motherf …” Cheng Hui cursed. “What do you think you are?! You think marrying into the Meng family actually makes you high-class? Stop dreaming. Who is Meng Ze and what kind of trash are you? You think Meng Ze actually likes you? If it weren’t for your compatibility, you wouldn’t even see his face in this lifetime! Once Meng Ze takes full control of the family, you’ll be kicked out of the Meng house faster than you can blink!”

Zhao Zhiyi thought: This guy might be trash, but his insight is quite sharp. The original owner really was kicked out very quickly.

“I don’t know what I am, but you’re certainly not anything good,” Zhao Zhiyi said with a smile. “Since you’re so capable, I assume you can return those things soon?”

“You!” The veins on Cheng Hui’s forehead throbbed. He still felt Zhao Zhiyi was just throwing a tantrum, but he didn’t want to indulge him. If he let him think breaking up worked, wouldn’t things be turned upside down later?

“If you walk out of that door today, we are completely over!” Cheng Hui issued a final ultimatum.

“There’s such a good deal?” Zhao Zhiyi walked toward the door without hesitation.

Cheng Hui was furious and chased after him. Zhao Zhiyi slipped out the door like a fish, but someone happened to be passing by in the corridor, and he crashed straight into their arms.

Zhao Zhiyi smelled a very faint scent of white tea.

Cheng Hui’s footsteps stopped abruptly, his rage freezing on his face. “…Young Master… Su.”

The person Zhao Zhiyi crashed into laughed softly. Politely, yet with a hint of distaste, he pulled Zhao Zhiyi out of his arms before saying, “What a coincidence. Are you two… on a date?”

“We don’t have that kind of relationship!” Cheng Hui denied it desperately. “We’re just friends, just friends! Young Master Su, please don’t misunderstand!”

Zhao Zhiyi rubbed the bridge of his nose. Once the stinging pain passed, he looked up and saw the person’s face.

Bars always keep the lights low to emphasize the atmosphere, and the corridor was the same. In the dim light, this person wore a white cashmere sweater. He was tall, with fair skin and clear amber eyes. His face was so beautiful it could rival an Omega’s, making him look completely harmless.

No wonder Cheng Hui was so nervous, they had bumped into the book’s Protagonist Bottom. Su Jiyu.

Su Jiyu and Meng Ze could be described as childhood sweethearts from matching families. They had been close since they were young. Aside from the fact that he differentiated into an Alpha at age fourteen, everything about him was perfect.

Zhao Zhiyi was Meng Ze’s wife, Su Jiyu was Meng Ze’s best friend. Cheng Hui, no matter how stupid, couldn’t admit his relationship with Zhao Zhiyi in front of Su Jiyu.

“I see.” Su Jiyu didn’t seem to want to interfere. He nodded slightly. “Then continue with your fun.”

He turned to leave.

Zhao Zhiyi looked at the predatory Cheng Hui, then at the gentle, harmless Su Jiyu. He immediately chased after him. “Could you give me a lift?”

Su Jiyu said, “Sorry, it’s not on the way.”

“Where are you going?”

Su Jiyu: “To find Meng Ze.”

Zhao Zhiyi said, “I’m also looking for Meng Ze. It’s on the way, definitely on the way. Let’s go.”

Su Jiyu: “…”

He remembered this person used to act like a mouse seeing a cat whenever he was around Meng Ze. He was actually going to look for him proactively?

With Su Jiyu there, Cheng Hui naturally didn’t dare follow. Once Zhao Zhiyi confirmed this, he breathed in the fresh air outside the bar. “I suddenly feel like this is too much trouble for you. You go ahead. I’ll just call a cab.”

Su Jiyu said softly, “It’s no trouble.”

“Huh?”

Su Jiyu tilted his chin. “There. Meng Ze is right there.”

Zhao Zhiyi looked in the direction he pointed and saw a black Bentley parked by the road. A man in a suit, likely having just left a meeting, was leaning against the car looking at his watch.

Even though they had slept together last night and this man had bitten his neck savagely, Zhao Zhiyi hadn’t actually seen Meng Ze’s face clearly.

Now that he could, he thought distractedly that he was indeed the Protagonist Top, he had the looks for it. His features were deep and well-defined, his facial lines cold and hard without a hint of softness. Especially the small curve of his long lashes and the corners of his eyes, they were as sharp as a blade.

Unlike Su Jiyu’s softness, Meng Ze was the kind of person you knew was cold and heartless at a single glance.

“Didn’t you want to find Meng Ze?” Su Jiyu looked at Zhao Zhiyi, his gaze full of concern. “Why aren’t you going over?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “…”

Even if they were just a “plastic” couple, Meng Ze probably wouldn’t want to wear a green hat.

“Speaking of which, that friend of yours, Cheng Hui, seems to really want to enter Meng’s company?” Su Jiyu said softly. “How about I mention it to Meng Ze for you? It’s just a small matter, he should agree.”

Zhao Zhiyi was decisive: “Thank you for your kindness, but there’s no need.”

Su Jiyu hesitated but still gave some well-meaning advice: “Cheng Hui is not an easy person to deal with. If possible, it’s better not to associate with him.”

Zhao Zhiyi’s eyes widened. He felt as if Su Jiyu had a holy halo above his head, radiating sacred light.

Finding out about his love rival’s affair and instead of gloating, he felt worried about the rival being scammed and offered kind advice. He was basically the Virgin Mary reincarnated. Only an angel this kind could tolerate Meng Ze’s foul temper.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Su Jiyu frowned. “Is there something on my face?”

“No,” Zhao Zhiyi said. “You’re just beautiful.”

Su Jiyu was stunned.

Zhao Zhiyi had already walked down the steps.

Meng Ze’s gaze paused on the anti-swelling patch on his nape.

He had restrained himself and hadn’t used much force, but Zhao Zhiyi was far too delicate, it still hadn’t healed.

“Get in.” Meng Ze spoke briefly, his voice cold.

Zhao Zhiyi sensibly stepped back half a pace, waiting for the Protagonist Top to pick up the Protagonist Bottom so he could call a cab home.

One second, two seconds, half a minute passed, no one reacted. Meng Ze and Su Jiyu both looked at Zhao Zhiyi.

“Get in,” Meng Ze repeated with a frown.

Zhao Zhiyi was stunned. “Are you… talking to me?”

Meng Ze: “Otherwise?”

Zhao Zhiyi thought something was wrong. If the Protagonist Top appeared here, wasn’t he supposed to pick up the Protagonist Bottom? What did picking up the cannon fodder ex-wife mean?

Warning bells went off in Zhao Zhiyi’s head. He suspected the little couple had fought and he was being used as a weapon in their war.

Su Jiyu smiled. “Meng Ze came to pick you up. Today is Yu Tao’s birthday. Uncle Yu asked you to come back for dinner.”

Zhao Zhiyi sensed a hint of bitterness in Su Jiyu’s smile.

It made sense. They were childhood sweethearts, perfect matches in every way, yet because of gender, they couldn’t be together. Now, he couldn’t even attend a family gathering, it was pure torture.

Zhao Zhiyi felt Su Jiyu must be shattered into eight hundred pieces right now, the kind that even welding couldn’t fix.

Before Zhao Zhiyi could say anything else, Su Jiyu nodded to Meng Ze and left.

Zhao Zhiyi was frustrated: “Why aren’t you chasing him?”

Meng Ze was baffled: “Chasing what?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “…”

When reading the book, he thought Su Jiyu was a bit dramatic for fighting with Meng Ze over small things. Now that he was here, he realized Su Jiyu actually had a great temper for not slapping Meng Ze before leaving.

Zhao Zhiyi sighed internally and opened the car door, carefully avoiding the front passenger seat. Generally, that should be Su Jiyu’s exclusive seat. He was just a cannon fodder, he didn’t deserve it.

Meng Ze tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Using me as a chauffeur?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “.”

It seemed these two really had fought, and quite badly. Meng Ze was such a grown man, yet he was still throwing a fit.

“I’m afraid of dying.” Zhao Zhiyi refused to cross the line, saying resolutely, “If there’s a car crash, the passenger seat dies first. I don’t dare.”