Transmigrated As The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Of A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 2

Meng Ze must think there is something wrong with his brain right now, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that he absolutely cannot become a part of this little couple’s “play.”

Zhao Zhiyi wasn’t a man of many words, and Meng Ze was even more sparing with his speech. The interior of the car was silent. Zhao Zhiyi quietly sized up the luxurious decor until his gaze suddenly landed on Meng Ze’s right arm.

Meng Ze had taken off his jacket in the car, wearing only a white dress shirt. There was a large patch of dried blood on his sleeve; it seemed he was injured.

Zhao Zhiyi looked a few extra times but didn’t ask. If Meng Ze didn’t care himself, why should he meddle?

The Meng family’s ancestral home was situated halfway up a mountain. Looking through the window at the exquisite and elegant villa, Zhao Zhiyi felt like he was about to drool with envy. He had worked three jobs since the dawn of time and still couldn’t afford a house like this.

Truly, some people are born in Rome, while others are born to be beasts of burden. When God closes a window for you, He locks the door, too, and swallows the key.

As soon as they entered the living room, a young girl came swirling down from upstairs like a gust of wind. She looked like she wanted to pounce on Meng Ze but stopped herself abruptly, standing primly in front of him and calling out sweetly, “Brother!”

Meng Ze’s attitude was lukewarm, offering only a brief “Mm.”

The girl turned her gaze toward Zhao Zhiyi, and her expression changed instantly. She wrinkled her nose. “Why are you here too?”

“To celebrate your birthday,” Zhao Zhiyi said.

“I don’t need you to!” Yu Tao pursed her lips. “Didn’t I invite Brother Yu?”

“Yu Tao, where are your manners?” Meng Ze said displeasedly.

Yu Tao bit her lip. “Brother, you know I don’t like him.”

“It’s Father’s wish,” Meng Ze stated. “If you’re dissatisfied, you can take it up with him.”

Yu Tao shut her mouth.

Actually, Zhao Zhiyi could understand Yu Tao.

The original owner of this body went to the same university as Yu Tao. Although they weren’t in the same major, the original owner was a “legendary” figure on campus, mostly legendary for his pathetic “simp” behavior. Before Zhao Zhiyi became her sister-in-law, Yu Tao viewed all of this as a joke. Now that he actually was her sister-in-law, her brother was effectively wearing a massive “green lady” (cheated on) without even knowing it. Yet, she couldn’t just come out and say it. How could she not be angry?

Meng Ze went upstairs to change. Only Yu Tao and Zhao Zhiyi remained in the living room. The girl dropped her obedient act, crossing her arms and tilting her chin up. “If you have any sense, you’ll hurry up and divorce my brother! Don’t think I don’t know about that mess between you and Cheng Hui…”

Zhao Zhiyi replied, “The divorce isn’t up to me. I suggest you talk to Meng Ze about it.”

“You!” Yu Tao’s face flushed with anger. “Don’t think my brother married you because he likes you.”

“It’s because of the compatibility rate, I know.” Zhao Zhiyi patted her shoulder. “Don’t be mad. It’s your birthday today. Be happy.”

Yu Tao watched in a daze as Zhao Zhiyi sat down on the sofa naturally, as if he were in his own home.

What was wrong with this person? Previously, if she had said that, Zhao Zhiyi would have been red faced with rage. Why was he so calm today?

In truth, Zhao Zhiyi wasn’t that calm.

Because Meng Ze’s family relations were incredibly messy, he was still trying to sort them out in his head when a man and a woman came downstairs.

Though both were older, it was clear they must have been strikingly handsome in their youth, especially the woman, who was quite beautiful.

“Dad, Mom,” Yu Tao called out.

“Zhiyi is here too.” Yu Shu’en’s attitude toward Zhao Zhiyi was rather kindly. “How have you and Meng Ze been getting along lately?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “Same as always.”

Yu Shu’en frowned. He clearly knew what kind of character his son had. He said, “He spends all day thinking about nonsense. Don’t mind him. Your priority should be getting pregnant as soon as possible…”

Before he could finish, Meng Ze came down.

He had changed into white, round-neck loungewear, but it didn’t diminish his cold sharp edge one bit. The moment he appeared, the temperature in the living room seemed to drop several degrees. Yu Tao whispered, “Dad, you’d better not talk about that for now, or Brother will get angry again.”

“What does he have to be angry about?” Yu Shu’en glanced at Meng Ze. “This is his mother’s wish.”

“…Dad!” Yu Tao said anxiously. “Stop talking!”

Meng Ze acted as if he hadn’t even seen Yu Shu’en and the others. As he brushed past Zhao Zhiyi, he said emotionlessly, “Let’s eat.”

Zhao Zhiyi gave an “Oh” and followed Meng Ze to the dining table.

“You’re thirty years old and still so rude?” Yu Shu’en said with a stern face. “Didn’t you see Auntie Gao is here too?”

Meng Ze turned a deaf ear.

The woman standing next to Yu Shu’en smiled. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s eat first before the food gets cold.”

The atmosphere at the table was bizarre, but Zhao Zhiyi was the only one eating happily.

Having spent a long time eating one yuan steamed buns with free pickles in the cafeteria, even instant noodles were a luxury to him, let alone this table full of delicacies.

Meng Ze intended to make a polite gesture by picking up a rib for Zhao Zhiyi. But just as his chopsticks were about to land, he realized Zhao Zhiyi’s bowl was already piled high like a small mountain. There wasn’t even a square inch of space left for his rib.

“.” He silently put the rib into his own bowl.

Yu Shu’en had something to say: “Meng Ze, do you usually mistreat Zhiyi? Look at how hungry he is. If he doesn’t take care of his body, it will be hard to conceive. Your mother is just waiting to hold a grandson. Can’t you show some concern?”

With a clack, Meng Ze put down his chopsticks. He leaned back against his chair, staring coldly at Yu Shu’en. “Stop bringing up my mother in every breath. Do you have anything new to say besides that?”

Yu Shu’en: “Didn’t you go see her today? Don’t you know if she wants a grandson?”

Meng Ze’s fingers tightened, veins popping on the back of his hand.

The dining room was thick with tension. Yu Tao, the birthday girl, shrank into her chair, not daring to speak. Zhao Zhiyi wanted to play dead too, he didn’t want to be a tool for this father and son to attack each other but unfortunately, he had eaten too much and couldn’t help but let out a burp.

Gao Ziya took the opportunity to smile. “Zhiyi, do you like the food today? I made it all myself.”

Yu Tao secretly curled her lip: Yeah, “made it herself” by watching the chefs in the kitchen.

“I like it,” Zhao Zhiyi fake smiled.

Gao Ziya said softly, “If you like it, come back often. Auntie Gao will cook for you.”

Zhao Zhiyi pretended not to notice the olive branch Gao Ziya was extending. Currently, his boss was Meng Ze, and the one paying him was Meng Ze. He still had that much professional integrity.

Meng Ze stood up and pulled back his chair. “I have things to do. I’m leaving.”

He paused, remembering he had a “tagalong,” and glanced sideways at Zhao Zhiyi. “Are you full?”

Zhao Zhiyi nodded. Meng Ze: “Let’s go together.”

“Wait.” Yu Shu’en said in a heavy voice. “Where are you going? It wasn’t easy to get you back here. I asked your secretary, you have no plans tomorrow morning. You two stay here tonight. Your room has already been prepared.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “??”

Yu Tao was the first to object: “No! They can’t stay in the same room!”

Zhao Zhiyi silently gave Yu Tao a thumbs-up in his heart. Truly the biggest “shipper” and fan of the original protagonist’s couple.

“They are husband and wife. It’s only natural they stay in the same room. Why not?” Yu Shu’en gave his daughter a warning look. “If you say one more word, go back to your room.”

Yu Tao bit her lip, looking aggrieved. Gao Ziya patted her hand and said softly, “Serves you right for meddling.”

Yu Tao felt even more wronged.

“Fine, go upstairs,” Yu Shu’en said. “Zhiyi, if Meng Ze treats you badly, you must tell me.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “…Okay.”

He followed Meng Ze upstairs.

Meng Ze was truly tall. From behind, he had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs, perfect proportions. Zhao Zhiyi couldn’t help but pinch his own arm; it was so skinny it felt bony.

In his previous life, due to long term malnutrition, he had barely reached 178 cm but was skin and bones. As it turned out, the original owner’s body wasn’t much better, he was so thin a gust of wind could blow him over.

No wonder he had been in pain all day after sleeping with Meng Ze, his body was just too weak.

…Of course, he couldn’t rule out that Meng Ze’s technique was just terrible. When he first transmigrated, his head was fuzzy, but later he was practically shocked awake by the pain. Even though he had struggled with all his might, Meng Ze had held onto the back of his neck like a feline predator mating, an act of absolute restraint and control.

Lost in thought, Zhao Zhiyi didn’t notice Meng Ze had suddenly stopped. He slammed into the man’s hard back. When he looked up, he met Meng Ze’s dark, heavy eyes.

“Sorry.” Zhao Zhiyi tilted his head. “Is something wrong?”

Meng Ze: “You’re sleeping in the guest room tonight.”

Zhao Zhiyi naturally had no objections. He didn’t want to sleep with Meng Ze again. This man was like a dog; his bites hurt like hell.

Ten minutes later, Meng Ze stood in front of a locked guest room door, laughing from pure annoyance.

Zhao Zhiyi lamented that Yu Shu’en was really pulling out all the stops to get a grandson, he had actually locked all the guest room doors.

“I can sleep on the floor,” Zhao Zhiyi suggested.

But when they entered Meng Ze’s room, even the extra bedding and blankets had been taken away by the servants.

The veins on Meng Ze’s forehead were throbbing; he probably really wanted to commit patricide.

Zhao Zhiyi said sensibly, “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

Meng Ze was expressionless. “No need. I won’t touch you.”

Zhao Zhiyi’s face was the picture of “men’s words are lies.” Yesterday, Meng Ze had said it wouldn’t hurt, either.

And the result? He cried from the pain, and the jerk just covered his mouth.

Meng Ze likely thought of this too, as he rubbed his brow. “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

Zhao Zhiyi didn’t argue. He took a shower and came out to lie on the bed and play a match three game. Meng Ze was on the balcony making a call. After winning a round, Zhao Zhiyi rolled over and looked at Meng Ze’s tall figure against the night sky.

Coming back for this meal must have been disgusting for Meng Ze.

His mother was clearly still alive, yet Yu Shu’en had already brought his mistress and illegitimate daughter into the house, acting as if they were the new masters of the Meng family. Meanwhile, his mother, Meng Qiao, was living in a nursing home, completely oblivious to it all.

Meng Ze’s hatred for the original owner stemmed mostly from his father’s nagging. Yu Shu’en played around a lot, but only Gao Ziya had given him a child and a daughter at that. Yu Shu’en could only pin his hopes on Meng Ze, hoping Zhao Zhiyi would give him a son so he could officially turn the “Meng family” into the “Yu family.”

Noticing Meng Ze hang up, Zhao Zhiyi looked away. A new message popped up on his phone: [I heard you and Cheng Hui broke up. Is it true?]

[There’s an exam tomorrow from 2:30 to 4:00. Don’t forget.]

Zhao Zhiyi checked the contact, the message was from Zhan Yue.

Zhan Yue was one of the few decent people around the original owner. He was a plain Beta, the type that disappears in a crowd. Since they were childhood neighbors, they had a good relationship, but after the original owner met Cheng Hui and started doing a string of idiotic things, Zhan Yue had cut him off. They hadn’t spoken in a long time.

It seemed he was still soft-hearted; as soon as he heard news of the breakup, he sent a text.

Zhao Zhiyi’s lips curved into a genuine, soft smile. He replied with an “OK.” Suddenly, he heard Meng Ze’s voice: “Texting your boyfriend?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “?!”

Zhao Zhiyi looked up in horror.

Meng Ze had a towel draped over his head, still carrying the cold dampness of the shower. His eyes looked darker than ever. “Think I don’t know?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “…So you knew.”

Meng Ze scoffed.

Of course he knew; he just couldn’t be bothered to care.

Zhao Zhiyi cleared his throat. “But I’ve already broken up with him.”

Meng Ze glanced at the obediently sitting Zhao Zhiyi, clearly not believing him.

Ah, the original owner had said that many times, but never once meant it. Zhan Yue used to try to persuade him, but eventually blocked him, screaming before he did: “Just spend your whole life with your ‘dear boyfriend’! There’s no way you can leave him, you’re just his accessory! Please, just let me go!”

Whether Meng Ze believed it or not didn’t matter. Since they were going to divorce eventually, he didn’t bother explaining. A few seconds later, Meng Ze added: “You have terrible taste.”

Zhao Zhiyi said: “…You’re not much better.”

Of all things to get into, why an Alpha-Alpha relationship?

Meng Ze turned off the light, and the room fell into darkness. Zhao Zhiyi always fell asleep quickly, a habit formed from his past life of squeezing in naps between three shifts. Meng Ze had barely hit the pillow before Zhao Zhiyi’s breathing became long and steady.

Meng Ze couldn’t help but wonder if Zhao Zhiyi had ever taken a health class. Being in a room alone with an Alpha who had just marked him yesterday, and he could fall asleep in a second? He wasn’t afraid at all of what the Alpha might do.

While Meng Ze indeed wouldn’t do anything, Zhao Zhiyi was far too trusting of his character.

Meng Ze closed his eyes. As he got older, his insomnia had worsened, often requiring sleeping pills. But tonight, perhaps because his Omega was there, even though he wore a suppressor patch, he could smell a very, very faint scent of orange blossoms.

The scent of pheromones, slightly bitter yet with a hint of sweetness that he had smelled up close yesterday.

Meng Ze fell into a chaotic dream.

It seemed to be the second day after Meng Qiao moved into the nursing home. His father brought Gao Ziya and Yu Tao into the living room. Yu Tao looked at him with big, timid eyes and called him “Brother.”

He hadn’t answered. Yu Shu’en scolded him for not acting like an older brother, rambling for a long time until Meng Ze’s ears buzzed and his head throbbed. He suddenly snapped his eyes open.

“Hm?” Zhao Zhiyi was leaning over, looking at him. In the cool moonlight, his face was beautiful and his skin pale, his long lashes lifting slightly. “Did you have a nightmare?”

Meng Ze took a deep breath, staring at him. “What are you doing?”

Zhao Zhiyi pointed to the glass in his left hand. “Thirsty. Got up for water.”

Meng Ze closed his eyes and leaned against the sofa. Zhao Zhiyi said, “Go sleep in the bed.”

“No need.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “I can’t sleep anymore anyway.”

He blamed his internal clock. Usually, at this time, he’d be dragging himself up to get ready for work at the breakfast shop.

“Go on,” Zhao Zhiyi said, opening his phone to continue playing his game. “I won’t bother you.”

Meng Ze didn’t argue further. He really was uncomfortable on that small sofa.

Lifting the soft duvet, he was hit by the full scent of orange blossoms. Meng Ze’s limbs stiffened for a moment, but his tone remained flat: “Your suppressor patch. It’s time to change it.”

Zhao Zhiyi instinctively touched his neck and said casually, “Can you help me stick a new one on when you wake up? I can’t quite align it right myself.”

Meng Ze: “…?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Zhiyi wanted to tear his own tongue out.

In his world, this kind of thing between guys was normal. But in this world, an Omega asking an Alpha to help change a suppressor patch… how was that any different from changing underwear?

If they weren’t married, Meng Ze could probably call the police for sexual harassment.

“Actually, I…”

Meng Ze had already lain down. “If you insist, I can help you change it.”

Zhao Zhiyi opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Forget it. He’d just accept being seen as a rogue, it’s not like he was going to spend his life with Meng Ze anyway. His image didn’t matter.

Zhao Zhiyi underestimated how weak this body was. After playing for a short while, he curled up on the sofa and fell asleep. When he woke up, Meng Ze was no longer in the bedroom. Zhao Zhiyi yawned and finished washing up. Just as he opened the door, he made eye contact with Meng Ze standing outside.

Meng Ze was holding something, but Zhao Zhiyi didn’t notice. He gave a messy nod as a greeting and prepared to go downstairs. Meng Ze grabbed his arm. “Wait.”

“What is it?”

Meng Ze opened what he was holding, his expression normal. “There weren’t any in the room. I borrowed this from the household servants.”

Zhao Zhiyi finally saw it clearly. It was a suppressor patch.

Meng Ze said calmly, “Turn around. Show me your neck.”