Transmigrated as the Scumbag Alpha’s Gorgeous Wife Who Keeps Trying to Seduce Me - Chapter 23.2

Chi Lengzhao was surprised. “Then why doesn’t the Shen family have any pets?”

“She wanted one. But Madam is severely allergic to fur. When it flares up, she has to get injections. When the young lady was a child, she had a kitten. She cried when she had to give it away.”

Chi Lengzhao nodded. “Where is she now?”

Hua Zi replied, “She didn’t say. She answered a phone call and went out.”

A phone call? Could she also be out trying to borrow money?

Chi Lengzhao quickly dismissed the thought. Meixi had been in decline for three or four years. They had already gone through three rounds of funding, probably with help from friends too. At this point, it was unlikely anyone else could lend money.

She sighed, decided not to have her driver take her, and drove herself.

When she arrived at the pet store, Xue Pantao was already there. Her eyes sparkled as she looked around. Every cat was adorable in her eyes.

As soon as Chi Lengzhao walked in, a young Beta woman working in the store saw her and immediately blushed. She smiled shyly and said, “Take your time. No rush.”

“We’ll just look around. We won’t touch anything without asking.”

The shop assistant’s heart skipped. This Alpha wasn’t just attractive and cool, her voice was so smooth it made her ears feel weak.

Xue Pantao was already starry-eyed with excitement. If she hadn’t set her mind on getting a Garfield cat, she probably would’ve started hugging all the cats already.

“Zhao! This British Shorthair is so beautiful! And look at that American Shorthair, it’s so playful! That golden tabby is just too charming! What do I do? I want them all!”

Chi Lengzhao reminded her, “Weren’t you set on a Garfield? Those are adorable too.”

The shop assistant added, “Our Garfields are from our boss’s own cat. She just called. Her car had a minor accident on the way, but she should be here soon.”

As she spoke, the doorbell rang. A young, pretty woman walked in holding a pet carrier. Inside was a chubby Garfield cat.

That had to be the shop owner.

Chi Lengzhao had imagined an older woman, maybe even a middle-aged auntie. She didn’t expect someone this young and this pretty.

“Who’s here to buy the Garfield?”

The shop assistant quickly introduced her. “This is our store manager and the owner, Miss Tong.”

Miss Tong instinctively looked at Chi Lengzhao. “Are you the one buying the Garfield? Have you owned cats before?”

Chi Lengzhao gave an apologetic smile. “No. It’s for my friend, Miss Xue.”

Xue Pantao leaned in between the two beautiful women. Her round face looked like a ripe peach.

“Me. I’m the one buying.”

Miss Tong smiled. “Nice to meet you, Miss Xue. Would you like to take a look at this Garfield?”

“Just call me Pantao,” she said, bending down to take a closer look at the kitten in the carrier.

The kitten seemed a little shy. When it saw Xue Pantao’s big, eager face, it let out a soft meow and backed away.

“She’s a girl. Purebred, very gentle, almost three months old, and in perfect health,” said Miss Tong.

“Perfect. I’ll take her. It was love at first sight. She just feels familiar. Zhao, you were right—she’s just as cute as me!”

Miss Tong and the shop assistant both lowered their heads, holding back laughter.

Chi Lengzhao raised an eyebrow. “Come on. That cat’s cuteness is a hundred levels above yours.”

Xue Pantao snorted through her nose. “Hmph. You’re just jealous that we’re equally adorable.”

At that, everyone in the store burst into laughter.

Xue Pantao bought the cat. Miss Tong patiently explained how to care for her, including vaccinations and deworming. She then offered to exchange WeChat contacts.

“If you have any questions, feel free to message me.”

Xue Pantao looked surprised and flattered. It was the first time such a pretty woman had taken the initiative to add her.

“Sure. Thank you. I hope I won’t bother you too much?”

Miss Tong smiled warmly. “Not at all. This is part of our after-sales service. If the cat shows any unusual symptoms, just bring her back and we’ll take care of her.”

Just the thought of coming back and seeing the kind and beautiful Miss Tong again made Xue Pantao’s heart race. She blushed and nodded repeatedly.

After buying the cat, Chi Lengzhao offered to treat Xue Pantao to a meal.

“Zhao, why are you suddenly treating me to dinner? You’re being so polite. If anything, I should be the one treating you.”

Chi Lengzhao smiled slightly. “This dinner’s not cheap. Most people couldn’t afford it.”

“Oh? Then it must be some fancy place. Let’s go. It’s not wild animal meat or anything, right? Because I’m not eating that.”

“Don’t worry. I promise it’s not.”

Once in the car, Xue Pantao sat in the passenger seat with the cat carrier in her arms. She rolled down the window and waved excitedly at Miss Tong, her whole face lighting up with joy.

“Zhao, don’t you think Miss Tong is so pretty and gentle? And she’s so kind to animals too. She talked to me for so long and never once seemed impatient.”

Chi Lengzhao glanced at her. “You like her?”

“Mhm. I just don’t know if she’d ever be into someone like me.” Xue Pantao admitted it openly, then sighed. “You were right. That cat really is a hundred times cuter than I am.”

“The cat?”

Xue Pantao pointed at the little Garfield in the carrier. “I just named her. She’s called Xiaomei.”

Chi Lengzhao smiled and said kindly, “Pantao, looks are something we’re born with. We can’t change that. But you have such a great personality—fun and sweet. Maybe Miss Tong isn’t shallow. Maybe she’ll like you just the way you are.”

“You think so? You really think someone might like me?”

“Of course.”

Xue Pantao’s eyes sparkled. “Zhao, if I were an Omega, would you like me?”

Chi Lengzhao paused and then lifted her hand, showing her wedding ring.

“I’m married. Isn’t that kind of an inappropriate question?”

“I meant hypothetically. Like, before you got married.”

In her mind, Chi Lengzhao suddenly pictured a girl in a sleeveless white dress and little boots, smiling as she kicked a pebble. She looked as pure as snow on a distant mountaintop.

“Sorry. I like the cold and distant type.”

Outside the window, water rippled in a pond with a few withered lotus stalks still standing. Gentle music played softly in the background.

They were now at a high-end Chinese restaurant. It wasn’t right in the city center, but the land here was still incredibly valuable. Quiet, private, and refined.

Chi Lengzhao ordered their food and handed the menu to the waiter.

“Zhao, really—what’s with the fancy dinner? Is there something you need from me?”

Chi Lengzhao took a sip of tea. “To be honest, I want to borrow some money.”

Xue Pantao didn’t hesitate. She picked up a slice of pickled radish. “That’s no problem. How much?”

Chi Lengzhao held up three fingers. “Three hundred million.”

The radish dropped to the table with a soft thud. Xue Pantao froze for a second, then quickly picked it up and popped it into her mouth.

“For a dinner this expensive, I’m not wasting this radish.”

In the end, she nearly emptied her bank account.

“Between what I’ve saved and what I can get from my grandparents in advance for New Year, I think I can manage three hundred million. When do you need it?”

“Within a month.”

Xue Pantao raised her glass. “No problem.”

Chi Lengzhao was genuinely touched. “You’re really lending me three hundred million just like that? Aren’t you going to ask why I need it?”

Xue Pantao clinked her glass against Chi Lengzhao’s. “We’re sworn brothers. I trust you, big bro.”

Chi Lengzhao hadn’t planned to drink, but she suddenly felt a swell of emotion. She lifted her glass too.

“Pantao, this round’s on me.”

Their glasses met, and they both downed their drinks in one go.

They spent about an hour at the restaurant. By the end of it, Xue Pantao was swaying slightly as she stood up with Xiaomei in her arms.

“Come on, Xiaomei. Time to go home.”

“I’ll drive you,” Chi Lengzhao offered.

“Thanks, big bro!”

Arm in arm, the two of them left the private room, laughing and full of cheer.

As soon as they stepped outside, the wind brushed against their faces. Then it hit Chi Lengzhao—oh no, they’d both been drinking. She couldn’t drive.

But before she could say anything, Xue Pantao’s eyes locked on someone coming out of the private room across from them. Her expression froze, and she stammered,

“S-Sister-in-law?”

Sister-in-law?

Chi Lengzhao turned her head and followed Xue Pantao’s gaze.

She was wearing slim-fit pants and a loose casual sweater. Her long hair shimmered with gentle waves, and her expression was cool and composed.

It was Shen Zhixi.

Just then, another person walked out of the private room behind her—a mature, professional-looking woman.

Chi Lengzhao suddenly remembered what Hua Zi had said earlier: “She got a phone call and went out.”

Could it be that Shen Zhixi had come to meet this woman?

Her hazy, alcohol-fogged mind immediately cleared.

Shen Zhixi and the woman smiled and hugged each other in the hallway. It was a natural, friendly gesture. That smile on Shen Zhixi’s face, Chi Lengzhao had never seen her smile like that at her before.

Something sharp suddenly pricked at Chi Lengzhao’s heart.

“Zhixi, I’ll wait to hear from you,” the woman said with a smile before turning to leave.

Shen Zhixi put on her sunglasses and looked up, only to see the two people across from her—arms draped over each other, faces red from drinking—staring straight at her.

Xue Pantao forced out an awkward smile. “Hi, Sister-in-law.”

“What are you two doing here?” Shen Zhixi looked surprised as she walked over. Her words were addressed to both of them, but her eyes were clearly fixed on Chi Lengzhao.

The car cruised smoothly down the road. The window was half-open, letting the evening breeze blow in and cool her flushed face.

Chi Lengzhao sat in the passenger seat, leaning her head against the window, staring outside.

“Feeling unwell?” Shen Zhixi asked. She glanced sideways while keeping her hands on the wheel.

“I’m fine. I didn’t drink much.” Chi Lengzhao’s tolerance was decent, thanks to years of social events and business dinners.

“So why were you having dinner with Pantao?”

“I went with her to pick out a cat. She wanted a Garfield, remember? Afterward, she treated me to dinner. We were in a good mood and had a few drinks.”

“You really got the cat?”

“Yes. The shop owner bred it herself. A sweet and gentle little girl. Pantao loved her—and I think she’s also a little smitten with the store owner.”

Shen Zhixi smiled softly but didn’t ask any further. She continued driving.

The sound of the wind howled for a moment before Chi Lengzhao rolled up the window. The car fell into quiet.

Then Chi Lengzhao asked, “That pretty woman who had dinner with you—who is she?”

“She’s my agent, Wang Yi,” Shen Zhixi replied, a little puzzled. Chi Lengzhao had met Wang Yi before. They weren’t close, but they’d seen each other a couple of times.

One time was when Wang Yi came to pick her up at a hotel. She had just finished shooting an ad campaign, and they came down together in the elevator. Chi Lengzhao had warmly greeted them and even invited Wang Yi to join them for dinner.

Why was she now acting like she didn’t recognize her at all?

So it was her agent. That explained the closeness. They were just work partners.

Chi Lengzhao immediately felt better and smiled, her eyes narrowing in amusement.

Back at home, after showering, Shen Zhixi lay on the bed flipping through a magazine. But she wasn’t reading a single word.

She was waiting for Chi Lengzhao.

Ever since Chi Lengzhao had told her she could return to acting, Shen Zhixi had been thinking about whether or not to go back into the entertainment industry.

She used to act and take endorsement deals just for fun.

Back then, she was only in her early twenties. Meixi’s business was thriving, and her father didn’t want her to carry the burden of the family company too soon. He protected her carefully. All she had to do was enjoy being the Shen family’s heiress.

That was when Wang Yi approached her and asked if she wanted to try filming a historical drama.

She heard the role was mild and had no major risks, so she accepted without giving it much thought. To her surprise, the show became a huge hit.

Her mother watched it at home again and again, proudly saying, “My daughter is so beautiful.”

That year, thanks to that one show, she landed over a dozen brand deals. For the first time, she didn’t spend her father’s money—instead, she made her own.

A few days ago, when she called Wang Yi and said she was thinking about returning to acting, Wang Yi was shocked.

“What’s going on, Zhixi? Shouldn’t I be calling you Mrs. Chi now? Why would you suddenly want to act again? Is the Chi family stingy? Are they not treating you well? They’re making their newlywed daughter-in-law go out and work? Isn’t Chi Lengzhao speaking up for you?”

“No, it’s not like that,” Shen Zhixi said casually. “I’m just bored at home and want something to do.”

She had made up her mind. One year. Even if she couldn’t regain her old popularity, she could still build a solid following. If Chi Lengzhao did help save Meixi, great. If not, then a year from now, she would step up and take over the company herself. With a fan base, even selling through livestreams would be easier.

So the two of them agreed to meet at a quiet, private restaurant.

Wang Yi took a sip of oolong tea and said leisurely, “Zhixi, you’re the young madam of a wealthy family now. Why not just enjoy it? Shop, buy some bags, throw a few parties, live the high life. Why come back to the set and suffer? It’s not like your family’s in debt or anything.”

Actually, they were. Deeply in debt.

But Meixi still appeared stable from the outside. Unless someone was an insider, they wouldn’t know how close the company was to collapse.

“I’m serious, Wang Jie. I want to act again.”

Wang Yi paused, set down her cup, and looked at her carefully.

Shen Zhixi was a true heiress with a strong family background. She was beautiful and well-behaved, never throwing tantrums on set or acting entitled.

The entertainment industry had no shortage of pretty faces. But women like Shen Zhixi—truly top-tier beauties—were rare.

One look was enough to stun an entire room.

If she had stayed in the industry and had the support of both the Shen and Chi families, she would’ve been on par with today’s top star, Zhao Siyi.

Wang Yi asked seriously, “Does your wife know you want to act again? Is she okay with it?”

“She doesn’t mind. As long as I avoid romantic scenes, it’s fine.”

Wang Yi chuckled. “She’s generous. Sounds like she really dotes on you.”

A faint blush appeared on Shen Zhixi’s face as she looked away.

Did she? Maybe.

Wang Yi was one of the most capable agents in the business, well-connected and highly respected. She had a sharp eye for talent and managed her artists well.

After dinner, she gave her professional opinion.

“Zhixi, I’m happy you want to return. My suggestion? Start with a variety show. Once you gain popularity again, everything else will be easier to negotiate.”

Her eyes gleamed with smart, experienced confidence.

“Next quarter, Tushan Media is going to produce a big-budget historical fantasy drama. It’s one of their main investments this year. According to insider sources, Zhao Siyi is set to play the female lead. I’m thinking of getting you the second female lead role. With your looks and acting skills, you’ll definitely pass the audition. If you get the part, this could bring you back to top-tier popularity.”

Shen Zhixi understood what Wang Yi meant. Whispers of the World had come out four years ago. Even though it had been wildly popular across Southeast Asia back then, the buzz had completely faded over time.

Over the past year or so, she had taken very few jobs and avoided fashion events altogether. It was almost like she had retired, which made her even less visible to the public.

Her influence and appeal were nowhere near what they had been four years ago. Right now, her priority was simple. She needed a strong comeback.

Shen Zhixi asked, “What kind of variety show is it?”

“Have you seen Sweet Go!? It’s really popular right now.”

“I’ve watched a little of it.”

“Watch more when you have time. The second season is about to air. The theme is wife-to-wife interaction. It’s perfect for you. Both you and your wife, CEO Chi, have great looks. These days, appearance is everything. If you two appear on the show together, your popularity will explode. Think it over. This could be a great opportunity.”

The door opened. Chi Lengzhao walked out of the guest room after taking a shower.

Her bare arms looked especially fair and smooth under the straps of her nightgown. As she moved around to make the bed, those pale arms waved in the air, almost dazzling Shen Zhixi’s eyes.

That night, Shen Zhixi sat down with her tablet and watched two episodes of Sweet Go!. Since the show featured romantic couples, many scenes flirted with intimacy.

There were bikini runway shows on the beach, kissing contests in the pool, sunscreen massages, and games where objects were passed mouth-to-mouth.

In one episode, she saw a newlywed couple. Partner A couldn’t hold back and pushed aside Partner O’s long hair on camera. A began licking and nuzzling O’s gland. O looked completely absorbed and was clearly enjoying it. Of course, part of the footage had been cut, but O’s swollen gland, flushed cheeks, trembling eyelashes, and slightly parted lips were all clearly shown.

Even though the more explicit parts were not aired, viewers could easily imagine what happened next.

To Shen Zhixi, the level of intimacy was surprisingly bold.

She called Wang Yi again and asked, “Wang-jie, is the second season just as bold as the first?”

Wang Yi sounded like she was still busy. “The first season got amazing ratings, but it also drew criticism from the authorities. The second season has been adjusted. It’s tamer now, mostly hand-holding and maybe some kissing. Just normal kisses. Have you made your decision?”

“I… need to ask Chi Zhaozhao first.”

Wang Yi chuckled. “Alright. I’ll wait for your update. Mrs. Chi, try to win over your CEO during your couple time tonight.”

Shen Zhixi didn’t respond.

“Chi Lengzhao, I have something to ask you.”

Chi Lengzhao paused while laying out the bedcovers and turned to look at Shen Zhixi. “What is it? Go ahead.”

“I want to return to acting. Would you support me?”

Chi Lengzhao replied without hesitation. “Yes, of course. I support you completely. Are you thinking about playing another role like Yan Rongyin?”

“That’s for later. The role depends on the script.” Shen Zhixi lowered her eyes slightly. “There’s a popular variety show. Wang-jie hopes the two of us can join it together.”

Chi Lengzhao laughed as she casually brushed her hair aside. Ever since the wound on the back of her head had healed and she could wash her hair again, she had fallen in love with the feeling.

“I don’t know how to act. What would I even do on a variety show? You should ask Wang Yi to find a professional partner for you. I can pay for it.”

Shen Zhixi blushed and looked a little uncomfortable. “It’s a couple’s variety show. Wife and wife.”

Her voice was soft, but it made Chi Lengzhao’s mind go blank.

A wife-and-wife variety show? Did that mean lots of close interaction between the wives?

This didn’t seem like something that could involve anyone else.

“Um, the second season isn’t that bold. It’s mostly just holding hands.”

The sofa stayed quiet for a long time. Shen Zhixi glanced over and saw Chi Lengzhao sitting stiffly, still in shock.

Shen Zhixi hadn’t expected this kind of reaction from her. Or maybe, she just didn’t know what to expect from this version of Chi Lengzhao.

In their previous life, Chi Lengzhao would have exploded with anger and absolutely refused to let her reenter the entertainment industry.

Of course, back then, she would never have agreed to appear on something like Sweet Go! with a person like that. Even if it was fake, she wouldn’t have done it.

It wouldn’t be Sweet Go! It would be Hell Go!.

Shen Zhixi pressed her lips together. “If you really don’t want to do it, then forget it. We won’t go on the show.”

“No, no. I support you. It’s just… I really don’t know much about the entertainment world. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?”

She sounded like she was afraid of upsetting Shen Zhixi.

Shen Zhixi didn’t understand. Why was Chi Lengzhao, in this lifetime, so cautious around her?

It almost felt like she was the one acting like a domineering villain now.

“Alright. Let’s go to sleep.” Shen Zhixi turned off the light beside the bed and lay down under the blanket.

Chi Lengzhao softly said good night and switched off her own lamp.

The room grew darker, lit only by a faint glow from outside.

After a while, Chi Lengzhao asked, “What’s the name of the show?”

“Sweet Go!”

Chi Lengzhao said nothing. Just from the name, it was obvious it was a romantic show.

The thought of paying someone else to hold and kiss her wife on camera made Chi Lengzhao want to slap herself.

How could she be so foolish?

Even if it was only in name, a wife was still a wife. Her wife should be held by no one else but her.