Transmigrated as the Scumbag Alpha’s Gorgeous Wife Who Keeps Trying to Seduce Me - Chapter 37

“Miss, you’re back!”

Hua Zi greeted her happily. Seeing only Shen Zhixi step out of the car, she asked with surprise, “Where’s Miss Chi? Didn’t she come back with you?”

“She went to the company first. She’ll be home for dinner tonight.”

Housekeeper Zhou called the driver and Fangfang over to help move the luggage. Hua Zi made a cup of Shen Zhixi’s favorite floral tea and began updating her on Zai Zai’s situation.

“Zai Zai has quite the appetite. I make three meals of cat food for him every day, and he’s gained about a pound and a half. Fangfang and I also made him two new toys. He loves them.”

Shen Zhixi picked Zai Zai up from his little bed. He had been napping comfortably, and when she suddenly lifted him, he let out a surprised meow and stretched out his paw in protest. After she gently stroked his head, he settled down and stopped resisting.

She sat down on the couch with Zai Zai in her arms, kissed the top of his head, and said softly, “Zai Zai, did you miss Mommy? Mommy and Mama went to film a show. Were you a good boy while we were gone?”

Chi Lengzhao didn’t go to the office at Chisheng Livestock. Instead, she went straight to the headquarters of Chisheng Group, to see Chairman Chi Jintang.

Now that the filming was over, it was time for her to fully focus on her next major task: securing 1.7 billion for Meixi.

She first went to see Jin Rui, Chi Jintang’s secretary. After getting the chairman’s approval over the phone, Secretary Jin greeted her politely, “Miss Chi, the chairman will see you now.”

As she passed by, she asked casually, “When does my brother usually come in?”

Secretary Jin replied, “Vice President Chi rarely comes. He only shows up when the chairman asks for him.”

At the group headquarters, Chi Jintang was addressed as Chairman Chi or President Chi. Chi Lengzhao was known as Miss Chi, and Chi Yaozong was referred to as Second Young Master Chi.

Chi Yaozong, her younger half-brother, was in charge of Chisheng Group’s two most profitable sectors: internet services and freight logistics.

But he almost never came to the office. He preferred to enjoy life, spending his days partying, drinking, chasing women, and racing cars. He lived in luxury and left the company operations to his team.

Even Chi Lengzhao knew that not long ago, their stepmother had personally dragged him into the office, only for him to argue loudly, “Why are you so annoying? It’s all going to be mine sooner or later. I hired those people to do the work for me, didn’t I?”

Chi Lengzhao smiled slightly, nodded to Secretary Jin, and pushed open the door.

This was her first time entering Chi Jintang’s office. The room was large and spacious, decorated in traditional Chinese style. Rows of antique chairs lined the walls, and his massive desk stood right in the center.

She was reminded of the ancestral hall they visited on the first day of filming. It was just as grand and solemn, a place where the head of a powerful family exercised authority.

She glanced at the desk. It was big and wide, with various Feng Shui items arranged for attracting wealth and success.

“Lengzhao, what brings you here today?”

Chi Lengzhao gave her most charming smile. “Dad, I just finished filming and came to visit you.”

Chi Jintang nodded with a smile. “That dating show you mentioned last time?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Dad, your memory is so good! I’m supposed to play the role of the Shen family’s ‘son-in-law,’ so I have to cooperate properly, right?”

Chi Jintang chuckled. “Now that you’re married to Shen Zhixi, you need to behave like a good wife in the public eye.”

“Of course,” she said, pretending to be a little shy. “I was just afraid you’d think I’m being irresponsible, spending all my time filming with Shen Zhixi.”

“Young people can live how they want, as long as you know clearly what should and shouldn’t be done.”

As she lowered her head to pick up the gift she brought, Chi Lengzhao sneered inwardly.
So deceiving Shen Zhixi and taking over Meixi is what I’m supposed to do?

I don’t know how the original version of me was brainwashed by you. But unfortunately for you, I’m no longer that person. I’m not the obedient daughter you used to control.

“Dad, I asked a friend to bring you some health supplements from abroad.”

She had checked Chi Jintang’s medical records. Knowing that he had chronic conditions and a history of heart attacks, she had bought the best heart-health supplements available, playing her role as a filial daughter.

Chi Jintang glanced at the gifts and sighed, “You’re more thoughtful than your brother.”

“He’s still young, and as a boy, it’s natural he’s a little playful,” she replied calmly.

Although Chi Yaozong was only a B-class alpha and nowhere near her own rare S-class status, she understood that he was the one their father truly loved. Chi Lengzhao herself was just the daughter meant to be pushed aside eventually.

“New Year is just over a month away. We’ll be going back to our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors. You should—”

He stopped mid-sentence and suddenly changed the topic. “Your aunt is coming back to the country the day after tomorrow. Go pick her up.”

Chi Lengzhao didn’t ask questions. “Alright, Dad.”

“It’s been many years since she last returned. The last time was when you were fifteen. Now you’re already married. Time flies,” he said, looking down at the calendar on his desk. “Ten years, just like that.”

To her surprise, Chi Lengzhao caught a trace of emotion in his eyes, as if he were remembering someone long gone.

She kept her expression calm, but in her heart she thought,
This cold, ruthless man who does whatever it takes to get what he wants… who could he possibly be missing?

After she left, Chi Jintang called in Secretary Jin.

“Take these things and have them disposed of.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

After dinner, Chi Lengzhao went to the study and specifically asked Housekeeper Zhou to come in.

“You wanted to see me, Miss?”

“Please, have a seat, Housekeeper Zhou.” She smiled gently. “My father said my aunt is coming back. Her flight is the day after tomorrow. Arrange for Xiao Song to pick her up. I’ll send you the flight information later.”

“Of course, Miss.”

“Also, my father said she’s been abroad for years. When was the last time she came back?” Chi Lengzhao asked casually.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt the air in the room go still. She looked up and saw Housekeeper Zhou staring at her with a shocked, almost confused expression.

Chi Lengzhao’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately became alert.

Something about Housekeeper Zhou’s reaction felt, very wrong.

It must have been something very significant that happened back then—something the original Chi Lengzhao would never forget, but as an imposter, she had no clue about.

She didn’t dare keep probing with questions. Taking a deep breath, she turned away and echoed Chi Jintang’s nostalgic tone, “Ten years went by just like that.”

Since she couldn’t ask directly, she’d have to wait for Housekeeper Zhou to bring it up herself.

Sure enough, Housekeeper Zhou spoke, her tone carrying a hint of emotion.

“Miss, my condolences. If Madam is watching from above, she must be very comforted to see you now married and settled.” Housekeeper Zhou sighed. “She passed away so young, only in her thirties…”

She saw Chi Lengzhao’s back—completely still and straight. Slowly, Housekeeper Zhou lowered her head and said nothing more.

In this house, Madam was a taboo subject. The master wouldn’t allow her to be mentioned, and the young lady was absolutely not allowed to bring her up either.

The fact that the young lady wasn’t shouting or smashing things today already showed remarkable calm.

Chi Lengzhao was stunned.

She never would have guessed that the significant event from ten years ago was the death of her mother.

Her aunt must have returned back then to attend her mother’s funeral.

Chi Lengzhao knew for sure that her aunt hadn’t come back for her grandparents, because they had passed away in a tsunami while traveling over ten years ago. That was something Father Shen had once mentioned to her at dinner, almost in passing.

She felt a deep wave of emotion. She had been about to ask Housekeeper Zhou, “What was my relationship like with my aunt?”

But after a moment’s thought, she didn’t ask.

They hadn’t seen each other in ten years. There had been no contact. How close could they really be?

“I’ll sit here for a while. You may go,” Chi Lengzhao said, her voice calm and unreadable.

“Yes, Miss.” Housekeeper Zhou was about to leave when Chi Lengzhao suddenly called out, “Wait. I’ll go to the airport with them the day after tomorrow. As the younger generation, I should welcome her personally.”

Housekeeper Zhou smiled warmly. “I’m sure your aunt will be very pleased to see you there in person.”

Chi Lengzhao sat in the room for a long while. She was considering asking Housekeeper Zhou to bring up the original version of her old computer from storage. Maybe she could discover something from it. With that thought, she finally got up and went back to the bedroom.

The master bedroom was empty. The sound of water came from the bathroom—Shen Zhixi must be showering.

Chi Lengzhao, as usual, took her nightgown from her side of the closet, gently closed the door, and left. She bathed in the guest room, dried her hair, and returned to the master bedroom.

Shen Zhixi was sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone. She wore a silk robe, her long wavy hair loosely draped over her shoulders. Her skin was smooth and pale, glowing against the soft fabric.

Chi Lengzhao, in her soft slippers, walked to the cabinet. She was about to pull out a blanket to make up the sofa when Shen Zhixi suddenly spoke.

“Don’t sleep on the couch.”

Her voice was soft, but in the quiet of the night, each word was clearly heard.

Chi Lengzhao paused and looked at her. Shen Zhixi shifted slightly to one side, leaving more space on the bed.

Of course, the bed was much more comfortable than the couch. Insisting on sleeping on the sofa at this point would just seem overly dramatic.

When Chi Lengzhao didn’t move, Shen Zhixi kept her eyes on her phone and said, “Sleeping on the couch long-term isn’t good for you.”

Her fingers scrolled quickly across the screen, but she wasn’t reading anything. She was paying close attention to Chi Lengzhao’s every move.

A few seconds later, footsteps could be heard. Chi Lengzhao walked to the other side of the bed and, just like during filming, quietly lifted the blanket and lay down.

Shen Zhixi smiled faintly and asked casually, “Did you need something from Housekeeper Zhou?”

“Oh, my aunt is coming back to the country the day after tomorrow. I’m going to the airport to pick her up. I was just speaking to Housekeeper Zhou about it.”

Shen Zhixi nodded and said nothing more.

It was only today that Chi Lengzhao realized just how comfortable the bed at home was—much better than the one they had at the guesthouse while filming. Once she relaxed, sleepiness quickly took over.

She pulled up the blanket. “Almost forgot to say, I have a client dinner tomorrow night. Pantao also invited me out for drinks.”

Shen Zhixi asked, “Why did she ask you out for drinks?”

“Probably just wants to chat…” Chi Lengzhao murmured sleepily, her voice growing softer and softer.

After a long silence, Shen Zhixi turned her head to look. Chi Lengzhao had already curled up under the blanket, only her fair face showing, breathing softly and evenly. She had fallen asleep.

“Careful. Set it on the desk,” Shen Zhixi said the next morning.

She had come down and found Housekeeper Zhou overseeing Fangfang and Uncle Nian, the head chef, as they moved Chi Lengzhao’s old computer—previously tossed into storage—back into the study.

Housekeeper Zhou was carefully wiping the dust off the machine when Shen Zhixi walked in.

“Young Madam.”

“Hmm.” It was Shen Zhixi’s first time in Chi Lengzhao’s study. She looked around slowly and walked to a long wall of bookshelves. Most of the books were about business and management, with a few magazines and rows of annual reports.

She picked up a book and flipped through it.

“Zhaozhao said her aunt is returning tomorrow. Did you know?”

Housekeeper Zhou replied, “Yes. Miss told me last night and already sent me the flight details.”

Shen Zhixi nodded, flipping the book absentmindedly. “I don’t think I’ve ever met her aunt. What kind of person is she?”

“Miss Gu is very kind—gentle and elegant. She did very well in school and was Madam’s college classmate.”

Housekeeper Zhou’s face softened with memories of thirty years ago. Back then, she herself had only been a teenager, just entering the Chi household.

“Classmates? So they were close?”

“Yes, very close. You could say they were best friends. Miss Gu used to bring Miss Zhu to visit and even made cakes for her. Oh, Madam’s maiden name was Zhu. She was very beautiful when she was young. The Young Master and both Old Masters liked her a lot. That’s how she and the Young Master met. Everyone thought they were the perfect match.”

Shen Zhixi nodded. “I heard your Miss say that her aunt hasn’t returned in ten years.”

“That’s right. It’s been ten years. The last time she came back was for Madam’s funeral. She rushed back from overseas for it and left again right after.”

“She’s lived abroad ever since?”

“Yes. She went abroad right after graduation. She had a big argument with the Old Masters before she left, and after that, she never came back—not even for New Year.”

“She never came back at all?”

“She came back once to attend the Young Master and Madam Zhu’s wedding, but her flight was delayed and she missed the ceremony. Then ten years ago, she returned just for the funeral.”

Shen Zhixi took a quiet breath. It seemed this aunt only returned when something serious happened.

She couldn’t help thinking how distant this aunt seemed from the family.

In her past life, this was also the time the aunt returned for a visit.

Chi Jintang had called Chi Lengzhao for a family dinner. But she had been out partying with some woman, and by the time she showed up after the dinner ended, she had been cold and dismissive even to her aunt.

Shen Zhixi remembered hearing Chi Lengzhao curse in the hallway that night, saying, “Where the hell were you before? Now you suddenly remember you have a niece? What kind of crap family love is that?”

Shen Zhixi smiled faintly. Thinking about it, it made sense. After more than twenty years of no contact, what feelings could possibly remain?

She put the book back on the shelf and glanced at a beautiful orchid beside the bookcase.

It was growing well, with elegant shape and vibrant jade-green leaves. Clearly, someone had been caring for it with attention every day.

Shen Zhixi thought to herself, in her past life, Chi Lengzhao had no one to care for her. After her mother passed, all she had was a father like that. She was never nurtured like an orchid. At most, she had grown up like a wild weed, tough and unruly.

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