Transmigrated into a Classic Dog-Blood Drama as the Scummy Alpha - Chapter 36

By the time Shen Xian got home, it was already past ten at night. When she opened the door, she saw Lin Qinghan still sitting on the sofa watching TV. The corners of Shen Xian’s lips curved upward as she greeted, “Qinghan, were you waiting for me?”

Lin Qinghan glanced at her and replied blandly, “No. I’m just watching TV.”

Shen Xian walked over, leaning in curiously to take a look. The TV was playing an infomercial for health supplements for seniors. She shot Lin Qinghan a puzzled look but didn’t say anything.

Lin Qinghan glared at her. “The drama just ended. What’s with that look?”

“Nothing, I was just checking what you were watching,” Shen Xian said as she casually picked up a cup from the coffee table and took a few gulps.

Before Lin Qinghan could stop her, the water was gone. “That was my cup!”

Shen Xian didn’t seem the least bit concerned. She smiled at Lin Qinghan. “Thanks, Qinghan. I was really thirsty.”

A faint blush crept up Lin Qinghan’s ears. She pressed her lips together and looked up. “What are you thanking me for? I didn’t prepare it for you.”

Shen Xian noticed the blush and leaned in a bit closer, curious. As soon as she did, the mixed scent of perfume and smoke on her body wafted over, making Lin Qinghan wrinkle her nose. She pushed her away.

“Ugh, what’s that smell on you? It’s awful—go take a shower.”

Shen Xian leaned back, sniffed herself, and winced. “Yeah, it’s kind of gross. I’ll go shower now. I’m back, so you should sleep soon too.”

“I already said I wasn’t waiting for you,” Lin Qinghan muttered, rolling her eyes. Then, without looking at her, she added casually, “By the way, where’s your little Xiao Xi? Is she okay now?”

Shen Xian had just reached the bathroom door but turned around at that. “What do you mean ‘my’ Xiao Xi? We’re just good friends. She got picked up by her close friend—the one you saw at the banquet last time.”

“Close friend?” Lin Qinghan raised an eyebrow, recalling the scene at the banquet with Mu Siyu.

“Yeah. Today’s Xiao Xi’s birthday, and she apparently had a fight with Miss Mu. She cried really hard. Later, I called Miss Mu, and once she showed up, Xiao Xi clung to her. I wasn’t needed anymore,” Shen Xian explained, then disappeared into the bathroom.

Lin Qinghan turned off the TV absentmindedly, replaying Shen Xian’s words. Those two didn’t seem like “just” close friends at all…

About ten minutes later, Shen Xian came out of the shower in a fresh nightgown. Her long black hair was still dripping, and a few drops trailed down her neck, spreading over her fair skin. Her long legs peeked faintly through the hem of her gown.

Drying her hair with a towel, Shen Xian looked at Lin Qinghan and asked, “Still not going to bed?”

“Mhm. I’m heading there now. Remember to dry your hair properly first,” Lin Qinghan said with a glance, her eyes unintentionally lingering on Shen Xian’s exposed collarbone before quickly looking away.

“Okay. Goodnight, Qinghan.” Shen Xian smiled and leaned in slightly.

Lin Qinghan didn’t look at her again, replying briskly over her shoulder as she walked away, “Goodnight.”

—

The next morning, after dropping off Lin Qinghan and Tiantian, Shen Xian headed to her small company. Thanks to Jiang Xi, she had met several second-generation rich kids. Most of them spent money like water, and in order to improve their reputation, a few were now interested in hiring Shen Xian for financial management.

By noon, she had already signed contracts with four or five of them, agreeing to manage their finances in exchange for a commission. She also assigned a few new hires to monitor stock trends and gather information on promising companies. Once she had enough capital, she planned to begin investing. Sitting in her office, Shen Xian felt that same sense of control from her past life as a CEO—only this time, her family mattered more than business.

At lunch, she reviewed reports her employees had compiled. Since it was their first internship, the quality wasn’t great. So, she gathered the four of them in a small meeting room for a quick training session.

Meanwhile, Lin Qinghan was eating in the cafeteria when she suddenly recalled how Shen Xian had once eaten lunch as late as 4 p.m. Feeling concerned, she debated whether or not to call. After hesitating for a bit, she finally picked up the phone and dialed Shen Xian’s number.

Shen Xian saw the caller ID and told her team, “Excuse me, I need to take this.”

“Shen Xian, what are you doing? Have you eaten yet?” Lin Qinghan asked.

Only then did Shen Xian glance at the clock—it was already past noon. She had been so focused on training that she’d completely lost track of time. “Not yet. I was giving the new hires some training. If you hadn’t called, I would’ve forgotten.”

Lin Qinghan pursed her lips and gently scolded, “Even if you’re not hungry, others might be. Go eat—your health is more important than work.”

“Okay, my bad. I’ll go eat now. You go too,” Shen Xian replied with a smile, her tone unconsciously softening. She remembered how, in her past life, she had always prioritized work and often skipped meals, even when her secretary nagged her.

After chatting a bit longer, she hung up. “Alright, let’s wrap up for now. Sorry for taking up your time. Lunch is on me—let’s go eat.”

The four interns breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, President Shen!” Song Min smiled, and the others quickly chimed in.

“No problem. There’s a good Sichuan restaurant across the street. Let’s eat there?” Shen Xian offered.

“Sounds good. You decide, President Shen. We’re not picky.”

As they went downstairs, Song Min whispered to Yuan Zhenzhen, “Who called President Shen just now? Did you hear her say, ‘I was wrong’? So soft too.”

“No idea. Does she have a boyfriend or girlfriend?” Zhenzhen’s cheeks flushed.

“You’re an Omega, Zhenzhen. Got your eye on her? She’s young, capable—a total catch,” Song Min teased with a nudge.

Zhenzhen blushed even harder and nudged her back. “Stop it. She’s our boss!”

“Bosses can be girlfriends too. Just saying—put in the effort,” Song Min giggled.

Shen Xian picked a restaurant in the mall opposite the office, so they could return quickly afterward. She got them a private room and ordered mostly juices and soft drinks since there was work to do later.

As the meal progressed and everyone warmed up to her, Song Min glanced at Zhenzhen, then at Shen Xian, and asked with a smile, “President Shen, do you have a boyfriend… or a girlfriend?”

Shen Xian shook her head. “Nope. But I do have a daughter. She’s three and a half.”

Song Min burst into laughter, thinking she was joking. “President Shen, you’re so funny.”

“I’m serious. I’ll bring her by sometime so you can meet her,” Shen Xian said, smiling fondly at the thought of Tiantian.

The others assumed she was still teasing, so they didn’t press further.

—

Meanwhile, back at Lin Qinghan’s office, Han Rui eyed her curiously. “Qinghan, were you just calling Shen Xian? Are you two…”

Lin Qinghan interrupted, “No. She didn’t eat until four yesterday. I was just worried she’d skip meals again. I still have to look after her, don’t I?”

“Sure, sure. You were smiling the whole time you were on the phone with her,” Han Rui teased. Honestly, she was glad to see Lin Qinghan like this. Before, Qinghan had seemed to bottle up everything. Now that

Shen Xian had changed, so had she.

“We’re just close. There’s nothing going on,” Lin Qinghan muttered defensively.

“Only the two of you would know for sure.”

Lin Qinghan didn’t argue—she calmly finished her lunch.

—

That afternoon, after assigning tasks to her new hires, Shen Xian visited a jewelry store. She hadn’t forgotten about the bracelet incident. Although Fang Jinglan had never brought it up, Shen Xian knew just how hurt she must have been. Even if she bought a similar bracelet now, it wouldn’t be the same.

Unable to recall the original bracelet’s exact design, she turned to the system for help.

“The system can provide a photo of the bracelet, but there is a ¥1000 scanning fee. Would you like to proceed?” the mechanical voice asked.

Of course it costs money. Shen Xian rolled her eyes but paid. A photo of the bracelet appeared in her handbag.

She took the photo to the same jewelry store where her grandpa had once bought it for Fang Jinglan and handed it to a clerk.

“We don’t currently have this model in stock, but we can custom order it. The manufacturer still has the mold,” the clerk explained.

“Great. Can you engrave the character ‘方’ on the inside, right here?” Shen Xian pointed to the spot on the photo.

“Certainly, Miss. It’ll take about two weeks, and we’ll need a ¥5000 deposit.”

“That’s fine.” Shen Xian paid and left the store. Then, she went to a bank and transferred ¥100,000 to a card, planning to give it to Qinghan for Tiantian’s tuition and fees. Surely she’ll accept it if it’s for Tiantian … right?

—

Later that night, after putting Shen Tian to bed, Lin Qinghan returned to the living room. She used to sleep when Shen Tian slept, but lately, she’d get up again afterward to watch a little TV—sometimes with Shen Xian, sometimes not. The routine had settled in quietly.

Shen Xian noticed her come out and picked up a bank card from the coffee table. “Qinghan, there’s ¥100,000 on here. You’ve been taking care of Tiantian all this time. She’s our child—I should contribute, too.

Business has its ups and downs, but at least we should make sure she has her school fees covered.” She gently pressed the card into Lin Qinghan’s hand, a little nervous she might refuse.

Lin Qinghan looked at the card for a moment, then accepted it. “Alright, I’ll hold onto it for Tiantian, then. Shen Xian, I…” She paused, then continued, “Tiantian doesn’t expect you to be rich or anything. Just be safe and well, that’s enough.”

“I understand. I won’t do anything to make you or Tiantian worry,” Shen Xian replied with a warm smile, eyes locked on her.

Lin Qinghan noticed her staring and shot her a look. “Tiantian is the one who worries. Not me.”

She glared at her one last time and headed back to her room.

Shen Xian watched her go, a smile still lingering. Qinghan, just say you care if you do. We’re good sisters—no need to be shy. But still…

Above Lin Qinghan’s head, her virtual affection score changed from 5 to 10.