Transmigrated Into a Scumbag Alpha In a Melodramatic Novel and Been Targeted by My Love Rival - Chapter 17

Earlier, Xia Wu had been cautiously following behind Shen Ruofei to keep her safe, gliding slowly.

But now that Shen Ruofei had issued the challenge, Xia Wu naturally had to give it her all.

However, Shen Ruofei’s athletic talent proved far greater than Xia Wu had imagined. Xia Wu had initially just wanted to edge slightly ahead, to avoid humiliating Shen Ruofei with a lopsided loss.

But Shen Ruofei accelerated with reckless abandon, as if her life depended on it. Xia Wu frowned, finding Shen Ruofei’s reckless charge utterly reckless.

“At that angle, you’ll definitely crash when you hit the flat section!”

“So what if I crash? Winning against you would make it worth it, wouldn’t it?!”

Shen Ruofei’s laughter rang out, leaving Xia Wu convinced that she was a fearless madwoman!

Xia Wu mentally ran through countless scenarios. As they approached the end of the slope, she accelerated, skillfully maneuvered around the bend, and caught Shen Ruofei just as she was about to fall flat on her face upon hitting the flat ground.

The momentum sent both of them tumbling into the snow. Fortunately, the light, powdery snow cushioned their fall, preventing any serious pain.

Shen Ruofei lay motionless on top of Xia Wu for a long moment. Xia Wu frowned, waiting for her to stir, assuming she might have been knocked unconscious.

“Shen Ruofei! Shen Ruofei! Are you okay?!”

Shen Ruofei remained motionless, nestled against Xia Wu’s shoulder. Xia Wu took a deep breath, preparing to push her off to check if she was hurt, when Shen Ruofei finally spoke, her voice faint: “This is the first time you’ve called me by my full name.”

Before, Xia Wu had always addressed her as “Miss Shen,” never using her full name.

Xia Wu exhaled deeply, a long trail of white mist puffing into the cold air. “When will you ever listen? I told you you’d fall!”

“But you caught me anyway,” Shen Ruofei replied calmly, without a trace of panic or distress, a stark contrast to Xia Wu’s flustered state.

Propping herself up on one elbow, Shen Ruofei bit off her glove and gently brushed the snow from Xia Wu’s face. “You won. Remember to catch me like this from now on.”

Xia Wu’s eyes flickered, and her throat, hidden beneath her ski jacket, unconsciously moved.

The person before her spoke with her usual nonchalant tone, but Xia Wu’s earlier movement seemed to carry countless layers of tenderness and affection.

As if she had performed this gesture countless times before.

With such practiced ease.

Shen Ruofei slowly rose and perched herself on Xia Wu’s lap. She glanced around, a hint of exasperation in her voice as she said, “Ah, I’m stuck. I can’t stand up.”

Xia Wu: “……” What should I do? I really want to punch her!

Shen Ruofei was, after all, a pampered young lady. The fall had left her a little sore, and with her skis still attached, she couldn’t move easily.

Xia Wu prepared to stand, but Shen Ruofei reached out a hand as if to help her, her expression perfectly composed. To her, this seemed like the most ordinary thing in the world.

Yet Xia Wu needed to take a deep breath, steady her emotions, and mentally prepare herself before taking Shen Ruofei’s hand and sitting up.

This position brought them even closer together. Shen Ruofei looked down at Xia Wu, her legs still wrapped around her waist, showing no hint of restraint.

Xia Wu averted her gaze, seeming impatient. “Move back a bit. I can’t exert myself like this.”

“I don’t need to move for you to exert yourself.”

“……”

There was something deeply unsettling about those words.

Xia Wu closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down. Now isn’t the time to lose my temper.

The person before her was the head of the Shen family, her future superior. She resolved to endure it if she could.

But when she opened her eyes and met Shen Ruofei’s affectionate, smiling gaze, she grabbed Shen Ruofei by the waist and flung her across the snow.

Shen Ruofei collapsed back into the snow, finding it all hilarious. “Hahahahahaha! Xia Wu, you’re so much fun!”

Xia Wu detached their skis, watching Shen Ruofei’s quiet demeanor after her laughter subsided. She seemed almost reluctant to leave her there.

She kicked Shen Ruofei’s arm. “Let’s go. We’ve been messing around long enough. Time for dinner.”

“Xia Wu, I’m really happy today.”

“Mm.”

“Few people make me this happy.”

“…”

“So even if Mr. Zheng comes to beg me not to let you go, I won’t give in.”

“Hmph.”

Shen Ruofei’s words seemed to strike a chord with Xia Wu, eliciting a bright, genuine laugh.

She crouched down and helped Shen Ruofei up. They locked eyes for a moment. “Now I understand what it feels like to be ‘in Chu’s camp but loyal to Han.’ Miss Shen, work a little harder, and I can start working for the Shen family sooner.”

“I feel your enthusiasm. Rest assured, I won’t let such a talented person as President Xia slip through my fingers.”

The moonlight illuminated the two women, casting a warm and peaceful glow over them.

They were heading to a famous restaurant at the base of the ski resort when Shen Ruofei took only two steps before draping her arm over Xia Wu’s shoulders. “My knee hurts. I might have twisted it earlier.”

“Serves you right,” Xia Wu retorted.

Despite her blunt words, after changing their clothes, Xia Wu took Shen Ruofei to see a doctor.

The doctor sprayed Shen Ruofei’s knee with anti-inflammatory pain relief. Xia Wu asked if she wanted to be taken back to the Shen family residence early.

Shen Ruofei shook her head. “I’m hungry. Let’s go eat. We can stay in a hotel nearby tonight. I don’t want you driving all night. I’m worried about an accident.”

Xia Wu understood that Shen Ruofei was still traumatized by the recent car accident. As they walked to the restaurant, she called the hotel to book a room. The hotel replied that the only available room was a presidential suite, which was quite expensive, and asked if she still wanted to proceed.

“Yes, please book it for us. We’ll arrive around 10 p.m.”

When Shen Ruofei heard Xia Wu say they might have to stay together tonight, she looked at her in confusion. “Can something so cliché actually happen to me?”

Though she knew she was living in a melodramatic novel, shouldn’t this kind of plot twist be reserved only for the heroine?

Sensing Shen Ruofei’s reluctance, Xia Wu’s tone turned slightly colder. “This ski resort is packed. It’s already impressive they could spare even a presidential suite.”

“Hmm? It’s not like I’m complaining about you. Don’t be so sensitive.”

Shen Ruofei patted Xia Wu’s back, who let out a muffled groan.

Feeling Xia Wu’s body tremble faintly through her hand, Shen Ruofei withdrew it. “You’re injured too, aren’t you?! Why didn’t you tell the doctor earlier?!”

Xia Wu remained calm, unconcerned. “It’s nothing serious. I’ll take care of it myself when we get back to the hotel. Let’s eat first.”

Shen Ruofei couldn’t understand.

During dinner, the grilled meat was delicious—Xia Wu’s cooking skills were impressive. The evenly marbled beef sizzled on the grill, perfectly cooked. Yet Shen Ruofei still frowned, looking unsatisfied.

The two women were strikingly beautiful and radiated an extraordinary aura. The barbecue shop owner, growing increasingly annoyed by Shen Ruofei’s lingering presence, noticed the burly bodyguards stationed outside like goalkeepers. Trembling, he approached Shen Ruofei to ask if there was anything about the food she’d like to see improved.

Shen Ruofei looked up, feigning confusion. “Nothing needs improvement. The meat quality is excellent, and the dipping sauce is delicious. What’s wrong?”

The owner visibly relaxed, then smiled warmly. “Our beef is meticulously raised and butchered fresh daily. It’s incredibly tender and flavorful. If you like it, I’ll send over two more plates.”

“Hmm? No need, thank you. I don’t want to eat so much I can’t sleep tonight.”

Sensing the owner’s cautious demeanor, Shen Ruofei suddenly understood. She softened her expression into an exceptionally warm and approachable smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble. It’s just that the more tired and frustrated I get, the grumpier my expression becomes. Please don’t take it personally.”

“Oh, I see! Well then, how about a couple of cups of my hometown’s rice wine? It helps relieve stress and promotes better sleep.”

Xia Wu was about to say that Shen Ruofei had just finished intense exercise and shouldn’t drink, but Shen Ruofei nodded eagerly, as if she were looking forward to it.

When the boss went to fetch the wine, Shen Ruofei raised an eyebrow at Xia Wu in a provocative manner. Xia Wu frowned and said, “You’re not in a state to drink.”

Shen Ruofei scoffed. “Can’t refuse such hospitality.”

The boss brought over a dozen bottles of sweet, low-alcohol rice wine, praising its mild flavor and perfect pairing with grilled meat.

“Thank you, but no need to fuss over us. Please attend to your other guests.”

Shen Ruofei was unusually courteous to the boss. But once he left, her smile slowly faded, and her gaze toward Xia Wu carried an unmistakable air of impending confrontation.

Xia Wu watched Shen Ruofei pour herself a cup of wine without hesitation and down it in one gulp, remarking that it tasted like sweetened water. She quickly polished off half a dozen bottles.

“Alright, that’s enough.”

As Shen Ruofei moved to pour herself another drink, Xia Wu quickly stopped her, exasperated. “Just help me spray my back with that mist when we get home. I shouldn’t have kept anything from you. It was my fault.”

Seeing her sincere demeanor, Shen Ruofei’s expression softened slightly. She released Xia Wu, took a few more bites of grilled meat, and declared she was full.

Xia Wu went to settle the bill, but the boss insisted on treating them. Undeterred, Xia Wu scanned the QR code on the wall and transferred several hundred yuan before turning to lead Shen Ruofei out, half-hugging her.

The shop owner seemed dazed, mumbling to herself as she finally gathered her thoughts and began tidying the counter. “I’ve never seen two Alphas get so clingy before.”

Though the rice wine’s alcohol content was low, drinking too much still left Shen Ruofei’s knees wobbly and her steps unsteady. Xia Wu had to half-carry her, and eventually resorted to carrying her piggyback-style to the hotel.

Shen Ruofei insisted she wasn’t drunk—at least, that’s what she claimed.

As they entered the elevator, she could see her own bright, sparkling eyes reflected in the mirrored walls.

Once inside the hotel room, Shen Ruofei reached out to unbutton Xia Wu’s shirt, startling her so much that Xia Wu’s eyes widened and she stumbled backward two steps.

Shen Ruofei blinked. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “I’m not some rapist dragging you off. Why are you so nervous? Let me see how badly your back is injured.”

“I left the spray in the car. We can deal with this tomorrow. I’m going to take a shower first.”

“Okay.”

Xia Wu was clearly taking advantage of Shen Ruofei’s drunken state to evade her.

After collapsing onto the soft bed, Shen Ruofei called her bodyguards and ordered them to fetch some herbal remedies for bruises and wounds from the pharmacy.

Just ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. As Shen Ruofei retrieved the medicine, the bathroom door opened.

Xia Wu was still wearing the same shirt, but her hair was damp and her body was wreathed in steam. When she saw what Shen Ruofei was holding, she took a deep breath, clearly realizing she wouldn’t be able to bluff her way out of this today.

“Are you going to obediently take off your shirt, or shall I help you?”

Before bathing, Xia Wu had already checked her injuries in the mirror. For her, pain was a stimulant. She had endured this kind of discomfort for years; the bruises on her back were nothing more than minor scrapes.

But seeing how concerned Shen Ruofei was, Xia Wu turned and undid her buttons, exposing the skin on her back.

Shen Ruofei gasped sharply.

Her tackle had been forceful. When Xia Wu caught her, her mind had been consumed by exhilaration and relief, leaving her oblivious to the fact that the impact, even after Xia Wu had fallen into the snow, would have left her back scraped raw.

Had Xia Wu not been clever enough to use the momentum against her, she might have suffered a concussion.

After applying ointment to Xia Wu’s wounds, Shen Ruofei stared at the ugly bruises marring her once-smooth skin. Frustrated, she tossed the ointment aside. “You could have just beaten me outright. Why did you even bother saving me?”

“You were never that smart to begin with. What if another bump on the head leaves you completely brainless?”

Xia Wu draped her jacket over her shoulders and turned just in time to see Shen Ruofei wince in pain.

She burst into laughter, without a trace of resentment. 

“Didn’t you want me to catch you? I’ll always be here to catch you from now on.”

Support Transmigrated Into a Scumbag Alpha In a Melodramatic Novel and Been Targeted by My Love Rival