Transmigrated Into a Scumbag Alpha In a Melodramatic Novel and Been Targeted by My Love Rival - Chapter 9

Shen Ruofei’s mind worked quickly.

She understood exactly what Xia Wu meant, but her expression remained that of exasperated indulgence. “I’m already full, yet I’m here to watch you order food, enduring your slander in the group chat without a word of explanation. Is that not enough sincerity? President Xia’s standards are truly high.”

“It’s truly an honor to have Miss Shen grace this place with her presence. Given that, have you considered what compensation you might offer me? I recall telling Director Shen that these matters require a personal discussion between us.”

No way, could Xia Wu have actually agreed to come to the Shen family?

Shen Ruofei’s expression suddenly turned serious, her posture straightening visibly. “I wonder what price would satisfy someone as wealthy as President Xia.”

Having spent years at the negotiation table, Xia Wu had perfected a calm, unruffled demeanor. “If Miss Shen’s offer meets my expectations, I wouldn’t even require payment.”

“Is that so? Then I dare not speak recklessly.”

Things that can’t be priced outright are often far more valuable than those that can be bought with money.

Xia Wu narrowed her eyes. “Miss Shen, are you afraid?”

Shen Ruofei smiled. “Not afraid, but conditions must be satisfactory for both parties. Let’s take our time discussing this. Why don’t you have your meal first, President Xia?”

No sooner had she finished speaking than a server knocked on the door and delivered Xia Wu’s order.

Xia Wu’s preferences leaned toward light fare: a steamer basket of shrimp dumplings, a plate of steamed spare ribs, and a salad. It looked like she was trying to eat lightly despite being hungry after a long day.

Shen Ruofei began to feel genuinely curious.

In the tycoon novels her roommates often talked about, the archetypal tycoon would attend lavish banquets, surrounded by the scent of fine perfume and the sound of laughter. How could Xia Wu, supposedly a tycoon, be this simple and rushed when eating after working overtime until ten o’clock?

Leaning her elbow on the table, Shen Ruofei rested her chin in two fingers and studied Xia Wu with a subtle, scrutinizing gaze.

At that moment, Xia Wu didn’t exude her usual icy aura. Instead, she ate with delicate manners, like a kitten carefully nibbling on its food.

Tsk, how adorable.

Despite sensing Shen Ruofei’s gaze, Xia Wu remained unfazed, calmly finishing her meal.

When she had eaten everything on the table, Xia Wu wiped her mouth with a napkin.

During this time, Shen Ruofei had excused herself once, claiming to freshen up her makeup. In reality, she had paid for Xia Wu’s meal.

While watching Xia Wu eat, Shen Ruofei’s mind raced with thoughts.

Since Shen Hong was so pleased with Xia Wu, why not have her succeed Shen Hong’s position? Shen Ruofei believed Xia Wu wasn’t as terrifying as the rumors suggested, but rather someone who focused on practical work without scheming.

Though Xia Wu was expensive, the Shen Family could likely afford her.

As long as they established an irresistible business relationship with her, even if they offended her over Fang Yu’s matter, wouldn’t she still have to show leniency for Shen Ruofei’s position as the Shen Family Head?

The more Shen Ruofei thought about it, the more perfect it seemed, almost making her feel like she was floating on air.

After learning from the server that the bill had already been paid by the lady who came with her, Xia Wu nodded, put away her wallet, and followed Shen Ruofei out of the restaurant.

The two strolled along the roadside to aid digestion. It was already 11 p.m.

“If I had known Miss Shen was going to treat me to dinner, I would have chosen a more upscale restaurant.”

Shen Ruofei waved dismissively. “The Shen Family’s meals are far superior to anything you’ll find here. Wait until you start working for us—I’ll fatten you up by at least ten kilograms!”

Xia Wu tilted her head to look at Shen Ruofei. “So, Miss Shen, have you made up your mind?”

Shen Ruofei smiled arrogantly. “What’s there to think about? I’ve admired you, President Xia, for quite some time. We’re eager to have you join the Shen Family. There’s only one condition you must agree to, and that is…”

She suddenly moved closer, wrapping her arm around Xia Wu’s neck, their bodies nearly touching.

“I want President Xia’s loyalty to be mine, Shen Ruofei, not the Shen Family.”

Xia Wu’s features were obscured behind her glasses, Shen Ruofei’s closeness forcing her to tilt her head slightly.

The light friction against the gland at the back of her neck sent an indescribable tingling through her.

Shen Ruofei’s warm breath brushed against her ear, lingering and suggestive.

Xia Wu turned slowly, her brow furrowed in offended anger. “Do you have any idea you shouldn’t touch an Alpha’s gland without permission?”

“Huh?”

Before Shen Ruofei could react, Xia Wu lunged forward. Shen Ruofei instinctively stepped back, dodging the attack.

But Xia Wu pressed the attack, her punches showing clear signs of professional training. Surprisingly, Shen Ruofei held her own, exchanging blows for several rounds before grabbing Xia Wu’s hand and snapping, “Are you crazy? I just wanted to whisper something! Is that worth this kind of reaction?!”

“Looks like you’re not as uneducated as the rumors make you out to be.”

Shen Ruofei suddenly understood.

Xia Wu was testing her!

Though Shen Ruofei was puzzled by her own agility. She was wondering if it was due to muscle memory—Xia Wu’s words clearly defused her irritation.

She released Xia Wu. “You’re such a…”

Shen Ruofei trailed off, her tone carrying a hint of playful reprimand.

Their eyes met in a wordless exchange.

Xia Wu’s gaze remained inscrutable. She sighed, covering the gland at the back of her neck. “Since you’ve made a request, Miss Shen, I’ll fulfill it. But it’s getting late. I must take my leave now.”

She turned and left decisively. Shen Ruofei, sensing something amiss, called out, “Hey! Are you alright?!”

Can’t Alphas touch each other’s glands?

I only gave her a quick hug around the neck!

Shen Ruofei’s understanding of the ABO world was still hazy. Had she inadvertently revealed something that might have alerted Xia Wu?

But Xia Wu didn’t respond. She climbed into her car and drove away without a word.

Shen Ruofei stood frozen in the chilly night air, shivering and bewildered.

The driver pulled up and asked where she wanted to go next, clearly well-acquainted with her habits and assuming she was about to embark on a lively night out.

Yet when Shen Ruofei climbed into the car, she said, “Take me back to the Shen residence.”

“Yes, Miss.”

******

Xia Wu’s home was located in a high-end apartment building in Baijin City, known for its stunning views.

Her unit was on the top floor, offering panoramic vistas of the city’s most vibrant architecture and diverse landscapes.

But today, Xia Wu had no mood to appreciate the scenery.

After rushing home, she immediately began searching through a cabinet she hadn’t opened in ages.

The woman who usually exuded a crisp, cool fragrance from head to toe now had a flushed face and ears.

The Susceptibility Period Sedative, which Alphas could use, had expired. Xia Wu sat on the floor for a moment, catching her breath, before finally pulling out her phone to order more.

The sedative wouldn’t be delivered for at least an hour, and the restlessness and irritation of the Susceptibility Period continued to grow within her. Her mind was consumed by the passionate gaze and flirtatious tone of that other Alpha.

How could he be so alluring?

And so audacious—

Hold onto her.

Just bite that annoying Alpha and be done with it.

Xia Wu lowered her head dejectedly, lit a cigarette and held it between her lips, her glasses slipping down her nose.

She sent a message to her assistant, requesting three days off. She instructed him to call her directly if any urgent matters arose, otherwise to proceed as usual.

The assistant, concerned, called Xia Wu back to ask what had happened and if he needed to handle anything.

“Alpha Susceptibility Period. It’ll pass in a few days. No need to make a fuss.”

“…Alright, I understand.”

Even after hanging up, the assistant was still in a daze.

Xia Wu was known as a detached, emotionally stable workaholic who barely took time off. In all the years she’d worked at OmniTech, no one had ever heard her mention experiencing a Susceptibility Period before.

It was widely understood that an Alpha’s Susceptibility Period was linked to heightened emotional fluctuations.

But now…

Early morning…

Xia Wu needed three days off due to her Susceptibility Period.

It seemed someone had disturbed her composure.

******

The next day, Shen Ruofei checked the group chat and noticed that no one had managed to comfort Fang Yu.

After leaving the hot pot restaurant, Fang Yu hadn’t gone home but instead retreated to her workstation in the lab, where she had a good cry. Fu Ling, who happened to still be at work, seized the opportunity to offer her some comfort.

The System informed Shen Ruofei that her task progress had reached 30%. This was because her blunt declaration of her decision to Fang Yu the previous night had deeply upset her. Fu Ling’s timely appearance and comforting words significantly increased Fang Yu’s favor towards her, causing the progress bar to surge upward.

Through the System, Shen Ruofei also learned more about the Shen family’s affairs.

Shen Hong’s desire for Xia Wu to succeed her wasn’t solely based on Xia Wu’s capabilities. A greater factor was the debt of gratitude the Shen family owed her.

This plot twist left Shen Ruofei puzzled. After a brief explanation from the System, she finally understood.

Years ago, when the Xia family had been pushed into a desperate situation, the Shen family had given Xia Wu a small helping hand. This gesture convinced her relatives to take her in. Without it, Xia Wu would have become a completely unwanted orphan—a truly pitiful fate.

Shen Hong likely intended to exploit this debt to make Xia Wu willingly serve the Shen family, but Xia Wu remained unmoved, feigning ignorance with remarkable skill. In truth, Xia Wu’s current position would have been impossible to attain without her own capabilities.

The Shen family had merely gone along with the arrangement to save face. Xia Wu hadn’t been particularly well-off in her relatives’ home either, so there was no need to dwell on such matters, lest it make the Shen family seem petty.

Shen Ruofei thought to herself, “Now that I’ve dealt with my own issues, next come the Official Couple’s rivals. I still need to get the Heroine and her Official Couple together quickly. This Shen family pool is too murky; just looking at it gives me a headache.”

In the group chat, she replied that she had cleared things up with Fang Yu about their relationship. “Scraping the poison out of the bone always hurts,” she said, “and seeing Fang Yu cry was painful for me too.”

However, from now on, she would treat Fang Yu like a younger sister. “No matter who ends up with Fang Yu in the future, I’ll do what an elder sister should. Anyone who makes Fang Yu unhappy will make me unhappy too.”

“So, she’s gone from White Moonlight to Official Sister-in-Law, huh?!”

Shen Ruofei ignored the Alphas’ chatter in the group chat and found Shen Hong. “Xia Wu has agreed to come to the Shen family. You don’t need to contact anyone else for now. Once she’s here, Aunt Hong will properly educate her, right?”

Shen Hong paused, seemingly surprised that Xia Wu had agreed so quickly.

Then she smiled. “To ensure she can properly assist you, I’ll do my utmost. But I heard Xia Wu took a few days off recently. Does that have anything to do with you?”

Shen Ruofei averted her gaze, trying to hide her unease. “Oh, is she sick? You should prepare a gift for her. Let’s keep this as low-key as possible—the fewer people who know, the better.”

Xia Wu couldn’t possibly be so fragile that a mere touch would make her faint.

Shen Hong chuckled with unrestrained amusement, feeling a sudden sense of relief, as if she could finally set down her burden. “Understood. I’ll prepare a gift and have it delivered. I’m looking forward to her inauguration day.”

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