After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 62

Unable to connect

“Chengcheng?”

Cheng Jing repeated the name, taking a slight step forward. “What’s this? Miss Bai is very familiar with my younger sister?”

Cheng Jiqing: “…”

Cheng Jiqing tilted her head up. Her long, wavy, teal-colored hair wasn’t tied up, and a strand briefly obscured her vision as it blew in the cool wind. She squinted.

In her view, Bai Xin was staring at her intently, not answering Cheng Jing, but rather seeming to wait for her reply.

Cheng Jing had just found out about Bai Xin’s connection to Zhou Yushu. If Bai Xin revealed she also had ties to her at this moment, what Cheng Jing had just agreed to might not hold true.

Then, what Bai Xin wanted would become even more difficult to achieve.

She didn’t know why Bai Xin would call her that in front of Cheng Jing; it clearly offered Bai Xin no advantage. Just like last time at the birthday banquet, Bai Xin was also being impulsive…

“We’ve interacted a few times.” Since Bai Xin was waiting for her answer, she would answer for her.

A few interactions.

The subtext was, not very familiar.

Cheng Jing said lightly, “So, not familiar.”

Hearing this, Bai Xin’s dark pupils turned a few degrees colder.

After two seconds of silence, her gaze shifted from Cheng Jiqing’s face to the side, her eyes deep. “Actually, I’ve always had a question. President Cheng and Chengcheng are biological sisters, right? You… don’t really look alike.”

Her tone was light, and her way of addressing Cheng Jiqing hadn’t changed despite what was just said.

Upon hearing this, the corner of Cheng Jing’s lips froze.

The atmosphere instantly became subtle. The autumn wind blew gently, carrying an indescribable tension, a hint of gunpowder¹.

“Miss Bai, do you need something from me?”

Cheng Jiqing spoke up, breaking the strange atmosphere. It was both an inquiry and a reminder.

Bai Xin’s gaze swept up from Cheng Jiqing’s arm, which was covered by a long sleeve, the corners of her eyes lifting as she said slowly, “I do.”

“…”

“I need to speak to you alone.”

“…”

Hearing this, Cheng Jing said coolly, “Chengcheng is no longer responsible for work matters. You can find the person in charge. If it’s not about work, and you’re not familiar, then there’s no need to talk.”

“You, also think there’s no need?”

Bai Xin’s eyes were cold and stunning as she looked directly at Cheng Jiqing.

Cheng Jing also turned to look.

If this tense standoff² continued, Cheng Jiqing wasn’t sure what would happen.

She wasn’t in a good mood; suppressed anger and frustration had been building up all this way. Now, because of Bai Xin’s words, the floodgates suddenly opened.

She was furious.

She didn’t think that way, but she thought Bai Xin knew that!

Turns out Bai Xin didn’t understand.

Even now, she still didn’t understand.

In Bai Xin’s eyes, had she never felt her emotions? Or perhaps, deep down, Bai Xin had never truly, wholeheartedly believed in her feelings.

Therefore, she had to force her to say it out loud, to fight for an answer in an indisputable situation.

And she, too, had mistakenly regarded such ‘forcefulness’ as deep affection and care multiple times.

But in reality… Bai Xin was full of concealment and reservations towards her.

Cheng Jiqing paused, then said coolly, “Miss Bai, please go back first.”

Hearing this, Cheng Jing glanced at Bai Xin, then turned to Cheng Jiqing and said:

“Let’s go, I’ll see you upstairs.”

If she refused now, Cheng Jing and Bai Xin would be left here alone.

After a moment’s thought, Cheng Jiqing nodded.

Cheng Jiqing caught a glimpse of Bai Xin’s pale and cold, stifled expression. Her eyes briefly met those peach blossom eyes, and her heart felt a dull ache. In the end, she didn’t say another word and turned to go upstairs.

Bai Xin stood on the bluestone floor, her skirt fluttering. The scent of someone’s cooking smoke drifted over. She stared at the departing figure in front of her.

Once the person had completely disappeared from sight, Bai Xin lowered her eyes.

When she came, she thought, perhaps she could take a risk for Cheng Jiqing… She had steeled her heart, intending to take that risk.

But seeing Cheng Jing and Cheng Jiqing appear together, her confidence wavered again. She felt very unsettled; the dizziness and discomfort made her unusually agitated and irritable.

She admitted that her persistent pressure just now was extremely irrational—she wanted to obtain Cheng Jiqing’s blatant favoritism, even just a little, in front of Cheng Jing.

She had done wrong, but wasn’t this another kind of risk?

Contradictory.

Impulsive.

She just did it.

She had already done it.

Just like at Cheng Jing’s birthday banquet, perhaps on some level, she was also forcing herself. She felt that all of this was too slow.

And today, in her eyes, Cheng Jiqing had chosen Cheng Jing.

Although this didn’t prove anything, although Cheng Jiqing had her reasons for doing so, although Cheng Jiqing should be angry with her… she was still extremely anxious.

Bai Xin withdrew her gaze and slowly turned around.

Her slender figure was enveloped by the orange light, appearing as a small dot, so fragile it seemed a gust of wind could blow her away.

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Two days later, in the afternoon.

Cheng Jiqing listened to the gentle reminder from the broadcast in the airport VIP waiting area. She put the book 《Go Ashore》 back into her bag. Her white jade bodhi beads touched the box of suppressants underneath. Perhaps because her heat period was late, her body felt more prone to overheating than in previous days.

Therefore, since the trip to Jiangcheng would take a week, she brought two doses to prevent any accidents.

She got up from the rest area and headed towards the boarding gate.

The other actors had their own matters to attend to and were traveling at different times.

The production team had bought business class seats, but Cheng Jiqing herself had VIP privileges with the airline, so her mileage upgraded her cabin.

She had a window seat, and the sunshade was more than halfway open.

The weather today was particularly gloomy. The sun was nowhere to be seen, and it was misty. Looking out from the plane, it felt more like looking at another world.

After their meeting that evening two days ago, she and Bai Xin hadn’t contacted each other.

Cheng Jiqing looked at the pinned chat on her phone, her eyes quiet and deep. She had waited for a day, but Bai Xin hadn’t come again, nor had there been any message.

That unyielding personality of hers was probably also angry because of her words.

But what did Bai Xin have to be angry about?

Shouldn’t she be angrier than Bai Xin? If Bai Xin had come to explain, if she was sincere, even another phone call, or coming again the next day, why wouldn’t that be okay?

Was that so difficult? Were her thoughts unreasonable?

Bai Xin needed to be coaxed, but didn’t she?

Didn’t she need to be cared for?

Or perhaps, Bai Xin had actually given up on explaining, already feeling it wasn’t important.

Fine.

Cheng Jiqing thought indifferently.

Let’s just leave it at that. Anyway, the other person has a bigger backer.

She was worth sh#t.

Before takeoff, Cheng Jiqing tapped on the pinned chat, gazed at the sharp lily silhouette avatar for a moment, then tapped it open.

She typed a sentence and sent it.

Then she swiped left and unpinned the chat.

She exited WeChat and switched her phone to airplane mode.

“If you can’t even do such a small thing, get out sooner rather than later!”

“I don’t want to hear nonsense. Get out.”

In the office on the top floor of XM, Bai Xin tossed the documents in her hand onto the desk. Her expression was extremely cold, devoid of any warmth.

Just as Zhou Yushu walked in, she saw a senior executive walking out with documents, his face covered in cold sweat.

These past few days, Bai Xin’s mood was visibly terrible.

To the extent that even she wouldn’t easily provoke her.

Things on the Bai Corporation’s side were going unusually smoothly, but Bai Xin exuded an urgency, often giving her the feeling that she wanted to finish this matter immediately, even if it meant mutual destruction.

Next to Bai Xin’s office was a single room, complete with a shower and toilet. She had been sleeping there for the past two days.

“Eat something.” Zhou Yushu placed a container of congee on the table. “You haven’t eaten much these past two days.”

“Not eating.”

“The Cheng Corporation has cut off funding, and we haven’t secured loans from the banks either. The Bai Corporation’s suppliers are also gradually stopping. Bai Zhaoliang is already freaking out. If things go smoothly, it’ll be resolved very soon,” Zhou Yushu said. “Don’t be too hasty, your health is important.”

Bai Xin paid no attention, frowning slightly. She found it noisy.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

These past few days, she had been startled by texts and WeChat messages countless times.

But each time she looked, it only made her mood sink lower.

Bai Xin’s hand, flipping through documents, paused mid-air. She picked up the phone from the desk. The moment it unlocked with facial recognition, she saw a familiar name.

Cheng Jiqing: 【Cheng Jing found out about your connection with Zhou Yushu and Y2 two days ago. Take care of yourself.】

Having not eaten properly for days, even a beautiful face would look haggard. Bai Xin read the entire sentence. Two days ago? So, when Cheng Jing and Cheng Jiqing met that day, Cheng Jiqing already knew.

She wasn’t thinking about how much Cheng Jing had found out, but that Cheng Jiqing was worried about her.

The gloom outside the window didn’t seem so cold anymore.

But looking at the final “take care of yourself,” a sense of panic inexplicably arose in her heart.

It felt like a farewell, like they would never see each other again.

Zhou Yushu looked away from that tightly furrowed brow. “What’s wrong?”

“Cheng Jing knows about our connection. Since two days ago.”

“Who said?” Seeing Bai Xin didn’t answer, she continued, “But it doesn’t make sense. If she knew, how could she have done nothing until now?”

Bai Xin also knew this wasn’t logical, but Cheng Jiqing said it, so she believed it.

“We can’t delay anymore.” Although she was already progressing quickly. “Let’s make it quick. Don’t worry about the losses.”

Zhou Yushu focused. If it was true, this was the only way.

They also had to be careful of the Cheng Corporation stabbing them in the back, especially if they teamed up with the Bai Corporation; that would be trouble for them.

Bai Xin gripped her phone and issued an order to leave. “Take your things.”

Zhou Yushu: “…”

She picked up the insulated container.

Bai Xin’s fingertip rubbed against the screen, then she tapped on a contact in her call history and dialed. She didn’t even wait for Zhou Yushu to leave.

But the response she got was: unable to connect.

The words ‘take care of yourself’ in her mind, linked together, intensified her unease.

Zhou Yushu hadn’t left yet and saw Bai Xin’s reaction. “What happened?”

Her hand pressed down on the desk.

It was at this moment that Bai Xin’s gaze fell on something on Zhou Yushu’s wrist—a gold watch.

Her throbbing temples made her temper reach its peak.

“I told you last time, don’t wear it anymore.”

Zhou Yushu was taken aback. “Not even in our own company? So serious?”

Bai Xin’s eyes darkened bit by bit. She stared at Zhou Yushu. “I’m not joking with you.”

The latter paused, then chuckled lightly and raised her hand to take off the watch.

“Afraid someone will misunderstand? Cheng Jiqing?”

Hearing Cheng Jiqing’s name, Bai Xin’s frustration clearly intensified.

Zhou Yushu saw it, although she had somewhat guessed it in her heart—Bai Xin’s mood swings were all because of Cheng Jiqing.

She took a breath and said, “In your eyes, is Cheng Jiqing more important than our friendship of over ten years?”

The light from the floor-to-ceiling window behind Bai Xin was very dim.

The cold, incandescent light in the office stung Bai Xin’s dark eyes, making the oppressive atmosphere around her profound.

No answer was needed.

Because it was already very obvious.

Zhou Yushu suddenly felt defeated. “Right, being cold-blooded is your specialty, CEO Bai.”

This was the real Bai Xin.

But for such a Bai Xin to have someone she cared about, it actually gave her a sense of deep affection.

Was Cheng Jiqing really that good?

Zhou Yushu clutched the watch. If she said anything more at this point, she would be the one feeling bad.

She turned around.

But Bai Xin suddenly said, “You wore it deliberately that day.”

Zhou Yushu’s back stiffened. She turned back. “What?”

Bai Xin narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Zhou Yushu. On the day of Cheng Jing’s birthday, she had seen the watch Zhou Yushu was wearing. Moreover, Zhou Yushu’s attitude towards Cheng Jiqing had made her very uncomfortable.

After that day ended, she had clearly told Zhou Yushu to change it.

She thought Zhou Yushu had understood.

Bai Xin’s voice was icy. “Answer me.”

“No.”

But she herself couldn’t tell if it was the truth. At least, her intentions weren’t pure.

Tang Jia had reminded her not to mistake this kind of feeling for love, but in these recent days, she had indeed felt unwilling to accept Bai Xin and Cheng Jiqing’s relationship.

She almost said that Cheng Jiqing had actually seen this watch long ago.

But Bai Xin’s gaze made her feel pressured, the dominant pressure coming from a 3S Omega who was currently harboring a baleful aura³.

Bai Xin narrowed her eyes. Zhou Yushu understood her, and she, in turn, understood Zhou Yushu.

Thinking about it in retrospect, it became very clear.

“I consider you a friend, but don’t let something like two watches happen again.” Bai Xin looked coldly at Zhou Yushu. “Let me be clearer: don’t target Cheng Jiqing. Whoever targets her will be the next Bai Corporation.”

Zhou Yushu’s heart jolted.

Others hearing this might think Bai Xin was arrogant, but Zhou Yushu knew that although it seemed XM had been under her management all these years, Bai Xin actually controlled all the important networks. What she managed was merely the superficial structure.

All these years, on the surface, XM belonged to the Zhou family, but in the end, it was actually the Zhou family relying on XM. Relying on Bai Xin.

All financial chains were controlled by Bai Xin herself. This was Bai Xin’s most captivating trait—she always left herself a way out.

No matter who the other party was, even when her mother had doted on Bai Xin like her own daughter back then, Bai Xin had never truly trusted anyone.

Like a cold-blooded monarch.

She wasn’t afraid of her betrayal, because with the slightest misstep, Bai Xin would have the capital to make a comeback, and the first thing she would do is devour her small Zhou family.

This was Bai Xin’s true face.

This was Bai Xin’s true face.

Sinister, cold-blooded, ruthless, crazy—that was her.

Forbearing, rational, fragile, protective of her own—that was also her.

Zhou Yushu suddenly wondered, did Bai Xin trust Cheng Jiqing?

Whether she trusted her or not, at least at this moment, Cheng Jiqing’s importance to Bai Xin was no longer something she could influence.

She suddenly lost her energy.

She desperately wanted a cigarette.

Facing those mesmerizing yet dangerous eyes, Zhou Yushu had no choice but to rationally agree.

…

She couldn’t stay any longer either.

Zhou Yushu was also annoyed. After some thought, she still placed the congee on the nearby coffee table.

“By the way, news just came in. Bai Zhaoliang went to see Cheng Jing today but didn’t get to meet her…”

Bai Xin didn’t respond, which was also a cold warning to Zhou Yushu.

In her mind, she was thinking that Cheng Jiqing’s call hadn’t gone through again.

These past two days, she had been busy day and night. Not contacting Cheng Jiqing, it was hard to say if she was sulking with Cheng Jiqing or with herself.

Or perhaps she wanted to quickly resolve matters, so that when she saw Cheng Jiqing again, she wouldn’t have such a heavy burden.

Several times, she opened her contacts, opened WeChat, wanting to send something.

But then she backed out again.

In Cheng Jiqing’s eyes, she was a coward…

“If Cheng Jing knows you’re connected to XM, even if there are no measures taken now, we still need to be prepared. Should we have a meeting?”

Zhou Yushu’s words suddenly made Bai Xin’s eyes widen.

“Cheng Jing has known for so many days. With her temperament, would she do nothing?” Bai Xin’s voice wasn’t as cold now.

Zhou Yushu said, “That’s why I said it didn’t make sense just now.”

It didn’t seem like she knew.

“It’s not that the situation doesn’t make sense.”

“Then what is it?”

Bai Xin stood up, clutching her phone. If it were before, she would have thought her idea was absurd. But after Cheng Jiqing appeared, she knew it wasn’t impossible—Cheng Jing wouldn’t hide something and not act. On the contrary, with Cheng Jing’s style, she would immediately take emergency measures against Y2, because that involved a considerable sum of money.

But Cheng Jing had done nothing.

It was Cheng Jiqing.

Besides Cheng Jiqing, who else could have such capability?

Bai Xin’s heart sank heavily.

“Where are you going… Careful!”

Zhou Yushu watched as Bai Xin suddenly stood up from her chair. Perhaps she moved too quickly; Bai Xin almost lost her balance due to dizziness.

Bai Xin’s heart raced in an instant. Her nails dug into her palm, the pain bringing her back to her senses.

She walked forward again.

Zhou Yushu: “Are you okay? Where are you going in this state?”

Bai Xin ignored her, just grabbed her phone and strode out quickly.

She had to find Cheng Jiqing. She had to see Cheng Jiqing.

Her sordid, dark, hesitant, hidden thoughts, when faced with Cheng Jiqing’s sincere treatment, became twisted. She felt a pain in her fingers.

It had been a long time since she had felt pain.

While she was hesitating, worrying that Cheng Jiqing would choose the Cheng family, Cheng Jiqing had unreservedly given her all her protection.

A long-forgotten sourness pricked Bai Xin’s nose.

Was she wrong? It seemed she was wrong.

She tried calling again, but it still couldn’t connect.

Bai Xin’s heart was in turmoil, and she panicked.

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The author has something to say:

Bai-jie searched for a long time: Where’s wifey? Wuwu, wifey doesn’t want me anymore.

Chengcheng is a thousand one hundred kilometers away, eating well and living it up⁴, and by the way, dancing the tango with a few actresses: Calm down, calm down.

After Bai-jie finds her, her eyes are wide with fury⁵.

Silly version:

Bai Xin sees Chengcheng dancing with several women, changes into a dance outfit: You think I’ll lose to you? Let’s dance together.

The actresses, not knowing what’s going on, think Bai-jie is provoking them: Come on, who’s afraid of whom.

A dance battle begins.

Chengcheng shouts from the side: Stop fighting, you guys!!

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