After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 89

Perhaps, a Tribulation

Cheng Jiqing paused at the doorway for a moment, a wave of heat spreading up her spine. She took a breath and backed out.

Bai Xin was crouched in front of a black suitcase, her back to the light. Her squatting posture revealed a pair of fair, smooth calves.

A white sweater, dark-brown curly hair—a petite figure.

She was like a doll carved from powder and jade¹, yet she exuded an endless charm.

“Bai Xin.”

“Hm?”

Bai Xin looked up from the suitcase.

Cheng Jiqing said, “There’s a dryer in here. You should… take care of that thing of yours.”

A sense of restlessness stirred within her.

Typically, overnight reality shows would provide each celebrity with their own washing machine and dryer. They could be used after a quick sanitization.

Bai Xin paused, then nodded. “Oh, in a bit.”

“…Do it now,” Cheng Jiqing said.

Bai Xin stared at her, the corners of her lips curved in a faint, almost invisible arc. “I’m busy unpacking. Or… why don’t you take care of it for me?”

Her tone was lazy, an invitation for the imagination to run wild.

“…”

Cheng Jiqing didn’t know if she was the one with the problem or if Bai Xin’s words were just that intensely suggestive, but that phrase, ‘take care of it,’ somehow carried a hint of desire.

Then, her mind was once again flooded with the image of Bai Xin’s earlier barrage—blatant, bare, and utterly undisguised.

Her thoughts right now were extremely impure.

A chaotic mess.

Suddenly worried that the heat radiating from her neck would be noticed, Cheng Jiqing turned away. “Be mindful. We’re filming a show. After the break, the follow-cam crew could come in at any time.”

Bai Xin watched the other woman disappear from the doorway and didn’t reply right away.

The sweet dimples just lingered on her cheeks.

Cheng Jiqing bent over to wash her hands. Bai Xin knocked once on the frosted glass door before opening it.

A glance in the mirror’s reflection showed Bai Xin walking past her from behind to retrieve the item she had just hung up to dry.

The hanger made a faint clink against the metal rack.

Bai Xin’s cool, clear voice drifted over from the side. “You helped me pick this out last time.”

That day, they had done so many things.

Shopping, watching a movie, eating wontons, and going to the Beicheng Bridge.

The memory cut into Cheng Jiqing’s thoughts, bringing a faint, tingling ache that was both numb and sharp. She didn’t speak. Bai Xin had already turned and walked up behind her, adding, “This is the color I wear most often… because you said you liked it.”

Cheng Jiqing unconsciously clenched her molars. Her mind’s eye was filled with the image of translucent pink, yet the instigator had already placed the item into the lingerie dryer.

The door clicked shut.

Inside the washroom, only Cheng Jiqing and the drip, drip, drip of the faucet remained.

And, in the enclosed space, a light, bewitching fragrance.

Cheng Jiqing pressed her freshly washed, dripping hands onto the white countertop. She lifted her gaze to the mirror and saw herself—her face was flushed, her earlobes were pink, every bit of it evidence of her agitation.

She could already foresee how perilous the rest of this trip would be.

And yet.

She had no way to deal with it.

Or rather, she had tried to deal with it and, for the moment, had failed.

Bai Xin’s words were carved into her heart like they’d been chiseled with a knife and axe. She couldn’t lie to herself and say she hadn’t felt anything, that her heart hadn’t skipped a beat, that she hadn’t been shaken.

But she hadn’t thought things through, hadn’t sorted out her feelings.

Bai Xin wants to use herself to prove her sincerity, Cheng Jiqing thought, but I can’t let her actually run into any danger.

She had felt that sincerity.

But Bai Xin still couldn’t stay, at least not for long.

They rested for two hours.

It was a little past five in the afternoon, and the sky was already beginning to dim. Snowflakes drifted down sporadically, barely noticeable, serving only as a minor embellishment to this fairytale city.

With its European-style architecture and vibrantly colored houses everywhere, it was, after all, a place that had even captivated Hans Christian Andersen.

Due to the time, they couldn’t go anywhere else tonight. The group clamored to walk around the streets before heading to the restaurant arranged by the production team.

On the small tour bus.

They sat next to each other according to their previously assigned groups.

After their conversation in the backyard, Cheng Jiqing and Qin Yufu hadn’t spoken. A certain degree of awkwardness hung between them.

Cheng Jiqing’s gaze drifted to the roadside. A moment later, she remembered something and said in a low voice, “Miss Qin, that matter you mentioned to me last time… about your studio.”

Qin Yufu had mentioned it once in passing before the show started.

Qin Yufu turned her head, listening patiently.

As their eyes met, the awkwardness, for some reason, seemed to dissipate a little.

Cheng Jiqing’s tone became slightly more natural. “I have a friend who also works in the tech industry, in chip manufacturing. I think he might be able to help you.”

Qin Yufu’s main business was in electronic technology. At the time, she had mentioned running into some trouble that was difficult to solve. Cheng Jiqing hadn’t thought much of it then, but now it occurred to her that electronic tech and chips were more or less part of the same ecosystem.

Perhaps Lan Qi could be of help.

“If you still need it, I can push his WeChat to you.”

Qin Yufu smiled. “That would be great. I happen to need the help. Thank you.”

She had been planning to hire a technical consultant from overseas in the next couple of days.

The two spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, making no effort to hide their conversation for the show.

Hearing her reply, Cheng Jiqing lowered her head and sent Yuan Sheng’s WeChat to Qin Yufu.

Both Bai Xin and Cheng Jiqing were seated in aisle seats. Cheng Jiqing could distinctly feel a pair of eyes from the next row fixed on her.

A few seconds later, she glanced over.

Bai Xin wasn’t looking at her.

Her phone vibrated. Cheng Jiqing returned to her senses and saw a new message in her chat window from Qin Yufu.

【I don’t think we need to be so awkward. I understand, and thank you for being so direct with me. Even if we’re just friends, getting to know you has been worth it.】

…

A few hours earlier.

Qin Yufu and Cheng Jiqing stood facing each other in the backyard, flanked by green plants that looked rather listless in the snowy weather.

“You don’t have to give me an answer right away.”

In truth, it was a delaying tactic.

She thought that the time she and Cheng Jiqing had spent together was very short. Maybe if they had a little more time, she could have a chance.

She and Cheng Jiqing shared common interests and topics; their conversations were always comfortable.

At least there was a chance, right?

She thought Cheng Jiqing would at least give her this little scheme of hers a chance.

Unfortunately, she didn’t.

“I’m sorry, Miss Qin.”

That’s what Cheng Jiqing had said.

She was silent for a while. She’d experienced the feeling of a broken heart during her first love, but she had long since forgotten it, and it hadn’t been particularly profound. Now, it felt like it was staging a comeback.

But it wasn’t exceptionally painful. Just a dullness in her heart, like a sandstorm blanketing the early spring.

Hazy and full of regret.

She hesitated, but still asked, “Is it… Bai Xin?”

Cheng Jiqing didn’t give her an answer.

She only looked past her, toward the corner of the corridor, though it was unclear what she was looking at.

She followed her gaze but saw nothing.

…

Her phone vibrated.

Qin Yufu snapped back to the present. Cheng Jiqing had replied: 【Getting to know you has been worth it, too. Thank you, Miss Qin.】

Qin Yufu smiled, a hint of disappointment in it.

Does this count as maintaining a final shred of dignity?

If she hadn’t seen that Cheng Jiqing’s eyes held someone else, perhaps she could have tried harder. But since she had seen it, and she had a good idea of who that person was, she lost her courage.

If she were to truly press on, she feared they wouldn’t even be able to remain friends.

She didn’t want things with Cheng Jiqing to end up like that.

Nor did she want to become the kind of person who insists on forcing her way in, knowing full well that two people are in love with each other.

Their brief exchange attracted the attention of Lu Xi, who was sitting behind them.

“Miss Qin, what do you do? Your introduction said you’re a studio owner.”

Qin Yufu explained briefly.

Lu Xi: “Amazing! A high-tech talent, and you’re your own boss.”

Qin Yufu said, “It’s nothing, really.”

Aren’t Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin both more impressive than me?

She thought of Bai Xin—in the business world, now that was true talent.

In her opinion, few in the current business circle could match Bai Xin’s intellect and methods.

Many of the management styles and problem-solving techniques she used now were things she had learned from observing Bai Xin in the past.

As she thought this, Qin Yufu’s gaze shifted toward Bai Xin.

She then noticed that the person in the aisle seat across from them was, at that moment, turning her head slightly to look in her and Cheng Jiqing’s direction.

The next second, Bai Xin’s gaze shifted and met hers.

Qin Yufu’s heart jolted.

That sentence, ‘We probably won’t be friends anymore,’ instantly echoed in her ears.

It dawned on her. So the answer was already there, even back then.

Qin Yufu averted her gaze. Well, I should be thankful I didn’t fall too deep.

It’s not too late to pull back now.

For that, she was grateful for Cheng Jiqing’s unhesitating directness.

Now she just needed some time to wipe her mind clean of improper thoughts and welcome the next sun that belonged only to her…

Cheng Jiqing had told her that, too.

In this world, nothing is guaranteed to be yours, nothing is guaranteed to go your way.

But you can fight for it.

If fighting for it doesn’t work…

At that point, Cheng Jiqing had paused.

So she had asked.

“What if fighting for it doesn’t work?”

“Then you see if it’s worth charging to your death for, and you see if it makes you happy.”

Qin Yufu thought, Cheng Jiqing is a person worth fighting for, but if this goes any further, none of us will be happy. In that case, it’s not worth it.

“Are we going to see the Little Mermaid statue tomorrow?” Qi Xiaoran suddenly asked.

The Little Mermaid statue sits on a rock in the harbor of Churchill Park. Any discussion about her inevitably leads to the question: ‘Which came first, the mermaid or the Andersen fairytale?’

The director’s team gave an affirmative answer to this question.

Speaking of mermaids, Cheng Jiqing was suddenly reminded of 《Going Ashore》.

She still hadn’t finished the ending.

“Alright, once we arrive, we’ll still be working in your assigned groups,” Director Yuwei said. “We will give each group this episode’s travel funds. However, the groups won’t necessarily stay the same.”

Meaning they might regroup.

“We need you all to decide. You can either keep your current groups or form new ones based on who you’re sharing a room with. Since Yufu and Xixi are in separate single rooms, they’ll automatically be considered one group. But this isn’t set in stone; you can also choose to keep things as they are. In a moment, we’ll hand out cards and pens. If you want to keep your original groups, write a 1. If you want to group by room, write a 2.”

Hearing this, Cheng Jiqing’s gaze flickered toward the other side of the aisle.

Director Yuwei continued, “Basically, whichever number gets more votes, that’s how we’ll form the groups. Since there are six of you, it’s possible to have a tie. If that happens, we’ll just decide with a coin toss!”

“…”

A coin toss? Isn’t that a bit too careless? Cheng Jiqing thought.

The cards were handed out.

Cheng Jiqing’s black pen tip touched the white card, leaving a small smudge.

She paused for two seconds, then wrote down a number.

Soon.

The director collected the cards and began to announce the votes.

“Number 1, one vote.”

The first one was to keep the original groups.

The bus was lit by bright white lights. Bai Xin’s eyelashes were lowered, her fingertips resting on her knee. Her pale, fair nails, coated with a protective polish, tapped lightly.

She seemed completely unconcerned with the outcome.

Second vote.

“Number 1, two votes.”

Bai Xin’s tapping stopped. She lifted her eyelids, the light illuminating her dark eyes.

Then she turned her head and stared straight in Cheng Jiqing’s direction.

Feeling the scorching gaze, Cheng Jiqing said nothing.

She didn’t meet that stare.

Then, the third vote.

“Number 2, one vote.”

“Number 2, two votes.”

…

“Number 2, four votes.”

“The votes are all in! This was your decision, so according to the rules, we will now regroup. You’ll be grouped based on your room assignments. Yufu and Xixi will be a group. We will definitely shuffle the groups again later. The purpose is to help everyone get to know each other better and have a more enjoyable trip.”

Director Yuwei took three envelopes from another director. “Inside are the travel funds for each group. You can decide amongst yourselves who will be in charge of the money.”

“I can do it, Zhou-jie?” Qi Xiaoran spoke up first.

The athlete, Zhou-jie, paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said, “Alright.”

But it was clear from her eyes that she harbored a trace of displeasure toward her roommate.

Lu Xi directly made a “please, go ahead” gesture to Qin Yufu. She couldn’t manage money.

Finally, it was Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin…

Cheng Jiqing: “You can have…”

Bai Xin abruptly cut her off. “In our family, whoever is in charge is the one who manages the money. Let’s give it to Chengcheng.”

Cheng Jiqing: “…”

Cheng Jiqing let out a soft tsk. That glare she gave me during the vote looked like she wanted to bite me. Why is she being so sweet all of a sudden?

She’s really getting better at this sweet-talking act, one trick after another.

Until now, Bai Xin had been relatively reserved and quiet. It was rare to see her this ‘friendly,’ and everyone glanced over at her, slightly surprised.

Lu Xi even let out a “Wow,” exclaiming, “You really are a true fan.”

Cheng Jiqing offered a perfunctory smile, her phone resting in her palm.

Bai Xin: 【Chengcheng, I’m so happy.】

Bai Xin: 【I really want to do something to show you just how happy I am.】

Cheng Jiqing quickly replied: 【Can you please just behave yourself?】

Bai Xin’s idea of “doing something” was not something one could casually accept. She had more than enough experience with that.

Bai Xin: 【Okay.】

Cheng Jiqing let out a sigh of relief, but before it could fully settle…

Bai Xin: 【When are we going back to the room?】

“…”

Cheng Jiqing could more or less understand what she meant. Because the place they were staying at belonged to someone else, only that one room was theirs, at least in Bai Xin’s proprietary mind.

That room was the territory she had marked.

That was why she said “back to the room,” not “back to the lodging.”

But that wasn’t to say Bai Xin’s words were entirely innocent.

She turned her head, a completely superfluous and unnecessary action, just to confirm. The Omega was tilting her head from across the aisle. Even with just light makeup on, her features exuded a cold, stunning charm.

It was enough to steal one’s soul.

Cheng Jiqing turned her head back, her throat feeling a little dry.

Going back to the room won’t just be going back to the room.

Perhaps, it will be a tribulation².*

Bai Xin’s mood had improved considerably.

When all the votes were counted, seeing the expressions on Qi Xiaoran and the athlete’s faces, she knew. Cheng Jiqing hadn’t chosen to maintain the original groups. Cheng Jiqing had chosen her.

This was probably the happiest she had felt in a long time.

As they were talking, the bus arrived at a street in the city center.

When they got off, Bai Xin was in front. She slowed down, her hand on the bus door. After stepping onto the ground, her clothes brushed lightly against Lu Xi, who was behind her.

It was the kind of contact one wouldn’t even notice if they weren’t paying close attention.

But Bai Xin turned her head sharply.

When she saw it was Lu Xi, her eyes narrowed instinctively.

The next second, Lu Xi met Bai Xin’s gaze. Startled, she smiled and said, “What’s up?”

Bai Xin spoke slowly, her voice quiet yet strangely intense³, “Nothing. Thanks for the water bottle.”

Lu Xi: “?”

Then it dawned on her. “Oh, you’re welcome. What’s there to thank me for? It wasn’t even my water bottle.”

Bai Xin gave a cold, faint laugh and averted her gaze.

The laugh was barely audible.

It was the first time Lu Xi had seen Bai Xin smile at her. It was very beautiful, but for some reason, a chill ran down her spine.

Cheng Jiqing was walking behind them. Getting off the bus, she witnessed the scene and overheard most of the exchange.

Lu Xi sidled up to her and asked, “Was she sincerely thanking me?”

Cheng Jiqing gave a low cough. “…Of course.”

She paused slightly. “I should… thank you, too.”

Hearing this, Lu Xi nodded and patted Cheng Jiqing’s shoulder. “Now, your thanks sounds much more sincere.”

Of course it does.

Cheng Jiqing thought, If Lu Xi hadn’t interrupted, I can’t say for sure what would have happened this afternoon.

Cheng Jiqing subconsciously fiddled with the prayer beads in her hand. The white jade bodhi beads had developed a heavier patina, showing the traces of time in its fine surface cracks.

The cold wind and the cool touch of the beads helped to clear her five senses.

Walking along the street, they passed by numerous restaurants and cafes.

Finally spotting a small shop, the group headed inside.

It sold some local trinkets, specialty items, as well as scarves and other accessories.

Cheng Jiqing walked up to a box of accessories and saw some delicate, metal mermaid-shaped clips inside.

She picked one up to examine it. Someone gently pinched the sleeve of her coat, shaking it slightly.

Bai Xin’s arm brushed against her clothes as she said, “Chengcheng, I want this.”

It was a black silk scarf.

“My old one broke. Can you buy me a new one?” Bai Xin wrapped the scarf twice around her palm, the black a stark contrast against her white skin.

Bai Xin was standing close, her voice a seductive purr that made one’s ears tingle.

No one knew better than Cheng Jiqing how that other scarf had ‘broken.’

Cheng Jiqing said, “…Right. If you want to buy it, then buy it.”

She emphasized that Bai Xin was buying it herself, not that she was buying it for her.

Though that emphasis was ultimately useless.

Lu Xi, who had wandered over, took a look. “Aren’t you going to try it on? There’s a mirror over there.”

Bai Xin gave her a look, then passed the scarf in her hand to the person beside her.

Cheng Jiqing felt the scarf land lightly in her palm and instinctively closed her hand around it. A numbness began to creep through her heart. Bai Xin’s gesture was like she was handing some sort of control over to Cheng Jiqing.

In the foreign shop, surrounded by a dazzling array of goods and a mix of sounds and sights, the Omega’s cool, clear response blended in, yet it also seemed to be meant for someone specific to hear.

“I’ll try it on when we get back.”

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The author has something to say:

Chengcheng: 《The Temptation of Home⁴》

I’ll try it on if you say so (not)

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