After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 23
by Little PandaYours Tastes Better
Bai Xin smelled the faint, elusive peach blossom scent on Cheng Jiqing, seemingly mixed with the milky-salty bath scent from last night.
Of course, she wasn’t sure if it was coming from Cheng Jiqing or herself.
She felt she was somewhat possessed; she couldn’t let Cheng Jing see her, yet in such a tense moment, she was thinking about Cheng Jiqing.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t know what Bai Xin was thinking. The second the vinegar dish shattered, she grabbed the hand that had accidentally poked Bai Xin’s lips and pulled it down.
Her first reaction wasn’t to push Bai Xin away, but to respond to the person outside first: “Wait a moment.”
The sound of the dish breaking must have been heard by Cheng Jing; an encounter was unavoidable.
She lowered her head, leaning close to Bai Xin’s ear: “Go hide in my room for a bit. I’ll send her away.”
The skin from the tip of Bai Xin’s ear to the back of her head tingled slightly. She lifted her gaze, meeting the other’s eyes directly.
A clean and gentle gaze.
Bai Xin’s hand, held within Cheng Jiqing’s, curled slightly.
“…Mm.”
Only after watching Bai Xin enter the room did Cheng Jiqing open the entryway door.
As soon as Cheng Jing entered, she smelled a sour scent. She subconsciously frowned, avoided the broken porcelain shards, and placed the things she was holding onto the dining table.
Seeing the dumplings on the table, her frown deepened: “This is all you’re eating for lunch?”
What did she mean, all? This was perfectly fine.
“They’re quite tasty.”
Cheng Jing opened the boxes she brought: “Don’t eat this. I had Auntie1 make some dishes you like… Chengcheng, what are you doing?”
She saw Cheng Jiqing holding a cloth, bending down to wipe the floor, astonishment in her eyes.
Cheng Jiqing: “…Cleaning.”
At the Cheng family’s level, people were used to having clothes laid out and food served2; the original owner of this body indeed never had to do such things.
“Stop that.” Cheng Jing said, “Where’s Yu Lan? Or call Auntie to handle it.”
Cheng Jiqing said: “I’m not going out anyway, so I let her rest. It’s just a small mess, no need for Auntie to clean it up. Why did you come?”
She wanted to change the subject.
Hearing this, Cheng Jing felt an indescribable emotion in her heart: “You never used to do these things.”
If it weren’t for that incident, Cheng Jiqing wouldn’t hate her, wouldn’t want to move out, and how could she suffer like this.
Cheng Jiqing hadn’t grown up living in luxury3, so she couldn’t empathize with Cheng Jing’s emotions. Something spilled at home, she cleaned it up – such a simple matter, what was there to be upset about?
But she saw this emotion in Cheng Jing’s eyes, seemingly mixed with a trace of regret.
Cheng Jing looked like she wanted to help a couple of times, but Cheng Jiqing noticed, so she moved quickly and finished cleaning up in just a few motions.
Cheng Jiqing: “Why did you come?”
Cheng Jing said: “The matter with Zeng Lu and Bai Xingxing is mostly handled. As for the Bai family’s affairs, I promised you I wouldn’t interfere, so it depends on your own arrangements. Also, regarding Bai Xin…”
Cheng Jiqing looked up.
Cheng Jing continued: “You were right, our Cheng family distinguishes kindness from hatred clearly. Since she helped you, I’ve decided to let her handle all future business dealings between the Cheng and Bai families.”
If Cheng Jing made the request, then Bai Zhaoliang wouldn’t make things difficult for Bai Xin either. Besides, for the Bai family, Bai Xin was now the pillar of support.
“Mm… that sounds good.”
“However, Bai Zhaoliang is a treacherous villain with no bottom line. Judging from the Bai Xingxing incident, Bai Xin isn’t easy to deal with either4. It’s best to have less contact with the Bai family members in the future.”
Cheng Jing saw that Cheng Jiqing didn’t seem interested in listening and felt displeased, but she restrained herself from continuing.
She didn’t know that, less than ten meters away in the master bedroom.
Bai Xin stood by the door, cracked open just a sliver, her head slightly raised. The pupils beneath her lashes looked crystal clear, illuminated by the warm sunlight outside.
Bai Xin squinted, a cold curve forming on her lips.
The Bai family had no good people, but apart from this one Cheng Jiqing, were any of her Cheng family members good either?
“Alright, let’s not talk about others.” Seeing her attitude wasn’t as resistant as before she entered, Cheng Jing said: “Chengcheng, are you interested in coming to see the company? If there’s a chance, I still hope you can join the company.”
She had asked Cheng Jiqing to attend that banquet not only to clarify rumors but also to let Cheng Jiqing experience the business world.
Cheng Jiqing had never been involved in the corporate field; her mind was focused on acting.
She shook her head: “Not for the time being… I have things I want to do myself.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“Will you let me do whatever I want to do?”
Cheng Jing told her to elaborate. Cheng Jiqing glanced towards the master bedroom; explaining the acting matter would likely lead to another argument. She said: “Let’s talk about it next time.”
Cheng Jing didn’t press further.
Cheng Jiqing could also see that Cheng Jing was speaking to her patiently today.
She got up to pour a glass of water, pouring one for Cheng Jing as well.
Cheng Jing was clearly in a good mood. She took a sip and said concisely: “There’s one more thing. Old Madam Qin5 called me, saying Qin Yufu has taken a liking to you and wants to meet you again.”
Cheng Jiqing: “…?”
How could that be possible?
But on second thought, she understood. If Qin Yufu wanted to see her, why would she need to go through the Old Madam?
“The Qin family’s intention?”
Cheng Jing nodded, her tone calm: “So, I’m asking for your opinion.”
Normally, Cheng Jing wouldn’t bother saying more. As long as it wasn’t detrimental to Cheng Jiqing, if Cheng Jiqing wanted to meet, she could; if not, then forget it.
But she suddenly remembered someone telling her she should appropriately give Cheng Jiqing some choices, so her younger sister would be more receptive to her.
So Cheng Jing said: “Last time at the banquet, I had Qin Yufu attend with you, the Old Madam gave me face6. Logically, I should return the favor, but I also took what you said that day to heart, so you decide for yourself.”
The Qin family had always intended to foster good relations with the Cheng family. Saying it was giving face was actually based on mutual interests.
If Cheng Jiqing truly disliked Qin Yufu, even if she refused this time, they could just return the favor another day. It was just a matter of the favor’s size.
This was a huge concession and change.
For Cheng Jing.
She hoped her sister could feel her sincerity.
Cheng Jiqing wasn’t someone who couldn’t recognize goodwill.
She developed a new perspective on this older sister. Before, she felt indifferent; even if she couldn’t figure out the reason, it didn’t matter, she would just minimize contact. But now, she suddenly wanted to investigate the conflict between the original owner and Cheng Jing.
If it wasn’t something fatal, then she could absolutely get along well with this sister.
After a few brief seconds of thought, Cheng Jiqing replied:
“I’ll go meet Qin Yufu.”
‘Creak—’
In the silent living room, the sound of a door opening, though faint, was noticeable.
Cheng Jiqing’s heart suddenly tightened. She looked towards the source of the sound—the master bedroom.
However, there was no one at the opened doorway. From the slightly ajar angle, it looked more like it hadn’t been closed properly and was blown open by a slight breeze.
But she hadn’t opened any windows at all…
Did Bai Xin open it?
This thought was clearly even more unreasonable. Bai Xin definitely wouldn’t want Cheng Jing to discover her.
Fortunately, Cheng Jing didn’t pay attention. She withdrew her gaze from the door and said: “Then I’ll have someone book a restaurant. Xiao Nanzhou7? You seem to like the food there.”
Xiao Nanzhou.
A very upscale and refreshing Chinese restaurant. The original owner did indeed frequent it.
Cheng Jiqing had no objections; going anywhere was the same.
She thought, Qin Yufu wasn’t having an easy time in the Qin family either. Last time, she was forced by Cheng Jing to meet her; maybe this time she could help her out. Though it wasn’t impossible that Qin Yufu genuinely had something to discuss with her.
It wasn’t that she had a saintly heart8, but the female lead was the female lead, after all.
Making friends was better than making enemies.
After thinking this through, Cheng Jiqing’s thoughts turned back to the suddenly opened door… She kept feeling it was a signal that Bai-jie was getting impatient.
Of course, this was just her baseless speculation.
Cheng Jing’s phone had actually been ringing constantly. As the CEO of a company, her schedule was packed every day.
After hanging up, she stood up to leave: “There’s still business at the company, I have to go now.”
She looked at the dishes on the table: “Eat more.”
Due to her life experiences, Cheng Jiqing inherently found it difficult to take others’ kindness for granted. At this moment, she couldn’t maintain a cold face. Cheng Jiqing nodded: “Okay.”
Seeing her to the door, Cheng Jing suddenly stopped and added another sentence: “If Mom calls you and says anything, just blame it all on me.”
Her affairs had caused quite a stir in their circle a few days ago, yet that elder in the family had never contacted her. This was also a bit strange.
The door closed.
Cheng Jiqing turned around, ready to call Bai Xin, only to find Bai Xin had already emerged from the doorway.
Cheng Jiqing asked: “How did the door open just now?”
“Don’t know.” Her tone was indifferent.
Bai Xin walked over. The outer layer she wore was a very thin cardigan, underneath was a blue gradient slip dress that ended a hand’s width above her knees. Two long legs, fair as milk, approached step by step.
Cheng Jiqing only glanced briefly before looking away: “Oh, need to open the window for ventilation later, the room reeks of vinegar.”
For some reason, upon hearing this, Bai Xin unconsciously glanced at Cheng Jiqing.
“Hungry? Let’s eat first.”
Cheng Jiqing heated the dumplings in the microwave for a minute. She and Bai Xin each had a small plate, a small bowl, and their own vinegar dish. Hers had chili added.
On the table were also the food containers Cheng Jing brought: steamed abalone, spicy mantis shrimp, and a portion of small pumpkin.
Cheng Jiqing: “…”
Cheng Jiqing pushed the dishes towards Bai Xin: “You didn’t sleep well last night, eat more.”
Bai Xin ate two dumplings, noticing Cheng Jiqing didn’t touch any of the dishes Cheng Jing brought.
“Did she poison it?”
“…”
Cheng Jiqing swallowed the dumpling in her mouth: “If it was poisoned, would I still give it to you?”
“Who knows?”
“…I’m allergic to seafood.”
After saying this, Cheng Jiqing paused. The original owner liked seafood; saying she was allergic would be very strange.
She corrected herself, “I don’t really like it anymore.”
Bai Xin looked at her, acknowledging with an ‘Oh’.
Cheng Jiqing slowly ate her dumplings.
These were indeed the original owner’s favorites, but unfortunately, she couldn’t eat them. She even suspected if the anti-fan author9 knew she would one day transmigrate into the book, hence setting this up for her.
Although she had transmigrated now, she still didn’t dare to try. Her allergy was severe; the Director10 who used to take care of her had said she wasn’t destined for a life of luxury, unable to enjoy fine things.
Bai Xin only then noticed that Cheng Jiqing ate very slowly, and seemed to relish her food.
That single dumpling, tiny bite by tiny bite, chewed many times in her mouth. Her gaze landed on Cheng Jiqing’s lips.
Cheng Jiqing’s lip color was beautiful, like the color of a rose, cool-toned.
The moment they touched skin, they were soft and cool.
Bai Xin watched Cheng Jiqing’s lips part and close, revealing a hint of white teeth. She somewhat wanted to reach out and rub her own glands. Because they were itching and numb.
Cheng Jiqing looked up, meeting Bai Xin’s eyes precisely: “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me?”
“Tasty?”
“Tasty.”
Cheng Jiqing nodded. She controlled her diet every day, so everything tasted good to her.
She saw that the few dumplings in Bai Xin’s bowl hadn’t been touched either, and she didn’t seem to have much appetite for the dishes Cheng Jing brought. She asked: “Not tasty?”
Bai Xin thought for a moment: “Looks like yours is tastier.”
Cheng Jiqing: “…?”
Hiss.
Cheng Jiqing mentally sucked in a cold breath. If Bai Xin’s expression wasn’t as usual right now, she would think that was flirting.
Seeing Bai Xin genuinely looking at the plate in front of her, she found it amusing.
Anyway, both were clean. She put down her chopsticks and swapped her plate with Bai Xin’s.
“Eat up, Miss Bai. Mine is tastier.”
It seemed her senses were malfunctioning. Why did she feel a hint of being pampered in Cheng Jiqing’s gentle smile?
Bai Xin regained her composure, picked up a snow-white dumpling with her chopsticks, and looked at Cheng Jiqing again.
It seemed it wasn’t that the dumplings in Cheng Jiqing’s bowl were tastier…
It was that the ones in Cheng Jiqing’s mouth were tastier.
This time, Bai Xin truly snapped back to reality. Her heat period was truly disordered, even her thoughts felt sticky.
After finishing the meal.
Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin went to the hospital together for another blood test.
The results would be available in three hours.
Cheng Jiqing hadn’t felt anything physically since waking up this morning. Tang Jia said it was because her physical constitution was good, and it was only a temporary agitation period, so after the marking, besides normal physiological conditions, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin were at Tang Jia’s door.
“So where are you going now?”
The results weren’t available yet anyway.
Bai Xin said: “Not leaving yet.”
Cheng Jiqing checked the time, nodded: “Alright, I still have things to do, so I’ll head out first?”
Bai Xin stared at her for a long moment, her voice light: “Starting preparations so early.”
Cheng Jiqing: “What?”
Bai Xin walked towards Tang Jia’s office: “No need to see me out.”
Cheng Jiqing paused at the door, remembered something, but still didn’t knock. She took out her phone and sent Bai Xin a text message.
【I’m going to watch a movie…】
She thought for a moment, then added another sentence.
—Not preparing to meet Qin Yufu.
Added one more sentence.
—I’m going to watch the movie alone.
“…”
Cheng Jiqing stopped typing. Wait, why was she explaining so much?
Following this line of thought, she’d also have to explain why she was going to meet Qin Yufu…
Was there a need? Maybe a little, but not this much.
Finally, she sent Bai Xin one message.
Inside Tang Jia’s office.
Bai Xin briefly explained her plan. Even someone as calm as Tang Jia was surprised for quite a while, but she didn’t say much, only uttering one sentence.
“It’s a decent method, but also a bit crazy. Cheng Jiqing might not agree, right?”
Bai Xin was noncommittal: “Just help me out.”
Tang Jia: “As long as you don’t regret it.”
At that time, Bai Xin didn’t yet feel how much sense this sentence made. Only later did she realize Tang Jia already had some foresight back then. But she was inherently stubborn; others couldn’t persuade her, she wouldn’t listen, only trusting her own decisions.
Bai Xin had someone deliver new clothes and a phone. While waiting for the results, she handled important work in Tang Jia’s office.
The results came out. Those alpha pheromones hadn’t caused significant harm, but rest was still needed.
Bai Xin’s constitution was too poor.
Tang Jia said: “However, your indicators when you’re with Cheng Jiqing are better than before.”
5:30 PM.
Tang Jia’s alarm rang. She rubbed her neck; her workday was over.
Seeing Bai Xin take out her phone, she paused inexplicably, then asked seemingly casually: “Have you been in contact with Tong Yanxi11 recently?”
Bai Xin looked up from her text messages: “Rarely, but she’s doing well. She won Best New Director last month.”
“Mm.”
Tang Jia showed little reaction, hanging her white coat on the wall: “Find a place for a drink?”
Bai Xin didn’t refuse.
Tang Jia then asked: “Where? Find a quiet bar?”
Bai Xin paused for a moment, her fingertip resting on her phone, and slowly said—
“Xiao Nanzhou.”
The author has something to say:
Going to catch the wife!
Tang Jia: Are you sure this is a place for drinking?
Bai-jie: It’s not?
Tang Jia: …What are we drinking, Erguotou12?
Footnotes
- 阿姨 | Āyí | A common way to address a middle-aged woman, often used for domestic helpers or nannies.
- 衣来伸手饭来张口 | yī lái shēn shǒu fàn lái zhāng kǒu | Lit. “clothes come, stretch out hand; food comes, open mouth”; Describes a life of being waited on hand and foot, without needing to do anything for oneself.
- 锦衣玉食 | jǐn yī yù shí | Lit. “brocade clothes, jade food”; Describes a life of luxury and privilege.
- 善茬 | shàn chá | Lit. “good stubble”; Colloquial term, often used in the negative (不是善茬 – bù shì shàn chá) to mean someone is not easy to deal with, formidable, or troublesome.
- 秦家老太太 | Qín jiā lǎotàitai | Old Madam of the Qin Family. Lǎotàitai is a respectful term for an elderly woman, often the matriarch.
- 面子 | miànzi | Face; A concept referring to social standing, reputation, prestige, and honor. Giving face means showing respect or deference.
- 小南洲 | Xiǎo Nánzhōu
- 圣母心 | shèngmǔ xīn | Lit. “Saint Mother heart”; Internet slang, often used ironically or critically to describe someone with excessive, often naive or misplaced, compassion or moral righteousness, similar to a “bleeding heart” but with connotations of being preachy or impractical.
- 黑粉作者 | hēi fěn zuòzhě | Lit. “black powder author”; “Black powder” (黑粉 hēifěn) is internet slang for an anti-fan. So, an “anti-fan author” likely refers to the original author of the book world Cheng Jiqing is in.
- 院长 | yuànzhǎng | Director of the orphanage.
- 童言希 | Tóng Yánxī
- 二锅头 | Èrguōtóu | A strong Chinese liquor (baijiu), known for its high alcohol content.
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