After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 40
by Little PandaThe Feeling of Home
Both were wearing slippers.
The few centimeters Cheng Jiqing had over Bai Xin gave her an advantage at this moment. She straightened up, her fox-like eyes looking slightly down. From Bai Xin’s perspective, most of her usual gentleness was gone.
This version of Cheng Jiqing was rarely seen in front of her.
It felt as if Cheng Jiqing’s breath still lingered on her neck; the rose, due to the shirt collar, remained resting on her collarbone.
The rose was cool, yet she felt hot.
Bai Xin raised her eyes. “Who says I can’t handle it?”
She deliberately wanted to refute Cheng Jiqing’s remark—See, you can’t handle it already.
Hearing this, Cheng Jiqing’s brown pupils darkened another shade. She could tell Bai Xin was intentionally provoking her; usually, she would have backed off.
But today, for some reason, she had no such thought.
“Is that so?” Cheng Jiqing said casually. “Then Miss Bai… maybe restrain your breathing a little.”
“What does that prove?”
Bai Xin retorted.
Cheng Jiqing stared for a few seconds, then let out a low ‘Mm’.
The sound lingered slightly, a low tone different from her usual gentleness.
“Then what about this?”
After speaking, Cheng Jiqing lowered her head again. Her lips were only a hair’s breadth from Bai Xin’s neck. She saw the Omega gland there pulse slightly.
The moment her breath hit Bai Xin’s gland, Bai Xin’s hand grabbed her arm, as if for support.
She hadn’t even touched her yet.
Cheng Jiqing lowered her head further, looking as if she intended to continue towards the neck. She felt the force of Bai Xin’s grip on her arm increasing, and heard Bai Xin sharply inhaling beside her ear.
However, her hair brushed against Bai Xin’s, moving downwards, her chin grazing Bai Xin’s cheek.
From Bai Xin’s perception, Cheng Jiqing was moving from her neck towards her collarbone.
She held her breath, waiting. The lips never landed. Cheng Jiqing merely bit the stem of the rose, slowly straightened up, and did nothing else.
Bai Xin had been approached and retreated from twice. Cheng Jiqing’s high compatibility level with her already held a natural attraction, not to mention she was currently in a state of heightened sensitivity.
Such simple teasing, without even any real contact, could easily shatter her composure.
Bai Xin felt the frustration of seeing and smelling something desirable but not getting to taste it.
A frustration both mental and physical.
Cheng Jiqing watched Bai Xin’s flushed cheeks and uneven breathing, the Omega’s hand still gripping her arm tightly. An indescribable sense of satisfaction bloomed within her.
Trying to be wild, huh.
Still think I can’t handle you.
Cheng Jiqing: “Weren’t you handling it just fine?”
“So you’re bullying me now?”
It was an accusation, yet held no real coldness.
Cheng Jiqing chuckled. “Me, bully you? If I really bullied you, could you even stand? I usually go easy on you.”
Bai Xin’s legs did feel a little weak.
“Who asked you to go easy?”
Cheng Jiqing blurted out, “Then have the guts not to cry.”
Bai Xin: “…”
Bai Xin immediately shot her a look. It was a bit fierce, but not the kind carrying anger. More like a kitten extending its claws to tap you when caught doing something.
Like a warning, but also like petulant pouting.
Cheng Jiqing steadied Bai Xin, helping her stand firm. “Alright, are we eating or not? Go take a shower. I’ll change and cook the congee.”
Without that breath on her neck, Bai Xin recovered slightly. She stared at Cheng Jiqing and asked, “Little CEO Cheng, what kind of style is it to flirt and run?”
“What else could it be? Being a player, obviously.” Cheng Jiqing said. “Didn’t I warn you to be careful when we got married?”
With that, she gave the person at the door a slight smile, then closed the door, seeing her guest out.
Bai Xin stared at the closed door, bit the tip of her tongue, and raised a hand to touch her neck, which still felt slightly feverish. She thought darkly—Cheng Jiqing, you better hope you never fall into my hands.
Better pray your own heat never comes in this lifetime, otherwise, just you wait.
Bai Xin thought resentfully.
Cooking congee takes some time. Cheng Jiqing planned to stir-fry a couple of side dishes. The vegetables in the fridge were leftovers from what Yu Lan had bought last time; not much remained now.
Just as Bai Xin finished showering and came out of the bathroom, she asked, “Carrots, potatoes, bok choy. What do you want to eat?”
“Carrots.”
“Oh.”
Bai Xin went into the room to tidy up briefly. When she came out, Cheng Jiqing was washing vegetables at the sink by the kitchen island. She walked over, took a carrot from the plate, then got the cutting board and knife.
Cheng Jiqing wasn’t surprised; Bai Xin occasionally cooked here too.
She turned and went inside to check on the pork ribs.
Soon, the sound of chopping vegetables filled the room, and the aroma of pork rib congee gradually spread.
During this time, an indescribable emotion welled up in both Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin. It was comfortable, relaxing, safe, giving them the long-absent feeling of home.
Half an hour later, the two sat facing each other at the kitchen island.
Cheng Jiqing ladled a bowl for Bai Xin and passed it over. Bai Xin glanced at Cheng Jiqing’s bowl. “That little?”
She meant both the amount of pork ribs and the portion size.
Cheng Jiqing always ate very little, and very slowly, chewing thoroughly, her posture exceptionally elegant.
Bai Xin recalled the female celebrities she had seen in the past; though not as beautiful as Cheng Jiqing, their habits were quite similar.
“Mm, I’m used to it.” Cheng Jiqing placed a particularly nice-looking piece of pork rib from her bowl into Bai Xin’s. “Your lips are pale. Eat more.”
This was true. Ever since she first met Bai Xin, her lip color had always been like this, a pale pink. Without lipstick, she always looked somewhat sickly.
Cheng Jiqing asked, “Are you anemic?”
Bai Xin replied, “A little.”
No wonder, Cheng Jiqing thought.
“Miss Bai, your body is your own. Be good to yourself. Sleep earlier at night, eat more, exercise more.”
The last sentence was also a reminder to herself. After crossing over, she had gotten lazy for a while and hadn’t exercised recently. Back in her original world, even if she didn’t have time to run outside, she would do yoga at home.
Maintain a good physical condition.
Cheng Jiqing actually had a lot more she wanted to remind Bai Xin about, especially her truly unhealthy sleep schedule. Sometimes she felt like this person didn’t need sleep at all.
“I don’t mean to nag you, just saying you need to cherish yourself,” Cheng Jiqing said gently when the other didn’t reply.
Bai Xin paused, looked up at Cheng Jiqing, and said, “Mm.”
It had just been too long since anyone had said these things to her.
Cheng Jiqing said, “What kind of exercise do you like? If you have time later, let’s exercise together.”
Bai Xin paused. Cheng Jiqing immediately paused too.
In adult silence, it only takes a second for words to acquire a second, completely different meaning.
“Like running or something, that’s pretty good too,” Cheng Jiqing added naturally, pretending nothing had happened.
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Bai Xin’s lips. She then said slowly, “Okay.”
The pork rib congee was delicious, the carrots were delicious, the air conditioning temperature was just right.
Bai Xin took a bite of pork rib, her gaze resting on the oil painting of a vast blue sea on the wall. Her current mood felt somewhat like seeing the ocean.
Comfortable.
Cheng Jiqing looked at the person opposite her, eating with gusto. She smiled silently.
Not long after they started eating, Bai Xin’s phone suddenly vibrated.
Cheng Jiqing clearly saw Bai Xin’s lips press into a thin line the moment she saw the caller ID.
Bai Xin answered the phone.
Bai Zhaoliang spoke amicably on the other end, “Xiao Xin, ah, I suddenly remembered the day after tomorrow is your mother’s death anniversary.”
She put down her chopsticks, her expression turning cold, waiting for Bai Zhaoliang’s next words.
“I was originally going to visit the grave with you, but something urgent came up. I’ve transferred some money to you. See what’s needed and prepare a share for Dad. I won’t be going this year.”
“You haven’t gone in previous years either, have you.”
Bai Xin wasn’t in the mood to play games with him today. She said, “I’ll handle my mom’s death anniversary. Just take care of yourself.”
Bai Zhaoliang: “Alright then. I heard you did well at Cheng Corporation today. I’m very pleased. Good thing the family still has you to help out. Work hard; won’t the Bai family all be yours in the future?”
Bai Xin gave a cold laugh. “Even if you’re willing to give it up, I’m afraid Zhou Ping wouldn’t be.”
“I know you still have feelings about what happened last time. Let’s have a good chat another day. I have another call to take soon, so I won’t talk longer now. Xiao Xin, take good care of yourself.”
Bai Xin hung up impassively.
She just felt nauseated.
Her ability to endure for so many years couldn’t compare to Bai Zhaoliang’s in this regard. That hypocrite’s mask, worn for ten years without change, still put on for her even now.
Bai Xin lost her appetite.
She pulled out a tissue and told Cheng Jiqing she was done eating.
Bai Xin’s mind replayed that night: the long hospital corridor, a cacophony of noise, yet the flat, cold sound of the monitor behind her was exceptionally clear.
She had gone looking for Bai Zhaoliang and heard him ask, “We’re not divorced yet. If she dies now, does this piece of land fall under my name?”
Bai Zhaoliang probably sensed her and turned around.
Her eyes were terribly swollen, unable to shed another tear. She said, “She’s already dead.”
In the living room.
Bai Xin got up from the chair, reverting to her cool, detached demeanor. She said frostily, “I’m going back to my room first.”
Cheng Jiqing had overheard the gist: mother’s death anniversary, the situation with the Bai family, Bai Zhaoliang failing his duties as a father.
He wouldn’t even accompany Bai Xin to pay respects on the anniversary.
Bai Xin must be heartbroken deep down.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t know the true rift between Bai Zhaoliang and Bai Xin; she simply wanted to comfort her.
“Bai Xin.”
Cheng Jiqing called out.
Bai Xin stopped and turned back, hearing Cheng Jiqing ask, “If you need someone, I can go with you.”
Bai Zhaoliang wouldn’t accompany Bai Xin. She wasn’t busy. She could go.
Cheng Jiqing’s gaze was pure, lacking youthful fervor but warm enough to touch the heart.
Bai Xin stared into those eyes, paused for a moment, then said, “Okay.”
It was a little after ten PM.
Bai Xin returned to her room and didn’t come out again. Cheng Jiqing busied herself with her own things. She found a few eye-catching tango dance clips.
Within minutes, she had learned the moves. She changed back into the tango dress and practiced in front of the mirror.
The space was just a bit restrictive, inconvenient for extending her movements.
Her snow-white leg stretched out straight from the slit in the dress, following the faint music. Cheng Jiqing’s thoughts drifted. She remembered the sensation of the rose brushing against skin.
Remembered Bai Xin gasping for breath, clutching at her.
Remembered the enticing scent from the Omega’s neck when she got close.
Cheng Jiqing let out a breath.
At half past ten, Cheng Jiqing changed her clothes and got into bed. Just as she lay down, her phone buzzed twice with WeChat notifications.
It was Song Ling.
【Cheng Jiqing! The hotel is opening in a few days, come help me brainstorm.】
Cheng Jiqing thought about it. It seemed like this was mentioned over half a month ago. It was opening so soon?
She had promised, so she replied: 【Okay, I’ll check my schedule these next couple of days.】
Song Ling: 【My dad said if I do well with this hotel, he’ll give me an extra 500,000 in allowance each month. Big Sis will treat you to good food and drinks then.】
Cheng Jiqing: 【Some other day, Big Sis will teach you how to talk properly.】
Song Ling: 【(Sticking-tongue-out.jpg)】
Song Ling: 【Why haven’t you been going out to party1 lately?】
Cheng Jiqing touched her prayer beads and replied: 【Devoting myself to Buddhism.】
Song Ling: 【?】
Song Ling: 【Did Qin Yufu hit you that hard?】
Cheng Jiqing: 【?】
Cheng Jiqing: 【What does it have to do with her.】
She sent a message saying she was going to sleep.
Song Ling: 【What time is it? The nightlife is just beginning, let’s get high!!!】
Song Ling sent her a voice message. Opening it revealed loud DJ music; clearly, she was in a bar. Makes sense, a 20-year-old girl is at the age for playing around.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t really been to bars much. Before she started acting, she didn’t have the funds to go play. After becoming wealthy as an artist, she went once with friends, and the next day rumors of her dating spread.
She disliked trouble, so she never went again after that.
The static from the receiver was too loud. Cheng Jiqing found it noisy and sent back disdainfully: 【Staying up late causes hair loss. Advise you not to stay up late.】
Cheng Jiqing put down her phone, rubbing her tired eyes. Not filming did have its benefits; at least she could sleep on time these days.
She yawned and reached out to turn off the lamp.
As usual, a floor lamp was left on in the room. She didn’t like it too dark, a habit that started from that horror movie in her youth…
Cheng Jiqing drifted off into a hazy sleep.
In the guest bedroom.
Bai Xin wasn’t feeling well physically. After reading a work email on her laptop, she closed it and set it aside.
She touched her neck. The small bump of her gland was slightly raised, feeling a bit hot.
Glancing at the time, it was already past one AM. Cheng Jiqing must have been asleep long ago.
She turned off the main light, closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down.
However, the moment she lay down, her mind filled with the image of Cheng Jiqing in that tango dress, leaning down towards her neck. The Alpha’s peach blossom wine pheromones were very faint, yet seemed etched into her very breath.
The rose had almost brushed inside her dress.
With every deep breath Bai Xin took, the throbbing in her neck intensified.
After ten minutes, she gave up, switching on the dim bedside lamp. She opened the drawer and took out a square box with English writing on it.
Bai Xin, wearing a dark green silk nightgown, was soaked unattractively in sweat.
The lamp was still on.
The gauze curtain was open by half a foot.
In the dead of night, cicadas chirped faintly. By her window still sat the lilies bought during the rain a couple of days ago, placed in a glass vase, their stems fully submerged in water.
Bai Xin bit her lip and opened her eyes, suddenly remembering Cheng Jiqing mentioning her crying.
She hadn’t cried in many, many years.
The crying Cheng Jiqing spoke of—she didn’t acknowledge that as crying. Physiological tears, how could that be called crying?
After a moment.
Bai Xin exhaled a turbid breath, tossing the soiled item into the trash can with restless irritation.
Once you’ve tried something better, sweeter, who could still endure laborious and ineffective bitterness?
It’s hard to go from luxury to simplicity…
To her, Cheng Jiqing was like a clean, unique, and simultaneously delicious, sweet cake, drizzled with expensive, elegant peach blossom wine.
This flavor perfectly suited her… tastes.
So she had patience.
But right now, she had none.
She detested the need and sensitivity brought on by her dual state. Even drenched in her own sweat, she didn’t feel much relief, nowhere near the effect of Cheng Jiqing’s simple touch.
Bai Xin tossed the box back into the drawer. Emotionally distraught, she got out of bed, too annoyed to even bother putting on slippers.
She walked the few steps to Cheng Jiqing’s door.
The author has something to say:
Chengcheng: Little thing, still think I can’t handle you.
Bai-jie: Handle me some more.
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