Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 103
by Little Panda“Pat pat~”
Pei Xuezhi was silent for a long time, so long that Fu Chaoyun on the other end suspected she had disconnected.
“Zhizhi? Are you still there?”
“I’m here.” Pei Xuezhi found her voice again, slightly hesitant, “Is this… not good?”
Fu Chaoyun switched from whimpering to indignant in one second, “Of course it’s not good!”
Fu Chaoyun herself was a salted fish; if she could lie flat, she would absolutely never turn over.
Originally, she only needed to act as a mascot in the variety show department, occasionally tossing out a couple of ideas during regular meetings. As for whether they worked out or how they were implemented, that was all handled by the people below. She acted as a shopkeeper who swings her hands1, perfectly content.
Now, she was suddenly being asked to be some kind of executive CEO. The entire Xingdong, from top to bottom—the variety show department, the film and television department, the agent department—all of these would be under her management. All important matters would have to be submitted for her approval. It was truly—
Exhausting!!!
Fu Chaoyun even gave Pei Xuezhi a negative example: her own older sister, Fu Lingfeng!
Look how busy Fu Lingfeng was, spinning like a top2, seemingly too busy to even attend to her wifely life. Was this because Little CEO Fu wasn’t outstanding enough? Or lacked ability?
How could that be possible!
It was because the entire Fu Corporation was too massive. Even though 99% of the project work had already been filtered down and assigned to subordinates, the matters that reached Fu Lingfeng were absolute priorities. Logically, there shouldn’t be that many, right? But with so many subsidiary companies, departments, and even partners, adding up all the individual items was enough to utterly exhaust someone!
“Just thinking about it is terrifying, it’s gonna kill me.” Fu Chaoyun poured out her grievances3.
Actually, based on Pei Xuezhi’s personality, she still didn’t quite understand Fu Chaoyun’s approach of pushing away power that was handed to her. But Fu Chaoyun was different from her—lazy, free-spirited, from a harmonious family, and even lacking ambition. Combining these words and adopting the other’s perspective, then thinking it through carefully, it seemed to make some sense.
Even though their ways of thinking were completely different, Pei Xuezhi listened without rashly advising Fu Chaoyun to focus on making money and supporting the family.
It was agreed: she would support her Jiejie.
At this moment, Pei Xuezhi was just smoothing the cat’s fur, so to speak. Soon, she heard Fu Chaoyun sigh again.
“My sister and sister-in-law both live at home, but they don’t even see each other that often. I don’t want to become like that, ahhh!”
Her voice lowered somewhat, sounding a bit soft, yet exceptionally sincere and heartfelt. “I don’t want to not see Zhizhi every day.”
Pei Xuezhi’s fingertips paused slightly.
So it was because of this?
The Omega, who always doted on her Alpha, briefly considered it in her head, “Then… refuse?”
“Sigh.” Fu Chaoyun let out a breath. “Tried that.”
Pei Xuezhi knew Fu Chaoyun’s temperament. She had already started thinking of ways to help her decline, without any intention of persuading her otherwise from start to finish.
You know, Pei Xuezhi had always been a top student growing up!
“It’s an order from Madam Fu, can’t refuse.”
Even through the phone, Fu Chaoyun’s tone sounded dejected, giving the illusion of resignation. Pei Xuezhi paused. Because of her memories from her past life, she was also aware of that Madam Fu’s personality—she meant what she said4. Since the other party had made a decision, Fu Chaoyun would likely find it hard to escape.
Just as she was thinking, the fluffy kitty Nao Nao happened to jump onto her lap, rubbing its head against her other hand affectionately.
Feeling the soft touch, Pei Xuezhi couldn’t help but imagine the other cat looking crestfallen5 at this moment, even her beautiful fur drooping, her amber eyes dim.
Her fingertips twitched. Stroking the little cat before her, she was also stroking the big cat far away, unseen.
The Omega was no longer so cold; her eyes and tone were soaked in gentleness.
“Pat pat~”
This feeling of tenderness was simultaneously transmitted through the signal.
The other end seemed to have truly received it, and a comfortable and compliant soft hum came through, “Rubbing my head, let me be petted~”
Pei Xuezhi let out a soft chuckle.
How could she be so well-behaved?
Instantly, the hand stroking the kitty’s head became even gentler, comfortably kneading the tips of the little cat’s ears. Nao Nao also meowed, “Meow meow meow.”
As Pei Xuezhi was rua-ing6 the kitty, the big cat on the other end had just come to vent her frustrations and act spoiled with someone who cared about her. It didn’t take long for her to adjust her mood.
“Forget it,” Fu Chaoyun said. “After all, I’m part of this family too. I always have to bear some responsibility.”
“…Mm.”
Pei Xuezhi responded softly. She knew very well that Fu Chaoyun had an idle nature—if she could lie down, she’d absolutely never stand. But if given a reason to do something, she wouldn’t refuse either.
This was Fu Chaoyun’s unique “silent gentleness.”
Neither side spoke. For a moment, the night became quiet and beautiful.
“I will work hard.”
“I will help Jiejie.”
Suddenly, two voices spoke at the same time. Then both sides paused. Pei Xuezhi spoke first.
“Sorry.”
Fu Chaoyun: ?
Pei Xuezhi had suddenly realized that no matter how good her relationship with Fu Chaoyun was, even just Xingdong Entertainment belonged to the entire Fu Corporation. Right now, she didn’t have the right to interfere.
Perhaps she never would.
In her memory, Wen Wan had never helped Fu Lingfeng handle company affairs. Just now, she had overstepped.
Pei Xuezhi offered a tactful explanation, “My major doesn’t align, and I only have a partial understanding of the entertainment industry. I’m afraid I can’t be of much help…”
“What are you talking about.” Fu Chaoyun chuckled softly on the other end, seeming to know everything like the back of her hand7. “It’s not for the reason Zhizhi is thinking. Of course I believe in Zhizhi. Zhizhi is so smart, as long as Zhizhi wants to, anything can be done well, right?”
Fu Chaoyun knew very well that in the original plot, after Pei Xuezhi eliminated the obstacle of the Scumbag A, she later started from scratch8. Even though her major didn’t align, she was very successful.
It seemed Pei Xuezhi inherently had talent in this area?
And now.
Pei Xuezhi had heard plenty of such praise and trust growing up, but thinking that the person speaking now was Fu Chaoyun, the tips of her ears couldn’t help but feel hot.
Her cheeks were also slightly flushed, but she still replied, almost like a peacock spreading its tail9 in a showy manner, “Right.”
“I knew it!”
Fu Chaoyun’s voice sounded even prouder than hers. It shifted slightly as she added, “But these things are all so tiring. It’s enough for me to handle them alone. Zhizhi can go do things she likes…”
“I like making money right now,” Pei Xuezhi interrupted.
Fu Chaoyun: “…”
The air stiffened for a moment. Finally, Pei Xuezhi spoke, “The card I gave you doesn’t have enough money in it.”
Only the variety show payment had come through. The movie wasn’t finished filming yet, so the salary hadn’t been deposited.
It was too little.
She was someone who needed to support her wife now. Just that little bit of money wasn’t nearly enough…
Fu Chaoyun smiled, her amber, glass-like pupils soaking in the night, appearing exceptionally gentle.
The next sentence.
“That won’t do either.”
“…” Fu Chaoyun rarely used such a serious tone with her. Even Pei Xuezhi was stunned for a moment, asking blankly, “Why?”
Fu Chaoyun said righteously10, “If you come help me without even having a position, wouldn’t that be working for free11? Even blood brothers settle accounts clearly12. When I was loafing around—ahem, working—in the variety show department before, I was paid a salary too. No, no, we absolutely can’t let capitalists like Madam Fu profit immensely13 from our hard work!”
Pei Xuezhi: “…………”
Fu Chaoyun’s determination to fleece14 the family assets to expand their little home was undying!
“Anyway—”
Finally, Fu Chaoyun concluded, “If Zhizhi is really interested in this, you can learn slowly. Come help me when you’ve learned well.”
“Okay,” Pei Xuezhi agreed, then added, “It probably won’t take too long.”
“Mhm, mhm, I believe in Zhizhi’s talent.”
Fu Chaoyun replied casually, but it was also the truth. Wasn’t Pei Xuezhi’s successful experience from her past life right there as proof?
She thought that no matter how fast Pei Xuezhi acted, it would still take some time from agreeing to implementing. Perhaps just the time it took for textbooks to be delivered.
Unexpectedly, on the other end.
Nao Nao jumped directly onto Pei Xuezhi’s desk. A desk lamp was lit here. Pei Xuezhi had been reborn, possessing memories and experiences from her past life. And if Fu Chaoyun’s focus in this life was the entertainment industry…
On the desk lay several books related to the entertainment industry. One of them was open, already read more than twenty pages in. Beside it was newly printed material, still emitting the scent of ink.
Pei Xuezhi was never one to act without purpose15. She had been looking through these even before Fu Chaoyun called to whine.
On one hand, Fu Chaoyun was indeed involved in this area now, and she might be able to help. On the other hand, even if Fu Chaoyun didn’t need it, given her current funds, connections, and speed of earning money, using the entertainment industry as a base to acquire her first pot of gold16 was also quite good.
Neither of them stated it explicitly, yet both were striving towards the same future, a beautiful future that included both ‘you’ and ‘me’.
A tacit understanding, secretly harboring romance.
Fu Chaoyun completed her daily dose of whining and complaining. The two chatted about some relatively lighter topics.
Fu Chaoyun mentioned that although she had been forcibly assigned a task by Madam Fu, she had also gotten her revenge.
“How did you get revenge?” Pei Xuezhi chatted idly with Fu Chaoyun too.
The books could be read whenever she had spare time; this person couldn’t wait.
Fu Chaoyun was quite pleased with herself. “Didn’t I hold Nao Nao today? She walked right over to talk to me, and after speaking, she even wanted to pat my shoulder encouragingly, but she got choked up by the cat hair Nao Nao left behind.”
“…” Pei Xuezhi thought of Madam Fu’s cat hair allergy and her forceful personality. She somehow felt Fu Chaoyun wouldn’t end up getting the better end of the deal.
Still, she asked.
“And then?”
“Then I got told off by Dad. Just a little bit, nothing serious. But he still told me that from now on, after holding the kitty, I must take a shower immediately upon returning home and not casually wander around in front of Madam Fu.”
“Pat pat.” Having said it once, it became much easier for Pei Xuezhi to say these two words again.
However, Gu Huaiyi was probably the one in the Fu family who doted on Fu Chaoyun the most. But when Madam Fu was uncomfortable, he would still side with her, educating his child. His favoritism was crystal clear.
Pei Xuezhi sighed, “Their relationship is really good.”
“Yeah, that’s why Madam Fu does nothing now, dumping all the work on my sister—oh, and now adding me—and just went off to live in their own little world with my Dad…”
Fu Chaoyun rambled on for a while, then suddenly said, “Don’t envy others. Our relationship is very good too.”
“Mm.” A hint of laughter colored Pei Xuezhi’s voice.
Fu Chaoyun sighed again, “It would be even better if Pei Xuezhi let me get promoted.”
“That depends on Jiejie’s performance then.”
Pei Xuezhi’s heart had already softened considerably. Now, all that was missing was an opportunity to be together openly and legitimately. But perhaps keeping things dangling was best for now; she still said this.
The two didn’t dwell on this issue for too long. Fu Chaoyun suddenly mentioned again, “If I hired Zhizhi to work at Xingdong…”
Pei Xuezhi: “Hm?”
“Then couldn’t we play office Play?”
Pei Xuezhi: “…”
One couldn’t overestimate a certain someone’s moral integrity.
“Like the domineering CEO and the little secretary? Tsk, thinking about it this way, suddenly this Xingdong Executive CEO identity seems pretty good.” Fu Chaoyun cheered up again.
“Mm.” Pei Xuezhi smiled along with her. “But does Jiejie think that’s enough?”
“?”
When speaking with Fu Chaoyun, Pei Xuezhi’s voice softened slightly, carrying the warmth of being alive.
Especially when calling her “Jiejie.”
Completely different from how a certain little sparrow chirped “Zhizhi Zhizhi” all day long, Pei Xuezhi mostly omitted Fu Chaoyun’s name or used “you.” Only under specific circumstances would she call her “Jiejie.”
It wasn’t overused, which made this address sound exceptionally tender and alluring each time it was mentioned.
It was the same now.
The Omega’s voice lowered again, seeming to have fewer emotional ripples, but if one listened closely, she was speaking the most bewitching words in the coldest tone.
“Then Jiejie might as well think further: the wife of a bankrupt company’s boss and the big CEO of the acquiring party, the employee’s wife and the supervisor, or hiding under the desk during a meeting…”
!!!
For a moment, Fu Chaoyun couldn’t even believe these were words that the Pei Xuezhi of the past could say.
Hearing no reply for a long time, Pei Xuezhi lowered her voice tenderly, once again enticing the person, “Doesn’t Jiejie want to?”
“I do!”
No more pretending, laying the cards on the table, everyone’s an LSP17!
Pei Xuezhi’s laughter became clearer, light and smooth. “Then Jiejie needs to work harder. After all, I’m very expensive.”
For a moment, even the phone seemed to become scorching hot, perhaps from the long call, or perhaps—
Fu Chaoyun was humming and hawing on the other end, even clamoring, “Hmph, sooner or later I’ll make you divorce your original wife and be with me!”
Someone was getting addicted to cuckolding18 herself.
Pei Xuezhi looked up. Her desk faced a window. The curtains were drawn open now, revealing the scattered starlight in the night sky outside.
Like someone’s bright, sparkling eyes.
“Jiejie, I’m waiting.”
Having been comforted19 by Pei Xuezhi, Fu Chaoyun slept well the entire night.
The next day, at Xingdong Entertainment.
The new Executive CEO officially took office20!
The author has something to say:
Today is also sweet sweet, good night in advance la w
Footnotes
- 甩手掌柜 | shuǎi shǒu zhǎngguì | Idiom for a boss/manager who delegates everything and doesn’t get involved in the details.
- 陀螺似的连轴转 | tuóluó shìde liánzhóuzhuàn | Lit. “spinning continuously like a gyroscope”; Describes being extremely busy without rest.
- 大吐苦水 | dà tǔ kǔshuǐ | Lit. “spit out bitter water”; To vent one’s grievances or complaints.
- 说一不二 | shuō yī bù èr | Lit. “say one, not two”; Means one’s word is law, decisive, stands by one’s decisions.
- 垂头丧气 | chuí tóu sàng qì | Lit. “hang head, lose spirit”; Dejected, crestfallen.
- rua | rua | Onomatopoeia/internet slang for petting or squishing something soft and cute, like a cat.
- 了若指掌 | liǎo ruò zhǐ zhǎng | Lit. “understand like pointing to the palm”; To know something very well.
- 白手起家 | bái shǒu qǐ jiā | Lit. “start family with white hands”; To build up from nothing, start from scratch.
- 孔雀开屏 | kǒngquè kāi píng | Lit. “peacock opens its screen (tail)”; Often used metaphorically to describe showing off or displaying one’s merits proudly.
- 理直气壮 | lǐ zhí qì zhuàng | Lit. “reason straight, qi strong”; To be self-confident because one is in the right; bold and assured.
- 打白工 | dǎ bái gōng | Lit. “do white work”; To work for free, without pay.
- 亲兄弟还明算账 | qīn xiōngdì hái míng suànzhàng | Lit. “even real brothers still calculate accounts clearly”; Even close relatives/friends should keep financial matters clear.
- 赚个盆满钵满 | zhuàn ge pén mǎn bō mǎn | Lit. “earn until basins and bowls are full”; To make a huge profit.
- 薅 | hāo | Slang, originally meaning “to pull out (weeds/hair)”, extended to mean taking advantage of loopholes/benefits, getting freebies, or “fleecing”.
- 无的放矢 | wú dì fàng shǐ | Lit. “shoot arrow without target”; To act aimlessly or speak without relevance.
- 第一桶金 | dì yī tǒng jīn | Lit. “first bucket of gold”; The first significant amount of money earned, seed capital.
- LSP | LSP | Abbreviation for 老色批 (lǎo sè pī), internet slang for a “dirty old man” or generally someone lecherous/perverted, often used playfully.
- 绿 | lǜ | Lit. “green”; Internet slang meaning “to cuckold” or “to be cuckolded” (wearing a green hat).
- 顺毛 | shùnmáo | Lit. “smooth the fur”; To comfort, appease, or soothe someone, like petting a cat.
- 走马上任 | zǒumǎ shàngrèn | Lit. “ride horse to take up post”; To take up a new official post, often implying eagerness or immediacy.
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