A Disguised Scum Alpha Marked Her Aloof Ex-Wife - Chapter 17

Silence.

“Is it enough?”

Multi-colored jewels refracted a sharp, piercing light. Zhu Yu kept her face lowered, watching them scatter across the floor, their edges almost slicing through the dust.

Of course it was enough. She should have felt happy; after all, she had dreamed of a windfall before. So many of her dreams began with the phrase, “Once I have money…”

She drifted into a crouch, picking up the dust-covered gems one by one.

The manager at Paradis had said that if you want to succeed, you have to lower your posture and set aside your dignity. So, it didn’t matter if she was cursed at or made to face difficulties.

Zhu Yu truly didn’t mind. It went in one ear and out the other. If someone’s insults were particularly foul, she would simply hypnotize herself into believing they were insulting “Zhu Yu”—what did that have to do with her, “Xiao Yu”?

But Bai Shuzhou was different.

Every word she spoke was taken to heart, becoming exceptionally clear, chewed over repeatedly even if it brought pain.

Her heart full of joy and anticipation had been exchanged for… jewelry.

To put it that way seemed a bit too ungrateful.

After a long silence, Zhu Yu choked out: “You really are rich.” It was a short, heavy sigh.

Working two jobs a day, plus freelance repairs—the money she had scraped together bit by bit looked laughable in the face of these expensive jewels.

Bai Shuzhou hadn’t even blinked. These jewels she gave away so casually held no special meaning; including the ring Zhu Yu wore so solemnly on her hand, to her, they were perhaps like one-yuan coins.

Something to be tossed into the air; if lost, not worth a second thought.

Then what about Zhu Yu? What was her status?

She was the ex-wife who hadn’t yet signed the confirmation papers, the “Star of the Commoners” who was famous in name only. According to the original plot of the book, in the future, she would be a traitor, a prisoner, and the “tragic foil” for all the other suitors.

Peaceful days had lasted too long, and the house was too small. They were forced to be close—so close that she had somehow forgotten they were not equals.

Zhu Yu looked up and saw indifference in Bai Shuzhou’s eyes. Their gazes met; even though Zhu Yu was standing and Bai Shuzhou was sitting, the disparity between them felt completely reversed, a world apart.

Bai Shuzhou asked: “Not enough?”

Zhu Yu shook her head.

“What else do you want?”

“I don’t know,” Zhu Yu pinched her wrist. She always felt things shouldn’t be like this between them, as if sincerity were nothing more than a clearly marked price—just worth a bit more than others.

Ever since she was a child, her elder sister had warned her that everything in the world has its price; if you want to get something, you must pay for it. Do not long for what you cannot have.

Zhu Yu toyed with a gemstone and asked in a low voice, “Then what can I do for you?”

Bai Shuzhou’s clenched hand relaxed slightly. She was satisfied with Zhu Yu’s soft, submissive retreat. This was how things should be. Power, money, and transaction were the sturdiest reins; only when held firmly in the palm could one feel at ease.

“Just be obedient,” she said, looking down, her voice nonchalant.

“Oh,” Zhu Yu said. “I will be obedient.”

She gathered the gems without an ounce of pride and turned back to finish cooking.

Bai Shuzhou preferred light flavors, so Zhu Yu maliciously grabbed a large handful of chili peppers. She shook some off, then some more, until finally only two remained. Satisfied at last, she tossed them into the hot oil for flavor.

The stinging spice still nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Why? Her “first love” had just been sold by her own hands.

Alright, she couldn’t call it a first love. It was just a one-sided crush. And if her kindness toward her wasn’t for money, but to make the other person like her, that seemed… even more despicable.

Given Bai Shuzhou’s circumstances, every single one of her suitors was far superior to Zhu Yu. Even the original “Scum Alpha” version of herself had a bright future and knew exactly how to please a girl.

A mocking voice whispered in the back of her mind: At least you made a massive profit. What are you unsatisfied about? Thank Miss Bai Shuzhou for the “champagne tower” she cashed out; Miss Bai will cover all your expenses for the rest of your life!

She had finally received a “full-house” request from a guest—the very first time… How awful! The cooking smoke made her choke, and Zhu Yu couldn’t help but laugh and cough at the same time.

Watching the girl’s trembling shoulders, the woman in the wheelchair frowned slightly. Her lips parted and closed before she shut her book once more.

Before the smell of the cooking smoke could drift away, her gaze suddenly sharpened and lifted.

Messy footsteps approached from outside, followed by… murderous intent.

Chirp, chirp—

A tiny bright-yellow bird stumbled into the courtyard, fluttering in circles. There was a clear trace of blood on its beak, and its teary, bead-like eyes met Bai Shuzhou’s.

Chirp!

The little bird shook with fear. Seeming to reach a sudden decision, it flew straight toward Bai Shuzhou. The woman gently raised her hand to catch its landing.

Bai Shuzhou used a handkerchief to wipe the blood from its beak and asked softly: “Is someone bullying you?”

She was incredibly gentle.

“Oh, a little bird,” Zhu Yu turned around, subconsciously stealing a few glances at Bai Shuzhou.

Bai Shuzhou seemed to be gentle to everyone—except her.

The location of this courtyard was quite remote. Usually, very few people came by, and small animals rarely visited.

The little bird nudged Bai Shuzhou’s hand with tears in its eyes, gesturing frantically. It spread its trimmed wings, tapped its head with its beak, and then covered its mouth, chirping hoarsely.

It was filing a complaint.

Before Bai Shuzhou could respond, the sound of cursing and banging on the door erupted from outside the courtyard.

The violent noise startled Zhu Yu. She gripped the spatula tightly, and a drop of hot oil almost splashed onto her hand.

“This little beast! How dare it run away after biting me!”

“It’s tired of living. This time we must teach it a lesson.”

“Don’t hit the face, or it won’t sell for a good price.”

“Open the door! If you don’t open up, we’re setting it on fire!”

The little bird buried its entire head into its wings, shivering as it huddled in Bai Shuzhou’s palm.

Organized crime! Zhu Yu’s head buzzed as she recalled the various terrifying rumors Xiao Shan had mentioned.

Bai Shuzhou shielded the bird with both hands, her gaze darkening.

This little bird was one of her subjects, yet it had been lured and trafficked by star pirates, then abused to this point.

Vines thinned into sharp thorns; high-level pheromones were about to descend. Bai Shuzhou was about to act when Zhu Yu hurriedly scooped her up and carried her back to the bed. She nervously tucked in the woman’s tail, made a “shh” sign to the bird, and pulled the white gauze curtain shut.

There was a commotion outside; by the sound of it, there were at least seven or eight people.

Zhu Yu turned the stove flame to its maximum. The pungent smell of smoke quickly spread, masking all sensitive scents.

Gripping the spatula, she opened the door just before the lock was completely deformed.

The courtyard, already filled with scrap metal, suddenly became very crowded.

The leader, wearing a black hat, scanned the area. He was relatively polite: “Have you seen a bird? She owes us money.”

Zhu Yu answered instantly: “No!”

“Bullshit! Are you blind? I saw it fly in here with my own eyes!”

A “Cyclops” with an electronic prosthetic eye raised an electric baton, forcing Zhu Yu to step back. His eyes were full of contempt as he spat to the side: “Another half-breed that won’t sell for much.”

Zhu Yu fell silent. She was amazed. Could beast-men, Federals, and mixed-bloods really be distinguished just by smell?

Zhu Yu asked: “Is your Excellency… a pure-blood Federal?”

It looked like a “show-grade” one, too.

“Heh, at least you have some taste. Hand over that bird-person quickly, or I’ll burn your house down.”

Zhu Yu moved unobtrusively to block the door of the shack, saying calmly: “I really haven’t seen the person you’re talking about. Times are hard enough as it is; why would I go looking for trouble?”

The Cyclops frowned: “You’re all Imperials. Who knows if you’re covering for each other?”

Zhu Yu squeezed some money in her hand. She bypassed the Cyclops and secretly stuffed the money to the person in the black hat; it was obvious she was the boss.

“It wasn’t easy for you all to come out here. I understand the rules of the road. Let me buy everyone a drink. As you can see, I’m just an honest, law-abiding repair technician. Maybe we can cooperate in the future.”

The Black Hat squinted at her and weighed the pouch. It had some heft to it.

Zhu Yu was also sizing them up. They all wore the same metal triangular armbands—seemingly a smuggling organization she had seen at the bar.

“A repair technician?”

The Black Hat exhaled a cloud of murky air. Seeing Zhu Yu’s cowardly appearance, she didn’t look like someone with the courage to resist. She half-closed her eyes and waved her hand: “Routine inspection.”

Lacking an exhaust fan, the spicy air from the cooking made the Black Hat cover her nose in discomfort. Her back was turned to Zhu Yu, and several needle marks were visible on the back of her neck.

Her underlings pushed Zhu Yu aside, barged in, and began rummaging through everything.

Zhu Yu stood in front of the bed, smiling and rubbing her hands. “See? There’s really nothing here. I was just cooking when you all suddenly showed up. Which ‘mountain’ are you friends from? Red Wing or Liquid Three…?”

The Black Hat didn’t answer. Her sharp gaze turned toward the white gauze: “And who’s on the bed?”

Zhu Yu’s face was plastered with a smile: “It’s my wife.”

“Poor as a dog and you still have a wife?” The Cyclops sneered, kicking the wheelchair nearby. “A half-breed paired with a cripple.”

Zhu Yu’s smile became very strained. Her lowered hands were pinched until they were white.

“This wheelchair must have cost a fortune, right?” A green-haired man exclaimed. He approached, sat on it arrogantly, and asked the others: “The latest PT300? The 380,000-coin model?”

“?! For real?” A woman in a leather jacket cursed. “Repairs make that much money? No way.”

Zhu Yu was also stunned. Nan Gong had given this to Bai Shuzhou. Feeling awkward about it, she had paid 18,000 coins for it—that was the price Nan Gong had quoted.

“Holy shit, it’s the high-end version with Rose rims!”

“Get lost, let me sit on it too…!”

In the middle of the ruckus, the Black Hat looked at Zhu Yu, her eyes as sharp as an eagle’s. “How did you get your hands on this?”

The latest advanced equipment shouldn’t be appearing on this backward planet at all. The locals probably hadn’t even heard of anti-gravity systems.

Zhu Yu hadn’t heard of it either; she only found out when she saw Bai Shuzhou use it.

Eighteen thousand coins. Zhu Yu had once thought it was incredibly expensive. She had naively believed Bai Shuzhou was worth it.

Nan Gong had given such an expensive gift… she was so rich.

Zhu Yu lowered her head. Her already low mood sank further. Even the “wife” she had just called out so boldly and secretly couldn’t save her spirits.

The title felt like something she had stolen, something she could only utter in these irregular moments. It was a tacit “painting over of peace” where she didn’t have to worry about Bai Shuzhou getting angry.

She said vaguely: “I have a partnership with Paradis. I asked someone to buy it for me.”

“Paradis?”

The Black Hat gave Zhu Yu a long look, then raised a hand to stop her subordinates’ antics. “Pull the curtain. A quick look.”

Among the vicious smugglers, the silent Black Hat was definitely the most “human.” She was almost reasonable, standing out from those around her.

But their condescending gazes clearly viewed people as commodities, calling Imperials “beasts” with every breath.

Zhu Yu spread her arms to block the white gauze, refusing to budge. “No. My wife is shy. You’ll scare her.”

The Black Hat stared fixedly at Zhu Yu: “Don’t make me say it twice.”

She emitted a bone-chilling, murderous aura. In that split second of eye contact, a powerful sense of crisis surged through Zhu Yu. She had an instinctive feeling: Black Hat must have been a soldier, and a high-ranking one at that.

Why would someone like this end up as a smuggler?

Zhu Yu swallowed hard. She used her foot to hook a small bag of private savings from under the bed—the small portion she hadn’t told Bai Shuzhou about.

“Sister, really, it’s not okay. Do you know Captain Xiao? We’ve had drinks together before. Give me some leeway.”

“If it were you, you surely wouldn’t want your wife being stared at by so many people. It’s just bullying.”

The Black Hat didn’t move. The Cyclops grinned and took the money bag for her. He patted Zhu Yu’s face: “Oh, we’re bullying you. So what? Go ahead and complain to that guy Xiao!”

The dusty palm slapped against her face. The humiliation was far greater than the pain. The girl bit her lip and, under everyone’s gaze, actually started smiling again. “Then just bully me. Don’t bully my wife.”

At Paradis, she had encountered many people like this. You just had to go along with whatever they said. Hearing this, the Cyclops frowned in disgust. Naturally losing interest, he sneered: “Spineless coward. Are all Imperials this soft? Truly domestic animals. Beg me—”

“Beg you.” These two words cost absolutely nothing. Just as Zhu Yu was about to speak, the woman behind the white gauze barked coldly:

“Zhu Yu, step back!”

Her voice was… clear and noble, worth more than that little oriole.

The Cyclops’s expression changed instantly. He licked his lips and lowered his voice: “Boss.”

“This brat is so nervous. I bet it’s not a ‘wife’ at all. She was probably bought, too. If we turn her around and sell her…”

Zhu Yu’s floor mat was being trampled and dirtied by them. Now, it was hooked up by a boot tip. A raspy voice was full of greed: “She must be valuable cargo. She doesn’t even dare to touch her herself.”

Her long-taut nerves finally snapped. Zhu Yu could endure no more: “Shut up!”

“I said, this is my wife. This is my bottom line. If you dare utter another foul word—”

“Look at her act! What, Master Repairman? Are you going to fix us with your little wrench and screwdriver?” The green-haired man led the group in a roar of laughter.

Zhu Yu forcefully swiped away their hands as they reached for the white gauze. Every muscle in her body was tense.

She absolutely could not let these people see Bai Shuzhou.

She clenched her fists and challenged the Black Hat: “Let’s settle this one-on-one in the courtyard. If I win… ugh!”

Thud.

Before she could finish, the Cyclops launched a sneak attack from behind without warning. He kicked her in the waist with enough force to send her flying, crashing into a pile of appliances.

Only the most foolishly naive youth would believe the lie of a “one-on-one” fight. Group ambushes were always more efficient.

The Black Hat gave the Cyclops a warning glance, and he immediately retreated sheepishly. “Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll leave once the inspection is finished. We won’t touch your family.”

The Black Hat reached out to pull the gauze. Her fingertips stopped an inch away from the fabric, her brow furrowing even tighter.

Years of experience in blood-soaked battles made her sense an incredibly dense murderous intent, a coldness so intense it could freeze one’s thoughts.

The scent of roses filled the entire room in an instant. Her calves actually began to shake uncontrollably.

She had felt this way once before on the “First Battlefield” years ago. No, this time it was even more terrifying.

The Black Hat also released her pheromones. Her dominant “Pink Pepper” scent was completely smothered by the rose aroma, left without any power to resist.

Just who was this?!

The chip inside her body whirred at high speed, growing faintly hot. Just as she was about to pull the gauze open by force, a piercing whirring sound struck first, stabbing deep into her eardrums.

The Black Hat lunged back, turning her head in shock. The girl who had just been kicked aside had already scrambled up with startling speed. If she had been just a second slower, her arm would have been severed entirely.

Against the light, the girl who had been curled in pain was now wielding a chainsaw. Her slender frame was stretched long by the darkness. Her eyes were rimmed with red, looking exactly like a predator driven to the edge, ready to snap their necks at any moment.

“I really… I really don’t want to kill anyone.”

“Why must you force me?”

“Apologize to her. Apologize to my wife!”

Her dark eyes scanned the group, forming a sharp contrast with the chainsaw. her hands were incredibly steady. She swept the blade across; stray hairs drifted down. If she had shifted even slightly, heads would have rolled on the spot.

The previously boasting star pirates stared with wide, terrified eyes. Facing death, they screamed in terror, their legs turning to jelly. They tried to flee but were pinned down by some invisible pressure, unable to even crawl.

Zhu Yu pointedly stepped over the Cyclops.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! We were wrong! It was our foul mouths!”

“I’m sorry! Spare us, ahhhh!!”

Only the Black Hat remained standing. She turned her face stiffly, her pitch-black eyes staring fixedly at Zhu Yu. A moment later, she whispered as if in an epiphany: “It’s you?”

Just now, that woman had called her… Zhu Yu.

The Black Hat didn’t fear the chainsaw. Her icy gaze remained tracked on the girl. She then pulled off her oversized jacket, revealing an arm encased in a silver-white mechanical exoskeleton.

Military-grade exoskeleton. The joints whirred, revealing a dark gun muzzle.

“I didn’t originally want to use this. But for you—”

This time, Zhu Yu had learned her lesson. She didn’t wait for her to finish before launching a sneak attack. She tossed the chainsaw aside and lunged, pinning her by the throat while her elbow struck the joint with a hammer-blow, forcing it to bend and fold.

Adrenaline surged. In the face of a death threat, infinite courage burst forth.

Bai Shuzhou was right behind her. She couldn’t lose. She would win!

“You’re threatening me with this thing? Do you know who I am?”

No one understands mechanical structures better than a repair technician. How they operate, where the weaknesses lie—it was all there in black and white in the books, crystal clear. The principles are always the same.

Furthermore, it was just an exoskeleton. She had fixed several of them while apprenticing with White Horse!

The veins on the back of her hand bulged as she landed punch after punch. She gave her no chance to fight back. The black hat had long since flown to the ground, crushed beyond recognition.

Her slender frame was tense like an arrow about to leave the string. Long-suppressed grievance and rage exploded in an instant. A clear “clack” sounded from the Black Hat’s body.

“Apologize, you rude bastards! How could you… how did you dare insult her like that?!”

Bai Shuzhou was the bright moon, not to be coveted or disrespected by anyone.

They must have terrified her. Poor Princess; why must she endure such humiliation even while following me?

With one last punch, teeth tumbled out along with the rush of wind. Zhu Yu stopped, took a deep breath, and belatedly realized she might have hit a bit too hard.

She had been very careful not to hit the temples or any vital spots.

She was just defending herself, and protecting her family.

Except for Zhu Yu, everyone else was pinned by an invisible spiritual force, unable to move. The Black Hat spat out a mouthful of blood, her voice raspy: “Zhu Yu… Zhu Yu… It really is you!”

The white gauze was pushed open from the inside. The “frail” Princess in Zhu Yu’s eyes was looking down at them, her gaze as indifferent as if she were watching a group of dead men.

Zhu Yu looked back, her eyes meeting those pale blue ones. She instinctively put on a harmless smile and hurriedly hid her blood-stained hands behind her back, comforting her softly:

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of this very soon!”

The cold glacier melted. The woman looked down, her lips curving into a tiny, tiny arc.

“Okay.”