A Disguised Scum Alpha Marked Her Aloof Ex-Wife - Chapter 18

The loser has only one fate: death.

Black Hat lay slumped on the ground, her lungs burning with a searing pain. Her nose was likely broken, and the blood masking her face made every breath a struggle.

She watched sullenly as Zhu Yu disassembled the exoskeleton from her left arm using nothing more than an electric screwdriver. The oppressive scent of roses began to recede, and Zhu Yu used synthetic fiber rope to bind their hands and feet tightly.

Black Hat closed her eyes.

In official reports, this “Star of the Commoners”—born of low status and ordinary talent—always wore a sun-drenched smile: confident, flamboyant, and ambitious. On the day of her decoration, she stood upon the highest podium and told the world, “All things are possible; never give up hope.”

She had said the same thing right before she slaughtered those defenseless, surrendered Federal scientists.

Zhu Yu’s medals were stained with the blood of her comrades, and the elite scientists she killed had been perhaps only a step away from solving the great problems of human progress.

With such a thick, dangerous rose scent, how could she be just a D-grade Alpha? The cunning Imperials had clearly falsified her data to mislead the enemy!

Black Hat never imagined that this oppressive, aggressive pheromone actually came from an Omega.

Inside the white gauze, the little oriole transformed into human form, hiding in the woman’s arms and weeping. Zhu Yu paced anxiously, trying to offer comfort, but whenever she drew near, the girl’s sobbing softened noticeably as she shivered in fear.

Zhu Yu let out a low sigh and turned toward Black Hat.

The woman lifted her head, blinking hard to clear her vision so she could memorize this demon’s face.

But the girl’s expression was faint, like a sigh. She poured a handful of colorful pills from a sealed bag and forced them down Black Hat’s throat.

What is this?! Black Hat struggled violently, her wrists already rubbed raw and bloody. She glared at Zhu Yu, watching her drag her subordinates out of the courtyard and bind them together with brute force.

Midway, Zhu Yu frowned slightly, clutching her waist and adjusting her posture to keep her spine straighter.

The woman on the bed watched, her eyes flickering. She patted the oriole gently and whispered a few words. A moment later, the girl wiped her tears and stepped out. Zhu Yu rubbed her hair and offered a smile. “No need to thank me!”

She assumed the girl had come to show gratitude, but the girl merely pursed her lips shyly, bowed, and began helping her move the bodies.

Black Hat focused her mind, feeling a burning sensation in her stomach. Zhu Yu’s poison is starting to take effect… how will she torture us?

She waited, expecting the arrival of death.

However, after Zhu Yu finished tying them all in the courtyard, she simply told the young girl to wash her hands, pointedly using soap several times, before turning back to continue cooking.

Having fought people for the first time, Zhu Yu’s hands were still shaking now that the tension had broken. She hid her panic behind her daily routine, trying hard to act normal and project a reliable sense of security.

But her voice lowered unconsciously, sounding magnetic as she asked:

“Do you have any dietary restrictions? Do you eat onions, ginger, garlic, or chili?”

“Oh, then go ahead and serve the rice. There are no guests, so just three bowls. Put the lid back on the rice cooker when you’re done.”

Bai Shuzhou couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

Zhu Yu caught the tiny smile and smiled along, exhaling a soft breath. From being restless with anxiety to burying her head in her food—swallowing large mouthfuls—her hovering heart finally touched the ground.

The scent of home cooking drifted out the window, as if the chaos of the world had nothing to do with this place. Filling one’s stomach was the most important thing in the universe.

The fragrance reached the courtyard. The starving smugglers salivated frantically, their lips soon becoming parched and cracked.

After the meal, the oriole stole a timid glance at Bai Shuzhou. Upon receiving permission, she brought out some water and fed it to the Cyclops. The woman gave her a piercing look before drinking greedily.

“Argh… so hot, it’s burning…! You damn… what did you put in the water?!!!”

“Give me water, water, please, I beg you, argh…!!”

The oriole had almost shrunk back several times, but seeing these aggressive star pirates weeping and begging for mercy, she blinked slowly.

There was no joy of revenge, but she still took out the remaining chili oil and fairly splattered it across everyone’s faces. Her movements were much swifter this time.

A yard full of “caterpillars” began to struggle and writhe frantically.

Zhu Yu’s eyes widened in surprise, but Bai Shuzhou remained expressionless, unsurprised, looking back down at her book.

The oriole’s name was Mo Jingchun—a beautiful name. She had received a talent scout’s card on her way home from work, claiming that if she passed a singing audition, she could settle in the Federation and become a star.

It was one of many scams designed to capture Imperials, “train” them, and sell them as exotic pets.

Zhu Yu listened with growing horror, suddenly remembering the training class Mao Mao had signed up for. The process and tactics were identical.

They had fallen into an abyss while full of longing.

By the time Bai Shuzhou finished bandaging the little bird, the sky outside was pitch black. The girl insisted on going home, saying someone was waiting for her. Zhu Yu had no choice but to escort her out.

“Are you… Zhu Yu?” the girl asked softly on the way, finally daring to speak to her.

Zhu Yu nodded. Her mind was a mess, but she couldn’t show it. Her waist was still aching dully; that bastard who blindsided her had truly struck to kill.

“I’ve heard your name,” the girl’s voice was soft and full of hope, as if she were looking up at a noble savior. “You’re so powerful. You’ll rescue the others, won’t you? There’s an auction tomorrow night. If they’re sold, they’ll never be able to go home! Please…”

I’m sorry, I’m not the Zhu Yu you’re expecting. They have a massive industry, maybe even an army, and I only have a chainsaw.

But facing that sparkling gaze, those words stuck in her throat like gum. Zhu Yu was terrible at saying no; she could only nod in silence.

The girl’s family wept together. Two mothers insisted on thrusting a gold necklace upon her. Zhu Yu naturally refused. Though her physical stats were now good enough to kill an ox, she was nearly crushed by the enthusiastic relatives and was forced to leave with a bag of snacks.

Bai Shuzhou would like them.

Zhu Yu hesitated by Helan’s small shop, seeing the lights were off. She remembered Helan had taken He Ming to her grandmother’s house and didn’t know when they’d be back.

Besides, Helan had helped them so much; she shouldn’t drag them into such a dangerous affair.

The night breeze cooled her overheated head. Zhu Yu took a deep breath, thinking of a certain woman.

Transmigrating as a villainous cannon fodder, becoming a wanted criminal, beating up smugglers… the events of the last few days were more exciting than the first half of her life combined.

Zhu Yu gave a small laugh.

Returning home, the courtyard was quiet, though a pair of sharp eyes was glaringly obvious. This time Zhu Yu wasn’t startled. Seeing Black Hat wriggling as if to make a scene and disturb the “dragon’s” dreams, she pulled the cloth from the woman’s mouth and said irritably, “What is it?”

The blood on Black Hat’s face had stopped; the medicine from the small workshop was effective. She stared at her with a complex gaze. “You’re not killing me?”

Zhu Yu asked, “If I kill you, will those kidnapped children be released?”

Black Hat: “No.”

Zhu Yu sighed. “Then that’s that. Killing you serves no purpose other than venting anger.”

She wanted to be like a great heroine, hauling Black Hat along to destroy the enemy nest overnight, saving innocent youths and bringing criminals to justice. That’s how it happened in movies.

But she couldn’t. In movies, there was another path—the path of the cannon fodder.

No one liked that kind of plot. She wasn’t a spirited Tiger General or a resourceful Fox Politician. She was just a villainous cannon fodder, a mere bridge in Bai Shuzhou’s story; she didn’t even measure up to Nan Gong.

Protecting Bai Shuzhou, getting her home safely, praying for her crimes to be forgiven, and then leaving—that would be enough.

She had made her plans long ago.

Step aside gracefully, use her craft to settle down, build a small home of her own, and have four dishes and a soup every day.

Zhu Yu pushed open the door, brought out the piggy bank, and counted. She knew the amount exactly: it wasn’t enough for a starship ticket.

But there were the jewels. Bai Shuzhou’s jewels.

Thank goodness… there are jewels.

Perhaps after sending Bai Shuzhou away, she would take the money and run. She could flee to the Federation, to a distant planet. This money would be enough for the rest of her life, and she wouldn’t have to live in fear anymore.

The girl stood against the light, holding that pathetically worn piggy bank.

“Zhu Yu,” the woman’s cold voice called softly. Vines climbed her shoulder, hesitant. “Are you crying?”

“No,” Zhu Yu turned and smiled at her. “You’re not asleep yet.”

A vine hooked her hem, revealing the purple bruises on her waist. The light was soft, and the woman’s gaze softened too. Under the watch of those pale blue eyes, Zhu Yu suddenly felt the wound sting; even her breathing grew heavy.

The floor mat was dirty. She sat by the bed and used her ability to treat herself. The hooks for the white gauze were loose and kept drooping. In the flickering lamplight, pale knuckles pressed against the back of the girl’s hand, guiding it down a few inches.

Warm, gentle, with the texture of jade.

Zhu Yu’s gaze involuntarily followed the red mole on the woman’s wrist before she hurriedly pulled away, looking down as the warm light faded at her waist.

Black Hat’s team was missing. The star pirates would definitely send people to search.

Zhu Yu said dully, “It’s dangerous here. I want to send you away first, then you can send people to investigate the smuggling here. Only you can save them.”

“Okay.” The cold voice descended, sounding exceptionally gentle in the night, stilling all of Zhu Yu’s frantic thoughts about danger. Her heart quieted.

Thump, thump.

Heartbeats echoed in the silent room.

Those pale blue eyes watched her, and she asked, “We… not together?”

“Oh, right. We.”

Zhu Yu pinched her wrist. This “we” gave her a very subtle feeling. Her heart began to ache, her voice tightening as she asked tentatively: “Then we’ll leave together, rescue them, and then…”

A tiny shift in tone.

“And then… can you not kill me?”

She felt embarrassed asking such a thing at a time like this, but the woman froze for a moment and then slowly smiled, as if finding the request very interesting.

It wasn’t like Zhu Yu at all.

No—it was exactly like Zhu Yu.

After Bai Shuzhou fell asleep, Zhu Yu gingerly lifted the tail that was wrapped around her, tucked in the blanket carefully, and pushed open the door.

Without her noticing, the smugglers in the courtyard had vanished without a trace. Zhu Yu started in horror, then caught sight of a tall silhouette on the high wall.

Under the moonlight, with her red hair vibrant, Nan Gong smiled. “No wonder you sought me out in the middle of the night. This is indeed a massive piece of business.”

“That’s not what I was talking about!”

Nan Gong spread her hands. “Whatever. It’s all the same.”

“Who exactly are you? Federal military, or a smuggler?”

Nan Gong leaped gracefully from the wall. “Please, don’t compare me to those wastes.”

Zhu Yu didn’t want to waste any more words. Time was tight. If they moved fast enough, Bai Shuzhou’s people might be able to stop tomorrow night’s auction.

“I want two tickets back to the Empire. Ideally, ones that allow a transfer to the Imperial Star.”

“Your chips aren’t worth that much.”

“I have money, and a bag of jewels. Top-quality grade. Enough to buy several energy planets and have change to spare.”

Nan Gong opened the bag to inspect, shaking it casually. Her gaze swept over the girl and the closed door behind her, flashing a grin. “Not enough. I want something more valuable.”

Zhu Yu clenched her fists. “Don’t push it too far!”

Nan Gong said with a smile, “You’re the one asking for a favor, darling.”

Her gaze drifted to the ring on Zhu Yu’s hand, her expression suggestive.

This was given by Bai Shuzhou! Zhu Yu immediately covered it warily, refusing to let her covet it.

Nan Gong gave a light “tsk” and spread her hands. “Are you trading or not? My time is very precious.”

Zhu Yu grit her teeth. After a moment’s hesitation, she reached into her inner pocket, pulled out that medal of military merit, and held it out.

It wasn’t the first time she had hocked it, yet she felt a sudden, intense sense of shame. Her heart raced, and even her breathing slowed.

Nan Gong glanced at the medal nonchalantly and chuckled. “I suppose that works. One direct ticket.”

“I asked for two! And there are no direct flight paths from here!”

“Are you still playing dumb, Comrade Zhu Yu?” Nan Gong held up the medal. “Haven’t you already surrendered yourself?”

No soldier would ever abandon the medal of honor they consider their life.

She had no choice.

The girl fell silent for a moment.

The legendary, unyielding “Star of the Commoners” lowered her head, her shoulders beginning to tremble as tears fell one by one to the ground.

“Hey, hey! It’s not that big a deal!” Nan Gong was startled by the sudden tears and leaned in to look. “Are you really crying?”

She was answered by a cold sensation pressed against her heart.

Zhu Yu lifted her face. The mechanical exoskeleton let out a slight click, the gun muzzle unfolding. A final tear slid down her cheek.

Her heart was pounding, but on the surface, she simply laughed—a dry, hollow sound.

“Swear by your family name to send her away safely, or we’ll perish together.”

“To me, this world is just a game. Death might even be a way out. I don’t care. What about you?”

Her hand was steady, her emotions showed no great fluctuation; she exuded a calm madness, like a spider whispering a line of narration.

“You really are crazy!” Nan Gong stared into those dark, clear eyes, not doubting for a second that she would follow through.

Dammit, she had underestimated Zhu Yu. This girl could disguise herself to this extent…?!

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back on my word?”

“You won’t, Nan Gong Xun. You value your dignity.” Zhu Yu gave a despicable smile. “And if you go back on your word, every major forum will see the video of you wearing electronic rabbit ears and acting cute.”

“…” The air was suspiciously quiet for several seconds.

The smile on Nan Gong’s face vanished completely. Her bright eyes grew dark, and her aura suddenly turned cold, creating a subtle dissonance with her flippant exterior.

“How do you know that? White Horse told you?”

Zhu Yu said nothing, only smiling at her.

She had actually looked up her real name long ago, though that name didn’t yield much specific info on the Star Net. Nan Gong was a major surname in the Federation—so major that many politicians came from it.

(Oh, and by the way, she looked her up just by asking a few people and hitting the search button; it definitely wasn’t because of any personal negative feelings or an obsession with tracking her every move.)

Just now, she had been thinking: what kind of person buys a hundred-thousand-coin wheelchair on a whim, looks down on the Federal military and smugglers, yet stays cooped up in this chaotic zone as a server?

The muzzle of the exoskeleton began to grow hot, pressed coldly against her chest.

Nan Gong sneered. “Fine. You win. I swear by my family to send the Princess back to the Imperial Star.”

Her gaze darkened as she noticed a flash of white light from inside the house; someone was watching in the dark… She narrowed her eyes, and despite the hard exoskeleton, she spread her arms and embraced Zhu Yu, whispering in her ear:

“But remember this debt. I hate being threatened most of all.”

Under the moonlight, the two embraced tightly, like two wild beasts locked in a fight to the death.

It was all captured by a pair of icy eyes.