A Disguised Scum Alpha Marked Her Aloof Ex-Wife - Chapter 34

Socializing could be a tool, or it could be instinct.

The original body belonged to the former. She could always effortlessly build the relationships she wanted. Zhu Yu belonged to the latter, like an NPC who hopped when poked.

This “inheritance” of network resources was far too heavy. Zhu Yu casually tapped open a few messages and discovered that the other side was not only sending sincere concern, but had also earnestly asked several times whether they could bring gifts and come visit.

During the period when Zhu Yu was confined and recuperating, Melno had probably been very busy. Not only did she need to stop schemers with ulterior motives, she also had to tactfully persuade away those ladies who seemed to have come tearfully to mourn Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu had originally felt that Melno was like a stern, cold-faced dean of discipline. Now, however, she only felt that the other woman had been exceptionally tolerant for not directly strangling her.

The original body’s social circle was absurdly wide, practically as if she were trying to complete some kind of collection guide. From noble councilors to snack shop owners, she had people from every walk of life.

The socially anxious Zhu Yu almost began to suspect whether the original body had been bound to some sort of romance conquest system that would electrocute her if she failed to chat with high emotional intelligence.

The chat histories with the others had not been deleted. Now they all lay openly before Zhu Yu’s eyes.

When something had to be cut off, it should be cut off decisively. She absolutely could not walk the scummy Alpha’s old path!

Zhu Yu took several deep breaths before she found the courage to open them. She had originally thought they would be very ambiguous and explicit messages.

However, the original body’s chatting style was somewhat unexpected, completely different from the playboy heartbreaker in Zhu Yu’s stereotypes.

Their messaging styles were actually a little similar, both carrying cute particles and sticker packs. But the original body was clearly more proactive, invisibly controlling the rhythm of the conversation, with an indescribable charm.

If Zhu Yu did not know the person behind them, just looking at these records, she probably would have thought “she” was a very gentle and good person.

She was gentle and knowledgeable. Even after becoming famous, she did not put on airs at all. She never disdained to hide her desires, and even competition was handled openly and honestly.

No wonder Bai Shuzhou had once liked her…

In a daze, Zhu Yu felt like a frog that had finally lifted its head and seen the well opening and blue sky. Her throat itched, as if in the next second, she would go “ribbit” and spit out bubbles.

For a little transparent person like her to play such a scummy Alpha heartthrob was truly asking too much.

Zhu Yu agonized for half an hour over how to reply. While spacing out, she could not help tapping back into the chat window with Bai Shuzhou.

It was empty inside. Aside from the electronic agreement she had just signed, there was nothing.

Deleted cleanly.

Aside from that nickname, the original body had left no words at all for Bai Shuzhou.

Zhu Yu suddenly became a little curious about how they had met back then, and how they had fallen in love.

Even though this urge to pry was somewhat despicable, and nearly self-torture.

They had the exact same face, yet their personalities were completely different. Zhu Yu also did not know why Bai Shuzhou would like her.

She only knew that from the moment she first saw Bai Shuzhou, her time had truly begun to flow, and the entire world seemed to have been suddenly lit.

It was like a destined reunion, and she had already waited a very, very long time for that moment.

The young woman rubbed her burning face and threw herself into the pillow, trying to press down all her chaotic thoughts.

No matter what, people had to look forward. If one always sank into the past, one would be trapped there.

What was more, she had money now!

Her current conditions were already much better than when she had been stranded in the chaotic zone. At least she did not need to worry about going hungry.

Zhu Yu arranged the materials she had obtained from the researchers across the bed one by one, sorting them by time. She read them page by page, using her terminal to search any terms she did not understand.

Every profession was like a mountain separating worlds. Even with high-tech assistance, she could only roughly guess. In addition, Bai Shuzhou’s situation was very special, and there were hardly any similar cases to be found on the entire network.

From the data, Bai Shuzhou’s condition had always been very stable. Even before she lost her memory, when there had been a small explosive peak, it had quickly fallen back down. None of the test indicators could find evidence that the emperor had “acted.”

The matter between Bai Shuzhou and Bai Qianze had all been told to her by Feng Jiyan. But that fox herself was not worth trusting.

If Bai Shuzhou had not specifically warned Zhu Yu before losing her memory, Zhu Yu might really have foolishly followed Feng Jiyan’s guidance.

The old Zhu Yu had been inexperienced in the ways of the world and felt that everyone was a good person, not knowing that schemes and calculations always disguised themselves in the sweetest ways.

This world was too complicated. Zhu Yu poked the report and counted on her fingers. If Bai Shuzhou could remember sooner, that would be great. She would definitely have a way.

As for Feng Jiyan’s side…

When exactly would there be progress?

Her fingertip tapped on a certain number. Zhu Yu froze slightly, then suddenly sprang up and pressed several medical records together again.

These data changes were undoubtedly extremely stable, extremely regular. They were practically like…

They had been carefully fabricated.

For convenience in comparison, she had deliberately asked for old reports from several years ago. But even the values from those years ago and the deviation from the latest data were controlled within an extremely precise range.

Could it be that Bai Shuzhou’s illness had been under someone’s control since a very, very long time ago?

Waves of chill crawled up her spine. Zhu Yu rubbed the goosebumps on her arms and suddenly felt a kind of lonely courage to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bai Shuzhou against the entire world.

Fortunately, they were not alone—

They were one human and one dragon, and they had many friends!

Zhu Yu sat cross-legged, her expression solemn. There were too many messages for her to reply one by one, so she posted an update saying everything was fine and thanking everyone for their concern.

Thanks to the original body’s extremely detailed notes, Zhu Yu understood these relationships thoroughly. Under some notes, it even recorded how they had met. With this heartbreaker’s guide, it should be a little more convenient for her to ask people to do things.

But to avoid exposing herself, starting tonight, she would probably have to stay up without sleep to memorize all this information…

Money could make ghosts turn millstones. Zhu Yu tapped into the banking app, wanting to withdraw some money. These past few days, she had spent quite a bit buying vegetables and meat. Prices on the imperial capital star were very high, and she had already more or less scraped clean all the cash the original body had left behind.

However, that hateful security verification popped up again. No matter how Zhu Yu scanned her face, fingerprints, and irises, the terminal remained unmoved, coldly demanding that she enter a password.

Damn it. Wasn’t it just a little money? Was there a need to set up this much protection?

You’re really showing off!

Zhu Yu looked at the time. The bank had not closed yet. Gritting her teeth, she simply grabbed her coat and ran out.

In any case, she had “lost her memory.” Bringing identification and asking to reset her password should be very normal, right?

The attendant did not ask many questions and efficiently delivered Zhu Yu to her destination. The young woman waved a hand grandly and elegantly gave the remaining loose change in her pocket to the attendant.

Parentheses: she could not bear to give the large bills.

“Thanks for your hard work, friend. Treat yourself to candy!”

Nobles had a tipping culture, elegantly called promoting economic circulation. Zhu Yu had suddenly become rich, but it was not because she carried any grand idea of giving back to society.

It was only that she had just signed a marriage agreement, which was very worth being happy about. Yet it was not something she could say outside, so she could only quietly share the joy this way.

The attendant looked down.

Three bills. Two coins. Exactly fifty-two.

Zhu Yu had already swum away, her cheerful back looking very much like a koi about to leap over the dragon gate.

The bank president, who had received the news, had long been waiting nervously at the entrance.

The red carpet had been newly laid, bright enough as if blood could drip from it. Even the large screen had deliberately been changed to play the footage of Zhu Yu’s speech that day.

The moment Zhu Yu stepped inside, she met “herself” on the floating screen. Looking at the spirited young woman in the footage, she suddenly felt a little unfamiliar.

She had never known that she could also be this handsome. Once she made up her mind, cowardice and softness would become very resilient. Her eyes were flashing with firm light.

“Your Highness Zhu Yu—!!”

People warmly gathered around.

“No need to call me Your Highness!!”

Zhu Yu waved her hands repeatedly.

They were too enthusiastic. She almost could not handle it. Fortunately, she had trained a signature smile back when working at Paradis, and only barely held steady. The crowd surrounded the little fish like sea anemones, slowly pushing her inward.

The short path seemed especially long because it was taken so solemnly. Although Zhu Yu repeatedly emphasized that she had only come to handle a simple matter, the scene still became comparable to a leader’s inspection tour.

Only, a leader’s inspection involved pointing out problems, while Zhu Yu was being interviewed. The staff were all very concerned about Zhu Yu and the princess’s condition.

Zhu Yu gave some vague replies, hoping everyone would pay more attention to the Academy’s research into “patients.” Unexpectedly, she learned that the hurried words she had spoken that day had actually drawn a high degree of interstellar attention.

It turned out that more than ten years ago, when the Empire and Federation had still been in their honeymoon period, the two nations had once prepared to carry out several deep collaborations, including rather sensitive medical experiments.

Only, later they fell out, and the cooperation came to nothing. Some scientists had even been stranded in enemy territory because of it.

Zhu Yu’s impassioned speech had only been a burst of hot-blooded impulse. When she reviewed it late at night, she felt that she had been a little impulsive, leaving Feng Jiyan an opportunity.

But these topics had once again entered the public eye, and they involved the Empire’s noble princess. Even the Federation side had been shaken, publicly expressing hope to restart dialogue.

The scale of the star pirates’ smuggling was shocking. It was not only that one planet; the forces involved behind it grew larger the more they were investigated.

Just as Nangong had said, none of them were clean.

Recently, the “higher-ups” seemed very busy. The bank president dismissed the other employees and personally handled Zhu Yu’s business. While doing so, she indirectly asked whether the Federation side was about to make a move.

Haha, my information isn’t even as good as yours.

Zhu Yu held a profound smile and shook her head slightly.

She did not speak. She only looked at the bank president and smiled.

This elder, whose eyes and brows revealed shrewdness, somehow had a sudden enlightenment. She pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses and sighed lightly.

“Your Highness Zhu Yu, we have always supported the two of you. You know that. If there is an opportunity, please help us pour a cup of tea for the princess.”

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yu nodded lightly.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

The young woman had one hand behind her back, her lips pressed together, as though she still had something to say.

The bank president immediately bowed without making a sound and held her breath attentively.

Zhu Yu said, “I still have some things I need to store. Is this place safe enough?”

The bank president’s expression sharpened. She rose abruptly and pressed one hand to her heart.

“Please rest assured! I swear upon my honor—”

Zhu Yu, who had only wanted to store the gemstones because she was afraid they might be stolen, quickly patted the other person’s shoulder.

“I trust you!”

She had only asked casually to seem more professional. She had not expected Empire people to be this serious and responsible.

The bank president called over two other specialists who each held keys, then personally brought Zhu Yu down the elevator. Her vision darkened briefly, then suddenly lit up again.

This place possessed the second-largest vault in the entire Empire and was also responsible for safeguarding valuables for distinguished guests.

The three respectfully led Zhu Yu to a heavy door and checked one another’s keys.

What they held were not keys in the traditional sense. They looked more like cracked pieces of soft jade. Only when the three pieces were combined could the great door be opened.

This was a room that belonged only to Zhu Yu.

The young woman froze slightly. She had not expected such a grand setup.

Wasn’t the original body just an ordinary military officer? She had only been married to Bai Shuzhou for a few years. How much money had she embezzled?!

Zhu Yu nervously clenched her fists and stuffed her hands into her pockets, preventing certain small details from exposing her unease.

After she entered, there was a second biological lock.

Zhu Yu peeled off one nesting doll layer, only to find another layer beneath.

After the scan completed, the blastproof door opened, just wide enough for Zhu Yu to turn sideways and pass through.

In the center of the enormous room were several safes.

Zhu Yu silently let out a breath of relief.

Fortunately, the room was not piled full of cash, gold, or jewels. Otherwise, she really would have had to consider whether turning herself in could reduce her sentence.

She lifted her hand and weighed the gems Bai Shuzhou had given her, then put them into a storage bag. At first glance, there did not seem to be many, but they were very heavy.

Zhu Yu crouched down and searched around before discovering the mechanism that activated the safe.

A three-dimensional screen popped out from the hard protective layer. This time, it did not ask for a password. Instead, it displayed a security question.

[Who is the person I love most?]

Original body, are you an elementary school student?

Zhu Yu could not help complaining. She had stopped setting questions like this after graduating from elementary school.

How could anyone set this kind of security question for a safe?!

She tentatively entered “Bai Shuzhou.” A bright red [Incorrect] jumped up. There was even a cold-faced smile, as if mocking Zhu Yu’s naïve stupidity.

“…”

The original body was an orphan, and there were no family names to try. Zhu Yu painfully scratched her hair.

You’re already married. Besides your wife, who else do you want to love most, you bastard?!

Zhu Yu held her breath. Her vision went dark, and she had no choice but to make the worst preparations.

She opened her terminal, trying to find the answer from her contacts.

If someone truly loved a person, no matter what, they could not hide it.

But although the original body was a sea king, she was also very fair in spreading the rain and dew. She often chatted with several people at once. After scrolling through a whole circle, there was actually no suspect.

Considering her personality, Zhu Yu could only start trying from the richest and most powerful. In a daze, she even entered Bai Qianze’s name.

A string of [Incorrect].

Guessing who a scummy Alpha loved most was practically like playing Minesweeper.

This was no longer a question of whether she could open the safe. The original body had clearly left a terrifying time bomb, ready to blow people into pieces at any moment.

Zhu Yu could not imagine that, one day in the future, she might be happily staying with Bai Shuzhou when a woman suddenly jumped out crying, “I’m the person you love most! If you don’t believe me, go look at your security question—it’s me!”

And then the tenderly affectionate Bai Shuzhou would sneer, lightly raise her brows, and instantly summon several executioners to press Zhu Yu to the ground.

Crack.

Pah!

Zhu Yu gritted her teeth. By some strange impulse, she thought again of Bai Shuzhou’s unique nickname and tried entering the two words “Sugar Cube.”

One second.

Two seconds.

The air was so quiet it seemed frozen.

The system flickered unusually several times, and Zhu Yu’s entire heart rose halfway into the air.

Suddenly, glaring red light popped up on the screen.

[Incorrect &**&#@#!!!!!]

A screen full of garbled text reflected the entire room into an eerie red.

Zhu Yu jumped in fright. For some reason, she felt like it was cursing at her, and could not help getting angry too. Clutching the gemstones tightly, she scolded:

“Zhu Yu, are you sick in the head!!!”

Beep.

[Answer correct.]

The safe slowly opened in response.

Zhu Yu looked at the empty inner wall and froze.

……Ah?

Only after several seconds did she react.

The answer was “Zhu Yu.”

The person Zhu Yu loved most was Zhu Yu.

So narcissistic.

But somehow, it did suit that person’s personality quite well…

Zhu Yu laughed softly. Then she lifted her hand and changed the password.

[The person Zhu Yu loves most is: Bai Shuzhou.]