A Scumbag Alpha Gets the Simp’s Script - Chapter 39

She was truly disappointed. Yu Jinzhao was no better than the rest; there was no fundamental difference between her and those people outside. She felt the whole situation had become tasteless and had no desire to continue being near Yu Jinzhao, so she struggled to pull away.

“Pei Daowan!”

Grabbing Pei Daowan’s shoulders with both hands, Yu Jinzhao forced her to meet her gaze. Yu Jinzhao’s eyes were incredibly bright at that moment, like burning coals, filled with determination and strength.

That intensity made Pei Daowan hesitate for a split second. For the first time, she felt a sense of fear—she didn’t dare look into Yu Jinzhao’s eyes, nor did she want to hear what she was about to say.

“I’m not joking, and this isn’t some impulsive whim. This is the result of deep reflection. You might find it abrupt, and I apologize for that, but I still have to say it.”

“From the moment I woke up and first saw you, I think I fell for you at first sight. And every time after that felt like falling for you all over again. You might think I only love your face, but it’s truly not like that.”

“Beyond the appearance, it’s the soul I fell in love with. I want to know your past, your hobbies, what you love and what you hate. I want to be a part of everything, including your friends and your future.”

“Enough, Yu Jinzhao. I don’t want to hear it. Let go of me.”

Pei Daowan was trembling all over. A sensation she had never felt before crashed against her heart. The massive emotional upheaval left her unable to think; she could only resort to rejecting Yu Jinzhao as a way to find temporary escape.

Yu Jinzhao didn’t give her the chance to run, but continued: “I’m not saying these things to demand a response. You have no obligation to reciprocate my feelings, but I felt I had to tell you.”

“I really am not being impulsive. Every time I see you, my heart beats like a drum. I’m not usually someone who’s at a loss for words, but whenever I face you, I feel that anything I say might be too forward.”

In fact, the moment Pei Daowan said she didn’t want to hear it, Yu Jinzhao had released her hold. Pei Daowan was free, but she didn’t leave. She wouldn’t accept Yu Jinzhao, but she didn’t want to go either.

“I want to say, I really like you. I’ve never liked anyone before, but I will learn. I’ll do my best to make you happy. The reason I haven’t used the word ‘love’ is because I feel that word is too heavy to be spoken lightly. Only when I’ve truly shown that I love you will I say it out loud.”

Pei Daowan’s long hair was somewhat disheveled over her shoulders. Because her head was lowered, Yu Jinzhao couldn’t see her expression; she could only glimpse a fragment of her emotion from her tightly clenched hands.

Pei Daowan still didn’t speak. She was caught in a struggle. She wanted to reject Yu Jinzhao, but the words wouldn’t come. The things she had to do in the future were destined to hurt Yu Jinzhao, and they were destined to go separate ways. She didn’t know how to handle this affection.

Yu Jinzhao didn’t rush her, standing quietly by her side, waiting. After a long while, Pei Daowan finally spoke, her voice hoarse and low.

“You’ll regret liking me. I’m not the person you imagine me to be, and I’m a far cry from your ideal type. So…”

Yu Jinzhao interrupted her: “You aren’t me; how do you know I’ll regret it? Besides, my intuition is very sharp. I believe we are the same kind of people.”

Pei Daowan seemed to let out a scoff, a trace of mockery appearing on her face. The same kind of people? Ridiculous!

She was someone who had crawled out of a pit of sludge. She looked glamorous and polished on the surface, but only she knew how broken and ruined she was inside.

Paranoid, extreme, world-weary, vicious, vengeful, and willing to use any means to an end—Yu Jinzhao likely knew nothing of these traits.

If the day ever came when Yu Jinzhao discovered her true self, would she still be able to say these things so forcefully? She would probably hate her to death. At that thought, Pei Daowan couldn’t help but reach out and touch Yu Jinzhao’s cheek.

The skin was warm and damp, perhaps from the hot shower she’d just taken; the heat made Pei Daowan’s own skin tremble.

From the jaw to the cheek, then to the brows and the hairline, Pei Daowan touched her very carefully, not missing a single spot. How nice—such a young, vibrant face.

Filled with sincerity and a heart of gold. What a pity. Your taste is poor; you chose the wrong person. You are destined to be disappointed.

Thinking of this, Pei Daowan couldn’t help but show a trace of deep sorrow, her eyes filled with long-suppressed conflict and endurance.

She reached out to cover Yu Jinzhao’s eyes so she couldn’t see anything. Yu Jinzhao didn’t struggle, allowing her to do as she pleased.

Stepping up on her tiptoes, Pei Daowan gently pressed a kiss to Yu Jinzhao. The movement was so light that even Pei Daowan herself felt dazed, as if they hadn’t even touched.

They had never actually kissed. Whether it was last night or tonight, they had done everything adults do, yet they lacked a single kiss.

In this moment, the kiss felt exceptionally solemn. In a corner where no one knew, that kiss—along with something even more important—was handed over to Yu Jinzhao.

She gently let go and released Yu Jinzhao. She had regained her composure, her eyes cold as ice, her expression flat as she looked at her.

“It’s still too early to say these things. I’ll just act as if nothing happened tonight.”

With that, Pei Daowan didn’t want to continue the conversation. She made a move to go upstairs. Yu Jinzhao remained silent, saying nothing.

A bitter ache rose in her heart, leaving her with no strength to speak. The sound of slippers on the stairs was light, yet it hit Yu Jinzhao’s heart like a heavy hammer, making it hard to breathe. Does Pei Daowan not believe me?

Just as Pei Daowan’s silhouette was about to disappear—at that very corner where Yu Jinzhao greeted her every morning, and where Pei Daowan had caught the bouquet—Yu Jinzhao spoke.

“I’ll prove I’m not just talking. And I promise my feelings won’t cause too much trouble in your life.”

Yu Jinzhao’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was crystal clear in the silent night. Pei Daowan didn’t miss a single word. Perhaps what Yu Jinzhao said was true, and she was willing to believe her; it was just a pity they were not destined to walk the same path.

Yu Jinzhao thought she saw a slight hesitation in Pei Daowan’s movement, but it might have just been her wishful thinking. The woman seemed to go upstairs without any pause at all, until even her back was out of sight.

She remained silent for a long time, unmoving. After a while, she blankly touched her brow. Something had landed there just now, yet it had left no trace.

Her mind was in a daze. She slumped down listlessly and looked toward the river. She wondered when that painting would finally be finished.

After going upstairs, Pei Daowan struggled for a long time to calm her emotions. In front of Yu Jinzhao, she could still maintain a facade of being in control, but now that she was alone, a boundless loneliness surged in her heart.

She was uncharacteristically lost. She truly wished Yu Jinzhao were an out-and-out scoundrel; that way, she could use her without any hesitation.

What if Yu Jinzhao knew this marriage was a total sham? What if she knew I’ve already lived through this once and know exactly how everything ends?

Anxiety began to creep in, and she instinctively reached for a cigarette—a bad habit from her previous life.

Click. A tiny flame illuminated her face. In the glass door, she saw her own reflection: dazed, with hair disheveled like a ghost.

She gave a self-mocking laugh and the flame went out. By the moonlight, she saw the flowers on the nightstand beginning to wither. She felt a pang of regret. If only these flowers could live forever.

Even with that thought, she had no intention of making them “everlasting flowers.” She just wondered: when would they wither completely? When would they be tossed into the trash?

She pulled the curtains wide. The moonlight shone brightly into the room. Pei Daowan stared blankly, suddenly feeling that tonight’s moon was exactly the same as the one the night Yu Jinzhao had accidentally run into her.

Since ancient times, the moonlight has never changed. Will Yu Jinzhao change?

A pale moonlight spilled onto the windowsill.

Despite not sleeping for the latter half of the night, Yu Jinzhao’s mental state was decent. Pei Daowan’s final words last night had hurt her, but if she retreated because of that, it would only prove Pei Daowan right.

When Pei Daowan came downstairs, she heard Yu Jinzhao busy in the kitchen, shortly followed by her bringing breakfast to the table.

As if sensing her, Yu Jinzhao looked up. Pei Daowan instinctively wanted to hide, but the girl had already flashed a smile.

“Morning, Pei Daowan.”

Suddenly, Pei Daowan found that smile piercingly bright—so bright her heart actually hurt. She also felt bothered by how Yu Jinzhao could act like nothing was wrong, as if last night had never happened.

Feeling disgruntled, Pei Daowan didn’t greet her. Ignoring the smile, she walked straight down.

Yu Jinzhao seemed oblivious, talking to herself: “I didn’t have the housekeeper come today; I made this myself. It’s a specialty from my hometown.”

Pei Daowan glanced at the table. It was something she had never seen before—a bowl of brown, thick liquid that seemed to have a bit of everything in it.

Pei Daowan looked at it with a bit of distaste. It didn’t look very appealing, quite a departure from Yu Jinzhao’s usual high standards. It looked like a failure.

Yu Jinzhao enthusiastically promoted it: “Where I’m from, we call this Hula Soup. It has beef, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, bean curd skin… don’t be put off by the looks; it’s actually delicious.”

Unable to resist the enthusiasm, Pei Daowan decided to give her face and try a bit.

“Mm~”

The taste was odd. The aftertaste was spicy. She couldn’t say it was good, but it didn’t seem bad either.

In Yu Jinzhao’s world, Pei Daowan had a standard “Southern” palate—specifically like the Jiangnan water towns—preferring light, sweet, and sour flavors. Yu Jinzhao, however, was a “Northern” girl through and through, preferring heavy, stir-fried dishes, sometimes with a strong kick.

“It’s… strange.”

Pei Daowan couldn’t help but stick her tongue out and take a sip of plain water. Her mouth was filled with that odd flavor; it wasn’t that it tasted bad, she just wasn’t used to it. It seemed to have many spices and a very hearty list of ingredients, quite different from what she usually ate. She was momentarily taken aback.

“It’s okay, I’ll drink it. I also made soy milk; you can have that.”

With that, she naturally reached for Pei Daowan’s bowl and utensils, looking as if she were going to finish what the woman had started.

With a thud, Pei Daowan stood up, glaring at Yu Jinzhao.

“Get a fresh bowl.”

Yu Jinzhao spread her hands, looking innocent. “I only made one bowl. There isn’t any more.”

Pei Daowan gritted her teeth. This girl was definitely doing this on purpose. She was intentionally trying to irritate her as revenge for the things she said last night.

So petty!

But despite the inner complaint, Pei Daowan truly didn’t want to drink that “Hula Soup.” While she didn’t hate it, it felt too strange. And grabbing it back from Yu Jinzhao now would only make her look even more suspicious.