A Scumbag Alpha Gets the Simp’s Script - Chapter 9

As they ate, Yu Jinzhao couldn’t help but steal glances at Pei Daowan. The reason was simple: she thought Pei Daowan looked beautiful even while eating.

Pei Daowan wasn’t the type to chew slowly and meticulously; her pace wasn’t slow—in fact, she was a few beats faster than Yu Jinzhao—but her movements were incredibly pleasing to the eye.

Yu Jinzhao struggled for a fitting metaphor. She thought back to a nature documentary she’d seen about a spider feeding—though comparing Pei Daowan to a spider felt somewhat inappropriate.

However, if one observed closely, a spider’s feeding after a hunt was truly elegant: unhurried, calm, and entirely under control.

First, it binds the prey with silk until it’s immobile, then paralyzes it with venom, and finally brings it to its mouth to drain the essence, leaving only an empty shell. The entire process is agile and swift. It lacks the messy tearing of other hunters and doesn’t show the frantic impatience most predators exhibit when they find a meal.

At this moment, Pei Daowan was like that spider. Despite her speed, her entire being radiated elegance. In contrast, Yu Jinzhao tended to wolf down her food—a habit she’d been strictly disciplined out of since childhood. She rarely showed it in front of others, only reverting to it when she was alone.

Yu Jinzhao was also pleasant to look at while eating; anyone would praise her for her obvious upbringing. But she knew that wasn’t the “real” her—it was a cultivated mask. She usually forced herself to slow down.

To her, slowness was the only way to achieve elegance. Now, however, she felt like she’d discovered a new world: eating a bit faster didn’t have to look bad; instead, it felt like it was exactly how things were meant to be.

Aware of Yu Jinzhao’s frequent peeks, Pei Daowan felt a flicker of amusement. Why is this person as cautious as a hamster? Can she really get full just by watching me eat?

It was a blessing the System didn’t know their thoughts, or it would have marveled at their metaphors: one meal, one person compared to a spider, the other to a hamster.

“I’m finished.”

Pei Daowan finished slightly ahead of Yu Jinzhao and sat there, staring steadily at her. Yu Jinzhao felt her face begin to heat up again.

“Then… go ahead and rest. I’ll take care of the dishes in a bit.”

Rest as soon as I’m full? Is she feeding me like a pig!

“It’s fine. Finish your meal. I want to discuss something with you when you’re done.”

For the first time, Pei Daowan used the word “discuss,” which immediately sent Yu Jinzhao’s heart into her throat. Forgetting all about elegance, she shoveled the remaining food into her mouth in three or four gulps and hurried to the sink.

Soon, Yu Jinzhao had tidied everything. She sat somewhat stiffly across from Pei Daowan, watching her quietly.

“Do we need to prepare anything for the trip back tomorrow?”

So it was that. For some reason, hearing it was about the family visit caused a flash of disappointment to flicker through Yu Jinzhao’s heart, though she couldn’t explain why.

“Nothing. We just need to show up.”

Logically, as a junior, she should have prepared some gifts. However, she had zero affection for Yu Xincheng, and by extension, she felt a “guilt by association” toward the rest of the Yu family. She naturally didn’t want to bring them anything.

“Alright, then we won’t bring anything.”

Pei Daowan didn’t dwell on it. She hadn’t intended to bring anything anyway; she’d only asked out of symbolic politeness.

She glanced at the time. It was just 7:00 PM—still early and suitable for a walk. She issued an invitation.

“I need to buy a few clothes. Do you want to come with me?”

Upon hearing this, the previous disappointment was swept away instantly. She looked up and met Pei Daowan’s gaze. The woman’s eyes were calm and open; Yu Jinzhao couldn’t read anything deeper into them.

“Really?”

She was a bit incoherent. She hadn’t expected Pei Daowan to actually invite her. To her, shopping was a private activity; if she went with someone she wasn’t close to, she could manage, but she’d inevitably feel uncomfortable.

Compared to Yu Jinzhao’s excitement, Pei Daowan remained composed. “Mm. I need to get a few things.”

“Great! Shall we go now?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

With that, Pei Daowan took the lead toward the foyer to put on her coat. Yu Jinzhao followed close behind, joy visible in her eyes and her light footsteps.

Down in the garage, Yu Jinzhao automatically opened the passenger door for Pei Daowan. Pei Daowan didn’t decline and slid into the seat.

Yu Jinzhao buckled her seatbelt and started the engine, skillfully backing the car out of the garage. Pei Daowan observed her silently the whole time.

Her driving was skilled, her movements fluid, and she was perfectly calm handling a luxury car—not a hint of unfamiliarity. It seemed this Yu Jinzhao had also been wealthy or influential in her own world.

“Where would you like to go?” Yu Jinzhao asked, turning to her once they were on the road.

Pei Daowan hummed in thought for a moment, not answering immediately. Instead, she handed the choice back. “You decide. Anywhere is fine.”

Yu Jinzhao was surprised. The Female Lead was unexpectedly easy to talk to tonight—nothing like the “unpredictable and deep-scheming” character described in the original text.

“I happened to visit a mall near the neighborhood a few days ago. It has a good variety of things. Let’s go there.”

Pei Daowan nodded slightly and looked out the window, not engaging in further conversation.

She was thinking about the events of the past few days. Although everything had started over, it didn’t mean the grievances and injustices she’d suffered before could be wiped clean.

Another thing troubled her: Yu Jinzhao. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with this version of her. Although she’d initially intended to use her, when a living person stands right in front of you, other thoughts inevitably arise.

She wasn’t like Yu Xincheng; she still possessed a conscience and a bottom line.

While Pei Daowan was lost in thought, the car came to a steady stop in the underground parking lot. The vibration of the engine cutting out pulled her back to reality.

She lowered her eyelashes, adjusted her emotions, and opened the door first. She didn’t wait for Yu Jinzhao, taking the lead toward the elevators.

Yu Jinzhao caught up quickly after parking. She looked cheerful, a faint smile occasionally playing on her lips when she looked at Pei Daowan.

Since they had already eaten, they went straight to their destination without hesitation.

Pei Daowan didn’t have any ulterior motive for coming to the mall; she just wanted to find a dress for tomorrow’s banquet. Though Yu Xincheng disgusted her, there were other people at the banquet she needed to see.

Soon, Pei Daowan set her sights on a dress. She didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion, directly telling the salesperson she’d take it and paying for it immediately. The whole process was seamless, without a second of dawdling.

Yu Jinzhao didn’t miss the subtle glances the salesperson threw their way. To any onlooker, it was obvious they had come in together—an Alpha and an Omega, both with striking looks. They were very conspicuous.

However, they seemed somewhat unfamiliar with each other, with very little interaction. The Omega acted as if she didn’t know the Alpha at all while paying, and the Alpha didn’t seem overly intimate either.

Yu Jinzhao didn’t care about the clerk’s gaze. At that moment, her attention was captured by a wine-red evening gown.

The skirt was layered like waves—not a piercing red, but rather a deep, soulful hue. The edges of the hem seemed stained with a darker ink, radiating a reserved luxury.

Although Pei Daowan hadn’t tried it on, Yu Jinzhao’s intuition told her she would look stunning in it.

With a sparkle in her eyes, she spoke up cheerfully: “I think that wine-red long dress is also very beautiful.”

Hearing this, Pei Daowan didn’t turn around or even look at the red dress. She simply said flatly: “I don’t like it.”

Actually, from the moment she walked in, she had noticed that red dress. It was indeed eye-catching and beautiful, but…

She felt it was too beautiful. Once a thing is too stunning, its inherent familiarity might be ignored. She would look beautiful in that red dress, yes, and it would draw attention, but even without it, she could still captivate anyone she chose.

Hearing the rejection, Yu Jinzhao didn’t show any disappointment. She simply thought the dress was beautiful, but since it didn’t fit the other’s style, she didn’t push it. She would have bought it for herself if it suited her own style.

“Shall we look at something else?”

“No need. I’ve found what I want.”

Pei Daowan clearly wasn’t in the mood to linger. Her goal was clear; now that she had the right dress, there was no need to waste more time.

“Okay!”

Yu Jinzhao said no more, naturally assuming the role of the driver. On the way back, the two remained silent, eventually returning to their respective rooms without even saying goodnight.

And yet, during dinner, the atmosphere had felt almost pleasant.

The next morning, Yu Jinzhao set off early for the ancestral home. She didn’t drive fast; even after leaving the city center, she kept her speed around 40 km/h. The reason was simple: she was truly unfamiliar with the roads. Before leaving, she had studied the navigation several times to ensure nothing went wrong.

The architectural style of the ancestral home was not what Yu Jinzhao expected. It wasn’t the modern, high-design villa she’d imagined, but rather a uniquely styled, classical Western-style manor—and it wasn’t even that large in terms of land area.

Yu Jinzhao wasn’t usually one to piece together information from environmental factors, but even she felt a sense of discordance. A man like Yu Xincheng doesn’t fit the style of this little manor at all!

There was no time for further reflection. Taking a deep breath, Yu Jinzhao parked the car.

“We’re here.”

Compared to Yu Jinzhao’s forced composure, Pei Daowan was much calmer. This wasn’t her first time dealing with Yu Xincheng. That old fox—she knew exactly what kind of methods he liked to use. While others used a mix of “carrot and stick,” he used a “dagger hidden in a smile” on one hand and “utter extermination” on the other.

As Pei Daowan was lost in thought, a hand tucked into the crook of her arm. Since it was early summer and their clothing wasn’t thick, skin-to-skin contact was inevitable.

In that instant, Pei Daowan instinctively furrowed her brow, but she didn’t pull away. She endured it, though her body went slightly stiff.

Yu Jinzhao’s full attention was on Pei Daowan, so she didn’t miss this reaction. She became flustered, her voice dry.

“Sorry. Please bear with it for a moment.”

Pei Daowan knew this wasn’t the time to be temperamental. In the second following her frown, her expression returned to normal, even taking on a gentle, smiling grace.

Combined with the apricot-white dress she’d specifically chosen last night, anyone who saw her would have to praise her as a perfect, domestic “Omega.”

Pei Daowan also looped her hand around Yu Jinzhao’s forearm, walking half a step behind her. But whether by accident or design, Yu Jinzhao adjusted her pace perfectly every time, keeping them on the same level.

As expected, Yu Xincheng was seated firmly in the seat of honor. When they entered, he didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

The others in the room instinctively wanted to offer polite greetings—after all, Yu Jinzhao was Yu Xincheng’s only Alpha daughter. To put it bluntly, after the old man passed, the Yu family would be hers to rule.

But before anyone could stand, Yu Xincheng gave a soft, weighted cough. In the large living room, it wasn’t loud, yet everyone’s movements froze instantly.

Yu Jinzhao smiled but said nothing. This was a “show of authority.” Her behavior lately had been quite different from before; especially after the marriage, it seemed her “wings had grown strong.”

Faced with this public slight, Yu Jinzhao acted as if she hadn’t noticed at all. She calmly helped Pei Daowan sit down and then gave a slight nod to Yu Xincheng as a gesture of courtesy.

Although Yu Jinzhao was his only Alpha, her seat was a significant distance from him. Her position didn’t look like where a daughter should sit; it felt more like that of a distant relative.

In contrast, the seats to Yu Xincheng’s left and right were occupied by two nephews from a branch of the Yu family. They were also Alphas, though only A-class.

Pei Daowan, acting every bit the dutiful wife, also nodded gently to Yu Xincheng and sat right beside Yu Jinzhao.