A Scummy Alpha Supporting Character Accidentally Marks the Heroine After Transmigrating into a Book (GL) - Chapter 24

Yan Nanjue was also observing Bai Wan.

Bai Wan leaned against the pillows, her blue-and-white hospital gown fitting loosely and revealing her elegantly shaped collarbones. Her lips were extremely pale, with only a faint hint of red visible beneath the full flesh; her hair was as black as ink, and her face as white as paper.

Pale, cold, weak, and dark.

Her amber eyes seemed capable of reflecting everything, yet they were so clear and empty that they seemed to hold nothing at all.

Despite her frail state, she was not someone to be underestimated. It felt as though an invisible barrier had always separated her from the crowd; when her face was expressionless, people were afraid to approach. Her eyes radiated a cold “keep away” detachment, and her aura only reinforced that distance.

Yan Nanjue couldn’t quite find the words to describe this feeling, but in the System’s terms, this was the “Blackened Heroine Aura.”

Bai Wan didn’t speak; she simply gazed at her quietly.

Being watched like this made Yan Nanjue a bit uneasy, but she maintained a poker face, not daring to speak. For a moment, a deathly silence fell over the VIP ward.

Yan Nanjue scanned Bai Wan up and down with a scrutinizing, disdainful look, secretly checking if she was physically intact. In this eerie standoff, the image of an unconscious Bai Wan being held in her arms for those ten-odd minutes unexpectedly flickered through her mind.

…When I held her, she was actually softer than I imagined.

It seemed that only when she completely lost consciousness did Bai Wan’s features soften. Yan Nanjue thought back—it was the same when she had a high fever from the rain, and the same during this unexpected heat.

“What are you here for?”

Bai Wan’s voice broke through her wandering thoughts. She closed her book. “To mock me for how pathetic I look?”

Yan Nanjue hadn’t expected those to be her first words.

She let out a light sneer. “You think too highly of yourself. I’m only here to confirm if the Mrs. Yan I spent so much money to marry is still alive.”

“If you die just like that, my losses would be substantial.”

More than just a loss—she would die along with her.

Bai Wan looked away, laughing mockingly. “How does it feel to be able to lead me around in circles with a single lie? You must be very satisfied, Yan Nanjue, that I believed Luo Shuqing’s words so easily.”

“That’s because you’re stupid.”

Yan Nanjue said coldly, “It seems your head isn’t clear yet. You still haven’t figured out what tone of voice you should use when speaking to me.”

Bai Wan stared at her intently. “Without your tacit approval, Luo Shuqing wouldn’t have dared.”

“—Mrs. Yan, you really are incredibly stupid.”

Yan Nanjue stepped closer to her, the “tap-tap” of her high heels on the floor amplifying the oppressive weight of her words. She reached out and pinched Bai Wan’s narrow chin, forcing her to look up and meet her gaze. Her cold eyes swept over her from top to bottom, as if evaluating a piece of merchandise of unknown value.

“Believing the words of a random outsider without verification, and then rushing recklessly to confront me—everything you’ve done is the hallmark of a fool.”

Yan Nanjue felt guilty saying this. After all, the original host had a long history of such behavior, and this incident perfectly matched her style; it wasn’t surprising that Bai Wan believed Luo Shuqing’s nonsense so easily.

But she was the “Cold CEO”! How could she possibly admit her mistake?

Bai Wan’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes filled with loathing.

Yan Nanjue lightly flicked her chin away, then grabbed Bai Wan’s left hand, turning the bandaged palm upward. She pulled her other hand out of her pocket and dismissively tapped the gauze, as light as a dragonfly skimming the water.

“—Is self-harm fun, Mrs. Yan?”

Yan Nanjue’s clear, sharp voice sounded like it was dipped in ice as it echoed through the room. They were alone; Lin Furuo and the driver were waiting outside. Without her permission, no one dared to barge in.

Yan Nanjue stared at her coldly. “How dare you leave a scar on your hand so casually?”

“If an outsider finds out, how do you expect me to explain it? Should I say Mrs. Yan is a lunatic with a mental disorder who burns herself? Let the whole world know I married a psychopath?”

“Who gave you permission to do this?”

Yan Nanjue locked onto her eyes. “Bai Wan, did I ever tell you that your body doesn’t belong to you?”

“You are my exclusive property. Only I am allowed to leave marks on you.”

“First coming to me in a mad rage to accuse me, then self-harming, and then being stupid enough to be provoked into an early heat—you didn’t think I’d go soft on you just because you did all that, did you?”

Bai Wan’s lips remained pressed tight as she stared back just as coldly. She didn’t remember what happened during her heat; she only remembered a massive fight with Yan Nanjue over the house demolition, only for it to turn out to be a misunderstanding where she had wrongly accused her.

Later, she seemed to have a fever. In her grogginess, she had soaked herself in the cold water of the bathtub.

After that… Bai Wan couldn’t remember clearly.

She only had a blurry memory of seeing Yan Nanjue’s face—like a swaying venomous snake, those gorgeous red lips spitting out a forked tongue, fangs reflecting on the four walls of the bathroom with a toxic light, biting into her flesh. Bit by bit, she was being swallowed alive, corroded away.

It felt like a dream, yet it felt real. Bai Wan couldn’t tell the difference. When she opened her eyes again, she saw the sterile white ceiling of the hospital. She had been in a terrible state of heat for several days, and she didn’t know who had brought her here.

But then, the venomous snake from her nightmare appeared before her. The snake gripped her arm, its tone mocking and disdainful.

Bai Wan said, “If I die, wouldn’t that make it convenient for you to find a new Mrs. Yan?”

Yan Nanjue sneered, a thin layer of anger appearing on her face. “You are in no position to bargain with me.”

“This is a warning, Bai Wan.”

She pulled her hand back, and Bai Wan’s arm practically thudded against the duvet.

“You won’t be going back to the company for a while,” Yan Nanjue announced coldly. “Hand over the projects you’re currently working on as well.”

Bai Wan’s pupils shrank, and her hand resting on the duvet suddenly clenched.

Finished, Yan Nanjue turned around. She had only taken a few steps when the System’s panicked voice rang in her ear: [Holy crap, stop acting cool and look back!]

She instinctively turned her head and saw Bai Wan pulling out the IV tube from her right arm. Bright red blood suddenly sprayed out, staining her hand and the bedsheets.

Without even blinking, Bai Wan threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Yan Nanjue’s eyes widened in shock. She shouted in a fury, “Bai Wan!”

Standing by the bed, Bai Wan grit her teeth and said word by word, “I don’t need rest. I can go back to work right now.”

Yan Nanjue’s eyes stared in shock at the hand hanging by Bai Wan’s side. Blood meandered down that pale hand, flowing to her long fingers that were slightly curled in pain, before pooling at the fingertips.

Drip.

A drop of bright red blood hit the floor. Like a stone dropped into a lake, it sent ripples outward that wouldn’t settle for a long time.

Yan Nanjue said in disbelief, “Is the heroine crazy?!”

She was both shocked and angry. Her voice was low and dangerous. “I literally just finished speaking, and you’re already eager to defy me? Bai Wan, my patience has its limits.”

Bai Wan stared at her, full of hate. “I want to go back to work.”

Yan Nanjue had never realized so clearly that the heroine was a stubborn, unyielding bone. She rejected Bai Wan’s decision without hesitation, saying decisively, “Impossible.”

“Without my permission, you won’t be walking out of this hospital. What I say never changes. Even if you bleed yourself dry, you aren’t going anywhere.”

More and more blood dripped down from her pale arm. Because she had violently ripped out the IV, the wound was bleeding non-stop. The sight of that vivid red was piercing Yan Nanjue’s eyes.

“I’m not going back.” Bai Wan looked straight at her, her expression showing not an ounce of retreat. “—Don’t think you can find another excuse to lock me up again.”

Yan Nanjue suddenly understood—Bai Wan had misunderstood her words.

She had clearly only wanted Bai Wan to get some proper rest! Yet Bai Wan thought she was suspending her work to lock her back up in the villa.

Realizing this, Yan Nanjue didn’t even have time to regret. She bit her tongue hard, secretly frustrated that she hadn’t been clearer. She laughed out of extreme anger, her eyes filled with cold fire. “Self-righteous.”

“Working in this state—are you trying to drop dead at the office so you can blame the Yan Group?”

Yan Nanjue pressed the call button and sneered, “If you continue being this stupid, I’ll really have to consider sending you back to the villa. Bai Wan, this is the last time.”

“If there’s a next time, I’ll make your fears come true.”

Several nurses rushed in. When they saw the blood on the floor, they nearly blacked out. “Why did you pull out the needle?!” The nurses hurriedly pushed her back onto the bed to treat her wound and insert a new IV.

Yan Nanjue watched for a moment then walked out of the room, instructing Assistant Lin: “Watch her. Don’t let her run away from the hospital, and don’t let her do anything else this stupid.”

She muttered under her breath, “Stubborn fool.”

Realizing her boss was truly angry this time, Lin Furuo straightened up. “Yes, President Yan. I will arrange for people to watch the Madam twenty-four hours a day.”

Yan Nanjue closed her eyes, but the image of the bright red blood dripping down that pale hand wouldn’t leave her mind. She regretted her actions until she was blue in the face, gritting her teeth. “The heroine is way too impulsive!”

System: [Who told you that you have a massive criminal record and zero credit?]

Yan Nanjue said, “Even so, she shouldn’t be that impulsive! Ripping out an IV just like that—so much blood sprayed out!”

The System keenly noticed her agitation. [Are you afraid of blood?]

Yan Nanjue squeezed her eyes shut. “…A little.”

System: [I never would have guessed.]

Yan Nanjue even began to hate her own excellent memory for being unable to forget the scene just now. She was so faint from the sight of blood that her lips were losing color.

“I have to make sure I’m clear next time… if the heroine does that again, I really will pass out.”

Bai Wan stayed in the hospital for a week. Aside from the day she woke up, Yan Nanjue never came back.

It was Assistant Lin who came to pick her up.

“Madam, you can return to work as normal next week. Your time away has been recorded as sick leave, and the corresponding amount will be deducted from your salary based on the number of days you were absent.”

After a week of recuperation, Bai Wan’s complexion was no longer as pale as before, showing a bit of color. “Understood.”

Lin Furuo continued, “The apartment has been cleaned, and the first-aid kit has been replaced with a brand-new one. Would you like to go back to the apartment or the villa?”

Bai Wan stood by the window. She held onto the windowsill and looked down at the street below. “Where is your boss?”

Assistant Lin understood. “President Yan has been very busy lately and has been staying at the company for the past few days. You can return to either the apartment or the villa. She won’t be there.” She paused. “The reason President Yan didn’t visit you in the hospital these past few days isn’t because she didn’t want to; she was truly overwhelmed with work. You might not remember, but during your first few days in the hospital, President Yan came every day…”

Bai Wan interrupted her for the first time, turning her head with a frown. “There’s no need to tell me things like that.”

Lin Furuo smiled. “I’m only informing you of news regarding President Yan based on my duties as an assistant. Even if you don’t want to know, I still have to say it. I cannot violate my professional ethics.”

Bai Wan looked at her. “How much did she pay you to be this loyal?”

Lin Furuo smiled gently, her expression one of genuine joy. She said, “You misunderstand.”

Bai Wan didn’t want to make things difficult for her; Assistant Lin was just a subordinate following orders. She withdrew her gaze. “Were you the one who sent me to the hospital this time too?” Compared to Yan Nanjue, her attitude toward Lin Furuo was more relaxed.

Lin Furuo’s eyes widened slightly. “It was President Yan.”

She gave a brief description of the scene when she received the call and rushed to the hospital. Bai Wan frowned.

“…A hypocritical show.”

Assistant Lin thought for a moment and said seriously, “Actually, there is no need for you and President Yan to have reached this point.” She left it at that, not saying another word, and instead switched to another topic.

“President Yan is already aware of Miss Shuqing’s actions. She has a spoiled personality and grew up with President Yan. The decision to collaborate with the Luo family was made by the former Chairman; even if one doesn’t give Miss Shuqing face, one must give the Luo family face.”

“President Yan’s stance is very clear: you don’t need to take anything Miss Shuqing says seriously in the future.”

Hearing that name, coldness appeared in Bai Wan’s eyes. “Is that so? Luo Shuqing seemed very determined to become the next Mrs. Yan.”

Lin Furuo remained unfazed. “You don’t need to worry about that. Miss Shuqing will not become the next Mrs. Yan. President Yan has always only viewed her as a sister.”

“A sister?” As if she had heard something hilarious, Bai Wan’s eyes were full of sarcasm, and she couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.

A “sister” who would come to the company to show off against her, the legal wife.

Lin Furuo said calmly, “I am telling the truth.”

Bai Wan left the window, saying coldly, “Truth or lie, everything concerning her has nothing to do with me. You were the one who brought that contract instead of her back then, Lin Furuo. You aren’t the only one who knows the details of this marriage contract.”

“…Her little childhood friend is certainly looking forward to it.”

Lin Furuo was stunned, seemingly wanting to say something, but Bai Wan was already walking out of the ward, leaving behind only a few indifferent words.

“This relationship will end in a year, so you don’t need to struggle with passing messages back and forth anymore.”

“There is only one year left, and I don’t want any changes in between. The contract is very clear: my three years in exchange for thirty years of medical expenses for Qingzhi and Xinzhi.”

Bai Wan’s eyes lowered, her thick lashes veiling her pupils. She thought: A very profitable deal.

This was the only thing that “crazy woman” had ever done right by her—even if the beginning of everything was an unequal transaction made under threat.

Yan Nanjue had been busy to the point of exhaustion these past few days. When she received the news of Bai Wan’s discharge, she had just finished an emergency meeting overtime and tiredly rubbed the side of her neck.

“Being a CEO is so tiring…”

System: [What did you expect?]

Yan Nanjue: “Aren’t CEOs in CEO novels usually very free? In the novels I’ve read, the CEO is either playing ‘she escapes, he chases’ with a Little White Flower, or questioning her about who else is in her heart.”

System: [Is that so? Then you’re quite lucky to have transmigrated into a workaholic.]

Yan Nanjue: “…”

System: [If your character setting was a ‘snatcher of love’ who forced the heroine and her lover apart, your life would be even more miserable than it is now.]

“Fine, fine, I get it.” She took off her blue-light blocking glasses and rubbed her aching temples, asking about something else. “Is the heroine’s blackening value still stable?”

System: [Still seventy. No change.]

Yan Nanjue rubbed the light silver frames, lost in thought. After a while, she put her glasses away and called Assistant Lin. “Tell everyone they can leave now. And tell everyone that everyone’s bonus for this month is tripled.”

As the news spread, cheers erupted outside the office. Yan Nanjue turned off her computer and went home.

The lights in the apartment living room were dark; Bai Wan seemed to be in her room. Yan Nanjue was so tired that she intended to sit on the sofa for a bit, but she ended up falling into a deep sleep before long.

She opened her eyes in a half-awake state, and a faint light appeared in her blurry vision. It was coming from the dining room. The slight drowsiness dissipated, and Yan Nanjue sat up.

Bai Wan seemed to be awake. Yan Nanjue was a bit nervous as she walked toward the light.

Bai Wan’s back was to her as she cooked noodles, her long hair casually tied back, revealing her excellent shoulder and neck lines. The glands on the back of her neck were wrapped in a bandage, making it look almost like a snow-white neckband.

A beautiful person could make even a wound look like a decoration.

Yan Nanjue leaned against the kitchen’s glass door and watched her. When Bai Wan turned around holding a bowl, she froze the moment she saw her.

Yan Nanjue was the first to drop her folded arms. She walked past her, opened the fridge, and took out a bottle of chilled water.

Bai Wan resumed her movements. She sat down at the dining table and ate her noodles in silence. But then, a voice she disliked sounded in her ear: “Where’s mine?”

Bai Wan lowered her eyes. “There’s some in the pot.”

Yan Nanjue served herself a bowl and sat down at the other end of the table. She had to admit, Bai Wan’s cooking was truly excellent; she could make even a simple bowl of Yangchun noodles flavorful. The moment the noodles entered her mouth, Yan Nanjue’s eyes lit up, once again impressed by Bai Wan’s culinary skills.

The dining room was quiet for a while. Bai Wan put down her chopsticks. “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”

Yan Nanjue didn’t respond.

Bai Wan silently put her dishes into the dishwasher and suddenly said, “The news about you demolishing that house… Luo Shuqing told me.”

Yan Nanjue was slightly stunned. Why was Bai Wan suddenly bringing this up now? She didn’t understand her intent. She pressed a napkin to the corner of her mouth with an elegant posture. “Lin Furuo told me.” The implication was that there was no need to say it again.

Bai Wan: “Whether you know is your business. I’m just stating what I know.”

With that, she left the dining room.

Inside, Yan Nanjue puzzled over it for a while before something suddenly clicked—could Bai Wan be explaining herself to her?

…Probably not.

But there seemed to be no other logical explanation. Yan Nanjue finished the rest of her noodles with doubt in her heart.

For the next few days, they lived in peace. Perhaps because of the safely managed heat, her and Bai Wan’s interactions had reached a state of eerie, subtle peace.

Yan Nanjue always felt the heroine was being weird.

System: [Not really.]

Yan Nanjue uneasily checked the blackening value several more times. Yup, no change.

System: [You’ve checked four or five times today. No change means no change. Stop being paranoid. Your phone is ringing.]

It was a call from Ji Ziyi, inviting her and Bai Wan to try a newly opened private kitchen restaurant. Yan Nanjue listened as she gave the time; Ji Ziyi had been thoughtful—it was on the weekend.

But Bai Wan… Just as she was about to decline on her behalf, Ji Ziyi’s lazy voice sounded. “I sent an invite to Bai Wan. Remember to bring her along when you come.”

Yan Nanjue was surprised. Why did Ji Ziyi also send a message to Bai Wan? How was she supposed to decline now! What if Luo Shuqing also went and they clashed again… What benefit was there for Ji Ziyi to put those two together?!

“Ji Ziyi…” Her voice became serious.

Ji Ziyi’s voice came through the receiver. “Relax, relax. Shuqing can’t make it. She has classes at school and needs to submit a thesis this weekend. She won’t have time to come out until her birthday. I’ve considered everything for you.”

“So, what do you say, our great President Yan? Are you coming, or are you coming with Bai Wan?”

Hearing this, Yan Nanjue relaxed slightly. “Since when did you develop an interest in private kitchens?”

Ji Ziyi chuckled. “You’ll find out when you get here.”

Knowing her personality, Yan Nanjue had a vague guess. After hanging up, she thought about it—since Luo Shuqing wasn’t going, there was no harm in bringing the heroine along.

The private kitchen Ji Ziyi mentioned was located in a club by the river. The entrance was archaic, with a plaque that said something-pavilion. The waitresses wore tight-fitting long qipaos and led the guests with a smile into a gallery of carved beams and painted pillars. Entering the club, one saw pavilions, terraces, and towers full of ancient charm—it was entirely in the style of a Chinese garden.

Yan Nanjue saw Ji Ziyi in the courtyard of their private room. She had invited many friends but left them all inside, coming out alone. Turning a corner in the corridor, Yan Nanjue saw an Omega beauty in a light blue qipao standing beside her.

The beauty stood under a peach tree. As a breeze blew, falling petals landed on her coiled dark hair. Ji Ziyi reached out, her pale fingers brushing a petal from her hair. Behind the woman was a flowing rockery and waterfall; she smiled faintly, as beautiful as a piece of blue-and-white porcelain.

…Yan Nanjue understood now.

This courtyard was a private room. Chen Wanjun was sitting inside, bored, sipping tea.

“Try it.” She motioned for the tea-serving waitress to hand over two cups of fresh tea.

Bai Wan took the cup, took only a light sip, and put it down.

Yan Nanjue commented, “Very fragrant tea.”

Chen Wanjun nodded slightly. “Very beautiful scenery.”

The two looked at each other. Chen Wanjun’s lips curled slightly as she made a rare teasing comment. In her heart, Yan Nanjue spoke almost in unison with her.

“—Such a flirtatious person.”

“Such a flirtatious person.”

Yan Nanjue silently told the System: “As expected, Ji Ziyi’s reputation is the same in everyone’s eyes.” If Bai Wan hadn’t been there, she really would have said it aloud in sync with Chen Wanjun.

Even so, there was a lingering trace of a smile in her eyes. “Who’s that standing next to her?”

“The owner.” Chen Wanjun closed her eyes to inhale the tea’s aroma. “A high-level Omega, surname Cheng, unmarried, currently single.”

Yan Nanjue asked casually, “From A-City?”

“From B-City. I haven’t checked her specific background, but she likely has a significant origin. I’ve warned her, but she’s stubborn—insisting she can understand the other party through her personal charm.”

Yan Nanjue nodded slightly. “The rent for this place isn’t something an ordinary person could afford.”

Chen Wanjun waved her hand, signaling for the tea girl to leave. “She bought it. The renovations alone took two years.”

Yan Nanjue was a bit surprised. To be able to buy such a large piece of land in the heart of A-City, where land was worth its weight in gold, this Owner Cheng must have a formidable background. Could Ji Ziyi afford to provoke someone like that?

Chen Wanjun looked out through the circular wooden window. “Let her be. Ziyi is an easy target, but the Ji family isn’t.” She changed the subject. “They’re playing mahjong next door. Want to join? —Is Bai Wan interested?”

Bai Wan declined, looking down at her phone.

The original host knew how to play mahjong, but Yan Nanjue didn’t. With the System by her side, she wasn’t afraid at all, but she just didn’t really want to play, so she declined as well. Following Chen Wanjun’s gaze outside, Ji Ziyi was just bringing the person over.

“This is Owner Cheng,” Ji Ziyi said, introducing everyone one by one.

Yan Nanjue noticed that Owner Cheng’s gaze bypassed her and swept over Bai Wan in the corner, staying a few seconds longer than on anyone else before moving on lightly. This slight bit of preferential treatment was subtle and hidden; no one noticed it except Yan Nanjue, who was constantly paying attention to Bai Wan.

She couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled. Does Owner Cheng know Bai Wan?

When it was time to introduce Bai Wan, Ji Ziyi said, “This is A-Yan’s wife, Miss Bai Wan.”

Owner Cheng’s expression suddenly shifted to one of realization. She praised her with a light laugh, her eyes sparkling with bright, fine laughter. “Miss Yan and Miss Bai are both so radiant; you make a very well-matched pair.”

Yan Nanjue looked at Ji Ziyi, then at Owner Cheng, and suddenly had a moment of clarity as to why Owner Cheng had been looking at Bai Wan.

—So it wasn’t Ji Ziyi’s unrequited love, but a mutual attraction. I wonder if Ji Ziyi has realized it yet.

Owner Cheng asked again, “I wonder how long Miss Yan and Miss Bai have been married? Was it this year?”

Ji Ziyi said, “They’ve been married for two years.”

Owner Cheng looked slightly surprised and asked softly, “Is that so? I thought you were newlyweds.”

“But Miss Bai doesn’t have a trace of Alpha pheromone scent on her. It seems… she hasn’t been marked?”