A Scummy Alpha Supporting Character Accidentally Marks the Heroine After Transmigrating into a Book (GL) - Chapter 40

Yan Nanjue lifted her eyes, a sharp, piercing coldness radiating from them—an innate authority that commanded respect without a word.

The oppressive aura of an Alpha spread silently through the room. Lin Furuo lowered her head deeply, acknowledging her mistake. “I apologize, President Yan. It was my responsibility to control the flow of information.”

Yan Nanjue’s head throbbed painfully. With this news out, Luo Shuqing would target Bai Wan even more relentlessly.

She clutched her head in agony for a long moment before a sudden thought struck her. “System! System! Has the Blackening Value changed? What about the OOC value? How much did I OOC…?”

Her internal voice faltered when she saw the OOC counter.

No change.

…There was actually no change?

Yan Nanjue exited the interface in suspicion and clicked back in, checking several times in disbelief. The OOC value remained stable at 2%, without a single flicker of fluctuation.

She had lunged over to save Bai Wan during a car crash—how could that not trigger an OOC warning?

“System, is there another bug in your program?”

【System: No.】

“Then why didn’t I OOC?” Yan Nanjue asked, bewildered. “This number isn’t right. Why is it exactly the same as before the accident?”

【System: Are you looking forward to OOC-ing?】

Yan Nanjue shook her head frantically. “Of course not! I just find it strange. From any angle, the original host doesn’t seem like the type to sacrifice herself for others. Why is it like this? How do you even judge OOC values?”

She had wanted to ask this for a long time.

【It is linked to your actions, words, and deeds, but it is also tied closely to key characters. The former accounts for 40%, while the latter accounts for 60%. Your behavior in front of key characters determines if your OOC value fluctuates. If they suspect you are not the original host, your OOC value will skyrocket. This is why you can relax and be yourself in front of non-essential characters—though I suggest you don’t, as they can interact with key characters and indirectly cause an OOC event.】

The System continued: 【And your current OOC value is linked to the heroine.】 It recalled the previous incident. 【The same thing happened when you saved her at the pool. Both times, your OOC value was tied to her. The key character you were facing was none other than the heroine.】

【Looking at it this way…】 the System mused seriously, 【The heroine doesn’t seem to care much about what you do? Therefore, she hasn’t developed any suspicion toward you.】

Yan Nanjue was stunned, nearly getting lost in the System’s logic. “So, the point is I didn’t OOC, right?”

【Yes.】

Yan Nanjue relaxed. If that was the case, she wouldn’t worry about it. The Blackening Value was the priority; OOC was secondary.

“Miss Wanjun and Master Ji sent messages; they want to come visit, but they weren’t sure if you were awake. How should I reply?” Lin Furuo asked.

“Don’t let Luo Shuqing know I’m awake,” Yan Nanjue ordered.

“Understood, President Yan,” Lin Furuo said. “Chairman Yan asked you to call her once you’re clear-headed. She’s worried about your condition.”

The person on the bed had already closed her eyes, looking weary. Knowing the complex relationship between her boss and the Chairman, Lin Furuo said nothing more and quietly exited the ward to wait for the butler to bring dinner.

Just outside the ward, she bumped into someone unexpected.

“Madam?”

Bai Wan was dressed in pure white loungewear, her complexion as pale and flawless as her clothes. The only color on her person came from her eyes, which were as clear and thick as honey in a glass jar.

She stood at the door of the ward, slightly tucked into a corner. Unless someone walked out, those inside wouldn’t see her.

Lin Furuo lowered her voice. “Are you here to see President Yan? She’s awake, but her mood is a bit poor. You should be careful when you go in.”

“I know,” Bai Wan said flatly. “I heard your conversation.”

Lin Furuo asked, “Are you going in?”

Seeing no reply from Bai Wan, she wisely shut her mouth and smiled. “President Yan isn’t used to hospital food, so I’ve ordered the family cook to send over a meal. I’ll wait downstairs; please, suit yourself.”

The footsteps faded away. The VIP floor only had two rooms, making it exceptionally quiet.

Bai Wan closed her eyes, her fingertips resting on the doorknob, pressing down slightly.

Then she stopped.

Her movements froze, and for a long time, there was no next step.

The corridor was so silent that Bai Wan could hear her own heartbeat—it seemed faster than usual. The surging rhythm rushed toward her like waves, drowning her in an instant. Invisible ripples coiled tightly around her wrists, restraining her from pushing the door open.

It was as if behind that door lay a monster she couldn’t afford to touch. Even just looking at it might burn her retinas with venom.

A faint ringing filled her ears.

…How many times had it been now?

She had lost count.

The questions in her heart took root and sprouted, growing rapidly. For the first time, Bai Wan felt such a violent surge of emotion toward this madwoman. She didn’t understand; it felt like she had never truly seen the person inside.

Initially, the madwoman wanted to keep her like a bird in a cage. Later, she wanted to domesticate her into an obedient dog, breaking her pride and crushing her spirit with every means of humiliation.

And then?

What did the lunatic want after that?

Plans seemed to have changed, but Bai Wan didn’t know why, nor did she wish to investigate. Whether it was a new trick to coax her or one clumsy lie after another… she didn’t want to know.

…There was less than a year left.

When the contract ended, she would never have anything to do with Yan Nanjue again.

Bai Wan slowly loosened her grip, letting the branches of emotion slip through her empty fingers. If she could, she would set fire to all these feelings and burn them to ash.

She was tired. The thoughts that couldn’t be solved, the emotions that couldn’t be untangled—they would stop here. She would not let these doubts trap her anymore, nor was she willing to remain entangled with the woman inside.

She didn’t want a single thing to do with her.

Bai Wan turned to leave.

“—Come in.”

Suddenly, a voice traveled through the door. Bai Wan’s departing steps came to an abrupt halt.

Inside the ward, Yan Nanjue was puzzled. “Are you sure, System? There’s no one out there, right?”

【System: What? You don’t believe me? If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.】

“Fine, fine, I believe you.”

【I saw a lock of black hair. It’s a woman, not Assistant Lin or the Supporting Lead.】 Assistant Lin had dark brown wavy hair usually kept in a low bun, while Luo Shuqing kept her hair light-colored year-round.

Yan Nanjue was curious. Who could it be?

“Stop acting like a ghost at the door and get in here!”

As her cold, biting words fell, the doorknob turned. The person behind the door had a face so beautiful she looked like a spirit. Her long lashes were lowered, and her lips were pressed thin.

The atmosphere plunged into an eerie silence.

Yan Nanjue’s palms were slightly damp with sweat. She never expected the person at the door to be Bai Wan. This was likely the first time she had seen Bai Wan since the accident.

She looked coldly at the person in the doorway, deliberating for a long time before speaking her first sentence: “Are you standing there waiting for me to give you a formal invitation to enter?”

Bai Wan lifted her eyes, meeting hers from across the room.

Their gazes clashed and intertwined in the air like two thin, sharp blades—neither willing to yield their edge.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Bai Wan approached and sat on the companion chair by the bed. Yan Nanjue gripped her hands tightly under the duvet, terrified the heroine would ask why. She hadn’t even made up an excuse yet!

“You…”

Bai Wan started a sentence only to trail off, falling into a silent, deep frown.

“I what?” Yan Nanjue couldn’t wait any longer, prompting her coldly.

Bai Wan lowered her eyes. “The doctor said your injuries aren’t serious.”

“The head is just a minor concussion. The bleeding was mostly due to the shattered window glass. The deepest wound is on your forearm; the rest are just superficial.”

Yan Nanjue blinked, not understanding why she was suddenly reciting medical facts. She spoke with a mock-scoff, “You have nothing else to say?”

“No,” Bai Wan replied.

Yan Nanjue let out a cold laugh. “Then get out.”

Bai Wan lifted her eyelids and stared at her steadily for a few seconds.

The woman’s features were as lush and vivid as a painting. Her usually scarlet lips were now slightly pale. She had a very beautiful philtrum; when she sneered, her lips would purse, the fullness of the flesh almost sinking in.

Those beautiful eyes were full of coldness, even a hint of thin rage. Anyone with eyes could see she was in a terrible mood. It was impossible to tell where that anger originated.

Black hair was scattered messily behind her. Her gown’s collar was a bit too large, slipping loosely to one shoulder, revealing the skin below the collarbone—which was also scratched and bandaged.

There had been a circular bite mark there once; now the teeth marks were fading, replaced by new wounds. Both times, the injuries had been left by the same person.

“The butler will bring your dinner soon,” Bai Wan said.

“Mrs. Yan, is that your duty or the butler’s?”

Bai Wan, who was already turning to leave, stopped. “…Fine.”

Yan Nanjue didn’t react immediately. It was only after the door closed that she realized what Bai Wan’s response meant.

She actually… agreed to her demand?

“System, I feel like the heroine…”

【System: …Is acting weird.】

【I’ve heard you ask this so many times my circuits are starting to glitch.】

Yan Nanjue felt a bit awkward. “But she wasn’t this easy to talk to before…”

【You saved her; she probably feels she owes you a favor,】 the System said casually. 【The heroine was never heartless. She’s only heartless to you because you’re her enemy.】

Yan Nanjue found that logical.

Chen Wanjun and Ji Ziyi arrived at the same time as the butler. The butler brought a dark wood tiffin box, setting out the dishes one by one. Her eyes were full of worry as she whispered, “The cook made some light dishes and stewed some soup. Please eat more to regain your strength, Miss.”

Having delivered her message, she tactfully exited the room to give them space.

Ji Ziyi stood with her hands in her pockets, leaning against the wall. Her sunglasses were folded and hooked into her collar. She shook her head with a “tsk-tsk.”

“Look at you two. One falls down the stairs, and the other gets into a car crash immediately after.” She joked, “When you get discharged, go find a temple nearby and pray. You two piteous little jinxes.”

Yan Nanjue swept her with a cold gaze. Ji Ziyi snorted. “You don’t like being called unlucky, do you?”

She leaned in for a closer look. “Head bandaged, hands bandaged… you look truly pathetic, President Yan. Where’s the chart? Let me see.” She rummaged through the drawer and flipped through the medical records.

Chen Wanjun sat on a small sofa nearby, propping her chin on one hand, her gaze deep and pensive. “Stop bothering her. Let her eat first.”

“Fine, fine. The injured President Yan is the boss of the world.” Ji Ziyi stretched, her hem rising and falling with the movement.

A strong, woody tea scent wafted over, radiating from her sleeves and skin. It was much more intense than a normal perfume. Yan Nanjue lightly covered her nose. “You smell so strongly of perfume. Did you change yours?”

Ji Ziyi’s face stiffened. She grit her teeth. “…It’s Omega pheromones.”

Yan Nanjue instinctively raised an eyebrow, letting out a quiet “Wow” in her head. She stole a glance at Ji Ziyi and noticed the collar where the sunglasses were hooked had dipped, revealing vivid red marks and bite wounds on her skin. She silently looked away—it was best not to pry.

Ji Ziyi was clearly irritable; the frustration was plain on her face. She grabbed a bottle of alcohol spray and aimed it at herself, trying to drown out the scent with the smell of ethanol.

“Stay back,” Yan Nanjue said. “You’re getting it in my bowl.”

Chen Wanjun added from a distance, “Spray less. The smell is too pungent; it’s unpleasant.”

Ji Ziyi walked to the window, opening it to air out the pheromone scent. The room was momentarily filled with the sharp smell of alcohol.

“What’s wrong?” Yan Nanjue asked, somewhat enjoying the spectacle. “Had another fight with your Boss Cheng?”

“Just say it if you want to laugh at me.” Ji Ziyi slapped her forehead. “She leaves marks everywhere like a dog. Now I’m covered in her pheromones. It’s infuriating.”

Yan Nanjue remembered the phone call she’d made to Ji Ziyi during her trip. “She was the one who hung up the phone?”

“Who else?” Ji Ziyi raised both hands. “As heaven is my witness, I never hang up on people. I couldn’t do something so lack-of-virtue.”

Chen Wanjun asked, “It sounds like you’re very dissatisfied with her behavior.” She looked at Yan Nanjue. “Looks like you’re about to win the bet.”

“Expected,” Yan Nanjue said.

“You two are betting on me again?” Ji Ziyi sat on the sofa, leaning back so her long curls spilled over the backrest. She reclined lazily on one side, naturally crossing a leg in a casual, nonchalant posture. Her voice was listless. “I don’t like people who are too possessive. If I’d known she was like a mad dog once she started dating, I never would have provoked her.”

Ji Ziyi’s voice carried a hint of complaint. “Now I have to report to her just to go out. She even wants to control who I talk to on the phone. Last time A-Yan called, she snatched the phone and hung up, forcing me to tell her who was on the other end. She wouldn’t believe it was A-Yan.”

Chen Wanjun knew her temperament too well and sensed something from her words. “What did you name A-Yan in your contacts?”

“Yan Baby.”

Yan Nanjue, listening in, was horrified. “What?!” How could Ji Ziyi use such a contact name?

Chen Wanjun: “…”

She was between laughter and tears. “When did you change it? Wasn’t it ‘Cold and Ruthless Person Yan’ last time?”

“Hey! Didn’t you say you wouldn’t tell A-Yan what her nickname was?” Ji Ziyi made a show of glaring at her.

“And ours?” Chen Wanjun asked.

“If I’m changing one, I’m changing them all. Jun Baby and Qing Baby, obviously.”

Yan Nanjue began to understand why Boss Cheng’s possessiveness was so extreme…

Ji Ziyi continued: “Besides, what’s wrong with giving a close friend an intimate nickname? It’s not like it’s something to hide. Why does she get to hang up my phone?”

Chen Wanjun let out a soft laugh. “I warned you. You said beauty comes first; everything else is secondary.” She asked, “Is it still secondary now?”

Ji Ziyi looked up gloomily. “Beauty is nature; it’s only human.”

Chen Wanjun still wore a faint smile, making a rare joke with a hint of teasing: “So, Miss Heartbreaker, how does it feel?”

“Last time we ran into an ex, she almost peeled my skin off when we got back.”

Chen Wanjun lightly kicked the tip of Ji Ziyi’s crossed shoe, commenting flatly: “Keep your feet away, you fickle radish. You smell too strongly of alcohol, sit further away—and only you could manage to run into four exes at the same time.”

Yan Nanjue listened to their banter with great interest, her eating speed slowing down. The System was eavesdropping alongside her.

Ji Ziyi hugged herself. “I’m a bit fickle, but I’m not a scumbag. I still have some bottom lines, right A-Yan?”

The corner of Yan Nanjue’s mouth quirked up slightly, revealing a rare smile. “Your bottom line? So the romantic Master Ji actually has a bottom line.”

Ji Ziyi spoke exaggeratedly: “Is my joke that funny? To have our President Yan deign to grace us with a smile—that really is my honor.”

Among the childhood friends, Yan Nanjue actually smiled the least. Most of the time, her face was set in a sneer or a mockery; peaceful smiles were rare, and a genuine smile from the heart had never been seen.

“Of course I have bottom lines,” Ji Ziyi said, her slender fingers waving in the air. “I don’t hit on friends, I don’t go back to exes, I don’t cheat, I don’t act as the ‘third person,’ and I don’t use cold violence. At most, I just change girlfriends a bit quickly.”

Yan Nanjue gave her an ambiguous look. “So Wanjun says you’re a heartbreaker; your exes are all obsessed with you.”

Ji Ziyi fell silent, pulling her hoodie over her face and leaning against the sofa in frustration.

A message notification rang out. Ji Ziyi fumbled for her phone in her pocket and tossed it to her side without looking. “See who sent it. Checking in or what?”

Chen Wanjun caught it. Ji Ziyi’s passcode wasn’t a secret; she opened it with a swipe. “It’s from Shuqing.”

Yan Nanjue, who had just finished eating and was tidying the dishes, paused.

“She’s asking if you’re awake,” Chen Wanjun continued. “She wants to come see you.”

Ji Ziyi lifted her hood. “Her cast isn’t off yet, is it? Don’t let her run around.”

Yan Nanjue frowned. “Tell her to rest.”

Bai Wan was in the room next door. If Luo Shuqing came over and ran into her… after the “stairs incident,” a meeting between these two would be like throwing water into boiling oil. In the end, it would be Yan Nanjue who suffered.

Still uneasy, Yan Nanjue instructed: “Send a message to Luo Huazhi. Tell her to watch her sister.”

Chen Wanjun complied.

After a short while, she said, “She says since she can’t come see you, she wants to meet with Bai Wan instead. In the VIP ward next door.”

…Luo Shuqing wanted to see Bai Wan?