A Scummy Alpha Supporting Character Accidentally Marks the Heroine After Transmigrating into a Book (GL) - Chapter 43

Yan Nanjue leisurely finished a bowl of pear soup in the dining room. The portion wasn’t large, just enough for one person. Her stomach felt warm now, and her posture relaxed.

The System calculated the time. 【Go take your medicine.】

Yan Nanjue’s face immediately fell. She dragged her feet across the rug. “I don’t have a fever anymore…”

【Then wait for the heroine to come sit by your bed for half the night again.】

This splash of cold water worked instantly. Yan Nanjue quickly found her cold medicine, popped the pills out one by one until a small pile sat in her palm, and struggled to swallow them with warm water.

Suppressing the urge to gag, she cursed the System in her head, took a shower, and fell asleep under the sedative effect of the medicine.

The next morning, Yan Nanjue woke up refreshed, her discomfort gone.

Yan Changqing sent someone to fetch her for a shareholders’ meeting. In the conference room, Yan Changqing wore a silk suit; with her broad shoulders and narrow waist, she looked sharp and beautiful. She sat with her palms together over her knees, leaning forward slightly, her gaze piercing and overbearing.

“Are there any other objections?” she asked, her tone cold and unyielding. “The Yan Group will not touch this project. As for the rest of you, you’d better keep your hands clean and stay away from shady business.”

One shareholder hesitated. “Chairman Yan, hasn’t the risk assessment for this deal already been completed? Securing this piece of the pie would bring a hundred benefits to the company with no drawbacks. Why the sudden change…?”

Yan Changqing glanced at Yan Nanjue to her right but didn’t explain. “I don’t like repeating myself.”

“There must be a reason, right?”

“Stopping the project so suddenly—there’s high-level backing for this deal. Even if it’s overseas, the profit margins are huge. If the Yan Group doesn’t bite, other companies will.”

“The Yan Group isn’t afraid of risk, it’s just…”

The shareholders bickered all morning without reaching a conclusion. Yan Nanjue found the repetitive arguments boring, her fingers absentmindedly stroking the edge of her phone under the table.

This project was a massive trap; if the Yan Group stepped into it, they would be severely weakened. But based on currently available information, it looked like an incredible opportunity. That was why the shareholders were so reluctant to let it go.

If she hadn’t read the original book and known the plot in advance, the Yan Group would have definitely fallen for it.

【You’ve pushed back two projects in the last month,】 the System noted. 【Aren’t you worried about being exposed?】

Yan Nanjue shook her head in her mind. “No. Too many people ignore the risks behind them because of immediate gains. Yan Changqing isn’t a fool; once I laid out the traps in the contract for her to see, she knew what to decide.”

“Besides, she feels guilty toward her daughter. Staying in the country is her way of making amends. I can use that; she won’t refuse my requests as long as they’re within her power.”

“The Yan Group has long been Yan Changqing’s domain. If she doesn’t agree, no one dares to take it on privately.”

The meeting ended at noon. Yan Nanjue stood up, her body feeling stiff. As the elevator doors opened, the employees inside whispered greetings: “Good afternoon, President Yan. Good afternoon, Assistant Lin.”

Yan Nanjue paused. Behind the employees, she saw Bai Wan, her eyes downcast. A colleague nudged Bai Wan’s sleeve, signaling her to greet the boss.

Bai Wan looked up. Her voice was light and slow, without any intentional humility. “…Good afternoon, President Yan.”

Yan Nanjue gave a cold, indifferent nod as if she had never met the woman, yet a faint sweetness of fruit lingered on her tongue.

The doors closed. The enclosed space was quiet. With the boss present, the chatting employees fell silent. After about ten seconds, the elevator reached their floor. They hurried out like mice fleeing a cat—even those whose destination wasn’t that floor stepped out, as no one wanted to share an elevator with the notoriously strict boss.

Bai Wan walked at her usual pace, trailing at the back. As she brushed past, her clothing lightly caught against Yan Nanjue’s shoulder—it was accidental. Not skin-on-skin, just fabric. Yan Nanjue’s gaze followed the bit of wrinkled fabric as it left the elevator.

“Goodbye, President Yan,” Bai Wan’s clear, cold voice rang out softly.

Only Yan Nanjue and Assistant Lin remained. Yan Nanjue stared at the reflective surface of the door and asked casually, “Whose commission did she take recently?”

A rare silence followed. Yan Nanjue looked sideways. “Struck dumb? Don’t you know who I’m asking about?”

Lin Furuo peeked at her boss’s expression before quickly looking down. “…It’s the Luo family.”

Hmm? Wait, not the Luo family I’m thinking of, right?

“I thought the Madam had told you… it’s Miss Shuqing’s private project. I don’t know the specifics. Miss Shuqing had the Madam sign a non-disclosure agreement. The Madam took the exclusive commission a month ago.”

Lin Furuo realized this was a lapse in her reporting. “I apologize, President Yan. It was my failure to report in time.”

Yan Nanjue wasn’t angry; she seemed to mention it in passing. “Find out what Luo Shuqing wants.”

“Yes, President Yan.”

The information was delivered to Yan Nanjue’s office that afternoon. She flipped to the first page—it was indeed the pair of rings she had glimpsed before. Bai Wan had designed two drafts, but Luo Shuqing had rejected both, wanting something more novel and unique.

“Miss Shuqing said these rings are for her future wedding. They are of the utmost importance, so she must be cautious.”

Yan Nanjue was puzzled. Who is Luo Shuqing planning to marry? And why hire a love rival to design such an important item? Does she admire Bai Wan’s talent?

The thought was quickly dismissed. Yan Nanjue tapped the cover of the file. “The reason Luo Shuqing sought her out?”

Lin Furuo bowed her head. “Unknown for now. I’ve sent people to investigate.”

“No need.” Yan Nanjue picked up the file and stood. “Get the car ready.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll go ask her directly.” Assistant Lin wouldn’t find anything, but facing Luo Shuqing directly would make it easier to probe for hidden motives. If there were any, she had to separate them. These two were better off never seeing each other again.

Meanwhile, Bai Wan was on a field assignment.

On her laptop was the freshly finished third draft. Not long after she sent it, she received a call from Luo Shuqing, telling her to bring the drafts to the Luo residence. On the phone, Luo Shuqing insisted on hearing her design philosophy.

Now, Bai Wan sat in the second-floor parlor of the Luo house, listening to the fake Beta smile at her. “Sister Bai Wan, thank you for making the trip.”

Despite having torn off the mask of civility last time, Luo Shuqing acted as if nothing had happened, wearing her fake smile again. Her leg was still in a cast, and she leaned back in her wheelchair lazily. Secretary Lü stood behind her with crutches, and the butler guarded the stairs nearby like a hawk.

Ever since the “stair incident,” she was watched everywhere. Clearly, if she weren’t being followed, she wouldn’t have invited Bai Wan here; she would have gone to her door directly.

“You’re welcome. It’s my job,” Bai Wan said professionally. “Miss Luo, please check if there are any further modifications needed.”

If Luo Shuqing wanted to play pretend, Bai Wan would wear her own mask of polite distance.

Luo Shuqing showed little interest in the designs but a great deal of interest in Bai Wan herself. She glanced at the drafts, offered a few petty criticisms, and dragged out the process. “They’re just minor issues. Modify them here.”

Secretary Lü listened for a while and gripped the wheelchair handle, signaling her to stop.

Luo Shuqing ignored her. “Sister Bai Wan won’t find me annoying with all these requests, right?” Without waiting for an answer, she smiled again. “I think you should be able to understand me. A wedding is one of the most important occasions in a person’s life. It’s only natural that I take it seriously, don’t you think, Secretary Lü?”

The single Secretary Lü nodded. “…Miss is right.”

“Stand back. Can’t you see Sister Bai Wan is uncomfortable with you here?” Luo Shuqing said slowly.

Lü retreated, watching them from a distance. Luo Shuqing propped her chin on her hands and suddenly asked, “Sister Bai Wan, what about you?”

“Where are the wedding rings from when you two got married? I’ve never seen Nanjue-jie or you wear them.”

“That is a private matter. You have no right to ask, Miss Luo.”

Luo Shuqing smiled brightly. “Technically, you’re my senior. I want to learn from your experience. Don’t be so cold, tell me more.” She leaned forward, drawing closer. “Is it that you’re unwilling to wear them, or… do you simply not have them?”

—It was the latter.

How could there be rings for a marriage born of coercion and abduction?

Bai Wan didn’t answer. She looked up at the encroaching Luo Shuqing. “Forgive me for asking, Miss Luo, but by sending everyone away to be alone with me… are you planning to fall down the stairs again?”

Luo Shuqing froze. She slowly lifted her eyes to meet Bai Wan’s gaze. Even though the words were mocking, there was no emotion in Bai Wan’s eyes—only a thin layer of superficial indifference. It seemed nothing Luo Shuqing said could provoke her. She simply didn’t care.

“Ha,” Luo Shuqing laughed uncontrollably. “Fall again?”

“If it would make you stay away from my person, I wouldn’t mind. I’d be happy to do it,” Luo Shuqing said, her voice dropping at the end. “But the effect was mediocre. I’m not a philanthropist; I don’t do things that bring no benefit.”

The roar of a car engine sounded outside, but neither of them noticed.

“So that was your purpose for calling me here?” Bai Wan countered.

“Yes,” Luo Shuqing smiled. “And besides that, I want to warn you: stay away from her.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Luo,” Bai Wan said coldly. “Unreasonable demands are outside the scope of my duties.”

Luo Shuqing turned red with anger. “You—”

“Miss!” Secretary Lü interrupted. “President Yan is here. She’s waiting for you downstairs.”

Luo Shuqing was stunned. “Nanjue-jie is here?”

Upon receiving confirmation, her face filled with uncontrollable joy. She abandoned everything without hesitation to go welcome her. Secretary Lü pushed the wheelchair, nodding to Bai Wan. “Miss Bai, our Miss has business now. Please wait here for a moment.”

The moment the elevator doors opened, Luo Shuqing’s gaze fell on Yan Nanjue in the living room. “Nanjue-jie!”

“Secretary Lü, don’t walk so slowly.” She turned back impatiently, signaling to be pushed faster.

In the living room, a manila envelope sat on the coffee table in front of Yan Nanjue. The butler served her black tea, the delicate porcelain cup sitting next to the envelope.

“Why did you come to see me so suddenly? Nanjue-jie, aren’t you working today? What’s this? Is there anything I can help with?” Luo Shuqing’s voice was full of expectation.

Yan Nanjue picked up the envelope. “Mm.”

Luo Shuqing smiled widely. “Just say the word. I’ll do anything to help you.”

“I have a small matter to ask you about.”

As Yan Nanjue explained her purpose, Luo Shuqing’s face slowly stiffened. After a long while, she stammered, “…You came to see me… just for this?”

For Bai Wan?

Yan Nanjue’s gaze was cold. She tapped the envelope. She didn’t say yes or no. Luo Shuqing stared at the paper bag, suddenly realizing what was inside. Yan Nanjue had investigated before coming here; her purpose was clear—to get to the bottom of this. She didn’t care about anything else.

She came for Bai Wan.

The living room fell silent—so silent that Luo Shuqing could hear her own heart cracking inch by inch.

“Shuqing, my patience is limited,” Yan Nanjue’s cold voice rang out. She used the familiar name, but her attitude had shifted completely.

Luo Shuqing lowered her head and laughed. “Yes, I had another motive.” She looked up, her eyes misty, her smile more painful than a sob. “I told her these wedding rings would end up on your hand. They were prepared for you, Nanjue-jie.”

Yan Nanjue’s finger paused. Just as I suspected… why is Luo Shuqing so obsessed with the original host? She couldn’t understand it.

Yan Nanjue gave a cold warning. “You’re being foolish.” She didn’t hesitate. “Terminate the cooperation. The Yan Group will pay the cancellation fee. I don’t need such things, and I certainly won’t let them end up on my hand.”

Her words were decisive and final.

Luo Shuqing’s fingertips trembled. She couldn’t hold back anymore. “Why?” She gazed at the woman before her. “Is it because you don’t like me, or is it because… you have someone else in your eyes?”

The question fell like a feather onto the marble floor.

Yan Nanjue seemed to find the question boring. She stood up, looking weary. It was the posture of someone preparing to leave.

Her refusal to answer was the clearest answer for Luo Shuqing. Her heart constricted. The thing she feared most was happening. She should have guessed. Bai Wan had that face—she was even prettier than that woman. Over time, how could Yan Nanjue not notice her?

A shift in attention was the beginning of everything. She should have known…

“You think I haven’t noticed?” Luo Shuqing gripped her hands. “Your eyes can’t hold anyone else anymore! Why?! What did I do wrong that you won’t even look at me? Am I that embarrassing? So embarrassing that you avoid me like the plague?!”

“You’re talking too much, Shuqing.” The indifferent tone was a clear warning. She turned to leave, not taking the questions to heart. Her problems and emotions were insignificant to this woman.

Tears streamed down Luo Shuqing’s face. “We grew up together! After so many years, how can an outsider come first? What is she to you?!”

Yan Nanjue stopped. She turned slightly, her silhouette cloaked in the shadows of a pillar, looking cold and mysterious.

“—’What is she?’”

“She is the Madam of the Yan Group, and my legal wife.”

Luo Shuqing lost all strength, her hand knocking over the teacup. A loud crash sent porcelain shards flying everywhere.

At the top of the spiral staircase, a pair of low-heeled shoes stood still.

“She is indeed nothing,” Yan Nanjue said icily, “but only I get to say that. Whatever is mine—no matter how bad—only I can evaluate it.”

“Luo Shuqing, you’ve overstepped.”

Luo Shuqing burst into laughter, tears flowing unrestrained. “I’ve overstepped? I’ve done nothing, and you say I’ve overstepped?”

“You didn’t come here to find out the truth. You came to stand up for her, Nanjue-jie…”

Yan Nanjue thought: Bingo.

She looked at Luo Shuqing and repeated, “I said, the contract is terminated. I don’t want to see you acting on your own authority again; I hate it when others make decisions for me. So, stay away from her in the future.”

“She is still my property. And you are still my fri—”

“You protect her so much,” Luo Shuqing interrupted with hate. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell her that thing?!”

Yan Nanjue’s mouth snapped shut. Her gaze turned colder than ever before. An Alpha’s pressure flooded the room, making everyone’s skin crawl. Luo Shuqing shuddered under the gaze, snapping back to her senses, her fingers trembling.

She had always known Yan Nanjue had a terrible reputation—the cold-blooded “Jade-Faced Asura.” In A-City’s high society, you could provoke anyone but two people: Chen Wanjun and the person standing before her.

Now, she faced that cold-blooded true face for the first time. The gaze was a silent warning: Speak, and we aren’t even friends anymore.

That name had always been a taboo in Yan Nanjue’s heart.

More than fear, Luo Shuqing felt a tightening in her chest. She panicked. “I’m sorry, Nanjue-jie. I shouldn’t have mentioned it… my mind is a mess. I’ll do as you say. Can you forgive me? We’re still good friends, right?”

After a long pause, the cold voice spoke. “The last time.”

Luo Shuqing breathed a massive sigh of relief.

At that moment, faint footsteps sounded—exceptionally clear in the silent room. Bai Wan walked down the stairs, step by step.

Yan Nanjue’s pupils shrank. Holy crap!! Why is the heroine here?!!!

“System?!!”

【System: I don’t know. My vision is the same as yours. If you didn’t know, I didn’t either.】

Crap, crap, crap… did she hear the conversation?! Thank goodness I stopped Luo Shuqing from mentioning the substitute thing, or I’d be doomed!!!

“Why are you here?” Yan Nanjue frowned, letting out a cold laugh. “Running around during work hours? I see you don’t put much heart into your job.”

“I clocked in. I’m on a field assignment.” Bai Wan walked up to her, passing the crying Luo Shuqing. “I came to deliver design drafts to a client.”

Yan Nanjue’s breath hitched. She looked at Lin Furuo, who hadn’t told her about this and was now quietly backing away, leaving her alone. She felt indignant: Assistant Lin… I’m docking her bonus…

“Did you hear the conversation just now?” Yan Nanjue asked expressionlessly.

“Yes,” Bai Wan said, looking her in the eye.

“Then why aren’t you leaving?” Yan Nanjue gave a fake smile. “Or do you like staying in other people’s homes, Mrs. Yan?”

“My apologies, Miss Luo. I look forward to our next cooperation,” Bai Wan said politely. Then, she walked straight toward the black car outside.

Yan Nanjue instructed, “Secretary Lü, take care of your lady.” The secretary, wishing she could disappear, agreed.

Luo Shuqing watched them leave together. Neither spared her a glance. She laughed and cried at the same time. “She doesn’t see me at all… I’m crying, and she didn’t even look… once Bai Wan appeared, she had no one else in her eyes… I’m just a stranger to her now, worse than a stranger…”

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The person who promised never to let me cry again… why can’t she see me now?

Luo Shuqing clutched her chest. “Secretary Lü, my heart hurts. Call a doctor. My heart really, really hurts…”

In the car, Yan Nanjue was terrified but maintained her “CEO” shell. “Why didn’t you report taking a commission from the Luo family? You’re getting bolder, Mrs. Yan.”

Bai Wan had her laptop on her lap, her gaze on the screen. “You made no such requirement.”

“I have to ask for you to speak?”

Bai Wan avoided the heated interrogation, her fingers sliding across the trackpad. “I understand. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Yan Nanjue, prepared for a fight, was speechless. She thought: Bai Wan’s temper really is too good lately. It’s abnormal.

“Mrs. Yan is truly good at pretending,” she sneered.

Bai Wan clicked twice, opening a completed design. The light reflected in her eyes as she looked at a handwritten note on the screen. She looked at the seemingly agitated Alpha and asked the question on her mind:

“The thing Luo Shuqing said she wanted to tell me… what was she referring to?”