A Vicious Scum Alpha in a Heartthrob Novel - Chapter 18

Xu Qingshui watched Fu Jinghua drink her soup in silence. With her eyes downcast, taking small, quiet bites, the woman looked soft and submissive—a far cry from her usual prickly, confrontational self. In this moment, she actually seemed… well, well-behaved.

Xu Qingshui was startled by her own thought. “Well-behaved” was a word that usually had zero connection to Fu Jinghua. After all, this was the ruthless woman who had proposed a marriage of convenience on their actual wedding day. This scene felt entirely unfamiliar.

Yet, inexplicably, watching her eat gave Xu Qingshui a bizarre sense of stability. It was as if she were finally adapting to this life—moving away from being a stranger in a new world and toward creating her own footprints within it.

It was all because of these newfound ties.

Is Fu Jinghua my ‘tie’?

Xu Qingshui felt that wasn’t quite right, but she didn’t want to think too deeply on it. Their initial meeting hadn’t been under normal circumstances, and the true thoughts of the woman before her remained a mystery. They might just be slaves to their pheromones. Still, Xu Qingshui didn’t hate it.

Sensing a gentle gaze upon her, Fu Jinghua looked up and couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you eating?”

Xu Qingshui snapped out of it and sat back down, ladling a bowl of soup for herself and taking a sip. The two finished breakfast in peace, and the atmosphere at the table was surprisingly harmonious.

Once they were done, Fu Jinghua’s strength had recovered a bit. She glanced at Xu Qingshui, who was currently clearing the dishes. The Alpha looked much more agreeable than usual. Is she trying to suck up to me?

Xu Qingshui didn’t seem like the type, though. Could it be because of last night? I hope she hasn’t misunderstood anything.

She cleared her throat softly, took a sip of water, and said, “…About last night, I was only like that because of the influence of the pheromones.”

Xu Qingshui paused, then gave a simple “Mm.” She replied, “I know.” After a beat, she added, “Me too. I was also led on by your pheromones.”

“I just felt a bit guilty. I was a bit overboard last night, you understand that feeling, right?” Xu Qingshui couldn’t help but let a little “sting” back into her tone.

Now it was Fu Jinghua’s turn to be speechless. She hadn’t expected Xu Qingshui to be so thick-skinned. But what she said wasn’t wrong.

Fu Jinghua countered: “Same here. I think you should be able to understand my mindset, too. After all, it was just about meeting a need.”

Both used polite, formal language to mask the bizarre atmosphere; it felt as though only by doing this could they both feel safe. It seemed this was the only way they knew how to interact. Yet, neither of them found the words particularly pleasant to hear.

A silence fell over the room.

After a while, Xu Qingshui finished with the dishes. Seeing Fu Jinghua still sitting there, she couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you have work today?”

Fu Jinghua’s brows shot up, a sudden spark of anger igniting. “Are you trying to kick me out? Are you annoyed by me?”

Due to the influence of pheromones, an Omega naturally develops a sense of reliance and need for the Alpha who marked them. It’s a subtle feeling that the person involved might not even notice at first.

Xu Qingshui paused, keenly noticing that the woman’s current state wasn’t right. Why does that sound like she’s acting spoiled?

She pushed that terrifying thought out of her head. Looking at Fu Jinghua now, the woman’s upturned phoenix eyes were shimmering with moisture, her gaze so crystal clear that it revealed a hint of purity.

Xu Qingshui instinctively looked away and explained softly, “No, I was just concerned about you.”

It was just a simple explanation, but it made Fu Jinghua calm down. Listening to the Alpha’s gentle voice, she suddenly realized her emotional instability was indeed the pheromones talking. She adjusted her mindset and said, “I’m taking a rest day today.”

She paused, looking as though the next words were difficult to say: “Are you going out today?” She remembered that over the past few days, Xu Qingshui seemed to be out all the time.

Fu Jinghua suddenly thought of the “shady” people the Alpha used to hang around with, and a sudden surge of anger appeared—even though she knew from Xu Qingshui’s previous explanation that the reality was different.

Fu Jinghua’s breathing grew slightly heavy. She took a sip of water, barely suppressing her irritable mood. She didn’t want Xu Qingshui to think she was fragile.

Xu Qingshui noticed the chaotic scent of roses in the air. Abandoning her plan to go look for actors, she shook her head. “I have nothing to do today. I’m staying in.”

Fu Jinghua let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. She nodded and gave a short “Mm.”

Another round of silence followed. After a long while, Xu Qingshui asked hesitantly, “Want to watch TV?”

Fu Jinghua: “Okay.”

Xu Qingshui was stunned. To be honest, she and Fu Jinghua had never been this peaceful together—so peaceful it felt like they were mutually accommodating one another. The sensation made Xu Qingshui slightly uncomfortable.

She turned on the TV and saw Fu Jinghua sitting on the sofa. Though the woman was frowning with a look of slight impatience, she remained seated.

So well-behaved?

Xu Qingshui sat on the sofa not far from her and tried to release a tiny bit of her pheromones. She watched as Fu Jinghua’s furrowed brow instantly smoothed out.

It really is the pheromones.

At the same time, Xu Qingshui felt a genuine surge of worry. According to the plot, Fu Jinghua would go through many things in the entertainment industry—some good, some bad. But because of her status as an Omega, she would be subjected to many underhanded tactics. While they wouldn’t truly break her, they were still disgusting.

Now that the woman needed her for pheromonal support, perhaps this was the right time to intervene.

Xu Qingshui asked casually, “I remember you’re going to film the series With You soon, right?”

The reason Xu Qingshui remembered the name so clearly was that the show would eventually become an unexpected, phenomenal hit. Although Fu Jinghua’s popularity was already established, she still had to take on some lower-budget web dramas to help promote newcomers. This made her requirements for scripts very high.

Fu Jinghua could sense the potential in a script, but the ultimate success of this one would exceed even her expectations, further solidifying her status. However, the filming process would be far from smooth; her co-star would frequently harass her, and after the wrap party, he would even spike her drink with a drug to induce heat.

Because the drink was offered as a toast by the director, Fu Jinghua had no choice but to drink it. Finding out the truth later had made her feel utterly sick.

Fu Jinghua was surprised that Xu Qingshui knew so much about her schedule. After a pause, she said, “We’re currently in the negotiation stage.”

Xu Qingshui asked, “Can I go with you?” Fearing a misunderstanding, she quickly added, “No ulterior motives. I’m just worried you might be in danger while filming.”

Fu Jinghua had struggled in the industry for so long, and no one had ever offered to go with her. Most people were just after her social status and wanted a fleeting fling. She couldn’t help but look at Xu Qingshui for a few extra seconds. Because she understood people, she realized the woman was different from the others.

At least in this matter, she was different.

Perhaps the Alpha’s pheromones made her feel too secure; by some twist of fate, Fu Jinghua said, “Fine.” After saying it, she stared straight at the TV and stopped talking.

The reasons Xu Qingshui had prepared were completely blocked by that single word. Fu Jinghua really was unimaginably compliant today.

She couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at the woman until Fu Jinghua sensed it and asked, “What is it?”

Xu Qingshui shook her head. “Nothing. I was just thinking you look different on TV than you do in person.”

The TV was playing Fu Jinghua’s first breakout work. Her acting looked a bit green, but she was brimming with natural talent.

Fu Jinghua’s throat moved imperceptibly. Finally, she gave an “Mm” and asked, “What’s the difference?”

Xu Qingshui thought for a moment. “On screen, you look very timid. Your body language is completely different from how it is now.”

A faint smile touched Fu Jinghua’s lips. She replied, “Emotions can be acted out.”

Xu Qingshui nodded in understanding. “Still, few people have acting as good as yours.”

Fu Jinghua said without thinking, “That’s because they aren’t me. Only I can do it.”

Though her tone sounded proud, she certainly had the skill and the foundation to back it up. Because it was Fu Jinghua saying it, Xu Qingshui didn’t find it annoying; she found it cute.

Xu Qingshui’s lips curled into a light chuckle. “You’re right.”

Fu Jinghua glanced at her. With her pheromones surging, she couldn’t help but get up to pour herself a glass of water; when she returned, she sat right next to Xu Qingshui. They were pressed close together, like any other couple.

Xu Qingshui’s body didn’t reject the contact at all; she was perfectly relaxed. This detail made Fu Jinghua increasingly satisfied. Even if it was just the entanglement of pheromones, the Alpha’s reaction made her feel comfortable.

Fu Jinghua found an excuse for her behavior: “I’m a bit tired. I want to lean on you and rest for a while. You don’t mind, do you?”

By now, Xu Qingshui had guessed the reason behind these actions. She replied without hesitation, “I’d be more than happy.”

Soothing an Omega when they were uncomfortable was a skill and a responsibility every Alpha should have. At this moment, Xu Qingshui didn’t mind saying some things Fu Jinghua liked to hear to make her happy.

Fu Jinghua became visibly more cheerful. Her beautiful eyes were bright as she moved even closer. No matter how much she tried to control it, her body language didn’t lie. She leaned against Xu Qingshui, watching TV, and gradually fell asleep.

The relaxing, soothing scent of Brandy filled the entire room.

Seeing that she was truly exhausted, Xu Qingshui adjusted her position, letting Fu Jinghua use her lap as a pillow. Fu Jinghua never even opened her eyes, looking as though she was in a very deep sleep.