Acting as the Powerful Background Character in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 18

Guan Shanyue’s sudden departure did cause some inconvenience for Xiao He. When Dr. Guan found out, she called to apologize and asked if someone else should be arranged to take care of her.

Over the years, the Xiao family had looked after the Guan family significantly and held a large amount of shares in the Guan family’s hospital. Consequently, Dr. Guan had always personally handled Xiao He’s health issues. It was only recently, feeling her age and a lack of energy, that she wanted Guan Shanyue to try taking over her position, hoping new methods might help with Xiao He’s recuperation.

The only thing she hadn’t expected was that Guan Shanyue would be so unreliable.

“There’s no need. I’ll arrange someone on my end. I’ll reach out to you if I need anything else, Dr. Guan.”

Xiao He rubbed her temples, closing her eyes to rest. She didn’t care what kind of fit Guan Shanyue was throwing, nor did she want to deal with another stranger. She rejected the proposal outright and hung up amidst Dr. Guan’s repeated apologies.

Tossing her phone onto the desk, she set the matter aside for the moment. Xiao He was still thinking about a call she had received earlier. The company had been running smoothly, but her proxy had called to report that rumors were spreading again. It didn’t take much thought to realize that someone was becoming restless once more.

Xiao He’s long period of staying behind closed doors had indeed led many with ulterior motives to speculate. If she didn’t make an appearance soon, things would certainly escalate.

Had her physical condition allowed it, Xiao He would have started a thorough reorganization of the company long ago; she wouldn’t have let these people run wild.

A knock sounded at the door. Xiao He momentarily set aside her thoughts and opened it to find Jing Shen standing there, holding Guan Shanyue’s notes.

“Is something the matter?”

Jing Shen walked up to Xiao He and carefully set the notes down. “Dr. Guan left these behind. Did she… resign?”

“Mhm, she’s gone.”

Xiao He felt no emotional fluctuation over Guan Shanyue’s departure. She never wasted emotions on irrelevant people. Moreover, she knew her own physical state well; maintaining a stable mindset was crucial.

“But Sister Xiao, you still need someone by your side, don’t you?” Jing Shen’s palms were sweaty from nerves as she waited for an answer.

“Not for now. I’m wearing a monitoring bracelet.”

Xiao He truly didn’t want a stranger around her, but that didn’t mean she was neglecting her health. So, even though she disliked it, she had put on the bracelet.

Hearing this, Jing Shen grew anxious. “But isn’t it more reassuring to have a person nearby?”

At this, Xiao He finally sensed something. She leaned her head on her hand and looked at Jing Shen. “Mhm?”

Since the conversation had reached this point, Jing Shen summoned her courage to speak her mind. “Sister Xiao, would it be okay if I did it? My schoolwork isn’t heavy, and I can choose remote online classes at home. Except for exams, I can stay by your side constantly. I’ve already read the notes Dr. Guan left; I’ll study them well. I won’t disturb you…”

After her long explanation, Jing Shen watched Xiao He’s expression with bated breath. “May I?”

Jing Shen’s sincerity took Xiao He by surprise. She looked at the young girl, slightly puzzled. “Why do you want to do this?”

“Huh?” Extremely nervous, Jing Shen almost didn’t register what Xiao He had asked. When she realized, her face turned bright red, and she stammered, “Because… Sister Xiao is so good to me and has helped me so much. I really can’t think of anything else I can do for you.”

Xiao He smiled. This was the joy of raising a “sweet little girl.” “I appreciate the sentiment, but your task right now is to study hard and grow up happily. Don’t put pressure on yourself. This isn’t something for you children to worry about.”

Hearing Xiao He’s refusal, Jing Shen became even more urgent. “I really can do it. Sister Xiao, please just give me this chance. You can let me try for a while. If I don’t do well or if my grades drop, I’ll do whatever you say—I won’t complain at all.”

Jing Shen was 100% serious. Her dedication made Xiao He view her words with more weight; such a heavy sentiment was worth serious consideration.

Looking into Jing Shen’s earnest eyes, Xiao He worried it might be too tiring for her, but she ultimately decided to give her a chance. If it didn’t work out, she could always send her back to school after a while.

“Fine. But let’s agree on this: the moment your grades drop, you go back to school to study seriously.”

Jing Shen nodded like a chick pecking at grain, her eyes bright as she looked at Xiao He, her joy completely undisguised.

Xiao He looked at her with a mix of confusion and curiosity. “You’re so happy to find extra work for yourself. Are you a little silly?”

“I’m not.” Jing Shen smiled and denied it, but offered no explanation.

Xiao He shook her head helplessly and let her be.

So, the matter was settled. Nothing else changed, except for a place being prepared for Jing Shen to sleep in Xiao He’s room.

Originally, even that wasn’t planned. When Guan Shanyue was there, she had simply slept on the sofa outside. However, thinking that Jing Shen was still a growing child, Xiao He specifically had Butler Lin move in a bed.

While waiting for the bed to be set up, Butler Lin stood by Xiao He. After some deliberation, he told her about Xiao Linchu smashing everything in her room and asked if he should buy a new set of furniture.

Xiao He finally remembered that situation.

“Tell Xiao Linchu to come here. I want to ask her what happened.”

“Uh, President Xiao, Miss Linchu went out this afternoon and hasn’t returned yet.”

Butler Lin glanced at the sky outside. “Should I send someone out to look for her?”

“Do we know the reason?”

“I don’t know.”

Xiao He hadn’t expected the butler to know. “Forget it. If she’s not back by ten, call her. As for her room, leave it for now. She still has a bed, right?”

“She does.” Butler Lin understood. Until Xiao Linchu explained herself, she would be living in that mess.

After everything was settled, Xiao He and Jing Shen had dinner together and went back to the room to rest.

Xiao He was used to leaving a nightlight on. Under the dim, yellow glow, Jing Shen slept not far from her.

The difference between these children was greater than the difference between humans and dogs. She worried about the others bullying people, yet with Jing Shen, she worried about her being bullied. Jing Shen had a good heart, but for an heir, she was too kind and fragile.

It seemed training an heir was a long and difficult road. If only they could all be a bit more balanced.

Worrying wouldn’t help now; she would take it one step at a time.

As Xiao He closed her eyes to sleep, only then did Jing Shen dare to look at her. She had finally taken another step closer.

The next day, Jing Shen went to school to apply for remote learning. The process was smooth. She packed her things and went home, only to see Xiao Linchu standing near the main gate.

“Why aren’t you at school?”

“Aren’t you also here?” Linchu countered.

“I’ll be studying at home like Xie Qingyu from now on. What about you? Are you doing the same?”

Jing Shen had heard about Xiao Linchu driving Guan Shanyue away and smashing everything yesterday. She had a vague suspicion that it was related to the truth behind Linchu’s pheromone disorder.

“Why?” Linchu looked at the books in Jing Shen’s arms, knowing she was telling the truth.

“How about a secret for a secret?” Jing Shen stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “Why don’t you tell me first why you demolished your own nest yesterday?”

“None of your business.” Linchu’s face darkened, coldly refusing to answer.

“Fine then. My business is none of yours either.”

Seeing that Linchu wouldn’t speak, Jing Shen walked right past her with her books.

Linchu grabbed her arm. Jing Shen stopped and looked at her. “Is there something else?”

Linchu hesitated for a moment. “I want to leave the Xiao family.”

“Huh?” Jing Shen almost thought she had misheard, but Linchu looked dead serious. “Where would you go?”

“I don’t know.” Linchu lowered her head, her eyes full of confusion.

“Then why do you want to leave?” Jing Shen pressed.

“Hmph. You’re getting so close to Xiao He.”

Linchu let go of Jing Shen, clearly refusing to speak further because of that.

Jing Shen didn’t know what the connection was, but seeing Linchu’s attitude toward Xiao He, she knew it was definitely related to the woman.

“Tell me if you want, or don’t. I’m leaving.”

Linchu watched Jing Shen walk away but still said nothing.

This scene was caught by Xie Qingyu from upstairs. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it didn’t matter to him anyway.

[DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHY XIAO LINCHU AND JING SHEN ARE AT HOME AND DON’T HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL!!!]

He sent this message to Xiao Shuyuan. The three exclamation points were a testament to his rage and jealousy.