Acting as the Powerful Background Character in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 21.1

Xiao He waited in the main building for Jing Shen to return. She watched as Jing Shen took out her tablet at her desk to catch up on the day’s lessons, studying seriously as if nothing had happened. It was a bit surprising to her.

Jing Shen sensed Xiao He’s gaze and paused the video to look at her. “Is something the matter, Sister Xiao?”

Caught staring, Xiao He cleared her throat and made up a quick excuse. “No, I was just wondering if you’re getting used to the online classes?”

“I am. They’re videos of the teachers’ lectures, so if there’s something I don’t quite understand, I can watch it again. It’s very convenient; I’m fine,” Jing Shen replied. Thinking Xiao He might be looking for an excuse to send her back to school, she immediately showed off her notes to prove she was keeping up with the curriculum.

“Good. Keep studying then.”

Nodding, Xiao He watched Jing Shen resume her lesson while she propped up her head and toyed with the paper in front of her.

In the past, once she set her pieces on the board, she simply waited for the final result. But this time was an exception; for the first time, she found herself worrying about whether Jing Shen would be hurt in the process.

Perhaps it was because compared to the other four, Jing Shen was like a little white rabbit that had strayed into a wolf pack. Her own methods were, indeed, a bit cruel.

I’ll stop it at the right time, she thought. If Jing Shen really isn’t cut out for this.

The next morning, Xiao He was woken up by noise from outside. Jing Shen also woke up, bleary-eyed; the main building had never been this loud before.

“I’ll go see what’s going on.”

Jing Shen rubbed her temples. She had studied until after 11:00 PM the night before and wasn’t fully awake yet.

“No need. Go back to sleep.”

Xiao He didn’t need to guess to know what was happening. She threw back the covers, got up, and walked out in her pajamas.

Opening the bedroom door made the noise even clearer. Xiao He walked out onto the landing and looked down into the hall.

Butler Lin immediately spotted the awakened Xiao He. “President Xiao, you’re up?”

His words caused the busy people below to look up. Among them were two sharply dressed individuals: Xiao He’s cousin and his wife—Xiao Shuyuan’s parents.

They were surrounded by a pile of suitcases of various sizes. The commotion must have come from moving these things in.

“Cousin, long time no see.”

Sun Mei and Xiao Tan greeted Xiao He from below. This was their first time back since being stationed overseas by the Group.

“Cousin, Sun Mei. Shuyuan is at school; I’ll have someone bring her back.”

Xiao He’s eyes were downcast. Before they could refuse, Butler Lin had already notified the driver to fetch her.

“Cousin, you really don’t need to—”

Sun Mei began with a smile, but Xiao He simply waved a hand. “Butler Lin, take them to their rooms. It’s been a long journey; let them rest well.”

It was a clear sign she didn’t want to talk to them, yet polite enough that they couldn’t push further.

Butler Lin personally picked up a suitcase and gestured toward the door. “Mr. Xiao, Ms. Sun, this way please.”

“Aren’t our rooms here?” Xiao Tan glanced at Xiao He. This main building clearly had so many rooms and so much space; they couldn’t spare one?

“Of course not. Your rooms are over in the side wing; they’ve already been prepared.” Butler Lin had tried to stop them earlier, but the two wouldn’t listen, letting their servants haul the luggage in all at once. Now, they had woken Xiao He up and were being kicked out anyway.

“Cousin, isn’t the side wing a bit crowded with all those children living there?”

Xiao Tan was still trying to get Xiao He to change her mind, but it was impossible.

“It is quite crowded. Butler Lin, arrange for a stay at the best hotel in City A for them…”

“No, no, no, that won’t be necessary! We’re all family; staying at a hotel would be so distant. Besides, we haven’t seen Shuyuan in a long time; it’s better to stay close by.”

Sun Mei immediately interrupted Xiao He, sensing the worsening situation. She and Xiao Tan picked up their suitcases, not daring to say another word.

Once their belongings were moved and someone was sent to guide them to the side wing, Butler Lin looked up at Xiao He. “President Xiao, I’ll have this area thoroughly cleaned and disinfected immediately. This will never happen again.”

“Station more people outside the main building. No one is allowed near without my permission. From now on, whether they are from the Xiao or Xie family, arrange for them to stay in the side wing or a hotel. They don’t need to see me.”

Xiao He had relented for this Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing both families to come together. These were only the first to arrive; the house would likely be noisy for the next two days, but it wasn’t going to ruin her peace.

The side wing was five stories tall with nearly thirty rooms; there was no issue with space. Of course, Xiao He’s arrangement was also a test to see what would happen when she put all these people together. After all, many of them were on her “clean-up” list; it was a good chance to scout them out.

Butler Lin immediately went to make arrangements. Five or six people began cleaning below, ensuring the first floor was spotless.

Xiao He went back into her room. Being woken up early puts no one in a good mood. She rubbed her temples; her head still ached, but she was no longer sleepy. She sat at her desk to look over company files.

Before she could open her laptop, she felt a pair of soft hands rest on her temples, massaging with just the right amount of pressure to soothe the throbbing pain.

Knowing it was Jing Shen, Xiao He closed her eyes and leaned back into the chair, her whole body relaxing under the massage.

If for nothing else, Jing Shen’s sweet and considerate nature was enough that even if she didn’t become an heir, she could stay by her side. Raising her like a real daughter wouldn’t be a bad thing.

On the other side, Xiao Tan and his wife moved into the side wing. Before the servants could even finish tidying the room, Xiao Shuyuan was brought back from school.

“Dad! Mom! You’re really back!”

Xiao Shuyuan hadn’t seen her parents in a long time and was genuinely surprised. However, the family warmth didn’t last long. Sun Mei dismissed the servants and closed the door.

“We’re back for now, but whether we can stay depends on you,” Sun Mei said, putting an arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “With the Mid-Autumn Festival and your coming-of-age ceremony, we have at most half a month. We need to strike while the iron is hot and convince your aunt to finalize your status as the heir during this time. Then we can stay permanently as a matter of course.”

That topic again. Xiao Shuyuan felt a heavy weight on her shoulders as she looked at her parents’ expectant faces. “Mom, it’s not that easy.”

“But it’s not that hard either. As of now, Xiao Linchu—your biggest threat—has upset your aunt multiple times. As for that Jing Shen, we’ve looked into her; she’s just an average Omega with no backing. She’s not a threat. Your aunt likely only took her to the office to warn you all. Of everyone, my daughter is the most outstanding.”

Sun Mei was confident. Xiao Shuyuan might be average in many areas among the candidates, but that also meant she had no major weaknesses. Overall, she was the most suitable choice.

Xiao Shuyuan could only give a stiff smile. She felt it wasn’t going to be that simple.

Once the room was settled, Xiao Shuyuan took them on a tour. The four rooms on the third floor belonged to the four candidates. Beyond that, there was a home theater, a gym, a tea room, and other public areas, including an indoor pool on the first floor. This side wing alone was comparable to a top-tier luxury villa.

“Wait, that Jing Shen doesn’t stay here with you?” Sun Mei noted, realizing she hadn’t seen a room for her.

“Jing Shen is an Omega; she can’t live with us. So she stays in the main building with Aunt,” Xiao Shuyuan explained.

The logic made sense, but Sun Mei felt uneasy remembering how they had just been kicked out of the main building. “It seems this Jing Shen really is something special.”

Xiao Shuyuan didn’t say much. As they were walking, they ran into Xie Qingyu, who had just finished his lesson. He had heard the noise outside but hadn’t dared to act up during class; the moment it was over, he had bolted out.

Seeing the group, Xie Qingyu reined in his flighty nature and gave a polite greeting.

“This is Qingyu? You’ve grown so much.”

Xiao Tan spoke a few words to him like a typical elder, but there wasn’t much to say. Just as the conversation was ending, there was more commotion at the gate.

Just as Xiao He had suspected, it wasn’t just the Xiao family; the Xie family was arriving too. By the end of the day, most had arrived. For the first time, the usually quiet estate was bustling.

The Xiao and Xie families had known each other for years, but there wasn’t much true friendship. Being under one roof now, constantly running into each other, was a bit awkward.

Aside from Xiao Tan’s family in the morning, no one else caught a glimpse of Xiao He.

When Chu Yuelan returned in the afternoon, she almost thought her eyes were playing tricks on her seeing the crowd. Under the gaze of so many people, she ran back to her room as fast as possible.

She wanted to ask Jing Shen what was going on, but the two hadn’t spoken since their last argument. After thinking it over, she chose to ask Xiao Shuyuan instead.

Xiao Shuyuan explained things and offered to introduce her to the Xiao elders, but Chu Yuelan imagined the scene and politely declined. Given her current status, making these connections wouldn’t help and might cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

By dinner time, when everyone gathered in the large dining room on the first floor, some people finally lost their patience and asked Butler Lin when Xiao He would be available. They couldn’t be left hanging forever, could they?

“Gentlemen, ladies, young masters and mistresses, please be patient,” Butler Lin spoke, and the room quieted. “Our President is indeed feeling unwell today. Please forgive the lack of hospitality.”

It sounded like a half-hearted excuse, but no one dared to object. After all, no one dared to gamble on Xiao He’s health being a lie.

Compared to the noise here, the main building was as quiet as ever, as if it were in its own world, unaffected.

Jing Shen stood by the window watching the side wing for a while. She had expected a lot of people, but not this many. No wonder Xiao He had hired extra help in advance.

However…

Looking back at Xiao He drinking tea, Jing Shen wasn’t sure if ignoring the guests like this was a good idea. But then, “good” or “bad” didn’t seem to be things Xiao He cared about.