Acting as the Powerful Background Character in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 21.2

After leaving them for a day, the next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Early in the morning, many people tried to reach Xiao He through Butler Lin; they weren’t exactly here just for a meal.

Butler Lin remained polite and humble, but no matter what they said, he skillfully deflected them, adamantly refusing to let anyone disturb Xiao He.

Xiao He slept comfortably until she woke up naturally. She stretched and went out for a cup of tea. Jing Shen was still studying nearby; she had to keep up with both school and her tutors. She was diligent and needed no supervision.

The sun was shining outside. Xiao He opened the window, letting in the cool morning air. Breathing it in was refreshing.

In a rare good mood, Xiao He told Butler Lin to start setting up for the family banquet. It couldn’t be in the main building, but the side wing wasn’t quite right either. So, they would have it outdoors in the garden—moon-watching for Mid-Autumn, how interesting.

“President Xiao, one more thing. Miss Linchu has been staying at school for a few days and hasn’t returned. Should I have someone fetch her?”

Butler Lin still didn’t understand what had happened that day. He only knew her room was still a mess and that she had only returned briefly once without saying a word before leaving again.

“Ask her. If she wants to come back, she can. If not, she never has to come back.”

The words sounded like they were spoken in anger, but her tone was calm. She had told them before: the door is always open. They could leave anytime, but once gone, they could never return. It was a choice, and they had to understand the price of that choice.

Butler Lin understood. He arranged for the garden setup and went to fetch Xiao Linchu himself.

Jing Shen had lowered her tablet’s volume when Xiao He took the call. Hearing those words, she looked up, watching Xiao He calmly end the call. She knew she was talking about Linchu.

Though she and Linchu weren’t that close, she couldn’t watch her end up on the streets. Moreover, if this day truly became the breaking point between them, Xiao He would surely feel bad deep down.

Watching Xiao He go into the closet to change, Jing Shen secretly sent Linchu a text.

[It’s Mid-Autumn today. Are you coming back?]

Linchu must have been on her phone, because the reply was instant.

[No.]

Her attitude was firm. Jing Shen had a bit of a headache. Just as she was thinking of how to persuade her, another message came from Linchu.

[Did Xiao He tell you to ask me?]

Jing Shen gritted her teeth. [Using her name directly, you really are bold.]

Regarding Jing Shen’s non-answer, Linchu took it as a confirmation.

Jing Shen watched the “typing…” notification appear and disappear repeatedly. She didn’t know what Linchu wanted to say. Finally, a message that had been edited multiple times came through.

[Has anything happened lately? Is her health okay?]

[The Xiao and Xie families are all here for Mid-Autumn. Everyone is staying at the house; it’s busier than ever.]

[WHAT!!!] Linchu was no longer calm. [She allowed it? Is she crazy?]

Jing Shen didn’t know the history and was confused by the reaction. [What’s wrong?]

[I’m coming back now.]

[Uncle Lin is on his way to get you.]

Jing Shen sent the text, not knowing if Linchu saw it, as there was no further reply. But the fact that she was coming back was enough. From Linchu’s reaction, it was clear she still respected and cared for Xiao He; perhaps there was just a misunderstanding between them.

She would worry about that later. Jing Shen put away her phone to resume her lesson just as Xiao He came out, dressed in her usual but elegant attire—a thin black shirt with a crane embroidered on the cuff.

“Take the day off today. Someone is bringing over some formal wear later; pick a dress to wear tonight.”

Xiao He told her. Today was a family banquet, but in reality, it was no different from a formal gala.

Jing Shen thought of her room full of unworn new clothes. “Sister Xiao, you bought me so many clothes already. There’s no need for more.”

“Those are for daily wear. This is different. I can help you choose later.”

The people Xiao He arranged arrived in the afternoon. The process was more complex and extravagant than Jing Shen had imagined. Not knowing what to do, she acted like a puppet following Xiao He’s instructions.

Ultimately, a white dress with camellia patterns was chosen. It wasn’t too over-the-top, but it made Jing Shen look elegant, noble, and pure yet playful.

The dress fit perfectly. Jing Shen was surprised as she sat in a chair while a makeup artist worked on her skin and another on her hair.

Unable to move, she glanced at Xiao He, who was nearby picking out matching jewelry. Someone asked where the remaining gowns should be placed, and Xiao He gestured toward Jing Shen’s walk-in closet.

Jing Shen had thought she was just picking one; she hadn’t expected all of them to be for her. She immediately wanted to refuse.

“This is too much, I—”

Xiao He raised a hand to stop her. “These were all made to your measurements. Don’t worry, there will be many occasions to wear them. It’s normal to have spares. You’ll get used to it.”

Jing Shen could only accept it, knowing she couldn’t embarrass Xiao He.

After two or three hours of preparation—the first time Jing Shen realized makeup involved such complex steps—the girl in the mirror looked significantly different. The time was worth it.

Xiao He stood behind her, helping her put on a pre-selected gemstone necklace. She held her shoulders and looked at her in the mirror. “Are you satisfied?”

The Jing Shen in the mirror hadn’t changed much, but she lacked some of her previous youthful naivety, replaced by a refined elegance. She looked at Xiao He through the mirror and nodded with a smile. When she smiled, she was still the same obedient and pure girl.

Xiao He cherished Jing Shen’s pure beauty, but that beauty didn’t quite fit the current environment.

“Don’t smile at others like that later. You aren’t that close to them,” Xiao He said, pressing a finger to the corner of Jing Shen’s mouth. “This much is enough. Keep your gaze level and maintain a polite distance. It’s more suitable.”

After Xiao He withdrew her hand, Jing Shen looked at herself. Her mouth held a slight, polite, and distant curve—much like Xiao He’s own habitual smile, which was always gentle yet kept people at arm’s length.

“Just like that. Stay by my side later and relax. Remember, they are only guests.”

Xiao He looked at the transforming Jing Shen with satisfaction, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment.

Jing Shen looked back in surprise. But aren’t I just a guest here too?

Xiao He looked down into Jing Shen’s eyes and understood her thought. she reached out to ruffle her hair as she used to, but seeing the freshly styled hair, she withdrew her hand and simply patted her shoulder.

“You are different from them. This place is your home.”

Xiao He didn’t know the ripples those words created in Jing Shen’s heart. The word “home” was appearing in her life for the first time.

A knock came from the door. It was Butler Lin.

“President Xiao, everything is almost ready. We can begin.”