Acting as the Powerful Background Character in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 25

It had to be said that Xi Ling actually had some skill; she and her team really did manage to hunt a deer, which was promptly handed over to the kitchen on-site to be processed.

The three stayed for dinner, and by the time they finished, the sky was completely dark. Fei Jiao planned to stay the night and asked for Xiao He and Xi Ling’s thoughts.

“It’s getting late. Why don’t you both stay overnight and leave tomorrow morning?”

There were rooms in this base, and while the conditions weren’t quite up to a five-star hotel, they certainly weren’t bad.

“I won’t trouble President Fei.”

Xiao He was not accustomed to staying in unfamiliar places and declined. Xi Ling, naturally, wouldn’t stay either; her nightlife was just beginning.

Since they couldn’t be forced, Fei Jiao saw them off. Using the excuse that she had been drinking, Xi Ling had her staff drive her car back while she hopped into Xiao He’s vehicle.

As they drove back, Xi Ling’s sleepy eyes regained their clarity. She lowered the partition and looked at Xiao He, who was resting her eyes beside her.

“You really can endure, can’t you? I thought you’d have questions for me.”

“Haven’t you already started talking?” Xiao He opened her eyes, adopting a listening posture as she waited for Xi Ling to continue.

Xi Ling was practically laughed with irritation. How was she always the one who couldn’t keep her cool?

“Fine, I’ve fallen into your hands. I knew you wouldn’t have come if you weren’t curious about this Fei Jiao. But let’s get this straight—I don’t know much about her either; we just met,” Xi Ling clarified first so Xiao He wouldn’t have high expectations. “We met at a charity auction recently. She had a collectible I was interested in, and one thing led to another. Currently, I only know her background is linked to a conglomerate in Country K. She’s lived abroad most of her life, but her parents were domestic—said to have passed away early. I haven’t found much else.”

“Can you say something useful? Am I running a background check on her family tree?” Without concrete details, all of this was just hearsay and of little use.

“Fine, fine. Something useful: G Group is about to start Series C financing and hopes to cooperate with the Xiao Group. That’s why she asked me to be the intermediary to get to know you. I’m very optimistic about G Group’s prospects. They’ve had massive capital and healthy operations since their founding. Clearly, there’s a bigger backer behind them. However, usually, companies like this don’t actively seek investment partnerships. I can’t quite figure out Fei Jiao’s angle.”

Since Xiao He wasn’t interested in Fei Jiao’s personal life, Xi Ling talked business. After all, this workaholic only cared about that.

“Fei Jiao didn’t mention any of this to me today.”

To be precise, despite chatting for so long, they hadn’t touched on business at all. It was difficult to discern Fei Jiao’s true intentions.

“Then she’ll definitely look for you again. I suspect it’s because her backer is abroad, and G Group is still finding its footing domestically. They likely want to cooperate with you for stability and growth. If that’s the case, there’s no rush; you two can take your time ‘cultivating the relationship.’”

Xi Ling’s phrasing was a mess, but there was logic to it.

Xiao He closed her eyes again. She would wait and see what Fei Jiao’s next move would be, but regarding a partnership, she still had no such intention.

After dropping Xi Ling off, Xiao He returned to the estate. She smelled faintly of alcohol from being near Xi Ling, which made her very uncomfortable.

It was late enough that most were preparing for bed. Xiao He hadn’t wanted to disturb Jing Shen, but she found the light in her room still on. Pushing the door open, she saw Jing Shen still doing practice problems.

“Still not asleep? Study tomorrow instead.” Xiao He took off her coat; she had been in such a hurry she forgot to take it off downstairs.

“Okay.”

Jing Shen had actually just been waiting for Xiao He. Seeing her, she closed her book, stood up, and took Xiao He’s coat. She caught the scent of alcohol, but she knew Xiao He never drank.

She quietly folded the coat. “Why did Sister Xiao come back so late today?”

“A business social.”

Xiao He rolled up her sleeves to wash up. Jing Shen looked at the coat in her hands. So that’s how it is.

When Xiao He emerged, Jing Shen perked up. “Sister Xiao, we have another test tomorrow, and we’re already starting to plan our future university directions.”

“Is that so? Good luck.”

Xiao He was exhausted and didn’t want to talk much. She glossed over the topic, lay down, and turned off the light.

Jing Shen could see her fatigue and swallowed the rest of her words. She lay down to sleep. “Goodnight, Sister Xiao.”

“Mhm.”

The next day, since Jing Shen had to go to school, Xiao He had considered arranging someone else to be by her side. But since she was heading to the office where there were plenty of assistants and secretaries, it wasn’t necessary.

For the next few days, Xiao He was busy with company affairs until late every night. Since she had decided to take this seriously, she would give it her all to ensure the Group had a strong start on its new course.

Jing Shen also spent these days back at school, mainly for exams and the heavy load of college planning and prep.

Regarding which school to attend, most students already had a plan. This school was filled with children of wealthy families whose futures were already mapped out.

Jing Shen didn’t have a clear idea yet; she simply didn’t want to be too far from Xiao He. She had her eye on the local A University. While its reputation was mixed and its academic standing wasn’t “world-class,” it was close to home and wasn’t a terrible choice.

During lunch, Xiao Linchu sought out Jing Shen to tell her about her own plans. She wanted to go to the furthest university possible—on the other side of the ocean, at a world-class prestigious institution. She hoped Jing Shen would go with her.

“You go if you want. I don’t want to go that far,” Jing Shen refused without hesitation.

“Then where do you want to go?” Linchu wasn’t surprised. She wanted to hear Jing Shen’s ideal school; perhaps she could change her own plans.

“I don’t know.”

Jing Shen rested her hands on the hallway railing. She hadn’t made a decision. her grades were far above what was needed for A University, but she truly didn’t want to leave.

“Then come with me.” Linchu was about to list the school’s merits when they were interrupted by Xiao Shuyuan and Chu Yuelan.

The prestige of one’s university would certainly influence the heir selection, so they were all closely watching each other’s moves—especially the top students, Linchu and Jing Shen.

Chu Yuelan looked at a lost Jing Shen and also issued an invitation. Her target school was in Country Y—another world-famous institution, but half a planet away from Country K.

That was also too far for Jing Shen. she shook her head.

“Then where on earth do you want to go?” Shuyuan was heading to Country D and pressed for an answer.

Faced with three people waiting for a response, Jing Shen said uncertainly, “Maybe A University.”

“A UNIVERSITY?!”

The three spoke almost in unison. With Jing Shen’s grades, going to A University was a waste. Even if she hadn’t prepared to go abroad, there were many other top-tier domestic universities. Even if she wanted to stay in the city, A University wasn’t the only option.

Jing Shen could only look back at the sky. Now, she was even less sure.

Shuyuan’s eyes darted as a thought occurred to her. “Jing Shen, Auntie’s choice of heir has nothing to do with distance. It’s not a race where whoever arrives first wins. You really don’t need to choose A University just to stay close.”

It took a moment for Jing Shen to catch her meaning. When she did, she frowned. “I have no intention of fighting you for the inheritance. I just want President Xiao to live a long life. As for the school, I just don’t want to be too far away. There is no other motive.”

“Who would believe that?” Shuyuan looked at her with disdain. Ambition wasn’t something to be ashamed of; why not just be honest about it? Why the high-and-mighty act?

“Xiao Shuyuan, nobody except you is obsessed with that inheritance like a crazy person,” Linchu snapped. Hearing Jing Shen’s words, her heart stirred; she knew Jing Shen wasn’t someone blinded by money and power.

“Xiao Linchu, don’t act like you’re above it all while reaping the benefits. If you really don’t care, go tell Auntie you renounce your right to inherit. Go on!”

Shuyuan couldn’t stand Linchu’s attitude, especially since Linchu seemed to get effortlessly what Shuyuan struggled for. It wasn’t fair.

Linchu ignored the transparent provocation. “Why would I do that just to fulfill your wish? I won’t.”

“Then you’re just a hypocrite.” Shuyuan was fuming, but she couldn’t touch her.

“Whether I’m a hypocrite doesn’t matter, but your scheming face really isn’t a good look. What’s most pitiful is that despite all your hard work, you have no results. How does it feel to work so hard for nothing?”

It had to be said that Linchu’s calm words always drove Shuyuan insane. Every sentence landed precisely on her sore spots, making her shake with rage.

Jing Shen watched the two argue, having already forgotten how the fight started. She didn’t even want to mediate. She looked at the sky dejectedly and watched as Chu Yuelan pulled a near-exploding Shuyuan away.

Once the others were gone, Linchu looked at Jing Shen. “Whatever happens, don’t choose A University. Don’t ruin your life over a temporary whim. If you truly aren’t interested in the inheritance, you should be even more responsible and plan your future career properly.”

It was rare to see Linchu so serious and sensible. Knowing she meant well, Jing Shen nodded. “I know. That’s why I haven’t decided. I’ll reconsider.”

“Tell me when you’ve made up your mind.” Linchu still wanted to be at the same school as her.

“Mhm.”

After school, Jing Shen tucked her report card into her bag. The results from the test a few days ago had just come out. She wanted to show them to Xiao He; Xiao He’s opinion was the one she valued most.

But if the school was really far away, and they were apart for a long time… the thought alone made her heart ache.