Acting as the Powerful Background Character in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 26
Seeing her expectant look, Xiao He knew she must have done well. She took the card and scanned it: Rank 1 in the school once again. Furthermore, her foreign language scores had improved since the last exam.
“Very impressive. What reward would you like?”
Always adhering to the principle of clear rewards and punishments, Xiao He ruffled Jing Shen’s hair. “I still owe you for the last time, so you can choose two. Since you’re almost of age, would you like to pick out a car you like?”
The other four at home all had cars now; only Jing Shen did not.
“No need, I don’t know how to drive anyway,” Jing Shen shook her head. She hadn’t planned on asking for a material gift. “I just want Sister Xiao to help me see which university would be best for me to choose?”
“With grades this good, aren’t all universities at your fingertips?” As Xiao He spoke, she looked more closely at the transcript. Jing Shen’s scores in Mathematics and Physics were particularly outstanding. “If you want to choose a domestic university, there are two or three top-tier ones. If you want something prestigious and traditional, there is University Q. Then there’s University H and University G—both have vast prospects, especially the latter two, which are linked to the defense industry. It depends on whether you have an interest in that field.”
“Of course,” Xiao He continued, “your foreign language scores are improving rapidly. Although knowing only one foreign language limits your choices slightly, there are still many options. I can arrange for extra tutoring to ensure you meet any admission requirements. Several prestigious schools in Country M are possible, as are two or three in Country Y, or even Country R. Where do you lean toward?”
Jing Shen listened quietly. The schools Xiao He mentioned were at least a thousand kilometers away at the closest, not to mention the ones abroad. Country M was the place across the ocean where Xiao Linchu wanted to go—half a world away. That was definitely not an option.
“But Sister Xiao, I don’t want to be that far away from you.”
Jing Shen looked at Xiao He, dissatisfied with all the suggestions.
“Right now, you shouldn’t be thinking about distance, but about your future. Tell me, what are your plans for the future? I’ll see if there’s something more suitable for you.”
Xiao He was a bit helpless with her, so she simply asked what Jing Shen liked.
“My plan for the future is that after I graduate from university, I can help Sister Xiao with something. Or I can study medicine, so I can help Sister Xiao live a long life.”
Jing Shen’s eyes lit up; perhaps this was a way to stay by Xiao He’s side.
However, hearing this “plan,” Xiao He showed little joy. “Don’t revolve your life around me. You should think more about your own future. Be clear: you must be prepared for a time when I am no longer here. Do you understand?”
Xiao He’s slightly stern tone startled Jing Shen. “Sister Xiao…”
Interrupting her, Xiao He looked at her seriously and, for the first time, spoke to her about the topic of inheritance.
“You should know my health condition; an accident could happen at any time. You are different from the others. Leaving Chu Yuelan aside, Xiao Linchu is my adopted daughter; she can be the primary heir, which is legally justified. Furthermore, Xiao Shuyuan and Xie Qingyu have the backing of the Xiao and Xie families respectively, each with their own power bases. Add to that the fact that the neutral faction will likely support Xiao Linchu—what do you have? How will you compete with them? That’s why I lean toward you choosing a school and a major that will give you your own foundation. Once you have achievements in a certain field, you will naturally have a voice and won’t be so passive.”
Xiao He could indeed stubbornly set her will, but did Jing Shen really think sitting in that position meant one could rest easy? Without sufficient strength, that was a mere dream.
Jing Shen was momentarily flustered. “But Sister Xiao, I didn’t want to compete with them…”
The moment those words left her mouth, Jing Shen saw disappointment in Xiao He’s eyes for the first time. She knew she was wrong—she had been wrong from the start. she had completely misread Xiao He’s intentions, and now she had made the biggest mistake of all.
Xiao He closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She should have known; she couldn’t expect Jing Shen to be a sweet, sincere “padded jacket” for her heart while also being a “bulletproof vest” who knew the law of the jungle, assessed situations, and was perfect in every external way.
Since she was a little padded jacket, then let her be kept safely.
Opening her eyes again, Xiao He looked at the distressed Jing Shen. “Choose the school yourself. Anywhere is fine. Study what you like; don’t feel pressured. I will set aside a sum of money in advance to help you finish your studies. Regardless, since you have no interest in competing, go choose to fulfill your own dreams.”
“But…”
Jing Shen wanted to say more, but Xiao He waved a hand. “Don’t say any more silly things about wanting to help me. I have a group of experienced, top-tier management talents in the company. For my illness, I can consult global experts. By the time you finish school to come help me, the grass on my grave will be three meters high. Live your own life. Don’t miss out on things for my sake. I am not that important in your life.”
These words were indeed cold, but they were reality. Given Xiao He’s status and position, what could Jing Shen give her besides a sincere heart?
At this moment, Jing Shen finally faced the distance between herself and Xiao He that she had ignored due to Xiao He’s easygoing and gentle nature. It was like a natural chasm. If not for an act of pity from Xiao He, she and this woman would never have had any intersection—they were from two completely different worlds.
And now, if she didn’t do something, she would lose even the qualification to stay. She wouldn’t even be able to see her.
The only way to change this situation was to gain the status of an heir and become someone who could always stand by her side.
Watching Xiao He’s back as she turned to water the flowers, Jing Shen finally made up her mind.
“Sister Xiao, I understand. I hope you can give me one more chance, okay?”
“The opportunity is always in your own hands, not mine.”
Xiao He didn’t look back, harboring little hope in her heart as she reached out to pluck a withered leaf from a flower.
Jing Shen understood Xiao He’s meaning. She would not let Xiao He be disappointed again.
After this incident, everything seemed unchanged, yet Jing Shen seemed to have undergone many shifts—shifts that were hard to define.
Xiao He was also quite busy during this time, handling company affairs and rejecting invitations from Fei Jiao and Xi Ling.
Until one day, returning from a business trip, Xiao He found Xi Ling waiting at her doorstep like a “patient hunter.”
She couldn’t exactly drive her away, so Xiao He had to open the door and let her in.
“Is this really necessary?”
Xiao He stepped out of the car, watching Xi Ling park her car with casual flair and walk toward her, radiating a sense of grievance.
“How is it not necessary? Ever since I introduced you to Fei Jiao, you’ve ignored even me. I thought I’d offended you! I tried to apologize, but you wouldn’t give me the chance. What else could I do? Like the ancients, I’ve come to offer my humble apologies.”
Xiao He’s repeated rejections had made Xi Ling nervous. For the past few days, she hadn’t even had the heart to go out and fool around. Now meeting in person, she found that things didn’t seem that serious—at the very least, Xiao He wasn’t truly angry with her.
“Apologies? You’re talking nonsense. I’ve been busy; didn’t I just get back from a trip? I wasn’t angry. Isn’t President Fei a good person? I haven’t had any unpleasantness with her.”
Xiao He said this, but there was a deliberate element to it. Xi Ling could grasp the meaning, and she estimated Fei Jiao would understand as well; it remained to be seen how they would proceed.
Xi Ling knew how much of Xiao He’s words were true or false, but since the cold shoulder wasn’t directed at her, she was relieved and laughed the topic away.
“Don’t disbelieve me, I really wanted to bring birch twigs for a proper apology, but I looked it up and realized it requires being bare-chested. I’d dare to come like that, but I was afraid you’d be shy.”
Xiao He gave Xi Ling a flat look. “I wouldn’t mind if you stripped right now.”
“Really? I’ve waited so long to hear you say that. Let’s go!”
Saying this, Xi Ling actually made a move to undress. Xiao He, reaching her limit, turned and headed upstairs. Sometimes she really wanted to sew Xi Ling’s mouth shut.
Xi Ling, slightly disappointed, adjusted her clothes and followed Xiao He upstairs, not forgetting to offer a critique. “The decor in your house is a bit too classical. How can young people have no vitality? And there aren’t many people waiting on you; it’s so quiet. Not lively at all.”
“One more word and I’ll have you thrown out.”
Xiao He decided that next time she would hang a “No Xi Ling” sign at her gate and forbid her appearance within a ten-mile radius.
Xi Ling obediently shut up. Having a quick tongue was fine, but being actually thrown out would be too embarrassing.
Arriving at the study, Xiao He saw the door slightly ajar. She pushed it open gently to find Jing Shen sitting inside, focused on her lessons. Wearing headphones, she was completely oblivious to their arrival.
“The little girl studies quite seriously.”
Xiao He hadn’t intended to disturb Jing Shen, but before she could back out, Xi Ling spoke up. Noticing the sound, Jing Shen immediately looked up, surprised to see the two at the door.
“President Xiao, President Xi.”
Jing Shen paused her lesson and stood up. She knew Xi Ling; they had met once at the golf course.
Xi Ling also remembered Jing Shen and felt a bit of internal nostalgia. Luck truly is a strange thing. Who would have thought the little caddy from the golf course would end up inside the Xiao estate? She’d heard Xiao He planned to include her as an heir; she wondered what had clouded Xiao He’s mind.
Standing at the door, Xiao He couldn’t exactly turn around and leave now, so she walked in. Fortunately, Jing Shen was observant; knowing Xiao He and Xi Ling had business to discuss, she said, “President Xiao, I’ll head out first.”
Picking up her things, Jing Shen walked out.
Xi Ling glanced at the departing Jing Shen and smiled at Xiao He. “This little girl is obedient and submissive—suitable to be a gentle and considerate ‘confidante’.”
These words fell right into the ears of Jing Shen as she stepped outside. As the door closed, she didn’t hear Xiao He’s response, but she reflected on her own foolishness.
Xi Ling, an outsider, could see the problem at a glance, yet she herself had only just realized it. In this great family, “obedience” only meant becoming a dependent, whereas “ambition” was the standard equipment for those in high positions. Xiao He didn’t dislike the competition between the heirs; rather, she welcomed it. Only a true winner was fit to be her successor and earn her recognition.
She couldn’t just wait and remain passive; that would only lead to her permanent silence. But besides that, what else could she do? This seemed to be yet another problem.
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