Acting as the Powerful Background Character in a Scummy Alpha Novel - Chapter 30

Jing Shen was unable to go on this trip after all, because while she was oscillating and hesitating, something happened to Xiao He.

In mid-October, the last traces of midsummer’s sweltering heat had gradually dissipated and the weather turned cold. Xiao He was heading to the office as usual. While walking downstairs, she was still talking to Butler Lin about arranging another check-up in the next few days. However, in the space of a momentary daze, her mind suddenly went blank. Losing all consciousness, she fell directly down the stairs.

The long period of peace had led everyone to believe that Xiao He’s health was steadily improving. But Xiao He knew better than anyone that her body was not as resilient as it appeared; instead, it was weakening day by day. She just hadn’t expected the accident to occur so soon.

By the time she woke up again, Xiao He was lying in her own room. The medical team, led by Dr. Guan, had already arrived, and medical equipment had been set up around her to monitor her vitals at all times.

The fall had caused some injuries to Xiao He’s legs, particularly her knees, making it impossible for her to walk for a short period. But compared to that, the condition of her internal systems was far more serious.

Dr. Guan’s expression was solemn as she adjusted her glasses and looked at the conscious Xiao He. “President Xiao, I don’t know if you understand, but your body is currently extremely fragile. You must stop all work immediately and undergo comprehensive treatment.”

“Is there a treatment plan yet?”

Xiao He felt the pain in her legs and the sensation of cold medicine flowing into her body. These sensations were unpleasant, but at the very least, they made her feel alive rather than like a cold corpse.

Dr. Guan glanced at the other doctors before relaying the results of their discussion to Xiao He.

“President Xiao, initially your condition was just severe weakness, and we were considering it from that perspective. However, in recent years, new changes have occurred in your body. Specifically, as I mentioned to you before, your organs are undergoing a new phase of development. This violation of normal biological laws, which has caused a severe imbalance in your body, is highly uncontrollable. But we must admit that it has actually improved your original constitutional weakness. Perhaps we can start from this direction.”

“Get to the point.”

Xiao He closed her eyes, her brow furrowed from the pain.

“Your body is in a state of extreme imbalance. For example, your liver, kidneys, and bones are overdeveloping, with a strength approaching that of a differentiated adult. However, your heart and lungs are still in an extremely weak state. This development has placed immense pressure on your weakened organs. Any slight mistake could lead to unthinkable consequences. This incident happened for exactly this reason: insufficient blood supply to the heart, leading to shock.”

“We have recently studied a large number of new discoveries in this field both domestically and abroad, and we found a risky but viable plan. That is to promote the new development of your weakened organs. If successful, you may fully regain your health.”

Dr. Guan knew the price to be paid for proposing this plan, but faced with Xiao He’s current condition, they were out of options and had to seek a breakthrough.

“How do we promote it?” Xiao He understood the potential consequences, but she couldn’t just sit and wait for death.

“It’s similar to how toddlers with congenital developmental issues can become healthy people after differentiation by controlling their differentiation factors. There are successful clinical cases of this, but it has never been tested on an adult. After all, the vast majority of adults have completely finished their differentiation, and their bodies no longer produce differentiation factors, making this treatment impossible.”

But Xiao He was an exception. She still hadn’t differentiated. Such cases were rare not just to Dr. Guan, but in all of medical history, and most subjects didn’t survive past the age of twenty. Thus, Xiao He was a very special existence indeed.

“What is the probability of success?”

“This…” Since this was truly a world first, Dr. Guan didn’t dare say. “If you are certain you are willing to undergo this treatment plan, we also need to have specific discussions with the G Group. This new method was developed by them, and we haven’t had much contact with it.”

“G Group?”

Xiao He opened her eyes. She truly hadn’t expected things to be connected like this.

But it wasn’t that surprising. Currently, G Group specialized in biotechnology, particularly regarding differentiation and pheromones; they had few rivals even internationally.

“I’ll consider it.”

The more she wanted to avoid a connection with someone, the more unavoidable it became. Xiao He took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Seeing this, Dr. Guan didn’t say more. She waved for the others to leave so Xiao He could rest in peace.

While Xiao He was considering whether to truly cooperate with Fei Jiao, the bedroom door was pushed open gently. Opening her eyes, she saw Jing Shen tiptoeing in.

Since no one was allowed near Xiao He before her condition stabilized, Jing Shen had been waiting anxiously outside, only sneaking in once Dr. Guan left.

Looking at the pale Xiao He lying on the bed, Jing Shen sat down by the bedside in silence.

“You’re supposed to leave tomorrow. Go back and pack your things. Have Butler Lin arrange what needs to be arranged for you.”

Xiao He still remembered Jing Shen’s campus tour and urged her to go.

“I’m not going.”

Opening her mouth with a muffled voice, Jing Shen looked at Xiao He’s hand on the bed, which was hooked up to an IV. It was so white she could see the color of the veins beneath the skin.

“There are many people to look after me. You don’t need to worry; look after yourself.”

Xiao He’s voice was still weak, but the intent to push Jing Shen away was crystal clear.

Jing Shen knew this was a terrible signal. She couldn’t help but grasp Xiao He’s cold hand. She wanted to stay, but she didn’t know what reason to use, so she just looked at Xiao He stubbornly without speaking.

This silent persistence left Xiao He with no choice but to give her tacit consent. If there truly was a chance for improvement, perhaps she could accompany her on a trip later. If not… then it was unlikely she would even see Jing Shen go to university.

Withdrawing her hand, Xiao He pointed toward the desk. “Bring me my phone.”

“The doctor said you need more rest.”

At a time like this, Xiao He was still thinking about company business. Jing Shen sat still.

“If I don’t make these calls, those people will be even less likely to let me rest. Be good.”

Xiao He’s voice trailed off with a hint of helplessness. Jing Shen’s bit of persistence immediately collapsed, and she could only bring the phone over as told.

The news of Xiao He’s accident today was still under strict secrecy; no outsiders knew. Xiao He made the calls to instruct her confidants at the company that even if she didn’t show up, everything should proceed as usual. They were to keep a close eye on important matters and not let any more slips occur.

By the time she finished, Xiao He had no energy left. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Just as Jing Shen was spacing out while looking at Xiao He’s sleeping face, there was a soft knock at the door. Fearing it would wake Xiao He, Jing Shen went over and opened it. It was Butler Lin.

“Miss Jing Shen, is President Xiao resting?”

“Shh,” Jing Shen stepped outside and closed the door. “She’s already asleep. Is something the matter, Uncle Lin?”

“Miss Shuyuan and the others want to see President Xiao. They are waiting downstairs. I wanted to ask for her opinion.”

“Let’s not wake her. Just say she’s busy and has no time right now.”

Xiao He hadn’t hidden anything from Jing Shen during her calls, so Jing Shen naturally knew Xiao He wanted to suppress the news. In that case, she had to keep the heirs in the dark as well. Fortunately, the specific details were contained within the main building, but the fact that Dr. Guan and her team had rushed over couldn’t be hidden. She had to find a way.

Butler Lin understood her meaning. “Then I will go tell them.”

Nodding, Jing Shen watched him leave. She knew this wouldn’t end so easily. She had to divert the others’ attention away from Xiao He so they wouldn’t keep staring at the main building.

With that in mind, Jing Shen called Xiao Linchu.

“Can you come back for a bit? I need you to do me a favor.”

Linchu owed Jing Shen several favors, and since Jing Shen had never asked for anything before, she naturally wouldn’t refuse now.

Half an hour later, Linchu’s black sports car stopped at the estate. As expected, it immediately drew the attention of Shuyuan and the others.

Everyone was wondering why Linchu would return at this juncture. But the first thing Linchu asked when she got out of the car was if Xiao He was okay, which only made people more confused.

Right then, Jing Shen emerged from the main building at the calculated time, looking indignant. “Xiao Linchu, you have the nerve to come back? Do you know you nearly upset President Xiao to the point of a medical crisis? Fortunately, Uncle Lin called Dr. Guan and the team immediately, otherwise how would you account for yourself if something happened?”

“She’s fine then? I’m leaving.”

Linchu turned to get back in her car, acting as if she didn’t care.

“You’re just leaving? You’re not going to apologize to President Xiao?” Jing Shen grabbed her.

“It wasn’t that big a deal, okay? Besides, she’ll only be angrier if she sees me. Forget it,” Linchu waved her off. “By the way, I’ll wait for you at the school gate tomorrow.”

“I’m not going. You go by yourself. I’m staying domestic.”

Jing Shen took this opportunity to create an excuse for skipping tomorrow’s activity, turning back toward the main building as if in a huff.

“You…” Linchu pointed at Jing Shen’s back, seemingly too angry to speak.

Shuyuan watched for a long time. Seeing Linchu about to drive away, she hurried to stop her. “Xiao Linchu, what did you do now?”

Linchu glanced at Shuyuan and sneered. “Wasn’t it because of you? You put on quite a show, swapping the name for Jing Shen’s to frame me. Are you satisfied now?”

“What are you talking about? Make yourself clear!”

The coming-of-age ceremony incident had just passed, yet it was being brought up again. Did Linchu think she had staged it herself? Shuyuan was completely confused, but Linchu clearly had no intention of clarifying. She simply dropped a threat: “Xiao Shuyuan, you just wait. This isn’t over.”

“What’s wrong with you? I’m the one who isn’t finished with you!”

The victim is now the guilty party? Shuyuan had no idea what was happening.

Linchu didn’t say more. She got in her car and drove off, leaving behind exhaust fumes that made Shuyuan cough. Shuyuan stamped her feet at Linchu’s taillights in rage.

Linchu’s sudden, unexpected return had fumed Shuyuan half to death, but it also made her start re-analyzing the ceremony incident. She absolutely couldn’t swallow that grievance, but no matter how much she investigated, there were no other clues. What could she do? If she ever found out who did it, she’d make them pay.

Having successfully pulled everyone’s attention back to the ceremony gifts, Jing Shen watched the scene from the main building. While this wasn’t a long-term solution, it bought some time. Fortunately, Linchu was reliable.

Once she got through today and tomorrow and they got on the planes for the tour, the house would be quiet for a long time—long enough for Xiao He to recover.

When Xiao He woke up, Jing Shen told her about it. Jing Shen wasn’t sure if she had been too clever for her own good or if she had done something wrong.

“You did very well. You thought it through thoroughly. Did Linchu ask anything else?”

Xiao He leaned against the headboard, amused that the child had come up with such a method.

“No. She just asked me if you were really okay. I said you were fine and just needed quiet rest, so she didn’t pry further.”

Jing Shen naturally hadn’t told Linchu the specifics of Xiao He’s condition, choosing to gloss over it. Fortunately, Linchu wasn’t one to probe.