After Becoming a Scumbag Alpha, I Protect the Female Lead’s Love - Chapter 6

Xi Jiahua drove in silence, not speaking again. Xi Zhou was happy for the quiet and didn’t initiate a conversation; instead, she scrolled through her chat history to get a handle on the original owner’s social circle.

Xi Zhou had a bit of obsessive-compulsive disorder; seeing a screen full of unread red dots made her uncomfortable. She clicked into each chat box, skimming the records. Most were messages inviting her to go clubbing or play games. Xi Zhou didn’t reply to any of them, blocking them all instantly. Since she was going to use the original owner’s identity to start a new life, she decided to start with the social relationships, changing things bit by bit. After clearing out those fair-weather friends, she finally clicked on the chat box for Li Qingyu, which was pinned to the top.

The original owner’s behavior as a “simp” was truly eye-opening. The history between Xi Zhou and Li Qingyu consisted almost entirely of money transfers; occasionally, Xi Zhou would send a dozen messages only for Li Qingyu to reply with a few words two or three days later.

Xi Zhou felt a wave of disgust and deleted the entire thread.

When they reached the entrance of Nan Zhiyi’s residential complex, Xi Jiahua dropped her off. As Xi Zhou opened the door to get out, Jiahua spoke hesitantly. “Xiao Zhou, regarding Wenxin…”

Xi Zhou guessed what she was about to say and naturally finished the sentence. “I know. I won’t tell the family.”

“No, it doesn’t matter if Mom and Dad know. I was wondering if you could find time to visit her at the hospital and keep her company.”

When they broke up, Meng Wenxin had been very firm, going straight to the hospital to have the temporary mark removed. Removing a mark causes significant damage to the gland and weakens an Omega’s immune system; their health remains poor for a year or two. That afternoon, seeing Meng Wenxin’s pale face on the hospital bed, Jiahua had been heartbroken.

Since Jiahua had done her a huge favor, Xi Zhou didn’t mind visiting Meng Wenxin. She nodded. “Okay.”

Jiahua thought for a moment and transferred another 100,000 yuan to her. “Buy her something delicious when you go see her. She’s quite the foodie.”

A look of nostalgia appeared on Jiahua’s face. Xi Zhou hadn’t expected her sister to be such a romantic. She accepted the money without saying more. Matters of the heart are only understood by those involved; if Jiahua had truly handled the relationship well, Meng Wenxin wouldn’t have been so resolute about the breakup. Xi Zhou stepped out of the car and waved goodbye.

Guided by her hazy memories from the night before, Xi Zhou found Nan Zhiyi’s home. She unlocked the door with her fingerprint. Looking through the entryway, she saw Nan Zhiyi on the sofa with Nan Jing, watching a popular cartoon. Nan Jing was watching intently. Nan Zhiyi was sitting cross-legged with a laptop, seemingly chatting with someone.

The living room was decorated in warm tones, with photos of the two of them on the wall. The sound of laughter came from the cartoon, and the two on the sofa were snuggled close together.

The word “warmth” suddenly surfaced in Xi Zhou’s mind.

“Auntie Xi.” Hearing the door close, Nan Jing turned her head and greeted Xi Zhou as she changed her shoes.

The soft, milky voice made Xi Zhou’s heart melt. She unconsciously softened her tone. “Hello, little one.”

Nan Zhiyi was startled by Xi Zhou’s gentle voice—the old Xi Zhou would never speak to Nan Jing so kindly. She looked up. Xi Zhou walked over to them, unsure how to start a conversation.

“Have you eaten?” Nan Zhiyi closed her laptop, set it on the coffee table, and stood up to face Xi Zhou.

“I have.” Xi Zhou’s eyes followed her movements.

“Then come with me. Let’s talk.” Nan Zhiyi walked toward the study, and Xi Zhou hurried to follow.

Once inside, Nan Zhiyi didn’t beat around the bush. “We found out it was Zhao Que. How do you plan to help me get revenge?”

She sounded like a wronged child, though her tone remained flat. Xi Zhou relayed Jiahua’s words: “My sister said you get to decide how to handle it.”

“In any way I want?” Nan Zhiyi countered.

“Of course,” Xi Zhou replied decisively.

“What if I want Zhaoxiang Jewelry to go bankrupt?” Nan Zhiyi seemed amused by Xi Zhou’s attitude. Her stern expression vanished, replaced by a sly smile.

Xi Zhou seriously considered the feasibility. “That can be done.”

Nan Zhiyi was stunned. “Huh?”

In the original book, Zhaoxiang did indeed go bankrupt, though it was later orchestrated by the true protagonist, Shen Ke. When Shen Ke learned that Nan Zhiyi had been drugged by Zhao Que and then forcibly marked by the original Xi Zhou, she bankrupted Zhaoxiang in a fit of protective rage. The Xi family’s power was no less than the Shen family’s; bankrupting Zhaoxiang shouldn’t be too difficult.

“I was just joking.” Nan Zhiyi retracted her smile and turned serious. “I want to expose Zhao Que’s actions.”

“Okay.” Xi Zhou didn’t know much about business operations, but having read the book, she could guess what Nan Zhiyi wanted. “Are you planning a PR war with Zhaoxiang?”

The plagiarism scandal surrounding Minsen Jewelry had been fabricated by Zhaoxiang. Minsen wanted to sue, but Zhaoxiang had been stalling, making it difficult to gather evidence. Disgusted and out of options, Nan Zhiyi had initially decided on a private settlement. She hadn’t expected Zhao Que to dare drug her at the dinner. Zhaoxiang was planning to use their summer new arrivals to launch a PR campaign against Minsen; now, Nan Zhiyi intended to strike back using public opinion. However, Xi Zhou felt this was far too lenient—crimes shouldn’t go unpunished.

“Yes.” Nan Zhiyi hadn’t expected this “useless socialite” to guess her plan. Does manifestation also boost IQ?

Xi Zhou lowered her head, rubbing the callus on her right hand as she spoke slowly. “He hurt you but received no punishment. Letting him off like this… isn’t it too easy on him?”

Now it was Nan Zhiyi’s turn to be bewildered. Xi Zhou had been delivering one shock after another all evening; something was very wrong. How could Xi Zhou possibly be taking her side and feeling indignant on her behalf? This wasn’t just a personality shift—it was as if she were possessed.

Nan Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. “Then what do you want to do?”

Xi Zhou showed full respect for her opinion. “What I want doesn’t matter. What matters is what you want. You don’t need to consider the feasibility; as long as it’s what you want, the Xi family will do everything in its power to help you achieve it.”

Her expression was earnest, not joking at all. Nan Zhiyi was somewhat moved; being unconditionally protected felt good. However, her logic reminded her that Xi Zhou was dangerous. She simply couldn’t understand why Xi Zhou was being so good to her since the manifestation.

Ever since being discharged, she had been pondering this. Xi Zhou had called in the afternoon offering to find the culprit and succeeded by evening. The result matched Nan Zhiyi’s own investigation; Xi Zhou wasn’t playing games.

Xi Zhou continued seriously: “Why don’t we get a lawyer to sue him and send him to prison? Once Zhao Que is inside, Zhaoxiang will be leaderless. You can apply pressure through public opinion, and I’ll ask my sister to help cut off their partnerships. We’ll let their summer line die in the womb. Zhaoxiang will be as good as bankrupt.”

Nan Zhiyi hadn’t expected Xi Zhou to still be focused on bankrupting the company. She couldn’t help but let out a light laugh, as if amused by Xi Zhou’s audacity. “Bankrupting Zhaoxiang isn’t that simple.”

Xi Zhou adopted a playboy-esque, arrogant smile. “I am the Third Miss of the Xi family. Even if you don’t believe me, you have to believe in Guanghua.”

Nan Zhiyi didn’t argue further. “Fine, then you handle it.”

Something was definitely wrong with Xi Zhou. She was a different person entirely.

Nan Zhiyi took a pack of cigarettes from a drawer, pulled one out, and handed it to Xi Zhou. “Here.”

Xi Zhou took the cigarette with her left hand, appearing somewhat flattered. She didn’t light it immediately, just held it between her fingers. “Thank you.”

Nan Zhiyi’s beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze suddenly becoming sharp. Her cool voice carried a distinct edge of hostility, sending a cold shiver down Xi Zhou’s spine.

“When did you learn to smoke? And since when were you left-handed, Xi Zhou?”

Nan Zhiyi pronounced the name with chilling clarity. Xi Zhou knew she couldn’t hide it anymore. Nan Zhiyi was smart and observant; she had already grown suspicious. It wouldn’t be easy to fool her, but Xi Zhou hadn’t expected her cover to be blown quite this fast.

Xi Zhou let out a soft sigh. “Do you ever look into the scientific reasons behind supernatural phenomena?”

“Like crop circles or ball lightning?”

Nan Zhiyi could roughly guess what she was trying to say. However, Nan Zhiyi didn’t have a scientific spirit; she wasn’t the type to spend her life searching for a reason. Compared to natural sciences that humans can’t perceive, she was more willing to explain things through the divine. In a sense, she wasn’t a strict atheist.

“I don’t.”

Xi Zhou spoke nervously. “Then, if I said I transmigrated here… would you believe me?”