After Becoming a Scumbag Alpha, I Protect the Female Lead’s Love - Chapter 9

Nan Zhiyi had slept early the previous night and was up before 6:00 AM. After freshening up, she planned to head out for a walk and pick up some breakfast. As she passed Xi Zhou’s room, she heard a sharp cry from inside.

“Is everything okay?” Nan Zhiyi asked through the door.

A moment later, Xi Zhou opened the door. “It’s nothing. Just a nightmare. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

Xi Zhou’s face was deathly pale, and her hair was a mess; she looked utterly exhausted. Nan Zhiyi didn’t pry; since Xi Zhou didn’t volunteer the details, Nan Zhiyi wouldn’t go digging.

“No,” Nan Zhiyi replied. “I just heard a noise and came to check.”

Noticing Nan Zhiyi’s athletic wear, Xi Zhou asked, “Are you heading out?”

“Yes, just going for a stroll around the neighborhood and grabbing some breakfast to bring back.” Looking at Xi Zhou’s poor state, she suggested, “Why don’t you try to get some more sleep?”

Xi Zhou was never one for sleeping in once she was awake. She declined the suggestion. “No thanks.”

“Alright. What do you want to eat? I’ll bring something back for you.”

“Would it be okay if I made breakfast for us here?”

As Xi Zhou asked this, her eyes flickered with a lack of confidence—that same timid, cautious manner from the night before. Every request this Xi Zhou made seemed colored by a fear of giving offense. Nan Zhiyi hadn’t expected her to be so careful in her daily life.

“Of course.” Nan Zhiyi gestured toward the first floor. “The kitchen is down there. An-an and I bought groceries at the supermarket yesterday; feel free to make whatever you like.”

“Mhm.” Xi Zhou nodded.

When Xi Zhou was in a bad mood, besides smoking or drinking, she loved to cook. Watching ingredients bubble and boil in a pot, seeing the rising steam wrap the kitchen in a fragrant mist—she found the process strangely mesmerizing.

The two walked downstairs together. Xi Zhou checked the fridge and asked, “When does the little one wake up? Is steamed buns (baozi) okay?”

It seemed Xi Zhou was quite the cook. For Nan Zhiyi, labor-intensive foods like buns or dumplings were things she never attempted. Back when she lived with her parents, she would try to help, only to be shooed out of the kitchen by her mother.

Since both she and Nan Jing liked buns, Nan Zhiyi had no objections.

“An-an usually wakes up around 7:30. You’ll have to move fast if you’re making them from scratch.” Nan Zhiyi checked the time and reminded her, “You can use any of the tools in the kitchen.”

“Understood.”

Xi Zhou took out the ingredients and began prepping them with practiced ease. Nan Zhiyi watched her busy herself for a moment before taking her keys and heading out for her walk.

The house Nan Zhiyi lived in had been a gift from her parents, located in a newly developed villa district in Lancheng. She and Nan Jing had lived with her parents until she married Xi Zhou and moved here.

Nan Zhiyi strolled slowly along the neighborhood’s artificial lake, but her mind remained sharp, still focused on Minsen’s summer collection.

She had joined Minsen right after graduation, starting from the bottom. In two years, she had rotated through nearly every entry-level position. When her father suffered a sudden heart attack earlier this year, she had to take over his position as CEO prematurely. The summer collection was her first major project since taking the reins; she desperately needed it to be a success to prove herself.

But now, the collection was mired in a plagiarism scandal. Minsen’s PR team hadn’t responded in time, and public opinion was turning sharply against them.

the PR department’s suggestion was to fire the designer responsible. Since taking office, Nan Zhiyi had boldly employed several fresh designers; the piece accused of plagiarism was the work of a recent graduate. Nan Zhiyi refused to “sacrifice the pawn to save the knight.”

In the design industry, a great designer can bring immense profit to a brand. Minsen had been built on the strength of its designers, and its talent reserve and growth system were among the best in the industry. The “golden window” for PR had already passed. Nan Zhiyi had prepared a backup plan, but she still preferred finding evidence that Zhaoxiang Jewelry had framed them.

Currently, she was at a dead end. After circling the lake four or five times, she felt tired and sat on a bench, staring into space. Seeing it was nearly 7:00 AM, she headed home.

The moment she opened the front door, the savory aroma of food drifted from the kitchen, filling the air.

Xi Zhou was hunched over the counter pleating buns. A few stray hairs fell against her cheek, adding a touch of softness to her sharp features. Hearing the door, she didn’t stop her work but turned her head. “You’re back?”

“Mhm. It smells amazing,” Nan Zhiyi couldn’t help but praise.

“Just a moment, I’m not quite finished.” Xi Zhou’s hands moved faster; in seconds, a delicate xiaolongbao sat in her palm.

Nan Zhiyi walked into the kitchen. “Need help?”

Xi Zhou glanced at her, then at the small amount of filling and dough left. “No need, I’m almost done. The first batch is already on the stove. I made quite a lot this time; we can put the extras in the fridge and just steam them whenever you want a snack.”

Looking at the rows of buns, Nan Zhiyi was surprised they were xiaolongbao. Xi Zhou’s craft was excellent—they looked as good as anything from a professional shop. The aroma made Nan Zhiyi’s stomach growl.

“Why make xiaolongbao specifically?” Nan Zhiyi asked casually.

“I figured the little one might like them more if they were bite-sized,” Xi Zhou finished the last one and let out a long sigh.

“You really do like An-an. I guess I’m just benefiting from her reflected glory,” Nan Zhiyi teased. When she married Xi Zhou, her biggest fear was An-an being mistreated. After learning that “Xi Zhou” wasn’t “Xi Zhou,” she had worried this newcomer might dislike the child. Fortunately, the affection was genuine.

“Mhm, An-an is a very lovable kid.” Xi Zhou tidied the kitchen as she spoke, then followed Nan Zhiyi out. As Nan Zhiyi sat at the dining table, Xi Zhou produced a caramel pudding like a magic trick and set it before her. “For you.”

Nan Zhiyi had a major sweet tooth. She looked at Xi Zhou in surprise. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” Xi Zhou sat opposite her. “Try it and see what you think.”

Nan Zhiyi took an eager bite.

“Well?” Xi Zhou folded her arms and watched her, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

“It’s perfect,” Nan Zhiyi gave a thumbs up. “Not too sweet, no eggy smell, very fragrant.”

The review was sincere.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Were you a chef in your world? Everything you make is delicious.”

“No, I was a student.”

“Are you younger than the original Xi Zhou?” Hearing she was a student, Nan Zhiyi assumed she was younger than 25.

“No, my birthday is the same as hers. I was a PhD student.”

Same as the original? That would make her 25. A PhD student at 25… this Xi Zhou was clearly quite brilliant.

“A PhD at your age is very impressive,” Nan Zhiyi praised genuinely. “What was your major?”

Xi Zhou tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, hiding her slightly reddened ears. “Computer Science for my undergrad, and Astrophysics for my Master’s and PhD.”

“Wow.” Nan Zhiyi finished the last bite of pudding. “Spoken like a true doctor; even your cooking is scientific.”

Though Xi Zhou wasn’t sure how a PhD related to cooking, she was moved to a laugh by Nan Zhiyi’s remark.

She checked the time, turned off the stove, and brought out the porridge and buns. Nan Zhiyi hopped up to help carry the dishes.

It was 7:30 AM—time for Nan Jing to wake up. Nan Zhiyi went to her room and found her sitting on the bed, looking dazed.

“Sweetie, time to get up. Auntie Xi made breakfast. Let’s go wash up so we don’t keep her waiting too long, okay?”

Nan Jing tumbled into her mother’s arms with a soft “Okay.” Nan Zhiyi moved to help her dress, but the little one refused. “Mommy, I’m a big girl now. I can dress myself.”

Nan Zhiyi’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she let her go. “Then Mommy will wait for you downstairs.”

“Okay!”

Nan Zhiyi headed down with a smile. They didn’t have to wait long before Nan Jing came running down the stairs.

“Slow down!” Nan Zhiyi cautioned. Nan Jing immediately slowed her pace, holding the railing carefully.

“Good morning, Mommy! Good morning, Auntie Xi!” The little girl sat next to Nan Zhiyi, bursting with energy.

“Good morning, little one.” Infected by the child’s spirit, Xi Zhou greeted her with a smile.

“Let’s eat.” Nan Zhiyi put a bun on her daughter’s plate. Nan Jing hadn’t quite mastered chopsticks yet and just picked up the xiaolongbao with her hands.

It was clear the food hit the spot; both of them ate happily. Xi Zhou sipped her porridge slowly, watching them with a calm expression.

After the meal, Nan Jing helped clear the table. Xi Zhou offered to do the dishes, but Nan Zhiyi stopped her.

“I’ll do it. You cooked, so I should clean.” Nan Zhiyi pointed to Nan Jing, who was lounging on the sofa. “Go play with An-an for a bit.”

“Alright.” Xi Zhou didn’t argue and went to the living room.

On the coffee table was a half-finished puzzle. It didn’t have many pieces and looked like a cartoon character.

“Shall we finish this together?” Xi Zhou sat next to her.

“Too full, can’t move,” Nan Jing grumbled lazily, refusing to budge. Then she crawled into Xi Zhou’s lap, acting spoiled. “Auntie Xi, tell me more stories instead, please?”

Xi Zhou patted her head. “Okay.”

When Nan Zhiyi finished in the kitchen, she saw the scene of Nan Jing snuggled in Xi Zhou’s arms, listening to a story. She sat on the single sofa nearby and pulled up her tablet to check emails.

While Xi Zhou told the story, she kept checking her phone as if waiting for something.

Nan Zhiyi noted the time. Nan Jing had a violin lesson at 9:00 AM; they needed to leave by 8:30. “Alright, An-an, go grab your violin. Time for class.”

Nan Jing scurried off to get her instrument. Just then, Xi Zhou finally received a message from Xi Jiahua—she wanted to meet Nan Zhiyi.

“My sister wants to meet with you to discuss the incident from the other night,” Xi Zhou told her.

Nan Zhiyi didn’t hesitate. “That’s fine. I have nothing else scheduled for today.”

“Can we go after dropping An-an off?”

“Sure,” Nan Zhiyi nodded. “Do you want to come with us to drop her off?”

“Yeah. Let me change first.”

Worried about making Nan Jing late, Xi Zhou changed quickly. At the garage, Nan Zhiyi asked if she could drive. Upon hearing a “yes,” she handed Xi Zhou the keys.

After dropping Nan Jing off, the two headed to a café to meet Xi Jiahua.