After Transmigrating as a Scum Alpha, Both the Heroine and I Fell Hard (Transmigration) - Chapter 6

By the time she returned home, the sky was fully bright.

The glass windows reflected the sunlight. In that dazzling glare, Ruan Tang pushed open the door and walked out of her room. The loose loungewear draped over her made her look even smaller and more fragile. She gave a tiny yawn, looking like she hadn’t quite woken up yet.

She was so well-behaved, so soft.

For a moment, Song Chenxi didn’t know which was more brilliant—the sunlight or Ruan Tang.

“Morning!”

Startled to find her Master already awake before her, Ruan Tang jumped and nervously replied, “Morning, Master!”

She practically dashed into the kitchen, skillfully opening the cabinets to take out two bowls and two pairs of chopsticks of different sizes and colors from various storage baskets. She tied an apron around her waist, quickly rinsed some rice, and put it into the pot.

While waiting for the porridge to cook, Ruan Tang took some ingredients from the fridge and made two side dishes.

Song Chenxi, watching Ruan Tang—who only yesterday was at the hospital on an IV and medication—felt a pang of guilt. She clumsily stepped forward to help.

The original host almost never entered the kitchen; she even ordered Ruan Tang around just to get a glass of water. Looking at this “strange” Master, Ruan Tang felt terrified, unsure what her Master was planning this time. She stole trembling glances at the wandering Song Chenxi. Unable to refuse her directly, she simply sped up her work.

Seeing that she couldn’t help with anything, Song Chenxi could only sit back down at the dining table. Crossing her long legs and resting her chin on one hand, her phoenix-like eyes drifted aimlessly. She looked exactly like a cat waiting to be fed.

Just then, the landline rang. Song Chenxi frowned; the ringtone was hideous. She’d have to change it when she had the chance.

“President Song, you need to meet the Editor-in-Chief of MZ Magazine today. The location is set for Yi Ye Zhou Teahouse. What time would be appropriate?” It was a mature-sounding female voice.

Song Chenxi only had a vague understanding of the plot. She knew the original host was the head of a designer clothing brand, but nothing else. She decided not to push herself; she’d check the situation later.

“Hmm…” Song Chenxi glanced at the time on the wall. “8:00.”

The voice on the other end paused noticeably. “8:00 AM sharp?”

“Yes.”

“Just to confirm, you will meet the MZ Editor-in-Chief at 8:00 AM?”

“Correct.”

“Confirming once more: 8:00 in the morning, not 8:00 in the evening?”

Song Chenxi: “…” I only said two words; is it that hard to understand?

Ruan Tang was plating the breakfast Song Chenxi had bought when she suddenly caught a scent she hadn’t smelled in a long time.

Cilantro?

Master never ate cilantro!

With a hint of confusion, Ruan Tang finished the porridge. The glass kitchen door slid open. Holding a wooden tray wider than her shoulders, Ruan Tang walked carefully to the dining table.

She set out the dishes and pastries, then placed a white porcelain bowl filled with millet porridge in front of Song Chenxi. She also thoughtfully placed a square porcelain saucer, a chopstick rest, a porcelain spoon, and pine wood chopsticks by her hand.

Once everything was arranged, Ruan Tang lowered her head and spoke like a waitress: “Master, please enjoy your meal.”

“Thanks, thanks. Actually, you don’t need to do all this,” Song Chenxi said, her eyebrows arching slightly. She picked up her spoon, then remembered something and said gently, “You come eat too.”

Ruan Tang shook her head and stood stiffly by Song Chenxi’s side without moving.

Did the original host not allow Ruan Tang to eat?

Song Chenxi put down her spoon and turned to face Ruan Tang with a smile. “Ruan Tang, eat with me. It’s lonely eating by myself.”

Ruan Tang’s eyes were clear, with the distinct black and white of a child’s gaze. She blinked twice, nodded, and went back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she emerged with a smaller bowl and sat at a seat very far away from Song Chenxi to eat.

Song Chenxi stared at the top of the little Omega’s head, completely bewildered.

Scritch— She pulled out her chair and walked over to Ruan Tang.

“Master, what… what’s wrong?” Seeing Song Chenxi approach, Ruan Tang immediately dropped her spoon and looked up at her, trembling with fear.

“Why aren’t you sitting with me? You can’t even reach the dishes from here.”

“I… I should eat… here.” Ruan Tang lowered her head, looking pitiful.

Song Chenxi didn’t know what to say. After a few seconds of silence, Ruan Tang lowered her head even further and finally spoke in a low voice. “I… I don’t need to eat the side dishes.”

“What?” Song Chenxi’s fists clenched tight, her eyebrows knitting together.

Ruan Tang didn’t know what she had done wrong; her shoulders shook like a butterfly about to take flight. Song Chenxi brushed her hair back and put her hands on her hips, feeling a block of frustration in her chest.

The original host was definitely out of her mind.

Recalling the dozens of “Rules of Conduct” spray-painted in black on the basement walls, Song Chenxi felt a surge of rage. Those must have been the bizarre rules that “dog” of a host had set! It was clear that aside from physical pleasure, the host didn’t care for this Omega at all.

“Master, I’m sorry, I… I’ll just eat the porridge. No, wait… I… I don’t have to eat at all…” Ruan Tang’s voice quivered with terror. Past painful memories clung to her like ghosts, dragging her into a darker abyss.

Song Chenxi sighed, turned back to grab her own bowl and spoon, walked over to Ruan Tang’s side, and sat down. She began eating her porridge without a word.

“Master,” Ruan Tang looked at her in disbelief. “You… you can’t do this!”

“What do you mean I can’t? If you can eat here, why can’t I?” She pointed to Ruan Tang’s bowl. “Eat. This porridge you made is delicious.”

“I, no, Master, no…” Ruan Tang was incoherent.

“No what?” Song Chenxi didn’t scold her; a faint smile played on her face.

“You can’t… sit… here!”

Due to unknown reasons, Ruan Tang spoke a bit slower than the average person. Song Chenxi set down her bowl and looked at her earnestly. “I can, unless you come sit with me.”

“But, I… I can’t… I’m not allowed!” Ruan Tang clenched her hands, her fingertips starting to scratch the back of her hand again.

Song Chenxi slowly reached out a finger and pressed down lightly on Ruan Tang’s hand. Ruan Tang looked up in horror, not daring to breathe.

The previous Master used to lose her temper during meals too. She would grab Ruan Tang’s hair, forcing her head back, then pour the bowl of porridge over her, leaving her face and hair matted with millet. “You are my Omega; you must obey me unconditionally!”

“Don’t scratch. You’ll break the skin,” Song Chenxi said, before withdrawing her hand.

Ruan Tang’s pupils shook, but she didn’t move. The old Song Chenxi was never this gentle. When she ate, Ruan Tang had to stand by like a servant; only after she finished could Ruan Tang eat the leftovers.

The Song Chenxi today was just as beautiful and charming, with sharp brow bones that gave her a slight edge—the kind of striking appearance one would recognize instantly in a crowd. But other than that, she was different in every single way.

Unable to argue, Ruan Tang nodded.

As if she had received permission, Song Chenxi immediately took both bowls and moved back to her original seat. After Ruan Tang sat down, she pushed all the side dishes in front of the girl, letting her have the first bite.

However, Ruan Tang remained hunched over, still not daring to use her chopsticks. Song Chenxi didn’t rush her; she waited patiently, eating only her porridge.

“Ma… Master, aren’t you… aren’t you eating the dishes?” Ruan Tang asked tentatively.

Song Chenxi smiled. “If you don’t eat, I won’t either.”

After a long while, Ruan Tang finally dipped her chopsticks into the sauce of one dish symbolically. Song Chenxi did the same. Eventually, the porridge was gone, but plenty of the dishes remained.

After the meal, Ruan Tang brought Song Chenxi a glass of iced cola and a clean ashtray. Song Chenxi nearly shuddered.

Iced cola first thing in the morning?

Can her stomach even handle that?

Not to mention the increased risk of gout, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Song Chenxi shook her head. Having finally gotten a second chance at life, she intended to make it to ninety-nine. “It’s too early for me; I won’t drink it.”

Ruan Tang nodded, moved the cola, and handed her the ashtray. Song Chenxi had never smoked. She shook her head again. “I don’t smoke.”

At this, Ruan Tang looked up with eyes full of suspicion, her hand holding the ashtray shaking so violently she almost thought she had misheard.

The driver’s car pulled up to the door. Song Chenxi stood up and put on her coat, ready to leave. Ruan Tang had never seen her Master go to work so early; she was confused but didn’t dare show it, following timidly behind.

Song Chenxi turned back to look at the Omega. “Ruan Tang, I’m going to hire someone to come clean the rooms. Give me your phone number so I can send it to her.”

Ruan Tang stopped a meter away, her small head shaking like a rattle. “I… I don’t have a phone.”

What?

A young person today without a phone? That wasn’t logical. Then again, maybe that beast of a host just hadn’t bought her one.

Song Chenxi pulled out her own phone and handed it to Ruan Tang. “Then take mine. You can use it to contact her.”

Ruan Tang’s face flushed with embarrassment. She looked down at the floor, her voice light, yet it felt like it was hammering against Song Chenxi’s heart. “I… I don’t know how to use one.”

Song Chenxi fell silent.

Where were Ruan Tang’s parents? Had they never let her use a phone either?