After Transmigrating as the Villain Alpha, I Marked the Reborn Supporting Female Omega (GL) - Chapter 12

The four words, “pay with your body,” emerged in Liang Manqing’s consciousness.

The Scumbag System reacted even before Qin Cen: 【Host, you’ve finally put the plot on the right track.】

Locking the female supporting character by her side and demanding payment with her body—truly worthy of the villain Liang Manqing.

Liang Manqing couldn’t help but sneer when she heard the system’s inner voice. She said that not only to follow the plot but also to deceive the system.

The Scumbag System seemed very busy lately, only occasionally appearing in her consciousness. It was likely busy monitoring the male and female leads’ progress right now.

Qin Cen’s eyes were thoughtful. The Omega’s long, curled eyelashes cast a shadow. She guessed that Liang Manqing wanting her as a stand-in was only the first step, and the follow-up would likely be to slowly bind her.

The four words “pay with your body” were enough to explain everything.

Qin Cen shouldn’t have believed Liang Manqing would be kind enough not to harm her and willingly pay her money. It turned out she was setting a trap here and waiting for her.

Qin Cen threw the gift down: “Liang Manqing, I knew you had ulterior motives! I will not sell my body.”

“Miss Qin, you’ve misunderstood.” Liang Manqing reached out to stop Qin Cen: “I meant that my studio needs a jewelry model. Can you help me?”

Qin Cen was deep in thought: “Do you really mean that?”

Liang Manqing: “Of course. I would never lie to you.” The previous sentence she spoke was to deceive the system. Besides that, she genuinely needed a physically stunning jewelry model.

Qin Cen didn’t want to owe her. If this were true, it would be perfect: “When?”

Liang Manqing: “After you come back from the Qin family.”

The sample jewelry designs for the competition were being produced at full capacity and would take at least two more days.

Liang Xue hadn’t returned all night. Aunt Tao said Liang Xue had called and was staying at a friend’s house for two days.

When Qin Cen returned from Top Ten Entertainment, she reminded Liang Manqing: “If Liang Xue still hasn’t come back tonight, remember to pick her up. Liang Xue seemed a bit upset when she left that day.”

Liang Manqing hadn’t expected Qin Cen to be so observant of Liang Xue’s emotions. Liang Manqing had only assumed the child didn’t want tutoring and was using it as an excuse to avoid studying, allowing her to relax for two days.

Liang Manqing mused and hummed: “I will bring the child back today.”

The Qin family residence was not in the center of C City. Qin Cen refused Liang Manqing’s offer to drive her and took a taxi back to the Qin home.

Qin Yueguang was waiting at the door early. Seeing Qin Cen, he smiled: “Xiao Cen, you finally decided to come home.”

Qin Yueguang was Qin Cen’s biological father, and he was the one who brought Qin Cen back from the orphanage to raise her. Perhaps he was the only person in the Qin family who welcomed Qin Cen.

A part of the reason Qin Cen was willing to return to the Qin family was because of Qin Yueguang.

Qin Cen forced a smile. She had never called her biological parents by their names in her previous life, and she couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth now.

The father and daughter were very reserved. To ease the tension, Qin Yueguang went inside and called: “Xiao Nuo, your sister is back. Come down and keep her company.”

Qin Nuo was sweet-talked and knew how to play the obedient role in front of her parents. She appeared before Qin Yueguang immediately after he called her, smiling as she linked her arm through her father’s: “Dad, sister is back. Let me take her upstairs to see my design work.”

Qin Yueguang smiled kindly: “You two sisters figure it out. Xiao Cen, your sister is going to participate in the National Design Competition next week. Why don’t you take a look for her?”

Qin Nuo smiled and leaned in: “Sister, please take a look for me.”

Qin Nuo subtly avoided her. In her previous life, she had been framed by Qin Nuo for destroying her design after offering to look at it, causing Qin Nuo to miss out on an international award.

Little did she know, the design Qin Nuo showed her was a discarded sample, and what she “ruined” was also a discarded sample.

Afterward, when Qin Nuo used her real work to enter the competition, she didn’t even pass the preliminary review. Out of anger and shame, she stole someone else’s design to win the award, and the original designer of the stolen work was silenced forever.

Qin Nuo became the genius designer in the public eye and joined the TL design team.

Qin Cen felt a knot of resentment in her heart. Qin Nuo didn’t deserve it at all.

“Alright, of course I’ll look at Qin Nuo’s design work.” Qin Cen smiled at Qin Nuo, her pale green eyes lacking the sincerity they once held.

Qin Nuo was momentarily stunned, feeling that Qin Cen was slightly different from before, but couldn’t pinpoint how. She dismissed it as overthinking.

Qin Yueguang and Kang Shu had decorated a fully functional design studio for Qin Nuo at home. The room was currently filled with Qin Nuo’s poor-quality designs.

Qin Nuo raised her head proudly: “Sister, look. This is my competition entry. Isn’t it pretty?”

This design, featuring a chain of stars orbiting a cloud, was clearly a TL design, though with minor modifications in the details.

Did she really think Qin Cen didn’t follow the fashion industry? Qin Cen glanced at it and casually said: “It seems you and TL Design share the same inspiration. This one looks very similar to TL’s last collection. It’s called…”

Qin Cen pretended to think: “It’s called ‘Star Cloud.’”

“What nonsense are you talking about! I designed this first! It’s just that TL Design has a big name and beat me to it!” Qin Nuo’s round eyes glared. She hadn’t expected Qin Cen to know this.

Qin Cen scoffed. She was addicted to plagiarism and wouldn’t admit it.

Qin Nuo gritted her teeth: “I’ll go make some tea for sister. Sister, feel free to look around.”

Qin Cen wasn’t interested in her designs, but she felt confined in the Qin house and didn’t want to go out and see Kang Shu’s face.

Qin Cen was bored and decided to return all the tricks Qin Nuo had used in the previous life.

On the path Qin Nuo would inevitably take back with the tea, Qin Cen subtly placed a slightly raised design board.

When Qin Nuo returned, she planned to intentionally lose her balance while handing the tea to Qin Cen, knock over the discarded sample, and then complain to her parents. Unexpectedly, she was rushing back and didn’t notice the extra board under her feet. She fell heavily, her body twisting and crashing into the real competition entry beside her, breaking the jewelry chain.

Qin Nuo screamed, picking up the jewelry on the floor with distress: “Mom! Dad!”

Qin Yueguang and Kang Shu rushed over when they heard the scream. Seeing the messy design studio, Kang Shu pushed Qin Cen, who was blocking the way, and comforted Qin Nuo affectionately: “Nuo Nuo, what happened?”

Qin Cen hit the door, and her heart also took a heavy blow. Even after all this time, she still felt a sense of loss due to Kang Shu’s cold attitude towards her.

Kang Shu preferred Alphas over Omegas. Upon learning that her biological daughter Qin Cen was a low-quality Omega, she was extremely disgusted. From then on, she devoted all her affection to the Alpha Qin Nuo. Kang Shu claimed that the Qin family business could only be handed over to an Alpha, and Qin Cen had no right to any of the Qin family’s benefits.

Qin Cen lowered her gaze. Qin Yueguang patted her shoulder: “Are you okay? Your mother didn’t mean it; she was just anxious.”

Qin Cen watched the mother and daughter on the floor piecing the jewelry chain together. Qin Nuo, despite being angry, had to endure it. It was her own carelessness.

Kang Shu’s birthday party included relatives near and far. The Qin family was very concerned about appearances. At the dinner table, guests enthusiastically presented gifts to Kang Shu.

Everyone’s gifts were valuable. Qin Nuo even used her first earnings to create and present a self-designed bracelet to Kang Shu, calling it “one-of-a-kind.”

Qin Nuo looked at Qin Cen with ill intent: “Sister, what did you give Mom?”

Kang Shu glanced at Qin Cen: “She doesn’t even have a job now. How could she afford a gift?”

The whole table looked at Qin Cen, waiting for her to bring out her gift.

Qin Cen found the looks on these people’s faces disgusting. Suddenly, Liang Manqing’s gentle gaze flashed in her mind.

Qin Cen lowered her eyes, took out the gift, and gave it to Kang Shu: “Happy Birthday.”

Before Kang Shu could reach for it, Qin Nuo eagerly took the gift and ripped open the packaging: “Sister, what did you buy? It’s even wrapped in a TL Design box. Anyone who didn’t know would actually think it was a TL Design.”

Qin Nuo’s mocking, expectant look turned to shock the moment she opened the gift.

Someone at the table was the first to speak: “Wow! This is TL’s latest design, an emerald jewelry necklace, worth seven figures! There’s only one in the world. Qin Cen, you are so thoughtful.”

The previously quiet table erupted in murmurs. When Kang Shu heard the seven-figure price, she carefully examined the necklace: “Could it be fake? Where did she get the money?”

Someone confirmed: “I work at the TL counter. It’s not fake.”

Kang Shu set Qin Nuo’s gift aside and picked up the emerald jewelry, inspecting it carefully. The more she looked, the more she loved it: “It’s quite beautiful.”

Everyone at the table was praising Qin Cen’s filial piety, but Qin Cen couldn’t feel happy.

Qin Nuo stared at her neglected gift, secretly grinding her teeth, yet her eyes were filled with a fake smile: “Sister, how could you have the money to buy a TL design? Could it be that some boss sponsored you?”

Qin Cen paused at the implication. In an instant, all eyes turned to her.

With Qin Nuo’s words, everyone suspected Qin Cen had used her body for illicit means.

Qin Yueguang looked at Qin Cen: “Is that true?”

Kang Shu’s face was mocking, yet she tightly clutched the necklace: “I knew it! Qin Cen, you should learn from Nuo Nuo, working diligently and honestly earning money. How can you use your body to get ahead? Didn’t the orphanage teach you these morals?”

Kang Shu genuinely believed Qin Cen should return to the orphanage. Qin Yueguang glared at Kang Shu, telling her to stop talking nonsense.

No matter what she did, it was wrong. Qin Cen let out a cold laugh. Just as she was about to stand up and speak, a familiar voice cut across the room.

“Pardon the interruption.” A woman appeared in the Qin house. The butler rushed in from behind: “Master, Madam, a guest insisted on coming in. I couldn’t stop her.”

Qin Cen looked over and slowly spoke her name: “Liang Manqing.”

When Liang Manqing appeared, the presence of the Alphas present was immediately suppressed. The S-class Alpha aura made everyone hold their breath.

Qin Nuo gasped: “Liang Manqing!”

Everyone present was a business person. Who didn’t recognize Liang Manqing, the Alpha of the Liang family in C City? Kang Shu’s expression softened when she saw her: “Miss Liang, why are you visiting the Qin family today?”

Liang Manqing walked up to Qin Cen and smiled: “It’s getting late. I came to pick up Qin Cen, but I happened to overhear someone mentioning ‘paying with your body’ and ‘orphanage’…”

Kang Shu’s face changed: “No one said that, no one! You must have misheard.”

Liang Manqing’s cold eyes were like knives: “Is that so?”

Kang Shu immediately understood she had said the wrong thing. She raised her hand and slapped herself twice on the cheek: “I misspoke! Xiao Cen is my dearest biological daughter. I only said that to educate her.”

The Qin Group was currently seeking investment from the Liang family. Offending the Liang family would not end well.

Qin Yueguang spoke gently: “Xiao Cen, your mother didn’t mean it. Please don’t take those words to heart.”

Qin Yueguang was always pleading for Kang Shu. In his heart, Kang Shu ranked first, Qin Nuo second, and Qin Cen probably didn’t even rank third.

Qin Cen slightly frowned, pulling on Liang Manqing’s sleeve: “I want to go back now.”

She couldn’t stand being in the Qin house for another moment. She had thought returning this time might slightly change the Qin family’s view of her, but it seemed to be in vain. This life, the Qin family was just as indifferent to her feelings as the last.

Liang Manqing put her arm around Qin Cen’s shoulder: “I’ll take you away now.”

The Qin family was snobbish and opportunistic. Liang Manqing didn’t want to stay either.

As the two walked out the door, Kang Shu pushed Qin Yueguang: “Hurry up and see them off! The Qin Group is about to go public. Go say some nice words to Qin Cen and ask her to help the family secure investment.”

Qin Yueguang forced himself to catch up: “Miss Liang, I didn’t realize Xiao Cen and you were so close. Since the Liang and Qin families share this fate, could I ask your father to look favorably upon the Qin Group’s products?”

Liang Manqing: “The Liang Group has its own considerations regarding your company’s products. If they have investment value, the Liang Group will treat them fairly.”

The diplomatic response made Qin Yueguang understand that control of the Liang family was not yet in Liang Manqing’s hands. However, Qin Yueguang was asking Liang Manqing to speak well for them, but she was directly refused.

Qin Yueguang looked at Qin Cen, signaling for her to come over, as he had something to say.

Qin Cen looked at Liang Manqing, who stepped outside: “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Qin Yueguang spoke earnestly: “Xiao Cen, I know you’re angry with your mother, but the Qin family is your real home after all. The Qin Group has some capital turnover difficulties recently. Can you please put in a good word for Dad with the Liang family?”

The last shred of hope in Qin Cen’s heart vanished. She thought Qin Yueguang wanted to talk to her alone to show concern.

Qin Cen let out a silent laugh: “I can’t interfere with the Liang family’s affairs.”

“What do you mean you can’t interfere? You and Liang Manqing…” Qin Yueguang frowned: “I’ve heard that Liang Manqing is ill-behaved and has countless Omegas around her. Was Qin Nuo right? Do you have an improper relationship with Liang Manqing?”

Qin Yueguang’s words were becoming increasingly nasty. Qin Cen looked at Qin Yueguang in disbelief: “If whatever Qin Nuo says is correct, then why don’t you just treat her as your biological daughter?”

She would never return to the Qin family.

Qin Cen’s eyes felt hot as she fought back tears. After everything she experienced in her previous life, she shouldn’t still feel sad over the Qin family.

Liang Manqing was waiting outside and draped a piece of clothing over her: “It’s cold. Wear more.”

Qin Cen touched the soft fabric on her shoulder, which reminded her of Qin Yueguang’s words about an improper relationship, and she felt mocked.

Not only was she Liang Manqing’s white moonlight stand-in, but she had also agreed to be Liang Manqing’s jewelry model in exchange for the seven-figure necklace.

Qin Yueguang was right. Their relationship was improper.

She treated Liang Manqing as an inhibitory drug, and Liang Manqing only treated her as a stand-in.

The most tragic part was that, at this moment, Qin Cen found herself craving Liang Manqing’s kindness, even if the relationship was improper.

Liang Manqing saw that Qin Cen was in a bad mood, opened the passenger door, and said: “Get in. I’ll take you somewhere to relax.”

Qin Cen: “Where are we going?”

Liang Manqing’s slender hand shielded the top of the car to prevent Qin Cen from hitting her head: “You’ll know when we get there.”

Liang Manqing drove to the city center Fireworks Park.

The last day of every month was the opening day for the Fireworks Park. Qin Cen had always wanted to see it, but tickets were expensive and limited.

It was close to nine o’clock, and the sky in the distance was pitch black.

The lawn at the Fireworks Park was already packed.

The park lights were turned off, and tourists sat on the grass, quietly waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Liang Manqing fumbled in the darkness to find a spot, then looked back and saw Qin Cen still standing where she was: “Qin Cen, there’s a spot here.”

Qin Cen couldn’t see clearly in the darkness and accidentally stepped on someone’s foot: “I’m sorry…”

Qin Cen looked tense and wanted to turn on her phone light, but someone gently held her wrist.

Liang Manqing led her: “Follow me.”

The faint scent of tequila pheromones from the Alpha subtly approached her. The skin Liang Manqing touched felt hot, and Qin Cen slowly pulled her hand back.

The little rose slipped from her palm. Liang Manqing clasped her hand and said: “You can sit here. The fireworks display will start in a few minutes.”

The two sat down on the grass, looking up at the distant sky.

The space between the buildings was pitch black, with the lights of countless homes illuminating it like stars.

Qin Cen gazed intently at the stars: “The most beautiful fireworks can’t be preserved, but the lights of countless homes, like stars, never go out.”

Liang Manqing glanced sideways at Qin Cen. The Omega looked downcast, smiling palely: “But I have never owned a star.”

The countdown ended, and countless fireworks erupted in the black waterfall of the sky.

The colours of the fireworks flashed in Liang Manqing’s eyes. She whispered softly in Qin Cen’s ear: “Because you are a star yourself.”

It was as if someone had set off a firework next to her ear. Qin Cen turned her head to look at Liang Manqing’s eyes, filled with the firework light. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

It was the first time anyone had told her she was a star.

Someone next to them accidentally bumped Liang Manqing, closing the distance between the two of them.

The fireworks in Liang Manqing’s eyes were closer, almost right in front of her.

Qin Cen was stunned for a moment, their breaths intertwined.

Liang Manqing put her hands on the grass for support. Her lips almost brushed Qin Cen’s cheek, but she reacted in time and quickly moved away. The person who bumped her immediately apologized.

The Alpha’s presence disappeared. Qin Cen lightly let out a breath and stood up: “I’m leaving.”

Liang Manqing thought her action just now had displeased Qin Cen and quickly chased after her to explain: “Miss Qin, I didn’t mean to just now…”

“I know.” Qin Cen walked slowly: “Someone bumped into you.”

Liang Manqing was relieved: “I thought you were upset.”

Qin Cen: “Are you genuinely concerned about my feelings? Or hers?”

Liang Manqing didn’t immediately react: “Hers?”

“Did you also watch fireworks with her?” Qin Cen pulled herself back to reality. Liang Manqing was only saying these things because she was a stand-in.

Liang Manqing was getting flustered: “I haven’t watched fireworks with anyone. The ‘her’ you’re talking about is actually—” The words doesn’t exist couldn’t come out.

Qin Cen looked up: “Actually what?”

Liang Manqing gritted her teeth, using all her strength to finally say: “Actually, it’s not what you think.”

That expression looked like reluctance to Qin Cen: “I was just asking casually. I don’t care about your business with her.”

Liang Manqing watched Qin Cen’s figure walking further away, feeling like a stone was lodged in her chest. The existence of this Scumbag System was a huge barrier between her and Qin Cen. Liang Manqing would destroy it eventually.

On the way back, Liang Manqing received an anxious call from Aunt Tao: “Manqing, Xiao Xue hasn’t been to school for two days, she’s not at her friend’s house, and her phone is off. What should we do?”

Liang Manqing frowned: “Aunt Tao, don’t worry. I’m responsible for bringing her back.”

Qin Cen asked: “What happened?”

Liang Manqing gripped the steering wheel and stepped on the accelerator: “Liang Xue is missing.”

Liang Manqing didn’t know Liang Xue well. She had no idea where Liang Xue would go and could only search aimlessly throughout C City like a headless chicken.

Qin Cen remained calm: “Don’t panic.”

Liang Jinshan received the news and told Liang Manqing: “Xiao Xue might be at the airport. She’s gone there several times when she ran away from home.”

Liang Manqing immediately drove to the airport.

All the way there, Liang Manqing wondered if she had been too harsh yesterday, grabbing the child’s ear, which caused her to run away in a fit of pique.

In truth, Liang Manqing had never truly cared about the feelings of the Liang family, subconsciously believing they were all paper characters and not worth spending emotions on. Only now did she realize the people in the book were vividly real.

Liang Manqing and Qin Cen split up to search the airport. Qin Cen went to the airport broadcast room to put out a missing person announcement.

Liang Manqing ran back and forth between more than a dozen boarding gates and arrival exits. Finally, at one of the arrival exits, she saw Liang Xue chatting and laughing with another girl as they walked out.