The Sickly Girl Becomes a Scum Alpha - Chapter 16

Chu Ci had no objections. Jian Sui looked at Zhao Rong, who was still distracted by what Cao Xi had said, and nodded along.

There were two cars parked downstairs: Cao Xi’s and Zhao Rong’s. Both were two-seater sports cars.

Chu Ci didn’t think much of it. She had come with Cao Xi, so she naturally started to get into Cao Xi’s car, but Cao Xi subtly hip-checked her, making her stumble and stand next to Jian Sui.

Ignoring Chu Ci’s questioning look, Cao Xi shoved the car keys into her hand. “Chu darling, why don’t you drive my car and take Miss Jian? I need to have a deeper chat with Miss Zhao.”

With that, Cao Xi headed straight for Zhao Rong’s car. Chu Ci, holding the keys, felt like she was holding a hot potato. She couldn’t drive!

The original host loved luxury cars and was enthusiastic about racing, making her driving skills top-notch and flashy. But Chu Ci was not the original host. In her previous life, even going downstairs was difficult. The only vehicle she had been in regularly was a specialized medical emergency vehicle, and she couldn’t even see where the steering wheel was on one of those.

Of course, she had read the car’s manual out of boredom, but you couldn’t learn this stuff purely on paper, could you?

She was panicking, but she couldn’t say anything. As Cao Xi and Zhao Rong were about to get into their car, under Jian Sui’s puzzled gaze, Chu Ci gritted her teeth and shoved the keys into Jian Sui’s hand instead.

“You try driving her car. It feels pretty good.”

She racked her brain and came up with that incredibly lame excuse. Chu Ci felt utterly humiliated.

Fortunately, Jian Sui didn’t look suspicious. She had heard that Chu Ci never drove anyone else’s car. Though she didn’t know the reason, the rumor now seemed true.

Sitting smoothly in the passenger seat, Chu Ci breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like she would have to secretly learn how to drive. I wonder if there’s a crash course for this.

With Cao Xi giving directions, Zhao Rong’s car led the way. Although this was Jian Sui’s first time driving a supercar, she was an experienced driver. With the help of the “knowledgeable” Chu Ci next to her, the drive went smoothly.

When the two cars stopped at the mall entrance, Jian Sui couldn’t help but sigh in appreciation. A multi-million dollar supercar truly was different. The moment she pressed the accelerator, it felt like a beast roaring back to life, the sound igniting her blood. If it weren’t for the speed limit, it would have been even more exhilarating.

Chu Ci took in Jian Sui’s enthusiasm. So Jian Sui likes cars too. That makes things easy.

Zhao Rong and Cao Xi got out of the front car. Jian Sui and Chu Ci followed, looking up at the building before them.

Calling it a mere mall was an understatement. It had a low-key, luxurious black and gold facade, black-suited bodyguards patrolling back and forth, and a parking lot full of multi-million dollar luxury cars. It was clearly not ordinary. It had no obvious signage or introduction, giving it an air of mystery.

As soon as they got out of the car, a waiting valet immediately stepped forward to take the keys and park the cars. Two other women in uniforms, who were both poised and professional, came over to usher the four inside.

Jian Sui’s eyes showed a hint of curiosity, but Chu Ci felt nothing but guilt and anxiety. She prayed that Cao Xi had been reliable this time and that this was just an ordinary high-end mall with no other crazy things inside.

Perhaps the universe heard Chu Ci’s inner thoughts. Once they entered, the space opened up into rows of luxury goods counters and custom service agencies. Other than being a slightly higher standard than a regular mall, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Relieved, Chu Ci felt that Cao Xi was reliable when it counted.

They browsed casually. All the service staff kept a respectful distance, ready to assist but not interrupt. There were other customers shopping, mostly attended by multiple staff. And all the limited-edition items that were impossible to find outside were readily available here.

Chu Ci walked beside Jian Sui, watching her eyes. If Jian Sui liked anything, she was free to take it.

Jian Sui was indeed looking very closely at each item, but her gaze seemed less like appreciation and more like research.

Jian Sui eventually stopped in front of a handbag. Someone immediately stepped forward to introduce it. Chu Ci listened in—it was the latest model, by some designer, completely handmade, and a limited edition.

Chu Ci was completely clueless about all of this, but Jian Sui listened intently, occasionally asking a question or two.

Zhao Rong and Cao Xi, who were ahead, stopped to wait. When Jian Sui finished her questions and was about to leave, Chu Ci raised her hand. “Wrap that bag up.”

Jian Sui turned back in surprise. The service consultant immediately complied, inviting the group to the area where they held the stock.

“I was just looking…” Jian Sui subtly reminded Chu Ci that she had no intention of buying it. Buying a bag for over five million yuan? Was she crazy?

Chu Ci nodded to show she understood, then deftly swiped her card, buying the bag and giving it to Jian Sui.

Zhao Rong was momentarily stunned, double-checked the price of the bag, and whispered to Cao Xi, “Is this how you all usually spend money?”

Cao Xi shrugged, used to it. “This is the slowest Chu Ci has ever spent money. If she weren’t waiting for Jian Sui to finish talking, she’d already be on the next counter.”

Zhao Rong: …She spent a quarter of our company’s quarterly revenue in three minutes. The difference between people is just immense.

When the bag was brought out, escorted by a bodyguard, Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci with a complicated expression. She appreciated Chu Ci’s gesture, but she had only intended to research the high-end fashion trends. She hadn’t expected the “research cost” to be so high. Although Chu Ci paid for it, for some reason, Jian Sui felt the financial pinch herself.

Chu Ci, of course, was oblivious to Jian Sui’s thoughts. She was internally sighing in relief. She had finally gotten a gift right, slightly making up for the earlier awkwardness.

Feeling quite pleased with herself, Chu Ci’s steps were lighter. “Shall we go look ahead?”

After that, Jian Sui was careful not to ask questions about anything else. She walked straight ahead, looking at nothing in particular. However, Zhao Rong spotted a bag she had wanted for a long time. Chu Ci expected Cao Xi to jump in like a preening peacock and fight to pay for it, but Cao Xi simply offered Zhao Rong her membership card. This was a members-only establishment, and you needed to be verified as a member to make a purchase.

Watching Zhao Rong happily pay and hug her new bag, she looked at Cao Xi with much less hostility and wariness than before.

Chu Ci was somewhat surprised by this.

They browsed a bit more, but nothing else caught their eye. Cao Xi suggested they go upstairs for dinner.

It was getting late, so everyone agreed and went upstairs together.

They chose a restaurant and entered a private room. Zhao Rong and Jian Sui went to the restroom together. Cao Xi took the opportunity to lean closer to Chu Ci. “So? What did you learn?”

“Learned what?” Chu Ci looked genuinely confused. What was Cao Xi trying to teach her?

Cao Xi nearly ground her teeth. What an unteachable student! She had specifically said she would only demonstrate once! What was this woman doing?!

“Do you believe I can win over Zhao Rong this week?”

“Stop right there!” Chu Ci quickly interrupted. “If you’re not serious about her, don’t play these games. Using other people’s feelings as something to brag about—are you even a human being?”

Cao Xi: …Huh? She felt a strange tingling sensation in her chest, as if her conscience was trying to grow.

Wait!

“I was doing it for you! You’ve married Jian Sui, and yet you have zero progress so far. I had to step up and give you a live demonstration, didn’t I?”

Cao Xi finally managed to return to the correct subject. Why did their conversation always derail from Chu Ci and Jian Sui to herself?

“You can’t use that kind of demonstration. Do you have no morals?” Chu Ci thought that if all else failed, she should hire a primary school ethics teacher for Cao Xi to revisit “Morality and the Rule of Law” and re-establish her values.

Cao Xi was slightly speechless. “You’re talking as if you have morals.”

Chu Ci: …I almost forgot that the original host is the most immoral person in this world.

“In any case, stop what you’re doing with Zhao Rong.”

Cao Xi pouted. “Fine, then I’ll give you the pure theory, okay? If you don’t have me as your love guru, you’ll be hard-pressed to win over Jian Sui in this lifetime.”

Chu Ci was about to interrupt. She wanted to say, Why should I win over Jian Sui when I’m about to die? But she realized that she couldn’t mention her situation, so she swallowed her words. “Go on.”

At this encouragement, Professor Cao, the Love Guru, immediately logged on.

“Professor Cao’s first lesson: You have to understand that pursuing someone varies depending on the person, time, place, impression, and so on. It is never a one-size-fits-all approach. You must learn to be flexible.”

Chu Ci hummed a noncommittal response.

“Next, you must analyze the specific situation. If they’re mature, be clingy and call them ‘Sister.’ If they’re innocent, take them out for thrills. If they’re immature, show them your mature charm. If they’re financially secure, talk about feelings. If they’re poor, shower them with money. That’s what it means to take action and strike when the opportunity arises,” Cao Xi said, suddenly sounding scholarly. “For example, with Zhao Rong and me, she knows me. She knows I’m wild, free-spirited, and flit from flower to flower without getting attached. She knows I’m reckless…”

“Stop. You don’t need to compliment yourself that much,” Chu Ci couldn’t listen anymore.

“The point is that she was defensive against me and lumped me in with the usual crowd of arrogant playboys. That was her weak point,” Cao Xi leaned in, smiling confidently. “So I admitted it right away. I’m flirtatious, but I also have genuine talent. I used palmistry to impress her, and that contrast made her curious. Then, I retreated. A normal person might think that spending money will speed things up, but that move only works on a few people. For people like Zhao Rong and Jian Sui, it will backfire and make them resent you.”

Chu Ci, who had just spent a fortune: …Why didn’t you say that sooner!

“Calm down, I’m not finished,” Cao Xi quickly reassured her, understanding Chu Ci’s look. “Zhao Rong and Jian Sui are both very independent and self-reliant. They prefer to get what they want through their own efforts. You show respect for their choices, and that makes them happier and closer to you than just throwing money at them. They feel understood that way. Especially when my image sharply contrasts with Zhao Rong’s initial stereotype of me, the effect is even more noticeable.”

Chu Ci scoffed. “So you respected Zhao Rong, but you watched me throw money at Jian Sui and dance on her nerves?”

“Take it easy. Your situation with Jian Sui is different from mine with Zhao Rong. You are legally married. We just met. Besides, Jian Sui didn’t seem angry, did she?”

Cao Xi said matter-of-factly.

It was true. Jian Sui hadn’t seemed angry. But after that, she didn’t look at anything else. Chu Ci had initially thought she just didn’t like anything, but now she realized Jian Sui was afraid Chu Ci would spend more money on her.

What a colossal screw-up!

As the realization dawned on Chu Ci, she felt a tiny bit impressed with Cao Xi. She had to admit, there was definitely a specialized skill involved.

“So, what do I do now?”

It seemed that to make amends effectively, she needed professional advice.

This stumped Cao Xi slightly. She supported her chin and thought carefully, looking Chu Ci up and down. “Have you ever considered that Jian Sui can tolerate you sending her that kind of gift and is willing to accept your expensive presents because she is not resistant to you and has even accepted the status of being your legal wife?”

That was possible. Chu Ci nodded. Jian Sui was always tolerant and kind.

However, Chu Ci clearly didn’t fully grasp Cao Xi’s implication.

Seeing Chu Ci nod, Cao Xi slapped her thigh. “Bingo! See? Why didn’t you just say that? I’ll tell you the simplest, most direct, and incredibly effective move for Jian Sui!”

Chu Ci immediately leaned in, eager to learn. “What is it?”

“Seduction! With your looks, it’ll be a piece of cake!”

Chu Ci: …You are going to die!

Just as Chu Ci was attempting to silence Cao Xi in the private room, Jian Sui quietly stopped outside the door. She had overheard Cao Xi’s last few sentences and, aside from a slight surprise, felt a genuine and undeniable sense of anticipation.

Before the slightly slower Zhao Rong could catch up, Jian Sui suppressed all her thoughts, turned back as if waiting for Zhao Rong, and then pushed open the private room door.

Inside, Chu Ci and Cao Xi immediately sat up straight. Jian Sui walked into the room with Zhao Rong, pretending she hadn’t heard anything. But when she looked at the deeply flushed Chu Ci, who didn’t dare meet her eyes, the anticipation she had just suppressed began to surface again.

How on earth could she possibly pull off a “seduction” move like that?