The Sickly Girl Becomes a Scum Alpha - Chapter 27

For a split second, Jian Sui felt her entire mind go numb.

Ignoring the dessert, she scrambled up and pulled Chu Ci up with her. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Chu Ci felt a dull ache in her chest and coughed twice. She looked at the dessert she had managed to protect. “At least it didn’t fall.”

Jian Sui: …How can you be thinking about that at a time like this?

It wasn’t that Chu Ci was obsessed with sweets; it was just that talking about anything else right now felt even more awkward.

She removed the dessert from the “diabolical” thermal box and handed a portion to Jian Sui.

“Um… you…”

Jian Sui took the dessert, hesitant. Her eyes kept darting toward Chu Ci’s collar, her face flushing.

Chu Ci took a bite of her portion. The coldness made her frown slightly; she really couldn’t handle icy food.

Setting the dessert down and wiping her mouth, Chu Ci finally noticed Jian Sui’s hesitation. She tilted her head in confusion. “Hmm?”

“On your collar… my lipstick rubbed off on it.”

Knowing she couldn’t hide it, Jian Sui pointed at Chu Ci’s collar and spoke quickly.

Chu Ci looked down and pulled at her shirt. It must have happened during the fall. The placement was… quite suggestive.

“It’s okay. I’ll just wipe it off.”

Since it was an accident, Chu Ci tried to look calm as she reached for a tissue.

“Wait, that won’t come out clean,” Jian Sui, seeing Chu Ci’s lack of practical common sense, stopped her immediately. “If you wipe it, it will smudge into a giant mess.”

“I see. Is there a restroom? I’ll go wash it.”

Chu Ci still didn’t realize the gravity of the situation.

“…The material of this shirt is dry-clean only. It can’t touch water.”

As someone who ran a clothing company, Jian Sui knew basic fabric care much better than Chu Ci, especially for something this expensive and delicate.

This shirt is quite a hassle.

“That’s fine then. I’ll just go back to the office and change.”

With that, Chu Ci stood up. Her goal for coming here was complete; it was about time to head back.

“Wait.”

Jian Sui couldn’t let Chu Ci go out and parade around like that. She stopped her again.

Standing in front of Chu Ci, Jian Sui carefully examined the position of the lip print, trying to suppress the heat in her face. She realized that if she fastened the top two buttons Chu Ci had left open, the lip print would flip inward and be hidden.

Thinking this, she reached out to button them. However, the design of this shirt wasn’t really meant for the top buttons to be used, making it a bit difficult.

Chu Ci understood Jian Sui’s intent. She stood still, eyes cast down, watching intently.

Just as Jian Sui was about to finish, the office door was slammed open. Her hand slipped, and the button she was about to secure slid out.

Jian Sui glared at the culprit; Chu Ci looked up as well.

Zhao Rong, who had opened the door: !!!

The shock Zhao Rong felt was greater than both of theirs combined. Her eyes widened as she watched the two standing close in a “lovey-dovey” posture. She was frozen in place.

When people outside began to peer in curiously, Zhao Rong finally snapped out of it and slammed the door shut.

The only problem was… she had shut herself inside the office as well.

Jian Sui couldn’t continue buttoning the shirt now. She withdrew her hand and looked at the still-shocked Zhao Rong, gritting her teeth. “Next time you enter my office, knock!”

“You’re doing bad things and yet you’re telling me…” Zhao Rong was nearly jumping, gesturing wildly for a long time without finding the right words. She finally sighed. “Understood.”

Jian Sui knew she couldn’t entirely blame Zhao Rong, as she had never knocked before, but… times had changed.

With Zhao Rong standing there, Jian Sui felt awkward touching Chu Ci again. She looked at her. “Maybe you should button it yourself?”

As Jian Sui spoke, Zhao Rong noticed the lip print on Chu Ci’s open collar… and another one on her neck!

Though the one on the neck was lighter, it was extremely conspicuous against Chu Ci’s pale skin.

This realization made her even more unsettled. Their progress is this fast?!

Jian Sui also saw the secondary print on Chu Ci’s skin. It was truly one wave after another. She knew exactly what was going through Zhao Rong’s head and hurried to correct her.

“No, the print on the collar is mine, but the one on the skin rubbed off from the collar!”

…Wait, that sounds even weirder.

Jian Sui felt the more she explained, the messier it got. Her mind was becoming a jumble. “I didn’t mean to leave the one on the collar either, it was just…”

Fearing Zhao Rong wouldn’t understand, Jian Sui mimicked the fall, bracing her hands beside Chu Ci and ducking her head. “It was just an accident.”

Zhao Rong watched Jian Sui bow her head toward Chu Ci’s collarbone. Her face distorted slightly in disbelief. There’s no need to reenact such an R-rated scene in front of me, is there?

“Don’t look at me like that, it really was an accident!”

Jian Sui finally lost her temper under Zhao Rong’s gaze. “If you don’t believe me, ask Chu Ci!”

Chu Ci was also a bit dazed by the explanation. Suddenly being called upon, she met Zhao Rong’s gaze and nodded belatedly, testifying for Jian Sui. “Yeah, it was an accident.”

Zhao Rong looked at the confused Chu Ci, who looked like she was being held hostage, and covered her eyes. She clearly didn’t know her long-time friend as well as she thought.

Jian Sui: 🙂

Chu Ci sensed things were going south. She loosely pulled her collar together. “Should I head back then?”

Jian Sui was mentally exhausted. “I’ll see you out.”

Ignoring the lip prints for now, Jian Sui escorted Chu Ci out.

Chu Ci understood that Jian Sui didn’t want people to misunderstand. She self-consciously held her collar shut, hiding the prints. However, her previously bold and unrestrained style suddenly took on a… bashful quality.

Effortlessly ignoring the wandering gazes of the employees, Jian Sui walked Chu Ci to her car.

As the window rolled down, Chu Ci let go of her collar. On the fair skin revealed by the open shirt, two overlapping lip prints appeared, looking even more erotic…

Realizing those were her own prints, Jian Sui’s ears turned blood-red. “Um… don’t forget to change when you get back.”

“Okay. You go back too. See you tonight.”

Chu Ci couldn’t see them, so she felt nothing. She waved at Jian Sui and drove away.

When Jian Sui returned to the office, Zhao Rong was still there, eating the untouched portion of dessert.

Jian Sui glared dangerously at her as she closed the door. “That’s mine.”

“Isn’t there another portion?” Zhao Rong looked at the one in her hand, then at the one on the table.

“That one is Chu Ci’s.” Jian Sui sat on the sofa.

“I thought your conscience had finally appeared and you left one for me…” Zhao Rong looked at her half-eaten dessert. “It’s fine. Chu Ci is gone anyway, you can eat hers. Let me tell you, this dessert is incredible. Where did you order it? Give me the contact info!”

“It’s exclusive to the Chu Group cafeteria. Chu Ci brought it.”

Seeing Zhao Rong’s relentless praise, Jian Sui couldn’t help but look at the portion Chu Ci had left. Chu Ci had only taken one sip before setting it aside; it looked practically untouched. But is eating from the same portion a bit too intimate?

“Tsk, for this dessert, I’d actually consider applying to the Chu Group. The benefits are too good.”

Zhao Rong had tried many desserts, but finding a chilled one of this quality was rare.

Jian Sui felt even more tempted by Zhao Rong’s words, but her hand still hesitated.

“Hurry up and eat it before it melts. If you don’t, I will!”

Zhao Rong saw Jian Sui staring at the dessert for ages. They’ve already kissed, what are they still being shy about!

“Who said I wasn’t eating?”

Picking up a spare spoon, Jian Sui took a bite. The sweet flavor bloomed on her tongue, perfectly balanced by the chilled texture.

She couldn’t quite identify the fruit, but it was more to her taste than any single fruit—perfect sweetness, a hint of tartness, and a rich aroma.

Jian Sui didn’t consider herself a foodie, nor did she usually like sweets, but this dessert felt different.

Before she knew it, the small portion was gone.

As the sweet aftertaste lingered, Jian Sui suddenly thought of Chu Ci. Her sweet pheromones seemed strangely similar to this dessert.

“Come back to earth. A living person is still sitting right here.”

Zhao Rong felt like she was being treated as invisible and spoke up.

Jian Sui snapped back. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Zhao Rong: …Motherf—!

Talk about a double standard!

“Jian Sui, Jian Sui. You’re a classic case of ‘hoes over bros.’ We’ve been in the same boat for years and this is how you treat me?”

“If you have something to say, say it. If not, go work. And take the trash out on your way, it’s almost full.”

Unmoved, Jian Sui went behind her desk and acted as if she were starting to get busy.

Zhao Rong felt their friendship had reached its end!

She wanted to slam the door and leave, but she still had things to discuss.

“Let’s talk seriously. Did Chu Ci come here about the Tiss situation? What does she plan to do?”

Zhao Rong decided to be the bigger person and not hold a grudge.

“Chu Ci said she’d give me two versions of a plan by tomorrow. If they work, we’ll follow them.”

Jian Sui also turned serious. “We can’t rely entirely on her. I want to organize all the relevant documents and evidence to better coordinate with her side.”

“Mm.” Zhao Rong nodded in agreement. With Chu Ci backing them, she felt much more secure. Then she looked at Jian Sui. “Do you really like her now?”

“I told you, that was an accident!”

Jian Sui didn’t expect Zhao Rong to pull a sneak attack with that question. Thinking she was still talking about the lip print, even the calmest person would get a bit prickly.

“Calm down! Let’s assume that was an accident. I’m asking: Do you like Chu Ci?”

Zhao Rong signaled for her to settle down and clarified her question.

Jian Sui didn’t want to explain anymore. Simultaneously, she asked herself: Do I really like Chu Ci?

It was a question she found hard to answer.

Before the marriage, Jian Sui was certain she could never like Chu Ci. She viewed it as a temporary arrangement; Chu Ci’s interest wouldn’t last, and she could never fall for such a person.

But how long had they been married?

Chu Ci’s image in her mind had undergone a complete transformation. All her premises were collapsing, and even her most certain thoughts were wavering.

“I don’t know. Maybe not quite yet.”

Though her mouth denied it, Zhao Rong saw her friend’s dazed expression and already had a good guess.

“If she really loves you this much, maybe you really should try being together. But I have to remind you: you are a complete novice in relationships, and you’re the type to go all-in once you commit. Before you give your all, make sure she’s the right person. Make sure you can bear the consequences of your decisions, no matter the outcome.”

Zhao Rong was incredibly worried. Jian Sui was brilliant in every other aspect, but emotions were different. They could turn a genius into a fool.

“I know.”

Jian Sui certainly believed in Chu Ci’s feelings for her; she didn’t doubt them at all. She just couldn’t understand her own heart yet.

“I’m heading out then.”

“Take the trash.”

“…” You really don’t forget your ‘original intent’!

Chu Ci returned to the office quite late, but no one really held it against her.

After changing her clothes, she went back to work.

Being her first day of adaptation, she spent most of her time in the office reviewing files, which she handled quite easily.

On the top floor of the Chu Group building, Chu Xiong looked at Cheng Feng. After hearing about Chu Ci’s performance today, he had no complaints until he heard she had personally delivered lunch to Jian Sui. He frowned.

Seeing this, Cheng Feng’s mind worked quickly. “Mr. Chu, I believe at this juncture, the Young Mistress has her own considerations. Many media outlets are watching. Her actions show she is a person of ‘affection and loyalty,’ which appeals to the younger generation. If we capitalize on this, it could help restore her reputation.”

While Cheng Feng was making excuses for her, Chu Xiong understood her true motive. She liked Jian Sui too much, and being distracted by romance wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Chu Xiong never let his true thoughts show. He smoothed his brow. “Fine. Leave this matter to yourself.”

“Understood.”

Cheng Feng agreed, but he had a sense of unease. As he was about to leave, Chu Xiong spoke again.

“You and Chu Ci are getting along well? She’s satisfied with you?”

Cheng Feng’s unease came true. He answered cautiously. “It seems so. The Young Mistress is very easy to get along with.”

“Good. Since she’s new and needs someone by her side, you’ll stay with her. Go to HR and handle the procedures yourself.”

Chu Xiong didn’t even look up as he flipped through files.

In two sentences, he had gone from a Special Assistant in the President’s Office to an assistant for a department head.

However, Cheng Feng breathed a sigh of relief. The Young Mistress was much easier to work for than Mr. Chu. He wouldn’t have to live in fear every day; he might even live longer. Plus, a “Young Mistress” wasn’t a normal department head. One day, the whole Chu Group would be hers. As long as he stuck around, wealth and glory were inevitable.

He didn’t dare show his joy. It was time to act. He looked reluctant and troubled. When he saw Chu Xiong had no intention of changing his mind, he looked defeated.

“Fine. I’ll follow your arrangement. Do I still need to report on her work regularly?”

“No need. Just focus on assisting her.”

He had truly been kicked out.

“Understood. Goodbye, Mr. Chu.”

Cheng Feng left the office looking “heartbroken.”

Having been with Chu Xiong for years, he understood the reason. Chu Xiong wanted obedient robots who followed his plans with high efficiency. Compared to the other assistants, he wasn’t as outstanding—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been the one picked to give Chu Ci the tour.

Plus, Chu Ci truly did need an assistant.

Thinking about how, for the first time, a superior had given him full decision-making power today, Cheng Feng suppressed his skip and headed to HR. The future looked bright.

When Chu Ci heard about this, she saw Cheng Feng didn’t look resentful and knew he agreed with the decision.

“Maintain your original salary and benefits.”

Cheng Feng didn’t expect a bonus. He declared on the spot: the Young Mistress was now his one and only boss!

At the end of the day, Chu Ci thought she’d have to ride back with Chu Xiong, but he was already gone. Cheng Feng had arranged a new car and driver from the company fleet.

Having an assistant was life-changing; he handled everything.

“Boss, see you tomorrow.”

Cheng Feng waved from beside the car, adapting to his new role instantly.

Chu Ci was exhausted. Even if she was just sitting, her body was weak.

She rubbed her temples, looking at the scenery. Her morning enthusiasm for work had been drained. Halfway home, she touched her jacket and realized the lapel was bare. The brooch she had worn this morning was gone.

Huh?

She suddenly remembered she had forgotten to take it off the first shirt when she changed. She had thrown the old shirt in the trash because it was ruined by the lipstick and water.

That brooch was a pair with Jian Sui’s. If it ended up in the trash, she’d have a hard time explaining.

“Turn around. Back to the office.”

She had to find it. Hopefully, the janitors hadn’t emptied the bin yet.

The detour meant she got caught in the evening rush hour. She sat in traffic, feeling helpless.

Chu Ci sent Jian Sui a message saying she was stuck in traffic and would be late, so Jian Sui shouldn’t wait for her for dinner.

When Jian Sui received the message, she was standing before Chu Xiong. His face was grim.

“I do not wish for you to become a burden that holds Chu Ci back.”