Transmigrated as the Domineering Scumbag Alpha Forced into Marriage by a Delicate Subordinate (GL) - Chapter 23

The fruity cold medicine was quite effective. Qin Jue sweated profusely during the night and woke up feeling refreshed, until she turned her head and saw Tang Yun lying face down beside her pillow.

Qin Jue: “…”

As some memories from last night returned, Qin Jue slowly raised her hand and covered her face.

She must have been delirious from the fever, mistaking the cold granules packaging for some kind of adult product, and adamantly told Tang Yun she wouldn’t “do it.” How embarrassing!

Qin Jue moved, and the mattress vibrated. Tang Yun woke up, groggily and subconsciously pulling Qin Jue’s hand away from her face, then skillfully placing her own hand on Qin Jue’s forehead.

Qin Jue: “?”

“Mmm, no more fever,” Tang Yun smiled brightly.

“You were just lying here all night?” Qin Jue couldn’t believe it.

“Not all night. The first half was spent trying to flip the chessboard,” Tang Yun said.

“Did you flip it?” Qin Jue asked.

“Not yet…” Mentioning this made Tang Yun fully awake. “I asked Lin Hao to pull out all of Xiao Jianming’s archived code. I’m checking it line by line. Some of it is old and has few comments, so the readability is poor. I keep feeling like some parts are strange.”

“Anomaly indicates a problem. Xiao Jianming is a veteran; he has trained several batches of newcomers. He should know how to standardize archives,” Qin Jue said.

Qin Jue rubbed her sore shoulders and slowly sat up in bed. She was covered in a sticky sweat and urgently needed to shower.

Tang Yun stretched her numb legs and feet, struggling to climb up from the soft floor mat by the bedside. In the latter half of the night yesterday, she heard Qin Jue moan uncomfortably and knelt by her bedside to apply a wet towel to physically cool Qin Jue down. After several back-and-forths, when Qin Jue finally started sweating and her fever broke, Tang Yun was so exhausted that she instantly collapsed and fell asleep right there.

After sitting on the floor for half the night, her legs felt alien to her. Tang Yun, remembering Qin Jue’s comment about “anomaly indicates a problem,” went to find her laptop to continue the battle. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. She had no choice but to limp with her half-crippled legs to open the door.

The door opened, and Qin Yao witnessed Tang Yun’s awkward posture, her expression immediately becoming hard to describe.

“Miss… Yao,” Tang Yun felt awkward. She didn’t know how to address Qin Yao. She certainly couldn’t use her given name, nor could she call her ‘Yao Yao’ like Qin Jue, or even ‘Miss Qin,’ because there was another ‘Miss Qin’ in the house. She was left with this awkward term.

Qin Yao was no more composed than Tang Yun. She knew this apartment of Qin Jue’s but hadn’t expected Tang Yun to open the door for her. In her impression, Tang Yun shouldn’t have lasted this long by Qin Jue’s side, right?

“Did someone come?” Qin Jue finished her shower in a rush and came out of the bedroom, drying her hair while wrapped in a bathrobe.

Qin Yao’s gaze darted between Qin Jue and Tang Yun. She took a deep breath and slowly said, “Perhaps I shouldn’t have come.”

Her face was full of utter discomfort.

Tang Yun remembered the tension between Qin Yao and Qin Jue she witnessed at the old house last time. Qin Yao seemed to have a wildly licentious imagination about her and Qin Jue, but the truth was far from it. Tang Yun couldn’t help but want to explain.

“Miss Yao, you misunderstood. My legs were just numb, but they’re fine now, truly.”

“And CEO Qin had a fever last night and was sweating a lot, which is why she just took a shower.”

“Nothing happened,” Tang Yun said.

“Nothing happened last night.” Qin Jue insisted on adding one more sentence, deliberately emphasizing “last night,” making Tang Yun’s attempt at covering it up look even more suspicious.

She walked forward, put her hand on Tang Yun’s shoulder, and asked Qin Yao, “Is something wrong?”

Qin Yao frowned as she examined Qin Jue’s face: “You were sick?”

“Why didn’t you go to the hospital? Do you have to cause trouble to worry Mom?”

Qin Jue smiled: “But I’m already fine.”

“No, you still need a check-up at the hospital. Otherwise, I can’t explain it to Mom,” Qin Yao insisted.

Qin Jue was very confused as to why Qin Yao would drag on about a small cold for so long and still wouldn’t say why she came over.

“How about I go to the hospital, and you go home?” Qin Jue asked.

“I… I’ll go with you,” Qin Yao looked at Tang Yun and said awkwardly, “Secretary Tang doesn’t need to follow.”

Qin Jue finally understood. Her sister had something she needed to talk about, something difficult to bring up.

In that case, there was no rush.

Qin Jue changed clothes and left with Qin Yao, sitting in the car and slowly waiting for Qin Yao to speak first.

Finally, Qin Yao couldn’t hold back anymore. She stared straight ahead, her eyes fixed, and quietly said to Qin Jue, “Thank you for yesterday.”

“A rare compliment. I thought you were here to blame me for forcing you to pursue a Master’s and Ph.D.,” Qin Jue deliberately brought up the topic from yesterday.

Qin Yao lowered her head and remained silent for a moment, then whispered, “I don’t want to marry him. It’s too sudden.”

“I could tell,” Qin Jue said. Qin Yao’s crucial statement yesterday had said everything.

“It’s normal for you to be easily fooled at a young age, and it’s also normal to regret it when you grow up. Don’t take it too hard,” Qin Jue said softly.

“If I refuse to get engaged, he’ll definitely be angry. Will that cause a lot of trouble?” Qin Yao asked.

Qin Jue laughed, leaning back against the seat, radiating confidence: “It’s just a Guan Li. It won’t be a big deal.”

“He’s very important in the company. You think I don’t know that?” Qin Yao was slightly unconvinced.

“I’m more important in the company. Don’t you know that?” Qin Jue countered.

Qin Yao stared at Qin Jue for a long time, then suddenly sighed and asked, “Can you really handle it yourself?”

“If you didn’t think I could, why would you come looking for me today?” Qin Jue countered again.

“You like to play, you’re not ambitious, and you never manage the company’s affairs. You can’t possibly take on the foundation Dad left behind…”

“Mom said you’ve turned over a new leaf, but I see you haven’t completely changed.”

Listening to Qin Yao’s tone, Qin Jue found it somewhat amusing. Her voice grew weaker and more guilty as she criticized her, but in the final sentence, she was indignant again.

It was hard to imagine that this sister, who always clashed with her, was actually opposing her out of a sense of frustration that Qin Jue wasn’t meeting her potential. If her own tagalong sister could grow up, would she also butt heads with her over strange things?

Qin Jue blinked, then offered a reliably reassuring smile, and gently flicked Qin Yao’s head. “Be nicer to me. Your sister won’t force you to sell yourself to charm people for me. If you don’t want to date him anymore, just break up. You don’t need to worry about the company.”

Qin Yao covered her head and glared at Qin Jue, indignant: “Then you should actually work hard! All you know is partying every night.”

Qin Jue: “…”

It seemed Tang Yun’s two “door opening ambushes” had left Qin Yao with a deep psychological shadow.

“Also, I don’t know if I still want to break up with him. He’s always been very kind to me…” Qin Yao sighed again.

Qin Jue glanced at the original host’s sister. In her view, Qin Yao’s current dilemma was purely because the man surnamed Guan appeared just as Qin Yao was experiencing her first romantic feelings. A man who had been around had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and Qin Yao, of course, couldn’t resist. Now that the second Miss Qin was gradually growing up and starting to think for herself, she would understand soon enough. She was only reluctant to part with her few years of youth, not necessarily the person.

“In a relationship, being good to you is a necessity, not a bonus,” Qin Jue said, leaving it at that.

At the hospital, Qin Jue intended to just get a quick check-up, but Qin Yao insisted on exaggerating Qin Jue’s previous near-fatal heart condition, forcing the doctor to order a complete set of tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and myocardial enzymes.

To Qin Jue’s surprise, she ran into an acquaintance on the way back after completing the ECG. Mo Quan was sitting in the cardiology waiting area, holding a bouquet of flowers. She was promptly ushered out within three seconds of entering the consultation room.

“Dr. Yu, I have an appointment this time! Just listen to me,” Mo Quan pleaded cheerfully at the doorway.

“Then tell me, what’s wrong?” Yu Mu stood at the door, facing her.

“Nothing… I just wanted to see you,” Mo Quan said, trying to be ingratiating.

“Miss Mo, this is a hospital. If you’re not sick, don’t hog medical resources,” Yu Mu chastised sternly.

“Then take this, and I’ll leave immediately. I won’t delay the next patient,” Mo Quan offered the bouquet.

Yu Mu cleanly took the flowers, turned around, and closed the door of the consultation room.

“Hey, don’t throw it away! There’s something inside,” Mo Quan shouted, peering through the door.

Qin Jue walked over and patted Mo Quan’s back, reminding her with a smile, “Mind your image, Miss Mo.”

Mo Quan turned around and saw it was Qin Jue, so there was no need to pretend. “Hi,” Mo Quan greeted her weakly.

Click.

The consultation room door opened again. Mo Quan whirled around instantly.

Yu Mu handed the flowers and an exquisite jewelry box back to Qin Jue. “Take it back. I can’t accept it,” Yu Mu said.

“But… I just wanted to give you a gift to express…” Mo Quan’s eyes darted around. She pulled Qin Jue closer, “To express my gratitude for you treating my friend.”

Yu Mu finally noticed Qin Jue. She subconsciously checked Qin Jue’s complexion. Finding no obvious issues, she continued her argument with Mo Quan.

“I appreciate family members expressing gratitude, but you’ve already given me and everyone in our department a banner each. I really don’t need any more gifts.”

“If you feel uncomfortable not giving me anything, at least give me something I can accept and use,” Yu Mu said, looking helpless.

Just then, a hurried resident doctor ran up to Yu Mu, called her ‘Teacher,’ and handed over a diagnosis certificate for Yu Mu to sign. Yu Mu signed her name with a flourish, then effortlessly tucked the pen into her own pocket.

Mo Quan blinked, her eyes widening with sudden realization.

“See, I’m very busy,” Yu Mu told Mo Quan.

“Qin Jue,” Yu Mu turned to Qin Jue, asking, “Why are you here? It’s not time for your follow-up yet. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just a slight cold. My family was worried and insisted I get my heart checked,” Qin Jue said.

“What are the results? Let me see,” Yu Mu took the test report from Qin Jue’s hand.

Yu Mu frowned as she read the report, but her expression didn’t relax.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?” Mo Quan asked with concern.

“No problem. It’s excellent,” Yu Mu said, yet her expression remained odd. “It means either the last result was wrong, or this result is questionable.”

“Since Mo Quan already has an appointment, I’ll give you an order to check again, and then bring it back to me,” Yu Mu said.

“Ah? Oh, okay,” Qin Jue said.

She had just witnessed some drama, and now she had to run back to the ECG room again. But since Yu Mu, the professional, felt something was off, she had no choice but to go.

On the way, Qin Yao finally had the chance to ask, “What’s going on with Mo Quan and Dr. Yu?”

Qin Jue shrugged: “As you can see, she’s pursuing Dr. Yu.”

Qin Yao: “…”

The doctor in the ECG room suspiciously checked Qin Jue’s face and the name on the test slip several times. Qin Jue lay down on the examination bed with a look of perfect normalcy.

The ECG result was printed out on the spot. At the bottom, besides “Sinus Rhythm,” there were no other conclusions. Qin Jue took the report back to Yu Mu and found that Mo Quan, leveraging her valid appointment, had openly entered the consultation room and was sitting on the small stool.

The two reports, placed side by side, were almost identical. Yu Mu stared at them for a long time. Qin Jue’s heart was perfectly fine, perfectly normal.

“But the hospital records couldn’t have been wrong,” Yu Mu muttered to herself.

“Have you had any previous fainting spells, or severe chest pain?” Yu Mu asked Qin Jue.

“I don’t think so,” she wasn’t sure. She simply told Yu Mu that she was doing well.

Yu Mu frowned, and after a while, looked up at Qin Jue with a reassuring smile.

“Regardless, you are very healthy now, but you still need to be careful in the future. Try to quit smoking and drinking, eat regularly, and don’t overexert yourself.”

“The human body is truly miraculous. I’ll discuss your situation with my professor. Don’t worry. It won’t be anything bad,” Yu Mu said.

Qin Jue accepted this readily.

Qin Jue walked out of the hospital with her two sets of test reports. The matter that should have taken half a morning was dragged out until almost noon. Qin Yao had to return to school in the afternoon, so there was only time for lunch outside.

“Come to my place. I just bought a new restaurant,” Mo Quan volunteered.

“When did you buy a restaurant? Wasn’t your place a bar?” Qin Jue asked.

“The bar was just the first step, sounding the horn for my formal entry into the catering industry. My current focus is high-end dining, perfectly suited for business people like you,” Mo Quan laughed.

Qin Jue was skeptical. Did Mo Quan even know how to write the four characters for “work focus”?

“Don’t doubt me! Come on, there’s no time like the present. Come and experience it. Michelin-selected master, top-floor view overlooking the city landscape. It will be your first choice for business dinners in the future.”

Mo Quan bragged while taking out her phone to make arrangements. “It’s not far. It absolutely won’t delay Yao Yao’s return to school this afternoon.”

With Mo Quan’s enthusiastic invitation, Qin Jue knew she couldn’t escape. She told the driver to go back and reluctantly got into Mo Quan’s car to go to her restaurant.

“Oh, right. Where is your Secretary Tang? Is she still working for you at the company?” Mo Quan suddenly asked while driving.

“Working from home,” Qin Jue answered matter-of-factly. Qin Yao, next to her, quietly glanced at her.

“Tsk, be kinder to her. Don’t exploit her too much,” Mo Quan said, disapprovingly.

Qin Jue was rarely struck by conscience and briefly repented. Especially since she was cheerfully going to taste the so-called Michelin-selected master’s cuisine, while Tang Yun, without even a company canteen, was confined to a cold kitchen in the apartment, looking exceptionally pitiful.

Qin Jue called Tang Yun as a gesture of goodwill: “Come out and have lunch with me. I’ll send the driver to pick you up.”

Mo Quan’s restaurant was indeed not far. The “Cloud Peak Manor” was on the top floor of a business building. The elevator went straight up. It was quiet and serene inside. The manager greeted them as soon as they arrived and led Qin Jue and her party to the reserved private room.

Piano music was playing softly in the restaurant. The waiters were all in sharp suits and white gloves. The atmosphere was exactly to Qin Jue’s liking.

“Your taste is good this time,” Qin Jue told Mo Quan.

Tang Yun arrived late. The waiter opened the private room door for her. She was stunned to see Mo Quan and Qin Yao inside with Qin Jue, three people perfectly arranged, as if they were waiting for her.

Mo Quan smiled and waved at Tang Yun. Qin Yao remained distant. Tang Yun had had several unpleasant encounters with the second Miss Qin, who was unilaterally unhappy. No kept person was heard of to frequently parade in front of their benefactor’s family.

Tang Yun quickly walked into the private room. Qin Jue gave her a look, and Tang Yun quietly sat down next to Qin Jue.

The waiter handed her a menu. Tang Yun opened it and couldn’t understand it at all. It looked like English but wasn’t entirely English, with accents over the words.

“Hehe, our restaurant primarily serves French cuisine,” Mo Quan said smugly.

Tang Yun’s face felt hot as she stared at the menu.

“Get me a Chinese version of the menu,” Qin Jue told the waiter.

Before Tang Yun arrived, Qin Jue and the others had already ordered. No one else couldn’t understand the menu. The most immediate difference between Tang Yun and these rich young ladies was abruptly exposed by a menu. Tang Yun waited for the Chinese menu meant only for her, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles.

“Mo Quan, why are you putting on airs like you’re hosting foreign dignitaries in a service industry? I suggest changing all the menus to Chinese from now on. You can show off your French when someone can’t understand Chinese,” Qin Jue said.

Mo Quan burst into laughter.

The waiter brought the menu. It was a completely direct translation style, with each dish name being a sentence long. Tang Yun couldn’t visualize the appearance or taste of the dishes from the menu. Under everyone’s gaze, she couldn’t even manage to order a dish.

Tang Yun’s hesitant finger finally landed on a dish: “Salmon Confit with Lemon Basil Olive Oil and Mixed Seafood Reduction, Served with French Pan-Fried Crisp.” She didn’t know where to pause the sentence, so she simply pointed it out to the waiter to avoid showing her lack of knowledge.

The waiter took the menu and left the private room. Mo Quan started chatting casually with Qin Yao, asking about things at school. Qin Jue occasionally interjected a comment. Poor Tang Yun had been called all this way to keep them company, yet she couldn’t even fill her stomach.

There were no strict rules when dining with Mo Quan. Qin Jue was also not the type of person to confine herself with rules of etiquette. After she had observed Tang Yun’s awkwardness, she calmly typed on her phone and casually put it down on the adjacent table. The screen lit up, right in front of Tang Yun. Tang Yun couldn’t pretend not to see it even if she wanted to avoid suspicion.

It was the WeChat chat interface, with Tang Yun’s chat window open.

Qin Jue: “I’ll take you out for something else later.”

Tang Yun turned to look at Qin Jue. Qin Jue was elegantly cutting her sirloin steak. Her long fingers held the exquisite silver cutlery as if the message hadn’t come from her at all. She had a contrived air, like a primary school student secretly passing notes in class, then sitting up straight to pretend to pay attention.

Tang Yun was completely ignored by Mo Quan and Qin Yao. She blinked, slowly took out her phone from her pocket, pressed it twice under the table, then turned off the screen and placed it back by her hand as if nothing had happened.

Qin Jue’s phone screen lit up with a notification.

Secretary Tang: “Is CEO Qin paying?”

Qin Jue couldn’t help but smile. Tang Yun always managed to ask Qin Jue for benefits in unexpected ways, without ever asking for more.

Qin Jue felt a little playful and intentionally replied: “I can treat you to Jianbing.”

“The kind sold from roadside carts. Want some?” Qin Jue asked.

Tang Yun replied: “Sure.”