A Vicious Scum Alpha in a Heartthrob Novel - Chapter 22

Fu Jinghua’s sensitive period arrived faster than expected, and it also vanished faster than imagined.

When Xu Qingshui woke up the next day, Fu Jinghua was already gone from her side. Her first instinct was worry, fearing something had happened, but she quickly realized she was being over-anxious—what could possibly happen inside the house?

Xu Qingshui walked out of the bedroom and, as expected, saw Fu Jinghua sitting formally at the dining table. However, the woman didn’t look at her. It was a complete reversal from her behavior the previous day.

A bad feeling surged in Xu Qingshui’s heart. She sat down and asked tentatively, “Is your sensitive period over?”

Fu Jinghua finally looked up. Her phoenix eyes were clear and cold, devoid of their previous misty warmth. In its place was a familiar coldness and distance—and a touch of awkwardness.

“It’s over,” she replied.

They both knew what that meant, but neither was willing to bring up the details of the past few days. Xu Qingshui felt a twinge of regret, though she couldn’t quite name what she was missing. Perhaps it was the woman’s temporary warmth.

Still, she didn’t dislike the current Fu Jinghua either.

Xu Qingshui gave a soft “Mm,” then hesitated. “…I’ll air out the rooms, then.”

To keep Fu Jinghua comfortable over the last few days, her Alpha pheromones had saturated the entire villa. While beneficial during the sensitive period, it was undoubtedly a source of restraint for a post-rut Fu Jinghua.

Fu Jinghua paused, then nodded. “Fine.”

Silence descended again.

Xu Qingshui went to open all the doors and windows. Once finished, she tried to break the awkward tension. “How do you usually suppress your sensitive periods?”

“There’s specific medication,” Fu Jinghua answered.

Xu Qingshui was curious: “Are there side effects?”

Fu Jinghua hesitated for a second before giving a vague answer: “Nothing major.”

“Oh…”

The peaceful moments between them were so rare that they both felt a bit stiff and awkward, despite the extreme intimacy they had recently shared. Neither went back to their rooms; instead, they sat there drinking water.

After a while, Fu Jinghua looked at Xu Qingshui and took the initiative to ask, “Why did you suddenly want to come to the set with me?”

Because I know you’re going to run into bad people.

Xu Qingshui obviously couldn’t say that. She wasn’t a psychic; predicting the future so accurately would be terrifying. She replied casually, “I just want to see what your usual work environment is like.”

Without the filter of the sensitive period, Fu Jinghua easily detected the perfunctory tone in her voice. Yet, her heart still gave an uncontrollable skip.

“Why?” Fu Jinghua pressed.

Xu Qingshui blinked. Looking into Fu Jinghua’s questioning eyes, it was clear she hadn’t expected the woman to care. Hasn’t she always been indifferent to me?

Seeing Xu Qingshui’s confusion, Fu Jinghua asked again, “Why do you want to see my work environment?”

She asked with such earnestness, her beautiful, clear eyes fixed on Xu Qingshui without a trace of ulterior motive. It left Xu Qingshui unsure of how to answer.

If she lied, Fu Jinghua would see through it. If she told the truth, she couldn’t explain how she knew.

Finally, Xu Qingshui said with a mix of jest and sincerity: “You’re beautiful. I think you’re an easy target for harassment. As your partner, I feel I have the right to verify that theory. If something does happen, an Alpha status is usually more effective for handling things.”

Fu Jinghua stated the facts: “I don’t need protection. I can take care of myself.”

“It’s not about protection,” Xu Qingshui countered. “I’m just concerned about my partner.”

Fu Jinghua wanted to argue further, but Xu Qingshui spoke quickly to cut her off: “You’re not trying to go back on your word, are you? You promised me back then.”

Fu Jinghua: “…I am not.”

Xu Qingshui feigned a sigh of relief. “Good.”

Fu Jinghua was slightly annoyed. “I’m not that kind of person.”

Xu Qingshui let out a light laugh. “I know. I just wanted to tease you.”

Fu Jinghua frowned. “You’re so annoying.”

Xu Qingshui didn’t get angry; she just smiled, her eyes crinkling. She was beautiful, and although she often did irritating things, she didn’t seem loathsome. On the contrary, she seemed exceptionally relaxed.

It looked as though Xu Qingshui had teased many women like this before, making her appear very practiced.

Fu Jinghua felt an inexplicable surge of irritation. “Who did you learn this ‘silver-tongued’ ability from?”

“Professional habit,” Xu Qingshui replied.

Fu Jinghua didn’t believe her. “Since when do you have a profession?”

Xu Qingshui smiled. “You’ll find out eventually.”

Fu Jinghua didn’t push. The back-and-forth made them more familiar with each other, and the atmosphere was no longer as awkward. By lunchtime, Fu Jinghua ordered takeout. Xu Qingshui, however, cooked for herself.

Xu Qingshui was an excellent cook. When they both brought their meals to the table, Fu Jinghua fell into a bizarre silence. It wasn’t that the takeout was bad, but Xu Qingshui’s meal looked much more appetizing—and likely more nutritious.

Fu Jinghua only ordered takeout because she couldn’t cook; her attempts usually ended in “dark cuisine,” let alone anything healthy. She stared at Xu Qingshui’s food for a long time. Too embarrassed to ask for a taste, she picked up her container. “I’ll eat in my room.”

Xu Qingshui was confused. “Why the sudden move?”

They had eaten together for the last few days. Xu Qingshui had reason to suspect she had accidentally offended Fu Jinghua again. She asked directly, “Did I do something wrong?”

Fu Jinghua stiffened. It would be ridiculous to admit she was retreating because the Alpha’s food smelled better than hers. She couldn’t let Xu Qingshui find out.

“It’s nothing,” she said. “I just have some materials to look over.”

Xu Qingshui was puzzled. “The table is huge. Can’t you look at them here?”

Fu Jinghua: “…”

“Fine. I’ll finish eating before I go.”

Fu Jinghua only took two bites before putting her chopsticks down, claiming she was full, and prepared to throw the box away.

Xu Qingshui felt a pang of wastefulness. The takeout was nutritious and certainly not cheap. Back when she had no money, she was extremely frugal, and even after becoming a famous director, the habit of saving stayed with her.

“You’re not eating anymore?” she asked. “There’s still so much meat left.”

Fu Jinghua shook her head. “I’m full.”

“If you’re not eating it, give it to me,” Xu Qingshui said.

Fu Jinghua was shocked. “You’re not full?”

“I am. I just hate seeing waste.”

Fu Jinghua was surprised, but handed the box over anyway. “Whatever.”

Xu Qingshui didn’t mind at all. Fu Jinghua’s meal was clean, after all. She ate happily, failing to see the look of astonishment in the other woman’s eyes.

Xu Qingshui, a high-level Alpha, actually doesn’t mind eating after me…

Fu Jinghua couldn’t describe her feelings—perhaps no specific emotion, just mild surprise.

After Fu Jinghua left, Xu Qingshui quickly finished the food. She cleared the table and didn’t bother Fu Jinghua, instead heading to the cinema room to re-watch the movie they had seen before. For a good film, Xu Qingshui was always patient and willing to watch multiple times.

Meanwhile, Fu Jinghua was in her room, packing her things for the shoot and seriously reviewing and memorizing her script.

When night fell and it was time for bed, Xu Qingshui found herself in a dilemma. She wasn’t sure if Fu Jinghua would let her mark her. According to the contract, she technically had the right. But Xu Qingshui didn’t want to force it; she preferred such intimacy to happen with consent.

Still, to be safe—in case Fu Jinghua did want it—she asked: “Do you need me to mark you tonight to stabilize your state?”

Fu Jinghua answered without hesitation, “No.” After a pause, she remembered the contract and explained: “I’ve taken medication for the filming period. Marking creates a dependency that affects my professional state.”

Xu Qingshui nodded. “Understood. That’s fine.” She added, “I’ll go grab another blanket then.”

Fu Jinghua arched a brow. “Are you doubting your own self-control?”

Fu Jinghua: “…”

“The blankets are in the guest room.”

Xu Qingshui chuckled and went to get the blanket. Once laid out, they each had their own. Fu Jinghua wrapped herself up tightly.

“I have principles,” Xu Qingshui noted.

Fu Jinghua let out a cold snort. “Heh.”

Xu Qingshui: “…”

She changed the subject. “I’m sleeping in here with you so we don’t look like we have a fractured marriage. It would look bad for my family’s image.”

Fu Jinghua hesitated, then finally said, “…Whatever. I’m going to sleep. Stop talking.”

“Goodnight,” Xu Qingshui said.

Fu Jinghua turned over, pretending not to hear. However, she didn’t close her eyes. This was the first time someone other than her grandmother had said goodnight to her—and it was her nominal partner.

It was… a strange feeling.