Becoming a Scum A in an Old-School Melodramatic Novel - Chapter 19

Shen Xian first prepared the shrimp, cleaning and deveining them, then washed the snow peas for later use. She seasoned the ground meat with various spices, sliced the lotus root directly into thin pieces, sandwiched the meat filling between two slices, coated them in egg wash, and deep-fried them until both sides turned golden brown. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of the lotus root fritters.

After finishing the fritters, Shen Xian stir-fried the shrimp with the snow peas. Shen Tian’s thoughts were soon drawn toward the kitchen by the delicious smell. When she saw Shen Xian coming out holding a plate, she immediately wiggled her little pigtails and asked, “Mommy, what’s that? It looks so yummy,” while pointing at the fritters.

Shen Xian smiled and explained to her child, “These are lotus root fritters. There’s meat filling sandwiched between lotus root slices. Tian Tian, try it and see if it’s good.”

As she spoke, Shen Xian picked up a piece of fritter for her daughter and reminded her, “Eat slowly, Tian Tian. Be careful — it’s hot.”

“Okay.” Shen Tian nodded and took a small bite. The refreshing taste of lotus root mixed with the savory meat melted in her mouth, and she was so happy her little legs started kicking with joy. She didn’t forget to praise Shen Xian, “Mommy, it’s delicious! Tian Tian loves the fritters!”

“I’m glad you like it. Eat more then.” Shen Xian patted her daughter’s head affectionately and went back to the kitchen to get the rice.

Meanwhile, Lin Qinghan and Han Rui had arrived at the restaurant’s private room as planned. The room was quite spacious and had two tables. Han Rui supported Lin Qinghan as they found a table and sat down. As soon as Lin Qinghan entered, she attracted quite a bit of attention.

“Well, if it isn’t Sister Lin! What a rare guest. If Director Zhao hadn’t said you were coming, we wouldn’t have believed it. Usually, we can’t get Sister Lin to attend our dinners no matter how hard we try,” Liu Wenwen said, half-joking and half-mocking.

The newly appointed Director Zhao was an ordinary person. Although this world operated on the ABO dynamic, the majority were still ordinary people. In their hospital, there were only six Alphas and Omegas combined; the rest were Betas — regular people not affected by pheromones.

“It’s great. I’m happy Qinghan could come. We’re all from the same workplace — like family. Let’s enjoy the food and drinks tonight and not be so formal,” said Director Zhao, a Beta woman in her forties. Her words broke the tension that had just formed.

Zhao Qing, who was sitting next to Liu Wenwen, curled her lips but didn’t say anything, out of respect for Director Zhao.

Not long after, Lu Jianbai arrived. He was one of the few male Alphas in the hospital — handsome and secretly admired by many doctors and nurses, especially Liu Wenwen and Zhao Qing, both of whom were his fangirls.

“Dr. Lu, we saved you a seat over here. Come sit with us,” Liu Wenwen and Zhao Qing stood up and waved to him.

Lu Jianbai smiled at them. Seeing that the seat to Lin Qinghan’s left was empty, he chose to sit beside her instead. “No need, I’ll sit over here.”

Liu Wenwen and Zhao Qing’s expressions immediately froze.

“What’s so special about her anyway? Just an Omega. Besides seducing people with pheromones, what else can she do? Her kid’s already that old and she’s still trying to flirt with Dr. Lu?” Liu Wenwen muttered to Zhao Qing. Her voice wasn’t exactly quiet — people at the neighboring tables could hear it — but they only smiled awkwardly and didn’t comment.

“Exactly. And she’s still entangled with her ex-wife. Wasn’t that her ex we saw at the hospital entrance last time?” Zhao Qing added.

“And don’t even get me started on her brother — he’s already a handful. Who would dare marry her again? It’d be like falling into a bottomless pit,” Liu Wenwen said, laughing with Zhao Qing.

Lin Qinghan felt that this so-called gathering was completely meaningless. All she could think about was how Tian Tian was doing at home.

Beside her, Lu Jianbai considerately poured hot water for both Lin Qinghan and Han Rui. “Qinghan, have some warm water first.”

Lin Qinghan gave him a small nod. “Thank you.”

She actually knew that Lu Jianbai had feelings for her, but ever since her divorce, she hadn’t considered remarrying. She just wanted to raise Tian Tian on her own and see her grow up happily. Love was something she no longer wished to pursue.

Still, Lu Jianbai seemed to be used to her cold demeanor by now. After all, Lin Qinghan treated everyone at the hospital in a purely professional manner.

Across from them, Liu Wenwen was clearly jealous. “Dr. Lu’s even pouring her water? Look at her, acting so high and mighty. What a joke. If it weren’t for her pheromones, do you think Dr. Lu would even look at her?”

“If you ask me, even though we can’t smell her pheromones, you just know it must be slutty,” Zhao Qing said, nearly crushing her cup in her hand, dying to have ears sharp enough to hear what Lu Jianbai and Lin Qinghan were talking about.

In truth, it was mostly Lu Jianbai doing the talking. Out of politeness, Lin Qinghan responded now and then, but the whole thing felt exhausting — like she was being forced to entertain him.

Fortunately, the rest of the attendees soon arrived. But in a setting like this, alcohol was inevitable.

At first, Lin Qinghan only drank orange juice. But after most people had finished eating, they began making rounds with their wine glasses to toast everyone — especially a few nurses who were close to Liu Wenwen, clearly waiting for this chance.

Liu Wenwen was the first to approach. “Sister Lin, it’s rare for you to join us. You’ve got to give me some face with this drink.”

Refusing in front of everyone would mean falling out with the group in public. Lin Qinghan still needed her job, so she had no choice but to pick up the beer glass that had been filled and said, “Alright, I’ll drink with you.” With that, she tilted her head back and downed the beer in one go.

With Liu Wenwen starting it off, more people came over to drink with Lin Qinghan. Lin Qinghan usually didn’t drink much, and after just four beers, she was already feeling unwell. She waved her hand and said, “I can’t drink anymore.”

The group of people with Liu Wenwen who were toasting her were the kind who enjoyed stirring things up. A few of them teased, “Come on, Sister Lin hasn’t had a drink with us yet.”

Seeing that they were still trying to toast her, Lu Jianbai immediately picked up his glass and stood up. Smiling at Zhao Qing and the others, he said, “Qinghan can’t drink anymore — I’ll drink on her behalf.”

“Dr. Lu, we came to drink with Sister Lin. You drinking instead of her? That doesn’t seem quite right, does it?” Zhao Qing said with a smile.

Lu Jianbai stood there, looking a little awkward. Drinking wouldn’t be appropriate, but not drinking also felt wrong. Just then, Director Zhao, sensing something was off at the table, came over and lightened the mood with a laugh, saying, “Everyone’s eating, right? Drink if you can, but don’t push yourselves. The main thing is to have a good time. Just don’t make me send each of you home one by one later!”

Everyone had to give face to Director Zhao, so some laughed and said, “Don’t worry, Director Zhao. We know our limits — promise we won’t trouble the higher-ups.”

The crowd around Liu Wenwen gradually dispersed. Some sat in small groups chatting, others were still making rounds for toasts. Lin Qinghan, however, was feeling a growing discomfort in her stomach, and her head was getting dizzy.

Han Rui poured her some tea to help sober her up and said, “Qinghan, have some tea to help you sober up, or else it’ll be hard for you to get home later.”

Lin Qinghan took a sip of tea but still felt nauseated and dizzy, so she simply rested her head on the table.

“If you’ve got something to do later, you can head out first. I’ll take Qinghan home,” Lu Jianbai, who had been sitting beside Lin Qinghan the whole time, chimed in after hearing Han Rui speak.

“No need. I’ll just be home by myself tonight anyway. I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving Qinghan like this,” Han Rui replied. Though she and Lin Qinghan were only slightly closer than regular coworkers, she still wasn’t at ease leaving Qinghan with Lu Jianbai — especially since he was an alpha.

Lu Jianbai realized what he said might’ve sounded off and quickly clarified, “I didn’t mean it like that. I only meant I’d take Qinghan home. It’s late, and it’s not really safe for two women to go back alone. How about this — I’ll take both of you home.”

Han Rui didn’t say anything else. People who’ve been drinking are heavier to support, and she was also worried about Lin Qinghan falling, so having an extra hand wouldn’t hurt.

Around 8 p.m., Shen Tian was already dozing off, her eyelids fighting to stay open. Her little head kept nodding, about ready to tip over. Shen Xian held the little one in her arms and gently coaxed, “Tian Tian, how about we go to sleep now?”

“But… but Tian Tian still wants to wait for Mom,” Shen Tian said in her soft baby voice, leaning on Shen Xian’s shoulder, her eyes barely staying open.

“Mommy will go pick her up soon, and I promise I’ll bring her back for you. How about Tian Tian sleeps for now? Otherwise, Mommy will worry about you,” Shen Xian said softly, gently rocking the little one in her arms.

Rocked like that, the little one only felt sleepier. “Okay~ then Tian Tian won’t make Mommy worry. Tian Tian is a good girl.”

With that, she immediately closed her big eyes and rested on Shen Xian’s shoulder. Shen Xian only had to rock her gently for a little while before she was fast asleep.

Shen Xian quietly laid Shen Tian beside Fang Jinglan and whispered, “Mom, you and Tian Tian go to sleep first. It’s already nine — they should be wrapping up soon. I’ll go pick up Qinghan.”

“Alright, just be careful out there. Don’t worry about Tian Tian — I’ve got her,” Fang Jinglan replied.

Shen Xian smiled and nodded, gently closing the door to Fang Jinglan’s room. After a moment’s thought, she grabbed a coat and slung it over her arm before heading out.

After leaving the house, Shen Xian called a car and went straight to the restaurant where Lin Qinghan and the others were having their gathering. When she arrived, she glanced around the hotel entrance — there weren’t many people around, which meant the event probably hadn’t ended yet. Noticing that a nearby pharmacy was still open, Shen Xian went in and bought a box of hangover remedy powder.

By the time she came out, small groups of people had begun gathering at the hotel entrance. Shen Xian scanned the area and immediately spotted a woman supporting Lin Qinghan, with a man beside them also helping to hold Lin Qinghan’s arm — it looked like she was quite drunk.

Shen Xian hurried over, glanced at the man holding Lin Qinghan’s arm, and recognized him immediately — it was Lu Jianbai, the male lead from the original novel. Without saying anything, she smoothly took over supporting the arm that Lu Jianbai was holding. Lu Jianbai’s expression turned slightly awkward for a moment, but in the end, he said nothing.