Becoming a Scum A in an Old-School Melodramatic Novel - Chapter 55

In the past few days, Shen Xian’s company recruitment posts had been published across all the major platforms, and quite a few people had sent in their resumes. Because of investment from the Mu Group and the Jiang family, many people who couldn’t get into Mu or Jiang set their sights on Shen Xian’s company instead, so Shen Xian’s company inbox was basically overflowing. Li Xing and the others spent more than half their days just screening resumes.

Shen Xian planned to give everyone a small bonus at the end of the month as a reward, after all, the three of them had been working very hard lately and often stayed late together with her.

Shen Xian was in her office watching the recent stock market when, beyond the main door, she heard noise from the renovations and lots of loud chatter. She got up and walked to the door; after glancing at the men outside she matched their faces with names in her head.

She asked the system without thinking, “Is that Zhao Qiang and the others?”

“Yes, host. The people outside are the original body’s cronies.” The system’s cold, mechanical voice sounded in Shen Xian’s mind, startling her for a moment.

“Did you just come back from the dead?” Shen Xian asked, puzzled, as she hadn’t heard from the system in a long time.

“It’s not that I came back from the dead. It’s that the host didn’t call me. When nothing is happening, I sometimes enter standby mode.” The system replied earnestly in its mechanical tone.

Shen Xian nodded to show she understood, so in plain terms, it meant the system had been slacking off.

While she was talking to the system, Zhao Qiang and three others had already rushed up to Shen Xian. A few days ago they’d been humiliated by Shen Xian, and Zhao Qiang felt he couldn’t let that go; he’d spent the past few days asking around for the exact location of Shen Xian’s company, wanting to ask what she meant on that call the other day.

Zhao Qiang wasn’t afraid of Shen Xian at all. The only reason he’d been willing to play the little brother in front of her before was to trick her into picking up the tab when they went out, as in truth they all knew Shen Xian was not very capable, someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Shen Xian wasn’t actually afraid of these cronies either; she was just a little surprised at how thick-skinned they were. After everything that had been said, they still came. Well, that made things easier, since she didn’t have to think of other ways to make trouble for them.

She stepped outside the door and looked at the four men coldly. “What do you want?”

Zhao Qiang chuckled and, turning to his brothers, said, “Oh ho, Sister Shen, you’re really showing face now. It’s not easy to see you, I had to beg and plead to get over here. We just came by to check on you. So? Aren’t you going to invite us in for a seat?”

“Heh.” Shen Xian let out a cold laugh and said, “Don’t try to get chummy. I don’t know you people. If you have something to say, say it quickly, you can’t afford to delay our work.”

Zhao Qiang was instantly angered by her tone, sensing she was looking down on them. “What do you mean, looking down on us? Don’t think just because you’re acting all high and mighty I won’t do anything to you. Calling you ‘sister’ is me showing you respect, who do you think you are?”

Shen Xian laughed at his audacity. “You came here to pick a fight with me for no reason, and that’s my fault? I told you I don’t know you and you’re not welcome here. If there’s nothing else, please leave.”

“All right, Shen Xian, you’re asking for it.” Zhao Qiang reached out to grab Shen Xian’s shoulder. The moment his hand touched her, Shen Xian grabbed his wrist with her other hand and executed an over the shoulder throw. Before he could react, Zhao Qiang had been tossed out.

The other three hurried to help him up. Zhao Qiang’s face turned red with rage. “Shen Xian, how dare you touch me? I’ll fight you.”

Shen Xian sneered. “Do you think I have time to fight with a few lowlifes? There are surveillance cameras here; everything you just did was recorded. If you don’t have a clear head and end up in jail, I won’t have a choice but to see you through it.”

Zhao Qiang brushed the dirt off his clothes and spat on the ground. “Fine, Shen Xian. Just wait. I don’t believe you won’t go home safe, there’ll be a time I catch you.”

“Heh. You lot? Get out of here.” Shen Xian’s dismissive attitude completely enraged Zhao Qiang. His fists clenched until his knuckles cracked as he glared at her viciously. “Shen Xian, you’re asking for death. I’ll kill you sooner or later.”

Shen Xian toyed with her phone, totally unconcerned. “That’ll be a first. I never deal with idiots.” She dared say that because she knew Zhao Qiang and his crew all talked big but were all bark and little bite. Besides, they were ordinary people, even if they all jumped at her at once she could handle them.

“Brother, should we go?” one of Zhao Qiang’s men asked uncertainly.

“Get lost. Shen Xian, you wait,” Zhao Qiang spat, then left with his men.

The commotion outside was loud enough that Li Xing and the others came out of the office. They’d thought of stepping up to help, but when they saw Shen Xian simply throw the troublemakers, Li Xing and Yan Qiang didn’t intervene.

After Zhao Qiang left, Shen Xian turned back to her employees. “It’s nothing, just some low-level thugs. Go back to work.”

Back in the office, Shen Xian called Fu Binbin again. “Xiao Fu, I might need your help with something.”

The moment Fu Binbin heard it was Shen Xian on the phone he brightened. “Tell me what you need. Is that scumbag Lu Jianbai acting up again?”

Shen Xian hurried to explain, “No, it’s not him, I heard he’s still in the hospital. These are some people I got into trouble with years ago when I was young. Four local thugs came to make a scene at my company today. I was wondering if you could help get these guys in trouble. I have something to say to them.”

“No problem, this is easy. Send me their names and tonight I’ll tell you where to meet.”

“Okay.” Shen Xian sent Fu Binbin the address of Zhao Qiang and the others. Knowing their temper, they wouldn’t just come after her once or twice, there might even be trouble for Qinghan and the little one. It would be better to make sure they never dared again.

Around 8 p.m., Shen Xian received a call from Fu Binbin.

“Shen Xian, the people you asked about are all here. I’ll send you the address; just come straight over. Someone will be waiting for you in the lobby.” Fu Binbin was sitting on the sofa, ready to watch the show.

“Alright, I’ll head over right away.” Shen Xian hung up, and Lin Qinghan looked at her.

Shen Xian leaned closer and smiled. “Qinghan, I have a little business to take care of, so I’ll be out for a while. You and Tian Tian should go to sleep; no need to wait for me.”

The little one, playing with a puzzle, perked up her little ears when she heard Shen Xian was leaving. She turned and clung to Shen Xian’s leg, pouting, “Mommy can’t go out at night! The big bad wolf will come!”

Amused, Shen Xian picked up the little one and laughed. “Mommy’s an adult; I’m not afraid of the big bad wolf.”

Lin Qinghan glanced at Shen Xian but spoke anyway, “Be careful and come back early. Tian Tian and I will be waiting for you.”

Shen Xian smiled, holding the little one and leaning closer to Lin Qinghan. “Got it. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done. Don’t worry about me, Qinghan. Here, the little one’s for you.” She handed the little one to Lin Qinghan.

Lin Qinghan held their daughter and said, “Tian Tian, tell Mommy to come back early.”

Tian Tian tilted her head back and in her little baby voice said, “Mommy, come back early and be a good mommy~”

“Alright, I’ll be back soon.” Shen Xian pinched the little one’s little cheek one more time before getting up to change and head out.

When she drove to the address Fu Binbin had given her, she realized it was a hotel. The room number was a conference room. Guided by the lobby staff, Shen Xian reached the conference room and pushed open the door. Inside, four people were tied to the floor with black bags over their heads. Fu Binbin sat casually on a sofa, eating something.

“Here you are. Let’s see if these are the garlic heads.” Fu Binbin gestured for his men to hold the four down and then tore off the bags and rags from their mouths.

Seeing Shen Xian, Zhao Qiang immediately yelled, “Shen Xian, you bastard! You sent people after me? I’ll fight you!” He tried to rush forward, but his body was tied, and two of Fu Binbin’s men held his shoulders, he couldn’t move.

“You? Today we brought you here to teach you a lesson. People should know their limits. Remember clearly who you shouldn’t mess with.” Shen Xian signaled Fu Binbin’s men.

The bodyguards immediately started, and soon the conference room was filled with screams.

Fu Binbin, eating dessert, said, “Don’t worry. This is my family’s hotel. They won’t leave any evidence. Today, you can vent however you want.”

Shen Xian nodded in thanks. “Then thank you in advance, President Fu.”

Turning back, she saw Zhao Qiang and the others were already bleeding from their faces. Shen Xian raised her hand, signaling the bodyguards to stop.

Zhao Qiang, panting, pressed his head to the floor and said, “Shen Xian, aren’t you afraid I’ll call the police?”

Shen Xian sneered. “Do as you like. If you’ve got the guts, call them. This is the Fu Group, you’ve heard of it, right?”

Zhao Qiang propped himself up to look at her. “Impossible… Shen Xian, how could a thug like you have dealings with the Fu Group?”

“I already told you. Still not convinced? Looks like I was too gentle before.”

The bodyguards obeyed Shen Xian’s signal and resumed. By the end, Zhao Qiang and the others couldn’t even speak.

Shen Xian looked at the four sprawled on the floor and said, “Today was just a lesson. Remember, don’t provoke me again, or next time I won’t go so easy.”

The four were beaten, faces bloodied, but Fu Binbin’s bodyguards were trained to avoid lethal blows, so it only looked frightening.

Seeing them silent, Shen Xian sneered, “Need me to teach you how to talk too?”

This time, Zhao Qiang was genuinely scared and scrambled up, shouting, “No need! No need! We really won’t dare again. Just give us a chance, and we won’t cause trouble for you anymore.”

After all, they were just small-time thugs. They had never faced someone like Shen Xian before, and with her indifferent, kill-you-if-I-want expression, even tears came to Zhao Qiang’s eyes.

Satisfied with their answer, Shen Xian turned to Fu Binbin. “President Fu, thanks for handling these guys.”

Zhao Qiang, thinking Shen Xian would do more, yelled, “Shen Xian, we won’t dare again…” before someone gagged him and slipped a black bag over his head.

“Good. I’m bored anyway; consider this entertainment. I’m heading to a nightclub later. Want to come?” Fu Binbin glanced at the time.

Shen Xian smiled. “No, my daughter reminded me before I left, she told me to come back early.”

Fu Binbin chuckled. “How old is your daughter?”

Shen Xian smiled. “Three and a half. She just started preschool this year and told me to behave and come home early.”

Fu Binbin was silent for a few seconds, then said wistfully, “That’s nice… I haven’t had anyone care whether I come home in years.”

Shen Xian smiled back. “There will be, President Fu. See you next time.”

“Alright, see you.” Shen Xian’s words reminded Fu Binbin of his past. Since his mother passed, no one had ever cared if he came home. His father and older brother were busy with their careers, leaving him idling like a good for nothing. After leaning back on the sofa and resting for a while, Fu Binbin soon returned to his usual self and called for his bodyguards to take him out to a bar.

When Shen Xian got home, it was already past ten in the evening. Lin Qinghan was still sitting in the living room watching TV. Shen Xian knew that she was waiting for her, and the corners of her lips couldn’t help but curl up in a smile.

After changing her shoes, Shen Xian walked over and sat down on the sofa, only to hear Lin Qinghan say,
“Shen Xian, come a little closer. I got a bit tired waiting for you.”

Shen Xian hadn’t expected Lin Qinghan to say that, and was momentarily stunned before obediently moving closer. Lin Qinghan naturally leaned against Shen Xian’s shoulder, turned off the TV, and looked up at her.
“Can you tell me where you went just now? It’s fine if you can’t. I was just… a little worried about you.”
As she spoke, Lin Qinghan rubbed her head gently against Shen Xian’s shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist.

Shen Xian actually liked it when Lin Qinghan nestled against her like this. She put her arm around Lin Qinghan and said softly,
“I was just taking care of something. Do you remember Zhao Qiang, the one who kept calling me before?”

Lin Qinghan nodded, her hair brushing lightly against Shen Xian’s neck and making her feel ticklish.
“He showed up at the company today with a few people to cause trouble,” Shen Xian continued, “but I drove them off. Still, I figured it’s better to make sure they don’t dare mess with me again. One of our clients happens to have quite a bit of influence in that area, so tonight he helped teach those four a lesson. They shouldn’t be coming back to cause problems anymore.”

The moment Lin Qinghan heard that someone had gone to the company to make trouble, she immediately straightened up, looking at Shen Xian nervously.
“Were you hurt?”

Shen Xian smiled and held her close. “Don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine.”

Seeing Shen Xian still smiling, Lin Qinghan gave her a light smack.
“You’re still laughing? What about Zhao Qiang and the others? You didn’t hurt them too badly, did you?”

Shen Xian simply wrapped her arms around Lin Qinghan again and said softly,
“They’re fine too, really. Don’t worry, I’m a law-abiding citizen. I just didn’t want you to overthink things. I promise, Qinghan, I wasn’t in any danger.”

Being hugged so suddenly made Lin Qinghan secretly happy. She was glad that Shen Xian was willing to tell her what had happened, but at the same time, she didn’t want her to get too smug. She pinched the soft flesh at Shen Xian’s waist.

“Ah — Qinghan, easy, that hurts!”

Lin Qinghan laughed lightly. “Stop pretending. I barely used any strength.” Then she added, pressing a little harder, “Let’s see if you still dare to do dangerous things on your own again.”

Shen Xian immediately admitted fault. “I was wrong, I was wrong, Qinghan, I really won’t do it again.”

Lin Qinghan glared at her, then finally let go. She leaned back slightly and lifted the hem of Shen Xian’s T-shirt. Seeing Shen Xian look at her in surprise, she said a little guiltily,
“I just want to check. I didn’t pinch you too hard, right?”

Shen Xian didn’t argue and sat still obediently to let her look.

As Lin Qinghan lifted the fabric higher, Shen Xian’s waist and lower abdomen were revealed. Because she jogged every morning, she didn’t have abs, but there wasn’t an ounce of fat on her stomach either. Her skin at the waist was fair and smooth, and since Lin Qinghan hadn’t really used much force earlier, there wasn’t even a faint mark.

After looking for a moment, Lin Qinghan suppressed her embarrassment and lowered the hem of Shen Xian’s shirt. Then she noticed a pheromone blocker patch still stuck to the back of Shen Xian’s neck.
“Shen Xian, lower your head a little,” Lin Qinghan said.

Shen Xian didn’t know why, but she obeyed, lowering her head. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but it felt like Qinghan’s fingers brushed over her gland a few times through the patch.

Still, Shen Xian didn’t say anything, keeping her posture still as she felt Qinghan’s fingers gently peel the blocker off her skin. When Qinghan was done, Shen Xian tilted her head back and smiled at her.
“Thanks, Qinghan.”

Lin Qinghan didn’t dare meet her eyes and muttered,
“What are you thanking me for, silly?”

Touching someone’s gland was an intimate gesture. Lin Qinghan thought Shen Xian must have noticed her doing it but hadn’t stopped her, which only made her more uncertain about how Shen Xian really felt about her.

Shen Xian, on the other hand, thought Qinghan had simply helped her remove the blocker out of kindness, and saw nothing unusual about it.