Xu Fei’s eyes lit up, and she jogged to the Omega’s side.
The brilliant sunlight cast a pool of gold onto the tiles. The trees swayed and the light shifted, synchronizing with the flutter in Xu Fei’s heart.
Where was Luo Feng? Why was Nianxi standing here alone?
A suspicion flickered in the back of her mind, yet she still wanted to hear the Omega say it herself, ideally paired with that expression of disdain she used to wear.
“Nianxi, where is that classmate?”
Xu Fei pretended not to know Luo Feng. She wasn’t good at lying, and her eyelashes trembled rapidly.
“She said… she wanted to confess to you.”
Zhu Nianxi walked slowly down the stairs. The wind carried the scent of white roses and the Omega’s reply to Xu Fei’s side.
“I rejected her.”
Zhu Nianxi’s expression was cold. She possessed an overly exquisite beauty, when she was expressionless, it felt as though the colors of her surroundings faded away. Only those eyes, dark and deep, set against her snow-white skin, gave her an almost otherworldly, non-human quality.
“Okay.”
Xu Fei couldn’t help but smile, looking a bit foolish.
Zhu Nianxi asked without warning, “Feifei, have you ever been confessed to?”
“No,” Xu Fei answered immediately, her speed suggesting she was protecting something.
In truth, there had been people in junior high. Back then, she was a star member of the tennis team. At fifteen, she was as fresh as a young poplar tree and loved to smile. Every time a match ended, senior girls would come to give her water. She didn’t consider that “liking” it felt more like “admiration.” Because she knew what “liking” actually felt like.
“Really?”
“Really!”
The two stood on the steps, one above the other. Xu Fei took a quick step up and looked at the Omega.
Her gaze crashed into those beautiful peach-blossom eyes. Zhu Nianxi suddenly leaned in close. Color returned to her eyes as her gaze scanned upward from the Alpha’s neck, inch by inch, until it settled into the panicked, deer like eyes.
Xu Fei’s entire face was reflected in her pupils.
Zhu Nianxi suddenly smiled.
“Then they… really have no taste.”
In her daze, another voice reached Xu Fei’s ears. Zhu Nianxi turned around and looked back at her.
“So, come home with me.”
The monthly exams were completely over, followed by a long seven days holiday. Xu Fei and Zhu Nianxi returned to the villa together. Nianxi said she could help drop Xu Fei’s luggage off at the bar. It was on the way.
Xu Fei had packed the night before. Carrying her bag downstairs, she was surprised to find many servants also packing, the already quiet villa felt even more deserted.
“It’s the National Day holiday, they have to go back too.”
Zhu Nianxi stepped forward, placed some Alpha supplies into Xu Fei’s bag along with a piece of clothing, and zipped it up.
As they were leaving, Xu Fei looked at the mansion once more. With fewer people, the villa looked even more like a work of art, clearly designed with immense care, many details showed the heart put into it.
Once in the car, viewing it from the outside, Xu Fei couldn’t help but sigh. “Nianxi, your house is really beautiful.”
Zhu Nianxi: “My mother designed it.”
“No wonder,” Xu Fei added another layer of admiration. “Auntie is amazing.”
Yan Fu looked worriedly toward the back seat. Zhu Nianxi curled her lips into a smile. “Thank you. She would be very happy.”
The car slowly stopped in front of the bar, immediately attracting the attention of passersby. Xu Fei thanked Yan Fu, took her luggage down herself, and headed toward the side door of the bar after saying goodbye to Zhu Nianxi.
Mei Qia’s rented apartment was on the floor above the old building, it was convenient for both work and school. She was truly lucky.
As shift time approached, Xu Fei changed into her uniform and went down early to help, only to be surrounded by the gossip-hungry crowd.
One person teased her. “Xiao Fei, how does it feel to come to work in a Maybach?”
They had all seen it that afternoon. Xu Fei had even greeted a very beautiful Omega.
Xu Fei’s face turned red. “That belongs to a friend.”
“You should ask how it feels to go from a Beta to an Alpha instead!”
The bartender passed by and noticed the suppression patch on the back of Xu Fei’s neck, looking both confused and shocked.
“Is that brand of suppression patch a gift? Do you know how much it costs?”
Xu Fei instinctively covered her gland. “Is it expensive?”
The bartender looked on with envy. “Extremely expensive.”
Xu Fei didn’t understand these things. The patch was something Zhu Nianxi had casually given her, and there were a dozen more boxes upstairs. The Omega had given her other things as well.
After work, Xu Fei showered and returned to her new room. Mei Qia was still working, so she was the only one home. Xu Fei faced the bed, took a deep breath, and pulled back the covers.
Zhu Nianxi’s clothes lay quietly on her bed, like a lover who had been waiting for a long time.
The fragrant rose scent instantly filled the Alpha’s nasal cavity, miraculously washing away the day’s fatigue. An indescribable satisfaction bloomed from the depths of her soul.
Xu Fei took a few more sniffs, her fingertips heating up slightly.
I knew it! Spreading them out beforehand was the right move!
Xu Fei crawled into bed and pulled the duvet over her head. The flower scent was rich, as if the Omega herself was right beside her. The oak scent was also affected by its owner’s mood, excitedly circling around the roses.
Xu Fei loved this pheromone too much. She wondered… if Nianxi was using her clothes too.
Over the next few days, Xu Fei’s life was very disciplined. She studied in the morning and afternoon, worked when the bar opened, and fell asleep wrapped in the floral scent after her shift. Every morning, looking at the sunlight filling the living room, her heart felt bright.
Then, one day, she woke up early and opened the door to find a lead-gray sky. Dark clouds loomed in the distance, casting a gray shroud over the room.
“It looks like rain tonight. Xiao Fei, remember to close the windows before you sleep.”
Mei Qia walked out of her room, picking up her car keys to head out. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Take care of yourself while you’re alone.”
Xu Fei was good at living alone.
Today was October 5th, the Mid-Autumn Festival. The bar was closed for the day. Mei Qia was going back to her hometown in the neighboring city for a family reunion.
Xu Fei studied for a while, made herself some braised rice for lunch, and continued studying in the afternoon. When it was time to head out, she put on a coat, bought a bouquet of flowers at a florist, and took the bus to the suburbs.
The scenery outside the window was unremarkable. Xu Fei took out her phone and scrolled through social media. Xu Shaobin’s family was traveling south. Several classmates posted photos of family dinners, complaining about the Mid-Autumn Gala.
Before she knew it, she reached her destination. Holding a bouquet of Forget Me Nots, she got off and walked for a bit. The cemetery manager opened the gate for her.
Not many people visited graves on Mid-Autumn Festival. A mist rose in the evening. Xu Fei walked to the tombstone where her parents were buried together, looking at their photos, and stood in a daze for a long time.
The Zhu Family Ancestral Home.
Men and women in expensive formal wear moved about, clinking glasses and discussing the major project Huantai had just secured.
Zhu Guoxiang was surrounded by a crowd in the center, chatting. She was an Omega, sixty-nine this year, yet showed no signs of aging. Her eagle-like eyes were sharp and shrewd, and her hair was dyed completely black, combed meticulously back. Every gesture exuded the arrogance of a superior.
While several people were busy fawning over her, the surroundings suddenly grew restless. The crowd parted to form a path as a young girl in a pure black dress walked toward them.
The banquet hall lights were dazzling, casting a light on the newcomer’s cold, white skin that made her appear somewhat fragile. She wore little jewelry, only a watch clasped around her slender wrist but she was still striking, radiant and brilliant. In just a few steps, she easily made everyone else seem like a mere backdrop.
“Grandmother,” Zhu Nianxi called out.
The person next to her snapped out of it: “This must be President Zhu’s granddaughter. My, Miss Zhu truly has an extraordinary presence.”
Zhu Nianxi wore a polite, obedient smile. Noticing Zhu Guoxiang’s movements out of the corner of her eye, she moved a few steps away unobtrusively.
People on the periphery were also discussing the girl who was the center of attention.
“Is she the child from the Wen family?”
“Zhu Guoxiang seems to value her highly.”
“How could she not? Everyone knows she is the true heir to Huantai.”
“What about Zhu Tianyu?”
Yan Fu stood on the outskirts, closely monitoring Zhu Nianxi’s physical condition. The quiet murmurs around her reached her ears, and she silently filled in the details in her mind.
Years ago, after Wen Xi passed away, Zhu Tianyu couldn’t wait to bring Ning Wanyi home. The outside world looked at Zhu Nianxi with nothing but pity. Wen Xi was dead, and half of her assets belonged to Zhu Tianyu. Judging by his attitude, Zhu Nianxi was merely a “young mistress” in name only.
However, a few days later at the shareholders’ meeting, the old Mrs. Wen announced that there would be no immediate transfer of shares. No one expected that Wen Xi, as an only daughter, hadn’t received a single share from her mother. All she had were a few properties and dividends.
Later, when the old Mrs. Wen passed away, all her estate was left to Zhu Nianxi, held in a trust until she turned eighteen. From then on, Zhu Nianxi became the substantial second largest shareholder of Huantai, backed by the “Wen faction” within the company.
Zhu Guoxiang had not yet announced an heir, but everyone knew it could only be Zhu Nianxi.
Through the shadows of the guests, everyone could see her, the flawless heir of the Zhu family. Appearance, grace, knowledge, she was top-tier in every category.
Yan Fu lowered her gaze, resting it on Zhu Nianxi’s right leg hidden under her long skirt.
She can’t. She’s been standing too long.
Zhu Nianxi continued to smile, like an exquisite doll, every strand of hair in its perfect place. Her smile was so sweet that anyone who caught it would feel a sense of goodwill.
But Yan Fu couldn’t bear to look any longer. Fortunately, the conversation with this group was ending; Zhu Nianxi could finally slip away.
Suddenly, the figure of a male Alpha passed in front of her. Zhu Tianyu glanced at her, turned, and squeezed in beside Zhu Guoxiang, saying a few witty things that made the people nearby laugh.
Then, he looked at Zhu Nianxi. “Nianxi, don’t leave yet. Chat a bit longer.”
Zhu Nianxi’s eyes darkened bit by bit, condensing into pure black.
No overt harassment was needed, he only needed to make her stand just a little bit longer.
The pain from her right leg was impossible to ignore. The mental torment almost made her lose control and convulse. Zhu Nianxi suppressed her instinctual reaction, years of experience had taught her how to coexist with pain.
When Zhu Tianyu met her gaze, he actually instinctively looked away.
A few minutes passed. Yan Fu, calculating the limit of her endurance, decisively picked up a glass of champagne and walked toward the three of them.
The sound of shattering glass caught many people’s attention. Yan Fu apologized repeatedly, her eyes falling on the large wet stain on Zhu Nianxi’s dress.
“Miss Zhu, let me take you to change your clothes.”
As she got closer, she realized Zhu Nianxi’s forehead was already covered in fine sweat.
Zhu Guoxiang’s voice was airy. “Go ahead.”
Yan Fu accompanied Zhu Nianxi toward the inner rooms, watching her walk as if nothing were wrong. Then, as they turned into a corner out of the guests’ sight, Zhu Nianxi suddenly collapsed.
Yan Fu caught her just in time. The person in her arms had her eyes tightly shut, her lips pressed into a hard line.
Zhu Nianxi leaned on her and stood up again, her deep black eyes filled with the calmness of habit.
“Let’s go.”
Yan Fu swallowed the word “sorry.” It was hard to imagine what strength was holding her upright.
By the time Zhu Nianxi finished changing, the banquet was nearing its end, and the guests had mostly dispersed. After the prosperity came a floor full of mess.
The few painkillers she had swallowed made her brain groggy. Zhu Nianxi lay on the bed, her nose pressed against a washed-out, oversized short-sleeved shirt.
She couldn’t smell it. It was too faint.
Yan Fu asked softly. “Xiao Xi, do you want to go home? I can arrange someone.”
The “home” she referred to was the villa where Wen Xi used to live.
Zhu Nianxi lifted her face from the old clothes. Her jet-black hair slid from her shoulders, framing her pale face. Her voice caught, sounding somewhat mechanical.
“No. Go to Oath.”
Where Xu Fei was.
Returning from the cemetery, Xu Fei was in no hurry to go home. The round trip had taken too long; by the time she returned to the main city district, it was already dinner time.
The streets were occupied by families out for the holiday, a few office workers hurried past. Xu Fei ducked into the bustling crowd, not wanting her silhouette to look too lonely.
Passing a dessert shop, a sweet aroma wafted from the beautifully decorated store. Tempted, she walked in and stopped in front of a small strawberry cake.
The shopkeeper smiled. “How can I help you?”
Xu Fei looked at the price tag, pursed her lips, and shook her head: “I’m sorry.”
She could afford it, but she suddenly felt it wasn’t necessary.
Walking out of the dessert shop, the evening wind chilled her neck, and her gland stung slightly. The pain reminded Xu Fei of her situation. She suddenly started running, wanting to get home quickly and crawl into bed.
The elevator door opened with a “ding.” Xu Fei stepped out lightly. The hallway had voice-activated lights; every step she took, the path ahead lit up a little more.
Snap.
Another light turned on, illuminating her front door and the person curled up with their arms around their legs in front of it.
That person slowly raised their head, revealing a snow-white face with long eyelashes and heavy exhaustion in their eyes.
She called out. “Feifei.”
Xu Fei’s footsteps stopped instantly. She looked left and right as if she couldn’t believe her eyes, her movements a bit furtive. Her heart, which had been silent all day, began to beat wildly and uncontrollably.
Wow! She picked up a wild Zhu Nianxi at her doorstep!