Jiang Qiu was a prominent figure on campus, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say her reputation preceded her even throughout New York.
Yu Sheng understood this all too well.
Ever since she moved into the graduate student apartments to cohabitate with Jiang Qiu, Yu Sheng discovered that piles of gifts would appear at their doorstep every single day. One didn’t even need to think to know that fifty percent of them came from omegas on campus looking to climb the social ladder by associating with the Jiang family, while the other half came from various people hoping to get Jiang Qiu to do them a favor.
Yu Sheng never knew how Jiang Qiu handled these things, especially since no names were ever left on them.
Nearly a hundred and fifty years had passed since the founding of the Dominion Winery, and its current status was clear for all to see, holding a significant place in both the business and political worlds. By now, it was no longer just a winery, it could be described as a hidden, unifying tie among New York’s upper echelons.
Dominion never needed to make an effort to get to know the powerful and influential within the industry, because others were always desperately fighting just for a chance to latch onto them.
The current people in charge were Jiang Qiu’s two mothers, who were the fifth generation successors. Jiang Qiu was an only child, destined to become the sixth generation successor. Consequently, the number of people wanting to get close to this alpha was countless.
Of course, there was another reason for her popularity.
She was exceptional.
Before Jiang Qiu entered the university as a graduate student, everyone had been speculating about what kind of person she would be.
Most assumed she would be arrogant, domineering, and heartless.
After all, she was born into a century-old wealthy family, and aside from the winery business, the collateral branches of the Jiang family were heavily involved in numerous other industries, making the family business incredibly glamorous. Therefore, it was a reasonable guess that Jiang Qiu would be a spoiled young lady who grew up pampered, with a thoroughly terrible temper.
The rising stars within the social circle were all incredibly curious about Jiang Qiu, because none of them had ever met this heiress. Jiang Qiu hadn’t lived in New York during her early years, before her two mothers took over Dominion, they had always lived long-term with Jiang Qiu in Lihua City.
Yet, when Jiang Qiu returned to New York, everyone discovered that their assumptions were entirely wrong.
The alpha was indeed proud, a product of a life of luxury since childhood, but she was equally courteous and well-mannered. Anyone could tell that Jiang Qiu had an excellent upbringing, no one had ever seen her lose her temper, let alone throw a tantrum at someone. The alpha’s emotions were always remarkably stable.
Jiang Qiu didn’t put on airs. She integrated into the collective very quickly and naturally became the backbone of the research group. The alpha’s academic performance, whether written or practical, was undeniably outstanding.
Rumors circulated on campus that Jiang Qiu made it far too easy for people to fall for her, whether one witnessed her calm composure during sudden emergencies or bowed to her absolute professionalism during project research.
The omegas who admired her were always plenty, but no one had ever seen Jiang Qiu date anyone.
Initially, rumors claimed that Jiang Qiu’s future wife would be an omega from another wealthy family of equal social standing. Later, Jiang Qiu shattered this rumor herself.
“It has nothing to do with status. I just haven’t met an omega I like yet. I intend for my first love to be the one I marry, and my future wife will only be someone I truly love. That depends on fate.”
Yu Sheng remembered that Jiang Qiu had said something along those lines.
She had just crouched down to scan the various gifts on the ground when she heard Jiang Qiu’s voice ring out from behind her.
“Can you make use of them? If so, just take them all.”
Yu Sheng stood up and turned around. Jiang Qiu was leaning against the wall behind her, smiling faintly with a weary expression, a hint of exhausted dark circles shadowing the corners of her eyes.
“I don’t need them.” Yu Sheng glanced at her. “Is your experiment finally finished?”
For the past few days, Jiang Qiu had been leaving early and returning late, constantly working on an experiment meant for a competition. Originally, she didn’t have to work this hard, but a careless blunder had been made in the previous experiment, causing all their hard work to go down the drain. Their entire group had to redo everything from scratch.
Jiang Qiu said lazily, “It’s taken care of.”
With that, the alpha used her key to open the door.
Yu Sheng stood by her side, pointing at the pile of things. “What about these?”
“I’ll handle them tomorrow morning,” Jiang Qiu replied.
The alpha was completely used to this.
“Before, the people sending gifts couldn’t wait to detail their home addresses. Later, after everything was sent back, none of them left their names anymore.” Jiang Qiu spoke as she walked inside, “For the items that no one claims, I donate them all to charity organizations under the name of a warm hearted New York citizen.”
Yu Sheng asked, “If they don’t leave their names, what’s the point of giving them to you?”
Hearing this, Jiang Qiu chuckled softly. She turned back to the doorway, bending down to pick up one of the items. “Everyone sends something that best represents themselves or their family so it can be recognized. However, I can’t be completely certain; I can only say it’s a guess. For example, this one, a necklace from a flagship series, a limited edition.”
After saying her piece, she put it back.
Jiang Qiu had grown accustomed to this. Ever since she arrived in New York, similar occurrences had been too numerous to count. Having dealt with it so much, she no longer found it unusual.
Closing the door, Jiang Qiu grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge to drink, leaning against the edge of the table to recover her energy. As Yu Sheng went to wash the fruit she had bought, the alpha remained behind her. Yu Sheng asked again, as if out of curiosity:
“Are most of those people sending gifts looking for your help?”
“Most of them are looking to borrow influence.” Jiang Qiu pondered for a moment. “In other words, playing the fox that flaunts the tiger’s majesty.”
Setting aside whether they had truly managed to attach themselves to Dominion, as long as these people could strike up a conversation and exchange a few words with Jiang Qiu, it was enough for them to go out and flaunt the connection. As for actual cooperation, everyone knew it wasn’t that easy. Besides, if a deal with the winery could really be secured just by sending gifts, the Jiang family’s threshold would have been broken through long ago.
“For instance, if you were to tell others that I am your backer, no one would dare to bully you anymore. Instead, they would try to please you.”
Jiang Qiu knew exactly what her identity signified. When she said this, her eyes remained fixed on Yu Sheng’s gaze.
Yu Sheng’s movements halted. She fell silent for a long moment before saying, “I don’t need that.”
“It’s just an example.” Jiang Qiu lowered her eyes, looking as though she had truly just brought it up casually.
After a semester of living together, Yu Sheng was still just as guarded, never sharing her true feelings with anyone and actively rejecting her help. Among all the sycophants on campus, Yu Sheng stood out as exceptionally unique.
Turning off the faucet, Yu Sheng tossed a peach to Jiang Qiu. “It was on special discount today.”
Jiang Qiu laughed, intending to offer a word of thanks, but Yu Sheng had already swiftly walked back into her room. Her palm was dampened by the un-wiped water droplets. The alpha stopped outside Yu Sheng’s door and knocked two or three times.
“Regarding the examination I mentioned to you before, have you thought it over?”
The fact that Yu Sheng had not differentiated yet even now was indeed an abnormality, but after seeing so many doctors, none could figure out a reason. After Jiang Qiu found out, she wanted to take Yu Sheng to her cousin’s place to do a comprehensive gland gene screening, perhaps there would be a way.
Yu Sheng opened the door from the inside. “When?”
“Tomorrow is fine,” Jiang Qiu answered.
The genetic testing was far more meticulous than a conventional hospital visit, but similarly, it failed to find any issues with Yu Sheng’s glands. However, there was one difference, the doctor speculated that this kind of delayed differentiation might be psychological.
Yu Sheng rejected the outcome of differentiation or perhaps, she was afraid of it.
Jiang Qiu didn’t tell Yu Sheng about this deduction. On the way back, she asked Yu Sheng roundabout questions, inquiring whether she had ever thought about what she would differentiate into.
Yu Sheng stopped in her tracks and told her with absolute certainty, “I will be an alpha.”
“Do you have an aversion to omegas?” Jiang Qiu found it difficult to understand why Yu Sheng was so stubbornly set on being an alpha.
“I don’t.”
“Then why…”
“Jiang Qiu.” Yu Sheng interrupted her words. “Do you have feelings for me?”
Jiang Qiu froze, offering a rare silence.
Yu Sheng could faintly perceive it, because Jiang Qiu treated her differently compared to how she treated others. But she would definitely differentiate into an alpha; she didn’t need Jiang Qiu to be good to her, nor did she need to borrow Jiang Qiu’s influence to flaunt her power.
Once she differentiated, she would use her pheromones to crush those who bullied her.
As long as she became an alpha, she would never need anyone’s help again.
And right now, she was waiting.
Thus, Yu Sheng spoke again, “I’m sorry.”
A polite rejection.
The alpha’s expression quickly returned to normal, the smile within her eyes remaining undiminished.
“Let’s talk about it after you differentiate, alright?” Jiang Qiu spoke in such a manner.
The meal was incredibly exhausting. Yu Sheng thought to herself. Is Jiang Qiu never going to wait for me again?
The indignation within her chest transformed entirely into bitterness. The omega’s breathing grew ragged, she pursed her lips, and then raised her hand to cover her face.
A tissue was handed over, and Wen Yan’s voice sounded very soft and gentle. “Miss Yu, I’m sorry. Her mood wasn’t very good today, so she spoke a bit harshly.”
Yu Sheng closed her eyes, her exhaled breath carrying a tremor. Especially after hearing what Wen Yan said, the bridge of her nose grew increasingly stinging.
Like a wife smoothing things over for her alpha, Wen Yan had probably adapted very well to her current role.
Yu Sheng didn’t dare to let her thoughts wander any further.
Rising to her feet somewhat wretchedly, she left behind a sentence. “I still have things to do, I’ll take my leave first,” before hurriedly settling the bill and departing. She tried to prevent herself from leaving behind any more laughable reactions at this dinner table.
Wen Yan’s hand, stretched out to offer the tissue, remained frozen in mid-air, while Yu Sheng’s figure had already vanished from sight. Jiang Qiu stared at the doorway for a long time, the tips of her fingers gripping the chopsticks tightly. She didn’t know whether she was angry at Yu Sheng’s disruption, or mocking herself after having her memories dredged up.
“You…” Wen Yan withdrew her hand, observing the alpha’s expression, and spoke hesitantly.
Jiang Qiu said, “Let’s eat first.”
Wen Yan tactfully complied, “Alright.”
The atmosphere during the latter half of the meal was somewhat too silent, and they ate much faster. On the way back, the sky gradually darkened. Wen Yan kept her head down looking at her phone the entire time, maintaining the quiet atmosphere, yet boringly switching back and forth between several apps.
Jiang Qiu suddenly spoke up. “What do you want to ask?”
“Ah? Oh,” Wen Yan blanked out for a moment, then shook her head, saying, “I don’t have anything to ask. What do you plan to tell me?”
“Everything she said was correct.” Jiang Qiu’s voice lowered slightly. Regarding this piece of the past, she clearly hadn’t fully let it go yet. “Yu Sheng was my first love. Later, she dumped me.”
Wen Yan was stunned for a long moment.
Given Yu Sheng’s appearance just now, she had assumed Jiang Qiu was the one who initiated the breakup.
“Why?” Wen Yan asked.
Jiang Qiu pulled the corner of her mouth into a self-deprecating smirk. “Once the objective is achieved, a chess piece is naturally meant to be discarded.”
Wen Yan felt as though she had learned something she shouldn’t have, and didn’t dare to probe deeper.
“I previously intended to marry her, but it was just wishful thinking on my part.”
“Then do you…” Wen Yan glanced at Jiang Qiu’s expression, hesitating for a few moments before continuing to ask, “…still like her?”