23

In the courtyard ahead, water streamed over the grass, soaking into the soil, with the sound of water gushing into the drains audible even amidst the pouring rain. This was a rare, century-long downpour, one that even the Flood Control Office hadn't fully prepared for, expecting the rain to come and go quickly as usual in Yicheng.

With soft warmth in her arms, Pei Yujang found it increasingly hard to think straight. The warm touch of the woman's body mixed with the cold rainwater made her heartbeat quicken anxiously.

Thump-thump, thump-thump—it was a suffocating rhythm that left Pei Yujang a bit breathless. Her head felt hot, and she didn't dare stay so close to Yu Zhiwan, but the Omega's desperate plea left her feeling at a loss.

If it were a normal person falling into her arms like this, Pei Yujang wouldn't hesitate to push them away, unless it was a special situation.

Like the last time with that actress who wanted to jump off a building. But that actress was also an Omega. Now that Pei Yujang was no longer an Alpha, perhaps a bit of Alpha instinct still lingered, making her wonder if she still had some feelings toward Omegas as a group.

But when that actress cried her heart out in Pei Yujang's arms, all she felt was awkwardness and a tingling scalp.

Maybe it was because the situation was urgent—she had just saved that person from the rooftop, fearing she might try to jump again. Or maybe it was because the actress was pretty but not as stunning as Yu Zhiwan.

Pei Yujang wasn't a serious lookist, but everyone appreciates beauty. At this moment, those mist-filled almond eyes were pitiful, and the Omega shivered in her arms, making her instinctively want to protect her.

She wanted to let Yu Zhiwan go, feeling that this kind of intimate contact wasn't appropriate. But as soon as she tried to move away, the Omega let out a startled gasp and clung to her even tighter.

"Pei Yujang," Yu Zhiwan called her name earnestly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her voice choked with despair, "Why did you save me only to push me back into the wolf's den?"

Pei Yujang looked up, seeing a figure rushing towards them in the pouring rain, then glanced at the tearful, frail Yu Zhiwan, seemingly weighing her options.

As the system's voice echoed in her mind, Yu Zhiwan suddenly, almost desperately, yanked down the clothes on her shoulder—

Pei Yujang didn't have time to stop her, and in the next second, despite knowing better, her eyes fell on the exposed snow-white skin, marked with scattered red bruises and scars, searing her vision.

Yu Zhiwan had pulled down most of the fabric on her shoulder, revealing the strap of her undergarment. However, it was a sports bra that could be worn alone, so it didn't look too out of place.

At that moment, all of Pei Yujang's attention was on the marks on her skin.

Yu Zhiwan's skin was fair, smooth, and even-toned, making even the faintest marks on her arm especially visible. The ambiguous red marks were likely from being pinched, and the scars, even older, were even more telling.

In the dim light, Yu Zhiwan's wet fingers traced down her skin, leaving trails of moisture on her arm as a few droplets swayed with her movements, trickling down to form slender water lines that clung to her skin before dripping to the floor.

When Yu Zhiwan faltered while pulling at her clothes, Pei Yujang quickly set her down in the wheelchair. As her skin reluctantly separated from the warmth of Pei Yujang's touch, the Omega's panicked expression slowly faded. She seemed to lose all strength, slumping in the wheelchair as she murmured:

"She tried to forcefully mark me."

Forced marking.

Forced marking is an "authority" that an Alpha can exercise over an Omega, using their pheromones to suppress the Omega and, relying on their superior physical strength, forcefully inject their pheromones into the Omega's glands.

An Alpha forcibly marking an Omega against their will is akin to a man raping a woman among Betas.

What's more, unless the Alpha undergoes a gland ligation surgery or both parties take contraceptives in advance, there's a high chance that an Omega will get pregnant after being deeply marked.

Even if they want to remove the mark, a temporary mark is relatively easy to deal with, but removing a deep or lifelong mark involves immense pain.

As Yu Zhiwan's tense voice filled the air, Pei Yujang could guess that she wanted to move out in such weather to sever ties with Liu Huanran. Unable to persuade her to stay, Liu Huanran had resorted to using force.

Yu Zhiwan had struggled desperately, escaping while Liu Huanran was off guard, rushing to her side through the torrential downpour.

"She wanted to mark me, to make me stay, so she hid all my inhibitors. She even blocked the ventilation..."

Rage began to bubble up inside Pei Yujang as she unconsciously clenched her right hand into a fist. At that moment, Liu Huanran's tall figure finally appeared through the rain, panting heavily, exactly as Yu Zhiwan had described—clearly, she had been chasing her for a long time.

A set of shared taxi keys dangled from Liu Huanran's waist, swinging and clinking as she ran.

The neighborhood's drainage system was good, so there wasn't much water on the ground yet. Despite the torrential rain, Liu Huanran wore long boots and wasn't too bedraggled, pushing her bangs up to reveal a broad forehead. Liu Huanran approached, her voice loud as if afraid no one would hear her:

"Wanwan—"

A bolt of lightning split the ink-black sky, turning night into day and illuminating Yu Zhiwan's tightly controlled expression. The sound of that voice, calling her back, was like an invisible rope tightening around her throat, making the Omega's fingertips tremble.

Liu Huanran searched around for a while before following the light, spotting Yu Zhiwan at Pei Yujang's doorstep. No time to wonder why Pei Yujang was living in this neighborhood, a sense of impending doom set off alarms in her mind.

If she was a step too late, Pei Yujang might take Yu Zhiwan away.

Liu Huanran didn't know what punishment awaited her if she failed to complete her task. After being transported into the book, the system hadn't forced her, merely urging her to fulfill the original character's wishes.

But after seeing the beautiful life with a wife and child in the plot, Liu Huanran was unwilling to just let Yu Zhiwan go. She knew that some Omegas would become dependent on their Alpha after being marked. Although she hadn't marked Yu Zhiwan yet, she couldn't let Pei Yujang steal her away.

With that thought, Liu Huanran made up her mind, jogging over while shouting loudly:

"Wife, you've already been marked by me. There's no need to make a fuss in this storm. Let's go home, okay? We can talk about this later, dear—"

Before she could finish saying "dear," just as she was about to reach out to grab Yu Zhiwan's wheelchair on the doorstep, Pei Yujang, unable to bear it any longer, swung a punch at her!

Liu Huanran's voice was cut off abruptly, her vision flashing as pain shot through her nose—but that was just the first punch.

Pei Yujang swiftly followed up with a second punch and then a third.

Although Pei Yujang was a Beta woman, her punches were shockingly fast, far beyond what someone like Liu Huanran, who merely held the title of Alpha, could handle.

With the first punch, Liu Huanran felt as if her nose had been shattered, a sharp pain radiating from her nasal cartilage, but she had no strength to resist. Blood burst from her nose, and she staggered back a few steps in the rain, before Pei Yujang, her long leg lifted, kicked her to the ground.

Liu Huanran landed on her back, her entire body feeling like it had been beaten into pieces, her bones turning to jelly, tears mixing with the rain.

She had been just an ordinary office worker before, only ever arguing with people, never fighting. The original owner of her body knew some fancy moves, but against Pei Yujang, it was like showing off inferior skills to an expert. She didn't even have the chance to resist before being completely subdued.

The tight-fitting leather boots on Pei Yujang's long legs emphasized her tall, straight figure. Rainwater trickled down the boots, the smell of leather mingling with rain and blood, assaulting Liu Huanran's senses.

Blood-tinged phlegm surged into her throat, making Liu Huanran cough uncontrollably, her eyes red, her usual persona utterly shattered as Pei Yujang pressed her down in the pouring rain.

Both of them were soaked, but Pei Yujang was faring much better. Liu Huanran tried to move, but the pain in her muscles was so intense it made her gasp, and the fishy taste of water only worsened her coughs.

"Cough, cough!"

Liu Huanran clearly didn't want to lose face in front of the Omega she fancied, but no matter how hard she tried to suppress it, the sound of her coughing, like a broken bellows, continued.

Her hair was a mess, and her waterlogged coat clung heavily to her body. With Pei Yujang's leg pinning her down, she had long lost the demeanor expected of a supposed Alpha.

In the original story, Liu Huanran was a charming Alpha, exuding a naturally seductive and scummy aura. After being conquered by the homely Yu Zhiwan, she subjected Yu Zhiwan to countless heartbreaks and physical abuse, including scenes of forced intimacy. The two endured multiple misunderstandings and even a "runaway with the baby" subplot before Liu Huanran eventually reformed and pursued her wife, leading to a happy ending with both a wife and daughter.

This was supposed to be none of Pei Yujang's business. As a minor antagonist in the story, her role was simply to provoke the main character's aggressive love life, serving the plot until her character was written off.

But it seemed that fate had taken a different course the moment she saved Yu Zhiwan, pushing the story into uncharted territory.

Yet, Pei Yujang had always been the type to do what she felt was right without regret, both in the past and now.

The system had been yelling at her to "stop" as soon as she struck the protagonist, but when her first punch landed on Liu Huanran, the system fell silent.

After that, Liu Huanran was utterly beaten down by Pei Yujang, with no chance to fight back. It wasn't just a retreat—it was a one-sided beatdown. Pei Yujang, with her military background, struck with precision and power, quick and ruthless, while controlling her strength just enough. After taking a few punches, Liu Huanran couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to her knees in the rain.

Supporting herself with trembling hands on the ground, Liu Huanran struggled to catch her breath. Pei Yujang paid her little attention, instead calmly addressing the system:

"Sorry, but I couldn't hold back any longer." Her tone was steady. "If this counts as going against the plot, I'm willing to be punished."

Pei Yujang could follow the plot and perform minor, inconsequential acts of bullying. But she couldn't stand by and watch Liu Huanran drag Yu Zhiwan back to the wolf's den right under her nose.

When Liu Huanran first saw Yu Zhiwan with Pei Yujang, Pei Yujang's "cannon fodder value" shot up by 20 points. But when she began to fight, it didn't increase at all. In her earlier fury, Pei Yujang hadn't noticed, but now that she was calm, she asked:

"Hey, 711, why didn't my cannon fodder value go up?"

If 711 had a physical form, it would have awkwardly scratched its nose.

It was just an inexperienced little system. A more powerful system would have punished or forcibly corrected the plot long ago. But unfortunately, unless Pei Yujang did something drastically self-destructive, 711 had no way to punish her.

Despite being a bit slow in some areas, General Pei wasn't foolish. 711 strongly suspected that Pei Yujang had already figured out that it couldn't punish her, hence her audacity, though it had no proof.

As for the cannon fodder value—

711 cursed inwardly.

It knew Pei Yujang was strong, but it hadn't expected the protagonist to be so weak—so weak that she couldn't even fight back against a minor antagonist. And what is a minor antagonist, after all, but a small obstacle in the protagonist's path? Pei Yujang was acting like a full-blown villain!

Of course, this was something it couldn't possibly admit to Pei Yujang.

Wisely, 711 chose to play dead.

"Keep your mouth and hands off the Omega. If I catch you messing around again, I won't hold back next time," Pei Yujang warned, giving Liu Huanran a not-too-gentle kick. "Got it?"

Liu Huanran, not the sharpest tool in the shed but knowing when to back down, nodded reluctantly, hiding the intense hatred in her eyes.

Satisfied, Pei Yujang turned to leave, nearly bumping into Yu Zhiwan's wheelchair.

She had been so focused on dealing with Liu Huanran that she hadn't noticed Yu Zhiwan had moved behind her. The disabled Omega sat upright in her wheelchair, struggling to hold up an umbrella to shield Pei Yujang from the rain.

But given their height difference, with Yu Zhiwan sitting down and her legs impaired, she ended up in a precarious, tilted position, her lips pressed together stubbornly.

Worried that she might fall out of the wheelchair, Pei Yujang quickly dismissed Liu Huanran from her mind, righting Yu Zhiwan and taking the umbrella from her. As she grasped the black umbrella handle, Pei Yujang's hand inadvertently brushed against the Omega's smooth, cool skin, still damp from the rain, and the water clung to their contact point.

The rain outside was too heavy, and it was clear Yu Zhiwan had nowhere else to go, so Pei Yujang had no choice but to bring her inside.

As soon as they entered, Pei Yujang hurriedly fetched a towel for Yu Zhiwan, mindful of the Omega's delicate health, knowing a cold would be serious. As she handed the towel over, Yu Zhiwan reached out as if to close the door behind her.

Despite having run through the storm after leaving the car, Yu Zhiwan was still soaked through, yet her clear, ethereal beauty was only enhanced by the misty atmosphere. She resembled a delicate flower shrouded in mist, her crimson lips damp and glistening like they had been glossed over with glass, tempting anyone to taste.

Suddenly, Yu Zhiwan's almond eyes sparkled with amusement as her lips parted in a coy smile, revealing a hint of pearly teeth, elegant and aloof.

Though her movements were limited, the slender legs draped over the wheelchair didn't detract from her allure. Instead, she seemed fragile, like delicate glass, her captivating, foxy gaze and slightly curved lips teasing, inviting yet evasive.

As she closed the door, Yu Zhiwan mouthed a message to Liu Huanran, easily readable as:

"Goodbye, dear."

That last term, which Liu Huanran had so longed to hear, was now tinged with bitter sarcasm.

The rain poured down, forcing Liu Huanran to squint. Every time she moved a muscle that Pei Yujang had struck, a sharp pain coursed through her, rendering her unable to stand.

But after a few seconds of stunned silence, the reality began to sink in, and Liu Huanran's shock turned to unbridled fury. She half-crawled forward, her hands scraping against the gravel, drawing blood.

"Damn it," she swore harshly, wiping her face as if the pain didn't register, her voice hoarse as she shouted, "Yu Zhiwan, were you just pretending to be blind to toy with me this whole time?"

She didn't dare knock on Pei Yujang's door, so she vented her anger by throwing rocks at the edge of the flowerbed, each impact punctuated by her crazed repetition of the Omega's name:

"Yu Zhiwan!"

"Get the hell out here, Yu Zhiwan!"

Pei Yujang's house was well-insulated, and with the heavy rain outside, the commotion was barely audible.

Inside, Yu Zhiwan, whom Liu Huanran couldn't stop thinking about, was sitting comfortably in a warm room, cradling a cup of hot water Pei Yujang had prepared, thanking her shyly—a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.

Pei Yujang, now in the kitchen checking on the cola and ginger soup she was boiling, saw steam rising from the pot and quickly turned on the exhaust fan.

She wasn't much of a cook, only knowing how to prepare simple hot meals. Usually, a housekeeper did the cooking. But today, because she wanted to make ginger soup, and since the Omega found it too spicy, Pei Yujang had poured a whole bottle of cola into the pot, making enough for both of them to drink as a late-night snack.

Pei Yujang glanced out the window at the pouring rain. After confirming that Liu Huanran had finally left, she took the ginger soup off the stove to let it cool before heading to her study to send off an email.

She didn't know if the meteorological and flood control departments would take her message seriously, but after calling the hotline earlier and finding out it was closed, she had no choice but to send an email.

If that didn't work, she'd have to go in person to feel at ease.

This novel might be a fictional world, but it surprisingly overlapped almost exactly with Yicheng from 200 years ago. Whether it was what she imagined or not, Pei Yujang couldn't just sit back and do nothing in the face of an impending disaster.

Before she transmigrated, Pei Yujang liked to read various books to imagine life in the past. One of those history books recorded a devastating storm that struck Yicheng many years ago.

Yicheng, a city near the sea, was not directly on the coast but was in the typhoon belt, with even winter storms being a possibility. The residents had grown accustomed to such weather, so at first, they didn't take this particular typhoon seriously.

But due to inadequate measures from the meteorological and flood control departments, when the super typhoon hit, the entire city was caught off guard, suffering heavy losses.

The relentless rain for days on end caused several dikes to collapse, with the most severe breach flooding the nearby residential areas. The flood came at night, and at that time, only two people were on duty at the front line of the dike, and they were asleep in their rooms.

The government was taken by surprise and couldn't provide immediate rescue, leaving most of the relief efforts to the residents themselves.

Worse yet, the leadership of Yicheng, afraid of the disaster being exposed and losing their positions, chose to conceal the extent of the damage, underreporting the situation, which led to inadequate relief supplies and worsening conditions.

Many people lost their homes and loved ones. Eventually, the severity of the situation became too great to cover up, reaching the higher authorities. The enraged federal government dismissed the local officials, but the damage was irreversible, especially the loss of lives, which no amount of punishment could bring back.

While anxiously waiting for a reply, Pei Yujang didn't forget to call Yu Zhiwan out to drink the ginger soup. She tasted it first and found it quite good, not as bad as she had feared.

The sweet, fizzy taste of cola blended well with the warm ginger, balancing out the spiciness and making the drink more palatable.

Yu Zhiwan drank the soup with graceful movements, and even though the spoon was just a cheap one, it seemed as refined as fine china in her hands, complementing her fair skin with an air of elegance.

Pei Yujang finished her bowl of cola ginger soup in a few gulps, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then asked Yu Zhiwan if she wanted to take a bath.

"I have some new clothes that are clean, only washed once."

Pei Yujang's figure was larger than Yu Zhiwan's. She didn't know exactly how tall Yu Zhiwan was, but at over 1.7 meters tall herself, Pei Yujang was quite tall for a woman, and most Omegas didn't reach 1.7 meters.

To avoid any awkwardness, Pei Yujang picked out a soft cotton dress. She had tried it on herself, and it reached her calves, so it definitely wouldn't be too short for Yu Zhiwan.

Pei Yujang hadn't forgotten how poorly Yu Zhiwan thought of her current identity, and she was well aware of the female lead's excellent memory and sense of direction. When she had been "Xiao Yu," she had told Yu Zhiwan that she was moving, roughly where she would live, and what unit she would be in. Yu Zhiwan had come over once and managed to find the place.

Even if she had asked the security guard, it still took an exceptional sense of direction and understanding for a blind person to do that.

"How about you take a bath, and I'll go out to take care of something? Is that okay?"

The female lead's darkening value had risen to 89 tonight—just one more point, and it would cross the dangerous 90 threshold. Pei Yujang didn't dare test her limits.

If Yu Zhiwan was worried that Pei Yujang had ulterior motives, that was easy to solve. After all, she did have something to take care of. Pei Yujang could just leave immediately, even handing Yu Zhiwan the keys to the house.

The outside hadn't been flooded yet, but according to the history book, it wouldn't be long before the area was overwhelmed.

If she was going to leave, she had to go quickly while her car was still operational to avoid a lot of trouble. Most importantly, Yu Zhiwan could only relax and take a bath if Pei Yujang wasn't around, which would prevent her from catching a cold. Otherwise, Pei Yujang would have to stay behind to take care of a sick Omega.

With that in mind, Pei Yujang grabbed her keys:

"Here are my house keys. You can lock the door from the inside. I've tested it—the door is very sturdy. I ordered a custom security door that hasn't arrived yet; it'll probably come after the floodwaters recede since there won't be any deliveries. The property fees are paid, so just don't open the door for anyone."

"You don't need to worry about Liu Huanran. If she shows up, just call the police. I've left some bread on the table for you, and I've washed and cut some fruit. There's the bedroom, the study, and a guest room. The study has a small bed, and the living room has a sofa. The guest room has pillows and blankets. You can sleep wherever you want, even in a different spot every night."

Pei Yujang silently prayed, Please, let her darkening value stabilize and not rise any further.

"Okay, I'm heading out now. Bye!"

Before Yu Zhiwan could respond, Pei Yujang rushed into the kitchen to finish up.

She had indeed planned to stay in this house, so she had prepared some food. The fruit was cut and covered with plastic wrap to keep it fresh, in case she couldn't return the next day.

As for the frozen items, she worried Yu Zhiwan wouldn't be able to handle them, so she prepared a lot of yogurt and bread, placing them on the table. After double-checking everything, she grabbed her car keys and left.

Yu Zhiwan remained silent, sitting in her wheelchair.

Pei Yujang ended up being away for a full day and night.

That history book hadn't exaggerated—the rain was unlike anything Pei Yujang had experienced, even in the post-apocalyptic ruins.

Yicheng's management was also somewhat lax. Though everyone was advised to stay indoors, Pei Yujang drove through the streets, which were empty, without any patrols stopping her.

When she stepped out of her car, the rain pelted down so hard that it stung her face. The wind howled, the season seeming to plummet from early autumn to midwinter in an instant. The dampness seeped into her bones, making even someone of Pei Yujang's physical resilience feel a bit uncomfortable.

Her first stop was the Yicheng Flood Control Office.

The government flag outside the Flood Control Office was already bent over by the wind, almost unrecognizable. Pei Yujang had to go through a lot of red tape before she was allowed in.

The small official who received her was in charge of a couple of subordinates—not even a minor official. When Pei Yujang mentioned the need to reinforce the dike to prevent a flood, he scoffed at her, calling her meddlesome and tried to dismiss her.

But Pei Yujang wasn't one to waste words; she directly called higher-ups, one after another, until the third person finally answered. At first, that person's attitude wasn't great, but under Pei Yujang's stern words, they grudgingly listened and finally instructed the subordinate to inspect the dike themselves.

Seeing how things were handled there, Pei Yujang wasn't about to just go home. She got in her car and drove directly to the dike in the suburbs.

Fortunately, Yicheng wasn't too large, and though the rain was heavy and water was accumulating, Pei Yujang had lived there for many years and knew the roads well. Even though the layout had changed, she could roughly judge the directions and avoid low-lying areas.

She checked the dike from a high vantage point and saw that it hadn't failed yet, but she knew it was better to be safe than sorry. The rain had intensified again, escalating from a heavy downpour to an unimaginable level.

It was almost like a "flood from the heavens."

Drenched to the bone despite wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella, Pei Yujang stubbornly stayed to argue her case, even calling Pei Jinhuai to pull some strings. In the end, she managed to convince the officials to issue a flood warning to the neighboring city and put all firefighters on standby.

Unfortunately, as just an ordinary person now, that was the most she could do.

After all that, Pei Yujang only managed to grab a two-hour nap in her car, but her spirits were still high. If the area hadn't been cordoned off, she would've stayed to help with the flood defense.

The rain hadn't stopped. If she didn't leave soon, her car might get flooded. The car was a gift from her mom for her birthday, high-quality and flashy, but even it couldn't withstand being submerged in water for long, so she drove back.

Midway, Pei Yujang realized that she might be stuck at home for a while and didn't know when Yu Zhiwan's heat cycle would start. She decided to buy some inhibitors and clothes for her.

But when she arrived at the nearest supermarket, it was already closed. After driving around for a while, she finally found one that was open, but only two inhibitors were left.

There were plenty of clothes, so Pei Yujang grabbed enough for Yu Zhiwan to last about two weeks, along with some food.

After all this running around, it was already past seven in the evening when she got home.

Yu Zhiwan hadn't turned on any lights, and the house was pitch dark. From the outside, there was no sign of anyone living there, a stark contrast to the other homes where shadows of people moving around could be seen.

But as soon as the doorbell rang, the soft voice of the Omega reached her ears:

"Who is it?"

"It's me!"

Pei Yujang, shivering and drenched to the bone, rushed inside as soon as Yu Zhiwan opened the door, only feeling alive again when the warmth of the heating system enveloped her. Beta's physique wasn't as resilient as an Alpha's—if she were still an Alpha, she'd probably handle it better.

Without time to talk to Yu Zhiwan, Pei Yujang quickly closed the door, tidied herself up, and headed to the bathroom. After washing away the cold and grime, she emerged, towel in hand, to find that the master bedroom hadn't been used—Yu Zhiwan must have slept in the guest room.

Feeling refreshed and full of energy after her shower, Pei Yujang wandered into the kitchen, drawn by the rich aroma of food.

After so much running around, even someone made of iron would have a hard time holding up. Pei Yujang had been running on adrenaline, but now that she was home, her stomach finally began to growl.

The air was filled with the smell of milk, and as Pei Yujang entered the kitchen, she saw that Yu Zhiwan was making creamy pasta. The pasta was semi-prepared and needed further cooking. The Omega's slender fingers were carefully handling a tomato, trying to break it apart with gloves on to avoid cutting herself.

While Pei Yujang wasn't much of a cook, there was no reason for a blind person to cook for her, so she hurriedly stepped forward to help, but Yu Zhiwan stopped her.

"It's almost done. I'm just adding a tomato for flavor. Why don't you set the table?"

Yu Zhiwan's voice was calm and gentle, with a reassuring tone. Pei Yujang had planned to grab a quick bite, but having hot soup and a warm meal was much better for her stomach.

Pei Yujang set the table and then helped Yu Zhiwan serve the prepared food. Yu Zhiwan had made a bowl of milk for each of them to go with the creamy pasta.

When Pei Yujang entered the kitchen, she noticed there was no garbage, so this must have been Yu Zhiwan's first time cooking in her house. She had probably familiarized herself with the kitchen beforehand.

Yu Zhiwan's cooking skills weren't particularly refined, and it was clear she didn't cook often, given how awkward she looked peeling the tomato. But Pei Yujang still found the meal delicious.

No matter what, it felt good to be cared for. The sweetness on her lips seemed to spread into a warm feeling. Pei Yujang thanked Yu Zhiwan, and her fondness for the female lead grew even more.

"By the way, where are you planning to stay after this?"

After eating her fill, Pei Yujang felt it was time to address the issue of living arrangements.

She didn't mind if the female lead stayed at her place for a few days, but as an antagonist in this story, staying too close to the female lead might lead to her untimely demise.

Pei Yujang didn't want to end up dead because of her kindness, especially since the female lead's darkening value fluctuated so unpredictably.

Pei Yujang thought her question was well-timed, assuming the female lead also wouldn't want to stay with her for long. But as soon as the words left her mouth, Yu Zhiwan's expression subtly changed.

The Omega bit her lip, looking hesitant as if unsure how to respond. After a moment's hesitation, she met Pei Yujang's gaze and apologized.

"It's late today. I'll leave tomorrow."

Yu Zhiwan's lowered lashes trembled slightly, and even someone clueless about reading emotions like Pei Yujang could see that she had misunderstood. She quickly clarified:

"No, I didn't mean to make you leave…"

As soon as the words were out, Pei Yujang mentally kicked herself.

That wasn't what she meant at all, so why did it come out wrong?

Fortunately, Yu Zhiwan's darkening value didn't rise because of this. Pei Yujang didn't dare bring up the topic of finding another place to stay again and instead carefully asked:

"So, have you and Liu Huanran broken up?"

She wasn't sure how to describe Liu Huanran and Yu Zhiwan's relationship, so she used the term "broken up," though she wasn't sure it was accurate.

From what she knew, they hadn't officially dated. As for Liu Huanran claiming to have already marked Yu Zhiwan, that was likely just a ploy to disgust Yu Zhiwan and interfere with her.

In the eyes of some Alphas, an Omega marked by someone else was "unclean." If Pei Yujang were the type of Alpha Liu Huanran imagined, with ulterior motives toward Yu Zhiwan, she might hesitate or even back off.

But Pei Yujang was no longer an Alpha and had no improper thoughts toward Yu Zhiwan. Even if she were still an Alpha, she wouldn't treat an Omega as if they were a mere object.

The atmosphere grew tense with silence.

Yu Zhiwan seemed to be organizing her thoughts, and Pei Yujang waited patiently. After a few minutes, Yu Zhiwan finally spoke.

"I didn't expect her to be like this…"

Liu Huanran had indeed been honest at first.

Honest in every way—she had a decent job, nothing to brag about, but stable and reliable.

She was a woman, and when she spoke, it was clear and orderly, her temper initially seeming mild. Most importantly, she had no significant background, making her easy to control. That's why Yu Zhiwan chose her as her partner.

The people who had been harassing her were unbearable. Since she had escaped from them, they had been like ghosts, haunting her until they saw her living a normal life.

Choosing someone easy to control as a spouse was a last resort. Yu Zhiwan had no intention of using marriage to bind herself, so she opted for this contractual arrangement. At least on the surface, she appeared to be an Omega about to get married, which would make those persistent people back off.

Liu Huanran's initial behavior was quite good, caring but not overly so, treating Yu Zhiwan like an ordinary friend without any overstepping.

But gradually, as Liu Huanran's ambitions grew, their relationship began to change.

Sensing that Yu Zhiwan might not be as ordinary as she appeared, Liu Huanran started testing her in various ways, thinking she wouldn't notice. Liu Huanran underestimated Yu Zhiwan, assuming that since she was blind, she must be naive as well.

Several times, when Liu Huanran's tests were subtly blocked by Yu Zhiwan, Liu Huanran became even more intrigued, viewing her as some rare treasure and dreaming of securing her for herself.

Yu Zhiwan grew increasingly irritated by Liu Huanran's fantasies. While they pretended to be in a relationship publicly, Yu Zhiwan was never particularly affectionate, while Liu Huanran became more and more brazen, eager to tell everyone about their relationship to show off her beautiful girlfriend.

At the same time, Yu Zhiwan knew that Liu Huanran wasn't exactly clean on the outside, but that wasn't her concern. As long as it didn't affect her too much, she turned a blind eye.

But as Liu Huanran's ambition grew, there were times when Yu Zhiwan could sense that she wanted to make a move on her, only to restrain herself at the last moment.

When Yu Zhiwan mentioned moving out a few days ago, it wasn't out of the blue—there had been signs. But Liu Huanran hadn't picked up on them, thinking her earlier talk of separation was just an idle threat.

Liu Huanran couldn't understand the nature of their contract, convinced that Yu Zhiwan wanted to turn their arrangement into a real relationship. Full of confidence, she tried to negotiate with Yu Zhiwan, but when she couldn't stop her from moving out, she lost control and attempted to mark her by force.

Yu Zhiwan had always taken preventive measures, using inhibitors to suppress her heat cycle in advance, allowing her to get through each one safely. But after living under the same roof for so long, even in separate rooms, it was hard not to pick up on subtle changes.

This time, with her heat cycle approaching, Liu Huanran tried to take advantage by entering her room and hiding her inhibitors.

But Yu Zhiwan was not someone who would let herself be taken advantage of, much less be forced into something against her will.

Her room key was exclusively hers, with an extra lock installed. Liu Huanran's plan to mark her was nothing but a pipe dream.

When she was caught, Liu Huanran tried to brush it off as a joke, even apologizing, hoping to gain sympathy.

Yu Zhiwan still remembered how Liu Huanran had cried until her voice was hoarse, claiming she just wanted her to understand her importance and didn't really want her to leave.

Liu Huanran had clung tightly to her arm, and it wasn't until Yu Zhiwan's face turned cold after several failed attempts to break free that she reluctantly let go.

Liu Huanran's repeated provocations had pushed Yu Zhiwan to her limit. She was no longer willing to compromise, so she packed her things and prepared to leave, taking only what was necessary, without even bringing a suitcase.

Her fair skin, marked with red welts she had inflicted on herself, added a hint of mystery and ambiguity, leaving room for speculation about the kind of abuse an Omega might have suffered.

Of course, she wouldn't tell Pei Yujang all this. Instead, she played the role of the pitiful victim, saying:

"She's gone too far, constantly taking advantage of me. I can't take it anymore. And if I report it, they'll dismiss it as a domestic dispute. We're living together, so they'll just think we're a quarrelsome couple. She's smart enough to know how to stay within the lines."

Pei Yujang felt like letting out a long sigh.

Yu Zhiwan was beautiful and an Omega. If she wanted to find a partner or start a family, she would be highly sought after in the dating market.

Pei Yujang said, "There are many Alphas with good jobs, capable, well-educated…"

"But I've come to realize that many Alphas are two-faced, saying one thing and doing another, driven by their desires—big bad wolves." Yu Zhiwan abruptly interrupted her, her tone firm. "I'd rather be alone than entrust my future to someone else."

Having once been an Alpha herself, Pei Yujang understood this all too well. She considered herself more knowledgeable about Alphas than Yu Zhiwan. Not all Alphas were bad, but many were indeed more aggressive. Yu Zhiwan was still young and had no need to rush into marriage.

Although she knew Yu Zhiwan couldn't see it, Pei Yujang still gave her an encouraging look, saying with admiration:

"Exactly. You should focus on your career first. Someone like Liu Huanran, who just uses their physical strength to bully others, isn't worthy of you."

As soon as she finished speaking, the system bombarded her with warnings in her mind.

But Pei Yujang didn't think she had said anything wrong or violated any rules.

As the designated antagonist, wasn't it normal for her to badmouth the protagonist in front of the love interest?

If a few words from her were enough to make the female lead give up on the male lead, then their love wasn't as deep as the novel made it out to be.

The more Pei Yujang interacted with Yu Zhiwan, the more she questioned whether the female lead could truly have a happy ending with someone like Liu Huanran.

Yu Zhiwan wasn't a mindless Omega who only wanted to marry and have children.

She was kind and gentle, but she had her limits.

The system, realizing that Pei Yujang wasn't going to listen, eventually gave up and shut down, choosing to rest rather than continue futilely arguing.

With that settled, Pei Yujang, too, began to feel tired after Yu Zhiwan mentioned wanting to take a bath before bed.

She had spent the night racing through the storm, arguing with officials and making countless phone calls until her throat was dry. She had only managed to sleep for two hours in her car.

Pei Yujang didn't plan to just wait out the storm at home. Yicheng's officials were infuriatingly inefficient, so she had already contacted Yuetong's PR department, putting them on standby.

According to her memory, the flood described in the history book had come suddenly. If the Flood Control Office still failed to take action, she would use Yuetong's name to sponsor the office and promote flood awareness online. That way, it would look like corporate PR, and she wouldn't be arrested for "spreading rumors."

Pei Yujang had everything planned out, but as she lay in bed, she couldn't sleep, tossing and turning.

It felt as if she could smell a delicate fragrance of roses and raspberries.

That was Yu Zhiwan's pheromone scent.

Betas were less sensitive to pheromones, but they weren't completely immune. Generally, they could only smell it when pheromones were released in large quantities. But Pei Yujang had noticed that she seemed different from other Betas—she could detect pheromones, but they didn't have the same overwhelming effect on her.

The Omega's scent subtly teased her nerves, like an invisible hand gently stroking her senses. If she were an Alpha, she would have been blushing by now.

Pei Yujang could smell it, and she objectively noted that it was quite pleasant.

After all, an Omega's scent was naturally alluring. Even a top perfumer might not be able to replicate the fragrance of a high-grade Omega.

Pei Yujang took a deep breath, letting the Omega's lingering scent fill her lungs until her nose was saturated with the intoxicating fragrance.

She had always liked the smell of roses because, back when she was still an Alpha, her pheromones had carried the scent of fiery roses. When fully unleashed, it was like a burning rose bush, with petals and leaves crackling in the flames—her pheromones were aggressive and were usually only released on the battlefield.

When she unleashed her full pheromonal power, enemy Alphas on the front lines would suffer, as few Alphas could match her SSS-level pheromones. Even the zombie beasts would lose their way in the overwhelming scent of roses.

Her pheromones were nothing like Yu Zhiwan's, which were tinged with a sweet raspberry note, much like the popular desserts of this era, blending floral and fruity notes for a refreshing fragrance.

Pei Yujang was lost in the Omega's beautiful scent when suddenly the bathroom door opened, and a mist of warm steam wafted out.

Yu Zhiwan's clear voice called out from the bathroom, muffled by the steam:

"I forgot to bring a towel. Can you help me by placing it at the door, Xiao Yu?"

Since Pei Yujang's identity had been exposed, Yu Zhiwan had started calling her "Xiao Yu" instead of "Little Fish," without the disgust or aversion Pei Yujang had anticipated.

Pei Yujang responded with an "Ah," momentarily startled before saying, "Sure."

Yu Zhiwan used her wheelchair in the shower—it was multifunctional and waterproof, allowing her to enter the bathroom. But after showering, she needed to dry the wheels with a towel to avoid wetting the floor outside.

Pei Yujang quickly fetched the towel.

When she knocked on the bathroom door again, Yu Zhiwan had already dressed.

The clothes Pei Yujang had bought were based on her best guess of Yu Zhiwan's size, and she had thoughtfully included underwear. The clothes were all loose-fitting, soft cotton, and a bit oversized for Yu Zhiwan's petite frame.

Yu Zhiwan's exposed skin was pale, with a delicate dip in her collarbone—not the deep kind that could "hold water," but just noticeable. Her long hair hung wet and disheveled down her back, her cheeks flushed deeply.

It wasn't just her cheeks—from her face down to her neck, a rosy blush spread across her snow-white skin. Her lips were a deep, water-kissed red, bearing faint teeth marks as if she had bitten them, inviting someone to deepen those marks.

Although she was fully dressed, there was an undeniable allure about her—a pure yet seductive aura that radiated naturally, not from any deliberate styling or pretense.

Pei Yujang wasn't unfamiliar with biology, and combined with the intensity of Yu Zhiwan's scent, she quickly realized:

"Are you…?"

"Xiao Yu, I want to sleep with you tonight. Is that okay?"

Yu Zhiwan spoke first, nearly making Pei Yujang choke on her own breath.

Her ears grew warm with embarrassment. She knew Yu Zhiwan's request was innocent, likely just wanting to share a bed as close friends, much like how she used to talk late into the night with her female Alpha comrades in the military tents.

But Pei Yujang wasn't an Alpha anymore, and even though she was now a Beta, she felt it was inappropriate to share a bed with an Omega, especially one like Yu Zhiwan.

Even though Betas couldn't mark Omegas, it still didn't seem right…

"Do you hate me?"

Yu Zhiwan asked before Pei Yujang could refuse, her voice tinged with hurt.

Pei Yujang's nerves went on high alert: "No, of course not… How could I?"

"Then, are you really straight?"

Pei Yujang nodded.

"Well, if you're straight and I'm an Omega who's only interested in Alphas, and you're not an Alpha… My heat cycle is coming—" Yu Zhiwan's voice slowed, her fingers twisting the soft cotton fabric of her loose-fitting nightdress into messy folds, her tone filled with sorrow. "You can't even stay with me, holding me to sleep for just one night—what kind of friend are you?"

She pushed the bathroom door wide open, closing her eyes as she stretched out her slender fingers in front of her:

"Pei Yujang, are you coming?"