21

Pei Yujang's head buzzed silently, and her entire face felt like it was burning from her cheeks to her ears, as if she had fallen into boiling oil. Her mind was left with just one thought—

Embarrassment.

It was just too embarrassing.

In just a few seconds, Pei Yujang experienced what novels describe as "toes curling in the ground," and if it weren't for a bit of remaining sanity, she would have bolted away from the female lead.

Thankfully, Yu Zhiwan couldn't see her expression; otherwise, Pei Yujang was sure she would have nowhere to hide under those clear eyes.

Before Yu Zhiwan could speak, Pei Yujang's mind raced to find a suitable excuse to defuse the situation. She kept an eye on Yu Zhiwan's darkening value, and after confirming it hadn't risen unexpectedly, she cautiously asked:

"Is my wish shattered?"

Yu Zhiwan was puzzled.

As she spoke, Pei Yujang had already withdrawn her hand from Yu Zhiwan's, avoiding the Omega's playful teasing of her palm. The soft, ticklish sensation was making her heart race. Pei Yujang took a breath:

"I've always wanted to be friends with you… But you dislike me so much, I didn't know how to approach you…"

So, she had to make up an identity to trick her. Pei Yujang thought to herself, considering how she might be the unluckiest and most humble superior in the world, having to explain her intentions to a subordinate like this.

All because of that damned mission.

Seeing that Yu Zhiwan's darkening value seemed to be on the rise, Pei Yujang feared she might overstep and make things irreparable. Steeling herself, she decided to reveal everything. She was never good at lying anyway, so telling the truth might ease her nerves in front of the Omega:

"Miss Yu, I really am a Beta. The pheromones I used to have were bought from the black market a long time ago. I've already quit using them. If you don't believe me, you can smell it—I have no pheromone scent."

Pei Yujang now uses perfume when she goes out, and there's a big difference between perfume and pheromones. The most obvious difference is that everyone can smell perfume, and it doesn't cause sexual attraction.

"And besides, I'm straight. As straight as they come, so you don't have to worry."

This last statement came out with a bit less confidence.

The truth was, she didn't really know if she was straight. After all, she had never been a Beta and had never been in a relationship. Even when she was an Alpha, she never properly held an Omega's hand, and romance or marriage was never part of her life plan.

When Yu Zhiwan held her hand and traced circles on her palm, she felt a ticklish sensation, but that was a normal reaction, right? It didn't necessarily mean she was interested in Yu Zhiwan, did it?

Pei Yujang felt a little guilty, and then she heard Yu Zhiwan respond with a drawn-out "Oh," in a tone that was hard to read.

The original owner of this body didn't have a good reputation, especially in Yu Zhiwan's eyes. If Yu Zhiwan didn't believe her, she might think Pei Yujang had ulterior motives, leading to misunderstandings. If the female lead thought Pei Yujang was deliberately getting close to her for unspeakable reasons, wouldn't that make her darken even more?

Thinking about the original plot's ending, Pei Yujang was anxious, but then she suddenly heard Yu Zhiwan laugh softly and ask:

"Really?"

The system kept reminding her in her mind to not let her character collapse too much. Afraid of causing problems, Pei Yujang could only hum lightly in response, refusing to answer Yu Zhiwan's next question, and pretended to be embarrassed after being exposed, turning to leave in a huff.

After estimating that she had walked out of Yu Zhiwan's sensing range, Pei Yujang's ears were still a bit warm. She started running quickly in the chilly wind, running three laps around the neighborhood before calming down and heading back to her place.

**

Yu Zhiwan wrapped herself in the coat that Pei Yujang had thrown over her before leaving. It still carried a fresh white tea scent, subtly lingering in the fabric. Her phone vibrated, showing a voice message from Zhao Manlin, who had been angrily ranting about Liu Huanran just minutes ago.

"Isn't your heat coming soon? Stock up on inhibitors, or you can stay at my place. I don't trust Liu Huanran. That Alpha is really unreliable. Don't put too much trust in an Alpha's self-control; your pheromone levels are high, and you're attractive to most Alphas."

Attractive?

The rose pheromones mixed with the white tea scent, though they couldn't blend, the two pleasant and non-conflicting scents mingled intoxicatingly. Yu Zhiwan took a deep breath of the refreshing fragrance, feeling the chilly wind on her side, and wrapped the coat tighter around herself.

She unlocked her phone and replied to Zhao Manlin:

"I found a new apartment today; I'll be moving out soon, so don't worry."

Zhao Manlin was someone she had known for a long time. Although she was an Omega, Zhao Manlin was bold and straightforward in her actions and speech.

She really didn't like the cunning Liu Huanran. Ever since Yu Zhiwan suggested "being together" with Liu Huanran, Zhao Manlin's opinion of her had worsened, fearing that the Alpha's wolfish nature would be triggered one day.

But if it wasn't absolutely necessary, Yu Zhiwan, as an Omega, would of course prefer not to live under the same roof with an Alpha. Zhao Manlin's words were blunt, and her temper was quick, but she was right about one thing.

The bond between an Alpha and an Omega often defies reason. During their susceptible and heat periods, they can easily be drawn to each other, with mutual attraction often sparked by compatible pheromones.

Yu Zhiwan had initially signed an agreement with Liu Huanran because she seemed easy to control and was fairly obedient. However, Liu Huanran was becoming increasingly restless, gradually pushing her limits, and wanted to develop a relationship beyond that of employer and employee.

Yu Zhiwan hated people who didn't know their boundaries. The more purposefully Liu Huanran approached her, the more she was disgusted. But now, she had found a better solution. Before she lost patience and decided to confront Liu Huanran, Yu Zhiwan quickly made her decision.

"I'm going to stay with my friend."

Zhao Manlin fell silent on the other end of the line. Yu Zhiwan knew she was worried about her but also feared that continued discussion would be annoying, making her seem overly controlling.

Yu Zhiwan didn't mind this kind of concern, but thinking about Pei Yujang's recent behavior, she felt her heart soften slightly.

There had been others who expressed admiration or affection for her, but this was the first time Yu Zhiwan encountered someone who conveyed it so clumsily and cautiously, hiding her intentions, wanting to reach out but keeping a polite distance.

Yu Zhiwan curled her fingers and accidentally tapped the armrest of her wheelchair with a dull thud, saying seriously:

"She's not an Alpha, and she's kind of silly, so don't worry."