41

The live stream chat suddenly took a daring turn:

[Can the streamer apply the lipstick using your lips?]

[I won't believe this lipstick is good unless you two kiss to prove it.]

[My partner said if you two kiss, they'll buy a pair for us on Valentine's Day.]

[I suspect the previous comment was just an excuse to openly flirt.]

The comments scrolled by rapidly, too fast for Pei Yujang to read them all, but she caught the general idea.

In the past, Pei Yujang might have thought these online fans had peculiar interests. They didn't even know her, yet they were asking for her and Yu Zhiwan to kiss through the screen.

But ever since Christmas Eve, when she encountered similar behavior, she started to realize that people these days just enjoyed watching others in loving interactions.

Looking at Yu Zhiwan's fair face, Pei Yujang noticed that her makeup was almost complete, except for the pale color of her lips. The contrast with her makeup sparked an urge to fill in that color.

She remembered the soft, indescribable feeling of those lips when they had accidentally touched.

The scent of the Omega seemed permanently etched in her mind, something she would revisit often—sometimes in her dreams, sometimes as a sudden memory that easily filled her heart with warmth.

That cool rose fragrance, combined with the sweet scent of raspberries, lingered on her lips, so intoxicating that it made her head spin. Even now, not being so close to Yu Zhiwan, Pei Yujang felt as though the lingering scent of her pheromones was still in her mouth.

She hadn't expected that, even though she was no longer an Alpha, she could still smell pheromones. But such pheromones no longer affected her in any disturbing way—they were like a favorite perfume.

Yu Zhiwan's pheromones were more captivating than her favorite perfume.

Realizing this, Pei Yujang's hand trembled slightly.

The live stream chat was still urging her on, and realizing she had been lost in thought for a bit too long, Pei Yujang took a deep breath and began carefully applying lipstick to Yu Zhiwan's lips.

By now, her hand was steady enough not to mess up the application, though she still struggled with balancing the pressure. The lipstick was a richly pigmented brick red, perfectly complementing the overall makeup look. Although Yu Zhiwan rarely wore such bold colors, it didn't look out of place on her.

While outlining the cupid's bow, Pei Yujang accidentally colored a bit outside the lines. She instinctively used her finger to smudge it, and as her fingertip brushed against the Omega's soft lips, it felt as though a gentle current of electricity ran through her palm.

Yu Zhiwan, however, seemed unfazed by this small touch, her hands resting calmly on her lap. When Pei Yujang finally finished the makeup, Yu Zhiwan, sensing her relief, asked:

"Is it done? What do the viewers think?"

The viewers were going wild.

[Are they really not dating?]

[I get it now—Zhiwan doesn't say much, but every word she says hits the mark. This is what they mean by 'every word is precious.']

[Wait, caviar, fish roe, Zhiwan, fish roe ball—Zhiwan never mentioned her real name before, and Yue Rong's beauty model never introduced herself by name either. Plus, Zhiwan said she wasn't familiar with the other streamers before… Are you playing some kind of game? Am I part of your game too? (Dog head emoji)]

[This is getting a bit creepy. Isn't caviar technically Zhiwan's boss? My boss wouldn't gently help me put on makeup, that's for sure.]

[My boss doesn't push me to work overtime, and that's already a win. She definitely wouldn't invite me over to her place to stream.]

[Just woke up from a nap. Who's streaming at whose place? Isn't this at the company?]

[You're probably still half asleep. What company looks like this? It's clearly at someone's home.]

Pei Yujang hadn't gone out of her way to hide the fact that they were streaming from home. The viewers found the makeup process rather uninteresting, focusing instead on all sorts of odd details.

Eventually, they concluded that the two of them were indeed at home. Even though it wasn't clear whose home, spending the holidays together and streaming was pretty much the same as being in a relationship.

Excited viewers continued making jokes in the chat, while Pei Yujang, who initially intended to use the stream to boost sales, realized the conversation had completely derailed into shipping the two of them, with some viewers even debating who was the dominant one.

[Isn't it obvious? Zhiwan is clearly an Omega. I remember her saying she's an Omega before.]

[Who says an Omega can't be the dominant one! Who says a gentle, pretty older sister can't be dominant! I'm voting for Omega dominance today!]

Pei Yujang: "…"

She scrolled through the chat but couldn't find anything appropriate to read aloud. Most of the comments were either ridiculous or too explicit to repeat. Even someone like her, who wasn't very active online, could see that. Reading any of them out loud might get her stream banned.

Pei Yujang now wondered if the platform moderators were watching her stream, ready to shut it down at any moment if things got too out of hand. She didn't want to be the first beauty streamer to get banned on her debut for inappropriate content. That would be beyond embarrassing, and she'd never be able to face her colleagues at the company.

"If no one has anything else to say, I'm going to end the stream now. I'll log off in ten seconds, okay?"

Panicking, Pei Yujang completely forgot about promoting products. The weird comments had her feeling overwhelmed.

The chat returned to normal for a few seconds before the viewers started joking that she was getting shy.

Unable to take it anymore, Pei Yujang abruptly ended the stream.

However, since it was her first time streaming on this platform, she wasn't familiar with all its features. She didn't realize the platform automatically saved a replay of the stream. If she wanted to delete it, she had to do so immediately, and if she waited more than 24 hours, it couldn't be deleted. At that moment, Pei Yujang was too focused on quickly ending the stream to think about it, and by the time she realized her mistake, it was already too late.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, her stream ended up being a successful marketing move. While the viewers didn't think Pei Yujang's makeup skills were particularly impressive, they were interested in the foundation she used. Its smooth application and even coverage, without needing to mix with other products, made it a lifesaver for those with dull complexions.

Moreover, the base makeup held up well, blending seamlessly without needing multiple layers.

The eyeshadow palette was a new release from Yue Rong, and not many people had purchased it yet. After watching the stream, some beauty bloggers immediately placed orders for the palette, eager to see what kind of look they could create. To their surprise, it turned out to be a hidden gem, far more versatile than they had expected, proving that makeup products perform differently in different hands.

Although Yu Zhiwan's makeup skills were decent, she was still blind and had never seen this particular eyeshadow palette before. She had to rely on Pei Yujang's descriptions to apply the eyeshadow, resulting in a standard, if not outstanding, look. However, even with such casual application, her face was undeniably camera-ready. Yu Zhiwan's small face, long but proportionate neck, and perfectly balanced features made her virtually flawless.

Unfortunately, Yu Zhiwan didn't have a personal social media account. After Pei Yujang's stream, her public account gained many new followers, and a significant portion of the new comments requested more content featuring Yu Zhiwan.

Pei Yujang asked Yu Zhiwan if she wanted to open a personal public account. Although managing it would be a bit complicated, Pei Yujang was happy to see the positive response from the viewers. However, Yu Zhiwan declined.

"I'm not that into socializing."

Yu Zhiwan's response was decisive, showing no signs of politeness, so Pei Yujang nodded and didn't bring it up again.

On Wednesday, Yu Zhiwan had an appointment for a rehabilitation treatment. After dropping her off at the hospital, Pei Yujang learned that the treatment might require a few days of hospitalization in a specialized recovery room with professional care.

The public hospital had excellent security, top-notch medical facilities, and attentive staff, so Pei Yujang felt reassured and didn't stay long. After bidding Yu Zhiwan farewell, she decided to take advantage of the free time to visit the orphanage and the nearby water plant.

Generally, children's welfare homes are separate from elderly care facilities and institutions for people with disabilities. However, this one was an unusual combination. Upon entering, Pei Yujang saw children playing around the playground equipment, alongside elderly residents being wheeled around the garden by caretakers, as well as disabled individuals.

She had heard that this welfare institution used to be three separate facilities located not too far from each other. But over the years, as funds dwindled and social assistance became insufficient to maintain their previous level of services—barely enough to meet basic needs—they had no choice but to merge into one.

The greenery around the facility was decent, but the equipment showed signs of aging, with no signs of recent repairs. Half of a broken swing, made from car tires, lay abandoned on the ground, overgrown with weeds and repurposed by the children for their pretend play.

The reality of orphanages is often different from what people imagine, with conditions varying widely depending on the director and staff. In some places, caretakers might neglect or even abuse the children, but here, at least in the areas Pei Yujang visited, she didn't see any such signs.

Many children who grow up in orphanages face unique challenges.

Without sufficient companionship and care from teachers and caretakers—who often have to manage large groups of children on their own—these children can become shy and withdrawn. Take, for example, the mischievous little boy she had encountered previously. While he was a bit unruly, he likely acted out just to get her attention.

Indeed, there are children like that in the world. During her time in the apocalypse, Pei Yujang had rescued a few children, but she always handed them over to professional caregivers, as she lacked the patience and time to raise them herself.

As she ventured deeper into the facility, the surroundings became increasingly disordered, with overgrown grass and weeds creeping over the dilapidated fences.

Pei Yujang spotted a blind elderly man sitting by an old flowerbed. She recalled seeing his name on one of the weathered signs at the entrance—a veteran who had lost his sight in the war, now living out his days in this combined facility.

Seizing the opportunity, Pei Yujang approached and greeted him softly. The old man didn't hear her at first, but just as he was about to respond, he was overtaken by a violent coughing fit.

Pei Yujang considered helping him by patting his back, but, mindful of her unfamiliarity with the place, she opted to stand by and wait.

After the coughing subsided, she stepped closer to him.

"How long has the water plant been operational?" the old man squinted, unable to see her, but discerning from her voice that she was a young woman. He asked, puzzled, "Are you looking for a job there?"

Pei Yujang had initially planned to use a different excuse, but looking for a job seemed like a good cover. She chuckled softly:

"Yes, Grandpa. I just arrived in the city, but my college major wasn't very practical, making it hard to find a job. I heard the Fuxin Water Plant offers room and board, with reasonable shifts and a manageable workload…"

"You're a young girl, why would you want to work at a water plant? Fuxin's been going downhill for years—dirty and smelly. It used to produce bottled water, but after they changed ownership, it became a sewage treatment plant. It's filthy."

The old man shook his head emphatically:

"Fuxin has been around for over twenty years, but they changed management a few years ago. Many workers were forced out, losing their jobs. Xiangcheng is a city of haves and have-nots, but you, a young girl, shouldn't work there. It's not safe. The people in that plant are all kinds of shady characters."

After a moment of thought, he roughly indicated a direction to her:

"Head east when you leave, exit through the small gate at the west entrance, and walk a hundred meters. You'll see the plant—it's old and rundown, far from the city center. If they promise high wages, don't believe it. It's all a scam. Nowadays, those scams are hard to crack down on…"

The old man, perhaps having gone without conversation for a long time, continued to chat with Pei Yujang, lamenting how his children had moved away to other cities for work, unable to afford living in Xiangcheng. With no one to take care of him, he ended up in this declining facility, where the environment deteriorated year by year.

Pei Yujang responded politely, though her thoughts wandered elsewhere. Eventually, the old man noticed her lack of interest and fell silent. Feeling a bit guilty, Pei Yujang offered to push him to the dining hall.

She had arrived just in time for lunch. The elderly and children ate separately, with the elderly having their meal at 11 a.m. since they couldn't tolerate hunger. After escorting the old man to the dining hall, Pei Yujang followed his directions to the water plant.

A fence separated the water plant from the welfare institution—an old chain-link fence covered in weeds and vines, with patches of it rusted and broken. The fence stood three meters high, but without an electric current running through it, it posed little challenge for Pei Yujang. She climbed up to the top, giving her a clear view of the plant beyond.

As the old man had said, the plant had indeed become a sewage treatment facility.

Pei Yujang had never visited a water plant before, but she doubted it should look like this—filthy and rundown. The stench alone, noticeable even from this distance, would deter anyone from entering.

If she were truly a young woman looking for work, the sight of this place would be enough to make her turn back immediately. Even without being particularly squeamish, Pei Yujang found the smell overwhelming, forcing her to cover her nose.

The stench was unbearable.

But if the old man was telling the truth about the plant's decline after the management change, it was highly suspicious.

Ignoring the foul odor, Pei Yujang avoided the main entrance, opting to climb over the fence instead. As she landed on the other side, she immediately noticed a patch of foul-smelling sludge, writhing with white maggots.

Pei Yujang didn't rush to move but instead surveyed the area, ensuring no one was around. Once she was certain, she used a stick to poke at the sludge.

The maggots wriggled away as the stick disturbed them, revealing a chunk of rotting flesh buried in the muck.

Pei Yujang's expression darkened.

Her years of experience in the military had sharpened her ability to identify meat, particularly after so many encounters with mutated beasts. Something was off about this flesh, and Pei Yujang could tell right away.

Ignoring the filth, she quickly retrieved a plastic bag from her pocket and wrapped up the meat. As she listened carefully for any nearby sounds, she heard footsteps approaching and quickly found a place to hide.

Peering out, she saw two plant workers heading in her direction, both wearing expressions of disgust.

The taller of the two grumbled:

"Every day we have to dump this stuff—it's disgusting. One day, I'm going to quit and report them!"

"Don't say that. It's already making my skin crawl. Why do they keep feeding this meat to the dogs? You'd think they were training them for a dogfight or something. The other day, I went to take a leak in the bushes and saw one of those dogs. It tore apart a bird without even eating it—just gutted it with its claws. Those eyes… I was lucky I'd just finished…"

The other worker, wearing a hat, replied. After dumping their load, the two men quickly left, not wanting to linger.

Once they were out of sight, Pei Yujang emerged from hiding. She checked the trash they had dumped, confirming it was the same kind of meat she had found earlier. With that, she returned to the welfare institution, lingering for a while to ensure nothing unusual happened before leaving.

She had entered the welfare institution as a visitor. The institution was open to public tours, though few people took advantage of this. Visitors had more freedom to explore compared to volunteers, who had to help out with various tasks.

As she was leaving, Pei Yujang noticed the same volunteer who had been with the elderly and children on Christmas Eve. She gave her a friendly smile, but the volunteer only glanced at her before hurrying away.

Later that day, back home, Pei Yujang tried to analyze the meat but couldn't determine anything conclusive. She stored it in a plastic bag and placed it in a small refrigerator she had purchased specifically for this purpose.

Most people would probably have nightmares after seeing something like that, but Pei Yujang was immune to such things, though she still found the idea of keeping it in her bedroom unsettling. Instead, she placed the fridge on the balcony, where it was less noticeable.

While Yu Zhiwan was hospitalized, Pei Yujang streamed twice more—once on the day she returned home with the meat, for about half an hour, and again the following day, just chatting with viewers.

By this time, she was feeling much more comfortable, no longer plagued by nerves. During one stream, while telling ghost stories to her audience, she suddenly received a notification from Talk.

Previously, Pei Yujang had ignored most notifications, but this time, she hesitated when she saw Yu Zhiwan's name pop up.

Yu Zhiwan typically sent voice messages because typing was inconvenient. Since Pei Yujang had her speakers on, she felt it would be inappropriate to play the message out loud but also didn't want to leave the stream abruptly, which might seem even stranger.

After a moment's thought, she decided to convert the voice message to text to see what it said. If it wasn't urgent, she would finish telling her story to the viewers.

This wasn't a traditional ghost story but rather a "supernatural" event that Pei Yujang had encountered during her military service, which had turned out to be a misunderstanding. The story was humorous, with a surprising twist, and Pei Yujang's detailed storytelling made it feel as though the viewers were right there with her. The stream had skyrocketed in popularity on the platform's "Looks" category, even surpassing a heavily promoted rival streamer.

Every second Pei Yujang hesitated, the chat exploded with impatience.

[Caviar, can you do this or not? You're leaving us hanging here!]

[Hurry up, or I'm unfollowing!]

[Came here because this was trending in the Looks category, but now I'm hooked on the ghost story.]

[Don't leave us hanging, don't leave us hanging! Finish the story before you go!]

Pei Yujang had intended to finish the story before leaving. Cliffhangers were a bad habit, and as a reader herself, she despised unfinished or long-delayed updates, especially in suspense novels, which thrived on keeping readers on edge.

But in that moment, the woman on the screen, full of apologies, didn't even wait for her usual ten-second farewell ritual. Leaving behind a faint wave to the camera, she abruptly ended the stream.

She grabbed her bag and car keys and dashed out of her apartment.

Night had fallen in Xiangcheng, but the holiday spirit from Christmas lingered, with decorations still lighting up the city. Even outside her apartment complex, a bare Christmas tree stood at the entrance, greeting the comings and goings of residents.

Pei Yujang pushed her car to its speed limit, not bothering to roll down the windows or turn on the car's air freshener. The cold wind seeped into the car, ruffling her long black hair. As she stopped at a red light, she casually brushed her hair aside, a smile softening her bright features as she glanced down at the message on her phone.

Yu Zhiwan hadn't sent her anything else.

Just three short voice messages, converted instantly to text.

Yu Zhiwan had said three things:

[Are you free?]

[Come pick me up.]

[I miss you.]

Three brief sentences that made her heart leap, causing her to abandon the stream and its tens of thousands of viewers to drive through the chilly night in Xiangcheng, heading straight for the hospital. The flashing red lights seemed to mirror her racing heart. When the green light finally came on, she couldn't help but hum "Merry Christmas" to herself in delight.