60

Pei Yujang's heart raced, startled by her own thoughts. Just as Chen Lulu's sweet voice faded, replaced by the DJ's commentary:

"Ah, love is indeed a beautiful yet bewildering thing. No wonder this drama scored a 9.3 on Beike Reviews. Chen Lulu truly nailed her portrayal, bringing out the heroine's tender feelings so vividly."

"Crushes are bittersweet—big enough to occupy your thoughts all day, yet small enough to keep hidden. It starts with a fleeting thought, and before you know it, the longing spreads, making you wish you could fly to your loved one's side, even if you just saw them moments ago…"

A listener's message came through, and the DJ continued:

"Listener 832906 writes: I recently had dinner with a close friend. She took a sip of my milk tea, using the opposite side of the cup, but when I drank from the same spot, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. Could it be because I'm not used to such close contact? She's my college classmate, and we've always been close."

The DJ chuckled softly, responding with several questions before concluding:

"If the answer to those questions is yes, then congratulations, you've fallen in lo—"

Pei Yujang abruptly switched off the radio.

She felt warm, and wondered if she was just dizzy from hunger, making her thoughts fuzzy and difficult to process.

She headed to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of cold water, and gulped it down, the coolness easing the heat in her cheeks. After gathering her things, she decided to grab some food. A few hundred meters from her apartment was a small street lined with eateries. Pei Yujang donned a mask and made her way to one of the shops, ordering a bowl of vermicelli soup.

It wasn't a busy time for meals, so the steaming hot vermicelli soup was quickly served. The shop was known for its generous portions and tasty food. The bowl was filled with fresh duck offal, topped with vibrant green onions and cilantro floating in red oil, making it an appetizing sight.

This shop had been recommended to her by Yu Zhiwan, and it had never disappointed. The flavors and portions were spot on, and even the smaller serving she ordered was more than enough.

Not much of a cook herself, Pei Yujang often visited the local eateries. The shop owner, a cheerful couple who had been in business for years, greeted her warmly.

The chubby owner wiped down the tables as he asked her:

"Hey there, young lady! Where's the girl in the wheelchair? Did you two have a fight?"

Mid-bite, Pei Yujang waved her hand dismissively:

"Nope!"

"No fight? You two usually come here together. Are you sneaking in for a solo meal, huh?"

"Get out of here! Do you even think before you speak?"

The owner's wife, having just finished clearing some dishes, heard this and playfully pinched her husband's arm, making him yelp in an exaggerated fashion about her oily hands, much to her amusement and embarrassment. She quickly ushered him away.

Turning to Pei Yujang, the wife smiled:

"Don't mind him, he doesn't think before he speaks. We're closing for a few days to introduce some new dishes. Bring your girlfriend next time, and you'll get a buy-one-get-one-free deal for regulars!"

Pei Yujang was surprised by the term "girlfriend," but not sure how to correct the misunderstanding, she just let it slide. After finishing her meal, she paid the bill and was handed a complimentary jasmine soy milk by the owner's wife. Sipping it through a straw as she walked, she savored the smooth, fragrant drink.

Suddenly, it dawned on her that many people seemed to view her and Yu Zhiwan as a couple, even married. Chen Lulu had once mistaken them, as had Pei Jinhuai and others—random passersby and even viewers of her livestreams.

During her streams, when Yu Zhiwan wasn't around, viewers would often ask about her, jokingly inquiring where she had "hidden" her. These playful comments were always met with a smile from Pei Yujang.

But did she really like Yu Zhiwan?

She didn't want Liu Huanran anywhere near Yu Zhiwan, nor did she want her to be with Boss Ji. Liu Huanran was a notorious jerk, but what about Boss Ji?

Boss Ji was considered attractive by most standards, with a decent personality and an easygoing demeanor. While Pei Yujang didn't particularly like her, she didn't find her annoying either.

If Yu Zhiwan could get along with her, she could surely get along with Boss Ji as well. When Boss Ji learned about her foray into social media, she even reached out to offer assistance through Yu Zhiwan. Though Pei Yujang declined, she remembered the gesture. She had always been a bit distant with Boss Ji, but Boss Ji had never shown any real animosity toward her.

However, when she considered the possibility of Yu Zhiwan being interested in Boss Ji, she had deliberately steered Yu Zhiwan toward focusing on her career. She even brought her into her team, using it as an excuse to "motivate" Yu Zhiwan's ambition.

Now, Yu Zhiwan seemed more driven, having just sent over a research report to her email—likely with help, given her visual impairment.

And today, she had even rushed to her home to join her for the livestream, barely taking the time to wash her face before heading over. When she mentioned that Yu Zhiwan was helping with the stream, it was more of an excuse to spend time with her.

Yu Zhiwan's previous work habits had been more relaxed, but now her sudden seriousness left Pei Yujang feeling a bit unsettled.

She had finally pinpointed what was bothering her.

Yu Zhiwan's attitude toward her had become purely professional!

Realizing this, Pei Yujang had an epiphany and began to trace back the moments leading up to this change in Yu Zhiwan's behavior.

As she reflected, things became clearer.

Yu Zhiwan hadn't changed—she was still a typical Omega who would naturally be more attracted to Alphas. If Pei Yujang were still an Alpha, she might have had a better chance of pursuing Yu Zhiwan. But now, she was a Beta, and Betas couldn't mark Omegas.

Without the ability to mark an Omega, she wouldn't be able to provide the comfort they needed during heat, forcing Yu Zhiwan to rely on suppressants. While a Beta could offer some psychological comfort, it wasn't enough.

Though Pei Yujang had never been an Omega, she could easily imagine that this situation would feel like being in a loveless marriage.

And she had already told Yu Zhiwan a long time ago that she was straight. A straight Beta woman had no interest in female Omegas, which was why Yu Zhiwan trusted her so much.

But what if she confessed her feelings to Yu Zhiwan now? Would Yu Zhiwan feel that she had taken advantage of her during her heat?

What kind of person would that make her?

The more Pei Yujang thought about it, the worse it seemed.

Fortunately, she became too busy to dwell on these troubling thoughts once she returned home.

She didn't have time to read the research report Yu Zhiwan had sent because Yue Rong had made a significant breakthrough.

They had pulled the footage from the assembly line on that day, and the monitoring room was filled with people closely reviewing the tapes, working around the clock until the after-sales manager spotted someone acting suspiciously at the packaging facility.

The person had quickly swapped out a jar of cream during the packaging process, replacing it with another from their pocket. Yue Rong's cameras were advanced, and after accessing the 4K HD footage, they confirmed that the swapped cream was the one sent to Banana.

If Banana had been set up, Yue Rong would naturally take responsibility, and Pei Jinhuai was furious. They immediately launched an investigation and found that the person had left the company two days earlier.

It wasn't unusual for a regular packaging worker to resign, so no one had paid attention. The worker had moved swiftly during the swap, unnoticed by others around them.

The after-sales manager, furious, demanded that HR provide the worker's home address and contact information. The person was quickly found but initially denied everything.

Only when Yue Rong threatened legal action did the worker cave. He wasn't particularly brave and admitted that he had been paid to do it.

Someone had offered him a sum equivalent to three years' salary, and he had been tempted. After all, it was just a quick swap, and if he moved fast, no one would notice. In the heat of the moment, he hadn't realized the little jar of cream would cause such a stir. Regretful afterward, he hadn't dared to confess, hoping to get away with it.

But when Yue Rong refused to back down, even after the hospital's diagnosis, and insisted on digging deeper, the worker was exposed. He confessed everything, and Pei Yujang had the marketing department update the public through the official account to prevent accusations of a cover-up.

With a clear lead in the investigation, Pei Yujang took a night's rest and contacted Mayor Xiang the following morning through Yu Zhiwan.

Time was of the essence, and it was clear that they couldn't afford to let this situation drag on. She needed to cut off the corrupt leaders' plans quickly, or the growing corruption would eventually consume them all.

Pei Yujang hadn't been in Yicheng long before she had to rush back to Xiangcheng. This time, Yu Zhiwan didn't accompany her, explaining that she still had some matters to attend to in Yicheng.

"I know someone named An Yaoyao. Look for her when you get to Xiangcheng," Yu Zhiwan advised.

When Pei Yujang arrived at Xiangcheng's airport, An Yaoyao was there to pick her up. As she looked at the young Omega, Pei Yujang found her familiar and soon recognized her as the volunteer she had met at the orphanage.

There was no time to marvel at how well-connected Yu Zhiwan was. She quickly thanked An Yaoyao, even though she didn't know how she had managed to get in touch with such a high-ranking official like Mayor Xiang.

In fact, the connection to Mayor Xiang had come about indirectly thanks to Fang Nianjing.

Fang Nianjing had extensive connections and knew Mrs. Chen, which meant she had a way to contact Mayor Xiang. She hadn't wanted to get involved in this mess, but An Yaoyao had been anxiously pressing her to help.

Unable to refuse An Yaoyao, Fang Nianjing had reached out to one of Mayor Xiang's subordinates, explaining the situation briefly. Mayor Xiang, despite her busy schedule with urban development, agreed to meet Pei Yujang, recognizing the seriousness of the matter.

An Yaoyao hadn't mentioned her relationship with Fang Nianjing, and Pei Yujang didn't ask how she had managed to contact Mayor Xiang. Everyone had their secrets, and Pei Yujang was genuinely grateful for An Yaoyao's help.

"I'll treat you to a meal sometime," Pei Yujang said as she added An Yaoyao's contact information to her phone, waving goodbye as she headed to the location where Mayor Xiang had agreed to meet. An Yaoyao didn't accompany her, intending to stay at the airport.

With a smile, An Yaoyao waved back:

"No need. I should be thanking you."

An Yaoyao wasn't conventionally beautiful, but her smile was infectious. Pei Yujang had always seen her as rather reserved, but now, with a warm smile on her face, she looked quite charming.

Xiangcheng was overcast, the sky heavy with the promise of rain. There was no time to dig out her umbrella from the suitcase, so Pei Yujang hailed a taxi, her large suitcase in tow.

Mayor Xiang had arranged to meet at an office building.

It wasn't a tall building, and at the entrance, Pei Yujang was stopped by the receptionist, who made a call to confirm the floor and room number before allowing her to proceed.

After a polite introduction and being granted access, Pei Yujang finally met the woman who had been documented in history as calm and serene.

Mayor Xiang and Mrs. Chen were a typical AO couple. Mrs. Chen wasn't particularly beautiful or elegant, but she had an approachable aura. Mayor Xiang's height was average for a female Alpha, and while her looks weren't striking, her clean attire and composed demeanor made a positive first impression.

The woman stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the familiar cityscape, tracing patterns in her palm. When Pei Yujang knocked and entered, Mayor Xiang turned and nodded in greeting, personally pouring her a cup of tea.

Pei Yujang found herself liking this no-nonsense mayor and returned the greeting before taking a seat.

Mayor Xiang had allotted two hours for the meeting, so Pei Yujang decided to get straight to the point.

Of course, she couldn't directly reveal that she had been reincarnated, so she began by sharing her findings in Yicheng with Mayor Xiang.

When she first mentioned she had come from Yicheng, Mayor Xiang nodded, not paying much attention. But as she recounted the leadership's corrupt practices, the strange corpse found in Yihu Lake, and the events following the storm, Mayor Xiang's expression gradually darkened.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Once she had finished speaking, Mayor Xiang fixed her with an unwavering gaze, her deep eyes no longer calm. Pei Yujang had anticipated this question and answered straightforwardly:

"If I were to report all this directly in Yicheng, my livestream would be shut down by the next day. It's very likely that in a short time, I'd also 'leave' Yicheng under various pretexts, never to return."

Making someone disappear without a trace was within the Yicheng leadership's capabilities. As long as she remained in Yicheng, she was within their jurisdiction, so Pei Yujang had naturally been discreet.

"And why did you come to me? Aside from thinking I'd help, there's also the fact that Xiangcheng's location is ideal."

It wasn't too close or too far from Yicheng but was adjacent to the capital. This prime location, coupled with its thriving economy, meant that Mayor Xiang held a higher status than many other city leaders.

There were plenty of reasons why Pei Yujang had chosen Mayor Xiang. Known for her integrity and fairness, Mayor Xiang was a well-respected city leader. Since taking office, Xiangcheng had consistently ranked among the top three happiest cities, never dropping out of the rankings.

From the beginning of her tenure, Mayor Xiang had implemented numerous public welfare policies, cracked down on corruption, and managed to reduce the city's crime rate by 7% in just three years—an impressive feat for a metropolis like Xiangcheng.

And one more thing: Mayor Xiang was a woman. Although the primary gender classifications were Alpha, Beta, and Omega, women generally had a greater capacity for empathy, and female Betas, in particular, could be more understanding and approachable.

Talking to a smart person like Mayor Xiang was refreshing. She didn't waste time with unnecessary questions like "How do you know I'll help?" Instead, she took a moment to think carefully.

Pei Yujang observed the myriad expressions that flitted across her face. Just as Mayor Xiang seemed about to speak, Pei Yujang added one more bombshell.

"In Xiangcheng's Industrial Park, Zone 892, there's a water plant that was sold off due to poor management. It's now supposedly handling wastewater treatment, but in reality, they're conducting various illegal experiments under the guise of water treatment. I have proof."

"What—"

Mayor Xiang's face paled.

When Pei Yujang laid out the drone footage before her, she could sense Mayor Xiang's body trembling.

Anyone would find it hard to keep their emotions in check after hearing such horrific news, and Pei Yujang fully understood.

This city-loving mayor had chosen to stand by Xiangcheng in her previous life, to face its fate together. The sale of the water plant had been due to the negligence of her subordinates, but ultimately, it was a failure in her leadership.

Pei Yujang could sympathize with the guilt Mayor Xiang must have felt, believing that her oversight had led to this crisis. As a city leader, being unaware of such corruption would be devastating. She wanted to comfort Mayor Xiang but knew it would be inappropriate, so she simply turned away, stealing a glance at her.

In that moment, she caught a fleeting glimpse of guilt in Mayor Xiang's eyes—an overwhelming sense of remorse, stronger than fear.

And with that, Pei Yujang snapped back to reality. Before she could let her suspicious gaze settle on Mayor Xiang, the mayor had already clenched her fists, regained her composure, and thanked Pei Yujang sincerely.

That flash of emotion was quickly hidden away, but it had already sown the seeds of doubt in Pei Yujang's mind.

Why was Mayor Xiang feeling guilty?

What did she have to be guilty about? Did she feel she had failed the citizens of Xiangcheng?

That would be understandable, but Pei Yujang didn't believe such strong emotions could stem from something she had just learned about.

This issue was complex and involved many parties. It was clear that Mayor Xiang couldn't tackle it alone. And historical records couldn't lie—Mayor Xiang had stayed in Xiangcheng until the end, fighting alongside the citizens.

Had something happened that she wasn't aware of?

Lost in thought, Pei Yujang was interrupted by Mayor Xiang asking if she could accompany her to an internal meeting. She wasn't afraid that Mayor Xiang would silence her—after all, Yue Rong's top management knew she was here, and she was in constant contact with them. Still, she blurted out:

"Don't you have something to do?"

Mayor Xiang, slightly embarrassed, shook her head:

"Today was supposed to be my day off. I cleared my evening to spend with my wife."

She didn't elaborate, and Pei Yujang didn't press further. She could read microexpressions and could tell that Mayor Xiang wasn't lying. After a brief discussion, Mayor Xiang called an emergency meeting before having a driver take Pei Yujang to her hotel.

The rain in Xiangcheng had intensified. After settling into her hotel room, Pei Yujang found herself unable to sleep, so she stayed up reading by the bedside lamp.

The situation was chaotic, and the more she thought about it, the more her head ached. Yet despite the distance, she couldn't help but think of Yu Zhiwan—her delicate features, her warm breath.

What was Yu Zhiwan doing now?

Her fingers itched to dial her number. In the past, she wouldn't have hesitated, but just as she was about to call, she hesitated and put the phone down.

She lay down and turned off the lights, but still couldn't sleep. So, she turned on the 24-hour radio station again. A different DJ was on duty now. Pei Yujang paid ten yuan to request a song, cutting in line.

The late-night radio had more listeners than she expected, and this DJ's voice was cheerful and lively, adding a unique flavor to the sentimental song's title.

"It's now 2:45 AM, and a listener from Xiangcheng, 'Miss C,' has requested the song 'Want to See You.'"

"Do you have someone you want to see?"

"Where are they now?"

At 3 AM, Pei Yujang spent 500 yuan to reserve the radio's song requests for the night, listening to "Want to See You" and "Love Letter" on repeat until she finally drifted off to sleep.

This was a nationwide rainstorm, with half of the country soaked in early spring rain. The rain in Xiangcheng drummed against the windows, while in Yicheng, raindrops created ripples on the surface of Yihu Lake. In Ningxiang, the gentle rain nourished the roses blooming in a courtyard, where a new couple sat in the midst of the rose garden, sharing a poetic moment under an umbrella.

Pei Yujang returned to Yicheng three days later, traveling by high-speed rail, as she couldn't wait for the rain to stop.

When Yu Zhiwan came to pick her up, she instinctively tried to help with the luggage. Her wheelchair could carry things without needing her to lift them. But when their fingers brushed, Pei Yujang recoiled as if she had been shocked.

Seeing Yu Zhiwan now stirred up a complex mix of emotions. The fleeting touch of the Omega's soft skin made her heart race, and she was overwhelmed by a feeling she couldn't quite describe.

Pei Yujang quietly contemplated this strange sensation, comparing it to what others described as "liking someone," Yu Zhiwan frowning slightly and asked:

"Miss Pei."

"Hmm?"

"Are you sick? The flu? A cough? Or is it something contagious?"

Pei Yujang: I have lovesickness.

Yu Zhiwan: Can the hospital treat it? I have an insurance card.

Pei Yujang: ??? I've had a revelation, and you're so heartless?

Yu Zhiwan: I have a copy-paste disease. (Referring to using your previous attitude toward me on you now) (Smirking)