With Yu Zhiwan's greeting, the woman next to Pei Yujang pressed the instant coffee machine, gracefully picked up a small sugar cube with tweezers, and walked towards the Omega sitting in the wheelchair.
"Yeah, there was something going on in Xiangcheng, and the old man insisted I go back, it was so annoying." The woman shifted the topic, "But it's quite a coincidence to meet you here. Our seats on the plane were right next to each other. Wouldn't you say that's fate?"
Yu Zhiwan confidently responded, "It is."
The woman smiled.
She couldn't see, and Pei Yujang didn't make a sound, so Yu Zhiwan couldn't tell that it was Pei Yujang just from her slightly hurried breathing. But Pei Yujang could recognize that this woman was an Alpha.
She was over 1.7 meters tall, with a straight posture, wearing a handmade gray women's suit in the cold weather. The suit was finely tailored and obviously expensive.
Although Alphas usually wear suppressants when they go out, Pei Yujang, being close enough, could smell a faint scent from the woman—likely mahogany pheromones, which hadn't yet spread but were already quite aggressive.
The Alpha naturally sat beside Yu Zhiwan. From the looks of it, they were familiar with each other, and anyone who didn't know better might have mistaken them for a couple. After all, the Alpha was also quite attractive, with a physique and face that left little to criticize.
Pei Yujang wondered whether Yu Zhiwan had ever touched her face.
Yu Zhiwan asked, "Are you still busy over there?"
"Not really," the Alpha responded vaguely as she sipped her coffee. For someone accustomed to hand-ground coffee, airport instant coffee was merely a poor substitute and tasted awful. The Alpha frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with the taste. "And you, where are you working now?"
Pei Yujang found a seat nearby, not too close, but just right to overhear their conversation even if they lowered their voices.
So, this was a reunion of old friends.
"Not too busy. I'm going to Xiangcheng for rehabilitation. I tried some physical therapy recently, and the doctor said there's hope, so I want to give it a try."
"Really?"
The Alpha seemed genuinely happy for Yu Zhiwan and patted her on the shoulder. Yu Zhiwan didn't mind and chatted with her about work, though in a public place like this, it wasn't appropriate to discuss anything too confidential.
Not long after, it was time to board, and Pei Yujang followed them onto the plane.
The vast tarmac of Yicheng Airport came into view, with white wings reflecting the morning light, resembling a large bird ready to take flight. As Pei Yujang walked through the glass corridor, she couldn't help but think that the ticket she didn't get must have gone to this woman.
Once on the plane, Pei Yujang realized her seat was right behind theirs, just behind the Alpha, allowing her to clearly see their interactions.
The Alpha attentively placed a pillow behind Yu Zhiwan's waist and helped her sit comfortably in her seat. The VIP business class seats were very comfortable, soft enough to lie down in, and suitable even for someone with a disability.
Pei Yujang opened the disposable service pack, took out earplugs, and put them on. She was no longer interested in their conversation. Having stayed up all night, she was exhausted and needed to catch up on sleep.
Midway through, Pei Yujang was jolted awake by some turbulence.
Turbulence on a plane is common, and as long as it's not severe, the pilot can usually handle it without concern. Pei Yujang, being naturally vigilant, woke up and paid slight attention before trying to go back to sleep. However, she vaguely saw the Alpha feeding water to Yu Zhiwan.
Pei Yujang removed one earplug and heard the Alpha gently ask:
"Are you thirsty? Have some water."
For an Alpha to be so attentive to an Omega, it was beyond mere assistance to a friend. Yu Zhiwan's legs were the issue, not her hands. The Alpha's actions seemed overly solicitous.
Pei Yujang thought of Liu Huanran. Yu Zhiwan, as the protagonist of this world, would likely attract many Alpha suitors.
She straightened up and saw Yu Zhiwan decline, taking the cup from the Alpha and only sipping a little to moisten her lips.
Yu Zhiwan rarely drank water on long trips, except to wet her lips. She was afraid of needing the restroom and causing inconvenience, something the Alpha probably hadn't considered.
The flight from Yicheng to Xiangcheng took about three hours. The Alpha asked Yu Zhiwan again if she was hungry and if she wanted some cake from the flight attendant.
Yu Zhiwan shook her head and politely declined. Pei Yujang put her earplugs back in and tried to sleep again, but couldn't. From her window seat, she could see the clear, bright sky outside.
Unable to sleep, she got up and started watching the in-flight TV. For most people, in-flight TV is pretty dull, showing mostly news, but Pei Yujang found it quite interesting.
There was a report about a wildfire in a city in some state. The governor was requesting external aid, and the country had already sent helicopters for firefighting and rescue. Other neighboring cities were also helping. The TV showed a touching scene of the governor personally leading the relief efforts, setting up temporary camps in safe areas for those displaced.
Two hundred years ago, this planet had already experienced various disasters, a wake-up call from nature.
Sadly, few paid attention to nature's fury, despite being nurtured by it. Humans saw themselves as masters of the planet, believing that advanced machinery could give them control over the world and even the universe.
Later, the TV broadcast the thoughts of the Yicheng official on flood control. The official righteously proclaimed "unity between officials and the people," to which Pei Yujang rolled her eyes and put her earplugs back in to rest.
When deplaning, the Alpha started asking Yu Zhiwan where she was staying and offered to drive her there. Upon learning that Yu Zhiwan didn't have a fixed place to stay yet, the Alpha warmly invited her to stay at her place.
Pei Yujang couldn't stand it anymore.
But having spent the entire flight sulking in silence, she couldn't suddenly pop up and announce her presence.
Pei Yujang's mind raced.
In a restroom on the first floor of Xiangcheng Airport, a woman stood by the relatively quiet nursing room and called Yu Zhiwan. The first call went unanswered, but on the second attempt, Yu Zhiwan finally picked up, probably still chatting with the Alpha.
"What's up?"
Yu Zhiwan's voice came from the other side of the airport.
Pei Yujang cleared her throat:
"I'm planning to head to Xiangcheng tomorrow. Have you found a hotel? I can meet you there; just send me the location."
Yu Zhiwan sounded surprised:
"You're coming to Xiangcheng tomorrow?"
Pei Yujang affirmed, but before she could explain her pretext, she heard a baby crying nearby. An Omega with a child in her arms was on the phone, struggling. Spotting Pei Yujang, she seemed to see a savior:
"Excuse me, miss, is the nursing room occupied? Could you help hold my baby for a moment—yes, yes," she continued into her phone, "I'm at Xiangcheng Airport, meet me at Exit 13A and remember to bring new teething toys; the baby's crying!"
"So, you're already here today."
Ten minutes later, after helping the Omega, Pei Yujang leisurely walked to where Yu Zhiwan had told her to meet. The Alpha had already left on urgent business; otherwise, Pei Yujang wouldn't have known how to handle the awkward situation if they had met.
Yu Zhiwan, blind, couldn't see Pei Yujang's awkward smile, so she decided to change the subject:
"Have you booked a hotel? Should I book one?"
Yu Zhiwan replied, "I've already booked one."
But she had only booked a room for herself.
Pei Yujang had never visited Xiangcheng during peacetime. It was much more prosperous and larger than Yicheng. Since it wasn't peak tourist season, Pei Yujang hadn't thought to book a room ahead of time, figuring she could just find one upon arrival.
However, upon arrival, she realized it was Xiangcheng's business promotion festival, and most hotels were fully booked. Yu Zhiwan had booked in advance and secured a room, but the other options were either poorly maintained and overpriced or too far from the city center, in industrial zones, requiring long commutes.
Hearing this, Yu Zhiwan offered her ID:
"No worries, we can share a room. I booked a double bed."
The hotel was a four-star establishment, with five stars being the highest rating. In Xiangcheng, four-star hotels were considered luxurious, with complete facilities, including an outdoor pool and garden, providing a comfortable and spacious stay.
Pei Yujang accompanied Yu Zhiwan up the elevator, knowing she had already been noticed. She finally couldn't help but awkwardly ask:
"Who was that Alpha earlier?"
"Alpha?" Yu Zhiwan was momentarily confused before realizing who she meant. "A high school classmate, surnamed Ji, currently working in social media. Everyone calls her Boss Ji."
Boss Ji. Pei Yujang mentally chewed over the name.
She wasn't too familiar with the business world, and perhaps Boss Ji wasn't that prominent, as Pei Yujang hadn't heard of her. But with a surname like Ji and an obviously flamboyant demeanor, she must be up to no good.
Likely someone with intentions towards Yu Zhiwan.
Pei Yujang silently concluded that Boss Ji was up to no good.
"Why were you in the nursing room?"
Yu Zhiwan later asked. Pei Yujang hesitated for a moment before admitting:
"I saw you two chatting and didn't want to interrupt, so I thought I'd find a quiet place."
She had noticed that most malls have nursing rooms, but they're rarely used, especially in places like airports. After all, few people would travel by plane with a one or two-year-old.
But she had indeed run into someone. That woman, panicked, had asked for her help, and Pei Yujang, of course, obliged, holding the little girl while her mother changed her diaper.
Yu Zhiwan just said, "Oh."
She didn't ask why Pei Yujang was coming to Xiangcheng, and Pei Yujang didn't volunteer the information. After resting in the hotel for a while, Yu Zhiwan lay in bed and asked:
"Yujang, want to go get some good food?"
For Pei Yujang, food was the ultimate temptation, the cure for all ills. Her foul mood instantly lifted, and she cheerfully replied, "Sure!"
She quickly tidied up and helped Yu Zhiwan get out of bed. Earlier, she had browsed some novels on her phone but found them dull, so she took a nap on the sofa. Not having looked up any food guides for Xiangcheng, she had planned to just grab something for lunch. But now that Yu Zhiwan wanted to go out, she was all for it.
But her good mood didn't last long. At the elevator, she saw the Alpha, Boss Ji, approaching them.
Boss Ji greeted them with a smile, "Hi~"
"Did you both rest well? Any restaurants you want to try? My treat today."
As soon as Boss Ji spoke, Pei Yujang knew she intended to join them and instantly felt a sense of resistance. However, since she was Yu Zhiwan's good friend, Pei Yujang couldn't be rude and just responded indifferently.
But just as they reached the entrance, she was met with a provocation.
Boss Ji had changed into a different outfit—cargo pants, knee-high boots, looking quite stylish. She casually twirled a car key in her slender fingers, and Pei Yujang recognized the logo as a luxury sports car brand. Then she heard Boss Ji say:
"Zhiwan, this young lady looks pretty young. Can she even drive?"
Since coming of age, Pei Yujang had never been called a young lady like that.
She didn't look particularly young or cute, with a sunny and bright demeanor that exuded confidence. Although she wasn't yet 25, Boss Ji and Yu Zhiwan were high school classmates, making them peers, with Yu Zhiwan only two or three years older. So how was she a "young lady"?
And Boss Ji's tone when saying "young lady" was clearly full of mockery, which irritated Pei Yujang.
"Sister Zhiwan, you'll have to take care of me in Xiangcheng. I'm too naive," Pei Yujang looked at Boss Ji, quickly recalling the snarky tone of a novel's female lead she had read earlier, "unlike this sister, who's so sharp. I'll be staying in Xiangcheng for a while. Where are you headed? I can drive you there."
Although she had flown in and hadn't brought her car, she could buy one on the spot if needed!
This Alpha was clearly like Liu Huanran, with ulterior motives toward Yu Zhiwan. Pei Yujang absolutely couldn't let someone like that get too close to Yu Zhiwan.
Pei Yujang: How's my green tea act?
Yu Zhiwan: It's more like raw tea.
Pei Yujang: ...