Pei Yujang didn't know much about musical instruments, nor was she a music enthusiast, but the sound of the piano seemed to tug at her heartstrings, gently swaying her emotions in the gentle flow of its melody.
She wasn't sure how long the piano had been playing, as she had been deeply immersed in her work earlier and hadn't noticed. But now, she found herself captivated by the music.
The piano wasn't known for its powerful sound, but the emotions it conveyed were no less intense than those of other instruments. Pei Yujang closed her eyes, letting the cold wind brush against her face, yet she felt no chill from the winter air. Instead, the turmoil within her was soothed, her earlier irritation and unease dissipating.
She looked around, trying to find the source of the sound, but couldn't see which house was playing the piano. Some of the windows had their curtains drawn, and Pei Yujang stood on tiptoe, making a precarious move by leaning over the balcony to listen more closely. She finally managed to pinpoint the direction.
The sound was coming from Yu Zhiwan's place.
Pei Yujang hadn't initially connected the piano music to Yu Zhiwan. Although she wasn't knowledgeable about music, she knew that playing the piano this well required years of practice, not something one could achieve overnight. She had heard that Yu Zhiwan had been blind since birth, so how could she play the piano so beautifully?
Pei Yujang suddenly realized that in many ways, Yu Zhiwan had always exceeded her expectations. Things she thought a blind person couldn't do, Yu Zhiwan managed effortlessly.
Yu Zhiwan wasn't an ordinary blind person; Pei Yujang had known this for a while. But each time she discovered a new skill, she couldn't help but be amazed.
A piano isn't a small item, and Pei Yujang didn't even know when Yu Zhiwan had bought one or how she had it installed without asking for help. She probably had the delivery people set it up for her.
After enjoying the free piano performance, Pei Yujang immediately went back inside and sent Yu Zhiwan a voice message.
"Was that you playing just now?"
There wasn't an immediate response, and after about a minute, the piano resumed its melody, as if Yu Zhiwan had taken a brief break.
Pei Yujang didn't press further. She quietly stood on the balcony, listening as Yu Zhiwan played one piece after another.
Yu Zhiwan had many talents, and the more Pei Yujang got to know her, the more she realized how remarkable the female lead truly was—she was practically a jack of all trades. Despite being blind and disabled, Yu Zhiwan excelled in various skills.
If she were a fully able-bodied person, she would surely have an even more brilliant and dazzling life.
But Pei Yujang couldn't shake the thought that had been nagging at her since she first entered this world: the system's warning about the "heroine's apocalypse." This catastrophe would occur if the heroine was bullied to the point of complete blackening. Pei Yujang had previously speculated on this but hadn't dared to confirm it.
As events unfolded and clues began to surface, she couldn't help but wonder—what if that zombie experiment was connected to Yu Zhiwan?
The idea first surfaced clearly in her mind, and it shocked Pei Yujang, but the feeling had only grown stronger lately.
Otherwise, how could she explain the system's initial warning that the heroine would destroy the world? The heroine's blackening value still existed, which indicated that she could potentially become fully corrupted.
Yu Zhiwan was an Omega who didn't know martial arts—a seemingly fragile woman—how could she destroy the world? If someone had told Pei Yujang this in the past, she would have dismissed it as nonsense. But as she continued to uncover more about Yu Zhiwan, she grew increasingly uncertain.
The evening's gathering was set in Xiangcheng's most luxurious KTV.
This KTV wasn't just a place to sing; it was an exclusive club known for its discretion and privacy, regularly hosting important clients. The staff was known for their professionalism and tight-lipped nature.
Chen Lulu, a celebrity, had brought her circle of friends—also celebrities. Neither was short on money, nor did they want to be recognized, so they chose this venue, splurging on the privacy it offered. They planned to sing and have fun before heading out for a late-night meal.
The room had been booked before they informed Pei Yujang, and while she couldn't object, she had planned to invite them to a nice restaurant afterward as a thank-you.
But as she entered the club, Pei Yujang was truly struck by Xiangcheng's opulence for the first time.
A young, beautiful receptionist personally fitted her with a silk blindfold. The fabric was soft, clean, and had a faint fragrance, but it made it difficult to see the way ahead.
Even Yu Zhiwan, despite revealing her blindness, had to wear a blindfold and was guided by the staff. As they passed through each door, Pei Yujang could hear the staff inputting codes and unlocking doors, finding the whole process amusing.
She felt like a secret agent meeting someone in a clandestine operation.
As the staff opened the next door, Pei Yujang bent down to whisper to Yu Zhiwan, "Anyone who didn't know better would think we were meeting someone important..."
But before she could finish, a sweet, clear voice interrupted her. The staff member recited her lines:
"Apologies for the wait; our club's procedures are rather complex. Thank you for your understanding. Please wait a moment as we remove your blindfolds. B23 is the room reserved for your entertainment. If you need anything, just press the service button. I'm your attendant, Xiao B."
Xiao B stepped forward to remove Pei Yujang's blindfold and then respectfully stepped back. Another attendant did the same for Yu Zhiwan, and then both of them exited the room.
Pei Yujang finally realized that the room was quite extraordinary.
The first thing that caught her eye was a themed room with black as the primary color, yet it didn't feel dark under the lights. The shiny black stone door shimmered, and when Pei Yujang moved closer to touch it, she realized it was made of an expensive stone, not a common decorative material.
The stone's surface was smooth and lustrous. As Pei Yujang pondered its name, Yu Zhiwan lightly touched the surface and softly said:
"This is obsidian. The quality seems good, probably of the ice variety."
Obsidian wasn't an expensive stone, but the ice variety with rainbow sheen was the priciest, typically worth one or two thousand yuan. The fact that they had used such a material to create a door indicated that this club was indeed quite affluent.
The inside of the room was even more impressive, and Pei Yujang, instead of entering right away, stood by the polished stone, marveling at it.
"This obsidian is quite beautiful," she remarked.
Its glossy texture would make it an excellent choice for a bracelet. While Pei Yujang didn't collect stones, working at Yue Rong had sparked her interest in such accessories.
"But it's said that obsidian shouldn't be worn at night."
Just as Pei Yujang was admiring it, Yu Zhiwan suddenly remarked, catching her off guard.
"Why not?" Pei Yujang asked curiously.
"Obsidian is believed to have a calming effect, helping with sleep if worn as a bracelet at home, as it promotes blood circulation. But it's mainly known for its protective qualities, warding off evil and negative energy," Yu Zhiwan explained in her gentle, soothing voice. "However, at night, when the yin energy is stronger, it can interfere with the obsidian, potentially weakening its effectiveness or even causing harm."
Her voice was soft, like a feather, and as the lights dimmed, Pei Yujang glanced at Yu Zhiwan's pale face, feeling her heart skip a beat.
"And that last part was a lie," Yu Zhiwan added playfully, snapping Pei Yujang out of her reverie. Following Pei Yujang's breathing, she found her and lightly tapped her forehead.
"Superstitions shouldn't be taken seriously."
Caught off guard by the playful jab, Pei Yujang recoiled with a startled yelp, which made Yu Zhiwan burst into laughter. As they were playing around, footsteps echoed from inside the room.
Dressed in casual attire, Chen Lulu pushed open the door and hurried down the hallway, waving excitedly at Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan.
"Here, this way! We've got someone important joining us tonight..."
Pei Yujang was puzzled and joked, "What, did you invite some movie star or top celebrity?"
She was joking, of course, not expecting to be right. But to her surprise, Chen Lulu's expression changed slightly, and she quickly waved her hands.
"No, no, it's the wife of Xiangcheng's mayor."
China is divided into twelve states, with Xiangcheng falling under the jurisdiction of the fifth state. The mayor of Xiangcheng, often referred to simply as the city mayor, holds significant power and status.
Though the mayor's wife didn't hold an official position, she was hardly someone who would mix with ordinary people. Pei Yujang was taken aback and then asked Chen Lulu with a hint of irritation:
"Didn't you say it was just us? Why did you invite the mayor's wife?"
Seeing that Pei Yujang was upset, Chen Lulu quickly explained:
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me. The wife is friends with Fang Nianjing's friend. They booked the room for a party and invited the wife. It was a last-minute thing. But I've heard she's quite down-to-earth and doesn't put on airs, so don't worry too much."
Chen Lulu's industry friend was Fang Nianjing, an Alpha known for her mature, elegant demeanor and sharp tongue, often considered a dream A for many.
Pei Yujang wasn't particularly close to Chen Lulu but had agreed to come along out of politeness since Chen Lulu had been so enthusiastic in her invitations.
If it had just been Fang Nianjing and her friends, Pei Yujang wouldn't have minded. She wasn't overly concerned with entertainment figures. However, the presence of the mayor's wife felt out of place, and it left Pei Yujang slightly annoyed.
But since she was already here, it would be awkward to leave just because an official's spouse was present. Given that the wife knew they were coming, Pei Yujang, who planned to develop her career in Xiangcheng, knew it was wise to stay.
After explaining the situation to Yu Zhiwan, Pei Yujang followed Chen Lulu down a corridor adorned with colorful glass, turning left and right until they reached a door.
Chen Lulu smiled apologetically and personally opened the door for them.
Pei Yujang had expected to walk into a scene of chaos, even preparing herself for some potentially inappropriate situations. After all, Chen Lulu had described it as a party, and in her experience, such parties among the wealthy often devolved into wild, chaotic affairs—anything short of drug use would be considered tame. It wasn't uncommon to find handsome men and beautiful women mingling, loud music blaring.
But as the door opened, the only sound was the background music playing in the room.
Standing near the entrance was a tall, long-legged Alpha, seemingly chatting with someone else, while a petite Omega quietly smoked an e-cigarette in the corner.
A quick assessment led Pei Yujang to conclude that this was likely the mayor's wife.
Xiangcheng's mayor was a woman, and so was her wife, who wasn't particularly stunning—at least not compared to the other beautiful people in the room. In such company, she seemed rather ordinary, with her only standout feature being her gentle, non-threatening demeanor.
"Madam," Chen Lulu greeted softly as she entered, prompting the woman to put down her e-cigarette. When she saw Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan enter, the wife's gaze instinctively fell on Yu Zhiwan's legs.
After all, it was rare for someone with a disability to join such gatherings.
Though the mayor's wife held an official title, Pei Yujang's previous life as a high-ranking officer meant that even powerful officials had shown her respect during the war. As a result, she felt no intimidation.
She greeted the wife calmly.
The mayor's wife smiled warmly and nodded, acknowledging the greeting. "Hello."
Fang Nianjing paused her conversation and casually asked:
"Is everyone here? Shall we start choosing songs? If no one has any requests, I'll just pick something."
Pei Yujang wasn't much of a singer, so she waved off the question, content to let others choose.
As professional actresses, Chen Lulu and Fang Nianjing both had decent singing abilities—sometimes they needed to cross into music for collaborative projects. They chose a few songs they were familiar with to get the party started.
Sensing that Pei Yujang's impression of her had taken a hit due to the unexpected guests, Chen Lulu tried to make amends by performing a series of sweet songs, quickly lifting the atmosphere with her charming voice.
Although Chen Lulu wasn't a trained singer, she had a lovely voice, and soon the room was filled with her cheerful melodies.
After finishing one song, the room's door opened, and several attendants entered, carrying fruit platters and beers before stepping back. Some stayed behind, ready to assist or liven up the room.
Given the unfamiliar presence of the mayor's wife, Pei Yujang wasn't interested in mingling and lazily lounged on the sofa, snacking on sunflower seeds. The fruit platter was high quality—Pei Yujang had sampled a grape earlier, finding it fresh and sweet, with plump, juicy flesh. The sunflower seeds were fragrant, with a subtle floral note.
While Fang Nianjing was setting up the next song, a female attendant began massaging the mayor's wife's shoulders, and Chen Lulu, pretending to be tired, sat down beside Pei Yujang. Offering her a slice of apple, she leaned in close, speaking softly over the music:
"The mayor and his wife have been married for seven or eight years, and they have a great relationship. The mayor really spoils his wife. Apparently, even when she goes out to have fun, he knows about it."
The attendant massaging the wife's shoulders was also an Omega, not even a Beta, indicating the woman simply enjoyed being pampered.
As Chen Lulu spoke, Pei Yujang felt the warm breath against her ear, like a small, crawling insect. She waited for Chen Lulu to finish before subtly shifting away.
It seemed clear that the mayor was indeed very fond of his wife.
Pei Yujang thought.
The mayor's salary was undoubtedly high, but without any corruption, it would likely be on par with Pei Jinhuai's wealth.
However, the mayor's wife wasn't just well-dressed—everything she wore was custom-made by high-end brands.
Pei Yujang had only glanced at her briefly but noticed that even her high heels were made with jade soles, a practice rooted in ancient craftsmanship that required significant investment to get the right fit.
Who would have thought that this mayor's wife was so wealthy?
Even though Pei Jinhuai doted on the original character and indulged her extravagance, she never reached this level. Though the mayor's wife was officially just a spouse, she didn't seem to hide her wealth, even in public.
This Alpha female mayor was a figure of historical significance, known for her dedication to the people. During a critical moment, she famously chose to stand with the citizens of Xiangcheng. The historical record detailed how her elderly mother personally cared for displaced residents, yet there was no mention of her wife. Despite their well-documented love, the wife remained conspicuously absent.
Pei Yujang was curious but kept her thoughts to herself, choosing instead to relax and enjoy the music.
Fang Nianjing, known for her deep, sultry voice, was now singing. Her low, smooth tones, combined with her clear enunciation and sexy timbre, created an emotional atmosphere. The KTV's lights dimmed, focusing on the large screen, highlighting her sharp features under the shifting lights.
The mayor's wife, seemingly caught up in the mood, picked up a microphone and joined in for a duet.
Her voice was somewhat sticky, hard to describe, full of emotion but lacking in technique. The song lulled Pei Yujang into a sleepy state. She hadn't slept well for several days and found herself dozing off against the sofa's plush cushions.
After a while, the mayor's wife had had her fill of singing and glanced back to see Pei Yujang slumped on the sofa, fast asleep. Noticing that Yu Zhiwan had also nodded off in her wheelchair, the wife wasn't annoyed but rather understandingly patted Chen Lulu on the shoulder:
"It seems your friends aren't comfortable around me. Why don't we move to another room for a bit?"
The private room was more like a suite, with corridors, additional rooms, and even gender-specific restrooms, taking up a large area that justified the steep price tag for the night.
Chen Lulu, feeling nervous and unsure, looked to Fang Nianjing for guidance. When Fang Nianjing's friend nodded, they all quietly exited the room, accompanied by a few of the club's attendants.
For a few minutes, the only sounds in the room were the soft background music and the steady breathing of the two sleepers.
Chen Lulu, still worried, sent Pei Yujang a message as she left the room. When she received no response, she reluctantly put her phone back into her pocket, setting it to vibrate so she could feel any incoming notifications immediately.
A few minutes after the group left, Pei Yujang slowly opened her eyes, her drowsiness completely gone.
She had sensed something unusual about her drink, detecting a trace of a mild sedative. It was colorless and odorless, making it nearly impossible to notice if used in small amounts—it would simply make the person feel sleepy, as if they hadn't rested well.
The KTV's lights shifted from vibrant to dim, the mood lighting matching the slow songs they had been singing, casting more shadows in the room.
Pei Yujang took advantage of the dim lighting to discreetly pour the rest of her drink into a tissue hidden inside her jacket, pretending to pass out.
She wanted to see what they were up to.
Despite appearing distracted, she had observed everyone's actions closely, noting how Fang Nianjing and Chen Lulu seemed to be there just for fun, while the mayor's wife and her supposed "friend" had been exchanging subtle glances.
Pei Yujang quietly turned off all the lights and heating in the room, except for the background music, and then started a thorough inspection using her phone's flashlight.
She found a pinhole camera but confirmed it wasn't activated. Once satisfied that there were no other hidden devices, she turned everything back on.
Pei Yujang hadn't done something like this in a long time, especially not in a time of peace, but the circumstances forced her hand. She felt the mayor's wife was hiding something, and she needed to find out what it was.
After preparing everything, she pressed her ear against the door. The soundproofing was excellent, so she couldn't hear anything. Just as she was about to carefully open the door, a clear voice rang out behind her:
"What are you up to? Why didn't you include me?"
Pei Yujang was genuinely startled this time.
Her hand slipped, almost pushing the door open.
Caught in an awkward position, with her face pressed against the door like a lover caught in the act, Pei Yujang's hair was slightly tousled, and her eyes widened in surprise.
Her long lashes fluttered as she blinked, making her usually sharp eyes appear rounder and more innocent, like a startled rabbit—a stark contrast to her usual composed appearance.
With her long legs bent and crouched, Pei Yujang watched in shock as Yu Zhiwan slowly approached her, leaning out of her wheelchair.
The Omega's scent was fresh and enticing, subtly teasing Pei Yujang's olfactory nerves. Although they weren't physically close, Pei Yujang felt as though she were being lured in. Yu Zhiwan's voice was like a feather, softly tickling her ear:
"Hurry up. I'm playful; I want to join you."