Pei Yujang's heart pounded so intensely she could barely handle it. She clutched her chest, coughed lightly, and anxiously fixed her gaze on the familiar face before her.
Every second of waiting felt like an eternity, making her increasingly nervous. Pei Yujang wished she could rewind the clock just a few seconds to take back her impulsive outburst.
"I'm sorry, I was just joking," she blurted out before Yu Zhiwan could respond. Hastily, she turned and walked toward her house. With her long legs, she quickly covered the distance, and Yu Zhiwan didn't stop her. Pei Yujang shut the door behind her, finally calming her racing heart.
That night, after taking a shower and lying down in bed, Pei Yujang found herself unable to sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, Yu Zhiwan's face floated in her mind.
She had never joked with Yu Zhiwan like this before. To her, jokes always had a grain of truth. In the past, she would never say such frivolous things to an Omega, but tonight, in a moment of heated emotion, she did. Yu Zhiwan neither rejected her nor played along, leaving their relationship in an awkward, undefined space.
When she was Little Fish, Yu Zhiwan had been very close to her. Even after her true identity was revealed, Yu Zhiwan didn't react with the anger or betrayal Pei Yujang had feared. Instead, Yu Zhiwan had trusted her completely, even during her most vulnerable heat, allowing Pei Yujang to comfort her.
Could it be that Yu Zhiwan had realized Pei Yujang's feelings for her and was now distancing herself to avoid giving her false hope?
Pei Yujang couldn't think of any other explanation. It made sense that Yu Zhiwan would want to maintain some distance if she sensed Pei Yujang's affection, especially since Yu Zhiwan didn't return those feelings.
But the thought of this made Pei Yujang feel disappointed.
However, she wasn't one to wallow in self-pity. She quickly shifted her perspective and tried to cheer herself up.
Yu Zhiwan didn't have anyone she liked, and she didn't seem to mind Pei Yujang's company. So, if Pei Yujang put in the effort, maybe she could win Yu Zhiwan's heart.
Once Pei Yujang made up her mind, she wasted no time. She knew the internet was full of advice, even in the middle of the night, and quickly found a question-and-answer app she'd seen advertised. After registering, she eagerly posted her first question.
Anonymous: "If a Beta likes an Omega who currently doesn't have anyone they like and is just friends with the Beta, how should the Beta pursue the Omega?"
Supplementary Info: "They're both women."
After posting, Pei Yujang felt a surge of excitement. She washed her face and did some light exercises to pass the time before checking back on her post.
There was only one notification, which turned out to be a system message, leaving her disappointed.
She paid for extra exposure, hoping to draw more attention to her post. But after waiting for a while, it seemed her post had vanished into the void.
Frustrated, she considered leaving the site but noticed an ad for a "reward system" and decided to give it another shot. She downloaded the app, topped up her account, and selected the option to offer a cash reward for good answers.
The money worked like a charm. Within minutes, notifications started rolling in, and Pei Yujang quickly skimmed through the responses. Some suggested using gifts or money to win the Omega's favor, but Pei Yujang dismissed those ideas since Yu Zhiwan didn't lack for anything.
7th Reply: "How do you look? Maybe try seduction? But keep in mind, Omegas usually prefer Alphas, so it might be hard for a Beta unless you're stunningly attractive."
Pei Yujang ignored this one and continued reading. Most of the advice was generic, but one reply stood out. It recommended a relationship expert who had a profile on the app, complete with a verified PhD in psychology.
Curious, Pei Yujang clicked on the expert's profile and found a simple but compelling ad:
"Ci Hui Studio: Your emotional consulting experts. Facilitating over 30 successful couples in the past year. Services include psychological counseling, emotional advice, tarot readings, and more. Available 24/7."
Intrigued, Pei Yujang contacted the studio. After describing her situation, the owner suggested a tarot reading.
Although skeptical of tarot and astrology, Pei Yujang decided to give it a try since it was inexpensive. The reading revealed that she had an 80% chance of becoming Yu Zhiwan's true love.
"The odds are in your favor, but don't rule out the possibility of someone else swooping in. After all, Omegas are naturally drawn to Alphas, which is a biological drive that's hard to overcome," the owner explained.
"But love isn't just about biology. If an Omega develops feelings for a Beta, it's likely more genuine and less influenced by pheromones, meaning the relationship could be stronger and more enduring."
The first part of the explanation didn't sit well with Pei Yujang, but the latter half made her feel more confident.
The owner then offered a comprehensive package for around 10,000 yuan, promising personalized guidance on how to pursue Yu Zhiwan over the next three months. If there was no progress, she'd get half her money back.
Money wasn't an issue for Pei Yujang, who had made a decent income since arriving in this world. She agreed to the package without hesitation.
They added each other on Talk, and after learning more about Yu Zhiwan's personality and their dynamic, the owner suggested:
"You're her boss, right?"
"That's right."
"Why not use your position to create more opportunities for interaction? Since you're already close, it wouldn't be unusual for you to go on business trips together. You could also tailor the office environment to her preferences, subtly showing her your affection without overwhelming her. Patience is key."
Pei Yujang found this advice insightful and eagerly took notes.
"Is there anything else I should keep in mind?"
"We'll discuss more tomorrow. It's late," the owner replied. "Isn't tomorrow a workday?"
Pei Yujang realized she did have to work the next day, as she still had to oversee the situation in Yicheng until everything was resolved.
"Alright, goodnight."
Feeling satisfied with the advice, Pei Yujang quickly fell asleep. That night, she dreamt of Yu Zhiwan, and for the first time, the dream filled her with a sense of joy rather than the usual uncertainty.
The next morning, Pei Yujang was awakened by the sound of her doorbell.
She had slept deeply and hadn't heard her alarm. The doorbell had a strong sound that increased in volume after three rings without a response. Groggily, she got out of bed, still in her pajamas, and tiptoed to the door to look through the peephole.
She initially assumed it was someone from the property management, but when she looked down and saw the familiar figure in the wheelchair, she instantly woke up. She quickly opened the door, and the delicious smell of food wafted in.
Yu Zhiwan had brought her steamed buns and soy milk.
The buns were in a bamboo steamer, lined with a clean cloth. The uneven shapes and imperfect pleats indicated they were homemade, not from a store where everything was uniform.
Since they had started living near each other, Yu Zhiwan had taken to making breakfast for Pei Yujang, delivering it on time each morning. The meals were always different and tailored to Pei Yujang's taste, which she greatly appreciated.
This morning, with her newfound awareness of her feelings, Pei Yujang felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. She was so flustered she forgot to take the food from Yu Zhiwan.
Yu Zhiwan, familiar with the routine, entered the apartment and placed the food on the table.
"Why did you sleep in so late today?" Yu Zhiwan asked.
"Late? Not really…" Pei Yujang stammered.
She wasn't sure if Yu Zhiwan had taken her joke seriously the night before, but since Yu Zhiwan had still come to bring her breakfast, it seemed their relationship hadn't changed.
This made Pei Yujang secretly happy.
She never imagined she'd feel so grateful for something as simple as their routine staying the same.
The soy milk was sweetened with ice sugar and filled with soft, chewy taro balls. Pei Yujang preferred food with lots of flavors and textures, a preference she had developed after years of deprivation.
Yu Zhiwan had perfectly catered to her tastes, and the breakfast was as delicious as always. As Pei Yujang enjoyed the warm soy milk, she secretly smiled and winked at Yu Zhiwan, knowing she couldn't see.
Falling in love had made her cautious, nervous, and uncertain. But it also filled her with a sweet, unfamiliar joy that made her smile like a crescent moon. Pei Yujang rarely showed such childish behavior in front of others, but knowing Yu Zhiwan couldn't see, she felt bolder.
What she didn't realize was that Yu Zhiwan, who had remained composed, couldn't help but smile as well. Her smile grew as she watched Pei Yujang until she reluctantly turned away to send a few messages on her phone.
When Pei Yujang returned, dressed and ready to leave, she noticed Yu Zhiwan rubbing her temples and asked if something was wrong.
Yu Zhiwan shook her head. "It's nothing, just a bit of a headache. Maybe I caught a draft."
Pei Yujang immediately remembered the advice she had received that morning:
"To win someone's heart, show care and always go above and beyond to meet their needs."
She quickly knelt down, her eyes bright, and offered:
"Do you want me to massage it for you?"