Yu Zhiwan lowered her head in front of Pei Yujang, exposing her slender, swan-like neck. The graceful lines of her neck and shoulders were smooth and flawless, a testament to her genetic advantages as an Omega, along with the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Pei Yujang, mindful of the Omega's sensitive area, refrained from lingering her gaze on Yu Zhiwan's neck. Instead, she gently pressed her fingers on the sides of Yu Zhiwan's temples and asked, "Is this the right spot?"
Yu Zhiwan nodded, letting out a deep breath.
"You've been overworking yourself lately," Pei Yujang advised while massaging her temples. "Make sure to get a good rest tonight. No TV, no reports. There's no rush with the situation in Xiangcheng."
For Yu Zhiwan, who was visually impaired, writing reports was a much more taxing task. It required her to first identify the text using Braille, then switch to voice mode for AI to read the text back for errors, making it a laborious process compared to the ease of sighted people.
Pei Yujang was highly skilled in various life tasks, including massage. Within minutes, Yu Zhiwan felt the tension ease, and she shook her head, smiling at Pei Yujang. "That's better."
Seeing Yu Zhiwan's bright smile, Pei Yujang seized the moment. "How about tonight, after your bath, you come to my place? I have some relaxing essential oils, and I can give you a full massage. You'll feel so much better afterward."
She made sure to outline the plan clearly, subtly assuring Yu Zhiwan that her intentions were purely to help her relax. Yu Zhiwan, whether or not she caught the undertone, softly thanked her, "That would be lovely."
"No trouble at all!"
As they left for work, Pei Yujang didn't carry Yu Zhiwan to the car as she usually did. Instead, she tilted the wheelchair and helped Yu Zhiwan into the back seat, securing her seatbelt with care.
Feeling confident in her progress, Pei Yujang later recounted her actions to the relationship expert. After some time, the expert replied with a noncommittal, "Not bad."
"Just not bad?" Pei Yujang had expected a more enthusiastic response. She believed that by going the extra mile to care for Yu Zhiwan, she would surely leave a favorable impression.
The expert challenged her: "So, what's your plan for tonight? Will you play music during the massage? What will you talk about? And afterward, what's your next step? Are you planning to invite her out this weekend? If so, where will you go?"
The barrage of questions left Pei Yujang momentarily stunned. Sitting in her office, she finished reviewing a report before responding, "I thought I'd just give her a regular massage. She's really not feeling well—I'm not trying to do anything else."
The expert quickly followed up, "And what about conversation? You need to engage her in topics she's interested in. Don't be too rigid—be flexible, or you'll miss out on points."
Pondering over the advice, Pei Yujang had a sudden realization. "I've got it! I'll tell you how it goes tonight!"
"OK," the expert replied.
Ji Lingxian pushed her keyboard aside, stretching her fingers with a satisfied sigh. Switching to a private account, she messaged Yu Zhiwan: "Your friend seems pretty teachable. Treat me to a meal if it works out."
Known as "Boss Ji," Ji Lingxian was well-liked among her former classmates. Her moniker didn't stem from owning a large company but from her easygoing personality and knack for matchmaking, especially among friends.
As a licensed psychologist, Ji Lingxian was respected in her field. Her youthful energy and innovative thinking made her popular among young clients. Alongside her official practice, she ran an online relationship consulting studio, where she charged a premium for her services, accepting clients mostly through referrals.
Ji Lingxian had been keeping an eye on Pei Yujang at Yu Zhiwan's request, waiting for the right moment. When she finally spotted Pei Yujang's inquiry on a Q&A app, she knew it was time to act.
Pei Yujang was ready to take the bait, and Ji Lingxian hummed a tune, pleased at the prospect of earning the 10,000 yuan fee. She considered it a fair trade, perhaps even an early wedding gift.
The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of a new client, a petite Omega who was a stranger to her.
"Please, have a seat," Ji Lingxian said, putting on a welcoming smile and pulling out a chair.
That morning, Pei Yujang had been summoned to an emergency meeting that lasted until noon. The first half of the meeting focused on the recent scandal involving the skincare product and the influencer, Bananana.
The scandal had led to massive product returns, with Yue rong's warehouse overwhelmed by the volume. The aftermath had left the customer service and legal departments working overtime to handle the crisis.
Through financial records and police investigations, it was discovered that the person who had tampered with the product had been bribed. Bananana, despite being aware of the situation, had cooperated with the scheme.
The product had been re-examined in Xiangcheng, home to the best medical resources in the nation. Experts there confirmed that Yue rong's original cream did not contain harmful levels of ingredients, making an allergic reaction unlikely.
Xiangcheng's mayor, in her official capacity, filed a lawsuit against Yicheng Central Hospital, with Yue rong's legal representative joining as a co-plaintiff. They also lodged a complaint against local officials for their complicity in defaming the company.
This mess, though still ongoing, was showing signs of resolution. Once the issue became public, it inevitably attracted higher-level attention. Yicheng had a history of bureaucratic misconduct, and public outcry was often necessary to prompt action.
Pei Yujang had utilized her connections in the marketing department to fight back, mirroring the tactics used against Yue rong by enlisting influencers to turn the tide of public opinion.
As the truth about Bananana came to light, the online community reacted with outrage, feeling manipulated. Bananana's previously good reputation turned against her, and despite her attempts to explain, the backlash only grew, fueled by influencers who reignited the controversy.
When Bananana realized she was losing, she privately reached out to Yue rong to negotiate, claiming that she had been pressured by the authorities in Yicheng.
But Pei Yujang wasn't swayed by her excuses. If Yue rong had lost, they would have been ousted from the beauty industry altogether. With that in mind, Pei Yujang made the decision to publicly release their conversation, just as Bananana had done to them.
Though this issue was on the path to resolution, Yue rong faced other challenges. During the chaos, a competitor launched a new product, which Yue rong's product manager quickly identified as a stolen design.
Pei Yujang instantly recalled a familiar face—Liu Huanran. In the original storyline, Liu Huanran had stolen Yue rong's product ideas, passing them off as her own to impress her new boss. While this amounted to plagiarism, without concrete evidence, Yue rong had no choice but to accept the loss.
However, the new product had a flaw—it wasn't well-suited to the local market. In the original story, Liu Huanran managed to resolve this issue with the help of Yu Zhiwan, who at the time was her partner. Together, they had mitigated the problem, ensuring the product's success.
But now, with the storyline altered and Yu Zhiwan no longer by Liu Huanran's side, Pei Yujang doubted Liu Huanran's ability to fix the problem on her own.
If Liu Huanran had the necessary skills, she wouldn't have left Yue rong in disgrace, resorting to underhanded tactics to please her new boss. Her current boss likely harbored reservations about someone who would betray their former employer, knowing that it could happen again.
In the original storyline, Liu Huanran's desperation led her to rely on Yu Zhiwan's abilities, effectively living off of her while concealing her own shortcomings.
Pei Yujang smirked to herself. "Shameless."
Not too concerned, she poured tea for the furious product manager. The recent cold snap had made tea a popular choice in the third-floor meeting room, especially with added chrysanthemum and rock sugar, providing a soothing sweetness.
The product manager was in a foul mood, but seeing Pei Yujang get up, she didn't think much of it—until Pei Yujang handed her a cup of tea, nearly causing her to choke in surprise.
"Th-thank you, Ms. Pei."
She recalled hearing how much Pei Yujang had changed recently. Once known for her temper tantrums, the "Little Overlord" of Yue rong had earned quite a reputation after an infamous incident where she screamed at an employee so loudly that the entire floor could hear. Her father, Pei Jinghuai, had been too busy to intervene, leaving the staff to deal with the fallout.
But now, Pei Yujang was known for being considerate and mature, with her explosive outbursts a thing of the past.
Pei Yujang smiled warmly, signaling for the product manager to continue.
After the meeting, Pei Yujang headed to the cafeteria for lunch, where she overheard a group of young women chatting excitedly. Yue rong employed many young female staffers, some of whom were fans of the entertainment industry, while others simply enjoyed the latest gossip.
While Pei Yujang wasn't particularly interested in celebrity news, she enjoyed listening to gossip. Everything in this new era fascinated her, and she was eager to learn more, even if just as a spectator.
"Do you think Fang Nianjing and Yao Yishu are really together?" one woman asked her friend, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the cafeteria din.
"Can't be," her friend replied dismissively. "Fang Nianjing's whole image is the untouchable ice queen. They're probably just faking it for the movie."
"I used to ship her with Chen Lulu, but they're more like sisters," the first woman sighed. She urged her friend not to take the rumors too seriously, knowing how unreliable celebrity gossip could be.
"But it's Fang Nianjing's first romantic role, right? If there's a kissing scene... Ugh, I can't handle it!" the woman added, her voice tinged with distress.
Pei Yujang realized that the woman was likely a die-hard fan of Fang Nianjing, a well-known Alpha with an ethereal beauty and a reserved demeanor, often referred to as many young women's "dream Alpha." The rumors about Yao Yishu, a beautiful Omega, seemed to be stirring up quite a buzz, but Pei Yujang doubted there was any truth to them. It was probably just a marketing ploy.
She soon dismissed the gossip from her mind and focused on planning the afternoon tea for her employees.
Later that afternoon, Pei Yujang treated the entire company to a selection of fruit teas, creating a much-needed break from the recent tension.
Since taking over the marketing department, she had also built connections within the company, helping to foster a more positive atmosphere. A few employees who had joined just before the scandal broke were pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful gesture and posted about it on social media.
In her office, Pei Yujang called Yu Zhiwan over and presented her with a specially prepared tea. Leaning in with a smile, she said, "This is yours."
Unlike the others, Yu Zhiwan's tea had a cheese foam topping mixed with orange and grapefruit tea. The fruit pieces were intricately carved into tiny fish, a delicate and poetic touch.
Pei Yujang had also ordered a small slice of Black Forest cake for her. While she hadn't provided cake for the other employees, Yu Zhiwan's tea set was an exception, allowing her to enjoy it in the privacy of the office.
Sipping the tea, Yu Zhiwan's expression brightened as she noticed the intricate details. "There's a pattern on the fruit pieces?"
Her eyes widened in delight, a rare display of cuteness that caught Pei Yujang off guard. For a moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and pinch Yu Zhiwan's cheeks but quickly suppressed the impulse.
"Yes, they're carved into little fish," Pei Yujang said, emphasizing the word "fish" with a playful tone.
She smiled, her eyes lighting up with memories of their time together. As she spoke, Pei Yujang's face grew slightly warm, her usually cool blue eyes softening with emotion. Unaware of how endearing she looked to the now fully-sighted Yu Zhiwan, Pei Yujang was lost in the sweetness of the moment.
As Yu Zhiwan savored the tea's flavor, she thought about how to thank Ji Lingxian for her help.
Earlier, Ji Lingxian had unexpectedly met Yu Zhiwan at the airport, and together they had staged a scene that seemed to spark some jealousy in Pei Yujang. Watching Pei Yujang's adorable, unsure reactions had filled Yu Zhiwan's heart with warmth.
Pei Yujang had always had a knack for creating delightful surprises, her thoughtful gestures adding to the charm of their relationship.
After work, Pei Yujang stayed behind to finish some tasks while Yu Zhiwan returned home to prepare dinner. Later, as she wrapped up a video conference, she received a call from Pei Yujang.
"I'm tired," Yu Zhiwan said, closing her laptop. "Time for some relaxation. I might not come home tonight."
After freshening up, Yu Zhiwan made her way to Pei Yujang's place. The door was already slightly ajar, as if Pei Yujang had anticipated her arrival. With a gentle pull, Yu Zhiwan entered the apartment.
In a thin nightgown, Yu Zhiwan lay comfortably on Pei Yujang's bed, enjoying the soothing massage. Pei Yujang's hands were skilled, her touch firm but gentle, working away the tension in Yu Zhiwan's muscles.
As Pei Yujang applied warm towels to Yu Zhiwan's neck and back, she focused intently on her task. The scent of cherry blossom essential oil filled the room, and Pei Yujang's voice was soft as she asked, "Zhiwan, have you thought about the next product launch? Do you have any ideas?"
An hour later, fully dressed, Yu Zhiwan sat back in her own home office, her expression neutral as she waited for her colleagues to join the ongoing meeting. With a small window open, she messaged Ji Lingxian.
Ji Lingxian, who prided herself on having no social life and being perpetually single, replied instantly:
"Seriously? You still have time to message me? Shouldn't you be relaxing with her, sharing sweet nothings, and waiting for her to confess?"
Glancing over the unrealistic scenarios Ji Lingxian described, Yu Zhiwan simply responded with two words:
"Go away."
Pei Yujang: I finally got it! Zhiwan is a career woman, so she loves work!
Yu Zhiwan: ...