After the Corporate Slave Beta and the Top Alpha Married - Chapter 5

Even after the high school reunion ended, Ji Yu didn’t ask Shang Yuanzhou for the reason behind his behavior at the cocktail party.

He had always been good at controlling his curiosity, never overstepping to pry into others’ inner thoughts. On the surface, he seemed gentle and easygoing, but in reality, his sense of boundaries was incredibly strong, using an invisible line to separate himself from others.

Once he left the high school environment, he lost touch with all his classmates. When Sun Caicheng suddenly remembered to notify him of the reunion, he merely offered a silent sigh regarding his own dismal social life.

The sigh was where it ended; he made no effort to change it.

On Monday—a day loathed by countless office workers—even a bright, sunny morning couldn’t breathe vitality into the deathly still office. Ji Yu arrived at the company and handed over the PPT he had made in his spare time to Jiang Yibai.

Jiang Yibai was all smiles. “Thanks for the help, Ji Yu. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to meet my old friend who rarely visits A-City.”

Ji Yu gave a small smile, making no mention of his Saturday cocktail party or Sunday reunion. “It’s nothing.”

Internally, he wondered what excuse this person would use next time to seek his help. He had no interest in Jiang Yibai’s flirtatious advances and was repulsed by slightly intimate physical contact, but his personality made it difficult for him to offer a harsh rejection.

He understood that if he plainly stated he didn’t like Jiang Yibai being too close, the Omega might be embarrassed to the point of tears. Not because Ji Yu was particularly important, but because being rejected by a Beta would be seen as a humiliation for a good-looking Omega.

Ji Yu didn’t want to cause trouble at work. He just wanted to stay here peacefully for a while and then either go abroad or move to a different city.

“Ji Yu, come here for a moment.” The group leader walked over and gestured to him. “The Vice General Manager is looking for you.”

Ji Yu complied. Under the surprised gazes of his colleagues, he walked toward the elevator to the floor where Sun Caicheng’s office was located. He knocked, entered after receiving an answer, and found Sun Caicheng sitting there.

Sun Caicheng was an Alpha living a life of luxury and indulgence. He was somewhat heavy-set, though one could still tell his features were decent. Seeing Ji Yu, he didn’t beat around the bush: “Did you and President Shang exchange contact information at the reunion yesterday?”

Ji Yu was briefly startled, then let out a laugh. “How could that be possible, President Sun?”

“President Shang and I are not from the same world. Why would he be willing to add my contact info?”

Sun Caicheng: “You were rejected? Well, that’s normal.”

Ji Yu gave a soft “Mm.” In truth, he hadn’t even brought up the subject of adding contacts to Shang Yuanzhou.

Sun Caicheng furrowed his brow in deep thought. “Why do you think someone like him showed up at a high school reunion?”

When Sun Caicheng went, his three years of high school sentiment were secondary; primarily, it was because there were a few people in his social circle he could network with for mutual resource exchange. Shang Yuanzhou hadn’t even been with them for three years, and besides, Shang Yuanzhou wouldn’t care about their measly scraps.

Sun Caicheng was hoping Ji Yu would offer some insight, but instead, Ji Yu said: “Because of school spirit?”

Sun Caicheng: “…”

He asked suspiciously, “You really didn’t get his contact info?”

Ji Yu said helplessly, “I really didn’t. How could I be worthy of President Shang?”

Sun Caicheng waved a hand. “You’re right about that. You aren’t worthy, and I aren’t either. No use thinking too much about it. Fine, get back to work.”

Ji Yu returned to his station. He gave a few vague answers to his curious colleagues’ questions without going into detail.

In the blink of an eye, another week was nearly over. Ji Yu received an unexpected call.

His phone buzzed with a number he didn’t recognize. While processing his work, he answered: “Hello, who is this?”

“It’s me, Shang Yuanzhou.” The voice on the other end was deep and magnetic. The words were short, but the tone wasn’t cold.

Ji Yu was stunned. In his mind, he and Shang Yuanzhou shouldn’t have any further interactions. “President Shang?” Though puzzled, he continued, “Is there something you need…?”

Shang Yuanzhou: “Are you free tomorrow? Let’s meet and talk.”

Tomorrow was Saturday; Ji Yu had the time, but he couldn’t think of what Shang Yuanzhou would want to discuss with him. “…If it’s not very important, perhaps we could just talk over the phone—”

“I want to talk to you about a collaboration.” “Let’s meet, Ji Yu.”

Before he could finish, Shang Yuanzhou interrupted him. Even after they settled on a time and place, Ji Yu was still confused.

The call hadn’t been hung up yet. Ji Yu thought the other side had more to say, but after a moment, it was quiet enough to hear shallow breathing. This silence over the phone was strange. Just as Ji Yu was about to hang up, several blue plastic folders appeared before him.

“Ji Yu, check these data figures. Hand them to me before off-hours next Monday.”

Ji Yu took them. “Okay.”

From the quiet phone came Shang Yuanzhou’s voice: “Are you still working?”

Ji Yu hummed, flipping through the folder. “Overtime.”

Shang Yuanzhou: “Then I won’t interrupt your work. Get some rest early.”

Ji Yu: “You too, President Shang.”

Their conversation carried the distance of adult politeness. Ji Yu didn’t care for such superficial concern, but he truly couldn’t fathom what kind of “collaboration” required him. He had mentioned he didn’t participate in the Ji family business, yet Shang Yuanzhou said he was only looking for him.

The next day arrived, and Ji Yu went to the agreed-upon café.

When Shang Yuanzhou uttered the words: “Let’s get married”—

The expression on Ji Yu’s face was spectacular. His mouth hung slightly open, and his eyes were wide. Even without a mirror, he could imagine his own dazed, foolish expression.

The air smelled of rich coffee, and he was sitting on a soft sofa, yet Ji Yu felt as if he were in a dream. But why would I dream of marrying Shang Yuanzhou? This is too weird.

So, this was reality.

Ji Yu doubted his own hearing. “Excuse me, President Shang, what did you just say?” If it weren’t so impolite, he would have dug at his ear.

Sitting opposite him, Shang Yuanzhou wore a black suit, likely custom-made, which fit his physique perfectly. If the silver suit at the cocktail party was a coldness that kept people a thousand miles away, today he was like a hidden sword—slightly gentler, but still sharp.

Shang Yuanzhou’s hand rested on a paper on the table. It was a broad, adult hand that covered most of the contract’s title. His fingers were long, and the veins on the back of his hand were slightly prominent. Ji Yu found the hand aesthetically pleasing; if it weren’t pressing down on a marriage contract, he might have appreciated it more.

Shang Yuanzhou’s tone was not warm. It was as if he were discussing a corporate acquisition rather than his own marriage, carrying a business-like detachment. “For certain reasons, I need to put on an act of being deeply in love with someone.”

“This person should ideally be a Beta with a poor family background.” He met Ji Yu’s gaze and gave a small smile. “I think you are a very suitable candidate.”

Ji Yu: “…There are many people like that. Why me?”

Shang Yuanzhou: “I don’t like trouble. If the person refuses to divorce or pesters me after the matter is concluded, I would have to take time to deal with them.”

If someone else said this, it would sound arrogant and superior. But coming from Shang Yuanzhou, it made Ji Yu fall silent. He had to admit the concern was logical.

“You need money, and you are unlikely to cause trouble. Furthermore, the fact that we were high school classmates…” Shang Yuanzhou paused, staring at Ji Yu as he spoke slowly, “…will make the story of me falling irredeemably in love with you more believable.”

As a Top Alpha, his appearance was undeniably exceptional. When those narrow, pale-red eyes stared at Ji Yu while he spoke those words, it really did look like he was acting out a deep affection.

Ji Yu: “…” He felt that if Shang Yuanzhou ever went bankrupt, he could probably win an Oscar in the entertainment industry.

Ji Yu felt awkward and skipped over that remark, asking instead: “May I know why you have to enter a fake marriage?”

They were in a private room inside the café; the enclosed environment ensured no one else could hear. Ji Yu realized this was likely why Shang Yuanzhou chose this location.

Shang Yuanzhou didn’t beat around the bush. “You should know I’m an illegitimate son. If the others in the Shang family weren’t so useless, I wouldn’t be in power. Old Man Shang passed away recently. Those who were being suppressed are getting restless, but they are wary of me. I need to add fuel to the fire of their desires to make them dare to act.”

“By defying the marriage the Old Man arranged for me and instead marrying a Beta who brings no benefit, I both offend the party I broke the engagement with and make myself look like a short-sighted fool who was just pretending in front of the Old Man. It also allows me to push away a marriage partner I dislike.”

Ji Yu furrowed his brow, realizing Shang Yuanzhou’s position as head of the family might not be as stable as it appeared on the surface. “If you don’t achieve your goal, will I have to keep acting with you indefinitely?”

Shang Yuanzhou gave a timeframe. “Three years at most. If things go smoothly, less than a year. Do you want to see the contract? If it takes longer, you’ll receive more money. Don’t worry.”

Ji Yu took the contract and skimmed it. He could discern the underlying meaning of the clauses. The contract clearly stated where he needed to cooperate, but also strictly prohibited him from overstepping into any part of Shang Yuanzhou’s life. Naturally, the compensation was generous.

Ji Yu: “I need to think about it.”

“Why? Is there something in the contract you’re unhappy with?” Shang Yuanzhou spoke casually. “This contract was drafted by my trusted assistant. I’ve seen the general content. If you find it too harsh, we can negotiate.”

“No.” Ji Yu shook his head. If anything, the strictness of the contract made him feel more at ease. If it hadn’t been so detailed, he wouldn’t have even considered it.

Before they left the café, Shang Yuanzhou told Ji Yu to call him once he had made a decision.

Ji Yu truly hadn’t expected to be talking about marriage by his third meeting with the man. He made a casual joke: “Aren’t you afraid that I might actually pester you later, President Shang?”

After all, he was a Top Alpha—1.9 meters tall, with a V-taper physique, outstanding looks, and immense wealth. Such a man was a prize even at the very top of high society.

Shang Yuanzhou had already stood up. He was so tall that he blocked most of the light in the room. Shadows formed a line between light and dark on his handsome face. He seemed to smile slightly as he said in a very soft voice: “Is that so?”

Then I’m actually looking forward to it.

Ji Yu didn’t hear him clearly and instinctively asked, “What?”

Shang Yuanzhou retracted the emotion in his eyes, maintaining the demeanor of a businessman talking to a partner. “I chatted with you at the reunion the other day. I don’t think you would.”