After the Nerd Marked the Top Omega - Chapter 22.1

Pei Yunci drove away, and only then did Fang Xu turn around and walk back to the school along the street.

When she arrived at the dorm, both of her roommates were there.

Liu Hanxue heard the sound of the door opening and looked at her: “Why did you rush out so suddenly just now?”

Fang Xu cleared her throat and said, “A call from a colleague.”

“Oh, I see. Nothing happened, right?” Liu Hanxue asked.

Fang Xu shook her head: “No, it’s fine. I guessed wrong; I thought the matter was urgent, so I didn’t have time to tell you.”

Hearing this, Liu Hanxue didn’t ask further: “That’s good, that’s good. Go ahead and eat dinner first. It shouldn’t be cold yet.”

“Okay.”

After speaking, Fang Xu looked to the side. Since she came in, Tang Xingxing hadn’t spoken, only watched her with her arms crossed.

Ignoring the guilt that surfaced, Fang Xu asked, “Xingxing, what’s wrong?”

Did the other party see her talking to Pei Yunci?

Tang Xingxing walked two steps, stood in front of her, and then leaned in slightly, her eyes serious.

The distance was a bit too close, and Fang Xu took a small half-step back, “Xingxing?”

“What’s going on…?” Liu Hanxue was also a little confused.

Tang Xingxing finally spoke: “Xu Xu, why are your eyes red?”

Hearing this, Liu Hanxue also turned her head and looked closely: “They are a bit red.”

Fang Xu’s hanging heart eased. She explained: “It’s nothing, the wind outside was a bit strong, it might have blown into them.”

She had cried for quite a while, and even after calming down outside, her eye rims were still noticeably flushed.

Tang Xingxing finally returned to her usual self and sighed in relief: “That’s good. I thought someone bullied you.”

After all, her friend was usually emotionally reserved and rarely got angry or in conflict with others.

Now, after a trip outside, both of her eyes were red, making it impossible for her not to worry.

Every word showed genuine concern for her friend.

Fang Xu’s heart felt warm, and she replied with a smile in her voice: “No one would bully me for no reason, don’t worry.”

“Why not,” Tang Xingxing’s voice lowered: “Song Shu is an example.”

If she were to say it, her good friend wasn’t in a relationship with Song Shu; she was clearly being bullied, and badly at that.

Fang Xu didn’t know what to say and could only softly call her name: “Xingxing.”

Tang Xingxing zipped her mouth, making a zipper gesture: “I know, I know. It’s just that you really looked a bit like you were heartbroken just now. We won’t mention her from now on.”

Liu Hanxue also smiled: “Xu Xu, if you get a girlfriend later, be sure to tell us.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Tang Xingxing strongly agreed.

Her friend was too kind and somewhat slow in matters of love. If she met the wrong person, she could at least help talk some sense into her.

Fang Xu naturally agreed: “If that day truly comes, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Although, in her opinion, she wouldn’t fall in love again.

“It’s a deal then,” Liu Hanxue promised them: “When I find a girlfriend, I’ll tell you right away too.”

“Me too,” Tang Xingxing said, then curiously asked: “Hanxue, do you have an ideal type?”

Without any hesitation, Liu Hanxue replied: “An Omega older than me.”

Tang Xingxing was amused: “Such a clear goal? When I meet someone suitable, I’ll introduce her to you.”

“Sounds good!”

“What about you, Xu Xu?”

Fang Xu was slowly eating her meal. Hearing the question, she pursed her lips and answered truthfully: “No ideal type in particular, just someone suitable.”

Tang Xingxing looked at her and sighed: “Don’t worry, I’ll also keep an eye out for suitable Omegas for you.”

Fang Xu opened her mouth, wanting to say that she had no requirements for the secondary gender, and that a Beta or an Omega would be fine.

But saying it out loud would seem deliberate, so she could only nod: “…Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She wondered when her good friend would finally figure things out.

Even though she was interning, Fang Xu still maintained her habit of exercising in the morning.

The weather was slowly getting warmer, and the number of people on the track gradually increased.

Fang Xu placed her backpack on a chair. The person next to her was sending a voice message.

“Babe, I logged into your account for the campus run. You don’t have to worry about this. I’ll wait for you downstairs at the dorm after I finish running.”

Jiangcheng University adhered to the philosophy of promoting all-around student development and placed great emphasis on physical exercise. Freshmen and sophomores had to complete forty campus runs each semester.

Upon receiving the reply, the person next to her started a conversation in a very familiar way: “Are you also here to run for your girlfriend?”

“…No.” Fang Xu said.

She was a junior now and didn’t have this requirement. She had helped Song Shu run in the past two years, but never so mushily.

The female Alpha smiled and didn’t ask further, only commenting: “After getting a girlfriend, I basically take over the campus runs. But this way, she can sleep a little longer, which is nice.”

It was a complaint, but one could hear a hint of bragging in it.

“…”

Not knowing what to say, Fang Xu placed her water bottle next to her and said, “I’m going to run now.”

The female Alpha nodded, “The temperature is just right now.”

After running five laps at a normal pace, Fang Xu switched to walking, slowly evening out her breathing.

It was around 6:30 in the morning; Pei Yunci should be awake by now.

Fang Xu thought for a moment and sent her a message.

[Fang Xu: Is your scent gland feeling better?]

Her mood was much better now, so her pheromones shouldn’t be “souring” anyone anymore, but she still asked, just in case.

After all, if it wasn’t painful, the other party wouldn’t have needed to increase the suppression level on her inhibitor bracelet.

Pei Yunci didn’t reply to the message but called directly.

“Hello?” Fang Xu quickly answered.

Pei Yunci said, “Good morning.”

Fang Xu always wore headphones while running.

The other party’s clear, cool voice came through, as if she were speaking right next to her.

The pleasant voice drilled into her ear, bringing with it a strange ticklish sensation.

Fang Xu touched her ear, and once the tickle subsided, she replied, “Good morning.”

“Are you outside?”

Pei Yunci was still in her apartment, her phone on speaker next to her. She could hear that the other party’s breathing was heavier than usual, somewhat like the rhythm of breathing during a marking.

“Yes, I’m at the track,” Fang Xu moved to the outer lane, walking on the outside: “I just finished running.”

Hearing this, Pei Yunci remembered that the girl had a habit of running.

“Ding.”

The sound of the microwave went off, followed by the sound of a spoon hitting a ceramic plate. Fang Xu asked, “Are you having breakfast?”

Pei Yunci hummed and sat down at the dining table: “Coffee and a sandwich, it saves time.”

She had thought about cooking a bowl of noodles a few mornings ago. She had been next to Fang Xu when she cooked before and remembered the steps and process.

However, the thought of boiling water, washing vegetables, and having to tell the cleaning lady to come and tidy up made her give up the idea. Some meals were better suited for two people.

Even though they were separated by a screen, Fang Xu could imagine the scene in the apartment right now.

Behind her was a wide floor-to-ceiling window, the soft sunlight of the not-yet-fully-risen sun painting the morning clouds with beautiful colors.

Pei Yunci’s soft, slightly curly hair hung down to her collarbone, covering her fair skin. Her sleeves were half-rolled, her long lashes slightly lowered, and a sandwich was held between her fingers.

A look of casual laziness made it impossible for people to look away.

Fang Xu didn’t forget her initial question: “Is your body feeling better? Does it still hurt?”

“It’s fine,” Pei Yunci said slowly: “The citrus scent is back to normal, too.”

The sourness had faded, returning to the familiar sweetness from the beginning, and she had a rare good night’s sleep last night.

Fang Xu felt a little embarrassed, unconsciously rubbing the back of her phone: “…That’s good.”

Listening to the obedient voice, Pei Yunci’s voice held a hint of a smile: “The bank card you returned will stay with me for the time being, and I’ll give it back to you when the agreement ends.”

Since they had been honest with each other, she wouldn’t shy away from the topic.

Fang Xu nodded.

Then, realizing they were on the phone and the other party couldn’t see her gesture, she replied with a sound: “Okay.”

Time passed quickly; more than two months had already passed since they signed the agreement.

It seemed that the one-year agreement period wasn’t too long and would pass in the blink of an eye.

Fang Xu’s mind wandered.

Pei Yunci said, “If you need any help, you can also look for me.”

Money, to her, was just a string of numbers, not much of a sacrifice.

If she could help Fang Xu and her sister, it was better than the money being wasted by her father and mother.

Hearing this, Fang Xu didn’t feel the previous sadness and frustration she felt when the bank card was handed to her. Instead, she felt a quiet happiness: “Thank you.”

The two chatted, and Fang Xu’s pace became slower and slower, almost indistinguishable from a leisurely walk.

“You’re welcome.”

“Yunci…”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing.”

Pei Yunci took a sip of cold coffee and lightly tapped the table with her fingertip: “Xiao Xu, what were you thinking just now?”

The other party clearly had something to say, yet she thought about keeping it from her.

Fang Xu’s lips opened and closed, and it took a while for a sound to come out: “I just wanted to ask, you said before that when you’re in a bad mood, looking at pretty pictures makes you feel a little better—is that true?”

She had a rare impulse just now, wanting to ask if the other party’s willingness to help her counted as them becoming familiar with each other.

Or rather, if it counted as a friendship.

But when the words were about to leave her mouth, Fang Xu felt it was too formal and somewhat difficult to say, so she switched to another topic.

“It is.” Pei Yunci said.

Fang Xu confirmed: “If I send you pictures, it won’t bother you, right?”

“No, but I might not be able to reply immediately.”

Pei Yunci had many meetings on her schedule, and if she was traveling for work, she would be even busier. Sometimes, she could only see some messages the next day.

Fang Xu: “That’s okay.”

She lightly pressed her lips upwards, revealing an inconspicuous dimple on the side of her cheek.

The question she wanted to know seemed to have been half-answered. They weren’t just strangers under an agreement.

Pei Yunci hummed: “Xiao Xu?”

Fang Xu: “What’s wrong?”

Pei Yunci’s long lashes were half-lowered: “Have you been thinking about sending me pictures these past few days?”

She habitually inferred the other person’s thoughts from their words; the girl wouldn’t say these things for no reason.

As the clear, cool voice fell, Fang Xu’s breathing paused for a moment.

Subconsciously, she thought she had let something slip. But after reviewing the conversation, she realized she hadn’t.

Pei Yunci was simply too perceptive.

“I heard a colleague mention a few days ago that you weren’t in a good mood,” Fang Xu explained.

But why she hadn’t reached out, they both understood.

Pei Yunci asked, “Do you still have the picture you wanted to send?”

“Yes.” Fang Xu was a little stunned that she suddenly asked this: “But the picture isn’t very good.”

The last sunset could be considered a scenic view, but sending the photo from the staff canteen felt somewhat inappropriate.

“It’s fine, I’d like to see it.” Pei Yunci was also a little curious.

Fang Xu pursed her lips: “Okay.”

She flipped through her album and found the picture of the beef noodles and the tomato and egg noodles.

After sending it, she sent a few pictures of Yucheng, trying to shift the other party’s attention: “Yucheng has a lot of ancient temples and old-style buildings. If you have time, you can come and visit.”

“I’ve heard about it.” Pei Yunci looked at them one by one, her gaze finally resting on the two bowls of noodles: “The staff canteen?”

“Yes, I ate it with a colleague.”

Pei Yunci asked, “Are you getting used to the company?”

“Yes, my colleagues are all very helpful.”

“The last report was excellent; I could tell you were well-prepared.” She was referring to the day she presented the third-generation gaming pod.

There were many people present at the time, so she couldn’t say much, but giving the young Alpha a compliment in private was possible.

Fang Xu tended to blush when complimented. After a moment of silence, she said, “Pei Group is excellent, too.”

A very light laugh came through the earphones.

After all this time, Pei Yunci’s initial thought was confirmed. The girl was very smart regarding academics or professional matters, but somewhat clumsy and dull in other areas.

For no reason, Fang Xu’s face also felt a little hot.

Both were silent for a moment. She wondered if she should hang up the phone, but then a strange voice suddenly cut in.

“Are you done running?”

Fang Xu looked up; it was the familiar female Alpha from before.

Out of politeness, she replied, “Yes, I’m done.”

The female Alpha asked, “Impressive. Should we exchange contact information and schedule runs together sometime?”

Fang Xu remembered their conversation earlier, and if they became familiar, she would probably have to listen to the other party showing off her affection.

She gently shook her head, subtly declining: “Sorry, I’m a bit busy these days.”

“I see,” as she spoke, the female Alpha also noticed the active call screen and tactfully said: “Then I won’t bother you. Goodbye!”

Fang Xu nodded slightly and then looked at the lit-up screen; the person on the other end had not hung up the phone.

“A classmate?” Pei Yunci asked.

“Not really,” Fang Xu briefly explained the situation: “She’s here to run for her girlfriend for the campus run. We only spoke two sentences.”

“Running for her girlfriend for the campus run?” Pei Yunci repeated.

Fang Xu hummed: “Things like that happen quite a bit.”

The school didn’t really mind, turning a blind eye to it, as long as the requirement was met.

Pei Yunci had been out of that environment for too long and found it somewhat novel: “…Quite young.”

Then, she asked: “Have you ever run for your girlfriend?”

The question came out of the blue, and Fang Xu stopped moving, standing still: “I…”

Sensing her hesitation, Pei Yunci asked, “Is that hard to answer?”

“No,” Fang Xu immediately said.

She considered Pei Yunci a friend, yet they were different from ordinary friends, and discussing emotional matters always felt a bit awkward.

Fang Xu used her toe to nudge a small pebble on the track, kicking it to the side: “I have.”

The campus runs for her freshman and sophomore years were basically run by her for Song Shu.

Pei Yunci lowered her eyes and said, “You were quite good to your ex-girlfriend.”

It was the expected answer, but hearing the other party say it out loud didn’t seem too interesting.

Fang Xu paused for a moment, truly not knowing how to reply, and could only say: “…Yes.”

Pei Yunci reminded her: “Even if you have other ideas, I hope you will abide by the agreement.”

Getting back together with an ex-girlfriend was common in reality. But it had better not happen during this year.

“It won’t.” Fang Xu replied quickly, her voice serious: “I won’t do anything like that.”

Pei Yunci: “I know.”

A good student couldn’t even hide her sadness or grief from her, let alone contact other Omegas behind her back.

This trust made Fang Xu slightly curve her lips.

Pei Yunci: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

“Okay.”

Only after hanging up the phone did Fang Xu realize that, without knowing it, they had been chatting for more than ten minutes.

“Xiao Xu, please check this document for me.” Jin Yu handed the items to her.

Fang Xu looked at it: “Okay.”

“No rush, take your time,” Jin Yu said.

After becoming familiar with the team’s business, Fang Xu’s cooperation with her colleagues improved, and she performed exceptionally well.

He Ya had been staring at the screen for a long time, and her eyes felt tired. She turned her chair around and started chatting as a form of relaxation: “Xiao Xu.”

Fang Xu looked at her: “Sister He Ya.”

He Ya chatted casually: “How long is your internship?”

Fang Xu wasn’t sure: “It depends on the school’s schedule.”

After her junior year, she would have to start preparing for her graduation project and finding a job.

He Ya lowered her voice: “Have you considered staying at Pei Group?”

“I have,” Fang Xu said: “But I’ll have to see what happens later.”

He Ya lowered her voice further: “The company’s transition-to-full-time assessment is difficult, but with your abilities, you can definitely stay.”

Then, she changed the subject: “Mainly, being your colleague is truly too wonderful.”

If she encountered something she didn’t understand, Fang Xu would look it up herself. If she was given a document, she would even find punctuation errors. She never procrastinated and mostly focused on her own work quietly.

Where else could she find such a good colleague!

Fang Xu chuckled: “Then I’ll try my best.”

He Ya joked, “To be honest, if you were a little older, I’d be having inappropriate thoughts.”

She was a Beta and hoped to find a Beta in the future because she had always disliked arrogant Alphas. Unexpectedly, Fang Xu was completely different from other Alphas.

Tong Huai walked past and chimed in: “Pei Group is not against office romance.”

The others laughed in unison.

He Ya sighed helplessly: “Xiao Xu, I’m just kidding.”

Fang Xu’s face was also smiling: “I know.”

Seeing this, He Ya sighed heavily: “How can even you be in cahoots with them?”

“How is that ‘in cahoots’?” another colleague retorted.

He Ya: “Of course it is.”

“…”

Fang Xu was busy with the work at hand, occasionally distracted by listening to their conversation.

At noon, she went to the staff canteen with her colleagues as usual.

“Let me see what we’re eating today?” He Ya looked at each serving window.

Jin Yu: “I’ve eaten everything here at least three times. I have absolutely no anticipation now.”

“True,” He Ya turned her head and asked the person next to her: “What are you eating, Xiao Xu?”

Fang Xu wasn’t picky about food. She chose the nearest window: “Rice and stir-fried pork with chili, I guess.”

“I’ll have that too. It’s been a while since I had it.”

The three of them got their meals. Just as they were about to finish eating, Jin Yu patted both of them: “Look, who is that?”

“Who?” He Ya looked up.

Fang Xu also looked over, and a familiar figure appeared in her line of sight.

“Why is CEO Pei suddenly coming to the staff canteen? An inspection?” Jin Yu guessed.

He Ya denied her idea: “Inspecting the canteen is a bit of overkill. She’s probably just here to eat.”

He Ya: “Has CEO Pei been here before?”

Jin Yu had seen her in the staff canteen before: “She has, but only a few times.”

As they spoke, Pei Yunci had already walked in. The fact that her assistant wasn’t accompanying her also suggested she was there to eat.

Fang Xu watched for a moment, and her gaze unexpectedly met the other person’s. Pei Yunci subtly nodded at her, then found a seat.

Only after returning to her cubicle did she notice that Pei Yunci had sent her a message just now.

[Pei Yunci: The food at the staff canteen is quite decent.]

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