After the Nerd Marked the Top Omega - Chapter 25.1

The birthday banquet was held at the Pei family residence, and all the well-known families of the gentry were invited.

Before the banquet officially started, Pei Yunci was getting some fresh air in the back garden.

“Yunci, why are you hiding here?” The person speaking was wearing a formal dress with a simple jacket draped over her shoulders.

Hearing the voice, Pei Yunci looked over and said casually, “You arrived quite early today.”

It was Ji Qingsi, a friend of hers and Du Xing’an, who had grown up with them. However, Ji Qingsi chose to pursue further studies after university, obtained her Ph.D., and only recently returned to the country.

Ji Qingsi chuckled, “Thanks for picking me up at the airport that day.”

Her words had a hidden meaning, clearly referring to the scandal the unethical media had published about the two of them.

Pei Yunci glanced at her. “I wasn’t there to pick you up; I was there to pick up your mentor.”

Ji Qingsi’s mentor was an authority in the field of medicine abroad and an expert specifically hired by Pei Corporation to assist in the research and development of the inhibitor bracelet.

That was her purpose in going to the airport. As for her good friend, that was merely a side benefit.

“Knowing something and not exposing it is a virtue,” Ji Qingsi smiled faintly and asked again, “I heard you recently found an Alpha?”

Pei Yunci: “Xing’an told you? The two of you have reconnected.”

During high school, Ji Qingsi and Du Xing’an had a brief one-month relationship. Soon after, they both underwent differentiation. One became an Alpha, the other a Beta. After an argument, Ji Qingsi flew across the ocean, only returning for holidays.

Ji Qingsi’s expression remained unchanged, she only reached out and adjusted her jacket. “We reconnected recently. Don’t change the subject.”

Pei Yunci: “The relationship between that Alpha and me is purely one of treatment and being treated.”

Ji Qingsi chuckled, “You haven’t changed after all these years. I thought I might see a breakthrough in your love life when I returned this time.”

“You haven’t changed much either,” as friends, they spoke more freely and didn’t worry about offending each other.

The night wind blew, and Pei Yunci brushed the hair from her ear, asking, “Are you planning on making a breakthrough with Xing’an now that you’re back?”

Ji Qingsi: “…Let’s change the topic.”

Pei Yunci also smiled, no longer dwelling on the matter. “Are you planning to stay this time, or are you leaving again?”

“I’m staying,” Ji Qingsi said. “My family members are all in poor health.”

Her family situation was also a mess, so she wasn’t saying this because she wanted to stay and care for people, but rather because of the Ji family’s company.

“What are your plans?” Pei Yunci asked.

“Teach at Jiangcheng University for two years to build up connections.” Ji Qingsi looked at the crowd in front, who were holding wine glasses and laughing socially. “Then I’ll return to the company.”

“We can’t let the affairs of all three families fall solely on your shoulders.”

She and Pei Yunci were the same age; in two years, they would be thirty. She loved research and enjoyed the sense of achievement it brought. But these two years were the final deadline she was giving herself.

A person can’t be free forever.

Pei Yunci acknowledged this with an “Mm.” “If anything comes up with the company, you can always come to me.”

Ji Qingsi smiled. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

After chatting for a while, the birthday banquet officially began.

As the protagonist of the evening, Pei Yunci also had to make an appearance.

She walked to the front, said some polite formalities, and then let everyone mingle.

For most people, the birthday celebration was not important, listening to the speech was not important—what was most important was securing a deal at this banquet.

“Yunci, come here,” her Omega mother, Sang An, called out.

Pei Yunci went over and said coolly, “Mom.”

“Mom just saw you chatting with the Ji family daughter?” Sang An asked tentatively.

Hearing this, Pei Yunci knew what she was thinking. “We had a simple chat.”

“The Ji family is quite good, a perfect match for our family. I heard the Ji family daughter studied abroad…”

Pei Yunci interrupted her. “Mom, don’t think about it. It’s impossible between us.”

Ji Qingsi clearly still had someone in her heart; even for a commercial marriage, she would never accept it. But there was no need to tell the person in front of her these things; she wouldn’t understand even if she did.

Sang An was puzzled and quickly asked, “Why is it impossible? You grew up together, you have a foundation of feelings, you’re more suitable than any other Alpha. If Pei Corporation and the Ji family could form a marriage alliance, both families could develop better.”

“Besides, even if you find it annoying or boring later, just discuss it properly. Outsiders wouldn’t dare say anything.”

Pei Yunci’s eyelids were slightly lowered as she watched the wine gently swaying in the highball glass. “Even without a marriage alliance with the Ji family, Pei Corporation can still develop better.”

“How can that be the same?” Sang An only felt her daughter was too stubborn. “You have to find an Alpha eventually. Who you find doesn’t make a difference.”

She had said these words countless times, and Pei Yunci had heard them countless times. “I don’t have an Alpha right now, and hasn’t your dividend doubled compared to three years ago?”

She could dedicate her time and energy to the Pei Group, but she wasn’t so noble as to sacrifice herself and have to appear in the same setting as Alphas she couldn’t stand for the rest of her life.

Sang An was speechless, but she still clung to her own ideas and simply beckoned to the man next to her. “Forget it, forget it. You young people talk; I won’t waste any more time here.”

After she finished speaking, she left, leaving only the male Alpha who had just arrived. “Hello.”

Pei Yunci looked over. His face was vaguely familiar, the second young master of a certain noble family—she couldn’t even be bothered to remember his name, as he was quite incompetent.

She had been talking to Sang An for so long that she had lost the patience to deal with people. She said in a very indifferent tone, “I’m leaving first. Please enjoy yourself.”

The male Alpha tried to follow, but Pei Yunci looked over, her cold gaze falling on him.

The male Alpha involuntarily paused his steps. It wasn’t until her figure completely disappeared from sight that he remembered the rumors he had once heard: Pei Yunci could directly destroy a person’s scent gland.

Thinking of this, a wave of fear arose in his heart. Fortunately, he hadn’t followed her. No matter how beautiful Pei Yunci was, he couldn’t bear the consequences.

After walking further, Pei Yunci found a secluded spot where no one would bother her.

She accidentally turned on the notification sound, which started chiming incessantly. Pei Yunci turned off the notification sound again before slowly checking her messages.

Most of them were from Du Xing’an.

[Du Xing’an: Where are you? Should I come over to find you?]

[Du Xing’an: Although you said the game company would be enough for a birthday gift, I still prepared another gift for you. Should I give it to you now?]

[Du Xing’an: If Ji Qingsi comes over, tell me in advance!]

There was also another message from Ji Qingsi.

[Ji Qingsi: Don’t worry about us.]

Pei Yunci had no intention of being a backdrop in other people’s relationships. She replied to no one, turned off the screen, and prepared to call her driver to pick her up and take her back to her apartment.

She had already made an appearance at the birthday banquet. The assistant could handle the rest; there was no need to stay. As for staying in the main house, that would only make her not-so-good mood worse.

A moment later, the screen lit up.

Pei Yunci thought it was the driver, but when she opened it, she realized it was a message from Fang Xu.

It was two voice messages.

Pei Yunci’s eyelashes moved slightly. The girl had always been well-behaved and reserved in front of her, and her texts were always proper—she rarely sent voice messages.

Was it urgent? Or an accidental touch?

Guessing, Pei Yunci clicked on the voice message.

“Sister Pei, Happy Birthday!”

A crisp, clear voice came through, every word distinct, full of blessings, and completely unexpected.

Pei Yunci couldn’t mistake this voice; it was Fang Xu’s sister.

She then clicked on the second voice message.

The voice was softer than the child’s, and it seemed a little unfamiliar, but it was spoken exceptionally sincerely.

Fang Xu said, “Yunci, I wish you a Happy Birthday.”

The restlessness that had been lingering in her heart that evening seemed to dissipate.

Without knowing why, Pei Yunci’s fingertip moved, and she dialed the number.

“Hello.” Fang Xu answered the call.

She remembered the voice message she had just sent, feeling a strange tension mixed with a little confusion.

Right now, the person on the other end should be celebrating her birthday, so why would she suddenly call her?

“Hello, is Yiyi next to you?” Pei Yunci asked.

The clear, pleasant voice sounded in her ear, and Fang Xu also pulled back her scattered thoughts and answered the question seriously. “Mhm, Yiyi is here.”

Hearing her name, Yiyi blinked, poking Fang Xu’s arm with her fingertip, her intention clear: can you put it on speakerphone? She also wants to talk to Sister Pei.

Fang Xu didn’t make a decision on her own, instead asking, “Can I put it on speakerphone here? Yiyi wants to talk to you.”

Pei Yunci naturally indulged the child on this matter. “Yes, you can.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu turned on the speakerphone and placed it between her and her sister.

Seeing this, Fang Yi curved her eyes. “Sister Pei, Happy Birthday!”

Since she made a call, it was more sincere than just sending a message.

After speaking, she looked at the person beside her, signaling with her eyes: Sis, you say something too.

Fang Xu: “…Happy Birthday.”

Having said it once already, she was less nervous and unfamiliar this time, her voice soft and warm.

Pei Yunci curved her lips, her mood much better than before. “Thank you for your wishes.”

A thousand empty, polite blessings from the noble families couldn’t compare to this moment.

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome!” Fang Yi listened to the voice on the phone and asked, “Sister Pei, are you outside? I think I can hear the wind.”

Pei Yunci responded with an “Mm.” “I’m outside getting some fresh air.”

“Sister Pei, go back once you’ve gotten enough air. It’s a bit cold outside at night,” Fang Yi said with concern.

Pei Yunci softly agreed, “Okay.”

Listening to the conversation between the two, Fang Xu suddenly thought of the news she had seen before.

Parents in a commercial marriage, illegitimate children, and wealthy family struggles…

If these people also attended Pei Yunci’s birthday, then it made sense that she was outside getting fresh air.

The people next to her were still chatting.

“When did you arrive in Jiangcheng?”

“After summer vacation, but I’m leaving by train tomorrow. I originally wanted to ask Sister Pei to come out and play together, but my sister said you were too busy, so we’ll have to wait until we have a chance to meet again.”

Pei Yunci hadn’t received any messages from Fang Xu during this time, but she didn’t expose her, only saying, “I was a bit busy, but it’s alright. If you come next time, we can play together then.”

“Okay, okay, it’s a date then! I’ll bring Sister Pei specialties from Yucheng.”

Seeing that the two had talked enough, Fang Xu quietly said to her sister, “I want to talk to your Sister Pei alone for a couple of sentences.”

Fang Yi nodded, then said to the person on the other end of the phone, “Sister Pei, my sister wants to tell you a secret, so I’m going to pack my things now!”

Fang Xu: “…”

Sometimes, a sister being too lively wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Seeing the child go to the other side of the bed to pack souvenirs, she turned off the speakerphone and held the phone to her ear, her voice softer. “Yunci.”

“Mm,” Pei Yunci’s tone carried a hint of teasing. “What secret do you want to tell me?”

She was already outside the Pei residence, it was very quiet, with no clinking of glasses, no polite small talk, and no bright lights of various kinds. Her figure was half-hidden in the darkness, casting a long shadow.

The only thing with a sense of presence was the Alpha’s breathing on the phone.

Fang Xu pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “Are you doing alright right now?”

Pei Yunci’s fingertip paused. She looked at the dark shadow on the ground, and she couldn’t utter any more teasing words.

She said, “Why suddenly ask that?”

Fang Xu rubbed the cloud pattern on the fridge magnet, her voice a little lower. “You don’t sound very happy.”

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