After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium - Chapter 16

Qi Zhi’e’s hand, which had been gliding a pen across a document, suddenly paused, leaving a small black dot where the nib rested.

“Don’t you have work to do?”

Bian You kept coming over to her side so often that Qi Zhi’e often wondered if the woman’s role as general manager was really that idle. At times, she even suspected Bian You had been sidelined, resulting in such a light workload. But judging by the projects she had decision-making power over, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Bian You was momentarily stung by the remark and retorted with a hint of indignation, “Who says I’m idle?” Then, with a smug flick of her eyebrows, she added, “If I look relaxed, it’s because I have my own little tricks for handling work!”

Moreover, she was bold in delegating tasks, willingly distributing responsibilities and granting her subordinates a degree of autonomy. Naturally, this lightened her own workload considerably.

Her self-satisfaction was so palpable that Qi Zhi’e shot her a glance before closing the file and saying, “As you can see, I’m fine. You can leave now.”

“No!” Bian You immediately protested, pointing at her wristwatch with a sly, fox-like grin.

“It’s almost time to clock out. Can I invite you to dinner?”

Qi Zhi’e narrowed her eyes, her lips curling in a humorless smile. “Somehow, I get the feeling you didn’t come here out of concern for me, but because you timed it perfectly.”

Bian You blinked, feigning innocence. “Can’t it be both?”

Qi Zhi’e smiled at her, but the expression sent a shiver down Bian You’s spine, her grin turning sheepish. “It’s not just dinner. Afterward, we could catch the Qionghai Symphony Orchestra’s performance.”

With that, she pulled two concert tickets from her pocket and said cautiously, “I heard you like concerts, so I took the liberty of getting these. Are you free tonight?”

Qi Zhi’e stared at the tickets, momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected Bian You to know even this about her.

In the past, she had loved attending concerts. But since her rebirth, she no longer had the energy to indulge in such things.

When she didn’t respond, Bian You pressed her lips together and coaxed, “Work is so demanding. Isn’t it okay to relax once in a while?”

Qi Zhi’e fell silent. How could she afford to relax? There was still so much to do, so many people watching her every move. If she let her guard down, when would she ever accomplish everything?

“You’re wound too tight,” Bian You suddenly said.

She could see the tension in Qi Zhi’e, understood her urgency. But she was genuinely worried that one day, that taut thread would snap, causing irreversible damage.

Qi Zhi’e glanced at her, reminded that she still needed to keep Bian You on the hook. She couldn’t reject her outright, she had to offer the occasional sweet reward.

“Go wait over there. I’ll finish up this work first.”

Delighted by her concession, Bian You beamed. “Sure, take your time. I won’t disturb you.”

Bian You went over to the reception area and sat down on the sofa, seemingly playing with her phone but occasionally stealing glances at Qi Zhi’e, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

Anyone could tell she was lovestruck just by looking at her.

Qi Zhi’e completely ignored her gaze, methodically going about her work. When colleagues came to report to Qi Zhi’e, their eyes would inevitably linger on Bian You with subtle knowing looks though they dared not be too obvious in Qi Zhi’e’s presence.

Though neither had ever publicly acknowledged their relationship or displayed any intimacy, after this incident, everyone tacitly assumed they were a couple.

It wasn’t until past six in the evening that Qi Zhi’e finally finished her work. Turning to look at Bian You, she realized the woman had somehow fallen asleep on the sofa.

Standing over Bian You, Qi Zhi’e gazed down at her defenseless sleeping face with faint puzzlement in her eyes.

Was she really this trusting? Not the slightest fear that Qi Zhi’e might take advantage while she slept?

Only now did Qi Zhi’e truly examine her properly her slightly angular features lending a handsome charm, skin pale and smooth though shadowed by faint dark circles suggesting recent fatigue. In this guileless sleep, she looked almost… sweet.

Qi Zhi’e felt disgusted at how her hormones were betraying her, making this sight somehow pleasing. Ridiculous!

“Bian You,” she called coolly.

But Bian You remained deeply asleep, showing no signs of waking.

The corner of Qi Zhi’e’s mouth twitched. “Sleep here forever then.”

At this, Bian You “gradually awoke”, blinking up at Qi Zhi’e before yawning delicately to diffuse the awkwardness. “Oops, fell asleep. Are you done? Let’s go if you’re finished!”

Truthfully, Bian You had woken the moment Qi Zhi’e stood over her. But seeing this rare chance for Qi Zhi’e to actually look at her, waking abruptly would waste this perfect opportunity to showcase her beauty.

Qi Zhi’e’s lips curved without warmth, her icy stare making Bian You fidget. Quickly rising as if nothing happened, Bian You hurried to hold the door open with an exaggerated gesture.

Qi Zhi’e walked past her indifferently. Bian You followed closely into the elevator before tentatively suggesting, “Let’s take my car? Two vehicles seem inconvenient.”

“Why not mine?” Qi Zhi’e countered with an arched brow.

Bian You tugged her earlobe, cheeks pinkening. “I… want to drive you home.”

Qi Zhi’e: “…”

She was learning never give Bian You conversational openings, lest she say something shamelessly blunt.

Watching Qi Zhi’e’s rare speechless expression, Bian You laughed brightly before sobering. “I mean it sincerely. I really want to take you home.”

From what Bian You knew, safely escorting a female companion home was the most basic courtesy. Although she herself was also a woman, she felt her combat ability was higher than Qi Zhi’e’s, so naturally, she took on the role of the protector.

This time, Qi Zhi’e didn’t say anything further, clearly acquiescing to the arrangement.

Seeing this, Bian You quickly pressed the button for the first floor. Her car was parked outside on the ground level, not in the underground garage.

Arriving at the car, Bian You gallantly opened the passenger door for Qi Zhi’e, even placing a protective hand on the roof to prevent her from bumping her head.

Qi Zhi’e: “…”

After Qi Zhi’e got in, Bian You closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. As she fastened her seatbelt, she asked, “How about we go for Cantonese cuisine?”

Considering Qi Zhi’e’s preference for lighter flavors, Bian You thought Cantonese food would be a good choice.

“Mm,” Qi Zhi’e responded quietly.

Bian You smiled, seeing that Qi Zhi’e had also fastened her seatbelt before starting the car.

During the meal, Qi Zhi’e ate very little. Bian You felt her own stomach ache just looking at how little she consumed, how long could that tiny amount sustain her? But seeing Qi Zhi’e set down her chopsticks, Bian You didn’t press her further and instead ate faster herself.

Qi Zhi’e frowned slightly as she noticed Bian You’s bare neck. “Why aren’t you wearing a scent patch?”

“Huh?” Bian You was momentarily stunned, instinctively touching her neck. “Well, since I don’t have any pheromones, does it really matter whether I wear one or not?”

The only scent detectable on her now was Qi Zhi’e’s, and under these circumstances, it wouldn’t affect other alphas or omegas. So she hadn’t bothered, finding the patches stifling anyway.

Qi Zhi’e gave her a complicated look. She truly didn’t mind others knowing she’d been marked.

–

Arriving at the Central City Concert Hall, their timing was perfect just as the audience was being admitted. After scanning their tickets, Bian You and Qi Zhi’e entered the spacious venue, already filled with many attendees. Once they found their seats, Bian You didn’t dare speak much to Qi Zhi’e anymore.

If Qi Zhi’e enjoyed these performances, she probably wouldn’t appreciate someone chattering beside her and disrupting the immersive experience.

Seeing Bian You so quiet, Qi Zhi’e paused briefly before also ignoring her, turning her attention to the stage as the performance began.

The audience was silent, with only the music from the instruments filling the hall. Normally, Bian You wasn’t the type to sit still for such events, but with Qi Zhi’e beside her, she surprisingly didn’t feel drowsy.

As the music grew more intense, Bian You suddenly frowned, her heartbeat quickening. She glanced around in confusion had they turned on the heating?

Turning to Qi Zhi’e, she noticed her brows were also furrowed. Lowering her voice to a whisper, Bian You asked, “Do you feel hot too?”

Qi Zhi’e clenched her hands, struggling with discomfort. Looking at Bian You’s oblivious expression, she was at a loss for words.

Just then, the piece ended, and the conductor bowed as the audience applauded. Seizing the moment, Qi Zhi’e grabbed Bian You’s hand and pulled her up to leave.

“Eh?” Bian You looked at her in confusion, wanting to ask but not daring to speak loudly. She could only follow Qi Zhi’e’s lead as they moved toward the exit. At the door, she saw Qi Zhi’e whisper something to the staff though she couldn’t make out the words before the staff member’s expression abruptly changed and let them out.

Once outside, Qi Zhi’e quickened her pace, forcing Bian You into a light jog to keep up. They didn’t stop until they reached the parking lot. Inside the car, Qi Zhi’e fixed her with an intense stare.

Bian You was baffled by her behavior and was about to ask what was going on when Qi Zhi’e’s face twisted with barely suppressed fury, her words practically gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Are you in rut?”

“Huh?” Bian You was stunned. “I don’t even have pheromones, how could I be in rut?”

Qi Zhi’e took a deep breath, acutely aware of her rising body temperature and the way the gland at the nape of her neck pulsed uncontrollably.

She pressed a hand to her forehead, regretting ever agreeing to go out with her so close to her heat.

Back in the concert hall, she had caught the faintest trace of an Alpha’s pheromones. Already in a sensitive state, the scent had pushed her toward an early onset of heat.

Her skin felt damp, the gland’s secretions soaking through her scent-blocking patch, loosening its adhesive.

“You!”

Bian You stared at her in surprise, only realizing what was happening when the scent of lily of the valley grew overwhelmingly thick in the air.

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