After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium - Chapter 27

For several consecutive days, amidst Qi Zhi’e’s tender embrace, Bian You often found herself wondering if this was all a dream. Otherwise, how could everything be so harmonious?

She lay on the bed, her head tilted to the side, her gaze unfocused, her body still trembling intermittently.

Qi Zhi’e pressed a light kiss to her sweat-dampened shoulder and asked in a hoarse voice, “What’s wrong?”

Bian You slowly regained her senses, feeling the kisses Qi Zhi’e left along her neck and shoulders. Her body, as if remembering, shuddered violently, her abdomen tightening as those wild, chaotic memories replayed in her mind.

“It’s time to get up,” Bian You murmured, her voice even rougher. Because she rarely spoke, all her sounds were trapped in her throat, straining it to the limit.

These past few days had completely shattered her preconceptions about Qi Zhi’e. Logically, an alpha’s rut should be nearly impossible to fully satisfy. Yet, under Qi Zhi’e’s touch, she had been overwhelmed with pleasure, even to the point of excess.

“Hungry?” Qi Zhi’e asked softly.

Bian You’s cheeks flushed slightly. From the moment she woke up until now, lunchtime had long passed, of course she was hungry.

But why did Qi Zhi’e seem completely unfazed? Wasn’t she the one doing all the work?

Bian You’s emotions were tangled. She couldn’t understand how Qi Zhi’e had such stamina. In terms of physical strength, she had always believed herself far superior.

She nodded. Though she was starving, her body was both sated and exhausted, making her reluctant to move. She stayed curled up on the bed like a turtle retreating into its shell.

Qi Zhi’e gently smoothed her disheveled hair before pulling the blanket over her. Then she got up to order takeout and began cleaning up the mess they had made over the past few days.

Listening to the rustling sounds, Bian You buried her face deeper into the pillow, her embarrassment growing. Suddenly, she understood exactly how Qi Zhi’e must have felt after her own heat, looking at the aftermath.

After tidying up, Qi Zhi’e sat on the edge of the bed and whispered, “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Their time together had taught Qi Zhi’e that Bian You had a slight aversion to mess. She doubted Bian You would tolerate putting clothes on in her current state.

Bian You bit her lip, then heard Qi Zhi’e add, “Let me help you up, okay? I can’t carry you.”

Her face burned even hotter, a flicker of resentment surfacing.

If you knew you couldn’t carry me, why did you push me so hard?!

With Qi Zhi’e’s support, she slowly got out of bed, her head bowed, the tips of her ears crimson. She followed Qi Zhi’e into the bathroom and let her wash her without protest.

This had happened many times over the past few days, yet Bian You still hadn’t grown accustomed to it.

Qi Zhi’e wore a soft smile as she carefully bathed Bian You, dried her off, and then helped her into a robe.

By now, Bian You had regained some strength. She stood nearby, watching Qi Zhi’e wash up with effortless ease. She gnawed at her lip but didn’t move an inch.

She didn’t want to leave.

“Move in with me,” Qi Zhi’e suddenly said.

“Ah, huh?” Bian You had been staring dazedly at Qi Zhi’e when she suddenly didn’t react in time. When she finally processed the words, she froze, unable to comprehend why Qi Zhi’e would suddenly ask her to move in.

Qi Zhi’e turned to look at her, noticing her stunned expression before her gaze drifted away nervously. With a deepening smile, she said, “Wouldn’t moving in be more convenient?”

Convenient? Convenient for what?

Feeling Qi Zhi’e’s eyes lingering on her neck, Bian You’s face flushed completely red.

Perhaps she understood what “convenient” meant now.

“Is that okay?” Bian You hesitated. She wasn’t stupid, she had noticed Qi Zhi’e’s stiff expression back when she mentioned moving out of her family home.

Had Qi Zhi’e assumed she was going to move in with her then?

Qi Zhi’e turned back to the sink, continuing to wash the dishes as she replied softly, “Of course it is.”

Bian You swallowed, her brows furrowing slightly in indecision.

Even though things had progressed this far between them, if they lived together while Qi Zhi’e still had no feelings for her, wouldn’t the friction between them only grow worse?

She pulled up the system panel and glanced at it. The progress bar was still at 0%, but the small note that had been attached to it before was now gone.

So, did this mean Qi Zhi’e was finally starting to see her in a positive light?

Bian You’s expression brightened. “Alright then, I’ll have my things sent over tonight.”

Qi Zhi’e stood with her back to Bian You, eyes closed as she let the water cascade over her.

After finishing their takeout, Bian You helped Qi Zhi’e disassemble everything that needed cleaning. Neither of them had the nerve to call for a housekeeper, so they had to do it themselves.

Exhausted, Bian You collapsed onto the couch, staring at Qi Zhi’e without the energy to move.

Qi Zhi’e poured her a glass of water. “Not going to the company today?”

Bian You took slow sips from the glass in Qi Zhi’e’s hand before mumbling, “Too tired. Don’t wanna go.”

Not like she could get anything done there anyway.

Qi Zhi’e chuckled. “Then I suppose I owe you an apology.”

Bian You shot her a resentful look. Damn right she did, had she even gotten a chance to be on top these past few days? Not once!

She could let it slide for herself, but for Qi Zhi’e someone born and raised in an ABO world to have the audacity to overpower an Alpha was nothing short of refreshing.

Qi Zhi’e leaned down, pressing a light kiss to the corner of her lips before murmuring, “Is this apology acceptable?”

Bian You’s heart skipped a beat. Since when was Qi Zhi’e this smooth?!

With her acting like this, how could she refuse?

She was way too seductive!

Qi Zhi’e laughed softly, kissing her lips again. “What’s my progress bar at now?”

Dazed by her affectionate behavior, Bian You instinctively pulled up the panel again, only to gape in shock.

The once-stagnant 0% had changed.

“Two percent,” Bian You murmured.

How had it increased so quickly in such a short time?

Qi Zhi’e nibbled gently on her lower lip, her voice laced with amusement. “And now?”

Bian You watched, dumbfounded, as the number jumped from 2% to 5%, as if it were dancing.

“…Five.”

A teasing tongue brushed against her teeth, and Bian You shuddered, parting her lips instinctively to let Qi Zhi’e in, their tongues tangling together.

“Now then,” the voice grew increasingly muffled.

“Seven.”

Qi Zhi’e chuckled softly, finally pressing a light kiss to her already flushed lips before raising her gaze to look at her with a faint gleam in her eyes.

Bian You stared at her dazedly, her eyes lively and bright, her red lips still glistening with the remnants of their earlier passionate kiss, giving off an alluringly sensual vibe.

“Why is it like this?” Bian You murmured, unable to comprehend how the number could change so quickly.

“Because I’m growing fonder of you,” Qi Zhi’e whispered by her ear, the warm breath brushing against her earlobe sending tingles down her spine.

The ear that had been caressed by her breath was now flushed a deep red, and Bian You looked at her with moist eyes, the corners of her lips uncontrollably curling upwards. Suddenly, she pulled Qi Zhi’e into a tight embrace, flipping her over and pinning her down, exclaiming joyfully, “Really? You’re growing fonder of me?”

Seeing her exuberant expression, Qi Zhi’e’s demeanor softened even more. She reached up to gently smooth the stray strands of hair from Bian You’s forehead and said tenderly, “Don’t you believe me?”

Bian You’s heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst through her chest. With the two of them pressed so closely together, she was almost certain Qi Zhi’e could hear her rapid heartbeat.

Her eyes sparkled, and the smile on her face grew even brighter.

“I believe you!”

Her joyful demeanor unconsciously reminded Qi Zhi’e of a big, happy dog wagging its tail after receiving praise.

The smile on her lips deepened as she gently stroked Bian You’s head.

–

After disappearing for several days, Qi Zhi’e suddenly reappeared at the company, and what’s more, she was brought in by Bian You. Instantly, the office gossip mill started churning again, with everyone eagerly speculating whether the two had been together all this time.

No sooner had Qi Zhi’e returned to work than she was summoned to Qi Youqun’s office.

Facing the stern-looking Qi Youqun, Qi Zhi’e sat down calmly. “Uncle, is there something you wanted to discuss?”

“Bang!”

Qi Youqun slammed his hand heavily on the desk, his face contorted with anger. “How dare you show your face here! Do you have any idea how much we’ve lost because of your disappearance these past few days?”

Yet despite his fury, Qi Zhi’e remained unfazed, merely responding with a nonchalant, “Oh? Then tell me, what exactly has someone with no projects in hand and little actual authority lost?”

“With an attitude like that, how can you possibly manage others or set an example for your subordinates!” Qi Youqun roared. “Is this how you honor your father’s memory? Do you want to see the group ruined under your watch?”

“Hold on,” Qi Zhi’e chuckled lightly, eyeing Qi Youqun’s livid expression as she reminded him, “The group is currently under your control, not mine. If it’s ruined, it wouldn’t really be my fault.”

“Qi Zhi’e, listen to yourself! If that’s how you feel, then leave now and stop acting like you’re being held back!”

Qi Zhi’e raised an eyebrow slightly, meeting Qi Youqun’s gaze directly as the corners of her lips curled up. “Gladly. As long as you buy out all my shares, I’ll leave immediately.”

The moment these words left her mouth, Qi Youqun fell silent, staring at her with a mix of shock and suspicion. “You’re serious?”

“Of course I am,” Qi Zhi’e replied with a light laugh.

“You’d really give it up?”

“Why wouldn’t I be willing? Isn’t it better to cash out and have the money in hand?”

Qi Youqun fell silent, his gaze carefully studying Qi Zhi’e’s face as if genuinely considering whether her words were sincere.

Before Qi Zhi’e was even born, the old patriarch Qi had allocated 10% of the shares to her. Later, when she came of age, Qi Youli, as a gesture gave her another 5%. Combined with the shares Qi Zhi’e gradually acquired after starting work, she now held 18% of the company’s shares.

Eighteen percent, Qi Youqun only had 13%.

Yet the reason Qi Youqun could dominate Qi Zhi’e in the company with absolute authority was that Qi Youli remained uninvolved in management, and his shares were exercised by Qi Youqun as proxy, effectively overpowering Qi Zhi’e.

Qi Youli still held 31% of the shares, while Qi Zhi’e’s mother, Jiang Shan, held 7%. Even with Jiang Shan’s support, Qi Zhi’e had never gained absolute decision-making power in the company.

Qi Youqun’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. If Qi Zhi’e was serious, acquiring her 18% would bring his stake on par with Qi Youli’s.

“If you leave, what will you do afterward?” Qi Youqun asked warily.

Qi Zhi’e curled her lips slightly, inwardly scoffing but outwardly indifferent. “If I must do something, then I’ll do what I like.”

At the mention of her preferences, Qi Youqun seemed to recall something, his expression easing slightly, as if relieved.

As long as Qi Zhi’e left the Qi Group, it would truly be his to command.

“Fine. But I’ll need some time to gather the funds.” Eighteen percent was no small amount.

“Understood. However, I hope it can be settled within a week otherwise, I might change my mind about selling,” Qi Zhi’e said coolly.

Hearing this, Qi Youqun’s expression darkened, but he forced a smile. “Rest assured. But this matter must remain confidential for now.”

“Likewise,” Qi Zhi’e replied with a light laugh.

She couldn’t help but wonder, would they end up turning on each other later?

She was looking forward to it.

Bian You returned to work and immediately ran into Bian Lian. Seeing her tense expression, Bian You sighed inwardly just her luck.

Bian Lian’s gaze lingered on Bian You’s face, a flicker of doubt surfacing. Something about her seemed different, but she couldn’t pinpoint what.

“Don’t you think you owe an explanation for these past few days?” Bian Lian said coldly.

Bian You frowned. She had already briefed Assistant Zhou yet Bian Lian was still pressing the issue, clearly unsatisfied.

“Rut cycle. Is that explanation enough?”

Bian Lian’s eyes dropped to the scent patch on Bian You’s neck, her voice turning even frostier.

“Is this your attitude?”

An alpha without pheromones, what rut cycle could she possibly have?

Bian You sighed softly. She had known Bian Lian wouldn’t believe her. Lifting a corner of the patch, she let the soft, watery fragrance of lily of the valley drift out, gentle as lapping waves.

Bian Lian’s expression froze momentarily. As a high-ranking alpha, she could naturally discern that apart from the lily-of-the-valley scent, there was another odorless pheromone like gentle water, pure and crisp.

She looked at Bian You in astonishment. “What’s going on?”

Bian You reapplied her scent-blocking patch to prevent a large-scale pheromone leak that might cause a disturbance, shrugging helplessly. “I don’t know either. It just suddenly appeared.”

Bian Lian’s expression darkened, and she finally said, “Come with me to the hospital.”

“Huh? Oh.” Bian You thought it wouldn’t hurt to get checked, especially since she had no idea what was happening.

After arriving at the private hospital in Bian Lian’s car, Bian You was immediately taken for a series of tests due to prior arrangements. The results were expedited.

“Miss Bian’s gland is perfectly healthy. Aside from some pheromonal instability resembling a recent differentiation, there are no detectable issues.”

Even the doctor was puzzled by the report. The gland was so normal it was as if it had never had any defects utterly unbelievable.

“Moreover, Miss Bian’s pheromone concentration is extremely high. This kind of case is exceptionally rare.”

In a world where most pheromone levels hover around B or C-rank, with A-rank already being uncommon, Bian You’s pheromone concentration was of premium quality even among top-tier alphas. If it were to go unchecked, it could easily become a devastating weapon.

Bian Lian’s brows remained tightly furrowed as she stayed silent, her gaze fixed on Bian You. Finally, she said gravely, “Please also run a paternity test for us.”

Bian You’s eyes snapped up to meet hers.

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