After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium - Chapter 28

When Bian You heard her mention a paternity test, her heart seemed to skip a beat. She couldn’t understand why Bian Lian would suddenly become suspicious especially since she herself didn’t know much about the original owner of this body.

“Huh?” The doctor was momentarily stunned, but after seeing Bian Lian’s icy expression, he hesitantly nodded.

He took a strand of hair from both Bian Lian and Bian You. Before leaving, he glanced at Bian You’s calm demeanor, his emotions complicated.

After the doctor left, Bian You met Bian Lian’s gaze and smiled faintly. “Suspecting I’m not your flesh and blood?”

Yet no matter how much Bian Lian doubted, she would find it impossible to prove that Bian You wasn’t her child.

After all, this body was her child’s.

For a moment, Bian You felt like a villainous usurper, a cuckoo occupying another’s nest.

Bian Lian’s expression darkened. “I’ve never heard of a case where a defective gland could start secreting pheromones again.”

Had such a case existed before, she would have exhausted all means to treat Bian You rather than let her condition persist unchecked.

“So you suspect someone who looks just like your child has replaced her?” Bian You chuckled, feeling even more like a villain now.

Bian Lian remained silent, tacitly confirming the assumption. Yet her brows furrowed slightly something about Bian You’s words felt off, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

Bian You touched her gland, puzzled. “But Qi Zhi’e’s mark on my gland can’t be faked, right?”

Moreover, in recent days, Qi Zhi’e had even repeatedly marked her, layering claim after claim, asserting her ownership.

Bian Lian stiffened briefly but stayed silent, waiting for the results.

Seeing this, Bian You didn’t press further. She glanced at the earlier gland examination report since there were no issues, she felt a slight relief, though she remained puzzled about the sudden return of her pheromones.

Time crawled by as they waited. When the doctor finally returned with the report, looking relaxed, Bian Lian immediately stood up.

“Director Bian, the results confirm you are indeed mother and child,” the doctor said, handing her the report.

Bian Lian took it and scrutinized the findings. After reading, her expression visibly softened. She trusted this hospital’s report after all, as its largest shareholder, she knew they answered only to her.

Bian You, however, showed little reaction. She didn’t even feign the expected heartbreak over being doubted by her mother. Instead, she simply asked, “Mom, can I head back to work now?”

Bian Lian nodded, not following her out.

Once outside the hospital, Bian You couldn’t resist pulling out her phone to vent to Qi Zhi’e about what had just happened. To milk some sympathy, she even sent a series of pitiful, teary-eyed stickers.

Since her confrontation with Qi Youqun, Qi Zhi’e had found herself with more free time, so she read Bian You’s messages immediately.

The pitiful puppy in those stickers somehow reminded her of Bian You, it was uncannily fitting.

After a moment of contemplation with lowered eyes, Qi Zhi’e sent Bian You a comforting emoji. Though she hadn’t said anything, Bian You couldn’t help but smile when she saw the emoji on her phone.

It seemed she could never resist smiling when it came to anything related to Qi Zhi’e.

[Bian You]: What time are you off work tonight? Can I pick you up?

[Qi Zhi’e]: Aren’t you busy today?

After delaying so much work, this person could still leave on time?

[Bian You]: Work is never-ending.

[Bian You]: Innocent.jpg

Qi Zhi’e chuckled softly and replied that she’d be off at six. Raising her eyes to the warm, gentle sunlight outside the window, she thought, what a lovely day.

True to her word about picking Qi Zhi’e up, Bian You was punctual. By 5:50, she was already waiting at the foot of Qi Corporation’s building, sending a message exactly at six to inform Qi Zhi’e of her arrival.

Qi Zhi’e had already packed up early. Her colleagues couldn’t hide their surprise at seeing her leave so promptly after all, overtime had always been her norm.

Unbothered by their gazes, Qi Zhi’e carried her bag downstairs. When she spotted Bian You waiting outside, her eyes curved into a smile, and even the slightly curled strands of hair resting on her shoulders seemed to soften with warmth.

Bian You stood there holding a bouquet of lily-of-the-valley, but the moment she looked up, she froze, her gaze lingering on Qi Zhi’e, unable to look away.

Her heart raced wildly, as if she’d taken a large bite of white chocolate, sweetness spreading through her, sending tingles down her spine.

Noticing her dazed expression, Qi Zhi’e’s smile deepened. She walked slowly to Bian You’s side and, seeing her still staring in a lovestruck daze, spoke in a soft voice, “So punctual. Did you leave early?”

The gentle, melodic tone was captivating, but Bian You seemed to recall something, her face flushing faintly.

“J-Just a little early.” Bian You stammered, too embarrassed to meet Qi Zhi’e’s eyes. She held out the flowers. “Can we have dinner at home tonight?”

Qi Zhi’e accepted them naturally, lowering her head to inhale their fragrance with a smile. “That’s fine, but I don’t cook. Will you?”

As she bent to smell the flowers, her delicate, porcelain-perfect features framed by the white lilies, Bian You thought, she was lovelier, more fragrant than the blossoms themselves.

“I will,” Bian You murmured, still gazing at her.

With the office crowd starting to stream out, Qi Zhi’e had no intention of becoming a spectacle. She chuckled lightly. “Let’s get in the car first.”

Without waiting for Bian You to open the passenger door, she got in herself, still cradling the flowers.

Bian You quickly followed, glancing at Qi Zhi’e before driving away from Qi Corporation.

“What would you like for dinner? Should we stop by the supermarket later?” Bian You asked.

“Steamed perch, poached shrimp. Hmm, nothing else comes to mind right now.” Since she’d asked, Qi Zhi’e didn’t hesitate to start listing dishes.

Bian You smiled at the choices, none too difficult to make. Though Qi Zhi’e never cooked, her kitchen was fully equipped, which should simplify things.

“Alright. When we’re at the store, see if there’s anything else you’d like.”

On the way, they stopped by a large supermarket. Since Bian You was going to move in with Qi Zhi’e, she naturally needed some personal daily necessities, so she decided to buy everything in one go now.

Bian You pushed the shopping cart from behind while Qi Zhi’e walked ahead, one hand resting on the cart as she looked around, considering what to buy.

Bian You watched from behind, her gaze lingering on Qi Zhi’e, unable to look away. Their current way of interacting felt like a dream something she wouldn’t have dared imagine before, yet here it was, happening for real.

This feeling of shopping together after work, discussing what to eat for dinner, it was really nice.

So this was what it felt like to have a partner.

Bian You chuckled softly, finding it unexpectedly pleasant.

“Bian You, come here.” Qi Zhi’e frowned slightly, taking over the cart-pushing duty. “I don’t know what to get.”

Besides, she couldn’t even tell if the vegetables were fresh, it was pointless for her to look.

“Okay.” Bian You eagerly responded, stepping forward to pick out the ingredients she wanted.

After gathering everything they needed, Bian You kept glancing at Qi Zhi’e on their way back. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might give out from overexertion, a sweet, overwhelming joy spreading through her entire body.

Qi Zhi’e was growing fonder of her.

Just the thought of that possibility made Bian You’s chest burn with warmth.

When they arrived home, Qi Zhi’e didn’t immediately close the door after entering. Instead, after Bian You had carried all the groceries into the kitchen, she beckoned her over.

Bian You, looking surprised as if to say, Me?, quickly walked over.

“Since you’ll be living here from now on, it’d be more convenient to register your fingerprint,” Qi Zhi’e said.

Hearing this, Bian You could barely suppress the smile tugging at her lips. Restraining her eagerness but only just, she quickly scanned her fingerprint. When she saw her own fingerprint information saved in the system, she completely lost control, sweeping Qi Zhi’e into a tight hug, grinning so wide her eyes nearly disappeared.

“E’e, you’re the best!”

At this sudden move, Qi Zhi’e, who had been wearing a soft smile, stiffened slightly upon hearing the nickname.

“Don’t call me E’e.”

“Huh? Why not? Don’t you think it’s cute?” Bian You pouted, still holding her, looking innocent.

Qi Zhi’e made her let go, rubbing her temples as if reluctant to revisit old memories.

The reason she didn’t want Bian You to call her E’e wasn’t just because it clashed with her usual image, it was also because “E’e” sounded an awful lot like “goose goose.”

And as it happened, she’d had plenty of childhood troubles because of it.

Originally, her name might have been meant to remind her of life’s hardships, to understand that the world wasn’t always kind. But the moment it was paired with her surname, the teasing began.

At first, the adults hadn’t noticed anything wrong with the name. It wasn’t until Qi Zhi’e was in kindergarten and other kids started calling her “Seven Geese” that they suddenly realized how easily it could be misinterpreted.

Even after realizing it, though, Qi Zhi’e’s parents didn’t care. For a long time, she was known as “Seven Geese”, a memory she didn’t exactly cherish.

When words failed to get through, Qi Zhi’e resorted to violence, striking down the loudest protester to silence them all. No one dared to challenge her again after that.

“Just don’t call me that, period.” Qi Zhi’e brushed past her and headed inside to change into comfortable loungewear.

Bian You blinked at her retreating figure before closing the front door and making her way to the kitchen.

If Qi Zhi’e disliked being called “E’e,” then she wouldn’t. Though Bian You still thought the nickname was utterly adorable.

Her movements in the kitchen were swift and practiced. By the time Qi Zhi’e emerged, one glance at her efficiency confirmed she was no beginner further proof that this Bian You wasn’t the original from this world.

Leaning against the kitchen doorway, Qi Zhi’e watched for a while before finally speaking up. “Need any help?”

Only then did Bian You seem to notice her presence. She turned with a bright smile. “Nope! I’ve got my own rhythm when cooking. No need for help. Why don’t you wait outside? It won’t take long.”

As she spoke, she handed Qi Zhi’e a bowl of pre-washed fruit, suggesting she snack on it if she was hungry.

Taking the hint, Qi Zhi’e didn’t insist. She carried the fruit to the living room, initially planning to fetch her laptop and work. But after a moment’s hesitation, she turned on the TV instead, flipping to a random show.

The chatter of variety show guests blended with the occasional clatter from the kitchen. Qi Zhi’e leaned back on the sofa, staring at the screen, her mind drifting.

This scene… it really felt alive.

Yet it was something she’d never experienced before.

Even family meals together had been rare in her memory so few she could count them on one hand.

During a cooking break, Bian You peeked out and saw Qi Zhi’e curled up on the sofa, knees hugged to her chest, gaze distant. Something tugged at her heart.

She really did look like a little kitten like this.

Support After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium