After Transmigrating Into A Novel, Not Only Did I Become An Omega, But I Also Provoked The Male Lead’s Mother - Chapter 21

Qin Yue was kind-hearted, but she wasn’t foolish enough to rush into helping others without thinking.

Instead of looking for Xiaoyun again, Qin Yue spent the evening at the sanatorium, acting a little spoiled with Grandma Qin. The next day, she returned to school.

The weather was getting colder.

The leaves on campus trees went from sparse to gone, their colors fading. Even the evergreen holly bushes were covered in frost in the morning, losing their shine.

Winter brought cold and loneliness.

To pay off her debts and cover her living expenses, Qin Yue had to ask her classmates and friends to keep an eye out for part-time jobs.

Just then, a classmate she was close to called, saying that her friend’s brother had opened a convenience store and needed help handing out flyers for an opening promotion. It was $100 for an afternoon, for two days.

Since the end of the semester was approaching, some less important classes had already ended. And her usual coffee shop shifts were early mornings or during breaks.

So Qin Yue gladly accepted.

The convenience store was across from an upscale restaurant, next to a bustling mall.

With so many people passing by, Qin Yue just had to wear the store uniform and hand out flyers at the entrance. The pay wasn’t great, but it was easy.

Qin Yue smiled as she handed out flyers to passersby, explaining the grand opening promotions for the new store. By the end of the day, her smile had become stiff from constant use.

That evening, the boss praised Qin Yue’s efforts and told her she didn’t need to come in too early the next day, since the grand opening event was over and the promotions would be scaled back.

Qin Yue nodded in agreement.

As she walked home, neon lights illuminated the streets, making them as bright as daylight. The bustling sidewalks buzzed with activity, the vendors’ cries and the chatter of the crowd rising and falling in a cacophony.

Qin Yue watched it all silently, feeling a sense of detachment. She still hadn’t fully integrated into this world. Not only did she carry memories from her previous life, but she also subconsciously believed this world was a book.

If the book ended, would she return to her original world?

But what would constitute the end of the book? Would it be when the male and female leads finally come together? Or when they grow old and die together?

Qin Yue lowered her gaze. At this point in the story, the main plot hadn’t even begun. The female lead was still a naive elementary school student. Even if the book did end someday, she’d have to endure for at least ten more years!

Maybe it’s just the late hour talking, Qin Yue thought with a self-deprecating smile. I’m starting to get all philosophical. She boarded the bus for the ride home.

Ling Jixiao didn’t contact Qin Yue again.

She was extremely busy, nearing the end of the year.

Having just returned from a business trip, she had no time to rest before heading back to the office, and she still had to attend a charity gala the next day.

“CEO Ling, you’re scheduled to sign a contract with the Zhang Group this afternoon. Will you be attending in person?” Su Yao asked.

Ling Jixiao leaned back in her car seat, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples.

The Zhang surname was common, but in City A, there was only one group that could be referred to as the Zhang Group.

She recalled the incident where the Zhang family’s Young Master had kidnapped Qin Yue, and how she had subtly hinted that the case involved her, angering him. Though she couldn’t send Young Master Zhang to prison for good, she could still make him suffer.

Chairman Zhang, desperate to protect his precious son and stop Ling Jixiao from investigating further, would undoubtedly have to make concessions.

“Yes,” she replied. The collaboration between their companies involved a multi-billion-yuan project. To maximize their profits, Ling Jixiao needed to negotiate personally.

The car pulled up to the prearranged restaurant.

As soon as CEO Ling entered the private room, Chairman Zhang’s weathered face creased into a smile. “CEO Ling, you’re late! Come, three shots of punishment!”

No sooner had he spoken than his assistant poured three glasses of baijiu.

Ling Jixiao, still weary from her flight, didn’t want to drink. Smiling politely, she declined, citing her discomfort.

Chairman Zhang’s expression darkened. “What, Little Ling? Won’t you give Uncle Zhang some face?”

He was now resorting to his senior status to pressure her.

Chairman Zhang’s group had been partners with Minghui Group for years, but the Zhang and Ling families remained distant. Their lifestyles were mutually disapproving, yet business ties forced them to maintain a superficial cordiality.

A cold glint flashed in CEO Ling’s eyes, though her smile remained fixed. She knew Chairman Zhang would try to cause trouble today to vent his grievances, but she hadn’t expected him to resort to such blatant age-based intimidation.

Su Yao, aware of Ling Jixiao’s exhaustion, stepped forward with a smile. “CEO Ling is indeed unwell today. Let me take these three shots in her place!”

“Wait, no!” As Su Yao reached for the glasses, Ling Jixiao subtly restrained her. To everyone’s surprise, Chairman Zhang also vehemently protested.

“These are my shots with CEO Ling. You need to show sincerity, right?” Chairman Zhang’s triangular eyes narrowed.

Ling Jixiao’s expression remained calm as she subtly shook her head at Su Yao, signaling her not to drink. They needed one of them to remain sober.

“Alright then, I’ll toast to you, Chairman Zhang,” Ling Jixiao said, lifting her glass.

Three glasses of wine later, the room felt warmer.

Ling Jixiao’s alcohol tolerance was average. Despite being the CEO of Minghui Group and attending countless social engagements, no one had ever dared to pressure her into drinking since she took over the family business. Even when she first assumed control, other corporate executives only dealt with her out of deference to Grandpa Ling.

Now, forced to concede ground due to Young Master Zhang’s actions, Chairman Zhang was undoubtedly resentful but powerless to do anything but let Ling Jixiao drink.

Unfortunately, Ling Jixiao remained utterly composed, her expression unflappable even after three glasses.

“Now that we’ve toasted, Chairman Zhang, I’m here to discuss the contract,” Ling Jixiao said with a professional smile.

“Ah, no rush, no rush!” Chairman Zhang replied evasively, signaling for someone to refill her glass.

The crafty old fox continued to stall, circling the topic without addressing the contract.

Patiently, Ling Jixiao humored him.

Seeing her unshakable demeanor, Chairman Zhang begrudgingly ordered her to drink several more glasses.

Su Yao grew increasingly worried, well aware of Ling Jixiao’s limited alcohol tolerance.

Ling Jixiao’s expression remained calm and composed, as if she hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol.

Seeing that he couldn’t avoid the topic, Chairman Zhang forced a stiff smile. “Since Zhang Group and Minghui have been partners for so long, and considering I’m your elder, Ling, I’ll give you three points.”

His tone made it sound like a charitable donation.

Ling Jixiao’s lips curled into a confident smile. “If we’re such long-time partners, Chairman Zhang, shouldn’t this gesture be a little more generous?”

She was subtly implying, Just how much is your precious youngest son, Young Master Zhang, worth?

Chairman Zhang dropped even the pretense of a smile, his eyes darkening as he glared at Ling Jixiao across the table.

Unfazed, Ling Jixiao met his gaze with unwavering composure.

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

After a few tense seconds, Chairman Zhang forced a smile that creased his face. “Very well, CEO Ling. I’ll give you five points. Not a penny more!”

Ling Jixiao’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Eight points,” she stated firmly, cutting through the pleasantries.

Chairman Zhang’s expression turned frosty.

Just as everyone expected him to refuse outright or even storm out, Chairman Zhang surprisingly agreed.

“I hope CEO Ling keeps her word,” he said, rising abruptly and leaving the room.

Since contracts required legal review to ensure their validity, signing was tacitly postponed until the next day.

After Chairman Zhang left, Ling Jixiao could no longer hold back. The alcohol finally hit her, and a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, forcing her to collapse onto the table.

“CEO Ling, are you alright?” Su Yao asked, leaning closer with concern. “I’ll go get some hangover medicine!”

Ling Jixiao nodded slightly.

Su Yao hurried out.

Chairman Zhang, who had just left the room, was still seething. Giving up an eight-point margin meant sacrificing at least tens of millions in profit. His eyes narrowed as a cold smile twisted his lips. If he was unhappy, he wouldn’t let Ling Jixiao be comfortable either.

Everyone knew CEO Ling of Minghui Group despised Omegas. At over thirty, he’d never been reported to be in a relationship, not even a casual fling. His austere image had actually improved public perception, causing Minghui Group’s stock prices to rise significantly.

Then I’ll make sure the media catches this virtuous CEO Ling getting a prostitute…

Chairman Zhang turned to his assistant and gave instructions. The assistant nodded and left.

Su Yao had just left to ask a server for hangover medicine when someone stopped her, offering to help. Annoyed, she tried to brush them off. She was in a hurry, and what did this person want in a restaurant anyway?

But the persistent suitor wouldn’t let her go. Just as Su Yao was about to call for security, two brawling men joined the scene. Seeing the fight was about to spill onto her, Su Yao tried to dodge, but her clingy admirer shoved her out of the way.

The two brawlers dragged Su Yao and the other person over, hurling insults and looking ready to fight.

Several waiters rushed over to break up the argument, but the two men refused to back down.

Su Yao was clueless that she’d been set up. She felt like a complete idiot!

Meanwhile, Ling Jixiao was starting to feel a little better. Just as she sat up, she heard the door open. She thought Su Yao had returned, but instead, a man and woman in seductive outfits walked in.

Her instincts screamed danger. Ling Jixiao quickly stood up, her face darkening. “Who are you?”

“We’re here to serve you!” the man and woman said in unison. Their smiles widened as they took in Ling Jixiao’s appearance. They hadn’t expected the Alpha they’d paid to serve to be so handsome, unlike the usual fat, bloated men they usually catered to.

As the two approached, Ling Jixiao finally noticed they were both Omegas. She instinctively took a step back, her frown deepening into a scowl.

The two Omegas drew closer, releasing their pheromones to seduce Ling Jixiao. The male Omega smelled like orchids, while the female smelled like roses. The overlapping floral scents filled the private room with a heavy floral aroma.

However, Ling Jixiao despised floral pheromones. Traumatized by childhood experiences, the moment she smelled them, she felt nauseous.

The two Omegas, unaware of her reaction, assumed she was drunk and hurried forward to steady her.

“Get away!” Ling Jixiao’s entire body broke out in goosebumps as she scrambled away with all her might.

But she was tipsy from drinking, her steps unsteady, and she nearly stumbled.

Damn it, where was Su Yao?

Ling Jixiao pressed her fingers against her throbbing temples, glaring at the two Omegas in the room with a mixture of loathing and wariness, as if staring at two repulsive, nauseating objects.

The two Omegas flinched at Ling Jixiao’s glare, but since they were getting paid to do the job, they steeled themselves and approached.

Ling Jixiao was an Alpha, and she was stronger than the Omegas. Just as they were about to grab her arm, she yanked free and bolted toward the door.

The cloying floral scent in the room made her sick, transporting her back to her childhood. She remembered her Alpha father entwined with various Omegas, their pale flesh mingling with the wilted floral aroma…

So disgusting! Too disgusting!

Ling Jixiao covered her mouth, barely suppressing a retch. The fresh air outside the door brought some relief.

The two Omegas chased after her, dutifully fulfilling their duty. They’d been paid to complete the job, and that’s what they intended to do.

Forced to run toward the main entrance, Ling Jixiao fled, just as she had as a child, escaping this nauseating, floral-scented scene.

After lunch, Qin Yue arrived at the convenience store, clutching flyers in hand as she prepared to head across the street to distribute them at the mall.

Flyering required moving around; staying in one spot wouldn’t reach many people.

After two hours near the mall, most of her flyers were gone.

With most of the flyers distributed, Qin Yue started walking back.

Passing by the restaurant across from the convenience store, she noticed one or two people with cameras crouching nearby. She wondered if perhaps a celebrity was dining inside.

The celebrity must have been unlucky, their itinerary exposed to the reporters.

Qin Yue pondered this briefly, her steps turning toward the convenience store.

Suddenly, a commotion behind her caught her attention. She instinctively turned around.

A figure rushed toward her and, before she could react, wrapped their arms around her in a tight embrace.

The force of the impact sent her staggering back two steps before she regained her balance.

The person holding her buried their face in the crook of her neck, as if desperately inhaling life-saving medicine.

Qin Yue felt the tight grip, almost painful.

“Sister Jixiao?”

Support After Transmigrating Into A Novel, Not Only Did I Become An Omega, But I Also Provoked The Male Lead’s Mother