Cool Alpha Pregnant with a Dryad’s Cub - Chapter 5

Gongsun Wu stepped out of the house, drifting forward like a gentle breeze.

The moment she appeared, Zhuo Yuhe let out a small, muffled gasp. “Auntie, she’s so beautiful. Even more stunning up close.”

“Ahem!” Zhuo Ti tugged at her from behind, and Zhuo Yuhe promptly shut her mouth.

Zhuo Ti gave her a gentle nudge forward. “We live next door. We brought this orchid for you, congratulations on the move.”

Zhuo Yuhe stepped forward and handed the potted plant to Xu Zhuangyuan. Xu Zhuangyuan took it, his face lighting up with joy. “A ‘Su Guan He Ding’? Isn’t this far too expensive?”

Zhuo Yuhe replied, “It’s not expensive. My aunt grafted it. We have plenty in our garden…”

Zhuo Ti nudged Zhuo Yuhe’s back with her elbow, and Zhuo Yuhe obediently fell silent.

Gongsun Wu smiled. “Thank you.”

Her eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, and when she smiled, there was something soul-stirring about her. Zhuo Ti felt a bit uneasy under that gaze. She couldn’t smell any pheromones coming from the woman, she wasn’t an Alpha or an Omega. Was she a Beta?

Zhuo Ti had never seen a female Beta so beautiful and so tall.

“Hello,” Zhuo Ti said, extending her hand. “I’m Zhuo Ti.”

Gongsun Wu looked down. That slender, elegant hand was strikingly beautiful. She looked at her own hand for a moment; it was quite beautiful too.

Xu Zhuangyuan nudged Gongsun Wu and smiled. “I’m Xu Zhuangyuan. ‘Xu’ as in the surname, ‘Zhuangyuan’ as in the top scholar of the imperial exams. And this is my boss, Gongsun Wu.”

Xu Zhuangyuan leaned in and whispered a prompt behind Gongsun Wu, “Boss, take her hand. She’s greeting you.”

Only then did Gongsun Wu understand. She took Zhuo Ti’s hand and tilted her head with a smile. “The ‘Ti’ from the Bodhi tree?”

Zhuo Ti froze for a second, then nodded and withdrew her hand.

Zhuo Yuhe looked up at Gongsun Wu, who was slightly taller than even the Alpha Zhuo Ti, and asked, “Is it ‘Wu’ as in ‘Wu-mei,’ the word used to describe the beautiful posture of women or flowers? It’s a wonderful name.”

Gongsun Wu let out a hearty, joyful laugh. She reached out and lightly tapped Zhuo Yuhe on the forehead. “You’ve got a good eye, little girl. I’ll give you a small gift: I guarantee you ten years free of illness and misfortune.”

Zhuo Yuhe felt a surge of warmth enter her body from the top of her head, but the sensation vanished in two seconds, making her feel as though it had all been an illusion.

Gongsun Wu’s eyes settled on Zhuo Ti’s face. “Have we… met somewhere before?”

Zhuo Ti gave her a cool look. She had been sitting on the railing watching her beat people up last night, and now she was asking this? She looked back at Gongsun Wu. “I think I saw the two of you at the bar last night.”

“Mm.” Gongsun Wu nodded slightly, exchanging a glance with Xu Zhuangyuan.

So, she really was a mortal who could see through their barrier.

Zhuo Ti pursed her lips. It was getting late, and she had work tonight. She put an arm around Zhuo Yuhe’s shoulder and glanced behind Gongsun Wu. “The decoration style of this villa is quite… unique. Especially the two trees planted inside the house. If there’s an opportunity in the future, you’re welcome to visit the Zhuo family. Sorry for the intrusion.”

Xu Zhuangyuan watched the two leave and remarked, “That person is truly something else.”

Gongsun Wu held the Su Guan He Ding orchid. With a gentle flick of her finger, a drop of fresh blood fell into the pot.

Xu Zhuangyuan said, “Even if this flower is precious, it isn’t a spiritual being. It might not be able to handle your blood…”

Before he could finish, the orchid actually began to sprout tender green flower buds.

Gongsun Wu raised her eyes to look at him, her expression full of smugness.

“Fine, consider that I said nothing,” Xu Zhuangyuan shrugged and walked inside. “We have quite a mission here in City A… Boss, did you remove the barrier after you finished planting the Purple Immortal Trees?”

Gongsun Wu set the pot down gently. Only then did she wave her hand to dismiss the barrier. With a graceful turn, she landed lightly on a vine hammock and flicked her finger to turn on the television.

Just as the TV came on, Gongsun Wu seemed to remember something. She sat up from the vines and spoke to Xu Zhuangyuan, her voice stripped of its usual playfulness and sounding very serious. “Cassia, what was the last thing that human said?”

Xu Zhuangyuan turned to look at her, thinking back for a few seconds. His eyes suddenly widened. “She said, these two trees are very… unique.”

They had already confirmed that Zhuo Ti could see barriers, but last night’s barrier was set by Xu Zhuangyuan. Today’s was set by Gongsun Wu. This extraordinary mortal could actually see through Gongsun Wu’s barrier as well.

“Auntie,” Zhuo Yuhe asked on the way back, sounding confused. “What did you mean when you said there were trees planted in that villa? I only saw grass everywhere.”

Zhuo Ti was focusing all her energy on trying to eavesdrop on Gongsun Wu’s heart, but she came up empty. Hearing this, she was also a bit puzzled. She looked back at the glass villa. “See for yourself.”

Zhuo Yuhe looked back, only to see two massive trees growing right through the roof of the villa. She began to doubt herself. “Two trees that huge, and I really didn’t see them just now?”

Or maybe she just hadn’t been paying attention? Yes, there was a 90% chance that was the case. Plausible.

Zhuo Ti stopped her motorcycle in front of a restaurant. She opened WeChat to make a call when she heard someone shouting her name. “Is this Teacher Xie Tingxin?”

Zhuo Ti looked over. A female Omega in a denim jacket was standing at the entrance. It was her client for the night, Guo Yu.

She followed Guo Yu into the restaurant. Guo Yu was incredibly curious. “Can you really hear hearts?”

“Mm,” Zhuo Ti replied.

“Then tell me, what am I thinking right now?” Guo Yu asked, her face full of curiosity.

As they entered the elevator, Zhuo Ti took off her glove and reached out to Guo Yu. “Give me your hand.”

“Huh?” Guo Yu was confused.

“Hand,” Zhuo Ti prompted.

Guo Yu hesitantly placed her hand in Zhuo Ti’s. “And then?”

What did the handshake mean?

Zhuo Ti withdrew her hand and said, “What does the handshake mean?”

“I’m asking you, why the handshake?” Guo Yu said.

“What I said… was the thought in your heart.” Zhuo Ti looked at her.

With a ding, the elevator reached the fifth floor, and Zhuo Ti walked out.

Guo Yu realized what happened a beat later and ran out of the elevator. “Oh my god, oh my god, you really can hear it?”

“Satisfaction guaranteed,” Zhuo Ti stopped. “Which private room?”

Guo Yu was excited. Previously, she thought Xie Tingxin’s fees were too high, but the reviews said it was worth the price. She had thought the reviews were fake, but after this brief contact, she knew it was the real deal.

“Over there,” Guo Yu pointed to the right. “I told you the situation online, I mainly want to know if my Alpha is being sincere with me.”

They reached the door of the room, and Zhuo Ti lowered her voice. “Let’s be clear, regardless of the result, the final payment must be made.”

Guo Yu gave her an “OK” gesture.

Pushing the door open, Guo Yu smiled brightly. “Ruyi!”

A short-haired female Alpha was sitting in the room. Seeing Guo Yu enter, she stood up and opened her arms. “A-Yu.”

Guo Yu hugged her and introduced Zhuo Ti. “This is my classmate, Xiao Xie. Xiao Xie, this is my girlfriend, Fang Ruyi.”

“Hello.” Zhuo Ti extended her hand to Fang Ruyi.

Fang Ruyi politely shook her hand.

This kind of work was simple for Zhuo Ti. Once she made physical contact with the target, she just had to sit and listen, eating and drinking as she pleased.

At first, Fang Ruyi was curious about Zhuo Ti, suspecting the relationship between her and Guo Yu wasn’t just “classmates,” but after seeing Zhuo Ti quietly focus on her food, she stopped paying attention to her.

Halfway through the dinner, Zhuo Ti hadn’t heard anything unusual.

Guo Yu hid her phone under the table and sent a WeChat message.

Did you hear anything?  Nothing.

This reply made Guo Yu smile happily. She leaned against Fang Ruyi. “Ruyi, come home with me next month to meet my family.”

Fang Ruyi turned her head. “So sudden?”

“It’s not sudden. We’ve been dating for over a year. Next month is my mother’s birthday, and she’s nagged me many times.”

“Next month…” Fang Ruyi pondered. “When exactly? I have a business trip next month.”

“The 12th.”

Fang Ruyi’s heart tightened. “That’s so unlucky. I have to leave for a trip on the 10th, for half a month.”

Half a month—that should be enough to dodge this, right?

Zhuo Ti raised her eyes. Fang Ruyi picked up a glass of water, and when her eyes met Zhuo Ti’s, she gave her a smile.

Guo Yu was understanding. “Another long trip? Alright then, we’ll find another time.”

“Okay,” Fang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll bring you a gift when I get back.”

“Mm!” Guo Yu nodded contentedly.

“Where is the business trip to?” Zhuo Ti asked suddenly.

“Huh?” Fang Ruyi looked up, paused, and said, “City C.”

“Is that so? What a coincidence. I’m going to City C on the 10th of next month as well,” Zhuo Ti said, placing a piece of grilled ox tongue on Fang Ruyi’s plate. “Why don’t we go together?”

“Ah…” Fang Ruyi swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward Zhuo Ti and then away. “I… I’m driving there with my boss, it might not be convenient.”

“Fine, forget I asked,” Zhuo Ti said.

Fang Ruyi let out a breath. This person seemed sharp, not as easy to fool as Guo Yu. She didn’t know Guo Yu had such a formidable friend.

She grabbed her phone and said, “A-Yu, I just remembered there’s a small flaw in today’s proposal. I need to call a colleague.”

Guo Yu nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”

Fang Ruyi hurried out of the room with her phone. Just in case, she had to arrange an actual itinerary to City C.

Once Fang Ruyi left, Guo Yu asked, “The fact that you didn’t hear anything, does that mean Ruyi is sincere?”

Zhuo Ti raised her hand. “Shh. I’ll tell you later.”

Fang Ruyi returned about ten minutes later, smiling. “By the way, my boss just said we aren’t going to City C anymore. Xiao Xie, shall we go together?”

Zhuo Ti shook her head. “I got the dates mixed up. I’m not going on the 10th.”

The meal lasted a while, ending past eleven. While Fang Ruyi was paying the bill, Guo Yu walked Zhuo Ti out of the restaurant, looking expectant.

Zhuo Ti said, “She has another partner.”

“What!” Guo Yu’s voice rose to a screech.

“It’s her colleague. The other person knows about you; she’s likely her boss,” Zhuo Ti said. “The business trip she mentioned is also a lie.”

Every bit of news shocked Guo Yu. As she stood there with her mouth agape, Zhuo Ti saw Fang Ruyi walking out. She said, “Our collaboration ends here. Remember to send the final payment. I wish you the best.”

She twisted the throttle and left.

The wind was strong tonight, but the whistling sound in her ears couldn’t blow away her irritability. She didn’t even know what she was irritated about.

The rain started suddenly. Zhuo Ti speeded up, but as the wind and rain made the road difficult, she slowed back down.

The next second, the motorcycle screeched to a halt, the tires kicking up small sparks.

Zhuo Ti turned her head to the right. A white shadow had just flashed from left to right, looking like a dog.

She got off the bike and walked toward the alley on the right.

The rain pattered against her helmet. She flipped up the visor, and the rain hit her face directly.

The alley was pitch black. Zhuo Ti stood at the entrance, hesitating.

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. Come out,” Zhuo Ti said.

There was no response from the alley. She took two steps in, but the darkness combined with the heavy rain made her feel timid. She had never been one to face the unknown.

“If you don’t want to come out, that’s fine. Stay put then. The rain is dangerous, come out tomorrow during the day,” Zhuo Ti advised.

After waiting for a bit and seeing no animal emerge, Zhuo Ti backed out of the alley and got back on her motorcycle.

The rest of the ride home was smooth. She stopped the bike outside her courtyard gate. As she pushed open the iron gate, something suddenly brushed against her leg.

Lifting her foot, she felt something furry. She looked down to see a snow-white… fox?

Zhuo Ti took a step back and crouched down to examine it. Round eyes, a pointed snout, high and pointed ears, thick long fur, and a slender body—it was definitely a fox.

Its fur was pure white without a single blemish, though it was now soaked through by the rain. It stared at Zhuo Ti with round, watery eyes. Zhuo Ti’s heart softened, and she reached out to pet its head. A soft “ng-ng” sound came from its mouth.

The sound was exactly the same as what she had heard in the alley.

“You,” Zhuo Ti wasn’t overly surprised; animals could be spiritual, she understood that. “How did you follow me here?”

The fox rubbed against her calf and whined a few more times. Zhuo Ti couldn’t understand. She took off her black leather glove and touched it. “Say that again.”

The fox looked up at her and nipped her calf, it didn’t hurt. Zhuo Ti held its head with both hands and smiled. “Tell me, how did you get here?”

Its tail suddenly stood up, and the fox whined at Zhuo Ti: “Mother!”

Support Cool Alpha Pregnant with a Dryad’s Cub