Forced to Romance the Omega Psychiatrist - Chapter 28

Bai Shuixi stood by the window for a while. In the garden, the figures of Xia You and Li Wei remained close together, showing no signs of ending their conversation.

Bai Shuixi hesitated.

Last time, she had missed the moment when Xia You and Li Wei met, and the plot had taken a major turn. Now that the two protagonists had been talking for so long again, should she go take a look herself?

“President Bai.”

Just as Bai Shuixi was considering it, a calm, almost cold voice suddenly called out from behind her.

Xu Chuan had appeared beside Bai Shuixi at some point, his expression subdued and quiet. “President Song and President Zou have already arrived. Would you like to discuss the arrangements for Retrospect?”

Bai Shuixi was momentarily taken aback before releasing the curtain she had been holding.

Near the center of the venue stood a vaguely familiar young man, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his demeanor so flippant that he stood out starkly among the serious-faced older men around him.

That man was,  Song Zhe, wasn’t it?

oticing Bai Shuixi’s gaze, the man raised his champagne glass with a smirk, his expression brimming with charm.

Bai Shuixi: “…”

Unmoved by his overture, Bai Shuixi indifferently averted her eyes. But when her gaze swept past the beautiful Omega accompanying Song Zhe, she was surprised to find the face unexpectedly familiar, it was none other than Zhou Wanwan, the one who had unsettled Xia You so much.

Bai Shuixi raised an eyebrow. So, these two had gotten together again?

Tch. As expected, neither of them was any good.

With little interest, Bai Shuixi looked away.

In the original host’s memories, Song Zhe had grown up alongside her. Though their families operated in different industries, they had some business collaborations, and their relationship had remained amicable even into their generation.

Bai Shuixi herself was a playgirl, and Song Zhe was no better.

The only difference was that while Bai Shuixi was still fooling around, Song Zhe was already preparing to take over the Song family.

Bai Shuixi turned and walked over to Song Zhe. Zhou Wanwan, who was clinging to Song Zhe’s arm, tilted her head slightly and smiled sweetly at Bai Shuixi, her tone familiar as she said, “President Bai, long time no see.”

Bai Shuixi searched her memories but couldn’t recall when the original host had ever met Zhou Wanwan.

Had they crossed paths when the original host had once threatened Li Wei during a chance encounter?

Song Zhe also gave Zhou Wanwan a surprised look. “You two know each other?”

“Not really,” Bai Shuixi cut in casually, placing her champagne glass on a passing waiter’s tray. “I have something urgent to attend to. I’ll talk to you about Retrospect later.”

Now that Zhou Wanwan had appeared, she was a little uneasy about what might be happening in the garden.

The implications of Zhou Wanwan appearing by Song Zhe’s side were obvious, and Bai Shuixi wasn’t particularly surprised. However, Li Wei’s ruthlessness seemed a little unexpected.

Would she really allow Zhou Wanwan to get involved with someone else so ambiguously?

Or had Li Wei orchestrated this herself?

Either scenario was disgusting enough. That Omega, who rarely assumed the worst in others, would probably be blackmailed.

Song Zhe frowned, giving Bai Shuixi a puzzled look. Seeing that she wasn’t joking and really intended to leave, his gaze turned thoughtful as he studied her and said:

“There are several companies waiting to invite me to collaborate on today’s project, Mr. Zou is still waiting too, and some people are even scheming to poach your ace Wei Heng. Are you really going to keep us waiting like this?”

Bai Shuixi walked past Song Zhe with an indifferent nod: “I really have something urgent. As for Wei Heng, no one can poach him, they’re welcome to try if they don’t believe me.”

At least until the original owner’s downfall, Tianyin Entertainment wouldn’t collapse.

“…” Song Zhe fell silent for a moment before clicking his tongue helplessly, “Still as arrogant as ever.”

Zhou Wanwan didn’t speak, frowning as she glanced in the direction Bai Shuixi left, sensing something amiss.

Only when Song Zhe looked at her questioningly did Zhou Wanwan adopt a coquettish expression, shaking his arm: “What about the role you promised me, President Song?”

“That’s already settled,” Song Zhe said casually, taking a sip of champagne. “Bai Shuixi doesn’t have any particular favorite actors. she won’t oppose me.”

Meanwhile, Bai Shuixi currently on her way to oppose Zhou Wanwan’s agent took her coat from a waiter, draped it over her shoulders, and followed the staff’s directions toward the rooftop garden.

[Wait, hold on—host, what are you planning?!] The system, sensing another impending plot derailment, logged on in panic. [You’re not going to interrupt Xia You and Li Wei’s conversation, are you? That’s way too bold! This is outright challenging the original storyline!]

Bai Shuixi responded coolly: “Isn’t interrupting their heartfelt reunion, dragging Xia You away, and tormenting her exactly what a villain like me should do?”

The system: […]

Bai Shuixi chuckled softly: “Or do you also think Li Wei seems more like the villain now?”

[…] The speechless system quietly shut down.

Not pressing further, Bai Shuixi soon navigated the long corridor, ascending to a terrace before descending a spiral staircase to reach the rooftop garden.

Approaching from another angle, she had just stepped behind a flower bed when Li Wei’s voice carried over:

“So… you and Bai Shuixi have gotten this close? She even brings you along wherever she goes now?”

Bai Shuixi paused mid-step.

“Brings her where?” It was just a banquet, why did Li Wei make it sound so scandalous?

“Can’t I come?” Xia You’s gentle voice replied, though her words grew progressively firmer. “Are you afraid I might see something I shouldn’t? Like, how intimate you are with Zhou Wanwan?”

Bai Shuixi raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly.

This reaction from Xia You was unexpected. Had the female lead finally woken up?

In a secluded corner of the hotel’s rooftop garden, Bai Shuixi stood amidst the foliage, her fur coat draped over her shoulders.

Separated by a low wall entwined with rose-adorned vines, she crossed her long legs and leaned back against a cool lamp post, listening to the fragments of conversation drifting between Xia You and Li Wei.

“Xia Xia,” Li Wei’s voice softened, carrying a deep affection tinged with hidden pain. “I was wrong before. I was too impatient and ended up hurting you with my words, but that wasn’t what I truly meant. I just never expected you wouldn’t trust me.”

Bai Shuixi paused, glancing slightly at the vine-covered low wall beside her.

How manipulative.

Shifting blame like this was far too careless.

But perhaps she could learn a thing or two from such calculated words after all, speaking this way did make one seem effortlessly innocent. She wondered if the roles were reversed, would Xia You still fall for it?

“I’ve always held you close to my heart, which is why I reacted so strongly,” Li Wei continued, her voice laced with apparent anguish. “You understand, don’t you? My work is tedious and exhausting, but I have no other choice. You’ve been advancing so quickly in your career—how could I afford to fall behind? I just want to stand by your side as an equal.”

Hearing this, Bai Shuixi sighed silently.

If not for the need to stay quiet, she might have scoffed aloud.

Working hard to catch up to Xia You’s career? Hard enough to end up in Zhou Wanwan’s bed?

Li Wei really shouldn’t be a talent agent. She ought to switch professions and compete with Zhou Wanwan, those two might just contend for this year’s Best Actress award.

A brief silence settled on the other side of the floral wall before Xia You’s voice, tinged with sorrow, finally responded, “Is that really true?”

Listening quietly, Bai Shuixi sensed less belief and more disappointment in Xia You’s tone.

Li Wei, oblivious, pressed on gently, “Of course. And you and Bai Shuixi are just friends, right? I saw that CP hashtag, but I know better. I won’t overthink it. We’ll always be together.”

“……”

No reply followed. Bai Shuixi couldn’t guess what was happening beyond the wall, but as she pondered the likelihood of Xia You being swayed again, Li Wei spoke once more, hesitantly this time, as if weighing her words:

“Xia Xia, if you truly love this new job, maybe you should stay by Bai Shuixi’s side.”

“……” Bai Shuixi stilled, finally directing her full attention toward the wall.

What was this? Was Li Wei now setting her sights on her planning to use Xia You to extract resources from her?

How laughably naive.

Disgust flickered through Bai Shuixi’s mind, though the thought quickly submerged beneath other considerations.

After a moment’s reflection, she realized she couldn’t actually think of a reason why this scenario wouldn’t unfold.

Wasn’t it perfectly logical for the female lead, out of love, to exploit the antagonist to warm the heart of another lead? And wouldn’t it naturally lead to a series of forced confrontations, emotional torment, and physical suffering?

Everything would fall right into place.

A faintly mocking smile curved Bai Shuixi’s lips, her eyes cooling. If things truly progressed this way,  she wouldn’t mind playing along.

On the other side of the wall, Xia You hesitated before responding, her disbelief palpable even through her voice: “What did you just say?”

“I can’t always stand in your way, can I?” Li Wei quickly said, her tone unexpectedly laced with a gentle persuasion. “If we can maintain a good relationship with Bai Shuixi, we could indeed have a more promising future. Let’s work together for what lies ahead.”

Xia You remained silent for a moment before responding, her voice noticeably colder and harder: “I understand. No need to beat around the bush. What exactly do you want me to do?”

Just a wall away, Bai Shuixi, leaning against a lamppost with a cold and weary expression, suddenly stiffened.

“What? How could you think that way?” Li Wei spoke again quickly, sounding surprised and somewhat hurt. “Xia Xia, I just want us to have a better future. Once you start working at Tianyin, we’ll both be in the entertainment industry. Won’t that help you understand me better, just like you always wanted?”

“But now, it seems I no longer wish to understand you.”

Standing before Li Wei, Xia You looked at the person she once loved with sorrow in her eyes, feeling as though all her past affection and longing had been tainted by an indelible filth, so utterly repulsive.

“I’m a psychologist, Li Wei. Have you forgotten? I don’t need favors from the CEO of an entertainment company. It’s you who truly needs something.”

Li Wei was momentarily speechless, taking a step back as her tone cooled. “What could I possibly need? I’m doing perfectly fine at Rixin. Why would I rely on you?”

“Is that so?” Xia You’s chest heaved, her usually gentle face flushed with anger. “Then why did you deliberately emphasize maintaining a ‘good relationship’ with Bai Shuixi? What do you intend to use her for? And how exactly do you expect me to maintain this so-called ‘good relationship’ with her?”

Li Wei hesitated briefly before decisively shifting blame: “I just wanted to be closer to you, to fulfill what you’ve always said about ‘understanding each other.’ I never thought you’d see me this way, Xia Xia. You know I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I don’t know,” Xia You said slowly, her gaze burning with fury. “And let me make this clear, I won’t exploit Bai Shuixi.”

Li Wei stared at Xia You in surprise, as if observing a mechanical toy that had suddenly gone out of control. After a long pause, she finally said, “If that’s how you feel, then I have nothing more to say. But I truly didn’t mean it that way, Xia Xia. Maybe we shouldn’t see each other for a while. Let’s both think things over.”

With that, Li Wei turned and walked away, the sharp click of her stilettos echoing crisply. Xia You stood rigidly in place, her hands slowly clenching into fists.

Just before Li Wei stepped out of the rooftop garden, Xia You asked calmly, “Li Wei, do you really think I’m still so naive that I can’t see through your tactics? That I’d still chase after you?”

If Li Wei truly had no intention of using Bai Shuixi through her, why had she been so evasive?

Why couldn’t she just explain what she was really doing, clarify her relationship with Zhou Wan Wan, or admit whether she was the one who stirred up the shipping rumors between Xia You and Bai Shuixi?

Xia You’s voice was icy, but her eyes were rimmed with red.

After all, it was a youthful infatuation. Watching the moonlight she once held in her heart gradually rot, only to be drenched in thick ink and trampled into the mud beyond recognition, Xia You wasn’t entirely unaffected.

She found the change ridiculous, found Li Wei ridiculous, and found herself the most ridiculous of all.

“Excuse me, I think my presence might be necessary here.” A cool yet melodious voice shattered the tense atmosphere in the garden.

Bai Shuixi leisurely stepped out from behind the flower wall, casually brushing aside a drooping rose. “Did someone mention maintaining a good relationship with me?”

At the far end of the rooftop garden, Li Wei’s expression instantly darkened.

Xia You also flustered, waving her hands. “N-no, it’s not what you think, I didn’t!”

“Why have you been gone so long?”

Bai Shuixi turned to Xia You, cutting her off naturally, her tone no different from when she usually teased her. By the end, there was even a hint of affectionate coquetry: “Didn’t I say to come back right away if you ran into any weirdos? You’re really not letting me rest easy, jie.”

“…” Xia You’s face flushed faintly as she averted her gaze, silent.

Li Wei, the aforementioned “weirdo” was also rendered speechless by the indirect jab.

“Oh, if it isn’t President Li from Rixin? Long time no see.” Bai Shuixi acted as though she’d only just noticed the woman standing in the distance, belatedly shifting her gaze to Li Wei. “Busy?”

“Not at all. I’m honored you still remember me, President Bai.” Li Wei forced the words through gritted teeth, her smile stiff. “I was just about to leave.”

Bai Shuixi nodded. “Ah, good. I wasn’t planning to chat much with you anyway.”

Li Wei: “Wh—”

Before Li Wei could finish, Bai Shuixi raised a hand and, under Li Wei’s stunned glare and Xia You’s shocked gaze, wrapped an arm around Xia You’s waist:

“As you can see, jie and I have always had a very ‘good’ relationship. No need for your spe-ci-al con-cern, President Li.”

A strange tension spread through the garden, time stretching endlessly. The timed mist system activated again, drifting over the low-lying flowers and leaves. In the ethereal haze, Bai Shuixi’s malfunctioning system screeched like a boiling kettle in her mind.

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