Forced to Romance the Omega Psychiatrist - Chapter 42

The hotel’s decor was exquisite, making it perfect for photography.

While Manty had indeed declined media interviews for this banquet, the organizers still granted live-streaming rights for the outdoor area to maintain buzz and brand visibility.

In the garden outside the hotel, some attending celebrities were walking the red carpet. Further away, a yacht was docked on the adjacent river for the artists and live-streaming crews to film. The yacht and the hotel’s lights cast a shimmering glow on the river, weaving a scene of opulence alongside the lavishly dressed celebrities, a glittering world of fame and fortune steeped in wealth. However, at this hour, the real audience was inside, attending the banquet.

For this event, Manty had spared no effort. Beyond the creatively designed activities, a jewelry exhibition area was set up between the indoor and outdoor venues, showcasing the works of Manty’s emerging designers from the past year.

The interplay of lighting and elegant display cases, accentuated by fresh flowers and crystal embellishments, made the jewelry inside radiate even more brilliantly.

Bai Shuixi and Xia You sat together on plush sofa chairs, champagne in hand, comfortably settled in the VIP section as they watched the scene on stage.

Manty’s global ambassador walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with the brand’s CEO. Bai Shuixi took a sip of champagne, absently savoring its fruity notes, and glanced at the star who, under the spotlight, gracefully lifted her gown while walking the carpet. She mused that Zhou Wanwan would likely take the stage soon.

Bai Shuixi had already reviewed the banquet schedule. After some celebrities finished the outdoor red carpet, they would proceed to a transactional dinner.

The bigger names would then participate in an indoor fashion show, followed by a small auction featuring Manty’s senior designers’ latest works pieces typically priced several times higher than the newcomers’ displayed collections. After that, the evening would transition into a free-form banquet.

Bai Shuixi’s gaze drifted to the edge of the stage, where she spotted Li Wei among Zhou Wanwan’s entourage.

Li Wei was saying something to Zhou Wanwan when she suddenly seemed to sense Bai Shuixi’s stare. She lifted her head, locking eyes with Bai Shuixi from across the room.

Noticing Li Wei’s glance, Bai Shuixi faintly curved her lips, her expression cool and detached.

The two held each other’s gaze for a couple of seconds before Li Wei averted her eyes, her attention sliding to Xia You, who was beside Bai Shuixi, earnestly sampling a pudding. Li Wei stared at her for a long moment before finally turning away.

Bai Shuixi raised an eyebrow, studying Li Wei as she conversed with Zhou Wanwan, intrigued by her motives.

As Xia You’s childhood friend and the character who occupied the other female lead’s role in the original plot, Li Wei’s presence was always trickier to handle than Bai Ye’s.

Bai Shuixi loathed Bai Ye and resented her existence, but she never doubted her ability to remove her from the picture. With Li Wei, however, she hesitated.

After all, a protagonist’s feelings were fickle and subjective. What if, after she left, Xia You fell for Li Wei again? With the original storyline’s influence, such a scenario wasn’t entirely impossible.

Lost in thought, Bai Shuixi turned her head slightly to look at Xia You, her gaze lingering for an extra second on those delicately lowered lashes framing her soft, lovely profile.

After a moment, Bai Shuixi leaned closer and murmured in a low voice, “Jiejie.”

“Hmm,” Xia You remained completely unaware of the intricate calculations running through Bai Shuixi’s mind. She turned to look at Bai Shuixi with clear eyes, her slight confusion evident.

Bai Shuixi curved her lips slightly, studying Xia You’s expression before deliberately saying, “I just saw Li Wei.”

Xia You hadn’t expected this topic. She stiffened momentarily, her expression turning somewhat awkward as she averted her gaze and mumbled, “Oh, you saw her? So what? Did she want something from you again?”

Bai Shuixi paused, then laughed softly. “We’re not close at all, no connection whatsoever. Why would she come to me? Even if she did, I wouldn’t help her.”

“Oh,” Xia You regained some composure. “Then why bring her up suddenly?”

Instead of answering immediately, Bai Shuixi scrutinized Xia You for a while, only looking away and leaning back in her chair when Xia You began to feel uneasy. “What, don’t you like her anymore? Weren’t you willing to become my assistant just to get information about her before? She’s right here now aren’t you going to see her?”

“……” Xia You knew this embarrassing chapter of her past would resurface. Remembering the things Li Wei had said in the hotel’s sky garden, she felt so mortified she could barely breathe. Stumbling over her words, she said, “I had my reasons. I needed to see for myself because I didn’t know her true nature at the time.”

Her voice grew quieter as she spoke this was the first time she’d ever shown such guilt in front of Bai Shuixi until she finally turned her head away in embarrassment.

But Bai Shuixi wouldn’t let her escape. Glancing at Xia You, she continued leisurely, “Is that so? I saw how devoted you were to her before. Do you really not care about her at all now?”

“……” Xia You was utterly mortified, with no way to defend herself.

If she’d known she would fall for the person beside her, she would never have said a single extra word to Bai Shuixi!

Now she had this leverage hanging over her head, constantly being brought up. She really…

Noticing her expression, Bai Shuixi frowned inwardly, unconvinced of Xia You’s resolve.

After a moment’s thought, Bai Shuixi calmly pressed further, “If she came begging to you, crying, wouldn’t you soften and forgive her? Wouldn’t you get back together with her?”

Xia You choked on her words. She wanted to say Li Wei wasn’t the type to cry, and if she did, it would probably be an act but she bit back the words before they left her mouth.

If she actually said that Bai Shuixi would probably seize on why she knew Li Wei so well.

There was no winning!

Fortunately, the host on stage smoothly transitioning the event saved Xia You just in time.

The indoor stage wasn’t large just a few endorsers and brand ambassadors making brief appearances to warm up the crowd before the auction. The auction catalog and bidding paddles had already been placed at each seat. Recognizing the host’s routine cues to begin the auction, Xia You quickly said, “The auction seems to be starting. Let’s look at the jewelry first. Hmm, this one looks nice.”

Bai Shuixi couldn’t care less about the auction, but she still took the catalog when Xia You spoke, lowering her eyes with a slight frown. “Which one? We’ll bid on it directly later.”

Xia You: “……”

She had just pointed at random.

“Jewelry isn’t that important,” Bai Shuixi glanced at the piece Xia You had selected, memorized its number, then set the catalog aside before looking back at Xia You.

This time, her expression was no longer deliberately concealed. Frowning seriously, she asked, “Do you really still love her?”

“Of course not!”

Xia You blurted out without hesitation, her face a mix of shock and rejection, it really didn’t seem like she still cared about Li Wei. “I don’t! Of course I don’t like her anymore. I’m not insane!”

She even wanted to say that even in the past, her feelings for Li Wei probably hadn’t reached the level of ‘love.’

Unfortunately, Bai Shuixi didn’t give her the chance to say it, so she could only repeat it silently to herself.

Bai Shuixi scrutinized Xia You’s expression carefully and finally let the matter rest for now.

Xia You had even gone so far as to insult herself to prove her point. That had to count for something.

As long as Xia You didn’t foolishly cling to feelings for Li Wei anymore, and as long as she stopped being soft-hearted at the wrong times, she probably wouldn’t face any more hardships in the future.

Just as Bai Shuixi was thinking this, the lights in the venue dimmed, the brightest beam focusing on the center of the stage, dazzling like a miniature light show.

The first jewelry piece was about to be presented, drawing everyone’s attention—even Bai Shuixi’s—as she turned to glance at the display.

It was at that moment that Xia You spoke up. Seizing the chance while Bai Shuixi was distracted, she leaned in slightly and whispered:

“I actually kind of like you, but I—”

Her words were cut off as the host’s voice boomed over the speakers, announcing the auction item, drowning out the rest of her sentence completely.

Bai Shuixi froze for two seconds before turning back in shock. “What did you say?”

She almost thought she’d misheard or that it was just her imagination.

The female lead said she liked who? Since when?

The female lead liking the villain?

Bai Shuixi was so stunned that her understanding of this world and its established logic wavered slightly, her expression flickering with confusion.

The ‘culprit,’ Xia You, however, refused to repeat herself. Flustered, she turned away, pretending nothing had happened, and busied herself with the champagne glass on the table, feigning innocence.

“Huh? What? What did I say?”

“…” Bai Shuixi frowned slightly, eyeing Xia You with uncertainty.

She suspected Xia You was playing dumb, she just didn’t have proof. And besides the plot couldn’t possibly twist this far, could it? The female lead falling for the villain?

With an indescribably complicated feeling, Bai Shuixi did something unprecedented, she chose to ignore a potential problem right in front of her.

This subconscious evasion was so subtle that even she didn’t notice it.

In the midst of this tense and delicate atmosphere, Bai Shuixi’s phone on the table lit up. Just then, the venue lights brightened again, and Bai Shuixi quickly picked up her phone to check the message.

The moment she read it, her earlier bewilderment vanished, replaced by the cool, detached composure of the ever-unfazed ‘CEO Bai.’

Bai Shuixi calmly placed her phone face down on the table, thought for a moment, then turned to Xia You and said, “You barely slept last night. Why don’t you rest in a room after the auction ends?”

Xia You, still feeling guilty about her earlier impulsive words and afraid of running into Zhou Wanwan or Li Wei during the upcoming free mingling session not to mention dreading Bai Shuixi questioning what she had just said immediately agreed without hesitation.

“That was quick.”

Bai Shuixi glanced at Xia You, sensing something was off, and picked up her phone to double-check.

Her subordinate’s message was still there, the content crystal clear: [Target Bai Ye has infiltrated the event staff and is moving between the inner and outer venues.]

What Xia You probably didn’t know was that Bai Shuixi hadn’t just brought a few people with her this time. Beyond her usual secretaries and assistants for basic tasks, she had quietly arranged for an entire security team, one personally vetted by her mother, Xin Wensheng, and confirmed directly with Manty’s CEO. This team had bypassed standard verification procedures to enter the venue.

Since they hadn’t gone through Manty’s planning team’s approval, Bai Shuixi’s security team wouldn’t appear on any guest lists.

Even if Bai Ye managed to get her hands on Manty’s roster, she’d have no way of knowing about this team’s presence.

Bai Shuixi subtly gestured to a nearby waiter and quietly instructed him to arrange a suite.

The waiter nodded and quickly went to make the arrangements. Within minutes, Bai Ye, who had been anxiously pretending to be a server in the outer venue received a message through her Bluetooth earpiece:

“Miss, we’ve obtained the suite number Manty arranged for the Bo family. Miss Xia will be going there to rest after the auction segment.”

Bai Ye’s spirits lifted instantly. She stepped into a secluded corner and asked in a low voice, “Is the intel reliable? Is she alone?”

The reply came swiftly: “Absolutely. Our insider followed the staff handling Bai Shuixi’s arrangements and saw it firsthand. As for CEO Bai,  Bai Shuixi still has to attend later events. She likely won’t accompany Miss Xia to the suite at most, she’ll send a few staff members with her.”

“Understood,” Bai Ye said, her earlier tension melting away as a look of ruthless ambition flashed in her eyes. “Give me the room number and have our people get ready.”

“Yes. Should we prepare to intercept CEO Bo?” the subordinate asked.

“Correct,” Bai Ye replied.

“Got it,” the subordinate answered promptly, rattling off a string of numbers before efficiently ending the call.

Bai Ye stood silently for a moment, then turned off her earpiece. She turned back to survey the bustling outer venue, a contemptuous smile curling her lips.

This time, even the heavens were on her side.

Originally, Bai Ye had been racking her brain over how to infiltrate the inner venue. Given that Manty had pulled out all the stops with their jewelry display each piece astronomically valuable the inner venue’s security was dauntingly tight.

Bribing minor staff for intel was one thing, but getting any further had seemed nearly impossible.

Bai Ye’s plan to infiltrate the inner area to get close to Xia You was no less difficult than directly stealing a piece of Manty’s jewelry from the venue. However, the truly stringent security was only in the inner area. The hotel suites outside the inner area had only standard security, even less strict than the outer area. She could easily slip in.

Now, she was about to abduct Xia You right under Bai Shuixi’s nose.

Bai Ye smirked disdainfully once more before turning and disappearing into a dark alleyway.

The auction quickly passed its halfway mark. Ignoring Xia You’s subtle attempts to stop her, Bai Shuixi secured the design Xia You had complimented with an overwhelming bid.

If Xia You liked it, there was no harm in buying it for her.

Coincidentally, this lot was toward the end of the sequence. After securing ownership, Bai Shuixi turned to Xia You and asked, “Would you like to take a break?”

Xia You might not have been in a hurry otherwise, but she had just noticed Zhou Wanwan seated only a table away from her and Bai Shuixi. Relieved by the suggestion, she asked softly, “Is it convenient now?”

Bai Shuixi smiled. “There’s no inconvenience. The remaining segments aren’t particularly interesting just hard to skip. If you want to leave early, I’ll come find you later.”

Xia You exhaled fully and nodded without another word.

Seeing her agreement, Bai Shuixi located the attendant who had initially arranged their room and entrusted Xia You to the oblivious staff member. Afterward, she picked up her phone and sent a message to the security team, reminding them to keep an eye on Xia You. As she did, her gaze inadvertently swept over the neighboring seats, and she suddenly realized someone was missing from the spot she had noted earlier.

Strange. Bai Shuixi rowned slightly. Where had Zhou Wanwan gone?

If she wasn’t here, where would Li Wei be?

Outside the conference hall, Xia You followed the attendant through the corridor, passing semi-open terraces along the way as they headed toward the suite area.

The presidential suite was upstairs from the conference hall, so Xia You still needed to reach the elevator with the attendant. Just as they were about to arrive, her peripheral vision caught two familiar figures, Li Wei seemed to be dragging Zhou Wanwan, her movements rough, as if they were arguing.

Xia You paused, instinctively slowing her steps.

Regardless of what kind of person Zhou Wanwan was, she was still an Omega, and Omegas always carried the risk of being marked by an Alpha.

Having experienced it herself, Xia You no longer trusted any Alpha easily.

Especially since Li Wei and Zhou Wanwan’s relationship was ambiguous and complicated from a psychological perspective, such dynamics were prone to extreme behavior.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xia You turned to the attendant and said, “I have a private matter to attend to. I need to make a phone call. Why don’t you go ahead? I can find my way.”

The attendant reflexively declined. “It’s no trouble. Feel free to make your call. I’ll wait here. Time isn’t an issue. Escorting you to your suite is my responsibility.”

“This…” Xia You glanced back at the corner she’d just passed, feeling it would be difficult to refuse the attendant’s request. “Alright then, but this is a private call. I’d prefer not to be overheard. Could you wait here? I’ll come find you after I’m done.”

“Well…” The attendant hesitated.

“If you still won’t agree, I might as well go back and find Bai Shuixi,” Xia You said impatiently, resorting to a sudden burst of willful behavior. She didn’t hold much hope for this tactic, feeling like some unreasonable spoiled brat.

But the attendant clearly didn’t want to provoke Bai Shuixi and immediately relented: “No, no, Miss Xia, there’s no need for that. I’ll wait here for you.”

“…” Xia You fell silent for a moment before nodding, somewhat at a loss for words. Still, she had to proceed with her plan. Putting on an act, she looked around conspicuously before heading toward the corner where she’d last seen Zhou Wanwan disappear.

As she walked, she made sure to pull up Bai Shuixi’s contact in her phone.

She wasn’t some self-sacrificing saint with any intention of risking herself for Zhou Wanwan. If something really was happening, Xia You would turn and run, then call for help on Zhou Wanwan’s behalf.

Having Bai Shuixi’s number ready was just in case things escalated dangerously, a precaution to ensure she could call for backup if she got caught up in the mess.

The reason she didn’t bring the attendant along was in case this turned out to be a false alarm.

If Zhou Wanwan and Li Wei were just chatting or having a simple argument without anything serious happening, there was no need to involve more people.

After all, both were public figures in the entertainment industry. Any scandal would reflect poorly on them.

Lost in thought, Xia You quietly reached the end of the hallway and found herself on the opposite side of the hotel. The corridor stretched far in both directions, lined with decorative but largely useless furnishings, empty small conference rooms, and a few lounge areas but no people in sight.

Xia You hesitated. The small reserve of goodwill she had for Zhou Wanwan was nearly exhausted, and she was tempted to just drop the matter.

Just as she was about to turn back, snippets of conversation drifted toward her. She couldn’t make out most of it, but one name stood out clearly: “Bai Shuixi.”

Bai Shuixi.

Zhou Wanwan and Li Wei were talking about Bai Shuixi.

Xia You froze, instantly alert. Lifting her dress and slipping off her heels, she carefully crept toward the source of the voices.

The conversation remained indistinct, and it took Xia You a while to pinpoint the location, a hidden emergency stairwell designed to look like a spiral staircase. There, Li Wei and Zhou Wanwan stood facing each other, both visibly restraining their tempers.

Xia You waited impatiently, wondering why neither of them was speaking, when Zhou Wanwan finally broke the silence: “So you want me to seduce Bai Shuixi? Get into her bed?”

That single sentence struck Xia You like lightning, leaving her stunned and rooted in place as she stared at Zhou Wanwan and Li Wei, struggling to process the implications.

Zhou Wanwan wanted to seduce Bai Shuixi?

Xia You frowned in disbelief. Was she out of her mind?

Before Li Wei could respond, Zhou Wanwan let out a soft laugh, carrying an inexplicable hint of mockery and teasing: “When I went to find Song Zhe before, you looked like you’d eaten spoiled leftovers saying nothing but clearly stewing inside. So why are you pushing me to do this now?”

Li Wei, standing by the stairs, remained silent, only releasing a quiet sigh.

If Xia Niao could see Li Wei and Zhou Wanwan now, she’d notice how close they stood, their conversation distance far exceeding normal social boundaries. What seemed like a discussion was actually more like a charged, spark-filled flirtation.

The stairwell fell silent for a moment before Li Wei suddenly reached out, grabbing Zhou Wanwan’s loose hair and pulling her in abruptly. Their bodies pressed together instantly as Li Wei bit down fiercely on Zhou Wanwan’s lips while gripping her hair.

Zhou Wanwan neither pushed Li Wei away nor called for help. Instead, she clasped Li Wei’s hand in return, matching her move for move as she demonstrated her own formidable kissing skills without yielding an inch.

The two were getting increasingly carried away, yet the parties involved seemed unconcerned, merely taking a few steps deeper into the stairwell. Amidst their entanglement, Li Wei panted as she spoke, “You know I don’t mean it like that. I just want your career to flourish. Song Zhe is useful, and Bai Shuixi is too.”

As she spoke, Li Wei lowered her head, and the soft sound of wet kisses drifted through the air. Zhou Wanwan gasped, tilting her head back to reveal the elegant curve of her slender neck. “Hah… So, so I should sleep with both Bai Shuixi and Song Zhe?”

Li Wei didn’t respond, but Zhou Wanwan let out a light, breathless laugh. “That might not work. Song Zhe isn’t someone to be trifled with we still need him for ‘Retrospect.'”

Xia You, who had accidentally overheard half the conversation, felt her chest heave violently. It was as if she had been subjected to a torrent of vulgar filth, her very spirit tainted.

The fury burning in her chest threatened to explode. In a moment of lost rationality, she stepped forward, ready to confront the pair only to freeze in place when she saw something she had never imagined.

At that moment, Li Wei had her back turned, and Zhou Wanwan happened to have her eyes closed neither noticed her presence.

Xia You stood stunned for two seconds before turning and fleeing in panic.

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