Mistaken ‘O’ is a Crazy Gorgeous Boss - Chapter 12
The autumn and winter in Haicheng were chilly and damp, and a light drizzle began to fall outside the window just as the two returned home.
Despite the cold indoors, Qu Zhen remained completely unaffected. At this moment, after hearing Shen Zhikou utter those five words, the exposed skin on her body turned three shades redder than the red dates in the porcelain bowl, far more exaggerated than ever before.
Originally, the two had been gazing into each other’s eyes, but Qu Zhen quickly averted her gaze, pretending to casually reach for the new cup beside her.
She didn’t dare look at Shen Zhikou, let alone meet her eyes.
But she understood clearly that this was an unavoidable topic in marriage. Theirs wasn’t some clichéd fake contractual marriage from a melodramatic novel, but a real-life partnership meant for mutual companionship, how could they possibly avoid discussing sexual intimacy?
Moreover, as a law student who had interned at a court since her freshman year, she was well aware of the importance of a harmonious sex life in marriage. During her internship, she had encountered many couples seeking divorce due to various conflicts and sexual incompatibility. Some had even rushed into marriage only to divorce within half a month because of issues in that area.
She understood the reasoning perfectly, but understanding didn’t equate to being able to remain calm. Hearing Shen Zhikou broach the topic so openly left her utterly flustered and embarrassed.
The ambiguous atmosphere dissipated with her silence, only to coalesce again as Shen Zhikou took the initiative to press further.
Shen Zhikou asked thoughtfully, “Is there any aspect of our interactions that makes you uncomfortable?”
Fearing that the Omega might misunderstand and remembering Z’s advice to make the Omega feel secure, Qu Zhen quickly shook her head. “No, everything is fine. I’m not uncomfortable at all.”
She lifted her gaze, her fingers gripping the handle of the cup. “Sister is very kind, patient, and takes good care of me. I was just a bit shy and didn’t respond immediately, it’s not because I was uncomfortable or because Sister isn’t good.”
The little Alpha’s candid and sincere words brought a glimmer of amusement to Shen Zhikou’s eyes.
She didn’t consider herself a traditionally virtuous person, let alone particularly patient or skilled at caring for others. Those familiar with her might even think Qu Zhen was describing someone else entirely.
But it didn’t matter. Shen Zhikou was Shen Zhikou, and Shen Yunxi was Shen Yunxi. In front of Qu Zhen, she could always remain Shen Zhikou.
“Mm.” Shen Zhikou raised her right hand to prop up her cheek, soft strands of hair falling beside her face as she asked leisurely, “Then why don’t you start by telling me about your needs in this regard?”
Qu Zhen had dug a hole for herself, and now she had no choice but to jump in and bury herself.
“I…I’m fine with anything,” Qu Zhen stammered in reply, her face hot enough to fry an egg. “I’ll listen to Sister. I’ll… cooperate with Sister.”
Three consecutive “I’s.” Shen Zhikou seized the last sentence, her words laced with a hidden teasing tone.
“You’ll cooperate with me?”
“Mm, mm!”
Hunters were often experts in patience and observation. When their prey revealed a weakness and grew restless, they would choose to capture it in reverse.
“So, you’re saying you have no needs of your own toward me, is that right?” Shen Zhikou lowered her gaze, her long, delicate lashes casting shadows. “Our future marriage, then, is merely an act of cooperation on your part.”
Honest people can’t handle teasing; in their fluster, they even forget their shyness. As soon as Shen Zhikou finished speaking, Qu Zhen sprang to her feet. The soft lamplight cascaded over her figure, and under the warm glow, her back was as straight as a pine tree, her frame slender yet not overly thin, a perfect, standard nine-heads proportion.
“No, it’s not like that!”
After four years of studying law, Qu Zhen still hadn’t learned how to be sharp-tongued or eloquent. In moments of anxiety, she could only furrow her brows and explain in a rush, unable to smoothly apply the pursuit techniques she had crammed the night before.
She gazed at the Omega sitting across from her, like a soft, harmless little white rabbit eyeing an irresistibly tempting carrot. “I… I also feel that way about you, sister. Just like in the parking lot today, I also need your comfort.”
But the hunter showed no signs of slowing down the pace of reeling in the net.
Instead, she spoke slowly and deliberately, word by word: “But comfort is not the same as marital needs.”
Nowadays, some Alphas and Omegas choose not to marry. Some rely on suppressants to get by, while others turn to volunteers from government-assisted organizations, seeking only a purely temporary mark that fades with time and leaves no lasting impact.
Qu Zhen couldn’t quite understand the latter approach. Her views on sexual relationships were simple and somewhat conservative. She believed that even a temporary mark should only occur between intimately close partners. Still, she deeply respected each individual’s choices and had no objections to them.
For the first twenty-two years of her life as a Beta, she had never once contemplated the term “marital needs” before meeting Shen Zhikou. When she heard it in court, she felt shy but also disconnected from the concept. Now, however, Shen Zhikou left her no room to retreat. She had to honestly confront the desires stemming from her instincts.
Qu Zhen’s face grew even redder. Fragments of memories from the night of her secondary differentiation began replaying in her mind.
Scattered, yet rising and falling.
At times, there were intimate, seemingly infinitely affectionate moans echoing in her ears; at others, scenes as alluring as lilies of the valley in full bloom appeared before her eyes.
Her mind burned with a dizzying haze. Her fingertips unconsciously clutched at the hem of her clothes, her mouth dry, her eyes filled with a spring-like, enchanting haze.
“It’s not that I don’t have them,” the cornered prey gave up resisting. She looked at the composed hunter and openly admitted her desires. “I do.”
After all, she was still just a little white rabbit. In the end, she added, blushing, as if to justify herself, “I’m an adult, sister.”
Having said that, she slumped back into her chair as if drained of strength, picking up her water glass to take a sip as a cover, her fingertips burning with heat.
She thought to herself that aside from Shen Zhikou’s usual cool and detached daytime demeanor and her fearful, bristling kitten side, there was also a cunning, fox-like aspect to her. She had vaguely sensed it just now, Shen Zhikou seemed to be… teasing her.
But Shen Zhikou dispelled that thought in the very next moment. Compared to Qu Zhen’s awkward immaturity, Shen Zhikou always seemed much more straightforward.
“Me too,” she said.
With that, she stood up and went to the kitchen to put away the bowls, giving Qu Zhen ample space to catch her breath.
The crimson hue on Qu Zhen’s face gradually faded to a lighter peach pink. She picked up the stylus for her tablet, ready to jot down the Omega’s requests. By the time Shen Zhikou returned, she was no longer as shy as before.
She had even learned to take the initiative in this game: “Sister, I interned at the court and law firms before and have seen many prenuptial agreements. I’ve also observed how experienced seniors handle divorce disputes.”
“Let’s keep it auspicious,” Shen Zhikou, who had just taken her seat, said calmly. “We’re discussing marriage right now. The word ‘divorce’ isn’t appropriate at the moment.”
“Alright.” Qu Zhen glanced at the white jade Buddhist bracelet on her wrist. “Most prenuptial agreements state obligations in this regard quite clearly and directly, such as how many times per week or month. Do you prefer this straightforward wording, or something more subtle?”
“The former.”
“Okay.” Qu Zhen, who was far from straightforward herself, found it difficult to ask the next question. “Then, would you prefer to base it on a week or a month?”
The rain, which had suddenly intensified, showed no signs of stopping. The curtains in the living room were open, and through the glass door, the heavy downpour outside the balcony was visible. Thunder rumbled within the thick clouds, chaotic yet the falling raindrops seemed orderly, splashing against the windowsill like an ink-wash painting.
Shen Zhikou’s expression and aura were as cold and reserved as this autumn rain. She seemed like an untouchable immortal, yet her words were steeped in worldly desires.
“Let’s base it on a week.”
Qu Zhen pretended to remain composed as she took notes, then asked, “What frequency do you have in mind?”
Shen Zhikou tossed the question back to her: “Marriage is a matter for two people. We need to consider each other and not just base it on my preferences alone. What do you think is appropriate?”
Qu Zhen didn’t know.
Before dating her ex-girlfriend, her roommates had even teased her for being so detached that she seemed ready to renounce the world and become a nun. Even after getting into a relationship, she had never given this matter any thought, she had no ideas and no desires.
The self-reflection and honesty she had just shown in front of Shen Zhikou were already the most unconventional words she had spoken in her twenty-two years.
But hearing Shen Zhikou’s response, she knew she couldn’t say she didn’t know or remain silent this time.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz: “Most of the agreements I’ve seen specify once or twice a week, or up to three or four times at most.”
Hearing this answer, Shen Zhikou remained silent for a long time.
Qu Zhen began to worry if she had said something wrong. She picked up the water pitcher and refilled Shen Zhikou’s cup, asking gently, “Sister, is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” Shen Zhikou picked up her cup. “I was just thinking that my condition fluctuates, and I’m not entirely sure myself.”
Mentioning the illness reminded Qu Zhen of what she had overlooked.
Hormonal Dysregulation Syndrome has a particularly taxing hidden symptom: when the patient encounters a highly compatible person, the level of comfort required during episodes deepens with the degree of intimacy. In simple terms, initial gestures like holding hands or hugging gradually lose their effectiveness as the healing process advances. Only further steps, up to and including a complete bond, can potentially lead to a cure.
From this perspective, intimate acts within marriage would be entirely beneficial for Shen Zhikou, with no drawbacks.
Qu Zhen felt a pang of regret for having overlooked such an important detail. It was only then that she understood why Shen Zhikou had fallen silent earlier. Once or twice a week was indeed far too… little for them.
“Sis.” After much deliberation, Qu Zhen decided to take the initiative once. “How about fulfilling the obligation four times a week?”
“Okay.”
Qu Zhen added, “This frequency can be flexible. If you’re very busy or tired from work and your condition is stabilizing, it’s fine to reduce it to once or even skip it.”
Shen Zhikou only paid attention to the first part. “Mm.”
“Then we’ve agreed on this aspect.” Qu Zhen showed her first smile since the negotiation began. “Sis, do you have any other requirements?”
“Just handle it as you see fit. Draft it and send me a copy. If there are any changes needed, I’ll let you know.”
“Mm-hmm! I’ll get to it right away!”
Shen Zhikou paused, swallowing her words and saying nothing more. After bidding each other goodnight, Qu Zhen tidied up the living room and returned to the guest bedroom with her tablet.
Drafting a prenuptial agreement wasn’t difficult, and she was sincere, prioritizing Shen Zhikou’s interests and needs. While typing away at her desk, Qu Zhen received a message from Z.
[Z: Did the document I sent you help?]
Qu Zhen clicked on the pop-up to reply.
[Qiye Zhenzhen: Of course, it helped me a lot. Thank you!]
The other party replied just as quickly.
[Z: You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can help with?]
Qu Zhen thought of the book “The Laws of Love and the Treasures of Marriage” she had ordered for next-day delivery, and suddenly felt curious again.
[Qiye Zhenzhen: Z, are you unmarried or married?]
[Z: I got married recently.]
Qu Zhen blinked but still didn’t have the nerve to ask further.
[Qiye Zhenzhen: Wishing you a century of happiness together! I have to get back to work now. Let’s chat when we have time.]
[Z: Thank you, we will.]
Qu Zhen refocused and worked diligently for an hour before going to wash up. After getting into bed, she remained busy, picking up her tablet to continue studying the flowchart Z had sent. Unexpectedly, the chat window received another file from Z.
[Z: I thought this might also be useful to you. No need to thank me. Goodnight.]
Qu Zhen opened the compressed file.
The titles of the unpacked files were particularly eye-catching. With just one glance, Qu Zhen’s ears turned red, and she pulled the covers over her head.
-108 Questions Between Lovers: Unspoken Secrets.
-The Secret to a Perfect Marriage: Sweet as Honey, Passionate as New Love!
-On Feasibility and Practicality: A Complete Guide to 99 Positions Between Wives.