Mistaken ‘O’ is a Crazy Gorgeous Boss - Chapter 37

Every branch in the greenhouse was meticulously trimmed. In the corner stood watering tools and a vividly colored oil painting.

Gu Shutang, standing a few steps away, remained with her head bowed low, as reverent and still as a statue in a sculpture hall.

Shen Zhikou stood motionless, her voice as calm as an ancient well: “You’re pregnant.”

It wasn’t a question but a clear, straightforward statement of fact.

Gu Shutang’s face instantly paled.

In that moment, she couldn’t help but recall the scene before her escape.

In a dimly lit room, weak and powerless, she was pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window. Yan Shuang, on the verge of her rut, whispered in her ear:

“Next time you try to run, you’ll die in my bed.”

Hearing the word “pregnant,” countless possibilities flashed through her mind. She wanted to flee this place of trouble, but in the face of Shen Yunxi’s far-reaching influence, any attempt to hide or struggle would be futile.

She could only suppress the fear in her heart, deny all possibilities, and say hoarsely, “Yes.”

The spider lilies on the third row of flower stands were in full bloom, their pomegranate-red petals like red plum blossoms in the snow. Shen Zhikou’s gaze lingered on the stamens for a moment, her fingertips brushing over the bodhi bracelet on her wrist.

“I won’t interfere in matters between you and Yan Shuang.”

Her eyes turned icy: “As for everything else, keep your mouth shut.”

A flicker of astonishment, almost disbelief, surfaced in Gu Shutang’s eyes. Quickly, she bowed her head even lower, her voice filled with gratitude.

“Thank you. Please rest assured, I will remember.”

Having been by Yan Shuang’s side for ten years, she had long learned to read people’s expressions and handle various situations with ease. Hearing Shen Yunxi’s response, she had already deciphered all the underlying meanings. Asking further would only make her seem foolish.

And Gu Shutang knew that both Yan Shuang and Shen Yunxi despised incompetent fools.

Although she had heard of Shen Yunxi from the Shen family long ago, she truly saw her for the first time three years ago at the Savibis Equestrian Center.

That day, after receiving Yan Shuang’s message, she immediately traveled abroad to appear by her side on time. Though three years had passed, every moment of that day remained vivid in her memory.

On the endless grassland, Shen Zhikou, dressed in equestrian attire, rode a white steed galloping along the track. The swift wind lifted her long, curly hair, and the black riding outfit outlined her perfect figure, a slender waist and sculpted shoulders, each detail indescribably exquisite.

The crimson sunset cast an orange glow over the evening clouds, and the figure galloping on horseback seemed to be captured in a painting, becoming part of the scenery.

Soon, the white horse slowed its pace at the periphery. As it drew closer to where she and Yan Shuang stood, the custom-made half-face mask suddenly fell off. Instinctively, she tried to avert her gaze, but Shen Yunxi had already turned to look in their direction.

Their eyes met, and in that one glance, she was struck by awe. Only then did she realize that the face hidden beneath Shen Yunxi’s mask possessed an ethereal, jade-like beauty that seemed almost otherworldly.

There had been much speculation within their circles about Shen Yunxi’s appearance. Though rumors described her as having the face of a bodhisattva but the heart of a scorpion, many believed that the reclusive Shen Yunxi, even as an S-grade Omega with a lotus-like countenance, might have been disfigured into a demonic visage by the accident years ago.

Such conjectures varied widely, but as someone close to Yan Shuang, Gu Shutang knew more inside information than most.

She knew that Shen Yunxi had worn a mask since childhood, unable to remove it even at home, because the head of the Shen family, Shen Yunxi’s alpha mother, forbade her from revealing a face that bore some resemblance to her Omega mother.

Shen Yunxi’s Omega mother passed away a year after giving birth to her. After the Omega’s death, the head of the Shen family changed the name of her infant daughter to the one she now bore, Shen Yunxi.

No freedom to show her face, no right to keep the name given by her Omega mother, no permission to have any preferences…

She couldn’t understand the head of the Shen family’s intentions, nor could she comprehend why a mother would harbor such hatred for her own daughter.

Over the past decade, she had heard many stories about the Shen family and knew that Shen Yunxi lived like a sinner in that household. Even she, who had once been tormented as an illegitimate child in the Gu family, felt pity for Shen Yunxi’s past.

The greenhouse was silent. Before leaving, Gu Shutang glanced at the Omega’s back and then quietly withdrew. Passing through the corridor into the front yard, she paused, took a deep breath to calm her emotions, and quickly returned to her post.

It wasn’t until half an hour later that the two mothers and their daughter returned to the flower shop.

Qin Huan had been looking forward to meeting Shen Zhikou for a long time. That morning, she had taken extra care with her appearance, dressing more formally than usual. As soon as they entered the shop, before Qu Zhen could inform them that Shen Zhikou was in the courtyard, her mother spoke.

“Zhenzhen, how do I look? Is my hair messy?”

Qu Zhen smiled. “Not at all. You look perfect.”

“Good. The first impression should be formal, with a sense of ceremony.”

After saying this, Qin Huan exchanged a few words with Gu Shutang, telling her she could leave early and even gifting her a basket of fresh strawberries to take home. Once Gu Shutang had left, the mother and her two daughters walked through the corridor into the courtyard. Qin Huan’s gaze immediately fell on the Omega sitting on a bench with her back to them.

“Sister,” Qu Zhen hurried to the Omega’s side, “we’re back.”

Shen Zhikou turned around, acknowledged her, and then politely greeted the two elders.

“Ah!” Qin Huan responded with a beaming smile. “You must have waited for a long time. Are you tired, Koukou? It’s so cold sitting out here, why didn’t you go inside?”

“It’s fine. I can enjoy the flowers here.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll have the furniture store deliver a more comfortable chair. What kind of flowers do you like, Koukou?”

The two chatted back and forth, leaving Qu Zhen unable to interject. She stood by, listening eagerly. When Qin Huan noticed the sky darkening and pulled the silent Qu Han away to handle closing tasks, Qu Zhen finally had the chance to speak with Shen Zhikou.

“Sister.”

“Hmm?”

Qu Zhen naturally took Shen Zhikou’s hand. “You lied. Your hands are so cold, yet you said you weren’t.”

“I didn’t lie.”

Qu Zhen placed Shen Zhikou’s hand into her warm coat pocket and whispered, “It’s a bit colder here than in Haicheng. When we get back, I’ll fill a hot water bottle for you to warm your hands.”

“Is this part of the pursuit plan too?”

“No,” Qu Zhen said seriously. “This is what I should do as your lover.”

Shen Zhikou glanced at her calmly.

After packing up and getting in the car to head home, Qu Han and Qu Zheng sat in the front seats, while Shen Zhikou and Qin Huan chatted in the back. When the car arrived in front of the standalone house, the two got out first and headed inside, while Qu Han and Qu Zheng went to the trunk to retrieve the luggage.

Under the glow of the streetlight, Qin Huan inadvertently caught sight of the cinnabar mole on the back of Shen Zhikou’s hand, and her expression instantly turned stunned.

“This mole…”

Shen Zhikou turned her wrist. “What is it, Aunt Qin?”

Taking advantage of the light, Qin Huan looked more closely and shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered an old friend, she also had a cinnabar mole on the back of her hand.”

“What a coincidence.”

“Yes, what a coincidence,” Qin Huan murmured, her gaze fixed on the mole.

Six summers ago, they had followed their plan to take Qu Zhen, who was on summer break, to her grandmother’s house in the countryside. Because the journey was quite long, they decided to take a break, parking the car on a mountain path and stepping out to rest for a while.

But moments later, Qu Zhen, who had gone to the riverside to wash her hands under an umbrella, returned carrying a living person on her back.

The young girl was severely injured, her torso and face wrapped in bandages, the wounds on her fingertips shocking to see.

Their first instinct was to take her to the hospital. But Qu Zhen, who had always been obedient, grabbed Qin Huan’s hand and told her that the girl had pleaded not to be sent to the hospital before losing consciousness.

Both were puzzled, but fortunately, Qu Zhen’s grandmother happened to be the village doctor. Without hesitation, they sped up and drove straight to their destination.

The girl, thin as if only bones remained, slept for a full day and night before waking.

Even after waking, she spoke very little, her exposed eyes calm as still water, indifferent to everything around her. Only when they mentioned contacting her family or sending her back to her relatives did she show any reaction.

Between violent coughs, she told them she was often abused at home and had run away after yet another beating. She begged them not to tell anyone she was there, promising to leave on her own once her injuries healed.

Before the adults could respond, Qu Zhen, who had been quietly listening, agreed on her own. She rushed outside to bring the girl dinner and, worried about aggravating her injuries, took the initiative to feed her with a spoon.

After the meal, Qu Zhen stubbornly stationed herself by the bedside, as if acting as her protector. The family was kind-hearted; though Qin Huan and Qu Han found many aspects suspicious, after discussing it, they decided to wait until the girl recovered before making further plans.

So, for the next month, the whole family stayed with her in Meixiang Village.

A month wasn’t actually short, enough time for a seed to sprout or a bud to bloom. Time flew by, and as the summer heat faded, on a starless night, the girl, whose injuries had not fully healed, left without saying goodbye.

A cold wind carrying a biting chill swept past, stinging their cheeks like a blade. Qin Huan snapped out of her reminiscence and sighed.

“It’s been almost six years now. I wonder how she’s doing.”

Amid the thick clouds, a hint of bright moonlight could faintly be seen. Shen Zhikou gazed at Qu Zhen, who was carrying gifts not far away, her voice tinged with something unusual.

“No news might also be good news.”

“Yes, I hope she is safe and well.”

The dinner had been prepared in advance, with every dish meticulously crafted by Qin Huan according to Shen Zhikou’s tastes. Throughout the meal, Qin Huan continuously served Shen Zhikou, only occasionally turning her attention to the mother and daughter pair to offer them some meat.

After finishing dinner and accompanying the two mothers in the living room on the first floor for a while watching TV, Qu Zhen finally took Shen Zhikou upstairs to the second floor.

Pushing the door open, the room had undergone a significant transformation compared to before they left. Every corner had been renovated, and all the furniture was replaced. Noticing that the original single bed had been swapped for a large double bed, Qu Zhen’s cheeks flushed slightly.

She silently unpacked the clothes from the suitcase and hung them up, while Shen Zhikou walked over to the desk to look at photos from Qu Zhen’s childhood.

As Qu Zhen approached, Shen Zhikou was holding a faded old photo. In it, a young Qu Zhen was just two and a half years old, as delicate and charming as a New Year’s painting doll, with chubby cheeks that looked irresistibly pinchable.

Qu Zhen quickly asked, “Sister, are you going to take a shower now?”

“In a bit, I haven’t finished looking yet,” Shen Zhikou replied, even snapping a photo with her phone.

Qu Zhen stammered, “Sister, why are you taking a picture?”

“Because it’s adorable.”

Qu Zhen’s face turned red.

After browsing through all the photos on the desk, Shen Zhikou’s phone gallery had five new images. Glancing at the shy young alpha beside her, she smoothly asked, “Do you have any spare pajamas at home?”

“Yes.”

“Help me find a set,” Shen Zhikou said. “I forgot to bring mine.”

Having finished hanging the clothes, Qu Zhen had also noticed this. She nodded and went to the wardrobe to search for pajamas. “Sister, would you prefer thicker ones for sleeping or thinner ones?”

“Thin ones.”

The previous autumn thin pajamas had been discarded by Qin Huan during a wardrobe clean-out, leaving only summer thin styles and winter thick ones. Qu Zhen picked out the newest summer set for Shen Zhikou.

After Shen Zhikou closed the bathroom door, Qu Zhen took her own pajamas and went to wash up in the first-floor bathroom.

Qin Huan and Qu Han lived on the first floor, and at this hour, they were still out in the flower garden. Qu Zhen quickly finished washing up, exchanged a few words with them, said goodnight, and hurried back upstairs, moving faster than a startled rabbit.

Just as she entered the room, Qu Zhen saw Shen Zhikou standing by the bay window, ready to blow-dry her hair. She quickly walked over, naturally took the hairdryer, and skillfully dried the omega’s damp long hair.

The soft whir of the hairdryer ceased. As soon as Qu Zhen set it down, Shen Zhikou, seated on the bay window, grasped her hand.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Come sit here.”

Qu Zhen obediently sat to the right, glancing sideways at the omega wearing her pajamas. The slightly oversized collar revealed a glimpse of fair skin. Just as she was about to look away, Shen Zhikou leaned in and kissed her lips.

It was a light, fleeting kiss.

“Your exams are next week, right?”

“Mm,” Qu Zhen murmured, pursing her lips. “The final exams are next Friday.”

“Zhenzhen.”

Shen Zhikou pinched her cheek. “After the exams, can we start fulfilling our marital duties?”

They both knew exactly what those duties entailed.

Qu Zhen’s ears burned red, and she replied almost inaudibly, “Okay.”

The room was warmed by the heater and softly lit by a nightlight. They lay down on the bed, the distance between them gradually vanishing until their shoulders were almost touching. Soft strands of hair brushed against Qu Zhen’s elbow, and in her daze, she only heard one sentence.

“Remember to trim your nails. Last time, you hurt me a little.”

Shen Zhikou’s tone sounded utterly serious as she spoke, and Qu Zhen’s face flushed completely red in response. She felt so embarrassed she wished she could dig a hole and hide, yet she was also genuinely worried she might have hurt Shen Zhikou. Hastily, she glanced down at her fingertips.

“O-okay, I’ll trim them carefully.”

At some point, a light rain had begun to fall outside the bay window again. The raindrops melted into the night, silently merging into the river of memories from years past.

Shen Zhikou listened quietly to the pattering of the rain.

The gentle drizzle was strikingly similar to the day they had met six years ago. Back then, Qu Zhen was sixteen, as tender and lovely as a gardenia in first bloom, innocent and full of life. Meanwhile, twenty-two-year-old Shen Zhikou was like a withering mountain rose, having barely clawed her way back from the brink of death, disheveled and with a heart as still as dead water.

Time flows like an unceasing river, washing away the unimportant fragments of memory. Only those who refuse to forget remain, swimming against the current, anchored in place.

Under the hazy, warm glow of the light, Shen Zhikou turned sideways and said abruptly, “Aunt Qin mentioned that I remind her of an old acquaintance.”

Qu Zhen faced her, blinking in confusion, as if wondering which acquaintance she meant.

“Someone she met six years ago.”

Time seemed to reverse back to that unexpected encounter in the rain, and the alpha’s face before her seemed to gradually revert to its youthful, innocent appearance.

Shen Zhikou asked, word by deliberate word, “Do you still remember her?”