Mistaken ‘O’ is a Crazy Gorgeous Boss - Chapter 48

The distant streetlights cast a hazy glow over the misty rain.

Qu Zhen focused her gaze on the road, her mind racing as she activated the voice changer on her phone, switching her voice to the “loli” setting.

Unsure if Xu Qingqing had put the call on speaker, she deliberately softened her tone to sound more natural, trying to match Xu Qingqing’s situation.

“Okay, I won’t hang up. Tell me your exact location so I can guide you,” she continued. “Hurry up, we’re all waiting for you at home.”

“Mm-hmm, I’m on Yuanhu Road right now. Let me just tell my boss, and I’ll get out of the car.”

Qu Zhen tightened her grip on the phone and stepped forward. “Okay, hurry up.”

Yuanhu Road was just one street away from Xinyu Garden, but Qu Zhen still felt uneasy and wanted to run over to check on Xu Qingqing. Faintly, she could hear a low female voice on the other end of the line, Xu Qingqing seemed to be negotiating with Cao Yuan. As Qu Zhen rushed over, Xu Qingqing successfully got out of the car.

“Nannan, I’m out of the car now. Tell me the exact location,” Xu Qingqing whispered. “It’s late, but don’t worry about me. I’ll be back soon.”

Qu Zhen understood the underlying meaning in her words and paused her steps.

“Walk fifty meters west, then turn right and go straight for another hundred meters. You’ll see it.”

“Mm-hmm, I’m on my way.”

The increasingly heavy breathing on the other end signaled that Xu Qingqing was running toward the designated spot. A minute later, Xu Qingqing let out a long sigh, her voice filled with gratitude.

“Xiao Qu, thank you. I’m going to hail a ride home now.”

Qu Zhen quickly asked, “Are you okay? Did something happen? Do you need me to come over?”

“I’m fine, it’s just…” Xu Qingqing hesitated. “It’s just that I’ve always been afraid of teachers. Earlier, Attorney Cao asked me to sit in the passenger seat, saying it had a massage function to help relieve fatigue. But I’ve been scared of teachers since I was a kid, and I didn’t want to be stuck in a small space with her. So, I used your call as an excuse to get out of the car.”

Hearing this, Qu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Mm-hmm, thank you. You reacted so quickly just now.”

“You’re welcome.” Qu Zhen walked under a tree and pulled an umbrella from her backpack with one hand. “Are you going to take a ride home now?”

“Yes, I just opened the ride-hailing app. Thank you for tonight.”

Qu Zhen repeated, “It’s nothing. Head back early, and see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

The beige umbrella shielded her from the fine drizzle as Qu Zhen calmly walked back, feeling a bit guilty for having misunderstood Attorney Cao earlier. By the time she returned to the apartment, it was already 9:20 p.m.

Shen Zhikou was sitting on the sofa in her pajamas, her computer and tablet placed beside the coffee table. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on her elegant nose bridge. Hearing Qu Zhen enter, she shifted her gaze from the computer screen, looking past the custom cabinet directly at the alpha who had returned late.

Qu Zhen changed her shoes and happily walked over to Shen Zhikou with a bag of roasted sweet potatoes, her tail wagging behind her like a small whirlwind.

“Sister,” she said with a smile. “The grandma selling roasted sweet potatoes was still there, so I bought three. They’ll make a perfect late-night snack.”

Shen Zhikou closed her computer and tablet and went to pour a glass of hot water for her. “Can you finish all three?”

“That grandma only had three roasted sweet potatoes left. If I bought them all, she could go home earlier.” Qu Zhen picked up her cup to drink some hot water, feeling a bit more comfortable. “Sister, you eat first. I’ll go make some soup for you.”

She was very attentive to Shen Zhikou’s health regimen. Even though she had returned so late and was utterly exhausted, she still insisted on making soup for her.

Setting down the cup, she was about to head over when her right hand was grasped by Shen Zhikou. “Zhenzhen.”

“Hmm?”

“No need. I had a nourishing soup while dining out with colleagues today.” Shen Zhikou felt the temperature of her hand. “Consider it already taken care of. You can make it next time.”

“Sister,” Qu Zhen lowered her gaze to look at her. “Then I’ll wake up a little earlier tomorrow to make it for you.”

Secretly, she thought to herself, I hope I don’t have to work overtime tomorrow night. I want to come home early to spend time with Shen Zhikou and have dinner together.

“Working overtime so late, don’t you want to sleep in a bit more?”

Qu Zhen shook her head. “Sister’s health is more important, and besides, I’m used to waking up early.”

“Zhenzhen, come sit beside me.”

As soon as Qu Zhen sat down, Shen Zhikou cupped her face with both hands and gently kissed her lips. Shen Zhikou only brushed and nibbled at her lips, not venturing past them.

She had her eyes closed, but Qu Zhen was stunned, her eyes wide open, almost forgetting to breathe.

After a moment, Shen Zhikou pulled back. “Do you still insist on making the soup?”

Qu Zhen clenched her hands, her lips flushed red from the kiss. “Sister…”

Their lips met again. Shen Zhikou didn’t give her a chance to insist, instead holding her face and gently pecking her lips. Only when the alpha’s cheeks flushed a rosy peach color did she stop kissing her, gazing at her thoughtfully.

“How about now?”

“I give up,” Qu Zhen wrapped her arms around Shen Zhikou’s waist. “I’ll listen to you, sister.”

Based on past experience, she thought that once she agreed, Shen Zhikou would pull away. But this time was different, not only did Shen Zhikou not retreat, she deepened the kiss.

The hands that had been cupping her face gradually interlaced fingers with the alpha’s as the kiss intensified.

When Shen Zhikou finally released her, the little deer in Qu Zhen’s heart was leaping wildly, with such force it could have snapped a tree trunk in half. Yet Shen Zhikou seemed completely unaware and even kissed the dimple on her cheek.

“Good Zhenzhen.”

Qu Zhen’s face was completely flushed.

Blushing had almost become a physiological reflex in front of Shen Zhikou, something she couldn’t control at will. She had even searched online before for ways to reduce how often she blushed, but most of the answers were strange, and she couldn’t find any practical methods to try.

She could only let it happen and wait for it to slowly fade.

Outside, the rain grew heavier. Qu Zhen turned her head and coughed lightly, peeling half the skin off a roasted sweet potato and placing it in Shen Zhikou’s hand.

“Try it, sister.”

“Mm.”

The freshly roasted sweet potato was fragrant, with a golden interior that was exceptionally sweet and soft with each bite. Shen Zhikou took a bite and held it up to Qu Zhen’s lips, indicating she should try some too.

“It’s delicious,” Qu Zhen smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Let’s buy from that grandma again next time.”

In the end, the two finished two roasted sweet potatoes. When they went to wash up in the bathroom, Qu Zhen gave Shen Zhikou the last kiss of the day. The lights in the living room went out, and the warm glow in the master bedroom spread over the bed, illuminating the figures of the two embracing as they slept.

…

Qu Zhen’s wish went unfulfilled.

Due to last-minute changes at work the next day, they had to stay behind and work overtime again, not leaving until 9:30 p.m. And so, it continued until the final day of their first week, when they were finally able to leave on time.

But in the end, things didn’t go as Qu Zhen had hoped, she wasn’t free to go home.

All the interns were kept behind by Cao Yuan, who then took them to dinner with the newly secured brand partner. However, before the meal was even halfway through, Cao Yuan led them to another location.

The five of them sat in a white luxury car, Cao Yuan in the driver’s seat, Tang Qian in the passenger seat, and Xiang Ting, Qu Zhen, and Xu Qingqing in the back.

Tang Qian asked curiously, “Attorney Cao, where are we going now?”

“Yeah,” Xiang Ting chimed in eagerly, “Where are you taking us, Attorney Cao?”

Cao Yuan chuckled, “There’s an auction at Xinghai Club tonight. The partner’s boss is very interested in it, and since she requested the change of venue, why not take you all to see it?”

“An auction at Xinghai Club?” Xiang Ting’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Thank you, Attorney Cao, for giving us the chance to broaden our horizons!”

Qu Zhen had no interest in any of the topics they were discussing and remained silent, exhausted. Xu Qingqing beside her seemed the same, not uttering a word the entire time. She kept her head slightly lowered, as if trying to make herself as unnoticeable as possible, like the most inconspicuous fallen leaf in a garden of flowers.

Tang Qian and Xiang Ting chatted back and forth with Cao Yuan, making the quiet Qu Zhen and Xu Qingqing stand out somewhat awkwardly. By the time they arrived at the venue and got out of the car, Xiang Ting whispered to Tang Qian, “Does Qu Zhen even know what Xinghai Club is? Xu Qingqing definitely doesn’t, she seems even more out of touch than Qu Zhen.”

Then she added, “Qu Zhen is wearing a fake into Xinghai Club, she might get laughed at by others. I don’t want to sit with them later.”

Tang Qian felt a bit conflicted.

Honestly, she couldn’t quite understand why Xiang Ting always had something against Qu Zhen. Apart from the vanity of wearing a counterfeit, she thought Qu Zhen was otherwise quite decent.

As law students, they should understand the saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”

“Let’s hurry inside and talk later,” she said.

“Let’s go!”

Xinghai Club was the most upscale entertainment venue in the entire city of Haicheng. At first glance, it was a sight of dazzling opulence, with the scent of money permeating every corner. Entering from the first floor,

Cao Yuan presented the invitation provided by their partner, and the five of them were escorted by a server to the top floor, the ninth level.

The ninth floor’s decor was entirely different from the other eight floors. It was imbued with an antique charm, rich in classical elegance. Its layout was also thoughtfully designed, resembling a building within a building, with the entire floor spanning nearly 20 meters in height.

The space was uniquely divided into three tiers: the auction stage and general bidders were on the first tier, premium bidders were on the second tier, and the third tier, featuring private boxes, was reserved for the auction house’s top-tier clients.

Cao Yuan led them to seats in the middle of the first tier, where the five of them gathered around a round sandalwood table. Qu Zhen glanced around but didn’t see the business partner they had dined with earlier.

…

There were only six private boxes on the third tier, each representing different purchasing power and economic competitiveness. The central box, with the best view and the strongest economic competitiveness, was the Gilded Purple Box, adorned with a golden palace lantern hanging outside its railing.

The private room was furnished with two six-figure rosewood folding chairs, between which stood a cross-shaped tea table. On its surface, a tea set emitted a delicate, lingering fragrance.

The woman seated on the left wore a bespoke brown cashmere overcoat, her slender waist accentuated by a belt. The watch on her wrist reflected a cold, shimmering glow.

“Forty-thousand-dollar Golden Melon Tribute tea, and it’s just so-so.” Yan Shuang set down her teacup, her eyes gleaming with interest. “President Shen, have you spotted the people downstairs?”

Seated on the right, Shen Yunxi wore a custom-made half-mask, her posture upright yet exuding a hint of laziness. The moment Qu Zhen appeared on the first floor, her gaze had locked onto her.

At the remark, her eyes held a trace of inquiry as she replied indifferently, “Yan Shuang.”

Yan Shuang curved her lips. “Do you still not understand the kind of people who can come here? I wouldn’t stoop to tripping up a youngster.”

After a moment of silence, Amelia stepped forward to refill her boss’s cup with freshly brewed tea. While Yan Shuang was still observing the alpha in the center of the first floor, Shen Yunxi’s calm, unruffled voice broke the stillness.

“What? Still can’t find that runaway Omega?” she said, unhurriedly. “Do you need my help?”

Yan Shuang, caught off guard by the counter, was instantly put at a disadvantage.

Her expression gradually turned icy, as if coated with a thin layer of frost. “No need.”

Her tall assistant beside her bent slightly to light the alpha lady’s mint cigarette held between Yan Shuang’s fingers. The swirling smoke filled the space, carrying its distinctive fragrance as it coiled around her fingertips.

As if struck by a thought, her gaze darkened, and she murmured, “I’ll find her sooner or later.”

The candlelight flickered, casting Shen Yunxi in the interplay of light and shadow. She offered no comment, her frost-like eyes warming only when they drifted toward the young alpha on the first floor.

…

At 8:20 p.m., not a single seat on the three floors was empty.

The long-awaited auction commenced punctually.

The auctioneer on the stage wore an elegant, pale blue cheongsam, her words gentle and refined.

Qu Zhen showed little interest, barely paying attention to the auctioneer’s words, until the first lot was brought on stage, capturing her gaze.

Displayed on a red satin brocade surface was a pair of yellow-ground famille rose bowls with Western lotus patterns, their excellent condition vividly showcasing the imperial style of bygone eras. Despite their age, the glaze remained brilliantly vibrant.

After a brief introduction, the auctioneer wasted no time and announced the starting bid: “Yellow-ground famille rose bowls with Western lotus pattern, starting at one million.”

The price for the two bowls was staggering.

Qu Zhen examined them carefully, ignoring the frequent glances Xiang Ting cast her way.

Bidding quickly escalated from the crowd: “1.1 million.”

From the left side of the first floor: “1.15 million.”

Amid bated breath, the right side raised again: “1.3 million.”

“My goodness, do these bowls have some kind of magic?” Tang Qian exclaimed. “Or can they endlessly produce rice?”

No sooner had she spoken than a bid came from the center of the second floor: “2 million.”

This even took Qu Zhen by surprise, as it exceeded her estimate based on the lot’s overall quality, she had assumed it would top out at 1.5 million.

The two-million bid slowed the fervor of the bidding. The auctioneer announced clearly, “Two million, once.”

No further bids.

“Two million, twice.”

On the first floor, some people were restless but ultimately held back. With the final strike of the gavel, the auctioneer announced, “Two million for the third time… congratulations to the bidder!”

After each item was auctioned off, there was a five-minute adjustment period, during which waitstaff would refill tea at every table.

Witnessing the fervor over the first item, Xu Qingqing grew increasingly silent. Qu Zhen lowered her gaze in thought and sent a message to Shen Zhikou, who was back at the apartment.

[Sister, it’ll be about another hour before I’m done here.]

[We finally have a day off tomorrow! If you’re tired, you can rest first.]

Xiang Ting and Tang Qian were chatting animatedly, while Qu Zhen noticed Xu Qingqing’s unusual silence beside her and asked softly, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Xu Qingqing shook her head. “No,” she replied, her voice equally hushed. “I just want to go home soon.”

“I saw the organizer’s notice when I came in, once the auction starts, no one is allowed to leave, or their invitation will be permanently revoked,” Qu Zhen explained. “Just hang in there a little longer. It should be over within an hour.”

“Mm.”

Their whispered exchange caught the attention of the other three. Cao Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, “What are you two whispering about? Sharing secrets?”

Amid the slight commotion around them, Qu Zhen heard every word clearly and felt that Attorney Cao’s remark was somewhat inappropriate.

As a lawyer, one should be more sensitive with words than those in other professions. Qu Zhen had never hidden the fact that she was married and had maintained a proper distance just now. No matter how you looked at it, it was just an ordinary conversation between colleagues, yet Cao Yuan’s words carried an ambiguous tone, leaving room for endless speculation.

“It’s nothing,” Xu Qingqing clarified first. “I was just asking Xiao Qu when this would end. Nothing secretive about it.”

“Oh, I see.”

Xiang Ting chimed in, “If you get to attend an event like this with Attorney Cao, of course, you’d want it to last as long as possible. The first item went for two million, the finale must be at least ten times that, right?”

Cao Yuan nodded. “More than ten times.”

“Can’t wait to see the next items!”

Five minutes later, the second item was brought to the auction stage: an imperial green ice jadeite cabochon ring. Under the bright lights, the ice jadeite appeared round and plump, like a shimmering green lake.

The starting bid was 2.5 million, and the first bidder immediately raised it to three million.

Throughout the bidding, Xiang Ting kept glancing subtly at the wedding ring on Qu Zhen’s finger, her eyes filled with unmistakable mockery and disdain. When the second item sold for 5.7 million, she even let out a soft, derisive snort.

It seemed she was scoffing at Qu Zhen’s earlier description of her wedding ring as “moderately priced.”

The third item was an ancient painting, which ultimately sold for 7.8 million. The fourth was a celadon-glazed chrysanthemum-petal teapot… By the time the final item came up, everyone was holding their breath in anticipation.

Qu Zhen also glanced over, her gaze fixed on that Northern Song Dynasty Ru kiln sky-blue glazed teacup.

Ru kiln pieces have always commanded astronomical prices. This sky-blue glazed teacup was of exceptional quality, its surface like dark blue ink, with edges that seemed to glow from a distance. The starting bid was twenty million.

Qu Zhen was so captivated that she didn’t even notice when the final gavel fell, the teacup was sold for a staggering sixty million to the gilded purple private booth on the third floor.

Bidders on the first floor signaled by raising their hands, those on the second floor by ringing a bell, and those on the third by lighting a palace lantern.

Six golden palace lanterns captured everyone’s attention, like stars hanging in the distant sky, untouchable yet dazzling, forming the most brilliant constellation of Canis Major.

The identities of those in the third-floor private boxes were kept confidential. People on the first and second floors exchanged glances, seemingly puzzled about who could make such an extravagant gesture. But the most astonishing moment was yet to come. Just one minute after the bid was secured, the auctioneer announced with a smile.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of tonight’s final lot has asked me to share some wonderful news,” the auctioneer said cheerfully. “The winner has decided to gift this item randomly to one of the bidders present. We will now proceed with a random draw to select the lucky recipient. Let’s all wait and see who the fortunate one will be.”

The hall erupted in an uproar, with some even gasping in disbelief.

In the third-floor gilded purple private box, Yan Shuang, having witnessed the scene below, remarked teasingly, “I never thought I’d see the day our President Shen would experience this. As the old saying goes, ‘borrowing flowers to offer to a beauty.’ What a pity that President Shen has to rely on someone else’s hand to give a gift.” She extinguished the glowing tip of her cigarette. “Still, tossing away sixty million so casually, I truly admire your boldness, President Shen.”

Shen Yunxi’s silhouette was shrouded in shadows, the flickering candlelight casting her in an aura of cold elegance, reminiscent of a vampire in an ancient castle. Seated high above, she could easily overlook the crowd below. Unfazed, she remarked, “Sixty million is a small price to pay for my beloved’s happiness. Otherwise, it’s no different from worthless scrap paper.” ^_^

The atmosphere below was a mix of chaos and silence, some loudly discussing the situation, others clasping their hands in prayer, their eyes filled with longing. Xiang Ting was among those praying. With her hands pressed together and eyes closed, she silently repeated countless pleas, begging the God of Wealth to ensure she would be the chosen one.

She prayed fervently to be the undeniable lucky winner.

But things seldom go as planned.

One minute later.

A golden beam of light from the center of the nine-story ceiling swept back and forth. Under the gaze of countless eyes, the clear golden light lingered, eliciting gasps of surprise wherever it paused.

Finally, the golden beam settled on the first floor, focusing on the very center.

Qu Zhen, who had previously harbored no expectations and offered no prayers, was bathed in the golden light, her face a mask of bewilderment and astonishment.

Beside her, Tang Qian, Xiang Ting, and Cao Yuan stared wide-eyed, utterly shocked as they looked at Qu Zhen. Xiang Ting, in particular, seemed unable to believe it, her gaze fixed intently on Qu Zhen’s face as if trying to bore a hole through it.

The auctioneer, who understood the underlying meaning, applauded joyfully and announced, “Let’s congratulate this lucky winner, who has just received the Ru kiln sky-blue glazed teacup, sold for sixty million. The item will be delivered to you shortly. Please wait at the backstage after the auction concludes.”

Qu Zhen seemed not to hear.

She could hardly believe that she… she had actually become the chosen lucky one.

“Xiao Zhen, you really are heaven’s chosen one, the luckiest person in our dorm. No, not just in our dorm, you’re the luckiest person I’ve ever met in my life.”

The words Yang Shumeng had once spoken echoed in her ears.

Lost in her daze, the vibration of her phone in her pocket snapped her back to reality. Thinking it was a reply from Shen Zhikou, she hurriedly pulled out her phone, her haste even greater than when the golden light had selected her.

However, the message was not from Shen Zhikou but from her mentor, whom she had contacted just the previous week. Most of the time, she referred to this person as her teacher.

[Xiao Zhen, do you like it?]

[This is my wedding gift to you.]