Mistaken ‘O’ is a Crazy Gorgeous Boss - Chapter 6

As soon as Shen Zhikou finished speaking, Qu Zhen’s face flushed bright red, even redder than the Maneki-neko figurine on the shelf.

The effects of the temporary mark lingered like a shadow. Releasing pheromones was one of the common soothing behaviors, and this was the first option Qu Zhen thought of. She moved closer to Shen Zhikou, stopping at the tea table a short distance away, and tentatively released the hyacinth fragrance stored in her glands.

Under the bright white glow of the rose-shaped ceiling light, Qu Zhen resembled a well-behaved student called upon by the teacher to answer a question. Though clearly shy and nervous, she pretended to be calm as she asked, “Sister, does this make you feel more comfortable?”

Shen Zhikou, who had taken off her coat upon entering the room, wore only a black spaghetti strap dress underneath. The shallow V-neckline revealed a hint of her delicate collarbone. Her breathing was slightly rapid, her cheeks flushed, and her overall state was clearly different from just a few minutes earlier.

“Come closer.”

Qu Zhen obediently stepped directly in front of her.

“Perhaps…” Shen Zhikou lowered her gaze, her thick, curled lashes trembling. “This might not be enough.”

Qu Zhen’s face grew hot, her sluggish mind slowly processing the situation.

In the cramped, dimly lit car or while standing at a distance by the sofa table, she could still feign composure. But as the distance between them shortened until it almost vanished, and she could even catch a glimpse of that alluring sight, it became increasingly difficult to maintain her facade.

The pseudo-estrus triggered by secondary differentiation had stirred a brief heat in the Omega before her. Combined with the effects of pheromone dysregulation, Shen Zhikou’s pheromones had long since quietly permeated the air.

After pondering for a while, Qu Zhen proactively crouched down and asked softly, “Then… would holding hands help a little?”

Intimate contact was a highly effective soothing behavior.

“I’m not sure.”

“Should we give it a try?” Qu Zhen, ever polite, extended her right hand first, her eyes shimmering with ripples of emotion.

Shen Zhikou’s hand was a full size smaller than Qu Zhen’s, cold as ice to the touch, yet the cinnabar mole at the base of her thumb seemed even more striking.

As the concentration of pheromones in the air continued to rise, Qu Zhen initially held Shen Zhikou’s hand loosely. Sensing that Shen Zhikou seemed to tremble and her condition hadn’t improved, Qu Zhen mustered her courage and interlaced their fingers, her wrist pressing against the strand of gleaming rosewood beads.

Almost no one knew that, in Qu Zhen’s previous relationship, the only two instances of intimate hand-holding had been initiated by her ex-girlfriend, Su Qi. Qu Zhen, whom Su Qi had repeatedly called a “clueless goose,” seemed to lack any worldly desires back then, after holding hands loosely for just two minutes, she would find an excuse to let go.

But now, she applied what she had learned, gradually closing the gaps between their fingers until none remained.

In the end, her gaze lingered involuntarily on that strikingly seductive, fiery cinnabar mole, and she even felt the urge to cover it with her other hand.

“Sorry, sister.” Realizing her intention, she quickly averted her eyes. “Do you feel any better now?”

The influence of the temporary mark was simply too strong. Even someone as reserved as Qu Zhen couldn’t escape the inescapable trap of pheromones. She felt deeply embarrassed by her earlier thoughts and silently reflected on and scolded herself in her heart.

“It seems… a little better.” Shen Zhikou’s voice was very soft. “Sit on the sofa.”

“Okay.”

She changed her position, but her fingers remained tightly entwined with the Omega’s, like a young beast tasting meat for the first time, unwilling to release its grip on its prey’s neck.

Her black, slightly wavy long hair cascaded over her shoulders as Shen Zhikou murmured softly, “Sorry, you might need to sit a little closer.”

Her cheeks flushed, Qu Zhen shifted again until their shoulders were almost touching. A bit flustered, she asked, “It’s fine. Do you need to hold my other hand?”

A flicker of amusement passed through Shen Zhikou’s eyes. “No need.”

“Alright.” To distract herself, Qu Zhen changed the subject. “Sister, I have an early class on both Wednesday and Friday mornings. To avoid disturbing your rest, I should probably stay at a hotel.”

“I usually wake up early.”

Qu Zhen licked her dry lips. “Mm. I suppose I’m also an early riser.”

“Can you draft a prenuptial agreement?”

Qu Zhen found herself swept along by her words. “Yes.”

“Good.” Shen Zhikou tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll leave it to you in a week.”

However, after this calming interaction, Qu Zhen began to reflect on whether a week was too short a time. Moreover, they would both continue to be affected by the temporary mark during this period, which might cloud their judgment and lead to less objective decisions.

In the silence, Qu Zhen grew increasingly convinced that the timeline she had initially proposed was indeed inappropriate. After their conversation at the hotel, she had formed a very favorable impression of Shen Zhikou. Learning that Shen Zhikou suffered from hormonal imbalance syndrome and that she herself seemed to be the compatible match, Qu Zhen felt a strong sense of responsibility and a sincere desire to develop a relationship with her.

Yet, she realized she had only considered her own perspective and hadn’t thought about whether a week was sufficient for Shen Zhikou. Shen Zhikou had mentioned she would be very busy recently, frequently traveling for work, and Qu Zhen hadn’t immediately noticed the conflict between these two factors.

With this in mind, Qu Zhen gently clenched her slender fingers and asked softly, “Sister, is a week too short? Should we extend it to two weeks?”

“Why do you think that?”

Qu Zhen honestly shared her thoughts. “That’s pretty much it. Extending to two weeks would likely lead to a more objective decision.”

In contemporary society, marriage laws are primarily divided into six categories: between alpha and omega, alpha and alpha, alpha and beta, and so on, up to beta and beta. Among all marriage laws, omegas still receive the most protection.

They even have specific protective laws for first marriages, second marriages, third marriages, and so forth.

Even so, Qu Zhen hoped Shen Zhikou would carefully consider everything before marriage. She apologized for her earlier impulsiveness in the car and finally gazed at Shen Zhikou, saying gently, “If you need even more time, I’m completely willing to accommodate.”

The small two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment wasn’t spacious, and the sofa in the living room was only a three-seater. Shen Zhikou remained silent for a long time, her eyes shadowed and her expression as cold as frost.

The scent of lily of the valley gradually grew stronger, making Qu Zhen’s ears burn bright red.

“Ten days.”

“Huh?”

Shen Zhikou said, “I’ll be traveling to Country Z on Saturday and returning next Tuesday. By then, the effects of the temporary mark will have faded, and I’ll give you an answer.”

“Okay.”

After a while, Qu Zhen noticed the concentration of pheromones in the room steadily decreasing and sensed the person beside her softening in demeanor. She tentatively asked, “Sister, are you hungry?”

Shen Zhi proactively released her hand, her index finger unintentionally brushing against Qu Zhen’s palm: “Mm.”

Qu Zhen abruptly clenched her hand, her clear almond-shaped eyes exceptionally bright: “Alright, sister, wait for me a moment.”

“Mm.”

The floral fragrance in the living room had completely dissipated. A few flat bamboo roots were arranged in the diamond-shaped vase in the corner, their pale stamens tilting and blooming quietly. The interplay of light and shadow reflected on the white wall edges, resembling the menacing forms of beasts.

…

Qu Zhen had learned to cook household dishes like scrambled eggs with tomatoes as early as middle school, and by now, her culinary skills were highly proficient.

During last year’s winter break, she had single-handedly prepared the entire New Year’s Eve feast, with Qu Han assisting her while occasionally keeping an eye on Qin Huan, who was building a carrot snowman in the yard.

The refrigerator contained limited ingredients, suggesting the homeowner seldom cooked. Based on Shen Zhikou’s preferences, Qu Zhen prepared a shrimp and tomato pasta for her, along with a steaming hot mushroom and meatball soup.

After placing the dishes on the dining table, she glanced over at Shen Zhikou and noticed her standing on the balcony outside the living room, holding her phone to her ear as if answering a call.

The soundproof glass door blocked all noise, leaving Qu Zhen unable to hear anything. All she could see was the Omega under the clear moonlight, so breathtakingly beautiful she seemed almost otherworldly.

The black dress hugged her figure perfectly, her slender back, her narrow waist that seemed as if it could be encircled with one hand. As her gaze naturally drifted downward, Qu Zhen quickly averted her eyes.

She stared at the white wall, silently reciting the laws and regulations from last semester’s final exam in her mind. Even after finishing, Shen Zhikou’s call had not yet ended, so she continued by silently reciting the newly enacted Omega Individual Protection Law.

By the time she reached Article 19, Shen Zhikou had pushed open the glass door and was walking toward her.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s no trouble at all, not hard at all.” Qu Zhen handed her a pair of chopsticks. “Sister, try it and see if it suits your taste.”

“Sit down and eat together.”

Qu Zhen had already eaten dinner before coming and was still full. She had only prepared a single portion. “I’m not hungry. Sister, do you usually eat at the company cafeteria?”

She wasn’t very familiar with Streeep, only vaguely recalling it as a foreign trade company with promising prospects. She knew nothing about the employee benefits or treatment there.

She asked only because she was thinking that if Shen Zhikou brought her own meals, she could use her free time to prepare tomorrow’s lunchbox. All that would be needed later was a quick heat-up in the microwave.

She couldn’t just stay here for free without doing anything.

“Yes. The company cafeteria is quite good, and the meal subsidies, housing allowances, and other benefits are all quite decent.” Shen Zhikou took a sip of the soup first.” “It’s delicious. Your cooking is excellent.”

Qu Zhen sat opposite her. “I’m glad you like it, sister.”

“How are your interview preparations going?”

“They’re… alright, I suppose.”

“Are you heading back to school tomorrow?”

“Mm.” Shen Zhikou set down her soup spoon, the chill in her expression gradually melting away in the warm steam.” “You seem… afraid of me?”

Qu Zhen immediately waved her hands. “N-No.”To prove her point, she met Shen Zhikou’s gaze firmly and said softly, ‘I’m just… easily shy, not afraid of you, sister.'” You’re very kind and not scary at all.”

The shy little puppy before her seemed on the verge of shrinking into a tiny mushroom. Shen Zhikou’s lips curved slightly, and she didn’t press the matter further.

“I’ll be leaving at 8 a.m. tomorrow.”

“Mm!”

Knowing she didn’t understand, Shen Zhikou added, “The company is on the way to your school. Should I give you a ride, or would you rather sleep in a bit more?”

The morning subway at eight was always crowded, and since the two were in the early stages of getting to know each other, Qu Zhen, who wasn’t one to be overly shy, chose the first option. Afterward, she sincerely apologized to Shen Zhikou.

By the end of the night, she had lost count of how many times she had said thank you.

“The guest room bed isn’t made yet. After I finish eating and put the dishes in the dishwasher, I’ll help you with it. If you’re tired, you can go take a shower first.”

Qu Zhen eagerly volunteered, “I’ll do it. I’m not sleepy yet.”

Shen Zhikou clearly couldn’t win against her and gradually conceded in this domestic standoff.

In the end, it was Qu Zhen who took care of the leftovers. Though she could be slow in some areas, she was quite attentive in daily life. With just a glance, she noticed that Shen Zhikou had a small appetite and seemed to dislike mushrooms.

She made a mental note, silently crossing mushrooms off the list.

By the time she finished cleaning up, Shen Zhikou was already making the bed. When Qu Zhen entered the guest room and saw those delicate hands moving back and forth through the bedding, the little rabbit in her chest started hopping uncontrollably again.

The guest room was compact, with a built-in custom wardrobe, a one-and-a-half-meter-wide bed, and a matching desk and chair.

Qu Zhen stood in the doorway, watching intently, wanting several times to step in and help Shen Zhikou, who clearly wasn’t used to the task. But Shen Zhikou was determined, even if it took longer, and her loosely tied long hair came undone in the process.

“The bathroom has everything you need. Just put your clothes in the washing machine when you’re done.”

“Okay,” Qu Zhen replied, adding once more, “Thank you, sister.”

“You’re welcome.” Shen Zhikou patted the freshly made bed and stood up. “If you need anything, just come to the master bedroom and call for me.”

“Okay.”

“Good night.”

As they passed each other, Qu Zhen stiffly said, “Good night.”

Once the door closed, Qu Zhen took her pajamas from her suitcase and went to the bathroom outside to wash up. The master bedroom had its own small ensuite bathroom, and for the rest of the evening, she didn’t see Shen Zhikou again.

When she lay down in bed, ready to rest, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

The bedding Shen Zhikou had prepared carried a faint scent of lily of the valley. After struggling for a long time, Qu Zhen finally drifted off, only to dream of Shen Zhikou.

…

The next day, both woke up early. Qu Zhen finished washing up by seven and started preparing breakfast. At 7:10, Shen Zhikou emerged from her room.

While Qu Zhen busied herself in the kitchen, Shen Zhikou sat at the dining table, handling work matters and occasionally glancing toward the alpha in the kitchen.

Breakfast consisted of frozen foods from the fridge. Qu Zhen steamed a basket of dumplings, boiled half a pot of wontons, and heated a glass of milk for Shen Zhikou.

Before leaving after breakfast, Shen Zhikou asked Qu Zhen to register her fingerprint in the door lock. Qu Zhen hesitated repeatedly and, under Shen Zhikou’s gaze, declined.

“Sister, it’s still too early for that,” she explained. “Only after you come back from your business trip and give me your answer.”

Shen Zhikou asked, “Then how will you get in while I’m away?”

“I’ll stay at a hotel,” Qu Zhen replied, pursing her lips. “It wouldn’t be polite to stay here while you’re not around.”

The two stood by the door. The tall alpha was half a head taller than the omega, but the height advantage did little to compensate for her lack of assertiveness. The alpha stood by the wall, her round eyes drooping like a puppy’s, looking both flustered and… adorable.

Shen Zhikou took the lead: “Let’s go then.”

The lagging alpha quickly caught up, keeping her eyes downcast in the elevator until they got into the same car from last night, when she finally spoke up to change the subject.

“Sister, I’ll stay at a hotel tonight.” Qu Zhen analyzed the situation clearly. “After my first class tomorrow morning, I’ll have some extra time to prepare for the interview. I’ll call you once the interview is over in the afternoon.”

The car drove smoothly as Shen Zhikou conceded a step: “Alright.”

Throughout the journey, it was Qu Zhen who kept the conversation going. Truthfully, she wasn’t particularly talkative, but for some reason, she didn’t want the atmosphere to turn cold. Even though Shen Zhikou seemed less than enthusiastic, responding intermittently, Qu Zhen still managed to radiate warmth like a little sun.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the school that her voice abruptly fell silent.

The impending separation meant they wouldn’t see each other until the next day. As Qu Zhen unbuckled her seatbelt, her mind was in turmoil. In the end, she couldn’t hold back the question.

“Sister, are you okay?”

Shen Zhikou turned to look at her, their gazes meeting.

“We’ll be apart for a day, you…” Qu Zhen rephrased it more tactfully, “I think… I might need some… comfort from you.”

According to the latest research reports, during temporary marking, alphas are less affected than Omegas. Researchers even conducted precise data tests, concluding that Omegas are affected 1.5 times more than alphas.

At this moment, Qu Zhen, who was lying, felt her eyelashes tremble.

It wasn’t that she needed Shen Zhikou, she was worried that Shen Zhikou might need her, just like last night.

“Alright.”

Shen Zhikou reached out, returning the sensations the alpha had evoked in her the night before. Her fingertips first brushed against Qu Zhen’s palm, then she spread her hand, pressing their palms together before gradually taking over, intertwining their fingers.

Finally, she asked leisurely, “Does this feel a little better?”

As she spoke, her voice seemed to carry a captivating hook. Their intertwined fingers lightly brushed against the back of Qu Zhen’s hand, gradually stirring up her suddenly intensifying pheromones.

Qu Zhen, who had thought just a minute ago that she didn’t need comfort, froze for a moment, her voice trembling slightly.

“Yes, it feels much better.”

Qu Zhen couldn’t help but use her other free hand to cover her chest. The little rabbit in her chest was pounding wildly, and she felt that if it went on any longer, the Omega beside her would surely hear the frantic beating of her heart.

“That’s good.” Shen Zhikou repeated the conversation from last night, “Do you need the other hand?”

“N-No, it’s fine.”

“Alright.”

The car stopped at the east gate of C University, where the flow of people was heavy. Although she knew passersby outside couldn’t see inside, Qu Zhen still felt nervous. Silently counting to a duration similar to their hand-holding the night before, Qu Zhen coughed lightly.

“Sister, I think I’m okay now.”

Shen Zhikou complied smoothly, withdrawing her hand from between Qu Zhen’s fingers. “Mm.”

“Let’s keep in touch on WeChat then.” Qu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. “Sister, remember to eat on time. If anything comes up, just call me. Drive safely and be careful on the road.”

“You too.”

“Mm, goodbye, sister.”

“Goodbye.”

Qu Zhen got out of the car and obediently waved to Shen Zhikou inside the vehicle. She didn’t retract her gaze until the black car merged into the bustling traffic, turning into another lane and disappearing from sight.

Haicheng had significant temperature differences between day and night, with mornings and evenings fluctuating around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, while midday could rise to over 20 degrees.

A cold wind swept through, carrying fallen leaves as it blew past. Qu Zhen pulled up the zipper of her jacket and hurried toward the dormitory. Before leaving, she had applied a scent-blocking patch, ensuring her pheromones remained stable, so she could freely enter and exit the dorm without any issues.

As she passed by the shops, she paused, took out her phone, and asked in the dorm group chat if anyone wanted breakfast brought back. All three replied yes. Qu Zhen skillfully bought three portions and returned to the dorm before 9 a.m.

All three of her roommates had just woken up and were brushing their teeth at the sink.

The other two didn’t seem surprised, but Qu Zhen couldn’t help asking Jiang Cheng, who usually got up early to study in the library, “Jiang Cheng, why aren’t you at the library?”

Jiang Cheng, who had finished washing up, unwrapped her breakfast box and said, “Wahhh, Xiao Zhen, I got scared at the library last night.”

She vividly recounted how, at around 10 p.m., she had been studying on the 16th floor of the library when her water bottle ran out. As she headed to the stairwell on the 15th floor to refill it, she ran into a pervert.

“I’d seen him before, he seemed normal, studying on the 16th floor like the rest of us.” Jiang Cheng took a deep breath. “But last night was terrifying. When he saw me walking over, he blocked my way and asked if I was his ex-girlfriend. Then he tried to drag me to the restroom.”

“I snapped and punched him. Luckily, there were security guards on every floor at that time, and many other students studying nearby.” Jiang Cheng was still shaken. “The security guard quickly pulled him away and even kindly escorted me back to the dorm.”

Yang Shumeng and Zhou Yun, who had already heard the story, were outraged.

“The forum revealed last night that he’s a freshman from the Sports Institute,” Yang Shumeng said angrily. “I’m so mad! the school should permanently ban him from the library.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Qu Zhen frowned. “Does he have some kind of mental issue? Something similar happened at the neighboring A University before, and it turned out the person had schizophrenia.”

“Not sure. The Sports Institute is still investigating,” Jiang Cheng clenched her fists. “I should’ve punched him again. Not only did he disrupt my study schedule for the grad school entrance exam, but he also left me with psychological trauma!!!”

Zhou Yun hugged her and handed her a bottle of strawberry milk.

Jiang Cheng drank it angrily and glanced at Qu Zhen. “Xiao Zhen, where were you last night?”

“Yeah, you came back so early.”

“I stayed over at a friend’s place,” Qu Zhen lied, unconsciously pinching her ear.

Yang Shumeng, eating her dumplings, said, “Then you must have slept well!”

At those words, a burning heat crept up Qu Zhen’s cheeks. She turned her head toward her desk to avoid letting her roommates see her embarrassment.

In truth, she hadn’t slept well at all. The faint, lingering scent of lily of the valley had teased and stimulated her nerves, and she had counted over two hundred sheep before finally closing her eyes.

All three roommates were eating breakfast at their respective spots, and no one noticed Qu Zhen’s unusual reaction.

Pulling out an archaeology book and flipping it open, Qu Zhen was about to grab a pen when Jiang Cheng, sitting to her right, spoke up.

“Xiao Zhen, do you have interviews tomorrow?” Jiang Cheng, who had been cramming nonstop, couldn’t quite remember.

“Yes, all three are tomorrow. They’re in the same area, so it’s not too far.”

“Last time I went home, my mom mentioned that Shengcan Venture Capital is growing rapidly, but…” Jiang Cheng paused, “did you know Shengcan Venture Capital is connected to Su Qi?”

“Huh???” Yang Shumeng looked up, “What kind of connection?”

“Although Su Qi’s surname is Su, her father is from the Shen family. Shengcan Venture Capital is a major subsidiary under the Shen family’s Shengcan Group.”

The Shen family of Haicheng stood at the pinnacle of high society, a true century-old elite dynasty. Their business interests spanned widely across industries, and in Haicheng, no one dared provoke this colossal entity. They practically held the city in the palm of their hand.

“What’s the big deal?” Yang Shumeng remarked. “She couldn’t even suppress the forum incident this time. How much trouble could she possibly stir up in the company? Besides, she majored in fine arts, she might not even join Shengcan Venture Capital.”

Zhou Yun nodded. “That makes sense.”

Jiang Cheng stretched lazily. “Who knows? But the Shen family is quite intriguing. Did you know the previous generation’s head had six children, each from a different mother? And that’s not even counting the illegitimate children.”

“Rich people, really…” Yang Shumeng shook her head. “It’s beyond words.”

Hearing these distant, irrelevant gossip about the wealthy, Qu Zhen rarely chimed in, “So how did she step down? Which of her children is the current head?”

“That’s a long story. As outsiders, we don’t know the specifics of how she stepped down.” Jiang Cheng tossed her milk carton into the trash and began packing her bag for the library. “I heard from my childhood friend that the old lady was forced out. As for the current head of the Shen family, they’ve never made a public appearance. All we know is that it’s the youngest child of the Shen matriarch.”

Picking up a political science textbook for her postgraduate entrance exams, Jiang Cheng continued, “Rumor has it they’re an Omega named Shen Yunxi. In their circles, they say Shen Yunxi has the face of Guanyin but the heart of a scorpion.”

“What does that mean?” Yang Shumeng asked seriously. “Please explain plainly, Jiang Cheng.”

Qu Zhen happened to have a page open showing an ancient statue of Guanyin. She listened with keen interest, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Jiang Cheng scratched her head. “Well, I’m not entirely sure either. It probably means her rise to power was tough, and her methods were ruthless, she’s a real tough person. My childhood friend did mention that Shen Yunxi had a miserable childhood, so it’s no surprise she turned out that way. I didn’t ask for details; she only brought it up briefly.”

“Sounds like she had it rough. With such a large family, there must be plenty of oddballs.” Yang Shumeng, an enthusiast of dramatic soap operas, continued her analysis, “Let me guess… she must be the classic ‘beautiful, strong, and tragic’ female lead. On her way to the top, she first eliminated-”

“Alright, alright, I’m off to the library. Xiao Zhen, remember to be careful during your interview. Watch out for Su Qi causing trouble last minute. Bye, you guys chat.”

“Okay,” Qu Zhen replied. “Bye.”

“Stay safe,” Yang Shumeng patted her shoulder. “See you tonight.”

“Bye.”

As Jiang Cheng left with her backpack, the dorm gradually quieted down. Yang Shumeng muttered to herself, weaving a dramatic story for Shen Yunxi, while Zhou Yun put on her headphones to watch a show. Qu Zhen sat at her desk, studying the image of the Guanyin statue, a peculiar, indescribable feeling stirring within her.

The face of Guanyin, the heart of a scorpion.

She shook her head, brushing away these irrelevant thoughts from her mind.