Mistaken ‘O’ is a Crazy Gorgeous Boss - Chapter 72

Compared to an Omega’s heat period or an Alpha’s sensitive period, the nesting phase was quite similar in characteristics, except that it did not require temporary marks or inhibitors for relief. Most Omegas and Alphas would become particularly clingy, crave their partner’s pheromones for comfort, and exhibit nesting behaviors.

Having once crammed knowledge about both dynamics, Qu Zhen was, of course, well aware of this.

Her gaze fell on the silver key on the tea table. Her rational side, which had the upper hand, told her that the glandular fluid she had deliberately left behind would be enough to soothe Shen Zhikou and help her smoothly navigate the nesting phase. Yet, the longing and emotions in her heart had long spiraled out of control from calm to turbulent. No matter how many lies had intertwined before, at this moment, she wanted to be by Shen Zhikou’s side.

In reality, there wasn’t much back-and-forth struggle; rationality was swiftly overpowered and defeated.

Without further hesitation, Qu Zhen picked up the key and thanked Yan Shuang, “Thank you. I’ll return the car to you as soon as possible. I’m truly grateful.”

The teapot on the table wafted a delicate aroma of tea, filling the space. A smile flickered in Yan Shuang’s eyes as she raised an expensive celadon-patterned teacup for a sip.

“I’m glad you made this choice.”

“Thank you. Goodbye.”

Watching the Alpha’s tall figure disappear from the tearoom, Yan Shuang finished her tea with great satisfaction. Just as she stood up to leave, she received a call from a contact saved under a cherry blossom emoji.

Throughout the call, the corners of her lips remained upturned, the curve even growing more pronounced.

As she passed the flowing water and rockery in the corridor, she murmured softly, “I hope this helps her. She’s had such a hard time over the years, even if I didn’t say anything, Aunt Lan would have come looking for her. I’ll be home in half an hour. See you soon, Shutang.”

The person on the other end of the line said something that made Yan Shuang chuckle softly, startling the fish in the pond into darting away.

…

The navigation system was set for Green Desert Manor.

Qu Zhen had heard of this manor before, knowing only that it was a property under the name of Shen Yunxi, the head of the Shen family. She had never imagined she would one day visit Green Desert Manor, let alone that she would have contact with… Shen Yunxi.

She was just an ordinary person among the masses. Even with plans and aspirations for her future, she had never fantasized about having any connection with someone of such high status and influence, much less entering into a marriage.

The journey took fifty minutes, and every second seemed to drag by excruciatingly slowly. By the time the car arrived at its destination, the person in the driver’s seat felt as if the past fifty minutes had stretched into half a century.

From the main gate to the parking garage, her passage was smooth and unobstructed.

Stepping out of the car, Qu Zhen had no mind to admire the scenic beauty of the manor. Her thoughts were entirely consumed by the hidden Shen Zhikou.

As if prearranged, the moment she got out of the car, she encountered a sharply dressed Beta. The Beta, with her hair tied up in a neat bun, approached with evident delight.

“Hello, Miss Qu. I am Amelia, Secretary of President Shen. Please follow me.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

“Not at all. It’s my duty.”

Amelia led her through the flower-filled front garden, along the bluestone path into the first-floor hall, and then took the elevator down to the basement level B1. The moment she stepped out of the elevator, Qu Zhen caught sight of an oil painting related to herself.

It was a portrait in profile. The girl in the painting appeared more youthful, around eighteen years old, with every brushstroke infused with deep emotion. Below the painting, the origin of her name was inscribed without restraint:

“The peach tree is young and elegant; its leaves are lush and abundant.”

Qu Zhen’s gaze flickered slightly, her heart feeling as if struck by a small awl. Instinctively, she clenched her hand.

They passed through a long corridor, and just as they were about to reach the walnut-colored arched door adorned with lily of the valley patterns, Amelia suddenly spoke.

“Miss Qu, I know this is presumptuous of me, but I still want to ask you not to abandon President Shen. At the very least… stay with her through this nesting period.”

Her eyes flickered, as if she had mustered great resolve to voice these words.

Qu Zhen did not stop walking but replied firmly, “I have no intention of ending this relationship with her, so the situation you’re worried about won’t happen.”

Amelia breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, please go in. I’m counting on you.”

The left side of the arched door opened. Amelia bowed her head and stood to the side, closing the door after Qu Zhen entered, as if standing guard outside.

The interior was vastly different from what Qu Zhen had imagined. The space was more expansive than the entire floor of Xinyu Garden. To the left, there was a bed, a sofa, a row of bookshelves, and a desk. On the desk lay a canvas, paintbrushes, and an oil painting that had only just been started.

It was too far away for Qu Zhen to make out the details of the painting.

The contrast between the two areas was striking. In the center of the right side, there was a man-made circular spring pool, exuding a bone-chilling cold. The surrounding surface was lined with irregularly shaped cut stones, somewhat resembling a natural landscape from abroad.

On the right diagonal side of the spring pool, there were two dark-colored doors. In front of the door farthest from the spring pool, Qu Zhen spotted a slender figure clad in a white bathrobe.

The surroundings were dimly lit. Only as Qu Zhen hurried over did she notice that in the cramped corner, Shen Zhikou was surrounded by many of the clothes Qu Zhen had left behind at Xinyu Garden. Shen Zhikou had her face buried in her hands, arms wrapped around her knees. Her slender body trembled intermittently, curled up like a weary bird returning to its forest nest.

Qu Zhen’s heart instantly ached as if pierced by a knife. Tears she had held back all along now streamed down her cheeks.

She took off her shoes and stepped onto the clothes, releasing her hyacinth scent as she crouched down to embrace Shen Zhikou, as if wanting to imprint the fragile Omega’s warmth deep into her soul.

“Sister, I… I’m late.”

Upon detecting the pheromones, the Omega hummed softly and quickly raised her hand to push the person in front of her away. She appeared no different from usual, her face exquisitely beautiful, like an immortal untouched by worldly dust. Yet her eyes seemed unfocused and somewhat dazed, and her slender fingers still bore the scars of frostbite.

“You…” Shen Zhikou paused. “Your pheromones… why do they smell so much like… Zhenzhen’s?”

Before Qu Zhen could answer, she continued on her own, “No, I only want Zhenzhen.” Her voice was very soft. “I’m her little kitten. A kitten shouldn’t steal other kittens’ dried fish.”

Qu Zhen watched her with concern, her heart filled with questions, but she hesitated to approach recklessly again, wary of any unusual reactions.

“Sister, look at me. Who am I?”

“You can’t call me that.” Shen Zhikou shook her head. “Only Zhenzhen can call me that.”

She slightly furrowed her brows, not as if pretending or acting, but genuinely failing to connect the person before her with Qu Zhen. This reminded Qu Zhen of the information she had once read.

Patients with pheromone dysregulation syndrome exhibit various abnormal behaviors during their nesting phase, and these can vary from person to person, sometimes even blurring the lines between past and present timelines. The data showed that one alpha, who had been ill for two years, would mistake themselves for a marine creature floating in the sea during their nesting phase and repeatedly attempted to jump into the ocean when their family wasn’t paying attention.

Shen Zhikou was likely the same, imagining herself as a kitten.

The soothing effect of the pheromones seemed to have improved Shen Zhikou’s condition somewhat, but she remained on guard, staring intently at Qu Zhen as if an intruder had trespassed into a cat’s territory. Even her fluffy cat tail had stopped swaying.

Qu Zhen tried to ease her vigilance: “Why a kitten?”

Shen Zhikou seemed reluctant to answer. After a tense standoff, realizing she couldn’t scare Qu Zhen away, she whispered softly, “Because… kittens can bask in the sun in the yard, chase butterflies among the flowers, and run around freely. But I can only stay in the room, and sometimes… I get locked in the basement.”

She murmured quietly, “If I were a kitten, I’d surely be freer. Besides, Zhenzhen really likes kittens.”

Qu Zhen’s heart ached with sorrow, feeling as if pierced by thorns.

But then, as if struck by a thought, Shen Zhikou suddenly reached for the nearest piece of clothing and hugged it tightly. It was just an ordinary light apricot-colored sweater, yet she held it with great care, as if embracing the Qu Zhen who had once promised to stay with her forever through the fabric.

She retreated to her original spot, her fingers gently stroking the sweater in her arms, her voice suddenly trembling with tears.

“But I made Zhenzhen angry.”

“She won’t let me see her. She doesn’t want me anymore.”

“The basement was so dark, and there were bad people who threw stones at my eyes.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I couldn’t see anymore. Zhenzhen… when will she come to find her little kitten?”