My Childhood Friend, Who Is An Omega, Has Become My Personal Secretary - Chapter 26.2

Ji Zeyuan had never heard of that drug name, but hearing that Zhang Linen was undergoing some kind of treatment without her knowledge made her heart sink.

Her breathing quickened, and her decent disguise began to crack. She asked urgently, like an interrogation: “What is that?”

Shen Jiuyue’s pupils dilated slightly as she answered word for word: “A common medication used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.”

Seven Years Ago

On Christmas Eve, the lights were as bright as day. The Christmas Eve social ball, spontaneously organized by F University students, was in full swing. Vibrant young people danced and cheered in the ballroom to welcome the new year.

“Hey, Jessica! It’s Christmas today, don’t just stay cooped up in the dorm!” Mia Davis, wearing a colorful pointed paper party hat and holding a whole bottle of whiskey, laughed drunkenly in English.

The sounds of singing and dancing from the dorm hallway drifted into the room. Ji Zeyuan was sitting at her desk with headphones on, flipping through a photo album. Mia’s sudden intrusion made her look back with some annoyance, replying in English: “Mia, we agreed. You go out and have your fun; tonight the dorm belongs to me alone.”

Mia seemed oblivious to this, wobbling over to Ji Zeyuan and catching sight of the photo on her phone screen at a glance.

“My God, I’m begging you, Jessica, can you please be happy today? Why spend every day staring at a phone and reminiscing about the past? This lovely girl doesn’t like you; just give up on her. I can introduce you to a friend of mine who just recently became single.”

Ji Zeyuan had zero interest. She put her headphones back on and said, “If you don’t shut up, I’ll definitely let you experience what pheromone suppression feels like again.”

Mia immediately raised her hands in a “surrender” gesture and pleaded, “Alright, I’ll stop talking. Happy Christmas Eve.”

Ji Zeyuan lowered her head and nodded: “You too.”

Mia soon left the dorm. After she was gone, Ji Zeyuan put away the album, took out her coursework, and studied until past one in the morning, when she felt exhausted and wanted to rest.

At that moment, a loud explosion boomed outside the window. She looked up to see colorful fireworks blooming like flowers in the snowy night sky. Ji Zeyuan was momentarily stunned.

It wasn’t because the fireworks were too beautiful, but because the scene touched her emotions, reminding her of the past.

Since she was six years old, every holiday Ji Zeyuan spent in China had been with Zhang Linen. This was her first year abroad, and also the first time she was spending a lonely Christmas without Zhang Linen.

Zhang Linen loved fireworks very much; they would set them off every Lunar New Year or Christmas, and Ji Zeyuan would be with her.

She remembered the Christmas when she was eight. Zhang Linen had stayed over at the Ji house. Auntie Zhang bought a box of sparklers, and the two of them were in the large courtyard, each holding a lit sparkler.

The golden-red sparks were bright and beautiful. Two children, like little beans, spoke their hearts with the most sincere and pure words.

“I hope we can always be together in the future.”

Ji Zeyuan withdrew her gaze, tears already welling in her eyes. She cleared her desk, put on her coat, and headed out.

The party on the campus lawn hadn’t ended yet. Ji Zeyuan kept her head down as she walked through the lively crowd, the snowflakes falling on her melting quickly.

“Hello.” Ji Zeyuan stopped in front of a small stall selling fireworks. “Give me a box of sparklers.”

“Oh, okay…” The owner, after attending to the previous customer, turned to look at Ji Zeyuan. She froze for a moment, and an immediate, brilliant smile spread across her face: “What kind of sparklers would you like? There are many shapes here—hearts, stars… Uh, miss, may I be so bold as to ask, are you alone?”

The owner’s expression was somewhat suggestive, and Ji Zeyuan vaguely caught the scent of Omega pheromones.

“I’m… waiting for someone,” Ji Zeyuan said calmly. The owner’s expression showed some disappointment, but she still enthusiastically promoted her products, asking, “Which kind would you like to see?”

In the end, Ji Zeyuan chose the most ordinary style, exactly the same as the ones she first used with Zhang Linen.

Heavy snowflakes gradually accumulated into a thick layer on the ground, making it look as though it were covered in heavy velvet.

Ji Zeyuan silently lit a sparkler with a lighter she bought from the general store. The familiar sparks flared, and the “sizzling” sound brought her immense comfort.

The beautiful sparks were reflected in Ji Zeyuan’s amber eyes. She silently made a decision in her heart.

Before I finish this box of sparklers, if someone talks to me and is willing to lend me their phone, I will call Xiao En.

Ji Zeyuan set this harsh condition for herself as a near-desperate gamble; without it, she wouldn’t have the courage to contact Zhang Linen.

As the last sparkler burned out, the owner of the firework stall came over to talk to her.

“The person you’re waiting for didn’t come?” The owner smiled kindly, her bright blue eyes shimmering with anticipation.

Ji Zeyuan stared at her blankly, hesitated for two seconds, and asked, “Can your phone make international calls?”

The owner was stunned, her smile faltering slightly: “Yes, my grandmother lives abroad, and I call her often.”

Ji Zeyuan pulled five hundred-dollar bills from her pocket. She handed the cash to the owner and asked, “My phone is out of battery. Can I borrow your phone to make a call?”

The owner beamed and hurriedly took the bills, then pulled out her phone and said, “Of course you can.”

Ji Zeyuan took the phone, and the owner tactfully stepped away.

She checked the time; it was already 2:30 in the morning. She knew Zhang Linen’s number by heart, but she wasn’t sure if Zhang Linen had already gone to sleep.

Ji Zeyuan pressed the digits one by one.

Ring… ring… ring…

Snowflakes danced and swirled in the wind. Ji Zeyuan’s hand was shaking uncontrollably. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself as the ringing tones were infinitely stretched.

Ji Zeyuan waited in agonizing anticipation. She was afraid Zhang Linen would answer because she didn’t know what to say to her, yet she also longed desperately to hear Zhang Linen’s voice.

The ringing lasted for over a minute, and Ji Zeyuan had already given up hope. She waited for the call to be automatically disconnected, but in that very last second, she unexpectedly heard the sound of the call being answered.

“Hello?” Zhang Linen’s familiar voice came through. Ji Zeyuan’s heart trembled, and she nearly dropped the phone.

Now that the call was connected, Ji Zeyuan didn’t dare make a sound; she was afraid to face Zhang Linen.

After several seconds of silence, Ji Zeyuan even thought about hanging up. At that moment, Zhang Linen’s voice came through the phone again.

“Whoever you are, can you please not hang up first? I want to… talk.”

Ji Zeyuan froze, her hand which was hovering over the end call button dropped.

“It’s Christmas today, it must be very lively over there… even though it’s late, nightlife abroad is always rich, especially on such an important holiday.” Zhang Linen spoke slowly, her voice very gentle.

Ji Zeyuan listened quietly without answering.

“Is it snowing? I hear the wind through the phone. Are you outside? Isn’t it cold?”

“It’s not snowing here in China, but it’s very cold.”

Hearing these words, Ji Zeyuan suddenly realized: she knew! Zhang Linen knew the person behind this call was her. She was so stupid—as soon as Zhang Linen said it was Christmas today, she should have reacted… According to the time difference, Christmas in China had already passed.

Ji Zeyuan panicked instantly. She hurried to hang up, and at that moment, as if sensing it, Zhang Linen suddenly said: “Merry Christmas, Xiao Yuan.”

The bone-chilling wind howled, and the mottled lamplight made the snowy ground glow yellow. Ji Zeyuan took a deep breath of cold air until her eyes felt dizzy. She hesitated, shivering as she hung up the phone.

The burnt sparklers at her feet were already covered by snow. Ji Zeyuan bowed her head in silence for a long time, sighed, and turned to return the phone to the firework stall owner.

“Excuse me…” The owner stopped the departing Ji Zeyuan, a bashful look on her face: “If the person you were waiting for didn’t come, I happen to be alone too. I wonder if I could treat you to a meal?”

Ji Zeyuan rejected her flatly, her voice trembling: “Sorry, I’m busy.”

The owner stared blankly at Ji Zeyuan, whose face was covered in tears, and did not try to make her stay.

…

The driver smoothly operated the familiar Maybach, occasionally glancing through the rearview mirror at the troubled young employer.

Outside the car window, poplar fluff drifted like falling snow.

Ji Zeyuan listlessly leaned her head against the car window, reminiscing about her conversation with Shen Jiuyue.

“President Ji, you might not be able to 100% believe what I say. You can choose to ask for yourself, but I don’t suggest you do that. After all, if she wanted to tell you, she would have said it long ago.”

Depression and anxiety? Zhang Linen?

“We’ve arrived, miss.”

The driver got out and walked to the back to open the car door. Ji Zeyuan snapped back to her senses and exited the car. She looked up at the familiar yet strange Ji family estate, and suddenly a sense of fear rose from the bottom of her heart.

What if it’s true? What should she do to keep Zhang Linen from being sad without breaking the taboo?

Ji Zeyuan closed her eyes in a struggle of indecision, then slowly opened them again, her gaze lost.

In the foyer of the villa, Zhang Qian was directing the servants to clean the cabinets. She didn’t even notice when Ji Zeyuan walked in.

“Auntie Zhang.” Ji Zeyuan was the first to speak. Zhang Qian turned around in shock, her eyes full of surprise.

“Xiao Yuan?” Zhang Qian stepped forward, looking flattered. “Why didn’t you say you were coming back?”

Ji Zeyuan’s expression was cold, and her gaze held a hint of scrutiny: “This was a temporary arrangement. I came back just to see you. Auntie Zhang, let’s have a talk.”

The smile on Zhang Qian’s face faltered slightly, and a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.

The two went to a spare guest room. The room was empty, containing only an empty bed and two high-backed chairs.

Ji Zeyuan and Zhang Qian sat down one after the other. As soon as they were seated, Zhang Qian asked impatiently, “Xiao Yuan, what exactly is it that made you so hurried?”

“Auntie Zhang, it’s been a long time. How have you been these years?” Ji Zeyuan asked.

“Huh?” Zhang Qian was momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting Ji Zeyuan’s first words to be this. She immediately beamed with joy and said, “I’ve been very well. As for you, is it hard to get used to being all alone abroad?”

Ji Zeyuan studied Zhang Qian. After many years apart, even though her looks had aged, her spirit was still very strong—she even seemed more invigorated than before.

She didn’t answer Zhang Qian’s question but instead asked about another matter: “Did you know that Xiao En was hospitalized due to illness a few days ago?”

Zhang Qian’s smile instantly froze. She lowered her head, avoiding Ji Zeyuan’s gaze, and said, “I didn’t know. What happened to her?”