My Childhood Friend, Who Is An Omega, Has Become My Personal Secretary - Chapter 27

I remember you seem to be an Omega, right?

Ji Zeyuan looked at Zhang Linen in silence. After a moment, she spoke, “Did Aunt Zhang tell you?”

Zhang Linen nodded slightly and smiled warmly. “Things aren’t as serious as you think. I’m mostly recovered now; I should be able to stop the medication in about two months.”

Ji Zeyuan remained silent. Naturally, she didn’t believe this obvious lie.

The blood that had dripped onto Zhang Linen’s clothes gradually dried, turning into brownish-red spots. The quiet air was filled with the pungent scent of hemostatic spray.

“Do you remember what you asked me in the office?” Ji Zeyuan suddenly spoke, looking at Zhang Linen with a forced, thin smile and a bitter gaze.

Zhang Linen slowly nodded.

“I regret it,” Ji Zeyuan’s expression was heavy, and her voice was equally somber. “If I had known you were living such a hard life, I definitely wouldn’t have left like that.”

Zhang Linen’s heart trembled. She remained calm on the outside, but inside, she was so happy she felt like she could fly.

If I had known you felt this way, I would have been willing to be broken into a thousand pieces.

“Then, will you leave again in the future?” Zhang Linen leaned closer to Ji Zeyuan, her cold arm brushing against the back of Ji Zeyuan’s neck seemingly by accident.

A sensation like a slithering snake instantly passed through Ji Zeyuan’s body. She lowered her head to the side, her cheeks flushing pink, and stammered in response, “I won’t leave… En-en, your arm is so cold, can you put it down first?”

The corners of Zhang Linen’s mouth curled up. Instead of pulling away, she took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Ji Zeyuan.

“Is it very cold? It’s too cold today. If you hold me, it won’t be cold anymore.”

Ji Zeyuan felt a wave of numbness in her heart, but she didn’t push Zhang Linen away. After a moment of hesitation, she stiffly raised her arms and returned the embrace.

As she held her, a sense of déjà vu suddenly washed over her. She felt as though she had experienced this scene before. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly understood and asked hesitantly, “Are you imitating me?”

In the past, when Ji Zeyuan was acting shamelessly, she would often act spoiled toward Zhang Linen just like this.

“Hmm? Am I?” Zhang Linen chuckled softly. “I didn’t notice.”

Ji Zeyuan sighed softly, “Perhaps because we were together for so long, we’ve become a bit like each other deep down.”

“Weren’t we separated for a long time in between?” Zhang Linen leaned her head on Ji Zeyuan’s shoulder and teased with a low laugh.

Guilt surged in her heart, and Ji Zeyuan didn’t say a word. The faint scent of green grass drifted into her nose. She suddenly remembered the doctor’s instructions and began to release soothing pheromones.

The fragrance of roses overpowered the fresh scent of grass, gradually filling the entire bedroom. Zhang Linen’s body went soft, and she closed her eyes in exhaustion.

“I’ll have someone come to fix the window in this room tomorrow. I’ll carry you to my bedroom,” Ji Zeyuan said softly.

Zhang Linen’s voice was full of weariness: “Are you going to sleep in the same bed as me?”

Ji Zeyuan supported Zhang Linen’s knees with one hand and hooked her other arm around her lower back, lifting her up horizontally. Zhang Linen was truly too light; Ji Zeyuan used almost no strength at all.

“I’ll sleep in the study,” Ji Zeyuan whispered.

“I haven’t showered yet.”

“Just sleep for today,” Ji Zeyuan answered.

“Okay… goodnight.”

“Goodnight, En-en.”

The next morning, Zhang Linen was woken up by the ringing of a telephone.

The ringing came from the living room. Zhang Linen was deep in sleep and didn’t want to deal with it, but the caller was incredibly persistent, calling one after another without pause. She had no choice but to stagger to the living room to pick it up.

The phone belonged to Ji Zeyuan. The caller ID was “Dad.”

Ji Cheng’s voice came through the phone: “Xiao Yuan, I’ve arranged someone for you. You know her; she’s your cousin from your eldest aunt’s side. She just graduated from A University this year.”

“It’s me,” Zhang Linen said.

“Oh? Linen?” Ji Zeyuan’s [Ji Cheng’s] tone carried a hint of disbelief. “Why is it you? You arrived at the company this early?”

Zhang Linen checked the time on the phone; it was only just eight o’clock. She thought for a moment and didn’t tell the truth: “Yes, Xiao Yuan left her phone in the office. When is the newcomer arriving?”

“I’ve already had HR process her induction. she’ll arrive today.”

Zhang Linen pinched her brow impatiently and asked, “Can’t you send her to a branch office? A newcomer parachuting into headquarters—who knows how many people will be envious and resentful.”

“Hehe, it doesn’t matter. I know this girl; she’ll pull through.”

Hearing this, Zhang Linen said no more and stated, “I’ll tell Xiao Yuan when she gets back.”

On the other end of the line, Ji Cheng was silent for two seconds before asking, “Have you and Xiao Yuan reconciled?”

Zhang Linen said indifferently, “Um… not yet, but it’s almost there.”

“Fine, I won’t interfere too much in your affairs then. That’s all.”

With that, Ji Cheng hung up the phone.

Compared to Zhang Qian, Ji Cheng’s attitude toward Zhang Linen’s desire to hide the truth was more moderate. However, he wasn’t kind; he was simply cold-blooded and selfish to the point that he only cared about Jixia.

This was clearly reflected in his attitude—outwardly close but inwardly distant—after Zhang Linen explicitly refused to inherit Jixia.

Ji Cheng was exceptionally close to her when they first met, until he realized that Zhang Linen truly couldn’t become the successor. He then gradually distanced himself, leading the Zhang Linen who had lost Ji Zeyuan to seek emotional solace from Zhang Qian.

After her breakdown, Zhang Linen became moody and unpredictable. Eventually, Zhang Qian lost patience and completely discarded her like an old shoe.

As for the fallen Zhang Linen who had been doubly abandoned, Ji Cheng turned a blind eye as if she were a total stranger. It wasn’t until Zhang Linen pulled herself together again that he reappeared like a descending god to bring her back to Jixia.

Zhang Linen took Ji Zeyuan’s phone and looked for her in the apartment, but strangely, Ji Zeyuan was already out this early.

Since Ji Zeyuan hadn’t taken her phone, Zhang Linen had no way to call her.

While waiting, Zhang Linen freshened up and then wanted to change out of the clothes from the day before.

The wardrobe was full of new clothes Ji Zeyuan had bought for her. Looking at the packed closet, a thought suddenly flashed through Zhang Linen’s mind.

She went back to Ji Zeyuan’s bedroom and opened Ji Zeyuan’s closet.

Ji Zeyuan’s clothes were all custom-made; the fabrics and styles suited her own figure perfectly.

Compared to Ji Zeyuan’s tall and well-proportioned frame, Zhang Linen was more petite and thin. Wearing Ji Zeyuan’s clothes would make them look quite oversized.

Zhang Linen picked a cream-colored fitted long dress from among all of Ji Zeyuan’s clothes. After putting it on, the hem reached just to her ankles.

Just as she was about to tie the belt, the sound of the front door’s electronic lock rang out.

Ji Zeyuan entered the door holding a document bag in one hand and car keys in the other. As she bowed her head to change her shoes, Zhang Linen quietly approached her side. Zhang Linen’s shoe tips came into view, and Ji Zeyuan looked up in startle.

“You’re awake.” Ji Zeyuan hurriedly lowered her head again. She finished changing her shoes and walked into the house. “Hua Jianjiu just called me saying there’s a project document that needs urgent processing. I forgot the file in the car.”

She sat on the sofa, placed the document on the coffee table, and opened it. Zhang Linen sat down beside her.

“Which project is it?” Zhang Linen asked.

Ji Zeyuan looked down at the document and said, “The overseas marketing proposal for the new beauty device. I’ll reply to her after I finish reading it.”

As she spoke, Ji Zeyuan looked up at Zhang Linen again. “It’s still a bit early; you can rest for a while longer… Are you wearing my clothes?”

Zhang Linen smiled faintly. “Did you only just notice?”

Ji Zeyuan frowned as she stared at her, then lowered her head after a moment and said, “If you like them, just take them.”

After saying that, she tilted her head to look at the table in the living room. Zhang Linen understood immediately, picked up the phone, and pushed it to her hand on the coffee table.

“The Chairman called earlier. He said your cousin is coming to headquarters to take up a position today.”

Ji Zeyuan frowned as she took the phone, appearing not to approve of this approach, but she didn’t raise any objections.

“I have to go out today. Help me welcome her,” Ji Zeyuan said.

Zhang Linen sighed softly. “Do I really need to welcome her? Besides, I don’t know what she looks like.”

Ji Zeyuan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “No need. Anyway, she should find me herself. Just brush her off however you like.”

Zhang Linen smiled without saying a word and nodded.

At nine o’clock, the traffic on the road was heavy, and the sound of horns rose and fell, as noisy as a heavy machinery workshop.

A girl stopped at the foot of the skyscraper. Her earphones were playing high-energy English rap. Her trendy outfit made her stand out exceptionally among the sea of office workers in suits and leather shoes.

“Hey, hello.”

The front desk staff looked up, and the girl gave a bright smile: “I’m looking for President Ji.”

“President Ji is not in the company at the moment. May I ask if you have a prior appointment?”

The girl took it for granted and said, “Then I’ll go wait in her office.”

The receptionist studied the girl for a moment, then quietly exchanged a few words with a colleague.

“Then please wait a moment. I will report to the CEO’s secretary.”

“Bring her over,” Zhang Linen answered the front desk’s call.

Eight minutes later, the receptionist brought the girl and knocked on the door of Zhang Linen’s office. While processing computer files, Zhang Linen said, “Come in.”

Before the office door was even fully open, Zhang Linen “heard the person before seeing them” regarding this cousin.

“Why am I seeing a secretary first? Where is my cousin?”

Zhang Linen’s hand paused. She slowly raised her eyes, and a long-haired girl with blue-black dyed highlights came into view.

“Hello, you must be Zhao Yan. First, you…”

Before Zhang Linen could finish, Zhao Yan rudely interrupted her: “You look a bit familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?”

Such rude behavior made Zhang Linen slightly displeased, but she didn’t want to argue with a fresh university graduate. Thus, she patiently gave a perfunctory reply: “You remember incorrectly.”

Zhao Yan pursed her lips in thought. After a moment, she suddenly realized: “I remember now! Aren’t you that daughter of the nanny who used to follow my cousin around all the time?”

As she spoke, she stood up and approached Zhang Linen, wearing a curious and gossiping expression as she smirked. “I remember you didn’t even go to university after the entrance exams, right? How did you end up at Jixia? Did my uncle arrange for you to come here?”

Zhang Linen lowered her eyes silently and clicked on the office software on the computer.

Zhao Yan stared rudely at Zhang Linen’s face, unscrupulously scrutinizing every aspect of her. “I remember you seem to be an Omega, right?”

The computer “beeped” twice. Only then did Zhang Linen look up. She looked down on Zhao Yan with a cold tone: “Someone will take you to your workstation shortly and lead you through your job responsibilities. I hope you can learn the lesson that ‘silence is golden’ while at work.”

Zhao Yan was stunned. After reacting, she was even more dumbfounded. Just as she was about to retort, there was a knock on the office door.

After Zhang Linen responded, Hua Jianjiu pushed the door open and entered, saying, “Am I your professional mess-cleaner? Why do you shove just anyone toward me…”

Her voice stopped abruptly. Zhao Yan’s face was now as black as ink. She stared wordlessly at Hua Jianjiu, who was halfway through the door. At this moment, two words appeared in Hua Jianjiu’s mind.

I’m done.