My Childhood Friend, Who Is An Omega, Has Become My Personal Secretary - Chapter 9

If only Zhang Linen weren’t her sister…

“Isn’t this the spokesperson for our new product?” Hua Jianjiu looked at the beautiful woman on her phone screen and spoke out in bewilderment.

Zhang Linen withdrew her phone and nodded with a faint smile.

Hua Jianjiu was completely at sea. After pondering for two seconds, she asked hesitantly, “What’s wrong with her?”

Zhang Linen gave a cold snort. “You don’t need to worry about that. You just need to do as I say.”

Hua Jianjiu felt a sudden wave of mental exhaustion, thinking to herself: Good grief, you’re more demanding than an actual client.

“So… what do you mean by ‘monitoring’?” Hua Jianjiu asked, pausing a moment before adding, “I won’t do anything illegal.”

Zhang Linen replied, “You just need to observe her daily movements. If you find her with the young mistress, notify me immediately.”

Hua Jianjiu: “…”

This sounds a bit like a sasaeng fan. Are you sure this isn’t illegal?

Hua Jianjiu hesitated, pursing her lips in conflict. After a moment, she said, “But this person is a celebrity. How am I supposed to get close to her?”

Zhang Linen had already planned everything. “I’m temporarily transferring you to the film set.”

Hua Jianjiu: “…”

Abusing power to satisfy personal desires—Zhang Linen is becoming more and more wicked.

Hua Jianjiu let out a helpless sigh and said, “I promised you I would help, so if you insist on doing this, I will.”

“But I should still remind you, there’s really no need for this. Ji Zeyuan wouldn’t—”

Zhang Linen cut her off. “Sister Hua, I’ve said it before. Just do as I tell you.”

Hua Jianjiu closed her mouth and nodded solemnly with lowered eyes.

The atmosphere grew stagnant. Zhang Linen stood up, smiling faintly as she squeezed Hua Jianjiu’s shoulder. “Sister Hua, it won’t be for long. Once Shen Jiuyue’s endorsement collaboration is over, I’ll transfer you back immediately.”

“Is there some mistake? You’re a planning supervisor—what are you going to do at a film set?”

Inside the stairwell, Li Ziruo, who had just learned of Hua Jianjiu’s transfer, complained angrily. Startled, Hua Jianjiu quickly covered her mouth and explained in a low voice, “I’m only being transferred temporarily. I’ll be back as soon as filming is over.”

Li Ziruo couldn’t speak with her mouth covered, so she blinked to show she understood.

Hua Jianjiu released her hand, then looked up and down the stairs to confirm no one had overheard before sighing in relief.

“I still have work on my hands, so I’ll be back periodically during this time,” Hua Jianjiu said to soothe Li Ziruo.

Li Ziruo knit her brows, her eyes filled with heartache and guilt. She wrapped her arms around Hua Jianjiu’s waist, buried her face in her chest, and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Hua Jianjiu’s heart felt a ticklish warmth. She kissed the corner of Li Ziruo’s brow and said softly, “Alright, we should head back. I’ll go first. Same as usual—you head back in five minutes.”

Li Ziruo nodded, finally hooking her arms around Hua Jianjiu’s neck to print a kiss on her lips.

“Young mistress, are we going back to the company or…?” the driver asked tentatively.

To avoid Zhang Linen, Ji Zeyuan had spent the last few days avoiding the company whenever possible. Aside from work-related messages, she hadn’t replied to a single one from Zhang Linen.

“Let’s go to Imperial City,” Ji Zeyuan said after a moment’s thought.

Imperial City was a high-end club located in A City. It featured luxurious decor and comprehensive services, but most importantly, its privacy was excellent. The entry requirements were very high; almost everyone who frequented the club had a net worth exceeding a million. The socialites and business moguls of A City were very fond of Imperial City.

The club’s receptionist was very enthusiastic upon seeing Ji Zeyuan and wanted to lead her to a VIP private room. However, Ji Zeyuan was in a bad mood and felt a private room would be too stifling. Since she was alone anyway, she chose a booth by the window in the main hall.

Imperial City knew the backgrounds of its target clients inside out and provided “tiered service” based on a guest’s status. When facing the heir of one of the country’s leading enterprises like Ji Zeyuan, a senior manager would personally provide service.

While the manager was arranging the seating, Ji Zeyuan ran into President Wang of Yuebo Media. He was dressed casually, not looking like he was there for business. President Wang was a Beta, accompanied by a refined-looking male Beta who was dressed much like a PR assistant.

“Oh! President Ji, what a coincidence!” President Wang greeted her warmly the instant he saw her.

Ji Zeyuan gave a polite, faint smile and a slight nod. “Hello.”

President Wang looked at the empty space behind Ji Zeyuan with a subtle expression and asked quietly, “President Ji, what brings you here?”

Imperial City offered a wide range of services, including some in the gray area. However, Ji Zeyuan had no interest in those; she simply wanted a quiet, comfortable place to have a meal.

Ji Zeyuan replied, “I’m here to eat.”

President Wang hadn’t expected someone to actually come here just for food. He gave a dry laugh, his playful expression fading as he said politely, “Then please enjoy your meal. I won’t disturb you further.”

Ji Zeyuan nodded with a neutral expression.

After she took her seat, the waiter brought the menu, and Ji Zeyuan ordered a few items at random.

It was just after two o’clock, so there weren’t many people dining. Aside from Ji Zeyuan, there were only a few scattered people in the hall; it was very quiet.

Ji Zeyuan took out her phone to deal with the pile of messages she had accumulated. The moment she turned it on, Zhang Linen’s message window popped up.

“Young Mistress, I have already clarified with Director Zhang regarding the negative information about Shen Jiuyue that was caused by me. This was my lapse in duty. As punishment, I will notify the finance department to deduct this month’s salary.”

Ji Zeyuan frowned and typed a line: Do you have enough money on hand?

Her fingertip hovered over the send button. After hesitating for a while, she deleted the line and replaced it with a brief: Understood.

After she sent it, the message was quickly marked as read. Zhang Linen sent another message: “Have you had lunch?”

Actually, Zhang Linen had asked Ji Zeyuan this same question at noon, but Ji Zeyuan hadn’t replied.

Coincidentally, the waiter brought out the pre-meal dessert just then. Ji Zeyuan took a photo and sent it over, replying: Eating now.

Zhang Linen replied instantly: “Only eating this? This is bad for your stomach.”

Ji Zeyuan let out a soft sigh, yet the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously.

“Not just this, there’s more.”

“Where is this?”

“Imperial City.”

“Are you there alone?”

“Obviously. You’re being really naggy.”

Just then, the manager came to serve the next dish. Seeing Ji Zeyuan smiling, the manager asked gossiping, “Is President Ji replying to…?”

The second half of the sentence went unsaid. At that moment, another message arrived from Zhang Linen. Without even looking at it, Ji Zeyuan turned her phone off and placed it face down on the table, giving the manager a perfunctory smile. “I’m replying to messages from family.”

The manager gave an understanding smile and left.

After the manager walked away, Ji Zeyuan felt very uneasy. Although she was trying everything, she could to control her unspeakable feelings for Zhang Linen, as long as she had contact with her, her love would always slip out involuntarily.

If this continued, those immoral emotions would eventually be discovered by Zhang Linen. At that point, there might truly be no way to salvage the situation.

Ji Zeyuan’s mind was in a mess. Her gaze drifted to the bustling crowds on the asphalt road outside the window, which included many couples walking hand-in-hand.

Her eyes reddened, and she almost cried out loud.

If only Zhang Linen weren’t her sister…

Ji Zeyuan’s heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife. Her tears were already uncontrollable. She hurriedly got up and went to the restroom. She cried silently in a stall for a long time, not coming out until her sorrow was back under control and she had wiped away her tears.

After working at the film set for a few days, Hua Jianjiu gradually got used to the environment. Because Zhang Linen had given special instructions in advance, her work there was relatively stable.

The only downside was the occasional gossip about her having an improper relationship with Zhang Linen.

When she was at the set, she worked diligently when there was work to do. During her breaks, she followed Zhang Linen’s request and silently watched Shen Jiuyue.

Through several days of observation, Hua Jianjiu realized that this popular starlet did indeed seem to have feelings for Ji Zeyuan. She had seen Shen Jiuyue call Ji Zeyuan’s office several times, but almost every time, it was Zhang Linen who picked up.

How could this be a threat? Hua Jianjiu was completely puzzled, unable to understand what Zhang Linen was guarding against. Ji Zeyuan clearly had no interest in dealing with this Shen Jiuyue, refusing to even give out her contact information.

Around two or three in the afternoon, during a short break for the film crew, Hua Jianjiu took her lunch box and was about to find a spot to sit and eat. Suddenly, she saw Shen Jiuyue walk out of the dressing room with a beaming smile while on the phone.

Hua Jianjiu didn’t pay much attention at first, until she heard Shen Jiuyue say in a voice brimming with suppressed joy, “President Ji is really there? Thank you, President Wang. I’ll head over now.”

After speaking, Shen Jiuyue hung up the phone. Her smile hadn’t yet faded when she looked up and locked eyes with Hua Jianjiu, who had been staring intently at her.

Caught off guard, Hua Jianjiu hurriedly lowered her head to cover her tracks, but the movement was too sudden, making it look even more suspicious.

The tap-tap-tap of high heels on the ground drew closer. Hua Jianjiu broke into a nervous cold sweat, not daring to look up.

“Sister, are you a fan of mine?” Shen Jiuyue’s voice was sweet and her tone relaxed.

Hua Jianjiu took the opening and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time.”

Shen Jiuyue’s eyes curved into crescents, her smile incredibly charming. “You’re an Alpha, right?”

Hua Jianjiu clenched her fists nervously and nodded.

Shen Jiuyue tapped her chin with her index finger as she thought. She seemed to have something else to say, but just then, her manager walked over.

“Shen Jiuyue, what are you doing now?” the manager asked harshly, eyebrows furrowed.

Only then did Shen Jiuyue pull her gaze away from Hua Jianjiu. She smiled at the manager and said, “I have something to take care of; I need to step away for a bit.”

The manager was shocked. “Are you crazy? We’re about to start filming. Where are you going?”

Shen Jiuyue glanced at Hua Jianjiu, then pushed the manager aside and whispered in his ear, “I’m going to see President Ji.”

As she finished, she looked back at Hua Jianjiu to make sure her words hadn’t been heard. But by then, Hua Jianjiu had already vanished, leaving behind an untouched lunch box.

After escaping from Shen Jiuyue, Hua Jianjiu immediately sent a message to Zhang Linen.

“Linen, Shen Jiuyue is going to find Ji Zeyuan right now. I didn’t hear everything, location unknown.”

Hua Jianjiu watched as the message was quickly marked as read, but Zhang Linen did not reply.