The Cold And Straight Alpha Is Always Being Flirted With By The Goddess Aunt - Chapter 15

At the Jiangbin Grand Hotel, Xi Zhaowan arrived punctually for the Zhao family banquet. She wore a striking crimson long dress, her jet-black hair elegantly pinned up, shimmering under the lights. Her silhouette, framed by the designer backless gown, revealed skin as fair as jade and a figure of graceful curves.

On her arm walked a woman of imposing presence who chatted with effortless poise. Though she appeared easy to talk to, everyone knew she was the last person one should offend Yan Manxing, the head of the Yan family. An Omega by nature, her methods were more ruthless than those of many Alphas.

As Xi Zhaowan’s companion for the evening, Yan Manxing wore a high-end custom gown that balanced Omega charm with Alpha authority. While it was uncommon for two Omegas to attend together, their distinct and breathtaking beauty captivated the room the moment they entered.

Xi Zhaowan, in particular, moved with grace across the Italian woven carpets. From the balcony above, Zhao Ziren, the host of the event, broke into a smile. This banquet was held in honor of the 60th birthday of Zhao Er the current practical ruler of the Zhao family. His nephew, Zhao Ziren, had invited all the major clans and prominent families of H City.

Though the Zhao family had declined in the previous generation falling from the top spot to the bottom of the “Four Great Families,” overtaken by the Yan, Wei, and Ji families a “starved camel is still bigger than a horse.” While the families competed fiercely in the shadows, they maintained a polite veneer of social interaction.

“My second uncle was very pleased to receive the confirmation that CEO Yan and CEO Xi would be attending,” Zhao Ziren greeted them with formal gravity, acting as the heir-apparent.

“I trust Old Mr. Zhao is still in good health?” Yan Manxing smiled. “The Zhao family certainly couldn’t do without him.”

Yan Manxing’s habit of “praising with a hidden sting” remained unchanged. Xi Zhaowan shook her head slightly; the implication was clear Zhao Ziren wasn’t yet capable of holding the family together on his own.

However, Xi Zhaowan’s current concern wasn’t the power dynamics, but the source of a mysterious text message she had received. She suspected it likely originated from the Zhao family. Suppressing her curiosity, she decided to wait and see how they would move first.

As she stood in thought, a pair of bright eyes locked onto her with interest.

“So that’s Xi Zhaowan. It’s my first time seeing her in person,” a woman remarked, raising a crystal glass. “Truly H City’s number one beauty, the ‘Rose of the Socialite World’.” She turned to her Beta companion, Li Jia. “Tell me, has this ‘Highland Flower’ ever been plucked by anyone?” Her tone was decidedly provocative.

“You social butterfly, you’d better not provoke her,” Li Jia replied with disgust, knowing her friend’s persistent nature.

“As an S-class Alpha, I am extremely curious about the scent of such a premium S-class Omega,” Wei Weizhi said, licking a drop of red wine from her lip.

“Wei Weizhi, be careful you don’t get yourself tangled up,” Li Jia looked at her speechlessly. Xi Zhaowan was notoriously difficult to pursue, a scholarly genius who sat at the top of the Hangyu City rankings and was entirely devoted to her scientific research.

“Have you ever seen her accept anyone’s advances?” Li Jia added earnestly. “A woman like that lives for her career, she likely doesn’t have the ‘worldly desires’ you do.”

Wei Weizhi disagreed. To her, a snow lotus hidden under a frozen river was most alluring precisely when it began to melt under the heat of passion.

Sensing the gaze, Xi Zhaowan looked up as she descended the stairs. The stare followed her every move. As she moved, her waist swayed gently beneath the red silk, her chestnut-tinted hair catching the light. Her eyes, usually full of hidden depth, now carried a chilling frost as she cast a brief, indifferent glance toward Wei Weizhi.

That single look… was both cold and intoxicating! Wei Weizhi’s breath hitched, her heart thumping like a drum. Although Wei Weizhi, as the young head of the Wei family, dealt frequently with Yan Manxing, this was her first time meeting the legendary Xi Zhaowan.

Truly like a proud swan, she thought. Especially that cold, downward gaze it made her want to turn into water, just to ripple against the swan’s side and envelop her.

She acted on the impulse. As Xi Zhaowan reached the final step, Wei Weizhi gentlemanly extended her hand to assist her. However, the beauty ignored it. Xi Zhaowan merely gave a polite nod and moved away to join Yan Manxing in conversation with the Zhao family members.

Yan Manxing took in the interaction between the two. Seeing Xi Zhaowan approach, she teased in a low voice, “Sister Xi, you’re as captivating as ever. You’ve stolen the soul of yet another scion.”

“Who is that?” Xi Zhaowan asked, feeling the gaze on her back like a thorn.

“The young head of the Wei family, an S-class Alpha,” Yan Manxing explained. “She’s difficult to deal with, but if she annoys you, I don’t mind acting as your shield again.”

Yan Manxing was used to this. In the past, Xi Zhaowan had fended off suitors with excuses of having a child or being “Omega only.” Over time, Yan Manxing had come to enjoy playing the shield, finding a strange satisfaction in watching the disappointed faces of rejected suitors.

Xi Zhaowan shook her head. There was no need; as long as they stayed out of each other’s way, it was fine.

“However, I can’t stay with you,” Yan Manxing said suddenly after receiving a phone call. “I have to rush to Country A for a partnership meeting to see if we can increase our market share there.” She explained the details meticulously, as if wanting to reassure Xi Zhaowan.

Xi Zhaowan watched her call her third assistant. “Call me if anything happens,” Yan Manxing said before leaving. Then, her expression turned serious. “And be careful of Wei Weizhi. Her reputation isn’t exactly… clean.”

With that warning, Yan Manxing hurried away. Just as she left, a waiter approached Xi Zhaowan with a tray.

“Miss Xi, this is a vintage from the Second Master’s personal collection,” the waiter said respectfully. “A 1978 Xueman wine from the LX Winery.” He hinted at its rarity, only three bottles existed worldwide. “The Second Master is moved by your presence and asks that you please do him the honor of a taste.”

“Did she drink it?”

In a private room on the top floor, an old man sat in a wheelchair, his eyes sharp despite his age.

“Not yet,” a young man replied into his earpiece, relaying information to the elder.

“Heh.” The old man chuckled, stroking his white beard. “That cautious nature… she’s just like an old acquaintance of mine.”

“Should we proceed with Plan B?” the young man asked. “Even though Yan Manxing has been lured away, that ‘little demon’ from the Wei family is sticking to Xi Zhaowan like glue. Might she interfere with our move?”

“Oh?” The old man sounded intrigued. “The Wei family playboy?” He tapped his cane lightly. “That might actually make things more interesting. Do it!”

Xi Zhaowan didn’t drink the wine, but unable to refuse outright, she held the glass and let the liquid barely touch her lips as a gesture of thanks to Zhao Er.

Her gaze deepened as she contemplated Zhao Er’s behavior. She was now certain that the Zhao family was behind the mysterious text. Since they had used a message they knew would pique her interest to lure her here, and yet the “contact” hadn’t appeared, they must have a follow-up plan.

As a waltz began to play, she felt a sudden prickle of unease.

A hand rested on her shoulder. “Lady, may I have the honor of this dance?” It was Wei Weizhi. Her eyes were burning with poorly restrained desire; she looked ready to pull Xi Zhaowan into her arms before an answer could be given.

“Excellent!” Zhao Er appeared, pushing his own wheelchair and clapping. “It brings this old man great joy to have the Yan and Wei families at my birthday banquet!”

With three of the Four Great Families represented, the room erupted in polite applause and congratulations.

“But what makes me happiest,” Zhao Er continued, “is that Zhaowan and Weizhi are about to grace us with a dance.” This statement effectively trapped Xi Zhaowan, she could no longer refuse without causing a scene.

Wei Weizhi smirked. The old man is quite tactful. She took Xi Zhaowan’s hand, tightening her grip just as the other woman tried to pull away.

Even the way she resisted was beautiful. Wei Weizhi’s heart itched with desire. Every inch closer she got, the more her pulse raced. She began to use the pick-up lines she usually reserved for other Omegas, her approach direct and aggressive.

But the more she spoke, the colder Xi Zhaowan’s expression became.

As they danced, Xi Zhaowan prepared to offer a few polite words and end the dance early. However, after a brief introduction, Wei Weizhi asked bluntly, “Can I pursue you?”

“I’m sorry, I already have someone in my heart.” Xi Zhaowan considered using Yan Manxing as an excuse again, but strangely, the image that flashed through her mind was a pair of clear, piercing eyes belonging to a young girl.

That gaze that seemed to look down upon the world.

That ethereal face that occasionally showed a fragile, glass-like vulnerability.

It turned out she was the one hidden in the depths of her heart, someone who had gone from familiar to a stranger, and from a stranger to… someone increasingly unforgettable.

Xi Zhaowan bit her lip, annoyed at her own distraction. No, I can’t keep thinking of her. I must be drunk. But she hadn’t even had a full sip.

Wine doesn’t intoxicate, but people intoxicate themselves. Yan Manxing’s face gradually overlapped with Yan Qing’s. A sense of guilt and confusion tightened in her chest like a wrung-out cloth.

Xi Zhaowan, why have you been going back so frequently lately when you’re so busy?

Why have you started cooking again when you hate the smell of oil and smoke?

Look, you’re enjoying it, aren’t you?

No, it’s not because of Yan Manxing.

She tried to explain it to herself. Through these repeated, forced internal justifications, she regained her composure and silenced the voice in her head, reaching a final conclusion.

Yes, it’s because of Yan Manxing. From the moment I agreed to help take care of her daughter until now, it has all been for Manxing.

In her daze, she heard Manxing’s name mentioned by Wei Weizhi, and a sense of “moral safety” returned to her.

“Yan Manxing? You two seem very close,” Wei Weizhi said. She had heard the rumors, but she didn’t believe them. As a veteran of the “flower fields,” she could tell that Xi Zhaowan’s demeanor didn’t suggest a romantic interest in Yan Manxing.

“What kind of pheromone do you have? Can you tell me?” When Xi Zhaowan didn’t answer, she realized her rudeness. “Sorry, was that too forward?”

She was like a noisy bird during mating season, chirping incessantly in Xi Zhaowan’s ear. Xi Zhaowan began to feel a wave of heat. The surrounding sounds faded, leaving only the blurred movement of Wei Weizhi’s mouth.

Seeing Xi Zhaowan’s body soften and her face flush, Wei Weizhi wondered if she had finally charmed her. But she quickly realized something was wrong.

“Are you in heat?” she whispered, her breath brushing against Xi Zhaowan’s ear.

“No,” Xi Zhaowan forced herself to break away from the dance. “I just… don’t feel well.”

She had to get away. Her steps were unsteady. Behind her, Zhao family servants were shadowed in the corners, watching her every move.

“Let me take you,” Wei Weizhi said, genuinely concerned. She signaled a quick apology to Zhao Ziren. Seeing that Old Man Zhao had already retired to his room, she supported the swaying Xi Zhaowan and prepared to lead her out.

As they walked away, a pair of triumphant, sinister eyes watched them from the shadows.

“You can leave. My driver is just ahead,” Xi Zhaowan struggled to remain conscious. She knew her heat cycle wasn’t due, yet these symptoms were terrifyingly similar. Going with Wei Weizhi was a dangerous choice.

In her weakened state, she saw the predatory glint in Wei Weizhi’s eyes. She felt like prey caught in a leopard’s sights.

“My car is right there, and I have suppressants inside,” Wei Weizhi explained. “If you didn’t bring yours, you should come with me.”