The Cold And Straight Alpha Is Always Being Flirted With By The Goddess Aunt - Chapter 21

Location: Zhao Family, Second Master Zhao’s Guest Room

“What? Xi Zhaowan wasn’t taken away by Wei Weizhi, didn’t go to the hospital, and all her symptoms are normal?!” Second Master Zhao’s cane struck the marble floor like a rapid-fire succession of raindrops, questioning his nephew, Zhao Ziren, right to his face.

The red wine he had someone hand to Xi Zhaowan that day was merely a ruse to lower her guard, the “Poisonous Flower” delivered later by the flower girl was the true, lethal source.

The soluble RT toxin produces fever-like symptoms that suppressants cannot fix. The poisoned victim becomes desperate for an Alpha’s mark, once marked, it becomes addictive, causing the toxin to spread throughout the body and leading to a complete loss of mental willpower.

It was an undeniably cruel method. Had Xi Zhaowan not been treated with spiritual energy by Yan Qing, Second Master Zhao’s goal would likely have been achieved.

Zhao Ziren, who was being groomed as the future family head, stood before Second Master Zhao like a frost-bitten eggplant. He muttered timidly, “It seems… she was picked up later by an Alpha girl.”

An Alpha? Then there was still a possibility she had been marked. Second Master Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. “Did you find out who it was?”

“It was the young master of the Yan family, Yan Qinghe. They’ve been quite close lately.”

Not marked, not at the hospital, and she hadn’t come to the Zhao family for a confrontation or to seek help. Instead, she was leisurely spending her days with that brat from the Yan family. Amidst the swirling clouds of suspicion, Second Master Zhao let out a heavy, sinister snort as if a realization had struck him.

He said gloomily, “Treating the Yan family’s daughter like her own flesh and blood… I’m afraid only she would be capable of such a thing!”

Incensed to the extreme, Second Master Zhao instead began to laugh darkly. “I’m truly curious to see how she’ll react when she discovers the truth of what happened back then.”

“You don’t plan on telling her?” Zhao Ziren asked, bewildered and fearful.

“She’s like a moth that won’t let go of the Yan family. This fire has to get close enough to truly burn her!” Second Master Zhao lightly stroked his cane, his eyes drifting as if recalling old memories. He followed up immediately, “Are you certain she fell into the trap?”

Zhao Ziren nodded emphatically. He had seen Xi Zhaowan smell the flowers and even prick her finger on a stem. That level of contact was definitely enough for the toxin to spread.

Yet, it seemed their goal hadn’t been met, as Xi Zhaowan appeared perfectly fine.

Second Master Zhao stroked his gray beard, his old eyes flashing with a sharp, predatory light. He wasn’t afraid of Xi Zhaowan knowing the Zhao family was behind it; he was afraid that she would know and remain indifferent not asking, not pursuing, and certainly not coming to their door for an antidote.

This made things difficult. Xi Zhaowan’s “stillness against movement” left them with no opening to strike again.

But no matter; he believed that as long as he exposed certain information at the right time, Xi Zhaowan would eventually want to get to the bottom of things and come to them for the truth.

Over the years, watching Xi Zhaowan grow closer to the Yan family and become Yan Manxing’s right hand helping the Yan family’s business empire reach new heights, Second Master Zhao harbored deep resentment.

Since Xi Zhaowan had escaped this assassination attempt, he could only hope to use the information in his hands to seek a partnership. After all, Xi Zhaowan possessed something they desperately wanted.

That “thing” was vital. It concerned the re-ranking of the great families and whether the Zhao family could squeeze back into the upper class. More importantly, it determined whether the debt-ridden Zhao family could be brought back to life.

Yan Group Headquarters

Inside the sleek, spacious chairman’s office in the heart of the city, Yan Manxing sat with a cold gaze behind her gold-rimmed glasses.

Listening to a subordinate’s report, she crossed her arms, then lowered them, tapping a black and gold fountain pen rhythmically against the brown mahogany desk. A mountain of documents sat before her, neatly organized by priority by her assistant, waiting for her judgment.

The subordinate was breaking into a cold sweat. The big boss gave no reaction, but he knew every word was being scrutinized. Yan Manxing was like a swift leopard, never missing a single rustle in the grass.

After the report ended, the subordinate felt like prey, hanging his head and waiting for her approval.

Yan Manxing gave a soft “Mm,” asked a few routine questions, and after receiving satisfactory answers, scribbled her signature on the files.

Unlike the boisterous persona she showed in front of Yan Qing, she was incredibly meticulous at work. The subordinate visibly relaxed, but before he could leave, he was called back.

“Send the third assistant in.” Like any major CEO, Yan Manxing was surrounded by assistants. The third assistant was a young girl with glasses who, in addition to managing Yan Manxing’s schedule, was tasked with acting as Xi Zhaowan’s life assistant.

Unfortunately, Xi Zhaowan usually spent her time only at the company or at home, leaving the third assistant with little to do.

“Zhaowan… has General Manager Xi’s schedule been full lately?” Yan Manxing looked down for a moment before looking up and asking in a low voice.

“Reporting, Boss. General Manager Xi currently has three projects awaiting her final decision, as well as the American side…” The third assistant stood tall like a robot, listing them one by one.

“Stop!” Yan Manxing interrupted impatiently. “What about her private schedule?” After the Zhao family banquet, she had flown to Country A for a meeting and only returned two days ago. She hadn’t seen Xi Zhaowan during that time.

“Lately, General Manager Xi seems to go straight back to the Yan family manor after work.”

She didn’t go back to her private residence? Speaking of which, Yan Manxing herself hadn’t been home in a while. Her office suite was fully equipped with a bedroom and bathroom; she basically lived at the office.

Was Xi Zhaowan back to keep Qinghe company? Yan Manxing remembered that after Qinghe started middle school, Xi Zhaowan moved to her own residence on the grounds that the child was grown.

The Yan family still kept her room ready for her so she could return anytime. The bond between the three of them had grown over the years to be more than family and yet, as Yan Manxing’s eyes flickered, they were only family.

The third assistant caught Yan Manxing’s deep expression and had a sudden realization. “Recently, the head of the Wei family, Little President Wei, seems very interested in General Manager Xi.”

“Oh?” Yan Manxing’s face changed, returning to her usual playful, mocking expression.

“She’s been having bouquets delivered to the company every day for several days, addressed to General Manager Xi.”

“Did she accept them?” It wasn’t surprising to Yan Manxing that Wei Weizhi had taken an interest in Zhaowan at the Zhao banquet.

“No, they were all left at the front desk,” the assistant continued. “But President Wei insisted that the delivery person must hand them directly to General Manager Xi today.”

“However, after General Manager Xi took them, she only touched the flowers once before leaving them at the front desk again.”

Hearing this, Yan Manxing’s brow relaxed. She crossed her legs and ordered, “Bring that bouquet from the front desk to me.”

Once alone in the vast office, Yan Manxing stared at the bouquet. It looked as though she was simply admiring flowers that Xi Zhaowan didn’t want.

The truth was different.

Yan Manxing pulled the cluster of flowers toward her, her fingers tracing the place where the stems were held, over and over again.

As if making a final decision, she buried her nose in the buds, inhaling the fragrance of the delicate, easily crushed blossoms. Her hand moved from the stems like a serpent, winding up to the petals, pinching and squeezing.

The distorted flower buds leaned over, pressed by the woman’s nose, as Yan Manxing closed her eyes and greedily drank in the scent.

A few minutes later, she suddenly looked disgusted. Her brow furrowed, and with a “swish,” she threw the bouquet into the trash.

“Sister Zhou, please prepare a nice dinner today.”

“I’m coming home for dinner tonight,” she instructed naturally over the phone. “And make sure Miss Xi is there too.”

The Yan Residence

It was a rare occasion for Yan Manxing, Yan Qing, and Xi Zhaowan to be gathered around a lavish dinner table.

Yan Qing wasn’t particularly surprised by Yan Manxing’s sudden appearance. Her impression of her mother, aside from the original host’s memories, remained stuck on their last meeting.

She had originally planned to keep pestering Xi Zhaowan to teach her cooking, but Xi Zhaowan had seemed very busy lately. Every time she returned home, Xi Zhaowan was nowhere to be found.

She had then been told by the butler that Miss Xi was busy working late and would go straight to her private residence instead of returning to the manor.

Even though this was a normal occurrence that the servants were used to, Yan Qing felt something was off. Ever since that night she had stayed by Xi Zhaowan’s side to treat her, Xi Zhaowan had become exceptionally busy and rarely sent her caring text messages.

Tonight, after Yan Qing returned from school, she found that Xi Zhaowan had actually come back to the manor. The strange gloom in her heart lifted instantly, and she coaxed Xi Zhaowan into continuing the cooking lesson.

Yan Qing actually managed to finish a dish, and during dinner, she presented it to Xi Zhaowan like a prized treasure.

Yan Manxing glanced at the dish. It looked plain and ordinary, and she felt a bit puzzled.

Noticing Yan Manxing’s look, Xi Zhaowan explained with a faint smile, “Qing’er made this herself.”

Yan Qing learned to cook? Yan Manxing was shocked. Her daughter had been pampered since childhood and had never lifted a finger in the kitchen. When did she start learning to cook?

“But it’s only right that your mother tries it first. She’s never eaten anything you’ve made,” Xi Zhaowan said, calmly moving the dish in front of Yan Manxing.

Yan Qing masked her growing disappointment with a faint “Mm,” her expression turning cold.

Yan Manxing took a bite, it was actually quite good. She took a few more bites and set it down, watching Xi Zhaowan’s reaction. Xi Zhaowan ate Sister Zhou’s cooking with refined, slow movements, never once glancing at the dish Yan Qing had made.

The food grew cold, and Yan Manxing’s thoughts began to race. It seemed something had happened while she was away.

Although the Yan family rule was “no talking during meals,” the complete lack of interaction between the two was abnormal.

One was her non-blood related sister, and the other was her daughter. Had her daughter upset Zhaowan?

No one else touched that dish for the rest of the meal. Everyone at the table had their own hidden thoughts.

After dinner, Sister Zhou was called to Yan Manxing’s room, looking nervous.

“How have things been at home lately?” Yan Manxing asked, toyed with a crystal ball on her desk. This was a gift she had given Xi Zhaowan when she first came to the Yan family in her teens, after that incident. But Zhaowan had said she didn’t need it and returned it.

Inside the crystal ball, a Queen held a Princess’s hair, washing it for her by a river. The Princess’s black hair obscured a small red dot on her earlobe that looked like a stud, just like the red mole on Xi Zhaowan’s earlobe.

So similar! Yan Manxing thought this every time she picked up the crystal ball.

The Queen and Princess were peaceful in their transparent world. The scene of the Queen leaning over to wash the hair felt warm, safe, and quiet under her gentle gaze.

While the Queen was away… had something happened to the Princess?

Removing her gold glasses, Yan Manxing, an Omega, leaned against the desk with a restless, supple waist. She twirled a lock of her brown hair around her finger, letting it slip away only to twist it tight again.

In private, she was different from the suited professional at the office; she had a rare, inadvertent languor.

But Sister Zhou still answered cautiously. After all, this was the head of the Yan family, an Omega who sat atop the four great families, ruling over Alphas.

“It’s mostly the same as when you’re away. It’s just that Miss Xi has been returning more frequently lately.” Sister Zhou knew that when Yan Manxing asked about “home,” she was primarily asking about Xi Zhaowan.

If Xi Zhaowan wasn’t there, she reported on Yan Qing’s life. If Xi Zhaowan was there, she had to report every detail of her movements.

After a moment’s thought, Sister Zhou added, “However, sometimes the Young Miss isn’t in her own room; she goes to Miss Xi’s room. And Miss Xi… sometimes sleeps in the Young Miss’s room.”

Sister Zhou didn’t think too much of it. Although a strange thought had crossed her mind, Xi Zhaowan had raised Yan Qing since she was a child. Even though the Young Miss was nearly an adult, she was still “small” in the maid’s eyes.

But hearing this, Yan Manxing’s heart skipped a beat. Sister Zhou, a Beta, might not understand, but as an Omega, Yan Manxing knew that even if Yan Qing was a minor, she was a fully differentiated Alpha.

An Alpha and an Omega, sleeping in the same room in the middle of the night, having spent time in each other’s rooms.

The Alpha was her daughter. The Omega was the woman she considered her sister.

Combined with the icy atmosphere at dinner, a shroud of mystery descended. The feeling of things spinning out of order made her palms ache.

She released her clenched fist and calmly dismissed Sister Zhou with a wave of her hand, her expression as steady as a mountain.

After Sister Zhou left, Yan Manxing took a deep breath and slammed the crystal ball down. She turned and walked toward Xi Zhaowan’s room.

Behind her, the crystal ball wobbled, not quite stable, and rolled to the edge of the desk. The Queen inside was turned 180 degrees, her reaching hand now looking as if she were pulling the Princess’s hair.