The Fox Spirit Survived as an Alpha by Consuming Pheromones - Chapter 10

“Do you all really believe she is the most suitable choice?” Bai Muqin’s gaze swept across the room before she turned to glance at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li hadn’t quite followed the technical details of the discussion, but she caught the mention of herself at the end. Rarely receiving such direct attention from her Master, she responded with a bright smile and a playful wink.

To the onlookers, it looked as though Jiang Li was “flirting” with the Boss, her sparkling eyes seemingly saying, “Darling, just say yes and let me be the spokesperson.”

But in Bai Muqin’s eyes, Jiang Li’s wink was inexplicably endearing and naive. Despite possessing such seductive, “hooking” eyes, her actions were completely at odds with her appearance too clumsy, too silly. Bai Muqin couldn’t help but let out a soft, amused chuckle.

The meeting attendees exchanged frantic glances. What did that laugh mean? Had the suggestion hit the mark, or was the Boss mocking the idea?

Faced with Bai Muqin’s silence, no one dared to be the first to speak. One wrong guess at the Boss’s thoughts could result in being frozen solid by her icy glare.

The product manager bit the bullet and nodded. Since she had proposed the idea, she had to stand by it. Whether it pleased the Boss or not, she needed to provide some justification. “This lady possesses ‘fox eyes’ the corners tilt upward while the inner corners dip slightly. It’s not overly aggressive; instead, it carries a natural, sultry charm. Yet, her actual gaze is pure and innocent. Her eyes perfectly combine purity with desire, which aligns exactly with our product’s positioning! Moreover, unlike celebrities who are boxed in by public labels, she is a blank slate versatile and free. I believe she would be the perfect spokesperson!”

Bai Muqin arched an eyebrow. It was a compelling argument. Making A-Li the spokesperson wasn’t impossible, but her identity was still a mystery. Forcing her into the public eye might pose a threat to her safety.

Seeing the Boss remain silent, the promotion manager voiced a dissenting opinion. “The ‘Xuan’ series is a new line. I believe a celebrity endorsement is safer. We only need to clarify that today’s incident was an accident. I doubt anyone would refuse such generous contract terms.”

With the Boss still offering no verdict, the room erupted into a debate over the pros and cons.

Bai Muqin tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table, her mind still revolving around Jiang Li. Thrown onto the street with her glands harvested… could she really be a ‘Scum Alpha’ as Qin Nian suggested? She wondered if using the endorsement as a test would draw out the truth, yet she feared the danger it might invite.

A knock at the door broke her train of thought. “Come in,” she called out.

Qin Nian entered with a grim expression. “President Bai, we have a situation.” She hesitated, glancing at the others.

Sensing the gravity in Qin Nian’s eyes, Bai Muqin stood up and headed for the door. “To my office. We’ll talk there.”

Jiang Li stood up immediately, intending to follow.

Bai Muqin looked back at her. “You stay here…” She paused, then changed her mind. “Come with me.”

Turning to the group, she added, “Meeting adjourned for now.”

The staff watched them leave in confusion. Qin Nian rarely interrupted a meeting; whatever had happened must be serious.

Suddenly, someone gasped. “Look at the Weibo trending topics!”

#Elder Miss of the Bai Family in Intense Kiss with Beautiful Alpha, Semi-naked Dancers Cheer Them On#

The topic was stuck awkwardly at number five. Clicking in revealed several photos. Though Bai Muqin wore a mask and most of her face was shielded by Jiang Li, Jiang Li’s face was almost entirely visible.

[Who is this Miss Bai? Is she a big deal?] [The eldest daughter of the Qinbai Group—one of the top three giants in Z City and a global powerhouse. You tell me if she’s a big deal.] [Shame we can’t see her face, but that Alpha is seriously gorgeous.] [Is the private life of the elite always this messy? It’s broad daylight; is this really okay?]

Word of the studio incident had already spread through the company. The promotion manager was incensed. “This just happened! Who dared to leak this? Do they think our group is a soft target?”

“Is this a hit piece on President Bai?”

“She’s usually so low-profile. She doesn’t even get involved with headquarters. Who’s out to get her?”

The staff couldn’t reach a conclusion and eventually headed back to their desks. Shortly after, the topic dropped off the trending list, and the photos were scrubbed. The Qinbai Group’s official account issued a formal statement and a lawyer’s letter. The PR department had moved with lightning speed.

10th Floor Office

Qin Nian reported the trending topic and the countermeasures she had taken, expressing deep self-reproach for the leak.

“It’s fine,” Bai Muqin said calmly. If someone was determined to leak something, it was impossible to stop them. She looked at the cropped photos. Her lips thinned into a line. She had worried that A-Li’s exposure would be a threat, but now she had been thrust into the light involuntarily.

Bai Muqin wasn’t particularly bothered by her own involvement the photos were within her threshold of tolerance, and such minor rumors wouldn’t hurt the company’s bottom line. Beyond Qin Nian’s efforts, her father and uncle would likely intervene.

As if on cue, her phone rang. “Little Uncle,” she answered.

Qin Yizhi’s voice was full of concern. “Mumu, are you all right? I’ve had the photos wiped. What’s the deal with that Alpha in the pictures? Do you need me to vet her for you? If you don’t like that second daughter of the Jiang family, I’ll talk to your grandfather…”

“I’m fine, thank you, Little Uncle.” Bai Muqin steered clear of the topic of the Jiang family and the engagement.

“Good. I checked into the leaker. The original account has been deleted likely just a hired gun. As for the trending topic, it seems linked to someone named Li Lan. Isn’t she your new spokesperson? What was she thinking? Do you want me to have her blacklisted?”

“No need,” Bai Muqin replied. “It likely wasn’t her. Someone is framing her, trying to ensure she can’t recover. Little Uncle, could you find out who stands to gain the most if Li Lan falls?”

“No problem. I’ll get on it. Oh, and remember to visit your grandfather at the old estate when you have time.”

“I will. Thanks.”

Hanging up, Bai Muqin smiled gently. Her uncle was only ten years older than her, so she was used to calling him “Little Uncle.” After her mother passed away, he had matured significantly. He had gone from a prankster to someone who doted on her, eventually learning to give her space while still providing a motherly sense of security.

“Sister, I checked,” Qin Nian said. “Li Lan is secretly in talks for a massive female-lead blockbuster. The director and producers are very high on her; she wants to use this film to chase a Best Actress award. If she falls, the biggest winner would be her fellow label mate, Xie Mengyue.”

“If she’s behind this, Xie Mengyue is quite the schemer. If the person photographed in the studio hadn’t been you, but Li Lan, her movie deal would have vanished instantly. By leaking your photos, she was hoping we’d do her dirty work and blacklist Li Lan for her.”

Bai Muqin nodded, swiping away Jiang Li’s hand as it reached out to touch her. She instructed Qin Nian, “Confirm the details. If it’s true, don’t hold back.”

“I’ll make sure she gets what’s coming to her,” Qin Nian vowed.

Jiang Li, following the conversation with only half-understanding, nodded solemnly. “She must be punished,” she added, sounding very serious.

Amused by Jiang Li’s mimicry, Bai Muqin smiled. “A-Li, do you want to be the spokesperson for the ‘Xuan’ series?” She watched Jiang Li’s eyes, searching for a crack in her facade, but the girl just looked blank. Clearly, she had no idea what a “spokesperson” was.

“What is that? If it helps Master, I want to do it,” Jiang Li answered earnestly.

“A spokesperson helps promote our products. You’d need to film videos and take photos that would be shared everywhere. In short, a lot of people would recognize you. Are you afraid? Are you afraid the people who hurt you before might find you?” Bai Muqin knew the risks, but since A-Li’s face was already out there, she figured it was better to push her higher. Making her famous would make those hiding in the shadows hesitate to move against her. And if she really was a “Scum Alpha,” her victims would likely come forward. Thinking this way, Bai Muqin decided A-Li was the only choice.

Jiang Li shook her head. The timidness from their first meeting was gone, replaced by a spark of trust and newfound wit. “I’m not afraid. I feel like my head is much smarter now; I won’t let bad people bully me again. Besides, Master is here. You’ll protect me, right?”

Moved by the subtle shift in Jiang Li, Bai Muqin ruffled her hair, her tone unintentionally doting. “Yes. I will protect you.” Just like you protected me, she thought, though she didn’t say it aloud.

“Ugh, standing here makes me feel so redundant,” Qin Nian interrupted, returning to her usual cheeky self. “Since when did you two get so close? Shared trauma brings people together?”

She paused, turning serious. “We need to think twice about the endorsement. Sister, Dr. Zhou’s conclusion was clear: you need her for your heat, and she needs your pheromones to literally stay alive. I think making her your personal assistant is better. Keeping her by your side 24/7 is the only way to be safe. As for a spokesperson… I don’t think she can do it. I’ve observed her; she’s got the IQ of an eight-year-old at most.”

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