Transmigrated as the Cannon Fodder Boss of the Disabled Heroine - Chapter 25.1

Hearing these words, Pei Yujiang instinctively lifted her hands from the keyboard, her mind blanking for a few seconds.

Last night had been a bit chaotic. By the end, she had been focused solely on coaxing Yu Zhiwan to sleep and couldn’t remember whether she had called Yu Zhiwan “wifey.”

That term wasn’t something to be thrown around lightly, and it was even worse to deny it after saying it. After some thought, she worried that she might have absentmindedly called her that and that denying it now would upset Yu Zhiwan. So, it was better to just own up to it.

Pei Yujiang mumbled an ambiguous “Uh-huh,” trying to brush it off.

But then Yu Zhiwan drew out a teasing “Hmm?”

“Did you really call me that? I was just joking.”

Pei Yujiang: “…”

After a long pause, Pei Yujiang finally realized the Omega had been teasing her. She angrily typed the last word and slammed the enter key to send it.

Beside her, Yu Zhiwan burst into laughter.

After safely making it through that night’s heat cycle, Yu Zhiwan seemed in much better spirits, her complexion noticeably improved. Many Omegas married young, primarily because Alphas could comfort them during their heat cycles, helping each other through that difficult time.

However, married Omegas inevitably faced the likelihood of pregnancy. While Omega bodies were well-suited for childbirth, for someone like Yu Zhiwan, a wheelchair user conception was possible, but carrying and delivering a child would be risky.

Pei Yujiang preferred seeing her radiant and lively rather than dedicating her youth to preparing for motherhood, pouring all her energy into the next generation.

When Pei Yujiang demanded they buy a trending hashtag, the head of Yue Rong’s PR department grew uneasy and even called to discuss it with her.

He was afraid it might jeopardize Yue Rong’s operations in Wing City and subtly insinuated that Pei Yujiang, as a young person, was prone to reckless idealism, framing her actions as heroics.

Listening to the department head’s whining over the phone, Pei Yujiang packed her bags while yelling into the speakerphone:

“If you love being a coward so much, either resign or wait here for the floodwaters to rise so you can take a swim!”

Her sharp, fierce retort instantly shut him up.

Of course, he wouldn’t resign, but if he wanted to keep his job at Yue Rong, he couldn’t oppose the young miss of the Pei family otherwise, Pei Jinhuai would be the first to object. The PR head had merely wanted to temper Pei Yujiang’s bold ideas, thinking her too young for such decisions, but her scathing reply left him speechless.

She wasn’t hiding her plans from Yu Zhiwan they weren’t anything bad, after all.

Yu Zhiwan was aware of Pei Yujiang’s scheme and was willing to accompany her to her family home.

The neighborhood already had some standing water, but the drainage system was holding up well, it wasn’t too deep yet, and they could still drive out. However, if the rain continued like this for a few more days, the situation might change. To be safe, Pei Yujiang decided to leave now.

The property management, spotting movement on the surveillance cameras, immediately called Pei Yujiang. She showed the emergency pass Pei Jinhuai had arranged for her, and only then did the gate guards let them through.

Naturally, the Pei family’s villa wasn’t far just a few kilometers’ drive. The dangerous routes had already been blocked off, and the area’s elevation meant it was among the least affected by flooding in Wing City. That was why Pei Jinhuai had dared to let her make the trip.

The rain pattered noisily against the car windows, the outside world a blur of gray. Pei Yujiang switched on the autopilot, letting the AI take over. Smart AI systems were already quite advanced at this time, capable of detecting real-time road conditions and avoiding heavily flooded areas.

What normally took fifteen minutes now stretched to nearly an hour.

The underground garage of the villa complex was waterproof and airtight, with a drainage system far superior to the one in the neighborhood Pei Yujiang had later moved to. She pulled into her designated parking spot, but the sound of the torrential rain outside did nothing to lift her mood, despite being home.

Here, she could rest easy even if Yicheng flooded again, this area was one of the best-protected against water disasters. But those living near the embankments had no choice but to stay put, left to fate and the government’s preparedness.

If she were in charge of Yicheng’s government, she would have already arranged emergency relocations for residents near the embankments, moving them to neighboring cities. And what if the massive Yihu Lake overflowed? The damage would be catastrophic. Were the authorities truly oblivious, or were they just slacking off?

When she stepped inside, none of the worries she had anticipated came to pass. Pei Jinhuai, though clearly brimming with curiosity, refrained from prying and politely greeted Yu Zhiwan.

Jiang Wenxiu, kept in check by Fan Zhaozhao, stayed quiet, engrossed in a game on the sofa.

Pei Jinhuai had the house staff serve them fruit and brought out desserts from the fridge. Standing by the window, she gazed anxiously at the downpour outside. The world had turned into a gray, indistinct blur, the boundaries between sky and land swallowed by the relentless rain.

Pei Jinhuai wasn’t one to fret excessively over public affairs having lived in this city for so long, she knew an annual flood was inevitable.

At this point, most of Yicheng’s residents hadn’t grasped just how severe this flood would become. To them, it was just another seasonal disaster, nothing to worry about beyond the likely cancellation of this year’s product exhibition.

Had Yue Rong’s prosperous run finally begun its decline? Was this the start of a slow downfall?

The thought weighed heavily on Pei Jinhuai. Silently, she took a sip of tea before turning to Pei Yujiang.

“You’ve been near the embankments recently, do you know how long this storm will last? If the flood really hits, our shipments will be delayed even further. At that point, forget the exhibition, we might not even be able to meet demand. If customers start canceling orders out of impatience, things will get even messier.”

Yue Rong wasn’t the only major player in the domestic cosmetics industry. There were plenty of competitors offering similar products, and only this region was affected by the disaster.

Some customers, unwilling to wait, might cancel their orders before shipments even went out and switch to other brands. With logistics taking just a day or two, returns would only lead to excess inventory.

This season was already a write-off. If the next quarter’s new products couldn’t make a strong debut, they might truly lose out to those flashy new brands. It was frustrating, but there was nothing to be done.

“The rain sounds relentless, it’ll probably keep up for a while. With work likely disrupted for days, we might as well start planning the next season’s lineup now.”

Pei Yujiang was about to answer when someone abruptly spoke beside her.

The woman in the wheelchair remained elegant and composed, a stark contrast to her demeanor the previous night. In front of Pei Jinhuai, Yu Zhiwan was merely a model with refined grace. Aware that the girl was blind and wheelchair-bound, Pei Jinhuai felt a twinge of pity and nodded in agreement when Yu Zhiwan spoke.

However, Yu Zhiwan abruptly shifted the topic:

“The brand’s recognition has grown, but relying solely on past successes isn’t sustainable. Our previous product has been surpassed, and many competitors have started imitating it. We can no longer dominate the market. Some rivals might even collude to undercut prices, leaving our stock unsold.”

She wasn’t wrong. Long ago, Pei Jinhuai had developed a new product that transformed Yue Rong from an obscure brand into a household name. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived the product was too easy to replicate.

The technology had been adapted from overseas, tweaked to better suit local consumers. Pei Jinhuai wasn’t a particularly strong designer herself. Competitors copying the formula didn’t legally count as plagiarism since the technique wasn’t proprietary. Gradually, the market squeezed them out.

Already in a sour mood, Pei Jinhuai grew slightly irritated at Yu Zhiwan’s words. But because Yu Zhiwan was someone Pei Yujiang favored, she forced a patient “Hmm” in response.

“Have you ever considered traditional methods, Aunt Pei?”

“Traditional methods?”

Pei Jinhuai raised an eyebrow.

The desire for beauty is universal, and women have used cosmetics like rouge and kohl for centuries. However, such products faded into obscurity over time.

Nowadays, a few brands occasionally dabble in them, but they’re niche. Few can perfectly replicate ancient craftsmanship, and modern consumers aren’t fully accustomed to historical formulations. The challenge lies in blending old and new techniques, something no one has mastered yet. The effort required is immense, and most brands avoid the hassle, only releasing limited editions as novelties.

“I’ve seen data from other brands. Qingtian launched a retro-style spring collection that sold quite well,” Pei Yujiang chimed in. “Lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes were the top sellers. For base makeup, people still prefer modern foundations and cushions, but lip products easy to make pretty and portable are popular for their prestige appeal.”

“Modern consumers prioritize wellness. Peach blossom enhances complexion, making it ideal for rouge. Sourced naturally and refined with modern techniques, it could attract young women seeking novelty.”

Pei Yujiang wasn’t deeply versed in cosmetics, she didn’t wear makeup and was still exploring this era after her transmigration. Surprisingly, Yu Zhiwan, despite being blind, seemed well-informed.

Yu Zhiwan usually went barefaced unless modeling, but her minimalist yet sophisticated fashion sense spoke volumes about her taste.

The idea of peach blossom rouge wasn’t groundbreaking, but Yu Zhiwan’s real focus wasn’t just the product, it was the scent.

In the ABO world, scent was like a vast periodic table that many couldn’t help but pursue and become obsessed with. Betas made up the largest population at 80%, but these 80% were often unwilling to remain ordinary, scentless Betas.

Beta men pursued the power and status of Alphas, while Beta women were enamored with the fact that Alphas and Omegas possessed scent glands even though these glands brought them troubles, they also altered their physiology, granting them unique fragrances.

Which Beta girl hadn’t dreamed of becoming an A/O and releasing pheromones?

Even perfumes sold extremely well in this world. Besides being used by Alphas and Omegas to mask their pheromones, there were also simulated pheromone toys that mimicked scent profiles, which many rushed to buy.

The buyers weren’t necessarily Alphas or Omegas either some Betas purchased them out of curiosity.

The beauty industry’s biggest customers were women. As long as companies struck the right chord with these affluent “mommy” consumers, they would never easily collapse.

Scent was the most unique secret weapon in the ABO world, yet few living in this vast society had realized it so far.

Yu Zhiwan’s explanation was concise and clear, but as Pei Jinhuai listened, her initial slight dissatisfaction turned into overwhelming excitement. If it weren’t for the inappropriate timing, she would have patted Yu Zhiwan on the shoulder.

How had she never noticed before that this blind girl was so remarkable to have thought of this?

Actually, the idea didn’t seem particularly difficult to conceive. It was just that everyone lived in this world, and since beauty products ultimately focused on visual appeal, it took someone like Yu Zhiwan, a blind person to consider olfactory angles.

As the boss, Pei Jinhuai immediately saw the business potential in this new approach. She was so excited she could hardly wait to convene a meeting and put this idea on the agenda. But Pei Yuran, hearing increasingly familiar words, suddenly recalled the original plot.

In the original storyline, that scumbag Alpha Liu Huanran had jumped ship to another company, leaking Yue Rong’s trade secrets. She cleverly left no evidence, merely hinting at the information to the other boss taking the essence while discarding the dross, so to speak.

This world’s laws weren’t strict about defining plagiarism, and Liu Huanran played the edge-ball game masterfully, helping that boss gradually surpass Yue Rong.

Later, Liu Huanran started her own company. Once her pursuit of her love interest was on track, Yu Zhiwan also joined her company, again working as a beauty model.

However, Liu Huanran later came up with the same idea using scent to appeal to customers’ olfactory aesthetics.

Truth be told, while beauty products today were emerging endlessly, they were all largely similar. At most, they might impress with their appearance, but in terms of actual effects, each brand claimed superiority without any single product achieving monopoly status.

People’s aesthetics were gradually becoming fatigued. Without innovation, it would be difficult to maintain that sense of novelty.

When products focusing on scent burst onto the scene, it was an eye-opener for everyone.

Liu Huanran’s newly launched product sold out immediately, receiving rave reviews online with countless influencers rushing to review it. Subsequently, numerous new products were introduced, such as the 24 Solar Terms series or scents like “Sky’s Aroma” and “Fresh Grass,” essentially turning their cosmetics line into a fragrance library.

Regardless, Liu Huanran’s new product eventually became a hit, even setting trends for a while. Their proprietary processing techniques were impossible to replicate externally, making it difficult for competitors to imitate the essence.

When Pei Yujiang first learned about this plot point, she thought this scumbag had some real skills. But now, it seemed the guy was just freeloading this idea must have come from Yu Zhiwan, right?

Yet at the time, Yu Zhiwan’s name was never mentioned, and all the credit was taken by Liu Huanran.

The plot had already deviated significantly from the original story. At least this time, Yu Zhiwan shared her ideas with Pei Jinhuai.

Pei Jinhuai could be considered fortunate to be born in the right era. Though not an exceptionally brilliant entrepreneur, aside from spoiling her daughter excessively, she had no major flaws and certainly wouldn’t take advantage of a junior.

Pei Jinhuai immediately suggested that Yu Zhiwan follow the proper procedures to document her ideas. If adopted, Yu Zhiwan would receive royalties as the designer, along with credit.

Pei Yujiang was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected gain from bringing Yu Zhiwan home, feeling a sense of shared pride.

Pei Jinhuai, decisive by nature, promptly convened a video meeting with executives stuck at home to plan the next product line. She headed to the study, inviting Yu Zhiwan to join, and the two remained there for hours.

Perhaps due to her age, Pei Jinhuai wasn’t as driven as in her younger days and hadn’t been this passionate about work in a long time.

Fan Zhaozhao brought in some fruit midway. When she came out, she winked at Pei Yujiang, who caught the hint and approached, hearing her whisper gossip:

“Xiao Yu, which school did your girlfriend graduate from?”

Pei Yujiang: “?”

Her first reaction wasn’t to question why Fan Zhaozhao asked but to immediately clarify:

“She’s not my girlfriend, just a friend. I’m a Beta; she’s an Omega.”

Having lived with Fan Zhaozhao and Jiang Wenxiu for a while, it was hard to hide daily details. Pei Yujiang didn’t pretend, everyone at home knew she was a Beta posing as an Alpha. Her meaning was clear, though she forgot the original host was attracted to women, particularly Omegas.

Taking her denial as wariness, Fan Zhaozhao smirked without another word, leaving before Pei Yujiang could decipher her smile.

That evening, after wrapping up work, everyone had dinner together. Only then did Pei Yujiang realize Pei Jinhuai hadn’t prepared a guest room they were to share a room again.

Still shaken from the previous night’s experience, Pei Yujiang painstakingly explained to Pei Jinhuai:

“She’s my friend.”

Pei Jinhuai nodded: “Yeah, I know.”

That kind of “friend” who just shares a bed she got it. Some young people were into that these days.

Although she and Fan Zhaozhao had met properly, Pei Jinhuai had progressive views and understood that as long as hygiene was maintained, it was fine. Her daughter was a Beta, she wouldn’t get pregnant by sleeping with a woman, nor could she impregnate an Omega, so there was no risk. She wouldn’t interfere much.

Pei Jinhuai smiled with a kindly expression, and Pei Yujiang could tell from her mother’s face that she must have misunderstood something.

But since Pei Jinhuai didn’t believe her, there was no way to explain.

Should she tell Pei Jinhuai that she had been “bullied” by Yu Zhiwan last night?

Pei Yujiang couldn’t bring herself to say it.

The worst part was that whenever she recalled last night, her ears burned uncontrollably. Pei Yujiang had fair, sensitive skin, and any emotional fluctuation was easily written on her face. Now, in front of Pei Jinhuai, she was utterly unable to explain herself.

Pei Jinhuai gave her a knowing look before finally turning to leave.

Pei Yujiang was forced to share the same room with Yu Zhiwan again.

She didn’t know if other Omegas were like this, but the one beside her loved clinging to people while sleeping. Perhaps it was because the lingering effects of her heat period remained, she wouldn’t sleep properly unless Pei Yujiang held her every night.

Pei Yujiang wasn’t used to sharing a room with someone, but over these past few days, she had been forced to adapt, especially since Yu Zhiwan was disabled. Afraid of hurting her, Pei Yujiang had to be extra careful, cradling the woman in her arms every night to coax her to sleep, figuring out the best position to avoid putting pressure on her.

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