Transmigrated as the Cannon Fodder Boss of the Disabled Heroine - Chapter 46

Pei Yujiang and Yu Zhiwan were “woken up.”

Chen Lulu barged in unceremoniously, glanced at the time on her phone, and roused both of them, teasing them about how they could sleep so soundly over half an hour had passed.

“Want to sing for a bit?” Fang Nianjing, who followed behind Chen Lulu, idly scrolled through her phone before lifting her gaze to them. She added, “Madam Chen is over there.”

The wife of the Xiangcheng leader was surnamed Chen. After an Alpha and Omega married, there was no custom of calling them “so-and-so’s wife.” “Madam” was merely a term of respect, used in place of their given name, while the surname remained the Omega’s own.

Before leaving, Pei Yujiang gave Yu Zhiwan’s hand a light pat. Yu Zhiwan nodded almost imperceptibly, signaling that she understood.

Originally, Pei Yujiang had meant for Yu Zhiwan not to reveal that they knew anything. But she soon realized Yu Zhiwan had misunderstood.

Yu Zhiwan, who usually avoided socializing, unexpectedly asked a friend near the stage to pick a song for her. Chen Lulu, who was standing nearby selecting songs, looked surprised.

“You can sing too?”

Yu Zhiwan replied calmly, “I’m blind, not mute.”

Chen Lulu hadn’t meant it as a jab, but Yu Zhiwan’s slightly blunt response made her flush with embarrassment and nervousness. Before she could figure out how to apologize, the song Madam Chen had been singing ended, and the microphone was passed to Yu Zhiwan.

Around people she wasn’t very familiar with, Yu Zhiwan wasn’t the type to let loose easily. Whether speaking or moving, she gave off an air of beauty tinged with a hint of awkwardness. Aside from Fang Nianjing, who stood at the back replying to messages, everyone else watched Yu Zhiwan with anticipation. Madam Chen even encouraged her:

“Don’t worry, none of us are professional singers. Just sing however you like no need to be nervous.”

In the past, Pei Yujiang might have thought Madam Chen was quite decent, someone who didn’t put on airs, could mingle easily, and wasn’t just cliquish with her own circle. In social settings, she seemed the type to avoid awkwardness and remain approachable.

But after eavesdropping earlier and learning about the true nature of this seemingly amiable Madam Chen, Pei Yujiang could no longer maintain her previous favorable impression.

Her tone turned stiff as she retorted,

“Zhiwan isn’t nervous. She sings beautifully.”

Madam Chen grew even more excited, her eyes fixed intently on Yu Zhiwan’s face as the instrumental intro began.

Truthfully, Pei Yujiang had never heard Yu Zhiwan sing before and had no idea how skilled she was. But judging from Yu Zhiwan’s musical talent alone, she knew her musical instincts couldn’t be bad.

Yu Zhiwan had chosen a ballad. As the gentle, drawn-out prelude faded, her clear, melodious voice rose in harmony.

The Omega’s voice was crisp but not flat, her enunciation precise, and her tone as warm as her demeanor. Yu Zhiwan’s pitch was impeccable, and when she sang, her voice took on an ethereal clarity that instantly drew listeners into the story.

The chorus of the song featured a high note not excessively high, but one that tested emotional intensity. Private Room B was at least half again as large as Private Room A. Just before the chorus, the flamboyantly dressed KTV hostesses, who had been cheering and joking around, quieted down and began clapping along to the beat for Yu Zhiwan.

The MV heroine projected on the large screen stood in the rain, with speakers clearly playing simulated raindrops that immersed the audience. The gradually rising pitch wasn’t harsh but complemented the MV’s storyline perfectly. When the heroine suddenly picked up an umbrella and ran forward desperately, the story took a dramatic turn.

Although Yu Zhiwan couldn’t see the screen, her perfectly modulated emotions had everyone in the room holding their breath. Bathed in layers of shimmering golden light, she received explosive applause when the song ended even that friend clapped.

Mrs. Chen was delighted, repeatedly praising Yu Zhiwan and even jokingly asking why someone so beautiful and talented wasn’t pursuing entertainment industry fame.

Yu quickly responded:
“Not suitable, not my scene. Besides, this is the only song I can sing well. You flatter me too much.”

Mrs. Chen took her formal reply as modesty and insisted she perform more, asking what else she knew. Unable to refuse, Yu randomly selected two songs only for her performance quality to plummet dramatically.

If her first song could be described as a nightingale’s flawless aria, these subsequent attempts lacking emotional depth, mistimed phrasing couldn’t even match Mrs. Chen’s overenthusiastic singing. The stark contrast from initial brilliance left Mrs. Chen disappointed, and she stopped pressing Yu to continue.

After the gathering dispersed, most guests lingered, but Mrs. Chen’s plans for a restaurant change evaporated when her wife, Mayor Xiang called to gently inquire about her whereabouts. The typically busy mayor, known for her dedication to work without scandal, rarely returned home.

“Have you eaten?” Mrs. Chen asked softly before hanging up after learning her wife had dined, promising to return soon. Abandoning further entertainment, the apologetic host served quick bar snacks before departing hastily.

At 1 AM, Pei Yujiang had no desire to stay either. After a few bites, she prepared to leave once Yu finished eating. Chen Lulu conversed with Fang Nianjing’s friend, who offered to drive Chen back while Fang claimed other business.

Pei couldn’t care less about their affairs. The moment Yu was ready, she politely thanked the hosts and exited. These social obligations repelled her.

Pei held grudges. For the foreseeable future, she’d decline any Chen Lulu invitations. Moreover, Mrs. Chen’s commanding insistence that Yu perform reminiscent of relatives coercing holiday talent shows or bosses forcing subordinates to drink at company parties had nearly provoked her intervention.

Had Yu shown reluctance or Mrs. Chen pushed further, Pei would’ve confronted the mayor’s wife regardless of consequences.

This Mrs. Chen might seem simple-minded, but in reality, she was conducting transactions with that person right here. With so many people around and several others present, it looked just like a casual gathering among friends, no one would suspect a thing.

Thinking of this, Pei Yujiang angrily muttered:

“That Mrs. Chen is nothing good…”

“Fish Paste.” Yu Zhiwan interrupted her, “Do you listen to music?”

They had just gotten into the car, preparing to leave the underground parking lot. The way home wasn’t particularly short, and it was already late at night. Pei Yujiang assumed Yu Zhiwan wanted to play music to keep her from dozing off, so she replied:

“Sure.”

To her surprise, Yu Zhiwan didn’t play any songs. Instead, she began humming softly. Compared to the professional setup and booming speakers at the karaoke, this unaccompanied singing had a charm of its own.

Yu Zhiwan’s voice seemed even more suited to humming, sometimes with lyrics, sometimes without.

Xiangcheng was also known as the “City That Never Sleeps.” Even at two or three in the morning, people were still out and about. The public order was impeccable, with the occasional sight of patrol officers riding past on their motorcycles, looking imposing.

But this wasn’t the city center not as bustling or lively. The streetlights on either side shone brightly, like little suns suspended in the night sky, far brighter than the actual moon, which flickered in and out of the clouds.

The soft, melodious humming added a touch of vitality to the street, and Pei Yujiang found herself humming along. They were almost home when, stopped at the last traffic light, Pei Yujiang finally remembered to ask what song she was singing, one she’d never heard before.

“‘The Moon Represents My Heart.’ An old song I heard a long time ago.”

Pei Yujiang had never heard it. She looked up through the car window at the moon veiled by clouds, then turned her head to glance at Yu Zhiwan.

“You sing so well,” she said.

But her performance in front of others had been far from impressive. Pei Yujiang didn’t voice the latter thought, but Yu Zhiwan understood, pressing her lips together in a noncommittal smile.

A few seconds later, as the yellow light flickered out and the green light came on, Pei Yujiang stepped on the gas. Only then did she hear Yu Zhiwan reply in a cool tone:

“Because I didn’t want to sing for them.”

Fang Nianjing and Chen Lulu were staying at the same hotel. After Pei Yujiang and Yu Zhiwan left, Fang Nianjing thought it over and decided against letting a friend take Chen Lulu back, she escorted her personally instead.

Fang Nianjing accompanied Chen Lulu all the way to her room before preparing to leave. The two were close; though one was an Alpha and the other an Omega, they didn’t bother with formalities outside of their respective cycles.

After all, neither had any romantic interest in the other. Chen Lulu was sweet and adorable, the very model of a cute girl, while Fang Nianjing was famously known in their circle as the “unshakable iron tree.”

Once, Chen Lulu and Fang Nianjing appeared together on a dating show, a gig arranged by their company. Many viewers tuned in expecting to ship them, only to find Fang Nianjing barely speaking to the other Omegas while acting completely normal around Chen Lulu. Not a single spark of romance could be detected, leaving even the most imaginative fans unable to scrape together any hints of chemistry.

From then on, Fang Nianjing was dubbed the “Steel-Straight Alpha,” and Chen Lulu knew she had zero interest in her nor was she attracted to Fang Nianjing’s aloof demeanor.

“What’s the matter with you?”

Chen Lulu wasn’t in the best mood today either. After all, she liked Pei Yujiang, but it was clear she had upset her. After the event, she sent an apology message that went unanswered. Too afraid to send another in case Pei Yujiang blocked her and ended their friendship entirely, she couldn’t help but feel some resentment toward Fang Nianjing.

Half-jokingly, half-sarcastically, she remarked:

“Off to meet some pretty girl for a date, huh?”

Fang Nianjing stopped in her tracks and turned to stare at her without moving.

Not only was the Alpha notably tall for a woman standing at 175 cm compared to Chen Lulu’s barely 160 cm, forcing her to look up but Fang Nianjing’s presence alone was intimidating. Her eyes, especially deep and striking with an almost Eurasian allure, quickly made Chen Lulu back down.

Forcing a weak smile, Chen Lulu obediently retreated into her room and closed the door.

Only then did Fang Nianjing leave, heading downstairs.

Once outside, Fang Nianjing carefully checked that no one was following her, scanning the area multiple times before finally making her way to the parking lot. She opened the door of an unremarkable, ordinary-looking private car.

Speeding through Xiangcheng’s winter night, she remained vigilant of her surroundings. Had Pei Yujiang been there, she would have admired the woman’s keen counter-surveillance instincts.

Fang Nianjing, with her striking, modelesque looks and acting career, had amassed a sizable fanbase. Even without frequent public appearances, she had been stalked by obsessive fans before.

Back in the residential area, Pei Yujiang, having just showered and preparing for bed, checked the doors and windows. From the guest room, she faintly spotted a black sedan speeding past the roadside and mused:

“Only in Xiangcheng people racing cars in the middle of the night.”

Fang Nianjing was headed to a small neighborhood near the welfare center, just a few kilometers from where Pei Yujiang and Yu Zhiwei lived.

The neighborhood was a resettlement area, its outdated tenement buildings a rare sight in the big city. The cold moonlight cast its glow on the ground, replacing the long-broken streetlights that no one had bothered to fix.

Dressed in casual jeans and a camel wool coat, her striking features barely concealed behind sunglasses, the Alpha moved lightly up the tenement stairs, her footsteps so quiet they didn’t even wake the dog sleeping in the hallway.

Though she seemed out of place in the rundown building, Fang Nianjing clearly knew her way around. She ascended to the third floor in the dark, stopping at a door to pull out her phone. The screen’s glow illuminated her face in the darkness, frost already gathering on her eyebrows.

With a soft creak, the door opened, revealing a delicate face.

An Yaoyao’s eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion, but at the sight of Fang Nianjing at her doorstep, she nearly gasped in delight, only to be silenced by the woman’s cool lips.

Fang Nianjing kissed her urgently, muffling An Yaoyao’s surprise. As their lips tangled, the moment threatened to grow more heated until An Yaoyao stepped back, accidentally stepping on a sketchbook she had left on the floor. Jolted back to reality, she broke away breathlessly and bent to pick it up.

Her room was small and old but neatly kept, with children’s sketchbooks on the table and a pair of freshly repaired reading glasses.

An Yaoyao poured Fang Nianjing a glass of water. As the woman drank, she couldn’t help but stare at the smudged lipstick from their kiss, her heart racing. Unable to resist, she settled onto Fang Nianjing’s lap.

Alpha effortlessly pulled her into an embrace. After drinking water, her mind grew more active. One hand reached out to massage the Omega’s scent gland at the nape of her neck. An Yaoyao’s ears turned red as she gently swatted the hand away:

“Nianjing sister, did you handle the serious matter I asked you to?”

Fang Nianjing nodded, her usual aloof demeanor around others completely gone. After warming her hands, she slipped them around the Omega’s waist, softly explaining while caressing:

“As expected, they always chose crowded places for their talks. Zhouzhou knows me well and didn’t guard against me too much. It seems they gave Pei Yujiang sleeping pills to prevent interference. Later I saw Pei Yujiang pretending to sleep before leaving. Pei’s attitude toward those two has been lukewarm since, so she must have grown suspicious.”

Pei Yujiang: “You sing so well, why did you deliberately mess up back then?”

Yu Zhiwan: “Because I didn’t want to sing for them.”

Pei Yujiang: “Then why sing now?”

Yu Zhiwan: “I want to sing for you. You’re different. All my beautiful songs are for you.”

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