Transmigrated as the Cannon Fodder Boss of the Disabled Heroine - Chapter 60

Pei Yujiang’s heart pounded wildly, startled by her own thoughts. Just then, Chen Lulu’s sweet singing voice faded away with the fading accompaniment.

The DJ’s voice replaced Chen Lulu’s song:

“Ah~ Love truly is something beautiful yet anxiety-inducing and hard to grasp. This drama scored 9.3 on Shell Ratings for good reason, Chen Lulu’s acting perfectly captures the essence of a young girl’s romantic feelings.”

“Unrequited love is bittersweet. It’s neither too big nor too small, big enough to occupy your thoughts daily, noticing every little thing about the person you adore, yet small enough to rarely mention. Perhaps in a fleeting moment, longing begins to spread, even if you’ve just seen them, wishing you could sprout wings and fly to their side immediately…”

“Submission #832906: Recently I went out to eat with my close friend. When she tasted my milk tea, she drank from the opposite side of the cup. But when I drank afterward, my lips accidentally touched where her lipstick had been. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest! Though I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m not used to such indirect contact? She’s my college classmate, and we’ve always been close.”

The DJ burst into laughter after reading the submission, asking the submitter several follow-up questions before concluding:

“If your answers to all these are ‘yes,’ then congratulations, you’ve fallen in love.”

Pei Yujiang turned off the radio.

She felt uncomfortably warm and suspected her lightheadedness came from not having eaten all day, making it hard to think clearly.

In the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of ice water and gulped it down in one go, finally feeling the heat in her face subside slightly. A few hundred meters from her neighborhood gate was a food street. After gathering her things and putting on a mask, Pei Yujiang headed out and ordered a bowl of vermicelli soup at a shop.

At this hour, few customers were dining. The steaming bowl arrived quickly this shop was famous for generous portions and delicious food. A heaping pile of freshly cooked duck offal topped the vermicelli, with chopped scallions and cilantro floating atop the spicy red oil, making one’s mouth water.

Yu Zhiwan had recommended this place. Both the flavor and quantity were perfect most women couldn’t finish even a regular portion, so Pei Yujiang always ordered the small size, which was still substantial and affordable.

Being unable to cook, she frequented nearby hygienic eateries. The middle-aged couple running this shop recognized her and greeted her warmly.

The portly owner wiped tables while asking, “Young lady, why isn’t your wheelchair-bound friend with you today? Did you two quarrel?”

Pei Yujiang paused mid-slurp, waving her chopsticks: “No!”

“No fight? But you always come together. Did you sneak out alone for a secret treat today? Hehe.”

“Get back to work can’t you watch your mouth?” The wife emerged from the kitchen just in time to scold him, pinching her husband’s arm. The man yelped dramatically about her greasy hands, making her both amused and embarrassed as she shooed him away.

Turning back to Pei Yujiang, the wife smiled apologetically: “Don’t mind his nonsense he’s got no filter. We’re closing for a few days to develop new menu items. Next time bring your wife to try them, regular customers get buy-one-get-one!”

Pei Yujiang was still taken aback by the term “wife” she used, but after smacking her lips, she couldn’t figure out how to explain it, so she simply let the misunderstanding slide. She quickly finished her rice noodles, paid the bill, and the shop owner even handed her a cup of jasmine soy milk. Pei inserted a straw and sipped as she walked, the sweet fragrance of jasmine blending with the rich creaminess of the soy milk, smooth and not too heavy, quite delicious actually.

It suddenly dawned on Pei that in many people’s eyes, she and Yu Zhiwan seemed like a couple, even wives. Back then, Chen Lulu had misunderstood their relationship, as did Pei Jinhuai, some passersby, and even their audience.

When she used to livestream and banter playfully with her viewers, whenever Yu Zhiwan was absent, someone would inevitably ask where she’d hidden Yu Zhiwan. The good-natured teasing was laced with amusement about their dynamic, and Pei would always just laugh it off.

But did she actually like Yu Zhiwan?

She didn’t want Liu Huanran or Ji the boss to have any contact with Yu Zhiwan. Liu was a notorious playgirl Alpha, so that was understandable but what about Ji?

Ji was conventionally attractive by most standards, had decent charisma, and was straightforward in personality not particularly annoying.

If Yu Zhiwan got along with her, she’d probably get along with someone like Ji too. In fact, after hearing about Pei’s plans to start a media venture, Ji had reached out through Yu Zhiwan to offer help. Though Pei declined, she still remembered the gesture. She knew she hadn’t been the friendliest toward Ji, yet Ji had never shown much hostility toward her.

But when she thought Yu Zhiwan might consider Ji, Pei had deliberately steered Yu Zhiwan toward focusing on her career first even going so far as to “motivate” her by bringing her on as an employee.

Now, Yu Zhiwan did seem driven. The research report had just arrived in her inbox, sent by Yu Zhiwan. Since Zhiwan’s eyesight was poor, she must have had a teammate send it for her.

And today, despite not even having time to shower, she’d come to Pei’s place to join the livestream. Pei had framed it as needing Yu Zhiwan’s participation for promotional purposes, but really, it was just an excuse to spend more time with the female lead.

Yu Zhiwan’s work ethic used to be sporadic at best, but now she’d suddenly become diligent so much so that Pei felt a little unsettled by it.

Yes, she’d finally pinpointed what felt off about Yu Zhiwan.

Yu Zhiwan’s attitude toward her had turned strictly professional!

The realization hit Pei like a bolt of clarity, and she slowly began retracing how Yu Zhiwan’s demeanor had shifted.

Before long, she pieced it together.

The truth was, Yu Zhiwan hadn’t changed. As a typical Omega, she naturally leaned toward Alphas. If Pei were still an Alpha, her chances with Yu Zhiwan would’ve been much higher. But now she was a Beta and Betas couldn’t mark Omegas.

Without marking, an Omega would have to rely on suppressants during their heat. A Beta could offer physical closeness and emotional comfort, but ultimately, it was meaningless.

Though Pei had never been an Omega herself, she could imagine it, wasn’t that just like living in forced abstinence?

Moreover, she had confessed to Yu Zhiwan long ago that she was straight, a straight Beta woman who had no interest in female Omegas. That was precisely why Yu Zhiwan trusted her so much.

If she were to tell Yu Zhiwan now that she had actually developed feelings for her, would Yu Zhiwan think she had taken advantage of her during her heat as an Omega?

What kind of person would that make her?

The more Pei Yujiang thought about it, the more inappropriate it seemed.

Fortunately, once she got home, she became busy and didn’t have time to dwell on those strange thoughts.

She didn’t even have time to read the research report Yu Zhiwan had sent her, as Yue Rong had made a major breakthrough.

The production line records from that day were pulled up, and rows of people in the monitoring room scrutinized the footage tirelessly until the after-sales department head noticed someone acting suspiciously in the packaging factory.

The person had taken a jar of cream mid-packaging and, with lightning speed, swapped it with another from their pocket. Yue Rong’s high-tech cameras, once accessed with the right permissions, revealed the 4K footage clearly the swapped label was for a shipment bound for Banana.

If Banana had been framed, then Yue Rong naturally had to take responsibility. Pei Jinhuai was furious and immediately launched an investigation, only to discover that the worker had resigned two days prior.

The resignation of an ordinary packaging worker was nothing unusual and hardly drew attention. At the time, the worker had acted swiftly, and no one noticed the plain, uniformed employee making the switch.

The after-sales department head slammed the table and cursed, demanding HR provide the worker’s home address and contact details. They tracked him down quickly, but he refused to admit anything.

It wasn’t until Yue Rong threatened legal action that the worker caved. He wasn’t particularly tough just someone who had taken money to do a job.

Someone had paid him an amount equivalent to three years’ wages, and he had been tempted. After all, it was just a quick swap hardly noticeable. In the heat of the moment, he hadn’t imagined that a tiny jar of cream could cause such an uproar. Regret came too late, and fear kept him from turning himself in, so he had hoped to slip under the radar.

But Yue Rong refused to back down, even after the hospital’s prescription records were produced. Determined to get to the bottom of it, they exposed him, and he spilled everything he knew. Pei Yujiang instructed the marketing team to post real-time updates on the official account to counter accusations that they were trying to muddy the waters.

With Yue Rong’s situation now under control, Pei Yujiang rested for the night and first thing the next morning, contacted the mayor of Xiangcheng through Yu Zhiwan.

Time was running out. It was clear that a slow, cautious approach wouldn’t work, she had to cut off those people’s schemes as quickly as possible. Otherwise, unchecked, their crimes would grow until they were completely consumed.

Pei Yujiang hadn’t stayed long in Yicheng before rushing back to Xiangcheng, but this time, Yu Zhiwan didn’t return with her, citing unfinished business in Yicheng.

“I know someone named An Yaoyao. Just look for her when you get to Xiangcheng.”

At Xiangcheng Airport, An Yaoyao came to pick her up. Pei Yujiang found the young Omega vaguely familiar, but it wasn’t until she spoke that she recognized her, she was the volunteer she had met at the welfare center that day.

She didn’t have time to marvel at Yu Zhiwan’s extensive private connections, quickly thanking An Yaoyao instead though she had no idea how An Yaoyao managed to get in touch with someone as prominent as Mayor Xiang.

The truth was, connecting with Mayor Xiang could ultimately be credited to Fang Nianjing.

Fang Nianjing had wide-ranging connections and knew Mrs. Chen, which naturally gave her the means to reach Mayor Xiang. She hadn’t initially wanted to get involved, but An Yaoyao had been anxiously waiting, constantly urging her.

Unable to refuse, Fang Nianjing contacted one of Mayor Xiang’s subordinates, who relayed the message. After briefly explaining the purpose, Mayor Xiang agreed to spare some time to meet Pei Yujiang. She was currently swamped with urban development projects, spinning like a top with barely any time to return home. But upon hearing that Pei Yujiang had something serious and urgent to discuss, she made room in her schedule.

An Yaoyao didn’t mention her relationship with Fang Nianjing, and Pei Yujiang didn’t ask how she had managed to contact Mayor Xiang. Everyone had their own secrets, and Pei Yujiang was genuinely grateful that An Yaoyao had been willing to help.

“I’ll treat you to a meal when I have time.”

After exchanging contact information, Pei Yujiang waved goodbye to An Yaoyao and hailed a taxi to the location Mayor Xiang had specified. An Yaoyao wasn’t joining her, so they parted ways at the airport.

Seeing this, An Yaoyao smiled and waved back.

“No need, I should be thanking you instead.”

An Yaoyao wasn’t a stunning beauty, but her smile was infectious. Pei Yujiang had previously seen her in a more indifferent state, but now, with that smile softening her lips, she looked quite adorable.

Xiang City was overcast, the sky heavy with the threat of rain. Pei Yujiang didn’t have time to pull an umbrella from her luggage, so she just hauled her large suitcase into the taxi.

Mayor Xiang had arranged to meet in an office building.

The building wasn’t tall, and at the entrance, Pei Yujiang was stopped by the receptionist. Only after making a call did she learn the exact floor and proceed upstairs.

After politely announcing herself and receiving permission to enter, she finally laid eyes on the woman described in history books, one as serene as a lotus.

Mayor Xiang and Mrs. Chen were a typical Alpha-Omega couple. Mrs. Chen wasn’t particularly beautiful, nor was she the type with striking elegance at most, she had an approachable charm. Mayor Xiang, for a female Alpha, was of average height and unremarkable looks. Yet, whether it was her neat attire or her composed, gentle demeanor, everything about her exuded an immediate sense of comfort.

The woman stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at a view she must have seen a thousand times, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in her palm. When Pei Yujiang knocked and entered, Mayor Xiang turned, nodded in greeting, and personally poured her a cup of tea.

Pei Yujiang took an instant liking to this unpretentious mayor and returned the greeting before pulling out a chair and sitting down.

Mayor Xiang had allotted her two hours, so Pei Yujiang decided to cut to the chase.

But of course, she couldn’t outright reveal her reincarnation. Instead, she began by sharing her discoveries in Wing City.

At first, when Pei Yujiang mentioned she had come from Wing City, Mayor Xiang nodded without much reaction. But as she recounted the events starting from the heavy rain, bluntly pointing out the misconduct of Wing City’s leadership and then bringing up the strange corpse recently found in Wing Lake, Mayor Xiang’s expression gradually shifted.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

When she finished speaking, Mayor Xiangcheng stared intently at Pei Yujiang, her deep eyes unable to maintain their initial calm. Pei Yujiang had anticipated this question and responded more bluntly:

“If I reported these directly in Yicheng, my livestream would be banned the next day. Soon after, I’d likely ‘leave’ Yicheng for various fabricated reasons, never to return.”

Making someone disappear quietly was well within the capabilities of Yicheng’s leadership. As long as she remained in Yicheng, she fell under their jurisdiction, which was why Pei Yujiang hadn’t made a public fuss.

“As for why I came to you, aside from believing you’d help, another crucial reason is your location. Xiangcheng’s geographical position is ideal.”

Not too close yet not too far from Yicheng, but right next to the capital, this privileged location and thriving economic hub naturally elevated Mayor Xiangcheng’s status above other city leaders.

Pei Yujiang had multiple reasons for choosing her. Mayor Xiangcheng was famously upright and impartial, renowned as an exemplary leader. Since her appointment, Xiangcheng had consistently ranked among the top three happiest cities.

Under her governance, numerous welfare policies were implemented, corruption was strictly tackled, and the crime rate dropped by a remarkable 7% in three years, an outstanding achievement for a major metropolis.

Another factor was that Mayor Xiangcheng was a woman. Though primary gender distinctions were Alpha, Beta, and Omega, women generally possessed greater empathy and sensitivity. As a Beta woman, Pei Yujiang could relate to her more easily, making communication smoother.

Speaking with someone intelligent was always pleasant. Mayor Xiangcheng was sharp, she didn’t waste time asking pointless questions like “How do you know I’ll help?” Instead, she pondered carefully.

Pei Yujiang watched her expression shift rapidly. Just as the mayor hesitated to speak, Pei Yujiang dropped another bombshell.

“At Industrial Zone 892 in Xiangcheng, an unprofitable water plant was sold off and is now supposedly handling wastewater treatment. In reality, it’s conducting shady experiments under that guise. I have proof.”

“What?”

The mayor’s face paled.

When Pei Yujiang laid out the drone footage before her, she could feel the mayor trembling uncontrollably beside her. Anyone would struggle to contain their emotions upon hearing such horrifying news, Pei Yujiang understood completely.

This leader, who cherished her citizens like family, had even chosen to stand with Xiangcheng to the bitter end in Pei Yujiang’s past life. The water plant’s sale was due to negligence by subordinates, but ultimately, it reflected her own oversight as the city’s head.

Pei Yujiang also understood that Mayor Xiangcheng might blame herself for failing to detect the brewing storm. She longed to offer comfort, but propriety held her back. Instead, she silently turned her gaze toward the mayor.

Then, in the mayor’s eyes, she caught an indescribable flicker of guilt.

It was profound remorse, even stronger than her shock and fear.

Pei Yujiang also snapped back to reality in that instant. Before her suspicious gaze could land on Mayor Xiang, the mayor had already clenched her fists, composed herself, and turned around to sincerely thank Pei Yujiang.

That fleeting emotion was carefully concealed, not daring to reveal itself again in front of outsiders. Unbeknownst to her, it had already planted deep seeds of doubt in Pei Yujiang’s heart.

Why would Mayor Xiang feel guilty?

What did she have to feel guilty about? Feeling sorry for the citizens of Xiang City?

If that were all, Pei Yujiang wouldn’t think much of it. She didn’t believe someone could develop such intense emotions over something that had just happened without her knowing the full story.

This matter was intricate and involved many parties clearly not something Mayor Xiang could have prevented alone. Official historical records wouldn’t fabricate events, so Mayor Xiang must have stayed in Xiang City until the end, fighting alongside its people.

Had something unexpected happened now that she wasn’t aware of?

As Pei Yujiang’s thoughts spiraled, Mayor Xiang asked if she could join an internal meeting. Pei Yujiang wasn’t afraid of being silenced her presence here was known to Yue Rong’s higher-ups, and someone would check in with her regularly. Yet she blurted out:

“Didn’t you have plans?”

Mayor Xiang shook her head awkwardly:

“Today was supposed to be my day off. I cleared my evening to spend time with my partner.”

She didn’t elaborate, and Pei Yujiang didn’t press further. Skilled at reading microexpressions, Pei Yujiang could tell Mayor Xiang wasn’t lying. After a quick preparation, Mayor Xiang convened a brief emergency meeting before sending Pei Yujiang back to her hotel with a driver.

The rain in Xiang City grew heavier. Unable to sleep after settling in, Pei Yujiang turned on the bedside lamp and picked up a book.

Her mind buzzed with chaotic thoughts until they ached, but across the distance, an inexplicable longing surfaced memories of that Omega’s delicate features and warm breath.

What was Yu Zhiwan doing now?

Her fingers itched to call. In the past, she wouldn’t have hesitated. But with her thumb hovering over the dial button, she slowly withdrew.

Lights off, tossing and turning, she reopened the 24-hour radio station. The DJs worked in shifts now a cheerful female voice announced song requests with lyrical flair.

“2:45 AM from Xiang City, ‘Miss C’ requests ‘I Miss You.'”

“Do you have someone you miss?”

“Where are they now?”

By 3 AM, Pei Yujiang had spent 500 yuan monopolizing the station’s song requests. Drifting into sleep, the looping melodies of “I Miss You” and “Token of Love” lulled her into restless dreams.

This was a nationwide rainfall, with half of Guobang’s territory soaked in the early spring rain. In Xiangcheng, the rain pattered softly, while ripples formed on the surface of Yicheng’s Yi Lake, its dark expanse dotted with raindrops. In Ningxiang, a gentle drizzle bathed the blooming roses in the courtyard of a homestay, where a newly arrived couple, deeply in love, sat poetically amidst the sea of roses, sharing an umbrella while steeping rose tea.

Pei Yujiang returned to Yicheng three days later, taking the high-speed rail. The spring rain was too persistent, and her eagerness to return home couldn’t wait for it to stop.

When Yu Zhiwan came to pick up Pei Yujiang, she instinctively tried to help with the luggage her wheelchair had hooks for carrying items, so there was no need to carry anything by hand. But when their fingertips accidentally brushed, Pei Yujiang recoiled as if shocked.

Now, whenever she saw Yu Zhiwan, her emotions were complicated. Touching the Omega’s soft skin again sent her heart racing, an indescribable feeling flooding through her.

Pei Yujiang quietly savored this strange sensation, privately comparing it to what others called “liking.” But soon, she noticed Yu Zhiwan’s suspiciously furrowed brows those beautiful brows as the woman hesitated and asked:

“Little Pei.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you sick? The flu? A cough? Or some other contagious disease?”

Pei Yujiang: I’ve got lovesickness.

Yu Zhiwan: Can the hospital cure that? I have health insurance.

Pei Yujiang: ??? I’ve had an epiphany, how can you be so heartless?

Yu Zhiwan: I have copy-paste syndrome. (Referring to treating you the way you used to treat me.) (Smiles without another word.)

Support