Category: Captivating Beauty

  • Captivating Beauty 35p1

    Chapter 35 p1

    The grand staircase in the Xu family villa was a sweeping spiral of polished wood, the steps carpeted in the same dark brown as the hall below. It had always felt oppressive to Xu Jinnan.

    Xu Tao led the way, his footsteps heavy on the wooden stairs, and she followed, as if tracing his path.

    They reached the second floor.

    The study, like the original Xu Jinnan’s bedroom, was located at the south end of the hallway.

    Even with the lights on, the hallway felt dark and ominous.

    Xu Tao entered the study, and Xu Jinnan stood at the doorway, the door half-open, revealing a spacious room with dark bookshelves, a long table, and gleaming hardwood floors.

    A sudden chill ran down her spine, her head throbbing as if she had been struck, a wave of nausea rising in her stomach.

    “Nannan?”

    She heard Lu Yun calling from downstairs.

    Unable to respond, she covered her mouth and ran to the original Xu Jinnan’s bedroom, stumbling into the bathroom and retching violently.

    It was a terrible feeling, like a physical manifestation of a deep-seated aversion, an instinctive recoil.

    She knew it belonged to the original Xu Jinnan.

    Her heart pounded, something dark and painful being dredged up from the depths of her being. Her head throbbed, and she sat down on the floor, clutching her head, unable to speak.

    The anguish was overwhelming, suffocating. A memory flashed through her mind – a small girl huddled in the corner of a spacious room, her arms covering her head, her body trembling.

    A tall, heavyset man approached her with a whip.

    Welts rose on the little girl’s arms as she cried out, “Mommy!”

    The sound of the whip cracking, and the man’s disgusted voice, “You disgrace! How could I have spawned such a disgusting creature?!”

    After what felt like an eternity, the man left, and the door opened again.

    A woman entered and picked up the little girl, her voice flat and lifeless. “Everyone in this family suffers. I suffer too. Why shouldn’t you?” Her voice softened slightly. “If you don’t want to suffer, you have to endure. Nannan, endure it. Endure it with me…”

    “I’m the only one who loves you. You’re all I have. Promise me you’ll never leave me.”

    “Nannan!”

    The woman’s voice seemed to echo from the past.

    Xu Jinnan turned to see Lu Yun, her face etched with concern, and felt a chill run down her spine.

    “You knew…” she whispered, unable to believe a mother could say such things to a child.

    Tears welled up in her eyes, unsure if the emotion was hers or the original Xu Jinnan’s. “Why should she suffer? She’s just a child! Why should she have to endure this?! And why did you tell her to endure it?” Shouldn’t a mother have protected her child?

    Even if she had been selfish, prioritizing her own safety, why had she forced a child to bear such a burden for so many years?

    “Nannan, what’s wrong? Why are you saying these things…?” Lu Yun asked, her face paling, grabbing Xu Jinnan’s arm.

    Xu Jinnan shook her off, staggering to her feet, her voice cold. “You drove her mad. You both drove her mad.”

    She stumbled out of the room, Lu Yun reaching for her, as if afraid of losing her grasp on her daughter.

    Her grasp was already gone.

    Xu Jinnan easily pushed her away, the difference in strength between an Alpha and an Omega significant.

    She hadn’t intended to use so much force; it had been a purely instinctive reaction.

    Then, she heard Xu Tao’s roar of rage from the study, the sound of the whip cracking against the floor.

    Ignoring the throbbing pain in her scent gland, she took out her phone, opened the study door, and took a picture – Xu Tao, his face flushed with anger and alcohol, holding the whip, his eyes blazing with fury.

    “You beast! What are you doing?!” he roared, stumbling towards her, raising his hand to strike.

    The blow never landed.

    Xu Jinnan didn’t flinch. She stood her ground, grabbing his wrist and twisting it sharply. Xu Tao’s face contorted in pain. “How dare you!”

    Lu Yun froze, then collapsed onto the floor, overwhelmed by the Alpha pheromones.

    Xu Tao was an S-class Alpha, his pheromones capable of subduing Omegas and lower-level Alphas.

    But Xu Jinnan remained unaffected. She glanced at Lu Yun on the floor, then sneered at Xu Tao. “You seem to have forgotten. I’m a dysfunctional failure. I don’t react to pheromones.”

    She shoved him away and ran downstairs.

    As she reached the courtyard, her phone rang incessantly, but she didn’t bother checking who it was.

    She wondered if Xu Tao would take out his anger on Lu Yun. Should she do something?

    Then, a hand grabbed her wrist. She turned to see Lu Yun, tears streaming down her face.

    “Nannan, what’s wrong with you?!” Her voice trembled, her body still shaking from the Alpha pheromones.

    This time, Xu Jinnan didn’t push her away.

    But the memory of Lu Yun’s cold, twisted words to the original Xu Jinnan sent a chill down her spine.

    In that moment of hesitation, her hand was empty.

    Lu Yun had snatched her phone.

    “What are you doing?”

    “Nannan, you can’t do this… What’s wrong with you? You promised me you would endure…”

    The scene was absurd.

    Xu Jinnan almost laughed.

    She rubbed her throbbing temples.

    What kind of mother could witness her child’s abuse and not only fail to protect her, but also teach her to endure, allowing her to become twisted and broken?

    Xu Jinnan’s voice turned cold. “Give it back.”

    Lu Yun threw the phone into the fishpond.

    “I’m doing this for your own good! Please, Nannan, stop this! What are you trying to do?!” she pleaded.

    The two most terrifying phrases in the world: “for your own good” and “I’m begging you.”

    They made it impossible to argue, impossible to refuse.

    Xu Jinnan looked at the dark water, her voice cold. “Abusers can never be forgiven. And those who forgive them are accomplices.”

    Whatever Lu Yun’s reasons, Xu Jinnan couldn’t understand. Her sympathy for Lu Yun had vanished.

    And if Lu Yun was also a victim, she couldn’t understand why she would protect Xu Tao.

    Why force a child to endure such abuse, just for the sake of the Xu family’s fortune?

    Was it worth it?

    The original Xu Jinnan had been only four years old.

    It was madness.


    Xu Jinnan left the Xu residence, her head spinning. Zhou Pei’s car was waiting for her, as arranged.

    “Miss, Miss Shen called. She asked you to call her back,” Zhou Pei said, then added, “It sounded urgent.”

    Xu Jinnan slowly regained her composure, reaching for her phone, then remembering Lu Yun had thrown it into the pond.

    She borrowed Zhou Pei’s phone and called Shen Shu, taking a deep breath as she waited for the call to connect.

    “Hello?”

    “Zhou Pei said you were looking for me?”

    Xu Jinnan tried to steady her breathing, Shen Shu’s calm voice easing her anxiety.

    “Are you still at the Xu residence?”

    “I just left.”

    Shen Shu paused. “Can you come over?”

    “Did something happen?” Xu Jinnan asked, sensing a change in Shen Shu’s tone.

    “No, just come over.”

    “Okay.”


    Shen Shu sat on the bed, holding her phone, her worry slightly lessened. The words on the back of the photos, especially the first one, “Today is Mom’s birthday. Dad hit me. Mom was there too…” had disturbed her deeply.

    She couldn’t understand how Lu Yun, who doted on Xu Jinnan, could tolerate such abuse.

    She didn’t even dare touch the photos, afraid of somehow disturbing the wounds they represented. The images of bruises and scars were like needles pricking her heart.

    Was this the true reason for Xu Jinnan’s multiple personalities?

    Looking at the photos, the earliest ones seemed to be from kindergarten. The original Xu Jinnan hadn’t been able to hold the Polaroid camera steady, and some of the photos, showing only her arm, were blurry.

    As she grew older, she started looking directly at the camera, her eyes changing from cold indifference to a forced smile, then to a chilling madness.

    The photos were like a visual record of her life, documenting her descent into darkness.

    Shen Shu wondered if showing these photos to Xu Jinnan now would hurt her. Would reading the words on the back be too painful?

    She hesitated, unsure whether to tell Xu Jinnan.

    There was also a letter in the box, which she hadn’t opened. The photos alone were disturbing enough.

    She carefully placed the photos back in the box, each one carrying a handwritten message on the back, some in childish characters.

    Her hands trembled.


    Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.

    “What’s wrong?” Xu Jinnan asked as soon as Shen Shu opened the door.

    Shen Shu, looking at her concerned expression, froze, unable to utter the words she had prepared. “Nothing,” she lied. “Cai Ying was going to come over, but she canceled.”

    Xu Jinnan visibly relaxed, nodding and standing silently at the doorway for a few seconds.

    “Come in,” Shen Shu said.

    Xu Jinnan changed into the bunny slippers and sat down on the sofa.

    As Shen Shu handed her a glass of water, their hands brushed against each other, and she noticed Xu Jinnan’s hand was ice-cold, despite the warm August weather.

    “How was your day?” she asked.

    Xu Jinnan, looking tired, paused for a moment. “It was fine… I’m a little tired. Can I sleep in the guest room tonight?”

    Shen Shu looked at her pale face. “Are you feeling unwell?”

    Xu Jinnan looked up, forcing a smile. “I have a terrible headache.”

    She went to the guest room without even taking a shower and lay down on the bed.

    Her temples throbbed, and even lying down didn’t ease the pain. After a long time, she gave up and went back out.

    She needed a distraction.

    She grabbed a bottle of wine from the refrigerator, a pack of cigarettes from under Shen Shu’s coffee table, and went out onto the balcony, closing the sliding glass door behind her.

    A wooden bench sat on the balcony. The apartment was on the eighth floor, and she could see the city lights in the distance. After a while, she heard the soft click of the door opening and a faint light spilling onto the balcony.

    She didn’t turn around, simply extinguishing her cigarette.

    Shen Shu opened the sliding door and, in the dim light, saw two cigarette butts in the ashtray and the half-empty bottle of wine.

    She sat down beside Xu Jinnan, the faint scent of smoke and alcohol lingering in the air, and looked out at the city lights. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

    Xu Jinnan was silent for a moment. “I remembered some things today. Unpleasant things. It’s been bothering me.”

    Shen Shu paused. “About that person?”

    “Yes.”

    Shen Shu immediately thought of the photos.

    Her fingers tightened.

    Xu Jinnan wasn’t inclined to elaborate, partly because she didn’t know how to explain it. She knew these emotions belonged mostly to the original Xu Jinnan, but they were affecting her too.

    She was in a bad mood and didn’t want to burden Shen Shu.

    “Go to sleep,” she said.

    Shen Shu hesitated, then stood up, her hand resting on the cool glass of the sliding door. She paused, looking down at Xu Jinnan.

    “Xu Jinnan, do you… need a hug?”

    Xu Jinnan’s fingers froze. She looked up. The balcony and living room were dark, only a faint light coming from Shen Shu’s bedroom, so she couldn’t see her expression clearly.

    As Shen Shu opened the door, Xu Jinnan reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

    It was a hug devoid of any sexual desire.

    Just a hug.

    In this unfamiliar world, she simply needed a moment of comfort.


    Xu Jinnan woke up on the sofa, covered with Shen Shu’s blue-gray blanket.

    She heard the clinking of dishes from the kitchen and, rubbing her head, which was still heavy from the alcohol, sat up to see Shen Shu pouring milk into a glass. Hearing her movements, Shen Shu glanced over.

    “You’re awake. Go wash up and have some breakfast.”

    Xu Jinnan looked at her for a moment, the warmth of the hug still lingering.

    When she emerged from the bathroom, breakfast was laid out on the table – eggs, milk, toast, and blueberry jam. She sat down, took a sip of milk, then reached for a piece of toast, a jar of salted caramel appearing beside her hand.

    She looked over to see Shen Shu spreading blueberry jam on her own toast.

    Xu Jinnan spread some salted caramel on her toast and smiled. “Delicious.”

    “You’ll have to reimburse me,” Shen Shu said dryly.

    Xu Jinnan paused. Shen Shu rarely joked, and she nodded, her gloomy mood from yesterday lifting slightly.

    “Of course,” she replied, smiling. “I’ll reimburse you.”

    As she was leaving for work, she hesitated at the door, sensing Shen Shu had something to say.

    But Shen Shu remained silent.


    Xu Jinnan went to get a new phone and SIM card, then contacted Chen Bo on WeChat. While he was a scumbag, he was well-connected and knew all sorts of people.

    She asked him to recommend a few private investigators, and she chose one who seemed like a bit of a rogue.

    She needed to find Wang Zheng.

    Chen Bo’s recommendations weren’t necessarily trustworthy, so she couldn’t have them investigate Qucheng directly. She would have this person find Wang Zheng.

    She was almost certain now that the original Xu Jinnan had been investigating Qucheng because she knew it held secrets about Xu Tao, and perhaps the entire Xu family.

    It was their weak spot.


    It was a little past 6 p.m.

    As Xu Jinnan got into the car, Zhou Pei asked where she was going.

    Compared to the luxurious suite on the top floor of the hotel, she preferred Shen Shu’s apartment. It wasn’t about anything else; it just felt less lonely.

    But Shen Shu would likely misinterpret her intentions.

    “Back to the hotel,” she said.


    Shen Shu leaned back on the sofa, scrolling through the lively conversation in the film crew’s group chat. Just as she was about to close the app, a message popped up, tagging her.

    [@Shen Shu You’ve been photographed.]

    [Photo]

    Shen Shu recognized the jewelry store from the thumbnail. She had been looking at a display case, her back to the camera.

    It was before Xu Li and Chen Baimo had arrived.

    Ren Xiaoqi: [Wow, Shu-jie, was that a gift from your boyfriend or girlfriend?]

    The group chat fell silent, as if everyone was waiting for her answer.

    The implication was clear – she couldn’t afford such expensive jewelry without a wealthy benefactor.

    Shen Shu: [My wife.]

    A flurry of question marks followed.

    Someone said: [Xiaoqi, you’ve pushed her too far! Now she’s even claiming to be married!]

    Ren Xiaoqi: [Hahaha, just kidding!]

    Shen Shu closed the app, ignoring the messages, and went to the bedroom, turning off the living room lights. The apartment suddenly felt empty.

    She retrieved her pajamas from the wardrobe, then noticed a new dress hanging on a hanger.

    The dark green dress Xu Jinnan had bought her.

    The color was similar to the one she had worn at the banquet. We actually have similar taste, she thought.

    The pajamas she had given Xu Jinnan were also the same color as the dress Xu Jinnan had worn that night.

    She felt a pang of sadness. Was Xu Jinnan reminded of those photos when she went home last night?

    If so, what was she doing now, alone?


    In the penthouse suite, a TV commercial played in the living room. Xu Jinnan, in her bathrobe, lay on the sofa, her phone lighting up intermittently on the table.

    She was holding the copy of Tipping the Velvet she had borrowed from Shen Shu.

    Her eyes tired, she put down the book and glanced at her phone.

    She ignored the calls from Lu Yun and Xu Tao. She didn’t want to contact them anytime soon. Then, she saw the messages from Song Ronghui.

    She hadn’t touched the Song family’s investments yesterday, and compared to the previous night, Song Ronghui’s tone had returned to normal.

    Song Ronghui: [Sorry, Nan. I was a little frantic the other day. I misunderstood you.]

    Song Ronghui: [Are you in a bad mood lately? Let’s have dinner sometime.]

    While her words sounded casual, there was an underlying sense of probing.

    Xu Jinnan didn’t reply.

    It wasn’t time yet. It was only 8:20 p.m.

    The Song family wouldn’t have let their guard down completely, and their financial manager wouldn’t reveal too much information. They were likely still trying to determine if she was behind the attacks.

    Xu Jinnan’s guess was correct.


    8:30 p.m., Song family villa.

    “That manager didn’t confirm or deny anything, but I ran into Xu Li today, and from what she said, I’m almost certain it’s Xu Jinnan,” Song Weiwei said, pouring a cup of tea.

    Mr. Song frowned, taking the teacup from her. “Isn’t Xu Jinnan a spoiled brat? How could she be capable of such a thing?”

    Song Weiwei shook her head. “I don’t know.” She glanced at Song Ronghui, who was staring at her phone silently. “Ronghui, did you do something you shouldn’t have?”

    Song Ronghui looked up, startled, then smiled. “No, of course not. How could I? And Xu Jinnan isn’t capable of this. Are you sure it’s not the Xu family behind this?”

    “Impossible. Xu Tao wouldn’t bother with such small-scale attacks. If he wanted to target us, he would go after our capital chain,” Mr. Song said firmly.

    Besides, Xu Tao had no reason to do so.

    Song Ronghui was still unsure.

    She felt a growing sense of unease. Based on what she knew of Xu Jinnan, she wasn’t capable of this. But now, Xu Jinnan had Shen Shu…

    And Xu Jinnan hadn’t replied to her messages.

    “Just to be safe, should we liquidate our major holdings? What if…?” Song Weiwei suggested.

    This discussion only fueled Song Ronghui’s defiance. That useless Xu Jinnan had been beneath her before, and now they were actually afraid of her.

    “How could Xu Jinnan possibly know about our major holdings?” she asked. It was highly confidential information, known only to the family and their financial manager.

    But even as she spoke, she lacked conviction.

    Just like her mood these past few days, fluctuating between anxiety and fear.

    “She shouldn’t have known about the smaller investments either, but she still targeted them,” Song Weiwei said. “Ronghui, we have to be vigilant in business.”

    Mr. Song nodded. “Vigilance is essential.”

    He paused, checking the time. 8:35 p.m.

    “But liquidating our assets now would be too drastic. There hasn’t been any activity since yesterday…”

    Suddenly, Song Weiwei’s phone rang.

    The tension in the room thickened.

    Mr. Song put down his teacup, waiting.

    Song Weiwei listened, then abruptly stood up. “What?!”

    “What is it?” Song Ronghui asked, her heart sinking.

    Song Weiwei’s face was ashen. “Someone’s shorting our stock, pushing us to the brink of bankruptcy. Who have we offended recently? How did they know which stocks to target… Who is it?!”


     

  • Captivating Beauty 34p2

    Chapter 34 p2

    The nearby sales assistants watched nervously. None of these women were people they could afford to offend.

    Shen Shu took a deep breath. “If you two are done with your petty insults, I’d like to see that brooch,” she said, turning away.

    A sales assistant, wearing white gloves, nervously presented the brooch. “Miss, you have excellent taste. This is our most exquisite piece. There were only three made, and this is the last one. It features…”

    “I’ll take it,” Chen Baimo interrupted, tapping the glass display case. “Miss Shen, I’m sorry, but perhaps you could choose another one?”

    “Are you sure you want to do this?” Shen Shu asked.

    Xu Li stepped forward. “Are you threatening my friend? Relying on Xu Jinnan’s influence?”

    Shen Shu looked at Xu Li. She knew they were half-sisters and their relationship wasn’t close, but she hadn’t expected such open hostility.

    She suddenly remembered Xu Jinnan’s drunken words at the hotel, “Why not play with me?”

    What kind of childhood had Xu Jinnan endured, surrounded by such animosity?

    “Fine, you can have it,” Shen Shu said, walking away and glancing at the other jewelry.

    “Have it?” Xu Li scoffed.

    “Yes,” Shen Shu replied calmly. “You’re Xu Jinnan’s sister. While you clearly don’t know what respect is, I won’t stoop to your level. After all, my wife has never spoken ill of you.” She pointed at a diamond-encrusted brooch at the back of the store. “I’ll let you have this one. Let me see that one, please.” She turned to Chen Baimo. “You’re not going to try and take this one too, are you? It’s very expensive.”

    Chen Baimo glared at her. “I’ll take it!”

    Xu Li, about to stop her, paused, then looked at Shen Shu. This was clearly a provocation, but it didn’t matter. How much could this thing cost?

    “How bold,” Shen Shu said, smiling faintly. “I’ll be leaving now. Why don’t you wrap it up for Miss Chen?” The implication was clear – once she left, they wouldn’t be able to afford it.

    Her voice remained calm and composed, like a gentle breeze.

    The more composed she was, the angrier Chen Baimo became. “How much is it?! Do you think I can’t afford it?” she sneered.

    “It’s 1,326,800 yuan, Miss Chen,” the sales assistant replied immediately.

    Even Xu Li paused. While the amount wasn’t exorbitant for her, spending over a million on a whim seemed excessive. And judging by Shen Shu’s indifferent expression, it was Chen Baimo who had lost this round.

    But Chen Baimo didn’t see it that way. She couldn’t compare to Xu Li. She had assumed it would be around a hundred thousand, but even maxing out her credit cards wouldn’t cover this.

    She looked at Xu Li pleadingly.

    Xu Li, rolling her eyes, tossed a black card onto the counter. “Perfect. It’s my stepmother’s birthday today. That ungrateful Xu Jinnan probably won’t get her anything decent. Consider this my filial duty.”

    While “stepmother” wasn’t inherently derogatory, Xu Li’s tone made it sound insulting.

    And she had included Xu Jinnan in the insult.

    Shen Shu lowered her gaze, suppressing her annoyance.

    As the sales assistant processed the payment, Shen Shu walked over to the counter, smiling faintly. “My wife and I thank you for your generosity.”

    Xu Li frowned.

    Chen Baimo sensed something was wrong. “What do you mean?”

    Just then, Xu Jinnan walked in. She had been on a call with a business partner and was surprised to see Shen Shu facing off against the two women.

    As she approached, about to ask what was going on, Shen Shu linked arms with her. “Darling, your sister is so thoughtful. She just made a large purchase for us.”

    At that moment, the manager hurried in from a side door. “CEO Xu, you’re here!”

    “This store… is yours?!” Chen Baimo exclaimed.

    Xu Jinnan, snapping out of her initial surprise at being called “darling,” looked at Xu Li’s livid face and understood the situation.

    “Not entirely ours. We just… invested a little,” she said, smiling at Xu Li. “You’re so thoughtful. I’m touched.”

    Xu Li: “…”

    Besides the investment in Sacred Heart Pictures, Xu Jinnan had put most of her remaining funds into this jewelry store. It had been on the verge of closing down, and she had acquired it at a low price, renovating it and rebranding it as a high-end boutique.

    After some online promotion with the help of a few social media influencers, the store had become profitable within a few months.

    “Fine, you got me this time. I’ll remember this,” Xu Li said coldly, then turned and left, Chen Baimo hurrying after her.

    As she left, Chen Baimo glared at Shen Shu. “Don’t get too cocky!”

    Xu Jinnan gave her a look, and Chen Baimo fell silent. Even with Xu Li’s presence, she wouldn’t dare confront Xu Jinnan directly.

    After they left, Xu Jinnan turned to the manager. “You’re fired.” Hiding during a confrontation was unacceptable.

    Sensing Shen Shu tugging at her arm, Xu Jinnan held onto her hand, her voice low and serious. “Did they say anything to upset you?”

    Shen Shu looked at her and shook her head. “It’s fine. Even if they did, I got my revenge.”

    She was right.

    To Xu Li, the money was nothing, but the fact that Xu Jinnan had profited from it was more painful than death.

    “I’m sorry,” Xu Jinnan said.

    “Why?” Shen Shu asked, her gaze clear and unwavering. “Aren’t we in this together?”

    Xu Jinnan’s heart skipped a beat.

    Shen Shu smiled faintly. “Good thing you warned me. I might have actually fallen for it.” She rarely used such softening phrases.

    Xu Jinnan thought Shen Shu might not realize how endearing she sounded…


    It was past 4 p.m. when they left the mall. As soon as they drove out of the parking garage, Shen Shu received a call from the film crew, saying they needed to reshoot a scene.

    Xu Jinnan offered to drive her back to the studio. “Can you find somewhere to stop? I need to change,” Shen Shu said.

    Xu Jinnan’s first thought was, She doesn’t like the dress?

    “This isn’t appropriate for work,” Shen Shu explained. “It’s more suitable for afternoon tea or a date.”

    Xu Jinnan found a relatively secluded spot and raised the privacy divider.

    Shen Shu changed in the back seat.

    With the windows closed, the car was silent.

    Xu Jinnan tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, listening to the sound of the zipper.

    The slow, deliberate movements, pausing briefly, allowed Xu Jinnan to imagine Shen Shu struggling with the zipper at her back.

    Then, after a short pause, the zipper reached the bottom.

    Xu Jinnan’s fingers froze in midair. She exhaled slowly, a sudden warmth spreading through her.


    After dropping Shen Shu off, Xu Jinnan drove to the Xu residence.

    The overcast sky had darkened early, and as she approached the house, she was surprised to see traditional lanterns hanging by the entrance, the kind used for birthday celebrations in wealthy families.

    Lu Yun, beaming, greeted her at the door.

    “Why the lanterns?” Xu Jinnan asked.

    Lu Yun looked at her strangely. “It’s like you’ve never been here before. It’s an old Xu family tradition.”

    Xu Jinnan nodded, handing her the gift. “Happy birthday, Mom.”

    Lu Yun’s face lit up as she received the dress and matching brooch. “Nannan, the last time you gave me a gift was when you were in kindergarten. It’s been so long. I’m so happy.”

    Hearing the word “kindergarten,” Xu Jinnan was reminded of that rainy day, the image of her bloodied arm flashing through her mind.

    She felt a phantom pain.

    But she quickly composed herself.

    Xu Li had arrived earlier, but perhaps not wanting to see her, she remained upstairs.

    Xu Jinnan went to the kitchen, where Lu Yun and the servants were busy preparing dinner. Seeing the ingredients laid out on the counter, she felt a familiar itch. “Need any help?”

    Lu Yun chuckled. “What can you possibly help with?”

    One of the older servants smiled. “I remember when Miss was little, she loved to cook. She said she wanted to be a chef, a gourmet.”

    Xu Jinnan paused. The original Xu Jinnan had shared her childhood dream.

    She had also wanted to be a chef, but her family’s expectations had prevented her from pursuing such a frivolous career.

    Lu Yun’s smile faltered. “Yes, but Nannan is more suited for business, isn’t she? She’s so smart. Cooking would be a waste of her talent.”

    Xu Jinnan mumbled in agreement, her earlier enthusiasm fading.


    An hour later, as dinner was about to begin, Xu Li came downstairs and begrudgingly wished Lu Yun a happy birthday in front of Xu Tao, then tossed her gift aside and excused herself, claiming she had an important meeting.

    Neither Xu Tao nor Lu Yun reacted, as if they were used to her behavior.

    “Let’s have a toast,” Xu Tao said, his demeanor surprisingly normal. Xu Jinnan figured one glass wouldn’t hurt.

    But Xu Tao, for some reason, became increasingly cheerful as he drank, finishing a bottle of wine quickly and asking Lu Yun to open another one.

    Xu Jinnan, checking the time, was about to leave when Xu Tao stopped her.

    “Tell me about the Song family,” he said, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol.

    Xu Jinnan explained the situation, then added, “The Song family dared to target me, meaning they don’t respect the Xu family. This also affects our reputation, so I decided to retaliate.”

    Xu Tao nodded, taking another drink. “You did the right thing. Anyone who disrespects the Xu family will face our wrath! The Xu family’s reputation is paramount. Remember that until the day you die!”

    Just as Xu Jinnan was about to speak, he slammed his glass down. “Come with me to the study.”

    “What for?” Xu Jinnan asked warily.

    “Just come. Don’t ask so many questions,” he said impatiently.

    Xu Jinnan glanced at Lu Yun, whose expression seemed strained. After a moment, she said, “I’ll make some hangover soup.”

    Xu Jinnan figured that even if Xu Tao intended to do something, Lu Yun wouldn’t let him hurt her.


    At 8 p.m., after her shower, Shen Shu looked around the empty living room, the silence amplifying the sense of loneliness.

    Perhaps it was the contrast to the past two days that made it feel so quiet.

    She turned off the living room lights and returned to the bedroom.

    As she was reading in bed, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Cai Ying.

    Cai Ying: [I miss you! What are you and Xu Jinnan doing?]

    Cai Ying: [Shu Shu, I wish I could live at your place. My house is so empty without you.]

    Cai Ying: [Whining emoji]

    Reading the second message, Shen Shu felt a pang of sympathy and glanced at the empty space beside her on the bed.

    Shen Shu: [Xu Jinnan is at her family’s house. I’m alone too.]

    She stared at the message, her finger hovering over the “retract” button, but decided against it. It would seem too deliberate.

    Besides, Cai Ying believed they were a real couple.

    Cai Ying: [Why didn’t she take you with her? Or did you not want to go?]

    Shen Shu had been worried Xu Jinnan would ask her to go to the Xu residence today, like that time at the Shen family home.

    But she hadn’t said anything, partly for Cai Ying’s sake. No one in the Xu family liked Shen Shu. Dealing with Xu Li alone was difficult enough, let alone Lu Yun.

    And then there was Xu Tao, whom she hadn’t even met yet.

    Shen Shu: [I didn’t want to go.]

    She scrolled through her Moments feed and saw a financial news article about the Xu family. She clicked on it.

    It was a profile of Xu Tao and Lu Yun, describing their loving relationship, how they met, their marriage, etc.

    There were even some interview excerpts and photos of them together.

    Just as she finished reading, Cai Ying sent another message. Shen Shu returned to their chat.

    Her gaze fell on a message from Xu Jinnan from half an hour ago.

    Xu Jinnan: [Can you try these?]

    On the way home, she had thought of another possibility for the password. If it wasn’t a birthday, perhaps it was another special date.

    So, she had messaged Shen Shu: [Ask around if there are any other special dates, like school enrollment dates.]

    Xu Jinnan had sent her a few possible dates – elementary school enrollment, middle school enrollment, etc. – about five or six in total.

    Shen Shu had tried them all, but none worked.

    She stared at the box, thinking, then a few words flashed through her mind. She opened the news article again and scrolled down to the interview excerpts, finding the anniversary dates Lu Yun and Xu Tao had mentioned.

    She placed the box on her lap and tried the dates of their first meeting, their first date, etc.

    By the last one, she had lost hope. It was unlikely that Xu Jinnan’s password would be related to Xu Tao and Lu Yun.

    Especially their wedding anniversary.

    It was wishful thinking.

    Perhaps the password was something simple, not this complicated.

    But she tried it anyway. 0323. Nothing.

    She sighed, feeling a slight pang of disappointment.

    Then, she looked at the numbers again. 0323. If the “0” had been added by the reporter, perhaps it was 3230.

    After all, the password was only four digits.

    With this in mind, she could retry many of the previous combinations.

    She started with 3230.

        1.     0.

    Click

    The box opened.

    Shen Shu’s heart pounded. A sense of apprehension washed over her.

    What secrets had the original Xu Jinnan hidden inside?

    She slowly opened the box, and her breath caught in her throat as she saw the contents.

    A stack of photos…

    About twenty or so.

    Polaroid photos, each one featuring Xu Jinnan’s face, from childhood to adulthood, her body covered in red welts and purple bruises.

    Shen Shu’s hands trembled as she picked up the first photo. A childish, scrawled message on the back read: Today is Mom’s birthday. Dad hit me. Mom was there too…

  • Captivating Beauty 34p1

    Chapter 34 p1

    Clearly, Shen Shu had only recounted half of City of Thorns. Xu Jinnan asked, “Then what?”

    Shen Shu looked away from her. “You can read it yourself later.”

    “Oh.”

    Xu Jinnan placed her hands behind her head, closing her eyes. Shen Shu’s clear voice broke the silence. “Ren Xiaoqi asked for your WeChat. Should I give it to her?”

    Xu Jinnan turned her head. “Who’s Ren Xiaoqi?”

    “We had drinks together at the restaurant. She said she enjoyed our conversation and wanted to get to know you better.”

    Xu Jinnan thought for a moment, recalling the actress. She had a good memory, but she rarely remembered people or things she wasn’t interested in.

    The refusal was on the tip of her tongue, then she changed her mind. “What did you say?”

    “I said I’d send her your WeChat.” Whether or not Xu Jinnan accepted the request was up to her.

    Shen Shu paused. “Do you want to?”

    “…How generous of you,” Xu Jinnan replied dryly.

    Shen Shu glanced at her.

    Their eyes met, the moment lingering briefly, or perhaps not at all.

    Shen Shu looked away first. “If not, I’ll tell her you’re not interested.”

    “Just decline all such requests in the future,” Xu Jinnan said.

    She reminded Shen Shu that their marriage was a secret, and once Shen Shu became more famous, combined with Xu Jinnan’s own notoriety, it could cause trouble online.

    Tong Jia had warned her about this.

    It made sense.

    Shen Shu closed her book. “I should be the one hiding it?” she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.

    Xu Jinnan’s tone softened. “I mean, when Xia Chun asked if we were friends, you didn’t say anything.” She assumed Shen Shu didn’t want their relationship to be public knowledge yet.

    “Neither did you,” Shen Shu retorted.

    She hadn’t been sure if Xu Jinnan wanted her to acknowledge their relationship, so she had waited. And when Xia Chun invited them to join them for dinner, Xu Jinnan hadn’t said anything either.

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    She chuckled. “Those were your colleagues. Why would I be afraid to acknowledge our relationship?”

    Shen Shu was at a loss for words.

    They hadn’t been close then; how could she have known what Xu Jinnan was thinking?

    And vice versa.

    “Forget it,” Shen Shu said, as if arguing with a child.

    There was no anger or resentment in her voice, only a desire to end the conversation.

    But Xu Jinnan was sensitive to such nuances. When a woman said “forget it,” it meant she was slightly bothered.

    There was no point in arguing.

    She watched as Shen Shu placed her book on the bedside table, clearly not intending to read or continue the conversation.

    “Perhaps I misunderstood,” Xu Jinnan said. “Just so you know, I don’t mind what you say or do. I’ll follow your lead regarding our marriage. Whatever makes you happy.”

    Shen Shu’s fingers tightened around the blanket. Xu Jinnan’s words were sincere, especially the last part, “Whatever makes you happy,” something she had heard countless times now.

    She thought back to Xu Jinnan’s earlier comment, so serious, and she almost smiled.

    A warmth spread through her chest. She realized she didn’t dislike Xu Jinnan at all.

    This person was rather endearing sometimes.

    “I don’t mind either,” she replied softly, then slipped under the blanket, turning her back to Xu Jinnan. “Turn off the lights when you go to sleep.”

    She pulled the blanket up to her chin, the faint, sunny scent of Xu Jinnan’s pheromones comforting and clean.

    Xu Jinnan looked at her slender back and smiled faintly.

    She sat up and picked up the book Shen Shu had left on the table, glancing at the title.

    It wasn’t City of Thorns.

    The cover read, Tipping the Velvet.

    The original English version.

    So, Shen Shu had been subtly mocking her. But what was the joke?

    Curious, Xu Jinnan lay down and flipped through the pages, then found herself drawn into the story.

    She had eclectic reading tastes, but she was also discerning.

    She didn’t mind explicit content in novels; desire, both physical and emotional, was a fundamental human experience.

    An instinct, a need.

    She experienced it too, her body reacting to certain suggestive scenes.

    Like now.

    The effect of the written word could be twice as powerful as audio, the space for imagination limitless.

    “…she breathed against my ear, ‘Do you like it?’”

    “…The question, so gentle, so brave, almost made me cry…”

    Xu Jinnan felt a sudden sting in her scent gland.

    She put down the book and touched the tingling skin. She hadn’t had any reaction while sleeping on the floor these past few nights. She was suddenly wary.

    Fortunately, the sensation wasn’t intense and quickly subsided.

    Twenty minutes later, hearing Shen Shu shift on the bed, Xu Jinnan got up and turned off the lights.

    Touching her scent gland, she wondered if Shen Shu experienced similar reactions while reading such scenes.

    Probably not.

    An aloof goddess wouldn’t be affected by such things.


    The next morning, Shen Shu woke up before Xu Jinnan, preparing a simple breakfast of boiled eggs, warm milk, toast, and blueberry jam.

    Cai Ying, looking at the breakfast on the table, said to Xu Jinnan, who had just emerged from the guest room, “Xu Jinnan, your wife’s best friend is begging you to make me something edible for breakfast.” Since returning to China and rediscovering the joys of youtiao, xiaohuntun, tofu soup, and baozi, she had lost her taste for milk and toast.

    “What do you mean, ‘inedible’?” Shen Shu asked, sitting down opposite Cai Ying with a faint smile.

    Cai Ying, intimidated by the smile, immediately backtracked. “It’s edible, it’s edible! Shu Shu’s breakfast is delicious!” she chirped, taking a bite of toast.

    Xu Jinnan sat down beside Shen Shu. “You’re easily intimidated, aren’t you?”

    Cai Ying glared at her, but Xu Jinnan simply raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of milk. “Delicious. Perfect temperature.”

    Cai Ying wanted to bite into her toast as if it were Xu Jinnan’s head.

    “Alright, eat your breakfast,” Shen Shu said, pushing the blueberry jam towards Xu Jinnan. “I talked to your father. He agreed to find you a more… visually appealing tutor.”

    Before Cai Ying could celebrate, Shen Shu continued, “But you have to pass your English exam first.”

    Cai Ying: “…”

    She was doomed. She hadn’t studied at all, and as Xu Jinnan had pointed out, she didn’t even know the basics.

    She looked at Xu Jinnan pleadingly.

    Xu Jinnan wasn’t fond of blueberry jam, but she opened the jar and spread a small amount on her toast. “You have half a month. Better start studying.”

    “I can’t focus with that tutor… Hey, Jinnan-jie,” Cai Ying said.

    A chill ran down Xu Jinnan’s spine. “…?”

    “You’re more than qualified to tutor me. I’d much rather study with you than that tutor.”

    You’d much rather stare at me, you mean.

    Xu Jinnan wiped her mouth, her voice calm. “Don’t even think about it.”

    Cai Ying: “…”

    Shen Shu, listening to their banter, smiled faintly. Their lively conversation brightened the gloomy morning.

    Cai Ying received a call from her father; her car was waiting downstairs.

    After she left, Xu Jinnan lowered her voice. “It’s my mother’s birthday today. I have to go to the Xu residence.”

    “Okay.”

    Xu Jinnan hesitated. “I want to buy her a gift. Any suggestions?” She wasn’t good at choosing gifts for elders, and her previous attempts had always missed the mark. Perhaps subconsciously, she felt a sense of empathy for Lu Yun, suspecting she might have experienced similar hardships as the original Xu Jinnan, so she wanted to show her kindness.

    She had been thinking about the gift all night, but Lu Yun seemed to have everything.

    Shen Shu looked at her, then asked, “When are you going shopping?”

    “This afternoon,” Xu Jinnan replied.

    She had a meeting in the morning, and the Song family matter to attend to.

    “I’m free this afternoon. I can go with you.”

    Xu Jinnan was slightly surprised, then smiled. “I’ll pick you up after my meeting.”

    “Okay.”

    The word “pick you up” sent a strange thrill through Shen Shu.

    She wondered if Xu Jinnan used such words casually, or if she understood their implications and used them deliberately.


    They went downstairs together, Shen Shu to the supermarket, and Xu Jinnan to her office.

    At the curb, Xu Jinnan turned to Shen Shu. “Want a ride?”

    Shen Shu glanced at the nearby supermarket. “No, it’s just up ahead.”

    “Oh, I’ve never been to this supermarket,” Xu Jinnan explained.

    “Okay, I’ll go then.”

    As Xu Jinnan got into the car, she saw Shen Shu bend down to brush something off her pants. Her white T-shirt rode up slightly, revealing a sliver of her pale waist.

    Xu Jinnan quickly looked away and got into the car.

    “Miss, Song Ronghui called this morning,” Zhou Pei said.

    “What did she want?”

    “She asked when you would be at the office and said your phone was off.” Zhou Pei continued, “I told her you weren’t coming in today. I was worried she would contact Miss Shen.”

    Xu Jinnan paused. Zhou Pei’s words were a reminder.

    She turned on her phone and saw several messages, mostly from Song Ronghui.

    Song Ronghui: [Nan, is there some misunderstanding between our families and the Xu family?]

    Song Ronghui: [If you see this, can you ask around? Someone’s targeting our investments, and it’s a former financial manager of the Xu family.]

    Song Ronghui: [Xu Jinnan, was this you?]

    Those were the messages from before 1 a.m. Song Ronghui had still been relatively calm then.

    The later messages were more frantic.

    Song Ronghui: [Why are you doing this? Xu Jinnan, after all these years of friendship, this is how you treat me?]

    Song Ronghui: [Was it you or not?! What’s with turning off your phone?]

    Song Ronghui: [Just tell me what you want! What is this about? What did I ever do to you? At least let me know before I die! Was it you or not?!]

    As she had predicted, even if Song Ronghui suspected her involvement, she wouldn’t admit to the incident at the banquet so readily.

    After all, Xu Jinnan didn’t have any concrete evidence yet.

    It wasn’t time yet. This was just the beginning.

    “Call her back and tell her it’s my mother’s birthday today, and I’m at the Xu residence. I’m not seeing anyone,” Xu Jinnan instructed Zhou Pei. That way, Song Ronghui wouldn’t bother Shen Shu.

    “Certainly.”

    Even Mr. Song wouldn’t dare contact the Xu family directly, let alone Song Ronghui.

    And this excuse would allay Song Ronghui’s suspicions. The original Xu Jinnan always visited her mother on her birthday and didn’t see anyone else, even turning off her phone in advance.

    The author had likely included this detail to portray the original’s love and respect for her mother, but Xu Jinnan had always found it odd.


    A meeting with a business partner ran late.

    By the time they arrived at the mall, it was almost 2 p.m. Xu Jinnan hadn’t had lunch, so she took Shen Shu to get a burger first.

    “It’s almost 2 p.m.,” Shen Shu commented, looking at the burger on her plate.

    “The meeting ran late. I didn’t want to keep you waiting,” Xu Jinnan replied, handing her an ice cream cone. “Here.”

    It was a gloomy day, perfect ice cream weather.

    Shen Shu took the cone and ate it slowly, the tip melting on her tongue.

    Xu Jinnan swallowed her burger, her tongue tingling slightly. “Is it good?” she asked casually.

    “It’s fine.”

    Xu Jinnan wiped her mouth, took a sip of cola, and leaned back. “Vanilla,” she commented.

    Shen Shu paused, looking out the window, thinking, She’s being suggestive again.

    Xu Jinnan thought Shen Shu’s earlobes looked a little pinker now. Then, she realized how that sounded.

    It could be easily misinterpreted – she was practically saying Shen Shu’s pheromones were delicious.

    In the ABO world, commenting on an Omega’s pheromones was akin to complimenting their sexual prowess. It was a very direct, and rather suggestive, remark.

    Xu Jinnan touched her forehead. She hadn’t meant it that way.

    As Shen Shu stood up, still holding her half-eaten ice cream cone, the napkin slipped from her hand, and the melting ice cream smeared across her white T-shirt.

    They both froze. Xu Jinnan chuckled and handed her a napkin.

    After wiping the stain, which was still visible on her shirt and jeans, Shen Shu sighed.

    “I guess I should buy you a new one.”

    “…”

    Shen Shu said it would be fine once it dried, but Xu Jinnan insisted, leaving to find a store.

    When she returned, the stain had faded after being dried, but it was still slightly visible.

    She handed Shen Shu a dark green dress, the hem falling just below her knees, accentuating her calves.

    As they walked through the mall, several people turned to look at them.

    Both Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu were head-turners, their styles distinct yet complementary.

    One, casual and carefree, with delicate features and a playful smile.

    The other, aloof and elegant, her beauty striking, but her expression always cool and composed.

    The combination was unexpectedly harmonious.

    “Wow, they’re gorgeous!”

    “Which one is the Alpha?”

    “I’ve seen the one in green before. Wasn’t she trending online? The qipao beauty…?”

    “I think so.” Someone took out their phone and searched, comparing the photo to the women walking past. “Holy shit, it’s them!!!”

    “I didn’t take a picture! Where did they go?”


    “If you think the dress is too plain, we can find a brooch to go with it,” Shen Shu said, pointing towards a high-end boutique. “That store has more age-appropriate options for your mother.”

    Xu Jinnan agreed. A dress alone felt insufficient, and she wanted Lu Yun to like the gift.

    While she had a good eye for fashion, she wasn’t sure what would suit Lu Yun’s age, so Shen Shu helped her choose a dark blue dress.

    They went to a jewelry store.

    While Xu Jinnan was in the restroom, Shen Shu browsed the brooches.

    “Well, well, if it isn’t CEO Shen,” a heavily made-up woman said, approaching her. “Or should I say, Extra Shen? Or the Beautiful Assassin?”

    Shen Shu had met Chen Baimo before, at Cai Ying’s birthday party. She was part of the wealthy socialite circle.

    They weren’t close. Shen Shu had defended Cai Ying when they had a disagreement, and Chen Baimo had made a few snide remarks since then.

    Shen Shu usually ignored her.

    She did so again now, turning away to look at a brooch. The more you engaged with such people, the more they persisted.

    “Let me see this one,” she said to the sales assistant.

    Chen Baimo walked closer. “Shen Jun said you’ve been kicked out of the Shen family. Does your minor role even pay enough for jewelry?”

    Shen Shu ignored her.

    “Oh, I almost forgot, you married that slut Xu Jinnan. With your looks, you must be making a decent living, right?”

    “Are you done?” Shen Shu asked, her voice cold. “You’re truly idle, aren’t you? Gossiping all day.”

    Chen Baimo’s face hardened. Before she could retort, another voice echoed through the store. “Well, well, if it isn’t my little sister’s wife.”

    Xu Li entered, her heels clicking against the floor.

    “Li-li, your family is bullying me! Aren’t you going to defend me?” Chen Baimo clung to Xu Li’s arm.

    Xu Li pushed her away, her eyes flashing with warning. “My family? The Xu family has no shame, but not that much.”

    Chen Baimo, knowing Xu Li disliked being touched, stood close to her instead, forcing a smile. “Right, I saw those photos online. I was shocked. I thought Miss Shen had become a prostitute.”

     

  • Captivating Beauty 33p3

    Chapter 33 p3

    It was dinner time on set.

    The food wasn’t very appetizing, and with the hot weather, Shen Shu usually brought her own lunch or fruit.

    She was surprised to receive a message from Cai Ying, saying she was waiting outside the studio.

    Xu Jinnan, who usually drove a gray Maybach, was in a white Bentley, which stood out against the drab backdrop of the studio.

    As Shen Shu opened the back door, Cai Ying said, “The food is in the front.”

    As Shen Shu got into the passenger seat, Cai Ying winked at Xu Jinnan, as if saying, See? I’m being helpful. You should be too.

    Xu Jinnan chuckled. If Cai Ying knew their marriage was just a sham, she wondered what her reaction would be.

    “What are you two doing here?” Shen Shu asked.

    Xu Jinnan handed her a thermal food container. “Sweet and sour pork ribs. You said you wanted some.”

    “…I didn’t,” Shen Shu replied.

    Xu Jinnan paused, and they exchanged a look, then both turned to Cai Ying in the back seat, who quickly opened the car door. “I’ll be back in a bit,” she said, getting out.

    With the door closed, the noise of the studio faded away.

    The sweet and sour pork ribs, with their rich sauce, weren’t ideal before filming, and Shen Shu had intended to save them for later, but Xu Jinnan had already opened the container.

    The aroma filled the car.

    Shen Shu hesitated, then took the container.

    “How was filming today?” Xu Jinnan asked casually.

    “Fine,” Shen Shu replied, picking up her chopsticks. “Did you two have a fight?”

    Xu Jinnan: “…I’m not a child. Why would I fight with her?”

    Shen Shu nodded, not saying anything more.

    She was wearing a black and white qipao with lace trim, her movements elegant as she ate, her lipstick a rare bright red.

    Xu Jinnan looked away, letting her eat in peace.


    Outside, unable to enter the studio, Cai Ying decided to give them some space and wandered over to the side entrance, which was less crowded.

    Dressed in a long, flowing dress, the mixed-race Omega easily attracted attention.

    Feeling the heat, she turned around and bumped into someone.

    “Careful,” a voice said.

    Cai Ying looked up. The woman was half a head taller than her, with alluring fox-like eyes and a striking beauty. She stammered, “Sorry… miss… ma’am.”

    Han Wenling smiled. “It’s fine.”

    Cai Ying blushed under her direct gaze, instinctively touching her hair. “Goodbye,” she mumbled, turning to leave.

    “Miss Han, what are you looking at?” Xia Chun’s assistant asked, approaching from the side entrance.

    Han Wenling looked away from Cai Ying’s retreating figure, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “An interesting young lady,” she replied.


    She soon found Xia Chun backstage, her mood somber.

    Han Wenling took the cigarette Xia Chun offered her, glancing at the cigarette butts in the ashtray. “Wow, you seem down. Did I come at a bad time?”

    “Don’t tease me, Ms. Han,” Xia Chun replied.

    Her relationship with Han Wenling wasn’t complicated. They had met during Xia Chun’s overseas studies.

    They had been in a murder mystery game together, Han Wenling the defendant, and Xia Chun the murderer. Xia Chun had won.

    After that, Han Wenling had often sought her out, and they had become acquainted, but they weren’t friends.

    Neither of them considered the other a friend, sometimes even acting like strangers in public, but perhaps that was why they were able to speak so freely.

    Han Wenling had once said they were the same kind of person – selfish, self-centered, and only caring about themselves.

    Xia Chun hadn’t agreed at the time, but now, she felt it was true.

    “So, how’s the filming? Having fun?” Han Wenling asked.

    “It’s not what I expected. Everything has changed,” Xia Chun replied.

    “Just another woman. It’s just feelings. You’ll forget her once you find someone new,” Han Wenling said casually.

    Xia Chun smiled faintly. “She was there for me during my most difficult time, but I left her when she needed me most.”

    “Ah, guilt.”

    Xia Chun shook her head. “No, I never stopped loving her. If she was happy, I could let go. But it’s Xu Jinnan.”

    Han Wenling extinguished her cigarette. “You’re becoming sentimental. Women are just playthings. It’s no fun when you get attached.”

    “Ms. Han,” Xia Chun said, “be careful what you wish for. Karma’s a bitch.”

    Han Wenling shrugged.

    “I’d like to see that happen.”


    Shen Shu’s filming ended at 6 p.m. Xu Jinnan and Cai Ying left first, and on the way, Xu Jinnan received a call from Lu Yun.

    She knew tomorrow was Lu Yun’s birthday.

    She agreed to whatever Lu Yun wanted.

    Emotionally, she didn’t want to return to that house.

    It always made her feel uneasy.


    Shen Shu arrived home at 8 p.m. Cai Ying was in her room, attending her online class, and Xu Jinnan was sitting on the sofa, working on her laptop.

    As Shen Shu changed her shoes at the entrance, she heard Cai Ying ask, “Xu Jinnan, what does MTD mean?”

    “Multimodal Transport Document,” Xu Jinnan replied casually.

    “Impressive.”

    “You don’t even know basic trade terms, and you’re taking an exam?”

    “…Shu Shu, your wife is bullying me!”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    She closed her laptop and looked at Shen Shu. “Are you hungry?”

    Shen Shu shook her head. “I’m tired. I’m going to take a shower.”

    Xu Jinnan nodded, then went to the bedroom and sat on the armchair.

    After Shen Shu’s shower, she heard Xu Jinnan say on the phone, “Begin.”

    Shen Shu checked the time. 8:30 p.m. in North City. The US stock market was about to open.

    Xu Jinnan was making her move against the Song family.


    At the Song family villa, a glass shattered on the floor. “What the hell is going on?! It’s been an hour, and we still don’t know who’s targeting us?!” the elderly Mr. Song roared.

    “Dad, calm down. They’re investigating,” his eldest daughter, Song Weiwei, said, her own face pale.

    They had already lost millions in the past hour, and they still didn’t know who was behind it.

    “We found them! It’s someone from the Xu family, or rather, someone connected to them, a former financial manager.”

    Mr. Song sat back down. “The Xu family? That’s impossible. I just had lunch with Xu Tao today.” He quickly regained his composure.

    “Should I call and ask?” Song Weiwei suggested.

    “No,” Mr. Song said firmly. “If he’s not involved, we’ll offend him for no reason.” He paused, then asked, “Where’s Song Ronghui?”


    Song Ronghui lay with her eyes closed, her head resting on Yin Xue’s lap. “I really can’t come tomorrow.”

    “Fine.”

    Song Ronghui knew that tone; Yin Xue was angry. She sat up and caressed Yin Xue’s face. “This isn’t my house. I can’t just come and go as I please. And the Special Ward is under strict surveillance. We have to be careful.”

    “I know. Any news from Xu Jinnan?”

    “Nothing. She can’t trace it back to me. What could happen?”

    “When are you going to investigate again? You didn’t find anything last time,” Yin Xue asked.

    Song Ronghui frowned slightly. “The banquet incident just happened. Don’t you care about my safety? Is Xu Jinnan all you think about?”

    Yin Xue paused, her lips curving downwards. “Why are you so upset?”

    Song Ronghui sat on the edge of the bed, her heel bumping against the metal frame, worsening her mood.

    Every time she came here, all Yin Xue talked about was Xu Jinnan.

    “I’m just a tool to you!” she exclaimed, lighting a cigarette.

    Yin Xue, seeing her mood, didn’t argue, falling silent.

    Just then, Song Ronghui’s phone rang.

    Yin Xue watched as her expression changed, then she abruptly stood up. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

    “What is it?”

    “I have to go.”

    Yin Xue walked her to the door, wanting to hug her, but Song Ronghui didn’t respond, her mind elsewhere.

    Her family hadn’t explained the reason for her sudden departure, but she had a bad feeling.

    On the way back, Song Weiwei explained the situation. Hearing that the Xu family was behind it, Song Ronghui’s unease intensified.

    Had Xu Jinnan found out something?

    Had Xu Li betrayed her? Impossible. She had leverage against Xu Li; she wouldn’t risk exposure for this.

    Confused, she opened her phone and saw Xu Jinnan’s message in the group chat.

    Chen Bo and Han Fu were exchanging vulgar messages.

    Xu Jinnan: [I’m a decent person.]

    Chen Bo: [Hahaha, good one. vomits]

    Han Fu: [Hahaha, good one. vomits]

    Song Ronghui took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words, and sent Xu Jinnan a private message: [Nan, when are we having dinner?]

    She waited, but received no reply.

    Xu Jinnan had sent a sticker in the group chat, but her private message was like a stone thrown into a deep well, disappearing without a trace.


    Xu Jinnan turned off her phone, closed her laptop, rubbed her eyes, and said, “That’s enough for today.”

    Shen Shu turned a page in her book, her voice calm. “She’ll definitely contact you tomorrow.”

    “Whether she contacts me or not is her business. Whether I meet her or not is mine.”

    Song Ronghui would have a difficult night, but this was just the beginning.

    Shen Shu looked at the book in her hand, lost in thought. Xu Jinnan’s remote manipulation of the stock market had been impressive, and she was reminded of Song Ronghui’s words by the fire exit, about testing Xu Jinnan.

    Perhaps it wasn’t just a test of her identity, but also a test of the differences between the past and present Xu Jinnan.

    The current Xu Jinnan was undeniably impressive.

    A truly remarkable person.

    Then, her thoughts returned to Yin Xue. Yin Xue knew Xu Jinnan was an Omega, yet she still wanted to test her. What had aroused her suspicion?

    The scent? Or, like Shen Shu, a gut feeling?

    “What are you reading?” Xu Jinnan asked.

    Shen Shu hesitated. “City of Thorns,” she replied.

    “Never heard of it. What’s it about?”

    Xu Jinnan lay down on the floor, turning on her side. The blanket was half a meter away from the bed, so she could see Shen Shu’s face.

    Shen Shu, as if anticipating the question, calmly recounted the plot. “…In a bleak and desolate life, a stranger enters the parched heart of Maud. His name is Rivers. But no one knows his true identity. He’s a… thief.” She paused after the last word, the silence deliberate.

    Xu Jinnan looked at her, puzzled. “?”

    Although she wasn’t sure why, she felt like she was being subtly insulted.

  • Captivating Beauty 33p2

    Chapter 33 p2

    “You wouldn’t believe how disgusting she was when she cheated! The most ridiculous excuse I’ve ever heard! She said she thought I was more… experienced because I’m mixed-race and have lived abroad, so she pursued me, but I wasn’t worth the effort! Can you believe that?!” Cai Ying slammed her glass down on the counter. “I saw her at the hotel the other day, and I was so angry I wanted to slap her!”

    Xu Jinnan frowned. “Trash.”

    Cai Ying’s eyes welled up. “I know, right?! How could I have been so blind? How could I have liked such trash?” She lowered her head.

    At least, despite her heartbreak, she was still decisive.

    Xu Jinnan retrieved a container of ice cream from the refrigerator and walked over to the sofa, intending to comfort her.

    Cai Ying looked up, her eyes blazing with anger. “All Alphas are scum!”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    She put down the ice cream and sat down a few steps away. “That’s a bit of an overgeneralization, don’t you think?”

    “Shu Shu went to therapy because of an Alpha. There are barely any decent Alphas out there.”

    Xu Jinnan paused, remembering the therapy appointment slip she had seen in Shen Shu’s drawer. “What happened?” she asked.

    Cai Ying looked surprised. “You don’t know? I thought you did.”

    She refused to elaborate. “Shu Shu didn’t tell you, so I can’t. Just know that she really hates Alphas. Otherwise, why would she accept you?”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    Because I’m an Omega, obviously.

    She felt a strange mix of emotions. She knew about Shen Shu’s aversion to Alphas, but not the details.

    “She’s not seeing a therapist anymore, is she?” Xu Jinnan asked. “I haven’t seen her go.”

    “No, but it still affects her,” Cai Ying replied.

    The fact that Cai Ying, Shen Shu’s closest friend, didn’t know about her ongoing therapy meant the incident had deeply impacted her.

    Xu Jinnan fell silent.

    She didn’t want to lie to Shen Shu, but what if Shen Shu couldn’t accept the truth? Their relationship might become strained again.

    She didn’t want that.

    In this ABO world, she had no friends. Shen Shu, in a way, was her starting point.

    She was special.

    Lost in thought, she was brought back by Cai Ying’s words.

    “It’s not just that, though. You seem like a decent person, and Shu Shu has been through a lot. Just treat her well, okay…?” Cai Ying looked up, her usual arrogance replaced by a childlike vulnerability, her love for cute things evident.

    “I will,” Xu Jinnan replied, her voice firm.

    Cai Ying smiled. “It’s just a shame Shu Shu’s orgasms are probably underwhelming.”

    “Why?” Xu Jinnan asked, genuinely curious.

    “Because you can’t mark her. Omegas feel the best when they’re marked!”

    “…”

    After a few seconds of silence, Xu Jinnan stood up. “Do you even know what marking is?”

    “Of course! I’ve been in relationships before. While I haven’t done it myself, I’ve read about it,” Cai Ying retorted.

    “…Let’s talk about something else,” Xu Jinnan said.

    Cai Ying, assuming she was also an Omega, was speaking freely, treating her like a close friend.

    “Like what?”

    “I heard you failed your exam and your allowance is being cut.”

    “…”


    It was almost noon when Xu Jinnan placed a plate of sweet and sour pork ribs on the table. Cai Ying took a picture and sent it to Shen Shu, the glistening sauce on the ribs making them look incredibly appetizing.

    “Xu Jinnan, you’re amazing!” Cai Ying exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

    Xu Jinnan, pleased, asked, “Did Shen Shu reply?”

    “No. Oh, right, you haven’t answered my question yet,” Cai Ying said. “How can I convince my dad to find me a good-looking tutor? He’s afraid I’ll be distracted and won’t focus on my studies. But he doesn’t understand that beauty is my motivation!”

    “Simple. Find someone your father trusts to recommend a tutor,” Xu Jinnan replied.

    Cai Ying’s eyes lit up. “That makes sense! But who… Shu Shu! But she’s on my dad’s side now. Can you talk to her for me?”

    “What am I supposed to say? You know why they won’t find you a beautiful tutor.” Cai Ying was sentimental, but she was also easily infatuated. Her parents were probably afraid she would fall in love with her tutor.

    “I don’t care. You’re her wife. She’ll at least listen to you a little. Just put in a good word for me. I’ll even say nice things about you to her.”

    Xu Jinnan chuckled. “As if I need your help.”

    Cai Ying rolled her eyes. “Fine, forget it,” she muttered, sending Shen Shu a message.

    Xu Jinnan, seeing her expression, suspected she was badmouthing her. “Alright, I’ll think about it.”

    Cai Ying’s face immediately brightened.

    The apartment finally quieted down.

    Xu Jinnan poured herself a glass of water. Cai Ying’s chatter had made her thirsty. She wasn’t sure if she regretted staying, but her ears were ringing.

    As she sat at the counter, waiting for the shrimp to thaw, Cai Ying played on her phone on the sofa.

    “I just thought of something,” she said suddenly.

    “What?” Xu Jinnan asked.

    “Between you and Shu Shu, who’s the top?”

    Xu Jinnan almost choked on her water, coughing and turning pink.

    She looked up, a smile playing on her lips. “What do you think?”

    Her gaze was slightly dangerous, as if warning Cai Ying to choose her words carefully.

    Cai Ying hesitated. “You.”

    “Good.”


    Shen Shu, returning from a scene with Xia Chun, checked her phone.

    Cai Ying: [Your wife is so domesticated.]

    Cai Ying: [Photo]

    Cai Ying retracted a message.

    Cai Ying: [Between you and Xu Jinnan, who’s the top?]

    Cai Ying: [I think it’s you.]

    Shen Shu: “…”

    She immediately opened her chat with Xu Jinnan.

    Shen Shu: [Stop teaching her those things.]

    A few seconds later:

    Xu Jinnan: [?]

    Just as Shen Shu closed her phone, she saw Ren Xiaoqi approaching. “Shu-jie, there’s a new Japanese restaurant on Lan Street. A few of us are going tonight. Want to join us?”

    “Sorry, I have plans,” Shen Shu replied.

    “Oh, that’s too bad. We’ll go another time,” Ren Xiaoqi said. “Next time, you can bring your friend, that Miss Xu. I think we would get along.”

    Shen Shu paused. “She’s been busy lately.”

    Ren Xiaoqi moved closer, smiling. “It’s fine. Why don’t you give me her WeChat?”

    Shen Shu understood her intentions. She didn’t mind, but she had to ask Xu Jinnan first.

    “I have your WeChat. I’ll send it to her later.”

    Ren Xiaoqi wasn’t convinced. Who knew if she would actually do it, or if she was just making an excuse?

    Her tone cooled slightly, and after a few polite remarks, she left.

    Shen Shu put her phone away and was about to take a sip of water when she saw Xia Chun approaching.

    Xia Chun sat down beside her, holding a script, and the surrounding people’s attention immediately shifted to them.

    “With the script in hand, they won’t gossip,” Xia Chun said, opening the script.

    “What do you want?” Shen Shu asked.

    “I heard about the incident at the banquet from Han Wenling. Are you alright? Were you hurt?”

    “No.”

    Shen Shu put down her water bottle and picked up her own script. “Thank you for your concern, Xia Chun. If you want to discuss the script, I’m happy to. If it’s anything else, there’s no need.”

    “Can you at least stop calling me ‘Xia Chun’ in private?”

    Xia Chun knew this wasn’t the right time or place. “We can talk about that later. Ah Shu, leave Xu Jinnan. She’ll hurt you,” she said, changing the subject.

    Shen Shu’s expression turned cold. “You’re the last person who has the right to say that.”

    Xia Chun flinched. She hadn’t known that the day she left for her overseas studies was the day Shen Shu’s grandmother passed away.

    Shen Shu hadn’t tried to stop her. Later, while abroad, Xia Chun had been cast in a Hollywood movie.

    She hadn’t had much time to contact Shen Shu.

    She had continued her studies, planning to explain how busy she had been when she returned after the first phase of her program.

    She had thought that as long as she came back, everything would be alright.

    But then, the movie had made her a star.

    She had signed with an agency, and her contract included a no-dating clause.

    Her public image was that of a single woman.

    Every time she was asked about relationships in interviews, she felt a pang of guilt.

    Even then, she had thought she could explain everything to Shen Shu.

    During a break in filming, she had returned to find Shen Shu, only to learn that Shen Shu had almost been assaulted by an Alpha a few days earlier.

    She didn’t know the details, but Shen Shu, upon seeing her, had reacted the same way she did to all Alphas, recoiling from her touch.

    She had wanted to hold Shen Shu, but Shen Shu had rejected her.

    In the years since, she would often dream of that afternoon, Shen Shu sitting by the window, watching an interview where Xia Chun declared she was single.

    Shen Shu had calmly said, “It’s over.”

    Xia Chun had offered to explain, but Shen Shu had asked, “Do you think I need an explanation now?”

    She didn’t.

    She didn’t need Xia Chun anymore.

    When Xia Chun returned after the second phase of her program, Shen Shu had changed completely. To her surprise, she had abandoned her acting dreams and joined the Shen family business, becoming cold and distant, the light gone from her eyes.

    Later, while filming abroad, she had heard about Shen Shu’s marriage to Xu Jinnan.

    She hadn’t believed it and had contacted Han Wenling, only to learn that Shen Shu had been forced into it.

    She had hurt Shen Shu, leaving her when she needed her most.

    And she was always one step too late.

    “I’m sorry,” she whispered, the only words she could manage.

    She stared at the script in her hand, covered in highlighted notes, now mocking reminders of her choices.

    Had her career truly been more important than Shen Shu?

    “It’s too late,” Shen Shu said, standing up and taking a deep breath, her voice flat. “Xia Chun, I’ve moved on. You should too.”

    It was over.

    It had been over a long time ago.

    She had read a quote once: The moment someone leaves you, they must have thought, at some point, that they would be better off without you. That moment is unforgivable.

    The clicking of her heels echoed through the hallway as Xia Chun walked away, her heart heavy.

    She reached the backstage area and collapsed onto a chair, deflated.

    “A cigarette,” she said.

    Her assistant handed her one. “Chun-jie, Miss Han just called. She said she’s on her way.”

    Xia Chun lit the cigarette, the flame flickering in her eyes. “I see.”

  • Captivating Beauty 33p1

    Chapter 33 p1

    “Who are those for then?” Cai Ying asked, pulling Shen Shu back onto the bed and giving her a suggestive grin. “Hee hee, didn’t expect things to progress so quickly between you two. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought you were putting on a show for me.”

    Shen Shu: “…”

    She playfully slapped Cai Ying’s hand. “Go wash up and get some sleep. I have an early shoot tomorrow.”

    Cai Ying, about to continue teasing, nodded, then suddenly sat up. “Oh, right, weren’t you both at the Han family banquet yesterday? What happened?”

    Shen Shu paused. “Where did you hear that?”

    “My dad mentioned it. Something about someone being drugged. Is that true? Who would do such a thing? Don’t tell me it’s one of Xu Jinnan’s shady friends!” Cai Ying’s words tumbled out, her mind immediately jumping to the incidents at the hospital and the Emperor Hotel.

    While her opinion of Xu Jinnan had improved, she still found those “friends” repulsive.

    Shen Shu sometimes thought Cai Ying had a sixth sense.

    Xu Jinnan had asked the Han family to keep the banquet incident quiet. The fact that Cai Ying’s father, unaware of the details, had only heard rumors meant the news hadn’t spread.

    Xu Jinnan was truly thoughtful, taking care of these things without her knowledge.

    “Don’t worry about it,” Shen Shu said, bringing Cai Ying back to the topic at hand. “Your father said if you fail your oral exam, he’s cutting your allowance in half. I can’t help you then.”

    Cai Ying: “…Evil.”


    After Cai Ying went to take a shower, Shen Shu returned to the bedroom.

    The Omega from yesterday had been drugged with an aphrodisiac on top of already being in heat. It turned out Han Hui and his Omega girlfriend had been experimenting. He had even sealed the room to prevent the pheromones from escaping.

    On the surface, it seemed unrelated to the Han family.

    So far, only Song Ronghui and Yin Xue had been directly involved, but she and Xu Jinnan agreed that there was more to it, and the waiter who had lured them to the room was still missing.

    “It’s fine. We have an advantage,” Xu Jinnan said, smiling faintly.

    If Shen Shu hadn’t overheard Song Ronghui’s phone call, they wouldn’t have uncovered the truth about the banquet incident so quickly, or the depth of her connection to Yin Xue.

    Shen Shu looked at her, noticing the smile on her face. “You mentioned the Song family’s overseas funds. If you want to target their investments, you’ll need to strike swiftly and decisively. That won’t be cheap.”

    “I’m not planning to wipe them out completely,” Xu Jinnan replied. “Their major holdings are the last resort. Their leveraged futures aren’t all in one basket. I’ll start small and gradually chip away at them. Don’t worry.”

    This was just the beginning. She wouldn’t risk everything against the Song family. Her target wasn’t the family itself, but Song Ronghui.

    However, even these small losses would be enough to hurt the Song family.

    Shen Shu picked up her glass of water. “The boiling frog approach?”

    Xu Jinnan leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “You’re so smart,” she said, her voice full of admiration.

    Shen Shu paused, then took a sip of water, her voice calm. “It’s a gift.”

    Xu Jinnan chuckled.

    After seeing Song Ronghui at the restaurant, she had investigated her thoroughly. Song Ronghui maintained a clean image, appearing to be the most respectable of their circle, for a specific reason – her position within the Song family.

    Her mother had passed away, and her father, the patriarch, held all the power. Her older sister was highly competent, leaving Song Ronghui with only minor projects.

    Her expenses were covered by a regular allowance from the family, but she was extravagant, often using next month’s allowance to pay off this month’s debts.

    The Song family had strict rules, and any misstep from Song Ronghui would result in financial sanctions from her father.

    So, she didn’t dare to cross any lines.

    “I want her to experience what you went through,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice hardening. “Trapped in a room, filled with uncertainty and fear, not knowing what awaits you, the anxiety and despair…”

    Shen Shu looked at her, her gaze intense.

    Xu Jinnan had already returned to her phone, her light brown hair pulled back neatly. Black suited her; it had accentuated her pale skin last night.

    Shen Shu’s gaze lingered on her leg. “You need to change the bandage after showering.”

    Xu Jinnan heard the subtle command in her voice and looked up. Shen Shu had already turned away and returned moments later with the first-aid kit.

    Shen Shu placed the kit on the floor beside her. “I’ll do it myself,” Xu Jinnan said.

    Shen Shu looked at her. “Of course you will.”

    Xu Jinnan: “…Right.”

    Cai Ying, freshly showered, knocked on the door and called out, “Good night!”

    Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu exchanged a look.

    “She’s quite a character,” Xu Jinnan commented.

    “Don’t forget your promise,” Shen Shu said.

    “What promise?”

    Xu Jinnan remembered her promise not to get involved with anyone close to Shen Shu.

    “I’m not interested in children,” she said, exasperated.

    She had used the term “jiejie” (older sister) to express her exasperation, but Shen Shu simply looked at her silently.

    Perhaps Shen Shu didn’t like being called “jiejie”? It didn’t seem like her. Although she was a year older than Xu Jinnan, she wasn’t the type to be petty about such things.

    “Good girl,” Shen Shu said softly.

    “?”

    Did she just call me a “good girl”?

    Xu Jinnan’s expression turned complex. She wanted to explain that she hadn’t meant it literally, hadn’t intended to address Shen Shu as her older sister.

    But Shen Shu had already turned away, taking her pajamas and leaving the room.

    Xu Jinnan clicked her tongue, her phone vibrating several times. She checked the screen.

    A message from the “Fishing Nightclub” group chat.

    Chen Bo: [@Xu Jinnan Nan-jie, what happened last night? I asked Han Hui, and he told me to ask you.]

    Chen Bo: [He said you almost slept with his woman. Is that true?]

    Han Fu: [@Xu Jinnan Holy shit! Really? Then I missed out! I should have gone too!]

    Chen Bo: [@Xu Jinnan Nan-jie, can you sense my burning curiosity?]

    Han Fu: [@Chen Bo Get lost. You’re only horny.]

    Chen Bo: [Slap.jpg]

    Song Ronghui: [@Xu Jinnan Are you okay, Nan?]

    Song Ronghui retracted a message.

    Xu Jinnan smiled faintly, watching as Song Ronghui sent another message. [I was there too last night. I didn’t see anything. Tell us what happened! @Xu Jinnan]

    The retracted message had already given her away.

    Song Ronghui’s feigned concern was suspicious, just like Chen Bo and Han Fu’s reactions. Perhaps she had realized her mistake and retracted the message.

    Xu Jinnan closed the group chat, ignoring the messages.


    Song Ronghui, lost in thought, felt someone take the cigarette from her hand. She looked up, her vision slightly blurry from the smoke.

    Yin Xue sat on her lap, the striped prison uniform slipping off her shoulder, revealing a glimpse of her skin. She leaned back against Song Ronghui, glancing at her phone. “What did you retract?”

    “I said the wrong thing. I asked her if she was okay,” Song Ronghui replied.

    Yin Xue shrugged. “Why are you so nervous? Xu Jinnan isn’t the type to be glued to her phone.”

    Song Ronghui chuckled. “I know. A guilty conscience, I guess.”

    She hadn’t been involved in the incident at all. Xu Li had arranged everything, including the waiter. Unless Xu Jinnan confronted Xu Li, there was no way she would be exposed. And Xu Li hated Xu Jinnan too much to show any weakness.

    Besides, Song Ronghui had leverage against Xu Li.

    Something that would guarantee her silence.

    Meaning Xu Jinnan would never find out about her involvement.

    “It’s true, though,” Song Ronghui said, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Xu Jinnan is too stupid to figure it out.”

    “Don’t call her stupid.”

    Song Ronghui’s smile faltered. Yin Xue’s words, almost reflexive, were laced with protectiveness towards Xu Jinnan.

    Song Ronghui’s expression turned cold. She loosened her grip on Yin Xue. “Sorry, I insulted your beloved.”

    Yin Xue, sensing the shift in her tone, looked up at Song Ronghui’s clenched jaw.

    “What? I wasn’t finished,” she said with a smile.

    Song Ronghui looked down at her. “What were you going to say?”

    Yin Xue tapped her finger against her temple. “She’s not stupid. She’s… mentally unstable.”

    Song Ronghui knew she was just saying that to appease her.

    But the fact that Yin Xue was making an effort eased her annoyance. Yin Xue knew exactly how to manipulate her. She wrapped her arms around Song Ronghui’s neck, and Song Ronghui’s breath hitched. She sighed. “I can’t visit you so often anymore. While I have connections here, frequent visits, especially long ones, will arouse suspicion.” She took a drag from Yin Xue’s cigarette.

    Yin Xue, looking annoyed, gave her the cigarette, then wrapped both arms around her neck. “What am I supposed to do without you? Everything was fine before. Do you have another woman?”

    Song Ronghui, unable to resist her, said wryly, “If I had another woman, would I be risking so much to come here?”

    “That’s more like it…” Yin Xue murmured.

    Only the sound of their breathing filled the small room.


    Back at Shen Shu’s apartment, as soon as the bedroom door was closed, Xu Jinnan laid out her blanket on the floor.

    Shen Shu handed her a pillow, looking at the cold, hard tiles and the thin blanket. “Are you sure you don’t want to sleep on the bed?”

    “No, no, it’s fine,” Xu Jinnan replied.

    Shen Shu: “…”

    She suspected last night’s events were worse than she remembered.

    “Give me the blanket,” she said, rolling up the duvet from the bed and placing it on the floor. “Use this as a mattress.”

    Xu Jinnan was about to refuse, but Shen Shu had already taken the blanket.

    “…What’s going on? She’s being unusually kind,” Xu Jinnan thought.

    She didn’t say anything more, retrieving the locked box from the wardrobe. She hadn’t touched it since their relationship had become strained.

    Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she opened her phone, which displayed a list of possible passwords.

    The box wasn’t made of any special material, but after examining it closely, she found the manufacturer and discovered it was a custom-made, tamper-proof box.

    There was no limit to the number of password attempts, but any attempt to force it open would trigger an alarm.

    For Xu Jinnan, opening this box wasn’t just about satisfying her curiosity; it was about understanding the original Xu Jinnan.

    She had shaken it before; the contents seemed small and light.

    Perhaps a USB drive, or a diary.

    She tried each password on her list, then, after the last attempt failed, muttered, “Stupid thing.”

    Shen Shu paused her reading. “Did you try your parents’ birthdays, both Gregorian and lunar?”

    “Yes,” Xu Jinnan replied. “Even yours. 1121. Nothing.”

    Shen Shu: “…”

    Xu Jinnan stared at the box. Mentioning her parents had brought Xu Tao’s face to mind, and she felt a surge of that familiar unease. She had felt it before, when she had tried his birthday as a password.

    It was similar to the feeling she had experienced in the hidden room, looking at those photos.

    As if any connection between the box and Xu Tao triggered a deep-seated aversion within her, a remnant of the original Xu Jinnan’s emotions.


    At 9:30 p.m., Xu Jinnan rubbed her neck, preparing to lie down.

    “Do you have any plans for tomorrow evening?” Shen Shu suddenly asked from the bed.

    Xu Jinnan paused, turning to her. “Why? What’s up?”

    “Nothing much. Cai Ying isn’t going home tomorrow either. If it’s inconvenient, I’ll find an excuse,” Shen Shu said.

    “It’s not inconvenient,” Xu Jinnan replied quickly. “I’ll be alone at the hotel anyway. Why isn’t she going home?”

    Shen Shu hesitated. “She saw her ex-girlfriend at her family’s hotel the other day.”

    “No wonder…” Xu Jinnan said.

    Shen Shu had mentioned Cai Ying’s difficult breakup. Seeing her ex again would understandably upset anyone.

    “I’m free tomorrow. I can stay and keep her company if she’s here,” Xu Jinnan offered, then paused, remembering Shen Shu’s earlier words. “But if you’re not comfortable with it, it’s fine.”

    Cai Ying was beautiful, but not her type, and her energetic personality wasn’t a good match for Xu Jinnan.

    Shen Shu, strangely, detected a hint of disappointment in her voice.

    She cleared her throat. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

    She hadn’t been entirely sincere. If Xu Jinnan had truly intended to do something, she wouldn’t have saved Cai Ying at the Emperor Hotel.

    “It’s no trouble,” Xu Jinnan replied.

    ..

  • Captivating Beauty 32

    Chapter 32

    Before Shen Shu could reply, Cai Ying emerged from the bathroom and, seeing them standing so close together, gave them a knowing look.

    “Well, well,” she said, a teasing glint in her eyes.

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    She glanced at the guest room, a compromise coming to mind. She casually picked up her glass, went to the kitchen island, filled it with water, and said, “Since you’re here, why don’t you two share the bedroom tonight? I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

    “Are you serious?” Cai Ying asked, grabbing Shen Shu’s arm. “Don’t worry, I’m not that clueless.”

    “…” Her sincerity was undeniable.

    She genuinely wanted to sleep in the guest room.

    Shen Shu looked at Xu Jinnan, sensing something odd in her tone. She vaguely remembered Xu Jinnan helping her to bed and giving her medication last night, after which she had lost consciousness.

    Then, Xu Jinnan had gone to take a shower. After that, she only remembered feeling incredibly hot and uncomfortable, unable to move, her body burning… She had woken up this morning feeling weak.

    But looking at Xu Jinnan, she suspected something else had happened during that lost period of time.


    It was a little past 5 p.m.

    Cai Ying, pampered since childhood, had never cooked a meal in her life. She sat at the kitchen counter, playing on her phone, watching Shen Shu and Xu Jinnan.

    The summer sun cast long shadows, a few faint rays of orange light illuminating the white countertop. Shen Shu was washing vegetables, and Xu Jinnan was chopping carrots.

    Cai Ying opened her camera and took a picture.

    Looking at Xu Jinnan’s skillful movements and precise knife work, she asked, “Xu Jinnan, are you secretly a commoner?”

    Xu Jinnan didn’t look up, her chopping rhythm steady. “What do you mean?”

    “Your knife skills are almost as good as my family chef’s.”

    Xu Jinnan had considered this question herself when she first cooked here.

    She had grown up in the lap of luxury, pampered by Lu Yun, her delicate hands earning her the nickname “Jade Fingers.”

    She exuded an air of wealth and privilege.

    Yet, her cooking was incredibly proficient, like someone who cooked regularly, not at all like a pampered heiress.

    Shen Shu glanced at her.

    Xu Jinnan paused. “What’s so surprising? I’m just talented.”

    Cai Ying rolled her eyes, turning to Shen Shu. “She’s so shameless.”

    Shen Shu observed Xu Jinnan’s reaction. Instead of getting angry, she simply smiled, seemingly accepting the joke.

    Shen Shu continued washing the vegetables, the rhythmic chopping sounds and Cai Ying’s occasional jokes and gossip filling the air.

    She found this casual atmosphere strangely comforting.

    A strand of hair fell into her face, and she tried to tuck it behind her ear with her wet hand, but it kept falling back.

    She was about to ask Cai Ying for a hairpin when Xu Jinnan stopped chopping, reached over, and tucked the strand behind her ear, then gave her the hairpin from her own hair.

    Shen Shu paused, but Xu Jinnan had already resumed chopping, as if nothing had happened.

    Cai Ying’s gaze darted between them, then she turned away, a scowl on her face. “Disgusting lovebirds!” she muttered, walking away.

    Xu Jinnan looked up, puzzled. “?”

    What’s wrong with giving her a hairpin?

    She looked at Shen Shu, whose expression remained unchanged. “Her last breakup wasn’t very pleasant. She can’t handle displays of affection.”

    It was understandable, considering a recent heartbreak.

    “When did they break up?” Xu Jinnan asked casually.

    “Last year.”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    “She’s sentimental.”

    “…Right.”

    After Shen Shu finished washing the vegetables, Xu Jinnan said, “Go keep her company. I can handle this myself.”

    Shen Shu watched as Xu Jinnan placed the chopped carrots on a plate, then went to clean the shrimp.

    Her movements were smooth and efficient as she peeled and deveined the shrimp.

    Shen Shu looked away, going to the living room to talk to Cai Ying. Then, she changed the bedsheets in the guest room, then her own bedroom.

    As she pulled back the covers, she felt something soft beneath her hand.

    She picked it up. It was a nipple cover, the kind worn under a dress.

    Shen Shu: “…?”

    Her eyelashes fluttered, and the image of a sweaty Alpha body flashed through her mind. She looked down at her hand.

    Last night… wasn’t a dream?


    Half an hour later, four dishes were on the table – salt and pepper shrimp, fish-fragrant pork, stir-fried vegetables, and a mixed vegetable soup.

    Despite Shen Shu’s earlier reassurance, Cai Ying hadn’t expected much. But after taking a bite of the fish-fragrant pork, she was surprised.

    “I can’t believe how good this is,” she said, taking another shrimp.

    Cai Ying, to her credit, was always honest.

    Xu Jinnan smiled faintly, glancing at Shen Shu. “Is it alright?”

    The shrimp, freshly bought by Shen Shu, were tender and succulent, and Xu Jinnan’s seasoning was perfect.

    Shen Shu nodded. “It’s good.”

    After dinner, Shen Shu took the dishes to the sink.

    Xu Jinnan followed her. “Find an excuse to tell her you two are sharing the bedroom tonight. I’ll sleep in the guest room,” she said again.

    Shen Shu hesitated.

    “Not tonight.”

    “…?”

    Shen Shu glanced at Cai Ying, who was playing on her phone in the living room. “I need to talk to you.”

    Xu Jinnan: “?”

    Here we go again.

    She was starting to dread these “talks” and “questions.” They were never good news.

    She remembered last night… Shen Shu clearly didn’t remember what had happened after she fainted. Shen Shu was sensitive; offering to sleep in the guest room a third time would seem deliberate.

    Shen Shu might think she was avoiding her.

    Fine, I’ll sleep on the floor.


    Cai Ying, after playing on her phone for a while, groaned dramatically. “Help! I just got rid of one, and my dad found me another tutor. I don’t want to study! Why do I, a Chinese person, have to learn Russian?!”

    “Your father wants what’s best for you. Your family’s business dealings require communication in foreign languages,” Shen Shu said, retrieving a container of ice cream from the refrigerator and handing it to Cai Ying. “Learning Russian will be beneficial when you take over the company.”

    “But I don’t want to take over. I want to write novels! I want to be a writer!”

    Xu Jinnan, scrolling through a report Zhou Pei had sent her, chuckled. “Be careful. A lot of writers starve to death.” It was a joke she had heard before.

    “Starving to death is better than online classes,” Cai Ying retorted, taking a scoop of ice cream. “Besides, I’m not as smart as you. It’s too difficult, and these tutors are so boring, and they’re not even good-looking.” She turned to Xu Jinnan. “You understand, right?”

    Xu Jinnan, caught off guard: “?”

    “A beautiful teacher or an ordinary teacher. Which would you choose?”

    “Beautiful,” Xu Jinnan replied without hesitation.

    “See?!” Cai Ying exclaimed, as if she had found a kindred spirit. “Do you have any experience in this area? How can I convince my dad to find me a beautiful tutor?”

    “With that attitude,” Shen Shu said, a hint of exasperation in her voice, “no wonder your father is worried about you. And even a beautiful teacher might not make the lessons interesting.”

    Cai Ying shook her head, her light-colored eyes sparkling. “As long as she’s beautiful, even a dictionary would be exciting.”

    Shen Shu: “…”

    “Xu Jinnan, do you agree?”

    Shen Shu suddenly looked at her, and Xu Jinnan met her gaze. “I… guess so.”

    Xu Jinnan decided it was best to leave them alone. She realized Shen Shu treated Cai Ying more like a younger sister than a friend, often taking on the role of a guiding older sister.

    It was best to stay out of their way when they were having a “sisterly” moment.

    She wasn’t good with children; she might corrupt them.

    She took a quick shower and changed out of the pink dress, relieved to find her black T-shirt from yesterday had dried.

    She returned to Shen Shu’s bedroom and sat on the armchair by the window.

    The sound of their conversation and laughter drifted in from the living room.

    She checked her phone. Song Ronghui had indeed visited the Rongcheng Special Ward last night, the results not surprising.

    But before proceeding with her plan, she had to consider another possibility – Yin Xue definitely had something on the original Xu Jinnan. She might do something drastic after this.

    That was why she had let Yin Xue go the first time, at the hospital.

    The second time, at the Emperor Hotel, she had been prepared for Yin Xue to reveal her secrets, but for some reason, she hadn’t.

    This third time, Yin Xue had only Song Ronghui left to manipulate. If Song Ronghui fell, Yin Xue, with nothing left to lose, might become unpredictable.

    If it wasn’t for Yin Xue’s relentless attacks, Xu Jinnan wouldn’t have resorted to such drastic measures. Yin Xue’s feelings for the original Xu Jinnan were genuine, and their relationship, however twisted, had been a form of equilibrium.

    But pity didn’t negate her malice.

    Xu Jinnan knew she couldn’t avoid this, or remain indifferent, like before.

    She was Xu Jinnan now, indistinguishable from the original in the eyes of others.

    Showing weakness would only encourage further attacks.


    It was almost 8 p.m. when Cai Ying, groaning dramatically, went to the guest room.

    Xu Jinnan had just learned that Cai Ying had online classes. She watched as Shen Shu entered the bedroom and closed the door.

    Shen Shu hesitated, then walked over to her, lowering her gaze.

    “What’s wrong?” Xu Jinnan asked, looking up.

    “Last night… I was delirious. Did I do something?”

    “No,” Xu Jinnan replied, rubbing her fingertips. “You slept very well.”

    Shen Shu looked at her, searching her eyes. “Really?”

    Xu Jinnan couldn’t maintain eye contact, her gaze flickering.

    She wasn’t sure if Shen Shu remembered anything. “Why do you ask? Feeling guilty?” she asked playfully.

    Shen Shu didn’t reply. She still wasn’t sure if Xu Jinnan was an Alpha or an Omega, but based on her fragmented memories from last night, she had been the one… taking advantage of Xu Jinnan.

    The thought was absurd.

    She wanted to facepalm.

    Seeing her serious expression, Xu Jinnan couldn’t help but smile. She stood up, coughing slightly. “…Don’t worry about it. It was just a hug.”

    Shen Shu: “…”

    As Xu Jinnan stood up, her height advantage became apparent.

    Shen Shu instinctively wanted to step back, but then stopped, meeting Xu Jinnan’s gaze.

    “Who hugged whom?”

    Had Shen Shu forgotten her initial question? Or did she want Xu Jinnan to spell it out? Was she actually feeling guilty?

    Xu Jinnan suddenly found her endearing. She lowered her head slightly. “If I had hugged you, would I admit it?”

    Shen Shu: “…”

    “Shu Shu! Pencil!” Cai Ying suddenly burst through the door. From her perspective, it looked like Xu Jinnan was about to kiss Shen Shu.

    “Ugh, disgusting lovebirds!” she exclaimed, slamming the door shut.

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    Shen Shu: “…”

    Shen Shu bit her lip.

    Xu Jinnan’s gaze lingered on her lips, their shape full and alluring, the color like a red rose blooming in water.

    Her scent gland tingled.

    Sensing their proximity, Xu Jinnan straightened up, not wanting to lie to Shen Shu, and afraid of further questions. “It was nothing. You were burning up and almost rolled off the bed, so I pulled you back.” That was the gist of it.

    “Then why was this in my bed?” Shen Shu asked, holding up the small, pink object.

    Xu Jinnan stared at it. “…” So that’s where it had gone. It must have fallen onto the bed when she carried Shen Shu back.

    How could she explain this?

    Tell her she had been touching her, removing her clothes?

    She didn’t want Shen Shu to see that side of her.

    “I don’t know. Maybe it fell out when you were changing,” she said casually, looking away and checking her phone. “What are you thinking? You’re so proper. You wouldn’t do anything to me.”

    Shen Shu looked at her for a moment, then dropped the subject, placing the object on Xu Jinnan’s lap and leaving to get Cai Ying her pencil.

    She seemed to have believed her.


    Back in the living room, Cai Ying was watching an online English lesson, dramatically covering her eyes as Shen Shu entered. “Oops, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Didn’t expect you two to start so early.”

    Shen Shu: “…Do you still want the pencil?”

    “Yes, yes,” Cai Ying said, taking the pencil and opening another link on her tablet.

    Shen Shu sat with Cai Ying for a while. As the only child in the Cai family, Cai Ying carried high expectations, but she was still young and easily distracted.

    Her main interests seemed to be reading and writing novels.

    Shen Shu had glanced at the novel Cai Ying was reading the other day. The title, Transmigrated as the Scumbag Alpha in a Contract Marriage with the Female Protagonist, didn’t sound serious.

    And the page she had seen had made her think it was an erotic novel.

    Cai Ying had explained the plot, saying the top was an Omega and the bottom was an Alpha, and this kind of Omega-dominant relationship was popular. They were even adapting it into a drama.

    “Shu Shu?”

    Shen Shu snapped out of her thoughts and answered Cai Ying’s question, then took a deep breath. For some reason, thinking about the “popular” dynamic Cai Ying had described, even though the situation in the novel was completely different from her own, had conjured a rather suggestive image in her mind.

    She knew Xu Jinnan hadn’t told her the whole truth.

    And she could guess what had actually happened.

    She sighed, feeling a strange sense of guilt, as if she had taken advantage of Xu Jinnan, who had then spent the night taking care of her… Morally, she couldn’t treat her too badly.


    Twenty minutes later, after Cai Ying’s online class ended, she lay down on the bed and saw a payment confirmation on Shen Shu’s phone. “What did you buy?”

    “Pajamas.”

    “Oh, let me see.”

    Cai Ying looked at the black dress on the screen. “That’s pretty. I like the color.”

    Shen Shu turned off her phone. “It’s not for me.”

  • Captivating Beauty 31p2

    Chapter 31 p2

    Xu Jinnan felt like Shen Shu’s attitude had softened, almost returning to how it had been before, perhaps even warmer.

    “I’ll have Zhou Pei drive you today,” she said.

    “Okay.”

    Shen Shu didn’t refuse.

    As Xu Jinnan stood up, Shen Shu noticed the black T-shirt she was wearing. “Didn’t you change out of that yesterday morning?” She had intended to wash the clothes in the laundry basket last night.

    “It’s comfortable,” Xu Jinnan replied casually.

    It was the truth. She had been sweating so much last night, and the dresses in the wardrobe weren’t made of cotton. They would have been far more uncomfortable than a slightly dirty T-shirt.

    Shen Shu: “…”

    If anyone knew, they would think this was some kind of role reversal.

    The pampered heiress of the Xu family, wearing clothes from the laundry basket.

    How absurd.

    “You didn’t disinfect your leg?” Shen Shu asked, looking at the dried blood smeared on her pale skin.

    “Oh, I forgot. Do you want to take a shower?” Xu Jinnan asked.

    Seeing Shen Shu’s surprised expression, she realized how that sounded, like an invitation. “I mean, you go first,” she clarified.

    Shen Shu, looking at her disheveled appearance, said, “You go first.”

    Xu Jinnan didn’t argue, retrieving a relatively comfortable dress from the wardrobe. “You can sleep here for a while. I have another dress you can wear,” Shen Shu offered.

    Xu Jinnan paused. “Alone?”

    “…Who else would be here?”

    Xu Jinnan tilted her head slightly. Was Shen Shu’s willingness to leave her alone in her apartment a sign of trust?

    She was exhausted, having barely slept for two or three hours last night, waking up several times to check on Lu Yun.

    She opened the wardrobe and picked up a pink dress, her expression flickering. “…This one?”

    It was a light pink dress with a large picture of a bunny on the front.

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    “Yes, Cai Ying bought it,” Shen Shu said, trying to suppress a smile. “You can wear it.”

    She remembered Xu Jinnan’s expression when she had given her the bunny slippers.

    Xu Jinnan seemed to have a complex relationship with cute things.

    Xu Jinnan did have a complex relationship with cute things. She liked them, especially cute animals, but wearing them herself was a different story.

    She couldn’t shower directly with her leg injury, so she had to detach the showerhead.

    After a quick yet complicated shower, she put on the pink dress and looked at herself in the mirror.

    “…I look so Omega,” she thought.


    When Shen Shu emerged from the bathroom, she saw Xu Jinnan by the sofa, her light brown hair half-dry, her body slightly bent as she disinfected her leg, the light pink dress against her pale skin giving her a surprisingly… innocent look.

    Xu Jinnan and innocence. The combination was strange.

    Shen Shu saw the bottle of alcohol and the trash can by her feet.

    “There are cotton swabs in the bathroom,” she said.

    “This is faster,” Xu Jinnan replied.

    Shen Shu sat down on a nearby armchair without commenting.

    Xu Jinnan sniffed the air. They had used the same shower gel, but the scent on Shen Shu was much more pleasant, the milky fragrance carrying a hint of sweetness.

    “By the way, I wanted to ask you something,” Xu Jinnan said, finishing with her leg and noticing a spot of blood she hadn’t cleaned properly. She grabbed a cotton swab. “I’m planning to start with Song Ronghui regarding yesterday’s incident. Any thoughts?”

    “What are your plans?”

    “Teach her a lesson.”

    Zhou Pei had informed her that Song Ronghui had visited Yin Xue last night. Combined with what Shen Shu had overheard, Song Ronghui was the first confirmed participant in the scheme.

    “She played dirty, so I’ll play dirty too,” Xu Jinnan said, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “The real power in the Song family lies with the patriarch. The rest are useless, so he hired a financial manager to handle their assets. I know everything about their investments and holdings.”

    Meaning she had the Song family’s trump card.

    Now, it was just a matter of how she wanted to play it.

    Shen Shu was slightly surprised. Obtaining such detailed information wasn’t something that could be done overnight.

    “You were already planning to go after her?”

    “No,” Xu Jinnan replied, her tone returning to normal. “If it wasn’t for yesterday’s incident, I wouldn’t do this.”

    She had started investigating the major families in North City after discovering the Xu family’s problems.

    The novel had mentioned that these families, while maintaining a cordial facade, were not on good terms with the Xu family.

    Based on the ending she knew, the Xu family’s downfall was inevitable. In the business world, profit reigned supreme, and when the time came, everyone would be eager to take advantage of their weakness.

    Coincidentally, she had come across a financial analysis of these families on Zhihu, and after having Zhou Pei investigate, it had turned out to be accurate.

    “The Song family has been established in North City for many years. They’re not easy targets,” Shen Shu cautioned.

    But I can take them down.

    Thinking about yesterday’s events, especially last night, Xu Jinnan’s anger flared.

    “I know, don’t worry,” she said to Shen Shu, then winked. “If the incident with Yin Xue didn’t teach them a lesson, then this time, I’ll make sure they understand.”

    “If you don’t have any objections, I’ll proceed with my plan.” Her tone was still slightly questioning.

    Shen Shu, still upset about yesterday, wasn’t focused on that. Seeing Xu Jinnan about to leave her leg unattended after applying alcohol, she said, “I don’t have any objections.”

    “Good. Then don’t worry about this. Just focus on what you want to do,” Xu Jinnan said.

    She had said similar things before.

    Her tone was always indulgent, as if she would allow Shen Shu anything, as long as it made her happy.

    Shen Shu hadn’t taken it seriously before, but now, she felt like Xu Jinnan truly meant it.

    It made her feel strangely pampered.

    “Why are you so good to me?” she asked.

    Xu Jinnan paused. “Aren’t we partners? And friends? Isn’t it normal to be nice to you?” It was partly true.

    Shen Shu was silent for a moment, watching as Xu Jinnan was about to pour alcohol onto her foot. She took the bottle from her. “You’re not supposed to apply it directly. It won’t disinfect the wound properly.” She grabbed a cotton swab and looked up. “Lift your foot.”

    Xu Jinnan: “…?”

    She placed her foot on the sofa, and Shen Shu carefully cleaned the wound with the cotton swab, then applied a bandage.

    She glanced at Xu Jinnan’s other leg and handed her another bandage. “Do it yourself.”

    “Okay.”


    As soon as Shen Shu left, Xu Jinnan took the blanket to the guest room and finally got some proper sleep.

    She woke up at noon, made some egg noodles, and then dozed off on the sofa again.

    She heard the sound of the door opening around 3 p.m. and Cai Ying and Shen Shu talking at the entrance.

    “Although Xu Jinnan is an Omega, I don’t think she’s good enough for you. But she doesn’t seem as bad as the rumors say, and she saved me. You said she’s been good to you too, so I’ll try to accept her. But I’m not a big fan of Omega-Omega relationships…”

    Then, Cai Ying’s eyes met Xu Jinnan’s.

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    Cai Ying: “…”

    Shen Shu: “…I forgot to mention, she’s… home.”

    She hesitated slightly on the last word, as if uncomfortable with the idea of Xu Jinnan being “home.”

    It wasn’t surprising. Cai Ying had asked about her return time and had then shown up unexpectedly.

    Cai Ying looked at Xu Jinnan’s clothes, her eyes widening. “That dress…”

    Xu Jinnan shifted uncomfortably, sensing a mixture of shock and amusement in Cai Ying’s gaze.

    “You really are an Omega. How cute.”

    Xu Jinnan: “…???” What the fuck?


    After Cai Ying went to the bathroom, Shen Shu leaned in close to Xu Jinnan. “She was there when I saw your report.”

    “…It’s fine,” Xu Jinnan replied.

    Shen Shu didn’t ask about her identity again, but Xu Jinnan made a mental note to explain it properly later.

    Shen Shu coughed. “She doesn’t know about our agreement.”

    “Okay, I understand,” Xu Jinnan said.

    She understood. Cai Ying was young and fiercely loyal to Shen Shu, but she was also impulsive and outspoken. If she knew about their agreement, she might accidentally reveal it.

    “And…” Shen Shu hesitated. “She’s staying here tonight.”

    “…”

    “So, I’m sleeping on the floor again,” Xu Jinnan said flatly.

  • Captivating Beauty 31p1

    Chapter 31 p1

    Xu Jinnan quickly pulled up her dress, the zipper stuck halfway, leaving her back exposed. She didn’t have time to fix it, her attention drawn to the overwhelming scent of vanilla emanating from the bedroom.

    Her pulse pounded, her scent gland throbbing.

    It was the instinctive reaction of an Alpha to a potent Omega scent.

    She gritted her teeth and pushed open the door. The Omega on the bed, eyes closed, her brow furrowed in pain, had shifted to the edge, the blanket tangled around her legs and trailing onto the floor.

    She was still wearing her dark green dress, her exposed skin flushed with fever.

    Her body trembled, as if in pain.

    “Shen Shu?”

    Xu Jinnan stopped a few steps away, her worry battling with the intoxicating effect of the Omega’s pheromones.

    She pinched herself hard.

    After calling out Shen Shu’s name again and receiving no response, only seeing her expression contort in pain, Xu Jinnan clenched her jaw.

    She forced herself to stay alert. Professor Qin had said that some Omegas could experience a relapse even after taking suppressants.

    In such cases, a second dose was necessary.

    She retrieved another suppressant from the drawer.

    Taking a deep breath, she saw Shen Shu curl up on the bed, her dress riding up slightly.

    Xu Jinnan’s heart pounded, her body covered in sweat. She averted her gaze from the exposed skin.

    Shen Shu’s heat was intense and fast-acting.

    Within minutes, she seemed delirious, her movements restless.

    Even though Xu Jinnan knew Shen Shu wasn’t aware of her actions, she felt like she was losing control. This damned pheromone compatibility would be the death of her.

    Her heart racing, she bent down and placed the pill in Shen Shu’s mouth.

    Her fingertips brushed against Shen Shu’s soft, hot lips.

    She froze, looking at the woman on the bed, then sighed, a bitter taste in her mouth. “You’re really testing me, aren’t you…?”

    She straightened up, glancing at her fingertips, now carrying the Omega’s scent, and felt a surge of energy.

    She closed her eyes, trying to block out the image of Shen Shu, and was about to go get her some water when she saw Shen Shu roll over… Her heart leaped, and she instinctively crouched down, catching Shen Shu just as she fell off the bed.

    They landed on the floor with a thud.

    Xu Jinnan’s back hit the hard tiles, but her arms were wrapped protectively around Shen Shu.

    The Omega’s face was pressed against her ear, her hot breath on Xu Jinnan’s neck. And even more dangerously, Shen Shu was restless.

    Sensing the imminent danger, Xu Jinnan quickly pushed Shen Shu up, intending to lift her back onto the bed, when she saw Shen Shu’s long eyelashes flutter open…

    Their eyes met, Shen Shu’s gaze filled with confusion and pain.

    She frowned, letting out a soft moan, a mixture of pain and complaint.

    “…Don’t look at me like that. I can’t handle it,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice strained.

    She gathered her strength and helped Shen Shu sit up.

    But before she could fully stand, Shen Shu pulled away.

    Xu Jinnan felt a sudden coolness on her neck and gasped, her body covered in sweat.

    She was still disoriented when Shen Shu, delirious from the fever, collapsed against her, knocking her back onto the floor.

    Xu Jinnan didn’t feel the pain.

    Even if it happened again, she wouldn’t feel it.

    This minor injury was nothing.

    “Shu Shu, please, give me a break,” she whispered to Shen Shu, whose face was pressed against her ear again.

    Her voice trembled, strained to its limits, yet still gentle, coaxing.

    Her throat was parched, and she desperately wanted a drink of cold water.

    This was unbearable.

    I want to go home, she thought.

    Shen Shu felt like she was drowning in a sea of scorching hot water, desperately reaching for something to hold onto.

    The fear and anxiety clawed at her, like bubbles rising to the surface, and she instinctively reached for them, seeking salvation, surrendering to the overwhelming sensations…

    She wanted to escape the sea, but then she was in a desert, searching for an oasis.

    She couldn’t find it, and the pain was unbearable.

    Then, a cool, soft wave washed over her, carrying the scent of sunshine, pure and refreshing, the coolness drawing her in.

    Xu Jinnan felt Shen Shu’s lips on her neck, her teeth grazing her skin.

    A soft sob escaped Shen Shu’s lips.

    Xu Jinnan’s mind snapped. Her rationality shattered.

    Her gaze fixed on the sensitive spot behind Shen Shu’s ear – her scent gland.

    It was her undoing.

    Her primal Alpha instincts took over, all thoughts of restraint vanishing.

    Only one thought remained: Dominate her! Mark her! Claim her!

    Xu Jinnan gripped Shen Shu’s shoulders, then rolled over, pinning her beneath her, her forehead damp with sweat, her veins bulging, her breathing ragged.

    Then, she saw Shen Shu’s eyes flutter open, then close again.

    As if waiting for her.

    “…”

    Fuck!

    Xu Jinnan’s frustration erupted.

    But then, she noticed Shen Shu’s breathing had evened out. After a moment, she realized Shen Shu had fainted.

    Her own rationality and awareness slowly returned.

    She sighed, biting her lip, and gently lifted Shen Shu, placing her back on the bed, covering her with the blanket without daring to look at her.

    She checked Shen Shu’s temperature; it was alarmingly high.

    She immediately called Professor Qin, who said he would come over right away. She glanced back at Shen Shu, her brow furrowed in pain.

    Her own clothes were damp and disheveled, so she grabbed the black T-shirt from the laundry basket and put it on.

    Ten minutes later, the Omega pheromones in the room finally dissipated, but Shen Shu’s fever remained.

    Xu Jinnan wet a towel and gently wiped Shen Shu’s face and arms.

    Let this night end quickly, she thought, closing her eyes.

    Finally, twenty minutes later, Professor Qin arrived with his assistant.

    “Is Miss Shen’s heat cycle irregular?”

    “I don’t know,” Xu Jinnan replied. “She was affected by inducing pheromones. She was fine on the way back, but started experiencing a fever when we got home.”

    Professor Qin examined Shen Shu. “This is because it wasn’t treated in time. Normally, medication taken within half an hour can completely suppress a heat cycle. But if it’s already progressed, a second dose might be necessary.”

    “You told me that already,” Xu Jinnan said, then paused. “But it’s strange. Her fever spiked very quickly, and she lost consciousness almost immediately.”

    Professor Qin’s expression turned serious. He instructed his assistant to take a blood sample. “I’ve given her medication to lower her temperature. She’ll likely sweat profusely later tonight. You’ll need to monitor her. But what you described is unusual. I’ll examine the blood sample when I get back.”

    Xu Jinnan had never found Professor Qin’s voice so soothing.

    As he was leaving, she asked, “Is there any medication that can stop a heat cycle immediately?”

    The suppressants were slow-acting, prolonging Shen Shu’s suffering.

    Professor Qin lowered his voice. “There are some, but nothing is more effective than a marking.”

    “…Goodbye,” Xu Jinnan said curtly.

    Professor Qin coughed, not saying anything more. He was curious why Xu Jinnan hadn’t touched her wife yet.

    She was a strange one.


    Xu Jinnan brought the blanket from the guest room and laid it out on the floor beside Shen Shu’s bed.

    Shen Shu’s breathing had evened out, and her fever had subsided slightly after the medication, but her hair, damp with sweat, clung to her face, making her look vulnerable.

    Asleep, she had lost her usual coldness, like a small cat seeking shelter from the rain.

    She looked so fragile, so lonely, that Xu Jinnan felt a surge of protectiveness.

    She reached out and gently stroked Shen Shu’s hair. “Sleep well, my dear, wronged Miss Shen,” she whispered.


    An hour later, Professor Qin called.

    “Miss Xu, the blood test results are normal, but I checked Miss Shen’s medical records and found that she received a pheromone blocker injection a month ago. That’s likely the reason.”

    Xu Jinnan wasn’t familiar with pheromone blockers, so Professor Qin explained. “Pheromone blockers require rest and avoidance of strenuous activity due to their side effects, especially for female Omegas. They can disrupt heat cycles and cause irregularities. Her rapid onset of heat is likely a side effect.”

    “Why did she use a pheromone blocker?”

    “I’m not sure. You’ll have to ask Miss Shen.”

    Xu Jinnan hung up and returned to the bedroom, not daring to take another shower, afraid something would happen to Shen Shu while she was gone, like with Lu Yun.

    After the intense stress, exhaustion set in.

    She quickly fell asleep, but her sleep was restless.


    Shen Shu opened her eyes, her body still weak. Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, and she was disoriented for a moment.

    Then, she remembered – her heat cycle had started last night.

    And Xu Jinnan had been there.

    She sat up, relieved to see she was still wearing her dress. She had had a strange dream, a dream where she had been on top of Xu Jinnan, unable to control herself, biting her neck…

    Shen Shu shuddered.

    Why would she have such a dream?

    She rubbed her head, then noticed something and turned to see Xu Jinnan lying on the floor beside the bed, her face calm, her breathing even.

    Her slightly upturned eyes, now closed, had a surprisingly alluring quality.

    Different from her usual imposing aura, and without her usual languidness.

    Perhaps disturbed by Shen Shu’s movement, or her gaze, Xu Jinnan stirred, as if waking up.

    As expected, she opened her eyes, rubbing them sleepily.

    “You’re awake? How are you feeling? Are you still uncomfortable?” Her voice was slightly hoarse from disuse.

    She sat up.

    The three questions, filled with genuine concern, warmed Shen Shu’s heart.

    “I’m fine, just a little weak,” she replied, noticing the dark circles under Xu Jinnan’s eyes. She clearly hadn’t slept well. “Did you stay up all night?”

    “Professor Qin said you used a pheromone blocker. He said that’s why your heat came on so quickly.”

    “I see.”

    “Why did you use it?”

    Shen Shu hesitated. “Special circumstances.”

    Sensing she didn’t want to elaborate, Xu Jinnan stood up, wincing slightly. “Are you going to the studio today? Why not take a day off?”

    Shen Shu shook her head. “The schedule is fixed. If I, a minor character, take a day off, no one will hire me again.” But there was a slight hesitation in her voice.

     

  • Captivating Beauty 30p2

    Chapter 30 p2

    A man and several others rushed in, the man’s eyes immediately drawn to the scantily clad Omega on the bed.

    “Xu Jinnan, you dare touch my woman?!”

    He looked more like a teenager than a man, with a youthful face and a height of around 1.8 meters.

    Xu Jinnan glanced at him, stepped off the chair, and walked quickly to Shen Shu’s side. “Can you walk?”

    Shen Shu nodded, but her legs buckled as she tried to stand.

    Xu Jinnan steadied her, then scooped her up into her arms. The young man immediately tried to stop her.

    Xu Jinnan’s face hardened. His arrival was too convenient.

    “Who are you?”

    “…You did this on purpose, didn’t you? I’m your daddy, Han Hui!”

    The youngest Han son.

    So he was involved too.

    Xu Jinnan held Shen Shu tighter, her voice cold. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back. None of you will escape.” She paused. “You should take that woman to the hospital.”

    She walked past him.

    As he tried to stop her, a woman’s voice came from the doorway.

    “What’s going on here?” Han Wenling asked, looking at them in surprise, then noticing Shen Shu in Xu Jinnan’s arms. “Miss Xu, is your wife alright?”

    “Let’s go…” Shen Shu murmured weakly.

    “Move,” Xu Jinnan said to Han Hui.

    He was about to stop her again, but Han Wenling silenced him with a look.

    Although they had different mothers, Han Hui was always slightly intimidated by his older sister. Han Wenling is ruthless, his second sister had once said.

    He stepped aside.

    But as Xu Jinnan reached the door, Han Wenling blocked her path, her gaze lingering on Xu Jinnan’s legs, exposed by the high slit of her dress.

    A thin cut on her right leg was bleeding slightly.

    It looked painful.

    “Miss Xu, is your leg alright?” Han Wenling asked politely.

    Xu Jinnan’s expression remained unchanged. “I’m fine. Can you move now?”

    Hearing her icy tone, Han Wenling smiled faintly, stepping aside. “Would you like me to arrange another room for you and Miss Shen?”

    Xu Jinnan ignored her.

    She would settle this score later.


    Zhou Pei, waiting outside, saw Xu Jinnan carrying Shen Shu and hurried to open the car door.

    “To the hospital,” Xu Jinnan said.

    “No need… I’m feeling better now,” Shen Shu said, taking a few deep breaths. “And I have suppressants at home.”

    Xu Jinnan looked down at her. Shen Shu’s face was flushed, like a ripe peach. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked softly.

    Xu Jinnan had practically carried her out of the hotel, and Shen Shu had instinctively clung to her shoulder. Now, with Xu Jinnan leaning in close, their faces were only inches apart.

    Sensing their proximity, Shen Shu pulled away slightly. “Yes… Put me down.”

    Xu Jinnan gently placed her on the back seat.

    Shen Shu noticed the cuts on Xu Jinnan’s leg and foot. The leg injury must have been recent, as it hadn’t been there before she tried to climb out the window.

    Before Zhou Pei could start the car, Shen Shu said, “To the hospital, please.”

    Xu Jinnan looked at her. “Still feeling unwell?”

    Shen Shu glanced at her leg. “You’re the one who needs to go.”

    “Oh, it’s nothing,” Xu Jinnan said, touching the bloodstain on her leg and showing it to Shen Shu. “See? It just looks worse because it’s spread.”

    “…” Shen Shu was speechless.

    She suddenly remembered the time at Cai Ying’s resort, when Xu Jinnan had cut herself without flinching. She didn’t seem afraid of pain.

    As if she was used to it.


    The car headed towards Xingcheng International, a short drive from the hotel.

    Shen Shu leaned against the window, feeling drowsy, perhaps from the earlier exertion and the sudden release of tension.

    Seeing her head lolling to the side, Xu Jinnan reached for a pillow and gently lifted Shen Shu’s head.

    Before she could place the pillow behind her, Shen Shu opened her eyes.

    Shen Shu’s hair felt warm against Xu Jinnan’s palm. “…Do you want a pillow?” she asked.

    Shen Shu looked at her for a few seconds, then took the pillow, murmuring, “Thank you.”

    “You’re welcome,” Xu Jinnan replied, then hesitated. “I’m sorry.”

    “It’s not your fault,” Shen Shu said.

    Neither of them had anticipated such a brazen attack.

    Zhou Pei: “…”

    Listening to their conversation, she glanced at them, puzzled.

    An apology followed by a thank you. She didn’t understand their dynamic.

    Shen Shu leaned against the pillow. Being pushed into that room had brought back terrifying memories.

    Especially when she realized she was being affected by the Omega’s heat.

    She had braced herself for the worst.

    But then she had heard Xu Jinnan’s voice, and strangely, it had calmed her down.

    When Xu Jinnan had been about to jump out the window for her and the Omega on the bed…

    At that moment, she had realized it didn’t matter whether Xu Jinnan was an Alpha or an Omega.

    Perhaps she had her reasons, reasons she would eventually reveal…

    Xu Jinnan felt undeserving of Shen Shu’s gratitude.

    She blamed herself for being too complacent. When Shen Shu had warned her about Song Ronghui at the banquet, she hadn’t been vigilant enough.

    Relying on her knowledge of the novel, she had assumed she understood these characters.

    But she didn’t understand Xu Tao and Lu Yun, the original Xu Jinnan’s actions, or the complex motives of her friends.

    She had to remember that these were real people, with their own thoughts and feelings. These dangers had likely been lurking in the original Xu Jinnan’s past long before she arrived.

    Someone like the original Xu Jinnan was bound to have enemies.

    Countless people were probably waiting for her downfall.

    She had to be more vigilant, not constantly reacting to events.


    Shen Shu’s legs still felt weak as they got out of the car, and Xu Jinnan supported her as they went upstairs.

    “Where are the suppressants?”

    “In the bottom drawer, the blue box…” Shen Shu said, pulling the curtains closed.

    “Are you feeling unwell again?” Xu Jinnan asked, noticing the flush returning to Shen Shu’s cheeks, her lips slightly parted as she took shallow breaths.

    “Yes…” Shen Shu murmured softly.

    Xu Jinnan opened the drawer and retrieved the blue box, noticing a “Therapy Appointment” slip underneath. She didn’t think much of it and took out a suppressant.

    The pill would take ten minutes to take effect. Xu Jinnan went to the bathroom, wet a towel, and returned to the living room.

    Shen Shu’s eyes were half-closed, the scene strangely familiar.

    Xu Jinnan gently pressed the towel against Shen Shu’s face. She had a habit of patting, not rubbing, to avoid irritating the skin.

    Her touch was even gentler on Shen Shu’s face.

    Shen Shu was wearing light makeup, and Xu Jinnan carefully wiped the sweat from her face, avoiding her eyelids.

    As the towel reached her lips, Xu Jinnan’s hand brushed against them, and she paused.

    “When I was little, my grandmother used to wipe my face like this when I had a fever,” Shen Shu murmured.

    A pang of sadness tugged at Xu Jinnan’s heart.

    The only person who had ever truly cared for Shen Shu was gone.

    Shen Shu closed her eyes, and Xu Jinnan turned off the lights and quietly left the room.

    She sat on the sofa for a while, then received a call from Zhou Pei, who was at the hotel.

    “Miss, the situation seems complicated. Are you sure you don’t want to involve the police?”

    “Whoever is behind this covered their tracks well. The police won’t find anything, and they’ll only be detained for a few days… That won’t satisfy me,” Xu Jinnan said, a hint of ruthlessness in her voice.

    Zhou Pei, sensing her anger, paused. “What do you plan to do?”

    Xu Jinnan poured herself a glass of water, her throat dry.

    “Did you find Song Ronghui?”

    “Her car was heading towards Rongcheng.”

    Xu Jinnan swallowed. “Rongcheng City, or the Rongcheng Special Ward?” There was a big difference.

    “I’ll confirm and let you know tomorrow,” Zhou Pei replied.

    Xu Jinnan hung up, then called the hospital to check on Lu Yun. She was stable and would fully recover in a couple of days.

    Exhausted after the night’s events, Xu Jinnan leaned back on the sofa, her mind racing, the image of the bloodstains on Lu Yun’s dress flashing through her mind.

    She sat up and checked her phone.

    She found Wang Zheng’s number and, after a moment of hesitation, dialed it…

    The call connected.

    But after two rings, it was disconnected.

    Xu Jinnan sighed, tossing her phone aside in frustration. She had a feeling that if she uncovered the truth about Qucheng, she would also uncover the Xu family’s secrets.

    This person was the key.

    But she could only wait.

    She felt a sting on her leg and looked down. The cut had scabbed over, but the wound was still visible.

    She had forgotten to disinfect it.

    She found the first-aid kit in the living room, then decided to go to the bathroom to clean herself first. The sticky feeling of the grape juice was unpleasant.

    She unzipped her dress, pulling it down to her waist. Just as she was about to wet a towel—

    A powerful wave of vanilla and honey, the scent of an Omega in heat, filled the air, surrounding her like a blooming garden.

    Xu Jinnan froze, her dress falling to her ankles.

    Her body went numb.