Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Powerful Sister (GL, ABO) - Chapter 4
“Hello, Second Miss? Sorry to bother you, but may I ask who prepared the meal you sent over today?”
Two or three hours earlier, at Yu Li’s residence in Victoria Harbour Estates, Qin Shuangxue had called Yu Li with this question.
For once, Yu Li had eaten half a bowl of porridge without vomiting and even had some cake.
With food in her stomach, she looked noticeably more energetic.
Impressed by the meal in the food container, Qin Shuangxue wanted to ask Yu Li who had prepared it, hoping to hire them as Yu Li’s personal chef.
After Qin Shuangxue posed her question, there was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
“Auntie Qin, I’m not sure either. It was just prepared by one of the hourly domestic workers from the agency. I thought it tasted good, so I sent it over. I’ll check with the agency when I get the chance and let you know,” came Yu Li’s soft, sweet voice.
“Alright, thank you so much. Please don’t let me keep you any longer.”
Unable to immediately locate the cook, Qin Shuangxue felt slightly disappointed but didn’t press Yu Li further.
She didn’t sample the remaining food herself. The more strongly flavored dishes were given to Yu Li’s secretary and assistant, who had just arrived, while the rest were sealed and stored in the fridge in case Yu Li got hungry later and couldn’t find anything to her liking.
Just as Qin Shuangxue finished tidying up and was about to check on Yu Li, the woman emerged from her room.
She wore a white double-breasted lapel dress with sleeves that ended just above the knees, the skirt flaring slightly at the waistline to accentuate her graceful curves.
Her chestnut-colored long curls had been carefully styled, cascading over her shoulders with ends curled into a flattering arc, adding a touch of mature allure to her cold, restrained beauty.
“President Yu, you have an interview scheduled for one o’clock with Hong Kong Financial Channel. We need to arrive early to discuss the content with the director. Additionally, Mr. Lowell, the sales director of Australia’s largest yellow diamond producer, has reserved a meeting at the Hilton Hotel today. The table is already booked…”
A young female beta in a black suit followed behind Yu Li, reciting the day’s agenda.
“Miss, how can you go out in this condition? You need more rest,” Qin Shuangxue protested anxiously, seeing Yu Li dressed to leave.
She had assumed Yu Li would work from home, never expecting her to head out so soon.
“Auntie Qin, I’m fine. Some commitments were scheduled in advance, and it wouldn’t be right to cancel. You should return to the hospital. With so many people around me, I won’t push myself if I feel unwell,” Yu Li replied gently, her expression calm.
Now that Yu Lii had seen her condition, Yu Li couldn’t afford to hide away.
“…” Qin Shuangxue knew there was no changing Yu Li’s mind once it was made up and sighed inwardly.
Though Yu Li had eaten a little and seemed slightly more alert, it was only a marginal improvement.
Given her high tolerance, she was merely a fraction better than before, with her discomfort reduced by a few percentage points.
Outwardly, she was just putting on a brave face.
No one understood this better than Qin Shuangxue.
But there was no stopping her.
All she could do was prepare emergency medication for Yu Li and remind her repeatedly to take care.
Yu Li left with Secretary Zhu and an assistant, taking the elevator down to the underground garage before driving off, unaffected by the wind and rain outside.
“President Yu, I’ve heard from the marketing accounts that the eldest young master’s people have bought promotional posts. They plan to release them right after the scheduled interview time, spreading rumors about you again.”
It seems they’re going to be disappointed. The leadership transition is just days away, and all eyes are on you. Several senior shareholders have joined forces to support the eldest young master’s faction. They don’t even consider whose efforts built the company to its current state. Just because of your health condition, you’re facing so much skepticism and nitpicking, it’s truly unfair.” Inside the car, Yu Li’s assistant reported while cautiously venting her frustration. Seeing Yu Li remain silent, she continued a few more sentences, expressing indignation on her behalf.
Yu Li glanced at the young assistant but said nothing.
After over a decade of relentless effort, the Yu Corporation had absorbed too much of her lifeblood for her to simply hand it over.
However, if her body hadn’t passed the estrus cycle by the election, complications would arise.
The mere thought of a conference room full of alphas with their mingled pheromones made Yu Li nauseous, her neck glands prickling with discomfort.
She dismissed these unmanifested concerns, no point in pointless worry.
“By the way, President Yu, Song Feiyu from the Song family has been pursuing Second Miss Yu Li relentlessly. Today, Second Miss posted about being single again on social media, likely signaling a breakup. Unless something unexpected happens, she’ll probably start dating Song Feiyu. The birthday banquet on the Victoria was arranged through Song Feiyu’s connections. It seems the eldest young master has drawn Second Miss into their plans for the transition. With the Song family’s support, their chances have improved further,” the assistant added.
This news gave Yu Li pause as she looked at her tablet.
Yu Li had some impression of Yu Li’s little girlfriend.
Tall and slender, decent-looking, but awkward with words somewhat dull and timid, avoiding Yu Li like a mouse would a cat.
Yu Li had once complained to Yu Li about how boring this girlfriend was.
Yu Li paid it no further mind and let the assistant continue with updates.
After listening and making arrangements, they soon arrived at the television station. Exiting the car, Yu Li shed all traces of fatigue, her sharp, commanding presence returning effortlessly. No one would guess she was an omega in estrus who’d barely eaten properly for days.
While Yu Li attended her interview, preparations for the evening’s birthday party were in full swing aboard the Victoria.
In a private room, Yu Li admired her reflection now adorned in an elaborate lace fairy dress by her favorite designer, Philippe her sweet smile completing the fairytale princess illusion. Every detail exuded elegance, luxury, and charm.
The only flaw? Her pampered stomach ached from unappetizing meals that morning and afternoon.
If only Ye Zhixun were here…
Earlier, Yu Li had received a call from Yu Li’s family physician, Qin Shuangxue. Even the notoriously picky Yu Li had found Ye Zhixun’s cooking delicious enough to inquire about the chef.
In that moment, Yu Li felt a pang of possessiveness, she didn’t want Yu Li to know.
Regret over sending those meals to Yu Li surfaced.
At least she hadn’t revealed the truth.
She could always pass off some skilled housekeeper as the cook later.
“My little princess, you’re so beautiful. What more could you possibly want?” A somewhat flirtatious voice sounded by Yu Lii’s ear. Standing behind her was a tall, attractive female alpha, Song Feiyu, Yu Li’s current suitor.
“If only the jewelry was designed by DAWN,” Yu Li murmured, snapping out of her thoughts as she pouted her red lips slightly, her tone laced with coquetry.
“Princess, DAWN requires reservations half a year in advance. Next birthday, I promise to get you something from them,” Song Feiyu said, tapping Yu Li playfully before leaning in to inhale her scent near her neck.
Yu Li’s cheeks flushed pink, the blush spreading to the glands on her neck as an intimate atmosphere grew between them.
Song Feiyu was a seasoned player in romance, while Yu Li seemed like an innocent lamb in her presence. Yet this little lamb was curiously drawn to the alpha’s every move, feeling no resistance.
Instead, she marveled inwardly this was what closeness with an alpha felt like. It could be so embarrassingly thrilling, making her heart race. The rigid Ye Zhixun had never treated her this way, always maintaining precise distance like a calculating robot. Being with her had indeed been dull.
As Song Feiyu continued testing boundaries, the tension between them intensified.
Just as Song Feiyu considered pushing further, a knock at the door interrupted them, forcing the intimate moment to an abrupt end.
“Brother, what’s wrong? You look upset,” Yu Li said upon opening the door to find her brother Yu Qing wearing a scowl.
“Didn’t you say Yu Li was bedridden during her estrus cycle, unable to leave her room? Yet she still went to the television station. This afternoon, she’s meeting clients at the Hilton Hotel,” Yu Qing grumbled, annoyed that the planted news articles had been wasted.
Yu Li’s estrus cycles had become increasingly difficult in recent years, requiring days off each time one of the reasons shareholders criticized her.
“What I saw was true. Maybe she forced herself to go out,” Yu Li replied, her expression darkening at the implied accusation of providing false information.
“Brother Yu, is this Yu Li really so hard to deal with? I know some people in management at the Hilton. Making sure she can’t attend the transition meeting would be simple,” Song Feiyu chuckled.
“Oh? Miss Song, let’s discuss this elsewhere,” Yu Qing said, his face brightening at her words.
“Princess Xi, entertain yourself for a bit. I’ll be back soon,” Song Feiyu told Yu Li with a smile before leaving with Yu Qing to talk in another room.
Though they avoided speaking openly in front of Yu Li, their earlier words made their scheming intentions obvious.
Yu Li had never done anything harmful to Yu Li, in fact, she often gave her small gifts.
Yu Li’s expression shifted as her slender fingers clenched and unclenched repeatedly before finally relaxing. She turned back to the mirror, forcing a sweet smile onto her face.
Outside, the rain grew heavier, waves crashing against the Victoria as the massive ship swayed slightly, churning up even larger sprays of water.
By the time Ye Zhixun arrived at the Hilton Hotel, it was already past three in the afternoon.
To Gu Qiaqia, Ye Zhixun appeared emotionally unshaken, as if even heartbreak couldn’t disturb her rock-steady composure.
Ye Zhixun thought so too.
But when she saw the advertisement on the street corner, she acted on impulse.
In her desperate attempt to win Yu Li back, she committed the first outrageous and absurd act of her life.
Wearing a mask, she went into the store and bought several doses of “Alpha’s Energy Boost” with different potencies.
Judging by the health supplement logo on the packaging and the fact that the manufacturers were all legitimate, taking one pill probably wouldn’t kill her.
If it worked, it might just help her win Yu Li back.
With a trial-and-error mindset, Ye Zhixun made the purchase. She secretly swallowed one of the lowest-potency pills dry in the taxi, without even drinking water.
By the time she arrived at the Hilton Hotel, a bitter taste still lingered in her throat.
The pill seemed to have some effect. As she stepped into the hotel, Ye Zhixun felt a growing warmth in her body, a slight dizziness in her head, and an itchy, stinging sensation at the roots of her fangs as if something were pushing its way out.
It almost felt like catching a cold.
Maybe she really had caught one, given that she’d been drenched in the rain earlier.
Or was it the pill’s doing?
Ye Zhixun wasn’t sure. She stepped out of the taxi, carrying her camera bag and a thermos-sealed cup of coffee, and headed into the hotel lobby.
“Miss, the birthday banquet in the banquet hall has been canceled. Didn’t you know?” The front desk staff informed her after she presented her invitation.
“…” Ye Zhixun froze. She hadn’t expected Yu Li to change the venue at the last minute.
Canceling a reservation at the Hilton’s banquet hall last-minute would incur a penalty.
Since Yu Li had canceled here, she must have relocated the party but where? Ye Zhixun needed to find out.
Sitting on the lobby sofa, she pulled out her tablet from the camera bag, connected to the hotel’s Wi-Fi, and tried messaging Yu Li on WeChat. No reply. Checking her friend’s social media, she finally learned that the celebration had been moved to the Victoria cruise ship.
The Victoria was anchored in the bay getting onboard wouldn’t be easy.
Pursing her lips, Ye Zhixun decided to head to the harbor first and figure out a way to board along the way.
As she packed up and stood, a familiar black business car pulled up at the hotel entrance. A woman stepped out.
Ye Zhixun, halfway up, immediately sank back into the sofa.
It was Yu Li.
She hadn’t expected to run into Yu Li here.
Huddling into the couch, she tried to make herself invisible, waiting for Yu Li to leave before making her exit.
The click of Yu Li’s heels against the marble floor sent Ye Zhixun’s heart racing again.
As Yu Li walked in, an unusual scent drifted through the lobby subtle, like a mix of flowers and fruit.
The fragrance reached Ye Zhixun’s nose, tightening her already tense body further.
It felt like the softest, finest feather lightly brushing against the roots of her fangs.
Clenching her jaw, she tried to ignore it.
Soon, Yu Li disappeared into the elevator.
Ye Zhixun exhaled in relief and stood again, only to feel a wave of dizziness. The itching at her fangs intensified, and an unfamiliar fluid seeped from their roots like a wild beast salivating at the sight of prey.
Just then, the hotel’s alarm blared.
“Madam, your pheromone levels have exceeded the legal limit. We recommend you rest in an isolation room. Should you require suppressants, we can provide them. However, if you insist on continuing to release pheromones without entering isolation, our hotel is obligated to contact authorities,” said the hotel staff member, a beta, addressing Ye Zhixun with a serious expression.
Hong Kong has strict regulations regarding alpha and omega pheromone emissions in public spaces. Exceeding permitted levels without taking corrective measures constitutes a legal violation.
At this moment, Ye Zhixun could feel it too her pheromones seemed to have breached some invisible dam, flooding out uncontrollably. Her usually impeccable pheromone control was utterly powerless against this sudden deluge.
“My apologies. Please arrange an isolation room for me,” Ye Zhixun said.
In her current state, even if she found Yu Li now, it would be far too improper.
She never anticipated the drug would affect her this severely.
The isolation room was her only option now.