After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Slave to My Beloved Wife (GL) - Chapter 24

As Jiang Nian got closer, she heard Qiao Wenyu speak in a calm, almost indifferent tone.

“We’re not what we used to be, Ah-Ye.”

Bai Ye was facing Jiang Nian and Jiang Fenyun, while Qiao Wenyu stood with her back to them, unaware of who had just arrived.

Just as the two drew within a few steps, Bai Ye reached out with her long, slender fingers and gently touched Qiao Wenyu’s cheek—her movements soft and careful, as if handling something precious. Her usually cold eyes were, for a moment, filled with affection. She leaned in close to Qiao Wenyu’s ear and whispered something.

Jiang Nian’s eyes widened. The burning fire of jealousy blazed inside her. She had an overwhelming urge to rush forward and knock Bai Ye’s hand away.

But in the blink of an eye, Bai Ye lowered her hand and turned to Jiang Nian with a faint, cold smirk. Then, she said a brief goodbye to Qiao Wenyu and got into the black business car behind her.

The luxury vehicle sped off and quickly disappeared down the road.

Qiao Wenyu slowly turned around, clearly distracted and deep in thought. With her head down, she walked straight into Jiang Nian’s chest.

“Ah—sorry.” She apologized instinctively, then looked up—and was stunned to see Jiang Nian. “You? Why are you here?”

Jiang Fenyun answered for her. “A’Nian came to my office to sign a contract. Since I knew you were training here today, I figured I’d bring her down to see you. Your Jiang Nian practically begged me—she couldn’t wait to watch you practice.”

She teased them with a grin, playfully exaggerating Jiang Nian’s thoughtfulness and devotion.

But Qiao Wenyu barely processed any of it. Her mind was still stuck in that recent conversation with Bai Ye. Her heart felt heavy and unsettled.

“I see…”

Since entering this story world, Jiang Nian had learned how to read people’s expressions well. She could clearly sense Qiao Wenyu’s anxiety. Combined with Bai Ye’s subtle provocation just now, her thoughts were in turmoil.

Fenyun stood awkwardly between them, sensing that something was off. She quickly tried to change the topic.

“Um… Wenyu, you know my cousin?”

“Yes.” Qiao Wenyu tried her best to stay composed. For many reasons, she didn’t want Jiang Nian to know about her past with Bai Ye.

Jiang Nian had read the summary of Burning with Fire. She knew that Bai Ye was Qiao Wenyu’s true soulmate. Now, after seeing Bai Ye in person, she was even more certain—Bai Ye was a serious threat to her feelings.

Bai Ye didn’t need to do much at all to capture Qiao Wenyu’s attention.

“What’s wrong, A’Nian? You’ve been zoning out,” Fenyun said, nudging Jiang Nian with her elbow.

Snapping back to reality, Jiang Nian forced a smile and brushed it off. “Ah, I was just thinking about that contract we signed earlier.”

Fenyun teased, “You sure it’s not because you’re too happy to see your wife?”

Qiao Wenyu was surprised by how enthusiastically Fenyun was pairing her with Jiang Nian. She remembered Fenyun being quite interested in her before. This sudden change in attitude left her puzzled.

“You must be tired from training,” Jiang Nian finally managed to say.

Qiao Wenyu smiled faintly. “Mm, and you’ve worked hard too. Signing with President Jiang must’ve meant landing a big deal. Impressive.”

“Oh no, not really…” Jiang Nian scratched the back of her head shyly. A few compliments from her “sister” were enough to brighten her whole mood.

Qiao Wenyu glanced at her watch. “Xiaonian, President Jiang, I need to get back to training. Please excuse me.”

But Fenyun suddenly remembered something. “Wait, Miss Qiao! There’s a gala in the industry tonight. Everyone needs a date—how about you join A’Nian and go together?”

Qiao Wenyu paused mid-step and turned around in confusion. “Huh? I didn’t hear anything about that…”

Jiang Nian, too, had forgotten about the gala at first. She knew they were attending, but the invitation hadn’t specifically mentioned bringing a date. Realizing Fenyun had made it up to push things along, she nudged Fenyun’s heel from behind and shot her a look: Seriously? You’re making stuff up now?

“Oh, so you haven’t told her yet?” Fenyun feigned innocence. “Oops, my bad! Guess I spoiled the surprise. Haha.”

Now that the topic was out, Jiang Nian couldn’t exactly walk it back. She rubbed the side of her nose, then looked at Qiao Wenyu with a hopeful smile.

“Sis… would you go with me tonight to the gala?”

Qiao Wenyu froze for a few seconds, then nodded. “Sure.”

Jiang Nian, slightly embarrassed, gave a brief rundown of the evening’s plan, then left for the garage to return to her company and prepare for the event.

Watching her best friend leave, Fenyun turned to Qiao Wenyu and said, “Wenyu, I really did admire you before. But thinking it over, it’s wrong to chase a friend’s partner. Let’s forget how I acted before.”

She winked playfully. “I wish you two happiness.”

At the same time, Jiang Nian had arrived back at the company. Two stylists were already waiting for her, hired specifically to help her get ready for the gala.

Once they finished, Jiang Nian twirled in front of the mirror to admire the result.

Her wardrobe mostly consisted of blacks and grays, so her usual outfits were quite muted. But today, the stylists dressed her in a silver sequined evening gown that shimmered under the lights. She looked radiant.

One stylist knelt to adjust the hem of her dress, then looked up and said with admiration, “President Jiang, you look stunning.”

The other stylist echoed, “Absolutely. You’ll outshine everyone tonight.”

Jiang Nian grinned and extended her arms, still admiring herself in the mirror—until she suddenly imagined what Qiao Wenyu would look like after a professional makeover. Her silly smile froze on her face.

Then she turned to the stylists and said seriously, “Go to Fenyun Entertainment. Help my wife, Qiao Wenyu, with her styling. She’s coming with me tonight.”

“Yes, President Jiang.”

“And make sure her look matches mine. Like a perfect pair.”

So those flirtatious alphas at the gala won’t dare lay a finger on her!

“Yes, absolutely,” the stylists assured her.

Jiang Nian left the building full of anticipation and headed to the gala venue.

Since Qiao Wenyu had to finish her training and get styled afterward, Jiang Nian would be arriving ahead of her.

The early attendees at the gala were mostly industry figures there to network and build connections. Jiang Nian held a glass of wine and moved easily through the crowd, putting to use all the social skills she’d picked up from her time in business. She quickly hit it off with several prominent figures.

This kind of industry gala only happened occasionally, and anyone with a name or position was bound to show up.

After chatting with several people, Jiang Nian realized that it was already past the time Qiao Wenyu was supposed to arrive. A twinge of worry rose in her chest.

She politely excused herself from the conversation and headed toward the hotel entrance to meet her.

Holding up her dress, Jiang Nian walked to the main doors. Looking out toward the distance, she finally saw Qiao Wenyu—but something was wrong.

She was standing in the hotel garden, blocked by several men.

A wave of unease surged in Jiang Nian. She rushed over—and sure enough, it was Yan Fu and a group of rich, spoiled heirs cornering Qiao Wenyu.

And to her surprise, Bai Ye was standing among them.

Bai Ye had tried saying something to help, but clearly, it hadn’t worked.

Qiao Wenyu was still being harassed.

Seeing Bai Ye’s expression, Jiang Nian could tell she was somewhat wary of Yan Fu. Even when speaking to him, her tone remained polite and reserved.

But Jiang Nian couldn’t stand watching Qiao Wenyu being harassed by the Yan family. She stormed forward in quick strides, shoving aside the lackeys around Yan Fu without hesitation.

“Damn it, which one of you blind morons—” Yan Fu turned his head to scold, but when he saw Jiang Nian, his tone shifted. He was wary for a second, then quickly replaced it with arrogant disdain. He shook his leg lazily. “Well, well, isn’t this President Jiang—the one who was supposed to visit my house and apologize? So what’s this, a public apology instead? Should I call the others to come watch?”

Jiang Nian frowned, her voice low and forceful. “Didn’t I beat you bad enough last time?”

Even Bai Ye, standing nearby, was startled by the intensity in Jiang Nian’s voice and presence.

“Tch. Today, I brought a few friends—alphas, all of them. You think you can handle that, just because you’re a top alpha? What are you so smug about?” Yan Fu sneered, his face twisting with menace.

“You all keep picking on Wenyu—don’t you feel any shame?” Jiang Nian stood firm, completely unafraid. Even if the odds were against her, she was determined to protect Qiao Wenyu from being humiliated.

“She’s from the Yan family,” Yan Fu said with a scoff. “As the eldest son, I’ll treat her however I want.”

“She’s not a Yan. She’s my wife. If you want to touch her, you’ll have to go through me first.”

With that, Jiang Nian released a wave of pheromones—thick with warning and aggression.

Afraid Jiang Nian would get hurt, Qiao Wenyu quickly stepped up and grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back. “Xiaonian, let it go. Don’t do this.”

“Let it go? Too late!” Yan Fu snarled and waved his hand. “Boys, teach this arrogant alpha a lesson.”

Bai Ye, unable to watch any longer, turned and ran into the building to call security.

Jiang Nian clenched her fists, ready to fight them all if she had to.

A bunch of alphas caused an uproar, their pheromones surging and tangling in the air. The commotion in the garden drew attention, and security rushed over shortly after.

Yan Fu had originally wanted to keep pushing Jiang Nian, but seeing the wild determination in her eyes—the kind of madness that came from wanting to protect someone he couldn’t hurt—he backed off. Before leaving, he jabbed a finger toward Jiang Nian’s face and spat out, “Just. You. Wait.”

Jiang Nian wiped the bl00d from her lip and hissed, “As long as I’m here, you won’t lay a hand on Wenyu.”

With security mediating, the confrontation ended, and both sides were forced apart. The gala returned to normal, and the bystanders dispersed.

Jiang Nian wiped the bl00d from the corner of her mouth. “Come on, sis. Let’s go in. The event just started. Don’t let the Yan family ruin the night.”

In her haste, she didn’t notice the worry and ache in Qiao Wenyu’s eyes as she followed behind.

“Xiaonian!” Qiao Wenyu called out.

Jiang Nian turned back. “Hm?”

“Come here. Let me look at your injury.”

Jiang Nian stopped and smiled softly. “Okay, sis.”

Qiao Wenyu led her into the hotel restroom. She took out a tissue from her bag, dampened it slightly, and gently wiped the bl00d from Jiang Nian’s lips.

“Open your mouth. Let me check if it’s torn inside.” She used her fingers to lift Jiang Nian’s chin.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, “It’s nothing, really. I’ve had worse. It’ll stop bleeding soon.”

“What do you mean ‘you’ve had worse’?” Qiao Wenyu’s ears perked up, immediately catching the hint.

Jiang Nian quickly took the tissue and started wiping the rest herself. “It’s nothing. Just… my mom teaching me a lesson. I deserved it.”

“She hit you that night when you went back home?” Qiao Wenyu’s mind raced. She quickly pieced things together. “Was it because of my father? Did he complain to your mother after you stood up for me?”

Jiang Nian hadn’t expected her to figure it out so quickly, and she didn’t bother denying it.

“It was that night, wasn’t it? It was so dark, I didn’t even notice anything off with your face…” Qiao Wenyu’s head dropped. She took a deep breath. “Xiaonian, I’m sorry. And… thank you.”

“It’s nothing. After all, you’re my wife—even if it’s just in name.”

Qiao Wenyu’s gaze dropped, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Neither of them spoke. The atmosphere between them subtly shifted.

“We should go. It’s getting late.” Jiang Nian felt an urge to get closer just from looking at her, so she quickly used the time as an excuse to leave the restroom.

The two of them entered the ballroom arm in arm. Since few people in the industry knew Jiang Nian was married, most assumed Qiao Wenyu was just another one of her many rumored flings.

One business executive came over with a drink in hand and laughed, “President Jiang, your taste keeps getting better. This one’s even prettier than the last!”

Jiang Nian’s face darkened instantly. “My sister isn’t what you think.”

The man awkwardly backed away, shoulders hunched in embarrassment.

From that moment on, no one dared to make light of Qiao Wenyu. Everyone who approached treated her with courtesy, even if they didn’t know the two women were legally married.

From a distance, Bai Ye noticed the two entering together. Her lips tightened as she watched them, her expression unreadable as she stared at Qiao Wenyu.

—

After that night’s industry gala, Jiang Nian’s company began receiving more offers than ever.

Deals of all sizes came flooding in—so many contracts that she was nearly overwhelmed. Normally, every major contract had to be reviewed and approved by Jiang Xian, but since her mother had been preoccupied with personal matters, Jiang Nian had to handle everything herself.

With guidance from the executive team, Jiang Nian eventually decided to take on a major project.

It was a collaboration with an overseas partner to develop a high-end fashion brand, focused on haute couture.

To prepare, Jiang Nian spent nearly half a month working overtime.

“President Jiang, the initial phase of the project requires significant funding. Normally this would need Chairwoman Jiang’s approval,” her assistant reported while handing her the latest project file. “Oddly, the funding amount isn’t as high as most of our other big contracts. Not sure if that’s good or bad.”

Jiang Nian, always sharp with numbers, did a quick calculation. “It’s not a major difference. Go ahead. I’ll cover this one for now. My mother’s too busy with family matters, and she probably won’t review it in time anyway.”

“Yes, President Jiang.” Her assistant, Lu Renbing, gave a respectful nod. “Also, Miss Qiao has a promotional event this afternoon. She reserved a seat for you and wanted to invite you to attend.”

“A promo event? She got a job?” Jiang Nian’s eyes lit up with excitement—more than when she closed big deals.

Lu Renbing took a ticket from her pocket. “She asked her agent to pass this along to me. You’ve been buried in work lately, and I think Miss Qiao really misses you.”

“You’re right. I haven’t even given her any pheromone lately… I wonder if she’s feeling okay.”

Jiang Nian paused. “Wait—don’t I have a meeting this afternoon? Is there a time conflict?”

“No, President Jiang. The schedules don’t overlap.”

Jiang Nian took the ticket and carefully placed it in her inner pocket. Then, gathering her documents, she headed to the conference room in high spirits.

Just the thought of seeing Qiao Wenyu later made her heart flutter—and if she had a tail, it would’ve been wagging uncontrollably.

The afternoon meeting flew by. As soon as it ended, Jiang Nian rushed out of the office—it was the earliest she’d left work in half a month.

On the way to the event, she made a detour to the mall and picked up a beautiful bouquet of roses.

When she arrived at the venue, the stage was still being set up. A few staff members moved around, but there weren’t many people in the audience yet.

She figured she’d arrived early. Cradling the flowers in her arms, she made her way toward the backstage area.

The security at the venue had been temporarily hired. They didn’t recognize Jiang Nian—much less knew her identity. Fulfilling their duties, they stopped her at the entrance.

“Miss, fans are not allowed backstage. Support items can be passed to the stage after the performance,” one of the guards said.

Jiang Nian wasn’t in a hurry, so she simply returned to the audience area with her bouquet in hand.

With only half an hour left before the performance, there were only a few scattered people in the seats. Jiang Nian felt it was unusually empty, but since the show hadn’t started yet, she didn’t think much of it.

Until the music began and the performance was moments away—and still, only a handful of people were seated—Jiang Nian finally sensed something was off.

Qiao Wenyu stepped onto the stage in her performance costume. It was her first solo performance. As she looked out into the sea of empty seats, a wave of disappointment washed over her.

But as the music and lights came on in rhythm, she had no choice but to push those emotions aside and perform the program as planned.

She took a shaky breath and opened with the first lyric.

“Go for it, Sis!” Jiang Nian suddenly shouted from the audience, completely ignoring her image.

Qiao Wenyu, who had been nervous and uncertain, felt all her worries vanish at that single cheer.

In her eyes, there were no other spectators now—only Jiang Nian.

And she poured all her energy into performing for her.

Watching her shine onstage, Jiang Nian’s heart, steady for the past two weeks, started racing again.

In that moment, the entire world vanished—it was just the two of them, each other’s only star, each other’s only audience.

There were few attendees, but the performance itself was flawless.

After the first song, Jiang Nian looked at the still-empty seats and frowned. Dissatisfied, she reached for her phone, ready to ask Jiang Fenyun to send in some online traffic and fill the space.

But before she could dial, a wave of voices rose behind her.

Dozens of people arrived from a distance, carrying light sticks, banners, and support signs. They filed in, calling out Qiao Wenyu’s name loudly and enthusiastically.

Jiang Nian, still holding her phone, stared in surprise.

She hadn’t even called for help yet—how did they get here so fast?

Before she could make sense of it, someone stepped forward from the crowd—a poised and elegant alpha.

Bai Ye emerged from a sleek convertible, pushing through the supporters and walking toward the seating area.

Jiang Nian’s gaze shifted to the car Bai Ye had stepped out of. It was filled to the brim with bouquets of roses. The deep red flowers covered the entire back seat, blazing like fire.

Qiao Wenyu, seeing the sudden wave of support, was momentarily stunned on stage. But she quickly composed herself and continued the show.

After a few more songs, the roadshow came to an end. The stage had been plain, the organizers modest, and the whole event run on a tight budget.

As Qiao Wenyu was preparing to leave the stage, Jiang Nian placed her bouquet by the edge of the platform.

“Thank you,” Qiao Wenyu said softly, her eyes curving into a smile as she picked up the roses before stepping off the stage.

From the audience, Bai Ye watched her accept Jiang Nian’s flowers. Her lips parted slightly as she called out, “Take mine too, will you?”

Qiao Wenyu glanced at Bai Ye but said nothing. She turned and walked backstage without acknowledging her.

Bai Ye hesitated, words stuck in her throat. In the end, she stayed quiet and waited near the backstage exit.

Jiang Nian stood there too—only a door’s width apart from Bai Ye.

They say rivals grow sharper when they meet. In those ten minutes, Jiang Nian and Bai Ye spent nine staring each other down and one minute glancing toward the exit.

Finally, Bai Ye let out a quiet laugh. Her voice, cool and elegant, broke the silence. “Kid, my advice—let go.”

“Miss Bai,” Jiang Nian said, arms crossed. “Wenyu and I are legally married. Isn’t your behavior now a bit… inappropriate?”

Bai Ye took a step closer, her expression calm and unaffected. “I have eight years of history with Xiaoyu. What do you have that can compare? When I met her, you were probably still learning your times tables.”

“So what?” Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow. “She’s mine now.”

Bai Ye looked at her with new interest. She’d heard Jiang Nian was a notorious flirt, cycling through partners like outfits—never the same one for long.

But clearly, this infamous heartbreaker had fallen for Qiao Wenyu.

“When Xiaoyu was at her lowest, she had me,” Bai Ye said, locking eyes with Jiang Nian. “I’ve seen her at her best and her worst. I know she still has feelings for me. Can’t you see it?”

“Sorry, Miss Bai,” Jiang Nian said casually. “My eyesight isn’t that great.”

Just then, Qiao Wenyu emerged from the backstage door. The moment she saw Jiang Nian, she ran toward her like a loyal little puppy.

“Sis, you did amazing!” Jiang Nian beamed.

Seeing two top alphas flanking the exit like guardian statues left Qiao Wenyu momentarily stunned.

“Come on, let’s go. Dinner’s on me,” Jiang Nian said as she grabbed her hand and pulled her away.

Bai Ye stepped in front of them, her gaze locked on Qiao Wenyu. “Xiaoyu, can we talk?”

“Ah-Ye… I don’t think there’s anything left for us to talk about,” Qiao Wenyu said, dodging her touch.

Jiang Nian smirked at Bai Ye and turned to ask Qiao Wenyu, “You two close or something?”

“We haven’t been in touch for a long time. Just old classmates,” Qiao Wenyu replied, her eyes flickering away.

Satisfied with that answer, Jiang Nian held her head high and continued to lead Qiao Wenyu forward.

“Xiaoyu!” Bai Ye’s composure finally cracked. Normally calm and self-possessed, she now sounded raw and vulnerable. “Didn’t you love me back then? Keep loving me! I regret it—I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have let a compatibility report get between us. I shouldn’t have… left without explaining anything.”

“Don’t,” Qiao Wenyu said quietly, her lips trembling. “It wasn’t love. It was admiration, that’s all.”

Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.

She had once liked Bai Ye—yes. But back then, Bai Ye had never truly cared about her feelings. When things turned difficult, they drifted apart and ended up in different countries.

Now that Bai Ye had returned, regretting everything, it was too late. She still cared more about self-preservation. Even last night, when Qiao Wenyu was humiliated by the Yan family, Bai Ye had stood by, afraid to intervene.

But Jiang Nian… Jiang Nian had stepped in without hesitation.

Bai Ye would always put herself first—worried about offending the wrong people.

What once seemed like love now felt laughable.

Some feelings, once missed, are gone forever.

Qiao Wenyu would never forget that once, she saw Bai Ye as a light in the dark. But that’s all Bai Ye was—a flicker in the night.

Everything else had been a delusion.

“Xiaoyu! Please—” Bai Ye tried to reach for her, but Qiao Wenyu only walked faster.

Jiang Nian was being pulled along and suddenly realized: omega strength could actually be impressive.

After leaving Bai Ye behind, the two found a cozy little restaurant nearby. The dishes were thoughtfully crafted, and the ambiance was warm and peaceful.

As they ate, they talked—and talked more than they ever had since Jiang Nian entered this world.

Qiao Wenyu told Jiang Nian about her past. She skipped over most of the details involving Bai Ye, but Jiang Nian could feel the distance between them shrinking.

They weren’t quite on the same wavelength yet—but at least they were no longer worlds apart.

Qiao Wenyu spoke slowly, and Jiang Nian listened intently. Soft music played in the background.

After dinner, they strolled along the river in a quiet city park.

“Sis,” Jiang Nian said thoughtfully, “this really feels like a date.”

Qiao Wenyu only smiled, saying nothing.

Lately, she’d been thinking about Jiang Nian more than usual. Sometimes, even in the middle of tasks, Jiang Nian’s image would flash through her mind.

“Why are you so quiet?” Jiang Nian asked.

Qiao Wenyu closed her eyes and whispered, “I was thinking about something.”

“What is it?”

“How should I ask you… for your pheromones? I think… I want them.”

She slowly opened her eyes, gaze soft and shining like glass—tinged with a gentle allure.

If Qiao Wenyu lifted a finger, Jiang Nian would come running like a puppy.

And now, without lifting a finger, she was already irresistible.

“Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you,” Jiang Nian said, wrapping an arm lightly around Qiao Wenyu’s waist, afraid of going too far and making her uncomfortable.

Qiao Wenyu smiled gently and reached out, brushing the hair draped over Jiang Nian’s back. “Silly puppy. If you really like me, then come a little closer. I won’t blame you for it. Xiaonian… this time, it’s me who wants it.”

From that day on, Jiang Nian could clearly feel that her relationship with Qiao Wenyu had grown closer. In the past, whenever she released her pheromones for Qiao Wenyu, she would always seem hesitant and distant. But now—it was different. Her sister would take the initiative to ask for it.

Jiang Nian would catch herself smiling absentmindedly at work just thinking about her.

So when Lu Renbing entered the office holding a problematic contract, he found Jiang Nian still floating in that daydream.

“President Jiang, the last project hit a snag. The funds weren’t enough, the materials fell short, and the deadline wasn’t met. We’re now facing breach penalties, and the capital is locked up,” Lu Renbing reported, his voice anxious and his hands trembling. This was the biggest issue since he’d taken the job.

Jiang Nian’s mind went blank at the words “capital is locked.” She’d already felt something was off when the budget had matched the requirements too perfectly. Now her gut feeling had been confirmed—it had gone wrong.

“Should we call an emergency meeting?” she asked, flustered.

Lu Renbing shook his head. “President Jiang, this project didn’t go through the Chairwoman. The guarantor is one of your own people. If this reaches her, both of us are finished.”

“She’s still busy with family matters and can’t get involved right now… I need to fix this myself.” Jiang Nian took a deep breath. She knew business came with risk, and now she needed to deliver the delayed products and ensure the designs could still sell.

For the next few days, Jiang Nian didn’t even go home—she worked tirelessly at the company. Though the breach penalties were manageable and she eventually scraped together the funds, she also uncovered shady dealings with the supplier and promptly fired the person responsible.

Surprisingly, the person didn’t panic at all. Instead, they left with a smirk and said it was better this way.

Jiang Nian’s instincts immediately sharpened. She didn’t need hard evidence to know—the Yan family was behind this.

From then on, she handled everything herself, taking control of every process with caution.

After most of the damage was repaired, Jiang Nian finally allowed herself one day of rest at home.

The next morning, still planning to stay in bed, she was surprised when Qiao Wenyu entered her room.

“Xiaonian, have you been busy lately?” she asked gently.

“Yeah… there’s been a lot going on at work.” Jiang Nian rubbed her forehead wearily. “Do you feel unwell? Do you need pheromones? I can—”

“No,” Qiao Wenyu said, lowering her head. “I just wanted to ask if you’re free today.”

“I am.”

Qiao Wenyu sat beside her. “Do you… want to go on a date with me?”

“A date? Really?” Jiang Nian suddenly perked up, sitting straight with wide, sparkling eyes.

At Qiao Wenyu’s suggestion, they packed up picnic supplies and headed to a nearby wetland park.

It was early autumn. The air was crisp and fresh, the breeze light and pleasant.

Qiao Wenyu had even tucked a kite into Jiang Nian’s trunk, saying they could fly it for fun.

Jiang Nian was like a giddy child—she absolutely loved the idea and agreed enthusiastically.

Once they arrived, Jiang Nian found a nice spot and pitched a tent, then laid out all kinds of snacks and food.

“Xiaonian, do you know how to set up a kite frame?” Qiao Wenyu asked from a stool just outside the tent. Her hands fumbled with the plastic rods and fabric, completely at a loss.

Jiang Nian took the kite from her, assembled it without even glancing at the instructions, and held it up proudly. “Done! Pretty impressive, right?”

Qiao Wenyu giggled. “Very impressive.”

“Right?” Jiang Nian beamed like a child showing off her toys.

Qiao Wenyu’s brows relaxed, and she said softly, “You’ve been frowning a lot lately. I think you’re the most beautiful when you smile.”

“Jiejie, I…” Jiang Nian set the kite down on the table. “I’ve made you worry. There’s been some trouble at the company lately, and I’ve been scrambling to deal with it.”

“What happened?” Qiao Wenyu asked, then immediately covered her mouth. “Sorry—can I ask?”

“Of course you can.” Jiang Nian actually wished Qiao Wenyu would care more about her.

She took the opportunity to explain the entire project issue in detail.

“It’s my father. This has his fingerprints all over it,” Qiao Wenyu said seriously, resting her chin on her palm.

“I feel the same…” Jiang Nian nodded.

“You upset him last time, and then clashed with Yan Fu. He’s clearly trying to crush your spirit,” Qiao Wenyu muttered, her anger growing.

“My mom told me to go apologize—but I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I? They’re the ones in the wrong,” Jiang Nian said firmly.

Qiao Wenyu clenched her jaw. Her fury burned hotter. Her father had hurt her friend in the past, and now he wanted to ruin Jiang Nian too?

“Sis… what’s wrong?” Jiang Nian noticed her zoning out.

Qiao Wenyu blinked, coming back to herself. “Xiaonian, you’re right. You didn’t do anything wrong. My father is…”

“It’s okay. I won’t back down,” Jiang Nian said quietly. “I want you to hold your head high in front of the Yan family. I won’t let him hurt you again.”

Qiao Wenyu looked at her with a complicated expression. I feel the same… she thought.

“We need to find a designer,” she said, pointing to the files on the table.

“I’ve tried. No one will take the job. If they hear I’ve offended Yan Zhong, they’ll all walk away,” Jiang Nian said, defeated.

Qiao Wenyu hesitated, then finally said, “There’s someone who can help.”

“Who?”

“…Bai Ye.”

“Her?” Jiang Nian frowned.

“She’s been overseas for years. She has connections with reliable designers. Finding someone trustworthy shouldn’t be hard for her,” Qiao Wenyu explained.

“I can find someone overseas too—” Jiang Nian began, but the mere mention of Bai Ye made her uncomfortable.

“No. My father could easily bribe someone unless we find someone with real, proven ties. That’s not something you or I can just pull out of nowhere.”

“There’s really no one else?” Jiang Nian asked.

Qiao Wenyu closed her eyes. “No. If we want to fight back, we need allies as powerful as he is.”

“You’re going to ask Bai Ye for help? If that’s the case… I’d rather bow to Yan Zhong,” Jiang Nian muttered bitterly. When she wanted to hold onto Qiao Wenyu, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

Qiao Wenyu reached out and pinched her ear gently. “Xiaonian. Trust me just this once.”

“You…” Jiang Nian wanted to say more, but held it in.

You won’t get too close to Bai Ye, will you? Won’t… leave me behind, right, Jiejie?