After Cat A Saved the Wrong Female Lead - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: A Sudden Onset of Heat

The Qin Group started out in investment. Though it has since expanded into many industries, its most promising ventures lie in high-tech sectors — like “Illusia,” the company run by Qin Shiyang, and the VR company owned by the second branch of the family. The two businesses overlapped in some ways, and the second branch had been eyeing a takeover since the death of Qin Shiyang’s mother.

The Second Madam of the Qin family, now in her thirties, wasn’t particularly business-savvy herself. But she had married Yang An — a woman known for her calculating and ruthless mind.

“Qin Shiyang really got herself a little Alpha recently?”

In a lavishly decorated villa in the family estate, a woman was pruning flowers on the balcony. Her movements were gentle, but her sharp gaze betrayed a very different temperament. The person reporting to her quickly replied:

“She’s called Tang Li — from the Bai family.”

Tang Li’s Alpha mother, Yu Zhou, had some clout in the entertainment industry, but since the Second Madam and Yang An didn’t mingle in those circles, they paid her no mind. As for the Bai family, while somewhat well-known in Huadu, they were insignificant in comparison to the Qin family.

Yang An took several seconds to even recall who that was. If Tang Li had been one of the outstanding young members of the Bai family, Yang An would have definitely remembered. After some thought, she mentally downgraded Tang Li’s threat level to “minimal.”

Suddenly, Yang An let out a quiet laugh and snipped off a vibrant flower with a decisive cut. The brightly bloomed petal dropped with a snap, landing on the smooth marble floor.

She had long heard about Qin Shiyang’s problematic heat cycles — but didn’t expect it to have gotten this serious. As an Omega herself, she understood all too well. With someone as proud and elite as Qin Shiyang, she’d naturally want a partner who matched her in every way, someone meticulously chosen.

Now, choosing a no-name Alpha? She probably just wanted someone easier to control. If things had gotten bad enough that she had to seek out an Alpha for relief…

A surge of malice flickered in Yang An’s eyes.

….

To avoid any awkward mix-ups, Qin Shiyang had personally confirmed Tang Li’s birthday before making arrangements for the surprise.

Tang Li, meanwhile, had been suffering under a relentless workload. The intense pressure in her work environment was starting to show in the atmosphere among colleagues. One day, their supervisor came in with none of the usual professionalism — just snapped at everyone, leaving them speculating that someone must’ve ratted them out. Eventually, the blame somehow fell on Tang Li, the intern.

But Tang Li wasn’t the type to endure unfair treatment. She was here to learn and grow, yes — but if it crossed the line into toxic competition, there was no point in staying. She decided she’d finish the project she was currently responsible for, then leave.

A few days before her birthday, she received a reservation notice from Xiaoyu. It immediately lifted her spirits.

The original Tang Li had decent social connections — especially close to Yao Cheche. The issue involving Professor Li had blown over a few days ago, and though Yao Cheche continued to rant, she had no actual evidence to drag Tang Li into it, so Tang Li came out unscathed.

Still, she didn’t enjoy loud, crowded environments. After thanking those who wished her a happy birthday in the group chat with a generous red envelope, she called her two moms (who couldn’t be there in person) on the way to the restaurant, then happily put on light makeup and headed to her private celebration with Xiaoyu.

Qin Shiyang had booked a private room. Tang Li arrived early and, on her way to the restroom, bumped into an Omega.

Though the Omega had clearly walked into her, the petite body nearly stumbled back. Tang Li instinctively reached out to steady her — only to be met with a pair of watery eyes and a pitiful expression.

“Can you… take me back to my room?”

The restaurant had multiple floors. The bottom two were dining areas, the third was a bar, and the fourth and fifth had private rest areas for emergencies involving A/O pairs. The Omega leaned into her, their bodies subtly brushing. When a faint scent hit her nose, Tang Li instinctively held her breath, alert.

She had a naturally keen sense of smell — and beyond the released pheromones, she detected something… strange. The scent was faint, but she was absolutely sure she wasn’t imagining it.

Why were people always resorting to drugs!?

Do they just not care about the law?

Fortunately, she was someone equipped with nine years of compulsory education — she knew to call the police when in doubt. Facing the Omega’s “innocent” and seductive look, Tang Li cheerfully reported her to the authorities.

Of course, she didn’t spill the full story. After all, she still had a date with Xiaoyu. If she said this person might’ve tried to drug her, she’d be stuck making a statement. And she wasn’t about to be that foolish.

There was a police station nearby. Officers — quick and professional — arrived shortly and took the “in need of help” Omega away. Watching her leave in a panic, Tang Li finally relaxed and returned to the private room. She cracked a window to let in some air — her head was feeling a little heavy.

May winds were warm. Sitting alone on the clean, spacious couch, she drifted off without realizing it. She didn’t even hear the buzz of her phone when Qin Shiyang messaged her.

Despite rearranging some of her schedule, Qin Shiyang had still gotten stuck in traffic. She sent a message to Tang Li, then pulled out her iPad to get some work done.

The silver Maserati’s interior was fitted with soft office lighting and a pull-out desk — a perfect mini mobile office. Qin Shiyang was used to working during commutes. But today, her eyes kept drifting from the screen to the glowing city lights outside, and her thoughts wandered.

Just then, she got a call from Shen Zhihe.

Shen Zhihe had been her close friend since high school. They’d kept in touch through college. She had only recently returned to the country and had wanted to catch up today — but Qin Shiyang had turned her down, honestly saying she had a birthday date.

Shen Zhihe’s curiosity had immediately been piqued.

Qin Shiyang, something’s different about you.

That message went unread, so she called directly. Hearing the background noise, she teased:

“Don’t tell me you’re still in traffic — didn’t you say you got off work early today?”

Qin Shiyang, wearing a Bluetooth earpiece, didn’t show much expression, but her gaze shifted from the iPad to the elegantly wrapped gift on the seat beside her. Shen Zhihe instantly caught on.

“You got off early just to buy her a present, didn’t you? I can’t believe you ditched me to spend a birthday with some little temptress. Miss Qin—” She dragged out the last words, playful and full of mischief. Then suddenly she asked, “Wait… are you going with your crush? Is this Alpha someone you like?”

“No.”

The answer came instantly, almost as if triggered. It struck something in Qin Shiyang. Looking at the congested road, she suddenly felt a strange irritation. She kept her tone casual:

“I’ll treat you next time. Don’t make a fuss.”

Then hung up and urged the driver:

“If this road’s too slow, take another route.”

“This is the fastest, Miss Qin.”

Qin Shiyang was normally a quiet passenger — the kind who was easy to drive for. The driver, sensing her rare urgency, quickly pulled up the GPS to explain.

The woman in the back fell silent again. But thanks to police redirecting traffic ahead, she still managed to arrive right on time.

….

The door opened, and Tang Li stirred awake. As she sat up, dizziness hit her. Her brain felt slightly starved of oxygen — but her nose picked up a familiar, comforting scent before anything else.

It was that familiar fragrance — tea-like and crisp, like mountain air blowing away the early summer heat.

Outside, dusk had fully transitioned into night. A server passed by in the hallway, the clink of glass bottles audible. Tang Li looked up to see Qin Shiyang approaching in a chiffon gown the color of pale green beans. A thin mint-colored necklace sat coolly against her neck.

The woman called her name, voice a little anxious. Tang Li had always loved hearing her say it — the way she pronounced the syllables, the soft breath between them.

She felt as if she’d been pulled into the Omega’s arms. That embrace was warm and soft. Her cheeks flushed, her warmth seeping into Qin Shiyang’s necklace.

Her ears and tailbone itched — almost painfully. Her mind fogged over. Hot tears welled up uncontrollably.

Tang Li’s throat burned, her neck burned. Breathing in the tea-like scent, the skin around her scent glands felt like it was on fire. She collapsed into Qin Shiyang’s shoulder, every breath greedy and strained.

“…Tang Li!?”

She heard the familiar voice calling her name — then felt a gentle, tingling touch on her tailbone, soothing the wild heat.

Qin Shiyang pulled the girl into her arms, cradling her tightly. Her gaze flickered as it settled on the top of the Alpha’s head — and her tailbone.