After Differentiating into an Alpha, I Marked My Love Rival - Chapter 22

Xie Yangqing snapped back to attention. “No, actually. Miss Zhou Yi and Miss Jiang haven’t met at all these past few days.”

 

He found it strange too. Logically speaking, after being tricked by Jiang Zhiluo, how could Zhou Yi not go confront her?

 

Or perhaps, after breaking off her engagement with Ji Yongshu, she could finally be with the Omega she’d been longing for. Yet they could resist meeting each other?

 

Xie Yangqing couldn’t figure it out either, but then it occurred to him—maybe Zhou Yi was avoiding Jiang Zhiluo precisely because the current situation was too tense. That would make sense.

 

Ji Yongshu clearly had the same thought.

 

“Should we continue having someone watch Miss Jiang?” Xie Yangqing collected his wandering thoughts and asked softly.

 

Ji Yongshu had previously assigned someone to monitor Jiang Zhiluo, but it seemed Jiang Zhiluo’s bodyguard had noticed, as no useful photos had been sent back since.

 

Ji Yongshu sighed, her gaze distant as if lost in thought. “No, let’s leave it at that for now.”

 

There was no point in keeping watch over Jiang Zhiluo anyway—she was about to break off her engagement with Zhou Yi.

 

Only three days remained until their official announcement.

 

Though the media had already started building hype over the past couple of days.

 

When Ji Yongshu checked her phone that morning, she had even seen a video pushed to her by a gossip account, analyzing the likelihood of her and Zhou Yi calling off their engagement.

 

Probably another marketing stunt bought by the Zhou family.

 

Ji Yongshu didn’t bother watching it all, exiting after just a glance.

 

Her breakup with Zhou Yi was inevitable. Yet these gossip accounts spun the most mundane affairs into dramatic sagas, as if there were some deep-seated grudge between her and Zhou Yi.

 

Ji Yongshu found it laughable.

 

Xie Yangqing handed her a document.

 

“You’re also attending Old Madam Xie’s birthday banquet next week.”

 

Ji Yongshu pondered this.

 

This Old Madam Xie was none other than Zhou Yi’s maternal grandmother—Xie Xi’s mother.

 

A formidable woman in her own right.

 

She had dominated the business world in her youth, then handed the family assets to the younger generation in her later years to enjoy retirement.

 

This year marked her sixtieth birthday, so the celebration was bound to be extravagant.

 

“Who’s on the guest list?”

 

Normally, outsiders wouldn’t have access to such information. But given Ji Yongshu’s still-pending engagement ties to Zhou Yi, she had been provided a copy.

 

Taking the document from Xie Yangqing, Ji Yongshu skimmed through it quickly, her eyes landing on one name in particular.

 

“Jiang Zhiluo is attending too?”

 

Zhou Yi actually dared to openly bring her rumored lover to her grandmother’s birthday banquet? Wasn’t she afraid of angering her father?

 

After all, Jiang Zhiluo was essentially the spark that led to the dissolution of their engagement.

 

Zhou Yi had some nerve.

 

A complicated feeling stirred in Ji Yongshu’s chest. Unconsciously, her fingers brushed over Jiang Zhiluo’s name, lingering there far longer than she realized.

 

Xie Yangqing noticed.

 

He said nothing, merely observing Ji Yongshu’s distracted expression with quiet contemplation.

 

Miss Ji and that Miss Jiang… there was definitely something between them.

 

Xie Yangqing had a growing suspicion that their relationship might run deeper than it seemed. Could Jiang Zhiluo end up becoming the lady of the Ji household?

 

After all, Jiang Zhiluo’s rank wasn’t low. Although he hadn’t managed to investigate the other’s specific background yet, it was easy to imagine that Jiang Zhiluo must come from a good family.

 

Such an outstanding Omega would be more than worthy of Ji Yongshu, if not for that awkward status.

 

But if Ji Yongshu truly liked Jiang Zhiluo, this wouldn’t be much of a problem.

 

It was just a matter of competing with Zhou Yi for someone—he believed Ji Yongshu could easily win against Zhou Yi.

 

Who knows, Ji Yongshu might really end up with Jiang Zhiluo.

 

Xie Yangqing mentally reviewed their brief encounters, making sure he hadn’t offended his potential future boss’s wife.

 

His thoughts had wandered too far, so much so that he didn’t even notice when Ji Yongshu finished reviewing the documents and spoke to him.

 

Ji Yongshu frowned and called his name again, “Xie Yangqing?”

 

How rare—the usually sharp and capable Secretary Xie was actually spacing out.

 

Thankfully, Xie Yangqing had mastered the art of maintaining composure. Even after being caught wildly speculating about Ji Yongshu, he showed no trace of guilt, instead nodding calmly.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Ji Yongshu gave him a slightly surprised look. “I just said you need to arrange for a few more reliable media outlets. After the official announcement about the engagement being called off, they should break the news about my Differentiation into an Alpha.”

 

Xie Yangqing reverted to his composed self and nodded again. “Rest assured, President Ji has already discussed this with me.”

 

Ji Yongshu wasn’t surprised. Ji Fengchu had clearly considered even more than she had—he had probably already arranged everything.

 

Ensuring the Ji family wouldn’t suffer any negative repercussions from this incident.

 

“Alright, leave the documents here. I’ll handle them.” Ji Yongshu placed her hand on the stack of files and casually picked one up.

 

But Xie Yangqing didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he studied her expression and asked with concern, “I heard you experienced your first Heat Period outbreak last night. How are you feeling?”

 

As a Beta, Xie Yangqing couldn’t detect Pheromones and had never gone through a Heat Period or Rut. He knew about the irrational behaviors Alphas exhibited during their Heat Periods but had never witnessed them firsthand.

 

“Not bad.” As she spoke, Ji Yongshu rubbed her throbbing temples, using the gesture to mask her embarrassment.

 

It was fine if no one mentioned it, but the moment last night’s events were brought up, she couldn’t help but recall how she had shamelessly called Jiang Zhiluo “wife.”

 

Utterly humiliating!

 

Xie Yangqing didn’t notice the unease in Ji Yongshu’s tone. Observing her complexion, he spotted faint dark circles under her eyes, proof that last night hadn’t been easy for her.

 

At least her spirits seemed decent.

 

“You seem to have recovered quite quickly.”

 

Xie Yangqing recalled the materials he’d read, which stated that an Alpha’s Heat Period, much like an Omega’s, could last several days before subsiding.

 

During this time, an Alpha was like a ticking time bomb, liable to explode at any moment.

 

Yet Ji Yongshu had regained clarity after just one night.

 

The speed was beyond expectations.

 

Hearing this, Ji Yongshu merely lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “It’s still unclear whether there will be a second wave.”

 

If there really was a second wave, she might have to trouble Jiang Zhiluo again.

 

After all, the orange plush toy had already been thoroughly cleaned by her, leaving not a trace of pheromones behind.

 

That meant last night’s events might have to be repeated.

 

Ji Yongshu tapped her fingers impatiently, unwilling to dwell on it.

 

“Then I’ll take my leave now,” Xie Yangqing said as she stood up. “I hope your differentiation goes smoothly.”

 

After having the butler see Xie Yangqing out, Ji Yongshu remained seated on the sofa, continuing to work through her documents. Only after finishing the entire stack did she pick up her phone from the side table.

 

Jiang Zhiluo had replied to her half an hour ago.

 

What’s wrong, sister?

 

Ji Yongshu was momentarily stunned before realizing that Jiang Zhiluo must have also assumed she had forgotten about last night.

 

And that was for the best, wasn’t it?

 

Wasn’t this exactly what she had wanted?

 

While Ji Yongshu felt a sense of relief, an inexplicable melancholy crept in, and an untimely thought flashed through her mind:

 

Last night, she called me ‘wife,’ and now it’s back to ‘sister.’

 

Jiang Zhiluo had always been like this—sometimes affectionately calling her “sister” in person, only to distance herself later with a formal “Miss Ji.”

 

It was precisely because of this fickle attitude that Ji Yongshu refused to believe Jiang Zhiluo had any real feelings for her.

 

If she truly liked her, how could Jiang Zhiluo show no signs of it at all?

 

Ji Yongshu exhaled softly, deciding to wipe last night’s events from her memory as if nothing had ever happened.

 

In the afternoon, the doctor conducted a full examination, and the results satisfied Ji Yongshu—her Heat Period had ended.

 

This meant that from now on, Ji Yongshu was officially and completely an Alpha!

 

It was a joyous occasion. If not for the need to keep it low-key, Bai Yingying would have thrown a grand celebration.

 

Ji Yongshu was also happy, but she rarely showed her emotions openly, so the most visible reaction was a slight upward curve of her lips.

 

Jiang Zhiluo was the first person outside the Ji family to learn that Ji Yongshu had completed her differentiation.

 

After all, it was with her help that Ji Yongshu had succeeded. Not only did Ji Yongshu thank her repeatedly over text, but she also promised to treat Jiang Zhiluo to a meal later.

 

The Omega’s reaction was perfectly natural—congratulating her like an ordinary friend and agreeing to the dinner invitation.

 

This only reinforced Ji Yongshu’s belief.

 

How could Jiang Zhiluo possibly like me?

 

After her differentiation was complete, Ji Yongshu quietly returned to work.

 

She sprayed on a light fragrance, ensuring that as long as her pheromones didn’t leak, no one would notice she had transitioned from Omega to Alpha.

 

Lately, life had been peaceful—at least for Ji Yongshu, it was a rare stretch of tranquility.

 

The news of her broken engagement with Zhou Yi had caused quite a stir, but since Ji Yongshu spent her days either at the office or at home, gossipmongers had no chance to pry for details.

 

But there was no rush. On the day of Old Madam Xie’s birthday celebration, Ji Yongshu would undoubtedly make an appearance, and everyone was eagerly awaiting that moment.

 

Zhou Yi was no longer Ji Yongshu’s fiancée, which meant the opportunity was open again—who would be the next to claim this Omega?

 

The Ji family’s wealth had people salivating, each dreaming of being the next lucky one.

 

Zhou Yi is such an idiot!

 

Even if they wanted to play around outside, they’d at least have to keep Miss Ji Yongshu happy first. To let such a prize slip through their fingers…

 

Many secretly harbored such thoughts, hoping to catch Ji Yongshu’s eye.

 

Ji Yongshu remained remarkably composed. Despite knowing the event would likely bring numerous annoyances, she showed no intention of avoiding it.

 

The day before the banquet, the stylist delivered the evening gowns. After trying them all, Ji Yongshu finally settled on one set.

 

Early the next morning, the styling team arrived at the Ji residence. Bai Yingying issued a stern warning: today, they absolutely had to make Ji Yongshu outshine everyone present.

 

Even if she now despised that scoundrel Zhou Yi, she wanted Zhou Yi to understand what a terrible mistake it had been to betray her daughter!

 

Ji Yongshu didn’t share this sentiment, but she indulged her mother’s petty revenge fantasy, allowing the styling team to fuss over her for over two hours until everything was perfect.

 

Even Bai Yingying couldn’t help grasping her daughter’s hands and exclaiming, “That’s my girl!”

 

Whether as an Omega or an Alpha, Ji Yongshu was flawless in every way.

 

After this burst of pride, Bai Yingying suddenly grew pensive.

 

Previously she’d worried her daughter might never marry. Now she found herself wondering: what kind of partner would be worthy of Ji Yongshu?

 

What sort of Omega could become the lady of the Ji household?

 

“Yongyong,” she asked, “what kind of Omega do you like?”

 

Ji Yongshu examined herself in the mirror and gave a helpless smile at the question. Adjusting the pearl necklace at her throat, she replied softly, “Mom, I only differentiated recently.”

 

Her psyche hadn’t fully transitioned from Omega to Alpha yet. Asking about her Omega preferences now was practically forcing her to consider an Omega-Omega relationship.

 

Bai Yingying wrapped an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “You can just look around today. There’ll be many unmarried Omegas attending—see if any catch your eye.”

 

Ji Yongshu pressed her lips together, a certain delicate face suddenly surfacing in her mind.

 

She shook her head slightly, forcing the image away.

 

Just pheromones playing tricks.

 

Yes, that had to be it.

 

Picking up her clutch purse, Ji Yongshu lifted her chin slightly, once again the aloof and dignified Miss Ji of the Ji family.

 

“Let’s go.”