After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium (GL, ABO) - Chapter 3

Bian You sorted through all the original owner’s information. Currently, the original owner held a position at the Bian Family Group, serving as the general manager. However, with Bian Lian as the chairman above her, she wasn’t granted much real authority.

As she scanned the various data files on the computer, Bian You rubbed her temples in frustration.

Truth be told, she didn’t enjoy managing these things. She much preferred dealing with lines of code.

But given the current circumstances, she needed to secure some capital otherwise, she wouldn’t even have the means to treat Qi Zhi’e well.

If she wanted to live comfortably in this world, she had to grasp as much as possible.

After a moment of contemplation, Bian You hacked into the Bian Group’s network and infiltrated Bian Lian’s computer.

Bian Lian was a cautious person, so there weren’t many critical files on the company computer. Still, it was enough for what Bian You needed.

Considering Qi Zhi’e’s current situation at the Qi Group, Bian You took a day to rest before heading to the company the next day.

The Bian Group’s core business was in the internet sector. Their previous attempt to expand into real estate was driven by relaxed national policies and the desire to broaden their commercial reach.

But that move had been halted by the original owner. A prime piece of land with immense commercial value had been acquired, only to be transferred away.

Since no negative news had surfaced about the land yet, everyone still saw it as a golden opportunity. To have such a lucrative asset tossed away so carelessly, no wonder the board members had endless grievances against Bian You.

However, after assessing the Bian Group’s situation, Bian You realized that while the company was indeed an internet giant in the country, its recent investments had been overly aggressive and reckless. Years of complacency had dulled their vigilance and respect for the market.

Reform was, in her eyes, absolutely necessary.

Her first act upon entering the company was to visit the administrative area of the Technology Engineering Department. She smiled amiably at the head of the department, but her words sent him leaping from his chair.

“Yesterday, someone hacked into the company’s network, and none of you noticed?”

Bian You was confident in her skills—she wouldn’t leave any traces. But for such a massive corporation with an extensive tech team to remain completely oblivious was still disappointing.

“What?!” The CTO was stunned, then immediately retorted, “Impossible! We detected no anomalies.”

Bian You’s expression cooled slightly. She tapped her knuckles lightly on the desk and chuckled. “Confidence in your skills is good, but overconfidence isn’t.”

Without waiting for the CTO’s reaction, she turned and left.

When the CTO tried to chase after her for clarification, Bian You ignored him, stepping into the elevator and leaving him behind.

She had only intended to issue a warning, not reveal her own capabilities.

Returning to the original owner’s office, Bian You frowned at the oppressive black decor. Work was already unpleasant enough, why make the environment so stifling? It was no wonder people developed psychological issues.

After having her assistant arrange a temporary office for her, Bian You began tackling the original owner’s work once the office was renovated.

Yet during breaks, she couldn’t help but think of Qi Zhi’e.

She wondered what Qi Zhi’e was doing now and how she planned to handle the situation with her uncle.

At the thought of Qi Zhi’e’s uncle, Bian You frowned. Of course, she believed Qi Zhi’e could resolve the matter after all, in the novel, Qi Zhi’e had sent her uncle straight to prison.

But… the process would undoubtedly be difficult.

After finishing her own work, she ordered a bouquet of flowers and headed straight to the Qi Group.

Even if Qi Zhi’e wasn’t willing to engage with her right now, she couldn’t just pretend nothing had happened and leave things as they were, could she?

The Qi Group primarily operated in real estate, but with tightening policies in recent years, the industry had taken a significant hit. Though conditions had eased somewhat now, returning to its former glory wouldn’t be easy.

Qi Youqun, Qi Zhi’e’s uncle, was a conservative who wanted to cling to the existing business without change.

Qi Zhi’e, however, sought to explore new fields, expand the family’s commercial empire, and build deeper competitive advantages.

But…

“I’m sorry, but without an appointment, you can’t go up,” the receptionist said with a polite smile, glancing at the bouquet in Bian You’s arms.

Clearly, she was used to this kind of situation.

Bian You hadn’t expected to be barred from even seeing Qi Zhi’e.

She took out her phone and dialed Qi Zhi’e’s number, only to hear that the call couldn’t be connected.

Bian You froze for a moment before trying again, same result.

Had she been blocked?

The receptionist was still watching her with a faint smile, as if waiting to see the outcome of her call.

Bian You: “…”

She frowned slightly, lowering her phone with a quiet sigh. Maybe she was being too impatient? Perhaps she should give Qi Zhi’e more time to cool off?

Just as she was about to leave, a man of average height, with a sallow complexion and deep furrows between his brows, walked in.

Bian You recognized him from the system’s files, this was Qi Zhi’e’s uncle, Qi Youqun.

Qi Youqun clearly hadn’t expected to run into Bian You here. The moment he saw her, he stiffened, his expression darkening as if ink were about to drip from his face.

“Is something wrong, President Qi? You don’t look too well,” Bian You said with a faint smile. The man stood at about 1.73 meters, slightly shorter than her.

At her words, Qi Youqun seethed silently, ignoring her entirely as he strode past.

Though he had managed to take that land from her, his main goal had been to use Bian You to eliminate Qi Zhi’e. Yet not only had Qi Zhi’e survived, but now it seemed Bian You had genuinely fallen for her!

He had always counted on Bian You’s erratic and extreme behavior, how she would stop at nothing to get Qi Zhi’e paired with Qi Zhi’e’s aloof and stubborn nature. He had assumed the two would clash like fire and ice, making life miserable for each other.

Yet the fact that Qi Zhi’e could appear unharmed at the company, coupled with Bian You being stopped at the entrance earlier while holding flowers, signaled that everything had changed.

Qi Youqun stood inside the elevator, his gloomy and puzzled face reflected in the polished mirror of the cabin.

He couldn’t quite comprehend how Bian You’s attitude could shift so drastically.

Meanwhile, Bian You, still at the reception desk, curled her lips into a faint smile before striding out with the flowers, her steps noticeably lighter.

Qi Youqun, on the other hand, seemed visibly flustered and furious.

“President Qi…”

Ji Jiu observed Qi Zhi’e’s expression as she watched the surveillance footage, unsure of her current mood.

Ji Jiu was among the very few who knew what had transpired between Qi Zhi’e and Bian You. Just two days prior, she had rushed to the hotel to accompany Qi Zhi’e to the hospital for a check-up, ensuring there were no lingering effects from any drugs.

Because she knew the truth, when she first heard Bian You wanted to see Qi Zhi’e, a surge of anger welled up inside her. Seeing that seemingly refined figure on the monitor only made her grit her teeth in resentment.

She found such people utterly terrifying, their disguises so flawless that no one could glimpse the beast lurking beneath.

Qi Zhi’e lowered her gaze slightly. The teardrop mole beneath the corner of her left eye added a touch of alluring charm. Even with her indifferent expression, there was an unspoken elegance about her.

“It’s fine. Have someone keep a close eye on Qi Youqun’s movements.”

Qi Zhi’e concealed the cold glint in her eyes. Though she had been reborn and now possessed more experience than in her previous life, she still needed to proceed with caution.

Her current influence was limited. To overthrow Qi Youqun and break free from the Qi family’s control, she would have to take things step by step.

In her past life, she had been too aggressive, leaving behind numerous vulnerabilities that ultimately led to her downfall her brakes tampered with, sending her car plunging into the sea with no chance of escape.

The memory of her previous life darkened Qi Zhi’e’s expression slightly.

Even now, she wasn’t entirely sure who had sabotaged her car.

Seeing her like this, Ji Jiu didn’t press further and quietly excused herself.

Once alone, Qi Zhi’e rewound the surveillance footage, watching Qi Youqun’s expression as if he’d swallowed a fly, her own face remaining impassive.

Having lived through this once before, she knew exactly how the land Qi Youqun had acquired from Bian You would turn out. But she had no intention of warning him.

She would wait, wait for Qi Youqun to pour all his resources into that land, only for it to become a dead weight. Then she’d see how he explained it to the board.

After leaving the Qi Group, Bian You stopped by a nearby café and ordered a batch of coffee and desserts to be delivered to the office under Qi Zhi’e’s name, claiming it was an afternoon treat from her.

When Ji Jiu relayed this to Qi Zhi’e, she merely acknowledged it with a faint response, showing little reaction.

Returning to the Bian Group, Bian You didn’t play favorites either. She arranged afternoon tea for the employees on her floor before entering her office, still carrying the flowers and a small cake.

To her surprise, a woman lay sprawled lazily across her office chair, limbs draped carelessly over the armrests as if boneless. The moment she spotted Bian You, her eyes lit up, and she sprang to her feet excitedly.

“Youyou!”

The woman joyfully rushed over and took the small cake from Bian You’s hands.

“???”

Bian You’s mind was filled with question marks, but she quickly realized what was happening.

This woman before her must be Mi Yue, the only person the original owner could truly call a friend, right?

She looked quite youthful, with a bit of baby fat on her face paired with large, sparkling eyes, making her appear especially endearing.

Recalling the book’s description, Bian You’s expression became somewhat complicated.

Despite her cute and innocent appearance, this woman was secretly an avid shipper who loved writing extremely explicit fanfiction.