Has The Live-in Alpha Stepped Up - Chapter 28
28: Heartbeat Diagnosis
The relatives of the Yu family were completely overwhelmed by An Yizhu, this young girl who had just entered society. They no longer dared to speak carelessly, afraid that as soon as they opened their mouths, this little girl would disregard all decorum and berate them mercilessly.
Even they knew that Yu Guqiu and Yu Shanmei had long wanted to scold them but had held back for the sake of appearances.
The main table fell into an awkward silence, while the other tables remained lively and bustling.
An Yizhu, however, wasn’t idle. Freed from arguing with these relatives, she focused on peeling shrimp and crab for Yu Guqiu, sneaking bites for herself in between, thoroughly enjoying herself.
By the time the business partners from other tables came over to offer their congratulations midway through the banquet, they saw An Yizhu’s plate piled high with seafood shells and Yu Guqiu’s plate filled with neatly peeled shrimp and crab meat.
This sight alone gave them plenty to think about.
As the banquet neared its end, many guests, having other matters to attend to, began to take their leave. Some had come prepared, bringing contracts to discuss privately with Yu Guqiu after the event.
Yu Guqiu wasn’t one for excessive formalities.
If she could achieve her goals today, she wouldn’t delay.
Still in her wedding dress, she had the servants arrange a study where she could sign contracts directly.
An Yizhu hadn’t expected a wedding to be so effective.
Yu Guqiu really was skilled at achieving great results with minimal effort.
Yu Shanmei’s health didn’t allow her to sit for long.
By the end of the banquet, feeling unwell, she said a few words to Yu Guqiu, bid farewell to the guests, and left early, fully handing the stage over to the two younger women.
Yu Guqiu was about to meet with guests and couldn’t see her off, so An Yizhu stepped in.
“You’ve worked hard.” Yu Shanmei said as she left the table, leaning on An Yizhu’s arm as they walked slowly outside.
“Not at all. My wedding dress is much more convenient than Xiao Qiu’s. She has to drag that long train around while negotiating business—that’s what’s really hard.” An Yizhu replied cheerfully.
Yu Shanmei chuckled and shook her head. “No wonder Xiao Qiu says she loves seeing you smile the most.”
An Yizhu froze.
Had Yu Guqiu praised her smile in front of her grandmother too? Just like she had in front of Old Mom An?
An Yizhu couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild.
Maybe Yu Guqiu also…
Yu Shanmei continued, “What’s really hard for you today was dealing with those strangers. That should have been my responsibility. But as you’ve probably noticed, my words don’t carry as much weight as they used to.”
“Grandma, you can’t say that. Anyone can see they only tolerated me today because of you. Otherwise, as an outsider, if I’d said those things to provoke them, wouldn’t they have flipped the table?” An Yizhu was skilled at comforting elders.
Yu Shanmei didn’t dwell on the matter with her either, just smiled and said, “It’s going to be hard work from here on out. Turning Yu Group around will definitely be a tough, long-term battle.”
“Mm, two years.” An Yizhu knew this timeline.
“What?” Yu Shanmei, however, looked at An Yizhu in confusion.
An Yizhu still remembered the time limit specified in the prenuptial agreement: “Two years—that’s the deadline Xiao Qiu set for herself.”
Yu Shanmei sighed. “That child has always been stubborn, ever since she was little. I don’t know if Xiao Qiu has told you, but Yu Group’s current problems are severe. In the pharmaceutical sector, R&D momentum is weak—several experiments have been outpaced by other teams, and the original patent barriers have been breached. The only growth is in the medical equipment division, but the old factory… well, the place where you and Xiao Qiu met—you already know the situation there.”
Logically speaking, if Yu Shanmei hadn’t brought this up with An Yizhu at the old house two days ago, she shouldn’t be mentioning it now.
Yet here she was, not only discussing them but hoping An Yizhu would understand.
“The biggest issue is the lack of funding. The shortfall isn’t just a few million—it’s tens or even hundreds of millions. She’s already planning to use the trust my late husband left for her, dipping into her last safety net. I don’t support this,” Yu Shanmei continued.
But this was far beyond An Yizhu’s understanding.
Yu Guqiu hadn’t mentioned any of this to her, and even if she had, An Yizhu wouldn’t have grasped it.
Still, based on the novel’s ending, Yu Guqiu’s approach to things was often all-or-nothing—she held nothing back.
Yu Shanmei noticed An Yizhu’s struggle and smiled, shaking her head. “I’ve said too much. In any case, you’ll have to help me keep an eye on her. Health is the foundation of everything.”
An Yizhu understood this well. “I will.”
Yu Shanmei trusted An Yizhu to do so and added, “If it really becomes too much, let Yu Corporation go bankrupt. She can keep the two profitable businesses and live happily with you for the rest of her life. I’d be fine with that.”
From Yu Shanmei’s words, An Yizhu sensed the love of this elderly matriarch for her descendant.
She nodded firmly. “Happiness is a must. But I believe in Xiao Qiu, and I hope you do too. Let her forge ahead bravely. If anything goes wrong, at worst, we’ll work together to make a living. We can still live well.”
Yu Shanmei was taken aback by An Yizhu’s words.
But then her heart settled, and she laughed heartily. “Ah, I really am getting old. Your lives are yours to live. I’m completely at ease.”
She patted An Yizhu’s hand one last time. “Alright, no need to see me off any further. You can go back now.”
Two bodyguards waited outside the courtyard, helping Yu Shanmei into the car before taking their seats in the front.
Yu Shanmei waved to An Yizhu from the back seat.
Only then did An Yizhu turn back with relief.
But as soon as she turned around, she saw Yu Feng, who had remained silent at the banquet, standing by the side door of the villa, smoking a cigarette and squinting at her. It was unclear how long he’d been waiting or what he wanted.
An Yizhu stayed far away, not yet smelling the smoke. She took a five-meter detour, planning to avoid him entirely—no conflict between well water and river water, clean air and smoke should be kept separate.
But Yu Feng sneered. “Quite the actress, aren’t you? After knowing each other for just a few days, you’ve played the role of the devoted lover so well. Don’t tell me you’ve fooled even yourself—have you actually fallen for her?”
During the banquet, under Yu Shanmei’s watchful eye, Yu Feng hadn’t dared to act out. No matter what he heard, good or bad, he’d kept his mouth shut.
So this was where he’d been lying in wait.
An Yizhu pursed her lips.
But honestly, Yu Feng’s last guess was spot-on.
Covering her nose, An Yizhu said in a muffled voice, “Uncle Yu Feng, right? Maybe you just don’t understand how much I love her.”
Yu Feng laughed even louder, stubbing out his nearly finished cigarette and tossing it to the ground as he walked toward An Yizhu. “Ridiculous. Others might not know the truth, but how could I not? You’re just some random Alpha Xiao Qiu picked up off the street. Do you know how many people in Jiangcheng are after her? What makes you think you’re special?”
“Spare me the ‘I’m not good enough for her’ or ‘her suitors stretch all the way to France’ nonsense.” An Yizhu shot back, standing her ground.
Yu Feng was momentarily stunned, even intimidated by the sudden force of An Yizhu’s presence.
He instinctively tried to defend himself. “When did I—”
But he stopped himself, thinking: An Yizhu is just a young Alpha who married into the family, barely out of college, still wet behind the ears. Why should I be afraid of her?
An Yizhu saw right through Yu Feng’s cowardice. Mimicking Yu Guqiu’s usual demeanor, she gave him a cold smile and said, “I’d be happy if the whole of Jiangcheng loved Xiao Qiu. The more people who care for her, the better her situation would be. As for you—you could never understand my love for her. Do you even have a heart? Do you know what love is?”
An Yizhu’s firm, resolute words left Yu Feng momentarily speechless. He nearly burst out in anger. “You little brat, you’ve got quite the mouth on you. How much could you possibly know about Xiao Qiu? Stop pretending to be some big shot!”
At that moment, Yu Guqiu was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window in the second-floor study.
She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.
She’d just finished signing contracts in the study and had opened the window for some fresh air when she clearly overheard the conversation below.
But she didn’t suspect An Yizhu of colluding with Yu Feng.
Because Yu Feng couldn’t have orchestrated her heat cycle and then used An Yizhu to resolve it.
And because the first thing she’d heard upon opening the window was: “You just don’t understand how much I love her.”
Yu Guqiu rested her hand on the window, listening silently without making a sound.
An Yizhu, now being berated by Yu Feng, didn’t bother defending herself. Instead, she counterattacked. “You’re the ones who don’t understand how hard Xiao Qiu works. Have you ever seen Jiangcheng at five in the morning? Xiao Qiu has! She gets up early and works late, pushing herself for Yu Corporation. And what about you? You only care about yourselves! You don’t care that she barely eats two slices of toast before morning meetings. She eats less than a bird and works harder than an ox!”
Yu Guqiu couldn’t help but cover her face and laugh when she heard this.
So much for expecting something profound—this girl was just complaining about being woken up too early that day.
And about having nothing but toast for breakfast these past few days.
Yu Guqiu shook her head and closed the window.
No more listening.
Right now, An Yizhu was still berating Yu Feng.
But if she kept listening, who knew who’d be the next target?
After finishing her work in the study and changing clothes, Yu Guqiu opened the door to hear An Yizhu’s voice downstairs again.
“Thank you, thank you. Sorry for the poor hospitality. About the red packets—I don’t have the final say. My wife said we can’t accept them, so I’m following her lead. Safe travels, you two.”
Yu Guqiu leaned against the second-floor railing and looked down.
An Yizhu had already changed into casual clothes and was sprawled on the sofa, exhausted.
Xie Fang, seeing how tired she was, poured her a cup of tea.
An Yizhu quickly sat up politely. “Thank you, Auntie Fang.”
An Yizhu’s casual outfit today was a stylish gray leisure suit with black piping. The asymmetrical cut accentuated her tall, slender figure beautifully.
Xie Fang smiled and gently pushed her back onto the sofa. “I heard you took on a room full of scholars today?”
Xie Fang hadn’t joined the main table during the banquet.
Not because Old Madam Yu and Young Madam Yu didn’t treat her as family, but because she didn’t want to see those Yu relatives.
But afterward, she’d heard that those annoying relatives hadn’t gained any advantage at the table.
They’d left in a huff.
A servant responsible for cleaning outside had specifically told her that several relatives had been so angry they’d been cursing up a storm as they left.
An Yizhu looked surprised. “Auntie Fang, don’t flatter them. They’re hardly scholars!”
Xie Fang paused, then burst into laughter, finally understanding An Yizhu’s combat prowess.
Her sincere, straightforward jabs cut deeper than outright insults.
Xie Fang nodded. “They really are unreasonable. But unreasonable people are harder to deal with than reasonable ones. You had it tough.”
“That’s true. If I spoke too simply, it’d sound crude. If I spoke too profoundly, they wouldn’t understand. Arguing with them really takes brainpower.” An Yizhu said, taking a sip of water. “Luckily, they eventually said they were tired, so I told them to go rest early. It’s not like they contribute anything while awake anyway.”
Xie Fang couldn’t help but laugh, picturing the scene. She regretted not being there to see it—it must’ve been satisfying.
“You’ve worked hard.” Xie Fang said, refilling An Yizhu’s cup.
An Yizhu shook her head with a smile. “It wasn’t just me. Everyone worked hard. The aunties outside are still busy dismantling the wedding decorations. Xiao Qiu’s been upstairs working too. Ah—you’re done?”
An Yizhu looked up and locked eyes with Yu Guqiu, who’d been standing there for who knew how long. Seeing the faint smile on her face, the work must’ve gone well.
Yu Guqiu descended the stairs. “Yes, I’m done. Auntie Fang, let’s go.”
“Am I not coming?” An Yizhu stood with her teacup, looking lost.
Yu Guqiu turned back. “Of course you are.”
At 4:30 in the afternoon, sunlight slanted through the villa’s floor-to-ceiling windows, reflecting off the European crystal chandelier and casting colorful light onto Yu Guqiu’s white suit, like a shimmering shawl more beautiful than a bridal veil.
If this outfit were a wedding dress, it’d be stunning too.
An Yizhu blinked, struck by the thought.
“What are you spacing out for? I said you’re coming too.” Yu Guqiu asked, puzzled by her lack of response.
“Coming, coming!” An Yizhu set down her teacup and hurried after her.
Once in the car, Yu Guqiu spoke first. “You can rest tomorrow, but the day after, you’ll need to accompany me to a board meeting.”
“Understood! Do I need to prepare anything?” An Yizhu was always ready for battle.
Yu Guqiu shook her head. “Several directors are away on business trips. They’ll return for the scheduled board meeting. I’m just taking you through the motions.”
“Got it.” An Yizhu relaxed instantly.
Yu Guqiu then handed her an envelope.
“Your custom card is ready. From now on, your living expenses will be deposited into this account.”
An Yizhu opened the envelope and suddenly remembered.
On the day they’d gotten their IDs and marriage certificate, Yu Guqiu had taken her to the bank. The process had taken half the day, but she hadn’t received a card at the time. So this was why.
The card’s number ended with 8888, and its golden surface exuded wealth at first glance.
Still unaccustomed to such luxuries, An Yizhu quickly tucked the card into her inner pocket and zipped it up.
Yu Guqiu watched her complete this series of actions and added, “This month’s 400,000 will be transferred to your account tomorrow. Old Mom An has also been settled.”
An Yizhu was deeply moved. This beautiful, wealthy older sister was truly too good.
May all those blackened villain plots stay far away from her!
But she didn’t dare voice her gratitude, afraid Yu Guqiu might again wonder, What do you want from me?
Instead, An Yizhu asked excitedly, “Then… can I visit the orphanage?”
“Where do you think we’re going now?” Yu Guqiu countered.
“Yu Guqiu, you’re seriously the best! Really, truly, there’s no one better than you in this world!” An Yizhu grinned, instinctively reaching out to hug Yu Guqiu but stopping herself—this time, she didn’t dare.
Not feeling the same embrace as last time, Yu Guqiu glanced at An Yizhu.
An Yizhu chuckled and quickly pulled out her phone to distract herself. But after just one glance, she hastily stuffed it back into her pocket.
Noticing Yu Guqiu’s gaze, she fumbled, and the phone slipped to the floor.
Yu Guqiu narrowed her eyes and picked up the phone that had landed at her feet.
An Yizhu lunged forward in panic but was too late.
Yu Guqiu switched the phone to her other hand, keeping An Yizhu at arm’s length, and saw her own childhood photo on the screen.
Yu Guqiu closed her eyes briefly, then raised the phone to An Yizhu’s face.
Facial recognition unlocked the phone.
“Ah!” An Yizhu shut her eyes, wishing she could disappear.
How could Yu Guqiu be this sharp?!
But Yu Guqiu saw only a search interface with the glaring words “lesbian” displayed.
She turned back. “What’s ‘lesbian’?”
Ah, yes. What was “lesbian”?
The “suggested searches” below only showed unrelated terms like “female classmate.”
What had she been so embarrassed about?
With no answers online, Yu Guqiu surely wouldn’t know either!
An Yizhu reopened her eyes, meeting Yu Guqiu’s gaze head-on.
Yu Guqiu’s face was inches away.
An Yizhu held her breath, her attention fixed on Yu Guqiu’s lips, unable to look away.
Pursing her own lips, she muttered, “I must’ve typed it randomly when I wasn’t holding the phone steady.”
The answer was odd, but Yu Guqiu found nothing else unusual upon further inspection.
The chat interface showed only two pinned contacts: “Guqiu (Heart)” and “Old An.”
If her phone were entered into a “Best Alpha Morals” contest, it’d easily rank in the top three.
“Then what were you panicking about earlier?” Yu Guqiu wasn’t about to let her off the hook.
An Yizhu thought of a response. “I just realized we got married before telling Old Mom An. And though I mentioned the wedding to her today, I didn’t invite her…”
The reason was plausible, and Yu Guqiu’s expression softened slightly. She returned the phone.
“Old Mom An’s situation was indeed an oversight on my part. I should’ve explained earlier. But given how rushed and complicated our wedding was, and how busy she’s been with the orphanage relocation, visiting after the ceremony was the best way to address it.”
Yu Guqiu spoke earnestly, not wanting to disrupt their smooth cooperation thus far.
But An Yizhu, phone in hand, stared at Yu Guqiu as she spoke.
Only one thought filled her mind: What is she saying? I just want to kiss her…
This is bad.
Really bad.
An Yizhu quickly averted her gaze, turning away.
Fortunately, Yu Guqiu stopped talking.
The only sound in the space was the faint trace of licorice scent in the air.
An Yizhu took the chance while stuffing her phone back into her pocket to lightly pat her chest.
Why bother reading posts or searching keywords now?
Her heartbeat alone was enough to diagnose her.
Determining whether you like someone is simple—no online posts listing symptoms are needed.
When you’re unsure but refuse to admit the truth.
When you think of searching for answers.
When you’re still confused after reading those answers.
When your heart races the more you think about it.
The answer is already clear.
Every little thing points to it.
An Yizhu pressed her lips together. She wasn’t the type to run from her problems. Now that she knew, now that she was sure, she’d face her feelings head-on.
But for now, she was still nervous, still a little scattered.
So she’d quietly share this peaceful moment with the person she liked, without overthinking.
When they arrived at Yuhe Pharmaceuticals’ factory district again, An Yizhu kept her eyes on the road outside.
This time, they didn’t enter through the main gate but took a side road.
Soon, Xie Fang pulled over by the roadside.
About five or six hundred meters from the intersection stood a modest campus with no sign at the entrance. Inside the walls were two old classroom and dormitory buildings.
Next to them, a small playground was enclosed by a wire fence, where children were running and playing with abandon.
One little girl, chasing after her friends, suddenly looked outside and waved wildly. “It’s Big Sister An and Pretty Sister!”
All the children turned to look, and soon the news spread across the playground like wildfire.
An Yizhu didn’t need a closer look to know the first girl was the loudspeaker child—the one with the sharpest eyes and the loudest voice.
And she was great at naming people. Calling Yu Guqiu “Pretty Sister” was absolutely perfect.
An Yizhu grinned and waved back.
The children, as if receiving an order, quickly gathered and ran toward the entrance.
An Yizhu jogged over to meet them.
Yu Guqiu followed at a leisurely pace. “They really like you.”
An Yizhu turned and ran backward for a couple of steps, smiling at Yu Guqiu. “Wrong! They like us!”
Yu Guqiu was puzzled. “Us? They’ve only met me once.”
“Big Sister An!”
“Pretty Sister!”
As if proving An Yizhu right, the children called out to both of them as they ran over.
Five surrounded An Yizhu.
“Big Sister An, we heard you had a wedding today! What was it like? Was it fun?”
“Big Sister An, your outfit is so pretty today! Is it because of the wedding?”
An Yizhu laughed and patted their heads, answering their questions one by one.
Another five, after some hesitation, ultimately gathered around Yu Guqiu.
“Pretty Sister, you’re so beautiful…”
“Pretty Sister, Old Mom An said you found our new home for us. You’re so nice!”
“Here, this is for you. Old Mom An helped us make it.”
The children’s enthusiasm left Yu Guqiu momentarily at a loss.
She carefully accepted the handmade brooch from a child—a simple flower made of thick yarn and a safety pin.
Just then, Director An walked out, smiling as she scolded the children. “What’s all this noise? Why are you crowding our guests at the gate?”
Then she turned to the two women. “You’re here! Come in, come in. Don’t just stand outside.”
“Big Sister An, come see our new home! It’s so great!” The loudspeaker girl grabbed An Yizhu’s hand, eager to lead her inside.
But An Yizhu stood firm, not rushing in. Instead, she reached out to Yu Guqiu.
Yu Guqiu could handle all sorts of business partners with ease, but faced with these innocent, enthusiastic children who wanted nothing but to share their joy, she needed support.
Sure enough, Yu Guqiu didn’t put on airs. She took An Yizhu’s warm hand, instantly steadying herself.
An Yizhu reminded the children, “Your Pretty Sister likes quiet. Don’t be too loud, okay?”
“Okay—!” The children immediately fell silent.
They were obedient and well-behaved. Once they promised not to make noise, they truly didn’t.
Life hadn’t been easy for them, so Director An had taught them to be observant early on.
They’d learned well.
But Pretty Sister wasn’t like those wealthy people who looked down on them with disdain.
She was gentle and kind.
Well, better listen to Big Sister An. After all, Pretty Sister is Big Sister An’s wife—she’d know best.
The children exchanged glances and quietly followed Director An inside.
An Yizhu observed Director An, who had also changed since their first meeting.
Her hair was neatly trimmed, still a mix of gray, white, and black in a shoulder-length bob, but now well-combed and full of energy.
She wore clean new clothes, her chest adorned with several handmade brooches like the one given to Yu Guqiu.
Among the “flower bed” was an old ID badge labeled “Director: An Lan.”
An Yizhu smiled.
The badge was worn, its surface scratched despite careful use.
It had been years—decades, perhaps—since Director An Lan had last worn her proud badge.
An Lan turned and saw An Yizhu and Yu Guqiu both smiling at her. Embarrassed, she asked, “Do I look alright today?”
“Absolutely radiant, Old Mom An!” An Yizhu offered high praise.
Yu Guqiu nodded beside her. “It suits you very well.”
An Lan was delighted. “I dressed up for an important occasion.”
An Yizhu felt Yu Guqiu’s cold hand tighten in hers.
They hadn’t invited An Lan to the morning wedding. Now that she mentioned it, Yu Guqiu was clearly feeling guilty for neglecting her.
But An Yizhu reacted differently.
Though she hadn’t known An Lan long, their first meeting and their chat logs had shown her that An Lan was a kind, selfless mother who only wanted the best for the children. She wouldn’t blame them for any oversight.
An Yizhu simply looked at the large cake set up in the courtyard. “Wow, is this cake for us? Or… are you throwing us another wedding?”