Marked by My Omega Rival After Moving In (GL, ABO) - Chapter 48

At the headquarters of the Xiang Group, in the General Manager’s office.

Xiang Shuhuai sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the proposal line by line. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, typing out her corrections with speed and precision.

On the corner of her desk, there were several packed lunch boxes—breakfast that her assistant had brought her. She hadn’t touched them yet, and now they had cooled. The rice cakes had sunk into the boxes, the vegetables shriveled, and condensation had gathered on the lid, making the meal look nothing like the fresh, steaming dishes it had been earlier. It was a bit of a sad sight.

Xiang Shuhuai furrowed her brow, staring at the last line of the plan for a while before decisively typing “Approved” and pressing enter.

After finishing, she gently pushed the keyboard aside and leaned back into her comfortable office chair.

Her gaze shifted to the breakfast boxes again.

She wasn’t really hungry, but for the sake of her health, she still reached out and pulled the boxes closer, opening them one by one.

As she lifted the lid, the smell of the food made her stomach turn slightly.

…The taste of the cold cafeteria breakfast couldn’t compare to the golden, freshly made egg pancake she had earlier this morning.

She hadn’t expected Yu Xiaoxiao to do such a great job cooking for the first time.

Swallowing a tough, cold rice cake with some effort, Xiang Shuhuai thought to herself.

…Well, after all, it was made for her sister, Youyou Jie.

No wonder she was so serious about it.

Even the burnt egg pancakes that ended up in the trash were carefully piled onto a small plate before the perfect dish was finally placed in front of her.

Xiang Shuhuai couldn’t help but curl the corner of her mouth in a slight, mocking smile at herself.

Yu Xiaoxiao had done nothing wrong. She had put in so much effort, carefully preparing a perfect and hearty breakfast for the sister she admired, and then eagerly invited her roommates to try it out.

As for Xiang Shuhuai… she had been angry and upset because of an unrealistic expectation that had fallen apart, and in the end, she had ended up feeling inexplicably angry at Yu Xiaoxiao. That was her fault.

Also, even though she had already decided to cut ties with Yu Xiaoxiao, she had forgotten all her resolve when she received that innocent and worried phone call from her. She even ended up asking for a hug…

…How could she be so stupid?

Xiang Shuhuai closed her eyes for a moment, trying to suppress the odd, sour feeling in her chest and decided not to dwell on it any longer.

She was forcing herself to swallow another bite of the breakfast when she heard three rhythmic knocks on the door.

It was Yi Anning. Xiang Shuhuai looked up. “Come in.”

Yi Anning entered and immediately noticed the breakfast in front of her, then her eyes shifted to Xiang Shuhuai’s pale face. Her eyebrows furrowed disapprovingly.

“Boss,” she said, “it’s completely cold. Let me warm it up for you.”

Xiang Shuhuai shook her head and put her chopsticks down. “Let’s talk business first.”

— She knew that Yi Anning wasn’t here to discuss Xiang Group’s affairs. It was about Xiang Shuhuai’s own internet company. They were burning through cash for R&D, and after buying up a large amount of shares from small investors to acquire Xiang Group, there wasn’t much capital left. Now, Xiang Shuhuai had agreed to an investment that everyone else had doubts about.

The employees below didn’t know the details, but several board members were already speaking out. Yi Anning had come for this.

“…Boss,” she started again, “about that investment…”

“It’s fine, Anning,” Xiang Shuhuai said softly, her expression calm. “Don’t forget how we started.”

— Venture capital.

Xiang’s family tradition was to give their eligible children a substantial adult fund as a kind of test. Perhaps it was Xiang Shuhuai’s decisive actions back in high school that caught the attention of Xiang Hongshan, who generously gave her, the illegitimate omega daughter, double the usual amount.

With that million, at the age of 19, Xiang Shuhuai, with her assistant Yi Anning and senior, made a fortune in the secondary market.

Having raised enough capital, she didn’t hesitate and invested it all into her internet company, which was still in its early stages. What was once a company of five people has now grown into a tech giant with tens of thousands of employees.

…Yi Anning had been with Xiang Shuhuai since the very beginning, even witnessing her battle through mental health issues and gland problems. It was almost like she was gambling everything, yet unlike the typical desperate gamblers, she had never lost.

From the bottom of her heart, Yi Anning had an almost blind trust in her young boss. Remembering their past, she hesitated to argue further, despite her disapproval of the decision.

“I understand, Boss,” Yi Anning said reluctantly, acknowledging the decision. She quickly moved on to report on the past few days’ work, gathering her materials to leave.

“—Senior.”

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly heard Xiang Shuhuai’s voice.

She used that title, more personal and intimate, only when discussing something private. Normally, Xiang Shuhuai didn’t address her like this during work hours.

This unexpected address made Yi Anning stop in her tracks. “Boss?”

“Senior,” Xiang Shuhuai repeated, looking up at her. “The Xiang Group has been chaotic lately, and my health hasn’t been great. I just remembered… after this month’s chaos dies down, I want you to temporarily transfer to the Business Department for a while. After six months, we’ll be opening a branch in the south, and I’d like you to help oversee it. How about it?”

Yi Anning’s heart skipped a beat.

…She was being promoted. For subordinates and colleagues, Xiang Shuhuai had always been someone who kept her promises. From Assistant to Business Department Director, then to General Manager of the southern branch, both her position and salary were enviable.

But… why now?

Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts, and she hesitantly spoke, “But, Boss—”

Xiang Shuhuai only looked at her with serious, quiet eyes and smiled lightly.

“You can’t keep being my assistant, Senior,” she said. “It’s a waste of your talent.”

Yi Anning was at a loss for words.

In the end, she only nodded in agreement, filled with heavy thoughts as she turned to leave. In her distraction, she had forgotten to take a file from the desk.

“—Senior,” Xiang Shuhuai called after her. “The file. You forgot it.”

Yi Anning hurriedly grabbed the file and left the office, quietly closing the door behind her. Only then did Xiang Shuhuai return to her breakfast, gently rubbing her aching stomach.

…After all that, she really couldn’t eat anymore.

As she hesitated, her phone suddenly vibrated twice.

Xiang Shuhuai sighed in exhaustion, wondering what else had happened. She picked up the phone.

The screen lit up, and the name on the message was listed as “Fuxiao α2 Yu Xiaoxiao 5.6Art”.

…Yu Xiaoxiao?

Wasn’t she supposed to be on a date with her sister? Why was she sending a message…?

Xiang Shuhuai thought for a moment. Did something interrupt their date, and now she needed help?

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable her stomach felt. She pressed her hand to her stomach, telling herself—no matter what Yu Xiaoxiao needed, she wasn’t going to help.

Having steeled herself, she opened the two messages.

One read: Big Ice Block

The other: Big Ice Block, are you angry?

…What?

Xiang Shuhuai stared at the line of text for a while, unable to understand.

Why was Yu Xiaoxiao asking that?

She quickly typed back: I’m not angry.

As soon as she sent it, she regretted her reply. It wasn’t good at all—she herself could tell that, from the four words, it was clear she was angry.

Sure enough, Yu Xiaoxiao thought the same.

Big Ice Block: But you left without eating.

Big Ice Block: Have you had breakfast now? It’s so late.

The breakfast wasn’t even made for her. Xiang Shuhuai could tell that Yu Xiaoxiao had prepared breakfast for herself and her sister, not for her. Did she expect her to sit by the table and eat a frozen sandwich?

…That was just ridiculous.

Xiang Shuhuai almost felt a bit aggrieved.

Yu Xiaoxiao treated her like a rival, but this was too—

No problem. I’ve already eaten. She typed back. I won’t interrupt you.

Big Ice Block: ?

Big Ice Block: What?

Big Ice Block: What do you mean?

Big Ice Block: Who would you interrupt?

…Was she really going to force her to explain herself, to lay bare her jealousy in front of her? Was that innocent, cruel alpha girl really that insistent?

Xiang Shuhuai closed her eyes for a moment, then typed back: You cooked today, didn’t you want to invite your sister?

The reply came quickly.

No Youyou Jie today? I didn’t invite anyone.

Yu Xiaoxiao just said that.

—Big Ice Block, I made it for you.

…Huh?

Xiang Shuhuai stared at the text, stunned.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of it. She couldn’t believe it.

But… back then, Yu Xiaoxiao had clearly said—

She was still frozen, staring at her phone, when suddenly the phone rang. Yu Xiaoxiao had called.

Xiang Shuhuai hesitated, then picked it up.

On the other end, Yu Xiaoxiao’s clear, reckless voice filled the air.

“—Big Ice Block?”

Xiang Shuhuai absentmindedly responded, “Hmm?”

“I made it for you,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, sounding a little aggrieved. “You left without eating! I worked so hard preparing it, I made so many potato cakes, I thought you would really like them.”

“B-but,” Xiang Shuhuai stammered, “didn’t you say you’d have my sister come over then…?”

“—I said my skills are about the same as Sister Youyou’s, not that I’d invite her over,” came the response.

…Ah.

She realized that she had misunderstood and made a big mistake.

Xiang Shuhuai’s face instantly turned bright red.

On the other end of the call, Yu Xiaoxiao was completely unaware.

“Oh, Big Ice Block,” she said casually, “it’s just a small thing, no big deal—”

Xiang Shuhuai bit her lip, too embarrassed to hold back: “…But, didn’t you say that?”

“I didn’t say anything,” Yu Xiaoxiao retorted seriously, “Next time, just ask me directly, Big Ice Block.”

Hearing her voice, and recalling the sour words she had said to Yu Xiaoxiao earlier, Xiang Shuhuai’s face turned even redder.

She gripped her phone tightly, feeling the heat in her ears, embarrassed to the point that her eyes felt teary.

“Hm? Xiang Shuhuai, okay? Don’t run off again next time, alright?”

A wave of bitter frustration surged up, and Xiang Shuhuai puffed out her cheeks, angry and embarrassed: “It’s because you said—”

Hearing the genuine irritation in her voice, Yu Xiaoxiao quickly realized she had gone too far and immediately apologized.

“I said it, I was wrong, Big Ice Block. I won’t say things like that again.”

She admitted her mistake, then quickly asked, “So, Big Ice Block, you’re not mad anymore, right?”

At that moment, Xiang Shuhuai had picked up a cold water cup nearby and pressed it against her cheek to cool down.

Upon hearing the question, she nodded slightly, trying to sound as casual as possible: “…Mm.”

“Hehe, that’s great.” Yu Xiaoxiao chuckled. “It’s fine, Xiang Shuhuai. I’ll make you something to eat again tomorrow! And from now on, too.”

…Tomorrow. And from now on.

Xiang Shuhuai, listening to her, suddenly had the urge to ask.

Why?

She wanted to ask Yu Xiaoxiao.

—Why are you being so nice to me? To someone like me?

On the other end of the call, Yu Xiaoxiao paused as if suddenly remembering something: “Oh, right, Big Ice Block, don’t stay at the office tonight. Come home, okay?”

Her voice was carefree and sincere, as though what she said happened in a world far away. The warmth of a little sunbeam was so bright that Xiang Shuhuai almost felt dizzy. Listening to Yu Xiaoxiao’s voice, it almost made her forget all her worries and insecurities.

So, Xiang Shuhuai sat there, dazed, and softly responded:

“…Okay.”

The call ended, and Yu Xiaoxiao looked up, her face now full of a bright, joyful smile.

Big Ice Block wasn’t mad anymore, and she’d be coming home tonight.

—Just as she had thought. She never really believed that the other person had any reason to be mad.

If she hadn’t sent a message or explained things, Xiang Shuhuai would have probably run off again, maybe even hide like before, and Yu Xiaoxiao wouldn’t be able to find her.

…Just like that little stray cat.

That beautiful white, long-haired cat was the same—sometimes, when Yu Xiaoxiao upset it, it would run off to a place where she couldn’t find it. A few days later, it would suddenly reappear at the place they always played together, nudging its forehead against her hand as if to make up.

Of course, Yu Xiaoxiao would always prepare a can of meat for it as a gift to reconcile.

Yu Xiaoxiao, remembering this, suddenly had a realization.

—If that’s the case, maybe she should get Xiang Shuhuai a gift too?

Being someone who always took action, Yu Xiaoxiao pushed her work aside, opened an online shopping site, and began to think carefully about what to buy.

A game? But Big Ice Block wasn’t very good at games. Although playing together might be fun, she was always so busy, so she probably wouldn’t have time to play, which would basically mean buying it for herself.

Perfume? Xiang Shuhuai didn’t seem to like strong scents. Also, Yu Xiaoxiao’s own scent was already perfect, so no need for any extra fragrance…

Cosmetics? But Xiang Shuhuai didn’t wear makeup much. She only wore it when her face looked really bad… Yu Xiaoxiao definitely didn’t want to buy her that.

What did Xiang Shuhuai use regularly?

Yu Xiaoxiao frowned and thought for a long time. She finally came up with a few ideas. Xiang Shuhuai was a total workaholic, so she probably used office supplies like a chair, computer, or a desk lamp. Maybe even a neck pillow or hand warmer. Although they were practical, they were kind of boring…

How about fitness items? She could buy a treadmill for home or maybe a small dumbbell. Just then, she saw a cute cat-shaped dumbbell on the homepage of the shopping site. The dumbbell had two silly little cat ears on one end, which was super cute.

Yu Xiaoxiao felt her heart flutter. But no matter how much she wanted it, Xiang Shuhuai hadn’t agreed to work out with her, so if she bought it and it just sat unused, or if Xiang Shuhuai got the wrong idea and felt bad about her appearance…

Thinking of that possibility, and remembering how self-conscious Xiang Shuhuai had been during their hot spring trip, Yu Xiaoxiao shivered and was glad she avoided making a big mistake.

…But what does Xiang Shuhuai like?

She furrowed her brow and thought for a long time, until she suddenly had a bright idea.

—Stuffed animals!

That dog plush toy they won at the carnival together a while ago—Xiang Shuhuai seemed especially fond of it. She had even left it on her desk, no matter how out of place it looked among the more serious office stuff. Sometimes, Yu Xiaoxiao had seen her hugging that stuffed dog after waking up from a nap…

So, Xiang Shuhuai must really like stuffed toys, right?

Thinking about it, Yu Xiaoxiao quickly decided to buy a giant teddy bear to give to Xiang Shuhuai.

But the bear would take about a week to arrive… what could she give her now?

Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t think of anything else.

She was feeling a little dejected and, when she went to the breakroom to get herself a coffee, her usual cheerful demeanor seemed absent. A colleague from her team noticed her mood and came over to talk.

“Hey, Little Director Yu, why do you look so down today?”

Yu Xiaoxiao lifted her eyes, recognized the person, and set her mug down, deciding to ask for advice.

“Ah, well, I have a… someone I like,” Yu Xiaoxiao began, almost saying “friend,” but then switched to, “…I’m pursuing her.”

Realizing that Xiang Shuhuai was no longer just her friend but someone she liked made her heart race, and her face flushed red.

As soon as the others heard her say, “I like someone,” they perked up. Even someone passing by stopped to listen. After all, gossip was more interesting than the dull work at hand, especially when it was about their boss.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaoxiao blushed even harder. “She was a bit upset earlier, and I want to give her a gift… but I’m not sure what to get.”

“How about perfume?” a colleague suggested.

Seeing Yu Xiaoxiao shake her head, another person quickly came up with an idea. “What about jewelry?”

“Jewelry is nice,” someone else chimed in, “you could get a custom ring or earrings, that would be good.”

“Isn’t that too extravagant? We’re still in the pursuing stage,” another person pointed out.

“True, it might be too much pressure…”

After some discussion, they all agreed on something. Yu Xiaoxiao listened and felt that it sounded good. She thanked them and nodded enthusiastically.

After work, she went to the flower shop her colleagues had recommended.

“What kind of flowers would you like?” the shopkeeper asked, emerging from behind a bunch of greenery. “Who’s the gift for?”

“For someone I like,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, a little more smoothly this time. Thinking about Xiang Shuhuai, a smile spread across her lips. “I’m pursuing her. I want to give her flowers.”

“Maybe some roses?” the shopkeeper suggested.

“Not yet,” Yu Xiaoxiao replied. “I haven’t confessed yet… let’s pick something else first.”

—What flowers would suit Xiang Shuhuai?

Yu Xiaoxiao carefully wandered through the flowers, frowning slightly. She never really thought of Xiang Shuhuai as a flower—whether as the sharp, decisive businesswoman or the cat-like Xiang Shuhuai beside her. There was always a blend of fragility and strength in her, and an undeniable self-awareness.

Even though Xiang Shuhuai was beautiful, no one would mistake her for just a flower or a decoration. Her soul was far more captivating than her appearance.

After a couple of rounds, Yu Xiaoxiao suddenly had an idea.

She picked a beautiful sunflower first and asked the shopkeeper to arrange it for her.

With the sunflower as the centerpiece, she added bright orange African daisies, golden roses, champagne-colored eustoma, and wheat chrysanthemums, wrapping them all together in a soft cream-colored paper. It was a vibrant bouquet full of sunshine—bright, lively, and sweet.

On her way home, Yu Xiaoxiao had looked up some guides online. While she thought the “full fridge” flowers were a little over the top, they were romantic. But they weren’t appropriate for this stage. Once she confessed, she planned to give them to Xiang Shuhuai.

As for the flowers she had picked now—

They weren’t really for a confession, but they were the kind of colors that would instantly make anyone smile.

She felt that Xiang Shuhuai, who always seemed so serious and stressed, could probably use a little sunshine.

—Would she feel a little happier with this bouquet?

With that thought, Yu Xiaoxiao wrote a card carefully and tucked it into the bouquet, happily hugging it as she hurried home, eager to give it to the person she liked.

How would Xiang Shuhuai react when she saw the flowers?

Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but imagine with a happy heart.

“Xiang Shuhuai!”

She hesitated for a moment in front of the door, took a deep breath, and slowly turned the doorknob.

“I’m back—”