Phoenix A: Internet Sensation! ( GL , ABO) - Chapter 11

“A-Ning, you really don’t need to—”

Li Yilin didn’t want a minor misunderstanding to ruin all the effort he had put in so far. The last thing he wanted was to earn Yu Mengling’s displeasure.

He quickly forced a smile and explained, “No, no, Miss Yu, I think you may have misunderstood me.”

“I was actually looking at the little bird on this young lady’s shoulder. It just looked really cute.”

The mentioned bird immediately scoffed in her heart, feeling deeply unlucky to be used as an excuse by someone like him.

“Still pretending to look at me? Your eyes were clearly glued to that omega, and now you have the nerve to say it was me?”

“Shameless. You think just because I speak a language no one understands, you can get away with lying?”

Shen Nian stood beside Jiang Zhiwan’s shoulder, chirping angrily. Scolding him didn’t feel like enough, so she balled up her little fists and made dramatic punching motions.

Yu Mengling couldn’t understand what she was chirping about, but she was always good at stirring the pot.

“Oh no, what’s wrong with the little bird? She looks so mad, she’s about to shed all her feathers.”

“Chirp?” Shen Nian was so shocked that she actually let out a regular bird sound.

Lose feathers? No way. Absolutely not.

As Shen Nian began to question her birdly dignity, Jiang Zhiwan gently reached out and stroked her twice.

“She’s just teasing you. Your feathers are perfectly fine, not even one is out of place. Try to calm down, alright?”

That soft and comforting tone finally settled Shen Nian.

Yu Mengling, watching the scene, couldn’t help but comment, “Wow, this little bird really listens to you.”

Hearing her interest in the bird, Li Yilin quickly joined the conversation.

“Miss Yu, do you like birds? Coincidentally, I know the owner of a pet shop who specializes in—”

Before he could finish, a server arrived with a tray of food and interrupted politely.

“Excuse me, please be careful. This hot pot is very hot.”

Li Yilin’s expression stiffened slightly. His brow twitched, and under the table, his hand curled into a tight fist.

Even so, he kept his temper in check and simply stared at the unaware server for a few seconds longer than necessary.

Yu Mengling had heard what he said before the interruption and understood what he was implying. As she picked up the shared chopsticks and added ingredients into the pot, she responded calmly.

“Do I like birds? Not really.”

“I’m not fond of troublesome things. If I wanted a pet, I would have gotten one myself. I wouldn’t wait for someone else to give me one.”

“So, Mr. Lin—no, Mr. Li—thank you, but I’ll pass.”

Once Yu Mengling began eating, she clearly wasn’t interested in continuing the conversation.

Li Yilin had done his research on her and knew this habit well.

But knowing it only made him more uneasy.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

In his original plan, the omega should have already formed a good impression of him by now. But instead, her attitude remained distant and indifferent.

Halfway through the meal, Jiang Zhiwan excused herself to use the restroom. In reality, she was waiting for a document from an investigator she had hired.

Yu Mengling, ever the loyal friend, insisted on going with her.

Her reason? She claimed she was afraid Zhiwan might get lost inside the hot pot restaurant.

Jiang Zhiwan was already used to this.

They had been friends since high school. Yu Mengling had always been drawn to her, a girl who looked cold on the outside but was genuinely warm on the inside.

Unlike other omegas who fawned over her, Yu Mengling showed special treatment to Jiang Zhiwan.

From the very beginning, she was unusually clingy. She wanted to spend every hour of the day with her, doing everything together.

While washing her hands in the restroom, Jiang Zhiwan looked into the mirror at her friend beside her, who was touching up her makeup.

As she watched, memories from her past life came flooding back.

In that life, when Yu Mengling was forced by her family to go on a blind date, Jiang Zhiwan had been in the hospital. She was suffering from an allergic reaction deliberately caused by Luo Shan.

At that time, Yu Mengling had also invited her out. But not wanting to cause worry, Jiang Zhiwan had casually made up an excuse and declined.

She never imagined that skipping that one meeting would become a lifelong regret.

Just like now, Li Yilin was good at pretending. He knew exactly how to win over Yu Mengling’s affection.

He understood that as long as he didn’t leave a negative impression during their first meeting, he would already be halfway to success.

Even if Yu Mengling didn’t completely fall for him, winning over her father could be the key to securing what he wanted.

Yu Mengling was never able to resist her father’s persistent hopes and expectations. At that moment of vulnerability, Li Yilin took advantage of the situation. He moved in with deceitful charm and persuaded her to enter into a partnership. It became almost inevitable that he would get what he wanted.

By the time Jiang Zhiwan finally had a break from her duties, the news she received left her stunned. Yu Mengling was about to get engaged.

She was shocked, but Li Yilin had played his part well. Their meeting had been brief, and she hadn’t seen through his facade in time.

Later, when she found out that all the major businesses under the Yu family had changed ownership, Jiang Zhiwan realized something was seriously wrong.

By then, she could no longer reach Yu Mengling.

When Jiang Zhiwan arrived at the Yu estate with her team, the sight that met her eyes filled her with overwhelming rage.

Li Yilin was holding a belt in his hand, striking Yu Mengling repeatedly. As he did so, he shouted loudly, “Do you still think you’re the high and mighty Miss Yu? Wake up. I’m the one in charge of the Yu family now.”

Yu Mengling had been pampered and protected her entire life. She had never suffered like this.

Li Yilin was a despicable, hypocritical alpha.

The moment Jiang Zhiwan gave the order, several bodyguards rushed forward and pinned Li Yilin to the ground.

She hurried to Yu Mengling’s side, gently helping her up from beside the coffee table. Her heart was full of sorrow and fury as she checked her injuries.

“A-Ning, I’m sorry I came too late. I didn’t know. Let me take you away from here.”

Even while restrained on the floor, Li Yilin continued to speak with venom in his voice.

“Yu Mengling, Miss Yu, don’t forget. Your mother is still lying in the ICU. If you leave with her today, are you ready to abandon your mother? Or do you want her to end up just like your father?”

His words hit her like a bolt of lightning. In that instant, everything became clear.

Her father’s death was not a coincidence. This monster had played a role in it. She was sure of it now.

Li Yilin was right about one thing. If she left with Jiang Zhiwan, she might have the chance to gather evidence and bring him to justice.

But that would be too easy on him.

Jiang Zhiwan saw the change in her expression and felt a wave of panic rise in her chest.

“A-Ning, don’t listen to him. I can help you. We can handle everything together. Just come with me to the hospital.”

Yu Mengling leaned in close and whispered softly, “Zhiwan, you’re my best friend. Please take care of my mother for me.”

“A-Ning, you don’t have to do this.”

Before Jiang Zhiwan could finish speaking, Yu Mengling pulled her hand away.

She forced a faint smile, trying to appear calm.

“This is a family matter. You don’t need to be involved.”

When Jiang Zhiwan saw Yu Mengling walk back toward that cruel alpha, her brow furrowed deeply.

She wanted to scream that she could fix everything. She wanted to promise that Li Yilin would pay for everything he had done.

But before anyone could react, Yu Mengling reached for the fruit knife on the coffee table and plunged it straight into Li Yilin’s chest.

“A-Ning…”

Jiang Zhiwan opened her mouth, trying to speak, but no sound came out. It felt like her voice had been completely taken away.