Phoenix A: Internet Sensation! ( GL , ABO) - Chapter 2

Shen Nian sat frozen on the bed, quietly enduring the silent stare of the omega standing before her.

No wonder the room had felt so cold and impersonal. It wasn’t hers at all. It belonged to Jiang Zhiwan.

The original “Shen Nian” had spent all her energy obsessing over how to make this beautiful omega submit to her, and naturally had no time or taste for interior design.

[Protagonist’s corruption level +2.]

The cold mechanical voice instantly made Shen Nian’s heart sink.

Jiang Zhiwan was angry. But why? Was it because she didn’t like birds?

That didn’t make sense. She was such a beautiful little bird.

Just as Shen Nian was worrying, she saw Jiang Zhiwan pick up the clothes she had scattered on the bed earlier and toss them straight into the trash.

[Protagonist’s corruption level -2.]

That notification finally made Shen Nian breathe a sigh of relief.

So Jiang Zhiwan didn’t hate the bird. That was good. Very good.

Putting herself in the omega’s shoes, finding random alpha clothes—underwear included—thrown all over her room would definitely feel like harassment. No wonder the corruption level went up.

Taking advantage of the moment when Jiang Zhiwan turned around to throw out the clothes, Shen Nian tried to sneak out of the room. But just as she took two careful steps, the omega calmly turned back around and looked straight at her.

Shen Nian froze on the spot, startled. A second later, she reminded herself there was no need to be so cautious. After all, right now she was just an innocent, clueless, and adorable little bird.

She had simply flown into the wrong room. Now, she was going to fly out. That was all.

Spreading her lovely white wings, Shen Nian locked her eyes on the open window and prepared to take off in one swift flight.

But what she didn’t expect was that Jiang Zhiwan seemed to instantly see through her escape plan.

Just as Shen Nian made her move, the omega reached out and effortlessly caught her mid-flight.

The little bird was dazed. How did Jiang Zhiwan react so fast? She had no time to think it through.

Jiang Zhiwan gently stroked the soft white feathers of the delicate bird in her hand. A quiet fondness bloomed in her heart.

She had always liked soft, fuzzy little creatures.

Now, holding the ink-feathered bird gently in her palm, she actually felt a trace of happiness. Even her usual cold aura seemed to soften.

“Little bird, how did you get in here?” she asked softly.

Who are you calling little bird? I am a phoenix, thank you very much.

Unhappy with the nickname, Shen Nian turned her head away and refused to respond.

Jiang Zhiwan raised an eyebrow slightly. This bird had quite the temper.

But could it actually understand human speech?

To find out, Jiang Zhiwan continued stroking its feathers and spoke calmly.

“Since you came into my room, I suppose it’s fate. Why don’t I keep you? That way you won’t have to fly around every day looking for food. What do you think?”

To a normal bird, that would have been an irresistible offer. No need to forage ever again? Most would have chirped in delight on the spot.

Unfortunately for Jiang Zhiwan, Shen Nian was not just any bird.

She didn’t eat the same food as other birds. She certainly didn’t need anyone feeding her.

Unaware of what the bird was thinking, Jiang Zhiwan assumed it was being obedient since it hadn’t struggled in her palm. She smiled faintly and offered, “I’ll let you go in a moment, but you have to promise not to fly off again. Alright?”

As soon as she heard Jiang Zhiwan mention letting her go, Shen Nian immediately acted the part of a well-behaved bird. She stayed perfectly still, blinking innocently with her round, dark eyes.

So obedient. Jiang Zhiwan silently noted how cute the bird was.

But the moment she opened her hand, the little ink-feathered bird suddenly spread its wings and shot out the window.

Shen Nian chirped in triumph.

Let’s see you try to catch me now.

[Protagonist’s corruption level +10.]

Her smile froze.

Oh no. She had forgotten about the corruption meter.

It was just a bird flying out the window. Was that really worth getting that angry over?

While Shen Nian hesitated in midair, unsure whether to fly farther or not, the system chimed in nervously.

[Host, I suggest you go back and let her keep you.]

The corruption level had already reached 35. At this rate, the situation was getting out of hand.

Jiang Zhiwan hadn’t expected the quiet, obedient bird to betray her.

Her eyes darkened.

If she had known, she would have tied it up the moment she caught it. Locked it in a cage.

She wanted that bird. She wanted it more than anything.

Jiang Zhiwan had never seen such a beautiful little bird before.

If Shen Nian had known what she was thinking, she would have proudly flapped her wings in the air.

Of course she was beautiful. The demon clans on TUQ Star were all stunners in their original forms.

Standing by the window, Jiang Zhiwan gazed at the bird that hadn’t yet flown away. Her eyes flickered with silent hope.

She rummaged through her pockets. Aside from a shiny silver button, she couldn’t find anything to lure the bird back. She placed the button carefully in her palm.

Her voice carried a trace of sadness.

“Little bird, you promised me you wouldn’t fly away.”

Shen Nian muttered internally that she had never actually promised anything. She had just pretended to play dumb.

But that small trace of sadness in the omega’s voice, paired with the looming threat of the corruption meter, made her hesitate.

In the end, she circled back and returned.

That was a mistake.

The moment she landed in Jiang Zhiwan’s palm, the omega gently cupped her hands and quickly fastened a thin silver chain around her leg.

Shen Nian froze in shock.

She immediately regretted it.

Why hadn’t she remembered that this woman was a professional actress?

That look of sadness had been completely fake. Only the ten-point jump in corruption had been real.

Seeing the bird sitting there in stunned silence, Jiang Zhiwan actually smiled. Her mood improved.

She even allowed the bird to fly freely now.

What a joke.

The chain around her leg was barely long enough to let her flutter in place. One quick tug and she’d be right back.

Realizing there was no escape, Shen Nian gave up. She flopped down in her captor’s palm with a look of pure despair.

Jiang Zhiwan couldn’t help but laugh.

This little bird was far too expressive. Far too human.

There was something unusually lively and clever about the little bird. It wasn’t like any ordinary bird she had seen. Could it have been professionally trained by someone else?

If that were true, it would also mean this little creature had once belonged to someone.

Even so, the omega’s first thought was simple. No matter who it had belonged to in the past, now it was hers.

After all, the bird had come back on its own, even if she had lured it a little.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhiwan gently brushed the soft feathers on top of the little bird’s head. Seeing how puffed up and annoyed it looked, she smiled with interest.

“It’s about time for dinner. I’ll have them prepare a few extra slices of fruit for you. How does that sound?”

Shen Nian was still sulking and had no intention of responding. In her heart, though, she muttered to herself. Fruit? Before or after the meal?

It wasn’t until the fruit slices were placed in front of her that she realized the truth. The fruit was the meal.

Seriously, this woman knew absolutely nothing about her dietary habits.

That evening, the original Shen Nian did not eat at home. She had probably gone off again to party with her shallow social circle.

Jiang Zhiwan didn’t care.

In fact, she preferred it that way. She could hardly stand the way Shen Nian sometimes stared at her with fake affection. It made her stomach turn.

During dinner, Jiang Zhiwan appeared calm and elegant, even as her thoughts drifted elsewhere. She moved slowly but gracefully.

The little ink-feathered bird, however, had no such restraint. After finishing the fruit in front of her at lightning speed, her round eyes began to spin with interest.

The plate of crispy salt-and-pepper ribs looked delicious. The steamed taro cake beside it also seemed worth a few bites.

While Jiang Zhiwan wasn’t paying attention, Shen Nian sneakily dragged the ribs plate to one side and started digging in.

The ribs were crispy and fragrant. They were so good, the bird couldn’t help flapping her wings in delight.

But just as she spat out a tiny bone, someone grabbed her by the scruff of the neck.

At the dinner table, one person and one bird locked eyes.

Jiang Zhiwan glanced at the pile of clean bones beside the plate, then looked curiously at the little thing in her hand.

“You ate all of those ribs?”

How could a bird eat ribs so cleanly, just like a person?

Shen Nian knew that too. So she blinked twice and immediately started playing dumb.

What ribs? What are ribs? I’m just an ordinary bird. I know nothing.

Knowing full well this troublemaker wasn’t going to confess, Jiang Zhiwan raised her brow slightly and then said in a serious tone, “There’s still seasoning on your beak.”

Chirp?

Shen Nian believed her. She hurriedly lifted a wing and tried to wipe it away.

That movement, unfortunately, gave her away completely.

By the time she realized what had happened, it was already too late. Jiang Zhiwan, who had been uncertain just moments ago, now smiled with full confidence.

“Little bird, you really do understand what I’m saying.”

Ah. She had given herself away that easily. This was a complete disaster for her bird identity.

Shen Nian slumped in Jiang Zhiwan’s palm like a deflated balloon. She looked completely drained, as if life had knocked every ounce of energy out of her.

But Jiang Zhiwan, seeing her reaction, was in a good mood.

She accepted the truth with surprising ease. After all, she had been reborn herself. If she could come back to life, then why couldn’t a little bird understand human language?

In fact, even if someone told her this little bird could talk like a person, she probably wouldn’t be that surprised anymore.

Wait. What if it actually could?

She had never heard it chirp since it arrived.

After thinking for a while, Jiang Zhiwan’s gaze slowly returned to the little bird curled up in her hand. She began to tempt it deliberately.

“Little bird, would you like more ribs?”

How shameless. This omega was up to no good. There’s no way she would offer kindness for free. As the saying goes, when someone is overly generous, they must have an ulterior motive.

Shen Nian was certain that this woman had some sort of plan. But despite her suspicions, her round eyes still drifted longingly toward the ribs.

After all, the chef that “Shen Nian” had hired really knew how to cook.

Jiang Zhiwan stroked the bird’s soft feathers gently and said, “If you want more, just make a sound. Then I’ll let you have them. How about that?”

Hearing this, Shen Nian immediately became alert.

Why did she want her to chirp? Could it be that Jiang Zhiwan actually believed she could speak like a human?

Well, she couldn’t.

The phoenix clan, once in their original form, could only chirp. There was no such thing as talking in bird form.

Feeling smug, Shen Nian gave a few proud chirps.

Even if I chirp, so what? It’s not like you’ll understand me.

She casually threw out two sentences in bird-speak, but to her shock, Jiang Zhiwan’s gaze suddenly darkened. Deep and unreadable.

It looked just like someone who had understood every word.