Transmigrated as an Alpha, the Fox Spirit Lives on Pheromone - Chapter 17

“Bai Yuechu.”

Jiang Li read the name on the ID card, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity rise in her heart. When she learned that the name had been given by Bai Muqin, her eyes instantly brimmed with joy. She thought, It’s the same surname as my owner, and the name is so beautiful too.

For a fleeting moment, she felt the urge to abandon her struggle over her original identity and simply live happily as Bai Muqin’s Bai Yuechu—as her Ah Li.

But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. Nearly half a month had passed since her arrival in this world, and ever since her mind had cleared, Jiang Li’s learning and comprehension abilities had far surpassed those of ordinary people. She understood that she couldn’t afford to be naive, to fantasize about staying by Bai Muqin’s side forever. She couldn’t just sit and wait—she had to uncover the secrets of her original self. Those fragmented, painful memories—she refused to let them become nightmares haunting her heart. Nor would she passively await the fate of being cast aside at any moment. She needed to take control of her own destiny.

After all these days together, Jiang Li still couldn’t discern Bai Muqin’s true feelings toward her. Bai Muqin’s unpredictable shifts between warmth and indifference left Jiang Li confused, yet deep down, she remained utterly dependent on her.

These past few days, Bai Muqin had forbidden her from going to the company, insisting she focus on studying to prepare for the endorsement shoot in a week.

Staying at home, Jiang Li watched previous endorsement videos and, once she felt she had mastered the essence, practiced various poses in front of the mirror. Her expressions and aura were no less impressive than those of past spokesmodels. Even Huang Xianxian couldn’t help but praise, “No wonder you’re a Fox spirit—that gaze alone could bewitch anyone.”

Once Jiang Li felt she had learned enough, idleness inevitably led to overthinking. Gazing at the door she could freely pass through, she decided to venture out and test her luck—perhaps she might recall some crucial information.

Realizing her plan might be too simplistic, she decided to share part of her memories with Huang Xianxian and seek her advice.

Upon learning that Jiang Li might actually be the second daughter of the Jiang Corporation, Huang Xianxian crossed her front paws indignantly. “We both got possessed, so how come you ended up with such a privileged background? Unfair!” She didn’t dwell on why the Jiang family’s second daughter would become the Bai family’s pet, simply assuming Jiang Li had lost her memory and ended up adrift.

This was Jiang Li’s first time going out alone. Following Huang Xianxian’s suggestion, she headed to the Jiang Corporation to gather information.

She hailed a taxi and set off directly for her destination.

Paying via QR code—basic daily skills Qin Nian had taught her—came naturally to Jiang Li.

After getting out of the car, she stared at the building before her, feeling not the slightest trace of familiarity. It was as if she had never been here before. Doubt crept into her mind—if her original self truly was the Jiang family’s second daughter, how could she have never visited her own company?

It wasn’t rushing hour, and the lobby was sparsely populated.

Jiang Li tucked Huang Xianxian’s peeking head back into her pocket and approached the reception desk under the gaze of the front desk attendant.

Even with only her eyes visible, Jiang Li’s beauty was undeniable. Before she could even get close, the receptionist smiled and asked, “Hello, how may I help you? Do you have an appointment?”

Jiang Li had no experience communicating with strangers. To avoid complications, she immediately resorted to using her charm.

“Do you know Second Miss Jiang? Is her name Jiang Li? Where is she now?” The words were laced with temptation, carrying an irresistible allure.

The receptionist maintained her professional smile as she answered each question: “Second Miss Jiang has been studying abroad for many years and hasn’t returned home, so I’ve never met her and don’t know her. There’s no information about her on the company intranet either, so we lower-level employees don’t even know her name.”

“Aside from what I’ve asked, do you know anything else about her?”

The receptionist replied, “I’ve heard that the second young miss is engaged to the eldest daughter of the Bai family. There are also rumors that she’ll be returning soon. The Jiang family values this engagement highly, so it’s likely she’s coming back to finalize the wedding date.”

Jiang Li didn’t know how to describe her emotions—it was like soaring to the clouds only to plummet back down. In her memories, she did have a fiancée, though she couldn’t recall her face. Yet, she had an inexplicable feeling that the person was Bai Muqin. However, the receptionist’s description of Second Miss Jiang differed too much from her own experiences—especially the part about studying abroad. Jiang Li had no recollection of ever leaving the country; that part of her memory was completely blank.

Just as she was lost in thought, movement at the entrance caught her attention.

Instinctively, she looked over. A strikingly elegant woman was pushing a wheelchair, in which sat another woman. The seated woman exuded a gloomy aura, devoid of vitality, as if warning others to keep their distance. Sensing Jiang Li’s gaze, she glanced up, their eyes meeting briefly before she looked away.

Jiang Li’s heart raced. The woman’s face overlapped with someone in her memories, which gradually sharpened—this woman in the wheelchair was the original owner’s sister, Jiang Qing.

Jiang Li didn’t understand why her heart was pounding so hard, as if some deep-seated emotion was trying to surface.

Yet, judging by Jiang Qing’s reaction, she didn’t seem to recognize Jiang Li. Even after their eyes met, she calmly averted her gaze without a flicker of recognition.

Jiang Li couldn’t comprehend why Jiang Qing didn’t recognize her. Even with a mask on, it shouldn’t have been impossible. And the woman pushing the wheelchair bore some resemblance to her, yet Jiang Li had no memory of her—it was as if she didn’t exist in her recollections.

The moment she saw Jiang Qing, an overwhelming urge to return to the Jiang family surged within her. She couldn’t explain why she felt this way, but it was as if something vitally important had been forgotten.

As the two women approached, Jiang Li stepped aside to avoid colliding with them.

Several men in suits followed closely behind, their demeanor deferential. Faint words of flattery reached her ears: “Second Miss, you must be exhausted from your journey. We weren’t fully prepared—please forgive any shortcomings. We hope both you and the eldest miss will overlook any oversights.”

Second Miss Jiang replied, “My sister was feeling restless at home, and I wanted to visit the company, so we came together. Manager Wang, you all can carry on with your work—there’s no need to attend to us.”

Manager Wang responded, “President Jiang specifically instructed us to give both young misses a proper introduction to the company. After all, the future of the company rests in your hands, the two young Jiang presidents.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li, who had been expressionless, finally showed a hint of a smile on her face.

Manager Wang trotted over to the front desk, exchanged a few words with the receptionist, and then cheerfully rode the elevator up with the group.

Watching them enter the elevator, Huang Xianxian frowned in confusion, “Was that woman just now also the Second Miss Jiang? How many Second Miss Jiangs does the Jiang family have? Fox, are your memories scrambled?”

Jiang Li hesitated before replying, “I don’t think they’re scrambled. I recognize the woman in the wheelchair—she’s the original host’s sister, Jiang Qing.” She sighed and continued, “But she didn’t recognize me just now, so I’m not sure if the memories in my head are real.”

Huang Xianxian exclaimed, “Your situation is even more unusual than mine! I thought you’d be soaring up the social ladder, but now it seems you might just be a fake phoenix.” She then added reassuringly, “But it’s fine. The Jiang family’s wealth can’t compare to the Bai and Qin families anyway. Just cling tightly to your mistress’s leg, and everything will be fine.”

Jiang Li hesitated again, “But the Second Miss Jiang has a marriage contract with Mistress. What if, after they get married, she doesn’t want me anymore?” Her expression turned dejected. The determination she once had to uncover the truth wavered after realizing she might not actually be the Second Miss Jiang, and a sense of crisis crept in. “Once Mistress has her own Alpha, once she’s permanently marked, she won’t need me anymore. But I don’t want to wander Hidden Flower Alley again.”

Huang Xianxian had no choice but to console her, “Don’t forget, you’re a fox spirit! How can you let yourself be outdone by some ordinary human? You can’t think like a mortal!”

Hearing this, Jiang Li suddenly saw the light. Whether or not she was the Jiang family’s Second Miss, she was now in the perfect position to seize the advantage. Compared to the other Second Miss Jiang, whom she hadn’t seen in years, she was far closer to her mistress. As a fox spirit, she was confident she could seduce Bai Muqin before the wedding, making her unable to leave her side. A sly grin spread across her face. “You’re right. I almost forgot I’m a fox spirit.”

Huang Xianxian teased, “That look on your face—you’re like a mischievous fox plotting something. What’s your brilliant idea?”

“Use my charm and keep seducing her.”

Huang Xianxian rolled her eyes. “Ugh, you really are a simple-minded, dumb fox. All you know is seduction. Do you know what a paternity test is? If you want to find out whether you’re related to the Jiang family, it’s ridiculously easy. And you can use enchantment magic too!”

“What’s a paternity test? I don’t think I’ve learned that yet. As for enchantment magic, it’s not always reliable. It works well on people who are completely unsuspecting, but if they’re deliberately hiding something, even enchantment won’t get it out of them—it’ll just alert them instead.” Jiang Li mused thoughtfully, “I do have another idea. What if I just tell Mistress that I’ve remembered my identity and that I’m the Second Miss Jiang? Do you think that’d be a better approach?”

At first, she hadn’t revealed her full background out of fear for her own safety and the possibility of being sent back by her master. But now, having gained a thorough understanding of the Bai and Qin families’ standing in Yucheng, with her master’s protection and the partial recovery of her magical powers, she no longer feared hidden dangers or worried about being sent away. If her identity could indeed be proven, she could even openly become her master’s fiancée. Unconsciously, she began to think of herself as the cleverest little fox in the world.

Huang Xianxian rolled her eyes. “Telling your woman directly is indeed a shortcut!” she couldn’t help but praise. “Fox, your brain finally had a bright idea. If your woman believes you, she’ll definitely find a way to help you with a paternity test. That’ll save us a lot of trouble.”

Jiang Li looked at her curiously. “What’s a paternity test?”

Huang Xianxian explained, “Literally, it’s a test to see if you share bl00d ties with the Jiang family. They can use your hair, saliva, or whatever—it can all be tested.”

After leaving the Jiang Corporation building, Jiang Li faintly sensed someone following her. Without looking around, she quietly asked Huang Xianxian to keep an eye out.

Soon, Huang Xianxian spotted two men tailing them.

Trembling in her pocket, Huang Xianxian whispered, “Who are they? They look vicious—do they want to silence us?” She suddenly gasped. “Ahhh! I just remembered—Hidden Flower Alley is infamous as a dumping ground for bodies! People often drop dead there from overexertion. The fact that you were abandoned there might mean the Jiang family has enemies. We just met with the Jiangs, and now we’re being followed—there’s definitely a conspiracy here!”

Huang Xianxian sighed mournfully. “I was hoping you’d take me for roast chicken, but survival comes first. Let’s hurry home!”