Chapter 3

Lu Ningshuang returned to the department.

The gossipy colleagues immediately crowded around her, winking and making faces.

“Little Lu, what did Assistant Jiang want with you?”

“You’ve been hiding this connection pretty well.”

“Little Lu, Brother Sun has been good to you since you joined the department. If there’s good news, don’t forget your good brother… oh, good sister.”

“…”

One by one, their tongues practically licked Lu Ningshuang’s face.

Lu Ningshuang pushed away the nearest head and smiled faintly. “What are you all thinking? I’m from an ordinary family. How could someone like her have anything to do with a nobody like me?”

“She just called me over to ask about some company matters.”

“Really? For real?”

Lu Ningshuang’s food, clothing, and expenses at the company were all the most basic kind. She didn’t seem like a rich second-generation kid slumming it in designer clothes and sports cars for life experience.

At least when it came to not having relatives in the president’s office, everyone believed her about seventy percent.

“But that’s not right. If it was just company matters, why call you alone? You’re just an intern who’s been here less than a month…”

“I think it’s precisely because of that,” Lu Ningshuang said. “Since I’m new and not fully familiar with everything, my experiences and observations are more straightforward.”

With this explanation, everyone nodded, finding it reasonable.

Their company wasn’t large, and there were even fewer people assigned to each department. After the New Year, the department had only hired two new people—one was a real rich kid who quit after two days without even asking for pay.

So, didn’t that leave only Lu Ningshuang?

With that settled, a new question arose. “Did you meet the new President Qin? What’s she like?”

This wasn’t some entertainment industry tale tailored for domineering CEOs. Photos of the group’s top executive hadn’t spread across the internet yet. The new president, who had parachuted in just days ago, still wore a veil of mystery.

Lu Ningshuang recalled that earlier scene, and her shoulder suddenly felt a bit hot.

“She’s got a strong presence,” she said.

“Of course.”

“I’ve heard that this President Qin became the heir to Tian Sheng Group precisely because she’s an Omega. She has several Alpha cousins, and none of them are pushovers. For her to secure the heir position as an Omega shows her capabilities.”

“It’s still strange, though. She was doing fine at headquarters. Why parachute into our little branch?”

“Who told you to ask about that? It’s all common knowledge. Little Lu…”

The person winked. “Tell us, what does President Qin look like?”

As soon as the words fell, everyone’s eyes focused on Lu Ningshuang again.

Lu Ningshuang’s gaze seemed to flicker, her eyelids drooping lightly. When she looked up again, her eyes were their usual soft and clear, her voice gentle.

“Just a nose and two eyes…” She paused. “Seriously speaking, she’s indeed better looking than average.”

“Country bumpkin.”

A discordant voice rang out from the crowd. “She’s just an intern who hasn’t even gone permanent yet. She got lucky being called in by President Qin for a chat—pure dog shit luck. And she really thinks she’s climbed the ladder and is about to skyrocket.”

Lu Ningshuang looked over.

It was an Alpha from the same department named Cao Wenjun, arrogant and conceited by nature. He had always looked down on Lu Ningshuang.

Lu Ningshuang thought: Well… how should I put it? Maybe she really is.

Lu Ningshuang hid all her emotions perfectly; no one noticed. Cao Wenjun certainly didn’t pay attention.

Instead, a reminiscent expression crossed his face, tinged with sleazy frivolity.

He had been fortunate enough to see that “better looking than average” President Qin in Lu Ningshuang’s mouth.

It was on the first day Qin Yushu took over here. He happened to run into her downstairs. Even without knowing her identity then, based on her looks, attire, and aura, Cao Wenjun had decided—he would make her his Omega!

Now, with the added status of Tian Sheng Group’s heir, he was even more determined to have her!

Heir? Whatever. Omegas should stay home obediently, tending to husbands and raising kids. Career struggles were for Alphas. Once he married her, he’d have the entire Tian Sheng!

Cao Wenjun was brimming with confidence, a lewd gleam in his eyes.

Everyone saw Cao Wenjun’s expression.

He had always been quite annoying, looking down on this and that in the department, offending plenty of people. Like a cockroach, he popped up now and then, making him even more hated.

Now, hearing him mock Lu Ningshuang, someone immediately called him out.

“Cao Wenjun, if you’re jealous, just say it. Why bully Little Lu?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Hmph.”

Cao Wenjun ran a hand through his hair, looking down his nose at them with the arrogance of someone superior to mere mortals. “A bunch of idiots. Just wait.”

Once he climbed President Qin’s tree… he’d fire every one of them, tell them all to scram!

Especially that annoying Lu Ningshuang!

Cao Wenjun was utterly confident in himself.

Seeing his expression, the department colleagues knew he was daydreaming again and ignored him.

“Little Lu, don’t mind him. There’s something wrong with his head. Talking to him makes you dumber.”

Lu Ningshuang nodded.

She watched Cao Wenjun’s retreating back, then turned with a soft smile, completely lacking the sharp edge of an Alpha.

“Brother Cao is just a bit sharp-tongued. He’s not a bad person.”

Wang Jie stared at her fair face, hesitating to speak. “You… sigh.”

Little Lu was great in every way, but her eyesight was a problem. Oh, and she was a bit naive too.

Whatever. They were colleagues; she’d keep an eye on her to make sure no beasts in human skin took advantage.

In the afternoon, as Cao Wenjun was making coffee, he bumped right into Lu Ningshuang who had come over.

Lu Ningshuang stepped back first, but the spilled coffee splashed all over Cao Wenjun’s clothes.

Fortunately, the coffee wasn’t too hot, but with such a large area soaked, a strong coffee-marinated stench immediately filled the air. Cao Wenjun’s brows furrowed tight enough to crush a fly.

“Lu Ningshuang, do you not watch where you’re going? Rushing to reincarnate or what?”

Lu Ningshuang seemed to freeze for a moment, then quickly apologized. “Sorry, sorry…”

“What’s the use of sorry? It’s already happened. This outfit costs more than a month’s salary for you! Broke-ass, how do you plan to compensate?”

“How about this: You take it off, and I’ll send it for dry cleaning and give it back to you?” Lu Ningshuang said softly.

“Dry cleaning? You think sending good fabric to a shop fixes it?” Cao Wenjun’s voice rose, turning shrill. “And don’t forget medical fees for my scald, mental anguish compensation—none of it can be short!”

The commotion naturally drew attention. Coffee pooled on the floor, Lu Ningshuang kept her head down apologizing, and occasionally, when she glanced up, her eyes and nose tip were red.

Cao Wenjun, on the other hand, looked completely overbearing and unforgiving.

The difference in impressions and popularity was clear in that moment—

“Cao Wenjun, that’s enough. I saw it all. Little Lu stepped aside for you, but you were lost in thought, not watching the road, barreling straight ahead. Is this your private road? Everyone has to yield to you?”

“I’ve seen you wear that outfit countless times; it’s worn out. You’re just scamming someone for a new one, huh? Dream on.”

“He’s just trying to shake her down, bullying the new girl because she’s nice.”

“What do you know? A bunch of wage slaves—shut up!”

“It was indeed my fault. I accidentally dirtied Brother Cao’s clothes. No need for everyone to explain for me; I’ll cover my share of the compensation.”

Cao Wenjun’s bossiness contrasted sharply with Lu Ningshuang’s admission of fault.

But her “my share” meant she wouldn’t pay a single extra cent.

Lu Ningshuang had played a little word game here.

Cao Wenjun’s popularity in the office was abysmal; everyone knew what he was like. In the end, with colleagues mediating, Lu Ningshuang only paid for dry cleaning.

Cao Wenjun itched with rage.

That bitch! She did it on purpose!!!

But with so many witnesses and surveillance footage proving it wasn’t Lu Ningshuang’s fault, Cao Wenjun could only swallow his broken teeth and bitterness.

He racked his brains but couldn’t figure out when he’d offended this green-tea Alpha.

Even after Cao Wenjun left, Lu Ningshuang’s eyes remained red. Everyone comforted her.

“Little Lu, this was totally undeserved disaster.”

Lu Ningshuang thanked her colleagues, her tone still low. “I didn’t expect… sigh.”

The unspoken implication was clear.

“Thanks for speaking up for me earlier. I ordered drinks for everyone to quench your thirst. Don’t refuse, or I’ll be the embarrassed one.”

A smile bloomed on Lu Ningshuang’s face, fresh as a lotus emerging from summer water, clear as spring washing fine glass.

How could anyone refuse?

She returned to her seat, and neighboring Wang Jie kept glancing over.

She thought to herself: Little Lu said the new President Qin was better looking than average, so how much worse could Little Lu herself be?

…Neither of them was ordinary.

I’m really… gonna cry!

That evening at eight.

Lu Ningshuang changed into the hotel server’s uniform.

The hotel had standards for employees’ looks and demeanor, but Lu Ningshuang met them easily.

Lu Fugui was all about money; their families lived close, Lu Ningshuang got along well with her, and with a bit of big-sister responsibility, this wasn’t the first time she’d covered like this.

She handled it with ease.

Lu Fugui’s station was in the restaurant. Lu Ningshuang had just finished serving a table when she looked up, and her attention was immediately stolen by a certain figure stepping through the door.

It was Qin Yushu.

At her side—

Was a man who complemented her perfectly in every aspect… Alpha.