Chapter 41

Qin Yushu never fought unprepared battles.

Thus, a year earlier, when the Huo Family suffered a major upheaval—the designated next heir, Huo Dashao Huo Yunxuan, died unexpectedly, and they brought back the family’s bloodline that had been cast out—

she had already sent people to investigate this illegitimate son named “Huo Qi.”

Yes.

At that time, Huo Yunyi could only be called “Huo Qi.” He was secretly using the Huo surname, just like any other person named Huo among the masses.

It was merely a family name, not acknowledged by the Huo Family.

Back then, Huo Qi was just a street thug who fought viciously and had no background to speak of—but from his ruthless willingness to grab a stick and beat someone down, one could faintly glimpse the potential for him to achieve great things one day.

However, Qin Yushu did not approve of this indiscriminate ruthlessness.

It could serve as a path to the heavens for climbing upward, but it could also become a thorn in his back or a sharp knife once he succeeded—a liability that made too many enemies and would eventually backfire.

Yet, given Huo Qi’s status and position at the time, there truly was no faster way to rise.

If it had been her…

Qin Yushu wouldn’t claim her methods were much gentler, but at least she handled things without going to extremes. She always cloaked her actions in a veneer of “righteous cause,” ensuring she wouldn’t end up isolated and betrayed in the future.

Huo Qi focused on the short term; she looked to the long term.

But the environments they grew up in, the education and upbringing they received, were worlds apart from the start. It was only natural their approaches to matters differed.

Even so, Huo Qi’s actions after returning to the Huo Family—those “proofs” of his worth—sufficed to show he was not her kind of person.

If there were bloody interests to share, cooperating would be fine; but any deeper personal entanglements were out of the question.

When Huo Qi first returned to the Huo Family, his position was unstable, and he had a mountain of lessons to catch up on. Even if Old Master Huo was blinded by lard, he wouldn’t recklessly pair this newcomer with the rising Qin Yushu.

The Huo and Qin Families did have a few collaborations.

Minor ones.

Tied by past connections, opportunities occasionally came Qin Yushu’s way, but at that time, Huo Qi was far from mature. When business was discussed, he was often accompanied by others.

He was the silent listener and learner, so subdued that sometimes Qin Yushu didn’t even greet him after a meeting.

Naturally, President Qin didn’t take such a greenhorn seriously, but true to her principle of not burning bridges, she never looked down on him or gave him any cold shoulder.

They were two parallel lines that would never intersect.

No crossing boundaries.

That was already the best outcome.

Every time they met, Huo Qi remained silent; after two or three encounters, they stopped seeing each other altogether.

Old Master Huo and the Huo Family didn’t have much time left for this newly legitimized illegitimate son. He had to learn on the fly while adapting quickly.

That period was probably just practice for him.

Qin Yushu didn’t mind.

Whether enemy or friend, someone too low on the ladder wasn’t worth noticing. Even if glimpsed by accident, who would bother keeping their head down to watch?

It would make one’s neck ache.

She next heard of him over half a year later, casually catching snippets during idle chatter with others.

By then, he had changed his name to “Huo Yunyi,” signaling the Huo Family’s acknowledgment.

Later, they crossed paths once or twice. The Huo Family’s cramming-style education had worked wonders—at least on the surface, he now passed as a poised and cultured young heir of a great family.

But.

Qin Yushu had heard about his methods. She sighed that even a wild dog draped in human skin preferred to bite when snatching meat.

This feral edge always leaked through in President Huo’s dealings with others.

Even as many recently praised this rising new Huo president in the business world, Qin Yushu never echoed a word.

She didn’t look down on Huo Yunyi—or Huo Qi—for his origins, education, or status as an illegitimate son. Yet she always regarded him with a touch of disdain.

Disdain that he would never be her match.

Past, present—with President Qin’s absolute confidence and prowess, she could extend that disdain… into the endless future.

At eighteen, she unexpectedly differentiated into an Omega.

After a moment’s surprise, Qin Yushu quickly accepted the fact and began adapting to her Omega body as swiftly as possible.

Qin Yushu never felt troubled by her Omega identity—except for the monthly heat periods, which were truly tormenting and hard to fully escape. This time…

Back then, Old Master Qin had wanted to abandon her because of it, but Qin Yushu accepted it even faster than realizing her differentiation.

Almost the instant it completed, the idea had already sparked in her mind. Now it was just confirming the hypothesis and going through the motions.

From start to finish, she never saw those Alpha cousins as rivals.

Because they weren’t worthy.

The outcome proved her initial judgment spot-on: a bunch of good-for-nothings, easily crushed.

In this regard, Qin Yushu held absolute pride.

She felt no inferiority for being an Omega, nor any smug triumph from defeating Alphas as one.

Strength was inherent to her, to who she was—not tied to being Alpha or Omega.

Differentiating as an Omega merely decided how she experienced pleasure in bed.

The specially trained Huo Yunyi was indeed a cut above those so-called “rival heirs,” but only that much.

Months later, Old Master Huo approached her, leveraging past ties, and casually brought up the old “marriage alliance” proposal between their families…

The story was even more layered than what she’d told Lu Ningshuang, with extra details in the middle.

But no matter what, Huo Yunyi had no right to “inherit” it.

After deeming Huo Yunyi no threat, she stopped paying attention. When the marriage topic resurfaced—due to various overlapping reasons—she’d been in a rare good mood that day and agreed to meet him. What she found—

was a performance utterly at odds with the past year of hearsay and sightings!

He’d practically become a different person.

Stupider.

This “stupidity” wasn’t just harmless anymore. Dealing with someone whose low IQ led to self-important blunders induced nausea.

She meant no insult; it was simply fact.

This “Huo Yunyi” suddenly became interesting.

Not only had that untamable wildness vanished beneath suits and polish, but he was now refined and deferential, even bringing up childhood memories.

“Huo Qi” had indeed been taken back to the Huo Family briefly as a child after his mother’s early “death,” since the family struggled with heirs each generation.

But soon after.

His “deceased” mother came back to life. Crucially, the Huo Family’s eldest grandson, Huo Yunxuan, had shown enough talent—bolstered by his lineage—to secure his heir position.

Huo Qi, who only caused trouble by staying, was naturally kicked out—back where he came from.

The Huo Family provided only basic child support, revealing their resolve and ruthlessness.

Child? Bloodline?

Even if only one per generation, there would always be more. Right now, preserving the family’s current glory took priority.

Perhaps that childhood memory scarred him deeply, driving adult Huo Qi—even as a street punk—to claw upward relentlessly!

After glimpsing such dazzling prosperity, how could anyone’s heart stay calm?

But Huo Yunyi’s behavior didn’t match. Qin Yushu merely glanced at him then, without rebuttal.

President Qin’s confidence sometimes wasn’t entirely a virtue.

Spotting this anomaly, yet deeming him no rival, she only had people loosely monitor the Huo Family—including this new heir, Huo Yunyi.

No dedicated tail.

Later…

Accidents piled up, her sweet-tempered little dog inexplicably grew wary and hostile, and that day’s sudden hint to her.

This jolted Qin Yushu awake, realizing she’d overlooked the most changed, most crucial person.

Past impressions had clouded her vision; unconsciously, she’d romanticized what she saw, even attributing his repeated escapes to Huo Family setups.

She sent investigators again.

This time, specialists who didn’t take a broad view but dug into Huo Yunyi thoroughly.

The files now lay before Qin Yushu.

This man…

One wouldn’t believe it without checking; the investigation shocked her with his absurdities.

Personality flipped, tactics gone, lately obsessed with women—nearly botching several major deals.

Even if they scraped by unscathed, his reputation tanked in her eyes, Old Master Huo’s, and partners’.

As she’d said, not conducive to long-term success.

If old Huo Qi’s issues stemmed from personality and lack of options, forcing short-term plays—once capable, he’d shift to long-game fishing.

By contrast, this one stuck to shortsighted moves, stumbling so badly he nearly snapped the line.

Perfect.

This performance alone shattered her old image of “Huo Qi.”

Three reports; the first two aside, obsession with women? Career-focused Huo Qi never showed that.

Could such an ingrained kink hide flawlessly for over a decade?

Claiming recent big-role pressure made him sloppy, expose his “true nature”? Too far-fetched.

Qin Yushu sped through the files and sent a new order.

[Check if Huo Yunyi, formerly Huo Qi, has any identical twin brothers—same face exactly.]

After sending, she reconsidered.

President Qin always favored science and tech; her imagination fell short.

The anomalies on Huo Yunyi were obvious even to her, a near-stranger who rarely met him. How could Old Master Huo—ever at his side—miss them?

He’d been recognized as the sole bloodline; DNA tests were inevitable.

Even twins—one sharp, one dim—Old Master Huo’s resources and prior tests would expose it.

Yet this bumbling Huo Yunyi appeared at Old Master Huo’s seventieth birthday banquet, presented as future heir.

Proving—

identity genuine, no fraud.

Scanning further, Qin Yushu spotted perhaps the key: post-change Huo Yunyi, an Alpha, chased women—not Omegas specifically.

Any female Alpha, Beta, or Omega—he welcomed eagerly, even pursued.

Combined with Little Dog Lu’s oddity tonight…

Identical to her own: sudden, inexplicable, ferocious onset, plus Little Dog’s revulsion.

[Dig deeper into him for anything else]

Her fingers paused at the end, dark eyes sharp with resolve.

[Extraordinary abilities.]

[Be cautious; report any developments immediately.]

Qin Yushu finished in under five minutes in the study.

When she returned to the bedroom, dinner had arrived.

Lu Ningshuang was waiting for her at the table.

The Alpha was dressed fairly neatly. When she saw Qin Yushu arrive, her eyes suddenly lit up, though it was unclear whether it was because she had seen her person or because dinner was finally about to be served.

“You’re back! Come eat, come eat~ Dinner’s finally ready~~”

The little dog Lu enthusiastically beckoned her over, acting just like she was at her own home—and after the marriage, this place truly could be called her home.

Qin Yushu might really have been influenced by Housekeeper Nangong’s omnipresent CEO delusions, because in that instant, an illusion flashed through her mind.

It was Lu the little dog, wearing nothing but a delicate apron, waiting by the dining table for her newly returned wife. She leaned over the table and asked with a coquettish laugh.

“Honey, you’re back! Do you want to shower first, eat first, or eat me first?”

Eat what her?

They had clearly already “eaten” before dinner.

Qin Yushu suppressed these absurd illusions and walked to Lu Ningshuang’s side without a change in expression. Then, she suddenly reached out and lifted the hem of the Alpha’s clothes.

The pure and innocent college-girl Alpha immediately jumped up, her cheeks exploding red.

“What are you doing!”

Qin Yushu’s pitch-black eyes swept over her once, then returned to calm as she said, “Let’s eat.”

—As expected, she only looked neat and pure.

Heh.

Lu Ningshuang’s attention was indeed drawn to this. She had been here less than a day, having eaten only breakfast and lunch, and she hadn’t been picky at all.

But who didn’t love a happy little dog?

In just that one meal, the staff—or rather, Auntie Qin—had specially noted Lu Ningshuang’s preferences.

Among these dishes were not only Qin Yushu’s favorites but also the ones Lu Ningshuang had taken extra bites of at lunch.

Whether she truly loved them wasn’t certain yet, but her willingness to take extra bites clearly meant she preferred them more than the others—a thoughtful consideration.

Lu Ningshuang ate very happily.

Then, Qin Yushu noticed something else.

“Your energy seems quite good right now?”

Lu Ningshuang’s eating paused.

Qin Yushu continued, “Not only did you get up and dress yourself properly, but look at you eating now…”

Qin Yushu’s eye corner quirked up.

That pair of lover’s eyes, when glancing at someone, could be seductive or threatening.

Right now, it was the latter.

“Youyou little sister, you don’t exactly look like someone who was ‘done for everywhere’ and needed to ‘beg for mercy’ at all.”

Lu Ningshuang’s brain raced at full speed.

Qin Yushu: “Tell the truth.”

Fine!

No beating around the bush. Lu Ningshuang simply threw caution to the wind. “The physiology class said that too… too frequent isn’t good.”

Qin Yushu continued her slanted, interrogating gaze. “So you came up with some method?”

Lu Ningshuang mumbled, “Mm-hmm.”

“Youyou really is smart.”

Lu Ningshuang: “…”

Lu Ningshuang absolutely didn’t dare respond to that!

But suddenly, the atmosphere grew eerily silent. Lu Ningshuang could only steel herself and add, “It’s not good for you or me.”

“Besides, Alphas need rest too! Live-in son-in-laws have rights, and monthly rest rights! This frequency has already far exceeded the originally stipulated times!!”

The Alpha tried to sound righteous, but Qin Yushu merely gave her a slanted glance. “You didn’t sign that contract.”

Lu Ningshuang: “…”

“In any case, President Qin! I think we need to take it slow, aim for sustainable development.”

So, Lu Ningshuang clearly still had energy left, but she had noticed President Qin’s inexplicable competitive streak and deliberately played weak to end the affair early, going against the flow.

—As if there was truly such a frail and helpless Alpha?

She had pegged Qin Yushu as someone who ate soft but not hard!

Even now that the truth was out, she still preserved some face for President Qin, claiming it was her own lack of stamina needing rest—when really, it was more for the sake of the latter’s body.

Lu Ningshuang’s actions once again made Qin Yushu realize that she was being completely taken in hand by this little dog she had casually brought home, this live-in son-in-law—

Thoroughly.

She had always liked to hold all the initiative in her own hands. Now that the ruse was exposed, she felt a bit unaccustomed for the moment, but overall…

It didn’t seem… so bad?

She thought of how naturally she had chosen this little dog, and after just one time, considered long-term development or even a stable, ongoing marriage. At its root…

Being with her was comfortable in itself.

It had nothing to do with Alpha, Omega, or such genders. The little dog was soft and cheerful, always exceptionally attuned to others’ moods.

What about her own?

The thought had just risen in Qin Yushu’s mind when she quickly suppressed it—she subconsciously felt it was a dangerous sign and didn’t want to dig deeper.

Back to the original topic.

“What you said makes some sense.”

Lu Ningshuang felt a bit relieved, yet also something indescribable.

The little dog’s expressions were all written on her face—no need to even guess. Qin Yushu slowly put a bite of food in her mouth, chewed it leisurely, swallowed, and only then said,

“I’ll have to think about it.”

Lu Ningshuang’s eyes flashed again.

Qin Yushu picked up the napkin beside her and wiped her luscious lips. “Now, let’s discuss your form of address issue.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Lu Ningshuang’s brain didn’t turn over right away. “Didn’t we already decide on Youyou?”

Though now it alternated between Youyou and Miss Lu.

Either was fine.

She could understand both.

They were calling her anyway~

“I call you Youyou, Miss Lu—”

As soon as Qin Yushu opened her mouth, Lu Ningshuang felt it coming again. She listened carefully.

“Isn’t Miss Lu calling me ‘President Qin’ a bit too distant?”

Lu Ningshuang: “Ah?”

Qin Yushu: “This form of address always gives me the illusion that we’re still in a money transaction.”

Live-in wealthy family son-in-law Lu Ningshuang really wanted to blurt out with zero emotional intelligence: Huh? Aren’t we?

But she didn’t dare QAQ.

“Or like I’m threatening to sleep with you in the office.”

Lu Ningshuang imagined it and thought, “Yeah, that does seem kinda bad.”

Bad influence.

“So what should I call you?”

Qin Yushu: “Think of something yourself.”

No reason her little nickname was given by Qin Yushu, but when it was her turn, she had to come up with her own.

Did this little dog get such special treatment?!

Little Dog: QAQ

Seeing her ponder bitterly for so long that her beautiful black long straight hair seemed to wilt, unable to come up with a suitable address, Qin Yushu finally couldn’t bear it and gave a hint.

“You called it earlier.”

Lu Ningshuang’s eyes lit up. “Could it be—”

Under Qin Yushu’s ostensibly casual but actually encouraging gaze, she blurted out.

“Could it be ‘wife’?!”

“…”

Qin Yushu smiled. “Whose wife is whose?”

Lu Ningshuang instantly wilted. “I’m yours.”

Qin Yushu: “Hm?”

The little live-in son-in-law wilted completely, saying it three times in a row. “I’m your wife! I’m your wife! I’m your wife!”

“Mm.”

A subtle difference in the trailing tone changed the entire meaning.

President Qin was finally satisfied. “Keep thinking.”

But the little live-in son-in-law had been so successively scared that her brain wasn’t working well. President Qin couldn’t bear it.

“You can do like just now…”

Lu Ningshuang still didn’t get it.

Forget it.

Qin Yushu simply spelled it out. “Call me ‘sister’.”

The young beautiful college-girl Alpha looked up, her eyes still brimming with clear stupidity, then opened her mouth—

“Hey!”