Captivating Beauty 81

Chapter 81

Xu Jinnan’s morning meeting wasn’t at the office, but at the government building.

The meeting, which lasted from 8:30 a.m. to almost 10:30 a.m., was about the future development of North City. She hadn’t been invited to such meetings before, but she had been receiving information about government tenders in the past few months.

Besides her, several other prominent business figures from North City were present, including Cai Ying’s father and Chen Bo’s father.

They both greeted her warmly, especially Mr. Cai.

They had never imagined entrusting their children’s education and mentorship to someone with Xu Jinnan’s reputation.

They had initially been skeptical of her abilities and character, but her recent actions had reassured them.

And besides… they didn’t have many other options.

Their previous attempts to guide their children, both gentle and forceful, had been unsuccessful. They couldn’t scold them, couldn’t punish them, yet, strangely, both Cai Ying and Chen Bo listened to Xu Jinnan.

Mr. Cai and Mr. Chen exchanged a look, a shared sense of bewildered resignation passing between them.

In Mr. Cai’s case, while Cai Ying still complained occasionally, she had become far more diligent, especially after Xu Jinnan had mentioned an upcoming exam, staying up late to study and analyze documents.

He had given Cai Ying a contract the other day, and his precious daughter, clearly confused by something, hadn’t even asked him for help, instead messaging Xu Jinnan.

He didn’t know what they had discussed, but Cai Ying had been humming happily afterwards.

He had looked at the message; it was just a single word of praise – “Good.”

That single word had been more effective than any praise from him.

As for Mr. Chen, he had practically given up on his son.

He didn’t even have to remind him to study anymore; Chen Bo was surprisingly motivated, almost as if Xu Jinnan had brainwashed him. A single word from her, and the little brat would jump to obey.

He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

But there was no denying Xu Jinnan’s influence.

“Really? Cai Ying is studying under Xiao Xu now? Then my son can’t be left behind,” Mr. Chen said, clapping Xu Jinnan on the shoulder. “Xiao Xu, how about tonight? I’ll treat you to dinner, and my son can formally become your disciple. What do you say?”

Mr. Cai chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can teach your own son. Xiao Xu doesn’t have time for two students.”

The two older men, usually serious and composed during meetings, were now relaxed and jovial.

Xu Jinnan, slightly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, said with a smile, “Please, gentlemen, you’re too kind.”

“Kind? You’re practically family now,” Mr. Cai said firmly. “Treat Ying Ying however you see fit. Don’t hold back. Be her master, her older sister, whatever…”

“Now, about that dinner…” Mr. Chen began.

“Perhaps another time, Mr. Chen? I’m really busy these next few days,” Xu Jinnan said, declining politely. In North City, an invitation to dinner from Mr. Chen was a rare honor.

But her tone wasn’t overly formal, a hint of familiarity that softened the rejection.

“Alright, but you owe me this dinner,” Mr. Chen said.

“Of course, of course.”

As the three of them walked down the hallway, the other attendees, surprised by their camaraderie, exchanged glances.

Of course, a few knew the reason behind it.

—

Xu Li, walking behind them, watched them, a cold smile playing on her lips.

“That Xiao Xu is really enjoying her moment in the spotlight,” her assistant commented, noticing her expression.

“So what? Results are what matter,” Xu Li replied.

The assistant nodded. “You’re right. The fact that CEO Xu sent you to this important meeting speaks volumes.”

Xu Li’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, Xu Jinnan’s confident demeanor a stark contrast to her own recent failures.

“How much longer do I have to endure this?” she muttered under her breath.

—

As Xu Jinnan left the building, after saying goodbye to Mr. Cai and Mr. Chen, Mr. Cai stopped her.

“Xiao Xu, there’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you. It might seem presumptuous of me, but I truly see you as Ying Ying’s mentor,” he began.

Xu Jinnan’s expression turned serious. “Please, go ahead.”

“Did your father tell you about sending Xu Li to this meeting?”

He wasn’t aware of the complicated dynamics within the Xu family. Xu Jinnan shook her head, but she understood his meaning.

“Whether it’s for personal or business reasons, I’d prefer you to be the one in charge of the Xu Corporation. I don’t know what your plans are, but if you’re interested, you should start making your move. Of course, you’re already doing very well…” He didn’t have to spell it out; Xu Jinnan was intelligent enough to understand.

She was grateful for his advice, a genuine gesture of goodwill from an elder.

“I understand,” she replied.

She hadn’t asked Viola to drive her, as she had an appointment with Professor Qin. Her mind raced during the drive, connecting the dots – Mr. Cai’s words, Xu Li’s presence at the meeting, and Han Wenling’s message last night.

She didn’t doubt Han Wenling’s information.

She was thinking, So, Xu Li was behind all those schemes against me and Shen Shu?

Or was it Lu Yun?

And whose side was Zhou Pei on? Xu Li’s or Lu Yun’s?

So far, Zhou Pei hadn’t revealed anything, and Xu Jinnan had no concrete evidence… she could only wait.

Li Lan was also waiting.

But Xu Jinnan suspected Xu Li was the mastermind.

Lu Yun didn’t seem capable of such elaborate schemes, and whoever was behind this was incredibly meticulous, leaving no trace.

But the thought of Xu Li being the one pulling the strings sent a chill down her spine; she was clearly a formidable opponent.

—

Xu Jinnan parked at the hospital, her expression grim as she checked her messages, lost in thought.

Dressed in a formal suit, her demeanor cold and aloof, she exuded an aura of authority that made even the usually friendly nurses hesitate to approach her.

But there was also an undeniable beauty in her coldness, her red lipstick and neatly styled hair adding to her allure.

Even Professor Qin was slightly intimidated, assuming she was upset about something.

“Miss Xu, are you alright?” he asked.

Xu Jinnan, startled, looked up, her thoughts returning to the present. She nodded.

She had been checking on the latest developments with the Xu Corporation. Xu Tao had met with the Y1 Project developers; the deal was practically finalized.

After her blood test, she waited in Professor Qin’s office.

A few minutes later, he returned with the results, his brow furrowed.

“Miss Xu, your Alpha pheromone levels are still very high. Don’t you feel anything unusual? Why did you wait so long to come in?” he asked, handing her the report.

While the slight decrease in her Alpha levels was a good sign, his expression remained serious, even slightly grim.

“Miss Xu, are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice low.

Xu Jinnan looked at the report. “I am,” she replied calmly. “This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. I’ve thought about this carefully.”

Professor Qin shook his head, sighing. “But it’s not a one-time thing. Based on what you said, this could be a long-term, even permanent solution. Miss Xu, even the lowest level pheromone blocker…”

“I know,” Xu Jinnan interrupted, her voice soft but firm. “Please administer it today.”

She knew this wasn’t the ideal solution.

She had intended to tell Shen Shu everything, but seeing her fear of Alphas, she hadn’t been able to.

And she couldn’t deny her own selfish desires.

Besides not wanting to add to Shen Shu’s trauma, she was also afraid of ruining their relationship. She knew keeping secrets was wrong…

She was usually decisive, but when it came to Shen Shu, she always hesitated, her usual confidence wavering.

But she couldn’t bear the thought of hurting Shen Shu, and if she had backed down last night, their relationship might have become even more strained.

They might have even broken up before she had a chance to tell Shen Shu the truth.

She didn’t want that.

So, she had initiated the intimacy, the closeness, offering a different kind of comfort, a different kind of reassurance.

But her decision to use pheromone blockers hadn’t been impulsive…

After shredding the secondary differentiation report, she had called Professor Qin.

Besides medication to regulate her pheromone levels, she also needed more frequent check-ups to monitor her condition and anticipate any potential risks.

And she had to be vigilant about the timing of her ruts, taking suppressants in advance.

But most importantly – pheromone blockers.

She had learned about them while researching secondary differentiation and rut suppression.

There were three levels of pheromone blockers. Levels A and B were similar, providing temporary relief from external Alpha and Omega pheromones, a short-term solution for emergencies or specific situations.

Level C was a slow-release blocker, less potent, but still regulated.

The difference was that besides blocking external pheromones, it also suppressed the user’s own pheromones.

Some people used it to manage severe pheromone sensitivities, or for other medical reasons, but the side effects were significant.

Not physical side effects, but rather, the long-term use of pheromone blockers could lead to decreased sensitivity to pheromones, even a complete loss of sensitivity, like a Beta.

Xu Jinnan knew how serious this was for an Alpha, but it was the only solution she could think of.

Since she couldn’t tell Shen Shu the truth, she had to find another way to reassure her, to take responsibility for her actions.

She couldn’t risk exposing Shen Shu to the dangers of her rut.

By using slow-release pheromone blockers, she could reduce her own pheromone levels, especially around Shen Shu, effectively lowering their compatibility.

And based on the logic of her sensitivity, which was triggered by stimuli that increased her pheromone production and scent gland activity, suppressing her own pheromones would prevent a reaction.

And without the risk of a rut, she wouldn’t have to avoid Shen Shu.

Shen Shu wouldn’t feel rejected, wouldn’t be hurt or confused.

When she had discussed this with Professor Qin, he had been silent for a long time, but his silence had been a tacit agreement.

He simply hadn’t mentioned it before, valuing her as a rare case study of secondary differentiation.

Xu Jinnan’s throat felt dry, and she took a sip of water.

Seeing her serious expression, Professor Qin’s own concern intensified. “Even though it’s a low-level blocker, the long-term use of pheromone blockers can still affect your sensitivity to pheromones. Do you understand? For a high-ranking Alpha like you, a secondary differentiator, this is a serious decision!”

“I know,” Xu Jinnan replied, her voice calm but firm.

Professor Qin sighed. While her personality had changed drastically, her stubbornness, her almost obsessive persistence, remained.

“Think of it as a contribution to research. We still don’t know much about secondary differentiation and the long-term effects of pheromone blockers,” Xu Jinnan said, trying to reassure him.

He looked at her, not replying immediately. While he hadn’t asked directly, he understood her reasons.

He felt a mixture of regret and… something else he couldn’t quite define.

“Slow-release blockers don’t have many physical side effects. The main concern is the potential for decreased pheromone sensitivity. Miss Xu, are you absolutely sure about this? This damage could be irreversible,” he said.

Xu Jinnan looked at him, her red lips curving into a faint smile, her expression relaxing, but her eyes remained serious.

“One more thing, Miss Xu. Once you start using Level C slow-release blockers long-term, you can’t stop abruptly. After about ten doses, you’ll have to gradually reduce the dosage…” he explained. “Otherwise, there’s a risk of a pheromone rebound effect, meaning if you miss a dose, you might not only lose control, but your rut could be even more intense than before.”

—

Xu Jinnan returned to the office at 2 p.m.

She had bought a fruit cake for Shen Shu on the way and gave it to Tong Jia, then went to her office.

Viola was waiting for her.

“CEO Xu, you were right. The Xu Corporation just signed the contract for the Y1 Project. The payment should be finalized in the next few days,” she reported.

Xu Jinnan nodded, signaling for her to continue.

“Xu Li’s situation is also proceeding as you predicted. She’s been trying to steal our clients in the North District, but she didn’t realize she was being set up. Now, to recoup her losses, she’s probably already made her move,” Viola said.

Xu Jinnan tapped her fingers on the desk. “Not probably. She already has.” She opened a drawer and handed Viola a file.

Viola’s eyes widened as she read it. “She used 2% of her shares as collateral?” Xu Li only had 3% to begin with, along with a few properties. It was practically everything she owned.

She had clearly fallen into Xu Jinnan’s trap.

She didn’t ask any further questions.

Xu Jinnan gave her a phone number. “Contact this person and buy those shares from her. Don’t reveal your identity,” she instructed.

While 2% wasn’t much compared to Xu Tao’s 65%, it was still a significant amount, especially since it would weaken Xu Li’s position.

With Xu Li’s 2%, she would have 14%, making her the second largest shareholder after Xu Tao.

To avoid arousing Xu Tao’s suspicion, she had been careful with the registration of these shares.

While her progress was already impressive, she still felt like it was too slow.

The Xu family’s power in Qucheng had been built over generations, largely due to the Xu Corporation’s financial support.

Her goal wasn’t simply to acquire the company, or to win some kind of inheritance battle.

It was to dismantle the Xu family’s power base and expose their secrets.

She had been having nightmares lately, dreams of the little girl Xu Lian had abused, the child’s cries echoing in her ears, her tear-filled eyes pleading for help.

And she thought, That was just one child, one incident.

What about the others?

What had happened to that little girl after she left?

What kind of darkness had she endured?

And the other children, the ones she hadn’t been able to help, what had happened to them?

And the original Xu Jinnan…

The photos of her bruised and battered body, like ink stains on a canvas, were etched into Xu Jinnan’s memory.

She stood up and walked over to the window, the sunlight streaming in, a warm, comforting presence, a stark contrast to the darkness she had just witnessed.

She felt a wave of exhaustion, the lack of sleep catching up to her.

She rubbed her neck and closed her eyes for a moment, then went to the small lounge and sat down in the massage chair, setting the timer for fifteen minutes.

She drifted off to sleep, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks, a tingling sensation that made her stir.

Then, she opened her eyes to see Shen Shu standing over her, her beautiful eyes warm and inviting, unlike their usual coolness.

Shen Shu straightened up, the fabric of her white shirt stretching slightly as she moved.

Xu Jinnan smiled up at her, reaching out to take her hand and pull her closer. “How long have you been here?” she asked, her voice husky with sleep.

Shen Shu smiled faintly, their shared intimacy, though recent, creating a silent understanding between them.

She let Xu Jinnan pull her closer, her knee brushing against the massage chair. “Just a few minutes,” she replied.

“Want to sit down for a bit?” Xu Jinnan asked, already getting out of the chair.

“Where would I sit?”

Xu Jinnan lowered the footrest of the massage chair, then took Shen Shu’s hand and led her over, sitting down and lifting her legs onto the footrest.

“Here,” she said, patting her lap.

If Shen Shu hadn’t been standing so close, if Xu Jinnan hadn’t pulled her onto her lap, her ears wouldn’t have turned red.

But she didn’t resist.

Xu Jinnan was wearing jeans.

As Shen Shu sat down, she felt a warmth spreading through her, a pleasant tingling sensation.

She hadn’t intended for this, simply wanting to sit beside Xu Jinnan, but now, with Shen Shu on her lap, she understood the expression “wrapped around her little finger.”

“No,” Shen Shu said, placing a hand on Xu Jinnan’s chest, stopping her from leaning in.

“…” Xu Jinnan blinked. “Huh?”

“I’m wearing lipstick. I don’t want to smudge it.”

“Then we’ll reapply it,” Xu Jinnan said, pulling Shen Shu closer. “I have lipstick too. I’ll help you.”

Shen Shu’s gaze lingered on Xu Jinnan’s lips, a deep, matte red, a bolder color than usual, surprisingly striking against her white shirt.

She suddenly wanted to see Xu Jinnan’s lipstick smudged, a messy, passionate red.

“But I only have a five-minute break. I have to go back to filming soon. No time for touch-ups,” she said.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

She had assumed Shen Shu had a longer break, at least twenty minutes.

“Okay,” she said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Shen Shu had noticed Xu Jinnan’s unusual affection, their intimacy unlike anything they had shared before.

But she enjoyed it, Xu Jinnan’s boldness a welcome change.

“Not my lips,” she murmured, leaning closer, “but you can kiss me somewhere else.”