Captivating Beauty 86 p1

Chapter 86 p1

Tong Jia, slightly tipsy, had called for a ride, and since they were going in the same direction as Cai Ying, they shared a car.

As they chatted, Cai Ying suddenly gasped.

“What’s wrong, little sis?” Tong Jia asked.

“You meant that kind of ‘inconvenient’?” Cai Ying asked, her eyes widening.

“…” Tong Jia paused. “Little Cai, you read more of that kind of novel than I do. How are you still so innocent?”

I don’t just read them; I write them, Cai Ying thought, but didn’t say it aloud.

She pouted. “I didn’t even think of that! So, that’s why they were being so…”

Tong Jia shrugged, her voice low and comforting. “It’s fine. Alphas and Omegas have more fun when they’re… biting each other.”

Cai Ying fell silent.

But Xu Jinnan was an Omega; she couldn’t mark anyone. They couldn’t have that kind of fun.

“They’ll figure it out. They’re wives, after all. Why are you so worried?” Tong Jia said, patting Cai Ying’s shoulder. “You’re the one who should be talking about your feelings, you know?” Some things could only be understood through experience.

Tong Jia knew this firsthand; even Qiao Rui, that cheating scumbag, occasionally appeared in her dreams.

Heartbreak was a scar that lingered, more vivid than any happy memory.

Letting go was easy.

Forgetting was hard.

Cai Ying’s eyes reddened in the dim light of the car as she met Tong Jia’s gaze, then she looked down, her voice soft. “Jia Jia, seeing her… it still hurts.”

“I know,” Tong Jia said softly.

“It’s not that I still love her. It’s just…”

“I know,” Tong Jia repeated, gently stroking Cai Ying’s hair. “It’s okay. You’ll get over it eventually. We both will.”

Cai Ying leaned against Tong Jia’s shoulder. “You’re right. I have to be stronger, better. I’m going to be CEO Cai someday. I can’t let these… petty emotions control me.”

Tong Jia chuckled. “You go, girl!”

“Those weren’t my words,” Cai Ying said. “Xu Jinnan said that.”

Tong Jia nodded. “She’s right, though. CEO Xu is truly impressive.”

“Of course she is,” Cai Ying said with a smile. “She’s my master, after all.”

I should have recorded that. Xu Jinnan would have loved it, Tong Jia thought.

Despite her usual playful defiance, Cai Ying clearly admired Xu Jinnan.

–

Xu Jinnan had been spending most of her time at the Xu Corporation, trying to get things in order, while staying in contact with Li Lan.

While the Xu Li situation had been resolved, Li Lan had uncovered some disturbing information from their conversations, particularly about the drug.

It had come from the Xu family.

The amount Xu Li had possessed was enough to harm dozens of people, according to Li Lan, not to mention the small packet Xu Jinnan had found.

This wasn’t just a personal matter anymore.

After much deliberation, she decided to trust Li Lan, sharing everything she knew – the Qucheng investigation, Lu Yun and Xu Tao’s relationship, the photos from Wang Zheng, even the fragmented memories of the original Xu Jinnan.

At the Special Ward, Li Lan listened intently, her brow furrowing with each revelation.

“That’s basically everything,” Xu Jinnan said, taking a sip of water.

Li Lan was silent for a long moment. “Have you told anyone else about this?”

“No,” Xu Jinnan replied, shaking her head.

“Shen Shu doesn’t know?”

“No, she doesn’t know anything.”

Xu Jinnan didn’t want to involve Shen Shu in the Xu family drama.

Li Lan explained that she had sent two undercover agents to Qucheng, hoping to uncover more information.

Unfortunately, just as Xu Jinnan had described, it was difficult to infiltrate the community, and Li Lan suggested waiting for the Xu family to contact them, now that their funding had been cut off.

Xu Jinnan’s initial reluctance to involve the Special Ward had been due to the Xu family’s influence; if they had connections within the Special Ward, it would complicate matters.

But Li Lan’s involvement had been a lifesaver.

At least she wasn’t fighting this battle alone anymore.

–

It was a little past 2 p.m. when Xu Jinnan went to the Xu Corporation.

She took a pill from her bag; she had been so busy lately, she often forgot to take her medication.

Fortunately, it was only the medication to regulate her pheromones, not the pheromone blockers.

She glanced at the suppressants in her bag, which she always carried with her now, since going to the hospital for injections was inconvenient.

Professor Qin had warned her that after ten doses, she couldn’t stop abruptly; she would have to gradually reduce the dosage to avoid a pheromone rebound, which could trigger a severe rut.

She had a good memory, but she was worried about forgetting, especially with her busy schedule.

She decided to set a reminder on her phone.

Just then, Viola knocked and entered, carrying a large envelope.

“CEO Xu, this arrived for you,” she said.

“From where?”

“The North City Special Ward. Sent by Officer Li.”

Xu Jinnan paused, surprised. If Li Lan had something to tell her, she would have sent someone, or called. Why bother with a letter?

She took the envelope and opened it, pulling out a stack of documents.

The cover page read: Share Transfer Agreement.

She flipped through the pages and saw the transferor’s name – Xu Yincheng.

It was the first of several documents, the total amounting to 7% of the Xu Corporation’s shares.

Her heart skipped a beat. Xu Yincheng’s signature at the bottom of each document was messy and scrawled, and she could almost picture his cold, arrogant face.

Viola quietly left the office.

Xu Jinnan felt a strange mix of emotions. She had always been wary of Xu Yincheng, yet he had only shown her kindness so far.

Years of experience had taught her to be wary of people’s motives, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that if Xu Yincheng had wanted to harm her, he wouldn’t have done this.

Even Lu Yun… while she had verbally offered her shares, she hadn’t actually signed any transfer agreements, still holding onto them.

What if he’s the only normal one in the Xu family, the only one who genuinely cares? she wondered.

She opened her chat with Xu Yincheng.

The last message was the screenshot Li Lan had asked her to send.

Unsure if he had even seen it, she typed a message: [Thank you, brother.]

She didn’t expect a reply, putting down her phone, but just as she did, it rang.

It was Xu Yincheng.

She paused, then answered. “…Hello?”

The sound of wind and rain came through the line, the noise almost deafening.

“Nannan,” his voice, deep and slightly raspy, said.

“Brother.”

He chuckled. “So, you received it?”

“Just now.”

“It’s a little late. I’ve been out of contact and just heard about you taking over the Xu Corporation.” She could hear him exhale, the sound of smoke. “Good thing you’re smart. You didn’t let them take advantage of you.”

“I didn’t need those shares…”

“Just take them,” he interrupted. “Nannan, I have to go. Take care of yourself. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay,” Xu Jinnan replied.

Just before hanging up, he added, “Oh, right, my colleague said to tell your wife to post on Weibo.”

“…Huh?”

“Post some photos of you two on your super topic. Your fans need some… sustenance,” he said.

Xu Jinnan: “…?”

Huh?

The line went dead before she could respond.

She stared at the call log, then messaged Shen Shu, recounting the conversation.

[Can you even understand him? His personality changes so quickly.]

Shen Shu: [Your brother is interesting.]

Xu Jinnan took a sip of water. “He is,” she agreed. “What are you doing?”

Shen Shu: [Photo]

Shen Shu: [Photo]

Shen Shu: [Which one looks better?]

Xu Jinnan opened the photos. Both were taken outdoors, one in a business suit with silver-rimmed glasses, the other in a black, lace dress.

One elegant and aloof, the other sexy and alluring.

Both stunningly beautiful.

Shen Shu: [Well?]

Xu Jinnan: [They’re both beautiful. How can I choose?]

After a while, Shen Shu replied: [Done.]

[Done with what?] Xu Jinnan asked.

Shen Shu sent a screenshot of her latest Weibo post.

Shen Shu: Just posting something.

The accompanying photo was the one in the business suit.

Just posting something.

She had actually listened to him. It seemed Xu Yincheng and his colleague’s gifts had been well-received.

Xu Jinnan smiled, putting down her work and opening Weibo. She hadn’t been online in days, and she had over a dozen unread private messages, mostly from ShuShu’sNumberOneFan.

Shen Shu’s drama, Into the Dream, was airing next month, and her fan club was planning promotional activities, outlining their ideas and asking for her input.

Xu Jinnan wasn’t familiar with fan culture; she was just the… financial backer.

But the plans were detailed and well-organized.

She replied, telling them to proceed as planned, and not to worry about the budget.

Shen Shu’s drama was about to air; many people would be seeing her.

Perhaps she would become a star, shining brightly in the night sky.

After replying to the messages, she checked Shen Shu’s Weibo post. The top comment made her eye twitch – Wife, please dominate me!

The other replies were similar, a chorus of “wife” and “goddess.”

“…”

Don’t you people have your own wives? she thought, rolling her eyes.

She liked Shen Shu’s post, then, as she was thinking about what to comment, she received a message from Shen Shu.

[Little Crescent Moon had an accident.]

–

Lin Wei had messaged Shen Shu directly.

A few children had been playing, and Little Crescent Moon had been accidentally pushed down a flight of stairs, fracturing her ankle.

Xu Jinnan looked at the photo. Little Crescent Moon was sitting in a blue hospital chair, her legs dangling, her ankle in a cast, her forehead slightly bruised, but not bleeding.

She looked up at the camera, her large, doe-like eyes red and watery from crying.

Both Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu’s hearts ached.

Even during the video call, she had been trying to be brave, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m fine, Auntie Nannan, Auntie Shen Shu. Don’t worry about me. It doesn’t hurt at all. The doctor said it’ll be better in a few days~”

While Xu Jinnan had initially wanted to wait until they had some free time, she couldn’t shake her worry, and they decided to visit her.

Xu Jinnan had been working late at the Xu Corporation these past few days, and Shen Shu, after discussing it with the director, had rearranged her schedule, freeing up three days.

Friday was Shen Shu’s birthday, and also the day of Xu Jinnan’s company retreat.

Shen Shu couldn’t take two days off in a row, so they decided to combine the two events.

But their main concern was Little Crescent Moon.

While she wasn’t technically related to Xu Jinnan, she felt a strong connection to the little girl, and Shen Shu’s fondness for her was evident.

Before leaving, Shen Shu bought a lot of gifts – clothes, toys, and snacks.

They left early in the morning, the roads surprisingly empty, and arrived at the orphanage before 11 a.m.

The director wasn’t there, but Lin Wei, having been informed of their arrival, was waiting at the entrance.

After registering at the front desk, they followed her inside.

“She was so excited when she heard you were coming. She was crying this morning, watching the other children play in the courtyard,” Lin Wei said, walking beside Xu Jinnan. “But now, she’s full of energy. You wouldn’t even know she’s injured.”

Xu Jinnan took Shen Shu’s hand. “How’s her foot?”

“The doctor said it’s healing well. Don’t worry, Miss Xu,” Lin Wei replied.

Shen Shu, her expression calm and composed, didn’t say anything.

As they reached Little Crescent Moon’s room, they heard her cheerful voice call out, “Auntie Lin Wei, are Auntie Nannan and Auntie Shen Shu here yet?”

“We’re here!” Xu Jinnan said, opening the door and smiling.

The little girl’s excited squeal echoed through the room, and if it weren’t for her cast, she would have been jumping up and down.

“Auntie Nannan! Auntie Shen Shu!” she exclaimed, her arms outstretched.

Shen Shu pulled her into a hug.

Xu Jinnan gently stroked her hair, which was braided into two small pigtails. “Does it still hurt?”

“No, not anymore! I’m all better now that you’re here!” she exclaimed, her arms tightening around Shen Shu’s neck, her face beaming as she looked at Xu Jinnan. “I missed you so much!”

Perhaps because of their frequent video calls, there was no awkwardness this time, only a joyful reunion.

Her sweet voice, her cheerful laughter, warmed their hearts.

–