章節 46: 46
Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan were "woken up."
Chen Lulu, cheerful and loud, pushed open the door, glanced at her phone to check the time, and woke both of them up, teasing them about how well they could sleep, noting that they had been out for nearly half an hour.
"Do you want to sing a bit?" Fang Nianjing, following behind Chen Lulu, casually fiddled with her phone before glancing at them, reminding, "Mrs. Chen is over there."
The wife of Xiangcheng's mayor was named Chen. In Alpha and Omega marriages, there wasn't a habit of calling someone "Mrs. [surname]" as a title. Instead, they were simply addressed as "Mrs." as a term of respect, but with their own surname.
Before leaving, Pei Yujang lightly patted Yu Zhiwan's hand. Yu Zhiwan subtly nodded, indicating that she understood.
Initially, Pei Yujang meant for Yu Zhiwan to keep from revealing that they knew anything, but soon realized that Yu Zhiwan had misunderstood her intention.
Contrary to her usual reserved demeanor in social settings, Yu Zhiwan actively asked the friend who was near the song selection platform to help her pick a song. Chen Lulu was surprised and asked, "You can sing?"
Yu Zhiwan calmly responded, "I'm blind, not mute."
Chen Lulu hadn't meant to offend her, but Yu Zhiwan's somewhat blunt remark left her blushing with a mix of shame and nervousness. Before she could muster an apology, the song Mrs. Chen had chosen ended, and the microphone was passed to Yu Zhiwan.
Yu Zhiwan wasn't the type to be overly expressive in front of people she wasn't familiar with. Whether it was her speech or her actions, everything about her exuded a quiet grace. Except for Fang Nianjing, who was standing in the back, preoccupied with her phone, everyone else looked at Yu Zhiwan with anticipation, including Mrs. Chen, who encouraged her by saying:
"It's alright, none of us are professional singers. Just sing whatever you feel comfortable with, don't be nervous."
If it had been earlier, Pei Yujang might have thought Mrs. Chen seemed like a nice person who didn't put on airs and could mix with anyone without making people uncomfortable. She was the kind of person who didn't cause embarrassment in social settings and came across as approachable.
However, after eavesdropping and learning about Mrs. Chen's underhanded dealings, Pei Yujang could no longer maintain a positive impression of her.
Pei Yujang stiffly replied, "Zhiwan isn't nervous; she sings beautifully."
Mrs. Chen was even more excited and watched Yu Zhiwan closely as the prelude began to play.
In reality, Pei Yujang had never heard Yu Zhiwan sing and had no idea how good she was. But just based on Yu Zhiwan's musical talent, it was clear she wouldn't be bad.
Yu Zhiwan chose a ballad. As the soothing and gentle prelude ended, her sweet voice resonated through the room.
Omega's voice was clear yet firm, her enunciation precise, as gentle as her demeanor. Yu Zhiwan had excellent pitch, and when she sang, her voice was even more ethereal and pure than usual, pulling everyone into the story of the song.
The chorus had a high note, not too difficult, but it required emotional depth. The B-room was much larger than the A-room, and just before the chorus, even the flamboyantly dressed KTV hostesses stopped their playful antics, helping keep time for Yu Zhiwan.
On the big screen, the music video depicted a female protagonist standing in the rain. The surround sound replicated the rain sounds so clearly that it felt like it was happening in the room. The rising melody didn't pierce the ears but perfectly matched the mood of the story. As the female lead picked up an umbrella and ran through the rain, the song transitioned.
Even though Yu Zhiwan couldn't see the screen, her emotional delivery was so on point that everyone held their breath. She was bathed in shimmering light, and when the song ended, the room erupted in applause, even drawing claps from that usually reserved friend.
Mrs. Chen was thrilled, showering Yu Zhiwan with praises, even jokingly asking why someone so beautiful and talented wasn't in the entertainment industry.
Yu Zhiwan quickly responded:
"I'm not cut out for it, I wouldn't fit in, and I only know how to sing this one song. You flatter me, Mrs. Chen."
Mrs. Chen mistook her response for humility and insisted she sing a few more songs. Pressured, Yu Zhiwan chose two more songs at random, but her performance fell drastically.
If her first song had been like a lark in a valley, showcasing her voice's clarity and beauty, the next two songs didn't meet expectations. Her delivery was either too flat or lacked emotional connection.
Her initial performance had set high expectations, and the contrast led to Mrs. Chen's disappointment. She didn't push Yu Zhiwan to sing any more.
After the gathering, they had stayed for quite a while. Mrs. Chen, still full of energy, wanted to go somewhere else to eat. But then she received a phone call from her wife, the mayor, gently asking what she was doing and if she wanted to come home. Mrs. Chen immediately changed her plans.
The mayor was often busy and didn't come home often, frequently staying overnight for work, but she had never been involved in any scandals. Mrs. Chen, relishing the rare chance to spend time with her, softly asked if she had eaten. After learning her wife had already eaten, she ended the call, saying she would return home soon.
No longer in the mood to party, Mrs. Chen apologized profusely, suggesting they grab a quick bite at the bar. She nibbled on something filling and then hurriedly excused herself.
By this time, it was already past 1 a.m. Pei Yujang didn't want to linger either, so after a few bites, she prepared to leave. Chen Lulu exchanged a few words with Fang Nianjing's friend, who offered to take Chen Lulu back to the hotel while Fang Nianjing attended to some other matter.
Pei Yujang didn't care what they were up to. As soon as Yu Zhiwan finished eating, she politely thanked everyone and left.
She wasn't fond of these kinds of social events.
Pei Yujang held grudges, and after tonight, she resolved not to attend any more gatherings Chen Lulu invited her to.
Moreover, when Mrs. Chen had pressured Yu Zhiwan to sing, it had come across with an air of authority, much like an elder at a family gathering insisting on a younger member performing, or a boss forcing an employee to drink at a company party.
If Yu Zhiwan had shown any resistance, or if Mrs. Chen had pushed any further, Pei Yujang would have had no qualms about confronting her, even if it meant offending the mayor's wife.
This seemingly innocent Mrs. Chen was, in fact, conducting shady business deals right under everyone's noses, in a crowded place with plenty of witnesses, passing it off as a casual gathering among friends, where no one would suspect anything.
Thinking of this, Pei Yujang muttered in frustration:
"Mrs. Chen is really up to no good..."
"Yujiang," Yu Zhiwan interrupted her, "Do you listen to music?"
They were now in the car, about to leave the underground parking lot. The drive home wasn't short, and it was late. Pei Yujang assumed Yu Zhiwan wanted to play some music to keep her awake, so she replied:
"Sure."
But instead of playing music, Yu Zhiwan began to hum softly to herself. Without any background music, her voice carried a different charm, more intimate and soothing.
Yu Zhiwan's voice seemed even more suited to humming, with a mix of lyrics and wordless melody.
Xiangcheng was also known as the "City That Never Sleeps," where activity continued well past two or three in the morning, with police officers occasionally seen patrolling on motorcycles, maintaining order.
But this wasn't the bustling city center, so it wasn't as lively. The streetlights shone brightly, like little suns hanging in the night sky, far outshining the real moon, which was hidden behind clouds.
The soft hum of Yu Zhiwan's voice brought the quiet streets to life, and Pei Yujang found herself humming along. They were nearly home when, at the last traffic light, Pei Yujang finally asked about the song, noting that she had never heard it before.
"'The Moon Represents My Heart,' an old song I heard once."
Pei Yujang had never heard the song before, but after hearing this, she looked up at the moon veiled by clouds, then turned to look at Yu Zhiwan.
"You sing so beautifully," she remarked.
But during the gathering, her performance had been less impressive. Pei Yujang didn't voice this last part, but Yu Zhiwan understood, smiling slightly.
After a few seconds, as the yellow light finished flashing and the green light turned on, Pei Yujang stepped on the gas pedal, just in time to hear Yu Zhiwan respond in a cool tone:
"Because I didn't want to sing for them."
Fang Nianjing and Chen Lulu were staying at the same hotel. After Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan left, Fang Nianjing thought it over and decided to personally take Chen Lulu back instead of letting her friend do it.
Fang Nianjing accompanied Chen Lulu all the way to her room door before preparing to leave. The two were close, despite one being an Alpha and the other an Omega. Outside of their heat cycles, there was little need for caution.
After all, they had no romantic interest in each other. Chen Lulu was sweet and charming, an ideal "sweetheart" type, while Fang Nianjing was notorious in the industry for being "impossible to flirt with" and "the eternally single iron tree."
Once, they had both appeared on a dating show, a gig arranged by their respective agencies. Many viewers tuned in, hoping to see some chemistry between them, but Fang Nianjing barely interacted with any of the Omega contestants, including Chen Lulu. Their interactions were so normal that even the most imaginative fans couldn't find a single romantic moment to latch onto.
As a result, Fang Nianjing earned a reputation as a "Steel Straight A," while Chen Lulu understood that she simply wasn't Fang Nianjing's type and didn't bother trying to win her over.
"What's up with you?" Chen Lulu asked, feeling a bit irritable. She had hoped to improve her relationship with Pei Yujang but ended up upsetting her instead. Chen Lulu sent a quick apology text after they parted ways but received no reply. Afraid of being blocked and losing the chance to even remain friends, she couldn't help but take out her frustration on Fang Nianjing.
She half-joked, half-snarked, "Don't tell me you're off to meet a pretty girl?"
Fang Nianjing paused, turned around, and stared at her without a word.
With Fang Nianjing standing at nearly 175 cm, Chen Lulu, who was barely over 160 cm, had to tilt her head up to meet her gaze. The intense look in Fang Nianjing's deep-set eyes, which had a striking mixed-race quality, made Chen Lulu quickly retreat.
Forcing a sheepish smile, Chen Lulu closed her door and went to bed like a good girl.
Only then did Fang Nianjing head downstairs.
After confirming that no one had followed her, she meticulously checked her surroundings before heading to the parking lot and getting into an unassuming private car.
Fang Nianjing sped through Xiangcheng's winter night, skillfully keeping an eye on her surroundings. If Pei Yujang had been there, she would have been impressed by Fang Nianjing's excellent counter-surveillance skills.
As a popular figure with a significant following, despite her lack of frequent public appearances, Fang Nianjing had dealt with her fair share of obsessive fans and stalkers.
At home, after taking a bath and getting ready for bed, Pei Yujang inspected the doors and windows. Through the guest room window, she caught a glimpse of a black sedan speeding down the road and commented,
"This city is so lively; people are still drag racing at night."
Fang Nianjing's destination was a neighborhood near the orphanage, just a few kilometers from where Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan lived.
The neighborhood was a housing project, a rare sight in a large city, consisting of a series of dingy, aging buildings. The cold moonlight illuminated the ground, compensating for the streetlights that had long since gone out and remained unrepaired.
Dressed in casual jeans and a camel-hair coat, wearing sunglasses that failed to conceal her striking looks, Fang Nianjing quietly climbed the stairs of one of the buildings. Her footsteps were so light that they didn't even wake the dog sleeping in the stairwell.
Though she seemed out of place in this setting, Fang Nianjing moved with the familiarity of someone who had been there many times before. She navigated the darkness to the third floor, where she stood in front of a door and pulled out her phone. The faint light from the screen illuminated her face, revealing a few frosty beads clinging to her brows.
The door creaked open, revealing a small, delicate face.
An Yaoyao's eyes were bloodshot from staying up late, but when she saw Fang Nianjing at her door, she was overjoyed, almost letting out a surprised cry before Fang Nianjing's cool lips silenced her.
Fang Nianjing kissed her urgently, muffling her gasp. Their lips and tongues intertwined, and as their kiss grew more passionate, An Yaoyao took a step back, accidentally stepping on a sketchbook she had left on the floor. This snapped her back to reality, and she quickly broke away, breathless, and bent down to pick it up.
The room was small and old but tidy. On the desk were children's sketchbooks and a pair of recently repaired reading glasses.
An Yaoyao poured Fang Nianjing a glass of water. As Fang Nianjing drank, An Yaoyao's heart raced as she noticed the smudged lipstick on Fang Nianjing's lips from their kiss. Unable to contain her excitement, she sat down on Fang Nianjing's lap.
Alpha easily wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. After finishing her drink, Fang Nianjing's thoughts turned playful as she slipped a warm hand around An Yaoyao's waist, gently massaging the Omega's scent glands on the back of her neck. An Yaoyao blushed and playfully swatted her hand away.
"Jingjie, did you handle the matter I asked you about?" An Yaoyao asked, trying to focus.
Fang Nianjing nodded, her demeanor shifting from the aloofness she displayed around others. She warmed her hands before slipping them under An Yaoyao's shirt, gently caressing her as she explained in a soft voice,
"They always discuss these things in crowded places. Zhouzhou is familiar with me, so she wasn't too guarded. It seems like they drugged Pei Yujang and the others with sleeping pills to prevent interference. I later noticed Pei Yujang was pretending to be asleep before heading out. Pei Yujang's attitude toward those two was lukewarm afterward, so I think she's starting to get suspicious."
Pei Yujang: You sing so beautifully; why did you mess up on purpose earlier?
Yu Zhiwan: Because I didn't want to sing for them.
Pei Yujang: Then why sing now?
Yu Zhiwan: I wanted to sing for you. You're different. I'll sing all the beautiful songs for you.
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