After Differentiating into an O, Pampered by an A - Chapter 38

The green light came on, but Sun Xi remained frozen in place.

After processing what she had just heard, she stared with wide, incredulous eyes and asked in shock, “What, President Shen? You want to buy the hot search for a whole week?”

Shen Yushu didn’t say a word; she simply lifted her perfectly sculpted chin to indicate that the light was green. The car behind them honked twice. Sun Xi snapped back to reality, stepped on the gas, and gripped the steering wheel.

For a moment, she felt as if the road ahead was paved with cash, and the person sitting behind her was the God of Wealth himself.

Ye Xing was toxic; she had clearly cast a spell on her boss! First, a seven-million-dollar ring, and now spending millions more on a week-long hot search for a photo…

“Um, President Shen, are you sure? I think…”

“I think it’s a bit of a hassle. Let’s just top up a Hot Search Membership; we’ll probably need it later,” Shen Yushu interrupted.

Actually, Sun Xi wanted to say that based on her observations, while the two of them had already slept together, Ye Xing didn’t seem to recognize Shen Yushu’s status at all. It looked like her President was currently in the midst of a one-sided pursuit.

On one side was an iron tree that hadn’t bloomed in years; on the other was a popular celebrity beloved by everyone in the industry. Sun Xi risked “exile” and asked in a low voice, “President Shen, forgive my bluntness, but have you and Miss Ye actually clarified your feelings for each other?”

Shen Yushu put away her phone, raised her long lashes, and said flatly, “No.”

“…”

Sun Xi took a deep breath, shocked. “No? My President, without clarifying your feelings, you’re giving out rings and buying hot searches… isn’t that a bit too generous?”

“Assistant Sun, are you teaching me how to do my job?” Shen Yushu’s gaze turned cold.

But then, Shen Yushu thought back to that night—how Ye Xing had held her, saying she liked her again and again. So, it wasn’t exactly like they hadn’t expressed their feelings. And Ye Xing was hers; that was an unchangeable fact.

However, Sun Xi’s words gave Shen Yushu pause. Knowing Sun Xi had some romantic experience, she hesitated for a moment and then asked expressionlessly, “Assistant Sun, I have a friend who accidentally marked someone. But the person who was marked completely forgot about it afterward. In this situation, should my friend tell them directly, or just let it go?”

Hearing about “this friend,” Sun Xi’s eyes shifted. Oh, so you marked her…

Holy crap. It turns out Shen Yushu was the one who forced herself on Ye Xing! Everything clicked; everything was finally clear. No wonder Sun Xi felt the vibe between the two was so strange.

Sun Xi glanced in the rearview mirror and quickly changed her tune. “President Shen, your friend is quite something! I think you should tell your friend to find a way to please the other person first to atone for her sins.”

That behavior is pretty scumbag-ish— Sun Xi only dared to say that last part in her head.

Shen Yushu’s lips pressed into a straight line, adding a touch of cold glamour. “Mm. My friend feels the same way. Alright, Assistant Sun, focus on driving.”

Sun Xi agreed and rolled down the window, secretly letting out a breath of relief.

After dinner, on the way back, Ye Xing suddenly remembered the strange look Ding Ling gave Tao Jingyun at the venue and gossiped a bit with Ning Youyou.

She hadn’t expected that Ding Ling used to be Tao Jingyun’s manager. It was even said that Tao Jingyun’s current success was entirely due to Ding Ling’s help. But there is a type of person who, once they achieve fame, views that halo as a result of their own ability and luck, caring nothing for the person beside them who was the key to their success.

Back when Tao Jingyun was a “no-name” with no background, she was hardworking and professional—the polar opposite of the original Ye Xing. After meeting Ding Ling, the two were not just boss and subordinate, but close friends. To make Tao Jingyun a star, Ding Ling worked day and night, even drinking until she had a stomach hemorrhage. Tao Jingyun didn’t disappoint; she shone in a film by a famous director, winning Best Actress as a newcomer.

But after that, Tao Jingyun used Ding Ling as a springboard. Unable to resist temptation, she switched to her current company and ditched Ding Ling in the process. The blow nearly broke Ding Ling, who almost quit the industry. That was until she saw Ye Xing on stage at a bar.

Ye Xing had accidentally “eaten the melon” regarding her manager. Having sorted out the cause and effect, she looked at Ding Ling in the passenger seat and smiled. “Sister Ling, I finally understand where your fierce pride comes from.”

Ye Xing leaned forward and patted Ding Ling’s shoulder in comfort.

Ding Ling didn’t look sad at all. “Don’t mention that ingrate to me. Why bring up old history? But the wheel of fortune always turns; who knows where she’ll trip up next.”

Thinking of something, Ding Ling pointed at Ye Xing. “Don’t talk about me, let’s talk about you. What is going on between you and Shen Yushu? I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier—changing gowns, doing interviews together… is she trying to hit on you?”

Ding Ling had suspected this before. Given how close they lived, it wasn’t impossible.

Ye Xing immediately fired back, “No way. We’re just ordinary neighbors. I told you, there was a reason for the dress. As for the interview, it was probably just because the area around Tao Jingyun was too crowded.”

Honestly, Ye Xing didn’t even believe her own words, but she truly couldn’t think of another reason. In this “unfinished novel,” many things were quietly changing, including the uncertainty of her own future. But as for Shen Yushu liking her? Ye Xing was certain that wouldn’t happen.

Yet, despite her disbelief, the scenes from tonight kept replaying in her mind. So annoying!

Seeing Ye Xing’s silence, Ding Ling assumed she was feeling guilty. “My little ancestor, you’re currently in a rising phase of your career. Dating will only slow you down. While Shen Yushu is a great ‘leg’ to cling to, in this industry, besides having a benefactor, your own skills must be solid.”

“Wait, Sister Ling, you’re getting further and further off track. What benefactor? Anyway, I’m exhausted. I’m going to nap; wake me when we’re there.”

Ye Xing closed her eyes. Ding Ling pouted and muttered, “As long as you don’t get caught with solid evidence, anything goes.”

Half an hour later, the car stopped at Jiangting. Ning Youyou and Ding Ling saw Ye Xing to the elevator.

In front of her door, Ye Xing’s slender finger rested on her keypad, but her gaze instinctively drifted toward the door next to hers. Just as she was spacing out, a click sounded, and the door opened.

“Crap, talk about a coincidence.” Ye Xing felt incredibly awkward being caught staring at Shen Yushu’s door and frantically tried to open her own door to get inside. But she was a step too slow.

“Is someone chasing you?”

Seeing Ye Xing’s panicked attempt to unlock her door, Shen Yushu couldn’t help but ask with a frown, glancing toward the elevator.

Ye Xing bit her lip, regained her composure, and turned with a smile. “N-No. I was just in a hurry to see Little Grape.”

As she spoke, a ball of fluff slipped out from behind Shen Yushu’s feet. Little Grape, like a well-trained puppy, sat primly by Shen Yushu’s exquisite ankle, tilting her head at Ye Xing.

“Meow~”

Darn it, Shen Yushu actually snuck over to ‘steal’ my cat before I got home—

Ye Xing feigned anger at the kitten. “Little Grape, whose cat are you exactly? How can a little girl be so forward? Come back here.” She reached out to grab her.

Unexpectedly, Little Grape ran in the opposite direction, back into the apartment. Ye Xing grabbed thin air.

Shen Yushu looked down, a faint smile in her eyes. “It seems your cat no longer recognizes her owner.”

Since the cat had run inside, Shen Yushu headed back in as well, offering no help to retrieve the kitten. Looking at the open door, Ye Xing hesitated before following her in.

“Um, thanks. I’ll take Little Grape home now.” Ye Xing walked toward her target by the sofa.

Shen Yushu leaned against a wall, her red lips moving slowly. “Leave the cat here with me tonight.”

“On what grounds?” Ye Xing’s reflex was sharp, but she quickly realized her tone was off and smiled. “I mean… why?”

Shen Yushu crossed her arms, looking down at Little Grape in silence for a moment. “You weren’t the only one who discovered this cat. Technically, half of her belongs to me.”

“…”

Ye Xing didn’t know why Shen Yushu was fighting her for a cat. She said disagreeably, “I thought you didn’t like cats.”

“That was before. After looking at her for a while, I find this little thing quite pleasing to the eye.”

“…” Truly, no one can escape the Law of ‘Delicious’!

Ye Xing naturally couldn’t let anyone take her darling. Seeing an opening, she scooped Little Grape into her arms and made a dash for the door. Perhaps because she stood up too fast, her vision went black for a moment.

Fortunately, Shen Yushu was quick and caught both the girl and the cat. Setting Little Grape on the floor, she immediately asked, “Are you sure you’re really okay?”

Ye Xing wanted to say yes, but even though she’d eaten dinner and rested on the way back, she still felt unwell. Her chest felt tight, as if something were blocked. Suddenly, her gaze landed on the gold calendar on the side table. Looking at the date, she suddenly realized.

“Shen Yushu, what’s the typical pattern for our Alpha ruts?”

Shen Yushu thought for a second. “Everyone’s constitution is different, but it’s usually once a month.”

Following Ye Xing’s gaze, Shen Yushu understood instantly. She slowly released Ye Xing’s hand, though her fingertips felt inexplicably hot. “Is your rut coming?”

Ye Xing didn’t notice the emotional shift in Shen Yushu’s eyes. She only felt a sudden surge of irritability. Back when she first arrived in this world, the medication had caused an unexpected rut. Now that the “real thing” was coming, she was completely unprepared. She ran her hands through her hair.

“Never mind! Leave the cat here. I’m going back. I don’t have a single bottle of inhibitor at home; I need to go buy some right now.” Ye Xing steadied herself and headed for the door.

Shen Yushu called her back. “It doesn’t happen that fast. Don’t be nervous.”

Ye Xing bit her lip, stopped, and turned with a strained smile. “Sorry. First real rut, not much experience.”

“First time?” Shen Yushu raised an eyebrow.

Ye Xing explained quickly, “First time this month. By the way, let me borrow an inhibitor? I’ll buy one to pay you back tomorrow.”

Ye Xing waited patiently while Shen Yushu looked for an inhibitor. Half an hour later, Shen Yushu produced a bottle that was almost empty. “That’s all I have. If you need more, call me; I’ll have Sun Xi prepare some.”

Ye Xing thanked her, once again feeling the warmth of a good neighbor. “Right. You said it won’t be that fast anyway; this is just in case.”

Back in her own home, Ye Xing quickly removed her makeup and showered. Lying in bed, she evened out her breathing, feeling for changes in her body, but the discomfort seemed to come in waves. Since she felt energetic again, she stopped worrying and started watching a show on her tablet.

After a while, her eyes closed naturally, and she drifted into sleep.

In her dream, the light was dim. A pair of dark pupils were fixed on her, and the scent of rum cake pheromones surrounded her in an embrace. Ye Xing felt breathless from the pressure of that scent, yet she craved more.

Amidst the tangled intimacy, Ye Xing’s lashes trembled, and her lips parted slightly for air, a rustling sound escaping her. Her body felt like a small boat being tossed onto the shore again and again by fierce waves.

After a long time, Ye Xing woke from the unbearable heat. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she looked up at the rose-shaped crystal lamp and took a deep breath of cool air.

“Crap… I had a sex dream—”