Chapter 35
Qiao Yu was taken aback. As she pondered Bai Yiyu's implied meaning, her red lips obediently replied, "I just turned 18 today."
Just turned 18?
Bai Yiyu guessed the other person's identity. The Qiao family's grand and extravagant coming-of-age ceremony for their daughter made it easy to guess their intentions. Her gaze traveled from the other person's beautiful face to her slender, elegant neck, which seemed as if it could be broken with a slight twist. Bai Yiyu refused, "I'm afraid that won't work."
It looks nice, but it's too small.
And it's an alpha.
The woman rejected her so decisively, without the slightest hesitation, that Qiao Yu immediately asked the system with a pang of heartache, "Does Auntie not like me? Is it because my breasts aren't big enough or my butt isn't perky enough?"
Bai Yiyu answered on behalf of the system: "I have some things to do right now."
She lowered her gaze to the expensive watch on her wrist, giving Qiao Yu no chance to stop her, "See you later."
See you later? Qiao Yu's eyes darted around. Was she a guest who came to her coming-of-age ceremony today?
A dejected face instantly brightened, and Qiao Yu slightly lifted her skirt, lingering for a long time before turning back to her room. Meng E and Jiang Mei had already arrived and, guided by a staff member, walked through the hotel lobby towards the elevator to Qiao Yu's floor.
The hotel was extremely lively, filled with highly aggressive alphas amidst the clinking of glasses. Meng E, affected by pheromones, turned pale, pursed her red lips, and leaned closer to Jiang Mei, her voice trembling as she spoke, "There are so many alphas here, let's hurry."
Some of the newly adult alphas at school are not very good at controlling their pheromones, and Meng E has been influenced by them quite a bit. However, compared to these alphas who have been in society for several years, those classmates are nothing. Even Jiang Mei doesn't seem so scary anymore.
Meng E's soft, round body suddenly approached. Jiang Mei's expression froze, but seeing that she was terrified, she quietly shielded her to her side, blocking most of the ill-intentioned gazes.
The pressure on her body suddenly disappeared, and Meng E breathed a sigh of relief, saying softly, "Thank you."
Jiang Mei pursed her lips and gently shook her head.
Her gaze couldn't help but wander around. The hotel was incredibly opulent, even the floor tiles beneath her feet exuded an aura of wealth. She had always known that Qiao Yu was very rich, and that the Qiao family was one of the top wealthy families in Beijing. However, she never imagined that the gap between her and Qiao Yu would be so vast that it was despairing.
All her ambitions and determination seemed so ridiculous at this moment.
Her raven-feather-like eyelashes drooped down in unison, and a hint of bewilderment appeared in Jiang Mei's dark eyes. Soothing and elegant classical music filled the air, accompanied by romantic melodies. Pampered men and women, each holding champagne and red wine, gathered together, chatting and laughing, their demeanor haughty.
Their formal attire and accessories were so expensive that they could support an ordinary family for several years or even most of their life.
In such a magnificent place, all the emotions in my heart seemed to be magnified, making me feel even more humble.
Trying to calm herself, Jiang Mei quickened her pace with Meng E. They had only taken two steps when Tang Shu suddenly appeared and stopped them. Tang Shu, with an air of superiority, first sized up Jiang Mei before slowly and deliberately turning her gaze to the petite and adorable EGA beside her. "You've come too."
Facing Tang Shu, Meng E suppressed her fear and said calmly, her pale face showing no emotion, "Yu Yu invited me here."
She frowned, her words carrying a hint of rudeness, "Please move aside, we're going up."
Tang Shu remained motionless, her beautiful eyes fixed on her for a long time. Suddenly, she pulled her to her side and looked up at Jiang Mei, saying, "I'll borrow her for now. Go and tell Qiao Yu." Tang Shu smiled, her red lips pursed. "Don't worry, I know this place well. She won't be bullied. I'll bring her back to you safe and sound."
Jiang Mei asked Meng E for her opinion with her eyes. Meng E struggled to break free from Tang Shu, her pale face turning slightly red with anger. "But I don't want to see you."
She was very resistant, looking like she wanted to sever all ties with Tang Shu. Tang Shu's face darkened with displeasure, and she grabbed her wrist again, "You're coming with me today whether you like it or not."
Now even Meng E dares to disobey her. Tang Shu was annoyed. She narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to Meng E, a cold smile curving her lips. "If you don't want to, I'll pester you until you agree."
She acted like a rogue and clung tightly to her wrist. Meng E had no choice but to turn to Jiang Mei and say, "I'm sorry, you should go find Yu Yu first. I'll come over after I've dealt with her."
Tang Shu was very dissatisfied with the word "handle," but since the other party was willing to go with her, she reluctantly decided not to argue with this "ega."
Jiang Mei stared at Meng E, then glanced at Tang Shu: "You don't need to force yourself."
Tang Shu glared at her disapprovingly. What was with all this talk about forcing her? She made herself sound like a bad guy. Fortunately, Meng E slowly shook her head. "I do have something I need to talk to her about." With a forced smile, Meng E said softly, "Go find Yu Yu first, and we'll contact each other by phone later."
She had already been very direct, so Jiang Mei had no choice but to nod, giving Tang Shu a warning look before saying, "Okay."
Meng E quickly followed Tang Shu away. Jiang Mei watched their figures disappear before turning and walking towards the elevator. Just as she stopped, the elevator doors slowly opened, revealing Lu Shenghui adjusting his tie. His tall, slender figure and gloomy face exuded an overwhelming alpha aura, causing those around him to give way, unwilling to provoke this madman.
Jiang Mei was startled and subconsciously moved aside with the others.
The man who stepped out of the elevator was impeccably dressed in a suit and had a handsome face that would make countless women drool. He was tall, and even in the bustling crowd, his naturally imposing figure seemed to glow, attracting everyone's attention. Jiang Mei heard someone fawn over him, calling him "Young Master Lu," and immediately realized who he was.
Lu Shangyi usually doesn't seem aggressive, although she has a cold and unapproachable aura. Overall, she exudes a harmless EGA vibe. She had never met Lu Shenghui before and didn't know that Lu Shenghui, who grew up pampered in the Lu family, could overpower 99% of the alphas she had just met with his sheer presence.
This man, brimming with wildness and eccentricity, appeared like a god, his mere gaze enough to make people retreat three feet.
After the man left like a wild beast surveying its territory, Jiang Mei subconsciously followed the others inside.
As the elevator doors slowly closed, Jiang Mei pursed her lips into a thin line and exhaled a small breath almost imperceptibly.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a long, elegant hand appeared between the two doors. Jiang Mei instinctively looked up and, through the slowly opening gap, saw Lu Shenghui's fierce and dangerous features, like those of a ferocious beast.
The other person stared intently at her, their eyes bloodshot.
Jiang Mei involuntarily took two steps back. Even with top-tier alpha genes, she still felt fear when facing someone like Lu Shenghui.
Lu Shenghui's mind went blank. He stared at the face that resembled the one he had met before, and lowered his voice to command, "Come out."
His tone was domineering, leaving Jiang Mei with no room for refusal. Jiang Mei stood still in the elevator, and the people behind him forcibly took her out, leaving a group of bewildered people discussing among themselves.
Qiao Yu waited for a long time but no one came. Confused, she picked up her phone, only to find that she couldn't reach either Meng E or Jiang Mei. She tried sending them messages, but they disappeared without a trace, as if the two of them had vanished halfway through their journeys.
That doesn't make sense; she specifically sent someone to invite her.
After contacting the hotel manager, the person in charge of receiving Jiang Mei and her companion went to Qiao Yu's room to explain, "Miss Meng was taken away by Miss Tang while she was in the hotel lobby."
"Miss Tang?" Qiao Yu murmured, then realized, "Tang Shu?"
The other party nodded, "Yes, Miss Tang took the person away only after obtaining Miss Meng's consent, and Miss Meng did not resist."
Qiao Yu looked completely bewildered; this was outrageous.
"What about my other friend?" Since Tang Shu took her away, Meng E shouldn't be surprised. She looked up. "Where did she go this time?"
The other person's face showed some hesitation and difficulty. Qiao Yu narrowed her eyes and stared at him unfriendly. "You know, if anything happens to my friend, you won't be happy either."
Under Qiao Yu's threatening gaze, the other party hesitated for a long time before finally confessing, "Miss Jiang has been captured by Young Master Lu."
Young Master Lu? That crazy man, Lu Shenghui? What did he take Jiang Mei away for?
The junior employee in front of her didn't know much about the reason either, so Qiao Yu waved her hand in annoyance, "Alright, alright, you can go now."
Although Lu Shenghui acted eccentrically, there was no reason for him to take a living person away in public, especially one who was his friend. She wrapped herself in her coat and sneaked out of the room to investigate, but before she had taken more than a few steps, she heard people gossiping: "Lu Shenghui has taken a fancy to a high school girl?"
"That's right. I heard he fell in love with her at first sight, and once he saw her, he just took her away." The person who spoke shook his head. "I didn't expect Young Master Lu to have this kind of taste."
"If I had known, I would have given my daughter to him. Although there is a big age gap, that's not a problem."
"Come on, your daughter is an EVA, how could she possibly catch Young Master Lu's eye? He prefers Alphas!"
"Huh? He doesn't like Ega?!"
Qiao Yu was terrified. Why would Lu Shenghui suddenly take a liking to the female lead? Was he really that reckless? Qiao Yu secretly slipped back to her room and, after much deliberation, dialed Lu Shangyi's number. "Sister Lu, can you do me a favor?"
The girl's voice on the phone was particularly sweet and soft, and Lu Shangyi's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. "What's the matter?"
“It’s just…” she said softly, “Your brother took my friend Jiang Mei away.”
"Could you go and find out what's going on for me?"
Lu Shenghui took the person away? Lu Shangyi's unfathomable face remained calm. Hearing the worry in the child's voice, Lu Shangyi nodded, "Okay."
Qiao Yu was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, thank you, sister."
Putting her phone aside, Lu Shangyi didn't move. She looked up at the ten tall and imposing beta men in front of her and said, "You can go in."
The men nodded and then went their separate ways. Lu Shangyi leaned against the car door, her deep eyes revealing no emotion. After a long while, she picked up her phone again and dialed Lu Shenghui's number. The phone rang for a long time before being answered. "Hello."
A low voice came over, Lu Shenghui's tone clearly carrying some impatience.
Lu Shangyi spoke calmly and composedly, "You just took away Qiao Yu's friend." She said, "Qiao Yu is looking for her all over the hotel."
Lu Shenghui frowned unhappily, his gaze fixed on the girl sitting stiffly on the sofa. The man's gaze was too intense; Jiang Mei pursed her lips and turned her head away, desperately wanting to leave. Lu Shenghui looked away. "I understand."
The man hung up the phone. Lu Shangyi turned around and went back to the car. She rummaged through the medicine box under the seat, took out a larger vial of medicine than before, picked up a brand new syringe, and slowly injected the medicine into her body without changing her expression.
Today's rejection reaction was stronger than ever before. Lu Shangyi's face was pale, and it took her a full half hour to recover.
With a blank expression, Lu Shangyi draped her coat over her shoulders, wiped the cold sweat from her face, and after touching up her makeup, she reappeared in front of people with her usual gentle and harmless appearance. Song Wanzi found her weak demeanor irritating, but today, when Lu Shangyi glanced at her, Song Wanzi sensed a hint of danger.
When she finally looked closely, the woman looked normal again.
This is truly bizarre.
A hint of wariness flashed in her eyes, and Song Wanzi said with a forced smile, "What a coincidence."
Lu Shangyi responded with a calm "hmm." Song Wanzi narrowed her eyes and stared at her, but Lu Shangyi was not afraid of her scrutiny. She remained calm and composed, even raising her eyebrows leisurely as she pondered.
After looking for a while without figuring anything out, Song Wanzi gave up. The two walked up the steps side by side, and before they even entered the lobby, Song Wanzi noticed various probing gazes falling on her and Lu Shangyi. Subtly distancing herself from them, Song Wanzi maintained her charming smile and said, "Everyone seems more interested in you."
Lu Shangyi didn't react, and left alone after saying "See you later".
Song Wanzi frowned as she looked at her. With so many alphas with ulterior motives here, wasn't she, an ega with little power to resist, afraid of being forcibly marked?
After ending the call with Lu Shangyi, someone quickly brought Jiang Mei back. Qiao Yu hurriedly went to greet her and carefully examined her, only breathing a sigh of relief after confirming that Jiang Mei was completely unharmed. "Lu Shenghui didn't do anything to you, did he?"
Jiang Mei shook her head with a somewhat blank look in her eyes, "No."
She knew what Qiao Yu was worried about, so she said, "He only asked me a few questions, and other than that he was very polite to me."
"Polite? That crazy man knows how to be polite?" Qiao Yu was shocked, but since Jiang Mei was alright, she didn't hold it against her. However, she still couldn't help but solemnly remind her, "There are a lot of people and eyes around at the hotel today, so don't wander off by yourself." Qiao Yu emphasized, "You have to stay close to me at all times, understand?"
Jiang Mei nodded, her gaze sweeping around the room. She asked, "Has Meng'e not returned yet?"
"Not yet." Qiao Yu frowned, very dissatisfied with Tang Shu's act of intercepting her. "If anything happens to E'e, I'll scatter Tang Shu's ashes tomorrow."
A hint of a smile appeared in Jiang Mei's eyes, but it quickly disappeared as she absentmindedly sat down on the single sofa.
Unconsciously, she recalled the scene of her meeting with Lu Shenghui. The way he looked at her was clearly not the adoration people talked about; rather, it was as if he was looking at her while longing for someone else. She gently raised her hand and touched her cheek. She had never met her mother, and all she had were two yellowed black and white photos.
The mother's features in the photo are somewhat blurry, but you can still tell that she is a very beautiful woman with delicate features, a classic temperament, and sweet, soft dimples when she smiles, exuding the air of a well-bred lady.
She didn't know if she looked like her mother, and her aunt rarely mentioned anything about her mother in front of her.
Her eyelashes drooped down, and Jiang Mei looked at the needle marks on her skin, unable to tell whether she felt more nervous or expectant.
She had a vague suspicion in her heart, but she dared not be sure, much less hope.
As more and more guests arrived at the hotel, Qiao Yu stared excitedly at the long line of luxury cars outside the hotel entrance. "Now I will randomly select a lucky EGA to be my woman. I wonder who will be so lucky?"
The system's eyelids twitched, and it couldn't help but remind her, "Host, you haven't differentiated yet."
"Whether it's differentiated or not doesn't matter." Qiao Yu took a breath, straightened her back, and looked herself over with great satisfaction. "Tell me, who in this world wouldn't like the power of money?"
Qiao Yu twirled in front of the mirror, but perhaps because she had taken too deep a breath, she nearly hit her head against the wall after spinning twice. Jiang Mei quickly caught her waist, "Be careful."
The waist was so slender and delicate that it could be grasped in one's hand, and the air around them carried a faint, pleasant scent that entered the tip of the nose, making one's heart itch involuntarily.
Jiang Mei released Qiao Yu as if she had been burned, her expression turning confused again.
She thought she could smell Ega's pheromones on Qiao Yu.
It has a faint milky fragrance, mixed with a subtle yet alluring and intense aroma, making it extremely provocative.
Qiao Yu leaned against the wall with one hand and took a couple of breaths. "It's nothing." She calmed herself down and said, "It's probably because I didn't eat all day in order to wear this dress."
She had barely eaten anything since last night, and had even drunk very little water. Qiao Yu sat down, rubbing her forehead, and suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. She frowned and rubbed her chest. Jiang Mei suddenly handed her a milk candy. Qiao Yu looked up and calmly said, "I got it downstairs."
Qiao Yu stared intently at Jiang Mei; her family's hotel never kept such small items.
Finally, Qiao Yu took the candy. Looking at the cold-faced but warm-hearted girl, she was very moved. "If I were an ega, I would definitely like this kind of considerate alpha."
What a pity.
After eating a milk candy, Qiao Yu felt much better. Now that most of the guests had arrived, Madam Qiao came in and carefully tidied her daughter's long hair, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Qiao Yu blinked. "Mom, when can I go out?"
She couldn't wait to see the aunt who had just seen through the illusions of the world.
"Soon," she replied. "Just wait a little longer."
Helpless, Qiao Yu could only continue to wait patiently.
Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for the Qiao family's daughter, and most of the country's elite families have come. Powerful military and political figures, wealthy tycoons—faces that were once rare to see only in the news and newspapers are now a common sight. Aunt Qiao, arms crossed, looked displeased. "It's just a birthday celebration, why all the fuss?"
Aunt Qiao remained silent, and with no one to chime in, Aunt Qiao's displeasure only grew. She couldn't help but nudge her sister-in-law with her elbow, "Hey, aren't you really afraid that Qiao Yu will steal your Junhao's job after the separation?"
"You know perfectly well how wary my elder brother and sister-in-law are of us. They won't even give us a small position, yet they keep saying everyone is equal, even relatives." Aunt Qiao sneered. "We're all family, what's wrong with them helping us out?"
"I've never seen anyone as cold-blooded and ruthless as them."
Aunt Qiao glanced at the chattering woman indifferently, not wanting to talk to such a short-sighted woman, but the more she ignored her, the more energetic the other woman became, "I'm telling you, once Qiao Yu differentiates into an alpha, there won't be any place for Jingjing and Junhao in the company anymore."
When this was mentioned, Aunt Qiao finally reacted, "It hasn't differentiated yet, has it?"
After finishing her sentence, she added, "Today is Qiao Yu's birthday, so you should say less." Her gaze swept over the woman who was frowning and keeping her distance from her sister-in-law, and Aunt Qiao stopped there.
Although reluctant, since the person in question had already shown up, Aunt Qiao had no choice but to shut her mouth.
Qiao Yu walked out with the airs of a wealthy young lady, but seeing the huge crowd below, the discomfort in her chest grew stronger. Forcing a smile, she stood gracefully beside Qiao Jinghuai, her demeanor impeccable in the eyes of onlookers.
Qiao Yu heard Qiao Jinghuai say a lot beside her, but all the words were like a bad signal, and could only be heard intermittently.
Gently biting her tongue, Qiao Yu tried to use the pain to awaken her consciousness. Holding Mrs. Qiao's hand, she gracefully moved to the center of the crowd. Qiao Yu felt an intense, undeniable gaze from not far away. Reflexively turning her head, she saw Lu Shangyi casually leaning against a corner, gently swirling the red wine in his hand.
He appeared calm and composed, unhurried.
Her gaze unconsciously fell on the wine glass, and Qiao Yu felt her vision spinning along with the swaying red wine.
She poured almost all her strength onto Madam Qiao, and Qiao Yu felt as if she were struggling in the ocean, a cold, suffocating feeling enveloping her, making it hard for her to breathe.
Noticing the momentary panic on her mother's face, Qiao Yu moved her fingers, wanting to say a few words of comfort, but the words caught in her throat, and she didn't even have the strength to speak. Qiao Yu asked the system blankly, "Am I about to differentiate now?"
"Yes," the system replied. But before it could say another word, a strong pheromone wafted through the air like a gentle breeze.
The clamor of the crowd subsided into silence.
That is...
Oh! Mega!
Author's Note: Sister Qiao: I'm an A, I'm pretending.
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