After Signing a Marking Agreement with the Abstinent Omega - Chapter 18

She resentfully pressed her fingerprint down, as if venting her anger, yet still obediently spoke.

“I know.”

Yun Wangqing smiled in satisfaction.

Today had originally been the marking day the two of them had agreed on. Afraid that her heat would break out that day, Yun Wangqing had pushed aside her work several days ago.

Xie Queyou worked online in the living room, while she went to the bedroom to read the newest script. Neither disturbed the other.

Only the pheromones filling the air flowed ambiguously between them.

Working in Yun Wangqing’s home, even though nothing had happened, Xie Queyou could not help feeling guilty. She specially turned off the camera on her side.

The meeting process was more or less the same as before. Actors came to audition, and she gave them a plot scene to perform, then scored their acting.

The general plot released by the company’s marketing department had attracted quite a few new actors. Xie Queyou interviewed them for several hours in one sitting.

Even then, she had only just confirmed one actor.

During this time, Yun Wangqing occasionally came out of the bedroom. When she moved around, the rich cedar fragrance on her body drifted through the air and slipped to Xie Queyou’s nose.

It carried an indistinct, intimate air.

Thinking of what Yun Wangqing had meant that morning, and of her own obviously wishful thinking, she simply stopped letting her mind wander. She gathered her heart back and sat on the sofa, eyes fixed ahead. She only drove her gland to release enough pheromones to help Yun Wangqing ease her condition.

After clarifying her own position, Xie Queyou felt much better.

The meeting ended an hour later. Xie Queyou stretched her sore, numb limbs and looked at the time. It was already noon.

Wan Yanyu had not logged off yet and took advantage of the break to chat with her.

Wan Yanyu lamented, “We’ve been choosing actors for days, and we’ve only picked one.”

Xie Queyou comforted her. “Take it slow. We have enough funds, so the team can still afford to wait.”

The tone from the other side of the computer suddenly became hesitant. “Actually, a few days ago, a company came to me and said they took a liking to our script and wanted to invest. I rejected them.”

Xie Queyou was puzzled. “Why?”

Wan Yanyu said, “It was the Wen family’s company. Their investment comes with a requirement. They want to appoint an actor from their company to play one of the lead roles. Didn’t you and Wen Jing just break up? I was afraid there might be something fishy about it.”

“Originally, I forgot about it after rejecting them. But yesterday, they came to me again. The investment amount isn’t small either, so I wanted to ask you first.”

The Wen family?

Xie Queyou did not rush to refuse and first asked, “Who is the actor they want to use?”

Wan Yanyu said, “Han Si.”

Xie Queyou had some impression of this name. She seemed to be an actress under the Wen family’s film and television company. Xie Queyou remembered that this girl’s acting was decent, and she had recently just entered the ranks of young rising actresses.

Logically speaking, with her status, she should look down on acting in such a low-budget drama.

Xie Queyou narrowed her eyes slightly. “Sure. Then agree to it.”

Her attitude was so straightforward that Wan Yanyu was shocked instead. “You’re not going to think about it more? She was sent by the Wen family. Aren’t you afraid Wen Jing will trip you up?”

Xie Queyou smiled. “I’m afraid she won’t trip me up.”

If Wen Jing still sent moles or did something secretly behind her back, Xie Queyou would not have that much energy to guard against her. But now that everything was out in the open, she would be able to see whatever they wanted to do.

Blindly avoiding things was ultimately not a solution. Although Xie Queyou did not know why Wen Jing kept clinging to her, only by accepting the move first could she know herself and her enemy.

Not to mention, the other party’s investment was quite substantial.

Five million. For a low-budget drama, that was more than enough.

With this investment, Xie Queyou would have the funds to prepare other film and television projects.

“I watched the television dramas Han Si acted in before. Her acting is passable, and she was recently shortlisted for Best Supporting Actress at the Hundred Rose Awards. She also has traffic herself. Her joining the crew will only benefit us, not harm us.”

She comforted Wan Yanyu in return. “Who doesn’t want to make money? Maybe the Wen family really took a liking to my eye for projects.”

Wan Yanyu: “…”

Do you think I believe that?

But since Xie Queyou had already said this, and after all, who would refuse money that fell into their lap, Wan Yanyu had no more concerns.

She changed to another matter. “Why did you take leave today?”

Xie Queyou used the excuse she had prepared long ago. “I’m a little uncomfortable, so I’m resting at home.”

Wan Yanyu’s voice suddenly grew louder. “Cut it out. I went to the Xie family’s old residence to see Auntie this morning. You’re not home at all! And you weren’t home since last night.”

“Speak. Where exactly did you go? Don’t tell me I really guessed right, and you went to become that mysterious investor’s lover Alpha!”

Xie Queyou almost spat a mouthful of water onto the computer screen and could not stop coughing.

The downside of working with relatives appeared clearly at this moment.

“No. I’m at my own small place outside.”

Xie Queyou did not understand why Wan Yanyu was always so dedicated to sending her away.

“She and I are in an innocent investment relationship. Please stop your baseless guesses.”

She finally managed to stop coughing, and her voice grew restrained, sounding somewhat serious.

Wan Yanyu’s voice lowered. “It’s not that I’m randomly guessing. Mainly, your face really is quite good. And you work in this complicated entertainment industry, so it’s very easy for someone to take a liking to you.”

Before, when Xie Queyou had been a playgirl Beta, there had already been many Alphas and Omegas who openly or secretly wanted to keep her.

Now that she had broken up and second-differentiated into an Alpha, that possibility was even greater.

“Look, you’re good-looking. If you entered the acting world, based on your face, you’d definitely have a place in the industry. I still haven’t even seen what that investor looks like. Maybe she came for your face.”

“You’re young and don’t understand how dangerous society is. What if someone deceives you with just a few words? As your older sister, I’m really worried about you.”

Xie Queyou did not believe she was worried about her. She was most likely just curious.

Wan Yanyu had said such sharp and irritating words, but Xie Queyou did not hurry to answer. Her gaze passed over the top of the computer screen and landed on the woman standing not far away.

Yun Wangqing’s deep-pool-like eyes were lowered slightly. Her fingertips casually rubbed the rim of her cup.

She did not speak. She only raised a brow. Under Xie Queyou’s frozen gaze, her red lips parted lightly and silently formed two words.

Lover?

Xie Queyou’s pupils shrank. She hurriedly stopped Wan Yanyu, who was still endlessly rambling nonsense. “I think I suddenly have a fever. I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to find medicine. I’ll hang up first, bye!”

She immediately clicked the exit button, ignored Wan Yanyu’s shouting, and snapped the laptop shut with a clap, guiltily swallowing.

The air quieted down. Xie Queyou’s heart beat violently.

Yun Wangqing walked over unhurriedly. Xie Queyou did not dare look at her and curled herself into a ball like a quail.

“When did you start listening?” Xie Queyou muttered softly, her voice weak as a mosquito’s buzz.

Yun Wangqing sat on the single sofa opposite her. “When you were choosing actors.”

That was indeed very early. She had heard everything she should and should not have heard. Xie Queyou was already so embarrassed that her heart was as still as water.

At this moment, she only wanted to dig a hole on the spot and bury her head in it.

How did Yun Wangqing open the door without making a single sound? And she had even said she and Yun Wangqing were innocent. Innocent as in the kind where they had just marked each other last night?

“Xie Queyou.” Yun Wangqing suddenly called her, her tone steady.

From the corner of her eye, Xie Queyou saw Yun Wangqing’s crossed left leg sway slightly in the air. Along with the way Yun Wangqing deliberately stopped halfway through her sentence, it felt as if she were intentionally tormenting her.

After a long while, Yun Wangqing finally continued, “What you said is not wrong. We are indeed in an innocent investment relationship. So you don’t need to feel that it is hard to say.”

Xie Queyou froze. Her crow-feather-like lashes fluttered, and the fire in her heart was extinguished a little. “Mm.”

Yun Wangqing placed the water glass on the coffee table, crossed her legs, and rested her slender fingers on her knee. Her gaze fell faintly on Xie Queyou.

“However, I just heard that you’re looking for investment?”

Xie Queyou said, “Mm.”

Speaking of investment, she remembered something. “I still haven’t thanked you in person for the money you invested in the company before.”

Yun Wangqing raised a brow and leaned forward slightly. The cedar mixed with faint lime instantly filled Xie Queyou’s nose.

“After you went back, did you read our agreement again?”

Xie Queyou shook her head, her mouth a little dry. “No. What’s wrong?”

Yun Wangqing lowered her head in understanding, the corner of her mouth carrying a smile. When she spoke again, her voice was lingering, its ending falling into Xie Queyou’s ear along with her breath.

“The investment I gave you before was not the full amount.”

Xie Queyou carefully recalled the contract and frowned. “Didn’t the contract write eight million?”

Yun Wangqing looked straight at her with eyes like shimmering autumn water. She shook her head, carrying a little helplessness.

“It was not a total investment of eight million.”

“It was eight million every month. You can fully control your own project and do not need interference from other companies.”

Xie Queyou’s mind went blank for several seconds.

Eight million a month. That was more than enough to buy their entire company.

“This is… a bit too much.” Her throat rolled, and she spoke in disbelief.

She suddenly thought of Wan Yanyu’s words about being kept, and her whole person felt unwell. Right now, it really did feel a bit like she was being kept.

Yun Wangqing replied, “It’s not much.”

Compared to the money she had spent on gland treatment over the past decade or so, this investment did not count for much.

“Besides, the more I invest, the more money I will receive in dividends at the end of the year. Your company has broad development prospects. This money of mine cannot be considered unrecoverable.”

After she said this, Xie Queyou felt much better.

Receiving so much money for no reason really made her feel a little overwhelmed by favor.

“All right! I won’t let down your expectations.” She spoke solemnly.

Yun Wangqing could not help curving her lips, her features soft. Then, as if she were casually mentioning it, she said,

“The money I invested should be enough to cover the expenses of a low-budget drama. You don’t need to rely on others. Do whatever you want to do.”

“I don’t need to.” Xie Queyou replied to her. The eight million Yun Wangqing had originally invested was already enough for their crew, let alone the monthly payments that would keep coming in.

“So, the Wen family’s investment…” Her tone suddenly softened, like a low murmur, carrying a hint of temptation.

Xie Queyou thought for a moment. “We still have to take the Wen family’s investment. Who would complain about having too much money?”

Before her words had even fallen, Xie Queyou visibly saw the pheromones around this cold Best Actress suddenly turn from gentle to somewhat sharp and cold.

She could not help shivering, blinking her gentle, harmless big eyes as she looked at Yun Wangqing in confusion.

“The people from the Wen family will bring funding into the crew, and they will interfere with your project in many ways. You already don’t lack money. Why accept it?”

Yun Wangqing did not understand. She clearly knew she should not interfere, but she still could not help asking.

Because it was her ex-girlfriend?

Xie Queyou tilted her head in confusion. Why did Yun Wangqing’s words sound a little strange?

After thinking about it, she felt that Yun Wangqing thought she was greedy for money, so she immediately answered, “I’m not interested in that five million.”

Although that was a small part of the reason, the bigger reason was—

“The Wen family’s eldest daughter, Wen Jing, used to be my ex-girlfriend.”

She struggled for a moment, then chose to tell the whole truth. “Because of some things, our breakup was not pleasant. During this period, she has been secretly stabbing me in the back at work.”

“Before, she sent a mole to the company, and Wan Yanyu dug them out. I’m guessing she won’t let it go, so I might as well agree to the investment. This way, I can guard against her better.”

Xie Queyou had seemingly never mentioned the matter between the original owner and her ex-girlfriend to Yun Wangqing. Now that she had said everything, she actually felt much more at ease.

Yun Wangqing had not expected that Xie Queyou had gone through these things before. She also quickly reacted, and her pheromones slowly softened.

“You did it deliberately.”

Xie Queyou said, “Mm.”

An enemy in the open was always better than an enemy in the shadows.

A hint of relaxation appeared in Yun Wangqing’s eyes. Her fingers resting on her knee tapped happily. So that was how it was.

Xie Queyou set the laptop aside and looked at the time. “It’s already noon. I’ll go cook.”

Yun Wangqing said, “No need. Auntie has already gone to buy groceries.”

Auntie was coming.

Xie Queyou smiled. “Okay.”

She had been thinking about what to make for lunch without letting Yun Wangqing discover that her cooking skills were terrible. Now she did not need to think about it anymore.

She collapsed onto the sofa all at once. After a whole morning of mental storms, she was now exhausted and did not even have the strength to get up.

The quiet cedar in the air slowly leaned closer. No longer cold, it was like a comfortable blanket, gently wrapping around her and soothing her fatigue.

Xie Queyou turned her head and saw Yun Wangqing propping her chin with one hand as she looked at her, a trace of almost imperceptible gentleness hidden in her eyes.

Xie Queyou stiffly turned her head away, her heart skipping a beat.

Didn’t she only want me to be medicine this morning? Why is she giving off pheromones to help me now?

What was this? A slap followed by a sweet date?

The method was old-fashioned, but unfortunately, Xie Queyou was very susceptible to it.

Xie Queyou could not suppress the curve lifting at the corners of her lips, her brows and eyes tinged with a smile.

So Yun Wangqing did not only see her as medicine after all.

After Auntie arrived, she made lunch for the two of them.

What Xie Queyou felt most grateful for at this moment was that Auntie was also a Beta and could not smell the tangled pheromones in the air.

The afternoon was also spent handling work. By the time Xie Queyou moved her head away from the computer screen, the sky outside had already darkened.

She covered her starving stomach and ate dinner.

After putting down her bowl and chopsticks, Xie Queyou was just about to return to the guest room to rest when she realized something.

Yun Wangqing’s home only had one guest room. Auntie had been busy inside and out all afternoon, so she was probably going to stay over.

Then where would Xie Queyou sleep? On the living room sofa?

That was not impossible. The sofa was so close, making it convenient for her to deliver pheromones to Yun Wangqing.

As she was struggling over this, the sound of someone changing shoes came from the entryway.

Xie Queyou looked up and saw that Auntie was already neatly dressed, holding two bags of trash in her hands and preparing to open the door.

She walked over and reached out, wanting to take the trash bags. “Auntie, let me. You should go rest.”

Auntie nimbly dodged aside, smiling kindly, her eyes carrying the clarity of someone who had seen through everything.

“No need, no need. I happen to be leaving anyway, so I’ll take the trash down with me. You stay here and properly keep Miss Yun company.”

Xie Queyou’s hand froze. “Leaving? You’re still going back?”

“Aiyo, my family is still waiting for me to get off work. How could I stay here? Of course I’m leaving.” Auntie had already pulled open the front door. Before leaving, she did not forget to turn back and meaningfully remind her,

“Miss Xie, keep Miss Yun company properly tonight. It’s rare for the home to have a bit more human warmth. I’m leaving now. See you tomorrow!”

Bang—

The door closed, the sound echoing especially loudly in the entryway.

Xie Queyou: “…”

She stood in place, stunned for half a second. So the guest room was still hers.

“What, reluctant to let Auntie leave?”

A cold voice sounded behind her, carrying a hint of teasing.

Xie Queyou jumped in fright and turned around, seeing Yun Wangqing, who had been standing behind her for who knew how long.

“N-no.” She answered stiffly.

Yun Wangqing’s dark brows furrowed slightly. “Then why are you still standing here? Aren’t you going to rest?”

Xie Queyou gave an “Ah,” nodded, and mechanically walked toward the guest room.

“Stop.”

The cold voice sounded behind her again, drifting faintly into her ears.

“Not that way.”

Yun Wangqing rubbed her brow. Her voice carried a trace of helplessness, mixed with a trace of indulgence even she herself did not notice.

She turned slightly and raised her chin, motioning for Xie Queyou to look toward the bedroom.

“Go to my room.”