Cocoon (Lily ABO) - Chapter 12

Jian Ying’s lawsuit had dragged on for over half a month. Because it was a transnational case, the opposing lawyer had used every excuse to evade the victim’s court appearance and evidence collection phase. Eventually, Jian Ying had no choice but to contact a prosecutor she knew and obtain a mandatory search warrant, finally bringing the case to a close.

An overly eye-catching appearance often caused people to overlook Jian Ying’s outstanding professional abilities. However, Jian Ying was clever; she excelled at using her advantages. Her silver tongue could always charm people into a state of bliss, and with her beauty to boot, she was nearly invincible as an Omega in the judicial world. She could charm her way through any situation, yet Wei Zhen—that “black-hearted” one—remained the only one immune to her tricks.

Calculating the time, Jian Ying had stayed in the country for nearly ten days for this lawsuit. Now that it was settled, she wondered how the “black-hearted one” would react if she knew Jian Ying had won and was coming back. Would she be even a little bit happy? Jian Ying’s lustrous tongue lightly brushed her lip as she pulled out her phone, dialing Wei Zhen with a touch of anticipation.

However, after hanging up, Jian Ying nearly failed to snap back to reality. That was it? A simple “welcome back,” and nothing else! Her burning passion had been thoroughly doused. Wei Zhen even mentioned she was going on a business trip, just as Jian Ying was about to return. She had even picked out a gift for her. Thinking of this, Jian Ying’s eyes felt a bit stinging, and her bright, captivating face instantly dimmed.

While she was silently lining up for security at the airport, someone called out to her from behind, “Miss Jian.”

Mistaking the person for a former client, Jian Ying took off her headphones, ready for some small talk. However, the person said respectfully: “Miss Jian, our Master would like to have a word with you. Is it convenient right now?”

Jian Ying glanced at the familiar figure standing by the floor-to-ceiling window not far away, back turned to her. She swallowed unnaturally, her hand gripping the handle of her suitcase tightening. After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally accepted.

Wei Zhen was a commercial lawyer, accustomed to seeing companies and firms headhunting, framing each other, and kicking people while they were down. After two years of work and making a name for herself, she had opened her own firm and personally selected a private assistant.

However, the person who was her private assistant in name was often used more heavily by Jian Ying.

Thinking of how her assistant always pouted while running errands for Jian Ying—looking like a wronged, resentful “little wife” who dared not speak up—Wei Zhen’s usually stern face softened slightly, a trace of tenderness flickering in her eyes.

Dragging the suitcase filled with case files, the assistant—whom Wei Zhen thought of as a “little wife”—stood beside her, not daring to even breathe too loudly. Staring at the reflection in the polished elevator walls, seeing Wei Zhen propping up her forehead with a faint smile, the little assistant’s heart trembled.

Although her boss was distractingly beautiful and she had indeed been seduced by that beauty into joining the firm in a moment of heat, the usually cold and efficient boss was… smiling? Was it because they won the case? No, the boss had won countless cases and never smiled like that. Was it because the case closed early and they could take a vacation? She didn’t believe that herself.

The assistant felt uneasy. Is there something wrong with my outfit? She pretended to look through files while checking herself over. Top: OK. Pants: OK. Shoes: OK. Ah, hair! She quickly checked the shiny elevator door. Luckily, her makeup and hair were fine too.

Glancing at the conflicted assistant beside her, Wei Zhen watched with amusement as she fidgeted like a nervous chick, tugging at her clothes and touching her collar. After watching for a while and seeing her still looking distressed and lost, Wei Zhen couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity:

“Does Assistant Xia have a date tonight?”

What? A date! Where is there a date!

Xia Shangzhou snapped to attention with a look of high alert. “No! I love work! There is no date!” She almost saluted Wei Zhen.

“Oh~” Wei Zhen left her with a meaningful expression. “If Assistant Xia needs it, I can actually give you some time off.”

“No, absolutely not. Rest assured, Boss, I love work. Work makes me happy!” Xia Shangzhou spoke with righteous conviction. Exactly. Working hard and making money is the most important thing.

“That’s good then. The firm isn’t heartless; if you want a vacation, I completely agree.”

Ding— the elevator arrived.

Wei Zhen stepped out first with her long legs, and Xia Shangzhou followed briskly behind, dragging the suitcase. She had to admit, her boss’s proportions were incredible. Due to work requirements, she mostly wore formal attire; when she wasn’t speaking, she was a walking clothes hanger. Paired with that abstinent, cold face, she was seductive without even knowing it. Occasionally donning a pair of thin-framed silver glasses, she looked like a “refined scoundrel”—she certainly had enough capital to make the Omegas at the firm scream.

Luckily, I’m a Beta, Xia Shangzhou thought, unaffected by the boss’s pheromones. That was how she successfully defended her title as private assistant. Hehe. She smiled behind Wei Zhen’s back with a look of petty triumph.

Two crooked trails rolled across the smooth hotel carpet. Suddenly, the legs in front of her stopped moving. Xia Shangzhou was walking at a brisk pace and almost crashed into her.

She quickly steadied the suitcase to see what was happening. Peeking out, she saw a tall figure leaning against the wall at the end of the corridor. Her long legs were crossed, and a pair of sunglasses covered half her face. Her long curly hair was gathered to one side over her left shoulder. Under the corridor lights, her red dress made her skin look as white as snow.

Seeing that Wei Zhen and Xia Shangzhou hadn’t moved, the person smiled and took off her sunglasses, revealing a pretty face. She winked at the two of them, her red lips parting slightly:

“Surprise~”

Such a massive “surprise” made the hair on Xia Shangzhou’s neck stand up instantly. She glanced guiltily at the immovable Wei Zhen and stammered out a greeting to Jian Ying: “Hello, Miss Jian…”

Wei Zhen crossed her arms, once again eyeing her trembling little assistant with a meaningful look. How did Jian Ying find out which hotel I was staying in and the room number?

“Hello, little Xia-Xia~”

Jian Ying’s beautiful peach-blossom eyes seemed to be brimming with water as she walked over in her stiletto heels. Xia Shangzhou pathetically hid behind Wei Zhen, but the approaching Jian Ying still managed to pinch her chubby cheek.

“Little Xia-Xia’s been eating well lately. Haven’t seen you in half a month, and look at this little face. Tsk, tsk, all collagen.”

Oh? Little Xia-Xia? Wei Zhen raised an eyebrow.

Seeing her boss narrow her eyes, Xia Shangzhou’s sharp radar picked up a dangerous scent. She immediately hung her head and begged for mercy, doing whatever it took to save her face first.

Jian Ying looked at the little assistant—no, the “little mouse”—who was spinning around like her tail had been caught. Thinking it wouldn’t do to ruin her, she let go and spared her for now.

“Why are you here?” Wei Zhen finally spoke, having leisurely watched Jian Ying finish teasing her assistant.

“Heh~ I heard Lawyer Wei had a date with a beauty and was using a business trip as a cover for a rendezvous. I hurried over to take a look—to see which date could possibly have that much charm.”

With her lustrous fingertips resting on Wei Zhen’s collar, Jian Ying leaned half her weight against her. Wei Zhen reached out and pulled her into her arms.

Jian Ying’s nimble fingers moved to the collarbone and suddenly unfastened the top button. Wei Zhen’s arm around her waist tightened instantly, pulling Jian Ying even closer.

Xia Shangzhou rubbed her mistreated cheek in self-pity, then looked up to see Jian Ying practically hanging off her boss.

Master, there’s a succubus!

Xia Shangzhou felt bitter. Her boss—this prime piece of “Tang Monk meat”—was about to be snatched away by a succubus and eaten until not even the scraps remained.

Jian Ying seemed oblivious to the increasingly burning breath of the person holding her. Her hands instinctively roamed over Wei Zhen’s handsome, slender neck and her slightly moving Adam’s apple; Jian Ying felt a sudden impulse to bite it.

However, there was still a giant “third wheel” glowing brightly beside them.

Jian Ying cleared her throat, gave a light cough, and then held out her hand to Xia Shangzhou, her long fingers beckoning: “Room card.”

At this point, Xia Shangzhou didn’t care if her boss was being snatched by a succubus; saving her own life was the priority. She pathetically fished out the room card and handed it respectfully to Jian Ying, then grabbed the suitcase and bolted.

Boss, please look out for yourself.