Marking My Arch-Rival [Rebirth] - Chapter 13

It was already ten at night by the time Jiang Boyan returned home after working overtime.

She opened the latest acquisition proposal her subordinates had sent over. She had only been reading it for two minutes when her phone rang.

It was Qi Mengying.

Qi Mengying reminded her to make time to return to the beauty clinic for another examination soon, then asked how she had been lately.

“Everything’s fine.”

“What about your sleep?”

“…”

“You’ve started having insomnia again?”

It was exactly what she’d expected, so Qi Mengying wasn’t particularly disappointed.

“You keep applying those artificial Alpha pheromones, leaving your gland constantly on standby, yet you never receive a proper mark. Of course your hormones are going to be thrown off, making it difficult to sleep.”

Jiang Boyan gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the dazzling city lights.

She lived high above the ground.

All that bustle and excitement felt very far away.

“I’m used to it.”

Qi Mengying muttered to herself for a while before continuing,

“You finally enjoyed a peaceful period after being marked. You slept well, ate well… and now you’ve gone back to this state. You’re really saying you can get used to it?”

Jiang Boyan found herself uncontrollably recalling the smile at Ji Shihuan’s lips.

She remembered the ocean-like scent that always enveloped her.

Simply allowing herself to reminisce made her breathing feel noticeably easier.

But once she came back to reality, self-loathing resurfaced.

That night, after hastily reviewing the acquisition proposal, she resolved to hand the project over entirely to Jiang Chengchuan and reduce her contact with a certain someone.

Fate, however, seemed particularly fond of making a fool of people.

Not long after she’d mentally prepared herself, she ran into Ji Shihuan at an industry summit banquet the very next day.

It was Ji Shihuan’s first appearance at a major social function since becoming Huanji’s CEO.

She was simply too beautiful.

With a movie star’s face and a supermodel’s figure, standing among the crowd made her even more eye-catching than Ji Shiqin, who had once been praised as handsome and charming.

The banquet was filled with influential men and women.

Regardless of status, everyone wanted to walk over with a glass of champagne—whether to sound her out or simply admire her beauty, it felt impossible to lose.

Ji Shihuan wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated.

Though still a newcomer, she handled herself with remarkable ease.

She was especially good at charming women.

Among the ladies and socialites present, not one escaped her teasing without laughing.

Several approached only intending to test the waters, yet left with empty champagne glasses and lingering blushes that refused to fade.

Even so, despite being surrounded by people, Ji Shihuan spotted Jiang Boyan the moment she entered.

From afar, she smiled and raised her glass in greeting.

Sensing the gaze, Jiang Boyan glanced over.

Then she immediately looked away with practiced indifference.

Ji Shihuan didn’t mind.

She simply took a sip of champagne.

“President Jiang’s always like that.”

A wealthy businessman’s wife linked arms with her.

“She doesn’t like talking to people. She’s incredibly difficult to approach.”

Ji Shihuan nodded in agreement.

Her evaluation inadvertently revealed her favoritism.

“A flower blooming on a lofty peak.”

The woman curled her lip with a snort.

“Her background isn’t anything special, but I’ll admit she’s capable.”

“You know the type.”

“People who claw their way up from the bottom become arrogant, acting like they’re so impressive.”

“Who knows what dirty tricks she used.”

Ji Shihuan quietly removed her arm from the woman’s grasp as she handed her champagne flute to a passing server.

She had countless ways to smooth over the awkwardness.

She could change the subject or simply flatter the woman.

But before her brain caught up, her mouth had already spoken on its own.

“She’s still far better than certain parasitic vines who cling to others while gossiping behind people’s backs.”

The woman froze.

“Huh?”

Ji Shihuan blinked meaningfully at her.

The surrounding guests burst into laughter.

Only then did the wealthy wife realize she’d been insulted.

Her face flushed bright red as she hurried away in embarrassment.

Her departure conveniently opened up some space.

The business partner beside Jiang Boyan said,

“Hey, that beautiful lady is finally alone. Shall we go say hello?”

Jiang Boyan remained expressionless.

“No.”

She lowered her head and adjusted the diamond watch on her wrist.

“You know who I’m talking about?”

her companion asked curiously.

Jiang Boyan’s movements paused.

Fortunately, he noticed nothing.

Instead, his eyes widened as he looked over her shoulder.

“Looks like we don’t need to go over.”

“The beauty’s coming this way.”

Jiang Boyan lowered her head again.

Almost unconsciously, she tugged lightly at the hem of her dress, smoothing out a wrinkle.

“President Jiang. President Zhou.”

Ji Shihuan approached with a bright smile.

“Good evening.”

After a few polite greetings, the atmosphere relaxed.

Zhou Xin looked teasingly at Ji Shihuan.

“President Ji is certainly popular.”

“Hm?”

Ji Shihuan tilted her head.

Zhou Xin reminded her,

“The Omega pheromones on you are almost stronger than the flowers decorating the venue.”

Ji Shihuan instinctively glanced toward Jiang Boyan.

The latter quietly stepped half a pace back and lightly fanned the air before her nose.

Realizing what had happened, Ji Shihuan smoothly improvised.

“It’s my first time attending.”

“Kind-hearted Omegas are always more willing to help a flustered newcomer.”

President Zhou chuckled.

“You don’t look flustered at all.”

Ji Shihuan smiled.

“If people could tell, wouldn’t I become a laughingstock?”

She placed one hand over her heart.

“I’m actually terribly nervous.”

“President Jiang keeps such a straight face and won’t even talk to me.”

“My heart’s pounding so hard it feels ready to jump right out.”

Zhou Xin bent over laughing.

Using her own joke as an excuse, Ji Shihuan openly turned her attention toward Jiang Boyan.

Jiang Boyan grew uncomfortable beneath the stare.

She frowned slightly.

“Then shouldn’t President Ji hurry over to those willing to show you some kindness?”

“No.”

Ji Shihuan lifted her chin, refusing without the slightest hesitation.

She stepped closer.

“I’ve noticed President Jiang always likes pushing me away.”

“Have I done something wrong?”

Before Jiang Boyan could answer, Zhou Xin hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“That’s just her personality. She isn’t targeting anyone.”

Ji Shihuan narrowed her eyes and examined him.

“You two seem quite familiar.”

Completely missing the faint displeasure in her tone, Zhou Xin replied,

“I only had the privilege of exchanging a few words with President Jiang because we cooperated on several projects before.”

“When it comes to business, everyone just wants to make money together.”

He was an extremely sociable man.

After spotting a friend in the distance, he bid farewell to the two women and left with his champagne.

Ji Shihuan immediately shortened the distance between herself and Jiang Boyan again.

“Looks like President Jiang and I simply haven’t collaborated enough.”

“We’ll have to keep working on that.”

Jiang Boyan didn’t respond.

She silently prepared to leave.

“Hey!”

Ji Shihuan stepped sideways, using her body to block the way.

The lights outlined her figure in a soft golden glow.

She leaned down slightly so they were at eye level.

“You don’t even like lively places.”

“Where are you planning to go?”

They were currently standing in the quietest corner of the banquet hall.

The moment Jiang Boyan stepped out, she’d inevitably be surrounded by people trying to strike up conversations.

“That’s hardly any concern of yours, President Ji.”

Ji Shihuan raised an eyebrow.

She couldn’t sort out the complicated emotions inside her.

Instinctively, though, she wanted to make life a little difficult for her rival.

“You could chat happily with that man.”

“What exactly do I lack compared to him?”

Jiang Boyan took a moment before realizing “that man” referred to the recently departed Zhou Xin.

“…At least doing business with President Zhou leaves room for negotiation.”

“Unlike President Ji, who refuses to budge after naming a price.”

Ji Shihuan slowly narrowed her eyes.

Then she suddenly smiled, hiding her expression behind her champagne glass.

“Are you sure you want to bring that up?”

The champagne’s aroma lingered in the air, mixing with the faint ocean scent surrounding Ji Shihuan.

Jiang Boyan felt her thoughts becoming slightly muddled.

“Why shouldn’t I?”

Ji Shihuan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned closer once again, her voice dropping into something distinctly intimate.

“So…”

“Is President Jiang reminding me that I already came included as your complimentary gift?”

Jiang Boyan gave a soft laugh.

Ji Shihuan suddenly felt restless.

She stepped even closer until she bumped into Jiang Boyan’s crossed arms.

“What are you laughing at?”

Not only did Jiang Boyan refuse to retreat, she actually lifted her eyes to meet Ji Shihuan’s directly.

“So many Huanji projects…”

“I wonder how many people have fallen for President Ji’s tricks.”

“Oh.”

“So that’s what you’re bothered about.”

Ji Shihuan’s dark eyes deepened.

She lightly smacked her lips, tasting the lingering sweetness of champagne.

“There haven’t been any.”

Then she added,

“I’ve only ever given it to you.”