The Cold Alpha's Black Lotus O Strategy Plan (GL) - Chapter 50

“What’s wrong?”

Jin Sique lowered the towel in her hand.

Lü Zhongcai: “…”

Lü Zhongcai turned the laptop in another direction before lifting the screen again.

On the display, two rows of faces had frozen in unison.

All except one familiar face—Miss Bai, who was watching Lü Zhongcai with composed amusement.

“Cancel the meeting,” Lü Zhongcai said.

“Wait, Boss. We only need ten minutes—”

Without giving anyone time to react, Lü Zhongcai left the conference room, closed the laptop, and looked at Jin Sique.

Jin Sique stood frozen in place.

Her damp hair draped over both shoulders, winding like seaweed, while water continued dripping from the ends.

Her face was slightly flushed as she asked awkwardly, “I… Were you in a meeting?”

“Mm,” Lü Zhongcai replied.

Silence descended upon the room.

“It’s already over,” Lü Zhongcai said.

Jin Sique made an embarrassed sound of acknowledgment and continued drying the dripping ends of her hair with the towel, allowing Lü Zhongcai to examine her continuously.

It was summer, so Jin Sique’s sleepwear was extremely thin.

She disliked silk pajamas. When she lived at the university, all the bedding and clothing provided were made of uniform cotton.

At Jingwan Villa, however, she had never mentioned this preference.

Consequently, all the sleepwear Aunt Guo prepared for her was made of silk.

When pale-gray silk became wet, its color deepened.

The damp fabric also clung to the body, outlining every clear curve and minute detail beneath it.

Jin Sique trembled slightly beneath Lü Zhongcai’s gaze.

Her body also began reacting, and a layer of goosebumps rose across her skin as though electricity had passed through it.

“W-What is it?”

“Your clothes are somewhat transparent.”

Lü Zhongcai continued looking at her.

Jin Sique lowered her gaze toward her chest.

Her entire face instantly turned crimson.

She turned toward the bathroom.

“I-I’ll dry them…”

“There’s no need.”

“Come here.”

Lü Zhongcai stopped her.

She sat upright beside the desk, one hand resting against its edge, and lightly tapped the wooden surface.

Knock, knock.

Jin Sique licked her lips and walked toward Lü Zhongcai with her entire body tense.

“That…”

Her gaze darted toward the laptop in alarm.

“Mm.”

Lü Zhongcai opened it again, showing her once more that the online meeting had already ended.

Jin Sique exhaled in relief.

She went to Lü Zhongcai’s side and stroked her straight, silky hair.

Because of the meeting, Lü Zhongcai had tied up her hair again after bathing and secured it with a hairpin.

Jin Sique gently removed the pin.

The waterfall of black hair flowed through the gaps between her fingers like water.

The strands carried a faint static charge, scratching between Jin Sique’s fingers and making them itch and sting.

She bit her lip, her face flushed.

The scent of fresh grass pheromones spread through the room.

When it encountered the smell of gunpowder, it was like a fuse meeting a spark.

“Zhongcai…”

Jin Sique looked at Lü Zhongcai with complicated eyes.

Moisture lingered at the corners of her eyes and brows, while the darkness in her gaze was impossible for Lü Zhongcai to read.

“I…”

Jin Sique’s hand moved from the top of Lü Zhongcai’s head to her shoulders and neck, then down her arm.

Through the fabric matching her own sleepwear, she felt the warmth of the body beneath her palm.

Her hand continued downward to Lü Zhongcai’s waist.

The Alpha seemed to tremble.

Jin Sique’s long lashes fluttered rapidly.

Lü Zhongcai continued staring at her, feeling those touches drift near and far, barely present—as though Jin Sique desperately wanted to approach yet struggled to preserve her reason.

Jin Sique bent her knees and slowly knelt on the carpet before Lü Zhongcai.

Lü Zhongcai adjusted her sitting position, crossed her knees, and rested both hands upon them.

She lowered her long eyes and looked down at Jin Sique.

She wore glasses—plain lenses used to protect her eyes while working at night.

On Lü Zhongcai’s face, however, they only enhanced her cold, proud, and distinguished distance.

The Alpha’s presence was overwhelmingly powerful.

Lü Zhongcai raised one brow slightly, signaling Jin Sique to continue.

Jin Sique froze.

Her nostrils flared with her rapid breathing.

She bent forward, lowered herself, and wrapped her arms around Lü Zhongcai’s calf, rubbing her cheek against the silk of her nightclothes.

A hand settled on the top of her head.

Jin Sique closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of her scalp being gently massaged.

It was extremely comfortable.

Like a cat.

Lü Zhongcai watched her.

Her fingers suddenly tightened, sliding downward to grasp the back of the Omega’s neck and force her to raise her head.

“I…”

The moment Jin Sique met Lü Zhongcai’s gaze, she abruptly lost the courage to speak.

“Have I not treated you well recently?”

Lü Zhongcai leaned forward.

The pressure of the Alpha’s presence nearly rendered the Omega unable to move.

More humiliatingly, Jin Sique became aware of her body’s reaction.

“Speak,” Lü Zhongcai said.

Jin Sique struggled to force out two words.

“No… It’s not…”

“Why did you insist on moving out?” Lü Zhongcai asked.

Jin Sique’s pupils contracted slightly.

She had not realized Lü Zhongcai was still dwelling on the matter.

“I… Because…”

“Unless I’ve left you dissatisfied, why else would you do it?”

Lü Zhongcai frowned at her.

“Because of what?”

Jin Sique swallowed forcefully.

Her teeth clenched together, and she could not answer.

Lü Zhongcai pressed a hand to her forehead and leaned back in the chair.

She combed her fingers through her scalp, displeasure visible in her eyes and the slight crease between her brows.

“Open the cabinet.”

Jin Sique’s teeth suddenly tightened around her lower lip.

A metallic sweetness spread into her mouth.

She instinctively licked it away, obediently went to the cabinet, and opened its door.

“Choose one yourself,” Lü Zhongcai said.

Jin Sique’s legs were so weak that she could barely remain standing.

The smell of gunpowder filling the room seemed to intensify alongside Lü Zhongcai’s anger.

Jin Sique selected a long whip.

“I’m angry right now.”

Lü Zhongcai’s brow relaxed slightly.

“Mm…”

Jin Sique answered quietly and placed the whip into her palm.

“I know…”

Lü Zhongcai raised an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll hurt you?”

Kneeling on the floor, Jin Sique gripped the hem of her sleepwear tightly with both hands.

The silk became distorted in her grasp, dampened by the sweat in her palms.

“Your puppy… wants to make you happy…”

Lü Zhongcai’s gaze flickered.

She grasped Jin Sique’s chin and forced her to raise her face.

Tears streamed across the Omega’s beautiful features.

Despite crying so miserably, she was still desperately suppressing her sobs.

“You don’t want this?” Lü Zhongcai asked.

She wiped away Jin Sique’s tears, only for the Omega to cry even harder.

The tears fell far faster than Lü Zhongcai could wipe them away.

Lü Zhongcai smiled helplessly.

She gave up trying to dry Jin Sique’s face and instead cupped one hand beneath her chin like a bowl.

The tears fell one after another into Lü Zhongcai’s palm.

Lü Zhongcai smiled faintly.

“When you fill my hand, I’ll let you go.”

“Sister…”

Jin Sique began sobbing uncontrollably.

Her shoulders and body trembled humiliatingly.

The tears slipped between Lü Zhongcai’s fingers, flowed over the back of her hand, soaked her cuff, and ran down her forearm.

Lü Zhongcai looked at Jin Sique in astonishment.

Once again, she found herself marveling at an Omega’s physiology.

They seemed to have been shaped from water.

No force was necessary.

The slightest touch was enough to make them spill.

—

The following morning, as usual, Jin Sique awakened to the sound of a camera shutter.

She opened her eyes calmly.

Her expression held satisfied languor and exhaustion as she slowly smiled at Lü Zhongcai.

Lü Zhongcai lowered the camera.

“Are you tired?”

Jin Sique could not lift even one finger.

“No.”

Lü Zhongcai made a soft sound and sat beside her, showing her the photographs in the preview screen.

Jin Sique lay immersed in sunlight, her entire body seemingly covered in a layer of warm, flesh-pink radiance.

Upon closer examination, one could see her swollen red eyes, split lips, and the blue marks left by the whip across the arm hanging over the edge of the bed.

Even her gland was in disarray.

Jin Sique’s smile faded.

What Lü Zhongcai did next caused an inexplicable anger to surge inside her.

After examining the photographs in front of Jin Sique, Lü Zhongcai deleted them.

“They’re deleted,” she said.

Jin Sique turned her face away.

Both of them remembered a previous argument that had begun when Jin Sique asked whether Lü Zhongcai had secretly kept intimate photographs of her.

“Thank you,” Jin Sique said.

She should have been relieved.

Yet another thought surfaced beyond her control.

Was she dissatisfied with me?

Was that why she didn’t want to keep the photographs?

Lü Zhongcai returned the camera to the bedside cabinet, picked up the long cane beside her, and lightly tapped Jin Sique with it.

“I’m going to the company.”

Jin Sique buried her face in the bedding and did not answer.

The room became quiet.

Suddenly, Lü Zhongcai asked, “Will you come home for dinner tonight?”

Only then did Jin Sique realize that she had not yet left.

She raised her face and looked at her.

“Will you come home tonight?” Lü Zhongcai repeated.

Jin Sique was speechless, her lips parting slightly.

“…”

Without waiting for an answer, Lü Zhongcai checked her watch.

“If you’re coming back, remember to inform Aunt Guo.”

With that, she left the room.

Jin Sique’s chest sank as she released a long breath, then smiled dejectedly.

She was like one of Lü Zhongcai’s toys.

“Honestly, I truly look down on you,” 052 said.

Lü Zhongcai sat in the back seat of the car.

The driver was taking her to work that morning, and she was already at risk of being late for an important meeting.

“I reflected all night,” 052 continued. “I’m wondering whether you intend to win the black lotus back before Du Mengzhen returns.”

“Is that your plan?”

052 kept talking.

“I think the chances are poor. Do you even know how to pursue a woman?”

“Actually, among all the rotten tropes in transmigration novels, there is indeed a relatively reliable method of changing a supporting character’s tragic fate.”

“Compared with completely eliminating the protagonist, the latter option is obviously easier.”

052 analyzed the situation aloud.

“But it also carries greater risk…”

“What method?” Lü Zhongcai asked casually while reading meeting minutes sent by headquarters through email.

“Make her completely devoted to you.”

Lü Zhongcai’s scrolling finger stopped.

052 continued reluctantly, “Give her whatever she likes.”

“Money and power. Those are the only two things people spend their lives pursuing.”

The car stopped smoothly.

Lü Zhongcai closed her laptop.

“Understood.”

—

“No appetite?” Aunt Guo asked Jin Sique.

Jin Sique yawned and shook her head.

“I’ll do it myself.”

Aunt Guo looked Jin Sique up and down.

Her entire body seemed to glow softly, making Aunt Guo marvel once again at how miraculous Omegas were.

Jin Sique was languid and lacked energy.

She wore a gray high-necked long-sleeved shirt with matching trousers.

She was only twenty-one, yet the aura she gave off resembled ripe fruit on the verge of falling from its branch.

The living-room telephone rang.

Aunt Guo went out to answer it.

Jin Sique was cooking noodles for herself.

Lü Zhongcai had studied abroad for many years and preferred Western-style breakfasts.

Jin Sique, however, liked plentiful carbohydrates.

After their fierce night together, she urgently needed nourishment.

When the noodles were finished, she poured them into bowls.

The poached eggs were whole and plump.

Jin Sique made two portions—one for herself and one for Aunt Guo.

Aunt Guo came downstairs with a gentle smile.

She held a large ring of keys that produced crisp metallic sounds with every step.

Jin Sique turned curiously.

“Sique, Cai Cai said you should choose whichever one you like.”

Aunt Guo held up the keys.

“These are all properties she owns in the city center.”

Jin Sique stared blankly.

A strand of soft noodle slipped back into her bowl.

“…What?”

—

The atmosphere throughout LE was strange that day.

The executive assistant held the elevator door for Lü Zhongcai, then walked ahead to clear the way.

Behind her, secretaries from the president’s office surrounded Lü Zhongcai as they headed directly toward the conference room.

“Is it true?”

“It must be false…”

“President Lü may be an Alpha, but she has the face of someone destined to remain single…”

The executive assistant opened the door and coughed softly.

The conference room instantly became silent.

Lü Zhongcai did not notice anything unusual.

She sat down, opened the meeting materials, and raised her chin slightly to indicate that the meeting should begin.

“Regarding the investment in EA…”

The light from the presentation reflected across everyone’s faces.

One senior executive displayed the research they had gathered and summarized the stagnation and difficulties technology companies had faced in recent years.

“Most companies are unable to fulfill their performance agreements.”

“Not only do the investors lose their money, but acquisition is already the best possible outcome.”

“If they survive like EA has but produce no results, they eventually face bankruptcy and liquidation…”

“As far as I know, EA’s investors began withdrawing all their capital several years ago and redirected it into another intelligent-software company in Silicon Valley.”

“EA has managed to attract several small investments since then, but the electricity required to run its servers alone is an enormous annual expense…”

“Over the past three years, its loans and other debts have accumulated to a sum sufficient to purchase an entire shopping mall…”

“Regarding artificial intelligence, rather than choosing EA, it would be better to invest in the Silicon Valley company.”

“As far as I know, they are preparing for Series E financing…”

When the speaker finished, Lü Zhongcai said, “I assume everyone understands the difference between Series E and Series B financing.”

Everyone turned toward her.

“With Series E financing, the equity will be diluted again, significantly weakening our ability to exercise control.”

“Whether from a commercial perspective or…”

Lü Zhongcai paused briefly.

“It would not be the best choice.”

“If we insist on choosing EA, I still recommend establishing an appropriate risk hedge…”

“We’ll discuss it further. I will personally continue following the matter.”

Lü Zhongcai delivered the final decision in a gentle voice.

“Next issue.”

When the meeting ended, Lü Zhongcai left first.

After a brief silence, the conference room instantly became as noisy as a marketplace.

“Has President Lü been possessed?”

“Someone must have taken over her body.”

“She was far too agreeable today. She didn’t even murder me with her eyes!”

“She must be in love. When your heart is sweet, naturally your face becomes cheerful too.”

Lu Baimei was gathering her belongings nearby.

Upon hearing this, she slowed her movements and pricked up her ears.

“…The news has already spread throughout headquarters!”

“During last night’s brief meeting among senior management, President Lü didn’t turn on her camera, but her microphone activated when she entered.”

“Everyone heard it.”

“What a sweet little ‘Zhongcai~’”

“…”

Several executives rubbed their arms simultaneously, attempting to smooth away the goosebumps.

Lu Baimei struggled desperately not to laugh.

“An Omega? Are you certain?”

“Could it have been an Alpha? That would be too outrageous.”

Lu Baimei casually braced one hand against the table.

“Hey. Are you gossiping about your superior?”

Only then did the executives gathered together notice Lu Baimei.

“…”

They smiled awkwardly and prepared to take their cups and leave.

Lu Baimei suddenly leaned closer.

“What else? Aren’t there any details?”

Someone asked, “I always thought that little Omega who occasionally comes to the company belonged to President Lü’s family… You know, that sort of person!”

“I also heard President Lü is married…”

“President Lu, you know her well. Is it true or not?”

Lu Baimei: “…”

“How could that be possible?”

She asked rhetorically, “Would a workaholic have a wife?”

“More importantly, this is President Lü we’re talking about. Even someone as outstanding as me doesn’t have one. How could she?”

Everyone stared at Lu Baimei as though she were an idiot.

Their expressions seemed to have the words President Lu is so eloquent, yet doesn’t she also lack a girlfriend? carved across their foreheads.

Lu Baimei pressed both hands against the table and struggled upright.

“All right. I’m going to find President Lü.”

“Everyone, prepare to be punished.”

The executives: “…”

—

Elsewhere, Lü Zhongcai left the departmental office and returned toward the president’s suite.

Lu Baimei fled the gossiping group in the conference room and hurried after her.

Her expression transformed instantly.

She grinned and opened the office door for Lü Zhongcai.

“Well, well.”

Lü Zhongcai glanced sideways.

“What?”

“You were unusually gentle during today’s meeting.”

Lü Zhongcai put down her cane and touched the control panel on the desk.

The kettle began heating water.

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, right.”

Lu Baimei snapped her fingers.

“I forgot to ask. How has your system been lately?”

052 laughed dryly.

“Insane. Thank you for asking.”

“Its mental state has never been particularly stable,” Lü Zhongcai said.

Lu Baimei slapped the table while laughing.

Lü Zhongcai picked up the kettle and poured herself hot water.

Lu Baimei watched her leisurely, clicking her tongue several times.

“Say whatever you want to say,” Lü Zhongcai said.

“I truly wish I had attended last night’s meeting.”

Lu Baimei pressed both hands dramatically over her heart.

“Zhongcai~”

Lü Zhongcai: “…………………………”

“I apologize for teasing you a few days ago.”

Lu Baimei shrugged.

“Clearly, everything between you and your wife is extremely harmonious, isn’t it?”

“…”

Lü Zhongcai did not answer.

She merely touched the desk’s control panel and indicated that Lu Baimei should leave.

Lu Baimei slipped toward the door and clung to its frame, laughing wildly.

“Hahahaha!”

Then she added, “There’s an engagement tonight that requires your presence. Don’t forget.”

“My recommendation is dismissal,” 052 said gloomily. “This employee is outrageous. What use is there in keeping her?”

Lü Zhongcai ignored 052 and opened her computer to continue working.

During that time, she checked her watch once.

She stared at the desk phone and thought for a moment before picking up her mobile phone and calling Jingwan Villa.

Aunt Guo’s voice quickly came through.

“Hello, Jingwan Villa.”

“Aunt Guo,” Lü Zhongcai said.

“Cai Cai? What is it?”

Lü Zhongcai hesitated for one second.

“Did she accept the things?”

Aunt Guo made a surprised sound.

“No. Sique left after eating.”

“She seemed to be in a hurry when she left. What happened?”

“She said she would explain it to you herself…”

“Cai Cai, what has been happening between you and Sique recently?”

“Nothing. I’ll hang up now.”

Lü Zhongcai added, “Don’t worry.”

She ended the call and returned her attention to the document.

“I finished reading it,” 052 said. “Why haven’t you turned the page?”

Lü Zhongcai: “…”

“Oh, are you distracted?”

052 mocked her.

“President, if the black lotus could be tamed this easily, would she still be called a black lotus?”

—

Lü Zhongcai drove away from Fengyue Financial Tower alone.

Two hours earlier, Aunt Guo had sent a message saying that Jin Sique did not intend to return home.

An emergency meeting had delayed Lü Zhongcai until now.

The car stopped outside Mingyuefeng Theater.

Lü Zhongcai appeared slightly dazed, uncertain why she had driven there.

“What are you doing here?” 052 asked harshly.

“You’re acting like a devoted lapdog.”

“You’re an Alpha. With your qualifications and appearance, you could have any Omega you wanted.”

“Why waste your time on an Omega who will eventually destroy you?”

Lü Zhongcai lightly tapped her fingers against the steering wheel.

Her calm eyes remained fixed on Mingyuefeng’s entrance.

The performance had ended.

People gradually emerged from inside.

There seemed to be more young faces than usual outside the theater that day.

Lü Zhongcai flicked the fingers resting outside the window.

It was the motion of knocking ash from a cigarette.

She had quit smoking long ago, yet recently the cravings had begun returning frequently.

“I’m leaving!”

A slender figure stepped through the door and waved toward the guard.

“Uncle An, see you tomorrow.”

Perhaps because students were on holiday, there were more tourists.

Street photographers also enjoyed gathering outside the ornately carved building.

Lü Zhongcai watched as someone stopped Jin Sique.

The photographer was extremely polite and appeared to be only in his early twenties, still carrying the youthful air of a student.

Jin Sique politely declined and walked away quickly.

She was so gentle that even when rejecting someone, she made them feel as though they had been bathed in a spring breeze.

Jin Sique held her bicycle key, tossed it upward, and caught it.

Then she hurried down the long steps, pushed a bicycle from a corner, mounted it, and disappeared into the crowd like a fish entering water.

The photographer could not resist raising his camera and capturing Jin Sique’s retreating figure.

He sighed regretfully, lowered his head, and reviewed the image.

While concentrating on exporting it, he noticed someone appearing at the edge of his vision.

“Hello.”

Lü Zhongcai inclined her head politely and pointed toward the photograph in the young man’s hand.

“Could I purchase this photograph?”

“Huh? Oh…”

—

Jin Sique stopped her bicycle outside a convenience store.

She entered, bought a cup of oden, and sat on the bench outside, eating while staring blankly ahead.

Why did Lü Zhongcai want to give her a property?

That was clearly beyond the terms of their contract…

Jin Sique pressed her lips together, then shook her head and tried to force the tangled thoughts from her mind.

Her phone vibrated.

She looked down.

It was the Beta she had only just met.

People this persistent had become extremely rare.

Jin Sique put down the cup and swiped across the screen.

The Beta had fulfilled almost every request she made.

Within a single day, she had already sent Jin Sique every piece of official information and industry gossip she could find about LE Capital.

This is all the publicly available information I can locate. Everything else is protected by quantum encryption, and accessing it would be illegal.

Jin Sique was about to reply when a voice came from beside her.

“Sique?”

Jin Sique instantly bristled.

Like a startled cat, she recoiled, every hair seeming to rise as her upper body curled inward.

She froze.

Only when she recognized the person did her tightly furrowed brows relax.

“You—why are you here?”

Lü Zhongcai narrowed her eyes and examined her.

After several seconds of silence, she held out the photograph pinched between her fingers.

“You were photographed without permission.”

Jin Sique froze and accepted it.

The image showed her clothing fluttering as she rode her bicycle into the crowd.

“When was this…”

She then realized that the clothes in the photograph were the same ones she currently wore.

“It was the person from just now.”

Jin Sique smiled.

“It was taken rather well.”

“Don’t you dislike having your photograph taken?” Lü Zhongcai asked.