Dating? Jiang Yi lowered her gaze, glancing at her and Jiang Sixian’s intertwined hands, her brow slightly furrowed.
To be more precise, their relationship was that Jiang Sixian needed “Jiang Yi’s” body, while Jiang Yi was also very fond of her pheromones—this should be considered mutually beneficial, right?
Jiang Sixian had also mentioned wanting to take care of her, so were they a sugar mommy and her kept lover? That didn’t seem right either—she was currently working for Jiang Sixian, so were they boss and subordinate? That didn’t quite fit either, considering they’d been rolling around in bed together these past few days.
After some thought, Jiang Yi internally defined their relationship: sugar mommy and stand-in.
The moment this thought surfaced, Jiang Yi felt her life had taken an even more bizarre turn. The realization sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Jiang Sixian, still holding her hand, looked at the gossipy Chen Wanzhou and countered, “Whether we’re dating or not—what does that have to do with today’s business?”
Chen Wanzhou chuckled. “Of course it matters. If you two are together, then my plans to become your fiancée would be ruined.”
As she said this, she glanced sideways at Jiang Yi, carefully observing her reaction.
Jiang Yi’s expression stiffened, her brow furrowing slightly with obvious displeasure at the statement.
Fiancée? So this old classmate was also Jiang Yi’s love rival? What kind of scene was this—former close friends falling for the same person, on the verge of turning against each other?
Jiang Yi’s internal monologue could fill a truck, but she quickly schooled her features back to normal.
Jiang Sixian didn’t notice her fleeting discomfort. When she looked up at Jiang Yi, her expression showed no obvious changes. For some reason, this made Jiang Sixian feel unhappy.
But since they were in front of Chen Wanzhou, Jiang Sixian couldn’t show it. She smiled and said, “Do you always enjoy joking like this? If you don’t want to discuss today’s matters, I can always find another partner.”
With that, she took Jiang Yi’s hand and made to leave.
Once again, Chen Wanzhou realized that joking with Jiang Sixian was risky—especially now that Jiang Yi was by her side.
Still, Jiang Yi’s earlier reaction had been amusing. The atmosphere between these two was so ambiguous that Chen Wanzhou didn’t mind playing matchmaker in her spare time.
She smiled and stopped Jiang Sixian. “Hold on, there’s still room for discussion. If you don’t like jokes, I won’t make them.”
“Let’s find a place to sit and talk properly.”
Jiang Sixian, enjoying the good weather, didn’t want to go indoors. “Let’s walk around the equestrian center. The weather’s nice, and I’ve already reviewed your materials—we can talk as we walk.”
“Alright.”
So Jiang Sixian led Jiang Yi by the hand, walking side by side with Chen Wanzhou across the grassy field.
Chen Wanzhou laid out the benefits of their collaboration, while Jiang Sixian pointed out the drawbacks. Both stood firm on their positions.
When they reached a critical point in negotiations, Jiang Sixian released Jiang Yi’s hand and bluntly highlighted the weaknesses in Chen Wanzhou’s company, showing no mercy.
Chen Wanzhou remained smiling, unbothered, and even conceded some benefits on the issue.
When business negotiations stall despite both parties being good fits, it usually comes down to uneven profit distribution.
Many pharmaceutical companies were interested in the patent Jiang Sixian had recently acquired. Though she could handle such a large project alone, it would inevitably draw unwanted attention. For now, Jiang Sixian preferred to keep a low profile, making the well-connected Chen family the ideal partners.
As their discussion grew heated, Jiang Yi—who couldn’t follow their conversation and wasn’t particularly interested—gradually fell behind, trailing after them.
From the rear, Jiang Yi watched their backs and found herself recalling Chen Wanzhou’s earlier “fiancée” remark. Even though Jiang Sixian had called it a joke, for an alpha to say that to an omega, there must have been some genuine affection involved.
Jiang Yi studied the pair ahead of her—the dashing, carefree omega and the alluring, peacock-like alpha. Both came from wealthy families, both outstanding, perfectly matched in status, talent, and looks—they seemed made for each other.
Yet this very compatibility made Jiang Yi deeply uncomfortable.
Following Jiang Sixian, listening to their shared conversation topics, Jiang Yi unconsciously scratched her cheek.
As the two walked even closer while talking, a thought bubbled up in Jiang Yi’s mind: Discussing business is one thing, but why stand so close? Are you flirting?
When this thought emerged, Jiang Yi belatedly recognized the thick layer of sourness coating her words.
Was she… jealous?
The realization startled her.
Seriously? Where did this emotion come from? From her body, or from her soul?
Jiang Yi took a moment to analyze it, confirming that this unpleasant feeling was entirely her own, and froze.
Why was she jealous? Or rather, why was she feeling possessive? Was it because she considered Jiang Sixian her omega—an alpha’s competitive instinct when another alpha pursued someone they’d marked with their pheromones? Or was it pure jealousy?
From a pheromone perspective, Jiang Yi didn’t consider Chen Wanzhou to be on her level at all.
Her textbooks had taught her that alphas with high-concentration pheromones typically didn’t view ordinary alphas as threats.
They tended to be arrogant in certain aspects, even looking down on other alphas—a trait that often made them targets of group attacks.
When it came to omegas they’d briefly been intimate with, they remained confident that no one else could attract them. Unless facing an opponent of equal standing, they usually couldn’t be bothered to show mating competitiveness.
This characteristic often resulted in such individuals being quite promiscuous, with numerous sexual partners.
Jiang Yi had excelled in this area of biology and understood it well. Based on pheromone levels alone, Chen Wanzhou’s concentration wasn’t enough to provoke her jealousy.
After much deliberation, having ruled out all physiological possibilities, Jiang Yi suddenly realized this emotion stemmed from her heart.
She was jealous of Chen Wanzhou—jealous of her family background matching Jiang Sixian’s, jealous of how well-matched they looked from behind, jealous of their shared conversation topics…
Wait… if she was jealous of Chen Wanzhou, didn’t that mean, on a deeper level, she liked Jiang Sixian?
She liked Jiang Sixian? She actually liked Jiang Sixian?
No way—they’d only known each other for a week! They’d just spent her heat together, rolling around in bed every day.
She didn’t even know Jiang Sixian that well yet. At most, she knew she was incredibly beautiful, had a good personality, enjoyed teasing people, was compatible in bed, had strong work ethics, and had a white moonlight named “Jiang Yi.”
Jiang Yi didn’t believe Jiang Sixian’s feelings were for her. Though she’d never liked anyone before, she’d never imagined she’d fall for someone who didn’t like her back—let alone someone who saw her as a stand-in for another person.
Even if Jiang Yi wasn’t entirely sure whether she was a stand-in, based on what she’d previously said to Jiang Sixian, she might as well assume she was.
After some deep self-reflection, Jiang Yi concluded this was love at first sight, attraction based on looks—she’d walked right into having her heart stolen!
The thought made her lament internally: She’s just too beautiful—can’t blame me for losing control!
Jiang Yi believed no one could resist liking Jiang Sixian. She was gorgeous, exceptionally capable, with a nearly flawless personality—any normal person would fall for her. Especially since Jiang Yi was an alpha.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess, leaving no room for jealousy over Chen Wanzhou. Her only concern now was: If I like Jiang Sixian, what should I do?
But no matter how much she racked her brain, she couldn’t come up with an answer, so she resigned herself to going with the flow.
Soon, Jiang Sixian and Chen Wanzhou’s discussion reached its conclusion. Chen Wanzhou smiled and said, “I’ll draft the contract and send it to you as soon as possible.”
“I hope production can start quickly so the new drug can hit the market.”
Jiang Sixian nodded. “Yes, that’s what I want too.”
Chen Wanzhou extended her hand. “Then, partnership well.”
Jiang Sixian seemed somewhat averse to her, only touching fingertips briefly. “Partnership well.”
Even this fleeting contact felt like crossing a line in Jiang Yi’s eyes, filling her with bitter jealousy.
Tsk, an alpha’s possessiveness is terrifying. Jiang Yi felt she was becoming the kind of intensely jealous person she most despised!
With business concluded, Chen Wanzhou asked Jiang Sixian, “Want to ride a couple laps around the field?”
Jiang Sixian turned to look at Jiang Yi, who was “dutifully” standing guard behind her, bit her lip, and declined. “No, I don’t feel like riding with you today.”
Chen Wanzhou understood. “Right, I shouldn’t stick around as a third wheel.” Now that Jiang Yi was back, anyone could see Jiang Sixian’s possessiveness. Having just secured such a project from her, Chen Wanzhou didn’t want to ruin her patron’s mood.
She tactfully said, “I’ll head out first. We can discuss the details further at the conference table.”
Before leaving, she called out to Jiang Yi. “Jiang Yi…”
Jiang Yi lifted her eyes lazily. “What?”
Since we’re love rivals now, let’s not pretend to be close, okay?
Chen Wanzhou smiled, waiting for her to approach. “Now that you’re back, whether you remember or not, you should meet up with your old classmates. Duolai, Tiantian, and our class monitor all miss you. Give me your contact info, and we’ll arrange a gathering sometime?”
Jiang Yi didn’t respond, instead looking at Jiang Sixian as if waiting for permission.
Chen Wanzhou’s expression turned meaningful at this. “Seriously, Jiang Yi? You weren’t this henpecked before! Back then, Jiang Sixian was the one who listened to you!”
For some reason, Jiang Yi felt Chen Wanzhou was taking advantage of her amnesia to mess with her. Without thinking, she blurted out, “Cut the crap—I didn’t even like her back then!”
Both Chen Wanzhou and Jiang Sixian froze at her words. Jiang Sixian’s gaze at Jiang Yi grew particularly clouded with confusion.
Chen Wanzhou hesitated, studying Jiang Yi’s expression—so similar to her teenage self—and tentatively asked, “You… remember everything?”
Chen Wanzhou had personally heard Jiang Yi say she didn’t like Jiang Sixian, making it hard not to suspect her amnesia was an act.
Strangely, for a moment, Jiang Yi seemed to recall this person dancing with Jiang Sixian before.
Annoyed, she retorted, “Remember my foot! All I remember is you being a damn peacock!” So flashy—utterly obnoxious!
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