: Bath & Business Calls

Nene sank into the warm bath, sighing as the tension in her muscles finally eased.

Between her grandmother beating her into the ground, the ridiculous instinct training, and Alexander being a smug bastard, today had been way too long.

She tilted her head back, letting the steam soothe her sore body, when—

Her phone buzzed.

Nene glanced at the caller ID.

Tian.

She sighed, answering with one hand while swirling the bathwater with the other.

[Call with He Tian]

"Tian," she muttered. "You're calling at bath time. This better be good."

Tian chuckled. "I'm flattered. Didn't realize I was high enough on your priority list to interrupt self-care."

Nene snorted. "You're not. But I need a distraction, so talk."

Tian hummed. "Rough day?"

"You have no idea."

"Let me guess," Tian mused. "Husband problems?"

Nene gritted her teeth.

"Why do you assume it's always Alexander?" she muttered.

Tian laughed. "Because it's always Alexander."

Nene huffed. "Whatever. What do you want?"

Tian's tone shifted slightly—lighter, but still sharp.

"Just a business update," he said. "Your name is officially on the ownership records now. You are, legally, the proud owner of a high-end modeling agency and exclusive club."

Nene smirked. "Good. And you?"

"I'm staying on, like we agreed," Tian said smoothly. "But I have to ask—are you actually interested in running this, or was this just a power move to piss off your husband?"

Nene paused.

Because, okay—fair question.

It had started as a petty move.

But now?

Now it was hers.

And Nene had never owned something completely hers before.

She swirled the bathwater absently, thinking.

"I'm keeping it," she said finally. "And I want it to succeed."

Tian sounded genuinely surprised.

"Well then," he mused. "Looks like I'll have to take you seriously as a businesswoman, huh?"

Nene grinned. "You should have been doing that from the start."

Tian chuckled. "Fair enough."

Then—his tone shifted again.

"But I should warn you," he added. "Your husband has been watching."

Nene stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Tian sighed, "your dear Alpha has been quietly pulling strings in the background. Making sure everything runs smoothly. No external threats. No financial issues."

Nene's brows furrowed.

That bastard.

He was handling things for her without even telling her.

Again.

She exhaled sharply. "And you're telling me this because…?"

"Because I figured you'd want to know when your husband is treating you like an extension of his empire."

Nene scowled.

Oh, she knew.

The moment Nene ended the call with Tian, her mind was already spinning.

Yeah, sure—Alexander was secretly managing her business behind her back.

But if he wanted to meddle, she might as well give him something unexpected to deal with.

Something fun.

Something completely out of his serious, high-powered business world.

Something ridiculous.

And she knew exactly what.

She pulled up her notes, grinning to herself.

Concept: A high-end, luxury male idol group

Members: Handpicked from the best of Tian's modeling agency (handsome Betas & Omegas)

Music Style: A mix of pop, R&B, and hip-hop (all original tracks—Nene already had them ready)

Performance Venue: Exclusive club nights + online streaming events

Target Audience: Wealthy socialites & music lovers

Main Goal: Fun. Just pure, chaotic fun.

She had already written the music.

She had the lyrics, the beats, everything.

Now?

Now she just needed a group to perform it.

She quickly texted Tian.

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "I have a business idea. It's stupid, it's chaotic, and I'm doing it."

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "Oh god. What now?"

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "I'm starting a boy band."

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "…I beg your pardon?"

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "A boy band, Tian. Pretty boys. Perfect vocals. Dumb choreography. I have the music ready."

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "Nene, do you understand how much effort goes into managing an idol group? The logistics? The contracts? The—"

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "Nope. But that's your problem. I just write the songs."

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "…You're actually serious."

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "Dead serious. Find me the best-looking guys in the agency. We're doing this."

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "I hate that I already have ideas."

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "Good. Because I want auditions scheduled by the end of the week."

Nene grinned to herself, closing her phone.

The second she finalized her plan, she rushed to her studio setup, pulled up her files, and started sending everything to Tian.

Lyrics? Done.

Demo tracks? Already produced.

Choreography inspiration? Attached in a separate file.

She wasn't playing around.

If she was doing this, she was doing it fast, loud, and absolutely chaotic.

Her phone buzzed almost instantly.

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "ARE YOU INSANE? HOW DID YOU ALREADY HAVE ALL THIS READY?"

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "Talent, obviously."

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "This is a FULL album. Not just one song. A WHOLE. DAMN. ALBUM."

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "Yes, and?"

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "Nene. I need a moment to process the fact that you've been sitting on an entire boy band's worth of music like it's nothing."

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "Less processing, more hiring. Get me five guys who can sing, dance, and look ridiculously attractive. We're making history."

Tian sent a single typing bubble.

Then, after a long pause—

[Text from Tian:]

Tian: "You're impossible."

[Text to Tian:]

Nene: "And yet, you love me anyway. Now get to work."

She grinned, closing her phone.

It was done.

The boy band was happening.

Nene was still grinning to herself, feeling victorious, when the air in the room shifted.

A familiar presence.

A slow, measured step.

A deep, unreadable silence.

She froze mid-click.

Then—very slowly—she turned around.

And there, standing in the doorway, arms crossed, golden eyes locked onto her with far too much interest—

Was Zhao Alexander.

Nene gulped.

Shit.

She had been so focused on sending everything to Tian that she hadn't heard him come in.

Alexander tilted his head slightly.

"You look suspicious," he murmured.

Nene blinked innocently. "Me? Never."

Alexander's gaze flickered to her computer screen.

Her very open screen.

The one currently displaying a folder labeled: 'BOY BAND PROJECT – FINAL VERSION.'

Nene lunged for the keyboard.

Too late.

Alexander strolled forward, calm as ever, leaning over her chair before she could close the window.

His golden gaze flicked across the files.

Then, smoothly—"Nene."

She swallowed. "Yes, dear husband?"

His eyes met hers.

"Do you want to explain why you're forming a boy band?"

Nene grinned.

"No," she said. "But thanks for asking."

Alexander exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face.

"Nene," he said, voice too calm.

"Yes?"

"Why?"

Nene spun her chair around to face him fully.

She smirked.

"Because I can."

Alexander stared at her.

Then—after a long, long pause—

He let out a slow, disbelieving laugh.

"Oh," he murmured. "You're doing this just to piss me off, aren't you?"

Nene's grin widened.

"Not just to piss you off," she said. "I also happen to be a creative genius."

Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose.

"This is real?" he muttered. "You're actually doing this?"

"Yep," Nene said, popping the 'p' sound. "Contracts are being drafted as we speak."

Alexander was silent.

Then, after another long pause—

He leaned down slightly, lowering his voice.

"You do realize," he murmured, "that this means your name—my name—will now be attached to an elite, ridiculously high-budget boy band?"

Nene beamed. "Yes."

Alexander exhaled slowly.

Then—finally, finally—he smirked.

"You're insane," he muttered.

Nene shrugged.

"And you married me anyway."

Alexander exhaled slowly, watching Nene like she was some kind of chaotic storm he had no choice but to manage.

"You know," he murmured, "I should be shutting this down."

Nene smirked. "But you won't."

A pause.

Then—"No, I won't."

Nene blinked.

Wait. She had been fully prepared for an argument.

For him to lecture her about unnecessary distractions, finances, or his reputation.

But Alexander just studied her, unreadable.

And then, smoothly—

"I'm letting you off because," he said, "you actually care about the music—not the artist's looks or status."

Nene froze.

Because—oh.

That was… weirdly perceptive.

And also kind of true.

She had spent hours perfecting the music, making sure the sound was exactly right.

She didn't care if the group had the prettiest faces or the trendiest image.

She just wanted to make something fun, something original.

Something hers.

Nene crossed her arms, tilting her head. "So that's your logic?"

Alexander shrugged. "It's reasonable."

Then—"But there are conditions."

Nene groaned. "Of course there are."

Alexander smirked. "If you go to the agency, take your assistant."

Nene rolled her eyes. "Why? Afraid I'll get kidnapped?"

"Yes."

Nene paused.

Then narrowed her eyes.

He wasn't joking.

He said it so casually, so matter-of-factly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

She scoffed. "I can take care of myself."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You just came home limping."

Nene scowled.

That was beside the point.

But before she could argue, he added smoothly—

"And if you want to meet your sister, have her come to the agency. Not here."

Nene's scowl deepened.

"Are you serious?"

Alexander gave her a flat look.

"When am I not?"

Alexander tilted his head slightly.

"Her judgment is questionable," he said. "I don't want her bringing unnecessary problems to my home."

Nene bristled. "Your home?"

Alexander's lips quirked.

"Our home," he corrected smoothly.

Nene groaned.

Because—ugh.

He was impossible.

Still, she sighed, reluctantly pulling out her phone.

"Fine," she muttered.

Alexander nodded approvingly.

Then—before she could turn away—

He leaned in slightly, voice low, amused.

"Oh, and Nene?"

She glanced up, already suspicious.

He smirked.

"If your boy band fails," he murmured, "I'm going to gloat about it forever."

Nene immediately kicked his shin but only to get hurt herself. The man was built like a rock.