Chapter 25: Bai Qingqing

The music was loud, so loud that even in the restroom, Liu Qiu could still hear it clearly.

The air inside the restroom wasn’t pleasant.
Cigarette smoke, alcohol, and all sorts of perfumes mixed together, blending into a heavy, suffocating stench that made her chest feel tight.

Liu Qiu stood by the sink, washing her hands.
That sweet fragrance lingering in the air was probably pheromones.

She had already learned how to tell the difference.
The scent of an alpha’s pheromones would trigger a physiological rejection in her.

Omega pheromones were the opposite.
For example, sometimes she could catch a pleasant green apple scent from Shi Ran.

She had only smelled it faintly once, but it had left a deep impression.
That was Shi Ran’s pheromone scent.

Cold water ran over her palms.
Liu Qiu took off her glasses and splashed water on her face.
It was getting a little too hot inside this space.

She found herself wondering who Bai Qingqing would ultimately choose.

From her perspective, Song Ciyu was accomplished in her career, carried a powerful presence, had a good personality, and was a classic rich and beautiful woman.
Moreover, she had already been physically intimate with Bai Qingqing.

Shi Ran… well, she was decent too.
Their earlier unpleasantness had only been because the original host secretly sniffed her clothes.
In the end, Shi Ran had even helped her.
A good person.
And when she sang on stage, she was dazzling and confident—exceptionally talented, a true potential stock.

Liu Xia’s character was beyond reproach.
From an orphan to studying abroad, the effort required must have been immense.
She even somewhat resembled Bai Qingqing.
Perhaps this was what people called “couple resemblance.”

[System, who will Bai Qingqing end up with in the future? I feel like all three green hats are pretty outstanding.]

The system replied: [I don’t know either. But in this type of story, there usually isn’t a fixed CP.]

It seemed the host had truly come to terms with it now, casually discussing which “green hat” her wife might choose in the future.

Then again, Bai Qingqing had only been the original body’s wife.
She wasn’t someone the host actually liked.

While she was chatting with the system, Liu Qiu suddenly caught the refreshing scent of green apple again.
Amid the chaotic smells of the restroom, it stood out with crisp clarity.

She blinked and turned toward the entrance.

Her lashes were still damp, her large eyes misty.
Combined with her slightly curled, shoulder-length black hair, she looked soft and pure.

Shi Ran’s eyes narrowed slightly as she walked toward Liu Qiu.
The sharp click of her black-and-red high heels echoed crisply against the tiled floor.

There were other people in the restroom.
When they saw Shi Ran, they greeted her in surprise, though politely refraining from crowding too close.

“Shi Ran, are you really not considering entering the entertainment industry? You’d be amazing.”

Shi Ran arched a brow.
“Sorry, I don’t want to talk about that right now. Can I use the restroom?”

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry.” The speaker laughed and left.

Shi Ran was already very close now.
Through Liu Qiu’s blurred vision, her face became clear.
Liu Qiu parted her lips and said softly, “Shi Ran.”

Shi Ran gave a brief hum in response, her tone lukewarm, as though she didn’t particularly want to engage.

Liu Qiu picked up her glasses from the sink, preparing to leave.
Her cheeks and eyes were still damp; wearing them felt uncomfortable.

As she moved past Shi Ran, Shi Ran suddenly called out, “Liu Qiu, did my song sound good?”

Liu Qiu turned back and answered honestly, “It sounded very good.”

Meeting Liu Qiu’s gaze, Shi Ran let out a light scoff.
“Come here. Do me a favor.”

She had thought this pervert would be so nervous she couldn’t speak.
She hadn’t expected her to be this calm.

Liu Qiu didn’t refuse.
Shi Ran had helped her last time.
If Shi Ran needed her help now, she wouldn’t decline.

Shi Ran reached out, grasped Liu Qiu’s arm, lowered her eyes, and took the glasses from Liu Qiu’s hand before placing them back on her face.
“Don’t take them off so casually. Otherwise, you won’t see clearly and might run off with someone else.”
Her words carried a trace of mockery.

But Liu Qiu didn’t take it to heart.
Her nose was filled with the sweet scent of apples, and she couldn’t help the slight flare of her nostrils.
She pressed her lips together, turned her face slightly to free herself from Shi Ran’s hand, and said awkwardly, “Shi Ran… is your heat coming?”

The scent was too strong.

Shi Ran let out a low laugh.
“Pervert noses really are good.”

Her heat had started two days ago.
But this performance paid well, and she couldn’t refuse it.

Shi Ran took out an inhibitor and tossed it to Liu Qiu.
“Go into a stall and inject it for me. You’re getting lucky today.”

She wanted to see just how much this inferior alpha could endure.

She wasn’t worried Liu Qiu would force her.
A weak alpha like Liu Qiu wasn’t worth fearing.

She didn’t believe that without an omega’s soothing pheromones, Liu Qiu wouldn’t crave an omega.

After all, this was someone who had to secretly sniff pheromones like a creep.
Probably wanted to cheat but didn’t dare—and no omega would look twice at an alpha like her anyway.

Clutching the inhibitor, Liu Qiu followed Shi Ran into a stall in a daze.

Standing behind her, Liu Qiu’s delicate brows furrowed.
Heat periods were frightening.

Last time, she’d had no awareness during her own heat.
Shi Ran was an omega; she couldn’t release too many pheromones.

Liu Qiu took a deep breath.
But every breath she inhaled now was filled with Shi Ran’s scent.

Her cheeks flushed, and her nape grew warm.
She buttoned her collar to the very top to conceal the bite mark on her neck.
Now it just felt too hot.

Clutching the syringe, she asked, “Can I inject it now?”
It was so hot.
Even her heartbeat felt a little too fast.

A faint coolness flickered in Shi Ran’s eyes.
Right now, Liu Qiu’s pheromones smelled surprisingly fresh, cooling the heat in her blood slightly.

The natural attraction of omega and alpha—apparently it worked both ways.

Shi Ran’s eyes flickered.
At a moment like this, an image of Liu Qiu pinned beneath Bai Qingqing surfaced uncontrollably in her mind.

“Tch.”

Damn this A-O attraction.
It was stirring emotions she had otherwise kept steady.

She lifted her long hair, revealing her pale nape, and tilted her head slightly.
“Idiot, rein in your pheromones.”
Her tone carried a hint of gritted teeth.

She had meant to watch Liu Qiu lose control in hunger and embarrassment.
But now it seemed she was the one struggling.

Her breathing grew heavier, her cheeks and the corners of her eyes tinted red.
With each breath, Liu Qiu’s pheromones slipped deep into her brain—soothing yet teasing.

An inferior alpha couldn’t effectively control pheromone leakage.
She had found Liu Qiu in the first place because she’d caught her scent.

Liu Qiu stared wide-eyed at the syringe in her hand, flustered.
“M-My pheromones are affecting you?”

She didn’t even know how to suppress them.

“Should I find a beta to help you?” she added.
She had read that betas weren’t affected by pheromones.

Shi Ran pressed her forehead against the stall door and said hoarsely, “Inject it into my gland.”

She didn’t know if Liu Qiu was pretending or truly that dense.
An omega in heat was standing right in front of her, and instead of taking advantage, she was thinking of finding someone else.

Shi Ran’s body trembled.
Liu Qiu pressed her lips together, held her breath, and leaned closer.
Seeing the slightly swollen, flushed gland at the back of Shi Ran’s neck, she exhaled slowly, sweat forming on her brow.

“Shi Ran, I’m starting.”

A soft breath brushed over the gland.
Shi Ran’s fingers tightened as she reached back, gripping Liu Qiu’s head and suddenly pressing down hard.

The cool frame of the glasses and the warmth of Liu Qiu’s nose pressed together against her nape, the tip of her nose touching the gland.
Shi Ran let out a muffled groan, her voice hoarse.

“Idiot. Stop poking me. Mark me.”

She was losing patience.
Damn this inferior alpha for hesitating so much.

Liu Qiu’s nose pressed against the soft skin of Shi Ran’s nape, the rich green apple scent flooding her senses.

Panic flared in her chest.
Something wasn’t right.
Her body and gland burned inexplicably, clouding her reason.

No.
This couldn’t happen.

She pushed Shi Ran’s shoulders forward, breaking free from her hold.
Shi Ran stumbled and hit the door with a bang.

The syringe fell, rolling into the next stall.
Liu Qiu collapsed onto the toilet seat, eyes reddening.

“Shi Ran, I’m sorry. Wait. I-I’ll find someone else to inject it.”

Shi Ran turned around, her expression dark and frightening.
She stepped close, her knee pressing between Liu Qiu’s legs, bent down, and grasped her throat lightly, fingers brushing her nape.

“Liu Qiu, I’m giving you a chance to touch an omega. You don’t want it?”

“Bite my nape and inject your pheromones. That’s your reward.”

“Don’t you want to try marking an omega? Trash who can only secretly sniff the pheromones left on my clothes—don’t you want it?”

Her pheromones wrapped fully around Liu Qiu as she spoke.

Now Liu Qiu understood why people said alphas and omegas were naturally meant for each other.

This scent was intoxicating, like poison.
Her body tingled, and the instinctive attraction was impossible to suppress.

She turned her head, her voice trembling.
“I don’t.”

“Shi Ran, let me go. I’ll find someone else to help you.”

“I don’t want to mark you.”

Shi Ran’s face turned cold.
She released Liu Qiu’s neck and curved her lips into a wicked smile.

“But Liu Qiu, you dropped the inhibitor.”

“If you don’t mark me, do you want me to go out like this and be marked by someone else?”

“We’re neighbors. We should help each other.”

Her fingers slid from Liu Qiu’s shoulder toward the tightly buttoned collar, brushing over the fabric but not yet touching the gland beneath.

Their pheromones tangled thickly.
An omega in heat could undoubtedly lure an alpha.
Liu Qiu had to feel it too.

She had miscalculated.
She’d thought Liu Qiu would lose control first.
Instead, it was her.

The image of Liu Qiu crying while pinned to a desk overlapped with the sight of her now restrained beneath her.

Shi Ran’s smile widened.
She lifted Liu Qiu’s chin and pressed her thumb against her soft lips, rubbing firmly.

“Does that woman ever kiss you?”

“She looks like she hates touching you.”

Liu Qiu’s lashes trembled violently.
What was Shi Ran doing?
How had the topic suddenly shifted to kissing?

She didn’t understand.
But she felt awful—some strange impulse rising within her, chipping away at her reason.

Her eyes were wet and pitiful behind thick lenses.
“Shi Ran, let me go. I’ll find you another inhibitor.”

She wanted to push Shi Ran away, but above her was Shi Ran’s chest; below was her slender waist.
How could she casually touch someone in such places?

Shi Ran stared at her, something unreadable flickering in her gaze.
She didn’t actually resist the idea of being marked by Liu Qiu.

Perhaps because Liu Qiu was too timid.
Or perhaps because she had once seen Liu Qiu beneath someone else.

Her disgust at the clothes-sniffing incident had mostly faded.
At this distance, with their pheromones so entangled, Liu Qiu could completely mark her if she wished.

Yet she didn’t.

Even in such close proximity, even under this intense pheromone exchange, Liu Qiu maintained her reason.

Shi Ran didn’t consider herself unattractive.
The only explanation was that this so-called pervert still possessed a strong sense of morality.

She bent down, her burning forehead resting against Liu Qiu’s.
She laughed softly.

“You really are stupid and weak.”

Their breaths intertwined as though they might kiss at any moment.

“Liu Qiu, how about divorcing Bai Qingqing?”

Liu Qiu’s eyes widened in shock.
What was Shi Ran saying?
Divorce Bai Qingqing?

Shi Ran straightened, long lashes lowering to conceal the darkness in her eyes.
“Idiot. I’m teasing.”

She opened the stall door, retrieved the fallen inhibitor, and handed it back to Liu Qiu.

After closing the door again, she said lightly, “Come on.”

This time Liu Qiu didn’t hesitate.
She removed the needle cap and carefully inserted it into Shi Ran’s gland.

There was already a tiny puncture mark.
Watching the liquid slowly drain from the syringe, she asked unconsciously, “Does it hurt?”

Shi Ran didn’t answer.
But her trembling body and uneven breathing gave her response.

From outside the stall came an irritated voice.
“Damn it, I’m so sick of people messing around in the restroom. Can’t you afford a hotel?”

“Let’s go, don’t waste time.”

The voices faded away.

Shi Ran exhaled and suddenly laughed.
“Oh right, I forgot to tell you. Liu Qiu, you came into the wrong restroom.”

There were separate restrooms for the six ABO genders.
Liu Qiu was slim and always kept her head lowered; no one had probably taken her for an alpha.

Alphas and omegas were easy to distinguish.
Alphas were usually tall with large frames, naturally oppressive to omegas.

It might sound stereotypical, but most alphas were tall.
Separate restrooms weren’t to prevent voyeurism but to avoid disastrous consequences if an alpha or omega in heat entered the wrong one.

Omegas usually wore bite-prevention collars.
Shi Ran didn’t like wearing one.
She wasn’t afraid of heat or alphas.

An omega of her level wouldn’t easily lose control even in heat.

Letting Liu Qiu mark her earlier had been impulse—not irrationality.

Liu Qiu threw the used syringe into the trash and muttered blankly, “Wrong restroom.”

Her gender awareness still hadn’t fully shifted.
Even knowing she’d entered the wrong one, she didn’t feel much about it.

When Shi Ran reached up to touch the injection site, Liu Qiu quickly stopped her.
“Don’t touch it.”

Shi Ran’s hand froze midair.

Liu Qiu pulled out a wet wipe from her small bag and gently dabbed away the blood that had seeped out.
“It’s bleeding.”

The sweet apple scent still lingered in the air, but the scorching intensity had faded.
Liu Qiu took a deep breath.

“Shi Ran, I’m sorry.”

The cool wet wipe pressed against her skin felt strikingly vivid.
Liu Qiu’s movements were so gentle that Shi Ran didn’t even need to look to imagine her expression.

“Sorry for what?” she asked.

“For secretly sniffing your clothes.”

That memory belonged to the original host, but in Shi Ran’s eyes, Liu Qiu had done it.

Maybe Shi Ran needed a proper apology.

“I did something really bad. If you’re still angry, you can hit me.”

She couldn’t think of any other way to make amends.

Shi Ran’s body cooled gradually, but her racing heart didn’t.
“Call you an idiot, and you really take it to heart,” she muttered hoarsely.

Bringing up something from so long ago at a moment like this.

She turned and grabbed Liu Qiu’s wrist, her gaze dark and complicated.

“I already told you. I won’t pursue that matter.”

Liu Qiu lowered her lashes.
“I just wanted to apologize.”

Her lips were soft and faintly pink—full without being thick.
When she spoke, the subtle movements revealed glimpses of white teeth and a hint of her tongue.

Shi Ran’s grip tightened abruptly.
“Liu Qiu, have you ever kissed anyone?”

Her wrist hurt slightly but was bearable.
Kiss?
This was the second time Shi Ran had asked.

Liu Qiu shook her head honestly.
“No.”

The moment the word left her lips, Shi Ran shoved her down onto the toilet.

Liu Qiu stared up blankly.
“Did the inhibitor not work?”

Backlit, Shi Ran’s face was half-shadowed.
Her gaze traced Liu Qiu’s features inch by inch before settling on her lips.

She bent down, cupping Liu Qiu’s cheeks, her beautiful face magnified in Liu Qiu’s vision.

Their noses touched again.

“Shi Ran… what’s wrong?” Liu Qiu asked weakly.

Suddenly, the door slammed open with a loud crash.
The stall was flooded with light.

[ Ding. Green hat value +10. ]

Before Liu Qiu could react, Shi Ran was flung backward.

Liu Qiu’s eyes widened instantly.
“Shi Ran—!”

Shi Ran hit the ground.
In the next second of sharp pain, she was yanked up by her hair, her throat gripped.

Bai Qingqing’s sinister face appeared in her vision.
Shi Ran curled her lips stiffly.
“Dog nose.”

Thud.
Her stomach took a solid punch.
She coughed up blood.

Looking past Bai Qingqing, she saw Liu Qiu standing there in shock, eyes wide.
Shi Ran spat toward Bai Qingqing.

“What are you doing?!”

Liu Qiu rushed forward, grabbing Bai Qingqing’s arm in panic.

Scented with someone else’s pheromones, Liu Qiu stood before her.
Bai Qingqing released Shi Ran and smiled gently at Liu Qiu.

“Qiuqiu, didn’t I tell you not to get close to other people?”

“Why won’t you listen?”

Liu Qiu cradled Shi Ran in her arms, her eyes red.
She pulled out tissues with trembling hands to wipe the blood from Shi Ran’s lips.

“Shi Ran, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

She couldn’t think of anything else.
She just wanted to get Shi Ran to a hospital.

Bai Qingqing’s smile widened, but her eyes darkened ominously.

“Qiuqiu, I waited for you for so long. So you were here kissing someone else.”

“That’s really… surprising.”

Liu Qiu didn’t hear her.
When Shi Ran coughed up more blood, Liu Qiu burst into tears, trying to lift her.

But the more frantic she became, the weaker she felt.
She couldn’t lift Shi Ran at all and could only let her upper body rest in her arms.

Bai Qingqing’s gaze grew darker and darker, murderous intent surging inside her.

Yet when she saw Liu Qiu crying, her fingers twitched.
She silently healed Shi Ran’s injuries.

She had acted impulsively.
She should have handled this in private.

She didn’t know why she had lost control just now.

Putting on a gentle smile again, she walked over and placed a hand on Liu Qiu’s shoulder.
“Qiuqiu, she’s fine. Really.”

But this time, before Liu Qiu could speak, a slap landed first.

Liu Qiu’s eyes were filled with tears as she glared at her fiercely.
“Bai Qingqing, how could you do that?”

“You’re too cruel.”

Like a tiny pup baring its teeth—angry, yet not frightening.

[System, if I die, find a new host.]

Liu Qiu truly couldn’t hold back.
Someone had just been beaten bloody in front of her—couldn’t things be talked out properly?

Bai Qingqing froze slightly, touching the cheek Liu Qiu had struck.
“You called me by my full name? And you hit me.”

Liu Qiu ignored her, pulling out her phone to call an ambulance.

Bai Qingqing’s face went cold, her emotions surging to the brink.
“Liu Qiu, have I been too good to you lately?”

“I saw you being all lovey-dovey with someone else here. Why can’t I be angry?”

Liu Qiu removed her glasses and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Then she turned back to Shi Ran.
“Does it hurt a lot? Wait, I’ll find someone. The ambulance is coming soon.”

She completely ignored Bai Qingqing.

For the first time, Liu Qiu had neglected her.

Shi Ran touched her stomach and, seeing Liu Qiu like this, slowly stood up from her embrace.
“Liu Qiu, it’s fine. I’m okay.”

Strangely, the pain had vanished as though it had been an illusion.

Liu Qiu didn’t believe it.
She had flown so far and coughed blood—how could she be fine?

Shi Ran’s phone rang.

“Shi Ran, you—you answer it,” Liu Qiu sniffed.

Shi Ran hummed and picked up.

It was a reminder to prepare for the second half of her performance.

After hanging up, she helped Liu Qiu to her feet.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry. I need to go on stage.”

She glanced at Bai Qingqing, whose expression was unreadable.
“Some people should learn not to go too far. It’s almost like they want everyone to know they’re violent.”

Shi Ran looked perfectly fine now—better than before.
Liu Qiu gripped her bag strap nervously.
“Are you really okay?”

Unable to stand it, Bai Qingqing interjected, “Liu Qiu, who’s your wife? If you care so much about someone else, why don’t you marry them?”

Shi Ran laughed lightly.
“Sure. Then divorce Liu Qiu. I can marry her right away.”

“A-O are the ones truly meant for each other.”

Bai Qingqing’s gaze turned glacial.
She grabbed Liu Qiu’s arm and dragged her out.

If she stayed any longer, she might actually kill someone.

Liu Qiu looked back at Shi Ran, worry written plainly on her face.

“I’m really fine,” Shi Ran said softly.

“Shi Ran, go get checked at a hospital!” Liu Qiu called out, voice thick with tears.

But she was already being dragged out of the restroom.
Bai Qingqing was too strong for her to break free.

All the way to the bar entrance, cool night air hit her face, helping her calm down.

Looking at Bai Qingqing’s back, she called out, “Bai Qingqing.”

Bai Qingqing stiffened, releasing her wrist.
Her face and eyes were cold—those usually charming eyes now sharp like a predator’s.

Liu Qiu’s lashes trembled.
After a moment of silence, she called softly,

“Wife.”

The drawn-out tone, the soft voice, the tear-damp eyes.

Bai Qingqing slowly clenched her fingers.

“You think acting cute will let this go?”