Chapter 18: Re-examine

Wait.

If those two look so alike, then the moment Liu Xia saw Bai Qingqing, wouldn’t she have known that the original host had found a substitute?

And by the same logic, Bai Qingqing would have realized it too.

Liu Qiu’s expression twisted for a split second. What kind of melodramatic plot was this?

[System, is Liu Xia really one of the green-hat targets?]

The system answered with certainty: [Of course. The target has already been confirmed. Host, there’s no need to doubt it.]

This was truly a mess. Could it be that Liu Xia ended up with Bai Qingqing out of hatred for the original host?

The voyeur who had once secretly taken photos of her now had a beta who looked so much like her by her side. No matter how you looked at it, it felt like unresolved feelings.

Liu Qiu’s discomfort did not escape Liu Xia’s notice. She asked, “Liu Qiu, does being around me make you uncomfortable now?”

Liu Qiu shook her head. “No.”

“It’s just… it’s been too long since we last met. I’m a little nervous.”

Liu Xia smiled slowly, her dark eyes shining in the night. “Liu Qiu, you’ve changed a lot.”

“You’ve become prettier, and more cheerful.”

Eight years ago, Liu Qiu had been sallow and skinny, always keeping her head down, barely able to form a complete sentence. Time truly was the best medicine.

Liu Qiu quietly avoided Liu Xia’s gaze and tugged lightly at her pants. “…You’ve changed a lot too.” She was more mature and dazzling than the Liu Xia in those memories.

From an outsider’s perspective, it really was a pity what had happened between the two girls.

But Liu Xia clearly had no romantic feelings for the original host. It was only natural that the original host’s twisted affection had disgusted her. Even without those photos, they probably would have parted ways the moment the original host confessed her feelings.

No one could accept a family-like figure suddenly declaring love.

Liu Qiu could understand why Liu Xia had cut off contact for eight years, and she could also understand why she had come back now.

Deep down, she probably still couldn’t let go of the original host.

Liu Qiu’s gaze fell on the suitcase in Liu Xia’s hand. “Liu Xia, let me carry that for you.”

Liu Xia did not refuse and handed over the handle. “Thank you.”

The suitcase wasn’t heavy. There probably wasn’t much inside. It seemed Liu Xia wouldn’t be staying long.

With that thought, Liu Qiu hesitated before asking, “Liu Xia, do you… have a place to stay?”

Liu Xia nodded. “I’ve booked a hotel nearby. Don’t worry about me.”

Liu Qiu gave a small hum in response.

Silence settled between them. The wheels of the suitcase rolled across the pavement, the sound faintly grating.

After walking quietly for a while, Liu Qiu heard Liu Xia sigh. “Liu Qiu, how have you been?”

Liu Qiu paused to organize her thoughts. “I’ve been… good. I got married.”

Liu Xia stopped in her tracks, clearly not processing the words at first. When she finally did, a smile appeared on her face—one that could genuinely be called happy. “That’s wonderful. Liu Qiu has her own family now.”

Liu Qiu knew Liu Xia was truly happy for her. Whether in the past or now, Liu Xia had always been a good person.

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. How could the original host have caused such a disaster?

She had hurt Liu Xia once. Now, eight years later, she was about to hurt her a second time.

Liu Qiu tightened her grip on the suitcase handle and said quietly, “My spouse… looks a lot like you.” It was better to say it first.

Liu Xia turned to her, her expression growing serious. “Do you treat her as my substitute?”

Liu Qiu lifted her head and shook it slowly, solemnly. “No. I’ve never thought of her that way.” She truly had never seen Bai Qingqing as anyone’s substitute.

Liu Xia raised a brow, a smile spreading between her brows. “Then that’s fine. It just means you have a type—you like this kind of appearance.”

“But you should explain it clearly to your wife.”

[Wow, how can someone be this good?] the system exclaimed in her mind. [To be able to say something like that… she really doesn’t seem like someone who’d cuckold you.]

Liu Qiu: […System, did you take the wrong medicine today?] The system never praised humans.

The system muttered, [She reminds me of a female lead in a drama I watched today. Too bad that heroine was betrayed…]

Liu Qiu ignored the rambling and looked at Liu Xia, offering a small smile that revealed shallow dimples. “I will.” The system was right—Liu Xia really was a good person.

“Liu Xia, would you like to meet my wife?” Even though Liu Xia was kind, Liu Qiu still had tasks to complete.

She looked up at the ink-dark sky. “You’re my family. I think my wife would want to know you.”

Liu Xia’s smile deepened. “Of course. By the way, do you have children yet?”

It seemed Liu Qiu had truly moved on. Liu Xia finally relaxed and teased, “I’d quite like to see my little niece or nephew.”

A blush spread across Liu Qiu’s pale cheeks. She curled her fingers together awkwardly. “N-not yet.”

Suddenly, her body stiffened. It felt as though a gaze had brushed across her back.

She turned to look but saw nothing unusual.

Not far away, on a long bench, Bai Qingqing smiled slowly. “Liu Qiu, I underestimated you.” She had thought Liu Qiu was nothing more than a dull office worker. In the end, she was the one played for a fool.

She was someone else’s substitute.

How ridiculous.

Bai Qingqing’s smile was terribly ugly, though she couldn’t see it herself.

She might not like Liu Qiu, but she could not tolerate being used as a substitute.

She followed the two from a distance, watching Liu Qiu’s cheap, effortless smiles bloom one after another for that woman.

Her fingers slowly curled into fists, her gaze turning icy. If Liu Qiu followed that woman into the hotel, she would kill them both immediately.

She hated her belongings carrying someone else’s scent. She hated being deceived.

No matter how well Liu Qiu suited her in bed, she would never break her own bottom line.

If prey became tainted, she would simply replace it. There was no need to cling to Liu Qiu.

Her nails dug deep into her palms, her expression dark as ink.

Liu Qiu escorted Liu Xia to the hotel entrance. They exchanged contact information and said goodbye.

Bai Qingqing had told her to be home by eleven. It was already nearly ten. There was no way she’d make it exactly on time.

Liu Qiu quickened her pace and called Bai Qingqing as she walked.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

“Qiuqiu, what is it?” Bai Qingqing’s voice sounded through the phone.

“Wife, I might not be home by eleven tonight. I’ll be about half an hour late.”

“It’s fine. As long as Qiuqiu is willing to come home tonight, I’m happy.”

Liu Qiu frowned slightly. Why did that sound strange?

She changed the topic. “Wife, would you like to meet my friend? She’s my family.”

“And… the two of you look a bit alike. But I only love you. If you see her, please don’t misunderstand.”

It was better to explain proactively than be questioned later.

[Did I break character? That was a bit long.]

[No. If you break character, the world consciousness will warn you before I do.]

Liu Qiu relaxed and continued, “I just walked her to her hotel, so I’ll be home a little late.”

Bai Qingqing’s tightly knit brows eased slightly. Liu Qiu had explained at length. It seemed she truly hadn’t treated her as a substitute.

And in a sober state, she had clearly said she loved her.

Tsk. This idiot. Did she really think she cared? Explaining so anxiously.

Through the crowd in the night, Bai Qingqing’s gaze locked onto Liu Qiu. “Mm. I understand.”

“Since she’s Qiuqiu’s family, of course I’d like to meet her.”

Liu Qiu returned home at exactly eleven-thirty.

Seeing the time, she felt a small sense of pride. She was impressively punctual.

Bai Qingqing, wearing a light blue silk nightgown, walked toward her with a seductive sway. “Qiuqiu, I heated the food for you. Go eat.”

Liu Qiu smiled. “Thank you, wife.” Bai Qingqing might not love the original host, but she was attentive in daily life.

So late, and she had still heated the food and waited.

Bai Qingqing sat beside her. “Qiuqiu, you’ve never told me about your family.”

After swallowing her food, Liu Qiu explained briefly, “We grew up in the same orphanage. But we had some conflict. She went abroad, and we didn’t contact each other for years. She only came to find me recently.”

Bai Qingqing didn’t ask about the conflict. She simply said, “Qiuqiu, eat faster.”

Liu Qiu obediently nodded and sped up.

After finishing, she stood shyly. “Wife, I’m going to shower.”

Bai Qingqing stood as well. “Together.”

Liu Qiu stiffened. Not again?

Indeed, Bai Qingqing wanted it again. She didn’t know why, but an irritation coiled inside her, making her desperately want to touch Liu Qiu.

Steam filled the bathroom. Bai Qingqing braced herself against the sink, breathing softly. “Darling, your fingers are so long.”

Liu Qiu’s face and eyes were red, damp hair clinging to her cheeks in a strangely alluring way. She still wore her clothes neatly; Bai Qingqing was the opposite.

“W-wife… don’t you really want a kiss?” her voice trembled.

Bai Qingqing inhaled deeply, turned, and wrapped her arms around Liu Qiu’s neck, fingers brushing over her gland. “Good girl. We don’t need something as useless as kissing.”

The touch made Liu Qiu’s body go weak. “W-wife, don’t touch there…” That damned gland felt like some kind of switch.

Bai Qingqing hooked a long leg around her waist, pulling her closer, eyes brimming with desire. “Like this.”

When her nail scraped the gland, Liu Qiu’s nose tingled and tears fell. “W-wife…” This sensitivity was absurd.

At first, she had treated this as merely helping Bai Qingqing. But with her gland stimulated, it felt like fire was burning through her. A craving surged inside her—she wanted to bite Bai Qingqing’s neck and mark her.

Bai Qingqing watched her cry pitifully and grew even more excessive.

This weak human clearly loved her desperately. Those affectionate eyes only appeared when looking at her.

Liu Qiu’s pale face flushed with color, eyes drooping innocently. Bai Qingqing had always thought she looked too weak. Now, it had its own charm.

Though Bai Qingqing was beneath her, Liu Qiu cried as if she were being wronged.

Bai Qingqing pressed fingers against her soft lips and slid them into her mouth. “Our Qiuqiu cries so cutely.”

“But your movements are quite quick.”

“No one suits me better than you.”

Liu Qiu cried harder, unable to close her mouth, saliva and tears falling together. She screamed inwardly, [System! Shock me!] If this continued, she might forcibly mark Bai Qingqing.

[Received!]

Suddenly, Liu Qiu collapsed against Bai Qingqing.

Bai Qingqing let out a muffled sound. That last one felt exaggerated—she had sensed a faint electric current.

“W-wife… my hand is sore…” Liu Qiu choked. In truth, she had nearly been electrocuted senseless.

At least the shock cleared her mind, and Bai Qingqing was satisfied.

From now on, she needed to guard her neck carefully. That gland was like her heart—once seized, she couldn’t escape.

Bai Qingqing was tempted to continue, but Liu Qiu’s weak body wouldn’t handle it. And she didn’t want Liu Qiu to realize she had been the one beneath.

“Let’s bathe,” she murmured.

Liu Qiu could only nod weakly.

By the time they finished, it was nearly one.

Liu Qiu lay in bed, eyes unfocused. She felt no pleasure from this—only exhaustion.

[System, can’t you shock more gently?]

[I-it was my first time shocking someone. I didn’t control the strength well.]

Liu Qiu fell silent. She had asked for it, after all.

The next morning, as soon as she stepped out, she ran into Shi Ran, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

Liu Qiu immediately lowered her gaze. Running into Shi Ran never meant anything good.

[Walk, walk, or I’ll get scolded again.]

[Host, don’t forget. She’s a target too.]

[She’s a target, but she hates me. I can’t get close.]

She tried to pass, but a hand blocked her way.

“S-Shi Ran.”

Shi Ran narrowed her eyes. “Liu Qiu, about last time—I’m sorry.”

Liu Qiu blinked. “Ah, it’s fine.”

Shi Ran smiled wickedly and pressed her against the stairwell wall. “Really fine?”

“You can make a request.”

Liu Qiu’s head hurt. She needed to get to work.

Shi Ran leaned close. A faint green apple scent lingered. Liu Qiu inhaled instinctively.

Realizing what she’d done, she shut her eyes. She had smelled Shi Ran’s pheromones. Would she be labeled a pervert again?

Shi Ran saw everything and smiled coldly.

Alphas were disgusting. Even a weak inferior A like Liu Qiu couldn’t resist instinct.

Just a hint of omega pheromones and she looked hungry.

What would Liu Qiu want? Her worn clothes? A visit to her house? More pheromones?

Shi Ran laughed exaggeratedly, though there was no mirth in her eyes.

“Can you… let go of me?” Liu Qiu asked awkwardly.

Shi Ran withdrew her hand, gaze meaningful. “Unexpected.”

She handed over two tickets. “My concert. You’ll come, right?”

Liu Qiu accepted them. Shi Ran was a target. She couldn’t ignore her.

“We’re neighbors. No need to be so distant.”

Liu Qiu couldn’t understand her shift in attitude.

Unless… Shi Ran was planning to make a move too?

Her eyes brightened slightly. It was much better if Shi Ran took the initiative.

“I’ll come.” She would bring Bai Qingqing along.

Shi Ran smiled softly. She knew Liu Qiu wouldn’t refuse.

After turning away, her expression cooled. Since that day, Liu Qiu kept appearing in her dreams—sometimes sprawled across a table, sometimes beneath her, sometimes wrapped around her like a water snake.

Her throat bobbed. “About last time, I’m sorry. I won’t pursue the matter of you smelling my clothes either. Let’s just be normal neighbors.”

She needed to reassess Liu Qiu.

What kind of strange magic did this cowardly alpha have to provoke such intense reactions from her?