Chapter 7: Wound

Su Mi was stunned. “Go up?”

Secretary Zhuang nodded and said, “President Shen is upstairs. She heard you were here and specifically asked if you wanted to go up and see her.”

Although she found it a bit strange, it was a perfect chance to tell Shen Han about what happened today.

Su Mi naturally agreed and followed Secretary Zhuang to the elevator by the side door. They went up to the hospital’s top floor.

This was a private hospital, and the top floor was probably reserved only for VIP clients. There was almost no one around.

Secretary Zhuang brought Su Mi to a lounge and said that Shen Han was still undergoing checks. She could come see her once they finished.

Unlike the freshener scent on the lower floors—meant to dispel pheromones—the top floor lounge had no smell at all.

Su Mi touched her barrier earring.

Come to think of it, she had been in this world for two days and hadn’t smelled anyone’s pheromones yet…

What did pheromones even smell like?

Su Mi hadn’t read many novels in her previous life. She only had a passing familiarity with ABO—knowing roughly about scents like cedar, milk, or cigarettes.

But this world was different from the novels she had read. Not only were the pheromone suppression measures extremely thorough, but everyone was very protective of their pheromone privacy.

Whatever. These past two days, she had been focused on the plot and the heroine. She didn’t even know what her own pheromones smelled like.

While waiting, Su Mi opened her light brain and started cramming knowledge about ABO in this world.

…

When she opened her eyes again, Su Mi found herself slanted across the lounge’s single sofa—in a very awkward position.

She had fallen asleep reading the materials?

She let out a soft hiss, then sneezed.

The lounge temperature was comfortable; she didn’t feel cold at all. Su Mi rubbed her nose, figuring she had caught a chill from sleeping without a blanket.

This body really lacked exercise. Just swinging a light golf club had worn her out like this.

She needed to remember to brew some ginger soup when she got home.

Su Mi quickly added the reminder to her light brain’s todo list.

Including time asleep, it had been about half an hour since she entered the lounge when Secretary Zhuang pushed the door open.

He carried an obvious apology.

Secretary Zhuang said, “Sorry, Miss Su. President Shen just finished her check-up, but headquarters had an urgent matter. She already rushed to the company.”

Ah, she got stood up.

But as the head of the group, sudden business was understandable.

Su Mi wasn’t upset. After bidding Secretary Zhuang goodbye, she drank two cups of water at the top floor nurse station before heading downstairs to wait for Xu Nanqiao.

When Xu Nanqiao emerged from the injection room, she was completely fine—looking as spirited as ever.

Before leaving, they stopped at the pharmacy for her medicine. At checkout, Su Mi remembered Xu Nanqiao’s part-time job after classes and subconsciously lifted her light brain.

Xu Nanqiao blocked her and shrugged.

She said softly but firmly, “I might not be able to afford your ten-thousand-dollar golf club, but I can cover these medical fees.”

Su Mi felt a bit awkward. Then Xu Nanqiao burst out laughing.

She paid, got the medicine, and after a few steps, grabbed Su Mi’s wrist. She leaned in affectionately.

Xu Nanqiao said, “Our school has medical subsidies. Suppressants for omegas are free, so I only spent a dozen bucks on this medicine. Super cheap.”

Su Mi rubbed her head. She recalled seeing related info before dozing off.

She didn’t know how to respond right then. Back in the car, Su Mi said, “Earlier… you know, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Xu Nanqiao said, “I know you meant well. Appreciate it. But I’m the one who owes you thanks.”

Su Mi tilted her head in confusion and looked at her.

Xu Nanqiao smiled shyly. “For saving me today. Those thugs looked tough, but you took them down one swing at a time. No idea where they came from—they even tried to trigger my susceptible period. If not for you, the consequences would’ve been… unthinkable.”

Suddenly praised, Su Mi met the heroine’s grateful gaze and coughed uncomfortably.

“I-it’s nothing. We’re friends, right? Of course I’d help. I’ll tell Shen Han about those scumbags later and ask her to look into it… Shen Han’s amazing, and she cares about you. She’ll definitely help you get revenge!”

“President Shen?” Xu Nanqiao frowned, as if the idea hadn’t occurred to her. “Asking her might not be great…”

Su Mi shook her head firmly. “No problem. See, we’re good friends now. Shen Han’s my sister, so she’s also… uh…” Su Mi paused, then recovered. “She has a connection with you too. She’ll want to help investigate. Plus, she has you read to her weekly—quid pro quo.”

Xu Nanqiao laughed. “Your language grades suck, but you sure can talk.”

Su Mi: “…One second I’m your lifesaver, the next you’re roasting me.”

She huffed and turned to the window.

Then Xu Nanqiao let out a surprised “Eh?” from the passenger seat.

“What’s that under your ear?”

Su Mi turned back and touched her ear instinctively. “Where?”

Xu Nanqiao leaned over, turned Su Mi’s head, and touched a spot under her ear on her neck. “Maybe a scratch from the fight… A bit of blood, but just broken skin.”

Su Mi: ?

No one got near her neck in the fight, right?

Flying debris maybe?

Xu Nanqiao asked, “Got a self-aid treatment device in the car?”

She paused, then added, “On that global top1 brand Amissa limited edition top-spec sports car.”

Su Mi’s face reddened.

“Check the control screen yourself—I only said that to scare those guys off. You—you again!”

Xu Nanqiao laughed OOCly from the back seat. Su Mi granted her vehicle access, and sure enough, she pulled out the self-aid treatment device.

Warm treatment light swept over the back of her neck.

In about two seconds, the warmth faded.

Su Mi turned. “Good now?”

Xu Nanqiao hummed gently. “Wound was tiny. Might’ve healed by the time I got out without it.”

Su Mi: “…”

Xu Nanqiao smiled innocently at her.

This Xu Nanqiao felt different from the bland little white flower heroine in the original plot—much more vibrant.

Did this mean Xu Nanqiao saw her as a real friend?

Xu Nanqiao saw her go quiet and soothed, “Alright. Could be from those guys—not sure about infection, so treatment device is safer.”

Su Mi grew suspicious. “You didn’t make up this wound to mess with me, did you?”

“No way.” Xu Nanqiao pulled out her light brain. “Good I snapped a pic for you. See.”

The holographic screen projected before Su Mi. A small wound sat near her ear root by the neck, slightly scabbed.

Xu Nanqiao warned, “Close to the gland. You’re a beta, so it doesn’t develop like alphas or omegas, but nerves here are sensitive and fragile. Be careful.”

Su Mi agreed. She saved the wound photo, then secretly snapped one of Xu Nanqiao holding the treatment device while she stowed it away.

After dropping Xu Nanqiao home, Su Mi edited her Moments.

She posted the two pics with: Sister +1 ❤️🤗✊

Prime time for Lolan Academy kids’ nightlife. Su Mi’s post drew instant messages.

:What does this mean???

:Isn’t that Xu Nanqiao?

:Su Su calling someone sister—does President Shen know? [sinister]

:Who’s the sister?

Just question marks everywhere.

Scrolling, one reply stood out.

Su Mi scrolled up and spotted a lone question mark. Commenter: …Shen Han?

The antagonist checked Moments too!

Su Mi hesitated, then called Shen Han.

She picked up fast.

Su Mi greeted loudly, “Sister, good evening!”

Shen Han: “Something up?”

As the loyal little follower, Su Mi reported faithfully. “Sister, about my Moments post earlier—here’s the deal! Today, Miss Xu and I got blocked by thug alphas on the way home from school. They spewed gross stuff and tried stimulating her into susceptible period. Luckily, I called Lolan Academy’s Guard Squad, saved Miss Xu, and took her to the hospital. Met Secretary Zhuang while waiting for her treatment.”

No response from Shen Han, so Su Mi pressed on indignantly. “I came upstairs to tell you exactly that. Mastermind sicced thugs on Miss Xu, stimulated pheromones—intentions obvious! Total disregard for you, major violation of school and social rules! We gotta drag out the mastermind and teach ’em a lesson. Right?”

Shen Han asked, “Just pheromone stimulation? Saw the pic—you’re injured too?”

“…” Su Mi said, “Just a tiny unnoticed scrape. Miss Xu offered to treat it, but I said no need—this heals at home! So moved by Miss Shen’s gentle kindness, I posted on Moments praising her noble qualities. Didn’t expect you to see.”

Shen Han seemed to chuckle—muffled.

So soft, Su Mi thought she imagined it.

The original plot’s gloomy, aloof antagonist… laughing at this?

Su Mi pictured the black-haired, blue-eyed long-skirted antagonist from before, trying to envision her smile.

Couldn’t.

But noted: antagonist laughs at Miss Xu’s antics.

Shen Han said, “Got it. I’ll have it checked. Results when ready.”

About to hang.

That was it?

Su Mi blurted, “Wait… Sister, not curious about Miss Xu’s condition?”

Triggered susceptible period—no concern?

Shen Han paused, then said, “I know this hospital. Susceptible checks and suppressant shots are quick. Unless S-Grade or higher outbreak, she’s fine.”

Su Mi finally clocked it: Shen Family private hospital.

Su Mi: “…Yeah, Miss Xu said their system’s top-notch. Free suppressant injections, even meds reimbursable by school. She praised the management!”

Praising Shen Family hospital = praising Shen Han?

Shen Han sighed.

“Su Mi, if you can’t chat, don’t.”

Flatly.

Su Mi: “…”

Shen Han must’ve misunderstood. “Sent medical fees to your card. Hospital VIP gold card arrives home tomorrow. You…”

Pause. Meaningfully: “Rest up and heal.”

Shen Han hung up.

Su Mi: Wait, no, I—

Light brain pinged: transfer. 30k. Note: Medical fees.

…Oof.

Antagonist and heroine fated, huh? Both ribbing this cannon fodder over a wound.

Infuriating.

Su Mi pouted, checked balance via transfer.

Mood lifted instantly.

So much money!

Su Mi counted the zeros forever, feeling invigorated. Shen Han’s transfer record? Pure bliss.

Anyone seeing just the transfers might think she was the antagonist’s favorite.

But nah—just a tagalong leeching off the heroine. Romance catalyst between antagonist and heroine. No worries about more cash from antagonist!

Su Mi’s drive maxed. Then medical fees nagged.

She poked the system. “System.”

System: “I’m here, Host^^.”

Su Mi: “What do you think? How should I convey the Antagonist’s intentions to the female lead in a way that helps build her favorability better?”

Directly transferring money definitely wouldn’t work.

In the original story, even the reward for reading books to Shen Han was something Shen Han had struggled hard to get the female lead to accept.

She could probably send over the VIP Gold Card, but the sentiment…

System: “Host, 622 is an intelligent AI and cannot simulate human emotions. You can think from your own perspective: what kind of consolation would you prefer?”

Su Mi: “…”

If it were me, this money would be enough. Really.