Lin Xu frowned tightly after seeing the reply, pondering for a long time. Was this method really feasible?
Still, there was some truth to it. Compared to how Shu Qingyou had treated her gently before, she was doing the opposite.
She kept causing trouble, which had lowered Shu Qingyou’s impression of her.
The phone screen reflected her thoughtful expression. When she looked up, the TV was showing a mouse-like creature with extremely short ears, no bigger than the palm of a hand, running across a vast plateau with grass in its mouth. According to the introduction, this grayish little thing was called a pika.
It was so adorable that Shu Rong stood in front of the TV, her eyes glued to it.
Look at this hopeless kid—not just any small animal; pet shops or stray ones running or flying on the streets were everywhere.
Lin Xu waved her hand in front of Shu Rong’s eyes. “Want to get a pet?”
She pulled Shu Rong onto the sofa. Shu Rong’s body moved mechanically, letting Lin Xu toss her around however she wanted.
“I’ll take you to a pet shop another day to pick one out. Also, don’t let your mom see you sitting so close to the TV, or she’ll scold me for not watching you properly.”
Lin Xu, whose sense of responsibility had greatly improved, already had the mentality of treating Shu Rong like a stepdaughter.
Thinking about it, it wasn’t a crime. As long as Lin Xu didn’t say anything, who would know?
Pets created a huge impact on Shu Rong. Her little heart thumped. Normally, when she saw a stray cat flash by, her gaze would follow it for several seconds.
Was big sister serious?
But what if Mom didn’t agree?
Big sister didn’t even dare to go against Mom. She seemed a bit unreliable.
Lin Xu had no idea that Shu Rong was inwardly disparaging her abilities in all sorts of ways.
If a widow was targeted, she couldn’t avoid currying favor with her daughter. In the end, the daughter was just an accessory.
The complacent Lin Xu was already beaming as she searched for pet shops on her phone, sharing pictures with Shu Rong whenever she found one. The two heads huddled together, whispering.
Shu Qingyou approached, and they didn’t notice at first.
Lin Xu zoomed in on a white dragon cat grabbing a grass cake. “Cats grow big, over ten pounds, and could squash you into a meat patty if they sat on you. This dragon cat looks good—small and round, and it doesn’t make much noise. It’s quiet.”
As expected of an Omega’s natural body fragrance. Lin Xu’s nose twitched slightly, and she smelled Shu Qingyou nearby.
“Come, Shu-jie, help us pick too. Rongrong’s insisting on buying a pet.”
Shu Qingyou had looked it up before—introverted kids were closer to animals and nature, which could soothe their minds.
But she was afraid her own state was unstable and she couldn’t care for an extra family member properly, or that a slightly aggressive animal might scratch the child. Such cases were common.
Lin Xu’s restless enthusiasm didn’t seem like it was really Shu Rong wanting a pet.
Shu Qingyou said, “Whichever you like.”
It came down to eye affinity. Shu Qingyou did take a liking to the dragon cat—it didn’t look aggressive, just adorably silly.
Shu Rong immediately hugged her mom’s leg, rubbing against it. Mom was so nice.
Big sister was okay too.
This scene made Lin Xu jealous. Although Shu Qingyou’s long legs were encased in jeans, with her vivid imagination, Lin Xu fantasized that they must feel great to touch.
“Ouch, I fell. Shu-jie.”
Lin Xu abruptly tossed her phone onto the sofa, pretending to slip and twist her ankle. She smoothly slid her body against it.
Shu Qingyou regretted agreeing to let her buy a pet.
This person was hugging her leg with a lame excuse, mimicking Shu Rong by rubbing against it.
And Lin Xu’s hand was in a rather tricky position.
It really wasn’t intentional. Lin Xu’s hand uncontrollably slid up a few centimeters, from the lean area to the fuller part behind.
With a lucky mindset and an itchy hand, she grabbed two handfuls. The Q-bouncy, soft sensation leaked through her fingers.
Her nasal cavity filled with sweet fragrance, and Lin Xu suddenly felt life was complete. “Shu-jie, I picked a pet for Rongrong. Isn’t it well-behaved?”
Shu Qingyou had to admire her own tolerance now. Her face burned hot, but with Shu Rong there, she couldn’t lash out.
She patted Shu Rong’s back. “Rongrong, go back to your room first.”
Shu Rong obeyed. Whatever Mom said, she did without fuss. To express thanks, she kissed Mom’s hand before leaving.
“I want to too…”
Shu Qingyou shot her a glare. Lin Xu shrank back. She didn’t want to either, but the legs in front of her were like magic, tempting her to stick out her tongue.
She was really going to be driven mad. Shu Qingyou gritted her teeth and pried Lin Xu’s fingers off one by one. “I see you’ve healed and forgotten the pain.”
Finally free from the groping hands, Shu Qingyou decided she couldn’t ignore these perverted acts anymore.
If this continued, it would lead to an irreparable situation one day.
She sat on the sofa, gathered her hair behind her head, crossed her legs, and let out a deep breath.
Her red lips parted slightly, and she suddenly noticed their position was a bit ambiguous.
Shu Qingyou tapped the empty spot beside her. “Sit.”
Sit? She was perfectly fine right here—or more precisely, kneeling here was just right.
Lin Xu’s knees inched forward, positioning her chin perfectly against Shu Qingyou’s legs.
“I’m a guest; how could I have the right to sit? Kneeling is fine. Don’t worry, I’m not aggrieved.”
Pretending to be a pitiful little wife, far from aggrieved—Lin Xu’s eyes gleamed with enjoyment. Was she the one getting the thrill?
“You…”
Shu Qingyou felt greatly insulted. Was she toying with her? Did she think Shu Qingyou didn’t know Lin Xu’s tricks?
Because they had experienced it before.
Roles reversed—the one kneeling back then was her.
Shu Qingyou pressed her brow. She didn’t want to recall that past at all. It wasn’t painful; it had opened a new world for her.
“Fine, but no hands or feet.”
“Of course. But Shu-jie, you’ve been out so long; your legs must be sore. Let me massage them.”
Without waiting for Shu Qingyou’s objection, Lin Xu poked her chin into the gap between Shu Qingyou’s legs, the pressure forcing them slightly apart.
Lin Xu remembered Gu Huaiyuan’s WeChat reply—she had been gentle, so Lin Xu had to be correspondingly sensible.
Look how considerate she was now, even offering leg massages. Lin Xu’s fingers were nimble, starting with kneading over the rough denim.
Knead, press, pinch—precise. Lin Xu thought her technique was decent.
“Your legs are a bit tense. Relax a little.”
Shu Qingyou inhaled again, biting her index finger hard to avoid moaning, but under Lin Xu’s massage, her body temperature rose from inside out, her skin heating up.
Her other hand awkwardly sank into the fabric sofa.
She shouldn’t overthink it. Lin Xu was indeed massaging, but… wasn’t her technique a bit too good?
“Where did you learn this?”
Lin Xu diligently continued the massage mission. The fragrance grew thicker; she didn’t dare look up or venture to improper spots.
“I don’t know. I just know how when I touch you. Maybe I learned it secretly before?”
Learned this? Lin Xu was obviously lying, too guilty to look at her. This wasn’t like her previous bold self.
Shu Qingyou couldn’t help thinking of Lin Xu serving other women like this—fawning, attentive, familiar with acupoints.
She lowered her gaze and, on impulse, her fair fingers hooked Lin Xu’s fallen soft long hair.
She wound it around her finger bones, once, twice.
Lin Xu stiffened, a slight tingling pull on her scalp. No problem.
If Shu-jie liked it, this move worked. She massaged harder a few times, then let out a dejected sigh.
No motivation to continue, hands resting on her knees, a bit melancholic.
Sensing Lin Xu’s mood shift, Shu Qingyou leaned in slightly and whispered by her ear, “Tired of massaging?”
Shu Qingyou’s breath also carried sweet fragrance. Lin Xu’s throat went dry. She carefully lifted her eyelids and glimpsed the faint red at Shu Qingyou’s eye corners, a touch of soft charm.
Lin Xu’s heart drummed lightly, her voice trembling. “N-No, not tired, just…”
She really didn’t dare. Lin Xu was in a dilemma—if she spoke up, Shu Qingyou would surely turn icy again.
Shu Qingyou’s brow furrowed faintly. Was there something Lin Xu didn’t dare do? That was underestimating her.
“It’s fine. I promise I won’t get mad.”
“Really?”
Shu Qingyou patiently repeated it.
Good then. Lin Xu exhaled, mumbling softly, “It’d be better to take off the pants.”
Shu Qingyou: …
As expected, Lin Xu’s calculations were spot on. She was momentarily speechless, her eyes cooling.
Did Lin Xu see her as nothing but suitable for that?
“I’m not thinking about that stuff.”
Really? Lin Xu grew restless, her fingers pressing hard on the thigh.
Just imagining Shu Qingyou’s long white legs—if she could massage them…
Her mind heated up. Huh? Why was she dizzy?
Until warm, bloody liquid seeped from her lip seam.
“Why are you…”
Shu Qingyou’s gaze filled with anxiety. She grabbed several tissues to catch Lin Xu’s flowing blood.
“Lift your head.”
“Oh, okay.”
Crap, how to explain the nosebleed? Lin Xu’s head felt congested, hard to think.
“Get up, give me your hand. I’ll take you to the bathroom.”
The nosebleed stopped soon after, but Lin Xu just wanted to make excuses fast.
“Maybe I got overheated from instant noodles.”
Shu Qingyou had her stand still, soaked a towel in warm water, and pressed it to her philtrum.
“You don’t need to explain.”
Ugh, her thoughts were seen through mercilessly.
Lin Xu felt life was bleak.
After a moment of gloom, the towel was so warm. Shu Qingyou was really good to her. She still liked her so much.
The blood stopped, but she was spent. She lightly gripped Shu Qingyou’s wrist, eyes moist.
“Sorry, I just… one whiff of your pheromones, and this happens.”
Lin Xu had expressed her fondness for Shu Qingyou’s pheromones more than once.
It was probably an Alpha instinct. Shu Qingyou thought she couldn’t stop her from breathing normally.
“Other Alphas don’t react like this. You’re special.”
“I get it. Your gland isn’t fully healed yet.”
Lin Xu was speechless, defeatedly leaning into Shu Qingyou’s shoulder nook. Even feeling the slight resistance, she mumbled dully, “Only like this do I feel a bit better.”
Shu Qingyou hesitated, two thoughts battling inside her.
If it was just simple romance, opening her heart wasn’t hard. But their passionate start had ended with Lin Xu’s cold, stranger-like gaze.
Rational thinking led to only one conclusion.
Sadly, she realized she’d never been rational enough—soft-hearted, easily lost in relationships, driven by impulses, even willing to die for the other.
She hadn’t changed, and neither had Lin Xu.
Treat it as temporary amusement. Shu Qingyou sighed helplessly and shook her head.
She slowly lifted her arm.
“Like this?”
Lin Xu’s heart surged; she stared dumbfounded. Shu Qingyou had actually initiated a hug, catching her off guard.
It felt like a dream. Was she willing to cuddle? No, maybe just friend comfort.
Unsure, she voiced her doubt. “Feels good, thanks Shu-jie. But are you sincere? Your teacher contacted you— are you going to toss me aside?”
Indeed, Shu Qingyou had considered it before, but plans didn’t always go as expected with Lin Xu’s successive antics.
In just a few short days, Lin Xu had a fever, tormented her mouth with super spicy wasabi, and now had a nosebleed.
Even from an acquaintance’s perspective, Shu Qingyou couldn’t ignore it.
And Lin Xu clearly needed her now. Love was free—Lin Xu’s current affection for her was real, even if influenced by pheromones; it couldn’t be denied.
Comforting Lin Xu was something Shu Qingyou was decent at. Might as well see it through.
“Don’t overthink. I was going to discuss it with you today anyway. I won’t send you away. We can be like this—if you need something, I’ll try to satisfy you as much as possible.”
It felt like fireworks exploding. Lin Xu couldn’t suppress her excitement and hugged Shu Qingyou, tightening her arms inch by inch.
Lin Xu buried herself in Shu Qingyou’s neck nook, enveloped by the reassuring pheromone scent.
“Besides hugs, are there other perks?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
