Chapter 31

With Shu Qingyou’s permission, Lin Xu was exceptionally attentive. From her observations, Shu Qingyou usually bought enough vegetables for three days at a time.

Shu Qingyou turned off the engine and pulled out the car keys. A hand with slightly protruding veins pressed down on her index finger. “I know what you and Rongrong like to eat. From now on, I’ll handle all the grocery shopping.”

Lin Xu’s gentle tone of voice resembled the image she had when they first met—like a caring girlfriend. The warmth covering the back of her hand made Shu Qingyou stiffen for a moment, and she brushed Lin Xu away with her left hand.

“Fine.”

Even after being pushed away, Lin Xu’s steps remained light. After all, with the child watching, anyone would feel shy.

The vegetable market in the suburban area was quite spacious, though not very clean. The stench of sewage lingered all day, but the process went smoothly. With her sharp ears and eyes, she watched others haggle and mimicked them perfectly.

She proudly lifted the two large bags of spoils to show off to Shu Qingyou. Lin Xu didn’t quite understand why Shu Qingyou avoided meat. From Shu Wan Ning, she had learned that Shu Qingyou used to eat everything without restriction.

But now wasn’t the time to ask about such trivial matters.

Shu Qingyou didn’t question the excessive amount of groceries Lin Xu had bought. Most of the food on the dinner table ended up in Lin Xu’s stomach, and over these days, it had become routine.

One thing was hard to accept—Lin Xu’s gaze was hotter than usual, almost tangible. And when Shu Qingyou looked back at her, Lin Xu blushed and turned her face away.

It wasn’t until Lin Xu coaxed Shu Rong into the bedroom to sleep that things settled. Shu Rong had wanted to resist at first, but the big sister promised to take her to the amusement park, so she obediently let herself be tucked into bed.

The bathroom door opened, releasing a cloud of fragrant steam.

Seeing Lin Xu waiting outside, wearing only a short-sleeved shirt, Shu Qingyou’s heart pounded. She instinctively wrapped her bathrobe tighter. “What are you doing?”

Why act so repulsed? After bustling around all afternoon, Master Lin pouted and raised an eyebrow. “Sister Shu, I got Rongrong to sleep.”

Shu Qingyou glanced at the clock—7:30. It was a bit early; Shu Rong usually didn’t sleep until nine.

“Thanks.”

With that said, Shu Qingyou looked embarrassed. Why was Lin Xu standing there like a wooden post? That familiar, oppressive pressure returned.

Lin Xu sheepishly scratched her cheek with her fingertip. “You’re welcome. I’m not trying to show off or anything.”

That cheek-scratching gesture—wasn’t it a hint?

Remembering, Shu Qingyou sighed and slightly lifted her chin. Her lips brushed against Lin Xu’s cheek.

They parted in less than a second.

The soft fragrance was so close. It was just a light touch, but Lin Xu’s heart raced wildly. Still, she wasn’t satisfied. What was this? She wasn’t some little pet.

She righteously protested, “That’s too perfunctory. I need more energy.”

Shu Qingyou didn’t process what Lin Xu meant by “energy” at first. Suddenly, her arms were pinned, and hot breath sprayed on her neck, scorching her enough to make her want to retreat instinctively.

The bathroom mist hadn’t fully dissipated, leaving a faint trace of moisture.

Lin Xu only leaned down her upper body. What she had thought was a misperception earlier was real—Shu Qingyou’s gland was slightly red, and the scent of sweet orange pheromones spread out.

Intoxicated by the pheromones, Lin Xu still honored their agreement of a cheek kiss. Speaking from the heart toward the gland, her voice carried a seductive lilt.

“Qingyou, the kiss I meant wasn’t some fleeting peck on the cheek.”

At that form of address, Shu Qingyou panicked. Even with her body restrained, she demanded breathlessly, “What did you call me?”

Lin Xu noticed the stiffness under her hands. Afraid of hurting her, she explained, “Qingyou, you don’t like it?”

Her expression was natural. Shu Qingyou’s gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds before she imperceptibly exhaled, the weight lifting from her heart.

“I’m going to change clothes.”

She forgot that in her current position, nestled against Lin Xu, escape was impossible.

“Wait.”

Lin Xu murmured, drawing even closer. Her eyes held only the cherry-red, watery hue.

Her lips pressed to the corner of Shu Qingyou’s mouth. Fresh from the bath, Shu Qingyou’s entire body had been soaked.

Lin Xu’s mind instantly filled with countless orange blossoms drifting in the wind. She closed her eyes and continued to grind. “Qingyou, you taste so sweet.”

Shu Qingyou froze. Her gaze involuntarily shifted downward. The sensation on her lips was clear and soft, with something slick licking at her lip.

Unsure if she’d mind this kind of kiss, Lin Xu poured her all into it. Her tongue tip nudged against Shu Qingyou’s lips.

She licked instinctively, her hands sliding down from Shu Qingyou’s arms to embrace her boneless, slender waist.

So delicious—this was a million times sweeter than those little cakes.

Watery sounds echoed in Shu Qingyou’s ears. Unsure how to handle the situation, she weakly tried to lean back but was firmly trapped by Lin Xu.

She endured the kiss forcibly.

No, this was absurd. So Lin Xu’s “kiss” meant a real kiss?

She tried to speak, but a soft moan escaped her throat instead.

Caught between advancing and retreating, Lin Xu’s pheromones were as eager as she was. Shu Qingyou gradually couldn’t resist, her mind growing more muddled.

Lin Xu’s neck gained some weight as Shu Qingyou’s arm, hidden under the bathrobe sleeve, wrapped around her.

Such proactive response was like pouring fuel on the fire in Lin Xu’s heart.

Shu Qingyou wasn’t skilled at kissing. Lin Xu squinted her eyes open—Shu Qingyou’s face was flushed red.

She learned on the fly, her tongue boldly pressing forward, trying to pry open Shu Qingyou’s teeth. She mumbled, “Breathe through your nose… Qingyou.”

Those two words were like a spell. Shu Qingyou obeyed, breathing through her nose, and her mouth parted accordingly. Instantly, something slick invaded.

The tongue tip stirred inside her mouth, hooking onto the evading surface.

“Mm…”

Shu Qingyou breathed harder, but the air was thick with their pheromones—like inhaling an aphrodisiac.

Her gland itched uncontrollably.

She was practically hanging off Lin Xu. Lin Xu felt like she could never get enough; her parched mouth was finally quenched with sweet nectar.

Lin Xu’s thigh wedged in as well.

It nearly made Shu Qingyou cry. Omega instincts took over, pressing her upper body seamlessly against Lin Xu.

Lin Xu sensed the Omega in her arms had melted into a puddle. Though dominant as an Alpha, she remained somewhat gentle and released her when she knew Shu Qingyou couldn’t take more.

When their lips parted, a glistening strand of silver stretched between them before snapping in midair.

Shu Qingyou, unsatisfied and desirous, grabbed the back of Lin Xu’s head. “More…”

Lin Xu looked at her—eyes tinged red at the corners, dotted with teary lights, devoid of clarity.

Reluctant to end their intimate pose, Lin Xu’s hand rested on her waist, chuckling lowly. “Sister Shu, do you want another reward kiss?”

Shu Qingyou tilted her head slightly, bewildered, her once-clear eyes unfocused. “Kiss?”

“Still haven’t figured it out?” Lin Xu mischievously touched the gland, releasing pheromones. She smeared them on her fingertip and pressed it to Shu Qingyou’s lips, like spreading cream.

Only then did she tell Shu Qingyou, “I noticed you didn’t put on an Inhibitor Patch.”

Shu Qingyou’s body trembled sharply, urgently craving the Alpha’s comfort. “Hug.”

Lin Xu swallowed, wondering if she’d gone too far. A bit scared, she retracted her pheromones to let Shu Qingyou sober up sooner.

She had some control over her own gland now.

But Lin Xu still held her. “Don’t worry, it’ll pass soon.”

Omegas typically needed a long time for post-matter soothing, but for just a kiss, it was only about ten minutes.

Their long hair tangled together. Shu Qingyou nestled into Lin Xu’s shoulder, breathing steadily.

Worried, Lin Xu asked again, “Feeling better?”

Shu Qingyou stayed silent, pushed her away, and lowered her long lashes.

Walking so quickly away—Lin Xu watched her back. Nothing serious, then. Shu Qingyou’s recovery was impressive.

Shu Qingyou sat on the bed’s edge. Shu Rong slept peacefully, her serene little face now a bit plumper, like a small white bun.

Lin Xu got along great with Rongrong. The recent proactive scene flashed in her mind, and she buried her face in her arms.

Was it just because Lin Xu’s recent performance barely met standards that she became so ravenous?

Lin Xu had no sleepiness at all. The more she thought, the more excited she got. Shu Qingyou had enjoyed the kiss.

Sigh, she wanted a second time—or more. She opened her phone and searched: “How to Properly Woo an Omega.”

Forum replies.

[Money power—the best cosmetic for Alphas.]

No good; she was broke.

[To win her heart, win her stomach.]

Lin Xu frowned. Not burning the food was already progress for her. She scrolled past.

Skipping unreliable ones, she kept looking until her eyes lit up. This one was perfect.

To avoid scaring Shu Qingyou, she watched videos for half an hour to prepare.

She opened the wardrobe, tossed her phone inside, and changed into a loose white shirt. She tugged at it—it barely covered her long, fair legs.

First time seducing an Omega. Hopefully, it wouldn’t backfire.

To not disturb Shu Rong, she knocked lightly.

Seeing Lin Xu’s outfit, Shu Qingyou’s lips pressed into a thin line. She turned to close the door.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on the shirt’s faintly visible curves. The fabric was somewhat sheer.

It was normal not to wear a bra at night, but why no pants? Lin Xu’s long, straight white legs kept rubbing against the shirt’s hem… Shu Qingyou’s slender fingers slowly clenched.

Lin Xu felt a bit disappointed. Didn’t Shu Qingyou want to pounce on her at all?

She couldn’t be that unappealing.

Stalemate wasn’t ideal, so she broke the ice. “I don’t know where my phone dropped. Couldn’t find it outside. Sister Shu, help me look.”

Shu Qingyou had been avoiding her touch. “In the guest room?”

Lin Xu hooked her pinky. “My pheromones are unstable; I feel a bit off. Go find it for me, please.”

No choice—Shu Qingyou searched the room thoroughly. Not in the drawers either.

Turning back, she saw Lin Xu holding a phone, smirking. “I just called myself. Listen carefully for the vibration.”

Her brain short-circuited. Shu Qingyou regretted agreeing to the kiss request; she hadn’t even thought of such a simple trick.

Following the vibration, she pinpointed it and crouched to open the wardrobe’s lower compartment. To her shock, it was filled with red and black lace thongs.

Two flushes bloomed on Shu Qingyou’s face. Ever since Lin Xu arrived, online shopping had skyrocketed, and she rarely interfered.

Regardless, clothing was Lin Xu’s freedom; she had no right to meddle. She took a deep breath.

“The phone’s here. Get it yourself…”

Shu Qingyou could no longer stay calm. Lin Xu seemed to have abandoned all propriety—the shirt’s top three buttons were undone.

The collar flipped open, exposing large swaths of snowy skin without reservation.

Her lips parted slightly, eyes silky with desire. Squatting beside Shu Qingyou, she bit her lip in feigned distress. “Mm, Sister Shu, help me. My hand’s sore.”

Snap—

A nonexistent string in Shu Qingyou’s mind suddenly broke.