Chapter 3

Su Mi struggled to shift her gaze away from the skin that was as cold and white as ice.

Her heart raced strangely. It was probably because she was too nervous. The first time meeting the antagonist, she had been overwhelmed by the other’s presence.

Just as described in the original plot, the antagonist really was… really quite good-looking. Good-looking to the point of being a bit dazzling.

The back of her neck heated up faintly. Something seemed to be lurking and throbbing beneath her skin, almost transmitting something through the barrier patch.

But as the icy temperature drew closer, her gland suddenly cooled down, as if sprayed with a potent suppressant.

Shen Han passed by them and walked to the bookshelf against the wall nearby. She picked out a book and a record, placed the record into the phonograph in the corner, then approached them and handed the book to Xu Nanqiao.

“You’ve worked hard.” Shen Han said in a restrained and polite tone.

Shen Han returned to her seat behind the desk and turned up the brightness of the lamp on the desk that faced them.

She sat alone in the darkness. The leather creaked faintly, as if she had leaned back in her chair, watching them. She lay in wait quietly, like the mountains stretching behind her.

In any case—

Xu Nanqiao, accustomed to it, flipped open the book and skimmed the table of contents. Amid the melodious tune of some unknown piece, she began reading softly from the first chapter.

Su Mi: …

She tried hard not to look up at Shen Han across from her. She turned her head to watch Xu Nanqiao read, unable to hide her astonishment.

Admittedly, the serene and obedient omega sat before the high-backed sofa chair with her waist and back straight, uniform neat, and voice line very gentle. The scene was beautiful, like a painting.

A glimpse could reveal the dangerous undertones of the person in power, and this obedient female student made for a very matching CP.

But… no way, right?

You two loners, one A and one O, alone in the same room every week, and you’re really just reading?

–

Xu Nanqiao read for about thirty or forty minutes and finished a chapter of the book.

There was no clock in the study. By the time Xu Nanqiao closed the book, it was already pitch black outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Xu Nanqiao seemed very familiar with this routine. She placed the book on the desk in front of Shen Han, turned around, and was about to pull Su Mi along to leave.

Shen Han suddenly spoke up. “I’ve thought about what you mentioned last time.”

Her voice was different from before, lazy and sated, as if satisfied by something.

Xu Nanqiao’s footsteps halted.

Su Mi instinctively held her breath and looked toward Shen Han.

In the darkness, Shen Han’s face was still indistinct. The light and shadows reflected from the floor-to-ceiling windows only illuminated the seated and standing Xu Nanqiao and Su Mi.

Her tone was indifferent. “I have no intention of forcing or interfering with your choice of school. Prime City University is also a great option. Just focus on your studies. You don’t need to worry about the others.”

Su Mi quickly looked up and met Xu Nanqiao’s eyes. She secretly clenched her fist.

Meaning, see? I told you Shen Han would soften toward you.

Xu Nanqiao’s expression was still a bit tense. She thanked Shen Han, then turned to leave.

Su Mi wanted to go with her, but she heard Shen Han say, “Su Mi.”

Su Mi: … She had been kept after.

She obediently sat back in her original spot, even placing both hands neatly on her knees.

Xu Nanqiao closed the door. The study fell into complete silence. The record on the phonograph had already reached its end, with no more sound.

Shen Han said, “Congratulations on finishing your differentiation. I had Secretary Zhuang order a new Amissa sports car for you. It’ll be delivered to your home shortly. If you don’t like it or want something else, just tell me.”

Su Mi: “…”

The pupils in her round puppy-dog eyes shrank, somewhat surprised.

This domineering CEO moment shouldn’t belong to me, right…?

Sure enough.

Shen Han continued, “Xu Nanqiao has a simple personality. Although there’s no problem with her getting into Prime City University, life after enrollment probably won’t be as peaceful as it is in Lolan with you and me around. Do you have any intentions regarding your choice of school?”

Su Mi: So that’s where she was waiting.

In the original work, this was probably the starting point where the original host developed jealousy and other emotions toward Xu Nanqiao.

In the past, the original host knew that Shen Han had never been one to get close to omegas. Although she was special toward Xu Nanqiao, her demeanor had always been indifferent and unaffected.

But this time with the school choice, Shen Han, who had never changed her mind about anything before, compromised for Xu Nanqiao for the first time. And to ensure Xu Nanqiao wouldn’t be bullied at Prime City University, she directly had the original host apply there too.

It was worth noting that the original host had always aimed to enter high society. Prime City University was a top domestic academic institution, but in terms of networking and student class, it was far inferior to Holy Cross Academy where Shen Han was. Moreover, as Shen Han’s lackey, the original host had to follow wherever Shen Han went.

Thus, the original host had never considered possibilities outside of Holy Cross Academy.

Not only that, but the original host’s differentiation result this time was omega. Facing Shen Han and Xu Nanqiao’s interactions, she couldn’t help but think: I’m an omega too. Since Shen Han could look favorably on the delicate omega Xu Nanqiao, why not me?

She suppressed the jealousy in her heart and agreed to Shen Han, then immediately began her first instance of covert bullying against Xu Nanqiao, which directly led to the first meeting between the protagonists in the original work.

Su Mi answered thoughtfully and sincerely, “Prime City University is also the school of my dreams.”

Her gaze looked devoutly toward the antagonist’s direction.

Shen Han let out a very soft chuckle.

“That’s good,” she said. “Secretary Zhuang will handle the specifics for you. No need to worry.”

The stuffy atmosphere in the study suddenly circulated. Su Mi let out a soft breath and suddenly realized that at some point, the temperature around her was no longer as cold as before.

Shen Han said, “It’s getting late. Head back soon. Don’t worry your mother and the others.”

Su Mi agreed, slowly stood up, glanced toward the desk, and walked to the door.

“Su Mi, can you smell anything special in the air?”

Shen Han suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Su Mi was startled, then pretended to be curious and sniffed hard a few times before shaking her head. “No.”

Shen Han said nothing. Su Mi turned back with an obedient smile, her gaze fixed on the void darkness, as if she could see those ice-blue eyes and the striking tear mole beneath them in the dark.

Su Mi twirled the slightly curly short hair by her cheek. Golden strands wrapped around her fingertip as she calmly said, “Sister, I’m a beta.”

Shen Han hummed, then said lazily, “Alright, go on.”

Su Mi didn’t close her eyes until she exited the reception room and saw Xu Nanqiao waiting outside.

Trying to piece together and probe the antagonist’s personality through the original work’s general plot summary and the vague, fragmented memories in her mind was indeed futile.

But… it was interesting.

A double image appeared before Su Mi’s eyes: the captivating eyes on the tall woman’s cold, white, and beautiful face, mixed together with the heavy study from her memories and the flowing violin music.

Only afterward did she realize her heart was pounding fiercely.

Xu Nanqiao came over and took her arm. “Su Mi, are you okay?”

Su Mi looked at the concerned Xu Nanqiao and calmed down.

After weighing it in her mind, she felt that telling her now about also going to Prime City University might backfire.

She shook her head and said, “She just asked a few things about my differentiation.”

The two went downstairs hand in hand, back to the living room. Secretary Zhuang sat on the sofa tapping away at his computer. Su Mi had no intention of lingering. After being held back by the housekeeper to drink a cup of flower tea, she took Xu Nanqiao and left by car.

Back in the car, the constant temperature system kicked in, and the interior quickly warmed up. Su Mi exhaled.

Su Mi recalled the earlier sensation.

She asked casually, “Is it because there are so many mountains around? The villa always feels a bit cold.”

“It’s not cold, is it?” Xu Nanqiao said. “Is it because you just went through your differentiation period? It’s normal for your constitution to be a bit weaker.”

Su Mi hummed, glanced strangely at Xu Nanqiao, and reluctantly accepted the explanation.

Xu Nanqiao asked, “Hey, what did you think after I brought you up there today?”

Su Mi said, “Do you want the honest truth?”

Xu Nanqiao said, “Of course.”

Su Mi said, “Mm, I didn’t expect you were really just reading to Shen Han.”

Xu Nanqiao reached out and pinched Su Mi’s arm. “Differentiated into a beta and now you’re acting wild, huh? Saying stuff like that.”

Su Mi laughed. “I thought you two made a pretty good match… Okay, okay, don’t pinch. I won’t say it.”

She made a zipping motion over her mouth.

After dropping Xu Nanqiao off at her building, just as she was about to get out, Su Mi called out to her. “Wait, can I ask one more curious question?”

“What’s Shen Han’s pheromone scent?” Su Mi asked sincerely.

Xu Nanqiao was stunned. A flush suddenly spread across her face. She tugged at her backpack and said, “You… you sleep through culture class and don’t pay attention in common sense class either! I’m going to hit you with my bag!”

Su Mi closed the car door and sped off.

On the way home, the System finally gave Su Mi a rundown.

In this ABO world from the book, technology was advanced, and pheromone masking was extremely thorough. Almost no one would leak their pheromone scent in public. Moreover, between AO, knowing each other’s pheromone scent was equivalent to having had very intimate contact to the point of being unable to control oneself.

Thus, when Su Mi asked Xu Nanqiao if she knew Shen Han’s pheromone scent, it was like asking if she had done x with Shen Han.

No wonder Xu Nanqiao was so embarrassed and annoyed.

So, that question Shen Han asked right before she left—was she probing something?

Su Mi couldn’t figure it out.

Her gaze flicked to the upper right corner. The dim percentage number lit up upon receiving attention.

80%.

It dropped 10%? Just from meeting the female lead once and reading for half an hour, and it had such a strong effect?

The System couldn’t provide the specific factors affecting the blackening value’s rise and fall. The only known influencing factor so far was the female lead. It seemed that to complete the task, she had to start from the female lead.

Try to prevent the protagonists’ emotional development and try to improve their relationship…

Su Mi rubbed her temples and sighed.

Back at the Su Family, the car automatically parked in the garage. Su Mi spotted the sports car Shen Han had mentioned as a gift nearby—tender yellow, with sleek lines, brand new inside and out, fully equipped, and clearly expensive.

Su Mi searched online, and sure enough, the price was followed by a string of zeros.

The interior was probably top-spec too. Su Mi circled the sports car once, opened the trunk, and found several gifts inside.

The largest item was a golf bag. Su Mi unzipped it to reveal several custom clubs with gold and diamond inlays. The smaller gifts beside it were luxury bags and accessories.

If it weren’t for the female lead insisting on going to Prime City University, the original host’s differentiation gifts would probably have just been the stuff in the trunk.

But with the change in university aspirations added in, the antagonist had thrown in the sports car as an extra gift.

Rich.

The original plot mentioned that the female lead didn’t like “charity” gifts, so the antagonist rarely gave her anything valuable.

But she, this vain little cannon fodder, got to benefit from it.

Not only was the antagonist sending her to a top domestic university as a “study buddy,” but also gifting her a luxury car.

Throwing around this much money so casually, no wonder the original host was willing to risk pretending to be a beta just to keep following her.

Su Mi knew the meaning behind the gift. Aside from marveling at it, she had no other thoughts.

She circled the car, took a few photos, and first sent one to Shen Han.

Su Mi: Sister, got the car. It’s really pretty. Thank you^^

Shen Han replied quickly, though only with a single “Good.”

Su Mi then selected a few photos and, following the original host’s habit, posted them to Moments with a caption lightly showing off: Sister’s differentiation gift [heart][cute]

She took the private elevator from the underground garage up to her home. Her younger sister Su Yi was already asleep. Su Mi quietly peeked through the door twice before returning to her own room. She took a shower and changed into a new barrier patch.

Her light brain showed that the new Moments post already had hundreds of likes. The comments were lively too, all from classmates at her school chatting away. The name mentioned most frequently was President Shen.

Some private messages had popped up as well. Su Mi tapped open a four-person group chat that the original host often chatted in. The girls inside had already exchanged over a hundred messages, all about makeup, fashion, and gossip.

This was probably the original host’s closest bestie group.

The latest message was someone who had @’d her: “Su Su, has your differentiation period ended? Someone said they saw your car parked at the school gate this afternoon.”

Su Mi replied: “Yeah.”

Friend A: “What did Su Su come to school for? Isn’t there still a few days of break left?”

Friend C: “Did you go see President Shen today? The new car is so pretty—it’s that tender yellow you like the most. President Shen is so good to Su Su~”

Friend Y: “Right, how did Su Su’s differentiation turn out?”

Su Mi: “Beta.”

The group’s chat rhythm paused for a moment.

Then the three of them started chiming in all at once to comfort Su Mi. Their words included, but were not limited to, praising how Su Mi was Shen Han’s one and only pampered little sister, and how it didn’t matter that Xu Nanqiao was an Omega, blah blah…

If it had been the original host, she would have felt both smug and pleased at that moment.

Then, under the fervent urging of her bestie groups, she got carried away and had one of them contact some thugs they knew. The next day, they cornered the female lead in a back alley, setting up a classic hero-saves-the-beauty encounter with the other protagonist.

Finally, Friend A probed: “Su Su, what do you think of Xu Nanqiao now?”

Su Mi: “Huh? No particular thoughts.”

Just as Friend Y typed out something like “Su Su, you’re so kind-hearted,” Su Mi followed up:

Su Mi: “I just rather simply see her as my sister-in-law ^^.”