Chapter 99
Xu Jinnan didn’t sleep that night.
She contacted a security company, hiring several top-tier bodyguards – two for Little Crescent Moon, and several more for Sacred Heart Pictures and Shen Shu, both overt and covert protection, leaving nothing to chance.
She was on edge, her anxiety a tight knot in her chest, her mind constantly replaying the events of the day, the near-disaster on the rooftop. She had never felt this tense, this hyper-vigilant, since arriving in this world.
And there was no escape, no reprieve, her mind still racing even after making all the necessary arrangements.
She had been too complacent, too naive.
She should have taken these precautions after the parking garage incident, should have anticipated that those targeting her would eventually go after the people she cared about.
Her own carelessness, her assumption that with Xu Tao hospitalized and Xu Li arrested, with Li Lan’s help, the danger had passed…
It was her fault Shen Shu and Little Crescent Moon had been targeted.
And she had seen Bai Xiao before, that gray Volkswagen, twice, but she hadn’t been vigilant enough, hadn’t recognized the threat.
While she wasn’t responsible for Bai Xiao’s actions, a deep sense of guilt gnawed at her, the weight of it a heavy burden.
She hadn’t protected Shen Shu.
And she hadn’t protected Little Crescent Moon.
The guilt was a constant reminder of her failure, her inadequacy, keeping her awake, her mind racing.
Her sleepless night was evident in the pallor of her face, the dark circles under her eyes.
At 5 a.m., the nurse entered the room with their medication, and Shen Shu, roused by the sound, saw Xu Jinnan sitting on the sofa, her head bowed, her fingers tapping on her phone.
She glanced at Little Crescent Moon, who was still asleep.
After the nurse left, she whispered, “Aren’t you tired? Get some rest.” She hadn’t slept well either, waking up several times during the night, her mind replaying the events of the day, the trauma of the rooftop incident still fresh in her mind, the unfamiliar surroundings of the hospital room amplifying her anxiety.
She knew Xu Jinnan hadn’t slept much either.
Xu Jinnan looked up, shaking her head. “I’m fine,” she replied.
Shen Shu, her face pale and her eyes sleepy, leaned against the pillow, watching her, the buttons of her thin, black cardigan undone, revealing a white tank top beneath.
“Come here,” she murmured, her voice hoarse.
Xu Jinnan stood up and walked over to the bed, gently stroking Shen Shu’s hair. “What’s wrong?”
Shen Shu tugged at her shirt, pulling her closer, her leg brushing against the edge of the bed.
“Hug me,” she whispered.
Xu Jinnan’s heart melted, and she opened her arms, pulling Shen Shu into a warm embrace, Shen Shu’s face buried in her stomach, her warm breath against Xu Jinnan’s skin, a comforting presence.
Xu Jinnan kissed her forehead.
“What do you want for breakfast? I’ll have Viola bring something,” she asked.
“I’m not hungry. Just something simple,” Shen Shu replied, her voice muffled against Xu Jinnan’s shirt.
It seemed like just holding each other was enough to dispel the lingering fear and exhaustion.
—
Little Crescent Moon finally woke up a little after 8 a.m.
She seemed fine, physically, but the trauma of the previous day had subdued her usual cheerful energy.
Shen Shu gently took her hand, her fingers interlaced with the little girl’s. “I was so scared yesterday,” she said softly. “Seeing how brave you were… I felt a little ashamed. Little Crescent Moon, will you think Auntie Shen Shu is a coward now?”
Little Crescent Moon’s large, round eyes blinked. Hearing Shen Shu call herself a coward, she immediately protested, “No! Auntie Shen Shu is brave too!”
“Really?” Shen Shu asked, her heart warming at her words. “But what if I’m still scared?”
Little Crescent Moon thought for a moment, then took Shen Shu’s hand in hers, her small fingers gently patting Shen Shu’s hand. “It’s okay. The director said it’s normal to be scared after something like that. It’s not shameful. Actually… I was scared too. But with you and Auntie Nannan here, and the director, I wasn’t so scared anymore.”
Such wisdom from a four-year-old, Xu Jinnan thought, surprised by her words. Children had a way of softening your heart.
“Little Crescent Moon is right,” she said, her voice gentle and reassuring.
Little Crescent Moon’s spirits seemed to lift slightly, and she continued patting Shen Shu’s hand. “Auntie Shen Shu, did you hear that? Don’t be scared! Auntie Nannan will protect us! Right?” She looked up at Xu Jinnan.
Xu Jinnan’s heart melted, and she reached out, gently stroking Little Crescent Moon’s soft cheek, her other hand covering both their hands. “Yes,” she said softly, “I’ll protect you both.” I won’t let anyone hurt you again.
“I’ll grow up quickly and protect you too! Don’t be scared!” Little Crescent Moon said. “Auntie Shen Shu, we have to be brave! Don’t cry! But if you’re really sad or scared, it’s okay to cry. Just don’t cry alone, okay? Auntie Nannan and I will worry about you.”
Shen Shu’s eyes welled up. “Okay, I’ll learn from you, Little Crescent Moon. And if you’re ever scared or sad, you have to tell me too, okay?”
Little Crescent Moon bit her lip, glancing at Shen Shu, then at Xu Jinnan.
“I… I was scared yesterday, but I’m better now. That lady didn’t hurt me. She just… wouldn’t let me talk. It was a little scary… Why did she do that? Is she okay now?”
Shen Shu paused. “She’s… having some problems. There was a misunderstanding, but it’s been resolved. She wanted to apologize, but she was too embarrassed, so she asked me to tell you she’s sorry,” she said gently.
“Oh, then she must be having a really hard time. She was so scary when she broke the window… But I can forgive her. Maybe later. I’m still a little… scared of her,” Little Crescent Moon said.
Xu Jinnan, listening to their conversation, felt a strange mix of emotions.
Shen Shu’s usual coldness had melted away, replaced by a gentle tenderness, her words comforting not just Little Crescent Moon, but Xu Jinnan as well.
Neither of their childhoods had been happy, and they both wanted Little Crescent Moon to have better memories, not the fear and anxiety that still haunted them.
—
Around noon, Tong Jia and Viola arrived, carrying two thermal food containers.
“Why did you two come together?” Xu Jinnan asked casually, pouring some chicken soup into a bowl.
“Just happened to be going in the same direction,” Tong Jia replied. “I told her I was coming here, and she offered me a ride.”
Xu Jinnan raised an eyebrow, then nodded, not commenting.
After feeding Little Crescent Moon some soup, Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu sat down to eat their own lunch – shrimp, sweet and sour pork ribs, and stir-fried potatoes and green peppers, all their favorites, prepared by Tong Jia.
While they ate, Tong Jia and Viola chatted with Little Crescent Moon.
Viola was mostly quiet, working on her phone, occasionally glancing up to ask Xu Jinnan a question, but she was always attentive, anticipating Tong Jia’s needs.
Like now, as Tong Jia paused while reading a story to Little Crescent Moon, her throat dry, about to reach for her water bottle, Viola handed it to her.
Tong Jia glanced at her, their eyes meeting briefly.
Then, they heard Little Crescent Moon giggle, a soft, almost muffled sound.
“Auntie Jia Jia, are you two… together?” she whispered.
Tong Jia almost choked on her water. “Little Crescent Moon, you’re too young to be saying such things,” she said, her voice slightly flustered.
Viola smiled, not denying it.
Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu, sitting nearby, exchanged an amused look.
“You two are like Auntie Nannan and Auntie Shen Shu,” Little Crescent Moon continued, “but you’re not together yet, because if you were, you would be… like them.”
Tong Jia’s ears turned red, especially seeing Viola’s amused smile, her lack of embarrassment only intensifying Tong Jia’s own.
She pouted, glancing at Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu. “Oh? And what are they like?”
“Can I tell you?” Little Crescent Moon asked, looking at them.
Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu also looked at her, curious.
Little Crescent Moon, encouraged by their attention, her cheeks puffing out slightly, said, “They kiss.”
Xu Jinnan & Shen Shu: “…”
Tong Jia’s eyes lit up. “When did you see them kissing?” she asked eagerly.
“Jia Jia,” Shen Shu said, trying to stop her.
“Last night!” Little Crescent Moon exclaimed.
Xu Jinnan & Shen Shu: “…”
No way, they both thought.
Tong Jia turned to them, her eyes wide. “Last… night?”
Viola also turned her head slightly, her ears perked up.
“I dreamed about it,” Little Crescent Moon said.
The sudden shift in tone, like a rollercoaster, left everyone speechless.
Little Crescent Moon took a sip of milk, licking her lips. “But I really did see them kissing this morning!”
Xu Jinnan & Shen Shu: “…”
Perhaps we should be more discreet around children.
—
Little Crescent Moon stayed at the hospital for another day.
Xu Jinnan brought her laptop to the hospital room, and Shen Shu, having taken the day off, had to reschedule a few appointments, even canceling a filming session, which meant the entire production had to wait for her, the schedule delayed.
The Xu Corporation situation was at a critical juncture.
In the end, after discussing it with the director, they decided to send Little Crescent Moon back to the orphanage. Besides their own busy schedules, she would be more comfortable in a familiar environment, which would be better for her recovery.
The director said Lin Wei, upon hearing about the incident, had postponed her departure, which relieved both Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu.
Despite their earlier disagreement, they were grateful for Lin Wei’s dedication.
Xu Jinnan had upgraded the orphanage’s security system and hired a few more guards, who would accompany the director and Little Crescent Moon back to the orphanage.
.
It was a little past 1 p.m. when Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu drove back to North City.
News of Bai Xiao’s death had already been reported, but they avoided it, and even Tong Jia, when she visited them later, didn’t mention it, sensing their need for some peace and quiet.
It had only been two days, but it felt like a lifetime.
Especially for Xu Jinnan.
She had barely slept, her nights plagued by nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat, finding comfort only in Shen Shu’s presence.
Shen Shu had also noticed Xu Jinnan’s low spirits, her frequent moments of distraction when she wasn’t with Shen Shu or Little Crescent Moon, her brow furrowed in thought.
.
Back at the apartment, as soon as the door closed, Shen Shu leaned in, her arms circling Xu Jinnan’s waist, the sweet scent of her pheromones filling the air.
Xu Jinnan instinctively wrapped her arms around Shen Shu, the Omega’s soft body a comforting weight against hers.
Shen Shu’s fingertips gently traced the outline of Xu Jinnan’s collarbone, her lips finding the sensitive skin of her neck, then moving upwards to her lips.
Xu Jinnan’s fingers tightened around Shen Shu’s waist, the soft fabric of her dress crumpling in her grasp.
They moved from the entrance to the bedroom, their desire a shared urgency, unlike anything they had experienced before.
Perhaps it was the memory of their interrupted intimacy, or perhaps they simply needed this release, this connection, their bodies seeking comfort and reassurance in each other’s arms.
Or perhaps they simply needed each other.
They had become, without even realizing it, each other’s anchor, their safe harbor in the storm.
.
Like drowning in a sea of warm sunlight, the scent of their mingled pheromones, Xu Jinnan’s sunny fragrance and Shen Shu’s sweet vanilla, filled the air, a heady, intoxicating mix.
A chemical reaction.
As a tingling sensation shot through her scent gland, a familiar warning sign, Xu Jinnan’s movements, instead of slowing down, intensified, her grip tightening on Shen Shu’s waist.
“It hurts…” Shen Shu whispered, her face flushed, her body trembling slightly as she leaned against Xu Jinnan’s shoulder, her voice hoarse. “Xu Jinnan…”
The soft moan, the plea in her voice, snapped Xu Jinnan back to reality, and she looked down at the red marks on Shen Shu’s neck, near her ear, the skin inflamed.
Her eyes widened, her heart pounding.
She had lost control, her instincts overriding her usual caution, the pain in her scent gland ignored.
Normally, she would have immediately pulled back, but today, she hadn’t…
She had been so close to losing herself completely, to marking Shen Shu permanently.
She realized, with a sudden surge of fear, that Professor Qin’s warning had been prophetic – the pheromone blockers were losing their effectiveness.
Her anxiety quelled her desire, but Shen Shu’s body was still trembling, her breathing ragged, and Xu Jinnan, ignoring the throbbing pain in her scent gland, carried her to the bathroom.
.
An hour later, they emerged, Shen Shu’s face flushed, her body still slightly damp, her legs weak, her arm resting on Xu Jinnan’s shoulder for support.
The bed in the master bedroom was… unusable, so they went to the guest room.
Shen Shu leaned against Xu Jinnan, her head resting on her chest, her eyes half-closed with exhaustion.
Xu Jinnan turned off the lights.
“Go to sleep,” she murmured, her voice husky, her chest vibrating with the effort of speaking.
“Mm, I’m tired,” Shen Shu replied, her ear tingling at the sound of Xu Jinnan’s voice.
After a moment, Xu Jinnan’s hand gently touched Shen Shu’s neck, her scent gland still slightly swollen and warm to the touch, despite her earlier efforts to soothe the inflammation.
She hadn’t realized how sensitive Shen Shu was, her touch making Shen Shu shiver and instinctively snuggle closer.
“Does it still hurt?” Xu Jinnan asked softly.
“A little,” Shen Shu murmured, her eyes closed.
Xu Jinnan pulled her closer, holding her gently.
Shen Shu’s lips brushed against Xu Jinnan’s chest as she looked up at her, assuming Xu Jinnan wanted to continue.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice soft and inviting, her neck exposed in the dim light.
Xu Jinnan: “…”
She didn’t respond, her mind elsewhere, simply holding Shen Shu close and enjoying the warmth of her body, the sweet scent of her pheromones, a comforting presence after a restless night.
.
Shen Shu’s scent gland was less swollen in the morning, but still slightly red, and Xu Jinnan gently applied some ointment before Shen Shu left for work.
The redness was still visible, so Shen Shu wore a high-necked sweater, leaving early and telling Xu Jinnan not to bother driving her.
As soon as she left, Shen Shu touched her neck; it was more painful than she had let on, similar to the soreness she had felt after their encounter in the fitting room, and this time, even without a full marking, the lingering effects of Xu Jinnan’s pheromones were making her skin tingle.
She had almost cried out earlier, asking Xu Jinnan to be gentler.
But she hadn’t wanted to worry her, knowing Xu Jinnan would be even more cautious, more hesitant, if she knew…
–
Back at the apartment, Xu Jinnan was also feeling uneasy. Her scent gland had been unusually sensitive lately, reacting to almost every contact with Shen Shu.
She went to see Professor Qin.
After a brief examination, he confirmed her fears.
“Miss Xu, your Alpha pheromone levels are incredibly high,” he said, his brow furrowed. “And your sensitivity has increased. This can only mean one thing – your body is developing a resistance to the medication and the pheromone blockers. They’re becoming less effective.”
Xu Jinnan’s face paled. “So, I really did hurt Shen Shu because of my… sensitivity,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Professor Qin nodded grimly. Physical intimacy could trigger a surge in pheromone production, exacerbating the sensitivity, which, in turn, could lead to a loss of control, a vicious cycle.
And with her high compatibility with Shen Shu, her reactions were even more intense.
“It’s a self-perpetuating cycle. And with your high pheromone compatibility with Miss Shen, your reactions are even more pronounced,” he explained.
