Chapter 34

Was there really any difference between the two? Though the wording and sequence differed slightly, they boiled down to essentially the same thing.

Ye Chengxing’s face burned even hotter upon hearing Li Jia’s words.

She couldn’t tell if it was helpless frustration from her embarrassment, or sheer mortification—or perhaps both.

Eyeing Li Jia, who showed no sign of letting go, Ye Chengxing parted her lips. In the end, she could only muster another helpless excuse. “If we stay like this, neither of us will be able to sleep…”

Logical and reasonable. Surely Li Jia would release her now?

As she spoke, Ye Chengxing couldn’t help but wonder, with a hint of hesitation, if Li Jia was doing this on purpose. The position was far too intimate, too close—bordering on crossing a line.

Li Jia didn’t let go at her words. Instead, she sounded genuinely at a loss. “Then how should I hold you so we can sleep?”

If Ye Chengxing had been thinking clearly and rationally at that moment, she would have immediately caught the distinction. Li Jia hadn’t asked, “Then how can we sleep?” but rather, “Then how should I hold you so we can sleep?” A few changed words, but a world of difference in meaning.

But in that instant—at least in that second—Ye Chengxing was far from calm or rational. Li Jia’s embrace and the swirling pheromones around her had left her dizzy and off-balance. It took her two full seconds to process the question, and all she grasped was one point: Li Jia wasn’t doing it on purpose. She just didn’t know how to hold her properly.

Why would Li Jia ever do this deliberately?

Just then, Li Jia’s voice sounded in her ear once more. “I don’t know how, Sister. Can you teach me?”

Ye Chengxing responded absently, thinking it was simple enough. “Then let go of me first.”

“Okay… but if I let go, you won’t just get out of bed and run off, right?” Li Jia murmured softly. Then, as if answering herself, she added, “Though I don’t think you’re that kind of person. You’ve already agreed to sleep together, so you definitely won’t do that.”

Ye Chengxing had been about to deny the first part when Li Jia’s follow-up made her shake her head into a nod of agreement. “Of course. I’ll always follow through on my promises to you.”

The room was too dark, but after their eyes had adjusted somewhat, shapes were no longer mere blurs as they’d been right after the lights went out. Vague outlines were now discernible.

Li Jia’s lips curved into a brilliant smile. Very slowly, almost word by word, she said earnestly, “In that case, Sister, you mustn’t deceive me. I’ll remember every word of that.”

The Omega’s tone carried a girlish lilt, like playful coquetry, but Ye Chengxing inexplicably sensed a hint of danger in it.

She brushed off the feeling, continuing to reassure her while wondering what was wrong with herself. Why did she keep getting these strange, mismatched impressions of Li Jia?

After agreeing once more, Ye Chengxing felt Li Jia finally release her.

She blinked, thinking to herself, See? Li Jia really wasn’t doing it on purpose.

She just didn’t know how to cuddle properly.

Look, a little communication, and she’d pulled back—no more hugging.

Ye Chengxing couldn’t help recalling Li Jia’s earlier words. She hadn’t realized the impression she’d left on her subconscious was like that. She wanted Li Jia to see her as someone who kept her word.

Unknowingly, Ye Chengxing’s mindset had shifted from “This is too intimate, isn’t it?” to “I have to cuddle with Li Jia to sleep. I can’t let her think I’m untrustworthy.”

And she was barely aware of the change.

But…

A sudden realization hit Ye Chengxing.

Truth be told, she had no idea herself how they should cuddle to fall asleep.

Last time, they hadn’t gone to sleep holding each other. They’d kept their distance before drifting off, only ending up entwined by accident during the night—discovered upon waking.

Gritting her teeth, Ye Chengxing seized on an excuse. “Oh, right—I forgot to check if Xiao Bai cleared the table. I’ll go down and look.”

Li Jia fell silent for two seconds after hearing this.

Though their eyes had adjusted enough to make out rough silhouettes, finer details like expressions remained indistinct.

Before Li Jia could respond, Ye Chengxing hurriedly promised, “I’m not lying to you. I’ll definitely come back.”

After a pause, the Omega’s voice rose, tinged with a soft laugh. “Of course I believe you, Sister. I’ll wait for you.”

Ye Chengxing nodded and slipped out of bed, grabbing her phone on the way without a sound.

Once outside the room, she still felt uneasy and descended a few more steps before quietly pulling out her phone. She opened the search app and typed into the bar:

【How should you hold someone to fall asleep?】

Hitting search brought up a flood of varied responses.

The top one caught her eye immediately: 【A guide to the proper ways to cuddle your girlfriend to sleep.】

Ye Chengxing stared at it for two seconds, tempted to click, then hesitated. It didn’t feel quite right.

She scrolled further, but the results were things like “How to soothe a newborn to sleep” or “The best ways to hold a baby while sleeping.” Utterly unrelated.

After much internal debate, Ye Chengxing tapped the first result.

Even as she did, it felt off—her heartbeat quickened.

This was all wrong.

She silently reassured herself that looking didn’t mean she and Li Jia were in that kind of relationship.

Yet her heart still raced like a caged rabbit, refusing to calm.

If she didn’t tell herself that…

She couldn’t quite describe the feeling—perhaps lingering effects from that earlier dream. Without that reassurance, wilder thoughts would surely overwhelm her.

She realized she still wasn’t used to the gender dynamics of the ABO world. Like tonight: Li Jia waiting upstairs in bed for her to return and sleep together, while she stood downstairs browsing proper cuddling positions for girlfriends.

She suddenly couldn’t tell if this was the normal, innocent sisterly bond she imagined, or if it had already veered into an improper Alpha-Omega intimacy.

But no matter what she thought, Li Jia surely just saw her as a big sister.

Perhaps overly affectionate, but mostly dependent. If she hadn’t been the one by Li Jia’s side, if she hadn’t been the one to help, none of this would involve her now.

It was the same here. Li Jia needed her, clung to her—only because she lacked security, because she was the only one around. But given this world’s backdrop, Li Jia would eventually fall for another Alpha, fall in love, build a life together. Her world would fill with more people, just as Ye Chengxing had first hoped. Her future would brighten because she was inherently so exceptional. Then, Li Jia would shed the rose-tinted glasses born of hardship and see Ye Chengxing for the ordinary person she was.

So she just needed to be a good big sister. Leave when Li Jia no longer needed her… and that would be enough.

Ye Chengxing slapped her cheeks lightly. Late nights really did breed nonsense.

She glanced back at the article.

Her heartbeat had steadied, but a baseless irritation bubbled up.

Pushing down the jumble of thoughts, Ye Chengxing pocketed her phone and headed upstairs, pondering how to cuddle Li Jia to sleep.

Back in the room, Li Jia was still awake, waiting for her as expected.

“Did Xiao Bai clean up?”

Ye Chengxing climbed into bed, her tone laced with apology for taking so long. “Yes, all done.”

She reached out, half-embracing Li Jia.

But Li Jia pressed closer on her own. “Good.”

Ye Chengxing fell silent.

In the quiet that followed, amid the enveloping darkness, Li Jia narrowed her eyes, her voice pure innocent curiosity. “Did something happen? I feel like you’re not happy, Sister.”

The Alpha’s mood did seem downcast.

Ye Chengxing started at that, surprised Li Jia had noticed.

But how could she explain? Blame it on you? Or admit she’d overthought herself into a funk?

Either way, it sounded odd.

Unwilling to burden Li Jia with her negativity, Ye Chengxing forced a smile—then remembered the darkness hid it—and offered an explanation. “It’s nothing. I’m just a bit sleepy. Let’s get some rest.”

With that, she patted Li Jia gently, her tone now light, as if the earlier gloom had been a mere illusion. “Good night, Xiao Li.”

Ye Chengxing didn’t know if Li Jia bought it. She closed her eyes, pretending to drift off.

Li Jia watched her for a long moment before softly replying, “Good night, Sister.”

She recalled Ye Chengxing slipping out with her phone—but she was certain it wasn’t to check on Xiao Bai’s cleaning.

Her mood had been fine before leaving.

Had someone messaged her? Was it because of someone else that she’d grown low suddenly?

The thought of that unknown person made Li Jia’s fingertips curl slightly.

She nestled deeper into Ye Chengxing’s arms.

Though Ye Chengxing’s eyes were shut, Li Jia knew she wasn’t asleep yet. The Alpha beside her was tangled in thoughts of someone else.

They lay together, but Ye Chengxing’s attention had been stolen away.

Irritation swelled in Li Jia at the notion.

This embrace was intimate, yet somehow still insufficient.

And calculating the timing… her heat period was approaching.

Li Jia savored Ye Chengxing’s scent, reluctant to close her eyes. Though the Alpha had agreed to her request, the sudden distance of the past few days—or something else—made this closeness feel precious and rare.

Even now, so near, she still sensed Ye Chengxing might pull away at any moment.

With each breath, the faint, distinct oolong tea aroma from the Alpha stirred her, setting her heart racing. Perhaps the deep night emboldened desires she usually kept hidden.

“Can’t sleep, Sister?” She tugged at Ye Chengxing’s clothing, her tone seemingly nothing but innocent concern.

Ye Chengxing had meant to feign sleep but realized it was too obvious. She opened her eyes. “Maybe… a little.”

Li Jia blinked. “Shall I get you a calming sachet? I use one to fall asleep all the time.”

Ye Chengxing hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

“No way,” Li Jia said with a light chuckle. “Then I’ll go get it for you, sis.”

With that, the Omega quickly rose from the bed.

Ye Chengxing had assumed they were both settled in for the night. But since she wasn’t asleep yet, having Li Jia get up again felt like too much trouble for her. Still, Li Jia seemed so eager and excited. Ye Chengxing wondered if she was just imagining things. Either way, she didn’t want to disappoint her good intentions.

She lay on the bed and waited for a moment, her heart heavy with guilt. In the end, she got up too.

But just as she reached the door, she ran into Li Jia returning.

Li Jia held a small bag with exquisite packaging, and Ye Chengxing instinctively reached out to take it.

The Calming Sachet was much heavier than she had expected.

Feeling its weight, she asked without thinking.

Li Jia replied without missing a beat. “Because I put a lot of things inside. It should work really well.”

Ye Chengxing nodded, still feeling a little embarrassed. “It’s fine, really. Let’s head back to bed and get some sleep. I’ve troubled you too much already.”

Li Jia’s lips curved into a smile. When she saw Ye Chengxing take the bag, the arc of her smile deepened, her lips a lush, watery red. Her tone was pure and innocent. “What’s there to it? Sis, you’re the closest person to me.”

Ye Chengxing clutched the Calming Sachet, her guilt intensifying. Li Jia was just too good to her. After a pause, she said softly, her voice tinged with emotion, “Yeah… You’re the closest person to me too.”

The two returned to bed.

Whether it was the Calming Sachet or the calm that had finally settled over her heart, Ye Chengxing truly began to feel sleepy.

She placed the Calming Sachet right beside her pillow. In her hazy state, she caught a faint whiff of white peach sweet scent drifting through the sachet.

Ye Chengxing didn’t open her eyes. She felt even more at ease.

Sure enough, the Calming Sachet had been used by Li Jia before. It still carried the subtle fragrance of the Omega’s pheromones.

With none of her earlier distracting thoughts weighing on her mind, Ye Chengxing soon fell into a deep sleep. And so she never noticed that, after confirming she was out, Li Jia waited a little longer. Then, with deft fingers, she opened the so-called Calming Sachet—the one she had prepared for Ye Chengxing beside the pillow. From inside, she retrieved a very small, pale pink, round soothing toy.

But in just that short time, it had already absorbed the faint scent of the Alpha’s pheromones.

Li Jia’s fingertip glided over its surface. Satisfied that her method was effective, she slipped the toy back inside and concealed it properly.

The night was deep and still.

In high spirits, the Omega lay back down beside Ye Chengxing, nestling into an intimately close position.

In a certain sense, this truly was her Calming Sachet.

Especially after tonight.