Lin Yang had never seen Zhu Lexing like this before. Her expression was icy cold, her voice grim and sinister—like an Alpha whose reverse scale had been touched.
Fear hit her first. Unsure how to respond, Lin Yang pursed her lips and took a few steps back. “I… I didn’t do it on purpose…”
“Not on purpose?” Zhu Lexing stared at her. “Not on purpose, and you leave a mark like that? Lin Yang, don’t push your luck.”
“I’ve told you before,” Zhu Lexing continued. “I’m not interested in you. No matter who you mess with, my answer’s the same.”
Lin Yang stared at her in shock. “Why? Weren’t we the closest before?”
“Who was ever close to you?” Zhu Lexing found Lin Yang utterly unreasonable. She glanced sideways and spotted the clear red mark on Yan Mian’s jaw. Her heart ached fiercely at the sight.
Yan Mian—the female protagonist she revered like a goddess on a pedestal.
Zhu Lexing handled her with the utmost care herself, cradling her like fragile treasure, terrified of dropping her or letting her melt away.
For Lin Yang to treat her like this—what else could it be but insanity?
The more Zhu Lexing thought about it, the angrier she got. “This matter—”
She wanted to declare it far from over. Lin Yang should call her family and the teachers—Zhu Lin was home anyway. No apology, no full explanation? No one was leaving.
“I’m fine.”
A soft voice cut in suddenly, derailing Zhu Lexing’s fury in an instant.
Yan Mian had already picked up her bag from the ground and was slowly brushing off the dirt. “Let’s go, Lexing.”
That nickname stunned Zhu Lexing. Lin Yang exploded with rage. “Who said you could call her that?”
In the span of a few exchanges, the Alpha Zhu Lexing had shoved finally snapped out of it. “You hit someone and think you can just walk away?”
Zhu Lexing thought they were all a bunch of like-minded lunatics.
A shove counted as hitting? Talk about exaggeration—like they’d been raised in a vacuum.
Seeing them on the verge of losing it, Zhu Lexing cut straight to the point. “Do whatever you want with me, I don’t care. But lay a finger on me, and Lin Yang—you know the consequences.”
In a Mary Sue novel, the villain’s background was always grand and intimidating. Trouble arose, and they threatened to chop off hands or feet, or feed someone to the sharks.
Zhu Lexing wasn’t that antisocial. She kept her words restrained.
The Lin Family and Zhu Family got along decently, or the two of them wouldn’t have been partners in crime before.
Lin Yang’s expression hardened. She turned to the others. “Don’t lose it.”
“You need to hear that more than they do,” Zhu Lexing shot back.
Her own expression turned icy. “Lin Yang, this is the last time I’m saying it. I don’t care what you think of me or whatever nonsense is in your head. Just stop causing trouble for other people.”
“Especially Yan Mian,” Zhu Lexing added. “She’s one of the Zhu Family. Touch her again, and I—”
She drew a finger across her throat in a clear threat.
Lin Yang’s face grew even colder, but she said nothing. She watched as Zhu Lexing picked Yan Mian’s backpack up off the ground, grabbed the girl’s slender wrist without a second thought, and walked off under the glowering stares of the Alphas.
Twilight fell.
From the moment Zhu Lexing had burst onto the scene and spoken up for her, Yan Mian’s mind had frozen solid. She couldn’t think straight.
That “I’m fine” had been the last shred of her rationality speaking.
She knew how unhinged Zhu Lexing could get when provoked. The last thing she wanted was for her to get in trouble over this.
But once Zhu Lexing took her by the wrist, Yan Mian lost every coherent thought. It was like drowning in a hazy fog, unable to draw breath.
She had imagined every possible rescue a thousand times over.
Li Nian showing up out of nowhere. Li Nian arriving with backup. Or Li Nian never appearing at all, but Lin Yang losing interest and leaving on her own.
Anyone but Zhu Lexing.
The villain who had started this whole mess.
It was impossible.
Against the light, the girl’s features looked even more exquisite.
Her palm was warm—softer than the fading sunset.
Yan Mian finally came to her senses and tugged free. Zhu Lexing released her at once, as if snapping out of a daze.
Zhu Lexing’s explanation for her sudden arrival was simple. “I left something in the Rest Room. Saw Lin Yang on your floor.”
“…” Yan Mian didn’t press. She just said softly, “Give me the bag.”
Zhu Lexing handed it over without protest.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. At the School Gate, only Qin Yun was still waiting. Yan Mian glanced instinctively at Zhu Lexing.
“…” Zhu Lexing explained. “Uncle Li took Song Yingying home first.”
In a situation like this, Zhu Lexing would normally cab it back. She took it in stride. “You head out first. I’ll grab something else.”
“…” Yan Mian paused for a few seconds. Memories of Zhu Lexing’s past misdeeds flashed through her mind countless times. But in that moment, she softened.
“…If you don’t mind,” Yan Mian said, “ride with Auntie Qin’s car. We can go together.”
Zhu Lexing’s eyes widened. “!”
She hadn’t expected Yan Mian to invite her.
But this was a golden opportunity to close the distance between them! Zhu Lexing didn’t refuse. After a brief, awkward pause, she muttered, “Mm. Since you put it that way—”
Settling into the familiar nanny car, Zhu Lexing let out a long breath of relief.
Auntie Qin, behind the driver’s seat, blinked at her in confusion for a moment. Only after Yan Mian softly assured her everything was fine did she pull forward.
Once they were some distance away, Zhu Lexing finally relaxed completely. As her tension eased, she noticed the stinging pain in her left arm.
She was wearing a gray jacket. Lifting the sleeve revealed a scrape on her arm—about two centimeters long. A bit of blood had seeped out, but only a few drops. It was barely anything.
The System explained: 【This is because all the Alphas the Host encountered today were in an aggressive state. Their pheromones harm those they intend to attack.】
It could work like that!
Zhu Lexing was deeply shocked. No wonder it was the ABO World! Pheromones could even be used as weapons—it was terrifying.
But she wasn’t curious about the combat mechanics. Instead, her thoughts turned to another aspect of pheromones: their scent.
The novels always went into such detail about the protagonist’s pheromone scent, and Zhu Lexing had been curious about it for a long time. Now, she couldn’t help asking the System: 【So what does mine smell like?】
On the day she transmigrated into the book, she and Yan Mian had been in the Rest Room… There had been a hazy scent in the air, but that memory was too embarrassing. Zhu Lexing had forced herself to forget it. Still, a faint shadow lingered in her mind, reminding her that Yan Mian’s pheromones carried some kind of floral fragrance.
“Your hand…”
In the silence, Yan Mian suddenly spoke up. The backseat of the car was cramped, and every movement Zhu Lexing made was right there in front of her.
She paused after saying it, wondering why she even cared about Zhu Lexing. Sure, the other girl had gotten hurt today because of her. But once they got back to the Zhu Family home, Zhu Lexing would have no shortage of people fussing over her.
“I’m fine,” Zhu Lexing replied. She paused, then added, “Don’t worry about Lin Yang.”
“I’ll have a serious talk with her later,” Zhu Lexing continued. “I won’t let her bother you anymore.”
She said it, but someone as shameless as Lin Yang wouldn’t be deterred by a few words unless something truly serious happened.
Zhu Lexing thought to herself, did that mean she really had to become the kind of woman who controlled the economic lifelines of the world? Only when she was powerful enough to wipe out the Lin Family with a single sentence would these troubles finally end.
In the end, it all came down to her being too weak. Otherwise, Yan Mian wouldn’t have been bullied for no reason at all.
As she spoke, her tone grew low and dejected.
Yan Mian couldn’t read her mind, but she found this calm, earnest version of Zhu Lexing talking to her utterly baffling.
“There’s medicine in the car. You should… take care of it first?”
Qin Yun and Yan Mian both had fragile constitutions, and Yan Mian occasionally suffered minor scrapes, so it wasn’t unusual for the car to have a first-aid kit.
The sharp smell of alcohol filled the confined space.
Yan Mian dipped a cotton swab into the alcohol and handed it over to Zhu Lexing. She had no intention of making physical contact.
Zhu Lexing took the swab and slowly wiped it across her arm.
It wasn’t a serious injury—just a scrape. In the modern world, she’d gotten far worse during filming accidents, so she didn’t think much of it.
But in Yan Mian’s eyes, a pampered young lady like Zhu Lexing would treat even a tiny cut like a major wound.
Zhu Lexing wasn’t used to the alcohol fumes. She turned her head slightly and cracked the window open a bit more.
Yan Mian assumed she’d hurt herself by pressing too hard and blurted out, “Otherwise…”
Otherwise, let me do it.
The next second, she remembered who she was dealing with—Zhu Lexing.
So she caught herself and changed course. “…Otherwise, have Doctor Song take a look when we get back.”
Zhu Lexing was busy gulping down fresh air and missed the hesitation in her voice. “It’s just a scratch. No need to bother Doctor Song. She’s very—”
Busy.
Halfway through, Zhu Lexing realized that the arrogant Original Host would never show concern for anyone else.
In her world, people were divided into just two categories: those who could be used, and those who couldn’t.
“…She’s pretty annoying anyway,” Zhu Lexing finished lamely.
Besides, she still hadn’t forgotten the psychological test form Song Yun had brought last time.
Her daily life was already so hectic that she hadn’t had a moment to fill it out.
If Song Yun showed up demanding it back, what was she supposed to do?
She couldn’t exactly admit she hadn’t written a single word.
Zhu Lexing felt too embarrassed to say it out loud.
Yan Mian didn’t suspect a thing.
After a quick disinfect with the alcohol and a cursory wrap of gauze, Zhu Lexing saw that Yan Mian’s worried expression had finally eased. She put the medicine away in the kit.
The rest of the ride passed in silence. When they arrived home, Zhu Lin was seated at the head of the table, still wearing an apron. He looked visibly surprised to see the two of them walk in together.
Jiang Yue, sitting beside him, lit up with joy and immediately stood. “You came back together? Where did you go to have fun?”
…
Zhu Lexing rolled her eyes silently, tossed her bag onto the sofa, washed her hands, and took a seat next to Zhu Lin.
Yan Mian hesitated for a moment before placing her bag directly across from Zhu Lexing’s. Then she answered, “There was a lot of homework, so Lexing and I… finished it together before coming back.”
“Oh, got it.” Zhu Lin chuckled. “Uncle Li told me Lexing forgot something at school. I was wondering what was up. It’s great to finish homework at school, but doing it at home works too. No rush anyway.”
“Come on, Xingxing. Try this soup I simmered this afternoon—”
As he spoke, he bustled around ladling some out for Zhu Lexing. Only then did she notice the apron and realize that Zhu Lin must have cooked all these dishes himself.
And the two of them had clearly been waiting a long time for her and Yan Mian.
“You don’t have to wait for me from now on,” she said. No one had ever waited up for Zhu Lexing or cooked for her before. After a few seconds of silence, she added, “I have a lot going on at school.”
“You’re only in sophomore year. What could possibly keep you so busy?” Zhu Lin asked. “The Student Council? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to do it? Mianmian, have a bowl too—”
Yan Mian parted her lips to respond, but Jiang Yue cut in quickly. “I can handle it— Mianmian, Uncle Zhu is asking you a question. Why aren’t you answering? Honestly, you’re getting more and more introverted.”
Yan Mian fell silent again, staring at the bowl Jiang Yue placed in front of her.
Zhu Lexing hated that kind of passive-aggressive nonsense. “Can’t Yan Mian answer for herself? Why do you have to butt in?”
Jiang Yue froze, stunned by the retort, and instinctively glanced at Zhu Lin.
“Your Aunt Jiang is just concerned about Little Mian,” Zhu Lin said. “Tomorrow’s the stage play, and today—”
His words were cut short by the ringing of the phone.
Across several bowls, Zhu Lexing couldn’t make out the name clearly. She drank her soup in silence until Zhu Lin spoke up. “Little Yang? What’s wrong?”
Zhu Lexing: “…”
This Little Yang wouldn’t be the Lin Yang she was imagining, would it?
The next second, Zhu Lin’s gaze landed on her face, confirming Zhu Lexing’s suspicion.
“You had a little run-in with Lexing today. She seems to have gotten hurt?”
Zhu Lin’s expression darkened, and Jiang Yue frowned as well. “Little Mian, what happened?”
Yan Mian set down her chopsticks. “I…”
“It’s nothing serious.” Zhu Lexing tsked and directly rolled up her left sleeve.
Zhu Lin grew even more anxious. “It’s wrapped up like that, and you call it nothing? We’re going to the hospital right now!”
Someone, anyone—please rescue her from this Mary Sue world!
Zhu Lexing couldn’t stand playing the pampered young miss any longer. She ripped off the bandage, revealing a wound that was only faintly red and already mostly healed. She showed it to the others. “I said it’s fine, and it is! I wrapped it up like this myself. If Lin Yang had called even a bit later, the scrape would’ve healed completely by now.”
“Besides.” Zhu Lexing paused and glanced at the phone screen, which was still showing the ongoing call. She didn’t hold back. “Lin Yang has the nerve to check on me, but no nerve to admit she went looking for trouble with Yan Mian?”
Zhu Lin froze.
In his eyes, Lin Yang and Yan Mian were the two people with the least connection.
If there was any link at all, it was only through Zhu Lexing—a bare acquaintance at best.
Trouble? When did that happen? And why?
For once, even Jiang Yue didn’t immediately pin all the blame on Yan Mian. She frowned, waiting to hear what Zhu Lexing had to say.
Lin Yang’s motives… they were just too Mary Sue to explain outright.
If she wanted to get rid of Lin Yang, at least for now, she’d need Zhu Lin’s help.
Zhu Lexing turned to Yan Mian. The girl looked up in a daze, her eyes full of confusion.
“…” Zhu Lexing said, “Lin Yang thinks I like Yan Mian.”
Those nine simple words fell calmly from Zhu Lexing’s lips, but they struck each of the other three like a bolt from the blue.
At some point, Zhu Lin had hung up the phone with a slap on the table. He stared in shock. “Impossible! Utter nonsense! What’s gotten into Little Yang?”
Jiang Yue’s frown deepened as she realized Zhu Lexing truly had no interest in Yan Mian.
Otherwise, why bring it up right in front of Zhu Lin?
Zhu Lin had always placed great importance on family ties.
To him, Yan Mian was Jiang Yue’s daughter—and now living under the same roof as Zhu Lexing, that made her his daughter too.
How could two daughters be together?
It was utterly ridiculous.
Zhu Lin was furious now. This time, instead of calling Lin Yang directly, he dialed her father’s number.
The two men had no business dealings, but they were both from Silver City, and their social circles inevitably overlapped. The call connected, and the other man was exceedingly polite.
Zhu Lin didn’t want to discuss this in front of Zhu Lexing and Yan Mian, so he started heading upstairs. Zhu Lexing called after him, “Oh, right—and that other one—”
Who was it again? For the moment, she couldn’t recall the name of the Omega Lin Yang had mentioned last time. According to her, these rich kids definitely had their own private circles for making introductions…
To put it bluntly, high-class matchmakers—or worse, pimps arranging hookups.
Zhu Lexing was about to ask the System when Yan Mian suddenly spoke up. “Shi Ruofeng. She hasn’t been to class in ages.”
“…” The name matched her memory. Zhu Lexing was a bit surprised that Yan Mian knew her too. “Right, Shi Ruofeng. Lin Yang seems to know where she went.”
Zhu Lin made a gesture to show he’d handle it.
Yan Mian calmly ladled herself some more soup.
Zhu Lexing calmly kept eating.
An oddly harmonious atmosphere settled between them until Jiang Yue let out an awkward laugh. “Little Mian and Lexing… you’re really in sync.”
Zhu Lexing had only given the lead-in, and Yan Mian had picked up the thread seamlessly.
If that wasn’t synergy, what was it?
Zhu Lexing nearly choked.
She thought to herself, Auntie, why not pick up a book in your downtime and enrich your life? Why spout nonsense? Silence is golden—wouldn’t keeping quiet be better?
Zhu Lexing glanced carefully at Yan Mian, worried the girl might feel awkward because of it.
But the girl just quietly sipped her soup, her expression unchanged.
Hearing the prompt 【Yan Mian Favorability increased by 20】 in her ear, Zhu Lexing pondered for a few seconds. Sometimes, she reflected, listening to a bit of idle chatter could be surprisingly useful.
