Chapter 69: ◎Making Pei Shijin Envious and Jealous◎

They walked all the way to the dungeon, where Lu Yixue and Pei Shijin stopped outside Bai Mingsong’s cell.

“Be careful,” Lu Yixue said.

Pei Shijin nodded. “Mm.”

The two looked at each other in silence, standing there for about thirty seconds or so, before Pei Shijin pulled open the door and went inside.

Lu Yixue watched the door close, her thoughts growing more chaotic the more she considered it. She worried that Bai Mingsong might pull some shady trick.

The dignified Eldest Young Lady of the Lu family actually couldn’t stop herself from pressing her ear to the door. Lu Yixue gripped the door handle with one hand, ready to burst in at the slightest sign of trouble.

But she couldn’t hear a thing, perhaps because the room was too well soundproofed.

Bai Mingsong’s cell was newly assigned, and it had more measures to deal with Alphas compared to the previous one. A pheromone restraint ring encircled her neck, like a transparent hula hoop. A drug injector pierced her gland, steadily pumping suppressant into the ring’s tube. It completely suppressed Bai Mingsong’s pheromones and left her limp and powerless all over. This was an official device specially developed for high-risk Alpha criminals, and now Bai Mingsong was getting an early taste of it.

At that moment, she could only slump on the cold concrete floor. When Pei Shijin entered, all she could do was glare with eyes full of rage and hatred.

“You’re hating me? That’s rare,” Pei Shijin said, her voice as cold as ice. She squatted down beside Bai Mingsong’s head and examined her curiously.

She had once been intensely jealous of the preferential treatment Lu Mingzhu gave Bai Mingsong, and jealous that Bai Mingsong had been part of Lu Yixue’s life from childhood—a regret Pei Shijin could never make up for in her own lifetime.

But now, seeing the person she had envied in such a wretched state, Pei Shijin felt a vulgar sense of satisfaction. It was immensely gratifying.

“Pah!” Bai Mingsong mustered all her strength to spit at Pei Shijin in insult.

Unfortunately, the spit barely traveled ten centimeters, utterly harmless.

Pei Shijin sneered coldly. In the next instant, Bai Mingsong’s eyes bulged, her mouth gaped wide, but she couldn’t make a sound.

The pheromone suppression from a top-tier Alpha overwhelmed Bai Mingsong with agony. She could hardly breathe, her face turning beet red. The whole world seemed to thicken and grow heavy, as if something was burrowing into her body, every pore screaming for mercy.

Physiological suppression via pheromone levels was a common tactic in chaotic times, akin to a beating but with even greater pain.

Looking at Bai Mingsong’s contorted face in torment, Pei Shijin found it somewhat boring. She had never been one to derive pleasure from torturing others, even enemies.

The thrill was fleeting; she found it hard to do anything more.

“I had a lot to say at first, but now it suddenly feels pointless. Talking to a total failure is just a waste of time.” Pei Shijin stood up. “I hope you can turn over a new leaf in prison, though no amount of effort will likely reduce your sentence.”

“Heh heh.” Bai Mingsong managed a laugh. “Who will have the last laugh isn’t certain yet, cough cough.”

“True enough, but it definitely won’t be you.” Pei Shijin truly envied her confidence. Though she hadn’t planned to say more, she couldn’t resist needling Bai Mingsong with words. “Even if you became an Alpha, Lu Yixue wouldn’t like you. She just said she’ll never touch that brand of red wine again—cedar, mint, all those scents are repulsive to her now.”

Bai Mingsong’s features twisted, flames of fury igniting her eyes. “Just you wait and see.”

Pei Shijin turned sharply and left. Fine, let’s see about that.

The door handle jiggled, and Lu Yixue immediately released it, stepping back two paces and pretending to stare at the ceiling.

“Let’s head back,” Pei Shijin said.

“Achoo!” Lu Yixue sneezed, looking up to find Pei Shijin keeping her distance. “What’s wrong?”

“I got some pheromones on me. Let’s stay apart.” Pei Shijin’s fingers curled slightly, and she retreated further as Lu Yixue approached.

Lu Yixue halted. “Okay.”

The distance between them silently reminded Lu Yixue that until this issue was resolved, they couldn’t take another step forward.

“What did you talk about?” Lu Yixue walked ahead, glancing back over her shoulder now and then.

“Watch the road,” Pei Shijin reminded her. “Nothing worth saying. I wanted to ask why she doesn’t value human life, but after seeing her, she seems completely unhinged.”

“Yeah, she’s a lunatic. If she says anything nasty, just treat it like hot air,” Lu Yixue said.

“Haha.” Pei Shijin couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. “Her words don’t affect me, but her hot air might stink me up.”

Lu Yixue couldn’t respond to that. They weren’t suited to discuss smelly things, so she changed the subject. “Head home to sleep? It’s late, and your place is far. Why not stay here tonight?”

“No, I still need to bring dinner to Song Zonghui.” They both knew it was just an excuse.

Lu Yixue gave a dry “mm,” paused, then added, “Have the driver take you back. The bodyguards aren’t pulling out yet—we’re worried about accomplices.”

“Okay.”

Pei Shijin had arrived with Little Mingzhu, and she left with her too. Though Little Mingzhu was already asleep, Lu Yixue insisted Pei Shijin take her. “I can’t look after her here. Take the RV back; she can sleep on the way.”

Pei Shijin was happy to bring the child home. Before getting in the car, she asked Lu Yixue, “Have you thought it over?”

Lu Yixue paused, warmed by the concern. “Tomorrow. I’ll tell you tomorrow. Sleep well. Good night.”

“Mm, good night.” Pei Shijin boarded the car and looked back through the rear window. Lu Yixue stood there without moving.

It felt strange, like a dream.

These past few days really felt like a dream—and bolder than any she’d had before.

Pei Shijin pulled out her phone and scrolled through their chat history, her lips curving into a smile as she read.

Even if it was a dream, she wanted it to last a little longer.

So she could savor it even after waking.

Lu Yixue watched the car carry the two away, then turned and vanished into the darkness.

She slept less than three hours before being shaken awake. Guan Yueying was sneaking around like a thief. “Wake up, quick!”

“Hm?” Lu Yixue opened her eyes and, by faint moonlight, made out a figure. “What is it?”

“You’re going to see those four people,” Guan Yueying whined. “And here you are, sleeping soundly, forgetting all about it!”

Lu Yixue fell silent for a moment. “You’ve had it rough.”

“Heh heh, pretty thrilling.” Guan Yueying’s laugh sounded eerie in the dark.

“Are you two really reliable?” Lu Yixue regretted it a bit.

“Come on, come on. Use people without doubting them—don’t say hurtful things.” Guan Yueying threw back the covers and urged her. “Put on some black clothes to match us.”

Lu Yixue silently got out of bed. In that instant, her mind raced with thoughts, ultimately blaming Lu Lingjiang and Gao Ye’an for not picking better neighbors back then, leaving her without a single dependable friend.

Out of the bedroom, Lu Yixue spotted You Yi, who was even more over-the-top than Guan Yueying: tight black clothes and shoes were one thing, but she even had a black triangular scarf over her face.

At least, wasn’t a mask more convenient and comfortable than a triangular scarf?

“Here’s yours.” Guan Yueying pulled out a cloth and handed it to Lu Yixue.

Lu Yixue turned right back toward the bedroom. She’d rather go back to sleep and beg Lu Lingjiang tomorrow.

“Hey, hey, you can’t bail now!” Guan Yueying grabbed her.

“Exactly! I dug out my full junior high ninja outfit just for you—took over half an hour!” You Yi shot her an accusing look.

“Is this necessary?” Lu Yixue said coolly. “Who here won’t recognize you?”

“It’s about the atmosphere, the vibe! Get it?” You Yi didn’t dare touch Lu Yixue and directed Guan Yueying instead. “Drag her along. We’ve gotta hurry.”

“I only traded my best smokes and booze with my aunt for half an hour. If we’re late, your mom’s people will be back.”

Lu Yixue had no choice but to follow them out, and Guan Yueying even tied the black triangular scarf over her face.

“Come on, group photo for the memories of our action tonight.” Guan Yueying whipped out her phone. Her mouth talked vibe, but her actions showed no tension.

Lu Yixue felt like she was back in elementary school, dominated by idiots.

“Axue, throw up a peace sign.” Before Guan Yueying finished, Lu Yixue knocked her on the head, and she behaved.

After the photo, Guan Yueying sent it to Pei Shijin behind Lu Yixue’s back, so she’d see the surprise when she woke.

Heh heh, hoping it wouldn’t be a fright. Guan Yueying hummed a tune, feeling the trip to Yancheng had been worthwhile.

The three soon “snuck” to the dungeon. The You family’s old steward chuckled at them. “Twenty minutes left.”

You Yi glanced at Lu Yixue, swallowing her snark under that icy gaze. Fine, fine, she wouldn’t mess with her.

The four were held in separate cells. Lu Yixue entered one at random, and Guan Yueying and You Yi followed. “You two…”

“We want to listen!” Guan Yueying cut in before Lu Yixue could finish, her tone resolute.

“Fine.” Lu Yixue turned to the person in the room, her gaze icy.

Pei Shijin got up at night, used the bathroom, and went to pour water. Using her phone’s flashlight, she saw the message on her lock screen.

The price of Guan Yueying babysitting was taking her off the blacklist. Even Lu Yixue wasn’t blacklisted, so no point keeping Guan Yueying on it.

It hadn’t been long, and she’d already messaged. Pei Shijin admired her energy.

What could it be in the dead of night?

Pei Shijin knew Guan Yueying’s messages likely involved Lu Yixue, so she opened it.

The photo immediately drew her eyes to Lu Yixue in the center.

Western clothes with a triangular scarf—an odd combo, but it couldn’t hide Lu Yixue’s beauty. Her perky nose showed superior bone structure, and her amber eyes gleamed uniquely under the streetlight.

The indulgent patience in her gaze toward the camera was obviously for someone specific.

Pei Shijin envied Guan Yueying and You Yi. She didn’t know what the three were up to, but dressing like that, at this hour, standing beside Lu Yixue—it made her envious, even jealous.

Recalling Lu Yixue’s parting words—what couldn’t wait for tomorrow? The quiet night amplified her irritation.

Pei Shijin gulped down most of a cup of warm water. The fullness in her stomach chased away much of her drowsiness.

She sat on the balcony, tilting her head to gaze at the bright moon overhead.

For some inexplicable reason, Pei Shijin found Lu Yixue’s chat and sent a video call request.

Lu Yixue picked up instantly. Pei Shijin saw Lu Yixue, and Lu Yixue saw herself on camera, half her face covered by the black triangular scarf.

She yanked it off at once, ears tinting red with embarrassment. Pretending composure, she asked, “What’s up?”

Pei Shijin stared at Lu Yixue for a bit before drawling, “It’s tomorrow now.”